Is there anything as romantic as a love story and listening to Frank Sinatra? When I was visiting Nesting On Main in Concord the other day, I rummaged through their basket of old letters, and Vintage keys. I found this wonderful love letter written in 1949 by a woman named Elizabeth. She wrote to her husband who was stationed in the Navy in New York about how much she adored him and about how carefully she was minding the details of the household while he was away. It was such a romantic letter, she was so in love and it must have been so difficult to be apart. The letter needed to be showcased on my Valentine's display. 
Embellishing a canvas design with an old love letter seemed to celebrate it's inspiration. Every time I pass by that letter canvas, I think about how romantic that era was, so it only seemed fitting that Frank serenade this post.
Seeing a pretty canvas displayed reminded me that I needed a new place to remind me of my long "To Do" list, and unless something is right in my face, I tend to forget to look for my calendar. Thinking about it, a bulletin board canvas seemed like a good idea. When I went to purchase a regular bulletin board, I found most of them too large for the place I wanted to hang it, and they weren't very pretty. I did see one that was lovely in a picture frame, but much too large for the space and it was quite expensive. 
So, I designed a small bulletin board, making it full of creative looking things to inspire me and then I made some stickers to remind me of birthdays, Chinese New Year etc. 
Chinese New Year is on February 7th.
Yesterday I stopped by the book store to pick up a copy of Hallmark magazine. I read on Kathy's blog called Shocking Pink Thread that there was a wondeful article written by Alicia Paulson from Posie Gets Cozy. Speaking about getting cozy, isn't it fun when you pick up a favorite magazine and read about people that you blog with or have visited in Blogland? Since beginning to blog I have found reading magazines even more enjoyable. I didn't know the story about Alicia, but her doorway into creativity through her healing is incredible. It really touched my heart and made me love her and her creations even more than I did before.
Speaking about favorite magazines, one of mine is Romantic Home, and they just published this delicious book called Vintage Vavoom.
What can be more romantic at Valentine's Day than receiving a box of chocolates presented in the classic Valentine box? 
I found this cute little decorated one and then these delicious looking chocolate candles. The candles are from Michael's and they can be used as floaters too.
Now everything surrounding Marie Antionette fashion was romantic. Gabriel Adelworth has recently designed a custom crown inspired by Marie Antionette. I love her blog, it is as vibrant as she is and full of wonderful ideas, her television appearances in Canada, published work and current projects. Today's post is wonderful and she reveals all the trends, eye candy and information about what is new in giftware. She recently attended the Canadian Gift & Tableware Association show in Toronto and she gives you the scoop on what to expect in the coming year.
Using note cards, ribbon and a Vintage postcard compliments of Teresa McFayden's Winter Bella Zine, I created a Valentine's garland. There is another wonderful project on her Winter Bella for a more elaborate Valentine garland to celebrate the last of the inspiring designs for the Zine. I can't wait to begin this project and I look forward to her next Zine.
The romantic song for this post holds a special place in my heart. Time After Time sung by Frank Sinatra. I listened to this song during my years in Hong Kong as I went for a daily walk. Beautiful memories dance through my mind, every time I hear this song.
Isn't It Romantic
Wedding Photo Challenge
Ta Dah...Here is my creation for the photo challenge over at Beachys Cape Cod Cupboard.
Today Louise of Beachys Cape Cod Cupboard is having a photo challenge.
When I saw this lovely photo, I couldn't resist creating a canvas to show off the bride and her wedding party.
I love making things on canvas, so I used a scrapbook paper background, called the Paintables collection. They create 12 x 12 watercolor paper with the black and white design so that you can use it as black & white or paint it.
Then I added the photo with photos of my own wedding cake and wedding bouquet. 
A bit of satin ribbon and a stripey ribbon wrapped around to finish off the canvas.
This is the Bible verse I Corinthians 13:8, that was read at my own wedding, which my sister framed for me a few years back. I changed the image to black and white to go with the Vintage look. I added bits of sheet music and a bit of embellishment.
