It's My "Santa's Steal" Day

As you know I have recently joined Shabby Cottage Shops...so I've wanted to just jump right in and participate in as much as possible with them.  There has been a special promotion--Santa's Steal of the Day--the past few weeks where someone sells something at a greatly discounted price (up to 60% off) for one day only.  

This has been promoted well by the owner of SCS--very well, and I've had the link/button on my side bar during the whole promotion.  There have been some amazing deals on some beautiful items. Today is my day to offer a great deal---little mitten earrings for today only for $8.00.  

Hope you can stop by my Etsy shop today...then head over to Shabby Cottage Shops to see other beautiful things and great offers.  

Happy Thanksgiving...and a Special Sale

Happy Thanksgiving!  I so am thankful for the many blessings God has given me--salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ for one, for my fabulous husband and kids, for freedom and this great country, for health--the list could go on and on.  It's nice to have a day set aside just for thinking of all that God has given and to thank Him especially for all and what He has done.

 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works. Psalm 26:7

One of the blessings God has given is my little Etsy shop as well as all of the kind people I have met because of it....many of you are a blessing.  In thanks, I'm having a special sale from today through Sunday night--20% off everything in my store with no minimum purchase.  Simply use the coupon code "Blessings" at checkout to receive this discount.

I wish you all a great Thanksgiving...hopefully you are spending it with family and friends are are thinking about all that the Lord has given.

 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.  Psalm 100:4

**Thank you to The Graphics Fairy for the sweet image above!

Miniature Altered Quilting / Stitching / Sewing Matchboxes

These have taken me just forever to develop...make...and list in my shop.  However, it is done!  I thought these would be a sweet gift for someone who is a stitcher, quilter, crafter, etc...something that they probably wouldn't take the time to make or want to make for themselves. These are little mixed media/altered matchbox sewing boxes/kits.  They are not true to scale but are little and fun with a definite vintage look...and well they should be.

I used paint and pretty material on these and have embellished the tops with a little pair of scissors, a button card with vintage tiny buttons, and strip of measuring tape.

All of the paper pieces were once vintage items that I have scanned, remade, colored, and definitely shrunk.  I put a couple of coats of Mod Podge on the papers for extra strength.

All of the buttons are tiny, real, and vintage.  In the box itself are two skeins of thread, another button card, a little packet of "pins", and a lace/tatting card with real vintage tatting/lace.

I admit to getting some of my inspiration on Pinterest...though the inspiration there was from large/real life items.  I wanted to make everything tiny, of course!  I have some other ideas for boxes because, well, I just love little things and vintage things as you know.  So, keep your eyes peeled.  I will be working on them soon and have them up hopefully next month.  Meanwhile, I hope you like these.  Oh, these can be made into magnets too.  I like things that are functional rather than just "sitting there", so I've left it open to add a magnet on the bottom if someone wishes.  Check out all four boxes in my Etsy shop if you'd like.

Finishing Some Projects

I have finally finished these...just today.  They can be ornaments or even look nice just sitting there.

They are such fun to make...especially getting all of that glitter everywhere....and believe me...it is everywhere.

I found the little deer and bunny at an antique mall and knew they just needed to be in a little wintry scene of some sort.  These aren't just for Christmas, of course, and can be placed on a door knob or on the corner of a cabinet all winter long.

These have been listed in my Etsy shop.  I have some other dioramas in the works, but they are not very close to being done yet.

A Good Morning for a Cup of Tea

Burrrr!  I woke up this morning to a very cloudy day with the wind howling and the cold rain (is that snow mixed in?) falling.  I guess November is truly here.  The leaves are off the trees for the most part, and it is very dismal out.  It's definitely a good day to stay home and sip tea!

This box of teas was given to me as a gift.  I had never tried these teas before...and they are little packets of loose teas.

I'm a teabag girl--clean and neat tea for me!--so this was an awkward experience for me.  Thankfully I had one of my grandmother's old tea balls to use.  It really wasn't that hard after all to use the loose tea.  Anyway, I'm slowly going through the packets.  The flavors of these are *tangy* and strong. They may be better suited in a teapot so that they are weaker in flavor.   Perhaps today I will try another flavor--the apricot is a possibility.  It is fun to try new things, and it is such a kind thing for someone to think of me by giving me such a fun gift!

