Monday, February 28, 2011

Not Every Treasure You Own Needs To Be Displayed Every Moment....



More tucks of winter pine were removed from pictures and a mirror and all season sweet vintage embellishments were added in a very simple manner... The oval mirror was returned to the lovely lace collar and brooch and the oval very old photo was embellished with lace cuffs and the sweet little buckle that was sorted from junk jewelry lot ...This of course if the continued effort by me to find inspiration and mixing things I already own... Remember not all you own should be displayed every minute... Sometimes we all need a rest and this is true of our treasures... Give them time to be refreshing when viewing and take them in and out of rotation... Many times we must think more like shoppe owners and keep displays fresh and enjoyable....

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Sepia Tones and Old Photos

Our snow storm came and went... Roads were rapidly cleaned by crews and cars were moving well by evening hours... Yesterday I spent several hours sorting through junk jewelry for altered art projects and possible pieces good enough to display... My mission is far from being completed.. Next will be to re-group and refurbish... I love adding little touches to make something mine... Anything that gets too close get embellished... Many times you will find flea markets, shoppes, and malls are brewing with ideas for your home.. Some of their objects may be embellished or used in such a way you may like to duplicate it with something similar you may have in your home already... My love for sepia tones and old photos in muted tones is very strong as I have stated before... Lace and burlap mixed are the perfect combo... If you are like myself and maybe dramatic and high ticket objects are not possible it certainly does not mean we have to restrict ourselves.
Creativity can go along way in making a home your own... Temping indulgences as scented candles and bath products can be very enjoyable for relaxing and thoughts of creating... Touches of vintage jewelry, old photos, old books, old eyeglasses, can easily be arranged in cloches or boxes or atop shelf's to add visual interest... It is just the same effect that tea when sipped from a lovely vintage china cup that may have belonged to grandma, just tastes and enjoyed so much more... Nostalgia pulls on cords of the past and most treasured times... As I make some changes and hopefully add more charm with little projects I will try to share with you...
I hope you have a wonderful weekend... I have plans on spending the afternoon tomorrow with my little granddaughter, Olivia... I haven't seen her since the birthday cake post.. but she did receive a home-made Valentine and a box filled with Valentine candy for Valentine's day... Tonight we will attend the Tinora Girls second tournament game and see if we can get to the next level... Blessings to all.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Victorian Inspiraton

The winds woke me at 6:00 a.m. this morning ... to sip my coffee and peer from the window to watch snow falling and blowing in every direction.. Schools and colleges are all closed in all surrounding areas and here... It is close to blizzard conditions as many times it is a complete white outs... Looks as though today will certainly be another shut in day... Searches for women the encourage and inspire will be made on the computer ... inspiration needed... will go to rec. room and create and sort and organize to keep myself busy...
I have been searching for Victorian beaded purses but haven't been able to hold a bid or been willing to pay the price for many I love... I thought I would share one with you this morning that I found to be very beautiful and also I have never seen one with a compact on the top... This Victorian beauty is called a dance purse... It is a mesh... The price is 699.00... This is a astounding price to me... I have several in my collection but the highest ones I have are a value of about 250.00 ... Most of my collection are from 95.00 to 125.00 and I love them...
The Victorian era purses are acquainted with Queen Victoria who reined from 1837 to 1901 and took over England at the age of 18. Life was relatively stable and England was enjoying prosperity. There was a large variety of Victorian purses popular during the rein of the Queen. Needle skills were valued and this was reflected in the decorative design of bead work and ribbon work. Magazines that gave instructions on how to make these bags were very popular... These magazines can still be found today....

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Old Suitcases





I am on the hunt for more of these charming old suitcases for storage and love the appeal they add to a room... The first pic of just stacked cases are from a magazine... The second pic are 3 that I have stacked in my living room using as a end table and now I have them as a small end table .... The 3 rd pic I had saved over a period of time as inspiration and was from a blogger I enjoy very much , Rowann at http://antiquesinoldtown.blogspot.com She says she has this unique display in a guest alcove above her shop... I love it.....
I am think about the next trio I find I will place rollers on the bottom one for moving around easier.... I will use for decorating and storage....
One of the most creative ways of decorating is by pairing items... Altered art tags added to the cases adds more appeal.. The use of objects such as this adds personality... I think a key to living your own style is to be confident... Finding inspiration from others is wonderful making sure that the objects are things you love... After all it is your home or space.... Forgotten old treasures adds so much interest to any vignette.....Combining vintage with newer pieces can be the perfect solution to adding that cozy warm and lived in feeling even though you may have more newer than aged pieces... The use of old luggage really inspires the layered look and I so adore layering... Well I must post and will be off to tidy up my rooms... Sending blessings....

