The Garage Sale Weekend

Tell me, how pathetic does one's life have to be to blog about our garage sale weekend? Hmmmmm? Well, that's what you're going to hear so you can leave now if you want or hear the story.

It started with finding things I'd forgotten I had and this was one of MANY of them. I snatched this little candle ring away and brought it in the house with an idea already forming in my mind what I would do with it.

Candlesticks, pots, little decorative bowls, a lemon juicer—I now have two of them. We'd wondered where it was for so many years and finally bought one about a year ago. The barbell is hubby's weight lifting equipment that he uses 3 times a week so disregard that. Little sea shells I've had for a very long time. I may be able to use them for decorative purposes.

Rolls of wallpaper border I bought just because they were on sale and I might find a use for them some day. Have we all not done that?!

And the wallpaper I just couldn't live without when I saw it on a display at Home Depot many, many years ago. I've used one roll of it in a house and have 3 left. I doubt I'll ever use it but it's one of the most gorgeous papers I've ever seen—a beautiful shade of green with grape leaves on it vertically. It's the one in the middle kind of leaning over a bit. Gorgeous!!!!

Canning jar lids went for 50¢ a box because I knew I'd never can again. Not worth the time and effort for 2 people anymore. Pretty little bowls I just couldn't live without.

The chandelier original to the dining area went for $7.00. I didn't care for it and I have the crystal one now anyway. That pizza stone—upside down—will probably go to the thrift store unless we have another garage sale in September. We're thinking we might now since it was such greeeeeeat fun this time!!! You KNOW I'm kidding right?

See those little pink and aqua plastic plates? I kept 4 each of them. Forgot I even had them. The little red topped pedestal bowls are from a friend in California who gave them to me. Those sold for 50¢ each. Hubby sold 3 tile cutters he had. I don't know WHY he had 3 tile cutters! Those little books with roses on top are an arrangement I made many years ago. I think I'll save the flowers for something else now. Pie tins went fast.

That lump of fabric here is actually a duvet cover I made. It is heavy and gorgeous but it didn't sell. I may try to sell it on eBay. It's beautiful and was a lot of work to do, but Love Bunny would sell it for $1.00 I know! He sold my pillows for 50¢ and the woman was in shock. Sigh...

He put out several new hats he was given at different times and surprisingly, about half of them sold. He asked 50¢ and they grabbed them up—men and women. Those plates with little blue flowers under the wicker basket are still with us. We used them for many years. I sold some roses glass bowls but the plates didn't sell with them. Surprised me. The craft stuff is still with us. I may put it all together and list it on craigslist for a few dollars for the whole lot.

A little girl came by and wondered how much the little bunny things on that orange (Gag, I hate orange!) plate were. I said 25¢ and she went to get a quarter from her mom. I almost gave her the whole bunny town for that, but she was gone in a flash. The crêpe pan didn't sell. Doesn't anyone make crêpes anymore? I used to a lot but not so much since we've gotten older.

Seat cushions for 50¢ each? A woman grabbed them. She said someone else was selling theirs for $5.00 and they were in terrible shape. Mine were in perfect shape—clean, not torn, ties still on. She was amazed. But then I take great care of all my stuff. Beautiful soft sided carrying bags I got in California are not the rage anymore I guess.

Those magenta oblong pillows under there are from a sofa I gave a needy family years ago but the cushions were forgotten. I keep thinking I could make them over in another fabric but then I remember what I'm doing here. Haven't we all said we're "going to do something" and never do it? Right. See what I mean. Let them GOOOOOO!!!

Another little stool I had covered and forgotten about. I saved it and put it in the house until I can figure out what to do with it. Little wine decanters sold rather quickly. Decorated little expanding file folders are still with us. Vintage cookie cutters in that paper bag sold. The woman seemed clueless about what she was going to use them for, but she bought them. Made me wonder. The vintage sifter went quickly also. I still have the Voltrompia bread tube and am wondering whether to sell it or keep it. It's really a neat thing to have for decorative bread.

Those tiny metal houses I gave to a friend's little daughter. Her room is starting to look like my house! :-)

We had 4 of these back massagers and one sold. Two are for home and two are for car use. Those shabby chic boxes got sold before I could pull them off. I could have used them for storage in the studio. Sigh...

These 2 Pachinko games went first thing. I man had 2 of them that didn't work and bought these 2 because they DID work. If you know what they are and have some, you love them. Real collectors items.

The black garbage bags are bed pillows and feather seat and back cushions for our chairs that I've kept since the last recovering about 6 years ago. I may put them back in the chairs again. I'm so fickle about this kind of stuff! Now I can't even remember why I used the foam and fill ones the upholsterer made for them.

And that's it for today. More later.
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It Started with an Idea and a Photo

I saw a picture of some curtains recently that I thought were cute. I decided to try and make something similar in my own particular style, which is to say romantic and shabby chic. I've tried to find the picture but I emptied my trash so that's it.

Anyway, they were sheers with a tier of 3 ruffles of brown fabric on the top with grommets for the rod. They weren't gathered but hung taut on the rod. I did mine a tad differently but it involved a trip to Joanns Fabrics with Love Bunny. :-) He didn't say a word and just followed me around because he KNEW how I felt about the camping trip we had a couple of weekends ago.

