antiques/junking – Page 21

Getting my ducks in a row

By Karla Nathan / August 28, 2009

Today is one of those days I look forward to all year. Beth and I never miss Sparks and White Cloud flea markets, and according to the website, White Cloud was supposed to be today.  Well, that is what is said at least.
 After getting up at 6am (not typical for me at all) and driving over 2 hours, this is what we found. A ghost town!
Usually White Cloud is the last weekend of August and Sparks is Labor Day and some years they don't match up. So, this year, they changed the dates and aligned the shows BUT they didn't remember to change the info on the website!!!!!!
Next weekend is the Ginormous Nathan Camp-o-rama with 20 relatives coming to pitch tents in my yard, so no flea market for me this fall.  I might have pitched a fit about missing it, but Beth took me shopping at The Rusty Chandelier  
and that helped ease my disappointment.  We  ate a butter drenched lunch at Red Lobster and that wasn't so bad either.

Still, every once in  while, we'd turn to each other and say, "I feel sad".  We both love that flea market!
 
We also went downtown St. Joe, MO to Hatfield's, a junk shop/gun store.  We didn't see many rifles that we couldn't live without, but I found a few bags of old cupcake toppers and a bagful of hats. 
   
Cute, huh? I'll be using some in my own work, but there were so many, I listed quite a few in the Boutique.
 
I especially liked the chickens.  I'm saving a couple to decorate cakes with Sugarwings, she needs to learn a bit more about farm animals.  When she sang Old MacDonald to me tonight, she didn't mention cows, chickens, or pigs. Instead, her farm had unicorns and sharks.
 
Her Daddy bought her this vintage dotted Swiss nightgown for under a quarter.  I couldn't decide if she looked like an angel, a Victorian doll baby, or Tammy Wynette in it.
 
We'll go with angel.
 
While filling beakers with buttons yesterday, I also tossed some into old ink jars.  The "labels" are made of a page cut out from a 1931 Needlecraft magazine (I thought that was fitting) and the ribbons are hand dyed silk.  I decorated the jars with really nice mother-of-pearl buttons along with sparkles and flowers.
These are also for sale in my Boutique for $14 each.
Someday, I need to get some things added to my Etsy shop, I'm down to only FIVE items in there.  What happened to my grandiose plans of keeping 50 things listed there? Between trips and company and everything else, that resolution kind of slipped by me.
Also, I am behind on my TV watching because of the trips.  I'd much rather get caught up on Top Chef, Runway, Mad Men, and True Blood than listing things. I'd better get busy on that!  So, I'm off to sit in front of the DVR for the evening.  Its about as full as my google reader log.
 
Remember, you still have a few days to enter the August giveaway by leaving a comment.

Buttons and beakers

antiques/junking, family, redos

By Karla Nathan / August 26, 2009

Man, it felt good to get the glue out today!  I've had a busy summer, but today, I was all on my own, just me, the glue, and the studio.  It seems odd to have Sugarwings gone all day at school, but it does make a difference in my productivity.  After making her some Care Bear toast (sunflower seed, whole grain bread cut with a teddy bear shaped cookie cutter after toasting), I sent her on her way and went to work.
 

So what did I do? Just simple projects, adding wallpaper to a jewelry box, and sorting buttons into interesting vessels and foofing those up to sale at Silver Bella.
 

These vintage test tubes were fun to fill and foof.  I had to run to Hobby Lobby to buy some corks for them, but everything else used is all vintage. Little squares of wallpaper make the label, and it is tied up with old ribbon and topped with a millinery bloom.  Then, the corks each got a pretty button to spruce them up.
I only had 10 of them, I wish I had more. That is the trouble with using vintage things, I can't just order more when I need them. I just kind of use what I find when I go out treasure hunting.  
 

Earlier this summer, I found a boxful of these old jam jars.  These three are pretty as is, so I just filled them with buttons and that's it.  The rest have lost the details on their lids, so I'll get to play with them a bit more.
 

At my last garage sailing trip, a lady gave me this jewelry box. It was marked a dime, but she said she wanted to get rid of stuff, so she gave it to me, along with an armload of beautiful, plum colored velvet bedding! (that I gave to a friend who was redecorating)
 

The box was not that attractive, but I saw some possibilities. First, I primed and glazed it, with the technique in my sidebar.
Then, I glued down three coordinating wallpapers that were a birthday gift from Beth.
  
I'm not sure if I'll do more to it or not… I could put another paper on the top and do something to the front of the door, but I kind of like it as is.

