Shabby Cottage Style

Hi Everyone~

I hope you're having a wonderful summer!

I wanted to show you some of my newest items in my

Etsy shop...I adore designing pieces with burlap.

And I love creating anything with a "beach cottage" theme...

This piece is actually a perfect blend of seaside with

a popular industrial feel.

The 2 bottles featured in this post are antiques that I have altered. If you notice, the one at the top has a glass handle on it.

As I am writing this, I am having issues with my computer, so if you don't hear from me, please understand.

Linking this to Pink Saturday!

Linking this to Sand and Sea Sundays!

Linking this to the Sunburnt Cow!

And I’ve got some NEWS!

Sharon Hughes at Pansy Garden and Cottage has a website called Launch Your Creativity. Sharon’s line of table linens and aprons is carried worldwide. Her motto is “Follow Your Dreams--Anything is Possible.” Don’t you just love that?

In the fall, Sharon is having a large event in California with numerous guest speakers, including Jacqueline deMontravel, the Editor of Romantic Homes Magazine; Jenny Doh, President and Founder of Crescendoh, LLC; Cheryl Turner, Owner of Paris in a Cup, and Jenelle Van del Mortel, Artist, Designer and Teacher.

Well, this week I am thrilled to be featured on her site in a special section called “She Followed Her Passion.” I hope you’ll take a look at it here:

http://www.launchyourcreativity.com/article_10/Cindy-Adkins.htm

A Very Special Interview--At Last!

Hi Everyone~

As many of you know, I adore Creating Vintage Charm magazine. Their latest issue, a Special Edition with a Marie Antoinette theme was just published. I was fortunate to be able to interview the magazine’s Editor-in-Chief, Sonia Crouse who is such an inspiration. Sonia really has truly captured the “pulse” of the art/decorating world. That is evident throughout the pages of the magazine, not only in photographs, but also through insightful articles on topics that range from home decor to repurposing to mixed media and altered art--all the things that make our hearts go “pitter-patter!”

I asked Sonia why she wanted to create a special issue about Marie Antoinette. She said, “I am born and raised in Europe and my mom decorated our home with lovely Rococo style furniture, and Rococo and Baroque era prints which hung all over the house," she said. "For some reason, every household in Malta had their prints of Pinky and the Blue boy or lovely Rococo era couples. My mom even had her tea set with pretty French scroll designs and a romantic 17th century couple."

"The movie Marie Antoinette that premiered in 2006 brought a wave of memories of my childhood home and inspired me to create art and designs with Queen Marie, who is pretty much an icon of the Rococo era. Maybe not as much then as she is now. I also have connected with many other Marie enthusiasts and was also a member of the Marie Antoinette Mail Art group."

Sonia's Mantel

"Apart from publishing Creating Vintage Charm magazine, which is a more general/seasonal themed magazine, I just HAD to dedicate an issue to Marie inspired artwork. It is just so exquisite, rich and beautiful and all put together it made a one very beautiful magazine that I hope everyone will cherish and enjoy," Sonia said.

Inside Sonia's Home

In addition, I asked Sonia what it was like for her to meet so many talented people while working on the pages of the publication. “It is a blessing and very amazing experience to meet and learn about artists and crafters worldwide--to learn about how and what inspires them and what, if any particular reason or event got them started to follow their dream,” said Sonia.

Wall-hanging in Sonia's home

“The talent and inspiration and the beautiful artwork I see; I love the artists' enthusiasm for creating and not to mention how pleasant it is to connect and communicate with them. It's like making friends and more friends every time. Above all it is very rewarding to me when I bring recognition to their work they so much deserve.”

A Special Piece of Art

Because Creating Vintage Charm has such a profound impact on art and decor, I was interested to know about Sonia’s personal style. “Honestly, looking at all possibilities and styles, makes me want it all,” she said. “I like the English country bright colors, the French scrolls and romantic style, the Swedish Gustavian style and I can appreciate all. I am enjoying so much the shabby, distressed and vintage patina with a touch of pink and aqua. I look for old and worn furniture to re-purpose and redo and hunt for the special little antique treasures. I think that pastels and whites make for much brighter and cheery home. I love white linens and lace. And antiques with a European style and designs remind me of my childhood home and heritage. I live in the U.S., but everyone who steps in my home remarks about the European feel it has.”

