Magpie Ethel

My Mom Likes to Eavesdrop

When my mom and I went to Farm Chicks we stopped by and antique store on the way there.  While we were browsing she was listening to the clerk and a customer talking (I was on my cellphone and didn't get wind of this conversation),  As we checked out my mom asked about the estate sale they had been talking about.  It was a barn sale which involved clearing out an 100 year old farmhouse, barn and outbuildings and it was the following weekend in the town of Donald which isn't far from Portland.  My mom and I set a date to go.

So this morning we headed out and joined the crowd to check out the goodies in the barn.   Thank goodness my mom was eavesdropping last weekend as this was a pretty good sale.

Not too bad huh?  A homemade bird cage, a great blue fan, an old jewelry box, a battered cake can lid.

3 old jars (free), 3 metal frogs, a pilgrim and reindeer candle, yellow vase, 4 old measuring tapes, one small metal floral tray, 2 boxes of old tiny Christmas ornaments and one with bells, an old cardboard Christmas house and some old games.

A can of Desert Gold prunes (empty and great graphics) and box of birthday stuff with two old boxes of candles.

A box of old baby announcements, two boxes of old card games and a sheet of floral vintage decals.

A bunch of old activity games.

This one made me laugh.  The Little Princess Beauty Parlor.  The points on the center little card read: Washable.  Develops Originality.  Occupies many happy hours.  When you open the box you find this...

The two heads are called Jane and Mary and you paint their hair colors, make-up etc.  It looks like this little treasure had some use years ago.  Weird huh...a paint box beauty kit?

Box of Christmas wrapping paper with a bunch of old Christmas stickers.  An empty box of Camp Fire Stationery which will be perfect to wrap a gift in for my Campfire crazy sis in law.

Love this little plastic bird pin and the little barrettes. I hope the little blue bird cleans up nicely...I think he is adorable.

 

Old yarn practice sewing cards with great pictures.

Luck O' The Irish was with me today.

Great old cardboard dollhouse which I have yet to build but it looked like all the pieces were there.

The aluminum netting was one of my favorite finds (on the left).  I rarely find it and use it for wings in my crafts.  I was thrilled to find some today (it also comes in different colors - this one is a light blue)

This cute little tin. I found the base in one box and the top in an entirely different spot.  Glad I could put them together!

This old handmade ladder/shelf that leans against a building for support.  I stood on it and it is STURDY!

And last but not least a great cabinet for my studio.  This was not from the barn sale, but from the "Dud sale" yesterday. I went back today to see if it was still there and was going to offer a bid in the bid box.  They took my bid on the spot and said I could have it. YAHOOO!

Photo is before I gave it a good cleaning.  It will live in the studio and replace a set of shelves.  I always need more storage and this one has a ton.  It even has a great galvanized top. Off course it made me rearrange and reorganize MY ENTIRE STUDIO...which is why I am in my pajamas, exhausted and ready to go to sleep....

sweet dreams everyone.

Estate Sale Friday

I hit four estate sales today.  I know I post alot of finds on estate sale Friday, but sometimes the reality is that there just isn't stuff out there...wasn't my day.  I will persevere tho in my search and cross my fingers for the next sale.  Today all I got was a vintage deck of adorable deer playing cards. The deer is talking with a little gray squirrel (probably telling him what a loser of a day it was for sales).

They will live with my vintage playing card collection.

A Little Pink File Box

When I returned from Farm Chicks I spent some time organizing the business cards I collected in my little pink file box.

I have used this system for awhile to keep track of my blogging friends.  I know I could keep the information on the computer somewhere, but I like the old fashioned look and feel of sorting thru my 3 x 5 cards.  I must admit that sometimes my mind is mush. I have met so many people in blog-land that it is hard for me to keep things straight sometimes.  After I have commented back and forth with a blog friend or if I have developed a relationship with them..they get added to my file box. 

My little pink box - estate sale find.

I found these terrific striped 3 x 5 cards at Office Max.  I thought they were much more charming than those ordinary looking index cards.

