Dime Store Chic

St. Patrick's Day Wreath/Garland

Hello, My Friends!~~

I usually only make one St. Patrick's Day decoration and this is what I came up with for 2014...

It's a wreath and...

...and a garland, and...

...a wall or door decoration! Versatile and fun! Don't you think so? Now in Dime Store Chic.~~Thanks for stopping by!~~XXOO, Beth

 

After Winter Storm Janus

Hello, My Friends!~~

Winter Storm Janus is over and our yard is covered with a half-foot of snow and it is icky cold out there. Here are a couple of visitors to our yard this morning in search of the tasty treats in the birdfeeders...

A wee puffy House Sparrow dreams of spring.

This male Downy Woodpecker searches for a bug or two on the dogwood tree and wishes there was a spring bounty of bugs.

And in the studio...SPRING!

This fun springtime wreath and other whimsical spring goodies can be found in Dime Store Chic!~~Thanks for stopping by and stay warm!~~XXOO, Beth

Valentines Hanging Around

Hello, My Friends!~~

JUST LISTED on Tuesday., Jan 21st at 2 p.m. EST, three Vintage Valentine garlands! The last three of the season from the studio!~~Thanks for stopping by!

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I have a respectable collection of very vintage Valentines from the 1930's and 40's that were  my mother's and grandmother's. Recently I printed these adorable vintage images onto fabric and made garlands.

I put vintage Mercury glass beads between each Valentine for more vintage sparkle and whimsy.

Here is a close up...

If you would like a Valentine garland for your home, they are available in Dime Store Chic. Thanks for stopping by!~~~XXOO, Beth

An IKEA Emergency

Hello, My Friends!~~

On Sunday morning we noticed a trail of black grease stains across the basement carpet and upstairs through the kitchen and down the hall to our son's bedroom. Apparently he had his foot, covered in a sock, on the post of his desk chair and it picked up a lot of grease that he did not notice and subsequently tracked all over the carpet. After much elbow grease and some pretty smelly cleaner, Hubby (the scrub master in our home) got up the stains. The chair has always leaked a large amount of grease. We think someone at the factory got over enthusiastic with the grease gun. The chair went on the curb (and was snatched up by someone within an hour) and we headed out to IKEA to get a new chair. And while we were there, I indulged and got a fun new storage piece for the studio.

This wonderful aqua metal 3-tiered piece (on wheels!) replaced a cute vintage cabinet that didn't have a a lot of storage possibilities. Now, as you can see this IKEA piece is currently storing glue sticks and a troll house. A temporary measure for the troll house as it will be relocated to another space in the studio. I am in the process of destashing some supplies, and re-organizing the keepers. This aqua cutie will be full soon enough!

Thanks for stopping by!~~XXOO, Beth

More Spring!

Hello, My Friends!~~

THANK YOU for stopping by Dime Store Chic and giving my springtime creations a forever home! I have just listed more!

I love the baby bunny peeking out of the carrot cart!

A super cute pink Dutch shoe planter with lots of shiny spring cheer!

One of several clip ornaments with bunnies and gnomes, oh my!

Please friend Dime Store Chic on Facebook for up-to-date listings and more fun things!~~~XXOO, Beth

Estate Sale Adventures: The Random Pile

Hello, My Friends!~~

Yesterday I went to an estate sale about an hour after it had opened and was glad to walk right in. The person running the sale is known for "playing games" with people waiting and not caring if it is too cold, too hot, raining, or snowing. Just letting in a few people and making the others wait and wait. Crazy and a bit mean, I think.

I walked on in and the house was small and packed full of books and epehmera. There were quite a few shoppers but not uncomfortably crowded. I alawys carry a large reusable grocery bag for stashing my finds and carrying them to the cashier when I'm ready to pay. But there are others. Men mostly. Who make random piles on the floor, the edge of a table, on a shelf, or anywhere that the potential owner is not. They will make pile of their finds and leave them in a random place instead of placing them in a bag or box OR even placing a coat/jacket or a handmade "sold" sign on their pile. This causes me (and maybe others) a little problem. I always seems to be the one who touches (Heaven forbid!) one of these random piles and then gets a shout for across the room: "that's mine!" My error is understandable as when a room is full of stuff a random pile anywhere in it and without a person near it looks unclaimed. Dude, get a box!

