kluless

Steampunk My Way

2012-02-13T21:30:00.000-08:00

The vintage finial I bought off eBay arrived toady so I was able to finish up my lamp project - steampunk done my way! This idea has been rolling around in my head for a while and it turned out exactly the way I visioned it. Whew! I know steampunk isn't for everyone but I love the look! The filament in the bulb looks kind of like a heart doesn't it - perfect for Valtentines' Day tomorrow.

The lamp base has been sitting on my bedside table for years but the shade I made for it had seen better days. I knew I wanted to do something completely different and this is a far cry from the batik-covered shade with the purple fringe!

I don't know how to do wire-wrapping so I winged it with attaching the vegetable steamer "petals" around the bottom. I soaked the shade frame all weekend in highly concentrated Miracle Grow. The harp wouldn't co-operate at all so I ended up dabbing on brown StazOn ink to mute the shiny brass.

I said I would show the Paris souvenir scarf from the last post after I washed and ironed it so here you go. Love the Eiffel Tower!!
Happy to have a project finished and moving on to other things. The ideas always come faster than the time allows. This is headed back to the bedroom now. Sweet dreams!

Making Do

2012-02-12T19:54:00.000-08:00

There were no estate sales inside my driving bubble this weekend and slim pickings at the thrift so I had to make do with some bottom feeding at The Bins. Junking, one teeny, tiny piece at a time.

This vintage Paris scarf was worth the long drive over there. I will show the whole thing when I get it cleaned up and ironed.

Yes, that is a plastic elephant. It's kind of funny what you pick up when you are paying $1.69 a pound. There is another elephant somewhere in this heap.

Oh look, they are both in this picture. Very, VERY vintage plastic deer that I got home and realized their ears are missing. Good grief, now that will be a challenge.

I got a total of nine bells. Those blue Christmas bells will do well with a coat of blue glitter.

There are three vintage German Putz-type sleighs. Those will need a little glitter-love, as well.

A vintage sewing pattern, a dreamy vintage negligee, many snippets of embroidery, a rose stencil, millinery rose bunches and some sewing trims. Bells and elephants. Go figure.
Some days you really have to squint your eyes to see the possibilities!

Update From The Rescue Vortex

2012-02-09T20:55:00.000-08:00

Just a quick update from the vortex so you know I didn't electrocute myself with that vintage Bakelite lamp socket. After I switched it out and ran to living room and told The Husband, "get ready, I'm going to plug it in" and, WooHoo, the lights didn't go out in Georgia or here in Portland Oregon, either! Little wins.
Sorry I have been so absent this week. I am still caught up in the vortex of this project, Etsy and the big girl job. Still much work to be done, patina... the shade... Just wait till you see what this bulb looks like when it is turned on. I hope I can figure out how to take a picture of that. Oh! And I ordered a very cool vintage finaial for the top.
Until next time, I'm back down the rabbit hole....

Monday? Really??

2012-02-06T21:18:00.000-08:00

Monday? Really? I must be caught in some time-warp thing. I don't even know where the weekend went. Maybe it was all the fat I ate during the Super Bowl party. Slowed my brain to a crawl.
So what is this thing anyway? It is part of the recipe for one of those Strange Notions thats starts whirling around in my head when I should be doing something constructive.

Believe it or not, I bought this ugliest lamp in America (or maybe the world) to get that Bakelite socket off the top. All the way to the checkstand, I told anyone who would listen (and some that didn't care) that I was just buying it for the socket. They looked at me funny.

Here's another little hint. I had to do the same thing when I bought this a couple weeks ago. It was covered with the most gawd-awful red and white lace boudoir hooker shade that it was embarassing to buy it. Seeing things for what they CAN be is one of my talents. Maybe. Time will tell.

I mentioned the trip to Rejuvination Hardware for the special must-have light bulb to make my dreams come true.

I thought I couldn't buy a new harp that would fit the vision so I bought one off eBay (which hasn't arrived yet) and then what to my wondering eyes did appear at the VOA?? I love choices.

I might use these...

Or maybe some of these. That's all for today. I'm back down the rabbit hole.

Tissue Paper Confessions

2012-02-02T19:17:00.000-08:00

I was wandering through the Dollar Tree the other day and discovered that they carry some really pretty patterned tissue paper. I'm a sucker for roses so of course I had to have this one with the white roses, among others. Well, okay, I bought every pattern they had, after all, it was the Dollar Tree.

Today I found this sturdy letterhead box in the recycle bin by the back door at the office. No, I am not too proud to dumpster-dive. I find some great boxes there. It's one of the undocumented perks at the big-girl job - LOL! I had been wanting a "just right" box to store by die cuts and this fit the bill perfectly. I covered the box in tissue papers and glued a rose border on the end so I can remember what's inside.

I used the same paper as a background for a new page in the altered book several days ago. I already showed you the page on the right but the one on the left is new. I love the way the text on the page shows through the sheer tissue. It creates an interesting background with little effort.
Hmm. Well, I have gone this far so I might as well admit I have a vintage suitcase filled with tissue paper. I buy it. I save it from gifts. Sometimes from other people's gifts. I use it to wrap my Etsy sales. I use it to MAKE stuff. I USE it. This means it isn't a collection - right??

Plunder and Bling

2012-01-31T18:49:00.000-08:00

On Sunday my son and I visited Rejuvination Hardware to buy a fancy light bulb for a project I'm planning. If you live in the area this is a very fun store to visit. They sell reproduction vintage hardware as well as the real thing. If you are like me and old escutcheons and vintage doorknobs take your breath away this this place is a must see!
On our way home we swung by Antique Alley. He was searching for vintage woodworking tools and I am always game to walk through an antique mall.

I came away with this little armful of lace, bling and another satin dresser box. Seriously, can you really have too many of those?? Honestly, I do have a plan for them. Another story for another day.

I made my weekly trip to the VOA on Saturday. I have been having excellent luck on finding buttons lately but the plastic flowers and corsage were my favorite finds for the day. The candle ring near the center of the picture is a thicker plastic, almost like Lucite only flexible. This might just have to hang around my house for awhile!

The buttons were nothing special but still... they are buttons! A co-worker told me today that he watched an episode of The Hoarders last night and they opened a box and the poor woman screamed "my buttons!". A hoarder I am NOT, but I sure hope they let her keep those.
I didn't take a very good picture of the little bowl. It is vintage porcelain enamel with two little birds. I am not bothered by the chip on the edge. Too sweet to leave behind.
I hope your weekend picking was good!

Celluloid Tight Tops and Glow Bubbles

2012-01-27T19:16:00.000-08:00

LOL - say THAT title three times fast! These vintage buttons are made of celluloid, which was an early plastic. "Tight Top" refers to the way this group is made. They are a celluloid top that is "tightly" wrapped under and attached to a metal back.

There are a few "Glow-Bubbles" in this lot. They are made in the same way but the dome is semi-transparent and the inside of the metal base has a shiny foil or tin coating that gives it a little "glow".

Since my buttons are all collected from estate sale button tins and poke sacks, a lot of them are pretty scuffed with not so much glow surviving.

Celluloid actually dates back to the late 1800 so it truly was a VERY early plastic. It was not very durable and the ones we find in button boxes today are often kind of "rotted" looking and responsible for some of that funky smell you sometimes encounter in old button boxes.

Celluloid is also very flammable. If you touched it with a hot iron it might just go POOF, up in smoke. Luckily, I don't iron my buttons. 8+)

Altered Book Pages and Thankful Thursday

2012-01-25T21:54:00.000-08:00

These pages seem appropriate to what I am feeling tonight. I don't talk much about the "big girl" job but I had a breakthrough today on a project I'm working on and left the office on a high note.
I am thankful for good conversation at the end of a good day.
I am thankful for cold beers with good people.
I am thankful for 55 degrees in January!!!
I am linking up today with Annette at Sew Many Memories for Thankful Thursday. Please hop on over and remember that there is almost always something to be thankful for, even when it is a lesson learned.

Oops, Sorry Carol!

2012-01-24T20:08:00.000-08:00

I made one of my photo Altoids tins and a card for my sweet friend, Carol, and gave it to her last week. Her real birthday was Sunday and I forgot to post this. Happy Birthday, Carol, I love you!
She loves everything poodle so I searched the Internet for a vintage poodle photo that "whispered" a caption to me. That is how I make my photo mint tins. The original photo was so sweet that I made it into a card.
You might also notice I made an alternate background to use when I take pictures on top of my workbench. I love the one covered with the bright yellow wallpaper but sometimes it is a little too busy. This one is covered with dictionary pages and I have Carol to thank. My little background screens are made from scrabble boards. I only had one complete one and needed two. She needed more "B" scrabble tiles for her project. A perfect trade with a perfect friend!

Weekend Finds

2012-01-22T21:25:00.000-08:00

I went to two estate sales this weekend and two thrift stores. I had to shop hard for my little pile of treasures! Most of these goodies came from the first estate sale. Three, count 'em, three blue satin dresser boxes, sweet vintage baby shoes, white lawn hankies, a pretty piece of vintage fabric and buttons. The only thing I bought at the second estate sale was four old-school Altoids tins.

I can't believe how lucky I have been with buttons lately. I got this tin full plus a big hand full of carded buttons plus half a dozen corsage pins. That reminds me of something funny that happened the other day. My younger son came over the other night and said he brought me something. He reached in his back pocket and pulled out two vintage folders of Happy Home and Bestmaid needles. Huh? What? He has my mother's old sewing machine because he sews outdoor gear and he found them in the seat of the sewing machine table. How did I miss those?

This cute little kitty curled up in her bed lifts off and it is a lint brush. So sweet! This will end up over in my Etsy shop for someone to enjoy. It is heavy plastic but it has sort of an art nouveau look.

I love the colors in this piece of vintage fabric. It is square and has a handkerchief hem on all four sides so I think it was a small card-table cloth. There were a lot of linens and I stuck to my guns and didn't buy anything except this one piece that I just couldn't resist. I pretended it was fabric and not a tablecloth to make it okay - LOL!
The two old painting books are kind of a blast from the past and, who knows, maybe they will get me painting again. I got them out of the 25 cent bin at one of the thrift stores. The other thrift had everything on half price and, even then, I couldn't find a single thing I wanted. Slim thrift pickings, indeed, but you have to kiss a lot of frogs....

The Rest Of The Story - Hang On

2012-01-19T18:57:00.000-08:00

This is the project I teased about in my last post - covered hangers. I have such an accumulation of vintage linens that resisted my chemical assault or were just broken beyond repair that I finally decided I needed to destash by doing something with some of them. These are the front sides. At least they are if you happen to be right-handed like me.

I decorated the back sides, too, just in case my right hand is tired and I decide to use my left hand. I don't do that very often. My left hand isn't very smart.

Even though they are called "cutters" when they are this condition, I still have a hard time actually cutting them up. Recent posts and comments from Laurie and Renee convinced me I needed to get past that in order to give them a new life. I am glad I did. Each one became a fabric collage of bits and pieces harvested from different pieces.

The picture swatches are vintage postcards I used my printer to copy onto fabric. This is something I love to do. They are printed on the printer fabric that is made especially for that purpose. I happened to score of huge stack of packages at the thrift a while back. The words printed on pink are made by ironing the fabric onto the shiny side of freezer paper and running it through the printer. I actually prefer that method because the fabric is easier to peel off the backing.

I haven't submitted anything in a while so I think I will send these off to SEW Somerset. Check back in a year or so - LOL!
I am linking up with Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home today. Thanks to Cindy for hosting. There are always a huge number of participants so be sure to check it out for some inspiration.

Sneak Peek

2012-01-17T19:28:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted in a couple days because I am up to my ironing board in a new project. In fact, I spent a long, lovely day in the art room on Sunday, just puttering with this project and waiting for the snow that never materialized. Or at least not so you'd know it.

No, I'm not saying what I'm making just yet. Just a little sneak peek and you can wonder about for another day or two. There has been a lot of inspiration out there in blog land lately and I needed to do something with it before it exploded my head.

A little of this, a little of that...

I made quite a mess getting started and it's even worse now. I will worry about that some other day.

Because I'm busy right now. Making something.

Nope, you'll just have to wonder for a couple more days. I'll be back soon. 8+)

Birdies and Tiny Treasures

2012-01-14T20:26:00.000-08:00

I got out to one estate sale today, my first one of the year. When I spotted this robin figurine at about one-quarter the price I would have expected, I swooped it right up. A sign from the picking gods that this will be a good year for junk?? I hope so! And you can never have too many birdies, that's what I say. 8+)

This is the rest of the loot. You can click the picture bigger to get a better look at the buttons. There were all the usual suspects including some carved mother-of-pearl, iridescent glass, rhinestones and a pretty little cut steel. I have resolved to try my best to NOT rescue every vintage linen I run across. I make a lot of work for myself with the cleaning and ironing and they really don't sell very well. I couldn't resist this one little heart-shaped one since it is so near Valentines Day. Machine made and no stains. No worries.

These were my favorite buttons in the lot. I have never seen glass rhinestones this tiny. Glass rhinestones set in teeny, tiny glass buttons. Amazing!

So why did I buy this, you might be wondering?? My younger son collects vintage woodworking tools and he has been wanting an old hand-crank bench grinder. Last weekend he and I spent the afternoon going through the antique malls in the Sellwood neighborhood. He was able to point out a few things so I would know what to watch for. My back ached for two days after all that standing on the concrete but an afternoon with my boy - priceless! I hope this was a score.

Eye Candy

2012-01-11T19:57:00.000-08:00

These transparent glass buttons look just like a handful of yummy candy. Eye candy in cherry, peach, blueberry, rootbeer, sour apple, red hot and minty fresh.

