A patched together lifestyle of thrift and charm...

Apr 30, 2012

Free Piles...

Do you get excited when you see free piles?  
Or items awaiting a trash pick-up that resemble
 something  other than - well - trash? 
Yesterday I came upon this...
...certainly worth turning around for huh?  
My eye was on a number of things - but especially...
...the lamp.  It turned out to be irrepairable.  
The furniture didn't appeal to me - even for a makeover.  
And the rugs - well - just too stained.
  Even the lamp shade was  stained - so I
 passed on everything this time.  But just recently
 I have found a neat old dresser
 (makeover in progress - stay tuned), several candles and 
a pile of colorful, new envelopes that will come in
 handy for bill paying.  
Oh - & a lamp shade I hope to do this with...
Do you brake for Free Piles?
Makes me sound pathetic doesn't it - I hope I have some company.

Apr 29, 2012

Do Not Worry About Food...

 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life,
 what you will eat or drink; or about your body, 
what you will wear....Look at the birds of the air; 
they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, 
and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. 
Are you not much more valuable than they?  
Matthew 6:25,26
 We spent our afternoon at Middlecreek Wildlife
 Area.  A great place for sightseeing and shooting
 nature (with a camera).
 This mama Canada Goose was fun to watch...
 As were her goslings...
 Middlecreek is in the heart of farm country.  
Note all the silos in the background!
 My Love...
 ...on this massive tree that was across our trail.
 We weren't the only ones enjoying the sights...
 If you're ever in the Lebanon or Lancaster 
County area of Pennsylvania - 
I recommend an outing to Middlecreek! 
And might I mention - 
it is absolutely FREE.
How did you spend your day of rest?

Apr 28, 2012

Flower Beds For Almost Free...

There are many ways to obtain flowers - for almost no money.   
Here's one you may not have thought of...
While at a yard sale recently - I overheard the
 homeowner talking about her Johnny Jump Ups;
 showing another lady how they had spread.  
Not one to miss a golden opportunity - I chimed in
 with how lovely they were.  And.... that I'd be happy
 to buy some from her if she'd want to dig up a few.
A few minutes later - I was the proud owner of a
 generous pot of Jump Ups for $2. (More than I was expecting -
 but still a good deal!)  Today I finally planted them and
 was able to get 2 groupings out of that one pot. 
  They will spread and be gorgeous next year.
 Yard sales are a great time to learn a bit about
gardening from another homeowner - if they're
not too busy with shoppers, that is.   I've
obtained free or cheap flowers more than once...
simply by asking. I never ask for anything
they don't have plenty of and I always offer to pay.
  This is one of the ways I've grown my own flower
 gardens over the years.  Rarely have I purchased
 greenhouse or retail flowers.  Noting what grows
in my locale makes it a pretty safe bet it will
grow in the flower beds at my house.
Anybody want a few Lilies of the Valley?
Linking up with Show and Tell Saturday

Apr 27, 2012

Friday Finds...

I find such great treasures through the week - 
but don't often take the time to show you.  So today 
I gathered up my finds and snapped some pictures...
  Just look at all that goodness.  We're talking a vintage black vinyl 
make-up case, 2 mottos, a wool black check shawl 
and a yellow stripe wool blanket.
The 'Prayer Changes Things' motto is an old cliche`
almost - but is it ever true!  
Thinking I need to hang that one where I can see it every day.
 The other motto is a Mother plaque in perfect timing
 for upcoming Mother's Day.  It has the sweetest
 illustration.  I'll list it in my Etsy shop shortly.
 I love how, once again, the coloring all goes together
 and seems to make an instant vignette.  
Don't know how that happens!
Total spent for all this fun?  $4.50!  
Of course the wool linens are a bit out of season - 
but Fall will come and we'll be good to go.

Apr 26, 2012

White Bean Chicken Chili

I made the most simple dinner the other night. 
 (looks may be deceiving on this one)...
 Enter - White Bean & Chicken Chili...
I simply threw everything into the crockpot -
 it was that easy!
Recipe:
1 lb. partially thawed chicken breasts - cut into chunks
1 t. olive oil
1 c. onion, chopped
1 T. minced garlic
1 15 oz. Northern beans
1 19 oz. cannellini beans (I used all Northern beans)
1 small can green chilies
1 1/2 t. cumin
1 t. pepper
1/8 t. cayenne pepper (I used something similar)
1 14 oz. chicken broth
Cook on high approx. 4 hours till chicken cooked.  Then mix 2 T. cornstarch & 
2 T. water and add to chili - cook another 15 or so min. to thicken.

Garnish w/ shredded cheese and sour cream (optional).  
I didn't add these - and it was still delicious!
 

Apr 25, 2012

Vignette of Brushes...

My dress rack displays at the thrift shop today were inspired by a bunch of vintage brushes I found out on the store shelves.  (I create displays out of whatever is already out in the shop and priced to sell.)  I included most of the brushes in this more primitive and country display...
 (I find some great bags among the totes for sale that would otherwise 
go 'unnoticed'.  But they sell in a heartbeat when I feature them in a display.)
 ...and then I tried to incorporate some into my shabby white displays.  
Till I got around to shooting 
a photo - there were already goods that had 
sold and I was out of time to replace them.
 I love whites paired with neutral textures...
Posting over at White Wednesday

Apr 24, 2012

Photo Shoot Day...

I've put it off long enough - today was the day.  
The day to get out my wire mannequin and do 
a vintage clothing shoot.
 A shoot of wearable vintage...
 
 ...modest clothing.
I got a kick out of the happy mess I left behind...
 
Now to get it all listed!
What did you do today?

Apr 22, 2012

Lift Up Your Eyes...

Lift up your eyes to the heavens,
And look on the earth beneath.
For the heavens will vanish away like smoke,
The earth will grow old like a garment,...
But My salvation will be forever,
And My righteousness will not be abolished.
Isaiah 51:6 
Taken just before a rain storm at the antique mall where I have a booth.
 

Apr 20, 2012

Cute Etsy Shop...

I found the most adorable shop on Etsy and 
just have to share it with you - totally unsolicited.
(I don't know them and they don't know me.) 
The shop is selling cute and unique knitted 
hand warmers, cuffs, aprons, etc. 
 But I am also in love with what else the models 
are wearing....
 
 ...and holding...
 
 It's just such a comfortable, casual look....
from Scotland.  What a great looking shop!
Way to go Inner Wild.  
Go give a visit - you won't be sorry.

Apr 19, 2012

Button Project - Stage II...

Does anyone else work on their projects in 'stages'? 
I do.  And sometimes it takes a while to get from 
one stage to the next.  
(Creativity does not come easily for me.)  
Today I worked on the next phase 
of a project I started almost a year ago. 
 Here's how it looks after today...

 For the past year it was just this framed blank 'canvas'...
I needed inspiration!  Today - I found some.  
I spotted this beauty on Pinterest by
Stay tuned for the next stage...

Apr 18, 2012

Old Window Project...

A dear friend of mine (who sadly is not a blogger), recently finished an old window project.  
I thought I'd share it with you...
Love the scripture verse she chose to feature!
 Chicken wire is a farm girl's best friend...
 ...add a few embellishments...
 ...and she has a bulletin board that would make 
any farm office proud.
Thanks my friend for sharing this with me -
and the rest of blog land!

Apr 17, 2012

I'm Saving Orange Peels...

Yep, right here on my kitchen counter...
 (And yes, those are flower petals in the background - for other projects.)
Thanks to Pinterest - I found this powerful natural  
...can't wait to try it!

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