Ornate Splendor: January 2015

Friday, January 16, 2015

All you need is LOVE!

All you need is love, love....love is all you need!

Happy Saint Valentine's Day to you!

Ever wonder about the real history of Valentine's Day?

Valentinus was a Roman priest during the reign of Claudius the Goth [Claudius II]. Since he was caught marrying Christian couples and aiding any Christians who were being persecuted under Emperor Claudius in Rome [when helping them was considered a crime], Valentinus was arrested and imprisoned. One legend says, while awaiting his execution, Valentinus restored the sight of his jailer's blind daughter. Another legend says, on the eve of his death, he penned a farewell note to the jailer's daughter, signing it, "From your Valentine." For even more information, you can click here.

Here are my own creations in honor of St. Valentine's Day.

Antique book covers are the sweet beginning for these banners. I chose deep reds, pinks and creamy layers of lace for this project. The book covers and the laces are beautifully aged and tattered. I added silver glittery letters, vintage rhinestone jewelry, silk chiffon roses (that I make on long car trips), and pieces of vintage beaded gowns. I found lots of rhinestone hearts -- and even a rhinestone bow and arrow - straight from Cupid himself!!

Look at these pretty pearl strands and little heart charms mixed into the laces! Sweet surprises!

You can find a tutorial on how to make these HERE.

Life is short - so celebrate everything - especially LOVE!

Cheers! Catherine

Sharing with these fun linky parties:

Amaze Me Mondays at Dwellings

Inspire Me Monday at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Table it at Rustic and Refined

Feathered Nest Friday at http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

The inspiration Gallery at The Craftberry Bush

Fridays Unfolded at Nancharrow.com

Inspire me Tuesday at A stroll through life

Vintage Inspiration Party at My Salvaged Treasures

The Scoop at Cedar Hill Farm House

Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House

You're Gonna Love It (Tuesday) at Kathe with an E

Vintage Inspiration Party (Tuesday) at My Salvaged Treasures

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Centerpiece Wednesday at The Style Sisters

Whimsy Wednesday at Simply Designing

Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

Share Your Cup Thursday at Jann Olson BlogSpot

Saturday Sparks Linky Party at Pieced Pastimes

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

Link Party Palooza at Tater Tots and Jello

Shabbilicious Friday at Shabby Art Boutique

Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home

What to do weekends at Crafts a la mode

Share it One More Time Sunday at One More Time Events

Sunday, January 4, 2015

Prettiest Party Hats Ever!

New beginnings...resolutions...parties with friends...family time --- must be New Year's Eve!

Party hats were my choice for centerpieces. Since no one really ever wants to wear them, I just made them for decorations.

I used cardboard cones, and covered them with beaded fabric. I only needed small pieces for this project, so I used left over pieces from making pumpkins last autumn.

For the party hat in the center, I set the hat in a vintage vanity tray, then added corks, clock hands from Hobby Lobby, and an old clock face.

Little clock faces and clock gear clip art is easy enough to find and print. Then just add glitter and rhinestones!

Gotta love GLITTER!!!

Now let's go over to the other side of the dining room.

A floating candle in a large glass vase covered in rhinestone mesh and a Dom Perignon champagne label....next to little sleds holding -- guess what? MORE little party hats!!

The front and back of each party hat was decorated!!

And on to the kitchen where we had snacks ready for guests.

So, of course, we served chips in....Party hats!!

A broken clock...hmm...my daughter set it at midnight, then I spray painted it in silver glitter!

The New Year wreath that I made:

I used vintage beaded fabric, an old clock face...which I set to midnight and blinged up with rhinestones.

Another Champagne label -- adorned with rhinestones and pearls and jewelry oh my!! Then I added a chandelier crystal in the shape of a drop (of champagne?!)

Auld Lang Syne label for this record...

and MORE rhinestones!!

Kids are welcome at all of the parties at our house, and my 12 year old daughter wanted to do a balloon drop at midnight. I thought this was a great idea! So I took two dry-cleaner bags, taped them together, then taped them to the ceiling. We wrote fun New Year slogans on the balloons, and put them in the bags.

At midnight, the dads stood on chairs, and reached up to drop the balloons on the kids!

So much fun!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!