Victorian Vintage Inspired Dresden Angel Ornament

I love looking at all the pretty ornaments and baubles this time of year. There are so many pretty ones out there. I am especially fond of ones with lots of lace, ribbons, and gold Dresdens, which has inspired me to create this adorable Angel which is available on my Etsy shop. Isn't she just a precious little angel?
She wears a Gold Dresden Halo and has Gold Dresden Wings. The top of her dress is created with feathers.

Spun Cotton Baby Angel Ornament

Autumn has awoken this morning with tumbling twirling snowflakes coating the faded grass in our yard. There is something magical about watching snow at dawn when morning and night still grab hold of the moment and the snow steadily falls. Staring out the window, cup of coffee in hand, who could ask for a more peaceful moment?

Today, found me finishing up on my newest Etsy offering: A precious Baby Angel. I have adored this precious face and just had to turn her into something just as sweet as her face is. Isn't she just the cutest ever!

Cotton Batting Old World Style Father Christmas Ornament

I absolutely love looking at vintage images of Victorian style" Father Christmas' ". These are the Santas who are dressed in a glorious long robe and are usually quite trim. There are many faces of Santa and all are special. As a child I loved the chubby red cheeked image that conjured up memories of good cheer.
Now, as I am older, and appreciate the beauty of vintage images and Victorian traditions, I find myself delighted  with " Father Christmas" image. How could I, being one who likes to create things, pass up on the opportunity to create my version of "Father Christmas?"

Here he is my " Old World Style Father Christmas" aka" Santa."

He is ready and available to ring in the upcoming holidays which are not so far away. He can be found on my Etsy shop.

Etsy Friends

It has been several month since I opened up my Etsy Shop. I, like most fellow artisians, crafters, and Etsy-ers  have been happily creating with the hopes of creating a charming cyber shop thru the fruits of our hands and hearts. Recently I have had the wonderful pleasure of meeting another fellow Etsy shop owner who has been such a help to me in giving me helpful tips and advice. Of course I just had to window shop in her store. She has so many lovely items that are really quite charming. She has the most adorable bunnies that any child would happily cuddle up with on a cold winter's night and find comfort in this cuddly bunnies soft embrace. I am pleased to share the link to her fine shop below.



https://www.etsy.com/shop/ScarlettsCozyCottage?utm_source=convo&utm_medium=trans_email&utm_campaign=convo_html

Moving Forward, Speaking Out

Ehrliciosis: That is what the icu intensive care team of doctors told us  what caused an other wise healthy 79 year old gardener to become so incredibly ill. A week prior to being in icu, My Dad was climbing ladders pruning peach trees, hoeing a very substantial garden and tenderly taking care of his beloved flower gardens. Than all came to a frightful halt. Dad was sick, but with what?  It appeared he had a heart attack, hmm, strange from such a physically fit male. Then, a day later, a fever from an unknown cause. Questions???? You don't get a fever from a heart attack. His kidneys failed, liver failed and now he was on life support hooked to more beeping machines to keep his body living. Many doctor's worked to find the cause of what was making his body shut down so quickly. Finally after many blood tests, it was discovered he had Ehrliciosis. My first question was: What is that??  A disease from tick bite. This is a more common out west, not too common in the northeast, especially in our area. This was the evil villain who took my Dad's life after one week.
Since this happened to us, and so little is known in our area, we have wanted to share our story with hopes to make people aware of the dangers of tick borne illnesses. My Daughter is writing a simple book to share with her school about this. It is her way of reaching out and finding comfort in our loss. My mother and sister are sharing this information with all we see with the hopes of protecting others from this devastating tick borne illness.
Here is a link where to find more information about this:
http://www.cdc.gov/ehrlichiosis/

Our area where we live, has a very small ratio of illness on the cdc map demographics, but it can still happen.

Victorian Paper Doll Christmas Ornament: Winter Girl Christmas Ornament

 

Annabelle woke to the delicious smell of pumpkin bread baking in the oven. Mama must have been up early preparing for this afternoon's teatime celebration. Annabelle stretches and yawns and looks out the six paned glass window and sees Autumn's first wispy snowflakes begin to fall from the slate gray sky above. Quickly, she dresses and puts on her warm bonnet, cloak, hand muff

and skirts and skips down the stairs. She grabs a slice of pumpkin bread, kisses her mother on the cheek and runs out the door eager to celebrate Autumn's first snowfall.

Annabelle is a sweet 6” Victorian Paper Doll Ornament made from a Victorian/Edwardian clip art image. She is dressed in a silk and satin bonnet. She wears a layered crepe paper skirt with a Victorian netting underskirt. Her skirt is edged in moss green satin ribbon and glittered in gold. Her winter muffler is made of cotton batting and trimmed with moss green ribbon and edged with gold glitter trim.

