Lookie! A new toy!!!

I openly admit that I have far too many crafty interests and toys.  It's obvious that I have gone a little overboard when my dining room is no longer available for dining!  We have started referring to the formal dining room as the junk room.. ok, I know... that can't be good!

Anyway...how I came to have a new toy happened during the Texas sized snow/ice storm when we were all stuck at home for several days and Briley and I were watching a little too much TV, namely Home Shopping Network! LOL  Well really now, you can only watch so much Wizards of  Waverly and Hannah Montana before it's obvious that you need to change your viewing choices.  When a 41 year old woman can sing along with the show's opening songs, we've got a problem.

Oh I know what you're thinking.  I should have used the 'down' time to sew or quilt or do something productive like clean my craft/junk room, but really I just wasn't feeling that as an option.  

Irregardless of how many better alternatives there were for me to spend my time, Briley and I stumbled upon a 30 minute demonstration of this little jewel.... A Yudu Personal CardShop Machine/Screen Printer.  She and I were both completely enthralled with all that this could do.  Of course we were, we were being sucked in by their highly effective  marketing ploy. :)

 They got me... I called in on the 800 line and joyfully offered my credit card number and soon my very own Yudu was headed to our house.  It's amazing how easy and fast that HSN makes the purchase process, there's hardly any time at all to have buyer's remorse and WHAM!  That little toy is sitting on my front porch, compliments of the UPS man!

So where am I going with this?  I'll tell  ya'.... guess where this little joy is in my home?  Yep, you guessed it.  Right smack dab in the middle of my dining room/junk table with all of my other craft goodies.  Still in the unopened box and reminding me that I fell hook, line, and sinker for an impulse purchase.

(I still say I was suffering with cabin fever and that's my story and I'm sticking to it!)

Hopefully, Briley and I can dig this out of the box this weekend and get busy playing around with our new toy. I'm sure we will enjoy it and put it to good use, but in the mean time it's just sitting there, mocking me! :)
Now if you would like to see all of the wonderful things this toy will do, click here!

The Start Of My Pyrex Mania

It all started with this dish... one single dish....

It just so happened that I was at my grandmother's house a couple of years ago while she was doing some cleaning out of her kitchen cabinets. Well being the nosy granddaughter that I always was, I started snooping around and found her set of three 'Daisy Pyrex' dishes. Immediately she asked if I wanted them?  Well of course I wanted them?  Do you have any idea how many meals she served in those near perfect condition bowls?  I vividly remember having banana pudding out of them, her ever loved 'Nan-Naw Beans' from the garden, tomato/okra gumbo... the list just goes on.  These dished are always in my mind of 'Nan-Naw memories' and still are, as I use them ever so gently in my own home. 

Just this week, I pulled out the big yellow bowl and served my all time favorite comfort food - ground meat/noodles!   Yea... I know... not an original name, but most will recognize it as homemade hamburger helper.  

Life is good when I can have my comfort food served in my Nan-Naw dish!  I'm sure I will continue to miss her daily, but there is hardly ever a meal served in our house that I don't use one of her dishes or some other kitchen utensil that she handed down to me, probably thinking I would just chunk it! :)  The fact of the matter is that those are the prized possessions in my kitchen and now look at what she's done - I've turned into a Pyrex Junkie and can't get enough. 

 

Oh and never think for a moment that I've forgotten about the Pyrex nesting bowls in the Butterprint pattern that my own mother is hoarding in her kitchen cabinets!!! This woman never cooks and certainly doesn't use these mixing bowls any longer, but do you think she would let me have them... not on your life!  Well.. not yet anyway! (ha ha ha) I've taken inventory - I know what's there... don't think I won't keep my eye on them! 

It's the little things in life....

Right?   Isn't that what everyone says will make you happy?  The little things?????

Well.... keep that thought in your mind when I show you a couple of little things that make me happy!

Who wouldn't be happy with Vintage Red Pyrex Bowls!  LOVE THEM!! 

Not only is RED my most favorite happy color, but I'm a bit of a Vintage Pyrex snob!   It's a little secret that I like to keep under my kitchen cabinet, but I'm afraid my hoarding is about to overflow...and soon the people that load and unload my dishwasher are going to figure out my little problem! 

When I stumbled upon these two lovelies on Etsy, I simply had to make them mine.  How could I pass them up? They were only $10!! Uh Hello.... if that doesn't scream "AMY, you must buy us", then I I don't know what does. 

I should have these in my hoarding hands in just a few days!  CAN'T WAIT!!!

One of these days when I don't have so many witnesses to see me pull all of my vintage Pyrex goodies out of my kitchen cabinets, I will take pictures and show you my treasures!  But until then... it will be our little secret. Okay? Shhhhhhh......

