Yummy Prizes and Altered Books

 Several weeks ago I entered a giveaway at Karen B's blog, Todolwyn. The prize was yummy, but to be honest, I didn't expect to win, because... well,  I rarely win anything! But I got a wonderful surprise a week or so ago when she announced that I was indeed the winner! Yea me!!!! I love what she gave away because it was sweet supplies that I can use to create fun projects.

I love already inked tags because I can never seem to get them to look the way I like, and the pins are super cute!

 I have become a bit of a trim and lace junky since playing with altered books and these are just perfect little trims! And of course, the presentation is so lovely I will probably leave them on the tags and display them until I need to use them. :)

The book pages are fab because they are in German. I don't have any in German and the font used is ornate and lovely. But my second favorite thing are these wonderful rusty hinges. I will use them in another altered book very soon. Thank you so much Karen! ... And speaking of altered books.... 

****************************************

Remember last month when I showed you this photo and said I was working on a new project???

 Well this is the finished (well almost finished) result!!! I had sooo much fun making this altered book, I want to make more!!

 (Unfortunately I couldn't really take horizontal shots of these, but if you want to see any of them bigger, just click on the photo.)

The theme for this book is Words to Live by. The inspiration started in two ways...

The first inspiration was seeing the photo of Lisa's FABULOUS book that she will be teaching at paper cowgirls. I had seen altered books before and I had always planned on doing one, but when I saw Lisa's I knew I couldn't wait. I had to get started making my own!!

The second inspiration was Pinterest. I have a board called "Words to Live By" where I am collecting inspiring and motivational quotes to try and always remember and keep in my heart.

I thought it might be nice if incorporated some of my favorites in this art book.

 This page still need the poetry or quotation added to the tags.

 Sometimes I have a hard time using my vintage supplies in art pieces because I worry that I won't be able to replace them, but I bit the bullet and used them with abandon in this book.

This is the last finished page. I have one more to go and it will be completely finished. I am so excited to be finally taking one of Lisa's classes. I just know the techniques I will learn from her will help me finish the last page. And of course I'll be coming home with a brand new book to add to my collection!

************************************

So tomorrow I am off on a plane to Texas to teach a class, take some classes, meet some old friends, make some new ones and generally have a fabulous time! I have wanted to do this for a couple of years now, and time has finally come! Yea!!!!

I will try to take lots of pics and blog along as I go, but you know how things are... we ( I ) get so caught up in what we're (I'm) doing... sometimes I just forget!!

So until I see ya'll again (that's Texas speak for all of you) have a wonderful week, count your blessings everyday, and smile because you are all very special!

Cindy's having a fun YouTube Party!!!

One of my dearest friends in Blogland (actually in any land) is having a super fun blog party at the end of the month. Cindy from Lilly's Lace is an avid YouTube watcher. (Actually I have a couple of friends that are!)  Anyway, she got the idea that it might be fun for everyone to link up and share their favorite videos. YouTube is a great place to learn how to do all kinds of things. They especially have wonderful video's for crafters and artists to learn  new techniques, not to mention they have some of the funniest video clips around. I will be there linking up my favorite and I hope you will join Cindy as well. I think it will lots of fun if we can get a nice variety of videos to check out! The button on my sidebar will take you right to Cindy's announcement post. :)

I hope to see you there!

Re-doing my office

 I finally got to the point where I desperately needed a filing cabinet in my office. It had started to get cluttered looking and frankly, not very attractive. It has been kind of ignored in the whole decorating scheme and I realized that since I spend more time in this room than any other in my home, it was time for  a makeover.  I knew I did not want one of those ugly metal cabinets and I just did not have the energy to paint one and make it all cute. I also knew I couldn't afford one of the lovely wood ones from Pottery Barn, Ballard or Restoration Hardware. I did some research on line and found a very affordable one from HomeDecorators.com. I ordered it, and it arrived a week later. I had to put it together, but it was worth it, to get what I wanted.  I had a roll of anaglipta (is that how you spell it?) wallpaper that I snapped up at a garage sale last year and I knew instantly that it would become the the face of the drawers. Didn't it come out spiffy???

 

So with that task accomplished I took to organizing my desk. One of the things I can't stand is all those cords around the computer!  I took one of those great shoebox style storage boxes that you can get from Michaels and I cut 3 circles on 3 sides with my exacto knife. Then I just threaded the cords through the holes and Presto! No more messy cords!

The next thing I wanted to tackle was my desk chair. Because I am using an old dining table as my desk, I can't use the desk chairs that have arms, so a regular chair has to work. I wanted to use a pillow for my back but the pillow kept falling off the chair. Then I got the bright idea of tying a runner around the pillow and chair to keep it from falling off. It even stays up high right where I want it! I think it looks pretty cute too.  :)

 

So here is my newly decorated and much more functional office space. I added a few pretties from my studio, because let's face it... the studio was pretty packed and could afford to lose a few things. :)

There is even a reclining chair to take breaks in or watch Netflix from my computer.

