Hot Thrifty Finds

Yesterday was my birthday-my younger son baked the chocolate cake, and my older one frosted it with light pink buttercream. The segment that's not frosted is for younger son-he doesn't like frosting so we have to work around him. I had a really nice day. I went out thrifting and got some great finds.
This was from a garage sale-I don't need it, and I don't have any place to put it, but
when I saw this sweet little decal and she said $2 I couldn't pass up this little doll crib. The side even goes up and down!
I found these small really old plates at GW-I just think they're pretty.

The little red tin is cute with red stripes and the table runner was a quarter!
More vintage linens-doilies from a garage sale and table runner from thrift store. I had a pretty good day.
It is still really hot here. It has been over 100 for I think 14 or 15 days. I've lost track. I'm definitely in the autumn weather mode-can't wait till that arrives. My Air Conditioner can't either!
Leslie

Waiting for Fall

I'm thinking about fall and especially fall weather. I can't wait! We are getting ready for college here. Doing last minute shopping etc. Thought some of you scrappers might like to use the little calender girl image for tags or cards etc.

When I think about autumn I think about hooked rugs. I'm sure most of you have seen some these around. I've always been interested in them and took a class about 14 years ago. They start with recycled wool clothes that you shrink and cut into thin strips with a wool cutter. Then you hook the strips through a backing of burlap or Monks cloth.Below is my only vintage rug-I've had it in my bedroom for years.
You can see how faded it is. The back side is still vibrant. Some people actually used to turn them over when they faded and use the backside.
Here are a few of the ones I made. This was my first one.
I loved searching out the wool and then dying it to get the colors you want. I was in a hooking group that was so much fun, when we lived in El Paso.
The sheep below was from a pattern I bought. I love the "hit and miss" border.
I had most of my rugs down for years, but my taste and style has changed, so they are in storage (my husbands office closet) for now. Do any of you hook or have hooked rugs? I'd love to hear about yours. Have a wonderful weekend. I'm staying in-it's still over 100 degrees here and no sign of a break. Yuck!
Leslie

More Thrifted Reds

I'm joining Sue at It's a Very Cherry World today for Rednesday. Check out the other reds.
I hit the jack pot on red Pyrex this week at the thrift stores. I found these three red refrigerator dishes with lids. I love these and use my Pyrex all the time. I serve food in them and then put the lids on and stick the leftovers in the fridge.

I love that you can stack them up for easy storage. I also found the red bowl below. I can't seem to pass up Pyrex. The last thing I have to share is this pretty red silk shawl. I love the colors and it has a pretty yellow fringe.


















It's still so hot here-about 103 and it's supposed to stay that way all week. I am so ready for fall. What about you? Try to stay cool and enjoy the rest of the week!
Leslie

Around the World

I'm usually a vintage kind of gal, but found this pretty asian cloth at a garage sale over the weekend. It's got beautiful pieces of fabric kind of patchworked together. It's not old, but kind of feels old. I will probably use it in a tablescape someday.
Close up of fabrics. I love the butterflies. Below are a few pic's my son took in Europe. It's interesting to see stuff from a kids point of view.
Here he is in front of the Berlin Wall. I love the murals.
He started in Germany, went to Holland, Belgium and ended in France. Quite a trip! He worked and saved the money and had a wonderful time.
Inside Notre Dame.
Love this shot-he said on the hour the Eiffel Tower goes crazy with lights and sparkles!

Wow! Anyway -that's my taste of world travel!
Leslie

Cute Apron Tags

I was really excited to get a package yesterday from Cindy at Rick Rack and Gingham. My first apron tag swap-My first any kind of swap actually. The first one is so cute, using all different papers and put together with rick rack and lace at the hem from Michelle and Ashley. Thanks -it's adorable.
The apron above and below are from Cindy. You are a talented lady. I got the pink apron because of our pink gingahm apron stories. I love it, Cindy!
This is the cute ME apron that she made. The little flowers are each painted and she even put little dots on the rick rack. What detail!
I strung them together and made a little banner. I may add to this in the future. This was a lot of fun-thanks again Cindy! I will be hanging this little banner in my craft room! I hope you all have a cheery weekend. It's supposed to be about 102 or 103 this weekend. I can't wait for fall!
Leslie

Happy Rednesday!

I'm joining Sue at It's a Very Cherry World for Rednesday! Above is a little shadow box I made using a vintage cover of a book I found and a little wooden house tree and plastic sheep. You know how I like wool!
Here are a few thrifted finds from this week. The spoon thingie has 3 hooks and I found the polka dot frame. I guess I've got dots on the brain lately. Have a fun Wednesday and enjoy all the reds!
Leslie

A Gift From My Mom

I have been on a mission. I've been searching for clues to my family history since the spring when I discovered Geneology. Last week when we went to visit my Dad, I decided to search through pictures and papers for clues. My Mom was the keeper of the family history and she died 4 years ago, so it's up to me and the stories she told me. As I was looking I decided to take some of the pic's on the wall down so I could copy them to take home and I found a gift!
I never knew she took the time to label these old photos that were in frames. It was exactly what I needed and it was if she was talking to me through her handwriting. It may seem like a small thing, but it was huge to me! Some of the relatives I knew, but there were others who I was guessing at. SO I had fun taking all the pic's off the wall and checking out the labels on the back-from my Mom.

I found some little newspaper clips that will really be helpful on our upcoming trip to Illinois. We are taking the Graduate to school in Chicago and stopping in the town where my relatives lived in the early 1900's and earlier. I'm really excited to find out more and be close to relatives I never knew. I grew up in the Chicago area , but had never been to the little southern Illinois towns where my great grandma's family had 4 farms.
So, anyway I'll keep you updated on my search as it unfolds. Please take the time to label your photos. As a scrapbooker I know how important it is. I am going to go and label my pictures that are hanging on the wall. If you label the back of a snap shot try to use an archival pen-they are available at any craft store or scrapbook store. Don't use any tape or glue that isn't safe. You can see the damage that it can do in the above photo. Products will say acid free or archival safe to use.
I treasure these vintage photos and hope my kids will someday. At least they'll know who's in the picture!
Above are my Mom and Dad-looks like she was pregnant. Love the little smootch on the cheek.
Don't forget to label your pic's! You don't want your family history to end up in a shoebox in some antiques store someday, with people saying-I wonder who those people were...
Have a good day,
Leslie