wallpaper emo

Hello Blogger Friends,

I can't believe that a year has gone by since I first opened my Etsy shop, The French Laundry, but as of January 6, it will be a full year.  It was a great 2013 and I am looking forward to bringing you more beautiful treasures in 2014.  I'm still trying to find my way around balancing shopkeeping and working full time, but it is getting a bit easier.  I'm challenging myself to get more organized and stop hoarding (well, maybe just cut back on the hoarding :-) I am, after all, a collector myself ).  I also have a few small home projects/purchases to do this year, so the income from the shop becomes even more important.  With all of that in mind, I'd like to offer a little "Happy Birthday" gift to you in honor of my first year in business.  Just stop by The French Laundry from now until midnight tomorrow (1/6/14) and enter HAPPYBIRTHDAY20 at checkout to receive 20% off on all purchases over $20.  Now that Christmas is over, it is a good time for you to pick up that special something you've been wanting for yourself at a special price.

Until next time,

Hi Bloggie Friends,

Christmas time is almost upon us.  Yikes!  I am so incredibly behind.  One reason is I've been spending more time in my studio which is a good thing.  I made these pretty little altered boxes which hold what I am calling prayer ribbons/bookmarks.

Each one is different.  I altered the boxes which were vintage pharmacy boxes with vintage wallpaper and antique paper, lace on some, ribbons on others, a beautiful image of either Mary or Mary and Jesus, and, of course, a little glitter. Finally, a special word was added.

The medals came from France and the beads are all vintage from my stock of treasures.

The crinkle on the ribbon part is intentional.  Hope people "get" that. WINK...




These little pretties are available in my Etsy shop Elegant Farmhouse and would make a great gift for either yourself or someone else.  Hope all is merry and bright wherever you are.

Sharing with Feathered Nest Friday.

Until next time,

Just a quick little check in to let you know there are more beautiful prayer shrines up in my Etsy shop Elegant Farmhouse.  These are SO pretty with their French Nordic influence and antique materials. They would make a great gift for yourself or someone special.  My pictures do not do them justice.  These are my original designs and each one is one of a kind, created with love and much attention to every detail.









Until next time,

Hi Blogger Friends,

Today I'm sharing a project that  I have wanted to do forever.  I had seen a few little miniature theaters out in cyberspace and always thought it would be fun to make one.  I guess I always figured I'd construct one with found hardware, spindles, etcetera, but when I found this jewelry box at my neighbor's yard sale late this summer, I knew that I had found my theater.  All I had to do was give her a makeover and we'd be good to go. Sorry for the crummy "before" picture.  I apparently was too excited to get started painting to bother making sure my camera settings were right!  It was very pretty, but I had envisioned a white theater, so out came the Annie Sloan's chalk paint in Old White.


I gave her a good coat, leaving a little gold peeking through here and there.  I then lightly sanded some areas, giving a little distressed look.  A coat of clear wax was followed by some VERY judiciously placed dark wax in the areas I wanted to age a bit more.  The detailing was so pretty, it wasn't too difficult to make it sing.  I LOVE the way it turned out.




Some beautiful lace curtains seemed appropriate for a Theater of Dreams...I wanted to evoke a sense of ethereal beauty where the audience would get lost in the magic of the performance.


Mon petit théâtre des reves (theater of dreams)...


In MY dreams, a chandelier illuminating the stage was a must.  I raided my stash of crystals and wire and came up with a design that I found pleasing.  A little twist here, a little bend there and VOILA!  A petite chandelier to go with my petite stage...

The back needed to have a little pizazz, so a vintage page from a French encyclopedia did the trick.


The addition of a couple of beautiful mademoiselles to dance on my stage was the finishing touch. Of course, they had to be dolled up a little more with some layering, artist chalks, and glitter.  Much better...


Fairy wings or butterfly wings...what do you think?  Or should I say, what would you see in YOUR dreams?





I hope you enjoyed seeing my little project.  I look forward to peeking in on you and see what projects you've been up to.   I just went out this evening and clipped all of my roses since we are supposed to have our first hard freeze tonight.  BRRRR!!!

Sharing with Blissful Whites Wednesday
                      Be Inspired Friday
                      Feathered Nest Friday
                      What's It Wednesday

Until next time,

This one started out so sad looking but was transformed with a little love and effort.  The same can happen in our lives, oui? 



I am in love with this case.  It has such beautiful detail.


I have missed you all.  I hope your summer was fun and that your fall will be beautiful.  Don't forget to take a little time out to do something that makes your heart sing.  You'll be glad you did!  I'm sharing this week at Blissful Whites Wednesday,  What's It Wednesday, Feathered Nest Friday, and Shabbylicious Friday.

Until next time,

A little vignette of odds and ends that have been collected here and there.  I have a thing for postcards and when I went to the box of "stuff", I found quite the stash of patriotic postcards-I used about half of them for this vignette.

 This little basket as well as the cone were purchased some years ago from an Etsy seller called Moth to a Flame I think although I can't find a shop by that name, so if you recognize the artist, let me know so I can put a link in.  Her work is beautiful and she uses vintage materials at least in part to make her treasures.

This was an old cylinder from Columbia Phonograph Company.  I found it at a Goodwill shop in West Palm Beach last fall and thought it would be cute for the Fourth decorating.  Did you know that Columbia was an old name for the United States?  According to Wikipedia, "Columbia is a historical and poetic name used for the United States of America and is also the name of its female personification."  District of COLUMBIA...Columbia, the gem of the ocean...well, you get it.  I think it is charming although I can't tell you why.  Probably cause I'm just a sap...
 The postcard on the left no doubt has another iteration of Columbia. The one on the right is so stinkin' cute with her little turban and "safety first" on her diaper!
Classic patriotic beauty...