Hankie Pankie

Don't you just love old hankies? Especially when they have the prettiest fluffy ruffle & lacey
borders.(aha! found a way to use my favorite words again)
You seldom find pretty new ones around anymore.
They are from a by gone era for the most part.

Today we have all kinds of disposable types that I have to admit are quite handy when you have a cold or allergy attack.(my little guy likes to roll them and stick them in his nose so he doesn't have to blow constantly,I know I know there must be some safety issue involved but so far so good and nothing has gotten stuck :P)

But I couldn't imagine using a disposable on a special event where you no there will be many happy tears such as a Wedding.
The occasion just calls for something really special!

There really is no need to settle when you can find so many pretty old ones at antique stores and flea markets.
I like to take mine a step further and embellish them with vintage beads and pearls.
take a look below of some ideas that I do with mine................

I hand sewed vintage beads to the ends of this hankie.

I then fluffed it up and placed it in a little teapot that had no lid.
I found this hankie that someone way back when had folded it in the prettiest way so that all the ruffled corners showed. It had some damage but I bought it anyway so I can learn how to fold it.

Tried putting 2 hankies in one little teapot.
this one had the pretties little pink flowers and green leafs embroidered on it.
Ooohhh this hankie is one of my favorites. it has the softest silhouettes of a man and lady on the 4 corners of the hankie. I also sewed beads on the end.

Then I decided to just put one hankie in each I think I prefer this the best. Other ideas I use hankies for is to place underneath a tea cup and saucer, I even use them to put under little figurines on a shelf to add more interest.
Just listed some beaded hankies on the website you might want to check them out.

hugs,

Sandy

Room fit for a Pug!

I've had requests to see more photos of my home,
Thats not an easy thing to do because my house is still a work in progress.
When we bought it 8 years ago it was a cape cod cottage that needed to be completely gutted!

we have taken it room by room and are almost there, so Ive only in the past few years started to spend money on decorating, and I havent been able to decorate all the rooms fully,
some are done but others are partially done.
Im sure most of us can relate to that, how many of us have thousands of dollars all at once to decorate our homes. Most homes are gradually done and evolve in taste and style.

Im finishing up on my bedroom so I thought I would at least share with you some things ive done.
This first shot is of Pugsie, he really thinks this is his bed!

One more shot of him because he is sooooo cute!

this is the nightstand is on my side of the bed. I have no idea why I bought that night stand I think it was cheap at the time, but Its really not my style. I have a really pretty french piece that I bought in a soft creamy yellow that Im planning on moving here.

Catherines Risi beautiful hand painted mirror set in the background with more of my favorite pink roses that I sell in the store.
These are my soft yellow silk draperies that have tiny little pearls sewn all over them.I know your wondering what yellow??????? No pink???????

but when I saw this fabric I nearly fell over I loved it so much. and I thought for the master bedroom I would go alittle different I do love yellow as well.

I purchased the fabric through the silk trading company. If I had bought the curtains already made it would have cost me about 1600.00 dollars. Since I couldnt spend that I went to plan B they also sell silk fabric and this particular one was clearanced out for 25.00 a yard regular price was 80.00 they had exactly the amount I need left to make them so the whole project ended up costing me about 500.00

Im a sewer so it wasnt hard but this was my first time dealing with triple lining and that was a bit of a pain but the biggest pain was sewing around the little pearls, My needles kept breaking!

I almost felt like it would have been worth paying the full price and let them do it. but persistance paid off and I survived! though I do have a persistant twitch in my eye. :P

When they are all fluffed up to me they look like a beautiful ballgown! there is nothing like silk draperies to make a room feel and look so elegant.
Close up of the tiny pearls that nearly sent me to the insane assylum.
I still have one more window on the other side of the room to make curtains for and I have to admit I have been procrastinating because of those tiny pearls but I think I miss the eye twitch it gave me an exotic look so I think im ready to start them now.
Hopefully ill have more picutres to share with you soon.

Most of you may not know that I have done custom order curtains for customers so feel free to inquire.
hugs,
Sandy

Michal Negrin!

I recently came across this web site on designer/artist Michal Negrins designs and home,
If you love Roses and Romance then you will love it!

Its just gorgeous!

You must check out the video clip below of Michal beautiful home.
In case your not familar with Michal this is a little bio about her.

