Are you up for the challenge?

What a wonderful day I have had. Its about 8pm, and I am still jammied up. I've spent the entire day in the studio elbow deep in my favorite things, and was too busy to even get dressed. (which also explains why these photos might be a little fuzzy, I just finished, and took the pictures in bad lighting. But I wanted this post to be up and ready for you to link to on Sunday)

My goal for the day was to delve into some of those supplies that I'd bought to use, but that were so wonderful as is, I'd just left sitting in my studio and never touched.  Like these little figurines.

For years, and years, I've had this red velvet, vintage album cover, just waiting to be turned into something, and today I finally did.

And I didn't hold back.  Every tiny bit that I used on it is something wonderful, French text, rose wallpaper, handfuls of millinery flowers, a rhinestone butterfly, and a GREAT, old,  English cottage print.

It was the best time!  I cut and glued and played all day, my husband is out of town and I am on my own. No meals to cook, no one to tend to, America's Next Top Model and some other deliciously awful trash TV recorded to watch.  And the determination to use The Good Stuff. Yep, a great day!

Beth had given me a bagful of these butterflies last week, and one of those was just perfect to use for the fairy princess's wings.  Its tempting to fill an apothecary jar with these and just admire them, but I made myself pop the head off of one and glue it to the figurine's back, (I do think that the antenneas and heads should be removed from a butterfly before adding it as fairy wings.  You don't want it to just look like a complete butterfly on her back, you want it to look like the wings are actually hers.)

Earlier this week, I'd sewn up  some ruffled strips of salvaged fabric, and while they were not "worth" a lot, I still include them in my besties.  And they are something that normally I would have used sparingly, but today, I went whole hog and used THREE rows of ruffles on this can-can girl dress form that I made.

And not only did I use a nice old rhinestone button for the top of the mannequin, I also ringed it in rhinestones.  I double foofed it, even though the button alone looked good, the extra sparkle really made the piece.

We all know its not the cost of the item that makes us want to hoard the best things, its much more than that.  It can be the sheer beauty, the rarity, or a memory tied to it.  We tend to get emotional about our best finds, don't we? 

This piece of round, domed glass came out of a ratty frame, and was a dollar at a flea market. But I've left it on a shelf in my studio for what seems like forever, just because it looked nice with a collection of other clear glass items I had in the pile.

But I sure think it looks better over this bird picture than it did on a plate on my shelf!

It felt good to use it.

And I'll bet you can guess what the hoarded item in this piece was- yep, the ROSES.  Oh my! Some of the prettiest I have ever had.

 

I also used TWO rows of old velvet ribbon, and a beautiful jet bead earring.

The back ground for these collages is something I just got, and I treated myself to a stack of them before listing some in the Boutique.  Sometimes, I tend to sell the best things I find instead of keeping them for myself. 

This one features a frame that I'd been holding back on using.

The frame is something that I've had for at least 10 years.  Now what the heck was I thinking????  Why would I buy something like that and leave it in a cabinet?  Sometimes things get set aside, just waiting for the right project that never comes along.  And it will just sit neglected in a drawer or closet, out of sight, out of mind.  Just because I thought it was too good to use when I first bought it.

Is it too late to make a New Year's resolution? If not, then, mine is to dig through my cabinets and rediscover hidden treasures.  And USE THEM.

Like this key hole that I found in a drawer today.

Uhm, did I mention that I was productive today? And inspired!  

If you've embraced the challenge and have been brave enough to dig into your Good Stuff too, I hope that you will add your link to this post so you can flaunt your efforts.  

We all know that it isn't easy to use "the best" and if you've read any of the comments I've been getting on the subject, you'll know that many of us suffer from this.  We buy amazing things to create with and then are loathe to do it.  Our hands shake, and our forehead breaks out in sweat beads when we reach for that perfect, faded rose, or we try to cut into that length of hand made lace.

But sometimes, you gotta just go for it.  A good piece of art deserves are best supplies in it.  That note book I covered wouldn't be nearly the same in scrapbook paper, as it is in that beautiful, old, rosey wallpaper.

And I find there is a lot of joy in using the besties.  I hope you've found that joy too!

