Enchanting...Vintage... French... Paper Dolls... Free!!

Artisan's Avenue at Stampington and Company is offering

free downloads of charming, vintage ephamera...


including these enchanting paper dolls!!



A wonderful Frugal Luxury tm ...

Thank you Artisan's Avenue!


http://www.stampington.com/artisan_avenue/2010/january/download.html

Rescued Linens...Stray Papers...Inspiring Fragments

~~~~~~

More Illuminated Fragments


and...

Re~Inventing the Ordinary !



I have long been a collector and re~inventor of old things...


in fact, in my first book, Frugal Luxuries (Bantam, 1997)


I wrote much about my passion for...


Old Linens

I have a passion for vintage linens, handkerchiefs, aprons, tablecloths, curtains, and any pieces of quality handwork, like lace crocheting, and embroidery. I scour tag sales and flew markets for beautiful vintage pieces, then recycle in practical and lovely ways.

• Fabric scraps or samples from discontinued fabrics can easily be transformed into small throw pillows or simple sachets to scent lingerie drawers. All that is needed is simple stitch or, even a glue gun or fabric glue!
  

And... in it's companion volume,

Frugal Luxuries by the Seasons (Bantam, 2000)

I write about the many ways

I have re~purposed stray papers...

• Create dust jackets for tattered yet beloved books...or simply to unify the look of your book shelf
  
• Use larger pieces to line the walls behind bookshelves and china cabinets, or to line the walls of ordinary closets to make the extraordinary. You needn't apply it in the traditional manner when using it in this fashion. Simply purchase double stick tape at your hardware store, applying it only to the edges of the cut~to~shape paper. You may also find it's pretty when used as shelf and drawer liners. [Or simply use a glue stick.]
• Use vintage~looking pieces of paper to use for covering hatboxes or recycling shoe boxes, cigar boxes and the like. Use these for storage or save them in your gift pantry to use as whimsical packaging for gifts.
  

But what I'd really like to know is...

How do YOU re~invent the ordinary??


As always, I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to hear YOUR IDEAS!!

Warmly,

Tracey xox