EAB Designs

It's Christmas in July!

Looking at the projects spread about my studio right now, one would think it's cold outside and Christmas is just around the corner.  Instead, we've had another scorching July day and we're inside thankful for air conditioning!  I have, however, been working on lots of Christmas items for the shop and for my holiday shows.  Here's a peek at one of my wooden decoupaged doves.

 

For those of you who have been following my blog for a while, you may remember when I shared our burlap Christmas stockings last December.  I received so many emails asking if I would be selling them in my shop.  I'm happy to announce that this year I will be offering a design based on the original stockings I made for our family, and they can be ordered through my Etsy shop.

There are also bits and pieces of ornaments covering my work space.  Stay tuned for a sneak peek of those.  So, it may be 100 degrees outside, but I'm cool, comfortable and dreaming of Christmas as I'm creating.  With Christmas decor all around me, I'm tempted to play carols....but that will have to wait.

Altered Art Party

I'm happy to be participating today in French Cupboard's Altered Art Party.

 

I found this basic organizer on sale at our local Container Store this week. Perfect for organizing some of my packing and shipping supplies, but definitely lacking in personality.  Although I generally love to spend hours on creative alteration projects, I wanted this one to be quick and easy.

 

So, fifteen minutes later, using a sheet of my favorite manuscript paper my organizer box was ready for use.

Final touches were a bit of distressing on the edges with creamy brown chalk ink, and the addition of a cluster of vintage millinery flowers and a rhinestone finding.  Now it's the perfect place to hold my shipping supplies.

For those of you new to my blog, here are a few of my past altered art projects.  For more pictures and information, please follow the links below.

 No. 1 - Ikea Storage Box

No 2 - Apothecary Bottles

No. 3 - Journals

Thanks for visiting!  I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's projects.  If you would like to link up to those participating today, simply click on the "Altered Art Party" button at the top of this post - and thank you to French Cupboard for sponsoring this event!

Girls and their Sunglasses

My girls have beautiful eyes....they really do.  But you would never know it based on our vacation photos.

Looking through our pictures, (and we took a lot!), they are either both wearing sunglasses, or one has them on and the other one doesn't.  Sometimes they even switched glasses with each other.  So, I may not have captured the perfect photo for our Christmas card, but two things are certain - we had beautiful sunny weather and based on their smiles, they had a really great time.

A Sweet Surprise

While we were walking along one of the busier historic streets in Quebec City, we came across this nest of baby birds.  Their little box was located about knee level behind an iron gate covering a basement window.  We watched as the mama bird returned and fed each one down the row.  It was such a treat to come across this little family.

 

Postcards from Quebec City - The Flowers!

 

Our hotel, the Port-Royal, located on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, was absolutely wonderful.  The two windows pictured above are actually to our suite. We arrived late in the evening and entered a beautiful dimly lit room with classical music softly playing.  Down below, the outdoor cafe was seated with guests and live music filled the air.  From our windows, you could view a steeple in upper town and below a charming town square filled with cafes, and shops. To the right was the river.  I couldn't wait until the next morning to start exploring the city.

 

Quebec City, one of the oldest cities in North America, was founded by Samuel de Champlain over 400 years ago.  We spent our entire vacation in the old historic neighborhood walking along its narrow streets with charming stone houses and beautiful flower boxes.  While visiting a museum, I came across a quote that read, "Canada has two seasons, winter and the month of July".  What better way to celebrate the summer than with beautiful flowers.  Here are a few of my favorite displays.

 

 

There were several of these creative urns around the city, and even a flower box with a sheep!

 

More about the charming cafes, delicious food, and old world architecture on my next post.

Busy First Day Back Home

Just returned from our wonderful vacation to Old Quebec City and I'm looking forward to sharing pictures with you over the next few days.  The flowers were fabulous!  Here's a sneak peek.

 

On our first morning back home we were awakened by a small earthquake!  Our bed shook and I could hear rattling and a low rumble.  I felt like I was back in California.  I wasn't even aware they had earthquakes in Virginia.  Couldn't go back to sleep, so I got a very early start to our busy weekend ahead.  First, I saw sweet girl off to her trip to New York City, then I headed into the studio to finish up some orders. I love the rose red faceted glass stones on these six bridesmaids' necklaces I'm sending off today.  A perfect color for a September wedding.

 

Once I got my orders in the mail, it was time to help my youngest pack for her month long summer history program at The College of William and Mary.  We will be driving to Williamsburg on Sunday to drop her off.  She's only been away from home for a week before, so we are certainly going to miss her!  She made me promise I wouldn't cry when we dropped her off, so I hope I can keep my promise.  While we were in Quebec City touring the Citadelle, she was picked from the crowd to help demonstrate a brief history of Canada.  Here she is holding a scroll and wearing her prop, a Canadian beret.

 

Today is also my husband's birthday.  The movie "Inception" opened today and we headed to an early show.  He loved it.  Hours later, I'm still analyzing it.  A good summer movie with lots of action.  Off now to celebrate with the birthday boy.  Enjoy your weekend.  Can't wait to stop in and visit your blogs to see what you've all been up to.

Rainy Summer's Day

Woke up to a beautiful, and much welcomed sound this morning.

A steady rainfall.

 

I can't remember the last time it rained.  I love it!

A perfect summer's day - without the sun.

Enjoy your weekend!