Friday, January 29, 2010

Metal and Glass

That’s what I seemed to find in my last couple days of thrifting.  It was nice to be out hitting the stores again this week.  While at one GW, I ran into this adorable blogger/artist.  Rebekah is so sweet. We chatted a little about the etsy store I keep procrastinating.  If you stop by her blog, leave a comment and tell her I sent you.

So, are you wondering what I found? Here’s a group pic.DSCF0547

See,  I wasn’t kidding, metal and glass. Okay, there is a little bit of lace in there too.  My favorite find though has to be the vintage glass and metal curtain tie backs.  I’ve never found any before and I love them.  Definitely keeping these cuties.

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Another fun find was this interesting coin charm bracelet. 

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The coins are from all over.  I haven’t looked at all of them, but some are from the 40’s and a more recent one from 1999.  I love finding  funky, unusual stuff like this.

On another note, have you been here yet?  If not, what are you waiting for?  These guys have it going on and great vintage stuff too.  What’s not to absolutely love?blog-header-1

On Saturday I’ll be heading over here.

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Can’t wait to see what Cindy has up her sleeve this time.  Each sale is different than the last and how she keeps coming up with such amazing merchandise and ideas I’ll never know.  A visit to the Tarte barn is always inspiring. If you see me there, make sure to stop me and say “Hi!” Hope you all have a great weekend!

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

White Wednesday

I had hoped to show you a White Wednesday project today, but that will have to wait. Instead, I thought I would show you something else.

The other day I was looking at Sallie Ann.  You remember her, right?  She was the dress form that I found awhile back at the Salvation Army. Well, as I said, I was looking at her and I thought to myself, “she needs a top,” and I have the perfect one for her.

I had found this cute little corset like top at a thrift store recently for $3 and since I hadn’t done anything with it, I thought it would look great on Sallie Ann. And, voila!

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Much better I think. 

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And an arty close up of her lovely jewelry.  You may not believe this, but recently I weeded out some of her pearl necklaces. She’s got some cute vintage rhinestone necklaces on too.  I just can’t resist buying them if they are a good deal.

Here are a few other White Wednesday images from around my house.DSCF0498

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That’s it for me today.  Don’t forget to check out the other White Wednesday participants on Kathleen’s blog.

Monday, January 25, 2010

A Day at the Beach

On Saturday, my family and I decided to head to the Oregon Coast.  It had been awhile since we went and I was desperately needing a beach day.  We weren’t sure what the weather was going to be like, but we got really lucky as it turned out to be a beautiful and sunny day. That almost never happens at the Oregon Coast, in January!

Our first stop was at our must eat at place, Mo’s.

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A trip to the beach isn’t complete without eating at Mo’s.  This time I had the most delicious crab melt (okay, I let my diet go a little bit) and a cup of their famous clam chowder.   YUM!

After lunch we spent a little time on the beach, just walking and hanging out. DSCF0022

It was so great just being together and the fact that it wasn’t raining was just icing on the cake.

Here you can see the sea lions enjoying the sunshine too. DSCF0020 

Another thing we like to do at the coast is to walk around the little neighborhoods looking at all the cool beach houses and picking our favorites.  This one had flowers blooming already.  DSCF0031

We then decided to hit a few antique shops and the kids wanted to stop at Candyland to pick up a few sweet treats.

Another stop at a grocery store to pick up some bread and drinks and back to the beach we went to feed the sea gulls. 

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We headed home just after sunset tired and happy.  A great day! DSCF0028

Here’s a picture of the few things I found at the antique shops.

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A cool vintage ticking pocket organizer, rosebud pillowcase and vintage glove case.

I’ll be back for a White Wednesday post to show you a little project I worked on last week.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

White Wednesday

First off, I want to thank all of you who posted comments on my last two posts where I shared my most recent crafty endeavors.  I really appreciate all the blog love you sent my way.  You may not believe this, but, yesterday instead of cleaning my house, I spent the day making more soldered charms.  Way more fun, I think.