The door of the jewelry box could never be as pretty as Sissy's front door. As the sun flows through the window, it hits all the prisms she has hanging there and creates light birdies that fly all around the room.
   

And onto the dog.
 

Isn't she a cutey? This is Elphie, my little cock-a-poo niece.  She'll be coming to visit next week when I have the Nathan Campgrounds open for business (20 relatives camping in our yard!!)  I just hope that bossy little Twinks plays nice with her.  They are just about the same size, but Twinkle thinks she's bigger than she really is.
 

Its almost time for Sugarwings to get home from school, so productive time is about over.  I'll leave you with a few photos of my Sissy's sparkles, then I need to squeeze out a bit more work from this last half hour of time that I have.
 

Isn't everything colorful and pretty at Sissy's house?
 
Don't forget you have a few more days to enter the August Giveaway by leaving a comment.

24

antiques/junking, family, flowers, Travel

By Karla Nathan / August 19, 2009

We took the trip to the East for a combination of reasons.  My husband's nephew was getting married, it was our 24th wedding anniversary, and my husband had some work to do.  A lot to squeeze into less than a week, and a lot of traveling from one place to another.
  
 But it was wonderful to spend time with family and see this little guy all grown up and happily married, so we were glad we went.  
 This antique mall was in Nag's Head, or Kitty Hawk, or one of those pretty little towns that run into each other.  We stayed at a hotel on the beach in Nag's Head for 2 nights, but got in late the first night and left early, so really had only one whole day there.   
On the trip in, I kept seeing one antique shop after another and of course, we were on a mission to get to the hotel and go out for dinner, so didn't have time to stop.  Well, that is what one person in the car thought, anyway. 
   But that worked out fine, the non-antiquer in the family had to work the next day so, I spent the morning exploring and was able to trace my way back to most of the shops I had seen on the drive in.
Those shops were as cute as I had expected them to be, and I was able to find some millinery, but not a lot.  Some hats were over 40 bucks.  ??!!??  But I turned on my hat whisperer skills and searched out the under $10 variety and did okay.   I especially like the velvet petals on the sagey green flowers, they are such a perfect color to use.  That color is nicely faded and just plain old looking!  Like the pink on the skirt of the dolly, I'm sure it was a pretty shade to start with, but the years have made it even better.

Some flowers have been added to the Boutique but I am once again- on my way out of town, so if you want to purchase some, I can't mail them until I return, thanks for your patience. 
Our balcony was on the side of the hotel, but we still had an ocean view, and I sat out there for my morning coffee and a glass of wine in the evening. I was able to twist around with the camera and get a semi-ocean background for the picture of my flowers.
 
My husband took me to see one of the golf courses his company runs, on Nag's Head.  I have never played a round of golf in my life, and know for a fact that I never will, but I can still appreciate the beauty of the places and am always happy to go and see some of them with him.  
As long as he doesn't expect me to learn to play!  Just like I don't expect him to take up the never ending millinery hunt with me.
 
  We've got it all worked out pretty well, after all of these years together.  If I am lucky enough to have the longevity of my Great Aunt Caroline and live to be over 100, I plan on keeping him around for it.

My sweet boy

antiques/junking, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), fairies, family, Food and Drink, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / August 9, 2009

Look what was waiting for me when I came in the house, after working for about 10 hours straight on the editing of my little story book ! Sugarwing's Daddy is a sweet heart of a son. He picked tomatoes and peppers and fresh herbs from the garden to make the sauce for the egg plant (from the garden too!)

Not only that, he was invaluable in helping me edit the book. My son has a sharp and critical eye for detail and isn't afraid to let me know if something needs changed in my artwork. It could be irritating, but it isn't because he is usually right.

Plus, did I mention he is a massage therapist??? There was also a FOOT MASSAGE for me after sitting at the computer all day. Yep, he is just about a perfect son.

Its been a good day. Garage sales in the morning, the farmer's market with Sugarwings and her Daddy, then I finished and ordered prints of the book!

Here is the cover.

And this is the title page.

Beth and I had a craft day at her house yesterday, and I painted this page while we talked. I decided that it is much easier to pack for craft day if I'm just painting a little something. If I am packing for a whole hog craft day project, I have to haul boxes and bags of supplies with me!

Beth has a great studio, there is so much to see there. And it is FULL of vintage treasures. You could say overflowing… We joked about starting a new diet fad, the Craft Room Diet. You fill your studio with so much stuff that you have to lose weight to fit in the room with all of it.

