Recycled Rita

Blessed...

2011-12-28T12:12:00.000-08:00

This is a time that I tend to reflect on my year... I am not a big resolution maker, life has taken me on many turns and I am dissappointed when I do not achieve them, so I do make goals for myself throughout the year (attainable goals) and the rest of the year I try to see where it takes me with as much direction as I can give it...(does that make sense?)

These are all just pictures from the past that I thought were pretty.... I wanted to participate in White Wednesday, even though I am a little late for the party...

Over the years, like I alluded to, I have had many things happen in my life that are not what I would have chosen... we all have. When I was having a particularly bad year, I had to chose joy and gratitude or I would have cracked.... I kept a small notebook and jotted down greatfullness.... sometimes it would be as simple as a good weather, those were the hard days...and others were the joys from my children and wonderful things that came to me that day..... Whatever I wrote, I knew that I had a reason to be grateful for something that day.....

This past year has been a good one.... simple and sweet... Good health (yes the occassional cold/flu to myself or a loved one..that is to be expected)

Nice adventures..... work for my hubby and I.... watching my children grow into adults... cute and rascally pets.... special children to enjoy at work... and making pretty things...my passion...

I am hoping to open an antique booth this year. This will satisfy my love of vintage, my creative side, my love to shop, my love to fluff and hopefully up our income (which has been the same for years, unlike the cost of living).... It will be extra work, but good work.....

I wish for myself, my family and all my friends (you bloggy friends too of course!) A good year... No matter what life brings you this year, I hope you find reason for gratitude and make even the littlest moment joyful.

I feel blessed with this life.... Thank you for sharing my year with me...enjoy the rest of your Holidays and Happy New Year! xoxo karen.....

I am sharing this on Faded Charms White Wednesday party...go see all the beautiful eye candy!

Happy Holidays!!!

2011-12-23T21:26:00.001-08:00

Do you ever feel like you are in that Ikea commercial? Where you find a treasure and you feel almost like you were stealing it was such a good deal, and you want to run and tell your hubby to "Start the Car!" before someone figures it out? Well this cute white Santa planter left me ready to yell to my hubby..."Honeyyyyyy! Start the car!!!" but I went to the flea by myself!
I love him! I was looking at the other end of this booth when a lady questioned the price on him, I turned around and was instantly in love... Well, she walked away, I grabbed him, payed the lady and wished her a very merry and quickly left before she changed her mind....
Yipppeee! I love him!

I won this precious snow lady from Shari Repologie of Plays with Paper...isn't she darling?
Talk about falling in love- She just warms my heart! Go visit Shari's blog, you will find lots of wonderful inspiration!
Well, blogger is locking up on me and I can't download anymore pictures so for now, Happy Holidays to you all!
I hope you are happy, healthy and have a safe fun holiday! See you in the new year!
xoxo karen....

Snowflake Ornaments to give....

2011-12-14T20:44:00.001-08:00

Just stopping by to show some Chrismas ornaments I made for my friends at work...

Simple. A target snowflake ornament (3/$1.00) a vintage music sheet rosette.. a scalloped cirle with a circle punched image in the center - both stickled and a fun sentament...tie a ribbon and voila! A sweet gift to give friends...

If you would like to hear a sweet Christmas story... click here.

Happy Decking the halls to you all!

karen....

Decking the Halls...and the Bathroom...

2011-12-10T21:46:00.000-08:00

Hello my friends....
I have been missing for quite awhile again, the ugly flu bug has hit our house twice in 5 weeks and this last time it knocked me off my feet!!! But I am back up! Cough, cough... you know how it is, gotta keep going! Especially to bring all the holiday, cough, cheer to everyone!
The above picture is a shelf in our bathroom, ignore the ugly wallpaper, we live in my mom's home and she loves it...when you are 81, it is what makes you happy!

The above picture is "cartooned" by kodak.... I am busily trying to catch up a little and started the decorating and didn't realize that little plate was crooked when I photographed this little vignette but I wanted SOMETHING to show you, so I cartooned it!

I also have been trying to create goodies, I try to make one special something for our home and little gifties for friends and family... I finished an ornament wreath last night, something I have wanted to make for a couple of years now. I love it! I will photograph it in natural light so you can see it. I want to make more!

The little house on the outside of this gift is an ornament I made for a friends' sweet grandbaby.

I saw something similar in the Better Homes and Gardens Christmas Crafts magazine and had to give it a try. I thought it came out pretty cute, especially because my sewing skills are basically non-existent!

I hope you are having fun with your family and friends. Create memories and don't get too stressed! Have a warm and cozy week! karen....

Happy Turkey Day My Friends!

2011-11-22T21:13:00.001-08:00

Life has kept me busy and away from my blog for awhile......

I miss you my bloggy friends! Everything is going well here at the Recycled household... just busy, busy. Like I said in a previous post, those cute little rascals at work are kicking my now 50 year old butt and I come home wiped...
But I am getting used to it...
Since I talked to you last, I had my birthday...WAAAAAHHHHH! My family and friends made it a nice one.... I have had the flu TWICE! UGGGHHH! but am doing well now... Hubby bought me a big shot die cut machine ( I didn't want a Cricut, I know I am the only crafter on earth who doesn't) and I am having fun with it...I have made about 2 dozen of Tim Holtz's rosettes to take on a trip.
And tomorrow we are leaving on a little trip! YAHOOOOOO!

My hubby and daughter and I are driving up north a couple of hours away, same place we stayed in the summer and just relaxing and enjoying the sites!

Of course I have packed a whole bunch of crafting goodies...I am so excited to start crafting for Christmas....

I will be back with pictures and stories of our trip...Until then, keep crafting.... all the above images came from the Graphics Fairy, it is a wonderful source for images...

I hope you all have a wonderful, safe and soul-filling Thanksgiving! karen....

More Swap goodies...What I gave....

2011-10-28T19:53:00.000-07:00

I wanted to show you what I sent Lorraine for our little one on one swap... This was fun! Since it was one on one, there was no pressure...just fun!

Here are a couple of little black and white bowls- striped and polka dotted with some hand stamped candles wrapped in pumpkiny goodness....

A little fabric pin made with a vintage button.....

The box and goodies inside...another pin made with a vintage image and covered in envirotex, vintage cupcake toppers.. fabric yo-yos and an orange vintage millinery flower....

A yo-yo garland....

And a boo candle.....

Halloween fun!! I have enjoyed wandering around blogland and seeing everyone's halloween vignettes...I love all hallows eve!!!

A Happy-Halloweening-we-go.....

2011-10-18T17:41:00.000-07:00

I have missed you my bloggy friends!!! Life has kept me busy but hopefully I will be posting more! Fall is my favorite time of year and I love to share things with all you cute people! I think I shared a looong time ago that I work with children with Autism in my day job. This year we have had quite a few darling 3 year olds start our program who are very involved and seeing that I am not getting any younger, (we won't go there!) They are kicking my butt!!!
BUT! I love them so much, they are the cutest.... and rascally.... oh yeah!!!!

Above are a couple of vignettes around my house, I had to take them outside to photograph them because it is so gloomy. I got the scale at the last flea and I love it's rusty self!!!

My friend Lorraine and I decided to do a one on one swap and I am sharing what she sent me...I am a lucky girl! We swapped decorated matchboxes- (halloween of course) and filled them with treasures to create with....Look how cute the box is:

Here are the fun treasures...some darling mini pumpkins, a decorated clothespin, wonderful sparkly orange tinsel, a handmade flower...... and more......

We also created 4 handmade items (neither of us stopped at 4) Here is my booty:

The little witch in the middle is made from an altoid tin and her apothecary shop is inside... I love that little thread spool with the crow! Here is a picture of the inside of the tin...sorry it's blurry!

I bought some fun collage sheets from Sandy of One Crabapple on etsy...I love her stuff! And some pretty goodies from Julie of the adventures of bluegirl so hopefully I will have some creations to share soon!

Hope your fall is starting out wonderfully! karen......

White Wednesday Treasures to be had.......

2011-08-30T16:23:00.000-07:00

I promised I would share some of the goodies that I will be bringing to The Vintage Marketplace at the Oaks...

I have fallen in love with many of these pieces so it better come soon! This vintage rocking chair is sooooo darling! All it needs is a little cushion and it is set to go...oh how I want to keep it!

A needlepoint French Welcome sign- so pretty and some fun candlesticks, cute... And 6 place settings of silver sitting in a cute old crock.....scrumpdidlyumtious!

Some more dreamy whites, rustic and charming.....

I will be bringing all of these to this wonderful event!

If you live in Southern California, this is so worth the drive! It is in a park-like setting with a charming country market and restaurant, a fun day-trip or as my friends and I call it, a girl's field trip! I hope you can come! I will share more of my goods soon! I am linking with Faded Charm's White Wednesday . Hope you are having a great week! karen....

Run, Don't Walk........

2011-08-27T20:39:00.000-07:00

My husband was able to take a week off before the kids and I headed back to school...but the bank account was not screaming "Take a Vacation!!!!..." more like, " A coffee would be okay..."
Oh I wanted a getaway more than anything... More than some new washi tape or a vintage doo-dad! So...I got on google and typed in "cheap getaways from Los Angeles". Well, I ended up on a yelp site where people can post any questions they wanted and people write back and just happens a guy wrote in about this exact same thing! And! Three people wrote in about this little motel in Los Alamos, Ca that isn't fancy, but has a funny charm (kinda a throwback to the 70's) and was very affordable!!!
I told my hubby and called the motel and it was affordable! We booked a room for thursday and friday (on tuesday) and shoved some clothes in totes, bought some treats and filled the tank up! YaaaaaHoooooooo!

We stopped in Santa Barbara for lunch and then onto the Skyview motel. I started to relax soon after we got into the countryside, it was a wonderful little trip! The motel is on a hill overlooking beautiful countryside and farms. It was really pretty at sundown.

The town was a sleepy town and there were only three choices for dinner, a restaraunt and two take out sandwich/burger places on thursday evening. It has several antique stores and 2 antique malls...my kinda fun!

My daughter started out skeptical but soon began to love the beauty of it all.....

Above was one of the farms below us. And below is the sign before you head down the hill....

On friday, we drove into pismo beach...I looooove that beach! I think it's my favorite California beach and I have been to many. We collected many sandollars and shells....

When we headed back to the hotel, we spotted my street......

We were down the road from an Alpaca farm and on the way home, we passed an ostrich and emu ranch....

There was even a sweet horse that came up to us behind the motel...we bought some carrots to feed her...she had brown hair with blonde highlights-natural too! I was soooo jealous!

We drove thru Solvang on the way home, saw some fancy vintage cars and stopped at the Mission to visit the church....

It was a rich, feed-your-soul trip that I will keep in my heart. It was also necessary because I need to be ready for all my little rascals on tuesday and also prep for the Vintage Marketplace.... I promise, I will be posting my finds soon....I just needed a little break!

Hope your summer is ending as nice as mine! Hugs! karen....

Helllllooooooooooooo!

2011-08-13T23:31:00.001-07:00

Hello my long lost blogging friends...Oh! It was me who was lost??!!
Well, I hope you are enjoying your summer! I have been away for several reasons but I am back and will have many fun things to show you soon because I am getting ready for the Vintage Market Place at the Oaks.....

My poor mom was sick...so sick... She had a blood infection and it was very scary but she has bounced back tremendously, miraculously even....she is almost 81 and her health has been not great so she surprised everyone...even the doctors! (saying a little prayer of gratitude here...)

My best friend since diaper-hood came out from Texas with her hubby and daughter and we tromped around locally....the pictures below are from the grounds at the Wayfarer's Chapel in Palos Verdes, Ca...It is beautiful there....

We also went to the tidepools and collected shells and the Marine Mammal preserve and the Korean Friendship Bell.... fun...

I love having a friend that when you haven't seen her in months or years, there is no awkwardness...just happiness to be together again! We even snuck out onto our porches to chat whenever possible...I miss her already!

I have been hitting estate sales, garage sales and flea markets to find wonderful goodies for the Vintage marketplace. I am so excited to be a vendor there.....

Anyway...I am off to bed but I will be back very soon to start showing you my finds and some of my recent creations...

Goodnight! zzzzz..............karen.....................

Shabby Apple Winner and New Thrifting Finds

2011-07-16T20:56:00.001-07:00

I am soooo excited to announce the winner of the beautiful necklace from Shabby Apple!

My wonderful pink haired daughter picked the winner and without further adieu....

The winner is......................................................................................................................................................................

Celeste!!!

Thank you Shabby Apple for the opportunity to give away this wonderful piece to one of my readers and thanks to all my bloggy friends for joining in! Celeste, contact me soon with your address so you can start wearing your new jewelry piece!

I am late announcing the winner because my poor mom has been sick with bronchitis and an ear infection. What a bummer to be sick in the summer! And we think she got the germies at the doctor's office when she went for her "well" check! Go figure!

