Dime Store Chic

Lively, Virginia

Hello, My Friends!~~~Happy Memorial Day weekend!~~~We are spending part of the long weekend in Virginia's Northern Neck!

I have shared bits of this historic eastern Virginia region with you in the past, and today I would like to introduce you to Lively, Virginia.

Lively is quite a small town on Route 3 in Lancaster, County, VA. This weekend they are having an antiques show and one dealer, Calico Jack, was hosting a sale at his shop. Here is Calico Jack's porch.

Calico Jacks sells a lot of marine and boat 'tiques.

I found this travel poster, which I didn't buy. I like the graphics though.

There are shacks out back with more "mantiques."

I did find some goodies at Calico Jacks and the vendors in front of his store. Before we leave Lively, here is a street view for you. This is the main road through town.

Not a huge town, but a "lively" one!~~~We'll be back!~~~Why don't you all come too?~~~XXOO, Beth

Humidity, Housewives, and Pin Cushions

Hello, My Friends!~~~

Yesterday I stayed sheltered from the very hot and humid weather in my cool studio finishing pin cushions and watching reruns of "The Housewives of New York." I don't know what it is about those Northern ladies and their drama that attracts me so! I do know that Bravo will be showing "The Housewives of DC" in the near future, and since I live spitting distace from DC, I will absolutely watch that one. But back to the pin cushions.

Here is one I made where I use a piece of a vintage tablecloth and a whole bunch of sweet vintage flower beads:

Tweet!~~~If you would like to see the other pin cushions, I invite you to stop by my etsy shop!~~~Have a wonderful weekend everyone!~~~XXOO, Beth

Kitty Surprise

Hello, My Friends!~~

Today I was unwinding seam binding from a card to use for ribbon in wrapping a package. And I found this on the card...

It's called a Spool Pet. I have never seen one before. Apparently you cut out the kitty and put each piece on the ends of a spool. Clever! In all the years I've been using seam binding for one use or the other, I have never seen anything cute like this on a card!

I asked my kitty and studio companion, Gyro, what he thought, and this is his response...

Oh well... May be you all will think my kitty surprise is as cool and I do!~~~XXOO, Beth

Cuties on Deck

Hello My Friends~~~

The party has been put away and it's time for me to get back to doing what I ahve put off for a while~~creating! Yesterday I began making new pin cushions with some of the sweetest vintage pieces! Here is a sneek peek of the cuties on deck...

Between working in our garden, I'll be finishing these new pieces. Would you believe I have made over 800 pin cushions since 2005?~~Have a happy day!~~~XXOO, Beth

The Big 5-0!

Hello, My Friends!~~~

Today I turn 50! I used to think that was so old. Now I think it's quite young. I don't feel half a century.

Last night we had a birthday party which included about 40 wonderful friends, 1960's Jeopardy, and Beatles Rock Band!!!!

Did I take a lot of photos? Heck no! I was too busy have FUN that I forgot!

Maybe that's what happens when you turn 50, you have so much fun you forget to do other things. Cool! I like that!~~~XXOO, Beth

Very Vintage and OH SO SWEET!

Hello, My Friends!~~~

I have been coveting the SWEETEST piece of vintage Vogart embroidery for a while now. I finally made it into a purse and am letting it go to a new home via my etsy shop. I am pretty sure this piece dates to the 1930's due to the design.

She is so very sweet, don't you think???~~~XXOO, Beth

Is There Such A Thing As A Birthday Month?

Hello, My Friends~~~

It's the final countdown to the half-century mark on the 23rd! I have to wonder if there really is any truth to someone having a birthday month. First, hubby gave my VW bug those rocking daisy wheels, and then, this past week, my BFF Suzy came up for a two-night visit, and it even isn't my birthday yet! What a lucky girl I am! Suzy and I spent Thursday in Ellicot City, because Suzy knew we would both love that small town chock full of antique stores! You all would LOVE this sweet Maryland town too!

Here are some views of Ellicot City...

Here is one view up the hill...

Here is the view down the hill.

Ellicot City is home to America's oldest train depot. I got this shot just as a CSX engine was blasting through town.

The streets really are very quaint.

The stairs can be daunting.

There is a big ol' rock in the middle of town.

And a dog...

And a cat.

Nifty neon signs.

And an old fashioned market.So much more to see in Ellicot City. You should come for a visit!~~~XXOO, Beth

Looky Here!

Hello, My Friends!~~~

Even though my 50th birthday is in two weeks, Hubby gave me a gift early. Now I'll let you look and decide what he gave me, but I'll give you a hint. He gave me the car for my 40th brithday. Now what did he give me this week?

So can you guess what he gave me? Oh sure you can, you clever one!

That's right! Daisy wheels! I love them! Of course I don't have a grown up's car, but that's just fine with me. Now, the only wee downside is that our son, who turns 16 this year, is getting his learner's driving permit. He took one look at the wheels and announced: "I am NOT learning to drive on your car!" Gee, I wonder why?~~~Have a Happy Mother's Day!~~~~XXOO, Beth

One Dollar

Hello, My Friends!~~~

I popped into a local consignment shop today and saw that all goods with yellow and red tags were reduced to one dollar.

I found this...

This shop usually doesn't have furniture but I saw this sweet chair and the yellow tag. I carried it to the checkout and asked the sweet volunteer ladies there if it was truly only a dollar. Yes! It is now mine and on our back deck. I love the floral decal on it too!~~~Did I tell you it was only one dollar??????~~~~XXOO, Beth

I Love Vogart!

Hello, My Friends!~~~

One of the things I always look for when I'm out and about thrifting, fleaing, or antiquing is Vogart embroidery.

Vogart is the distinctive pre-painted linen with lines for embroidery printed on it as well. One of the most common sizes are 12 inch squares that are used as pillow covers.

Recently I made a tote out of a lovely floral which had been expertly stitched by a talented lady from years and years ago.

I love the design of the flowers and leaves. So cheerful!~~~This sweetie and other new whimsical totes are in my etsy shop.~~Thanks for stopping by and have a lovely week!~~~XXOO, Beth