Friend to the Rescue

Mary and I worked on our booth space today. We had fun trying to squeeze in lots of good junk. But this post is about the neat stuff Mary gave me.

This tin had just what I needed to finish a project.

This gorgeous butterfly was another item from Mary.

She also brought me a set of six magnets with vintage designs. These are two of my favorites. 

Mary is generous, fun-loving, creative, and loyal. She's the real deal...a true friend.  

More Tidbits

It's crazy how fast the weeks go by. I know I must sound like a broken record, for I'm always commenting about the quick passage of time.  Today I'm posting a few pictures here at home to let you know I'm still around. This first one shows a $1 find at Goodwill.  I couldn't pass up this sweet little bird perched on a leaf dish that now holds loose change.

 

There's my favorite number on top of the green thingy. The significance of the seven has to do with two parents, four boys, and one girl.



A friend is what the heart needs all the time.

-Henry van Dyke

Tuesday Tidbits

Hi! I made a quick stop at Dollar Tree to find clear flattened marbles.

My daughter has been making magnets and thumbtacks using them.

Check out this website http://keepitcrafty.wordpress.com/ to see her

projects. Besides the marbles I found this unexpected tin panel of birds.

button, earring, and domino magnets

 

three tags in a painted frame

 

a quote by courageous Helen Keller

broken pieces for mosaic projects

 

He's the sweet reason projects are kept waiting.



Summer is almost over for the grandkids. School starts in three weeks. Too bad it is so hot. This heat wave is keeping us inside more than we want to be. 



Searching and Finding

I can be happily satisfied by the smallest accomplishments.

Case in point: My friend Mary had this wooden thing(candle base, pedestal, or whatever it was) that she planned to add to the booth. But I desired it for its wooden shape and  green color and scooped it up for her asking price. Since then I have been trying to decide what to display on top. Well, at Charlene's...a shopper's paradise...there was a bowl of decorative billiard balls.  

Also at this fabulous store was this wire hanger. I am experimenting to see what I want to display on it.

My final find of the day was at a place I had never stopped at before. Very different from Charlene's... picture a lot of clutter and messy. But one dollar I gladly paid for this decorative green ball.

   The thrill of the hunt keeps me happy. Don't you feel the same?         

Special Day

Days scoot by, and then I realize I meant to post something for my friends and readers. Well, here's some of what has been happening. We had a special Saturday due to Lucas' christening immediately following the wedding of Olga's sister who is the godmother. Little Lucas behaved beautifully. This surprised us because usually he is such a wiggleworm.  

Studio Time

A new rubber stamp was the stimulus to get me in the studio room. I happened upon it at Big Lots for $2. It is the bird in the photo at the end of the post. I finally got around to trying out the Kiwi shoe polish suggestion by Vicki at Rusty Rooster Vintage. Great tip!

I was asked to make another cat set.

 

 collage

 

hoping to acquire more cream and white buttons

Helpful Hints

Another week has flown by, and I am trying to process the fact that half of 2011 has already passed. The holiday weekend was pleasant but quickly over. On Monday the Fourth we sat down to enjoy ribs and chicken from the grill, potato salad, baked beans, and butter crunch chocolate pie. My mom gave me the pie recipe years ago. It's the crust that makes it special. 

Butter Crunch Chocolate Pie

1/2 cup butter

1 cup Gold Metal flour

1/4 brown sugar(packed)

1/2 cup nuts(pecans)

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Mix all ingredients with hands. Spread in oblong pan and bake for 15 minutes. Stir occasionally until light brown.

 Press hot Butter Crunch in pie pan and shape shell. Pour hot chocolate filling(Jell-o Cook and Serve 50z box) into shell. Let filling cool and set. 

Now on to the real reason for this post. I'm sharing five simple solutions that work for me. You may decide "It's a good thing" as Martha Stewart would say and use one of these simple hints.



a rock as paperweight

   a flower frog as pen holder

 wooden mug stand as bracelet organizer

 baskets as handy storage containers 

 empty tissue box to store plastic bags

I think my favorite is the last one. This tip was shared in a Simple Life magazine. I keep one box on the top shelf of the bathroom closet. When I need to empty the wastecan, I reach for a bag. My other box stays in the utility room closet near the kitchen. This ingenious system keeps many grocery store bags under control.