Slipping into Something More Comfortable

Ladies, let's face it. My waist 'aint what it used to be. So at about 40 years and five children later, my waist decided it wanted OUT. I'll be 45 in a couple months and I have not seen it since.
Did my waist line ever exist? I think it actually left the building. I am working on weight loss, but it has been a slow process. It has been about lifestyle changes, breaking old cake habits (new cake, old cake, birthday cake, coffee cake, anykinda cake) and trying to work in more exercise. I've lost two dress sizes this past year, but I'm not certain my waist will ever come back no matter how hard I look for it. One thing is certain, the good lord made clothes for us waist challenged ladies. I've taken to low slung jeans, with a wide cuff, a pair of cute comfy shoes and a sweater or a tank and a funky jacket for those hot flash kind of moments....I'm either freezing or boiling and nary the twain shall meet.
I wanted to share with you some easy to wear goodies I've discovered over at my favorite handmade marketplace, ETSY.
Whenever I complete a major milestone, or a big project I've worked hard on, I reward myself with something pretty. Recently, I bought two more beautiful hand dyed vintage slips from a favorite shop called MIREIO on Etsy. Wende is so kind, she keeps an eye out for slips in a larger size and lets me know when she's made them up. Not only are they hand dyed to perfection, she makes an amazingly beautiful flower pin that matches the slip color.
These are perfect for layering, wearing to bed, wearing under a favorite denim jacket...perfect for travel. I wear mine over leggings or jeans with a cute thrifted jacket. (I am ALL about thrifted finds.)

My Hand Dyed Vintage Slip Collection from Mireio

A Slip from Wende's beautiful Travel Pretty Collection

Another lovely shop I've found, and have loved for an eternity is Pamela Tang on Etsy. Her clothes are generous and forgiving with just a little fitting where it counts. After years of waiting, I finally purchased a lovely duck egg blue linen pinafore that I've long coveted.
It was a defining moment for me to finally "gift" myself with such a pretty piece. All the way from Australia...made just for me.

just for me

Photo from Pamela Tang on Etsy

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Lovely Ethereal Abstract Landscapes

I just wanted to share with you some of my favorite things lately. Comfort food for my spirit while the snow piles up outside! I want to begin with Tracey. My latest obsession, the ethereal, heavenly paintings of Tracey Nicholas on Etsy.
Her ethereal abstract landscapes surround me in my second story studio/bedroom...this attic room from which i write has one larger window and little oddly placed windows that make it difficult to see outside, and her paintings make a soft landing spot for my eyes during the hours I spend up here working. The last one I bought so moved me me with the title of it. It is called "All I Know"...a lovely mix of soft pink, white and even a touch of orange...
My studio/bedroom has become a haven for me...a place to dream, have tea with friends...a place to write and create. I am building a lovely nest in soft hues of pink and white and aqua blue. It is a bit untidy at the moment, but what real life is truly as tidy as a perfect photograph? That is what paintings like Tracey's are for...

Decorating Ideas with Vintage Jewelry

Just fun kind of post about what I've been doing with some vintage jewelry as home decor! Vintage jewelry can be found so many places...garage sales are probably the cheapest place, followed by thrift stores, flea markets and then antique shops. Also, online one Etsy and ebay!
The vintage rhinestone necklace stash above has come from several years of picking them up for a dollar or two, or tangled in one of the bags of junk jewelry I've purchased to make my assemblage jewelry out of.
My first idea was to use the vintage necklaces as curtain tie backs~

vintage rhinestone necklace tie back

vintage brooch, vintage multistrand curtain decor

 I use old  shabby pieces of lace held in place by vintage brooch to disguise an ugly lampshade, and an old multistrand vintage pearl necklace (bought for a song) to use to hold the curtain back from the window. I made a pendant lamp out of antique lace scraps as well. Here is the lace pendant lamp idea.
I love very shabbiest of things, and this old lace dress is a favorite that graces an old painted door that leads to the laundry room and storage area. Notice at the top of the hanger, I have put an old brooch. Very easy. Just close the brooch and slide the brooch over the end of the vintage hanger. This is a great way to display special jewelry that would otherwise be languishing unseen in a box somewhere. Behind the dress  is a holey old lace table cloth I added for more texture. I think when decorating with lots of shades of white, it is important to have layers and lots of texture.
The little felt and button heart pocket was a gift from my mother, and seems to go perfectly with this little vignette.

antique dress with vintage dry cleaner hanger and pearly brooch

for us, the shabbier, the better!

