Darling Stewardess Shop

My niece and her husband recently opened the cutest little vintage shop in town. It is appropriately named, Darling Stewardess.  My niece's husband is the handsome pilot, and my niece is the Darling behind the Darling Stewardess. 

So many cute treasures, but first I feel the need to practice saying, "darling". Envision yourself as a "richy rich mommy dearest" lady. Add red lipstick, false eyelashes, raise your brows as high up as they can go, and wrap your hair in a turban scarf that is embellished with one great rhinestone brooch. Ready?  Lets say, "Daaaaahling Stewardess!"

O.K., that was a little scary and the Darling Stewardess is not scary. It's adorably, drool worthy cute. Let's scrap the daaaaahing idea and say in a sweet voice (preferably as you walk in the store), "omygosh, this is darling!"

The store is filled with vintage wares, retro kitchen items, and anything junkalicious. This is not the normal antique store. Darling stewardess and her handsome pilot have an eye for what people want. It's young, stylish, and chic. The best thing about it is they restock every week! Each Saturday new items are added.

 

This Saturday (Oct. 20th) the shop is open from 10:00-2:00. Located at 1809 South Broadway (lower level). For more information, look for Darling Stewardess on facebook.

 

Guess it's time to take off my brooch encrusted head turban, but I'm keeping on the red lipstick. So there!

Have a Blessed Weekend!
Ele

Silhouette (2)

Silhouettes, such a lovely decor topic, that I just couldn't stop at one post. Yes, silhouettes have been around for centuries, and they can have a vintage classical feel, sometimes stuffy, but this next picture shows silhouettes with a modern, colorful twist. 

 

 

Black, white, and blue with splashes of vivid pink, orange, and one unexpected pop of red. Oh. how I love this. I can't tell for sure, but I imagine the black chaise in black velvet for luxurious texture.

 

Silhouettes can made by you for a personal touch, or can be purchased ready to stick, or hang on the wall.

Some basic instructions for making your own silhouette:

*Position child, cat, dog, etc. in profile position, in front of a white wall, (the finished silhouette will face in the opposite direction),
*Take photos , but make sure you are at the same eye level as your subject. You don't want it to look as if you are looking down or up at animal or child. Take several photos.
*Load camera photos to computer and print out an 8x10, or smaller size. You can enlarge photos on a copy machine if you want. Remember graininess of the picture does not matter. The actual picture will not be seen. 
*Use a LIGHT layer of spray glue and attach the back side of the actual picture to a heavy black card stock.
*With a sharp scissors, (smaller the better). Cut along the outline of the picture. Sometimes it helps to draw with a narrow Sharpee marker. Extend any eyelashes, or wisps of hair to add interest. 
*Turn picture over so the black card stock side is face up and check your cutting skills.
*Glue finished silhouette to a white (or even colored), background. Use a light layer of paper glue, or spray glue. 
*Frame, and if you are putting up more than two pictures add a little visual interest with dfferent frames, or frame widths. 

 

If you don't want to make your own silhouette, many styles are available from etsy. 

Remember stickers can easily be framed!

 

above pictures taken from

http://www.redcandy.co.uk

http://www.countryliving.com

http://www.decorartsnow.com

http://www.paperclips&playpens.com

 

 

Have a blessed end of the week,

Ele

 

Silhouettes

Just what is it that drives people to collect and decorate with silhouettes? Is it a hint of vintage fashion (my daughter), a little history, the mystery of a person, the beauty and purity of a black image against a white background (me), or caputuring the profile of someone dear to your heart.

 



Now, if you've never thought about creating and /or decorating with silhouettes just look at this picture from vastharrison.wordpress.com . Seriously, don't forget to breathe.

Why does this wall work? Oh, let me count the ways.

1. Three different main colors: In addition to the black and white the wall is painted a gorgeous blue.  Because silhouettes are 2 dimensional, this gives the wall a three dimensional look. 

2. Additional interest with an array neutral colors: The frames and matte boards are a mix of beige, white, black, green (yes dark green is neutral in this display), and gold (huge shout out for the gold!).

