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! 

Adele and Josette at the Dress Form Ball

This little lady had been out shopping (in Paris, of course!) all day but still wanted to go to the Dress Form Ball at The Polka Dot Closet.  Adele is, oh, so tiny at only 3-1/4" tall, but, alas, was the only dress form around who was able to participate! 

She wore her finest vintage creme doily dress...the one with the rhinestone sash and bow.  She was pleased with the fleur-de-lis brooch she purchased while in Paris and put it on right away. 

Though she was already cumbered with her purse and packages, she couldn't resist purchasing a bouquet of roses from a street vendor to bring to our hostess of the second annual ball.

 
Little Josette who goes with her everywhere was wearing her typical rhinestone collar and leash. 

Many thanks to our hostess, Carol. 

Be sure to go to her blog, The Polka Dot Closet, to enjoy the ball and the many lovely guests who are also attending!

Dug Out...and New Old French Stamps

Well, we are finally dug out from our winter storm here in Wisconsin. I have been here at the house for several days (weeks, it seems). Thankfully the roads are driveable now and the kids have violin lessons today...oh, and it's Dad's birthday (Happy Birthday, Dad) which means out to supper tonight...and it's mid-week prayer service tonight after supper. So, needless to say there are plenty of reasons to get out and about today. Can you tell I have a touch of cabin fever? The snow IS pretty, and it smells fresh and clean. Next month is March which means spring. The sun is almost up, and it's a beautiful (albeit frigid) day....trying to stay super positive here!

Speaking of being positive...Mom acquired a GREAT amount of old stamps recently. There are many US and many foreign in the mix. There are also many quite old ones. Some she has are just exquisite--they are like miniature works of art. She was super kind to give me these pretty, colorful, old French stamps (she knows I like French things) to "play" with (thanks, Mom). I'm not a talented paper/scrapbook/altered art person like so many of you out there and therefore haven't figured out what to do with them yet other than knowing that I really want to create with them. Inspiration will strike, I'm sure, probably at a most unusual time. Perhaps today's fresh, cold air will clear my mind and an idea germinate.

The Love of Limoges

I know, I've posted a picture of this teacup and saucer before. My husband and I were at the Charles De' Gaulle Airport for the trip home from our little jaunt in Paris years ago, and I still had not purchased a teacup and saucer--something I like to get from places we visit as a memory of the trip. We went into a little shop at the airport, and, lo and behold...they had teacups! I bought these two ("In case one breaks, you'll still have the other," my husband thoughtfully said.) because they were so French...so Limoges. When I think of France...when I think of Limoges--the quintessential colors of Limoges--I think of cobalt and gold (and, of course, the French lady and gent are a part of that--goes without saying, really). So, with this inspiration and the colorful richness of cobalt and gold/brass, I hand stitched flower beads in cobalt, light blue and white along with little brass rose beads for my newest trinket box (have it listed on my Lollishop and on Etsy). Leave it to something from France to inspire me!