Thursday, January 28, 2016

the famous New Orleans Garden District Tour Ogden House which houses over 70 of the artists creations including 5 ft Arabella that greets visitors in the entry way of that historic home. Ogden house has been used in many movies and television series including Anne Rice's Interview with a Vampire. Mardi Gras Mischief trademarks and copyrights owned by Connie Born 1997-2015 Copyright product Connie Born 2016

Now available in the Etsy shop it's a Mardi Gras MisChief Swamp Lady. One of the very best Swamp's in Louisiana is right here in Slidell. Honey Island Swamp offers great Swamp Tours. Be sure to visit the and you might just spot Swamp Peoples "No Guts, No Gator", Terrel Evans and his partner Johnny Panks, out there relocating Gators.

and this Etsy doll would ne the perfect travel companion!
Original Mardi Gras Mischief Doll Swamp People by Connie Born - New Orleans $250.00 USD Only 1 available Handmade item Materials: Italian Lambskin, Mardi Gras beads, Metal beads, Glass Beads, Floral sprays, Victorian bug accents Ships worldwide from New Orleans, Louisiana
MARDI GRAS MISCHIEF LADY OF THE SWAMP It's another wonderful "Swamp People" creation, similar to the one designed for the Today Show's Al Roker. When filming a recent trip to Honey Island Swamp as part of his Rokerthon 2 series, Al was presented with his very own MisChief Swamp creation. The MisChief Lady of the Swamp fashioned from a green embossed Italian lambskin hide. Her swampy hair is fashioned of floral sprays for a very "I just came out of the Swamp" hairdo. Her headband has been fashioned using straight lines of orange Mardi Gras Beads with green lambskin strips woven in and out. Her skirt is fashioned using the edges of the lambskin hide for a natural edge look. The layered skirt has been carefully fashioned to create a "leafy" look designed to be spread out. For a different look she can be elevated on a candle holder stand and the skirt will "hang". Her necklace is fashioned of glass beads (some wrapped in leather) and multicolored stone beads. Her waist has been accented with a metal waist band and accented with Victorian metal bugs & a butterfly in gold and silver. Approximately 12 inches tall from tip of toe to top of headband. The height to the top of the hair is 16 inches. Shipped with doll stand. Visit the artist Facebook page listed below to view video of the Gallery pre-katrina as featured by New Orleans own Frank Davis. From the Artist: This one is another addition to my "Swamp People" series using wild floral sprays for just the right type of big hair. This piece is made from the same type of leather hide as an earlier piece that was made for the Today Shows, Al Roker. Al visited Honey Island Swamp as part of his traveling Rokerthon 2 series 2015. I was honored to attend the taping in the wee hours of the morning at the Honey Island Swamp boat launch, joining the St Tammany Tourist Commission and Amanda Shaw in welcoming Al to Slidell, Louisiana. He was presented with his own MisChief Swamp Lady that traveled back to New York with him. The MisChief Swamp creations are definitely some of my favorites! SEE THE MISCHIEF Louisiana Artist Connie Born, artfully captures the spirit of Louisiana in her fun and exciting creations. Mischief Creations are handcrafted of carefully selected fabrics and topped off with fanciful hair. They are dressed in skirts and necklaces made of Mardi Gras Beads.Skirts, necklaces and head dress bands area all handcrafted from original patterns designed by the artist using straight lines of Mardi Gras beads manipulated into various patterns. Each creation is given a unique personality by the buttons that make up their faces. Faces designed on 24" and 48" creations are comprised of layers and layers of button collage. Chili peppers, crawfish, alligators, hot sauce bottles and other symbols indicative of the area are used as accent pieces on many creations. Some of the more unique creations feature real coffee beans, red beans and rice, along with swamp creations that sport real alligator heads used as part of the headdress. Each one-of-a-kind creation represents Louisiana's richly diverse and fascinating culture. Each creation is signed and dated by the artist. Custom made creations from 5 inches to four feet are available to suit any occasion or event. Whether the theme is sports related, professional, holiday or other, all creations share in common a whimsical look at the world through the eyes of the artist. Born's creations, old and new, do not deviate from her concept that made the original 1997 creation a success, the use of colorful Mardi Gras beads. In 2002 the artist took her concept a step further by using the colorful beads as a hair type. introducing the "illlusive" Mardi Gras Mischief Beadhead, a rare find for the 2002 season. "Got Beads?" In the New Orleans area Born's creations will forever be remembered as touted by Andre' Trevigne, New Orleans Queen of Common Sense & No. 1 talk radio personality, described in her own unique "Nawllins' way: "Now these ain't ya mama's Barbie Dolls. These are what Barbie would look like after spending a week on Bourbon Street!" From The Artist: 10 years have passed since losing the Mardi Gras Mischief gallery to Hurricane Katrina. During that time, only a handful of Mischief Creations have been made. Everything has a time and place and the time has finally arrived for me to once again create my whimsical Mischief Creations. 2015 is a good year to begin anew. Who knows where the new quest will lead. but be assured it will be whimsical, witty, fun filled and sure to bring smiles. Creations will be limited in number and each one original, dated, and signed. They will emerge as inspiration finds its way to my heart. "Let the Mischief begin again!" *See more information and like my Mischief Creations Facebook Page and view my video at: facebook.com/MardiGrasMischiefCreations Born has designed dolls for New Orleans House of Blues, Universal Studios Florida, MGM Grand Casinos, Coca Cola, Licensed Dolls for Tabasco, GTE, etc. Born's creations have also taken residence in the US White House during the Bush era and the famous New Orleans Garden District Tour Ogden House which houses over 70 of the artists creations including 5 ft Arabella that greets visitors in the entry way of that historic home. Ogden house has been used in many movies and television series including Anne Rice's Interview with a Vampire. Mardi Gras Mischief trademarks and copyrights owned by Connie Born 1997-2015 Copyright product Connie Born 2016

