For a Jeweled Garden Party

It took me a little while to think this through and complete, but it is finally done.  I had always wanted to embellish something like a purse.  It was hard to find the right purse first of all.  This one came the closest to what I had in mind.  It is faux black leather and has a great surface.  Then, it was fun planning out what it would look like.  The things that sealed it for me what it should look like are the pieces of a necklace that I thought looked like clouds.  Then, I decided to have a garden full of glittering flowers below.  There is a bright yellow sun in the sky, a rhinestone butterfly, and some birds above a next full of blue eggs.  I've listed it in my Etsy shop if you'd like to see other pictures of it.

Mother's Day Vintage Brooch Swap from Jan

Linda at A Swap for All Seasons hosted a wonderful swap, the Mother's Day Vintage Brooch Swap. We were to swap a vintage brooch wrapped in a beautiful package. My partner was Jan of Jan's Arty Journey. Jan certainly renewed my faith in swappers! Not only did she hold up her end of the swap but did so amazingly and beautifully. She is kind and wonderful in every way...and very talented. She wrapped everything in pretty paper tied with lovely ribbon and included a pretty card.
The brooch she chose is absolutely perfect. It is exactly as I would choose and like--you know how I like flowers and rhinestones. I shall wear it an enjoy it.She put the brooch in this amazingly beautiful book box that she embellished with all sorts of pretties--inside and out! I love the Parisian theme.
Many thanks to Jan for this wonderful brooch and box and to Linda for hosting such a fabulous swap.

Latest Perfume Bottles

I've had great fun embellishing lately--though not having a great deal of time to do as much as I'd like. These were completed and listed in my Etsy shop this past week. Enjoy!

This one is a pretty old Czechoslovakian bottle with old jewelry pieces on it.

This one has a beautiful sparking spray of rhinestones. When I got it done, I thought it had an Asian look to it.

This have a springtime theme with plenty of pastel flowers.

Lollishops Bits and Pieces Collage Group Challenge

Well, I couldn't resist this challenge (see post about it here) because of several reasons. First is because it is for Valentines' Day. Another is because I love little itty bits and pieces of things--anything in miniature appeals to me. Next, I couldn't resist a challenge and wanted to participate. Also, embellishing is just SO fun. Finally, I wanted to try my hand at doing some "paper art"--something I have little experience with and know little about. Now, scrapbooking and paper art is something that I don't do and haven't done much of in the past. I don't know all of the details of what type of paper to use, what kind of glue to use, whether to seal over your work or not, or how the details should be put together. Regardless of my lack of knowledge, I decided to do this and had a ball doing it. I really do respect people who make tags and scrapbook goodies all the time, since I had glue and scraps of paper all over me and my kitchen. I know this doesn't look as professional as many you may see, but this is my version!
I decided to do a tag. We're supposed to put these in our Lollishop/on Etsy...but, do people really buy things like this? I have no clue what to charge. These certainly aren't my area of expertise. I worry about the embellishments and bits falling off. Anyway, the size of the tag is 4" x just short of 2-1/2" . I divided the main part of the tag into 8 main sections and glued different coordinating papers into each section. I trimmed out each section with glued sections of "pearl" trim....then embellished away. You know me, I LOVE to embellish.
Since I love tea and roses and sparkles, these had to be a part of the collage.
Then I finished off the tag with a bright pink organdy ribbon with a little lace flower and my signature and date on the back just to make it extra special.

Victoria Magazine's Wrapped in Whimsy

In their November/December 2009 issue, Victoria magazine (above picture from there) has a wonderful article entitled "Wrapped in Whimsy" about a store owned by Nicholas Kniel that specializes in ribbons, buttons, and embellishments galore. It's a wonderful article--just beautiful! I checked out his on-line shop, Nicholas Kniel Fine Ribbons and Embellishment, wherein a person may see, I presume, most if not all of what he has to offer. I'd love to actually go to the shop someday--which is unfortunately in Georgia and far from here. There is nothing like feeling the ribbons and seeing the true colors of things in real life. I especially liked the little blue bird embellishments as seen in the article pictures. If you love ribbons and pretty accents, this article is a must-read and the shop a must-visit.

Crowns, the book by Pamela Claussen

Due to the amazing generosity of someone dear and kind, Pamela Claussen's breathtaking book, Crowns, arrived in the mail this past week. I had really, really wanted the book actually--had pointed it out to my husband even...then someone (not my husband) sent it to me. I'm so thankful...tickled pink...jumping for joy...very grateful. Talk about inspirational! If you need inspiration on embellishing, this book will fill that need...and then some. You know I love embellishment of all kinds and have the philosophy of "If three beads can be placed in a particular spot...why not put seven?" Sometimes, however, I find it hard to find the line between embellishment and over-embellishment, between looking classy and being tacky. I don't ever want my things to look tacky. Pamela amazingly goes right up to that line yet never, ever crosses it. Her work is truly beautiful. If I were royalty in anyway--which I'm not other than being a child of God, the King of Kings--and needed a crown or piece of sparkle made...I'd hire Pamela for sure. Check out the book sometime. It's on Pam's lovely website, Glam by Pam. Thank you again, dear friend, for the book. I will enjoy and treasure it for years to come.

Romantic Homes "Detail Work" Feature

You know how I love embellishments--especially vintage ones. I like to embellish my home, my little , me, things I make, food, presents...well, you get the idea. (...though, I DO leave my hubby alone!). So, anytime I read something about embellishing, my antennae go up and I can't wait to devour the words and pictures. The October 2009 issue of Romantic Homes has a wonderful article entitled "Detail Work" about Nancy Jamar and her shop, Gilding the Lily...a boutique that sells vintage embellishments and also gives classes to create beautiful things. Check out the website>>http://gildingthelilyvintage.com. While you're at it, she has an interesting blog as well....gildingthelilyvintage.blogspot.com. If a person can make something pretty, embellishing in some way with a little glitter, a bit of ribbon, a rhinestone or glass bead--even just a little bit or a few--can make a world of difference in how it looks. Thanks, Romantic Homes, for such a pretty and inspiring feature!