CHA Bound

It's that time of year again when all the manufacturers in the crafty realm prepare to show off their newest goodies at the Craft and Hobby Association in Chicago. I fly out tomorrow and couldn't be more excited! What are you most interested in? I plan to blog while I'm there so let me know and I'll try and take pics of the "must haves"!

Been soaking up time with my two sweet boys before I leave. Last night we visited OrangeLeaf for the second time this week:

and watched UP for the first time. Poor Aven, my sweet sensitive kid cried a few times and asked me why I got that movie!

Had a few thrifting adventures recently:

Another project..this time a fun, summery wreath featured on the October Afternoon blog. Leave me a comment over there and let me know what you think! I'll have a few projects displayed in their booth as well if you happen to be at CHA.

And a little peek at something I've whipped up. Super inexpensive and it involves sewing...and not on paper! ha! So you know if I can do it "sew" can you. I'm making a tutorial to share.

That's all I have! Hope you are enjoying a BEAUTIFUL sunny Sunday :)

Adventures in Thrifting

A new local thrift store recently opened and I finally had a chance to check it out, along with about 50 other shoppers, today while Aven was in preschool.

Paxton is not a fan, but I resisted his sock & shoe throwing antics.

It was worth it.

I came home with:

a dogwood(?) looking wall decoration, gold wall butterfly and some turquoise melmac bowls to house scraping embellies,

the coolest sheet I have seen in awhile, still in the original packaging and,

another hootie to add to my growing collection. He's my new favorite.

What we didn't come home with were socks or shoes on my shopping partner. Seeing as if it is a balmy 40 degrees outside I am sure the "bad mom of the year" police are about to knock on my door.

And when they do I might ask if they can watch the kids while I go take a bubble bath and eat bon-bons ;)

I promised...

...and although it's late, here it is:

1. Thrifty Finds

Give me a free hour or two and I don't head to the mall. I head to the local thrift shop...and come away a few dollars more poor, but a few treasures more rich :) The guy ringing up my total said, "These are grandma things."

He was like 70.

I said, "Well I feel like an old lady trapped in a young person's body most of the time."

I don't think we either one had any idea what to say after that.

2. Instead of sneaks how about the real deal?

Meet an "Old Acquaintance"

Used a part of a chipboard flower to mask here and some recent photobooth pics of my cousin, her baby boy and I. Loved the toned down feel of this. Journaling about how I can't believe we are in this place in our lives, how blessed we are and how I wish we lived closer. The paper is Bella Blvd. as well as the paper flowers--aren't those awesome? You get one in the kit, but they has so many layers I pulled them apart for more ideas...although I also messed them up in the process ;( Guess that's how it goes!

When I saw the October Afternoon aplha in the kit it immediately made me think of all the pics I have of Aven creating. Here he is, Bumblebee Transformer costume on, painting away. My journaling talks about how he loves art and said on this day, "When I grow up I want to be an artist, but right now I'm just a little artist." Totally fine by me! I used the bottom of an old metal basket as the misting mask and some new spray ink. My stocking was filled with 8 new colors from Maya Road..guess I was on the nice list after all ;)

And this might be my most favorite project of the whole kit and it was so easy! Thrifted this frame for 50 cents and cut out some beautiful paper from Basic Grey to fit.For the life of me I can't remember where I came across this quote or who it is by. But I have always loved it and thought it could mean so many things..

*I took a deep breathe and let it go....and walked into the room to face my fears.

*I took a deep breathe and let it go...and pushed my baby into the world.

*I took a deep breathe and let it go...and chose to move beyond past disappointments.

*I took a deep breathe and let it go...and drove away for the last time.

You get the idea. Anyway, I loved how the butterflies seem to be flying away and kinda went with the quote. Plan on hanging this by my computer as a reminder that sometimes all I need to do is take a deep breathe and

let

it

go.

A couple of cards in the gallery, as well as some super inspiration form the January guest and design team. Be sure to check it all out!

