Vintage Finds

The days have been pretty busy around here lately. There hasn't been any creativity going on. So, no knitting or sewing to show you.  My impending giveaway is still on the sewing table. But, I have done a little antique shopping and wanted to show you my new treasures. I found the flashcards above at a local antique store. I may have to go back and look through them all. I even gave one away already, it was my boss' first name.  She loved it.  

A month ago we were visiting family in Kansas City.  I had to make my yearly visit to Curious Sofa.  I only came away with three little treasures.  I absolutely loved this big butterfly.  He's made out of leaves and feathers.  

This one looks kind of cute on a Wendy Addison easel I bought there also.  

I found this fun box full of tailor's chalk at a barn sale last Saturday.  

This pretty ironstone pitcher had to come home with me. She has a lot of company here.  I love ironstone pitchers!

I was going to try to have you guess what this contraption is, but I obviously photographed the label. So, nevermind. I wish I had bought both of them. I may have to return next month. Oh shoot!  I bought one more biggish thing that is really fun, but will have to show you that another day when it's in just the right spot! Thanks for stopping by today.  

Amazing Spring Wreath

I wanted to share with you this amazing idea that I found over at Junk Market Style. I'm working on my own version.

These springs are new versions of the old bed springs.  They're not quite the same dimensions so maybe that's why they don't sit the same. I doubled them to make the wreath more substantial.  There were purchased on ebay. 

So, here is my version.  More of an oval wreath, but pretty similar. It shows up much better on a white door. 

Southwest Chicken Pizza

If you've been around here very long, you know that Friday night is Pizza Night.

I don't know exactly when this became a tradition. I've attempted to make pizza dough for years, but have pretty much perfected it since living here. My husband loves my pizza and I usually make a fairly traditional one. Tonight I decided to mix it up and try a Southwestern style pizza. Here's what I added:

Homemade dough

Salsa

Green Bell Pepper

Orange Bell Pepper

Green Onion

Grilled Chicken

Corn

Monterey Jack Cheese

Cilantro

Jalapeno Pepper

You can see my pizza dough recipe here.

It turned out really yummy.

Dining Table Search

{cottage living}

{?}

{country living}

{southern living}

I've been searching my pictures for some dining table inspiration. I REALLY need a new table, preferably before May. I love the look of these old or reproduction tables. I've found ones I like here, but they are around $6000!!!!!! That's without chairs. I don't think so. I really want a farmhouse style table. Pottery Barn has options, but I'd like solid wood, if I can afford it.

While on vacation I happened on to Paula Deen's new furniture line. I really liked the details. The store there in Kansas was going to check on delivery options for me in California. I never heard back from them. Must not have been possible. So, onto the internet we went. Low and behold, practically next door to me is a store that carries her line. So, guess what? In about 4 weeks I'll have my new dining room set. Here's a peek.

We are mixing up the chairs a little bit between the two styles and an armchair option. I can't wait!

Whooooo's Cooking?

I came across this adorable owl fabric while on vacation. It just spoke to me, saying "Kathleen, Kathleen!" So I brought it home.

I added a few little embellishments and "VOILA" we now have a cute little apron. I'm going to give it to my friend in about two hours. I hope she loves it.

I'm planning on making another one for my first ever give away! Stay tuned!

Crispy, Crunchy and Colorful

Doesn't warmer weather make you crave a fresh salad? It does me. Maybe it's the traveling and eating out that also triggers the craving. That's a distinct possibililty. I decided to make a Southwest influenced salad the other day. I used Romaine lettuce, cilantro, black beans, broccoli slaw, corn, red onion, green onion, and cherry tomatoes.

Add grilled chicken, shredded cheddar and broken tortilla chips for crunch. Top it off with Ranch dressing and enjoy. We also had a loaf of crusty Jalapeno cheddar bread along with it. YUMMY! It hit the spot. What have you been craving lately, besides chocolate, that is?

Floral Fridays

I hope you have a heavy duty case of Spring Fever and that there are new signs of life all around you. Have a lovely weekend!

