After rehearsal on Thursday evening, I decided to treat myself to a perusal of one of my favorite used bookstores — 1/2 Priced Books.   I wasn’t looking for anything in particular, just a way to unwind after a very long day.  I find strolling the aisles, filled with new and used books, to be quite relaxing.  When I came to the older children’s titles, one immediately caught my eye.

You know me and Steven Kellogg books!  But wait, it gets better. . . 

That’s right folks!  I now am the proud owner of a signed Steven Kellogg book.  Mind you, it is probably only worth something to me, but I will treasure it always.  The only thing better is if it had been signed to me (apparently someone named Lindsay was the lucky owner who gave up this gem.)  I think it’s great how he incorporated a drawing with his autograph.

This past week has been extremely busy.  I keep telling Chuck that if I can make it through the month of February, I’ll be okay.  My intergenerational show opens the same day that I leave for Daytona.  It is also the last week that I teach classes for this session.  My job with the seniors is going swimmingly and I love it and feel back in my element.  

I have fallen behind in my art work, but have been finding treasures left and right at Goodwill and Bookman’s Bookstore.  I had Chuck take some photos today of the great stuff I aquired this week.  I told him that I liked “narrow depth of focus” and close-ups.  He delivered quite nicely.  I am so fortunate to have my own photographer.

Here are some pics of the same still life taken at different angles.

I love the way the light reflects off of the flashcards. 

The two ribbon flowers I made and hope to use on a hat at some point.  Be sure to notice the foot of the tray under the flowers.  It’s a silver plated tray I found at Goodwill for a song.  I am hopelessly addicted to  shabby silver holloware.  They are great to put  under just about anything.  I usually use them under plants although I like using them in my craft room for various supplies.  I learned this trick from Martha Stewart years ago.

The pictures above and below I like for the color and shadows.  The sun was setting and the light was incredible.

I’m not sure what the tall glass bottle is but it reminded me of something my Bopka would have.  It has a silver plated cap with tiny holes in it which makes me think it’s used for ironing.  The two salt and peper shakers are beat up but I’m going to use them for my glass glitter.  The book is a great Mary Englebreit decorating anthology.  I love her and have since I was in high school.  I love finding her old magazines (the covers were her artwork).  She makes St. Louis sound amazing and full of super cool flea markets.

I’ll post more pics tomorrow when Chuck shoots this incredible terrarium I found last night.  I can’t wait to turn it into my fairy worlds!