Michal Negrin has been creating Victorian inspired whimsical designs in jewelry, home décor and clothing for more than two decades.

Inspired by mixing the old and the new and color combinations, Michal Negrin personally designs every piece of jewelry, home décor and clothing that carries her name. She uses a variety of techniques to craft her pieces and believes in blending styles, schools, designs and colors to create her unique neo-Victorian and vintage style. Michal Negrin believes that when someone buys one of her creations, it is revered as an item to be enjoyed for a lifetime

Michal believes in giving women all over the world the right accessories to express their personality, strength and femininity.

Click on the link below to take you to the video,
youll love it!
hugs,
Sandy

http://www.michalnegrin.com/templates/windows/Movie_popup.aspx?d=2221&lang=EN

Fluffy Ruffles

I'm a real girly girl and cant get enough of poofie, froofie things.
( but believe me I do have my moments where I'm not so froofie)


I would love to have my whole house filled with things that have fluffy ruffles!
Don't you just love the way those 2 words sound?(Try saying fluffy ruffles three times fast :)


I think my love for all things pretty and pink started when I was young and I dyed my aunts white poodle pink. (don't worry the dog was fine but my aunt wasn't happy)


Since that time Ive always liked pretty things.


I always wanted a daughter to do all the girly things I always wanted to do, but ended up having 2 sons who I adore and will have to wait patiently for granddaughters(hopefully shes not a tomboy)
Until that time you all will have to be my guinea pigs (I mean that in the nicest of ways)


Ill take all my froofing out on you and hopefully make lots of things you'll adore.


My first item is the lamp shade above. Its not for sale because I made some mistakes on it but I have more of the materials so I'm going to do another one that I plan on putting on the website.


I made it from vintage little girls dress, vintage lace and millinery from an old hat.


So I hope you don't mind if I consider you the little girls I never had ( that does sound better than guinea pigs) and I will try to give you lots of beautiful things to adorn yourself and home with.
hugs,
Sandy

I Must Confess!!!!!!!

Ok the gig is up!
You caught me!!!!!!!!!!!
I have no choice but to confess.....

Less all the sweet compliments you have been emailing me lately about how you love the website goes to my head I must tell you something!
I have a secret.......

Well not to my family they know all to well what the secret is that im about to tell you!

And thatis.... the secret is......................

I am a messy, messy artist!


Whew!!!! its out!
Seems Ive done it again..... spread my work to the kitchen table and as you can see its Chaos!


Dont ask me how I get work done but I seem to work at my best like this.
I pull everything out because im not sure what I want to use and I try different things to be sure its the best and before you no it I have the scene below...........


This is a Cinderella dress that im making out of a vintage hat. See the Pathmark water in the background... my favorite brand of water......

Working on special order lampshades so have all those supplies out as well. and also a custom pinkie belle for another customer.... more pathmark water...
The great hat I just bought on my last antiquing trip trying to decide if I want to take it apart.My Shabby chic file folder beneath the rubble holding favorite pictures..... and of course my water bottle!

My husband just walked by chuckled and said "Someone's got a big mess to clean tommorrow"

I had to laugh myself otherwise I would cry......:(
So now you have it!!!!!!!!!

You have the truth about me.....
My house doesnt always look picture perfect.
I feel much better and more human that now you know,

but all this mess does have an end,
ill clean it all up and put it away for a while and my house will be habitable again
I will post new items they will sell and then the process will start all over :)
untill then....
good night!

New Jewel of the Month April 2008

Good News Girls!
I just listed the new Jewel of the month for April on my website!
Im lovin this one!
Its coming to us via my old stompin grounds California,
Cindy has done a beautiful job decorating her home.
Cindy is a stay at home mom, whos career as an attorney ended when her twins were born.
She has 4 children ages 4-13
When she was pregnant with her 4 year old son EVERYONE, including Cindy thought she was having a girl.
Thats when the shopping for all things PINK began. She developed a love for shabby chic/cottage style decorating, then her expected girl turned out to be a boy so could not make the nursery pink after all, but the rest of the house was fair game.
Cindy is inspired by the fresh clean, comfortable look of shabby cottage style and she realizes not everything can be PINK, so she also intergrates white, green and yellow in her rooms.
Cindy said she cant imagine changing her decorating preference, but if she does it will be the biggest yard sale ever! Cindy also has an online e-boutique you can visit at..... http://www.cutepinkstuff.com/
Just go to my website at http://www.mylulabelles.com/ and go to Jewel of the month click on the link that will take you to all the pictures of Cindys charming home!
hugs,
Sandy

Shop Shopping

Hi Girls,
My sweet hubbie took me out the other day for a drive and to have a little dinner in this very quaint seaside town not to far from our home.

