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

Book Spine Flag USA

So, I was inspired by the book spine Christmas trees that I've seen on Pinterest and in bloggie land.  My imagination meandered about with book spines as a creative muse.....how about a flag?

The background is foam board decoupaged with antique book pages from a bible dated in the 1840's!

This bible was filled with family records of baptisms, births, weddings....it was so sad to see it at a flea market with no one to honor its history.  I bought it, and have created a few projects from it including this cross.

The edges of the cross are decoupaged with pages from the 1840's bible.

But back to the book spine flag.....

I had no idea that white/beige book spines were so difficult to find!  I ended up using tan/kaki book spines for some of the white stripes....check out some of the titles on the blue part...."Fathers of the Constitution," ...."American Government,".....quite appropriate!   The "stars" are rhinestone buttons -- so fun!!

Then, of course, I had to bling it up a bit!  The silver beading between the stripes and around the flag are from a vintage beaded gown....Then I added rhinestones on the sides!  Aaahhh!  I LOVE IT!!!  The rhinestones are from vintage necklaces.....so pretty!

Well.....then what?  Crystals and chains and keys, OH MY!!  I added three swags of chandelier crystals, chains, and a vintage key at the bottom.  How cool is that?  Not your every day kind of flag, but it's so very interesting to look at.....(oh, my, I just ended a sentence in a preposition...)

Next post I'll share some patriotic banners I've made with vintage patriotic book covers!

Thanks for visiting this little corner of bloggieland!

Hugs, Catherine

Sharing with these fun linky parties:

Amaze Me Mondays at Dwellings

Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House

Made by you Monday at Skip To My Lou

Inspire Me Monday at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Table it at Rustic and Refined 

Anything Blue Friday at The Dedicated House 

Friday Linky Party at Funky Junk Interiors 

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

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

It's a Hodgepodge Friday http://itsahodgepodgelife.blogspot.com/

Frugalicious Friday http://decormamma.blogspot.com/

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

Cottage Style Party at Lavender Garden Cottage

Thrifty Things Friday http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

Fabulously Creative Friday at Jennifer Rizzo

Simple and Sweet Fridays http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

The inspiration Gallery at The Craftberry Bush 

Shabbylicious Friday http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com/

Flaunt It Friday http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/

All Things Thursday Blog Hop at All Things With Purpose, Glamorous Affordable Life, Posed Perfection, and Posed Perfection

Pearls and Lace Thursday at Faith Grace and Crafts

Inspire me Tuesday at A stroll through life

The Dedicated House for Make it Pretty Monday

Knick of Time Tuesday at Knick of Time Interiors

Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House

Transformed Tuesdays at PJH Designs One of a Kind

Tuesdays at our Home at Our Home Away From Home

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

Tutorials Tips and Tidbits at StoneGable

Blissful Whites Wednesday at Timewashed

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Centerpiece Wednesday at The Style Sisters

Strut your stuff Saturday at Six Sisters

Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

Share Your Cup Thursday at Jann Olson Blogspot

Share your Creativity (Saturday) at Welcome To It's Overflowing

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

 Pink Saturday at How Sweet The Sound

Fabulously Creative Friday at  Jennifer Rizzo

Pin me Linky Party at Diana Rambles

What to do weekends at Crafts a la mode

 



Is it Spring yet?

How early do you start decorating for Easter and Spring?  Are we ready yet?  Personally, I'm looking forward to sunshine, warmer spring weather, and blooming flowers!  Since I was in a spring like mood, my latest project is an Easter banner/garland.

Lately I'm fascinated with antique book covers...I've made several banners from them for Christmas, but these lighter more pastel colors seemed more suited to Easter.

First I found book covers similar in size and color.

Then I sewed laces and crochet pieces together and gathered them to fit the books. 

Added glittered letters...

Then...no project is complete without a little jewelry!!

Pretty butterflies for Spring happiness!

And Voila!

A pretty pastel Easter Garland!

I've also done a bit of embroidery work while recuperating from a minor surgery...here's what I've been working on...

Not sure what I'll do with these pieces yet...maybe put them on a purse or tote bag...

