Alexa Lett...artsy-craftsy merchant

Embellished Scarves!

2009-11-14T18:52:00.000-08:00

My mantra for this upcoming gift-giving season of Christmas is certainly going to include something handmade. I often think strongly about it....do a lot...but, still end up with those last minute gifts I must leave to a quick purchase from the store. By golly, NOT THIS YEAR! I am thinking ahead...making ahead...and stocking up for the season. At this point, the gift can be food...art...or embellished...and my latest project is scarves.

I was so excited to find these tartan scarves. They just needed a little embellishment...yea, this is where homemade came in. It only took one college football game on television today to complete three scarves. Just a few scraps of fabric, buttons, ribbon and embroidery thread...voila' scarves that look very similar to my art.

Tell me what you think...

"There is a thin line between love and hate

and that thin line, my friend,

is a scarf."

-quote from a scene in the sitcom "Friends"

A Little Piece of Heaven

2009-11-13T07:52:00.000-08:00

See this cute pony? Do you know what he is looking at?

This cute puppy. My Daisy was fascinated by the pony. I guess she has never seen one. She wanted to spend the day hanging on to the fence and whimpering for her new found friend. Do you ever wonder what they are thinking?

Had the great pleasure this past weekend to stay at an awesome retreat. If ever in the Rising Fawn, Georgia area....need a little getaway filled with beautiful views of nature...this is a little slice of goodness.

I don't camp....I'm not really outdoorsy....I like all the benefits of running water, heat/air conditioning, food that I don't cook...but, I do like the visual and exercise benefits of being in nature. This little haven supplied it all. Wild Moon Ranch and Resort a little piece of heaven.

Just Had To Share!

2009-11-05T17:01:00.000-08:00

Last weekend I went to what has always been one of my favorite big junk sales. But....it was somewhat of a bust. Annually a favorite antique mall in my fair city holds an all day yard sale in its parking lot. The past few years I have attended it was fantastic! Approximately, 50-60 vendors and oodles of great stuff at outstanding prices, and everyone always willing to negotiate. The more you buy...the cheaper it gets.
Well this year...it was not so good. The morning was cold and damp, and only three vendors showed up! Argh.

But, as any motto of a good junker clings to in her time of disappointment...."stop and look anyway...even though it looks like nothing is calling your name." I did. There was one little man just beginning to unload his trunk and there it was...the pristine tulle and pipe cleaner angel...almost hanging out of the box of broken ornaments with minimal delicate consideration. I saw them about 10 paces out....I focused.....I walked toward with indignation...I picked up off the ground.....I asked the price....and I got TWO of them for one dollar! Yippee!

Notice the dainty gold pipe cleaners that created her toe shoes! Awesome! Just had to share!

A Little Innocence!

2009-11-04T09:23:00.000-08:00

"Being part of the natural world

reminds me that innocence

is never lost completely;

we just need to maintain

our goodness to retain it."

-Jewel

Just a little innocence flitting around in my yard on Halloween night!

Oktoberfest at the Chattanooga Market!

2009-10-27T11:44:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, was my first time to participate in our infamous Chattanooga Market! This local market features local handmade and produced. This particular beautiful day was "Oktoberfest" themed! Mucho German influence....and oodles of people! It was a great day....met many wonderful vendors.....and made a little moo-lah! Yippee!

Added Pleasure!

2009-10-22T12:27:00.000-07:00

"There's no retirement for an artist,

it's your way of living so there's no end to it."

-Henry Moore

We have now returned from our little family vacation....it was fantastic! Upon a friend's recommendation, we took the segway tour of the grounds at The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC.

It was a beautiful day and filled with new experiences. One being the knack of driving and riding a segway. Not hard....but, not a typical thing for which I have skills. One of the high points of the day was stopping at the reflection pond. This particular body of water was created to reflect the mansion...and, it most certainly did. Our segway guide does numerous tours daily for guests from everywhere in the country. But, on this particular day....the moment I happened to be taking the segway tour...a group of artists had parked at the edge of the pond to practice their skills. Our guide has never seen this in the five years she has worked for The Biltmore. I buzzed by them upon assembling their easels...and 45 minutes later had the pleasure of seeing their almost finished paintings. It was quite cool to see how 10 people painted the same thing. The age of the painters was varied...and so were their skills. But, I loved seeing the process!

What an added pleasure for me!

BE!

2009-10-16T09:38:00.000-07:00

Taking a couple of days to experience a little family Fall break. Can't wait to experience what we have planned...it should make for some excellent photo opportunities. Have a great weekend! Just Be!

Quite Busy!

