Swap Reveal : Part 1

My swap partners have all received their Paris Edition Petite Inspiration Boxes so now it's time to reveal the goodies to the rest of the world. Are you ready? Today I will show you what I sent to Elyse and Becca. Then in the next two posts I will show you what I received in return from them!

I covered the outside of my boxes with French paper and then tied it with tulle, a delicate pink paper rose, some vintage millinery lily of the valley and a glittered tag featuring a vintage lady.

I covered the inside of the box with pages from a French book and packed the box as full as I could with all sorts of lovely pretties.

And Voila! Here's what's inside!

French postcards, vintage wallpaper, book pages from a French novel, French language flashcards, a fleur de lis rubber stamp, the palest of pink Mother of Pearl buttons, vintage lace, paper rose and velvet ribbon rose handmade by moi, brass charms in French motifs, and a few other fun items. Hope the girls enjoy their little treasure boxes!

Saturday Accomplishment

I mailed a couple of these out today. . .

. . . for this fun swap.

I can't wait to see what I get back in return!!!

Hope you all are having a wonderful weekend.

Gardening Indoors

I have a collection of glass cloches and sometimes I use them to create a pretty vignette like in my previous post or like Martha does here. But sometimes I use them for what they were actually intended for - to protect plants. I decided to start a little table top herb garden using some starter kits I picked up at Target's Dollar Spot. Instead of using the tacky plastic "greenhouse" that came with the kit, I decided to put the little pots on a pretty plate and cover them with one of my garden cloches. I just planted them over the weekend and look at how much they've grown already! The parsley (top right) isn't doing so well with only one sprout, but the basil, chives and oregano are doing great!

White Wednesday

Decided to join in on Faded Charm's White Wednesday fun today. You can see all the other White Wednesday participants by clicking here.

Today on Crescendoh.com, Becky Shander has her sweet Art Saves story up and she featured my Paper Roses Tutorial from Joli Paquet. Thanks Becky!!!

Featured!

My friend Linda has a new website featuring darling accessories for your dog, called Mandy's Mudroom, named after her very own adorable pooch! Linda asked me to design a few items to sell on her website and when I opened my new issue of Romantic Homes Magazine today, I discovered this page. . . .

. . . with an ad for Mandy's Mudroom which features my Glitter and Glam Monogram Tag front and center!

In addition to the monogram tag, I designed a cupcake tag and set of birthday party invitations for you doggy. They all can be found right here! And be sure to check out Linda's line of sweet party "Poof-Poofs" for your dog's next party.

Where Bloggers Create - Blog Party!

Today is the day we've all been waiting for - having a sneak peek into other artist's blogging and creative spaces. What fun! It's all happening on Karen Valentine's blog, My Desert Cottage. This is the second year Karen is hosting this fabulous blog party and there are more that 450 party guests participating this year - WOW!!! So make yourself a cup of your favorite beverage, sit back, relax and enjoy the tour.

Welcome to where I Dream, Create & Inspire.

This is the wall I face when I sit at my desk and it is filled with various cubbies and shelves holding lots of treasures and supplies.

I like using suitcases to store (and hide) lots of fun things.

Scattered throughout the room I have beloved items I have purchased, like the tiny spun cotton cat figure I picked up from Vintage by Crystal shown below.

Here is one of my original collages, a few vintage books and a dancing girl given to me by a favorite friend. The second "book" down from the top is actually a bank given to me when I was a baby.

These are some of my Inspiration Boxes I received from swap partners in Heather's Inspiration Box Swaps. Right now I'm working on her latest swap theme - The Paris Edition.

This cubby opening used to hold a TV. The shadowbox frame I picked up a couple years ago at Michael's filled up the space nicely along with some mercury glass pieces.

A side table holds more of my "pretties."

My DH built this behind-the-door storage for my rubber stamp collection years ago. Hanging in front are more goodies from a swap partner.

I found this little spice shelf at Goodwill, painted it white, added the wood scroll work and it now holds some of my favorite antique shakers filled with glass glitter.

This old rubber stamp spinner, another vintage find, holds even more glitter. In my opinion, a girl can never have too much glitter.

Here's my mannequin I picked up at the flea market. She currently is without a name. Hmmm....got any ideas?

A sign bearing the name of my Etsy Shop which I made years ago. The striped metal storage boxes are a Homegoods find.

An angel made from vintage hankies found at a craft show and a hand-crafted pin board is from the craft mall I used to work at.

I have several inspiration boards throughout my studio.

These bookcases sit behind my desk. The shelves hold lots of pretty treasures and the cupboards on the bottom of each of them hold supplies I use often.

Here's some of my vintage book collection.

The flowers below are actually a bridesmaid bouquet from my daughter's wedding that dried beautifully. The candle holders were used on the place card table.

My tiny mannequin collection.

Crowns seem to be a theme that keeps repeating itself all over the room. That's my beautiful daughter on her wedding day in the photo above. And a vintage program for the Queen's Ball shown below.

I love anything related to birds and nests - here's a few special ones.

Ballerinas, an assortment of vintage boxes and mother-of-pearl buttons.

This three-tiered caddy sits next to my desk and holds all sorts of small supplies.

Tiny shelves hold tiny treasures.

More vintage goodies and a swap partner's collage.

Vintage pink gloves and a white beaded hand-bag.

I use vintage rose patterned Limoges china plates all over the house. This collection hangs over a vintage hanky valence above my studio window.

I hope you've enjoyed this tour of my creative space. You can see lots more studios by clicking here and then going to the sidebar of Karen's blog where she has links to all the other party guests. Happy visiting!!!!