The town also has the fringe benefit of having some of my favorite
antique shops. (ha ha..........he knows how to make me happy :)

I was looking for wonderful treasures to breathe new life in to and design some beautiful pieces of art for the website.
I found some beauties, so I thought I would share some of them with you..........................

I found the most wonderful vintage lace, this was so inexpensive that they might as well have been giving it away!
I bought the frilly hat in the background. I Dont no if Ill take it apart and make something or keep it as is?

The sweetiest little hankies.............................

Loved this little vase with roses, looks like a tree or something. Im crazy about figurines.:P

Look at these gorgeous hats they were calling my name from the window!

Loads of pink millinery I can use on many projects!

Im going to regret not buying this it was a silky cover of somesort in the softest blue and lace trimmings all around it.

Was a little pricey though and I was trying to be good so I passed on it. :(

I desperately want this piece of furniture! Ive had my eye on it for several years but its pretty expensive, so I keep passing on it. Im hoping they will one day lower the price. (will have to lower it alot)
Im thinking they dont really want to sell it thats why they put such a high price on it.

I think I would rather have this than a big diamond ring! am I crazy?

Its so pretty! ..................... I dont even have a spot for it but im sure I could find one.............. I told hubbie we will have to put an addition on the house so I can have a place for it and buy it. He didnt see my point of view :(

Well thats all for now..... Hopefully I will put all these treasures into some great projects for you on the website. stay tuned...........

hugs,

Sandy

Vintage Cinderella

Here I used an old handkerchief to make a pretty edge.
I wanted to create a tiara or crown that seemed like royalty.

all vintage jewels
used marabou feathers

Ive been in the creating mood lately,

I suppose its because Ive been home so much lately.

So I thought I would share pictures with you of my latest projects.

I am doing a group of collage work using vintage fabrics and millinery.

the theme is Vintage Cinderella

I'm trying to stay away from the typical thoughts of Cinderella in the Disney store and create something more vintage.

This is my first one and I will be doing some tweaking but I'm pretty happy with it so far.

hugs,

Sandy

Fit For A Queen!

Since I have been home sick for so long I have had a lot of down time.

Hearing all this talk about Tiaras on MMP got me wanting one.

I did a little investigating on how to's and came up with this one.

Its my first so I learned a lot from it,

what to do and what not to do.:P ................. but I'm still pretty happy with it. :)

As you know my first love when it comes to materials to work with are vintage jewels.

So this crown is entirely created with vintage jewels.

I'm going to experiment more with making them and see what I can come up with,

and see if I can develop a version that is more cost effective,

but its hard not to totally load these up with jewels.

A crown or tiara is certainly something where less is NOT more, This is a project where you can really go over the top!

hope you like it.

hugs,

Sandy

And The Winner Is......................

It was really nice to hear from all of you this past week,

and I hope you stop by again and say hello and let me no what you think of the site and what you would like to see more of on the website.

I want to be sure I provide you with the products you want.

I'm going to be trying to list more decorating ideas and projects that I'm working on for you to perhaps get inspired.

But its now time to announce the winner of the Blog giveaway........

I turned for my trusted assistant to help be sure the drawing was done in a fair manner.

And you've probably already seen on the paper above who the winner is, it is Anita, from Spokane Washington. She made a purchase as well as left a comment so that increased her chances of winning.

So Congratulations Anita, ill have your package out soon.

hugs,

Sandy

Finally Giveaway Time!!!!!!!!!!

So sorry its taken me so long to give you the details about the contest or give away that im having ,but this flu has really gotten the best of me.

Finally im Doing much better, so its on with the show!

Its really very simple,

To be entered in a drawing held on March 21st all you have to do is leave a comment for me here on my blog and say hello anytime from now through the first day of spring,

My little guy has told me the day is March 20th,

Even if he is wrong (which he usually isnt, his memory is incredible)

thats the date were going with :P

No purchase is necessary .....................BUT...........................

