Top o' the morning to ye!

I have decided, after much careful consideration, that I will not be posting progression photographs with all my craft projects unless I happen to obtain followers that are looking for step by step instructions on how to create some of the things I make. I know my blog is in its infancy, and I shouldn't expect to have a ton of followers since my blog is centered around Victorian crafts and antiques, but perhaps as time goes on I might gain a small following and someone may ask for instructions for the crafts I create. At that time I will happily start with the progression photos again, but until that time I find it easier to sit down and complete a craft project, start to finish, without having to stop after every step to take a photo. And in all honesty the crafts I create are so simple that I can easily explain the steps when showing the finished project.

First I want to share an update to an earlier craft I made, my Easter tussie mussie. The more I looked at the pictures, the more I noticed that something seemed "off." It was almost as if the tussie mussie was lopsided. In person it wasn't as noticeable, but in pictures the off center rose at the bottom didn't seem to complete the look in a balanced way so I simply added two leaves. Just those two leaves made all the difference and gave the tussie mussie a more balanced look.

As a fan of holiday decorating it never occurred to me to create something for St. Patrick's Day. Sure, it's a fun holiday that involves pinching and green beer, but when it comes to decorating ol' St. Patrick doesn't get many options. Some people decorate for St. Patty's Day parties, and it's always a fun day at the office, but at home it's really a forgotten holiday so I decided to create something special just for St. Patrick's Day. No tussie mussie this time. St. Patrick's Day was getting its own personal, one of a kind, craft. Presenting the 'Pot O' Gold' trinket box.

I started with a plain white crafting box that can be purchased at any crafting store. Mine was similar to the one shown, but slightly smaller.

To start I covered the bottom edges with fine crafting glitter. I began with a light base coat in light green and went back to add contrasting stripes in a pretty Kelly green and vibrant gold.

For the bottom I simply cut a piece of green crafting foam using decorative scrapbooking scissors. The foam was peel and stick so all I had to do was remove the backing, stick it to the bottom of the box and contrast the edge with fine white glitter. Some of the gold and green fell onto the edge, but it adds overall depth and character. I'm not afraid of a little boo-boo here and there in crafting.

On the lid of the box I cut a piece of green foam and adhered it to the top. I also covered the top in the fine white glitter to create a contrasting decorative base for my decorations. (FYI: I'm not really a fan of undecorated foam in crafting. It comes in handy to add dimension, but it can also look cheap so I always embellish crafting foam for a more finished look.) I lined the top edge of the box with small green tinsel that was left over from Christmas, hot glued two bells, one gold and one green, to the center of the lid for easy opening. To add further contrast I glued two bells to each front corner of the box as well which you can kind of see here. Sorry it's sort of blurry.

 

For the lid I first cut two contrasting shamrocks from two colors of green foam to add a three dimensional look. On the top shamrock I added a Victorian image I found online that I printed on the textured paper I've mentioned in past blogs. Because the textured paper is matte in appearance I simply painted a thin layer of Mod Podge on the image to create a shiny appearance. I lined the image on the shamrock with green tinsel. The bottom St. Patrick's Day banner was also found online, printed on the same textured paper, given one layer of Mod Podge, and cut out using my handy X-Acto knife. I used adhesive mounting squares I found at the Dollar Tree to lift the image from behind to create a 3D appearance. I did the same on the top back of the large shamrock and that last step concludes the making of the St. Patrick's Day 'Pot O' Gold' trinket box.

Cat Turd Hunting.

Today I'm going to press the rewind button on my memories and press play from the May 2010 archives. As some of you may recall from a previous blog post I absolutely adore antiques. If it's old then it has history, it has a story, and one of my few pleasures in life is looking at, admiring, and coveting many antique items from over the years. Unfortunately, I'm not at a place financially to afford many of the items I desire, but I have been fortunate enough to gain a few items through donation or the occasional estate sale. Today I am avoiding bad news of incoming severe thunderstorms, with tornado watch attached, to reflect on a few of the items I have the pleasure of now owning.

