Free Victorian Photo booth Style Photographs for You

I recently came across these amazing photo booth style Victorian photographs that I wanted to share with you today. They are scanned at very high resolution, so you can make larger copies of the individual photographs to use in artwork and such. Some talented people use these for quilts by printing them out on fabric sheets made for the printer. I just thought these were to nifty to keep all to myself. Click on the images to make them larger. To download them, just right click on the image and choose "save".

original Victorian photo booth typed photos

Victorian photo booth typed photos (that I Touched up a bit)

All I know about these is that they are a bit rare. Smiling Victorian Women or any smiling Victorian  people in general in photographs were quite a rarity, because they had to hold very very still in order to make a clear photo. It is hard to hold a steady smile, I imagine.
The vintage and antique Cabinet photographs are my favorites. I wouldn't call myself an avid collector, but my husband and I both find it very difficult to pass up great old photos. Especially in pretty frames. Our living room walls are decorated with groupings of old framed photographs from different eras, around a central favorite gorgeous oil painting by the very talented Cathi Isza on Etsy.

some of our collection, and cathi's lovely landscape (ignore the tv, will ya?)

 

I know what you might be thinking. Let's just say I'm not a huge fan of the large black TV and we are looking for a way to disguise it...any ideas? I was thinking old wood frame pieces, but then they get in the way of the infrared sensor. I think sooner than later we will put it in a cabinet. I'm not a fan of TV's that "show". Neither is mom, so my her husband, Greg, actually made their TV so it rises out of an old organ!  I was truly amazed. He took the guts out of it, and put in one of those tv risers. It looks fantasic. Then the cable box and dvd player are on the bench underneath. Nifty idea huh?
ANYWAY, back to the story!
I touched up the second set of photographs above in case you wanted them that way. I didn't spend a whole lot of time, so they aren't perfect, but a bit better than the first set!

cute art quilt by Mary using a free image from my stash!

Hope you enjoy them. One of my favorite shops on Etsy uses my free vintage photos in her artwork... I love to see that! Visit Mary at KMHandyKrafts to see more.

If you'd like to see more free downloads from my blog, like the bird and others, just click here.
ALSO, if you need even more images to inspire you, look no further than The Graphics Fairy! Be prepared to be delighted and inspired by her amazing blog packed with all kinds of amazing antique and vintage images, antique postcards, labels, advertisements and more. I used her images to create my blog banner! (which needs a bit of a change, me thinks.)

Hope you all have a happy week! If you do happen to create something with my images, I'd love to see.
Many Blessings,
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

New Vintage Assemblage Jewelry and Home Decor, News, and a Little Idea for Candles

I've made some new things for the shop!

"Red Kitchenette" Magnet Board

Keeping Watch Assemblage Necklace

assemblage bridal comb

Keeping Watch vintage assemblage necklace

Willow, assemblage earrings

"secret" assemblage tiny locket earrings

also, my dear friend Laurie Jacobsen made me a "blinky"! What do you think?

I just love it! (Jenny, you make this so very special!)

In other news, my daughter Emily's pregnancy is doing well, I am looking forward to little Benjamin's arrival sometime in early November! Emily and Ben will be living with us, so i will get lots of grandma time in! I can hardly wrap my mind around it folks! Then, more news came as quite a surprize suprise suprize surprise (i can never ever correctly spell surprise! Am I the only one?!)...my other daughter, Rebecca is also expecting! She is due in March...YES. I'm going to be a grandma twice over within 6 months time.....WHEW.  They say they didn't plan it that way....hhhmmmmmm......I wonder.............

OH! I also wanted to tell you about a little trick I do. Sometimes I find decorative candles that I really really like. So, to extend the life of them, I let them burn down about a couple of inches. THEN from then on, I put  a small tea light down in the hole and light that instead. I like to use the scented tea lights or just plain ones. I buy a huge bag of them at Michael's and they last a long time! Pretty nifty idea eh?

