Wednesday, April 30, 2008

ROMANTIC IMAGES ALTERED ART













Alright now were talking..... Back to the colors I love.... I love the aged look in the carmel shades and tea dyed tones.....I have been working on a couple altered art projects for myself and to place on my ebay auctions... Romantic images and ephemera can inspire a altered art project. Give into your romantic side when searching for inspirations... I hunt for all sorts of trinkets... anything unexpected and unusual...Postcard have the most captivating images... The photo itself but also the stamps....postmarks.. and graceful ink messages give just the right touch... YUMMMM....Beautiful buttons..buckles...and vintage jewels.... lace and ribbons are so so sweet treasures of the past. I designed some altered art on the front cover of a old book from 1917.....It is a dainty book about 5 1/2" by 4 ".... Pieces of lace from my thrift market and antique trip last week... buttons ...key.. and vintage brooch and vintage image from post card completes this project ....



I have another book I will place on ebay.. I also have a tin that once housed toffee that I did altered art on the top and inside ...Photo above.... PS. I have a project I hope to complete in the next couple days on a wooden thin cigar box that I am liking the way it is turning out.. I will share that with you soon. Also working on a bridal shower little gift and a wedding gift I will be sharing with you also....I have alot of irons in the fire and need to complete some soon.. I am feeling the heat.......

Thursday, April 24, 2008

EVER SO LOVELY.......















WHISPERS OF THE PAST....... I woke up this morning with the desire to go to my favorite antique stores and spend some time in the past.... I was looking for some laces and objects to do a couple altered art projects. I found a couple small bags full ... just perfect..... But then I found 2 lovely perfume bottles I wasn't looking for but somehow they made the trip home with me... How devine.....when I look at them I feel like I have given them second chances for standing the test of time. Second chances... a love of mine.... They will mix beautifully with other items I have displayed.... The little lace collar I placed on one of the perfume bottle in photo was a piece of lace I purchased in a bag full if lace. They was about 10 of those.. lovely little crochet pieces.... I thought they would be lovely for photos ect. The lovely muted pink lace in pictures also was in bag. The larger piece of lace appears to be from a very old slip and the smaller two are lace cuffs... The absolute most lovely shade of muted pink..... What a treasure for a $2.00 bag full.... I truly find inspiration in smaller finds .......it is part of my history of enjoying simply things life offers....... The top pic is a perfume bottle I already enjoy... just wanted to show you how beautiful the lace cluffs display with the bottle........It's yummy...... I found several buttons ... always on my list if found......
I enjoyed my morning mingering with memories of the past and to inspire ideas for the future...now I will enjoy finding places or creating objects from my wonderful wear of time finds.........

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

FAMILY TIES ARE PRECIOUS THREADS














FAMILY.....as we mature and experience lessons in life... I believe our want for knowledge of our family becomes stronger....Both of my parents have passed away .. my father in his early 40's and mother in her early 80's. I find so many time happenings that I would like to question them about.. but am sure most will go unanswered.... It is a journey to remember through our earlier years... a certain place... a certain time... values we were taught... integrity, commitment, faith, and forgiveness... Our faith learns us simplicity as a virtue... Meaningful pleasures as joy... I have great concern that in our busy life we may not be passing this onto our family. We should strive hard to pass on sense of dignity and worth ... Seems our children leave the nest early and depart for further schooling, job opportunity, marriage, and maybe a life they are not fully ready for. We wonder if we have had enough time to ready them for the future... Families stayed closer together in past years making them stronger as a unit in my thoughts. But time has taught me we have to learn from our our failures and successes....
Most of my favorite memories of family do not have to do with big Hugh event or gifts... They are made up of small enchanting treats...picnics...reunions...church functions...birthday cake...and don't forget the daily CHORES.... My toys were mainly something my dad had put together...wooden stilts and hoop and a stick and run the neighborhood fro morning till dusk as your parents would allow. Then the dreaded Monday wash day with the good old wringer washer... My nightmare was the chrome legs on the kitchen table and chairs... I would have to polish them once a week with chrome polish.. Whenever I happen to see a chrome kitchen set at a antique shoppe or flea market....my childhood days are instantly returned... Also in my family you didn't just ask for a nickle to go somewhere you ask what you could do to earn it. We were taught to work for it at even a young age.. probably the best thing in life they taught me. I to this day respect the items I have had to work for ... Now in this time feels to me every thing is disposable... don't want it ..throw it away... get rid of it.... Like a paper plate.... Please for me just bring on the china with the beautiful pattern and I will gladly wash it for the pleasure of using it... Times are really changing.....I feel in years past we were taught to value smaller gifts offered to us. Attend your grandchildren birthdays party and it is More than I ever saw for Christmas in a 5 year total combined. Okay MARTHA... not convinced "THIS IS A GOOD THING"
Growing through the years I have not had great wealth in the form of money but was blessed with great riches of a loving mother and father and for that I am so very, very thankful.. So many have never experienced that...... I am Blessed......