3. Be my guest

There is a new prompt over at Category Stories and a new guest designer you might know ;)

The prompt was "perfect fit". Here is my interpretation:

I love that they give prompts and then you just jump off with it and create. Be sure to play along with them this month. All you have to do is link your creation to the January 1 post and/or their Flickr group (do both for a second chance to win!) The prize is determined by a random draw so you have nothing to lose and a cool new layout to gain! Please link me up if you do play along. I would love to see what you do with it :)

Hope you all had a wonderful ringing in of the new year. Wishes of the most blessed year for you and yours!

Gallery + Downtown

Hello August.

The gallery is up at Freehand Scraps. Loads of talent there. So cool to see how 6 people worked with the same products and created such a variety of projects!

"Go Go Go"

*journaling: "you like to say this while racing down the hall."




"Beauty Shop"

*journaling: "You're never too old to want to feel pretty."

"Just Fine"

*journaling: "I sometimes wish I could go back and tell the two of us that we'd be just fine."


"Don't Bug Me. I'm crafting." door hanger for the scrap room of course :)





"Home Sweet Home"

When I showed Rory this he said, "so you put keys on it?
And when I said yes he responded, "I'm afraid I will break it."
So it's back in the craft room :)


If you have any questions about the layouts/projects/techniques just ask. I would be happy to share! Be sure and get your "Happy Go Lucky" kit and be inspired!


Today I had some much needed solo time and headed downtown.
First stop--RVA


A feast for the eyes. Color and inspiration overload. Love it.






Purchased a few little items, including some vinyl stickers. Checked out Elsie's blog and since I had the same retro file holder I did this..



and then this.



Walked around a bit...




*where DID summer go?*

A bit of thrifting...


And finished it off with a healthy lunch.



:)

I didn't have the boys with me so I COULD have gone somewhere besides Mickey D's...and yet I didn't. Hmm...interesting.


So what did you do this weekend?

Happy Saturday

My mema Betty. The yard sale queen. 

She had me meet her at her house at 630 a.m.

I was there 15 minutes early :)

(Perhaps we have the "thrill of the hunt" in common.)

And we were off to find the bargains.

And we SO did.

Nice to meet you mid-century modern chair that I love: love the color, love the legs and love the price-$10! When the lady selling it said, "Have a seat..it swivels too." I was sold. Load it up.

And you, sweet elusive white rainbow stripe camera that I needed for my polaroid collection, I have found you. And found you for 50 cents. Happy me :) 

A few books and game treasures later and we were done. But not without a beauty salon stop first.

You have to know that my mema Betty is NOT a camera lover like I am, but of course I brought it along and had to take some pics of her getting her hair done. I don't have a whole lot of photos of her and these pics are "technically" imperfect: bad lighting, bad angle, etc.

But to me...perfection. 

I love that even at her age it is important to her to have her hair done and feel girlie.

We finished our time with a stop at the former Maid Rite and ordered some "crumble burgers".

As we were driving to her house she said, "I haven't had that much fun in a long time. This has been one of my most favorite days. I will always remember this time we had."

And I will too.

And I have those beautiful, perfectly imperfect pictures to remind me.

It was a good day.

Back later this week with more craftiness.

 

You say Trash. I say Treasure :)

To the gods of thrifting...

thank you.

You made this day fun, even with a little guy who had been up since 5a.m.

Thank you for the glassware I usually overlook. One blue dish will hold scrap embellies and I think the other will make a nice jewerly dish. Who would sell a quilt block for $1? Whoever you are, THANK you too.

And the thermos-perfect for Aven's camping themed room-$1.50.

And the cups. My favorite color is orange. And I love woodgrain. And they were $1. Enough said.

And then the games. You sweet booth full of old games! At 20% off! 

Lots of bingo cards and old wooden dominos. Thank you booth, no, thank you...

Cliff Thomspon :)

(I am wondering how much of a kick our neighbor got out of watching me haul this stuff into the house, then back outside for a photo session!, and then back inside the house...? Give 'em something to talk about.)

Ahhh....it's been  a fun day...