Tuesday, April 29, 2008

sneak peek ~

just a little sneak peek of my glitter & grunge offerings
come by may 1st to see what's new!


one more b-day ~ tomorrow big guy's turning 21!
now i'm back to my studio ~ see ya!

Sunday, April 27, 2008

a pink b-day & glitter & grunge

she's back, and had the most amazing trip, topped off with a party with her friends last night. whew, we're all wiped out!

did i mention that hair dying was part of the itinerary for the big 13th b-day cali trip? we didn't recognize big guy when he got off the plane bleach blond with little blue tips in front, big girl got one fuschia stripe underneath, and the little one went for pinkie tuscadero! (she has it pulled up in front here, but really it just peeks out from underneath when it's down.) i wouldn't have expected any other color, she's been the pink girl from the start.

so, was this all natural momma always so
chill about colored hair ~ no!
what my kids have taught me is, the colored hair will fade and their natural hair will grow back, but the memories of all the love that has been showered on them will last a lifetime. wishing you all
rosey b-days and happy days sweetie! xo

now for some
birds of a feather news ~
i have joined the fabulously talented women over at glitter & grunge! starting may 1st you can find my wares listed in their on~line co~operative boutique. i was thrilled when clare asked if i would join! may is such an inspiring month with may day, mother's day, and spring in full bloom, so i've been creating new paper baskets, mirrors, nests, and other goodies in the spirit of the season. did you catch the post on vintage indie, they've now partnered with g & g. can't wait to see the exciting creative things to come.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

on the hunt ~

what makes me weak in the knees, and my heart skip a beat ~ vintage millinery!
what have i been up to while the little one's been away? searching for vintage goodies on-line. not quite the same as the thrill of discovery finding a stash at an estate sale, flea market, or shop. the flowers are getting harder to find ~ looks like i know why, since these ladies seem to have quite the amazing collections! every day packages arrive, and hubby asks, what's in this one ~ more flowers and leaves? yup!

for all you millinery lovers, i have sad news ~ dulkin & derrick is closing it's doors in august! my friend lisa and i discovered this magical place years ago on a trip to nyc. a huge hulking frenchman formed each petal for their gorgeous flowers using metal molds, heated over a steaming cauldron ~ fascinating, and sadly a dying art!

lots to do today, as the little one touches down tomorrow at 7 a.m.~ on her birthday! a little family gathering tomorrow night, and then saturday her friends' celebration will surely rock the house! sunday you can bet we'll all be hanging out ~ i will be planting flowers!

My flickr Millinery Fave's ~ 1. Old Purse, 2. Details, 3. My Dress form, 4. pink chair, 5. lace and roses, 6. vintage millinery, 7. Vintage Millinery Trim, 8. Vintage Hat, 9. Vintage Pink Rose Hat, 10. Vintage Paper Flowers, 11. Vintage Ballerina Tutus, 12. Vintage millinery, 13. Velvet Pansies14. Not available15. Not available16. Not available

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

happy earth day ~

happy earth day!

click on "earth" above ~ a special gift for the earth and you, enjoy!

these little nests are made from 100% recycled paper; i cut specialty papers, vintage text, and old letterhead into slivers and then shape into a sturdy little nest!

hope you enjoyed the day ~ it was glorious here!

Friday, April 18, 2008

nests & wings

just like birds, i gather a little bit of this and that, mostly scraps of my specialty papers too small to use, vintage print from books and magazines, and sheets of old business letterhead in creamy white and ivory stock, cut into slivers, to create my paper nests ~ very resourceful and 100% recycled! shown here in the very rough beginning stage, just taking shape.

notes from the kitchen chalkboard ~


roots and wings...seems my little flock is growing faster each day. the little one got her wings yesterday, literally, as she flew off to california, solo. my sister & her hubby's gift to each of our kids when they turn 13. she looked back a couple of times, confident but unsure of what lay ahead, as i watched her go through security (with a lump in my throat, and a heart filled with joy for all the "gifts" she would be given along this journey.) an exciting trip to mark the beginning of her new grown up life. before she left, she informed us that she would be too busy and having too much fun to miss us! yes, she's ready to start spreading her wings. she called as soon as she touched down to tell us "i'm here!"

