Victorian Bonnet Ladies

Oh where, oh where has my battery charger gone? In the meantime, I've decided to put up a post with a phone camera, eeegads! I know. You will all just have to bear through the blurry, bad visuals.

I just love collaborative swaps. You know the kind, where you receive more then one person's art. Maybe it's a book with pages made by different people. This time, Karla and Beth have decided to put together a small stand up decorative screen. I will get four different peoples' version of "birds and bonnets". The Vintage Workshop has provided us with some really great clip art to use in this altered art project. I chose to use Victorian ladies with floral bonnets combined with a vintage wallpaper print. The first two are not for the swap. They are hostess gifts. shhhhh.



These are the four panels that I made for the swap. Karla and Beth will put four different panels together and then mail out the screens to all participants. I know, these ladies rock. Each panel is decorated on both sides. I'm not showing you all the sides due to the lack of a good camera. I added German scrap, paper millinery flowers, and other embellishments.




I'm off to mail these panels. I am excited to see the finished project and will share when it arrives, if I find my battery charger!

Matchy Matchy

I'll admit it. I am NOT in denial. I am not a matchy matchy person. If you are a matchy person, I think you know who you are. You know, your bed has to be in the center of the wall and you have identical end tables on each side of the bed and one medium sized picture directly above your headboard. You, are far better organized then I, and when your items are in perfect proportion you are calm and happy. But alas, I don't match. I am me. My brain needs to jump from here to there, notice this and that. It will glaze over and shut down if everything is an exact match. Lets face it, we've all been there...walked into a room where every piece of wood is stained the same color, every fabric is from the same line (even the wallpaper), and every accessory looks like it was purchased from the same store. Beautiful? Sure. Do my eyes glaze over? Yes. Even you matchy people know when it's just tooooo much. In my opinion, coordinating, not exact matching is what feels good to me. This brings me to the house project that has been floating around in my head...my kitchen. I'd like to replace my island (work station, seats 4 people) with something that doesn't MATCH my other cupboards....remember it will coordinate.
Here are a few pictures I got from http://www.kitchens.com
Notice the variety of colors, countertops, and textures in the same kitchen. The islands are all different, and it just feels good to my brain.











My cabinets are honey oak and the layout is similar to this kitchen (below). I don't have a sink in my island. I think I would like to go with an island in almond or black. I'm liking these light fixtures too. We'll see....


I've been working on a few minor projects around the house.
New valance in the kitchen-

Kitchen bulletin boards, (not a fan of pics on my fridge). Looking into family room from kitchen-

Drapes in family room-

Entry rails-

I was asked to make a banner for a Relay for Life tent. The banner turned out blingy and pink with a slight vintage look to it. It says, "heaven can wait".

What's in the Jar?

Strolling down a store aisle, I spied some glass jars @ 75% off! We all know that these are a MUST HAVE in decorating and organizing. I already have a couple of glass containers in my sitting room, so these beauties will go in my studio to hold bits and baubbles of supplies.

First, I wanted to show you a few things that you can display in your own jar.

sea shells and eggs

miniature Madame Alexander dolls

fabric yo yos

pink shredded paper

miniature tea set

sheet music tied up with ribbons

silver candleholders

lemons and oranges

silverware

crepe paper bird nests

cake decorating supplies

I'd love to hear your ideas!

Update: Be sure to read the wonderful comments. There are some really fantastic ideas!

For the Birds

First of all, I'm doing a little house keeping on A Bit of Pink Heaven. I've decided to only list those links that want me to list them. The only way for me to know if you want me to list you, is by checking to see if you have a reciprocal link for me. If you have me on your link and I don't have you on mine, PLEASE leave a comment and let me know and I will add you to my blogroll!

I've noticed a little theme going on in my house lately, so I present to you..."for the birds!"

The kitchen table seems to have gone to the birds. Who wouldn't love to live in this mosaic mirrored house?


Look closely at the wire urn and you will see that Mrs. Robbin has laid her blue beauties in a nest.


Peace of Earth....stays up all year at our house.


A Bird's got to eat! Above this desk is a tasty sunflower treat.


A closer look shows this sunflower creation. Corn cob husks and dried flowers adorn this sunflower head.


I bought this little birdie the other day. She's not the prettiest tweetie, but she really wanted to come home with me. I've promised her a crown and a floral necklace.


My cottage chic friends, I have not forgotten you. Here's a gaggle of geese in a corner bathroom cabinet...


and the sweetest little mud duck with aqua coloring. This was my grandmothers. My grandmother threw nothing away. She skillfully glued this little guy back together again after his accident. See the smile on his face? He's happy to be here!


I know some of you have seen this before, the little collage made by Lori, and these sweet eggs. I just had to show them again. It's a sweet thing!


Where I live we can't plant outside until the end of May, so these little seedlings will still have more time to grow inside.


Hope everyone had a happy Sunday!

Dolls!

Some of my fellow bloggers have been having Show and Tell Sundays. I am a little late, but decided to post anyway. The last two weeks the themes have been, dolls and vintage handkerchief, so here goes!

As a child, I was fortunate enough to receive Madame Alexander dolls as gifts from my parents. I have taken pictures of a few of my favorites.

The first picture is Sleeping Beauty in the blue along with a pink school girl.


