Rosette Swap Party .... and the winners are ...

Finally ... today is the blog party portion of the Gypsy Brocante Rosette Swap ... the day we all get to show off our fabulous rosettes we were gifted with from fellow rosette lovers !!

Before I reveal my rosette, I just want to thank EVERYONE who participated in my first ever swap ... I'm sending out big hugs to you all who had the courage to sign up and play along with me while I learned the ropes, so to speak, of hosting a swap party.

THANK YOU !!

I HOPE you had as much fun as I did!

Now looky here ... see that HUGE box sitting on the sofa? That's what came in the mail from my rosette swap gal ... I almost fainted when I picked it up at the Post Office ...

It was wrapped really pretty, but do you think I could wait until I got home to take it's picture before opening it? NO WAY! I tore it open on the sidewalk in front of the PO. I had more errands to do that day and I wouldn't be home for hours ... one thing I'm short on PATIENCE!

So ... here's all the very pretty wrapping {I saved it!}, in a rumpled mess ...

... and here is my pretty french ribbon rosette in a peachy pink color ... dripping with seam binding and lace ... just my style!

A hand made card and gift tag ... with pretty rhinestones and glitter ... dreamy! But why such a big box for a rosette? Because .....

There were two rosettes ... THIS ROSETTE was in there as well.... 

A petite version of the one above in cream ...

ATTACHED to this STUNNING PURSE !!

YES ... can you believe it??!! ... a PURSE ... 

 

Yep, brought tears to my eyes ... seriously ... could NOT believe it. Could NOT believe my partner would be so over-the-top GENEROUS. I will always treasure my rosettes and purse from Daphne. Her talent is as big as her heart {a creative genius, don't believe me - check out ALL of her scrumptious designs HERE} ... we'll I should have known ... she's from Texas and isn't everything bigger in Texas?

I'm hoping to have the chance to meet Daphne next month and give her a big hug in person ... I might even pick her up and swing her around! I swear!!

Speaking of Texas, I'm already making plans for my new goodies ... don't you think they're the PERFECT accessories for my Texas outfit? Giddy-up!

Beth was kind enough to take this picture at our Gypsy Barn Market last week ... HA! then she was kind enough to try and steal my new goods .. LET GO of MY BAG!!... this got a little ugly ... but don't fear there wasn't any damage done ... not to the goods at least ; )

I LOVE rosettes !!

and ... I LOVE to give rosettes ...

I want thank all of you who left wonderful comments over the past month or so and posted about the swap and giveaway ... THANK YOU!

Here are the three winners of the Giveaway:

1.}Danielle from My Blessed Serendipity Life

2.}Cassandra from My artful Adventures

3.}Charlene from My Hearts Ease

{please e-mail me you mailing address and I'll get your package out to you}

Stop by and visit all the rosette swappers below ... we'll be sharing the very special packages we have received from each other ... I'm sure there are many beautiful roses here to fill your senses!

And thank you again, EVERYONE, for joining in the fun!!

Butterfly Wings .... and letting them fly ....

Have you noticed how fast children wish for wings to fly? If you're a Mother I'm positive you have. Whether it's a little girl looking for fairy wings or a little boy with a super hero cape ... they all seem to want to fly. I remember having dreams when I was younger that if I ran fast enough I would begin to fly and soon I would be soaring above trees ... I never wanted to wake up from those dreams.

Now that I'm a Mom to three of my own ... I've watched them yearn for wings and receive them ... so bittersweet. 

As I watch my oldest prepare for his last year in College, nervously anticipating his "adult" wings ... while my middle child is still trying on different wings and searching for the "right fit" ... my youngest is putting on his first pair of "big boy" wings to fly away to pre-school this fall.

Me? I want to take all of their wings away from them. Yes, that's selfish ... they've earned them and deserve them, I need to let go. 

It's hard. 

I think it may be time for me to shed my wings and try on a new pair ... not completely new, just a little new.

I'm thinking "creative wings".

I'll let you know how I do.

The collage above is what I made for the French Cupboard's Paperie Party that's happening today.

A little girl dreaming of her wings ...

I used an old cardboard ashtray as the frame ... distressed with ink .... lined with a vintage dictionary page ... cut out digital graphic images ... 3d tape ... gel medium ... and glitter, of course!

As I arranged the papers I noticed that I completely by chance used the dictionary page that had the word "grateful" on it. That's what brought this all together for me ... I am "grateful" for my children and their individual wings, they are the biggest joy of my life. 

 

Getting lost in a creative project is my quiet time and when I can fully spread my wings  ... this is when I can relax and reflect. I'm thankful to be a part of such a wonderful and supportive group of women like you here in this blog world. Where are your wings taking you?