I couldn't find ABC dividers that I liked so I made some using assorted vintage looking scrapbook paper cut to size and then added the letter dividers.  I like that is all a mishmash of patterns and not super matchy/matchy.

I made an example card for myself.  If I have a business card I tape it to the side...they make the card more exciting.  I include the blog name and the name of the blogger, or if no blog, just the name.  I would include the home state and city, names of kids, collections or quirky finds. etc. I also list the email for the person and their address if I have it.  Basically any little fact that I need to remember!!!!

I hope this does not sound stalkerish, but rather my attempt to deal with my inadequate memory retention!

In the back of the file box I tuck cards or notes I have received from blog-land friends.  Everything is all neat and in one spot.  My little pink file box is a very good thing!

And just as a side note...I have been busy in the studio working on some red, white and blue fourth of July fun.  I hope to have my things listed on Etsy this Sunday.

Have a great weekend...hope to hit some estate sales tomorrow. I'll keep you posted.

The Farm Chicks - Part Three, Chaps

I can't hit the Farm Chicks show and not hit my favorite restaurant "Chaps."

We usually hit if for breakfast and I have a bowl of their incredibly yummy oatmeal.  The owner, Celeste is a doll and I had the chance to meet her this year (she also had a booth at the Farm Chicks show). If I lived closer I would eat there at least once a week.  I love the food, but the amazing decor of this restaurant blows me away as well.  Cowgirl Charming with a capital "C"!

Time to head inside.

Great quirky decor...can you tell what the jar is full of?

Plastic cowboy and indian figures.

Walls are covered in horse images and pages torn from old books,  So simple, yet so striking and fun.

Tons of western wear hangs about.

Self serve coffee bar.  The old marshmallow whip can on the end holds splenda and sugar packets.

Front counter where you place your order.

I love this cabinet.  The jar on the left holds marshmallows!

 

 

 

The stairway headed to the upstairs seating area has these great timeworn looking stripes leading the way.

 

 

 

We ate next to this fireplace..not only was the fireplace detail amazing, but the candles on top were great.

 

And then there is why I come to Chaps in the first place...

 

The best bowl of oatmeal I have EVER eaten with blueberries on the side.  I was in heaven.  Pair that with a cup of their great coffee and I am set for the day!  Their whole menu looks amazing, but I have this oatmeal fixation!

I posted on Chaps last year and Celeste sent my mom and I a tshirt as a thanks for loving the little world she has created.  This year I brought her a little goodie I made that I thought would fit in with her theme.

 

An old original spun head cowboy from my collection. I added the horse and the old Anagram letters.  I boxed it up in a plain brown box, but needed to add some fun.  I went thru a couple of copies of old horse magazines that I have from the 50's.  I found this and it was perfect.

 

 

An old magazine ad for Chaps (the kind you wear).  It seemed quite fitting.

And I was pleased to see my little chaps man found a happy spot to live in one of my favorite place to eat. Happy Trails until next year...

Farm Chicks - Part Two

I think one thing that I really came away with from this show (and past shows as well) was the celebration and excitement that surrounds the show.  Everyone is happy, friendly and there is just a positive vibe floating about.  People come from all over...I met bloggers from Georgia, the woman in front of us in line was from Montana and the couple at the gate on the second day were from Canada.  Amazing how far people travel for a good show! It was also great to see old friends.

My favorite Farm Chicks moment was meeting up with my friend Kim from Camp Whimsy.  I met Kim LAST year at Farm Chicks and she and I have stayed connected.  When I spotted her Saturday morning I was so excited...she even had on her red shoes that she posted about wearing!

It was so good to see her - she has tons of Farm Chick photos as well on her blog. In fact there are a ton of photos posted on other blogs - way better than those I took - spend a little time surfing the links on the Farm Chicks blog.

The Farm Chicks think of it all when they put on this show. I loved this idea.

This is my mom and I taking advantage of the hanging frame for the photos.

Here are some great display ideas that I liked.

A use for hankies!

I like the mixture of letters than announced Lisa Souers booth.(and a great booth to boot)

I REALLY wanted this honeycomb strawberry.  It was gigantic...but I couldn't figure out where to hang it in my house.  I know, quirky.

