BE STILL MY HEART

Have you ever asked yourself what it is about the shape of a heart that makes us melt or simply just smile?

I can't have enough hearts through out my home, they make me happy.

I think I am mostly parcial to the elongated hearts that you find when you look at primitives or grungy crafts. I love those.

But, for my website, http://someplaceinthyme.com I prefer to create heart sachets and fill them with dried lavender buds. Oh boy, do they ever smell so sweet and fresh.

I had so much fun creating these hearts. Some have beadwork and some have fringe. They make the perfect gift too and are ever so romantic.

The above blue, key to my heart has found it's way to another home, but the three sachets above the blue are for sale. I hope you have enjoyed my post today and come back soon. I love to share what I have been up too.

LOVIN THOSE TUSSIE MUSSIE'S

Since I have discovered the art of creating a Tussie Mussie, I have to admit, "I am in love with this craft." There are so many beautiful papers to choose from, and of course, playing with trims, ribbons, lace and bobbles....well, it's just fun!!

 These can be found on my website, http://someplaceinthyme.com along with many other styles and colors. The Halloween Tussie has been sold, but have a peek, you might find something you love.

If you enjoy working with paper, please give this craft a try, it's fun and it's easy too. Tussie Mussie's make a great gift for teachers, friends or keeping for yourself. Fill with small gifts or with sweets, what's not to love!?

~~THE LOVE OF A TUSSIE MUSSIE~~

I have discovered a love for the Tussie Mussie, you know? the victorian cones that hold anything from treats to candy to sweet gifts.
I have always wanted to make one and this is my second. When I listed my first Tussie Mussie, I was happy to have a sold sign on her before nightfall. Off she went to the great state of Hawaii.

This was my first Mussie ever. I love how she turned out, but the second one in my opinion is prettier.

Maybe it's the creamy yellow of the roses, or the Venise lace, but no matter why, I love her and the romance she brings into my life.
This Tussie Mussie can be found HERE.

~~Soap Pocket Sachets~~

I have had this idea for soap pockets for many years, and finally got around to creating something I think is wonderful.
After doing the pockets, which can be found in a previous post, I had some round bars of Italian milled soap and decided to create a pocket for those as well.
I came up with the idea of sachet bags with ties on the sides. Enjoy....

These were listed today on my website, SOMEPLACEINTHYME.

They make great gifts. Don't forget Mother's Day, that will be coming up in May.

I am considering doing a tutorial on these beautiful pockets in the future, so check back often.

I hope you have enjoyed your visit with me. Be sure to check my main blog Someplace In Thyme, as I am doing a tutorial this week on creating a cottage/shabby bottle. Very pretty and oh so easy.

~~SOAP POCKETS AND JURY DUTY~~

This past month has flown by so fast, it's hard to believe that it's April already.
When I peeked at my last post, it was a month ago!! I am so sorry to all my followers that I have not been around for that length of time. I promised myself to do much better in the future.
That being said, where have I been?
Well, for a little more than a week, I have been serving on jury duty.

When I saw the summons, I was thinking, "this just can't be happening to me" afterall, it hasn't been two years, has it?
You see, the law in AZ, or at least Maricopa county where we live, states that if you serve, it's two years before they can call you again. If you have been summoned, but released, it's 18 months before they can summons you. Man, time sure can fly by.
I was summoned what seems like yesterday, but the case was canceled (or settled out of court) and so I was not expecting this.

I did end up being picked, questioned and did sit on the jury. In fact, I was juror number two!
I honored my call to duty and quite frankly, I enjoyed it. I had never experienced the system before and it was all very interesting.
The case was a domestic abuse case and we found the defendent "not guilty." There was such a lack of evidence, we didn't understand why it was brought to court in the first place.
Anyway, without having to relive the whole ordeal, I served proudly and would proudly serve again.
The hardest part? Going into Phoenix daily and driving the I10 in commute traffic......UGH and UGH again.

I have found that my website was sorely lacking in a very popular item I have been creating, so getting back to my soap pockets, here is what I have been up too since my duty:

Four new pockets have been listed on my website as of yesterday.

I have always loved this fabric.....so romantic and just down right beautiful in it's simplicity.

Handmade paper roses, a snipet of vintage lace and a vintage button, decorate the top of this pocket....so sweet.

