A renewed iMac photo-booth version ***** today**** more "all about me" :)
Quick update... I'm so sorry for causing worry amongst Zippy's fans! She is not currently ill at all. I am referring to a time some two years ago when she was stung by a bee and the devastating aftermath of an allergic reaction that continues to this day. She is good, very happy and although she has never been right in the head (long before bee-stings:) her heart is happy :)
Meet Einstein. Einstein is Polish and has crazy hair. Actually he is a Blue Splash Polish rooster which is important to know when being introduced because he likes to be noticed and given proper respect. Einstein belongs to my friend Natalie.
I met him while i was at her house learning to do art with old papers, bits and bobs and shiny things like what you see below. That's Leah's hand pointing at the jar. She was learning from Natalie too.
We were using clear glass, copper foil and solder to make memory boxes, charms and little dioramas. This is Natalie's unique art and it is quite wonderfully intricate and lovely and fun to make. I will show you my finished piece soon but not now because it is a gift for someone who may see this post :)
But here are a couple of examples of the wonderful world of soldering with Natalie. A box lined with an old hand written letter holding a little bottle with dried flowers nestled inside. She keeps it all very simple and elegant.
Her wonderful chunky charms are sought after with great enthusiasm. She sells these at the Queen or Tarte and Barn House sales and can hardly keep enough of them in stock to satisfy discerning buyers who want the real thing...handmade by Natalie
Ok back to the crazy hair. What a wild head of hair that Einstein has. He got me to thinking about my hair and the fact that i have been seeing my hair as rather ordinary and wanting a change. Maybe spice things up a bit.
I have always loved to see Zippy's long hair up in a knot She looks so feminine and soft and cuddly. Her hair doesn't look anything like this now though. It changed completely when she got sick.
No more long hair for Zippy.
But mine sure has gotten long. The only wild thing about it has been the fact that it hangs in my eyes all the time unless i wear it in knot or a braid. And that isn't a fun kind of wild. And anyway the knot i wear isn't a top knot nor is it near so bouncy or interesting as the one you see above on Zippy.
Mostly i resort to a braid. I told Natalie who is a hairdresser herself that i needed a change and she thought i would look good with bangs. I love bangs but i haven't had them for decades. I thought they looked better on me in third grade but.... as i said i desperately wanted a change.
And bangs seemed a very daring idea as i walked into the hairdresser a week later. Bangs that swoosh over to the side. Then there are layers and layers cut all wild and uneven, long then short, then medium. Snip, snip! My hairdresser thought it was marvelous to cut all that long hair off and smiled during the entire adventure. I did too. Most of you surely realize is not the case much of the time when going off to the hairdresser to smile or love your new doo. Tears are more common for me. That and sometimes swearing.
You can't see the details very well in the photo below. It definitely doesn't do the wildness factor justice. This is my "here-I-am" photo taken with my iMac photo-booth camera. Computer glare is not all that flattering but it was the best i could do. I was dying to send this to my sisters, Rachel and friends so i settled for a green glow on the skin and a roll of paper towels growing out of the side of my head in order to send this hot off the press.
Back at Natalie's house these girls were all of a dither, clucking away about their own plans for self improvement. "Maybe a pink feather boa or some tap shoes would spice things up?"
Finally i want to share the view of Natalie's back garden. This is what i saw from her "garage" while standing at the huge paned window to watch the chickens scratch in the dirt and gather 'round Einstein for their afternoon dance lessons.
I tell you these vintage home designers have a way with making the old, the rusted, the weathered and useless look like precious treasures. Here are those 'antique pieces' that you have been looking for all your life but thought you would never find. It was magical to feel the effects of an old iron bed, a single chair and that beautiful bird cage chandelier. It is art of the most unusual sort. A kind of life size diorama of perfect country life. Living art, with perfect composition, color, balance and harmony.
