Vintage Finds!

I have been having such a great time going to rummage sales and thrift stores. Sometimes I have no idea what I am going to do with my finds, other times I know exactly what I am going to do. Recently I found some place mats. As soon as I saw them, I knew exactly what I was going to attempt to do with them. Here are the results:

See the floral valance in between the green drapes? I re purposed the place mats and turned them into valances! I love that they didn't cost me an arm and a leg! I did have to go and get a little piece of new fabric to match, but other than that, I used only the place mats. I wanted to fancy them up a little so I created a ruffle in between the two place mats.

You will see more of my vintage finds being transformed. I have an idea for vintage pillowcases that I can't wait to show you! I am doing a crash course in sewing. It is called Sewing: Trial and Error 101. My teacher.....................me. So far both the treasure hunting and learning to sew have been adventures!

One last thing. If you signed up to be a SIS affiliate through my blog, please email me at keriazakos@sbcglobal.net. I will need your address so I can send you a little something! There is still time to sign up!! You just have to make sure you email me and let me know.

One more thing. I was at Craft Fancy today http://www.craftfancy.blogspot.com/

As my two boys and I were pulling up, so was the UPS guy. He was delivering this:

Yes, I did buy some! :)

*Traci*

One week away from civilization!

One of the many sites on the way up to Minocqua, WI.

I am back from my lovely vacation in the northern WI woods. We really had a great time. My boys were full of excitement with each new discovery. Their favorite day was the day we went to Lake Superior. The entire beach is covered with nice smooth rocks. I could not believe the rocks held their attention for so long. They played for hours and still didn't want to leave. We were the only ones on the beach, in fact, we didn't see anyone the entire time were were at the beach. It was peaceful. At the beach we didn't have a toy, a radio, a game, nothing. And yet, we were happy. I realized how much we need to do that more often than we do now.

Shhh....my favorite part of the vacation, besides watching my boys be so blissfully happy in the great outdoors, was all the yard sales and thrift stores I was able to find. I thrift shopped and yard saled from IL to the far northwoods. By the time we were returning to IL, my husband and I were humming the tune from Sanford and Sons. I even had stuff tied on the top of the van!!!

I also found these:

This one I found in Cedarburg, WI. Loved how they had things set up. They were really great to talk to also! And they were especially kind when my son (who was suppose to be being watched by my husband, was twirling their display around!)

Scrapbook store in Woodruff!

Very friendly! I could not believe how much Tim Holtz stuff they had!

Tomorrow I am hoping to have pictures of all my great finds. Some of it is soaking in the sink right now. I found the most amazing valances ever! EVER! Really, I found some cool stuff!

Did I mention I saw a real bear? REAL, as in, wild. Not in a zoo. It was so cool! We also saw bald eagles. Michelle, I did not have a mint on the pillow. :) Our accomodations were pretty good though.