Tutorial: How to Paint Your Shoes

My new tutorial -- How to Paint Your Shoes, With photos

Click on the title at the top of the page! You'll love viewing it. Photos of my past work are below.

cheetah print

daisies and studs

20% Super Sale and Shipping deadlines

2014 -- COMING SOON

2013 -- ENDED
I don't ever realize how busy I really am until I come to resuscitate my beloved blog...yes, my blog, je t'adore!. Well, I am here today to announce my Etsy-inspired Super Weekend -- November 29-December 1st --Sales Event. I am combining Black Friday, Small Business Saturday & Cyber Monday all into a huge 4 day weekend sale. There is a difference though. I'm running it early (started yesterday) and extending the savings through December 13. This date is significant because the standard-rate shipping deadlines for my items fall in this 20-day range (see below). Now that's really super!

Get 20% OFF the selling price of any and all items in my shop by entering the Coupon Code TAKE20 at checkout. Effective now until Friday, December 13! A lucky day, why?! The deadline for standard domestic shipping is December 14! I'm giving myself a day to process orders and run all these boxes to the post office lol!

Shipping fees listed in my shop are standard. In the US, sometimes I use Priority if that's cheaper or close to standard rates. It all depends on Location, Location, Location! I don't inflate shipping fees and many times don't charge high enough. 

Here are the deadlines for Christmas Delivery:
DOMESTIC US

• US Standard:-- Dec. 14
• US Priority -- Dec. 21
• Contact me to find out the rates for Priority and Express. Rates depend on weight.

INTERNATIONAL First Class --

• Everywhere -- Dec. 9 
• Africa & South America --Dec 2
• Contact me to find out the rates for Priority and Express to your specific location.

A New Wreath for the Home

Neutral pink felt flower wreath

My latest creation has a shabby but chic, rustic, bohemian feel.  It can give a girly, feminine vibe but I would extend that description to include comfy, healing and calming. Tell me what you think. It's available for purchase on Etsy...click on the link below the image.

If you're like me, you think of the big picture first. Will this piece of home decor fit in the grand scheme of the room's design color-wise and size-wise?  Will it  remain in the background while at the same time complement other hues and even make some of those colors pop?

The linen color of the yarn in this wreath is a warm neutral. The flowers are light ecru and warm pinks. The braiding which wraps around the circular form is a synchronous blend of sages, gold and pinks. Awesome against white, off-white,beige, brown, green, gold, purple, rose and gray walls and doors. What's even more lovely are the shadows that bring out the three-dimensions, making this a textile sculpture. Love!

Makes a great gift for a housewarming, holiday gift giving, birthdays. Or for yourself.

Seven excuses for going missing...from my own blog

I can  list about  two inches of copy space on reasons why my posts are so  far between. For instance, I can never remember the password-is that legit? That's the major reason that will last semi-eternally. I'll try and try and never get it right. I wrote it down in my calendar book (Walmart/perfect format, size, color, and price), but it always hides from me; it knows when I'm frantically looking, it has taken on my spritish personality, wouln't ya know. The lesser sins of my not blogging are:

1. preoccupied (or overcome with daily events and demands of the people in my life. 
2. lazy mindednes.s
3. working on marketing and sales--how many times a day do you check shop stats and Google analytics, analyze 'better' search terms, tweet, pin...perfecting, obsessing?
4. making treasuries on Etsy/promoting others' fine work or vintage pieces/participating on teams/reading discussions.
5. defective keyboard (splunked some coffee--cream and sugar, naturally, which caused the ultrasenstive hardware imps to permanenly depress the Ctrl key; I'm using the inline or online keyboard right now, clicking one  letter at a time. I don't think  my granddaughter biting off the Z button counts here.
6. pain: I twisted my ankles on two different occasions, sprained the alternate foot too on one of those times--lost about three months total, with legs raised, not counting recuperating after I could actually hobble; for a time,  no mood to even look at the internet.

My plodding along here is a challenge, so I shall take a break here and limp in my aircast to the frig and fix some lunch. ciao : ]

Three New Wreaths for the 2012 Fall Season

 Purchase these wreaths in my Etsy shop>>

Neutral color wreaths in beiges and browns introduce the festive flair of the fall months without overpowering other design elements in the room. 

With the green apple, gold pear, straw flowers and pale felt flowers in the wreath directly to the left, this 12-inch round wall or door hanging will work with subtle green, beige, gray, and white color schemes as well as the bolder oranges, red, browns, and dark green furniture and walls.

Earthy browns and reds are festive hues adding warmth to the fall months. This wreath is a larger 14 inch round, featuring fresh pine cones, faux glittery apples, and rolled flowers fashioned from wool merino felt. The burnt orange felt combined with deep wine colored felt are dramatic and balance out the dark autumnal earthiness of the yarn. Great versatility whether hung on over a fireplace mantle or a pastel door.

Fall Wreath @ Etsy.com

This sandy colored 14-inch wreath is dressed up for the holidays with a large cornucopia-like corsage of burnt orange handcrafted flowers, faux glitter ripe apples,  berries and oak leaves. Very warm and autumnal, it's a perfect homey touch for the family room or dining area. 

Just imagine these handmade wreaths greeting Thanksgiving dinner guests at the front door! 

Also appropriate for year-round use because of the ability of subdued colors to stay demurely in the background, all the while complementing the decor,  whether that decor be Traditional, Southwestern, Coastal, Urban, or Country Chic. 

Back to blogging...after relocating

My, my, has it been that long? My last post was in March. It's now October. That's over six months...that is a long time trying to get my thoughts together after a couple of strategic moves. I mean, actual location moves in Las Vegas and then to here, in a woodsy section north of Houston, Texas.

Relocating has been one way I pare down my overbearing belongings. Had I just stayed in one place, I would have vintage pieces still not looked at and forgotten in a silent corner of a closet. Moving forces me to bring out boxes and look into them, to recollect memories and decide that a memory doesn't have to bog me down with dead weight. I've thrown or sold a few things and still working on eliminating more pieces. Moving forces me to consider whether I am moving forward in life or merely hanging on to a past that was memorable but no longer tied to objects; what I mean is, I don't need the real objects except for a few token small ones. I can take photos of these objects and keep them and share them that way with family, if they even remember or if they even put a value on them. It is not my intent to settle while I am able to move and experience and expand my knowledge and circle of friends. I want to travel light and at moment's notice. I am a true vagabond.

Welcome back,
me.

Women's Leather Biker Jacket - The Embellished Collection

Women's Leather Jacket with Pile Lining

I'm really excited to have such a nice collection of jackets and coats on sale in my shop, Saffron Fields Design Studio. I am offering 10% off. Just apply the coupon code SAFFRONF10 during checkout. The biker jacket above is in brand new condition. It was too small, or the previous owner grew too big, to be able too wear it. So, it has founds its way on this page and in my shop. Take a look and enjoy the view!

 By the way, the zipper pull is my creation.