Lamp up-cycle

Wow....this was done with Plastic bottles and silver duck tape. Get out! Here is the site.....look at the before and after! Amazing ideas out there!

http://matsutakeblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/its-done-glampsformation.html

Halloween Costumes. What do you want to be for Halloween?

Soon, it will be that time of year again....Halloween! We ask our children the same question every year. What do you want to be for Halloween? Many of us go shopping and spend a small fortune on the costume of their dreams (for that week). I have a little secret. We shop at home and the kids think that's normal. I took Lucie "shopping" this morning to pick out her Halloween costume.

Here they are this year. Welcome to our Halloween closet. Sure the selection is limited, but Lucie has never known the difference. She was as excited to see her choices hanging here as she would be if we were in a costume shop. She knows no difference. As I garage sale each year, I keep my eye out for costumes. I know how expensive they are at retail price. The most I paid for any of these (and many included accessories and shoes) was $5.Costumes are often worn one night.

  I spent $5 on this costume. It's an American Girl Costume. It included the jeweled crown and necklace. What's funny, is looking back on this I really hesitated to buy it. The price seemed steep. Also looking back, I want to strangle myself, when I think about ALL the other American Girl costumes they had lined up on rack that I turned down. What a steal.

There are always hoards of Disney princess costumes from the Disney Store at garage sales. Have you been into the Disney Store during Halloween? These are not cheap. Lucie could choose between, Belle, Snow White and Cinderella this year. Shoes included. Since they are from the Disney store, they are a bit longer and made better than those found at target and the like. I think I paid about $3 for each of these at different times, different years.

 Love this "poodle" skirt with it's pearl embellished belt buckle and leash. It's very cute.

This was Lucie's costume from the year before last. It's too small now. So....off it goes to the consignment store, where I usually get back more than I paid for it and someone STILL gets a good deal!

Last year in her $2 costume. I loved this one, because it kept her warm! She loved it too!

 Three years ago, Minnie Mouse. Yes, you know....under $5 for the whole outfit. I made Lucas' skeleton outfit here. It was a template on line and I made the bones with felt. He loved it and wore it for two years!

I loved these homemade Bumble costumes. I bought two matching costumes at a garage sale for $2, but Lucie wanted to be the black cat. I found everything for the black cat at different garage sales. Not only can you get great costumes....dance clothes, slippers and tap shoes are always available! I have an entire drawer for Lucie dedicated just to dance and gymnastics. Better get her in a class.

So, what did Lucie chose this year???

She picked the pink poodle skirt. Now I'll have to keep my eyes out for some cute shoes. :) Pictures of Lucie in her pig-tails to follow!

Garage Sale Saturday!!!

Some of my finds from today....

I thought this was a good fit with the feel of our room. I may lower it on the wall later. It was $5

16 piece dessert set. I thought it was cute. $6

My mini tree. $1 I think it's sweet.

I also picked up some fun burlap that can be found on my Etsy account. So many projects planned with that!!!!

Shabby Brocante: New Line at Target

Shabby Brocante: New Line at Target: I am in Love. Look at this new line currently at target. To die for. Tan and red. Everything gorgeous. As you can see they weren't even f...

New Line at Target

I am in Love. Look at this new line currently at target. To die for.

 Tan and red. Everything gorgeous. As you can see they weren't even finished setting up when I took this photo. Look at the bake-ware. Wonderful vintage molds and fantastic quality. I am in love!

Look at these amazing Sunbeam appliances. I am thinking I need a new hand-held mixer, no?

Also, not shown, fantastic ceramic ware "Alabert Vendee". Great colors, great shapes....from oven to table.

I think these new products are going to go fast. Putting this on my birthday wish list.

Shabby Brocante: Vintage Christmas Decorations

Shabby Brocante: Vintage Christmas Decorations: I have started early this year. What's new? The BHG Holiday Crafts 2011 issue just came out. It's loaded with great fall and Christmas projects...

Shabby Brocante: Vintage Christmas Decorations

Shabby Brocante: Vintage Christmas Decorations: I have started early this year. What's new? The BHG Holiday Crafts 2011 issue just came out. It's loaded with great fall and Christmas proje...

Vintage Christmas Decorations

I have started early this year. What's new? The BHG Holiday Crafts 2011 issue just came out. It's loaded with great fall and Christmas projects.

 Here is the first project I had to start!

