Bridie's Home

spring and all

2010-05-09T13:32:00.004-05:00

can't quite remember william carlos williams' full musings on spring and all ... not surprised, my mind is elsewhere. somewhere in between the stress of work, the challenge of the spiritual and the cleaning out of winter funk to make way for the good, the positive, the cheerful.

maybe i'll head out to the studio and play with some broken furniture...paint a drawer and fill it with nonsense...or something sure to bring a smile.

i know! i'll mosaic an old mailbox. that's it! decision made. i'm off.

public art in georgetown texas and thoughts

2009-10-13T21:00:00.003-05:00

Happy Trails banner project, headed by fearless Nick Ramos of Graphismo.com was a blast! How fun to see my artwork on display for many to see on one of downtown Georgetown, Texas streets.

Georgetown Artworks is doing great things to bring art to the public and to get many people involved in creating art. I call my piece "Happy Hearts and Happy Tails make Happy Trails"...

One of the Reasons Why I admire Martin Luther King

2009-07-18T12:48:00.001-05:00

Martin Luther King, Jr. on the Justice of God said...
Strength to Love (Fortress Press: 1982), p. 20.
At times we need to know that the Lord is a God of justice. When slumbering giants of injustice emerge in the earth, we need to know that there is a God of power who can cut them down like the grass and leave them withering like the green herb. When our most tireless efforts fail to stop the surging sweep of oppression, we need to know that in this universe is a God whose matchless strength is a fit contrast to the sordid weakness of man. But there are also times when we need to know that God possesses love and mercy. When we are staggered by the chilly winds of adversity and battered by the raging storms of disappointment and when through our folly and sin we stray into some destructive far country and are frustrated because of a strange feeling of homesickness, we need to know that there is Someone who loves us, cares for us, understands us, and will give us another chance. When days grow dark and nights grow dreary, we can be thankful that our God combines in his nature a creative synthesis of love and justice which will lead us through life's dark valleys and into sunlit pathways of hope and fulfillment.

By Gosh, I think I've Got It!!

2009-07-11T10:12:00.003-05:00

The love I have is so Alive! Hope yours is too...This is a rock that my sister gave to me years and years ago. Photo taken in my outdoor shower while still damp.

On The Market...707 W. Live Oak...New House feels like Home

2009-06-12T10:55:00.005-05:00

The house is finished! I must say Steve Giunta of SGFHC, Inc., did an AMAZING job on this Tim McIntyre architected home. Timeless appeal with contemporary touches, 5 Star Energy Efficiency rating was achieved, making this a superior Green Home -- the hand trowled plaster walls actually ionize the air!

We had fun with the interior, the main living area is cozy and super clean...the stainless appliances and white cabinetry gleam with punches of black glass tile shimmering in the well-lit kitchen and dining areas.

Kenny Hilbig of Moreland Properties is using his Realtor expertise to sell the home, while Greening & Murphy staged the home.

Signficance of Seven - 707 Live Oak Nearing Completion

2009-04-21T08:52:00.002-05:00

So, we've added another artist to the collective of creative folks who have assisted in the building of the home at 707 Live Oak. Carol T. Giunta has hand forged three numerals to be displayed on one of the white gables...simplistic, they have a touch of a contemporary feel, but are timeless...

I ask and wikipedia responded with the significance of the number 7? Whatever your spiritual leanings may be, the answer provided gives some delightful food for thought:

-- refinement

-- The number 7 is important in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. It seems that numerology was so important that representing an event or series of events with the number 7 helped prove that the story was true. The number 7 was of special importance in the Zoroastrian religion, where there were 7 creations, 7 regions of the world, 7 Amesha Spenta (who became the 7 archangels of Judaism), and so on. This would have a great influence on the evolution of numerology in Judaism. However, the number 7 was already significant in Judaic numerology, indicating some earlier influence.

Some examples of 7 in the Old Testament: the first creation story in Genesis, written during or just after the Babylonian Exile, has seven days; Noah took every clean beast and every bird by sevens, and in seven days it rained; Jacob served seven years for Leah and seven years for Rachel; Egypt had seven years of plenty and seven years of famine. The New Testament has the seven loaves and fishes; seven devils exorcised from Mary Magdalene; forgiveness seventy times seven. Also, Revelation has seven churches and many symbols are seven fold, usually because of the 7 angels (archangels). Luke's Gospel demonstrates that Jesus was predestined for greatness because great men occurred in multiples of seven generations starting from Adam, Enoch at 7, Abraham at 21, David at 35 and Jesus at 77, while Matthew demonstrates that Jesus was predestined for greatness because there were 14 generations from Josiah to Jesus, just as there had been 14 generations from David to Josiah and from Abraham to David (14 being 2 times 7). There were seven heavens and the apocryphal Ascension of Isaiah had the Son descend into the lower world and then re-ascend to the seventh heaven.
In the universal language of mind, in which the spiritual works were written, seven means control.

