Look what I found!!!...

If you have been reading my blog for any length of time you know that sometimes "Goodwill calls me".  No, I'm not crazy and I can go many months without stepping a foot into that store, but then there are times when I just get this overwhelming feeling that I NEED to go there! Yes, this morning was one of those times.  However, I couldn't go because my oldest daughter was sleeping over at a friend's house and she had my debit card!!!  I had to wait until 1pm to get myself up there.  

But look what was waiting for me.....

 I snatched it up so fast that there were smoke lines on the carpet :)

 Have you ever seen a high chair like this?

 I have always had a thing for vintage and old high chairs and at one time I collected them(ok, I still have 3 or 4 but Mason actually uses them).

 You never see stuff like this at Goodwill because technically they aren't allowed to sell baby products, that is why they had a large bright pink sign on it that said "for Decorative use only".

 But seriously, this thing is super solid and super heavy.

 I couldn't find any markings on it and I can't tell if it is homemade or manufactured.   What are your thoughts? And how old do you think it is?  You are probably wondering what I paid for it, right? Well, it was over my normal GW limit, but I had to have it and it was $22.50 with my discount.

 Then I also have this thing for little kids chairs and I scooped this one up right away. $2.70, Score!

 And was happy to see this on the bottom. I love finding things from this local company.

 And last I found these two dolls in a bag.  A bit creepy but I liked their age. The one on the left seems to have all clothes including her nappy under her bloomers!

 I think they are Tiny Tear dolls from the mid 50's.  What do you think?  They were $9 for the pair. Good price or not?  How do you clean old dolls?

Oh and my day was even better when I found the one and only bolt of camping print flannel fabric at Joann's this afternoon.  I saw the print on someone's blog but Joanns.com didn't sell it and I couldn't find it anywhere else online. The woman said she got it on Saturday at Joanns so I was pretty sure mine would still have it, but you just never know.  I'm going to make a kid's quilt for the camper out of it.


Have a fantastic weekend,

Tiff

Camper Valances...

More camper progress....

We took down all the hard window valances in the camper when we gutted it.  I wasn't sure if they would make their way back in or not, but  I thought I should save them just in case and didn't put them in the dump pile.  So last night I brought them in and decided that I would use them because they would cover up the tops of the windows when the curtains are open(still need to make the curtains because I ditched all the ugly metal blinds!). Plus they will give some extra color to the walls and a bit of warmth.

Here they are before.... not totally hideous, but not the look I am going for.  The floral print was also on the sleeper sofa and the wall paper border.

 And here they are after....   I covered them in an old log cabin feed sack quilt.  It was really hard to make that first cut into it, but now I am happy I did.  The quilt had many problems and was not usable. It just sat folded up in a basket collecting dust.  So I'm looking at it as though I breathed new life into it and we can all enjoy it when we go camping.  I still have some of it left, but it is mostly the parts with the most damage.  Maybe I can make some cute buntings out of it and hang them in the camper.

My color scheme is slowly changing as this process goes on. I was just planning on white and blue, but now it looks like I will throw it a few more vintage colors. I'm definitely thinking that the curtains need to be white and pretty simple since the valances are so busy. I don't want sensory overload when we go into this tiny space.


I can't wait for it to be done, and don't worry, I'll share it with you :)



Have a productive day,

Tiff

For the Camper...

Thank you all for the comments and emails about the mantle. I will be taking the sign down and like you suggested, maybe hanging it below. If that doesn't work out, it will just have to go on a wall somewhere.

For the past two days I have been working on stuff for the camper.  My fingers are sore from handsewing the covers on the new cushions for the sofa bench we built, but they are coming out better than I expected.

