Friday, December 24, 2010

And to all, a Merry Christmas!

May you have a joyous Christmas, my friends...

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

My latest project - completed!

I got a special order for a basket - she had purchased lovely bath products and wanted to give them along with a basket which the recipient could use to display in her bathroom. Here's the finished product. I do hope she loves it. How are your Christmas projects coming along? I need to restock some supplies like glue, paper cement...need a trip to Michaels!









Saturday, December 11, 2010

Winner (s) announced!

The winner of yesterday's giveaway is PeggyR.....and below is a pic of the second giveaway, which Sabre Elise has won! A green vase(wouldn't it be lovely filled with fresh holly clippings?) a metal rosebud, an embellished bottle, and a pack of pretty notecards. Thanks to all for entering (I wish I could send everyone a prize!) and congrats to the winners.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Redecorating.... and a giveaway!

I've been doing a little redecorating and thought I'd share a couple of pics of an old cabinet displaying my vintage silverplate collection. I've moved this into my foyer, which got a fresh coat of light paint as a backdrop for my silver and white decor. See those wonderful lace roses on top of the cabinet? I found them at a yard sale a few years ago for an absolute steal! I was told they were used years ago as part of a department store window display. One of my favorite finds.


And time for a quick giveaway - a pink and green collection - a lovely ceramic bud vase, pack of pretty notecards, glass votive with handpainted roses, wide green grosgrain ribbon, and two wooden knobs with handpainted pink roses. Enter by 6:00 p.m. on Friday, 12/10, and I will draw the winner and announce on Saturday. At that time, I'll post a second giveaway of pretties!



Thursday, November 11, 2010

Romantic Bookmarks...

I've been busy as a bee making one-of-a-kind bookmarks using ephemera, vintage wallpaper, vintage lace and trims, and vintage jewelry bits. They're selling like hotcakes locally, haven't even been able to list any yet - great stocking stuffers, or tucked inside a book as a double gift!




Monday, October 25, 2010

A Pleasant Surprise




Went to the mailbox today, and much to my surprise, I pulled out a complimentary copy of the Nov/Dec issue of Somerset Studio, with a You've Been Published notice on top. Yep, my French Blue Lady Tussie Mussie is pictured on page 106.....

Saturday, October 2, 2010

OMGosh! Look at this necklace! and there's more...


My friend, Liz, has just opened a second etsy shop, GYPSYOLOGY. She fashions the most gorgeous jewelry designs from vintage pieces and parts. I was her first sale. I just had to share this gorgeousness with you. This isn't the necklace I bought, but mine is equally beautiful. I've been buying from her other shop for awhile; GYPSYFEATHER, where she sells the most fabulous vintage embellishment kits that she coordinates by color - per her shop announcement: Specializing in vintage jewelry and jewelry tidbits, findings, found objects, trinkets, lace and trims, buttons and beads ...
I have a huge stash of these beauties that I love to use in my artwork. I admit I have been selfish and keeping her lovely offerings to myself, not wanting anyone else to discover her...am I not just awful?!!!! Anyway, I am so glad I met Liz via her etsy, she is the SWEETEST gal. Hop on over and see her offerings.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

New pretties just listed

I've been on a few treasure hunts lately and found some real sweeties - these have been listed, and there's more to come!

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Vintage Style Wedding Favor Boxes







I just finished these and listed them in my Etsy shop. They could be used as gift boxes for bridesmaids' gifts, or little favors. I used sheet music images which I reduced in size to cover boxes, tied them up with sheer nylon ribbons (which is actually the stuff used in sewing to stabilize armholes - LOL - so pretty though), and vintage ring cake toppers. Only a set of 5 - I don't like to do large quantities of anything - that gets monotonous and stifles my creativity *smile*.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Announcing the winners! Plus, vintage needlework finds

The winners of my giveaway are:
Blue Giveaway: Doni.
Pink Giveaway: Kim.

Congrats! and I will be shipping these right out to you. I do so love to host giveaways - but the only downside is I have to draw a name when I want to give a prize to all!!

I wanted to show you some recent tag sale finds- crewel and embroidery samplers. It amazes me that ladies took the time to actually sit down and do these. I have a difficult time finding a minute to sit down to sew on a button! But what a remedy for stress it must be, to sit quietly and stitch..... Enjoy, my friends.





Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Time for a Giveaway! A Blue Prize and a Pink Prize.




It has been much too long since I have had a blog giveaway. I like to keep it simple -just comment to enter! Tell me if you prefer the blue prize or pink prize.

