'Raindrops on Roses' Valentine Card with Maja Papers

Hello dear friends! I hope you are having a wonderful day! It's probably the coldest day of the year here in Charleston. We will be dipping into the 30's and our forecast calls for freezing rain and maybe even (dare I say it...) SNOW! Schools are closed and we are burrowing in for a rare winter storm. I have chili in the crock pot and cornbread in the oven, hoping to chase away at least part of the chill. 

I have some fun news today. It is the beginning of a new challenge at the Frilly and Funkie Blog! Cec is our host and her theme is 'Valentines Day with a Twist.' The mission, (if you choose to accept it:-)) is to create a card in red, white, and pink with NO hearts.

For this challenge I decided to create a card with a bounty of luscious roses, fresh with the morning dew. My favorite Maja design papers provided the perfect shades of vintage pinks and reds. The roses are courtesy of Spellbinders Bitty Blossoms die, and the leaves are from a Magnolia Rose Leaf die. The dew drops were made using a Viva Decor Crystal Clear Gel pen.   

The vintage image is from the talented JanetKDesign offerings of free digital images. Janet is an amazing artist, and I highly recommend a visit to her blog. 

I kept piling on the layers, adding a bit of cotton twine to tie everything together and accent my focal point. I also tucked in some frayed cheesecloth for a bit of a soft, shabby texture. 

I distressed and sanded the edges of all my papers, and created the corner flourishes using a die from Whimsy Stamps called Large Leafy Flourish. 

As a perfectionist, I always embellish the inside and backs of my cards. Here is a peek beneath the cover. The verse is from a Penny Black stamp called Garden of Life.   

I hope you'll join along in the fun at the Frilly and Funkie Blog! The challenge runs for two weeks, after which a winner will be selected. Your entry also qualifies you for a chance to win a 25.00 dollar gift certificate to the Funkie Junkie Boutique! 

Thank you for visiting with me today! My warmest wishes are being sent your way. May you have the comfort of a cozy home, a warm heart, and be surrounded by all the people you love the most! 

Hugs,

Maja Design 6x6" Scrapbook Paper Pad - Vintage Summer Basics	Maja Design 6x6" Scrapbook Paper Pad - It′s Christmas Time	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Walnut Stain	Ranger Inkssentials Glossy Accents	Ranger Inkssentials Non-Stick Craft Sheet
Tim Holtz Ranger Idea-ology Sanding Grip	Ranger Inkssentials Wonder Tape - 1/4"

Printable French Perfume Label!

for personal use only courtesy of alteredartifacts.blogspot.com

I hope everyone is enjoying a relaxing Saturday! It's a busy one in our home. I'm starting my day off early at a birthday breakfast for a dear friend. I'm super excited about it because we lost touch for a time and I'm looking forward to the opportunity to catch up. Too often the hectic pace of everyday life interferes with nurturing important relationships. After breakfast we're off to College of Charleston where my son is taking the exam for the Chemistry Olympiad. Next it's hair appointments for both of us, and finally this evening I'm volunteering as a docent for Charleston's Festival of Homes and Gardens. Amidst the all this craziness I still need to find time to cook dinner. I'm thinking leftovers!

I wanted to take a moment to share this lovely vintage perfume label I used in a recent project. It was pinned from altered artifacts right here on blogger. I've posted the link above if you'd like to take a peek at this lovely blog. She shares many vintage printables along with photos of her beautiful artwork. All of the images she offers are free for personal use. Pinterest has opened up a whole new world of inspiration for me. I've discovered so many blogs I would probably never have seen without exposure on that site. 

I wish you a wonderful weekend and thank you for visiting today!! Hugs,        

Vintage Easter Printable

(courtesy of vintagecatnip.blogspot.com)

Hi! I'm delighted you could stop by today! Ah, the joys of spring. Blue skies and sunshine abound. Wisteria, azaleas, and dogwoods adorn Charleston's gardens. The air is sweet and practically everywhere you turn you'll find something in bloom. 

Easter is nearly upon us, and how I love the soft colors and sweet designs of the season! Today I'm sharing this free printable I found on Pinterest. I tried to link it back to the original web page (vintagecatnip.blogspot.com) but it no longer exists, so I'm posting it here. I hope you'll enjoy using this in your crafting as much as I have. We have houseguests this week so I haven't had  time to take pictures, but as soon as I find a bit of time I'll  post a photo of the project I made with this pretty image.

Best wishes for a joyful and crafty day! Hugs, Nancy

Easter Tags are Ready and a Vintage Easter Card Image!

Hi! I hope you're having a wonderful day! I've been silent the last couple of days because of some problems on blogger that were preventing many of us from posting. I was thrilled today when they finally got it fixed!

It's been a fairly uneventful week here. Over the weekend we re-visited a college with our son as he makes his final decision about where he'll go in the fall. He's our youngest and our final child to go off to college. It's such an exciting time in his life and I'm incredibly proud of his accomplishments.