If you do make a purchase on my website, each purchase will give you 3 extra entries into the drawing so that will increase your chances of winning!(sorry not good on previous purchases)

You will win all the beautiful items in the pictures above which include........................

a signed Christie Repasy Rose canvas

2 beautiful vintage rose plates

a sweet green urn with roses and flowers and ........................last but not least............

one of my vintage jeweled picture frames that I design and make.

This one is done all in golds, pearls and aurora borealis stones.

Boy I wish I could enter!!!!!!!!!! :) I cant but you can so get started!

Hugs,

Sandy

Its Contest Time Again!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dont have time for details now...........................

...........................................................Must go antiquing! :P

More info to come..........stay tuned, same bat cave.........same bat channel!!!!!!!!!!
(am I giving my age away :0)

Hugs,
Sandy

We Have a Winner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Its been really hard to decide on the winner of my contest,

Ive had so many creative entries!

Their were many that I wanted to use, but I had to pick just one.

I really liked my husbands submissions,

The Koo's Koo's Nest, or The Love Shack, Which might be fitting to describe my house but I didn't think many of you would like to describe your homes as Coo Coo.....lol....

I really wanted something that felt right for my shop My Lu La Belles,

When I had to choose a name for my store I thought of different ideas but wanted something that I could relate or identify with, and Lu La Belles was a name that my father used to call me when I was a little girl, he used to call me Lu Lu, Lu La Belle and Birtha, (don't ask me where that one came from, believe me when I tell you I hated that name)

I actually hated all the nick names, but now as an adult I view those little nicknames as something endearing between me and my father. (except for birtha! I still hate that one...lol...)

Lu La Belles felt right it was cute, fun, whimsical and to me sounded southern which made me happy because I love my southern roots.

So in trying to decide a name for my new category on my web site that will feature my viewers beautiful homes I wanted something that I could identify with, something that felt right and fit my site. As I said I had a lot of great suggestions,

but the one I went with is.......... drum roll please.........................

I went with "The Jewel of the Month!"

This was submitted by Debbie at the Purpleflowerfairy blogspot.

When she submitted it I thought this is perfect! since the whole reason I opened my store in New Jersey and my website was to find a market for the vintage jeweled picture frames I design and create, I love working with jewels old and new, and try to find a way to add them to everything.

By referring to our beautiful homes as jewels I thought was just perfect and it fit my site.

Thank you so much Debbie for taking the time to write and give your suggestions, This whole process was allot of fun.

She will win the beautiful jeweled frame in the picture above. I will be listing the first home on my site anytime now so keep checking at mylulabelles.com under the the Jewel of the Month to see shots of Sherry's beautiful home.

Thanks to everyone who entered,

Hugs,

Sandy

Lu La Belles first Contest!!!!!!

Ive finally found a way to showcase all the pictures of your beautiful homes that you have been sending me.
We all love to share pictures of our homes, ideas and accomplishments, so with that in mind I'm going to start a new section on my website that will highlight a different home every month.
Lyndsay at www.shabbysuite.com has been doing this for some time, her site is great! It has been such an inspiration for me. (My house was the shabby suite of the month for march of 2007)
I love sites like because we cant seem to get enough pictures of the decorating style we all love in magazines. (with the exception of Romantic Country magazine, this magazine is wonderful and is giving us what we want.)
Ive been trying to figure out a way to do this on my web site and slowly but surely I'm learning a little more about this thing called a computer, :)
I found this great site that will let me to do really creative things.
Its an online service called Slide.
This site allows me to download photos and then present them as a slide show for you to see. (scroll down and see the vintage jeweled slide presentation below)
I think for now this is going to work great, or at least until my computer skills improve and I learn something new. :P
So start sending me the best shots of your favorite rooms in your home, show us your decorating ideas and accomplishments and all the things you love, maybe your pictures will be showcased here for everyone to see and learn a few new things.
(Sherry get that chandelier hung! :)

Now for the contest part,
Before I post all the beautiful pictures your going to send me, I need a category and a name for the category to list those pictures under on my website.
Put those creative thinking caps on and help me come up with something to call this new section.( for example Lyndsay has the shabby suite of the month)
If your entry is chosen you will win one of my vintage jeweled picture frames that I design and create.
email your entries to www.mylulabelles.com
you can also send me pictures of your home there.
Hope to hear from you soon,
Hugs,
Sandy

Intollerable Working Conditions?

