I come across SOOO many wonderful blogs, so I thought that I would share them and send them your way.

Today’s favorite blog is “FRESH CUT QUILTS“ a bright and fun blog with lots of creativity. Check out the darling quilting patterns and now new fabrics too. So CUTE!

Also check out “FILM IN THE FRIDGE”,  “LOVELY LITTLE HANDMADES“ and “AMY LOU WHO”. Very delightful blogs for quilters, sewers or crafters. It is fun to see what they have to share.

So many blogs so little time!

Tell me which one was you favorite…

OK, now don’t expect anything too fancy… and don’t expect any thing super expensive… and for heaven sakes whatever you do don’t expect CLEAN!! Now with all that in mind you may take a peek at where I create. Keep your eyes peeled for vintage touches here and there.

Sitting at the sewing machine is a daily activity for me. So I’ve got a great cushion for my fanny! I’ve tried to add some of my favorite touches: like vintage quilts, linens, buttons and ribbons. Believe it or not, I have evolved from a vintage baby dress re-storer, ( say that fast 5 times) to a designer of quilted baby shoes, to now a designer of quilted baby shoe patterns. Which I sell to creative, quilting type gals and also to darling quilt shops.

I have collected dolls for years and am still a little girl at heart! Can you tell? I even hide things behind lovely fabrics too, so don’t even ask me whats behind the bookcase, cuz I’m not tell’n ya, and trust me you don’t want to know.

I found this white shelf and use it to display some of the shoes and boots I have created over the last several months. (some are vintage ones too)

My little shabby chalk board keeps me on task. Ya right! It sounded good tho didn’t it?

This is my very cluttered, but very sweet bulletin board. Believe it or not I know where every thing on it  is too!

When ever I need some storage or something to hang on the wall, I go searching in the back yard. I love using garden elements here and there.

Here are some of my favorite little vintage baby gems hanging across the wall. They are so tiny and sweet and come in such yummy soft pastel colors! So fun to fix up and clean. Well, a little fun.

The details are so amazing! I would never have had the patience for sewing those “itty bitty” pin tucks. It just wouldn’t have happened!

I wanted a very simple window treatment, so I did a valance. But then decided to add tied white vintage hankies for a shabby flair and then finished it off with a curved black iron wall piece. One day it almost fell on my head! I know what your thinking , but don’t say anything.

I love the whole trash to treasure thing! These shutters were left by the side of the road. Yippie, guess they had my name on them. I didn’t even have to paint them either. I just cleaned them and hung them up! The vintage china plates are from a garage sale (like 25 cents each) crazy!

I thought that this little plaque was so cute. “The beehive is the ultimate Home Sweet Home“. Well I guess that just about wraps up my sewing room tour.

This is where I create… this is where I sometimes get frustrated… this is where I wait for inspiration to come, (ya I’m usually in here awhile) and… this is where I go to get away from the world.

So… ladies, where do you create??

It’s an Egg-cellent contest!! These eggs are not just for Easter but for decorating all springtime long.

I made an assortment of bright and fun mod podge fabric eggs. I call them “GLAMOUR EGGS!! Because they are frilly and have a touch of bling! I got the idea from the DIY Dish.com. Kim and Kris always have such adorable ideas. You should check them out. They are my new favorite place!

I used fabric from charm packs torn in strips and then I embellished them with ribbon, gems, and scrapbook accents. On this plate they almost look good enough to eat.

This style has a gathered ribbon ruffle rosette with a gem in the middle.

This one has a skinny ribbon butterfly bow on end with a scrapbook flower accent in the center.

I gave away 4 packs of assorted “GLAMOUR EGGS” to family and friends last week and they liked them so much that I decided to offer a package of 4 as a giveaway to you.

So here is how you enter and win... leave a comment below.

Include your email address or contact info.

Be sure to leave your comment before Sunday April 11th at midnight. Winner announced on Monday April 12th.

Good Luck! And HApPy SPrInG!!

Take a peek at the table scape I designed for our Easter dinner yesterday. I used quite a bit of green with just a splash of orange!

I thought that I would share with you some of the crafty and fun decorating ideas I used and thought you might like to try them on your table.

I used gold chargers to accent the green plates from the green tablecloth. Then used vintage white linen napkins in a cute clay pot napkin ring.

Have you ever seen carrot eggs?? This was a really cute and easy idea I found online. ( I can’t remember where) You blow out the raw eggs. Dye them orange. Then at the top of the egg where you have the largest hole, you cut some green tissue paper and insert it in the opening. I decided to write every one’s names on them and use them as place cards. They are held in egg cups.

The centerpiece was another idea I found online. (Not sure where on this one either)  I took a basket and filled it with lots of lovely assorted house plants. (Got them at Home Depot) and then just added a large chocolate bunny. I found some darling green and brown polka dot ribbon at Jo Anns and added a bow on each side.

Then I decorated the base of the centerpiece with ecru shredded paper, more greenery in pots and then accented the table with some fun “Glamour Eggs” (I call them). I found the idea for these eggs on the DIY Dish.com.

Here are a couple of styles. They are made with plastic eggs that you mod podge fabric pieces onto and then embellish with gathered ribbon, gems and paper scrapbook flower pieces. I will show you closer pics and how I made them in my next blog post.

