More TS Shopping Buys

Our little town is located in between 2 larger cities. I tell my husband that if we go one way to go out to eat or go visit his parents then we HAVE to go to the thrift store. Well, last night I wasn't in the mood to fix dinner and well my husband Shawn wasn't in the mood either. So, off to Springfield we went. Of course my one and only rule was that I got to run into the thrift store before dinner (lol). Well, here are some items that I found at the thrift store last night. I originally purchased a candle holder for my MIL, but when I re-did it..... I decided to keep it for myself (lol). It just looked too good not to keep it. So, here is another candle holder that I picked up last night and once this one is completed, I am going to be giving it to her. She is going to have brown walls so I am going to paint it cream over brown. I am sure it will turn out great, but I am just not into the hearts right now. If it was a star then it might be a different story.

I also found this cute little shelf. It is probably a spice rack, but I might use it for another great idea if it works to my advantage, but we will see. I have to do a test run on it before I finish it up all prim. I am so hoping it works out with what I am hoping to do with it, but if not then I will just finish it up as a spice rack. Stay Tuned!

My next great find of the evening was this wooden bowl. I saw it and grabbed a hold of it. I thought with a little work on my part, that it would turn out all prim pretty. It is a pretty large bowl and I think it holds great potential, but it just needs some prim TLC.

Here is a side view of it. Can you imagine once I get it all sanded and re-done how great it is going to look? Yep, I have great plans for this bowl and can hardly wait to get started!! I am not too sure about the little feet at the bottom so that might be something I see if I can get rid of, but we will just have to wait and look and wonder about the possibilities that this bowl holds. For $2.99 I think it will soon turn into something that will look alot more expensive then that price.

The bowl has this marking on the bottom of it. It is engraved in the bottom and from what I can tell...... it looks like it says Mumano. Has anyone seen a marking like this before? You wonder if it is worth anything? I tried looking it up on the internet, but couldn't find anything. I personally doubt that it is worth anything, but it never hurts to look - right? I just wanted to research it before I went and re-finished it.
So, what all have you been up to this week? I am anxiously waiting for my stencils to arrive. I ordered a game board stencil as well as some other stencils that I could use for signs. I am so excited to get them and get started. I might even start selling them if some of them turn out ok - so wait and see. I will keep you posted on that.

Tweaking, A TS Find and Another Special Request

Do you ever find yourself putting little things together just so you can take a picture of it for your blog? Well, I have been tweaking things around my home today and moving things around. Well, I put this little arrangement together and I think I like it so it will stay that way until it is time to tweak again. I am a maniac right now with cutting boards and game boards. Yep, they are my two BIG loves right now. I personally am quite pleased with these cutting boards because they are ones that I re-finished on my own to make prim and pretty. My latest ugly cutting board turned pretty is the black over red. Yep, that is the one that had those AWFUL looking bright yellow mushrooms on it. I am so pleased with that one. I love how it turned out. Now I feel like the only thing I look for when I go TS shopping is old game boards and/or cutting boards. Yep, my addiction is getting quite bad (lol). My husband still doesn't say anything though.... he says it is alot cheaper buying from the TS and re-doing things and well it is and so relaxing!

Oh, here is the special request. I think it was Rondell that said that she would like to see my new candle holder that I recently re-did next to my curtains in my kitchen. So, here is one of my recent re-do's. Don't you think that the candle holder looks great next to those curtains? Definitely primitive and I am still loving my apple butter paddle that I used to hang my curtains on. I knew that if I would give it time then I would like it and well..... I LOVE IT!!
I went to the TS after we left the zoo on Saturday. It was a TS in a pretty ritzy area where there are tons of HUGE homes and I thought it would have TONS of stuff. Well, the store was a bit deceiving. I thought it was going to be a rather large store and it was pretty small. I walked in and they didn't have much at all, but this beauty was leaning up against a shelf and well I went right towards it and snatched it up for $6.50. Yep, perfect for my new and improved looking laundry room. I also pinned up my flour sack towels a bit this weekend so they aren't hanging down over my knobs on my washer and dryer. I wish I could run a sewing machine because then they would be perfect, but pinning them up where no one can see them will work just fine for at least a little while. So, what do you think of my washboard? I took the picture when I already put it up on the shelf in my laundry room so it doesn't show it all, but at least you get the idea. I thought it looked pretty old and with it being up high and not at eye level.... I think it will work just fine.