Delish as it sounds, this candy is just for looking. I store this category in an apothecary jar but they look even prettier displayed in a candy dish - as long as someone doesn't mistake it for the real thing!

I am linking up with Annette at So Many Memories for Thankful Thursday today. Annette reminds us that no matter what is going on in life, there are always things to be thankful for.

I am thankful for tiny collectibles that don't take up much space.
I am thankful for my snug little house on this cold, windy night.
I am thankful Blogger is working again so I can post.
I am thankful it wasn't my job to fix Blogger! 8+)

Still Goofing Off... And My Word

2012-01-07T19:21:00.000-08:00

I actually made these pages a couple months ago but never posted them (I hope!). I am still in the after-the-holidays-puttering frame of mind. I usually jump into January with a determination to edit my house of things I don't use/need/find beautiful but even that seems a little delayed this year. My resolution this year is to try to SLOW DOWN and not push myself so hard, so for now I'm just going with the puttering. My word for the year is "tranquil". That is what I want to feel, tranquil. I want to take my time with things and spend more time in the moment and less time thinking forward to the next thing. Easy to say, hard to remember!

Thankful Thursday - Play Time

2012-01-04T19:13:00.000-08:00

I am linking up with the lovely Annette at So Many Memories for Thankful Thursday today.

I love the holidays but now that it is all over I am feeling very thankful to have some time to play and make something for no other reason than enjoying the experience.

These pages started off with inspiration from "The Art of Vintage Journaling and Collage" by MaryJo Koch and Sunny Koch. I adore they way they alter vintage postcards but once I got started one thing lead to another and you know how that goes. My result bares no resemblance to the inspiration pieces in the book. Art journaling my way in my altered quote book. Good for the soul.
Be sure to stop over at Thankful Thursday and count your blessings!

The Party's Over...

2012-01-02T19:34:00.000-08:00

... and tomorrow it's back to work and the real world. The cold Winter weather is perfectly cozy for the Christmas holiday but once it's over I am immediately ready for some warmer weather so I will start off this long post with some pretty plastic sunshine. These were "picked" this week.

Oh yes, I did some picking this week. You can click the pictures to get a closer look and my tiny treasures.

Oops, there's that plastic sunshine again! I bought one poke-sack of ugly ornaments just to get the red one in the center of this picture.

I don't know if I have ever mentioned that I have a thing for keys. It all started a few years ago when we went to Las Vegas and there was a fabulous bench sitting outside one of the clubs. It was covered in old license plates and the the bottom of the seat was decorated with "fringe" made of keys. That started my fascination with keys. I eventually made a mosaic patio table with key fringe but the obsession didn't end there and I buy them any time I find them. Wacky, huh.

One day I even donned my dust mask and rubber gloves and headed over to the bins. I squinted my eyes at the clothing bins and tried not to come home with a ton of washing and ironing for myself. I was pretty successful and just a few crochet pieces made the cut. Love that 1964 copy of "Barbie's Secret". My first thought when I saw the title was, gee I hope she isn't pregnant. LOL - it sure isn't 1964 anymore!

On my way home I stopped at a Goodwill that is off my regular route and found this wonderful paper doll. She went straight to Etsy and is already on the way to her new home.

To the left you can just see the corner of a 1955 copy of The American Home magazine. More about the magazine below. The ads are a hoot!

I got a Wilton's cake decorating booklet that looks like 1960s. I would say mid to late '60s since one of the cakes is called "Mop Top Music Makers". The figures have Beattles haircuts but one is playing an accordion so I don't think Wilton's was exactly getting it, but they were trying. I should have taken a picture of that one.

This pink and white ornament is pretty tattered but I bought it for the idea. Planning ahead for crafting! Will definitely be keeping my eye out for those satin balls in the coming year.

Neat biscuit cutter. This is the first one I have seen with such a big handle.

Flash bulbs - ha! They are sparkly inside - 'nuf said.

Back to that magazine. Love these old advertisements. 1955 is the year I was born. I don't know what my folks were driving but I'm pretty sure it wasn't a swanky new Chevrolet with wide white walls. The first new car I remember them having was in 1960 and it was a pink Rambler.

This woman was apparently the editor of the magazine and they were showcasing her home. I don't know what her name is but apparently she was so famous back then that she had to wear shades to go out to the kitchen.

Pink and aqua. I wonder what the women 50 years from now will think when they find an old magazine from 2011. What we are living today will be retro then.

WHOOSH! That's just how 2011 sounded when it flew by. I hope 2012 will be a slower one!

I want that refrigerator!

And this wallpaper!

But I do NOT want to wear ballet slippers to sweep my floor!

The last junk trip yielded another poke sack of buttons and another biscuit cutter. That poke sack included the creep-out find of the week, as well. I full sized adult molar. No kidding. I have found baby teeth but this was the first adult tooth. There is a first time for everything. I spared you the picture.
Sorry this post is so long. If you're still with me, thanks for stopping by. I am looking forward to returning to the regularly scheduled blog reading this week and will see you there!

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T15:53:00.000-08:00

Wishing a very Happy New Year to all of my dear blog friends!!

Blue Christmas

2011-12-29T21:43:00.000-08:00

Not THAT kind of blue, although it was a little different with this being the first time in 36 years that it was just the two of us. I apologize for being a little absent from blog land this week and promise I will be making the rounds soon. I am off work this week and 1) filling up my Etsy for the new year and 2) trying to relax a little and not make every single thing I do into a project. That is easier said than done for me!
On the relaxing note... I have had a hold on this book for a while and the library finally got it in just in the nick of time for me to enjoy it for the holiday. This isn't a new book, I am just late to the party. I took a time out this afternoon and read it. I know it's a little late but, if you are looking for a feel-good book for the holiday then this is the one - especially if you happen to like JUNK! 8+)

Poodle Love For A Special Friend

2011-12-26T10:25:00.000-08:00

My dear friend, Carol, is a collector of all things poodle; broaches, spaghetti, paintings and even the live variety (and I do mean variety!). Naturally, I keep my poodle radar tuned in and on the lookout for something new for her collection. This was her Christmas gift this year and it is safely delivered so I won't spoil the surprise now.
I found this sweet vintage planter several months ago. It took me a while to figure out how to fill it then I noticed the amazing Christmas reflector flowers in one of Magpie Ethel's blog posts. She is a local creative so I headed out to one of her Christmas shows in search of the perfect flowers for a poodle planter. Love these! The three flowers are Ethel-crafted and the I made the filler stems of blue pipe cleaners and my stash of vintage glass Christmas garland beads. I inserted them all in floral foam and filled in around them with silver tinsel garland. The result is made of Christmas decorations but not so "Christmas-y" that it can't be enjoyed year round.
Thank you Ethel and Merry Christmas Carol!

Happy Christmas!

2011-12-24T13:16:00.000-08:00

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

A Christmas Project Completed

2011-12-22T19:05:00.000-08:00

I purchased a big wooden Christmas windmill carousel at an after-Christmas sale at least 15 years ago when Rite Aid was still called Payless Drugs. It is similar to little brass Swedish angel chimes only bigger and it is made of wood. Made of wood in China. Every single year I take it out of the box, set it up and say SOMEDAY I am going to fix this ugly thing.

Last year I purchased some sweet vintage angels thinking they would be perfect for the carousel. Still nothing. Then the lovely and talented Karla Nathan did this post that finally got me going. Her blog is so cool that way! Yes, I know that what I did bares no resemblance to what she did but it was the spark my muse needed to get me off the pot.

I used the Glidden Gripper primer that she is always recommending so no sanding, which was a good thing. They must have plenty of varnish in China because I think they had dipped it.

That was after I snapped off the ugly little nativity figures. I saved them (of course!) and maybe SOMEDAY I will do something Karla-inspired with them. So why did I buy this thing if I thought it was ugly, you might wonder. Well it was big and it was made of wood and and I knew it had potential and it was 75% off. Wouldn't you buy it?

This is the beginning of the story, pre-primer and pre-glitter. I snapped the figures off the very top before I thought to take a picture. You can also see the little angels, pre-glitter, on the right.

And this is the box, "as found". When the granddaughter comes over for Christmas Eve I will light the candles to it sparkles and talk to her about how the rising heat makes the blades and the angels spin.
I am linking up with Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday. We are celebrating on Christmas Eve so I plan to spend Christmas Day blog hoping, relaxing with a good book, eating leftovers and watching a couple of Walton's re-runs (thank you Casey!). Happy Christmas!

The Swiss Family Robinson Family Travel Journal Comes Home

2011-12-20T20:40:00.000-08:00

I first told you about this little travel journal in this post. Yes, it really was that long ago. I most recently told you about it this post when I got a very happy surprise in my mailbox.

I arrived back home this week. Somerset Gallery only had room for a few of the pages so I will show you "the rest of the story". I was visioning a chronological journal so the caption on this first page is Preparations For Escape.

When I took apart the mostly apart already book I harvested the illustrations and some chapter titles to re-use in my journal. The caption on this page says Wanderers From Home. There is a little envelope for stashing memories.

The caption on this one is New Discoveries and there is a library envelope on the facing page for journaling and mementos.

A Castle In The Air and another envelope decorated with a bird illustration from the original book.

The illustrations were all black and white so I added some hand-coloring with colored pencils. More tiny envelopes for treasures. These envelopes are the little ones that hold the extra buttons that sometimes come with clothing and I tea-stained them. The caption is Adventures.

A Tour Of Discovery and A Fairy Palace. Velum envelopes this time so you can see the contents.

This caption says Another Excursion and the bottom of the page is decorated with a piece of fabric salvaged from the binding.

Tea-stained tags that spell out HOME and the caption on the final page is The Return Home.
Now I just need to go off on an adventure with my family so I can fill 'er up. HA!, silly me, my whole life with my family is an adventure! 8+)

Christmas Shopping Side Trip

2011-12-17T18:22:00.000-08:00

I didn't mean to do it. I spent the morning Christmas shopping with The Husband and I am nearly finished. I wrapped last night until I ran out of paper so I dropped him off at home and headed to the Dollar Tree for more paper...

... which just happens to be right next door to the VOA. And I hadn't used my 60% off secret phrase yet. What could I do?

And happy was I to find three poke sacks and three apothecary jars and one tiny old watering can. Oh oh, this is my third watering can. I dumped out the poke sacks and haven't sorted them yet but I already spotted a couple black glass buttons and some really neat green oval shapes. Now I am off to FINISH the wrapping and my reward will be the poking!

Wooden Buttons

2011-12-15T18:11:00.000-08:00

I don't seek out wooden buttons but they seem to find me and who am I to turn away a wayward button. I do think that some of them are pretty and interesting. Pretty interesting.

These pinwheels are great and the square one with them looks like it is carved from a burl or maybe some kind of nut. That one in the lower right compartment with the two big holes is a nut shell.

Some interesting shapes and a pretty set painted with random lines that remind me of spatter painting.

Natural wood in all sorts of shapes. Those two large ones are huge, 1-3/4" in diameter.

A few stained and painted buttons. That round red one is kind of washed out in the picture but it is Christmas red and reminds me of a cabinet knob, in fact, that is what I thought it was when I first found it. The torpedo-shaped one has two large holes and I think it was for some sort of toggle closure.
I hope you are all enjoying your holiday season. I am off to do some wrapping tonight!

Crafty Wonderland and Sparkly Pink Goodness From Ethel

2011-12-11T22:13:00.000-08:00

I went to Crafty Wonderland yesterday. This was my first time and it was AMAZING! If you are in the Portland area I highly recommend it. This show is what America's Largest Christmas Bazaar was "back in the day", before it crossed over to the dark side. There were over 250 artists and craftspeople selling a huge variety of goods. I was looking forward to seeing Magpie Ethel's booth because we have become blog friends but I haven't seen her in action. Oh.My.Gosh. All I had to do was look for the sparkle! It was so crammed with people I could barely wiggle my way in to shop. I was able to get three of her stemmed reflector flowers that will be part of a Christmas gift for another friend and the reflector clip above for my little pink tree.

She gifted me with a pretty little box containing three new additions for my pink tree.

All three are vintage, which is exactly perfect. A little pink pine cone and even an indent. Happy, happy, happy!!

What I've Been Up To

2011-12-08T21:11:00.000-08:00

I should be getting my Christmas shopping and the rest of the decorating done but I took a time out to play with some ideas that have been bouncing around, waving their arms, in the back of my head. There's always tomorrow, right? Well, at least until December 25th!
I made up a new altered Altoids tin. The girl second from the right is my sweet Grandma, circa 1915. The caption says "The girls of summer". I cannot imagine how you could swim in those ruffled bathing suits. They had to weight a ton when they were wet. Maybe that's why she never liked the water.
I sorted and cleaned a big bunch of mother-of-pearl buttons so I could fill some test tubes I have had for ages. I auditioned all kinds of ideas for embellishing the corks on tops and finally decided to just keep it simple with one white shoe button on top of each.
The button gift tags are made with some beautiful playing cards and my button stash. I created rectangles with a pretty olive green border in Word and printed them on vintage ledger paper then glued them on the back so there is a place to write. The buttons are not permanently attached so they can be removed and used if the gift-ee wants. It's a little late for this year but this would be a fun way to use all the saved Christmas cards most of us have stashed away.
I think I have it out of my system, which is good, because this weekend I MUST get busy with the shopping and get the living room tree put up!

I {HEART} Blog Friends!

