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

2014 Where Bloggers Create Party

I'm so EXCITED!!!

It's time for the yearly party of Where Bloggers Create hosted by Karen Valentine at My Dessert Cottage.  Karen has spent YEARS hosting this awesome party and I am now in my 4th year of joining.

Thank you for stopping by and browsing through my creative space.
My dress form, Nadine, will be joining us for the photos to 'help' me show off the collections of laces, vintage sewing items, and pretties that I love.

Nadine is excited to be a part of the photo shoot this year, and has dressed up in a vintage pink lace two-piece outfit.  The upper shirtwaist attaches to the skirt with hooks and eyes all the way around.  We decided she would look better with a lovely vintage swiss dot apron that was gifted to me from a special lady to help hide the imperfections in the dress. (Nadine loves chocolate and her hands being what they are, well, alas, it was quite a mess ; ) ) Also, Nadine wouldn't be seen without her huge pearls, so on they went! (hiding more chocolate stains I presume).

Vintage glove boxes and divided boxes play a huge part in helping me keep my collection of laces and trims organized.  They also look gorgeous!  The tray under the glove boxes is from an old trunk that had seen better days.  I have it filled with more laces and lovelies.

The north window is on this wall making a wonderful light for most of the day.

The floral containers in the bottom of the cabinet are from Michaels, and they are perfect for storing more laces and trims (what else??).  They fit perfectly with my decor, and I love the ease of use.  I may need some more of these!!

You can see the hutch (it's PINK!!) that I have placed on top of an old drop leaf coffee table that now houses some of my sewing box collection.  I fell in love with it, and so of course, I had to have it!

The child's sewing machines are so cute up here!  And the old tin roof panel is a lovely background for them.

Turning the corner is the east window where I have hung the sheerest white vintage dresses that I have started collecting.  I can't believe it when I find some of these.  Aren't they so sweet?

My sewing machine is covered in a plain pillowcase so I can easily access it.

I love using old or re-purposed jars for some of my laces and sewing items.  They make a lovely display, don't cost much (garage sales!!), and allow me to see what I have.

Small glass dishes and pitchers also make lovely containers for showing off pretty collections!

(By the way, I showed this post to my husband before it went live, and when he saw the picture above, he called these spools of thread....THREAD KABOBS!! )

Making the next turn, Nadine is showing you the work table made from nothing more than a solid door that is sitting on plastic drawers.  I've covered the lower part with a garage sale find curtain originally made for a baby's crib.  I cut it to fit my two desks, added a bit of old lace curtain found at a garage sale as well, and find that although beautiful and unifying for the room, it is difficult to access the drawers and storage beneath.  I may be removing them in the future.

I work here the most and LOVE how easy it is to be inspired.  Keeping my favorite things in view seems to give me the most enjoyment.  It sometimes gets a bit difficult to locate certain items, but seriously, I always find what I'm looking for!  There are gifts from sweet friends over the years included with my collections, and I am always reminded of generous and lovely friendships I've made.  Sending hugs to each of YOU!!

NADINE!!!

You silly girl!!  CUT THAT OUT!!!!

  This is where I keep all my little spice jars of buttons and baubles.  Lots of baubles!!

And this is also where the BEST of the laces and appliques live.

Oh getting tired now are we??

This lace book was a wonderfully fun project that I made earlier this year.  I think I had EVERY piece of lace I own OUT and I went through ALL my buttons and baubles too.  What FUN!!!

I love certain color groups more than others, but generally, the pastels are my faves.  I love pink and cream together, so my shelves display lots of colors but usually lean towards the pastels.  In the picture above, I have a little square purple sachet with a heart embroidered on it that I made when I was in grade school!

Items from my Grossmutter, Birth mother, close friends and loved ones are special to me, so I have them displayed to enjoy.

I love to read, therefore bookcases have been used a lot in my craft space.  But I've managed to put the books in other rooms of my house making more CRAFT storage!!!  And I still have more room for more LACE!!

So now you're exhausted???  Get out of my chair!!!

This is a dress form that is a Barr product of molded plastic, mod podged with copies of music from the internet!  I had a blast making this and LOVE the way she adds a touch of class to my craft room.  She is wearing vintage lace bridal pieces, the yoke being a gorgeous piece that I found on the internet.  The pearl and lace cap is one of my favorite pieces.

Well I say Nadine, jealousy does NOT become you!!!

Pouty thing!!

Well, I hope that you will forgive her obtuseness!

I'm sure she will come around in a moment or two.

As I finish up the tour, I'd like to thank each of you for coming by to visit me!

I had so much fun getting my room ready for you to see.  Please have a look at the rest of my blog if you like what you've seen.  And be sure and go visit Karen's blog here to see the rest of the participants in the party!

Thank you Karen for all your work and for making the party a yearly activity that we all look forward to!!!

All smiles now!!

I am off to visit all of your rooms and spaces now!!!

Hugs and blessings to you!!!

Doni