Piles of fun stuff to dig thru.  Old watch faces, typewriter keys etc.  You name it and it was probably on this table!

A clothesline full of Farm Chick necklaces.  It was pretty empty by the end of the show.

These baked good vendors captured the happy positive mood I talked bout earlier...every time I walked by their booth they were chuckling away.  I got some killer oatmeal/chocolate chip/caramel bars from them. YUM.

The funnest part of the show for me (besides the shopping) was keeping an eye out for the blog badges.  Was really fun to connect with people that read my blog or other bloggers. The badge thing really worked out well and I hope more bloggers participate next year.

We tried to grab some bloggers for a photo shoot. TinkerVerve, Laura from WSU, A Girl Named Timi, The Mermaids, Camp Whimsy and Simply Stork all made this photo.  (there were so many cameras going we did not know which way to look!)

Kai and Angie from Bella Country

Shabby Scraps (great photos of FC on her blog!) Me, Camp Whimsy and the girls who came the farthest for the show, Lee from The Way I See It and Tammy from The Other Side of Me - all the way from GEORGIA!!! 

A Girl Named Timi, Me, Laura from WSU.  Once again, note the mood of the show as you see those in the background behind Timi.  I am missing some blogger photos...Lisa from A Thing for Roses and Isabel from Maison Douce. I know I am missing other bloggers I met....let me know and get red in the face!

And to end this post one of my favorite moments of the show. Having the Farm Chicks sign my cookbook (with Kim).  Teri and Serena are absolutely the nicest women.

I love this show!

Some more bloggers I met with their badges - no photos tho, but check them out.

Unexpected Necessities.

Middle Earth Maiden

A Peace of Bliss

Farm Chicks - Part One

Oh my goodness!!!  The weekend at Farm Chicks was all that I had hoped for.  So much to share and show.  I am going to post in segments (thus the title part one) as I am trying to play catch-up with life after being gone as well.

I actually did fill the FARM CHICKS suitcase with finds and business cards collected from vendors and other bloggers!

Part One will be my finds.  Keep in mind that I go to alot of estate sales so the things that catch my eye at sales are the unusual and things I haven't seen before...you know - QUIRKY!

I am always on the hunt for metal items in that terrific jadeite green color.  These two will live in my kitchen.  I am going to hang the dust pan on the end of a cabinet and use it with magnets to hold keys and such.  The tiny lamp even has a metal lamp shade to match.  These two things will be part of my tin collection in my kitchen.

Two very silly handmade pink flamingos.  They have a thin strip of metal that is their neck - the slightest breeze or bump makes their heads bob up and down.  They make me smile and will live in the shade of my tree in the backyard.

A vintage crepe paper tablecloth.  I will use the graphics in Halloween crafts. One of the witches is rather sexy and smoking a cigarette.  I don't find these very often so was excited to pick this one up.

My jewelery finds.  A pin made from re-purposed black and creme bakelite belt buckles with a cat silhouette.  A bottle cap frame pin with tiny wings made from an old tin can. I can change the images in BOTH of these pins to suit my mood...I think I am going to go with vintage black and white photos.  I really like the creamy yellow necklace made from an old earring and a diaper pin (Kate has already asked to borrow it).

This was my first purchase.  A tiny bride and groom with their little spun heads won my heart.  They are not quite 3 inches tall and have great detail. 

They will live with all these other happily married couples in my china hutch.

And last but not least my twinkly star.

This is a fairly big plywood star (over 2 feet across) that has been painted a pale pink and GLITTERED!  Each hole has a tiny white christmas light inserted thru it. It is spectacular when lit and I love it! 

So those are my treasures.  Lots of other things I would have bought as well, but couldn't figure out where they would live in my house.  I was happy with what I got.

Have a great day and stay tuned for Part Two of Farm Chicks.

Sharing Some Inspiration

I am off to Farm Chicks but before I go I thought I would share some studio shots.  I know I have posted on my studio before, but people seem to enjoy seeing it. I have also included some links to three other studios that I have found recently on blogs that are super fun eye candy to look at. (these studio links are at the end of the post).  Enjoy!!!

