Paris Scarf

It had been a long anticipated rendezvous with my lover in Paris,

and it was after enjoying a lovely meal while strolling Rue Saint-Louise,

a charming street lined with adorable boutiques one more tempting than the next

that I discovered the shop with an amazing array of scarves.

Altering Paris fashion seems crazy,

yet I found myself adding bits of vintage lace to the raw edges

of this sweet little scarf upon my return home.

It is an all-time favorite that I wear most often and of course

it carries treasured memories as it was a gift from my lover

during our adventure in Paris together.

Sending Happy Valentines

with my latest ceramic heart designs

♥. HAPPY HEART'S DAY . ♥

Prima flower ring

.

( photos courtesy of Stampington & Company )

I began by gently soaking the white Prima flowers

in warm water.

After soaking I reshaped the flat flowers

into a cup shape,

and set them upside down on the stove top

with the heat from the pilot drying them.

Then I joined them together with glue after they dried

and layering them inside each other.

You may chose to attach them to a ring or pin

and with a touch of glue in the center add a stray pearl!

Super easy & fun!

( could be cute tucked into an Easter egg! )

Painting on bisque

continues...

I am experimenting with Golden Gel Mediums

with acrylic paints for a raised effect in this design.

This is the sample piece,

the goal is to create this look on a large piece of ceramic bisque

and have it be mistaken for a vintage french vase!

You are LoVed

Here is the latest project I am working on,

a pillow shaped ceramic vase I made and glazed on the inside.

After painting the background I began decoupaging with paper and lace,

paint and marking pens.

It is not quite finished yet,

I am looking for small alphabet stamps to add along the ankle line

"you are loved" in walnut colored ink.

This is created for a sweet little girl in the hospital battling cancer.

{ Please keep her in your prayers }

( even better, I found a press on alphabet in chocolate by Fiskars! )

Homage to and inspiration from Julie Nutting's wonderful book!

Sweet heart graphics

Roxy Tee shirt found at T.J. Maxx yesterday with this cool graphic design

printed on the front

but looking like an unfinished pencil drawing without color,

finds its way home with me and ....

I pull out my fabric paints for a pick-me-up,

filling in the background to pop the design,

because I really need another painting project !

Knowing I would most likely be wearing it with jeans

I chose deep blue and began painting in the bottom of the heart design,

and taking creative license, chose to eliminate a few extra flowers

and web designs by painting the dark blue right over top of them.

Then I lightened the blue shade as I worked my way up the design

ending with a beautiful turquoise color at the top.

Sweet! & Valentine's Day is less than a month away!

Simple Scarf

While viewing Ralph Lauren's fashion week photos

of ready-to-wear for the spring 2012 collection

showing a myriad of beautiful neck scarfs in pastel colors

including peach and baby blue along with flowy chiffon skirts in sherbet-florals,

worn with cashmere sweaters in sunny yellow and apple green.

I'm inspired to take a look through my current collection of scarfs

to see what I have that may emulate the same look.

I find this little number in the same genre

and discover this variegated eyelash thread in a similar colorway.

I can't seem to resist adding a bit of embellishment to give it some texture

using the variegated eyelash thread.

With super easy basting stitches added

this simple scarf can easily transform any ordinary outfit

into something special!

Grateful to have it included in Somerset Life Magazine 

and 

Creative Living Ideas magazine!

Embellishing with Crochet

I totally surprised myself...

I would never have guessed I would take up crocheting.

This is the story of how it came to be...

I found a dusty pink crochet-look sweater, and loving the color, classic styling, and under $25.00 price, had to have it.

Later in the day I popped into Michael's to purchase small alphabet stamps for another project swirling in my imagination. Unfortunately they didn't have any BUT I did meet the helpful and talented Diana sitting at the front of the store demoing a little green yarn crochet flower....that she gifted to me, thank you Diana!

