"I thought I would never see you again..."

Last year at the July Expo, I sold a dress form I had lovingly created... It was one of the first things I sold on the first day, and only realized after the lady walked away with it that I hadn't even taken a picture of it!!! I was a little sad about it...




Later in the day, the lady came around again and I asked if she would be so kind to take a picture of it and email it to me. She said she would, but I never received it...

So, a week ago, I get a call from Lisa, and she said: "I know how you can get pictures of your dress form...!!! It is for sale on Ebay!!!!" Sure enough, there was my dress form!!! I hope the lady doesn't mind that I copied the pictures, but I am so happy I now have them!! I used a beautiful rose fabric to cover the dress form, then added a few trims and embellishments, and I really love the way it turned out! I have two more dress forms in my attic waiting for a similar treatment, maybe I should get started soon as they are very time consuming!! This one sold on Ebay for $255!!!

This saturday I will be going with a friend to Cindy's ( Queen of Tarte) grand opening, she has filled a 1900 sf barn with her treasures, and I know it is going to be awesome!! Her guest vendors are none other that the boys of Barn House...!! So you know you are in for a treat!! If you are in the area, you should not miss it!! For those far away, I will take lots of pictures!!! See you then!

So much to do, no idea where to start!!!!

We had a busy weekeend following our kids from soccer games to gymnastics meets, not much time for romance but a great time for us to spend together (except when we have to divide and conquer!!)...


I'm still working on decluttering the house, but it seems like just as fast as I fill bags with outgrown clothes and things we don't need anymore, more stuff appears out of nowhere!!!! Like beading a necklace without tying a knot at the end.... Which may explain why I feel the need to cut down on shopping (not to mention money seems to be quite scarce nowadays...)!! So, on my way to Monticello last week, I only stopped at one thrift shop and only bought one thing!! This adorable wedding dress that I bought for a song since it was 50% off!!! I love the ruffles on the back... I may tea-dye this one like I did this one!!!

At Monticello, I couldn't resist this adorable bed tray... Especially since the price was great!!!

Today, I have so much stuff to do I don't know where to start.... So, instead, I decided to start working on a project I have been wanting to do for a long time (yes, this is how I avoid tedious chores...)!!! Here is a preview of what it looks like right now... You can tell where I'm going...?? I am trying to get some things done for the Expo Antiques Show on the first weekend in March, where I will be selling with my friends Joy and Maryann. And I need to move my rear and get that Etsy account going!!!More details to follow!!!

Update: Still not many chores done (plus I had to go pick up my oldest daughter from school because she wasn't feeling good...), but I am done glue basting the buttons and I am ready to sew them!! Thank goodness my sewing machine has a button sewing feature, so it shouldn't take me too long... Can't wait to show you the finished pillow!!

Love is all you need...

Fabric dresser tutorial and cool finds!

A few posts ago I shared a dresser makeover using vintage inspired fabric and fusible web. I had some requests for me to share how I used the fusible web to directly fuse the fabric onto the front of the dresser drawers... I have to say it is extremely simple!!











I bought Heat'n Bond Ultrahold fusible web. It is designed for no-sew projects and offers a little more body to the fabric than a regular web. I decided to give this tray a makeover by painting it and replacing the print. I started by cutting a piece of fabric and a piece of fusible web a few inches larger than the final size I wanted.





































After pressing the fabric, to get rid of wrinkles, fuse the web onto the back of the fabric (rough side of paper backed web against the back of the fabric). It only takes two seconds with the iron set on wool. Do not spend more than two or three seconds on it, or the glue will start melting! Let cool for a few seconds and peel the paper from the fabric. The fabric will now have a shiny back. This is the time when I cut to the exact size I need.

Place the fabric on whatever piece you want to cover and press for about 8-10 seconds. Make sure to cover all the areas. If it's a vintage or sensitive material, make sure to use a cloth in between. Always read the instructions that come with the fusible web, as they vary according to the brand!!!





















You're done!! Didn't I tell you it was easy? Can't wait to see what you do...























I thought I would share a few cool things I have found on my last thrifting trips (and a few came from Monticello...)!! This adorable lamp was found at the GW outlet, and I couldn't believe it was still there...

As always, I can't resist some great fabric, be it curtains, pillows, or even velvet... I love every single piece!!

