Vintage Suitcase Archives - Cindy Goes Beyond

July 12, 2018

C is for Cindy…and for Creative

After I shared the Vintage Story a couple of nights ago, featuring the crewel embroidery butterfly and the bean art rooster, I felt inspired by these creative family members to create something new. One of my favorite ways to play and create at the same time is to put together a vignette. Tonight I did just that, creating a fresh vignette in the vintage suitcase in my bedroom.

There were two items that I knew I wanted to include in this vignette: the Butterfly, embroidered by Leta Moore in 1985, and an old book fashioned into the letter C. The transformed Reader’s Digest Condensed Book, from 1983, was a gift recently from my friends, Jim and Kathy. It’s been displayed in my studio. I was excited to include it tonight in this grouping.

Here is a photographic step by step detailing the creation of this vignette.

An empty suitcase means a blank canvas to create upon. This battered piece of luggage, inexpensive when it was new, is 80 – 100 years old. Oh, the stories it could tell. I use it now to create fresh artistic stories.

A beautiful old silk pillowcase, with butterfly appliqués, provides a foundational piece for the vignette. It works for two reasons: it continues the butterfly theme and the blues connect the my letter C.

The butterfly art piece rests in one corner, while a vintage metal tray in the other corner provides an interesting backdrop and contributes to the orange, green and blue color scheme. The dark red topiary in the white crock adds height and balances the left side of the armoire top.

I was ready to add the book, fashioned into the letter C. I looked at the spine, curious which books had been condensed in this volume. I laughed when I saw The Suitcases. This clever item rests now next to a suitcase. I looked at the inside cover page and discovered that the book formerly belonged to a couple named Bill & Judy. My next door neighbors happen to be…Bill and Judy! This letter C was definitely meant for me.

The C and a heavy white ceramic bowl join the topiary, completing the section outside the suitcase. I use the “rule of three” often when creating vignettes or displays, grouping three items together.

Back to the suitcase interior, I wanted another white ceramic piece, to balance the pieces on the armoire top. I used a simple white pitcher, adding light yellow and orange picks with rusty stars. I achieved balance, and the pick colors work well with the other items.

Finally, I added a cream colored three wick candle. It’s important to me that my vignettes include a light source, and candles are my favorite way to bring the light.

I am happy with this new vignette. This is a totally unique arrangement of items, with the butterfly art, the metal tray, the topiary and the letter C being used in this artistic way for the first time. This is fun for me, creative playing at its finest. I’ll enjoy this vignette until the season changes and it’s time for fall décor.

I’ve glanced at the new vignette repetitively tonight, warmed by the sight, delighted with the way it looks. The letter C reminds me of Cindy, of course, and it also makes me think of Creative. I am both.

April 19, 2016

Surrender 110: Mad Hatter Vignette

I had fun this afternoon, creating fresh vignettes within two vintage pieces…the wooden sieve that graces the dining room table and the suitcase atop the bedroom chest of drawers. I enjoy expressing my creativity by changing the vignettes often, using an eclectic mix of old and new pieces.

The wooden sieve vignette is simple. It features an antique crocheted doily, a pair of white porcelain birds, speckled eggs in a white footed bowl and fresh flowers in a white pitcher. I love the turquoise metal sign tucked in at the back. It reads, “Believe you can and you are halfway there.” I believe!

I had a great time creating the vignette in the old suitcase. A couple of weeks ago, my sister Debbie brought me a special gift, a framed print she and my niece made, using a delightful quote from the Mad Hatter. I recently published a blog post that contained quotes from this cheeky Alice in Wonderland character. This was one of the quotes I used, because of my love of tea time, and Debbie remembered.

Using the framed print as the focal point, I created a new vignette, using items I’d never grouped together before. The silky scarf, the gold teapot, the gold tea light holder and all the tea cups recently came from the house in Arkansas, keepsakes that belonged to Greg’s mother. The hand painted vase of the woman’s head sporting a hat was given to me by Leta many, many years ago. It fits in perfectly with a Mad Hatter theme.

