ROMANCE AND RELICS

COMING SOON TO ETSY

2012-01-18T13:26:00.000-05:00

OOHH!!!!
IT'S BEEN WAY TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO LONGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!

2012-01-09T11:30:00.003-05:00

A Little d"STASHing

2011-10-28T09:57:00.001-04:00

i'm offering these items up for sale. i had started my blog as a "selling" blog. soon changed my mind on that idea. now i'll be offering items for a brief time due to a BIG down size that has occurred in my living arrangements. should any item be of interest to you please e-mail me. i will give a good price on the item along with the shipping price. i will be posting more as soon as i get them unpacked. i will also try and find time to get all my items posted on etsy. i'm working on a very tight schedule. i'm in school full time, not finished with my move and looking for work where i'm now living.

blessings

marie

WRITE YOUR OWN STORY

2011-09-07T17:40:00.000-04:00

up-cycled desk/vanity i picked up this past spring. it was the first piece i painted with annie sloan's chalk paint. the new color kick i seem to be on is GRAYish. this color was created with old white and graphite. take a look at my previous post. i used the same mixture on the mirror. i also use a clear wax and a glaze. but, they aren't annies products. i sprayed the pulls with a nickel finish. i'm lovin' the transformation. i'll post a few more projects i did with the chalk paint. then i'm gonna start packing up. i'm going to be moving. the new season has begun.
blessings
marie

WRITE YOUR OWN STORY

2011-09-05T11:38:00.001-04:00

hello
i'm still around. holding on by a thin thread. there has been so much upsetment in my life for a very long time. i'm so DONE. a new season is coming! i try to stay creative. it's the best therapy!!! i'm sharing a simple re-do with you today. this mirror is plastic. very 1970's when i found it at the thrift shop. i used annie sloan paint. a little graphite and old white. dry brush!! saved time on the distressing areas. i really like annie's paint and i have a stockist only 30 mins from where i live which makes it very easy for picking up my supplies.
enjoy
marie

When the Bottom falls off

2011-08-18T23:52:00.000-04:00

HEEEEEELLLLLLLLLOOOOOO!!! just a quick show & tell. this very old desk top was all i could salvage from an 1860's secretary. the bottom half has rotting off the hinges. sorry i didn't do a before pic. it has been hit & miss for me and projects for a long time. i found her yellow, now shes looking gray/white. i mixed & mixed, something like witches brew, a pinch of this and a dab of that. mix, mix, stir, stir and lots of re-do's. when i got the right color i used a glaze and minwax paste. i may have to re-do her because she still has the "old" smell. she's sitting in the garage waiting for her final fate. a coat of primer/sealer and start all over? eeeeekkkkkk not sure if i'm up for that. well, she looks good in the pics.
have a blessed day
marie

2011-07-12T11:36:00.000-04:00

i made this sign for my son and his buddies. they rent an old victorian home with a great wrap around porch. the porch is the "spot". when their friends come over the porch is where they all hang-out. the wood is left over from a vintage headboard i redesigned. the paint is annie sloan chalk paint. i used paris grey, louis blue & old white. i love this paint. the letters are stenciled on, i used my cricut create and the font is don jaun font. the font color is graphite by annie sloan. so, my "boys" loved the sign. i didn't put the hanging hardware on it. i will leave that up to them how they are going to hang the sign. i also purchased paint brushes annie sloan sells. i'm luv'in them too. go check out ANNIE SLOAN i think you will enjoy!!!

blessings
marie

You're a Grand Ole Flag

2011-07-02T21:38:00.000-04:00

You're a grand old flag,
You're a high flying flag
And forever in peace may you wave.
You're the emblem of
The land I love.
The home of the free and the brave.
Ev'ry heart beats true
'neath the Red, White and Blue,
Where there's never a boast or brag.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot, Keep your eye on the grand old flag.

God Bless America!!

Another item for sale

2011-06-09T11:35:00.000-04:00

unable to list this item on etsy. it is "new". i did not paint any of the lovely pink roses nor did i create the glaze so with all fairness to what etsy is all about i can not list this pretty romantic privacy screen there. however i would like to sell it. i'm looking to down size and change my decor. i seem to be moving away from shabby chic cottage romantic decor. should this item or the others i have listed on my previous post be of any interest to you please e-mail me.

thanks
marie

A few Items for sale

2011-05-31T16:53:00.002-04:00

i would like to sell these items. they where once in my booth space. i closed the booth and would like to start liquidating the inventory. i don't feel up to listing all of these on etsy, if you see something you like please contact me via e-mail. we can discuss the item and come up with a fair price.

thanks

marie

Memorial Day...My son soon to be a Marine

2011-05-27T12:19:00.003-04:00

my son robert john (rj) is leaving for the marine corps (june 6) reserve with a vision of becoming an officer. rj graduated college two years ago with an undergrad in business. he just hasn't felt "settled" this i know because i'm the mom. i've seen the "i can't find my nitch" look on his face over the past two years. he's turned over many ideas; the peace corps and other branches of the military. he likes to be challenged, maybe even an adrenaline junkie. i'm proud of him for making this choice. he will be an amazing marine this i know because i'm the mom. he has strong leadership skills. in high school he was the captain of the football team, he was on the student council, he played in the school band, he was involved and always wanted to make a difference. i can say he will be a great officer and a gentleman (sorry richard gere). he will make a difference!!!!
this past weekend he's buddies gave him a surprise going away party. it was a great success. lots of food & friends. amen!! two of rj's friends from his work made the cake & cupcakes. just look at the detail awesome job girls!!!
in honor of all who have served and those that continue to keep us free may GOD BLESS ALL of the United States Military and God bless Robert John
blessings Marie

CHALK BOARD PAINT~~~~>>> & CHALK PAINT

2011-05-26T16:48:00.035-04:00

hello all!!!! i'm still around. moving at a slow pace, putting "things" back together in my worn out life. there's been some creating here & there. it seems to be happening in spurts. i'm having fun again. i've taken a long journey healing my wounds. i still enjoy reading and visiting blogs more then i do writing on my own blog. i guess that's because i'd rather have a verbal chat (i seem better at that then blogging).
my travels around the blog block have been amazing. i'm in awe of the talent that each human holds within their own soul. the things that get redesigned, recycled & re-purposed are just great. i've seen many of these metal serving trays re-purposed with chalk board paint so, i thought i'd give it a whirl. recently purchasing annie sloan chalk paint which i found out about over at miss mustard seed. seeing marian's mega talent and her use of the paint and waxes has given me much inspiration during my hiatus. this project is very easy. i used spray paint (chalk board) for the inside of the tray. and the edges of each one of the trays i painted with annie sloan chalk paint. the colors i used are old white and provence. i think they came out cute. since i gave up my booth space last september, i may ask a few vendor's i know if i can consign with them. i will also be posting them on my etsy. i plan on purchasing louis blue and paris gray for a few more projects. there isn't any prep time when using the chalk paint. i cleaned my items with soap & water & used a small artist brush to paint the edges. the paint cleans up very easy. if you like the THREE R's~~ RECYCLE, REDESIGN & RE-PURPOSE check out this paint i think it's worth it.
blessings
marie

2011-05-12T08:30:00.000-04:00

2011-05-11T21:11:00.000-04:00

a quick idea. i need to display magnets for up coming shows. i looked into a piece of sheet metal, not gonna happen. a little 12x12 section was something like $13.00. move on to the next best idea. i picked up this metal tray at the thrift shop for .50 cents. gave it a quick spray of pretty paint and glued the back piece of a picture frame on the back side of the tray. instant display piece!!!!
blessings
marie

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-08T09:16:00.001-04:00

Miss you more and more each day. My mom as a teenager. She went on to heaven at a very young age. I did have 19 years to learn from her. I learned how to have fun, laugh & love. Mostly I learned how to be a mom!.
Love you Mom

AOL & Blogger

2011-04-13T20:31:00.000-04:00

wow!! i've been trying to post for weeks. i'm slowing getting back into the swing of things, just when i was motivated enough to post something i had blogging troubles. i was having trouble uploading pictures onto my blog. i was clicking on the icon to insert pictures and nothing was happening. so today i did a lot more research into the problem. it seems i can upload pictures from google chrome as the browser and not aol. hummm. wonder why? that's the next thing i will investigate. in the mean time i can post some pictures. and get a little more involved with blogging again. the mosaics here are going over to etsy. i'm sure glad to be resolving some issues. blessings to you!!

have a great day
marie

Unable to insert image

2011-04-01T09:58:00.000-04:00

I am having trouble inserting images. I click the icon "insert image" nothing happens. So I'm stuck unable to download my pics to my posts. Is anyone else having the same trouble?.

Marie

2011-02-28T19:22:00.000-05:00

just saying...i miss it all. still not 100% because the bad gets worse and well the worst is killing me.

blessings

marie

Altering Pictures

2011-02-05T17:46:00.000-05:00

a vignette in my craft room. a little photo altering done on flickr. i'm pleased with the look.

