Kay Ellen

Altered Couture

Goodmorning, I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! I felt very blessed on Mother's Day. My family was so kind to me and did alot of work around the house and garden. A big thank you to each of them... the simple things in life always mean so much to me.  

I am very excited to share an article I wrote in the Summer Issue of Altered Couture Magazine.  I hope you will pick up a copy of this creative magazine, it is filled with artful summer project ideas you can make yourself!

My article and lace vest are featured on page 56-58.

I was a fashion stylist for a large department store for many years before I worked as an interior designer.  I decorated and designed high traffic window displays and dressed alot of manniquins...to many to count! ha-ha

Back then and now when I go shopping I am am attracted to simple pieces to purchase that I can either layer in some way or alter and add my creative flair. 

While shopping one afternoon I spotted this cute lace jacket, it really caught my eye...I decided to purchase it knowing I could really have fun extending the length and altering its appearance. I grabbed my scissors, several pieces of lace and my favorite adhesive...sealah no sew tape for the task! 

I used the sealah taped to add each lace element on the vest and changed my little vest into a shrug! 

Here is a photo of the back of the jacket so you can see the other lace pieces I added.

I purchased the 5 yard variety pack my parents have on their website CLICK HERE to adhere each element on the vest. It is a clear doublesided thin tape that does not yellow, drys in 24 hours and is washable.

I also added vintage hemming taped on the inside of the jacket where the sealah tape was still a little sticky with the open weave areas of the lace and it worked perfect. No sewing!!

Now my lace shrug is a favorite piece and I love how it turned out.

Do you like altering fashion? I have to say it is alot of fun. My daughter and I have a few projects and ideas we are excited to work on over the summer...I will keep you posted on what we create!  

Thank you Stampington & Compay and Beth Livesay for featuring my fashion project.  It is truly a pleasure to encourage others to be artful and creative!

Have a blessed week!

Joining in White Wednesday HERE

:Kay Ellen

Gathering Blooms

My roses are blooming...

Time to gather a bouquet for the first day of May.

I love this old rake in my garden...

I arranged the blooms together in a festoon style bouquet... 

I attached the flowers to my old rusty rake with twine and lacey ribbon...

Fresh blooms for our front door...

Happy May Day!

::Kay Ellen

 

Joining Oppsey Daisy Wowzers Wednesday HERE

Joining in Outdoor Wednesday blog party HERE

Creativity with Sealah Tape

I have been having fun with sealah no sew tape.

Sealah is a clear, very thin double sided adhesive. The tape has been a great fix for adding artful elements to the traveling journals I am sharing today.

I sent this journal off almost two months ago, a friendship inspired theme.   

I also completed a french feeling journal this week.

At the moment, I am still working on a garden themed project.

Very happy the double-sided tape worked so well applying silk flowers, fabric, ribbons, paper, lace, glitter, wood and pretty fringe to each artful creation. Quick results... I didn't pull out my E6000 or glue gun at all this week!

Hugs to my blogging friend Beverly from How Sweet The Sound who began this traveling journal group. We began the journal adventure in January and will complete it in early December. Each journal will return to their original owner before Christmas. What a special gift it will be filled with special touches from ten women. 

Interested in buying some sealah tape for your next artful project? If you have never used the tape beofre I would recommend the 5 yard variety pack to try first. Click Here

My Mom invented sealah tape almost ten years ago...latest publication her product is featured in;

Better Homes and Gardens (Do It Yourself) this month. Thank you to Designer John Loecke, he has been such a huge supporter of parents company and product line...he includes sealah tape in many wonderful published home decor projects. Congrats to you both!

Have a great weekend friends,

:Kay Ellen 

Joining in Pink Saturday blogging celebration HERE

A little paint will do wonders!

I bought this old door for my shop last week.

Hmmmmm it is kind of plain, a little paint and a few garden inspired accessories can change that!

Transformation complete...!

This artful door is ready for a garden or whimsy sunroom today. 

Available in my little shop at Forget Me Not Antiques.

:Kay Ellen

Joining in some creative blog events... 

  
  

Picnic

I adore picnics. Don't you? I like the concept of simple dining, mismatch dishes, flatware, charming linens and a good book to read.

What to eat would depend on what time of day you want to plan your picnic...breakfast, lunch or dinner. I would suggest keeping the food and beverages light weight to carry ~~~ you could have a backup plan to have an ice chest close by to replenish goodies as needed. I am thinking about trying a dessert picnic sometime ~~~ doesn't that sound like fun?  

You can have picnic anywhere...in your garden, by the pool or at neighborhood park, even a drive-in movie.

My husband and I enjoy outdoor plays in the summer and we take a picnic dinner to eat before the performance.  

It can be a romantic idea for date or a fun family affair.

If you do not own a picnic basket you can improvise with a suitcase, large tote or beach bag. The little blue suitcase above I have had for many years...I use to store my Nancy Drew and Little House on the Prairie books inside for safe keeping :) Ahhh such fond memories. 

Be creative...

Go have a picnic! 

