Feeling Crafty

This weekend I decided to play in my hobby-room upstairs and work on some craft projects I've been putting off. Some time ago I blogged about all the re-decorating I had done in my room, but I have added a few touches since then.  I bought this zebra rug at a consignment shop a few weeks ago.  It is and 8 x 10 and I practically had to remove everything in the room to get it in.  I love it though.  I spend a lot of time in here because it is my office, my treadmill/gym, my photography studio, my eBay room, my sewing room, and my all-around craft room.  I could just live in there if there were a bed and a wine refrigerator. (smile).

Here's a photo of the room.

I dug out my sewing machine that has an embroidery attachment and some scrap fabric I've had forever and made some monogrammed coasters. 
First I cut out 8 5" squares (since that was the size of the square template I had)and then 8 squares for the backing.

Next I embroidered the letter 'S' in the center of each square.  I had forgotten how easy it was to use this machine, and now I want to make more stuff. I'll have to come up with some ideas.  After you get the machine set up, you just push a button and it takes off by itself.  I just sat and watched it sew.

After I finished all 8 of the top sections with the monogram, I scooted over to my serger machine and stitched the front and back sides together with a rolled edging.  At first my thread kept breaking and I was getting really frustrated.  After several attempts on a scrap of fabric, and resorting to the owner's manual, I figured out I had the machine threaded incorrectly.  When I corrected my mistake, the sewing was a breeze.

Here is the finished product.  This was a really quick fun project (well,,it was fun after I figured out the machine threading part) and I intend to make more for gifts.

I used all the stuff I had on hand already, but next time I will use a contrasting thread to make the letter stand out more.  It's cute nonetheless.

Boot-Scootin' Boogie

This past Friday I headed to the lake house, but had to make my usual stopover at First Monday on the way. Everywhere I looked there were gals wearing sundresses and tall cowboy boots. Young and old alike! It was so dad-gummed hot though, I didn't last very long. Every 5 minutes I could hear ambulance sirens so I'm guessing that folks were dropping like flies from the heat. I took off and headed for some indoor antique stores in the downtown square and then to the local winery for a little Texas Wine tasting. Hey,,,it was 3pm,,,,close enough to 'happy hour'. On Saturday I ventured to Mineola to check out the antiques, and ended up at a darling consignment store on the square. (you know me and 'used clothing'.) Right at the front of the store was a display of cowboy boots, and the pair I liked the best were JUST MY SIZE,,,,,,and on SALE! I couldn't resist. There's nothing more comfy than a nice broken in pair of boots, but the lady made me walk around the store for about 20 minutes while I browsed to make sure these were 'the ones'. I absolutely love them and I love the look. I'm not sure if this is just an East Texas 'thing', because everywhere I looked, ladies were sporting the boots and sundress. Trend or not, I love 'em! (had to use my IPhone and bathroom mirror since my real camera and tripod were not close at hand)

Goodwill Hunting

This past week was my turn to host our monthly gathering of the BOS (Band of Sisters) gals. Since I am such a fan and supporter of Goodwill Industries and purchase about 90% of my wardrobe there, I decided to 'challenge' them with a Goodwill shopping experience. Each girl (5 of us) was required to come to my house wearing an outfit they had purchased at Goodwill. They were all shocked and amazed at the quality of the clothing and even more shocked at the price! Jeanne found a beige pair of pumps for $3.99 and ended up taking a similar pair back to Nordstrom that she had paid $$$ for. Sidney purchased several skirts and tops for a cruise she took a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, her favorite Goodwill skirt was 'borrowed' from her suitcase without her knowlege and never returned. We had such fun sharing our shopping experience and fashion show, I decided I needed to share it with you. Since then several of the gals have made return trips to their favorite Goodwill store. Enjoy my little fashion show.

I won the Lottery!!!

Ok,,,I've always been a big fan of shopping thrift stores, but this time it really paid off.  This past February, I bought a pair of Levi Jeans that were a perfect fit and priced at only $3.99.  I took them home and laundered them, and as I was putting them on the next morning, I reached in to the right side pocket to 'straighten' it out.  I pulled out what I thought was a price tag, and it turned out to  be a tiny folded up bill.  My first thought was that it was a dollar, but as I unfolded it, discovered it was a TWENTY DOLLAR BILL!!


