A Few Cards

I made a few cards while I was watching my courtroom dramas the other night. I have some that are incomplete because I made a basic background and am waiting for an occasion to need the card and finish it. Here are a couple that are complete.

I used paper from DCWV's Mariposa stack and another old pad of photo matt papers. This first card uses an image from The Graphics Fairy. I was testing out my new printer and loved how nicely it printed this image on cheap copy paper. I inked a paper doily and layered a piece of lace trim onto a paper scrap before adding the image with pop-dots.

This card uses more paper scraps, a Martha Stewart garden label, and other embellishments from my scrap pile. I added Stickles to the pink flowers to give them some sparkle.

Happy Mail!

I won a few blog contests, and received one of my boxes from the Speckled Egg's Petite Inspiration Flea Market box swap.

First up, I won a One World One Heart blog party prize from Lynn Stevens. I received this fabulous one of a kind pendant she made from an old spoon. It came in this beautiful stamped canvas envelope she made.

I also won a Valentine's Day prize from The Scrappy Tree. These mini cards were made by my sweet friend Diana. They are perfect for writing little love notes.

Also from The Scrappy Tree, I won the Create a Heart for Hope challenge and received these fabulous products from Graphic45 - two paper pads, trims, mini book, and cork embellishments. Thanks ladies!

And then yesterday, I received my first box for the Flea Market swap from Michele. She decorated the matchbox with a great vintage style and then filled it (almost over-flowing!) with all of this great stuff! I don't know how she managed to squeeze so much into such a small box. I should have her pack my suitcases when I travel!

It was a great week filled with wonderful happy mail! Thanks ladies for making my mid-afternoons brighter!

Weekend Treasures

We had beautiful weather here this weekend, so we took a day trip out to the country. We had lunch and shopped in downtown Weatherford. My favorite place to eat is the Whistle Stop Cafe. Their nutbread sandwiches are to die for! Then we hit the antique shops and picked up some treasures. Here are some of my finds.

I could hardly contain myself when the lady at the store told me the price on this vintage candy box: $5. If she had 10, I would have bought them all. I collect vintage Valentine candy boxes, and I don't have any in blue. This one is my favorite! I got the vintage Christmas corsage for $5 and the old (very old) buttons for 25 cents each.

No, I don't need more trim, but when I see these lovelies priced at $2 a bundle or bag full, I can't resist. There are yards and yards here. Some will end up in my etsy shop.

More trims and three almost full rolls of seam binding. The little red mushrooms are another favorite find. Again, if they had more, I would have bought them all.

I LOVE finding bags full of odds and ends that a dealer obviously sees no value in. I bought everything here in a ziplock bag for $3. The sewing pattern and vintage Dennison address labels were worth the $3 to me, so everything else is just a bonus!



Be sure to check out the finds at Apron Thrift Girl this week!

Flea Market Matchbox Swap

I'm participating in the Speckled Egg's Petite Inspiration Box - Flea Market Edition swap. Here are the boxes I made for my swap partners:

I covered each box with vintage sewing pattern instructions, then added vintage lace trims, a canvas tag, and crochet flower.

The real treasure is inside the box! I filled it with flea market finds - vintage chenille fabric, a crochet doily, more trim, old buttons, beads, and jewelry bits.

And since I couldn't stop at just two boxes, I made a couple more before I decided what I would make for the swap. This box is covered in old dictionary paper. I used the packing tape transfer technique to add an image of a woman and two boys. Old lace trim and some natural elements finish it off.

This last box is covered in an old magazine advertisement. I used old trim of pink flowers for the edging and tied on a little bouquet of flowers. Very simple, but trés chic!



Happy Valentine's Day!

Here is the card I made for my extra-special Valentine. I used papers left over from last year's stash, vintage lace trim, Maya Road chandelier drop and heart pin, and Martha Stewart baker's twine.

I added hearts cut from chenille and felt and an old button.

In the past two weeks, I've left the house to go to doctor's appointments only. This year's gift will be homemade. I've been baking some treats for my sweet. Then he'll remind me that he (we) needs to go to the gym.

Valentine Nesting Boxes

Back on this post I shared a vintage inspired Valentine that I made. I used that Valentine to top a large paper mache heart-shaped box.

I painted the inside and outside, and then started layering on the embellishments - vintage lace, eyelet trim, tissue tape, and ribbon.

 

I painted and adhered paper to the inside as well. I think I'll stash some candy in this box.

I made a second box in a different style. I painted this box and then applied vintage dress pattern tissue to the sides. I made a quiilted heart for the top using vintage fabric scraps and ruffled ribbon.

I embellished this heart with flowers, antique buttons, and an old photo of my grandparents. Don't they look sweet sitting in the parlor? This had to be before the kids were born - I don't see any gray hairs! :)

I decorated the inside with paint, paper, and poetry. And a few sparkly embellishments.

This one is on display with my vintage Valentine candy boxes.

 

Happy Birthday Layla

My niece became a teenager over the weekend! I remember when she was little and had her hair in braids or pigtails and she would sing and dance for us. She only performs now when she's playing a video game. She's grown up so fast! We used to send her Disney Princess gifts. This year it was the "Eclipse" DVD.

Here's the card I made for her. I added pink seam binding to the Fancy Pants banner. I layered some older Basic Grey papers I had in my stash.

I added a little eyelet ruffle and stitching all around.

This year, my goal is to use all these beautiful papers I have in my stash and not buy new paper, no matter how much I love it. With all the great new products coming out of CHA, I hope my resolution lasts!