Sunday, April 27, 2008

Junkin'...

My favorite thing next to actually creating - is junkin'! I woke up early this morning and ran to the flea market. The first booth I hit score me some old buttons for 25 cents a card. But the second both I hit gave me the score of the day. It was basically an estate sale at the flea market. I love the sound of "everything $1 or less!" being yelled at a flea market only to find a treasure trove of boxes filled with junk. I love how some of these booths / tables have a story to tell. Apparently, the items at this booth belonged to man's mother Dolly and most were packed away in 1950's. He said his mother was a gatherer. Well bless her heart - I gathered tons at that booth! I had so much to carry I had to go straight back to the car. I got this box full of old Gerber baby food jars full of sequins and glitter. I gather some other items to like neat old shaker bottles to store some glitter in for easy use, a pretty old vintage velvet purse and vintage 50's dress patterns. I fell in love with this little imp of an STSA (Bethanie's abbreviation that I've borrowed the use of), she's sitting on an old tin that I scooped up too. She reminded me of some one I know very well...me!

This last item from there I almost missed! It was lying on the tailgate of the truck . I didn't realize what a treasure I really did find until I got it home. The man there had guessed it was from the store his family use to run. The ledger beings in 1954 and ends in 1984. The writing is mostly numbers, some random phone numbers and then I found this pressed between the pages 2 four leaf clovers - yes indeed this was a lucky book and a lucky day for junkin'.

I found lots of other goodies, but this one was also a random, surprise find. Look how cute these little bellas are. I scooped up the whole box - only 3 broken out of about 60, but the broken ones are totally glueable! Yep new word - I just made that up!

I hope you enjoyed some of my finds I junked out today. I plan on sharing some of these - they are too precious to keep all to myself.

A wedding ...a new beginning...


Yesterday my pal Kim & I photographed my cousin's wedding. This was my first time ever helping out with formal wedding photos. It was definitely a learning experience. The photos turned out beautifully. Here's me cheesing it up for Kim, while being her model to test her flash bounce.

Here's my cousin Toni & her new husband Wayne. They are both country lovin' souls, so the men's attire fit them well - black cowboy hats (removed in the church), cowboy boots, a little camo and black jeans!

Pastor Nancy had an emergency and was unable to attend the reception and thus unable to give the blessing, so...I felt so bad and my cousin really didn't know who else would have done it - I volunteered. I always wonder "how do I get myself into these things?" - I have a big mouth that's how! So here's proof - I don't know if I blinked or if I was praying at this point - I don't even remember everything I said - I think I blacked out, but I was told I did good...I hope so!

Funny story about my cousin and I. We never knew we were related. Apparently, the family had drifted apart years before we were teens. We met because she was dating a friend of a friend and always ended up out at the same clubs together. One night after dancing and carrying on we ended up at the old stand by Eat n' Park. We started talking about family and she mentioned an older relative and I was like - what who? The conversation kept flowing with lots of what's, no-way's and whooaaa's. So we hadn't figured all of the logistics out but I think we are second cousins - not sure, but we're family some how. I thought about all of this after the blessing and thought the dj introduced me as cousin of the bride. I've never met most of my cousins relatives and they were probably thinking - cousin? What cousin is this?

O well - we are ALL family some how!

Monday, April 21, 2008

Spoons!


I have become obsessed lately with a few items - one of which is spoons. I have seen some of the most awesome art pieces lately using spoons.

I went to the thrift tonight and scored 6 neat old spoons for 15 cents each. I came home tonight and made this little spoon fairy. Isn't she sweet - I think she's a little sassy myself.

I got the project idea from the new e-zine Casa Bella from Paper Bella Studio. The zine is really worth the $. I have gotten inspiration for so many great projects from this zine.

Well - I'm off to put this fairy to bed - she needs her beauty sleep!

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Antiques and a walk...

Yesterday was one of the most gorgeous days this year so far. It was so nice I opted to walk - well that's not the only reason... I need to be more active, it was nice & gas is $3.49 a gallon. I had a blast honestly.

I'm really into the architecture of the old buildings and streets. I have learned that if I take my camera I can cover more ground - makes walking more of an adventure than exercise and believe me I need all the help I can get to get motivated to actually exercise...anyhow....I went walking up to Main Street to go antiquing. I have a great appreciation for antiques and junking. My parents are both antique collectors - I can always remember growing up with some interesting pieces of furniture in our house. We had an old deacons bench in our living room ever since I can remember. I believe the story goes that my Dad brought it home across the back of his pick up truck because it was too long to fit length wise !?! the thing is like 8 or 9 feet long. Imagine passing that on the road!

