ImPerfect Just the Way I Am - I Take Comfort in That!

I wrote this post on 1/31/11 & just came across it now in  its "draft" format.  I decided it didn't have to be perfect, so I'm posting it now!

Countless times I've waited for the perfect idea, the perfect words, the perfect pictures, or whatever else I thought I needed, before starting, let alone completing, a post!  I'm not sure why.  I wonder how many other projects I've put off in my life because I thought they had to be "Perfect."  Probably too many to count.  I'm working hard to change that.


Life is not Perfect.   Life is full of ups, downs, happiness, sadness, luck, mishaps, riches, poverty, you get the idea.  I used to wonder why God allowed me go through some of the painful times I've experienced.  It was only until afterwards (sometimes, much later) that I realized, and was sometimes even thankful, for some of those hard times.  I think the following verse does a pretty good job of explaining why.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.      
I Cor. 1:3-4

Only Heaven is Perfect. So, as long as we are on this earth, we can only imagine perfection, and make our lives, as well as those of others, as beautiful, fulfilling, and full of comfort as possible!


What says comfort to you?  Certain foods, a family member, an old friend, a favorite sweater, a blanket, a song, a smell, a memory?  I'm asking that more and more these days.  What's really important?  I believe a lot of us are wanting to get "back to basics" and simplify our lives.  I know I am.


In God's eyes, I'm Perfect just the way I am, Imperfections and all!  You are too - don't forget that!


Many Blessings, Diane

Pretty in Pink

Just felt like sharing a few pretty pictures and creations with you!  I'll be back soon!  Blessings, Diane



Simply Had A Wonderful Christmas Time!

I feel like I have so much to catch up on and share!  Is it really already past mid-January?  This Holiday Season was really fun for me!  I'm feeling very grateful.  December started with being the featured Artist at Bella Cosa Boutique; then there was the Holiday Bazaar at the EXPO Center.  I enjoyed both events so much! 

As you can see, Santa made an appearance at Bella Cosa for December's First Friday in Bixby Knolls!

Below are a couple pictures from the Holiday Bazaar.  The first one is of me with Karen, of Bella Cosa, and Julie, of Vintage Emporium.

Here's Karen with some of her beautiful items.

I also received many special orders from my wonderful customers for them to give as gifts (or just gift themselves!).   Emily purchased the two pillows below for her Living Room and then requested a Christmas Throw!

As you can see from the picture above, Cica (Hungarian for "cat") especially loved the Christmas Throw.  The front was a beautiful fabric with green holly leaves and red berries, and the back a yummy, soft ivory chenille.

Here are aprons I made for Emily to give to some special friends of the family. They are all reversible!

A very special pillow, by request, for my Sis-in-Law, Erin, made out of the cutest Fairy Fabric with red ball fringe.  This picture was taken before the pillow was actually finished and given to her, but it turned out really cute!

I went to see my precious niece, Clare, in her ballet recital.  She's two -- so cute to see a class of two-year-olds on stage -- Priceless!  Here's Clare with Mommy and Daddy before the Show.

Took a day off from sewing and visited "Grinchmas" at Universal Studios with Hubby.  We had so much fun; he'd never been.  There was a huge tree, the prettiest poinsettias, and real snow!

Hubby treated me to lots of new wonderful fabrics -- pretty much the only thing on my Christmas Wish List.  I can't wait to get started creating with them!  I have some exciting ideas in mind for my upcoming lines.  I think one theme will be "Sky Blues and Sandy Tans"!  Stay posted for more to come!

Wishing you the Best and Most Blessed New Year Ever!  Happy 2011!  ~Diane

I'm So Proud to be the Featured Artist Tonight at Bella Cosa for First Friday in Bixby Knolls!

Christmas Previews

I am so excited about the new items I've been working on for the Holidays! These will be appearing in the very near future in my Etsy Shop and also at the fabulous Bella Cosa Boutique in Bixby Knolls at 3803 Atlantic Avenue. 

As always, I LOVE your feedback!  I'm so pleased with how these items turned out.  I hope you are too!  Happy Holidays and God Bless You!  Diane

Sweet Candy Corn

Okay, I know it's a tad late, but I wanted to share these adorable candy corn pillows with you. And, yes, I made them, but I was so happy with how they turned out that I had to brag just a little bit. When I finished, I envisioned them in a children's bedroom.  I apologize for not having posted this earlier but my computer was being unreasonable.

While I'm at it, I think I'll show you a few more Halloween items I made this year.  Below are pillows with the cutest Vintage-looking children dressed in costumes and also an apron with happy Jack O' Lanterns.

I hope you like my creations.  As always, I would love your feedback.  These are actually a few of my items that were available before Halloween at Bella Cosa Boutique in Bixby Knolls on Atlantic.  It's really an awesome store.  If you're in Long Beach and have never been in, please stop by and take a look.  I promise I will try to stay up-to-date with posting about my Christmas items. Have a blessed day!