It's not easy...but i'm getting my groove back

2011-01-15T11:00:00.000-05:00

things are starting to "feel" normal here. i use normal in a not so normal way. my husband and i have separated. it's been almost 3 months now. my emotions have read like a road map. but, i am feeling "better" the "blues" are becoming pink, white & other great colors. i've had the bug. the bug to create. create and nest!!!!! i think they are great therapeutic feelings!! i'm sharing a few today. i will get back to the blog soon also. i'm getting back into my nursing career. i'm working in the area of hospice care. giving one on one care and dignity to my patients is very important to me, hospice care gives all that. i've added a few items to etsy, creating, nesting and caring all get emotions!!!!
blessings to all
marie

016

2011-01-10T20:39:00.001-05:00

016
Originally uploaded by romanceandrelics

A FEW ITEMS ON THEIR WAY TO ETSY

2010-12-09T14:28:00.000-05:00

a quick hello!!! i'm still around, just taking a long winter's nap. looking towards a positive new year!!!
i've added a few items to my etsy. merry christmas, happy holidays.
blsessings
marie

As I move into the new season of my life...

2010-11-07T09:48:00.001-05:00

I have to step away from blogging & all that makes my heart sing. I'm not sure how long I will be on this sabbatical. I've closed my booth space, packed away all my projects and, I'm not looking at my craft room with the same desire I once had. This is due to some serious marriage issues, returning to work full time and the pressures of the "real world", the grown up world that sucks the life out of you!! I can't do it all. I have done my best! It's all in the LORD'S hands now. I have enjoyed my journey blogging. The creative talent that has blessed so many leaves me in awe each time I find a new blog! I've said it before I enjoy visiting and reading the blogs more then I do posting. So, as I move fore ward faced with much uncertainty I know I can step back into this WORLD!! A place where I can relate, a place I understand more then the grown up world. Please keep me in your prayers! My next journey in life will not have much glitter, glue, paint or paper. But, I will have the Lord and the opportunity to someday return to creating and blogging.
Much thanks and love
Marie

HAPPY TRICK OR TREAT

2010-10-30T08:40:00.000-04:00

A PUMPKIN VIGNETTE I DID FOR MY FALL DECORATING. I USED PHOTOBUCKET TO ALTER THE PICTURE. NOT SO SHABBY! THERE ARE MANY OPTIONS FOR ALTERING AT PHOTOBUCKET .I DID THIS AS A FREE ACCOUNT HOLDER. HAPPY PINK SATURDAY!! ENJOY THE FESTIVE FUN, BE SURE AND VISIT BEVERLY AT HOW SWEET THE SOUND. PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO SEE THE OTHERS THAT SHARE PINK.

MOSAIC TABLE

2010-10-23T11:10:00.002-04:00

good day to all my friends at PINK SATURDAY! it's been a long time since i joined in on pink saturday and a month since my last post. changes are all around me some good some that just must be for now. none the less i'm here to have a little PINK twink and i must say i need it and it's long over due.

the 16th & 17th (last weekend) we had a yard sale here at 49 stratford drive. lots of STUFF from back in the day. the HIS, HERS & OURS collection. we're a blended family, so there is STUFF, stuffed every where. i also had my inventory from the booth space i closed down last month. i NEED to get RID of STUFF!! the yard sale helped. some things will be donated to the church and some things went to the curb for trash pick up.

i do have some pink left overs! (that's something like t'giving left overs only better 'cause of the PINK)

today i'm sharing my vintage ice cream parlor chairs and table. i waved my mosaic tile cutters over the table top and this is what appeared. she was suppose to find her way to my booth but, just didn't make it. LOTS of vintage pink broken china for you all to love. so love away. i didn't cover the chairs. i do plan on it. this set did NOT sell at the yard sale. It was very LOVED by the "SALE-erS". maybe it was price tag shock. this set is still available should anyone take an interest in it. i think i'll list it on etsy, or maybe leave it open for

disscussion via e-mail. enjoy and have a blessed day. until the next time. please be sure to visit beverly at how sweet the sound and all the other pretty pink petals that post.

blessings

marie

2010-09-22T22:37:00.000-04:00

i've been decorating. adding autum colors. i've been playing on flickr. adding autum colors. this is what i came up with. i'm happy with the look.
blessings
marie

A PAcked FaNNy ReVEal

2010-09-14T20:37:00.000-04:00

i'd like to introduce Lila Mae. WHO?? my new mannequin design. she started to morph back in march. then we had the 2 floods here. at the time Lila Mae was without a name and only had on a few pieces of her vintage trousseau. she was packed away for a few months during the clean up, about 3 weeks ago i pulled her out of storage. a lady she is, and a lady should always be properly dressed (poor thing was half naked).
now she will always stay clothed. i permanently attached all her garments. sewed & glued. (i do have a few pieces to tweak and maybe add a few extra pretties). her sweet little vintage/victorian inspired dress is something like a DR. FRANKENSTEIN experiment, i say it in the most loving manner. the whole dress is bits and pieces of vintage this~~n~~that's. the bodice is from a 1950's dress, the bustle in the front is a vintage half slip. her skirt is pieced together with satin and some scraps of material from other projects. most of the lace is vintage. her lace collar is my favorite. found it at the thrift store. i think that's the day i started getting inspired to create her. the beaded collar is pearls, love it! of course her fanny is packed. this girl really got back! lots of ruffles, all different types of fabrics. i just love her FANNY! i hope you all enjoy her. i was hoping to get her over to my booth space. i don't think that's such a good idea now since i have everything marked down 50%. she'll probably head on over to etsy. i'm also considering taking her to a few craft shows. we'll see!
blessings
marie

WHERE WERE YOU 9/11/01

2010-09-11T00:30:00.001-04:00

glitter-graphics.com

Nine years have past since America was attacked. On 9/11/01 I was on my second day of training for a new job at a nursing home 5 minutes from my home. My hometown Atlantic Highlands, NJ is a small old Victorian town. Filled with lots of local history and a stones throw from lower Manhattan. Atlantic Highlands is a 40 minute boat ride to the Financial district. There is a ferry service that operates out of the Atlantic Highlands harbor. People from all over the area use the service. Commuters going to Wall Street, or folks going to the city for the day. The ferry makes Manhattan seem like it's just across the street from the small town that I call home. The view from the Jersey side looking across the water towards the Manhattan skyline is awesome. After 9/11 the holes in the skyline where the towers once stood remind us daily of the innocent lives lost. And looking at the skyline now has lost some of it's awesome beauty. As I said I was on day two of training when the first plane hit the tower, I saw it on TV from a patients room. I knew in an instant we were under attack. I actually walked out of work, told the boss I would be back. I didn't go back. I went directly to get my kids, I took them out of school. When we got back home the small town of Atlantic Highlands was one big traffic jam. Our volunteer first aid squad had reached out to NYFD &NYPD offering the use of the harbor and the ferry boats. This was going to be a means of rescuing people trapped at ground zero. The traffic jam was local (and then some) Doctor's, nurse's, EMT' ers, any person trained to give medical attention to the victims. I was one of the nurse's, and my job was to stay in Jersey and help the victims off the ferry and start a triage system. Doctor's and nurse's were being sent over on the ferry's to help bring victims back to Jersey and get them in hospitals here. NYFD & NYPD met the ferry boats in the middle of the bay to call off the "rescue mission", we were told "there are not any survivors" OH MY GOD!! THAT WAS ALL I COULD SAY. My blood ran cold! By this point both towers were gone and NYFD/NYPD knew the extent of the loss of life. I stayed at the Harbor all night helping folks being brought out of the city via the ferry's. They were displaced because every form of transportation was shut down. We had a haz mat/decon area set up and helped over 1200 people feel a little safer. I WILL NEVER EVER FORGET!! those that died as victims and those that lost their lives to save lives. On a little side note there should not be a Mosque on hollowed ground!! period.
Blessings and love to all those that lost a loved one September 11, 2001.
Marie

THIS IS WHAT A FANNY PACKED LOOKS LIKE

2010-09-07T07:00:00.002-04:00

the youth of today, the generation that has grown up with slang such as "on the DL", "phat"and "booty" have a unique twist on words. i think you know what i'm saying here. they have a great vocabulary(lol), some of the terms really crack me up. one i love is "baby got back". now, i think that really means a padded tush. none the less i always imagine BABY with a huge rump. i guess every lady of the victorian era would have been described as a "got back-er". their "got back" look was romantic fluff. i'm sharing a sneak peek at what's packed on this back. there will be a full reveal with in the next week. please come back and see!
blessings
marie

