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...

Treasures from 'The Big Flea'

So many treasures found at The Big Flea...
Fun to unpack and discover all over again...

Inspiration for creativity.

Next...a 200th post Giveaway!

"Deep summer is whenn laziness finds respectability."

~ Sam Keen

Yesterday, despite the unbelievable heat wave, Hubby drove me out to The Big Flea. The, to make matters even better, he left me alone! Girls, you know what I mean here. It's not that I don't want Hubby around, but it can sometimes quash your junkin' mojo, especially when you hear those dreaded words, "Are you almost ready to go?"

Boy, did I come up with some treasures. I saved them for unwrapping today. That's one of the best parts, don't you think?

Hard to believe, but I am nearing my 200th post. Stay tuned for a special surprise.

~ A Garden Like No Other ~

While we were on our holiday, we wandered into the heavenly gardens of El Escorial.
Yes, those are swans!


Hard to imagine a more beautiful place to think, reflect...

Be amazed.

So beautiful.

Coco

Looking through some amazing images found in

Chanel; Collections and Creations

by Daniele Bott.

Coco Chanel once said,

"Black comprises everything. So does white.

They possess absolute beauty: They are in perfect harmony."

"Go and fetch my pearls. I will not go up to the ateliers

until I have them around my neck."

Though also famous for her cosmetics and perfumes, Chanel said:

"Beauty is not prettiness. Why do so many mothers teach their daughters to flutter about, instead of teaching them about beauty?"

"Beauty should begin in the heart and soul, otherwise cosmetics are useless."

"A woman can be overdressed, never over-elegant."

A lesson that still rings true for today.

(Chanel: Collections and Creations by Daniele Bott)

~ A Heavenly Candy Shoppe ~

Though I am not a "candy person" by nature, I can recognize

something amazing when I see it.

And this was amazing.


Walking along the street in Madrid, this heavenly mirage of confections
seems to materialize out of nowhere.


The colors are amazing, and the aroma divine.

Yum...

Of course, I had to buy one of these adorable pink tins to remind

me later of my adventure in Candy Land!

I hope you find something amazing today, too.

Today is my baby girl's thirteenth birthday.

How is that even possible?

It seems like just yesterday.

(sigh)

One of the most beautiful parts of our trip were the cathedrals.
Centuries old art that can still speak to us today.

So beautiful...