Vintage Mother-of-Pearl Buttons

In cleaning out and organizing some of my supplies (and a whole lot of stuff I'm not sure why I even have), I came across my little baggy of vintage mother-of-pearl buttons. I knew they had to be somewhere, and I would just stumble upon them sooner or later. As you may already know, I love sea shells, so I love these buttons. I sat down on my sofa and started dividing them by type and size, excited when I found two or more that matched.

I practically laughed out loud when I remembered how I originally took possession of the buttons. My parents were still living in Long Beach. (They're still with us, just living in GA now -- this isn't a sad story!) Anyway, my Dad was in the back house and I went back to chat when I spotted a whole lot of buttons amongst all the many antique and art pieces he had back there. I instantly grabbed the container of buttons, plopped down on the floor, and started picking out the shell ones. My Dad notices and says, "What are you doing with my buttons, DiDi?" (That's what he calls me.) But he wasn't just curious, he sounded worried that I was actually going to take his buttons, which I was; he didn't know that for sure yet though. Now, what was my Father going to do with a bunch of buttons? I knew, precisely -- he was going to forget about them or sell them, take your pick. I, on the other hand, would put them to good use in some creative project, even if it wasn't until years later.

My sister, Jennifer, and I can laugh until we literally have tears streaming down our faces when we recollect the inside jokes about our Dad! (Sorry, Dad.) I could go into detail about "Poor Dad" or "Clowns, Jokers, Mickey Mouse," but y'all just would not understand, so I guess you'll have to take my word for it.

Happy 4th of July!

***Happy 4th of July!***   Thanking the Lord today for our Freedom, and thinking of, and remembering, those who fight and have fought to protect it!

Here is my patriotic pillow --it's a vintage-like print.  Isn't it cute?  Also, another pillow and sham in red, one of my favorite colors.  And, last but not least, a beautiful picture of red lilies in my Aunt Charlene's front yard in Alabama.  Enjoy!

Let's Talk about Day Two!

"Day two of what,?" you ask? Fallbrook and Chateau de Fleurs, of course! Am I a little crazy about this artwork? Yes! But I simply could not be in that environment, surrounded by such beauty, and not smile. I was instantly happy, which, by the way, also makes my husband very happy.

So, it's Saturday, day two in Fallbrook, and we first head back over to Chateau de Fleurs for Round Two because at this point, I'm a little worried that the two pictures I want the most may be gone. I know, I know, times are tough and I really shouldn't be spending money on "luxury" items (and trust me, these are so luxurious). But Christie had the most gracious "buy one, get one free" sale that I just could not help myself.

Not to mention, Christie is one of the most sweet, humble, genuine, wonderful Christian women I have ever met. She was so patient and indulged me in every picture I wanted to take with her. The Lord has truly blessed her with talent.

After much deliberation (because although I thought I knew exactly which two pieces I had decided on, I was extremely distracted by so many other great potential new additions to my home), I chose the two pictures you see above with Christie and me.

This is Alice and me.  She is full of spunk, a total sweetheart, and from what I gathered, a great help to Christie in the Studio.

Here is Rita Reade, creator of Mammabellarte, and also Christie's Sister-In-Law.  Rita was a lot of fun, full of energy, and had some wonderful items for sale amongst her beautiful displays.  She had some really great soldered necklaces too, that even if I tried to describe them, I could not do them justice.  I would recommend heading on over to her blog the first chance you get.  She has so many more pictures for your enjoyment too!

Aren't these flowers lovely?  They were part of a gorgeous display that caught my eye in the Blossoms tent by Debbie Watts. Gosh, there were so many wonderful vendors -- Tattered Goods, Sweet Magnolia's Farm, Junk Fairy, The Ivy Nest.  I may even have to come back later and list more.

Now I wish I'd taken more pictures to share with you.  Oh well, I plan to head back on September 17th & 18th for the next Marketplace at Chateau de Fleurs.  Plan to go and, I promise, you won't be disappointed!

As much fun as I had at the actual Marketplace, I was so looking forward to the next step which to me is just as exciting -- decorating! Where shall I place my new treasures? Well, check it out --

I truly hope you enjoyed sharing my adventure in Fallbrook and decorating my home as much as I did. I would love to hear your thoughts.

Blessings, Diane

My Daddy!

Today two people asked me if I knew who I was like and then replied, "Your Dad!" Those two people were my husband and Lisa, one of my very best friends since childhood--so I'm pretty sure they know what they're talking about.

We were at the Long Beach Antique Flea Market at Vet's Stadium and there were just a couple items I absolutely could not pass up! My Dad, who lives in GA now, has always loved going to flea markets, garage and estate sales, antique malls, and any other place he may discover treasures.  And the only thing better than the "discovering" is a great price!

Yes, I most definitely take after him in this way! When I called to wish him a Happy Father's Day today, I informed him that it was all his fault that I'm this way too, but he just laughed and was taking no responsibility for any of it. Oh well, I tried. I love you, Dad!