Everyday Beauty

Shabby's in the House

Literally!

Rachel Ashwell's new book just arrived at my doorstep today. And all I can say is it's WONDERFUL!!!

I remember when I was in college and discovered Rachel's first book at Barnes & Noble in NYC. I had always loved vintage style, pastels, cotton, frills, flowers, patina and creamy paint. So it was an incredible feeling to find the book..... to discover that someone had given a name to the style I loved. She made it real and made it OK to want to paint our furniture and hang dresses on the wall. To this day, Rachel Ashwell's books are my absolute favorites and I look through them often, never tiring of the images and stories.

She is so talented and has such a great eye, always authentic and always true to her style. The words Shabby Chic have been used (and abused) and have become household names in the decorating world. All because of one woman. Do you think she has any idea how many people she continues to inspire every day? I sure hope she does.

Now, go order the book if you haven't already. It is a visual feast and delight!

Blogging for Bliss

In case you haven't heard......Tara Frey has a new book called Blogging for Bliss: Crafting Your Own Online Journal.  Tara invited 50 creative bloggers to contribute to the book, by sharing their blogging experiences, tips and feelings on what it means to them to "blog for bliss". I'm thrilled to be among them! The book also contains loads of resources for new bloggers as well as helpful ideas for established bloggers and those looking to take their blogs to the next level.

To help celebrate, Kari {Artsy Mama} is hosting a Blogging for Bliss book release party today, and she's posted a long list of bloggers who have joined the party. Click over to Kari's blog and check out the right sidebar for the complete list.

So, why do I blog?

To keep a journal of these days that pass by so quickly.

To capture moments and images that reveal beauty.

To keep in touch with friends & family.

To share with others who find joy in the same simple things as me.

To connect with amazing, creative women all over the world.

If you've been on the fence about starting a blog of your own, this book might be just the push you needed to take the plunge!

Congratulations to Tara for fulfilling a dream!

T-Shirt Pom Poms

  

Well, I guess I spoke too soon. The sun was shining like crazy yesterday. So, I snapped some pictures for the next several posts, just in case it decides to hide again.

I made these pom pom flowers out of some old t-shirts. It's the coolest thing. You just cut 'em all up and stitch 'em back together in a new way. I used a couple of George's old undershirts and a few of my old maternity t-shirts. I love the idea of recycling them into something fresh and new. {I mean, how many dust cloths do I need, right?}

The idea and instructions came out of the wonderful Alabama Stitch Book. I love it! It's full of ideas, inspiration and plenty of sewing instruction. The book's focus is on transforming cotton jersey t-shirts into all sorts of other apparel and decorative projects including a good deal of applique and reverse applique.

   

I've long been intrigued and fascinated with the culture of the Deep South, and bought this book not only for the sewing aspect but because I had heard that, throughout the book, Natalie Chanin shares tales and stories of her life in the South and the generations of stitchers she comes from.

  

So, anyway, the pom poms were the first thing I made. When I saw the photos in the book I gasped. And I even used a mason jar to hold the flowers, just as they do in the book. Love the simplicity of that. I filled my jar with baby Lima beans to support the flowers because these are some heavy pom poms!

I took a trip to the grocery store with the sole mission of finding something off-white to fill the jar. At only $1 a bag, the beans are an inexpensive and pretty option. I look at beans a whole new way now! The color, the textures, the possibilities...

The brown stems are bark-covered wire from the floral department of Michael's. You can buy them as long straight stems or as a coiled spool of wire.

I still have to add some felt or jersey leaves (completely forgot!) to each stem, but that should be quick. You know I would normally share a little tutorial with you, but since this project and instructions are published, it's not right (or legal) to post it on the Internet. So, if you like to sew, go grab a copy of the book from the library or hop over to Amazon. So many great projects inside!

Catching Up

Lots to catch up on, it seems. I've been meaning/wanting to blog about so many fun things, and I thought I'd wrap a few of them together in one big fat post.

If you read this magazine:

Then maybe you saw this ad:

Last week, I received my subscription issue in the mail, and was thumbing through it casually, completely forgetting that I had an ad in there. {don't ask me how that is possible, but it's true.} Then I came to the back of the magazine and saw my ad and was totally caught off guard! It was a funny moment to say the least. I'm so happy to be advertising in this wonderful publication. I've been a faithful subscriber since the premiere issue launched back in 1997, and I love it so!

