PresentPast Collection

Spring Home

One of the best parts of Spring is setting out the Easter decorations.  So many sweet, pastel and glittery goodies.  Like a breath of fresh air in a home that's been cooped up for winter. 

My home for the most part doesn't have a pastel color scheme. Mostly creams, blacks, wood tones, and touches of reds and greens. I've never wanted it to be too froo froo for The Man. The only place I have any pink is in my studio office where the color palate is black, cream & white with pink and pale olive green accents. Sounds like a lot but it blends beautifully for me and makes this room more girly!

This little guy sits on my buffet in the dining room.  It's actually a dresser with an old aged mirror but I think it works just as well for a buffet server. Isn't he the cutest little bunny?

This display is an apothecary jar filled with eggs, a vintage Easter postcard and a NeSt from Inspire Company.  My favorite seasonal display this year!

Well gals, right now I'm off to the workroom to cut wallpaper!  I've been cutting for 2 days and probably have 2 more ahead of me.  I was so surprised how many of you said you would be interested in the papers.  So I've been busy making some very special vintage wallpaper packages just for you!  My plan is to have them ready for you by Monday.  That is of course if all goes as planned! ; )  Have a great weekend!

Oh, yeah I almost forgot about my wallpaper box.....I named her Ruby!  I decided that since she was a spring project I'd name her after all those adorable Spring Chicks that the sweet Marne so lovingly raises. Thanks Marne!

Ta Da! Finished Box!

Here she is.  I think she needs a name since she's so pink and rosy and girly.  I have to say this project was more fun than I anticipated.  I've been collecting vintage wallpaper for some time now and have had a difficult time parting with it or using it. You know just in case I might need it! Crazy huh?  I'm going to give her a home in my office/studio and I'm sure she will be quite comfortable there.  Definitely more comfortable than under the bathroom sink where she was rescued. 

Here's a closeup of the drawers. I sanded all the edges of the paper and wood to give it that well worn look.  Don't want her to look new now do we?

These are the supplies I used, minus the paper cutter and can of spray paint.  And here's my attempt to tell you how I did it.  Lightly sand the box and then wipe clean with slightly damp rag.  Then apply a coat of spray paint.  I used gloss white because I didn't want to go to the store!  Let dry overnight.  Then cut out wallpaper to proper sizes.  Put glue in bowl and thin it with water to achieve a spreadable consistency.  Brush glue on box and also on paper. Then apply all the papers. Let dry overnight.  Then lastly, sand edges of all the drawers and paper.  Be careful to sand in a downward motion on the paper so that you don't tear it.  That's it!  I hope this made sense. 

I've had quite a few emails and comments about my vintage wallpaper.  If I made up some vintage paper packs would anyone be interested? I could list them on the blog since my website is still being built. And I could accept payments through Paypal.  Let me know.  Now...does anyone have a name for her?

Please and Thank You

First off comes the Thank You!  Just take a look at this gorgeous photo!  My new friend from Junk2JewelsBoutique, Tracy, made this beautiful Easter Charm for me!  It has a vintage bunny image on front and back and is topped with beveled glass!  Such talent! As pretty as this photo is (which she took) the charm is even more beautiful in person! It was such a sweet token she brought as a surprise to our lunch on Friday. And all I brought her was a t-shirt from my clothing line. Personally I think I got the better end of the deal. The shirts will one day soon be available on my website. I promise it's gonna happen! This is a small part of my vintage wallpaper collection.  How much do I have you ask?  Too much and not enough!  And I know there are some of you out there chuckling. Some girls collect shoes, some collect handbags or jewelry.  And then there are people like us.  Paper People.  Or should I say Vintage Paper People?  Right now I have a project in mind for some of my stash!  I wanted to start and finish it this weekend but ugh, not enough time in the day! I got the inspiration for the idea from one of my favorite blogs Rambling Rose.  She always has such creative projects going on and gives us a peek often!  When I saw her post about the Ikea boxes I couldn't wait to give it a try!  Which brings us to the Please part of the post.

I had given my Ikea box to The Man to use under the bathroom counter for his shaving goodies.  So I had to ask him if I could please, please have it back?  Which went something like this:

What for?.....A project.

What kind of project?.....It's hard to explain, but I want to cover it in wallpaper.

Huh? What am I gonna do with all my stuff?.....I'll buy you something to put it in.

Um, ok. (Slow hesitation but still ok)

So it's mine again. I'm sure he thinks I'm crazy to cover it up with old wallpaper. But you understand? Right?  It's a beautiful day and I'm off to do some light sanding and painting to prime this new baby! 

Lucky Girls

Today's the day of the drawing for the Bunny Bookends and the winner is Teresa!  Please email your address to me so I can get these little ones off to their new home! Thanks to everyone for playing along! All your comments were so wonderful. I think in the future I won't be having another yard sale because giving these away has been so much more fun!

And speaking of winning, I'm a lucky girl too!  Just take a look at the runner-up prize I won from Marne at Hey Lucy.  She sent me some of her handmade notecards and book plates. Delicious dark chocolate from Trader Joe's and a great mixed CD she made of some of her favorite tunes.  Love all of it!  Be sure to check out her blog, she's always making some incredible craft or tending to her adorable chicks.  Which have now grown into adorable chickens!  Have any of you heard of the Kraft Food and Family magazine? They publish it about 4-5 times a year and the best part is you can get it for free! Here's the link. Click on over and sign up! There are always simple, quick and easy recipes to try out. I have made quite a few things from the magazine and their website. But I only make the recipes with 5 gold stars. I figure if everyone else thinks the recipe is yummy I can't possibly mess it up too much!

I'm off to have lunch with a new friend. We're gonna talk shop and eat soup here. And I'm working on a new project to show you. Hope to have it done this weekend. Happy Friday!