2009-10-15T09:29:00.000-07:00

"When I'm not writing or tweaking my computer, I do embroidery.

When I'm not plunging into the past, tweaking, or embroidering,

I'm reading books about history, computers or embroidery.

-Lynn Abbey

This is a little sneak peak of my version of a sampler...can't wait to share the full photo...but, still has some work needed. It is no doubt the optimum....maximized...version of a piece of art. Quite busy!

Recycling Artistically!

2009-10-08T10:24:00.000-07:00

"Thanks to my mother,

not a single cardboard box

has found its way back into society.

We receive gifts in boxes from stores

that went out of business twenty years ago."

-Erma Bombeck

Recycling does seem to be the word of choice lately....and a commitment my household is attempting to do, but sometimes in my definition of 'recycling', I always think of crushing or changing the content or consistency of the discarded object. (i.e. plastic bottles crushed and made into playground mulch) Often you don't really have to change it, to re-use it....only alter the purpose. Thus, recycling has occurred.

Mixed Media Art...like most all of my art, had a previous purpose prior to me globbing it on a canvas. I love seeing quirky little pieces of _______(most anything) re-purposed in an aesthetic way.

I keep a book of clever ideas and projects I would like to make some day....and this one below came from that scrapbook. I'm sorry I can't give credit where credit is due regarding this idea, but I found it in a DIY type magazine about three years ago.

Finally purchased two accordion styled measuring tools (I'm sure they have a professional name) at an estate sale about three weeks ago. The original idea was slices of the tool on a leatherette cord. In my version I added the great word, added a vintage bauble and strung it on ball chain.

The cross is created from the joints of the accordion measuring tool....I thought it looked so industrial, but interesting. Once again, I added the spiritual wording.

I thought these turned out great. Not my idea, but a variation of some one's brilliance. Thank you...Someone! Just another form of recycling artistically.

Virtue of the Camera!

2009-10-07T04:55:00.000-07:00

My daughter snapped this photo while traveling down the road at 65 miles an hour. I loved it! The intensity of my first born, coupled with my offspring all in the blur of road foliage is quite interesting. My girls never cease to amaze me.

"The virtue of the camera is not the power

it has to transform the photographer into an artist,

but the impulse it gives him to keep on looking."

-Brooks Atkinson

New Eyes!

2009-10-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

Recently I went home for a few days...family duties. Had a little time to enjoy my surroundings for a change. It has been 20+ years since I lived here...and have learned that we often take for granted the artistic beauty that surrounds us.

When I think of the farm....my brain automatically goes to getting up at 5am to beat the hot sun, shucking a truck bed of corn before noon, push mowing the 1+ acre lawn, pulling and setting tobacco for hours...the list goes on and on. A farmers daughter's work is never done, yet today....I see it differently.

It is quite true, minimal negative thoughts can invade many, many positive ones. What once seemed dirty....yucky...nasty...labor intensive...hard....now looks, beautiful....quiet... peaceful...aged....home.

Different times....different light makes all things look DIFFERENT!

Lesson to learn: don't let the less desired memories override the wonderful ones.

Stop and look at your surroundings with new eyes!

Finally...Be!

2009-10-05T05:40:00.000-07:00

Finally...the old technology element of my world has come to be working! Yippee! Although, the lack of a computer has somewhat increased my ability to create...I still missed it immensely. It now seems the computer is my link to the world...used to be the newspaper...then the television...then came the cell phone...and now it is my computer. My how things change so quickly. Can't wait to start loading in all my goodies I have seen and made. Below is a little piece I did about three months ago...and my has that simple word become so prominent.

With the loss of all my blogging companions....connections to my creative outlets...I've just had to learn to "be". All whining aside, it has been fun.

Just BE!

Must Add Sapce!

2009-09-24T10:12:00.000-07:00

"What passes for optimism

is most often the

effect of an intellectual error."

-Raymond Aron

Have you ever seen the bubble at the bottom of your tool bar that says, "not enough disc space"? Well I've been looking at that about 10 days now....and kept loading photos....graphics....all kinds of great stuff...and thought with complete optimism...this is just a little bit....it will be fine.

Well today, the voice of optimism was replaced with the yell of "you have crashed, you dumbo who didn't pay attention to the warning bubble."

Please keep checking in...I have oodles of art, creativity and photos to share, but having a bit of technical and intellectual meltdown-ed-ness. Must add space ASAP!!!!

Have a great day!

"We Speak" Art Project

2009-09-17T10:23:00.000-07:00

I love to see an art project that begs you to figure out "why?". I have driven downtown several times....I have seen this wonderful visual display and for one reason or another, did not stop and figure out what it was about. But, NOT TODAY! I fought the traffic...parked illegally...and read the simple banner below to understand how wonderful I found this art display.