2011-12-06T18:00:00.000-08:00

I arrived home last night to find a surprise in my mailbox. Sweet Laurie at Indulge Your Shelf sent me this perfect little pink bell to add to my collection of vintage pink Christmas ornaments. Plus! she included a little packet of pink glass garland beads. What a wonderful and unexpected gift!

Here is a closer look without the distraction of my pink tree. At first I thought she had decorated the bell herself by adding the pink glitter but she told me this is how she found it. I have so much to learn about vintage ornaments. I really need to check Amazon and see if there is a book.
You all know how much I love birdies so the tag she used on the top of the packet is just perfect to me. Thank you so much for your generosity, Laurie!

The Sale That Made Me Break My Rules - AGAIN!

2011-12-04T20:45:00.000-08:00

I had completely forgotten the sale that made me break my rules was being held in two parts and this weekend was round two. Many thanks to my blog friend Laurie (Magpie Ethel) for reminding me!

They opened up the basement this weekend and this was truly a hoarder house of quilting, lace trims and childrens' books. A lot of it wasn't priced so it was kind of tough picking since you had to dig the boxes then haul it around until you could find someone to price it. Many treasures to be had for the stout-hearted and strong-kneed. Is kneed a word? Hmm. The fabric completely overwhelmed me and I didn't even try. That is something I really need to learn more about.

I got a ton of rick-rack and other trims, tiny Shiny Brite ornaments and a sweet Christmas deer, wooden spools, decals, die cuts and something new for me - children's story books. Renee, those are YOUR fault - hehe! And in case you're wondering... YES, I did go before I did the housework and no, the universe did not crack open. Imagine!

The Button Tour Continues

2011-12-01T19:28:00.000-08:00

Glass buttons are my favorites but they don't get glamorous jewelry box storage. It's not that I don't respect the buttons. They are just so pretty that I like to keep them out where I can see them. The opaque glass buttons are stored in the center compartment of a vintage pink satin dresser box.

I scooped them all out into a tray so you could get a closer look. You can click the pictures bigger.

I put all the glass buttons that are not transparent into this category, except the ones with rhinestones that I showed you in this post. The clear ones will be for another post.

Many are iridescent or decorated with gold or silver. Sometimes they even resemble a metal button.

Notice the gold one in the top right corner of this picture. It looks like a military button but it is actually glass with gold paint.

Black is the most common so I always get excited when I find colors, especially unusual colors like pink or brown.

I love the way these look when they are all jumbled up together just like jewels in a treasure chest. Every time I poke through the pile it's just like discovering them all over again.
I am linking up with ShowAnd Tell Friday at My Romantic Home to share the button love again this week. Thank you, Cindy, for hosting!

A Work In Progress

2011-11-29T19:37:00.000-08:00

I promised to show the "project" I picked up when I was out thrifting last Friday. Well, last year I discovered the joy of vintage Christmas ornaments and began collecting them as you might recall from this post. The pink ones got me jonesing for a pink tree on the table in the art room.

I have been on the lookout for a sparse feather or tinsel-style tree. No luck so far, at least not at a price I was willing to pay. I spotted this new-in-the-box silver Christmas card holder at the VOA and the muse snatched it up. I covered it with vintage pink tinsel garland I found on this trip.

My MIL has been here for Thanksgiving week and she spotted a white pearl pendant I could use to dress up the star so it stood out more. I covered it with pink Martha glitter and tied with sliver ribbon.

I didn't have nearly enough pink ornaments to get started so we made a trip to the Montecello Antique Mall on Saturday. There were WAY more than this newbie-collector was willing to spend in one trip but I got enough to have a good start on my "vision".

I even got a couple marked Poland that sweet Barbara at Oodles and Oodles was kind enough to educate me about.
I plan to bend the card holder rings in and out so I can create layers. It's a start and there is room for a LOT more ornaments, which is just fine by me. 8+)

A Surprise In The Mailbox!

2011-11-28T21:49:00.000-08:00

Remember the little book I told you about in this post? Well, Stampington has had it so long I had pretty much given up on it and then, today, I came home from work to find a complementary copy of "Somerset Studio Gallery Winter 2012" in my mailbox. I had no clue but there it was!

These scan aren't very good and they only showed a couple of the pages. When the real deal comes home I will show the rest of the story.
What a great surprise!

Latest Quote Pages

2011-11-25T21:26:00.000-08:00

No, I did not participate in Black Friday. Yes, I did go thrifting and I didn't get a lot but I did get the beginning of a new project, which I reveal when it is finished. Just to keep you wondering, it MAY require a few more trips to the thrift shop to complete. Oh. Darn. 8+)
For now, you get some new pages in the altered quote book. The quote on the right has special meaning for me.
I don't have a store-bought education. I have a curious mind and I figure things out as I go along. When I went back into the workforce 20 years ago I wondered if I could ever get ahead when I was surrounded by young people with fresh minds and sparkly new degrees. I kept this quote taped in the pencil tray in the top drawer of my desk so I was reminded every time I opened it. It worked.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T13:11:00.000-08:00

Wishing you all a sweet Thanksgiving celebration!

HooRAY For Buttons And Picking Karma!

2011-11-21T20:48:00.000-08:00

I was in the right place at the right time this Sunday and look what was waiting for me at the VOA! A sweet old English tin and a box of Christmas lights from 1956. The lights aren't really my thang but I have a blog friend who will love this and hopefully I will get a chance to give them to her before the holidays are over. FOUR, count 'em FOUR bags of buttons.

Many, many original cards, plus plenty of the other usual button box, sewing and crafting stuff.

Lots of loose buttons to poke through and the previous owner had even bagged some of the matching ones. There were a LOT of leather buttons so I might have to show that accumulation in one of my next buttons posts.

Sorting these went pretty quick since there were so many carded ones. I still plan to thread together the sets. It is kind of tedious to do but the buttons just look so much prettier that way than in bags.

Here are a few of my favorites I picked out. You can click the picture to get a closer look.

These are hands-down my favorites. Oh, I wish the macro setting on my little camera could give you a better look. They are glass paperweight buttons with gorgeous peach swirls and glittery gold inside. Extra special buttons to my eyes!
Maybe this was my good picking karma from giving up the poke jar at that other sale!

Hope Sachet

2011-11-20T15:13:00.000-08:00

This lovely sachet arrived in the mail yesterday from my friend Annette at So Many Memories. All of the special little embellishments and handwork are just stunning! Lace, buttons, beads and embroidery. As if it could get any better, it is filled with lavender and perfumes the whole room.

It was wrapped and tied with vintage seam binding plus she included one of her sparkly white Christmas ornaments and a special card. You can find her lovely handmade treasures for sale in her SoManyMemories Etsy shop. Thank you Annette, I love it all!!

Mother of Pearl Buttons

2011-11-18T21:11:00.000-08:00

Another little accumulation of buttons. I have a big jar of mother of pearl buttons that I use for crafting but I set aside the ones that look "special" {to my eyes} in this little jewelry box.

Have I mentioned I cannot resist vintage jewelry boxes - he he! They do come in handy.

Let's take a peek inside. I set aside the carved ones, unusual shapes or sizes and dyed ones.

And the especially large ones, sets and ones that seem to be of a better quality. I'm not really sure if it is correct to call them mother of pearl, shell or abalone. Maybe all of the above are correct and I have just never taken the time to learn the difference. You can identify them by rubbing them against your teeth just like real pearls. They have a gritty feel that plastic doesn't have. Kind of creepy to sort a tin of dirty old buttons and rub them on your teeth but I do. My confession for this post!

A Velveteen Woman

2011-11-15T19:53:00.000-08:00

I'm tired tonight so I've just been goofing around in the art room and finished up this piece that has been partially done for months. I love this photo. It is poet Leonie Adams and it was taken by Hans Namuth. I ran across it in a 1960 copy of Horizon magazine. The first thing that popped in my head was she looked like a velveteen woman. You all know the story of the velveteen rabbit, so shabby from love that it became real. She looks real that way.
It's pretty hard to read the quote at the top. It says "it takes courage to grow up and become who you really are", by ee cummings.
This will hang in my art room to remind me of all these things.

Breaking the Rules

2011-11-13T22:25:00.000-08:00

I have this rule. On Saturday mornings I have to do my housework before I can go out picking. Yes, this means I am never the early bird who get the worm. But going picking is my reward for getting my work done and if I didn't bribe myself it might not get done at all!

Saturday morning there was an estate sale right around the corner from my house. It was so nearby I figured I could dash over there, get back home, and still get my housework done. Oh.My.Gosh.

The woman had been a crafter and especially a quilter and there were three entire bedrooms filled with fabrics and notions. The buttons were mostly gone by the time I got there but still tons of notions. The pile of lace and trims was so big I didn't want to take the time to sort through it all so I asked the staff to figure out what they wanted for the whole pile while I ran over to the ATM.

When I got back they said $75. Well, holy smoke, that's just a tad rich for my blood so I ended up on the floor picking out the pieces I really wanted after all. There was a lot of modern lace I wasn't too interested in and that is what they wanted the high price for. They didn't seem to think much of the older stuff. Works for me! I wish I knew more about vintage fabrics because there were piles and piles. They haven't started on the basement yet and will continue the sale in early December. I plan to be tardy on the housework again.

There were also three big jars of miscellaneous jewelry and interesting bits an pieces. Are you ready?? ONE DOLLAR per jar. I'll buy those all day long just for the chance to poke through them!

Right after I put them in my box another woman dashed into the room and cried, oh no, they are gone! She said she came back just to get them. They were a dollar each and she couldn't make up her mind?? Anyway, a woman on the staff said oh, that lady has them and pointed to me. The gal followed my around for a while and finally begged, please, could I have just one of them? I felt sorry for her so of course I handed one over. I know they would have haunted her if I didn't and I was happy to share. One. 8+) For once I was the early bird!
When I got home I put the whole pile in the art room and didn't let myself look until I got the housework done. I did it good enough and we won't have to move away this week.

Sparkly Things

2011-11-10T19:45:00.000-08:00

Sharing more button love today with my little collection of glass rhinestone buttons. I keep them separated from the plastic rhinestone buttons for no good reason other than that is how I do it.

If you look close you will realize some of them are missing rhinestones. I save them anyway and repair them as I find rhinestones in the correct size. I have purchased loose rhinestone assortments on eBay but I also save the random ones I find in the bottom of vintage button boxes. They just sit in a pretty little tin, patiently waiting to find their soul-mate. You haven't finished sorting a vintage tin of buttons until you have picked up every single piece, one by one, and looked at both sides. You never know what treasure might be hiding at the bottom with the pins and lint.

Can you imagine a coat with a row of those big blue ones down the front? Now that is some BLING!

I promised to continue showing my button collections (and I remembered!) so I am linking up with Cindy's Show And Tell Friday at My Romantic Home again today.

Recent Altered Book Pages

2011-11-08T20:38:00.000-08:00

When I really need to relax I turn to my altered book project. I read a lot about the value of play and how creative types should take time to play. I never thought I had time to do that, or even knew what doing that looked like. One day I realized that IS what I am doing when I work in my altered book, not unlike the day I realized I DO journal. My altered book is my journaled collection of quotes. What we do might not look like what somebody else is doing but it is the same in the end. The creative things we do for no other reason than our personal pleasure. Ha! Some women take bubble baths. I make stuff.

I Bought Myself A Whole Bunch Of Washing And Ironing

2011-11-06T20:24:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was mostly work and little play so I made it my business to get out to at least one estate sale today. This package of vintage wrapping paper cracked me up - "from your friendly Social Counselor"! I was wondering why your counselor would give you a pack of wrapping paper then I realized it must been some sort of home-party like Tupperware - DOH! I didn't buy those little chairs today but they matched so perfectly that I had to add them to the picture.

So why can't I be hopelessly enamoured with something that goes in the dishwasher? Or at least permanent press? I was thrilled to find all these hankies and crochet and tatted trims at a reasonable price but oh.my.goodness. the washing and ironing in my future.

I did find a new lace-edge milk glass plate to add to my personal collection. I haven't found one I don't have in several years and then I have found two since Spring. I actually left it behind because the area where I have them hung up is full. I drove about 10 blocks down the street and thought how dumb was that. For $2.50 I can't let it sit around until I find a spot?? Sometimes I'm a dork and this is one that would have haunted me for sure. I would love to show this collection sometime but haven't figured out a way to photograph them. They are hung way up near the ceiling in my kitchen.

Lots of vintage hankies. I start off soaking in regular laundry soap with Oxy added. I do buy things with stains and attempt to rescue them. Sometimes I resort to bleach or even Stain Bully. Better living through chemistry - unless you're a vintage linen. Once in a while I make an "instant cutter". What do the rest of you use and where do you buy it?

I got two sweet little baby jackets and a baby bonnet. I am NOT going to attempt washing that bonnet. It is gorgeous and looks just perfect the way it is. Click the second picture bigger to get a closer look. So much sweet detail!

Vintage crochet and tatted trims. One of my Grandmothers tatted. I wonder if anyone still does.

A pair of appliques and a closer look at some of the hankies. They had a LOT to look through and I was there at least an hour. When I came out I looked at the clock in my car and thought, wow, was I really in there for two hours?? Estate sale time warp. Then I remembered I haven't set the time back in my car yet. Have to figure out how to do that. {sign}

Vintage Metal Button Collection

2011-11-03T20:04:00.000-07:00

I did get out last weekend for a tiny bit of junk shopping but I got home and put it all away before it occurred to me that I hadn't taken any pictures. I'm blaming it on the mouth surgery. That's my story and I'm sticking with it!
Since I don't have any new junk to show and I know that a lot of you share my love of buttons I thought I should start doing a button collection post every now so this the first in a series. If I can remember.

