Magpie Ethel

Family Photo Shoot

A high school friend of ours, Meg, is taking a photography class.  One of her assignments was to capture a person in an environment that reflects them.  Meg asked if we would be interested in helping her with the project. It was really fun and she got some great shots that I think spoke about each of us and our interests.

KATE.  Almost 16 and a typical teen.  Loves fashion, her cell phone and her laptop. I posted an earlier picture of Kate with her Archie collection that Meg took.  Here is Kate in her groovy room.

The graphic flowers on the wall are 17 yards of fabric from IKEA that I stapled to the wall. (It covers a great floral wallpaper that I couldn't bear to paint or take down)

I love this shot of Kate with a pair of old mickey mouse ears and her polka dot rain boots.

My husband TOM was a good sport and agreed to a short but sweet photo shoot with his collection of pharmacy antiques. (he is a pharmacist)

Yes, this is an old book full of vintage prescriptions...they used to save them all in a record book.

My son BEN is 17 and brainy.  He loves science, math, reading and Rubik's cubes. 

Ben and his Pez collection...he also collects vintage globes, old science kits, Rubik's cubes, bugs and super-balls.

Ben has loved Albert Einstein since he was small. The great piece of art in the back was done by a friend.

You can see Ben's super-ball collection in the clear tube near the window.  He also has a couple of vintage skeleton teaching tools that I got from our old elementary school that hang on the wall.  He has two stuffed snakes that hang from his ceiling.

And last but not least me.  I don't love having my photo taken, but it was fun to play around and come up with shots.

Me in my magical little studio world.

Lounging on the counter with a bouquet of reflector flowers.

I am also in love with my vintage O'Keefe and Merritt stove, so we had to do some kitchen shots.

What fun.  Thank you Meg for a great experience and some amazing photos.  I will not be giving up my crafting for a modeling career, but it certainly was a wonderful time. Meg, I hope you realize all your dreams with your photography!

Mailbox Love

I am extremely embarrassed to admit that I am way behind in thanking friends for goodies that have arrived in my mailbox lately.  The guilt has weighed heavily on me...for at least 6 weeks.  Tonight I am doing my official thank you post...prompted by the give way I won at Love2junk

I received a box of bird themed items.  My favorite bird in the bunch is now living in my bathroom with the 52 other birds that roost there.

My new tiny feathered friend is in front of the pink vase.  Thanks Elaine....the birds are settled in nicely!

Remember the post about my daughters Archie collection?  She was thrilled to have Archies show up in the mail for her.  Jayme from Flaming Biscuits was kind enough to send her collection from her middle school days.  Kim from Camp Whimsy sent her stash.  Kate was thrilled and hopefully you received a note from her saying thanks!

Jayme sent some titles I had never even heard of!

I met up with Sammy Girl the other day who brought me back a box of birthday candles from London!  She said they were yelling at her to buy them - I wonder if they yelled at her with a British accent?

Blimey...they are "British Made"!

From My Vintage Soul a wonderful postcard "souvenir folder of Scenic Oregon" that she found in N.Y.  It has beautiful scenes and the colors are amazing....it was meant to make its way back to this state.

I've also received a couple of my beloved spun heads lately. Oodles and Oodles sent me a package of goodies - with some wonderful pilgrim heads.  Amy from Candywinkel (who is close to starting a blog...crossing my fingers) sent me a great little angel.  You know how I love my spun heads friends!

I also need to give a quick shout out to Michelle from Double Wide Dreamer for a book she sent that she thought I would enjoy - "Dead Guys Stuff".  Which I still have yet to read...to much glitter and paint in my life lately.

Sorry about the housekeeping post...just needed to get these long overdue thank yous out.  I truly love the blog world and what wonderful people I have met!   I hope I did not forget anyone...

Go Ducks!

For a number of years I have made Christmas wreaths from old vintage balls and sold them at my sales. Recently I got an email asking me to make a wreath for a birthday gift for a enthusiastic University of Oregon fan.  The wife wanted it in University of Oregon colors - green and yellow - and wanted to hang it up for the football season.  I graduated from the U of O and am a duck fan and was happy to take on the challenge.