:Kay Ellen    

Blog Parties:

Joining in Rednesday HERE  

Also sweet Susan at Tablescape Thursday HERE

 

Creative Camera Display

I started collecting vintage cameras a few years ago for my husband...but as time passed I started realizing I loved old cameras just as much as he does.

Our collection is growing between the two of us...

Old crates can work great to display treasures on. I stumbled upon this double decker crate at a flea market and couldn't wait to take it home and give it try! 

I am very happy with this artful solution.

Keep your eyes open if you need to display a collection and remember my old crate filled with vintage cameras! 

Joining sweet Sue for Rednesday with my red side panels surrounding the cameras:)

HERE

:Kay Ellen

Lunch in the Garden

A beautiful sunny day in the garden...the birds are singing and my roses are blooming:)

Sweet BEVERLY from Pink Saturday is featuring my blog today! What a privilege to share a little about myself on her blog HERE. 

If you have ever visited my blog before you would know I am crazy about setting the table for a meal. Summer feeling colors and an outside setting can be very inviting for family & friends. The table can set the mood for the entire meal. Choosing dishes with personality, selecting colorful glassware and adding creative little accents with sparkle can make your guests feel special. 

I made the little cake stand myself. One glass candle holder with a vintage chippy plate and a glass dome that I found stuck in the back of a cupboard. I just added a dab of E6000 to the top of the candle stick and to the bottom of the plate. A fun and easy DIY project.

In honor of be featured on PINK SATURDAY I am having a special table decor contest! 

Contest Treasures from the summer table:

The Crackled Aqua Basket, Waverly Floral Tablecloth, four whimsy Luncheon Plates & the sweet Birdie Salt and Pepper shakers.

If you would like to follow me please do ~~~ Just leave a comment on my blog entry for a chance to win!!

I hope you have a blessed weekend! Thank you for stopping by,

A winner will be chosen for the Giveaway on Friday July 8th!

:Kay Ellen

The Cover Up

 

Feeling crafty?

I was in the mood to change this lampshade so I decided to pull out my stash of lace and start a cover up project.

A fun and creative DIY you can do using my parents product Sealah No Sew tape.

If you have never used the tape before I would suggest to buy the five yard variety pack when you are embellishing.  The tape is clear, non toxic comes in seven different widths and is very easy to use. 

Apply the sealah no sew doubled sided tape to the lampshade.

After you press down firmly on the tape ~~~ peel off the back side.

Try to find lace or doilies pieces that will fit your shade...overlapping helps too. 

I did have a couple blank spots showing on the lampshade so I cut out smaller lace pieces and sealah taped them on each area needed.

 

I like that each side of the lampshade is a little different so if the mood strikes me I can turn it around :) 

Here is my finished project.

A quick and easy cover up :)

My parents company Jodees Inc website is HERE if you would like to order some sealah no sew adhesive~~~ any questions please feel free to call the number on the website.

Please share if you decide to cover up a shade with sealah tape!

My Mom's blog is HERE and I know she would love to feature your project.

Thank you for stopping by,

:Kay Ellen

A Lovely Day

What a lovely day we had  at the Antique Garden and Art Faire last Saturday.  

It was very exciting to see so many Riverside friends come out for the day! I even saw our Mayor's wife buying a few goodies. 

In the wee hours the night before the event I decided to finish my parisian apron I wanted to wear it at the garden sale.

If you are wondering... Yes, I enjoy late night designing, creating and last minute crafting!!

The fabric, ribbon, and vintage elements were all applied with Sealah No Sew Adhesive. My girlfriend Jennifer embroidered the Eiffel Tower piece on tea towel, it worked out perfect for my new apron. A great DIY for those of you that love sealah tape and want to make something quick!

We had such a beautiful variety of accessories and furnishings from the twelve vendors that participated. 

 

 

My sweet daughter helped me the entire day of event also my husband and son were a huge help setting up and tearing down. Thank you family!

A huge Thank You goes out to Diana Peasley and Connie Nolan for all their hard work putting this Garden Sale together! 

These two sweet ladies are both fellow vendors at Forget Me Antiques~~~ if you missed the event you may want stop by the store and see what treasures are still available to purchase. 

 

I also wanted to thank family and friends that took the time to come out to the Sale...it was so great to see you all! I hope you enjoyed your visit.

Joining in Susan's Outdoor Wednesday!

:Kay Ellen

Egg Inspiration

You may think I am a bit silly but I find inspiration in many things...even in an egg!

My hand painted eggs our displayed and used in a creative way each year for Springtime and Easter. 

I cut branches from my birch twig trees, a few honey suckle vines, blooms from a fast growing bougainvillea for a punch of color and a few snap dragons for a little whimsy...I did add one small  bouquet from Trader Joe's for filler and height. 

A little floral therapy for me and a cheery welcome for others when they walk into our home.

Have a blessed day!

Make a welcoming arrangement for your home!!

You can click on each photo to see them larger for inspiration... 

:Kay Ellen

Joining in at Stephanie Lynn's & Autism Awareness HERE