Jumping back on the wagon...

And I don't mean the diet wagon! Not that I don't need to watch my weight and increase my exercise or improve my cardiovascular - blah...blah... blah.... I'm just not even going to try to approach that wagon today! :)

I'm going to try to get back into a better routine of sewing/quilting! I've recently discovered several new quilty bloggers and they are spurring me on to try my hand at some different designs using less traditional prints. I really like the funky colors and loud prints that aren't exactly the styles our grandmothers quilted. I certainly enjoy the traditional fabrics and patterns, but sometimes you just gotta let your hair down and throw something obnoxious or less traditional into the mix. Ya'know? (Wow... the closer I get to the BIG 40 - the bolder I get.)

I've also been introduced to Moda Bakeshop. Am I the only one that has never been to their site before? I LOVE their stuff!! I would like to try a quilt made with layer cakes, jelly rolls, and honey buns. Now you tell me... how bad can it be to quilt using such yummy stuff?

I've been trying to de-clutter and better organize the dead spaces in our house. It seems as though these areas have been tured into drop locations for what noone else wants. So - maybe after another day or so of decluttering and throwing out everyone else's junk, I'll have a nice little creative/sewing space arranged to motivate myself to sew.

Fun in the Mailbox!

YIPPEE!!! Surprise... Surprise..... (well, not really I did purchase it and was anxiously awaiting my delivery?)

What was I anxiously awaiting? You Ask?

This..... This cute apron pattern! Isn't it just the sweetest little design? I absolutely can't wait to go fabric shopping to find the perfect material for this little cutie? Yes, I suppose there are plenty of fabrics in my stash, but where's the fun in that? I mean... shopping for the new material is half of the fun! Right? I knew you would agree!!!

As much as I wish I could fabric shop on-line, it's just not the same instant gratification that I get from wandering around my favorite fabric shops. I like to touch and feel, I like to walk and look and dream. (I probably need professional help, but then again we've already determined that!)If you feel the need to order your own fun pattern - here's the link to the Calamity Jane's Cottage.

Maybe I can share the finished product with you, before I'm 100 years old or before the men in white coats come to carry me away?

Trade Day Goodies

I have become a frequent shopper at Canton Trade Days and have evolved into a pretty shrewd and resourceful junk shopper. (Is that something I should really be all too proud of?) I owe my little Canton addiction to one particular friend, whom shall remain nameless to protect the identity of the enabler!

I have one particular vendor that I stop by and visit with each chance I get - which is each time I go. She usually has the best assortment of vintage dish towels, aprons, table runners, linen napkins and such. This weekend was no exception. Obviously this little old lady is a garage sale shopper extraordinaire - how else would she always have a new supply of these items each month?


This is a table runner that is about 3 feet long. It is in excellent condition with no visible staining or tear. I simply couldn't resist this little treasure, it was calling my name! (Oh and it was $3!!!!)

This is probably my favorite snag of the day - I just wish I had ironed it, (as any proper southern diva would have before showing it in public...oops). This piece is also in mint condition and the fabric is very delicate, with no stains or discoloration. I can't wait to wash and starch this, I have the perfect spot for it in mind.

Of course I don't have any idea the age or origin of these wonderful finds, but I would like to think that some one's grandmother used it for her Easter Table each year.

These are some various cloth napkins that I just had to have to add to my already growing collection. I can already envision these draped on the shelves of my china cabinet, as I showcase my grandmother's dishes. Again, each of these were just a dollar - uh... hello? How could I turn them down?

Next, I found another sweet table runner of sorts, much smaller than the first but just as pretty.

Last but not least - I saw it and had to have it - it really was the first thing I noticed among the assorted tables of junk and knew that it was meant to be.... My grandmother has the tea pitcher and glasses that are the mates to this wonderful vase, which she has been promising to clean out her cabinets to give to me. So you see - it was kismet? Right? Why else would this exact vase have been blatantly left for me to discover and for only $8? I realize this vase probably holds no monetary value and basically it is a simple representation of my many wonderful memories of family gatherings at my grandmother's house and drinking sweet tea from the glasses and the tea pitcher that are the mates.
So there you have it, my little finds of the day and all for less than $20! It was a good day!

**Check back tomorrow - I will have new pics of the heifer. Please contain your enthusiasm!*

This weekend, Briley and I stumbled across this wonderful vendor's booth at the Canton Trade Days. It just so happened that she and I were a tad bit hungry, so the idea of free samples was quite appealing! Let me just tell ya'... this stuff was great! The company is Company's Comin' and they specialize is quick meal starters, such as mixes for soups, dips, and casseroles.

