Where's the Sun?!

Hey everyone!  While we were enjoying some beautiful 80 degree spring weather, as we normally do in Arizona in March, a freak storm hit Sunday and Monday!  In northern AZ, they got a ton of snow, and here in Tucson, this is what we got:

It's hail!  Cool!  I think we got a little non-sticky snow here and there throughout the day, but this was what I could take a good shot of.  I know those of you who live in heavy snow areas are probably laughing at this, but us Arizonans don't get to see much of it. (well, besides Northern Arizonans!)

I also stopped at the Savers on my lunch break to find this little treasure.  I am a little addicted to clocks now, uh-oh!

This is a Seth Thomas travel alarm clock.  I have one other travel alarm clock and I love them both so much!  It is just so neat how they fold into and out of their little compact cases!  My other one is round, so now I have a little shape diversity!

Well, off to bed, thanks for stopping by!

Suitcase n' Lace

Hey guys!
So I promised you last time that I would show you the product of my current "thrift to craft" phase!  Well, here are the befores of the suitcase.

This is the suitcase before it's transformation, Scout was also feeling photogenic.  Anyways, you see that color?  I think I'll call it blue-gray blah.

Here's the inside.  It wasn't stained or anything, but it just was not my taste.  I'm not a fan of frills.  And the material was that plastic-y kind that is usually found on baby changing tables.  It needed to go.

This is after I had ripped out the bottom of the inside fabric, there were some staples, then I just pulled it all off...

Well, more the just a few staples...

Here is the finished product!  I was so nervous about the fabric I chose, but I think it turned out rather nicely!

I like the patina on the buckles, and the handle on the case, it is so retro looking!

Here is the inside.  Yep, it is plain jane, but I like it!  I used the pieces I pulled out of the original lining as a template for this.  The backing was just a single cutout, and the sides I had to do some sewing, then I hot-glued them in.  No close ups on this one because it isn't super clean and awesome looking when you see it close!  It's not too bad though, and I am happy with it.

I've also mentioned to you guys about the monster bag of lace I recently picked up at the thrift shop.  It is huge, like the size of a bag that a comforter would come in.  Take a looksy:

There is so much more!  Some many colors and types of ribbon, lace, rick-rack.  I can't wait to use more of it!  I thought I would display it in my newly renovated suitcase!

Now wasn't that fun?  A nice, colorful post again!  Let me know how you think everything turned out!

I'm linking up to some great link parties, go check them out, there's always some great Pinterest material!
Make the Scene Monday (Alderberry Hill)
Flea Market Finds (Her Library Adventures)
Restyled Sunday (Stylish Once Again)
Saturday Night Special Link Party (Funky Junk Interiors)
Get Schooled Saturdays (Too Much Time on My Hands)
Penny Worthy Project (Hey, What's For Dinner Mom?)
Vintage Style Link Party (Knick of Time Interiors)
We Did It Wednesday (Sew Much Ado)
Rock n' Share (The Shady Porch)

A Rainbow of Beautiful Books

Hey guys!  Just a quick little post from Spring Break land!  Just before I left to come visit my parents, I stopped at a few thrifts and came across these amazing books.  I can honestly tell you that originally, I only bought 6 of them.  When I got to my car and put them all in there (no bag, of course, cause that's how I roll!) I realized that the set didn't look complete without blue.  I knew originally that I was missing some, but I figured that there was a deal if you only bought 6, so I would just pick my favorite colors.  Well, I realized that I needed consecutive numbers, which included the blue book, so I walked back in, dug for them and found them!  Now I have 9!  I love them so much that I might go back and see if there are any more that interest me.  There was a TON of old Reader's Digest books and their covers are all so beautiful. I found one with "To Kill a Mockingbird" in it, but I didn't buy it because it didn't match this set.  I am hoping that is still there, because I love that book, hence why my dog is named Scout...

Anyways, I set up the books for display and had a little Instagram photo shoot!

Gorgeous, right?  I have volumes 1 through 9, and they are all in nice condition.  Dust jackets?  Who needs em, I love the color and patterns of the covers.  I was originally inspired by Vanessa at Thrift Core who recently blogged about her love for rainbows (hey me, too!) and books (hey me, too, too!).  She has such a fun and awesome blog, go check it out sometime!

Oh, and Vanessa also recently blogged about how much she love vintage suitcases and that re-inspired me to pursue a tutorial from A Beautiful Mess.  I will show you the product of mine as soon as I get home, silly me forgot the camera at home!

Click HERE for this great tutorial!

Lastly, I would like to say how awesome my boyfriend is.  I got home the other day and found these (before they had blossomed) in a cup of water on my coffee table.  Two days later and I had a cup full of these!