Renior and Snow White


Rebecca of Sunny Brook Farm


Romeo and Juliet


Wendy from Peter Pan



Wednesday's Child and Baseball player


Baby Huggums


Rocco Bride Doll


Scarlett Ohara




Pinocchio, Tinker Bell, Peter Pan and Captain Hook



Not Madame Alexander, but very special to me. My father won me this Bride doll at Bingo at the Fair when I was a little girl. The whole time he kept telling me he was saving his "points" for an electric blanket! Much better then an electric blanket, don't you think?


A girl just has to have a few Barbies too!


Last Christmas one of my best gifts I received was a stash of vintage hankies. I made this pillow out of a few of them.


Just threw this picture in because it's a sachet I'm working on with fabric yoyos. Doesn't it just look like spring!



It seems that I'm not getting my items added to my website as fast as I'd like, but I have managed to add a few paper supplies, so please check them out at A Bit of Heaven.

Banner Chic

I received a visit from Counting your Blessings , so I payed her a visit back and was I ever glad I did! She has two blogs and one has a whole list of blog banners that are free! How nice is that? I copied one (as she gives us permission to do) and tweeked it a little so that my blog name is on it, wa-la, a new banner! I encourage you to visit both of her blogs and her boutique. She has lovely things for sale and all at reasonable prices. I send a big thank you to her for the free banners. What an over the top nice thing to do!

Antique/Cottage Decor Shopping

I spent about an hour (not long enough!) in a cottage/antique shop this weekend, so am sharing pics with you!







I treated myself to one of Betty's pin cushions. I just couldn't resist.


My birthday was a couple of weeks ago and wouldn't you know, the other day I recieved some lovely greetings from Shirl of shirlsrosecottage.


I purchased this antique mirror to go along with my collection and two beautiful hats. I have a hard time finding millinery where I live, so these are quite the find.

Fabrics

I took a trip to my friends quilt shop and came out with these two great fabrics. One is by Amy Butler. I am going to make bedroom pillows with these.


I'll post finished pictures when I'm done, (don't hold your breath). I won't get at it until next week. Going for the clean lines looks for pure relaxation.


Just a few more great fabrics I wanted to share. I got these from my friend Michelle, along with a great pattern to make these pot holders!

I have several clothing items that are displayed in my home. This adds a bit of fabric texture as well as special memories.


My grandmother's vintage dress hangs on the wall in the upstairs hallway. I just love that it is lace and I can just know my grandma swooned over it.


Another wall display, (sorry for the flash), is my husbands chap set he wore at the age of 4. This leather/suede outfit is in a frame on the wall.


My son's Detroit Tigers t-shirt. Cotton is very easy to frame.


My baptismal dress and bonnet is displayed in a cabinet.





Isn't this sunbonnet quilt wonderful? My grandmother made it years ago combining fabrics and paint. This was on my bed during my elementary school years.



Grandma also made fisher boy quilts with the same technique using fabrics and paints.


Another great quilt made by my grandmother. Lots of tiny pieces! The edges of this quilt are quite the mess as grandma used whatever fabric she had. She used many different yellow fabrics to finish it. I took it to my friend to see if she could "fix" it up a bit. She told me she wouldn't touch it. That's what makes it a great quilt she told me. Quite a few years have gone by since I asked me friend to alter this quilt and grandma has passed away. I am so glad my friend wouldn't touch the quilt. I love it just the way it is!

Note: Sorry, no Friday Finds this Friday, as I will be busy!

Fabulous Friday Finds

I have decided to join the masses that list flea market items on Friday for sale. This gives bloggers first chance at the great vintage items that I am listing on my "A Bit of Heaven" website. All of these items are in good vintage condition.

I have picked items that are really special. The colors in these pieces are fabulous! If you want to buy an item, I have listed the link for you to follow to my website. Most of all, just enjoy looking at the lovely things I have found for you!

If you purchase multiple items and your shipping is lower then the website charges you, I will refund the difference.


This is the sweetest picture ever. The bottom of the print says,
"...And Bless Mommy and Daddy".
Size: 8x10
Price $14.99
Click HERE if you wish to purchase.



Gorgeous Pink Platter
Size:aprox. 6x11"
Click HERE if you wish to purchase.


These are amazing! Cut Glass Salt and Pepper Shakers in Ocean Blue!
$18.99
Click HERE if you wish to purchase.


Pink Depression Creamer and Sugar/ some wear on covers
$17.99
Click HERE if you wish to purchase.

Milk Glass and Friends

One of the things I did on vacation was read.


This included the Spring Artful Blogging and Winter Somerset Life. I was thrilled to see two of my blogging friends featured in Somerset Life. "These people actually visit my blog" I yelled at my husband, (who was actually sleeping in his beach chair, so I yelled even louder). I'm talking about Karla from Karla's Cottage and Sandra Evertson. Karla has pics of the Spring Somerset Life on her blog and is again featured inside. Thanks ladies for all your inspiration.


My bedroom has a fresh new beige coat of paint and crisp white drapes. I love the clean look of milk glass so I stopped at my favorite vintage/antique store and picked up a couple pieces. I plan on displaying a few pieces on a corner shelf, but I don't have it up yet. I am planning to add a few throw pillows in various colors. I will show you the whole room when I am finished.



Sometimes bloggers are just way over the top nice. I recently recived a package from Tina at gardengoose.



Loads of Easter joy came spilling out. Beautiful pictures that I will put to good use. Thanks Tina!