Fabulous Thrifty Finds

Hiatus

2010-03-19T06:35:00.000-07:00

I know I've been MIA for quite some time now. I started nursing school full time back in January. I have been chipping away at my generals for a couple of years while on the waiting list for the RN program.

But now that I'm a full time student and part time employee and still a Mom and wife, I have NO time for junking or creating it seems. You can see why from the above stack of books.

I'm loving nursing school, but it's a lot of work.

I'm on Spring break this week and intended to study much, but haven't hardly cracked a book!

I look forward to returning to junking a bit once I graduate, which will be in December 2011. For right now I'm only maintaining my family blog www.maamounmadness.blogspot.com, and the updates there are quite pathetic.

I was just reading through some old comments here that I never even saw because I abandoned this blog for now, but I LOVE this blog and miss being creative and finding junk.

Thanks for the nice comments. :)

A quick altered clock tutorial

2009-08-30T08:21:00.001-07:00

I gave this clock to Michelle for her Birthday in early August. It was a fun project and I would definitely make another should the "need" arise. :)
The hardest part was definitely choosing which papers I was going to use.
Once I made my decisions, I painted the edges of the clock a soft yellow to compliment the paper. I only used one sheet of paper for the background. It was such a busy piece anyway and I was going to have lots of stuff on the clock with the picture, numbers, embellishments and clock parts!
Paper Adhered to wooden clock board. Poked a hole in the middle for the clock part opening.
Here are the unassembled clock parts. I was a tad bit intimidated at first, but quickly figured it out. The clock was really appreciated by its recipient. ;)

Yummy Scrapbooking Papers!

2009-08-22T20:01:00.000-07:00

This is where I draw my inspiration from..... Extremely Yummy Scrapbooking Papers! YummO!
And while working on a project recently, I left my office to refill my coffee cup no doubt, and returned to find this dreamy rainbow. I seriously thought that someone came into my office and arranged these letters to make an arch like that. Silly me. Then I realized I had pushed the glue dots out of the way and those letters were just laying there spelling dream. No one placed them in an arch. I got a good laugh out of it though. Maybe it was all the Mod Podge Glue I was using that afternoon. :)

Cushions Found and another AWESOME mug!

2009-08-17T07:32:00.000-07:00

While out playing on a Saturday in August, I found THESE cushions at Serendipity in Duluth. Gail's store (Serendipity - sorry, no link - no website) has the BEST presentation. When I saw these cushions I knew they were exactly what I had been thinking of for my new wicker set. I couldn't wait to come home and set it all up.

Pay NO attention to the pile of bricks behind the wicker pieces. :) It wasn't worth moving them for the picture. I have no place for them at the moment.
And my brand new (from Serendipity also) coffee mug. Mmmmm Hmmmmm. Love what it says and I LOVE how it feels in my hands! Like an old diner coffee mug. The BEST!

I had just sat down on my new loveseat with feet propped up on table, opened a magazine, took a sip of coffee and it started to pour (again). It's okay though. I got my basement workspace all cleaned up. :)

Feathering my nest

2009-08-15T07:27:00.000-07:00

Maddy found this sweet little nest in our yard and gave it to me. It had blown almost to the sidewalk. It's so whispy and dainty. We marveled at the little bird that must have called this "home". So delicate and precious.

My precious crown!

2009-08-13T07:13:00.000-07:00

I was so excited to win the giveaway of a mini crown from Deb at Hummadeedledee

I received the package in July and waited until Maddy was home so she could help me open and enjoy it!

Here is what it looked like all prettied up when I opened the package. Doesn't Deb just have "the touch"? She DOES! With EVERYTHING. It's always all done up to the TOP.

Loved the aqua tissue paper, the silky ribbons and the hymnal page rolled into a scroll. Precious and yummy and feminine and delightful!
Here is my TOTALLY AWESOME Junk Queen Crown! It's absolutely DIVINE!
Here is her sweet note that was enclosed. It's still sitting on my desk to make me smile. I tied that blue ribbon around the skeleton key that fits my office lock and it's in the door that way. Adding a punch of color to my dark brown door and matching in here WONDERFULLY!
Here is my crown in all it's glory in its position of prominence on my buffet in my office. Making me smile every time I see it.

Deb is considering selling her Junk Crowns through her blog or etsy. They are FABULOUS!

Thank you Deb for the giveaway and for choosing my name! I adore my crown. :)

What makes the world go 'round

2009-08-11T07:08:00.000-07:00

This is what makes the world go 'round to me..... our differences.

We were shopping at Slumberland for a couch/sleeper/recliner (all in one doesn't really exist) for Ahmed's "man space" above the garage. (no, the space isn't finished off yet) I was up to my elbows in leather and microsuede. It was really all the same to me. Then I spotted this adorable sofa sleeper and said "how about if you take the reclining sofa from our living room into your "man space" and I get this for the living room. It's ADORABLE!" His reply was "that is the ONE couch in the store that I cannot stand". So, I had to snap a picture with my phone because that just made me smile. Yep. We're all different.

He just doesn't "get" it

2009-08-09T07:06:00.000-07:00

But he tries! This is what awaited me one day when I came home. On top of the wicker was a veneer table top and a really nasty little cart. They were FREE by the side of the road, so he thought I'd like them. I didn't want to hurt his feelings, but they are awaiting pick up via garbage truck in the alley. :) I asked him in the future to take a photo with his phone if he sees a great find - email it to me and I'll decide, but thanks! :) It IS the thought that counts.

Score! A wicker set!

2009-08-07T05:51:00.000-07:00

I am one LUCKY girl! My sweet neighbor, Barb called me one morning while I was driving to work. She had just spotted a wicker set in the alley next to someone's garbage. She is like me - no shame. :) She asked when I'd get done with work as she thought it looked just "like me". I wasn't going to be done until 4:30 or 5:00 at the earliest and I said if it was gone, that it wasn't meant to be for me. That is part of the thrill of the chase!

Well, I pulled into my alley after work and remembered the wicker at that moment, so decided I'd drive past our garage and drive to where she said she had seen it. I was hoping it would still be there. As our garage came into view, this is what I saw - all set up and waiting for me.

I hope your neighbors are looking out for you like mine are looking out for me. :)

A new mug

2009-08-05T05:28:00.000-07:00

I LOVE this mug! I found it at Walmart of all places. Walmart normally isn't a favorite place of mine, but I was there out of necessity. Found this awesome section featuring this new artist named Sandra Magsamen. Her stuff is FANTASTIC! This mug was only $5. I also bought a sign that says "Imagine" and that's hanging up in my office. I love what this mug says. It makes me smile. Plus, it goes REALLY REALLY well in my new office. :)

Peony Season is OVER!

2009-08-03T05:22:00.000-07:00

Single Petal Peony variety.

I always feel just a touch sad when "Peony Season" is over. Really. I get a little down. I just LOVE love cutting one or two every couple of days to brighten the counter, my desk, or work. Here are a couple of cutie pies.

This year when the peonies were done, I enjoyed these sweet weeds that were gracing my yard up to my knees! We were pretty busy, so the lawn didn't get mowed much at that time and I was thankful to have these daisies to cut and bring inside to brighten my desk. I love how they sit in this squat little vase. It's perfect for daisies.

Love this sweet little one in this really dainty tea cup.

Until next "Peony Season".....

I'm BACK - and catching up on posts

2009-08-01T16:03:00.000-07:00

How cute are our neighbors with the Bed and Breakfast? I have always LOVED these vintage shape/style American flags. I know the picture is fuzzy. It was getting pretty dark and I just snapped it quick. Of course this was around the 4th of July and I'm just getting around to posting it.

