antiques/junking

How much fun can you fit into one day?

antiques/junking, celebrations, collections, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), fairies, family, I do tend to run on, don't I?, parties, Sugarwings, yorkies

Omaha was great, we had such a nice trip!  Don't I have the world's sweetest husband, to chose a weekend at the zoo and the Holiday Inn's water park with all the kids as his 50th birthday celebration?

We LOVE this little water park in Omaha, its in a newer Holiday Inn that has great service, and free meals for kids. The indoor pool area is meant for smaller children and has never been crowded or busy while we are there.  

IMG_2020

Plus, the hotel is located near the Old Town area, with great food and shopping. While the kids napped between swimming in the morning and zoo time in the afternoon, I escaped to 2nd Chance.  Where I found a pile of floral hats for under $7 each. 

IMG_2022
Plus a pile of Victorian scrap and old photos.  I'm planning on making some fairy ornaments (hopefully a make and take at Silver Bella in November.)  Have you ever noticed how hard it is to find just the right photos to make into fairies? You need to make sure you get both feet, a standing or sitting position that works well when the person is cut out of the photo, and no fingers to have to cut around.

Well, you don't want the person to be fingerless- you just don't want the fingers to be splayed and beyond the edges of the girl's dress.  Its just easier to not have to cut out each tiny finger.


IMG_0967

Normally, when I am on a family trip like this, I don't get in much shopping.  This time I also got to stop at Rusty Chandelier in St. Joe on the drive home.  It was a quick trip, to stretch legs and for my husband to fill up the car while Sugarwings and I looked around antique mall.

IMG_0964
But I just knew that I had to  stop, and I was right, my hat whispering skills had led me to a couple more hats that were waiting there for me.

IMG_2023
How PERFECT  is this sequin top hat???? Silver Bella's theme this fall will be hats and Teresa has been using a cute top hat as the symbol of the event this year. I found not only this hat, but this bit of Victorian scrap with this little girl wearing a top hat herself.  There are some possibilities for that rolling around in my head right now!

So much for my theory that pictures for fairies need feet. I can see her as a little sprite, can't you?  She might be the foundation for my design for the make and take for vendor night.

IMG_0768

And there are a few pictures of Sugarwings that I might make into a fairy for my photo album.

IMG_0790

We had lucky weather while in Omaha, there was sunshine and a light breeze at the zoo.  Sugarwing's Daddy and his new family (well some of them, not all the kids could make it) came along for the trip and I discovered that its even more fun to have extra grand kids to spoil and play with!

IMG_0831 

Before the trip, I bought the girls matching dresses, and a coordinating red shirt for the little guy. Corny? Yep, but I thought it was adorable, plus it made them so easy to keep track of all day.  We knew that the red blurs running up ahead were ours.

IMG_0910

Our hotel was around the corner from the Qwest Center, where Barnum and Baily Circus happened to be for the weekend.  We hadn't planned on attending, but the kids had never been, so when the zoo closed at 6, we swung by for the next performance at 7. 

The morning started at the pool, then napping, then zoo, then circus, then ended at the pool again. Whew! That was one jam packed day.

IMG_0940

But, my husband and I decided at the last minute to play hooky and just buy tickets to the circus for the rest of the group. He and I snuck over to Old Town and had a romantic dinner, then walked around holding hands and enjoying the evening.

IMG_0890

As ideal as the kids were all day, sweet, polite, and fun- it was nice to have a night out with just the two of us. When we got back to the hotel, we joined the kids at the water park, where I taught them how to play shark tag, and let the parents go have their own little get away dinner. 

I think my handsome husband had a fantastic birthday, I hope he enjoyed the trip as much as I did!  He's a great guy and deserves a good celebration!

 

IMG_0971

Still, its nice to be back home with our puppies again.

Bottoms Up!

antiques/junking
6a00d8345159d669e20134805a3004970c-500wi

If you are in the KC area, you need to go see Bottom's Up! We went there tonight to see Beth's booth and spent a couple hours wondering around the old warehouse building enjoying the unique setting and all the cool stuff in it. 

