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Sunday, March 24, 2013

Estate Sale Finds & Easter Spoolies

 We stopped by an Estate Sale yesterday afternoon after my niece's Sweet 16 Birthday Party.  I wasn't sure what to expect since it was inside of the Eagle's Lodge, but I was pleasantly surprised!  The prices were good and they definitely knew what they had.  My favorite find were these vintages statues.  My grandma has a set and I always loved them.
  
They started out gold and I just don't do gold, so the first thing I did when I got them home was to paint them white and do a little distressing.  I love the way they turned out.  These were made by Universal Statue Company in 1971. 

I also spotted these great frames.  They don't look so great now, but they will when I get done with them!  The oval ones were marked a quarter each and the rectangle ones were marked 5 cents each.  I can't wait to make them over!
The total cost for the statues and 4 picture frames=$1!!  Yes, one dollar!  Can you believe that?  I was happy with that and then he asked if we were interested in the night stands over there.  I said sure, but I didn't have $10, which is what they wanted for the pair.  He told us just to take them!  So really, I paid one dollar for the statues, frames and night stands.  I am sure that if I would have looked around more, I would have found more fun stuff, but all of this will do!
 
The night stands are in our room right now, awaiting a makeover.  Depending on how they turn out, I might just keep them for myself!

***

I joined in a fun Easter swap at 521 Lake Street.  This swap was to decorate a wooden spool for your swap partner for Easter.  Tiffany was my partner and look at the cute spoolie she made me!
Love the Eiffel Tower shadow box egg she made.  The aqua sky, the pink, the glitter, Paris-I love it all! 
She also included this fun box full of goodies.  I think I might have to make another spoolie with all the crafty things she sent.
  
She also gave me this fun raffia nest that came with these pink speckled eggs.  Thanks so much for the goodies Tiff!  If you want to see what I made for her, click here.

Holy week is upon us, I hope you are all ready for Easter!

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Sunday, March 17, 2013

Irish Soda Bread on St Patrick's Day

 On St Patrick's Day, everyone wants to be Irish!  But only some of us are lucky enough to actually have Irish blood in us.  I am one of those lucky people...I am proud to be one quarter Irish!  My great grandma Margaret Ryan came over from Ireland at the age of 16 to be an indentured servant.  She came through Ellis Island and made the trip across the US to Seattle, Washington.  There, she met the love of her life, an Irish man named Raymond Kealy.  Together, they raised 5 children.  I don't have any memories of my great grandpa, but I have many of my great grandma.
 Every time we would go to Seattle to visit, she would always make Irish Soda Bread.  She didn't use a recipe.  She had made it so many times that she didn't need a recipe since it was all in her head.  After the soda bread was all baked and cooled, we would go into the dining room.  There, we would eat a thick, crusty slice of soda bread slathered in creamy butter and dusted with a little bit of sugar.  To accompany our soda bread, we always had tea.  Grandma would tell us stories about growing up in Ireland as well as some of her favorite Irish lore and legends.  Grandma has only been gone for about 9 years now, but I wish I could go back in time to eat some more of her bread and listen to  more of her stories.
 Today I decided that in honor of my grandma and in celebration of St Patrick's Day, I would make some Irish Soda Bread.  I hadn't had any in years so I was really looking forward to tasting it again.  I did it just like grandma would have-slathered it in butter and sprinkled it with sugar.  I even made some tea to drink along with it.  It is not even close to being as delicious as grandma's, but I figure I can keep practicing!  It was Cody's first time trying it as well and I think he liked it.  My favorite part is still the plump, juicy raisins that you randomly bite into!
The tea set that I used belonged to my great grandma and was perfect to use with such a special treat.  It dates back to at least the 1950's and is one of my favorite family heirlooms.  I am so glad that I have some Irish in me but I am even more thankful that I got to know my great grandma, taste her soda bread and hear her wonderful stories!  Happy St Patrick's Day to you all!
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Sunday, March 10, 2013

A mellow yellow kind of bunting

 Do you ever just need to create something?  I often have that urge to make something even if I have no idea what it might be.  Today was one of those days.  I knew I wanted to make a bunting but I needed to go to JoAnn's for fabric. What kind of fabric I wanted was unknown.  I walked around the bolts of fabric at least 4 times but nothing was jumping out at me.  And then I saw this.
 I thought I would be coming home with something pink, but this yellow rose fabric caught my eye and I knew it was perfect for my little project.  The name of it isFrench Country Roses.  Of course I would love it from just the name alone!  The yellow and aqua are so pretty together.  The fabric was on sale for $6.99 a yard, I only got half a yard and have plenty leftover for another project.
 I had some burlap leftover from a wedding I decorated in September.  I cut out a shape very roughly, attached the fabric, spaced them evenly on some yellow ribbon and then glued yellow silk roses from the Dollar Tree to the top of each pennant.  For not having any idea what I was going to make, I think this turned out imperfectly perfect!  Not bad and cost me next to nothing!
 I think it must be the prospect of spring being on its way that draws me to yellow...I recently bought a yellow purse and made yellow cupcakes.  The yellow reminds me of sun and warmth, 2 things that I am really looking forward to! 
Thank you to those of you who voted on my picture on Facebook...I won the contest and will be getting my free photo shoot soon!!  Can't wait to see how they turn out!

Linking up with:
Boogieboard Cottage: Masterpiece Monday
La Chateau des Fleurs
The Dedicated House: Make it Pretty Monday
Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Cozy Little House: Tweek it Tuesday
Vintage on a Dime: Welcome Home Wednesday
JoJo & Eloise: Knock Our Socks Off
{Primp}: Primp Your Stuff Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style: Wow Us Wednesday
Lavender Garden Cottage: Cottage Style Party
Ivy & Elephants: What's It Wednesday
The Style Sisters: Centerpiece Wednesday
Faith, Grace & Crafts: Pearls & Lace Thursday
Have a Daily Cup of Mrs Olson: Share Your Cup Thursday
The Vintage Farmhouse: Creative Things Thursday
Rooted in Thyme: Simple & Sweet Friday
Common Ground: Be Inspired
The Charm of Home: Home Sweet Home
 French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday
Shabby Art Boutique: Shabbilicious Friday
Jennifer Rizzo: Fabulously Creative Friday
Homespun Happenings: Rustic Restoration Weekend
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Friday, March 1, 2013

Vote for me!

I need your votes!  A photographer friend of mine posted a contest and I entered.  I had to submit a photo of myself in my wedding dress.  The bride with the most votes wins a free photo shoot.  I really don't need a photo shoot in my wedding dress so I will be getting family photos instead of me, Cody and our fur babies.  If you are on Facebook, please go vote for my picture by clicking this link and liking my photo.  Thanks so much!
 




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