I thought that this table scape looked so springy that I am keeping it up all month. I must admit the chocolate bunny may not make it!! Yum!

Etsy Cottage Style has done it again! Another fun bog party! Come join in the fun and take a peek at some lovely things that begin with the letter “B”!

Here are my favs!

A sweet vintage crochet BABY BIB.

Darling little BIRD salt and pepper shakers.

A very lovely BARBIE BALLERINA doll.

An adorable BUNNY set from BUNNIES BY THE BAY.

Do I get extra points for all the “B’s” in that one! lol

I hope you enjoyed some of my favorite “B” treasures.

Which one was your fav???

Come join in the fun as we celebrate February with our love for all things Vintage (that are lavender or purple) at the Etsy Cottage Vintage Purple Party! Let me share with you some of my vintage favorites. My 1940’s  lovely Nancy Ann doll. She is “Beauty” from Beauty and the Beast. I love these dolls they are so cute and have the sweetest little faces. Another delight of mine is collecting tea sets and cups and saucers. These are precious sets that have been given to me as gifts over the years. Here are a couple of little florals I’ve had placed around the house. The dried heart wreath is from the early 1980’s. And I still love it! I almost forgot about this cute little bear that I bought back in the 80’s from a darling little tea shop in Monrovia, CA called “FRILLS”. My girlfriends and I, used to just love to go there for their yummy tea sandwiches and to die for scones. ( complete with a lit sparkler on the top!) There antiques and gifts were wonderful also. And last but not least…. an old vintage white birdhouse that I adore. It is embellished with a vintage hankie and lots of lovely flowers. Even purple wisteria!! Here’s a closer look! I hope that you have enjoyed seeing some of my Vintage Purple treasures as much as I have enjoyed sharing them with you. I’d love to hear your comments. Now off to check on all your blog posts!!!

Last week “Curbys Closet” took part in a community boutique to help raise money for the kids at CHOC Hospital in Orange, California.  The booth looked like a sweet shabby chic baby shop. It all looked darling with a little help from family and friends. Joining me in the “Curby’s Closet” boutique was…

My sister Cindi and her adorable OOAK fabric covered lighted candles. Perfect for babies room, bathroom, hallway or anywhere you need a little light. And her holiday ones look so cute for your holiday tablesettings.

Also joining us was EmmaJane of “Lil Heartbreakers” with her fun baby girl hair bands and bows. They are so cute and look adorable with the “Curby’s Closet” vintage baby dresses.

My talented husband made a new refurbished display rack for my quilted baby shoes. Believe it or not, he made it from an old mirrored piece that our neighbors were giving away. It went over a mantle and it was painted a ugly navy blue. He added shelves, a base and even wheels for easy moving. Doesn’t it match wonderfully with the dress rack he made for me last year?

Feel like having a nice dinner basking in the glow of candlelight and almost feeling cool breezes. Well, you don’t have to go all the way to the islands to set the mood. At least not in my book.

My son was leaving last week to go to Hawaii and I decided kinda last minute (what else is new) to go all out and set a tropical island style table scape. So off to my cupboard I went.

I remembered that I had given a Bridal Shower for one of my special gals Nikki  a couple of years ago and she had wanted a beach or tropical theme and thank goodness I had saved most all the decorations.  So out they came. I had purchased a few key pieces at Home Goods like mugs and planters to use for the centerpiece. I had a beautiful aqua table cloth ( I just love that color) and some other pieces to add layers and texture. If you have read any of my blog decorating post before you’ll know that I love layers. Try it sometime it is so cool!

I have gold chargers from my fancy Christmas table scape last year. Isn’t it interesting how they can look casual enough for a tropical theme??  (Come on join me in thinking outside the box!) And take a look at the white paper napkin tied with a shell and jute. How easy is that? Doesn’t it make you want to go collect more shells?? I used to love to do that as a kid.

Here is the focal point of the centerpiece, a fun bright, tropical planter container filled to the brim with shells of all kinds and all sizes. I even found a little piece of brown netting to peek out over the edges.  Then I sprinkled small and tiny shells all over the table.

Then instead of using the mugs for cocoa or something like that. I filled them with tiny shells and a big fat chunky orange candle. Light them and you’ll get instant romance or drama.

So next time you want to add a little tropical flair to your table. Get out the mugs, planters, gold chargers and shells and you can create a lovely, calm island paradise that your family/friends will love.

And don’t think that decorating the table is just for girls, cuz guys really love and appreciate it too. My young adult son said “Mom, you are awesome! You always take it to the next level“. Aaawwh!

That’s so sweet!

My challenge…. take it to the next level in your home for someone that you love.

Party on!!

Fuchsias babies just ready to pop!

Lovely large pom pom style Hydrangeas!

A splash of color with Orange Nasturtiums!

And last but not least, sun brightening Gerber Daisy’s!

If your garden this year seems a little BLAH... add flowers, add color, add beauty!

Any flowers will do the trick!

Look for more posts and pics of my English Cottage Garden flowers soon.

Be sure to CELEBRATE!! Get out your red, white and blue duds! Throw your hair back in patriotic ribbon!

Don’t forget to DECORATE!! Your tables, porches and cars! Fly “OLD GLORY” high and proud!!

REMEMBER we are so blessed to be AMERICANS!!

Oh, and always “BUY VINTAGE” cuz that’s totally American!!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY EVERYONE!!