The show is always the same weekend, once a month, if you are planning a trip to KC in the future.  And down the road, a couple blocks away, is another once a month vintage shop called Good Ju Ju, that is a fun place too.

IMG_0642
Both stores are in old, old buildings with interesting chippy paint walls, or exposed brick, and roughed up painted floors.  Great backdrops for all the goods.

IMG_0658
Plus, wine, cheese, and live music.  this is my pal, Angie, who went with me tonight. I call her my Shabby Chic friend because of her beautiful coloring.

IMG_0651
Beth surprised me with a giant spangle disco-ey ball for my birthday! I kinda am in love with it.  Can't you picture it hanging from a tree branch at my next garden party?

She also gave me the most touching, lovely, hand stitched sampler ever.  I'll get some photos of it when the light is better. It deserves great lighting for its close up. (there is a photo on her blog of it now)

See what I mean about the cool setting for the store? Look at the background behind me.  What blows me away is that this is all set up for just one weekend a month. Man, what a huge space to fill for such a short time.  They really put a lot of time into well styled displays too. I left wanting to go home and redo everything in my home. A good display will bring that urge out in me every time.

IMG_0661
I'll leave you with a few photos of my favorite displays.

IMG_0662
IMG_0664
IMG_0665
IMG_0666
IMG_0667

IMG_0668

Around the May Pole

antiques/junking, celebrations, collections, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), family, flowers, I do tend to run on, don't I?, Sugarwings, We're having a party, yorkies

IMG_0854

What's the only thing better than scoring over a dozen floral hats at  a flea market? Playing with them when you get home! Especially when you have friends who want to play too.

IMG_0852

These little guys are starting to get interesting.  They all try to come to me (but are still kind of stumbly) when they hear my voice now.  It has not been easy to get any work done today, its the first day that the pups really seem to want to spend as much time with me as they do with their mom.  Its funny to see how fast they develop and change. Just yesterday, they were mostly sleeping and today they are crying until they get picked up!

IMG_0843
Between snuggles, I've been plucking hats.  My hat storage is overflowing, so I needed to make space by pulling all the flowers off the newest arrivals.  Finding 15 in one day is kind of amazing, even with my hat whispering skills. But I have to admit that I had a little help at the flea mkt, Beth pointed a few out to me and was nice enough to let me at them.

She and I are good shopping partners. I try to point out things I know she'll love. Even if I love them too.  We kind of let things go to who ever has the most passion for the item, or take turns with the greatest stuff, or even share. We started a wallpaper pact years ago to prevent jealousy. If one of us scores big on wallpaper, we always share with the other.

(The hat with the brown ribbon only had a few flowers on it, but LOOK at that fabulous dotted Swiss ruffled ribbon that rims it!!)

IMG_0847
See why I can't resist these guys?  They are finally starting to look around and observe their world and its so cute when they just stare into my eyes.  I don't know if I've ever been more in love with a batch of pups… its going to be hard to say goodbye in just a few weeks!

IMG_0860

Its always hard to say good bye to the flowers too…  I fall a bit in love with each bloom.  I was reading Jenny's blog the other day and drooling over some flowers she used on a May basket, then she mentioned she had bought them from me!

 

IMG_0567

Its never easy to say good bye to Sugarwings when she goes home to her mommy or daddy either, but its easier knowing that her parents are generous with letting us have time with her and with them too.   We are so blessed and lucky that our extended family can all "share" her and get along.  Even though her parents aren't together, we are all still family.  I'm hoping that her Daddy's new family will be able to blend with us all too.

My theory is that you can't have too many people to love.

IMG_0548

We celebrated May Day together by going to a carnival at her school, then my handsome husband and I did hours and hours of yardwork.

IMG_0573
The school is out in the country, and was a lovely setting for all of the events. The big kids did a May Pole dance, there were arts and crafts, live music, and a hula hoop class.  (That's my husband showing his moves)

IMG_0585
Our tiny little hooper had a blast.

IMG_0558

Especially with the glue and scissors. Sometimes I wonder if she really cares about creating anything, all she cares about is cutting and gluing. That kid is obsessed with scissors and glue. 

