Thoughts from Alice W.

Flying Free...

There is a place I call my own
Where I can stand by the sea
And look beyond the things I've known
And dream that I might be free

Like a bird above the trees
Gliding gently on the breeze
I wish that all my life I'd be
Without a care and flying free

But life is not a distant sky
Without a cloud, without rain
And I can never hope that I
Can travel on without pain

Time goes swiftly on it's way
All too soon we've lost today
I cannot wait for skies of blue
Or dream so long
That life is through

So life's a song that I must sing, a gift of love I must share
And when I see the joy it brings, my spirits soar through the air
Like that bird up in the sky, life has taught me how to fly

For now I know what I can be

And now my heart is flying free...

*   *   *   *   *

Celebrating the freedom that I have in life, if I choose to take hold of it. All too often I get bogged down by the pressures of life...do this, go here, do that...and feel controlled by the world and those around me. But if I sit quietly, and reflect on life, I know that the choices I make from my heart and the things I accomplish without pressure, are the ones that often turn out to be the best. So I am reflecting on these thoughts as of late...and this song...that my sister and I sang in elementary school chorus is a pleasant reminder.

 

Till next time...

   

A Little Hello...

Just stopping in for a quick hello. I know I have been quite absent from the blogging world lately.

I have actually been busy thrifting and loading up my Etsy shop. As well as working on website designs again! I am now offering premade designs and hope to get a few more listed in the near future.

I am also enjoying the lovely weather and picked this little muscari bouquet just for you. They are popping up all around this place! I am certainly enjoying all of the spring blooms we are surrounded by here...

Another adventure that has kept me away is that Josh and I have begun the process of looking for our first home.

We have been in savings program for first time home buyers for the past 8 months...and can finally start looking for a home of our very own.

We went to our first open house this weekend...and well, let's just say it was eye opening for sure. This is going to be a lot of work! Especially with our small budget...

But I am trying very hard not to stress too much and enjoy the process...hoping and thoughtfully praying that the right house will come along at the right time...just for us. And I know that will bring so much joy...

So, unfortunately, I will most likely be away here and there...but will try to stop in now and then to let you know I am alive ;). I haven't been able to stop by to visit any of you lately and for that I am so, so sorry. I really do think about it a lot and long to...and hopefully will find the time soon.

Till then...hope you are enjoying this blessed spring!

Till next time...

The Watch Recyclers Wife

One day, I asked Joshua a simple question...

Have you ever heard of steampunk?

He hadn't. I barely had either, but had seen it around blogs and Etsy and wasn't exactly fond of it at the time.

I started to show him what it was...knowing his interest in pulling things apart and working with small pieces.

{He had previously begged me to let him pull apart our very old typewriter so he could 'make things' with it. That was a firm no.}

But after he got a good handle on what steampunk was...now he wanted to take apart all of my old pocket watches. Again the answer was...No. No. No.

I started to wonder why I had even wanted to spark his interest in this 'steampunk thing'?

He was certainly going to ruin all of my old things that I loved and collected.

So he was on his own...to get his own pieces...and grow his own collection...

and that he did...

It was very hard for me at first, to watch him take these things and use them to make new things {I tend to like to keep them around just to look at them...Josh is more practical, however, and enjoys turning them into something that can go to another}...

But once I started to see the beautiful things that he could do with them...

I became a fan. His biggest fan, in fact.

It's so inspiring how can take these...

and some of these...

and create these stunning pieces... 
 

He has made almost anything you can think of by now...rings, necklaces, cuff links, tie tacks, bracelets...and my personal favorite...his line of Remnants of Time earrings...

He uses crystals and pearls...

And is even branching out on a new line that I dubbed Reclaimed Relics {yes, I am the creative force behind the names of his collections and pieces}....to create vintage necklaces mixed with old finds...

And the answer to his question of whether he could use my small collection of vintage religious medals for these pieces? NO. Absolutely not.

So what did he do?

Went and got himself all of these...

Sigh. Maybe I can start hiding them one by one so he can't use them...{just kidding my love. I would never. Or would I? ~grin~}

But I suppose I only have myself to blame for all this. I did ask him that simple question that got the ball rolling.  