PS> The pictures above are of my father in his hunkie years ...My dad and myself 67 years ago ....... My Mom when she was 14.......




Tuesday, April 22, 2008

LADIES OF THE PAST ....PAPER DOLLS



















OH my.... here I am again.... Over the fall and Christmas holiday a few months ago I made hundreds of the "LADIES OF THE PAST" paper doll ornaments.... I took a few months rest from them .. all the cutting ...gluing.. and creating. I got some emails requesting to please offer them again and now have decided to place some on my ebay auction ....sweetoldvintage... I will offer them from time to time now till a couple weeks before Christmas... Thought it may be fun to share a couple photos ... incase you had not seen them offered on Ebay. They are my creations and I do truly love making them.... At Christmas time I will share some pictures of my trees and ideas. The dolls have also sold for scrapbooking... Most of my dolls are 9" to 10" but I did offer a few smaller for lades who wanted them for 3" or 4" trees.... The dolls are embellished with vintage jewelry... hat pins... plumes..ribbons..ect....

INSPIRED BY BEAUTIFUL NOTES




Love old post cards and letters that have been beautifully hand-written with gentle care and love... With our modern day emails we are truly loosing a lovely statement of times past.....I use my email service several times a day and find it a real time saver ..but when I really want to indulge and enjoy my time ... it is receiving or sending a lovely written note or letter just stating I'm thinking of you... There is a calmness about reading and writting... In my times... as I am in my senior years... it was a ritual of keeping in touch and having the pleasures of thoughts and daydreams.
Beautiful writings stimulate the imagination of the mind. A letter received or sent can enhance moments of your day. It is something to hold when received and like sending a ship out to sail when being sent. Sacred space...sacred time... we do our best thinking when we are alone... Take time for yourself and to share with another.......

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

OLD CANDY BOXES







































I am showing you a small collection of old candy boxes.... I have tried to obtain more boxes on ebay and antique shoppes but seem to be outbid or not enough jingles in my pockets...so my collection remains rather small.

My very favorite one .. I believe to be German.. but no shaking of hands about it as I have thought wrong before. The graphic on the box are incredible.. F.G.METZER Nurnberg.. At the very top of the box their remains just georgous handwritting to whom I believe the wonderful old box of chocolates were given too. The name is.. EMMA GLENK 1894 This box of candy in my mind must have been given by someone of wealth. Inside the box on lid sd in photo fully illustrated with brillant colors ... The box has been with me for a number of years and I will hope to have it in my possession for a number of years more. In my eyes I think I bought a real treasure......
The other larger box that I have on the fireplace in the photo is featured with a photo of a lovely lady .A large amount of chocolate was in this box. The box has a seal on it saying from TOLEDO, OHIO and is interesting to me as our lovely town of DEFIANCE, OHIO is located about 50 miles away. The box shows some wear and age but makes it more desirable to me. I believe this box to be from the early 30's....
Another box is a Fanny Farmer 2 pound box. It is most likely the most recent box of all my boxes, but still alot of vintage appeal... Has great graphic on box sides. One side panel has the Statue of Liberty....
A couple photos of 2 different Half pound boxes.... One has stamps on the back and says...... To.. ELIZABETH J. { That is all the info...so I guess the horse that was making the mail delivery knew where he was going to deliver.. Maybe he got a carrot there... TEE...HEE...
I do enjoy changing things around for display and use these for Valentines day. A few months ago I used them as a tree skirt under My one tree and tucked the two little half pounders in the tree for just the right vintage look. As you can tell...{ i am not a ordinary tree skirt type of person} Always like to be unusal..... Back to earlier statements.. Surround yourself in what you love... Vintage style provides a warm charm and NEW inspiration. Its like walking on tip toes in a field of memories.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Another Hankie Project










