Valentine Shop Hop, Part 2

My apologies for not getting back to you for part 2 of my shopping spree through some of my favorite Etsy shops, but life kind of got in the way.  Whew!  Busy weekend and I'm going to need some retail therapy to unwind...

First stop is my blogging buddy Debra's fun shop The Petite Boutique.  I'm sure many of you know Debra from her blog, Common Ground.  She hosts a great Friday party and always has some great decor posts, but in her spare time, she loves to play with old keys and fun findings and she makes these cool necklaces.  She has some new ones posted for Valentine's Day, so pop on over and check them out.

I discovered Julie at GoGoSnap purely by accident, but I was so enchanted with her beautiful designs for business cards that I had her make some up for me.  My design that I picked out was the wonderful lady in the center.  She does invitation packages for weddings, notecards, thank you notes, and save the date cards.  Her designs are all done on a real Heidelberg Offset press, so not digital or laser, and she has high quality thick paper.  I mean really high quality.  She is not cheap, but trust me, you will be thrilled with the result and Julie is great to work with. 

Another face that may be familiar to you is Rhonda from A Little Bit French.  She is a blogger as well and she makes the most wonderful things out of fabric, lace, jewelry, and paper.  I love everything she creates and whenever you buy something, she spoils you with little extras.  Go check out her shop if you haven't yet because you will love her French style.  

Susan at Evelyn and Rose is a blogger and DIY decorator who has been featured in the Somerset Life magazine a couple of times and she makes some awesome things for her shop, namely pillows.  One of these days, I'm going to get one of these beauties for some place special in my home.  She's super nice too and that's always a plus, don't you think?

If you love pretty paper tags, journals, and other paper whimseys, you will have a great time poking around Dorothy Jane.  She is a an old soul and loves anything Jane Austen.  Her work is beautiful and a real treat for the eyes.  I bought the Souvenir de Paris tags on the right and they are quite fun.  I can't wait to do something awesome with them.  Give her a look, you'll be glad you did.

And, while I was trying to behave and not engage in shameless self promotion, it is my blog after all, so I guess I will attempt to prod you to check out my new listings at both of my Etsy shops, The French Laundry...

And Elegant Farmhouse.

So, that's it for our pre-Valentine's Day shopping spree on Etsy.  I hope you enjoyed yourself.  I know I did.  For now, it is time for this little chickie to go to bed.

Until next time,

Spreading a Little Early Valentine's Day Love

Well, the hearts are beating and cupid is sharpening his (her?) arrows...St. Valentine's Day is just around the corner.  I thought I would share a couple of things with you in commemoration of the event.  I've spoken before of a gal who I found on eBay by the name of Judy McCallum who makes these amazing and I do mean amazing little mixed media booklets.  I received this one in the mail today and it did not disappoint. 

I shouldn't  be telling you about her because once I won one booklet a few months ago I've wanted another one with her images of little kiddos.   I think I have bid on at least one every month since and have been outbid every time.  Her popularity with the bidders has gotten crazy and I thought I was never to win another one.  But finally, persistence paid off and I scored a little bit of a "sleeper" so I didn't have to take out a second on the house.  Smile...

She uses an abundance of layers of lace and fabric and the effect is sooooo dreamy and romantic.

How precious are these two???

As I was photographing this yummy goodness, my mind started to wander (don't judge) and I started thinking about my Etsy shops and how much I love selling AND buying on there.  Then I had a lightbulb moment and thought perhaps I could take you on a little tour of some of my favorite shops on the site for romantic handmade goods since February IS the month of romance after all.  These are only a few of my favorites, but it will definitely make you want to hunt around on your own.  I know that some of these talented gals will be familiar to you and some might not be so familiar, so grab a cuppa whatever suits you and let's go shopping!

First stop is a new one to me, Handpainted Pink Roses.  This lady paints on lots of things, but she paints small.  Like really small.  Makes me cross-eyed to think about it.  I bought some of her flowers done on buttons and they are even more beautiful in person.  Super nice and super quick shipping, always a plus.

Next, we head on over to one of the true romantics, my pal Rosemary aka Ozma of Odds.  Rosemary is one of a kind and although we've never met, I love her sense of style, her beautiful spirit, and her lovely treasures.  We both love the sea and live in landlocked states.  Go figure...

Around the bend is Anista Designs.  This gal is in Canada and makes beautiful paper goods to order so you have to be patient, but the product is worth the wait. I bought two sets of the heart tags and they are nice and heavy, almost like the disposable beer coasters that you sometimes get at a bar (continue not judging :-) LOL!)

 

Next stop,  another Rosemary who you will probably know, from Villa Barnes.  This dear lady works her buns off creating and re purposing items like nobody's business.  She's a real innovator and comes up with all sorts of cool techniques to romance up her pieces. AND she shares her techniques very generously on her blog. AND she's a real sweetheart to boot, so every transaction with her is a pleasure.

We're going to make one more stop in this whirlwind tour of romantic shops, this time at a very well known blogger, pinner, and shop keeper, Michelle of Petite Michelle Louise.  Another sweet lady with talent galore.  I've loved everything I've ever purchased and when it comes, the packaging is almost as good as what's inside.  LOVE that!  Michelle has been published several times in the Stampington magazines and her talent for seeing not what something is, but what it can be is astounding.

Well, I'm getting tired, so need to hit the hay.  I think we shall resume our shopping spree tomorrow when I will share the final 5 romantic shops on my list.  Rest up and be ready!