I often get asked when I will be listing new items on the website.

At times I am good about getting things listed but at other times it seems to take me a while. I just thought I would show you one of the reasons why at times it takes me a while to list.

First I will admit that my biggest obstacle is the computer illiteracy that many of you know that I suffer from, in addition to struggling in front of a computer trying to remember how to add a category, edit a page or simply try to figure out what a tool bar is :P (Sherry and Chris you know what I mean)

I also have to do all of this while my 40 pound Pug tries to work his way into my lap!

It seems that he feels I am his personal bed,

The minute I sit down he has bionic hearing and radar which sends him running so that he can jump up on me. I have never seen such a chubby Pug move so fast!

He doesn't care if there are obstacles for him to overcome if there is a way up he will find it.

The particular night these shots were taken I pulled my chair close up to the computer so he couldn't get in front of me, but he managed to wiggle under the chair and climb on top of the printer at my feet, he then just whimpered and looked at me with these sad pitiful eyes that no one could resist.

The rest is history as the photos show.

I let him up on my lap, gave him a pillow to rest his head on so he could fall into a deep sleep and snore louder than my husband claims I do, ( Something I insist is a figment of my husbands imagination.) :P

He was happy and so was I after all how could anyone not love his sweet personality and adorable face. Pugsie makes my heart melt.

I did manage to get some work done that night, but next time you may be wondering 'when is she going to list some new things?'

just remember these photos!

My Big Brother

Today my brother and I were talking about our lives, the successes and the mistakes we have made, something he said made my heart sad. But first let me me tell you a little about my big brother Ed.

Ed is one of the hardest working, kind hearted, loyal persons I know. He is full of laughter and has a great sense of humor. When his 3 children were young he worked 2 or more jobs to make ends meet. I often felt inadequate compared to what I felt he had accomplished, I have always wondered if I could do what he did. So it surprised me that he felt like he hadn't accomplished much and was down on himself because he feels he makes the same mistakes over and over again. It hurt my heart that he felt that way, I want him to know all the good he has accomplished in his life. We all make mistakes.

To lighten things up I told him this saying which is one of my favorite sayings and I actually read it on the back of a sugar packet in a Chinese restaurant,

but I still found it very profound. :)

It said "It is better to have tried and failed then to never have tried at all"

So simple but so true.

There have been so many times I have not done something because I was afraid of failing, What if I don't succeed, what if I make a fool of myself, what if......

but I realize its not failing that we should be afraid of, its not trying at all, that's where the failure is!

All we can do in life is try, try to make changes, try not to hurt one another, try to do what is right. We will fail sometimes and often repeat mistakes, after all some habits die hard, but the important thing is that we try. The effort we make will be recognized by others and that effort will say something about who we are.

I'm sure I will make more mistakes in my life and when I do I will recall that famous proverbial saying on the back of that sugar packet, then I will go and recall another one of my favorite sayings which is " Put Your Big Girl Panties On and Deal With It!"

Caution Mad Scientist at Work

Ive been working on getting more of my vintage jeweled picture frames that I design for my website out and listed as well as designing some other projects that will be coming soon, but as I was working I had to stop and chuckle, I began to think about images of peaceful, creative artists in the country side painting on the top of a hill over looking a river or forest, and I thought to myself this scene does not capture my work enviorment!

My work area looks more like a Mad Scientist at Work!
Not only do I have my office turned upside down but I have moved to the kitchen table and made it impossible to have breakfast, lunch or dinner there. My family is eating their meals in front of the teli which I don't think they really mind.

I have tried and tried to be more organized when I work but it never happens. I need the controlled ciaos when I'm designing. I used to weep and tell my husband that I don't know why I cant be more organized! But then I read this article that changed my life......

It said that creative people tend to be very unorganized. It was that whole right brain left brain scenario. Alas! I had an explanation to why I was the way I was, and rather than investigating to see if the article is really true I have decided to accept this explanation and live in peace. I'm not disorganized I'm just creative....lol... well at least that's the story I'm sticking to when ever my husband looks at me with a raised eyebrow while I'm working. :)

Hugs,

Sandy