I have had this cotton fabric for years now, but just a bit left, enough to create this little beauty. I hope you enjoy it.

These each hold an Italian milled bar of soap in the scent of limone. Very fresh and perfect for gift giving, don't forget Mother's Day.
I am in the process of creating more of my soap sachet pockets. These are different from the pockets above, as they are more of a bag, with ties at the sides and instead of a bar of soap, they hold a round Italian soap in the scent of Lily of the Valley and Orange. The bags should be on my website by the end of the week.
If you would like to see more, please visit Someplace In Thyme.

~~~EASTER IS EARLY THIS YEAR~~~

Ahhh, Easter, my favorite holiday of the entire year. It's the rebirth and the first sign of spring.
Everything begins to awaken with new growth and hope.
BUT, I don't really like it when  Easter is so early. This year, it's the beginning of April. I much prefer it when it fall later in the month.
The reason is the anticipation and having more time to decorate. Right now I have to push myself, Easter just is not on my mind.
I am not offering much this year for Easter on my website. I got caught once again and am way behind.
So, I do have a few really cute things, the above Easter egg being one of those.
This is a heavy cardboard egg that I painted and covered with glass glitter. I then decorated the top and added a ribbon hanger just in case you wanted to hang it.

Oh how sweet are these pastel Easter eggs? Made of paper and very light weight, I love them.
There are three being sold as a set. The tops are decorated with roses and ribbons.
You can find these and more on my website, Someplace In Thyme.
I would love to see what you do for Easter, so please stop by and follow me or leave a message so I can find you. I would appreciate it very much.

~~Italian Milled Soap Pockets~~

Ok, Ok, I know that you know, I am addicted to collecting soap. I just can't help myself, if it smells good and looks beautiful, I just have to have it.
I have so much soap, that finally I have to pass my new ones on to you.
Thus, the soap pocket creations. If you follow my blog, you know that I have created some very lovely soap pockets for bars of soap, these that I am showing you today, contain round soaps.......so yummy.

One of my all time favorite fabrics, the pink teacup fabric, at least that is what I call it.
I found the perfect little silver charm to go with this pocket in the shape of what else? A teapot........so dang cute.

A lovely piece of vintage crochet work at the bottom and it's all ready for gift giving. I thought this would be just right for Mother's Day.....

See? I told you this fabric was gorgeous!!

And the soap, it's Italian milled and smells like orange....oh, heavenly.
This soap pocket and more can be found on my website, Someplace In Thyme.

~~I HAD A GREAT WEEKEND~~

If you know anything about me, you know I have my hands in just about everything, especially tags.
This is my latest, and I think this set of six is just so sweet.

each tag is different from the others and each tag has a bit of opaque glitter on it for a bit of sparkle.

if you follow me or keep up with this blog, (this is my biz blog, my personal blog is someplaceinthyme) without the 2 at the end, then you know how I love soap. I have been collecting soap for over 30 years now.
Of course I use it, but it's not easy.....:)

each soap pocket comes with a gorgeous and beautiful smelling bar of soap. This soap was made in Italy.
I hope to begin making my own soap very soon.

the perfect gift for someone special and for Mother's Day too.
I hope you enjoy these, I have been thinking of creating them for a couple of years now and finally got around to making them.
copyright 2012
these and more can be found HERE

~~SOMETHING GOOD COMES FROM A NIGHTMARE~~

Do you hold onto stuff?? I tend too and somethings I wonder why, but this time.....sheer genius if I must say so myself.
Many, (and I do mean many) years ago, I bought this fabric and made beautiful kitchen drapes for my daughter and her husband's home.
Having bought much more than needed, I held on to the extra fabric. Now, I must confess, there were lots of times when I almost gave this fabric away to a charity and then decided at the last moment to keep it.
Boy, am I ever glad I did. I have always loved it but just couldn't decide what the heck to do with it.....
then one day I was going through my books, trying to weed out the ones I didn't use and sell them in a garage sale.
I came upon a book of projects with instructions, and low and behold, a shopping bag that was just perfect for said fabric, or so I thought!
Have you ever bought a book or pattern, tried as you will and nothing, I mean NOTHING makes any sense to you?? I even lost sleep over this bag. No matter how hard I tried, the pattern instructions had to be WRONG, JUST WRONG!!!
I used scrapes to try and make this bag the way they wanted, but no, still would not work.
So, I was thinking, why not make this bag the same way I make my holiday stockings? Oh yeah, I am on to something, what could be the difference? Both are lined and both are padded.
See? ALWAYS trust yourself, because, it worked......YIPPEE!!!

This is the lining fabric, pretty as a picture and just in time for spring.
The fabric is heavy and so getting it around the handles was not an easy task, but I did it and am in the process of creating more totes, or bags like this one.
I am proud to say that this bag is my pattern through and through, and the book??? well, lets just say it now has a price tag on it and can be located in the garage........oh yes, I am smiling from ear to ear.

Makes a great bag for sewing notions, going to the farmer's market, or just totin around.
This and more can be found on my WEBSITE.
Moral of the story, NEVER, NEVER GIVE UP, you can do it.