Classes are done - get ready for at least weekly blog posts! ;)

For Now

2009-07-09T22:07:00.000-07:00

Until I can find some fabric perhaps for a curtain for the door, AND have the $ to purchase said found fabric, I'm using these pages from a vintage dictionary. You cannot tell from the photo, but I've circled particular words in red marker. Words like "Inspire", "Create", "Love", "Queen Bee", etc. It was a fun project. It works for now.
And this sign.... well, it just makes me smile. It's above the door. Only I can see it at EVERY moment. No one else can, so I'm not being too rude with it. Heidi bought it for me in May from Serendipity. Love that store! Love my friend for thinking this was funny and for KNOWING I'd enjoy it. :)

Paint Decisions

2009-07-08T22:02:00.000-07:00

Oh how I agonized over the paint color for my office! I'm fairly certain my co-workers were thinking "Just pick one already!" as I kept bringing the samples to work, trying them in different light etc. I had several tucked under the trim so I could see how the color worked with the trim in here.
I didn't decide until it was my turn at Home Depot. My turn with the paint expert. "What can I get for you"? Moment of truth. Okay, I'll take one gallon of "Pooh's Favorite Things" in Eggshell please. :) Did I do the right thing? Even after rolling on the first few passes, I wasn't sure. Once it was all done, I could NOT be happier with the color.

Office Before and After

2009-07-07T21:56:00.000-07:00

I just LOVE Before and After pictures, don't you? Love seeing the transformation.

Here is Before Before - messy I know. I didn't clean it up for the picture. Was just wanting a picture to upload to the Behr paint website.
After removing Ahmed's things and installing some of mine. Before painting. I know the picture is blurry. I was probably moving. :)
Aaaaah, the sweet sight of after. So happy in here. Can you tell?

My office - AMAZINGLY peaceful

2009-07-06T21:39:00.000-07:00

I'm SO happy with it. Happy with the way it all turned out. The way things came together. All my FAVORITE pieces in ONE spot that's all MINE and no one else needs to like them. Only I do and I DO! My precious 6' table from the YWCA in Duluth. It was in their lobby. I was volunteering there for a sale. I was able to purchase this gem for a SONG and it even fit in my Pacifica! All 6' of it!!!! Love the rope turned legs and bun feet.

The buffet was one I found last Fall while on a walk. It had a FREE sign on it (my favorite four letter word!) and was pretty wobbly. One of the legs had a "stress fracture" to use my Anatomy term. I glued and clamped that leg, removed the doors, sanded, painted and distressed it. Today when I moved it into my office, I cannot tell which leg had the fracture. It's wonderful and I'm so glad I got to bring it up from it's hiding spot in the basement to the place of HONOR that it deserves. Poor discarded piece. We were made for each other.

The darling chair and ottoman (in pink and green) were upholstered for ME by Heidi. They are favorites of mine also. Maddy spends time in the chair across from me a lot already and my feet are normally propped up on the ottoman under my desk. Very special. Bun feet on the ottoman also. So cute!
This little bench made from a headboard and footboard are working PERFECTLY in here! It's getting so much more use already in 4 days than it EVER did in the front porch. Such an inviting spot to sit and visit. Or read. I've had 3 guests so far. Okay, 2 were family members, but still. Just need to get some throw pillows for it. Someday perhaps.

The radiator had to be painted also. The cream color stuck out like a sore thumb yelling "I'm trying to be an accessory". With the robin's egg blue color, it looks so vintage now!
Here's a shot of the built in book case that is behind my desk. Painting behind it at midnight last night was not my idea of fun. Was VERY tedious, but SO worth it!

Can you imagine where I'm spending all of my time these days? So happy to study in here. Can't wait until August to just be CREATIVE in here!

Yes Sir, That's My Baby!

2009-07-06T07:08:00.000-07:00

Whenever I say something that Maddy was just thinking, she says "I think we share brainwaves, Mom". Of course I think it's adorable when she says that!

Well, Maddy asked me (out of the blue) if I was going to paint the ceiling in my office (No) and if I was going to keep the light fixture that's in my office (No). I told her that eventually I'd like a chandelier of some sort in here and her eyes got big and she said "with like crystals hanging off of it?" Yep, something like that. I explained that it may be 5 years before I get what I'd like and it would just have to wait until I found the right thing within my budget at just the right time. "But I'll be 14 by then Mom!" We'll see.
Here's a shot of the light fixture in my office now and a sneak peak of the paint color.
Here is what is hanging in the dining room.

While we were eating steak on the 4th of July, Maddy looked up and saw the light fixture (perhaps noticing it for the very first time). Her eyes got big and she sucked in air! She jumped off her seat and whispered in my ear that perhaps I could switch the light fixture in the dining room with the one in my office. Isn't she adorable!?!

Now, I'm not going to do that, but I do LOVE the way her mind works. :)

An Awesome Giveaway!

2009-07-05T06:57:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, I'm unable to show the picture here, but Deb at Hummadeedledee has an excellent giveaway going on right now! She is celebrating her 3rd Bloggiversary. If you click on the name above (her blog), you will be directed there and if you leave a comment, are entered for a chance to win. But hurry! I'm a bit late in posting this and the deadline is Tuesday, July 7th.

Now where are my manners? What is she giving away? Her original Junk Queen/Princess or Mini Crown/Tiara.

They are darling! I mostly covet the mini as it would be adorable as an accent in my new office, but I'd be happy with ANY of them.

Good luck! And sorry I couldn't post a picture. Just click on the Hummadeedledee link above. You may end up spending a bit of time perusing her blog also. She's very inspiring!

From my NEW Command Post!

2009-06-30T20:12:00.000-07:00

Before shot
After shot - before painting. I know. I took one with flash also, and it's crystal clear, but it doesn't give you that COZY feel, so used this picture instead.

The curtains are in the wash and probably won't be going back up. I have a roller shade on the front picture window. The bookshelves are behind me.

The table that is NEAR and DEAR to my heart is in here.

Maddy already made use tonight of the chair Heidi upholstered for me. Just as I had planned, she sat across from me coloring.

Aaaah..... Life is good!

Office Dreams - Having a Blast!

2009-06-07T07:22:00.001-07:00

Okay, so just ignore ALL the clutter in this picture. I didn't even tidy up the desk or move the wastebasket for the photo!

But did you know you can go to the Behr website and upload YOUR OWN photo of a room and try out different colors!!!!???? I didn't know that. Go ahead and click on the Behr link above and try it for yourself. It was EASY!

Of course I'm not playing with subdued colors. Oh no, not me! I'm going bright and I'm really thinking of this aqua color.
Here's also a really bright pink. So nice to try it out - give it a whirl! The reason I'm "playing" is because this is going to be my office in about 2 weeks! (fingers crossed) I can hardly wait. So I'm dreaming and scheming and playing with color. Ooh la la!

Fun Gift Wrapping with Maddy

2009-05-31T14:32:00.000-07:00

Maddy had ANOTHER Birthday party this weekend. The third weekend in a row! We had a great time Friday night making the gift "presentable". Maddy said it was a bug themed birthday party for her friend. She remembered the leftover bug wallpaper from her first bedroom (that we just used to line the drawers of her "new" dresser) and asked if we could use that to decorate the bag or for "tissue paper" type filling. Great idea! She then chose a bright green bag and told me which bugs to cut out of the paper. She then adhered them to the bag using little sticky tabs.

