A Thing of Beauty...

"A thing of beauty is a joy for ever..."

                                         -- Keats

I am now shifting my focus to "things" of beauty that 

give me joy and hopefully will give you joy, too!

I made these cards in an inspired moment using the girl and the

French frame images from the Graphics Fairy. The birds are 3-D stickers from K & Company.  

The background paper and ruffled trim are from Stampin' Up.

This pinkish salmon color is one of my favorites--vintage, warm, and lovely...

 Trying out a different color...

 

Both are shaker cards that have a 3-D frame with clear glass and pink heart glitter inside.  

When turned upside down, little hearts fill the background, like this

Aaaahhh....  

I love beautiful things.  

Don't you?

I'm linking this post to the Graphics Fairy's Brag Monday
and to Crafty, Scrappy, Happy's Inspiration Gallery

Valentines, Burlap, and Chalkboards, Oh My!

I'm caving in to "peer pressure" -- Pinterest and some of your blogs-- :-)  and 

finding my Valentine mojo.  Here are a few things that I made this week:

 

The cat head and clothing were made with stamps from Mad Rat Rubber--some of the best-priced 

doll stamps and the only large ones in red rubber that I know of. (Hi Gretchen!) 

Are you getting your Valentine mojo back?

I'm linking up with the "Be My Valentine Linky Party" at Decor to Adore.


In the past I linked up with
Elaine's Sunny Simple Sunday
and Sunday's Best Features at My 1929 Charmer

Champagne Bottle Label Love

A toast to the New Year!

A special label for a special bottle shared with friends on New Year's Eve (2011). 

I had to save it--probably won't ever have it again! lol!

I replaced the cork with a Victorian glass door knob, and then put together the label with the clock and bird images from the Graphics Fairy.

This week I am linking up with the following blog parties:

Graphics Fairy Brag Monday

  The Vintage Farmhouse Creative Things Thursday
Cozy Little House Welcome Wagon Friday
Common Ground Vintage Inspiration Friday

Christmas Remnant

I'm trying to get over a nasty cold, so I haven't made a New Year's project that's been swirling around in my head.  It requires an image from the Graphics Fairy, and both of my printers are out of ink, so I'll have to go to Office Depot if they are open today...  sigh...  BUT!  I really want to ring in the New Year with this project, so I'm downing the Advil, Benedryl, hot tea, etc. and will try to get up a new post for the project.

In the meantime, I have one last remnant of Christmas for you.  Tried my hand at a quick digital card designed with Graphics Fairy music and angel images.  Added a sentiment, printed, trimmed and rounded the corners (the gray is just background of the picture).  Really quick.  With a change of sentiment, this card could appropriately be used for sympathy, get well, or a general greeting.

Crazy for Tom and Jerry Christmas Punch Bowls

I like punch bowls for some crazy reason.  I REALLY like them. 

 I don't make punch, I just like to put stuff in them, like pinecones in 

these two huge pressed glass punch bowls in the 

Slewed Horseshoe pattern from 1908.

   Did you notice I forgot to put pinecones in one--oops!  :-)

Being born and raised in the South, I had never heard of the Christmas drink, Tom and Jerry--

until-- I came upon some peach luster punch cups at a local thrift shop and 

had to have them.  Once in my house, I liked them so much, I went on Ebay and 

bought the punch bowl with stand and more cups (usually filled with ornaments for Christmas, but it absolutely rocks with my Halloween and Thanksgiving decorations).

Knowing of my fascination with this genre of serving dishes, my girlfriend bought me these delicate porcelain cups for Christmas this year, also from a thrift shop (hubby even likes these):

 

During my after Christmas thrifting this week, I was amazed to find 

the following Tom and Jerry set for 12.00!!!!  (What a way to end 2012)!

And so there it is--the secret is out.  

I LOVE punch bowls.  

Now I just have to go make a Tom and Jerry!

Linking up with Knick of Time Christmas in July Party

Travertine Tile Coaster Tutorial

I've been working for the past few years at a place where frequent gift-giving is common.  You never know when you'll come into work and find a pack of 7Gypsies scrapbook paper or a lovely butterfly mug tucked into a cute bag along with a sweet card.  So to have a quick custom gift ready when appropriate for work or for a hostess or birthday gift, I made several sets of travertine coasters. They are easy and inexpensive to make and would be a great project for a group crafty night!

I'm linking this post to Open House Party.

                                                        

Items you need:

From Home Depot
    Travertine tiles -- about $4.00 for 9 tiles

From Michael's or JoAnn's
    StazOn ink pad in Timber Brown
    E-6000 glue
    Felt

From anywhere
    rubber stamps (I love Oxford Impressions.)

 

Wipe tiles with damp paper towel to remove dust

Notice that some tiles will be smoother than others.  

Press stamp pad on stamp until it is wet with ink.  Re-ink pad if necessary.  You must use a permanent, quick-drying ink like StazOn.  My ink pad is several years old, so I found it necessary to re-ink a few times while doing the project just to make sure the impression transferred well.

Stamp detailed images on smooth tiles.

Stamp images with fewer details (fewer lines and more solid areas) on the rougher tiles.

Continue stamping tiles until you have the number you want for your gift.

To finish, cut felt on paper cutter (or by hand) to be a slightly smaller square than the tile.  

Line the back side of the tile with E-6000 glue, about an eighth of an inch inside the edge.  

Put the felt square on the glue and press all over.  Let the glue dry for a few hours or overnight.  

Stack finished tiles and tie with bakers' twine and ribbon.

 Keep several stacks on hand for a quick and nice gift any time you need.

NOTE: No top coat is needed.  The travertine will absorb moisture from glasses and the ink won't wear off.

After Christmas Decorating

I hope I'm not the only person who keeps putting out Christmas decorations after 

December 25!  I usually start in mid December (just hate to rush through Fall), 

so there is never enough time to do everything I want.  And I love the relaxed 

feeling when the hustle and bustle is over, and my town seems to just 

slow down a bit.  I'm so happy to have a break from my usual routine and

 focus on decorating, which really means enjoying all the beautiful pieces 

that I have accumulated over many years from my grandmother or mother or 

from special times and places.  Some of my life's story and the life stories of so many others

can be told in what I have collected. So I'll just carry on with my "Christmas" decorating and 

remembering and being thankful for the special people and places 

that have been a part of my life.  What nice remembrances.

Mantle and Fireplace in  My Family Room