Special Request

I received an e-mail from a gal by the name of Brenda. She had such sweet comments to say about my blog and she had a special request. She said that she started following my blog when I had my ladder in my kitchen as my header on my blog. She doesn't have a blog herself, but she wanted me to share the picture again. So, per your special request...... here is the ladder that I have hanging from my kitchen ceiling. My ceilings definitely aren't vaulted and it isn't a fancy house by any means, but it was a home that I bought on my own before I met my husband so it is working for us until we are able to afford something bigger and more beautiful. Anyway, I purchased the old ladder in Amish country for about $6.00 or $8.00 and it is covered in old paint and it is very prim and rustic. Perfect for any prim home! I decorated is with red berries that I have never taken off since I put it up there and added some small Longaberger baskets, antique kitchen utensils and some dried green beans that I made awhile back. You should be able to click on the picture for a closer look. Hope this answers any questions that some of you might have.

We took Cameron to the zoo today. It was beautiful, sunny and 86 today and we had a great time! I would share more pictures however after seeing myself today.... I personally don't think I need to eat anymore for years! Ah yeah, I think I could live off my blubber for at least a couple years or so. It has definitely opened my eyes to me getting up outta my chair and eating better and exercising. So, here is a picture of Cameron and I. We have a membership at the zoo so we try to take him frequently and we have so much fun. I never really thought that after dealing with years and years of infertility that I would be enjoying such great things with a child of my own. He is definitely the best gift that I could have ever asked for and prayed for. Such a miracle!! Hope you all enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Another Make-over & Then Some

It was an absolutely beautiful day here in Ohio today. It was 86 degrees and sunny with a little bit of a breeze. Absolutely Beautiful in my eyes!! It was THE perfect weather for me. Not too cold and definitely not too hot. Just right. I didn't have any kids to take care of today except my own so we ran to the bank this morning, grabbed some lunch out and then we came home. I opened up all the windows and enjoyed it just being Cameron and I. He went down for his nap and I started crafting like some maniac! I go crazy when I don't have any kids to take care of and since he was down for his nap..... I went crazy. I painted all of my paper mache boxes and finished my cutting board. Here is what my kitchen table looked like at one point today. Yep, it was a mess!! I also did some sanding on that game board. I still can't decide on whether or not to keep it as a game board of change it up to a cutting board. Hmmm, choices choices.

Ok, so you all remember this AWFUL looking cutting board - right? I don't think I ever took a picture of the edges of it, but they were bright yellow to match those lovely mushrooms. Oh yes, it was very pretty and I hated seeing those mushrooms go, but after I puked all over the lovely artwork..... I new I better do something (LOL). Just kidding - I didn't puke, but after seeing those mushrooms, I felt like I was going to. So, I sanded everything off and did my base coat of burgundy and black over the burgundy.
VOILA - didn't it turn out GREAT!?! I was very pleased with the black over red. I haven't done anything like that before and was definitely happy with the way that it turned out. I sanded the edges and the top to give it a more prim and worn look and then topped it all off with my gel stain. Oh yes, I am loving it! WHAT A MAKE-OVER!!!!
Here is my paper mache boxes that I also completed today. I am addicted to painting these things. I just love giving them a new prim look. I thought they looked great with the stars added. What do you all think?
Lastly, I wanted to show you my one and only tulip. I have to tell you that I planted about 2-3 tulips about 5-6 years ago and I really thought they died. I thought oh heck with those.... I am not planting anymore of those. Well, this year, I had one very lonely tulip pop up out of the ground. Yep, there is only one, but I was so happy when it showed up. I just love the color, but I just don't get to see it that much. Anyway, isn't it pretty?
I also wanted to share with you all that I ordered some new stencils today from Homestead Stencil Company. I can't wait to receive them. I ordered 5 of them and for $33.00 - well, you just can't beat that! Everything was 25% off and that Sale goes on until the end of the month. I actually saw it on Char's blog and decided to check it out and well I am thrilled that I did. Hopefully I can start making some signs and selling them. I will be sure to share the stencils with you when I receive them. Well, you all have a wonderful weekend. We are off to the zoo tomorrow and then we are heading over to some friends of ours for a cookout. They have a little boy as well so Cameron will really enjoy the time playing with his friend. Until next time..... keep crafting everyone!

