Some Things Just LOOK Vintage {VTT}

You know how it is.... you walk into the 'antique' store and realize quickly that the stuff isn't actually old at all, but rather just reproductions of vintage stuff. Not that reproductions are a bad thing, mind you...I love them, actually, I just don't like it when people try to pass them off as actually being genuinely vintage.

However, on the same token, when I create, I sometimes find myself reaching for those very reproductions to create something that, indeed, looks vintage, but is not. This box is a piece that I created several years ago...LOTS of years ago, actually - hmmm... maybe it sort of IS vintage! HA!



It's kind of funny. A lot of the stuff I created a long time ago looks, well, let's just leave it at 'different' from the stuff I create now. You know...you DO tend to improve in time! LOL! This box, however, is one of those projects that I treasure. I still love it just as much as the day I completed it. There is just something fabulous about it that makes me feel like it is truly timeless. I don't often achieve that in my art, so this particular piece, I have to admit, makes me feel a bit of a sense of pride. I really do love it.



I can clearly remember the techniques I used and how excited I was to be using them. They are common techniques now, but back then I was so proud of myself for utilizing them! I took the time to really do them correctly, and it paid off!



And, yes, as time has passed, moves have been made, stuff has been put in and taken out of the box it has suffered a bit of wear. Guess what? I love that wear. It just makes the piece even more vintage. Even if it isn't actually old. Yes, this may be a reproduction, of sorts, but you know what - sometimes those are just as good as the old stuff. Just Say'n. ;-)



Please leave a comment with your thoughts! I love to hear what you have to say!

For More Vintage Thingy Thursday Posts check out Colorado Lady!

***A Note to Jingle Swap 2009 Participants: Your Partners Have Been Sent!!!! Please let me know if you, for some reason, did not receive your email. Actually, feel free to shoot me an email to let me know if you DID receive it! LOL! That might make me feel a little better. LOL!***

All I Need for a Good Workout... {Wordless Wednesday}

Well, that....an elliptical, a stationary bike, a couple of weight machines, a bottle of water, and a wicked cute little workout skort. But other than that, I'm good! ;-)
What do you need?


For More Wordless Wednesday/Wordful Wednesday Posts Check out here, here, and here.

*Jingle Swap 2009 Participants watch your email later today for your partner assignments!!! I'm so excited!!!!

What Do You Get When You Combine a Tiny Marmalade Jar and Jingle?

THE CUTEST LITTLE PIN CUSHION EVER!!!!!!!

Wouldn't you agree? Hee-Hee.



I actually created this awhile ago, but that was back when I had lots of stuff to post so I kept it for a rainy day. Well, it's not raining, but being sick sort of stunted my creativity (you know how spending all your time sleeping can do that) so, I thought today was a GREAT day to show you this adorable little thing.

I started with the tiny Orange Marmalade jar. You see, The Hubbums LOVES Marmalade, so when I went on a business trip awhile back this was one of the things I brought back for him. He loved it, and he knew I would want the jar, so when he was done with the marmalade he kindly saved it for me. It had an absolutely A*DOR*A*BLE little red gingham lid that I was really sad to cover, but you know how it goes in the crafty world sometimes....sacrifices must be made, my friends. Sacrifices must be made.

Then came THIS fabulous publication from my friends over at Stampington & Co.

You see, I really love this little publication. I have gone though it over and over again and it is just fabulous. Some of the projects I would REALLY love to make, but they require a sewing machine, and, well..... you know about that relationship, right?
Yeah.
Me and my sewing machine don't so much speak to each other.
And I don't think it counts as me making it if I hand all the materials to The Hubbums and say, "Here! Sew this, please!" LOL!
(We won't mention the fact that saying that in no way leads to the project being done anyway....he CAN sew...that doesn't mean he does it on command. Just say'n.)

SO, ANYWAY...this fabulous publication had a GREAT little pin cushion tucked way in the back of it's wonderous pages. It was a cute little jar!
"HEY! I have a cute little jar!"
Yup....thus began my adorable little pin cushion journey.

