Looking beyond the obvious ~

Remember the tulips I found popping up in our flower bed a few posts ago?

Well, we were going to have a fierce thunderstorm the end of last week

and I decided to cut them and bring them in the house to enjoy!

I was just sure the rain, wind and hail would destroy them....

Well, they were gorgeous in my vase and I could tell this past weekend

that they were beginning to wilt :(

So.....

I kept looking at them wishing there was some way to preserve

their wonderful color and beauty ~

I pulled out a few sheets of vintage sheet music

and with a little matte gel medium

underneath and over top

I decided to preserve them!!!

I just LOVE how transparent they are!!!

I'm not sure what I'll do with them yet...

but I'll come up with something ~

A precious new friend of mine,

Abby of Little Birdie Blessings sent me the most

WONDERFUL gift package!!!

I have to share all of the sweetness with you...

because I know if I love it all ~

you surely will too!

Everything was wrapped so beautifully ~

Just look at the bounty!!!

Absolutely everything I love....

I just about cried when I saw these booties...

Thank you so very much sweet Abby!!!!

You truly are an angel ~ you know I love it all....

And lastly,

a peek at a very busy little gardener!!!

With one tiny flower just for you!!!

Have a beautiful Monday precious friends ~

hugs and love,

Dawn

Gorgeous old lace + a little glue = a feeling of major accomplishment!

Good grief!

It doesn't take too much to make me happy!!

I worked at the soap shop today helping to fill a few orders...

didn't have to cook dinner (ALWAYS LOVE THAT)

then finally drifted into my studio.

I have a HUGE amount of gorgeous old lace

so I looked through and found a few snippets

to add to my treasure box.

I had these gorgeous pieces of wedding lace ~

they weren't quite "aged" enough for my taste so I took

my two favorite ink pads and used a makeup sponge

dabbed on each ~ one is a little redder brown, one is a little blacker brown

and I love the brown they make together :)

I blot off much of the color then

gently dab around to achieve the perfect "old" look.

Here's my favorite glue again...

It is wonderful and you know the very best part?

It dries to a matte finish so you can't even see

where I used it!

If you don't have any of this stuff,

don't worry...you can use good ol' Elmers glue too!

It's thinner but dries to a matte finish.

I found my mega jar of medium...32 oz... HERE!

I simply paint the medium all over the back of these pieces.

Then painted it around the sides ~

So I could add more old lace...

Here's my progress so far!!

I'm still not quite finished though ~

I've been lining the inside as well ~

Don't you think it will be perfect to store gorgeous

old jewelry pieces and baubles?

I should have it in my shoppe in a day or so!

I've got to show you a recent gift I received!

Two sconces adorned by old crystals ~

I need to clean the crystals, add a few more from my stash...

add the candles and hang them!

Plus, we're having a giveaway on the Facebook Shop Fun Soap page!!!

First, "like" our page...

then "suggest" your friends on Facebook like our page too ~

The person that sends us the MOST friends will win a package

of The Feathered Nest soap!!!

I'm linking to sweet Debra of Common Ground's

Vintage Inspiration Friday!

Wishing you an AMAZING Friday dear friends!!!

love and hugs,

Dawn