Friday, August 26, 2011

Corner of Our Home 2 :: Studio Journal

I was working on a different project last week when I ran across more pictures of the Corner that I featured in my last Studio Journal.  They were so pretty I wanted to share them with you.  Take a peek!

This shelf is one of my favorite places to decorate!
No one else pays much attention to it
so it stays just like I want it.
The devilled egg serving dish is just the most incredible shade of blue! I don't use it much as a serving piece but I decorate with it often.  The blue shade just makes me happy and I love that it is vintage.

The "hand washers" view. 
Isn't it sweet?!?
 The large aluminum serving tray and the blue ceramic tray that are paired together in the plate easel are both thrift store finds.  I pick up aluminum serving pieces if I like the decorations they contain.  They are plentiful in our area and very reasonably priced (< $2).  The yellow cream pitcher was also a thrift store treasure.  Beautifully glazed with floral embossing and marked "Italy" it can hold anything needed.  Today it is holding a deep blue fabric hydrangea bloom.
Who could resist a laughing frog?
Silver pieces make me smile, too.

This window sill gets a fair amount of decorating attention, as well.  My little laughing frog normally stays in this corner of my world - sometimes on the shelf, sometimes by the sink and sometimes in the window area.
When I see him, he reminds me to laugh and not take life so seriously.  I've had it so long I don't even remember how he came to be mine.

The silver tea pot can from, you guessed it, the thrift store.  It's really a fantastic piece!  It was created with an organic vibe.  The handle looks like a twisted branch and leaf.  The spout looks like rolled cabbage leaves.  A lid was not with it when I purchased it. Sad, I know.  The silver is the real deal, though, and according to my research cost a tidy sum when it was originally purchased.  One man's junk, another man's treasure....................

Mason Jar filled with vintage cream buttons.

The idea to wrap the mason jar with vintage paper and twine came from a blog that I regularly follow, creshendoh.com.  Jenny Doh is the very talented creator of this inspiring place on the net.  She has helped me gain a new appreciation for mason jars and all that they can be/do.  The vintage paper was torn from an old french language textbook.  Add some twine, old sewing notions, a coffee stained tag topped with typed label ......... there you have it.

Unique cuteness that you won't find anywhere else but my little Corner of the Home.  Cheers!

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Corner of the Home :: Studio Journal

 Humble Hearted Corner
                                                                                                                                                               
There is one place in our home that constantly needs attention.  It is forever being used, neglected.  Certainly, overlooked and taken for granted.  This spot is passed by, over and through many times in a typical day.  The abuse it has seen is relentless.  Complaint has never been poured back to the abuser.  Silent service is all this spot has offered for over twenty-three years. 




Each season I dress this corner accordingly.  This bright, sunny morning it held a vintage teapot that was a gift to me by a Secret Sister.  A beautiful little pot that brings a smile with it's cheery blue.  The blue devilled egg plate is also a vintage family piece that belonged to my mother and was passed to me.  The small cream plate is part of a thrift store find of seven pieces of Wedgwood decorated cream ware.  Who doesn't appreciate beauty at a bargain price?!?



I can never resist embroidered vintage linens when I am lucky enough to stubble onto them at the thrift store.  Small dresser scarfs can work anywhere in my home.  I always admire the time and heart that can be found in these pieces.  The original owner also took the time to crochet a simple but lovely border to her piece.  I wonder where she placed it in her home?  I hope it brought her as much pleasure as it brings to me.

July mornings, when this picture was taken, burn hot and bright in central Oklahoma.  My kitchen sink, literally positioned in the corner of the work triangle, is a place of refreshment on those unending hot days. 

 This sink has been the place where impromptu arias have been performed.
Giggling siblings have whispered here.
  Dancing has been known to break out in front of it's suds-filled tubs. 
 Tears have been cried here.
  Prayers have been prayed. 
 Hearts have broken and been healed here.
  Wisdom has been sought out and dispensed. 
   Troubles have been quietly contemplated.
  Blessings have been recounted and tenderly acknowledged. 
 Plans have been made.
  Triumphs have been celebrated. 
 Babies have been swayed in front of this corner place. 
 Fevers have been tended.
  Cuts have been rinsed and bandaged.  
Arguments have erupted and quelled before this humble spot. 
Partner to countless meals, holiday feasts, birthday celebrations and totally bombed meals *ahem*. 

Fiery bouts of passionate kissing are reported to have happened here.  I don't call him the HMS (His Manly Self) for nothing!  He has a reputation to uphold............



This humble corner.  Heart of our home.

What does your corner look like?  I'd love to read your list of corner happenings in your comment.


Monday, August 15, 2011

Monday's Muse from Etsy

Another offering of Etsy-style goodness.

This is the first Treasury that I've ever attempted to put together.  An Etsy Treasury is just a member- curated gallery album loosely organized on a theme - color, style, season, similar medium, etc. 

Olde School Crossing Treasury

I think the bows on these shoes are simply darling!  This is a great way to spiff up a pair of ballet flats one day and then move the bows to a plain pair of pumps to rev them up a bit on another day.

Old School Grey, Brown & Red Stripe Ticking Ribbon Shoe Bow Clips. Heavy Twill Strapping. Uniform Preppy Student
$8.00 USD


Old typewriter keys can be so versatile.  These have gained a new life as push pins.  Upgrades the look of your bulletin board to something that is practical and cool.  Love it!

Vintage Style Typewriter Key Push Pins Magnets - Qty 5 - Old School Retro Industrial Office College


  • Vintage Style Typewriter K...PinwheelFair   $12.00 USD




  • Altered books are just like blank canvases.  They can become whatever you can imagine.  This artist from the Dallas area had many, many pieces to choose from.  I loved her imagination and creativity.