Poor Beth, I might have over stayed my welcome. I tend to lose track of time and keep working away. It was after 6 when I realized that maybe I should take off for home.

But she was gracious, even though I am one of those guests that you can't get rid of. She even gave me a stack of these pretty bowls.

And she sent home presents for Twinkle. Now the Dorkies have a whole new wardrobe of neck scarves to show off in.

Yesterday was a slow day for estate sales, my pickins were slim.

But even though I didn't find much, what I found was really nice! Quality beats quantity any day. Seems like I've been on a book streak lately, here is another of those slim, Victorian gift books.

All the items in this collage are in the Boutique now.

Here is the back cover of the book.

I've ordered just a couple copies to see how they look in person before I offer them to anyone. I sincerely appreciate your support and kind words (and inquiries to buy!!).

Sillies and snippets and the July Garage Sale Giveaway Prize Pack list

antiques/junking, fairies, give away, paintings

By Karla Nathan / July 28, 2009

As I was laying down the bits of sparkle that I bought at a garage sale this weekend, it started to remind me of a face, so of course, this is what I HAD to do with them all…. I guess, I should have added millinery flower hair, that would have been cute. And I wonder why I never get anything done, I spend my time on this kind of activity instead of working.

My days never seem long enough. But today, I did manage to focus and get packages sent out, and two of these little brooches listed in the Boutique.

I also got three paintings finished for the Grumpy Fairy story I am illustrating. Thanks for all of your encouragement about the story, I decided to go ahead and make a book from it. This picture is of the Blue Bird of Happiness.

Here is a snippet of the Fairy Grandmother flying off to find the soft things to make a nest from.

I did 3 paintings today and 3 yesterday. That just doesn't seem like much to me, I am pretty fast. But I really want these to be special, so I am not rushing through them.

Tomorrow we are heading back up to Omaha to take Sugarwings to the zoo again, so not much more will get done on the book till next week. Its hard to tear myself away from it now that I have started. I don't have my paints out nearly enough, its been great to play with watercolors again! I'd take them along on the trip if I had any chance of getting any thing done without Sugarwings ~~demanding~~ offering to help. She likes to paint even more than I do.

Well, July is coming to a close, Friday is the 31st. I might get to garage sales one more day before my JULY GARAGE SALE GIVEAWAY PRIZE PACK is ready to send out.

From last weekend, I added the sterling bar pin with the little girl on it. Isn't she a cutie? Leave a comment if you want to be entered in the drawing.

Lets see, what's in the giveaway?

the bar pin
bag o' buttons
buttons on a cute card
floral hankie
dainty doily
vintage postcard
sprig of flowers
an eensy English bone china plate
a small, round, framed print
pair of pink seashell clip on earrings

Safe and Sound (plus a bedtime story and some aprons)

antiques/junking, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), fairies, Silver Bella, Sugarwings, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage

By Karla Nathan / July 22, 2009

Thank you all, for your concern for Twinkle! I could tell you all could feel the pain of losing a helpless little pet and the hopeless dread that goes along with it. I appreciate all your big-hearted comments! While she was missing, I was so worried. Sparkle and I put on a bucket of bug spray and hunted through the 7 acres of trees on our property, in fear that Twink's collar had snagged on a branch, and she had been cold and alone in the woods overnight. I drove up and down the streets, dreading a stain in the road that would mean she had been hit by a car. All the worst case scenarios were running through my brain.

Thankfully, my little Dorkie is safe and sound, and is now being pampered and cuddled (plus watched like a hawk!).

Twinkle has decided that Sugarwing's new bed must certainly be meant for her, not the fairy grand baby. The mattress I made for it is thick and soft and fluffy, and since it is a miniature bed, it is low to the ground. Even chubby little Sparkle sneaks up onto it, even though it has been years since she has been able to jump on the sofa or our bed by herself.

Sugarwings calls it her "Princess Nest" because of one of her favorite stories that I tell her at bedtime. The story is about a sleepy fairy who is grumpy but will not go to sleep.

When I first showed you the bed in its before stage, I mentioned that I paid way too much for it at an auction, but I guess what I meant was I spent too much in Auction Thinking Dollars. Have you ever noticed that price is relative to where you are shopping? If I'd seen this miniature antique 4 poster bed at a nice antique store, I'd have thought it was the world's biggest bargain at $70. At an auction, I felt like I over paid!

(It does have finials for the tops of the posts, but they are so narrow and pointy, I thought they might be dangerous, so left them off. I'll probably add knobs to the tops of the posts later)

And my other redo project? This $35 hutch from the Shabby Chic garage sale came out great! It has so much space in it, I don't even have it full yet.