At the same time my heart is breaking. I get a lump in my throat when I think of shopping for his college supplies. Gathering the items he'll need as he makes his first steps out of the nest. I'm already dreading the day we move him onto campus and drive off towards home....alone...without him...to our silent, empty house. No more will he rush through the door after school each day, asking for a snack (how I love that time of the day!) No more will I feel the peace of his presence each night as I drift off to sleep, knowing he's safe in his bed. I'll miss everything about having my child near me, but it's the everyday, simple moments families share I will miss the most. Dinnertime conversations, watching a favorite t.v. show together in the evenings, the random silly jokes that come up throughout the day because of something we've read or seen together. Just seeing him on a daily basis. Wow, it's so painful just to think of it, I have no idea how I'm going to get through that day. 

Of course, I want him to go to college. I wouldn't have it any other way. It's just that the time went by so quickly. I wish I could rewind it and have my sweet little boy back. Keep him close to me for a little while longer. I've enjoyed every stage and moment of his childhood, and now that I must let go I feel completely unprepared. Now I need to give him the gift of my support and joy as he spreads his wings and moves into young adulthood. I'm not ready!! I'm not ready!! It hurts too much! I will do this because I love him more than anything, but it's so, so difficult...

I'm going to dry my eyes and move on to cheerful events! I have springtime on the brain these days and have been busy crafting Easter gift cards for my Ebay auctions. They're available now, so your welcome to take a peek if you'd like to. I have also have a vintage Easter image to share with you, courtesy of my Pinterest addicition.

 I adore the soft, gentle colors of this card. The yellowing and signs of wear around the edges make it that much sweeter! Wouldn't this be perfect for a handmade card or tag? There are so many beautiful things on Pinterest that I find it hard to stay away. It's as fun as shopping, only you don't spend a dime. Can it get any better than that?

And now I'm off to do a bit of straightening up. My son feels that putting his laundered and folded clothing on the floor in front of his dresser is an appropriate storage method. I don't mind doing these little things for him. I love everything about being his mom, even the messy parts. I'm going to cry for hours when we move him onto his college campus next fall and that pile of clothing is no longer there for me to pick up. I'm a sad case, I know. Hugs,  

 

Happy Valentine's Day !

Hi and Happy Valentine's Day! So, what are you up to today? Do you have any special plans with your favorite person? We have a Valentine birthday in our family, so we usually brave the crowds and enjoy dinner at a favorite restaurant. This year our birthday person has requested PF Changs and my homemade chocolate cake for dessert. After that we're planning a cozy evening in front of the television (with a bowl of that pink popcorn I posted a few days back!) Yes, we'll be on sugar overload. Yes, I'm going to have to walk 4 miles again tomorrow, maybe 5, and it still won't make up for it. But we will have the most wonderful time!   

I'm busy storing away the Valentine craft supplies today and breaking out my Easter things. I'm excited to move on to sweet little chicks and bunnies. Pretty pastels are my favorite colors, and I'm happy to be returning to them. I've missed them so! I'm ready to leave red behind for a while, but I know that by the time Christmas rolls around again I'll barely be able to wait to pull it back out. That's always the way, isn't it?    

What I would really like to do today is chat together over a cup of tea and offer you some Valentine goodies fresh out of my oven. Since technology hasn't advanced to that point, I'm celebrating with another of my very favorite treats; a sweet vintage image! I adore the graphics and colors of this trade card. It's cozy and heartwarming, and just makes me smile. I share this with the hope you'll enjoy using it in your projects or find a bit of crafty inspiration.

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog. Your visit has been a ray of sunshine in my day and I hope it's made yours a little brighter too! I send my best wishes for a day filled with happiness, smiles, and laughter! So, in the famous words of the Beverly Hillbillies 'Y'all come back now, ya hear?'  Hugs,

Love is in the air!

I can't believe it's Thursday already! The days seem to fly by for me. Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and to celebrate I'd like to share this sweet image I recently pinned to Pinterest. It's a free printable from The Graphix Fairy, located right here on blogger. Karen shares over 2000 vintage printables on her blog, and is always adding new images. These cute little cherubs are beyond adorable! Thank you Karen!  

Pinterest is my latest online addicition. When I first heard about it I thought I'd have no use for it, but was I ever wrong. I set a 15 minute timer for myself whenever I visit the site because it's way too easy to while-away the hours there. It's a bit like entering the land of the lotus eaters. You think you've been on 20 minutes, then you look at the clock and realize 2 hours have slipped by! 

But there will be no Pinterest for me today:-((well, maybe just 5 minutes at lunch???) I'm busy catching up on tag orders, and those always take priority. Being sick for a couple of weeks has put me behind in everything. If there is one thing I hate, it's to be behind in my obligations. But I'm willing to work hard, and I never give up! So it's back to the craft room for me, followed by a trip to the post office with my packages. I hope you're having a great day too! And I thank you with my whole heart for stopping by to visit me here!    

 

A vintage image to share....

I'm back to share another vintage image today! This is an old trade card for International Baking Powder. One of my crafting goals this year is to create a keepsake album displaying all the recipes handed down through my family, and this card is going to make a perfect embellishment. Or imagine how sweet it would look framed in prim or shabby chic kitchen. If you have a special project to use this in I'd love to hear about it or see a photo of what you've created. My best wishes to all for a fun and crafty day!

