Unplanned plans

Recently, my sweetheart and I went for a day of junking and antiquing.  We had no particular plans other than to have a day open to no plans. Whatsoever.

 

This may sound pretty mundane.

 

Gloriously, yes it was.

In the hustle and bustle of life, a day with nothing on the calendar except an open road, hand in hand and full tank of gas is heavenly.

 

I am very blessed to have a husband who loves antiquing as much as I do.  We like vastly different things and lookout for items the other may enjoy.

 

Here are a few things which I decided to take home that day:

 

 

 

First, was a simple etched perfume bottle.

I have seen interesting jewelry made from vintage perfume bottles.

This one has potential for such a project.  Whether or not it does is no matter.  I love its simple style.

 

Second, the lace doilies under the bottle where lovely enough but the nifty price and unique pattern sold it for me.

 

 

Third, a milk glass Watkins jar.  I am not sure what this vessel held.  Face cream, pantry items??

Anyone know?

 

 

It was the etched lid that really captivated me.

So begins its new home with my other milk glass pieces.

 

 

 

Lastly, a cabinet card of a young lady with very soulful eyes.

It is always interesting to look at cabinet cards and note the fashion, jewelry and hair styles of the period. 

 

What do those things tell you about that moment frozen in time?  Was it a wedding, a funeral, a graduation or an everyday family gathering?

 

One may never know but it is interesting to think about.

 

I picked up a few more smaller items for jewelry and junky projects which I will share soon.

 

 

Sending good junkin' mojo to all of my fellow junkers out there!

Thank you for visiting! ~ xo Heidi

Calendar Dress Up, Marie style

Starting the new year means getting a fresh calendar, new pens and accoutrements.

 

I have a thing for office products haha, moving on . . .

 

  A new calendar that is "the one" is always hard to find. I love a vintage look. (I bet you've guessed that by now).  The usual office supply stores never seem to have that perfect blend of modern function with a vintage form that I seek.

 

 

What is a girl to do?

 

I decided purchase a calendar that had the modern function I like and add a pretty frock for it.

A little costuming and refinery upcycle - even calendars can have those.

 

A simple book cover out of an oatmeal linen became my foundation.  I recommend using a fabric that is a bit sturdy and not too flimsy. I tend to toss around my calendar and other daily items a great deal so nothing too delicate. 

 

Gathering scraps of lace and doilies, I began to stitching my collage.  I am not fussy about the condition of some of the laces.  Torn, tattered and a stain here and there only added to the charm of the collage for me.  An image of Marie Antoinette printed on cotton became the centerpiece with a little scrap of cotton lace as a frame.

 

 

 

Without a doubt, I wanted to incorporate some sumptuous light blue velvet from my stash.
You gotta use it sometime right?  At least for very special projects.

It was relaxing and fun to add some decorative stitches and mother of pearl buttons to it too!

 

Being a tactile person, I have really enjoyed using this calendar everyday.

Even if you don't find a calendar to suit your style, you can make it your own.

Fabric, paint, beading, collaging - whatever speaks to you - do it!

 

 

Thank you for stopping by friends!

Have a beautiful day! ~ xo Heidi

Lavender and lace

 

Going to estate sales or garage sales, I always check out the sewing supplies.  While old thread is unusable except for display, other items like tools, vintage fabrics and lace can be great finds.

 

In my stash of vintage lace, I had a lovely snippet of lavender which made me wonder what type of garment had been originally made with it and for what occasion.

 

Inspired to give the last bits new life, I decided to create some dress form tags using Tim Holtz's stamp set Seamless Experience.  The dress form stamp was white detail embossed on lavender paper.  Then, I stamped the ruler stamp in Milled Lavender distress ink (Ranger).

 

 

After die cutting a large shipping tag from cream paper, I layered color using Milled Lavender, Antique Linen and Vintage Photo distress inks.  A section of paper doily was added to the corner and strip of lace adhered across the middle.

 

 

For the dresses, I gathered tulle and lace.  The bodice was tied with seam binding ribbon and adorned with a snippet of pale orchid velvet ribbon and a vintage millinery bloom.

 

A few pearly buttons were added for charm.  Then more luscious lavender and buff crinkle ribbon for the streamers on top.

 

I added this set to my etsy store here.

 

What cool finds have inspired your latest project?

 

 

Happy junkin'! Heidi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Double exciting news!

 

Sometimes things happen all at once - even better when they are good!

 

I am honored and delighted to have a seed packet/favor featured in Creating Vintage Charm magazine!

 

 

 

 

 

I was inspired by the old fashioned tradition of trading seeds and cuttings between neighbors and friends for this project.

This would make a charming favor for a wedding (scatter seeds of love) or maybe even a baby shower.

 

 

 

 

Stitch Craft Create magazine was taking submissions for their celebrations issue.

I submitted a festive rosette tutorial which can be personalized to suit your event.

I was completely stunned when they told me it made the cover!

 

 

I am so incredibly honored to have my projects featured in these beautiful magazines.

If I didn't have a little outside encouragement and mustered up some bravery, I might not have taken the chance to submit it.

 

If you make things that bring you joy, chances are they will bring someone else joy too.

Be BRAVE

Sometimes you get turned down but don't let that discourage you.

Keep going and enjoy creating in the moment.  You never know where it may lead.

  xo's ~ Heidi

 

Glam goods, a new repurposed life

 

Always hunting for pieces to be used in new projects, I was strolling through a local antique store and spotted some interesting finds.

 

A simple band medal with the iconic state of Georgia shape caught my eye.

