1920's Bisque Doll for Valentine's Day

Today I am sharing a little 1920's bisque doll that I dressed up with antique silk, lace, and ribbon work.  I have been doing up these dolls for a year or two now and I love how they turn out. 

This sweet gal is all ready for Valentine's Day with her little vintage crochet basket filled with miniature handmade valentines.

She is a real cutie pie and if you love her as much as I do, you can check her out here.  Yes, a little shameless self promotion never hurt anyone, right?  Hope you all have a blessed weekend.  I am linking up with French Cupboard's Handmade Valentine Party and Debra's Vintage Inspiration Friday.  Join us for some fun!

Until next time,

Pretty But Random

Hello Friends,

Thank you so much for your uplifting positive comments after my last post.  You guys rock!  It really makes me feel like I am not alone...many of you have experienced not only job loss, but other trials in your life (I guess we all have-DUH!), but you keep your sunny outlook and you keep your face turned to the one who holds all of the answers...the architect of the universe.  I am feeling much better today and wanted to share with you some random prettiness.  I realize that we all have an area or two in our homes that we love and, hence, we take lots of photos of that area.  For me, I guess it is my white mantel.  I realize that I have showed you a ton of pictures of it in various reiterations, and here is....TA!DA! one or two more.  But this time, there's a catch.  The two tall candle holder things were created by little moi.  I read a tutorial here by the talented Rosemary encouraging me to use the little holy candles that you can find at, of all places, Wal Mart. I then dug through my stash of antique laces and found some pretty things to wrap around the candles. I put one crepe paper frill that I got from Etsy from sweet Angela's Etsy shop.  I finished one off with a scalloped heart made out of a page from an old French dictionary and added a punch out of an image of mother and child by Bouguereau that I just love and on the other one, I tied on a tag that I simply adore that was in my package from the very talented Michelle and her Etsy shop (seriously, what the heck did I do before Etsy???).  I think they turned out nice and they certainly go with the theme of my mantel, don't you think?

On a completely unrelated subject, here is my next bit of random pretty, the beautiful Bella.  She got her first shave haircut the other day.  It was pretty shocking since all of her black baby hair was cut off and I brought home a white and silvery gray dog.  We're getting used to it and, if I do say so, she is still a real cutie patootie.

 

I leave you with another mantle picture which shows exactly why I don't much mind cold winter nights at my house, despite the drafty old Victorian and the endless to do list.  Winter is a season and it is a part of life.  And you know, without it, we probably wouldn't appreciate spring and summer so much.  Hmmmm, good advice I say to myself.  My son read a book last year in school called Trouble Don't Last.  And winter doesn't either.  I think I will try to enjoy it and experience it, and then rejoice in the spring.  But I still feel a bunch of nights sitting in front of the fireplace are in my future.  And that's okay, too.

I'm linking up with Kathleen's White Wednesday.  If you love white, you need to stop over and check it out.

Until next time,

Pink Saturdays and roses...doesn't get any better!

Hey Bloggie Friends,

I've missed you.  I'm happy to rejoin Pink Saturday this week with a few pictures of my porcelain rose collection.  I will try to add a couple more later, but this is a start.  Most of these beauties were made in England and the delicate nature of them appeals to me.  I love this top piece which is unmarked, but it reminds me of a sea urchin and since I love the ocean, it is extra special to me.  I hope you are all having a cozy January.  I've been a little down due to our personal life. Please lift up Mr. FL in prayer for his job search.  We need him to find one sooner rather than later.  I'm trying not to stress, but it is hard not to.  Perhaps a prayer or two for my peace of mind wouldn't hurt either.  I usually keep things kind of light on this blog, but you gals are such great positive spirits that I feel comfortable asking for your thoughts and prayers.  I know deep down that everything will be alright, but right now, it is hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I'm going to keep on keeping on though because that's what we women do.  One foot in front of the other, doing what needs to be done, and getting on with it.  Breathe in, breathe out, repeat.  I think that may become my mantra in the coming days and weeks.  And I always know you sweet ladies are here, showing me how to do that or, at the very least, making me forget my troubles for a while as I get immersed in the beauty and light of your blogs.  Thank you for being here. 

Now enough of me "harshing your mellow" on a beautiful Saturday!  I'm joining the lovely Beverly over at How Sweet the Sound for her amazing Pink Saturday.  After you finish scrolling down to see my porcelain posies,pop on over and check it out.  You'll be SO glad you did!

Until next time,

One of my favorites nestled in a cornucopia looking vase

Tiny cake plate posy.  Only about 1 1/2 inches tall.

Bought this one on Our Cottage Garden...I'm not only a seller, I'm also a customer!

Bought the shoe to sell...like 4 years ago!  Guess it isn't happening!

Love the little shell

Just a little dose of pretty

Romantic Whites Around My Home

I almost didn't do a post this beautiful White Wednesday.  Felt a little Blog Block or something.  Then, I caught a glimpse of the Victoria magazine cover with its pretty mother of pearl buttons and whatnot on the cover and I started looking around my house for inspiration.  One thing led to another and I had enough white fodder to make a couple of pretty mosaics.  I love making photo mosaics, particularly when there is a theme like the color white involved.  There are a number of ways for you to make these, but my favorite is Big Huge Labs.  It's FREE and you have a nice selection of orientations for your mosaics and it's very easy to use.  They have other applications, but to be honest, I've never tried anything but their mosaic maker.  Perhaps one of these days, I'll fiddle around with some of the other programs they have.  

I'm linking up this post to Kathleen's White Wednesday.  Pop on over and check out all of the beautiful, dreamy, vintage, and serene whites that other bloggers have for you to look at.  If you need to stay warm this beautiful January day, this ought to help you.

Until next time,

Etsy Discount for my Blog Friends

Well Blogland friends, if you've been holding off buying some of the treasures at my Etsy shop, Elegant Farmhouse, now is the time. For this ENTIRE week, everything in the shop is 20% off for my blog readers. This includes my antique grain sack pillows. Just type in the discount code FRENCHLAUNDRY at checkout and ta!da! you will receive great items at an even greater price. Discount code will become inactive at midnight EST January 15th, so don't wait. I look forward to sending you your treasures!

Until next time,

Just checking in...

Getty Images

"Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint on it you can."- Danny Kaye

I'm out throwing some metaphoric paint around.   Just wanted you to know I am thinking of you. Hope your 2011 is shaping up nicely.  Back soon.

Until next time,