Some more of what we do.....@

A couple examples of our charms.

Our crowns!!!!!!

French chocolate box with charm.

An altered vintage bottle.

Thanks for stopping by.

Judy, Judy, Judy......

I always hear those words in a Carey Grant voice. A while ago I stumbled across a paper mache dress form... my friend Kelley Bell, the most quintessential party planner diva ever, expressed a desire for a dress form of her very own. One thing led to another......

A little investigation to find out paper preference-sheet music of course. One problem, Kelley lives in Florida :( No matter, its time for a road trip anyway!!!!!!!

Blank canvas!!!!! How much sheet music does it take to cover a dress form?

There is something delicious about the sound of ripping paper. Rats, I need more glue

Getting there..... Voila!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pretty label. Judy in her new home!!!! Kelley Just adores her!!!!!!!! :)

Button Cards

At our last workshop we swapped button cards. Some of the ladies were new to the group and were not quite sure what that entailed; brought their button cards, but not mounted on a backround. Hassie Holder, a most adorable, charming, and artistic kindred spirit in our group made several beautiful cards. She generously shared them eventhough, she didn't receive as many in return. Thank you so much Hassie!!!!!

On the other side.........

The button cards were all truly delightful(as are you dear Hassie :D) I have been enjoying mine to the fullest extent!!!!

Word has it that Hassie makes altered paper dolls. I do hope she will let us have a peek at them some time!!!!!!

If You Like Displays in Antique Shops

Mr. Romantic payed my decorating skills and off handed compliment ( I don't think he meant it as one) this morning. I was asking him how he liked the new bedroom vanity vingnette I had finished yesterday. He actually said," Fine, if you like displays in antique shops."

Yes, the honest truth is all the time I've been spending in my friend Patrica Mallory's shop, Refind, is rubbing off on me.

The mirror, minature dress form, hand mirror, birdie music box, Seda France candles and room spray all were purchased at Refind. This picture really doesn't do justice to the vingette, I need,Hope, the real photographer in the family.

This vintage sillhoette was the inspiration for the altered prize ribbon.

Me and Mr. Romantic. I just love this antique wicker desk, its so nice and chippy. It came from, you guessed it, Refind.

The typewriter came from a yard sale Pat took Hope and I to.

Just love these salt and pepper shakers! um hum Refind!

The felt strawberry came from Nancy Z.'s booth Sassy Trash at Lakewood 400, the butter pats from Patricia's shoppe, and the angel wings were a gift from her too. I got the idea from a display she had at Refind!

Vintage bow and lace rescued from a dumpster. Pat, my daughter Jennifer, and I braved the perils of a century worth of dust and must to get these beauties!

My version of Dream in Cream's jar full of vintage lace!

All the beautiful eye candy makes me sooooo...

Thanks for all the inspiration Pat!!!!!!!!

Contemplating the idea of....

I've been contemplating the idea of courage lately. How necessary a virtue it is in our lives. It helps us face the" fears, threats, and risks" of life when we would rather turn away. It helps us hang on to hope and wills us not to give up. To trust and love. To keep our heart open when it feels safer to close it hidden away. Courage helps us "put ourselves and our work(art) out there" come what may. It gives us strength to take the next step even when we can't see our way clearly. Sometimes I feel I've missplace this vital quality, especially when the what ifs crowd in upon me.

But one of the wonderful things I've realized about this world of Blog is how much I've come to enjoy hearing from the artful souls I have so much in common with and treasure the encouragement and support that comes from sharing who we are with others. So thanks for being there!!!!!!!!!!!

"Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point"

-C.S. Lewis

Raya

Maybe you are wondering about that pretty puppy princess in our banner. Let me introduce you to Raya. She belongs to Hope. I call her " my lil' granpuppy!!!

Of course she's a princess all girls are!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Raya" means friend and companion in Hebrew, and it's the perfect name for her. She is a little bundle of sugar and spice all rolled into one. She fits perfectly into that sweet spot in your arms and is the most perfect mascott for Hopelessly Romantic Art Studio!!!!!!

More Shop Preparations

We have been very busy "glitzy pixies" getting ready for our May workshop. We meet together with a lovely group of ladies the first Thurday of each month at Refind to create, visit, eat, and shop!!!!!!! Here are a few pictures of the process of getting the kits ready for the ladies.

Out to dry!!!!!

I(Gerri) tried my hand at dyeing ribbon and tea staining. Oops, I forgot to wear gloves!

Most of this ribbon came from the Ribbon Emporium at the Lakewood400 Antiques Market.

All together now!!!!!!

I can't wait to see the ladies' faces as they open their boxes!!!!! (I really do talk in exclamation marks).

And the fun of putting it all together!!!!!!!!!!

Workshop Preparations

For the May workshop I wanted a special way to package the "altered prize ribbon" I was thinking on the order of a handkerchief box; that way the ribbon wouldn't get crushed and it would have a nice home when it wasn't being displayed. Then again, it would be a special package to present it as a gift. That is if one could bare to give it away.lol
As I was discussing my idea with Mr. Romantic, he volunteered to make the boxes then Hope and I could decorate them to our hearts content!

Eight boxes!!!!!! I don't think he knew what he got himself into. They are wonderful!!!!! Just like him!!!


Then we stamped the outside of the boxes with french script. We used Ranger ink. It worked well

One down seven more to go. I think I should have bought stock in Elmer's glue co.!!!!

I think it needs a little glitter. Hmmmnnnn.

This is the pink version!!!!!

That's done now it's time to get busy on what goes inside!!!!

First Attempt!!!!

One of my first post's was about inspiration and where I find it. One example was the gentle whisper from a friend, "that would be pretty if...". Well, my Georgia BFF, Patricia Mallory(who happens to own the wonderful shoppe Refind) , once mentioned the idea of a paper shoe and suggested I try making one. Finally, the idea grew into a reality. Here are a few pics of my first attempt at making a "chausson de papier".

This will be the perfect thank you for the gift of inpiration. Thanks Pat!!!!!!

A girl can never have too many shoes!!!!!!!!!!!!