Just goes to show you never know where one little question can lead...
 

If you are interested in his work, I highly encourage you to take time to browse his Etsy shop. You might just find something that strikes your fancy. {But then again maybe I hope you don't so I can keep them all ;) }

Till next time...

{Jewelry photos courtesy Joshua Wingerden}
 

Inspired by Nature...

Did you know that I have a colorful side?

I know...with a business called Painted White it might be hard to believe.

But I really do...

While I choose to decorate my home in neutrals and pale tones...my wardrobe is another story.

I am often drawn to quirky patterns and brighter colors...

I love mixing neutrals, like grays and browns, with pops of colors and patterns.

The shades I love are those that can often be found in nature...

Like yellow-golds, bright fuschias, sea blues, mossy greens, burnt oranges, deep violets, and brilliant reds....

And when it comes to jewelry...the bigger, funkier and brighter the better...

I have an obsession with chunky vintage beaded necklaces...

And I love these vintage post earrings {I couldn't choose just one pair so I took them all}...

And I live in these boots...{they are actually so comfortable}

But on fancier outings these are my preference {although not as comfortable as the boots}...

Recently, I picked up some fabric scraps, trims, and vintage jewelry from my favorite local craft/thrift shop, Craft Bits & Pieces, {everything is donated and the proceeds are used for a good cause too...plus...you can't beat the prices - 80-90% of the items are probably under $5.00}...which inspired this post.

Like these pretty lace trims...

and all of the vintage fabrics shared here...

All of these are inspiring me to learn so much more with my sewing machine. I would love to take these and turn them into cute outfits to wear and accessorize with...

And I might even start dabbling in creating some vintage-eclectic home decor items to offer in my {alter ego as I like to call it} Paradox shop...so who knows...you might just start to see more color here in the future...but no worries...I will never abandon my signature whites, grays and neutrals...

Till next time...

{and speaking of color, I had the honor of being featured on Vicki of Simply Hue's blog today...be sure to stop by if you get a chance. And thanks again Vicki!}

Sincere Thanks...

Spring is officially here in my neck of the woods...it was 77 today!

I spent a lot of time outside with Renoir and Josh...and am very excited about the weekend ahead...

Apparently it is supposed to be over 80!

Cannot wait. 

Life has been busy. Cleaning up my house after the show is proving to be quite a chore. When I get into a big 'creative zone' I tend to take over any space available...and since this house is so small...I pretty much took everything over. Looks like a creative tornado blew through here...

But with warm weather how can I stay inside and clean?

I confess...I can't...

I have however...managed to get my website and Etsy shops updated with some new products. I do hope you will stop by...

As for the show...it was certainly interesting.

Held in a beautiful mansion of a home, with hor d'oeuvres, live music and art vendors spread throughout, there was something for everyone. However, I struggled to make any sales the first half. I was in the 'guest bedroom' with a vendor who sold shoes...and boy do ladies like their shoes.

I mean, I love shoes...don't get me wrong...but my goodness...you would think that was all they lived for!

So...while, I got many compliments...I wouldn't say I was a "hit". Eventually some of my jewelry started to sell and ended up being my main source of profit. I sold a few paper and inspiration items...but my pillows barely got a second look. As did my other fabric creations.

I have to tell you...when I came home from spending time with all those "ritzy" women...all I kept thinking was if all of you had been there...I know I would have had the best time ever. Instead...I felt a bit like the odd one out...or a wallflower...

It really did make me appreciate this community that I have come to know and love. I am completely free here to be myself and know that many of you who stop by will "get it"...you know...the same things I do. Beauty in the old and worn. The small details of life. Creativity out of mundane objects. Love and passion for these simple things that we all share here...

So...this is a sincere thanks...to all of you who came and offered such sweet compliments and encouragement on my first show. Not sure if I will be following it up with another anytime soon...but...it really did give me a refreshing view on my life.

And helped me to know that all of the important things in life...well...I already have those. In plenty.

And one very big one...is all of you...my blessed blogging friends...

So...I cannot say thank you enough sweet friends! You are the best...

Till next time...

oh and I know I said I would share pics...but since it was dark and indoors they weren't coming out very good so I only got this one...