So, here is what you do to join in our link party. 

• Show your challenge project on your blog (or flickr or facebook, or whatever you use)
• Click on the title of your post, and copy that URL into Mr Linky, not the URL of your blog.
• Add your link to the bottom of my post where it says, "Click here to enter"
  
• Please add my blog address to your post so people can come and visit all the participant's blogs.
• If you want a chance to win a "Good Stuff Prize Pack" from me or from Mrs. Staggs, please leave a comment on my blog for mine and visit her for her rules.
• You can use this button if you'd like to

 

 

Comments

[Sandy]

Gee, Karla, I can't decide which of your creations I like the best. Can I pick them all!! Especially love the pink roses. They are my favorite color! All my roses are pink!!

[lisa]

Karla,
I'm getting it together. Hopefully I'll have it up by mid day. This is such a great idea. Using the good stuff really elevates what the art becomes. Lisa

[clarice]

Ohh yeah I am the first to share. Thank you Karla for the party. Love you xoxo Clarice

[Patty in Kansas]

Karla...I was feeling blue...my 91 year old Mom just died a week ago last Wednesday...went to your beautiful blog tonight and saw the gorgeous photos...loved the aqua clipboard with the bird's nest. That color makes me happy just to look at it! Thanks for a few moments of loveliness in a week that has been stressful, to say the least. Patty in Kansas

[My Blessed Serendipity Life]

Your "good stuff" stash made for beautiful projects! I would love to be entered for your good stuff prize. I just linked up tonight.

Danielle

[Sissie]

Hi Karla,
You have created some amazingly beautiful works of art. I've enjoyed looking at everyone of them. The aqua clipboards are perfect backgrounds.

hugs
Sissie

[Pattie]

I love all that great "stuff"! I could then "pretty up" my board. Wonderful giveaway. Thanks so much. 8>)

[Kimberly Jones]

Everthing is so gorgeous! I really feel inspired to use all those beautiful I've been saving for so long! I love the aqua clipboards! What a perfect foundation for your pretty collages. Fun party!

[Beth]

Really beautiful. Everyone is so talented and amazing. It will be fun to keep checking back during the next two days.

[fairyrocks]

Thanks Karla for dreaming up another great Linky Party.
You have been busy!!. Love your works of art as always.
Keep smilng and creating

[ginger]

Karla, I am so enjoying looking at everyones best and how they used them. Yours as always is to die for creative. I think sometimes that is my problem, I loose my creativeness and have a block until I see something beautiful like yours that gets my juices flowing again. Thanks for all the inspiration.
Ginger

[Celeste Hude]

Hi Karla, I like your remark about being in your jamy's all day, I can so relate, your designs are darling, especially the robin egg frame, this is so much fun to visit everyone, thanks for such a great forum,
Celeste

[Judy B.]

Oh, Karla! You do beautiful work! I would love to stay in my jammies, but my robe sleeves get in my way and they won't stay pushed up. So I get dressed! Thanks for sharing and the inspiration of these projects. I will be posting to the link party later today.

[Margo]

Hi Karla! This blog is so inspiring...you are now on my blogroll! I haven't had any time to create lately, this is my first day off in 6 weeks, but I hope you will do this type of challenge again. I'd love to join. I, too, have YEARS of beauties that I haven't touched yet....such a sisterhood we have in blogland!!
Huggs from Arizona,
Margo

[Bunny Rose Cottage]

Karla, everything and I mean everything is soooo gorgeous!! That red velvet album with those amazing figurines is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen! And I am so in love with the white dressform. You have the best good stuff!!! Thank you for hosting this party, it has been so much fun and I am loving seeing what everyone has created :)
Hugs,
Amy

[Heidi Meyer]

You collages are DREAMY! I love the blue collage bases - perfect vintage GOOD STUFF! Can't wait to see everyone's treasures - thanks for hosting!!
xxoo
Heidi

[Mahala]

Hi Karla! I forgot but am trying to do something right now for this. I have been to all the others and it looks like so much fun. Oh, except for #6, the link didn't or doesn't work.
Fun, fun, fun!