The last pic is my recent upcycle project. I took an old silverplate tray and bonded it to an ANCIENT wooden lamp base that I picked up long ago at a junk sale, painted the entire thing with French Lilac paint. Doesn't it make a lovely birdbath or birdfeeder for the garden?

Comment by noon on Friday, Sept. 10th, and I will announce the 2 winners on Saturday. For now, I'm off to visit you and see what you are up to!

Monday, August 2, 2010

Published!

Well, here it is - the GreenCraft magazine hit the shelves yesterday, and here is the page featuring my spools, page 130. This is a great magazine, lovely photography, with lots of gorgeous creations on every page. They publish twice a year.

Friday, July 16, 2010

FIRST KISS spool


I'll be listing some of my spools today or tomorrow. Stampington's GreenCraft August issue hits the shelves on 8/01. My spools are featured for sure, and I get a complimentary copy! Yay, can't wait. This little spool is painted black and has a vintage image of kids popping a little kiss. Text word "kiss" is cut from a vintage book. A large black faceted button adorns the top. This one was so fun to do.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Collector or hoarder?

Here's just a few of my recent finds. I love the silverplate creamers - I'm still deciding whether to keep them or sell them. I'm wondering.....at what point does one cross the line between collector and hoarder...??



Monday, July 5, 2010

A Friendship Collage

Oh, the comfort --
The inexpressible comfort
of feeling safe with a person,
Having neither to weigh thoughts,
Nor measure words -- but pouring them
All right out -- just as they are --
Chaff and grain together --
Certain that a faithful hand will
Take and sift them --
Keep what is worth keeping --
and with the breath of kindness
Blow the rest away.




Although the above quote is widely attributed to George Eliot, it comes from English novelist and poet, Dinah Mulock Craik, in her novel, A Life for a Life, published in 1859. It inspired me to do this collage on a silvertone tray using this great vintage image, pretty background paper, lace, MOP buttons and a buckle, tatting snippets, pearls, and a pink mulberry paper rose.

I hope you are having a wonderful holiday weekend, sharing it with family and friends!

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Farm Chic AND French Chic

I know I've been long between posts lately, but I do hereby vow to do better! Lots of summer happenings, flea markets and selling and shipping have kept me from updating regularly. I have a truckload of stuff to get cleaned up, photographed and listed, but here are just a couple of small things I've found recently.

Are you fond of the "farmstyle" or "farm chic" look? It's really catching on. When I saw this cute little chickenwire basket, I knew it would fit right in.
And I found these french candy or mint tins yesterday. They are newer, but the candies are imported from France. The village of Flavigny is a village in France is the sole producer of the anise based candies and were originally manufactured by monks. Flavigny is also the location of the filming of the movie Chocolat.

Farmstyle OR French, they are both a bit romantic, don't you think?

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Happy Father's Day, Daddy

Happy Father's Day to my daddy. Some earlier pics; 1. as a young man; 2. with me at my wedding, 3. a few years ago when he was healthy, 4. currently in a nursing facility with dementia, he is pictured with his sweet aide, Miranda.

Let us cherish the good days while they are here, and be on our knees in thanks each and every day.




Sunday, May 30, 2010

Weekend Loot

Look at my weekend flea market finds - vintage picnic basket, various jewelry pieces, glove box, jewelry box with ballerinas, MOTHER plaque, leather ring box, filigree metal bowl, miniature dollhouse dresser, and a lidded dresser jar. Woo hoo!! What goodies did you find?



Wednesday, May 26, 2010

My spool art to be in Greencraft Magazine, and here is my latest upcycle project...

I was notified recently that some of my spools will be featured in the August issue of GreenCraft Magazine, a Stampington publication. (Those spools are not pictured here). Of course, I do realize that something else could get priority, and mine could get pushed forward to another issue, but I'm happy they think it worthy....


Here's my latest upcycle - You've seen the pedestal plates made by bonding a plate to a candleholder? Well, here are some unique pedestal jars I made by bonding a glass base (candleholder) to vintage jars.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Shabby Shops in a Box Gifts, and "Beauties in Blue" Tags

I've been busy making tags - here are a sample of some gifts that will be included in the Shabby Shops in a Box, first boxes going out in June - Check it out!

And next is a set of my "Beauties in Blue" tags. I'm listing them in my webstore. I have tons of buttons, vintage lace, and trinkets and baubles that I have been collecting for years, and I love to use them to create with. When I spy any of those at tag sales or flea markets, they're mine!!!


Hope you have a fabulous day!