Sketchbooks, Journals & Notepads

I'm such a fan of making lists. I've kind of gotten out of the habit lately, but I used to make them every night before going to bed. Seriously, that would be the last thing I did each day....jot down all the things that needed to be done the next day. And what I didn't complete that day, would go on the list for the next day. As we get older, and our memory isn't as sharp~ making lists for me is the only way I can keep track of anything{and I'm not that old, but I think having babies does something to your brain}.

{boygirlparty}

All of my kids love to draw{luckily they take after my brother & not me}. I've been looking for sketchbooks so they can keep all of their drawings in one place and have them to look back on when they get older. I can't tell you how many drawings I have that end up getting crumpled or shuffled around the house.

{chewingthecud}


{theblackapple}


{twoguitars}

My daughter loves keeping a journal, something I never did{sheesh, I'm not sure if these kids are even mine???} she also likes writing her own stories, I think these idea books would be perfect for that.

{Mokopo}


A drawing by my daughter.

Vintage Paper Shelf Edging

I think this is one of the greatest home decor inventions ever!!

1. Royaledge


1. China Cupboard, 2. Chicago Kitchenalia in cabinet

About 5 years ago I discovered Shelf Edging. I spent way too much time trying to win some on eBay. The problem was, there was a buyer that would bid on every single listing, seriously I would find one, go to check it out...and there she was~ already bidding on it. She won most auctions{her collection must be unbelievable}. So, after losing countless auctions to this other buyer....I became like a maniac bidding ridiculous amounts of $$ just to get a hold of one single measly package of shelf edging.
Eventually I did win one. I think the other buyer must have been in the bathroom, at the store or maybe even in the Hospital when that auction ended. I think I even high fived myself{and normally, I'm completely against high five-ing} I was SO excited!!

♥Cherry paper edging on a shelf in my Kitchen♥


A friend and I almost daily send each other links to listings on Etsy that we think the other will like. So, when she sent me this unbelievably cute Shelf Edging....I couldn't start clicking quick enough...click add to cart....click.....complete transaction.....click......confirm payment.....click click CLICK!!! Not only was it at an unbelievable price{I'm kind of feeling like I should have paid more} but not having to stress out about out-bidding another buyer for it~ SO much better than the eBay days :)


I added my new edging to a ledge in my Kitchen. It runs about 6 feet long{I couldn't take a wider shot because that would have meant I'd have to pick up some temporary clutter...no time for that now} it divides my kitchen & dining area/workspace. You know it's a good thing when your 12 year old tells you she loves it & that it's her favorite thing in the the whole house.

New Catalog & New Shop Find

This is always my favorite Catalog to get in the mail. It's really more like a Magazine, and it's free~ just go here to request one.

You can also look at the Magazine{actually flip through the pages}on-line. A very cool feature!

I recently discovered the cutest on-line Shop: Arthur's Circus

The Shop is filled with: Vintage toys, collectibles, lighting, photography and art, with more vintage inspired loveliness than you can poke a stick at{in their words} I couldn't have described it more perfectly! To find out more about them, hop on over to their Blog ♥

Hunting for Treasures...

Lately I've had zero luck at finding vintage frames. Finally this weekend my persistence paid off.

Salvaged windows and beautiful ornate frames....

Sometimes I get lucky and wind up with amazing portraits that I add to my Art Wall. Since I only need the frame, it's a bonus when there's something inside it that I can use. I love this one, there's nothing like the look and style of an old portrait.

Now that I'm up to my eyeballs in frames, I'd better get to work.

New Flea Market Finds...

I got up and out early this morning hoping to find a few vintage frames. No luck with frames, but I did find a few things I'm crazy about.

I found this cute little kitschy Cuckoo Clock. I love it, I'm not too sure how to make it work yet, but for now I'm happy just having it to look at♥

I picked up this Quilt{very Cath Kidston}and a sweet tiny Elephant nodder~ he can be seen in the picture above sitting on the ledge of the frame.
I'm heading back out to hunt for Frames :)

Orange, Nice Bright Vivid Orange!

Lately I discovered that I'm loving the Color Orange. It's about as far away from the soft shades of pastels that I LOVE .


I decided to try it out on one of my Chalkboards.

Home Sweet Home! Orange isn't just for Fall or Halloween. I don't think this little Cottage could be any more perfect....Or that Beach House, I'll take that too :)

1. Cosy, 2. Vibrant

I remember thinking how Fun & Eclectic this Kitchen decor was after reading about the owner and her collections{she collects Orange Furniture} in Country Living Magazine{October 2007}

♥Great Etsy Home Decor Finds♥

1} Sunny Orange Slice Tea Towel
2} Leaf Coasters
3} Vintage Inspired Wreath
4} Paper Mache Letter

I think I just might start adding a little here and there around the house.

