Good Times!

We had another fun filled last-days-of-summer-break day yesterday. Told the kids they could each take a friend to Oaks Park, an amusement park on the banks of the Willamette River in Portland, OR. We had a great time despite the heat. Only managed to get a couple shots of them, of course couldn't get any pictures of them together.

This year I have two middle-schoolers which will be really nice for drop offs. They have mixed feeling about starting another school year. We have had a great and fun summer and I know personally, I am ready for school to start.







Look what I got in the mail when I came home!




This is the french collage pack I ordered from The Decorated House. I just love how it arrived. Almost too pretty to open up. I already have big plans for this great stuff. To start, I think I will make a journal/scrapbook for myself to finally organize all my stuff from the trip I took to Paris last year. Don't you think it will be cute? I have never really done any collaging, (is that even a word?) but I have been wanting to try it and now that I have all the goods I need to get started, I should just...get started. ha ha I think if I have good luck with the journal, I may even tackle a french themed tool box. Cool, can't wait!


Isabel and I are headed over to Monticello today for a little updating and refreshing of our booth. Out with the old, in with the new (old stuff). It will feel so good to get that done. There is another antique show coming up in September in Troutdale (not too far away) and we are both trying to figure out if we should do it. We have so much stuff, it is a little overwhelming and of course, we just keep buying more. It's a sickness, I know.

Tomorrow, hubby, the kids and I are going to the coast for a little fun in the sun and on the water. We are taking the boat out to do a little crabbing which we have wanted to do for awhile. It is just one more fun thing we are trying to pack in before school starts. Hopefully we will have some nice weather over there. Wish us luck!

Back to School Fun

It's been a couple days since I last posted which my good friend Joy was nice to point out. She said I'd better get busy with another one so she would have something new to look at on my blog when she visits.

This our last week of summer vacation so we have been trying to have a little fun before the daily grind starts next week. Yesterday the kids and I met friends at this really cool place called "Players" in Lake Oswego. It's a combination arcade, bowling alley, restaurant, party place. Very cool and nicely decorated. Wish I had remembered to take my camera. The kids had a great time bowling and playing games. My friend Andrea was nice enough to have both of them overnight last night, (thanks Andrea) so I did a little thrift store shopping this morning. Didn't really find anything too great, some clothes for the kids. Since I know you like pictures, here's a couple of my recent finds that I mentioned in previous posts.



Cute floral bedspread found at Oregon City Antique show.


Close up. So sweet, too small for my queen though.













Silver soap case


















Wicker purse with flowers found at Monticello. Added the bird I found at a garage sale.

Enjoy!

My Prize

Here are Isabel and me in front of our booth.

I am wearing two of the slips you may remember me getting at the Lake Oswego Antique Show.

It was a perfect day at the Oregon City Antique Show. A little sunny, a little cloudy. Much better than last year when it was super hot. We had a pretty good show. Isabel did better than I did, but we both wish we would have sold some bigger items. I felt like I took as much home as I got there with. But it doesn't matter, we had fun and I scored the best thing first thing in the morning while we were setting up.

Out of the corner of my eye I spotted some cute vintage roses wallpaper on what looked like a screen. On closer inspection I saw that it was a little cabinet/wardrobe. I loved it and it was only $40. Had to have it. Here is a close up of the wallpaper on the side. It is a little more faded on the front. I have the perfect spot for it in my house. Of course it will require getting rid of something else, but oh well. This is by far one of the coolest things I have ever found. Did I mention that there is a little rod for hanging things on the inside and someone put a curtain rod on the outside which I can take off no problem. All my friends at the show were saying what a great find it was and Isabel has already asked me to put her name on it if I decide to ever get rid of it. ha ha

I had quite a bit of time to walk around and of course I managed to buy a few other things too. I found an adorable vintage floral bedspread/coverlet. It is in like new condition, don't know if I will be able to cut it up for the fabric. I also found a cute silver box with scrolly/floral detail on the outside. I think it was suppose to be a soap holder, but I am going to use it for pins. Isabel found some vintage rose wallpaper for us and lastly I found a vendor that had bags of paper scraps (my latest obsession). I bought 4 of them. So, I didn't get too crazy.

