Vintage Valentine's Day Corsage Swap

I heard from Emma yesterday that her corsage has arrived. She liked it! Yeah! We gave participants the option to chose red or pink and I was tickled that Emma chose pink.

 

Voila! Pink vintagy corsage goodness. :) As you may notice, that picture is one of my absolute favorites to use in projects. I just think she's beautiful and regal and darling. I found the photo in this Flickr group where people post art for using in collages. Lots of good stuff!



I created my corsage by starting with some glittered leaf picks I had my stash, most likely picked up Michaels at some point. I went a little crazy with the glitter, huh? The pink heart was something in a box of little items I found at one of the treasure sales and adding the pink glitter really made it special! The crown was purchased from The Speckled Egg where I buy many of my foil dresdens and the metal beads were a lucky thrift find a few months ago. I also created a crepe paper rosette (learn how to make one HERE), a Valentine tag and some of those vintage pink sequins I recently found.



You can see a few satin flowers in there that also came from the craft store. Again with the glitter? You know it! I wrapped the stems in floral tape and included a pin back. Foam mounting squares were used to keep everything in place. Then I tucked the corsage in a box with some tissue and foil shreds to keep it safe in travel.



Add a bag of Lindor truffles . . .



 . . . a little red satin ribbon and voila! Vintage Valentine's Goodness. This was a very fun project and I can't wait to come up with new corsages for Easter. I'll be sharing Emma's corsage with you as soon as it arrives! It's currently winging it's way across the pond. I can't wait!

Have a moment? Check out my latest article HERE on creating your own Mom Cave sanctuary with Homegoods. More to come on this exciting project!

Cheers!

Mother Nature Hates New York City

Oh yes  . . . AGAIN.

And Dana, Luis says that he's snow shoveling hat. ;)

Corsage Swap Trial Run

So my lovely partner for the Sweet Goodness Vintage Valentine's Corsage Swap is darling Emma who resides in the U.K. I wanted to send her corsage off ASAP so she'd be able to have more time to enjoy it with the extra time it will take to arrive. So I got started some time ago on this project.

Since I've never made a corsage before I decided to also make one for my Mom as a trial run, if you will. Since she has already received it, I figured I can share:



I used a vintage corsage thrifted some time ago that was kind of plain. Just the silver leaf and silver fringes on the corsage stem.



I added the graphic (which is from a Dover collection) and label, red dresden bow and lots of glitter. I also tucked in a velvet heart found in my treasure sale treasures (I have a whole bag of these!)



I put it in a box that originally had Christmas cards in it, added some shreds and a ribbon and voila! Simple to make but oh so cute! Once Emma receives her corsage, which is pink, I'll share that as well.

I think we should bring the corsage back. Any one up for a Vintage Easter Corsage Swap??

xoxoxo
RR

Things I've Learned . . .

Giraffe legs are long  . . .



And I hate making pom-poms . . .





But I'm really happy with the way my latest project turned out. It's a gift so I'll have to share the full view at a later time but it's way cute. I'm sure she's figured it out by now but this little guy will be for my new nephew who we expect to arrive in mid May. Hope he likes his Auntie's hand made toys, lol.

 Too bad making pom-poms is a pain in the butt, I sort of want one of these:



Doesn't that seem like it would be perfectly squishy under your toes? Wanna try? Pattern found HERE.

I've been writing a bit over at The Examiner. Check out my articles:

New Year, New Crafty You: Counted Cross Stitch

New Year, New Crafty You: Piecework Magazine


Crochet Your Own Swiffer Cover

Warm Up with Faux Fur Sewing Patterns

Learn to Make Floral Clay Stamped Clay Bangles with Paper, Plate and Plane

Free Knit & Crochet Slipper Patterns

Valentine's Day Craft: Gum Ball Necklaces

Thanks for reading!

Ciao ~ RR

And then there were Thrifts . . .

Thrifting trips have been few and far between around here lately. My weekends fill up quickly and regular life seems to get in the way. Last week I quit my job. I was offered a better position in Manhattan that I couldn't say no to. I'm so relieved. I was very unhappy at my last job and it was really starting to affect my life. This is a great move for me. My boss was none too happy and in a fit of unprofessionalism he had me pack up and leave right away. It was a bit of an ugly scene and I did let it get to me for awhile but I'm over it now. My early exit gives me a week off before my new job starts and you know I had to fit in some thrifting in that time, right?