Luckily the color scheme fell within the realm of colors used on Christmas ornaments.  Yellow was a stretch, so I spray painted a few for a touch of that color and the rest I did in shades of gold.  Luckily this was not a wreath for a fan of Oregon State (beavers) as their colors are orange and black and Christmas ornaments rarely come in those colors.

Can you see the football helmet ornament? I was given that one to put in the wreath.

I also added an old fabric patch inside a vintage ornament that meant to have a scene in it (which was missing).

The husband loved this birthday gift and it was a fun thing to make.  So as the mighty Ducks take on California this afternoon I can only add...."GO DUCKS!"

A Decent Estate Sale Friday

Friday began with a quick trip to a church sale. I got a couple of things and then had a route planned with a few estate sales.  However, I was sidetracked when I passed a sign near my house advertising an estate sale....off I went, and I never made it back on my route.

I didn't think I got too much, until I started putting it on the table for this picture.  It was a fairly decent sale.

A old floral tin, a tin floral big wastebasket, a pottery vase and a santa head cookie container - the only Christmas that made it home with me!

A bandanna advertising the mighty state of Oregon, a couple of oversize safety pins (what did they use these for?  I am attracted to them and keep picking them up!), a stack of unused pink bags, a clothespin dress (will join the collection in my laundry room) and a roll of bread wrapper paper.

An old box of colored pencils, a bow tie, a pair of doggie salt and pepper, a little bling and a yellow and white crocheted dresser scarf.  I seemed to gravitate towards yellow today.

A stack of about 40 old pee-chee style folders was one of my most interesting finds.  I like how the images changed as if a time line.

The wholesome football scene.

We still have the football player but have added some eye popping orange and purple...and the rock band in the corner

Is this the female version?  A woman golfer and then the happy prom couple.

A much more beatnik theme...and no sports here, except the little basketball hoop.

Just too groovy.

A hand made coverlet with morning glory design.  It has two matching pillow cases and is in pretty good condition.

An old PINK thermos perfect for holding a dahlia bouquet.  I have a pair of these oversize thermoses now.  This one is in really bad condition, but I like its charm as a vase.

Not to bad of a sale.  I was at this one so long I didn't venture out to any others. This was a total digger sale - my favorite kind!   It was also family run which sometimes is a little better to shop...and it was today!

The Silly and Unexpected

Yesterday I was out tidying up my studio.  It is mind boggling some of the things that I pick up and make their way out their.  Today I thought I would share three of the quirkiest.

Do you remember these balloon feet? They were a give away at shoe stores if I recall correctly.  When you got a free balloon instead of tying a string and weight to it you had these cardboard feet.  I have a whole supply of these in two sizes, unused....ready for a project - found in Kansas.

How about three drunken spun heads. One too many for this trio and holding on to the light pole for support. It is amazing the different types of spun heads that were manufactured.  I am assuming these were for a wild New Years party. Found at local estate sale a few years ago.

And last but not least an army.

An army of tuxedo clad figures (each about an inch tall) waiting for that special prom date or bride.  Unfortunately she was no where in sight when I bought these handsome gentlemen. Found locally at Goodwill.

Silly stuff huh?  One of these day they will make their way into a project.  None of the items takes up much room, so they live in the studio for now - making me grin whenever I open the box.

Between Two Holiday Worlds

This time of year I just can't focus on one holiday.  One minute I am making Christmas houses and the next I am doing a few more spun head Halloween gals. I did get this guy done....Mr. Man in the Moon.

I can't part with him.  That is the only spun head I have ever seen of that style. He looked like the man in the moon to me...so that is who he became.

Vintage handmade crepe paper pants and a belt made of old paper scrap.  I love his striped arms.  He also has a couple more friends that are headed to Etsy tonight.

This kettle was calling for a witch to swoop in and brew up a potion,

This little witch is deep in conversation with Mr. black crow.  I also like the field of glittery orange mushrooms.

When I recently posted on the old candlesticks that I rework, Barbara from Ooodles and Ooodles suggested I do a Halloween themed one.  So I did.

A couple of old electric candles decked out in orange and black.  I made the bump chenille flowers in a wonderful Halloween orange. The black millinery and leaves were scavenged from a vintage hat.  Thanks for the suggestion Barbara.