Mittens, Mittens...Ready for a Craft Show

One craft show down with two to go--one of which is tomorrow.  I've been trying hard to work on things and have sort of crunched my time in the preparation part---like organizing and pricing things.  With homeschooling the kids and other things going on, it has been hard to get things done.  Hopefully all will come together today.  I finished some more mitten earrings this week....

(perhaps those three little kittens should look here!) and more button card ornaments.  There are other projects that I have simply run out of time for.  They will be done for the next craft show in a few weeks and to put in my shop.  I'll probably put my Etsy shop on "vacation" for tomorrow while at the show.  Anyway, have a great weekend.  Lots to tell you.  It has been a crazy autumn--visitors, events, so many things.  I'll try to catch up in the ensuing weeks.

Morning Glories

My idea in the past was to have a mailbox out front of our house covered in vine and beautiful flowering Morning Glories--like our neighbors have down the street.  Well, we live across from a little wooded area, and the rabbits would sneak over across the street and nibble away.  Why they never found their way to our neighbor's house is beyond me (they aren't that far from the woods!).  So, I completely gave up on the beautiful mailbox idea.  Our mail carrier is probably glad that she doesn't have to fight bumblebees and the like when she delivers our mail.  So, I decided to try to cover up the ugly metal pipe above our well.  The Morning Glory growth has been wimpy to okay in the past...nothing too exciting.

Well, this year I scattered seeds on a whim not expecting much.  How pleased I've been with an abundance of growth and lovely flowers to enjoy!...not to mention not seeing much of that ugly pipe.  I could be from the abundance of rain we've had this year...maybe it was better seeds.  The bunnies never did find these, thankfully.  I personally think they were too busy in our vegetable garden on the other side of our property to care about these flowers.

Sale this Weekend!

Labor Day/Back to School Sale this weekend.  Receive 10% off your order with the coupon code FALLSALE at checkout in my Etsy shop.

Foggy, Peaceful Morning Sun

After a warm, humid night and some much needed rain, this morning was foggy and pretty--especially over the river that is not far from our house.  It was so pretty and calm.  Then the fog lifted a bit and the sun broke through.  Beautiful!  I'm thankful for a peaceful morning.  There is so much unrest and lack of peace in the world.  I'm truly thankful for the Lord and the peace that He gives...both in life and in my heart.
Proverbs 3:1-2  My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. 

Having a Little Sale Today--20% Off.

Enter the coupon code GLASS20 for a 20% discount on your entire order today in my SHOP.

Sucker for a Pretty Bottle

I've been to a few flea markets lately and am looking forward to a big one at the end of next week.  I even changed a doctor's appointment so that I can go to it.  Can't wait!! 

Anyway, this pretty bottle was in a group of bottles for a great price.  I was intending to sell it, but after a good wash it really looked great.  Isn't the label gorgeous?  I'm truly a sucker for a beautiful label.  If the label is pretty on a jelly jar...(and if money isn't an issue) I'll buy it.  If little mints are in a beautiful package...I'll buy it.  The glass stopper is pretty too.  I'm thankful that so many gorgeous things have passed through my hands, most of which have been placed in my shop.  Many were very hard to let go of.  Should this bottle go in my shop?  Nope, this one ended up on my dresser and is mine! 

Coastal Memories

I saw this beautiful oil painting on Esty done by the talented Shelley Koopmann (Please check out her shop, PastelPaletteArtwork).  To me it conjures up very fond memories of combing the beaches of Maine looking for sea glass, shells, and any other treasures that can be found.  A wave would go out, and I'd be tempted to venture quickly out on the shiny, wet sand for that too-tempting-to-leave gorgeous piece of roughed up glass, only to have to hurry back quickly before the wave came roaring back trying to get my shoes wet. 

