Fabulous French Finds

Antique French ribbon work sewing basket, metal frame, and jeweled clock

Hello Blog Friends,

Today I have the urge to share some of my wonderful French antique finds.  Given my blog name you have probably figured out that I am a bit of a Francophile, to say the least.   Armed with that fact, let's take a quick peek around my home for some of my favorite things...it's a little photo heavy, so be forewarned.

That beautiful antique Normandy lace pillow that graces the center of my blog header seems like a good place to start...Normandy lace is an exquisite and very collectible "patchwork" of laces and usually embroidered lawn or organdy.  Many laces are French in origin, many others are French in style and often misattributed to France, but Normandy is pretty much a given that it is made in France if it has the elements listed above.  I've had a few pieces with little fabric tags sewn on them stating "made in France".  Love that!

The detailing on this metal picture frame that I purchased last year is breathtaking.  I almost hyperventilated when I saw it.  

One of my favorite clocks also hails from France.  Don't you just love the jewels?  OK, they're colored glass, but I couldn't love this clock any more if they were genuine gems although I certainly might keep a closer eye on it!   

This French lawyer's document is dated 1852.  The sepia script on the old paper is awesome.

Most of these lovely little 1920's perfume bottles are from Czechoslovakia, but this one is marked "Made in France".  Found it at an estate sale.  J'adore!  It sits on a French ribbon work vanity tray, of course...

 This amazing little tiny purse holds a mirror and a powder puff.  Presumably, a powder compact would have gone in there too so you could daintily powder your nose.  It still has it's little store tag on it.

I pulled the little rose covered purse out of this cabinet of beauty which holds my prized antique ribbon work.  That is a whole other post, but let me tantalize you with a quick photo of one of the shelves...I've never shown this cabinet to anyone except my immediate family, so I must like you guys!

Back to purses, this beautiful piece was made in Paris and has a wonderful metallic beaded pattern mixed with embroidery.

This little gal sits on my dresser wearing my hands down favorite crown of my collection (yes, another collection for another time).  Don't let on to the other crowns, I wouldn't want to hurt anyone's feelings!  LOL!  It is a French saint's crown and it is called a Trembler because the large lily type flower that sits front and center is on a wire that makes it move a bit or tremble.  Not sure why this was done, but it is cool.

Last but certainly not least, I have something that I'd bet most of you have never heard of because they are fairly rare.  It is a French Laurel Award.  These were given out for doing something special the way we would have given out trophies or loving cups.  Sometimes they are just a free standing sprig of metal leaves, sometimes they are in the form of crowns with laurel leaves or sometimes oak leaves.  Mine appears to have been attached to something else since there's a place where it looks like it would have gone over a post of some sort, perhaps on a trophy or stand.  It is from the Paris International Exposition, no date, but it looks very old, so I'd guess at least a hundred years or more.  I've often wondered what someone did to  be presented with something so beautiful.  I am from Colorado Springs, where Artus Van Briggle lived and made pottery in the early 1900's and I like to imagine that this is the award he received in Paris for one of his amazing vases.  Probably not, but I like to think so anyway.

If you've stuck with me this long, thank you thank you good and faithful reader.  I can really get going when I am showing and telling about my favorite things.  Hope your week is a good one!

Until next time,

Joining these parties this week:
Knick of Time Tuesday 
Tuesdays Treasures
White Wednesday
Wow Us Wednesday
Primp Your Stuff Wednesday
What's It Wednesday
Home Sweet Home
Pearls and Lace Thursday
Feathered Nest Friday
Vintage Inspiration Friday
Simple and Sweet Friday
Fridays Unfolded 
Pink Saturday

Mary, did you know...

Hello Friends, I hope you are all well and happy and enjoying this beautiful season.  I was so behind in my decorating I really was feeling a need to keep it simple yet appropriate to the season.  I went out shopping a little before Thanksgiving and just the sheer volume of  "stuff" on the shelves and the tinsel-y shininess and the hustle and bustle made me want to run out of the stores and take a shower to wash off the dirt of the conspicious consumerism.  I don't know if it's my age or what, but it really bothered me this year.  SO, I decided to do a revisit of my last year's mantel and tweek it a bit taking a cue from some favorite things that put the emphasis on the reason for the season.

I had coveted admired the amazing Jeanne d'Arc angel wings, but the $95 price tag was not even remotely in my budget. I happened to be looking at Oriental Trading Company's catalog and came across their angel wings for a whopping $14.99 with shipping. Now, I have to say, they compared in no way to the JDL wings, but with a little help from a bag of white mirabou feathers from Michael's (another $2.99 I think), they are good enough for me. I clipped the elastic things that hold them on your arms because I couldn't see a way to get them out of my way to hang them, then wrapped them in wide double faced satin ribbon that I washed to remove the sizing so the bow would hang nicer (floppier). All in all, I'm happy with the result although if anyone has a giveaway on those spendy JDL wings, let me know cause I'm in! :-)

As I was working on my wings, I had Christmas music on and heard one of my favorite songs, "Mary, Did You Know?".  I was inspired to take some of my favorite lines from that song and put them on simple hang tags.  I added a little glitter around the edges since the tags just needed a little more "somethin, somethin".  Of course, my JDL madonna had to come out to say hello as well.

