The Pink Cheeks

This is a picture of me and my daddy. 

It is one of only a few candid pictures that I have of the 2 of us. He was not one for pictures, and come to think of it, I'm not really one to be in pictures either. Maybe you can see why? Do you notice the "pink" in our faces? I have fought that pink shine on my cheeks ever since I was a teenager and first started wearing makeup. I've used foundation and powder; cremes with green undertones, anti-shine serums, and just about everything else I can think of to tone down the pink. I never need blush! It wasn't until I saw this picture, which was taken 4 years ago, that I realized where my pink comes from- my precious daddy. My daddy died of stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer only a few months after this picture was taken. He was only 56 years old. I still miss him every day. I still don't LOVE the pink in my cheeks, but I've come to appreciate that it came from my daddy, and it will probably always be a part of me. It's a visual reminder that he's a part of me every time I look in the mirror.

Hold the ones you love tightly.  Kiss them; hug them; tell them that you love them.  You just never know when all you'll have left is a memory.


**this post was inpired by Laura at Pink Cake Plate Diaries.  She is doing a series "31 Days of Pink" in honor of breast cancer awareness.  She asked me to be a part of her 31 days and submit a photo with pink and tell what it meant to me**





Linking up to these great parties: 
Serenity Now Weekend Bloggy Reading

Thrifting for all seasons

I have done a few posts here and there about my garage sale and thrifting adventures.  I certainly haven’t shown you all of the junk stuff that I have gotten in the past few months.   But for those of you who haven’t tried your hand at second hand shopping, I wanted to show you what great stuff you can get for any season for just a few dollars. 

I generally pop into my favorite thrift stores, Goodwill, or Salvation army every so often just to see if there is anything that I can’t live without.  Usually there isn’t!  But once in a great while, I will find something that is seasonal (usually from a season opposite the one we are currently in), and I’ll pick it up for a couple of dollars.  I don’t go to garage sales all that often, maybe once a month or twice a month.  But, you can get some really great home décor, craft supplies, and furniture from these sales. 

So, for today, I went through some of my “stuff” and pulled together a couple of seasonal vignettes to show you what I’ve found.  Boy is there more to show you!!  I’ll leave furniture for it’s very own post.  Let’s just say that I am not going to buy anything BIG for a while.  The last time I bought big, it was 2 double doored “wardrobes” for my craft room and 2 seven foot book shelves.  Hubby’s back is probably still hurting :)

First up is the Christmas collection:


These came from a garage sale.  They are a little GOLD for my taste!  But I’ll take off their excessively large collars and spray paint them white or maybe brown.  Anything to tone down the gold.  These pictures don’t do them justice; believe me they are bright!  But they were cheap!!




This Nativity set has about six more pieces to it, including camels, a cow, and an angel.  The little stocking is hand made and I just loved the checked fabric.  The wreath in the back is lighted and it works!  The little red Merry Christmas pot is just too cute.  No plans for it yet…  As you  can see, you can find lots of craft supplies while thrifting.  The white thing in the back is a styrofoam cone that I’ll use to make a ribbon Christmas tree this year.  The roll of ribbon is 50 yards!  That’s a bunch of ribbon.  The green alien looking thing is the styrofoam form for a topiary.  I love topiaries, and I have about 5 of these forms.  Lastly, I have some floral stems.  These look great in arrangements.  I don’t know how to DO arrangements, but I’ll figure that out when the time comes…

The Fall Collection:



I got this little acorn lantern from the Junior League Thrift sale.  I went on the 2nd day, and everything was 1/2 off.  Yippee!  I may or may not have had to buy a duffle bag while I was there to carry all of my loot…  The pumpkin baskets are from Goodwill; I’ve seen these same baskets at Michaels for quite a chunk of change.  The wooden bowl is from a garage sale as well.  It’s rustic. I love it. The end.



I can use all of these items for Thanksgiving.  I got the bundle of “wheat” , black stand, and cornucopia from  garage sales.  I got 5 of those adorable feathered turkeys from the Junior League sale.  And the pumpkins are mine from around the house :)  And let’s not forget THE TURKEY that I got at a garage sale earlier this year.  It Will make its debut in a week or so, if hubby doesn’t burn it first!

Most of my Spring/Summer things have been put away in the attic.  You have seen some of my fabulous finds here.  But here are a few things I could still pull together easily for this post to show you.



Here we have 3 wicker bird cages.  They need a coat of paint but will be adorable for Spring.  And I have a “thing” for birds, nests, and birdcages, so these were perfect.  Under the two cages on the table are 3 of those wooden trays that everyone is painting and redoing.  I’ll be painting these up soon myself.  The two prints were purchased from a friend of mine, who bought them at a yard sale.  They are both pictures of my beautiful city.  I guess they are 3rd hand :)  The polka dot tablecloth and the placemats on the right hand side are both from the Junior League sale- half price baby! 






