Halloween Swappin' with Emilie

Emilie and I decided to do another swap. A Falloween one...We've had several fun swaps together in the past and I knew I would love whatever she sent this time, too!! She made a gorgeous pennant banner-currently hanging in my dining room, a "bobo monster"-the kids love him, a pillow that I absolutely LOVE, fun paper napkins, cupcake liners, ribbon, stickers---Oh my gosh, I was looking at this thinking something was missing. Um yeah, I immediately put some of my other things{including a wreath, garland, and glittery skull} out that she sent, so that will have to be in another post. Oops...

Here is another pic...Emilie sent the kids a fun goody, too, but they ripped into those quickly. She also sent Violet leg warmers, a book, and a cute headband.

Here is a close-up of our lil' bobo monster. Lilly has claimed him and wants one for her birthday or Christmas.

Oh wow...this pillow is gorgeous!!

Here is Violet in her headband. I know you can't see the detail against the background very well...

As for what I sent...

Looking at the difference, it seems as though Emilie got the short end of the stick. I made the wreath, spooky banner, chalkboard plaque, tassel, and ruffled candy jar. I also sent a stamp set, tag, notepad, pumpkin plate, and glittered pumpkin.

Her children also got little goody bags and window clings.

Here is the blackbird tassel I made.

The yarn wreath...I just wrapped yarn around a straw wreath, stacked circles and pinned them on, and hot glued the scrabble letters. I love the way it turned out!!

The burlap banner-look for a tutorial on that next week.

Here is the chalkboard plaque. It was originally a not super cute number from Target's $ section. I just rolled some chalkboard paint on one side and mod podged scrapbook paper on the back. I also replaced the original ribbon with wire and tied fun ribbon on it. Emilie can write whatever message she pleases, too.

The back...I just love this paper. Oh, if you go to Emilie's blog, you will notice we have the same knobs!!

Thank you, Emilie, for another fun swap!!

Blessings all around...

Good Morning!! Wow, what a weekend!! I have to share lots with y'all. Saturday morning I awoke to, "Mom, the refrigerator is not working." Oh no. I'll say that our fridge was older. I bought it 9 years ago and it was probably about six years old then. The freezer has been freezing up a lot lately and ruining food, particularly ice cream. The bottom shelf on the fridge part{it was a fridge on top, freezer on bottom} would freeze whatever was in the chill drawers, so it was just a matter of time. Anyway, we were gifted by an anonymous source{we know who, they just want to be on the down low ;)} with this brand new refrigerator. God is so good, y'all!! I'm really on my last nerve with all the blows we've dealt with this year, but God has brought us thru every one. Still waiting on our van, though, and that is not making me super duper happy...

Anyway, love this beaut!! The rest of our appliances are black and stainless so this one looks much better than our big white one. Thank you, you know who you are!!

I posted about this wall some time ago last year. I have wanted to add beadboard to this wall since we moved in and the funds, etc. just haven't been there. Well, one day I was driving in the older downtown area of my little town and beside the fence of this house was a ton of beadboard. I asked the gentleman sitting on his porch if it was his wood and he said I could take it. Y'all, there was at least two full sheets and lots of smaller, but tall enough pieces. I love how God provides for even our smallest little desires!! Then, at Wal-Mart, I was looking at the oops paint and what did I find but the very blush, petal pink paint I was wanting for my laundry room!! Color me happy, girls!!

One last shout out...The wonderful, kind, sweet Heather of Blessed Little Nest is responsible for my cute new look. I mentioned that I loved her blog look and she so kindly offered to do mine. I am so not computer savvy, so this was a real treat. Thank you so much, Heather!!

Linking up to Heather's Life Made Lovely Monday.

Victory is Mine!!!!

Sooo...I got up bright and early{not so bright, actually, but whatever} and went back to the yard sale where I saw this beauty yesterday. I asked the lady, who is 74, if she would come off the price and she said, "No, I'm funny like that, but I'd rather give it to the needy than to come down." Um, okay. I said that I only had $40 on me. That was as high as I was willing to go. I told her I'd have to ask my husband and she hands me her phone. She's a spunky one!! I called him and said that they wouldn't come down and he said that $50 was a little steep. I told her I'd have to think about it. By that time her son-in-law had gotten there and so I asked about these three chairs that they had. He told me they were $5 for each one. I started walking towards the chairs and I overhead the lady ask if he'd take forty for the cabinet. He asked what I was doing with it. Apparently they were concerned that I was going to buy it and turn around to re-sell it. Um, no!! I told them I was going to use it and that I loved it. They agreed to $40 as that was all I had on me. He said that for $50 that I could have the cabinet and all three chairs, to which I replied, "I only have forty." He then said that I could have the cabinet and all three chairs for $40!! God is so good!! So let's see...I either paid $40 for the cabinet and got the chairs for free or I paid $25 for the piece and $5 for each chair. Either way, I won.
By the way, what color do I paint her?? I'm leaning towards green...