Choosing advertising partners can be tricky, and you never really know if it's the right decision until you start tracking sales and feedback. I'm optimistic that this is a good fit for One Hundred Wishes! Lots of crafty & creative readers turn those pages every month. Let's hope!

Switching gears {I'm not even trying to create a graceful transition here}.....

I decided to join in the Pre-Silver Bella swap with 12 other bloggers who are attending the event. You may have seen some of their posts about this swap and their pictures of the goodies we all shared with each other. I so enjoyed being a part of this creative group of women! Not to mention, I'm looking forward to meeting them all at Silver Bella. I really enjoyed seeing the unique creative style of each participant. These are some of the swap gifts I received. The pretties pictured above are from Heather. The ones right below are from Holly, Cheryl, and Cheryl.

These treats are from Jennifer and Jessi. {by the way, girls, thank you for the candy. It was all gone before I could even snap the picture. It's been a while since I've poured a Pixie Stick down my throat!}

 

Some gifties from Karla {the hostess!} and Analise.

And finally, the goodies sent by Carol, Kim, Tiffany and Natasha. Thanks girls, for a fun exchange of creativity!

 

Speaking of Natasha.....she sent a beautiful package across the ocean not too long ago. All of these goodies are from her shop. She draws, she paints, she sews, she makes faux desserts, she seems to have endless, boundless energy that makes me feel like a slacker! She's always up to something creative. She painted these beautiful vintage prom dresses, which I love. I've told you before that I cannot paint, so I think I appreciate painted pieces all the more.

She also sent some of her sweet faux cupcakes. Looking very cute on a shelf in my kitchen, I might add.

And she made these lavender-filled velvet strawberries {yay!}. They are wonderfully fragrant sachets, and I have one tucked into each drawer of my unmentionables....

She also sent some her beautiful original designs on greeting cards and postcards. Prom dresses, a cupcake and roses...all things Natasha is known for. I'm always looking for special cards and have already used a couple of these. Why is it always so hard to part with pretty cards?

She spoiled me with all of this and even more! There were vintage trims and rhinestone charms {which I put in my jewelry box and forgot to photograph} and even a SO thoughtful gift for Mario. She sent balloons of Australian animals and also some Cadbury chocolate bars. I told Mario that my friend sent these gifts for him, and that she lives far away where The Wiggles live. His eyes grew as big as quarters!

Thank you again Natasha, for so many thoughtful and beautiful gifts.

Whew! Now you're all caught up. Well almost...

Halloween goodies coming next week, my little witches! {I mean that in the nicest possible way} 

Spring Treat Baskets

Last fall, the the folks at Stampington contacted me wanting to feature my Bon Bon Cups in the Spring '08 issue of Somerset Life magazine. I was due to give birth to Sam in a week, but happily waddled into my studio and produced a dozen little baskets to submit for publication.

Well, the Spring issue comes out April 1st and it's a beauty! It is chalk full of wonderful articles by Rebecca Sower, Corey Amaro, Kaari Meng, Delila Jemaiel, Jenny Holiday and many other creative and talented women.

I made my first Bon Bon Cups after seeing a vintage one that inspired me a couple of years ago. (I can't believe it's been that long!) Who would've guessed that these little ditties would make their way into a magazine? You just never know who's watching and what may come to be. If you have an original, creative idea, consider submitting it to one of Stampington's wonderful publications. You never know until you try, and they are always seeking fresh and creative artwork for upcoming issues.

This is the second page of the article, featuring Cari Kraft's abundant creativity. She took an ordinary  peat pot and made it extraordinary. Aren't these baskets precious?

Speaking of Springs treats, now that the kiddies are sleeping, it's time to get back to filling more plastic eggs for the big hunt this weekend........I'll be back on Sunday with Easter wishes!

Twirling Cheesecake Pops

What is it about treats on a stick? They're just fun to eat, don't you think? Maybe a little messy but well worth it. I got the recipe for these delicious Cheesecake Pops from the book Sticky, Chewy, Messy, Gooey by Jill O'Connor. If you enjoy baking, I'd say this book is a must-have. It's full of mouth-watering color photographs that will inspire you to get the measuring cups out and tie on your apron!

There are baskets full of ballerinas in my studio waiting for opening day. The one pictured here is 5 inches tall. Among other things, I've added a ton of cupcake trinkets like these to the shop. There are hearts, cameos, scripty words and much more. You can see them all on Monday.