The buttons on her winter cloak are from Gold Dresden and faux antique coloured pearl adhesives.

Annabelle has a gold thread loop for hanging.
Annabelle can be found on my Etsy shop link below:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/165882866/victorian-paper-doll-ornament-winter?

Pink Victorian Paper Doll Christmas Ornament

Who doesn't love the color pink?? Ever since I was a little girl, I remember being surrounded and embraced by the color pink. I still to this day, find pink a most precious memory of days gone by. My newest Etsy creation celebrates the feminine color of pink- yes, even in Christmas. Remember the Victorian era? 
Here is her story. I am so inspired by her Victorian charm that it led me to this tale:

Tucked within the paneled glass china cabinet, and sitting among chipped heirloom teacups, sits a most splendid Pretty Pink Victorian Paper Christmas Ornament. She has resided there for many years. She has graciously watched the ebb and flow of seasons gone by and has been beautifully preserved amongst the antique China ware for which she shares her days with. She has so many stories to  share of timeless traditions of olde days gone by. She is waiting patiently for the china cabinet door to open and the teacups to be moved so she can be held by a new generation of people waiting to share their tales with her.

You can find her by visiting my Etsy shop.

Halloween Witch Paper Doll Ornament

This sweet little witch has been waiting patiently to be introduced. She is created from a copy of a vintage Frances Brudage clip art image. She has a story tell as to why her dear kitty needs a bit of TLC from this darling little witch. Here is her tale

"Things That Go Meow in the Night."
What is frightening this dear kitty? It is Halloween. Maybe she sees her shadow across the wall in the light of a full moon. It is okay. Kitty has a sweet friend to scoop her up and ease all her fears away.
No need to worry when you have someone so dedicated and true to her kitty's meow of worry on Halloween. Underneath the black hat and brightly colored skirt is her darling companion who tends to her every purr and meow.

This little darling is available on my Etsy shop. She is just perfect for livening the upcoming season of fright and delight.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/158743323/halloween-witch-paper-doll-ornament?ref=shop_home_active

Victorian Christmas Paper Doll Ornament in Red and Gold

For me, it is never to early to create Christmas ornaments. Though it is not even Halloween, I find my imagination wanting to play in red and gold, perfect Christmas colors.
Introducing my Victorian Christmas Paper Doll Ornament. Isn't she a sweetie? She is  offered on my Etsy shop.

Spun Cotton Halloween Pumpkin Head Ornament

 

Introducing, "Peter Pumpkin Head." Peter is proud to be a pumpkin! Look at how colorful he is! He is ready for Autumn and Halloween. Who can resist such a colorful character? I do hope he will find lots of goodies to enjoy. Peter Pumpkin Head is my newest Etsy creation and can be found on the link below to my shop. Happy Looking:)
http://www.etsy.com/listing/164410324/halloween-spun-cotton-pumpkin-head-doll?ref=shop_home_feat

Spun Cotton Halloween Cat Ornament

 

Introducing "Jester," "The Halloween Cat."

He stands so very proud in his Halloween costume. He is ready for a night of fun. He already has picked a pumpkin for Halloween and is ready to be a decoration for someone this Halloween season.

Jester is available for adoption on my Etsy shop.

 http://www.etsy.com/shop/TinyBirdsTreasure?ref=ss_profile

 

An Ode To My Dad

How can one say goodbye to a piece of their heart? A part of that heart that beat next to yours for so many years? How can I let go of those large, work worn hands that could fix even the unfixable? Those same hands would gently pluck a seed of hope for the following growing season, planting promises of beautiful things to come. His loud voice  would proudly recite a beautiful verse of inspiration. In my mind I can hear it. It is still there, carrying it's message thru the window of my soul.

I reach out my hand, and his hand is not there. My hands rest by my side alone. Though my hand does not have his, my heart contains "Him", All of him. Joy, Love, Peace, Poems, Promises and an ache that is right now,  painful. I will walk thru the journey to healing my broken heart, but will never forget you.

Dad, you will be missed. You led a simple life in a complicated world which provided comfort to so many.

This Poem I wrote for You, Dad:


An Ode To My Dad~

There was an old man
by an old gate
standing within his garden.
He had worn pants and rusty tools,
A simple life was his life's rule.
Work hard and pray.
May the Good Lord Bless You
He would confidently say.
He was happy to give
and gracious to share
to him all was worthy
of his tender care.
The sun rose at dawn
with him on his knees
tending to flowers whose petals
did please.
The sun set at dusk
with him on his knees,
May the Good Lord Bless
all his good deeds.


