lindastoddardjohnson

Another New Addition

2012-01-20T19:26:00.001-08:00

Here is another of my Honor Me bears. He was made from a man's shirt.

Honor Me Bears

2012-01-19T17:38:00.000-08:00

Please meet my latest designs. These fine teds were made from a 94 yr. old Grandfather's shirts, leather vest, suspenders and cuff links. They were made for his special grandchildren for Christmas. The scarves around their necks are made from his favorite sweater. What a wonderful way to honor a loved one!

My Dad's coming home!

2010-04-21T19:51:00.000-07:00

My dear Dad had a stroke in February and he is doing better and better. We just found out that he is coming home tomorrow-- HOORAY! It will be a challenge I am sure but he will be in his home : )

Here's a mixed-media piece I did for him to cheer him up!

The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Walk!

2009-10-01T18:11:00.000-07:00

For the second year, my dear sister spent the night and got up up the crack of dawn to beat the crowds at the breast cancer walk here in Newport Beach. There turned out to be 30,000 people but we did our walk and visited all of the booths we needed to early. Last year it was so crowded we could hardly walk. This year we could walk alot easier except for my legs hurt from my move. It is very inspirational, especially since I am now part of a special group; breast cancer survivers. I got my one year beads this year!

A sweet vintage cameo pin.....

2009-04-12T17:13:00.000-07:00

made modern!

I love these pins from Italy but they are pricey! So I got an idea and bought a lovely shell cameo from ebay (yes, there are major deals on these! Just make sure you get the real thing and not a plastic copy!). I took a piece of wool felt, slit the backing for the pin to come through and glued it to the back of the cameo. I then took 2 different kinds of pearls and added them one at a time. I worked on it as a large square and after stitching, I trimmed it right next to the stitching line. I think it turned out beautifully. I will happily wear it!

Morry the Mouse is born!

2009-01-12T13:26:00.000-08:00

I was feeling creative this weekend and decided to make a mouse. He is not my original design but a variation of another artist's. But how cute is he? He is now offered on my website ........

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-22T18:28:00.000-08:00

Thanks to all of my loyal customers and friends that I have grown to know and love over the past 19 yrs. WOW! Happy Holidays and see you next year!

Blessings,

Linda

All Done!

2008-12-19T12:22:00.000-08:00

Crocheted Flour Sack Dishtowels

2008-12-11T10:37:00.000-08:00

Remember these? I still have the ones my Mom made each Christmas before I lost her in 1989. I've always wanted to make these and finally found a pattern and TIME to get some done. They are fun to make while you watch TV...... hope my sister doesn't look here cuz she will see one of her Christmas gifts this year!

My New Christmas Tree!

2008-12-09T16:50:00.000-08:00

It has now been 6 Christmases since I put up my wonderful, BIG Christmas tree. Following a divorce, and not wanting to go thru that ornament box, etc. I have just done my 4 ft. tall, skinny, primitive tree up with my HUGE Raggedy Ann and Andy ornament collection. Well, I decided it's time to have a grown-up tree.

My sister and I had so much fun laying all of the new ornaments out on the floor at Kohl's weeks before the Christmas rush (and still 50% off!) with my new "Beach" theme. Out with the old, in with the new! I got adorable Santa's in boats, surfing, and sitting under a palm tree, and even a lobster in a grass skirt! Here are some pictures....

Look at the mini-flip-flops!

I've been quiet......

2008-12-03T18:14:00.000-08:00

I only have 7 more radiation treatments- hooray! Not sure if I wrote that I had been diagnosed with breast cancer in August of this year, had a lumpectomy and now am finishing my radiation. I didn't have to have chemo. thank goodness. But I will be cancer-free when this is all done and hopefully will never have to deal with this nasty thing again!

Here are a couple of pictures of my Halloween/Birthday party on Oct. 25th. The dogs had to be in costume and I had 5 dogs at the party. We had fun! That is my sister Gayle above and me below!

Polly is on ebay!

2008-11-14T14:27:00.001-08:00

Here is a picture of sweet Polly, my latest offering on ebay. More new treasures to follow.......

New York!

2008-10-17T09:56:00.000-07:00

I went and I saw and it was AMAZING! What a great way to celebrate my big 5-0!

