Flowers and Dreams at the Dance

We have so many wonderful artists in our blogging community and Karla Nathan is among the best!

This beautiful collage just arrived this last weekend. I fell in love with it because it reminded me of my dancing days.

The detail and love that Karla puts into her artwork is wonderful. Please click on the pictures to see this lovely close up.

Thank you Karla! I will treasure this always...

Through the Looking Glass

There is something mysterious and fascinating about items under glass. You can create whole little worlds under them or use them to preserve a beloved delicate keepsake. When an item is placed under glass it becomes a special item of interest. It’s as if a stage has been set for it. I love the idea of displaying an item in this old world way.







Another plus of the glass dome is easy dusting! I have a friend who has an amazing sense of style and creates the most beautiful vignettes throughout her home. But I have to say, I shudder inside when I think of the amount of time she puts into dusting everything. A grouping of items that has turned dusty is not a thing of beauty and I just don’t have that kind of time. Placing small vignettes under glass helps to keep the item dust free and when the time does come to dust, a quick swipe with a feather duster is all that’s required. I don’t advocate putting everything under glass but things which have tiny nooks and crannies or precious linens that you want to display and not hide away are perfect for this kind of treatment.








This old crystal beaded appliqué from an old French theater costume is beginning to deteriorate. I didn’t want to hide it away in tissue paper to be seen only occasionally. To preserve its beauty I took an old piece of bubble glass from an antique frame and turned it into a glass dome for this lovely piece. Now everyone can enjoy its beauty.

A beautiful French mirror under glass.

I got so tired of dusting all the nooks and crannies of this mirror that I put it under this dome.







Now if you have time, my husband is revealing a very intimate story of our early courting days. It has me in stitches! To find out a little more about me and us, click this link Loving Her Beautiful.

An Amazing Find

A while ago I found the most amazing thing. Well, at least it is to me…beautiful hand painted stationery.

I was told it is from the Victorian era. I’m not sure it’s that old but it is so pretty to look at. I have a vision of the lovely person who painstakingly painted these gorgeous birds on the stationery.

I see a lady, her dark hair piled high on her head. A beautiful ribbon of blue encircles her curls. Her dress is made of white eyelet lace and lawn linen, with three-quarter sleeves. Her satin shoes tap lightly on the stairs as she flies to her room for a few moments alone.

She enters the room. Light from the dormered window pours over her little writing desk. She walks to the window and peers out, holding onto the silk curtain. Leaning her forehead gently on the glass, she sees her garden below. The trees are filled with the song of lovely birds. “That’s it,” she says to herself. “Birds.” She gently pulls back the chair and sits. Her desk is arrayed with colorful pots of ink and her new set of watercolors. She pours a little water into a china cup, dips her brush, and begins to paint.

Confessions from the Heart of a Ribbon Addict

I love Ribbon! I love it for the beauty that it helps to create. I love it for the feel and texture.

I love ribbon when it’s old and when it’s new.

I love ribbon when it is made from the finest of velvet to the most inexpensive nylon.

There is no differentiating for me, ribbon is ribbon.

Tumbling around in my minds eye in glorious colors.

Sweet, Sensual, Scrumptious, Irresistible Ribbon!

Giveaway!

Thank you to everyone who left a comment on my 50th Blog Post Celebration Giveaway. I’ve had a wonderful time meeting new people and making some lovely new friends. I’m glad to have found that so many of us share the same likes and loves.

Here’s the result of the drawing . . .

Congratulations, Lori of Faerie Window! Please email me when you get a chance.

Have a Great Weekend, Everyone!

Nancy

Rosey Posey Confections

During the Christmas holiday, I purchased a wonderful tussie mussie kit from Cheryl Dack of Rosey Posey Confections. It was a kit that she had created for the Joli Paquet Event hosted by several different artists in the blogging community. I finally had some time to sit down and put it together yesterday and the pictures below are the result.

Cheryl prepared everything for the kit. The kit comes with a paper cone that is so sturdy and wonderful. It took me only a few minutes to get the material in place because it was so easy to handle. The cone comes plain, ready for you to decorate. The picture above was taken after I attached the material to the cone.

This photo was taken after I added the ruffle to the top of the cone. The thing I really liked about this kit is that Cheryl really encourages you to make this tussie mussie your own. So you can add variations to the instructions she's given.