Joy and Diane were selling at the show too. I think they did pretty well. It was fun to see them. Now I am exhausted. I think I will take it easy today. I have neglected the housework last week getting ready for the sale so I guess I should do a little of that.

But, before I go, here is one of the dressers I got last week. I actually got three dressers last week, but only managed to take a picture of this one. I am not a huge blue person, but I think this one is pretty cute. I love the feet.

Have a great week!

P. S. I did sell that shopping cart shown in my last post. Yeah!

Oh Happy Me!

Just wanted to show you the picture of my finished shopping cart complete with liner. I have made probably a dozen or more shopping cart liners and I can honestly say that this is one of my favorites. We sell them mostly at antique shows where they are almost always the first things to go. We had to increase our prices over the last few years as we were practically giving them away. If you make and sell items you know the time and effort that goes into them.

It is so much fun for us to go to an antique show and see the people who have bought our carts actually using them. We always stop and talk to them and they are always so nice and tell us how much they love their carts. At the last Portland Expo, we had dozens of people ask us if we made custom orders for their own carts, which we don't. We only sell them with the carts we have as there are a lot of different shopping carts out there and we are just too busy with other projects, family, etc. to do custom orders.

Anyway, I just love how this cart has the cute aqua wheels. I intentionally paired this fabric to go with the cart and I'm so glad I did as I think it turned out just lovely. (Okay, so I'm bragging a little:) To get a better view of the fabric I used, click on the picture for a close up.

I also wanted to take this opportunity to publically thank Becky over at Sweet Cottage Dreams for giving me a most appreciated plug. If you haven't visited her blog yet, please do so. She is the sweetest person ever and her blog is simply adorable. She is listed under my favorite blogs. Thanks so much Becky! I feel so fortunate to have met you. I got goose bumps just reading what you wrote about me. I was truly tickled pink. hee hee!

Have a great Saturday everyone. Wish me luck in Oregon City tomorrow!

Sewing Party? Yeah Baby!

What a fun day I had today with my good friends Joy and Isabel. Took the kids out to Joy's again and while they played, I got to play with my friends.

We all sewed up a storm. I completed three jackets and almost finished a shopping cart liner. Sew productive! ha ha

Here are Isabel (on left) and Joy. Aren't they just adorable? You can tell that they are just having so much fun. And look, they are both wearing pink. Too cute! Feel free to click on the picture for a close up. They would just love that.

We were actually sewing in Joy's shop called "Auntie Joys" but now it's mostly a work space. She does lots of antique shows and has special sales at her place throughout the year. Speaking of Joy, I didn't ask her if I could say anything, but I am going to anyway. Her home is being featured in the next Romantic Country Magazine! I am so excited for her. I promise you will love the pictures of her home.




Here is Joy modeling the apron she made today. Isn't it great! I just love that pink and brown combo, don't you? Hey, didn't I say that in a previous post? I think so. Well anyway, it really turned out so cute. I think she has at least six of these ready to go for the Oregon City Antique show this Sunday.


Close up of Joy's apron. Cute toes Joy!





















Here are some pictures of the jackets I did.















I'll take a picture of the completed shopping cart liner and show you a couple of my recent craigslist finds tomorrow. Gotta finish up all the little stuff, tagging, packing, loading tomorrow as I'm going to have an early start Sunday morning.

Before I go, I just want to say thank you for all of the blog love I received on my last post. I am truly amazed that people are actually reading and enjoying my blog. It gives me a warm fuzzy feeling just knowing that there are others out there that share my interests and like looking at all my stuff.

Hugs to you all!

