Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Playing with pretties



With Christmas behind us and the New Year full of promise...
inspiration crept in and I started playing with some little pretties...





I never used to appreciate glass or sparkle as much as I do now...



...some old glass inkwells and a knife rest I picked up at the flea market for a song...
...well, maybe it was a dollar....afraid my singing wouldn't buy anything...





I really hate to put away my vintage Christmas ornaments...
I didn't even have time to get most of them out!
It looks like next year I will have more time to decorate and bake...maybe even write and send Christmas cards!
Having time...that will be heaven!



Bits and pieces...



In 2010 there will be more time for my bits and pieces and playing with pretties...



Will I use my time wisely?



will I waste time?



Leaving the corporate world will mean...



less security...
... but more time for reflection, for spiritual and creative nurturing and artistic pursuits...



...what was that saying?

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams..."
baby steps...



...another pretty...
...a tiny silver perfume vial found at Gather in Ivoryton, Connecticut when visiting with the girls a few weeks ago...
...we all loved this little treasure when we spied it in the glass display case...
(these girls are so good to me...they let me take it home...I really love it!)



...and another collage created by layering one of my photographs with a scanned antique document...
I printed it out and used it as a background to take pictures of these pretties...
...it's fun to play with my photographs and pretty little bits and pieces...

One more day to this short work week and then a long weekend with plans to spend quality time and shop a little with my sister and niece...
... a quiet New Year's Eve at home with Santa Baby...
and then a luncheon on New Year's Day with special friends...

How will you celebrate the beginning of the new year?

This is a nearly white post so perhaps it qualifies for White Wednesday...to view other participants visit Kathleen at Faded Charm...
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32 comments:

  1. MissyDecember 29, 2009 at 10:16 PM

    Oh my! DROOL.....

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  2. My Grama's SoulDecember 29, 2009 at 10:28 PM

    I'm telling you girlfriend; your pictures delight the eyes!!!!

    Happy New Year to you,

    Jo

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  3. Tracie~MyPetiteMaisonDecember 29, 2009 at 10:39 PM

    Hi Laura,
    It's never wasted time if you're doing what you love. Your posts are always inspirational and I think much happiness will find you in those "spare" hours of 2010 ~ sounds like something to really look forward to indeed. I'll be spending New Year's Eve with my best friend at my favorite restaurant and then ring in the New Year with some old movies, candles and a glass of Prosecco perhaps. Your plans sound perfect for the New Year. ~Enjoy!
    ~Tracie

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  4. BonjourRomanceDecember 29, 2009 at 11:21 PM

    Happy New Year Laura!
    All these pretties are simply beautiful, I have a weak spot for pretty little vintagey things.
    Wishing you a fabulous 2010 and may all your dreams come true!

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  5. Just a bed of rosesDecember 30, 2009 at 12:30 AM

    Very beautiful pictures and vintage pieces with your story...love the knife rest, I had one for sale in my shop only I was not sure what it was until a customer bought it and then told me what it was.
    Now I will know.
    Have a fun New Years...we have snow coming down, think we'll be a bit snowbound...that's okay, but not for business!

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  6. Faded CharmDecember 30, 2009 at 1:33 AM

    Thanks for playing along today. You certainly do have some pretties to play with. I love them all. You are so talented. Much happiness in 2010.

    Kathleen

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  7. FILIGREE MOONDecember 30, 2009 at 2:09 AM

    Beautiful photos! Impressive - isn't digital creating fun? Technology merges with antiquity, and you have captured it so well. Best wishes for the new year! ~ Angela

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  8. City HenDecember 30, 2009 at 3:03 AM

    Best wishes as you leave what was familiar for the adventure of the "new life". I love your ideas and your photography. Everything you have been and done has brought you to who you are today, enjoy it!
    You are a gift...
    Hugs from Poland!
    Rhonda

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  9. AngeDecember 30, 2009 at 4:07 AM

    Laura your layering is exquisite. I'm sure they would have given you the whole shop if you sang so it was very thoughtful of you to pay the dollar and walk out with just one or two objects ;-) As you can imagine - I sigh at the sight of an inkwell!
    May you dance confidently in the direction of your dreams. Tomorrow I do my '50 things' list but today is my 100th post and Wishcasting Wednesday so I must do, as you call it, a give back first! xx Ange

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  10. liaDecember 30, 2009 at 4:55 AM

    I love your blog, and will look also in 2010.
    A Happy Newyear to you and your family.
    Lovely greets Lia

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  11. Julie@beingRUBYDecember 30, 2009 at 6:29 AM

    Dear Laura
    Just beautiful.. I'm sure whatever you do, you will do it well!!
    I think this time will be just what you need to find new directions. I'm taking a few months off and really don't won't to go back but suspect i will... I hope you find beauty and success in 2010 ...

    Thank you for sharing this blogging road with me,,, xxx Julie

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  12. TheresaDecember 30, 2009 at 6:44 AM

    What beautiful pictures my dear! I love the tiny ornaments and watch faces. Enjoy your day whatever you do!

