Thrift Store Finds

After getting to prim shop Thursday I decided to check out the thrift store in Sparta to see if I can be as lucky as some of you ladies. A store on the main street was having a mother's day sale, 50% off. Score! So I picked up these things I thought I could makeover. I love the little mustard creamer already so I will probably just tuck this in somewhere. I like the little berry and basket picture too. I think the red around it is just too much so I plan on painting it a dark brown or black to make the colors in the picture stand out. I got all this for $2.25!

I think I will paint this and add a flicker candle and maybe some sweet annie.

I will repaint this and antique it a bit.

Hopefully, I can get this done this weekend and post some pictures by next week. We'll see how much I actually get done.

Have a great weekend!

Carey

Prim Shopping and a Surprise!

Homestead Primitives

1305 W. Broadway

Sparta, IL 62286

618-443-1985

I had a trip planned for today since I had some errands to run in the nearby town of Sparta. I wanted to check out my favorite local prim store. I tenatively plan all of my outings. Being a substitute teacher doesn't give me much of a lead time on things sometimes. Well, much to my delight when I got there the owner was ready to greet me with a message from my dh to buy whatever I wanted for Mother's Day (well, ok I had a gift certificate). I had a great time chatting with her about upcoming shows, my recent finds and my new blog. I asked her if I could to take pictures of her store. She was more than happy to oblige. So this post is dedicated to her and her wonderful store. I should have taken even more pictures but hopefully this gives you a little bit of an idea what she sells at her store. One reason I continue to go back is the wonderful customer service that I receive when I shop there. She is very helpful. She always offers ideas and has referred me to some other shops too. Her prices are very reasonable too. Her name is Renata. I'm probably spelling this wrong. Sorry Renata! Anyway, if you are ever near St. Louis and find yourself in the area check out her store in Sparta.

This is a dry sink with some great old bowls inside, and you may recognize the americana penny mat from my house. LOL!

This little corner hold some curtains, linens and many prim things.

I loved the little strawberries. I want that doll too. She's busy stichin' a flag.

She has some Americana things in this corner.

I love the bottles with the old labels and the crow plates and pineapple mat I also have at my house.

It was hard to decide but I finally decided on the strawberries, Mr. Jefferson picture, the runner for my table, mustard lighted house and the candle was on sale! I think I will frame my declaration at put them together.

Here is her sign out front.

Please tell her if you have seen this on my blog. I'd love to send some prim blog friends her way. I'll be back soon to share some thrift store finds from the day too.

Thanks,
Have a great day!

Carey

Scrapbook page

Here is my page that I managed to complete at my crop that was a flop the other night. We took a little trip to St. Louis earlier this year and went to Jilly's Cupcake Bar. It was ok but definately not worth the price in my opinion. I probably won't go back. The kids thought it was fun. Who doesn't like cupcakes? I went through a huge cupcake thing awhile back and really wanted to try a bakery that specialized in them. If you like them too here are some places you might want to check out.

I love these blogs:

http://www.cupcakeproject.com/

This lady cracks me up with her smiles and faces

http://www.conversationswithacupcake.blogspot.com/

a great site overall for recipes and links

http://www.cupcakestakethecake.blogspot.com/

great recipes when you run out of ideas

http://cupcakerecipe.net/

self confessed cupcake queen tells you where you can go

http://www.ironcupcakemilwaukee.com/

So leave me a little comment and let me know this question? Do you like cupcakes? What is your favorite kind?

Have a wonderful day and eat a sweet treat!

Carey

P.S. Scrapping products used (3 bugs in a rug, Bazzill cardstock, creative imaginations)

Great Mail Day!

I love mail and yesterday this was on my porch. If anyone out there in blogland would come to my house to visit you would know that I always have a candle burning. One of my favorite companies I just recently placed an order with I dearly love is scentsible scents. I bought this a few years ago in Kentucky when I was on a caving trip with my dh and after checking out the site I have purchased them again and again. My all time favorite scent is Primitive Gatherings.

Here is the description on their website:

A wonderful combination of fruit juices and spices are kettled together to offer a warming sense of welcome.
Dark amber is the color of this welcoming scent

I have also tried old homestead, hayride (a great fall scent), spiced apple, strawberry jam, vintage linen, spiced cranberry and pumpkin spice. They are all pretty good. My favorite is the primitive gatherings though. I also decided to try lemon curd. Anybody have a favorite candle line? I'm a self confessed candle addict. I'd love to hear what you like out there. Leave me a comment.

Have a great Day!

Carey

My home tour

Here is a link to our home. Keep in mind this house was built in the 60's and it's a brick ranch style. We have an family room addition that was built on in the 90's and I think based on the wallpaper in the kitchen it must be circa 91' too. We have redone all of the bathrooms minus wallpaper in two of them. (no plans for this either) This house is a rental so we can only make certain changes. Someday I hope to have our dream home. Until then I thought I would show you my antiques and stuff I have collected over the years. My husband has been in the US Air Force for 21 years and we have been married almost 19 so this has taken us quite awhile. I would love to build a house but we're rethinking that plan and hope to buy next spring when he retires. We would love a find new old fashioned looking farmhouse style. I love Saltboxes but my dh isn't as fond of them. I will share pics of my bedroom after I finish my next little project, a bolster pillow to go with my new quilt. I have certainly have enjoyed looking at everyone elses houses. Hope you enjoy mine!

http://s227.photobucket.com/albums/dd318/cholt_album/?start=0&mediafilter=all&action=tags&current=everyday+decor

Have a great day!

Carey

Mother's Day Tea

My daughter and I

Christina and I attended a lovely mother's day program at church. I sang in the choir and read about Helena wife of Constantius. Others read about Lincoln's mother and one person read about a member of their own family. It was a very moving program that ended with each of us recalling a mother or someone we'd like to honor in our life. I thought of my own mom, naturally who passed almost two years ago in June. It's hard to be without her. She was my best friend and I miss her and think of her daily. I know that she is watching over me and I try so very hard to be a good mom to Christina. Just being with her makes me think of my own mom. The way I would lay on her lap in church and she would rub my face with her soft hands. The way her singing was like sweet melodies during our church services. I can remember looking up at her and singing with her almost every Sunday. These memories are what keeps me going and knowing that she is with our heavenly father gives me strength and comfort. I would love to know more about a person in your life that you'd like to honor (mother or someone like a mom). Leave me a comment as a tribute to them for mother's day.

Me and my baby girl

the table setting

a closeup of some items from the table gloves, tea cups, jewelry and photos.

Have a wonderful day!

Carey

Rain, Rain Go Away!

Well, not much going on here but rain. I guess a lot of you are experiencing the same thing. My crop was not too exciting. A lot of prep work and I only had 1 out of 8 people show up. Thanks, Tracey for coming! I will post some pics later of the page I worked on last night. I was able to help her at least get started she had never scrapbooked before. I think it's great when you can help people learn to do something. I guess that's why I'm a teacher. I love learning and teaching others.

Here's my prim finds that I bought a few weeks ago at Gordman's I wanted to share with you. Sometimes those chain stores yield some surprising results.

family sampler

a little tray I use for my jewelry at night

Stay tuned fellow bloggers! Next week I plan on putting up some new pics of my home and eventually a give away. Have a great weekend!

Carey