A Bit of Heaven

http://www.livelaughrowe.com

http://www.seven-alive.com

http://www.seventhirtythree.com

Black and White Photos

2013-01-23T16:35:00.000-06:00

It's my favorite wall with some of my favorite people. Faces watching over me in my office.

Black and white pictures make a statement when grouped together, and yes, that is me in the lower left hand corner.

Blessings,
Ele

Sewing Pattern Paper Flower

2013-01-20T15:21:00.000-06:00

The sound of the sewing maching, the feel of fabric, and the texture and transparancy of pattern papper. It's part of me. Imprinted upon me as a baby, I'm sure. Listening to my mother's sewing machine,(and my grandmother's), all while being wrapped up in a quilt sitting in a rocking chair. Simultaneously rocking, watching, and listening. Comfort.

It's no wonder that I love to sew, and I love vintage patterns. I use them in my collage pieces, and recently spied a lovely flower made of pattern paper at Vines Vintage; a store in Fort Collins Colorado.

It was a steal, and it has gracefully become a belt for the

mannequin.

How cute would these flowers look as part of the decor in a vintage style wedding? I visualize them used on banners, candle holders, etc. The uses are endless.

Repurposed and recycled into something lovely, and for me, lets me reflect a little on my past.

Hope you enjoy.......
Happy Creating,
Ele

linking to:   http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com
http://www.uncommondesignsonline.com           http://www.etsycottagestyle.com
http://www.lisaleonardoonline.com           http://www.boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com
http://www.keepingitsimplecrafts.com     http://www.thecreativegirl.com
http://www.itssoverycheri.com          http://www.sumossweetstuff.com

Dress Form & Broach Bouquet

2013-01-12T14:38:00.002-06:00

Dress Form + Rhinestones + Hydrangea Flowers = Major Swoon

ENJOY!

Planning to show you a Pearl inspired Bouquet Next!

Jewelry available on my side bar!

Linking to Mondays: Keeping It Simple Crafts Etsy Cottage Style Craft O Maniac Boogie Board Cottage Blogspot
It's So Very Cheri DIY Home Sweet Home The Girl Creative Sew Can Do This Gal Cooks Keeping It Simple Crafts
Sumo's Sweet Stuff I Should Be Mopping The Floor

Have a beautiful weekend,

Ele

Baby Girl Mixed Media Ornament

2013-01-09T08:00:00.000-06:00

The baby girl ornament I created was for a four month old named Olivia.

2012 was year she was born and experienced her first Christmas. Again, I used mixed media; ephemera from an old Dick and Jane book, an O positioned in a charm for Olivia, rhinestones, glitter, pretty papers, and more charms all for princess Olivia.

Blessings,

Ele

linking to

http://www.theartsygirlconnection.com (th)

Lisa Fulmer/ lisalizalou.blogspot.com

http://www.firefliesandjellybeans.com (th)

Mixed Media Baby Boy Ornament

2013-01-06T17:29:00.003-06:00

I was asked last month to make a 2012 ornament for a little baby boy due in January 2013. I pulled out some of my favorite supplies and this is what I created:

There isn't a name yet, so BABY would have to do!

A story book puppy, and kitten, and hanging from blue and white gingham ribbons; a teddy bear, and toy car. It says 2012. The year this little boy's mama felt him grow and kick.

The final creation.

I also made a girl ornament for this customer's granddaughter. Stay tuned as I reveal that to you next time!

Blessings,

Ele

linking to: Craftomaniac

Happy New Years and Two Birds of a Feather

2013-01-01T16:52:00.002-06:00

I have learned that when someone says to me, "I just had to get this for you because it's soooo you," it's a good thing. Even better.....when they say, "oh, and this isn't your actual Christmas present." Score. I know, selfishly loving self indulgence.

I love my pre-Christmas present Christmas gift. I call them, Two Birds of a Feather, (they are actually Christmas ornaments). Check out their curly feathers, silver glitter beaks, and....

beaded bellies.

I'm not packing these beautifies away with my other ornaments. They are perched on a nest with silver glittered eggs made by a friend. After all, curly fluffy taupe and blue birds with beaded bellies are perfect with real silver glittered eggs.

Happy New Years to all of you, and may you have happiness and love in 2013.

Ele

2012-12-23T14:07:00.001-06:00

Merry Christmas from our home to yours! Have a Blessed week! Ele

December Heavenly Bits

2012-12-10T13:48:00.003-06:00

It's Heavenly Bits time at a Bit of Heaven!

My artists this month recived a WONDERFUL AMAZING packet of ephemera from http://www.etsy.com/shop/sigridstudios.

Seriously, sigrid Studios=AMAZING. Mixed media arts are rejoicing at this very moment because of Sigrid Studios. Thank you Tanja. You were very generous with donating these packages to each of my artists!

Now, please visit these artists to view their creations!

Nicole Fogarty/coleycraftingcorner.blogspot.com

Nan Harrison/ uniquelynan.blogspot.com

Jennifer Morris/jenniferspetalpalace.blogspot.com

Later this week, I will show you what I have created!

Have a fabulous day,

Ele

Vintage Fabric Christmas Stockings

2012-11-30T13:17:00.000-06:00

Children, and Kittens, and Puppies...oh my!

I love vintage reproduction fabrics. Sewing with vintage or repro fabrics warms my heart.

Children, and kittens, and puppies AND yo yo's..OH MY!

These Christmas stockings have many uses; hang on a tree, tuck in a gift (or gift card), pin to a ribbon and hang across a window, hang across a mantle.....the list goes on.

