Antique Booth

Well, I told you I would share some antique booth pictures. It's a small booth, but I got a lot packed in there. It is quite a variety of things. No one theme or style.
I took an old child safety gate and attached binder clips with thumb tacks. It works great for hanging paper goods and such. It was actually full the first day and when I went back a couple days later to take the pictures, several things had sold. I added a few more today. There are also some other blank spaces already.
My boys have had a cowboy room for a long time. We all decided it was time for a change, so the cowboy items went to the booth. Maybe another mom will come along and decide to get things for her little buckaroo! The boys are now wanting a sports room, so let me know if you see any great vintage sports items. I am on the lookout.
One more thing to share - not antique booth related. This is a card I made for a friend who is expecting boy #2. I love using these old flashcards. The only thing that disappointed me with this card is that I smudged the ink somehow. Oh, well.

I hope everyone is having a good week. I can't believe it is Wednesday evening already. Time flies when.....you are so busy!

Autumn

I was up most of Friday night with sweet girl who was not feeling well at all. Needless to say, I was exhausted yesterday. She is feeling better, but I am staying home from church with her. Now I've got to figure out how to get some sustenance in her. She usually gets fed via feeding tube all night long and she has now gone two nights without anything. I'm giving her Pedialyte this morning and then will hopefully move on to her "usual" Pediasure by this afternoon.


So, while I was tired yesterday, I was still feeling a bit creative. I've seen so many fun banners lately and I just decided to give it a try. I really haven't decorated for fall yet. With our busy schedule I am not sure I will get much done. But at least I now have an Autumn banner hanging on my mantle.


I made mine pretty simple. The orange and white scallop circles are some paper coasters I picked up from the thrift store a whiel back. I knew I would find a use for them some day. The letter cards are also a thrift store find - an old Probe game I think. I wish you could see the button on that first piece. Maybe if you click on the picture you can get the detail. It is from the stash of buttons I got last time I was at mom's. Anyway, it has these little acorns on it. Very fall!



Also at mom's I got an old diary from the '50s. It is from an old farmer who talks about the weather and his cows mostly. I just tore the top of the page off and used it. Oh, yeah - the orange rick rack also came from mom's. Thanks, mom!

The quote on the last one is from a book Familiar Quotations that I bought last week at Goodwill for $1. There is some very interesting reading material - almost 2000 pages!
One more thing before I go....I wanted to share this wonderful fall recipe with you. You are going to love it! It doesn't get much simpler (is that a word?) than this!

Easiest-Ever Pumpkin Muffins

1 Spice Cake Mix
1 15 oz. Can of Pumpkin

Mix together the dry cake mix and the pumpkin. That's it! You can do this by hand, but I usually use an electric mixer. The batter will be pretty stiff. Put into greased muffin tins and bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes. This makes about one dozen regular muffins and a few minis. You can add chopped nuts if you would like. Everyone loves these! I have a friend who normally doesn't like anything "pumpkin" and she even likes them. I just try to always keep cake mixes and pumpkin on hand so I can throw these together for breakfast, potlucks, etc. Enjoy!

Later today I am going to try to run into the antique mall to take pictures of my booth. I'll try to post them in the next few days. Have a great day!

P.S. I am quite embarrassed. I just realized that when you click on the photos and enlarge them, you get great detail of my dust and cobwebs. Oh, well. I guess I am all about being real. No secrets here - it has obviously been awhile since I dusted. Who knew the camera would pick up such detail. Sorry about that!

Where have I been?

Here.....

and here....
and here....
and here!

Yes, between hippotherapy, piano lessons, soccer and football it seems like we spend very little time at home these days. Don't forget to throw in church, Bible study, substitute teaching, setting up an antique booth.....I guess that is why I haven't posted since last Saturday! It has really been a pretty good week. It is just super busy. On Wednesday I was the P.E. teacher at my kids' school. Pretty funny, huh? It actually wasn't too bad. Nobody got hurt, so that is good! Today I got my booth set up at the antique mall. I forgot to take my camera, so I will have to post pictures later. I think it turned out pretty good. I actually sold a couple of things while I was still there setting up! Hopefully that is a good sign.

An anonymous poster asked a question regarding the journal in my previous post. The question was whether or not I put Mod Podge (or something similar) on my journals to protect them. Well.....it depends. On some journals I do, but this last one I made I did not. I might regret it, but I was afraid it just wouldn't look right. I know it probably won't hold up as good, but I will just have to be careful with it. I am certainly no expert. Now, someone like Rebecca Sower or Jenni Bowlin could be considered an expert in my book. I love, love, love their creativity!

Tomorrow is both soccer and football again. The games will overlap, so I will be "soccer mom" and hubby will be "football dad." Another busy day....

Have a great weekend!

Express Yourself

I have been so busy lately....soccer, football, piano, Bible study, hippotherapy, field trip....but yesterday afternoon I took some time to just be creative. I am very pleased with how this journal turned out. I just love the flashcard! I can't wait to use more of them in future projects. Don't you like the measuring tape along the edge? Decorative and useful! That's the way I like it!