This is a close-up of the San Francisco tote that I got for 25 cents!  It’s a yellow burlap with some cute little wooden handles.  I like San Francisco as much as the next gal, but they aren’t paying me to advertise, so I will paint or applique over the “billboard” or just remove the handles and make my own tote.  I put a bunch of fabric pieces that I have gotten at yard sales inside to show you.  I’m brand new to sewing, but I LOVE fabric.  I bought this fabric by the handful or bagful; each time it cost about $1.  You can’t get that kind of deal anywhere else!

So, you see if you take a chance and try thrift shopping, you might just get a great deal on junk things you’ll really use and enjoy.

Happy Thrifting!







Linking up to these great parties.

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm, Show and Share at Southern Lovely, Wow us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style, Creative Bloggers Party, Catch as Can at My Repurposed Life, Nifty Thrifty Sunday at Nifty Thrifty Things,  Time to Shine at Diamond in the Stuff

Halloween front porch

I know I’m very late on decorating my front porch for Halloween, but better late than never right?  As soon as I got these metal urns back in the summer at a yard sale, I’ve been thinking of pumpkin topiaries.  I got some faux pumpkins at Michael’s last year after Halloween for around $2 each.  I scored!  Now they are at least $12 at “50” off!  I’ll wait until after the holidays to grab some more this year in the $2 range; thank you very much! 

So, I searched Pinterest and several websites to find out the best method for securing the pumpkins for a topiary.  Most said use wooden dowel.  I used one and poked holes through my pumpkins to attach them.  Since I am such a frugal gal, I didn’t want to poke a very obvious hole in the side or top of the pumpkins.  I made a hole just beside the stems.  This works as far as being able to use my pumpkins again, but the result is that my topiaries are a little lop-sided!  Oh. well…. no big deal…

We like “kooky not spooky” around here, so I came up with a simple way to dress up my topiaries and make them unique without being scary.

I just used black vinyl and my BFF, my Silhouette.  I cut out a black cat shape and had him facing one of the columns on my front porch.  Then I cut out a bunch of little black mice who seem to be scurrying around the column and away from the cat.  On the other side of the porch, I used black vinyl again to cut out a spider web.  Then a whole host of spiders are making their way from the web up my front columns. 








close-up






Close-up


We don’t do cats at our house; my hubby is allergic.  We don’t do mice – yuck!  We try not to do spider webs : ), and  spiders are definitely not welcome.  So, all of these creepy crawlies can stay outside on the front porch (at least for 9 more days).

Happy last minute decorating.










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Weekend wrap up party, Think Pink Sundays, Sundae Scoop, 30 Days Pity Party, Feature yourself Friday, Crafty Scrappy, Happy, the 36th Avenue, Nifty Thrifty Sunday, Whatcha got weekend, Weekend bloggy reading, Show and Share, Everything but the kitchen sink, Show & Tell, Catch a Glimpse Thursday, Frugal Friday, The Idea Room Link Party, Savvy Homemade Monday, Time to Shine link party, Get your craft on at Todays Creative Blog, Tutorials and Tips at Home Stories AtoZ, Show me what Ya got at Not just a housewife, Strut your stuff at Somewhat Simple, Lil' Luna Link party, Friday Frolic Link Party, Show and Share at Just a Girl

I've been awarded

...the Versatile Blogger Award.



Nikki from Everything under the Moon gave me this fabulous award, and now it is time for me to pay it forward.  Thank you Nikki!

The rules for this award are

~Thank and link back to the person who gave you this award.

~Share 7 things about yourself

~Send it to 7 other bloggers and let them know you have awarded them

7 Things about me:

1.  I was born and raised in the South, and there is no other place I'd rather be.

2.  I love to read the stories of people's lives.  Books, letters, articles or any other glimpse into the life of an interesting person draws me right in.

3.  I have 2 miniature dachshunds named Charlie Brown and Buttercup and 2 wonderful kiddos.

4.  I learned to drive a stick shift at age 13 (see #1)

5.  I'm not afraid of spiders, hornets, bees, or even roaches.  I draw the line at snakes.  I don't do snakes!

6.  I love Jesus with all my heart.

7.  I'm a huge procrastinator.  It's a problem.  I recognize it.  I plan to start working on it tomorrow :)

Now to pay it forward to some blogs that I enjoy.

Jennifer @ Sunny Vanilla

Patty @ Lemon Lane cottage

Rachel@ Lines Across my Face

Jennifer@ BigDandme

Michele@ Dreaming of a Farmhouse

Tracy Suzanne @ Cotton Pickin Cute

Laura@ Ms. Smartie Pants

Please stop by these blogs and check them out.  You will be glad you did.

