Collections...

I have plenty of them.

My favorites are craft related, though cookbooks, ticket stubs, and themed mixes from Heath are cherished and greatly appreciated.

You see, I have this little shelf in my craft room. It holds my most important collections.



I display items that inspire me to be creative. I started collecting vintage cameras years ago, and mom has helped me add to my collection. Old books, lots of fabric from my favorite place in Portland, colorful thread, postage stamps, and buttons, of course.

I'm pretty sure I was meant to live in another era. I love old things. Give a an Estate or yard sale and I'm one happy lady.





I've collected buttons for as long as I can remember. If I could keep only one collection, this would be the one for sure! I keep them in several mason jars, but I would love to display my favorites in some way.



So, now I need your help. Your input if you will.... got any ideas on how to make use of and display some of my treasured buttons?
A pillow, frame....

Help please! :)
Have a lovely weekend friend.

Etsy Shop: Custom Wedding Invites

So, this isn't a done deal, but I might be making a lovely brides wedding invitations! Just to have the opportunity to do this is so exciting for me!

I've been collecting vintage fabrics for a while now. I know, I know.... buttons, stamps, fabrics... what else can she collect? :) I listed some fabric bunting (flag) cards on etsy, and have had more inquries on those than anything else! Who knew bunting was so popular?!

I sent samples off to the bride last week; hope to hear from her soon! Here's what I came up with:

She's using pinks, yellows, neutrals, and whites for her August '11 wedding (she's planning ahead), so I put together a sample card of all the fabrics I thought would work...



Three different styles for the invitations.



I also included a sewn gift tag that complements the invitation style.



I've really enjoyed having my Etsy shop open. I've made 14 sales in my first month. (7 went to my new friend, Amy. But, they still count! :) I will be restocking my shop with lots more flower earrings in the next few weeks as well. Keep me in mind for Christmas, birthday gifts, and bridesmaid gifts!
Happy creating!

Project Complete

... and it only took one year. I feel very accomplished today; I finished the project that has been on my brain for over a year, and it's great. For months, I have been collecting the magazine inserts from thousands (literally) of magazines. Most of them were recovered at Pawpaw and granny's house only because they own every issue ever printed of Taste of Home and National Geographic. smile. I wanted to make an address file, and figured reusing the magazine inserts would give it a unique flare. Here they are:



I'm planning on starting my Etsy shop a week or so after we settle into our new home, and these will be my first listing. I've been thinking about starting a shop for a while now, so I'm excited to actually follow through on the idea. If the items don't sell, you might just be the recipient of one on your birthday or for Christmas. :)

This weekend has been great. Heath and I have relaxed, enjoyed time spent with friends, and spent several hours watching Seasons 2 & 3 of The Office. Packed several boxes today. (For some strange reason, I've really enjoyed packing and getting rid of things lately. I'm sure my attitude about this will change in the next week or so.) Heath and I ate at Sharron's BBQ tonight, and it was incredible. I hadn't realized how much I had been craving BBQ... I will be eating there at least another 4 times before we leave! And, last but certainly not least, I will soon be the proud owner of a Canon Rebel XSi!!! We purchased it online Saturday evening, and it should arrive on my doorstep sometime this week. I am SO thrilled to be able to take "artsy" pictures again. I'll let you know when it comes in!

Happy Monday to you, my friend. Hope this day treats you well

Well, hello there....

It is currently 10:40p.m. and 83 degrees in our house. Heath has been asleep for twenty minutes now (I know, he's aging fast). Oh, and did I mention our living room looks like this...


This is how it will look for the next month. I'm very grateful to have the extra bed, desk, and boxes for our new place, it's just a little in the way right now. oh well. Abilene's heat wave made my Gerber daisy's wilt a bit, and our kitchen feels like a sauna when I turn on the oven or stove top. Oh, the joys of the south. Heath and I also like to keep our electric bill low... 41 dollars to be exact.

I started and finished a project today, and I'm pretty pleased with the result. Remember the metal picture frame I purchased several weekends ago? Well, here it is, new and improved.




First, I removed the glass and frame backing. I purchased a roll of Fiberglass screening, similar to what you would use for a screen door. Then, I hot-glued the netting to the back of the frame. ta da! I appreciate this craft because it's useful and pretty!

I must admit, blogging has made me miss my Canon camera... a lot! Did you know my camera died? It was a very sad day. I've been scouting out my replacement camera, and would greatly benefit from your suggestions. Hope you are having a lovely week, friend.

Flea Market Finds

If you have not already been made aware: I, Katie Claire Newton, am a collector. A collector of anything really. Well, almost. Anyway, Katie B. and I went out this past Saturday in search of Abilene's hidden treasures, and I am so pleased with the things I discovered!

A metal, lace picture frame, which will be used as a jewelry display. (More on that idea later.) Two jars of buttons; one collection of blues and greens, and the other of yellows and oranges. A folding wooden ruler. A bag full of foreign and domestic vintage stamps. A brown vintage purse, for 79 cents. A floral handkerchief from Paris; atleast that's what it says on the tag. And, a vintage red suitcase. The suitcase is in perfect condition, and it cost a mere $2.71. Not too shabby if I do say so myself.


Buttons. I've collected them since I was in tenth grade, and I still don't seem to have enough. If you have any that you would like to get rid of, I'd be more than happy to take them off your hands. smile


Last but not least, stamps. I've never bought vintage stamps before, usually because they are not listed at the thrifty prices I like. But I bit the bullet and bought these, and paid a mere buck twenty-five for them. Ones from Hong Kong, New Zealand, Israel, Kenya. For the U.S., Girl Scouts of America, Peace Corps, Wildlife Conservation, Tom Sawyer, and tons of Presidential, Christmas, and Artist themed ones. Not quite sure what I'm going to do with all of them. Any ideas?


Hope you had a lovely Monday!