   

More Ephemera from my collection!

Hi to all and happy Saturday! I'm working hard in my craft room preparing orders to ship out but couldn't resist taking a moment to share another image from my collection with you. This sweet trade card makes my heart happy. I just adore the soft vintage tones and nostalgic image. I hope it will bring a little inspiration and smile to your day as well. Best wishes to all for a fun and crafty weekend!

Sweet Little Cupid

Today I have another vintage image to share! With Valentine's Day just around the corner, I thought this sweet little cupid might add some inspiration to your projects. Lots of love and happy crafting to all! Nancy

An Adorable Little Stocking Stuffer!

Christmas day is finally here!! I'm hoping this vintage trade card will add a little calorie-free sweetness to your celebration. Feel free to copy and paste this for your personal use but please do not sell it as a digital image or as part of a collage sheet. Thanks so much for visiting my blog and please stop back often. I have a super fun giveaway beginning on January 1st--details coming up soon! Sending my warmest wishes your way for a blessed day!!

A Christmas Gift of Sweet Ephemera!

It's Christmas Eve!! My favorite night of the year. I've never outgrown that wonderful sense of anticipation and excitement that I experienced as a child. My sister and I were allowed to open one gift on Christmas Eve. We picked up each of our gifts, shook them, felt them, and  assessed their weight, trying to make the right choice of which gift we would open. I always hoped I would pick a stuffed animal so I would be able to hold it while I slept. I want to celebrate today by offering a little Christmas Eve treat for my blog visitors. If you've read a few of my posts, you know I'm an avid collector of ephemera. This sweet Pears' Soap ad is one of my favorites from my collection. Feel free to copy and paste it for personal use but please do not sell it as a digital image or as part of a collage sheet. My best wishes to all for a very Merry Christmas!!

Faraway Places

Are faraway places with strange sounding names calling you? Or do you just love beautiful vintage images and postal ephemera? I have a love affair with both and my gift for you today is this postcard from my personal collection. I'm using this in a vintage inspired mini album I'm making for a friend who recently visited Italy but I can think of a hundred other ways to create with it! If I close my eyes I can almost see myself attending midnight Mass at the Vatican, surrounded by angelic music and the fragrance of incense and candles. Feel free to copy and save this pretty postcard. Use it for any crafty idea that you can imagine, just please do not sell it as a digital image or as part of a collage sheet. Enjoy and Merry Christmas! Hugs, Nancy

A Beautiful Day!

It's another new day! I love the morning because everything starts over and it's filled with anticipation and potential. That probably sounds cliche (okay, it totally sounds cliche) but it's so true!! I never end up finishing everything I put on my daily 'list' because I tend to plan as though there were about 100 hours in every day, so I just cross my fingers, hope for the best, and hit the ground running:-)) I like to assess and revise my plan as I go through the day by crossing things off and adding them to tomorrow. That's my technique for sustaining the illusion that I'm actually accomplishing my goals-- and you can borrow that from me if you want to--it really works! I'm celebrating today by sharing a vintage image of this sweet little girl. I thought her pretty bouquet of white flowers was the perfect way to welcome spring. Thanks so much for stopping by and have a blessed and wonderful day. 

Hi to Everyone! Well, prom was a complete success! All the kids had a great (and safe) evening. It was a super late night and we're all still recovering here at our house:-) My husband was pulled over by the police on the way to the midnight breakfast. He didn't use a turn signal when he switched lanes and they thought he was a drunk driver. He ended up just receiving a warning once it was realized he hadn't been drinking so thankfully no expensive ticket or points on his license (big sigh of relief!!)  I'll post a couple of photos from prom soon, but for now I have another vintage image to share. This charming old ad is from 1890. How fun is this! I'm off to Mass but I wanted to check in to say hello and wish everyone a wonderful day!

Hi and Happy Wednesday! I give tours at the Nathaniel Russell House on Wednesday so it's one of my favorite days of the week. This is the time of year tourists begin flocking to Charleston. I had people from France, Finland, and Canada in my groups today. We meet people from all over the world and it's soooo much fun! I have a great vintage image to share today. I have a collection of the old pamphlet style cookbooks---this one is from 1925. I love the vintage colors of the cover art. I hope anyone who stops by to read this is having a great day too! You should sign up to follow my blog. If I get at least 10 followers I'm going to have a give-away to celebrate that I'm not the only person who visits my blog:-) I hope you enjoy the cookbook image and can use it in some of your art. I think it would be a perfect embellishment for  a recipe album!

Lovely Flower Girl

I love collecting antique postcards and using the images in my artwork. Today I have one of my favorite images to share with you! Isn't this little flower girl precious. Her expression is so innocent and vulnerable. Feel free to copy this image and use her in your own personal artwork if you'd like to. I've had a super busy day of errands so I haven't had time to do anything crafty, but tomorrow I'm saving time to start on some Spring projects. We've been having beautiful warm days and things are starting to bloom here in Charleston. This is my favorite time of year!! I hope you'll enjoy my little gift of this image and have a wonderful day!