What a nice day! We had a fun Mini Spa Day at home for my niece to celebrate her baby's two week birthday, then I got to work in the studio, and now my husband is back from his business trip. And I was smart enough to make up extra Cordon Bleu for lunch today and don't have to cook tonight!
I didn't actually get to make things today, but I did bundle up some Aqua Themed Cottage Collage Kits for Etsy and got them listed ($14).
And I played with my new purchases from my estate sale shopping with Beth. This vintage wallpaper was being used as shelf paper in a cabinet in a basement, I pulled it out and got 3 large pieces for ONE DOLLAR!!
Velvet ribbons, rick rack, buttons, a sequins all came from the same basement. I added the green ribbon and the mother of pearl button, with a vintage flower to the top of the little jar full of sequins. That is about as creative as I got today, mostly it was unpacking, and packing and finding new homes for everything.
All of these little rhinestone earrings will make pretty snow flakes for Christmas projects and look at these tiny Button Crowns!!!!!!! Oh, I see a Silver Bella project in their future.
And this little clear button is a Scotty, but it is awful close to looking like a Dorky. I never find Dorkies!! The world is filled with Stupid Scotty dogs tho. Oh well, this is cute and like I said, almost a Dorky!
Twinks has claimed the feather pillows as her own. They were only $2 each, that is pretty cheap for a dog bed, but they sure are pretty. Beth http://bethleintz.typepad.com/ says they should go into a hammock. Well, I don't have one, but it is a good idea.
And look at this rug- I have always wanted one of these. I paid a bit more than I usually spend when out shopping, but it sure is a lot less than buying a new rug at a "real" store or even buying an old one at an antique store. This one is 10' x 6' and was $75. Ooh, that makes me cringe to admit I spent that much.
There were 3 of these brass lady-stake things, I only bought 1, for $2. I should have got all three, but was spending like a fool already. Now why did I think that another $4 would break me??
I like it in the flower pot. I don't know what it is really for, but she seems content in the rose moss.
I found a bunch of ric racs and ribbons for a total of $4.50, quite a few rhinestone buttons for $1, got this cute aqua colored card for only 50 cents, and the trash can was $1.50.
You can't beat shopping in the basements and garages of estate sales! That is where the sellers put the stuff they think is junk and not worth much.
These leather covered booklet thingys are cute, the one on the right is actually a box, the left one is a note pad, and the middle is a funeral home booklet. All three were $4. I can see all sorts of possibilities with them.
The prettiest pretty of them all today, was Madison Catherine. She is 2 weeks old and seemed to be enjoying her party. We all got to hold her while her mom soaked in the tub.
I lit some candles for the new mom, got out scented lotions and tossed some pink rose petals into the jacuzzi.
I set up a special chair for Brooke to sit in for lunch, and tied up the back of it with a bundle of flowers I got in my first swap from Karin at http://www.creativechaos.typepad.com/
We ate salads with feta, cranberries and almonds, then had cordon bleu with spinach fettuccine and a side of broccoli. (the broccoli got mushy but the rest of the meal was good)
The new grandma brought a Tiramisu, who needs broccoli when you can have that?!! I picked a gladiola from the garden for Grandma Gladys who loved Brooke so much and would have loved to see her baby. She was with us in spirit today.
Brooke wore the crown I received in the tiara swap from Barb at http://www.123lavenderlollipoplane.blogspot.com/.
I have one more thing to list on Etsy, then I am going in to have a plate of leftover cordon bleu. I wish I had leftovers everyday, man I hate to cook dinner.
Please leave a comment if you want to enter the drawing for a Cottage Collage Kit!
I'm always on the lookout for one of those rugs too....... like you, I don't normally spend that much "junking", but that's a deal!! Where is it going?
:)
Posted by: Becca | July 20, 2007 at 08:45 PM
What a lovely day you provided for your niece. You are such a good Antie.
Loved all the treasures you picked up at the sales.
It is so much fun to share your adventures
Karen
Bluemuf
Posted by: Karen Young | July 20, 2007 at 09:36 PM
Oh I want to go shopping with you !!!! beautiful crown for a beautiful lady xoxoxo Clarice
Posted by: clarice | July 20, 2007 at 10:27 PM
Me gusta ir a las ferias de las pulgas y comprar cosas que me llaman la atención y que son económicas.Después de un tiempo veo que era justo lo que necesitaba en alguno de mis proyectos.