Repurpose: Vintage Tie Backs

They're not just for holding your curtains back anymore. A few years ago I added this broken metal flower(I think it was a tie back at one time)to a nail and hung it inside my closet to hold misc. items.

Recently I came across this picture and thought what a great idea it was. Although some of them I believe are knobs(you really could use whatever you'd like)I think vintage tie backs would be perfect for something like this.

Found on HGTV.com

A few of my favorites found on Etsy:

1} Shabby Blue Curtain Tie Backs, by: SelvageBoutique
2} Little Dutch Girl Tie Backs, by: ohmymilky
3} Vintage Curtain Tie Backs, by: Superduper

Flickr Inspirations....

1. Curtain Tie-Back Holders, 2. Aqua Blue Glass Tie back, 3. Glass Curtain Tie Backs, 4. Nursery Curtains

A great way to ♥Recycle & Reuse♥

The Button Jack Pot!!

I guess a true Jack Pot would be more like a Truck Load of vintage buttons, but these sure felt like the best find I've come across lately.

The colors, designs & shapes...I'm in love with these sweet old buttons! They will eventually become magnets for my Inspiration Boards and Chalkboards.

I really have had the worst luck lately at finding vintage frames. But, along with the buttons and these two amazingly beautiful red velvet pillows, I found two frames.

The funny thing about the pillows is that I bought them knowing they would match nothing in my house. But, they were in such perfect condition(most likely from the 60's) I thought "Someone in Iowa or Wisconsin has been looking for these exact pillows and would love them", so they'll be going into my Vintage Shop.

Favorite things about Fall....

Well, I might have to drive for hours...or maybe even days to get to a place that looks like this, but this is what Fall should look like.

1. 1st Fall picture

I love adding Fall and Halloween accents around the house.

Paper garlands, by: paperacorn

{Things I'm looking forward to wearing}
1} Fall Scarf/Sash, by: EmmaDear
2} Warm Hat, by: charmedmsure
3} Cardigan, by: ovejanegra
4} Pumpkin Neckwarmer, by: knittles


Yay, it's back! Pumpkin Spice Latte ....Yum, it's my favorite♥

This is the first year that my son is playing football. My boys have always played baseball, and I'm not a huge football fan, so this is all new to me. At times I've found myself being the only one from our side yelling and clapping{I'm guessing the play was in the other teams favor??}.


It's been a lot of fun so far, no broken bones....so I'm happy.

Fun Freebies, Printables and Tutorials

Over at Sew, Mama, Sew you'll find a tutorial for creating this darling *Wool felt applique in hoop frame* by the Little Pink House. I've been a fan of her work since I first spotted her on Etsy. This detailed step-by-step tutorial makes it actually seem possible even for me to do, I can't wait to give it a try(I've been collecting my supplies little by little).

Feed Your Soul: ♥ the free art project ♥ where you'll find free Art Prints that you can print out and frame~ how cool is that? You can read more about how they came about giving this thoughtful gift here.


I'm not even sure how I came across this printable "Love and Ice-cream" Gift Tag Set. I found them at Eat Drink Chic, I love these tags~ what a sweet way to dress up a gift!
Whisker Graphics created this printable booklet: 5 Good Things. This is the neatest idea! What a great way to get your kids talking about their day, it's something I'd love to use with my own kids at dinner time.

If you're still in the mood for more tutorials, tips, tricks or how-to's take a look at Totally Tutorials that should keep you busy for awhile :)

Shopping List Saturday...D.I.Y. Kits

D.I.Y. Kits are awesome! When you want to try something out, but don't know where to start~ Buy a Kit! These are just a few of my favorites that I came across on Etsy.


1) Make your own fabric letters, by: LemonTreeStudio 2) The XO craft kit, by: elsiecake 3)Mozzarella & Ricotta- D.I.Y. Cheese kit, by: UrbanCheesecraft 4) Make your own Terrarium kit, by: ShaneLilyRain 5) Obsession MiniBook kit, by: FreckledNest 6) Paper flower kit, by: paperplatypus

If you'd like to see more Shopping list Saturday finds, stop off at Fancypicnic's blog to check out other participating Etsy shops.

An Exciting Feature

Beth over at Apartment Therapy asked if she could use some pictures of my Inspiration Boards in a post. And this is what she wrote. Very cool, Thanks!