And when I buy her clothes at Goodwill (this is a $4 dress) I can relax and enjoy watching her go wild with the glue.

IMG_0603

I probably shouldn't go so many days without posting, I tend to have too much to say as it is, when I post every day or two!  It was such a busy and fun weekend that  there is just too much to blather on about.  Flats of flowers, working in the garden, redoing a guest room, parties, boating, puppies to play with, May poles and more.  No wonder I didn't have a chance to do a post!  

IMG_0868

I'll leave you with some photos of the flower packs I added to the shop, stop running on and on!

IMG_0857
IMG_0864

Buried Treasure in a Ghost Town

antiques/junking, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), family, Sugarwings, yorkies
IMG_0540

We had a GREAT day at the flea market!  I bought tons of sparkly rhinestone bits and about 15 floral hats.  A few other odds and ends too. I'll show you some photos after I unpack. This is the tub in the back of the car with some of my hats in it.

IMG_0537

Sparks and White Cloud, KS have the most unique flea markets ever.  I really can't figure out what the towns are about, it looks to me like they are ghost towns that only are used twice a year for this market. But then, I did see a few houses that looked occupied too. 

IMG_0544

Sparks is mostly a big field with some old buildings scattered around, and lots of tents and trailers filled with treasures.

IMG_0546
About 10 minutes down the road, is White Cloud, a downtown area filled with empty buildings. Some of the stores are filled up for the weekend, the rest of the dealers set up in fields and on the street. Every time I go, I see the same 3 legged dog running around town, no owner in sight. 

You never know what you'll find there, and I sure would never miss it.  To me, its not just shopping, its an Event. With a capital E.

IMG_0801
It was a wonderful day, it always is for us up there, rain or shine. And today, we had lots of sunshine!

But its good to be home with all the babies.

IMG_0799

Bejewelled

antiques/junking, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), jewelry, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage, yorkies

IMG_0062We are hoping that the Easter Bunny will bring us some puppies.  Twinks gets bigger each day, and is very restless. I've had to make a bed on the floor for her, since she can no longer jump up onto furniture.

So, I put a blanket down in my room for her to sleep on, but most of the night she paces and wants up with me. I scoop her up, but an hour later, she needs to get down again.  Then, she paces some more.  I was tempted to lock her out of the room so I could sleep, but I really need to keep an eye on her and be ready to help with the delivery.  The most important thing about newborn Yorkies is to keep them warm. Sometimes, during delivery the mom gets busy with the newest pups and one will get pushed aside and gets lost and cold. If their body temperature drops too much, they will die.  I've learned the hard way to stay with the mom constantly and be there for the babies when they come.

IMG_0068
At least we have a pretty view while we are not sleeping at night!  I saw Andrea's new ceiling fan/chandelier and asked where she got it. When I saw they were on sale for 1/2 price with free shipping, I ordered one for the bedroom. Our fan was getting old, loud, and sometimes would just quit for a day or so.  (I was worried about fire hazards)

This thing is gigantic. And heavy.  But glorious!  I am probably going to paint the ceiling medallion to match the fan better, its glazed bronze now. I'll swipe some ivory paint over it, letting the bronze peek though.

My poor husband has deserted Twinks and I, he seems to think he needs some sleep.  Sugarwing's passed on more poison kisses to me, and I have caught her latest cold. Which make me snore 50 times worse than I normally do (and normally, it ain't pretty). Plus, I'm so worn out with the limited sleep Twinkle is letting me have, that when I do zonk out for an hour or so, it is DEEP and apparently LOUD.  So, Rich is sleeping on the office sofa till the puppies are safely here and my snoring is under control. 

The office is in our addition, over the studio, and he jokes that my snoring is so loud, he has to go sleep in another house.

Oops, I hope any potential Silver Bella room mates didn't read that.

IMG_0071
Today, I'll be listing some new goods in the Boutique. I've got lots of sparklies and some ornate perfume bottles.

