All Things Pretty...

Pretty ladies and other things...

There is a boxful of vintage photos in my studio...   a large box. 

Every single photo has been purchased with the intent of using in a project of some sort.  They all tell a story...   whether it's a lovely lady gazing into the horizon, a new bride looking "not so in love," children with their mothers. 

 

 

(I am especially fond of pretty and/or interesting hairstyles, hats, outfits)

 

I once had the idea of taking some of the photos and writing a story around them; wouldn't that be fun? 

I haven't pursued that idea yet, but it's on my "to do someday" list.

Needless to say, I cannot pass up the opportunity to dig through hundreds of photos at antiques shops, sometimes estate sales... looking for those "special" ones.  Of course, the price has to be right as well (I won't pay more than $1 apiece, not matter how pretty the image!).

I recently purchased these two beauties at Junk Bonanza.

 

 

Junk Bonanza is always a fun event.  There is something for everyone...whether it is a large furniture piece you are looking for, garden art, true antiques, "junk" antiques, repurposed junk, handmade OOAK jewelry pieces... you name it, it's there!

For me, JB is all about the little things.  I love to dig for diamonds...so to speak.  I never come home with big pieces; my biggest purchase (size-wise) this year was a very unique birdhouse (photos later). 

 

Some of my other finds this year:

 

 

I was instantly attracted to this box...  loved the cameo-like image on the cover.  Its color is a soft, faded peachy-cream.  

The price tag read "scarf in a box, $2" and I was sold before even seeing the scarf. 

It turns out, the scarf is okay, but it could have been the ugliest scarf on Earth and I would have still purchased the box. 

I think I offended the dealer a tiny bit, when I mentioned this (my love of the box, not so much of the scarf). 

 

 

I also found lots of pretty buttons for reasonable prices. 

 

 

One of my favorite shops of all-time, Rose Mille in Stillwater, was there.   Michelle has the prettiest booth ever~ with tons of millinery, ribbons, trim~ many of which she gets directly from France.   They closed their bricks-n-mortar shop a few months back, but all of her merchandise is still available online and soon, via occasional sales.

Her "new" millinery looks and feels vintage, and I always end up purchasing a few sprigs to use for those special projects.

 

 

 

Another little find was this dainty berry bowl...  I need another dainty bowl as much as I need a hole in my head, but I couldn't put it down!  

What is it with me and little pink, delicate, flowery bowls?!?

 

 

 

Another sweet purchase was this little lady...

she stands all of 3 inches tall.

 

 

Isn't she sweet? 

The hat, the dress, the dark hair...reminded me of "Gone with the Wind" ~ which is my all-time favorite movie.  Of course I had to bring her home!

 

BirdSong....part II

At the end of BirdSong Day 1, after it was time to swap!  

I hosted a rosette swap which required that you make a fabric rosette to display a vintage bird pin (going with the BirdSong theme).  

  

 

We had such fun opening the packages and watching everyone's excpression as they opened their rosettes; each so unique and beautiful!

 

 

We had just about every color of the rainbow.... every technqiue used to make the rosettes....every possible material... some were very frou-frou (like mine)...while others were more organic and simple.

 

 

 (this beauty ended up coming home with me!   Made by the talented Sharon.)

 

 

I heard from several ladies that the challenge had been finding just the right pin; I couldn't agree more! 

(my rosette, all packaged up and ready to go)

 

 

I struggled with my bird pin, and ended up attaching is to a doily which I added to my rosette.  This made it rather heavy and floppy, but luckily, the pin was easily removed and wasn't a permanent attachment.

 The overall effect of my rosette was more like a medallion...  lots of ribbons hanging...  you know me, I can't stop at "simple!"

 

(More photos of our weekend to follow!)

 

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BirdSong... part I

BirdSong... part I

My heart jumped for joy when I saw that Karla Nathan had scheduled her 3rd annual BirdSong event for June 6th...  I had wanted to attend each of the previous years, but the date conflicted with my work schedule.

Karla's blog was one of the first I visited when I started blogging three years ago; she always has lively anecdotes of her daily life, sprinkled with painting and remodeling projects, along with beautiful creative works and tutorials.  

It didn't matter that the event began the morning after school was out for me; which meant I had to make my way from Minneapolis to Lawrence, KS (roughly 490 miles) on Thursday after work.

Needless to say, I was tired and more than a bit grumpy when I checked into my hotel in Lawrence at around 11pm.  "This better be worth it..." I remember thinking, just as my eyes closed for the night.