I was able to get to a couple of estate sales and a couple of garage sales and picked some goodies for the Vintage Marketplace. I am soooo excited to be a vendor there again, it is such a great venue with fabulous people!

The first estate sale was full of vintage 50's and 60's children's clothes and toys.... I found the pink and aqua ironing board there and those cute bloomers and pantaloons! Also, the pink nut chopper (the slap chop of the 60's!), hand embroidered bib and the little ironstone pitcher.....

The hobnail bisquit holder was from another sale..... And how about that adorable trash can?

I was lucky with the vintage suitcases, found the silver sugar bowl and my cute hubby found the "Going to Grandma's" suitcase at the Goodwill.....

This last picture is of a cool metal stool frame and a wicker bed tray....I have always wanted one of these! But it will go to the Marketplace.....

So...I think I have plenty of projects for awhile...I am having fun!

Shabby Apple Giveaway!

2011-07-08T15:40:00.001-07:00

I am a lucky blogger to be able to offer my dear readers a jewelry giveaway from the wonderful Shabby Apple! If you have never visited their site, you need to! They have the most beautiful women's dresses and accessories and little girls dresses at www.shabbyapple.com.

Here is the beautiful "Lost in Wonderland necklace" that you will win if picked for this lovely giveaway:

It is just so pretty and feminine!

Here are some of the ways you can enter to win this amazing necklace:

* Go visit the Shabby Apple shop and drool , ummm I mean, come back and tell me what you love in their store..... I bet you will find many things!

* " Like" Shabby Apple on Facebook and come back and tell me you did it.

* Become a follower of my blog (I just added that gadget! I need friends! I am such a computer dork!) and come back and tell me!

So....there you go! Three ways to win this amazing piece of jewelry! But! If you don't want to join in.....or you just have to have that lovely white dress they are also offering a coupon to my readers. The coupon code is: recycledrita10off and it will expire in 30 days.

The winner will be picked next friday, July 15th...I can't wait to hear from you!!!!

Have a great weekend! I will be back with some fun vintage finds!

Junkin, Thrifting, Flea Marketing Fun!

2011-06-26T21:46:00.000-07:00

I Love Vintage!!! (Maybe you already new that!) I love the thrill of the hunt and when I find a treasure, my heart does a little leap! Well, I am on the waiting list for the Vintage Marketplace and am dying to do some major shopping for that but I have to keep to the smaller items which can be sold in my etsy until I know more (cross your fingers and toes....and eyes for me!)

Anywhoo.....I have had a few days off until I start summer school on Wednesday and I have made the most of it junkin'. I have gotten to estate sales, garage sales, thrift stores and a flea market..... It has been soooo fun
Above are some of the pretty silver finds I have found and a great tray which I will shabbi-fy....

I love aqua and green and pink together and I have gotten some really fun things in that color range... vintage jelly jars and a doll bathrobe, a cool old birdcage and that fun seltzer bottle and to top it off, a shabby parasol..ooo la la!

I also scored on vintage pillowcases, they are my favorite...no matchy match for me, and a wonderful old satin hankie/glove box and a fun shabby candlestick...

I even have more to show you this week, some needs cleaned up and others just need to be gathered...the above picture is a buggy we pulled out of my mom's storage room that she forgot she had...I can't wait to get it planted! I also have a surprise giveaway so come on back to visit so you can sign up, you will not be disappointed!

I am linking up with Southern Hospitality's Today's Thrifty Treasures and Apron Thrift Girls Thrift Share Mondays ...have a great start to your week! karen....

New in the Shoppe!

2011-06-17T07:57:00.000-07:00

A patriotic banner....

A hippie chick pillow....(we all need this to channel our inner-hippie chick!)

Seaside beauty magnet set..... (there are several other sets to choose from)

A dreamy lucite purse....

And a vintage Silver Sugar Scuttle for those tea party's and dinner party's you will be having!

More to come, I am filling my shop for the summer! hugs! karen.....

French Inspiration Thursday-My heart goes Pitter Pat

2011-06-16T06:27:00.000-07:00

I am a simple girl...it doesn't take much to make me happy.. When I saw this little fence at Vintage Marketplace, my heart leapt! I had to have it! This will become a headboard for my cute mommy's bed....

(from Black Rooster Cottage.com, thank you Amber!)

A Sweet little elephant pitcher....pitter,pitter,pat.....

A vase unearthed in my mom's cupboard...love the 3 feet!

A ruffled bowlful of sweater posies....pitter pat.....

The tiniest of handpainted cups.....

And a sweet ironstone creamer.... Vintage love!!!!

I am joining in on French Inspiration Thursday at the French Cupboard...go see what makes your heart go pitter pat! xoxo karen.....

Thrift Share Monday and New Items in the Shoppe

2011-06-12T18:12:00.001-07:00

I have been lucky to find some really fun things in the last two weeks! I got the rose painting at Vintage Marketplace and the white seltzer bottle and mini milk bottle (they will be transformed soon!) . The Dacshund pin cushion, candle holder (which I am painting white) Silver sugar scoop and darling little creamer came from an estate sale.... I am keeping all but the sugar scoop, that will be coming to my etsy soon!

I have been busy listing some of my handmade items in the shoppe! Here are some whimsical tins....

A french banner....Oooo La la!

And the sachets at the top of the page! I am participating in Bloggers Bodega on tuesday...a wonderful place to visit small shops of vintage and handmade vendors! Hope your week starts out wonderfully! karen....

White Wednesday and What fun!

2011-06-07T19:20:00.000-07:00

On Friday and Saturday, Robin and I joined the fantastic artists and sellers at the Vintage Marketplace at the Oaks. I had sooooo much fun! The people were wonderful, the sellers were wonderful and the goods were wonderful! I am joining in on White Wednesday because as you will see.....there were lots of wonderful whites to share! Above is a picture of my good friend Robin in our booth....

This was a beautifully ornate birdcage that Robin's mom bought from Rita of Mammabellarte.

These lovelies were in the booth across from us....

And Amber of Black Rooster cottage many lovely goodies to partake in...I wanted a couple of her Candliers and one of her darling dog beds!

Lisa Loria never fails to delight us with her whimsical bling babies and her darling dogs made from vintage tins....

And Wings of lace had fabulous vests made of vintage crocheted doilies and skirts and purses to accompany them....

I am not sure who was selling this doll pram but it was too darling to not show off!

This was a little slice of our booth...a little messy at the time because we would have groupings of people at once...I made the amore banner....

Have you ever heard of "Glamping" It is taking a vintage trailer, making it glamourously shabby and traveling in style!

This is my friend Lori and her daughter Jamie's vintage trailer from Two Wild Roses ....I forgot to take a picture of the outside but here is the inside....

Her cute pink stove area...

The bed...how sweet is that Sweet dreams curtain?...Oh how I wanted to nap in that comfy place!

Here is the table area with baby clothes and prom dresses on display..... oh I am sooo in love!

She put tin tiles on the ceiling and victorial architectural pieces thruout...OooooLala!

I didn't get a chance to take a picture of the outside, I was called away but it was a cute turquoise and white....Perfection!

I also got to meet my sweet swap partner Lorraine from the Mayday swap, my first time meeting one of my partners in person. It just couldn't have been a better couple of days!

Well, I have given you enough eyecandy for today...I hope you enjoyed it. I would love to hear from you if you are reading this, even a simple hi! My comment boxes have been pretty empty lately and I want to do a giveaway soon but want it to be worth it also!

Have a great Wednesday! Hugs! karen.....

Bloggers Bodega, Vintage Marketplace, Thriftshare Monday, White Wednesday

2011-05-30T09:32:00.000-07:00

3 More Days!

Well, I am trying my darndest to get this post up but I think blogger may still be having issues!
I am sooooo excited to be vending at The Vintage Marketplace at the Oaks in Rainbow, Ca this friday and saturday!
I have put my etsy on vacation, only to fill it up soon, I have lots of goodies to bring you...some homemade and some wonderful vintage goods. I will open up again around or on June 5th so come by for a visit!
I wanted to share with you some of the things I am bringing to the show: Some are handmade, some thrifted and alot are white so I thought I would also join the wonderful parties put on by Apron Thrift Girl- Thrift Share Monday
Faded Charm- White Wednesday
and Capers of the Vintage Vixens- Bloggers Bodega

We added a skirt of vintage linen and a vintage millinery flower to this wonderful Mary Santos.

Here are some art kits made up of vintage ephemera and millinery and vintage quilt squares.

Some wonderful white purses...lucite, basket with millinery flowers, beaded and woven.....

And an array of sweet treasures...a baby shoe and sweet yellow booties, a heart pinkeep, a crown box and a fun vintage picture....

Here are some of the sachets I made....

And some whimsical tins for good measure!

Sooooo...if you are in the San Diego/Temecula area...please come and visit! If you want to go for a drive...I would love to see you! If you can't come...I will miss you....send me a comment to say hi! I probably won't post until after the show so I hope you all have a great week! karen....

A few new Pretties in the Shoppe

2011-05-25T06:07:00.000-07:00

I am still busy making, fluffing and shining new goodies for my etsy shoppe, Hope you like the eyecandy! Happy Wednesday! karen....

Treasure Hunting.....

2011-05-23T20:37:00.000-07:00

I had fun this weekend in search of treasures.... this little lady is one of my favorite finds. She is a Santos cage doll but not the wooden kind. She is molded I believe and is mounted on a wire tripod. I am going to make her a skirt that will be open in the front. I am probably going to make it out of burlap or linen with a millinery flower....then she can be used as a proper shrine... When I found her she was in an awful flowered bag with a cheapo hawaiin lei wrapped around her. I have seen her 3 times and passed her up until I picked her up yesterday and realized that she was on this wire armiture ...

Sorry these pictures are so poor, I wasn't able to photograph anything until the sun was almost down tonite...but I was so excited to share some of my finds, I will show you better pictures later.....

A child's tool box, an Uncle Sam mechanical bank, some wire pieces, a 3 little kittens board book and a sweet cherub....

A newer charlotte, a cute old clock (not working) that sweet cherub and another basket purse....

I will have some new goodies listed in my shop by the end of the week including these almost finished sachets and tile magnets with some wonderful vintage images and frenchy themes...

Here are some of the last batch of sachets that I took to Glitterfest...they went fast so now I will have some to share with you! Come back and visit soon, I will have more to share!

Have a great Tuesday! I am participating in Bloggers Bodega at Capers of the Vintage Vixens, go visit, you will find some wonderful handmade goods and fun blogs to visit!

karen....

A Tisket a Tasket

2011-05-16T20:17:00.000-07:00

So it has been awhile.... life has kept me busy, but in a good way! I have been working on some Saturdays (SAT and ACT testing), Robin and I did a little handmade and vintage show and then last Saturday my friend and I went scrapbooking, which was long overdue! Also, my best friend from childhood was out and we spent time whenever possible together...fun!

Well, with all the excitement, I haven't had a second to think of a decent blogpost, let alone take pictures! But this will change soon! Robin and I will be vendors at the Vintage Marketplace at the Oaks on June 3 and 4th and I am so excited! We are gearing up, creating, buying wonderful vintage goods...doing all the fluffing and after we have finished, I promise to have lots of fun posts for you!!!!

But! Don't fret! You haven't come in vain!!!!!

I have pictures from the Easter basket swap and May Basket swap that I gave....

Okay, a little lame this late...but it is something!!!!

Here goes!
This is the Basket, still packaged for Karoline my Easter basket partner....

a vintage bunny and vintage chick egg holder to add to her basket.... At the bottom is the fabric cuff I made for her....

This is a little velvet egg I found....

Some treats for her darling girls....

That velvet egg again! (Okay, I really am lame....I posted it twice and don't know how to unpost! ) Just pass on by and look interested okay? Pretty please....

Then, there was wonderful Lorraine...here is her basket..... (I embellished each of the baskets)

Here are some of her goodies......

We decided to do mostly thrifted and handmade. I found a darling cherub plate and added it to a candlestick then added a nest. She loves vintage linens so I wrapped items in her basket in vintage doilies and hankies....

I also made her one of my lavender sachets in a frenchy theme and a recycled sweater pin....

Well, I hope you enjoyed the pictures.... I will try to take some time to take pictures for you because I have so much to share with you! Hope you are having a fun Spring (and a sunny one!) karen.....

Happy Mayday!

2011-05-01T21:05:00.000-07:00

Okay, for some of you...May Day has passed, it is now May 2nd on the east coast but I am always a day late and a dollar short! (but loveable....I promise!)
I participated in the May Basket swap put on by Kari- Artsymama...it is a fun swap and I had a
wonderful partner...Lorraine of Over the Rainbeau blog fame.
She was a wonderful partner and only lives about 3 hours from me so we are going to meet in person in June...
We decided to do mostly thrifted and handmade for each other and boy did she send me some wonderful things. Above is the darling banner that she decorated the wonderful wall tin with... It is already hanging in my living room!
Above is a wonderful Marie Antoinette shoe that she made...she sells them on her etsy... I love it!