If all the frames matched it would be boring, boring, BORING. Did I say boring? The only time you want to match a wall of frames is if you are putting the pictures on a patterened wallpaper/paint technique and the wall would be too busy. 

3. Textural interest: All the frames are not shiny and smooth. This is a good thing, as Martha Steward would say. The gold frames add a swirly, chunky, ornate feel. 

4. A splash of something unexpected:  Did you notice..............
the yellow frame on the wall? This could have also been achieved with a little pop of color such as a pillow, on the bed, but this frame is pure genius. Kind of jealous it's not my design! 

5. Flow: The use of flow in this collection is superlative.  Look with those wonderful eyes of yours how they naturally move from the wall to the bed.

Now, don't be intimidated and think you have to think about all five of these points to hang up a wall with silhouette pictures. This could cause brain overload!

Here is a simple version created by my girl. Three thrift store fashion silhouettes angled on her wall. Unable to paint the walls, the look is a little two dimensional, but the roses (even though they are not on the wall) become part of the display and add a little color, texture, and dimension. The flow is created by hanging the pictures at an angle.  

 

Here are a couple of other walls decorated with silhouettes from sodarling.blogspot.com, and jamdogsgirl.blogspot.com.

 

Do you want to test yourself and play the 5 point game above?

 

Fireplace wall: 1) three colors are black, white, and blue. 2) additional neutrals with gold, white, creams, and patterns in blue 3) texture in chunky gold frame, wide and thin sleek frames, and the ornateness of the large blue frame. 4) unexpected is the purple hydrangea that is on the mantle (remember what is close by can also be considered part of the grouping). 5) the flow in this grouping is containted (surprise!). Everything is framed inside of the large blue frame.

 

Beige Hallway: 1) three colors  black , white, and coffee beige. 2) additional neutrals with gold, and various shades of cream used inside the frames. 3) texture in frames, sleek and chunky. 4) the unexpected is the colorful quilt hanging on the chair because it's close enough to be "part" of the wall display. 5) the flow goes from the floor to the ceiling!



 

When gathering a collection of silhouettes to hang on your wall there are several options such as: aquiring old,  creating new with online clip art, drawing actual people (like your kids), or buying silhouette stickers. Later this week I will provide you with some good links and techniques.

 

Until then, make it fabulous and classy.

Blessings, Ele 

 

Coco Channel, "A girl should be fabulous and classy."

Recipe Book

Even Dick and Jane had to eat!

Early reader pages were altered, upcycled, recycled, (whatever lingo you choose) into recipe card books.

 

This is my favorite, with Dick trying to feed the duck some type of food, and Spot and kitten watching patiently. Trying to convince the duck to eat, I plastered a big "Yum" on the front of this recipe book.

Inside are individual recipe cards. Ready to be filled. Maybe little duck would like your cooking better?

Dick and Jane:)
Blessings,
Ele

Makover Chalkboard Style

It's one of those days. You know, the kind of day where you open the fridge, see the day old pizza, and are ecstatically thankful there are two pieces left. I am thankful for a lot of things today, and it was all inspired by the people who visited me at the Crafter's Barn yesterday. You know who you are (wink). I love seeing faithful customers, and oh, how you make me feel  loved.

Sometimes, I feel a little like a mother duck. I'm amazed that (you) are following me, and just when I think I'll look back and everyone will have gone to the pond on the other side, you are there!  You are wonderful people with beautiful souls. You amaze me, and are my inspiration.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.  

Which brings me to a very simple project: Chalkboard Style. Need something large to hang on a focal wall? Live in a rental and don't want to put a lot of holes in the wall? Don't want to spend a lot of money, or just want something really cute? Add a chalkboard. 

