End of Summer Thrifty Treasures

The girls love going to the drive-thru window at the bank with me because they have perfected the art of cherubic smiles paired with a syrupy-sweet request for a lollipop. We made a deposit yesterday, and the girls were just attacking their lollipops when I noticed a sign for a yard sale in the "high end" neighborhood bordering the local university.

Well, of course we stopped by.

The girls made themselves right at home in two child-size lawn chairs (abandoned by the homeowners' children) while I eyed a box full of old Nancy Drew mysteries. Sadly, the owner was asking 10 whole dollars per copy, which I felt was better suited to eBay prices.

We did end up bringing two items home with us:

Alexandra Ripley's Scarlett, which is the sequel to Margaret Mitchell's epic Gone with the Wind.

I always wanted to knock Scarlett over the head and tell her to forget Ashley Wilkes and patch things up with Rhett. I've probably read Gone with the Wind 15 times (no kidding), and although Mitchell ends the novel hanging, it is still fairly satisfactory. So I'm not sure how I'll feel about Scarlett. Imposter?

Doesn't hurt that I imagine Rhett looking as dashing as Clark Gable...

Anyways, this book is thick and it's a hardcover, but the seller only charged me $1. I wonder if that doesn't bode well for Scarlett?

My other find was this pretty glass bedside carafe.

 

It was $3, but I saw a similar one in a home party catalog recently for $35. Plus, it has my monogram, see?

I always keep a glass of water on my nightstand, so it was meant to be, really.

Not a bad way to end summer...lollipops and thrifty treasures. Doesn't get much better than that.

Linking to Rhoda's Thrifty Treasures party.

*Both the Weekend Bloggy Reading party and the Giveaway from The Cat's Paw are open until 10 pm (ET) tonight! If you link up (a valid link!) to the party, you'll get an automatic extra entry for the Giveaway. If you like fabric and gorgeous vintage buttons, this will be the cat's meow. {wink} Grab my party button (or add a link back to me) and head on over!

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Saturday Stop and Shop!

If you haven't linked up your best post of the week with the Weekend Bloggy Reading party, I hope you will! (button code will be at the end of this post) And when you need a break from partying, I have some fun Sponsor shopping finds to share with you!

~The Cat's Paw
Barbara is hosting a fabulous Giveaway this weekend! Click over to check out her selection of fabric, vintage buttons, and handmade gifts!

 

~Crafty Girls Workshop
I could see some cute Fall craftiness coming from this Moda jellyroll.

 

~One9designs
Mercy me, I am ba-nanas over Kristin's Wire Wrapped Nest Necklace!

~Ribbon Blossoms Chic Boutique
It's not too early to start planning those kiddie Halloween costumes. Xazmin has a gorgeous new line of handmade Sparkle Butterfly (or fairy!) Wings.

~RJ Charms
Ooo la la...order these trés cute earrings from RJ and receive free shipping if you're in the US or Canada.

~Seven Thirty Three--Custom Blog Design
If you like this latest of Kim's designs, you need to go and see what else she can create for you to grow your blog or Etsy shop!

~The Shabby Chic Cottage
Is it weird to want to eat soap?? Because the soaps in Gina's new Apothecary line look good enough to eat! I'm lovin' on Cuppa Cappucino and Spring Rain....

 

{Happy Shopping!}

*Don't forget to link up your favorite post of the week with my Weekend Bloggy Reading party (be sure to add my button or a link back to me first) and stop by to win the Giveaway from The Cat's Paw!

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::Weekend Bloggy Reading:: Link up!

It's Friday, lovelies! Please take the time to read my simple guidelines for joining the party here before you link up this week. Thanks!

{What do you have planned for the weekend?}
I have a few errands to run today and I'd really love to get my thrift on this weekend to begin the hunt for a media console, but I don't know if that's doable. T always works Labor Day, so it will be just another day around here. I really and truly hope you have something more exciting planned!

