Vintage Black Friday

As some of you know, VBF has been revived and on the first Friday of every month, those participating post something vintage and black.  Well, here are my items for today.

This is the “sister” to the doll I posted last VBF.  Her head is tilted at a different angle and she is red and black instead of yellow and black.  I originally was going to “rob” them of there garments for another project, but fell in love with them, so for now, they are safe.

Two vintage morning necklaces.  What a FIND!  The top one is intact as you can see the  beautiful butterfly motif in the beads.  The second one is broken, but still mostly intact and is so awesome.  This one I know dates to the first part of the 20th century.  It’s close to 100 years old.

Well, those are my offerings for today.  I hope you enjoy them.

Until later…………………………..

Postcard Friday

Well, another Friday is here and it looks as if I will have two posts.  One for Postcard Friday and one for VBF (Vintage Black Friday).  So, since I already have a picture of a postcard, that one is first.

One more French postcard.  I’m almost out and the lady I buy them from hasn’t had any more like these available.

Don’t forget to check my previous post HERE to sign up for my giveaway.  And as a teaser, I have a sponsor (yes, really) for another giveaway I will be having as soon as my other one ends.  I’m thrilled!  It will be my first sponsored giveaway.  Also, if you want to purchase a copy of FLEA MARKET STYLE, just drop me an email at mcgoo4@gmail.com.  They are $9.95 plus $2.38 media mail or $4.95 priority mail shipping.

Until later……………………………

It’s HERE – Flea Market Style & A Giveaway

WOO HOO.  My copies of Flea Market Style have arrived and are currently available for $9.95 plus shipping.  I do ship internationally, so all of you out there that can’t find a copy, I have about 20 left.  You can email me at mcgoo4@gmail.com to request your copy.  Or, just send me a comment that you want to purchase a copy.  US Shipping via Media Mail is $2.38, Priority is $4.95.  Overseas shipping rates vary, so please request a quote. I ship the day after payment is received (I take PayPal, money orders, and checks).

SOOOOOO, how about I give one away?

Yep, you can win your very own copy.  For one entry, leave a comment.  For a second entry, post this on your blog (sidebar posting is fine) and leave me a comment that you have done so.  Let’s share the love.  That’s all there is too it. 

Entries are due by Friday, March 12th, midnight CST.

Until later…………………………………..

ARRRGGHHHH I have a Dilemma

Okay, most of you would think the problem I have is a good one.  Something to reveal in even.  But not me.  It’s a reason to start hyperventilating and anxiety attacks.

What, might you ask, could this be?  Well, it starts off looking as innocent as this:

A seemingly innocent looking bureau.  Nothing scary, right?  Okay, let’s look inside.

Okay, so what?  A few little containers.  How bad can it be?

WOW, you say vintage jewelry.  COOL, gimme, gimme, gimmee.

OOOHHHH, AHHHH Bead containers you say.

Swarovski crystals & beads & stones & glass seed beads – YUMMY you say.

WHAT!!!!  FRESHWATER PEARLS BY THE HANK!!! You say.  Tons of glass beads and findings like toggle clasps, lobster clasps, earring hooks, bead wire, crimp beads, spaces, etc., you say.

I say  AAAARRGGGHHH SOB, CRY, MOAN.  I have NO clue what to do with all of these!  I haven’t even LOOKED in them for four years.

Yes, FOUR years since I went and looked at my beads.  I love the colors, I know there are tons of beautiful beads projects in what you see, but I am at a loss.  See, I had a bad couple of years.  Spending helped.  Spending on beautiful items helped A LOT.  But now the same thing that brought me joy, now brings sadness too.

Then, you take a look at my Etsy store and say, “Well, you’re selling bracelets that you made”.  Yes, I am, but those were grouped for me.  Give me a group of coordinating beads and I can go to town.  Give me a mish-mash like above and I can guarantee you an anxiety attack in 1 second flat.

So, dear friends, anyone want to play?  Sigh……..Now I’m The Lone Beader too.

Until Later………………………….

My Favorite Cup and Saucer

Mira at Belle Blanc is having a give-away. All you have to do to enter is show her your favorite cup and maybe it will be her favorite too. She has a beautiful blog so you need to go over for a visit.

So, here is one of mine (I have a few favorites!). 

Nice little piece made in Italy.  I keep it on the antique sewing machine that serves as the nightstand in my guest bedroom.   There’s a small starfish that makes it’s home inside the cup.   My mom found this at an estate sale a few years ago.

Until later…………………………..

 

Look What I Just Couldn’t Pass Up

Okay, HBS, otherwise known as Miniatures.com, is having an awesome three-day sale.  50% off any dollhouse.  Well, I just couldn’t pass up a deal like that.  However, I ordered more than one!  The entire order cost me less than $50.

The Adams Dollhouse.  Will make a great roombox.  I may remove the railing (can’t stand railings) and just leave the two support posts on the end.  Will make a great General Store.

These came as a set.  Do not ask me what in the world I’m going to do with the bus, but it was practically free, so why not?  I love the houseboat and am going to look on their website for ideas.  There are a lot of those down here that people use for weekend camps.  Just float them right on Blind River with slides going right into the water.  Course one time, I saw an alligator sunning himself on it!  Hey, that’s an idea!!!! An old, rundown houseboat with an alligator in residence.  I love it!

And last but not least, a Travel Trailer!  I already have the perfect doll for this, from a contest on the MiniDollList web site last summer.  I also have the complete story to go with it to!

So see, I still have my hand in miniatures.  I just kind of bounce back and forth between all the artistic loves in my life.  Currently, beside these (& some on-going roomboxes) I feel the call of the dolls.  I can’t look at a doll, art or otherwise, without the tug.  So, I may have to pull out my clay and my Patricia Rose molds (well the few I have inside) next week and get after it.  When something tugs that hard for that long, you just HAVE to do it.  Yes, I can do something like that.  I have hot hands and it takes very little kneading on my part to get the clay to where it needs to be.  Especially the fresh ProSculpt I have.  Then it’s just a matter of pressing it into the mold and then doing some cleanup and detailing – all my tools are inside.  I have a brand new, never used digital toaster oven specifically for baking clay.  My mom is going to be here to take me to the doctor, so she can take it outside, plug it in, and cook my doll for me.  If I get something done, I will post it here.

And I haven’t forgotten.  I still have to find that stupid stamp set I’m missing so I can have my giveaway.  I’m already compiling some items, but the stamp set by Cavallini is the big prize.  ARRRGGG where is it!

Oh, and don’t forget I am taking pre-order for Flea Market Style. I’ve read my copy from cover to cover and LOVE it. So many great ideas for RL and minis.

Until later…………………………………..

Smiles~

Had a Little Time on My Hands

I’ve been waiting on some books my local library was hunting down for me through inter-library loan.  I’m a big fan of Al Hirschfeld and requested about 6 of his books.  Hubby picked up the three that came in for me on Friday.

Today, totally bored and sore from attempting to bind some tutorials into a book using my Bind-it-All (yeah, stupid I know) I decided to pull out my sketch book and see what I could do.  See, I fell in love with Mr. Hirschfeld’s work when I was taking a art class at my local university several years ago.  What he could do with a few pencil strokes was amazing and even more astounding (to me) was that I could sort of copy his work. 

So here is his drawing of Julie Harris in 1968

And here is mine:

His drawing of Lauren Bacall, 1962

And mine:

As you can see, I’m no artist!  But it was a pleasant hour or so rediscovering my love of sketching. 

Smiles!