Vintage Inspiration Friday #21: Legendary Luggage

There's just something about

the feel and look of old leather luggage.

The patina and wear bring exotic places to mind.

Who has carried it?

Where were they going?

Romance or business?

Ingenue or seasoned traveler?

A tourist in France...

or on African safari...

vintage luggage holds a fascination for me;

it's an inspiration.

 

iconic trunks of a bygone era

In the cargo hold of a transatlantic liner,

...or in a sleeper car on a European Express.

...think Hercule Poirot and Agatha Christie

What treasures of lace and linen...

furs and jewels,

did they contain?

personalized...

monogrammed with identification

for the worldwide traveler

lasting a lifetime and beyond.

repurposed for everyday living

A French trademark

                             

(all images found at google.images.com)

I've admired these for years
... and thanks to my sweet husband;

I was blessed with a little vintage inspiration just for me.

Now to share some fun from last week...

Simply Bungalow

Have Trunk...Will Travel

Very Merry Vintage Style

She stole my {vintage} heart

Gypsy Brocante

Faded Prairie Couture

Chippy Shabby

Think Spring!!

This girl is a constant source of inspiration!

love ya, Jeanine!

Hope you'll join in for

 Vintage Inspiration Friday!

anything vintage inspired...

Be sure and grab the

Vintage Valentine Party Button

love you all!

Debra

a la vie!

Our sweet younger daughter

 sent us this wonderful bottle of white bubbly

  for our Anniversary last month.

We haven't had a chance to enjoy it as yet,

 so every time I open the fridge,

 there it sets, just looking all pretty in pink and white.

I know right now that I'll save this lovely bottle and label.

I get happy just looking at it!

My Honey found this frenchy wine carrier for me over the Holidays so I thought I'd take a few photos after being inspired by my bud, Anne. She has a wonderful new camera, and is venturing out into some

exciting new opportunities in photography.

A small bouquet from said daughter's wedding,

and some vintage wine glasses complete the setting. 

Thinking of Valentine's Day

I just get a little romantic.

So here's to friends' new adventures,

darling daughters,

sweet husbands,

romance...

and to

 all of you!

"to life!"

I'm linking to Marty

and Kathleen

Hope you're having a wonderful week!

love,

Debra



Vintage Inspiration Friday# 20: Got some "Junk" in my Trunk

OK, I guess it's not junk

but I just had to say it!

I found this exquisite doll trunk a few years ago and used it for my jewelry display, but the trunk itself was, well... brownish-burgundy, and I felt that the wonderful damask mauve silk interior deserved something more feminine. I unearthed it from my garage last week and gave it about 4 coats of paint. The burgundy "bled" through, so now it's the palest shade of pink...just perfect!

I've been working on some Valentine things for my booth at Spring Creek, and bringing some of it into the decor this week. This little Paper Doll and hat box I found at Inspirational Home last year. I think we sort of look alike; she being muuuuch younger and maybe even more of a munchkin than me.(?)

I've been inspired by vintage ladies' pocketwatches and wristwatches,

so I decided to do my own take on them.

These are new battery operated watch faces

combined with charms and blinged keys.

I have a few Eiffel Tower charms added in,

and of course there are medals and crucifixes,

hearts, and keys.

even a birdie or two for Spring!

These are all in my Etsy shop, The Petite Boutique.

Come by and see what's there for Valentine's Day.

You can email me for a special made-for-you piece.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here are a few fun entries from last week

The Little Round Table

Yo-Yo Inspired Tablescape

Can't Stop Making Things

DIY Santo Tutorial

Antique Chase

RH Photo Lookalikes

Miss Gracie's House

Amazing Vintage Inspired Wedding

Hope you can join in,

please link up within your post

and grab the button for your sidebar

then visit a few people for fun!

And here's a button for the

Valentine's Day Party

February 11, 2011

Anything vintage or vintage inspired.

Today I'm joining in with French Country Cottage

My Romantic Home

Funky Junk Interiors

Hope you're having a good week.

Our subdivision streets have not been treated

and they are still slick.

oh well, I've had time to get a few things done.

love you all,

Debra

More White Wednesday at The Seedbox Antiques

I still have some wonderful photos that I took at the Christmas Open House at The Seed Box Antiques this last November. I saved these until after the New Year because they aren't so "Christmas-y". Below is a cabinet with whom I'm secretly having a love affair. Yes, a chippy, white, shabby, curvy, love affair. (I'm afraid my husband knows...)

I'm guesting over at The French Cupboard today.

To see more fabulous-ness come on over!

Have a wonderful White Wednesday,

love,

 Debra

Vintage Inspiration Friday#19 Inspired Friendships

"Vintage": a season's produce of grapes; wine from this

wine of high quality from a year or district

high quality from the year of a person's work

a superior harvest

classic

mature

For the last three days I've had the blessing of sharing my life with a truly amazing person. Neither one of us knew exactly the reason for the visit, other than God had a plan for us to meet. Talking, laughing, shopping, praying and eating. We did all those things with renewed purpose and energy. If anyone tries to tell you that blogging friends aren't REAL friends then they need to start a blog, and let them find out for themselves.

We "met" 18 months ago when I first started blogging, then grew in our maturity and friendship as I started my Bible Study Blog. Her comments were insightful, prayerful, and uplifting. She challenged me for expanding my thinking and prayer life. She is a strong, loving, and spiritually passionate woman.

And now I can really call her friend.

So even though we might be considered "vintage", we have celebrated our lives, relationships, friendships, creativity, passions, and our love for God. And as Luke 5:39 would testify, "And no one, after drinking old wine wishes for new; for he says, 'The old is good enough.'"

Rebecca Ersfield For Vintage Living aka a RE-Purposed Life. She's driving 8 hours home, please pray for her safety in traveling and for the plans that God has revealed this week.

Joining French Country Cottage

Please join in this week and share how you are being "inspired"!

Blessings dear friends,

love,

Debra

White Wednesday: just can't miss...

I've participated in every White Wednesday with Kathleen

since she started, 18 months ago, except twice.

(the first one, and then once when I was in the hospital)

So I didn't want to miss this one.

My little "Winter Madonna" planter is in my Dining Room

and I've so enjoyed her over the Christmas Season.

I think she's going to stay.

I'm expecting a special house guest for a day or two.

I'll share with you for Vintage Inspiration Friday.

love,

Debra

New Year's Tree

One of my favorite posts was my New Year's Tree from last year.

Since I have my new camera I wanted to take some new pics of it

setting in my foyer.

Instead of reposting it and just changing out the photos

I'm inviting you to click here to take a moment to experience my thoughts on

The Gift of Time.

 

My life has changed in this last 18 months of blogging;

thank you for your dear friendships and fellowship.

Sending Blessings and God's Love for 2011!

Debra