My basket was filled with lovely handcrocheted doilies and vintage crepe paper in my favorite color, a darling journal and tag, a sweet hydrangea flower wrapped in a paper doily a wonderful flower pin, wallpaper and the cutest flower candlestick holder...

There is a bird in a birdcage stamp, a vintage postcard, a pretty white hand towel and some yummy candy! It was great fun, Lorraine is so talented and I made a new friend to boot!

hope your may day was fun too! Thank you so much Lorraine, you were a wonderful partner! Yesterday, my friend Robin and I did a vintage and handmade show in Huntington Beach and I am still tired! So.... I am off to bed! zzzzzzzz.....karen.....

Happy Easter!

2011-04-23T16:56:00.001-07:00

I hope you all have a wonderful Easter Day! Life has kept me very busy lately but now it is settling down and I am happy! I participated in Cerri's (Little Pink Studio) wonderful Easter Basket Swap and had the most wonderful partner- Karoline. She is so sweet and has 2 darling daughters and you will see by my basket how talented she is!
Here is my basket before I opened it:

And here it is with the cellphane off: (oooo la la!)

Isn't it the most darling thing? She made the basket from a vintage hat (be still my heart) and look at those cute critters peeking out at us! The bunny has a delicate layer of glitter on it and the chick is fuzzy!

This is a paper mache nest filled with chocolate and a darling bird.... loveeeeee it!

And here are some of the contents: A chocolate bunny and jelly beans, 2 cute vintage cardboard chicks ( memories of my childhood), seam binding in pretty pastels, beautiful vintage buttons, a darling egg cup, velvet lace wrapped so cute and a spool of lace and 3 vintage postcards....

She also made me 2...count them2! of her cashmere flower pins, some vintage millinery and these darling vintage Japan bisque dolls (be still my heart)

I am sooo lucky! Thank you Karoline, it is all sooooo wonderful.....

We are having a quiet Easter, just the way we all wanted and I will just enjoy all my sweet goodies and my wonderful family and good friend and yummy food!

Have a Lovely day my friends! Easter Hugs! karen.....

Ps....I also participated in Kari (Artsymama's) May Day basket swap...I had another wonderful partner and will be sharing her basket on May 1st! Hi Lorrraine!

Lucky Me!

2011-04-11T18:49:00.001-07:00

Beware! This post is filled with photos! Hubby and I took a little one night getaway in Ventura, Calif. It is a fun place if you love to thrift because there are about 20-30 thrift and consignment shops to visit. The last two times we were there we saw them restoring this Victorian Church to make into a Bed and Breakfast and so we took a flyer and called and were lucky enough to get a room! It is called the Victorian Rose and the Inn Keepers, Nona and Richard and their cute Yorkie pup Teddy were wonderful! I took a bunch of pictures but they didn't all turn out too great but everywhere you looked, there were treasures. They were able to save some of the tin ceilings and added them to a bathroom ceiling and a cabinet. There were also chandeliers everywhere (pitter-patter)

This was the main part of the church and if you look at the top, those gold swans are the entrance to one of the rooms. You have to climb the spiral stairs to get there, I opted to stay on the ground. This room is now the sitting room and dining room and Nona is a wonderful baker!

Here are some beautiful french lace curtains in our room and one of the cherubs flanking our door to the patio....

We had a wonderful time and would definitely recommend a visit if you are in the area!

Now.... I won a giveaway and today I got it in the mail..... (yipppeeee!)

I was the lucky winner of Judy of the French Laundry Blog's giveaway!

I have wanted this book by the fabulous Fifi O'Neil since she talked about writing it, I have followed her blog for a couple of years now and if that wasn't enough, she also added in one of her beautiful sachets! (which she also sells in her etsy shoppe!)

This is how it came wrapped! See.... Lucky me! I feel so happy!

Tuesday I am participating in the Blogger's Bodega on Capers of the Vintage Vixens

Here are 2 new goodies I have added to my etsy....

A darling new shadowbox:

And a pretty dresser set...

I hope your week has started off great! Mine sure has! karen....

Fun Weekend Finds....

2011-04-03T18:11:00.001-07:00

I just found Blogger's Bodega, a fun Tuesday shopping linky click on over to visit!

Tomorrow is Market Monday...a really fun way to see some wonderful etsy sellers! I will be participating again as I am finally starting to fill my shoppe. Yesterday we happened upon an estate sale with tons of stuff! The items in the house were Antique store prices mostly but the things in the garage that they haven't had time to clean and sort were fair so I got some pretties for my shoppe. I found this darling bonnet buried in a chest full of dolls (not the kind I like...the scary kind!) The woman who owned all these things lived in California her whole life and so did her mom. She was 99 when she passed away 2 years ago and this sweet bonnet was her mom's. I love Mary and Infant of Prague items...when I saw this I was so excited! Unfortunately I need to start making my etsy work so in the shop it goes!

These hand crocheted gloves are so precious!

And these...... well they are too cute for words! I thought they were part of a child's play-dishes set but my friends tell me they are liquor glasses. I think they would make wonderful vases in front of everyone's place at the table!

Well, I will be back soon to share more. I am still working on some handmade items, I am in 2 swaps and am having fun with those too! Happy Monday my friends! karen...

To Market, To Market.....

2011-03-28T16:23:00.000-07:00

Okay, so cute Mittens has nothing to do with this post, but she is just soooo adorable! Yesterday, Robin and I headed to our favorite little flea and I really had fun! I wanted to find some fun things for my etsy and also to take to a wonderful show we will be doing in June. I came home and started photographing and adding goodies to my etsy... Here are some wonderful wired fabric flowers...the previous owner used them for napkin rings... She was one of my prize finds of the day! She didn't have the bonnet, my mom and I made that when I got home. I love these boudoir dolls!

And...I have always wanted one of these rubber stamp holders...I love the industrial look added into a cottage home.... This baby has the perfect green mixed with rust.....

Here I have added some vintage bottles and flowers...Ooooo la la!

I got these velvet fruit flats awhile ago...how fun would these be to add to a project?....Yummy!

All these goodies are in my etsy shoppe waiting for a good home... I will be back soon to share some more of my finds.... especially the most unusual one! Happy Monday! I am joining Thrift Share Monday at Apron Thrift Girl and Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground.... karen....

Glitterfest Spring

2011-03-24T19:11:00.000-07:00

Saturday was the Spring Glitterfest Show in Santa Ana, Ca and it did not diappoint! It was astounding! The above photo is of Rita of Mamabellarte's space. I forgot my camera so she was nice enough to share... Isn't her booth yummy?! They added an outside space for homegoods and there were wonderful things to buy...
I am always on a budget, but did get some really fun things:

On the pink wool piece is a pair of earrings that Robin gave me as a thank you...I wore them to work today and love them!

Here is a sweet bottle that I got from Robin also...(psst..she is an awesome artist) (psst...but she is a dork like me and forgot her camera, ssshhh! don't tell her I said that!)

I also bought a sewing machine drawer, which will recieve a shabby makeover for my postcards.

And these pretty tags....

If you have a chance to go...dont miss it! It is the best gathering of artists in California..no junk!

I recieved a wonderful giveaway from Brandy of Brandywine boutique so I will be back to share that and any creations I make this weekend... By for now! karen.....

Happy St. Patty's Day!

2011-03-17T18:15:00.000-07:00

I hope you are having a wonderful St. Patrick's Day! My little kitty just turned 2 today and we have decided that she probably is part leprauchan because she is such a little rascal!
I have been busy making stock to reopen my etsy shoppe.
I want to do more handmade items as well as my traditional art kits and vintage supplies. I will be offering more items in the $5 - $6 range because I want everyone to be able to afford a little treat!
Do you remember my shadowboxes from last week? 3 of them are now listed in the shop.

I also made some pretty french inspired lavender sachets...only $6 each and they smell delicious! The lavender comes from a company outside our wine country here in California and it is the best I have found state-side.

Here is a close up of one of them....

Well, I hope your week has gone well! I am off to eat some corned beef and cabbage YUM!

Velvetty Goodness.....

2011-03-12T14:53:00.001-08:00

I LOOOOVE Velvet flowers and berries.... Last year I got a bag of velvet berries, some vintage japan and some handmade....I am keeping these little sweeties.....

They just make my heart go pitter pat!

And talking about pitter-pat! We stopped at a garage sale in the afternoon today and I did not expect to find anything. But! Alas! buried under some things was this vintage thingie...I thought it was a corsage but my mom says it is a ladies hat....without further ado.....

It is sooooo pretty, with velvet leaves and berries and flowers! I will probably take it apart and use it in my art but probably almost all of it will be put to good use. And it was only....ONE dollar! Pitter-pat, pitter-pat!

I have been busy making things and gathering things to open my etsy shoppe. I will be adding the shadow boxes I showed you last week and some more handmade goodness....I will be back when I have more to show you. Have a great weekend! karen....

Using the Good Stuff Linky Party!!!

2011-03-06T09:35:00.001-08:00

I wanted to participate in Karla's wonderful party because using my "besties" is one of my goals for my art. I was definitely hoarding for awhile. I think I needed to so that I would have a selection to choose from. But...as my hubby would tell you... my besties are taking over our bedroom and it is time to unleash!!!!
These little shadowboxes have been in my mind for awhile and this was the perfect push to finally make them happen!

Here they are close-up:

I came down with some kind of virus on thursday and didn't get to all the projects that I had planned to show you... All of these shadowboxes are using dolls and figurines that I have been keeping and not wanting to use...I am sooooo happy I did! I am happy the way they turned out!

I had planned to decorate this little wicker purse but at least I fluffed the millinery (my favorite thing to hoard!) to show you what my plan is! I will glue them on this week.... "besties" are the best!

Please go visit Karla's Cottage to see all the other wonderful treasures people are creating with their "besties!" Well, I am worn out! Back to bed for me! Cough! Cough! karen.......

Treasures.....

2011-02-27T17:13:00.000-08:00

Today I visited my local flea.... I found some circus tickets, a wicker purse (plastic) which will be foofed soon, some sweet doilies and a doll that I love!
I picked up the doll and asked the vendor how much, $3... it was not leaving my hands! Well, another lady saw me with it and followed me all around the booth just staring at her! She finally said, "She's not German you know!" I replied, "I know, but she is the perfect state of tattered and I love her" The lady "Harummmphed" me and left the booth... Yes she is made of composition and not porcelain...but she is wonderful... The seam binding was from a little trip hubby and I took last week...

The plates are also from that trip, I got three plates and three salad plates. The cup and saucer and millinery are thrift shop finds... I will be re-doing the cup and saucer soon!

This ugly printers tray will soon be renovated into, hopefully, something wonderful using my "good stuff" for Karla's little linky party...The polka dot bowl was just plain happy, thought it would be cute with my easter goodies and at 54 cents, I couldn't pass it up!

On another note, my cute hubby ordered these from Ozma of Odds on Etsy....she has wonderful ex-voto tags and boxes and the bottom card is a pearl garland. I love them! I hope you have a wonderful week! Go find a treasure and make something pretty! karen....

Quirky Pets and I am not a hoarder!!!!

2011-02-20T21:01:00.001-08:00

I LOOOVe animals and kids. I have never trained my pets very much, just the basics because I love when their little personalities come out. We have 2 dogs and 2 cats and boy are they funny! Meet Mila...aka Professor Mittens. She is always getting into things and trying to figure things out. Hubby bought this laundry basket last week and while I was sitting by the computer the other day, it was moving....I mean driving....kinda quickly past my door....
I went out to see what was going on and this is what I found....

She has figured out that if she gets a good run and jumps into the basket, it will fly.... we have left it out in the kitchen because it is just so amusing to see this little cat drive this big laundry basket!

Now for a new development.... Little Squeek has fallen in love with my son's stuffed animal from when he was little...she drags pickles the dog around our living room and then lays on him... She can't stay on him if she falls asleep, so she bites into him to help keep hold, it is the oddest development around our house....

Watching her fall asleep is hysterical!!! Go figure!

Now for fun news in the creative world...

Cute Karla of Karla's Cottage is having a linky party! She is encouraging us to use our good stuff in our art and show it on March 6-7th. She made a comment that (and this is not a quote) She is not a hoarder, she just collects the good stuff!!! I am using that from now on.... we will see how that goes over with the hubby!!!
Anyway, I am going to participate because I have been trying to use my good stuff lately and really love the results! So how about you?

I have one more day off! Wahooooooo! Maybe I will start working on that challenge tomorrow! Have a great President's Day! karen.....

Happy Valentines Day!

2011-02-13T17:04:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures from around the house.... my inspiration board....

A little vignette on the banquet..... I framed a cute valentine from the graphics fairy....

Some candles I decorated and a cracker from a swap I did a couple of years ago....

The coffee table......

And a cute little Valentine for you!!! Have a wonderful day, I love all you bloggie friends!!

karen....

Loving the Month of Love.....

