I'm ready for my close~up

Last week I received an email that struck terror in my heart. It wasn't bad ~ thank the Lord. Nope ~ quite the opposite. It was from Tina, over at Stampington Magazine. She asked if I would be interested in sending over some photos of my work space for possible editorial consideration in the publication, "Where Women Create"? Yipes! I'm sorry, what did you say? I passed out.

I have the first issue of "Where Women Create" in hardback publication. I loved it immediately. It was a Christmas gift to my bestest friend, Denise@"Life is Yummy" that year. I know both our hearts skipped more than a few beats turning those fabulous glossy pages. Full of talented women, and where they practice their craft of turning the everyday into something glittery and magical.

Okay, so shortly after the initial shock wore off and I snapped back into reality. I finished reading the email. "Please send a few photos of your studio". Huh, uh....studio???? That may not be so easy. You see, like many of you, my studio is in my head. As well as, in the guest room closet, dining room table, garage and much to my husband dismay even in my Tahoe. Worse than that~the majority of my spaces scream organized chaos. I was all ready to shoot off the "I am truly honored and thank you SO much, but" email. Luckily, I have Denise, (have I ever mention her:) who screamed at me (I heard it all the way from Montana) "Are you crazy, ORGANIZE THAT ROOM!" So I did ~ I don't think it came out that bad either. Where I don't know if it will ever see the pages of "WWC" I am so happy that Tina contacted me. It really is an honor just to be considered. I don't know how much longer it will stay this way but at least, for now I have a perfectly lovely, bright and organized space to work (and dream big) in.

There gotta be somethin' WHITE in my Craft Room!

Wow! I actually have a bunch of white stuff that I seriously overlook on Wednesdays. Not today though. I love this little Winter Fairy ~ found at one of my favorite shops in the whole world, (which of course is no longer open) Coco & Co. You gotta have fuel whilst trying to be creative ~ for me, its Barry's Tea (yes, I am a tea snob ~ sorry Liptonites). I apologize for the spookiness of my bust ~ you know what I mean. The eyes or lack thereof ~ its quite spooky. But I do LOVE her crown - Thank you Beautiful Life!! Next up, my white apothecary jar collection ~ I can never get enough of these. Still more assorted odd trinkets picked up at the Fleas, and finally ~ a lovely old photo of my Mother- in -law as a young girl . Wasn't she beautiful? And yes, we share the same name ~ a little odd, but I won't go into that:)

I hope you enjoyed the sneak peak into where all my magic happens, and for my house that is my little 4'x7' closet in the guest room ~ slice o' Heaven xoxoxoxo

Happy White Wednesday everyone ~ Do yourself a flavor and stop by Faded Charm to check out all the other great posts.

WinterFest & Ice Carvings

Well, I'm pretty sure its apparent that I am no fan of cold weather. But our friend, Bill Covitz, check him & his carvings out @ http://www.icematters.com was doing an ice carving demonstration this weekend @ Lyman Orchards (check them out @ http://LymanOrchards.com Annual Winterfest Show. Its still a wicked sure bet that I now despise the cold, but I sure as hell appreciate ice and these amazing magicians that turn ice into Art like I have never seen before. I don't know how they do it ~ its seriously a mystery to me. First, you have to be some sort of Ice Demi-God just to imagine it in 3D and then sculpt it. Nothing, short of a miracle in my book. Then it must be done in below freezing temps without your hands falling off. Honestly, next to a Laser-Brain Surgeon ~ this is the occupation that baffles me the most ~ all the way home I kept asking "but how does he do it?"

I will never know ~ mostly because I am a big baby that cannot tolerate the cold.

White Wednesday #35 ~ Its Everywhere I look

It is! Tons more snow fell all day yesterday in Winter Wonderland CT. I could have just stuck my camera out the window and had my photos for this post. But, quite frankly, I'm over it. No more snow for me thanks. This morning, I received an email promoting great travel destinations: Sanibel Island is looking mighty fine right about now.

But what to photograph for WW??? First off, a few of my collections of "Pie Birds" ~ so cute and they remind me of Spring. Then a smathering of available items from my "FrenchBleuVintage" shop. Well, maybe one snow photo (ok ~ it is kinda pretty).

