Dime Store Chic

Scary Hitchcock Monday

Hello, Blogland Friends!~~~

This morning as I emerged from my basement studio a loud noise greeted me. At first I had no idea what I was hearing. Was it inside? Outside? I thought my new crock pot, which has Cincinnati style chili in it for dinner, was exploding. What was that noise? Then I looked outside. Yee gads!

 

The oak trees in our backyard were full of Starlings! And they were making a terrible racket.

I snapped these pictures with caution as I didn't want to end up like Tippi Hedren in "The Birds." Our dog wouldn't even stay outside. I'm not afraid of birds but there was zillion of them and I bet they were telling each other "I'm hungry! Let's eat anything that looks tasty!" So, I went inside. I didn't want to end up as a Starlings' dinner.

Back to work!~~~XXOO, Beth

After The Storm...

Hello, Blogland Friends!~~~

We came home late today after closing up the river place in Virginia's Northern Neck for the season (we'll be back next spring!). Thanksgiving was delightful with LOTS of great family recipes--Mom's pea salad is a favorite! Late last night about 2 a.m. I was awakened to the sound of thunder and hail pelting the river cottage. So loud!Finally found asleep around 3. On the way home today we saw this lovely, lovely sight...

Gorgeous!

Well, I am wiped out. Unpacked and have a pile of mail, including some interesting-looking packages, to sort through---in the morning. Night night....~~~~XXOO, Beth

Give Thanks...

Happy Thanksgiving, My Friends!

Such a wonderful holiday! Food! Family! And being Thankful...and I did I mention FOOD?

We are heading to VA's Northern Neck to shut the family vacation place down for the winter. This includes raking leaves...and raking leaves...and well, you get the idea.

I'll leave you with this image of the little collection of gobblers on our coffee table...

 

I am thankful for so many things, and especially I am thankful for YOU!~~Now go gobble your dinner and be careful out there on Black Friday!~~~XXOO, Beth

Gnomed Over!

Hello, My Friends~~~

I participated in Valerie's Woodland ornament swap. Such a fun swap: mushrooms, gnomes, acorns, oh my!

You didn't know who was going to be sending their creation to you which I think made it quite fun! Yesterday I received a large box from Rae. Miss Rae spoiled me to bits!

 

In addition to delightfully delicious homemade walnut fudge and the cutest Christmas chocolates, Rae gave me a lovely beeswax snowflake and the most darling wool felt embroidered gnome ornament! I adore gnomes and this artfully, perfectly handmade little fellow will find a honored place on our Christmas tree!

 

Thank you so much, generous Rae! And thanks so much, Valerie for hosting a sweet swap!~~~XXOO, Beth

What's Up?

Happy Friday, My Friends!~~~

Yesterday I was thrifting and found some great goodies, but I found an item that perplexed me. I have used over 600 figurines for my pin cushions (that many??? wow, I really need to find something else to occupy my time!), but sometimes I find one that I can't figure out right away. Case in point...

 

I found this cutie on the shelf in the thrift store sitting like this. I did a double take. It just didn't look right. So I played with it for a second or two and realized it should look like this.

 

But how awkward, still cute, but awkward. She's picking flowers, but that's not what I find so interesting about this figurine. It's this...

 

Just look at those sunny yellow ruffled pantaloons! Adorable! Of course my fifteen year old son had a different take on this figurine than I do. He calls it the "look at my butt" figurine. OK, what is a mom to do?~~~She will find her way to a pin cushion, but for now I'll smile when I look at those silly sunny ruffles! Happy weekend!~~~XXOO, Beth

Crafty Madness!

Hello, My Friends!~~~

Busy FUN weekend! On Saturday my BFF Suzy and I participated in the Falls Church High School craft show! We had steady sales including folks who stopped by before the show began to get the best selection. We had a nice visit from vintage Sue (love her!) too! I managed to snap a few photos of our colorful kitschy booth!

 

Suzy's cool and kitschy shadowbox Christmas ornaments were a big hit!

 I think the riot of color drew the shoppers in!

 

Lots of totes!

 

And Christmas goodies!

Now that the craft show is over, I have listed MORE one-of-a-kind goodies, especially over-the-top kitschy Christmas crafts in my etsy shop and will add MORE all this week! FREE SHIPPING to the USA until January 1st, 2010! So if you couldn't join us at the craft show you get to shop without paying shipping. It's as if you were there with us!~~~Have a wonderful week!~~~XXOO, Beth

Robbing the French

Hello, My Friends!~~~

Well, I have been busy as the proverbial bee finishing up lots of goodies for the Falls Church High School craft  show this Saturday! Suzy will join me at the annual event which touts FREE admission, home baked goods, and lots and lots of fabulous crafters! If you are in Falls Church, VA this weekend stop by!

Suzy and I like to have a variety of fun and colorful goodies in our section of the show. I really didn't have anything that was small and inexpensive until this morning. I just got my new issue of Marie Claire Idees and inspiration hit me in the form of this cute and oh so simple project.

 

These heart candy cane ornaments are from the pages of that fabulous French magazine. As soon as the glue dries, I'll make a hanger with small red rick rack. One dollar each is a fair price I think, and since the candy canes are wrapped and the glue is non-toxic the candy can be eaten if desired! Yum!

Here are a few snippets of the goodies I am bringing to the sale...

 

Bags in colorful vintage and new fabrics!

 

Corsages of all styles and seasons in cellophane bags!

 

Wreaths too! I'll have pin cushions and more! And if you can't make it to the show here in Falls Church, I'll be listing new one-of-a-kind goodies in my etsy shop beginning Sunday, November 15th and the shipping to the USA is FREE!~~~XXOO, Beth

I Love Free Shipping!

Hello, My Friends!~~~

I interrupt this blog for a commercial....

I was ordering some bakery mixes and flours from a well known Oregon mill yesterday. Because I live 3000 miles away shipping was a tad steep, but oh well...it could have been worse. Sometimes I cringe at the shipping rates of some retailers and other retailers will cut you a break with shipping (like Amazon who gives free shipping on orders over $25 for most items).

I decided to follow the example of some of my favorite on-line retailers and offer FREE SHIPPING on my handmade one-of-a-kind goodies in Beth's Bagz all throughout the holiday season until January 1st, 2010!

 

After November 14th, I'll be adding lots of new goodies to Beth's Bagz too!~~~If you have a minute please stop by!~~~Now, back to our regular blog programming---whatever that is! Have a great weekend!~~~XXOO, Beth

Plastic and Pin Cushions

Hello, My Friends!~~~

I love the wonderful kitsch "dime store" plastic goodies you can find at flea markets and estate sales! I have  a little collection of them and recently turned them into my signature over-the-top pin cushions. Here are a few...

 

Silly Santa!

 

A sleigh chock full o' goodies!

 

And an elegant deer!

I just listed these goodies in my etsy shop!~~~XXOO, Beth