2011-02-09T13:42:00.001-08:00

I have always loved Valentines Day! I used to feel pressured to make it perfect and then when my parents were both sick and life was difficult for us I realized just spending some quality time with your loved ones and showing you love them was the most important. Now my hubby and I usually go out for a nice dinner after the holiday (to avoid the rush) and we get little things for each other or just write nice sentiments to each other. It has made it a much nicer holiday for me....

Above are some more felted flowers I made to sell at work and will be adding some to my etsy. I just love making these...

And although I cannot say I have been really inspired of late, I have started some pretty valentines ....

And look at this beautiful tussie mussie I won from Abby's Garden!!! I won this and the newest Somerset Life magazine (my favorite magazine!) This tussie is sooooo darn pretty! Well, hope your week is going well! Hopefully I will have more fun things to show you soon!

Hugs! karen.....

White Wednesday

2011-02-02T06:58:00.001-08:00

http://www.fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/http://www.fadedcharm.blogspot.com

I am running late for work but wanted to join in on the party! Happy Wednesday! karen....

Go visit all the other wonderful participants at Faded Charm for this week's White Wednesday and thank you Kathleen !

HELLLLOOOO....!

2011-02-01T06:19:00.000-08:00

I have missed you, my bloggie friends! I think I am just one to hibernate in January! I didn't have anything exciting to share with you or boring for that matter...just couldn't even think of anything good to share!
I did go to the local flea last weekend and got some fun goodies....

Some Valentine napkins, a doll-clothes hanger, a little doll, prayer cards-first time I have been able to find the Infant of Prague cards. The spools are for winding my lace on...I have a couple more that I have collected, now I need to get busy. The doll is in a little wire scrolly thing that kinda looks like a wall soap dish but I think was used for something else...

I love these bird prints...the matting is so pretty!

And I couldn't pass up this flea market bag with vintage fabric for $5! It needs a little tweaking but I love it!

Well, that's all for today! I have a White Wednesday post planned for tomorrow so stop on by!

Disclaimer: It is 6:30am and I am not responsible for anything wonky I may have said or any typo's I may have made! :) hee hee! Have a great day! karen.....

Happy New Year My Friends!!!!!

2011-01-02T19:54:00.000-08:00

Well, I don't have anything exciting to share with you...just pictures from last year that I liked...Thrifting treasures and handmade goodness. I am dealing with a double ear infection/sinus infection and it is rainy and mushy here even if I did want to take some photos.

We had a quiet New Year, just as we like it. I really enjoyed this holiday season and have much to be greatful for this last year.

I really love having you stop by and leave comments...it makes my day. I love this little blogging world of ours, such nice people and the creativity is astounding. I am always inspired!

So here is to a wonderful 2011! For all of us! I have learned that there are always obstacles in life, they are not always fun but if we do it with grace and we come out using the knowledge we learned for good, it makes for a better person in the end!

Happy, Happy to all my bloggy friends! I will be back when I am feeling a little better and have something fun to share! karen.....

Merry Christmas from my house to yours.......

2010-12-24T21:54:00.000-08:00

I hope it is safe, joyful and merry!!! karen......

2010-12-21T10:09:00.000-08:00

Just a little bowl full of Christmas to share with you..... Ho! Ho! Ho! Still working on merry-making and present purchasing and wrapping........

Elf at Work......

2010-12-18T07:09:00.000-08:00

These are the gifties I made for my workmates....little felted flower scatter pins and a candle for our guy teacher.... Those flowers are addicting (until I had to sew on the pins)!
Hope you are having fun merry-making! karen....

Merry and Bright......

2010-12-13T17:40:00.001-08:00

Sorry for the delay in posting...like most of you, this time of year is busy, busy!!! I finally did a little decorating yesterday. My sweet girl and I bought and partially decorated the tree and I put up the Santas and decorated the buffet.... this is our buffet above and below.....

I made the button tree a couple of years ago and love it. The Santa and Mrs Claus are vintage salt and pepper shakers and I am in love with bottle brush trees...I am sure you couldn't tell :)

This is a little feather tree that I found at a thrift store for $1.89....I have since added more vintage glass ornaments...it makes me happy!

Above the buffet is this banner that I made last year...

This vintage Santa is my find for my mom this year...he is sitting on the back of loveseat with other Santa's, it looks like someone is trying to punch him in the face....well he is still smiling! I have a velvet dolls skirt and some old felted white wool that my mom is going to make a hat with....

This little joy banner hangs over the kitchen sink....

And I thought I would share some little treasures I got from Ikea...cute embroidered cones, reindeer ornies, white candles and a cranberry candle...all for a steal! I got the cones and ornies to fill with candy and nuts for a couple of my coworkers....

And last but not least...a bowl full of ornies....sitting under our oven just shining away! Well, hopefully we will find the last two boxes of Christmas stuff so we can finish the tree and play some pretty carols and movies.... I hope you are enjoying the season! My word for the season:

SIMPLIFY! I am loving the season much more without all the stress!

Have a holly jolly week! karen......

Been A-Creating......

2010-11-28T16:37:00.000-08:00

I have had a wonderful week! I was off last week for Thanksgiving....our school closes down (wahoooooo!!!). I spent much of my time before the holiday cleaning and shopping and cooking but I have sure had fun the last 3 days!!! Above is a little door hanger made with a vintage deer and glass glitter....
Below is a "Wish" Banner.....

Gotta have a "Joy" banner.....

And everyone needs to "Dream"....

I also made a "Noel" banner similar to the wish banner.... I made 2 sets of Christmas tags and some snowman soup packets... I will be taking them to work this week to sell...

Below is a picture of our rascally cat....she loves to be at the highest point in the house...She is on our door to our room..... Gotta love her spirit!

I hope you are having a great start to your holiday... I also got some shopping done!!! Yippee!

Gobble Gobble (since I missed wishing you a happy turkey day!) karen.......

White Wednesday

2010-11-17T06:36:00.001-08:00

This is a fun thingie that I found at the flea...I walked away from it but couldn't stop thinking about it so I circled around and bought it! The dealer said it was part of a basket.... I was envisioning it like this:

Aaahhh! I love it.... A funky basket and my favorite hat....heaven!! A friend surprised me one morning with the beautiful beaded purse on the left so I added another from my stash to show you some pretty whites....

I have been busy creating...I will leave you with some pretty off white rosettes...Hope you have a joyful week! I am linking to Faded Charm's White Wednesday! Thanks Kathleen! karen....

Lucky me!

2010-11-13T11:42:00.001-08:00

Why the first picture?? Well I just don't know.... I got it off of a french or german site with copyright free images years ago and since I am not a big collector/decorator for Thanksgiving...I thought I would share this poultry pic....hee! hee!
Anyway! I have been the lucky winner of Eleanor from Bit of Heaven's giveaway!
When I won, she said it would be a surprise.... and look at the lovelies she sent me:

A pretty journal, some xmas cupcake picks which I am using for appetizer picks and some beautiful christmas tags.... also, that darling Alice card..... Thank you Ele! Years ago, my mom started a tradition of making 3 huge pots of soup and fresh bread and then she had the family all bring appetizers and we finished it off with homemade desserts on Christmas Eve.
Well, she got sick, my dad passed away and she had more health problems and that tradition just went by the wayside. Well, I am excited that this year we are bringing it back!
I am going to use the cute appetizer picks with our Christmas celebration... I can't wait!!!

Now, I know halloween has passed, but I just had to share with you the fun goodies my husband brought home today after going garage-saling! Vintage Halloween!!!!
Be still my beating heart! I love it all!!!! I have always wanted to collect vintage halloween but it is out of my price range....I just love the vintage noisemaker and celluloid candy containers! Can't wait till next year to put them out!
Well, I have a post ready for white wednesday, so I will see you then! Have a wonderful few days! karen......

Busy, Busy....A Good Busy......

2010-11-07T20:05:00.000-08:00

This is a busy month for my family!!! Today my son...my 6foot 4inch first child turned 19! I just can't believe how fast they grow up!

It is also our 23rd Anniversary! Our first baby was born on our 4th anniversary! What a great day! We went to see the play Ben (our son) is working in as a stagehand and then had dinner.
We walked around the Wharf area of Long Beach and just had a nice time!

And..... I am a year older on tuesday!!! Age has never really bugged me, except when I turned 30, but I got over that quickly!

So....that is the reason I have been MIA lately. I have also been working on Saturday's still and I am pooped on Sundays.

I have not shown you any of my thrifty finds lately so here are a couple of pictures:

This is my stash from the local flea...button cards, loose buttons, little dolls, some cool old doors from old german cookoo clocks, paper flowers and a barkcloth scrap....

I also scored at a little thrift shop.... a cool old bottle, a candlestick, some red buttons and fun xmas goodies for creating...

Now I can't wait to have a minute to sit down and start creating with all these goodies! I have some new fun ideas...I can't wait! Hope your week is wonderful!

Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me....Happy Birthday dear Karennnnn.... Happy Birthday to me....... and many more!!!!

More Sweet and Sinister

2010-10-26T17:23:00.001-07:00

Well, my favorite holiday is almost here.... Sssshhhh! Don't tell anyone that I never got up my decorations this year! Between getting the gak (cold?) Working on the weekend, and just everyday life, I never made it over to storage to get our my favorite decorations! Boo!

My kids are now teens and don't trick or treat so I may see if I can hang out on my friends porch and hand out candy so I can get my fix of all the little one's in their costumes!

In my last post, I showed you what I sent Sandi. Here are the goodies she sent me!

It is really overcast out and the pictures just didn't come out well but there are lots of fun goodies, sweets, fun paper items for scrapbooking, cute halloween drink umbrellas (love those!) In the little pumpkin there are little scrolls with little fortunes and sayings. Sandi made a darling wicked cone and magic wand. The boo banner will hang on our big mirror....these and my dollar tree finds and a couple pumpkins will take me thru this halloween!

Here is the cone close up:

Such darling little girls....

And here is the magic wand up close:

And here is some of the mess from my creations...I love this kind of mess...it inspires me!

The images at the beginning are from the Graphics Fairy. She has wonderful images that she does all the graphic "fixing" that needs to be done and shares them with everyone...If you need some inspiration, go for a visit!

I hope your week has been good so far! I will be back soon! karen.....

Sweet and Sinister........

2010-10-23T16:58:00.000-07:00

Time has been passing quickly between blog posts lately...this is the season hubby and I work as Proctor's for the SAT and ACT tests. It's usually just 2 saturday's a month but those are then 6 day work weeks for us. But! I got a little nap today and thought I would show you what I sent to my sweet partner Sandi!
This is the EEK banner I made for her, it's hanging on my neighbor's fence:

Here is a little closer:

And here it is with all the other goodies I sent her:

A vintage purse with a white flower brooch (something vintage& something handmade)

A cute pumpkin plate and serving knife (something new and something thrifted)

A little halloween brooch (handmade)

A little halloween tin and See's chocolate pumpkins (something sinister and sweet)

And the banner is for the home and handmade...Oh yeah! A glitter chandelier from target because we all need one of those!

Next time I will share the goodies she sent me. Please send good thoughts/prayers her way, she lost her son recently and really needs help to heal!

See you soon! karen.....

Vintage Alphabet Party......Weeeeeeeeeeeeee!

2010-10-17T16:25:00.000-07:00

So today is S, T and U..... but unfortunately I have no "U's" to share with you....I know, I usually get strangely creative but I have been under the weather with the "gak" (flu? cold?) and my brain just isn't it's usual wonky self....
So..... Off we go with Salt and Pepper shakers and a salt dish......

I hope the floral shakers are vintage. I inherited them from my aunt..but they are pretty!!!

Now the next item has a little story.... A good friend gave me a pretty handmade velvet strawberry and I just love it! Well, I wanted more! I kept thinking how much I would love a dish of velvet strawberries!

Well, hubby and I stopped at the last hour of my favorite flea market after a trip and there..to my surprise, was a bag of velvet strawberries! So now I have enough to fill a little dish! I love them!

For "T" I have a teaset that my Grandma brought over from Wales.... Tea for two.....

And a teapot that haunted me for 2 weeks until I went back to the thrift store to find it waiting for me.... The colors are not my usual colors but the design was so unusual and cool that I had to have it. It will be the centerpiece of our larger thanksgiving table..holding the flowers....

Here is a closeup....it has different pictures all the way around of cherubs and goddess's...so cool!

And if you are going to have tea, you have to have bisquits...(the english refer to cookies and crackers as bisquits) so here are some tea and bisquit tins....I have way too many, these are just a few! (sorry the pic is blurry!)

Well, I hope you enjoyed your Vintage Alphabet tour....If I had some, I would share vintage undies (I love vintage slips and bloomers and pantalooons!) (My mom's bloomers were made from old feedsacks! shhhhh! don't tell her I shared that with you!)

And I would have a couple of vintage umbrella's---I love old parasols!

Hope your week starts off wonderful! karen......

Glitterfest

2010-10-11T06:23:00.000-07:00

I LOVE Glitterfest!!!
This show is filled to the brim with wonderful artists!!!
I took a bunch of pictures and most of them came out blurry so these are a couple from our booth.....

