The Illusive Swan

My 4 Legged Kids

2010-10-09T18:27:00.000-07:00

My beautiful 4 legged kids like to keep me company while I'm working. When I reach for a bit of flowers or ribbon, it makes my heart happy to see them sitting there watching me, just waiting for me to leave my chair and give them a belly rub! Their sweet faces brighten may day!

The Illusive Swan Booth

2010-09-19T19:38:00.000-07:00

Photos of The Illusive Swan booth at the Victorian Faire

The Victorian Faire

2010-09-19T19:14:00.001-07:00

Each year in the small historic town of Belvidere, there is a beautiful Victorian Faire located in the courthouse park square. Ladies & Gentleman dress in their period clothing and mill about, browsing amongst the many tents, filled with Victorian and shabby chic treasures. There are also games for the children, food vendors, horse and carriage rides, music & dancing, tours of the lovely historical homes, and even afternoon tea. I've taken some photos of the event...I hope you will enjoy them.

2010-08-27T18:09:00.001-07:00

I can hardly believe that summer is almost over. In typical fashion, it flew by so quickly that I didn't have the chance to do even half of the things I had intended to do. My plans were interrupted by that awful nemesis named Murphy. But despite Murphy's disruptive presence, I still managed to make numerous batches of homemade jam, enjoy many home cooked meals while dining alfresco, share a picnic with a friend at a local arboretum, take my nieces out to tea, spend a long weekend with family at the beach, plant and enjoy the rewards from my garden, and spend a glorious and romantic week in beautiful St. John with my husband!

But now autumn is knocking on my door with it's crisp, cool breezes. Despite the grieving I do each summers end, there are many things to look forward to, like hot cocoa by the fire, homemade apple pie, and soft cozy sweaters. With the arrival of September you'll find me busily crafting in my studio in preparation for the Victorian Faire, or creating custom Christmas orders for my early bird customers. The work has already begun with the first dreamy trees created, listed and already sold. But there are many more to come. I hope you'll stop by for a peek!

From the Garden

2010-05-24T07:55:00.000-07:00

I love this time of year, when once sleeping flowers are wide awake, and practically shouting their presence with their bold colors. When I first started my garden, I went for the pale faint tones...my version of a shabby chic, English garden. But my love for the Caribbean has inspired me to bring a little bit of it home, a reminder of those glorious days spent floating on a turquoise sea, and wearing a pink hibiscus in my hair. So I stained my deck, porch and furniture a rich dark chocolate shade, and added lots of vibrant hues. Deep rich reds, lipstick pinks, and bright corals. They really pop against the dark wood, and as I sit in my gazebo, it's easy to imagine that the turquoise sea beckons just beyond the trees. And if I want to wear a hibiscus in my hair, I have only to reach out and pluck one!

Chinese Satin Rosettes

2010-04-12T08:40:00.000-07:00

I just love the feminine fashions out today, with the girly ruffles and rosettes on cardigans, dresses and tees. I was searching for some in specific colors but was not able to find them. Then one day while browsing on Etsy, I came across the shop "Palmsprout", and found beautiful rosette flowers made from Chinese satin. They are just gorgeous, and I confess, I wanted to go a little crazy and put rosettes on everything from shoes, to handbags, to tees and cardigans and even for my hair! Jennifer, the charming creator of these little beauties, was so kind, and even went to the trouble of making me a little swatch card with all the colors she has available. She will make them with a bobby pin for your hair, or a pin for your clothing, and even accommodated my request for assorted sizes. The magenta flower shown is pinned to a matching tee, and the trio of aqua flowers on my cardigan are in different sizes. Simply un-pin them prior to washing, but if they go in the wash, they'll survive just fine, but will require a bit of ironing to regain their shape. I get so many compliments when I wear them, and now my teenage niece wants some as well! Visit Jennifer at http://palmsprout.etsy.com and if you don't see a color you are looking for, just ask her...she's got a dozen or so!

Images of Savannah

2010-03-30T10:04:00.000-07:00

I just returned from a place that I view as one of the most beautiful cities in the world...Savannah. From the first moment I arrived in the historic distric over 20+ years ago, I was hooked. I felt as if I had been there a thousand times before, and in the numerous visits I've made there since, the feeling has remained. It's as if a part of me is returning home. Here are some pics from my latest trip. Enjoy!

The Illusive Swan Studio

2010-03-09T17:46:00.000-08:00

When I started The Illusive Swan business, I needed a studio that would allow me to express my creativity. So down came the floral B&B style wallpaper, and up went a coat of pure white paint...the perfect canvas for my imagination, and plenty of space for pink roses. I believe that everything should be pretty, no matter how functional or mundane its purpose. Supplies are stacked in clear and floral boxes. Bunnies, santas and trees fill the cream colored shelves of an antique display cabinet. Vintage pearls fill a rose topped jar, and velvet ribbons fill an old, shabby white silverware box. I'm happy in my space, surrounded by beauty.