Another Busy Day

After being gone all day on Sunday, it was good to stay and home and get some projects done. I spent a great deal of time getting my small stuff organized for the Oregon City Show coming up this next Sunday. I am determined to pack as much stuff as possible into my van. In the afternoon however, my daughter convinced me to take her to the dreaded mall to buy some new school clothes. When we got back, I made dinner, downed a diet coke and got busy. Remember that little stool I pictured on a few blogs back? Well, I took it apart, and after removing a million staples and the ugly vinyl cover, I ended up with this.

Way better don't you think? I orginally was going to paint the metal base, but I really like the pink fabric and brown base together. I used a reproduction barkcloth fabric made by Daisy Kingdom in the 90's. I really loved how it turned out.

This is a footstool I found this weekend. It had an ugly fake tapestry cover which I replaced with this lovely vintage barkcloth from my stash. I only have one bouquet of this fabric left so I guess I will just have to make myself a pillow!

Here are some more pictures of my bedroom including the new pink chenille spread I mentioned the other day. I just love it! Don't you think it is just the perfect pink? The quilt at the end of my bed was a birthday gift from my sweet mother-in-law, Judy. I cut all the pieces from all of my favorite rose fabrics and she put the whole thing together. Fabulous!

I've had this cabinet for years. Bought it unfinished and just never got around to painting it. It holds the tv in my room. Recently I decided that I would put the vintage wallpaper in the panels. I just love how it turned out, even if the rest of the cabinet is still unpainted.

Another shot of my bedroom with a cute vintage little girl dresses and sweaters valance. I am going to try to get one more shopping cart liner and two more denim jackets made for the sale. I guess I better go get some more diet coke.

One Year Anniversary

Spent the day working the booth at Monticello. While I was there I realized that we moved in there last August so it is our one year anniversary. Wow, did that go fast. We have been having so much fun and just love that place. Here are some pictures I took of our booth.

As you can see, we have a lot of cottage style furniture, lamps and vintage decor items. We also make and sell pillows, lampshades, and you can always find a variety of little eclectic odds and ends. We tend to buy things we like and will fit into our pastel color palete. We are both pink freaks so our name "tickled pink" fits us perfectly. We have been selling together now for over three years and we have so much fun together too.

Anyway, I spent a couple hours cleaning up, gathering things for the Oregon City show we are doing next Sunday and just shopping. I found the cutest pink chenille bedspread, and a cool wicker basket with vintage fabric flowers. Of course I forgot to take pictures of those.

I also did a lot of thrifting yesterday stopping at three Goodwills, and two Value Villages. I found several cute items for resale, but the best find was this huge dollhouse. I just love it!

As promised, here is the picture of the complete shopping cart and liner. It was a gloomy day yesterday and not great lighting. Believe me when I say this is so much cuter in person. If any one out there is reading this and can offer tips on getting better pictures I would be so grateful. I have a brand new Fugi FinePix F40 which is suppose to be a really good digital camera. I'm sure I should be doing something different. I guess I will just have to read the manual.

Today will be spent either back to school shopping or getting ready for the Oregon City Show. It is the last show we are doing this summer. Isabel and I are just sharing one 10 x 10 booth so we are only taking whatever will fit in our cars. I hope the weather improves by then. We did this show last year and had so much fun. That's when we met Joy and Diane.

Have a great week y'all!

Crazy Sewing Lady

Had a great day yesterday just sewing my heart out. I should have been cleaning house, but hubby was away doing guy stuff so I thought I would just do something creative. After being at Joy's the other day and seeing all of the cute aprons she is making I thought I would give one a try. Here is the result of my first effort.

The pattern is call French Flea Market Apron. Isn't it cute. I loved that I was able to use some of my stash and I didn't have to go out and buy anything to make it. I love projects like that, don't you? This one is very girly I think. I even added the chenille rick rack that I have had forever. My daughter reluctantly modeled it for me. I love that the tie wraps all the way around and knots in the front.