I got to stop at Martha Stewart's favorite store, Tinsel Trading Company. They sell all kinds of goodies, vintage and new including all kinds of floral and ribbons. I had a fun time there and left alittle $$ there too! Here are pics of the shop

And here are some of my treasures.......

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

2008-09-29T18:03:00.000-07:00

Following my breast cancer diagnosis a month ago, my sister Gayle and I had the luck of joining in on a HUGE fundraising opportunity~ The Susan G. Koman Race for The Cure~ to support breast cancer research and awareness. This is not us but a couple of wonderful Survivors. There were over 30,000 people participating in the race (we did the 1 mile fun walk) and they hope to have raised over 2 million dollars! We were 2 small peas in a huge pod of loving, caring women and we had the pleasure of speaking with alot of them. They gave me advise on my own treatment and lots of support as I wander through this new land. Here's a picture of me and Gayle after the race!

A new prim cross stitch!

2008-09-26T10:12:00.000-07:00

Here is my latest stitchery and newest passion for my own home.

This is an adorable pattern by Stacy Nash (thanks Stacy!) and I am anxious to do some more of these delightful stitcheries. Halloween is my favorite holiday. I made this into a pocket and am still trying to figure out what I can stick inside. I began at 10 yrs. old with cross stitch and here I am again! This was stitched on osnaburg muslin with 2 strands of embroidery floss. Fun!

Halloween is on it's way!

2008-09-23T11:28:00.001-07:00

Here are some cool earrings my friend Lisa gave me yesterday to get ready for Halloween! It is my favorite time of year and THIS year I am having a Halloween party. The decorations I have gotten are awesome! Hooray!

My New bathroom!

2008-09-14T10:12:00.001-07:00

I finally have gotten some more color on the walls and here is my old and new guest bathroom. Guess I better post pictures of MY bathroom soon too! It is so much fun putting colors on my walls again and making my little cottage my own. Next, the bedroom before the new flooring comes in......

More Decorating!

2008-09-10T18:09:00.000-07:00

Since it looks like I will be staying in my cottage by the sea for awhile, my decorating continues. Today I ordered new flooring for 1/2 of my house. Half of the house is already tile and the other half is a cream carpet. Not good with dogs and the beach, so I ordered the most beautiful laminate today! I can't believe it is laminate; what they are doing these days is amazing. This is really thick and even has ridges and planks like real wood. I am one lucky girl! I have pictured it next to my TV armoire..... pretty!

Surgery

2008-08-31T09:26:00.000-07:00

Well, it turned out to be cancer so after TONS of painful tests and procedures, I had surgery on Friday. I had a lumpectomy and the lymph node they took was negative so I hope they got it all. I will find out on Tuesday. Meanwhile, I am bound up like a mummy. Praise God I was able to get this taken care of so quickly; my surgeon never operates on Fridays but was there for me. And the staff was excellent! If you ever have needs like this, I can't recommend Hoag Hospital's Breast Center more. They are world-renowned as is my surgeon and radiologist. God is good!

Possible Big "C"

2008-08-28T08:12:00.000-07:00

I went in yesterday for another mammo. and ultrasound and I have a mass in my left breast. This AM I go back for a needle biopsy. Please pray that it turns out to be nothing otherwise I will have to have surgery this weekend because my insurance runs out on Sunday. THAT SUCKS! I don't want to have to spend Labor Day weekend dealing with this. I want to order new flooring!

Finally painting my home!

2008-08-22T13:44:00.000-07:00

I have decided I can't live without MORE color than I already have going on (being an artist) so I am starting to paint. Here is my kitchen before and after paint. You can also see part of my vintage floral enamelware collection. I love them so and could not part with them when I moved. I skinnied down alot of my collections but this is one I didn't want to. I'm just getting started!