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Cherry Mirror

I attended my very first estate sale in May of last year. The estate sale was special because it was the estate of my late great-great aunt. I adore my family and I am very sentimental when it comes to "stuff." When I think of family heirlooms I don't automatically think of items with a grandiose air. Anything, even the smallest of items, can harbor feelings of sentiment with me. Whether it be a book, a quilt, or even a toy from my childhood... if it evokes a pleasant memory then it's priceless to me. My great-great aunt had many beautiful items. She had a secretary and two hall trees I desperately wanted, but other auction patrons wanted them as desperately as me and they had the money to buy them with. I did not walk away empty handed however. I left the auction the proud owner of my great-great aunt's decorative cherry mirror and an oil lamp. There were many things I wish I had walked away with, but I was happy to have salvaged a small part of my own family history and that I would be able to give a new life to some of my great-great aunt's possessions. Isn't that really the point of family heirlooms and antiques? Keeping those items alive for more generations to enjoy. I can only hope that whoever purchased her other belongings enjoy them as much as I enjoy the ones I won. I hope they are taking good care of her things. It always worries me that someone will not properly appreciate an estate sale item.

Oil Lamp.

Shortly after my first estate sale my boyfriend's mom used the term "cat turd hunting." The term intrigues everyone that hears it and while she offered no clear definition I have determined one of my own. In order to properly "cat turd hunt" one must sort through the crap (pun heavily intended) to get to the gems that may be buried underneath. I no longer refer to antique shopping as picking or yard selling or auctioning... it will forever, and lovingly, be known as "cat turd hunting."

Blue Goblets

Although the first estate sale I attended had special meaning to me because it involved family I was instantly hooked to the thrill of the auction itself and I found myself online looking for upcoming auctions. A few weeks after the first sale my boyfriend, his parents, and his aunt and uncle loaded up and traveled nearly two hours for a promising estate sale we had found online. The lady that had once lived in the home where the estate sale was held had everything known to man. I don't think she ever threw out anything and I couldn't believe all the items in the yard had once been packed into the modest brick home. There was a gorgeous carnival glass punch bowl that caught my eye early, but unfortunately the bidding went beyond what I had allotted to spend. I was feeling a little defeated until my boyfriend won a bid on a set of lovely blue goblets. After that he won a small McCoy planter. It has a few nicks, but it is still quite lovely and we are always looking for McCoy pottery pieces. By the time the auction moved inside the home many people had already left. The lady had a lot of Longaberger baskets that were early coveted items and some women came specifically for those baskets and many left after they were auctioned off early in the sale. I admired, as always, several large furniture pieces, but alas, my budget was quite small.

McCoy Planter.

When the auction moved inside and I eyed a stack of original Foxfire books thrown in a corner. The minute I saw them I knew they had to be mine. I remembered discussing them in an Appalachian Studies class I had in college and I knew they were the best "how-to" books around. I stayed beside that dusty stack of books until the auctioneer made his way into the room. A woman ducked inside and said, "I'll give you 4 dollars for the books," to which I replied, "I'll give you five." The lady conceded and the Foxfire books were mine. I was tickled.

Foxfire Books

Whatnot Shelf.

While I was pleased with the small haul we had taken in thus far into the sale nothing could have prepared for what happened next. Although it was only May, it was a very hot and humid day. People were sweating outside and once the sale moved indoors the heat became too unbearable for many. Very few dared brave the inside portion of the sale. In the same room as the Foxfire books there was a piano. A mattress and box spring set was leaning against the piano and a few interested people peeked behind the mattress for a glimpse at the piano that had been mentioned in the ad flier. As I was gathering up my Foxfire books the auctioneer began bids on the piano. I heard the bid go down and it began very low. I heard my boyfriend Todd say, "Twenty dollars." I did not anticipate Todd winning a piano for $20.00 so I began to make my way out of the room with my books in tow.... then it happened. No one else was bidding. "Twenty... going once.... going twice... sold." It took a moment for the reality to set in. Todd had just won us a piano, a real piano, for $20.00. I took my books outside. I called my mom, "Mom, do you know anyone that wants a piano? Maybe Bobbie Sue?" Mom said, "I want a piano!" I was still in shock when Todd came out of the house carrying an antique whatnot shelf, a slightly more modern wall shadowbox, and a 24 inch television. In all we spent about 60 dollars and walked away with a few treasures... including a piano. Now here's the kicker... we had rode to the sale with Todd's family. His uncle's truck was already loaded to the brim with estate sale finds and the piano was not fitting in his parents Malibu. I called mom again. "What's Dal doing? Do you think he can travel 2+ hours to pick up our piano?" Our new rule of thumb... always make sure you have proper room and transportation for your estate sale purchases. Luckily my step dad was free and he and mom made the trek down state to pick up the $20.00 piano we'd won. To this day I'm still shocked that we won a piano for $20.00. After some research we determined it's a very nice brand and that it's actually a player piano, which is slightly more coveted, and it's from the early 20th century. We had a nice antique on our hands, but no place to put it. Our apartment is small. I'm talking downtown NYC small, but located in Eastern Kentucky and with substantially lower rent. We couldn't determine a way to get the piano into my mom's house, although she desperately wanted it, so it's being stored at my boyfriend's parents. The nieces and nephews get a kick out of it and I wish I could play it, but it may come down to us one day selling it. Who knows what may come of the piano, but it will be a story to tell for the ages and so far it's been our greatest "cat turd hunting" success. I also believe it's going to be the one find that's hard to top, but I certainly hope to have fun trying.

