Upstairs in the Attic

This past Monday was spent helping my Mom clean out her attic.  Oh, what memories it brought back.  She is a PACK RAT, and I do believe I've inherited a bit of that.  It was rewarding to help her clear out and purge, and I also got to take home some treasures.

For instance, this is the Christening gown my sisters and I were baptized in.  The little bonnet rests nearby.  Although the dress is yellowed from many years in the attic, it's precious to me.

Up close you can see the sweetest little pearl heart at the bodice.

We also found this old board with vintage wallpaper.  Pretty florals scattered about...

A couple of mismatched shoes we wore as toddlers...

Someday I'd love to own a vintage dress form for display in my own studio...a dream to hold onto.  In the meantime I accepted this old petticoat from my Mom, and will save it for that dress form.  It looks cute hanging from an old hanger for now:

With Valentine's day coming up, I'm starting to think about romantic creations.  Scattering supplies around always help fuel inspiration:

Perhaps I'll use this tea-dyed crepe paper and pink feathers...

...or this sweet lace trim I picked up in Paris last fall, as well as the vintage blue ribbon from Tracey's shop.  So much prettiness to create with!

I'll be sharing over at these great parties:
Be Inspired Friday
Feathered Nest Friday
Shabbilicious Friday
Blissful Whites Wednesday

A Quiet Winter

After all the merrymaking during Christmas, I often appreciate the softness and quiet of January.  The decorations are put away and all is laid bare, awaiting a fresh start or perspective.  This is a good time to purge those 'things' that are cluttering our homes and make new plans.  Truthfully, these steps can take me a while.  I look around at the emptied rooms and think - what next?  'Life' in our family takes priority and freshening up our home may get put on the back burner.
In the meantime I soak in the quiet atmosphere...

After our Christmas tree was taken away, this corner of the living room has returned to a place for contemplation and dreaming...

(these roses still survive since Christmas dinner!)

The cage doll received a shawl to keep her warm and nearby a bowl of yarn, crochet thread and pretty bits remind me to get creative.

It's a restful spot with the bright sunlight reflected off the snow shining through the window...

I kept a little bit of winter wonderland left in another corner:

The crocheted stars were moved here from our Master bedroom to adorn this arched window.  My little girl's ballerina finally got her headpiece (after Christmas, I must admit):

This Santos looks like a winter queen with her white shawl and soft skirt:

Our fireplace mantel is laid bare, other than this lingering white horse.  His adornments were toned down to a simple crochet star and vintage lace trim:

It's a serene time, yet with promises ahead.  Hope you're staying warm and making the most of January!

I'm joining in at these great parties:
Grey Dey Thursdey
Be Inspired Friday
Feathered Nest Friday
Shabbilicious Friday
Blissful Whites Wednesday

White House and Winter Wonderland

Happy New Year friends!  We're starting off 2014 with a big snowstorm.  The snow stopped falling late this morning, and now it is a glistening winter wonderland.  Looking outside, I'm reminded of how much I love winter when it looks like this.

I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Christmas, reflecting on the miracle of our Savior born for us with joy and love.  This merry season always seems to go by much too fast.  
I had one last project to show you which I meant to share before Christmas, but time got away from me.  Nevertheless, I still think I can share it now....a winter white house:

I had transformed this white house from something quite different before I placed it in this little corner of our living room:

Are you ready for this 'before' photo???  I found the house last spring at the local thrift store for something like $3.  It did not meet my palette criteria, but I knew I could transform it:

I actually didn't mind the pink so much, but the green roof and red bricks had to go.  So I decided to paint it all white and add some glistening 'snow' here and there...

Next I bleached some tiny green bottle brush wreaths and added vintage tinsel to each.  They got placed on the front windows:

So keep a look out for these old village houses (this ceramic one was from 1982) at your thrift stores and don't be afraid to paint them to your liking!  I may keep this one out for a bit, since it still seems 'wintery'.

Speaking of winter white houses....take a look outside our home today:

Time to go sledding!

Sharing over at these fun parties:
Be Inspired Friday
Feathered Nest Friday
Shabbilicious Friday