I have decorated a small mirrored dresser that stands in my entryway with some of my vintage Halloween decorations. I have been inspired by Karla of Karla's cottage to make some tags in the style of Romantic Gothic Ghosts. I then coffee dyed a long piece to tulle and draped it across the mirror. The sad forlorn Romantic Gothic ghosts are then hung from the swag. I made extra tags and tule and have sent them to my sons and their beautiful familys back east to add to their holiday decorations. Hope they like them !
Have a great day....now....go make something beautiful !
Laraine

For the Love of Instant Collections

I have been adding instant collections of ceramic dogs to my etsy shop for vintage clothing. You can find it at " sweetlarainescloset.etsy.com " I have spent many happy hours prowling through vintage stores finding little treasures that capture my eye. I have marveled at the many small collections of things I have gathered over the years.
Alas....It is time to clean out and make room for new collections. Sorry...I held back on the collection of white poodles. I just could not part with them just yet. They go with the perfectly matched 40's blue poodle lamps in my spare bedroom. I bought the lamps in Niagara Falls and carried them home to Texas many years ago.
Have a great day.....now....go make something beautiful.
Laraine

Sweet French Fashions

Atelier des Ours has the most beautiful French Fashions. Drool to your hearts content.
Have a great day.....now....go make something beautiful !
Laraine

Sport is My Name !

Rooting around in an old box of photo's I found the picture of "Sport" that is most like his personality. His joy and zest for life is contagious. If I open my arms and call him to me, he comes with his tail wagging always ready to jump up and steal a kiss.
Have a great day....now.....go make something beautiful!
Laraine

Doing a Little Fall Decorating

It has been raining like crazy down here in South Texas. Thank you Lord for watering my yard. I started taking Halloween things out of boxes and found this piece I made a few years ago. I collaged the witchy woman on the back of a vintage bingo card. The bingo card is the type with sliding tabs to cover called numbers.
have a great day....now....go make something beautiful.
Laraine

Getting Ready for the Fall

The weather is a little cooler here today. It rained very hard yesterday and my front yard is very happy.I have been slowly changing over my beach decorating accessories to the fall and Halloween accessories. To that end I am showing you a somewhat spooky " Lady in White " old book front collage.
I plan on enjoying the somewhat cool weather today. Have a great day....now....go make something beautiful.
Laraine

Some Changes Made

I am not so sure I have done the right thing. I love my kitchen table, however I ruined the finish after many craft projects that went wrong. I have refinished the table top and now that it is finished I am not sure I like it. No problem...if I really hate it, I will just sand it off and start over. Let me know what you think ????????
Have a great day...now go make something beautiful.
Laraine

Never Forget 9/11

I will always remember where I was and what I was doing when JFK was shot. I did not think I would ever experience a moment like that again.

I was asleep when a phone call from my dearest Jim woke me up. He was at work and said a small plane had hit one of the world trade center buildings. I got up and put on the TV, just in time to see the second plane hit. When Jim called again, I remember saying to him, that nothing in the world would ever be the same.

It saddens me that dearest Jim, who passes away in 2004, did not live long enough to see the world trade centers rebuilt. I may not live long enough to see it rebuilt in my lifetime.

Be kind to those who love you.....have a thoughtful day.......
Laraine

Some Pictures of My Little Shih-Tzu "Sport"

I realized after my long post of yesterday that I had not included any photos of the dog in question. His name is "Sport". He was found wearing his coat long and a top knot on his head. The top knot was so tight the flesh had been pulled up in the elastic band.
The fur under his arms was so matted he could hardly walk. I spent hours with him laying in my lap on his back while I carefully cut the mats out.
He had been owned by a hairdresser who left him home all day. When she came home she beat him bacause he made pee pee on the floor. Even now, when I call him he sometimes comes to me with his head down walking very slowly, as though he is expecting a beating.
He is afraid of the broom and will leave the room when I sweep the floor. He is so very tiny. He probably weigs no more than ten pounds, but his heart is full of love for me.
His name is "Sport" and he is worth more than the $150.00 I paid for him so long ago.
Have a great day.....now.....go make something beautiful.
Laraine

We Caught A Little Of Hermine Here In South Texas

My grass and garden are happily singing. We caught a little rain from Tropical Storm Hermine. Boy....didn't Hermine pop up quickly. One day it's sunny and hot, hot, hot and the next day it's pouring rain and wind and hot, hot, hot.
I have two dogs that sleep on my bed with me (TJ and Sport) and the other three (Tuffy Tibadeaux and Teddy ) sleep on their beds on the floor. Teddy will some time sleep in my closet...way in the back under my clothes.
Little Sport ( one of the dogs on the bed ) is very afraid of loud noises. I awoke to little Sport shivering like mad trying to hide behind my head. He was inconsolable for hours. As I am typing this post he is asleep at my feet.
Sport was a rescue that I brought home back when Jim was alive. I found Sport in a metal cage with no food or water in a fly by night pet shop. The owner said she wanted $150.00 cash.....no checks. I left the shop and went immediately to the bank and the rest is history.
Have a beautiful day.....be kind to those who love you....and go make something beautiful!
Laraine

Esty Treasury Shabby Chic Blues

What a happy Monday morning surprise. ( Besides not seeing and critters dead or alive in a few days ) I awoke this morning to find a pair of my french inspired earrings have been featured in a Etsy Treasury called Shabby Chic-Blues. Please pop over to Etsy and view this beautiful treasury.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c845ab971ee8eef016e87ff/shabby-chic-blues

Now have a great day......and......go make something beautiful !!
Laraine

Finished My Gypsy Witch Shrine

I finished my Gypsy Witch Shrine and will be listing it on my Etsy Art site. Have a great day and go make something beautiful!
Laraine

New Treasury on Etsy.com Gothic Carnival

Oh happy happy joy joy ! My Strong Men and Tattooed Woman Tarot Cards has been featured in a new treasury on Etsy.com called "Gothic Carnival".
I have been feeling grumpy and sad the past few days, However being in two treasury's in one week has been a bright spot. The comments left by my blog friends has also helped me feel better. Thanks you all so much. Please leave a comment when you visit...it means so very much to me.

You can visit the treasury at............................


http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c44f919c9fe8eef9a23dd18/gothic-carnival