A Pretty Pink Solution...

By now, you may have pegged me for the type of girl that would be attracted to vintage millinery flowers. If not, I can save you the trouble of figuring it out. I AM ATTRACTED TO VINTAGE MILLINERY FLOWERS. I got really into it some years ago after I attended an estate sale of an antique French fashion doll dresser (yes, there really are people who do that). This lady loved all of the beautiful antique textiles that I do-ribbonwork, millinery flowers, ribbons, wonderful fabrics, linens, and lace. She also had a huge collection of Victorian ephemera, but that's a whole other post. Anyway, to say that I had achieved antique textile Nirvana when I went to this sale was an understatement. I left happy, but broke, with bags and bags of great things, one of which was a plethora of millinery flowers. At the time, I used to set up regularly at a local antiques show, so I sold many of the flowers there. But, there are always those holdbacks. The ones that I just couldn't part with. Then, there were a few more that I had picked up along the way at various venues. All well and good, but what the heck do you do with all of those pieces? I was pretty sure I wasn't going to become a doll dresser and use them to adorn the dolls...I was pretty sure I was not going to start wearing hats and dolling them up (although maybe for a girlie tea party in my garden sometime...but, I digress). Then one day, I happened upon this cool small dress form at my local craft store (Hobby Lobby, I think). It had a distressed pink wooden top and a chicken wire like skirt. Hmmm, on went the thinking cap and in the cart went the dress form. This is what I came up with.


My girl is as pretty from the back as she is from the front. I added the ribbon "cumberbund" and lace "shawl". Many of the flowers were just stuck in through the holes and the ones that wouldn't stay for the most part were held in place with one of my favorite accessories, twisty ties. Pretty simple.



Gotta love a pretty vintage pink rose...


And a deep pink velvet rose...


I really love the pink velvet berries...


This ended up being one of my most favorite inspiration pieces. And the best part is, no vintage millinery flowers were harmed in the making of this project! I hope you enjoyed seeing it on Pink Saturday. When you have the chance, go over and visit Bev at How Sweet the Sound for loads of other fun and PINK offerings.


Until next time,

Maybe it's just spring...

Okay, I don't know if its just the hint of impending spring or what, but I'm feeling restless in my decor. I've always loved my home, small though it is, but after almost 10 years in the same place, I'm feeling like its time for a change. I've been getting inspired from places like Pottery Barn for my family room and am leaning towards darkish chocolate (maybe milk chocolate) walls for my "pretty room" otherwise known as the living room or, as it was called in the Edwardian era, the "entry hall". I'm also getting anxious to renovate our home office and rip up that hideous carpet upstairs and rearrange my son's room, and...okay, you see where this is going. And then there's the studio we are building. Now that, I envision as a Nordic French kinda fusion. As illustrated in Franske stemninger på nordisk vis, a beautiful book printed in Danish only which has so many stunning pictures, you don't need to read it. Although if you could read Danish, it would be handy. The name translates to "French Atmosphere in the Nordic Way" and it is a very pretty combo. Sigh...off to pay some bills. Reality, you know? Anybody else out there feeling restless?

Until next time,

The Armchair Shopper...why don't you join me?

Happy Pink Saturday! I don't know about where you live, but where I live, we had a very mild winter and are now "enjoying" a very snowy spring. Today is very gray and cold, so not much good for taking pictures. I decided to go shopping from my armchair and share with you some of my favorite things from some of my favorite webshops.

The first two photos are from Our Cottage Garden-can't blame a girl for a little shameless self promotion, can you?

My friend Denise makes these gorgeous mini wreaths/tiaras from vintage millinery. They've been very successful for her and they usually get snapped up as soon as she puts them on the site. This is one of my favorites.

A pretty box of pink ribbon and trims. Yummy, yummy!

Lidy at French Garden House has such a great eye and does such a super job showcasing her products like these extremely realistic looking faux rose wreaths.

Janet at Shabbyfufu has these adorable pink confections made from old doll heads and antique bottles and loads of fluff.

Gloria from Shabbytown has these wonderful pink lamps with one of my favorites...cherubs. Maybe I'll find a pocketfull of change and then I can get these divine beauties!

Heather at Pretty Petals (a fellow blogger and all around talented lady) had these wonderful collage packs on her site. I just want to sit and stare at them.

And last, but not least, one of my favorite online shopping stops, Ebay, had this sweet vintage purse featuring a plethora of pink velvet strawberries on it. I tried to get it, but was unsuccessful. Alas, I must just admire it from afar.

I hope you've enjoyed our little shopping trip through cyberspace. Maybe the weather will be more cooperative and I can take some of my own new photos for next post. If you have time, pop over to Bev at How Sweet the Sound and visit the other Pink Saturday participants' blogs.

Until next time,

Buttons and Brooches and Pins...OH MY!

Okay, I wholeheartedly subscribe to the "Guilt Free Blogging" school of thought since this is supposed to be fun and not terribly serious. However, I never meant to be away for two weeks. I've missed you all. I not only haven't posted, but I haven't been visiting my blogging friends either. I have some SERIOUS catching up to do. So, without further ado, welcome to PINK SATURDAY, hosted by Bev at How Sweet the Sound. Pop over there and check out the other 145 participants' blogs as you have the chance for some fun and not so serious posts.