I decided to hang on to that tiny one-inch square of currency and keep it in my car until I could decide what to do with it.  Several times I found myself low on cash in my pocketbook to grab a quick soda or drive thru meal, and I refused to allow myself to use that $20.  This past Monday happened to be 07/11/11.  I thought this sounded like the perfect day to buy a lottery ticket.  The only time I have EVER spent money on the lottery was to buy a couple of scratch-off tickets. I handed over the tiny square to the proprietor's wife who happened to be operating the cash register, and told her to just 'pick out some lottery tickets' for me.  Her husband, the store manager, told her what to pick for me, and she handed over 4 tickets ($5 each) to me.  I made them both 'touch' the tickets for 'good luck'.  On Thursday, I remembered the tickets and decided to go online to check the numbers.  I figured out the website and pulled up the games she had picked, and the first line of the first ticket had the same numbers that were on the website.  I wasn't sure I was looking at it correctly so I punched in my ticket numbers again to confirm  Sure enough, I had 4 out of the 5 numbers and ended up winning $1656.00!!!  I took my ticket to the lottery office the very next day to just double check that I was right and the precious little lady behind the window, confirmed it.  She said, 'Yep,,,you WON!!


They printed out my check (along with a W2 form, Ick!!) and handed it over along with a pretty cool T-shirt.

So,,Like I've always said.  It pays to shop at thrift stores!!!!

My Favorite Makeup and Hair Stuff

I was at my favorite 'discount' super store the other day to replenish my make-up and hair color supplies and decided to share with you the stuff I use.  At one time, I used to pay high dollar for designer brand make-up and go to expensive salons for hi-lights. I decided to experiment with less expensive popular brands at the discount stores and boy have I ever saved a ton of money and I love these products. 

This is a great face scrub.  It has a hint of 'orange' fragrance, and has exfoliating beads.  My face feels so polished after using.  When I rinse it with cold water, it has a minty cool feel to it.  Awesome stuff and I use it morning and night.

I love all of the Olay products for cleansing and moisturizing.  I've tried just about all of them and I don't have a specific favorite.  The age-defying products are great.

This is the foundation I use.  The stores usually have a little swatch to put over your skin to find the best match.  It also has suncreen in it.  I love the mineral make-up as well.  Makes your skin look super silky.  To finish off my make-up, I spritz toner on my face with a misting spray bottle to make the finished look 'dewey'.

I have used L'Oreal Mascara for years and years.  It is not expensive and I love the way it applies.  No clumping or smearing.  Great stuff!  At one time they had Navy Blue, but I have not been able to find it for a long time.  That was my all-time favorite.  Now I use 'blackest-black'.

I use L'Oreal Eye Makeup Remover to remove the mascara.  Super gentle and does not irritate my eyes. 

Instead of paying hundreds of dollars on expensive salons to color my hair, I experimented with different products and found that these two were my very favorites.  The Clairol Perfect Ten is perfect for me (pardon the pun).  I use #7 for covering those blasted little gray hairs that are starting to pop out at the roots.  It actually only takes 10 minutes to process.  Next I put in blonde hi-lites by using L'Oreal hi-liting kit.  I use 'Champagne'.  These products are super gentle and very true color.  I still get my hair cut by a professional.  That's just a little too tricky for me to do myself.  However, my stylist asked me who colored my hair, and I told him 'L'Oreal' and he was super impressed.  He said my hair was in great condition and to keep doing what I was doing. 

I believe most of the over-the-counter hair color products are super safe and I can honestly say that I have never had a problem coloring my own hair.  I'd rather keep all that extra money and decorate something or shop at my favorite thrift store.  I am OVER paying high prices when I can get the same or better results shopping discounts or over the counter.

Another Day,,,Another Shoe

I love these 'Poetic Justice' shoes I dug out of the thrift store bin.  I had to work really hard to find the matched pair, but it was so worth it.  It's like a giant treasure hunt.  Again,,,these shoes look almost new.  Wonder why anybody would get rid of these?  Super cute.  If you look them up online, they are pretty pricey.  I can handle $3.99 though.  "One man's junk is another man's treasure".  Don't know who to give credit for that phrase, but it is so TRUE!  Look at the pretty detail on the bottom of the shoe.

Still more to come. 

Betsey Johnson Shoe Find

Seriously??  Someone grew tired of these Betsey Johnson 'Cinderella' heels??  Another lucky find while digging through all the shoe bins.  These are amazingly comfortable to walk in.  They look super high, but the toe portion is about an inch high so they are not treacherous to walk in.  I'm walking around in them at work today.  Love them...

More to come.