Antique Buttons and Vintage Lace for St. Patty's Day

What an enjoyable few hours I had in my scrap room today creating this card for St. Patty's Day. I used some vintage lace and antique buttons along with an image from a vintage postcard. It feels good to actually have my holiday cards created and ready to mail so people can enjoy them for a couple weeks before the actual day...most will receive this on Wednesday which is Leap Day...wish I had planned ahead and made some Leap Day cards...now that would have been really cool!

Velvet Ribbon Bookmark

Several months ago I came across an article in Somerset Life magazine showing how to create velvet ribbon bookmarks. There were several photos of gorgeous bookmarks. My mom is an avid reader, so I thought I'd try my hand at making one for her birthday. I decided on a black and white theme using black velvet ribbon from my own stash as well as some beads and baubles, and I used ribbon clamps found at a local craft store. It was actually very easy to make and only took about an hour. Since my mom loves to sew, I presented her bookmark to her in a box lined with an old vintage sewing pattern rather than traditional tissue paper. My mom loved her gift, and my sister put in an order for a few summer themed velvet bookmarks for some coworkers. Gives me an excuse to go on etsy.com to look for summer charms and baubles...I already have a stash of perfect aqua velvet ribbon...  ;-)  

Before/After Shabby Chic Hardware/Button Organizer

     Several months ago, my husband and I went to visit his friend, Tom, who often goes junkin'.  Together the three of us explored out in his barn where he keeps his "finds". Tom says if we see anything we want we can have it. I found this old blue rusty hardware organizer and immediately I think a shabby chic "button organizer"! So I take it home and wash it, sand it, wash each individual drawer several times in order to get the labels off (quite the feat), and paint it white. Finally today was the day I finished the project. After I was done, I asked my husband if I should have put all the embellishments on the top of it. He said,"Of course, they're just going to end up there anyway because when you craft there isn't an empty  flat surface to be found; this way they're glued down so you won't lose them." Always the wise guy...even if he was speaking the truth.  ;-)

A Valentine's Day Receipt Holder Display

     Last year I found an authentic receipt holder at a flea market and decided to create holiday wall decor for each of the panels. Below is the one I created this morning for Valentine's Day. I also included photos of what the original receipt holder looked like as well as the Halloween one I made this past fall.  Now I'm off to make one for Easter.
Update: some of you have asked if I am able to switch out the holders and add new papers etc...yes I can...I attached everything by simply slipping the papers and embellishments behind the clips and if I used any adhesive I used removable. Thanks for asking!

A Secret Keeper Journal

     I love the Graphic 45 Gypsy Market collection and used it to create a little secret keeper journal containing flip pages, pockets, tags, and coin envelopes. This is a perfect place for little inspirational quotes, messages, secrets, dreams, and thoughts. The journal opens using a red glass doorknob from 7 Gypsies.  

A Card Organizer

I wish I would never forget a loved one's birthday or anniversary...I wish I'd remember I made my loved one a special card way before their special day...I wish I'd remember where I put their special card...I wish my cards were organized...Wish granted...   :-)

Vintage Mini Album

This vintage mini album was so much fun to create...I enjoyed many, many hours creating it and I think it turned out so fabulous. The front cover features an old vintage doily found during one of my antiquing adventures as well as a Tim Holtz grunge flower I made using distress inks and the tattered flowers die. The inside album pages were made using paper bags. I even included a mini album within the mini album...it slips right into one of the bottom page pockets and opens by using an old vintage red button as a "doorknob"...simply delightful.