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  13. Musings From A French CottageDecember 30, 2009 at 7:56 AM

    Beautiful pretties and what lovely things you have done with them!! Love the photos - very inspirational. May 2010 be the best ever for you and may you find LOTS of extra time!!

    God Bless,
    Kathleen

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  14. debi lynn mattinglyDecember 30, 2009 at 8:11 AM

    Beautiful as always girlfriend! Ya know, being a Cajun, that Fleur de lis is "pretty" much right up this Yaya's bayou! :) How in the world would it end up so far north???? LOL

    Here is wishing you a beautiful and creative year with all your "pretties"! xo...deb

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  15. Garden Antqs VintageDecember 30, 2009 at 9:13 AM

    Love all the "bits and pieces". Hope you have a wonderful and blessed New Years.

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  16. Jacqueline @ HOMEDecember 30, 2009 at 9:23 AM

    As per usual some beautiful little treasures put together with such creativity, Laura.
    I think that 2010 with brng you much joy on your creative side and I think that the blogging world will reap the benefits.
    Wishing you and yours the best in 2010
    With much love. XXXX

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  17. Room Service ~ Decorating 101December 30, 2009 at 9:49 AM

    Happy New Year L, I am just now starting to notice the sparkle things too. Why is that I wonder, I remember a old lady that I used to visit as a young woman and she kept all this glass stuff on her coffee table, I thought why would anyone like that junk...now, I would.

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  18. Tammy@T's Daily TreasuresDecember 30, 2009 at 9:53 AM

    Wonderfully beautiful! Time is a wonderful thing! Blessings :) Tammy

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  19. Linda @ A La CarteDecember 30, 2009 at 9:55 AM

    Your photos inspire me to get out my camera and take a look at my pretties through the lens. I hope your New Year is wonderful.

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  20. LululizDecember 30, 2009 at 9:59 AM

    The knife rest really caught my eye straight away. I love glass knife rests, I do use them in our cottage in France. They are jolly useful on the dinner table.

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  21. Les CotrionsDecember 30, 2009 at 11:44 AM

    Hello Laura! Your pretties are fabolous and playing is one of my favourite activity! Absolutely not wasted time!!!
    Wish you and Rob a gorgeous, serene, joyful and creative new year! Paola and my mother give their wishes to you all!
    Big hugs my friend! I'm so happy I met you in 2009!
    Vale

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  22. red tickingDecember 30, 2009 at 11:59 AM

    so pretty... and trust me, you will always gather abundance from your corporate experience but you will never look back... i NEVER mind going back to work... i have new found freedom i never had before and it is more precious than gold. many blessings to you in 2010..x pam

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  23. CaroleDecember 30, 2009 at 12:30 PM

    So pretty Laura and creative of you. You'll have plenty of time to get even more creative soon!
    Have fun at Evi's with the gang!
    xo,
    Carole

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  24. julieDecember 30, 2009 at 12:32 PM

    This post had some breathtaking things for me to fall in love with. The pictures were stunning.
    Happy New Year to you and your family and a great 2010...julie

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  25. Anne MarieDecember 30, 2009 at 1:06 PM

    Laura.....here's a toast to you in the new year...and thanks so much for all your inspiration you have given me since I have "met" you.....

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  26. Home By VirginiaDecember 30, 2009 at 1:50 PM

    Soooo many beautiful pictures... :)

    Hope you`ve had a peaceful christmas with your love ones...

    *Stopping by to wish you a happy new year*

    Looking forward to follow you in 2010... :)

    Hugs from Malin Virginia

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  27. MillygardenDecember 30, 2009 at 3:04 PM

    So many beautiful things. Laura I Wish you a happy new year!

    Hugs marina

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  28. Sammy GirlDecember 30, 2009 at 6:04 PM

    Hi, Laura!
    Lovely post with such honest pics and comments. Congrats on the "new beginning" and can hardly wait to see what exciting places this journey will take you.
    Love the salts ... I keep earrings and bits in some - especially the larger master salts ... Mmmm!
    Hugs and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
    Betty :)

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  29. AnonymousDecember 30, 2009 at 6:38 PM

    Hi Laura,
    Your perfume vial is amazing!!! I would love to find a treasure such as that. I also love your ink wells and knife rest. I have a couple of inkwells and I love them, but yours are quite beautiful.
    Sincerely,
    Melinda

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  30. GaiaDecember 30, 2009 at 6:47 PM

    Thanks for your treasure... You are always an ispiration!

    Have a wonderful new year and i wish you everything you wish yourself

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  31. La Petite GalleryDecember 30, 2009 at 7:45 PM

    What a devine perfume bottle.
    So sweet, and great for a small evening
    bag. As always your post is sooo French.
    Such a treat to come here. Wishing
    you a fantastic 2010 ...
    see you next year!!!
    yvonne

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  32. aliceDecember 30, 2009 at 11:14 PM

    Laura,
    You have a wonderful touch! No wasted time here or there! Our plans are very simple this year. Mayhaps we will really stay up till the magic hour. Birthday celebrations both eve and day! Happy New Year. I so enjoy your blog.
    smiles, alice

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