Sunday, August 29, 2010

Thrifting in Brevard

Hey ya'll, hope everyone is looking forward to a new week. As I mentioned in a post last week we were in N.C. for a few days. I had to get my thrifting fix so I visited the Antique Mall in Brevard. Is is a collectors dream and for a vintage lover like me I had to be pulled from there kicking and screaming... well not really, Southern ladies do not do that, but I wanted to!

I found several crystal pieces.


This cute little serving tray and what I thought was three crystal coasters taped together.
They were just like some my grandmother had.
When I got them home and removed the tape the top was upside down and it was a crystal box.I still love it and for three dollars will use it somewhere.


When I saw this crystal pitcher I knew I had to have it. I love the floral details.
Although it is usually just Mr. VS and myself we keep two pitchers moving. He has to have
unsweetened, something about calories and I like mine the sweeter the better.
I'll have to cut the calories somewhere other than my sweet southern tea.

When we weren't thrifting or eating, lol we were enjoying the sights of nature.


This is a waterfall that runs by the side of the road in Pisgah National Forest.


The water is crystal clear and cold!
After going down to the base and climbing back up 1,000 steps we were told that when the
steps and viewing deck were built the workers killed 75 rattlesnakes!


If they had told me that before I came back up I would have taken those steps a lot faster. In fact,
if they had told me before I went down, these shots would have had a steering wheel or side view mirror in the images. Those of you who know me know how bad I dislike hate snakes.

Thanks for dropping by and y'all come back!
Sites I'm linking to:
Thrifty Treasures
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Outdoor Wednesday
Watery Wednesday
Thrifty Thursday
Show and Tell
Debbie-Debbiedoos Yardsalening


Saturday, August 28, 2010

Sunday Reflections



 “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” Phillipians 4:11
 Can this be possible?
We find contentment at the same place we find salvation—in Christ.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Camping


Just getting back in from several days camping in Pisgah Forest. I have really missed having the computer and seeing all of the fun things y'all are doing.We were really back to nature... no phone, no computer, and no electricity. We did have battery powered lights in the RV which was good because it got dark really early deep in the forest.I was careful to take a light with me every time I stepped outside. Didn't want to step on any "Johnny no shoulders!" I love the quiet, peaceful life for a while but I would have never made it as a pioneer woman!

The campground is near Brevard, a quiet little town nestled in the forest. It has lots of quaint little antique shops and thrift stores... just my kind of shopping. I will be posting later about some of my finds but for now just wanted to say hello. I have a lot of blog reading to do to catch up!  It's so good to be back home.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Vintage Tray and votive holders


I know lots of folks have made these votive holders around blog land but I love them and had to make them. I got the candlesticks at Goodwill for fifty cents and the votive holders were two dollars for three.




They were so easy, just glue them together with E-6000 glue. I love that stuff. Wish it was around when I was a child, I probably wouldn't have gotten as many spankings!



The tray was a Goodwill find as well.It was natural wood, and had a cross stitched fabric under the glass that  was badly stained.  I always forget to take before pictures... I am so anxious to get started :(
I cleaned it and removed the cross stitch but could not get the stains out. I think they were from the glue someone had used to attach it

I sanded, spray painted , and replaced the fabric with toile scrap booking paper.The glass and wooden oval easily slide out for quick replacement. I haven't given up on the cross stitch.It is so lovely.

I'm going to try to stain the entire piece with tea. Has anyone tried tea staining? I'm not sure how it's done.

Have a good week and y'all come back!

I'm linking this post to
Todays Thrifty Treasures at Southern Hospitality
Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps On the Porch
Show and Tell at Romantic Home
Garage Salen at Debbie Doos



































Saturday, August 21, 2010

Sunday Reflections



One Door Closes..Another Opens

Revelations 3:8  I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

When God leads you to the edge of the cliff, trust Him fully and let go, only 1 of 2 things will happen, either He'll catch you when you fall, or He'll teach you how to fly! 

Soooo Embarrassed!!!


Well folks, I need to announce I am now following myself!

I guess that explains my going in circles.

I'm not quiet sure how I did it. I was trying to follow someone back.

Oh well, I just have to laugh at myself. It never pays to take ones self to seriously.

Y'all come on back, It's turning into a zoo around here but it is a fun learning project and

I look forward to seeing all of the neat things y'all are doing out there in blogland.