~~~Primitives Two~~~

Ah, it's a birds life.....a crow that is. This sweet thing is something I have had for a long time now, many years of enjoyment we have had together.
I didn't make her, but a very good friend of mine did. I used to be heavily into the primitives and this was one of those things I adored.

Crows and sunflowers have a way of going together like milk and honey, don't they?
Cute fabrics make up the dress and the color has vintage lace and buttons.

Oh baby, just look at those feet. What a pair of beauties you have. We should all be so lucky.

Baby face, you've got the cutest little baby face......
Have you ever noticed that you can look at a stuffed animal and it speaks to your heart? Sometimes I just have to avoid them, because if not, I would want to bring them all home with me.
The face on this bunny is just too sweet for words. She was made many years ago and I would classify her as vintage. I have had her for over 30 yrs now, so vintage she is, at least to me.

A friend of mine used to collect handmade, vintage quilts and cut them up to use in her dolls. This was a piece that was used for just that purpose. The ears and the bow in her hair are from a made in America, hand made quilt.
I never knew what a picker was until we met. She had two pickers that used to travel across America looking for quilts to cut up. She never used quilts in perfect condition.
I also remember her telling me, wait until the China invasion and the prices fall, the demand falls and this craft shall too, pass.
I didn't believe her, but after seeing, buying and washing a quilt made in China, I do get her point.
You can't wash something with 1/8" seams and expect it to last.

Vintage linens for pants, how cleaver and cute too. If I remember correctly, they are also tea dyed.
I am putting these primitives on my website for sale this week. Come on over and have a visit, smile and just say hi.
I hope you have enjoyed the sweetness these critters offer.
You can find more at, Someplace In Thyme.

~~~The Primitives Are Arriving~~~

You know how you hear "be true to yourself?" Sometimes that is not as easy as it seems, at least for me, it's not.
I get confused between the cottage style and the primitive style.  Don't get me wrong, I understand the difference between the two, it's just I have a love of both.

For instance, I made this adorable doll years ago and have loved her all these years.
When we lived in GA back in the early 90's, she fit right into my decor. Sadly, she no longer does...... :(
I am planning on letting this little cutie pie go. I have her listed in my etsy shop under the name of
SomeplaceInTime.

Letting go of anything you love is never easy, but I would rather someone else love her than have her live in a box in the garage....what a life!!

Ahhhh, hand painted socks and shoes with tea dyed leggings. So friggin cute!! Maybe I should keep her, she looks adorable on a bed or in one of my child rocking chairs.........gesh, making up my mind is never easy!!

Ok, I know she is so cute, but how many bunnies can a person have? I am listing her in my etsy shop tomorrow. I have had her for a long time and it's time to pass her on. I tried to let her go into a new home a couple of years ago but I just couldn't manage to do it.

See what I mean?? Just look at that face!! They speak to you and the guilt sets in. I also am lovin the necklace, beads and a ceramic carrot. What more does a girl need??
Tomorrow I will show you two more treasures in search of a new home.
Never visited my etsy shop before? Come on over, I would love to have you!

~~~Paris & Hearts Equals Oooh La La~~~

There is just something beautiful and romantic about natural colors and gorgeous fabric.
I created this heart for my website using soft colors and a frenchie theme.

A pretty bow right in the middle with bouquets and Paris inked on.

Vintage laces and buttons were also added. Buttons give great texture as do lace.

I had with cute wooden tag and so it was also added.
This and more can be found here.
I left my heart in Paris back in the 1990's. I think it might be getting to be the time to go find it again......I only wish, but I can dream, can't I?!