Isn't he just the berries?  Yes, I borrowed that saying from "A River Runs Through It".  Anyways, until I find some more awesome stuff, take care!

Free Style Friday (Happy Hour Projects)
Potpourri Friday (2805)
Pearls and Lace Thursday (Faith, Grace, and Crafts)
Vintage Thingie Thursday (Coloradolady)
Time Travel Thursday (The Brambleberry Cottage)
Treasure Hunt Thursday (From My Front Porch to Yours)
Thrifty Thursday (Thrifty Decorating)
Would You Buy It Wednesday (Junker Newbie)
Anything Goes Linky (Bacon Time with the Hungry Hungry Hypo)
Thrifty Love (Caps Creations)

It's Blog Tag... You're it!

Heidi from Grizz 'n' Dove recently tagged me in a little game of blog tag.  Blog tag?  What's that?  I asked the same thing.  Well, it turns out it's a little way for you to get to know other bloggers.  Fancy that, right?  Pretty neat-o, if I do say so myself!  So here is how it works:

RULES:

• You must post the rules.
• Answer the 11 questions that the tagger posted for you and then create 11 questions to ask the people you've tagged.
• Tag 11 people and link them in your post.
• Let them know you have tagged them.

So yeah, that's the rules, straight from Heidi's blog.  Sorry for the copy/paste, but it's late!  However, I am so game to play since I finished all my exams. (just like I told you Heidi!)


This is what Heidi asked me, and my answers:

1. If you could choose, would you like to live in a big city, small town or in the country?
Probably a big city, because that would probably be the only place I could get a job!  I am hoping to become an embryologist with all my grad school training, and there aren't many fertility clinics in small towns!  However, I really like the idea of living about 20 minutes away from the big city, so it's just a short commute away, but still so I can live somewhere that I can keep a horse in my backyard!


2. What skill do you wish you were better at?  I wish I were better at recognizing the "good stuff" at the thrift store!  You know like that toaster I found recently?  Yeah, I am getting more picky, but I just know I am probably passing on some awesome items!





3. What is your favorite genre of book to read?  Being a grad student, I should probably answer textbooks, but truly it is any book that has to do with animals (I know, big nerd!), but specifically where the animal doesn't die.  Marley and Me ruined those kind of books and movies for me.  Okay, well maybe it goes all the way back to Black Beauty and Old Yeller...


4. What is your favorite movie?
I guess I have a few:
Step Brothers really never gets old for me.
True Romance is a movie my sister just introduced me to that is a little gory, but awesome.
Shawshank Redemption is a classic.  Nuff said.


5. What is your favorite decoration in your house/apartment? Why?  We have this sign above our back door that is big and long and says "GOD BLESS ARIZONA".  I found it when I was just a budding "picker" (I only say that because I got it at a large resale store rather than a thrift).  I knew I needed it, even if it didn't match my decor.  I'm born and bred Arizonan, and I think it just might be the most awesome state ever.  Sure, it gets hot, but hey we don't experience hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, winter, or any of that bad weather.  But we do have Haboobs.  Yep, click on that link, I know you are tempted.


6. Least favorite day of the week?  Monday.  Reasoning is self-explanatory.


7. Favorite pair of shoes? You know, the pair that you'll cry when they get too worn to wear anymore...  All my TOMS.  They are oh so comfortable.  I have like 6 pairs.  Not joking.


8. When did you know you wanted to start a blog?  When I saw all the awesome things other bloggers were doing!  I was ogling their beautiful finds and photographs of their finds and I figured, "Hey, maybe someone will be tricked into following what I have to say!"  So far, ~44 of you have fallen for it!  Just kidding, I LOVE all my followers and commenters, it's what keeps me sane at my "real-life" job/school.


9. Describe your perfect date. (either a romantic date or a date on the calendar... Miss Congeniality style!)  My perfect date is simple, I'm no high maintenance girl.  I just want to be with my man doing things we do.  We would go to our favorite dinner place (May's Chicken and Waffles) and then go get ice cream afterward at the gourmet ice cream place, along with a microbrew beer.  Just one, cause we're lightweights.


10. What is your go-to recipe for company? Or do you try something new each time?  I don't cook, I just don't really.  My man mostly cooks.  Oh and I don't rally have company.  It's one of those things that's more like, "Hey, you wanna crash on my couch while you're in town?"  Rather than, "Would you like to spend a weekend in our beautiful cottage and we can all cook dinner and sit down at the dining table and eat?"  The only thing that I know I can make if I am absolutely forced to cook dinner for someone is tri-tip steak.  But it's expensive, so it's only for those that I really love!


