Sunday, August 30, 2009

chalk it up to the chalk candle

















Wow.

How could we make these?

We could certainly buy one here if we wanted.

by the firelight



















Want to make your backyard deck cooler than your front porch?  I think all you have to do is make sure it has a fireplace and some homemade jam jar lanterns [also my photo source] and you're good to go party out back.  I'd try to make some jam jar lanterns, but the instructions scared me away.  It's probably a lot simpler than it reads...

Saturday, August 29, 2009

it seemed like a good idea at the time

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We decided to try out the Lake Worth Flea Market today.  I'm not going to lie: we had some expectations.

The granny panties were not part of them.  Or anything else.  Thumbs down!

Friday, August 28, 2009

everything below i love























I'm pro-chalkboard.

If you have a chalkboard, please make sure there are messages or doodles on it at all times.

Scanned from a ReadyMade - I'm not sure which issue?

blast!

I was thrifting this morning and happened upon a woman with a cart full of Pyrex.  It was the worst morning of my life!  I met my match, except she had a lot of crap in her cart, too.  Things yours truly would never buy.  But clearly her intent was to buy the Pyrex-look.  And sell it on eBay or something. 

Saturday, August 22, 2009

so good together

























I really can't tell you how much I love that there's a light bulb in this cabinet. Easy enough to do. I'll let you know if I ever thrift a cabinet and make it work.

[photo from August/September 2008 ReadyMade]

Friday, August 21, 2009

do something creative tomorrow























School has just started here in Florida and I've been remembering the happy art days of kindergarten. I'm not sure if you were into the Berenstain Bears like me, but remember Sister Bear's classroom in the Berenstain Bears Go to School? It was a happy art place.

[photo from August/September 2008 ReadyMade]

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

going outside

























Too many succulents? NEVER! Take a look at this wall, featured in Sunset (April, 2009)!

For more on the story, see this.

Monday, August 17, 2009

$9.99

i will keep your love alive

For all you die hard Solid Cherry fans, the original version.

I picked up those pillows at the Goodwill over the weekend. I regret I'm not sharing a detailed photo of the handiwork, because the stitching is amazing. I love these pillows so so so much -- a huge plus? They don't stink and a good lint-rolling turned up hardly anything. The message is so sweet (attention all you Mary J. Blige fans: Real Love. It's possible). And aren't those names charming? Partly why I thrift: I love to know I'm taking care of something someone once really cherished. At least I hope so.

The chairs were thrifted too -- but a ways back. They are my favorite.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

booking it























Good idea from ReadyMade [October/November 2008].

Wait a minute...that looks familiar! We use these exact book carts in my library and they are so stubborn to wheel around!

Maybe using them in a more permanent role and not what they were originally intended for - the heavy-duty carting of books - isn't such a bad idea...they do come in some great colors (of course, at my library we had to go with institutional beige).

Saturday, August 15, 2009

cooling down

















What else could a girl in Florida possibly wish for in the height of summer? Everything I want right now is in that picture.

Here's what I love about it:
  1. the light dusting of snow
  2. white twinkle lights (all year round, please)
  3. the Airstream as studio/guest house
  4. that warm yellow glow coming from the windows
  5. big freaking evergreens mixed with deciduous brown -- lovely!
  6. and the essence of camping out
[photo scanned from the February/March 2009 issue of ReadyMade]

Friday, August 14, 2009

you can format that artwork quickly



































From the inside jacket of The Art of Fine Lettering (Lesiak, 1965). I found it at a used book sale.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

for your walls





















Hmmm, I'm crazy in love for this. Perfect baby gift? Coming from a librarian?

Get one here, and make it fast!

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

$2

IMG_9071

The lady ringing me up at Goodwill said, "You waited in line just for this little guy?" We then agreed he was worth it. Walker China...a good weight and good size. He was pretty scuzzy and soaked a long while before he became good as new!

Sunday, August 2, 2009

$3

IMG_9070

A creamer pitcher!

The details: thrifted for $3, Jackson China Company, and so heavy it could probably be used as a stand-in weapon for the game of Clue.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

...dreaming of...















It would be delightful if I could find this Eames Lounge & Ottomon second-hand. I don't browse the thrifty webs (i.e., craigslist, ebay) at all; perhaps I should start...

Some of the best things are black, white & wood grain, don't you think?

$2.99

IMG_9067
After two years of my Pyrex collecting...I finally found a piece of Balloons! It is in excellent condition, woohoo!