For my White Wednesday post, I thought I would show you the items I found at the Clark County Antique Show I went to on Sunday.  It was the third day of a three day event, so I didn’t find a lot, but that’s okay, just means I didn’t spend a lot either.

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As you can see, I found a little (not old) bird cage, pair of white eyelet edged pillowcases and from Joy, I bought three very heavy white chippy metal grates. (The white chippy chair is one I already had)  I’m going to attempt to hang these above either my kitchen or dining area windows.  I think they will look so cool.

I also found a trio of rhinestone brooches for a great price, but I was too lazy to take a picture of them. 

Heading out today for a little visit to my booths for cleaning up and a little restocking.  It’s been awhile since I’ve shown pictures of my Monticello booth.  Maybe if I get my act together I will take some to share on my next post.  Until then, hope you are having a great week!

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Crafty me

I don’t know what has gotten into me. Yesterday I woke up really, really early and couldn’t go back to sleep.  This is nothing new as I have had insomnia since I was a teen, but instead of getting up and going on the computer like I usually do for about an hour, I got up and stayed up.  I even did my morning hour long walk which was no big deal.

By 12noon I was a goner and decided that if I was going to make it through the day I needed a nap. After sleeping a couple hours I got up and felt great and was ready to get busy.  As I mentioned in my last post, I got out my jewelry supplies the other day and started planning the project I wanted to work on. I had sorted my jewelry bits and so I could start making some blingy belt buckles.  You probably remember seeing the ones I made last year on my favorite projects of 2009 post.

Well, I have been collecting, saving  and hoarding miscellaneous jewelry bits and pieces for awhile and had accumulated a few buckles as well, so I was all ready to go.  Lets just say, I became an obsessed blingy belt buckle maker and made five of them in one day.  Here they are.DSCF0442

I love how they turned out.  I even managed to make a few blingy hair pins too. DSCF0444

My bling box is looking pretty sad and empty right now so I’m going to be on the look out to replenish my supply.  I’m so glad I’m finally getting my crafting mojo back.  Next up will be some sewing projects I’ve been thinking about.

Today, I’ll be taking it easy though.  I’m going to go see “Young Victoria” with Isabel and Kate. Good times!

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Inspired by Love

Inspired by my New Year’s “decision” to craft more, I invited my friend, Kate over for a day of soldering.  This was the first time I soldered without guidance or assistance from experience solderers. (Joy and Sheila, you know I’m talking about you)

Kate had never soldered before, but no worries as she took to it like a pro. DSCF0434

Here she is working on some of her charms.

The most fun part of soldering for me is putting together the images. This day, I decided to keep it simple and focus on images of love. I made some cute vintage rose square charms and uncovered a bag of glass drops that were purchased ages ago and made some bubble charms too. What fun!

Here are my creations.

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Some of Kate’s adorable charms.

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My creations will be heading over to my mall space as part of a Valentine’s Day display.

Kate and I had so much fun crafting we didn’t want to stop.  In fact, my dining room table is still covered with all of my supplies as I keep thinking I’ll have some time to sit down and make some more. The reality is that I have already brought out my box of jewels to work on some other crafty projects.  I’ll have to show you those on another post.  Hope you’re having a fun and possibly crafty week!

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Dreaming of Paris-Part Four

Day Four in Paris

Woke to grey skies and tired legs. So much walking. Today is the day we met up with Isabel and her family at the Eiffel Tower. They were running a little behind but so fun to see them. Isabel and I in pink, as planned, do a goofy running toward each other thing. We must look crazy. We head up to the top. Kind of scary. Views not great due to clouds, but still a wonderful experience.



Me and Isabel at the top of the Eiffel Tower

In line for Notre Dame

After that we decide to take the Batobus down the Seine to Notre Dame. Long line, but it goes fast. Inside it is beautiful and huge.

View of Notre Dame from the Batobus


Mass is going on but there is an incredible number of people doing "the loop." You can pay for confessions with a priest or buy a candle for 5 Euros.
Next, Isabel remembered a fabric/quilt shop nearby so we go check that out and then find a cool creperie and had the most delicious crepes. Lemon and sugar for me.
After that we got back on the Batobus and rode to where we could get off and walk to the Place de Concord. where we met up with Isabel's nephew who is attending school in Paris. They decide to go on to Montmartre and since we were there the previous day, we parted ways. Isabel will meet me on Friday to go shopping.