FUNNIN' WITH FALL

2010-09-06T20:34:00.001-04:00

i have been playin' wit' photobucket. i used a few of the editing options on the basic account photobucket offers. first i made my picture a cartoon, then added a little color to the nest. i left the other items in the original picture alone. a little whimsy. i'm likin' the look. the bird's perch is made from a re-purposed christmas ribbon spool. i just decoupaged pages from a vintage dictionary onto it. the pears i found at the thrift store for .30 cents, they are made of wood. i guess the first owner didn't know what to do with them. hummm when in doubt decoupage. i got the fun idea for the photobucket editing from chari@ happytodesign.blogspot.com. thanks chari!
i plan to put aside 40 minutes a day to work on projects. i figure eventually i will have something finished! the only reason i'm scheduling time in the craft room is because of the changes that have crashed down on me recently. i'm closing my booth down at the end of the month (everything is marked 50% off now). i'm returning to work full time. i have put school on hold until the spring semester. so, all that being said my therapy is 40 minutes in the craft room. stay tuned i have some cute little projects i'll be psoting.
blessings
marie

A SMALL PIECE OF PRIME REAL ESTATE

2010-08-25T21:13:00.000-04:00

my corner of the world...
my corner of the laundry room...
i've found paradise...
it awaits me...
calling me, wooing me...
i finally have my own "where this woman gets to create" place in history...
i called dib's on half of the laundry room last year when we had the basement remodeled.
then the winter thaw and spring rain hit us hard and we had to rip out half of the newly remodeled basement. now we are just about done with the remodel of the remodel and i have a space to claim. yeah for me, i know the rest of the family is lovin' the idea of all my cast off treasures stayin behind closed doors.
blessings
marie

2010-08-23T17:07:00.000-04:00

i'm thinking of de-stashin' and sending these sweet pretties over to my etsy. not sure yet. i'm doing an early fall over haul. i also may be heading south to jacksonville, florida. a little family emergency. i need to help out my brother and sister-in-law. my brother has some serious health issues and it looks as if he will be admitted to the mayo clinic over the next few days. please pray for my family. thank you!

blessings

marie

Bathing Beauties

2010-08-16T09:06:00.000-04:00

three sisters sporting lovely legs and hot bathing suits. the lovely lady in the middle is my maternal grandmother. my guess the picture was taken in the very early 1940's. my mother's family was from newark, nj until my grandparents moved to the jersey shore, leonardo, a small beach town on the bay. i think my aunt's had been visiting the shore the day this picture was taken. my grandma passed when my mom was 19 i never met her but my mother kept her spirit alive as i was growing up. i was told by my mom grandma was always laughing and just very fun loving. i guess this picture was a day of fun at grandmas house. and those bathing suits just say VINTAGE!! luv 'em

blessings

marie

bloom where you are planted

2010-08-12T20:14:00.000-04:00

i know i'm a late bloomer. i bloomed late on the blogging scene, january it will be 2 years for me here. i love it. i must be honest i enjoy visiting all the lovely blogs a tad more then i do writing, i guess it's just my lack of skills on the computer. i get myself somewhat frustrated, and the digital camera, let's just say i take more pictures of my hands, fingers & feet well, you get what i'm saying. but, i just keep going. doing it all at my own pace. i view my blog and those i read as an extension of my hobby. crafting & art go hand in hand with blogging, i mean what did everyone do with their creations before the internet? we all what to share our designs and pass along the "how to's. yippee ya hooey for the net and blogging. there's something to be said for late bloomer's, by the time we get to "doin it" pretty much all the how to's are out and everything is perfected. i've had weeks to practice, in between college classes and still cleaning & fixin' up from our flood (back in march) i think i got the technique down for fabric ROSETTES, POCKET PILLOWS, and BURLAP oh and flower pins with scraps of lace, vintage appliques and jewelry. i'd like to share a few of my latest projects with you let me know what you all think?
blessings
marie

i would like to become a travelin' flea vendor

2010-08-08T17:20:00.000-04:00

i'm looking to take my treasures on the road. ya know, a travelin' treasure trailer show. when i close my booth space at the end of september i would like to do the flea market circuit. here in jersey we have golden nugget flea market in lambertville, columbus on rt 202 in columbus, nj and i'm sure a few more i need to look into. but, something keeps telling me to expand beyond this area. i often feel that jersey just isn't the right place to buy or sell the recycled, re-purposed & reused goodies. i'm asking for a a quick education. should anyone have information/knowledge regarding vendor space at other flea markets let me know. thanks!!
blessings
marie

2010-07-29T22:01:00.001-04:00

a quick floral wreath project. i used a foam wreath from the dollar store. the flowers are left overs from previous projects. the stems are cut down, i started from the inside and worked to the outside. i just stuck a few here and there, layered them around. i may keep this, it's in my booth space now.
blessings

Jersey Shore Whale Plays for Spectators off Point Pleasant Beach NJ

2010-07-26T21:25:00.001-04:00

about a month ago this guy was spotted in the bay. how cool!! my algebra professor was telling us one day in class that she was by the bay when he was playing and got the awesome pleasure of seeing this beautiful animal do it's thing right here in jersey. pop over to atticcharm.blogspot.com and check out laura's whale tale.

blessings

marie

2010-07-24T09:46:00.000-04:00

heya, how ya doin? i think just about all over the united states everyone is experiencing the hot & sticky weather. it's been melt down hot here in jersey. with out getting myself to worked up over the amount of stress & sadness i've been under for the 6 months i'm just saying it out loud now, i can't take any more!! i've put it all before the Lord, that's all i can do. prayers. i'm asking for lots of 'em. please pray for my family to stop being attacked by the enemy. we need peace to blanket us. thank you. today i'm sharing a make-do-kind-of PINK saturday. computer issues still after two months of my computer being in the shop. my files were saved with the virus. a "squad" of techie type geeks backed up the virus onto the disc that had all my files, documents, etc. now i can't reinstall the disc or i will install the virus. the pics i'm sharing came from my flickr page they are random items i have at my booth. please visit beverly at how sweet the sound. check out all the other pinkies that share their pinkness too.
blessings,
marie

booth pics

2010-07-13T18:30:00.000-04:00

more booth items. i've listed the whole lot on craig's list. change is good right? i keep telling myself it will all work out for the good. i've been thinking about selling at some flea markets. any suggestions? i would travel if need be. maybe 10 -15 hours. i'd love to hear your ideas.

blessings

marie

2010-07-09T09:09:00.000-04:00

how ya doing? here in jersey we're coming out of a very intense heat wave. 100 plus degrees in some places. it's good for the beach towns, lots of folks going to the ocean. i'm hoping the beach goers do some shopping in town. retail sales have been off, way off! i'm offering 15% off on my goodies and still no sales. what gives? oh boy! this economy needs some serious fixin'! i'm looking to sell my inventory outright, almost wholesale it. i've been looking for a buyer and will be taking an ad out on craig's list. i'm listing on etsy as well. i'm moving towards another goal, school. school has to be my main focus now. i would like a part time job (not going well, jobs are hard to come by). i will not have the time to maintain the booth space work on projects and look for the goodies needed to make the projects. somethin's~ gotta~ give! i took lots of pix last night at the shop. i'll be posting the items here from time to time. enjoy!

blessings
marie

MY BAG is PACKED

2010-07-03T07:49:00.001-04:00

HAPPY JULY 4th

GOD bless America

and those that had the insight some 234 years ago to put forth the Declaration of Independence.

hello, glad to see you here at romance and relics.

over the past 6 months i have sort of "fallen off" from creating projects and blogging. it's not one thing it's been several. but, i'm holding on taking one day at a time. my pink saturday posts have been limited also. one factor to not posting is my computer caught a virus a few weeks back and its been in the shop. i've been using jim's lap top ( my skills on the computer are not the best and the lap top is a nightmare for me). well, enough with the chit chat. the reason you stopped by today is to catch a little PINK.

i'm sharing this altered, ultra sweet suit case with you today. it was headed to the trash before the owner asked me if i wanted it and i had to say OK. you know that's what junkeeeesss do save unwanted stuff from the trash. i had seen a few others altered and thought i'd give it a try. i painted it out using the soft blue. then taped off the stripes and painted the pink. using graphics from karen @ the graphics fairy related to paris a "honeymoon" theme developed. decals from the decal cottage. a few stamped words. and a fleur di lis stencil.(filled with spackle, if you have never tried this give it a shot) fill a stencil with light weight spackle. let it dry remove the stencil and paint the raised stencil. i use cream paints for stenciling. i find they don't run and i have more control on the application. i also use makeup wedges when i apply the paint to my stencil project. i covered the top and bottom on the inside with decoupaged wall paper. i also made a memory board on the inside of the top. i cut an oval (used an oval shaped mirror as a pattern) piece of cardboard glued some batting to it and covered it with pretty fabric, i will be using the same fabric in my remodeled now torn apart soon to be remodeled again bedroom. we had our entire downstairs remodeled last summer. the project was completed last october. we enjoyed the space for 5 months then got hit with back to back floods from the storms in march. oh but i digress. (some of the stress around here) back to the suitcase. using bits and pieces of ribbon and faux GEMS i prettied up the memory board. here she is just waiting for a pretty bride!! hurry on over to beverly's @ how sweet the sound. she is the hostess for PINK saturday and there will be more PINK waiting for you.