And now that you are completely shocked over what an organized pack rat I am - here are the other studios that inspire me lately.

Just Something I Made - she has a link on her left sidebar for a studio tour that leads to her Flickr shots.  Great studio and a fun blog as well.

Earth Angels - This post on Nicole Bowen and her studio has me salivating. It looks like her studio will be featured in the Aug. issue of "Where Woman Create"...I can't wait to see more.

And Other Silly Things.  She just moved into a new studio, but I love her old one a ton too.  This post on her drawers made me dizzy with jealousy!

Have a great weekend...hope it is an inspiring one for you.

  

The Countdown

I am counting down the days until the Farm Chicks show this weekend in Spokane. This is the third year that I have gone with my mom...it is a weekend I look forward to all year.  I have my vintage cart (with the liner I made) ready to bring with me to collect all the goodies I find.

I have been wearing my t-shirts from the past two shows to get me in the mood.

My blog badge that I made is ready to be worn to the show.  Kim, from Camp Whimsy and I came up with the idea for bloggers to make badges so we could identify those blogging friends.  It will be interesting to see what kind of response we get wearing them and who we will meet.

I printed a map out from the Farm Chicks blog with a list of all the vendors. I have been planning how to effectively shop at the show...

I plan on eating at Chaps again this year. If you have a chance this is a super fun place to eat.  I hope to eat there once, if not twice during the weekend!

Things I will not REPEAT THIS TRIP that happened last year.  1. I will not get a speeding ticket an hour and a half into the drive.  It does not put a person in a good mood!  2. I will not get lost (twice) driving to Spokane. My mom was supposed to be navigating.  This year we are using the GPS.

I will try and take lots of photos to share.  We leave on Friday morning.  If there are any decent sales here in town I will hit them and then it is on to Farm Chicks!!!  Yehaw!

Stop and Smell the Roses

It happens to me every year.  I walk into my backyard and fall in love with it.  It is small but ever so charming.  Today is backyard tour day.

We put in the picket fence after we first moved in.  I love how it frames the backyard. My rose went bananas this year with blooms...it will need  a little pruning next year.

My peonies are blooming and smell luscious. The little window box is outside of my studio window.

I love the two urns that I painted pink last year. My friend Pam from One Gals Trash gave them to me and they are perfect at the entrance.

I love this little vintage vase that hangs on my gate...time to head inside the yard.

The picnic table was my grandfathers and I painted it a pale blue.  In another month or so the hydrangeas behind it will be in bloom - they are a beautiful blue that matches the table.

We are headed down the brick path to the patio that my dad helped us put in.  The brick building in the background is my neighbors garage. The little girl statue is one of my favorites (she sits in front of a bunch of lavender).

This trellis has a clematis that will be blooming soon.  I really like to use boxwoods to keep the yard tidy looking.  The vine on the left is an akebia and will have tiny white yummy smelling flowers.  I also have honeysuckle and sweet peas mixed in here.  The more the merrier in my book.

I re-potted the akebia vine in a feed trough after the root broke thru the terra cotta pot it was previously in.  The root was snaking its way down thru the brick patio...hopefully the trough will keep the roots contained.  I also like the old coffee cans planted with impatients and alyssum.

The green table is a vintage sandbox that I added legs to and put a galvanized top on.

This is the entrance to my studio.

This concrete deer peeks out from behind a boxwood hedge.  He often is adorned with garlands, birthday hats and such. 

The back corner of the yard - you can see an old green rusty wheelbarrow full of pink flowers in the background.  It is in a sea of violets. (started from a couple of plants from my grandfather's yard)

An old kitchen table that I added a galvanized top to as well as a couple of tin stars.  The turquoise ladder was free.  I bought the pink one.

This birdbath is a favorite of the birds in my yard.  A grumpy concrete frog lives in it too.

And last but not least, my side yard...basically my cutting garden - full of peonies, stock, roses, lilacs, a snowball bush, hollyhocks, daisies etc.

Thanks for touring with me.  You would think I live on an estate with all these photos...nope, just a little city lot.  A tiny lot that makes me happy.