Beautiful Bag Adorned With Petals and Vintage Brooch

When I saw this tutorial from Jessica at Happy Together on U create for Petals Galore, I knew I had to make one for my daughter. My version is made from a Dollar store purse, a bag of white petals, a vintage brooch and hot glue. I was so eager to start the project that I neglected to take a before picture of the purse. It's called a "skirt" purse with light blue fabric and a denim band at the top.

Starting at the bottom or the "hem" of the purse, I hot glued the petals, overlapping them slightly. I did one side of the purse first, then flipped it over. The final step was gluing a ribbon band at the top and a vintage brooch where the ends of the ribbon meet. The purse was a dollar, the bag of petals were a dollar at the thrift store, and the vintage brooch was something I had. I will be making a bunch more of these - they are so easy to make yet turn out so beautifully. I love how the petals dress up the purse. So soft and romantic and absolutely lovely. This was the perfect gift for my daughter's birthday! Check out Jessica at Happy Together - she has amazing tutorials and fantastic ideas. It turns out that we both grew up in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia! It's DIY Day at A Soft Place To Land, Talented Tuesday at My Frugal Family! and Show and Tell at Blue Cricket Design. Check out the amazing creativity featured there and visit the numerous links for inspirational ideas!

Inspired, Romantic Shelf...Mantel Party Friday

It's time for another great party over at Stories of A to Z! And it's not just about fireplace mantels (I don't even have one!) Showcase your buffet, shelves, bookcase... The important thing is, join the fun! For me, it has been just the inspiration I've needed to make the extra effort to create lovely spaces in our temporary home.

A few weeks ago, Marcia from Blessed Mom's Simple Home shared her lovely mantel, filled with special items from her grandmother and parents. It was feminine and romantic. I wanted one just like it! Alas, most of my treasures are currently packed away. With her ideas as a starting off point, I surveyed our house and came up with a shelf makeover - this long shelf sits high above our couch and is probably the first thing you see when you enter the home.

I placed a white tray behind the flower arrangement to break up the red and brighten up this area, which is far from any natural light. The two candle holders are elevated by ramekins, and I placed the red flowers in two bowls. Don't know if you recognize the flowers, but I yanked them out of the flowerpots from my front porch/steps makeover from Beth's Staircase Party back in November! Yup, totally fake. and cheap. But I like arrangements like this that can be used all over, numerous times, to add that certain color or texture that's needed. I got these in a clearance bin at Michaels for about a quarter each.

I adore these white candle holders and have had them forever...clearance items at Marshalls or TJ Maxx. Pretty beaded details along with twisted wire. Love, love, love them!

The overall look is simple. clean. fresh. and I hope it captures a bit of the "romantic white" from Marcia's inspirational mantel!

Allow me to introduce you...

...to Madame Peacock.

Isn't she grand?

I spotted her at Target the day before Christmas.

And knew she had to be mine.

Alas, practicality and my commitment to the Christmas budget prevailed.

"But I'll be back for you!" I whispered,

as I contemplated hiding her behind other holiday decor.

Very early on the cold, rainy day after Christmas,

my daughter and I headed out for the clearance sales at Target.

The crowd of five people lined up at the door caused me no worries.

We calmly walked through the doors and made our way to THE SECTION.

There she was. Undisturbed. Waiting for me.

With tremendous joy I was reunited with the object I'd coveted.

And at 50% off, she was even more delightful.

I made a place for her ON TOP of a thrift store birdcage.

And filled it instead with silver disco ball ornaments purchased also for 50% off

on that fateful morning after Christmas at Target.

THE END.

Madame Peacock was originally $4.99 and the disco ball ornaments were $1.00 for a pack of two. With 50% off, I paid $3.50 for all of them. And the birdcage pictured above was a thrift store find for $3.00.

I am linking to Frugalicious Friday at Finding Fabulous!