-- Where zeros follow a seven it refers to a degree of understanding related to the experience of control. On our way to becoming spiritually adept, we must first learn to control the physical body, and the emotions, and gain control of the conscious ego ( our own personal devil, or satan). For a more complete explanation of the meaning of numbers, you may refer to " the Universal Language of Mind, Matthew Interpreted". isbn# 0-944386-15-6 In revelation, the seven churches refers to the seven levels of mind and what must be accomplished in each in order to reach the Christ consciousness, in language of mind.

-- The number 7 is usually equated with the idea of perfection.

New House fun with Sue Whitney, JunkMarket Style

2009-03-29T09:18:00.005-05:00

We've been fortunate to host Sue Whitney, author and public speaker on JunkMarket style -- the essence of reuse, repurpose, recycle and elegant/fun and funky decorating.

We're finishing out the home on 707 Live Oak, yes in the coveted 78704 zip code here in Austin, Texas. Walking through the dust, the tape, the dropcloths, etc., she gave us some terrific ideas for unexpected touches in this place we are creating using local artisans (cabinetry, plasterers, stained glass makers and trim carpenter to name a few)...

The kitchen is AMAZING ... where we'll implement a couple of her surprises that will complement this home that combines contemporary with classic and cottage cues for a cozy, homey feel.

Winter nearing an end...looking forward to OUTDOORS

2009-02-21T08:04:00.009-06:00

Can't wait...JunkMarket mistress (can I say that?), Sue Whitney, will be arriving at the end of March to shop and sign books (Junk Beautiful Outdoor Edition) here in Central Texas -- Thrilled that she'll be doing a benefit for The Caring Place! I'm crafting a few JunkMarket style pieces that will be up for sale and two funky pieces that will be up for Raffle on Saturday, March 28th at the Georgetown, Texas Citywide Garage Sale.

Hope to see you there! If not there, and you're looking for a COOL, GREEN and simply ADORABLE house to buy in the hippest section of Austin, 78704, call me. Steve and I are trimming out our latest project at 707 Live Oak (pictures will be up soon)! Walk to south Congress (yup, UnCommon Objects, Gueros, Cissy's and First Thursday).

In the meantime, I've begun work on a new Mosaic dog for a dear client...a Repeat of RePete (seen on JunkMarket and in my flickr) and his toys...to play in her yard; RePete went to a generous Community Montessori School Benefactor; installation will be outdoors at Grasshopper Hill in Hutto.

Cheers!

Holiday Time and a Happy Heart

2008-12-10T12:24:00.003-06:00

It's just been awhile since I've posted. I've been busy playing and posting in the new JunkMarket site . Oh what fun it is to see what other people do with Junk!

In the meantime, it's time to select paint colors and fixtures for Steve's latest house on Live Oak street in the infamous 78704 zip code in South Austin. Steve's company is SGFHC, Inc., and this is his third house. Should be amazing, how could it not be with Tim McIntyre architecture?

Like the house on West Elizabeth, this will be a contemporary cottage with cues from the JunkMarket as well as Pottery Barn and...ummm....Bridie Murphy!

Showing off my "tiny tot" shelf, wishing I could find a larger one for the bathroom!

Daddy Gone a Year and Autumnal Equinox

2008-09-19T12:29:00.004-05:00

It's such a pretty time...I've got all of the windows in the house open and the "Nature Songs" CD that I played for Dad in his last days is playing...

I like the sense of summer ending and fall beginning, somehow I feel his Spirit in the sweet and gentle cool air? Oh, Daddy, I love you so much.

For the Front Door...a Halloween Wreath Challenge

2008-09-19T08:31:00.002-05:00

I've pulled so many twisted branch wreaths from trash heaps, I can't begin to count them...saved them for fun challenges like this! Helps that a friends birthday is coming up and I'll surprise her with a little something for her new home.

Starry skies and summer breeze

2008-09-12T12:28:00.003-05:00

Gentle breezes are blowing in anticipation of Ike's landing later this evening in Texas.