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Nostalgia Pulls Cords Of The Past

Mother nature has once again shown her will to create havoc... Ice and snow covered roads have once again closed schools.. We have the grandchildren again today and that will shorten my blogging time... Snow plows are at work, but having quite a fight since ice is below the snow and the temps are still very cold... Why is it when we are shut in that's when our desires are the strongest to hunt for treasures we love. A wonderful trip to lovely shops is so desired today to hunt for treasures I may love... All I really can do today is peer outside and wish... grrrr.... I think cabin fever has set in... Oh my that means a instant attitude adjustment is needed...Loving objects that certainly have fond remembrances and have been handed down till someone doesn't love them anymore and they end up in antique shops or sales till someone like me comes and wants to love them again... It is a personal appeal... Decorate by following your instincts... Marry things that have been divorced by mates and families and they will relate to you and each other... Since I am in once again for the day I will enjoy the squashy chair and soft pillows and maybe this afternoon if the kids and time will allow I will loose myself in some altered art work.. I gifted the altered art memory book to the sweet young lady that will be graduating and traveling on with her next faze of life that we watched play all four years of sports.... She was so suprised by the gift all she kept saying was " It's so cool" It's so cool"... The book did turn out neat and I enjoyed so much creating it for her...
Well since my desires to hunt out treasures are not realistic today I think I will just be content to change a few things around... Make the weather a perfect opportunity to evaluate those stored pieces and see which may make a new look... Loving nostalgia pulls on cords of the past and lovingly shines through memories.... I will gladly and lovingly display and cherish these little objects over a mass produced item produced in a retail store.... The little china wreath can be found on http://www.robomargo.com/chinaswag.html

Monday, February 21, 2011

Vintage Storage














































As I gather more inspiration for storage for my altered art supplies I found some great looks on http://www.diyideas.com/

I had shown a pic of the use of canning jars on a post last year and I had saved this first pic in my files to make sure I used this idea... The second pic is of wire baskets or maybe gym baskets found at flea markets.... Milk containers are found at different places and make just the right look and great storage.... If you find yourself wanting to make a special area for your creating the shutter thought makes a neat back ground and also can provide some storage for old post cards and photos... Especially clever if you table or work spot is over a window for a window treatment.. Egg cartons are great for separating beads and small clasps ect. and can be stored layered a top one another in a old chest or wooden crate for the right look... And of course the suitcase have so many uses and I so love the look... As I have posted before I have 3 just stacked and used as a coffee table in my living room all filled with objects as tables cloths... linens and antique clothing that I change off from time to time... Of course the top is also holding a little vignette of vintage objects that set a top a silver vintage tray... For a bit of shabby and architecture a old metal grate can be secured for a shelf... And lets not forget those orphaned or divorced shakers that can hold glitters... broken pearls and beads and other small objects and add just the right touch to the vintage style work space... Feed sacks can also be used as decor while adding a place for laces or old linens ect. for cutting and using in altered art..... I am going to be on the look out for many of these budget friendly vintage finds this summer at garage sales and flea markets as my desires for a vintage work space are growing stronger.... As I find more ideas I will share them with you as you may want to add them to your creative space....

I am off to bake some chocolate frosted cupcakes and plan some meals as we have 2 of Tom's grandchildren today...and a couple more days as his daughter is having surgery this morning and will not be able to care for them for a few days... They will not be attending school today as it was cancelled because we have ice hanging everywhere and the roads and sidewalks are all iced over... The trees are hanging very low to the ground and I understand some of the surrounding areas are without power... I do not like ICE.... Stay safe everyone....