My husband and I both love super shabby things in shades of white mostly. We are slowly renovating our old home, but that doesn't mean that it can't be  enjoyed and decorated in fun ways in the meantime! I found a fun use for the pile of vintage necklaces, that I combined with the chandelier in my studio, which is already festooned with antique "Willow" children's tea set pieces and old chandelier crystals. The antique chandelier is from the early 1920's, and came with a gorgeous slag glass marble held in the center by long leaves of metal. I'm still considering painting it white eventually.

antique chandelier, tin Willow plates, rhinestone necklaces

assemblage chandelier with rhinestone necklaces and children's toys

The chandelier looks much better "in real life"...very sparkly! I don't have the best kind of camera...just a point and shoot type. As you can see, the ceiling is missing from the studio! I kind of like it, but I'm thinking it needs something else...maybe old doors or window frames? I'm thinking old linens and some tacks. I'm SO not wanting to do sheet-rock. Lord save me from sheet rock!

The butterfly mobile in the background came from a favorite Etsy shop called Royal Buffet. Mollie, the owner, has also written a wonderful book on paper craft which  I LOVE, (did I mention I am a paper hoarder?) 
Mollie's book is called ~ Make & Do: Paper Fascinations for Every Lovely Occasion.

antique mirror with paper garland and old brooch

 I often festoon mirrors and picture frames with broken brooches. The one above is a big rhinestone brooch that I glued on to a piece of filigree, then attached it tothe mirror with a tiny nail. The garland is something I made years ago for Christmas, but I like it so much I left it up. It says "Joyeux"...French word for "Joyous". I love the juxtaposition of sparkly things with shabby things.
I hope you like these ideas.. Please share them with friends. I'd love to hear your ideas as well!

Blessings to You and Yours,
Jennifer Valentine of Sacred Cake

Shabby Chic Jewelry Storage and Display Idea

I guess because I make so much assemblage jewelry and collect quite a few different pieces and styles, I like to look at my treasures...I like to have them out so that at any time I walk by them in my bedroom I can gently brush the tips of my fingers along the bits and baubles...thinking of every sweet soul that created those bits of beauty from their deepest heart.

My wheel of goodness and joyful reminders of all of the dear people I've met along the way. So simple to make, and easy to use. I've been wanting to share this project with you forever. I clip earrings on the spokes and hang them on the hooks. This is also great for cuffs and rings.

This project is sooooo simple! I think finding the old carriage wheel might be the hardest part. I just happened upon it while out and about several years ago. I didn't know at the time what it would be. I just knew it would be useful and fun. Try looking on ebay, etsy, artfire, craigslist, or even call around to the old junk malls and antique stores.Once you find your old wheel, be sure it is the kind with the solid kind of tire, so your hooks stay in. Screw some larger than average sized cup hooks into the wheel at evenly spaced intervals. I dipped mine into a chemical called  "Novacan Black" to darken them a bit. And that's about it! I embellished the center part with a hunk of filigree and an old vintage brooch. Use E-6000 glue to glue anything on. Just sand each surface a bit before adhering, because most likely your surfaces will be rusty and such.

In case you were wondering who made some of the lovely pieces on my wheel, here is a little list of designers that I hope you will visit! They are all so talented and such sweet spirits.