There are so many more antique shops in Butler than I had remember, most in walking distance of each other. Here's the ones that are on Main Street or slightly off Main Street that I got to. I love this little shop that is tucked into an alley - Alley Antiques - justly named. I always find something neat in there. I had a conversation with an older man the last time I was there - they were talking about the "odd & ends" collectors - like myself and I spoke up proudly and said "Oh that's me". The man replied "We call people that collect like you bottom feeders". All I could think of was being compared to an algae eating fish in a fish tank - I wasn't offended I pretty much agreed. I'm a thrifty bargain hunter and I'm not ashamed of digging under a table for that box of hidden treasure - treasure to me at least.

Next I went here The Store on Main. This is more of an antique mall / consignment. There are booths set up for individual sellers and they have a bargain basement. Although there hasn't been any bargains added since the last time I was there - I always take a look. There's a little sewing cabinet in there that I've had my eye on. Too big for me to carry on this run - but maybe next time.

I went here next Wm. Smith Antiques. Nice shop, they have beautiful vintage jewelry that I always drool over. They have 2 store mascots - kitties. I forgot about them until I was inside - there's a bench reserved for them with blankets - they have the biggest orange long haired tabby I've ever seen - I'm talking close to 15-20 pounds. We made friends this time when I was there. I was looking through a box of postcards behind the bench and he sat there on the bench staring at me, until finally I gave in and pet him. Yeah I gave in the cat lover...ha ha ha.

Unfortunately, one store was closed and I didn't have time to check the other one out. There's alway next time.

I know you've been waiting - what did I find? Here's my silver platter special. Everything on it was under $1 each. The blanket binding was only 10 cents. The little book is from 1912 and is a bank book - it has some great pages including the US Presidents - up to the 27th William Taft, domestic postage 2 cents, how to administer 1st aid to the injured, useful information for business men, how to prevent fires, cleaning various substances, maps, calendar....more than just a bank book!

Next I found some cute vintage Valentines for $1 each and some $3 postcards. There was so much more I wanted to bring home. There's always next time.

My mom came home from the hospital yesterday - she is feeling well - just tired. You don't get any rest in the hospital - so I think she probably slept the rest of the day. But before I left she handed me her sewing box and said go through this - I think you'll find somethings you like. I was puzzled until I got home and took out the two top trays to reveal this: Hundreds of buttons! I guess she had forgotten they were in there until she had needed to sew something. She said she had just collected them throughout the years. So fun!

Well, I'm off - it's a raining morning here. Time for laundry, smoothies and crafts!

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Celebrating Banners....



Remember the Celebrate banner I posted a few posts ago? Well, Tamy made this nice collage of most of the banners. Aren't they great - I love to see the artistic interpretations that other people do with the same set of criteria. Hope you celebrate Saturday - it's already 66 degrees at 9:00am!

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Let's Go Pens!


Nothing crafty tonight...just a big WOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOO the Pens swept the Senators tonight. Congrats Pens!

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Bits pieces and a shower..


Well I finished the shower gift for my friend Nicole in time and made it to her shower this past Sunday.

I haven't seen her in about 2 years and just found out she will be moving to the middle east to Qatar for at least 2 years. Her husband has taken a transfer to the college there to be an assistant professor. So this will indeed be the last time I see her for a very long time. Talk about life in the fast lane - she's due the end of June - get that boy a passport - move in August.

The Shower was lovely and she really liked the gift, but was really surprised by the card - since she saw it first before the rest of the contents. She promptly asked me where I bought such a card - I was very happy to say "O I made that!". Nice to get some justification for what you love to do once in a while.

I was especially in love with my dessert - look how cute & yummy! She loves giraffes too - I was amazed to see how many baby items she got with little giraffes on them. She was too!

Here's a couple more shots of the artsy stuff. The image on the card is a couple of a vintage postcard I just found while junkin'. I'm so in love with it - I want to use it on every baby card I make.

O my little elephant...I love this little wooden guy, I used some stamps from my Quickutz Sophisticate set for his tale and ear - I think they worked out great and that was theguy so much - I used first time I had used them.


This little paint can worked out just the way I hoped it would. I found these months back at Staples of all places. They were on a clearance rack with no stickers and after I ran one to the front for a price check - I quickly ran back to get every last one that was left - I scored them for 50 cents each. Man, I love a bargain...anyhow.... I rolled baby onesies to line the inside and decorated it with Making Memories new Animal Crackers paper.