I'm a happy camper!!!

Hello, my name is Karen.

 Hello, my name is Karen... and I am a shopoholic. At least when it comes to yummy vintage goodness!!! (okay well if I'm really being honest with myself it probably extends a little farther than that, be won't discuss that issue right now. )

The third Thursday of every month is one of my very favorite days. On those mornings I leap out of bed with a gleam in my eye and a smile on face! It's opening day for the monthly occasional sale at Sweet Salvage!! Woo Hoo!!!!  Tons of questions run through my head..."What kind of treasures will they have this month? Is there gas in the car? Where's my wallet? and most importantly.... How much stuff can I bring into the house without my hubby saying... you went shopping again????? LOL!!!!

 But I just can't help myself! For so many years I lamented about not having any great places like this, and now that it's here I can't stay away.

 Hubby should just be happy I'm not looking to replace my sofa any time soon!!!

 I loved this built out frame. It's so nice and deep in there. Darn. As I look at it now.....I should have brought this home with me!!!

This month's theme was  Rough & Refined and indeed it was!  

 One of my addictions....

 ...and they were every where!!!

Can't I pleeeease have them all?????

 There were several great old coffee and grain sacks, cool industrial drawers, architectural salvage and even a gold head if you fancy that sort of thing!!!

 I love this old fan. My hubby and I brought one home from his parent's house in Pa.  last fall and I'm going refurbish it and use it this summer.

 Okay, come on... this chair is to die for!!!

 I loved all the old silver pieces mixed in with all the industrial. Very cool.

Tricia Samsal from Vintage Bliss was there with some of her very cool and very lovely jewelry.

 Sigh...

 I love the chalk drawn chandelier!! What a cute n' cool idea!!

 Loved the hanging scale. Of course.. again... I was stupid and passed it up. It could be hanging in my kitchen right now!!! What was I thinking????

 There were several of these beauties about too. And look at that price!!! Holy Cow!!! Thankfully I have one of my own, or I would have come home with this too!!

 Love this sign! I am trying to find great pieces like this for our home. I think it will bring a little funkiness and a little masculinity into our rather feminine decor. Besides, hubby is a total car guy so I hope it helps bring a little of his personality to the decor too. I did pass on this one, but I did bring home something else.... which you will see in a minute. :)

I totally thought of my friend Cindy from Lilly's Lace when I saw her, although Cindy's obsession tends to be just the head. :)  I should have brought her home with me too. She would have looked awesome in my studio. Oh well....

 I'm loving those light fixtures!!!!

 This cart was TDF!!! If I had a bigger laundry room it would have become my new hamper!!

 Remember all those tutorials on Pinterest on how to turn a light bulb into a vase???

 Okay, here is the reveal.... My little stash of treasures. I know, I know... I talk big and then this is all bring home??? Hey, I'm a poor working girl remember?? LOL! It's not a huge haul but I love it all. The cut glass salt and pepper shakers will get filled with pretty glitter for my studio, the role of burlap ribbon will be used in a fabric journal or something, the scale... well lets just say it will not be alone in my house. I couldn't resist the "Good Dog" flash cards and those numbers were just cool. I'll find something to do with them. And of course the  awesome "one way" sign. You will die when you here how much I paid for that... Are you ready???? $29.00!!!!

I hope you enjoyed living vicariously through me for a little while!! LOL!! It was so hard to edit down the photos, but if I didn't you would have been here until Tuesday!  I'll get that sign up and show where it it's going soon! Have an absolutely fabulous day my friends!!!

Launch Your Creativity!

Remember when I said there was a lot of exciting things going on around here??? Well I was serious, and here is one more!!! I am flying to California in April to speak at Launch Your Creativity!

It is an amazing seminar that offers ideas, advice and encouragement to any woman who has just started or is looking to start her own creativity based business. 

Sharon, from Pansy Cottage and Garden started these seminars a couple of years ago and they are growing in popularity with each event. I hope you will pop over to the Launch Your Creativity website and check out, and if you are in California I would love to meet you! There will be several very knowledgeable women who will be sharing their stories and advise, and I know it will be an event not to be forgotten!! I hope to see you there!!

***********************************************************

On another note.... I must not forget to say....

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!

(and Happy Birthday to me. tee hee)

I am off to play in the studio with my friend Sandie. We have been making paper and fabric journals these last couple of weeks due to all the amazing inspiration we have found on Pinterest, (who da thought??) and we are having a wonderful time!!

Here's a little preview of what I'll be working on today. :)

I hope your day if full of lovely surprises, beautiful smiles and lot's of lot's of LOVE!!!!