Thursday, January 14, 2010

Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year are coming up and Mardi Gras is just around the corner…

I’m either a holiday junkie or a garland and lights addict. When the Christmas decorations get packed away, I start to pine for Valentine’s Day…the house looks so bare and forlorn. I either want new paint, a new bedspread, or an early start on Spring Cleaning, yeah, right…Usually I’ll drag out Valentine decorations, but this year it’s been so cold and gray that I need sparkle and lights. So I set up a Chinese New Year tree! It’s the Year of the Tiger which falls on February 14th! So I can get lots of mileage out of this bright tree and I won’t go into holiday withdrawal…

2010 Chinese New Year tree and pockets 005

The ornaments come from a vacation in Vancouver, my sister-in-law, Rose, and a couple of Christmas stores. I set it up some years and not others…this year it stayed packed away …but post-holiday blues sent me up into the attic one rainy day when I needed hot tea and bling…

2010 Chinese New Year tree and pockets 009

Just what the doctor ordered…perfect to lift my sagging spirits…little Chinese children and glad tidings.

2010 Chinese New Year tree and pockets 004

Then I set up Kimono  Coats over lighted wine bottles…

Chinese New Year bottle coats 002

I listed them in my etsy store and then I made a series of Chinese New Year Gift pockets from recycled-upcycled vegetable cans…

2010 Chinese New Year tree and pockets number 2 010

Each one is covered in red tissue(recycled, of course) and all sorts of Chinese ephemera…and firecracker package art work. The little bells jingle so they even sound happy.

chinese new year can 4 002

Look at the gold foil lanterns…I just got them from Two Palms Trading Company on Etsy… they were so perfect that each gift pocket got a set.

chinese new year can 4 007

Yep, that’s all it took, a little bling and some gold foil and the New Year is looking bright. It doesn’t take much for some of us…thank goodness.

2 comments:

Sue McPeak said...

Goodness, Laverne...You have just lifted this GRIT into the Glittery World of a Chinese New Year, and I didn't even know it was one. We have talked about Texas weather before, so I won't even go there, but can you believe it? I'm gettin ready to have a week long Birthday Bash starting Tomorrow with Pink Saturday...hope to see ya there!

randi said...

I cant stop thinking about this adorable pocket art piece...wondered if I could talk to you about it off line. randifw@gmail.com.......thanks.



Limping Deer and the Twins

Limping Deer and the Twins
They are still spotted at this time.

Show and Tell Sunday June 15

Flea Market Finds...sounds like my whole house and yard...

Milk Glass Collection

Milk Glass Collection
Who knew that a 25 cent flea market find would unleash such a collecting frenzy? I never pay more than a dollar unless it's a really nice piece. They are great grouped with a single daisy in each.

These used to be inexpensive florist vases in the 50's and 60's. Everyone's Grandmother had bunches.

Mexicana Dishes

Mexicana Dishes
My sister found these for me at Bussy's Flea Market in San Antonio, Texas. I had seen pictures in her Fiesta reference book. Mexicana was also made by Homer Laughlin in the 30's. I had been looking for several years without ever finding even a single piece when she found the set...with a promise to hold it for us, she came running to find me and I bought the entire set...60+ pieces for $50.

Mexicana

Mexicana
I've added to the set over the years, but the price and experience will never match that first amazing find.

Vintage Kitchen Hutch

Vintage Kitchen Hutch
When my hubby found this hutch it was Pepto pink and I was not 100% sure about it. But with a new red back and fresh white paint and refurbished hardware, it became one of my favorite pieces.

Nancy made me save the vine

Nancy made me save the vine
The vine and flowers painted on the inside were in such bad shape that I was ready to remove it all. Nancy -My Crafty Little Page convinced me to keep it and after some touch-up work, I'm glad I listened to her. My husband restores vintage Cushman motorscooters and he tries to make everything "mint" condition again. The Shabby Chic movement came along just in time to keep me from making some terrible mistakes.