Thinking of.............Christmas?????

Hello Ladies!
Yes, I know that Halloween is not even over, but I am already thinking of Christmas!  Are you?  I usually am not at all in the mood for Christmas until much later, but this year I wanted to get a head start on my holiday creations for my Etsy shop!  I thought I'd show you what I've been working on.  If you follow me on a regular basis, you know that I am crazy about all things French!  So of course I had to make some Parisian themed hangings!

I have been having so much fun making these wall hangings, that I think will also be pretty hung on the tree.

Reproduction vintage French postcards, wonderfully crinkly seam binding, jingle bells, rhinestones and my paper roses made from vintage French book pages!  Ooooh, la, la!!  My favorite are these sweet birdies, flying over Sacre Couer.

And you know how I adore the Eiffel Tower!

These are just a few of them, I've made a bunch more!!  The three of these have gone in my shop.  You can see them here if you wish.  Au Revoir!!
I have linked up with the following fun parties. Be sure to stop in for a visit!
Between Naps on the Porch Metamorphosis Monday
Beyond the Pickett Fence Under $100 Linky Party 
The French Cupboard Holiday Preview Party 
504 Main Tickled Pink Friday
Frou Frou Decor Fabulous Friday Finds 
Funky Junk Interiors SNS 
Le Chateau Des Fleurs French Obsession Party 
Bobbypins Boardwalk Bragfest  

Galvanized Love!

It's certainly feeling like autumn now here in the Midwest!  I really love this time of year when we can cozy up to a nice fire, bring out our favorite sweaters, and put flannel sheets on the bed.  What I don't like is the season that comes after fall!  Today I put together this fun arrangement, using a large galvanized tote-tray thingy.  Notice if I don't know that correct term for something, it automatically becomes a thingy?!  Anyway, I love anything galvanized!  Until recently, I had never even heard of the term "Industrial Chic", which galvanized metal seems to play a large role in.  Now it seems as if I hear that term everywhere!  I picked up this tray thingy last year at a neighbors yards sale, for around $3, I think.  I initially had it full of little pots planted with hens-and-chicks.  It looked so neat!  So today I had a brainstorm to use it as part of a fall centerpiece for the coffee table.

In it I placed little clay pots filled with moss from our U.P. trip.  I also added a few pinecones, and some bittersweet from the woods.  Next came some Osage oranges that I found on a back country road yesterday.  (geeeeeze!  I sound like a real scavenger!)  Some glass votive holders with tea lights, a few mini pumpkins and some gourds, and I was good to go!

I really love all of the textures and colors, and the best part was that the only thing I needed to purchase was the gourds and mini pumpkins!

 I really love the patina of galvanized metal.  Now I can't wait to decorate it for Christmas!

Oh, a few tips:  I used some mini clay pots turned upside down to elevate the glass votive cups and some of the moss pots.  I also used crumbled up newspaper in the bottom of the tray, so that I wouldn't have to fill it so full of stuff, and yet it would appear overflowing.  To hide the newspaper, I placed some gray moss in all of the nooks & crannies so it wouldn't show.  I am so pleased with the end result!  Quick, easy, and not alot of cash!

 I've been on a huge pinecone and acorn and moss kick lately!  We collected all of these when we were in the Upper Peninsula.  I found this sweet little silver creamer in an antique store in the U.P.  I really love the patina!  I never realized how much I loved silver 'til I saw all of the wonderful silver pieces you all have collected!

Cute little glass squirrel with more moss.

I found this little metal leaf shaped dish at a thrift store in the U.P.  Love it!

I discovered this adorable little bird's nest on a walk the other day.  Of course I had to fill it with more acorns!

Well, that's it for today!  Now I need to get caught up and do some blog hopping.  I can't wait to see what you've been up to!
I am joining todays post with the following linky parties:
Cindy at My Romantic Home Show & Tell Friday 
Donna at Funky Junk Interiors SNS 
The Tablescaper Season Sundays

Surprises in My Mailbox!

Today when I went to get the mail, I found not one, but two packages from sweet blogging friends!  Yippeee!
I could hardly wait to open them!  Cindy, over at Cindy Adkins' Whimsical Musings, and I Owe it all To Him, sent me this beautiful tag and pretty card!

Cindy makes the most gorgeous tags and altered works of art that she sells in her Etsy shop. I love all of the details and textures Cindy uses in her creations.  The cheesecloth here is so neat!  And I don't know if Cindy realizes it or not, but I love acorns!  So thank you Cindy!  You are so sweet!

My second package came from the wonderful Debbie at the lakehouse.   Wow, I guess today was my lucky day!  Look what Debbie so generously sent me!  A whole big stack of gorgeous vintage fabrics!

Aren't they pretty?  They are a wonderful weight and texture.  I think they would make great tote bags (Christmas gifts!) or even aprons!  I may be old fashioned, but I love wearing aprons when I cook & bake!  Do you?