IMG_0075

What I have to say has nothing to do with the photos.  I just wanted to let you know that my friend, Hope, (who designed my blog layout) is starting an online journaling class.  We met at Silver Bella, but got to be friends at a blogger's luncheon in Virginia that Heather set up.

IMG_0091

At the lunch, she brought one of her journals with us to have us all sign as a memento.  So, I've seen her work in person, and have to tell you, its really, really good!

IMG_0099

She has had to deal with my endless questions about various blog/online/design oddities and has been a thoughtful teacher and very helpful when I was too dense to understand something that she was patiently explaining for the 5th email.

So, I'm quite sure she'll be an excellent teacher! Check out her class, Nostalgic Musings,  HERE.

IMG_0103

There are some great classes available out there now.  Mary (my Craft Day bud) is hosting another Artist Class right now, with projects I wish I had time to do…  Her last one was impressive and I hear this one is too.

IMG_0097

I'd better get busy listing all these schmancy, bejeweled baubles so I can get on with my day.  We are hoping to get the pontoon out of storage and into the water today.  And those pesky taxes need some attending also. urgh.

I hope you have some fun plans for Easter!  I might be taking a boat ride…

Party prep

antiques/junking, Books, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), fairies, I do tend to run on, don't I?, jewelry, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage, vintage paper/collage art, yorkies

About readyWe are counting down the days till puppy time, poor Twinks looks about ready to pop!  She still has some time to go, and it looks like she is going to spend those days resting.  

The whole time I am in the studio, she curls up in this dog carrier/purse.  She barely fits anymore, and I'd hate to have to sling it over my shoulder with her (and that tummy full of pups) in it at this point.

It was given to her when she was a puppy herself by a friend, and I used to carry her around in it.  It has become her dog bed under my work table.  Now that her birthing time is getting closer, she rarely leaves the bag.

Studiomess

Or maybe she just hides in it to escape the chaotic mess that my studio has become??  I feel like hiding when I look at it too.  I have two craft days  and an Easter Egg party coming up, one tomorrow, so I might need to rent a back hoe to clean this quickly.

Here is something I have learned about having a nice, big studio to work in.

THE MORE TABLES I SET UP, THE MORE STUFF I LEAVE OUT. 

Its really sad, because I enjoy having a pretty place to work in, and I'd never let my house get to this point. My home always looks lived in, but not scary like the studio. I like things pretty and peaceful.  But out here, things just pile, and pile, and pile.  Till I force myself to do something about it.

I knew I'd let it go too far when Sugarwings lectured me about covering up her Play Doh table with packing materials.  We talk a lot about her not messing with my stuff, and I was in the wrong to over flow into her area.  And I sure heard about it too.

It may look like utter chaos, but there really is a working order to it… at least that is what I tell myself. I'm sure that is what all the people on "Hoarders" say to themselves too.

Tags
So, today, I've spent the morning clearing away the last of the Alice themed goods. I've listed the remaining 4 tag covers (I think I'd made about 100!)  in the Boutique and all of the materials I used while working on the tags and books are stowed away.

Two pots

Then, I finished up making Peat Pot Pretties with Charlotte fairies from all of those materials that were still out.  I've listed these two and have a few more to photograph.  Soon, I hope to gather up what I need to make up the kits that you have asked for to make your own.  Maybe after I face the taxes….

IMG_9873
There was a big pile of flea market finds that I was trying to get photographed and listed, and that is done now too. 

IMG_9850
 
The trouble with cleaning up, is that I can't just put things away. I have to finish up whatever I had them out for in the first place.  And use up the scraps.  So, of course, when I come across something like an old candy box that was torn, I had to make tags out of it.  If I'd packed it away, then it would have just become clutter and would have looked like I was saving torn up trash.  Then, I really would have felt like a Hoarder!

So, I made tags from the box.  And took photos, and listed them. (I'm patting  myself on the back big time over that)  I used tidbits laying around on my desk. That is such a much more fun way to clean than to just pack it all away. Plus, its a challenge to limit myself to using what is on the desk, not getting anything new out. 

IMG_9876

And then, when I get to the place when there is not much left to use on the desk, I can get back to the rest of the clean up. 