Weekend Recap & Giveaway!

Well, the yard sale is over!  I appreciate all your comments on my adorable cash box!  It sure made the day a teensie bit more enjoyable.  Where do I start? My brother in law came over with a giant chalkboard in the bed of his truck that said "YARD SALE...FOLLOW ME"  Tell me that isn't just a crack up!  We all wore some green, sold lots of junk (I mean treasures) ate donuts (gives me a headache!) and met lots and lots of people!  Having my sisters, Mom and family there made the day go by so fast!  Not to mention all the haggling people were doing which in itself is an art form!

Which brings me to the brass bunny bookends.  I just couldn't sell them. They're too cute and Easter is fast approaching.  So I've decided since I get so much support from my Blogworld friends I would give them away to one of you!  You know the drill, leave a comment on this post and I'll draw a name on Friday.  And send them in the mail to a new home on Saturday!  My only request is that you live in the US because these little babies aren't light! Oh, yeah.  I met a gal who came to my yard sale and she happens to have a great website.  She makes beautiful jewelry and thought you might enjoy checking it out! It's called Junk2JewelsBoutique.  I can't wait to pick something out for myself.  The hardest part will be choosing! 

Cash Box Cutie

Ok, so right about now I'm wondering why I decided to have this Yard Sale. Why? Why? I think I blocked out how much work it is. For so little moolah!  And why didn't I take this stuff to Goodwill, or give it to friends and family over the years instead of piling it in my garage and every nook and cranny of my house? I've lost my price sticker mojo. I even bought cute green ones in honor of St. Patrick's Day. Still, mojo's gone. I don't want to price anything else. My only sweet consolation to this sale-a-thon is this adorable little cash box I'm going to get to use. Now, some of you may be thinking ok...she's lost it. But please indulge me and let me know how adorable it is so I won't go mad getting ready for tomorrow! It's cute right? Just look how prepared this Girl Scout is: And the little tray lifts out to reveal more greenbacks! Yep, even though I'm not feelin' it right now. I'm prepared. Let the selling begin! Be back soon with the results and some new topics!

Colors of Spring

The past couple days, amid all the chaos of daily life, I've been trying to get out my Easter and Spring decorations.  It's always fun digging through the boxes and saying things like "I love this" and "I forgot all about that" and "Oh, this is my favorite". And like usual, it makes me want to collect more decorations, plant flowers and herbs, plan the Easter menu, sit on the backyard swing, and grill dinner every night!  Don't you just love this time of year?  I also wanted to show you the most beautiful chocolate eggs I found at everyone's favorite store: Target.  Aren't they the prettiest Robin's Egg Blue?  They usually come in bags of mixed colors but this year they packaged some with only this color.  You don't have to buy the 'ugly' colors!  Wasn't that sweet of them? How did they know I wanted them in only this color?  Now if I could just get them to take out all the black jelly beans.

If you don't hear much from me this week it's because I'm planning the Grand Daddy of All Yard Sales this Saturday.  I thought that St. Paddy's Day would be a great time to get rid of some stuff and make some extra green!  I haven't had one in about 5 years so I think I'm overdue!  Let the Spring Cleaning begin! 

Monday Hello

Today is one of those days that's going to be gone before I know it!  Super busy.  The weekend slipped away and Monday has caught me by surprise.  I'll have some pretties to show you in the next day or so.  Until then, hope your week is starting off great!  Looking forward to catching up with everyone!

Spring Berries

Can't you just smell them?  They are so fragrant it's intoxicating. I love, love, love strawberry season.  Fortunately in California it comes early and stays late.  I've been buying pint after pint and don't see any end in the near future.  I was inspired by this beautiful post by the lovely Daisy Cottage.  She shared with us how delicious and beautiful the strawberries are in Central Florida and I just thought it was only fair to show the world what California strawberries are like! (Wink, wink)  You know, to represent!  Now in fairness, I'm sure that they are both equally delicious.

I got this beautiful porcelain berry basket some years ago.  I bought it online and can't remember exactly where, it could have been eBay.  It's made by Two's Company if anyone wants to research finding one.  I think the creamer and sugar make it sooo adorable.  I don't put cream or sugar on my berries.  My favorite way is sliced up with a banana and some.....dare I say....Cool Whip.  It seems almost unthinkable not to top them with real freshly whipped cream. And if they aren't in season in your neck of the woods yet, I hope these photos will tide you over until you can get your hands on some too!

She Scores

First of all I have to say a HUGE thank you to all of you!  Your comments are so wonderful!  I'm so glad to hear from each and everyone of you.  I try to visit each of your blogs to see what creative things you are up to and I'm inspired by how many talented people are out there in Blogland!

These are some finds from over the weekend.  Vintage seam binding rolls, because you really can't have enough.  Right?  And some glass bead flowers that I'm going to use on this vintage birdcage. I also bought an old rosary, some postcards and other ephemera, and this great old rose wall hook.  I spent Saturday morning wandering some of my favorite stores and antique shops in Orange County.  Nice to score some great items!    Aren't these colors yummy?  I love the texture and feel of old seam binding.  I wonder if why they can't make it like this anymore?  The new binding isn't as soft as the old.  I sure hope that the world has enough vintage binding to go around.  I'm sure others of you collect it as well!

In other news, my daughter's running coach for cross country ran the LA Marathon last Sunday.  And guess what?  She finished 34th for all the females!  And... it gets better she finished 346th overall including the males!  And in case you didn't know there were approximately 25,000 runners!  I'm so happy for her and excited for my daughter to have such a great coach!  So today I'm off to get a little "Trophy" for her.  I believe she deserves some recognition, don't you?