Saturday, January 23, 2016

just how much would I love to have this Original Mardi Gras Mischief Doll Mardi Gras Spirit 2016 by Connie Born ? a whole bunch!

to have this kind of talent....amazing!
Original Mardi Gras Mischief Doll Mardi Gras Spirit 2016 by Connie Born $180.00 USD Only 1 available Overview Handmade item Materials: Mardi Gras Fabric, Mardi Gras Beads, Metal Beads, Exotic feathers, Fleur De Lis Ships worldwide from New Orleans, Louisiana

Friday, January 22, 2016

Glacier View Getaway on Kilcher Family Homestead in Alaska the Last Frontier

you can visit & stay on the homestead in one of the cabins, get in touch with Catkin Kilcher Burton, there are a couple of sisters of Otto, that are in charge of the tours...don't know if you can meet the brothers...you can also work & do chores...lots of couples & families do it.
Property description This private and cozy log cabin awaits you with awesome views of Kachemak Bay and pristine glaciers, abundant wildlife and a ribbon of hiking and cross-country skiing trails through the peaceful Kilcher Family Homestead. It is a great place to get away from it all after a long day of fishing, to curl up with a great book, complete an art project or just relish the quiet serenity. Glacier View Getaway is fully equipped with everything you will need to make your stay enjoyable including a full-size kitchen, kitchenware and linens. There are two comfortable bedrooms, Jacuzzi bath, dishwasher, propane stove, washer and dryer, deck furniture and propane grill. Keywords: Vacation Rental Cabin, Kilcher Homestead Log Cabin, Scenic View, Homestaed Experience, Luxury Cabin
sleeps 5. minimum 2 night stay, avg. nightly price $296
Otto & Atz's sister Catkin has several beautiful cabins for rent!

Sunday, January 17, 2016

home of the swimming pigs. because what could be better than stepping barefoot in pig poo on the beach?