Love the lines on these chairs!! They are so cute!!

What good deals have y'all gotten lately??

Junkin'

I took Jackson to school this morning and on the way home passed a yard sale sign. It was in an old folk neighborhood and wow, was it great!! I got this at one sale. I think the lady used to have a booth at an antique shop. I loved the stitchery on this runner{I assume, but it will be getting cut up and the other half going clear across the US to my bestie}. Oh deer{pun intended}, is it ever so cute!! The pillowcase...well, I cannot pass up vintage floral. The frame is pretty awesome, too!! It will definitely be getting a makeover.
Here's a close-up. Aren't these deer sweet??

At another house, this couple was selling some old tools and I did get some wood-1x4's to make signs. I saw this plant stand in their garage and asked about it and the lady gave it to me for only $2. I also got a bunch of chicken wire at another house. I'm doing another craft show and I was thinking I would make chicken wire cloches as well as frames.

One thing I passed up but cannot get off my mind is this gorgeous cabinet. It needs some lovin', but I may need it. What do you think?? Would you pay $50 for it?? I'm a little cheap and don't really want to pay that much, but it is a sweet piece and OLD. The lady selling it said it was over 100 years old. Someone started to refinish it, the brown squares at the top are actually doors. They need hinges and some of the veneer seems to be loosening up in areas and half the hardware is missing. I just think it is so unique and my husband thought it was cute, so we'll see. If its still there later then its meant to be, right??

Happy Fall to you!! I'll be back with pics of my home. I've been nesting for Fall.

Call me crazy...

but when I imagine my family going somewhere, I imagine what we will wear. This year when I think of going to the pumpkin patch or the apple orchard, I am seeing my girls in Matilda Jane-esque clothing. Since I don't have MJ money, I will make my own. Let's see what I come up with...
What about y'all?? Do y'all do the same...dress yourself or your kids in your mind??

Just poppin' in...

Where to start...
*Well, my computer decided to crash right after I finished my last post. I was without a computer for over a week, but thankfully, my dad had one. It wasn't his, just left where he lives. I am very grateful to have this computer but all my photos, etc. are on my other one and I have to figure out how to get them. I hope they aren't gone forever, because they weren't backed up. :(
*Amy and I held a Vintage Barn Sale at her house a few weeks ago. It went great!! So much fun!! Y'all can go see a few photos on her blog.
*My van decided not to crank-story of my life. We were loaded up the Sunday after the barn sale and it wouldn't turn over. With six people we can't go anywhere without our van. We called a mechanic and he kindly offered to come to our house Wednesday to see if he could fix it here, but never showed and never called. How we are going to work out going to church I have no idea. I am extremely frustrated with all of our car troubles lately. Out of three cars we have, only one works. Thankfully, it is the one I know how to drive.
*I am doing a craft boutique with a friend the first weekend of November and so I'll be busy making and doing for it. I plan to have a couple of tutorials for y'all as I make things. Great for Christmas gifts, etc!!
*Jackson's birthday is the end of this month, so I am also busy preparing for it. We are going with a camping theme and I am so excited by this one!! I plan for the boys and girls to take a nature walk thru the woods to gather fire-making supplies. We will roast hot dogs and have s'mores also. I would love to find a projector and show a movie on the back of the house. We'll see how it all pans out. You know I'll be sharing more about that later.
*Ooh, we are finally getting to our master bedroom and I am EXCITED!!! I finally have a vision and it includes burlap and pallets!! Cory and I will be painting tomorrow. I found some gorgeous bedding at Ikea, but they were out when we went last, so I am waiting for it to be restocked. I'll definitely share the outcome of that, also.
*Violet is 9 weeks old now and will probably think her name is Tinkerbelle as that is what I mostly call her. Lilly loves her and treats her like she is her little doll. She is such a great helper. Fisher loves to give her hugs and points to my upper regions and says, "Vivet eat." Oh that boy...I could just about smooch him all day long!! I have a special breakfast date with Jackson tomorrow and I am so excited about that. I feel like he is getting the short end of the stick sometimes. I have no idea how big families fit everyone all in.
* We painted our chalkboard wall and the kids are lovin' it!! As soon as I figure out how to upload my pics{I assume I'll just plug in the cord??}, I will show that to y'all. I also am working on my ever-evolving foyer. I found a really cool bench at an estate sale. I am finding my style veering off ever so slightly from my vintage farmhouse and wow, its fun and yet throwing me for a loop. Can y'all believe I've hardly decorated for Fall?? Two or three years ago it was balls to the wall Fall in August.

Well...I think that's about it. See you soon...