I got an email that Unique thrift stores were having 50% off for MLK so off I went yesterday to dig through the treasures.



Two adorable vintage aprons for only $1.50 each! I think the $3 regular price isn't too bad either. The one on the left is a full apron and will be going to a friend who it reminds me of. I think I'll keep the one on the right. I love the colors and I really can't resist an apron. I have a large collection now and have decided that I will have to put some up in the shop. I really need to declutter and just pick out my favorites. Enough hoarding!



A queen sized chenille bedspread for $2.50. Again, $5 is not a bad regular price which surprises me in the thrifts these days. I'm not sure how old this is. It's really clean and there are no tags. Anyone know how to date these things? I'm thinking this will be a cutter though we all know ho hard that will be for me.



An oil painting done on a piece of wood and framed in silk covered wood. This is definitely something someone made and it just speaks to me. It's not really my style (though I love Asian items) but I had to have it. Plus the price was right, only 40 cents. The more I look at it, the more I love it.



Some fun crafty supplies. I tend to head right for this section as I'm craving inspiration these days. I found a bag of what I thought were fabric scraps but instead was a kit to make a fabric and felt turtle, pattern included. You can see a scrap pf green there on the bottom. The pink pearl roping is just cute and was like 50 cents and I figure I can use it for something or put it in the shop. (Though I've been hoarding my trims lately!) I also found a few old needle books, some rick rack and embroidery floss. All in all, fun crafty finds.



I collect those silk scarf boxes though this one is the first I've found in such a bright pattern. All of mine are pale blue or pink and a bit shabbier in nature. This one is probably not as old and is also headed for a friend. I'll be turning that cute lamb planter into a pin cushion (more on that and other planter pin cushion projects later) and that Pampered Chef Apple Peeler is for my Mom.

All in all, I spent $23. Good times were had by all. Since I'm off the rest of the week I think I'll head out to the "far away" thrift at some point and see what treasures can be found. Any luck on your end?

Oh the weather . . .

I'm starting to resent snow. Enough already!! More snow showers on Saturday AND next Tuesday? Really?? Not much accumulation but still messy and slick and generally mayhem inducing.

So how does a girl whose taken to wearing her growing out unruly hair in twin pony buns battle the cold winter winds?







An updated version of a vintage ear warmer pattern from an old issue of Crochet Today. I LOVE how it turned out! Can't you tell from my mini self portrait session?



They are so quick to make that I made a second one the next day. I'm not loving the embroidery on the brown one as much but I'm thinking of adding some off white buttons to those branches. What do you think?



I changed up the pattern a bit by doubling the yarn and adding a loop and button instead of ties. It was nice to finally use some of the vintage coat buttons I've been hoarding. This is a great stash buster project and everyone can expect one for Christmas next year. You have been warned.

ciao ~ RR

New Swap! Vintage Valentine' Day Corsage Swap

Come on over to Sweet Goodness Swaps and join the Vintage Valentine's Day Corsage Swap!



Click HERE for details. Sign up soon! Swap is limited to 24 participants and sign ups close Sunday January 9th.

Holiday Memories

(too many) delicious sweets





My mother's handmade ornaments



Chester the cat loving the hand knit version of himself more than the actual recipient. :)



A family wedding



WAY too much snow

Happy New Year! Here's to a wonderful 2011. What's on your New Year's resolution list? I have quite a few including blog more. We'll see how it goes. :)

Fondly ~ Rebecca

Decking the Halls

So how about a spin around the living room?



The tree. I love love love ornaments so it's full, I know. But like I said, I love it.

A few ornaments . . .



A vintage inspired beauty I made this year at the craft party. These are my favorite kinds to make. I have a whole box of dresdens, foil leaves, pretty tinsel and rhinestones in anticipation of making more.



Another handmade ornament from the party this year. I bleached the bottle brush tree, hot glued it into a small glass ball and made a hanger around the top with wire. It is decorated with beads cut from plastic bead garland and Martha Stewart mica flake glitter. Oh and more tinsel trim, of course.



My favorite recent vintage ornament find, a very intricate felt donkey. Isn't he the best? I just adore him.