Finally got my blog banner from Tiffany Jane! Just have to figure out how to make it fit across the top of the page...hmmm...eight years at Dell and still so computer challenged? I have no excuses.

Busy days, business cards and planning the new build with Steve. Thinking about unique items for the 78704 house, perhaps a trough in the kitchen counter?

Starting my career in Real Estate

2008-09-09T09:37:00.006-05:00

So, Steve and I have purchased another great property in Austin's fantastic 78704 neighborhood. I've finally got my real estate license and am happily working with the super folks at Century 21 HS & Associates in Georgetown, Texas.

We've demolished the structure below, but salvaged some interesting pieces and the metal went to recycle. Slab will be coming soon...with another gorgeous home designed by Tim McIntyre . We saved long leaf pine floors from the house, Steve will do custom stairs with the material and the house will also include the same quality cabinetry as do all of the SGFHC, Inc. houses.

Call or write if you are looking for a nifty new place to live , or if you have a nifty old place to sell! Thanks, Bridget

August and Halloween time already! ?

2008-08-14T15:32:00.005-05:00

Pulling out all of my halloween scraps, bits and pieces. A fun swap (Halloween Door Hanging), my partner is in Arizona, so perhaps some bones would be in order? I dunno, an image of a thirsty skeleton (!) comes to mind...

Hosted by Jaime (thanks, M'am) -- find her shop: http://www.stinkbonejones.etsy.com

and her blog: http://www.hjcompton270.blogspot.com

So, I'm off to create

Time to Begin another Book

2008-04-21T21:30:00.005-05:00

Tada! I'm in a new Altered Book swap. Can't wait to get started...france and emotions....24 participants and Rhonda's going to bind a book for each of us. How cool is that?

Oh, and I just got commissioned to do a Children's bookshelf for a Juvenile Diabetes Auction.

Stay tuned for fun photos!?

Recycling Art - Folk Art Robots?

2008-04-11T09:25:00.000-05:00

Fun this past week creating whimsy of all kinds. Tomorrow in Georgetown should be a blast! Oh...maybe I should make a rocket for one of the bots?

This guy/gal is called "out of the dark". Hope you like it.

Come see us at the festival, will you?

Spring and the Serendipity Festival and More Art

2008-03-30T08:22:00.000-05:00

Upcoming Serendipity Festival on April 12th at the Community Montessori School in Georgetown!

Inspired by my recycled art creator, Erica Greening Costenbader, and urban folk artist, Anthony Pack (this photo is from his flickr page, quite a brilliant construction), I'll have a booth where children and adults can create robots as well as add to a community totem pole. So, save your tin cans, your odd-bobs and whatnots, and we'll put them to use.

By the way, I SAVED an AMAZING clock face out of a burn pile yesterday...it's 16" at its widest point and has roman numerals and the coolest gear works. Ay yi yi...what else could be in that filthy pile? I digress...

Come play with us on the 12th...otherwise, see you at the Earth Day celebration on April 19th at Republic Park!

You never know...how much fun Mail can be...

2008-02-07T16:29:00.000-06:00

Got this amazing package today from Lije Handmade. What a doll...I mean her, not the goodies, well, yes, the goodies include the most FANTASTIC dolly things: a sweet chicken toy, a fabulous bird apron (I adore birds) and a scarf with the sweetest dolly decoration...all handmade by Liliana Jesus. Unbelievable.

I feel bad because I've never done a private swap and didn't come anywhere near what she sent...I didn't know what to expect! I've been disappointed by a couple of group swaps (once not receiving anything) and another time receiving an item not too exciting (ouch, can I say that)! :) So, it only goes to show that the one time I don't go overboard, the other person does!!! How utterly embarrassing.

I'm off to write my thank you note and to begin work for the next group swap I'm in. So, if you believe in paying it forward, just hope you're on the receiving end of my “Hanging Up Springtime” swap!

The Search

2007-11-07T10:28:00.000-06:00

Pat Metheny's song "The Search" is playing in the background...along with "American Heartland", I've been repeating them as they cheer me and are delighting me on this fall morning. Thinking about my Dad, thinking about life, thinking about my amazing daughter.

This photo is of her in September, laying on our concrete floor...it appears that the wind might be blowing in her hair...she's such a sweet bird...

I'm off to do some artsy crafting, but am reminded by Van Gogh: "The more I think about it, the more I realize there is nothing more artistic than to love others." and my search is over (today), and I'm off to boil some water for tea and to load the washing machine, lovingly.