This wonderful old plastic jewelry box holds my favorite metal buttons plus some special vegetable ivory buttons.

Click the pictures bigger so you can get a good look. Doesn't it remind you of a treasure chest?

Look closely in the upper right compartment and you can see a couple of vegetable ivory whistles. For those of you who aren't familiar with buttons, a "whistle" has one hole on the front and two holes on the back. There are all sorts of cut steels in the front compartments. Cut steels are old Victorian buttons.

The bottom is filled with a variety of larger buttons. I don't collect according to any specific category or criteria. I just keep the ones that look unusual to my eyes.

I can't imagine how many thousands of buttons have passed through my hands in my lifetime, probably millions. When eBay first launched, in the early 1990s, I was a button seller. Gosh would I love to have some of THOSE buttons back! I never hit the Mother Lode by finding something like a Gay 90s or anything like, but I've temporarily owned some pretty cool buttons.

When I stopped selling them on eBay I started saving the ones I really liked and that has grown into several random collections like this one. No matter how many times I have seen them, they still delight me every time I open the lid!

I am linking up for Show and Tell Friday over at My Romantic Home. Cindy throws the best parties so be sure to stop by and mingle a little!

Killer Stuff and Tons of Money

2011-11-01T20:42:00.000-07:00

"Killer Stuff and Tons of Money" by Maureen Stanton. This is the book I mentioned reading in a recent post. I don't often take time to read real book, the kinds filled with words, but I couldn't put this one down. What I learned from reading this book is that I am at the bottom of the bottom feeders in the food chain of flea market junkies. No apologies or regrets. To borrow a quote from this book... "I'm going to make a million dollars, one dollar at a time" - LOL!
This book absolutely captures the lure of the flea market and the thrill of the hunt for that next great thing. If you love junk, you gotta read this.

This book steered me in the direction of "Hidden Treasures" by Leigh and Leslie Keno. This is not a newly released book but I had somehow missed it. Probably because it is filled with, well, words. I gobbled it up nearly as fast as the first one. They went into a little too much detail about antique furniture for me but it was interesting to read about the way the top of the food chain wheels and deals. I especially liked the part about their childhood and how their collecting passion began. Also how one of them {I can't keep them straight} began his professional career working on the loading dock at Sothebys. No kidding. I think that's call that paying your dues!

Here's to happy hunting because that next thing you find might just be "the thing"!!

Fall In Love With Buttons Swap

2011-10-29T19:59:00.000-07:00

Button Floozies sponsored a button swap called Fall In Love With Buttons and my package arrived from the UK today. The instruction was to alter an Altoid tin and fill it with autumn-themed buttons. My swap partner is Apryl at Meridian Ariel. She has an Etsy shop of the same name. She included a sweet handmade strawberry and an Alice In Wonderland-themed pin back. I love the way she pins them on a playing card - what a great idea!

The natural patina on the mint tin she used was perfect just the it was and I am so glad she left it that way. Love! She filled it with buttons in reds, browns, gold and orange tied it shut with coordinating teal rick-rack trim. Those two red ones at the bottom of the picture are hands-down my favorites.

I showed you the tin that I altered and sent to her in this post. Here is a better look at the buttons I put inside:

I will be linking up with the other swap participants in the Button Floozies Linky Party so be sure to hop on over and see the rest of the fun!

This Year's Christmas Shopping Book Is Done

2011-10-25T20:18:00.000-07:00

I finished up this year's Christmas Shopping List book tonight. Can you believe Christmas is just two months away? It rolls around so fast anymore. Time for me to get busy picking up on the ideas I hear when the family is around. If you read my blog a year ago you might recall last year's book.

This book is a little smaller, just 4"x5", and also made from a saved Christmas card. I didn't do the brochure binding this year. I just used my sewing machine to stitch down the center. The graph paper is something I picked up at a thrift store one upon a time and it is old and fragile so I doubled up the pages and glued them together to give the pages a little more body. It only has to hold together for two months but, trust me, it will be pulled in and out of my purse dozens of times by then! The vintage seam binding ribbon is stitched across the back cover and just wraps around to tie in a bow and keep it closed. A small envelope is glued inside the back cover to hold receipts and it covers the stitching. I don't stamp much and don't have any Christmas stamps so I just used some flourishes to decorate the pages. The names are handwritten with a felt-tip calligraphy pen. My handwriting is so bad anymore and that pen always makes it look better!
I already have a stack of little notes so I'm set to get busy now and transfer them into the little book so they don't get lost. Before I know what happened I'll be buying spring flowers!
I am linking up with Abundantly Thankful Monthly Craft Craze. Be sure and pop over to check out the other creative ideas!

Farm Fresh!

2011-10-23T22:24:00.000-07:00

Well okay, not so much what Mike and Frank are talking about when THEY say farm fresh - but I did buy it all at a farm. This was an amazing sale, if you could get there on Friday which I could not. I was drooling over the pictures on CL but no way I could get there until Saturday and, even then, not Johnny on the spot since it was an hour drive from my house. I guess that alone tells you how great the pictures were! Even at that, I didn't come home empty handed. Notice I picked up another lingerie bag to add to my collection and another satin dresser box.

There was an ugly little sewing basket so I asked her if she would sell just the contents. I was so glad I asked because, when I got home, I discovered some great buttons. Click the picture bigger and check out those cut steels - beautiful! Those alone made it worth the trip for me.

Love this old TV tray. I cleaned it up this morning and it is very chippy but I just love the yellow roses on the red ground. Strangest thing, they had it's mate and it was in even worse condition and they were asking twice the money - what the...! It was too chippy, even for me so I passed. That book is an old handmade scrapbook of fine art pictures and their history. It will make a great starting place for a journal. It went straight to Etsy to inspire someones muse.

This detachable collar is SWEET and it's already over in my Etsy, too. Things were so picked over by the time we got there that I can't imagine the chaos they must have had on Friday. My son was interested in the woodworking planes and hand saws. They had 200 planes and they were ALL GONE before we got there and mostly broken saws left. I managed to get one with a nice red handle for him but it was the only decent one left and probably not really what he had in mind. A "pretty" saw from a Mama's perspective. I'm sure that will be a big hit. 8+)

They had a big box of old postcards that were very reasonably priced. I "speed picked" them since The Husband was standing there looking bored. A little later when we were picking up the little pile we left at the garage the gentleman there handed them to my husband and said, "Here, you can hold these, you're not just eye candy" - LOL!!!

I stopped at the Salvation Army on my way to pick up a hold at the library this morning. They are all pretty ordinary buttons but there are lots of sets so they will eventually make there way to Etsy, as well.
This pick will have to satisfy me for a while. I probably won't get out next weekend since I'm having oral surgery on Thursday morning and I'm told I will likely look like I have been kicked by a mule. Well that sounds like something to look forward to, now doesn't it. I am stocked up with reading material. I want to tell you about a great book I just finished but it's late so that will be for another post.

A Dainty Little Collection From A Gentler Time

2011-10-20T18:57:00.000-07:00

I adore these sweet little lingerie bags. These were used to protect your "dainties" like silk stockings and panties from snags. A long way from the way most of us probably store our pantyhose today - if we wear them at all! Maybe we would do better if we still had bags like these.

Each little bag is as silky and delicate as the items it was designed to protect. Vintage femininity.

Three have ribbon closures, one closes with a button and the pink one with the diagonal lace just folds

The last pictures shows them opened up to reveal the little pockets. The pink one with no closure has just one larger pocket so it might have been intended for something larger like a slip or cami.

I am linking up for Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home today. I haven't had time in weeks and this little collection is perfect for a romantic home!

I'm Finished!

2011-10-19T19:51:00.000-07:00

These are the last two lid-less sugar bowls I had stashed away from the Summer so I am finished for now. Done, done, done - yay!! I have already started cleaning up the mess and getting ready for the next thing. I want to make some covered hangers, I have a couple Altoids tins sitting on my desk waiting for attention and it's time to get my little Christmas shopping book/list made for this year.
That last little guy looks sort of cartoon-ish. For some reason it seems like a little mouse should be peeking out from behind it - LOL!

Three More SugarCushions, Ruffles and Not Quite A Collection

2011-10-17T20:04:00.000-07:00

I am happy to say I finished up three more SugarCushions over the weekend. I am happy because I am down to just two more and I'm getting tired of making them. They are fun but I'm ready to move on to some more of those ideas swirling around inside my head. Racing to the next thing - LOL!

The new SugarCushions are sitting amongst the weekend loot. We had several things going on this weekend so not much time for picking. We did run over to The Bins. I have never seen the parking lot so full. They were apparently having some unknown to me toy event. It was almost all toys, something I am rarely interested in. I didn't want to waste the trip so I stocked up on ruffled curtains since I am planning to cover the lampshades for those rose lamps with fluffy ruffles.
I picked up the tray in the back at the Salvation Army store. It appears to made of some sort of paper mache material and I can't find any markings on it. I love the design!

I already had this black tray which is slightly larger and made of a similar material. Well, that's two, so not quite a collection, at least not yet! This one is marked "Alcohol Proof Japan Hand Painted". If anyone knows something about these trays, please share and educate me!

Family Fun!

2011-10-14T19:37:00.000-07:00

Remember the wacky purchase I told you about in this post? Well, it has morphed into double the fun! When our older son saw it he mentioned he would like to have a bike like that, only a boys' version. Well, that sent us off on a mission to find a matching one for his and hers fun. I think our little Grand will have a ball when she can peddle her little bike around with Daddy and Mommy and we're hoping they will, too. It's certain they will have the most unique bikes on the block!
The altered picnic basket turned out to be a little big for the package carrier but will still go home with the bikes, just in case. Wouldn't it be perfect filled with sandwiches and apples and little bottles of chocolate milk?

A Rosy Sunday At The VOA

2011-10-12T19:22:00.000-07:00

I debated whether to show my treasures from last Sunday since I only got four items but these lamps are just too pretty to not show them off. I seriously don't need them but they were still sitting there waiting for me a week later so I decided it was destiny. That's as good an excuse as any - hehe! I just LOVE the roses on the front so it looks like I am going to be learning how to re-wire lamps. I have heard it isn't as scary as it sounds.
Since there were only four things I didn't take time to clear off the table full of SugarCushion makings so I apologize for the cluttered picture!
I also got the tattered tin and the "book" it is setting on. It is actually a wooden box with an embossed leatherette binding and lined with vintage paper. I have no idea what the original purpose was but I knew it had to come home, too. Sort of looks like a "rosy" day, doesn't it!

So Far...

2011-10-10T21:13:00.000-07:00

It's still pretty slow going here in flu-land but I did finish up the first three new SugarCushions. It is so much fun to audition the little bits and pieces of fabric and trim! I'm not completely sure I like the blue one. The fabric has some blue but by the time it was stuffed and inserted not much of the blue was showing. I'm not planning to make any changes just yet. I will let it "steep" until I have the rest finished and then see what I think.
Does anyone else have trouble with too many new ideas when you're not finished with what you are currently working on?? I have so many good intentions in my head right now that I had to start a list. Idea overload! Why can't that happen when you can't think of what to make? Maybe that's the trick, just start making something and the new ideas will come. Hmm. A lesson I need to pay attention to!

Getting Busy

2011-10-06T19:39:00.000-07:00

I have been picking up lid-less sugar bowls all Summer long. The air was crispy today so no denying Autumn is in the air and it's time to get busy in the art room. I started pulling out bits and pieces tonight to tempt the muse to come out and play. My brain is cranking on three of them already. Funny how just looking through the stash and piling them up so they have a chance to get to know each other can do that!

I Didn't Get Skunked THIS Weekend!

2011-10-02T20:20:00.000-07:00

Not a stunning score but apparently I am finally feeling a little better since I was able to make a decision and didn't get skunked this Sunday. Knock on wood - I finally feel like I am turning a corner this afternoon so I don't want to tempt fate!
The Budweiser Christmas stein is 1991. The husband has a collection so I always keep an eye out for ones he doesn't have yet.
The Lucite grape cluster is for me. I already have a blue and green one that was my Mom's and now this all blue one. We know where THAT'S heading - hehe!
I hit two thrift stores for this little bit but really didn't mind since I spent yesterday afternoon buying a new car so didn't mind having an excuse to drive around. I have been eyeing a Scion xB for a couple of years now and driving the 2000 Cavalier I inherited from my mother in 2002. I bought a 2012 xB in the color called Army Rock. It is a sweet dirt color and I'm thinking of naming it "Spud". I LOVE it! Well, except I have no clue how long it might take me to figure out how the stereo and bluetooth work. Seriously. They say the xB is targeted to the 18 - 24 year old market. They have the advantage that they can actually REMEMBER the 15 steps it takes to find, adjust and save a setting. My little book is filled with sticky note markers and I still can't find the base and treble or answer the phone. I'd got the window wipers figured out, though, so that's something!

Altered Book Pages - Good Medicine

2011-09-28T21:51:00.000-07:00

I have been sick and tired or maybe it's tired and sick for the past several days. A touch of flu a mere three days before my scheduled flu shot - you know what they say about those best laid plans. I hit the VOA on Sunday but was just so out of it that I couldn't make a decision and came home empty handed. When I finally managed to haul myself out of the recliner chair I ended up spending some time working in the altered quote book - always therapeutic!
I love these words and thanks to the surprise package from Cathy, these images were perfect and perfectly fun!