My Inspiration Board

2010-03-09T17:15:00.001-08:00

Each day when I enter my studio I look around me at all the wonderful things there are too create with. I'll pull a bit of lace from here and a bunch of flowers from there, and before I know it, my desk is a pretty mess of possibilities. To help keep my ideas in a more orderly fashion, I purchased this beautiful, vintage tin, magnetic board from JoyFrameWorks, and since no detail can go unadorned, jeweled magnets from BLINGNETS were a must! Aren't they so sparkly and beautiful? For an inspiration board and sparkly magnets of your own, visit the shops of these very talented artists on Etsy:

http://blingnets.etsy.com/

http://joyframeworks.etsy.com

Winter Wonderland

2010-02-25T11:24:00.001-08:00

It's snowing...again! The trees are covered in white, the branches looking as if a thousand children decorated them with giant puffs of cotton. From my parlor window, I look out onto the porch and see occasional splashes of color - a crimson cardinal, and his gold breasted mate, and the rich green of the pines beneath blankets of snow.

I'm a summer girl, but there is something so peaceful in this scene. It's the snow of childhood's past - the deep, fort forming, snowball making, snow crunching kind. The kind that tempts me, even now, to grab a trash can lid, and go careening full speed down my small hill. Of course, there will be a mug of hot cocoa when I return. Some things I'll never outgrow.

Wherever you are, I hope your day is filled with joy and happy thoughts.

Hugs,
Tracey
The Illusive Swan

Holidays are over...

2010-01-16T14:04:00.001-08:00

Well the holidays are finally over. The last of the Christmas decorations have been stored away til next year, my company has gone, and the house is back in order. It seems each year my excitement builds as my mind dreams up new decorations, yummy things to bake and presents to buy. But as Christmas day nears, I find my enthusiasm has been replaced by exhaustion, and an eagerness for it to be over so I can take a much needed nap. As my family and friends arrive, the exhaustion fades away, to be replaced with love and gratitude that we are all together. This year as we celebrated the holiday for the first time without my father-in-law, our sadness over his loss was combined with gratitude for the years he was with us. And most of all, for the time we still had with each other. But I've gone astray when I really want to speak of lighter things. Like the glorious blue skies and sun filled day. After weeks of single digit temperatures, snow storms and high winds, I could hardly wait to get outdoors and feel the sun on my face. The wind seemed to whisper "spring is coming", and although it is months away, it felt a little bit closer today. So when the winter blues get me down, and it's too cold to venture out, I lock myself in my studio and create pretty things that make me happy. It's hard to feel blue when I'm surrounded by pink! If you've got the winter blues, I hope you'll pop into my lil Lollishop and browse around a while. There are hints of spring and Easter everywhere!

Have a happy day!

The Illusive Swan

Christmas is just around the corner!

2009-11-08T11:39:00.000-08:00

I was driving through town last week and to my surprise, I saw homes that were already decorated for Christmas! As a designer and shop owner, I've been in Christmas mode for months already, but it still amazes me how quickly Christmas decorations appear after Halloween! So for all of you Christmas early birds, I've got lots of dreamy, shabby chic style Christmas goodies available. It's been difficult to keep my shops filled, but I add new items every week, and I always have auctions going on eBay each week during the holidays. My listings usually begin on Thursday and Sunday evenings, and almost always end on a Sunday night. There are vintage style pastel houses and churches, decorated bottle brush trees and glittery pink and cream Santas. But hurry...this auction ends tonight!!! www.ebay.com (Seller: 22illusiveswan), www.lollishops.com/illusiveswan , http://illusiveswan.etsy.com

http://www.ebay.com/ (Seller: 22illusiveswan)

www.lollishops.com/illusiveswan

http://illusiveswan.etsy.com/

Bottle Brush Tree - Shabby Christmas

2009-10-24T08:02:00.000-07:00

I've been busy painting and crafting my shabby Christmas houses and decorations for my Etsy and Lollishops. In the midst of it all, I was inspired by the beautiful Marie Antoinette tags made by so many talented artists on both Lollishops and Etsy. Your lovely work inspired me to make a bottle brush tree with the theme of Marie Antoinette in mind. So I gathered scraps of lace, pearls and lots of vintage jewelry and set to work. I hope you'll enjoy the results...

Sorry but there's only one to go to a very lucky girl...