Notice the beautiful, blooming ball in front of it? That was a gift from my pal, Kim. I won it on her giveaway!

I'll show more photos of the hutch, and the rest of the studio from yesterday's craft day on Friday when I join in on what looks like an interesting party. Karen is hosting the event and asks us to show our creative areas.

Its been a long time since I threw a blog party myself, I should think about it, they are so much fun to go to. I look forward to seeing this one!

Maybe an apron party? Aprons are the theme for Silver Bella this year and that has got me thinking about them.

The theme got me looking around at aprons in a new way. So did the swap Heather and Stephenie hosted this spring.

So, I've been foofing up some aprons with millinery, ribbons and jewels. Some are listed in the Boutique, along with some other new items. (The sale for my Etsy shop has morphed into a new version, prices are marked down in the shop itself. Thank you to everyone who shopped with me and scooped up some half price deals!)

Oh, and here is the updated photo for the JULY GARAGE SALE GIVEAWAY PRIZE PACK.

I'm finding lots of tidbits to add to this month's giveaway at garage sales! Isn't that English bone china little plate pretty? (it was only a nickle)

At craft day, I tried to make Sugarwings paper dolls, but the hair color looks more red than blonde when I printed the doll onto cardstock. I need to do some tweaking…

I'll leave you with the bed time story Imade up to tell the baby when she doesn't think it really is bedtime. And also with my thanks once again for all of your kind messages about Twinkle!

edit- sorry, I have to delete the story, working in Word, then copying the text to typepad caused problems with some readers being able to open the posts.

What can you get for under $100 in Lawrence, KS on a Saturday morning?

antiques/junking, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), flowers, Hand Painted Furniture

By Karla Nathan / July 18, 2009

Ahh! That's better. I've had a rough day and a pale pink rose sure helps!

Its not been a bad day, just an exhausting one. Well, I guess the part about my computer refusing to recognize any Excel programs is kind of bad… Mostly it was just a long and tiring day. Sugarwings woke up with the sunrise this morning, so she and I went garage sailing together. (and yes, I have goodies to add to the giveaway, and will take photos soon. You can leave a comment on any post to enter the drawing)

Usually, the baby and I don't try going to garage sales together, she'd rather have a lazy morning telling stories and making pancakes. But when I saw an ad in the paper for an All Shabby Chic estate sale, I packed that kid up fast as I could and headed out. This table and chairs wasn't something I actually needed…. but won't I enjoy having it right outside my studio's back door?

I kind of repainted it, but not totally. I wanted it to still look weathered, just not so shabby it was looking trashy. So I misted some spray paint on lightly and evenly to clean it up, and then sprayed a bit more heavily in other places.

And of course, I didn't NEED this either. But for $35, I sure wanted it for my studio. I can get rid of some cluttery small pieces of furniture and consolidate the stuff in them into this.

It almost didn't make it home, on one corner, the top of the hutch went sliding and tilted out over the bed of the pickup. I drove slow and with my flashers on the rest of the way home, and we made it ok. Ryan helped me to get it out of the truck, and we almost lost it again then, when it came sliding down a little faster than we thought.

When I bought it, I thought it would be a simple slap of paint and I'd be done. Then, I saw to my absolute horror, that the person who painted it before DID NOT PRIME or sand it!!!!!!! Their paint could be peeled off in long strips. Which I did, for about an hour.

Then I finished it with the steps on my side bar, primer spray and glaze. The glaze is cream. I might add vintage wallpaper to the inset panels.

These were at the same house. I think they are meant for hanging on a chandelier. Not a bad sale, huh? And when we got there it was all picked over, I'd love to have seen what was sold before we arrived.

It would have to be a heavy chandy to hold these fruits, they have some heft to them.

Sugarwings spent the day with her Hippy Chick Mommy and is back for tonight, so my little "shadow" and I will have some play time tonight. I hope she is in the mood for something less strenuous than usual. Last night, I was the flying monkey and she was Dorothy and I had to scoop her up and run to lock her in the Wicked Witch's castle. (over and over and over) After hauling and painting furniture all day, I don't think my flying monkey wings will flap tonight.

Scrapbook swapping ettiquette woes

antiques/junking, flowers, Sugarwings, swaps

By Karla Nathan / July 16, 2009

Wouldn't your heart skip a beat if you were invited for a craft day, and when you got there, this is what was waiting for you?

Mine sure did! When I saw this entry, I knew this was going to be a special place.