I lit tea lights in the candle holder, and within the stacked tea cups, the thin glass allowing the light to glow softly. Serendipitously, as I played with the vignette, it was tea time. I brewed a cup of Scottish tea, sipping the steaming liquid as I finished the arrangement. I raised my cup and toasted my work, and the Mad Hatter.

You’re entirely bonkers. But I’ll tell you a secret. All the best people are.

I’m sure he approved.

January 15, 2016

Surrender 15: New Vignettes – 3D Collages

This week, post holiday decor, I’ve gradually been creating fresh vignettes in my vintage pieces. And I had fun with a new piece that I received as a Christmas gift.

What occurred to me today, as I’ve also been working on my 2016 vision board this week, is the similarity between the two processes. I cut out images and words and arrange them on my board, capturing where I am currently in my journey. All of my dreams, big and small, are represented there as well.

With the vignettes, I’m taking actual objects and arranging them in an eye pleasing way. These items are fun purchases, cherished heirlooms, repurposed treasures or family mementos that I love. They are pieces of my past, or my family’s past, arranged to tell new stories.

The vintage suitcase got a new look. From Christmas I reused the old green pitcher with dried eucalyptus and red berries. The small dark red JOY pillow shifted to the suitcase as well. Returning to the suitcase from previous vignettes is the 116 year old china doll, the vintage tea cup and saucer, the trio of porcelain birds and the ruby red and dark green bud vases. A white candle and newspaper bird garland completed this freshened up look.

I received this awesome wooden chest as a Christmas gift from my son Nate and daughter-in-law Megan. It is perfect for holding my growing collection of colored pencils and a couple of Daria Song coloring books. To complete the grouping I added an old photo of my Lauderdale grandparents, on their wedding day I believe. And an amber glass bud vase and candle holder that belonged to Greg’s mother.

And finally, the vintage wooden sieve was redone. This is where the flow of life guided me. I added a white glass pitcher with rusty jingle bells and red berry picks that I repurposed from Christmas. A pair of plump white birds are nestled on a vintage lace doily. I envisioned paperwhites growing from a pot, for the final piece.

I often purchase these bulbs before the holidays and by Christmas the delicate, fragrant white flowers are in bloom. But I didn’t buy any this year, and suddenly, I wished I had. I could see, in my mind, that paperwhites would be the perfect accent for my sieve.

I had to pick up a few groceries at the market and while there, I noticed a display of Christmas amaryllis kits marked down considerably. Interested I wheeled my cart over, and discovered ONE paperwhites kit, which included a pot, soil, moss and six bulbs. Those were surely my paperwhites! The bulbs were already sprouting, and in just a few days, they have grown tall and have blooms appearing.

I love when a thought so quickly manifests into reality. And I was right! The paperwhites look perfect in the vignette.

September 14, 2015

Journey 257: First Fall Vignette

Autumn is still almost a week away, officially. But it’s making an early appearance at my house, as I opened up my boxes of fall decor today. In keeping with my practice of allowing my journey to unfold, I changed over only one area today, from summer to fall, going where I felt drawn. The vintage suitcase in the bedroom was transformed this afternoon.

I was excited about this fall vignette because of two vintage pieces that I can showcase. Last year I included Grandpa Moore’s porcelain doll for the first time. This little beauty is 115 years old! I’m very careful with her. She spends most of her days safely stored away. I like to use family pieces, though, and enjoy them when I can. Her green, yellow and orange dress makes her the perfect fall accessory.

And new to the vignette this year is a vintage pocket watch, with a locomotive engraved on the back. This beautiful piece, in its little cloche, came home with me after Greg’s dad passed. Greg believes it belonged to one of his grandfathers, but isn’t sure if it was handed down from the maternal or paternal side of the family. This is one of those instances where I long to ask Dad Moore one more question. I love the way the pocket watch adds interest to the display and a reminder that time is precious.

