Crafty Stock-ups

Today I had quite a bit of luck in the craft department as far as the estate sale haul. It was super fun digging through all the fabric and sewing notions with my ma. She caught some things I would've missed.

Like this:



A dresser scarf half finished with such a pretty peacock. I got another one just like it that hasn't been worked on. At this particular garage sale, the lady was selling fabric - and this included those scarves - by the bag. Price of bag? $1.00!





At another sale I got the crewel kit that's keeping the fabric company for $1.00. It includes a zipper and a lining and instructions. I've never done crewel before, but this looks like a lovely project. I like having a stash of little project kits. Especially come winter when going out thrifting is not so pleasant. Nothing like a little project, an old movie and a long afternoon free.

We also came across these:



They all came together in a bag and we waited until we got home to separate them all out and divide them between us. What fun! And I found a few treasures for the I Heart Pink and Aqua Swap I joined.

For $2.50, I scored a Weave It at another sale







It makes the cutest little square coasters. I was thinking of making some to border a small square hooked rug did a few years ago. We'll see what happens. I'm still working on that chair and D's (my husband's) hat. I've been itching to make a rug though lately. Ever since D decided to make a little office in our basement, I've wanted to make him a rug. Just to make the place a little more comfy. He has said he likes the austere, light bulb dangling from a cord, no nonsense atmosphere of the basement because it helps him concentrate. All I can think is cold tootsies!

Other finds were all for the garden. I've been looking for garden statues since we moved in. They are scarce and the ones I do find are in boutiques for prices I can't even pay for indoor bric-a-brac. These were all $1.00-$2.00 a piece.











D has been having good luck with finds, too. Check out our new fish plate:




And our new artwork. It tells a story I find inspirational.



So, that's all for now. Time to enjoy my fam. I leave you with pics of earings purchased at Classic Facets from the costume jewelry drawers. The fine jewelry I'd give my teeth for, but they don't take teeth for payment. Just gobs of cash I do not have. I wish they'd hurry up and put pieces for sale on the web.

My new earings



Ma's new earings

Dirty Panda, Dirty Chair, Dirty Me

This was the grungiest of conquests I have had in a long time. Meet my new friends:



The little green circular sticker reads $10.00. What a steal for what must be an antique rocking chair. Look at that lovely dark wood -



Oh, wait a minute, what's this?



It appears I can easily write my name in this dark wood. Why, it's not the color of the wood at all that I'm seeing but decades and decades of dirt and dust. And if it's covered in dirt and dust, then it can only mean one thing -

IT'S A TREASURE!!!!

Just like my other pal here





That little red dot means he was 25 cents. This is because he's missing an ear. But who could resist a face like this?




So, after my garage sales and what nots on Friday, I had a lot of work to do.



And after a good scrub, Panda was ready to dry in the sun, nestled in his new garden home.




The chair, however, was a different story.



Now what to do? I could paint it I guess. Or maybe paint the cushion (which is ugly). I could sand it down to a more even, natural color. Whatever I do, I now have a project. I really thought all I needed to do was hose this baby off and I'd be rockin' by dinnertime. No such luck.

Today was a perfect day to hike about in the mountains. The wonderful thing about living in Denver is that you're never but 20 minutes by car to a beautiful mountain trail with loads of interesting rock formations, sunny meadows, cool shady nooks and (my favorite) bunches of colorful native wildflowers. A couple bottles of water and a quick slathering of sunscreen and you're set for exploring nature at it's best.


Bee Balm grove


Indian Paintbrush

Does anyone know what this is?



Such a pretty hike.


And when we got home, there were projects a plenty to work on. I sanded down the chair. So now it looks like this:


One more job sanding and then comes the stain.

And for bedtime, there's always my husband's hat to work on



(yawn) And I think it's about that time now. Goodnight to all!