I love old photos and this one was surely an easy inspiration for the photo challenge. Thanks Louise
Now onto discovering all the creativity surrounding this challenge, if you want to see the other Ta Dah's that include everyone who participated in the challenge just go here and have fun visiting all the blogs on Louise's list of blog links!
The song for this post is Wedding in the Spring.
Creating in January
"Genuine beginnings begin within us, even when they are brought to our attention by external opportunities."Willilam Bridges
I have to say that before blogging, January was my least creative month. I spent the month looking at the stark Winter's sky, empty of cozy Christmas decorations only emphasizing the emptiness of the month. Too soon for Valentine's Day, Spring or Easter, I usually spent the month Spring cleaning and getting organized. Now there are so many creative challenges, Zines, and groups to join, which I find really inspire my creativity.
Joining Winter Bella Zine was a good choice. Teresa McFayden has introduced a different technique and idea every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. These ideas have inspired me to create every day, which is such a good thing.
This is a sign inspired by Teresa's Welcome sign design.
It is always fun to learn a new technique, but what I loved about Winter Bella is that she gives you lots of downloads to work with, like this charming Vintage postcard. I used it to also make my Valentine's Day cards.
So far, I think her cupcake inspiration was the most fun for me. I love painting cake of all sorts, and the most adorable is the cupcake. I used her template for the cupcake design and the banner and quote that she supplied in her download. I stuck pretty close to her framing design, but I added a bit of my own style by using my ribbon and roses card design and for the cupcake icing I used fabric dimensional paint. I cut out my roses from my notecards to add the cherries to the cakes. Then I cut up an old shopping bag to retrieve these two fun cakes on their stands, which matched the cupcake paper and Ta dah...the cute Cupcake! Making this project did make me hungry, so when it was finished, and tucked safely away on my baker's rack, I decided to bake some real cupcakes. I sat like a little kid with cupcakes stacked high with icing (like my Grandmother used to make) and with a glass of milk admiring my creation. I would have hung it on the refrigerator, but it was too big. I think I just figured out why cupcakes are the rage these days, besides eating comfort food, creating comfort food gives you the same little kid feeling that all is right with the world.
My baker's rack is full of inspiration thanks to the crafty photo challenge approaching on January 29th at Beachy Cape Cod Cottage , Winter Bella Zine and the inspiration to create more canvas collages.
Blogging is a good idea, and joining all the wonderful swaps, challenges, and zines is a sure ticket to inspiration.
Thanks for stopping by, have a lovely weekend. I hope through your travels today in Blogland you find your inspiration to create something that speaks to your heart.
The song for this post is The Love Nest. I can't remember whether they used this song for the Donna Reed Show, or Father Know's Best. But it strikes a cord of some comfy familiar place within my heart.
I Love New York
When I went to New York last week I got some lovely photos that I wanted to share. I love walking down the streets of New York City. It’s no wonder I walked so much when I lived there.
Walking along the upper East Side I always get such a kick out of watching the people walk their dogs. I always want to sit on the curb with my sketch pad and start drawing the very tall woman with the afghan or the short cute older woman walking her pekenese. I actually took a taxi from our hotel to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, but it was closed on Mondays. 
So, I walked around my old neighborhood. I was so pleased to find that it was even better than I had left it all those years ago. So many little shops. Shanghai Tang is opening up a shop on Madison Avenue this Spring. That store is amazing, they had a store in Hong Kong. The gorgeous material, hand-made jackets, dresses and suits, and chockas like you have never seen before.
I guess one of my favorite areas is walking up and down the blocks on the East Side near the streets in the 60's. My husband and I went to a wonderful Italian restaurant there. They have the cutest places and serve delicious dishes.