The Bahamas is the ‘Official Home of the Swimming Pigs’. Visitors to the islands are happily embracing the unique and special experience of swimming with the pigs on the uninhabited island of Big Major Cay, which is home to these special creatures and affectionately called “Pig Beach”. The swimming pigs join the vast selection of aquatic activities already popular with visitors to The Bahamas, from snorkelling with tropical fish and sea turtles to shark and eel sightings to scuba diving.
The family of pigs, dubbed ‘adorable’ by tourists, locals and media alike, have become incredibly popular. They live freely on the sandy beaches, and after basking in the sun for hours, they swim in the surf. The pigs, though feral, are exceptionally friendly, running from under the shade of the almond trees to greet visitors that bring them treats. They are also fed by the crews of passing yachts and vessels. The swimming pigs are truly a sight to behold and have become so popular that they have inspired a children’s book, “The Secret of Pig’s Island,” by Jennifer R. Nolan, and a song by children’s author Sandra Boynton.
It is unknown how the pigs originally came to live on Big Major Cay, as they aren’t native and the island itself is uinhabitated. Popular lore suggests that the pigs were dropped off by a group of sailors who wanted to come back and cook them, or that there was a nearby shipwreck and the pigs swam to safety. However it was that they came to be, there are now Swimming Pigs approximately 20 pigs and piglets surviving easily on Big Major Cay, partly because the island is blessed with three freshwater springs, and partly due to the generosity of visiting Bahamians and tourists.
Visitors may book their visits to Big Major Cay for their opportunities to swim with the pigs through a variety of excursion vendors on The Islands.The Director General of The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Joy Jibrilu, has concluded that, “As a destination that is world-renowned for welcoming visitors and providing them with the most beautiful beaches, lavish hotels and resorts, and fine dining, and for being a dream destination, the Islands of The Bahamas are very proud to be the Official Home of the Swimming Pigs. Providing visitors with the once-in-a-lifetime experience of interacting with these wonderful animals is just one more thing that distinguishes The Bahamas. We’ve already introduced thousands of visitors to ‘Pig Beach’, and we look forward to welcoming thousands more in the years to come. These animals are now as much a Bahamian experience as any other that visitors may discover while visiting The Bahamas.”

I would love to stay in one of Ronda Haberer's Tin Valley Retro Rentals in Terlingua, Texas!

I love the colors...the details...the bedframe...the chandalier...the flocked wall paper and the fringe on the walls....just beautiful! a real woman cave!
Tin Valley Retro Rentals 889 Sombrero Peak Rd, Terlingua, Texas 79852 USA (432) 294-527

Friday, January 15, 2016

closet transformed into a book nook....will definitely have this in my lil' cabin in the woods....

grandkid to do list:

find a Bigfoot for Ian's swamp. go thru playmobile people and find an Ian, Grandma, Pappa, Katie....
make Coralie a victorian crazy quilt teddy bear...just a simple teddy bear shape that will be soft and hopefully pretty....
also found Koren's Christening gown and washed, found my baby shoes....need to go to DG and get a fancy printed box to put them in. also got an adorable big hair bow ordered from etsy, got Samantha sent to the Doll Hospital...the teddy bear became a pink and white checked pig looking creature. have to finish edges. need to find all Little House books for Coralie, too....

Sunday, January 10, 2016

Leigh's Chicken Salad...

No rhyme, no reason, and barely a recipe, but it sure is yummy.
10.5 oz canned chicken drained
1/2 cup cream cheese softened
1/2 cup mayonnaise (Duke's is my favorite)
1/2 cup grapes, cut in half
1 Granny Smith apple, cut in small bites with skin left on
1/2 wedge of freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 cup of sliced almonds, toasted
salt and pepper to taste.
1. Mix ingredients together
2. Chill overnight (or at least 4 hours)
It's also delicious with your favorite crackers! Serves 4

feral cat winter housing

Thursday, January 7, 2016

2016 bucket list

reread my favorite books.....Gone With The Wind, The Stand, Oldest Living Confederate Widow, The Outsiders
rewatch all my Jesse James dvds!,
get Titanic on dvd. and Gone With The Wind. and True Blood Season 6.
strive to finish the Victorian Crazy Quilt.
visit a Bigfoot location.....Fouke, Arkansas?
retour the Jesse James Farm!
now, I realize these are lofty goals. some are probably unattainable. but this gal had a lengthy bucket list and has actually crossed some stuff off it.....Villisca Ax Murder House...Missouri State Pen Ghost Tour...HaHaTonka...Glore Psychiatric Hospital...Jesse James House....Jesse James Farm...Carnton Plantation...The Myrtles...seeing the ocean....the Vaile Mansion Victorian Christmas Tour....don't underestimate me!
HEY! update June 16, 2016! I have reread Gone With The Wind, The Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All, AND The Stand Complete and Uncut! I have now watched every single season of True Blood on dvd! now I have to locate my paperback of The Outsiders...

hippie juice