Next for the tag. We had no problem finding a sparkly black "V" for her friend as "V" isn't the most popular letter available! Then we found (Maddy's idea) a bug sticker - a bumble bee to be exact. Maddy adhered it where she wanted to after adhering the "V" and then proceeded to draw little "dots" to signify where the bee had been. It turned out VERY cute and she was pleased.
Maddy also made this bookmark for her friend out of construction paper cutting out a tulip and bumble bee. The idiot photog (that would be me) didn't get the camera to focus on the flower, but rather on the outlet behind it. Live and learn. But you get the gist of this thoughtful little girl and her ideas. :)

I love Maddy's creativity and interest. She loves spending time in my "office".

Where Women Create

2009-05-29T11:51:00.000-07:00

This book (Where Women Create) is my Mother's Day gift that just arrived in the mail on Wednesday. I've borrowed it from the library so many times I should have it memorized, but every time I look at it, I see something new. Something "Me... right now".
After enjoying my new book for about 1 day, my Mom called and said to pick up a book she splurged and bought for herself on organizing your creative space. Sounded right up my alley. I picked up the book from her and it's the same author, Jo Packam. Very funny! I love both books and am enjoying them immensely. If you care to check them out, our Superior library carries both. I've had both in my possession before - probably at the same time. :)

Happy Dreaming -

A fabulous giveaway!

2009-05-26T04:25:00.000-07:00

You simply must check out this woman's beautiful blog and register for her giveaway. The deadline is Wednesday, 5/27. It's the most amazing giveaway ever! If I could choose just one thing from it, I'd want the "WISH" tickets. They are really sweet. But everything is super yummy!

Check it out here and bookmark this blog. It's inspiring! (my apologies - I cannot get the link to "It's a Beautiful Life" to work. I'll be routing you through my blog friend Deb's blog and if you click on the pink "it's a beautiful life" title, you'll get to the blog with the giveaway. Bookmark Deb's blog too. She's amazing!)

Have a happy week.

Wrapped around her finger!

2009-05-14T05:52:00.000-07:00

Madison has been talking about having her room painted pink for some time now. I have been resisting. When she got in the car on Tuesday and saw the can of paint from Heidi's leftovers that I used to paint the table, she got all excited and said "Did you buy pink paint for my bedroom?" Now the pressure was really on. I explained what it was for and we talked about the painting and she said "how about just one wall?" Hmmmm, now that I could get into!

I said I was thinking of doing something like that for her Birthday. She replied "or just for a surprise". Wow, she sure has me wrapped around her finger! After obtaining permission from Heidi to use a touch more leftover pink paint to tint my cream paint, I masked off and tackled this last evening. I am pleased with how it turned out. I think she'll be surprised. The Professor was BEGGING me to also paint the new pink dresser (shown on the right in the above picture). :) OF COURSE I did not touch it. :)

My Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-12T19:20:00.000-07:00

You had better not have the camera out! GRRRRR - you caught me!
Doing what I love best on Mother's Day. Painting a rescued table after seeing a movie with my BFF and before dinner with the Professor. Was a GREAT Mother's Day. :)

Before and After

2009-05-11T19:02:00.000-07:00

You know I like things chippy and "as is". But I'm not sure what it was about this little table that had me wanting to paint it pink. Maybe it was where I got it from. Maybe it was ALL the gum wads underneath. I think I now have removed around one dozen wads.
Maybe it was the pink paint that Heidi had leftover that I could use. It turned out pretty cute, but don't tell the Professor I got some pink paint on the patio. :) Cute legs, huh???

I cannot resist!

2009-05-10T06:00:00.001-07:00

Since the Professor knows I have this blog, but doesn't try to find it, I think it's safe to post this one about him and his adventures in junking. :) Remember the previous post about that cute little table I rescued? Well, same discard pile across the street and down the road... he wanted this "executive chair". I resisted. GROSS! He persisted. I thought he was giving me a hard time until I came home from an outing to find this sitting by the back door! Oh dear. How to handle this situation?

Once I told him it was "pleather" and not leather, and that I wasn't going to do a THING to help him repair the big tear in it and I reminded him it's been in the pile a while and probably has lots of bugs and rain in the cushion, he agreed to let me put it back. So I did. Under the cover of darkness. :)

Not so thrifty after all

2009-05-09T05:52:00.000-07:00

Remember this "cracker jar" I bought at the Depot about 6 weeks back? Well, I paid $10.95 for it. Antique jars like this usually run around $34 from what I see. I was okay with paying $10.95.
While at Walmart last weekend, I spotted this little jar. It's smaller than the one above. It was $3.00. The big one (above) was $4.00. At least I now know where to get them if I need more and they have all different sizes. :)

Seen, Inspected, Saved!

2009-05-07T05:43:00.000-07:00

Saw this little gem in someone's discard pile yesterday. It's pretty sturdy. I liked it's legs a lot. The top actually pulls apart to accommodate a leaf that I don't possess. It needs to be sturdied up and straightened up a bit. I'll probably attach a support underneath the two halves to make it more level.

After scrubbing it up and sanding off the really loose paint, I chipped all the gum wads that were stuck around the edges underneath. Probably 6 of them! :) I think this little cutie has potential. A little paint, a little sanding. What do you think?

How does your garden grow?

2009-05-04T05:32:00.000-07:00

Mine's not super impressive, but these little cuties are growing in two places. I'm not sure what they are. A weed maybe? But the color is definitely making me happy!

I transplanted 4 hastas last night. I've never done that before. My back was screaming! My neighbor said I would need help lifting them. But them's fighting words to me! I did 4. Now we shall see if they take root and thrive in their new location. I moved a few other things too that I am pretty sure would have been destroyed with the work to be done in that area of our yard. Here's hoping those take root too. Time will tell.

The remaining 3 hastas will be split with my neighbor. I dug the holes and am really hoping he plops them in there today while I'm at work. These hastas were huge. I want to say they were 70 lbs each, but I really haven't got a clue how much they weighed. I only know it was almost too much for me. Almost. :)

Now for the hideous Mugo Pine in the front yard. It's on Craigslist asking if anyone cares to remove it and own it? I doubt I'll get any takers, but here's hoping.

With Peace -

The Dresser

2009-05-03T05:30:00.000-07:00

Well, the dresser is sitting in Maddy's bedroom since Monday after work. It's AWESOME! I just need to clean up her room around it and cut-i-f-y her room and the area around the dresser before I shoot a picture.

But hey, I figured out my signature! So wanted to do a quick post! :)

With Peace -

I WAAAAAAAANT it!!!!

2009-04-26T13:20:00.001-07:00

In THE worst way! I'm so bad! I saw this yesterday at Antiques on Belknap. I want it badly for Maddy's room. It's an adorable bulky, PINK, chipped piece of perfection! Wonder if Maddy will like it the way I do? I'll show her soon.

Don't you just LOVE it's lines? It's only been sitting there for this week. I know if I can't get the $ together soon, someone else will get it and it wasn't meant to be, but ooh la la - wouldn't it be cute in Maddy's room? She's wanting to switch over (slowly says her Mamma) to the French theme! How adorable is that? And I'm all too eager to help her with this goal. Was thinking her B-day could be a few odds and ends - eiffel tower clock and Fleur-de-lis this and that about. I can tell Maddy that the dresser looks like it came straight from a Paris flea market! Kidding, I'm pretty sure she'll like it and I won't have to deceive her. :)
I went back today with my iPhone and my tape measure. It's sooo yummy and bulky. I got all giddy (so much for being subtle) with the owner. :)

So, now I've been scheming (what else is new?) since we need every last penny for our impending garage project. As I've spent the better part of yesterday schlepping concrete landscaping blocks around to save them from demolition, I asked The Professor if I could sell off a measly 50 concrete blocks? I moved 150 yesterday and that wasn't all of them. We would not even MISS them! He agreed. They are on Craigslist right now.

