two-five-three-four

I wish this was my every morning

Hello, hello, hello! It's been another much too short week around the homestead. We had another move in at my job, so that kept me really busy all week. However, I did have Tuesday off and took the opportunity to head out on the road and visit some thrift shops I have not been to in over a year. I have been focusing my energy on estate sales, given the serious lack of good thrift shopping in the nearby area, so it was fun to change it up a little. I got some really good deals too, it was definitely a fun and successful little weekday trip. I was able to snap a few (very quick) pictures while I had a few hours off of work, so lets check out the goods, shall we?!

Watch for some of these items to be listed in the Blueprint Vintage shop soon! I also had another opportunity to thrift, so hopefully I will get some pics snapped of those fun things as well.

Fall Times Decorations

Aren't I timely... Here are some pictures of my fall/Thanksgiving decorations. They look pretty similar to my Halloween ones huh?? Yeah...I felt I had a good thing going there. I swapped out my Halloween related objects for some lovely decorative pears and pretty much called it a day. The leaves are from the dollar store and they are the B.D.C! (bomb dot com) Thick crepe paper and wires hold a nice and "natural" shape.

So here's my question to you; what on earth do I do with my pumpkin/gourds now?? I really don't want to toss them, they are so pretty, but having them around makes it even harder to wrap my head around the fact that Christmas is a mere 20 some days away. (I've had a hard time ever feeling really Christmas-y here, coming from Wisconsin to North Carolina, the weather is so dramatically different, it's hard for me to associate 65 degrees with Christmas. But no, I don't miss the snow.) Maybe I could just stick some bows on them? That stack could sort of be a Christmas tree...no??? Ha ha ha! We'll see. I am thinking it's going to be a white pottery with pink and turquoise vintage glass ornaments kind of Christmas.

Happy Thanksgiving! Here are my Halloween Decorations...

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! As promised, here are my Halloween decor pics (just slightly behind schedule here). I took the Martha idea of spray painting a grapevine wreath black and adding black "creepy crawlies" to the next level by adding myself in a little dollar store crow. He really was the crowning jewel.

Awwwww, isn't it cute.

Here's the fireplace as a whole. It's hard to work around that stupidly large TV and cables. The pumpkin gourds have continued their presence through the current holiday. Who knows...at the rate I'm going, they'll probably still be there for Christmas too!

It's NOVEMBER!!

And here's reason #236 that I love North Carolina; beautiful camellias blooming in November; NOVEMBER!!!

Upholstery Class

After 24+ hours...my chair is finally recovered and back together, and I have just the cushions to complete. I completely, COMPLETELY understand why upholsters can charge so much money. This job was a pain in the @$$! I do think the process would have been a bit speedier working at home, but one of the great *perks* of this upholstery class has been the camaraderie with the other classmates. We have potlucks and everything!!

What my chair looked like before...also the two reasons it needed a good reupholstering

Fall Cleaning

It was gutter cleaning time this last weekend; clearly I was thrilled. I pulled lots of good compost out of them. I guess it's going to be a twice-a-year job. *le sigh*

A little slap on the wrist

This is the tree in front of my house. Yay Fall!!

This picture is actually a few weeks old and the tree is now a tree of sticks, bummer. So I've recently been getting some guff from my friends that they want updates...so I am going to make an effort to get the ball rolling again. I recently got a job, my first in three years, and balancing a 40 hour work week with 8 hours of upholstery class and the simple fact that I just am not used to being out of the house that much, has left me little time for the internet. But my job is part time and it is slowing up this week, so I hope to catch up on my blog, the blogs I read, and of course the SHOP. (I've been to quite a few estate sales lately and have a treasure trove of goodies hiding out in my shed/workshop)

So...things to look forward too...
I did in fact take some pictures of my Halloween decorations, so if I can find which memory card they are on, I will share them with you. (Just slightly belated)
I have several more pictures of pretty fall things happening in the yard. They are also belated but nice to look at.
Oh yeah, I'm in an upholstery class! It's lots of fun. (If not for all the hard work, than the camaraderie.) I have a lot of pictures of that project to share as well.
Estate sale goodies and rearranging the house; lots to share there.

So thanks so much for sticking around, and thank you to those friends who've been nudging me to get back at it; I hope to have lots more to share with you soon!

Today is a great day!

pinned here

Cooking from Pinterest

1. The Greatest Broccoli Ever; no joke, it melts in your mouth! Originally from amateurgourmet.com
2. Sopapilla Cheesecake. Made this for the football game and it was a huge hit. Originally from myellowumbrella.blogspot.com
3. Fail-Proof Pizza Dough. Made, haven't cooked it yet :) Originally from laurenslatest.com
4. Lemon Garlic Spaghetti. Very tasty, easy and affordable! Originally from inomthings.com

Louise

Estate Sale Finds

I may be cheating a little, but I am reposting a post I did for Blueprint Vintage over here as well :) Most of these items I am using in my home (not selling) so I think it works!

I must admit that these finds are a few weeks old, but I am still struggling with finding an area in the house with really good light for photography. I've been anxious to share these finds though because I think they are some of the best ones yet! Let's take a look:

Clockwise from top left:

Mid-century aluminum patio lamps; set of 4. Also came with 6 wicks new in the package.
Nice old hat box I shall use for organizing my closet all pretty like.
Two wooden milk crates. The top one is stamped Brooklyn!
Some odds and ends for my workshop. The tape measure is to carry along on thrifting adventures. It is fabric and very light weight.

Clockwise from top left:

Large glass cider jug for storing corks, change, etc.
Mid-century hairpin legs which I will use on my suitcase petbed/footstool project. (Whenever that project gets done...)
Cool wire basket! I've been seeing these in all the design mags lately.
Small pretty blue vase for decoration.

Pretty great stuff huh!? This really was one of the best sales (in terms of what I like to look for) that we've had here in quite a while. Unfortunately (my husband would disagree) I didn't make it back for half price day to pick up a few more fun things they had.
I don't know that I will have another "finds" post for awhile, as I am trying to stay away from sales until I can buckle down and focus more the Etsy shop. I need to make money to spend it!

Although not much of one this year. I didn't have much time (or money) to get the ground worked up this spring, so I was left with planting a few pepper plants, a heap of basil, and some nasturtiums in an existing planter box. I do think the whole thing looks pretty darn adorable with the ivy and morning glory growing all over it though :) I am fortunate that the long growing season here in the Carolinas means that I am able to start planting cool weather hardy veggies (think beets, carrots, kale, onions and spinach) any time now for a delicious fall harvest. I guess that's one more project for the to-do list!!

Well Hello!

It's been a busy busy last few weeks and I shall resume my regularly scheduled (ha ha) blogging soon! Until then:

driving home at dusk

How to Fold a Fitted Sheet

Who hasn't wondered how to do this, right?!? I learned from Martha a couple of years ago, and thought it's about time to spread the word! This is a great tutorial from the Martha site, but I did add in my own little notes. Keep in mind, it is essential when folding a fitted sheet to have a large flat surface to lay the sheet down on.

image from Martha

Why have I waited so long!?!

A post title with many meanings...

First, I can't believe that it has taken me so long to post this as it is the most exciting thing to happen around here since...sliced bread I guess.
Second, I can't believe that it took me so long to just bite the bullet, but my fears aside and go for it! For what you ask? Tearing up the old carpet and exposing the BEAUTIFUL hardwood floors underneath! See:

yes, that first picture was taken to show the curtains more than the floor

Gardenia Season