Here's what I did:
*went to the second hand store and found a hard cardboard 
  picture of a landscape without glass, but with a great detailed
  frame
*bought a can of spray chalkboard paint
*put a piece of painters plastic down outside
*put the picture on plastic and spray painted the daylight out of that
  picture (get it......turned it black, lol).
*Yes, I also painted the frame, but if the frame is a great color, or
  you want to spray paint the frame another color, you sure can. 
  Simply tape it off with painters tape, and cover with newspaper. 
*after the front is dry, flip over to the back and touch up the edges
 
Hint: It doesn't matter if there is a little texture or bumpiness on the picture/painting. The chalkboard paint will cover, and writing on it will work just fine!  Also, chalkboard spray paint works better for smaller areas, no brush marks.

Hanging up in my daughter's kitchen, chalkboard style!

I photoshopped the inside of the chalkboard, so I could write what I wanted, so the chalkboard looks grainier then it really is, but you get the idea.

Hope you all have a wonderful start to your week, and have many things to

 about!

 

Look for your blessings. They are there.

Thanks again, Ele

PS: My husband just walked in with crab from the grocery store (which I love, and he cooks!)......and I was being thankful for pizza. Who'd a thought? Candlelight and crab.................

Jewelry Displays

Organizing apartment living, means you have to fit many items into a fairly small space, (especially for a daughter). This earring hanger is "oh so easy" to make, and pretty cute, to boot.......speaking of boots, they are strategically lined up in the walk in closet, but lets just stick to jewelry today.

 

Here's how we made it, (not our original idea, but thought I'd share just the same!).

 

1. Bought a large cork bulletin board, (cheapest one we could find with a plain wood border) 
2. Spray pained the front of the board with a matt black, and a little on the underside around the edges
3. Cut strips of red velvet ribbon to fit inside the frame
4. Used a staple gun to staple ribbon in place, (a staple on each end and one in the middle)
5. Put a decorative tack over the middle staple to help hold ribbon in place
6. We left the outside staples uncovered, but you could put a tack on the ends also
7. Hang earrings, (it doesn't work for posts, only loops)  

 

We found this little chippy door knob beauty at a consignment store just waiting for us.

 

A pure genius of a decorating soul had attached doorknobs to a wooden back. It makes a perfect necklace hanger.

 

 

Have an amazing weekend!

Blessings,

Ele

 

velvet

I admit, I'm obsessed with velvet. Is it the texture, or the sheen?  Maybe the whole package, or maybe it's the fact that in elementary school, I remember wearing a velvet outfit, or two, and in highschool I'm pretty certain there was velvet to go along with those 80's satin pants!  Paired with cotton that has a smooth/ cool feel, velvet gets me every time. 

When setting up my daughter's apartment bedroom, she opted for neutrals with a pop of color. The color she chose; red velvet. Swoon. 

We sewed those pillows into shape, (another item we needed to fit into apartment space, her sewing maching). We actually used the fold over method in the back for an opening and closed it with velcro. That way she can take out the pillow forms and clean the fabric if needed. Here's my tip when making pillows: buy the down alternative inserts. Some pillow forms are extremely uncomfortable, and you will hate them!

The choice of bedspread was something neutral, so any accent color would work. 

Love me some red velvet, and my girl is happy too!

Blessings,
Ele
 

Pumpkin Display

It's that time of year again, pumpkin time. What is the go to item for fall decorating? Pumpkins, squash, miniature pumpkins, gourds, and cucumber slices, of course! Yes, I said cucumber slices.  

Float a few cucumber slices in a pitcher of water. It's perfect for a warm fall day, that turns into a delicately cool fall evening. Let's get a closer look.

Cucumber water, that's what it says! Add a few vintage looking American flags, (in honor of our political candidate guests), a vintage trunk, a vintage pop crate, pumpkins, and gourds.

Step back and take a look.

Fall blessings to you,
Ele

Art Challenge

I'm Late, I'm Late, I'm Late.... with the next Art Challenge, but what is that I hear you say, "better late than never!"  Bless your little heart, so HERE WE GO! Here is a peek!