 

(a vignette from Karla's Cottage)

I was not disappointed.

What greeted me the next morning was a roomful of creative souls who encourage and motivate each other (both personally and artistically), who enjoy spending time with each other, laughing, joking, sharing stories...   often doing so while their hands are busy putting some magical project together.

Our hostess, Karla, was every bit as wonderful as I hoped she would be.   She has a knack for making newbies like myself feel right at home (this was my very first creative event). 

 

Our first class was taught by Beth Leintz, who showed us how to stitch adorable birdies, flowers and hearts out of felt and other bits of fabrics...these then went into a peat pot (decorated, of course) to create a simple and pretty "bouquet." 

 

 

(these were Beth's samples and supplies)

 

This is my version.... unfinished... 

 

and after a few final touches at home ...

 

I discovered that while I loved the peat pot idea, I could also display these cuties in various ways...

 

 

...this one made its way to a vintage lamp in my studio... it looks right at home! 

I loved this class - and now, I am a bit addicted to making these little birdies (did I mention that they are stuffed with lavender?!?)

 

Our second project of the day was this tiny wire birdcage (or captured fairy) from Karla.   (my wee fairy cage)

 

This is the type of project that requires much practice... many of us were frustrated with the wires not staying in place (Karla was very helpful with her suggestions on how to make this easier...but my hands weren't cooperating).  Once done, however, we were all thrilled with the outcome.  Well worth all the bleeding fingers (just kidding!). 

 

 This project definitely allowed everyone's creative personality to shine through...

 

 

 

I have not given up on the birdcage...  since getting back home, I've purchased some wire and will be making a couple of them in various sizes to gift to friends.   Karla has a tutorial available here, should you want to try your hand at it.

 

Stay tuned for lots more BirdSong photos and stories... for now, I'll leave you with some beautiful images from Karla's studio.

 

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Forgotten photos... part I

When I first started blogging, I was always on the lookout for the perfect picture, that vignette that just beckoned to be photographed.  Sometimes it was a storefront or store window, a booth in an antiques mall, a project or product displayed in a store, or even nature's beauty.  

Slowly and steadily, my blog changed ...   Pretty pictures, sometimes beautiful pictures,  gave way to tags, ATC's and other artistic projects created for swaps and blog friends.   My blog became a "crafting" blog instead of what I originally intended it to convey - a place for me to share all things that had captured my eye... "All Things Pretty." 

So as I start the new year 2013, I am making a concerted effort to stay on the path of pretty, frilly, feminine, froufrou, girlie, romantic - all things that make me happy to be a woman!   

Don't get me wrong; there will still be those occasional artistic projects to share, but the majority of them will be featured on my Flickr and Pinterest boards. 

 I've also started to edit the picture files on my desktop (how does one accumulate so many pics in a relatively short period of time?!?!?!?!?!) and will be featuring some long-forgotten gems that never made it into a post, but that truly deserve their moment in the limelight.

I'll start off with some photos taken during our trip to Spain last Christmas.   Our daughter, Bianca, was living in Palma, Mallorca for a year and we thought it would be magical to visit her during the holidays.   We were not disappointed!

I fell instantly in love with the beautiful island of Mallorca. 

One of my favorite places to visit on the island was the local "farmer's" market "Mercat"...  the colors, the smells, the people....  everyone was out doing their daily shopping for fresh produce, fish, legumes....      

Europeans don't have the luxury of the huge refrigerators that we Americans are accustomed to, nor do they have the vast array of frozen and preserved foods that we consume.   I love the fact that they eat so much fresh (healthy!) food and take the selection of their foods very seriously. 

 

what we call "Jordan" almonds, in a gorgeous array of colors

 

sweets in all shapes and colors

 

the selection of "gummies" was incredible

 

dried fruits and "candied" fruits were beautifully displayed

 

 

all the fruits and vegetables were fresh, healthy, colorful...they looked like something straight out of a cooking magazine photo.  You know the ones... where the "food" looks so perfect that it doesn't look real?

 

 

 

 

While in Spain, Bianca became a fig lover...   there are many varieties easily available and the prices are very reasonable, compared to what we pay in the United States.

 

Did you know that figs are high in calcium and iron?

Not only are they delicious, but they are also low in calories and make a great snack.

Here are some serving tips:

• Sweet, succulent fig fruit is best enjoyed as it is without any additions.