Makeovers to Share

One of the many things I love about blogging is makeovers. I love seeing items that my fellow bloggers buy at thrift stores and re-do. Isn't it great that there are so many talented gals out there? I myself am happy that I am a blogger in prim land. You learn from so many different people and well before I didn't think I could do any of this. So, I want to thank each and everyone of you for sharing so many helpful hints and craft tips. I have had so much fun and continue to have fun while relaxing too. I mean who could get rid of all their stress in their life in a cheaper and easier way then sanding a piece of wood or a TS buy!?! I don't know about all of you, but I love sanding!!!! I almost get carried away with it at times, but I must say that it is THE BEST way to relieve stress or at least it is for me (lol). Ok, enough of my jabbering. Let me show you some makeovers. Do you all remember that shutter that I purchased in Amish Country? Well, I think I am finally satisfied with the way that it looks. A prim blogger friend of mine recommended that I put an old ladle on it and add a candle so I did that and added some stars on the top and I must say that I think I finally like the way it looks. Whew.... that was a project in itself (lol).

Ok, do you remember this bowl that I purchased awhile back at the TS? I don't think the person that painted that little popcorn guy on the bowl was really thinking much when they did that. It was not cute at all and well it was just something that I NEVER would have done to a wood bowl. So, here is the BEFORE picture.
Here is the AFTER picture. Oh yes..... definitely much more up my alley. I painted it black, added an antique white star, sanded it and added my walnut gel stain and VOILA! Yep, definitely a great makeover or at least I think it is. What do you all think?

Here is yet another TS buy from the same shopping excursion. I loved this from when I first saw it at the bottom of the cart. I might have taken some woman out at the knees, but I wasn't going to stand there and wait for her to make up her mind and move outta my way (lol). So, I grabbed it and went on my way. Definitely needing primmed up, but I knew it had GREAT prim potential. Here is the BEFORE picture.

Here is the AFTER picture. I painted it a simple black, sanded it and added my stain. I thought it turned out prim perfect!! I added a mustard candle that I had on my stove top cover and it looks wonderful next to my kitchen curtains. Yep, I was originally going to give this to my MIL for a house-warming gift, but I think I am gonna keep it for myself now. Shhhh, don't tell anyone : ) I guess I will just have to keep TS shopping to find her something that I can re-do. Awww, shucks. More shopping.....what a shame! (wink wink)

Well, it was rainy, windy and cold here in Ohio today. I am definitely looking forward to the warmer weather that we are expecting this weekend. I actually can't wait. It will give me an opportunity to get outside and do some sanding. Oh yes.......time to relieve some more stress! Hahaha, gotta love a stress free life by sanding! Oh and did you hear the WONDERFUL news?? I won Anne's giveaway. I was absolutely thrilled when she sent me an e-mail to let me know. I am on a winning streak and I love it!! If you haven't seen all the great goodies that I will be receiving then check out her blog or stay tuned to my blog for pictures that are upcoming. Trust me - I will be quite anxious to show off all the great prim goodies. THANK YOU AGAIN ANNE. I can't wait. Well, until next time...... enjoy the rest of your week everyone.

Thrift Store Shopping Goodies

What a beautiful weekend we had here in Ohio. Ok, let me re-phrase that...... What a beautiful Saturday we had here in Ohio. It was sunny and in the 70's and it was absolutely beautiful. I don't think I could have asked for a better day to open up all the windows and finish my spring cleaning. My in-laws took Cameron for the day and my husband umpires girls college ball so that left me in my home alone for pretty much the whole day. I turned on my Christian radio station and cleaned the heck outta this house. I got so much accomplished and felt great after I did it all. My main concern was to clean Cameron's room, pack away clothes that don't fit him and get out summer clothes. I also cleaned his closet and re-arranged his bedroom, brought his train table upstairs to his room to allow us more room in the family room and well it looks ALOT better. It was so sad to pack away his clothes. My little man is growing up so fast and I think to myself..... where has the time gone? It seems like yesterday when I was expecting, then having him, taking him for his first walk, seeing him take his first step and well now he knows his ABC's. I am just so proud of him. It is great seeing him learn so much and I must say that he is so smart! He learned his ABC's in 1 day and now my husband is teaching him Spanish. He is learning his numbers and is catching on to that as well. My husband is a Spanish teacher so we thought it would be great if he could teach him early. Anyway, I am just a proud Momma and had to share. If you want to check out the video of him singing his ABC's and the ABC song then check out my infertility blog at My Journey Through Infertility. He is such a cutie and I am sure you will really enjoy it!!

Ok, let's get to the matter at hand. Oh yes, I tackled the TS on Friday evening and here are some of my finds. Some of them, ok most of them are so ugly, but by the time I am done they will be prim perfect. I got this spoon holder for .79 cents and I really liked it when I bought it, but now I am thinking that I have no spoons to put in it so I might hold off on refinishing this one for a little while.