Monday, August 16, 2010

White Chair Rescue

Hope everyone had a good week-end. I've been sitting here this morning reading blogs, one of my favorite things to do.  Melissa  at The Inspired Room shared her idea of "chair scarfs." This is a great way to change the look of a chair and take it from season to season. Check it out.


I thought I would share with you my chair covers. They have been a life saver for me. I love white but white chairs and Skipper don't go to well together,(sorry Skipper)  I needed to cover the chair arms so he could sit in the chair and bark at look at the people enjoying the community pool across the road.


This is what I came up with


I made a cover very similar to a table runner.I measured the length I needed to go over the chair arm, under the chair cushion and up over the other arm. You can see the manufacturers cover in the picture under my black covers but Skipper would pull them off. With the cover running under the cushion they stay in place.


Sooo easy! My kind of projects.One seam, turn inside out, add a tassel and your done!









I had extra fabric left over so  I made two matching throw pillows and covered this little thrift store find. I left the material on the footstool as it was in good condition but the wrong color.

I simply removed the short wooden legs, cut a square big enough to cover the top and sides and stapled it underneath. The hardest part was the corners. I pleated them and stapled as well.





This little tray and the magazine holder I got at Hobby Lobby on their 66% off sale.




Note to self, It's time to clean out the magazine holder again!




Skipper is giving me the cold shoulder because of what I said about him!


Fur babies can be sooo moody!


Have a good day and y'all come back!




                    Linking to the following parties:
                    Metamorphosis Monday  at Betweennapsontheporch


                    Todays Thrifty Treasures at Southern Hospitality 


                    Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm


                    ShowandTell at Cindy's Romantic Home


                    White Wednesday at Faded Charm


                    FabricfunThursday at Cheapchickhome


                    Upcycled Awesome at T-Shirt Diaries








                    
                     

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Sunday Reflections


Myrtle Beach Sunset


"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.
 Attitude to me is more important than facts. It is more
 important than the past, than education, than money, than
 circumstances, than failures, than success, than what other
 people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance,
 gift, or skill. It will make or break a company...a church...a home.
 The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the
 attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our
 past...we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain
 way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is
 play on the string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced
 that life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I
 react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our attitudes. "

~ Charles Swindoll

Friday, August 13, 2010

This and That!

This week has been a disorganized array of this and that and I don't feel like I accomplished this or that. I have one bath redo in the final stages and a second with one coat of paint. And don't even ask where my "stuff" is like make up, cologne and other essentials us women need to function!

As a distraction today I went shopping. That usually soothes my soul but today the yard sales were the pits. I'm not a believer in bad luck on the 13th but this morning I was beginning to wonder.

I drug my Sad Sack little self into the Cracker Barrel Restaurant and my luck changed. Sitting there on the 50% discount table were these cute little mugs.


They had been marked down from $20 to $10. Not a steal but they are the exact color for the condo and there was only one set. Each cup was different so....


I scooped them up. I was beginning to feel better already.

When I got home I started to unload the dishwasher and this is what I found. It looks innocent enough, right?


Mr. Vintage S. had put this in the dishwasher. It was just a cute little "thingy" I had bought new this week for him to put in his bath (one of the baths that is in remodel chaos now) to hold Q-tips. Guess he wanted a sterile q-tip holder.  If you look closely, it is not red all over, half of the paint,dye whatever had come off in the dishwasher all over my dishes.



 To hopefully avoid poisoning or us turning the color of the glassware I ran the dishes back through the sterilize cycle.

What did I say about not believing in Friday 13th ?

Just then the doorbell rang. It was the FedEx man. I was so excited! This is what he was bringing.


I can't wait to try it out.

Thank you to all of you blogging friends out there who have been so helpful in sharing info. about your cameras and helping me decide on one! I'm sure it will take me a while to learn to use it but it will be fun to play. 
What did I say about Friday 13th?  It's just another day :)
Have a great week-end and ya'll come back.

Parties I'm Joining
Garage Salening with Debbiedoos
Show and Tell with Cindy

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Sand sculpture

Hi Everyone! I hope y'all are having a great week.
I wanted to share with you this really neat sand sculpture.

No, I didn't do it. My ability  does not extend beyond sad little sand castles
and mud pies!
It was created by a lone older gentleman on the beach.

I started to go over and ask if I could take his picture as he was finishing but
being the chicken that I am, I waited and took shots of his work after he left.