Handmade Elevated

If you're a fan of anything handmade you will love the books of Natalie Chanin. She is a fashion designer out of Alabama that is changing the scene in the fashion industry. I remember flipping through her first book, Alabama Stitch Book, while sitting on the floor at Barnes and Noble. It was beautiful, but not something I would have attempted. I just didn't get it.

Then somewhere I read an article about Natalie and her "slow fashion" philosophy.

Every stitch of her clothing line is hand sewn by women in the surrounding area of Florence, Alabama. They are made with a combination of new, organic and recycled materials. The company focuses on creating products focusing on slow design and sustainability. Her clothing is one-of-a-kind and signed by the artisan that made it.

Her clothing is very, very expensive. Basically it's couture clothing. That is why she wrote her books. She makes the instructions, patterns and fabrics available to anyone who wants to attempt these beautiful garments. She has a new book out called Alabama Studio Style. Check out the garments and books at her website here.

I love this quote from her:

However, the most important revelation was the realization that making something with my own two hands added substantially to the value of that object in my life. It had been so long since I had made – and taken care of – the objects that filled my life. In essence, I re-learned that making brings added meaning.

*thanks Erin for sharing the link to Anna Maria Horner's post about Natalie Chanin recently. You can find it here.

Knitting and Sewing Distractions

I do this often. I bought a beautiful skein of yarn with absolutely no idea what I would make out of it. Before I left for Hawaii a few weeks ago, I made the decision to make the Leaf Cravat scarf by Teva Durham. You can find the pattern here at Interweave Press. I'm still a workin on it. It is very pretty and will be beautiful when it's blocked. Why is it so much more fun to begin a project than to finish?

So that's what I did. I started something new. I found this very fun fabric at Sarah's Fabrics in Lawrence, KS. I've got something special planned for it. Haven't you seen owl's everywhere lately? I remember my Mom's collection of macrame and crewel owls on our kitchen wall back in the 70's. Well, they're back!

I also went to Sarah's to buy a piece of Liberty of London fabric. I made a dress for DD2 when she was little out of their exquisite fabric. It's seriously expensive, so I only bought 1-1/2 yards. I'm planning on making a sleeveless top. Maybe if I post it on here, I'll get it finished. I see that Liberty has a new line out at Target. I'm curious to see the quality. There can be no way it's as beautiful as their beautiful cotton lawn.

Curious Sofa Annual Visit

I thought I'd show you a peek at my annual Curious Sofa visit. I LOVE these butterflies. Doesn't this darling girl have a beautiful hat?

Debbie sells beautiful linens.

Really want this pillow. Sorry that the photos aren't so fabulous. The store definitely is.

Lovely Fashion

I love Eileen Fisher clothing. I have very few pieces, but they are some of my favorites. I usually buy pieces that are very versatile and on sale, if possible. If you've never actually seen her clothing on people check out her website. Especially here, where her employees show how several different body types can look good in her clothes. Simply beautiful!

Floral Fridays

{sunset}

I'm off for a week to visit loved ones. Have a great weekend, I'll see you soon!

Forks, Food and Felted Birds

I bought these adorable garden markers from Allison at Monkeys Always Look. They arrived today and I love them. They're so cute that I'm not sure if they're actually going to go into a plant. She has several to choose from, you'll love them.

I also wanted to share with you another surprise in my mailbox today. I won a giveaway from Lisa. She makes the most amazing felted treasures. I bought several adorable felted acorns from her last year and added to them this past Fall. Check out her newest beautiful creation with a tree stump, moss and mushrooms. Thanks Lisa!

Do you pull out recipes from magazines and stuff them into a file folder? I do and have for YEARS! SERIOUSLY, years and years. I actually make them once in a while. Tonight was such a night. I pulled out this recipe from a Cottage Living magazine from February 2008. It's suppose to be lightish. It could be worse, I guess. It was very, very good. Turkey Meatballs and Pasta in Cream Sauce can now be found here. "They" definitely could have come up with a more original name. It's been a comfort food kind of week. I even made some great mac and cheese the other day. It wasn't low fat at all, but, delicious.