I did not sell this time so these are all Robin's creations, and there she is taking a little break!

Our booth was 1/2 Halloween and 1/2 a shabby look and filled with Robin's wonderful jewelry.

And this last picture was one I couldn't resist! This was a happy Glitterfest customer! He bought this to add to his collection for his bar. (he gave me his business card and I still can't find it....ooops! so sorry!)

If you come to Glitterfest uninspired...you won't leave that way! See above picture...hee! hee!

For more wonderful pictures, go visit Rita's blog Mammabellarte, she has a wonderful slide show! Have a great week! karen.....

Lovin' Me Some Dollar Tree.....

2010-10-07T17:32:00.001-07:00

Okay, so I am in Love with Halloween.... I have great childhood memories of Halloween and making Haunted houses for the younger kids in the neighborhood with the girls my age...so fun!
My birthday also falls on November 9th and I think that all worked into the fall excitement for me and Halloween was like the start of my birthday season!
If you would like some fun halloween/fall inspiration, go visit this blog....

You will find wonderful projects by a group of fantastic artists and they also sell kits! I have never been disappointed!

Here is a little vignette I made with a fun menu and some glitter skulls from the Dollar Tree... I love these silly things .... I still haven't gotten to decorating the whole house, life has been busy-busy but hopefully on Sunday. I also spent the day at Glitterfest last saturday selling with my good friend Robin and want to share those pictures with you!

Hugs until then! karen.....

Coming out of hiding.....

2010-09-25T07:57:00.000-07:00

I really wasn't hiding from my bloggy friends!!! I guess sometimes you have to manuever around life and adjust to new changes and some things get neglected! In this case, it was my blog. I am adjusting to many changes at work, and settling in to having an adult child and what that entails and getting my sweet girl back in the swing of school!
I also have had some issues with my camera, so if you feel like you have seen some of these photos...you probably have! They are from vignettes from last halloween.

Once I get my camera back up and running, I will share some of the thrifting fun I have had over the last few weeks! I can't wait to show you!
The photo below is a vignette with the crowns I made for Artsymama's Year of Color Tutorial last year

So....I will be back soon, with some original photos. I am in the Best Halloween Ever swap and have been having fun creating, thrifting and shopping for my sweet partner....

I hope you are having a great start to your fall!

Hugs! karen.....

White Wednesday...

2010-09-08T06:02:00.001-07:00

Meet Greta... the newest member of our family. We call her "Squeek" and it seems to have stuck. My son graduated from High School this June and wanted a dog of his own for a gift.

She is sweet and feisty and cuddly and one of the reasons I haven't posted lately. I am also back at work and my daughter starts back to school today...Busy, Busy!

Hang in there with me...

I have linked up with the White Wednesday party at Faded Charm..go visit all the beautiful blogs posting today!

I will be back soon! I am almost at 200 posts, sounds like a giveaway to me! Have a great rest of your week! Hugs! karen....

Vintage Alphabet Party!!! Wahoooooooo!

2010-08-23T12:36:00.001-07:00

I have had so much fun with this Alphabet Party that here I go againfor N and O! Ahem! Please don't comment on my stretch of the imagination...let's just call it being reaaaallllly creative....
Here goes! Vintage Nativity...

Nests with vintage goodies:

Come on... my friend used a vintage wine vessel and clip earring for the blue nest, there is a vintage bird in the egg cup nest and the other nest is in a vintage china cup..... think creativity okay?

Next up: Vintage Napkins and nesting dolls (available in my spotted hen shop on sale!)

Vintage October..... okay, okay, okay! stretching it a bit but I loooooveee Halloween and I missed H! So........ Vintage October.....

These are the wonderful vintage goodies I love to create with and some tags that are made with vintage (ahem) October images..... (they are in my recycledrita etsy)

Here is a closeup of the little goodies:

And...a vintage Oil and Vinegar set... Now you can't argue with that one!

Okay, there you go.... Fun huh? Go visit all the other members of Etsy Cottage Style who are participating and join the party!

Hubby and I went to Ventura and spent the day going thru the 30+ thrift stores (we missed some, or maybe our feet were just killing us!) It was fun! I found a couple of things I couldn't pass up and will be back on thursday or friday to share with you.

Until then, have a creative week...hee! hee! karen.....

White Wednesday and Thrifty Thursday all rolled into one!

2010-08-18T20:26:00.000-07:00

I have always wanted to join both of these fun parties but when I am working, it is difficult to do our laundry...let alone organize these fun posts!

I am joining both because I got a few wonderful goodies when I was out with my hubby on saturday and 3 of them were white and I also have 2 white vignettes on our entertainment center that I wanted to share.

I have included my 2 French Petite Inspiration boxes...I love them! And that cuter than cute spool doll from Gail at littlebeachdesigns, a french box, some coral and a vase purchased on sat. and a bust from the goodwill. The purple thingie is a lid to something that I love (got at a garage sale years ago) and the pearls were my mom's...

Candlestick,candle, bottle and flameless candle are all from goodwill, the little boy and lamb were from sat. the mercury glass candlestick and wire cage are Target clearance..the pearls and buttons were from the flea.....

Here are 3 of my goodies from saturday...a vintage USA Pottery vase and 2 cute figurines....

Here is the little Angel boy and lamb closeup.....

I also got these great ornaments...I saw a lady purchase a box of 6 glass bird ornies like these in an antique store on clearance for $25.... I paid $3 for all.....

Here is the darling pink and gold girl...is she Lefton? I don't know but she is darling...those fat little cheeks won me over... This is going to my recycled rita etsy soon....

And this was my favorite find.....

A darling composition doll and a bouquet of clothes handmade for her. The woman who owned her used her as a model and she made her replica's of her own clothes so they could match....

I think I am going to have to pry her out of my junk-lovin greedy hands and put her and her wardrobe in my etsy...I'll let you know!

Soooooo..... If you love white vignettes, go visit Faded Charm and enjoy her lovely party and if you are a junk lovin' girl like me, go visit Tales from Bloggeritaville for some Thrifty Thursday!

Don't forget to go visit my etsy- the spotted hen for all my great sale items. Store is closing soon!

Thanks for visiting! karen.....
I

Halloween Arrives and a Clearance Sale

2010-08-14T15:17:00.000-07:00

I LOOOOOOOVE Halloween! It brings back wonderful memories from my childhood! I especially love vintage halloween images like the one above. So, since I am off work for another couple of weeks and I joined the Artsymama Best Halloween Ever Blog, I already have the bug!
I created a bunch of cute Witchy girl tags and put them in my etsy shoppe...all one of a kind...
Here they are:

And since I have been home, I have been cleaning out. I am going to close the Spotted Hen etsy shoppe so I am having a big clearance and de-stashing sale. Great Prices! I would love you to take a gander and see if anything tickles your fancy...
here are a couple of things I listed:

A cute Stampin' Up rubber stamp set....

And this wonderful journaling kit from Randi Feuerhelm-Watts, and lots of other fun goodies!

Well, off to do my chores! Hope you are having a great weekend! karen.....

Lucky Me!!!

2010-08-14T14:44:00.001-07:00

I was the lucky winner of this wonderful little quiltie from Pallas at Threads in Time... It is made with a pretty vintage hankie and a wonderful vintage image of a woman lost in thought...I just love it! But that's not all! I won this:

Bits and bobs of beautiful handmade lace! (Say that 3 times fast!) I think I am going to make a pretty frenchie wall pocket with it... I just love it!

I also was lucky enough to win another blog giveaway in this past month! Really! I don't just enter to enter...I love blog hopping and if there is something pretty being given away I enter... I feel so lucky! Anyway, here she is:

A beautiful spool doll made by Gail of littlebeachdesigns.... She makes me happy! I will show you her in a vignette in the house on wednesday and when I make something with some of that delicious lace...you will see it first!!!

Thank you Gail and Pallas for your lovely blogs and gifts!

I will be back later today...been putting together an etsy sale and added some halloween to my main etsy so I will share then! hugs! karen.....

Vintage Vacation Swap

2010-08-10T16:26:00.000-07:00

This swap was so much fun but quite a challenge too! My partner was sweet Rhea of Sweet n Shabby Roses. She said she loves the U.S. and England, shabby colors ....
I broke my packages down to area's to visit...I started with my state, California....

I made this quilted wall pocket with some cute beach babes... the little label says "by the sea"

Here is a little mermaid bucket filled with See's fruit candies (a calif. co.)

Then off to England to see the queen...Of course she needed a pretty corsage to wear and some "bisquits and tea" I found a pretty little plate that was a souvenier of the Queen visiting Canada.. even the queen needs a vacation!!! I also included some of the Winnie the Pooh notecards that were a gift from England and a children's book that is about a voyage across the ocean by ship....

A scarf and postcard from New York....

And since Rhea said she likes the strong women of wartime, I made her a little package with some patriotic trim, a flag flashcard and a paper weight that I added an image to....

Now for the goodies that I recieved!!!!

Rhea made me some really pretty things and made a beautiful box to put them in....

A journal, postcards, a vintage stocking holder with a compact and pill caddy, a pretty mermaid tag, some millinery and some other fun supplies to make art with...what you don't see is the animal crackers and the cotton candy....Yummmy!!!!!

Here is the lovely box she made...I just love it!

I told her that I dream of owning a vintage travel trailer and foofing it up to travel the U.S. so she made me this cute journal.... And here is the darling mermaid tag...

And look at that cute trim she made! I can't wait to play with all those goodies! And isn't that decorated shell cute?....

All in all, it was a great swap... Rhea has been very sick so please say a prayer or think good thoughts for her, she can sure use it! Have a great week! karen....

Altered......everything!

2010-07-29T18:46:00.000-07:00

I LOVE to alter things...I love to repurpose....that is how I came upon the name Recycled Rita.
Many people have asked why I used that name. I have loved vintage since I was little and made things out of anything I could find to keep myself busy...cardboard, fabric, bits of paper...you name it.
My family always says my mom could make a delicious dinner out of water and a toothpick because no matter how mother hubbard our cupboard was, she made a nice meal. I think I have the same mindset but I like to make something out of junk or castaways.
This party was perfect for me! I couldn't wait to share some of my altered goodies with you!

First up is what I am working on most recently....I saw these pockets in Somerset Life and then Robin made some pretty containers for her class kits and I knew I needed to alter some toilet paper tubes! Here is the result:

I used vintage images and waxed them to make them even more aged and filled them with pretty vintage lace, buttons and millinery to make a mini-kit and mini art pocket. These are available now in my etsy shoppe.

Here is a close-up of one of the pockets:

A few years back, I altered some cigar boxes, here is one made with an Asian theme.....

Japanese newspaper, postcard broken jewelry and pearls... This was meant to be a purse, but alas...it was never finished!

Here is the backside:

If this party happens again, I have so many projects to show you!

For now...I am off to make some halloween houses with these jewelry boxes that I have already covered in vintage document pages....

Go visit the French Cupboard to see the rest of the wonderful participants, you won't be disappointed! Maybe it will inspire you to keep something out of the landfills too! I would love to hear any ideas you might have! thanks for visiting! karen

Creatin' and Shoppin' the Flea......

2010-07-25T16:57:00.000-07:00

I first wanted to let you all know that I am participating in Etsy's Christmas in July sale and all items in my etsy have free shipping.... now thru July 31st!

I have been really busy lately .... our camping trip was fun- it was so beautiful up in the mountains. I am working summer school so that is always busy. We had our car, fridge and dryer all break down....we are past most of that now.... and I have been a creatin' fool!

The picture below is a sneak peek of our vintage vacation swap. My partner and I just mailed out so I will share the rest with you soon but here is a little something, something......

Today I went to my little Flea Market.... I had such a fun time...just me, wandering around at my own pace. I stayed mostly with $1 finds because that is what fits my budget, but I love what I got! Here is everything together:

I love that Biscuit tin..only $1! And the doll dress...so sweet!

Here are the pretty paper items I got:

I love vintage prayer cards and some fun italian papers and a bathing beauty and baby postcard... I can't wait to make new things with these lovelies!

And buttons! I love me some buttons!

I also got a handful of mother of pearl buttons....love them too!
For some reason the same picture loaded twice... so you can see all my finds again!

Well, I am off to start dinner and hopefully create something new! Have a Happy start to your week! karen......

OOOoooo La La!

2010-07-15T20:13:00.001-07:00

I guess I am a little hooked on the French theme...I made a French Inspired Art Kit for my etsy..filled with wonderful french inspired things and mostly vintage supplies...
I also added these darling ballet shoes....

And another French Prayer card box- this time just the box but up on mini spool feet....

I also added some deconstructed flower pins and some fun vintage goods... Go visit my Etsy, if you would like a closer look!

I am off camping Sun.-Tues. so in case I don't get another post in...have a good few days!

karen....

Paris Inspiration Swap- what I made........

