Ohhhh, Yeah!

    

     I don't do the Black Friday thing. Crowds, early hours, big screen tv's... Not my thing. Okay, so I should clarify. There is one Black Friday tradition I do each year. I roll out of bed around a little after 6 am (my normal everyday wake-up time), dress warmly, brew coffee, and drive 10 minutes to one of my favorite prim shops, Cocalico Creek Country Store.  The first 25 people get a $10 "gift card", and then early morning deals of 40% off one Christmas item and 15% off a regular item.  That is enough bait for me to roll out of bed and stand in line in the freezing cold.  

     Last year, I went wicked early, manned with coffee, my iPod with a season of NCIS, and LOTS of layers.  I got there at 6:15 am. Needless to say, I was the second person in line. And my backside froze from sitting on their curb.  A little over zealous. This year, I got there around 6:40 am (I panicked a little and thought I might be too late) and was still within the first 25. 

     I spent about an hour in the shop. You see, I am one of those shoppers who picks up things that catch my eye with reckless abandon. Then, the math area of my brain kicks in.  I start playing the barter game.  You know, "If I put this back, then I get these two things I like more.  But wait, do I really like those two things? Wait, what's that over THERE?! Squirrel." An hour later of walking around the store and putting 100 miles on my Uggs, and this is what I walked out with...

Primitive flocked tree... $60... 40% off... About $40! Love!

You know primitive people are a funny bunch. Brownish snow on a tree? Awesome.  Brownish REAL snow? Ew.

A year ago, they bought the antique store next door including her stock. They have marked down her antiques to 1/4 of what she was selling them for.  I have been cleaning out that inventory for them little by little over this year.  I got the chenille,little fleece dress, and four red woven napkins for the $10 store credit and 15% off of the chenille.  It is a rather big piece.... Mmmmmm...

A gathering of bird's nests for under $5.

     So, I feel like my cold nose and burnt tongue (drank my coffee a little too soon!) were well worth it.  I will show you how I use my goodies soon.  Right now, breakfast of leftover turkey and potato filling and pie.  I am not kidding. And a nap.  Yup.  

Happy Thanksgiving and warm blessings to you, dear friends! 

The Marm

Primitives R Us

Oh, good grief.  Again with the prims!  Zzzzzzzz...

      My mom and I had a few days of Mother/Daughter fun shopping for prim treasures and bargains! My mom is so much fun.  I can easily say she is my best friend next to my husband.  We just laugh and laugh! God has blessed me with a real treasure!

     We stopped by The Blue Snickel.  I hadn't been there is a few years.  I pass it all the time going to and from school, but it isn't open when I go by.  We went to the Christmas Open House.  When I was last there, I was more country than prim.  So, while I liked some of her stuff, the prim things didn't hold my attention.  Now, however, all of that has changed.  I believe that someone may have slipped on the drool puddle I left on the floor there. Oops. Isn't my birdy cute? I have a mental shopping list for next time... This really is the only "true" prim shop in my area.  It beats out Cocalico Creek.

 

 

We stopped by Cocalico Creek.  I got this box.  I have tons of ideas for it.  What ideas do you have?  We can compare notes!

 

Not far from The Blue Snickle is an antique store in an old log cabin.  I spent $8 on these two items.  The strainer I might use for a make-do shoo-fly screen and put a candle in it.

 

This guy, well I have plans for him.  You will have to wait for Christmas for that one...

I got these on eBay for $5.  I like them for decoration, but I also plan to use them as an artifact in my history lessons.  They look old.  I guess that is a good price?

 

 Also eBay, both for around $10.  They are very roughly carved.  Love them!

Our local nursery, Black Creek Nursery, has a flea market once a year where they usually keep their perennials.  I got all of these things and more for about $30.  I didn't show all of it.  These are my favorites! Although, I forgot to put a picture of the butter mold I got for $5.  I will have to show you later.

 

 

 This I got at Goodwill for $3.  I am going to paint it black,  add a quart-round lip, and do some distressing to make a writing table.  It is the perfect size to hold my lap top.  I thought about drilling a shallow hole to put an ink bottle in.  What do you think? Any other ideas?

 

My parents gave me this spool of awesome thread.  It is a much deeper brown than my picture shows.  It is on a pink bobbin, though.  Any ideas as to how I can primify it?

 Have a blessed day, my friends!  Next time, I am posting some more FALL decor.  I love Thanksgiving!  I am not ready to put my tree up!  Whew!  Everyone needs to slow down! ;)

Love,

Heather

Catching-Up Saga Episode 2: Snow, Stars, Shopping, and Stitching

SNOW

Snowy Trees

Snowy Horses

Snowy Roads to Work. Yea.