blessings

marie

CRAFT, CREATE AND CONTINUE IN FAITH

2010-06-26T22:26:00.002-04:00

i know it's never too late to do what makes your heart sing. i've been singing loud and proud for the past 5 years. i'm following my crafty heart but, the logical brain has to continually pull back the crafty heart. going back to my childhood i was always crafting something. mostly crochet work. i taught myself how to crochet when i was 10. soon after that i learned how to read patterns. i made blankets by the bunches (my family was always warm). i took sewing and arts & crafts classes in high school. i loved every minute of the class and the free style designs we had as projects. i don't generally use the word REGRET in my vocabulary. i have to say now, i regret not exploring the creative self more 30 years ago.
i was married at 21 had my daughter at 22, my son at 24 and divorced at 26. WOW. i was a stay at home mom back then. crafting and creating when ever i could. after i got divorced i had to go to work full time and put together a career. i became a licensed practical nurse and for the next 17 years worked in the field of nursing. i purchased a little 1800's cottage ( it was a fixer upper) in atlantic highlands, nj. i raised my children there. decorating really wasn't in my budget. thrift shops, yard sales & consignment shops became my main source for adding the country/victorian decor i love. i was doing a shabby-chic and didn't know anything about rachel ashwell . my creative side flared up only to decorate the house, i had no time for all the "hands on" crafting i was aching to do.
fast forward to 2005 jim asked me to marry him. it was a long time coming. we met in 1997 and dated for 3 years. by the end of 2000 the relationship wasn't going in a positive direction and we parted. july 1 we will be married 4 years. it hasn't been easy blending two families. working full time, sometimes part time and sometimes not at all. when i wasn't working i was focusing on the shop. falling short for some reason or another has left me more then frustrated.

i've made a few choices over the past 3 months. first i stopped working full time, i've returned to college, summer classes then full time in the fall. i'm making a professional career change. i'm hoping to use my 17 years of nursing experience along with my new degree in art therapy/recreation. this is something i have to do just in case. i will have to give up my booth space after the summer ( i sure hope i sell out i don't want to put all my stuff in storage). i'm still working on projects as time allows. i'm sharing a few with you all. i hope you enjoy them. first is a vintage mirror redesign. we live on the jersey shore, i try to do projects with shells. many customers are on vacation and they want the beachy look back home. i did a shell mosaic on the outside of the mirror. i think it turned out great. next up, a vintage tea pot. what does one do with a tea pot missing the lid. mmmmmmm pin cushion. easy redo. a styrofoam ball, batting and some pretties. glued with weld-bond. the little urn redo is metal. i hit it up with some spray paint. cute. i cut a piece of fabric and stuffed it with batting. glued it with weld-bond. lastly 3 vintage plates and a few candle sticks (new) glued all up with weld-bond. they make a pretty 3 tier dessert server. (weld-bond is great and it dries clear. i get mine at a stained glass wholesaler. i've also found it at a.c. moore)

until the next time.
blessings
marie

2010-06-20T09:28:00.001-04:00

STILL HERE

2010-06-13T17:19:00.001-04:00

i'm stuck without my computer it caught a virus. a costly one too i might add. i'm borrowing my husband's lap top. i wanted to share a very quick and easy project. vintage gloves filled with lavender. i tied the wrist area off with ribbon then glued all the fluffy extras on. total time 15 minutes. it took me longer to post this blog 'cause i don't know my way around a lap top, i deleted the pic 3 times before i got my act together. i have a few more projects to post i hope i get my computer back soon.
blessings
marie

THE LAND OF THE FREE BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE

2010-05-31T08:02:00.001-04:00

Thank you all for your service.

YOUR TWO TODAY PINK SATURDAY

2010-05-29T10:32:00.003-04:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

PINK SATURDAY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!

CONGRATULATIONS TO BEVERLY, SHE HAS SUCCESSFULLY CREATED PINK SATURDAY. ON ANY GIVEN SATURDAY UPWARDS TO 190 PLUS PARTICIPATE IN SHARING PINK POSTS AND PROUDLY PRONOUNCE ALL THE PRETTY PINK.

my husband has the green thumb, i run the power tools.

a vintage window turned chalkboard waiting to be taken home by a jersey shore beach goer.

my summer vingnette at my booth space. JOY to all and thank you Beverly for PINK SATURDAY.

please visit HOW SWEET THE SOUND~~

wish her a happy second birthday.

marie

where have my followers pictures gone to?

2010-05-27T13:44:00.001-04:00

can anyone help me. it seems my followers do not appear on my blog. is anyone else having problems?
thanks
marie

Centennial Celebration with a touch of pink

2010-05-15T09:13:00.000-04:00

birthday celebrations. i guess some birthdays have given us delight and others bring on the reality of life moving on. but, when does one really say thank you Lord i made it to 100. i can only pray that i live a long healthy life. i pray my mind and body work as one. some of us are blessed with longevity like mary. i work for an outreach program helping senior citizens with home delivered meals, we offer a lunch site and various other services. mary is a member of the lunch site, and this week we helped her celebrate her 100th birthday. local politicians came out and presented mary with a lovely plaque. the two local news papers took lots of pictures and will be writing a story on mary's life. her cake was donated and i made her a pretty PINK tiara. all in all the party was just great and mary loved it. here's a few pictures of the centennial. we should all be as blessed as mary!!! PINK saturday is hosted by beverly @ howsweetthesound.typepad.com and many PINKies do their pinkness with her. stop by leave a comment.
have a blessed week
marie

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY

2010-05-08T08:02:00.006-04:00

Happy PINK saturday! just a simple little touch of pink. this picture speaks volumes to me. God bless all moms & all mothers to be. please be sure and visit beverly @ how sweet the sound she hosts pink saturday. there are 180 other lovely "pinkies" today, visit as many as you can i'm sure they all have something great posted.

blessings

marie

BETTER DAYS ARE>>>over the rainbow

2010-04-25T16:23:00.001-04:00

wow! i haven't been feeling up to par lately. going back over the past 3 months it's just been one painful blurr. the passing of my dear sweet friend chris, two floods in the downstairs of our home march 15 & 30. we converted the entire downstairs into a familyroom and masterbedroom. (just finished the remodel in oct.) all the rain and snow caused many issues for homes in new jersey; floods, sump pump failure etc. with that being said we have spent the past months ripping out walls, beams & carpet. this week we are having a waterproofing system put in (french drains) then the contractor will put back the walls and we should have the carpet installed after that. i'm guessing the 3rd week of may we should have this all finished. all this has left me displaced of computer and crafting. i miss, miss, miss the action. i did manage to spend a few hours creating yesterday. it was hot and sunny i spent all day out doors. here's a little garden art to be. they aren't finished i still have to add pvc poles. i will "spike" the ends of the pvc, cut it on an angle and stick the "spiked" end in the ground. i'm adding a permanet pvc to the inside of the glass base. this section will go inside the piece that is already sticking in the ground. fun and easy project. lots of different glass pieces glued with silicone.
if you should try this project i'd love to see your creation.
blessings,
marie

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

2010-03-24T11:20:00.002-04:00

you know when you've just had enough. you know when fueses are popping internally. i've been on a downward turn for about a month now. just life. i haven't been up for blogging, i've been visiting but, not posting. about two weeks ago my co-worker had a little melt down. she directed her frustation and anger at me. yup, insulted me. i then had to defend myself, i choose to be very stern and strong. her melt down happened during a meeting with the boss and my other co-workers. the boss thought i was in the right.ok, now that's a first! the co-woker did apologize to me. i'm doing my best to get along with her but i'm reserved.each day is a task in the office dealing with this co-worker's personality. the lord will show me, is what i pray.
this past week we had a lot of rain. buckets of it everywhere. where does the rain go once it's filled the sump pump? this is not a trick question. one would say the pump turns on and pumps all that nasty rain water out to the sewer. and you would be correct with that answer. not here at 49 stratford dr brick, nj. our pump never turned on. now say oh @@##.!! when i came home from work (a week ago this past monday) i noticed water on the floor in the bathroom. i knew right away that wasn't a good thing. i opened the door where the pump is located and found more water. the pump backed up onto the new carpet and into the laundry room. at 1:30 a.m. we had another misfire of the sump pump, again it backed up onto more areas of the newly remodeled family room. uggg! i've had enough. i know it's just a season and this to shall pass. i'm keeping my faith. god's blessings are washing over me. we are waiting for the insurance adjuster to do his adjusting thing, we are getting estimates for the repairs. we just have to wait this out.it could have been worse, thank god it wasn't. NOW ONTO THE PART THAT GETS FUN!
i know some of you may have seen the lovely altered & beautifully embellished dress forms all over the internet. they are simply stunning. i was very inspired the first time i spotted one. keeping the project in the back of my mind for about two years. i put my hands on all my goodies that i planned on using for my lovely lady and she began to grow. before the sump pump back up downstairs happened and a little after my dear friend chris passed away i "birthed" her. although i haven't touched her in two weeks i'll give you all a peek at what's cooking. i've done major altering, pieces of this, bits of that, sewing, gluing, pinning, poking i love the way she is coming to life. i do plan on adding her to my web site, i will keep her standing guard at my booth, we are about to enter the busy season at Treasures By the Sea, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ. i hope my lady finds a home!!. you all take care. keep me in you prayers. thank you!
blessings
marie

