I'm feeling pink and rosy!

Oh yes...the Christmas decorations are finally put away and the cozy, rosy feeling of Valentine's Day is setting in! Valentine's Day for me has never really stood out as an important holiday. Half of the time it would pass right by before I even thought about it. I know for the longest time when I was in high school and college I wanted so bad to have a boyfriend on Valentine's Day to celebrate it with. One day I finally I did and we went out to dinner - the restaurants were so crowded and we had to wait in the freezing cold to get in - he gave me a card and flowers - a boring store bought card with a generic message and carnations...my very least favorite flower - and what was I to give him? Well I never thought about that part before. lol Of course I was grateful and didn't complain, the effort was charming on his behalf and my attempt at a gift for him was met with a "oh......thaannks". When Ben came along he told me right away that he didn't like Valentine's Day. "A holiday created by the greeting card companies during a slow sales period - I don't need to tell you I love you on a specified day of the year." Well...he couldn't be convinced, although he's always charmed me with a little something nice (the Napoleon Dynamite dvd one year! How perfect!).

So...after many years of a general lack of interest around Valentine's Day, I decided to embrace it for myself. Purely because in the middle of February, when the snow drifts are up to my waste and the cold wind is blowing, a nice burst of pink and red, and hearts and flowers are just what I need to perk up my little environment and put a smile on my face! I don't even decorate with red anywhere in the house, even at Christmas time, so it's an extra special treat. Plus it reminds me of when I was a kid and my mom used to cover the dining room hutch with her collection of vintage cards and valentine's.

To celebrate my new found love for Valentine's Day, I've made a cluster of friendly characters to help cheer up the holiday...and they do a good job!

Ms. spun cotton strawberry girl is a big hit! I love the contrast of the red and black that she shares with little Pepe Le Pew. And this sweet bunny in the middle represents a new needle felting technique I'm doing. The little details on the face and chest are almost drawn on with wool...so much fun!

I can't resist making kitties and I've made a bunch decked out in pink, red and cream. And the silly bird girls are some of my favorites!

I'm really into the jugglers lately too. I did a few for Christmas and just had to carry the theme over to Valentine's Day. They're so festive!

I also really love using tiny keepsake boxes as bases for these characters. It makes them pretty AND functional! The little pink squirrel is holding a heart acorn. :)

I still have a few of these left, check them out in my Etsy store! Also check back because I plan to make a few more. Maybe even one to keep for myself! :) AND check back here on my blog because pretty soon I'll be doing my first give away ever!!! So exciting!

Straight from Germany!!

Who wouldn't absolutely LOVE finding this scrumptious package on their doorstep? I was so thrilled when I got this stamp and sticker encrusted goody box from my best friend in Germany.

Lena and I met in high school when she was here as an exchange student. I didn't even realize she wasn't American when I first met her, her English was so good. She tried to teach me a little German, but let's just say it didn't work out... lol We've been friends ever since! She's such a fabulous person and I can't wait to see her again!

I went to Germany a few years ago to visit her and we shopped at some incredible antique and thrifts stores. One store in Chemnitz is my all time FAV store! One of these days I'll dig up the photos and post them. I walked in and my jaw dropped. It was a huge warehouse filled with aisle after aisle of awesome old goodies! They had an entire room filled with nothing but unupholstered chairs! Of course my favorite section was the one that had a huge stash of awesome antique holiday goodies. I sifted through boxes and gathered all sorts of goodies. I could have bought everything...if only my suitcase were big enough! I even bought an old block puzzle, a box of antique wooden game pieces and tiny dominos, all for about $30 euros!! I daydream about that store all of the time...

So ever since then Lena has been on the lookout for awesome vintage treasures to send around Christmas time. How exciting! I was thrilled last year with a box of perfectly silvered glass balls with tiny necks, old plastic animals (I love them!) and a dexterity game, spun cotton mushrooms (soooo scrumptious!) and more!! This year was just as good!

The old labels are from the 50's and were used to decorated envelopes at Christmas time. The mercury glass balls are to die for! I LOVE that pink one!! She also sent a package of silver lametta made from real metal...it's sooooo heavy! A huge hunk of Lush soap is vegan and earth friendly...I can't wait to use it!!!

And this is my favorite!! An old abacus in patriotic red white and blue! It's got perfectly chipped paint and faded wooden beads. It's PERFECT!!! I will be displaying this prominently in a fabulous vignette.



Thank you sooo much Lena! :)

Thank you!!

I want to take some time out right now to give a big THANK YOU to everyone who has left a sweet comment here on my blog. To everyone who has added a Vintage by Crystal piece to their collection of whimsical treasures. And to everyone who has encouraged me in any way to keep on creating...even if you don't know it. I am so lucky to have found people so kind and inspiring. I've even been lucky enough to meet some of you in person.

I truly am lucky. Thank you. :)


The photos below are from a pair of wonderful local gals who have visited me online and at one of my holiday shows. They were kind enough to send me photos of their new Vintage by Crystal pieces all set up in their homes. They've done such an awesome job displaying them....I love it!!! Thank you so much girls for sending these photos along and letting me share them. :)

I just love how she used snowy cotton and tall green bottle brush trees to create winter wonderland environment for all of her snowy creatures!

Mr. Bunny couldn't be happier. :)

This little gal was a special creation...she's two-sided! I couldn't think of a better person to surprise with this little cutie. :)


Isn't this wall color to die for?? I love it against the fresh white...yummy! The woman who owns this great collection of goodies is the sweetest person ever!! And her house is just delectable!

Isn't this an adorable little tree?? Her husband made it just for her collection. How incredibly adorable!!!

Thank you again everyone for being such a wonderful source of inspiration and encouragement! :)