crafting idea tuesday!

I needed to make some pumpkin examples at work last week with our faux pumpkins.  

I decided to our last name and the year we were married!   I used a hot knife and a alphabet template and carved out the letters.  Added some glitter swirl stickers and a bow..ta-daaa! 

a great seasonal decor item.. personalized!

book wreath

The holiday rush is finally over, and now I get to be little more crafty.  There are some projects I've been wanting to try out and create them myself.

The first project I tried out for myself was the book wreath. I have seen it on blogs and wanted to put my own spin on it.

I love the ruffle look of the pages.  I used a French Literature book from the 1950's.  The pages are a yummy coffee color. Perfect vintage.

I have it hanging above my stairs heading to my family room.  I am just loving it right now!!

studio time...

I have been working non stop on my "new" studio for the past 4 days and is almost complete:) I'm so excited to share it with you! It has been really nice organizing everything from scratch, and putting labels on each container.  Hopefully now I will follow what I have started!! 

Pictures soon to come!! Enjoy your week:)

busy busy busy

How time flies! It's crazy that we are almost at the end of July! 

I've been absent since May, but I am still going, busy as ever!  I started selling at another local store; and been making new things in any of my spare time.  On August 1st the store will have been open a month, and I'm very happy with the turn out! :)

This is one of the new items I have been making.  They are available at the store and in my etsy shop.

I have plans to make other sayings as well. Those will be coming soon:)

I used different vintage trims along with some vintage fabrics. 

I love how the baby one turned out! Perfect for a nursery.  :)

little wristlets

This weekend I have been making these little guys.  I wanted to make something new for the shop and the local shops I'm in, so I thought these would be cute to sell.

I have been having fun picking out the color combinations. I really liked how this yellow turned out.  I made a corsage with a vintage button for the center.  

This pink one has the black and white gingham inside and on the wristlet part. 

 

And this blue one was my first try, which turned out pretty good :) I found this beautiful fabric at a re-sell store, I just love it!

If your interested you can find some of them here.  :)

vintage button wreath

I dove in my vintage button stash on Saturday to make this heart wreath.  I have jars and jars of buttons that are just waiting for me to use them!  I wrapped the wreath form in vintage laces and accented with vintage ivory pearls.

I used more lace to hang it along with a white seam binding bow. I might have to make another one for myself!!

You can find it available here.

busy, busy...

I know it's been awhile since I posted last, but I do have 2 good reasons why...

One is because hubby and I took a vacation to the Caribbean, taking a week long vacation. We visited Key West, Grand Cayman, and Ochos Rios. We had a blast and it was much needed!!

grand cayman

{the blob is a sting ray!}

key west, fl

The second reason is that I was getting things ready for a show I am going to be in this weekend!

It runs for 4 days, so I've heard it's a pretty big show! If you live in the area, be sure to stop by!

I'll post photos of my booth this weekend.

If anyone needs direction give me a call!!

mini collages

I started making these collages this past weekend. I had so much fun making these little hangings.  I got all of my vintage trim and laces together and matched them with the picture I was using.

I like the detail a lot on this one, the pearls, lace and trims go along with the French paper and an old photo.

This photo of this sweet little girl caught my eye; I used vintage music paper with vintage buttons.  

A couple more I made... sweet little eyelet lace.

Some of my favorite laces, aqua and the intricate ivory.

Some can be found in my Etsy shop :)

shabby suitcase

I've been working on this little cutie for a little bit now. And just finished her the other day. I hot glued vintage white and ivory buttons to the outside of the suitcase. Then I used a white tassel trim.

I love how the white buttons look on the grey background.

Good thing I still have LOTS of buttons left over to use fr future projects!


For the top I painted it white then mod podged ivory floral scrapbook paper over it. I then used old French book paper and used vintage inspired bird illustrations.






I used it in a craft show I was in on Saturday as part as a display piece. A lot of people commented on it, liking it a lot! :)

I am going to finish the inside off and I'll share the final product with you with hopefully better pictures of it!!

sun room workings

This week I have been working on more sun room pillows and decorations. I've always wanted a white feather wreath, so yesterday I made one for the room. I used a sea foam green ribbon to hang it up.

(one is avaiable in my etsy shop)

This was the first thing I wanted to get done, is the comfy seating area. I wanted a very miss-matching but coordinating pillows. This love seat I also picked up for free a couple of years ago. I will eventually change it out for the white wicker set.

I used mostly vintage fabrics that I have been hording, the "too pretty to use" fabrics. But I decided to go for it and use them as pillows that I would enjoy and see often. :) Some of the fabrics were vintage napkins and runners.

This couch is directly across from the other. Still a work in progress.... I started a patchwork quilt awhile ago and still needs batting, but for now works well on the back of the couch.

More to come on the sunroom soon!

recent favorite finds

I wanted to share some of my favorite finds these past weeks. I can't help myself if I find any type of lace anywhere! I picked these up at Antique Co-op for a $1 each. I was so excited! :)


Next I found this set of gold Fleur De lis buttons. I have a couple of ideas to what to use them on, but for right now I'll put them on a pretty saucer to display.

Mmmm...vintage trims! This looks like it dates way back. I'm thinking about using it on one of my mannequins that I have been wanting to dress up in something.....future project! More to come on that....


While on my weekly visit to Target, I came across some Simply Shabby Chic items on clearance, I nearly grabbed it and ran to the checkout, it being only $3! I have been eyeing this for awhile now and I thought it would be cute in the bathroom with some cotton balls stored in it.

And another piece to add to my collection is this small display plate from the Queen's Jubilee ceremony. Only $1.95.. how could I pass it up?

Hope you enjoyed my favorite finds....I wonder what I'll find in this coming weeks...

Have a Happy Weekend!!

shabby wreaths

I created these wreaths yesterday, these will be available in my Etsy shop. I just loved how they turned out!!

I'm putting one in my mud room and my bathroom!

Close up of all the beautiful fabrics that make up this "shabby chic" wreath.

A neutral version. SOLD- more coming soon!!

Slight variations in fabrics and colors.

A larger version.

If your interested please check out my Etsy shop for them!!

our coco

I want to introduce you all to my little princess. Here and there I've talked about her, but she is a big part of my husband and mine life at home, that I thought I would show you more of our puppy.

Coco at 4 weeks.

We got her when she was 2 months old, so little and cute, we knew she was the one for us. I wanted a cute name for our new girl, after thinking and thinking of a name, I came up with Coco after Coco Chanel, the designer.

Almost two years later she keeps us entertained, going after animals on t.v. and just by cuddling with us. But she still has her puppy energy and puppy characteristics by getting into the garbage among other things. She's only 8 pounds but she can jump about 4 1/2 foot high.

She always cracks us up and we love her so much, so I'm sure you'll be seeing more of her!