Here it is finished. I chose to place the button yo-yo differently and I left off the finishing bow from the bottom.

This embroidered button is the sweetest thing!!

You know, I think I might get a visit from Cupid himself. He might need a quiver re-do and this would be perfect for him. What do you think?

Thanks for creating such a fun kit, Cheryl. I had a blast!

Please visit Cheryl's Etsy store Rosey Posey Confections. She has a Valentine's kit available right now! Plus 2 wonderful offers:

1. She is offering the blank cones for sale! Which as I mentioned above are wonderful to work with. But the best part about her offer is -- if you buy 2 or more cones, she will give you a free pattern and a complete set of instructions on how to design your own tussie mussie in the style you see in her shoppe!!

2. Cheryl is also offering options for anyone who might be interested in their own complete kit. You just need to convo her at her Etsy contact.

I know that Cheryl is busy right now designing some tussie mussie kits for Spring. Could you imagine these for Easter hung on door knobs, mirrors or where ever you take a fancy to put one? I can't wait to see her new Spring designs.

Just a quick note:

Tomorrow Friday later in the afternoon I will announce the winner of my giveaway so Stay Tuned... :D

Update: I have had a schedule change and have posted the results for the giveaway this morning at 12:14 A.M.! Thank you to everyone who participated!!

Romantic Touches

Have any of you heard of DOLLFACE Design on Etsy? This little Shoppe is run by a wonderful artist named Layla. Her artwork is fun, whimsical and thought provoking all at once.

I always like to find artwork for Valentine’s Day that shouts, “Romance!” I think this collage print that Layla designed does just that. I just purchased this print from her last week. It now takes center stage in an old French rose frame, the very essence of romance…

Please click on the pictures to enlarge.

You can visit DOLLFACE Design for more fun artwork.

Ode to My Friend the Rose

I was missing my roses in the midst of winter.
In my sadness I whispered into their dreams and one of them awoke. . .

“What are you doing awake little one?” I cried.
Then I heard her tiny sigh.
Her sweet soft head bobbed in the cold north wind.
“I missed you, too,” she said, “and I have come to seek my friend.”
Her fragrance was faint.
She was slightly spotted and soiled so I bundled her up to protect her from spoil.

She lay in my arms, content and so sweet
And a bowl of warm water I placed at her feet.
She drank it all in, and then said to me. . .

“This is most wondrous fair, a rose awake in winter and taking the air.”

We tarried long hours together, and then she had to go.
Kisses we rained on each other, our parting was painful and slow.

“To sleep again, my little one. We've had such a wonderful day."
Then she folded her soft pink petals, and sweetly drifted away.

My friend ROSE

'Ode to My Friend the Rose' a little folly of a poem by me

50th Blog Post Giveaway!

First, I would like to say Thank You to everyone who commented on my Confections de Marie shoes yesterday. I was filled with so much excitement and joy. Lovely Dawn of The Feathered Nest featured them on her blog, and so many of you came over to see them. Thank you, Dawn!
After so much encouragement to submit them for publication in Somerset Magazine, I decided I’m going to go for it!! I’m going to try to get them out to meet the magazine’s next deadline. No matter what happens, the response I’ve received has been thrilling. You’re all wonderful!!

Now for the goodies…

These are the items I’ll be including in my 50th Blog Post Celebration Giveaway. (I can’t believable it’s come so quickly!)

Hand Painted “From a Friend” China Cup
Lace Bundle with Gorgeous Vintage Rhinestone Button
Miniature Mask *
Beaded Dragonfly *
French Queen Playing Card (LOVE THIS)
Resin Cameo
Three Velvet Cream Leaves
Lovely Star Button Card
Three of the Best Antique Tickets
Fairy Card *
Aceo Collage Guardian Fairy *
Copy of Antique French Fashions, printed on photo archival paper

And last but not least:

A one of a kind Confections de Marie shoe, created in your choice of pink, green or white.

To be entered in the drawing, be sure to leave a comment on this post by midnight Thursday, January 24th. The winner will be announced late Friday, January 25th. If you click on the pictures they should enlarge to give you a better view of the goodies.

Update: Just a quick note... for those of you who do not have blogs or websites for me to reach you at should you win. Could you please leave an email address where you can be reached. Thanks! :O)

Thank you so much again! I hope you all have fun looking. Good luck!

* Created by Fete et Fleur Designs