Indulge Your Shelf

I was gifted a package of good stuff for crafting and creating from one of the people who reads this blog regularly, Linda!  Linda lives in Canada and let me know she had some things she was ready to part with that she just knew I would like and could use.  And, could I! I wouldn't even know where to star in saying what my favorites were; high on the list are the button cards, especially the one with red buttons that says "Made in Canada" at the bottom!  I don't have a card like this, and don't think I've ever had any buttons that were labeled Canadian before. If you take a close look there are also cameos and other jewelry findings, and those fabulous clock faces that are made of porcelain!  The pink beaded trim is heavy and luxurious, and the dark green and sparkly motifs have me dreaming of Mardi Gras crafting! Everything is a delight, and I can't wait to show Linda once I've used some of her beautiful things in upcoming projects!  You guys a...

I never do those pink blog parties around blogland... but if I did, I would for sure have posted this beauty I picked up at an antique store for my pal Suzanne! It's a baby blanket for a little girl -- not real old, but probably from ca. 1950.  It is really a quilt, with a lovely embroidered cover, batting, and a pale blue silky back.  Look how they quilted it with pink thread, in squares. But, best of all, it has this extra, netted layer to fluff up its ruffles! The detail is just gorgeous -- embroidery, and also that large basket motif of woven ribbon in soft blue -- all hand sewn. Suzanne does a talk for her Questers group about ribbon work, so I thought she could enjoy it and also use it as an example in her talk. I'm excited for her to see this post and be surprised! Speaking of friends...Tami is having a blogaversary giveaway on her blog, Vintage Connections.  You should really follow her blog!   Go see !

I am hostessing a small swap with a few friends; we are each making fabric pages based upon one of my favorite films, Breakfast at Tiffany's .  Above, a sneak peek of some of the elements I'm using for the book's cover. To add to my inspiration, pal Linda sent me bags full of beautiful vintage trims, buttons, and flowers via Karla's Cottage ! Wasn't that sweet?   I am in vintage heaven -- Tiffany blue heaven! The other day, I went with Connie to a wonderful ribbon store in far off Niwot, CO. It was the cutest little store and we were so lucky to have visited during their Store Closing sale -- the owner is retiring. She had ribbons, trims, buttons, charms, beads, findings, and even some buttons, for sale.  Most of what I picked up is for the aforementioned Breakfast at Tiffany's swap pages... but I also had to splurge on some beautiful hand dyed silk ribbon and ruffled trim...sigh! While in Niwot we had a lovely lunch al fresco... and ...