Thank you all for your kind words and your shoulder a girl in the dumps can lean on. Breathe I say. It gets me through some of those more grayer days. But…..
The sun is out! Literally. I say that as I picture myself outside twirling around. It’s still very chilly, but I’m O’so happy to see Mr. Sunshine pay us a visit. The best medicine if you ask me.

That also means yard sale season is just around the corner. More flea market trip and more goodies by the curb. I’m quite excited about it all. Really! Last years finds were wonderful. I get all giddy just thinking about it. I’m hoping this year will be even better.

I found an older pictures on my computer of thrifted cup I acquired but haven’t shared yet, a picture on flickr that I haven’t blogged about and a dresser that was one of last years finds. Snapped a photo of it earlier today. A little this and a little that.

Dresser was a free by the road find. I wish I had taken a before picture. You would appreciate it so much if I had. It was horrible. When my husband brought it home. I wasn’t very optimistic about it being revived. The veneer was peeling all over it, one drawer was broken and it was marked all up. It looked like it should have been sent to the burn pile. I guess it was a good thing I wasn’t the one that found it. But…..with all of us working to scrap of the peeling wood, A good heavy duty sander, wood putty, and bit of carpenter know how on my husband part. A functioning dresser was born again. Bound for my daughters room, where a dresser was much needed. Hence, the white color. If I had a choice, it would be wearing a beautiful mustard tone. I promised to step back from decorating her room. So, white it became.

Then this fabric, which I just think is so beautiful. It makes me think, no wish of RV’s, road trips and colorful dreams. I’ll say no more. Don’t want to cause something to fall through. I’ve learned the hard way that some things are best to be revealed at the grand opening,(if it makes it to grand opening) not during work in progress.  No good to expect fireworks and only get dudes. My kids always make that sad..ahhh when we get those. So no ahhh here today..hee. Nope, sunshine thoughts.

A set of saucers, cups and bowls from The Second Thought thrift. A hidden gem tucked in a quaint little corner. These say comfort of Grandma’s embrace and warm belly of her chocolate gravy to me. I know I’ve said this before, but such a fond memory for me. Never gets old. She had a set similar to these when I was growing up. Her’s were a bit chunky and bigger. Bigger servings could happen.

Back to work. A friend of mine has offered to take the kids for the day so I can get some work done. I’m really excited with what I’m working on. It’s one of the things that has kept me busy and my mind off unpleasant things. Nothing like pouring yourself into something. What’s that saying, Idle hands is devils play? I probably have it quoted wrong, I think I read it in one of Tasha Tudors books years ago. I’m going to photo it before the sun set any further.

Happy Day.

This last week I’ve been doing a little sprucing up the house. Moving around the living room, changing colors, Dining area received a bit of rearranging as well.  But those were not the only spots. The kitchen in the doll house has a new little gem. The pink table.  Are you in agreement with me, it’s an Adorable little piece of furniture!  The girls painted house has been done for a while but it seemed to fit in the theme of the post. So, I shall share it with you.  I must tell you painting that cat house, was so freeing. Yes, it’s suppose to be a cat house, but I’m thinking not for ours, as his big tummy is not going to fit to well.  We have already tried…he needs a room addition.

Back to freeing….You should try it, grab something, anything, an old cereal box, mailing box, a piece of wood, rocks. What ever you have handy. Grab some bottles of paint, brushes, the kids are a must and paint. No rules, no ideas, no planning. Just dip and color. It was quite fun, all of us painting and giggling at the same time. I was only allowed to paint a small part. But I couldn’t resist adding the little flowers as well, in my February longing for spring blues. Which by the way, I saw a couple robins already. Us northern people watch for those little red breasted friends like there is no tomorrow. They are the usher to warm weather. Early birds this year, so I’m hoping they know something we don’t. But I’m not putting my sweaters away just yet.

My thrifty husband does it again. He grabs what I need. A place to hang my keys. This actually was not placed on his “if you find” list. But just mentioned during a chat we where having. So he does listen, at least some of the time. While he has done great lately, he fails miserably in style department with this one.  Shhh…we won’t tell him. I don’t want to loose my main man in the treasure hunt.  I just laughed it off and shook my head at him. He only wishes I’d cover the walls in camo.  A redo was a must and I wanted the girls involved.  I gave them some ideas of what we could put on it. My oldest said it should be a crazy random piece. It would suit our personality the best. You have no idea how random I can be. The girls chose the fabrics, a few some what finished pieces of an unfinished project I had laying around, I help a little but they had the finally say. And…  a place to hang our keys. And just cost a quarter, the supplies used to spruce it up was things we already had laying around. Yeah for thrifty ways. Even daddy said he like the new one better…but only because it was made by his little girls.

