July Heavenly Bit of Design)

It seems the ladies that I chose, (after announcing an artist call), for the title of July artist have spoken loud and clear. This means they created items you will absolutely love! Scroll down for links to the kit they used, as well as links to their creations.  


First, I would like to thank Owens Acres for sending us her yummy stamped Paris ribbon. I loved this ribbon so much that I wanted to keep it all for me, but I was nice and shared, (not to mention I bought more for myself!). 
The ribbon is the perfect marriage of shabby and elegance. I tied it around a large glass cylinder, added a little vintage bling, a little love, and some  sumptuous "I will be sad when I use it all" lace. 

Inside, a vanilla candle is ready to be lit. I made quite a few of these, but were sold at my last craft show. I also used the ribbon to gussy up some old trophies. This picture was taken in my shop. 

Not only did my July artists receive the hand stamped ribbon, they received a little 'ole package of Heavenly Bits from me! The kit is now available in my etsy shop.

Now for the July artists! Please visit each blog by clicking on their name. I knew your creations would be fabulous, and you didn't disappoint! 


Drum roll please!


KRISTEN 

BARB

LORENA

Viv

If you would like to be considered for an artist call this fall, send me an e-mail with a link to your blog, and items you have created.  It's fun, little stress, and hey, you get FREE stuff from me, and a guest supplier!

Have a fabulous week,

Ele

White Wednesday Style

While on a little vacation, I entered a shop that literally, for a moment, took my breathe away. Farm tables (too big to fit in the car), and beautiful creamy white and ivory papers. There were French books, packets of ephemera, stacks of slightly yellowed cards inscribed with beautiful words, placemats, and lined tablets. 

A large book of tear out placemats and a lined tablet filled with gathered thoughts were quickly purchased by mwa, (I really love all the glorious shades of "white" paper).  

Placemats aren't just for breakfast anymore. I can see a wrapped gift box, (think bridal shower), drawer liners, a kitchen picture, kitchen bulletin board background paper, or even used as a runner for my revamped table,  

 

Each page of the "Gathered Thoughts" stack shares a little bit of daily inspiration. Who knows where this paper will end up, but I'll be sure to point it out to you when it happens!

I'm linking to

Faded Charms 

Tabletop Tuesday 

 Savvy Southern Style

 Verry Merry Vintage Style 

 Junk in Their Trunk

Common Ground

Have a gorgeous day!

Ele

Simple Candles

Simple white taper and pillar candles are... not simple. 

Wrapped in plain brown craft paper, and draped in seam binding, jewels, lace, and flash card punches; simpleness meet elegance. 

You had me at brown craft paper. Oh the things you can do with brown craft paper, but I'll let you in on that another day!

These candles would be wonderful as wedding favors, or attach a flash card punch of a birthday girl's age and give it to her!

•    

Craft Tips

• when using craft paper, fold the raw edges to the underside
• purchase brown paper at any office store (shipping department)
• glueing paper directly to the candle is tricky, so overlap paper and glue paper to paper
• when attaching something heavy use a pearl head pin
• to crinkle seam binding, put it in the palm of your hand and squish 
• use glue that dries clear when attaching lace (Elmers glue stick works)
• as you can see in the picture, don't throw away jewels with missing rhinestones....they work!

Do not burn candles with paper adornments attached!

on a personal note...I do not have any items for sale as I have been spending a lot of time with my family. Next year I will be an empty nester and I have been breathing in every moment of my sweet girl. I know I haven't been posting very often and I have halted my sponsors as it's not fair to them, but from now on, I plan to update once a week, so please visit often.
Blessings and many thanks to all of you who stop by,
Ele

Chicken Wire Decor

Seriously, chicken wire?  
When I think chicken wire, this farm girl's brain isn't anywhere near chickens. I'm thinking of mixing the glam with the glum, or the shab with the chic.  

http://www.raisedincotton.typepad.com/

Cloches made of chicken wire when paired with white tulips and a hint of an elegant doily, make a great marriage.