Here are a few of my favorite posts from around Blogland this week:

~Amanda worked on a Laundry Room Mini-Makeover using what she had on hand.

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~Stephanie wrote about The Shape of a Mother and really touched my heart. Also some great links in that post!

~Jen had me thinking of some fun new ways to decorate for Halloween with her Spooky Subway Art.

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~Have you noticed that you have too much Stuff? Sarah did. And she shared all about it this week in a very thought-provoking post. I know I have pretty much stopped shopping yard sales and thrift stores unless there is something specific I am looking for. It makes a difference!

~Danielle completed a stunning Pantry Makeover. With Mod Podge!

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~And me? On Monday, I showed you My Magical Blogging Space and on Tuesday I presented a frame that I gave a Girlie Mod Podge Makeover. On Wednesday, I spilled the beans about the Flip Flop Party That Didn't Flop. And if you love fabric and amazing vintage buttons, you must click over and enter The Cat's Paw Giveaway. We're all in love with Barbara's wares!

Now it's your turn to link up!


Disclaimer: I would love to have you join me for a little linky party this week, but I ask you include a link OR my party button in your post. One or the other. Or both. Whatever you prefer. The button code is below if you want it. But please adhere to basic blogging etiquette and link back to me within your post. I've been blogging for awhile now, and I've learned that blog party hostesses always appreciate it when a participant joins in the fun in a gracious way. Blog parties are fun and great for making new friends and Followers, but they should be beneficial on both ends. My blog is small. My parties are small. So I really do rely on those link-backs to help spread the word. Thanks for understanding! Stepping off my soapbox now....Happy to have you here!

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Be sure to check and see if your link posts to the list! Let me know if you have trouble adding your post here. Email me and I can add it for you! Open for new links until Sunday at 10 pm (ET). Happy partying!

*Don't forget to enter The Cat's Paw Giveaway!

Fabric and Baskets and (Vintage!) Buttons, Oh My!

If you love buttons and fabric, then today's post and GIVEAWAY are dedicated to you!

I personally have a little love affair with buttons. And fabric. I don't think you're allowed to be a crafty person without seeing pretty fabric and somehow be inspired by the patterns, texture, and colors.

Today I wanted to introduce you to The Cat's Paw, an Etsy shop featuring fab-u-lous vintage buttons and  fabric (always new!) that is discontinued or hard to find. Throw in some really unique fabric baskets and coasters, and you've got yourself some internet shopping fun!

Shop owner Barbara learned to sew at age 10 and has always enjoyed envisioning creative possibilities with fabric. She opened The Cat's Paw in September of 2007, after over ten years of owning a clothing alterations business. Forging ahead with Etsy seemed like a natural progression to Barbara, and she can boast 100% positive feedback for her site, and most items are shipped within a day of placing an order. That's a big deal to me!

The vintage buttons are what first caught my eye (you all know I'm a sucker for shiny things), and Barbara noted that buttons can be used for a variety of projects beyond clothing: fabulously fun jewelry, fabric flower centers, and accents on pillows, towels, handbags, totes, and other accessories. Some of these buttons must have stories to tell!

...I'm sorry, I was distracted by that gorgeous bling for a minute there....

If you're a textile person, you can drool over these Amy Butler and Joel Dewberry fabrics with me!

Christmas will be here before we know it...what kinds of fun Christmas gifts could be created with Christmas-themed fabric from The Cat's Paw?

Maybe the idea of measuring, cutting, and manipulating fabric is scary to you, but you love ready-made fabric projects?

Barbara creates beautiful, handmade fabric baskets as well as fun fabric coasters. The Hydrangea fabric basket (pictured below, bottom right) is her current favorite. I could see a grouping of any of these to add some textural interest to a room!

And how cute would a gift-set of her coasters be with some nice coffee mugs and gourmet coffee?

So, here's the deal. Once again, I'm a little envious of my readers.

The Cat's Paw is offering one lucky Serenity Now reader a $20 Gift Certificate!

There are Several Ways You Can Enter. Please leave a separate comment for each entry!