I was tempted to say, "The heck with crafting, where's my margarita?" and just plop down on the porch without even going into the studio.

But as good as the patio was— the inside was even better!

Laurie rents out her studio for the day, as well as teaches classes. It was a fun place to meet up, and gave our group a break from all having to drive to Lawrence to come to my place. All of them live in KC and Laurie's studio was more convenient for them.

Her home is chocked full of vintagey fun, and I had a hard time concentrating on what I wanted to work on, because I really wanted to explore and look at all the art and fun finds she had on display around the room.

Like this piece that I was really attracted to, even more so, when I saw that it said "Nathan & Co." on the top of the card.

Actually, it wasn't just the surroundings that kept me from getting to work. I'd brought photos from my trip to Jenn's event last May to add to the Flower Fairy Scrapbook that a group of us from there swapped pages on.

The book was gorgeous! So pretty that I was hesitant about using it. But- we all made our pages with the intent of adding photos, so I starting gluing. Plus, all the people at craft day assured me that they had been in swaps like this and swappers understand that the pages get altered a bit when you start adding your own stuff.

So, I got out the markers and pens and added journaling bits and swirls and doodads (according to Beth's last post, Journaling is the New Black). I snipped off bits of the ribbons that Kim tied to the beautiful cover she had made for it and used some of those inside on the pages to trim pictures. I also created pockets on some pages to add the pictures in, while saving the artist's original work and adding it to the top of the pocket, or on a tag to tie into the book later. I also took the liberty of re-distributing some butterflies and adding sparkle marker and details to them when I glued them back to the page around the photos.

Hopefully, I kept the intent of the artists intact and haven't offended anyone. I was so impressed with the care and skill that they all put into the book!

Was I wrong to add my own touches and drawings, and scoot some other artist's work aside and move it to make room for photos? I'm feeling a bit guilty…. What do you think?

I sincerely hope that I haven't offended the other artists and that they know how much I will treasure their work in this lovely book.

Mementos of a trip are important, and I will enjoy that book for a long time! I made up a little something for Sissy as a souvenir and thank you for her help on our trip to Florida to Aunt Caroline's funeral. She loves crows and witchy things, so when I saw this pink hat on a doll while we were shopping together, I knew exactly what I was going to do with it when I got home!

The hat got a foofing with some old flowers and tulle trim, then I glittered up the bird, gave her a necklace and plopped on the hat.

And none of these girls needed the hat, once I was done with their makeovers. I hope to get a few of these little Miss Vintagey gals listed in the shop today, along with more millinery, if the cloudy skies ever clear up so I can take a good photo!

I'm cleaning up the Boutique, deleting all the sold goods ( by the way, THANKS!) so you could shop more easily there and even created a new category- Sale Priced Goods

And don't forget, what ever is left in the Etsy shop is half off the price it is listed at, details in the previous post.

edit- there are sequinned girls, millinery packs, and new (old) jewelry added to the Boutique now.

No matter how much you spend on cupcake decor, if you can’t get the icing right, the cupcake still looks homemade

antiques/junking, Etsy Goodies, Food and Drink, give away

By Karla Nathan / July 15, 2009

Today is craft day, but with a twist, I am not cleaning up my studio and inviting friends over, we are using a rental studio in KC. ( I'll have details when I get back, I lost the blog address and am rushing right now).

But first, I wanted to take the time to thank you for your purchases and to remind you that the sale is still on at the Etsy shop . Details are in the previous post, but I also want to remind you that you need to purchase the items from Etsy, go to the check out, but do NOT pay with check out. Email me and I will send you an invoice for half off whatever is left.

I'm fine with you just emailing me the info and I go to the shop and delete the items, but I doubt if Etsy would like it, and I might get booted from there, because they don't get their percentage that way. I've done this for a few people, because it was quicker and easier than explaining and no problem to do, but I really don't want to make the big ole Etsy goliath mad at me.

I've made up cup cakes to take today, because crafting in packs is hungry work. We all get nibbly while we are cutting and gluing.

And you know, I really, really, sincerely tried to make pretty cupcakes. These are okay, but not what I wanted. I saw some on Andrea's blog once that made me sigh they were so lovely. So, when I spent a day with her, I asked her secret and she took me to her cupcake decor source, where I bought a big bagful of icing roses.

But, its not the same. Oh, yes, they are the same roses. They just don't look as good without her magic cupcake touch. She has that touch with everything. Heck, she could probably have a cupcake hanging out of her nose, and everyone would think it was the most beautiful cupcake they ever saw. She's that good with making things pretty.

