Wedding Invitation Consultation

     A bride contacted me recently with the request for some invitation samples.  Her colors are very trendy: Dark orange, aqua and yellow, and she would also like to incorporate a Victorian flavor.  I love a good challenge, and I love how tongue in cheek the idea of juxtaposing styles is.   Here are the samples I came up with.

Which would you choose?

Don't forget to enter my stationery giveaway.  The winner will be announced August 1st!

My Boys Are Getting SO Big!

     The other day Brett took some candids of the boys, and when I looked at them I was shocked by how big my boys are.  Sure, Hudson will be going to kindergarten this fall, but when did my babies become little boys?

 Hudson has gotten pretty good at posing.

 He's so cute!

 And then there's Nolan.  He's kind of got a mind of his own.

Here he is trying to push Hudson out of the way.  Hud still hasn't caught that he's a foot taller, and 3 1/2 years older, so he gets muscled around quite often!

Don't forget to leave a comment HERE to win FREE stationery from my shop, Dragonfly Papers!  As I write this, only two people have entered, so your chances are pretty good!

VERY IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!

     Remember my list a while back about things I would really like to have someday?  Today, I found a vintage typewriter at a yard sale!! I am SO excited!
     That's is all.  Carry on.

Recyling an Old Letterpress Drawer

     If you're anything like me, you love vintage junk goodies, and love to find new purposes for them.  Case in point: I have always loved seeing letterpress trays at flea markets and antique stores, but what the heck do you do with one?  (Contrary to popular belief, I am not a hoarder of useless items.)
     A printer used to have to type set each letter in order to print newspapers and such.  They would lay out letters in a row, and after inking a plate, press paper against the letters to create an imprinted image. Hundreds and hundreds of letters would need to be stored, and they were neatly organized in drawers and put into large cabinets.  Since modern technology has made letterpress almost obsolete, you see these trays for sale from time to time.  But back to my original question.  What the heck could you use one for now?
     After spotting one for $8 at a flea market, I decided I would purchase now, and decide later.  Fast forward a year, and I have finally gotten around to making it something.  I decided to make it a showcase for old family photos, and hung it on the wall in my craft room. It is a work in progress, as I will probably be tweaking it here and there as I find little goodies small enough to fit in the compartments.

 Here is how my letterpress drawer started.  It was in pretty rough shape, and needed a serious cleaning with a toothbrush and some water. I then cut photos and slips of decorative paper to fill in certain sections.

Here is the tray from a distance, so you can get the gist of what it looks like on the wall.  Note the cool antique cup pull on the front (now bottom) of the drawer. This drawer is likely over 100 years old!

I added the word "Family" in the center of the tray to set the theme.  I cut out the letters using my Cricut machine (of course) and the "Stamped" cartridge.

This key was found in an old family desk, and no one has a clue what it went to.

This dapper gentleman is my great-grandfather.  Thank goodness I didn't inherit his ear genes.  Does he look Irish, or what?

The little holes I filled with teeny pictures, which are easier to find than you would imagine.  Most old pictures are pretty small.  Those that are not you can crop or edit them to fit.

Some of the empty spaces I filled with decorative paper including pages from hymnals and dictionaries. I also like the look of some of the spaces being empty.  This was a fun project, and a great way to showcase some tiny old photos that probably would not have been suitable for framing.

Don't forget about our giveaway!  Dragonfly papers is giving away a recycled Nancy Drew journal and your choice of note card sets from our shop.  Check out the details HERE.

Exciting News!!

     Okay, so here it is: I have opened a second Etsy shop!  I am pleased to announce the arrival of the Vintage Scrap Company on Etsy!  My new shop features notions (mostly vintage) for all your crafting needs.  There is lace by the yard, ephemera such as old map, sheet music, book pages, and stickers made from all kinds of recycled materials.  My store is still in the fledgling stages.  I have zero feedback, and need to list a lot more items, but I am too excited to keep it to myself anymore.
     So what does this all mean to you?  Well, for starters, We Can Do It Girls readers can get 10% off anything in the shop until August 1st using the coupon code Vintage10.  And for second, I am going to host a giveaway!  I have been promising this since Dragonfly Papers hit its 200th sale.  Dragonfly Papers will be giving away one of its popular sellers which is a vintage Nancy Drew novel made into a journal for your thoughts, dreams and prayers.

The lucky winner will also score his/her choice of any note card set from the shop.  Which would you choose?

There are these:

or perhaps these

Or heck, even these

You can choose ANY card set!

So what do you need to do?

1. Follow my blog on the right.  It takes less than a minute, and helps me look legit. ;) You click the button and give your information. Leave a comment that you are following this blog.  If you already follow, leave a comment stating that.

2. Head on over to Dragonfly Papers, and comment below which set of cards you would choose if you won.

3. If you'd like an extra entry,  check out Vintage Scrap, and let me know what your favorite item is in a comment below.

It's that simple!  A winner will be randomly chosen on August 1st.  Check back to see if you've won.

Open to US residents only, please!