More Snowy Roads...

Snowy Class- Aren't they cute?

Snowy Field

Snowy Sky

Snow... Nope! Class quietly working on a snowy day... Ahhhhh...

Snow- 3 inches... Called for a dusting. Hah!

STARS...

Starry Child- Emma holds the record.  19 stars (but count to make sure!).

  Shopping...

 The only place I went for Black Friday Shopping... First 25 customers got a $10 gift certificate.  AND from 7am - 9am you got 40% off a Christmas item and 15% off a regular item.  Soooooo, since I live 10 minutes away, I rolled out of bed around 6:30 am, donned a ball cap, drove there, got in line outside of the store in 24 degree weather around 6:45 am.  Waited patiently for about 15 minutes.  They opened the door and guess what? I was one of the first 25!

So, here are the trinkets that I got!  I love the tin star for the tree this year!  And my favorite candle- Gingerbread Cookie!

 A few Christmas goodies I picked up.  The dried oranges are from a place called The Round Barn outside of Gettysburg.  I will post picture of my trip to Gettysburg another time. The adorable prim flicker candle comes from our blogging friend, Kim at Valley Primitive Stitches. Do you know why she is famous in our blogging world?  Go check out her blog and see... She has adorable items on her Etsy!

My mom got me these.  She thought I could sell them on eBay.  The apple one will be going up.  I am going to hang on to the clove one...

Purchases from Thrift Stores- The whole lot- under $10.  I am going for a vintage/Old World Christmas look this year!

 

STITCHING...

Been stitchin'.  Trying out cross-stitching. All I can do is the x's.  I can't figure out the others.  The "Christmas Joy" one is a free pattern from Christine at Preferably Prim.  The one on burlap, "Merry Primitive Christmas" is a free pattern from The Primitive Hare.  How should I finish them?  I don't know if I can do the Primitive Christmas one like she has on her website.  Is that allowed? Can you adjust the pattern if you don't sell it or anything? Any ideas? Please help me to follow the right protocol. Other questions- Do I need to wash the white fabric?  Should I add some felt holly leaves to the burlap one (Hubby's idea...)?

Well, dear friends, episode 1 & 2 is about all I can muster.  My next two episodes, to be released who knows when, will be about my trip to Gettysburg and Lititz!  Oh, and there are new items listed on eBay.  If you are interested.  

Thank you for all of your support, comments, kind words, and friendship!

Blessings, Dear Ones!

Heather

Flip It!

     Oh, man!  I struck gold at the thrift shops!  Here are some things I got at two different store.  Grand total- around $14.00.  Um, I have to admit.  I did keep a few of the items. They flipped into my house...

     I got an Eldreth  ovoid salt-glazed small jug for, get this, $1!  Seriously!  I saw it at Goodwill and snatched it before anyone could see what a bargain it was.  That seems very terrible when I write it out.  I feel like Gollum from Lord of the Rings- "My Precious!" (That guy creeps me out!).  You don't see it here because I gave it to my mom. Awwwwww... She collects salt-glazed pottery too! 

     These items will hopefully be making their debut on eBay tonight.  After I clean up my crafting mess, do dishes, decorate for Fall, and, well, take a nap. So, it's a toss-up!  I told you all I needed a nap. Coffee Cake yesterday; nap today!  It's all good!

     I hope this finds you all well.  I have a few more "Picture Pages" to share (...time to get your crayons and your pencils- anyone remember that show?  Come on.  Admit it!).  See, this is what happens when I am out of comission for a few days and also drank a large iced latte.

Blessings to you all!

Heather

Coffee Talk for Today- To pincushion the treenware cup or not to pincushion, that is the question!

Pewter Porringer- awesome patina!

I got two of these for $1!  Went to COCALICO CREEK and got some battery tea lights.  I went to the big one in Lancaster.  They are getting ready for their grand opening, girls!

Springerle Mold

2 for that price!

$.50!  I may hold on to it and put it on a craft, maybe as a reflector for a wooden candle?

Old treenware cup- I am thinking of making it into a pincushion.  Or, do ya'll think I should sell it as is?

Pineapple is hand carved- $2.  I am going to group it with some other pineapple items.  Santa- well, he's just cute!

This was plain plywood when I bought it for $1.  I "oldified" it with Gesso, brown paint, cinnamon, Modgepodge.  I sent a picture to my dad.  His answer was, "Yuck!"  Yeah.  He's not into prims.

Clothes pin dolls in their grungy spa.  They look silly!  They are getting a tan in the oven now... I will post their finished make-over later!