Anybody looking for some pretty concrete blocks? :) I'll give ya a good deal. Cheaper than Menard's.

Always dreaming and scheming.....

Stay tuned - I'll let ya know how it turns out.

xoxo

BELIEVE!

2009-04-20T05:01:00.000-07:00

And you may just receive flowers!

Believe! And something colorful just might poke up in your pathetic looking garden.
Happy Spring.

The Farm Chicks

2009-04-05T06:06:00.000-07:00

Got my CUTE postcard yesterday for the Farm Chicks Show in Spokane, WA in June. I won't be going this year, but hopefully some year I will be.

The Farm Chicks have made quite a name for themselves and even have a couple of books out now!

You can check them out by clicking here. They are also on my sidebar under my blog list.

Enjoy checking them out. They are very inspiring! Love the red flowery background on the blog.

Maddy saw how much I was enjoying the postcard when I received it and she advised me to keep it since I liked it so much. I will do just that. :)

Another jar, basket and peanut container

2009-04-05T05:09:00.000-07:00

Another jar from the Depot on Sunday. This one was $3.50. I don't know why it sang to my heart. Heidi bought it for me. (thanks Heidi!) The basket was from the GW last week for .49 cents and I covered the large peanut container from Sam's club last night.

My plan was to have something cute to corral Maddy's markers in. I didn't cover the peanut container in very youthful paper though. The mugs fit so perfectly. I may need to find another use for it or use it to package a gift in for a grown up. Now I'm thinking the basket for all the markers that are on her desk and bedroom floor. I want her to see and use them and have cute storage for them.

Isn't that what every Mom wants? :)

Big Jar Found

2009-04-04T05:02:00.000-07:00

Heidi and I went "junking" on Sunday. Well, "antiquing" maybe. GW and Sally's aren't open on Sundays. We were at the Depot. I've SO been wanting one of these big jars, but can't bring myself to pay the high price on them with the green lids or yellow lids or whatever. But I LOVE them and someone told me crackers used to come in them. :)

Sunday at the Depot I found this new (i think) version with a metal lid for $10.95. We had both planned to buy nothing, but both ended up with things. Heidi found an AWESOME wooden box with handles and a couple of other odds and ends.

I put Borax laundry booster in my jar and may even USE Borax now that I have such a cute container to keep it in. Wish my laundry room looked more like the one pictured below. :)

Here is the cover of an old Country Home issue that I LOVED with the very same jars. I believe those in the picture look new too. Exactly like mine with the metal lid.

"New" Front Porch

2009-04-03T06:25:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday I scored this adorable bed made into a bench. It came complete with a "mattress" of coiled springs and a thick mattress pad and the coverlet you see. It's all washed and assembled. Thanks to big and little brothers for picking this up for me after it wouldn't fit in my car on my lunch break!

My cute little (Ahmed hates it) 1940s camp table that folds up - my birdhouse collection, old doorknobs off of the doors that are in my basement and some scrabble tiles spelling "adore".

Can't forget about my AWESOME banana cart that's holding my shoes.
Can't wait until it gets a little warmer and you can come for coffee on my front porch without wearing a snowmobile suit! YOU are definitely invited!

What in the WORLD?

2009-04-02T06:01:00.000-07:00

Is WRONG with me???? I can leave no globe behind. I rescue every last one! The one in the middle is my latest addition.

I dated it this morning and I believe it's from the 80's. I knew it wasn't old, but it was in good shape and I just couldn't leave it there for fear of thinking about it all night long and driving back and waiting for the GW to open at 9:00 on Saturday morning. For $3.99 it's worth it just to not drive back

A little side note - the Professor said he wanted to decorate his office and asked if he could bring my "INSPIRE" sign that I had on the mantle for a long time. I also offered him one of my globes and my new globe box with a plant sitting in it.

Unfortunately, I didn't clarify which globe NOT to take and he took my Dad's globe from when he was young. Obviously Ahmed wanted to take the BEST one. He'll return it and maybe take my newest addition. He hasn't noticed yet. :)

Setting up my coffee

2009-04-01T05:59:00.000-07:00

Each night when I set up my coffee for the next morning, this is what I get to scoop my coffee out of. I get a thrill each time! I love this jar from Heidi. I added a zinc lid and kept the lid she had hanging off of it.

So much nicer than digging my hand into the bag of Dunkin' Doughnuts coffee each night before bed.

Using my new hooks

2009-03-30T05:51:00.000-07:00

These hooks were from Glory for my B-day. An "A" and an "M". They are really great. On the "M" I hung a couple of skeleton keys. I need to do something different with the keys as I'm not 100% satisfied with this.
On the "A" hook is my Christening Gown from when I was a baby. I should have updated the picture as it now has my baby necklace and bracelet hanging around the neck of the hanger. Isn't it sweet???

This gown is hanging on the wall next to the love seat where I spend most of my free time.

My Mom saved it all this time and gave it to me recently. Thanks Mom for hanging onto it. It's so special!

Fabulous? Fun? No. A Good Deal? Yes!

2009-03-28T05:47:00.000-07:00

A recent GW find for $4.99. Our vacuum is about to be done. It's currently held together with blue painter's tape. It's actually this SAME vacuum except in blue and this one is SHINY compared to ours. It's on it's last leg and I've been looking at vacuums, but not getting excited about spending the $ that way.

Pretty excited when I found this at the GW last week. It's already paid for itself. :)

One unique B-day card

2009-03-11T06:53:00.000-07:00

I promise this will be the last post about my 37th Birthday. It was just so fabulous and I was so indulged that I have to share everything.

Another shot of my beautiful daisies in the awesome jar from H along with the card (front left) that she made me.
She searched through countless photos at Antiques on Belknap and found this one of a gal with very dorky spectacles. I've been talking about new eye glasses, but since Uncle Sam didn't think we had paid enough taxes in 2008, new glasses are not a reality for me at this time.

The gal in the picture's name was Kay. Heidi cut that off the bottom and wrote on the top "Angela Forbes", then transferred the rest of the info from the photo as it was - saying "Field Day, June 1918". What an awesome card. I love it! If you want to see it closer up, just click on the picture. :)

From Heidi

2009-03-10T06:39:00.000-07:00

The festivities began on Wednesday when Heidi took me to see "Confessions of a Shop A Holic". It was a fabulous movie! So much fun. :)

Heidi came to work on Friday to take me to lunch wherever I wanted to go and she had this awesome vase/jar with these gorgeous Daisies! Love the ribbon and the lid with the "BAL" on it. Short for Angelina Ballerina, my nickname. "Hey Bal" is what I hear when I answer her phone calls or show up at her door.
LOVE this awesome cup she got at Antiques on Belknap (actually, all my gifts came from there). She put the glass marbles in it and bought me a new fun brightly colored scissors for my office and filled it with pens and pencils all for me! I love the "AB" - again, Angelina Ballerina. She bought the little hardware to attach to the scrabble tiles. It's FABULOUS! I asked the Professor if we could keep it on the desk in his (kind of ours) office so I can enjoy it every day, so that's where it's residing minus the cutely colored scissors. :)
The grand prize surprise was this banana cart I had seen at Antiques on Belknap when there with my Mom on Monday. After leaving, I kept thinking about it and emailed to Heidi what I had seen and was deliberating over whether or not to spend my B-day $ on it.