If you don't want to read the whole banner...here is the jest...

"We Speak" is a series of 50 paintings created in 2009 by 50 teens. Each teen was asked to complete the phrase "I ______", using a word which best represented what they would express to all Chattanooga and its visitors. Using mirrors each teen drew or painted his or her mouth articulating that word. When hung together the paintings create a building that "speaks" words of empowerment.

How cool! What was once an unused building....is now a four story building of positive affirmations. Now that is empowering! Love it.

Grass Does Not Grow!

2009-09-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

I'm heading back home and must thank my friends who help my travels much easier. The simple quote above says it all....

"On the road between the homes of friends, grass does not grow."

Put On Your 'Bright Side' Boots!

2009-09-08T17:32:00.000-07:00

Habits can be bad sometimes...biting nails, bad language, being late, talking on a cell phone inappropriately, yet....some habits are quite good. For instance, saying, "thank you", writing handwritten notes, and looking on the bright side of things.

This is a quote I daily try to observe. Many times I too, fall off the wagon, but we must all strive to face the bright light. This week is already seeming like a challenge, so, I putting on my "bright side" boots as we speak. Join me!

Start Chewin'!

2009-09-04T10:17:00.000-07:00

This quote is one of my FAVORITES! I am certainly one of those people that the more I have to do....the more I get done. It is a sick omen. So this philosophy of "Bite off more than you can chew, they chew it" is absolutely a mantra that proudly hails on my mirror...on my fridge...on my dashboard...and in my noggin'. Everybody...start chewin'!

BINGO!

2009-09-03T13:42:00.000-07:00

"Congress: Bingo with billions"

-Red Skelton

Made oodles of bingo bracelets today....happened upon this quote by the infamous Comedian, Red Skelton....how apropos.

Put To Rest!

2009-09-02T13:13:00.000-07:00

Today was an epiphany day....a day of art imitating life. I had more fun today than I have in a long time. Oddly enough, one of my biggest fears was established....yet, quickly put to rest.

the saga continues...

Today: My Hubby owns a company. It is a successful company. It now needs the aid of something I can do. Finally, I can contribute to the better good of what we are attempting to create. I was invited, by said President, to be the representative for a rather large meeting to discuss marketing and advertising. I LOVED it. Did not realize how much I missed the brainstorming....the formulating of ideas from various vantage points...the request of my opinion. FYI: in my basement studio, the only person that asks me anything is Daisy (the most adorable Boston Terrier ever) and she only requests to go visit the backyard for a few minutes about three times a day. This meeting dusted off a portion of my brain that evidently had lay dormant for quite some time. I could literally feel a tingling sensation soaring through my body.

Life Imitating Art: The above piece of art was something I did about a month ago. I loved the picture of the couple and quote...and quickly thought they equally looked independent, yet together a part of a greater whole. At the time, I was thinking "happy marriage". Now, upon working through today...I think this photo was a bit of a reflection of myself and my Hubby. Together we are working on small opportunities to create larger enterprises. Art imitating life. Hmmm.

Fun: Every day should be fun. Making the creative juice surge through your body IS fun. After today...I have redefined what makes that possible.

Biggest Fear: Upon quitting my full time job and becoming a stay-at-home Mom, I would lose the "business"... side of my brain. The fear of not having a deadline....dependency on a paycheck...responsibilities of pleasing my boss....and gratification of completing a task for someone else would begin to slowly diminish and create a vast island of cerebral mish-mash that would have no value to anyone.

Upside to Biggest Fear: Being a stay-at-home Mom only made my brain work in a totally new way. Deadlines that are totally different, but clearly a part of my life...dependency on Hubby....finding pleasure in being with myself...creating artful projects...and massive gratification that my only child was not being raised at the hands of someone else.

Can you believe all this came from a simple old photo and a terrific meeting? Let's put this all to rest....

Increments of Time!

2009-08-26T07:46:00.000-07:00

Made a little art yesterday. My creative juices have begun to bubble. Honey at work....daughter at school....dog asleep....bed made.... laundry caught up....housework done for this week....dinner in the crock pot....me in the studio! I now have oodles of time to finally concentrate in longer increments of time. Yea! I'm headed there right now...

Amen!

2009-08-25T08:11:00.000-07:00

"My software never has bugs,

it just develops random features."

