Whenever I'm in a dry spell....

and by "dry spell" I mean I haven't bought anything new lately :) - I can always count on finding something great for my garden shed on etsy and ebay!

I bought the stack of antique books, complete with vintage doily, photo tag and a handmade fabric flower clip from Destash Pearl.

Aren't these sola roses beautiful (they're handmade flowers that are made from tapioca wood peel)! I bought them from from Your Angil

I bought these tags wrapped in fawn and ivory vintage fiber, seam binding and a millinery flower from Wildheart515

(can't for the life of me recall where I got these - went through my on-line purchases to no avail.... hmmmm..... )

This darling string of eyelet blossoms on vintage paper was also purchased at Wildheart515

The gloves, basket and post card I had.... it's the wire light bulb guard that I found on ebay that helped to pull it all together.

By the Sea....

I took a few early morning moments (when the sunlight is best for capturing pictures) to take a few snap shots of some of my favorite "beach" items and vignettes throughout our home. The shutter in the above photo (which I fell in love with because of its color) has since been moved to my living room - why oh why didn't I buy them both when I had the chance?

I bought this adorable table at a charming little shop called Counting Sheep while we were out one day for a Sunday afternoon drive. See what I mean about the shutter.... looks great here as well.....if only I had its twin...

I know.... the white board needs something written on it - but.... I misplaced the dry marker and I refuse to write on it with anything permanent.

I bought the "Beach House" sign a while back from Cheryl's shop. Take the time to check out her blog (My Whimsical Victorian Chic Cottage ) .... you'll be glad you did!

This was once a simple straw wreath that I transformed by wrapping it in lace and gluing on buttons and sea shells.

This sailboat print is a new addition - it was the bead board background look that sold me.

This is one of my favorite candles, and again....when will I ever learn to buy more than one of something I love!?!?

Thanks to My Dear Aunt Freida....

for sending me a box full of wonderful linens, lace, doilies, placemats and napkins. Because of her thoughtfulness and generosity, I was able to finally make some use of an old shabby tea kettle I had purchased some time ago.

Thanks also to Sandi at A Cottage Muse where I bought this oh so pretty Paris tag and old key

Such a sad little tea kettle before its makeover

and just look at all the beautiful materials I have left to work with.... my mind is spinning with ideas!

It's fun playing dress up...

I started to paint this dress form that I recently purchased at a consignment shop and then remembered to take a before picture so that's why it's in a half-painted stage at this point....

Here she is all dressed up and ready to "show"!

I fashioned a belt using scrunched ribbon (which I finally figured out how to make myself), clipped on some keys from a necklace I no longer wear, a chandelier crystal and a pair of lovely earrings my Mother in-law made for me.

I went through my bag of vintage bridal lace and trim that was passed down to me by my Grandmother and came up with a great piece of lace that fit perfectly as a shoulder wrap. For the finishing touch, I glued on the Paris "buttons" .... ahem....stickers..

(Click on an image to enlarge)