Saturday, February 19, 2011

We All Need A Haven












As stated in a lovely book by Victoria... we all need a haven, a place to soothe, restore, and refresh our spirits after the stress of demands of everyday life. This place can exist for everyone in their home with imaginative decorating.. A place of solitude... A place for personal pursuits.. A place for personal things... A place for dreams.. A place for beauty... A place of her own...
Taking flea market finds to create awesome storage space will be some objects I will seek out this summer... Of course pieces of vintage luggage are always appealing to the eye and make great storage... Bins and tins always a blessing... Olivia http://shabbychictreasures.blogspot.com/ had featured a old dresser drawer for storage on her blog... http://rockcandy56.blogspot.com/ was a place for inspiration also with pics of vintage tins and ways to hide treasure when not on display and using them as display... http://shabbypinkandpretty.blogspot.com had featured pretty jars for buttons and small storage ... The pic of a awesome industrial storage unit and cutting board top is from http://www.countryliving.com/ and is the best of the best... I am so yearning for a place all my own... A place heaped high with beautiful laces and linens... ribbons... buttons... old papers... old books... and large collections of junk jewelry... oodles of odds and ends... all in need of creative storage solutions... I so believe I need a special place to enjoy solitude and release a creative spirit...



Friday, February 18, 2011

Found A Home

I found a home for the orphaned vintage rhinestone earring I posted yesterday. I placed it on one of my vintage beautiful perfume bottles.. Embellish... embellish... embellish.... One of my favorite things to do... We feel we need to embellish our clothing with jewelry of all kinds... scarfs... belts... and many different accents and I love applying this to my home.. This creates a lovely result of personality. I so enjoy viewing homes with added charm.. So many times I enter homes that I cannot see one thing that shows what the people that abide there are interested in.. I love lots of personality... What are you thinking of as a way to add congeniality to your space?

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Salvaged Treasures


The snow continues to melt in our area of Ohio and my desires are continuing to soar to bring a freshness to my surroundings. Aged patinas bring me bliss. Thoughts of bisque, creams, toast, wheat's, and a delicious au lait enter my thoughts creating beauty. In a time for many when the pace of life is intense I still crave relaxing where you are allowed to take deep breathes... crystals, chandelier, buttons of vintage lovely, grain sacks, cloches, old books, lovely perfume bottles, the glam of rhinestone jewelry, and old photos are all staples here. Lovely salvaged treasures are contents of charm... Over a time period my passions and loves have changed I must admit. While I appreciate really fine pieces, I can be charmed to be just as happy and pleased with a little piece of chippy, maybe not so desirable to some.... set it next to a piece of glam and I have a perfect marriage... I think this does require a technique however... Aged to perfection pieces used in a way they were not intended , this shouts appeal and creativity that I so much enjoy...
I am off to clean yet another snowy mess but this one of the artificial source... I removed a heavily flocked evergreen garland from the little antique stove I possess and of my the droppings.... One more piece of winter to be placed in storage as my thoughts continue more toward spring and all season for decorating.. In the above pics I have featured a couple vintage pieces I sorted from the junk jewelry lot I purchased for altered art work.. I have shown a lovely little rhinestone earring that lost it's partner and awaits marriage to another object... I lovely little rhinestone buckle was also found .... I will find special places for the two little vintage pieces to strut their stuff. I so love small embellishments!!!!!!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Glass Cloche Recipes


I do not have any special recipe in creating my style... Today I have shared a couple more glass cloches that have been stripped of Valentines and just pieces of the past added to them.. Glitter snowman... glitter snowball, and vintage bottle brush rhinestone tree under glass have been stored for another year of winters display.... I am seeking a hint of romance and a pinch of elegance and a sprinkle of timeworn .... This is my recipe.....

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Adding A Touch of Vintage Romance





The sun is shinning bright as our temps are forecast to rise above freezing today and through out the week. Our white blanketed fields are showing touches of bare earth as the melt down continues.. I have plans on making a few vignette changes today and through out the week... I changed the one glass cloche this morning and have shared a couple pics with you... This cloche I tucked in one of the altered art book covers I created a week or so ago.. It turned out charming and in my style so I am pleased with it and will enjoy looking at it ... Surrounded by my vintage and timeworn I will make more changes... Within most of us there is a need or desire to dance to our our song and that stirs desires to inspire. In my country comforts everyday dreams come true with the use of Victorian dreams and vintage chippy and french papers and memories.. at this little abode I call home I have as of late been inspired by using french kissed objects or creations that I have viewed in Jeanne d Ark magazines... or other bloggers that are using that appeal... I just adore all things lovely of which I know we all see differently... What I may see as lovely and having wonderful charm another may view as junk... This is more than OK with me as I decorate for myself and if other happen to enjoy it ... wonderful... Romance is our own interpretation for each one of us.... I am off to add a little more romance in my style....