I plan to use this journal for all the ideas and inspirations that pop into my head. I can sketch out future projects, jot down meaningful quotes and scriptures, attach photos from magazines, etc. I think I will also use one section to keep track of items in my antique booth. Yes, I said antique booth. I don't have quite enough to do yet, so I am adding one more thing! It is just something I have wanted to do for a long time. I go into the antique mall and I envision how I would set up displays, what I would sell....I finally just decided to go for it. I'll give it a try at least until Christmas and see how it goes. If it is just too overwhelming then I don't have to continue. Really, I don't think it will be that bad after the intitial set-up. Besides my bargain finds that I pick up at thrift stores and garage sales, I am also hoping to sell some journals, cards and other handmade items. It will all just depend on what I can get done.













A bit of detail from the front of the journal.

The inside front cover.

















I haven't had a chance to do much garage saling lately, but this morning there were a few very close to the house. I decided to run out real quick before my son's soccer game. At the first one I found this great little cabinet. It is made from old barn board and painted a fun green color. I usually try not to spend more than $10 when I go out, but decided this was worth $25. Now to figure out where to put it....It might replace the armoire in my sunroom or the dresser in my dining room. Maybe it could replace the bookshelf in my bedroom....No worries! I will eventually find the perfect spot for it!

I have no idea why this post is laid out so strange. The pictures seem to have a mind of their own. Who knows what it will look like when I actually post it. Sorry about that. I still have no idea what html codes are. Not sure I will ever learn. Oh, well.

Did I mention how beautiful it is here today? It is 74 degrees! We have the windows open and there is a breeze blowing through the house. Love it! Love it!

I hope you are all having a good weekend so far! I'd really love to know who is reading this blog. Feel free to leave a comment anytime even if it is just to say "hello."

Hmmmm.....

First, if you haven't done so, you should read this post from a few days ago. Then you can see why the above picture (not a great scan, I know) has me so intrigued. I received my October issue of Country Home in the mail today. I usually flip through quickly just to look at all the gorgeous photos. Well, of course, these flashcards caught my eye. Can you read the price? $150-$225! Wow! So, while I should be starting some laundry, figuring out supper plans, etc. I am sidetracked by what creative phrases I could make with my fabulous find. Let's see....warm breakfast....wet clothes....fruit pies....beautiful mountains....farmer Joe....best friend....that's our place....Christmas wishing....wee girl....first morning light....no more talking....

Aaaagh! I need to quit, but every time I try I come up with another one....stick horse... Should I run out and buy some frames?! ...sea traveler...I promise I will charge you less than $150! ....always care...Forget the laundry and supper - I'm gonna run to the thrift store and see if I can find more cards! ...roots matter..... It's addictive, I'm tellin' ya!

Remember

We will always remember. God Bless the USA!

Beautiful

So, in between having lunch with my hubby and picking up the kiddos from school, I decided to stop at Goodwill. I was getting discouraged with the lack of discoveries when I spotted this box of word cards. My heart skipped a beat. I know some of you won't "get" it, but to me this was a wonderful find! 1957. 230 cards. Perfect condition. $2.
Imagine how much fun these cards will be to use on journals, cards, etc. The problem? Will I be able to use them without feeling guilty for "breaking up" a perfect set of word cards. They've been together for 50 years. Is it right to separate them? Such a dilema.... Here is a thrift store find from last week. $1.50 for this beautiful skirt. Had to have it. Is it my size? Uhhhhhh....no! Not even very close. Might this skirt be my motivation to lose weight? We'll see. It is hanging in my room where I can see it every day. I want to wear it. Some day...
Wow! It has been a crazy week. I don't think I have cooked an actual meal. The laundry is piled up (again). I'm tired. Glad it is the weekend. I need to make some time to do something creative. That always makes me feel better.

I hope you have a good weekend.

Being Real

I think that often we fail to be real with each other....afraid to show our hurts and imperfections. I think it is important to let others see where we might be failing or hurting. I don't mean that we should always be grumbling and complaining....just let someone see your tears now and then so they might be an encouragement to you. Last Sunday I was a mess, so I set off by myself with Bible, journal, MP3 player and camera. I ended up at Mt. Petit Jean where I hiked a little ways and then found a beautiful place to just sit and reflect. I made these cards from some of the journaling I did. I was so refreshed and renewed after spending the morning with my Father. This week has been so much better. I needed to spend time alone and with Him!
Maybe this journaling will be an encouragement to someone else going through some rough times. It's just my rambling, some scriptures and some song lyrics....things that spoke to me on the mountain.
Speaking of mountains, I realize this picture isn't a mountain, but it sure is a cool rock formation! Bebo Norman is one of my favorite singers. A favorite song is I Will Lift My Eyes. These lyrics have been going through my head all week: "I will lift my eyes to the Maker of the mountains I can't climb." Isn't that a wonderful reminder when we are facing obstacles?

Well, I hope you all have a wonderful, relaxing weekend.