I've made the rounds for tea and cake to a few of you and still have many stops to make this week. See you soon! I sure hope you can recognize me in my new doo :)
love, robin
Zippy is a delight!
Your hair is to be envied
came to you via susanna
Posted by: Elizabeth Wix | October 20, 2009 at 02:01 PM
LOVe the bangs.....very feminine and pretty! I agree, makes you look younger!
xoxo, Tiffany
Posted by: Tiffany ~ Shabby Scraps | October 20, 2009 at 12:48 PM
Love the new hair Robin. It really looks good on you!
Your crafty get together looks like so much fun. Is this something that she does for teaching classes or just for the girlfriends to get away for a bit?
Posted by: Charlotte | October 20, 2009 at 12:30 PM
I agree..... YOUNGER ROBIN has appeared! Do you know how much fun you are, Robin? You made me laugh out loud about "...swearing..." when the hair is cut. I can SO relate. Wonderful images to accompany your time travel back to bangs.
Posted by: Diane - Daily Walks | October 20, 2009 at 10:39 AM
Oh, there is so much in this post! Where to begin? I guess first with the wonderful hair -- looks terrific. Good change! It's softer, very pretty. I love it!
Second, what's up with Zippy? I didn't know she had been sick -- is she OK? What's happening?
And then your wonderful creative time! Natalie's work is stunning and inspirational. I have had a yen to learn to solder. Now I see things like this and wonder all the more! Beautiful! Can't wait to see YOUR creation!
Posted by: jeanie | October 20, 2009 at 10:33 AM
First of all, can I tell you how much I love your images - all of them? How much they make me want to reach into the picture and touch things? Just wonderful. Second - Is Zippy okay? Are you referring to when he was sick a while ago, or is this something new? I will send healing thoughts his way. Third - Girl!!! You look fabulous! LOVE the new do! Love it! You look so happy!
xoxo
Posted by: debi | October 20, 2009 at 10:31 AM
Oh, lots of love going on around here... yay!
:-)
(((hugs))),
love,
me
Posted by: PixieDust | October 20, 2009 at 10:22 AM
OMG--you're such a BABE! I love, love, love the bangs, Robin. You look terrific. Can't wait to see in person!
Great shots of the day--so sad to miss is. Natalie's house is on my list of must-sees. She is such a lovely presence in this world, isn't she? As are you, my friend~
I'll email you about the walk-about.
oxox
L
Posted by: Lara | October 20, 2009 at 10:21 AM
I loved this post, I love your hair too. What fun you girls are having with Natalie. Natalie sure has a gift with the rustic primitives, I just love it. Hugs to you. Florence
Posted by: Florence Muma | October 20, 2009 at 09:19 AM
ROBIN, ROBIN, ROBIN HOW BRAVE AND FABULOUS OF YOU TO DO A NEW DOO. IT TAKES COURAGE TO LET GO OF THE COMFORTABLE OR NOT SO COMFORTABLE TO TAKE ON A NEW LOOK -IT IS WONDERFUL AND I LOVE IT! XO DIANA
Posted by: Diana Leitner-Annie, Fannie and Abigail | October 20, 2009 at 08:44 AM
absolutely LOVE it Robin!!! Good for you~ It is difficult sometimes to make a change but sometimes our soul needs it to kick-start us a bit.
I am so envious of your crafty girls time. I am going to bug you, Lara, and Natalie (and Leah once I meet her!) to let me know the next time Natalie hosts one of her fabulous get-togethers!!!
xx
Posted by: Kimberly | October 20, 2009 at 06:56 AM
Love how you brought this story around from a chicken's 'bad hair'..to your own. Your new haircut looks great!!!
Posted by: Marcie | October 20, 2009 at 04:58 AM
beautiful journey in the moments of your life...the wildness factor is definitely in play here..you make me smile with every lovely photo !
Posted by: ELK | October 20, 2009 at 04:22 AM
ten years younger. without a doubt. xo
Posted by: margie | October 20, 2009 at 03:57 AM