Flea markets and the search for terrarium supplies

Everything about miniature worlds fascinates me. Wether in Disney movies, in children's books, in fairytales for grownups or in whimsical glass jars terrariums, I could spend hours watching them and imagining complicated, Alice in Wonderland like scenarios.

So as we went at the flea market again last Saturday, I considered finding a basket full of these miniature wonderful critters to be a sign:)

It's been so long now since I've been wanting to create dioramas, either as a terrarium or as a world in a shadow box!

Now I have to gather more supplies...twigs, acorns, some dried flowers maybe. I already have fake moss, acorn caps and some really beautiful, mysterious rocks from Iceland.

I'm thinking I could have different themes for the dioramas, like maybe a farm, then a woodland scenario with those cute bunnies:)

Definitely a cat&yarn thing scene, a water and rocks scene with the little green plastic flowers and the stork and some playful, vintage style child's room with those adorable puppies:).

I really love those mininature forest themed terrariums in recycled jars, so maybe I will start with one of those and add some clay mini toadstools too.

Among other goodies hidden in an old basket, I had found these vintage wooden stamps, one with a family of penguins and one with a group of cute rabbits. Both in very good condition and for only 50 euro cents each! There was a nice paper corner punch for the same price and I could not leave it behind so I've got it for the same price as the stamps. You can see the small corner motif near the stamped rabbits:) They seem to like it very much!

What other stuff would you use as terrarium or diorama supplies? I would love to hear about it:)

October search for color inspiration

 I love autumn. My creative juices seem to flow better while the skies are gloomy and it's raining cats and dogs. 

This weekend, my hubby and I payed a visit to the miniature version of our city's big flea market, the neighborhood's small-but-full-of-hidden-treasures market.

The clouds were hanging heavy on the led sky and we knew we had to hurry. Only a few tables were full with the usual second (or third) hand stuff: clothes, bags, toys, cutlery, paintings, a pair of vintage Dior sunglases, jewelry and some vintage camera lenses.

At this last table, my husband lingered more than the usual 30 seconds, so I knew he must have found something very interesting. He bought two lenses, a 1973's Soligor 28 mm 2.8 and a 1983's Helios44m 56mm.

Now, those numbers didn't mean much to me then, but, as we got home soaked by the pouring rain that had just started, I've decided I wanted to learn more.

So when the storm toned down, we went to a walk around the block, to test the camera by taking some shots that were on my autumn photo check list for a while...

A reason why I love this season so much is because whenever my inspiration levels are low, all I have to do is take my camera and go outside.    

We live close to the forest but the beauty of fall is that every little plant that I wouldn't normally notice has something to show off for, so a walk around the neighborhood will do.

The colors and textures of foliage and fruits in the trees are amazing. I like watching all the transformations plants go through and taking photo samples of their color palletes.

It was a very good opportunity to test my new polka dots rainboots, also:)

Don't you think autumn is the coziest of seasons, with the sweaters, wool socks, hot cocoa, umbrellas, fog, rain, warm colors, hoodies and boots?

All these photos we taken with the Soligor prime lens (except the flying birds one, ©Elle Moss), and I must say, the 10 euros Atti payed for it were a bargain! It takes very crisp shots and the manual focusing is definitely more satisfying then the automatic one.

So, by the time it was dark, I had ended up with these photos and some brand new crafting ideas for my shop:)

You can find the felted acorns featured above (and more handmade rustic home decor) in my Etsy shop, here.

Newspaper nails tutorial

I've wanted to do this for such a long time, so, when a friend of mine came over for a 2 week visit, this is how we spent a quality girls' afternoon:)

What you need:

- old newspaper cut into 2*2cm pieces

- pastel color nail polish (light grey, white, cream, light pink, coral etc.)

- transparent nail polish

- strong alcohol ( the one pictured here is romanian "tuica" but regular vodka will work just fine)

- some paper towels

Step 1:

Paint your nails with pastel nail polish and let dry for at least 20 minutes. I've used a light grayish-beige hue.

Step 2:

Dip your finger in alcohol for 5 seconds.

Step 3:

On a kitchen paper towel, press the newspaper piece (with the written part on the nail surface) on the wet nail and hold for 15 seconds. Try to press evenly on the entire nail, without moving the paper.

Step 4:

Carefully, slowly remove the newspaper by pulling in the writing direction, from left to right or right to left, not from the base of the nail upwards or vice-versa :).  

Repeat for all fingers. You can also use small images from the newspaper, like this small clock I've found:)

Step 5:

Let dry for 5 minutes. After all nails are dry, apply the transparent gloss. Be careful not to pass more than once (maximum twice) on the same area, as it is possible that the letters will smudge. Just start applying the polish from the middle and add 2 strikes on the sides and that's it!

Enjoy your original nails!