Written with Love,
by your daughter, Lina

Halloween Spun Cotton Ornament

Ever since I opened my Etsy shop, I have been happily filling it with all sorts of handmade goodies. Even though the weather is still warm and stuffy and the grass very thick and green, I find my scissors cutting through layers and layers  of black and orange crepe paper, gathering a bouquet of autumnal colors to create fluffy Halloween skirts for Halloween Paper Dolls and Spun Cotton  Ornaments. It is hard not to anticipate the arrival of cooler mornings, and earlier sunsets. Until then, I happily sew and gather through layers of black and orange crepe paper and dream of apple scented orchards and large, burly pumpkins.

My latest Halloween Creation found on my Etsy shop:


The Little Queen of Halloween: A spun cotton ornament-Doesn't she look ready for Autumn?

 

 

Edwardian Baby Paper Doll in Blue Dress

I have been having lots of fun making paper doll ornament gift tags to add to my new Etsy shop, TinyBirdsTreasure. This sweet baby is made from a Frances Brundage clip art image. I had so much fun  dressing her in various size ribbons and lace. Her big bonnet is made with several layers of crepe paper. She is oh so precious. She would make such a nice touch on that special gift at a baby shower, or to hang from a Victorian style feather tree or just about anywhere one might like to see an adorable baby.
P.S: She is a very low maintainance baby, no colick, and even sleeps through the night :)

 

 

Pretty In Pink Paper Dolls

It has been a while since I have last posted. Summer seems to melt the days away quicker than ice cream off a cone. Since the beginning of summer, I have been happily learning the ins and outs of Etsy, and can now proudly announce that I officially have my own Etsy shoppe. http://www.etsy.com My Shoppe is TinyBirds Treasure.
This precious Lady below is from a Frances Brundage clip art image I purchased recently. She was so much fun to add all sorts of girly goodies to.
 I had a "ball" using lace, crepe paper, ribbons, feathers, roses, pearls and glitter.  I can picture her holding a special place in a novel, or adorning the top of a pretty gift, holding a special place at a ladies tea party or even hanging from a Christmas tree. Oh my, isn't she a sweetie. As you can imagine, more paper goodies are in the works.

Plan B Doll

Introducing "Lady Chatterly." Lady Chatterly is my doll that I have made for the Maida Attic Discovery Doll challenge. Lots of beautiful dolls were created for this challenge. I oohed and aahed over the gorgeous carved wooden dolls, wishing one day to find the "umph" that I need to find a block of wood and "have at it." Anyhow, I am not at that point yet. How does one satisfy the need to have their own eighteenth century style doll when one is afraid of the blade? Fabric. That is what I am comfortable with, so I decided to go for Plan B. I designed a cloth doll with an early wooden style doll in mind. "Ta da" Lady Chatterly is reminiscent of the Tuck Comb Dolls of the early 1800's and dressed in a Regency style silk(yes, only the best for this Lady)dress. I am pleased to have introduced her to the talented people in our dolls group.

As you can see she is a Lady of fine taste. Just look at that expression, make sure you are on your best behavior, mind your manners, as she has quite a discerning taste. Don't tell her any secrets, or she might just spill the beans.

Something New

Introducing my newest creation, a little softie doll. This is definately different from the primitive folk dolls that I usually make. I loved the fabric and have been looking up pictures of simple dolls and this is what turned and churned in my thoughts. Wouldn't she make a perfect for a small sweet little girl to hold onto? I am hoping to make more and put them on Etsy to sell.

 

Beloved Butterflies

Last Friday my family and I visited the Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory in Deerfield Massachussetts. I was impressed with the charming habitat the butterflies call home. Upon entering their warm sanctuary, we were greeted by a green leafy canopy and hundreds of fluttering butterflies that welcomed us there.  Some were small, some large, some stripped, some were dotted.Some were perched upon comfy green leaves, upside down, some right side up. Some were hungrily sipping nectar from pretty flowers and nectar feeders.  Others were content to just flutter and fly about on a whimsical tour of their world while flying past onlookers and foliage. Their simple joy in such a lovely day was contagious to all who were there.

 

 

 

Such a happy day!

 

 

American Folk Art Museum

I experienced a most wonderful chilly April afternoon in New York city with my daughter and sister in law. After indulging in a most delcious hotdog, we trekked to the American Folk Art Musuem as the blustery wind whipped at our hair. I have  been wanting to see this museum for a  long time. I have to admit to being almost weak in the knees when I discovered that my favorite folk art painter, William Matthew Prior's portraits were featured on the walls of the museum. It is one thing to see the images on the internet and a completely different one to be only inches away. It is amazing in it's simple details, how much is conveyed. The above image is found on www.wikipedia.com and was also featured at the museum. It was a perfect day for three gals enjoying a chilly spring afternoon.

