Posting from a hotel room

I am not on our farm, or in my studio or in the garden ( but this is what the restored garden looked like this morning, before we left town for the 4th art/craft event in a month; still blooming!

It has filled in so nicely.

  This is a rather mish-mash post, so please indulge me. I am sitting in a dull hotel room in Louisville, Ky. with my laptop. When we have an "important" art event, we leave a day early, just in case we have van TROUBLES along the way. Nothing worse that a transmission going out, or an alternator gone berserk or a U-joint gone KAPUT or a broken steering column..... any of the above can occur when it is the least convenient, and we should know,  because these very mishaps have happened to us in the past. It doesn't matter how great your vehicle is, or if you have a brand new motor or if your "ride" had a thorough check up before leaving town... anything can happen. But, this time it didn't, and for that we are grateful.  Especially since today is my Birthday. So how does one enjoy a very big birthday whilst having to travel the highways and by-ways? Well fortunately, there was a pretty good Antique shop along the way where  I found some diamonds in the rough...

  Here is a metal lawn glider from the 1940's, ugh!, painted an icky aqua with more than a tad of rust here and there... but it GLIDES so beautifully!  NO PROBLEM. I Know I can revive this with  chalk paint and distressing techniques and I'd been looking all summer for a special bench for  my restored  new garden... and it GLIDES so beautifully! The old side chair is covered in rust and it will require  more work..but it, too, GLIDES so beautifully! Gliders are the best! (even better than rockers)

In the same shop, I found this rather mundane little broom closet for a mere $40. I'd actually  been looking for a broom closet  in which to store tall garden tools on the porch. It is quite dark and bland, but that's what paint is for. It has very nice feet.

 I can just see it now, sitting on my porch all cleaned up with an ivory, distressed and waxed finish.

    Because our van is full of art stuff and books we will have to collect these items after the show, on the way home.
I must  show you the wonderful entry way into the Antique store's bathroom.

 Don't  you  love this DOOR?  It has a REAL crackled and distressed finish, so interesting!

Wouldn't this be a great finish on my little broom closet?

My birthday lunch may not excite you, but it did me... PIZZA! I don't often eat it, so to have a thin crust, extra extra cheese and pepperoni all to myself is quite an indulgence. And a piece of the best carrot cake I ever ET. Okay, so it's not a 4 star restaurant meal, but those places are difficult to find along the highway and besides, I'd rather eat Pizza.

 Last week, in a Madison, Indiana antiques shop, I found this stout basket, it needed some TLC but is perfect for carrying the needlework projects that I bring along when we travel.
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 By inserting a nice padded lid, I can sew a few pockets for my scissors, punch needles, threads, a pincushion, notions and such. Brought along bits of fabric so as to work on this project after the show hours. Simply cannot abide it when I am not being productive. 

The basket holds all these traveling projects.  Punch needle, Cross stitch and embroidery. I use the stamped cross-stitch patterns now, because my eyes just aren't what they used to be and it is difficult to see those teeny spaces in the Aida cloth.

 I'd planned on hand sewing  all the elements on the basket lid, until we found

 the  best birthday gift of the day. We stopped in a fabric store near our hotel to pick up some items and discovered this darling little mini Singer sewing machine, perfect for traveling! It's fortuitous, because just last night I was on EBAY looking at vintage children's sewing machine with the intent of purchasing one for that very purpose.

 It so small and lightweight. This little thing will be humming along every night! Most Art Events run 2 or 3 days and are over each evening by 6; then you have lots of time to kill. I hate television in a boring hotel room. so I'll just stitch away!
If I get tired of sewing, I'll work on these drawings in the travel bag.

This series is coming along nicely, and I expect to have several painted in time for my November shows.

 Traveling to shows is a lot of work, and it's tiresome being away from home every weekend for weeks at a time. Carrying artwork and sewing projects keeps me content and connected to my beloved Hopalong Hollow and my sweet critters.

I just bring them along on paper... here is Cecily Rose and Beatrix.

Speaking of which, we have found a very good home for one  peababy pair, and they will be going to their new home next week. I will do a post and you will be surprised at who the proud new owner is!

I had a nice birthday, thank you James.

 Happy Birthday to my other blogging friends who turned 61 this year.... YOU know who you are!

 Also, a special thanks to my friend Blogless Sandy... you are too sweet, thank you!