I then proceed to the Tuileries Gardens on the grounds of the Louvre. Very pretty fountains, statues and great views of the exterior of the Louvre.
View of entrance to the Louvre.

This one reminded me of me with my two kids hanging all over me.

Got back on the boat and got off at the Eiffel Tower and walked back to the hotel. Rested awhile and then decided to go to dinner and the movie, "Paris, Je T'aime." We had a lovely dinner at the Champ de Mars Cafe. Steak and frites for me, egg and hamburger (no bun) for Keith. I had yummy chocolate mousse for dessert. We walked down Rue Bosquet over the Pont d'lama (bridge) up George V to the Champs Elysees where we saw the movie. The movie was mostly in French with no subtitles, so a little confusing, but interesting.

When we got out of the movie, it was midnight and the streets were packed with Parisians/ tourists all cheering the France win over Spain in the World Cup. It was crazy! Made our way back to the hotel (on foot) and crashed once again.


*Coming up on Dreaming of Paris-Part Five-Versaille.


If you are new to my blog, I have been posting journal entries I wrote on a trip to Paris with my Dad, Keith, three years ago. You can read the other entries, here, here and here. Looking back, I wish I would have described our experience in greater detail, but with all the things we did and all the walking, I was lucky enough to write this much before I fell asleep each night exhausted.

Next up-Crafty Day!

Monday, January 4, 2010

Splendid-Flea Market

Last week I got a call saying I sold a big cabinet in my space at Splendid. Yeah! Unfortunately, we were just getting ready to head out of town for a couple days and I didn't have time to take anything over to fill the hole the cabinet left. I want to send a big thank you to my good friend, Mitzi, who kindly did a little booth clean up for me while I was gone. Fortunately, I did have the perfect replacement piece still riding around in the back of my car. I found this awesome vintage vanity on one of my recent thrifting outings. All it needed was a little clean up and it was good to go.
Thought I would show you some updated pictures of my booth. I think it's a little sparse right now as I haven't been doing much shopping the last month, but there are still some neat things that I have brought in recently.









Here's a little lamp that I found last summer. I tried to sell it without a shade, but after awhile I brought it home and made this sweet shade to go with it. I just love how it turned out. And it was so simple too. It reminds me of a ballerina tutu.




Here's what it looks like with the light on. If I had a place to put this cutie, I would definitely be keeping it.

Another new item I have taken in recently is this vintage pin cushion. It had an boring muslin cover on it so I gave it a little makeover with some lace, a flower and a rhinestone button. Much nicer now.
Yesterday, Isabel and I headed out early to visit our favorite monthly flea market. I had some Christmas money burning a hole in my pocket, so I was really excited to see what treasures I could find. I am happy to say that the sale did not disappoint and both Isabel and I found lots of goodies to bring home.

Here's my loot.

Cute, rustic box of drawers. This will be getting a shabby chic treatment with paint and some sparkly glass knobs.

Vintage glass lamp, 3 metal scoops, bride doll, glass s & p, rose ribbon, misc. jewelry, chalk ware book ends, mini paper dispenser/cutter.

Close up of the lovely rose ribbon.

Lovely 40's floral bookends.

Misc. jewelry, buttons, hair clip.



Pair of marble and glass vintage lamps plus shades.

And finally, my splurge of the day, this multi rhinestone ball dangly pin. Love it!

Are you still with me? I know this is a long post, but it's almost over, I promise. I just wanted to show you one last thing.

My Christmas present to myself. I have been wanting some of these boots for awhile now and since I had been a very good girl, I decided I should have them. I got them a couple weeks before Christmas and have worn them several times. They are great with skirts and dresses and are so comfy too.

That's it for me today. I think I said something about another "Dreaming of Paris" post. I'll be back later this week with that.

Happy Monday!