I even tried the edible Glitter that I was introduced to at Debbie's party. The glitter and the roses look good, but with my sloppy icing job and skimpy crooked cupcakes, it just isn't the same.

Well, they might not look like they came from a classy bakery, but they are tasty. Pillsbury strawberry cake mix and a can of cream cheese icing, yum!

See the stack of books? I can't believe it, but I found more of these at a sale yesterday! I listed a couple, the last ones went fast. They are in the Boutique. There are some sale prices here and there in the Boutique, but the Etsy sale is Etsy only.

These teensy framed prints were at the sale too, so I bought a bagful. This one is being added to theJULY GARAGE SALE GIVEAWAY PRIZE PACK, a couple others went into the Boutique, and I kept a few for myself to deconstruct and use in projects.

But what is the most special thing in the photo?? Ahh, aren't these just the best?? Aunt Caroline had her pink pearls sent to me. Sorry for the bad picture, these deserve better than that. But I need to throw some supplies and crap in a box and get my butt to craft day, gotta run! (that butt that is a bit bigger after making sure the cupcakes were tasty even though they only looked average)

A fine feathered mess and some mosaic madness

antiques/junking, family, Food and Drink, give away, parties, Sugarwings, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage

By Karla Nathan / July 11, 2009

Sugarwing's Princess bed is coming along… but there have been a few hold ups. Its painted and pretty, that part was easy. But- a regular crib mattress wouldn't quite fit, so I am custom making one. Now, I might have mentioned that I hate to sew- but I seem to get stuck doing it a lot. Well, as long as it is a straight stitch and there are no zippers or buttons involved, I can do it. But I complain a lot!

Add in two bags of feathers and 3 bags of poly-fill fluff, and I have to tell you, it does become any more fun. I am sewing a giant, fluffy pillow for her out of waterproof, flannel backed fabric and trying to get more feathers in it than on the floor. (I bought two down filled pillows on clearance for $7.99 at Tuesday Morning and am using that for part of the stuffing. The pillow cases that came on them are going to be cut up into ribbons, they are silk!)

After that, I'll need to custom make the sheets! I think I'll go with giant size pillow cases.

Oh, but she is worth it!

Before our trip to the zoo, we threw a fairy tea party for Sugarwing's little cousin, Pixie Pie, who just turned two this week.

Then, all the grandparents took the cousins to the zoo. Because the heat was so bad and there had been storms earlier in the day, the place was deserted, like a private playground for these little fairy babies.

I don't know why this was set up at the zoo, but we came around a corner and there sat a jump house. Like I said, the park was our own private play ground, so we wriggled in under the flaps and jumped away. Mostly we just fell down and laughed till our sides hurt.

There is nothing more fun than being a grandma.

Well, garage sailing is pretty fun too.

I had sugarwings till almost noon today, so could only get to a couple sales. But I found some goods, and at one estate sale, I had a long conversation with the family after seeing a billion old patterns. Now, I am not a pattern person myself, but I love old trims. I figured if there were patterns, there were sewing supplies, and they said yes there was. They just didn't think anyone would want them! They said they would give me a call and get a box to me.

For the July Garage Sale Giveaway Prize Pack, I found a little bit, not much. A doily, a bag of buttons, and a pretty button card. I also bought a bunch of ribbon roses, not new, but still nice to use. I tied up a bouquet of them to add to the giveaway. All comments, all month are entered, and I will add more to the package each week.

See, these ribbon roses aren't the same as the vintage millinery that I love so much, but they aren't bad at all. I'm just a bit spoiled by finding old ones so often.

There was a big bag of buttons at a small sale that didn't even look like it was worth stopping at. But since I hadn't been to many at all and it was late in the day, I wasn't being picky, and I stopped anyway. I was glad I did, not because I particularly need more buttons, but because they are always nice to find anyway.

I listed this bunch in the Boutique. There are some sweet ones in the group.

These miniature farm animals too. Aren't they cute? I kept part of the set, some little wooden houses. I want to paint them up and glitter them to use in Christmas decor. I think they are pretty old from the looks of the other things at that sale, but can't say for sure. The person selling them said they were her Mom's and she played with them as a kid.

OK, gotta go. stupid Typepad keeps locking up my screen! Plus, I can't ignore that giant pillowcase waiting to be made so that Sugarwings will have a new Princess bed waiting for her. (I found floral king sized sheets for 15 cents each today too, and am using those to make the sheets for the new bed).