2010-07-11T16:20:00.001-07:00

I had so much fun making these boxes..... I loved the Paris theme and covered each box with copies of a vintage french document...then added a beautiful postcard image and some vintage lace, ric-rac and a pretty flower.......

I filled each box with a tiny silver shell dish and added vintage buttons and lace, an eiffel tower charm, an old Parisian ticket, some pretty images, vintage keys and other goodies and then I made a pretty fabric cuff for each of them......

The cuffs I gave Natalea and Hope are the top 2, the bottom 2 are now in my etsy shoppe. I was lucky to meet 2 wonderful women/artists and it is just as much fun to create as it is to recieve each package! If you have a chance to do a swap and never have, jump in! It is great fun!
I will be adding new goodies to my etsy soon and will be having a 200th post giveaway very soon so keep checking back! Have a great start to your week, hopefully I will post again soon!
hugs! karen....

Petite Inspiration Box Swap

2010-07-10T17:39:00.000-07:00

These swaps are so fun! Heather from Speckled Egg does a wonderful job putting it all together and I loved the paris theme.
Here are the beautiful boxes I was lucky enough to recieve:
This first one is from Hope of Vintage-Whimsy.....

This is a beautiful frozen Charlotted with a crown and wings holding an eiffel tower glittered charm and tag...Ooooo La la....

It was filled with beautiful antiquey flowers and tags and a tiny charlotte and many other wonderful paris inspired goodies....

But wait! I had 2 wonderful partners and this was from Natalea of Kandeland...

A beautiful French lady wrapped in crocheted lace and fabric torn ribbon with a pretty eiffel tower charm attached....

And filled with wonderful buttons, lavender, aged paris tags and lace and other yummies!

I am a lucky girl! Later I will post what I gave them...I am off to finish cooking dinner!

Hugs! karen....

Happy Red, White and Blue!

2010-07-04T12:39:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the darkness of the above picture, my point and shoot camera takes terrible inside pics. This is a little vignette on our coffee table, some are new finds and the blue and white pieces were gifts from my dad to my mom years ago...

The last few weeks have been up and down...we wound down the school year and ended on the 23rd. A couple of days before the end of school, our principal planned a turnover of some of his staff- me included. It didn't work, but still hurt and started our summer off with a punch in the gutt! We spent our first days off meeting with our union and gathering all our info...not fun!

But..... on a fun note! I have gotten some wonderful things thrifting lately!

I LOVE these scalloped trays and found the red stars and shell balls at a different thrift store

I also got the bust and the flower hat at the same thrift store...and that little Marie mirror at my local flea.... I will sell the hat on my etsy, it is filled with flowers but the rest of the treasures will stay with me. My intention was to sell the larger tray but I am so in love with them, I don't think I can part with it!

Summer school starts on July 7th, I am hoping to take the kids to the beach after school some days and enjoy some crafting...

Soon I will be adding some creations to my etsy and I also post on the petite inspiration swap that I did...

Hope your 4th is safe and happy...I am off to boil some ribs for bbq and make some pasta salad!

Hugs! karen.....

Vintage Alphabet Party----Yippeeeeeee

2010-06-21T17:27:00.000-07:00

This fun little party is hosted by Etsy Cottage Style. We are to show our vintage treasures which fall under the alphabet letters for that particular time. Today is I, J and K what a challenge!!! But, I found some goodies to share with you (no snickering at my choices now)
Irish cup....

A darling little handpainted cup that someone bought as a souvenier...I just love the little bird!

Jewelry.....

Sparkling and waiting for me to create with them!

Jars......

I love jars!!!! These are just a few of my many vintage jars!

Jello molds....

Cute, colorful and fun in the kitchen!

Kitchen tools.......

They hang on the post of our cooking island and we use them too!

Kittens.....

Very worn, but irresistable to me! Well, I hope you had fun, I did!

I am working on my Paris Inspiration box swap and my Vintage vacation swap, soon I will have something more to share with you! Go visit the other Party-goers at etsy cottage style! Do something fun this week! karen....

A little of this...a little of that!

2010-06-13T15:47:00.001-07:00

I needed a thank you for my son's teacher so I decided to make some deconstructed flower pins and I will include one in her gift. The rest will go to my etsy and some more will go to Glitterfest with me in October. These are really fun to make! I am taking different elements : Melted organza, vintage lace doily, tea-stained silk flowers that are taken apart and putting them together with beautiful old buttons. Above are 4 that are almost done.....

Life has been busy, busy! I am sure many of you are feeling the same thing at the end of the school year. My handsome boy has graduated high school and we are all so proud. Life is not always easy for all of us and he has plugged away and finally made it to the finish line! We feel so fortunate to have had someone special to get him there...a special teacher that I will always feel greatful for!

I also won a giveaway from Karin at Creative Chaos! A cute, beautiful, sparkly, flower infused cake kit and the tutorial to make it!!! What a fun project to start my summer off!

Here is the kit:

And here is what it will look like when I am finished:

I can't wait to make it! Thank you Karin!!!!

Today I spent a good part of my afternoon listing in both of my etsys. This pretty tin will be in the spotted hen etsy.....

And this wonderful hat and bottle kit will be in my Recycled Rita etsy shoppe:

Now I am off to get out of my pj's (it is 4:15pm) and wash away the greys....I might be scaring my kids at work! Hugs and have a great week! karen....

Having fun thrifting!!!

2010-05-31T19:20:00.001-07:00

My cute hubby came home from garage-saling with this hat for me..... it is in perfect shape, If I filled it with fiberfill, it would be a perfect cushion! It will be in my etsy soon.

I bought this pretty hat pin from the estate of a fun collector....

I also got all these fun goodies, the large bottle is actually a dark purple, which is so pretty and I love that large canister with the beat up lid...soon it will be filled with oatmeal! The little silver shells are going to become some fun creation and the teacup will join my etsy....

I had a really fun Memorial Day weekend....it is so nice to relax, enjoy friends and do some treasure hunting! Hope yours was wonderful also! karen....

Oooo La La!

2010-05-27T16:35:00.001-07:00

So...... a few weeks back, I found a lovely little blog called Bliss Farm Antiques... I visited a couple of times and fell in love.... Jackie lives on a beautiful farm and also owns an antique store that is filled with genuine french treasures.... both a dream of mine.
Well.....she had a giveaway and of course I signed up!! But sadly I didn't win (boo hoo!) Well last week I woke up to an email that said "Hello Winner!" Huh? That contest was over...I rubbed my eyes and opened the email. Evidentally 2 of her 3 winners didn't respond and I was picked in the second go-round.
I was to win some french ephemera (be still my heart, I love old paper!) a little french tin, 2 stencils and a lavender sachet... I was thrilled!!!

Now, go forward in time to this past monday.... I return home from work, tired and maybe a little grumpy (me??? no!) and there is this wonderful, large box with my name on it waiting for me!!!!
Look what Jackie sent me!

A box covered in old french paper, wonderful old paper ephemera, a candle that smells like heaven I am just sure of it, a burlap wine bag that I am going to foof up, some pretty blue ribbon and a gorgeous crystal perfume bottle that was once worn around the neck ( of a french princess I am sure!), the promised sachet........oh so fun!

But wait! There is more! I still can't breathe I am so excited about these:

REAL, AUTHENTIC, VINTAGE FRENCH GRAIN SACKS! I have made a million different things with these in my head already....I LOVE the pig ...... I am just so excited! But wait!

You still havent seen the wonderful paper goodies! And some buttons, and the tins:

Oh Thank you so much Jackie, I am just thrilled with all my french loot! Now the rest of you need to go visit Bliss Farm Antiques and see what a lovely blog and shop it is! Happy Thursday! karen.....

Gliltterfest and Thrifting....

2010-05-23T17:17:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was lucky enough to join my good friend Robin as a vendor at Glitterfest in Santa Ana, Ca. I took these couple of pictures before the show with the intention of visiting many others at the show later but we were swamped! This little bloggy/art world that we live in sparkled at this great event. The above picture is a pathetic picture of one of my favorite pieces that Robin had. It was a domed frame filled with Marie Antoinette beauty, velvet, organza, sparkle...It was attached to a large wire bust and decorated with a more wonderful flowers and vintage pretties...all my full pictures came out blurry so at least I got the main part of the piece.
I did not show at this event. I will again in the fall so all these pictures are of Robin's goodies for sale....

Above were little decorated matchboxes, crown hooks, tags and frozen charlottes.

Below, a close-up of the charlottes...wouldn't you want to just take this beautiful dish of charlottes home and admire them????? I would!!!!

How about this! A charlotte in a bell jar! Handpainted and dressed, a glitter rug and wonderful velvet leaves and the word Amore soldered as a bouquet on the top..... stunning!

Unfortunately, that is all the photo's that I was able to take but here are my acquisitions.... Some gorgeous earrings from Lisa Loria...I am in love with them...she also makes the cutest creations with vintage doll heads and her jewelry was sooooo fun...lots of enamel daisy bracelets and rings...just fun, fun, fun!

I also purchased this little "candy store" bracelet but didn't get the sellers blog...

Now.....On to today.... You didn't think I was done did you? I haven't posted in quite awhile so you get a loooong, picture infused post today!

Well, I went to our little flea and on the way to my favorite seller (I see her first and then go to the others) I spotted 2 frogs....which then became two frogs that I couldn't stop thinking about....

I love children's book illustrations and they evoked a feeling of the illustrations from "Frog and Toad together" and "Wind in the Willows" I could not, I repeat....could not, leave this little flea without those silly frogs.....

A man asked me..."Do you collect frogs?" "No" I replied "Cant say I even like frogs!" But these frogs..... oh I had to have these silly frogs!

Imagine your husband's response when you arrive home with these frogs...well, mine was the same but I am one smiling, frog-loving girl!!!

I also came home with some wallpaper, buttons, postcards, seam binding and 2 pretty plates....

But Oh those silly frogs!!!!

This is a candle I got from the goodwill this week, the wreath is actually for christmas and it had a green candle in the center but I bought the pretty blue one and it will look great with my beachy decorations and the wreath looks like coral.....

This chair is my last find.... It was sitting by the door at a little thrift store I go to.... Hello! You are coming home with me little chair! I know the cushion is a little small but I already had it and am on the lookout for one I love that fits....

Well, I am off to make dinner! I had a great weekend, I hope yours was fun too! Talk to you soon! karen.....

Weird and Scary?

2010-05-03T19:16:00.001-07:00

I know some people are freaked out by dolls, some of these would probably fall in that category but when I saw this bag of doll parts my heart just went pitter-pat. I haven't figured out what I will do with them yet, I am going to share some on my etsy, but they still make me smile!
Hope your week is starting off well! karen....

Fun at the Flea

2010-04-25T11:44:00.001-07:00

This sweet old quilt was purchased for my mom. I thought it was made of feedsack fabric but she said no, just really old cotton. It is in great shape, she will just do a couple of things to it and she will have a "new" old quilt.

Some tea towels to dress up for my etsy, a child's reader and a cute bunny doo-dad.

Buttons! Oh my! I love me some buttons!

An adorable childs apron made from 2 vintage hankies....soon to come to my etsy...

And then I had to throw this picture in!

This little rascal curled up in my closet, I closed the door and she didn't even care, she was cozy. (Please no comments on the messiness...I choose to think it is a wonderful grouping of colors!)

Have a happy end to your weekend and a great start to your week! karen.....

Petite Inspiration Box Swap- my gifts

2010-04-19T16:30:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share with you what I made for my wonderful partners.....
Here are their boxes....

Here is one all stuffed with goodies.... millinery, lace, a fancy little bird, yo-yo's , cute cards, buttons etc........

I also made each of them a spring banner using Mary's wonderful Logomachy images....

And here are all 3 banners together.....I love making things pretty for people!

This was a great swap, if you have a chance to join a swap, jump in! and have lots of fun!

Happy Monday! karen.....

The Spotted Hen

2010-04-17T13:41:00.000-07:00

My friend Jean makes these wonderful children's and baby quilts and I wanted to share them with my etsy customers. But since I already have a following for my inspiration kits and vintage goodies, I decided to open a new etsy. Our new etsy is named The Spotted Hen and will carry handmade by Jean and Me and also some vintage children/baby and home items.... Come by and visit, we will be adding to it over the next couple of weeks but please go visit to see Jean's quilts, they make a darling gift for a child or baby....

Jean has been unable to work the last couple of years due to health issues and was very successful with these beauties but cannot get around to sell them anymore so this will also help her financial situation, something many of us can understand in this in our economy...

Here is here sassy poodle quilt:

A darling blue quilt:

And of course, a rubber ducky quilt:
She makes these a generous size: 38" x 50", made out of flannel and chenille so they are very soft and adds a little pillow which usually becomes the child's " softie or blankie" so that they can carry it around instead of the whole quilt.... They are well loved!

Also in our new etsy, I have added this darling vintage lamb planter:

I will be back soon for another post....I am busy updating my etsy's, I also have some new kits that I am adding to my other etsy...I will let you know when they are ready!