I like that his picture has a lady fully clothed on a beach...it is usually quite cool on the beaches of Maine even in the summer. This is how I was usually dressed.  Only the heartiest actually swim in the frigid northern Atlantic!  I remember my feet going numb quite quickly --not to mention ache!--whenever I decided to take off my shoes and socks and venture out into the water to my ankles.  It has been many years since we've had the chance to go to Maine.  It is definitely a destination spot--not one of those places that you can just stop at on your way to someplace else.  Perhaps next year we will have the chance to go and comb the beautiful beaches while filling our lungs with the fresh salt air--much like our lady above is doing.  But, until then, I shall just enjoy Shelley's artwork and the wonderful memories it brings. 

Having a Sale....Again...Any Takers???

You know I had a 40% off sale in my Etsy shop a few weekends back...not one person took me up on the offer!  No one!  Zero!  I Tweeted, Facebooked, blogged, and announced in my shop...40% off everything.  With free shipping on most things to the US...some of the stuff was a real steal.  *sigh* So, I'm trying it again today:  40% off (no minimums even!) everything in my store.  It's a one day sale...to see if anyone is paying attention.  Just wanting to move some goodies along to a good home.  Check out my SHOP if you are interested and enter "summer40" to receive the discount upon checkout.

Huge Summer Sale!!

Having a short, summer sale the next two days in my Etsy shop.  Enter "SUMMER40" in the coupon code section to receive 40% off your order. 

Flea Markets and Barn Sales...Oh, and an Upcoming Sale!

One thing I just love about the warmer weather is getting out to sales...yard sales, garage sales, flea markets, and barn sales. 

Thanks to CTheWritingOnTheWall  for their fabulous "Flea Market" sign.  Check out their Esty shop HERE. 

~~~

This past weekend Mom and I went to two flea markets and three barn sales.  *whew*  We were really tired out, and, yes, I spent all of my money I had to spend (and then a little bit more).  Some of the sales were pathetic or too expensive, but a few (especially one) were fantastic.  I could have spent hundreds of dollars.  At one barn sale there was a lady taking pictures on her I-phone...sending them to a friend...and getting answers back from the friend to buy things for her.  The lady had a huge pile of stuff she was buying (and this was on the second day of the sale!).  It was all great fun. 

~~~

I'm eager to take pictures and list the many goodies that were found.  First of all, the weather needs to cooperate so that my pictures will come out looking nice, AND I need to list things that I've already taken pictures of and just haven't gotten listed yet.  I'm in the process of doing that now.  I'm going to have a big, big sale on July 4th...okay, since you've read down this far I'll tell you what the sale will be.  It is going to be 40%...yes, that's 40% off everything in my Etsy store on July 4th.  This sale will be for one day only.  Come back at the end of the week for a blog post on the specs and for the discount coupon code. 

Smell of Roses in the Air

Whenever a window is opened...whenever laundry is being hug...whenever the mail is retrieved....the smell of roses is in the air.

What a delight!  The winter was hard on my roses bushes, and I lost three of them.  However, the heartiest of them have remained, and how wonderful they smell. 

This huge bush out back we have let grow with sweet abandon.  It is really huge...probably too huge.  However, we can smell it all around.  I've brought some in to enjoy as well.  How I love roses!

Promote Your Esty Store on StoreWoot

Get lots of Pinterest hits on your Etsy shop item (s) through StoreWoot. Promote your Etsy shop on StoreWoot. Follow the link (this is a legitimate link!) and get one Pinterest promotion for free.
Go to http://StoreWoot.com/invite/glassbeadtreasures/

Embroidery on Paper

If I see something super neat, I like to see if it can be done on a small scale.  Things on a small scale are just so much more interesting!  I saw a large piece of paper that was stitched on on Pinterest and thought it looked so pretty.  Sometime a while ago I found a wee vintage dictionary with its back cover missing as well as a few pages...and, well, the two ideas just went together in my mind.  It took some trial and error, but here is the little brooch that is the end result...

 

What do you think? 

Memorial Day Weekend Sale

Happy Memorial Day Weekend...and thank you to our military past and present for their sacrifices and service.  I'm having a sale in my Etsy shop to honor our servicemen and women--enter the coupon code GLASS10 to receive 10% off your order.

New Stitching Project

I just love embroidery and needlework...it is so relaxing and I love the look.  It is just fun to create, as many of you will agree.  I tried an experiment and designed this pendant this past week.  It is a little "Shabby Chic" and a little "Modern Victorian". 