And a sweet little girl made by Shara last year. This is the first year she's been on my tree since I was at my Mom's over the holiday last year.



And my house is never complete without a festive bar. I love vintage Culver glass wear and mix it with more modern red Lenox glasses. I wish I could have cocktail parties a la the 1950s. :)



And a rather sad display of the glittered churches (there is a silver one off to the left) I found for a song at Target after Christmas last year. They are lovely all lit up but need a better display place next year, I think. More bleached bottle brush trees glued into glittered wooden spools, too.

We are off to Baltimore tomorrow. Have a safe and VERY MERRY Christmas! I'm looking forward to some major Goodness over here in 2011. :)

xoxoxo ~ Rebecca

More Goodness

The rest of the ornaments arrived from the Goodness Girls just proving again why our annual ornament swap is my favorite!



First up from Jodi is this adorable plaque with vintage postcard image. Red? Glittery? Vintage? Perfect!

Then this package from Leigh Ann came the next day:



Her love of Texas shows!



A cute vintage cowgirl blue bell! I tried to photograph this one on the tree but this picture looked a lot better.

And then yesterday Heidi's ornament arrived:



Don't you just love it?



Clever and adorable!

Thank you girls, yet again your ornaments are some of my favorites and will have places of honor on my tree.

And remember when I posted the dresses that I made for this year's ornament and said I got the idea from The Felt Mouse? Here is the link to her original creations. Thanks, Jen!

I hope to be back to post before the holiday!

ho ho ho
Rebecca

Magic Holiday Mushrooms & New Party Dresses

My favorite swap of the year, the one I never miss even if I'm in a cast or so busy that I can't see straight is the annual Goodness Girls Christmas Ornament Swap. It's a small swap with only 5 members, myself, Jodi, Shara, Heidi and Leigh Ann. Basically the girls who come together to organize and execute the swaps at Sweet Goodness Swaps. While this year our swaps over there have been limited I was happy that were still able to do our swap of ornaments with each other.

The first ornament arrived yesterday:



From Shara, the queen of the cutest packaging! So what's inside? I was hoping that tiny mushroom was an indicator and I was right!



Toadstools! I collect ornaments, I guess, and I love unusual ones and toadstools are high on my list. Though it seems they are not so unusual in Germany where they are considered good luck and there is one of every tree.



The felt one is hand made by Shara and is already one of my favorites.



The tiny glass one is just adorable! The gum drop toadstools have mysteriously disappeared. Hmm . . .

Thank you, Shara, I love them!

So what did I make? Since they should have arrived to everyone by now, I'll share. I decided to step out of my normal realm of crafting (read: PAPER) and made each of the girls a new party dress:



Each one is slightly different and were so fun to make!



I can't take total credit for the idea. Many years ago my friend Jennifer at The Felt Mouse made similar dress forms for a bachlorette party. She shared her source and I ordered the forms and they've been sitting gathering dust for more than 3 years! I looked on Jennifer's blog but cannot locate the original post. I'll keep looking!

More to come on the other fabulous Goodness Girl Ornaments!

The January List & Holiday Fun

I'm so behind on everything this year including making my January list. Every year at the holidays I make a list of all of those things I really want to do but won't have time to get into until January. Some things on the list this year so far:

1 - Sew new curtains for the kitchen
2 - paint the porch
3 - work on my doll house
4 - organize the pantry

Anyone out there have a January list? This is short for me. lol

We headed into Manhattan on Saturday to take in some holiday goodness.



Ice skating in Bryant Park . . .



We just watched from the side lines. :)

We also saw this:



Charmin put potties in Times Square! You should have seen the line! There was a man outside dressed like a toilet. It was hilarious and honestly, a fabulous idea! Finding a bathroom in the city can be challenging. My husband says he's going to write a book of all the best places to pee in Manhattan. I'm sure we'll be rich. Hmm.

I'm trying to get everything done and not lose the fun of Christmas. I hate when it gets too overwhelming that it's more annoying than jolly. I have some hand made ornaments to share but want to make sure they arrive at their new homes before spoiling the surprise. :) I'm also knitting which is just amazing since I just haven't been inspired lately. Now hopefully I can finish up a few things before the holiday. Wish me luck!

~RR