Tags and Apothecary Bottles

Together, my husband and I have five girls.

All grown, finished with college, and living their own lives.

It's a rare occasion, usually Christmas, when we can all get together at one time.

Next weekend four out of five will be here for a sort of birthday, tea party gathering, and I've been busy making little gifty things for everyone.

I've made special tags for putting on their gifts.

These little apothecary bottles are party favors.

I found the bottles at the thrift store of course and filled each one with dried rose petals. 

I decorated them with vintage looking pictures that I printed, recycled sari silk ribbon and old vintage pins.

The tea party is themed vintage and handmade as my girls and myself all love everything old , repurposed and handmade. We will all be wearing vintage clothing as well. Oh, and no boys allowed at this party. My husband will be away fishing  and we girls will be doing girl things for the day.

I can't wait! I should have lots of pretty photos to share.

Have you ever had a grown up tea party? I have one more week to plan and prepare and I'd love to hear any ideas you might have. Thanks for visiting!

Karen

Thrifted Easter Finds

Hi all!

If you've been following my blog, you already know that I rarely make it through a week without visiting a thrift store or two. I have quite a nice collection of stuff to use as crafting supplies and another to use as decor. Today I would like to share a couple of photos of thrifted Easter decor items.

This is Betsy Bunny.

She's a pretty ceramic hanger upper that I found in the local junk shop.

I'm loving everything pastel these days.

I found two of these vintage juice glasses and decided that they make lovely little candle holders.

The glass object in the background is an old water container that I purchased at a flea market last summer.

Have you rescued anything lately?

Karen

Ribbons and Rust

After the beautiful weekend we just had, I feel motivated to spruce things up a bit around here.

The porch was the logical place to start since it was warm outside today and I'd rather be out than in. I put away the antique skis and the vintage skates and sled. In their place is an egg basket all tied up with ribbon...

and some rusty old tins and wire baskets...

 some sunny yellow pales....

and a cotton quilt that is buttercup yellow with sky blue stitching.

It covers the bench where I sit.

In a old wooden bucket are some twisted willow branches.

Now it's all spruced up and I can have my coffee out there tomorrow morning and listen to the birds sing.

Have you spruced up your porch yet for Spring?

Karen

Pretty Posies

What a lovely weekend!

Sunday was my birthday and I was so lucky to receive some beautiful fresh flowers.

Pretty, pink tulips from my daughter.

Romantic, red roses from my husband.

Wouldn't it be nice to have fresh flowers every day?

Karen

What To Do

...when you're not feeling all that great.

Like when you have a cold and you just can't really concentrate, but you feel like you need to do something.

I don't know about everybody else, but I have to keep busy, so yesterday I made these.

The bright colors of the fabric cheered me up a little and making these made me feel better.

To make these I ripped the fabric into strips about 2 inches wide.

Then I twisted and rolled the strips while hand stitching them on the back.

This recycled sari silk worked well too.

I twisted and wrapped this one a bit looser than the others and really like the way it turned out.

If I use them as brooches, I will first glue felt to the backs to give them a neater appearance, but if I just stitch them to a garment or use them for a craft project where the back won't be seen, there's no need to glue felt to the backs.

This was such a simple project and kept me busy while I sat around feeling useless yesterday.

I hope everyone is feeling good and getting ready for the change of seasons.

I'll be putting away my winter porch decor later today and heading out to run some errands this evening.

See you soon.

Karen

Pins and Needles

I was  hoping to get some sewing done today, but woke up with a nasty cold.

I'm feeling lousy and drowsy, but still may head down to my sewing room to see what I can accomplish.

I hope you are having a good day!

Karen



Have You Ever Seen An Onion

I went a little crazy with the camera a few days ago.

I was busy making dinner and the camera was there so I thought "why not".

I'm just so amazed at how differently I see things when I photograph them.

When I look at something through my camera lens it's like I'm seeing it for the first time.

I know it sounds crazy, but I feel like I never really take time out to look at things.

I never really see them.

I mean, everyone sees a flower,

but have you ever seen an onion?

Karen