I finally said that I needed to put it out of my mind because even though it sings to my heart, I don't really know where I'd put it and I really needed to buy shoes with my $.

This little gem was in the backseat of her car when we went to lunch! What a fun surprise! And I'm using it for what my Mom suggested - in the front porch with shoes in it - my shoes - all mine! After my walks I come in that door and now the porch looks neater with the shoes all stowed, plus the banana cart looks AWESOME!

Heidi says she walked into Antiques on Belknap and found the cart and was giddy. She set it up by the front desk but told the owner she was still looking but wanted to buy the cart. In walks another antique dealer (Sarah) from our FAVORITE booth at Old Town and she wanted to buy the cart!!!

So, I feel especially blessed that it now resides in my front porch and I didn't see it in the window at Old Town while sitting at a stoplight on Superior Street. I don't mind getting stopped at that light and frequently do and sit and gaze at Sarah's window display. Would have been crushed to see MY pink banana cart in the window! Just as I'm crushed to see the dresser that I saw at GW several times and passed on even though I thought it would be cute painted. Sarah saw the gem and painted it and it's in the window! Talk about crushing! Anyway, the banana cart is mine... all mine! I am SO spoiled!

Happy B-day to me!

2009-03-08T06:28:00.001-07:00

I am truly one spoiled girl. I took pictures with my iPhone (see what I mean??? spoiled!) at work. These gifts were on my desk when I arrived. I re-took pictures at home since I'm not sure how to get them from iPhone to blog easily. :)

From Michelle and Chelli, this awesome container with a white tank and pink checked boxers for sleeping in, a white terri cloth robe with long ruffly sleeves, new socks and a Life is Good T-shirt (they both hate anything relating to Life is Good, but buy it for me!).
From Liz (on the left) a bag (looked much cuter at work, I had already gone through it when I took this pic later at home) with supplies for making dish washing easier - all wrapped up in a kitchen towel. The card said "thanks for doing the "dishes" (instruments) at work all the time, here's something to make doing dishes at home a little easier... and some treats for afterwards". Very sweet! Thanks Liz!

And from Glory, this awesome map box she found after I had bought one of my globes and talked about it. A Life is Good T-shirt (love it), a pink calendar that sticks on the fridge and doesn't have dates, but has days of the week and can be written on and then you tear the top sheet off and start fresh with a new week. It's a tablet of these sheets - just need to train everyone here to start reading it now so everyone knows what they need to do - i.e. garbage out, soccer practice etc.

The black things are heavy metal hooks with an "A" and an "M" on them. So sweet. I hung the "M" on an existing nail already and hung a set of skeleton keys from it.

Michelle also treated me to a cut and color after work. It was so fabulous to be pampered and spoiled on my B-day. I was really spoiled rotten. :)

Quiet lately

2009-02-28T05:54:00.001-08:00

Not much going on in the creative or junking departments lately. It was Maddy's Dad's B-day and she had a gift for him. I tried to find something man-ish to wrap it in. Had this brown bag from Yarn Harbor - with their signature neon yellow label on the front. Covered that up with a scrap of patterned paper, used complimentary tissue paper and quickly threw together a "DAD" tag out of scrabble tiles.

So nice to have EVERYTHING at my fingertips when I need to do something like this!

Thinking Globally

2009-02-03T09:00:00.000-08:00

I really need to learn to just go with my gut. :) I picked up another globe (now I have 3) at the GW this morning. I was in the parking lot at 8:50. They opened at 9:00. I was there the night before at 5:00 and passed on the globe. Wasn't in the mood? Not sure why. This one is darker than my other two (it's pictured on the far right) and was missing a little bit of "paper" in two spots on one of the sides, plus didn't spin smoothly. I passed.

I went back. I found it quickly, thankfully. $1.99.

The globe in the middle, in the picture, was my Dad's globe and I LOVE it. The one on the left was purchased a while back from GW and the one on the right is my brand new find.

I cleaned it up when I brought it home and am now going to try to date it. We shall see. I'm guessing 70s.

********************************************************************

Update: This one was very easy to "date". Egypt was known as the UAR (United Arab Republic) from 1958 - 1961 and this globe lists Egypt as "UAR". :)

A find and a package mailed

2009-02-02T07:08:00.000-08:00

Mailed a Country Living magazine to a fellow blogger, Cheryl. Of course I couldn't just stuff the magazine in an envelope and send it across the country! I had to "cute-i-fy" it first. Tag with a black glittery "C" and a hand made card of course. Hope it's fun for her to open the envelope. The magazine contained an article on doll making, which Cheryl does. Awesome primitive dolls. You can check her blog out here. She often has the most wonderful vintage photos also!
Last week I found this HUGE basket. I seriously have to go slowly through doors to clear them with this monster. I could not leave it at the GW, and it was so cheap and sturdy. It came home. I debated for a week about what to do with it. Recycling? No, I was afraid someone may take it from my curb while I was at work - thinking it was free perhaps? Shoes? No, we didn't need to throw that many shoes in the basket. The one we were using would serve our needs just fine. Laundry! I snazzed up the laundry room on Saturday setting my OLD doors here and there instead of just leaving them leaned up against a wall together and put this below the laundry shoot catching the laundry instead of the plastic laundry baskets I had there. The shape of the basket - the way it flares out at the top - will allow all laundry to be caught and hopefully none on the floor from now on.

Believe!

2009-01-30T18:50:00.000-08:00

Finally found that "just right" chair for the bathroom to hold towels. Thrifted of course! Just needed a little more "rubbing" (sanding)
I posted long ago about finding a chair like this... you can see that post from long ago here.

It had to be a chair that could be sat on if the need arose. My family just looks at me funny when I tell them it's NOT for sitting on (too fragile). They don't get me sometimes. :)

Small projects/keeping busy

2009-01-28T18:27:00.001-08:00

Some glitter in salt & pepper shakers. I keep watching for these at GW - not much luck. Colorful and pretty (useful too), but these are for a gift I'm giving. I'm not a big fan of glitter messes, but may need to keep looking for some for myself too (S & P shakers) - they are just so pretty filled with glitter!
Playing around with ribbon and flowers to make a bookmark. Not sure - the design isn't great. Flowers on both ends doesn't work well in a book and I'm finding flowers on just one end make it one end heavy. :)
Realizing the scrabble game I scored from the GW only had one "H" in it. I used one for Rachel's tag and wanted one for a tag for Heidi, but it wasn't meant to be.

Scrabble tile uses and misuses

2009-01-14T18:49:00.000-08:00

For Rachel's Birthday, I purchased and painted a piece of pegboard for her. She chose orange and gave me some leftover paint to use. It looks very cute and this morning I attached a tag with her name in scrabble tiles and had to snap a picture before giving it away. I also gave her a good start on hardware for her pegboard. I can't wait to see her all "moved into" it. :)
I had a little fun with the tiles lately and spelled out "DREAM" on a table in the living room. (Please disregard the dust, scratches and FINGERPRINTS!) Someone is having fun making up their own words. READ is almost as good as DREAM. Almost.

I'm so sad!

2009-01-10T07:14:00.000-08:00

Country Home Magazine will no longer be. March 2009 will be the last issue. Check out the picture of the current issue. It's so yummy!!!! LOVE that pink crackled dresser with the brown accents. So cute - my favorite color combination. Click on the picture to see the cover closer up.

I am sad. I so look forward to receiving my copy of Country Home, sitting on my love seat and paging through for inspiration. sighhhh.

I have also heard that Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion may also be shutting down production. Where will I turn to for inspiration?

I wasn't as much of a fan of Country Living, but I may have to be now. Country Home just seemed more "homey" and sweet.

