Downtown Days

Today was a "Downtown Day". Since my husband works every weekend, my son and I have both days completely to ourselves. Whenever we are short on cash and have a bad case of cabin fever, we have fun on what we've dubbed a "Downtown Day". We drive around downtown Birmingham and look at the architecture, take photos, and just talk and have fun. Usually towards the end of the drive we take our shoes off and wander up and down the sidewalks with our shoes off. Its a little odd but we thoroughly enjoy it, it gives us a chance to reconnect and catch up on what we did the week before.

Frames, frames...everywhere frames!

So I collect frames. Collect. Frames.

Maybe "collect" is too mild of a word..."obsessively hoard" is more like it. I'm drawn to them, they're drawn to me, I find them wherever I go. My favorites were found at an estate sale several months ago, it was like "Frame Mecca" in that house. They were everywhere and ranged from 1890's-1950's. Seriously. Wow.

There was the 1920's Adirondack rustic frame with large carved flowers on the corners, the extremely detailed late 1800's frame complete with bubbled-out glass, and a tiny frame with wood, leather, and a gold mat. Those plus 4 others for about $20.

Would you believe I have a whole room covered in frames? Almost every surface is covered in frames and there are even those that are hanging 2-3 per nail. They're so fascinating and beautiful. I have ideas for most of them, the majority will wind up framing my art, but others I love just having on the wall as art themselves.

Fly away birdie...or come home to roost?

Hhhmmm....to sell or keep? That's the question that plagues me the most. If left solely up to me I would keep all the wonderful lovelies that I find. But of course there isn't enough room in the house for me, my family, AND all the great treasures I find. Some I fall in love with and have to bring home, knowing I'll either give them as gifts or sell them on Etsy...but others grab hold of me and don't let go. Every now and then I find little items that just have that extra little spark that forces me to keep them,...and I think Mr. Bird here is one of those things.

The colors are absolutely yummy and I'm completely fascinated that this isn't a vase (it just looks like it should be a vase).

Where did you come from tiny fellow?

One of my favorite finds (don't worry, I have dozens of "favorites"). This little fellow was tucked away behind all the other odds and ends at my local thrift store. He was filthy and covered with dust, but his little scrapes and skinned paint just called out to me. Where were the other pieces? Were there other pieces? Had they already been sold or was he the only one who had been donated? So many questions....but for now he sits on my shelf and piques my curiosity.

Joining the 21st Century!

Well it is 2010 and I am entering the World O' Blogging! My little piece of the planet where I can share, explore, and discover.

What will I blog about, what will I discover about myself and others? Oh goodness...who knows?!!