Marie Antoinette Inspired Vintage Love

I am a huge fan of Marie Antoinette, her fanciful lifestyle, love of candy and her love of fashion. Although, she eventually lost her head, the world will be forever changed because of  her. I have started a line of Marie Antoinette inspired items. Enjoy...

Altered Vintage Chipboard Notepad Holder

Currently, I am in a "vintage-inspired" swap on the Cricut Messageboard where we make 6 items in each category we signed up in. One of my spots was to make a notebook holder and include a pad of paper and a pen. I used new brown chipboard and cut it to size. I sewed paper on paper, added vintage lace with a velcro strip so it can be held together. I distressed anything that could be distressed on the altered holder with Cat's Eye Chalk Ink. I cut out little letters to spell :hi. I used a vellum looking dragonfly paper and tore the edges to give it an aged look. I added a paper flower that I made by hand and added a button in the middle. I cut corner edges and attached them to the front bottom. Each are a little different and have character. I sewed a piece of ribbon inside so that one could slip a new notebook in when the old one was used.

One of the Best Altering Books on The Market...

I would have to say that this title belongs to a book by Madeline Arendt called "Altered Art for the First Time." It comes in a hardback. I first saw this book in my local library and knew that this was a book I needed and wanted in my craft book collection. She has so many clever ways to "re-use" and alter every day items. I will post a few of her pics from her book. They are her projects and the book includes directions. This is a 5 star book. The ISBN# is: 1-4027-1655-9. She alters tags, flash cards, books, mint boxes, matchbooks, dictionary's and much more. You won't be disappointed by this book.

Altered Red Hat Society Notebook

                                  The Red Hat Society Miniature Altered Notebook

    One day while shopping at Michaels I saw these large bags of various size cuts of paper to be used in all sorts of projects. One of the scrap papers had the “Red Hat Society” image, colors and paper designs. For those who do not know about the red hat society, here is a brief history:


The Red Hat Society (RHS) is a social organization founded in 1998 for women approaching the age of 50 and beyond. As of July 2009, there are over 70,000 registered members and almost 24,000 chapters in the United States and 25 other countries. The Red Hat Society is the largest women’s social group in the world. They are truly inspired by the following poem:

WHEN I AM AN OLD WOMAN I SHALL WEAR PURPLE

With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.

And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves

And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.

I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired

And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells

And run my stick along the public railings

And make up for the sobriety of my youth.

I shall go out in my slippers in the rain

And pick the flowers in other people's gardens

And learn to spit

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat

And eat three pounds of sausages at a go

Or only bread and pickle for a week

And hoard pens and pencils and beer mats and things in boxes

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry

And pay our rent and not swear in the street

And set a good example for the children.

We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?

So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised

When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

Organization

The Red Hat Society’s primary purpose is social interaction among women, and to encourage fun, friendship, freedom and fulfillment. The goal is for members to bond as they travel through life together. The Society is not a sorority or a voluntary service club. There are no initiations or fundraising projects.

A founder or leader of a local chapter is usually referred to as a "Queen". Members are called "Red Hatters". Members 50 and over wear red hats and purple attire to all functions. A woman under age 50 may also become a member, but she wears a pink hat and lavender attire to the Society's events until reaching her 50th birthday. She is referred to as a “Pink Hatter.”

There are two ways of belonging to the Red Hat Society: as a Queen (usually leader of a local chapter; however, no Queen is required to lead a chapter) and as a Supporting Member. Membership dues are paid annually to the Red Hat Society.

Activities

Both Red and Pink Hatters often wear very elaborately decorated hats, and attention-getting fashion accessories, such as a feather boa, at the group's get-togethers. The Society's events vary depending on the chapter, but one of the most common pastimes among Red Hatters is attending or hosting a tea party.

So, the next time you see an older lady who is wearing a purple dress with a red hat, remember that it doesn’t matter what age you are to have fun.