Indulge Your Shelf

Ah...as I spent time this week recreating my craft room/studio/office area, I am feeling the need to let go of some of my beautiful things! Shamrocks and thistle I have a lot to share, so if you or anyone you know is looking for something special, tell them to stop by my vintage shop  and have a look around! French countryside box In addition to selling these treasures, I'm planning to make more ephemera kits, some journal kits, and maybe even vintage fabric bundles ! I cannot get over the sparkly aqua trim on this peachy apron ! Timeworn goodness by way of a stovepipe cover Irresistible playing kittens I'll be listing a lot in the coming days so please check back! AND -- be sure to stop back by this blog on Saturday when I'll be participating in Grow Your Blog 2013 ! There will be giveaways!

I recently finished a pillow begun several weeks ago, made from some of my very favorite fabric which was a gift from Linda Sue ; I've used most of it up, and will be on the lookout for more! I added vintage trims and some pretty red buttons this time. It's now in my shop and I hope it will make someone a nice Valentine! I made a few of those, as well: Valentine hearts. They are not finished yet -- they will need further embellishing. Perhaps something sparkly. They are not really "good" for anything--but making them makes me happy!

It's Sunday, and you know what that means. It means I'm ready for more punishment excited to see what is in store with the second installment of Downton Abbey, Season 3. Goodness knows we need some good TV to take our mind off of things in Colorado today! While my husband watches yet more football, I'm getting busy with buttons. I put together these vintage button-embellished cards for Valentine's Day; they are new in my handmade shop . What are you up to today?

Love is in the air -- or something.  I am really into Valentine's Day creating this year again. I created this collage -- spontaneously, without planning. I made it with layers of paper, ephemera, lace, trim, netting, ETC.  The centerpiece is a very old valentine with a honeycomb tissue ball; I love those! The base is an old book cover; on the reverse, a cute, children's story end paper. I think I will put it in my Etsy shop , and am planning to make many more. My time has been impacted by a clean up project I started on New Year's Day: yes, it's once more time for the great craft room re-organization.  Beginning with (what else?) buttons! A baby picture of Maggie The thing that's keeping me motivated is the chance to get back to that Valentine's Day crafting!  What are you working on?

It's been a long time since I've participated in a big blog party, so when I saw the button for this one I jumped on it! In years past I've participated in fun blog parties -- many with giveaways, like this one -- and it was such a great way to make new friends and meet new bloggers.  It's also a great way to, as the title suggests, grow your blog by gaining new followers!  If you have a blog and you're interested, join us!  Sign up here .

Let's not talk about the Season Premiere of Downton Abbey, okay?  I know I made a big deal out of it yesterday , but after watching it (and the subsequent sleepless night) I'm just trying to forget about it today. Wow.  I can't remember a time when I've been more blindsided. To me, Shirley and Maggie didn't even look like they belonged in the same movie. I'm not even exaggerating when I say that every scene with Maclaine in it made me shudder. What a train wreck. And don't even get me started on Sybil's new 'do and that drab grey wardrobe. Even Tim Tebow is jealous of that neck. When it was all said and done, I would not have been surprised to see Hair and Makeup by Bozo the Clown  in the credits. Seriously. I may need counseling. Edit: I really did get it that Shirley's character was intended to be brash/ugly/contrasting but her performance was, in my opinion, over-the-top.  And not in a good way. I told someone ...

Happy Downton Abbey, Season 3 American Premiere Day!  Are you as happy as I am to see the latest installments? Yes, I know it has been possible to see the series online as it aired overseas a few months ago -- but, I'm just old-fashioned enough to have wanted to wait. And I DO APPRECIATE my overseas pals not giving anything away!  I will enjoy watching the new season unfold over many Sunday evenings. I've been under the weather since Thursday, (F-L-U), thus my brief blog absence; being laid out, though, has given me the chance to watch the entire first two seasons of Downton Abbey on DVD.  I'd seen many of the episodes at least twice already, but, watching the series all at once like that made a few things really stand out. I noticed the superb job the producers did in marrying the music and the cinematography with the subject matter.  I just can't take my eyes off of the screen.  There is a wonderful mix of that early-electricity era shadow and ligh...