Thank you for being here today!
Blessings and Light,
Jennifer

Idea: Window "Dressing" to Stay Cool

There is a heatwave going on...and I don't remember it being so hot last year. I've been roaming around our old house covering windows as artfully as possible to keep the sun out and the cool in. I'm not a huge fan of summer...strange I guess coming from a woman who spent most of her life in Northern Florida....
I've been keeping cool with the old fans around the house my husband has restored to their original glory, and lots of Coke in little glass bottles...
As I was pondering how to keep the curtains out of the way of the window unit, while simultaneously keeping out the sun, I came up with a quick solution! I used an old necklace as a tie back, and then used two clear tacks to tack a vintage white apron to the top part of the window...thus creating a layered defense that keeps a lot of the sunshine out, while still looking pretty...what do you think?

It's all in the layering...on top of the curtains, I also hung a white vintage dress on a wooden hanger and topped with an old brooch...so, three layers. The apron up top, then the curtain, then the dress(es). You could even tie the apron onto little brass hooks, or layer the aprons by tying them to each other to make a valance.

Bedroom window

close up of lampshade

I dressed this old lamp shade up with bunched up layers of old lace and a favorite rhinestone brooch.

window layers

OH, by the way, I'm having a Christmas in July sale! and you get a free pair of earrings with ANY purchase through July at the shop.

FREE with any purchase from Sacred Cake

Hope you like my idea!
Love and Light,
Jennifer

It's All Secretly Perfect

I've been away...in many ways I've been away, trying to recover from yet another illness...and trying to recover from some things in my life that have left me speechless. I simply can't form the words...and it just isn't something I can share here.
Life has become, for me, a stark contrast of light and of dark.... there is such amazing light, because I choose to live there in that space. But the dark lurks behind the corners of my eyes and brings tears of frustration and grief that I fight to tame....and more questions come as I cling to my core belief that it is, in fact, all secretly perfect.
So, here today, I just want to share some light....and a little peek into my home...a place that has become more and more a haven of rest and joy. Where the scent of Hyacinths, brought to me by my sweet K.W.,  just today, wafts through the air and light comes through the antique dresses and lace hanging in the windows.

I wanted to share a little bit of a before and after with you today.
K.W. surprised me recently with this antique (and very wonderfully shabby) cabinet we spied during one of our favorite pastimes: JUNKING. The price was so right that it was irresistible!
Here is the before:


Our youngest explores the new arrival...



Pooka and Alice explore the new arrival...

...and then I filled it with my personal treasures...I left all of the old, torn antique layers of wallpaper in tact....almost all of my treasures were found on our excursions to local antique shops. Sometimes I can even get my older kids in on the junking scene...it is always fun to hear their exclamations of surprise when they find something they think is "so cool!"

 a chamber pot from the late 1800's, bird s&p shakers
and parts of my "old bird stuff" collection



my most favorite treasures are the really stained
and chipped and uber neglected ones.
my prize is the old pitcher on the top shelf without its handle. 



blue willow vintage child's plate and crystal is one of many
very shabby Christmas ornaments I made this year
that I couldn't bear to put away!

 I've begun writing in favorite journal again today. I never seem to find time to write unless I am writing here. My journal is by one of my favorite artists Sabrina Ward Harrison.
This is the journal I chose because it spoke so loudly to me recently. (and I love the happy colors) On the cover is says "It's All Secretly Perfect"...and I need that reminder sometimes. You can see it or purchase it (or one like it) by clicking on the journal. It is on sale now for 11.00 at Papaya, one of my favorite sites. Quite a bargain! It is reversible, opens up flat, and has nice thick pages for painting and gluing and such.

So now, at almost 9 p.m., I close the curtains against the night as I type in front of this huge picture window on the world. I have some work to do...earrings to make and orders to wrap in pretty blue boxes....
Here is a sneak peek of what's coming to the shop tomorrow...



more wedding jewelry from vintage elements, I love
the super shabby elements of the hair comb...

See you all again soon...thank you for being here and reading these words...sharing your life and your time with me means so much. Love and Light to you all.