Rescue Me - Take Me In Your Arms

2011-09-24T20:44:00.000-07:00

I had a few comments about this photo on my Where Bloggers Create III post so I thought I would share the inspiration for it. I actually sent a picture and little story to Somerset Studio a LONG time ago but never heard a word. I didn't submit the actual artwork and I think what they say is true - the artwork often sells the article. I made this piece right after a trip to the thrift store that yielded a particularly intriguing poke sack.
My affinity for "poke boxes" goes back as long as I can remember. Poke sacks, poke boxes, poke bags, bags o' unknown crap, call them what you will... I CANNOT resist one. All I need to see is one tiny trinket that catches my eye and it's all over. I have to find out what else is in there! Mysterious loveliness. A tangled and intriguing mess just waiting for me to sort and smooth and ooh and aah as I bring order to the chaos and respect to the possibilities.

I won't bore you by cataloging everything that came home with me that day but it included many bundles and spools of acetate ribbon, the kind used for floral work; many, many colors and widths of satin ribbon; lace, both old and older; colorful rick-rack and braid trims; seam binding; some thread and a thimble; salvaged and new zippers, many sizes and types of elastic and a large spool of pink curling ribbon. Plus a vintage piece of ephemera offering an apron pattern for 25 cents and a faded and stained piece of red satin blanket binding with a note pinned to it that said “Barbie blouse”.

I have heard it said that you should bring nothing into your home that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful. I try. Really I do. But some things cry out in a way that is almost audible - RESCUE ME!
Through the years I think I've seen just about everything at the thrift store, from bronzed baby shoes to a burial urn. Yes, really. A burial urn. As I was unscrewing the lid my brain was processing that I was UNSCREWING the lid and I realized what I was opening at about the same moment that I peeked inside. Lucky for me there was no occupant but the metal toe tag at the bottom confirmed my conclusion and sent me and the urn straight to the front counter to suggest this might not be appropriate. I really have seen it all, cradle to grave so to speak.
My favorite rescues are the bags, boxes and tins of buttons and sewing notions. As I poke through them I begin to get an impression of the former owner. You can tell a lot about a woman from her sewing box. Many utilitarian buttons, removed from the garments and saved for mending, punctuated by random glass or rhinestone buttons saved from a few "special" dresses or a good winter coat. Uniform buttons strung together on a piece of darning thread, perhaps all that is left of a loved one's uniform. A few marbles and bullets (yes, I have found bullets) retrieved from pockets on the way to the washer because boys will be boys and so will men. A precious baby tooth. A felt needle case with "MOM" crudely embroidered on the front, surely a gift from a young daughter. A thimble stamped with S&H for the green stamps. Hand-tatted lace cut from the edge of a worn out pillowcase so it could be re-purposed as trim for a baby dress. Orphaned earrings. A bra extender because she put on a little weight over the years. Yes, you can tell a lot about a woman from her sewing box.

It tugs at my heart when I find these poke boxes in the thrift store. Someone, somewhere, picked up a box or a bag and up-ended the drawers of the sewing cabinet to "get rid of all that junk". Big sigh. It makes my heart glad to rescue them and respect that they are the artifacts of a creative life.

It's Only Words and Words Are All I Have To Steal Your Heart Away

2011-09-22T19:43:00.000-07:00

I finished up this piece for the Somerset Studio "The Power of Words" call this week. I'm not even sure if I'm submitting it in time since they said September 15 in one issue and October 15 in another issue.
When I first saw the call I knew which quote I wanted to use but, in my usual MO, I didn't get around to doing anything with it until the last minute. I may be too late but I will submit it anyway and just see what happens. This is my favorite quote because it kind of sums up how I look at things. It is by Earnest Hemingway. "Now is no time to think of what you do not have. Think of what you can do with what there is." As relevant today as it was when he said it.

This is the first time I decorated the package for a submission and not much decoration, but seemed like enough. I kept auditioning additional papers but the Scrabble logo seemed to stand alone.

It's only words and words are all I have to steal your heart away. A little Bee Gees observation!

Sneak Peek At The Button Floozies Swap

2011-09-20T19:57:00.000-07:00

I finished up my altered Altoids tin and selected my buttons for the swap Laurie is hosting over at Button Floozies. Click the link or the one over on my sidebar. There is still time to enter!

This is an Autumn-inspired swap so I decorated my tin with fall leaves. I drilled a hole in the center of the top and inserted the button shank so I could attach it with a button cotter pin without damaging it. The huge button reminds me of a sunflower or black-eyed Susan. I won't spill out the buttons so I can preserve the mystery in case my swap partner turns out to be someone who follows my blog. Join in the fun and it might just be you!

Rainy Day Puttering

2011-09-17T15:09:00.000-07:00

Unexpected rain changed my plans for the day. I soldiered through my housework last night so I could spend today outdoors, pulling weeds in the front yard and sealing the front porch floor. Somebody forgot to tell Mother Nature she was supposed to rain on Sunday, not Saturday. Ah well. So what to do with my indoor day? Putter around in the art room, of course! Even then, I didn't do a single thing on my to-do list. Nope. I sorted buttons. I have a lot of "ordinary" buttons so I sorted out 1000 white ones to make this little pretty. Little salvaged treasures coming together just right.

Wanna See the Latest Junk?

2011-09-12T21:13:00.000-07:00

A hobo sack from The Bins. The Husband is still hopeful so I am still along for the ride 8+) Yes, this is how I carried it out. Pretty "green" I thought. These pictures were taken as I unpacked so nothing is washed or cleaned up yet. Raw junk.

Let's see what's inside. Some kind of ornaments printed on something that feels like heavy interfacing. No clue if I can get it clean or do something with it but it weighs about an ounce so why not try? One sweet paper rose and a couple yards of beaded lace and an old dollhouse hutch.

This was my favorite find at The Bins. Most of the autographs and inscriptions are dated 4/4/44.

It looks like a kind and artistic friend decorated the inside cover for Madeleva. 1944. Wow.

Vintage linen bits and pieces and a large piece of Christmas fabric. That one that says KNIVES is a handmade knife roll. I wonder how special those knives were to need their own little cozy.

Beautiful vintage embroidery and crochet edges. Where did all the "homemakers" go??

The pale blue in the back is a vintage negligee, the kind with double sheer layers and soft lace trim. If I was one of those brave artsy-types I would wrap a funky belt around the middle and blouse it up and wear it over my jeans. A girl can dream. In my dream I'm 29 and look like Barbie. It's my dream and I can if I want to.

As if all of that wasn't enough I headed off to the VOA when we got back home. I needed something to carry my loot in and liked it so much it had to come home, too. When I pick up sturdy handled baskets at the thrift I place them around the yard and use them to deposit the random weeds I pull when I doing my walk-abouts. It's much easier to keep up with the weeding when there is a handy spot to toss a handful.

I couldn't resist the pattern and roosters on this metal plate. The back says Made in Brazil. It is going to be a lid for that huge apothecary jar I picked up a few weeks ago.

Another lid-less sugar bowl for the growing collection that never gets made into SugarCushions. Ah well, a Winter project. The Lucite lipstick holder is going straight into my brown and pink bathroom to replace the gold one I call my "Jimmy Hendrix" lipstick holder because there is a left-handed guitar player sitting on the edge. I'm pretty sure it isn't him. I don't think fans had golden lipstick holders.

A calligraphy set just like the one I already have because it was only 99 cents, paper doilies and a neat old metal candlestick. Too bad it didn't come with plastic flowers!

Little metal frames. I have matching ones already and SOMEDAY I'm going to do something with them. They don't take up much room. I swear I'm not a hoarder.

Totally wonderful original box of vintage crochet thread. Can you just see the "dry goods" store? Someday I will have to tell the story of The Golden Rule store in the little farm town where I went to high school. It was right out of the turn of the century until they decided to remodel and modernize it. So sad. It had creaking hardwood floors and shelves behind the counter with boxes of women's gloves and hankies and a dressing room behind a bark cloth curtain and the scent of history.

A poke sack of loot of the finest kind. Check out that flower trim. I have never seen anything quite like it. Wooden spools and lace wrapped around an old potato chip box. It doesn't get much better.

A good day of junk.

Wise Words in the Altered Book

2011-09-07T20:22:00.000-07:00

I really needed to take a break and relax a little this week so I turned to my usual indoor solution - the altered book project. Click the picture to make it larger. I don't really understand why but making art just for the sake of making art - "playing" if you will - is really difficult for me. I suppose it is the upbringing of my very practical parents. If it doesn't serve a purpose of make money then why would you spend time doing it. Capturing my favorite words and quotes in the altered book seems to be the only place I can really just play. Apparently my twisted reasoning sees collecting these words as a justifiable "purpose". Go figure!
I really did find the Paper Towel Wisdom on a paper towel. There is some kind of lesson about paying attention to what we encounter in our day to day lives in that. The words of wisdom are definately my outdoor source of relaxing!
I don't know who to attribute the quote about perfection to but I read it on Judy Wise's blog and it really struck a chord with me. I can't count the number of times something has been going along just fine and then I decide I need to make it better or more perfect and the whole thing just runs off the road. The stamped letters are not spaced just right and that bothered me at first and I considered doing it over and then I READ THE WORDS. Well, duh.
Did you notice I used some of the sparkly embelishments Cathy sent me? Loved using with those!
Plenty of lessons in this relaxing, if I just pay attention. Can you play? Do you make things and just put them in a drawer? Please share. I would love to hear what you do when you don't have a reason!

Labor(s) Of The Day(s)

2011-09-05T20:00:00.000-07:00

The picking this weekend came in the form of tiny bursts since I was acting as thrift store tour guide to The Husband's great bicycle quest. He did not find his next great thing so the couple's picking may be coming to a close but it has been a fun ride while it lasted! I did find a few neat things plus the assorted junk that always tags along in poke sacks.

Vintage rayon seam binding in a big rainbow of colors, two big lots of corsage pins and some buttons. That octagon box in the back is very vintage. The inside and bottom are covered in something similar to what is inside the covers on old books and the outside is either leather or something that looks like leather. The edges are laced with leather. I have never seen one quite like it.

Naturally, I couldn't pass up the blue jewelry box. The only other blue one I have found turned out to be broken so back to the GW it went. This one is in wonderful condition and I didn't even need to clean up the velvet on the inside. Three rosaries and those green things on the left are Girl Scout bookends. I plan to wear the earrings that are dangling from the jewelry box shelf. Isn't that little girl watching the squirl a cutie!

A simply SWEET handmade child's slip. It is too far gone to be worn but looks so pretty for display. I was disappointed when I got that ivory colored plastic box home and realized one of the legs was broken. It was very inexpensive so maybe I can still figure out a use for it. I wonder if I could just cut off the legs?? Hmmm...

A Little Pile Of Buttons

2011-09-02T17:56:00.000-07:00

Last Friday, yes, a whole week ago, I was lucky to find a jar of buttons at GW. That doesn't happen often so I was in the right place at the right time. Double lucky is it was a real button box with all the lovely randomness of a lifetime of accumulation. These at the top are my favorites. Love that clear Lucite one with the white flowers inside and that unusual rectangular one.

Here is a wider shot that shows a few glass, all black except one orange. Two of those buttons in the middle right side are made from some kind of nut shells. You can click the pictures to make them larger. There are a few interesting metals in the upper left and I missed taking a picture of the uniform buttons. That anchor is the first picture is metal with a clear plastic coating over the top. I don't think it's a uniform button but maybe. There are couple pieces of random bling at the top of the picture. I think it is what's left of a rhinestone buckle. It's sparkly and that's good enough for me!

This is the rest of the story on the plastics. The "leftovers" got me started sorting some buttons by color to put into inspiration kits. Any excuse to sort buttons - LOL!

Da Recent Junk

2011-08-30T19:40:00.000-07:00

Most of my junking this month was just bits and pieces, gathered here and there but I made a good haul last weekend so decided to snap some pictures before I started the cleaning and sorting and storing. Believe it or not, most of this table full came from The Bins.

Goodwill leftovers? Seriously? Sometimes it amazes me how this stuff never sold and landed at The Bins. If you are not from Portland, The Bins is Goodwill's final stop. Kind of an Island of Lost Junk.

Really more of a tsunami of junk since they are constantly removing the "picked" bins and replacing with fresh ones. This is not pretty and you have to stand your ground and be ready to dig. I wear a dust mask and take my hand sanitizer. Some folks wear gloves but they feel too clumsy for me. I guess I'm a "hands on" picker - LOL!

Some things are priced but most is sold by the pound and starts at $1.79/pound, I think. Maybe it's $1.69. The price per pound goes down with the more you buy. You have to watch out a little because some heavy items are NOT a bargain when you are paying by the pound. Furniture, bikes, etc are all priced. Some great furniture shows up there. The other day they had one of those old treadle sewing machines with great drawers in the cabinet for $40. Man, did I hate to leave that behind but just couldn't figure out ANY place I could put it.

It has been kind of fun since The Husband got interested in old bicycles because he says crazy things like "let's go to The Bins" on Saturday. Huh?? Who are you and what have you done with my husband?? When he is finished looking at the bikes he comes over and tries to help me dig. He does a really good job manning the shopping cart.

They call out over the loudspeaker, stay behind the yellow line, do not begin to shop until the bin comes to a complete stop, be courteous, shop only in front of yourself. Pretty intense picking.

The Husband is especially handy at untangling the sewing trims that are wrapped around lamps, Christmas light strings and toys. Keeps him busy.

And lastly, a sweet little pile of doll clothes for the Grand. They are all washed and waiting for her now. Four teeny outfits for teeny money.
May all your picking dreams come true!

After...

2011-08-28T15:02:00.000-07:00

Yikes, I can't believe it has been over a week since I posted! It must be those dog days of August catching up with me. It has been busy around here but I did finish my alteration of the picnic basket "trunk" for The Bike That Isn't Mine. We (meaning The Husband) found a vintage package rack for the back but We haven't mounted it on the bike yet. All in good time!

