romantic ephemera

 February is the month of romance.

Personally, I think romance should be a part of our lives every day all year long. There is something about love. It should have great importance in our world. Not just any kind of love but romantic love.

As Valentine's Day approaches, I like to look through my collection of vintage Valentines. There is just something about ephemera that fills my heart with joy. The old paper, the script, the use of language and the stunning graphics in radiant yet aged color.

Not only do I love to incorporate these tiny works of art into my decor, but I love to read the letters.

The next thing I know, I find myself hopelessly lost in a daydream in lives lived decades ago.

Several years ago, I styled the guest bedroom of my Sanibel house for a Valentine's Day magazine photo shoot.

Red transferware is another lovely addition for a Valentines vignette.

And I simply can't help myself, seashells are a part of every design and every season.

This certainly inspires me to add a little extra romance into my world. I think tonight is a good night to watch my favorite version of Cinderella (the 2015 film adaptation).

CLICK HERE

to watch the trailer.

Enjoy!

pretty in pink

The last post got me thinking.

 

I realized I have a real garden passion for

 

PINK.

 

I had shared that my home is all neutral.

 

But when I think about it,
it's not all neutral I guess...

 

 

All of my homes have had one space

reserved for touches of pink.

 

 

At my Pennsylvania, home my studio

was located in a shed

in the middle of my garden...

 

 

On Sanibel it is the entire top floor of the house.

I'm so fortunate to have had my studio featured

in Where Women Create magazine!

 

Lovingly I call it the loft...

 

In this "new" old house

my studio has not yet been built.

 

I can't wit for that project to begin!

 

I must find pink calming

yet inspiring.

 

Do you have a color

that sparks your creativity?





May Day

What is May Day?

 

To be honest,

I had to do a little research.

 

I think of children dancing around a May pole and people sprinkling flower petals about...as a celebration of the welcoming of the new season of spring.

 

It turns out that May Day has a rich history around the world. It's folklore and traditions vary depending on the heritage.

 

I would like to think of it as a time for new beginnings for all of us. We could use a little positive change...

 

How about a May Day project?

 

May Day Baskets

 



 

A few years ago I wrote an article about May Day Baskets for a magazine. May Baskets are a Victorian tradition from the 19th century. Hang a cone of flowers or special treats on the door of friends, family or even an unsuspecting sweetheart.

 

It's an easy project and perfect for children.

Just gather some craft supplies...

 

 

and lovely scrapbook papers and tassels.

 

Wrap a piece of paper into the shape of a cone and secure it with a staple, glue or tape.

 

Affix a ribbon or lace as a handle and embellish with buttons and other vintage trimmings.

 

I even dug into my stash of broken costume jewelry.

 

The cones can be made any size

and personalized for the special recipient.

 

I filled some with hand painted eggs and chocolates.

 

 

This year we are stuck making them for one another in the household.

 

Since we are self isolating this, it makes this tradition a little difficult to share with neighbors. Next year I think we should all make dozens of May Day baskets and hand them out to all of the lovely ladies in nursing care facilities around the country!

 

I sure hope next May is much healthier for use all...

 

Happy May Day!

 

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...