French Farmhouse White

Repurposed Syroco-style frame

(Image by Shabby Cottage Studio)

Hi Everyone~

I hope that you are having a wonderful week~

Authentic Vintage Syroco Wall Pocket

I wanted to share my newest additions to my Etsy shop with you~

There is something so timeless and elegant about white...

Repurposed Metal Easel

White is perfect for accents or for an entire decor~

The best part about these items? Not only are they versatile, but they also come with FREE SHIPPING!

Bronze-toned Pie Holder

This is the "piece de resistance" in my French Farmhouse Collection--a large pie holder that is dripping with charm!! It was just added to my shop--oops! No free shipping on this one--it's enormous! lol

Love & hugs,

Cindy

Linking this to White Wednesday!

Linking this to Homemaker on a Dime!

Linking this to The Sunburnt Cow!

Linking this to Time Travel Thursday!

Linking this to Show and Tell Friday!

French Farmhouse

Hi Everyone~

My friend Melody has a blog called Brown Gingham Creations. Imagine my surprise this weekend when I was at an antique mall and saw a brown gingham tablecloth--I just knew I had to get it for her as a surprise!

In keeping with French Farmhouse decor, I made 2 tags and wanted to include one with a rooster. (Graphics are from The Graphics Fairy.)

A clothespin adorned with French writing...

and voila! her tablecloth is ready to send in the mail!

I hope you're all having a wonderful week~

XO

Cindy

Linking this to Blogger's Bodega!

Linking this to Time Travel Thursday!

Linking this to The Graphics Fairy!

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

Wedding Party!

When 2 hearts are joined in marriage, I am certain that God smiles. There is a wonderful “Wedding Party” going on this week. My friend Stephanie from Angelic Accents is sponsoring it.

I thought that nothing could be dreamier than a “Paris Chic” wedding!

A heart-shaped candle holder nestled in my Etsy shop would make a beautiful addition to the romantic event--and could even be used after the wedding by the happy couple.

A chalkboard is one of those “must-have” items at today’s weddings...This one is complete with flowers and an Eiffel Tower and is also available in my shop.

This “Wish” bottle is also available in my Etsy shop. It can be set on the reception table and guests could each write a special wish for the happy couple and place it in the bottle. When the bride and groom return from their honeymoon, they can enjoy reading what each guest wrote on those slips of paper!

This “Paris” tray with handmade flowers is perfect for favors for guests to take home after the happy occasion. Of course, it could be used later by the bride and groom in their new home.

Awww, starting life together--a dream comes true...

Life should always be a fairytale....don’t you think?

XO

Cindy

Please scroll down to the next post to see who I'm interviewing on Monday!

Linking this to Show and Tell Friday!

Linking this to Pink Saturday! (The bouquet is pink--it just has a sepia effect!)

IMPORTANT NOTE: For some reason, I am unable to leave messages on other blogs at this time--so if you don't hear from me, please understand it's a temporary problem I am having! Thanks so much!

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

Dreaming in Vintage

Hi Everyone~

I have a love of all things romantic and I thought I'd

share some pics of vintage pieces that are in my studio.

To this photo, I added a background digitally

and created a new tag logo for my Etsy shop.

The fabulous French writing background is from

Shabby Cottage Studio for whom I design.

Here is one of my antique bottles...

And a collection of them...

Most of these are over 100 years old...

and are available in my Etsy shop.

And here is a tag I just completed for Jenny Matlock. ("H" is for Happy Surprise for a Friend.) If you notice, there is a vintage typewriter on it (part of a beautiful graphic sheet from Dezinaworld.) As I design for this company also, I couldn't wait to use that new graphic sheet in one of my pieces. A typewriter is part of Jenny's blog header--so, I thought it would be a sweet surprise!

I hope you're all having a dreamy day!

XO

Cindy

Linking this to Time Travel Thursday!

Linking this to Alphabet Thursday!

Beach Cottage Open House and Some Exciting News

Glass Cloche--Available in My Etsy shop

(Sorry, this is sold.)

