My Box of Christmas Jewels

Once upon a time, I used to leave all my decorations up until after the new year.  This year I had it all safely packed away just four days after Christmas.  I love decorating for the holidays, but I've really cut back over the last couple of years.  When Christmas is over it just doesn't feel the same.  After all the craziness of the season, I have this strong urge to get order back in my life and to get everything put back where it belongs. 

The whole family was here for Christmas Eve dinner and most of them spent the night.  Now that my nieces, nephews, and sons are older, it doesn't take hours and hours to open up gifts.  In the morning we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast while trying to get the kids young adults out of bed.  It wasn't that long ago they'd all be up at dawn sneaking a peak at what jolly ol' Santa brought. 

I was so curious as I started to open a box from my mom.  Oh yes, she knows me well.  All these little jewels had been carefully wrapped up in tissue paper.  Imagine my delight when I started opening each one. 

This pocket watch is missing the hour hand, so I'll just put something else inside.  Love that watch fob.

I'll repurpose that big pin after I add some stones.  I like the other two just the way they are.

Yummy rhinestone buttons.

More yummy rhinestones.

I felt like I was a child again digging through my stocking on Christmas morning.  Thank you Ma for being my personal picker when you're out there on your treasure hunts.  I promise to use each and every piece.

I'm linking up with:

Repurposed Ornaments

What does one do after stepping on a box of ornaments that were carelessly left on the floor?  Use a few choice words, pick up the broken ornaments, toss them in the garbage, walk away, then finish decorating the tree.  Before I was able to get back to the tree, I felt this urge to take a second look in that garbage can.  Could something be salvaged here?  Of course!!   Please thank me for not grabbing my camera and taking a picture of the contents of the garbage can.  I fished the little cap thingies out of the garbage and set them aside.  I just knew I'd be wearing them one way or another.

This silver top didn't flatten out all the way, but it was the perfect size for a flat back marble to rest in.  Sheet music + vintage button = brooch.

Little buttons with rhinestones

These flattened gold tops weren't in the box that broke, I just took them off of some ornaments I no longer use.  The buttons are actually much brighter than they appear in this picture. 

Mother of Pearl buttons and lavender rhinestones from an old necklace.

These are my favorites.  Only one Shiny Brite broke when I stepped on the box, so I hunted down a matching top from another ball.  These tops are older and thicker than the others, so I just left them alone rather than try to flatten them out.  The little rhinestones are from another pair of vintage earrings. 

I think I'll be sifting through all my unused ornaments before I put them away for the year. I just might find some more inspiration at the bottom of a Shiny Brite box.  Sometimes a little accident can be a good thing;-)

I'm linking up with: Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch,Wednesday at Tea Rose Home,Time Travel Thursday at Brambleberry Cottage 

Repurposed Vintage Cameras

Last month I blogged about needing to upgrade my camera.  I haven't made a final decision on that yet, but I did decide how to repurpose these old beauties...........


 I can't help but wonder about all the family memories these produced.

It was a dirty job, but someone had to do it.  I never did figure out how to open these up the right way, but when I finally managed to pry them open, what a messy surprise.  Both of them were in pretty sad shape, but what do you want for $5.00 each?  Here's what I came up with.  Do you recognize any of it?

I used typewriter key stickers and attached them to the flat part of those two little glass pieces from the Brownie.  It's hard to see in the picture, but the convex glass gives them a puffy look.  Those are tiny rhinestone buttons hanging from the filigrees.

Do you remember S&H Green Stamps?  This little stamp fit perfectly inside one of the thick rectangular glass pieces;  I have no idea what they're officially called.   The frame is a little beat up, but the glass piece is in great shape.  The pin on the back has a bail attached, so this can be worn as a brooch or a necklace.

This is the other thick glass piece from the Brownie.  The piece on the back was from another old necklace.

I made this necklace with the lens from the Brownie.  I found a picture of a pocket watch in an old book and then glued it to the back of the lens.  I attached the lens to a silver disk and surrounded it with rhinestones from a vintage necklace.

This is the frame from the front of the Brownie.  I turned it upside down so it would be supported by those two little metal pieces.  A little bling is always a good thing.

I copied two 1953 elementary school diplomas and used Mod Podge to cover the box from the Brownie.  Oops, I missed a spot around that dial. 

For the other box, I copied some old photographs and used Mod Podge.   Notice the lever in the top right corner?  I'm guessing that's what was used to advance the film.   Keeping with the picture theme, I added a few of my flattened and stamped silverware picture holders....Be Happy, Peace, Laugh.