After that I sewed a little quilted case for my new camera. I didn't get a picture of that yet. It's nothing special, just something to protect my camera if I want to throw it in my purse. Now that I have my blog, I have to remember to take pictures of stuff. The last thing I made was a liner for the shopping cart I pictured the other day. I did make it out of the quilt I bought at TJ Maxx and it turned out great. I will post pictures tomorrow. I did a ragging technique and let me tell you, my hand sure is tired from all of that cutting.

I would love to do more sewing today as it is just the perfect weather for it, (raining and clowdy)but I need to get over to Monticello with some stuff. Might do a little thrifting along the way too. Enjoy your Sunday!

TGIF

It has been a great but busy week for us. So glad it is the weekend. I just love Fridays. Where we live, there are lots of garage sales on Fridays so if you like thrifting like me, it is a great way to get a jump start on the weekend. Here is what I bought today:

Two vintage wood chairs, two old metal tool boxes, pair of embroidered pillowcases, yellow roses sheet, floral ralph lauren sheet, sheer drapery panel with pink roses, little wood drawer, lace pillow, cream pottery planter, vintage muffin tin, two bird cages, vintage floral print, bamboo easel, ceramic bird, pyrex casserole dish, vintage pencil tin, cellulose vanity pieces, two cement garden squirrels, a concrete deer, mini ironing board and four small trellises.

I've noticed lately that tend to find multiples of items in the same day. For example, the chairs, tool boxes, bird cages. I guess my eyes are just trained to look for those items. I don't know for sure. Anyway, I was really happy with my finds and certainly didn't pay much for anything.

I also managed to track down a copy of the new Somerset Artful Blogging magazine. Wow, what eye candy. I totally have blog envy. I got it at Barnes and Noble if you are looking for it.

Had a great day at Joy's yesterday. Of course I forgot my camera so I didn't get any pictures. But the kids had a great time playing with all of the farm cats and I had fun sewing and chatting with Joy and her sister Toni. Thanks for the fun time Joy. I'm so lucky to have you in my life.

Have a great weekend everyone!

A Walk in the Park

As I mentioned the other day, we decided to get out of the house and stretch our legs by going for a hike at Washington Park. It was a beautiful day and because I know the kids would have more fun, I let them each bring a friend along. Now, I have done this hike at least 5 other times, but for some reason, we made a wrong turn and ended up going a lot farther than I planned. Despite that detour, we ended up at the Rose Garden anyway. Of course, the kids couldn't get to the ice cream fast enough, but after that we strolled around the gardens looking at all the beautiful roses. As you can imagine, based on my blog title, I was in heaven! We try to get up to the Rose Garden at least once a year and our timing this time was perfect. Take a look!

Yummy! Right!

Here are some pictures of my cute kids and their friends.
By the time we got home it was close to dinner time. My wonderful husband took my son to dinner and a movie and my daughter had a babysitting gig, so I had the whole house to myself! Woo hoo! You think I would do something fun and creative? No, I just vegged on the couch watching tv. Today we are headed over to Joys. Will have to take some pictures of her awesome projects.

Good Friends

My friend Andrea is just the sweetest person ever. We actually met last year when she responded to a craigslist ad I placed for a desk I wanted to sell. She ended up not buying the desk, but we talked for a really long time and she invited me over to take a look at some stuff she was getting rid of. Needless to say, I left her house with a car full of cool stuff. Ever since then she has been great about asking me if I want something before she gives it to goodwill. She, unlike me, is very tidy. She doesn't like a lot of stuff in her house and is very organized. I, on the other hand, think that more is more or more is better. My house is in a constant state of chaos due to things I bring in, but either haven't decided where it will go or is needing some tlc or needs to be tagged and taken to a show or the antique mall. Fortunately I have a very understanding husband. I know it bugs him and I try to keep it under control somewhat, but I don't seem to be very successful at it.

The other day I went to pick up my son, at Andrea's house and I noticed she had a bunch of stuff on a table in her garage left over from her garage sale. I think I was out of town when she had it. Anyway, I asked if she was just getting rid of the stuff or could I go through it. She said she didn't think there was anything I would want.

Here is a picture of what I nabbed.

