Having Fun and a Pinterest Project...

I've been having all kinds of fun just puttering away at things. Do you ever do that?

A little of this, a little of that, but nothing overwhelming.

 

The first thing I did this week was to look up the dates on the old books I bought at the antique store last week. One was published in 1840 and the other in 1879. How neat is that? I knew I loved them the minute I set eyes on them, and to think they are from the same era I just love!

I have to tell you that in my plight to find the publishing date, I also came across their value.

The bigger of the two books, which is a mere 4" x 6", is valued at $65!

The smaller one, at 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" is valued at $25!

Imagine that!

And to think I bought them for .50 cents ea.

 

I guess this is what you call a great buy.



 

Last week we had our April keeper's meeting. The meeting was held at a beautiful log cabin home. So warm and welcoming! Thank you Stacy & Chris!!
 I had my camera, but it was such a busy meeting, that I didn't take the time to get pictures.

We split the ladies into two groups. Janice taught one group how to do needle felting, while I spoke with the other group about tips on how to stretch a dollar and live more frugally. Then halfway through the evening we switched groups.

 

 

Janice brought some alpaca wool for us to use. Everyone made some cute little bunnies. What a fun and easy project! Thank you Janice!!

 

We also learned so many easy ways to save money. The biggest thing for me was unplugging. Did you know that when you leave small appliances and things like chargers and stuff plugged in that they are still constantly drawing power, therefore costing you more money?? Even when they are turned off.

This is called "phantom power drain".

The biggest phantoms are your cable/satellite, and DVR boxes.

While a typical appliance will cost you .20 cents a month, your cable/satellite cost's $2 a month, and the DVR box $3 a month.

Just think of the savings if you unplug before you retire for the night, or go on vacation.

 

So unplug everyone!

(Just make sure you don't accidentally unplug your freezer.)

 

 

So yesterday my sil and I took a trip to our local thrift store.

Oh the goodies they had there!

I found a big bag of bias tape, lace, ribbons, rick rack, and so much more!

 

 

I also bought a few pillowcases.

I had a little project in the back of my mind that would turn these finds into something wonderful!

 

 

Are you seeing what I'm seeing??

Oh, did I mention I found some cute little girls jewelry? Our 4 year old granddaughter told me that all girls love jewelry.

What a ham!

 

 

Here she is working on an art project. Right up there with jewelry, is art. I'm more of an art girl myself. (smile)

 

Okay, so back to the little project that was sitting in the back of my mind.

Have you ever seen a pillowcase dress? Well, let me just tell you that they are the cutest little dresses EVER!

Just imagine that with a vintage pillowcase, you can make a dress!

 

Who came up with this idea?? They're brilliant!

 

 

Just look at this! No pattern, and sew easy!

 

You have to go on Pinterest to see all the cute patterns they have. So many ideas and they just keep growing with everyone's imaginations.

 

 

She loves it!

 This was the only picture she would let me post of her wearing the dress. She's a bit camera shy. I originally had a bow at the shoulder, but ended up eliminating it because she kept untying it. I'm working on another design, though, and that will have a cute bow she can't untie.

I figure she can wear this right now with a little top underneath and leggings, or this summer without.

 

I am so excited! I still have 3 more pillowcases left to transform.

 

By the way...I spent a total of $16 on 4 vintage pillowcases, a bag full of trimmings, and 4 little girl necklaces.

 

4 beautiful dresses for the price of 1!

Can't beat that!

 

Thank you to all of my blog readers and friends. I love reading your comments and hearing what you are up to.

Please keep them coming.

And to all of my new friends....

WELCOME!

 

I hope all of you have a Blessed Easter!

 

John 11:25-26Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.

 

 

Some Great Finds...

 This past Monday afternoon I took a trip to the big city of Houlton, which is about 40 min. from where I live.

I had to pick up some new lenses from my eye doctor, so I thought I'd do a bit of shopping at the antique store while I was there.

 

 

 

Here are some of my finds....

 

 

An old photo. The store owner threw it in for free. I love it! I wonder who she is, and what her story is?

 

 

A couple of books...Ethel's Gift and Stories from the New Testament, .50 ea. The latter book is only about 2 1/2" x 3 1/2". So adorable. I am a lover of old books! How about you?

 

Last week I visited a thrift store and picked up these goodies...

 

 

A lovely picture that is just my style, and only $2. I love it!! I have it hanging in our dining room, and it's the perfect spot for it!

 

 

I also picked up some old frames for .50 ea. I love the design of this one. It's quite small. It only holds a 3" x 4" photo. I still need to work on a stitchery to put in it.

 

Then there's this one...

 

 

I believe it's a 5" x 7". I stitched a small sampler to put in it.

 

 

I love this saying, don't you? I found it on Pinterest. The word "securd" was misspelled on purpose!

 

On Saturday my husband and I stopped in to visit a local store that was holding it's grand opening. It's owned by a local man who is a fantastic carpenter! His store is filled with some really great shelves, furniture, and so much more. 

My husband and I purchased this shelf from him.

 

 

We love it! It's just what our entryway needed!

 

 

This weekend there is going to be a Trash & Treasure show nearby, so I think I might have to go check it out. There are always a lot of antiques vendors and crafters that bring some really great items.

I'll be sure to take pictures!

 

Blessings,

Julie

Some Yummy Dishes.....

 I've been noticing that people pin a lot of recipes on Pinterest, but do they ever try them?

Well, I decided I would like to actually try a few and see if they are worthy of being pinned.

 

This is what we had tonight.

Philly Steak & Cheese Stew

in a bread bowl.

 

 

 

Let me just say that I would DEFINITELY make this again!!

It was a hit!

So delicious!

 

And last night I made.....

Stuffed Chicken Marsala

 

 

This is an Olive Garden recipe.

DELICIOUS!

My husband liked this one the best. He actually brought some of the leftovers to work with him, so that he could share with his

co-workers.

They loved it, too!

 

I have a couple more Pinterest recipes on the menu for Thursday and Friday, so I'll try and remember to take pictures.

 

Have you tried any of your pinned recipes?? I'd love to hear what you have tried and how you liked it.

 

I have a few dessert recipes pinned, as well, but haven't tried any yet. Maybe this weekend I'll make some Pumpkin Whoopie pies with Maple Spice Filling. Sounds delicious, doesn't it?

 

Blessings,

Julie

 

Craft Class - Week 6....

So this is it. The final class of the spring session.

Time sure did fly!

 

I figured that since this was the last class....we'd go out with a bang!

 

Fireworks!!

 

This is something I did probably 10 years or more ago. Just an easy way to dress up your prim home for the 4th of July.

 

 

 

You can see that the ladies all take their work very seriously.

LOL!

They do look like they are concentrating pretty hard.

 

 

 

 

 

I love when a student takes there own creative liberties.

Neat idea, Talia!

 

 

 

 

 

Great job ladies!

 

See you in the fall!

 

Blessings,

Julie