• Fresh figs are a great addition to salad, in cakes and ice creams.

• Dried ones can be added to soup, stews and to enrich poultry, venison, lamb meat.

• Dry figs are excellent additions to muffins, cakes, sandwiches, pies, and cheesecakes.

  
  

  Well, all these photos have made me hungry for some fresh fruit!   

  Stay tuned for more "forgotten" photos in the next few posts.

  
  

Junkyard treasures...

Well, these treasures are not really from a "junkyard" per se...they were from  Junk Bonanza, which I posted about here.   

When I attend these larger events and antiques shows, I don't aim to come home with an armful of "stuff."    Rather, my goal is to find a few treasures that I can't find anywhere else... that are unique in some way, or for which the price is a bargain.  Sometimes (not often), I leave empty-handed.  Other times, I will make one amazing purchase (like the time I found a bagful of vintage rhinestone buttons for $2)...  However, if I walk out of the place with a headful of inspiration and a heart full of happiness - well, I consider that a successful event.

My recent visit to Junk Bonanza was indeed inspiring, creatively speaking. 

But I also managed to find a few little treasures...

 

A vintage suitcase (in a pinky-peachy tone)  in perfect condition (and for $15) was my very first purchase.

  It came in handy for carrying all the other little purchases I made along the way.

 

The little altered bear was a whimsical purchase. 

 

Meet Annabelle... she was just too darn cute to pass up  and is now sitting pretty in my guest bedroom.  

 The crochet tablecloth (or maybe it's a throw?) is in fabulous condition!  I've been looking for one to try my hand at making a gypsy-style skirt; but now that I found it, I'm not sure if I can get myself to cut it up! 

 

 

 Like most paper crafters and artists, I am always on the lookout for interesting ephemera.   On this particular outing, I was seeking pieces I could use for Halloween and fall projects.

 

...

One particular vendor had so much wonderful stuff, that I spent a good 30 minutes going through it all! 

Some of my favorite finds were vintage Bingo cards with the number "31" 

(Bingo cards, at a reasonable price, are hard to find in my neck of the woods)

 

I just love these playing cards with drawings of ladies! 

I searched high and low for more, but alas, only four could be found...  won't they make fabulous witches?

A jarful of wooden Bingo numbers also made their way into the suitcase...  as did a few tiny glass bottles for filling with pearls, beads, etc.  (I like to use the old ones vs. the clean and shiny new ones you find at the craft store) 

...
Junk Bonanza vendors had tons of vintage hats... many were beautiful, all were pricey.   

So imagine my surprise when I found this one tucked under a table and marked $5

 

.... 

Another vendor had a suitcase full of grab bags with jewelry; where I found lovely pearls, prisms, and miscellaneous pieces for a couple of bucks.   

 

The hat and pearls will be used for the upcoming bridal shower I am hosting for my future daughter-in-law.   We are having a vintage tea party theme, where all the attendees will don vintage hats, pearls and gloves.   (Can't wait to post about that event!   I have been a busy bee gathering all the supplies and decor pieces for it.) 

Hoping your week is a happy and productive one~

 

Pretty junk...

Junk Bonanza  took place this past weekend in Shakopee, Minnesota.   This is the baby of the incredibly creative interpreneur Ki Nassauer, who not only puts on this event twice a year, but also publishes a magazine (Flea Market Style), manages several blogs....   

 

... I mean, this lady is everywhere except in church

 (on second thought, she might be there also!)  

 

Ki describes herself  as "Author, editor, and expert

at converting junk into treasure"

This was only my 3rd time attending Junk Bonanza, and I usually try to attend either the first or second day.   Due to work schedules, I was unable to attend until the third (and final) day this year. 

  

But oh, there was still lots of beautiful junk to behold!

 

 
LOVED the blinged-out tarnished silver!

(apology: i've misplaced this dealer's card and can't give proper credit)

 

  

RUSTIC and RUSTY junk getting a second life....

 

 

...there were prisms everywhere.... 

they made plain, utilitarian objects just a bit more dazzling.

 

 

 

I even loved the unique signs....  

  

.... creative chandeliers (prisms again)....

 and fabulous dressforms

 

 

 

 

Vignettes that caught my eye...

 

"for the love of junk"



 

You could find a sweet vignette tucked in any corner...  if you were not careful, your eyes would totally miss it.