The blue folding tray is a reproduction. I will probably distress it a little. The vase with the red roses isn't really something I would buy, but it is the real McCoy. Really, a McCoy. So, maybe someone will want it. I thought the needlepoint pc. was pretty and the old green canning jar is pretty cool. The music thing is a mystery. Andrea said you use it to hold music, but I'm not sure. You could put magazines in it or something. I will most likely try to sell all of these item. Can you believe she was just going to give them to the goodwill?

Yesterday was a lazy day. I finally got the book Veronica and Astrid from the library (a recommendation from Alicia at Rosy Little Things) and read the whole thing straight through. It was a very sweet novel and I too recommend it.

My daughter has been going to soccer camp this week in the mornings so we have been staying close to home. The kids (and I) really need to get out and enjoy this beautiful weather we are having so this afternoon we are going on a hike up in Washington Park. We've done this hike before. It is really pretty and winds through the woods and we end up at the Rose Garden where we all get ice cream from a truck before we head back. I will try to take some pictures and post them tomorrow.

Here are a couple things I bought the other day while in Aurora:

These are the before pictures. I will give both items a make-over. The stool will get paint, and a new floral fabric cover for the seat. The cool vintage shopping cart will get a liner. I think I will use a floral patchwork quilt I just bought at TJ Maxx. It was on clearance for only $22 and will be great for lots of projects as it is a queen size. Well, I better get busy with some housework before the day has passed me by. Oh, going over to Joy's house tomorrow to check out her auction finds and look at the new cute aprons she is making. Check out her blog (listed under my favorites). She is a newbie just like me and we are both learning about this blog business.

Ah...Paris...

Isabel and I had a great time shopping in Aurora at the Antique Fair. It was a nice smaller size sale we were able to do in a couple hours. I tried to take some pictures of my treasures, just couldn't get the lighting right. Will try again later today.

I did manage to take a picture of my find from the other day. Remember the glitter letters spelling out "OUI?" I took some of the vintage ribbon I bought from the same person and strung it through the letters and hung it on my little jewelry cabinet. I have a little homage to Paris here along with a glass and metal tray of vintage rhinestone and handpainted roses brooches. It's hard to tell from my picture, but I have three eiffel towers and a little eiffel tower limoges trinket box. Last summer I was able to fulfill a longtime dream and visit Paris. I had such a wonderful time and can't wait to go back. Unfortunately we weren't able to hit the big flea markets they have there, but did check out a smaller one. Everything was super expensive, but I managed to bring home a few treasures. The best thing I got there was a tiny metal picture frame. They wanted 20 euros, but I bargained down to 15 (about $18.00). That was a lot for me to spend on a tiny picture frame, but I just love it! It is now home to a picture of the eiffel tower that I actually took.

This is Isabel and me at the Luxembourg Gardens on my last day in Paris. It was so hot that day and we ended up there after a day of shopping. See all that grass? I desparately wanted to plop down on it, but it was off limits. We eventually found a small patch of grass to sit down on with about a million other hot and tired people. I actually went to Paris with my dad and met Isabel there who was in Europe visting family. We had a so much fun! One day we did the touristy thing visiting the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and Place de Concorde. My favorite thing that day though was eating at the most wonderful creperie. Yummy! Citron et sucre (lemon & sugar) crepes are the best! Writing this is taking me back wishing I could have some more of those crepes right now.

Good To Be Home

Went camping this week at Timothy Lake with the family. Had such a fun time despite no showers. Took the boat out and set out crayfish traps. Our campsite was just beautiful. Very private with our own little beach. Great view of Mt. Hood. Hubby brought a cajun crayfish recipe which was actually pretty good.

Came home yesterday and after showering, went over to the Antique show being held this weekend in our town. It was okay, not many vendors, but the Girlfriends, Randy and Susan were all there from Monticello. Linda Marcov was there from Willownest and our friend Karen from Apples and Antiques was there too. I bought a few things of course: two satin box organizers, cute pair of vintage floral pillowcases, a floral lamp finial, vintage paris postcards book, glitter letters "OUI", and some vintage pink ribbon. I will take a picture and show what I did with some of these finds later.