Hi Everyone~

Perhaps nothing warms my heart more that Beach Cottage Style...It's fun, it's carefree, and happy all at the same time.

These new chalkboard tags are now available in my 2 Market to 2 Market section of my Etsy store...They come in a set of 5 and you will find all kinds of uses for these fun tags! The shell graphics here are from The Graphics Fairy.

Etched Shell Wine Carafe with tag

This wine carafe is perfect for a romantic

dinner for 2 or for patio entertaining.

Beach Peat Pots were available in my 2 Market 2 Market section too where everything is $10 and under! (These sold, but if you are interested in the set, I can create more.) They come in a set of 2 and are fabulous for cottage-style decorating.

As you know, I love Beach Cottage decor and also everything "Paris!" Well, I just found out that some of my brand-new creations that have never been posted will be going into a French magazine in the summer--I was so excited to receive the news and I'll update you when it comes out!

XO

Cindy

Linking this to Sand and Sea Sundays!

Linking this to The Graphics Fairy!

Linking this to Homemaker on a Dime!

Linking this to Sunburnt Cow Link Party!

Linking this to White Wednesday!

A Little Vintage

Hi Everyone~

I wanted to show you some of my latest vintage finds in my Etsy store!

This is an authentic vintage Syroco frame made in 1958. As many of you know, the Syroco-style is the rage in Shabby Cottage decorating these days...I gave it a brand-new coat of Heirloom White paint and added this Eiffel Tower graphic from The Graphics Fairy.

When I saw the frame, it was "love at first sight!"

(This book bundle has been sold.)

I was also fortunate to find this dainty Syroco-style vintage frame by Burwood with a lace effect--also painted it Heirloom White and added this sweet ballerina graphic from The Graphics Fairy~

Both of the frames are available in my shop...

And this book bundle is available also. The image is from The Graphics Fairy. It is in my brand-new 2 Market 2 Market section of the shop where everything is $10 and under! (Sorry, the candlesticks have been sold.)

Many blessings to each and every one of you.

XO

Cindy

Linking this to Pink Saturday!

Linking this to The Graphics Fairy!

A Friend-Inspired Creation

Hi Everyone~

I have been creating special baskets for my 2 Market 2 Market section of my Etsy store where everything is $10 and under...One day when I was on my friend Veronica's blog, I was inspired by her to create this Italian Market Basket.

Here is Veronica on a trip to Italy.

And here is a full-view of this basket.

This is one of Veronica's photos of Italy that

inspired this new creation.

I hope you have a wonderful day and if you would like to visit Veronica's blog it is here!

The awesome graphics are from Shabby Cottage Studio! and from The Graphics Fairy!

Linking this to Blogger's Bodega!

Ciao!

XO

Cindy

Linking this to The Graphics Fairy!

Linking this to Homemaker on a Dime!

Scrap For Help Premieres!

Hi Everyone~

Today is a very exciting event--It is the premiere of a brand-new blog called Scrap for Help.

I am on their brand-new Design Team and I was asked to create something with a Valentine’s theme because the holiday is celebrated in June in Brazil. But, that piece of art is supposed to include bubble wrap. Bubble wrap? What was I to do? I painted it pink and stamped it with Tim Holtz distress ink! lol

This is the piece I created and it is entitled Love Notes.

The graphics used for this piece are from

Shabby Cottage Studio! I think the

images are dreamy. If you need any,

I hope you'll visit them!

Love Notes Wall Hanging

Please click on the image to see a close-up!

I hope that you will go over and visit the Scrap for Help blog...This is an amazing endeavor that is connected with the United Nations...I am so happy--and proud--to be a part of it. When you get there, you will see that it is written in Portuguese, but right underneath that is English.

Perhaps I can explain the blog's purpose with the words of one of its organizers:

Our main goal here is to get people to be aware that through the art of scrapbooking, may help someone, why the ONU International and the ONU in Brazil gave us this award, because the campaigns will tell the world!!

It seems that people today have forgotten what is to be supportive of that is helping others, but we are here to remember forever!!

We will help various institutions with donations through solidarity campaigns .... have a link only to serve those in need !!!!!

XO

Cindy