Just finished this little project this morning. I like to change some items for summer and thought I would change over this lamp shade. I usually have a beaded and crystal but will place him back for the holidays. For summer I like to lighten my colors and make look light and airy... if that is possible with all my objects I surround myself in... Humm..maybe not...I do display china with pink roses in several areas. The little server I have this little shade on is quite loaded as you can see. The lamp base itself is just a crystal candle stick purchased at thrift store for $1.00 and electric candle light adapter you can purchase at little gift and craft shops. I try to mix a bit of victorian and cottage vintage as I live in a ranch house and can't really pull of the full victorian home look. If I love it I mix it and it works for me . Maybe wouldn't be to everybodys liking.... JUST FOLLOW YOUR HEART AND WITH IT WILL COME BLISS.....



I started out with this little lampshade minus a few beads purchased at a thrift shop for 50 cents. Price was right.... I then just cut 2 hankies in half for triangle. Gathered them by hand and tacked them on. Added ribbon that came of something else I had tucked in drawer and added a little vintage pin that came from a garage sale. Took me less than a hour... Love it .. instant change.... on a tight budget......

Monday, April 14, 2008

Surrounding Ourself In Things We Love








Surrounding Yourself In Things We Love....just being cozy and comfy is a important part of living.... Life is made up of allot of different comforts...Be good to yourself... Life is naturally going to cause discomfort over the course of years... When surrounding yourself in decorative objects and furnishings choose things you love to view and for comfort....If you have things around you you love and enjoy it softens the blows of stress....they offer comfort.. Luxury doesn't necessarily come with a price.. comfort itself ...is a luxury....Choosing your attitude about ordinary days can create many small pleasures.. Don't just look at your beautiful teacup and saucer.. serve yourself and indulge and enjoy...


I have inserted a couple photos of things I have in my surroundings.. I use alot of vintage brooches. I seem to find myself drawn to rhinestone pieces cause of their glam. Perfume bottles and frames are always around.. I had been admiring the frames being sold by a favorite seller that teamed up with a artist and even placed a couple bids till they got above 50.00 and they sold for 175.00 to close to 200.00. I about went into shock and thought I could never pay that no matter how much I loved them.... The photo at the top right is my try at creating one myself with vintage brooches in my own collection. It is not as beautiful as the ones I have seen but I am quite pleased with the way it turned out .... The more expensive the vintage brooches the more expense in the piece but I found the pieces do not have to be completely perfect to have a nice piece.... I have a local dealer ...Fort Defiance Antiques... who always works with me when I buy from her.... A nice place to shop ....
NO MATTER HOW RICH..... NO MATTER HOW POOR YOU ARE.. THERE ARE ALWAYS WONDERFUL THINGS TO SURROUND YOURSELF IN....