Today, Isabel and I are going to check out the Aurora Antique Fair. (As if we haven't been shopping enough already.) It's a good thing we are selling stuff this summer because we just keep buying more. Yesterday I received some wonderful vintage valentines from ebay. I just love the really old lacy ones.

More pictures of Timothy Lake Camping trip.

A Sad Goodbye

I'm just plain tired today. Such a busy, but fun weekend. Had to do the Monticello run to drop off stuff, pick up check and do a general clean up. It is just amazing how long all that seems to take. Every time I go over there I think I will just take about an hour to do what I need to do, but then, I end up looking around, trying to make everything fit and look good in our booth seems to take forever. But now that it's done, it feels good.


This morning I actually went walking. I am trying to lose weight. I would like to lose about 10 lbs by the time school starts so part of that plan is to walk for an hour every other day. I have to say that I have been doing a pretty good job at that part. The diet is another story. I just love to eat. That is it in a nutshell. Food=Good! I'll let you know how the weight loss goes. After walking I listed my last two panels of the barkcloth I bought in California during my vacation.



Aren't they pretty. I actually bought six panels. I had already sold 3 of them on ebay and so I decided to keep one and sell the last two. Anyway, I was just checking my email and found that not only did they sell (I did a buy it now), but the person who bought them already paid for them. Wow, that was so fast! So, as much as I am sad to see them go, I am really glad to have the money. Now I can go do some more shopping, wee, hoo!


My buddy Isabel and I have been dying to see Becoming Jane, the new movie about Jane Austin so we decided to do that tonight.


Oh, one last thing. I forgot to tell you about the wonderful french bakery I went to yesterday in Lake Oswego. It is called St. Honoure Bakery and they had the most delicious croissants I have ever tasted. The chocolate ones are to die for. Give them a try if you are in the area.

Weekend Update

We had the best time at Diane's Molly Mo's Antique Sale on Saturday. The weather was perfect. A little windy, but not too bad. She lives in a gorgeous farmhouse and has an adorable barn she has turned into a shop. Here are some pictures/eye candy for ya!

Here are me and Isabel in our booth. I'm on the right. We had a lot of fun. Sold some things and bought some things.

Here is what I got at the sale: blue rose ticking sheet, 2 pink rose ticking pillowcases, two rolls of vintage wallpaper, two cream ruffled chenille shams, vintage crochet tablecloth, bunch of vintage fabric flowers, handpainted bottle, pink bench, pink bed canopy, little cream cabinet, pc. of floral fabric and a rhinestone brooch (not pictured). I am going to use the wallpaper to line the drawers of the cabinet and put on the side panels. I want to use this as additional storage in my bathroom.

So, today was my husband's birthday and Isabel wanted to do another antique show, but since it was his birthday, I didn't feel like I should abandon him, especially since I was gone all day yesterday at Molly Mo's. So, I made a compromise. I told him I would only be gone in the early morning to help Isabel set up her booth. That way I could do a little shopping too. Joy from Auntie Joy's (antiejoy.blogspot.com) decided to do the show too and she had a booth next to Isabel. The weather was really crummy in the morning, drizzling turning to rain, kind of a bummer, but it cleared up later in the morning. So here is what I found to buy at the sale:

several pieces of vintage lace, three vintage slips (two white and one dusty pink), two pages from a victorian scrap book, green wicker basket, a porcelain posy, five pink goodie bags from "The Withies" and on the way out I bought the cute rolling cart which I will definitely keep.

This lady was so cute. She bought one of my vintage fabric denim jackets. I asked if I could take her picture wearing it. She just loved it and it was one of my favorites. I guess I will just have to make one for myself now. Thanks so much Isabel for selling the jacket and my shopping cart (the one pictured above) for me. You are a sweetie!

Time for bed!