2011 Happy New Year

Happy New Year 2011

This is a great time

to reflect on the past year

and look forward to a fresh start in 2011

With the chill in the air a snowflake print place mat is perfect addition to this tablescape.

Who doesn't love a little "bling" for New Year

The candles are draped with vintage rhinestone belts. necklaces, and bracelets.

The cloche is full of vintage black ribbon and a paper flower

and adorned with "bling"

The French Chateau Flatware adds a crowning touch to the place setting.

My friend, Ruth, makes these vintage scrabble tiled decorative glass-charms.They work great to keep track of your glass.  If you are interested in having her make you custom charms, let me know by leaving a comment or by the "Contact Me " Button under the blog header and I will get you in contact with her.

This tablescape is dressed for a fun night on the town.

If you would like to see the 2010 New Year's post click here.

Wherever you are to usher in the 2011 New Year

I hope blogging in the coming year brings you happiness and joy with

much inspiration for decorating your home with a touch of the past. 

If you would like to be inspired by other blogs,  I'm linking to:

Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch

Vintage Thingie Thursday at Colorado lady

Show and Tell at My Romantic Home

Feather Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Vintage Black Friday at

Rock-a-billy Girl Has Some New Bling

My friend, Sandra, sent me a photo and said she made a new necklace for my Rock-a-billy Girl in my guest bedroom.  When I received it, I loved it.  It is perfect for the dress form but I want to wear it too.  I would like to show it to you  and tell you how using vintage jewelry can also be used as decor for your home.

Sandra is very creative and has been making jewelry for some time.  

She loves to use vintage pieces in her creations.  

This creation has vintage buttons and she knows I love rhinestones 

so this was the perfect combination for me.

I  wanted you to get a closer look.

 

If you would like to check out a previous post about this Rock-a-Billy outfit click here.

This is what the necklace would look like paired with my vintage black sheer blouse.

The necklace button compliments the buttons on the blouse.  The blouse actually buttons up the back.

This vignette is in my guest bath and I accessorized the blouse with these vintage black sheer elbow-length gloves.

Included is this antique black and gold beaded purse.

The blouse hangs on a vintage gold satin hanger with  a black and tan toile bird birched on top.

This vignette sits close by.  The vintage bottle is dressed up in black lace and rhinestones with a black plume spilling out of the top.  As a side note, this vignette sits on an antique English lace inlaid vanity tray.

I want to say a big "THANK YOU" to my creative friend, Sandra, who has blessed my life.

I am sharing with "Show and Tell Friday" with Cindy @ My Romantic Home or click button on the sidebar.

I, also, linking to Southern in my Heart Inspiration Friday blog party.

I, also, am linking to Vintage Black Friday  at The French Cupboard.

1, also, am linking to Common Ground Vintage Inspiration Friday.

Vintage Black Friday - Black Painted Box Roses

I've always loved vintage boxes.  

They work well in a vignette to give height for displaying at different eye levels.  

Several years ago, this vintage box caught my eye because number one it was black but then the added painted pink and yellow roses were an added bonus. 

The vintage black box is used in the vignette with my hand painted tea set.

Because some of the paint is worn, it just gives it charm.

This box has a copper lining.  I was told that it was used to keep cigars in. 

It seems to feminine for cigars, what do you think?

I'm linking with Vintage Black Friday at French Cupboard 

if you would like to see other Vintage Black Friday posts.

Enjoy your weekend...

Combining the Romance of Chess

The first Friday of every month is the blog party "Vintage Black Friday" and every Friday is "Foodie Friday" so I wanted to join the two.  I believe you will find this combination both delectable and inspiring.

I couldn't decide which should be posted first so I chose the way opponents decide in a Chess game.  Holding a white pawn in one hand and a black pawn in the other, my husband chose the black pawn which represented the "Vintage Black Friday" party.  Therefore,  let the "Romance of Chess" begin.

The 1945 chess board was set up on a vintage desk.

The black pieces were placed first upon the vintage 1945 board since they won the draw to be first played.

The feather bouquet in the vintage black metal vase adds romance to the setting.

Adding a touch of black on the vintage clock helps to speed the game along.

This vintage chess set had the original First Edition, June 1945 rules book.

This booklet states, "The development of Chess through the ages presents an interesting and enlightening story.  It is a history that lends dignity and honor to the game."

All the chess pieces were still in the "Chess Men" box.

All the vintage black squares, numbers, and letters add charm and romance to this vignette.

It is interesting to note that the first person to bring Chess to public notice in the United States was Benjamn Franklin, who wrote an essay on "The Morals of Chess."  However, very little Chess was played in the United States prior to about 1825.  From then on, it gradually increased in popularity. 

In fact, this Independence Day weekend, my son, Nate, who lives in Philadelphia, is playing in the Continental Chess Association Chess Tournament:  'World Open 2010'  held at Valley Forge, PA..  He, also, has designed a Chess tournament online for his California relatives young and old.  They love the competition.

"Chess is truly a game that should live forever.  It sharpens the wits and is an endless source of intellectual pleasure for novice and masters alike."

You say, "How does this tie into Foodie Friday?

The first ingredient in this deliciously rich dessert is  
Chessmen Cookies.

When I first had a piece of this yummy dessert, it was so rich and delicious, I decided to make it for a "Lunch in the Country" dessert.  If you would like to go back to that post click here.

I didn't learn until after I had tasted the dessert (I should have known) that it is Paula Deen's 

"Not Yo' Mama's Banana Pudding"

Ingredients:

2   bags Pepperidge Farm Chessmen cookies

6 to 8 bananas, sliced

2 cups milk

1 (5 - ounce) box instant French vanilla pudding

1 (8 - ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

1 (12-ounce) container frozen whipped topping thawed, or equal amount sweetened whipped cream

These are the ingredients so you know why I said it is so rich and yummy.

