Starting with a trip downtown...

 

Chicago, I sing your praises!  What a beautiful city, my home for my first 40 years.  My dearest took me downtown to deliver several large parcels to a hospital that our guild supports.  Though he's so busy lately, (hooray for that) he took a break to make this little trip.

 

We went down via the highway, but came back home on Lakeshore Drive, to Sheridan Road. The Lake was so beautiful, though it was cold and crisp outside.


 

This statue in on the Northwestern University Campus.


 

The Grosse Point Lighthouse in Evanston. It was like a little vacation, and I hated to go home without spending some time at the Lakefront, but honey's work was waiting.

On Saturday we had company...

Who's that in the Hundred Acre Wood?  My beautiful niece!

We got some books and magazines, some crafting supplies from Michael's and

she went rummaging with us and we found a few treasures.

Yards of fabric...

A cute receiving blanket and some old measuring spoons...

an old book of sheet music...

My DH found this for me.  When he looks at me it's like the old couple at Lenscrafters...He doesn't see a Grandma, and I always see the hunk I fell in love with, at first sight... sigh!

Best pick of the day, this large framed print.  The shoe has got to go, but the frame is great for $3! 

  Hope all is well in your neck of the woods, 100 Acre or other;-)  Enjoy this beautiful day my friends.
 

5 Birds

 

That's it, five birds finished the dresser.


 

The bird stamp I used, I've had for a very long time, but it's one of my favorites.  It is from a line from Plaid. They are peel and stick stamps that had a handle, but I never had the handle. The number stamps are from Michael's, and I bought them when I was making tags before the holidays.  I saw them used on a dresser at Urban Farmgirl a while back and thought it was cool.
Then my friend gave me this dresser.

 

I've been under the weather, but the creative wave is still rolling. Maybe I'm seasick! ;-) Thanks for visiting.

WIP

 

I sanded and painted the dresser, and talked myself out of $30 worth of glass nobs from the Hob Lob.  (and that was at 50% off last week!)  I used the rub and buff that I didn't put away from my last project,

 

and got these cool results on the nobs that are original to the dresser..  Cost of my dresser project is a $12  can of paint, that I still have 3/4 of left.  It's the softest shade of gray.
 I'm not finished yet.  Letting the paint cure so I can try some stamping on the drawers.

 

These sweet little birth announcements, when framed will look great above the dresser.


 

Walking through a rehab center a friend is in,
 and had to stop and take a couple of photos of these canvases.
I have a phone book with pressed flowers, and love this look.


 

A rainy day project...and here's that rainy day!  Take care my friends.

I'm still at it...

 

My dear pal Jean, asked if I could use this dresser, and of course I can.  DH removed the knobs and I gave it the once over with a sanding sponge.  It's going to be the lightest gray, and will go in the guest room to hold tiny socks and diapers. 

 

This lamp will be painted too.  It's tall and that's what I need...I've got loads of tiny lamps.


 

The rummage sale season is in full swing.  I bought the juice carafe for a friend.  The carafe, old jar, 6 silver plate spoons, the eyelet doily and 2 boxes of pretty birth announcements, $1!  The aluminum tray and shelf were pricey by comparison, $2.50 and $3.00.

 

This little box was the heart breaker.  On the basket table for $1...look, it's signed on the bottom...


 

Kyle, it must have been a mistake.

 I could never give away one of my guy's projects.  My son Jon made this 18 years ago, and I have things that Mike made and even a footstool my DH  made in shop, back in the day!  I guess I'm just sentimental.

 A little pretty...

For my friends.  Have a great week, and enjoy this beautiful day!  Penny

A Burst of Creativity

 I finished up the towels I started the other day.  I added a ruffle with a raw edge.  I washed the towels and the raw edge frayed a little adding to the vintage look.  The second photo is the true color.

 Speaking of color...

My SIL Monika brought me beautiful tulips in this BRIGHT green pot.  I used some acrylic paint in a gray shade to cover the green.

 Painting a small project is so satisfying.

 To bring out the vintage tile embossing, I turned to good old Rub 'n Buff.

 In Silver Leaf.

 Just rub on the high points and buff with a paper towel or cloth.  It really looks like tin now.

Two occasions called for some baking.  Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies for our son Mike's band.  Safe travels to Unwritten Truth, Godspeed and rock on! Orange Marmalade Bars for the girls at our next service night.

Last but not least a pair of pillowcases for a friend.  Whew...  Riding the wave of creativity. Cowabunga!  Take care my friends.

Penny

Getting the Lead Out

 

I was in a creating mood, but my space is still a wreck.  So I cleared off my sewing table and crafted anyway.  I've been doing these transfers for years, but saw someone doing them again.  I had the transfer paper and the towels, so I whipped these up.

 

For these frilly ones, I cut a flour sack towel in half and hemmed the cut side.  I used another towel to cut some strips that I ruffled and attached.  It felt good to get something done, even a little something.

I jumped on the ball jar pump dispenser band wagon and made myself one.  I will be more aware of the things I buy with a pump.  I was surprised at how few I had in the house.  I had this pump from a small soap container, already had the jar and the zinc top.  I used 9001 high strength adhesive, you know it's good because of the skull and cross bones on the tube. Yikes!!!  The glue will never touch the soap.  I let it dry overnight and I've got a cool container for my sink.  I did spray a clear coat on the zinc top, inside and out.

 

Joy of joys, I have my own Muguet...Lily of the Valley.  I had planted some very late in the fall one year and they didn't come up in the spring.  Last year I planted in the spring, just a few sprigs in a pot that I bought.  This spring I have my own tiny patch!  Does anything smell sweeter?  Do any of you remember the fragrance from Yardley, Muguet de Bois?  As a young girl I loved it.   

 

While I was out in the yard, this little guy was taking in a little sun on a cool and windy day.  Definitely not butterfly friendly weather.  Still, it was a pleasure to see him.

Have a great day my friends.

Baby Says Bonjour! Sale Part Deux

 

Not THE baby, but Baby, our vintage doll, decked out in a jaunty beret I found on day two of the local estate sale. She poses with Clarence, my bear from my daughter Kris.

 

I'm on the lookout for vintage garden, and these  fit the bill.  A metal sprinkler,
(on a aluminum ivy covered tray)

 

and a bulb digger, not old but useful. 

 

This giant basket was still there on day two, and at half price, $2.50.  Toys, blankets, magazines...I'm always looking for a place to stash things.

 

A Grain Sack!!!  Cincinnati Seamless, with a big A in the center.  The stripes are pink and blue.  I've seen everything from ottomans to pillows to tote bags made with these. 

 assorted vintage handwork...

 linen towels...

 another berry basket...

 the sweetest tiny little blouse with a lamb embroidered on it...

and this quilted top pillow cover.  I popped a pillow form into this after a quick wash and dry.  I really like it. The back is pink and white ticking.  Drum roll please...The total of these day two purchases, $6.00! 

Back to work for me.  The house is pretty clean, the frig is full, but my office/studio is near the point of no return.  I'm opening the windows, putting on some music and hope to have some clean work surfaces when I'm done. ... Maybe even a project or two to share.  Enjoy this beautiful day my friends.