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Pearls and Lace, My Favorites!

Monday, October 27, 2014

Sewing Notion Collection Goodies

As the end of summer and the beginning of fall approaches, I am so excited!  COOLER WEATHER!
It makes me actually want to move around again.  The coolness permeates the house through the open windows in the mornings.  It is invigorating, and I think, 'What will I do today?'

Now don't get me wrong.  I'm not so full of spunk that I am going to clean all the rooms in the house today, or get that huge project finished, or anything funny as that.  But I do see some progress in my work, which to me, is quite exciting!

Sewing is one of my favorite pastimes. Collecting sewing notions is something that I just cannot stop doing!  I decided to pull together some pretties and show them off this week.









Below, packages of Silhouette trim were a recent find that are going in the 'keep' collection!








I hope you are all having a lovely week!  And that cool breezes and refreshing days are part of your future!  Take care and thank you so much for visiting me!
Blessings,
Doni

Friday, October 17, 2014

Playing With My Laces Again

Doesn't it feel wonderful this time of year??
Those of us in the northern hemisphere are experiencing cooler temperatures as we get to fall weather, and those of you in the southern hemisphere are warming up and having spring!
I love both times of year, but fall it seems is just a place to take a breath and relax.

Here in the US we celebrate Columbus Day in October, and though I may be a bit late (it was this past Monday), I'd like to share a bit of Columbus with my laces!



Lace cuffs are some of my very favorite things to collect.  I think they have an elegance as well as romantic flair to them.  I wonder about the women who might have worn them...were they teachers?  Were they ladies who strolled the streets and had tea with their friends?  Did they wear them every day or just for best? 


The red white and blue boxes are a pair I found on Etsy this summer.  I thought they would be perfect as a part of my collection, and I was not disappointed!  I love blues and reds, and creams too.  Just so many colors I love!


In the picture below you can see the glove box where I have placed some lace tape packages.  The graphics on the packages are lovely and ever so colorful!  I wish you could see them in person.  





As I was perusing through some children's books I found a piece on Christoper Columbus!




I want to think Columbus wore clothing that had fine laces at the neck...you do know that men wore laces right?  In fact the paintings of royalty show extravagant laces worn by the upper class gentlemen of previous eras.  But I'm glad they don't wear them today.  
My husband would look ridiculous in lace!!
(I hope he doesn't read that!!)





The brilliant blue of the jeweled buttons are so exciting!  
Although I have lately been interested in my watercolors, I haven't lost my zeal for the laces!
I've even tried painting some laces...but that hasn't turned out very nice...YET!!!
I believe lace will be something I will accomplish at some time, but not without a lot of practice!

I hope you have enjoyed seeing this post.
I know I enjoyed getting it ready for you!

Blessings to you!
Doni


Thursday, October 9, 2014

What I Did For My Summer Playcation!

HELLO OUT THERE!
I'm still here....just been playing around with something totally different.
I have barely picked up a needle of any sort.  Unheard of in my opinion, but I traded it (for a while) for this!


COLOR!!
Watercolor that is.  It all started when I was 'cleaning' out a closet and found my old kit of watercolor supplies.  I had been meaning for YEARS to try my hand at it again, but well, you know, it just didn't happen.


So there they were, the old palettes, the brushes and paper, even the paper towels! 
From 14 years ago!  And wonder of wonders, the paints were NOT DRY!!



Well, after some dabbling with those paints, which were still just a good as the day I bought them in my opinion, I decided to go in whole hog.
I ordered some new colors (who doesn't NEED some new things when you start something again??),
and lots of Youtube videos later I tried painting a picture.

As you can see, in the pics above, I have all kinds of colors, all kinds of palettes, and I have enjoyed every single second!!  I think I may be a palette collector!!
Or maybe that's a paint collector....I have so many.  Now, I realize that "Real" painters have a limited palette, and some of my palette's are limited.  They just won't hold any more colors!!
Seriously though, I am learning and having a lot of fun.

Now here are a few of the better (IMO) paintings I have done this summer.  As you can see, I have a lot to learn!!  I just hope I don't look back at these in a year or so and think, "What on earth did I publish these for!!!???"












Because Pinterest is my favorite place to spend time, many of the paintings I have tried have been of pics I've seen on Pinterest.  (If I have used your photo for my watercolor source and you would like me to attach the source, please email me with your information!!)
Some are of actual photos, some are my try at some lovely watercolors.
I am bound and determined to learn how to paint a rose though, and still don't have it down.
But then, Monet and Rembrandt didn't learn in one summer did they???

Thanks to all of you who have followed me this summer, and for those of you who come by to visit.  Please accept my apologies for not keeping my blog updated.  I hope to find a balance in my life of all of my hobbies and loves with keeping up the house!  But in the order of things, housework is near the end of my list!

Blessings,
Doni

Monday, July 28, 2014

Crocheted Buttons and Dried Roses

Finding beautiful things is sometimes rather easy, but finding beautiful things that are AFFORDABLE is hard!
When something catches your heart, you have to ask yourself if it's worth the price being asked.
I always ask myself if I am willing to pass something up even if I love it, would I always think about it in the future and wish I had bought it?  In other words, will I kick myself for NOT getting it?
If my answer is yes, then I go ahead and get it.
If it's not that big a deal, I don't need it!!

So, I couldn't live without these:





Seriously, who can crochet this small??





I love to dry my flowers, and over the years I have kept MANY flowers by drying them.  The white roses from my husband for a past birthday are so brittle, I might have to dispose of them soon, but they still bring back the memory of a lovely dinner and a huge vase of white roses!


Garden roses of different hues are favorites to dry.  And free.


If you've followed my blog for long, you will know I have a fascination for tape laces.  This piece of fragile loveliness is also a new find.  



The china pieces are red transferware that I find gorgeous to use in my craft room.



This piece is really humorous to me.  A picnic on the castle grounds, men lounging on the ground in suits and women serving them in long dresses.  Hmmm, how times have changed!!




My last post was this years version of Where Bloggers Create and I shared my craft room with you.  If you'd like to see it just scroll down or catch it at the top of the sidebar.  Many thanks to each of you who have visited, pinned, and commented on my room.  Nadine my dress form and hostess has finally caught her breath.  She says to tell you all how much she loved your comments!!
As did I.  Y'all are such lovely people!  Thank you so much for taking the time to comment and make my day!

And welcome to all my newest followers!!!  I really look forward to getting to know you!
Blessings to you all!
Doni

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