with some graphics by Your-Digital-Dream/Traci Sims
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I love little paper umbrellas. Don't you? They can be used for lots of fun projects. Here is a wreath I made the other day using umbrellas in shades of pink, orange, and yellow!~~~
I added the blossoms for even more whimsy. "April Showers Bring May Flowers!"...and wreaths too!~~~This one-of-a-kind goodie is in my etsy shop!~~~XXOO, Beth
Here is the gnome pin cushion I mentioned on the previous post, finished, and IMHO, quite over-the-top!
I really need therapy!~~~If you are as gnutty as me, you may want to own this piece. You may find it here.~~~XXOO, Beth
I have gone a little bonkers with my latest pin cushions. In other words, to quote Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young, "I'm letting my freak flag fly." If one ballerina on a pin cushion is nice, how about 13?
Yes, I sewed a dozen wee ballerinas to each of these pin cushions. Yes, I am a freak!
How about perching a cute bluebird on a lush vintage plastic flower garden?
And don't get me started on gnomes! Here is a sneak peek of a work-in-progress when 9 of these little guys had to gather 'round a fun piece of vintage feedsack fabric...
What could I possibly place on top of this pin cushion? And those gnomes should hold something, right? I'll figure something out, you betcha!~~~I'll list these over-the-top pin cushions in my etsy shop tomorrow before noon EST.~~~Unless, of course, I decide to sew or glue more plastic to them. Somebody stop me!~~~XXOO, Beth
Please join me over at Vintage Indie for my SUPER EASY and FUN Spring garland tutorial!
A garden of plastic flowers, chenille chicks, string...so easy!
You have a fun garland to hang anywhere for spring cheer!!!!
Have fun!~~Peep peep!~~~XXOO, Beth
OK, perhaps it's because I practically grew up in dime stores, but I love plastic things! I also love to craft with them, turning the humble made in China/Japan/or Hong Kong plastic doo dad or whachamacallit into an over-the-top celebration of whimsy and, in this case, spring/Easter. I present my latest creation:
Would only a crazy person would go to this extreme to celebrate the first day of spring and Easter? If that's true then commit me!
Why use one plastic bunny when a dozen or more will do?
Is there any reason to sanction candle holders or vintage Easter cake decor to gooey icing slathered on top of pastry? I say "NO!"~~~Etsy is where you can find this goody, if you are crazy like me, I'll be glad to sell it to you. Oh, and I will be assaulting you with more over-the-top plasticness in the near future. You've been warned!~~~XXOO, Beth
A fabulous parcel full of whimsy and color arrived at my doorstep today from Maxwell General! The effervescent Kim runs this California shop full of whimsy and delight! She also carries the designs of the fabulously flirty artist Jane Jenni! When Kim revealed these wares in her shop, I knew I just had to have some!
The most difficult part of shopping was choosing which delightful design! I chose the Cutie Pie plate and the Foodie tote.
My indecision is at play here when I picked out some buttons and ended up choosing 48 of them!
Here's a close up...
And another...
I should have just bought all of them, but, hey, that would be ridiculous ;) Now I have 48 new pieces of jewelry to wear, because I am only 11 years old at heart.~~~XXOO, Beth
Happy Monday, Blogland Pals!~~~
I have dozens of figurines in my cache for creating one-of-a-kind pin cushions. I'm drawn to unusual design. Cute design. Sometimes a figurine or two just pulls me in because the design is unexpected.
For example, this is a deer:
A tall, very cute deer. At first I thought it was a cat but looking at its cute little tail this figurine said, oh yes, deer.
And this is a poodle:
Just look at that tall proud stance, at that neck stretching way up and up. Cool design. Cool poodle!
Sometimes these little dime store figurines just give me pause and a second lingering look. Today I'm listing them in my etsy shop as pin cushions. If you have a minute, stop by for a peek.~~Thanks for taking a pause for cute!~~~XXOO, Beth
Yesterday I visited one of my favorite consignment/thrift shops. Now, I don't NEED anything. But I saw this which just sang to me...
It is a spice cabinet, made in Japan, obviously from the swingin' sixties! It was unused, still had the plastic and cardboard around the jars. It came in this cool orange. And was only $5. Hubby hung it on the wall for me. Did I tell you that whenever I need him to hang something for me, I say to him: "Honey, I need you to be my hardware champion." It works every time.
The beaded bars coming down from the doors are so cool! So, naturally, I'm storing beads in the jars.
I love how it looks on my studio lime green walls and the cool purple frame I found at Marshall's. That's our son at 3, in the frame, wearing his "star" glasses. He's totally embarrassed I have that photo on my wall, but it's my job as his Mom to embarrass his 14 year-old self as much as I can.~~~Hope you find a "groovy" treasure for yourself!~~~XXOO, Beth
Good Morning, Blogland Friends!~~~
Sometimes it's nice to go back where you started. Ten years ago, I began selling my handmade goodies on ebay. It was a very very nice ride, and then etsy came along. Here was a place that catered to my needs as an on-line crafter and I was thrilled to open up an etsy shop over two years ago. For the past year I have been selling exclusively on etsy, but during that time I have been contacted by my ebay customers who are reluctant to follow me to etsy. After long thought, I have decided to launch a line of pin cushions specifically for ebay.
What are the differences between these pin cushions and the ones I sell on etsy? For one, these pin cushions are not as embellished as my etsy offerings, but they still use vintage figurines and wonderful feedsack fabrics! These pin cushions are more practical while still being decorative as there is more room for pins, and I've even included a couple of cute pins to get you started. They are a little smaller. And they are only $28 each and that includes shipping! (USA customers only. International friends need to contact me for rates.) I hope to add more pin cushions along the way. I will continue to place my more elaborate pin cushions in my etsy shop!
I hope you like my little venture for ebay. These little creations should be all listed by noon today, 13 total for the 13th. If you have a minute please stop by my ebay!~~~~XXOO, Beth
Hello, My Blogland Friends!~~~
On Sunday Hubby and I visited Home Depot. He was there for grass seed and I was there for color. We have these two huge flowerpots that have been empty since fall. The weather was so warm and lovely, and I just couldn't go another day with no color by our front door. So for $18 I bought six quarts of orange and yellow pansies. Small price to pay for such lovely welcoming color at our front door.
Apparently we weren't the only ones who appreciated the spring color. Some wee little visitors came by for a looky...
I had to catch them quick. These little guys move fast!
Except for this guy who decided to bide a wee amongst the flowers...
Spring will be here soon!~~~Before I go, I want to give you a "tickle" of a special venture I am planning for this weekend. It involves the number thirteen. That's all, just a tickle. More soon!~~~XXOO, Beth