I lit tea light candles in the four candle holders tucked within the suitcase, and the tall jar candle with its bronze metal topper. It looks homey and beautifully fall like, this simple vignette. I love fall…the colors, the scents, the cooler temps, wearing jeans, hoodies and boots, sitting near crackling fires in the fire pit. The only thing about fall that I don’t like is the keen awareness that winter with its icy coldness and short gray days is coming next. However, to soften the blow, fall also ushers in the holiday season, which I love and my family enjoys to the utmost. It’s a worthy trade off.

March 27, 2015

Journey 86: Bloom Where I Am

With the arrival, officially, of spring, I have the urge to get my hands dirty, digging and planting in my garden. Very chilly weather and the possibility of a bit more snow is making me bide my time.

After a long day today, between work and a trip to Arkansas, I bounced between ideas tonight, pondering which journey to take. I gave in to the desire to create and get my hands dirty, allowing soulfulness to guide me.

One of my favorite ways to unwind is to putter, as I call it, around the house. Decorating a little here. Rearranging a vignette here. I brought gardening indoors, creating two spring vignettes that incorporated fresh tulips that I had purchased yesterday and delicate yellow pansies that I planted in white tea cups.

The vintage wooden sieve holds, nestled within, a white pitcher filled with pinky orange tulips, an ivy topiary and a white footed bowl containing four speckled eggs. It’s a simple arrangement that looks fresh and pretty. Next to the sieve sits a pair of white porcelain birds and the tea cup turned planter, holding the pansies.

In the bedroom the vintage suitcase got a make-over, bringing a breath of spring into the room. The tall wire cloche holds more specked eggs in soft natural colors of blue, green and cream. A small milk pitcher balances the cloche while the Tolkien quote print moved in from the porch to rest against the back of the suitcase. A scented white candle and another cup of pansies completed the vignette.

I made a mess in the kitchen, adding potting soil to tea cups and planting the remainder of the pansies in a blue dragonfly pot that will grace the front porch tomorrow. That’s okay. I got my hands dirty! I smiled as I inhaled the earthy frangrance of the soil. And every time I walk past the dining room table or the vintage suitcase I feel joy surge in my heart. Welcome spring!

January 25, 2015

Journey 25: Vintage Meets Playful

In a recent post, I mentioned that I am slowly and thoughtfully filling the empty spaces in my home after packing away the Christmas decorations. I’ve enjoyed this journey and the inspirational process of being drawn to the right spot at the right time with the right décor. The vintage suitcase in my bedroom has remained unfilled, until tonight. I had not created a new vignette, apparently, because the items that were to go into that space had not appeared until this weekend.

My sister Debbie, niece Ashley, and great nephews Ethan and Kaleb spent the weekend in Joplin, staying at my mom’s house. I spent most of the weekend there too, as did my other sister Linda, and enjoyed visiting, sharing meals and playing games, and yesterday, shopping at one of my favorite flea markets. I had thought I might come across something suitable for the suitcase while browsing the booths full of interesting items, however, the pieces I bought were all for the garden.

I realized this evening, as I was unpacking from the weekend, that the perfect items did show up yesterday, but from a different source. Ashley and little Kaleb surprised me with gifts. My niece made a tea cup candle, using a saucer from one second hand shop and a cup from another and candle making supplies from a craft store. I love the delicate tea cup and saucer with the lime green, scented candle. She intends for me to use the tea cup after burning the candle, and some day, that will happen! For now, I will keep the gift exactly as it is. Tonight, cradling the tea cup candle in my hands, I immediately thought of a heart shaped pillow that I own, made from an antique quilt. The colors in the tea cup were a match for the pillow.