A relatively simple white poinsettia garland that I had on hand made a nice addition when paired with the fairy light string I made last year out of little coffee dyed tiny muffin baking cups. 

My JDL inspired candles returned this year and couldn't have been a nicer addition given the theme.

Antique mercury glass also back for a repeat performance...looks perfect with the Pottery Barn votives that were very reasonable at I think $3.50.

I recently purchased a couple of gorgeous, very old prayer cards that featured the baby Jesus.  I wanted to feature them on my big pillar candle but couldn't chance ruining the original, so I made a copy of it on a nice cardstock and went over the gilt scrolls with my gold paint pen.  I've done this on other reproductions of old pieces and it gives it that authentic look that I love.  I don't think anyone would be the wiser.  I punched a couple of holes in my card for my jute twine to go through so it would stay relatively flat and tied it up over a layer of old crocheted lace for a nice layered effect.

Lastly, one of my favorite mirrors that usually sits on the mantel was moved to the wall and I added the heart cut from a German book topped with one of my faux zinc crosses and some greenery.  I love the simplicity of it.

There are still some crosses available in my Etsy shop, Elegant Farmhouse.

More fun with copies of pages from the German book...

One of my nativity sets that my husband got me soon after we married.  I love it.  It is a great visual of the reason for the season, the birth of Jesus.

I'll show you more of my decor soon, but for now, I think that's enough photo overload. I'm sharing the goods this week with Kathleen at Faded Charm and her wonderful White Wednesday Party, Kim at her Wow Us Wednesday Party, Debra at Vintage Inspiration Friday, Courtney at Feathered Nest Friday, and Bev at Pink Saturday.  Go over and show the other participants some blogger love, won't ya?

Until next time,

Peace on Earth

Paper ex-voto tag from Ozma of Odds

Well, I just couldn't stand to miss a White Wednesday, but I'm going to make it short. With Christmas being so close, I have many things on my to do list just like all of you and I need to hang with my cute little babies while I can while they are off from school.  But I digress... I had a few "funny" areas in my home where I needed something to decorate with, but had neither the money nor the desire to go out and purchase something more (really, I have about 6 large boxes of Christmas fodder, do I really need more???).  SO, in the spirit of an ailing economy and burgeoning creativity, I decided to use what I had on hand.  I know, what a concept, you gals have been doing it with great success for ages.  Some of us are a little slow sometimes.  Anyway, I decided to put into play a couple of the awesome things I bought from Etsy sellers Ozma of Odds and Petite Michelle Louise (thank you Blogland for introducing us!).  I have this wonderful antique brown book called Christmastide which I purchased a few years ago.  I just loved the color and the graphics on it.  Like so many of you, I also have cloches that I love to find a use for.  I also have this little creamy pair of children's gloves that I have had for years and always find a use for in my wintery decor. I also have a glittered tree topper from Wendy Addison which has aged beautifully.  I put them all together and....voila!  Christmas vignette.  I washed up a jar from some jalepenos that were almost gone (now you really are privy to all of my secrets) and circled it with some torn muslin, twine, and the sweet Madonna piece I got from Petite Michelle Louise.  Add a little greenery and pinecones from my backyard and we have a completed bookcase topper.  And the best part is, ZERO cost. 

Then, I had a little spot that needed a little somethin-somethin, so I hung one of the mirrors that is normally layered on my mantel and an old French book page with some greenery from the yard, more twine, and the ubiquitous paper tag from Ozma of Odds (yes, Rosemary, you have hit a home run with this one, your tags are EVERYWHERE.  And I love mine!).  I decided to go the simple route and used a silver thumb tack to stick it on the wall.  Turned out pretty cute I think and again, ZERO dollars.  Of course, I had purchased the tags previously, but the thing is, no additional cost.

Well, that's what I did.  I hope you like it.  On a personal note, Mr FL has a job interview on Thursday.  If you've got a minute to say a little prayer that it is a good fit for him, I'd sure appreciate it.  We need the money, but he needs to be able to enjoy it as well.

I'm linking up to Kathleen's White Wednesday party, so swing by when you can.  There are some awesome posts.

Until next time,

One quick photo I took last night in my backyard of the very cool Winter Solstice Full Lunar Eclipse.  Woo! Hoo!

Antique Grainsack Heart Ornaments and....a winner!

As promised, I just added some of my little antique grainsack hearts to my Etsy store, Elegant Farmhouse.  I hope to add a few more as well as some small stockings made from grainsacks as well this weekend or early next week. 

