Nacogdoches: Old University Building

We have now arrived at Old University Building located at 515 N. Mound Street.  Nacogdoches University received its charter from the Republic of Texas on February 3, 1845.  It is the only original building of a university chartered by the Republic of Texas still standing and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  I also visited this location on Texas Independence Day and I don't mean to brag or anything, but I GOT TO RING THE BELL!!  ::struts:: 

The building has become a museum which houses period furnishings and historical artifacts...

The entrance to the Old University Building is an old red door.

During the civil war the structure served as a confederate hospital and functioned as a headquarters for a federal regiment during reconstruction.

Nacogdoches: Oak Grove Cemetery & Zion Hill Baptist Church

The tour through the oldest town in Texas continues and this stop brings us to Zion Hill Baptist Church and Historical Oak Grove Cemetery located on Lanana Street.  You will notice in one of the pictures below that cornerstone of the Zion Hill Baptist Church reads "Erected in 1914".  That's a long time ago!  The architect was Dietrich Rulf, a native of Oldenburg, Germany who moved to Nacogdoches.  His Victorian and Gothic architecture style is evident from every angle.  I read somewhere that Rulf designed this church to mimic the one in which he was married in Germany.  I don't know that to be a fact --just something i read.  The church closed it's doors in the 70's but is currently undergoing remodeling by the City of Nacogdoches.

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Our next stop is Historical Oak Grove Cemetery which is next door to Zion Hill.  I found it interesting that although the church and the burial grounds are on the same lot, only a handful of African-Americas are buried here.  This is odd because the entire congregation at Zion Hill was African-American.  I'm sure there is a reason embeded in the historical fabric of our State, I just don't know what it is and I don't feel like googling.  What is really neat about this Cemetery is that 4 signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence are buried here!  In fact, lots of famous men and women that played crucial roles in Texas history are buried here.  Those of you that know me, know that I LOVE TEXAS!  It was really neat to come to this cemetery and visit the resting place of our great states forefathers and not just on any ol' day but on TEXAS INDEPENDENCE DAY!

This is the burial plot of Thomas Rusk.  He was born in South Carolina but was so Taken with Nacogdoches that he moved his family and became a citizen of Mexico in 1835.  Remember, parts of Texas were provinces of Mexico!  Rusk joined Stephen F. Austin's independence movement and was named inspector general of the army.  He signed the Texas Declaration of Independence as a delegate from Nacogdoches and was appointed secretary of war. Rusk fought with Sam Houston at the Battle of San Jacinto and was briefly commander in chief of the army of the Republic of Texas. After the war, Rusk was again appointed secretary of war and major general of the Texas Militia. Elected to the Republic of Texas Congress, he chaired the House Military Committee. In 1840, he retired from his position as chief justice of the State Supreme Court to return to a successful law practice in Nacogdoches, but he was called again to the militia in 1843 and was soon elected major general by the Congress. Returning home in June, Rusk focused his energies on the establishment of Nacogdoches University. Following his term as president of the convention of 1845 to annex Texas to the United States, Rusk was elected to a U. S. Senate seat in 1846. He and Senator Sam Houston established the southwestern boundary of Texas, and he promoted construction of a transcontinental railroad route through Texas. Mary Rusk died of tuberculosis in 1856, and an ill and despondent T. J. Rusk took his own life in 1857.  History courtesy of FortTours.com.      

Nacogdoches: Historical Hotel Fredonia

I spent a few day in Nacogdoches last weekend...a late birthday trip.  I did do some research before going but probably not enough.  Although I did get to see the place that I was most excited to see and that was Historical Oak Grove Cemetery where several signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence are buried.  And the best part --I got to visit on the 176 anniversary of my great State!  I also visited a couple of other historical locations, did some antique shopping, a little barhopping, and my favorite part - I photographed a lot of random things.  Over the next few blog entries we will make stops at Oak Grove Cemetery, Old University Building, Downtown and places in and around Nacogdoches.  But for now our first stop takes us to the corner of Hospital and Fredonia Streets where you will find the Historical Hotel Fredonia. 

Hotel Fredonia opened its doors in the Oldest Town in Texas in 1955.  Let me tell you, walking into this place is like stepping back in time.  I loved it!  I wanted to walk around with platform shoes, pin-up style dresses and a rose in my hair the entire time.  But I only did that one night.  :)  The hotel is not much on the outside but offers vintage charm on the inside.  Most of my photos are from the room we stayed in, but I think I still managed to capture the spirit of the Fredonia!

A view of the oldest town in Texas from my window.

Shampoo bottles never looked so beautiful!

I love that their logo was on everything.

I'm not sure why, but I was compelled to photograph the hangers in the closet.

I love that the window sill is so old - the finish is crackled as I'm sure it has received layers and layers of paint throughout the years.

The hotel was filled with ornate fixtures like this one in the elevator.

