GTL

A little truth and beauty...

I managed to stop myself from cleaning, sorting, bagging and tagging long enough to fool around with a basket of things from home and just allow myself to enjoy the store a little. The little pale silk net dress at right -- even though tattered and a bit mousy -- is one of my favorite things. Lacking another full body mannequin, I unceremoniously unseated a display of antique Valentines and took the little three tiered table in white to use as a base. A half body mannequin donned the dress and shows it off in the front window. I pinned on of my most loved millinery flowers at her waist and tucked an old ivory and silk fan (in matching tatters) in her bosom, just in case she gets the vapors. Last night before I left the store, some long strands of Miriam Haskell pearls found their way around her neck, but hanging down her back.

I brought in a few paintings from home as well, including two Justine Holmes for our altered artists, a Patricia O'Neal for the hat lovers in the crowd, and a beautiful old oil Alain gave me years ago of two dancers back stage, one holding and shielding a candle and the other just drawing back the curtain to look at the audience. He never really got why I loved it so much, as he doesn't unerstand much of what winds my watch, but presented it to me nonetheless.

Here is Noodge, "helping" at the store; actually, just sitting in great aunt Sarah's chair at the desk, and since then, migrating around the office on her tummy, following the patch of sun that maps its way across the carpet. She eschewed the piece of stale bagel I offered her, knowing that there will be something better for lunch since my daughter is coming down from Los Angeles to help me this afternoon. She means well (Noodge, that is), and is a most earnest animal, as you can tell.

Check out these little boxes down here...I'm loving them! Dede asked me to put together some "add on" packets for her art journal class, "In the Company of Women," and this is what happened. Each little box of goodies includes two art papers, German glass glitter, vintage ribbons and laces, buttons, findings and so on. Each one is different, gathered by me according to color and theme, and will be at the store, first come, first serve. I think we might have to have them all the time, I like them so much! One holds a secret, too...a $25 gift certificate! No peeking!

Here is a shot of some of the new stamps in at the store, and more are on the way. Lovely crowns, french stuff, words and phrases, and architectural elements to play around with. I am treating myself to one a month, plus one book...Wendy and I have a pact to hold each other in check!

Warmest regards, Nancy