My next TS find was this old game board. It is real chunky and I personally do not think it is cute at all, but I knew I could re-use the piece of wood and make my own game board out of it or maybe even a cutting board. Hmm, the possibilities are endless! I will keep you posted on this beauty!!
Oh - then there is the ugly, hideous looking cutting board. Now who in their right mind would have this ugly thing in their home for decoration?!? Can someone, anyone tell me? I mean didn't those colors go out way back in the late 70's or early 80's. I remember my parents having some ugly furniture back in those days and it was orange, brown and yellow....... oh yeah, it was ugly!! So, I thought that since I had one ugly cutting board before that I could re-do another and for .90 cents - you can't beat it!! This one is going to take alot of sanding to get those ugly mushrooms off, but it will be worth the wait when you see it all completed.
Last, but not least is this little sign. I am going to sand it off and make my own little sign. I ended up getting all of these items for $8.00 and you can't beat that - right?
I am also currently working on some older TS buys. I am currently re-finishing an old bowl that I picked up that someone had painted some ugly picture on and I am also working on a candle holder and 2 little shelf sitter signs. So, stay tuned for tomorrow's completed re-do's. They are looking great so far and with the rain here in Ohio today..... it will be perfect to stay in and work away on thrift store goodies. I also wanted to tell you that I went to our Antique Show and Flea Market yesterday. It had lots of great things. I bought 2 sap buckets for a project that I am soon going to work on, but I had to tell you that they had TONS of firkins. I was so excited about one that I saw, went to look at the price tag and they wanted $900.00 for it. A medium sized firkin for $900.00 - I just about flipped!! There were many others ranging in the $400's and some for $90, but none around my price range. Thought you all might find that interesting and of course tell you that my hunt for more firkins will continue. Well, I hope you all have a great week!!

WOW - 2 posts in 1 day!!

Let me just first of all tell you that it is ABSOLUTELY beautiful and sunny here today. Ohio's weather has left alot to be desired, but after the weather that we are receiving today..... Ah, this sunny and 70 degree weather is making up for it. I hope all of you are experiencing the same type of weather where you are. I know that I am truly enjoying it!! Wow - aren't you all lucky to see 2 posts in the same day from me? Well, the previous post was more or less for some help and advice and well I think I received the info I was looking for. You know when you start something new that you can ALWAYS count on your great blogging buddies to help you out of a pinch. Well, I sanded my game board and then applied the gel stain and here is how it turned out. Definitely MUCH BETTER and not so stark white from before. Even though it was sandstone, it still appeared to be too bright for me. It is definitely what I was looking for now that it is complete.

Oh yes, another wonderful treat to go along with my wonderful sunny day was a package that I received in the mail today. Awhile back I was the winner in Mandy's Giveaway. Mandy from A Mayberry State of Mind and Creekside Creations was giving away a set of her coasters that she makes. Well, I was absolutely thrilled to hear that I won because seriously I NEVER win any giveaways. So, she e-mailed me and told me to pick out a set of coasters and e-mail her back. Well, I loved all of them, but the coasters with the Bible verses just kept coming back to me so I went with those and well they are F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S !! She also sent me a mug, some cookies and a book by Helen Steiner Rice. If you haven't checked out some of Helen Steiner Rice's writings then it is definitely something you should do. She writes some beautiful poems.

Take a closer look at these coasters. Don't you just love them!?! I don't know how she makes them, but she does a wonderful job! They are definitely very sturdy and well they have some great Bible verses on them. I am so happy that I won!! Thank you Mandy : )
Here is a closer look at that back of the coasters.... She was definitely thinking when she made these. Now I don't have to worry about them scratching my tables and they will be something I will cherish always.

Oh - I leave you with this today..... a peek at my new storm door that I have on the back of my home. My FIL was over on Wednesday and put it up for me. I made him a pan of lasagna and paid him $50.00 for the door and he put it up for me. Great deal - huh? I would have paid over $100 at Lowe's and well since my DH is not handy AT ALL, the installation would have been alot more. So, I have the window open, the sunshine and a warm breeze coming through the kitchen and well there is simply nothing better then spring time and quiet time. Can you hear that? Oh yes, Cameron is down for a nap and it is all quiet. Gotta love quiet time!