Posted by: María Elena | July 21, 2007 at 07:59 AM
Really pretty rug, worth every penny and more! Sounds like you made it a very special day. I love it when I think ahead and cook more than for one meal. It's so nice to be able to heat something up at the end of the day instead of doing it from scratch. Madison Catherine IS the prettiest of all the pretties you've shown today!
Manuela
Posted by: Manuela | July 21, 2007 at 09:57 AM
I think Madison deserves a wee crown of her own!
You got lots of pretties and old ones at that...your studio must be begging for projects to be assembled. I'm begging for some Cordon Bleu...
I want to tell you about a little shoe with wings at this blog's sidebar: http://evascountry.blogspot.com/
Posted by: shabbyinthecity | July 21, 2007 at 10:30 AM
Wow, you found a lot of great treasures! And weren't you sweet to pamper the new mama like that. I'm sure she appreciated it. Such a sweet little baby.
Posted by: Leslie | July 21, 2007 at 10:48 AM
Ooo , please enter my name in your drawing!
You had great luck at the estate sales!! I really love all of your goodies - I do the same thing though - talk myself out of spending another $4 and then later fret about leaving those pretties! LOL
Posted by: dawn | July 21, 2007 at 10:56 AM
Karla, you are such a sweet and giving person to set up the spa day for your niece.
I love the rug and think it was a bargain at $75.
~elaine~
Posted by: Elaine | July 21, 2007 at 11:15 AM
How fun, a spa party...Thats a wonderful thing for a new mother. When I had my baby all I got was annoying inlaws and family and friends I havnt seen for 15 years NOT allowing me to hold my brand new baby or get an ounce of rest (not fun) You seem to be a good person to have around!!
http://www.primtivezen.etsy.com
Posted by: Amy Carver | July 21, 2007 at 11:32 AM
I think your brass lady stake things are hose guides. You put them in the ground around flower beds and things you don't want to pull your hose over and smash.
Do not feel bad about the rug. You got a real deal!!
Your table looks wonderful!
Bertie
Aunt May's Cottage
Posted by: Bertie | July 21, 2007 at 11:55 AM
Madison needs a cute name like Sugar Wings has. I think my dream vacation would be a garage/estate saling getaway in your community. I just love seeing all the beautiful things you find.
Posted by: Chrissy | July 21, 2007 at 01:20 PM
dang! haven't been here in awhile ..my my girl you sure can find the cool stuff! hmm i gotta get to Kansas!! like your art doll haves.. have you seen GoldBug Studio? her hats are pretty cool..been in magazines and fancy shops.. your spa day looked really fun..hope we can swap again sometime!!
Posted by: debra schoch | July 21, 2007 at 01:24 PM
No need to enter me in the drawing--I have so much stuff! But, wanted to tell you that it looked like the new Mom had a wonderful relaxing day!! Where were you when I had mine?????
:)
Posted by: lauren Mumford | July 21, 2007 at 03:06 PM
Can I come shopping with you? Pretty please with sugar on top. You found fabulous stuff.
Your spa day looks like it was a hit. Lucky mama and beautiful baby.
Posted by: sharon | July 22, 2007 at 07:24 AM
Hi Karla:
I love everything you did for the Spa Day for Brooke; lovely wearing the tiara!!! Madison Cathrine is too beautiful; looking rather bored with all of the attention : )
You always have great days. Thank you for sharing with us
carole
Posted by: carole | July 22, 2007 at 10:31 AM
What a wonderful thing to do for a new mother! Who needs a shower when you can have a lovely rose petal BATH! She looks so happy and relaxed after her lovely soak and wearing such a beautiful tiara. Very nice.
Smiles, Karen
Posted by: Mrs. Kwitty | July 22, 2007 at 11:47 PM
How sweet! Nothing better for a new Mom than some pampering, and a long soak in a tub is heaven! I love all of your bargains, they are all yummy.
Posted by: willzmom | July 23, 2007 at 10:31 AM
What a nice Auntie you are! What a lovely party and so nice for a new mom to "get the treatment" of a spa.
Love that area rug! Oh my!
Jody
Posted by: Gumbo Lily | July 23, 2007 at 03:10 PM
I am SO in love with your aqua themed collage kits. Aqua was one of the colors for my wedding last year and these kits are just calling my name!! And what wonderful estate sale treasures!! You are a lucky girl. Looking forward to meeting you at Silver Bella! ~Johanna
Posted by: Johanna | July 23, 2007 at 08:33 PM