It quickly segued into 2 trips to Joanns in different cities—my little one here and the big Joanns in Boise. Why? Because they didn't have the 14 yards of fabric I needed, so I bought 7 yards here and 7 yards in Boise. This was of course a guess. I just went with it and if I had any left over I'd make another curtain for somewhere else in the house. As it turned out I have just a bit left over.

This is half of the fabric already torn apart. I don't usually cut; I tear mostly.
Then I had to set up my cutting table in the living room as the studio is small and it's in a shambles as usual.

Then I featherstitched the sides of the 99" of fabric and the ruffles. It was very exacting...well, for ME it was. A practiced seamstress would have no problem but I'm not THAT good.

Okay, I'm NOT going to bore you with all the details but I just thought I'd throw in a few more photographs for good measure. ;-) This is one finished and one to go. I put some lace across the top of the first ruffle to hide the seam. (I'm lazy and try to take the easy way!) But I wanted them to be feminine and girly anyway.

Okay, chicks, here's Mr. Love Bunny agreeing under duress to holding them up for a closeup while somewhat gathered. Oooooh, I wish you could see the smile on that man's face...NOT.

He certainly could use my No!No! for his arms.

I first tried this little ribbon rose but didn't like it as much as the bigger paper roses.

Much better!

I hung this one to see how it would look and if I'd have to make any adjustments to the hem. As it turned out, it was just the perfect length. I also turned the ruffle at the top back and forth to create a unique look across the top. How do you like it? Actually, I'm just being nice here because I like it and that's what matters. ;-)
This is closeup and where it looks a different color are just shadows.


Ta da!!! Now, if I can just find/save the money for white slipcovers plus find someone who will do them, it'll be a whole different look.


And just so you know, I doubt I'll ever do this pattern again!
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Little Lamp for Pink Saturday 7/17/2010

Happy pink saturday again. Please visit with Beverly of How Sweet The Sound for a list of all the participants today. I also apologize because we were out in the woods camping last weekend and therefore I didn't get the chance to visit 2 bloggers new to Pink Saturday. Sorry!
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When out shopping a couple of weeks ago I spotted this darling little outdoor lamp that I could NOT pass up. I decided to buy it and froufrou it up.

My favorite little pink chicks, a "nest", pink paper roses, pink garland, pink ribbon, white netting around the bottom with faux pearl trim. Everything a froufrou girl could want!

You have to look very closely to see the ruffled netting around its bottom but it is there. It's going in our bedroom.

It was always destined for this spot. Here are photos of it with different lighting on when I did the photoshoot. It's hanging on the same hook as the pompom; I just tucked it in between so it would hang below it.

I need some more things on this wall but I just haven't found what I want on there yet. I'll have to go shopping through the house and see what I can find. I'm on an austerity program (self-imposed!) to not spend money. We'll see how long that will last. I am determined however. *Sigh*...


It is on Love Bunny's side of the bed.


And I found these the other day while shopping—little pink ice cream spoons. Aren't they adorable? I just couldn't pass them up.


I do believe this clematis is going to make it finally. It's been struggling for about 4 years now but I really think it's going to be a great addition to the back very soon.

And would you look at those gorgeous blooms in purple?!

The miniature gardenias are fragrance-ing the air back there.


Finally the carpet roses are taking off. We wanted to give them a hyper-chance before we do anything around them. I think we'll lay weed fabric along that fence.

And hubs brought me in a bouquet of some roses. They're just about finished for this year.

Beautiful!
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Random Thoughts:

We have filtered water on our sink and I bought a bottle of water the other day because I wanted a sturdy bottle. I was reading it today and on the side is this: is it just us or do clouds get a bad rap? while we admit they're not as great to have around on a beach day, as say the sun, clouds are unsung heroes because they contain nature's purest source of water. meanwhile, spring water comes from the ground and contains random stuff and whatever else the animals that swim in it leave behind. that's why we copied our white puffy friends by creating smartwater. it's vapor distilled so it is in its purest original state. it's a difference you can taste...unless, of course, you have no taste buds (than you're on your own), but we don't stop there. we one-up the clouds by adding electrolytes just in case you do decide to hit the beach. unfortunately, we can't fix the whole men in thongs thing. [Lack of capitalization is on the bottle also. I didn't do it!]
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Eventual foreclosure awaits us all. I'll probably receive mine before you do, but yours is in the mail. Nevertheless, until the postman comes, be happy. There is no other rational response but happiness. Despair is a foolish squandering of precious time.
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Politicians promise us peace, perpetual prosperity and justice. If their promises are ever fulfilled, perhaps then I'll have more respect for their threats.
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One of the greatest mysteries is what wiped out the dinosaurs, right up there with why do tornadoes always zero in on trailer parks.
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Does your larder look like it has been stocked by a child with a checkbook and no adult supervision?
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I don't trust those people with a plan, those who believe they know how to make a better world, which seems to always involve telling other people what they should do and how they should think. Think Hitler.
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It is well known that for every television set in the house each member of the family suffers a loss of 5 IQ points. Turn it off!!
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Soliloquy. One has to wonder about the people of this earth who put man/woman below all the other species. There are some who advocate ridding the earth of man/woman. This is preposterous. There is no other species above man. Animals were put here for our enjoyment, not the other way around. (Contrary to what cats might think!) But to believe this I guess you would have to read the Scriptures and understand them. Man can't possibly destroy the earth. Read sentence before the last one again. My family loves animals-cats, dogs, etc. but they wouldn't want to leave this earth to them. In the next life you will definitely have your animals. Read that other sentence again.
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