Vintage Cake Toppers

I'm sorry for the blur - it's way dark here tonight, but I had to get these photos in! I was shocked this morning when I saw this photo of a vintage wedding cake topper collection in our local Style Magazine. How fun is that! I had thought about starting such a collection, and definitely think I will now. I even salvaged a junky mirrored cabinet similar to this one. Now I know just what to use it for! My hubby and I were married in December (quite a few years back!) so I set this cloche up next to a vintage wedding album and some other memorabilia. Something that can definitely stay up through Valentine's Day, huh?

New on Etsy!

I absolutely love this book! It's quite large - 8 1/2 x 11", and had heavy weight blank paper inside. I learned an inportant lesson today...I always seem to put my crafts on the back burner - sort of 'if I have time"...today, I didn't have time, but did it anyway! I'm glad I did!

Find of the Day

I found these gorgeous silhouette boxes at a country store today. The owner told me who they were made by, and now I can't recall her name! I do remember seeing her in Country Living, or one of those magazines; maybe you will remember?
I made a promise to myself that I would make something fabulous to put in etsy this weekend. So far, I'm not holding up my end of the bargain! Hmmm... On the other hand, I am definitely looking forward to cozying up with the latest delicious issue of Somerset Life. If you haven't gotten it yet - you must! It's a must read! Have a great weekend!

Happiest of New Years

Best Wishes for a Merry and Joyful 2008!

I have already made lots of resolutions, and am looking forward to a wonderful new year. What have you resolved to do in 2008? Do share!

May peace fill all the empty spaces around you

And in you, may contentment answer all your wishes.

May comfort be yours, warm and soft like a sigh.

And may the coming year show you that every day is really a first day,a new year.

Let abundance be your constant companion,so that you have much to share.

May mirth be near you always,like a lamp shining brightly

on the many paths you travel.

May you be true love.

-- Author Unknown

A Great Find!

I couldn't believe it when I found this waxed wood canvas today while out doing some junkin'. It's absolutely adorable. The inside says "L Abbott"...I sure wish I knew more about her because she is right up my alley! So I immediately took her down to my sad new studio space...in the basement. Remember when I told you I wasn't sure if this space would work? I am even mores sceptical after a few hours of trying to get it set up. No natural light, bad wood paneling, tattered carpet...it's going to be a stretch of the imagination, that's for sure! Still - we'll see what happens, as this little fairy says! At any rate, I hope she can inspire me enough to re-stock my etsy shoppe!
I hope you're enjoying your holiday!

Despair

I am beside myself with disbelief. My favorite scrapbook/paper crafts store, Recollections, is closing. Closing!! I can't believe it. It's where I purchase all my goodies. Nowhere else even comes close. What will I do??

(sigh)

Whew!

For now, I am back on track, and ready to show you what I've been up to! As I mentioned, my craft space has moved - maybe permanently, but for sure for the holidays. It's still all a jumble, and really hard to find anything!!

Still, I managed an order for a friend of mine; she loves the little girl I use so frequently! I can't believe I managed it in a completely disorganized and boxed up space!

Our big holiday party went off without a hitch last night, despite numerous threats of up to 5 inches of snow. Whew! Now I feel like I can relax a little. Major project for over the holiday will be organizing this 'new' craft space...and of course, a little antiquing!

Have a great week!

Drats - Part II

Okay, now this is getting ridiculous. I got the first problem solved, and even managed to find a minute to download some new pictures - my packed up studio space (sigh) and some great Christmas crafty-ness that I had accomplished, and now it seems that the computer has a some sort of virus! This leaves me with my laptop, and without the ability to download my photos for you! It's not fair! Grrrr.....

Onto some other news. Did those of you who are paper-craft-people know that Tim Holtz has a blog now?! How cool is that? Make sure you check it out!

And don't forget to add these two books to your Christmas wish list! Sooo much inspiration!







Well, I hate being out of the loop! So many of you have gorgeous things on your blogs these days, and I'm just late for the party! Don't worry, though. I'll be back with a vengeance!

"Chase down your passion like it's the last bus of the night."
~Glade Byron Addams

Drats!

Darn it, friends! My camera is not downloading properly, and it's been ages since I've been able to visit with you! So here are some 'oldies but goodies'. I loved this little sampler I saw in an old shop. I hope you do, too!