I still have a few pieces left over, but those are just going to have to wait.  I'm still working on my Christmas shopping and then it's on to the Christmas Eve dinner menu. 

I'm linking up my Repurposed Cameras with:

Savvy Southern Style for Boring to Better,

The Coloradolady for Vintage Thingie Thursday,

A Little Knick Knack for Everything but the Kitchen Sink,

Brambleberry Cottage for Time Travel Thursday,

Fingerprints on the Fridge for Feature Yourself Friday

The Answer is Chocolate for December Open House

I Won the Giveaway

I'm so excited to be the winner of the Very Merry Pink and White Christmas giveaway from Nicki at The Vintage Farmhouse.  Aren't these adorable?  Nicki's blog features her inspiring crafting and decorating projects, fabulous finds, family, home, and garden.

Included in her giveaway was this full size pink Christmas tree skirt with white and gold cording, twelve matching vintage pink bows with gold trim, two adorable white baby deer from her own mantel collection, four vintage chandelier crystals, and two more coordinating surprises.  Hmm, I like a little mystery. 

I just love this shade of pink and the beautiful trim.  I'm sure looking forward to receiving these Very Merry Pink and White Christmas goodies.

Thank you Nicki.



Holidays in the Vineyards

I had such a good time this past weekend for Holidays in the Vineyards, a Livermore Valley Wine Country annual event.  Several of the local wineries showcase their tasting rooms and invite local arts & crafts vendors to join the festivities.  This was the third year I participated at Big White House Winery and John Evan Cellars.  Fun, fun, fun!!  What a wonderful way to spend the weekend.

A large tent was set up on the front patio to accommodate the vendors.  I ended up inside the tasting room with one other vendor on Saturday, and the other two vendors were outside under the canopy.  The plan was to switch places with the outside vendors on Sunday.  The forecast for Sunday wasn't looking too promising, so three of us managed to fit inside.....

You can see that there's not much room inside, but the atmosphere was real cozy and friendly.  My jewelry table is on the back right wall.

Kathryn at JK Naturals has wonderful natural soaps and body care products.  She specializes in custom wedding and event favors.  This corner of the room smelled so good!!!

This was outside on Saturday when the weather was still something to smile about.  Christine Dowell (left) creates beautiful pieces made from recycled glass and vintage jewels, and Dianne Pierce specializes in large and small bags made with upholstery fabric.  I wish I had close up pictures of their work.

Stephanie and everyone at Big White House did a great job with the

 holiday decorations.

No, this isn't upside down and I can't remember the story behind hanging it this way.  I love the wine glasses used as ornaments.  We joked about getting a hose and doing a little barrel tasting.  I'd be giving everything away.

This is a view of the vineyard from the side patio.

The sky was black and ready to open up by early Sunday afternoon.  What seemed like a mini tornado had everyone from the tasting room running outside to rescue Christine and her glass.  We all managed to fit inside and enjoyed the rest of the day with good sales, good wine, and very good company.  I was hoping those barrels wouldn't start rolling around.

This is a picture from last year when we arrived Sunday morning.  Thank goodness everyone brought their merchandise inside the night before.  Wind is not good, it is not a vendor's friend, it is not allowed during any event!!!

Repurposed Keys and Vintage Jewels

I've been having so much fun with the keys and vintage jewels I purchased a few weeks ago at an antique faire.  But, I have this problem when  faced with a mound of repurposing choices.  It's a little like shopping in a huge mall with hundreds of stores, and then walking out without purchasing a thing.  With too many choices, I just end up over thinking the whole thing.  Do you ever have that problem?

I know, I know, too many choices really isn't a problem, but it can be distracting.  My new found solution is to pick out only a few pieces at a time to work on, and then try to keep my eyes off the pile of vintage goodies staring back at me.  I'm much more productive this way.  Focus, focus, focus......

The six of these key necklaces were made with vintage clip on earrings and pieces of rhinestone necklaces.

I added a bit of bling to these tiny 1" keys and their little lock.  The keys

still open the lock.

Three clip on earrings and antiqued filigrees.

Keys, keys, and more keys.

Vintage earrings and chippy old key escutcheons.

It's time to put my repurposing projects on hold for a week or so.  I still need to get out my Christmas decorations get started on my shopping.  I'll probably be limiting the shopping to our little mall here in town; I don't need to be distracted with too many choices.

I'm linking up with..........