Remember this post not too far back? Well, here's what I've come up with ... Surprise packages!! ...

a vintage standard size cigar box filled with vintage and antique papers collected by me ... all from estate sales, flea markets, and auctions. 

Each box will be chocked FULL of unique items ... to learn more please click HERE

Wishing you all a happy and creative weekend ... and a little extra time to enjoy your childrens' wings!

Searching for White Roses ...

Searching for white roses amongst the thorns ....

Consider the image below as my rose garden ... piles and piles of china serving as the "rose bushes" waiting to be pruned ... today I'm looking for white roses to cut ...

Be careful ... there are those sharp and pesky thorns to 

contend with ...

I spy some pretty whites in full bloom ... do you?

How about this one ... an old fashioned white cabbage rose with a hint of pink ...

 Off to the potting shed to make a fancy arrangement ...

 

Okay ... I'm really working hard making china tiles for the class I'm teaching in California next week, it helps to get lost in fantasy for a bit ... but, I am searching for the ones with white roses, they're always the most elusive of the bunch !!

Happy White Wednesday everyone ... I hope your day is full of sweet roses!

Thanks for hosting Kathleen!

Texas or Bust ....

Almost as soon as I'm back from California ... I'll be roundin' up my gypsy gals, loadin' up the caravan and headin' West to TEXAS ... for Round Top's Antique Week !!

First stop:

Zapp Hall and Theresa Cano's blog party!

I'll be peddling some of my dresses, jewels, and accessories at the party,

please stop by and say "Hi!"

Second stop:

Marburger Farm

A can't miss show, I'll be spending lots and lots of time shopping this one, for more info click above. .... this is where I hope to soak up all the goodness Magnolia Pearl has to offer!

Third stop:

Junk Gypsy Prom

I may be a wallflower ... but this I don't want to miss! I'm already planning my outfit!

Fourth Stop: 

Some R&R ... here's where we'll be hangin' our hats when we're not shopping or partying!

Since this is my first time to the shows ... I need ALL of the advice, suggestions, can't miss this, tips, secrets, etc. ... if you're willing to share I would surely appreciate it!!

Where will you be? ... will we have the chance to meet ?? ... counting down the days till TEXAS!!

Jersey's Goin Urban !! .....

What does that mean you ask? ... The bestest most funnest trip EVER !! I'll be heading to Southern California next week to teach a jewelry class at the ultra hip Urban Barn in Escondido ...yes, the planets lined up correctly over the past day or two for this to work out perfectly and now, if, your schedule {and planets} will just do the same ... I hope to see you {some of my West Coast blogging peeps} in class!!

I'll be bringing loads of found treasures with me ... you'll be able to pick and choose vintage elements to incorporate into your design with the main focus placed on a soldered china tile pendant, 

also picked by you.

We'll learn how to bring it all together creating a stunning, 

one-of-a-kind, piece of jewelry!!

You will then have the opportunity to purchase "take and make" kits and supplies to take home with you in order to continue on 

a journey of creating.

This class is geared for all levels, especially the beginner, everyone will make and take home a necklace! 

I am so looking forward to this event ... I truly hope we have the chance to meet and work on this project together !!

{photo courtesy Urban Barn}

Questions? drop me a note ... I'm happy to answer!

What are you doing this weekend? ...

I'm going to be cleaning up my act and "de-stashing" my piles and piles of paper goods. Ephemera is another one of my flea market weaknesses, however I noticed I really don't do a ton of creating with it ... therefore I have amassed quite a collection sitting here staring me straight in the face. It's really starting to eat up bunches of room in the studio that I need for my other addictions {rhinestones,lace,velvet,millinery,clothing,etc.}

... once again it's time to let go.

Between today and Sunday I'll be making giant gypsy bundles of all the good stuff ... each bundle will be unique and fabulous ... you can count on all sorts of goodies to create a multitude of projects with !!

 

Who knows ... maybe you'll even create something to show in the Frenchcupboard's next uncommon blog party? 

Okay ... gotta get to work ... I'll let you know when the paper bundles are ready for shipping.

In the meantime check out Kecia's Flea Market Friday's and see what everyone else has been hoarding from their trips to the flea!

Overwhelmed by generosity ...

Do you know Theresa at 612 Riverside? ... Lucky you if you do and I count myself in with the lucky ones ... if you don't, go introduce yourself right now! ... after that's done go on over to her Etsy shop{s} here and here. I was super lucky enough to win one of Theresa's giveaways a few weeks back {or was that months?} ... it was a shopping spree at her store ... let me tell ya, I had a hard time deciding, but as you all know, I have a soft spot for rosettes ... so I picked out two of my favorites, sent in my request and just take a look at what arrived in the mail yesterday!!