I would love to know the history/people behind this piece. What instrument did they play? What school did they go to? What memories did this medal hold for them?

What would they think if it was repurposed on a charm bracelet or on a necklace, a life outside a box or drawer?

 

 

The gold compact still has a mirror and makeup cake pan attached.

Once used for everyday glam, it now holds potential for a new life.

I have special plans for this one - with the makeup cake pan removed. ;)

 

 

One of the most interesting items was this small case. (approx 2" in length)

 

 

A little push of a spring revealed a teeny lipstick case.

On the reverse of the case is a beveled mirror.

Lipstick is no longer manufactured to fit such tiny cases.

However, with the help of a Dremel, I have created a hole in the top to begin it's new life as a jewelry component.

I love that the woman who wears it will have something both charming and functional.

 

Of course, I could not pass up a wonderfully priced jewelry box.

More economical than some of the plastic art bins, it will live a repurposed life as bit and bauble storage in my studio.

 

 

What fun finds have you come across lately?

Thank you for visiting! xo ~ Heidi

Best in show

Many awards are given to people and animals who achieve the best in competitions.

There are some people who should be given an award for giving the best of themselves every day.

 

I was inspired to create a trophy for a dear friend of mine to remind her of the beautiful person she is for all that she does for many people. 

 

 

I used a small spool covered in paper and velvet ribbon as a stand.

 

 

 

 

It was a blast to pick out the perfect millinery blooms for this project.

Would any of you love to receive a bouquet of vintage millinery?

I would - I am weird like that, lol.

 

 

Cheers to you and all of the little things you do everyday that reflect the best of your heart. 

 

 

Thank you for visiting!

xo ~ Heidi

Angelic tag tutorial

With a mountain of gift wrapping waiting, I wanted to add some handmade gift tags to my supply stash for easier wrapping.

 

No red and green here ~ something a little nontraditional in color ~ lavender and white.

 

 

 

Actually, it was quite a happy accident.

My toner cartridge was running out of ink and produced lavender images.

I loved the look and decided to keep them.

 

 

To make these, start with regular shipping tags from your local office supply store.

Brush a layer of gesso over them.

It does not have to be perfect - thick or thin layers - have fun with it!

 

Next, brush Tattered Angels Glimmer glaze (tinsel town) over the tag.

I also brushed some over the dress of the angel image.

 

 

Apply Stickles {crystal} to the angel wings.

 

It is hard to see the shimmer of the Glimmer Glaze here.

Can you see a bit of the texture?

Gesso is great for that!

 

 

While those are drying, grab a stash of trim, tulle, feathers

and some dyed coffee filters.

 

I used easter egg dye on these.

Also, if you scrunch the coffee filters while they are wet, they will leave a nice crinkled textured.

 

Die cut or hand cut wings from the coffee filters.

 

 

Snip some book page scraps to adhere to random spots on your tag.

 

Once the book page scrap is on, apply the coffee filter wing to one side.  Layer a smaller feather on top of the wing.

 

Add some dimensional stickers to the back of the image and adhere the image to your tag. 

 

I looped some tulle and white tinsel then tied them both with vintage lace.

 

With a stash of kraft bags and tags, you will have your gifts wrapped in no time!

 

 

Happy wrapping!

xo's ~ Heidi

Sparrows and ice cream

Many humid and hazy Georgia evenings, you can witness the dance of sparrows swooping and diving to catch a quick meal before night time falls.  With stunning accuracy and acrobatic moves, they pluck mosquitos in a graceful dance.

While working on a necklace, I was inspired by the sparrows swooping in to get a quick treat.

Dangling from a layer of cafe colored pearls, a little sparrow has a white bloom with a polished czech bead.

Below the sparrow is draped another strand of AB polished glass, creamy czech crystals, freshwater pearls and a repurposed rhinestone pin. 

I love the creamy iridescent czech beads!

Digging through more pins, I found a sweet rhinestone wreath pin adorned with a simple bow.

This one reminds me of neopolitan ice cream!

Vanilla czech glass, strawberry colored glass beads, roze quartz, milk chocolate pearls, freshwater pearls and vintage beads mix for a sweet confection.

I added a smaller pin for some extra sparkle - you can never go wrong with extra sparkle, haha.

Dangling from the clasp is a vintage drop pearl.

For the cherry on top, I added a dangle to the wreath made of crystal AB bead, white glass flower and a shimmering faceted czech bead.

Hope you are having a wonderful summer!

xo ~ Heidi

A Chenille-arella story

Finding yummy vintage textiles can be alot like a Cinderella story.

If the piece has holes or stains, it might get cast aside without a second glance.

Some pieces still have so much good left in them.  The holes and stains can be snipped off with plenty of great fabric left to use.

Take a second glance and look for the good.

This is a flea market bag I recently made, mixed with a hodgepodge of vitage fabrics.

Sorry for this terrible phone pic!

This is the girl in progress - flap and straps not yet attached.

I used a super soft vintage chenille blanket, pompom trim and a cotton damask tablecloth for the ruffle.

Inside, she is lined with a vintage sheet and the tablecloth for pockets.  Again, sorry for the poor phone pic, ha.

A little bibbity, bobbity, boo

I pinned a linen rosette and doily to the front.

I am not settled yet on which combination I want to use to adorn her but this is what I am going with for now.  What can I say, I am a bit fickle about some things.

This girl has plenty of room to tote whatever may be needed on flea market days ~ and then some!

Out of a crazy mix of fabrics, she is my favorite flea market bag.

Do you have any favorite fabric rescues?

Thank you for stopping by!

xo ~ Heidi