I have also been working on some fun stuff.  The gorgeous crocheted pillow cover on the left was found at a small local antique shop.  It was made to have a pillow stuffed in it with both sides being the same and buttons on the top for closure.  It was only $5 and I can't imagine how long it took someone to make!  I brought it home, washed it and stuffed my own pillow in it. I LOVE it!  The pillow on the right is just a quicky I whipped up from some fabric I had.  The dog embroidery on the front was in my stash and  I thought is worked well with the colors.  On the back I used part of an old white tablecloth that had seen better days but worked perfectly for this project.

 I'm also in the process of stitching this vintage piece I picked up from my friend's shop.  It will be turned into a pillow too.  

I'm going for a light and airy vintage theme for the camper with blue and white as the main color scheme and birds all around.


It's beautiful outside today, low humidity, light wind, and the sun is shining.  I went out with the boys for a little while so they could ride their bikes and I swear for a split second I felt Fall.  I know that sounds crazy and it's way too early, but that Fall feeling air whipped around the front porch and it just felt so lovely.  I really can't wait for Fall to actually arrive as it is my favorite season.


Blessings to all,

Tiff

Summer Mantle...

If there is one thing I struggle with, it's my fireplace mantle.  I never seem to get it "just right".  

As you can see, I repainted the woodwork back to white after having it be Olde Village Pearwood for 5 years.  I also added an extra plank of wood to the top so that it gave me an extra inch of width to work with.

After trying several different things, I settled on this look for summer. It's a mix of things from around the room with a splash of color with the candle bird and eggs in the next.  I'm still not crazy about the sign above the mirror as it just looks awkward because it is the same width as the mirror, but I'm too lazy at the moment to figure something else out;)

I do have an idea to layer the mirror but I just haven't gotten around to it yet. Maybe later in the week I'll get to it and share :)


Have a nice afternoon,

Tiff

Around the House...

I thought I would share some pics of around my home with you.  I took these about a month ago, so things have changed a little because nothing stays the same in my house for long!

Here is the family room.  The huge leather sectional got moved to the game room(aka the boy room).

 This little corner of my family room, next to the fireplace is my sewing nook.

 I wanted a "real" entertainment center, but I didn't want to pay the real price for one.  So I improvised and only spent $22 for the piece of wood across the top.  Just used my buffet and two bookcases I already had.  It fills up this long wall nicely.

 I bought this table back in December at my friends' shop, but I didn't get it until May(it was a display piece). I thought I would use it as a sewing table but it was a few inches too short, so I decided it would look neat as a tall coffee table.  And my large crocks fit nicely under it.

 I redid the side desk area in my kitchen into a more practical and functional command center.

 Mudroom entryway. I keep the tiny brown twinkle lights up all year.

 Hutch in my kitchen. My oldest daughter made the cow picture for me for Mother's day.

 Wood kitchen tools in wood box in the kitchen.  My newest obsession seems to be wooden boxes and crates.

 Another view of the mudroom with the half bath on the right.

 Front porch of the mudroom.

 We sold our old patio set at the yardsale and really needed something big enough to seat us all on the deck.  Didn't like the price and quality of the stuff in stores, so I found a local guy who makes outdoor furniture. He built me this incredibly sturdy table and benches(8'long) for a great price. And they came stained white so there was no work for me!!

We are currently redoing our camper and I can't wait to show you the before and after pics of that.  Our goal is to have it done before Labor Day because I already booked a park in Bar Harbor for the long weekend!!!

Have a lovely day,

Tiff

Slipcovers

Just because I'm slacking on my blog does not mean that I'm not doing anything:)

About a month ago I made this slipcover for "my" chair and ottoman.  It's done in brown ticking and target curtains.

Here's the after...

And here is the Before.  My mom gave me this set. It's a tapestry floral and just not my style, but the chair is really comfy.

Another view...

 Yes, the curtains match in the background :)

 Long view of the family room in its current state.

 I am really happy with how the skirted edge came out. Overall, it was pretty easy and it's holding up quite well.

Have a fabulous day,

Tiff

Summering....

Lost my blogging mojo, but wanted to let you know I'm still alive.  We are enjoying summer...beach, storyland, lazy days, sleeping in, grilling on the deck, and driving up Mt. Washington.

