Manic Monday! Embroidery

Here is what I've been working on this week. He will join my owl I shared on Thrifty Thursday... and, if you look closely, you can see another one of his friends behind the frame. (He came from Urban Outfitters). It took me about 3 nights to embroider this owl from design to finish. I borrowed a book from the library about all kinds of embroidery stitches for a few new ideas... thus the cool circle stitching behind the button eyes! The green ruffles are made from some vintage seam cover, and the buttons are vintage from my husband's grandma's stash! I hope you like him!

Photo Friday!

The power of suggestion? Here's Tigger taking part in a most popular feline obsession... window watching. His friend? That would be our younger daughter's Fur Real cat. I couldn't help but chuckle when I saw this the other morning!

Thrifty Thursday!

So, I knew I was working in the right place when I found out the nursing home where I work has a thrift store that's open every Thursday... doesn't that make Thrifty Thursday that much more appropriate for me? :) Anyway, the last time I went there, they had this owl, and I knew it needed to come home with me. So, for $5, it did! It's actually an ice bucket. I haven't used it for its intended purpose yet, though! With the current owl trend, I feel very lucky to have found this! My husband, for the record, thinks it's creepy. Hopefully, I'll add some friends to what should be a small collection! And that's what's thrifty this Thursday!

Wow! I feel lucky!

Yay! I just found out I was the lucky winner of a ceramic mug from Heather at Daulhaus! The above is just one example of her wonderful art! I just discovered her work through another blog, and I am amazed by the simple beauty of her work... just fabulous! If you have some time, stop by her blog or etsy shop and take a peek! Thanks so much, Heather!

Beading!

I had some time to get crafty last night, and I made these two necklaces. The first is made of a turquoise donut bead from Fire Mountain Gems, hemp cord, and various metal beads and findings. I just love turquoise! I think of all of the semi-precious stones, it is definitely my favorite! The variation of color is always intriguing...  This necklace is on the longer side (about 24") and I used lots of knots... I wanted it kind of simple and organic feeling. The second one is made from some glass faceted beads I bought from The Garden of Beadin' during our last trip to the Outer Banks... I simply fell in love with them. Even better was that the beads were buy one strand, get one free (gotta love a sale!). It took two to make this necklace. It's about 18" long. I knew since I planned on just using the one style of bead, that it would need a special clasp. I found this one at Michaels. Have you done any crafting this weekend?

Photo Friday!

Here's one of my favorites from a recent trip to the Outer Banks! Have a wonderful weekend! I don't know about you, but I am ready for it! It's been a rough week at work!

Thrifty Thursday!

On Saturday, I spent the day thrifting/antiquing with my good friend and co-worker Suzanne. We found some cute things... some of which had to come home with us! We checked out some antique stores on 301 in Mechanicsville, and then I took her to a couple of my favorite places. My favorite find of the day was a set of 8 cups and saucers with one of the salad plates.... yes, only one. I have done a Google search for this pattern to no avail. It's made by Johnson Brothers. The only other markings are that the pieces were "made in England" and "ironstone." Other than this, I don't have a clue about the pattern! Apparently, Johnson Brothers has been in business since the 1920's. In the late 1990's, the company moved production to China, and is now no longer in business. So I know that it was likely made before then. Any ideas? I'd love to find more pieces! Anyone else go thrifting this week?

Ingredients...

I know what you are thinking. What in the world am I going to do with that collection of stuff? Well, as my husband can attest to, I have a well documented addiction to Origins products... especially their facial care products. I began to wonder if I could make a facial toner that was just as good as what I could buy made with ingredients I could control. So, after some extensive research, I found a recipe that didn't seem too complicated, then adapted it. I've been very happy so far... just made my 4th batch tonight. Each batch lasts about 2 months. Here's the recipe:

4 oz. rosewater
2T witch hazel
1 tsp honey
4 drops lavender essential oil
2 drops rosemary essential oil

Mix together the rosewater and witch hazel. Measure the honey; drop the oils into the honey, and use a toothpick to mix together. Add the honey mixture to the other ingredients. I shake my container prior to each use, and apply as with other toners using a cotton ball.

I mix mine directly in my container, which is a recycled Aveda toner bottle. Colored glass containers work best to preserve the product, and all the home cosmetics books I have read advise against using plastic!

I get rosewater from Whole Foods and the honey and essential oils locally from Lavender Fields Farm, but you can easily purchase any of these items online from Vitacost. Best of all, I save a ton of money!

If you make some for yourself, let me know what you think!

Photo Friday!

In an effort to motivate myself to use my camera more during the work week, I will post a photo a week! This week's is of my younger daughter and our cat, Tigger. He tolerates her better than our older daughter. Tigger hasn't quite forgiven our first born from dethroning him as king of the house! But our younger daughter? He'll let her drag him all over the house, and even get on her lap voluntarily... which is what happened here!

I hope everyone has a relaxing, enjoyable weekend!

Thrifty Thursday!

I got to carve out some time to myself to do some thrifting on Saturday (thanks to my husband!). I had not been feeling that great, so it was nice to have the time! Anyway, I found a few Pyrex pieces that had to come home with me! The small orange and brown bowls were sold together and came from Goodwill for $5. The medium green bowl was also $5 and came from an awesome antique/vintage/thrift store off of route 1 called Class and Trash. You never know what you may find there... but if you like it, get it. It won't be there the next time you go! If you are in Richmond and are into vintage hardware, doors, lawn furniture, and other cool and interesting junk, this place is fun! Anyone else go thrifting this week?

Beading!

The thing that got me into crafting again was beading. I love to shop for beads as much as I used to love to shop for paper... love to shop for fabric, too... but that's a conversation for another day :). This was one of the first necklaces I made. I bought a bead kit from Ben Franklin Crafts, and I added some seed beads I got at a very small bead store in North Carolina near Asheville, NC when I was in college. (I can't ever get rid of anything!). Anyway, I wear this necklace all the time, and I still love it! I actually found another store on the Outer Banks of NC called Gardin of Beadin' that carries the centerpiece bead. I love the store... it's bright and airy! You should check it out if you are ever down there. It's at MP 6.0!

Month by Month embroidery...

I had so much fun embroidering our family name that I wanted to start another project while on vacation. The perfect idea came to mind: a monthly quote in a small frame! I could easily work on a project this small while on the road. Again, I used some of my vintage ribbon/button stash, but also some seed beads. The easiest way to plan the piece was to actually print out the quote in MS Word on my computer, then use a window as a light box. I taped the paper to the window, then taped the fabric over that. I could easily trace the letters in pencil. I've done December, January, and February so far. Anyone have any ideas for quotes for March?

Thrifty Thursday!

I love to go thrifting and antiquing! How about you? My husband and I picked these up from an antique store in Manteo, NC. We were there about a month earlier, and I saw them but didn't buy them. When we went back, they were still there. These were meant to be mine! And they were only $6! I love how the salt is taller than the pepper! And that they are ORANGE! What have you found lately? I'd love to hear about it!

Goodbye, 2010 :(

Here is one of my favorite photos from this holiday season. I took it in our sanctuary at church. Kind of a self-portrait! I hope everyone has had a great start to the new year! We spent the day visiting with friends and family. My in-laws host the traditional meal of black-eyed peas and stewed tomatoes with hog jowl (did I spell that right?). I don't eat the hog... no red meat or pork for me! Then we visited friends at their new home. So excited for them! How did you ring in the new year?