Red Wall Decor♥

This Photo was the inspiration behind me painting....
{Flickr source}

...this vintage mirror Red.
I love how the mirror in the Inspiration photo stands out against the aqua wall.

We've had almost three days of solid rain. It's been about 5 years since Southern California has seen a lot of rain. I think our lack of sunshine lately has me craving color and brightness.
I'm not sure how people in Seattle do it!???

Paying it forward...

My daughter has been wanting a pair of "TOMS" shoes for awhile now. I didn't see how paying $44 for a pair of canvas shoes was reasonable{especially when you have four kids}but after purchasing these on-line for her for Christmas and seeing what their Company does for needy children, I'm really glad I did :)


With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One. Very COOL!

Flea Market Finds....

Sometimes my trip to the flea market pays off. Here are a few of my latest finished projects.

Before

After

One of my favorite upcycled vintage Italian Mirrors, I think it turned out beautiful. It's on the way to it's new home♥

Upcycling Thrifted Finds

I picked up this tabletop Mannequin last week at a Thrift Store. I knew it would make the perfect Jewelry display/holder with a little dressing up.
Supplies used:
fabric
fabric glue
scissors
lace
velvet ribbon
vintage jewels & buttons
millinery flowers
paint
{all things I already had}

First I painted the base a glossy black.

Then I cut fabric in random shapes and sizes forming it{brushed with glue} to the body until it was completely covered.
I added lace to the bottom, velvet ribbon around the waist, jewels & buttons creating a brooch. I also added a few extra touches: buttons down the back, extra jewels dangling at the waist & topped with millinery flowers.

My Inspiration.
This fabulous vintage tabletop mannequin was in the Summer issue of Where Women Create. Since seeing this article I've been trying to figure out how I can take found vintage objects and turn them into a functional display piece similar to this one. I love the idea of using it to display your photo's~ brilliant!! I'll continue to wrack my brain until I figure it out.

Spruced up Wall Art

This might look familiar, I posted about it here. I almost forgot about it after storing it in my hutch almost a year ago~ then I came across it yesterday. Wow what a difference a little paint makes. It's dated: 1970, who knew felt was popular back then.
F E L T on Etsy:
{Wreath By: KnockKnocking} LOVE her Wreaths!!

{Wallflowers By: LilacSaloon}

{Birthday Crowns By: drfeltgood}

{Catnip Cat Toys By: OhBoyCatToy}
I'm amazed at what people can do with Felt :)

This was something fun. I've mentioned before how I love Spoonflower, well a few weeks ago I decided to use my own image and have a swatch made. Since I wasn't sure how it would turn out I only ordered a swatch.
I think it turned out pretty nice. With a few tweaks I'll be ready to order a yard or two.
Now I find myself looking a things around the house and thinking "Oh, that would look nice as fabric"....this could get expensive!

Recycling Project♥

This beautiful Syroco frame was on it's way to the trash can when I decided I needed to try and save it. After an unfortunate accident I was left with this broken mess.
It was originally this amazing framed mirror.
Now it's a decorative Jewelry display holder{with some help from my glue gun}.
Definitely worth saving!

My Inspiration

A couple weeks ago I found this drawing at my Brothers. I don't remember seeing it before, but he said it was a drawing of our Mammo{my Grandmother} done by her art teacher. My Grandmother was an amazing painter and I believe she took art classes as a hobby. I remember seeing pictures of her with her paintings placing first & second in different art contests.
Since my brother hadn't hung it up and felt bad about it just sitting in a stack of artwork he said I could borrow it, but he wanted it back. We're both alike in that the only thing left of our family{that's passed away}as far as belongings that matter to us are sentimental things like: old photo's, artwork and maybe a few trinkets. So for now it's hanging on my wall.
This is a picture of my Mammo and Pappo sometime in the 1940's, they were probably in their early 20's there. They were the best Grandparents, and such a great looking couple too!!
I've been thinking about updating or redoing my Etsy Shop logo/brand and thought how perfect would it be to incorporate the drawing image of my Grandmother. Since I know nothing about taking what's in my head and turning it into what I want on the computer, I asked my brother who's a Graphic Artist if he could do it. He couldn't have made it seem more simple.
I knew I wanted the image inside a frame, so I sent him a picture of a vintage frame that I had sold in my Shop.
Very cool! He's amazing.
I know this stuff is a no-brainer to him~ he's created video games, done artwork on Album covers and so many other unbelievable things I couldn't even begin to explain, but I couldn't do this to save my life.
Now all I need to do {{with a little help of course}} from one of my favorite Etsy designers is put all of my ideas together.

Flea Market Keepers♥

Lately all the ornate framed mirrors I've found have been upcycled for my Etsy Shop, but this one I'm keeping. It might get painted down the road, but for now it fits perfectly here in this spot the way it is♥
How cute is this Sailor boy{or girl- I'm not sure because of the longer hair}?? Whenever I come across poseable Japanese dolls I have to grab them since they're a pretty rare find.


A new favorite portrait. It looks like it was done with chalk, dated: 1943. A few of my kids say she looks like a ghost, my brother said she looks like Lindsey Lohan with dark hair. Of all the things I collect~ Vintage portraits are my favorite. It always has me wondering what the story is behind the people and why aren't they handed down to family members?? because I know she was someone's daughter/sister/aunt or mother. I'm happy she's mine now :)

A few projects I'm working on{{Upcycling}}right now. Beautiful ornate vintage Syroco Mirrors & Shelf
Back to work!

What I'm loving on Etsy right now...

Lately I've found some of the cutest things that I'd love to buy. I'm in the process of saving for school{which starts in less than a year}and unfortunately buying and saving doesn't go together :( But if they did, this is what I'd buy:

{by:thestorybookrabbit}

{by:treepartydesign}

{by:littleteawagon}

{by:Pinkytoast}

{by:simplymeart}

{by:MintyFreshFusions}

We'll see how I do~ but I can already see that plate hanging on my wall!!!

Finally Organized

Wow, it's been about a month since I posted a before picture of a corner of my messy work space.
Yikes what an unorganized mess!
I started by framing a few of my favorite prints{The Black Apple, Pinky Toast and Danny Brito}. I've got plenty more wall space to fill, I just haven't had the time to shop for more prints.
A while ago I moved my sewing machine into my Bedroom thinking I'd do more sewing. It was a nice thought but I rarely used it.

Ahhhhh this feels so much better. I'm hoping to get a lot of sewing done here :)

Fun Desserts~ Cake in a Jar!

These are always fun to make, my 7 year old daughter loves to help put them together. We were going to my brothers for dinner & I wanted to bring dessert. I've made cake in a jar a few times before, usually when it's someones Birthday and we're meeting at a Restaurant{way more convenient than bringing a cake}that way everyone gets their own jar and they can take theirs home if they want.
I usually just use cake, pudding, and frosting, but you can mix it up and add whatever you'd like.
Layer~ Cake, pudding{usually I make my own}, frosting, cake: repeat, however many times it takes to fill your jar.



I found this recipe over at Instructables, where you actually Bake cakes in little jars!
These are great if you don't have the time to make them yourself or you want to send something sweet to a friend or yourself :)