This may be the last of my Halloween crafting.  I have to get busy on Christmas.  I hope to get these last few Halloween things listed on Etsy tonight. Now back to the studio...and time to switch holiday gears.

This Time of Year

You would think that after spending hours in the studio crafting things for the upcoming holiday season I would have a little burnout.

No such thing as holiday overload on this end!  In fact I was THRILLED to find this on the newsstands this morning while grocery shopping!

I love it when the holiday magazines hit the stands.  I was especially excited to see a feature on Liz Demos...I enjoy visiting her blog (and wish she would post more often). If I ever make a trip to Savannah, her shop is on my list of places to visit!

So bring on the red and green...the glitter and the snow...mix it in with the pumpkins and skeletons - I love this time of the year!

Invasion of the Snowman

Snowman. Cute snowman. Escaped from the studio.

Guaranteed to make you smile with their chilly charm!  Happy Sunday!

Estate Sale Friday

Not alot out there today and my enthusiastic mood was darkened at the first sale I went to today.  The company running the sale was on a COMPLETE power trip and gave out the numbers for the sale in the screwiest manner I have ever seen in my estate sale career. Everyone there was completely baffled by the odd manner in which they did numbers (I would elaborate, but was rather confusing).  I won't be hitting this estate sale company again!!! GGRRRR....

I hit two sales. 

Can't have a day without Christmas

Cute little gal on a vintage tin, two metal pink diaper pins, some old black wooden beads, nut-cups, a box of plastic hor d'oeuvres picks and some vintage floral stickers.

A bunch of old decks of childrens card games.  I like the fish shaped cards of the "Go Fish" game.

My favorite find had a quarter price tag.

A bag with probably 20 of these little plastic birds.  They are the perfect scale for my little gals that I make. The little objects next to the penny, I believe to be corn cobs.  The bird and the corn cobs look like they are made to go together - but that is a guess.

Hitting a antique show tomorrow morning with my mom in Camas, Washington. Looking forward to spending some time with her and crossing my fingers for a good find.

Have a great weekend.

Family Hand-Me-Down

In my family I am happy to receive the hand me downs that have a family connection. Old photo albums, dishes, furniture...alot of it trickles into my hands.  I accept the responsibility of being the family keeper and enjoy these treasures.  Let me share the story of my Aunt Ruth's chandelier.

My grandfather was one of 11 children and they lived in Ames, Iowa.  He had a sister Ruth who married and lived in Des Moines, Iowa most of her adult life.  She and her husband never had children and they owned a restaurant called "The Silhouette".  They hosted a family dinner each sunday at their home which my Auntie Kathy has no fond memories of. She was the only child present and it was a long afternoon for her of boredom (and they never missed a Sunday).  Aunt Ruth and Uncle Lou had quite a fancy home and had a lovely chandelier in the dining room.  It was my Uncle Max who had to go and clean the chandelier at least once a year....crystal by crystal.  When Aunt Ruth passed away the chandelier was willed to Uncle Max.  He had no place for it so it sat in a box. It sat in that box for five years as no one in the family had a spot for it, but no one could bear to part with this reminder of Aunt Ruth.

When I moved into my tudor style house 12 years ago there were two chandeliers that came with it.  

This one is in my dining room.

 

This smaller, funkier one is in the downstairs hall. I was not a huge fan of chandeliers, but they worked in my home and I believed them to be original to the house.  However the living room ceiling sported a modern Lowe's style light fixture.  It had to go...and my dad suggested perhaps Aunt Ruth's chandelier would work and would finally have a home.  My parents picked it up from a cousins house in California and brought it back to me.

It fit perfectly.  The funny thing was that is was so similar to the one that was in my dining room.  This was a family hand-me-down that was meant for me...and I love the connection it has to my family and its memories.

 

It even came with some extra crystals with a note written in some old fashioned handwriting. I had to save that too.

 

I wish my Uncle Max was still around to come over a couple of times a year and clean it like he did in the good old days.  Doing this post made me realize it is time to get out the ladder and clean it up again.  It would make Aunt Ruth happy....and me too.