Some Favorite Things

One of my collages from polyvore

Valentine's Brunch Invitations

I always feel that an invitation can set the tone for a party. 

It makes your guests excited to attend.

I started off with these awesome "event" tickets.

They were custom made for me from JayKayOriginalDesigns on etsy

She will add all your party information onto the sweetest "admit one" ticket.

I made an envelope from heart shaped paper doilies.

Simply pull them apart and put the back sides together, colorful sides facing out.

I am the queen of the hot glue gun (low temp)...so I carefully added a little glue along the sides

Be sure to leave the top open like a pouch.

I added the guest's name & glued a chenille stem to the back for a handle.

Attached to the front (with a sticky dot) is a little bag of conversation hearts.

If you are hand delivering these...no need to worry about the size.

If you stopped by for the Cottage Craft Room blog party.....
scroll down for my craft room makeover.

Enjoy

xo Tami

Craft Room Makeover

The new year always brings the promise of a fresh start..don't you love that?

I was inspired to do a makeover in my crafting space

My craft studio is in our unfinished basement. 

Over the years, I tried to make a studio in different rooms in the house

 ...but I never really felt comfortable.

So this is my corner where I create.

It doesn't matter where your space is...just be happy & inspired!

These are two metal cabinets that I attached together with a plywood top. 

They were brown metal industrial cabinets when I found them.

I painted everything white and added 3 white bookcases to the top ($15 each at Wal-mart)

Now it's a wonderful "hutch" with plenty of storage.

This would work great with an old dresser too.

Keep it all the same color & it looks like an important piece!

(when painting metal start with a primer & your paint will adhere perfectly)

Plenty of room for rubber stamps & glitter

Shelves for my vintage finds

I have a lot of lace & ribbon

All the drawers in this cabinet are perfect for organizing

...but I like to keep my favorite pieces out for inspiration

Supplies look more inviting in pretty containers

I am in the process of adding a counter height work table to the center of the room.
I have a few more things to do before I finish up this project.

This table shown above doubles as a sewing table & crafting area.

I added the shelves to the back of this table as well.

You can never have too many shelves.

My craft room would not be complete without my little friend Jersey.

She's always there to share her sweet affection & keep me company.

I have enjoyed the organizing, sorting & freshening up process of my craft room for the new year.

It will soon be time to sit down & start creating!
I'll be linking in with Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound

May your 2012 be creative & inspiring!

xo Tami

My last flea market find for 2011

Oh goodness....how I will miss my outdoor flea market.

It gets too cold here at the Jersey Shore over the winter....

so I have to put my junk shopping on hold until Spring.

On Sunday it was 25 degrees. I couldn't feel my hands but.....

my sweet doll pictured above was just $10.00.

Unlike all my other vintage doll finds, she has both of her arms and legs. 

Original dress too!

She is smiling at me from under the Christmas tree......

pleased that she found a new loving home.

Have a great week..xo Tami

Pink Saturday Dec 17, 2011 Vintage Doll Tree

I would like to share my Vintage Doll tree with you....

starting with my angel.

She is not one of my antique finds...but her beauty earns her a top spot on the tree.

I pulled out many little dolls I had found over the summer at flea markets

I gave them a little makeover.

a little bling, ribbon, ruffle....maybe a crown....

This doll is a gift from a friend

The colors of my tree are white, glitter & a touch of aqua & pink

Her dress was just perfect.

This little doll is one of my favorites
I adore her vintage pink floral dress

How cute is this little one?

I added a vintage brooch & some aqua ribbon.
It didn't matter anymore that she had a crack on her face.

 I have a lot more dolls in my "doll hospital" to bling up for my tree....

I'll be sure to have them ready for next Christmas.

In honor of Pink Saturday here are my pink Shiny Brights

Happy Pink Saturday!!!

Pop in at Beverly's How Sweet the Sound for more Holiday fun!
Merry Christmas
xo Tami

I heart the Flea Market

With the cold weather upon us, the outdoor flea market will be closing soon.

(I am making a sad face)

This is what I found this weekend

Everything from little old santas to a pink cup from the 1800's

I have been getting quite the collection of fun pieces to work into my projects

also I love adding the vintage charm around my home.

I have filled an old jewelry box with vintage bling...I just can't resist the sparkle

Hello Mr. chalkware turkey..he is missing one foot

but that's quite alright. 

For he was just 50 cents & will re-purpose well into something sweet for next Thanksgiving.

 I love adding the little elves onto antique bottles

How about this sewing basket?