Being thankful and PINK saturday

2010-02-27T10:01:00.000-05:00

good morning to all. hope this finds you well. two weeks ago my family was hit with a horrible event. the death of my daughter's dearest friend. chris' sudden passing is pulling at my heart. when the death of a young person seems to not make sense in "our world" one can only turn it over to the lord and keep stong in faith. i would like to thank all of you for your concerns and prayers. they mean so much. we write & share so much on our blogs, as if we are all living on the same block. it amazes me how souls connect via the internet. i am thankful for that.

i haven't really prepared much in the way of pink. two snow days caused me to create other projects. i'll share a few pictures from my files, just random PINKS me thinks.

i'm not sure what i will be doing with this bed jacket. i'm thinking altering it with alot of fluff, like over the top romantic girl-ee and leaving it on the mannequin.

a few altered ink pens i made for the shop. very easy to make. a pack of ink pens, ribbons and silk flowers. attach the flower to the top of the pen with floral tape. starting at the bottom (the ink part) wrap the pen, at the top part cut the ribbon and glue the end in place. tie all the fluffy ribbon, lace etc. around the part where the pen & flower join. add any extra embellishments. they make nice shower favors, don't you think?

altering odd cast off pieces seems to be something i really love. this metal heart dish had no chance staying silver and plain. first thing i did was paint it a muted pink then decoupaged the vintage image, added some glitter and a bag-o-buttons, flowers and that 10 karat diamond. (hehee) jenn at whine n roses has lots of PINK to share. she's very creative and a mother of four (how does she find the time for creating?) please stop by her blog and say hi and of course beverly at how sweet the sound.

blessings

marie

GETTING THE NEWS OUT THERE

2010-02-25T20:52:00.000-05:00

i have enough scrabble tiles to last me another 10 storms. i'll take whatever mother nature sends. here in jersey we've had the 3rd going into our 4th winter storm. maybe 12" before it's over.

i think being stuck inside on days like this make great crafting days. maybe it's the nesting thing. i created two pillows today. the large one is made from a thifty find, i think it was a curtain but the material reminds me of a painter's drop cloth. i printed the graphics from

using heat transferable paper i ironed the chandelier onto the drop cloth material. stuffed it with a pillow form added a little batting and hot glued the fluff. the second pillow is vitnage material, i think it was a curtain. i found it thriftin' and stored it away. like a squrriel storing nuts for the winter of 2010.
this time i used fusible webbing. once the label graphic was in place it didn't seem to pop off the material. i had to replace my snowcap with my thinking cap, i was going to outline it with glitter, not the right look. fabric paint, fabric markers, etc. still not what i wanted. digging out some supplies i thought of the sting/cording idea. i like this look it feels a little french-ee. i will be taking all these items to my booth once we de-frost. i'm also putting them on my website. hope all is well and all are warm.
blessings
marie

Time Heals

2010-02-24T09:41:00.002-05:00

time has a way of healing a broken heart. we will never understand way god does all he does. he took chris home way too early, he had just turned 25. my son & daughter are missing a piece of their hearts. they both loved him so much. now, they are finding ways to honor him in life. my daughter is putting together a fund-raiser to help his family off set the funeral cost. i love my children , and i'm so proud of them, i hurt because they hurt even still at the ages of 24 & 22. a mothers love moves differently with our children as they age, don't you think? may god bless chris & his family, my children and all of us who love chris.

i have spent a few days finishing projects and making a few new ones. i've always felt that creating/crafting has a healing power. so, i sort of forced myself to get my hands on, head clear and heart mending. here are a few projects and i will be adding to my website. i would like to share a little happy news. a few weeks ago i sold my first item from my website. a sweet vintage tea cart. wow!! my first customer!! and i shipped the tea cart to up state new york, right outside of buffalo! it was a great experience. thanks again anne.

blessings

marie

my daughter's heart is breaking

2010-02-16T18:10:00.001-05:00

ok, on my last post i was away on a beautiful romantic weekend with my husband. saturday night we got a call, you know the type i'm talking about. my son was giving us terrible news, one of his friends, and my daughter's BEST and dearest friend had died in a car accident. the accident happened around 3 p.m. saturday. we came home from our little get away to be strong for the kids and, i'm not taking this well. i loved this young man like he was my own, he was pure love and gave so much of himself. chris was fun, loving, gentle and kind. my daughter, susan introduced chris to our family when she was in high school and we embraced and loved him from that time forward. chris and susan were inseparable during their high school years. they were the prom queen and king. their friendship remained strong as they became young adults. they leaned on each other always, they just had a once in a life time connection. we will miss this young man with all our heart & soul. many prayers are needed for chris's family as well as ours. i'm just going to take a little time off from blogging, please keep us in your prayers.
blessings
marie

it's a romance and relics valentine

2010-02-12T22:06:00.000-05:00

my pink saturday will be full of romance. my husband planned a romantic weekend, jim had asked me a few weeks ago if i wanted to go away for president's/valentine weekend. i was up for the little road trip he was planning, he said let's go to cape may (we live in new jersey) jim didn't need to ask me a second time. cape may means beautiful victorian b&b's and antique shops. so i said will we stay at the john wesley inn? the john wesley is the b&b we stayed at almost 4 years ago for our honeymoon. he said no i think we're going to try someplace else. oh, ok jim, i'm happy with the idea and i'll look forward to whatever you plan. i left it all up to him and that was that. a few days after we had that conversation he told me he made reservations at the grand hotel. cape may, grand hotel, romance, vintage and victorian were my thoughts from that moment on. the 12th is here, and are you gettting the feeling you know where i am right now.well, if you guessed john wesley inn you would be correct. he pulled if off and totally surprised me. wow! this guy is a keeper. our room is so romantic, the beautiful grand victorian bed had PINK rose petals scattered over the fresh white linen. there are hints of vintage PINK treasures around the room, on the mantel, on the washstand and the vanity. now, what does one do when there isn't wireless service available at the 100 plus year old victorian, that had me at HELLO, look at my vintage beauty. jim pulled out his blackberry (we took the lap top thinking we would have internet) and used it for the IP. ??what?? i'm lucky if i get the pics to load, or type the right letters in the right place. using the blackberry is very slow i may share more pics when i get home. so, i blog this tonight straight from my grand romantic bed, with the fire burning and visions of all that's vintage dancing in my head. and just loving the man that made this happen. thanks for visiting please go see beverly and all the other blogs that will tell stories of pink and romance.
blessings
marie

we've gone flakey...snow flakey

2010-02-10T19:55:00.002-05:00

oh my goodness i don't know where we're going to put it all. just in case ANYONE has forgotten what snow looks like, here in new jersey we can help you out.

the first two pictures are from saturday feb. 6, we had close to 12 inches from that storm and the one that's hitting us tonight is going to leave maybe 18 inches. it's crazy!

this is what's happening on my street tonight. it seems my neighbor's may have had a problem with the gas heat or the wood burning stove in their home. the gas company and fire company are on stand by. everyone is safe, they have returned home! thank god!

blessings

marie

A Family of Creative Woman

2010-02-06T08:53:00.006-05:00

There was a time not so long ago when woman spent their free time doing some type of creative, artistic, activity. My family had their share. I must say I was inspired by them all. My great-grandmother yes, great-grandmother was born in 1884 lived to be 95, I was 15 when she went to heaven. I loved her so much. She could tell some amazing stories. I enjoyed hearing them over and over again.Grammy made free hand quilts/blankets. Not a QUILTED quilt, she used scraps of used fabric or odd pieces that didn't sell. Her pattern was a 4x4 ceramic tile. She would cut out squares by the hundreds and sew the squares together then add batting etc. The quilts were basic, simple & primitive looking at times. She made them for her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren & before she passed she made them for the two great, great, grandchildren she was blessed with. I will share Grammy's quilt @ another time.
Now onto the PINK post of today. I really was surrounded by very creative woman. I just thought a little family history would paint a better picture.
My Great Aunt Minnie was the most artistic of all the ladies in my life. I have mentioned her before in a few other posts. Her art was super great!! she painted on canvas, she painted on ceramics and porcelain. Aunt Minnie had two studios in her home. The big studio is where she made her ceramics and porcelain, she kept a huge klin there and designed some of her own molds.The smaller one is where she painted and shared the space with her husband, my Uncle made doll houses (not from kits) I will share my beautiful house he made for me another time. Today I'm sharing with you all a pendant my Aunt designed and painted. PINK ROSES. She gave this to my mother many years ago. I inherited it after my mom passed away. I'm thinking of a way to display it out in the open where all can enjoy it. I hope you all have enjoyed the creative ladies of my life. There is one more lady to be lifted up, that's Beverly@How Sweet the Sound. She is the hostess of PINK SATURDAY. please be sure to visit her and all the other PINK ladies.