* Colorful wire wrapped necklaces and birdy earrings are from dear Liz. Visit her shop here:

www.lizlamoreux.etsy.com

* Shabby tribal earrings and various necklaces with buttons and bits are made my Marina. Visit her shop here: www.fancifuldevices.etsy.com

* Sweet  round broken china pink floral pin by sweet Lana, who makes the sweetest Marie Antoinette inspired things here: www.fionaandthefig.etsy.com

*  Gorgeous pottery earrings by Michelle right here: www.mudluscious01.etsy.com

*  Favorite Queen Anne's Lace embroidered pendant necklace (not pictured because I was wearing it) made by dear heart Corrine at www.SeptemberHouse.etsy.com 

* Amazing leather, sterling and cross "faith" necklace by beautiful Nina right here: www.ninabagley.etsy.com

* Large flower necklace, a gift from my daughter years ago.

* Super long antique hand knotted beaded jet necklace, a lucky find. (and a big fave)

*  Pale celluloid earrings, and long pale blue pearl and crystal earrings are by yours truly. You can find me here: www.sacredcake.etsy.com

My wheel has gotten a bit messy now that I'm really lookin' at it! I hope this project gets your creative wheels spinning...

Think of the possibilities to use this idea for an old hunk of wood or cutting board, vintage cane, mirror frame...anything that can hold a cup hook!

AND as always, you can write me with any questions right here:

sacred_cake {at} yahoo [dot] com

Many Blessings to You and Yours,

Jennifer Valentine of Sacred Cake

Bark Cloth Pillows,Quilts, and Quilting Supplies by Cindi of Dreamy Vintage Sheets

gorgeous pinwheels baby quilt

Cindi has been a dear online friend of mine for quite some time now...we've shared stories of hope and of joy and of deep sadness. I did a small interview with Cindi here, last year.Her friendship and deep connection has been such a joy to me, and my home is filled with her lovely quilts and colorful quilted pillow creations that add brightness to my days...every day. I have found such comfort in her amazing work, so infused with the love for what she creates, that I can actually feel it.

windowpane quilt from vintage sheets

modern and vibrant baby girl quilt, or lap quilt

The vibrant color combinations are indicative of her vibrant spirit...and believe it or not, her mother, who is 84 years young also helps create things for her shop, called "Dreamy Vintage Sheets"

Here, a sweet friend models Cindi's mothers' Mommy and Me Aprons. She made these with pink roses fabric with pink and blue checked trim. What a sweet idea, don't you think?

Spring has Sprung Pillow (a ray of sunshine!)

Her passion is quilting, and she loves to use vintage sheets as the basis for her designs. Vintage sheets seem to has unsurpassed softness and amazing color combinations that inspire her...she also loves to use vintage bark cloth and vintage lace,which adds rich texture and color to her designs.

oriental design bark cloth pillow in her shop

bark cloth pillow at my home

(more of my collection)

Cindi believes in superior quality in her designs and it shows. My pillow covers hold up to wash after wash...tumble after tumble, and still arrive in the laundry basket looking like just received them.
Now, for those of you who are quilters and crafters, there are plenty of charm packs and fat quarters and vintage fabrics to choose from in her shop, from pumpkin spice to pink.

"spice cake" charm squares for quilting

pretty vintage sheet fat quarters

Lots of lovely things to look at at Dreamy Vintage Sheets on Etsy! I just wanted to share her amazing talents with you today. When I find something (and someone) I really love, I want to tell the world about it, ya know? I hope everyone has a great day, and I'll see you again soon.

Many Blessings to You and Yours,
Jennifer Valentine of Sacred Cake Jewelry art Art

Handmade Shabby Chic From the Hearts of Etsy

I got a special package just the other day, from a dear couple in Idaho, who have an Etsy shop called KMHandyKrafts. When I found their little shop, I was instantly enamored by their original style and Eco friendly, shabby chic approach to creating. I fell in love with a precious hand made heart featuring a sweet little bird on a real branch, sewn to the puffy heart with the word, Dream~

front of shabby birdy heart

But that wasn't the best part. There was more on the other side! Hand sewn words, vintage buttons and precious beads made from antique papers...the time and attention to detail on this sweet little heart was obvious. Their work truly comes from the heart.

back of shabby birdy heart!