I'm kind of looking forward to it.  I have all day and all night by myself, till as late as I'd like to stay out here and putter and clean.  I'll watch the Idol results and Runway while I work and eat granola bars for dinner.  

Although, so far, this season of each has been kind of blah to me… Still a fan, but just not as excited about either this time around.  I'm still hanging on to LOST too, but I kind of feel like every time they give us one of the so called, promised "answers" its still a question. So, is Richard right, is the island Hell, or was that just his way of seeing it, because of his background??

IMG_9853 

And please remember, if you want a chance to win this month's giveaway- the shard and rose quartz pendant, you can leave a comment on any post, you don't have to go back to the one where I ann
ounced the MARCH GIVEAWAY.

Okay, back to work for me. But first a quick trip to the PO and the gym. 

The Tiniest Dancers

antiques/junking, celebrations, fairies, family, parties, Sugarwings, swaps, vintage paper/collage art
Dancers

When I found these teeny little ballerinas, I was just charmed by them.  At barely an inch, they are just as dainty and sweet as can be.   I didn't get many of them, just a few to add to the shop along with some of their big sisses, and a few for me to use too.

 
Fairy

It was a girly day for the Boutique. I added fairies, ballerinas, Charlottes and Alices.

Pink fairies

Don't you just love the badly painted faces of the OLD cake topper ballerinas? So ugly they are cute.

Girls
This shipment of Charlottes is of all eensy weensy little girls. Each is every bit as dainty as that tiny ballerina, at about 1 inch long. 

I scrubbed at a couple to see if the dirt comes off, and most of it will. But I am leaving it on, in case the new owner likes "patina" as much as I do.    

Charlotte

They are just so tiny and sweet. 

Dancing
Kind of like these two, the sweetest little dancers ever.

Reading
We had a little tea party so Pixie Pie and Sugarwings could open the gifts that were sent to them by Debra Ganas.  They loved them!! Thanks, Debra!!

Hugging dog
Sugarwings loves her cuddly dog. But I made a mistake in my Swap Book notes and only wrote down that there was a gift for Sugarwings next to the giver's name, not what it was, because it wasn't open at the time. So, I won't know what is from who!

How rude of me.  I'm sorry. 

She has a couple more to open, and tomorrow is my Sugarwings Day, so she and I will spend some time enjoying the thoughtfulness of the givers.  

Tagbook
You know that feeling after a holiday, or big event when all of a sudden, its over and you wonder what you are going to do with your time?  That is kind of how I am feeling right now, I miss the Alice Tag Book Swap!

So, today I made up a book of my own tags, plus a few kits if anyone would like to make a book

What’s new?

antiques/junking, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage

IMG_9752

Enforced time off can be boring.  I won't say that I am sick of TV, because I worship and adore TV, but I am sick of just sitting in front of the set. I like to work while the TV is on. 

But- I'm glad I took the time off, my arm seems right back to normal and the pleurisy is gone.  In my youth, as Sugarwings would say "long, long ago in a land far, far away", I would ignore any ache, pain, illness or problem.  But I've learned over time, that just either makes it worse, or makes it last longer.  So, now, even though I feel wimpy doing it, I go to the Dr. And I take time off. 

IMG_9754

Today felt great, back in the studio and office!! I spent a good part of the day taking photos of vintagey goodies and listing them in the Boutique and on Etsy.

IMG_9765

IMG_9742 

My poor little Etsy shop has been seriously neglected. My goal has always been to keep 50 items in there (I gave up on 100 a LONG time ago).  Uhm, its not even close to that. Heck, its not even close to 20.

But I tried. And I'll slog away at it and try to get it going again.

IMG_9760

But the trouble is, when I go to list things, I start looking through stuff and playing with it and thinking about what I could be making with it….  Listing things is boring. I'd rather be using them for something!

But not nearly as boring as sitting in front of the TV for about a week. So, I'm happy to keep adding things.  When I am done, my reward will be a day to sit and do nothing but make crap for hours and hours. 

Wrapping paper
These old papers will be fun to work with! I bought a never used box full of vintage wrapping paper. Most is in the Boutique, but you know I had to keep some of it!

