Holidays

Hello dear ones,

So this year I was excited about learning several new techniques and by being inspired by wonderful artists. I was certain that I would have these skills and ideas rolled up into fabulous gifts for my friends.

From Ann-Denise and Dawn I've learned how to use paperclay (which I LOVEEEEEE) and have been inspired to create my own versions of snowmen for the holidays. Now, they aren't nearly as wonderful as Dawn's however I'm proud of my mis-shapen, big-nosed little snowmen. Of course, I've only actually finished one. How many days till Christmas?

I'm also planning on creating advent garland for various friends. Haven't started that yet and it's well...December 7th.

I've started an altered book for my best friend. So far I've done nothing but put gesso on a few pages to get them primed for what? I haven't any idea.

How is it that last month I thought I'd have enough time? Sweet mother of Pekingese! I'm running out of time!!!!!!

Anyone else out there realizing that their best intentions aren't going to make the UPS truck? LOL

Best wishes and high hopes to my crafty friends with much better time management!

Jennie and the Pekes

One Lucky Day: Vintage Village

Wonderful kit to soon be available on Etsy from the Gypsy Girls.



One Lucky Day: Vintage Village: "Well, I admit with the last minute project thrown in this week and Thanksgiving it took me a little longer than expected to get this kit don..."

Happy Thanksgiving!

Dear friends,

Happy Thanksgiving to each of you. Thank you for the support and friendship you've shown me. The girls and I wish you each have a day filled with laughter, love and hope.

Best wishes and high hopes,
Jennie and the Pekes

Some of my altered canvases..

Hi dear friends,

Rather than rambling for a change I wanted to share some of the canvases I'm currently working on as well as a couple of completed ones.

These two are finished; one was a gift for my Mom and has a picture of her as a small child
with her Mom. The other is of 3 of my babies.

The following are two collage canvases that are still "in the works".

Thanks for letting me share a little of my craft with you tonight!

Best wishes and high hopes to you all,
Jennie and the Pretty Pekes

I'm not an old woman!!!!!!!

Sweet friends,
Ya'll are not going to believe this. Ready? Are you sitting down?

Me, Jennie of The Pretty Pekingese, who has often been referred to as an older woman was asked for ID today when purchasing a bottle of wine. In case you didn't catch that...I WAS CARDED!!!!

WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!! I was so excited I spun, looked at the woman behind me who appreciated my joy when I whispered - I'm being carded! Of course, the kid at the register was probably contemplating whether I had begun drinking already but I didn't care. I was carded and that was so dang exciting that I called my best friend to share my excitement.

I GOT CARDED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Best wishes and high hopes to you all - may you each be carded tomorrow!
Jennie and the Pretty Pekes

Treasures Now and Then

Steve and Latresa

Dear friends,
Several years ago I had a booth at a local antique mall. I had the honor of getting to know Steve and Latresa. Well, they've recently opened their own store in Arlington, TX and it's so lovely. Both are incredibly knowledgeable of antiques and have beautiful furniture, glassware, clocks and more at their store. Please visit their website (click on Steve and Latresa's name above) and their store - you won't be disappointed!!!





Please vist their site, more pictures and details of their inventory. One other note, if you need replacement keys for any of your antique furniture pieces Steve can make them onsite for you!!!

Best wishes and high hopes,
Jennie and the Pretty Pekes

A great giveaway!

Dear friends,
The amazing Lesley Venable has opened a new Etsy shop full of amazing vintage items. AND...she's giving away 2 prizes from her shop to celebrate.

Please visit her blog and her etsy shop - the link to her shop is to the left. If you post her button on your blog she'll register you in her give-away.

Have a great day everyone!

Jennie and the Pretty Pekes

Wonderful finds...

Hello sweet friends,
I'm so excited by some of my finds today that I couldn't wait to share them with you!

Isn't this suitcase amazing! It's made of cardboard and paper; I'm guessing it is from the 1920's or 30's. It has a lovely age to it and must have stories to tell. I can't wait to store some of my crafts in it!




In addition to the suitcase, I found some great old photos, a flour sack (new/reproduction) and some great keys.








But best of all...I found a catalog from the 40's. So awesome!

Some pictures from Wicked Tea

Thankfully others remembered to take pictures!

A Wicked Tea

Spent Saturday having a wickedly good time at A Wicked Tea. This wonderful craft event was sponsored by The Paper Cowgirl. Ann-Denise and Cindy Mayfield worked so hard, as did their families and other cowgirls, to make this an amazing day. I'm kicking myself for not taking pictures as I walked in but I was so in awe I didn't even think of it.

Imagine a sweet pink cottage nestled in a quiet town full of homes with gingerbread trim and decorated for Halloween. When I walked into this adorable cottage I entered a sweet room, perhaps a former porch, dripping with crepe paper and beautiful items for sale from one of our lovely teachers,Lesley Venable. As I entered through to the next room I was in awe. On my right was a beautiful table of crepes, fruit salad and coffee. All around the room was spooky decor. But not spooky like our kids would enjoy. No Freddy or Michael here. No this was a sophisticated, shabby chic, vintage type of halloween decor. Crepe paper, aged mirrors, jars full of witch ingredients (candies) and so much loveliness. Each room was equally over the top and amazing.

There were 20 students and the teachers. We were each assigned seats and from the moment we sat down, we were spoiled. So many bags of gifts filled with the most amazing craft supplies. Throughout the day as each of our teachers came in to educated on techniques and projects were given our supplies in a way that felt like more gifts. It was an amazing day of being pampered. Cindy Mayfield visited and spent time with each person, making us feel special and appreciated. Ann-Denise prepared amazing food that had all of us licking our fingers and secretely wanting seconds!

At my table were 3 of the most wonderful women - I couldn't have asked for a better group of ladies to spend a day with. To my left was Ms. Cami. Dressed in a black witches hat that was amazing. We were each challenged to make a Halloween inspired name badge - she took it to a whole other level by using a wonderfully embellished hat as hers. Across from me was Ms. Jan. Jan was the neat one of our table. Her part of the table was orderly and controlled. The rest of us...well, not so much!! To my right was Ms. Grace. Grace may now be my favorite Yankee. She was visiting from NYC and made a badge that could compete with the biggest of mums from any Texas homecoming. I think she's Southern at heart.

The 4 of us bonded over the day, laughing to the point of snorting and making a mark as being the loudest table. We were a little bit sassy, a little sweet and at times a little mischevious! Cami's laughter rang out constantly, Grace couldn't stop singing "winner, winner, chicken dinner" and Jan had us roaring with her hilarious stories. She's "such a sweet little thing".

Shortly I'll post pictures of what I created and of the event. I can't wait till the next one!

Best wishes and high hopes to everyone!
Jennie and the Pretty Pekes