Uh yeah, talk about being knocked over with generosity ... can you  imagine how I felt when I unwrapped my brown box and all of this loveliness came spilling out? I was speechless ... just look at the presentation! Everything was wrapped and tagged and just stuffed full of goodies!!

Look at this skinny guy ...puts me in the mood for Fall ... he's going to have a place front and center on the mantle for Halloween this year.... and how about the little pendant? ... reminds me of the Gypsy Prince ... LOVE it!!

Here are the two rosettes I picked ... how fabulous?! ... they are soft and fuzzy, Theresa does a wonderful job making these crochet rosettes ... the attention to detail is outstanding ... and the price, affordable!

 

Thank you Theresa, I can't even tell you what pleasure you have brought to me today, I am truly overwhelmed by your generous spirit ... the happy gypsy dance will be going on for a long, long time here! xoxo to you!

Will you share a little feedback? ... please ....

I've made another batch of soldered china tile necklaces and have used some of my favorite romantic courting couples. 

However, first I want to THANK YOU for making the first round of necklaces a hit! 

They were a complete sell out, so I know that some of you liked them ... but I'm still searching for a little more feedback and I'm hoping you'll share your honest opinions.

If you will, take a look at the newest designs below and then maybe you'll answer some of the questions I have posted under the pictures.

Still here? Great! What are your thoughts? 

Do you like the courting couples? 

Full color or monotone, toile like? 

Are the flowers your favorite? Flower and fruit still life? 

Ribbons tied on top or near key in a bow? 

Ribbon and lace or just ribbon? 

Do you like the look of mixed metal or prefer same metal combo?

Anything else to comment on?

You don't have to answer all questions, any you can help me with will be greatly appreciated!

Your thoughts and comments are highly regarded and I thank you !!

Hope you have a fun and creative day ...

Silver Queen ...

Silver Queen ... as in corn !!

Happy Silver Sunday everyone ... I was a little at odds today for my "Silver" post ... I'm out of traditional silver to show, but I thought it would be the perfect time to share one of my other silver passions ... a summer time tradition of eating lot and lots of Silver Queen Corn.

A true Jeresy girl has to have her fresh, locally grown corn and tomatoes every year and the Silver Queen variety is my favorite, tender and very sweet.

I pick mine up at the Farmer's market in town each Saturday morning ... it arrives by the truck load ... and these trucks full of corn will be gone before 10am. Early bird definitely catches the worm here.

{just not in my corn please!}

I bought extra this weekend for a little BBQ we are having with friends ... I'll cook most of the corn the "regular" way, for slathering with butter and salt ... and I'll reserve a few pieces to make more of the relish recipe I've posted below ... very simple and delish over grilled chicken breasts ... plus it's peach season too!

Simple Peach,Sweet Corn and Jalapeno Relish:

• 3 ripe peaches, diced
• 3 ears sweet corn, cooked cut off cob {I like to roast on grill for a bit}
• 1/2 red onion, diced
• 1 jalapeno (about 1 1/2 teaspoons), seeded and diced
• 1/2 lime, juiced
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Combine all ingredients in a medium size bowl. Chill until ready to serve, best when made a day or two in advance.

Do you have a favorite corn recipe? Send it my way ... I'd like to try some new ideas. Do you have any interesting ways you top off your corn on the cob? Pass those suggestions along as well .... I tried butter, lime and Cayenne pepper before, yummy! I've also heard a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese is really good.

Well, I gotta run ... I've got a bushel of corn to husk and it's not going to do it by itself! 

Have a sweet summer weekend and pop on by Beth's blog to get a taste of some "real" silver goodies!!

Last Day to Sign up for The Rosette Swap ...

Have you been thinking about signing up for the rosette swap? ... well, there's not much time left ... sign-ups will close tonight at midnight !!  I've had many questions about what type of rosettes can be swapped ... and ... the answer is any type ... it's up to you, rosettes is the theme of the party, but it's up to you and your creative imagination to where you want to "take it", so to speak.

Do you sew? How about a pillow embellished with a rosette? ... Design jewelry? What about a necklace or charm bracelet? ... Knit crochet? I've seen some cool scarves with rosettes ... Are you a paper addict? Do a collage with a rosette theme.

Not the creative type? That's okay, too ... your rosette doesn't have to be made by you ... you can exchange a purchased rosette.

Any questions, drop me a note ... I'm happy to help!

If you have signed up for the party and do NOT see your name on the list to the right, please let me know ... I don't want to miss anyone ; )

Here's a link for the swap details:

Rosette Swap

Enjoy the rest of your weekend !!