Lucky Me!

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....

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.....

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

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!

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.....

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!!!

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.......