The little vintage Santa star. I suppose I was attracted to him because I have three of these vintage flower frog prongs. Now, I have a great way to display them!


I used folder files (because I had them on hand) for the stars. I got to use my old 1938 hymnal book yet again, spray paint and glitter, and a red stamp pad for the edges of the music paper stars. I found some great vintage graphics at Michaels...they were perfect. They were $4.99 for a bag of them. I have many left over to play with!

 It was a fun project. These will be cute mixed in with my various Christmas displays this year.

Cheers.

So tempted to make the paper trees as well, but I have already made two that are similar....not sure I should start more! Look how cute they are though!!!!

Up-cycling Tin Containers With Rope and Twine.

My Before:

Here is my $1 tin bucket I purchased at a garage sale, last Saturday. It was in great shape but, needed an up-grade.

I saw this on Pinterest. I never even went to the site until now. I just needed the idea, really.

http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2011/07/sisal-rope-bowl/

I love the look and I love the idea. The large rope looks great. White would be amazing for a nautical look. I was going for a softer look, however, and used smaller twine.

My after:

I am happy results. It was easy, but time consuming. This will be our new "Book-A-Day" Advent Calendar basket.

Ever since I first saw the picture from "Censational Girl" blog spot, I have been collecting this tins! Oy Vey..........

I guess I better get busy. These were all about 25 cents at various garage sales.

Best Stuffed Zuchinni Ever

Not only is this THE best, it's probably the easiest. It's very authentic Italian cooking. Simple and good.

Of course, I have to mention that I just got this vintage Charles Meakin platter last Saturday at a garage for $2 Oh, and the zucchini is from my garden.

This all you'll need! Some Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. It would be much better with homemade marinara sauce, but it will still be de-lish!

Just slice and scoop it out with a soup spoon. Leave the edges thick and clear so they hold their shape. As you scoop....dump the zucchini flesh right into the blender!

You'll only use half the flesh, so have a container handy to save the rest for zucchini bread!

They are ready to fill! Just add the rest of the ingredients to the blender, some ricotta, an egg, a dash of nutmeg, some salt and pepper and of course...you could add Parmesan cheese. Don't be dork either, the nutmeg is what makes this dish. It's just a dash. The French use nutmeg a lot as well....try a dash in your mash potatoes next time too.

That's it. Blend it. It will be in a very liquid puree form. Now fill your zucchini "boats".

Don't worry about being neat....it's all going to back and be cheesy, gooey, yummy. Okay...can't resist...I am added more Parmesan on top.

Now, drizzle with a red sauce (optional).

Bake at 375 until bubbly and delicious. Serve with or over pasta or as a side to steak.

More Parmesan? I think so.
Pretty good!

Enjoy!

Halloween Paper Wheels!

I love this vintage look and they are fun to make! I plan on making at least ten more. I am going to hang most of them. I have to host Lucie's Paris Party in September, so I have to wait.

You'll start with three pages of sheet music. Fold like an accordion.

Fold each piece in half and attach in the center. Then you attach each "fan" together...making a circle.

Always gluing so that any imperfections will be in the back.

Then, you can embellish the centers anyway you'd like. Stickers, card-stock cut outs, beads, etc.

Can't wait to hang these!

By they way....look at the deals I got on my centerpiece. The birdcage was $2

I forgot about my vintage looking bird on the pumpkin, until I found him in the box this morning! I always shop for holiday items AFTER the holidays! I got the feathered crows for 50 cents each at a garage sale in June!

 How does it look with the table-runner? My velvet, beaded table-runner that I got for $1 at a garage sale in Vegas. One of favorite places to garage sale, mind you!

Paper Flowers. Fun with Sheet music.

Remember my hymnal book I got for 10 cents? I have already cut into it.

I felt badly cutting it up, but I got over it. It's for a good cause...paper flowers!

You'll need three templates. Round, shaped like a flower in small medium and large. The fun part is being able to use just about any paper product. I have my book I want to use, but went to Joanne's and got a few sheets of card-stock I thought would look good with it. Start cutting them out!

To give them the 3 dimensional look, you make a cut to the center, fold over and glue. I used a glue stick.

Once the three are cut out and glue you stack them. Today I went to our local thrift store and found a bag of odds and ends that are perfect for the center.

50 cents! I'll use these for the center....

 Oh the projects I will make....These are fun. I am going to work on some Halloween themed flowers and paper wheels. Fun.