Monday, February 14, 2011

Back To A Slower Pace

Hope you are all enjoying a Happy Valentines Day.... Ahhh... it back to a slower pace here .... Weekend was rather busy and full of events ending last evening with a parish appreciation dinner catered with a lovely meal.. appetizers... and beverages... and conversation with friends and neighbors... Very nice..
Tom and I were off to town as I was in need of my meds..{ my Valentines present} and completed a couple other chores and stopped at the meat market... I wanted a couple nice pork tenderettes for tonight's supper for us... I bread them by scrambling a egg and rolling them in a mixture of crushed potato chips and cracker and frying very slow in skillet till golden brown... Oh yummmm... All my Valentines I made were delivered by mail or by me last evening....
I will be taking down and storing winter decoration displayed in my home this week.. Ready for some new eye candy... Time to play " dress up" with my home.. Always the desire to add comfort but irresistibly romantic but filled with things I love.. linens and burlap's have become quite popular with many in decorating styles as of recent. Ruffles and chandeliers have become equally desired. No matter what your style a cozy corner all your own is always desirable. This may be a might bit harder to achieve when working with a extremely light budget but also I still love a challenge and find it rather rewarding to accomplish with creating and inspiration of others... Looking for diamonds in the rough is delightful! Tarnished and tattered with a touch of class makes for charming.. It's a personal choice and love... Creamy as whipped cream.....

Friday, February 11, 2011

Everyday I'm Thankful

EVERYDAY I AM THANKFUL... FOR BLESSING ME WITH YOU... THERE ISN'T ANYTHING I WOULDN'T SAY AND THAT I WOULDN'T DO... TO LEAVE KIND WORDS AND SPEND SOME TIME WITH YOU... WISHING ALL MY BLOGGING FRIENDS A UPCOMING HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY....

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

I Need To Organize....

It is very cold here today and I won't be leaving the house... Worked with my printer this morning changing ink cartridges as I have some projects I want to start that requires printing... I want to make a card for a very nice neighbor lady I have know for many.. many years.. that is having very serious health problems and has been in critical condition the past several days.. I need to organize my stash and work area.. Seems I just make one big.. big.. mess when I create and seem to need stuff everywhere.... As of late I have some issues with my laptop and my printer communicating... a bit like marriage you know...
Next week it is time to do some re-dos around the house... Although we are most definitely still into winter I need to clear it from the home and fill some touches of spring and a all season everyday style... I scramble many looks in my home of which I am comfortable with.. My mind and heart accepts many orphaned objects for decorating than I may have in the past... In my organizing I need to get smaller objects saved for creating into jars ect. for storage... for a sense of place ... Well it is lunch time... time to change laundry from washer to dryer and start creating that special card... Be warm and safe as we travel through this day....

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Musings


It is white and bright in Ohio today.. The forecast is for the temps to drop below zero for the next few days... We have no plans for long travel... maybe a couple basketball games but they will be close...
This morning while absent from my posting Tom and I headed to Defiance... On the way we stopped at the country post office and mailed out Valentines and some candy treats to the grand kids that I have been creating the last couple weeks.. We have several that will be hand delivered.. Then we proceeded to Defiance where I went to Office Max and purchased card stock and ink for my printer { color} ... This I needed for card making and altered art creating... Then on to Meijer for grocery shopping... Upon returning home we have surpassed over 200.00 in spending with a trip next week for meds that will double what was spent today... Many families are starting to share their nest with children returning home for one reason or another...I know my 2 sons have been laid off from their jobs for 3 months.. Thank goodness they are skilled to do many things... I also have a house full but it is of STUFF. God gave me the creative soul and we are not suppose to waste that... Inspiration just seems to come from everywhere to me.. It is nice collecting objects that also can be used for storage such as old luggage.
The pics I have shared today... I created another altered art piece for another glass cloche that after Valentines day will be replaced with vintage objects... In the one pic I had found 2 sweet little cards of vintage buttons and a lovely fine lace collar in wonderful condition... These most likely will be tucked in cloche and then used in altered art or other vignettes as I change things from time to time... The altered art piece was created from stash... a tattered old satin coin purse was secured with the embellishment of a vintage rhinestone earring that lost it's mate... I would like to create another Memory Jar soon also for Mothers Day...
I will get this posted, complete some chores and make ready for attending a high school basketball game tonight... There are two games tonight... The Tinora gals and the guys... The guys is a make- up game postponed from Saturday night... Decisions... decisions... but we have decided we will attend the girls game... The girls are equally exciting as the guys and it is at home so we will cheer for both but attend one... It's gals night.....