On my way back into town I stop at Big Lots for baby oil, cotton balls, and various sundries and spy this ball of yarn in their craft section. I love the color, do not knit or crochet but feel compelled to purchase it! Really it is all of a dollar and upon returning back to the cottage and unpack, happily realize it blends beautifully with the color of my new sweater!

I pilfer through a vintage sewing basket full of odds and ends remembering seeing a crochet hook in it, and much later that evening, while curled up on the sofa in the sitting room watching the latest episode of Downton Abbey, I attempt to mimic what Diana had been demoing. After several attempts on the sleeve I finally find my rhythm, pull out the practice yarn after jotting down the algorithm that seems to work.

Not being familiar with crochet terms yet it is a bit vague but doable and I begin with the sleeves, and then tackle the long shawl collar the next evening.

There are certainly a few glitches as I struggled with the yarn that had 3 different type threads in it, but I am pleased with the overall look and especially love how the scallop edge adds to its femininity.

I highly recommend

Trying something new!

.

Seashell assemblage

Inspired by the always amusing and creative O.C. Cottage

and her post "Just use it"

I pull out a bowl full of seashells and spread them out across the studio work table

and create this seashell assemblage with them using e6000 adhesive.

...just wanted to share the fun.

A new year and new opportunities

.

to connect with friends

write a letter and send it snail mail

view the world with a different perspective

read one of the classics

paint a picture

start a new journal

take more photos

try something new

create an amazing 2012

I love new beginnings !

Peace on earth

May there be peace on earth

and good will to all...

Cookie cutter ceramic tags

I've been playing with cookie cutters in holiday shapes

with ceramic clay rolled out

and the little snowflake stamp

creating one of a kind gift tags

and holiday ornaments

for embellishing and decorating...

Merry bling, bling, bling

with vintage finds ...

and a simple silver beaded wreath,

layered on top of another wreath

this one a little larger

and the process continues ...

until I am happy,

or maybe there is no more space !

I LoVe layering

throughout my cottage home and garden,

in my wardrobe,

in my tablescapes,

in my creative endeavours

and here with all the sparkly treasures

used to create this holiday wreath !

Merry bling, bling, bling,

makes my heart sing !

Holiday decor

Welcoming the holidays with a wreath,

inside or outside the home

is perfect for the beginning of fall season

right through the holidays.

On this traditional style wreath

I especially liked using rose hips instead of the

traditional berries

and the quail rather than a dove.

For a coordinating look in the dining room,

cut a burlap runner and layer it over a white tablecloth

then create a garland down the center

with similar greenery and embellishment.

Consider embellishing with burlap roses with pine cone centers,

and quail eggs with found feathers.

Holiday decorating continues around the cottage...

Tabletop treasures

Romantic Homes Magazine asked me to share a few

tips and tricks...

for adding holiday sparkle to our tabletops in this months issue.

.

Here are a few suggestions...

Consider using mirrors in a variety of ways on your tablescape,

mirrors are wonderful for reflecting light & colors

and even better when paired with candlelights flickering!

Silver with whites are great neutrals.

Add a pop of your favorite holiday color to the neutral color scheme

even pink or turquoise,

by piling your treasured ornaments into a beautifully cut crystal bowl.

Costume jewelry is great for additional holiday sparkle,

raid grandmother's jewelry box for embellishments

on place tags, napkin holders, wreaths and Christmas stockings.

Grandfather's pocket watch adds family history,

sentiment and interest.

Combining old, cherished pieces with new purchases creates original recycling chic,

especially when using collectibles with a family history.

Silver spray paint on dried leaves, berries and pine cones

are rich embellishments and cost so little,

displayed with a nest created out of tinsel

and a bird topping it adds to the sparkling nature scene.

Consider decorating the table with positive quotes

in place of name tags

or as the focal point of the centerpiece.

Whatever you choose to do,

enjoy the process and have a happy holiday !

To view how the mirror tree was created click here

Grateful for the opportunity to share the fun !