I jazzed up the inside with flower-power scrapbook paper and covered the bottom with felt so the cargo can ride in luxury. I also repainted the brown portions to a shade that more suited the bike.
Anybody for a picnic??

Before...

2011-08-19T21:24:00.000-07:00

I visited the VOA today and finally found the style of picnic basket I am "visioning" for the back of The Bike That Isn't Mine. It is slightly smaller than the fall-back option that is sitting in my attic, which I think makes it a better fit for the bike. My mother bought the one in the attic with Green Stamps in the 1960 and I tole painted it in the 80s and it is, well, very 80s at this point. I was not digging the idea of trying to strip off that paint and re-do it.
I like the green on this one but the neutrals aren't quite the right color so I have a few modifications to make, including mod-podging some pretty paper on the inside {maybe the lid??}. In the meantime The Husband is searching the Internet for an OEM package carrier to mount it.
I will keep you posted....

Don't Hate Me Because I'm So Lucky!

2011-08-16T19:49:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was an especially demanding one at the office. One of those exhausting days where Monday morning lasts all day long and you leave pretty sure it will extend into Tuesday. I arrived home to find the perfect pick-me-up, cheer-me-up, make-me-squeal-with-delight package had arrived in the mail. My sweet blog friend, Cathy, at ma vie trouvee couldn't have timed it more perfectly!

At the top left of the picture you can see a page from the Jan/Feb issue of Somerset Studio where my artwork was published. Cathy was cleaning out her magazines to recycle and she offered to send it to me. Of course, I said yes, not expecting to receive anything else and flattered that she would take the time to offer it to me. Not to mention mailing it from Belgium! At the top right you can see the beautifully decorated envelope. Each item is so beautifully packaged!

This is a paper pocket that is sewn along both sides with a sweet tag tucked inside. The word PARIS on the front is embossed. I love this shade of green.

These little glassine envelopes are filled with tiny embellishments and a handmade closure. The purple one is closed with a piece of floral wire strung through the top and the bottom like a pick.

Oops, I got these in the wrong order. This photo shows the contents of the green crepe paper "bag" below. Vintage crochet trim and Victorian scrap - aah!

This crepe paper bag is so clever! It is stitched, embellished and then tied with vintage trim. I love the way she "scrunched" it!

This is the little packet of vintage papers that were tied with yet another piece of old trim. Love, love that old handwriting!

Now the contents of the little envelopes. Baubles and bling and pretty in pink!

Beautiful blue embellishments. Oh, sparkly things!

Bright white like diamonds in the sky.

And perfectly purple in every way!
I am already thinking about using some of these pretties to glam things up a little in my altered quote book. I feel so blessed to have found the world of blogging and the delightful friends I have made in this cyber-world. People I might never have known, otherwise. When I was a youngster {back in the olden days} they would have been called "pen pals". I think blogging is the 21st century version.
Thank you, Cathy, for the pick me up and for so much inspiration!

Sometimes One Score is Enough

2011-08-14T21:52:00.000-07:00

I hit the VOA, the Salvation Army and one Goodwill this morning in search of the perfect picnic basket to complement The Bicycle That Isn't Mine. No luck with that and only a couple of vintage tins and some this and that to show for the effort. Isn't it funny how you see something all the time until it is the thing you want??

I did score this sweet old medicine bottle that I listed on eBay tonight. I haven't sold anything on eBay in at least 4 or 5 years but eBay seemed like a better venue for this than Etsy. These bottles were made between 1890 and 1910. I listed it a couple of hours ago and I think it will be fun to watch the action {??} next Sunday evening. Or add it to one of my inspiration kits on Monday - LOL!

Quote Book - New Pages

2011-08-12T18:32:00.000-07:00

This week was kind of a wild ride. Monday turned out to be the day I had to made "the decision" about my little cat, Lily. We are slowly getting used to the empty spot she used to fill.
On a happier note, Wednesday was a red letter day for out family with the DIL finding a job she is very excited about and the SIL got a promotion that means full-time work for her. Up and down we go on the little roller-coaster of life!
I took time out last night to just relax and I finished the altered book page on the left and added the one on the right. You can click it bigger to read the quote.

I have been trying to remember to post this. These rotary blades were in one of those poke sacks I'm always buying and I don't have the tool they fit. The brand is J&P and they are brand new. If you have a tool they fit just email me your address and I will drop them in the mail.
Tomorrow we are having the granddaughter for the day and the weather forecast is perfect so we are looking forward to bike riding, playing in the hot tub and going out for lunch - yay! Hmm. I guess the quote pages might be appropriate to the occasion. 8+)

The Wacky Purchase

2011-08-09T19:29:00.000-07:00

Let me just start by saying this is NOT my bicycle. I am simply the enabler who convinced the husband he should restore it and then sweetened the pot by offering to pay for it. I ask you, is this not the most beautiful bicycle you have ever seen?? It is a late 1970s vintage Murry with one speed and coaster brakes. Love that creamy mocha color with the butter-soft butterscotch seat and hand grips. The tires are even original and still have the little nubs down the center. My photo doesn't do the colors justice. The tires are called "skin wall" because they are off-white, not whitewalls. They say "Lightening Dart" on the side and have an embossed picture of an Indian Chief. If a bicycle can be elegant, this one is.

It is in excellent condition so mostly just needs to be cleaned up which is all a good thing because I paid way too much. I'm trying to spin that as an excuse for me to get a fancy phone so I can check prices on the fly. Lost my mind.

Didn't lose it the way I did that time I got it into my head that I could restore a 1952 Chevy pickup truck that the poor husband had to pull home on a trailer with the extra cab piled in the bed of the pickup. I took it completely apart. Every piece. I had pieces of truck in both sheds and in the garage and under the apple tree and even in the attic. I even sand blasted one of the cabs. It took me 5 years to get THAT mistake out of my backyard, and attic, and I had to give it away to make it go away. I hope I don't ever lose my mind like that again, although a vintage Airstream trailer at the right price would be pretty tempting....

Don't you think this would look great with a wicker picnic basket attached to the back like a "trunk". That is, if it was my project, which it is not. But I'm going to stop at GW tomorrow and see if they have one just in case he might want to see what that would look like...

A New Love - Vintage Wrapping Paper

2011-08-07T20:38:00.000-07:00

I did quit a bit of vintage shopping this weekend and made a rather large and wacky purchase that I will share in a future post. For today I will show you my new love - vintage wrapping paper.

How have I not noticed this before, I ask you?? I found this big bundle of wrapping paper for a little money at the VofA this morning. It caught my eye because of some more modern rose-patterned paper but look what I found when I got home and opened it up!

Toy soldiers and duckies and lambs and piggies and elephants and a jack in the box - OH. MY!

Beautiful brides.

Wedding bells ringing out promises of a rosy future!

Love birds.

Sweet bouncing babies.

I love these graphics and the colors. Vintage wrapping paper is on the "look for" list from this day forward! I am planning to hook up with a new blog I stumbled on the other day. It is called Thrift Share Monday at Apron Thrift Girl and I will add the link as soon as she has the post up.
Stay tuned for the wacky purchase of the weekend. I think I lost my mind. We'll see what all of you think - LOL!

One Last Fix-Up And I Am Done For A While

2011-08-05T19:15:00.000-07:00

Where Bloggers Create III sent me on a rearranging and fixing frenzy. One more fix-up is completed and I think I'm over it for a while!

I bought this great vintage shelf paper from shepshaberdashery on Etsy. There are yellow accents on the red roses so it matches with my Husky-girl tool chest and the wall color. The printed edge has a wonderful "corrugated" type of texture that feels slightly thicker than the white part.

It was a job to unload the shelves and then, of course, I had to dust. Sheesh. The vintage paper is a little fragile so I will need to be careful when I move things around but it seem like it will be okay. The paper wasn't wide enough to reach clear back to the wall so I just taped the back edge with blue painters tape to hold it in place. I love the new look!

A Little Art Room Fix Up

2011-08-02T21:34:00.000-07:00

You might remember this picture of my ribbon towers from Where Bloggers Create II. Well, the ribbon towers were pretty to look at and pretty functional but I was tired of them being in my way every single time I used the sewing machine.

When I visited all the wonderful art rooms in the Where Bloggers Create III party I was blown away with how organized some of those rooms were and I knew I could do better.

So... I tackled a little project tonight. Out with ribbon towers and in with the new and improved ribbon storage over the closet door. I used a long curtain rod and hung it from hooks because the brackets that came with it were too short for the ribbon spools. It worked out pretty good since it has a little swing to it so I won't mash the whole thing when I swing the door with too much enthusiasm.

I am sure they won't stay organized by color since I can promise you I won't be removing spools to add a new one! I also hung a shorter one over the window behind the sewing machine. That one didn't get a picture because it is SO hard to take a picture against that window. It holds all the "neutral" colors. I like the way the ribbons dangle so I can just clip off what I want.

Thanks to blogland, an evening well spent and a project crossed off the list!

Technology Weekend

2011-07-31T21:08:00.000-07:00

Resolving the Blogger issues went well yesterday so I figured I was on a roll and also bought a new computer. I picked it up this morning and spent the afternoon setting it up and testing to make sure everything worked. I did have to go back and buy new speakers because my "antique" ones wouldn't play nice with Windows7. Internet Explorer 9 has a little learning curve to it but after Googling for some Help I got that working in a way I could make sense of. This was a quick picture I shot of one of the dahlias in the backyard to check how this new beast would behave with the camera. Those white flowers are part of mural that I painted on the side of our garage so we would have something to look at before the flowers come up. I am using it as my wallpaper so click it bigger to get a closer look - it appears I have already uploaded a couple of bugs - YIKES!

Taking The Plunge

2011-07-30T18:46:00.000-07:00

Whew, talk about stressful! Google made some resent changes that left me in a situation where I had conflicting accounts. The accounts were our family URL, which we all use for our email and my blog. You can probably imagine how cryptic the instructions for resolving it were so I have been procrastinating. I knew that sooner or later they would close the little hole I was crawling through to get to Blogger so time for a deep breath and dive in. I have been working at it on and off all day and I think I've finally got it! This is a test to make sure I can still upload pictures and post.

Sadly, I think the list of blogs I follow (not followers of my blog) was a casualty of the changes I had to make. I apologize to any of you who saw your number of followers decrease by one today! I will be trying to make my way around and sign up with everyone again.

Okay, I'm going to click Publish. Fingers crossed!!

My BirdSong Tag Book Arrived!

2011-07-28T20:32:00.000-07:00

My tag book from Karla Nathan's Birdsong Swap was waiting to welcome me home from work yesterday. So much creativity in a sweet little bundle that came wrapped in a vintage book page.

This the cover Karla made. Can you imagine making over a HUNDRED of these - Wow! There is a cute little birdcage charm and a feather attached to the bottom left corner. Click the picture to make it larger.

The second tag is made by Marie. I met her during Where Bloggers Create and had admired the tag on her blog so I was thrilled when one of them was included in my book.

This tag is made by Andrea and it is finished off with a wonderful beeswax coating. Yummy feel!

I love the little poem on Stephanie's tag. The back is decorated with a neat bird stamp and banner.

Susan's tag has a hand-embroidered bird and is sewn to a paper tag. Oh. My. Gosh. Hand embroidery!

Terri's tag is printed on muslin then sewn to a paper tag. I love the fringe and the MOP button.

This colorful little collage was made by another Kathy. Such a creative variety of papers and images!

The last tag was made by Beth and it is a collage of wonderful vintage wallpaper and you know my weakness for wallpaper!
After I photographed it I untied the ribbon and added my extra tag I made for myself to the back. Participating the this swap was so much fun and I am so pleased and honored to have each and every little piece of artwork.

Playtime With The Altered Book Project

2011-07-26T19:02:00.000-07:00

I took some time out for play and finished up a couple of altered book pages last night. I wish I had written down the blog where I saw the words on the left so I could give credit. I saw it during the Where Bloggers Create party and it resonated with me. I know this says it all about my art room!

Cracked Pots at Edgefield

2011-07-24T21:08:00.000-07:00

Last week we attended the annual Cracked Pots art show at McMenamins Edgefield. For those of you who are not from 'round here, the McMenamin brother are brewers, wine makers and distillers. They purchase broken down, but historic, old properties and renovate them. The result is some of the most unique brewpub destinations you could imagine. Their "rescues" include old public schools, hotels, and theaters. This particular location is called Edgefield and was originally the county poor farm and later a nursing home. You can learn more about it by visiting here.

The Cracked Pots Art Show has become an annual event in mid-July. Cracked Pots artists specialize in art from recycled materials. In their words, "Cracked Pots uses art to encourage our community to creatively look at trash. Reuse is at the heart of all we do. Think before you throw." You can learn more about them and peruse some thumbnails of each artist's work here.

I apologize for the quality of the photos. It was overcast and near dusk when most were taken.

The front entrance to the main building which is now a hotel and event venue. There are many buildings on the property and this is the largest. The old architecture and workmanship is beautiful. It's hard to imagine the original function was a poor farm!

There are two separate restaurants, one high-end and the a moderately priced brewpub with indoor and out door seating. There is a large outdoor amphitheater that draws top name performers. There are many tiny bars scattered across the property in what were once garden sheds. Some seat as few as four people but you can purchase a drink and enjoy it as you stroll the grounds.

This is one of the side entrances to the main building.

The property is still a small-scale working farm in addition to producing small-batch spirits. There are extensive flower, herb, fruit and vegetable gardens. There is also a small golf course.