Over the weekend, I packed up my studio space :( It was soooo hard to do, but with Christmas coming, we really needed the extra room. My husband is trying to convince me to set everything back up in the basement (where we put the boxes for now.) He's moving out to a beautiful new office we added on our house...and says I am more than welcome to occupy the basement. It IS finished....but dreary as all get out! Yuck! (But I'll think about it.)

The picture below I took on Thanksgiving morning; it's the view down our street. Gorgeous!

What's in My Journal?

Odd things, like a button drawer.

Mean things, fishooks, barbs in your hand.

But marbles too. A genius for being agreeable.

Junkyard crucifixes, voluptuous discards.

Space for knicknacks, and forAlaska.

Evidence to hang me, or to beatify.

Clues that lead nowhere, that never connected anyway.

Deliberate obfuscation, the kind that takes genius.

Chasms in character. Loud omissions. Mornings that yawn above a new grave.

Pages you know exist but you can't find them.

Someone's terribly inevitable life story, maybe mine.

-- William Stafford

Winter Wishes...

I found some inspiration along the way the past few weeks, and decided to make these tiny charms from old family photos to display during the holidays. I'm headed off today to find a little tree or wreath...we'll see what comes along. I especially like them because I know I can 'double up' some use for Valentines as well, and who doesn't love a little efficiency? I was even able to make one out of a tiny copy of my grandparent's wedding certificate!

As I had hoped, I did make it out to one of my favorite antique malls this weekend; although I didn't come home with arm loads as I usually do! I did find this adorable Noel sign, with a gorgeous tag - Winter Wishes.

What are your winter wishes this year?

Happy Thanksgiving!

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.
~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Geez!

Oh my! Is anyone else falling a little behind in their fall scrapping? Gosh this time of year can be really hard to keep up with, huh? I got a little done over the weekend...up to October 31st anyway.

I am determined to escape at some point over the weekend to my favorite antique mall that I haven't been to in ages (or at least it seems). And of course, there are the REST of the holidays coming up. Right now, my kids are blaring just one of the radio stations that is 24 hour holiday music. That should help get me in gear, huh?

One week 'til Turkey Day

Wow! Is any one else starting to get that crazy holiday too-much-to-do feeling? Of course, it doesn't help the kids any that there is seriously Christmas music on the radio, and I am not even kidding.

Last weekend was my nieces' FIRST birthday, and I made her a little card from an old vintage one I had found.

I really want to make a Christmas banner...has anyone seen any good ones out there?

Have a great weekend!

Charmed

Inspired by a vintage charm bracelet I found in aNew York City flea market, I have renewed my love for charm bracelets! I purchased this book, called Charmed Bracelets by Tracey Zabar for just a few dollars from Amazon. It's really lovely. The pictures are gorgeous, and it's well-written. I highly recommend it for your own bookshelf!

"...the most irresistable and alluring thing about a charm bracelet is it's ability to tell a story unique to it's owner. Consider a charm bracelet 'history on a wrist' - there is nothing more personal or symbolic. Laden with tiny figurines, fond remembrances, and sweet forget-me-nots collected over the years, charm bracelets chronicle small moments in a life lived. Truly, to wear one is to wear your history upon your sleeve."


Have a great week!

So Sorry...I've Been Away!

I was in such a hurry that I didn't even stop to tell you I'd be gone! With all the craziness of Halloween and all that that entails, I neglected to tell you that I'd be on an exciting adventure; without kids! Hubby and I flew down the best city in the world; Charleston, South Carolina for Homecoming weekend at his college. I really love Charleston, and have never been there in the fall. Rest assured, it's just as gorgeous as the spring! I didn't take my camera (on purpose!) and so I have to borrow these images from the internet. If you ever have a chance to go and visit - do!

Who couldn't love this place?!

Make sure you stop and see that beauty that is around you this week...it's there if we take the time to see it.

"Both abundance and lack exist simultaneously in our lives, as parallel realities. It is always our conscious choice which secret garden we will tend...when we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that's present - love, health, family, friends, work, the joys of nature and personal pursuits that bring us pleasure - the wasteland of illusion falls away and we experience Heaven on earth." ~ Sarah Ban Breathnach