Glitter, stamps and fun...

2007-11-05T11:55:00.000-06:00

The past few weeks have been fun creating little whimsys for my favorite store, Gatherings, in Georgetown, Texas. They're having their "Holiday Open House" this Thursday, so I've been working a lot with reds, greens and cheerful holiday papers.

Fun tags, a door hanger and then a trip to the "Settlement Home" garage sale...I've got lots of fun to deliver to the owners today!

Halloween Swap Goodies for Michele

2007-09-14T09:59:00.000-05:00

Such fun pulling together and creating items for HopHopJingleboo's Halloween Swap! Black cats and....other goodies will be tucked into a "Trick or Treat" bag being sent to Michele in Vancouver, Canada. Wish I could fit in with it -- gorgeous place, I was there many years ago and had a simply enchanted time.

I'm also working on additional shabby signs. Creative artist, Stephanie at her store, Gatherings, in Georgetown, Texas is willing to show a couple in her store; and I've outfitted my yard with a few...maybe will put some on Craig's list?!

We've begun "demolition" and are having fun!

2007-09-11T09:03:00.000-05:00

So...we've been pulling down mini-blinds -- thank goodness for Freecycle, else no-one will take them as a donation (Goodwill doesn't want them)! Pulled down some walls in the basement and have begun making some plans for the remodel! Not using a napkin, we're plotting preliminary ideas and have our lists of materials ready for sizing!

Noodling over exterior paint colors -- in this neighborhood the possibilities are ENDLESS! I met our neighbor this weekend, comes cooler weather, they're going to paint their house Purple! Fun...the house next door to us is blue with dark blue trim, the house across the street is coral with turquoise...hmmmm....we're thinking a spicy pumpkin...but I digress. Steve's off to meet the drywall contractor and begin plotting!

Peter Rabbit Beatrix Potter illustration and Children's books

2007-09-10T15:02:00.000-05:00

Lately I've been on a big Peter Rabbit kick...the illustrations in Ms. Potter's books are so sweet. I made over this child's stool and used some vintage look children's alphabet paper to dress up the top of the stool...then used some illustrations from a 1980s Peter Rabbit collection...don't worry, the book was in very poor condition!

I've also come across several Nancy Drew's at the Goodwill stores in the area...am building up the collection at Nina's school as well as our own personal collection.

Whimsey finished for International Vintage Banner Swap

2007-09-07T17:49:00.000-05:00

This was the first time I've made a banner...quite fun...the more I would dig in my boxes of goodies, the more embellishments I found. Vintage sewing pattern, vintage tatting (picked up at the "Caring Place") purchased quite some time ago...someone spent so much time on it and the delicate rose colored lace that resulted is pretty surrounding the banner.

Also used a Perrier de Jouet ribbon, shabby tags (one says Made in America -- my swap Partner was delighted to be receiving something from the U.S.), glitter and a Victoria's Secret garter that I cut up and tea-stained and then affixed to the top. Finally, a couple of sea shells and some beads to dress it up a bit. Hope she likes it!

I got a glimpse of the banner I'll be receiving, and it's DELIGHTFUL! All the way from Germany, by Svenja (artcreations).

Time to think about Halloween!?

2007-08-31T16:28:00.000-05:00

Steve just called...we closed on the house this afternoon...tomorrow we'll walk through and fill a notebook with our Must do, Should do, Nice to do lists!

While Hobby Lobby and other craft stores are pulling out all the stops already for Christmas, I'm beginning work on my Halloween whimsys.

Finished this one today and posted on e-bay....Yay, a bid already and there are six days left!

My sister has asked for a Halloween paper bag album for her birthday.... we're all turning into fans of that silly holiday!

Acquisitions for the house remodel? Extreme Recycling

2007-08-30T10:16:00.000-05:00

My new junking friend Amy GAVE me (we pulled it out of her trash bucket -- convinced that the Williamson County sanitation department now loves us) this fantastic cast iron sink!

I picked up this terrific dresser for $10.00 -- the drawers were trashed, but the lines are too cute -- should make a great sink cabinet for the laundry area in the Elizabeth house rebuild?

I'm excited to start the new project...plenty of before pictures...looking forward to posting after pictures in a few weeks/months!

Getting excited about our next project...a FLIP!

2007-08-20T14:50:00.000-05:00

The only T.V. I watch is Boston Legal and most anything on HGTV and TLC that is related to home building, home decorating or creating things for your home. How lucky am I that my husband is a builder and that our next project is restoration/remodel of a fun house in SoCo -- that's South Austin, Texas, zip 78704!