Edgefield is the perfect venue for the Cracked Pots show since the property is decorated with unique, original garden art made from recycled materials. There are two of these archways made from old water pipes and plumbing fittings. They are functional and water drips from the faucets to water the plants potted in retired beer kegs.

This garden gate is one of my favorite pieces. This flower and vegetable garden is enclosed inside a wire fence with this old wooden door as an entrance. I LOVE this!

It was too dark and too many people to get permission from the artists to take photos but I couldn't resist stealing just this one. The garden art ran the gamut from wind chimes made from salvaged keys and bottle caps, mosaic hubcaps, glass birdbaths to jewelry. The15 foot fire-breathing dragon wasn't there this year but this giant seahorse made up for it!

Close-Ups Of The Secret Garden Book Plus A Couple Shout-Outs

2011-07-21T20:03:00.000-07:00

I will start out with an apology for this very long post so soon after the Where Bloggers Create mega-post. Alexa's Secret Garden Of Verse arrived back from Somerset last week so I wanted to show you the complete book. I'll keep the words to a minimum so it isn't so long to scroll through but please read to the end because there are a couple of special events I want to tell you about.

The book is sitting on top of the keepsake box I bought for it and I also included a copy of the magazine.

You can double-click the pictures so they are large enough to read the verses I picked out.

Thank you for indulging me. I can hardly wait to give her the real thing!

I also want to share a give-away Diane is having to celebrate her 200th post over at My Art Journal. Be sure to check it out because she is giving away one of her lovely hand-painted boxes!

Plus! I want to point out the new button over on my sidebar. Lovey at Fabric Photo Memories has put her beautiful book on a special sale.

Back To Our Regularly Scheduled Programming

2011-07-19T21:25:00.000-07:00

Are you all exhausted from five days of blog-hopping at Where Bloggers Create? I know I am, but in a very GOOD way. Oh. My. Gosh. So many wonderful creative spaces and so much inspiration. It took me about an hour to start making changes to my art room! I'll be showing some changes soon.

In the meantime I thought I would show you some birthday gifts I received from a sweet friend on Saturday. She was on a trip where she had the opportunity to visit some antique malls and scored these delightful sugar bowls for my sugarcushions. What a fabulous birthday present. She also gave me these two books and a beautiful patio pot of pink and purple petunias. I haven't been able to get a picture of those since we are enduring April in July here in Portland. She knows me well!

Where Bloggers Create III - Welcome to My Art Room!

2011-07-14T18:44:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the hard work of Karen over at My Desert Cottage we get to party again this year at "Where Bloggers Create III" - that's THREE. The party officially begins this Friday, July 15th. Last year was so much fun. I think there are as many styles and sizes of art rooms and studios and creative spaces as there are bloggers and each one filled to the brim with that blogger's brand of inspiration.

Welcome to MY art room - I am looking forward to visiting YOURS!

I will take you on a 360 degree tour around my little creative space. The room has an odd shape because it is a portion of what was once an attached one-car garage. It amounts to about a modest 150 square feet. This is the view from the doorway. I tried putting on a tablecloth since company was coming but it just didn't look "real". Well, I guess this really doesn't either since the table is usually covered with a project or my latest picking haul.

This is looking back toward the door from the other side of the room. I showed the closet doors last year but never shared the inside. I have done a couple of projects inside there since last year so I'm opening up the doors this year. By the way, I painted those folk art style pictures above the doors about 25 years ago. I keep thinking I will get back into that style of art one of these days but we all know there are only so many hours in the day!

This dresser is a recent addition and sits behind the left closet door. I punched round, scalloped labels from wallpaper and used them to label the drawers. You will see more of that same wallpaper a little later. The top three shallow drawers are still empty. I'm toying with the idea of sorting my treasures according to the three primary colors and then one of the big drawers for black and white. Do you think orange goes with yellow or with red?

I found this sweet little white book shelf that happened to fit perfectly behind the right door. It is really the top from a hutch and has two cute little drawers and a scalloped top. Fitting these two pieces inside the closet required a LOT of purging, let me tell you!

A closer look at the book shelf. Hmm... box shelf?

I have a "thing" for old Buxton-style jewelry boxes and I have quite a few of them. Here is the funny thing - most of them are empty. I really struggle with needing to have things out where I can see them and be inspired {and not forget I have them!} so I have no clue why I keep buying these jewelry boxes. When I come up with the right use for them they will be sitting here waiting for me. Undoubtedly with a few more friends by then - LOL!

This is an odd shaped room so this notch is the side of another, deeper closet on the same side as the big closet doors. A perfect spot spot for a perfect vintage trash can for storing my rolls of wallpaper. This closet will NOT be opened for blog posts. It houses a water heater and it will take a lot bigger brain than mine to spin that into anything attractive.

But I can spin the door! This is a close-up of the door to the other closet. The vintage shoe bag is new since the last party. I love the floral pattern and the colors. The curtain rods for hanging linens are still behind it and they are still visible all around the shoe bag.

Now we are moving on to the second wall. I moved all of the magazines out of this bookcase this year because it is easily accessible so it makes sense to store more frequently used {or enjoyed!} things here.

A closer look... more boxes, but at least these are either labeled or have been used for the same items for so long that I know what is in them. Love that vintage postcard - the caption says "down she goes"!

Lots of little bits and pieces waiting for their day in the sun.

I am always on the lookout for apothecary jars because they are the perfect display for buttons. Just like jars of candy - eye candy!

Stacks of vintage sheet music, old books and other ephemera. I mainly select sheet music based on the graphics on the cover but sometimes the lyrics will ignite a little spark of imagination. It's all good.

My big red, rolling tool chest. This "Husky" girl offers SO much storage but all that red was kind of jarring so I made her a new outfit with the same wallpaper I used for the round labels on the dresser.

Glass buttons are my favorite so they get an eye-level nest on top of the tool chest. Glass rhinestones and clear glass are in apothecary jars. Wood buttons and vegetable ivory get their own apothecarys in the back. The compartments in the vintage satin organizer hold opaque colored glass, celluloids, tight tops, china, bone, some vintage button cards.... The small boxes in the front are vintage plastic and hold their own collections of plastic rhinestone buttons and vintage buckles.

There are also a few oddballs like a doorknob, a giant lens and a fuse mixed in - because I can.

Next to the red tool chest we have a little shelf of curiosities.

Below the curiosities we have boxes and baskets filled with more buttons, a giant glass jar of buttons and spools and a little assemblage I made from a round cigar box.

This assemblage is one of the rare occasions where I managed to use some of "the good stuff", including a vintage lace hankie that belonged to my grandmother. That vintage postcard just spoke to me and it seemed like the right thing to do.

Above the shelf of curiosities I have a mobile I call "Extra Credit" because the ATCs are made from those fake credit cards that used to be in the daily delivery of junk mail. I wonder if those are collectible now??

The third wall, looking back toward "Husky". Look down in the corner between Husky and my workbench...

...and you will find another vintage trash can. This one stores metal cans that have been burned to patina them or are awaiting the patina. Behind it, out of view, is a small bookcase that holds spray paints and other unattractive supplies and a large crock that holds rolls of wrapping paper, yardstick and other hard-to-store items. No vacant square inches around here!

Opposite the oak buffet "workbench" is the table you saw from the door. I use vintage suitcases for storage underneath the table. One holds tissue and wrapping paper and the other three are filled with family artifacts.

The self-healing cutting mat on top of the workbench was new this year, a Christmas gift from the husband, along with a rotary cutter. LOVE both! These tools just make so many things easier. I don't know how I ever got along without them and I cannot recommend them enough.

More buttons on my workbench to entertain me while I work plus a new apothecary I just picked up the other day. What? Unused space? I need to do something about that.

There are three wide shelves mounted on the wall above my workbench.

The bottom shelf stores items that are frequently used so they are within easy reach.

Tiny drawers and jars attempt to keep the tiny treasures from being swallowed up in the chaos.

I have to use a stepping stool to reach the top shelf so it is used for things I use less frequently, things I plan to use "someday" and things I just like to fill up my eyes with.

I skipped past my sewing machine table at the end of my workbench this year. It sits in front of the only window in the room and I just couldn't seem to get a good picture against the light. Now we are on the fourth wall where I have my desk. The dresser in the corner has been mine since I was a baby. I added the black paint and used fabric and Mod Podge to cover the drawer fronts. It hold my printer/scanner and my old-school TV so I can watch American Pickers and Pawn Stars and Antiques Roadshow. Okay, I'll just say it... and Ice Road Truckers and Swamp People. It's no wonder I don't get more done in here....

A little corner shelf above the TV holds more bits and pieces of inspiration clutter that I can't reach.

Another new project for this year was "respecting the lace". Last year this drawer was a loopy, tangled mess of lacey goodness. I made little tags from recycled cereal and cracker boxes covered with wallpaper then untangled and neatly wrapped each and every piece. A huge project but worth the effort since I can now see and therefore USE what I have.

A little collection of religious items, my soldering attempts, a saltbox bird shrine and a bell to call the maid. I need to fire that girl. She's always goofing off somewhere and never hears me dinging.....

My simply perfect in every way custom desk my youngest son built for me. He designed it exactly to my specifications and I love everything about it. It tucks right in to the L-shaped alcove at that end of the room, the storage space towers eight feet high and there is no crawling under the desk to plug my camera in to the computer. It just doesn't get any better than that. I am so grateful!

Books and magazines above the desk. The little tags identify specific articles I want to be able to find. I put a little piece of blue painters tape on the spine of the ones I have been published in.

Pins and needles and pretties. I am overly fond of what I call "poke sacks" of sewing supplies and notions. They frequently include boxes, bottles and cards of pins and needles which I store in this jewelry box. Makes perfect sense to me. The white dish is filled with chandelier prisms and other sparkly clear glass baubles that caught my magpie eye.

More books, magazines, buttons, boxes of pens and markers and things I walked in with and just set down and if I move them then I would have to dust. The insect leaning on the front of the two-tier aluminum serving dish is made from an old-school bottle opener and a couple "petals" off a collapsible vegetable steamer.

These two jewelry boxes hold my favorite mother of pearl and metal buttons. The card catalog drawers hold tags, both finished and unfinished.

A big jar of mother of pearl buttons waiting to be used in projects. They are so heavy I am afraid to put them in an apothecary jar so the poor things are banished to an old pickle jar. At least I Mod Podged some pretty paper on the lid.

A plethora of mark-making tools and a little hand to give me a hand and remind me to do things.

This concludes the around the room tour of my little piece of peace. If you have managed to read all the way to the end of this very long post I would like to leave you with these two parting gifts to take away and use in your own artwork. Double-click them to enlarge before you save or copy them.

Thank you so much for visiting!

Birthday Pick

2011-07-13T21:10:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my birthday so I went to Michael's at lunch and treated myself to the latest Somerset Studio magazine. When I got home the husband suggested we go to TinTin for dinner. TinTin is an Asian buffet and they serve sushi that I just love. I know that sounds goofy to eat sushi from a buffet but trust me - it's really yummy. I attempted to eat my weight in calamari and sushi!

When we finished and went outside there was a cloudburst pouring down rain. We hadn't gone prepared for that so we stood there on the covered sidewalk, gazing forlornly across the parking lot at my car.
Me: "You know, we can walk under this cover all the way over to the VOA".
Him: {with a look of panic} "NO"

Me: "Seriously? Not even on my birthday?"

Him: {panic escalating} "NO".

Me: "I drove. I have the car keys."
Him: "That just proves I should always be the one who drives."
Me: "I have the cigarettes, too." {I know... I wish...}
Him.... hangs his head in defeat and follows me down the sidewalk and through the VOA where I picked up the rest of these treasures in the picture. I did offer that he could just sit down on one of the used couches and wait. I think I saw a rainbow when we came out.

Blogger Be Good!!

2011-07-12T19:03:00.000-07:00

No pictures today...
Several of you have mentioned your Blogger woes to me lately and I have shared, via email, what little I have been able to discover. Since the Where Bloggers Create III party kicks off tomorrow I thought I would go ahead and post this in case it will be helpful to others. This is just what worked for me.

When my Followers stopped displaying on the side bar of my blog I upgraded my browser to Internet Explorer v.8 and that fixed it. How did I discover this? My Followers displayed on my computer at the office but not my one at home. The browser versions were different.
When you try to leave comments and get redirected to the Google log in screen DO NOT CLICK THE STAY SIGNED IN BOX. That is what envokes the message about commenting as "anonymous" and won't let you leave a comment.

I have been receiving email announcements from Google about a major change they are making to Google Apps at the end of this week. I have my fingers crossed it doesn't crash the blog party.
If anyone else has additional information and solutions they have found useful for the recent Blogger issues please feel free to share in the comments!

A Cluck-Cluck Here and a Cluck-Cluck There...

2011-07-07T19:39:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted about something I DON'T collect in quite a while then Magpie Ethel gave me a big *cluckle* with this post about the chickens she doesn't collect and inspired this post. I never set out to collect chickens but this little flock has come to roost on top of the curio cabinets in my living room, just the same.

I bought the two large ones on the right on purpose. It was many years ago when I had in mind to decorate my kitchen in a red, white and chicken theme. I got as far as the pair of chickens and a picture for the wall and moved on. The two salt and pepper shakers on the little "nest" in the center were a gift from a relative visiting from Germany and the rest were my mother's. They don't eat much.
I'm hooking up today with Cindy's Show and Tell Friday over at My Romantic Home. She knows how to throw a great blog party so be sure to check it out!

The Vacation Pick

2011-07-05T21:33:00.000-07:00

Today was back to the office and the real world. I did take pictures of my junk outings during the week so let's see if I can remember where I was! You can click them all bigger to get a better look.