The before, yeah you need say no more….I know.

Yesterday I made a slip cover for my ugly free office chair. This slip cover was actually a trial one but it works quite well so will probably leave it on for a while.  However, the next one will definitely be made with brighter fabrics. Candy colors. Happy colors. Yellow? Maybe. I had so much of this fabric pattern and it is pretty so I used it. The only thing I will do different in making another one will be the elastic. It needs to be a little stronger.  I wheeled it up beside the other yellow shelf, which is on the kids side of my craft room. Right now it’s holding the kiddo’s craft supplies. And speaking of my kids. I miss them. Miss my older two. They have spent the week out of state with their cousins. It has been great for giving me a chance to get those little things that you never seem to get around to doing..done. I’ve also found out who messes the house up the most. The house has been visitor ready the whole week. Even my youngest hasn’t had any problems of picking up after herself. Still I miss those messy little monkeys. I talk to them every night. We have very length conversations, telling me every detail of their fun filled day. The catching tree frogs in the swimming pool, being scared by the barking neighbors dog, waking up before everyone else, crying at night when no one can hear because they miss home,(They’re OK during the day with fun and playing taking over. It’s the still of night that the miss their own beds), watching the fainting goats..faint, playing with kitten and puppies, spending the day with their cousins cousins. Tomorrow they come home. I think this was good for them, makes them feel more independent, a little sense of freedom. As much as it breaks my heart to hear of those tears falling from those beautiful eyes. I’m glad they do miss home. Glad they long for the peace and comfort they find with in these walls. Is that bad of me to feel that way?  Tomorrow when they arrive there will be lots of hugs, kisses and long storytelling that will probably last days. Hope every one’s weekend will be as happy as mine will.

My mom loved yellow houses. I grew up in a yellow house, when I was a teen we moved into a new house. My mom had yellow siding put on it as well. She said “yellow house are happy houses.”   I tried a yellow living room once. I guess I picked the wrong tone because in the evening light, it took on a weird lime green hue. Not good. I’ve sort been afraid to trust myself with yellow after that. But since getting this 50′s dining set, I’ve longed for a yellow kitchen. Not a soft butter yellow but a bright bold sunny day yellow. Clean and crisp feeling, Like the chairs themselves. I think it was in my subconscious for some time because I’ve noticed yellow has been popping up a lot around here. In little doses. I think I will head to paint store and gather a bundle of yellows. Sit and look and ponder which is the best choice. I’m not afraid of colors like I was when I was first married. I say “yellow kitchens are yummy kitchens.” 

The yellow shelf…free. Someone was throwing them away. One sits in my kitchen and the other in the craft room. I’m loving this summer!

My husband calls, saying he has found a few old school desk at a yard sale. I’m thinking, nah..  but then he says”Aqua Blue”  I say “Yes” And to think for a dollar.  He’s getting better at knowing what I like and picking things out. Plus he’s seriously the best deal finder I have ever seen. I wrote him a list for summer finds I’m looking for.  The first day he checks off three of them. I’m looking at him thinking you can’t be real.  My own personal treasure hunter…Be still my heart.   

A few more kitchen knives… $1..Check (a pretty colored silverware tray to boot)

A chair with wheels.. free..Check

A couple clip boards…… 0.25 each..Check (8 clip boards to be exact) And I have been looking all year for just at least one at a sale.

I can’t wait to see what labor day weekend (HUGE sale weekend here) will deliver up.  My list for him is growing. The kids are excited about using the desks. Especially the little one that will be in kindergarten next year.

The days are becoming warmer and it’s a relief to air out the house from all those winter months. It’s giving me an itch to spring cleaning. Clearing out closet, boxes, and drawers. Summer like weather was here last week, allowing us to enjoy the outside, walks in the woods, friends over, cook outs. Which by the way you must try a melted, gooey marshmallow in between an Oreo cookie. Yummy! This week it’s really rainy. Perfect for staying inside and scratching the “spring cleaning” itch I have. Thought I’d share of few of the cute things I found while digging, purging and re-enjoying forgot and lost treasures. A most comical fluffy bird with his wild feather-do. He found a perfect home on a small bird’s nest the kids brought in. Along with several bird feathers that have been collected while playing outside.

