Shadow Boxing, Traveling, and Painting

 

Many years ago, I remember making shadow bunnies on the wall with my brothers when we were bored.  The boys always made their shadow bunnies fight ... I preferred to make my fluffy creatures hop and jump. 

 

I have always loved beautiful shadow boxes filled with cherished memorabilia.  I found this shadow box at a local home store for a reasonable price and the best part is that it was already painted white.  I dug into my rather large box of vintage hankies and lace to start the layering. 

 

Next came the drawer of old jewelry and buttons.  I also raided my scrapbook area for snippets of cards and flowers.   I secured everything with pearl head pins and pretty corsage pins.

 

 

 

                                   Mini "Shadow"

This small vintage frame was the perfect size for a mini-shadow "box."  It is hard to tell from the photo, but the glass is bowed - leaving about 1/2" to 3/4" to fill with  - something.....

I decided that about the only thing that I could squeeze into that space was some of my scrapbooking embellishments.  I used paper from the Graphic 45  French Country line - my current favorite. 

 

Upcycled American Tourister Suitcase

I found this awesome old American Tourister suitcase in Lakeland at the Vintage Warehouse - a building filled full of vintage, shabby, fabulous finds.  I did not like the way the up-cycler had done the handle but I LOVED the Paris Flea Market painted letters, so I just had to put my vintage-lacy spin on the handle.  It sold in my booth in less than a week. 

 

Oh, how I love Annie Sloan Paint!

 

I found this little night stand at a local estate sale.  It looks to be from the late 40s and weighed a ton.  I am pretty sure that it is walnut.  Now, dear husband's eye starts to twitch when I talk about painting walnut, oak, cherry, etc.... but I proceed to tell him that he does not follow trends and that painted furniture is ALL the rage and then he sighs and gives me the eye roll.

 

  I love the way that Annie Sloan paint goes on just about any piece with virtually no prep and the wax is just as great as the paint.  I have made my own chalk paint, but honestly - Annie Sloan paint just can't be beat!  I kinda' sound like an advertisement.... no, I am not a rep for her paint - but I probably would make a decent one!

 

 

(Not So) Lazy Days of Summer

I am in the process of moving my booth to a larger room.  I guess that I cannot estimate time very well, since I thought the move would take me no more than two days.  It has been a week and I am STILL moving.  The new space is only about 30 feet from the old one, but it seems more like several blocks.... Pack up and lug, pack some more and scoot, pack more and roll.  The fun part - the part that I always love - is arranging everything just so and making sure that it has visual appeal.  I have lots more wall and floor space. 

 

I just added this awesome white cabinet.  It was hand made by a local man who re-purposes old furniture parts and incorporates them into

 new pieces.

 

 

Lovin' this cute new chandelier.  It adds just the right amount of light and sparkle.

 

 

I am not sure why I am on a wreath kick.... but this oval one was fun to make.  I used bits and pieces of flowers, vintage lace, and old buttons (one of my very favorite things - if you ever wonder what to get me for my birthday.... a simple bag of old buttons will send me over the edge). 

 

 

 

 

This peony wreath includes some hand-stamped art pieces.  I was going to use them on a card or scrapbook page, but I think they wanted to be on this grapevine wreath.   Now, off to paint some new pieces for my new "Vintage Inspired" space!

 

 

Weekly Treasure Hunt

It happens most every weekend.  I venture out to see what treasures I can find for our home or my antique booth.  Garage sales, estate sales, yard sales, thrift stores - they all seem to call my name about 7:00 a.m. every Saturday morning.

This past weekend, we went to Lakeland to see our grandson play baseball. (His team lost, but what a joy it was to see him play!)
Downtown Lakeland has several great antique shops and they were paging my name to stop and visit... seems that no one else heard this.

 

 

At one of the shops, I found two wooden bobbins, a couple of painted wooden handle kitchen whisks, and this fantastic sad iron.

A recent linen BONANZA from local estate sales

 

 A pink and white dresser scarf, blue napkins with tiny roses, bread cloths and lacey trims - 

all tucked  in a very unassuming plastic bag.  

 

 

I am not sure what I will do with these ecru and cream lacy pieces, but they were in great shape with no holes or rips.... perhaps they just need a good soaking in sudsy water and a day in the sun.

 

 

This "cutter" quilt will make great Christmas stockings

 and circle garland (tutorial to come soon).

 

 These little guest towel beauties just needed a quick rinse and pressing and they were ready to go into my booth.  I am always on the lookout for vintage linens.  I love to find them in pristine shape, but I also usually end up buying the little sad orphan ones to use in pillows, scrapbooking, card-making, journals, or whatever needs a touch of vintage.

 

Springtime in Paris

 

 

It has been 20 years since I traveled to Paris, but it left such an imprint on my heart that I will never forget that beautiful city.  A few months ago, I decided to create a Paris corner in my booth.  The few French items I had collected over the years were not nearly enough for a good showing, so I went on a search for more French goodies to add to my booth. 

 

 

There is nothing like a good treasure hunt!  I found a few items locally, but it fell short of what I wanted for the new little Paris section of "Vintage Inspired."  So... I made a list of Paris-inspired ideas that I wanted to  create ( I am a list-maker extraordinaire).  After I  scoured all my favorite blogs and vintage websites for ideas, I got busy creating.  I hope you enjoy the Parisian tour of my booth!

 

 

The top of this antique dresser holds a ton of oh-la-la stuff!

 

 

 

 

These little drawstring gift bags were so much fun to make.  No two are alike and all are adorned with vintage lace, buttons, and Paris-inspired stamps.  The drapery rings are so handy in my booth.  I use them to hang small lightweight things like bags, cards, and flowers.

 

 

A wire basket holds several of the pillows I made from old lace and linen scraps.   My collection of rubber stamps is getting a real workout on this project!
 

 

These little hand-designed journals have been a good seller.  I am finally using up some of my scrapbooking supply stash.  Each journal is covered with  flowers, buttons, lace and of course beautiful paper with a French flair.
 

 

A little French hen with lots of vintage lace and old buttons.

 

 

The Eiffel Tower and French white frames!

 

A suitcase full of frames surrounded by lace.

 

 

My dear friend even joined in the fun by making this

fabulous Paris scrapbook.  I hope you have enjoyed this
little "Vintage Inspired" tour de France with me.
 



Spring Break!

Let's see... what should I do on my first day of Spring Break....? My daily life consists of working as a Media Specialist  (formerly known as a librarian) in a large public high school.  I work with about a zillion and two teen-agers every day.  To say that I was looking forward to a spring break would be an understatement!

So, should I clean the garage today, organize closets, catch up on laundry, or...  start a blog?  Yes, that is it! 

In my "spare" time, I am an obsessed blog reader, podcast listener and creator of vintage inspired goodness.  I LOVE to browse antique shops, thrift stores, garage and estate sales.  I have had a small antique booth for four years.  Other bloggers have shared so many wonderful ideas that I thought it was about time that I joined the blogging world and returned the favor. 

I spent the morning washing vintage linens for my booth.  There is something so beautiful about freshly washed linens drying in the sunshine.  

Here is a sneak peek of my booth.  I am going to spend part of my "Spring Break" reworking my little part of the world.  I'll be sure to post the pictures for you!