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

Love letters from the home front

The Patriot Girl, Rosalyn-Sue Smith had asked me to help her put together an art gathering to raise donations for Operation Stars and Stripes, a nonprofit organization supporting our troops overseas and their families here at home.

 

I have many family members and friends who have served or are currently serving in the military.  For Operation Stars and Stripes and the generous people of our great country to support the the men and women who put their lives in harm's way for our freedom is deeply appreciated.  In addition, Rosalyn-Sue is a very dear friend of mine.  I love her to the moon and back.

 

This year, the theme of Love Letters from The Homefront blossomed.

It is very important for people to feel connected with their families and home when they are in unfamiliar places doing extraordinary things. 

 

A simple letter is an incredibly meaningful token - for the hero overseas and for the loved ones here at home.

 

Rosalyn-Sue talked about the dying art of letter writing.

The handwritten notes, cards and letters are some of the simple things I treasure - I really am a nostalgic girl.

 

For the event, we had a champagne bar with various fruit juices and delicious fruit to add to your bubbly.

 

 

 

A few savory treats for our crafty guests.  Thank you to Jon and Walter at the Atlanta Marriott for your outstanding support with this event!

 

 

Our guests were surprised with some "souvenirs from the homefront".

Little nut cups filled with fortune charms, art supply goody packs, and more sweet treats, just to name a few. 

 

 

Our project for the evening was an heirloom quality love letter keeper made from dupioni silk.

We taught the ladies how to make various kinds of roses to adorn their keepers with.

 

In addition, there were gorgeous silk ribbons, beads, baubles and pre-made flowers to let fuel their imaginations.

 

 

It was such a fun night with new and old friends - lots of laughing and sharing memories.

To pause time, ever so briefly, and have these moments with girlfriends is a cherished thing.

More importantly, we collected generous donations to fill stockings for the men and women serving overseas so that they may have a piece of home this holiday season.

 

 

 

We will be hosting another art gathering next year to coincide with the Country Living fair.

If you are interested in attending, let us know!

Of course we will post details as the event draws near.

 

 

Thank you for stopping by!

Have a beautiful day ~ 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

Wishy Washi

Paper tape and washi tape ~ they are like chips, you don't want to have just one.

When I heard a scrapbook expo was coming into town, washi tape was at the top of my list of supplies to hunt for.

I have loved using paper tape in different projects, even scrapbooking.

7Gypsies makes the paper tape with the words, fronds and florals.

I love their soft colors and interesting graphics.

I am not sure who makes the tape measure and hand tape.

You know I could not leave without the tape measure, right?

I adore the way Hope Wallace of Paper Relics uses washi tape to embellish and hinge elements of her art journals (click here for a peek).  Her work is amazing!

She offers wonderful journaling classes and posts free vintage images on her blog.

Wishing for more washi tapes?

Pretty Tape offers a wide array of washi goodness.

Thank you for stopping by!

xo ~ Heidi

Fine dreams

With the slow pace of summer, I have been finishing the pile of projects I have going on at any given time.  Craft ADD? . . . maybe.  Ideas and dreams start swirling in my head.  Sometimes a quick sketch is all I have time for until the idea has a chance to blossom.

This shabby french style hanger was inspired by a cache of ornaments I found while on a junk hunt.

A stack of gilded fleur de lis ornaments called my name.

They were about 11 inches tall, pretty just as is, but I had other plans for upcycling them.

First, I gessoed them so they would be "toothy" and, possibly, adhere better to paper and glue.

I started layering paint, scrapbook papers, french book pages and vintage wallpaper.

La Fin Du Reve

I believe this translates to "fine dreams".

If any of my french-speaking friends know for certain, please share! 

And, some of my favorite Tim Holtz paper tape.

Then, I started gathering ribbons, trims and vintage millinery.

I adore this sweet cameo cabochon by Jolee's French General scrapbooking line.

A sweet bouquet of flowers and trim.

For some dreamy sparkle, a little sprinkling of mica flakes.

A quick knot of ribbon on the top and the french inspired hanger was complete!

I hope your day is filled with some dreamy moments.

Thank you for stopping by!

xo ~ Heidi

Altered Prize Ribbon Journal

It won't be long before the lazy days of summer will be here.  In less than two weeks, the kids will be out of school and days at the pool will begin.

While my kids are bit older, I still struggle with productivity in the summer.

So, if any of you have some pearls of wisdom, please share!  There are probably other people who would love to hear what works for you too.

Truly, though, I am looking forward to just spending time with them (park visits, sandy toes, ice cream trips and picnics, even the dog days of Georgia summer).  The older they get, the faster time seems to progress.  Every moment - I want to savor it before we are packing the car for college.

Squeezing in some creative time, I covered a composition notebook with pretty papers and adorned it with a doily prize ribbon.

A little dresden butterfly and some glitter.

A close up of the paper tails.

I did a little distressing and stamping too - very subtle, just for texture.

The velvet damask paper on the spine is super luscious!

If you are a very tactile person, you may love velvet too.

This journal is available for sale on ETSY here.

Let me know there is a different color palette you would like.

I would be happy to list one just for you.

Thank you for stopping by sweet sugahs!

xo ~ Heidi

Valentine Tussie Mussies!

Happy Valentine's Day friends!

Cheryl was hosting a valentine tussie mussie swap and I couldn't resist participating!

When I received Molly's cone, I was blown away with vintage sweetness!!

I love the music sheet paper and her gorgeous ribbon work.

She even tucked a sweet glittered valentine card inside.

The brooch and beaded velvet leaves make little heart go pitter pat.

But wait, there is more!!

Look how she spoiled me - gaaah!!

Everything was so thoughtful and treasured.

Thank you Molly for the gorgeous cone and sweet gifts!!

One of my very favorite things she sent was this toast stamp.

This has been on my wish list of frivolous things a girl would love to have.

I can't wait to make "french" toast - j'adore!!

Cheryl was so kind and sweet to give us a love letter mail bag.

Isn't it gorgeous?!!

I love the idea of having a pretty bag to tuck sweet love letters in.

Here is the cone I made that was given to Kelly Gibbs Lamb.

A peek at the millinery blooms and tulle

Vintage flocked wallpaper yumminess!

Sweet treasures for Kelly!

Dyed crinkled crepe paper

Has anyone ever seen little baskets made out of cards and yarn?

I came across a stack of these and thought they were just darling.

Thank you for stopping by ~ get out there and spread some love today sugahs!

xo's ~ heidi