The colors are so special...it is just screaming "Springtime"

I hope I can get a couple more weekends of flea market shopping

 before the winter freeze sets in.

xo Tami

Flea Market Find

I filled my bag with many fun flea market finds this past Saturday.

I wanted to share this sweet lamp...I think she looks like Marie Antoinette.

For just $3.00, I am going to clean her up & find a pretty shade.

xo Tami

Pink Saturday for the Holidays Cape May NJ

 I headed South to Exit 0 on New Jersey's Garden State Parkway....

...to visit my friend Mary in Cape May.

Mary's home is filled with pink treasures

 She loves handmade & has a wonderful collection

from etsy artists & craft shows.

Just perfect to share for Pink Saturday

We collected little gifts for each other & had our own little "Shabby Christmas party".

Below is my gift bag, filled to the brim with delightful pink treasures.

I couldn't wait to open it up!

  

Here is Mary's gift after she opened it. 

I filled a big Union Jack tin with all of her favorite pink holiday treats.

(don't you love her pillows?)

We sipped English tea from Mary's Cath Kidston tea set.

Cape May, New Jersey is such a special place by the seashore.

All of the B&B's & Victorian Homes were decorated for Christmas.

Here's Mary (in pink) and me.

We just enjoyed a Christmas tour at the Physick Estate.

A beautiful mansion built in 1879.

Happy Pink Saturday my friends.

Be sure to pop in over at 

Beverly's How Sweet the Sound 

for more Pink Saturday fun.

Have a happy weekend...

xo Tami

Feeling Festive?

Usually after Thanksgiving, I am excited to decorate for Christmas.

For some reason I'm not feeling the "festive-ness" yet.

Maybe because it has been 65 degrees here at the Jersey Shore?

Maybe because I've been crafting & selling Christmas ornaments since September?

Could be I'm just not motivated to go up into the attic.

All the heavy tubs of decorations?

Whatever it is...I hope it passes.

I love the feeling of the Christmas warm & cozies.

 I am planning a trip to Cape May this week to visit my friend, Mary.

We put together special gift bags for each other. 

Filled with shabby chic gifts we've carefully selected.

hmmm......Cape May at Christmas...that does sound inspiring...

....and a shabby chic gift exchange too.

add the Victorian houses at the beach decorated for Christmas. 

It could be the jump start I need!

Have a great week everyone!

xo Tami

Giving Thanks

Taking time today to be grateful for my many blessings.

Wishing everyone a lovely and blessed Thanksgiving with family.

xo Tami

Sharing some flea market finds

Let me set the scene...

It's last Friday morning and the temperature is 35 degrees (with wind)

I wasn't sure if the flea market vendors would be out....but I decided to take a shot.

A little over half of them were selling, 

...so I pulled on my gloves 

...put on my Uggs

...popped up the hood on my heavy winter coat

(whole time in disbelief that it was time to even take this stuff out of the closet)

 applied some chapstick

...was on my way!

 How can I resist a big handful of vintage jewelry for $7.00?

No resisting...had to have it.

There has never been a little deer on a flea market table that I have walked past.

Each one goes into my bag...this little guy marked Japan was $1.00.

He now shares a spot with all his friends in my home.

By the time I stumbled upon this old Autograph book for only $3.00 

I had forgotten about being cold.

Isn't it interesting?

when you find something you love and something you love to do 

it is so easy to get lost in the moment & just simply enjoy life.

There is a great week ahead...I hope you enjoy!

xo Tami

Pink Saturday 11/19/11 NYC Trip/Blessings

 My friend Mary drove up from Cape May, NJ

We hopped on the train for Penn Station with our sights set on our destination....

Laduree from Paris brought its pastel macarons to New York City's Upper East Side

...and we had to check it out.

The window was so beautiful

We were like little children with visions of macarons dancing in our heads

We each purchased our little pink boxes of macarons.....and they did not disappoint.

These little pastel delights were pure bliss.
You had to close your eyes when you tasted them....that good.

Here is my box...empty of course.

We walked a few blocks before catching a taxi & enjoyed a little bit of central park.

We were celebrating Mary's upcoming birthday. 

We had lunch at an Irish Pub, dining on Shepard's Pie...
with carrot cake & tea for dessert

Then we enjoyed Billy Elliot on Broadway

What a day!
We headed for home exhausted but smiling.
I am so blessed with sweet friends & my beautiful family

Be sure to visit How Sweet the Sound for more Pink Saturday fun with our hostess Beverly.

Thanksgiving blessings to all.....

xo Tami