Here are some photos I took of the same technique but a different friend and with a light pink base:

I simply love the lace-torn jeans combo

using my miniature Dior and some fabric petals as  props for  whimsical photos

newspaper nails on light pink base

daylight is my best friend

I hope you enjoyed my mini tutorial:) I would really love to see how your whimsical nails turned out! Just send me some photos and I will post them here ;)

Another glorious day at the flea market

Dear reader,

if you are here it is a good chance that you are as passionate about thrifting as I am. So, I thought I'd make up for my absence by sharing some of my latest flea market finds from last weekend:)

I must say it was one of the best markets in a long time, so if it weren't for the rain to start I'd have most definitely bought double the quantity. For there were soooo many vintage, old, cute, shabby chic stuff that  made my heart pounding like a hammer.

Enough words, here's some eye candy:

vintage porcelain&metal shabby chic pill box

Gucci no.3 mininature perfume bottle

Miss Dior miniature perfume bottle

find the woven chain bracelet tutorial here

vintage porcelain&metal Rococo motif pill box

This botanical theme tea cup makes me crave for my favorite "good night sleep" organic herbal tea blend:)

I love that it has that system inside that makes drinking loose tea so easy and even fashionable:)

loved the charms on this one, couldn't just leave it be in the old box where I've found it

These two vintage sets of tin boxes will make a colorful appearance and brighten up your kitchen shelves.     Or your book shelves. Or your night stand?

  

5 gorgeous DIY cross-stitch kits (with real wooden frames)

This bag is my favorite find. I've wanted one of those for such a long time, but none that I've seen so far seemed perfect...now I know why:)

I think it was waiting for me...It's the perfect old school army backpack - inspired bag, with just the right amount of canvas versus leather (not sure it is leather) and metal. And big enough to carry all my stuff around! And was only 3 euros!

Love, love, love it!

Scarves! I can never have enough! Of course I couldn't pass these amazing color combos and textures at prices between 1 and 3 euros...could you? Green is my favorite color, love the warmth of ocre, the softness of the cotton pink one and the rebel feel of the boho-chic pink and brown one:) 

This was pretty much it, left out a pair of jeans and a beanie that weren't that interesting to photograph. I would be over the moon if you'd share some of your flea market finds with me...just to see what other treasures lie around in hidden corners of the world :D

Oh, almost forgot! Also got an old red suitcase that now serves as jewelry storage...and it fits all of it...(almost)...but now it's geting too dark to take a proper photo, so I'll post one tomorrow.

So, till next time, happy thrifting!

Zakka Sewing Love Story

It`s been a while since my last posts, but I have an excuse: I`ve been busy sewing:).

I`m all into pouches and totes, cutting beautiful, shabby chic fabrics and then sewing them together makes me happy.

On my last trip to Ikea I`ve bought some canvas in a gorgeous, warm caffe au lait neutral shade and  a red and pink toned floral fabric that`s simply delicious eye candy.

The first thing (that I wanted to make for a long time) was to prepare to sew a romantic/zakka tote in which to use some vintage lace that I love and have laying around for ages.

I think it turned out great, what do you think?

                                                   

It turned out to be reversible, has an interior pocket from the same floral material, and, of course, the lace trimming I`ve been telling you about.

I am a really big sucker for small cute zakka details, so the front side of the tote got adorned with a vintage, salmon pink doily bought at the flea market. It seemed to me that the entire ensemble goes perfectly with some pearls so the little bow was born.

I used to dream about this bag, so the word "dreamer" seamed right at home:)

This tote is available in my Etsy shop, here.

* * *

I love everything about zakka!!!!! And this is an understatement!


I didn`t know what it ment till about 2 months ago, when I stumbled upon the word on a random blog. I know, I don`t think there is anyone out there, involved in crafting, that doesn`t know about it, but maybe, just maybe, there is, so I promise to come back and talk more about it in another post:)

But, as I was reading some zakka blogs (mostly japanese, which I loooove, japanese crafting blogs are the best by far) I`ve seen all kinds of cute pouches and suddenly felt like making some of my own ideas:).

I wanted one more romantic and shabby like, and one more elegant, lacy and with a vintage air to it.

The collection was named "Sewing Love Story", after the irresistibly cute zakka labels that say "Sewing Story" (bought on Etsy).

So, here they are!!

This is the first one, made from canvas-floral fabric combo and, of course, the sweet little details:

quilted with protective felt

Available here.

The second one was sewn from a vintage fabric I had for a long time now; it didn`t seem to work for any  project till now:)

I love the delicate print and the color combo, I think it goes perfectly with the macrame trim and the shell button. The pearly ribbon fits right at home with the corn flower blue zipper:)

Do you like it? It has two interior pockets (credit card size) and it is large enough to fit your most loved treasures that you carry with you everywhere.

When I bought the "Sewing story" labels, Jessie from RetroNaNa was very nice to add some extra tags, like the one I used here to adorn the inside of the pouch.

Available here.

I`ve also made one pouch inspired by a traditional romanian costume, but I keep the secret for the next time:)

I would be thrilled to hear what you think of my sewing adventures so far ;)

Thanks, Hugz!