(the pink hand is not paper, of course, it is felt. And sweet, embroidered felt! A little glove bag that I listed too)

IMG_9697
We still have melting snow here, its on its way out.  There are robins all over the place, trying to find worms in the puddles of slush, so I guess it really is spring, or they wouldn't be here yet.

I'm not going to be fooled by the calendar, or the robins. Its not Spring until I can wash my car and the slush doesn't immediately turn it brown again.

IMG_9694

Or at least not until I can put on my little Spring ruffled skirt and prance around outside with my parasol.

Well, maybe I'll settle for that car wash. Since my youth was left long, long ago, in a land far, far away and my figure was left back there with it.

(But isn't that great stitching on these little butts?  I think these towels were really well done!)

IMG_9687

The very last of the Alice tag books got mailed out today too.  I figured that it was already 12 days past the deadline, all the ones that were coming must be in.

I wanted to show you some of the little details that were included in the packages sent in.  It was such a joy to open each envelope and see what pretties were inside.  Not only were the tags themselves just great, the wrappings and little extras here and there were just wonderful!

IMG_9693

All the treats and tidbits and pretties were really appreciated and will be enjoyed! Thanks so much, everyone!

Cinamon and Paprika Soap?

antiques/junking, Books, holiday decor
Candy box

The ideas for Five Romantic Decorating tips for Valentine are coming along well.  Its a VERY short segment on the local Lawrence, KS TV station.  So short, that the ideas can't really have any explanation or how-tos, just time enough to see the pretty ideas.

One of my ideas will be an arrangement of heart shaped candy boxes in the kitchen. I'll add something next to it, (photos when I figure that part out…)

This one came about because I bought the red vintage box over the weekend at the Farmstead Style retreat I talked about in my last post.  The other boxes are empties I saved from last year's half price, after Valentine's Day candy shopping spree. (the emptying didn't take long)  I've foofed them up with old wallpaper, ribbons and flowers.

Did you notice my newest French netting score!!??? There are two of them, both from Saturday's fun shopping/crafting trip to Platte City. (they are both pillow cases, one was $10 the other $4)

IMG_8494
Here is the 2nd piece, I'm lining this terra cotta pot with it.  The sheet music, ribbon, and rhinestone buckle were added for the TV segment I mentioned. For that day, I'll put a pot of mini roses in it.

For today, I've filled it with homemade soaps.  Book club is tonight, and we are discussing The Geurnsey Literary and Potato Pie Society.   In the book, one of the characters makes use of a dead pig by making it into much needed soap, and wrapping up the bars with red yarn to give to the other members. 

Well, I didn't have red yarn, or a dead pig. But I made some soap, using glycerin bars from the craft store, melted in the microwave.  Instead of pig fat, I added olive oil, and some powdered goat's milk, with a splash of epsom salts. 

In the book, the soap was scented and colored with paprika and cinnamon.  Sounds awful, huh? But I tried it, and actually, its kind of nice.  I hope the book club agrees with me, I'm bringing these as gifts tonight.

IMG_8490
Today is crazy and hectic, I have Sugarwings, for an unplanned afternoon, and errands to run before I pick her up.  So, this is a quick post.  I wanted to let you know that these medals are listed in my Etsy shop now, 4 for $2.  I have about 50 of them, so if the shop is out, please email me to let me know if you need some.

I also need to announce the winner of the January Giveaway-

Lisa of Tarnished and Tattered

Who, by the way, has  a GREAT blog. I love her style.

Info about the February Giveaway will be coming up. All comments are entered.  My giveaways are kind of loosely done. Sometimes people win and didn't even know they entered.

“Be My Fairy Valentine” Bird

antiques/junking, fairies, holiday decor, how to's, show and tell, vintage paper/collage art
IMG_8485

What a good day!  I attended a class that my Bella pal, Sheila was teaching today at a barn. Yep, a barn. But not any old barn. Yes, there were stalls, and horses and hay, but there was also a full kitchen, two bathrooms, a bedroom, living room, dining nook, and full work space!