After a few minutes of sampling and taste testing, we agreed on four of their soup mixes and last night for dinner, we served the Baha Chicken Soup! YUMMY!

(Pictures taken from their website)

I've never really been big on these sort of meal starters or the almost homemade products, but these were very flavorful and currently I am at a stage in my life where quick and easy are way more appealing to me than cheap...if you know what I mean?

Briley enjoyed the Baha Soup so much last night, that she asked for the leftovers in her lunch at school today!

If you run across a Company's Comin' vendor at your next craft fair or swap meet, give them a taste! You won't be disappointed.


**Come back tomorrow to see the other great items we brought home from Trade Days. Oh, and I promise to move away from so many pig posts!**

It's the little things in the mailbox that delight me.

Not only am I beginning to see signs of Spring along the roadside with the beautiful blue bonnets and other wild flowers, but I see signs of Spring in my mailbox!

Today I found a wonderful surprise in my mailbox - two NEW catalogs to ponder and browse through.... The Country House and Pierre Deux. I'm so excited to see the new lovelies and their delicious spring decorating ideas. I can never decide what items I NEED and can't live without(because we all know I NEED new things...with each new season), so I keep my catalogs in a basket beside my bed, and as I'm lying in bed watching George Lopez (hey, don't judge me...it's my quiet time :)), I browse page by page making a mental wish list or dog earring the pages for my return.

Quite often I realize that an item I had once fawned over, just isn't any longer as appealing to me. I'm certainly not an impulse shopper, but I still like having my new wish books close at hand. I sit and dream about how I can redo my bathroom or redecorate my entry way with the latest furniture and accessories, but all the while I realize it isn't likely to come to fruition - LOL. I have completely accepted the fact that I am living with champagne taste on a beer budget, but still - I can look!
I am absolutely certain that this would look gorgeous in my entry way, but the boring and responsible mother in me knows that there is no way on God's Green Earth that I can justify paying so much for something that will only sit in my home and collect dust! I already have cheap junk that does that for me! :)

I must leave you now so that I can begin to ponder through my new arrivals. You know? I have a theory - if I don't order from these catalogs they will no longer send me their catalog, so really - I must order something so I can keep day dreaming. Right? Okay, I don't want to know any different - it's my theory and I'm sticking to it!

Check out my lastest find...

I'm not sure if I have shared with you my fetish... uh.. uh.. I mean passion for chickens and roosters? I can't quite explain it, but they just call out to me? I remember the YEARS of lying in the old rod-iron beds at my grandmother's house and listening through the open windows and hearing the sounds of life, just outside in her yard. She had a yard full of these little precious creatures. For me, the noise of the busy chickens takes me back to a time in my life when all was right and good - when I had no responsibility and life was easy!

Maybe I'm searching for that feeling of peace... or maybe I just like chickens? I really don't know? Basically, I'm just glad that roosters and chickens have found their way back to being popular and the latest fashion craze in kitchens!

I stumbled upon these goodies at my local Hancock's Store and it was meant to be.... why else would they have been 50% off? I mean - seriously - they called out to me!!

And of course I had to have the pair... DUH???

It was meant to be, I tell ya'.... FATE!

And YOU thought the preppy pink look was out of style?

Whew... it's so good to know that I'm not as 'out of style' as my children would have me to believe. For years now - well okay - for 20+ years- I have loved the preppy pink look, the green and pink plaids, the many styles of polka dots, traditional southern charm and the glamour of being a southern belle!

Well ya' know what? It's okay! I've found an entire group of ladies that feel the same way... Woo Hoo... I found my niche' ! (Don't burst my bubble.... I going to run with this as an excuse to bring back out my pink and green plaid Bermuda shorts!)

These are some great websites that will only feed my hunger for all things preppy... take a looksie and either have a great laugh at my expense or just enjoy the goodness of it all!
http://southernandpreppy.blogspot.com/
http://pinkpreppypartygirl.blogspot.com/
http://leahequalsawesome.blogspot.com/ - Always Pretty in Pink
http://savannahsouthernbelle.blogspot.com/ - Diary of a Southern Belle
http://gracioussouthernliving.blogspot.com/
http://hersoutherncharm.blogspot.com/
http://etiquettewithmissjanice.blogspot.com/ - Miss Janice

These ladies really understand what being 'southern' is all about - now all this time that my friends and family have told me I was living in a world all of my own; well here's what I have to say to you " Nuh uh!!! I'm not crazy - the old southern charm and preppy ways of life are still alive and well!"

Now if you will excuse me, I must go have a spot of tea in my pretty pink and white china cup with my little pinkie stuck up in the air!