A patched together lifestyle of thrift and charm...

Oct 30, 2012

Stove Wall Backsplash Art...

My wall space behind my stove has been empty for some time.  
Short of tiling - probably the best option for such a greasy area - 
I've been unsure what to put there.  I also needed a home for 
this sign I just purchased (my scripture reminder to Me!)
(Do you feel the 'light bulb' moment?)
  I found a piece of white cardboard and mod podged some dictionary pages to it.

I used words that were somewhat 'kitcheny' -
 preserve, glass, garbage, casserole, etc.

I nailed that cardboard sheet to the wall   
(was already a precut piece that I had on hand - thus the size that I used).
  Then with 2 more nails right thru that piece - 
I mounted the subway scripture art.  
I varnished the subway art & book pages to help with splatter clean up.
 

 It beats the 'before'...


Linking to Knick of Time Tuesday 



Oct 29, 2012

Pumpkin Mousse...

Found me a new favorite Fall gluten free dessert!  
Praline Pumpkin Mousse - compliments of Kraft...
Been doing a lot of web surfing for recipes lately.  
Sure beats rummaging through cookbooks when I'm short on time.
Kraft photo
Go check out this quick and easy recipe here.
 
Ingredients - with my substitutions include:

1 c. milk
1 15 oz. can pumpkin (I used my own - just shy of 2 cups)
2 pkg. (3 oz) vanilla instant pudding
1 1/4 t. pumpkin pie spice 
   I used 1 t. cinnamon + a pinch ea. of cloves & nutmeg)
2 c. whipping topping
1/2 c. chopped pecans (I used walnuts)
1 T. butter or marg., melted
1/3 c. brown sugar      
  
I made it for guests this weekend - from big, free volunteer
orange pumpkins that grew in our yard.  
My Love doesn't usually like pumpkin dishes - but he liked this! 
It's easy to bake pumpkin in the oven, puree it and freeze it for later use. 
I'm thinking this might make an appearance again soon - 
Thanksgiving is just around the corner!

Oct 28, 2012

As 'Sandy" Approaches...

I found these flood markers at a PA family park.  
And now Hurricane Sandy is expected to hit in our area in the next 24 hours. 
 Hopefully - we have all made some preparations in
 case of high water, high wind and power outages.
  There should be no need to fear...
 For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy 
in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat...  
Isaiah 25:4a

Oct 21, 2012

Be A Doer...

In church today it was mentioned that the more you know - 
the more you're responsible for.  It may actually be dangerous 
to know biblical truths and not obey them.  (see Luke 12:48)

Amazing leaves I spotted today.
This goes for both the action commands and the heart/attitude commands.  
It's the latter that I find most difficult.  For many it may be the former.  
How I desire to be a doer!

Oct 20, 2012

My Book Pages Banner...

Yeah - I know - book page banners are everywhere.
  I'm usually a little slow with these things.

 But tonight - I got out some stencils (easier to me than downloading
or printing a font) and made my version.   I actually used a 2 page 
thickness - (no gluing needed) - 1 page was just too thin. 
 Steps (or mini tutorial):

1.  Take a fancy scissors to the sides to even things up a bit


2.  Make a pattern for the bottom edge so each page will be the same

3.  Place top edge of letter stencil desired distance (1" in my case) from page top 
edge and use a black marker to fill in
4.  Cut the bottom 'V' that was traced earlier with the pattern

5.  Make 2 holes w/ a hole punch on each page.  I eye-balled - 
aiming for center of each of the typed columns on the page - 
and then as deep as my hole punch would go

6.  Thread ribbon through the pages that is wider than the holes 
(no sliding that way)
This was a fast and easy project and well suited to my ability level.
   The original plan was to make 'Blessed' but it was too long
and I couldn't find my 'D' stencil.  Oh well,  'Bless' is a good reminder as
 we approach the Thanksgiving season.
By the way - did you know Lowe's sells stencils? 
Linking to Transformation Thursday
Home Sweet Home 

Oct 18, 2012

Mentioned - Thanks to an Old Cookbook Image...

Well who knew?  I didn't!  But there's a charming bookstore 
in NYC that sells nothing but vintage and antiquarian cookbooks.  
How fun!  Alisa Richter, the author of Cookbook Create
recently did an interview with said bookstore owner -
 Bonnie Slostnick.   Just look how charming!

from Bonnie's website
As it happens - Bonnie's favorite cookbook is The Country Kitchen.  
I sold this same cookbook some time back in my Etsy shop.  
Alisa was kind enough to ask to use my image for her interview post.  
(I remember being most disappointed in my image quality 'cause I had such
 lousy lighting that day... but it keeps one humble.)

