Jeanie, Gypsy and Using the Good Stuff!

There's a Blog Party/Challenge going on over at Karla's Cottage. The goal is to share things you've made using your "good stuff." Check out Karla at the badge below for all the participating links and Karla and Mrs. Staggs for fun prizes!

You know what I mean -- It's using something that may be terribly personal, maybe more expensive, or one of those "one of a kinds" that seem irreplaceable in every artist's stash.

This cuts across creative lines. For the artist it may be that expensive or rare bit of lace, a piece of original ephemera or that unique embellishment you'll be hard pressed to find again.

For the knitter, it's a pricey yarn or one so beautiful you almost can't bear to knit with it -- what if you mess up? Or maybe those buttons you bought while traveling.

For the cook it's that special vinegar or seasoning. Wonderful in every way -- and how in the world can you find a replacement?

So, while the Gypsy was sitting here --

-- and often sharing his "best side" with me as I prepared this post...

..l.I was sitting here (which looks a heck of a lot better than it did a half hour ago!), playing with the good stuff.

And yes, it was with anticipation, enthusiasm and trepidation.

First up -- the few really lovely millinery flowers I have. Some time ago I bought this hat at an estate sale. I bought it for the flowers, though I confessed I liked the hat, too.

That said, pulling from this hat was a bit of a "gasper" for me. End result? Embellishments for a couple of projects and most of the hat stays intact!

I've had this little angel head ornament for ages. Prettying him up like this was not an original idea -- like so many of the best ones, it is a riff on the wonderful work my friend Jane F. used to do ages ago when making unforgettable and fabulous holiday ornaments. After I bought two of her angels, I found one that was the same to serve as a base. A little bit of gesso, a few of my flowers, some antique ribbon from France and a vintage pearl... the result!

Speaking of "the good stuff," this frame is not (by price, anyway). But I haven't found one like it since at the box store from where it came. Some lovely paper, a little (ok, a lot) of gel medium, and I was very happy.

Dare I deface Dad's bible? I think it was his -- it's the tiniest book -- maybe an inch-and-a-half by two inches that is selected verses, designed for a child. I found it in his things. (Actually, I think dad beat me to it as the front and end pieces were scribbled on in pencil!)

At least I cherished it and prettied it up with some bits from that hat and a bookmark from antique French ribbon and another pearl

My aunt, Grace, was a treasure so it seemed fitting to use a treasure on her -- again, antique French ribbon, a few more of those flowers, and a mold I've been sitting on from European Papers.

Finally, long a "work in progess" or UFO (unfinished object), this cigar box.

I left parts of the box showing through -- it had lion graphics -- and used a cat motif. After lots of layers of paper, gesso, sanding, more layers -- you know the drill -- I added some of the French ribbon, a hummingbird (and inside, crown) charm, some beads made by a friend, the last of my metal corners and a button from a bracelet of my moms. I lined the inside bottom with some paper (again, last of the kind, and who knows where I found it).

Now it holds my "REALLY" besties -- some of the postcards and advertising art I have from France.

I'm looking forward to seeing how lots of others use their besties, so check it out over at Karla's!