Saturday, April 12, 2008

PASSION OF HATS OF THE PAST




Antique and vintage hats take us back to a era of times past. A glamerous time when women would not leave their house with their hats and gloves...The passion for the romance of Victoria and timeworn and the desire for loved old things .....surely makes it a pleasure of being a woman. Something worn with age brings great comfort to me. I have some hats from times past that I display in my home.... I have attached a photo of one of my most favorite ones..... I have a few favorites. This hat was called a broom hat at the antique shop where I purchase it. I have had it in my possession for about 15 years.... I have never considered selling it so I love it. It is brown velvet with a hugh brown and black plumes...a brown satin band. I have not touched the hat in any manner.....I do not know if broom hat is even the proper name or if the seller of the hat at the antique shop decided to be create.... I do believe it to be from the edwardian era... but cannot be sure of that ....I have more I will share with you from time to time as I am taking photos to share. I have a idea I would like to do as I blog more and hopefully more of you gals find my blog and want to include me in your blogging community, but I do realize this is going to take time.... I am getting some age on me so PLEASE don't let it take to terribly long. I could forget my thoughts.......

Friday, April 11, 2008

Latte Color Paint on Living Room






Here is a snap of the same area I just posted earlier.... The color of the living room is called LATTE... I like the change and it does appear somewhat different in the day and night-time...In the evening I really am not fond of bright lights so I have alot of mood setting lights... This color makes it very warm and cozy..... Now about the paint project.....My partner Tom just pitched right in and helped me. We were so particular to make sure every spot was covered and even went back again.... I said I was very pleased and I was going to work on a couple different spots. He retired to the game area in our basement area and I went to work. I do belive it was about 2 hours before he came back upstairs again and I had worked my magic. He came in the living area and me with rag and paint brush still in hand looked....stood there... being the nice man he is .... smiled and walked away... I had taken our perfect paint job and added water spots and cracks and aging.....I love it... I even think it has grown on him as he hangs here alot also..... I did achieve some of this by the use of stain on the paint. Sometimes when I think about it we always have a comment about our man but goodness I think I sure have a way of pushing buttons to him also. This paint job is one time... I'm assured... Thank goodness he just goes golfing... his usual hour are 8 to 8...



OLD SUITCASES




I have shown a pic of my living room 2 weeks ago ..... I really enjoy the time endurance of old suitcases .. Great to store projects or as I do I have some vintage and antique clothing I change for the seasons such as furs and dark clothing I display for the fall and Christmas season...... Another idea is to set your Christmas tree stand in the suitcase and place vintage clothing and some old photos and brooches in and around tree stand and this is very unique tree skirt... I did this last year and it was very neat. I may do it again the holiday in just alittle different fashion as I never do quite the same thing twice at the holiday season. Just recently painted this room and will show you the new color in next post .

Shabby China Dishes Water Fountain






I was able to get my shabby ...chipped...china water fountain....placed outside on my deck in between the rains we have been recieving the past couple days. I have used a couple of these outside the past couple years..another great use for some china with endurance but maybe not the perfect piece on display. This fountain base is just a old dish pan... a flower pot inverted up side down with a hole in center to feed the tube from the fish tank pump or very small pump through..... Fill with lids.. plates ..cups.. whatever you may have or find... This little charmer just makes a trinkle water sound which I love... Remember girls I am retired and don't wat to be running in the house all the time cause of the sound of water... Yep.. it really happens.........I do have a small little fountain I usually have setting in my kitchen but I never placed it back after my Christmas decorating... I may wait till fall and maybe work it back in with Christmas this year as I have enough water with the pool soon to be opening in the back yard in a few weeks. Our pool has been here for about 27 years and not nearly as beautiful as the new ones but we still enjoy it and the grandkids love it... Living in the country you cannot have it ready to swim in much before Memorial Day for the simple reason its a might bit CHILLY and we have to wait till the trees shead their buds and get established for summer fun. And then there are the summer rain storms that seem to come every year and like to undo everything you get in place. Its expected..... Will try to remember to ost the other fountains as I get them in use...... They are fun and of course they suit my very tight budget for decorating.... A fountain like this could be made for as little as 25.00 or if you want better dishes the price would be more. I had alittle less than $25.00 in mine. What a deal ...... Another thought is I am connecting the garden theme with the broken china in the garden areas with the fountains. The designer in me wants to make at least one object tie in with another although I truly love the mix and match...... I am not a Matchie.. matchie person... which is good as my budget wouldn't allow that.... but I do like to link a item or two together.. Just may personal style.. does make it right or wrong.. its what you love... surround yourself in it........