Kaleb gave me a trio of small glass bud vases, in jewel colors of emerald green and ruby red. I look forward to filling the vases with fresh flowers from my garden this summer. However, they too were just right for the suitcase and I love the bright playful splash of color. I added little sprigs of dried baby’s breath to two of the vases. Kaleb also gifted me with a blue letter “C”, for Cindy of course. Kaleb is the only child in my family who calls me by my first name, instead of Yaya. My sisters and I grandparent each other’s grandkids and all the children call us by our grandmother names…Meem, Gigi and Yaya. Except to this boy, I have always been Cindy. That’s okay. Kaleb and I have a very strong connection that reaches beyond time and space. We hang out when we are together and I spent the night at my mom’s house last night so we could have a sleep-over. He is an old soul, wise beyond his 3 years, and as we cuddled together on our makeshift bed, he whispered to me until about midnight. His gifts add a whimsical touch to the vignette that I love.

I completed the suitcase with white linens, a vanilla scented three wick candle, a tall white metal and wire piece with a candle within it, and a trio of cream and blue porcelain birds with hearts on their backs. The birds and the quilt pillow both came to me via my mother-in-law who passed 16 years ago. I like the playfulness and colorfulness of the vignette while the hearts represent love and the groups of threes signify wholeness, joy and optimism. Most of all, I love how at the right time all the components for the vintage suitcase flowed together and into my awareness. Although my hands did the arranging, the vignette created itself. I will smile and think of Mom Moore, Ashley and little Kaleb every time I walk near the suitcase, and send out a thank you on a wave of love.

October 13, 2014

Day 286: Fall Vignette in Vintage Suitcase

Fall is well under way in Missouri. Today was a classic example of the season, with cool temps and an abundance of rain. Fall décor has been a bit slow to make an appearance at my house. This evening, I opened the storage boxes and began unpacking pumpkins and candle holders, wreaths and pillows. I had time to really focus on one project. I chose to transform the vintage suitcase from spring/summer to fall, creating this look for the first time with the suitcase and also displaying a central piece for the first time.

I have really enjoyed this old suitcase. Last year I brought it out from the closet where it had rested for years and dusted it off. I had such a great time creating a Christmas vignette in my grandfather’s old army truck that I wanted to keep going! The suitcase is small enough to fit atop my bedroom dresser and large enough to create fun vignettes within it. Tonight I packed away the summery items nestled inside and perused the fall decorations scattered around my dining room. I had already selected one piece that I for sure wanted to include in the suitcase.

Greg’s dad recently gave me a very old china doll, that had belonged to his father. Yes, Greg’s grandfather had a doll. And apparently, it meant a lot to him because he kept it, long after his other toys were gone. Before he passed away, he gave this treasure to Greg’s mom, who kept it safe from the grandchildren and on display in her bedroom. I stored the doll in the closet after I received her. I wanted to keep it safe. And, as anyone who knows me well knows, I am not overly fond of dolls. But this one is different. Her china head has yellow china hair. The eyes are painted on and there are no teeth showing! She has a soft body with china hands and feet. I estimate her age to be about 114 years old! I DO NOT want her to get broken. She’s been around far too long to have anything adverse happen to her. However, I also don’t want to keep her stored away in the closet, where she can’t be enjoyed and appreciated. Tonight, she became the centerpiece for the fall vignette in the suitcase.

The doll, who as far as I know, doesn’t have a name, is dressed appropriately in autumnal colors. I brought a vintage looking birdcage in from outdoors, added green and orange tea light holders with cute fall cutouts and a blown glass candle holder with fall leaves and berries inside surrounding a mercury votive holder. My golden dragonfly plate completes the lower section. A simple fall wreath adorns the top of the suitcase, along with a small plaid pillow with the word “Fall” on it. I love the way it looks! And I didn’t buy a thing. I especially enjoy creating vignettes with what I have on hand. It becomes a challenge….one I enjoy pulling together.

I’ll grab some spare moments over the next few days and pack away the last of summer and then welcome fall throughout the house. I love this time of year, actually, and the transition from fall right into the holidays. For tonight, there is a cozy vignette to greet me in the bedroom. I sure hope that doll likes it there!

Spring/Summer Vignette

Winter Vignette