Enjoy the Journey

I made this for my coworker and his family as they are preparing to move out of state.  This little gem doubles as a card and a mixed media piece that they can display in their home.  The base of the card is actually cardboard.  I just inked up the edges with distress ink and then covered both sides with paper.  Mauve flower and scroll are by Maya Road.  Isn't the color of the scroll pretty?  I first covered it with an acrylic gold paint dabber and once it dried I went over it with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.  The hardware is Tim Holtz, of course.

My favorite part of this 6x6 mixed piece is that I used one of my original prints --the bird on the branches!  I shot that a few months ago and I thought it would be perfect for this piece considering that they are about to embark on a journey. 

In keeping with the bird theme I stamped a bird cage on the envelope in vintage photo distress ink and then that lovely quote using black archival ink.  The chipboard bird is also Maya Road --I just painted him black.

Thanks for looking...take flight!

Sale Starts Today!

It's official, the March Madness Sale at Through These Eyes started TODAY!  Three day only...so click on the image above to buy your very own visual art piece by yours truly. 

A Modern Marvel

A huge congratulations to all of the men and women that were involved in the design and build of this modern marvel.  I see a lot of familiar faces in this video.  What a tremendous accomplishment with much more to come!

March Madness!

I am having a HUGE SALE at Through These Eyes!  All of my prints are on sale for JUST $5 for 3 DAYS ONLY!  Please note that all prints will be formatted in 8x10.  You may preorder now but the cut-off date for final orders is March 9 --no exceptions.  This is a ridiculously low price but what can I say - I'VE GONE MAD!  Stop by THROUGH THESE EYES and look through my gallery.  Find what you want and e-mail me at msruintx@gmail.com to place your order.

Thanks for supporting your local artists!

xoxo,

Ms. Ruin

Art Therapy

I wanted to revisit this layout for a few reasons.  1.  I want to pin it to Pinterest from my newer craft blog and 2. I wanted to show the vulnerable and not so pretty side to scrapbooking.  When I first completed this page I was so afraid to share it with the craft community, but by far it has been by most popular one to date and so many people shared how they were inspired to scrapbook their own emotions.  You see, scrapbooking shouldn't just be for the good times, it can help you repair some of the bad times in your life too.  Art has been my saving grace as I have faced many rough patches in my life and I find comfort in knowing that when I hurt again, I can pour it into my art --even the art of scrapbooking.

I want to mention that this layout features a medium that we all have access too for free --CARDBOARD!  Yep!  And it was so much fun to use.  You will see it in a couple of places in my layout.  Enjoy.  :)

First and foremost is the hand-stamping of lyrics...one.letter.at.a.time.  Insane, I know.  But it looks pretty awesome, doesn't it?  These are lyrics by the band My Ruin --no relation to me, Ms. Ruin.  ;)

I stamped these letters on cardboard and then cut them out.  I love the multiple layers of texture!

This is probably my favorite embellishment.  I stamped a heart on cardboard, cut it out, and then I stapled it down the middle.  Very symbolic.

This beautiful scroll is by Maya Road.  I misted it with Tattered Angels mist and then stamped over it with a script stamp.

Thanks for looking!

Snapshots of East Texas

I have sooooo many pictures to share with all of you from my weekend in Nacogdoches.  But for now I will post the ones that made the cut to my photography page.  Lots more to come but for now enjoy these little gems!

Hangers in a closet at Historical Hotel Fredonia in Nacogdoches, Texas

Window sill at Historical Hotel Fredonia in Nacogdoches, Texas.

Exquisite architecture can be found at the historical Zion Hill Baptist Church in Nacogdoches, Texas.

What's not love about vintage typewriters?  This one at Old University Building in Nacogdoches, Texas.

More Vintage Typewriter love!

Spring 2012 is here early!  This photo taken in Athens, Texas.

Sign atop the Lone Star Feeds Grain Elevator in Nacogdoches, Texas.

Historical Zion Hill Baptist Church in Nacogdoches, Texas.

Old Water Tower in Nacogdoches, Texas.

Child's Play

This is a layout I made using another NEW paper from American Crafts.  The paper is Bailey's Brush from the Amy Tangerine line.  You will find some other goodies in this layout...it's in the deatails.  :)

I love all of these different little elements together.  Very youthful!

These are Thickers by American Crafts.

One side of the paper has all of these little leafy designs.  I cut them out and used them to embellish the paper and also pop-dotted all of the black and white ones.  Gotta pop dot something!

My favorite embellishment is the mini hanger and banner flag --both by Maya Road.  I used my jewelry making tools to pry the hanger apart and then I ran the banner through and clasped the hanger back together.  A must try!

Thanks for looking!

Mark your calendar!

Message from Carolyn at The Crafty Scrapper:  We have been busy planning something special to kick off spring and a new year of creativity.  We will be sending out all the details in a couple of weeks. So save the date, this is going to be fun, HINT, a day with all the designers, teachers and your favorite Crafty Scrapper girls.

Message from me:  I am so thrilled to be a part of this event and can’t wait for the reveal.  It’s going to be a first for DFW and I guarantee you’ll have so much fun –SO SAVE THE DATE (March 31)!  I will leave you with a sneak peek of what is to come.  ::wink, wink::