Have a great Saturday! karen.....

I'm a lucky girl!!!

2010-04-13T18:26:00.001-07:00

I was lucky enough to be part of Heather of Speckled Egg's swap, we decorated a large matchbox and filled it with inspirational goodies with the theme of birds and nests.... I had 3 great partners and recieved wonderful goodies from each of them. They are all so talented!

My first box is from Kathy of Country Chintz
She made a darling bird and nest box, using a glaze on the nest and bird to give it dimension.

My box was filled with a nest, a cute bottle of buttons, wonderful ribbons, a magnet she made from a domino, a darling pendant (which I took a separate pic of but it didn't turn out) And look at that collage she added to the box and the library pocket filled with pretty tags and images...so many wonderful nature inspired goodies...these are just the highlights!

Then there was this pretty collaged box from Diane of Altered Book Studio

Those bluechip stamps brought back fun memories of my childhood (I am showing my age!)

Diane had a color theme of reds and blues and added some darling ladybugs to the bunch! Look at that cute trim card and butterfly and all the button and bead goodness. There is a little book alter, some lace and and she made us each some clay birdies that I just realized I forgot to photograph! (I immediately put them in the living room in a little dish because they were so cute) I will show you them when I show you what I made them!

And look at these darling earrings! I think I will be channeling Frida Kahlo when I wear them! If only I could channel her talent! I love these and have the perfect red peasant top to wear with them!

And last but not least, a cute handmade birdie box from Lynne of A Romantic Nest

Isn't that little bird darling?

Lynne filled the box with lots of pretty flowers, a speckled egg, hand-stamped ribbon. a cute cut heart and lots of pretty inspiration. She also sent along some millinery, mica, darling recipe cards and a great little bracelet!

Look at this cute bird and egg bracelet! I love it!

This was a really fun swap and I was lucky to have 3 very talented partners for it! Thank you Heather for hosting and thanks to Lynne, Diane and Kathy for all the wonderful gifts!

I am a lucky girl!

Easter Bonnets.....

2010-04-12T12:18:00.001-07:00

I got these pretty hats in the mail the other day, ordered them off of Ebay. I was feeling like my millinery supply was dwindling and fell in love with the bottom hat... I don't know if I will be able to tear it apart, it is just so yummy as it is!
Today is the first official day of my spring break, I have tons of running around that I am trying to get done but I promise to post this week a couple of times at least!
Hope your monday is wonderful! karen.....

Miss Rhea's Easter Basket Swap!

2010-04-03T09:09:00.001-07:00

I participated in Miss Rhea's Basket swap and it was really fun! I had two wonderful partners who created cute, sweet baskets and filled them with Easter love....

I wanted to post the baskets I gave at the end but waited till this morning to do this post and am still half-asleep and posted it backwards! So... here are the gifts I gave:
I made banners for each of the girls, this one says bloom....

And then this one says spring......

And here is a pic of what was generally in each basket....a little penant, a chick, some candy, a banner and a package of goodies to create with...

Oh yeah! For those of you who didn't do this swap, we had to decorate a yogurt container as the basket. I used fabric and yellow crepe paper, some trim and a millinery flower.....

Now...here is what I recieved from Suzie of Suzies Button Creations.... She made a cute easter tablet with some sparkly pencils, a mini stamp set, a little birdie eraser (love this!) a cute little birdie tile and a candle...and her basket was made to look lik a cake on the sides with sparkly eggs and chenille chicks....darling!

And here is my basket from Marcia of Vintage French Hen.... She made a cute pastel basket with a darling vintage tag (wish I would have photographed that better!) It had yummy candy (sorry I ate that!) A cute faux cupcake which looks great on my my tiered plates, a vintage candy container, some vintage earrings to create with and some easter cupcake picks and cute chenille chicks.......

Here they are together.... There's the tag!

Thank you to Rhea for hosting this swap and go visit her site to see all the other swappers! This was a fun swap! If you haven't done any swaps because you are afraid, Jump in! You meet new friends and it is really fun! Have a great Easter tomorrow! karen......

Vintage Easter Hop and Roosters Gone Wild!

2010-03-28T14:34:00.000-07:00

I am late to the party but realized that I have lots to share for this fun easter hop! Thanks to Joan for hosting this fun event!
My post is picture heavy, so hang in there!
My first picture is of several items using vintage images...the bottle, the little hanging banner, the egg on a stick. And the little tin egg is actually vintage, one of my swap goodies which I will be sharing more of on April 3rd....

I love this birdie salt shaker, and even though the vintage jello molds aren't truly Easter, they are colorful and will make it somewhere into my decor, maybe holding goodies for the kids at the table.....

These postcards are from my collection...I love easter postcards!

And these are some goodies from my childhood... 2 chickadees handmade by my grandma's , some chalkware lambs, some flocked easter decorations...the card and bobble-head chick are new.....

Today I went to my local flea and found a couple more goodies to share.... the egg is so pretty, the music no longer works but I just love it anyway...and more Easter postcards......

That is all for my Easter goodies but here is the rest of my purchases from the flea... 2 pretty bird postcards and some cameos and buttons....

And..... ROOSTERS GONE WILD!!! The story behind these is.... I went last month to the same flea and there was a nice lady selling a collection of Roosters. After much deliberation, I chose one to bring home. My mom loved it!! So much !!! So much that all month I heard.."I sure hope that Rooster lady is still there!", "you should've bought more Roosters!" "I hope she has some left, they sure are cute!" And on and on....

So today I found "the Rooster Lady" and fortunately she had quite a few to choose from...I told her my story and after picking out 3 she threw in a 4th and said "for goodness sake this should keep her quiet (I am sure she meant happy) Well, Mom was thrilled! (and I am pretty happy too!) So here they are:

The spotted one on the back left has holes to put toothpicks with little snacks in and I could not leave that long necked one alone!

Well...hope you had fun! And have a great week! I will be back soon! karen....

Sneak Peek!

2010-03-21T12:31:00.000-07:00

If you are part of Miss Rhea's Easter Basket swap, you may want to skip this post...this is a little sneak peek of what I have created for my partners.
This swap is taking a yogurt container, making it into a basket and then adding 5 things to the package. Here are some peeks at what I have made for my 2 partners.....

This silly basket had me stumped! Rhea gave wonderful tutorials but I still had difficulty with it. I was switched from a left-hander to a righty in kindergarten and sometimes 3 dimensional items baffle me....thank god my mom is a sewer and works with patterns all the time and we came up with this....

Anywhooooo, not much more exciting going on. I had bronchitis 2 weeks ago and am finally feeling human so just a little creating is enough to make me happy!

Have a great start to your week! karen.....

2010-03-20T17:32:00.000-07:00

My swap partner Suzie is having a giveaway on her blog....one of her darling bunny cakes! It is only this weekend so hop on over and join in! karen....

Sweet Spring.......

2010-03-06T11:12:00.001-08:00

I love all the sweet things associated with spring....flowers, bunnies, chicks...pretty colors. I haven't shared any of my recent finds lately, these have been purchased over the last month or so and I love each and every one of them! Above is the carved bunny that still makes my heart flutter (TJ Maxx) a pretty little topiary and easter bottle (Micheal's) and some bowls big enough for cereal (my daughter's request) which I got yesterday (TJ Maxx again) and I love! Then there is the cute little pastel rooster I got at the flea this month. He was my only purchase!
Here is a close-up of the bunny, I added the ribbon and millinery flower:

Last month I got this Mary Engelbreit tea pot at the flea ($2) and this little birdie is also from Micheal's:

I am finally getting back to a little creating! I joined 3 swaps! The little folders below are for Melissa's ephemera swap....the last two on the right are for my etsy...they are filled with pretty ephemera and millinery and buttons.....

Now I have to get busy on Rhea''s Sweet and Shabby easter basket swap and Heather's Inspiration box swap....Whew!

I hope you are getting "springy" I know some of you are being buried in snow again, hopefully some pretty pictures will help inspire you! hugs! karen.....

Vintage Alphabet Party! Woohoo!

2010-02-23T16:38:00.001-08:00

Etsy Cottage Style is having a Vintage Alphabet Party and today is the letter B so I decided to play along! I thought this would be a fun way to get back in the groove with my blog so here you go:
Vintage Bottles.....

Vintage Baby Booties..... You are probably wondering why only one of each, no...not a one legged baby.... they came in a lot of vintage doll clothes...why one of each? I don't want to know! hee! hee!

Vintage Books.....

And of course, vintage buttons, belt buckles and bobs....say that 3 times fast!........

I hope you are having a great week so far.... I have a wacky post to share soon! hugs! karen...

If you would like to visit the other participants click here.....

Happy Valentines Day!

2010-02-14T19:40:00.000-08:00

I Hope you had or are having a wonderful day! We had a nice one...gave the kids little gifties and mom little gifties and then hubby took the pretty girl and I to Ikea...always an adventure. Then we all went to dinner.

Hubby and I are going away next weekend to celebrate just local to Long Beach, CA on the shoreline but we found out that they are having a big Mardi Gras parade and celebration on Saturday so it should be really fun! I can't wait, we need this!

When I was a teenager, my dad began giving my mom and I both special Valentine gifts just from him.... Snoopy with clothes to dress him (step back build-a-bear!) , flowers, and one that I still specifically love, a large filigree heart....I felt so special that my Daddy was buying me these gifts.... I miss him but still treasure the memories! I hope you have special memories that you can share with your family! Happy Day of Love! karen...

I am still heeerrreee.......!!!

2010-02-08T07:11:00.000-08:00

So what is taking me so long to post??? I am a slacker! No other word for it, just a SLACKER!
My life has been good, quiet and I guess a little boring for the onlooker I thought...I am at peace but just nothing to post...or so I thought. But really, I do have things to share. For now...these are my new blue plates added to my cake stand, I have admired them for awhile and love them (please ignore the straight pin on the bottom plate...it must have fallen there when I hung the red and white garland) We gave the lovebird shakers to my mom for christmas...

This picture looks a little wonky but I am trying hard to get this post in before work and there is a window behind which gives a shadow so I took it from an angle, this is my sparkly blue and green vignette...I got the bunny a couple of weeks ago at tj maxx and am in love with him!

Went to see "It's Complicated" I laughed my fanny off, great girlfriend movie! and I posted that Marissa and I went to see "The Proposal" that was funny and cute too!

Well, I better skidattle! I am late for work, but I have some fun things to share in the near future so don't give up on me! hugs! karen....

The last of my faves....

2010-01-06T10:31:00.000-08:00

Here is the last of the pictures that I loved...most of them creations by me...I have decided to lessen the amount of family pictures I post because of hurtful criticisms but my family pictures would usually be first.
I love the soft colors of this magnet board and prayer cards:

I had fun with all these halloween creations and loved doing the tutorial for the Year of Color:

Yo-yo garland.....

My millinery bounty on one fun flea market trip with Robin....

Fly Away...... a little boy who needed wings

The original postcard which reads, "how do you like this for gator bait?" See why he needed wings?

A bowl full of buttons and bobs....

And the beautiful little baby we adopted this year...(she is actually quite the rascal but we are all still madly in love!)

Talk to you soon! karen......

Last years favorites.....

2010-01-03T10:59:00.000-08:00

Just a little post of mostly pictures...I will probably do this one more time...these are some of my favorites.....

Valentines on the credenza...

May day basket swap...these are the goodies that I gave to a very special friend....Marlene...

A little pocket journal for me....

A banner for a valentines banner swap made for Jerri... I love the blue and red...

a little birdie in an egg cup.....

And a doll my mom made with some pretty pillows....

My sweet girl and I are off to see "Did you hear about the Morgan's?" I'll let you know how it is! Happy Sunday! karen......

Happy! Happy!

2010-01-01T10:01:00.001-08:00

I hope you had a wonderful New Year's eve, we saw the new year in quietly...we stayed inside, made yummy food and just watched movies....
On wednesday, I stayed in my jammies the whole day! I don't think I have done that in my adult life unless I was sick.... the result was the above picture...stars, candles and little pretty add-ons for some pretty something....
We are having a postponed holiday party in January and I still want it to seem magical without the Santas and snowmen...so I am going for stars and sparkle with my new mercury glass....
All blues/greens and silver... I really had fun creating again!

I also did some thrifting and flea marketing.... I found the polka dot bread pan and pedestal plate at a new thrift store we discovered...$1.75 for both!
The cherub plate, pretty labels and teeny valentine were from a flea market jaunt and some sparkly ornies from Target after christmas sale...they will decorate at our party...

Well, I hope you are enjoying your start to 2010, wow that sounds weird!
Hugs and well wishes...karen....

Around the House.....

2009-12-29T16:54:00.000-08:00

Above is a picture of my magnet board filled with pastel christmas cards and holy cards...I just love these gentle cards...their colors, the beautiful pictures of Mary and children......
I also found a love for mercury glass this year and asked Santa for some....

sorry for the bluriness but the candlesticks and little birdie are from target...I'm in love!

