My Bluebird of Happiness and Other Cute Things

If you walked into an Antique Shop and saw this guy...would you pick him up?

If you turned him over and saw that he was $5, would your grip tighten?

It was love at first sight for me. I'm not sure if he's a small planter or not

but I knew right away what I was going to use him for...

Now he sits on the lazy Susan on our kitchen table holding toothpicks that are needed at this time of year with all of the fresh corn coming in! I smile at him every day.

I also found...

glass salt and pepper shakers (I have plans for them) and a

vintage cabinet card of a child on a tricycle...just some fun things to

repurpose.

For you local Pittsburgh area shoppers, this is the shop...the owner is very friendly

and there are many interesting things to be found there. 

I used to go to lots of Estate and Yard sales in the summertime but our basement is so filled with treasures that I've limited my expeditions. There is one sale I never miss though, and that's held at the home of a local antiques dealer. Every Summer, she cleans out a lot of things from her space in a local Antique Mall and has an Estate Sale at her home. She slashes her prices 50-75% so some treasures can be found at her sale. 

This year I was happy to bring home this bowl..

It is a beautiful shade of blue...similar in shape to some Homer Laughlin plates I have but it is unmarked and there is a tiny chip but that's OK...strawberries look gorgeous in this bowl!

Do you know what this is?

It's a table-crumber..the bristles of the brush are very stiff 

and perfect for whisking away the crumbs from your table.

It works great and I feel like I've just stepped into Downton Abbey 

when I use it!

A brown transferware plate. The plate and the blue bowl were each $3.

I thought that was a good price.

My dear friend Marie calls photos like these, Instant Ancestors. I love these old photos because I don't have many from my own family so I'm happy to adopt other people's families.

Old keys and silverware...so much fun to repurpose in crafting.

I have one other bounty to share, from Lucketts in Virginia but I'll share that on another day.

Hope you're keeping cool!

xoxo

joyce

A Tribute to Creative Breathing

A tribute to.......

It all started with this postcard........

I posted a photo of this vintage Valentine postcard on Flickr. Elizabeth, whose blog,

Creative Breathing, I had been reading faithfully, saw the postcard and was inspired by it. She created this paper pieced masterpiece. I saw the photo she posted on Flickr and the title "Scrap for Joy" and was puzzled. "That's my name...wonder what this means?", I thought. The mystery was quickly solved when Elizabeth contacted me and asked for my address so that she could send me the piece she had made. I was overwhelmed that someone who didn't know me would be inspired by something I had shown and make an art piece and then send it to me....just like that! Of course I had no idea how completely overwhelmed I would be when it arrived! The attention to detail cannot be seen in a mere photograph. The flowered skirt on the little gardener is not printed paper my friends, but hand-cut flower layers and leaves!

My first thought was that I wanted to send Elizabeth something in return, but what? What could I make that would begin to show my appreciation? Well, this all took place in October of last year, at a time when I was busily preparing for a craft fair and was up to my neck in custom orders as well. So, I sent nothing. I have felt bad about that for a long time. Other prople have inspired Elizabeth since then. She has made gorgeous gifts of love for many others and they have sent her their art in return. Here I was, with only this.... a lonely little bluebird, and a bunch of good intentions!

A month ago I decided that I had pushed this project aside long enough. Not only had Elizabeth sent the beautiful garden girl months before, I also won a contest on her Flickr site with something I wrote. The prize was this awesome pincushion that she created.I would have to let go of my intimidation and embarrassment and create something I love to create...an artboard. I knew Elizabeth's favorite colors, and her signature "logo" is a bluebird. It had to include all of the elements that would be pleasing to her eye.......hearts and dots....

and a flower..... and cute buttons....Even the back of the board had to be kind of cute....Behold the finished project...Gosh, I hope she likes it. It should arrive at her door today or tomorrow.

Last week I took a class at Stamp Fanci with my favorite instructor and good friend, Carolyn Dewey. One of the projects we made was a little pocket booklet to hold gift cards or favorite quotes. This was made using one sheet of 12x12-inch scrapbook paper (with a pattern on both sides) The morning after the class, I took a piece of "Elizabeth style" paper and fashioned this little booklet and filled it with happy stamped messages. There are all sorts of other surprises in the package but I won't spill the beans.

Elizabeth, I hope you realize how much your work, your words and your kind generosity have touched so many hearts. You are an inspiration to all who have become familiar with your art. Thank you for the kindness you have shown to me. I will treasure the gifts you have sent and keep you in my prayers daily.

XOXO....with a cherry on top!

PS-my new blog header is from here... with modifications by Bethanie. (Where would I be without her!)