Victorian tussie mussies and Petite boxes

Wanted to share the sweet boxes I received from Cerri, Julie Ann, and Sarah, my partners in the petite inspiration box swap - aren't they lovely? ...and all filled to the brim with the sweetest things!
I've been busy creating Victorian tussie mussies using vintage wallpaper and vintage images, trinkets and trims - I think I will have 11 in all when I'm finished. Here's a few....

Swaps Galore!

I broke my own rule and participated in 3 swaps at the same time. I vowed to participate in only one at a time, but these were all just too much fun! I just got all my packages shipped before the deadline. For the May Day Tussie Mussie swap , here's the tussie mussie I received from my partner, JoAnne, in New York. She did a beautiful job - look at the sweet vintage bird on top - I just love it! And all the goodies she sent. The last pic is a sneak preview of the tussie mussie I made for her.

A couple of completed upcycle projects

Here's a couple of things I just completed. I've been wanting to embellish an old silver tray since I had seen one on someone's blog (I can't remember where - might have been junkdreams - I am SO inspired by Janis and love to see what she's up to). I finally found the perfect tray - I wanted a romantic look and started with a background paper in a pretty shade of blue. I also found a petite tray which only required a slip of vintage wallpaper with metallic shimmer to make it pretty. By the way, have you noticed how thrift stores are packed with people now? With the economical downturn, it now seems to be the "in" thing to do - ha! some of us have been doing it all along, haven't we? Have a blessed day, friends!

One more week til Easter Sunday

Easter blessings to all...

Sweet inspiration....

My petite inspiration boxes for the swap....still filling them with treasures!

White roses and old silver

Isn't this gorgeous? I found a wonderful artist, Han, on ebay. I love his work. He does custom work, too. I wanted a still life with white roses and old silver. I am so happy with it, just had to share!

Loving toile..

Do you love toile too? I finished these toile tags today and thought I'd share.

Toile is a word that entered the English language around the 16th century[1] from a French word meaning "linen cloth" or "canvas" — particularly cloth or canvas for painting on.