An Easy Shabby Pendant Lamp Idea

It has been ages since I've decorated anything. I am slowing down a little this month and focusing on organizing and such. I wanted to share with you an easy project I did today. The supplies involved are fairly simple:

*a thrifted  lamp (mine costs about 6.00)
*cheap lamp shade (old or new) (a little too large or too small is fine)
*bunches of old lace, vintage hankies, silk flowers
or anything that you fancy
*hot glue gun
*ceiling hook
*extension cord

Ok, so to make the pendant lamp just really entails using bunches of fabric (I used lace) to cover the shade enough to make it kinda flouncy. I began by loosely hot gluing some old lace around the bottom. I used the "cool melt" kind of glue so I didn't burn the skin off of my fingers! I just gathered the lace, added a blob of glue and pressed the lace into the glue. It kind of squishes into the lace layers and holds it where you press it down.

I began with a layer draped around the bottom, then added two more layers. No need for perfection. I wanted it to be kind of haphazard and messy.

Once the shade was covered, I added it upside-down on to the inverted vintage glass lamp base and hung it from the ceiling. I covered the cord loosely with a long length of vintage lace and puddled it a little into the open lamp base. The lamp then plugs into an extension cord. The joined ends are perfectly hidden in the fluffs of lace, so it just looks like one continuous cord.. Anchor the lamp cord to the ceiling hook by just looping it back over itself a couple of times and adding a tie. I found a low wattage bulb is best. I put a 60 watt in for this photo and it got a little too hot.

A mishap with the old plaster walls while attempting to tear down some tacky plastic paneling (glued and nailed to the plaster walls!) became a welcome bit of shabby chic-ness that my husband and I both like a lot. We decided to leave the rest of the walls alone and cover them with antique sheet music and book pages. It is still a work in progress...I'll post that project next week.
If you decide to try this lamp project, I'd love to see your creations!
Thank you so much for stopping by my blog today.

Unique Display Idea, Cat Eye Glasses and Antique Letters

I bought several ancient, (as in late 1800's) blue shutters from an antique shop quite some time ago for 5 bucks a piece...they still have the original hardware on them and they are all this amazing pale blue color. I didn't have to do a thing to them but clean them up a little. This one, I use for a display piece in my living room...on which, I hang a vintage lingerie/pants hanger with amazing red clips that really add a little punch to the display.....and on said lingerie/pants hanger I have clipped a beloved antique green satin purse in which I display some of our favorite antique letters, postcards, and a pair of our favorite vintage cat eye glasses. More glasses from our collection are just inserted in the slats.

This is by far, my most favorite display. I hope it inspires you to be more playful in your home too.

Let me know what you're favorites are and maybe I can do a post about it? I'd love to see!

I Found Her...Now to Whom Do I Owe My Kingdom? and a very Beautiful Giveaway!

A while ago, I spoke here of needing an "old dummy" to use to photograph my work. While browsing in an antique store I found her. She was hiding behind a large oak cabinet. I didn't see her until I was actually on my way out of the shop. I asked the owner, "How much for this old sewing bust?" (then I held my breath, waiting for for him to quote a larger amount than my wallet could bear)and he said, "Oh, how about fifteen dollars?" I acted like that is the amount I expected, though inside I was screaming, "YES! YES! YES!"

Now, she isn't the greatest, but she'll do ok. I'm thinkin' maybe she needs a cover of some sort...but I do like her aged appearance...
Here she is dressed in a vintage slip, Victorian mesh vest undergarment and thrifted lace top, and my necklaces.

I'd like to name her! Any suggestions? The best name (first and last names) wins something very special and quite beautiful from my most favorite pottery artist, Michelle Stambaugh at Mud-Luscious Pottery.

I am quite smitten with her work and she just opened her etsy shop. I love her posey pockets and her pressed mud earrings are so divine! And I think her bird puddles are the most amazing and stunningly beautiful idea...just perfect for a shallow pool the garden or a platter for the table...I have several of her pieces and I can tell you, you really do want to win something! I'll choose the name Tuesday night at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Stop by her new etsy shop and show her some love, ok?

Pressed Mud Earrings

Posey Pocket

Bird Puddle