I just had to go to Rockefeller Center and watch the ice skaters for a while. My favorite date as a young woman. I love to watch all the people who dare to skate because it is Rockefeller Center, but they cling to the railing the whole time. Determined to say "I went ice skating at Rockefeller Center." Then there are those amazing skaters that hang out in the middle and secretly imagine that they are all alone on the rink like Dorothy Hamill. There was one of those ladies skating on the day I was there watching. She was so cute and brave...she was probably a bit older than me and skating her heart out. She moved so gracefully with the music, and you knew that once upon a time she was really great. As she relived her memories and felt like a girl again on the ice I couldn't take my eyes off of her, and I so admired her poise.
I passed by the windows of The American Girl Doll store on Fifth Avenue and even the dolls were skating in the window.
When my husband asked me to go along to New York I knew I would be able to enjoy the hotel that he would be staying at for business. 
I had no idea the treat that was in store for me. We stayed at the Waldorf Astoria. OMG I stayed there thirty years ago for work and I thought I had died and went to heaven. 
Tall tall ceilings, beautifully decorated rooms with wonderful comfy beds. Terry cloth robes in the closet and a great view of New York. One of my favorite movies starring Ginger Rogers was "Weekend at the Waldorf" and it was filmed right there. Believe me when I say I needed a rest, but this weekend felt more like a week away. When I took a bubble bath in one of those deep old tubs and put that robe on and could see Park Avenue from our hotel room window, I felt just like Ginger!
My only regret is that we didn't make it to The Top of The Rock, which was recently reopened. Next time, but in the meantime I found their wonderful Top of The Rock web site, which even lets you select which music you would like to hear, what color background you prefer and which kind of view you would prefer, day or evening of the beautiful Manhattan skyline..."Sigh."
My husband Ned, and I lived in New York when we were single, and worked there for many years. Being alone with my husband and away from teen female drama was good for the both of us. I thoroughly enjoyed the few days that we were there, and assured my husband that if he had to return on business, to count me in.
The song for this post is Lounging At The Waldorf.
As we rode home on the train, I caught a photo of the skyline in the background beyond the bridge. Can you feel the love?
Announcing the Opening of JuJuz Beads
I have known my friend Judy for over twenty years. She has always been up to something good, whether finding some new and wonderful shop, or taking a class on the latest trend. She has been knitting ever since I met her, and her home reflects Judy's wonderful sense of design everywhere you look. Judy discovered Victoria Magazine even before it was on the shelf, and was buying Vintage before it became the trend. I remember when she painted her kitchen in 1988 a bold pumpkin color.
Who knew that ten years later everyone would be painting their walls in bold color?
Judy introduced me to the fun world of Stamp'n Up and as soon as she mastered that craft she moved onto beading. I started beading as well, but Judy continued taking classes to learn new techniques in making bracelets. Her quest to learn everything she could about creating beautiful bracelets led her to a journey of mastering special techniques. These details in beading, included designing and even molding silver into intricate clasp designs. It was quickly evident to the instructors where she was taking every class that they offered, that Judy was very talented in design. They began encouraging her to sell her work. Pretty soon she couldn't wear a bracelet without some woman asking "where did you get that bracelet!"
You can imagine my squeal when Judy sent me this gift last year. I always receive so many compliments when I wear it. Of course it is so special because Judy designed it especially for me.
This Christmas Judy sent me her latest bracelet design, and I loved how comfortable and lovely it feels. It makes you feel so pretty.
After so many people have loved Judy's designs, she has finally decided to open up her Etsy Store, which she calls JuJuz Beads. She has also decided to offer a custom design service, so that you can tell her the style and colors you like, and she will design a bracelet especially for you.
Judy has designed so many different styles over the last several years.
Here is another of Judy's bracelet designs. It is clear that all those years of knitting, crocheting and studying patterns for her latest creations have helped her master these new beading designs.
I am so proud of Judy for many reasons. I love how she tackles life with such attention to the details. This gift of hers surely is demonstrated in her beautiful bead work. Congratulations on your new Etsy shop!
Happy JuJuz Beads Judy.
The name for this post is A Pretty Girl is like a Melody by the amazing Artie Shaw.