-Anonymous

I have been stricken with computer meltdown! I have not been able to get on the Internet in almost a week! EEEEEEK! When computers work it is outstanding....when they are broken....I am completely crippled. My "fix-er up" skills are basically negative...in fact, my desperate attempts at repair have often landed me deeper in the hole. So, with the aid of much duck tape and aluminum foil I managed to use my husbands desktop today. He is at work....shhhhhh.

Remember a former post with all the parts in a muffin tin? Well, this is the end result of miscellaneous parts put together. These cute little girls are all made from vintage ephemera.

Once again volume will make them fabulous....imagine a whole tree covered in these little girls. Can't wait.

While reading this and thumbing wildly through blogs on your working computer...remember mine and all its illnesses. Amen.

World's Longest Yardsale 2009!

2009-08-18T17:38:00.000-07:00

I am back....yea!!!! This past weekend was the World's Longest Yard Sale. Once again, I am so fortunate to live smack dab in the middle of two outstanding ginormous yard sales! My daughter's busy sporting schedule put my shopping in jeopardy...but, I managed to find a few hours free on Sunday. With minimal needed commentary, I have brought you some sights I found interesting....odd....or things I would love to purchase. You decide which one is which....

Yes, it was approximately 97 degrees outside and this faux fur was quite a distraction. Loved the mannequin! Don't forget Elvis is always ever present at any yard sale.

These shoes...or slides, as they were called in my high school days, were brand new. Loved the colors and found the brand name "Temptation" quite appropriate for the style of shoe. Hmmm.

I have a fascination with taxidermy animals. Who would want a weasel?

or a deer with its mouth revealing vicious fangs (the head in the middle)? I have never seen a deer so angry and mean. I want to always think of a deer being somehow related to Bambi....only Bambi. Do people buy stuffed deer heads from strangers?

The creativity of vendors teasing the public to stop and take a gander of their wares is my favorite. A mannequin in a bikini.....don't know.

Can't have enough photos of old typewriters. Love them.

This shell bowl looked somewhat like some type of tramp art...not sure. Very attractive in its own way.

Stack of blue suitcases....lovely!

A little table of pretties!

Yes, its Christmas in July. A mannequin in a Mrs. Claus outfit...got my attention.

Enough said.

Stuff and more stuff. It was a hot...but, great day. I am so glad there was time to walk through some of the many...many booths.

School starts tomorrow! Woo hoo!

Connoisseur of Folly!

2009-08-06T08:28:00.000-07:00

"At sixty, I know little more about wisdom than I did at thirty,

but I know a great deal more about folly."

-Mason Cooley

Folly: a foolish action, practice, idea, etc.; absurdity....as defined by Webster's Dictionary.

Not one to complain....whine...whimper.....I once again got up at the crack of dawn to take my daughter to yet another form of athletic practice. I slipped into the closet to put on my standard summer uniform (t-shirt, running shorts, and flip flops). Complete my morning ritual of brushing my hair and teeth, preparing some form of highly unhealthy breakfast and loading my car with all the appropriate sporting gear to round off the day.

Approximately three hours later as I stood in line at the grocery store, I looked down to see what my feet were telling the world. In all the movement of the morning, numerous people I had spoken to, my family I had seen multiple times before leaving home....I noticed my feet were telling me the same message my head has been telling me for about 60 days....you are inside and out full of "folly". Yes, I had on two different flip flops...and had proudly worn them for all of humanity to see. Now, I am not 60 years of age....but, I'm on my way to full blown connoisseur of "folly".

This is my latest project....obviously the product of "folly"....and sitting in the parking lot of an athletic place waiting on my daughter. The "folly" will soon be pieced together.....keep watching.

Plus, my oldest daughter, Daisy, is so tired of us all being gone.....she refuses to come inside. She only wants to bask in the sun and peak at me through the monkey grass. Yes, her own form of "folly"!

Sunflowers!

2009-08-04T18:23:00.000-07:00

I have so missed my blogging time....but, Motherhood has certainly taken a huge chunk out of my day! School will be in session in just 10 days! My creative time will be back soon. Yea!

But...to remind us of some very creative and beautiful botanical loveliness...I purchased a $5 bundle of yummy sunflowers from our fantastic Chattanooga Market! Can you believe you can purchase this much REAL beauty for only $5? Enjoy!

Pursue The Whimsical!

2009-07-23T12:40:00.000-07:00

The summer is beginning to wind down....this weekend is the last big swim meet for the season...yea! Much time this summer has been put into being a Mom, and little time allowed for the creative experience...but, I can feel it coming! School will start in less than a month....two great show to do this fall....and much art to create.

Did this little piece about a week ago....many things "under construction". Will be back in the blogging groove real soon....hang on! I miss my creative cyber pals!