This will be a great addition to my boudoir doll collection. I blame Cindy, the Queen of Tarte, for introducing me to these dolls... She created a monster!!

After having admired birdcages for so long, I finally bought my first one!!!!

Here is another doll I purchased at a thrift store... The best part? It was 75% off!!!

I looooove this adorable vintage laundry bag, the fabric is gorgeous!!!

But my favorite purchase was by far this awesome pink gym locker shelf I got from my sweet friend Sue, from Bella Shabby and a fellow dealer at Monticello!!! She had found 5 (five!) of these at an estate sale, so I asked (begged!) if she would sell me one, and she did!! I will be using it for displaying linens and pillows at Monticello and at shows... Isn't this the coolest piece ever? I will be back soon with more to share!!

Blog Party at Joy's!!

What fun we had yesterday at Joy's house!!! Joy, Martha, Lisa and I were hosting a blog party, and the turnout was great!!! What a wonderful way to meet new friends and revisit with old ones!!! There were some workshops planned for those interested, including crowns and valentines, lots of great conversations and laughter, and of course munchies all day long!! Here is the Queen Bee, joyful Joy!

Joy's home is a treat to the eyes, I am always very impressed with her eye for detail and her display talent and Lisa and I have both resorted to her for help decorating our own homes!!

Joy has a darling shop just outside of her door, open for seasonal events, and that is where the workshops took place.

Joy's sister, Tony, is making valentines...

... and Christa and Julie are starting their crowns with Joy's assistance!

Jori is a Creative Memories consultant and decided to make a Queen of the Crop crown...! Look at the back!

Christa from Chloe Rose, Julie from Kindred Spirit Soap Co., Betty and Michelle proudly wearing ther works of art!!

My sweet friend Sylvi from Little Cottage and her adorable daughter Cecilia wearing theirs... I love this picture!!!!

We also enjoyed so much seeing our good friends Joe and Jermonne, from Barn House and Cindy, the Queen of Tarte!! Cindy has her own grand opening barn sale planned for this month, if you are in the area you will not want to miss it!!

It is always fun to visit with Timi and the Hubs, from A Girl Named Timi, we wish they could have stayed longer!!!!

Our friends Pam from My Grandkids Rock and her daughters Mindy from Miss Priss and Stacey, were so sweet to stop by and say hello!!

It truly was a day filled with friendship and laughter, and we were sad to see it end...!!! We will definitely have to do it again!!!

A new angel in heaven

Our hearts are heavy.... A beastly cancer has finally won the battle against our friends' sweet little eight year old son, Tristan. "T" was in Kindergarten when he was diagnosed with brain cancer, and everyone was elated when, after chemotherapy, the cancer seemed to have gone away!! But, sadly, the ravaging beast came back, and, this time, had no mercy on this sweet little boy...!! As a mother, I can't even begin to imagine the pain of losing a child... How does one even find the will to continue?

I will hug my children tighter, tonight...

Vintage Finds

Sunday I took off early in the morning to visit a nearby flea market in Polk Co.!! It's a small indoor flea market but there are always good things to find! I came home with some cool finds, all pretty inexpensive...


I love this wooden detail. I do not know what it was used for...





















... I thought this was a pretty cool piece!





















... Just in time for Valentine, some vintage heart candy boxes...
















... I love these old bread pans...























... The lady who sold me these fabrics told me that it used to be a quilt (front and back), but it was in such bad shape that she took it apart! The fabric has the softest feel... And she saved the binding too!





















... Some vintage lace, a small illustrated bible, a vintage collar and a darling baby duck rattle...





















... Vintage Meyercord decals...





















... these two birdcage-like pieces are really cool, but I have no idea what they were used for! Anyone knows? The guy that sold them to me didn't know either, but said he had them for at least 25 years...


















... A shabby white table and a wooden barrel (would be great for umbrellas!)...






















... A vintage twin duvet with incredible intricate quilting...



















... And my favorite find of the day, a vintage Winnie the Pooh!! Ever since I lived in London I have developed a love affair with this darling bear!!

















Earlier in the week at Monticello, I found a pair of vintage ticking pillows which, I think, will look great on my vintage wicker settee!!





















... Also this great frame! Not sure if it will be a mirror or an inspiration board...

I had a few requests to share how I fused fabric onto wood for my dresser makeover, so I will do that on my next post! I will also share another project I have been working on! Have a great week!