Here's a close up shot of the two that I am particularly in love with!  So pretty!   Thank you so much Debbie, for thinking of me, you are so sweet!

It is so easy to become jaded after watching the evening news, or reading the headlines in the newspaper and hearing all of the crazy things that go on in the world.  But since since entering the blogging world, my faith in the goodness of others has been strengthened.  I am continually amazed at the kindness of all of you ladies here in blogland!  So many caring, thoughtful women who truly are kindred spirits!  And who would've thought we would be meeting via the internet?!  Thanks again Cindy & Debbie!!

Another Obsession!

Hello Ladies!
Do you have any obsessions?  I mean, are there things that you are just crazy about, like chocolate, anything pink, or perhaps shoes?  I just realized that one of my obsessions is candle holders!  Wall sconces, candle lit chandeliers, tea lights, candelabras, you name it!  If you can stick a candle in it, I love it!!  When I am out hunting for treasures to transform, they are usually the first thing that catches my eye and that I gravitate towards.

Today I wanted to share with you some sconces and candle holders that I just finished and have put in my Etsy shop.

Ok, I'm a bad blogger again!  I forgot to take pictures of these Syrocco wall sconces that I discovered on our trip to the Upper Peninsula.  When I found them, they were a gaudy gold, ugh!  So I gave them a makeover with a pretty shade of light blue, then some distressing and glazing.

I love the floral details, oooh, la, la!

When I found this wooden wall sconce, it had a really ugly dark brown finish, and was super shiny to boot!  Quite the ugly duckling to say the least!  So, with some turquoise paint, a wooden applique, as well as the addition of this pretty glass votive cup, the sconce went from drab to fab!

I really love these wooden appliques!  I think they can add instant character to just about anything!

I love anything with an acorn motif, so I was so excited when I found these pretty candlesticks!  They originally were a harvest gold.  Not terrible, but I think they look oh, so much better Heirloom White!!
Isn't it amazing what a little paint can do?  Well, that's about it for tonight. Hope you are having a great one!
I've joined up with the following linky parties.  Be sure to check them out for some amazing ideas!
Beyond the Picket Fence Under $100 Party
Frou Frou Decor Fabulous Friday Finds

Somewhere in Time

Today I thought I would take you "Somewhere in Time", on a trip to Mackinac Island, Michigan. 
Yesterday we took a day trip there and flew in hubby's plane along with our neighbors. Visiting Mackinac truly is like stepping back in time, and it's one of my very favorite places to go!  If you have never heard of it, it is where the movie "Somewhere in Time" with Jane Seymour and Christopher Reeve was filmed.  One of the best parts of the island is that there are no cars allowed!  So you either walk,  ride a bike, or a horse and buggy.

There are lots of gorgeous Victorian era mansions on the island.  This is the one I "chose" for mine! Hey, it doesn't hurt to dream, does it?  This gorgeous home sits on a bluff overlooking the Mackinac Bridge. Wouldn't the porch be a wonderful place to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning, or watch the sunset over the lake with a glass of wine?

Houghton Lake, on the way up.  (Hi, Debbie!)

The Mackinac Bridge.  If you read my post a few weeks ago about our camping trip, this is the bridge we went over on the really windy day!

An aerial shot, just before we approached the island.  Isn't the water gorgeous!  It makes me think of the Caribbean!

Here we are, we made it!!

A few more gorgeous homes.  Check out the arched walkway above, carved out of a cedar hedge!

 Another neat cedar arch!  Ooooh, I want one!

The bikes we rented just so happened to be my favorite shade of Periwinkle Blue!

 I could live in either of these houses!

The island is most famous for the Grand Hotel, which truly is grand!  We have been fortunate enough to stay there several times.  The hotel, which is the largest seasonal hotel in the U.S. (it's not open in the winter months), also boasts the worlds longest porch.  The above photo is a dining area, and I just love the contrast of the red chairs with the green walls! 

Check out this amazing chandelier in the Cupola bar!

Love the wicker, and the checkerboard floors!
Once a year, the hotel hosts a "Somewhere in Time" weekend, where fans of the movie come and recreate scenes.  We didn't know that it was this weekend, so we were surprised when we saw a bunch of people dressed in Victorian era clothing!  I wish that I could've gotten some photos of them, but I didn't want to be rude and snap a bunch of pictures of strangers while they were watching!

 The lovely Jane Seymour.

Transportation, island style!

The island is also known for it's many fudge shops, good thing we did lots of walking a biking!

(sorry for the glare on the window!)

Our taxi drivers back to the airport!  Aren't they pretty?

Nothing like a gorgeous sunset over the water!

This was our ride home!

A couple more shots of the setting sun from up above.  Stunning!
Thanks for joining me!  If you haven't been before, I would highly recommend stepping back in time on a trip to the island!