Please check out my previous post ~ there is something in there I want to run by y'all in blogland. I'm not sure if its something I really want to take on if there isn't enough enthusiasm ~ so let me know. It could be fun with the warmer weather & Flea Market Season coming up :):):)

Flea Market Monday

I had such a great trip to my local Flea Market yesterday. I haven't been in about 2 months (I hate the cold) and all the great stuff that accumulated while I was away was just waiting for me. I was seriously running from table to table...and finding stuff. You know how sometimes you go to a flea and there is nothing ~ I hate that feeling ~ but not this week. It gave me some much renewed enthusiasm for the upcoming Flea Market Season. What it didn't give me was room to hold everything. I have SOOO much stock for my webstore, FrenchBleuVintage.com, built up in every available room in my house, I think I lost my daughter amongst the piles for about 30 minutes last week. NOT GOOD!!

Therefore, without further ado, I am proposing this: I am still going to market every weekend...oh yes I will. But, instead of listing every little treasure I find in the shop, I am grouping some of them into lots. 1 per week, and every Monday evening I will post about the weekends haul here on my blog. It will then be available for sale at FrenchBleuVintage.com if anyone finds that they absolutely must have it right now!!!. The link is on my sidebar.

I just love this idea because sometimes its not so fascinating to see a lone milkglass jar or a skeleton key. Its rather unimaginative ~ but throw in a super paperweight dome with a big "1" smack dab in the middle, and a creamer & sugar that screams "Hello next SilverSunday" ~ well, now its a party. So please tell me your thoughts on this idea ~ if it takes off, well then maybe we CAN make a party out of it.

Heres what's in this weeks lot: Obviously, the paperweight, the silver creamer & sugar set (which does say sterling on the creamer) 2 milkglass apothecary jars, skeleton key (not real, just decorative, its only half a key but check out the fleur des lis on it) nice rusty old padlock, awesome heavy black oval floral frog (really nice, almost don't want to give it up) stainless silverware ring (also very nice, about a size 7) Very cool vintage brooch frame surrounded by small pearls, probably had a cameo in it at one time. Also a wicked shade of lusterware green vintage frog, and finally last but nowhere near least, is an amazing hand mirror with Victorian lady scene. The mirror has lead coming through but is in great shape. I have no idea what it is made of. Doesn't seem at all like plastic and I don't really know what celluloid or bakelite looks like. But the vendor did say it was probably one of the 2 - who knows - very very nice though.

ooh, I almost forgot, as with every Flea Market adventure there will always be an extra surprise item. Something in the lot that isn't mentioned in the post. I just love it when vendors throw in a little something for free. So I am passing that on to you as well.

p.s~ I smell giveaway somewhere with this idea

Thanks for your comments on this as I am torn as to really do it or not ~

Dee xoxo

Love Beyond Measure

Happy Valentines Day & Silver Sunday ~ all wrapped up into one blog post.

So today I shopped at my favorite children's clothing consignment store, "Good as New", in Hamden. They always have such cute boutique clothing for my little Roro (we have to try and cover up the whole Viper persona with extra cuteness). They have just enough "gifty" items to keep Mom happy too. I found this adorable silverplated measuring cup ~ brand new. I'm such a baker, and I knew I would be coaxed ("wink wink") into baking something doubly sweet today ~ so it came home with me.

I also bought at the same shop these cookie mixes: Creative Organics . They are organic, fabulous, simple & delicious. Just like the bag says, just add butter and egg. But the best part is they are for a wonderful cause. Please check them out online, you will not be disappointed if you order a bag (or 3 in my case): www.creative-organics.com

May your Valentines Day be filled with hearts & glitter!!!!!

PS: Please be sure to check back Monday Night ~ I have a new idea in my head that must come out ~ "Flea Market Mondays" ~ stop by and give me some feedback.

Transformation Thursday~Parisian Utility Candle

I am joining Gina @ The Shabby Chic Cottage on the Transformation Train this week. I don't usually get too crafty (not much time these days) but I saw these really neat candles while visiting in Maryland one weekend. We were in St. Michaels, which is ssuuuch a cute town, with lots of really unique shops. I fell in love with what one shop called "Parisian Utility Candles" but not the price: $28.00 each if I remember correctly. I immediately knew these would not be hard to duplicate. I hope you give it a try~ you can really get giggy with how to decorate them ~ its up to you, but here's my take.