Anyway - go check out Alisa's blog (oooh- recipes!) and interview here.   
And visit Bonnie's website to see more of her cute, cute shop. 
Remember The Shop Around The Corner from You've Got Mail?  It's better!
 Isn't this whole blog thing fun?

Oct 17, 2012

Vignette Day...

Wednesday is often my day of play.  
I create a few vignettes at a thrift shop - or 'play'.  
Here are some of today's creations...

Kinda a grape/wine theme going on in this one...
That pillow is the last 1 from several that were donated.

Apologies for the glare - but I'm liking the bears 
and outdoors theme for the men's rack.
(Couldn't believe it when I found a book with that bear face on the front.)
Cabin is a planter and only $2!
  
And lastly - this bit of Fall.  I like the black books added to the mix.  
Actually - most decor looks good with a bit of black.
That bouquet has been sitting around for a couple of weeks now.  
I'm thinking it's time to reduce the price.
Coffee pot only $5 and will be half price Fri. night!

At home - I've lots of recently acquired inventory I'm
 needing to process.  Stay tune to my Etsy shop!

Oct 16, 2012

Vintage Christmas...

I've found some fun vintage Christmas treasures recently 
and have added them to my Etsy shop.  
Enjoy...

 Miniature Foil Trees
2 Christmas Corsages
 Christmas Hand Towels
 Box of unused Christmas Cards
 Bottle Brush Wreaths

Seems a bit early to be thinking about Christmas -
 but it comes oh so fast!

Oct 14, 2012

God & Hudson Cars...

I met the cutest couple this week and had to share them with you.   
He was just shy of 90 years and she, his 2nd wife due to death, was a bit younger.
 
Eldon was raised Amish and has a God-given talent to design and create.  
His whole life he has built and sold 
(without any formal training whatsoever) equipment
 used in the poultry industry.  I was reminded...
  
Let no one despise your youth, but be an example 
to the believers in word, in conduct,in love,
 in spirit, in faith, in purity.  
I Timothy 4:12

You can read more of their story here and here, but let's just say they are 
huge collectors of Hudson cars and have donated 50 cars
that are now housed in a museum in Shipshewana Town.
(And they still have 16 of their own!)

 I met them when they were in my area for a car show.   
At almost 90 years - Eldon drove here from several states away.  
They were shopping in the antique mall when I was working.
Thank you Eldon & Esta for your 'example'!





Oct 11, 2012

Let's Get It Sold!

It's time.... time to move along old inventory to make room 
for new.  I'm in the mood for lower prices - not just today 
but from here on out.  Let's keep it moving!  
I've lowered prices on just about everything in my Etsy shop.   
Have a peek...

$19.99  $29.99
$5.99  $7.99
$8.99  $10.99
 2 Brown & Mauve Guilded Poetry Books
$12.99   $15.99
Knitting Needles in Christmas Plaid Satin Roll
$14.99  $19.99
$5.99  $8.99
And much, much more.  All at Quilted Nest Etsy Shop.

Oct 8, 2012

Autumn Inspiration...

Just some Fall photos I've collected recently - 
and not from the web...
Fall plantings in a cute wagon
 My so-so mantel this year (just found those cute white shoes...)
 
 And from our 'staycation' road trips last week...
A fall ferris wheel (a better camera could have done this justice.)

Old Barns?  Oh yeah!
 And let's throw in a water wheel just for fun...
Do you have any of your own Fall photos to share? 
Send me a link!




Oct 7, 2012

Our Staycation...

I spent last week with My Love on a little staycation.
  Translation...we stayed at our summer cottage just 15 minutes 
away and took day trips here and there.  We saved a ton of money,
felt free to spend where we might not have normally 
 and had a ton of fun.  I'd recommend it!  
Just a few scenes from our week... 
Took in a 3D Imax show
What's not to love about flamingos?
And now for a little photo war.  My Love took pictures too.  
He with his 'high powered' camera - me with my little point and shoot.  
Check out the difference...
mine
His

Mine
His

Mine
His
And on the Cape May/Lewes Ferry...
Mine
His

 A few more of 'just my' photos...




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