jane's apron

pretty jewelry

I'm not a great photographer but I think this is the best picture I've taken.  I had the jewelry layed out on a piece of fabric...snapped a few pics...and tossed them back in the milk glass bowl that I had them in.  They looked so pretty that I took another pic.  I think I have now proven that everything looks better in milk glass.

The city just north of us had a city-wide garage sale last weekend.  The woman selling the costume jewelry said $5 for the whole box.  I don't know why (umm...I'm an idiot?) but I never go that route and always prefer to hand-pick whatever I want out of the box.  I bought these to add a little sparkle to my train case projects.

I also found a pretty milk glass compote (and a real vintage jadite bowl!).  I wish I saved the stickers from the milk glass...it was marked $4, crossed off with $2, and finally a new sticker with $0.25...and it was only like 10:30 a.m...everything was probably marked free by noon.

the rules are posted

I'm not chatty...like to get to the point quickly.  This is why I love succinct phrases like "seriously" and "dude"...comes in handy with two boys that are constantly doing something gross.  I also hate repeating myself...which is nearly impossible to avoid when you have kids.  I found this "Brush Your Teeth" plaque at the thrift store and thought it might help.  Instead of saying "Did you brush your teeth?" I would say "Did you do what the bunny told you?" and then "bunny?" and finally I just pointed at the sign.  I don't think it worked but the font alone is cute enough for me to keep it hanging in the bathroom.

I hope everyone had a good Mother's Day yesterday.  My son made waffles for me...at 6:15.  My daughter left the letters M - O - M spelled out in crayons on the counter for me (cute!).  My husband got my new MacBook hooked to the external drive with all of my stuff.  I don't remember running to the printer but I must have been moving fast enough because I broke my toe on the chair...and spent the rest of the day trying to keep my feet up.

art case

When my daughter turned 7 a couple of months ago, all she wanted for her birthday was a pink Nintendo DS.  No problem, I thought, I just saw those at Target.  Whatever I may or may not have actually seen at Target was nowhere to be found again.  I spent a good two weeks making the rounds at the usual stores (yep...online too).  When I finally found one, I was very happy.

I was even happier when I stopped at my pink thrift store on my way home and found one of those small hard-sided "going to grandma's house" little suitcases.  I covered the case in red and white patterned paper, added a red gingham ribbon, vintage buttons, and a tag at the top tied  with baker's twine. Ellen is not really wild about my sewing pattern stuff (a small form of rebellion I'm sure), so I added a transparent "Every child is an Artist" quote.  The suitcase is now Ellen's art case...almost as good as a Nintendo DS.

buttons

Analise at sugar*sugar sent out a button challenge last week.  The challenge?  Show your buttons.  I can do that. 

I never "got" the vintage button thing. I just didn't know what I would use them for.  The first vintage buttons I ever had came from a giveaway from Analise...and now I "get" it.  I have a very, very small stash of buttons but they are so fun to use and look at.  Sorting through the buttons and arranging them for a picture is something that I could do all day long.  I limited myself to a cup of buttons and three button flowers.  And...when my family started asking "what's for dinner?" I answered with an "I've been busy"... 

disney world

We are all off to the happiest place on earth.  Traveling the old school way...all of us in the 1997 minivan getting on each others last nerve.  But isn't that sometimes the fun part? 

I never look at the record section at my thrift store but this one caught my eye on half-off-day last month.  The old record covers are a fun size, sometimes have fun graphics...I'll think of something to do with it.   

I'll be using the automated posting feature and have scheduled a couple of posts to keep things interesting around here while I'm away. 

swedish jam shortbread

I know there must be an art to photographing food.  I have tried several times now and the results are the same.  Like those pictures in vintage cookbooks, whatever I try to take a picture of looks ewww-y.  Instead, I've taken a picture of my new favorite (thrifted) baking dish.  It's a great 9x11 pyrex dish with a cute red pattern.   It's been used a lot lately and when it has a day or two off, I keep it on my counter filled with cookbooks and recipes. 

I got this recipe for Swedish Jam Shortbread from my cousin and it's a perfect 'easy bake' recipe.

Swedish Jam Shortbread

1 box butter recipe yellow cake mix

1/2 C finely chopped pecans

1/4 C butter; softened

1 egg

10 oz. jar preserves (strawberry, apricot...whatever you like)

Combine cake mix, nuts, butter, and egg and mix with a pasty blender until crumbly.  Press into a greased 9x13 pan.  Spread preserves over top of mix and bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.  While still warm, drizzle with a glaze of 1/2 C powdered sugar, 2 1/2 tsp. water, and 1/2 tsp almond extract.  Cool completely and cut into 1 in. squares (small is good because these are really sweet).   

notions drawer

I organized one of the drawers in my craft cabinet last week...and couldn't resist the chance to take a picture of it.  I just love organized piles of stuff.  I also love thrifted storage and found the pretty green melamine tray last year.  It's perfect for holding little things so they don't roll all over the place when I pull out the drawer.  I think I like organizing my supplies as much as I like using them.  It's such a pretty little vignette...for probably a very short time before I dig in and make a big mess again. 

craig's list

I made my first Craig's List purchase this week.  A dining room set...for my living room.  My idea was that a dining room buffet would make a cool place for a TV.   I found a nice buffet....and matching china cabinet, and table, and chairs...all for less than I'd pay for an average end table.  My challenge now is to make the china cabinet fit into the living room and not be too "old lady" or too "knick-knacky"...we'll see.   

For the table that came with it, I remembered this idea from my favorite Martha Stewart book.

The table is the extending kind, so it can easily be made into two pieces.  I have talked my husband into cutting each piece and putting them on each side of our fireplace as two matching console tables.  My husband is pretty handy but a bit of a goofball carpenter.  Still, I really don't think he can mess this one up...will share pictures soon (I hope!).   

apron winner

One of my ideas for the new year was to start showing my thrifted stuff "in use".  Well, I filled my new chip & dip bowl with apron comments...how's that for using a thrifted find?  I discovered a new thrift store last week across the street from Michaels (that's a dangerous combination) and found the cutest party ware ever.  We used it last night for Super Bowl snacks (no party...just us). 

I can't believe I had enough comments from the apron giveaway to nearly fill this bowl!  Thanks to everyone for the nice comments...I visited lots of new blogs this weekend and that's the best part of a giveaway.  I did have a few kit purchases on etsy (thank you!) so I couldn't do a random number generator...did this drawing the old-fashioned way.  And the winner is...

Stephanie (CharityGrace) at simple crafts. As I re-read her comment it is just so cute...thanks!   

valentine apron giveaway

I really didn't have any plans for a giveaway anytime soon but when I found these cute aprons at my thrift store on Wednesday (it was half-off-day...so I bought them for $1 each) I just wanted to share.  The red gingham apron on top doesn't have a "handmade by Margie" tag but I'm pretty sure this one is from Margie because the material and stitching on the ric-rak are very similar to these.

I have to admit that giveaways kind of stress me out so I'm going to make this a short one...I'll draw a name on Monday morning so just leave a comment before then and the little red apron will be on its way.   No guidelines for the comments but if you have an idea on how to photograph aprons, I'd love to hear it.  I used to put an apron on my daughter and take a picture of her ( like this ) but after the first 2 or 3 times she decided she had enough of that.

If your are shopping for a special valentine, I have cute kits to make this heart...right here (shipping is free!)  Purchase the heart kit before Monday and I'll put your name in the hat for the valentine apron giveaway...twice.

Today is my son Ross's birthday and he has received the ultimate kid birthday gift...a snow day!

Have a good weekend everyone and I'll be mailing one of you an apron on Monday.