the little things

 As I was looking through my bedroom pictures from the previous post, I realized it's the little details that are the things that speak to my heart. 

Junking and collecting have always been things that make me so happy. Although I have not been out and about since February of 2020, I find it fun to look through some of my little treasures and reminisce about the

"good ole days".

My various collections don't have any rhyme nor reason. Things just speak to my heart. The cohesion comes from a monochromatic color scheme since the mix of items are all so eclectic.

Some things are still out from my Christmas decorations. I love them so much that they might just stay out until next Christmas!

When looking at my bedroom, it really is the "little things" that make my heart sing. It's not just the visual beauty that speaks to my heart but it is in the memories that they evoke. Before moving to Florida, my momma was by my side throughout all of my junking adventures. So as I look at these little cuties, I revisit wonderful fun times with my mum!

What are some of your favorite things to collect?

I hope you have someone special that shares your adventures with you!

Happy junkin!

 

white christmas

Sending warm wishes from my home to yours...

 

 

This is my Sanibel house decorated for Christmas...

 

 

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas

surrounded by all those you love!!!

My family is all in West Virginia and Pennsylvania but we will be together in spirit.

 



a stitch in time

I have loved quilts my entire life. The colors, the detail, the craftsmanship and the time worn texture. Quilts tell a story and document history. Each quilt is a treasure and a work of art. I have collected beautiful quilts for years, then I discovered a "new" classification of quilts known as cutter quilts. I saw a stack at a tag sale in WV many years ago. They cost next to nothing due to the horrible condition. The name, cutter, comes from the fact the only purpose for these damaged quilts is to cut them up for craft projects. I have piles of cutter quilts and I always have ideas for them, especially around the holidays.

 

 

I have made so many things out of my precious cutter quilts. Some have become gifts, some I have sold in my shops, many are proudly displayed in my home and others were featured in magazines. Here are a few of my Christmas favorites...

 

 

I make angels in several shapes and sizes. I keep the silhouette simple so the quilt can be appreciated. I don't hide the imperfections, I embrace them! The hair is fashioned out of yarn and the wings are doilies.

 

Santa is always a popular character.

 

And I have made many stockings...

 

...adorned with tiny Shiny Brites.

 

For those who believe antique quilts shouldn't be cut no matter the condition, all I can say is that giving old quilts new life allows them to be appreciated for years to come. Hopefully they will become tomorrow's heirlooms!

 



try this...

I wanted to add a little something to my last post. When it comes to making a holiday wreath, it becomes extra festive when you can make it interactive. Like providing something special for someone special!

 

 

I took the vintage Christmas cards I had selected for the wreath and made them into cones. I taped the edge to secure and wired them to the wreath form.

 

I filled the paper cones and cups with small individually wrapped candies.

 

When guests visit (or every time I walk past the wreath) you can reach in and have a sweet treat!

 

Fun right?

You can apply the same ideas to your Christmas tree. Give til it hurts...it's the holidays!!!

 



favorite things wreath

To make a "my favorite things wreath", I started with a simple artificial pine form on a wire base.

 

 

I used green florist wire to attach my items, like this precious gumdrop snowman, to the form.

 

I use wire instead of glue so I can take the wreath apart in the future and it won't damage the items.

 

Tea and demitasse cups are terrific for wreaths because it is easy to wire them to wreaths by the handles. 

 

I made tiny bird's nests out of strips of vintage floral fabric.

 

Vintage Shiny Brites always look terrific in wreaths!

 

And I love mixing unexpected items together, like miniature bottle brush trees, wooden spools of thread and buttons.

 

To attach handkerchiefs, gather the fabric in your hand, cinch with a rubber band and wire it onto the wreath form. 

 

Then I tucked in some colored pencils in coordinating colors.

 

The finished wreath is so pretty!

 

I mentioned in my last post that I was hesitant to make one of these wreaths for a magazine article. Just because I love them it doesn't mean that other people will. I was worried that it would be criticized for being silly or unsophisticated. But I pitched the idea to my editor and she gave me a chance. Little did I know that it would be one of my most popular articles! Readers even made "their favorite things wreaths" and sent pictures to the magazine. I received loads of emails too! Goes to show that it pays off to follow your heart...

 

 



a few of my favorite things

One of the most popular projects I ever developed for a magazine article was one I was very reluctant to write. I love to make things that are really sentimental. This project was based on the song lyrics... "these are a few of my favorite things".

 

I wanted to make a wreath made out of my favorite things. So the first thing I needed to do was come up with my list...

 

ONE

vintage figurine ornaments

 

 

TWO

tiny mittens

 

 

THREE

demitasse cups

 

 

FOUR

birds and nests

 

 

FIVE

glass ornaments

 

 

SIX

small bottle brush trees

 

 

SEVEN

holiday ephemera

 

 

EIGHT

handkerchiefs

 

 

NINE

pretty colored pencils

 

 

TEN

old buttons

 

 

The easy part was coming up with my top ten favorite things. Now it was time to turn this beautiful pile vintage treasures into a wreath. Stay tuned...! You'll see the finished project and I'll share why I was reluctant to put this in a magazine...

 



snowbirds

January in South Florida on the Gulf of Mexico means one thing...

the snowbirds are here!

For those who don't know this phenomenon, Northerners flock to the South to soak up the warmth and sunshine.

Snowbirds are the inspiration for my January decor.

 

 

Not the "people snowbirds"...

actual birds are my inspiration!

 

Several years ago I photographed and wrote about some of my favorite January decorations for Victorian Homes magazine.

 

January is a tough month for decorating. I'm not ready to part with all my festive Christmas decorations, so I edit and leave out my winter "snowbirds".

 

I pack away the red and green, pine garlands and wreaths...but I leave out my precious vintage bird ornaments and anything snowy, white, silver and gold.

 

I love my glittering nests too...

 

I also showcase my collection of vintage costume jewelry. The special pieces from my grandmother take center stage.

 

Wishing all of you a peaceful,

warm and sparkling New Year!