And, also as promised, the random number generator and I have determined a winner to my Carolyn Westbrook book giveaway.  Thank you to everyone who entered and who became a follower, and to those of you who posted about the giveaway on your blog.  I loved reading your comments and getting to know you better.  Now that the giveaway is over, I am going to try to make the rounds to each follower and say hello.

I have to say, the winner of the giveaway must be under a lucky star this month.  This is the second giveaway she has won in the last couple of weeks.  As someone who never wins anything, I am immensely jealous.  She is a very nice gal and I have really enjoyed becoming a follower of her beautiful blog.  Maybe you should buy a lottery ticket girl....just sayin....


And the winner of the Carolyn Westbrook book, The French Inspired Home...

and one of my antique grainsack hearts...

and the handmade card...

and the vintage damask napkins...

DRUM ROLL PLEASE....

RACHEL of *FRENCH FARMHOUSE 425*

Give me a ringaling Rachel and I will pass on your information to the book publisher and get your pretty package from me all together and on its journey to you.  

Until next time,

White Wednesday and A Carolyn Westbrook Giveaway!!!!

Pretty chalkware statue in my pretty white room

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.  THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR ENTERING.  WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON THE 19TH.  GOOD LUCK!

Hope you all don't mind, but I'm piggy backing my giveaway with White Wednesday.  Seems appropriate, because there's loads of beautiful white in the book below as well as other fabulous inspiration.  Pop on over to Kathleen's at Faded Charm to see the other White Wednesday participants. 

OK folks, the publishers of Carolyn Westbrook's new book, The French Inspired Home, that I spotlighted last week here, have given me an offer I couldn't refuse.  They are going to send one of my readers their very own copy of this feast for the eyes. The book will come directly from CICO books, but to sweeten the pot (as if it is necessary), I will also send the winner a few little French inspired goodies that I will be accumulating in the next couple of weeks.  I am opening the giveaway today and it will close on November 17th.

A must have for your library

Carolyn Westbrook, author, antiquer, and designer extraordinaire

The rules are simple:

1. Post a comment at this post for a chance to win.
2. Become a follower of my blog for another chance to win.
3. Mention my giveaway on your blog, link back to this post, and tell me about it for another chance to win.  
4. Do this by midnight MST, November 17th.

Easy peezy, lemon squeezy.  Winner will be announced November 19th.

If you are anxious and don't want to wait, pop on over to CICO books here.  You can pick up your own copy of this beautiful book for yourself or as a gift (the holidays are coming you know).

Good luck!

Until next time,

White Wednesday Pumpkins and Such...

I decided to come on over and join the party for White Wednesday with my front parlor's primarily black and white Halloween decor.  I have to admit, I LOVE Halloween, but the orange isn't my favorite.  I mean, it is cute, but it doesn't really go in the all white and pastel room.  SO, I use a little natural decor and a little purchased decor and it all works.  Enjoy the photo mosaic I made and when you are done, pop on over to see Kathleen at Faded Charm for lots of other wonderful white posts.

 

Until next time,

Dreaming in Black and White

So, the exciting news is that we are rebuilding our garage to house cars on the bottom (duh) and a studio for our artistic and antique-y pursuits over the top (a second floor). It should be done this spring. Of course, being the decorating sort that I am, I've been dreaming of how the interior will look. Its essentially a garage apartment with a small bath and small kitchen and one biggish space. I have been pretty true to the French salon inspiration, but have been pondering the details. I have a few small French antique pieces tucked away here and there, awaiting placement when the time comes as well as some statuary and architectural pieces. I'd also like to make this space the home of my crown collection. All the while, I must also leave myself room to create and have the nuts and bolts of an art studio in place. For a long time, I've wanted to have an all white or cream and white space, but as I am out in cyberspace, gathering ideas, I come across the black and white theme. I've always loved a bit of black in every room...I think it really adds some needed punch, even in a relatively pastel environment, but this is a bit more than that. Looking at these photos, I'm starting to think there might be a change in tack. If not for the studio, then perhaps in the main house (wow, that makes our place sound so grand...believe me, it isn't!). Maybe the downstairs bathroom...maybe the upstairs bathroom...hmmmmmmmmm. Dreaming in black and white...who knew it could be so VIVID??? Well, I must get ready to go to work so this train of thought will have to be put aside for the moment. If anyone wants to send me some super inspirational links for a French salon/art studio/garage apartment, please feel free!



Until next time,

A Year In Review...2008

I know I haven't been blogging long at all, but thought I'd post some pictures anyway and join in the fun of the Year in Review Party hosted by Cindy at My Romantic Home. Just click on any photo to enlarge the mosaic showing some of my past blog photos as well as a few of my favorite things from my home. I hope she'll consider making this an annual event! Enjoy the photos.
Until next time...