Vintage Flair

Some of my favorite projects

I needed a little break from helping my oldest daughter write a book report on Ronald Regan.  I told her to take a break (we have been at it for two hours and she is the worlds slowest typer....shh don't tell her I told you) and I popped on Flicker to get some much needed inspiration.  Lately I haven't been inspired much....I am blaming it on my pregnancy and just being busy in general.  I am sure I am just in a bit of a rut and I am HOPING it will pass.  I decided to look at all of my past photos of art that I have created over time and I found myself smiling when I looked at these photos.  I like to look at the small details of a project vs. looking at the entire project.  It is much more interesting to look at don't you think?

Happy Dollies

This is an image from a book that I think is titled Happy Dollies.  I bought the image at an antique shop and the dealer cut out each page and priced them separately.  It would of been way to expensive to buy more.  Good for them, bad for me.  I only bought one page because this one was the sweetest.  I hung her up in the nursery wall by a millinery pin (I like to use pins because they don't show markes on your wall when you remove them) and added a little applique.

I don't think I am going to post much this week, I have a HUGE presentation at work with senior level folks and I need to stay focused.  Lately, it is really hard to stay focused...I will blame it on the pregnancy.  If you see a girl walking around NW Arkansas, talking to herself that is me.  I will be practicing my 30 pages of Power Point slides any chance I have.  I am REALLY looking forward to my last day of work which is Nov. 20th. 

I am rambling...Have a great Sunday.

Do you think they will get it?

I was asked to donate artwork for the Ozark Invitational (a figure skating competition) for a silent auction to raise money for the figure skating club.  Not everyone gets my artwork and I am not sure the other moms with appreciate it.  I will let you know what they all say.  I alway hesitate showing my artwork to people who don't get it because it makes me feel really uncomfortable.  Do you know what I mean?  I really don't care what people think, I just don't want to have to explain it.  Instead of using vintage photos (that might really creep people out....not knowing who the people are in the photo) I thought I would some how tie it back to figure skating.  The competition is in a couple of weeks and I will let you know who ended up buying it.  I think it is going to be my girls coach....she likes my artwork and LOVES my craft closet.  Have a great Saturday.

I am a cover girl!

   

Yesterday I received my issue of Somerset Life and I am thrilled to be featured on the front cover!  The challenge was what do you do with burlap?  I wrapped a present (an empty box, I think I will set this pretty present under our Christmas tree every year.  Shhh, don't tell anyone that is an empty box, it is our secret) in ledger paper and created a bow out of cream burlap adorned with one of my favorite rhinestone broaches.  I curled up in bed and read it cover to cover.  The issue is yet again jammed packed with yummy photos and I am so happy to be apart of this wonderful magazine.  What a great feeling..... 

paper doll shadowbox

Yesterday my husband took our girls skating in the morning (it was early ice, they were gone at by 7:00am) and instead of laying on the sofa watching the news, I decided to take advantage of a quiet house and craft.  I had this box for a long time and I never knew what to do with it so I finally decided it would be a perfect shadowbox for a paper doll.  I have to say there is nothing better than enjoying a house to yourself, sipping on coffee and not having to be at work. 

I wanted to tell you to check out my friend who lives in my neighborhood (She is the only one who "gets" me in my neighborhood, my other friend who had a clue moved away) her Etsy shop, it is called Pink Poodle Designs.  She makes fabulous hand made jewelry.  I think it can be so hard to start a new shop and trying to get people to see your creations.  There is SO much on Etsy,it can be very overwhelming.

Have a great Sunday....I am off to wash and sort three plastic tubs of baby clothing that I have been storing for the new baby.  Wish me luck!

The big girls room

The girls room is officially done and I am happy how it turned out.  Originally my little ladies DID NOT want any of my pretties that I had in their old rooms but as you can see from the photos, I was a bit sneaky and added in a bunch of pretties here and there and they didn't complain one bit.  It is funny that they are getting along much better now that they share a room.  I think because they have to because they have no where else to go.  They either love one another so much or it is complete opposite...they fight like cats and dogs.  Please save me with adding another girl to the mix!  I thought I would share their room with you.  I think it is my favorite place in the house.

Saturday night project

My husband went over to some friends house to watch a football game and so that meant I was able to create in peace after the kids went to bed.  I think that is one of my favorite times of the day....Just having a little peace and quiet is price less.   This piece turned out a bit different than what I had envisioned.  Funny how that happens.  I wanted to only use some of my scraps of paper in this collage but after sewing all of the scraps of paper together, I decided to save the majority of sewn scarps for another project.  I didn't think the color pallet was right for this project.   I had a pile of fabric scraps (satin, tulle and chiffon) and was inspired to sew the scraps of fabric together to create a striped pattern.  I just love the soft color pallet of this collage.  Now I just need to find a home for her....maybe the nursery?

Random thoughts...

I would like this little lady to be my next project and I just need to make time to actually complete the project.  My paper scraps are becoming a bit out of hand so I thought I would incorporate some pieces of torn paper onto the canvas.  The other night, I started it and I didn't think it was working out so I put everything away and I decided to to watch a movie and eat some Ben & Jerry's chunky monkey ice cream (it is my absolute favorite).  I am getting so tired at night and that is usually when I do my crafting projects.  I really do have great intentions but then it all goes down the drain.  Oh well. 

On another note, I bought this ugly shrug at a thrift store and I am going to cut it up and use the fabulous rhinestone tulle trim.  I love to find items that I am able to reuse in another way.

Look at what has been on my kitchen table....Lily's.  They make me happy every time I walk by and smell their wonderful aroma.

I just left the post office this morning to send this (just a sneak peak, I don't want to spoil it) off to Somerset for an upcoming issue. 

Well that is it for me....I am off to have relax and have a pedicure and then come back to reality and do laundry.  Have a great Saturday.

A queen for the day....

My daughter was queen for the day in her kindergarten class.  Each child draws a portrait of the king or Queen and the teacher puts all of the artwork in a special book for the child. How cute is that?  Look at some of the sweet artwork from the other children.  I just love kids artwork...even if it isn't my child's.