The Presidential Forum

2008-08-17T09:55:00.001-07:00

I was lucky enough to participate in the Civic Forum between Obama and McCain, facilitated by my own Pastor Rick Warren! It was very exciting to be a part of this historic event. My friend Shirley and I were not allowed to bring in cameras or cellphones (even though some cheaters did!) so I have no pictures. But we got to sit in the most comfy, theatre-style chairs on the campus. It was like sitting at home and watching it on a huge screen. We got to sit in the newest building on campus: The Refinery. It is where teens hang out and it is beautiful. Everything went so easily for us it was amazing. The secret service and police were out in force and there were even snipers on the rooftops (even tho' we didn't see them. ) It was a once in a lifetime event that I wish everyone could've watched. I'm not saying who I am voting for (think of bam bam!) and I wouldn't have known how to vote had I not seen it. Rick did an awesome job and I'm sure he was very nervous about it, but you would not have known it. This was a HUGE undertaking for our church and they pulled it off beautifully!

A Mermaid is born.....

2008-08-15T13:42:00.001-07:00

I just finished this sweet mermaid punchneedle. Isn't she cute? She is from a design by my friend Kathi @ Heart to Hand. Now that I live across from the beach, I thought I needed her! I LOVE to punchneedle! And I am keeping her for myself.

"Sewie" Swap!

2008-08-11T14:43:00.000-07:00

I sure hope my swap partner doesn't look at my blog : ) I've been working hard on this and it is my first primitive cross stitch. Many thanks to Shelly Auen for a wonderful pattern with great instructions and a sweet pattern.

A new mini is born.....

2008-08-05T13:40:00.000-07:00

Please meet "Magnolia"! She is a 3 1/2" miniature bear with her little ultrasuede floral collar and hat. She is available for sale on my website.

And watch for HALLOWEEN! It is coming and I am busy!

Off to the Fair!

2008-07-20T20:45:00.000-07:00

My sister Gayle and I decided to go to the Orange County Fair yesterday. This is no small feat as a SATURDAY is SO overcrowded and usually really hot. It WAS very crowded as we mooed ourselves along with everyone else. I didn't get any pictures of anything, including the most amazing acrylic painting I have ever seen of a sheet of crumpled music and tape holding the corners of the music sheet down and some candy sitting on it. You had to try and peel the tape because it looked so real. I have no idea how to take pictures with my cellphone so I failed in sharing the day. But Gayle and I did have fun in one of those photo booths and you will notice she hogged the camera in each frame : )

My Kitty Candy

2008-06-24T23:25:00.000-07:00

These pictures were taken this past weekend of my sweet 15 yr. old cat. Candy decided to lie still so I could catch some beautiful photos of her. She is in kidney failure, very slowly. I have been giving her fluids here at home 2 times per week since April 21 and she is still doing great. I'm SO thankful she has been a part of my pack for so long.

The Dinkster Grows Up!

2008-06-14T12:00:00.000-07:00

Dinky has been with me now for almost 2 yrs. and he is such a clown! I took this the other day of him and his "binky", which is no more than a scrap of the stuffed toy it once was. He LOVES his binky and brings it to me everytime he sees me!

A new friend is born

2008-05-12T21:46:00.000-07:00

Please meet my new Elephant friend! He is made from antiqued osnaburg and holds his own fabric flower. This guy is a swap for someone special through Prim and Rustic (hope she doesn't read my blog!).

One day a porch, the next a patio!

2008-04-16T20:55:00.000-07:00

Since I moved into my little beach cottage, I have had nowhere for the dogs to just get to go outside and sit, sniff, roll, etc. And I had nowhere to sit and enjoy the ocean breezes without all of the neighbors staring at me. Ok, they probably don't even care I'm here, but when you have come from a big, private backyard you feel like all eyes are upon you when you sit out on the front porch.

So, I finally found something that would work perfectly; giving me the privacy I wanted and a secure area for Molly and Dinkie (and even Miko kitty!). Once the plants fill in it will be wonderful!

HAPPY EASTER!

2008-03-23T21:19:00.000-07:00

As we celebrate our Lord's death and resurrection, I reflect on those I love and pray they are ready to go home. My Aunt passed away this week and it made me think of her. I hope she was ready......

These are the eggs I made this year. I wrapped them each with old dollies and twist ties and food coloring dye. Martha had them on her show last week. I think they turned out so purdy!

HAPPY SPRING!

He's all grown up now!

2008-01-20T14:11:00.000-08:00

A Dinky update. He is now 1 1/2 yrs. old and weighs 10 lbs. What a pleasure he has been and a character! Anyone that has a dachshund knows what I mean. I am in love!

Happy 2008!

