Carmen Leigh

Square Two!

Here is a quick look at my second square!  

It is American Idol night!  Sure hope it is not as disappointing as the Bachelor last night.  Really????  Vienna?  Ugh!

See everyone tomorrow!

 

Stitching away!

Here is my first square for 39 Squares with Amy!  

Very excited about this project and look forward to seeing everyone else's squares!

I have NO idea why this "Texas Girl" decided to stitch a British flag.  Maybe I am getting excited about the release of "Alice in Wonderland" this weekend?  (more on that later this week!)

One thing I noticed is how "whompy" my stitches look up close, yikes!

Off to sleep!

   

My Studio

 

So what has been happening in my studio lately?

Photo-op with the Vintage Circus Peeps!

Marie Antionette is drooling over the Flea Market Style that I won from Heather Bullard!  This magazine is so beautiful!  

The last picture?  Well.....  those are the "rocking" pipe cleaner rose rings that I found on Martha Stewart.  

How fun are they?

My "Rubies"

Today I find myself thinking of all the "rubies" in my life.  

My mother, my precious sister, my late grandma and mamaw, my late aunt, my wonderful mother-in-law, my husband's grandma and grandmother, and of course all of my friends.   My life has been shaped and molded by these strong and amazing women. 

My Mother, Joyce, is the "voice in my head", and the encouragement in my heart.  She loves her daughters, son-in-laws and 3 grandchildren with all of her heart.

My Sister, Katrina, is my other half and I am inspired by her strength daily.  

My Grandma Leona is my memory of peonies and being truly loved.

My Mamaw Elsie is my memory of classic mustangs and popsicles for dinner.

My Aunt Janice is my memory of a red monte carlo and strength.  I miss her everyday, and still want to pick up the phone and let her laugh about my stories of my boys.

My Mother-in-law, Martha, who raised my wonderful husband and loves me like her own daughter.

My husband's grandma and grandmother are polar opposites, but both examples of strong, independent and extraordinary women.

My beautiful friends....... I am blessed with beautiful, crazy, funny, serious, creative women that surround me everyday.

Each and every one of these women are my "precious rubies".  They are the architects of the woman, wife, daughter, sister,and mother, that I am and hope to be.

Since Valentine's Day is around the corner, remember all of the exquisite and lovely rubies in your life.

 

"Glitter Goddess" Fingers and the blessings of preschool

Today was little guy's first day back at preschool and Mommy was in heaven for a few hours!  Isn't amazing how much you can accomplish without a little person wanting candy or a hot wheels car?  

Thankfully, drop off was accomplished "tear-free". (thank you, Miss Leslie!)  So I rushed to see "Pepe", otherwise known as the "haircut genius", for a much needed haircut.  And yes his name is really Pepe.    So with my "rocking" new hairstyle, I headed to one favorite places, Barnes and Noble for a quick White Chocolate Mocha, non-fat of course.  

This is where things get scary...... I went to the Mall..... wait for it...... by MYSELF!!!!  Shocking!  I had oodles of time so I headed to Sephora to spend my wonderful gift card from my wonderful handsome husband. See, he does listen to me sometimes, on the really important stuff.  

News Flash!  I have found the most perfect nail polish for all my fellow "Glitter Goddesses" out there.  It is called "Untarnished Image" and is from the Sephora OPI brand.  Seriously, this is nail polish version of the most perfect bottle of German Glass Glitter!  

 

A little "sneak peek" of some fun vintage jewelry pieces that I been creating this week for my first trunk show in a few weeks.

So, Happy New Year to everyone!  Remember to be grateful for the little blessings in your life.  By the way, I couldn't wait for my after preschool hugs and kisses. :)

"The Treasure Lady"

 I have a secret, yes it is true.  I am blessed to be acquainted with my own personal, "Treasure Lady".  She is beautiful, loving and has a heart filled with adventures and art.  

I am blessed to be the recipient of a precious few of the "treasures" that she has collected during her lifetime.  It is amazing to me how similar we are in our artistic tastes, even though we are decades apart in age.  

This wreath was created last Christmas with jars and boxes full of vintage ornaments that were stored in her attic, or the "treasure cave".  I remember jumping up and down with glee and squealing each time I opened a box or jar!  I really think that my husband's family thinks that I am a little "bent", but the "Treasure Lady" understands my joy.  

