Beaded Lamps & Anniversary Guessing Game!

Gorgeous beaded lamps, I purchased years ago. I haven’t had them out and I thought that I should get them out of storage and use them to display some goodies.





This lamp displays a lovely little silver rickshaw sculpture.





This one holds a miniature French frame with antique angel print.



Here they both are displayed along side a gilt frame, with the scary brick wall behind them. I still haven't worked up enough courage to paint the brick.




Also, I wanted to show you the lovely gift my hubby gave me for our Anniversary. I wanted to know if any of you might guess what it is??? If you do, a small glittery gift awaits you at the end of this guessing game.





It is early 1800’s Chinese, carved from a single panel of wood and then hand painted.





It still retains some of its original paint. The painting looks very European to me. I fell in love with it when I saw it.


So give it a go and guess what you think this might be. I'll post the answer on Friday. Have fun guessing!

Welcome to Miss Vanessa's Mad Tea Party!

I awoke this morning with such a curious feeling.

After I had dressed, I ran downstairs, ate breakfast and settled myself down next to Mother to make daisy chains.




I always love when Mother reads to baby and me. She is so very creative with the voices. She was reading a wonderful tale of a little girl following a white rabbit. She fell down a hole and had a grand adventure. It was nearly midday by the time she stopped. I had become quite drowsy.




“Well my darling, I’m afraid I must run off to my ladies’ tea. They await me in the drawing room. I’ve put baby to sleep. If you like, you may take tea in your room.” Her voice sounded like the chiming of sweet bells.

“Yes Mother, but I do wish I could have tea with you and the other ladies.”

“Someday you will, my child, but you are still too young.” She affectionately bent down and kissed the top of my head. “Now run along, dear.”





I tripped off lightly to my room and there I found the loveliest little tray filled with all the things I love best to eat.

“Oh, this is lovely, but I do wish I could attend a proper tea.’

“But you can,” said a voice close by.

“Who said that?” I whispered softly.

And to my delight a fairy as beautiful as a dream descended right in front of me.

"Have you not heard?” she said, in a voice as soft as a cloud. “Miss Vanessa of A Fanciful Twist is hosting a Mad Tea Party. I can take you there by magic, if you wish. You must dress properly first.”



I ran to my bed where my best gloves lay, and slipped them on quickly.




I turned, and resting on my little settee was my feather fan.




I opened it to make sure it was in working order.




My eye caught the glint of my tiara and I put it on and twirled in front of the fairy.





“Am I properly dressed? May we go now?”

“You’ll need one more thing,” she said. “You’ll need a mask.”

“Oh!” I cried, “But I have no mask to wear.”

“Do not fret, little one. I have made one for you. I do hope you love it.”




“Thank you! Thank you!” I replied. I slipped on the mask and the room began to glitter and spin . . .

To find out where our little heroine went, click here and follow the trail of glitter.

Miss Vanessa's Mad Tea Party!

YEA!

Tomorrow is Miss Vanessa's Carnivalee Mad Tea Party! I can't wait. I'm rushing around today trying to get ready. I hope you will join in the fun!

Visit here for more details!

Karla and Beth’s Birds and Bonnets Vintage Workshop Swap!

I just got my panels today from Karla and Beth’s Swap. I LOVE THEM!! This is my very first swap so this has all been new and exciting for me.

Here are pictures of my panels.

Here is the first side. I was amazed at the all the different expressions using the same vintage images!

I love the way this old lace looks!

I really want a teacup like this now. I just think it's so neat!

I really like the sweet cameo created on this panel. It's so soft and ultra feminine.

This bird is crowned and I love it's regal look!

Side two. . .

The brass fitting on this panel is wonderful!



A sweet little tag.



What better way to find a new milliner than by bird post!



This chubby little bird has the cutest bonnet. I love the French writing.



Simple and lovely!



Another very sweet tag.

I would like to thank the four artists who made my panels. I really appreciate the love and care you put into your beautiful artwork!

1. Karen from Amusements

2. Colleen Jew

3. Rachel Whetzel from Mine to Thine Blog

4. Debbie Doughty from Random Thoughts From A to Z

Thank you Karla and Beth for hosting such a fun swap!

Thank You & A Fanciful Twist

I've had a busy weekend and I'm longing to get back to those of you who left a comment on my last post. Thank you all for your comments on my sweet little safety pin. I want to especially thank Susan from Miss Maddie’s blog for her comment.

She had this to say about the pin . . . “At the turn of the century when the throne of England was preparing to pass from Queen Victoria to her son Edward, the style focused on his wife Alexandria. Having a long neck she took to wearing high collars, setting the stage for the fashion trend. If you look at photos of her she always wore such a feature on her gowns. This provided a place to put a piece of adornment, the neck or collar pin. Hers of course were diamond encrusted, but for the common woman they could be gold, silver, enameled... thus came the term pin money. Young women who now held jobs outside the home would put aside a few pence to buy these pins.”

Some of you said it was for holding lingerie together.

Then in my search I came across this . . .
“DAINTY Victorian pin measures about 1" and is gold-filled gold-washed over brass. It has an old safety pin style clasp on the back. These tiny pins were called beauty pins or lingerie pins and were often used to keep undergarments in place or were sometimes used on baby clothes. They date to around the turn of the century.”

Thanks again to everyone who left a comment and I have a little downloadable gift for you. Please feel free to copy this lovely image to use in your projects. She is one of my favorites. Please click on the images for a closer view.



Now for A Fanciful Twist!

Every once in a while you come across a truly kindred spirit. A magical soul that reaches into yours. Vanessa of A Fanciful Twist is just such a soul. I participated in The Swashbuckler Soiree hosted by Donna of the Ribboned Crown. During Donna’s lovely soiree, Vanessa was having a magical giveaway. I was shocked when she informed me that I had won!!

Yesterday my magical package arrived and with trembling fingers I opened it.

The address tag was so sweet, I cut it into a circular oval to keep. I love Vanessa’s illustrations. They are what I would want to create if I could only draw and paint.



What lovely fluffies cushioning my goodies!






I pulled out three packages.

This tiny little intriguing wrapping held the most amazing thing.












I think this will help me to find my magical door.

The second package held some wonderful postcards created by Vanessa out of her beautiful artwork and a tiny little sweet vintage mushroom. I need to use this on one of my shoes!
















Then in honor of The Swashbuckler Soiree, I received the Pirate Bird. His name, he informed me as he popped out of his package is, Jack.

I tried to get a closer look at his pieces of eight and he became quite flustered. He flew around and around, and finally landed here.





He refuses to come down and says he will only set sail with the Pirate Princess of the Glass Slipper. Find her story here.

Vanessa, thank you for all my loot. I truly feel blessed!!