[Kathy]

Thanks for hosting this challenge Karla. It was a fun "horading intervention" - LOL! Heading out now to check out what everybody else made. Lots of extra special creations I'm sure.

[Nancy Stone]

Just got back from a week in Florida, and I am enjoying reading about the good stuff. You are right, let's use it, or someone will throw it out as junk when we die. LOL

[Lena]

Karla, every single thing here is simply lovely. I especially love the first piece.

Thank you so much for all your efforts on behalf of this challenge. I think it's been interesting reading all the comments. Now I'm looking forward to visiting everyone to see what they've made.

[JoieDeVivre]

Karla:
Your BLOG is AWESOME.
Even though I did not join in on the fun; I am smitten; we should ALWAYS USE THE GOOD STUFF - going to use my inherited ornate silver flatware (wrapped in old velvet) engrave/glue to toile picture frames I created today. Can't wait!
Merci
Joie de Vivre

[Cheryl]

What a fun party, thanks for hosting :-)
I've got a stack of those very same dividers myself-- I've used ONE :-P Never enough time!!!

[Terri Gordon]

Hi Karla, You are so inspiring, I always love to visit your beautiful blog. You have such beautiful supplies, it is such a treat to the eyes. Thank you for sharing and have a wonderful week. Hugs, Terri

[Mahala]

I posted and linked to you Karla. It was fun. Thanks, :)

[elaine]

wow...it really shows you the used the good stuff

[Michele Askeroth]

Hi Karla, this was really fun. I got up very early on Sunday to post mine. I had a hard time getting my link to work. I have done this a lot and I don't know why it didn't work properly with mine, and your linky tool. I noticed that it does not link back to my post, but evidently people are just clicking on something special and it is getting them there. I am almost tempted to try to link it up again and see if it works. What do you think, or should i just leave it alone. I noticed that there is no way to go in and delete the mistake.

[Holly R. Moore]

Every project you have shown is so very lovely. What neat "besties' you have. Oh how I wanted to make something new. :) I will I will take out my box of besties to create again I promise. For now I have updated and linked up my cloth heart. I don't see my link, but it won't let me post again, so maybe you have to approve it?

Thanks for hosting, I hope all my friends come here to see your lovelies and join the fun.
Holly

[Laurie]

Oh Karla, your projects are beautiful! My favorite is the bird under glass -- I love those blue index dividers! And the journals -- swoon!

[Michele Askeroth]

Hi again, Karla, I just want you to know how your blog is truly more inspiration for me than any other. I did do a version of your birdie banners. I just had to have one for myself, and since I don't live close by you, I thought I would do up a couple and give one to a friend. I love all your projects, and I think I am going to try a stay in my jammies all day and craft day too.

[lisa]

Karla,
I had such fun with your challange & I see you did too! Before I could even leave a comment I had to go buy up those awesome blue page dividers. What is it about expired office supplies that I love so? Junk drawers, LOVE em! Your art is always inspiring to me & I love these creations!

[jeanie]

You do turquoise better than anyone -- I know. I love it and I seek it out!

[Judi]

Hi Karla
What a wonderful visit I've had. I LOVE the beautiful pieces you made on your day "off" for yourself. I love those kinds of days. You were so productive and your ideas are so inspiring. What a great link to come back and visit. Wonderful. Thank you for sharing...
I hope you'll come by and visit also..
Judi

[Charlotte Smothers]

Thank you, Karla, for suggesting such a fun way to s-t-r-e-t-c-h our creativity. I went to each of the linky posts and was just tickled to see the lovely projects. Some gals really tucked into their better stuff. I had to tip-toe into good. It's a start. Charlotte

[Heather]

Ok...tomorrows the day...I am going to do it! I am going to make something with the besties...I am already freaking out a bit, but I can hear your voice while I am reading your blog and it is giving me the motivation!

[Laraine Atherton]

You Foo Foo so well!!!
Laraine

[Myrna]

Hi Karla!
Is it okay that I came late to the party? My 'puter's been on the fritz and I just got it working again!!
I just have one feeble offering..life keeps getting in the way of creating!! ;-)
LOVE LOVE LOVE your creations! So gorgeous!
Blessings,
Myrna