Blessings

Marie

JUst PInk

2010-01-30T10:25:00.002-05:00

happy pink saturday! i looked in my computer files and i realized most of the pictures i have i've used.hmmm, that tells me one thing, i need to create more, hit the thrift stores more and learn how to use my photo shop soft ware. if i knew the techie ins & outs of the altering soft ware i could turn something NOT pink into PINK. i struggle with photo shop. every once in a while i take a fairly good picture and use flickr to add some special effetcs. this picture is of some odds & ends i picked up a few months ago while thrifting. all the goodies just sprawled across the dining room table looked interesting. i guess it was a good moment the lighting was right and my eye/hand coordination was working together. i took the picture and thought ok nice, and just kept it in the file. looking for something to share for PINK saturday this is what i came up. hope you enjoy and thanks so much for your visit. have a blessed week, please visit beverly @ how sweet the sound she really does an amazing job with all of the PINK for this fun event.

marie

altered vintage thread spool

2010-01-28T19:08:00.002-05:00

i will be adding these to my web site a few are already on etsy.

RANDOM REFLECTIONS of ROMANCE

2010-01-27T07:12:00.000-05:00

wedding cake topper circa 1950's ?.

the following items will be available on my etsy and web site.

altered christmas ornaments ready for a sweet valentine.

altered milk glass candle holder

a few silver pieces. i love this pitcher

sEEin' ReD foR thE LOVE of It

2010-01-25T23:35:00.000-05:00

i will be adding these two lovely vingage items to my web site.

PINK SATURDAY

2010-01-23T10:02:00.001-05:00

today i have a few pretty pinks to share. my computer was acting up last night, this morning the plumber is here doing work (not on the computer). everytime i sat down to get my post together it seemed like something else was going wrong. well, short and sweet & a little late, here i go. the hand painted roses on this lamp are the prettiest shade of pink. love it! the tin may not be vintage but, the shade and pattern got me at TAKE ME HOME!.

beverly is the host of pink saturday please visit her, she really makes all this pink come together.

thank you for your visit come back again and have a blessed week.

marie

WHAT'S WRONG WITH NEW JERSEY

2010-01-21T23:51:00.000-05:00

what's wrong with new jersey? well, her taxes are out of control, the highest in the country. her politics need to be cleaned up some. i can tolerate all that nonsense, but, i really have a problem with the fact we don't have a HOBBY LOBBY STORE in this state. i've read about hobby lobby from so many other bloggers that it got me wondering, just where does a crafter in jersey go to find a hobby lobby. it didn't take long to find the answer. i went right to the hobby lobby web site. girls on the jersey shore (central jersey) would need to travel 73 miles from home for the nearest one (easton, pa). wow!! i think i need to write my congressman. i'm a crafter in need of the hobby lobby experience. all you ladies that have the honor of shopping at hobby lobby really don't know how good you have it. here in jersey we have a.c. moore or micheal's. what's up? really let's send some hobby lobby vibes to jersey. the next time your shopping think of us. ask the manager how does one help the girls in jersey get a hobby lobby in their neighborhood. there seems to be 15 other states missing out on the hobby lobby experience. i think it's time to take up arms and declare some type of protest. or do i plan a day 73 miles (one way) away from home?
blessings
marie

There are currently 434 stores in 35 states. Find a Hobby Lobby store near

tulle wreath project

2010-01-17T21:50:00.000-05:00

i have a little project to share with you should you feel like crafting. this wreath is simple, i took a wire hanger and "rounded" it out as best i could. dosen't need to be perfect just get the form. open out the "hook" you know what i mean the part that hangs on the rod. make it as straight as you can. again it dosen't need to be perfect. you can use ribbon or some tulle on that area. cut 4-6 inch strips of tulle about an inch wide. just enough to tie the strips onto the hanger. i tied two knots, make them tight but not so tight you can't move them. keep adding the strips until you get the fullness you desire. once you have the fullness do a little trimming if you think the pieces long.embellish with a little gliiter (the pink wreath has little dots of glitter) flowers, ribbons on little picks like the valentine wreath. you can shape the wire into a heart like the blue one (this one is just about finished).
enjoy. should you be inspired by this project let me know. i would love to see what you have created.
blessings
marie

Random PINKS

2010-01-16T09:27:00.001-05:00

how are you all? here in jersey we've been under a cold spell. but, mother nature gave us a break the past few days its been in the high 40's. i have a few days off from work. my plans are simple, junkin' and craftin'. my junkin' jig starts today. i plan on hitting all my favorite spots. sunday & monday i'll be finishing up a few projects and creating new ones.
pink saturday is here and i've missed several weeks of sharing. i hope to soon get back on a regular blogging schedule. i'm posting a lot of random PINKies today. a few valentine goodies, a vintage pink bowl, a vignette from my bathroom and the blessed mother. the blessed mother statue was made by my great aunt. she was an amazing artist. i will be blogging about her soon, she really was a great inspiration to me. enjoy all the pink today, please visit beverly @howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/. she really does an outstanding job managing all the PINK.
blessings
marie

cold weather and crafting

2010-01-05T21:58:00.002-05:00

i've enjoyed myself the past two weeks. family visits, parties and quiet time at home. time to myself was a perfect ending to the holiday season. so, i locked myself in the craftroom this past weekend, to escape the the winter CHILL burrrrrr!. i love the little space i use in the laundry room. the washer & dryer get a corner and the rest is all mine. it's a win, win situation all my stuff just "THERE" waiting on me, day in and day out. i don't need to clean up when i'm done, just CLOSE the door. when the rest of the family enters the room to do laundry they get to see all my crazy creations. and, i think they're better off for having done so. hehee. maybe we can finish this room over the winter. it didn't make the top 10 list after the remodeling project. it's kind of primitive in there now. a few cabinets, dressers and a portable table. it works for now!
i found this neat metal shoe a few years ago at marshalls. embellishing it took some time but, i love how the little nesting bird turned out. the tags are from my new cricut machine my daughter gave me for christmas. (love it) the bird is a left over christmas ornament, some vintage buttons, lace and sheet music give pinkie all the comforts of home. i have a few more goodies to finish up and will be posting them soon. maybe the creative brain cells move quicker when it's 27 degress out.
blessings
marie

happy new year

2009-12-31T08:44:00.001-05:00

i didn't get a nap for christmas

2009-12-28T00:35:00.000-05:00

we had a wonderful christmas. a few days off from work. i was hoping for a long winter's nap. well santa maybe next year.

marie

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2009-12-24T07:41:00.000-05:00

for unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. and His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah: 9:6

The Bliss~~ard of 2009

2009-12-20T20:03:00.001-05:00

no not blizzard just BLISS~~ard. the storm came up from the carolinas and virginia. i guess a few other states didn't escape the storm. from what i have read the east coast was hit the hardest. here on the jersey shore i'm hearing crazy amounts like 20". we dug ourselves out, piles of snow everywhere. we stuffed it anywhere we didn't have to touch it again with a shovel! lots of snow, sore arms and backs but, i still think it looks pretty.

marie

SquEEzin' in a project

2009-12-08T20:53:00.000-05:00

hello! i hope all is well with everyone. 'tis the season when we start wishin' for a few extra hours in a day. i will be adding an extra 8 hours to my list, santa did you hear that? i'm lookin' for TIME, wrap it up pretty with a big pink bow. while i'm waiting for that jolly 'ole elf to slide down my chimney with that new present i have to do the best i can with what i'm workin with. i returned to a non-nursing 35 hour per week job. this positon seems more my speed right now. i'm just looking to help with household extras and tuck some $$ away for my booth space and the BIG plan...save towards a brick & mortar place of my own. i'd like to share a quick project with you all just in case you're lookin for santa to bring you the same gift as i've asked for. utility/worship candle from the dollar store all decked out in holiday rub-on's this took 10 minutes to do. i had a little trouble getting the rub-on to "melt" to the glass, but i solved the problem by using a blow dryer on the glass to heat it up. i added the little ribbon just to dress it up some. very cute & easy. well, i need to catch up on blog reading. take care.

blessings

marie

Winter snow globe

2009-12-02T22:33:00.002-05:00

i think snow globes are magical. i remember doing a craft project in grammar school or it could have been brownies. it's been a long time since i was in either one. we used baby food jars, oil, glitter and plastic objects like prizes from the gum ball machine or cracker jack box. i remember loving the time we spent working on the project. we made them as christmas gifts for our parents. i was thrilled when my mom opened it and made a fuss. crafting was fun 38 years ago and i'm still enjoying it. these two snow globes were designed using vintage candle stick holders the base the angels are sitting on. the domes i picked up from michael's, snow flakes and a banner wishing winter blessings, a little glitter and glam. today i took them over to my booth i sure hope they find a home quick they're really cute!

