Altered Vintage Handbag

 When I purchased this black vintage handbag

I had an idea that one of these days

I would eventually alter it!

Unfortunately I don't have a "before" image!

So I went through my collection of vintage black and

cream laces laces

as well as some of my special favourite fabrics

to complement them.

I created this pocket from an embroidered nett collar

to display this very beautiful cabinet card which

came in a swap from Marie

along with the sweet soldered pendant next to it.

I embellished the title of this collage "Dream"

with scraps of tea bags, jute, rusty crushed velvet

along with some tattered braid and

sweet bits of jewellery.

This finished collage now lives in my studio.

So there is another idea you can try

when you come across an old tattered bag from a flea market!

Linking this to "What's It Wednesday" with
Ivy and Elephants so go and check it out!

I did actually feature this piece on my blog post for

"Where Bloggers Create" 

sponsored by Karen Valentine of www.mydesertcottage.blogspot.com

If any of my new followers would like a peek into

my studio just click on my button on

the right hand side "Where Inspiration Happens" -

(well sometimes that is!!!)

♥♥♥

And just to remind me that SPRING is almost here

(taken in the early morning light!)

 are these magnificent flowering Manchurian Pear trees

which we planted about 6 years ago.

(in the distance you can just see our new little

garden room which is really taking shape hopefully

to be ready in the next wee while!!!

And from my back door right now

you can see more of the same

beauty!

♥♥♥

Hope where ever you are near or far

you can look around you and see something beautiful

in nature to capture your heart and soul 

even for just a tiny moment!

Love and hugs to you all and especially to all of my

new followers - a big "thank you"!

Suzy xox

Boxes Old and New! Patina and Patterns Too!

I'm not quite sure why I am so drawn to small

boxes and containers

like this delightful French face powder

container -

 it's definitely an original

and it still contains some of the original powder -

perhaps it reminds me of one my mother

used to use when I was a child!

Now this little leather box with it's brass lock

once housed a few tiny instruments

perhaps by an Optician???

(Apologies for not showing the velvet lining!! Oh dear!!!)

This dear little box was another recent find

and it looks like it may have accompanied

a microscope judging from the

layers of little frames

for the glass slide inserts.

I get the feeling that it may have had a previous life

somewhere along the line and these

little dividing frames were especially 

designed for the box. I love the way the front drops

down for easy access to the slide holders!

and the little clasp hooks are made from the finest 

pieces of brass!

Don't you love the way the pieces dove tail into each other?

It was called "craftmanship" in those days.

Below this box is another similar sized box which

holds an array of vintage door handles.

Don't you also love little vintage jewellery boxes?

This one has been in my possession, I think, for approx 40 years!

Oh where have all of those years gone???

The patina on these silver plated trays is so exquisite

and so are these gorgeous pattens on this silver plated

candlestick

as well as on this tray and gold picture frame
waiting in the wings for a shabby makeover!
♥♥♥

And, of course, there's always more lace, in fact,

some cut lace doilies here because I can never resist them

 and

this beautiful piece of unfinished crocheted lace
and linen piece bearing the words
"Semco Superior Needlework"
and finally, speaking of needlework
I have to share my newish box
which has been altered by me using a sweet Paper Whimsy
image along with some of my special vintage lace pieces.

The closure is made from gold silk sari ribbon and lace.

and finished in a border of more vintage lace
and cream gimp-like braid,

wrapped around with black netting and embellished

with black seam binding, white chiffon roses, a satin

suffolk puff and a little bit of bling!

Now I truly hope you are not all boxed out after this

rather long post!

I'm linking my new altered box to Becky's

Blissful Whites Wednesday and

 What's It Wednesday with Patti and Paula

Thank you dear friend for hosting another wonderful party!

Thank you dear friends for visiting me here

your friendship is very special to me indeed!

Stay well and be happy!

xox Suzy

Cards, Tags and A Giveaway Win

 I love to create cards,
 tags 

and especially collages

and lately I have had occasion to create a few

as gifts as well as a sympathy card.

