new in the studio.....

Yep I found another vintage suitcase to add to my ongoing collection.  I got this for $3.99 at the Goodwill and grabbed it as soon as I saw it!  Just can't pass them up.  Plus, I still had space in my luggage holder. I have just one space left to fill.

The thing I get most excited about when I find these.....is what's on the inside! You just never know what it is going to look like or what color it will be.

I always hope for the satin interior and, of course, for it to be girly.

I just loved the inside color because it just has a sheen to it and yes very girly and in wonderful condition.

The other green suitcases I have are cream on the inside so I was glad that this one wasn't.

This one also had the attachment items that snap in on the lower sides and that was a bonus in itself!!

See the ruffle on the top love it...

This will be its home....yes, I still haven't finished the shelf yet.  I am waiting for it to get nice outside so I can finish it and paint it.       Oh, there is more.....

I found this item too and fell in love with it!  I really am attracted to these kinds of photos, I believe they are from Lyn Andersen?  I just saw a calendar with these types of pictures and I think that was her name. 

 

I think it was great that she is sitting on vintage luggage and of course has a vintage handbag which I love too.

I was having a hard time trying to capture the colors but not easy being in a glossy frame.  Its beautiful yellow dress, hat against the flesh color, and the pink lipstick were eye catching.  She is soooo cute!!

The statement "Dress for Success" just fits with how I am feeling right now.  We are trying to start our pottery business up again and also I am working on things to put in my Etsy store. 

Both of these items are just perfect for my studio and I am loving how everything is coming together in my small space.  I think when you get everything organized and clean you just feel better while you are in there creating. Plus, decorating it with all the things you love is even better.

Here is where I placed the picture which seemed appropriate don't you? I can enjoy her while I sit at my table.

Plus,  I haven't forgot about my luggage makeover.......

I am on the last area where I am placing fabric and then I will be able to start adding the paint.  It wasn't easy adding the fabric to this tote it just didn't want to stick but I did it!!  I love the way it is turning out and can't wait to see the finial product.  Thanks for stopping by my studio today.

xo

barbara lynn

are you reduced......

(photo source)

As I was browsing the web this cloudy morning I came across this message.  I have to say that in my personal experience I have reduced my life from the very thing it states I shouldn't.  I shouldn't live in a state of depression and feeling stuck because I don't like the very situations I may find myself in.  I shouldn't  focus on all the bad in my life but instead try to focus on all the good there is.  I should try to live in a state of gratitude.   It isn't easy rising up from depression and it truly does take some renewing of the mind to think differently and change our future joy.  We shouldn't let our circumstances dictate our joy in the moment and for that matter our future moments.  We can rise up and shout to the world that I will not be reduced by my reliving a past hurts or situations how grey they may be.  I have a choice to live in victory just by recognizing that the enemy of this world wants us to be in a dark hole of depression because then you are not living the life God has designed for you.  A life full of joy and peace.  So I say go where the peace is and there you will find rest.

Because I believe in God and Jesus Christ I am from now on going to give scripture references to my posts where I have referrence the Bible.  I have decided this because I believe that all our answers and way of living a victorious life comes from the Bible and so as a believer I want to give you what God has placed on my heart to you.  I will not become a Bible thumper but just someone who seeks answers just like you and will list the verses that I think support parts of my writing.  I daily need a reminder where my peace comes from because I do get clouded by the world and my circumstances so for me to focus on scripture brings me a place of peace.  It may not change the circumstance but I know I can find joy in the moment and a sense of peace from reading scripture.  So this I give to you.

xo

barbara lynn

Disclaimer:  I do not profess to be a scholar of the Bible but just a layman trying to find the truth.  So please talk to a Pastor if you have questions concerning the verses I have referenced.

Scripture Reference

Renewing of the Mind:  Romans 12:2 (NASB)

Do not conform to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

 Finding Rest: Jeremiah 6:16 (NLT)

So now the Lord says, Stop right where you are.  Look for the old, godly way, and walk in it.  Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls.

Peace:  Psalm 29: 11 (NIV)

The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.

Joy: Psalm 30:1-3 (NLT)

I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.   You refused to let my enemies triumph over me.  O Lord my God, I cried out to you for help, and you restored my health.  You brought me up from the grave, O Lord, you kept me from falling in the pit of death.

Happy Valentines Day!!

I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Valentines Day!!!   I am keeping it simple this year so with my some time on hand, I decided to do a post for you...for Valentines. 

As I type this post I am listening to Jazz on the TV and also to the hum of the dishwasher.  It is a cold and damp day outside but I am finding warmth on the inside with the temperature just right and the beautiful glow of the candles I have burning in the livingroom. 

I decided to do something a little different with this post, I decided to share with you a beautiful Valentine Card my hubby gave to me a couple of years ago but still is beautiful today.   I know it may seem personal but what is Valentines but a day of expressing our love for each other. 