More Trick or Treat Bags

I’ve been having so much fun putting together the Halloween Treat bags that I planned to sell at this weekend’s craft show.  I’m now re-thinking the craft show, as I may be able to sell them on my own without having to sit at a table all day and wait while I miss my Saturday with the family.  We’ll see…  I have decorated each bag just a little differently.  I have sewn ruffles.  I’ve done pennants and ribbons and tons of stenciling.  No two are the same, and that’s mostly because I like to mix things up AND because I usually have some little mess-up to fix that changes the design slightly.  You know, a drip of paint or a stencil that didn’t stay in place.  I’m gonna tell everyone that there is no extra charge for imperfections :)

So, here are the new bags that I have created.  My theme all along has been “Kooky not Spooky”, as I’m not really into the scary stuff.  They are fun!  I have had a difficult time coming up with cute boy designs.  Most of mine are best suited to little girls.  Suggestions for boy bags are certainly welcome!


My favorite!



Ruffles and a linen looking bag


Candy!  in color!


Ruffles again.  And the truth behind the day…



Ruffles and a spider who looks like a crab :) (imperfections
are no extra charge, remember)




Bright and cheery!

I have to give a shout out to my Silhouette!  That little machine has worked its hiney off for me over the past week.  Every shape and letter stenciled on to these bags has been cut out with my Silhouette.  Love it!


Happy Wednesday,








Linking to these great parties.

Time to Shine, Show me whatch got, Show and Share, Get your craft on, What I made Wednesday, Show and Tell, Crafty, Scrappy, Happy Thursday, Share Awesomeness Thursdays, Catch as Can, Catch a Glimpse, Sassy Sites, Serenity Now Weekend Bloggy Reading, 30 Days Pity Party, Feature yourself Friday, Flaunt it Friday, Friday Flair, Weekend wrap up with Tatertots and Jello, Weekend show-off party, Whatcha Got Weekend, Think Pink Sundays, Tickled Pink at 504 Main;Craftaholics Anonymous Fall Frenzy , Sundae Scoop, Nifty Thrifty Sunday, Running with Glitter, Savvy Homemade Monday

Halloween Treat Bag

I’ve been working on some Halloween treat bags for a craft show.  I was inspired by Jaime at Crafty, Scrappy, Happy to make some bags, because hers are fabulous!  It takes me forever to decide which designs I like best, so you’ll probably be seeing quite a few bags over the next couple of weeks.  I just ventured into sewing too, so this should be interesting… 

Front of Bag

I cut little pennant flags out of a CUTE candy corn fabric and ironed them on with some Heat ‘n Bond. Then I hand stitched them at the top with some bright orange embroidery thread. I did this more for the way it looks than for securing it. I then sewed on some orange and black buttons at the top of my pennant. I Love buttons! I stenciled the “Trick or Treat” and bats on with fabric paint and added a little piece of black and white gingham ribbon to the handle to finish it off.


  
close-up                                                                                               

I also decorated the back of the bag.  I know I didn’t “have” to.  In fact, hubby kept telling me not to, but I wanted to make it cute all the way around.  What do you think?  Both sides?  Or just one?  It does double the work…



Back of bag

For the back side, I sewed on my very first ever Ruffle !  I tore my fabric to give it the tattered edge, machine ruffled it, and stitched it on.  Then I added two orange buttons at the corners and a piece of polka dot ribbon across the ruffle to dress it up and (shhhh… hide my uneven sewing lines).  I then stenciled on some happy pumpkins with button eyes and pieces of multicolored candy.


close-up

Stay tuned for more bag designs.  I am working on more today and will post more this week.  I’d really appreciate your input.  Kind comments and constructive criticism please :)

Happy Happy Fall,



Linking to these wonderful parties.

Made by You Monday, Savvy Homemade Monday, Time to Shine link party, Get your craft on Tuesday, Show and share, What I made Wednesday, Catch a glimpse Thursday, Share Awesomeness Thursdays, Tales of a Trophy wife, Crafty Soiree, Clean and Scentsible, Crafty, Scrappy, Happy, me Thursday, Strut your Stuff Link Party, The Idea Room Linky Party, Catch as Can, Catch a Glimpse Party, Flaunt it Friday, Friday Flair, Pity Party, Frugalicious Friday, Simply Link Party, Feature yourself Friday, Weekend bloggy reading, I'm Lovin it at Tidymom, Show and Tell Saturday. Weekend Wrap up

Craftaholics Anonymous Fall Frenzy, Saturday Nite Special, Think Pink Sundays, Sundae Scoop, Debbie Doos Newbie Party, Halloween Linky Part-ay