Vintage Flair

Thanks.....

You guys are the greatest and I just wanted to say thank you to all who have left me comments and especially the kind words on my little crafting closet.  When I open up that door and see all of my pretty stuff, it sure does make me happy.  It is so nice to know you guys get it and that you enjoyed the photos!  It really makes your day to read such nice comments. 

I am probably going to be away for a couple of days because next week I have a huge interview at work.  It is a panel interview (with 3 others) and I am not allowing myself to craft and I really need to  prepare for it.  I am in a bit of denial right now and I need to buckle down (did I just say that?  My Mom use to tell me that!). 

I will leave you on a nice note...I ran in one of my favorite antique shops and look what I found.

The patterns were only .75 cents.  I love the one on the left.  Can you say good deal?  I know!  The top of the photo is a vintage hat a huge pink rose on the front.  It kind of blends in with the pink petals but you get the idea. I was going to take it apart and use the millinery flowers but it is to pretty.  I can't do it. Just give me a few days so I get this interview out of the way and I will be back with a vengeance.  Can you tell I am really looking forward to it?

Lori

Artful Blogging

OK....I am STILL waiting to see my little old blog featured in Artful Blogging.  I have been waiting diligently by the mailbox and NOTHING!  I have been going to the bookstore and NOTHING.  Can't a girl get a early peek???  Can you believe it?  Normally, the publication will send out a complimentary issue for me but NOTHING!  Thank goodness my ever so wonderful friend, Mendy scanned my article and send it to me.  I have been dying! 

I am so thrilled to be part of such a wonderful publication and I originally was going to write an entire different article and my thoughts kept drifting and I just let the article write itself.  I wrote about becoming aware of my own mortality due to a co-worker passing away and how I use my blog as a extension of my life for my children to know who I am.  I bet many of you might feel similar after reading my article.  I am really proud of my article and I couldn't be happier.  Girls if I had an issue to give away I would.  Sorry!  I have NOTHING!   My one year anniversary is next month so I will do something special then.  Until now NOTHING!  Look how pretty the article is....

 

That is a photo of my Grandma (her name was Agnes) and I know she is looking down at me from heaven smiling. I love that photo of her, she looks so beautiful.  Boy do I wish I still had her wedding veil...isn't it gorgeous?    I didn't know they were going to use a partial post, if I would of know that.....boy I would of wrote it differently.  Oh well. 

I am hoping I will see the issue soon....

Have a great night....

Lori

I have expanded....

Remember when I posted about my new little craft studio a long time ago (AKA as the former hall closet)?  This is what it use to look like.

Welll....it use to look so nice and neat and now this is what it looks like.

Oh my....Just look at all of the junk I have!  I changed out the rug added in a another bookcase for much needed organization.  I think that bench was only in there for a week because the space is SO small that it is impossible to sit and work.  I am so grateful that I have a space and I envy all of you girls that have a official studio of your own.  I just bought that bookcase at a local antique shop and I love the color of it.  Do you want to hear a funny story?  Last weekend my husband had an impromptu guys party at our house and I had it all planed out that I would spend the evening crafting.  So you know what I ended up doing?  I crafted on the floor while the guys came over and they total forgot that I was in there and when I popped out to get a glass of wine...I think I scared them.  My husband had to show every guy  that was over my craft closet because he thinks it is so funny that I decorate it.  Maybe so, but even if it is a tiny little closet, it is my tiny little space to do what I want!  Here are some more photos.

 

Heather made the sweet topper for me over the holidays.  She made the tree topper to go on my girls tree at Christmas but I liked it so much...I just kept it and I put it on top of one of my apothecary jars.

Can you believe that I took all of those photos from such a small space?  I know...I told you that I have expanded!  It is my husband's birthday and we are going on a date.  Woo Hoo...Have a great weekend. Lori

My daughter's valentines

These sweet little valentines started out as a sewing lesson with my daughter.  My daughter is turning out to be quite the sewer...I am so proud! Originally, I was just having her sew on the painted paper and they just kept progressing into valentines.  I had her sew the everything on the cards and she even sewed the vintage images all by her self.  Let me tell you the girl can sew a mean straight line and she is good at threading the machine.  I wasn't sure if she could turn the sewing machine and keep the stitches on the images....well she proved me wrong.  Keep in mind, I was standing over her and was telling her to turn and move the needle.  Still not to bad.uh?  After all of the sewing was finished, we chose the embellishments.  She made these for her teacher, her two BFF in MI, a sweet friend in NC and hopefully her Momma will get one.  I just love to craft with my girls...there is nothing better that that!