2008-01-18T16:11:00.000-08:00

It has been another long year here in Huntington Beach, but boy did I enjoy the beach last year, even swimming in it! Hadn't done that for years.

As I start this year, I am faced with the return of my creativity and the patience to get to it again. This guy was for sale last year and it was hard to let him go. I have all kind of new ideas in my head and hopefully they will come out soon!

A long time coming.....

2007-02-04T10:41:00.000-08:00

Well, they are finally finished and released! My new eyeglass case line. Just got back from the LA Gift Show and we did well so forward move. The cases are awesome and I can hardly wait to do some real high-end pieces; one of a kinds. Check'em out at www.eyebagz.com

Merry Christmas!

2006-12-18T10:51:00.000-08:00

Here is a picture of my little Japan Retro Snow village, complete with a hotpink tinsel tree!

Please meet "Dinkie"!

2006-12-15T11:37:00.000-08:00

I have added a new member to my family at this great time of year! He is "Dinkie" my ALMOST 4 month old mini dapple Dachshund! What a handful of joy and energy. He has brought much needed life back into my home. Now if I could only get the housebreaking under control.......

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

2006-10-31T08:22:00.000-08:00

It is my favorite holiday (being as I am a witch!) and the weather is cool and slightly overcast. Great weather for a cauldron brewing! Here is a picture of my Halloween tree; a tradition I do each year. Filled with tons of Christopher Radkos and handmades from my many years of swapping on Prim and Rustic and collecting. No more branches left so next year, maybe a second or bigger tree?

My house progress

2006-10-19T10:57:00.000-07:00

Even tho' I don't think anyone reads my blog, I still want to try and keep up with it and doing posts. It's good for me to share. So, as some of you know, I moved in January to a new little place across from the beach and it was a big sacrifice leaving my home of 17 yrs. I had to do it; I was hurt both physically and emotionally and needed a new and fresh start. SO I've been working on it slowly and here is what it looked like a month after I moved in

And here is what it looks like today. I just had the awnings installed this morning! Where else can you see a gorgeous blue sky like this in both February and October? Great old California, of course!

My FAirY Garden!

2006-08-26T09:04:00.000-07:00

I took the most delightful class last Saturday morning at a local garden shop and created my first fairy garden! It was so much fun! It may just have to be my new passion. We found containers and goodies for the garden throughout the shop and then watched as the owner created his garden and then our's followed. It was like palying with a dollhouse. It felt good to get my hands back in the soil.

After I got home I added a couple of tiny ceramic animals that were part of my Mom's collection from the 50's. I have a feeling this is just the beginning of a new delight!

Of course, I then had to set up my fairy fountain on my front porch and clean and plant so I have been busy, busy. I've got to get some art work done, but I'm getting really inspired decorating my home. I'll post some pics of the progress soon!

Mosaics are finally for sale!

2006-08-20T12:47:00.000-07:00

I FINALLY got some Mosaics up and for sale on ebay. I've had fun working on these and am getting ready to start some more Halloween pieces. They are so much fun to do and totally different than my traditional fabric art. Just got a box of wooden bowls that are begging to be covered with glass. I'll see what is born as I go!

Watercolors are back!

2006-07-29T18:30:00.000-07:00

It has been so hot and humid here that I couldn't do any work with fur or glass, so I got out my watercolors and started painting again. These are going to be a new series titled "Sisters". They are inspired by my sister Gayle and I and are painted off of actual pictures of us. As many parents did in the 1960's-70's, most pictures were taken as slides. I bought a slide scanner and am slowly looking through the 8 boxes.

In Loving Memory

2006-07-15T22:11:00.000-07:00

November 12, 1957 - July 15, 2005 Of my beloved boyfriend, Terry P. Runyon. be free My Friend! "Remember me with smiles and laughter for that is how I will remember you all. If you can only remember me with tears, then don't remember me at all." - Michael Landon

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

2006-07-09T09:10:00.000-07:00

Today would have been my Mom's 73rd birthday, but she left us on earth 17 yrs ago. She gave me every stick of talent and creative-drive I have and I KNOW she has always been my guiding force. So today is to celebrate her life. And I will do that by attending an art show so I can get more inspired and experienced as I follow my heart and grow. I LOVE YOU MOM!