blessings

marie

BLESSINGS & THANKSGIVING

2009-11-26T07:24:00.004-05:00

Ring bearer pillow collage

2009-11-24T15:39:00.013-05:00

i found this pillow at a thrift shop, it had some "age" to it. i thought ok, i can do something with this(why is it that whatever i find junkin' i always say "i can do somethin' with this") then a conversation between me & myself takes place. and i always seem to convince me & myself that the cast offs do need a new home and an upcycled life. they may sit around my craft room awhile, i move them from one place to another just trying to connect further with them. ummm, yes my family thinks i've lost all my marbles. haha, and you may too, it's ok. i take them out and look at them from various angles, hummm and hahhh and say ok, someday you'll be this...or that. and so new beginnings start with a puff of inspriration, transformation takes place and before i know it things happen. an old pillow that once was used by a cute little cherub to take on the awesome responsibility of carring the rings to the bride & groom becomes a little piece of art. creating new life for any of the cast offs i find at my favorite junkin' spots is worth the debate that takes place between me & myself after all it's a win, win conversation isn't it?

taking this pillow to a new level i did a tea stain, coffee stain soak on the pillow. when that didn't work so well i switched to coffee (left over from the mornings' brew) in a squirt bottle. worked better! buttons & lace, a watch face & a cross (i don't think it's visible in the pics but, it's next to the flowers) a few other odds~n~ends that came from sue at junkinlady.blogspot.com she sells treasure boxes packed with the greatest trinkets and well...i guess you're going to have to find out what's inside box #1, #2 or #3 for yourself.

the bride image came from karen @graphicsfairy.

karen put together

pay her a visit and find out how to do some braggin'. sorry about the pictures they're not the best, i'm working on my photo taking skills as well as my computer/techie skills. everyone have a blessed thanksgiving now i'm off to the grocery store since we havent picked our fall harvest from the back yard.

blessings

marie

I tip my hat to you

2009-11-23T01:38:00.002-05:00

i love vintage hats

and gloves and bags with beads

and red velvet hats

easter bonnets

and the colors of spring

and the beauty of vintage hats

if we have 'em we should use 'em

blessings

marie

I'M NOT SURE WHY THERE IS A SQUARE FLOATING ON MY BLOG

2009-11-22T18:03:00.000-05:00

I'm experiencing difficulties. I think. I have a shadow box behind my pictures and text. It says photobucket something or another. Does this imagine show as you're reading the blog? If anyone can help me out I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you
Marie

Dotted Swiss upcycled

2009-11-21T07:00:00.010-05:00

Good day all! Nice to have you here at Romance & Relics. I would like to share my banner (almost finished). I took apart a relic. This dotted swiss was once an apron. PINK & white so sweet. Imagine the lady that once used this for all the family holidays, imagine just how special all the meals must have been. I bet she put this 'ole thing on with great pride. That's what I thought the moment I found it in a pile of good stuff at the thirft store. It was a hand crafted apron for sure back in the day. I gladly took it home and pulled it out from time to time priming the inspiration side of the brain. One day a few weeks back it came to me. a BANNER. As I held the apron strings out from side to side I immediately saw it. The body of the apron would be for the pennants and the waist band would be where the pennants hung from. All the other prettties are embellishments I had. My next step is adding J~~O~~Y~~ to each pennant. Not sure what type of medium I will use for the letters maybe a combination of paper and fabric. This was such a JOY to create! and very easy. Next time you come across a vintage apron and not sure what to do with it just think BANNER. Thanks for your visit today. Please go see Beverly @ How Sweet The Sound.

See whats PINK!

Blessings
Marie

Altered bottle

2009-11-20T14:46:00.003-05:00

a little project that got finished this week. i would like to get a few more of these finished. but time is tight, you know that extra pressure we put on ourselves during the holidays. i'm building my inventory at my booth, adding to my web site, cooking, cleaning, shopping & looking for a new job. that's not too stressful i can handle more, right? take care.

More fun with collages

2009-11-17T23:47:00.001-05:00

I'm having way to much fun with Picasa!!

Web Site

2009-11-16T02:45:00.006-05:00

Whispers of Romance and Relics
(click above link for new site)

I've stated many times I'm techie challenged. My blog was suppose to be more for "business" it seemed I could navigate better on the blog then a web site. Six months into blogging and I had a change of heart. I was having fun visiting all the BEAUTIFUL blogs and the talented ladies that make reading them pure pleasure. I thought it best to keep the fun~~blogging seperate from the business side of me. As the saying goes "never mix business with pleasure". My goodness it's taken me long enough to put the web site together. It's easy that's what everyone tells me. I started adding items and things got real crazy at home, the remodel took a lot out of me. I left the site unfinished until this past week and little by little I've learned and added! Ok, so I'm now seperating fun & business and the site will start tickin' as soon as I get pay pal hooked up. This brings me one step closer to where I truly want to be. Next is the store front in a busy business district or a little cottage studio tucked away on a side street. Dreams do come true!

Christmas Ornament

2009-11-15T19:18:00.001-05:00

See how far some paper, ribbon, glitter and a vintage angel will go. I'll be bringing this over to the shop this week. Diana will be putting the tree up as well as working on the web site for Treasures By The Sea. She's a busy bee! Speaking of web sites I need to really get mine together. I started working on it 5 months ago, ouch!

Have a blessed day,

Marie

Come for tea on this PINK Saturday

2009-11-13T23:08:00.000-05:00

PINK, PINK, PINK

hi and welcome to my post of PINK. i've been very inspired the past few weeks. the other day i put together this vignette, PINK teapot~~vintage, PINK cup&saucer~~vintage, PINK cream&sugar set~~ maybe vitntage not sure, i picked it up at a consignment shop a few years ago. PINK little doilie had a make over, most of it was damaged i'm using the end that was in good shape. putting the house back together after the constrution/remodel everything from ceiling to floor and all the knick knacks had to be cleaned. i picked this time to redesign/revamp and make new vignettes. my OCD had the best of me that day. moved that tray many times before i said it's staying in the next spot and thats where it will be until...

for the picture i put the tray on the couch it looks good there but, only for picture taking. someone will surely sit on it. now i have it displayed on a dinningroom chair it looks OK there until i find the perfect spot. i love how sweet the faux strawberries and faux pastry look.
enjoy the day there are many other bloggers who would love your company and remember to visit Beverly @ How Sweet The Sound she is a wonderful hostess

Blessings

Marie

Where would I be without JUNK

2009-11-12T12:47:00.001-05:00

JUNK is the STUFF we throw away; STUFF is the JUNK we save.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SERVICE

2009-11-11T09:27:00.000-05:00

PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE YOUR SERVICE IS THE REASON I AM FREE TO BE JUST ME!

Making Up For Lost Time

2009-11-11T08:55:00.000-05:00

i've mentioned a few times that i hadn't been doing much creating due to construction. most of my supplies were packed in the storage unit, and everything here was upside down. we are getting back to normal and little by little i've unpacked everything and found a home for most of my stuff. this is what happens when displaced crafters have been away from creating. the kitchen is taking a beating. my new workspace needs a floor and a few minor touch ups. i'm thinking after the new year i'll feel up to finishing it. for now i pull everything out and the kitchen looks like this for days, and my family readjusts, we eat on snack trays in the familyroom. they know it's helping the cause.

i'm pleased with the way this vintage tussie mussie looks. i added a few vintage pieces on it, the angel is a pre-made tag and the pin behind her head makes it pop.

redesigned vignette on top of the china cabinet in my livingroom.

i have seen the work of others that do an outstanding job on their photo frames. they inspire, and so here's my hands at something they have perfected. i have created a few of these frames but, this is my favorite. a lot of vintage jewerly and some vintage buttons, bling! bling!. i'll be taking the tussie mussie and the frame to my booth today, i asked if the frame could go in the window at the store, diana said sure. thanks diana. the mess in the kitchen is put away, the kitchen table was used for a meal last night! all is well for now...

Blessings

Marie

2009-11-07T23:29:00.002-05:00

Thank you all for your help. I did it. Sheila (The Quintessential Magpie) sent me to Susan(Between Naps on the Proch). Susan has a great tutiorial for using Picasa. It was rather easy. I'm very grateful fo all the help.
Many Blessings,
Marie

I was hoping for a PINK COLLAGE

2009-11-07T11:06:00.011-05:00

I tried for hours, I tried to create a collage of PINK china. Wow I'm spent. I BloG around and I see some blogs that have the prettiest of pictures, some are put together in a collage form. I drool over them. My PINK post today was going to be all my Pink china in collage form. Well, it didn't work. If any of you kind ladies know how to create a collage with pictures please share, I would be very grateful. OK having shared my lack of BLOg knowledge I would like to share these pretty pieces. I found them all at the same antique store. It's an old grocery store converted into a massive warehouse of trashie treasures and antique/vintage. Things are packed four and five items deep and just put where ever. So, when shopping it's a game of hide&seek. I think I come out the winner but, I'll let you decide. Enjoy! you all have a great week. Please visit howsweetthesound.typepad.com/ for more blogs of PINK.