I have always loved getting cards from him because that is where he shares his heart to me.   I have also took pictures of some of my favorites things I put out for Valentines, so I hope you enjoy.

So here it goes:  To My Love, My Soul Mate......

This is more than a Valentine's Day card,  much ore than some little wish could ever be...

It's the first time you placed your hand in mine, it's a kiss under a moonlit sky,

slow dancing to our favorite song.....

It's the way your spirit found mine, the way you open my mind, my heart, my soul...

 

the way you fit so perfectly in my arms.... It's that place,

that time with you--your skin next to mine,

the shivers from your touch,

the taste of your lips.....

Yes, this is more than just a Valentine's Day card,

it's easy laughter and good, good loving.... it's everything you are to me... and then some.

Do you just love it?  It touches me so much every time I read it and all the others he has given me.  As you can see from the heart shaped mini album above with just my hubby and me, I am including the lovely sayings he gave me and ones I gave him from cards that I have kept for 33 years.  Yes we have been together for 33 years.  Now that's true love right? 

xo

barbara lynn

Love Letter

As Valentine approaches we begin to focused our attention on those we love.    We go out and look for that perfect card that will say just what is in our heart and mind that maybe we can't express vocally.   Or maybe you don't have anyone to share Valentines with and it could be a sad day for you.  Time spent alone with your own thoughts of wondering why love hasn't found me. 

Well, I want to share with you someone who is always looking for someone to love.  Someone to spend time with, someone to hold hands with and tell you how much He loves you.  To give you that perfect Valentines letter with those beautiful written words just for you.  He wants to give his unconditional love to you....... to be your Valentine this year.  Well, that person is God and he has written the perfect card just for you, and in this video listen and receive what is expressed in His heart towards you. (Father's Love Letter by Barry Adams)

xo

barbara lynn 

Luggage Makeover

Yesterday I started my luggage makeover and I am loving it already!!!  I bought this piece from the Goodwill for $4.00 and new I was going to use it for my crafts.  These types of ladies I have loved since I was young and I even used to wear t-shirts with them on too!!  lol:)  They are so me and this one was originally on another handbag that I did care for so I cut the ladies out and put them away until just the perfect project came along.

First I started with a lot of Mod Podge and then glued away.  I should take stock in Mod Podge since it is one of the major staples in my studio!!!  Doesn't she look great on the front already?

I thought I would show you the bag before I finish it so you can see what it looked like before I decorated it.  Here is one side......... 

then the other side.........

then comes the back.  It really is a nice size bag and can't wait for it to be done.  So as you can guess you will have to wait until I finish it.  I am hoping to have it done by Wednesday to bring to a new friends house do to some craft show and tell.  So see you then.

xo

barbara lynn

New Etsy Product

I have been busy in my studio working on some new product for my Etsy shop and since Valentines is just around the corner I decided to come up with some ideas.

I pulled out the pretty pink and red scrapbooking papers and then decided what I wanted to do.........some hearts.........

some pressed cardboard for pages.........................

some texture for some of the covers.........

some vintage Reader's Digest condensed books........

red of course..........

and when you put them all together you get what?   Yes a mini album!!!!

What better way to store your favorite Valentine moments than in a pretty mini album.  I so enjoyed making these and will be coming up with some more types in the future.

I have also put in my shop this book with the Reader's Digest cover and some watercolor paper so you can create wherever you go.  These are small enough to take with you.

This one has the vintage Reader's Digest cover too along with some acrylic paper. You can paint in it and collage in it, whatever strikes your fancy.  So go check it out and see what you think and stay tuned I will be posting here as I begin my journey in the Etsy world.  I have also added a link at the top right to get to my shop.  Thanks for stopping by and see you soon.

xo

barbara lynn

Another Idea

What will I come up with next right?  I am forever coming up will all kinds of ideas to make my little studio efficient and of course girly.  So what's the idea, lets take a look......

The idea involves tools of course..........

....and an old green display piece from when I did craft shows. 

So with drill in hand lets get started.  Yes I am that girl that will pull out the big boy tools and use them!!! lol

Measure and cut and measure some more then put all the screws back in and cut some shelves to fit.....fit what?

My vintage luggage!!!!!!  How cool huh?  I wasn't using my luggage before this because I just didn't have the space or so I thought.  I love collecting vintage luggage and was glad that I have space left to purchase a few more. 

I was trying to come up with an idea for storing my fabric and this is what came up.  I absolutely loooooooovvvvveeee the idea because I will be able to separate the fabric by colors and textures and access it easily. Plus, the cool thing is it really didn't take up that much space. 

I originally had a narrow bookcase in that spot but it didn't work.  Now this does and I can't wait to show you what I am going to do next with this display.  So you guessed it, it is not finished so until next time.........

xo

barbara lynn