Loving Newport

     Have I told you how how beautiful it is here in Newport?

Stay tuned for an exciting shop announcement tomorrow regarding FREE stuff for you!

I Heart Heartsy

     Let me tell you about my favorite new obsession.  Are you a fan of Groupon like I am?  They offer some good deals, but let me tell you about something even better.  It's called Heartsy, and is more awesome than I can even tell you.  I should seriously be a spokesperson, or something.
     Heartsy offers daily deals from {my favorite website} Etsy in several areas, such as jewelry, paper goods, bath and body, clothing, accessories and more.  Each day you will have around five deals to choose from.  The deals are generally great, but if you sign up to be a VIP for only $7.99 a month, the deals become sensational.  A monthly charge seems like a pain, but it will pay for itself in your first purchase, as VIPS receive an extra $10 credit on most deals.
     Here's why Heartsy is so cool: You can buy gifts for others (or yourself!) for CHEAP! I bought myself a necklace with the boys' birthstones for a little over $18, including shipping!  Some deals are as low as $6!  Do you have a small budget for a friend's upcoming birthday?  Want to buy a little something for your mom just because?  Heartsy is the place!  But wait, there's more! Use this link to sign up, and receive $5 FREE to get started! You won't be disappointed!

 These bracelets, offered by DarkChocolateNTulips are part of Monday's deal.  VIPs will spend $20, and get $50 worth of product.  You can personalize TWO of these bracelets for that price with any message you'd like!

Check out these earrings in a $11 for $38 deal by Lilly Queen. $38 of jewelry would only cost you $6 if you sign up using the link above! Wow!

I hope you love Heartsy as much as I do!

Decorating Our Guest Room

     This week I have been trying to tackle those crafty projects that I meant well with, but never got to.  In just a couple of weeks, my brother and his wife will be here to visit {insert squeals of joy here}.  I am so excited to see them.  So in preparation of their arrival, I have been getting the guest room squared away.  Here are a couple of little things I did.

 I took a cheapie mirror from the Christmas Tree Shops and gave it a shabby chic finish.  It started out as bronze.

 Here is a close-up.  I achieved this look by giving the mirror a couple coats of white paint, waiting for it to dry, and sanding spots on the frame to give it a worn, antique look.

 I added a little visual interest with this framed "art."

 I bought this frame for $5.99, and used red patterned scrapbook paper as a background.  Places like Marshalls, Ross, and TJMaxx have the best prices on frames. I cut out the word "hope" using my Cricut machine and the "Stamped" cartridge. The alarm clock I snagged at IKEA for $5.  I love its vintage look.

Getting a little closer!

Have a great day!

Happy 4th!

The family and I have been enjoying our 4th of July weekend.  Last night we went to see fireworks in Jamestown, RI, and had a great time.  It was a little foggy, so the fireworks had a muted look to them, which was different, but still beautiful.  

 Nolan and I get ready for the fireworks.  I look about twelve with my new bangs here.

 My boys snuggle up and watch the fireworks.  I'm one lucky gal.

 Look at this cutie pie!

Today we got up early to head to Bristol, RI's 226th Annual Fourth of July Parade.  That's right, they've been having an Independence Day parade since our country was just 9 years old!

 On the main strip before the parade begins.

 It's a pretty scenic place, no?

 Hudson was thirsty and the only nearby vendor was a burrito stand which only sold Mexican sodas.  So Mexican soda it was.

 Nolan was cracking me up trying to drink his.

Oh, yeah, the parade.  It had some great features, but we had about our fill an hour into it.  Something about getting up early, and waiting hours for a parade to start and all that.

Tonight we will watch the fireworks (again) being set off at Ft. Adams.  You know I like cheap entertainment!

I hope you all had a wonderful Independence Day.  Our country is great because of those who have stood up for our freedoms, and those who protect us daily still.  God bless America!  We are so blessed to live in this great nation!

Freebie Friday: Printable Lists

     You know what I love? Lists.  I may not seem like the organized type (just ask my husband), but I really rely on a good list to keep me in line.  Grocery lists, To do lists, a list of lists, I am a list nerd.  But you know what I like even more than lists? FREE stuff.  Today I've combined the two.  Here are some FREE printables for list-making that I have found across the web.  Enjoy!

 This to do list is offered by Mommy Tracked.  They have several cute selections of lists on their website all for FREE! This one reads, "Too bad all this juggling isn't toning my arms!"

This printable is for your babysitter.  It reminds you of all those important details you should share before you leave home.  Get it at Living Locurto.

This cute design is offered by La Vie Toni. These are adorable!

This list by Christa Baca is designed to help you stay on pace with your health and diet.  Track exercise, what you eat and more with this handy list.

ChoreTell presents this streamlined chart for daily chores.

The Project Girl will help you get your meal and grocery lists organized.

I like the design of this one by caronedmunds.

Okay, okay, this is not a list, but this FREE printable can't go unnoticed.  Isn't this an adorable business/Mommy card?  See it in other colors at How About Orange.


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