My favorite creations designed with chicken wire are crowns:   

http://www.pinkroses.blogspot.com/

http://www.cheryl-comfort.blogspot.com/

Elegance against rustic has never looked better. A perfect crown for the bride, or mom to be.

flickr: marianne@sonbird's

Chicken wire in cupboard doors isn't just for country decor. It's a little bit French Country, a little bit Shabby Chic, and a whole lot of  elegant. Silver platters and chicken wire, woo hoo!!!

  

http://www.casasugar.blogspot.com/

Now for the easy peasy project idea called,

"Frame your Chicken Wire, or Chicken Wire Your Frame"

*find an old frame and spray paint, brush paint, or hey, leave as is

*cut chicken wire with a wire cutters a little larger then the frame opening

*using an electric or heavy duty upholstery hand stapler, staple wire to the back of the frame

*add a picture hanger, or wire for hanging

*use decorative clips, clothes pins or ribbons to add pretty bits and pieces, pictures, or cards to the chicken wire

abitofheaven

http://www.designfabulous.com/

Chicken wire, seriously? Absolutely.

Hope you're having a great week.

Ele

Bathroom Makeover

Shades of beige? Yes, shades of beige. This isn't your standard stock wall color. It's a little deeper and richer. It's the lack of gold tone in this paint that I actually like. It's Sherwin Williams Threshold Taupe.

The before color was a light pink.

What do you think? I like to call this room a clean line/shabby chic style.

The vintage mirror received a fresh coat of white paint. I love the contrast of the perfect gloss paint next to the weathered mirror tiles that line the bottom and top of the mirror.

The before of the mirror was quite beautiful, but the white paint adds an extra pop from the wall.

White lace curtains received a bath in tea. I put the curtains into a large pot and added tea bags and hot water. I let them soak for about 1/2 an hour, and then gave them a good wash.

Textures in this room are present in the gloss of the paint, ridges in the sea shell mirror, and the roughness of the coral. The aqua mercury glass and the blueness of the picture are the only colors this room needs.

Blessings, Ele

Chandelier Crystals

It's my mother's fault, really. There are genes in my family for crystal, and chocolate.
The following experiments show scientific proof:

• Place two food items in front of said mother, (make sure one is chocolate). Chocolate will be immediately picked up and transferred from hand to mouth. This experiment has been conducted thousands of times with many variables. Different food items, and even change of environment does not yield different results. Chocolate is always the food of choice.


• Take said mother to a store that is new to her, and she will head right to the crystal department. The woman can "smell" her way straight to the Waterford. Again, this experiment has been conducted over and over....same results.


• Gifts of chocolate or crystal given to my mother produce squeals of delight, (if you want proof I'm sure there's a video recording somewhere!).

So, it's really not my fault that the new chandelier I picked out for my family room looks like this:

Crystal prisms are usually associated with white chandeliers in the shabby chic style. Traditional gold chandeliers look gorgeous draped in crystal prisms. I chose a black rod iron chandelier because my Asian cabinet is black. Even though the chandelier and cabinet are not the same style, the black ties them together. Remember when mixing styles, make sure the pieces have at least one thing in common. In this case, the color black.

The crystal drops satisfy "the gene". Thanks mom! Decorating with crystal prisms doesn't have to be expensive. Prisms hung from a simple candle holder look great. This chandelier isn't actually up yet, as Mr. Pink Heaven will have to hard wire it for me. I can't wait to see what it looks like when it actually lights up!

For now, I'll just stare at the prism bling while I eat my chocolate.
Blessings, Ele

Vintage Wallpaper Boxes

A combination of my favorite supplies; crepe paper, vintage wallpaper, and German scrap were used to embellish these pencil boxes. Who knew items that I used in elementary school, like glue, paper and a scissors, would continue to be my favorite tools.



I really like to mix blues, pinks, taupes, and chocolate colors together they remind me of the ocean, sand, and a little girl's sweet pink dress. The combination of colors give me the romantic cottage look, with a little French inspiration. What are in the boxes you ask?
Notecards made of lucious flocked wallpaper.

I had so many wonderful comments on my friend Karen's safety pin basket, that I wanted to show you another picture. If you look closely you might be able to tell that she used two different color blue beeads in the basket. In person, this basket is stunning.