Howard by Baldwin Piano.

Easter Tussie Mussie.

Sorry for the lack of updates, but I haven't been feeling very creative in the past couple of weeks. I attribute most of that to the weather because warmer weather wrecks havoc on my sinuses, but you aren't here to read about the perils of Amy. You're here, hopefully, to see and discuss curiosities and crafts.

So speaking of crafts... I spent a little downtime this evening to create a quick and simple favorite craft of mine, the Victorian tussie mussie. I apologize now because I did not take progression photos, but I opted to create while sitting in bed and watching my current favorite television program, "The Vampire Diaries." I know, I know... I promised to take progression photos, but tussie mussies are super simple to create and the steps, I think, can be described in good enough detail without any accompanying photos. First, I will show you the end result and then describe the few, simple steps it took to create this Easter project.

This tussie mussie is slightly unlike others I have made because I began with a piece of scrapbooking paper that was pre-cut with a decorative edge. If you look at the top of the tussie mussie you will see the scalloped design. The paper, also embossed, was round in shape so all I had to do was roll the piece of paper into a cone shape.

First I printed Victorian images I found on the internet on the textured scrapbook paper I've used on previous projects. I cut the designs using scissors and an X-acto knife. On the large image I detailed the edge with decorative ribbon that I folded into pleats and sealed with a hot glue gun. To cover where the two pleated pieces come together I glued an egg/banner design that I had typed Happy Easter on using a photo editing program. I attached the completed piece to the front, middle of the tussie mussie.

Because I didn't want to cut the decorative scrapbook paper I used to create the cone I had a small opening in the bottom of the tussie mussie that is normally closed on my regular tussie mussie design. To fill the void I cut a small pink rose from a bunch I had purchased for crafting and used craft feathers to further fill the opening until the feathers were full and fluffy.

Instead of gluing the ribbon used to hang the tussie mussie I took a hole punch and made corresponding holes on each side and knotted large ivory ribbon through each hole. I took scissors and cut a V pattern into the ends of the ribbon to create a more polished look.

So that's my simple tussie mussie. I have began making them for every holiday so expect to see many more in the future. Also, keep checking back as I have a few other Easter craft ideas floating around in my head and I promise I will try to take progression photos on future Easter projects. Until next time....

With Love's Greeting

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day and while it's not my favorite holiday I have had fun creating vintage Valentine crafts and baking Valentine treats. I began my fun-filled Valentine weekend Friday night. I baked sweetheart cupcakes for my sweetheart while watching "A Charlie Brown Valentine."  I got the super cute cupcake wraps and picks at The Dollar Tree.

His and hers cupcakes. The background image on "A Charlie Brown Valentine" is perfect, and totally unplanned, I promise it was a complete accident. Isn't it handy having a television in the kitchen? Love it.

Anyone that loves to bake, especially cupcakes, needs one of these Wilton cupcake pans with a lid. My boyfriend's mom and dad got it for me for Christmas. I adore it.

