Vintage Flair

Just lovely

I am sure by now you have seen all of the photos on Kim's event by now but it didn't feel right for me not to do a post on her lovely event. I have to say that Kim really thought of every detail and it was a beautiful event and she {and her sponsors} spoiled us with so many presents. It is kind of a bummer to go back to reality and not constantly be treated like a princess. Even though my husband tells me that all the time, it is just not the same...you know what I mean. Since I have so many photos I will just post them or I will be here all day creating this post for all of you. I was fortunate to fly in a day earlier to hang out with my good friends. We went to the garment district and shopped for lush trims as well as going to a wonderful French bakery, Bottega Louie. I can now say I love macaroons.....OMG! Oh when we went the garment district we were looking for a restroom and stumbled upon market that sold flowers and it was wonderful and smelt divine. The event exceeded all of my expectations and the only regret I have, I wish I would of seen and talked to more people. It is so hard when you are at these events trying to mingle with everyone. I guess that is a good problem to have, right? I enjoyed all of the projects but my FAVORITE was from Jeanne Oliver, my head is still swirling on how I am going to incorporate her techniques and make them my own. I think she is not only talented and she is so dang cool personally and professionally....I am starting to talk like a stalker now...hmmm? Anyway, I really love her work and style. See I keep going on? STOP already! The vendor night had some great shopping and it was fun to see everyone dressed in their best little black dress. My dear friend Karla painted an amazing mural and it was fun to pose in front of it and have Tiffany take our photos. It is always such a long preparation for these types of events and in a flash, they are over. It almost seems like a whirlwind and I am still not caught up from the event. You should see my desk in my studio space, packed with presents, goodies and trinkets I bought....all piled up patiently waiting for me to create with or find a spot in my home. Here are some of my favorite photos for you to take a peak into the lovely experience if you were not able to attend or if you where there, just to re-live for a moment to take you to that happy place!  Just one thing about the event, someone I didn't really didn't  know that well {I wish I knew her more, she is a wonderful person} tragically lost her husband while we were there and my heart goes out to her and her family.  She has been in my thoughts and it is just one of those things that can happen to anyone.  We really do need to count our blessings.

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What do you think?

A good friend of mine gave me this cabinet {yes I know I am a luck girl} and I added some of my favorite things on top and inside but every time I walk past it, I keep thinking should I paint it?  I love the lines of it and sometimes it seems so heavy and dark....what do you think?  Maybe creamy white or grey?

Drilling with my Dremel

For Christmas I got a cordless Dremel and I hate to say, that I haven't use it until recently.  My brother showed me how to use it and drill holes{and keep a steady hand} and I have to say, I am so excited.  He helped me drill {or shall I say, I watch him vs. me actually doing it} these holes in these lucite buttons.  I made this necklace out of them and I can't wait to wear it.  Next time, I drilling the holes myself....I'll keep you all posted.

My Grandfather's stuff

A couple months ago my Mom gave me some old "junk" so to speak from my Grandfather.  She gave me a a metal box with a ring of old keys from when he was a police officer in Detroit.  I was immediately drawn to this key and I decided to make a long necklace out of it. 

This one is a work in progress and I am not done yet, but I love how it says his name.  I wonder what he is thinking in heaven that I am wearing his keys and old name tag around my neck? 

One more table runner for you

I know two post back to back on table runners....not sure why I into making them lately.  I guess it is just a quick and easy way to change things up.  This one  took loner than ten minutes but I have to say it only took about a 1/2 hour to create and I was done.  I just used inexpensive muslin and just sewed on the ruffles on each end with my sewing machine.  I think it turned out great and it looks great with the roses my husband just bought me.

Seed sack table runner

I found these old seed sacks at a new antique shop and I just feel in love with the color combinations.  Originally I bought them to make aprons out of them and I laid them on the dining room table and I liked the way they looked.  So, ten minutes later after running them though the sewing machine....Viola, a new table runner.  I really do enjoy quick and easy projects that work out the way you have imagined them in your mind.  Don't you?

Quick shot from my desk

I was making jewelry yesterday and my eye kept glancing towards these sweet little chairs that I have sitting on top of my desk.  So I thought I would share with all of you.  Happy Monday to all of you.

Latest collage

I set aside some time on Sunday to dedicate to some creativity....it sure felt good!

Loving my Mom's old junk

I recently visited my Mom's and asked her if I could have one of her old dressers in the basement that she kept all of her dirty old tools in.  We went down stairs and I showed her which one I wanted and she looked at me like I was crazy. I remember always looking at it when I was little and I always liked how the dresser curved at the top.  The top of the dresser had faux wood linoleum on the top and it was a bit dirty.  After a little elbow grease and some T.L.C., I was ready to spruce it up a bit.  Take a look at the rough top after I peeled off all of the faux wood.

My Mom found this dresser in the basement when my Dad and her bought their first house in Detroit.  She has hung on to it all of these years and now I am going to give it a good home.  I decided to keep the cream paint that was already on there that my Mom painted many moons ago.  As for the top, I decided to apply {using glue and water mixture and when it was dry a light coat of clear varnish} some of my vintage papers onto the top. The dresser sits between the burlap drapes in the family room and kitchen so the colors in the paper work perfectly with the burlap.

I added a some new crystal knobs to give it a little pick me up.  I love that this piece of furniture has some history and now it is mine.

Next time you are at your parents home or relative, check out to see what junk they may have.

Enough time for a bit of creativity

I have been feeling terrible that my craft room is right next to the girls playroom and I have not been making a lot of things lately.  We are still going full force on getting the house together and it leaves little time to do any of the creative things I love to do.  The other day while the girls were playing I decided to sit in my desk and play around with a few things that were just sitting on my desk.  From the pile of things that I needed to put away, I came up with this necklace.   I love to layer my jewelery and I have been wanting a longer one so I finally made one and it felt so good to get the creative juices flowing again.