She Loves Fashion

She Loves Fashion.

I made this collage for my passionately creative girl.

A little bit of her, and a message from me, "I love you" discretely positioned in the lower right corner.

I miss my pink girl, as she persues her dreams,
far, far away. 

Blessings, Ele

Hearts

Hang your heart(s), literally.

I LOVE Valentines Day, and it's only three weeks away, (I know, I know, you just took down Christmas!).

A little bit of old,  a little bit of new, Paris inspired, and a whole lot of heart makes for a banner you can hang anywhere!  

Sealed with a Kiss:)

DIY TIPS: Lately, I've had a thing for pinking sheers. Not the lightweight decorative trim scissors, but the heavy duty scissors like your grandmother used. They cut more then one paper at a time.  Also, if you want the crinkled seam binding look, I have found that it is easiest to lightly spritz with water and then scrunch it up.

I've started to add a few things to my etsy shop, so stop by.

Have a blessed week,

Ele

Music Paper Wreath

I seriously love music paper; notes dancing, neutral colors and gold undertones of vintage paper, the rich history of the music, and in some cases the words of the songs. All are visually pleasing.   

I shared a music paper Christmas wreath with you here: http://abitofpinkheaven.blogspot.com/2011/12/happy-new-year.html

Here is another wreath, made in the same technique as the Christmas wreath, but this one can be used year round. It has a paper medallion center that is embellished with bits from a vintage bingo card, and old ledger paper. Vintage ephemera     .......................Love, Love, Love!

We have had a lovely fall and start of winter, but the cold weather has hit, (Tweleve below this morning!). It is definately a crafting day, and my fashionable attire includes jammie pants, ugg slippers, a sweater, and a fuzzy blanket. I am not walking over to my church studio as I am a big baby and don't want to go outside! Thankfully, I have an emergency tote with supplies in my home. 

Our dog is doing much better and it looks like she will  not have to have surgery, yeah!

Blessings,
Ele

Change Those Drawer Pulls

What a week this has been, We have a really sick dog, and on the morning of her already scheduled vet appointment, our beloved chocolate lab got sprayed by a skunk. Poor baby, Isabel. In case you are wondering, you bathe skunk ridden loved ones in hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and a little soap, and you give them benedryl for swollen eyes.  As for the original illness,we are hoping she doesn't have to have surgery. 
...along with the sick dog, I am having to say goodbye to all my babies, (the human ones who smell better). They are going back to their lives far, far away. Again, my house will be quiet, sigh.....(that's a sad sigh, not a good one).

So, lets move on to happy thoughts and decorating.

Want an easy way to change the look of a desk, dresser, cabinet, sofa table, or anything that has drawer pulls? Change the knobs! 

I shudder to even say that changing knobs is a DIY project, because it is shamefully easy. Can you unscrew a bolt with your fingers, or if it is tight, use a plyers to hold the bolt and twist the knob, if necessary? If you are trying to impress someone with your skill ability, I'd say that your toddler did it, but the design eye for picking out the knobs, was all yours! People will say your furniture is chic, fashionable. and even a little avant guard.

 I find that the best drawer pulls are found at craft stores, or specialty stores. Hardware stores do have them, but designs are limited. Also, wait for sales, glass pulls can run up to $10 a piece. 

In case, you are wondering, this desk was originally stained and highly varnished. I applied an oil based primer, and an oil based black paint. Yes, oil based is hard to work with as it doesn't wash off, but I wanted a high gloss look that doesn't chip. Unless you have worked with oil based products before, I don't recommend it. Use a glossy latex paint and primer for a similar look. Certain paints come with the primer already added. If your furniture piece has any sheen to it, lightly sand with a low grit sand paper and wipe off any dust. Apply a couple of coats of primer, then paint, (or use the paint and primer in one).  For information on the gold writing go here http://abitofpinkheaven.blogspot.com/2009/03/my-favorite-table.html

Blessings,

Ele

Valentines

Vintage wallpapers combined with new papers, glistening trims, and old game pieces....simply scrumptious.  These hearts were fun to make.

Valentines have been on my mind. Maybe because we had a fabulous Christmas with a lot of love. 

Seriously, scrumptious. Who could resist "Kiss Me" from that special person?

Hanging on an apocothary jar, or candle holder. Perfect for home decor or even a wedding!

These are currently in my etsy shop, (shop link at the top) and come with a glassine envelope for gift giving.

Blessings, Ele

Sometimes I feel like my design is all over the place, because I like so many different looks and mediums, but one thing remains the same: group like things together. Case in point is the Christmas table centerpiece that I arranged. 

Looks impressive (if I do say so myself), but simple simon, really. Just follow the rule: like things together. Here is how you can recreate the look!

1. Buy a dozen roses at a discount store, and another bouquet, but make sure the second bouquet has at least two large, or three medium flowers that are identical. Also, I bought a bundle of tree greenery since it was Christmas, but you can use fern or something similar.
2. Since the flowers were purchased at a discount store, you have to slice off all the thorns and the bottom leaves. Fill your kitchen sink with water and cut each stem under the water. You might have to trim them again when you are actually arranging to get the exact length you want, but ALWAYS cut under the water. 
3. Use a container the same shape as your table, I used a ceramic rectangle. Tuck in wet florist foam and put in water and florist food (powder you get with your flowers). Foam should be soaked, but not covered in water.
4. Stick greenery in the foam around the outer edge, and when using a rectangle, the longest pieces should be on the end.
5. You have completed your bottom layer. Think of this arrangement as four layers.
6. Take the two or three identical flowers, (in my case, two large green cabbage roses) and center in the middle of the bouquet. This is your top layer.
7. Follow with a dozen roses surrounding the large center flowers. Remember you may have to recut the roses to the length you want.
8. Inbetween the greenery and dozen roses, position any other flowers you might have. I grouped small lime mums together and worked my way around, using like flowers in clumps and any single flowers that came with the bouquet. Fill in as needed.   
9. Viola, you are done!
10. Water daily. I make my arrangements the day before, but it should last 5-7 days if you purchase fresh flowers. Ask the store what day they get shipments. Some places will actually pull out the flower colors you want and save them for you!

Think dinner parties, Valentines Day, or look ahead to Easter!

Blessings, Ele