You first line the bottom of a 13 by 9 x 2 inch dish with one bag of Chessmen cookies.

Then, layer 6 - 8 sliced bananas.  I used six.

In a bowl, combine the milk and pudding mix and blend well using a handheld electric mixer.

Using another bowl, combine the cream cheese and condensed milk together and mix until smooth.

Fold the whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture. 

Add the cream cheese mixture to the pudding mixture and stir until well blended.

Pour the mixture over the cookies and bananas.

Even the "Mama" couldn't wait for a taste of the banana puddin' before the cookies were placed on top.

Cover with the remaining bag of Chessmen cookies and refrigerate until ready to serve.

This is a great recipe for serving about 12.  Prep time is about 30 minutes and it is easy.

Whether romancing playing the game of Chess or 

 using Chess to romance your decor or

or romancing over a Chess cookie dessert

It all ties in to the Romance of Chess.

WISHING YOU A SAFE AND

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY !!

I will be celebrating for a week with family so watch for posts after that time.

I am joining Vintage Black Friday or click on VBF button on my sidebar or

Foodie Friday click here.

Dressmaker Form

Welcome to Vintage Black Friday it happens the first Friday of every month.

I would love to introduce this lovely lady, she has many talents. 

I was introduced to this lady of many talents at a flea market about ten years ago. At the time I met her, she was already decked out in this lovely black fabric and because she didn't have a stand, I don't have information of her origin.

At the present she is holding a vintage black velvet belt with a rhinestone buckle and several newer multi-colored rhinestone belts.  The one rhinestone belt with the two dropped balls is a vintage piece.  It has a double string of rhinestones and the hook has a rhinestone to make it a great detailed piece. 

A vintage umbrella with a rhinestone handle is pinned on her side.

These unique vintage display pieces are great for holding necklaces and brooches.  The hat sitting on top is a black straw pill-box hat with an incredible vintage cream-colored velvet rose accent.

Sitting next to this dress form in my guest bath are two vintage black velvet hats.  One is accented with rhinestones and the other with feathers.  The display case they are sitting on is a vintage store display case for jewelry.  It now holds some of my rhinestone pieces new and old.

In her earlier life, this dress form sat on top of my armoire.  In this vignette, black Victorian boots sit on top of an antique black leather top hat case.  Also, a vintage black umbrella leans on the wall.  The hexagon script hat box is tied with vintage black lace. There is a vintage black shawl draped over the edge of the armoire. Again, the little vintage black hat is included.

Dressmaker forms have been around since the time of the Egyptian pharaohs.  It is documented that when Carter opened King Tutankhamen's tomb in 1922, he discovered a wooden torso not far from a clothing chest.  Dating from 1350 B.C. it may have been the world's first dressmaker's form. (From Smithsonian Magazine)  There is more history about dressmaker forms if you click on Shapely Shadow a Southern California company's website.

Dressmaker's forms whether old or new are a great accent piece to use while decorating
as well as for their intended use... to make a dress.

If you would like to read more of my Vintage Black Friday posts click on Vintage Black Friday under my Labels.

If you would like to read other Vintage Black Friday posts, click on my VBF button on my sidebar or join Vintage Black Friday.

Vintage Black Friday - Wooden Box and Camera

The first things I see when waking up in the morning and the last things I see when going to sleep sit on top of my display cabinet in my master bedroom.  

When I found this vintage black wooden box, I instantly fell in love with the distressed paint with highlights of gold that brought out the detail on the box.  I later realized in its formal life, it probably was a piano stool. The stool legs had either broken or were simply taken off to be used in another way.

Along side this box is a vintage black camera.  This is a favorite in my collection of cameras. 

This wooden box adds dimension to this vignette and is a great resting place for the birds while they are feathering their nest.

 I am joining the blog party at French Cupboard or you can see other posts for Vintage Black Friday by clicking on their button on my sidebar.

Have a Great Friday!

 

Vintage Black Friday - Bibles, Bustle, & Boots

I am linking to Vintage Black Friday for the first time.  It is the first Friday of each month and the only rules for the post is it has to be vintage and black.  Since I, too, love vintage black items, I wanted to start posting some of my favorite vintage black pieces. 

Since Vintage Black Friday is on "Good Friday" I wanted to share my collection of vintage Bibles.  Some of my favorites are the black ones in the middle of this picture.  The first black Bible standing is a 1967 Bible that my husband and I received when we were married in 1968.  The larger vintage black Bible was printed in Great Britain but I have not been able to find a date when published.  The small vintage black Bible was published in 1872.   Another vintage piece is the pen sitting on top of the marble base.

This Bible is copyrighted in 1936.  This Bible belonged to my Grandmother and was given to me when she passed away in 1990.  Grandma started the family register in this Bible so I have tried to keep information up to date.    This is a treasured keepsake.

This black Victorian gown has beautiful detailed beading and netting.  I tried to show it but the fabric is very delicate so I try not to touch it too much. 

This Victorian gown has sequins and hand sewn details on every inch.

   

Beautiful details and beads on sleeve.

This hat is from the early 1900's accessorized by the two vintage rhinestone hat pins.

I accessorized it with this vintage black and green beaded purse which compliments the vintage umbrella.

No Victorian outfit is complete without Victorian boots.

This Victorian lady would have had a beautiful silhouette with this detailed bustle.  She would definitely need her maid to help her be fashionable for this Vintage Black Friday Blog Party.  If you want to view more posts, click on French Cupboard or VBF button on sidebar.

Many Blessings and Happy Easter!