For sale at: www.lollishops.com/illusiveswan

http://illusiveswan.blogspot.com/

http://www.ebay.com/ (Seller: 22illusiveswan) - more shabby Christmas houses and decorations being listed this Sunday evening!

Mosaic Vanity Bottles

2009-10-10T17:56:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! I've been busy making pretty girly things! I just go crazy for vintage millinery flowers and old rhinestone jewelry. Hope you'll like these too! They'd be so lovely on a vanity or in the guest bedroom or bath. Get 'em while you can. There's only two!

Mermaid Party Tiaras

2009-09-22T13:32:00.000-07:00

I am always thinking up new things to create, but last week a lovely woman wrote to me with a special request. She loved a set of gift tags I had made. They had an image of a young mermaid girl sitting upon a rock, holding a rag doll, with the glittery turquoise sea at her feet. They inspired her to have a mermaid themed birthday party for her daughter, and she planned to use my gift tags as the party invitations. Clever woman. So with the mermaid girl in mind, she asked me to create a set of matching tiaras. Her only requests were for me to incorporate the mermaid image into the tiara, and to use the deep rich colors of the sea. I had never made tiaras before, but I was intriqued with the idea. So I gathered bits of unique trims, vintage lace and ribbons and got to work. Boy did I have a ball! Happy Birthday Grace Savannah!

Shabby Sweet Supplies

2009-09-07T16:19:00.000-07:00

These are some shabby pastel and girly supplies I added in my Lollishop and Etsy store.

www.lollishops.com/illusiveswan

http://illusiveswan.etsy.com/

Summer's End

2009-09-07T16:05:00.001-07:00

Where has the summer gone? It seems I am counting the days for summer to arrive and in a mere blink it is gone. This rainy spring and summer has kept me indoors more than I'd have preferred, so I've missed out on many quiet mornings sipping tea on my deck. It's a time I greatly cherish. From my perch I can look out into my garden and the meadow beyond. I listen to the sweet bird songs, and soak up the sunshine on my face, while I mentally plan my day and what I want to create. Often I'll stroll into my garden to pick tomatoes and beans and stop to inhale the fragrance of a rose along the way. I love the tranquility of morning before the cars start racing down the street and the lawn mowers noisily cut a path through the grass, or the low hum of air conditioners kick in. Everything seems right in that quiet time before, and it gives me time to balance my inner energy before I'm ready to jump into the busyness of life. Now there's a chill in the air which makes for wonderful sleeping. My mind is already transitioning from strawberries and watermelon to sweet potato muffins and apple pie topped with cinnamon cream. As yummy as they may be, I'm going to miss these warm sunny mornings.

New Decorative Vanity Bottles

2009-08-12T17:47:00.000-07:00

I've had these glass bottles in my closet for months, not knowing what to do with them. I gathered some pretty beads and vintage ribbons and created pretty labels. Here are some of the results...

Available for sale soon at the Illusive Swan!

Shabby Jeweled Crowns

2009-08-09T12:53:00.001-07:00

It feels good to get back to work again and refocus my thoughts from grief to creativity. My mind is whirling with ideas. These crowns are the first things I made and they'll be for sale soon as soon as I decide where I want to sell them!

Thank You!

2009-08-09T12:43:00.000-07:00

For all of you who have extended your condolences, sent emails or cards or flowers, thank you! Your prayers and kind words have been so very much appreciated.

Back Home

2009-08-08T09:27:00.001-07:00

Hello all friends and fellow shabby-chicer's! I've been away this past week. Sadly my father-in-law just passed away. He was a wonderful man with beautiful blue eyes and a loving heart. We're going to miss him dearly. Now I'm back home again, trying to play catch up and trying to regroup. I've suffered loss before and it always feels as if the world should stop because our hearts are breaking. How can things continue on around us as if nothing has changed when everything has just come crashing down around us? I have often wished that life came with a remote. We could fast forward through the awkward and uncomfortable times, (like high school!), and pause during those precious moments that we want to last forever. And best of all we could rewind to undo hurts we have caused, and be able to once again enjoy the company of those we have lost. But there is no remote and life goes on. We begin to settle back into old routines. The world is righting itself again, or rather we are picking ourselves up to match those who have remained standing. In time all will be well again. Different, and sad at times, but still good. There is much to do and work and responsibilites are still there waiting for us to pick up where we left off. So now that I am back, there is much to be done. I have minature houses to paint and decorate, vintage finds waiting to be photographed and lots of laundry!!! So off I go to get to it all... It's good to be home!

Christmas in July at Lollishops!

