Blog Changes......

Change is always good and I tend to play around with graphics so much that I never stick to one design on my blogs!!! Bear with me as I make the transformation....some images may be distorted! Hopefully this new design will be easier to navigate, I plan to go with a more clean and simple flow. As I was looking the other day, I noticed that the headers for the columns were a little hard to understand.....so here goes nothing!

New Items

New Apothecary Jars! Each jar's lid is hand-painted and distressed with a beautiful vintage rust showing through! Perfect for those who love chippy and worn things!

Hand-dipped silicone bulbs to give your lighting that shabby and chic appeal!

Hand-dipped silicone strands! I also have them available in blue! With spring approaching, I plan to have the whole house lit up with these!

Elegant lever back earrings in assorted colors. These are hand-crafted with handmade glass beads. An all occassion pair of earrings, these are just as beautiful with a pair of jeans as they would be with an evening gown!

Updates

I have been super sick and now my son has picked up whatever it is that's been going around. He's had a fever for six days now and after going to the doctor, I was told that if his fever continues through tonight we will need to come in tomorrow for tests, blood work and chest x-rays.

I have lots of new products to add, but of course, they'll have to wait until my angel is better. Just wanted to pop in and tell everyone that I have lots of new things coming, it's just taking a bit longer than normal to get them done!

New Item ~ {Studio and Storage Decor}

I've added two new items to the boutique. The first is a white wire holder that is versatile and can hold all sorts of trinkets. The second is a vintage wooden box that has four different storage compartments. I picked both of these up when I went antique-ing last weekend. You can find both listed under "Maison" in the Studio and Storage Decor category at Signature Vintage.

Spring Anticipation!

I've been sick with a cold/flu virus this week and have been feeling a little under the weather. So, when I woke this morning, I had Spring on my mind. Since sleep was evading me, I stayed up and painted for the first time in a few months. This is the result of my NyQuil-induced morning stupor, lol. Happy Spring anticipation, everyone!

Honorable Mention {~Shelley Kyle Parfums~}

While searching for unique and wonderful products for the boutique, I've come across a few that have been truly amazing. Shelley Kyle not only impressed me with their products, but also with their cordial and persoanl approach. Not long after I filled out the wholesale application, I received a beautiful package.

Along with an elegant card and handwritten note, I was the excited recipient of samples from all of their exquisite parfum lines; Shelly Kyle, Tiramani, McClendon, and AnnaBelle. I also received soap samples from the McClendon and Tiramani line.

In business I've found that these rare moments of personal and intimate attention are things of beauty and hold the highest importance. After all, how could I not want to carry their products when they have so willingly gone out of their way to send me a special package such as this! It will be an honor to add the Shelley Kyle Parfum line to the Spa Studio at Signature Vintage.

One World-One Heart Giveaway Winner {Elegant Snobbery - The Blog}

Congratulations to Marissa from Elegant Snobbery - The Blog for being the winner of the One World One Heart Giveaway! Marissa will receive two sets of french toile tags, an assortment of vintage stamps from my personal collection and also (as a treat that I didn't mention before) a pack of Gevalia coffee!! I plan to throw in some other surprise goodies as well!

Thank you to everyone who participated! It was great fun!

New Item ~ {Digital Collage Prints}

"Angel Within" by Missy Sue Hanson for Signature Vintage. All Rights Reserved.

I will be introducing my line of digital collage prints to the boutique over the next few days. The prints will be on premium photo paper. I've also been kicking around the idea of offering the prints as greeting cards......I have such fun making these digital collages because anything goes! Okay, well.........off to work I go!

New Item ~ {Bella Desk Pillow}

These "desk" pillows are perfect for sitting on your desk or adding a little bit of "bella" to any vignette. These pillows will come in many different colors and font styles and I will also be offering a customizing option for these little beauties!

Collecting ~ {Vintage Trinkets}

These are a few of the trinkets I have in my personal collection. Most of them are family heirlooms, handed down from my grandparents. Except for the butterfly, I'm not sure of it's origin, but I'm completely infatuated with it. It's tarnished but sparkly at the same time.

The gold pendant in the middle swings open to reveal the serenity prayer. This necklace was given to me by my mom who received it from one of her foster parents when she was young. Ever since she was given the necklace, the serenity prayer has been my mom's favorite prayer. She says the necklace and the prayer helped her through some really tough times. It's an honor to have it.

Over the weekend, I made a trip to one of my favorite antique stores and found an amazing amount of lovely screw-back earrings. I remember my Oma wearing those along with her usual clip-ons. It was fun to stand in front of the mirror and try to screw those heavy earrings on to my little ears!

New Item ~ {Papier Tags}

Introducing you to the first two sets in my Papier Tags Collection at Signature Vintage. The first is "Bliss", the second "French Girls". These tags are approximately 3x5 inches, handstained and are adorned with fibers and ribbons. The set will contain eight tags for $4.95. I will be adding these to the site later on this afternoon so they will be available for purchase! They'll be the first items to be added to the boutique!

New Item ~ {Jessie Steele}

I have fantastic news! Signature Vintage has been approved to carry Jessie Steele aprons! The line has gained national recognition with features on shows such as Oprah and Desperate Housewives. I'm so excited, though I'm not a huge fan of cooking (the only thing I make in the kitchen is coffee, lol) I have coveted these aprons ever since I first saw them!

