Poppin' Tags!

I was on a bit of a thrifting hiatus, as my house can't accommodate all my treasures.  Well, I've got the bug and have been back at it full force...I'll find a place to cram it!  Last weekend I went to New Brunswick to spend some time with J, as he is working on a home reno project there and our time together has been limited as of late.  The property where he is working is incredible.  However, since the weather was basically crap I didn't get to enjoy it as much as I could have.

What I did do made up for it.  I found the most jam packed crazy flea market I have ever stepped foot inside.  It was wall to wall vintage treasures.  I think I found my people.  I could have spent a small fortune but it was actually a bit overwhelming...too many things to choose from!  I had the pleasure of chatting with an older gentleman who totally had my number!  The first time I walked by he said, "You are a collector, I can tell".  Now while I am sure many people that walk through those doors are collectors he did specifically say it to me and not the person I was there with.  On my second go round I asked him about some milk glass vases.  His response was "Must be for a wedding."  While I am not exactly engaged yet...he was right, I have been collecting them for my someday wedding (yes, I know...I am crazy...so what!). I ended up buying a sweet squirrel salt and pepper shaker from him and used some mad bargaining skills to get all seven of his vases for half price!

 

 

 

The thrifting didn't stop there.  I have also been stalking Value Village and Kijiji for fun finds.  I got a new to me kitchen table with chrome legs and a faux wood top for $20 and some other adorable treasures. 

 

Bambi planter to match my Bambi bookends I got a while back.

 

 

Bird plates for my plate wall. On top of vintage polyester curtains that I adore.

 

 

Pink cabbage rose depression glass.

 

Baby gift for a friend who just had the most adorable baby boy.  Going plant some pretty flowers in it.

 



Anchor Hocking baking dish.

 



 

Brass wall sconce type things.

 

Next weekend is a favorite of mine.  Curbside give away weekend! I am going to get up early, hit up the fancy neighbourhoods and try to score some good free stuff to bring home:)  I wish J or K were around to help me with my search!



 

 

 

 

 

Skinnamarinky Shrinky Dink

I have reverted to my childhood with my newest crafty obsession.  Shrinky Dinks...very 80's don't you think?  For those of you who didn't have these when you were a kid Shrinky Dinks are basically sheets of thin plastic that shrink to around 75% their original size and 3 times their thickness.  I've been playing around with them and I know I am going to come up with something fabulous but I don't think I've nailed it quite yet.  Here's what I've done so far:

A design for a chevron pendent that I am going to spray paint gold and attach to a chain.

 

 

Mid-shrink.  I started out using a heat gun but I found the force of the hot blowing air too much for little pieces.  It was blowing them all around and I had a hard time keeping them still.  No pics of the finished product yet...it still needs another coat of paint.

 

 To become earrings. Pre-shrinking.

 



Pay no attention to my nasty oven.

 

Turned into a charm bracelet...I like all the charms but it feels a little juvenile to me and I think I need a higher quality chain or maybe some smaller crystal beads in between the charms.

 

 

I am thinking next up I am going to try to make some kitschy magnets based on some of my favorite pop culture icons/characters.  I am also going to see how coloured pencils turn out rather than the Sharpies I used for these designs...I am thinking a softer more shaded effect might be nice.

 



Thoughts...

As I sit here with no voice (laryngitis) I have an urge to say something.  Since I haven't posted in almost three months and can't call up anyone to talk, I figure this is the best venue to share a few thoughts.  In the past few months I have travelled to Cuba, bought a new car and have spent a lot of time pondering life (but then again aren't I always?). 

Cuba was lovely.  Exactly the break my babe and I needed from our hectic lives and to get us through the even more hectic time the was yet to come (currently in progress).  We stayed in Varadero and I would go back in a heartbeat!  What wasn't to enjoy?  An abundance of cocktails, sunshine and zero responsibilities.  I would have to say the highlight of our trip was the day we spent in Havana.  I find the history and culture fascinating. 

I am loving my new car.  Her name is Esmeralda...she's a Fiesta.  It's nice to be driving something reliable.  I also love all the Bluetooth techy stuff...so I can talk on my phone legally and listen to my music:)  I was also able to sell my Nissan and make a few bucks off of it.  I am very proud of myself for doing the responsible, grown-up thing to do with the extra dough...paying off my credit card, which would have NEVER happened a few years ago!

These recent days have been quite busy.  The daily grind is busy enough but picking up the slack in the household chores department for my dear bf who is working his tail off has added a bit of extra work to my daily routine.  I've got no right to complain...and I am not.  J is on his 25th consecutive work day and is also going to school two evenings a week on top of that.  The only complaint I've got is that I am missing him a bit.  That paired with the fact that my closest friends have been largely out of reach (mostly away in different parts of the country/world) had me feeling a bit bummed too.  To cheer myself up I did what I do best.  I went shopping.  The spring weather had me inspired and wanting some cheery new duds...so cheery new duds I got.  I also went on a mission to find some comfy, non old lady shoes that wouldn't totally break the bank (why are all the comfy shoes so ugly and expensive???).  I think I succeeded.  They are totally plain but are just what I needed for work.  I also thrifted a few good finds which always makes me happy.

I have been back on a little bit of a jewelry making kick.  I made some beaded bracelets and am in the process of making some "grown-up" friendship bracelets.  As the spring weather approaches so does a time of job uncertainty which is never any fun.  June through August can be very stressful for us non-permanent teachers if we let it get to us.  I am hoping to balance the stress with some summer projects (furniture refinishing, crafting), beach-going and a visit to Montreal to see my best friend and her son who is undergoing his second bone marrow transplant (not exactly a stress free situation, but I miss them oh so much and will be very happy to see them).

I am hoping that this weekend I will maybe get to see my mom and a very dear friend who hopefully will become a mom in the next day or two!

 

 

100th Day and Valentine's

This week was an especially busy one in grade 1-2. Not only did we celebrate the 100th day of school but we partied it up for Valentine's day. I love my job.

A few photos from our celebrations: