Shaking off the January Blues....

 I often experience a kind of "funk" in January... now that I have experienced more life, I know to just go with it and make the best of it...so I got to making felt flowers, Valentine banners and sweet hearts to perk me up...

 I was discouraged about my booth space...the good stuff has been so hard to find and so pricey here in Southern Calif. and I can't just get up and travel to dig for the good rusty gold. I, like many people have family obligations and a day job and am tied down to vacation time.  But this weekend my funk blew off!
I found the perfectly chippy bassinet & stand above and the darling portrait of the little girl with the big bow.

 Here are the recycled sweater pins.... I love to make these, they make me smile....

 I'll let the pictures do most of the talking....

The sweet little table above made my  heart go pitter patter....

How about a pretty hankie?
Or a wonderful old  terrarium.....

This chippy planter is soooo cute!

And here are the hearts... (only 6 left! gotta make more!)
Well, I hope you didn't have the January blues but we are in the month of love...so shake it off and make something pretty! karen....

A few of my favorite things....

 I always have a hard time taking down the tree and decorations....
I fall in love with our tree every year (except one, the leaning tree from hell)  This year was hard because I didn't feel well the whole holiday season, first from an upper repiratory infection and then a sinus infection and then I got sick from the meds!  They literally put me in bed...Uggh! That pretty tree kept me going!

So since I didn't really have a life to talk about this Christmas, I thought I would share my 2 favorite gifts....
First, a darling coin purse from my kids....my girl knows where to shop for me! (etsy)

 I just love the floral and checks!

My second favorite gift was made by my friend Robin and given to me by my cute hubby.  They conspired together to give me something I would love.... a beautiful wrap bracelet....

Here it is on....

Well, I have undecked the halls, now to vacuum, dust and rest some more!  I hope your holidays were happy and you are looking forward to a wonderful year!
                                  ~karen....

Christmas Creating....

 This whole post is random images of some of my creations for this holiday season... Sorry some are not the greatest but I accidentally linked on to Etsy Cottage Style with last weeks post thinking I didn't participate in their party and I did... can you say ditsy?
Anywhoo.... Here are some of the things I have made this Christmas....
Snowglobe ornaments...

A tomato cage tree to display ornies in my booth....

 Vintage Ornament bottles....

 Lots and lots of Sparkly trees in vintage vessels....

 Here is one in an old Avon perfume bottle...

 My favorite bottle was this one with the Santa light cover, he went to a special friend....

 I decorated a vintage greenhouse  with Santa and glittered trees....

Another snow globe ornie on a tart tin pedestal plate...

little salt shaker snowmen.....

 And last but not least, my ornie wreaths... I know you have seen them already but I am kinda proud of them.....

Oh, I almost forgot! I painted this little stool and added the fabric....

Phew!  I'm tired just doing this post!  (only kidding!) Please head over to Etsy Cottage Style and join in the homemade holiday fun!
Thanks for hanging in with me.....Merry Christmas ! karen...

An Upcycled Christmas

 I have always enjoyed a handmade Christmas.  I grew up with a mom who loved to sew, embroider, quilt.... She would make many of her gifts. My favorite ornaments were handmade for me by people I loved...

 I guess I am carrying on the tradition.  I try to find some fun projects each Christmas season and make them for gifts and to sell.
I also love to upcycle vintage items.

 Having the Antique booth was a perfect fit for me... This year I have filled vintage bottles, salt and peppers, candlesticks and even an old lantern with glittered trees.  I also made my ornament bottles to sell again (sorry, no picture of these)

 I made 2 new ornament wreaths. I am in love with this pastel wreath with the reindeer center.... They will go to the booth tomorrow.

My project for today is little ornaments made with vintage small  Christmas  characters, I will share when I have some finished ....
 I feel that giving something handmade has more meaning, giving something upcycled says you are trying to make a difference and to be a little selfish...it feeds the soul to create with love!
I am linking to Debra at Common Ground's "Be Inspired" linky party...stop by and see all the wonderful inspiration. I am also linking with Etsy Cottage Style's "Vintagey Goodness"

The Best Birthday ever!

 In our house, November is a busy month...
Our Anniversary is November 7th (we celebrated 26 years this year).   My birthday is November 9th and Ben, our son was born on the 7th also.
Well, needless to say...we spent many an anniversary enjoying the our son's birthday...that's the way it should be.  I usually celebrated my family birthday with him and we always had fun. But Ben is 22 now and happy to just have a simple celebration and go off with his girlfriend so when hubby asked me what I would like to do for my birthday I knew just what I wanted!
Remnants of the Past!
It is a wonderful Vintage show in San Luis Obispo, about 4 hours from our house and in an area we love to visit.
We had a wonderful Anniversary/Birthday weekend on the Central coast of CA and here are some pictures to share with you....

 The first three pictures are of Atelier de Campagne

I was in love with this Santos and the way it was styled. Don't know who owned the booth but I loved it!


Some of the Vignettes were to-die-for!

Look at these displays....

The next two photos are of my friend Gloria's space.  I couldn't get close enough inside to take anymore and she also had some wonderful vignettes...

We only spent one morning wandering the show...there was just too much beauty around us to not keep wandering....

These pictures are the view from our Bed and Breakfast in Los Osos.... just breathtaking.  It is called the Backbay Inn and it is right on a cove....

I didn't want to leave....

This last picture was a directional sign at the end of the block where we stayed...

Can you see why I didn't want to leave?  I will be back this week with pictures of some of my creations. I have been having fun making for the holidays....  karen...

Decking the Halls

 Well, last weekend we started decorating our little Antique booth...My favorite time of the year!

 In the retail business, it is such a busy time but I just love the decorating!  And when you are working with Vintage items, you need to make it all work together. This is just the start but I am happy with the results so far....

 The sweet little cupboard above is so charming...a 1930's Hoosier style cabinet, in red no-less!

 I make many of the items that I sell during the holidays....This year, glittery trees in Salt and Peppers, Snowglobe ornaments....

A few cute little snowmen salt and pepper ornies....

Birdcages are my favorites at all times of the year!

Here are a few more vignettes....

Glittery trees on bottles too and vintage ornies on old bottles are on their way!

A vintage ornament wreath....

A poster once used in an ice cream parlor....

I hope you enjoyed my little tour... next week it will probably look even more sparkly! 
 I am joining Debra at Common Ground for her be Inspired Party...Please hop on over and join in!
 Happy Thanksgiving !  I hope you have a wonderful time with loved ones and enjoy all your blessings!  karen....