1~Hit your local Dollar Tree and pick up a tall glass devotion candle ~ they are fragrance free.

2~Next, the craft or fabric store, and get 1/4 yard of burlap and some basic twine (if you can't find twine at the craft shop, try the hardware store)

3~Finally, dig through your kitchen junk drawer (everyone has one, right) and find some embellishments such as keys old charms etc.

Its really simple layering here: Cut a small scrap of burlap to fit around your devotion candle and hot glue it all the way around, paying special attention to the seams , as burlap tends to fray.

I embellished with a simple skeleton key tied around the top with the twine. Also I used basic craft paint (in black) and my "Fleur de lis" stamp to give it some extra joie de vivre. I made a bunch more with stamped numbers 1-9. Which all in a row ~ look pretty cool. Sorry - no photos of those.

Okay~ Easy peasy lemon squeazy..... your done!

White Wednesday ~ Orchids & Cats

This week I chose to show everyone another furry baby of mine: This is Calvin. Half of the couple that wreak havoc in our house ~ his brother, Hobbes, shows no real interest in the orchids ~ thank God. This type of Orchid is called a "Moth Orchid", I am told ~ they are really gorgeous and huge.

At my office , we change the floral arrangements (always orchids) every 3 weeks. The old ones get to come home with a lucky worker bee ~ this was my week ~ lucky me. I wish I knew what to do to keep them looking like this (keeping the cat away would probably be a good start). Any clues out there? I've already had it for over a week and its still looking pretty good.

My second choice for White Wednesday was going to be the incredible amount of snow we are getting in CT today ~ but I wanted to share this lovely flower with everyone before it sings its swan song ~ which, if Calvin has any say ~ won't be too far off.

Please swing by our Host, Kathleen @ Faded Charm, & check out all the fantastic White Wednesday Posts.

Happy White Wednesday Everyone~~~~~~~~

So it ain't so....Final Silver Sunday

Okay, its not forever~ actually I think it starts right up again. But anyway~I grabbed a couple of really great items at the Thrift Shop this week. I looovvveee these silver charger plates. I am dying to do something with them: either a collage in the middle or photos or even a pair of silhouettes. Limitless possibilities. Also my lovely little mercury glass birdy. This is the Momma~ there are 3 in the set and were a gift from my sons last year for Christmas. Of course my passed down super old silverware (which will never be polished again) ~ I tell myself it has more character this way:) Finally ~ the powder room vanity tray with my Nana's cut crystal talc shaker with SS & mother of pearl top. So there it is ~ my final post for this installment of Silver Sunday.

Thank you Beth over at Gypsy Fish for being our host these many Sunday's ~please check out her page and many followers silver lovelies before its over.

VIntage Black Friday No #1 ~~~~~ Cool!

Thank you Jill ~ Vintage Black is truly uncharted fun.

This is going to be great ~ Once I fix my camera :( I was so excited to take a zillion photos of all my "Vintage Black" and I did something wrong. I swear I am an idiot when it comes to anything technical. The little blue light won't even come on now ~ YIPES! I always have some photos somewhere to save my behind and I really didn't want to miss this soooooo ~ Truly some of these are vintage : the wicked cute pink elephant shot glasses, the pair of tole trays (found them in my Moms attic) and old candle pillar (was a nasty forest green before the ole' paint came out). The rest are just some pretty darn neat black things that are listed in the FBV Shop. Wish me luck with the camera or this blog is going to get pretty bleak.

Please remember to swing by and say Hi to our our host Jill @ "The French Cupboard" and check out all the other fabulous Vintage Black Friday Posts ~ HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE

Winter Blues on White Wednesday

I have sooo many fun white items this week. These are some of my Flea Market finds from January. It was a great haul. I was definately in full blown Spring mode when I took these and I think it shows~I've got the Winter Blues. I am so ready for Flea Market season already. Brimfield here I come!! I've actually started making my list on what to shop for come May. I wasn't even this organized for Christmas.



So a few of these items will make it to my shop, of course, but I love the washing basin and think its a keeper~ for awhile at least. How nice are these vintage pins?

Well, I really did want to add a bunch more, but Roro is not sleeping too well right now. I need to go and be mommy. Happy White Wednesday everyone. Please swing by Faded Charm and say hi to Kathleen, our White Wednesday "Hostess with the Mostess" and checkout all the rest of the great WW posts.