Hugs, Catherine

Linking up with these fun parties:

Amaze Me Mondays at Dwellings

Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House

Made by you Monday at Skip To My Lou

Inspire Me Monday at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

 Anything Blue Friday at The Dedicated House 

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

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

It's a Hodgepodge Friday http://itsahodgepodgelife.blogspot.com/

Frugalicious Friday http://decormamma.blogspot.com/

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

Cottage Style Party at Lavender Garden Cottage

Thrifty Things Friday http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

Fabulously Creative Friday at Jennifer Rizzo

Simple and Sweet Fridays http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

The inspiration Gallery at The Craftberry Bush 

Shabbylicious Friday http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com/

Flaunt It Friday http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/

All Things Thursday Blog Hop at All Things With Purpose, Glamorous Affordable Life, Posed Perfection, and Posed Perfection

Pearls and Lace Thursday at Faith Grace and Crafts

Inspire me Tuesday at A stroll through life

The Dedicated House for Make it Pretty Monday

Knick of Time Tuesday at Knick of Time Interiors

Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House

Transformed Tuesdays at PJH Designs One of a Kind

Tuesdays at our Home at Our Home Away From Home

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

Tutorials Tips and Tidbits at StoneGable

Blissful Whites Wednesday at Timewashed

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Centerpiece Wednesday at The Style Sisters

Strut your stuff Saturday at Six Sisters

Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

Share Your Cup Thursday at Jann Olson Blogspot

Share your Creativity (Saturday) at Welcome To It's Overflowing

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

 Pink Saturday at How Sweet The Sound

Fabulously Creative Friday at  Jennifer Rizzo

Pin me Linky Party at Diana Rambles

What to do weekends at Crafts a la mode

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

A sweet Irish blessing to you as St. Patrick's Day approaches:

May the wind always be at your back

May the road rise up to meet you

May the sun shine warm upon your face

The rains fall soft upon your fields

And until we meet again

May God hold you in the palm of his hand

(author unknown)

I used this Irish blessing in a craft project, and I thought I'd share it with you too.

 

 



This is a wreath I made for a lovely lady whose heritage is Irish.  She and her daughters are involved in Traditional Irish Dance, and they love to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day, of course!

Here's a tutorial on how I made the wreath.

  Cover a wooden wreath form with batting.

  Tie batting on with string.

See the red wire?  Before covering wreath with batting, attach a sturdy wire so you'll be able to hang your wreath easily.



  Then use fabric to cover your wreath.  I like to use vintage gowns with lots of fabulous beading already done!

 

 Pin the fabric all around the batting.

 I added white beaded fabric on the bottom of the wreath.

 Hand stitch.

 Then you have your basic beginning!

 And you end up with a mess like this!  Ha ha ha!  What's crafting without a mess?

 

 Maybe..... Now for the fun part!  Embellishing!  What to use, what to use....

 Maybe..... Maybe.....

Okay,  with a combination of my own stash of embellishments, and my client's own items that had sentimental value to her (items from her daughter's dance competitions, family heirlooms), I put together the final package.

 I printed an Irish blessing onto fabric, then cut each phrase into individual ribbons.

 

 I printed the St. Patrick's Day banner using letters from the Dover line of printables.

 An Irish crochet cross layered upon Irish crochet leaves.

 The tiara was worn by my client's daughter during an Irish dance competition.  The pins to the right also hold sentimental value.

 

Here are a few more random projects I'm working on....

 My daughter's birthday cake!

 I decided to learn how to embroider....making a pillow...more posts on this later....

Fun and fabulous pumpkins for fall...

 

So many projects....so little time!  What are you making?

 

Linking up with:

 

Minute for me Thursday at Marcia's Crafty Sewing

One Project at a Time at A Bowl Full of Lemons

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

 Share Your Cup Thursday

Under The Table & Dreaming Sunday Showcase Party

What's in the gunny sack?

Silver Pennies

Be Inspired Friday at Common Ground

Open House Party at No Minimalist Here

Craftastic Monday at Sew Can Do

The Scoop Tuesdays at The Farmhouse Porch

Market Yourself Monday at Sumo's Sweet Stuff

Nick of Time Tuesday at Knick of Time Interiors

Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House

You're Gonna Love it at Kathe With an E

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

What We Accomplished Wednesdays at Green Willow Pond

Look What I Made Wednesday at Creations by Kara

Wow us Wednesday at Family Home and Life

 That DIY Party at DIY Showoff