storytime

When thrift shopping, I always keep my eye out for treasures and vintage pieces with potential for creative greatness.  Over Christmas, I came across several old children's books that were much cheaper than what they should be (which NEVER happens).  I didn't have a particular plan for these special little treasures but I knew that I had to have them.

A month or two had gone by and the books were still just sitting there with no purpose.  But I needed a spectacular gift because my brother was leaving to study abroad in Australia and I had to send him off with something special.  Then it hit me!  Make the vintage books into photo albums!  My brother, who is a photographer, would be able to fill the unique pages with his works of art and capture every moment of his adventure "down under".

First, I started by collecting other items that could be used as pages in the album (newspaper, maps, card stock, phonebook pages, fabric, etc) and unique details to assemble my finished product (needle and thread, wire, twine, burlap, leather and buttons).  Next, I removed the front and back cover of the book and all of the pages that I wanted to use.  I cut all of my paper, newspaper, maps and fabric down to page size and assembled them in the order that I wanted them.  Since the inside of the book covers weren't very attractive, I glued pieces of burlap to them and it gave a nice clean canvas for more creative possibilities (such as: safety pinning or sewing souvenirs to the fabric).  To bind the album, I layered the covers and pages in the order that I wanted them and took a large nail and hammer to puncture a hole all the way through (just make sure there is cardboard or scrap wood underneath the album, so you don't ruin your surface).  Then I simply wrapped wire through the holes to make rings.  To keep the album closed during his travels, I used the nail to punch 4 holes near the edge of the front cover and attached a large button with the wire.  Then I was able to wrap twine around the whole album so it would stay nice a secure.  I then took a needle and thread to sew some pictures onto the pages to get his collection started.  Its a good idea to include ways to secure the pictures to the pages when you give the album as a gift (such as: glue, picture corners, and for fun a sewing kit and safety pins).

Some other great ideas are:  making a storybook album for a wedding guestbook or baby book, make an album out of a vintage cookbook.... so many possibilities!

I hope that this gives you an idea and inspiration for your next gift!  If it does, I would love to see pictures of your creations.
 

 

Little Miss Sunshine

I recently received a beautiful Anthropologie apron from a dear friend.  A friend that knows me all too well, because this apron is SO me.  The warm colors and the assortment of patterns reminds me of a vintage summer picnic.  With that in mind, the party planner side of me took over and suddenly I was in the mood to throw a Garden Party.  Well, with it being winter and no one to throw a party for, a journal of ideas and inspirations will just have to suffice.  But when the opportunity presents itself, I will be well prepared. 

First, I started gathering items for my "party palette" and then did some investigating on event planning blogs (which I have to say is a favorite pastime of mine).  So there's really no other purpose in sharing this post, than to pass on a little inspiration and sunshine on this cold, wintry day.

My Party Palette

                             

Inspiration Board

                                                    

Utilitarian Chic

Northern California Photography

Today I needed a little thrift store therapy.  So I headed to Salvation Army- my personal stress relief and cure for the common "I'm going crazy!" kind of day.  On my second trip through the cluttered aisles, I came across a stunning collection of glass insulators.  These beautiful, transparent figures were calling my name.  But I refrained from the hoarder within and just settled for 2.  I knew that they probably weren't worth a lot, but that they had a story to tell.  I found that glass insulators date back to the days of the telegraph and as technology progressed they were eventually used on telephone and power lines.  Wow!  Something with once such a practical purpose is now going to be on display like art.  Now that is recycling at its finest!

I feel inspired to do something extraordinary with them, but challenged at the same time.  They deserve a well thought-out plan of creativity; but there are so many options and the over-use of them will take away from their charm.  So for now, I think they will be new members of my glass bottle display or maybe even bookends.  But in the future (and after much DIY research) they will be prominently hung above my kitchen island as light fixtures.

Cheers!

Tonight is the Golden Globes and in my books, that's considered a holiday.  So in the spirit of the awards' season, I'm going to share my latest creation and new obsession- Cocktail Couture.  Cocktail Couture is my line of vintage-inspired drink charms.  Unlike the usual drink charms that attach to your glass by a ring (which I'm SO bored of) these are magnetic.  You simply drop one of the magnetics into your glass and attach the charm on the outside.  Who can't resist a little sparkle?  Add style and unique flare to your next gathering with Cocktail Couture.  Each set of 4 is $20.  To order email boutiqueweddings@gmail.com.  (My Esty account is still in the works)

hello. my name is...

Yes, I realize that I'm the last person to join the blogging community.  With so many directions that I want to explore creatively, it has taken me awhile to "define" what it is that I want to share with the rest of the cyberworld.  Then I came to the conclusion that I'm just going to share everything!  From event planning, party design, home decor, thrift shopping; I intend to share whatever seems to inspire me at the moment and hopefully the inspiration will become contagious.

Growing up, my Christmas list usually consisted of furniture and decor for my bedroom.  I spent hours skimming through catalogs, clipping out pictures to make different room designs.  I planned tea parties for anyone who would attend (even if it was just my two, very reluctant, little brothers).  And in fifth grade, I had my own booth at the local craft bazaar.  Creating is just a part of who I am.  Instead of watching movies and TV shows, I find myself watching the set design and taking mental notes on what catches my eye.  Thrift stores are my therapy, throwing a beautiful party is my passion and creating things with my hands makes me tick. 

In 2007, I started my event coordinating business, The Boutique Weddings & Events and while its has been an amazing experience; I find myself wanting to add another avenue of creativity.  So.... in enters "a boutique life" blog- a community for the creative lifestyle.  Whether you are a design veteran or consider yourself creatively challenged, I will share what inspires me to live a boutique life.