GOD BLESS FORT HOOD

2009-11-06T11:44:00.003-05:00

Altered jewelry neck display

2009-11-04T10:30:00.006-05:00

so many things play a role in my life. being a wife (remarried after 17 years divorced), a mother to my young adult children who live back home after being away at college. a step-mom to my young adult sons, my nursing career that i would much rather tuck away and probably not visit it again. but, all the tugging and pulling that comes at me on a day to day basis there is one role that balances the madness. the role of crafter, wow! i get to use my imagination and do whatever the newly stimulated brain cells call for. basically it's the only time my brain is on ~~off. does anyone else experience this while creating? the brain seems to be working in all lobes. i like that, it's forgetting the wife part, mother part & nurse part. it's all there but far removed i often wonder, why?
i wasn't able to create many projects this past summer due to the construction/remodel we were having done. the past two weeks is the most creating i've done since june. the neck display i'm sharing was all about vintage. it's an altered jewelry display. using vintage sewing patterns & decoupage, some pretty old lace, buttons & jewelry makes this an extension of myself. the role of an 'ol vintage crafter that has let way too much time pass to get her hands back on the "GOOD STUFF"

Blessings

Marie

A PINK HALLOWEEN

2009-10-31T10:50:00.001-04:00

Happy Halloween

vintage PINK

OCD sometimes it's just there

2009-10-26T00:23:00.004-04:00

OK, i have diagnosed myself. i know 100% for sure i have OCD. i just spent 2 hours "fixing" my old posts where i used the free signature generator. something happened and my name didn't come up on many posts. i think this happened a few months ago when blogger changed it's format. or i did something WRONG, i'm "techie" challenged. so, as my husband & son watched the yankees in the play offs i corrected at least 50 posts. whats wrong with me? i could have been doing something much better like matching socks, putting all the clothes away in alphabetical order. (not really lol) but, before i spent 2 hours "fixing" old posts i spent 2 hours creating the new closing and signature using my photo shop software and photobucket. i guess all is not lost. all this from someone who is challenged with applications on the computer. take care

THE LORD'S PRAYER

2009-10-24T09:36:00.003-04:00

Hello!! it's been a few months since I last joined in on PINK SATURDAY. a lot going on during this past summer. some remodeling that i thought would never end. guess what, it almost didn't. that's a story for another blog.
today i'm sharing the LORD'S PRAYER as my PINKness.

it hung on the wall in our old bedroom . part of the remodel was a new master bedroom (i love the new space) i plan on hanging the plate in our room again along with a few other vintage spiritual pieces. my spiritual growth is happening in leaps, i want all the LORD has to say to be around my home. i've created small vignettes to fit in with the rest of the romance and relics that seem to overtake the floor & wall space. well, you all have a great week and hope we meet up again.
i'm happy to be back with all the PINK, please be sure and visit Beverly @ howsweetthesound.typepad.com
Blessings,
Marie

Family Room Remodel and the 58" screen TV

2009-10-10T21:47:00.000-04:00

June 29 started a very long and stressful remodel project on our 3 bedroom ranch. Thats when the demo began downstairs a much needed and a long overdue project for our family. Jim and I have a total of 4 young adult children all but 1 live with us. We're a blended family and at times under go alot of adjusting.This remodel being one of those adjusting TIMES. The project has given us a large family room and a master bedroom. The finial insepection was two weeks ago and little by little the new space is coming together. I will be doing a limited amout of the decorating in the family it seems all my Romance ~n~ Relics with shades of pinks, greens & white will take on a more masucline LOOK. My husband would like to compliment my love of vintage and create an English Gentlemen's parlor for the family room. We haven't started any decorating but, this is the plan. So, the "parlor look" will start off slow adding pieces a little at a time. For now we're using borrowed furniture, and oh yeah enjoying the 58" flat screen TV. I don't think the Victorian's used 58" screen TV's mmmmmmmmmm what happened, what did I miss, how did he slip that thing in there? I posted before pictures on a previous blog maybe back in June. And of course here are the afters. Thanks and have a blessed day.
Marie

2009-08-24T10:15:00.002-04:00

Time really has a way of getting away from me. We have been under construction (basement project) since June 29th. The walls are up with sheet rock on them. The doors will be hung, walls will be painted and the final electric and plumbing inspections will be next week. Dare I say it's just about done. Well, the storage pod in the driveway will need to be cleaned out. That will be at least a month long project. Where will all that stuff go? The garage is packed to the rafters. I need to carve out a work shop somewhere after all I haven't worked on a project just about all summer. Yesterday I opened the doors on the pod just to get a look at all my stuff, I needed to connect, boy I miss all that junk. I will post all the before and after pictures when we get to a more stable scene downstairs. I have some before pics on the two before this one.

Blessings,

Marie

A spot of tea

2009-07-18T09:20:00.005-04:00

Today I'd like to share this cute vintage tea pot I found a few weeks ago at a local thrift shop. I haven't been JUNKIN' since. It's been well over a month since the last time I went junkin'. I feel as if the world of vintage cast offs is passing me by! If I did have some extra time right now to go shopping I don't have the storage space. Well, I do have the storage unit in the driveway( hummm that's a thought) but, that is packed with everything that was downstairs. Maybe I could find a little room in there!
So, back to this very PINK little Tea Pot. The roses are hand painted ( I think) and the overall condition is in good shape. There is some crazing but, I like that on old china I feel that's what tells the story of time. I wonder how many afternoon teas where poured from this PINK pot? and how many good stories were told? I wish for days like that, the kind of days where we can just pour out all our troubles and have them "fixed" from a simple cup of tea.
Once we are back to normal around here I have an antique tea cart project waiting for me. The tea cart, this tea pot and my tea cups will make a very cute vignette. I'm thinking about doing a mosaic on the tea cart...
Enjoy PINK Saturday please visit Beverly at How Sweet the Sound and all the other lovely bloggers posting PINK.

Blessings,
Marie

A sweet find...vintage chocolate pot

2009-07-07T08:01:00.006-04:00

I hope everybody is having a wonderful summer, the weather has been great here in New Jersey once the rain stopped. Maybe there was 5 days in June we didn't have rain. We are making up for lost time now. July has been perfect. Last week I tried to link my post and had trouble. Seems my browser wouldn't except A Picture is Worth 1,000 words. Go figure, it's been a few months since I posted anything on 2ND Time Around Tuesday hosted by Diane. Please stop by and pay her a visit, great ideas await. Today I'm sharing this chocolate pot only one cup was missing and I thought it was priced right even if the cup was missing. A few weeks back I spent the entire day hitting up all the local thrift shops. It really paid off. I came home with bags and bags of great stuff. The bags are now packed away in my storage unit parked in the driveway due to the construction taking place here. But, I know in just about 8 weeks I get to pull them all out and enjoy the "FIND" all over again. The chocolate pot didn't need to get packed it's sitting in my china cabinet looking oh so sweet!. Thanks for your visit. Come again.

Blessings,
Marie

2009-06-30T09:13:00.004-04:00

Wow! it's been a while since I posted anything for this great event hosted by http://diane1876.blogspot.com/. Stop by for a visit and check out all the turned around treasures. This treasure is perfect just the way I found at the local Habbitat for Humanity store. It will go perfect in the new master bedroom that is being built. A few posts back will show the mess I'm currently under with this project. I love the scene on this print. The paper was lifting off the frame, nothing a little decoupage couldn't fix. I paid $5.00 for this TREASURE. It's packed away right now due to construction but, in 6 weeks or so it's going to be part of my new French County bedroom. YEAH! Have a great week and thanks for your visit.

Marie

The TIME has come...the downstairs remodel

2009-06-25T18:28:00.006-04:00

We have been waiting for three years and the time has come to clear out everything from downstairs, and I mean EVERYTHING!! It took me two weeks to pack it all up. Including all my goodies from my work shop. The contractor will begin demo on Monday! This new project will include a family room , master bedroom and a game room. The men here have given this project a name, one with great love, they call it "The Man Cave". We have a 16 foot storage pod sitting in the driveway it will be there for 6 weeks. Help! all my supplies and projects are packed in there. I don't know how this is going to work but, I already have some withdrawal signs. There will be more pics to follow as we move along. I'm not good at doing before & afters. I'll post and you all can be the judge. With all this madness I have also started a web site. Just a little more stress for myself. I'm learning how to add the pages and pics there. I hope to have it up and running soon. If you'd like take a peek here Whispers of Romance and Relics .

I guess I had to give up the space to the guys, I have my pastel romantic cottage things all over our house. The good thing is my husband says he will stay on track and decorate with a vintage theme. Something like a Victorian Gentlemen game room.

Oversized Glass

2009-06-15T09:53:00.004-04:00

Wow! One day last week I was able to get out and spend the whole day hitting up all my favorite thrift stores. I came home with endless bags of great stuff. One of the pieces I found is this over sized glass. Empty it looked so sad, imagine it filled with chocolates, vintage buttons, rag balls or a nice cool drink. I had been looking for a container to hold the Christmas ornies I found a few months back. The pink ornies are vintage and they have a little pitting on them I'm not sure the blue ones are vintage but I love the combo. The tulle is a soft baby blue and the vintage pin is a pink/blue stone. This went right to my of the booth space on top of the mantle. I often think I should just spend every minute of the day in the thrift shops but, I suppose the real world awaits. Enjoy !

Marie