Winter Scrapbooking

In an attempt to stay cool in the 100 degree weather, I decided to break out some winter pictures to scrapbook inside. Unfortunately, the craft room has the worst temperature control in the house. And our air conditioner won't go lower than 81 degrees due to the beaming afternoon sun. So I only got two pages done. But that's definitely more scrapbooking than I've done in months, so I'll take it!






























I'm so lame that I even scrapbooked a page with my Christmas salt and pepper shakers! Ohhhh man...

Buttons!

I've been organizing my craft room lately. I had this vintage typeset tray sitting in my closet for a year now and I finally decided to paint it - hot pink of course - and use it as storage for buttons. It was fun to look through the piles of buttons I found at tag sales and flea markets through the years.















Which brings me back to that vintage tin from my last post. Of course it had buttons in it. Because I really need more buttons.















I didn't get a chance to look through them all at the estate sale because, if you remember, I was in quite a hurry. But I would say that I definitely got my $2 worth. So many beautiful colors and designs. There were even - wait for it - OWL buttons.















And at least I have a use for all of them now!

The Epic Estate Sale

Also known as the estate sale of the century.

Or the reason I feared for my marriage today.

It was difficult enough convincing James to go to the beach today. But when I saw the estate sale sign I knew I had to go. I asked him to turn around at least 20 times in 30 seconds before he finally turned onto a side street and decided to submit to my pleading. I knew that I hit the jackpot when we walked in the house and found a shelf with salt and pepper shakers. "There are more in the dining room," said the estate sale lady. James just rolled his eyes and complained about how he was suffocating from the old person smell and went to go wait in the car. He seriously left me alone in 93 year old woman's house full of salt and pepper shakers. And to make matters worse (or better for me!), they were only $1 per pair. I picked out a few and started a pile. Then I toured through the house as quickly as possible so that James wouldn't have enough time to file for divorce while I was shopping. There were beautiful crocheted doilies and embroidered linens that I have absolutely no use for but wanted to buy so badly. Old sewing supplies, vintage Christmas decorations, antique teacups and kitchen accessories. I could have stayed there for hours. But I tried to be good and only spent $7.















First was this Dickson Christmas Angel planter. Not that I'm going to plant anything in it. Because we all know it will just die.















The pigs with the flowers in their hair were absolutely adorable to begin with. But then I spotted the ones in the little Scottie dog sweaters. With diamond eyes. Are you freaking kidding me?















Aren't these deer adorable? They have glue spots where their hair used to be on their heads and tails. And I already have like 3 sets of deer salt and pepper shakers at home. Oh well. Too bad I bought them anyways.















These two definitely are definitely reminiscent of James and me in the future. He's already really pumped up to sit on the front porch (don't have one yet) in his rocking chair (need one of those too) and yell at those darn neighborhood kids.















I bet you can't wait to find out what's in this container....















And last but not least...when I showed these to James in the car I knew he still loved me. Phew! Catastrophe avoided. They're almost the same as my original salt and pepper young lovers! Reunited at last. No more broken pieces or broken hearts anymore!

Railroad Museum

We went to the Mansfield Flea Market a few weeks ago and stumbled upon the CT Eastern Railroad Museum.















Of course my dad and I were really excited to check it out. James rolled his eyes but begrudgingly joined us on our adventure.















My mom passed so she could rest from all the excitement of the flea market. And she missed out on all the cool antique stuff.






























We even got to go for a ride on the pump car. Just like in Looney Tunes!






























Are we having fun yet?















Then we took another ride on the turntable outside of the roundhouse.















James pushed.















Hi dad!















After all our fun we went to the goat farm for some cheese tasting and we got to meet the new baby goats! They even gave kisses!

End of the School Year Treats

For the end of the year, I baked more cupcakes than I can count. One of my 1st graders said that I should quit being a music teacher and become a baker! I also made these Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars to give to the principal,secretaries, custodians, and aides:















I snuck some crumbs for myself as well! They were definitely a hit!

Strawberry Season!

I can't wait to go strawberry picking next week when school gets out. And to give my friend's baby this strawberry ensemble birthday gift:















I found the pattern for the booties here and sewed some matching flowers onto a tank top. And the basket of strawberries was inspired by this pattern on Ravelry.

Butterfly Garden Mobile

My friend's baby shower was this weekend. Months ago, I grilled her about the colors/theme she chose for the baby's room so I could make the perfect gift. I combined the butterfly pattern from Charmed Yarn and the Branch Mobile from Amigurumi Two, Crocheted Toys for Me, You and Baby Too by Ana Paula Rimoli and came up with this mobile to match the crib set:




















Everyone oohed and aahed when Michelle opened her gift from me. It was nice to know that my work was appreciated! She even saved the cute chain and flower that I used to package the gift: