~VINTAGE FRENCH BABY SHOE MAKEOVERS...FROM OLD TO NEW AGAIN~

I finally found some time to work on a few vintage baby shoe sachets!  It's been so long since I was able to create things using aging laces, old buttons and vintage millinery flowers.

I started buying up lots of high-top baby shoes (both really old and those dating back to the 1960's and 1970's too!) several years ago so I have quite a stash that should keep me busy for a long time!  The ones you see today are offered up on my website...

I've never done a tutorial on how I make mine, but I did find this one from Barbara at Treasures of the Heart done way back in 2010.  It's not exactly how I fashion mine, but it is very similar.  I don't see that Barbara has blogged in a while, so I'm not sure she will be available for questions...

The blogging world sure has changed a lot since I've been away and it's taking me some time to locate some of my favorite blogs and even more effort to find new ones to love.  I've been really sad to find that several of my special blogging gals have passed away. :(

Hope today is wonderful for you.

Blessings~

Rebecca

~~~~~~~SWEET VINTAGE BABY SHOES~~~~~~ and a Nest To Make You Smile

 

~VINTAGE HIGH-TOP BABY SHOES~

While trying to find more vintage baby shoes for new project makeovers I snagged two pairs of antique button-up-the side high-top shoes recently on eBay!  These little beauties are getting harder and harder to find and the prices for them are generally out of site!  Imagine my delight when I stumbled on two Buy-It-Now offerings for a cra-ra-zeeee low price!!!

I could hardly contain my joy!

 ~TINY BLACK BEAUTIES~

Both pairs are in wonderful condition!  The shoes are at least 100 years old so I was shocked to find that although they were obviously worn, they were completely damage free!

  

I feel a transformation coming on!

 ~WHAT IS THIS?~

This afternoon I went out into my hubby's workshop and when I closed the door something flew near my face.  I nearly jumped out of my skin before I realized it was a little Wren (?).  It had perched itself upon a cross beam on the ceiling and started chirping away at me non-stop...

I honestly felt like I was getting chewed-out or something!!!

I pretty much knew I'd disturbed the little bird and when I looked around I saw a nest had been made inside my hubby's spare garden hoses...  What a strange spot!  I'm not even sure how the birdy got in!!!  Of course I had to run back inside and grab my camera!  I wasn't sure any baby eggs were inside because I couldn't see that deep!

~A TINY LITTLE NEST~

So...I angled up camera up high (and from a distance) and sure enough, two little bitty eggs can be seen deep in the center of the nest. 

 

~HOW SWEET IS THIS?~

Truthfully, I'm not happy about the nest being made where it was made, but it's there for the long-haul.  I don't have the heart to disturb it, nor will my Mr. AGPMan!

I'll keep you posted on the hatching! :)

Hope you've had an awesome day!

Love to you...

~~~~TRANSFORMING VINTAGE BABY SHOES~~~~ They Continue to be My Passion

~SWEET BABY SHOE PIN CUSHIONS~

(Romantic Cottage Chic Confections)

For the past three days I've been busy working in my studio, visiting with out-of-town family and meeting up with old friends!  I've had a super full week I can assure you!  In the midst of lots and lots of chatter I managed to get some special orders finished (Thank you, Maria) even though I had to deal with some frustrations caused by a faulty computer router. :(  Such things make me totally insane remind me to breathe deep and to remember that there was life BEFORE computers... :)

 ~GREAT FINDS FROM LAST WEEKEND~

(Old Baby Shoes for $1)

I love transforming old baby shoes and turning them into sweet keepsakes and mementos.  I put the final touches on the six leather baby shoes you see in the top photo and I should have them on my website later today!  I hope you'll check them out when you have time!  All the vintage and antique baby shoes I snagged last week have been base painted and they will be available for purchase sometime later this year!

Such fun!

 ~MY MOTHER~

(Sooo Happy We Had This Made)

A couple of days ago my mother, sister and I stopped into JC Penney and had some new pictures made.  Incredibly by the same afternoon our portraits were available to view online!  I couldn't believe it!  Here is a sneak-peak at the final results!  I snapped these from my computer screen...not too bad, huh?

 ~MY MOTHER, LINDA and I~

(Love This Sepia Tone)

~IN LIVING COLOR~

(Mom, Me, Linda)

Hope you are having an awesome week!  I've been missing you!  Promise to get around and visit my favorite blogs and bloggies this weekend!

Love to you...

~~~SWEET TREATS WITH BABY IN MIND~~~ Simply Fabulous Baby Shower Favors

 ~DARLING BABY SHOWER FAVOR~

(left click to enlarge pictures)

One of the side benefits of growing up a PK (Preacher's Kid) came in the attending of lots and lots of parties and celebrations!  It didn't matter if the affair was simple or extremely detailed, my super talented (and gifted) Momma ALWAYS served hostess to the best bridal and baby showers this girl has EVAHHHH seen!

 

  ~FASHIONED WITH PAPER LACE TRIM~

I owe all I know today to her and she will always be my hero!  She was sooooo before her time....

~ORIGINAL DIAPER STYLE (In The Background)~

~NEWLY DESIGNED (In The Front)~

When I was growing up in the 1960's I was always mindful that my Mom had to work her magic on a very tight budget.  Remember...back then there were no stores like Michael's and Hobby Lobby!  Also...she was limited to using construction paper and the like for invitations, etc., vs. the fabulous paper goods that are now commonplace.  I remember her sitting at our tiny dining room table snipping, cutting and dipping away...
Sweet memories for me!

 ~BEVERAGE NAPKINS AND DOILIES~

 

In addition, Acid Free scrapbooking paper hadn't been invented yet and the only "punch" you could find on the market was the standard hole punch found at the local office supply store.

 ~START OUT BY FOLDING A NAPKIN IN HALF~

~PAPER LACE/TOP STITCHED NAPKIN~

Still...my Momma forged ahead and created both elegant and whimsical parties on about $10...yep!  Ten bucks!  With white linen tablecloths and what is now considered to be vintage glassware, she never missed a chance to add that extra little something to each and every celebration.  Everyone was in awe of her talent...

 

 ~PIN TOGETHER WITH A GOLD SAFETY PIN~

  She made specialty cakes that looked like crocheted lace baby sweaters with tiny pink roses (or yellow for a boy) for the buttons (no special pan...just a knife and her imagination) and was the first person I ever saw go to the trouble of fashioning Baby Diaper Nut Cups (favors) from simple beverage napkins...

Can you even imagine seeing something like this 40 years ago?  I told you...my Mom was (and still is!) absolutely amazing!  In the Spring I plan on showing you even MORE of her fabulous designs from years gone by...you will surely be inspired!

(I LOVE YOU, MOM!)

 

 ~'DIAPERS' ARE READY FOR DIPPING~

 

Next week I'm hosting a Baby Shower here at my La Chaumière de Briarwood for the daughter of one of my dearest friends.  She is having a baby girl and is due in about 8 weeks.  I just couldn't resist making some of these special little treats for the shower guests!

~DIPPED IN MELTED PARAFFIN~

I used the very same concept as my Mother did all those years ago only I decided to try and add a tad bit of panache.  A simple paper lace doily was trimmed down and stitched along the straight edge of the folded beverage napkin!

~DOUBLE DIP DIAPERS~

Fold the left and rights sides (points) of the napkin together and the bottom point upward which will form your little Diaper Cup.  Secure in place through all the layers with a single gold safety pin.  (Don't use hot glue as it will melt from the heat of the wax).  

 ~FILL WITH MINTS, CHOCOLATES or NUTS~

Dip once in melted paraffin and after about 30 seconds mold in place on wax paper.  You want your 'Diaper Cups' to stand up so you might want to press the sides firmly down.  When cooled (about 5-7 minutes) dip a second time.  The added wax will give stability to the Diaper and make it look fabulous!

 ~I LOVE THE WHITE~

The Shower I'm hosting will be done in a pastel palate...  But...I could help but think the Diaper Cups would look darling done in pinks and browns (or blues and browns) with chocolate candies on the inside.  Fancy ribbons to match are easily found at your local craft shop and would add the perfect final touch for a smashing take-home favor!

 ~WRAPPED IN CELLO BAGS~

Now...something to keep in mind.  The napkin color you choose will darken once it's been dipped in the paraffin wax.  I personally love the white and almost tinted it with food coloring for a tiny bit of pink.  But...in the end I opted to stay with the white and I love it the best!

 ~TIED UP WITH ORGANZA RIBBON~

Wouldn't this be a cute little announcement gift to hand out to friends and family to announce the birth (and sex) of a new baby?  They are VERY simple to make and inexpensive, too!  Again...I think they would be especially sweet filled with the chocolates and custom tagged with a "IT'S A BOY" or "IT'S A GIRL" banner...  You could even add the given name, too!

Hope you enjoyed another little peek into my world!

Have fun creating!  Blessings for a lovely week!

Love to you~

~VINTAGE BABY GRAPHICS...Lovely Old Images To Share~

~SWEET OLD BABY CARDS~

I dearly love vintage graphics and if you've followed my Blog for any time at all you know that! :) I especially love vintage baby cards from the 1940's and 1950's. Their sweetness and innocence is beyond compare and every single time I pull them out from their hiding place I can't help but smile. The graphics depict a time when life SEEMED a bit simpler and a whole lot less complicated...

I've collected aging paper goods for many years and have for you today three of my very favorite baby cards. A couple of years ago I purchased a very large grouping of old ephemera and I've enjoyed using them in many of my personal projects. You are welcomed to use the following three graphics as you please. I've scanned them at a fairly high resolution so they should be perfect for all your altered art needs.

~BASSINET IN BLUE~

~BASSINET with PINK ROSES~

~BASSINET in BLUE and PINK~

Now peeps...You KNOW I love to share with you! Over this past year I have refrained from using a large watermark across my graphic images because I want you all to enjoy them as I do. I hope to be able to continue to do this. Please remember the images I use to embellish my Blog are not for sharing, unless otherwise stated as I have above. It is very disappointing to stumble upon another blog or web page and find my altered images being used without permission. Even when my words and AGP Logo are removed you can rest assured I know my work.

Now...enjoy these FREEBIES and do check back tomorrow! Another little Give-A-Way will be announced!

Blessings to you as your creativity flows and flows...Rebecca