Monday, April 14, 2008

meet my new studio assistant ~

matilda, sent by my sister and her hubby, isn't she sweet, kind of "vintage," but i've updated her, now she's hip, and on-line for the first time in her life (that was no small feat, and a huge learning curve for me!) now i can check orders and keep up to date all from my tiny upstairs studio. she is excellent at assisting my on-line purchasing too, which lately has been a whirl wind event. lots of pretty fabulous supplies coming in!

look all pictures, we're gonna get along just fine! don't get me wrong, i love to read books, just not instructions ~ too left brain for me...matilda understands. (yes, apple lovers, what can i say, i'm a late bloomer!)

since i seem to be on an office~y kick here...loved talking with kara the other day, felt like an old friend. i hope to visit her and darcy at their amazing shop, mcmaster & storm, someday. i've been eyeing their sweet italian staplers for some time and had to have one! are there really 1000 staples in that tiny box ~ really? i'm loving it, thanks girls!


this is my organizing station for packing orders. just about everything i need is right here; packaging, order forms, shipping labels, thank you tags, and ribbons.


my favorite pen ~ pilot razor point II. i love to write with it and doodle. hard to find, but worth the hunt.


well, that's what i've been up to lately.
working on some wonderful new designs,
can't wait to spill the beans about it all soon ~ promise!

Friday, April 04, 2008

gratitude


sorry guys my listings have not been what i had hoped...this is a new kit, in the shop!

it's been a strange week, i've felt like i've been operating in slo-mo. the big guy has been really sick with a fever and called tuesday, just wanted mum to know. it's hard that he lives far away, it was all i could do to not drop everything and bring him food and be there with him. yesterday he was coming home to do some errands, car inspection, banking and stuff, getting ready for his big european adventure this summer. i felt so proud and impressed that he was planning so far in advance. he called me as he was leaving, and it was so good to hear his voice - he sounded so much better! then i got a call about an hour and a half later, "mom i'm 100% totally fine," and some guy bellowing next to him, "get off the phone!" that was a long few minutes until he called back. he had been in an accident, flipped his car twice and landed on the guard rail! everyone; the dr, officer, and junk yard guys all said, he's very lucky, that if he hadn't been wearing his seat belt things would have been very different, even still ~ he's VERY lucky! this was his first trip to the hospital, ever, and only a few minor scrapes, very lucky indeed! we've always called him the golden boy, good fortune seems to follow him, so glad this day it shined on him. all i know is today we are all so very grateful to have him, to be able to hold him, and tell him we love him!

this photo is when he turned 16, the day my father-in-law gave him his old honda. he was thrilled! my father-in-law bought it about six months before the big guy was born, and when he was little he put a puffy dandelion seed in the back ashtray, and it was still there. he appreciates little things like that, very sentimental he is. he loved that car, lots of great memories, like an old friend, and is sad that it's gone. fortunately it can be replaced. in 25 days we'll be celebrating all the more on big guy's 21st b-day ~ that is for sure!


Thursday, April 03, 2008

buy glitter ~ change a life

did any of you see the ellen degenerous show where she interviewed hillary clinton, and asked her if there was anything she could do to ban glitter? i recorded it, and it was too funny! ellen is co-hosting the american idol gives back fundraiser to benefit children and young people living in poverty, she then contacted a very crafty and generous chica, kathy, over at etsy, who created the charity glitter art sale. it's not too late, they are looking for lots of talented and sparkly artists to donate their work, so gather your materials and some glitter and contact kathy to sign up! now through april 9th you can buy art to help change children's lives.

This french style paper bucket with bird, ruffles, and a dusting of clear glass glitter is my donation, available in
my shop.

SOLD ~ sweet heather from the speckled egg scooped up the basket!

thanks heather!


Tuesday, April 01, 2008

shop update ~ and no pranks?


guess what's happening today?

a big shop update over at birds of a feather!

fabulous, we really must get some ruffles to dress up this old buggy!

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

today starting at 12:00 p.m. est, new crepe ruffles will be added, here's a hint ~
petals and froof ~ guess you'll just have to come by and take a peek!
new one-of-a kind creations, including a kit will be added throughout the week
~ that's the plan anyway!


clearly the jokes on me ~ is it really april already!?
where did the time go? we're still having snow flurries here.
and the girlies escaped this morning without a prank? hmmm, i'm
going to have to put some serious thought into this...got any ideas?

see you at noon!