My Very First Time

at a Hobby Lobby!

I've read about all the great things all you loggers buy at this great store and we finally got one here in Tri-Cities, Washington.

I had the pleasure of strolling through for about three hours on Saturday.

My favorite find? These wonderful crown knobs. They are going to go on a dresser makeover in the ques in my workshop.

I love them! Their selection of hardware is really amazing.

The store reminds me of a Home Goods meets Michael's meets JoAnn's--all rolled into one.

loved these great red knobs too....

I even found one box of these cute cardinal bulbs to add to the little cardinal tree..

So happy to have the store that so many of you creative craters and furniture refinishers frequent.

It was even worth the 30-40 minute wait at the check stand. Since it was a grand opening, most everything was 50% off (except the hardware). Although I think the hardware is priced very well, considering the unique pieces that are available.

I am happily crafting away this week and working on some furniture pieces. It's snowing and beautiful here.
Doesn't get much better than this...

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like...

Today I got in the spirit a little early by decorating a little tree for my space.

It wasn't too hard to get in the mood for holiday decorating when our Blue Mountains looked lie this first thing this morning..

I made a few of these little ornaments using a small embroidery hoop, some great sheer wired ribbon I found at WalMart last year and an image transfer of, what else, a cardinal!

and here's some of the sand dollar ornaments I made...
I got a whole jar of sand dollars as part of an auction lot several months ago and knew I would find something to craft with them.

So this is what I came up with....

here's the little tree...I'm fortunate because the store owner put up a gorgeous big tress right next to my space that is covered with beautiful vintage ornaments. You gotta love this--she found the gorgeous tree at a yard sale. It's truly beautiful and rivals my own tree that I use at home.

I wanted to give Marcella (my dress form) a little holiday "glow". She got wings and a halo today. Doesn't she look sweet?

Here's the display of the village houses I bought at aucltion last week..

I did something I haven't done in years....I strung popcorn and cranberries for this little tree. Heck--the colors just worked perfectly with the cardinal theme...

I do love the homemade look of these garlands...it reminds me of sitting on the floor and stringing with my oldest when he was 3 or 4 years old.

How I enjoyed decorating the space for Christmas for the first time...

Cardinal Ornaments

Here's look at the cardinal ornaments I've been furiously working on over the last few days.

I want to do a small tree in my retail space in the red cardinal theme.

I purchased the birds on ebay. I added a little bundle of twigs and some white and silver bulbs.

Simple, but I like the look of them.

Yep, I've got some hot glue strings to pull off. Love the glue gun, but hate the strings and the the inevitable finger burns.

Here's some snowflakes that added a little embellishment to. I had a box of plain bottle caps that I found at an estate sale. I painted them a deep red, added a cardinal image and covered it with special sticky buttons made for bottle cap art/jewelry. Another simple and fun ornament. I'm hoping to get them on the tree tomorrow..

Oh...my girlfriend Shari found the cutest pair of cardinal PJ's at Macy's for me. I'm wearing them right now! They fit in right in with my cardinal themed tree.
How matchy-matchy is that? : )
You can find them at Macy's.

Is there anything better than a new pair of PJ's or robe and slippers this time year??

Bliss.

Weekend Auction Addiction

Hello everyone! I know my posts have been far and few between the last few weeks, but it has been wonderful having my parents here and then my friend Shari.

What am I doing today??? Well..where do I begin? I'm working on the ornament collection for the store Christmas tree. I will be posting a sneak peak of it soon.

I'm also going through the goodies that I purchased at the local auction Saturday.

First, let me give a shout out to Macon Brother Auctioneers here in Walla Walla. They do a great job of putting a wonderful auction together. They feature beautiful things and everything runs smoothly and efficiently (I love that!).

Well...I did something different this time. I went to the preview on Friday afternoon and took a good look around at ever tying.

Then..., much to my kid's happiness (9 and 11 years old), I decided to all my bidding online rather than sit at the auction house in the folding chairs all day.

It was a total blast!!!!! Macon Brothers go through Proxibid. You just register and then you can bid online and also listen to the live audio web cast.

Let's just put it this way.....I was heard shouting out LOUD during many of the exciting lots. I wouldn't be so VOCAL in public...LOL. I carried my laptop all over the house watching the auction and having a greet time.

I did purchase a few treasures and wanted to share them with you.

I'll start with my favorite--this gorgeous large dough bowl. What makes it really special? The cover on it. I just fell in love with it and it actually stayed in my price range. I can't explain the thrill.

I also scored this sweet little display shelf thing. I must admit I'm not exactly sure what it is???? If you know, please give me a holler.

Also...I'm looking for ideas from you creative women out there....what could I display in those holes???? I tried some old silver plate, but it doesn't work...

Then there was this great stool....It's in awesome structural shape and I think it's going to look great with a new burlap cover.. Don't you just love the curved sides?

Paid $5.00 for this one....

OK....now I decided I wasn't going to go completely "over the top" decorating my house this Christmas. I will most likely be in California with my family for a few weeks.

BUT, turns out my great room is covered in Christmas boxes that didn't come down from my attic....(a little bit of a strange feeling...).

At the end of the auction I bid on four huge boxes of miscellaneous Christmas decoration. I knew the boxes had some ornaments and several small lighted houses. They are not Department 56 (that is what I collect), but rather than "knock-off" village series. There are several different makers of the houses.

I opened them all up and had to take photos of them. They are all nice and in good condition.

I must admit I was hoping for a few more vintage Christmas ornaments, but all in all, it was a great "grab bag" score. I am going to display them in the retail space and price them to sell.

How wonderful for someone to start a collection of these wonderful little village houses that light up. Mine have brought me and my children so much Christmas joy for years.

Well...I better get back to work. So glad I could take a little time to share my auction love with you. If you haven't gone to an auction (or haven't gone in a long time), check your local auction house to see if they do online live bidding.

The benefits?????

You can stay in your sweats on a rainy day and scream as loud as you want when you see what something sells for (or you win it!).

You don't have to pay shipping charges since they are local and you can go pick it u0p the next day.

There is a small fee for online purchases, but for me the benefits outweigh the cons.

Thanks for coming by today....

I am getting back to work on my numerous projects and also getting ready for my 21 year old's visit on Thanksgiving.....Now HE will love going to auctions with me. A boy after his Mother's heart...gotta love that.