Two more things before I leave you today - my parents have their condo up for sale. They have had it up for sale for 2 years now and they have an open house this weekend and a showing on Saturday. If you could all say a prayer for them that a buyer will come along for them. We have been praying alot and we all know that times are rough, but we are hoping that this weekend will bring them a buyer. Hopefully soon with God's help they can move close to me and enjoy more time with us and with Cameron. Thank you so much for your prayers!!

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Here is something I thought I would share out of the book that Mandy sent me.....

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A Sure Way to a Happy Day

Happiness is something we create in our minds -

It's not something you search for

And so seldom find.

It's just waking up and beginning the day

By counting our blessings and kneeling to pray.

It's giving up thought that breed discontent

And accepting what comes as a gift heaven-sent.

It's giving up wishing for things we have not

And making the best of whatever we've got.

It's knowing that life is determined for us

And pursuing our tasks

Without fret, fume, or fuss...

For it's by completing what God gives us to do

That we find real contentment and happiness, too.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Checkerboard Complete well Maybe Not

Well, I made my very 1st checkerboard yesterday. I am definitely liking it, but it is too bright for me. I am looking to find out how I can darken it up a little bit. The bad thing about the piece of wood that I used is that it doesn't have a smooth finish to it so I am afraid that if I rub my gel stain on it then I will ruin it. Don't you all think it needs to be darkened up a little bit? I know that it needs something, but I am just not sure what that something is or how to get it to that point. I decided to paint it all sandstone and then I used stenciling tape and taped off the edges to give them a nice crisp finish. I then stenciled my checkerboard on it and then added the stars.

Here is the finished board. Bright - huh? Just not sure what to do with it from here. I also thought about sanding the other side and trying another one on the reverse side and then that way I have 2 checkerboards to work with. I just don't feel like it it totally complete yet. All of my other checkerboards are more prim and well this one is not. Ok, I will be quiet so you all can get to posting your comments and your thoughts and ideas as to what I can do to "FINISH" the project! Thank you ladies for all your comments and suggestions. I have only learned from the best and I really appreciate it. Hope you all have a blessed day!!

Laundry Room Reveal

I let my imagination run wild with this and I think it turned out great! Actually better then what I expected. I decided that I was tired and worn out with looking at the wire rack that I put up when I first moved into my home. It was just me at the time and I was pretty much doing something to get me by until I could afford something nicer, but as time went by, I figured that there were more important things to spend my money on. Of course my son Cameron plays a big part of that so I went with a cheap route and I think it turned out wonderfully. If you all haven't checked out the flour sack towels at Wal-Mart then you better make it a point to do so. They are such cute looking towels and they have so much prim potential. They come in a pack of 5 and here is the wrapper that goes around the bundle.

Here is what the towels look like when you buy them. Just plain and simple, but like I said they hold alot of prim potential.
VOILA - Here is what mine turned out looking like after I coffee stained them. Yep, I was quite pleased, but oh wait - I am not done yet!!
Remember these crates that I purchased for ONLY $1.00 - Well, I used them in my laundry room and it turns out that my idea was actually a very clever idea if I do say so myself!
ARE YOU READY FOR A PEEK?
Here are the prim clothes that hang in my laundry room window
Here is a look at my shelving unit that I re-did awhile back. I put my Grandma's old clothes pins into a canister, rusted the lid and added a rusty star to a piece of coffee stained cheese cloth. I also had these small mason jars that I use for buttons and spare change. Aren't they cute with their prim labels? My laundry room picture is something I printed off the computer today, but decided to place some coffee stained homespun behind it to give it a more prim look. You should be able to click on the picture for a close up.
Oh - lookee there!! Here is where I used some of my flour sack towels. The bottom shelves are used for paint and a few other crafting items so I decided to cover those shelves up with the flour sack towels. Did you notice anything else about the towels? Yep, I stenciled some stars on the one end of them. Doesn't that look so prim and perfect!! Gosh, am I clever or what?!?
Here is a picture of the whole shelving unit.
Well, here is a picture of my Laundry Room. I decided to take a picture of it with the candle lit. I thought it looked great and so primitive. My walls are a light yellow and I have a real cute border up, but it isn't too prim. I always wanted a laundry room that would be bright and cheery because I have always hated doing laundry so, I thought if it was bright and cheery then I would be more apt to go in and do laundry. Hmmm, not so much!! Anyway, hope you all like what I did with my laundry room. My rug beater is up on the wall off to the left if you can't see it. Let me know your thoughts! I am pretty pleased with it. I personally love how my flour sack towels turned out. I thought the stars stenciled on them just added the perfect final touch.