If you live in my area, I will be at the Jingle Bell Show (Sleep Inn) tomorrow!

Blessings, Ele

linking to

funky junk interiors

Vintage Christmas Suitcase

2012-11-28T15:59:00.000-06:00

I'm digging in the attic and pulling out boxes, (and a pretty darn cute suitcase), of good stuff as Christmas decorating has begun!

Santa beware because I got this vintage suitcase last Christmas, and it was upcycled by my darling niece from DARLING STEWARDESS!

Santa just might lose his job if Darling Stewardess keeps making cute stuff like this!

Off to dig some more in the attic, but had to show you this cutie first!

Ele

linking to

http://www.theartsygirlconnection.com (th)

http://www.katherinescorner.com (th)

http://www.firefliesandjellybeans.com (th)

2012-11-25T16:14:00.002-06:00

Thankful for laughter, and love this Thanksgiving season. From my home to yours, I hope that you can feel blessings from God, even if at times you feel there are few. Before the Christmas decorating commences, a few sights from Thansgiving.

Have a great week,
Ele

Coffee Filter Gift Bag

2012-11-20T09:00:00.000-06:00

I seriously LOVE coffee.
Not just any coffee; french press coffee made by my husband. For some reason I have stacks of coffee filters, and we my sweet husband does not use coffee filters when making french press coffee. I decided to recycle/upcycle those filters on gift bags.

For this DIY project, I started with plain Jane brown gift bags.

I used oven safe paper bakeware for the base of the flower, (pic. below). One side of the paper is shiny, the other is matte.

I crumpled up each paper tin, and flattened it out again. I positioned the paper shiny side up, matte side down.

For the next flower layer, I used a coffee filter. I decided to dye them green. I put a stack of filters (abt.25) into a glass bowl, added a few drops of food coloring, and a couple of tablespoons of water. I waited a a minute or two, drained the water, and squeezed the remaining moisture out of the filters with my hands. Then, I dabbed the stack with a paper towel, to remove any remaining moisture.

I didn't wait for them to dry because the bottom layer (white paper tin), is coated with the shiny wax finish, so it won't absorb the wetness of the coffee filter. Then, I pinched the center of the fiter, turned it into a point, and used tacky glue to secure it to the paper tin.

Ideas for center embellishments are endless such as: fabric yo yos, rhinestones, flower petals, and jewelry pieces.

Need gift bags for all of your Black Friday purchases? Add a Christmas themed center, (from your local craft store), to the flower.

linking to:
The Empowered Momma (t)
Learning the Frugal Life (t)
Sensational Creations (t)
Todays Creative Blog (t)
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia (t)
Sugar Bee Crafts (t)
Not Just a Housewife (t)

It is now time for my coffee,
Ele

Mirrored Vanity Table

2012-11-16T08:00:00.000-06:00

I have this "thing" for mirrored furniture. Shiney, and pretty, and happy, and ooooh so very shiney. The reflective surface says, "buy me, I want to come home with you." What's a girl to do?

The vanity table is in my bedroom, (going to sew a chair cover, and possibly get a different mirror). The mirrored chest is in my dining room.

I am in the ever so slow process of a bedroom redo. Last year I showed you my Olio board inspiration, and top left....what do we have here? A mirrored side table.

Mirrored furniture piece for the bedroom (check).

Crystal knobs, ooh la la.

I pulled in an exisiting chair from my sunroom. It's a good fit, and is really comfortable, so am thinking I might need to make a velvet slipcover in softer colors. Any thoughts? As I mentioned before, I'm going to swap out the mirror, so stay tuned for a before and after.....I'm going shopping.

Have a fabulous weekend!

Ele

Grandma's Doily Bracelet DIY

2012-11-14T16:49:00.000-06:00

A bracelet made from Grandma's doilies?

Is it wrong to have a soft spot in your heart for grandma's doilies?

Is it fashionable to wear grandma's doilies?

When designed correctly, I believe so. Why? Because lace/crochet with a vintage feel is not only timeless and elegant, but modern at the same time. I recently saw this beautiful wedding dress in person, and it is absolutely breathtaking. Justin Alexander rocks.

(credits: Justin Alexander Bridal).

So, I present to you, my latest DIY project: The Doily Bracelet.

1. BUY THIS LACE BRACELET BASE AT HOBBY LOBBY, (it comes with chain link ends already attached!).

Did you hear me? Did I shout loud enough? It's that easy!
You do not need to use a jewelry tool unless the bracelet is too big and you need to make the bracelet smaller. Then, you can remove a link or two with a round nose jewelry pliers.
If you want to use a special piece of your own lace, (such as grandma's), you can purchase the silver flat ends, chain link, and hook separately. If you choose to do this, you will need to purchase a round nose jewelry pliers. I would also suggest some fabric glue to secure crocheted lace inside flat silver ends.

2. Buy three pieces of decorative jewelry that have holes or loops on each end. Search the pendant and charm area of the jewelry section.

3. Sew the jewelry pieces onto the lace, (through the holes), with a needle and thread. See picture above.

instead of adding 3 jewelry pieces, you could add 1 large piece, or 5 small, but don't get carried away as it will look tacky.

TaDa! Grandma's doily is not for just grandma, anymore!

Hope you are having a blessed week,

Ele

Be fabulous and classy. (Coco Chanel)

Check out these great linky parties:

http://www.thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com (th)

http://www.primpjunction.com (th)

http://www.katherinescorner.com (th)

http://www.aruraljournal.com (th)