A super hip neighborhood, we strolled there this past Saturday and enjoyed all of the super yard art and eclectic gardens at the homes surrounding our new place -- well, we close on August 31st. This is the starting point...

This is the realtors blurb: "Great find on a tree lined street minutes to downtown. 1284 sqft, 2 bedrooms, 2 full baths, large basement could be 3rd bedroom/bonus room. Rear garage could be more space too..."

Sqft 1284* /Const Concrete Block / YrBlt 1940

Shabby Chic Antiques Sign

2007-06-26T10:56:00.000-05:00

Thinking about doing another booth

2007-06-26T10:53:00.000-05:00

This is a photo of an adorable booth that Stephanie has in Georgetown, Texas, in the "Collector's Market". I've done several of the shabby, rustic signs and this one shows how pretty a piece of rusted scrap metal (found in my neighbors back yard) can look when hand painted and embellished with pretty ribbon, chandelier crystals and vintage flowers. Sorry the detail isn't apparent.

I'm thinking about doing another booth of my own. So disappointed that Cabbages & Kings closed down...I need a place to show my pretties! (today is a good self esteem day) :)

Summer and stuff

2007-06-23T13:45:00.000-05:00

i've FINALLY completed a wedding gift that was commissioned to me by a friend; very tough as I don't know the couple and I didn't have much to go on except use of thier wedding invitation and a picture of the couple. Oh, and my friend said "nautical". EEEK! What to do!? Well, this is the final result. I did one of my "message" in a bottles...tea-stained and ripped edge of the invitation, then rolled it and put it in the bottle with lots of pretty stuff, including sand, sparkles of every kind, shells, a key, phrases about love, the picture of the couple. Then I did a 9 x 12 board with a "map of a journey of love..." that includes images of vintage maps some significant places (Austin, where the wedding is, the Caribbean (where they'll honeymoon, and Georgetown where they'll reside). Definitely a one of a kind piece...I'll tell my friend they can seal the bottle and throw it in the ocean when they arrive there on their honeymooney.

other random pictures of other works I've sold...a piano bench that I saved from the side of the road (only minor repairs were needed) and then painted and gave to a charity auction (they made $100.00 from it...cool, hunh?), a storage box made from a cast off kid's toy box, a storage piece that I painted for one of my daughter's friends 2nd birthday (her Mom loved it), and a picture of my precious little girl playing princess in the Texas bluebonnets this May.

My Latest Altered Art Book - Vintage Children's Poem Book

2007-06-16T14:15:00.000-05:00

I've just finished my second Altered art book. Many, many thanks go to my Mom and sister, Colette, who have encouraged me to steer my creativity into these books...they make perfect sense as I've been a bibliophile for as long as I can remember! The photos are of a couple of my favourite spreads...the birdseed inside the frame with tulle was some "late blooming brilliance" (a phrase used in the days I worked in software development) that I think added a missing component.

I'm excited to begin work on my collage for Jenny's collage swap (I'll include a link as soon as I figure out how!)! I've been partnered with a woman in Los Angeles and somehow find that intimidating? Hmmmph; why does a mere mention of a city work me up? Dunno, but I'll get over it.

I'll post pix of my collage and the one I receive when the swap is over.

Steve's upstairs tiling the shower, I plan on joining him; I'll break some Limoges dishes and make a couple of mosaic tabletops while he does the precision work on our home!

Just a few pictures of some of my work, my home

2007-06-12T16:34:00.000-05:00

These are some pages out of two altered books I created earlier this year; the first was a Valentine's brown paper bag album and the second an antique altered book with lots of images of birds and niave paintings of children. My family/friends feel that the altered book has been my best work so far.

The other photo is of an assemblage I made of a bird's nest -- using an old cheese tray. I like using the glass cover as a sort of cloche to cover delicate little displays.

Joy and Art and Sharing

2007-06-08T07:23:00.001-05:00

So, I've finally tapped into this vast "out there" of amazing artists who do stuff like I do! :) My next door neighbors don't get altered art or altered books, but these folks do!

I found this place by drooling over inspireco.com and then clicking through some of the links...what a great stumble.

So, I'm entering into a collage swap (my first swap of any kind) and can't wait to participate! Thanks ever so much to Jenny --
http://journals.aol.com/jennyeveryday/everyday-is-a-holiday/

Namaste