 

One of my favorite vendors at this event is The Vintage Pixie; their booth is always ALWAYS full of eye candy and inspiration.   My heart beats a little bit faster every time I set foot in their booth.

I'll show you why...

 

this divine chandelier was one of the first things

you saw as you entered their booth...

crowns and tiaras..

 

custom-made, one-of-a-kind top hats! ..

  

  

..

 in person, these were incredibly beautiful...

another wonderful chandelier....  (they were everywhere in this booth!)



 

 

 

vintage clothing....

 

 

lacy banners and lamp shades...

 

 

(notice the rustic wood background?)

 

 

 

 

 

The whole booth was ultra prairie romance style!

 

You can visit The Vintage Pixie on their Facebook here.

 

(I did manage to come home with an armful (or rather, a  suitcase-ful) of lovelies...

to be shared at a later date)

 

 

 

 

Spools, threads, tatting...

Has the simplest display, or maybe even a single item sitting in an antique booth chockful of "stuff" ever caught your eye?  

You are instantly drawn to it... not quite sure why.  Oh yes, we've all had those "oohhh" moments when something truly beautiful makes us stop in our tracks.  But I'm not referring to those items, the obvious one.  I'm referring to the ones that don't scream "look at me!"

That happened to me recently while visiting one of my favorite occasional sales at How Quaint, in Shakopee.  I walked into a booth full of lovelies and spotted a bowl that contained these...

 

 

..simple little spools with unfinished pieces  of lace/tatting wound around them...

I picked up each one gingerly...

attracted to their color, texture, even their smell 

 

Of course, I had to buy them... and as soon as I got home, whipped out my camera and proceeded to take ((many)) photos...

 

...the tones of the spools look beautiful when paired with vintage millinery and silks...   

 And a few of my estate sales pieces also came out to join the photo shoot...

Once the photo shoot was done... they were put into a crystal bowl in The Sunshine Room... where they will sit for awhile until I decide if I (ever) want to unwind the pieces to see them in their entirety.

Thanks for letting me share my little spools!  

(I'm also sharing with the White Wednesday party over at the Faded Charm)

What great little finds have you brought home recently?

Soller, Mallorca Spain

Happy New Year!  

We are seven days into 2012 and I have yet to post about my holiday trip to Spain.  

One word to sum it up:

 a

m

a

z

i

n

g

Of course, the very best part was seeing our daughter, Bianca.

 She was a wonderful hostess and guide, enabling us to see Spain through her eyes.

I'm still going through photos (800+) and selecting favorites for sharing.  However, today I want to focus on a little town in the island of Mallorca.   It was a 50 minute bus ride from Palma.... and is called Soller.

The views on our way up to Soller were breathtaking.

Our first glimpses of Soller literally took our breath away!

 Like something straight out of a story book.

The little town Plaza was decked out for the holidays.

And everywhere,

absolutely EVERYWHERE,

you looked there was something beautiful to see.

 

The windows, doors, little vignettes along the sidewalks....

My thumb was hurtin' from all the photo snapping...

And just when I thought I had gotten over all that beauty, we came upon this iron fence.

 

And behind it... this lovely private garden~

And as my eyes wandered, identifying known plants and trying to figure out what others were, I spotted one.   

A pink rose!

I crammed my camera between the fence bars, zoomed in, trying to get a better shot.

Still a bit blurry, yet magnificent.  

A total surprise!

But wait.... is that?  

another pink rose?!?

Lovely.

The perfect little town.

The perfect day.

And a perfect glass of Spanish red Crianza before our ride back to Palma.

Perfect.

p.s.  I'm slowly but surely getting back into my real life (lol).  

Linking up to Beverly's Pink Saturday party and sharing by Soller pink roses.

Tattered, frayed, chippy...

Earlier this week I shared with you my recent multi-estate sale adventure...  

I'm still cleaning, examining, photographing my finds - and trying to decide on a case-by-case basis whether it's a "keeper" or a "seller". 

None are perfect or pristine.

 

 

Age has taken its toll...

 

..but how could I turn away from such loveliness?

I have never been able to resist vintage shoes in cream or ivory,  so imagine my joy when I found these beauties...

 

 

...oh, the places they've been!...

...the stories they could tell!...

I would love to restore them.  They are made out of the softest calfskin... which has a bit of damage here/there, and the heels are crusted with years of dirt.  

Does anyone have suggestions on the best way to go about cleaning them?

