Vintage Thrift & Craft

First Fire and New Friends

Finally it's chilly. Last night we had our first fire of the season. There's nothing like the crackling sound and scent of a real fire.

My dog Ashes was adopted from the Humane Society many years ago. He came with a friend named "Nite-Nite Bear. He will NOT go to bed without him and once they get into bed, Ashes will lick the bear until he falls asleep. Nite-Nite Bear is worse for ware and it almost thread bare. I finally found a toy that Ashes has taken to. Let's hope they all become friends.

American Eagle Redo

Today was a rainy, dreary day. I loved it for one it was raining and two it's starting to get chilly. On days like today I stay home and clean or create. After supper I took a pair of Paige's old jeans and made them into a bag/tote. I'm not quite happy with it but I've finished with the basic bag. I took the inseam and used it as the handles. I also sewed a red ribbon in to look like a belt.

Paige's HS sold tickets for $1. so student could wear Halloween costumes to school Wednesday. The money collected is going to a charity. Tomorrow we're going to Target and look for either a Hippie or Genie costume. Her finished costume will be a handmade/store bought  combo. I heard they had the Christmas decorations out and I will have to visit the aisles for that. Of course I never leave anything the same. It's either altered or embellished.

Favorite Pillows

Textile, throws, pillows and anything with texture appeals to me. I love handmade and vintage pillows for the house. My pillows run from hooked, bark cloth, velvet and others. Here are my favorites. This is my favorite hooked pillow I bought in Historic Gold Hill, NC. The  next 5 are all thrift store find for under $3.00. The floral one matches my den curtains and made by my mother. It's bark cloth and has the vintage look but is new material.

Here are 2 of Paige's favorites. The cream/red one she made at a Christmas Craft day with my friend Sandra. The green pillow was given to her as a gift from a friend in 6th grade.

I must add the best pillow to me is my bed pillow. As soon as my head hits the pillow, I'm out like a light!!!

Placecards and Turkeys

Today it's still warm but my thoughts are of Thanksgiving past and present. Paige is an only child and very creative. When she was growing up she watched Martha Stewart instead of Barney. She drew for hours and would sketch out how she wanted her furniture arranged. We celebrated every little holiday with vigor and I let her participate in the decorating. She can set a table with ease and use to and still does, make place cards when we have guests. I came across these this morning in the china hutch. I just love these. I also found some of my vintage Thanksgiving postcards. Turkeys are my favorite bird. I found this print many years ago for $6. at an antique shop. This is my favorite and only  angel.

I have a wall in the hall near my kitchen that I realized is all autumn related things. Here is a print from The Black Apple. The small picture is from Timssally. I guess fall really is my favorite season.

Bold Inspiration, Chocolate and Handmade Case

If I had TOTAL say of how I decorated the house (I mostly do ) and could go OVER THE TOP, here are some pictures of inspiration. I love the bright colors and different pieces of art arranged randomly on the walls. Maybe someday.

My friend Janice talked about these last week while we were walking and so I couldn't stand it any longer...Here they are...  No bake cookies! Here's the recipe.

I take my camera everywhere and so I decided to make a pouch to carry it in. I also made a 2-battery holder. Here's the back side.

Who needs throws when it's hot in October?!

This summer was extremely hot and dry and this fall with the exception of a few days, has been hot. Finally it rained today and the promise of cooler weather is near.Hopefully I can use these soon.   I collect knitted throws and I found all four of these while thrifting today for $13. I'm ready to snuggle up with one of these.

Today is the final day of Spirit Week. It's extreme blue and gold day. Paige borrowed clothes from our neighbor. I think she looks quite cute. There's nothing like good ole' school spirit.

More orange and spirit week photos!

Lately it seems as if orange is my favorite color. Everything I've bought lately is orange. Today was no exception. I found these in the quick sale bin at the grocery store. They look so pretty in my thrifted vase. I just love the different hues of orange. I also found these tye dyed socks in the bin. I bought a pair for me and one for Paige. We sleep in socks and I think these are cool! The colors are so bright and vibrant.

Wednesday at the HS was all one color day. Paige chose all black. Today was farmer/camo day. There were actually 10 tractors driven to school by students and parked in a long line in front of the school. It was foggy this morning but I hope to get a picture of them. The HS is considered rural and we still have a lot of farmers in the area. Here is Paige in her camo shirt.

Flower print and glassware

Today I found a few things while out thrifting. First, I found a vintage flower print. I love the old frame as well. Next, at my favorite thrift store I found a funky orange vase. A teal/blue small piece of pottery caught my eye and also a Fire King orange/pinky bowl. I love old plates and platters for serving dishes and I found a flower plate that's just right. I love golds, orange and browns.

Weekend of Friends & Spirit Week at the HS

This past weekend was busy but nice. After a great dinner at Stag and Doe Friday night, we had our neighborhood cookout Saturday. Randy won a Boston Butt and we saw all of our neighbors.The ones we never see more than a minute due to our busy lives. My two favorite neighbors were there. Paige is the only teenager in the neighborhood so she brought a friend. This year we couldn't have a bon fire because of the burning ban and drought so everyone left earlier than normal.

Sunday was my 18th wedding anniversary and we had a quiet family day. I received flowers twice this weekend. Saturday my friend brought me a rose just because and Randy gave me three roses...One for each person in our family. We both feel that our anniversary is a family affair because of the beautiful daughter our marriage created.

This week is Homecoming and Spirit week at the high school. Monday was pj day. Today is dress like an athlete day. Official baseball jersey from our neighbor the STAR pitch for the team.

Friday's Finds

Instead of dusting this morning, I ran up briefly to the Kannapolis Antique Mall. I found a Holiday Thermos to go with my  light green one. I found a box of old Christmas bulbs for $3.00. I'm starting to think about Christmas decorations and getting excited. Since the weather is turning cooler, I start thinking about Thanksgiving and Christmas...getting out all of the boxes and rediscovering things I already had. Lastly I found 2 vintage aprons in pink and creme. The pink one has a pointy border and the creme has vintage roses on the pockets. The aprons must be for tiny women because the waist size is very small.

Looking forward to a fall weekend. Our neighborhood is having it's annual Bar-b0que cookout Saturday and tonight we're going to eat at the Famous Shag and Doe restaurant. If you're ever in or near China Grove North Carolina it's well worth a visit. Come early and bring an appetite. They have the BEST Italian food ever and they make their own thick Ranch dressing. Looking forward to a quiet chilly weekend.