I got a couple sheets of the giraffe paper and a wooden giraffe that will become good friends some day - but the giraffe paper wouldn't have worked for my giraffe lovin' friend Nicole - because she's having a boy and that paper is way pink. I have another wooden elephant and a wooden ducky that will soon be altered victims as well.

On another note - I got flowers! I took my mom shopping on Saturday and she bought me flowers. They were at the end of the register and we were smelling them and I said this one particular bunch reminded me of my wedding day. Well, I should have known she was up to something when she told me to go first through the check out.

Opps! Tax Day! Do you have your taxes in? Yes, returned and spent...depressing. My mom in law - aka Bill's mom, mom, nana, Joyce...she's a mom of many names - took us to dinner tonight and Bill choose Kings. They were running a nice little tax day special. They paid the tax on your bill and you got a free frownie. Yum....o and 99 cent milk shakes...I couldn't resist a nice chocolatey one. Excuse me while I revert from Homer Simpson-ness drooling.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Celebrate Banner...


Well I believe it's finally safe for me to put a full picture of the banner I made for my swap partner Wanda from the Celebrate Banner swap.

I was really pleased with how it turned out. The vintage picture worked out perfectly - Wanda is the mother of two boys - so walah...and she likes the 40's. I love the fashion and that old car.

I'm off to watch some guilty pleasures...reality tv!

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Bits of crafty goodness...

I was so excited to get home from work today and get my mail. I had presents! I got my banner from Wanda. Check it out - isn't it great. I love the vintage fabric, all the hand stitching, buttons and the wooden German hanger. Also included was this little bag of goodies:


I was amazed how much was in there when I opened it and spread it out on my desk - look at all the cool stuff! And those ceramic cat buttons - o the plans I have for them...heheh....the crafty juices are flowin'.

The cats however, were more excited about the packaging! O well!









After all of that excitement - I opened my other package. My ebay auction came. Yum...vintage 30's wallpaper borders...

Well that's all for now - better get back to my PIP (project in progress)! Will post when it's done - better be soon I need it for a baby shower on Sunday.

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Luck be a lady tonight...


I love all things "luck" related. Pretty much anything retro Vegas luck to pin-up Lady Luck's. So tonight I whipped this little lucky number up as a birthday present for a co-worker who just won $1800 in Atlantic City - go you! She said this was the first time ever that she's won. I had been waiting for the perfect project to use this cheesy show girl photo.

For the base I scored some wooden signs with the wire attached in the dollar bin at Michael's - but they were no dollar - no marked down to 50 cents! I love a bargain. Gotta go back and get more - lots more.

Added some old playing cards, the luck page from an old dictionary, my trusty Quickutz alphabets and blingage - always gotta have some bling. Funny thing up until about 2 months ago - said friend had no idea what "bling" was or ment. She's a hoot! Here's a little close up of some accents.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

A couple little things..


I hadn't posted these yet and after Bev sent me an award....I figured I'd better get my act together...haha

This first little piece of decal - is one of a few papermache ornaments that I rummaged at the thrift store. Some scraps of k&co paper, lace and crepe. Cute & quick.

This little lady was real fun to make. I used a canvas board for the base - painted, applied some Tim Holtz crackle paint and then sanded. Some vintage sheet music that worked perfectly for what I was doing. The little birds are cute from a Quickutz die - love them! Vintage crepe and misc lacey goodness.

PS: Crop-a-dile is a dream for punching through canvas or just about anything else!

Here's a sweet little gift too:

I've been rewarded!


A couple of days ago I received an email from my friend Bev over at County Frog Creations that she was giving me an award.

An art award nonetheless. Awesome!! I received the Arte Y Pico aka Art & More award. This award is given to bloggers who share their art creations through blogging and here are the rules...

1. You have to pick five blogs that you consider deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also contribute to the blogging community, no matter what language.

2. Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to their blog to be visited by everyone

3. Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and the link to the blog that has given them the award itself

4. Award-winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of Arte y Pico blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award.

Here are the bloggers I feel are deserving of this award:

Cerri at Little Pink Studio
Sarah at Vintage Lily
Kristin at My Polka-Dotted World
Vicki at This art that makes me happy
Dawn at The Feathered Nest

I have truly enjoyed and been inspired by their art and stories. Keep it up girls!