*   *  *

 

And here we have my little bisque angel... in soft faded shades of yellow and pink.   A tiny pink rose in each hand. ((sigh))

 

 

(as of this posting, not much in the "selling" bin....  quite a lot in the "keeping")

 

Hope you are having a wonderful week!

 

I'm linking up to these fun, fabulous parties and sharing my estate sale finds:

White Wednesday at Faded Charm Cottage

Show and Tell Friday @ Romantic Home

Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage

Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground

Junk Bonanza....

The Creative Connection Event and Junk Bonanza both took place last weekend here in Minneapolis... the city was overflowing with creativity!

Unfortunately, I never made it out to CCE due to work schedule, but I did manage to spend most of Saturday at the Junk Bonanza!

Don't let the name fool you....   this is the good stuff! 

You were greeted by fun fall decor and fabulous vignettes...

 

It seems like the "it" projects, materials and medium of the moment in Blogland can be spotted throughout the event...

for example....   burlap

 

..this shade was fabulous!  It had a unique mix of textures....

 they used pearls and rusty iron knobs as accents.

 

...lots of tattered books without spines... beautifully embellished with fabric, buttons, buckles.

 

I spotted a few "new" ideas; like these mushrooms made from vintage laces and fabrics, their base/stem consist of old wood and/or knobs ...  they were so lovely!

 

...this may not be a new concept or idea...

but it was the first time I'd seen them in person.

...vintage buttons and pearls inside glass ornaments...

 

There were some amazing dressforms!   Old, torn, tattered, embellished....  these two were among my favorites.

 

 

...isn't the "black wings" idea cool?  Perfect for Halloween!

 

... I almost dropped my camera when I spotted this one!

 The wings are wood - the metal tiles spell out "junk love"

 

A few santos dolls were in attendance...  I'm still searching for the right one to bring home;

they were all over $150, which is way over my budget...

so the search continues.

 

ISN"T SHE BEAUTIFUL?!  

This bust stole my heart!  I was ready to pull out the plastic and buy it, no matter the cost...but then I noticed the "NFS" tag ...  

don't you hate it when that happens?  

There should be a law against it!  Using pieces as props and getting us all worked up about them - only to find out we can't bring them home!

 

...these little girl dress/slips have been tea stained and embellished with tattered laces... so darling!

 

The booths were a destination themselves...  vendors went all out to make their wares look fabulous.  

This one was one of my favorites... the queens of posh ALWAYS go over the top with their displays...  you just sit there and drool a bit.

 

See what I mean?

 

I had a great time chatting with vendors, some of which are also bloggers.

The Etsy folks were also there and it was nice to actually meet and greet the "real" people behind this booming business.  We talked about one of my fears:  Etsy has gotten so successful that they will be gobbled up by a big fish... and then, our Etsy that we've come to love... will change.  Hopefully not anytime soon.

 

I hope you are having a nice week!

I'm joining these parties....

White Wednesday at Faded Charm

Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage

Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground

 

"Crazy Days" in Excelsior...

Our little neighboring town celebrated its annual "crazy days" event this past weekend... three whole days of sidewalk sales, wonderful deals, street vendors selling brats, hot dogs, burgers, rootbeer floats... music... and a flea market on Saturday with outside vendors coming into town to sell their wares.

It was very hot the first two days and many of us were walking around in somewhat of a daze... although my heart wanted to shop, my brain/body just wanted an ice cold bottle of water and the shade of a maple tree (of which there are many in Excelsior!).

 

In spite of the heat, I did manage to make some wonderful purchases...

1. this fabulous vintage suitcase in a lovely faded peachy color

....the inside is in fabulous condition; no tears, no stains, no odors...

2. the dress inside the suitcase was my 2nd purchase... I fell in love with the hem and edging... it's almost a shame to cut it up!

 

3. a few antique photos

...aren't they lovely? especially the smiling gal above; it's difficult to actually find someone who looks happy in old pics due to the fact that they had to sit still for so long...

 

4. some faux pearls and bling

5. vintage sewing notions

 

 

6. a grab bag full of lace (I love these; you never know what you're getting and you are rarely disappointed, as there are usually a few gems in there!)

 

7. vintage postcards... jackpot! All dated/stamped from 1902-1911.... not in perfect condition (who cares?!?) and ranging in price from 5 cents to 50 cents.... I ended up with 40 in total for under $8...

 

 

A productive weekend... don't you think? Well worth suffering the heat!

I'm linking up to the White Wednesday party at Faded Charm Cottage.

