200 Followers!

Hello Dear Friends,
Welcome to all the new followers! I appreciate all of you so very much. Not because it strokes my ego or makes this blog special but because at least 201 individuals from around the world can share in something fun. Friendships are born and a better understanding of different cultures can be gained.

I will be posting a giveaway soon to celebrate the 200 followers milestone...I am toying with an idea, so please bear with me.

Meanwhile, as Autumn approaches, so do my thoughts and whims change with the Seasons.
I very much love Shabby, Romantic and French Styles but so do I have a great love of Country, kitschy, Vintage and Primitive styles...in fact, at times I've tried to combine facets of many of those styles... LOL, not very successfully but it's fun to try.
Here are some Country Primitive Cupboards I've been working on (please ignore that shiny, plastic-y looking pumpkin on top of the cupboard! It is most definitely going to get a matte varnish as I didn't realize how shiny it was till I saw the photo):





As I write this, the realization hits that I have actually shared very little of myself on this blog. Perhaps a bit here and there but not much. Perhaps you aren't interested in me, but just in photos, miniatures or tutorials or for whatever reason you visit, please know that you are welcome and valued :)

As for comments, I have been totally remiss in responding to them via the comments blocks. From now on, I will make notes of questions or comments that need replies include them as a post. Hope that made sense. I do read each and every comment and translate them when they are in a language I don't understand.

One question that was recently asked, is how/what do I use to rust and age things.
I use Ink...scrapbooking, stamping ink.
Like this:



I always use a sealer over the top of the ink. I don't know if that is necessary but I do it.

Little Wire Chairs

I made some little chairs today. They are made from wire, wood and brass findings.
Hope everyone is having a good weekend... back to the laundry for me, now.

Hydrangea in Brocante Style Planter

Hello Dear Friends,

Well, I didn't stay up very late. LOL, I'm getting too old for that...just can't cut it anymore. I did make one more little planter and then went to bed.
Got up this morning and made some Hydrangea to put in.
This is the first time I've tried Hydrangea and I got a little frustrated. My punch doesn't like to cut painted paper and the little paper petals weren't holding their shape very well after cupping them with the stylus. My observation is that I definitely need some crisper paper. Anyone have suggestions for papers to use?

I did manage to make some for the planter. Hope you like it :)

Cathedral Window Planter

Haha! Two posts in one day...ah well, hope I'm not boring you, dear readers.
I've just finished up this little cathedral window. I really like the way it turned out. I'll probably be up late making more and different styles of these, that is if I don't go to the hardware store looking for wire and solder! I'm hooked on wire now... :D

A Big Thank You and Some Mini Wreaths

Hello Friends,

I would like to thank Otterine for her generous giveaway. I was one of the lucky winners!

I received my goodies yesterday and they are just fabulous. Beautifully and neatly made. I love them!

I chose the grouping with the little green pillows, candle and candle dish, books and darling little mirror.

Thank you so much!

I've been playing with more plants and flowers. At one point in my life I made and sold dried floral arrangements and wreaths and such at local fairs and flea markets.

I've now realized that the designs can be translated into miniature. Joy!!

Tracking down the dried and preserved materials has proven to be rather difficult as most things found in the local hobby stores are much too brittle or too large.

I only want to use natural materials that I am positive will survive and not decompose along with synthetic and handmade flowers and greenery.

So, the search is on ;)

Here are a few wreaths I made last week.