On Saturday my boyfriend and I traveled to a really great Flea Market in London, Kentucky where I got the family dog, Annie, some really cute homemade doggie treats. Don't worry, everything is made with dog friendly carob. She loves to lick the carob icing off the treats. She's spoiled rotten. :)

 

After we left the flea market we went to a local Vendor's Mall where I saw tons of great antiques, but opted out of buying myself anything because I was shopping for others for Valentine's Day. I noticed at walmart you could buy really cute Valentine's Day bags for 4 or 5 dollars and those really cute bags weren't in my budget. The Dollar Tree was already wiped out of Valentine themed bags so I simply purchased two plain bags on the cheap and decided I would oomph them up at home. 

For my mamaw's gift bag I got a simple pink bag with white handles. These cost one or two dollars depending on the size. The heart tissue paper I picked up for a dollar was really cute, but not enough embellishment for me. This project gave me the perfect opportunity to play with mom's Christmas gift, a Cricut. I bought her a holiday themed cartridge for Christmas. From that cartridge called "Celebrate With Flourish" I cut the layered "Happy Valentine's Day" message in pastel textured paper. My mamaw loves kittens so I cut a kitten with a heart in its mouth from the cartridge called "Four Legged Friends" from the same textured paper. Here's the end result.

 

Don't tell, but this is mamaw's Valentine gift. It's the softest little puppy imaginable. I hope she likes it. I think she will. :)

 Poor Todd... he won't get his Valentine's Day gift until we receive our tax return, but I think he will be okay waiting considering there will be some pretty cool technology involved. Although I didn't have much money to spend this year I still wanted to buy my parents a little something. The gifts inside the bag will remain a secret since mom reads my blog and while it isn't much it's the thought that counts and they deserve something since they help me so much. I got a larger bag to hold both gifts and it was another cheap bag with stripes. Pretty, but also pretty plain. I was finished with the Cricut for the day so I pulled out some heart doilies I had on hand and used the same cupid image I put on my 3D image box earlier this year. Again I printed the cupid on textured paper and cut him out with an X-Acto knife. I put a hint of glitter on his wings and glued him to the layered heart doilies. I simply glued the entire image to the front of the striped bag. Here's the end result.

 

Happy Valentine's Day! My gifts are all packed up and ready to go. For those of you wondering why I have Sarah Jessica Parker hanging on my wall... it's an autographed photo a friend got for me a few years back. My friend works in the movie industry and I'm a huge "Sex and the City" fan so he hooked me up. It's even personalized to me. :)

Last, but not least, I spent part of today baking a Valentine treat for my parents. I made cupcakes for my sweetie, but for my parents I opted for a cake. Both were simple Valentine Funfetti cakes (Yay, Pillsbury for your themed Funfetti cakes!) but both were personalized in different ways. What screams Valentine's day more than hearts? Mom had a heart cake pan in her array of cooking and baking devices so I braved my first ever layer cake. I simply love to bake, not much on cooking, but I love to bake so even I found it surprising that I had never made a layer cake before. I had some trouble with one of the layers sticking inside the pan. I guess I got in a hurry and didn't properly grease the pan, but I had a strict agenda that I needed to get all Valentine projects finished well before the start of the Grammy's. I am an absolute dork over award shows. I love them. The Academy Awards are my favorite, followed by the Golden Globes, then the Emmy's...etc. The Grammy's, while not my favorite, are a lot of fun. I watch nearly every award show that is broadcast, even the Tony's. There's something old-fashioned about award shows that I love... anyway... I've gone off on an award show tangent that has nothing to do with Valentine's Day so let's get back to the cake. After the small sticking cake mishap I was able to get the cake layered and crudely decorated, but I'm sure it will taste divine!

 

Unfortunately I had mishap number two. The cake plate lid doesn't fit around the cake which is extremely frustrating because I measured, but every time I tried to put the lid on, it scraped the edges. Oh well. That's why they make toothpicks and plastic wrap, but hopefully after we eat a few pieces after dinner the lid will fit. :)

It's not quite Valentine's Day yet, but I wanted to complete everything today so I wouldn't have to do so much on the actual holiday. I hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine's Day whether or not you have a sweetheart to share it with. I've always thought there was too much emphasis on couples during Valentine's Day, but I always make a point to recognize family and friends as well. Don't be depressed if you're single, embrace that single-dom and have fun! Spend VDay with your family, friends, or sweet little furbabies. It doesn't have to be a couple's holiday anymore. Just get out there and make it your own!