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Vintage Hankies






I made this framed hankie collage a couple years ago and have enjoyed having it hanging in my dining area... Have recieved many nice comments over the couple years. Did help my best friend make one for her shabby cottage with pink roses.... Mine I coffee stained ...the hankies before beginning project. I used my coffee strainer bag and pounced it on the hankies right after having coffee in the morning. Don't pounce too hard.. it gets messy... trust me.... I found the frame at a thrift shop for $1.25 and painted it a distressed look with white paint. Took a piece of cardboard from my packing boxes and cut to size of frame. I then placed a piece of quilt cotton over cardboard for a puffy look. I had a piece of fabric here I love and covered over the cotton. As you can note from the pic I used one white vintage hankie with lace and layed it on fabric.. Then I took another hankie {stained} and cut it in half and placed it on sides. I copied a antique photo on parchment paper and also touched it with my morning coffee....Just a old photo would also be great. Especially if the photo was family.... Placed a vintage Pearl earring like a brooch and tucked in the photo. Added a simple sheer ribbon shoe string tie..... I simply secured with a couple stitches and a small amount of glue. Very simple project. This is fairly large...approx. 30" x 20 ".... Less than $10.00 in whole project.

Buttons in Antique Jelly Dish with Photo




The mother of pearl buttons in pic on left have been glued directly on the wall below one of my favorite handpainted signs purchased from a fellow ebay seller. The buttons are about the size of a quarter...
The center pic has buttons placed in a lovely antique jelly dish with a old photo tucked in... The buttons hold the photo very well.
The pic on right is more mother of pearl buttons glued onto fabric and mounted in a frame..... Buttons are so pretty.....

BUTTONS ARE TREASURES







Gather from another era....these lovely old fashion notions.... buttons comes from different eras, fashions, and styles. With ingenuity every find has a decorative potential... Vintage becomes suprise and delight while indulging your passion...arranging your treasures to reveal your personal style.... Buttons can be a fine collection of time...These charmers are treasured any time of the year...Most collect and place in jars... I would like to share a few ideas I have used buttons in my decorating displays..I have noticed a wide interest of buttons in alot of the blogs. Hope to deepen your appreciation of these little gems.... ENJOY.....





Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Value of Objects





I must leave you with some closing thoughts to get to know me and my passions......I must go ready my self for evening and hopefully a very pleasant nights rest..... Vintage style need not be the value of objects. Often people want to know how much something is WORTH... Sincerely if you love it..... it may be worth whatever you are willing to pay for it. Often times if it is passed down in the family you cannot place a price on sentiment...Even though it may show timeworn signs ..just makes it woth your love all the more... For instance mirrors and crystal ... a wonderful way to bring drama and light and make a room appear somewhat larger . Leave aged ...... ghosting on mirror is a very desired style right now..... we ourself show age and endurance and our objects become our best friends as they surround us........ The serendipity and pleasure in using objects from the past help define a style truly your own......Well off to the bath area to ready for evening. I have truly enjoyed posting my first day. I had just enjoyed reading so many blogs I had to try it myself. I do hope to learn how to make it very eye appealing and interesting in my sharing with you. Feel free to email me with suggestions as I don't have a clue what I am doing.

Decorate With Vintage Clothing



I use pieces of vintage clothing with their intricate designs and beautiful detailing in my decorating ...just viewing them remind you of the exquisite workmanship of the past,deepening your appreciation and passion for vintage and antique ...Passions for Romance and Victoria ...timeworn... and a desire for old things will be the topic of many of my upcoming posts.


I will add some pics of some of my own collections to share with you...... Please stop back soon ...as I would love to share my own personal styles with you.......