Monthly Archives: May 2014

Phrase Art Phriday: Inspire

Inspire, #8 in my series Phrase Art Phriday, where I share a favorite saying overlaid on
my own original photography.
Phrase Art Phriday: Inspire

Have an inspired weekend!

Talk soon,
 Ann

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Jewelry Designs In The Studio: Which Would You?

I hope you’re having an inspired week! The other day I had an aha moment. I have been taking this online course from Jeanne Oliver…
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…which I must say is absolutely amazing,
and I’ve been doing a lot of rethinking concerning my blog and business. Up till now, I’ve been somewhat shy about showing my jewelry designs on the blog. I just want to be careful not to be sort of sell, sell, sell. You know? But I realized, thanks to Jeanne, and Jennifer Rizzo, and Marian (Miss Mustard Seed), that there’s a significant part of who I am wrapped up in my designs, and by not sharing them with my readers, I’m keeping a big part of ME hidden from YOU. With that in mind, I would like to launch the first of many posts with the theme, In The Studio.

Today I want to show you three different necklaces in my collection, and ask you a question. With this kind of neckline and top, which necklace would you wear most? Why?

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The statement necklace, the shorter pendant, or the longer pendant? Which is most like your style? I would love to hear from you! To see any of the jewelry designs in the shop, just click the images above.

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Drop It or Swap It Link Up #7

Welcome to Drop It or Swap It!

Drop It or Swap It is the weekly linky party where you can link up with a picture of something old or new, vintage or modern, thrifted or retail.

Something that you loved at one time but have dropped from your favorites. It can be clothing, accessories, craft supplies, books, small home decor items, ANYTHING really that you don’t mind mailing. It can have its own dedicated post or be tagged onto the end of another post.

As a blogger you get all the benefits of a link up PLUS the added perk of new stuff, while purging your own stash. And it’s not just for bloggers, non-bloggers can participate as well! The more that participate the more fun we’ll have, so please share Drop It or Swap It with your friends!

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Last week Tina of What We Keep swapped two deliciously darling aprons with me! for a pair of handmade chenille heart pillows. You’re missing out on the fun if you haven’t linked up yet!

This is week seven of the link up and we’re still building momentum so I welcome any feedback. I know it will take time to catch on and I hope you’ll give it a try! Link up a post that contains a picture of the item you would like to swap and have fun shopping around!
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Now let’s start the swap!
Please read the guidelines and ask any questions in the comments.

* Link up a post that contains a picture and description of your swap item, using a permalink to your individual post not your general blog URL.
(Non-bloggers click here for a modified version of this)

* Look around at the other links until you spy something that interests you. Visit
as many as you like and when you find something you’d like to swap for, leave
the other blogger a comment with a link to your posted item.

* Leave as many swap offers as you like with different bloggers, but please
be courteous and only leave one comment each. If you don’t get a response
just assume the other blogger is not interested or has already swapped.

* Once you have committed to a swap, please edit your post with a note that
your item is already swapped so you won’t continue to get offers.
(Non-bloggers click here for a modified version of this)

* Exchange address info with your swap partner. Each person will pay shipping
for the item she is sending.

* Please follow your host, Tarnished Royalty with one of the following methods:

tarnishedroyalty on facebooktarnishedroyalty on pinteresttarnishedroyalty on bloglovintarnishedroyalty feed

* Please include the Drop It or Swap It button or text link in your linked post.
(Non-bloggers click here for a modified version of this)

Questions? More good info about Drop It or Swap It can be found here.


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My Swap Item: Vintage Beaded Handbag

This post is all about what I would like to swap this week at Drop It or Swap It. If you have been meaning to join in the new link up but haven’t yet, I encourage you to jump in this week! You can read more about how it works here.

Up for swap is this cute vintage beaded handbag.
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The white color makes it a good summertime choice.
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It’s a little bit of a fixer though. The clasp closes but it’s not a really tight hold. I think it might have to do with the hinges on the sides of the bag, not sure though. I think you could just add some velcro inside to ensure it stays closed.
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Okay so if you have something you want to swap for this vintage handbag, leave me a comment! The swap starts tonight at 7PM central and runs through Monday night at 9 PM. See you at the swap!

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Girls Want Pearls #42: Give Your Handbag a Summer Makeover

Happy Monday dear readers and friends! Has your Memorial weekend been good so far? I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all of the veterans, those that have served and are no longer with us, those that are still among us and those who are currently serving in the military. We owe so much to them for the immense sacrifices they have made to keep our country the good ol’ USA that we have known and loved.

Okay, ready for some fashion flips? This week is #42 of my weekly Monday series, Girls Want Pearls. Last week we looked at some easy ways to amp up simple cotton or muslin gift bags with the addition of pearls, doilies and burlap. This week I want to show you some super duper easy ways to give your summer handbag a mini makeover.

First I want to show you this fab vintage straw bag with velvet and pearl veggies and fruit. Can you believe the cuteness?
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I love the pea pods with their pearl peas. I’m not going to reproduce this look, though one certainly could. I’m going to flip the bag to the back side and show you some things to do with a plain straw bag.
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Look #1: Add a colorful summer scarf.
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Just wrap the scarf around the bag and tie it in a knot. Then, take a strand of pearls strung on wire and wrap it around the knot two or three times and twist the ends together.
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You can mix it up and change out the scarf to go with your mood or your outfit.
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For the next look you’ll need a couple of belts and a strand of pearls on wire.
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This look is a bit more permanent as you will need to stitch the belts on in a few places. Wrap them around the bag, overlapping as desired, buckle the belts and stitch them on. I placed the buckle on the bottom layer belt onto the back side of the bag. Once you have stitched them in place, take your wired pearl strand and curve it around the buckle as shown. You can twist it on with the wire ends to secure or glue it on to the belt.
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Maybe you don’t have a straw bag. You can pick one up at almost any thrift store or yard sale, or try the look on another type of bag. I didn’t have any pastel belts but wouldn’t it look fantastic with a yellow and coral pairing, or mint and navy. Can you think of other belt types / combos that would work? Let me know in the comments!

I would like to invite you to come back Wednesday and link up at my Drop It or Swap It party. Come on ladies (and gents) I know you’ve got stuff you don’t wear or aren’t using anymore. Some other lucky girl would love to wear it or add it to her decor!
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Here’s a peek at what I’ll be swapping this week. Click the pic for more info about how Drop It or Swap It works.

Next week’s pearl post hint: She sells sea shells…

Love pearls and don’t want to miss any pearly posts?
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Talk soon,
 Ann

Linking with: Savvy Southern Style,The 36th Avenue, No Minimalist Here, Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson,The Scoop, Mod Vintage Life, Between Naps on the Porch, From My Front Porch to Yours, Cozy Little House, Knick of Time, A Stroll Thru LifeIvy and Elephants, Jennifer Rizzo, Style Elixir, Shabby Art Boutique, Cheerios and Lattes, Reasons To Skip The Housework, Classy Clutter, French Country Cottage, C.R.A.F.T. Monday Funday , VMG206, Bacon Time with the Hungry Hypo, Casual Friday, I Feel Pretty, Rachel The Hat, Lena B. Actually, Because Shanna Said So

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Phrase Art Phriday: Keep Calm and Reign

#7 in my series, Phrase Art Phriday, where I share a favorite saying overlaid on
my own original photography.

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Enjoy the holiday weekend!

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