Valentine love of supplies swap spolier

I am trying to get all of my projects in order (swaps and projects for Somerset Life) and I have stuff everywhere in my house and it is driving me a bit crazy!  Needless to say, I am going to drop this special package off to Cerri very soon.  Kari is hosting a Valentine supply swap and I was thrilled to find out Cerri was my partner.  She and I have very similar taste and I hope she likes everything I put together for her.

I am off to get organized for the BIG slumber party at our house tonight. 

What a week and it isn't over yet!

It is has been quite the busy week for me this week.  Our refrigerator died on Monday morning and everything in the freezer defrosted and there was a BIG puddle of water all over the floor.  I had a big presentation yesterday afternoon at work and I am SO glad it is over.  I am sitting here in my kitchen waiting for the repair man to show up....did I say that I have been waiting over an hour already?  I sound so bitter right now...so sorry!  Do you remember pig pen from Charley Brown cartoons...(I think that was his name)?  The little boy with the swirling mess above his head, well that is what I feel like sometimes...children, husband, work, commitments and making time for myself.  I just need for the weekend to be here so I can regroup...You know what I mean?

That photo is a little present I bought myself at Christmas time....a vintage crepe paper doll.  Isn't her face the sweetest?  I adore her hair and eyes.  She isn't in the best of shape but she was only $10.00 so that works for me!

Thanks for letting me complain for a few...Have a great day, Lori

Sew pretty, sew perfect

This was one of my daughters birthday presents and she and I have been conducting sewing 101 all afternoon.  I had her practice sewing on lined paper so she gets the hang of sewing in straight lines.  She is quite the pro.  I have to say that her machine is awesome!  It has a ton of fun stitches and I told her that I am going to have to borrow it.  I have to say that Olivia is so my daughter, she already wants to make a scrap book using her sewing machine.  I almost teared up when she said that.  Here is an action shot of her sewing.  She thought I was the biggest idiot, taking photos of her sewing.  What can I say...it is a proud moment....my daughter is sewing!

Round robin journal

My round robin journal was waiting for me at my door step when I got home from work.  It is nice to have it back!  Here is the front cover and two pages I did.

I think Dede did these pages in the journal?

I think Bonnie did these pages....

I think Vicki did these pages....I love love the image of the woman below.  Thanks Vicki!

I hope I got it right...who did what pages.  We should of had each person sign the pages they worked on.  Oh well!  Thanks again girls, I love my book.

I am off to do laundry and straighten up the house.  Have a great Saturday, Lori

~Happy Birthday~

My daughter Olivia is 8 years old today...I still can't believe that she is already 8. WOW!   On Saturday night she and I made this crown for her big day.  She told me she is to sophisticated for a cone birthday hat and she wanted a crown.  Funny uh?  She went in my little craft room and gathered up all of the goodies to put on her very own crown.  She has great taste, just look at the chiffon pink flower she insisted on putting on the crown.  I was in charge of the hot glue gun and she served as the creative director.  She even directed me use silver glitter to write her name in cursive on the side and put the year on the other side. 

Before the Holidays, I won a give a way over at Karla's and guess what I won? This awesome book packed full of wonderful crowns.  Karla was so sweet and sent it to my Mom's house so I could have it while I was there.  Thanks Karla! 

The book explains to use a headband as your base and that is what we did and let me tell you....it worked perfectly.  The ballerina image is from Sandra Evertson's book Fanciful Paper Projects.  Here are some close ups of the crown.

She wants to wear the crown tonight when we go out to dinner (her choice is sushi).  I will let you know how many odd stares we get at the restaurant.

Have a great day....Lori

What I love about Detroit....

When we were home for the Holidays, we went to the Detroit Institute of Arts with the kids.  We all had a great time and I took some photos on the street and just look at the history....I love it! 

  While I was talking all of these photos, look at what my family was doing....Enjoying the snow!  Well, maybe not my husband.