European Plates from Sonia's mother adorn her walls

If you have not read it already, I am certain that this is a publication that will be so treasured--one that you will come back to time and again for ideas and inspiration.

To see the magazine’s webpage or to order a copy, just go to: Creating Vintage Charm

XO

Cindy

A Very Special Interview

Hi Everyone~

On Monday of next week, I will be featuring an interview that I did with the Sonia Crouse, the Editor in Chief of Creating Vintage Charm magazine...

You will not only learn about the magazine, but will also be able to see Sonia's art and special family treasures in her own home decor!

(Did I mention that I had to pinch myself to realize that this is really happening?)

If you are someone who loves vintage, adores pure dreaminess, and enjoys all kinds of shabby goodness, I hope that you will come visit and enjoy reading about this very special woman and a fabulous publication!!

XO

Cindy

Wishing You a Happy Week!

Hi Everyone~

I want to wish all of you a wonderful week! And remember the beauty that lies inside each one of you~

I created this collage that includes a female image from Dezinaworld--I hope you enjoy it!

XO

Cindy

Linking this to Blogger's Bodega!

Linking this to White Wednesday!

Linking this to Time Travel Thursday!

A Little Vintage

Hi Everyone~

The Spring Issue of Creating Vintage Charm has just been published. I am so happy not only because I think it is a beautiful magazine, but also, because I just found out that my art is featured in it!

If you would like to order your own copy, just go to: http://creatingvintagecharm.com

With that in mind, my "W" word for Alphabet Thursday is "wow" because I was so surprised!

I would also like to introduce my new Heartsong Collection--just in time for spring! I adore anything that has an English Cottage look, so I got to work trying to create some pieces with that motif.

Heartsong Birdhouse

Heartsong Nesting Watering Can

(Graphic from Dezinaworld.)

Heartsong Mixed Media Clipboard

Close-up

Heartsong Polymer Clay Necklace

Heartsong Vintage Roses Watering Can

(Graphic from Dezinaworld.)

Heartsong Polymer Clay Tag--

Receive one free when you order any part of the Heartsong Collection from my Etsy store.

All commercial graphics and also, music paper graphic from The Graphics Fairy!

Also, I am having a giveaway for the mixed media piece entitled "Wander." If you have not entered the drawing and would like to, please scroll down to the next post.

If you have a chance to look, I have brand-new Shabby Chic Easter tags in my Etsy shop!

Linking this to Gorgeous and Fun with Amisha!

The Graphics Fairy!

Blue Monday!

Blogger's Bodega!

White Wednesday!

Wow Us Wednesday!

Whassup Wednesday!

Alphabet Thursday!

Time Travel Thursday!

Show and Tell Friday!

Pink Saturday!

XO

Cindy

Lots of Surprises and "T" is for Tag!!!

Royal Wedding

Hi Everyone--I have just created this tag for Tag Tuesday and it includes a London postmark and crown. Delicate lace, crinkly seam binding, and toile-inspired paper complete the look.

I am linking this to Tag Tuesday!

I am also linking this to Rednesday!

I hope that you will read about my news and enter my giveaways!

I just received some exciting news--I will be featured in the spring issue of one of my favorite magazines, Creating Vintage Charm! (If I was younger, I'd be doing cartwheels! lol)

Here is my Fairy Wish tag that will be featured...It is currently available in my Etsy shop!

I have a blog candy giveaway happening at my

Whimsical Musings online magazine. If you'd like

to enter, just click here.

I have 3 Mardi Gras tags that I made in this design

and if you would like to enter the drawing to win

one, just let me know by leaving a comment here.

Here's a close-up.

And, I designed 2 more in this design and I am having a giveaway for 2 of these...If you'd like to be entered into the drawing to win one, just leave a note on this post. I am linking this to Dezinaworld for the "Teeny Tiny" challenge. Why? Because these are the tiniest fleur de lis images I've ever seen!

The winners of my Pink Mardi Gras tags are: Marydon, Sissie, and Jane!

Wishing you all a fabulous week!

Linking this to Alphabet Thursday!

Linking this to Dezinaworld!

And linking to Time Travel Thursday!

XO

Cindy

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!