What really got me was the extremely low prices. I almost feel like I am taking advantage of them! (SO I sent them a big box of goodies from my stash!) If you need a sweet little hand made vintage something for a gift or something to make you smile that is very very easy on your wallet, this is the shop to visit. Mary and Kerry did not put me up to this post...I'm doing it because they make things that make my heart happy. And I want to share this heart happiness with you!

shabby chic pale pink draw string bag with antique photograph transfer

I love what Mary says about her shabby chic bags~ "I love to create my little bags with raw edges because I think it adds to to overall feel that I am trying to get. I love to use scraps and left overs-It is like our lives-little pieces that come together to make us who who are-rough edges and all. Stray threads and torn edges are a part of what I create and they are left because I think they add to the Shabby Chic Vintage look."

my wonderful extra "loot"!

Mary was so sweet to send along some extra gifts in the sweetest shabby chic bag I have ever seen...she sent a tiny little decoupaged heart box, some tiny doilies, a tiny vintage perfume bottle, a vintage metal child's spoon, antique skeleton key, and a darling hand made slide pendant that says "work of love"...well, that is so obvious when seeing their work.

There is no perfection, just honest creative goodness, raw edges and all.

little heart wall hanging

Last, but definitely not least, a lovely little wall hanging made with deckle edged paper, sewn with tiny beads, ribbon and vintage lace.

     I feel completely spoiled, and ever so grateful for the extra love. As we "speak", the shop is packed with hearts for a Valentine's Day celebration...and everything is priced more than fairly, if you consider the amount of time they invest in each piece they create together. I'm so glad I stumbled upon their shop when looking for heart things on Etsy...I find myself smiling as I visit each new item...I visit their sweet Etsy shop every day now, to see what is new. I particularly love the handmade journals...such a joy!

these chickens give me smiles for miles...

Be Still, Listen. inside of shabby pink journal

I hope you'll visit Kerry and Mary and be inspired! (click on any picture to be taken to their shop)

Blessings and Light,

Jennifer Valentine of Sacred Cake

My Love Affair with White, assemblage jewelry, and some Etsy Favorites

"Beatitude"

"Cathedral Windows"

My love affair with all things shabby and white began in 1987, when I was a young mother, like our Em is now, and furnishings and money were scarce. I had a big ol' green station wagon and a whole lot of determination and strength. (and a better back too!) I'd find things on the roadside that I needed, that were in need of a new home; load 'em into the back of my wagon and bring them home to a fresh coat of white paint.

our lovely bed

The first home decor book I ever purchased was "The Natural Home" by Tricia Foley, and I still own the same book. It is filled with lovely, timeless images of nature inspired homes that I still find inspirational and so soothing.

"Tapisserie"

I still can't resist the charm of white, though now I "paint", making my assemblage jewelry with shabby antique glass and pearls...something that I never would have guessed then, that I'd be doing now.


Some of my favorite "swoon-worthy" items from Etsy~

Pillows and quilts by Cindi at DreamyVintageSheets on Etsy

Paper Angel Ornament by RememberMeEmily

Scarves by Gloria Kirk

Prints by Carissa Paige

collages by Michael Douglas Jones

These are just a few of my faves, I'll be posting more soon during the holiday season...I intend to relish every. single. day. of it.
What is your favorite seasonal thing to do?
I'm also looking for great recipies to share here! Please email them to me at:
sacred_cake [at] yahoo (dot) com.


This season, I am offering free shipping and a lovely pair of earrings, free with any purchase.

free with any Sacred Cake purchase,gold plated antique french rhinestone earrings

I'd like to thank you all for your sweet comments about my new grandson...the house is overflowing with such newness and love!


See you again real soon. Love and Light,
jennifer