Finally a Friday night find!

2009-01-09T18:06:00.000-08:00

My first full day at work after being a little sick this week and I was there until 6:15 - and on a FRIDAY night no less. I decided to treat myself to a quick trip to the GW on my way home since I was feeling better and well.... just to TREAT myself. :)

Guess what I found.....

I'm not sure how many times I've been there lately and gone directly to the games looking for scrabble - wanting the wooden letters. Found a scrabble game tonight and it was $1.99. Whoo - Hoo! You may even remember my post about Scrabble Nightmares.
And on my way out, I could not pass up this tool set. It was still in it's package. Was from Target. Our Target donates a lot of things to the GW. Someone had removed the tape measure from the package, otherwise it was still in tact. On my way home I wondered who would not keep the extra tools but donate them, but now I'm wondering if someone removed the tape measure while it was in the store, so Target donated it. Either way, at $4.99, it was a bargain for the 6 pieces plus the fastener assortment.
Here are my new scrabble letters along with my black glittery letters residing in a recycled tree box that chocolates once resided in. Mmmmmm Hmmmmm, they were good. This tree was then tossed into my own recycling bin, but it didn't stay there for more than 30 seconds when I realized I could put it to use as see through storage. :)

Happy Hunting!

BELIEVE!

2009-01-08T05:05:00.000-08:00

This cute little guy was a gift from my Mom. Isn't he cute? He doesn't currently reside on the monitor as our monitor tilts easily and I'm not the only one who uses this iMac. So, he currently resides in the window by my love seat where I enjoy sitting to read. Isn't he just inspiring? He makes me smile.

The "thrifting" has been EXTREMELY slow lately. I have probably stopped at the GW a half dozen times recently and left with NOTHING, which is GOOD, if there's nothing worth getting. But I'm waiting for that next FABULOUS THRIFTY FIND!

A finished project only 1 + year in the making!

2009-01-07T04:23:00.000-08:00

Here is the shawl (it's a triangular shape) I started for Rawia LAST Ramadan, which was last September (2007). I thought I'd have it ready for her by the end of Ramadan (October 2007). Well, I finally finished it on Sunday. It had been put away for quite a while.

Then I wrapped it up pretty for her and added one of my signature tea stained tags with the black sparkly letter. I set this "package" on her bed. I secretly wondered where the "r" tag would end up. Would it end up in the garbage? Or better yet, on her bulletin board?
Later that evening, after she'd said an enthusiastic "Thank you!" for the shawl, this is what her bedroom door looked like. Hanging from the "r" that she had decorated over a year ago was the "r" tag and I couldn't help but smile. :) She "gets it".

A Silly picture to be sharing

2009-01-05T06:57:00.000-08:00

Kind of a silly picture to be posting. Down in the dungeon outside my office, but I was so happy when I moved a pegboard I had hanging elsewhere down there. It was being under-utilized.

Now I have gift bags, Christmas and otherwise, hanging on binder rings - LOVE those things - .88 cents for a pack of about 5 at Walmart! I put my ribbons on a dowel - except the large gold rolls above - they are the ones from Sam's club for $7.81 and after Christmas I got a 2nd one for $4.81! yahoo! They are WAY too wide to fit on the dowel. I also have some of my tea died tags ready to go and hanging on a binder clip and of course my flashlight for when my family forgets I'm down in my office and they turn off all the basement lights on their way to bed. :) It's come in handy MANY times.

I'm sure I'll be filling up the peg board more and more, but it was a fun little project - moving it - and another quality installation by ME. I used my drill and attached a couple of wood shims into the sheetrock where I knew there was a stud - then I just screwed the pegboard into the shims. Easy Peasy!

A few of my favorite things

2009-01-02T06:37:00.000-08:00

I absolutely LOVE this gift from Heidi. A Peace Love Junk bag from Junk Revolution. You can check out Junk Revolution here. They are down in Long Lake, MN. It was formerly the Junk Market team, but now they seem to have gone their separate ways and we tend to be more Junk Revolution fans rather than Junk Market fans (still in existence).
Maddy made me this cutting board. She made it at her Grandpa's house and told me I can use the back of it for a cutting board. I think she meant that I'm a #1 Mom, not a one pound Mom. Cute, huh?

I'm also loving my new boots. If you'd like to see them, you can click here. They are keeping my toes TOASTY! Thanks Mom and Dad for spoiling me. I so don't deserve such spoiling!

Giveaway on Maison Douce

2009-01-02T05:32:00.001-08:00

I was unable to upload a photo, but Maison Douce, a blog I follow, is having a giveaway. All you need to do is leave a comment. Check her out! She has made the cutest little bag out of vintage fabrics. :)

Post Christmas Work Space

2008-12-31T05:33:00.000-08:00

Tags laid out to dry on the floor.... tissue paper and wrappings strewn about in a mad rush to get everything ready between Christmas eve (late) and Christmas morning (before others woke).

Need to spend a bit of time digging out down there this weekend and put away all Christmas wrap - YEAH!

Vintage Thread Spools

2008-12-28T07:26:00.000-08:00

This was for my Mom as part of her Christmas gift. She liked it. Not that she needed any more wooden thread spools, but she appreciated my efforts. She commented a lot on the "J" tag. I like it too! My fingers are still dirty looking from tea staining on Sunday night. Dr. was not impressed when I was assisting him with a patient - I could see him noticing my "DIRTY" looking fingers. They weren't dirty, just stained. :) No one at work "gets it".

Although, Michelle was wrapping gifts prepared for the President of the hospital and she said "I should have called and asked you two bring in two of "your" tags." So, I guess she gets it.

Inside the jar I placed the sweet little tape measure that says "London" on the metal part of it. It's precious. Wonder how old it is. I got all of the sewing notions at an estate sale (my first) in September.

The red/green ribbon with wire was from Sam's Club. An EXCELLENT deal that Heidi pointed out to me. 50 yards for less than $8.00! The Professor won't even know I didn't buy only food with the grocery money that week. :)

Jocelyn's Clipboard

2008-12-26T20:10:00.000-08:00

Did a clipboard for Michelle for Christmas. She actually REQUESTED one of my custom clipboards! What an honor!

Anyway, it turned out cute, but how could it not with sweet little Jocelyn being the subject? This one was fun. Nice and girly.

Altered Picture Frame

2008-12-25T19:58:00.001-08:00

Okay, I don't think ANYONE actually needs a tutorial on this, but.... well, wait..... does anyone even read my blog? It's okay. I write it for me. Maybe Maddy will be able to access it when she's 75 and she can giggle about all the things I wrote. :)

I took a plain chipboard picture frame from Michael's - had it in my stash and had never done anything with it.
I removed the glass and backing. Turned it upside down on a cutting board and cut a "frame" out of patterned paper with my exacto knife. Ummm, I think it's Mom's exacto knife from YEARS ago. Mom, if you'd like it back, I can buy my own. :) Saw them recently at Wal-Mart and was pleasantly surprised to see they were less than $2.00! Note to self.... buy new exacto knife and return Mom's to her. It's overdue. Better yet.... Give Mom the NEW one and keep the old one for yourself. Or better STILL.... since they are so inexpensive, buy two. Give one to Mom, keep one for self and have a new sharp one and an older one for projects that don't require you to be so EXACT. :)
With a foam brush I painted the inside and outside edges with a coordinating acrylic paint. Used Modge Podge to attach the patterned paper cut out to the frame.
Added a little ribbon, a glittery letter "B" with some glue dots and inserted the picture I was using.

This was a fun, quick little project and was much appreciated. :)

What have I been doing?

