Inspiration

I got the inspiration for this gift box from one I found at an adorable vintage store.

Getting it right was harder than it looked, but well worth it when I saw
the smile on my friend's face.

I put it in a cellophane gift bag, tied the top with lace and an

old earring and it was ready to go!

Wishing that you receive a gift with an extra special touch this holiday.

I tried not to let the major construction elements (ie: plastic on the walls, cardboard on the floor, general mayhem) stop my holiday decorating.
This year I finally did what I've wanted to do for some time...
decorate with all pink and white.

So far, no one's even noticed.

(ie: complained)

I'll take that as a good sign.

It's Been A While

Sorry, my blogland friends. I have notforgotten about you.

Simply a time of computer issues...

...and massive reorganization as we begin craftroom construction!!

But in the meantime I did manage this cute cookie tin for my friend's birthday. Of course, I forgot to take pictures before I put the wrap on.
You know how it goes!

Hope you are getting some crafting done in your own corner of the world!

Although I was a little behind in the Halloween crafting, I am still chugging away and gathering inspiration. I have figured out about myself that I need to start several holidays ahead...like right now I need to be thinking about Valentine's Day.

I know, it's sad.
This weekend has been really chilly - not a time I like to spend outdoors! But the beauty of the pumpkin farm can not be over looked, no matter what the weather!

Happy Halloween!

What a great present for me today! Hubby had a contractor come today and talk about finishing part of our now-attic into a craft space! Be still my heart! Now we just have to see how the estimate comes back...Grrrr...
When I found this vintage candy box on Etsy (a place I've been perusing way too much lately, according to the ol' checkbook)
I knew it would be the perfect thing for some old vintage love letters, no?
A great decoration for Valentine's Day.

As promised, I worked on some paperweights this weekend to add to Etsy. I like how they turned out, though they are tricky to photograph!

This one I love...

...and this one, too!

Have a great weekend!

Yesterday morning, Hubby woke me early to ask if I wanted him to drop me off at an antique market while he ran an errand in a neighboring state. Is that a question that even needs asking? And so I enjoying a Saturday morning surprise that left me with even more treaures stockpiled. I decided that by next weekend I will have a few more paperweights added to my long neglected etsy shop.

Some new tags to get the inspiration rolling.

Have a great week!

"Autumn to winter, winter to spring,

Spring into summer, summer to fall-

So rolls the changing year, and so we change;

Motion so swift, we know not that we move."

-Dinah Mulock Craik

Scrounging For Treasures...and...Another School Year

If you have children, or work in the school system, then you know that Back To School and the start of a new school year are a bigger deal then the ball dropping in Times Square. Everyone is hopefuly for a great year full of possibility...

In the meantime, I've hit a bit of the flea treasure lately. You know how that goes...

sometimes it seems like feast or famine.

I ordered a beautiful vintage necklace online, complete with origional box.

So sweet!
(Ooops. Upside-down. Sorry.)

More flea market treasure...with loads of possibility.

When I happened upon this vintage jewelry box, I knew it was for me!

With pink insides! Be still my heart!

This vintage choker necklace was right up my alley!

Well, I'm off to finish enjoying the long weekend.

Hope you're finding some treasures this weekend, too!

While frantically absorbing all the yumminess of Tinsel Trading Company, I noticed that they had jazzed up one of my absolute favorite vintage obsessions...pink quilted handkerchief boxes. I decided I had to try it myself. I liked the result! It's fast and easy and looks so sweet. What a great gift box!

I told you already that this was the summer of the vintage wedding photo....boy, did I get a lot of great ones! The other day, after I found a great stash of tissue garland, I knew that these two would be paired up in the future!

Monday is Back-To-Work Day (sigh). I'm going to try my best to keep up the craftiness.

(Almost) Live! From Tinsel Trading Company!

Well, girls. If you're like me, places like the famous Tinsel Trading Company in New York City make you want to swoon. Thank goodness I have a hubby who will pull the car over in the middle of rush hour traffic so that I can just "dash in".
A feast of crafty eye candy!
What's a girl to do?


Poke around and buy a few goodies.
Get some inspiration for the long autumn ahead.

I left with some of these...

Of course, there is much to behold in the Big Apple.

Who wouldn't love to try this on for size?

This beautiful display was at the check in table for lunch at the

Museum of Modern Art.

I found this scetch to be inspiring.

Something about the use of tape I really like...

(sigh) More tomorrow about my awesome vintage wedding picture discovery...

The clock is ticking on the final days of summer for me.

They find me crafting like a maniac.

I had some things to sent to my mother-in-law, so I made this cute

little container from a craft store lunchbox. So very "back to school"!

Enclosed will be some Joy for the Journey deliciousness, of course!

Lucky Number '3'...Plus a Kooky Coincidence

Look what I spotted in the current issues of Where Women Create. That's right....a big ol' copy of the give-away book, Charmed Bracelets! How crazy is that!? Well, obviously, it's impossible to choose between 3 lonely souls. Three?!? Seriously, people. Is that are there are of you out there? Well, regardless. That deserves something in my book.

So...after a rousing episode of Eeny-Meeny, Alison is awarded the Charmed Bracelets, and Cathie and Luv2Shop will get a 'runner up' prize! Send me your address this week girls, and I'll get it right out to you!

I know you think I haven't been crafting, but I have. I am very particular about my work planner. It has to be just right. Trust me on this one. So the new one gets a pretty new decoration. Let's hope it can survive life in my bag...

~ A 200th Post Celebration Give-Away! ~

It is hard to imagine...200 posts!

To celebrate...a give-away of this beautiful book, Charmed Bracelets.

The pictures is this hard-back book are beautiful and sure to inspire.

Just leave a comment on my blog, or if you are a shy one, send me an email at listensister@hotmail.com.

I'll choose a winner randomly on August 8th...



In the meantime...some seashore R&R with the hubby and kids!

See you soon...