This pile was from the old, reliable VOA. They put out a coupon for $3 off any purchase of $10 and it is good the whole summer. Well, I couldn't let THAT go to waste so I made a couple trips over there. I slipped into some kind of picking trance before the week was through and totally forgot I also had $10 of free money at the VOA that I forgot to use. Doh! More fun for another day! My favorite find in this pile is the box of corsage pins. Those will come in handy for my Inspiration Kits and SugarCushions.

This pile is from The Bins. I hit an estate sale that morning and it was a total dud and I was already close so decided to swing by The Bins. I got some great loot but the bins always means lots of washing and ironing to do. Maybe that's why I don't go very often, I make work for myself. Check out those vintage cookie cutters in the center of the picture. One even has a green wooden handle. A pretty good score at $1.59 a pound. A young man (!) walked past my cart and looked at them and gave me the thumbs up and said "score". Ha!

This was another trip to the VOA. That 1942 McCall children's pajama pattern to the left in the middle row went in to my Etsy store tonight. I was amazed at the condition of the envelope. They don't make them like that any more! The Advance pattern next to it is a different story. Advance was Penny's private brand and the pattern IS NOT PRINTED. No markings on the pieces at all! They have perforated letters to identify them but nothing else. Oh, and they only allowed to a 1/2" seam allowance. I wonder if anyone ever used one and made something they could actually wear. I guess maybe you actually had to know how to sew back then!

This pile is from the only good estate sale I went to. I got a jar of buttons that included some really pretty rhinestone buttons and we all know how much I love sparkly things! I had to have the sweet copy of A Child's Garden of Verse since it was the inspiration for the little book I made for my Granddaughter.
A week of vacation picking - ahhhhh, the good life!

Art Room Spruce-Up

2011-07-03T21:23:00.000-07:00

If you have seen pictures of my art room in the past, you know I have a big, very red, tool chest. I love all the drawers and storage space but I was never enamoured with the color. Nothing says garage like a rolling red tool chest. Yesterday afternoon I did a quick little fix-up and covered the fronts with wallpaper. The room is painted yellow and red and yellow is a Country French combination, right? Play along with me on this please.
I just used regular wallpaper paste so it would be removable if I change my mind so I wasn't sure it would even stick on the powder-coated surface. I got up this morning and it hadn't popped off so I think I'm good to go. I would still like to cover up those "Husky" logos. Does any girl really dig the word Husky in her girl cave, let me ask you?? The logos are dimensional so I haven't quite figured out what to do about them. I am open to suggestions!
I hope you are all having a safe and happy Fourth of July!

First Waterlily Bloom of the Summer

2011-07-02T19:11:00.000-07:00

My waterlily lifted up it's first blossom of the season - proof positive Summer has FINALLY arrived!

I have sure been enjoying my time off. Sleeping in, picking, gardening, picking, reading, picking... I could get used to this life if only it didn't require getting old or broke - LOL! I also did a little project to spiff up the art room for the upcoming "Where Bloggers Create" party. All for future posts. For now I'm off to finishing ironing some of my new treasures.
Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!

A Sneak Peek at My Birdsong Tags

2011-06-30T08:52:00.000-07:00

I finished my tags for Karla Nathan's Birdsong Tag Book Swap today. One of them will stay with me and the other seven will fly off to Kansas on Friday. Karla will mix them up and assemble them into little books of seven tags each, plus a cover made by her. There are over a hundred people participating. Making eight tags took me some time so I can't imagine making over a hundred covers!

You might recognize the Golden Robin picture I used for the backside from this post. Perfect for the Birdsong theme! I had the vintage photo of the sweet little boy playing in the birdbath for a while now and wasn't sure how to use it because the birdbath was cut in half. I think it was just waiting for the right project to come along and then it told me it was ready.

I sandwiched a piece of torn cotton fabric in between the two sides then machine stitched them together. The soft fringe around the edges has a downy, organic look and feel. I love stitching on paper!

As I'm typing this I realized I put my name and email on the back but forgot my blog address - Doh! I will have to fix that before they fly off to Kansas. I can't wait to see all the little works of art that fly back to me!

Catch Up Post and a Few Recent Finds

2011-06-27T19:42:00.000-07:00

Holy Moly, I can't believe it's almost a week since I posted. I am on vacation this week and I can't seem to remember last week so apparently I was busy getting ready to be on vacation - LOL!

These are a few recent finds I have managed to scavenger here and there. Click the picture bigger and check out the "lace" collar. It is a size that would fit a baby or a doll and it is handmade from bias tape and rick rack and it is PERFECT. Can you imagine someone having the patience to piece that all together just so... amazing!!
I just got the double eggs cups at the VOA today. At first I thought they were Johnson Brother Friendly Village, which I collect. On closer inspection I realized they are a different pattern. I think it is called Old English Countryside. The colors and design are very similar to Friendly Village but the subject matter is different. These have cottages with thatched roofs. They would fit with my collection but not quite right and way too cool to leave behind. I haven't decided yet if I will keep them or put them in my Etsy shop. It really isn't the kind of thing I normally sell since I steer clear of the fragile stuff. I might have to let them steep a while.
So what have I been up to you might wonder. Well probably not, but I'll catch you up anyway 8+).
On Saturday we went to the "Oldies But Goodies" drag races. We both like old cars and that is one of our favorite events. The weather was beautiful for a change and we got to see an old 1930 Studebaker pickup do not one, but TWO incredible wheelies. I thought it was going to go over backwards and I think the driver might have been thinking the same thing as he was gazing up at the blue sky! This was really our first time spending a whole day outside this year and we both got so sunburned we have looked embarrassed ever since.
Yesterday we climbed through the trees about half way to the top of the Ski Bowl ski run on Mt. Hood to watch the mountain bike downhill race. Our son wasn't racing this time but another friend of ours was and this was our first time to see it in person. Oh. My. Gosh. Mountain bikes peddling down through and over the trees as fast as they can go, sometimes FASTER than they can go. Trust me on this. There is really no spectator area. You just find yourself a flat spot to stand and hope it isn't where someone flies off the track. Crazy stuff, I tell you!
Today we went on our own bike ride here in town. There is a new branch to the Springwater Trail we hadn't ridden yet and I wanted to check it out. My bad. It was uphill both ways, I swear.
If I can still walk tomorrow I don't plan to do anything more strenuous than checking out the merchandise on the bottom shelf at the thrift store!

A Little Pink for the First Day of Summer

2011-06-21T19:32:00.000-07:00

Today is the first day of Summer and it is lovely and warm outside. I can actually go out on my patio without a coat. Not so much last Saturday. We had a soaking rain that lasted all day long.

Needless to say, the just-opened Peony blossoms filled with water and went head first, straight to the ground. That is a pretty common scenario here in Portland so I rushed right out to salvage what I could for a bouquet. At least I don't have to feel guilty about cutting them since I'm really "saving" them! I don't bring Peonies indoors because they always have ants in them so we just enjoy them on the patio. They are just as beautiful no matter where we enjoy them!

I also snapped a photo of one of our first roses while I was out. Blogger decided to turn it sideways but it's just as pretty either way. The Portland Rose Festival ended about a week and a half ago and there were few roses in bloom for it this year because everything is so far behind this year. I'll take them when I can get them!

The Button Picking Gods Smiled Down on Me Again!

2011-06-19T11:04:00.000-07:00

I stopped at one estate sale yesterday where I picked up five gorgeous white lace-trimmed hankies plus two rather faded floral ones. I also got a hand full of wooden spools and yet another jewelry box. I was on my way home and made a last second decision to stop at the VOA. Well, maybe my car decided. It knows the way there and what it should do when it gets close.

Thank you to my well trained car! The VOA coughed up yet another poke sack of buttons. This was a much bigger bag than last weekend but I suspect it may have come from the same original donation because there were a few buttons that match what I got then. How lucky is that - I got the rest of the story!

I didn't photograph all of them but these are some of the more interesting plastics and MOP. Look closely in the upper left corner and you will see I put a quarter in for scale. Those white plastic buttons are HUGE. The MOP at the bottom of the photo are some of the biggest I have seen. My favorite is the orangish one in the center with the crescent moon cutout. They just don't make 'em like this anymore!

Pick a Pile O' Poke Sacks

2011-06-14T20:06:00.000-07:00

Say THAT three times fast! I did a little junking while my MIL was here. No big "scores" but I did pick up a pile of poke sacks and you know how I love those. I even got a couple little sacks of buttons, better yet.

They were filled with vintage sewing notions and those are my favorite. There is just something about them that makes me feel "connected" to the creative spirit of another generation, to know those women from another time had the same need to make something. It makes us all one.

Old velvet ribbons and trims and an old silver-plated sugar bowl that might become a sugarcushion experiment. It is pretty, hmm... rustic. Yes, that's a good word...

A set of sweet little hors d'oeuvre forks in their original box. I'm sure glad that word was on the box.

A Christmas Angel Band, also in the original box. Someday I will accumulate enough little angels to replace the strange characters on my big wooden Christmas candle chime. A pack of pinochle cards with birdies on them.

Elastic button thread - who knew?? Sounds like a great idea so I wonder what became of it.

A few pretty glass buttons and my first EVER rolls of vintage rayon seam binding. Love that stuff but have only found the small packages until now. The "good" stuff! Digging through a poke sack is just like opening up a treasure box - you just never know what you will find inside!

Alexa's Secret Garden

2011-06-11T19:18:00.000-07:00

Over a year ago in April 2010, I took some pictures of my Granddaughter, Alexa, playing in her "secret garden" in our backyard. They eventually became a little fabric and paper book that I submitted to SEW Somerset last Summer. It was published, along with the story, in the Summer 2011 edition which just came out the first of June.

I kept the whole thing a secret {no pun!} until she and her Mommy and Daddy were over to visit last night. The little book hasn't been returned yet but once it is I have a keepsake box for it and will include a copy of the magazine {autographed, of course! LOL!}. Alexa's 15 minutes of fame will make a fun "show and tell" for first grade next year!

I didn't have any luck trying to scan the glossy pages so I just photographed the magazine. Stampington included a link in the magazine to some additional pages that didn't make it in to print. You can see them here: http://www.stampington.com/html/snoopy/2011/0611/sew/alexa_garden_of_verse/

I mention in the story that I was able to photograph her in the Secret Garden because it isn't so enclosed in April when the ferns haven't come up yet. These next pictures show how it looks right now. What a difference a couple of months makes!

This shot is taken from roughly the same location as the ones in the magazine. The ferns completely hide the secret garden. You don't even know it is there until you walk right past the "doorway" between two evergreen branches.

This little doorway is actually about 4 feet high and just right for a little fairy princess. A little hard on the rest of our backs.

The inside is a perfectly enclosed little playhouse with a canopy of green overhead. What more could a fairy princess want!

Time Out For A Little Touristy Recreation

2011-06-09T21:31:00.000-07:00

My dear MIL, Lisa, arrived from California yesterday so we took a little trip up the Columbia River Gorge to have lunch at Multnomah Falls today. We have all been there many times but it never fails to impress. Between the rain and the snow melt our rivers are extremely high and the amount of water going over the falls was remarkable. The hazy look in the pictures is actually the mist from the water.

We had a delicious lunch at the lodge and then headed back to Portland in time to get in a little shopping. We hit DSW for shoes then the Fabric Depot. The evening was spent working on her Etsy shop.

Tomorrow we have some thrifting planned and then the kids over in the evening to visit with Grandma. Recreating until we drop - LOL!

Spalted Hackberry Fresh From Missouri

2011-06-06T20:12:00.000-07:00

Seriously! I thought you might be curious about the "art supplies" that arrive for The Other Art Room at Our House. The husband is constantly on the lookout for interesting pieces of wood to turn, both locally and on the Internet. This is a piece of spalted Hackberry that arrived today from Missouri.

Years ago, back in "the day", as we call it, all he had to choose from was what he could find locally or we cut down ourselves. Boy howdy, I could tell some stories about THAT! Today he can go on line and find an amazing selection. A fresh, or "green" blank like this takes several years to dry and be ready for turning so there is a lot of long-range planning and patience involved.

You can double-click on the picture and make it larger so you can see the beautiful spalted grain in this piece. It will make a gorgeous bowl! Sometimes the wood arrives as a square or rectangular blank and other times they have already been cut round to reduce the weight. I think the round ones look like big wheels of cheese - LOL!

I Better Pick Up The Pace!

2011-06-03T18:07:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of a "play day" with a sweet friend last Saturday. Well, that's nearly a week ago now and I still haven't posted my finds for the day. I need to pick up the pace!

We hit the VofA first. They were having 50% off everything and I found most of this pile there. Nothing too exciting except that plate in the front. The color doesn't show up well in the photo but it is Royal Ruby in the depression glass pattern called Bubble. I collect Royal Ruby and Forest Green and I have a few pieces of Bubble but this is the first plate I have found in red. Love it!
Those bookends are just for some art room reorganization I plan to do before Where Bloggers Create III. It was so much fun last year and that is where I met some of you. There is a link over on my sidebar if you haven't got the details for this year yet.

We also visited the Monticello antique mall. They have a lovely little cafe where we had lunch and then took our time oohing and aahing. That's where I got the pink sugar bowl I made into a sugarcushion in the previous post. I guess I got the cart in front of the horse!
I also got this sweet little set of swallow S+P shakers to add to my birdie collection.

And yet another jewelry box {big sigh}. Not a lot of loot but a big dose of fun!
They are predicting our first 80 degree day tomorrow - WooHoo!!! I will be enjoying some outdoor time!