2008-12-14T19:44:00.003-08:00

Kind of quiet on the blog lately, but I'm still here. Let's see, what have I been up to?

Baked Christmas cookies with the girls Saturday. Well, actually.... Once I got them started, I got to look at a magazine with my feet up until I needed to put the next batch into the oven and bring them an empty tray. Mmmmmm Hmmmmm. Grown up girls are nice!
Maddy's teacher gift - a clipboard (of course) for Mrs. Schmude. It really looks much cuter in person - I swear - I'm actually proud of it in person, but in the photo ..... not so impressive.
Oooh, forgot about this little GEM! The only thing I scored last Thursday when Heidi and I went junking on my lunch break. I emailed Heidi that I was going through Junking withdrawls and was planning to head to the GW on my lunch. She picked me up with PB & J sandwiches and cans of root beer. What a great junking pal! I bought this little basket (for utensils?) for about $1 and have put it to immediate use. Loving it! That's all I found though and I had such a good vibe. I think I jinxed it on the way to the GW - I told Heidi that I felt it was going to be a GREAT day at the GW. oops. Never speak those words!
Picked up prints of Jocelyn (Michelle's little angel girl) and I put the pictures on the board I will create so I can get INSPIRED! How can I not be inspired with that little cutie? Well, had to do Maddy's teacher's clipboard first as I still have next week with Michelle. :) She even requested one of my custom clipboards. What an honor!
Finally, a batch of carmels - the first of the season. Rawia helped me wrap. She is GREAT at wrapping the carmels. I just kept her with enough wax paper squares, trimmed the excess wax paper after they were wrapped and kept filling these little bags. More batches to go for sure, but thanks to Rawia, it was quick work tonight. Only about a 2 hour project. :)

So, as you can see, I'm still around. Just busy - and finishing up my Psych class. Working on final exam, started a new book "The Pilot's Wife" and hardly want to put it down AND we had this snow, so had to spend a little time on that today, though the crew here did most of the work, thankfully.

On a little side note.... Sundays are Subway Sundays around this house. I don't cook. It's our thing. We all look forward to it and they have a good deal on Sundays. At about 1:00 today I called Subway to make sure they were open with the storm and all. They said they'd be closing at 4:00 today due to the storm. No problemo I thought! I snuggled down for a little nap (shhh, don't tell a soul!) and got up in time to get to Subway at 3:30. After getting stuck bad in our alley - uhhhh, they were advising NO TRAVEL, but I had to get to Subway!

All 3 Egyptians had to help dig and push me out of the huge drift I thought I could conquer at the end of the alley. Got me on my way, got to Subway. Lights inside were on, but OPEN sign was not lit up. This could not be! They could not do this to me! Make me cook on a Sunday?

I was the crazy lady in the black down coat and pink skull cap knocking on the door and holding a pretend phone to my ear explaining that they had TOLD me they'd be open until 4:00 on the phone. Sorry lady, we're closed. Sighhhh.

I had to thaw some salmon and make some meatballs and I did it with a sour heart. But .... but I will have one Subway trip still in the budget for this week, no? :) It's all good.

Got some projects done in my office and got my office CLEANED UP! Now I can work again in there.

Have a great day!

Ang

Tag - You're it!

2008-12-10T06:02:00.000-08:00

On Sunday Heidi and I had a bit of fun tea staining our new tags. We have 3 different sizes. We learned some tricks and had some fun. Where did the weekend go?

Scrabble Nightmares?

2008-12-09T06:57:00.000-08:00

Yes, I actually had a SCRABBLE nightmare last night! Since I saw this brilliant idea to attach old scrabble pieces to our cute tags we're planning to tea stain, I've been thinking about and looking for old scrabble games while I'm out and about.

Last night I was dreaming that I was in this HUGE warehouse with TONS of old stuff and all priced so reasonably. I was in junker's heaven! I even remember asking (in my dream) a very tall sales associate if he could help me retrieve the old scrabble game I could see way up high on a shelf.

In my dream I was sure it would only cost about $1 or $2 as everything else in this warehouse full of goodies was so reasonable! The nice associate brought the box down for me and to my HORROR when I opened it, the pieces were not wooden "normal" scrabble pieces. Instead, in this nightmare I was having.... the pieces were all plastic and bright red and blue.

No, no one was chasing me in my nightmare. Someone just played a cruel joke on me.

Better luck next time.

Happy Hunting and pleasant dreams!

Ang

They don't make 'em like this any more!

2008-12-08T06:50:00.000-08:00

Can you see the detailed scroll work on this adorable little hinge? It was from one of the doors that Jeff and Rachel brought me. It actually fell off near the garage and I picked it up this weekend and took a good look at it. I was amazed at this detail. They sure don't make 'em like this any more!

Happy Hunting!

Ang

Altered Serving Trays

2008-12-07T06:26:00.000-08:00

I'm happy with how these turned out. You can see what they looked like when I bought them at the GW if you click here. One had been blue with a winter scene painted on the inside. I painted that one with a black matte paint and used adhesive to attach some vintage looking scrapbook papers. I sealed the papers for wiping up (coffee) spills with ease.

The cream one was originally natural with pretty strips of wood and a 'u.s.a' stamp on the bottom. I felt a little bad painting over it.

Imagine you have an ottoman in your living room sitting area and wish to serve coffee or tea. Now you have the perfect tray to set on your ottoman. A tray containing steaming cups of coffee or tea (or hot cocoa for those who are young at heart). Yummy!

Even the professor was impressed with me when he saw these! So simple. I had a vision. I spent little. Trash to treasure.

Happy Hunting -

Ang

A work space in Heidi's office

2008-12-06T06:07:00.000-08:00

On Sunday I went to Heidi's and we worked in her beautiful basement office to make a couple of work stations so we could sit and work on whatever for our future endeavors.

Here is Pal Heidi - I think she's getting a headache just thinking about all that needs to be done. But finally Festival of Trees is over (soon I'll quit mentioning it, I promise!) and we get to do things we've been putting off until now. :)
Another shot of the office BEFORE. She will kill me when she knows I've posted pictures of this, but I had to show the progress.
After a trip to Home Depot with measurements and ideas, we returned and cut down the boards we got for our "desks" and mounted them on brackets we installed. Okay, Heidi is really the BRAINS of this operation and the measurements and ideas were hers. I wrote down the measurements and pushed the cart at Home Depot. Plus I was the cheerleader, held the level, handed her tools and told her how very brilliant she is. That was my contribution. My spot will be on the right side of the cabinet. It's going to be oh so cute! Just wait and see.

More to come -

Ang

Adorable Tree!

2008-12-05T06:00:00.000-08:00

It's not my tree, it's my pal Heidi's. Isn't it cute???? She was the high bidder on it at the Festival of Trees and I guess I mentioned something when she was bidding on it like "it would be cute on your island, but only if it's the ONLY thing on your island".

It seems she took my words to heart. I LOVE that! Now if only my words had an impact on the people I actually LIVE with. :) I got to her house today for a project and she was bleaching the countertop and setting her tree out - with just the place mats and napkins that came with it.

When we returned from Home Depot with the supplies we needed, I guess I might have set my bottle of diet Coke on the counter and she gave me quite a look. She reminded me of something else I said.... "you're either part of the solution, or you're part of the problem". :) Maybe I should stop giving free advice.

It looks GREAT! Enjoy it. :)

Ang

A find - does it look like barnwood???