Honorable Mention {~Joyce Lucas~}

I got my copy of Country Living today and was ecstatic to see my friend, Joyce Lucas, founder of Make Mine Pink and Cottage Collections among 2008's Women Entreprenuers. When I spoke with Joyce over the phone, I knew that she had been chosen as an honoree, but I was not prepared for the excitement of opening the magazine and seeing her!!!

I jumped up and down and showed the article (proudly and pompously, of course) to everyone in the house! With glee, I exclaimed....."See, this is the woman who sent me "The Secret"!!! I can't believe I actaully spoke to her!....and that she sent me such a life-altering and kind gift!" Needless to say, everyone was thrilled for me, though it was my six year old who joined in on my boucing and prancing around, lol.

I am so proud to have formed a friendship with this wonderful and talented (not to mention kind) woman. I consider it an honor that she took the time out of her schedule to chat with me. I hope everyone will bounce on over to her blog and congratulate her!

One World-One Heart Giveaway!

After receiving a comment (which was very useful and brilliant, I might add) from my lovely and super-talented and awesome web designer, Trudy.....I popped over to her blog for a visit. I noticed that she is participating in an awesome give-away....for a chance to win her give-away pop in there and leave a comment for her! Well, I was so inspired by Trudy's beautiful cards that she's giving away that I decided to partake in the fun! These are my give-away items (I will be including a few special surprises as well, lol).....

~An assortment of foreign and US vintage stamps from my personal collection.

~ and two sets of my handmade french toile tags! Ready to be hung for decoration or used for gift giving! There's four in each set, eight total. So, if you want to enter, just leave a comment below and on Valentine's Day, I'll draw a name and announce the lucky winner!

If you'd like to participate in the giveaway, you can visit One World One Heart.

Danmark Stamps

One of the many things I collect are vintage stamps. I didn't start the collection on my own, though. The pile you see here are various stamps from different countries such as Germany and Danmark. These were originally collected by my Oma (danish for grandma). Among the whole briefcase full of these, the assortment of Danmark stamps is prominent. My Oma and Opa had family there (being Danish and all, lol) and they both would stash the stamps away as proof of their legacy, little gum-backed memories to share with their children and grandchildren.

I need a good way to store these, as well as display them. As of right now, I have them packed away in the vintage briefcase in which they were given me. But, such beauties should be displayed and seen......there are the obvious ways.....using them in different types of altered art, etc. But, I'd really like to display them without having to glue them or put them in one of those stamp albums. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Bella Stitches

This is a picture of my stitchery samplers that will be available at SigVin when we open. Each is hand-stitched and placed in a vintage reproduction frame. I'll have many different styles and colors available. These stitcheries are one of my favorite items that I hope will bring a unique touch to Signature Vintage.

A huge snowstorm followed by massive thunderstorms has kept me pretty much closed in (might be developing cabin fever, lol). I had planned to have one of my antique market days yesterday and share the pics with you today, but traveling anywhere was impossible. It's been crazy! It was freezing and snowing, then it was spring temperatures followed by summer hurricane weather, lol. I do have to say that I love inclimate weather, love staying in and getting creative or just sitting with a blanket and a cup of coffee and just soaking it in. That is, however, when I don't have orders waiting to be brought to the post office and a million different errands to run, lol.

Hopefully, the weather will calm down enough today so that I can get my running done!! Have a beautiful day everyone!

Romantic Homes Eye Candy

So much eye candy........Romantic Homes' March issue is so jam-packed with delightful inspiration that I had to stop myself from giggling with glee as I flipped through the pages in the middle of the store aisle. Though, I must have let out some audible response as the passersby were looking at me out of the corner of their eye, lol.

This issue is the color issue....they have featured color combos and beautiful pictures of them in all of their glory, from wonderfully packaged french-milled soap to eye-catching hot chocolate and teas.

Among the articles you will find Sadie Olive and magnificent photos of her vintage chic home. My favorite features in the article are the three-tiered wire baskets and antique Annabelle and Sarah.

Then, there was also inspiration of another kind, the story of Veronica Cizmar. This is the first in a series of features in the magazine that will commend worthy causes. Veronica survived an abusive relationship, only to survive and build her business, Some Like it Vintage. Not only that, but Veronica donates a portion of the proceeds of her online shop to women's shelters and prevention clinics for abused women. While browsing the shop, I spotted a Parkway Formal Dress that I absolutely adore. And let's not even mention the awesome collection of necklaces and bracelets that are drool-worthy!

Last, but certainly not least was a "make-it" article by one of my favorite designers, Sandra Evertson. Sandra takes you step by step through creating a focal point in any room. All in all, this was a great issue, and just like last month, I'll be eagerly anticipating the arrival of April just so I can dive into the next issue!

Pre-Launch Excitement!

Thanks to the wonderful Trudy over at Wild Oak Design, Signature Vintage is ready for me to start setting up!!! This isn't an official launch, but I'd be more than happy to open it up for advice and opinions on what I do have up so far! If you have a moment head on over to Signature Vintage and drop me a note!I still have all the items to add and more setting up to do, but for the most part, I have alot of the info-type pages done! I'm so excited!

And on that excited note.........Stay tuned for a special give-away here in a few days! It will include a few of my upcoming items and some other wonderful goodies!!! I'll also be sharing a few sneak previews of my original graphic designs and quotes that will be featured on merchandise at the boutique!