The first two I created using

images from Paper Whimsy.

PW carries some of the most beautiful collage sheets

 that I have laid my eyes on

these images are amongst my favourites that I have 

recently purchased.

This one is for a friend who recently lost her husband 

and for this one I used a tombstone angel.

♥♥♥♥♥

Well I just couldn't believe what I was about to receive

when I opened this most amazing Giveaway that I won

from Manu at www.vintagesavonette.blogspot.com

Just look at this most amazing collection of ephemera, 

vintage items, linen and buttons.

I was totally stunned!

Everything was wrapped so beautifully

and carefully

broches, ribbon, jewellery and fringing. 

A beautiful vintage plane so worn and smooth

even with the original blade,

this amazing waxed plaque so intricately carved

and most rare

along with little boxes of buttons, a burlap heart,

some fine white linen

and these two little copper plates with my very own

initials "S" and "Q".

Everything is so beautiful and Manu I am sure

added more than I saw on her Giveaway -

Why? because she is one of the most generous

women I have met in Blogland

and, believe me, there are

many!

Dear Manu "Just thank you from the bottom

of my heart - you have indeed excelled in

generosity for which I am totally

grateful! Big hugs to you dear friend!"

♥♥♥♥

Now this is a gift of a different kind!

How special does it make you feel when you have

visitation from one of your native birds like this

Shrike Thrush

visiting inside your home?

This is a true blessing indeed!

Just want to thank all of my wonderful new followers

who have joined my blog recently and to each

and every one of you for your

very much appreciated 

comments!

Have a wonderful and stress-free weekend

taking some time to "smell the roses" as

we remember that as we are here for

such a short time

we may as well make it the best time!

Love and thanks, Suzy

PS Dear Carole "Lotus" if you are reading this post can you please contact me again, possibly with your correct email address as I am having trouble responding to your email! With thanks, Suzy.

Who could be the Winner? Could it be YOU?

Being part of the wonderful 

"Where Bloggers Create party"

certainly has been an amazing experience

visiting so many inspirational women

to see where they create their magic.

It really has been fascinating to see how many different paths

to creativity there are!!!

Thank you to all of you wonderful bloggers too who
are now following this blog!!! I'm so glad to have your
much appreciated company!

Now I have some very important news to tell you 
and that is the winners of

 my Giveaway!!!

Due to the large volume of entrants I decided to use
that most impersonal but effective Random Org
and the winner is Number 16
Linda from Desires of the Heart Blog

(Please check out her blog via "Where Bloggers Create" button above)

 who will receive this vintage lace collage
created by myself

along with these vintage linen serviettes

and cut lace doilies plus this vintage postcard

which really has been through a genuine house fire

and
from the list of the very many bloggers who displayed
 the Giveaway on their blog 
Thank you all so very very much!
The Winner is: Betsy of Betsy's Heart Strings

whom I happen to know just loves collecting vintage linen and lace.

Sincere congratulations to you both!

Now girls please contact me as soon as possible 

with all your postal details

so  that I can arrange postage to you - thanks!

I so wish I had these gifts for every single blogger

who left the kindest comment!!!

♥♥♥♥

I'm linking this post also to

 Becky's Blissful Whites Wednesday

♥♥♥♥♥♥

Well you know that such joy is always balanced

with a little sadness for that is the way of the world

and

just today we witnessed the passing of our

beloved Bessie, our boss girl pet Angora Goat (1 of 8).

She was the oldest and the wisest of the little flock!

Thank you dear Bessie for bringing so much love,
companionship, joy and beautiful mohair
(which I use to create with!)

into our lives!

We sure will miss you girl!
____________________________________________

Do you ever ask yourselves "How would my world now
be without my blog and blogging? I can't tell you 
how much it has changed my life over the last 3 years
or so and I am full of gratitude for that
 so this little Giveaway was just an expression of that.
for the amazing friendships formed, for the inspiration and joy
realized here!!!

Thank you all for enriching my life!
Sending you big hugs,
Suzy