Love,

Tiff

When do we start speaking up?

I usually don't make this a political or news blog, but sometimes a girl just has to speak out.  It seems like daily that I read stories about how we need to respect other cultures and be PC about everything.      That is fine and dandy, but what about respecting our own country?  

 Yes, America has had a not so pretty past and many atrocities were committed, I'm not denying any of that.  But I feel for the most part, today as a country, we are a very giving country, we come to everyone's aid and try to protect those who are being suppressed.

 Many try to paint America as evil and greedy and that mentality is starting to seep into Americans heads and we are letting it happen.  This is just one example of the many stories out there that I happened upon today....http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/school_silences_patriotic_song_xdunXcLPbE8S2rAEcZoUiP?utm_medium=rss%26utm_content=Local    This is totally insane, why are we letting this happen?

 People immigrate here because it is a great country. We are a melting pot. Everyone has a heritage, but if you live in America, then you are American. Why is that such a bad thing? Why can't we have pride in being Americans?  We aren't offending other cultures by playing an American song IN AMERICA! They came here because it was better than where they were!!

 If we keep on this new trend of trying to separate cultures to protect feelings, we are going to end up in a lot of trouble.  You will divide people and generate more hate and fear.  We need to respect each other and come back together as a whole country, no distinction in front of the word "American", just  be an AMERICAN.   Stop separating.

Be proud of  where you live and who you are.  Give to those in need, help and be kind to your neighbor, respect each other's feelings, and teach your children history to help prevent the mistakes of the past.

I am American, a  hodge podge mutt of cultures mixed into one strong willed, God loving,  craft making, family centered, very conservative woman who is tired of all the BS out there and is going to start saying so!


Stepping down from my soap box now,


Tiff

Birthday, Prom, Parade, Gardens, and Life....

Hello my dear blogging friends.  I know that things have not been the norm around here and I hope you can forgive me for that and try to understand my life right now.  I know that some of you know what has been going on but for the majority of you, all you know is that I have been telling you that I have been under Major stress.  The most stress that I have ever felt in my entire life and it has been going on for over 6 months now. It's not something I would wish on my worst enemy.  It's even harder because I still have to live my day to day life, keep the kids happy and well, put on a smile for the world, and basically pretend that all is well.  I'm still not ready to totally spill everything here for all to read, but I will say, as of yesterday, things have lightened up a bit.  The problem has not disappeared, but we now have a more fitting alliance working for us.  Best advice to you all, sometimes it's a better choice not to go with the "nice" lawyer but to go for the more cut throat one. 

For the time being, we are not moving, but I  still don't know what the future holds. Luckily, the future has moved a bit farther away right now.

Now onto my life....

We celebrated a 6th Birthday with a  circus theme party.  It was a blast and everyone seemed to enjoy it.

 My oldest daughter attended her first prom.  She chose a style of dress that fits her uniqueness :)

 My daughters were in the town's Memorial Day parade and the rest of watched on the sidelines. My grandfather was in the Army, my father in law was in the Army, my husband was in the Navy, and now my oldest son will be headed to boot camp for the Marines in September(don't ask me how I feel about this, because I'm still not sure... scared and proud, but probably more scared).

 My youngest daughter and I made a fairy garden in an old wheelbarrow.

 We still need to make a house for it.

 Pics from around the yard....

 Mason, hamming it up for the camera.

 The pictures do not do this pot of petunias justice, the thing is gorgeous and enormous!  It was a gift from my 3rd grader's teacher. I'm room mom and she gave me this as a Thank you gift.  I love it!!!

 And the front door. I kept it simple and sweet. It will stay like this through July.

I'll try to be better about posting and sharing pics with you.  I have been majorly decluttering the house and changing my style.  So I may be having a blog sale of primitives soon, would you all like me to offer things on here?

Hugs and blessings,

Tiff