Happy Wednesday!

She sells sea shells...

I'm back home in Minnesota (haven't even unpacked yet).  It was wonderful seeing my family and spending time with my mother; but it sure is nice to be home!

Today I'm sharing some photos of seashells decor, taken at my brother's home....  after all, how can you live in Florida and not go with a nautical or beach theme in your decorating?  My sister-in-law is a bit "tired" of it, but my brother is a big fishing fanatic and loves anything nautical.  I think they've come up with a wonderful compromise, by incorporating a few pieces here and there.

...this seashell mirror inspires me to make one of my own!....

... they've recently visited Mexico and brought back some beautiful pieces collected by the sea...

... I fell in love with their clever idea of using seashells as "mulch" outside...

 

 Happy White Wednesday!

I'm linking up to the party over at Faded Charm Cottage.

(Off I go to do some creating...  I have several swaps I need to complete/mail...

 stay tuned for many lovely pics this week!)

Only in Miami....

I've been in Miami since last Friday...  I had forgotten just how scorching hot it can feel!  But it sure beats the seven months of winter we have back home.  I'll take sunshine and heat over snow ANY TIME.

Some photos taken on South Beach at the marina behind my mom's condo.

 

 

... there's something about the late afternoon clouds over the water that seems so peaceful...

 

Palm trees = Sunshine

 
 

I hope you are enjoying your summer days.  Happy Summer Solstice!

 

Haut chocolat in Chicago...

During our most recent trip to Chi Town to visit our daughter, we actually had some "down" time!  Usually we rush out there; attend her track meet, maybe have some dinner on the town, then drive back the next morning... It was nice to just chill and actually sightsee a bit and act like tourists.

We took a drive out to LincolnPark and surrounding neighborhoods...  discovered some wonderful restaurants and shops. 

My jaw dropped when I spotted the window display and signage (in purple!) of a place called Vosges... and imagine my joy when I stepped through the door and realized it was a French-inspired chocolate shop!  The smell of chocolate is just heavenly, isn't it?

 

...Gorgeous hydrangeas and roses in petite silver cups greeted you....

 

...eye-catching displays....

 
...their "enchanted mushroom"  weighs in at 1.3 lbs. and is filled with soft, dark chocolate and hazelnuts; made and decorated by hand! 

 

 
...their "tower of chocolate" with all the different flavors they sell!  Look at the yummy colors of their packaging!

 

 
...their arched wall was covered with a unique purple foliage paper...

even the signage was pretty!
 

  

 

Then we ventured toward the back of the shoppe and discovered their haut chocolate counter...

...We got a kick out of our daughter "Bianca" having her own chocolat!

 

 

Everywhere you looked there was something wonderful to see....

 
...hand painted signs on glass...

little feminine touches here and there...

 

I must have acted like I just got off the turnip truck because our daughter was actually telling me to stop taking pictures.... I think my behavior embarassed her a bit (wouldn't be the first -or last- time!)... although she was too nice to say anything else!

As we were walking out the door, I looked to my left and saw the white plates displayed against a deep purple wall... made me (almost) want to run home and paint something in this gorgeous color!

 
I'm linking up to the new French Inspiration Thursday party at the French Cupboard...

 

 
p.s.  I later learned that Vosges has several shops throughout the country... you can find out more about Vosges and their products at http://www.vosgeschocolate.com/

French architectural details...

I was recently going through photos taken last Spring during my trip to Europe.... trying to choose some favorites to use for note cards...  and was once again awed by all the beauty that we saw. 

I can still feel my excitement as I deplaned in Paris... itching to see my daughter, Bianca, and anxious to start my adventure.  Bianca was a wonderful guide, and in 3 short days (before heading off to Italy), she gave me a glimpse and a taste for what Paris is all about.

Some of my fondest memories are centered on the architecture... the "simple" details that seem to be everywhere, even in the humblest of structures.  Of course, the "must see" spots were wonderful...  but as a traveler, I've always enjoyed seeing "behind the scenes" and striking out to areas that are a bit off the common path.

As I looked through the photos, I noticed (again!) the gorgeous white and cream details my camera had captured...

 

 
 

 

...the entrances and facades were incredible...  but the inside - wow- most ceilings and passageways were a work of art themselves!

 
  
 
 ... I miss you, Paris, can't wait to visit you again!

Linking up to White Wednesday at Faded Charm Cottage;

stop by to check out all the beautiful whites.

 

Towers of Flowers...