It is a mixed media pendant with both new and vintage bits on it--new charm and beads, vintage pearls, lace, and buttons.  It has been listed in my Etsy shop, but I thought I'd share it here to see what you think. 

Blooming Cherry Tree

This is the cherry tree that my kids bought me for Mother's Day several years ago. 

 

I love watching the buds as they turn from deep pink to light pink as the open during the spring. 

 

The dark pink process seems to have been longer this year perhaps to cool temps and cloudy days.  Regardless, it has been a pleasure to watch...especially when a goldfinch or robin happens to perch in its branches.  Oh, the hummingbirds have returned this past week too.  We saw three yesterday.  They are such little delights...and it was such a long winter. 

Vintage Red Heart Buttons

 

I recently bought an old sewing machine at a thrift store.  There's more to that which I'll leave for a different post.  The two draws were full of notions (what put me over the edge to buy the machine). Some things were bobbins and other items for the sewing machine.  Some things were old and junky.  Then there were a few treasures...including buttons--most not that great but a few nice ones!  These two heart buttons were in it.  I love them!  They need to be on a project, but it will be a while before I'll be able to part with them. 

 

Vintage Jewelry Embellished Perfume Bottle Necklace

Well, I had had this perfume bottle on my craft table for quite awhile now.  It was completely intact except for the embellishment that was on the very front.  It dawned on me to PUT an embellishment on the front that would complement the bottle (plus some extra pearls and rhinestones).  After seeing my mother's Stampington magazine, I then decided to make it into a necklace. 

 

The bail and chain can be taken off without any problem if someone just wanted the pretty little bottle for their boudoir table.  I personally prefer it as just the bottle, but it's nice that this piece is versatile enough to be used as a necklace as well. 

Spring Sale in My Etsy Shop

Enter the coupon code "GLASS10" to receive 10% off your order today through Sunday (April 10-13).

Pretty Button Cards and New Felt Pin

Mom and I went to a large antique mall this past weekend down around the southern boarder of the state.  It was our annual trek down there for a "girl's day".  It was loads of fun...and relaxing too.  I found some pretty button cards.

 

The card itself is pretty on this one not to mention the buttons.  I'm pretty sure the buttons are glass, but sometimes it is so hard to tell.

 

This little girl one is sweet along with the simple pink buttons.

 

This one is gorgeous.  Don't you just love that wedding dress?? 

 

Also, I completed another felt pin.  This is a depiction of a vintage Mason or Ball jar with fireflies in it.  Can you tell summer was on my mind while making this?  The ends and flight paths of the fireflies are in glow in the dark thread for extra fun.  I'll be listing this in my Etsy shop soon. 

Finallly....

 

....spring has arrived!  We have been waiting a long, long time, but these little crocuses that bloomed just this morning have shown me that spring is actually...truly...really here.  Hooray!

A New Chair for a Song

 

I finally...yes, finally...finished this chair.  It didn't take long.  The hard part was just taking the time to finish it.  The chair was a $1 find in all of its dark stained wood and orange and yellow striped glory.  The arms came off (not problem). 

 

A couple of coats of ivory paint took care of the dark wood stain (perhaps it needs a little sanding to give it a "roughed up" look though).  Our walls are ivory, so the chair had to be ivory. 

 

The braid was a thrift store find (it was in a bag of other notions for a few dollars).  The pretty green material was the end bits of a roll of material found at a different thrift store for $5.  I'm thrilled that there is some still left, since it's so pretty and versatile.  It will await a future project.  Anyway, with a hot glue gun and a staple gun, this was easy to do and finish.  Now we have a "new" chair in our bedroom! 

Teatime Pretties and Happy Spring

First of all...happy spring!  Yes, it is finally here.  What a winter it has been!  That is one thing I like about March...the hope of spring (among other things!). 

 

I go shopping and rarely buy anything for myself.  I'm either looking for things for other people, or just shopping for necessities, or shopping for things to either resell or to make into something to sell.  Well, these pretties I actually bought for me. 