1. (Mandatory) Visit The Cat's Paw and then leave me a comment here with the name of your favorite item in the shop.
2. Tweet a link to this post with the Following wording: TheCat'sPaw Giveaway via @SerenityNowGirl!
3. Facebook this Giveaway with a link to this post.
4. Join my Weekend Bloggy Reading party tomorrow (with a valid link!) for an automatic entry.

The Giveaway will remain open until 10 pm (ET) on Sunday.

{Are you a fabric or button fanatic?} 

If you'd like more information on advertising with Serenity Now, please visit my Advertising Page for details and to see what my Sponsors have to say.

*Hope to see you tomorrow for Weekend Bloggy Reading. Please come and link up your favorite post of the week. Be sure to add either my party button OR a text link back to me before you join the party. The button code is below. Thanks!

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The Flip Flop Party That Didn't Flop

I've been meaning to write this post for awhile, and just plain forgot about it. But summer is drawing to a close, and I thought it would be fun to share the ideas in case you want to throw your own version of this Flip Flop Party.

My friend Shawna and I are leading a group of ladies within our MOPS group this year. We're basically in charge of making sure the girls who head up each table at the meetings are making each group member feel welcome, encouraged, and loved on. Shawna and I are Social Mavens, if you will. I know that will come as a shock to many of you.

We planned our first team social event for July and thought what better way to encourage our girls to "put their best foot forward" than to throw an Ice Cream Social with a Flip Flop theme?

We started our planning by purchasing a bunch of white flip flops at Old Navy and attempting a late night decorating session. They turned out great, but unfortunately the "diamonds" all fell off so people were eventually left with plain white flops. Great.

But they looked super cute in my basket with a little card (Some "Sole" Support for Our "Soul" Sisters) and a flip flop-shaped sucker (from The Dollar Tree!). I was inspired by Poca Cosas.

The party was the easy part. We provided ice cream, drinks, paper products, and brownies. The girls each brought their favorite toppings. I found some cute flip flop products at The Dollar Tree and the party store. I soooo wanted to buy flip flop shaped lights on a string, but they were too pricey.

 

We didn't get fancy at all, and no one cared. It was just nice to be able to chat and devour delicious ice cream sundaes.

Why do people always congregate in the kitchen when there are comfy chairs awaiting elsewhere?

{Have you had a fun, but easy to put together get-together this summer?}


I have a neat Giveaway up tomorrow from The Cat's Paw (think vintage buttons and fabric!) and I hope you'll come back on Friday as well and link up your favorite post of the week for Weekend Bloggy Reading. 


Until then...

A Mod Podge Makeover

I used to be a member of a group of crafty ladies who got together once a month to try out simple projects and socialize. The group grew and stretched across the area, and eventually most of the ladies just got too busy to participate. Bummer.

I loved most of the projects we worked on, but one just didn't sit well with me because the colors I chose for this frame just don't work with the colors I have going on in my home.

So it sat in the closet for a good year or two. Um, yeah.

When I heard that my girls over at The CSI Project chose Mod Podge as this week's challenge, I knew it was time to give the little frame a chance to shine.

You can buy simple, plain wood picture frames at the craft store for next to nothing. Target sometimes carries them in The Dollar Spot, also known as my Nirvana.

I decided to do something that would work in my youngest's room. The walls in poor Michaela Byrd's room are like a vast, barren wasteland. There's not much going on, with the exception of some lovely custom roman shades made with Waverly fabric. I decided to do something that would coordinate with the purples in the room.

After ripping off the old paper, I Mod Podged the new girlie paper onto the front of the frame. While that dried, I used my "Home Decor" Cricut cartridge to pump out a bird silhouette and a crown. The bird was Mod Podged to the front of the frame. Then I distressed all the edges.

Not bad...but it needed a little something more.

There. A frame fit for a Princess.

And the best part? This project cost me $0 because I used items I had on hand in my craft stash!

{Are you a fan of Mod Podge?}