I did find some goodies, though, including some very vintage ephmera from France...

And a World War II era, 1942, book for French-speaking housewives on rationing and managing their household during times of shortages...

I have listed this vintage ephemera and more in Dime Store Chic. And I didn't take them from some random pile at the estate sale. At least I hope not!~~~XXOO, Beth

 

First Spring Whimsies of 2014!

Hello, My Friends!~~

I just listed the first spring-inspired wimical vintage dime store creations in Dime Store Chic! If you have a minute please stop by for a peek! Thanks and ahve a wonderful day!~~XXOO, Beth

Rare Under the Sea Beauties

Hello, My Friends!~~

Once in a rare while I find vintage mermaids for a reasonable price. I made some mermaid pin cushions so long ago and have searched and searched for more of these under the sea beauties for a price that wouldn't break the bank. Recently I found two. I have turned them into vintage style pin cushions. Mermaids lend themselves, in my opinion, to lush displays of vintage "treasure" in the form of jewelry bits n' bobs. I hope you like these "rare under the sea beauties"...

These pin cushions and more winsical vintage style goodies are in Dime Store Chic today!~~Thanks for stopping by and Happy Ebaying!~~XXOO, Beth

A Few Scenes from D.C and A Give-Away!

Hello, My Friends!~~

For some reason the holidays are a good time for locals to tour Washington, D.C. The crowds are way down as is the traffic. Hubby and I decided to see a couple of sights.

We went to the adorable Lincoln Cottage about 3 miles north of The White House. It is where President Lincoln and his family went to get away from the sounds of soldiers and the summer mugginess around The White House during the Civil War. Lincoln also wrote The Emancipation Proclamation here.

There is a life-size statue of President Lincoln and his horse (which he rode to commute to The White House!) I posed beside it to compare my height to his.

Yeah, Honest Abe was tall!

We also visited Arlington National Cemetary, but in particular Arlington House which was the family home of Mary Anna Custis, wife of Gen. Robert E. Lee, and where Gen. Lee lived for a quite a few years.

During the Civil War the Union troops took over the property and buried their war dead there. Before burying the Civil War Union dead in Arlington, they were buried near the Lincoln Cottage but ran out of surrounding land.

The graves of the fallen in Arlington National Cemetary were decorated with wreaths.

From the top of the hill in front of Arlington House you can see the graves of President Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis which are flanked by the graves of their babies. A quiet contemplative place.

Simple and serene.

As we were strolling through the rose garden of Arlington House a Mockingbird was enjoying the cool sunshine and the rose hips.

What a fluffy fellow!

On our way out of Arlington, we popped into the National Park Service visitor center. I picked you up a few goodies: 2 fun postcards and a Jackie paper doll book.

If you would like a chance to win these, please leave a comment and I'll randomly pick a name on Tuesday evening.

Thanks for stopping by and stay warm out there!~~~XXOO, Beth

Big Flea: Planning and Thinking

Hello, My Friends!~~

In the sub-freezing temps this morning, Hubby and I, headed out to Chantilly, VA to the first DC Big Flea of 2014. We arrived right at nine, opening time, and saw no one outside in line and guessed that due to the low low temperatures, the promoters must have opened a tad early.

We found some nifty goodies, including a way cheap Swiss army knife that Hubby was thrilled to find. He rarely finds anything, so it was nice for him to get a treasure. I, on the other hand, scooped up some super fun vintage goods to offer you in Dime Store Chic.

Super cute paper dolls!

A fab vintage unused grocer's ledger!

Awesome 1920's large school class photo!

Very vintage and very cool 50ft. cloth table measure! These and other fun vintage goods are fresh from the DC Big Flea and now in Dime Store Chic for you!

I also found several vintage cuties that I am thinking and planning on using for future whimsical Dime Store Chic creations. We'll see what happens with these nifty goods at a leter date...

Such fun visiting the indoor Big Flea when the weather outside is less than delightful! A special bonus was running into Sue! A nice way to start 2014!~~~XXOO, Beth