Isn't it?

I was at the thrift shop last week on a mission to find some Halloween costume items. I scrapped that and went to the big box store where I bought them off the rack. It was just easier that way.

But while I was at the thrift shop...I did find a few items.

Scarves - You can always find nice scarves and if you look for a signed one, that is even better. Many people get them for gifts and never wear them so they end up at the thrift shop still in mint condition. I've seen vintage de la Renta, Claiborne and Bill Blass for only $2.00 which can fetch $44.00 in vintage clothing shops. If you ever see a Jean Patou, let me know.

This one was only $1.00 so it came home to be a table runner. I just fringed some burlap, threw on the scarf and it was done.


Serving tray - The other I had was too small for the large ottoman. When I saw how well made this was with metal handles and the price only $1.99, I didn't hesitate.

And after a coat of paint, it takes center stage with a Homegoods vase and those leaves that I glue to things.




The biggest purchase was this super large series of school maps. There are 38 total from 1950 and are all in good condition except for the front cover. It needs to be repaired. They are mounted to a steel rod that used to hang up in a classroom. I have been toying with the idea of wallpapering a wall in the family room with maps or painting one. My kids love maps as well as Jon and I. When I saw this I had to get it just in case we end up going that route.
Ha ha, no pun intended...

And so ends my wrap up of thrifty finds. What have you found out there lately?

Have a safe and happy night of trick-or-treating!

Oh and there's still time to win that magazine subscription...

Stop on by The Thrifty Things' Making Friends Monday

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linking to A house of grace , Just a girl, Sugar Bananas

and Under the table and dreaming

Want to win? Enter for your chance

Thursday...what to write about...hmmm...

I think it's a good day for a chance to win something, Don't you?

So let's get to it!

I am giving away two (2) free subscriptions for a year to one of my favorite shelter magazines and one that seems to have stood the test of time these days - Better Homes and Gardens.
It's full of design ideas, great recipes, crafts and gardening tips and it's just waiting to be sent to some lucky people.

All you need to do is leave a comment on this post and you'll be entered. Please make sure you give me your e-mail address also. You can either e-mail me with that at lmontysc@yahoo.com or put it in your comment.

The give-a-way will close on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010 at 8 pm EST. and the winners will be chosen at random. I'll let you know who the subscriptions will go to the next day. Good luck!

What are some of your favorite magazines?

Images from BHG

Wax on - crafting with leaves

Each year as the leaves are in full swing of changing colors, I gather some and take them home to begin my ironing wax marathon. The neighbors are used to me scouring their lawns for different varieties.
Sometimes I frame them for a quick fall decoration or glue leaves and acorns to branches for a nature inspired table centerpiece. Or, I just send them out to family.

This year my sister requested some ironed leaves for two of her kid's school teachers. They saw some she had taken home from the East coast and wanted their own to decorate with in the classrooms. I'm all for using natural elements and helping out a teacher, well, that just goes without saying.

While they do have pretty fall colors in Northern Utah, they don't have as many of the hardwood maples which produce the vibrant reds.

So today I gathered freshly fallen leaves and began my ritual of Autumn: waxing leaves.

The only items you will need for this are: an iron, ironing board, wax paper and a cloth. Oh, don't forget the leaves.

First - hunt and gather

Next, lay the cloth on the ironing board and put the leaves right side up on the cloth.

Then lay the wax paper over the leaves with the waxed side facing down on the front of the leaves. Covering the leaves and paper with another cloth, I use a hot iron and "wax on" like the Karate Kid.

I remove the ironing cloth to see how well the wax melted on to the leaf.

Then I carefully peel back the wax paper to see the result...


and it's a nice flat leaf which still has dimension but with a hint of shine.
This will preserve them for quite a while.
Without this they would have been crumpled and curled up the next day.


Now I'm off to the post office where they'll be shipped across the country. Maybe I'll even throw in some candy. I'm sure they haven't had enough yet.

Happy leaf hunting!

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linking to

House of Hepworths

Someday crafts

5T - a birthday

Dear Blair,

You're another year older and have hit the big milestone - 5 years!

Time has flown. You're pudgy baby face features have changed and I can tell you are nearing the end of the toddler years. It's bittersweet for me.

I love it when I pretend to cry about you getting all grown up and you take my face in your hands and tell me, "It's ok momma, I'm still your baby but I need to get big." You do need to get big. Get big and do all of the fun things you are meant to do.

But for now I want you to play and sing like a little girl. I want you to continue to be my buddy and accompany me all over. I want you to ask me to paint your nails and do your hair and then you do mine...and Trae's. I want you to continue to be a chatterbox and tell jokes that don't make sense. I want you to continue to be you your whole life.

You have been such a pleasure to raise thus far. One of my favorite things about you is that you are a thankful child. Whether it's a small gift, a trip to the grocery store or a ride down the slide at the park, you act like it's Christmas and thank everyone for making your day.

That will get you far in life.

You are my favorite 5 year-old.

I love you,
Momma

Perfectly fall

It was a fun weekend around these parts.

I hope yours was good too.

The weather made for perfect fall days.

It was football playing and homemade doughnut eating weather.

We did lots of both.

How could we resist their beckoning?

Fall parade

One thing I enjoy about living in a small area are the those town traditions that may seem a little podunk compared to big cities. They are always easily enjoyable and make you feel as if you had just stepped out of a Norman Rockwell painting.

Take, for example, last weekend's Homecoming parade for our local college. It's just a few blocks away from our house and lasts 15 minutes tops. Our kind of parade. The kids get excited for this because it means collecting all of the candy that the parade people toss. They even walk by and hand out candy bars and not just to the kids. I had a few things lining my pockets as well.

It's just plain fun to get out and do something, don't you think? Meeting up with some friends at the creek and then walking a block to the parade route was the perfect way to spend the morning. The slight wind gave way to sunshine and it turned out to be a nice, warm autumn day.
And all the candy was gone an hour later.

We'll do this again at Christmas, just with more fanfare, and I can't wait.

Local high school marching band

College football and baseball playoff discussion

Handing out the candy

One of the college floats

Friends

Good thing they drive slowly around here.

Taste test

Trading some loot

The end.

While I wasn't looking - Part two

With a lot of work to do I let "Umizoomi" babysit and this is what happened...

Can you guess the culprit?

Yup. That little one right there trying to look innocent.

I took a picture this time, just for you Tauna,

since you asked if I had taken one of the red pen incident!

Let's hope he gives me better photo ops in the future.