2009-07-23T18:43:00.000-07:00

It may be warm outside but it's Christmas at Lollishops.com, this Saturday, July 25th. We've all been crafting away in preparation for it, so drop on by! Be sure to check out my shop for my "I'm dreaming of a PINK Christmas" collection! www.lollishops.com/illusiveswan

A quiet corner of my porch...

2009-07-21T20:34:00.000-07:00

some pretty things in my shops!

2009-07-21T20:11:00.000-07:00

2009-07-21T19:11:00.000-07:00

Here is Winter when Cody is not terrorizing him. Last week Winter was out in the yard sniffing along here and there and innocently doing doggie things. Then along comes Cody. He bit into Winter's tail and proceeded to run around and around with Winter's tail in his mouth, spinning him around like a whirlygig. I was trying to yell at him, really I was, it's just that the site was so hysterical that I couldn't get my voice to sound stern enough. So Cody continued to play "Spin the tail on Winter" until I got to him. Bad boy. Bad, bad, boy. (LOL!)

Winter - My gentle little baby

2009-07-21T19:07:00.001-07:00

Cody: he looks so innocent doesn't he?

2009-07-21T18:52:00.001-07:00

This is my "Cody-pie" when he was a baby. When we first brought him home he was so quiet, and all he did was sleep. I wondered if he was sick and hoped he'd become playful once he got used to us. What was I thinking? I swear the breeder must've drugged him before we came because he's a little lunatic. He may look like an innocent little Maltese, but I know he's really a Jack Russell in disguise. No Maltese could possibly be so...energetic. I'm not sure how one little puppy could be such a holy terror. Yesterday he wanted Winter, (my sweet, gentle Maltese) to go outside to play with him. So he latched onto Winter's ears and dragged him outside. All the way down the stairs. Bad boy Cody! Bad, bad boy!

The Dinner Fairy didn't show up...

2009-07-21T18:34:00.000-07:00

So here I am with my new blog... and a twitter and a flickr account too! Sounds like symptoms of a strange disease. Who came up with these silly names anyway? I confess I put off joining all of them until a friend convinced me I absolutely had to blog, twitter and flickr to get my shops noticed. So now I'm blogging. And twittering. And flickring. And now there's not much time left to run my shops! How do all of you creative shop owners keep up with everything anyway? Do you still cook and clean and do laundry? I keep waiting for the Dinner Fairy to show up but she's nowhere to be found. When she does finally arrive, I ought to fire her. But I'll wait until after she cooks my dinner...

Illusive Swan's Lollishop is OPEN!!!

2009-07-20T08:57:00.001-07:00

Hello fellow shabby-shoppers! My Lollishop is up and running again with a new web address (see below). I'm still loading new inventory, but I hope you'll drop by to see what's new!

www.lollishops.com/illusiveswan

WHOOPS! There's a glitch with my Lollishop!

2009-07-19T09:13:00.001-07:00

Whoops! Just found a problem with my Lollishop! Apparently the check out process is not working. We found a glitch with the set up and we're working to correct it, so please be patient while we work out the kinks. My Etsy shop is still up and running so hop on over for a peek! http://illusiveswan.etsy.com. My Lollishop will be open again very soon! Have a happy day!

2009-07-17T07:10:00.000-07:00

New Listings in my Etsy & Lollishops!

2009-07-17T07:02:00.000-07:00

Hello ladies! I've been up and at 'em very early this morning (thanks to my youngest Maltese Cody who I'm convinced is a Jack Russell terrier in disguise!), so I've been getting ready to list some new items in my Etsy and Lollishops. I'll be listing them over the weekend, so be sure to drop by to take a peek. Have a happy day!

The Illusive Swan
http://illusiveswan.etsy.com
www.lollishops.com/theillusiveswan
http://flickr.com/photos/illusiveswan
http://twitter.com/illusiveswan

Dreamy Beach Cottages

2009-07-15T10:05:00.000-07:00

Home again, home again, jiggety jig! Had a lovely time visiting grandma for her 95th birthday. God Bless her! Didn't make it 2 the beach but spent time daydreaming about it. Just had 2 stop working on "Christmas in July" for Lollishops, 2 make some pretty beach cottages in dreamy shades of aqua, white and robins egg blue. They're not all finished yet but here's a sneek peek! As soon as they're completed they'll be 4 sale @ www.lollishops.com/theillusiveswan.

Off to the beach!

2009-07-08T04:52:00.001-07:00

I'm off to the beach for a few days! When I return I'll be diligently preparing for Christmas in July on Lollishops! I'll be making pretty pastel houses, glittery star ornaments and paper mache sleighs. There will even be vintage style bottle brush trees set in mercury glass bases and tea cups! Be sure to drop by on the 26th!

See you soon!

My First Post

2009-07-06T08:26:00.000-07:00

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