Treasure and beauty are said to be in the eye of the beholder.  I share a kinship with this beautiful lady, who happens to be my wonderful husband's grandmother. Collecting discarded and well loved items is a passion that we share.  My dream is that someday, many years from now, after I have created many beautiful things, I will find the one person who will see the "treasure" in my precious "junk".

On my last visit, she bestowed a precious treasure so wonderful, that I pinch myself every time I peek in the boxes.  This gift moved me tears.  

Thank you, Treasure Lady.  I love you.

McKinney, Spoons Cafe, Cotton Hearts and New Moon

Thanksgiving rushed by with a flash and now we are in full Christmas mode at the Donowho household!

The boys and I spent the week in our hometown of Denison, Texas.  While there, I had the opportunity go shopping with my friend, Kimla, who I met at Silver Bella a few years back.  We had a blast while visiting some super cute shops.  If you go to McKinney, you must check out "Smitten", "Swanky Boutique", "Spoons Cafe'', and "Cotton Hearts".   Of course, we both forgot our cameras, so I went back another day to take some pictures and, of course, shop some more.

Kimla and I actually spent hours at Smitten.  Sorry guys, can't divulge how much I spent - my husband reads this as well. Found some to die for boots at the "Swanky Boutique" (my Xmas present from Scott) who says I have to wrap them and place under the tree - whatever, as well as some great shorts at "Cotton Hearts".  Nicest people that work there and what a cool little shop.   Spoons, what can I say, the food is always great - nice hometown feel (absolute must try - the tomato basil soup). 

Lastly, I have to say that I made my husband see "New Moon" after a 10 hour drive, then drug him back two days later when I met up with my old friend, Lee Ann.  The movie totally rocked!  To celebrate the opening, I made a few bracelets with a Twilight theme.  What can I say, I love the books!

Tomorrow, its off to Canton, Texas with some friends!  Can't wait to find some great things to bring back to south Texas. 

Have fun Xmas shopping.  I will update you on my great finds (cross fingers) in Canton.

Carmen Leigh

Pictures (McKinney finds and bracelet)

 
 
 

Rusty Key + Coca Cola = Welcome Home Honey!

Today has been crazy. Let's just say that when my husband came home, he had to take apart the garbage disposal to get one of my vintage keys that somehow made its way down there.  No clue how that could have possibly happened.  Well, I worked on getting a lot of jewelry ready and sent it off to my sister, Katrina, in Tucson.  She has a booth at a few art shows over the next week, so I figured I would send some her way and see how it sells.  Of course, since she is my little sister, she is being paid in "bling" and TWILIGHT Barbies, but I will leave that story for another post.

Here's a peak at some of the items and of course, the "key"!

Tip of the day:  My trick for getting just enough of the rust off of a rusty key to make it look old, but not nasty, is to soak it in a bowl of good ol' fashioned Coca Cola.  Imagine what that does to your stomach - wow.

Tucson bound!

It's Time To Jump Off The Cliff!!!

Okay, I have been told I need to do this for years - so hear goes nothing! 

I am super excited to finally get started.   First of all, thank you to all my great friends and family who have supported me over the years.  I have been an artist all of my life -  drawing, painting, making jewelry and all sorts of fun stuff for years.   I have mainly done this for myself and friends; however, I have also been selling items on my website, carmenleigh.com, as well as some local stores in the McAllen/Mission Texas area.   

To give you a little background, I was born in Denton, Texas, but spent most of earlier years growing up in Denison, Texas.  I met my husband of 21 years in high school (I know, high school sweethearts!!) and then headed off to Baylor University.   I have lived in Denver, Colorado (3 years and two knee surgeries later - not so good at skiing), Harrisburg, PA (1 1/2 years), then headed out to Sherman Oaks, California (L.A.) for 5 years.   Since 2001, I have lived in Mission, Texas where my husband and I raise my two boys, Tristan (age 11) and Logan (age 4). I also have two cute Dachsunds, Max and Scarlett.

I feel truly blessed to have such an incredible group of friends, a loving family and an inspirational little sister!   I look forward to posting some great stuff and meeting others online who share my passion for art.

Thanks for visiting my blog and don't forget to check out my website.  I look forward to hearing from you all!

Talk soon, 

Carmen Leigh