    A House with a Reading Chair  New Stories and Old Original Wire Mixed Media Altered Book
    $50.00 USD
    This book was altered from it's previous use as an elementary reader to an art journal.  The original interior pages removed and then art paper signatures set inside waiting your pen's pleasure.  FUN!


    elson reader handbound artists journal
    $40.00 USD





    The last piece for today's blog was something that made me smile.  Owls seems to be coming back into the decorating scene.  They certainly take me back to my junior high years.  Back then it was owls, mushrooms, snails, etc.  These mounted buttons are a tribute to that time. 

    Check back in to the blog next week for another Monday Muse from Etsy.







    Thursday, August 11, 2011

    Las Vegas, ElectroMagnet Girl :: ViewMaster Memories

    VINTAGE FINDS at Queen Mums Lace on Etsy.com

    Here's a blast from your past.  Well, ONLY if you are over the age of 40.  This children's toy is so much fun!  My girls played with it a little just to get a feel for the "olden days".  haha

    There are some things even technology like a Nintendo DS can't replace.  Vintage, old-school fun!  Take a peek.






    Stay tuned for more Vintage Finds.  Thrift stores call to me.  And there is no end to the incredible things that people routinely donate to the charity thrifts in our area.  Simply AMAZING!  Honestly, TOO much fun. 

    Monday, August 8, 2011

    Monday's Muse from Etsy

    Here are a few shops that I visited on a recent morning.  Maybe I was shopping to avoid starting the laundry but that is beside the point.  You get the benefit of my procrastination!  Now, that's a great way to start the week.

    Enjoy!

    etsy.com/shop/unikcreations got my attention with all the unique uses for buttons.  Creative!  I love her way of putting an ordinary object into a different setting and turning it into something lovely to wear or carry.  The sidenote is that she's a one woman show and she's still in high school.  Gotta love that!



    $18.60 USD


    $15.60 USD


    etsy.com/shop/lilchickenbigchicken  earned a spot because 1) they are two sisters who create together and 2) because I loved their use of materials.  Their love of sewing and creating together comes thru in their artwork.  I love it when syblings work art together!  Makes this Queen Mum proud.

    Summery sunshine clutch  
    $25.00 USD

    $25.00 USD

    The last spot for the day was earned by etsy.com/shop/PaintingsAsJewelry.  This mom and daughter duo has won my heart with their inspired bits of artwork that can be worn.  Their jewelry is fabulous and, therefore, YOU will also look fabulous when you slip one of these beauties on before you dart out the door.  Yummy!






  • Mountain painting in metal frame necklace
    $45.00 USD













  • Mini Painting Pendant and Earrings Sunset on Bare Tree
    $45.00 USD










  • There are so many terrific shops on Etsy for every conceivable taste and budget.  The next time you need a gift, spend a little time shopping for handmade instead of running to the nearest big box for something uninspired and boring.  Etsy rocks! 

    Monday's Muse from Etsy will appear again next Monday.  So drop back by.  You never know what I'll find.................................

    Friday, August 5, 2011

    Charmed, I'm Sure - Shop Lovely

    Blue Pansy Dreams offered at Queen Mums Lace on Etsy.com - etsy.com/shop/QueenMumsLace



    This brilliantly colored bit of needlework can be worn as a necklace, a choker or a bracelet/cuff.





    Dramatic ********** Feminine********** Lovely 

    

    Wednesday, August 3, 2011

    Confessions of the Studio Journal

    Journals...........Love 'em.  Hate 'em.

    I love the possibilities I can see when I'm thumbing thru new journals at the office supply store.  Or the great vision I have for a particularly beautiful artsy journal I notice at my local Hobby Lobby.  I've been known to gush with great delight over handfulls of quirky pens/pencils and how they will make my journal the wonder that it should be. 

    Here's the catch for me.  While I am 100% comfortable with decorating a journal page with paint, paper, pen, crayons, etc.- it is very difficult for me to write down anything that is negative or discouraging.  Why?  Not really sure.  Just is.




    Most of you could pick up a journal of mine and think I must live in a perpetual state of bliss and joy.  Everyone always loves me and treats me like the queen I profess to be. 

    That is not entirely true.  I do have many people in my life that love me and treat me well.  But, you know, life happens to everyone on the planet and sometimes life just stinks.  Why is that so hard to write about?

    This past weekend was a true train wreck.  Life just crashed into one big messy pile of ....... stuff.  So, off to my journal I went.  Not with a strong desire to chronicle every negative feeling.  I just picked it up to let my mind wander.  This seems to help me find some type of solution to whatever my latest dilemma is for the day.

    Here's what came out of those sessions with my studio journal.........................

    These path pages may not be completely finished yet.  I do like the simple way the design came out.  Bare.



    This page was a little more involved. The crazy looking writing is really just short-hand.  It's an old school way of writing very quickly, as in when professional people had secretaries that they dictated letters, memos, etc. to.  The boss talked and you wrote down what he said in this funny little language.  They probably don't even teach this anymore.  No one else at my house can read it so I can write whatever I want and no one is the wiser.  Being older has it's advantages, no?!?






    If any of you are needing permission to set aside your normally sunny personality and journal the yuck out of your system, that's what this Queen Mum is giving you. 

    Permission granted to figure out a way to journal the saddest, darkest parts in a way that gets it out there without damaging people.  Pour it out for the purpose of getting rid of the negativity.

    Write it out.  Draw about it.  Gesso over the whole mess.  Black it out with stamping.  Tear it out and burn it.  Crumple it up and throw the whole page away.

    Just don't keep it inside of you where it will really turn into a mess.

    Then you can get back to keeping on the "Sunny Side of Life".  Here's to smiling again!