11. What single food item could you live on if you were stranded on an island?
Pizza.  It seems to have a nice variety of food groups!


And now for my questions for my tagees!

1. Where is the coolest place you have ever been?
2. What's your best organizing tip (or do you have a really hard time keeping organized, like me?)?
3. Do you have any pets?  What kinds and what are their names?
4. What's your number one source of inspiration?
5. How long have you been blogging?
6. What celebrity would you meet if you could meet one?  This could be anybody famous.
7. What has been your proudest DIY moment?
8. What is your favorite restaurant like?  What kind of food do they have?  Atmosphere?
9. What's your favorite drink?  (Alocholic or Non-alcoholic!)
10. What kinds of things do you collect?
11. Have you had something special passed down to you?  Tell me about it!

Here's who I am tagging!  Pop on over to their blogs, there's a good chance you will love them as much as I do!

The Thrifty Picker
Nell's Vintage House
Thoughts from Meme's Corner
My Wonderfully Made
Casa De Luna Creations
Merry Magpie Vintage
Bleak 2 Unique
Chateau Chic
A Living Space

Okay so maybe that isn't 11, but 9 is pretty close!  I'm getting a little tired, sorry!  Hope you all enjoyed, carry on the blog tag if you get a free minute!

Hey, look at my bangs!

How Hard Can it Be?

Well, this is just a quick teaser post to show you a bit of how I spent my Saturday night.  I really wasn't feeling like going out, so the man went out for a boy's night, and I pulled out my sewing machine for the first time.  Ever.

Now I just got this sewing machine for my birthday in late December and I was really hesitant to start any projects before I organized my spare bedroom where I keep all my inventory.  It had gotten to an overwhelming mess mode and that just needed to be first priority.  When I got around to it.  I recently bought some large Rubbermaid containers and organized inventory and cleaned up the room a little, I was so impressed with myself!  So on Saturday, I decided no more excuses, it was time to sew.

I have used a sewing machine in the past, but it was my mom's and it was already threaded.  I didn't realize how difficult this would be.  Fortunately for me, my Singer came with a DVD that walked me through threading the machine.  It also had a pause button and rewind, which is great when I totally miss things! ;)

So as the post title goes, I was thinking to myself, "How hard can it be?"  But that answer was to a beginner, "Pretty d*mn hard."

Either way, I worked at it and got the hang of it.  My white thread was turning gray when I started sewing so of course I googled, "white thread is turning gray sewing machine". (Yes, my google skills are uncanny)  Once I got it all figured out within hours, I started my first project.  I was inspired by this photo:

This is a jacket from Ruche, they have lots of cute things, but I really wanted to put my own spin on a jacket like this.  Plus I really need a brown jacket.  I have lots of jackets, but oddly enough, no brown jacket.

So here is a little teaser of the start of the project.  This is just a warning that because I have two exams this week, then Spring Break next week where I will be traveling, this project won't get done super quick, but I have a start:

Neat-o, right?!  I am super psyched to finish it... when I have the time!

You might notice the awesome lace that I have on there.  I found a *HUGE* bag of lace and ribbon at the thrift store for pretty cheap the other day.  There were two more bags the same size, I might go back and look at them this week!  I am having ideas for making bracelets with them, oh the possibilities!

Hope you enjoyed, I can't wait to show off the final product! (Can you say, fashion show?!?!?!)

-Chelsea

And... SOLD!

Just thought I would offer a quick update on what I have sold recently.  I know I usually tell you all about what I am about to list, but I feel like I have been doing better in the actually selling department lately so I thought I would share!  Who knows, these could be your new BOLO (Be On the Look Out for) items!

 

A large Pyrex casserole with a pattern I have never seen anywhere else with a beautiful lid as well.  This sold on BIN for $32.00, I hope it is going to a collector who is also appreciating its beauty!

4 pieces of Pink Pyrex!  Sold for $30.00, this was about the 3rd time I have relisted these, I was just on the verge of adding another pink piece to it, but I am glad I didn't because I think I might keep that one for me! 

Green Wheat Promotional Pyrex Space Saver Casserole, a beautiful deep teal.  This sold for $20.50, even without the lid.  It really has awesome colors with the gold leaf, too. 

This is the big one.  So I have had this toaster sitting around for a while, knowing full well its awesomeness, but I didn't think it would sell that well.  I had seen a completed for the same one that never sold for like $59.99.  I started this at $29.99, and it ended up selling for... *drumroll please* $157.50!!!  I couldn't believe it!  There was a bidding war on this baby!  I think someone will be VERY happy with it, because it works like a charm!  It heats up super fast, and looks great while making your toast.