I'm welcoming the week with  photos from Macy's Spring flower show (which opened here in Minneapolis last weekend)... this year's theme is "Towers of Flowers" and boy, were there towers! 

 

The displays were as amazing as ever!  One of the "hits" of the show were the

BLUE orchids...

 

...everyone was going a bit nuts over their vivid BLUE tint (although most didn't realize they were dyed).... 

 
Each "tower" was more breathtaking than the other...  this one was a mosaic tower, brimming with bougainvilleas...  reminded me of South Florida gardens...

  
 

 
 ..the trees, shrubs and foliage combinations were stunning as well.  Many of the displays had a distinct European or Mediterranean "feel" to them. 

 

 

 

 But the "piece de resistance" was the Leaning Tower...

 

 

I have a few hundred more pics I'd like to share... but will save those for a future post!  The lighting was very bright and made it difficult for a rookie like moi to take decent pics...

I'm happy to join Smiling Sally and all her blue-loving friends today!

 

HAPPY MONDAY!

A day at the farm...

Have you ever seen a newborn lamb?  Have you touched the fur of freshly sheered sheep?  Have you enjoyed the smell of a chicken coop? 

This and more we experienced today when our class took its annual Spring field trip to a local farm.  It's almost as much fun to see them "ahhhh" and "uhhhhh" as it is to watch as they pinch their little faces and (sometimes) hold their noses when we walk into the barn!

 

The temp was a crisp 30 degrees... the sun was shining.... the snow had almost completely melted and left behind a trail of mud...  ah,  it all spells "FUN" for 5- and 6-year-olds!

 

 

 ...this lady pranced around like she owned the place!!

 

 

...precious...

 

The miracle of nature, the renewal of life's cycle, SPRING.... it surrounded us today and reminded us of how precious life truly is.

Happy Wednesday!

I'm linking up to Faded Charm's party to share my "white" farm animals!

I'm a lucky girl...

I'm always amazed by the generosity of people in Blogland....  it's not uncommon to see a give-away celebrating blogging anniversaries, # of posts, even birthdays!   The author usually has put quite a bit of thought into her give-away; always wanting to make sure the recipient feels special.

Well,  I AM FEELING SPECIAL.   I found at yesterday that I was the winner in Rose Mille's giveway!  What made this even more special was that the winner was not randomly selected, but rather was chosen based on a response to a specific question.

Those of you who live near Minneapolis, or who attended the Creative Connection Event last fall, may be familiar with Michelle Rose and her beautiful shoppe in Stillwater, Rose Mille.  As you walk through the doors (after you are awestruck by her window displays), you enter a serene, beautiful, elegant and ultra femininine atmosphere.  There is so much to see... you want to make sure you are looking UP, as well as DOWN.  Michelle always has imaginative ways to display things...

Rose Mille's website describes it as: 

. . . a vintage style fashion, home decor and crafts shop.

... but OH, it's so much than that!

Are you looking for vintage French ribbon?  Exquisite millinery?  Hand-made furniture that speaks to you?  Plumes and feathers that look like they came straight out of Moulin Rouge?   Chandeliers dripping with crystals, or light pendants covered with pantaloon ruffles?   Get the point?  Amazing!

So that is why I am thrilled and honored to be the recipient of Michelle's very first "kit" which contains all her favorites from the shop... 

 Isn't it all beautiful?  I've promised Michelle I will send her a pic of my creation(s) using her gifts... but I did warn her that I might hoard a few things.

Thank you, Michelle and Rose Mille!

http://rosemille.typepad.com/rose_mille/

 

I'm sharing my beautiful blue gift with Sally and the folks over at Blue Monday!

 

Tired, but Inspired!

 
 
Yesterday, my husband and I spent a few hours at one of my favorite shopping haunts, The Galleria.  ( Back in the days when I had a corporate job and made REAL money, I used to do a bit of shopping there.  Now, on my teaching assistant's salary, not affordable!). 

This mall is very upscale, and includes stores like Tiffany's (yes! THE Tiffany's).  This time of year, it's a feast for the eyes, with all the beautiful window displays and decorations.

I stopped by some of my favorite shoppes, and some new ones (sadly, a few of my old favorites are now out of business).  The biggest surprise came when I walked into Pottery Barn... wow!  they've really outdone themselves this season!   I was impressed with the very European "look" to their furniture, their decor, their displays.   Lots of taupes, natural linens, a bit of "rustic cottage" and "country bungalow."   Even my husband commented on it!

