Annual Deland Treasure Hunting

Each February/March we head an hour North to Deland, Florida for the day.  The husbands are dropped off at the Deland Craft Beer Festival while the wives grab lunch and enjoy the shops!  I snapped a few photos on my Iphone to share with you.  Loved this booth pictured above at Back Home Antiques and Collectibles on Woodland Boulevard. They had all kinds of small treasures like buttons and lace neatly packaged and ready for creating and embellishing.  

These little lambs under glass were precious.  I would have loved a few for Easter but they were a little pricey.  I know my friend Deb at Common Ground would have bought them all!

My friend Jodi and I are always looking for old cigar memorabilia for our husbands.  Loved this "Sweet Cuba" tin. 

This particular store has an entire section devoted to ephemera!  I spent a long time sorting through old photos, print ads, calling cards, Valetines, post cards....you name it!  Doesn't this look like fun? 

 

Here are a few of my purchases from the day.  Just bits and pieces to play with and inspire. Ready for the scariest find of the day? (Isn't there always one?)

Princess Grace....Please tell me her bangs did not come like this? lol  Looks like a little girl did some trimming to me and look at that make up.  Ready for my favorite finds of the day? ....the salvage store...Florida Victorian Antiques on Georgia Avenue. I took very few photos because I was way too busy sorting through bins of old hardware! So fun.

Thanks for coming along with me!  I'll share a few more purchase with you soon.  Found some fun items on this trip and really enjoyed the company too.  Hope you are having a great week! xoxo

Fun packaging to share!

I mailed the winners of my Valentine giveaway their packages this week. I had some fun using brown paper bags in the packaging and wanted to share the technique with you.  It is so easy!  

Simply leave the paper bag folded at the bottom and sew up each side. I chose to use a fancy stitch! Leave the top open.  Fold the top and punch two small holes about an inch apart.  The package can now be closed with bakers twine or ribbon. Voila!  Isn't this cute?

I added a paper lace heart with a stamped monogram on each.  Although I have seen similar packaging on Pinterest, I got this great idea from a local vendor that sells here in Oviedo. The always have creative packaging.  You can visit Ragtag Rubies here.  They have really fun recycled goodies. Kara loves their jewelry.  Thanks for visiting!

A beautiful Etsy purchase

Hello, friends.  I wanted to share a beautiful Etsy purchase with you and introduce you to a blogging friend of mine, Scarlett Clay. 

Scarlett is a talented artist who's work inspires me so much.  She works with many different mediums and shares projects and challenges that we can all enjoy.  I hope you will visit her and tell her I sent you over!

I'm also inspired by Scarlett's devotion to her beautiful family.  Scarlett's youngest son, Knox, has Cockayne Syndrome. This illness causes children to age prematurely and sadly it shortens their life expectancy.  Scarlett keeps us posted on Knox on her art blog and often creates pieces that are inspired by her journey as she tries very hard to process her son's diagnosis.

Scarlett has an Etsy shop too. All the proceeds go to Cockayne Syndrome research.  You can visit it here.   I purchased these beautiful butterfly cards there. I love all the colorful scrapbook papers mixed with book pages, transparencies and three dimensional elements.

Have I ever mentioned that I have a thing for butterflies? I do. They are so delicate and beautiful. Thanks for visiting today.  Please pop over and visit Scarlett's lovely blog.  I know you will enjoy it!  I'll be back with picks from a recent trip to Deland, Florida and some fun packaging to share.  xoxo
 

Some of our Valentines

Hello, friends! I wanted to share a few of the valentines we have displayed around the house.  Kara found this little vintage valentine above in a book we purchased at a church rummage sale. Don't you love surprises like that?  Don't you love that holder even more?  If so, visit my friend Petite Michelle Louise.

My friend, Kim, made this adorable tag in a bag for me for Valentines Day. I love how she used the vintage playing card to make this and love the rooster even more!

Here's a valentine I made last year for a few friends. Had to keep one for myself! I love to layer lace and paper, give it a quick sew and voila! That crumpled seam binding is a favorite. I'm almost out and cant' remember where I got it!

This one is a favorite since I made these with Kara's help.  She did a great job last year helping me design this one. We made a few. Some were more heavily distressed, which she loves!

Aren't these adorable?  My friend Kelley made these for me. I love the papers she chooses for her projects. I think I have a set of blocks for nearly every holiday from Kelley. 

Here's a blast from the past!  We have a local specialty scrapbook store. I love to shop there. They do "make and takes" sometimes. This one is probably 4-5 years old.  We made our basic page and then, of course, came home and added all kinds of fun details.  I love to break this out on Valentines Day and put it in my altered clipboard by the front door.  The little strips of paper have notes to my husband letting him know the things I love about him. 

I hope everyone is having a great week.  I'm hoping to do a little shopping this weekend at a new antique store in town. I'll be sure to take you along.  Thanks for visiting! xoxo

Our latest collaboration...

Kara and I have been working hard on our latest collaboration...lol  Meet Amelia Earhart!  Formerly a Diet Coke bottle turned fifth grade biography project.  Now that is a new medium for you each to try!  Amelia will be headed to Mrs. Price's class tomorrow.

 

Here is my son's JFK from a few years back.  I'm not sure I like the way he's looking at Amelia.  I may have to separate these two tonight!  .....more junking and vintage goodies turned art projects soon! 

Winners announced!

Congrats to my two winners!  Sherry from Createology has won this little gem above filled with goodies to use in her creations. Sherry works in many mediums, and I am sure she will put this win to good use! Stop by to see Sherry and tell her I sent you! She is full of projects and inspiration.

 

Congrats to Lynn Stevens of Trash to Treasure Art who will receive the "mystery" tin filled with goodies. Lynn is also an artist that works in many mediums and has a great blog and Etsy shop.  I hope you will visit and see some of her wonderful work.  Thanks to all who visited and played along.

This week we have been busy planning and executing a spa b-day party for Kara. It was a huge hit and so much fun.  I will share some ideas and pics with you in my next post just in case any of you are interested in planning a similar party.  Have a blessed Sunday.