This is a man find, aka my man found it and was excited about listing it.  The foldable Coleman table and chairs I posted about last week.  It sold for $50.00, and we are a little sad to see it go.  We will definitely be keeping an eye out for another one for our personal use! 

I knew this guy would sell fast, he is just too cute for words!  Sold for $11.00. 

Man find Numero Dos.  He haggled for this PBR sign at a garage sale, and was so excited about getting it listed.  Sold for $28.00!

Well, on a less fun note, I was unable to accompany him to Colorado for a quick trip because we got home from dinner last night only to find our dog, Scout, had eaten an ENTIRE bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips.  We spent some time (and $$$) at the emergency vet, where they got most of it up, and she has been getting progressively better.  She has been a little down and out today, I think it's like her form of a hangover.  We had a lot of mom and fur baby time together today though, and probably tomorrow, too.  Wish her well!  

I don't know what it is going to be like when I have my own little people kids.  This was the first time she has been sick and I feel like I am getting all mom on her by canceling a plane ticket and taking a day off work!  Oh well, she is well worth it!

-Chelsea

Linking to these parties, please take a moment to check them out!
Vintage Thingie Thursday (Coloradolady)
Treasure Hunt Thursday (From My Front Porch to Yours)
Time Travel Thursday (The Brambleberry Cottage)
Rock n' Share (The Shady Porch) **I'm NEW to this party!**
Thrifty Thursday (Thrifty Decorating)

Pinspiration!

Okay, I cannot be the first person to use the pseudo-word "pinspiration," right?  Okay, for those who might not know what in the heck I am talking about, it refers to inspiration from the website Pinterest.  It is a place where you can organize all the awesome things you find on the internet, and it is so addicting.  At first, I got into it like I get into a lot of things, the thought process goes something like this:

"I just do not understand why people like this darn website!  What the heck is going on here!  Well, I guess I should try and figure out why people are obsessed..."

*Hours and hours pass*

"Well, I guess I can see why this is cool, it makes me want to do a bunch of crafts and bake things..."

**If you want to follow me on Pinterest, please click below! I'll follow you back!**

So I thought I would share the couple of crafts I have made time for recently.  Usually I don't take pictures of my crafts because I am embarrassed about the outcome, mine never looks as good as in the original pin.  It is like when you go to one of those other big chain restaurants and you see a picture on the menu that looks magnificent, then you order it and you realize that instead of some gourmet meal, it really was probably just unfrozen and warmed up.  Catch my drift?

Anyways, here are two projects I have worked on recently!  I am also posting the original pin!

Inspiration- Paracord Bracelet

Find the original pin HERE

My Paracord Bracelet

I waited forever to do this, because my biggest obstacle was actually finding paracord in the colors I wanted.  Plus I wanted to make one with a buckle snap, so I put this off.  Finally I motivated myself to browse Etsy for these supplies and I found Project Paracord.  This guy was so awesome, he has a great selection of colors (even colored buckles, I can't wait to get some of those!), and I received my order quickly!  Plus the prices are GREAT!  Check out his shop if you want to make your own paracord stuff, I highly recommend him!  If you have any questions, he gets back to you really quick!

Inspiration- Teacup Pincushion

Find the original pin HERE

My Pincushion

I couldn't really decide the best angle to photograph this little cushion.  On the top right are 4 different colored buttons that go with the fabric.  This is a tiny mini planter, with a really pretty multi-colored bird that I picked up 50 cents.  I knew when I bought it that this was the project it was destined for!  I had the fabric from my office chair project, so I decided to use that instead of buying new fabric.  I love all the colors!

Well, what do you guys think?  I like how with the pincushion I really combined a thrifty find with a crafty idea!  I will be linking this week to crafting link parties in addition to some of my favorite thrift link parties!  Here's to finding new friends!  If you have found me for the first time through one of these parties, let me know, it's always nice to meet new people!  Also, if you are one of my regular readers, feel free to comment as well, I love hearing from you guys!

-Chelsea

Here is where I am linking up!  Check out some other links at these parties, you might find some great pin-material!
Time For A Party (Fine Craft Guild)
Time Travel Thursday (The Brambleberry Cottage)
Treasure Hunt Thursdays (From My Front Porch to Yours)
Look What I Made Link Party (Creations by Kara)
Thrifty Thrusday (Thrifty Decorating)

***Also, there is an awesome giveaway going on at Too Much Time on My Hands for Cutting Edge Stencils, which I really, really, really want to win.  So if you found it through my blog and win, you owe me big time!  Haha, anyways, go check it out, their stencil are pretty freakin awesome!***