Needless to say, friends, I was inspired!   I decided then and there (this is how I usually make my decorating decisions) that I would be re-doing my living room this winter.... a fun project to keep me busy during our 6-month Minnesota winter!   We already had on the "to do" list  a kitchen renovation project, so adding another room was a natural thing, right?

My shopping for accessories starts TODAY!  Yippee!  I'm hitting the local, biggest HomeGoods store ever... pillows and throws in taupes, creams, chocolate brown maybe?  Some "rustic cottage" accessories...  We'll see what's out there.  (I actually started last night, when I picked up some paint chips/samples at Home Depot...  the mantle wall will become my "accent" wall.)

Here are some pics I took to help me remember exactly WHAT triggered my inspiration...

 

 

LOVE LOVE LOVE these great big pinecones!!!  (not so affordable at $10 a pop!  are they crazy?)

 

The lantern filled with holiday greenery was beautiful... I have one almost exactly like this on my porch which I'll bringing inside and using as a table centerpiece... 

 (another crazy expensive thing we say:  "fake" snow for $42 a bag!!!)

 
The photo does not do justice to this room display...  I currently have very similar basic white furniture in my living room, but it's a "shabby chic" look... well, after looking at this room, I realized I really liked the contrast of whites with darker woods.  However, I like more of a "distressed" look to my woods, not so much country... but you get the idea.  Our living area is not large and is complicated by the fact that all 4 walls are interrupted (bay window, mantle, 2 doorways), so it's a challenge to get the right furniture placement.

OK... so off to lunch at a friend's house we go... followed by an afternoon of shopping.   Can't wait to show you my finds!

HAPPY SUNDAY!  STAY WARM (it was 18 degrees here this a.m.!)

 

Much harder than it Seems...

 

As part of my ongoing quest to learn new crafts and explore my creativity, I recently attended some beading, soldering, and jewelry-making classes.

 I learned a few things: 

 1.  I don't have the patience for stringing beads together (one by one) 

2.  I really LOVE the design process... assembling the pieces, selecting the color scheme/theme...

3.  My eyes are getting OLD!  You mean I need Granny Glasses to see what I'm doing? No, I'm fine,Thank You.

4.  Soldering is A LOT HARDER than it seems!

5.  Don't quit your day job just yet, Mercedes!

I took a "making jewelry with stained glass" class at this fabulous little art studio called The Studio at Rush Creek... I wasn't really all that interested in the stained glass aspect of it; I was there to learn how to solder!  The instructor was SO patient with us; a group of 8 who were all a bit overwhelmed with the possibilities (6 of us were teachers!).  After all, HOW HARD CAN THIS BE?

 

Just for fun, I'd like to share some of my amateurish attempts...

 

..my first attempt... of course, I couldn't use a flat piece of glass (No, beveled glass for me, please!). Oh boy, I'm in BIG trouble.

 

...my 2nd attempt... I decided to press a dried flower between the image and glass; learned it's VERY easy to crack the glass this way!  Also learned that its VERY hard to solder straight!!!

 

...the instructor was very kind and polite when I suggested making a HEART shaped pendant... ((GASP)) which required that I cut, shape, and sand the stained glass piece.  Then I wanted a sticker on my piece, found it wouldn't adhere very well (this is when my clear nail polish came to the rescue!).

This 4th attempt I didn't have a chance to finish... but I'm already planning to go back for a visit this weekend and use their studio (only $6/hour to use their supplies/materials!) to complete this piece and practice on a few others.  My new mantra:  I WILL NOT LET THE SOLDERING IRON BEAT ME DOWN!

 

With a bit more success (barely), I attended a fabulous class at The Creative Connection Event a couple of weeks ago.  Our instructor was Kaari Meng from French General, who was so fun and fabulous! 

This is the piece we would be making...

 The time allotted was 3 whole hours, and I thought that was a very long time.... until I started stringing beads (one by one).... and stringing....

 

 and I couldn't get my hands to move exactly like Kaari's so that my loops and hooks were just perfect (I wonder why? ).  Ok, so maybe this type of craft is not made for me.

This is my "almost" finished piece (I still want to add a few more charms to it).  I guess 3 hours wasn't that long after all!

 

 

(I incorporated a few vintage pieces I brought from home...)

 

Overall, a wonderful experience in self-exploration!  

Happy Saturday!  Enjoy your weekend.