So, I filled the cute little jar with buttons that matched the fabric that I chose to use and topped my little jar with my adorable little pin 'puff' and now I have the cutest little pin cushion EVER!

Seriously. It's freaking adorable. Just admit it.
You wish you were as cool as me. 'Cause I'm not dorky AT ALL!
Just Say'n.

I'm going to make LOTS of these. Why? Because I love them and they make me happy.
That, and they only require HAND sewing and THAT I can do!
Successfully, at that!
Just say'n.

***Winners!!!***

I have two winners to announce!

The winner of the 50 Custom Thank You Cards with Envelopes from UPrinting is comment #2 - Q! Congratulations, Q! I have emailed you with the information!

And the winner of the Pink Together giveaway is Cheryl F of the Lucky Ladybug! Congratulations, Cheryl! I will email you for your name and address to pass on to the sponsor!

For those of you waiting on your Jingle Swap 2009 Partners - they are coming soon! I'm putting things together now and I will get them to you by tomorrow!

SUI GENERIS

I'm not going to tell you.

Really. I'm not. I'm going to make you look it up.

Because I'm mean like that.

I was so honored when I was asked to be the guest designer for this months challenge over at Gutter Girlz! If you have never visited this challenge blog I can't urge you strongly enough to do so! It is FAB-U-LOUS. Seriously, folks. The prompts get you creating from somewhere deep within you. And that, my friends, is where this piece came from.

Here is the prompt for this month:

THE PROMPT:
My Glass
THE SONG:
Thank You by Alanis Morissett
PRODUCT/TECHNIQUE:
Newspaper clipping

That's all. From there, you let your creative mind wander. And this is not JUST for scrapbookers, folks....this one is for artists of all kinds! That's one of the things I love the most about Gutter Girlz!

I wish you could see the shimmer on this piece. The whole thing just shines! I love that about it.

This prompt really caught me off guard actually. I love the song, so when I first red the prompt I expected that to carry my piece, but then when I sat down to create, the 'glass' portion of the prompt kept nagging at the back of my mind. The usual 'half full/ half empty' discussion was lingering there and I couldn't decide which half I I was leaning toward. That's when I realized that I didn't CARE if it was half full or half empty. My glass, is different. It's unique. The question is not whether or not it is full or empty, but rather which half? When you can bring yourself to the point of nothingness and silence, from that I find that you can discover clarity and in that clarity you are able to discover that which is uniquely you, hence the Latin at the bottom of the piece. And this is what keeps me coming back here to Gutter Girlz challenges. Creating isn't about showing your half full or half empty glass - it's all about expressing that which is unique to you.

So, this is what I created.

Oh...and nope. I'm still not going to tell you. I hinted strongly already. But, really....look it up! It's one worth knowing! Plus, Latin is always more fun than English, anyway!

Thanks to those who left well-wishes. I'm still not doing great, but I'm back to functional - sort of. Dayquil is my friend and I think Nyquil is probably more the friend of my husband and my dogs who probably wouldn't mind getting through an entire night without being woken by my incessant coughing. LOL! Such is....such is.

I know I have winners to announce and swap stuff to take care of - I'll get there. Please be patient with me! Thanks!

There's just nothing like a couple of forced days off...

....because your sick. Yup. I do apologize for my absence yesterday and this not so entertaining post today, but right now, I'm just thrilled to have the strength and energy to sit in front of my computer and type at the same time! HA! No, but really.... it's not the flu or anything like that because I don't have a fever, but MAN did it knock me out yesterday! I will share this little ATC that I created with you so that you at least have something to look at today. Hopefully, I will be back to my usual self by Monday. If you are lucky - I may even post one of those 0h-so-seldom weekend posts! LOL! ONLY If you're lucky though! HA!

It's Like Magic! {Wordless Wednesday}

I know how they work, but still. Floating shelves just enthrall me. It's like magic! They sit and hold things for you without any brackets at all! It's amazing. Just say'n.

Click for more Wordless Wednesday Posts.

Don't forget! Today is the final day to enter the Pink Together Giveaway!