Plattecity

No, not a typical barn at all.  And the farm dogs were foofy, standard poodles.

IMG_8458 

The cute as a bug owner, Kelly, has set up the place for her design business and will be using it also for these class events. Along with the class, was shopping. Good shopping. Two of my favorite dealers from Rusty Chandelier had spaces here along with all of Kelly's gorgeousness. Clothes, jewels, and vintage tidbits filled the space, and I spent an hour before the luncheon was served exploring it all and picking out some treasures (photos later).

IMG_8461
Sheila taught 3 classes, but Beth and I just signed up for one. And it was a doozy. What a cool idea she had to share! This is Sheila's class example, and she provided everything we needed to complete it just like this.

IMG_8475
  But I had some changes in mind…. For the bird, I brought ledger paper with pink lines, and made the wings and tail feathers from millinery petals.  The eye is a crystal bead that Sheila provided. (I dropped mine, but Beth gave me hers to use) I used the Cropadile to punch an eye hole, then glued the bead inside, so that it was 3-d from both sides.  And you can see through it in the light for a little glow.

IMG_8481
Before making the wired branches as Sheila instructed, I wrapped the "trunk" in pink velvet ribbon.  My theme became "Be My Fairy Valentine", so I used lots of fairy girls, pink flowers, and hearts. 

One cool thing about these trees, is that you can take all the goodies off and change them with the seasons.  So, next this can be a springtime tree.

IMG_8471
There are pink velvet flowers wired onto my branches, so I am all ready for spring!

Sheila provided the oval chipboard, but instead of the photo she offered, I glued on some hand painted roses that I'd brought along.

IMG_8472

Two little wooden hearts got covered in wallpaper on one side and that pink lined ledger paper on the other.  I snipped a length of a broken pearl necklace off to tie into a loop at the bottom to hold a little rose bud. ( I should have cut the length longer, it was a bit hard to tie with the string that short)

To hang the heart, I twisted a bit of wire into a kind of, heart shaped hook.

IMG_8480
The spool and wire were things Sheila gave us, along with instructions on how to make a little nest with three eggs in it.  She is a wonderful, patient teacher and took time with each of us individually to explain the wire weaving to make the nests. I'd never tried one before, and really enjoyed learning that part. I can see lots of nests in my future…

The nest I made wasn't for birdies, though, its a fairy nest.  I wired this frozen Charlotte onto the top of the spool and made wings for her from little feathers that were in our kit ( I used one under the nest too) and some velvet millinery petals.  (Do you think she looks like she is hoola hooping? Maybe I should make her a tutu to cover the wire?)

To the front of the small spool, I added another wallpaper covered heart.

IMG_8473
Before the class this morning, I glued a rhinestone heart to the front of this locket and made a tiny collage to put into it.

The fairy hanging behind it, is an old photo that I painted on. Then I covered the back in rose wallpaper, added ribbon and flowers to the bottom, and punched a hole to hang a crystal from (that Sheila had in our kits, she really provided some fun baubles for us). 

IMG_8478
This is also a locket, with a mirror on the other side.  This is something that I hung as is.  I added a framed ribbon rose by my friend, Natasha, too.  

The tree was so much fun to make, that I almost can't wait to make more stuff for it and change the theme already!  I will be first in line to head out to the countryside for the next Farmstead Style experience, let me know if you want to come too!

First ballet class 047


Again, I need to thank you all for making the wallpaper FLY out of my boutique!  I've added a few more here and there and have tried to keep it stocked up, but some packets that are sold out won't be replaced.  I did replace some scrap packs and added this selection. Hopefully, later in the week, I'll have a chance to add some more.

But I have to work on a little segment for our local cable news channel for Thursday. Which means cleaning my house for the cameras, and showing 5 projects about Romantic Decorating for Valentines Day.  So, maybe the wallpaper will have to wait. My house is a wreck again.  Didn't I just spend a solid week cleaning and redoing??????

Beths gifts 016-1
Speaking of time flying, where did January go???  But, you still have a little time to enter the January Giveaway drawing for a little painted and glittered cardinal!

Scroll to Top