30 Years Later, I Still Do

Happy Anniversary to my man of 30 years! Yes, exactly 30 years ago, December 5, 1980, I said "I do" to my guy, and my how the years have flown. Together we've raised two children, renovated three houses, gone through the hardest of hard times and enjoyed the best of good times. We started out as naive kids and have grown together into happy adults. With God at the center of our relationship, we just get better and better.

We were babies



raising babies

(remember body waves!)



Birthdays




New Births




Waterbeds!


Cut-offs!










Anniversary getaways





Lots of these


Too much of this



Doing what we love


Loving what we do


Silly times!


Family times


Joyous moments



Moments we'll never forget



Then . . .




and now



Happy 30th, My Love

The Season of Family

I cherish the time spent with close family and friends. Here's wishing you and yours a wonderful time of closeness and thanksgiving, and lots of pumpkin pie.
~Ann

Meet Claudia!

My good friend Claudia is relatively new to the blogging community, though she's a facebook pro.


Please take time to stop by her fabulous blog, Just Claudia Vintage Junkie and welcome her! She's got great decorating tips and tricks to inspire.

Expanded Living Space

Problem:
Chairs with no seats or backs,
a table with no top,
a patio with no dining space

Fix:
Vintage vinyl tablecloth + glass top, both found at yard sales
+ staple gun
+ handy hubby to cut plywood pieces
+ an hour of my time



The Pay Off:
A new place to enjoy God's great outdoors, food, and friends!

Tarnished Royalty

I've been having fun in my studio creating this new batch of tiaras. How I love to play with vintage bits and baubles! I'm naming my new line Tarnished Royalty. Some from this batch have already been spoken for. Any that are not taken will be listed in my shop.






You can be sure I'm dreaming up more designs for the future. Have a Beautiful weekend!

First Fruits

When God created pumpkins, I think he was in a particularly happy mood. I can't help smiling when I look at them. Especially when they're growing by the dozens right outside my back door. These two minis were the first ones ready to pluck from the vine.

We're trying our hand at some larger varieties this year too, Cinderella and the larger white ones. Keeping my fingers crossed that they will do half as well as the baby boos have done.

Another mini I adore, growing outside my door...

YUM!!!

Wish You'd've Been There~Part II

My good friend, talented "Just Claudia".


Always wonderful treasures from the ReDeux boys.




More of my newest tiaras, now available in my online boutique . My dear friend Nanc, of shab-n-chic purchased the pearl one. Pop over and see the way she displays hers ~ love it!

My Mr., taking it easy after lots of hard work.

Wish You'd've Been There

If you weren't at Farmstead for our Spring Antiques and Garden show, there's so much you missed.
I really, really, really wish you could have been there.
Here's a bit of what you missed.










It was such a great show I was truly sad when it was over. If you missed it, don't fret too much...there'll be another coming in October that will be over-the-top fabulous.

I'll post more photos later, including pics of my latest tiara designs, in Part II.

Do come back soon!

What's in Store at Farmstead

It's finally almost here! The Farmstead Spring Antiques and Garden Show, next Friday and Saturday, May 7 & 8, is a must-do shopping event. I'll be offering for the first time my handmade tiaras and some other surprises.

We've all done our best to gather and create items you won't find anywhere else, and I must say, we may have outdone ourselves! Along with many talented vendors, a fun addition to the show this spring is a collection of creative souls who call themselves The Barn Artists ~ a potter, a sculptor, and a photographer. Click here to check out more of what's in store at the farm.

Welcome Spring?

In spite of the SNOW, our "spring" gathering at Farmstead was a ton of fun! I put together a collage of photos to give you a tiny glimpse of our vintage, new and handmade offerings.

More to come soon. Keep spring in your heart!

Burlap & Bling at Atelier

Here's a peek at what I'll be teaching this March at our Spring Gathering, Atelier.

An original A Vintage Mood creation, burlap and bling combine to create a fun tea rose pin to adorn your favorite jean jacket lapel, handbag or pillow. Using burlap and wire, we'll fashion the roses, then embellish them with sparkly vintage rhinestones for the "dew-kissed" version, and if you choose the "butterfly-kissed", you'll create the tiny little guy with wings to light upon your rose.

In addition to this workshop, Sheila Rumney of Blessed and Distressed will teach 3 fabulous classes ranging from jewelry making and soldering to shadow box collage.

And as always, one-of-a-kind shopping with Farmgirl Kelly, Just Claudia, and A Vintage Mood plus a scrumptious lunch by Aunt Mary's.




If you live in the Kansas City area, consider this your cordial invitation to attend! Schedule of Events, Workshop Information and Registration can be found by clicking the Atelier banner below.

Birthday Kisses

Happy Birthday to the sweetest, hunkiest guy I know. You still make my heart go pitter-pat.

"Architecture Love" is Here!

I'm happy to announce the arrival of 3 new sets of note cards featuring my very own original design and photography, now available at avintagemood.com. Each set has 4 original designs, I'm showing one from the "Architecture Love" set here.



Click the little blush heart to view all 3 sets (12 designs in all) and pick some up for your stationery stash. ©

If you live in the Kansas City area, be sure to make room on your calender for this fun event that is coming up in March!
Friday, March 19th from 5:30 - 8:00 pm and Saturday, March 20th from 10 am - 5:30 pm at Kelly Littmann's gorgeous and serene Farmstead. More on shopping and workshop information coming soon! (I'll be teaching a workshop on one of my original creations, and I'll let you in on the scoop right here on my blog in the days to come :)).

Vintage Chenille Repurposed

Before I share my most recent old/new transformation, I must remark on the wonderful girls' day out we had at our winter retreat hosted by dearest, darling farmgirl Kelly. What a creative and connecting time! Instructor Sheila Rumney did an outstanding job with three imaginative workshops. She's a doll. The shopping was superior, with Farmstead, Just Claudia (and me). Lunch was delish. And I met the most loverly ladies. I enjoyed the whole day so much! And guess what? We're planning another in March, with new workshops and many new/old/fab treasures for home and you. If you couldn't make it, and would like to feast your eyes on what you missed, you can view photos here and here. We'll be announcing all the good news about our next one soon!

I recently found this old red Cabin Craft chenille bedspread and knew immediately what I would do with it.

Even though sewing is not my favorite thing to do, there are times when the fabric is crying out so clearly to be something else, that I just have to dig in and give it what it wants. It was full of flaws and some stains, a cutter to be sure. Here are the first of many pillows and pin cushions that this faded beauty will yield.

They're not listed in my web shop just yet, but soon will be.