"Prettying Up" My Studio.....Part 1

A few weeks ago, some bloggers got together and posted looks into their lovely art studios.
After looking at these spaces, I decided to straighten up and "pretty up" my studio as it was very messy and unattractive. In observing the other spaces, I decided one of the reasons I disliked my space was because it was so utilitarian with most of my items in plastic containers or boxes.
So I went to TJ Maxx and purchased 3 apothecary jars for $5.50 - $7.50 and away I went. I filled each jar with some of my items and added one of my handmade tags to 2 of the jars and voila', I had a much nicer space in which to create. It's certainly not perfect, but I like it soooo much better.
I will show more photos of this "prettying up" process on a future post.
Thanks for looking and I LOVE your comments!
(Please forgive the different colors and fonts used here......I'm technically challenged and can't figure why the font changes and the color of the type changes as I write. Any help would be appreciated.)

After using the same pin cushion for many many years, I decided to purchase a lovely French pin cushion from one of my Cottage Style Street Team Mates on etsy......Bailiwick Design Studio.
I love how pretty it looks in my studio.

Some of the vintage lace I found while going through my stash

Two of the tags I made to make my studio more attractive

I've used an over the door shoe tree to arrange some of my ribbons.

Ancient Cemeteries and Genealogy

As I have posted previously, I am extremely interested in our family history and genealogy.
After joining an ancestry website and doing some investigating I've found many of my hubby's family when they first arrived in this country....well, it wasn't America yet, it was the "Colonies".
This man, David James (1660-1739) would be my hubby's paternal 6th great grandfather (that means 9 generations ago) and he came to the colonies seeking religious freedom as he was a Quaker.
He and his wife and new born child (hubby's 5th great grandfather) arrived from Wales in Oct 1682, on board the ship "Bristol Factor".
David James was given "city lots" in 1683 or 1684 but eventually settled in Radnor, PA.
David James name is on the map of the State House grounds on Chestnut St. in Philadelphia.
After finding some of these people I became interested in finding out where they were buried and from there is was a short jump to going to ancient burying grounds or searching them out on the internet.
The above photos are of the church grounds and the headstone where David James is buried....this cemetery is near the Valley Forge Campground where General Washington and his troops wintered during the Revolutionary War.
Some people feel that this is a bit macabre but I am always excited to come across a new cemetery find.
Love to hear from you!

Birthday Flowers

The lovely carnations were from my hubby.....Mr. A Vintage Obsession.

Okay, so this is not your typical birthday cake.....I love gingerbread cake and made this for myself.
In our home, the request for birthdays is my made- from -scratch, 3 layer German chocolate cake....but I figured we didn't need the calories and I had a craving for gingerbread.
Thanks for looking in and I LOVE your comments!

Wow.....Look What I Won

I won this darling birdie bookmark from a giveaway at MissesKwittys
Karen also included a butterfly magnet and a tiny little butterfly.
Thanks, Karen!!

Another Etsy Treasury

This is an interesting Treasury from BlueMoonBouquet
My vintage pocket watch is included here.
You may also check out her blog at SandOProductions
Thanks, Sarah!!!

Our Family Tree & Petrified Wood

My hubby came across these pieces and

more while cleaning out the garage and he said "this would be a great subject for your blog". So here it is...hope you enjoy and leave me some comments.

Also, do you LOVE this hat or what?
Well...........I thought this was a clever title for my blog and the people in this photo are his grandparents and his grandmother was the one responsible for collecting all these pieces of petrified wood. She was named the "rock hound" by a cousin.....she really collected rocks for her jewelry making projects...I have a couple of the rings that she made and will dig them out and show them at another time.
From the stories I've read about her, she was quite a character.!
FYI....I have not enhanced any of the colors at all!

This piece has a lot of glittery spots....I believe it is called phyrite or "fools gold" It is 9" wide and 5" tall and weighs 9 lbs.

You can really see the wood striations in this piece.....it is about 9" long and 5" tall and weighs 10 lbs.

This piece is about 5" wide and 4" tall and weighs 8 lbs.

I discovered that this piece makes a great display for some of my smaller etsy items.

How I decided to display some of the smaller rocks in our home.

Another Gorgeous Treasury

Here is a Fanciful & Feminine Treasury complied by Southernladysvintage.etsy.com.....my black beaded evening bag is included in this fabulous treasury.
Please take a look at all the great shops represented here.

Four Fabulous Treasuries

I've been so honored this weekend to be featured in four treasuries put together by my team mates on etsy.....Cottage Style Street Team.

Please stop by and check out all these fabulous shops.

This wonderful treasury was put together by Inspiration Cottage...my baby beanie is included in this treasury

This beautiful treasury was put together by Bailiwick Design Studio...my butterfly tags are in this treasury

This is a Treasury compiled by Bramble and Vine...my vintage pocket watch is included here

This lovely Treasury was compiled by Cottage in the Sun...my mohair bear is in this treasury

Did I Tell You I Loved Seashells

Of course, I may have mentioned it a few times that I LOVED seashells.....we collect them wherever we go. Some of the filler shells that you see on the bottom of some of the jars we picked up in Alaska along the seashore, others were collected by my grandchildren because they know I love shells so much, others I picked up in South Florida walking on the beach with my hubby. Most of the large conch shells we purchased when we were in the Bahamas and in the Caribbean and some were gifts from family members who were traveling in the Caribbean.

As you can see, I keep most of my shells in apothecary jars so that I don't have to dust them individually......the shells in the trays are more convenient to move and to dust under and around and of course, I love the shabby chic and vintage looking trays.

Simple Pleasures

Here are a few shots of some of the bird houses I collect. I love chippy painted and rustic looking things as they seem to go along with my passion for all things vintage. Hope you enjoy!






Now for a refreshing glass of perfectly brewed sun tea.......refreshing!