Planting Pansies

It is April Fools Day today. I hope  I wasn't too foolish for planting some gorgeous red and yellow Pansies in pots and set them outdoors. This weekend found my family and I at a nearby gardening shoppe. I am so eager for signs of Spring.  Pansies are perfect petite promises of springtime pleasure. I am not convinced of spring's permanency at the moment, so the Pansies might find themselves relocated in the garage to bed during the cold nights that are still with us.  The peepers are chattering so I know Spring is here at least during the daytime.

Pansy photo courtesy of www.leapingfrogdesigns.com

The Robins Are Back~

Welcome Back My Feathered Friends~
It was such a sweet surprise to find my hard working springtime feathered friends gathered upon our muddied lawn. I am sure they were looking for some juicy worms to delight their delicate tastebuds. I sure do hope they were blessed with lots of "ground goodies."
I think out of all our feathered friends I can see both far and wide, I would have to say the hardworking, diligent Robin by far is my favorite. Welcome back. I hope you enjoy your stay.

This clip art image is found at www.thegraphicsfairy.com

February 20, 2013

 

Finally Finished!! I started a doll challenge in September for the Maida Dolls Group  that I belong to.  It was to make a Columbian style Doll. I made mine using Connie Tognali's 19 inch  Columbian Doll pattern.Connie's pattern was very detailed and had many steps.  She worked very hard at putting this pattern together I am sure glad that she did. I reduced my doll pattern by about fifty percent.I wanted a small doll. I guess you can say I am slow in the creative process as it is mid February and I just finished her. I have a habit of starting more than one creative project at a time and some of my projects stand on the sidelines and wait patiently for me to pick them up again and continue onwards and upwards towards the finish line.Thankfully little Charlotte(a wee 11inches long and painted with akyd oils)was patient with me while we enjoyed this journey.

February 12, 2013

Good Sunny Morning~
It has been four days since we have been blanketed in a more than generous amount of snow.  It hasn't been since I was just a little girl that I have seen so much snow all at the same time.  Thinking about it amazes me how in a spell of 24hours so much can change from grey green grass to thick cold white snow.  Clearing it all away was a challenge, not only for us, but for all.  Thankfully today, the ebb and flow of our daily round is back to normal.  Our white world shines in the rays of sun wishing and wanting bits of warmth to melt the cold away.
clip art above is from www.thegraphicsfairy.com

January 23,2013

 Once upon a rose....
These past few days finds my senses delighting  in all things roses. Rose drawer liners. rose potpourri, rose images, paper and silk roses.  It may be the cold weather, the anticipation of Valentine's day, the delicacy of something so intricate and delicate as only a rose can portray.  Nonetheless, I am enjoying it's fragrant companionship as cold winds blow and bellow among the barren wintry fields covered in a thin icy layer of snow. I bend my head low as if in prayer and inhale it's alluring scent-simply divine.
Image above is found on www.thegraphicsfairy.com

January 4, 2013

Winter Days~
January stands in a silence of snow.  All is still and quiet, too cold to move and play. It is as if one is frozen in thought and time.  The trees stand so poignant and brave like soldiers ready for duty. Sounds are muted in a thick white glaze of snow and ice and the wind plays tag with the lonesome call of all "winged things." If one is quiet, you can hear the pesistant peck of a woodpecker knocking on the door of a tree. It is as if it says, let me in. We will weather this season together.

I, in my own way love the sweet soulfoulness of a cold winter's day. The holidays are over, the rush is a distant memory, and now the time has come to reflect in the vastness of white.  I love the joys one can  admire in all that is white and gray-there is a quiet contemplative beauty that only a cold winter day can bring. It is here for the taking.  Enjoy your winter day~
Lina

January 1, 2013

Happy New Year, 2013!
It is such a joy to wake up to the endless possibilities of a New Year. My thoughts engage in all my aspirations for the 12 months that lie ahead of me. I don't really like talking of resolutions as they are so hard to keep for more than a mere few days. I don't like the disappointment that it can bring.  I do like to think of skills, goals, and dreams that I would like to try and  fulfill. I do have many and pray for the time and courage to see them thru-
These are some of my goals:
To paint a portrait in the Early American Folk Art style
To open up an Etsy account to sell some of my handiwork
To finish some unfinished projects
The courage to be me in my art and in all things.
Amen.
The above clip art image is found at www.thegraphicsfairy.com