Our craft supplier was Lisa at http://www.etsy.com/shop/memoryartbylisa 

Lisa puts the fab in fab-u-lous, (in order to say this correctly, you must start out with a high pitch, separate each syllable, and end on a low pitch). Without Lisa, it would only be ulous.....and that just sounds like something down right nauseating. Here are the Heavenly Bits (craft supplies) she donated. THANK YOU Lisa! Please be sure to visit her etsy shop.

 

Gorgeous colors, and lots of items pretty enough to just slap on, (a little glue, a little thread, use a pin...easy peasey).

 

Did I mention, I am late. Well, it's been a busy summer, and It was nice to not have to think too much about what I was going to make. I pinned that beautiful fabric flower right on one of my junk themed bags, and added a little glue and paper items to a notebook.

 

 

 

 
 The stunning eggs that Lisa makes herself, http://www.etsy.com/shop/artbylisaoposal, found a home on a candle holder.

Did I mention that I am late, and that part of the reason is that my computer is not working correctly! Please tip your head, or computer to view the sweet candle holder, (pretend you're a little like Alice in Wonderland and things are confusing, and feel free to be late once in awhile). 

 

There was one glitch in this challenge. One of my artists did not receive her kit as it was lost in them mail, and ended up somewhere in craft heaven. I'm still hoping it will turn up. 

 

Please visit these ladies to see what they created with their kits!

Nicole at

http://coleyscraftingcorner.blogspot.com/2012/08/big-reveal.html

Diane at

http://saturdayfinds.blogspot.com/2012/08/project-challenge.html

and Connie at http://www.craftygoodies.com/2012/08/a-bit-of-pink-heaven.html

 

If you would like to be part of a craft challenge, send me a message.  It's fun and it's free, (thanks to gracious craft suppliers)! 

 

Blessings for the upcoming week,

Ele

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

A Heavenly Bit of Design

Thank you to those of you who expressed interest in my artist call. I am now looking for a few additional artists to play in a jewelry challenge,  so if you are interested send me an e-mail (above), or leave a comment. See Artist Call for guidelines. Everyone that has expressed interest, so far, will be sent a "Bits of Heaven" craft supply kit sometime during this summer or fall. 


The first kit I am mailing out contains 31 pieces of love.

  The following artists: Kristin/Sweet Dreams Art Studio, Barbara/Treasures from the Heart, Lorena/Rose Chic Friends, and Vivian at Viv out on a whim will receive this kit FREE. 

If you would like to purchase this kit, you will find it at A Bit of Heaven on etsy. We are welcome to link your creations to our posts on July 9th! 

You can purchase additional handstamped Paris ribbon at Owen Acres on etsy.

I can't wait to see the ideas everyone comes up with for this fabulous ribbon. I'm in love with its imperfect perfection.   


Creations from my lovely artist ladies will be posted on July 9th! 


Blessings,
Ele

linking to homemaker on a dime

Etsy Cottage Style

Lace Gift Tag "How To"

 How do you make a sweet little gift tag, that will make a big impact?

Easy.

You will need: 
* package of White Boards that are used to make artist trading cards. I like them because they are thicker then card stock , (same as mat board, but already cut for you!).  
*lace
*Mod Podge
*seam binding, or ribbon
*embellishments,  (I used a key, a birds nest,  a glass glittered egg, and a wooden to/from tag). 

.

*punch a hole in the corner of the cardboard

*apply a thick layer of Mod Podge

*place lace on top of mod podge, and trim to size

*add another layer of Mod Podge on top of the lace, 

*trim lace from punched hole, and add seam binding or ribbon, and charms 

*If you want an embellishment on the body of the tag, such as a birds nest or another charm, glue it on now

*allow tag to dry

Using a small glassine bag as an envelope completes the look of this tag, and remember to write something sweet on the bag side of this gift tag! 

Have a beautiful Wednesday,

Ele

linking to

Faded Charms 

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays

Judy at DIY by Design for Swing Into Spring

Michele at Primp for Primp Your Stuff Wednesday

Very Merry Vintage Style 

Junk in Their Trunk

Someday Crafts

Organize Your Stuff Now