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.

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• 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,