Until next time,

Finds for White Wednesday and a Late Summer Bouquet

I don't have much to blog about right now, but I was out and about a few days ago and came home with these three treasures.  When I sat them on the table, I realized I had a little bit of creamy white beauty to share for White Wednesday.  I love the rusty topped bottle.  I have an idea for some Halloween decor.   We'll see if I actually get a ROUND TUIT.  As for the little bust, I can't resist these precious beauties.  I have an idea for it too.  I'll keep my mouth shut for now in case it looks stupid!  And then there's the deep ironstone bowl.  I am sure I could think of a hundred ways to use it.  It may end up on my Etsy site but...maybe I'll love on it a little first. :-)

As for part deux of the post,  I have to tell you that the mister has done an excellent job this year of getting us constant color in the garden.  It is just as beautiful now as a couple of months ago.  These zinnias and black eyed susans looked so pretty together in the white ironstone pitcher that I had to share them.  I feel like a kid trying to come up with stuff for show and tell in school!  Oh well, sometimes things flow easier for me than others.  I hope you enjoy the flowers...for now, I must run and get back to my HOME work.

Sharing with Kathleen for White Wednesday.  Pop over and catch some talented bloggers sharing their pretty whites.

Until next time,

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful day with family and/or friends. I am getting ready to watch my favorite movie of all time, "It's a Wonderful Life". And maybe make a second pie run...YUM! Anyway, I will leave you with a few random Christmas pictures I wanted to share.  Click on the photos if you want to enlarge them.

One of my little antique bisque dolls that I dressed up for Christmas...

A glimpse into my talented friend Melanie's shop, called appropriately "Handcrafted Santas and More".  She makes the most divine large Santa vignettes, using beautifully put together antique and vintage items that she gathers up from estate sales, flea markets, garage sales, and antique shows.  I'd have one in every room if I had the space.  This little guy was so wonderful.  Look at the colors on his coat and accessories. 

This fellow is a "sewing" Santa done up in shades of pink.  How could you not love it?  All of Melanie's Santas have some sort of theme whether it is sewing, music, cooking, reading, etc.

This creamy white seashell Santa is glorious...

More randomness...

I didn't do much decorating this year, but this was one of the "use what you have" things I did up and just fell in love with.  Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.  Just wrapped up some empty boxes with old papers, added some pretty ribbons and laces, and topped them off with old jewelry.  And added a little glittered dove for an extra punch.  Voila!

Still loving the dove theme, I used another one perched on some old maple sugar molds and antique tinsel I've had forever and added the wonderful 1920's rhinestone and feather millinery piece I just got at an estate sale.  All were nestled on an old Italian pottery compote.

Finally, a present I wrapped up for my friend Denise. I made her a darling doll which was inside, but she loved the wrapped box so much, I'm not sure she has opened it yet! I admit it, I was proud of myself at how cute it turned out.  I think glitter and tulle make everything better, don't you?

Well, that's about it for now.  My last Christmas movie calleth.  Go make the rounds through the leftovers once more before bed.  Diet is just DIE with a T at the end, ya know!

Until next time,

Nothing to Wear on Pink Saturday

I found this little bank at an antique show recently along with the "Pin Money" bank in the background. Isn't it the cutest thing you've ever seen? I had never seen a "Nothing to Wear" bank before, but here it is in all of its pink glory. It's in pristine condition. I should probably start putting my change in it for the fall and winter season-its a tough economy these days, but a girl's gotta look good, right? Well, I don't know if I'm actually going to put my pennies in this little cutie, but its going to look adorable sitting on my shelf.

While I count my pennies, you should pop on over to Beverly's at How Sweet the Sound to see the other Pink Saturday participants. Its always fun and always a bit eclectic with something for everyone.

Hope you're having a great summer!

Until next time,

A Pretty Pink Puppy Prize

I was tickled "pink" this week when I stopped by one of my favorite antique shops and found these two pink first prize ribbons from the late 1950's. Not only are they pink and gold and in pristine condition, but they are from my town's kennel club. Local history buffs rejoice! I needed them like a hole in my head, but who could resist these beauties???? Obviously, not little moi (wink, wink).

Must admit, I'm not totally sure what I'm going to do with them yet, but for now, I just love looking at them and imagining who was so proud of these that they kept them safe and secure and perfect for over 50 years. I guess its up to me to uphold the tradition and keep these safe and secure and perfect until the next person's turn to love on them!


Have a wonderful Pink Saturday and do pop over to Bev's at How Sweet the Sound, our hostess for this fun event and see the other Pink Saturday participants.

Until next time,

Does anyone REALLY know what time it is? A collection...

When I first started blogging, I stated a desire to share some of my own favorite collections with you. As promised, here is the first of those collections, my vintage rhinestone clocks. I have other clocks as well, but for now, we'll stick with the sparkly ones. This collection is one that is not only beautiful to look at, but is rather humorous to me, as well. It has nothing to do with the uniqueness of the collection, because, as you are probably well aware, collecting vintage rhinestone clocks has becomes so popular, its almost a cliche'. What is funny about little moi collecting clocks is...I'm always running late! My time challenge, as my husband calls it, is something that I've been wrangling with for years. Now I know its rude, inconsiderate, annoying, and sometimes all of the above to be late. I KNOW! I just can't seem to shake trying to cram too many things in too little time. On a good day, I'm not late...I'm never, and I mean NEVER early. My parents were always early, my children seem to have the propensity for being early or, at least, on time. It must skip a generation because I think my siblings also suffer from this affliction. So, you can see why having clocks as one of my collections is sort of funny. But, as would be fitting, I can tell you that most of them DON'T WORK! Of course, they don't...they're mine!

Above is one of my favorites from France. Love the detail on it.

Another favorite...so pretty and pink.

Most of the ones on the shelf are either Cyma or Semca and are from the 1940's through the 1960's.


I have to say that the simple round Cyma in the center with just large clear rhinestones is one of my first acquisitions and it is still amongst my favs. Perhaps some other post, I'll share a few more closeups. When I'm not pressed for time, that is!



Until next time,