I have mentioned numerous times that I have LOTS of collections. One I'd like to share with you today, at least in part, is a little collection that brings me lots of smiles. It is a collection of handpainted Victorian buttons, brooches, and pins, MOST of which feature roses, but not all. As it happens, many of them are pink, hence their relevance to Pink Saturday. I am particularly drawn to the heart shaped buttons, they are so sweet. The rectangular brooch is one of my favorites, even though it was purchased with the idea that I would sell it. I'm guessing that's not happening, at least not right now. One of the pitfalls of selling what you love...

I can't imagine having these elegant little pieces of art actually adorning your clothes, but people did that "back in the day". The detail and artistry is phenomenal, in the style of Limoges porcelain painting in France. Some are more elaborate than others, but they are all lovely in my opinion. Enjoy this little peek into one of my indulgences....

Until next time,

In Anticipation of Spring...PINK SATURDAY

Happy Pink Saturday! I'm pleased to have a guest blogger today, my friend Denise, Head Antiques Maven from Our Cottage Garden and ebay seller winter-garden. She's going to show you how to make this adorable springy valance from vintage handkerchiefs. Thank you, Denise for sharing a great fun and whimsical project to help shake off these winter blues.

Anticipating Spring

Looking for a fun and easy project to celebrate the arrival of Spring? Warmer breezes tease us to open the windows and listen for the cheerful, chirping birds. Here’s a quick and simple way to add a touch of lightness and color to any window ~ a Spring Hanky Valance ..

You will need:

• 8 – 12 vintage handkerchiefs .. colorful, floral, lacey, or simply white. If you’re a “collector” as we are, you probably have a stash of pretty ones tucked away somewhere. If not, they are plentiful, easy to find, and very affordable. You can use colors which complement each other, or the room, or just mix-and-match (which makes it more fun).
  
  

• ¾” diameter wood dowel (cut to the proper width) (you will also need brackets of course)

• Apx 2 yards of vintage ribbon to wrap the dowel. Or acrylic paint and a sponge brush.

  • 

• 8 – 12 vintage curtain clips. Spring-loaded like these are a cinch to use. Or you can stitch the hankies to a variety of other clips.

If you feel creative, you can embellish your clips with vintage millinery, porcelain roses, or other decorations. We added vintage pink velvet roses to some of ours:

This set is available for sale now on eBay:

We decorated another batch with vintage sheer wired butterflies:

This set is available for sale now on Our Cottage Garden.

When you’re ready to redecorate the window, the hankies can be stashed away again (no harm done) .. awaiting their next assignment.

It won’t take long to assemble the materials you need, and even less time to create your valance. If you’re short on time, the materials used to create this valance .. vintage German gilt brass curtain clips, an assortment of vintage hankies, and pale pink velvet ribbon .. are available for sale now on eBay:

Happy Pink Saturday and Happy Spring!

Denise

The Unintentional Collection

I have lots of collections, a fact I freely admit. Usually, I know from the moment I buy the second one of the item in question that I intend to have a collection. Not so with the cherubs. I was laying in bed the other day and looked around my bedroom...a few cherubs. I went downstairs to get my coffee and began looking around...hmmm, more cherubs. I made a comment to Mr. French Laundry that I thought I had a cherub collection. He said something to the effect of, "Duh! I knew that, didn't you? I've known that for a long time." Well, I DIDN'T know. Not sure how I missed that one, but I did. But, here for your perusal are a few of the little darlings that I found lurking around my home.


A Victorian painting...

A lamp...

A place to display some antique jewelry...

A pretty little girl who graces the top of my china cabinet...

Another lamp...


A clock...


A Victorian painted canvas wallhanging...

Candlesticks...

More candlesticks...

Our wedding cake topper (with pretty antique crown)...

A sweet little one who graces my bedroom window. I bought it years ago when shopping with my mother who is now deceased. I think of her whenever I look at it...

What collections do you have in your home that you never intended to collect but that's how it ended up? I'd love to hear your comments.

Until next time,

Some Pretty Things for Pink Saturday

Happy Pink Saturday everyone! I've been keeping my little hands busy this week making these cute microscope slide glass tags. I made them once for Christmas ornaments/decorations, but thought it would be fun to do some for spring (can you tell I'm anxious?). The top picture is of one side and the bottom picture is the reverse of the same tags. I hand made each of them, using both vintage and new paper, silver wire, and Czech glass beads. Topping them off is a little vintage rayon seam binding bow. I've used these as a very nice addition to a package, a little thing to hang in your window, tree ornaments, and put around the neck of an old bottle to add a little pizazz. And each one has some pretty PINK to whet your appetite. They are available now on my website, Our Cottage Garden. After you check them out, pop on over to Bev's place at How Sweet the Sound and visit the other participants of Pink Saturday.

Oh and by the way, my husband I have been invited to a Mardi Gras costume party tonight. What does one wear? Ideas (quickly, please) would be much appreciated. I know you wonderfully clever bloggers out there are going to have some super thoughts on this.
Until next time,