 

 

 

The teacup/tea mug is from a gift shop.  It reminds me of a Cath Kidston print, though this is not related to Cath Kidston at all.  I've been greatly admiring all things Cath Kidston lately--the flowers, the colors, the prints--on Pinterest and elsewhere, and this tea mug was just perfect (in fact, I'm drinking tea from it right now).  The mug really does make tea taste better....really!

 

This little single-cup teapot is from the local antique mall.  I had had my eye on it for awhile, picking it up every time I went by it.  Remembering the old motto "Buy it or you wish you had", it made its way into my hands somehow.  Now it is mine!  It is very small.  Chintz patterns have always been a favorite.  I'm delighted to say the least. 

 

Bluebird of Happiness

What a delight it was to see this sweet little bluebird sitting in my cherry tree this afternoon! 

 

After such a long, cold winter, it is so nice to see all of the birds returning.  There are many now, and to hear their birdsong when stepping outside is wonderful.  We saw our first robin just this past week.  Spring really is on its way.  Do you want another delight?  Follow this link and watch a sweet hummingbird and her nest of three eggs. 

http://www.ustream.tv/hummingbirdnestcam

The live camera keeps an eye on this little family and their nest attached to a rose bush is in Orange County, California.  We have this cam link up on our computer during the day and keep our eye on this little lady and her eggs.  I can't wait until my hummers return--but not for another month or so. 

More Springtime Stitching

Just a couple more things I've been stitching up lately.  I was inspired by a hat (an actual hat) I saw on Etsy and decided to try out some brooches.  I have not made felt flowers before and saw a tutorial on Pinterest to learn how.  The hard part was making the flowers small enough for the hat.  Felt roses are on my agenda as well...but who can resist some pretty glass bead flowers?  These really are fun to stitch up...and, oh, so springy!  There are other projects rolling around in my mind as well; it's just finding the time to work them up that is the problem.  These little hats were only completed by a few stitches here and a few stitches there. 

 

I thought the yellow, white, and aqua were perfect springtime colors. 

 

This has an actual parakeet feather in it and a wee vintage mother of pearl pin.  Both of these are in my Etsy shop now.  Hope you like them!

First Macarons

 

 

Oh, how could I forget?  Yesterday I had my first French macaron....three of them actually.  Okay, I had parts of three of them.  They were vanilla, raspberry, and chocolate.  Mmmmmm!  The "cookie" part wasn't anything like I expected.  I thought they would be more like a meringue with a hard shell to it.  I purchased them at a health food grocery store, and they were just fabulous!  I shared part of each with my kids and husband and parents...and they were small too.  I so wanted everyone to have a nibble and try them as well.  Unfortunately, (for my waistline) I now like them and may have to get more in the future (only the entire macaron will be for me!). 

Catching Up

It HAS been awhile since posting.  There have been so many things that have gone on in our lives the past few months.  I suppose some catching up is in order.   This cannot be done all in one day or even in one week...that would be too overwhelming for us all, really.  So, I will start in little bites.  First of all, I'll share some crafts that have been completed lately.  I've tried my hand at a few cuffs.  What a lot of work! 

 

This one I loved seeing go together.  I had purchased these pretty vintage metal roses and couldn't wait to use them in a big way.  This cuff/bracelet turned out really well.

 

 

Then, this bridal one took forever to finish--many hours of embellishing.  The white embroidery on it ended up looking almost like lace.  With its pearly accents and glass beads, it shimmers and shines--perfect for a wedding day.  They are both in my Etsy shop.  These took so long to do, however, that I've moved on to some other felt projects.  Those will be in another post though.  Hope you like these.

New Calendar, New Year

As is tradition, I got our new calendar for the year....

....it's always this Teapot calendar, and we always get it after the holidays so that it's 1/2 off the price.  How's that for cheap?  The pictures in this calendar are just so pretty, and it is hung above our telephone/computer area just off the living room/kitchen.  The pictures are works of art in and of themselves, and I enjoy each month...all month long.  One year there was a witch teapot which was nasty...the only one I can remember that I really didn't like.  I simply took the picture from a previous month and hung it over that particular teapot for that month.  I'm totally lost without our calendar--keeping track of birthdays, when my husband is working overtime or has training, and when the kids have lessons and things going on.  Hope your new year has started out well!