2008-12-04T04:36:00.000-08:00

While talking with Laurie in the Foundation recently, she showed me this cute project she found at Better Homes and Gardens. You can see it here. She mentioned she was on a quest for some Barnwood to make this project for Thanksgiving. I happened to be stopping at the GW on my way home that night. I found this cute little Smith & Hawken wooden box and thought it looked an awful lot like barnwood. I couldn't resist. I left it on her desk at work.

I also found this little Crabtree & Evelyn "toolbox" to put products from the basement bathroom counter in. It looks cute. I can never resist a little toolbox like this.

Happy Hunting!

Ang

Backing up to the Festival of Trees

2008-12-03T06:11:00.000-08:00

We've been done for exactly 1 week now and today we worked on something for US! It was really fun.
Here we are (myself and co-chair and friend Heidi) in the break room at Lake Superior College - while the 21st Annual Festival of Trees was going on. By noon on this day, the festival was running itself. Until that point, we were putting out brush fires constantly. 175 vendors who all wanted to be the 'star of the show'. Some of them were very demanding.

A shot of the crowds. It's so great to be done! You can see in the bottom right hand corner of this picture the vendor with the "gameboard" I wrote about earlier. :) She had such cute things!

Dreaming and Scheming -

Ang

Thrifty and now Festive Find

2008-12-02T07:41:00.000-08:00

I found this little basket at GW (Goodwill - from here on out I will call it the GW). :) It was .49 cents. I thought the possibilities could be ENDLESS! I had some dark red leaves in it a bit ago and yesterday cut some sprigs of cedar from the bushes in the yard and hung the "M". I'm pretty pleased with the result.

Basket from the GW..... .49 cents

Cuttings from my backyard..... free

Letter "M" from the Grainery ..... $1.99

The way it makes me feel when I put it all together..... priceless!

Happy Hunting

Freedom Star

2008-12-01T07:38:00.000-08:00

Okay, so the star is not exactly THRIFTY, but it is fabulous, no? I have wanted a "freedom star" or "barn star" for 2 years now and finally bought one at the Festival of Trees from a vendor who had primitive things. Her booth was lovely. She said it was welded by the Amish in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It's HEAVY! So far it's just setting on the mantle and not hanging.

The fruits of an afternoon of "stamping"

2008-11-29T06:06:00.000-08:00

I feel sort of funny calling these "stamped" cards as I BARELY do any stamping. I was with my sister who REALLY does lots of stamping on the cards. I mostly cut patterned papers to fit and ink the edges (I like them messy!) and maybe put a little stamped message on. I probably made 8 cards today - most are slightly different versions of the ones pictured here. I just love using my "BELIEVE" stamp - can you tell?

Festival of Trees is OVER!

2008-11-27T19:11:00.000-08:00

Hooray for us - we survived the Festival of Trees! We (Heidi and I) joked about having T-shirts made that said "I survived co-chairing the Festival of Trees" and these t-shirts could be passed on to future co-chairs. What a great feeling to be done. While it wasn't without snags, it is over and it was a success.

This cute little pink bird house with the copper roof has a GREAT story with it. Last year at the Festival, this vendor had the cutest booth. I just drooled over all of her old doors she used as a "backdrop". She had the most wonderful game board painted and carved/constructed. Kind of primitive, and oh so cute! Well, Heidi knew I REALLY wanted that and approached the vendor explaining that she had only $30 on her, but would be glad to send a check for the additional $5 as her friend REALLY wanted this game board. Even though Heidi looked respectable in her Junior League Apron, the vendor said NO! Heidi told me this later and we laughed about it and joked about not patronizing her the next year.

Well, this year she had these adorable bird houses - among other cute things. I finally decided to stop and buy myself the pink birdhouse only to find it was GONE! But alas, I spotted two more set under a display bench. Whew, that was CLOSE! I chose the bird house I wanted and paid all the while the vendor was grinning like a Cheshire cat!

I got back to the break room and showed Heidi my purchase. She agreed that it was oh so cute. Several other times before the end of the show, this particular vendor (game board lady!) saw us together and would always have that HUGE grin on her face. She knew that Heidi had bought that bird house for me just moments before I stopped and bought it for myself and she enjoyed watching us walk around together after our separate transactions.

I learned about this after the show - the birdhouse that Heidi had bought for me. We have decided to exchange pink birdhouses with copper roofs for Christmas this year and had yet another good laugh about the experience with this vendor. They will reside in our offices and it will be so special coming from my pal Heidi.

We saw some really cute ideas at the show and many times said "we could do that!" Now I'm searching for scrabble pieces, so if you happen to see a discarded scrabble game with wooden pieces, please let me know. We have a good idea we've lifted from someone for spelling things on the tags we have. Can't wait to start creating!

More to come -

Ang

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T06:31:00.001-08:00

Wishing each a blessed Thanksgiving Day.

I'm thankful for many things. We have so many blessings.

I'm thankful also that I'll have more time to pursue my passions and have more time to update my blogs now that the Festival of Trees is behind us. :)

Enjoy your day.

Ang

Stay Tuned

2008-11-16T09:02:00.000-08:00

I haven't forgotten to update this blog.... It's just so darned busy right now. The Junior League of Duluth's 21st Annual Festival of Trees is next weekend and my friend Heidi and myself are the co-chairs of this big event!

Once that is behind us, we will start to concentrate on what I/we love to put our energy into... junking.

Our tags arrived - cute ones - and I'll show you those when I can. For right now, everything is on hold until after next weekend.

Stay tuned and don't give up.

Dreaming and Scheming -

Ang

New Home for a door and a new addition to the porch

2008-11-11T05:52:00.000-08:00

One of the new doors (I've received 7 lately. I must have been good!) in the porch. It looks fantastic to me. :)

Dreaming and scheming -

Ang

If I am dreaming....

2008-11-10T06:32:00.000-08:00

Please don't wake me up! I received 6 doors today from my sister and her significant other! They went to an old farm house that has been abandoned and popped these doors off their hinges for me! AND they delivered!

Last week, Chelli gave me an awesome white door with glass on the top. I need to snap a picture of that but it's soooo heavy. Also, I snagged a really darling little medicine cabinet out of her basement. I just love when my friends think of me when they see junk. Or a dilapitated old building. :) Really, no offense taken.

I received a phone call while they were in the process of removing the doors. I was asked questions like "do you want them if they look rough?" "how many do you want?" "you'll have to re-do these doors I'm sure". Nope, I'm quite sure I won't. In fact, one of them is already adorning my front porch. Cute Cute Cute! I'll post that picture tomorrow. :)

Thank you to Jeff and Rachel for giving me part of your precious Sunday!

Dreaming and scheming -

Ang

Thursday's Fabulous Thrifty Finds

2008-11-09T07:48:00.001-08:00

Two darling egg baskets I've been wanting and THANKFULLY they were still at the Old Town when I had some cash on Thursday. They were a bargain and I got two of them for the price of what I've seen one egg basket go for. I scrubbed them all up and have my wool pieces in them underneath the buffet I had painted cream. I'll get a picture of that, but the location of this buffet isn't wonderful. Hopefully someday it will be a display piece in my rental spot. :)

Could not pass this up at Goodwill Thursday. It's pretty big. I was thinking for recycling, but I may just part with this after all.

Oh, the little table the egg baskets are on was also a Goodwill find on Thursday. Was a very fun lunch break!

Dreaming and Scheming,

Ang

Moving Right Along Now.....

2008-11-08T06:55:00.000-08:00

My security seems to have been breached, hence the reason for the new blog. Sorry to keep changing. This should be the last time. :)

The new blog is under construction still, but check back soon for updates.

And please feel free to leave comments - I welcome your comments!

Ang