Now, I think I'd better stop baking and start working 'cause Monday is right around the corner!

Romantic Inspiration

Have you seen the February issue of Romantic Homes magazine? As usual, it's chock full of beauty and inspiration. This month, there is a section titled The Romantics, featuring several women entrepreneurs who lead romantic lives. I always enjoy reading about other women who have turned their dreams into a reality by doing what they love, and doing it in a beautiful way.

As serendipity would have it, back in October, Tanya Whelan contacted me for some help in creating a collage vignette for this article. I love styling vignettes and, of course, I gladly accepted and was excited to work with her on the project. Tanya is a fabric designer for Free Spirit and also has her own company called Grand Revival. You can read more about Tanya and her love of sewing, designing and her vintage-inspired lifestyle here on her beautiful blog.

I gathered several items and created the vignettes in the top right corner of each page, using vintage sewing supplies, buttons, swatches of her Barefoot Roses fabric, Tanya's business card and other mementos with special meaning to her. It was a fun project to work on and a nice break from the usual kinds of things I create.

You can click here to see some inspiring and fresh creations using her Barefoot Roses fabric collection. I seriously want to sew each and every item on the page. I have the pattern for the Flea Market Bag and plan to make it one fine day before I hit the flea markets this spring with my mom. I'm really itching to go find some discarded vintage treasures!

Weekend Plans

1. Make more ledger parcels. I hit the jackpot with a vintage ledger find last week. You guys are gobbling them up as fast as I can tie the seam binding around them! So glad you like them!

2. Some easy, inspiring reading. This just arrived on my doorstep from Amazon. Looks yummy.

3. And I'll read through this too!

4. Play outside with this little pumpkin.

5. Clean up the post office, I mean house.

6. Go to dinner with my husband to celebrate our anniversary!

That should pretty much fill the next 2 days! I hope you all have a fun-filled wonderful weekend!

Portals Zine

I love getting the mail. I think I've mentioned this before.There's usually something fun hiding in there, and it's a little bit of a let down when there's not. I'm especially grateful for a new magazine, a good catalog, a letter from a friend, an ATC from my friend Pam, or a package of goods for my shop (which have been arriving daily lately). So, I went to the mailbox on Friday and what did I see? My copy of Portals Zine had arrived! Hooray!

Way back in January, Heather contacted me wanting to feature my studio in issue #5 of Portals. I was (and am) so excited about the opportunity to be a part of it. When it rains, it pours, they say. First Artful Blogging, and now this happening in the same week. Needless to say, it's been pretty exciting around here with all of this happening at the same time.

I thought I'd share some pictures from the article with you. These were taken in January, and my studio has since relocated to another room in the house. It looks a little different now, but it's all the same stuff. Just a little more of it....and rearranged differently. I spent forever cleaning up for this photo shoot. It looked this neat for about 1/2 day, I must be honest with you.

The picture above is a crown I made a couple of years ago. My friend Lisa came to visit and we decided we needed to make crowns! She's the soldering queen, and I had just learned to solder. You can't see it too well, but the edges are all wrapped in foil tape and soldered. The letters wrap around the whole crown and say, "Just sing like a a bird". And below it sits a hat box that I covered with old book pages, ledger, an old tape measure and some pom pom trim.

This is just a fun little pom pom garland that was hanging up above my work table. I added some dangly old trinkets and loved the way it turned out. (can you tell I like pom pom trim?)

Here's a view of the sewing table and some shelves of paper. Just a snippet of this particular picture was in the article. I made the table skirt from my favorite Rachel Ashwell (from Target) curtain panel. This pattern is so pretty, and the tan background prevents it from being too precious and little-girl's-room-like. Does that make any sense? You know what I mean.

So much passion and time and was put into creating this issue. I know Heather had a lot going on and pulled this off amazingly well. It turned out to be a wonderful issue with lots of inspiring art and talented contributors. If you're interested in purchasing a copy, you can get it here. It's jam packed with 53 pages of inspiration.

By the way, there's still time to leave a comment on the Artful Blogging post (scroll down) to be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a free copy of the magazine. I'll close the drawing at midnight Sunday (7/22). The winner will be announced on Monday.

Stop back this week to see what I've been doing in preparation for the shop's big opening. Got lots in store for you!