A game of domino’s. Vintage children’s picture domino’s. I’ve always found old domino pieces to be fascinating but these are wonderful. Bright colors and great illustrations. I guess some game playing has been happening in between those cleaning spurts, reorganizing books, putting away winter clothes.

I’ve also went through a lot of my fabrics. Removing them from the containers they once stayed in and stacking them on shelves. There’s a lot there that I will probably never use. I didn’t want to add them to shelves only to have them sit there and I hated to just put them back in a box to be forgotten. Some of them are great fabrics.  I plan to bundle some of them up and list them on etsy next week, maybe a give away here to celebrate spring cleaning. Fresh starts. Making new. blooming crafts.

And sharing a little with you. 
Hope everyone has a great weekend.

The sewing machine still sits silently waiting for me to mend it. The lady at the store gave me a repairman’s number, I’m hoping when I stop by he’ll have the one part I’m needing. Till then I’ve been filling my time embroidering. Not tiring of them at all. The girl blowing bubbles was inspired by this. The rest are taken from my own pencil doodles that I’ve done over the years. They’ve been sitting amongst those journal pages, inspiring nothing for way to long.  It been nice to see them become something. The lady is myself or any mom holding their daughter as she slumbers in your arms. I always loved watching my children sleep. I still do and I’m sure I’m not the only mom.  I remember my own mother talking about watching us. I didn’t think much of it until I had my own. Then I understood. The innocence, those lashes dark on the cheeks, relaxed and calm that is rarely if ever seen during the day.  Watching their little chest rise and fall with every gentle breath. Memories of there actions run through your mind. Thinking about what they will be like when their older and these days of gone. I wonder if I’m making the best choices for them. What I can do to help them be a better person. If I’m hugging them enough. Loving them enough. If I’m letting them know how truly special they are to me. Then I kiss them and hope that I am. Pray that I’ll be given a chance to spend another day with them.

 With my embroidery supplies out a lot lately, a new container to hold them was needed. Needed maybe not but definitely wanted. I keep them in a plastic bin. It was sufficient but not very pretty and most definitely uninspiring. I pulled a gift I had bought my husband out of storage. Yes, it was in storage. Several years back I found this cute green metal vintage tackle box. My husband loves the outdoors stuff. If it was up to him we’d be sleeping on camo, sitting on pine branch chairs, while a light fixture made from antler sheds lite up the room. Scary to me. So I bought it hoping it would make him feel a little more part of the house but I still could live with it. I got tired of dusting the box as it sat there being of no real function. So away it went. He didn’t even really notice. Now days, I want something that not only appeals to the eye but functions within my little home. Two birds in one stone. The tackle box works nicely. My new threads are up in the top. Looking pretty.  Then the big open spaced bottom holds my rainbow colored wad of threads. I can’t keep mine looking like what Candace has done. It all ends up a chaos of threads.  It seems to fit. I love chaos of color.

My studio floor painted.

A couple cute things found when digging through my supplies. It’s amazing what your find when you starting going through your closets and  boxes. Forgotten Treasures!

He is either seeing his reflection and attacking himself or he is really trying to get in the window. I’m surprised this little birdy hasn’t knocked himself out as much as he sits pecking and flying into that particular window.  We sometime find him trying it several times a day.

Over labor day weekend we hit several yard sales. This was one of my squealing delight finds and only for $2.  There was a lot more in the bag, including vintage Christmas items and several owls. One of the owls being in the last picture.

The only thing that was not part of the lot are the glass beads with the painted flowers. Those are vintage but I’ve had them for awhile. What do you think, enough charms here to make a couple of those great bracelets? This lady makes amazing ones. I’m so wanting to play like a kids in colored sand. My husband is going slower than I like on my craft room. It’s so close to being done that I just about can’t stand it. I’m very tempted to put a fire under him but I’m holding my tongue. He has been working very hard on it after all. I may just have to bring down a few of those boxed up supplies.

In the meantime, I think I’ll set up some of these trinkets and try to take some really fun pictures with them. Wish me luck