Some Major Hiccups

Well, I'm writing this blog from my iPad because unfortunately my Mac has been out of commission since last week. I think I've spent more time at the Apple Genius bar than I've spent at home,


and I'm not happy. Macs, I thought, were supposed to be trouble free, however, that is not the case. Fortunately, I've backed everything up on an external hard drive, which I'm praying is not corrupted. We'll see. I'm going back to the apple store today (decided to take off the 4th). I did plan on posting some teaser photos of my latest project, which involves a lot of painting, but that will have to wait. As for now, I'm stuck with a limited amount of photos that are on my iPad (can't download photos directly onto my iPad from my camera), so here is a little repeat of my mantle. Wish me luck!
UPDATE: need a new hard drive...my Mac will be ready in 3-5 days.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Raspberries

We are very lucky to have wild raspberry bushes growing all around us...so, almost every year we go raspberry picking! This year we picked an abundance of them...so much that I made five jars of raspberry freezer jam (recipe is available on any SureJell package), and we had leftover fresh raspberries to give away to our guests last weekend. 

This is one reason to love summer!

Really Incredible Finds…But, Where Do I Put Them?

Remember, my post, Honestly, I Have to Stop Doing This? That’s okay if you don’t because I seem to have forgotten it. You see, I was walking my dog past a neighbor’s house…they are moving so I thought nothing about seeing all their possessions spread across the lawn…until I saw the “Garage Sale” sign. Of course, I stop dead in my tracks. So, many, many beautiful things. The owner decided that she is changing her décor when they move out West, so she is selling all of her shabby chic décor. Oh. my.

Here’s what I got…believe me, I controlled myself…I could have bought everything…I mean everything!

For example, look at this sweet, little vintage salt and pepper set or as they say in France, “Sel and Poivre.” Does anyone know what the last little container was used for?

Look at this very cool antique table with two planter tins on either side …is that what they are? Does anyone know? I plan on painting it with chalk paint.

Okay. This beautiful mantle is my absolute favorite, favorite thing I have ever bought at a yard sale (I think). However, I it’s huge. I have no clue where to put it…I just had to have it because…are you ready for this? She sold it to me for ...

$30. 

Isn't it a beauty? And then, this candelabrum was free, yep. Free.

And this sweet little table…again, free. 

Thanks Claudia! I really wish we got to know each other before you were moving…I think we would have been great friends. Linking to:

Vintage Revivals

 

Summer Fun in the City of Brotherly Love

My relatives are visiting -- my sister-in-law, nephew, mother - and father-in law. They came in Friday and we have been busy ever since. Yesterday we drove up to Philadelphia to tour the city, culminated by a visit to the PPL Stadium to watch my other nephew, a professional MLS soccer player for Chivas USA, play against the Philadelphia Union. He's in the red, #21, below:

An action-packed day-- My sister-in-law, youngest and my nephew saw the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Congress Hall, Ben Franklin's rental properties, and an old-time printing press. 

Then we moseyed on down to eclectic South Street and had Philly cheese steaks, then frozen yogurt. My son, in the forefront wearing two hats, nephew in back.


We also saw some pretty cool street musicians and here, below, street art. Now, I'm not into paintings of the planets and the moon, but I have to admit this guy was fascinating. He created all his art in about 10 minutes using nothing but spray paint, crumpled paper, a round disc, and a spatula. The kids were enthralled.

In the evening, we met the rest of the crew back at the stadium for a tailgate and some fun. The younger kids played some impromptu soccer right outside the stadium. 




Fortunately, Ben started so we got to watch him play the entire game. Unfortunately, Chivas lost, but we got to spend time with Ben after the game.

A little sad after the game...We returned at 4 AM, got up at 8:30 am, went to watch my son play hockey, and I'm kind of running on empty right now. 

Oh, and I went to an incredible yard sale down the street....here's a peek of what I got! Stay tuned.

A Little Bit of Paris

I love Parisian-inspired art, maybe that's why I'm always creating it. Yes, I am lucky enough to have gone to Paris, but that was 25 years ago, yet the mystery and the allure of the city still stay with me. My sister, brother-in-law, and I visited the city for only three days, but we packed a lot into those days -- and we have some funny stories to share (but, that's a whole other post).

I just finished working on these little Parisian inspired plaques. I wish I would have taken a "before" picture because they were the 1960's green with decoupaged pictures of flowered mushrooms and kittens. Now, I don't have anything against mushrooms and kittens, but, well, I kind of like them better now.

To create: I painted them a light cream, then distressed them lightly. I then stamped French script on them and then distressed the edges with ink. The labels were given to me by my sis a while back (Thanks!) and I wanted to make them a little more vintage and time-worn, so I distressed the edges with "Vintage photo" distressed ink by Tim Holtz (love that stuff). I let it dry a couple days and used gel medium to attach and seal the labels. 


I love how they turned out and planned to use them in my bathroom, but, they didn't really work there. So, they will be going into my etsy shop! 


Well, I've got to clean up the mess I made, and clean the rest of the house...lots of work. We have out of town relatives coming to stay with us tomorrow and we're in for another fun weekend!
Don't forget to sign up for my giveaway, right here! Linking to Transformation Thursday.

Singing Around the Campfire

Just got back from a soggy, yet fun, camping trip. It was my first tent camp in a very long time; we went with five other families and had good weather, except for the last day. It poured and poured, so we didn't get a chance to go to Assateaque Island (where the wild ponies roam), which was a bummer. So, I guess we'll just have to plan a trip back (this time in a cabin)! Taking down the tents we were soaked to the bone, but arrived back in Annapolis to sunny weather ...drying everything out on the lawn as I write. 

Mom got her own tent (I mean would you really want to share a tent with four snoring, smelly men?) Last night, we sat around the campfire, made s'mores and sang while my oldest played guitar (see picture above with middle bro in green). It was so nice and relaxing and just a beautiful night.

The kid's rented a go-kart (my little guy is in the white tee) and got to spend a little quality brother and friend time. 


Early this morning (before the major downpour), my husband took the boys fishing, while I packed and took a nice long run. (I love to run in the rain...seriously!)


Now, it's time to do my many loads of laundry, but it was well worth it! Summer has arrived. 
How have you welcomed summer?

Surprise Vintage Goodies!

I love surprises! These were waiting on my doorstep this morning.  The elderly friend's daughter I was helping knew I was into vintage items and thought I would like these few things! Beautiful pearl hair combs.

Tons, and I mean tons, of vintage buttons were in this cool red vintage candy tin.

Some buttons with original packaging.

Some exquisite buttons.

A completely different cigar box...never saw one like this (and then again, I don't smoke cigars). I think I will paint it and use it to store my new stash. 

Love it!