I bought these two mercury glass candle holders before xmas at Marshalls and Cost Plus...don't you just love the discount stores?

Now this next pictue is on penant on a banner I made for our house and of course, I uploaded all these pictures backwards! I am a lame-o when it comes to computers...but you will get the idea by the end...it spells out Merry.....

Well, sorry for the bad pictures and loading!... but I'm still loveable! hee! hee!

Happy 2 days before New Years eve...... karen....

Ho! Ho! Ho! ?????

2009-12-25T21:43:00.001-08:00

I know I have been quiet for most of the month and for that I apologize. This month has been a doozy for us in not necessarily a good way so this wonky tree was a perfect depiction of how we all have felt... We lost a dear friend at the beginning of the December, a friend who spent several days out of month with us and had been around my whole life and it was a blow to us all, including the kids. We will miss him dearly but will also always honor the friendship and companionship we had with him forever....
I had to get that off my chest....
Our Christmas was a really nice one. Our family get-together was delayed because of flu's and surgeries etc... so it was just my immediate family and it was quite charming. A friend came over on Wednesday and we crafted some candles and sachets for her to give as gifts, I really enjoyed that!
For Christmas eve we ate a wonderful dinner and played games with the kids and listened to carols...it doesn't get any better than that!
This morning we opened presents and made our traditional eggs benedict brunch...Yummy! Here are the pics of the eggs....

Well, I just wanted to stop in and say hope it was happy! Here is a picture of Marissa's new jammies and gnome socks (she likes gnomes) It might turn into our christmas card next year!

Hug the one's you love! I will be back soon! Hugs...karen....

Hello My Friends!!!!

2009-12-01T18:48:00.000-08:00

I hope you all had a wonderful thanksgiving. We did! We ate turkey and ham and all the fixings but most of all got to spend time with the special people in our lives....
Sorry for the blog break...life has been very busy, hmmm lets see:

1. Son's birthday and our Anniversary ...check
2. My birthday....check
3. Daughter gets evil life- sucking flu.....check (unhappily checked!)
4. Family car breaks down..... check ($140.00 , not priceless)
5. Garage sale....check
6. Work 2 Saturdays (check...okay paid for the car breakdown)
7. Deep clean for Thanksgiving..... check
8. Hubby feeling bad...off to the doctor for a bunch of tests.... (results...life too stressful,watch diet and excersise)..... check.... hmmm...you think?
9. Prepare for wonderful dinner.....check
10.Have and eat wonderful dinner..... Yum! I mean....check
11. Birthday dinner party for good friend....check (now this is priceless!)
12. Hubbies car breaks down..... (most definitely not priceless...$350-400)....almost checked

But you know what? We made it through all this and still are as sane as we were as we started! (we wont discuss the state of our sanity on a regular month!)

Anywhoo.... I joined wonderful Robin of Thrifty Miss Priss fame's white fat book and here are the pages...sorry for the bad pictures, I forgot to take pictures so quickly took them before work and these are the one's that came out....

On Sunday we went to a local nature center and took their 2 mile trail, we had alot of fun and both kids came along...that is always special since they are teens and are rarely seen near their old parents!

I will be back soon with pictures of the christmas banners that I have made!

Happy December! karen.....

Busy, busy.....

2009-11-08T13:09:00.001-08:00

So it has been a whopper of a week! First off I want to show you something I forgot to show you last week that I got at the flea.... the snowflake, pointsetta and santa earrings will probably show up in my christmas banners.....

The week started off with Marissa getting the flu. She went to a sleepover on Halloween and shared an air matress with a friend who was diagnosed the next day with the swine flu.... Well, needless to say, when she came home monday eve. with a sore throat we were very worried! The fever didn't start until tuesday night but she was miserable...and her asthma also kicked up! On wednesday we went to the doctor and she said it wasn't H1 N1 but there was a chance she could still contract it on top of the flu and she needed to be closely watched...Uggghhhh! do you think I got a wink of sleep? I was worried sick about her... Fortunately it was just a bad flu that whopped her on her butt and she is doing much better now...still coughing but actually getting out today a little!

We had more excitement on wednesday....this little devil pushed out Marissa's screen while we were at the dr. and went missing for two days. We could hear her in my neighbors garage on the second day and went in to find her but couldn't...we went in 3 times and couldn't find her! Later that evening I could here her again near a vent so I had Ben hop the fence and we finally got her to come out! She may look angelic here, but don't let looks fool you! She is a rascal! Here she is in the suitcase I store my wool in...I took some out and went to the kitchen and when I came back, here she was:

I am on my way on christmas banners...some traditional, some pastels......

I just have struggled getting started on these puppies but now I am motivated...

And to end the week nicely.... Ben turned 18 yesterday! My 6'4 baby! (actually he is my oldest!)

Life sure happens quickly! Hope you are enjoying yours right now! hugs! karen....

One last view around the house......

2009-11-03T21:10:00.000-08:00

I know this is not my standard picture but this is a sight you will see frequently in our house....Mila into everything....this paper bag is actually holding magazines that my mom was sorting thru to share with a friend and guess who snagged it ....watch your feet! she will attack! Luckily she is usually good about keeping her claws in but boy is she the rascal!!!

Anyway, my sweet girl is down with the flu... hopefully not the swine flu but I think it is...she has all the symptoms and her friend has a confirmed case...Boo!

I will be taking down halloween but wanted to show you some pics from around the house before I do....I had these done last week but then couldn't find them on the darn computer...of course I blame the computer because I'm not lame or anything??!!! hee! hee!

I found some cool Martha Stewart glitter stickers of ravens and owls and added them to a couple of things...the pumpkin above and the glass beaker 2 pics ago....she has such a fun line...I find something almost every season or holiday that I like of hers!

Well, I am off to take sickie's temperature and administer tylenol and tlc...although she is being quite the troll so the tlc part has been a bit difficult..... Wish me luck! I will check in soon!

karen...aka nursemaid......

Snow White ....

2009-11-01T13:05:00.000-08:00

My Sweet girl went to a birthday/halloween party last night...Isn't she a lovely Snow White? Of course I am totally partial to those rosey cheeks and lips......

Last weekend Robin and I hopped over to the local Antique fair and I found this wonderful victorian blouse...I just couldn't leave it there! I will probably post it on my etsy eventually because we just don't have room to display such lovelies but for now I have to admire it!Here are all the small goodies I got:

Mostly Christmas...I have started making christmas banners but I just loved that little dolly and the bride cake topper with real lace. I just couldn't pass them up! I also got a bolt of the prettiest fine victorian lace which I will launder and start using and also add to my etsy....

This morning I went to Target at 8:15 to see what left of halloween, I love to get paper goods (paper towels, tissues, paper plates etc...) at 1/2 price, I don't care if they have a halloween theme! Well I could not believe how much candy people were buying! What do they do with all of it? People were leaving with whole buggy's full of candy! I did buy one package of m & m's but left the rest there for others....curious!!! Happy Sunday! karen....

Crown Tutorial

2009-10-21T21:16:00.001-07:00

I think a ghost has jumped into my blogpost because everything is wonky!

As hard as I try, I cannot move my pictures around or type anything between the cat picture and the witch...it is haunted space! Anywhoooo! I am doing a crown tutorial for the year of color and finally finished it last night and sent it out but thought I would share a picture of what they look like:

And my cute mommy was kind enough to model them for me...they are simple and fun to make and can be embellished as much or as little as you like...

Isn't she a good sport?

The halloween photos are there for the taking...some are from my collection, some from copyright free sights so enjoy!

Well, we are more than 1/2 way thru the work week! Yipppeeee! My little flea market is on Sunday so even though I am working SAT's on saturday, I have something fun to look forward the next day!

Hope your week is going along well! karen.....

More Glitterfest....

2009-10-19T19:24:00.000-07:00

We had great neighbors at Glitterfest! This is Linda also known as Ms Gotrocks...she makes wonderful jewelry, beautiful turquoise crosses and she had some awesome candlesticks that would have gone home with me had I not come to make a dollar! A picture of them is next....

And this is the awesome Jami Santos..she had this great vintage orange cape and black vintage parasol! People couldn't help but stop and talk to her! Below is a pic of her wonderful halloween characters.... they were to die for...

She was featured in Better Homes and Gardens take a look and you will see why....

And here I am making a sale..... (As you know, I rarely show pics of myself but this is just my head so I let this one go...hee! hee!)

These are the last of my pictures that I will post of this event but it was just so much fun and so many wonderful people that I had to show more!

I hope you are having a spooookily good week! hugs! karen....

The Party's Over.....

2009-10-12T17:02:00.001-07:00

Glitterfest is over but it was so worth the effort! It was filled with wonderful artists and artful goodies to purchase. This post was loading verrrrrry slowly and then finally sped up so I added more pictures in the end and now it won't let me put them where they belong so... just bear with me! The above photo is of Lisa Lori's booth. I can't find everyone's business cards so when I do,I will give you info. on the artists....

This Mary picture is one of Robin's awesome creations! I want this!

When people arrived, this cute scene was greeting them:

Here is one side of our booth:

Here is the top shelf:

My banners:

A bigger picture of our booth:

Lisa Lori's awesome art:

And here she is with her booth:

All in all, it was great fun and very inspiring.... I will post more pictures soon ...Have a hauntingly good week my friends!!! karen....

Witches and Black Cats and Pumpkinheads, OH MY!

2009-09-29T17:10:00.001-07:00

My family and I have been working our little fingers to the bone making things for Glitterfest!

It is really fun to do it together, hubby is making awesome little witches brooms to display with your dolls (pictures to come) Mom has been busy yo-yo ing and after 3 over 7 foot garlands, she is very yo-yo'd out! I am making banners and tags and doing a crown tutorial for the Year of Color Blog, I will show you those soon too.... It really helps to have all the support and definitely makes it more fun!

Here are some pics:

Yo-yo-yo-yo........ cute and whimsical! I love layering them around the house or hanging things from them. $30 ea.

A "Haunted" banner....sorry, I loaded the pics wrong but you will get the idea...

This banner is for sale here for $35 If you are interested, just leave me a comment and I will email you.

Doing all this creating has put a damper in my thrifting but I did walk into Goodwill last week on my lunch 1/2 hr. and found this little felt treasure...I left with a smile on my face!

Well, I hope your week has started off nicely.... I am off to cut out more banners!

Ghoulishly yours....karen....

Wicked and Boo banners

2009-09-20T12:29:00.000-07:00

I have been working hard on banners and such for the Glitterfest show and here are two of the banners which are complete. Unfortunately I only own a point and shoot camera and the photos are not as good as I would like...in person they are really charming and have lots of texture.

This first one is the BOO banner. It is sewn onto a gold tassel fringe and is made using illustrations from a vintage children's halloween book. There are felt flowers, glitter, vintage cupcake toppers and more used to embellish it.

I love this image of the child wearing big gloves and a pumpkin head!

You gotta have a tiger costume....
Here's the whole gang:

And some homemade masks are important!

Trick or Treat!

This banner is selling for $25 and each of it's penants is an individual collage.

Next is my WICKED garland. This baby is a witch themed garland using fun vintage images of witches. This garland is sewn onto a black opal bead fringe and decorated with lace, buttons, glitter and more:

Here is a baby witch holding the number #31

And a haunted tree.....

An evil old witch!

A bewitching young witch:

A mezmorizing leather -wearing enchantress:

And some darling little witches creating some Hocus Pocus:

Of course you need a haunted house!

And to finish it all off, a spider priestess:

This banner is selling for $35.

I have had a wickedly fun time creating these....I hope you enjoy them too!

If anyone is interested in buying one, just leave me a comment and I will get right back to you! Have a happy start to your week! karen....

Feeling Fallish.....

2009-09-14T17:47:00.001-07:00

I am really excited to announce that I will be showing at Glitterfest in October... It is an art and craft show that several big mixed media artists also show in and it is Halloween themed.... I am making collaged banners for it , paper crowns and some other goodies and my mom is making some whimsical yo-yo swags for it... I saw one of these in Mary Englebreit's last Christmas magazine (sob, I miss her mags!) and loved it so my mom made me one in red and white and I use it at Christmas and in Feb. Anyway...here is our halloween version!

These are darling on a mantel too and added to other garlands...here is a close-up of the yo-yo's....

Yummy fleur de lis fabric, pumpkins and ghosts, gingham, spots and swiss dots....I just love black white and a little orange for the season.... If anyone is interested in purchasing this one, it is up for grabs...it is 7' 9in. and is $30

My last picture for tonite is of Mila.... right in the middle of folding clothes yesterday morning...she plopped her rascally little butt!

Pure chaos she is....and I love her whole furry devilish self! I will be posting soon with pictures of my banners, I have 2 done and 2 on their way to being done and want to share them here....I also am doing a tutorial on the Year of Color Blog so I will share more about that also!

Have a hauntingly good week...okay, maybe a little too soon for the halloween stuff but I am hooked...........karen.....