It had such detail. He even used small reeds for the windshield wipers!
I guess the thing that really bothers me is ... all that work and it is gone when the tide comes in!
Oh well, I guess that is really living for the pleasure of the moment.

I am working on several projects at home that I hope will last a little longer. I like to get lots
of mileage out of my work (smile). I will be posting them later this week.
I have been enjoying family times the last few days and have not been at the computer as much
I'm anxious to see what you all have been doing.
I have sung Nursery Rhymes and read One Fish, Two Fish 
to the g'babies so many times my voice sounds like
" Froggy" from The Little Rascals. Remember them?







I am linking to Outdoor Wednesday
Drop by for lots of fun photos.



Saturday, August 07, 2010

Sunday Reflections


You Say: It's impossible
God Says: All things are possible   Luke 18:27
You Say: I'm too tired.
God Says: I will give you rest      Matthew 11:28-30
You Say:Nobody really loves me.
God Says: I love you. John 3:16 and John 3:34
You Say: I can't go on.
God Says: My grace is sufficient.  II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalms91:15
You Say: I can't figure things out.
God Says:I will direct your steps. Proverbs 3:5-6
You Say: I can't do it.
God Says: You can do all things. Philippians 4:13
You Say: I'm not able.
God Says: I am able.  II Corinthians 9:8
You Say: It's not worth it.
God Says: It will be worth it. Romans 8:28
You Say:I can't forgive myself.
God Says:I Forgive you. I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1
You Say:I can't manage.
God Says:I will supply all your needs. Philippians 4:19
You Say: I'm afraid.
God Says: I have not given you a spirit
                 of fear. II Timothy 1:7
You say:I'm always worried.
God Says:Cast all your cares on ME I Peter 5:7
You Say: I'm not smart enough.
God Says: I give you wisdom. I Corinthians 1:30
You Say:I feel all alone.
God Says: I will never leave you or forsake you.
                 Hebrews 13:5

Tuesday, August 03, 2010

Beach time / Work time

We were at the condo the last couple of weeks and I thought I would share a little of how my time went. I of course got in as much beach time as I could. Having done enough skin damage in my younger days (there was no sunscreen then only lotion) ... for real.  I know I just dated myself.
           To make matters worse all of us tanning idiots enthusiasts fried our skin in baby oil and iodine...but I digress.

Now the old wise one, I go out really early or after 6 in the evening. Not only is it cooler, there is less crowds and one can really enjoy the natural beauty of the beach and ocean.






                                                                               
But before you think all of my time was spent in play, I did get a project I had been putting off finished.
Our condo has the standard sliding glass doors with vertical blinds. Although the blinds are a necessary evil, I have looked at them and wanted to soften the look. A couple of months ago I found some fabric at the thrift shop and you guessed it, it was my favorite color for the condo, white and itt was the right price, $5.00. I don't even know how many yards it had but I had enough to make two panels and a valance for the center. I did not want to close the curtains , just soften the blinds. I'm really pleased with how they turned out.


I have two or three yards left over. I'm sure I'll find a use for them but not just yet. Did I mention I don't particularly like to sew. I just couldn't pass up this fabric.



Thanks for stopping by and y'all please come again.

I am linking to A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday
                      Faded Charm for White Wednesday
                      Watery Wednesday
                      Garage Salening  with Debbie
                      Show and Tell My Romantic Home
                      Beyondthepicketfence  Linky Party


Monday, August 02, 2010

Blue collection

Today I thought I would post some of the "blues" I've collected this summer.
It all started with these candlesticks from, you guessed it ,Goodwill.  I know
they are not the same pattern but will be fine located on opposite ends of the room.
But first I need to get some 
Brasso on them!




While cruising the Hobby Lobby clearance isle I came across these adorable oriental
figurines.





I guess the thing that caught my eye was the details of the  facial features.




Although they are not like anything I have in my house, I had to take them home.




Finally, I picked up  this ginger jar at Goodwill to go with my other orphaned blue and white items.
I'm not sure where I'm going to use them, but what's a girl to do when they call your name?
My bonus room is yellow with blue accents so I'm pretty sure I can find them
a home there.


                                                
Hope you have a good week and please join me at the following blog parties for lots of fun and decorating  ideas!
Blue Monday  at Smiling sally's blog      
Todays Thrifty Treasures at Rhoda's Southern Hospitality blog
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm