Collecting

Sometimes it's much simpler to buy a collection, then it is to start collecting, right?
The other day, we were pretty excited to find a fabulous collection of vintage license plates on Craigslist. We scored over 75 plates for such a fantastic price! We would have paid at least 3 x's as much if we would have bought them individually.
Can't wait to show you what we'll be doing with them.

The Best Chicken Salad

Since I had some leftover chicken from the other night, I made my favorite chicken salad this morning. I had to share the recipe, it's that good!
The recipe is from a Longaberger cookbook. I'm not sure which one because I only have this photocopy.

Don't you love the food stains on my copy? A sure sign the recipe is good. Ha!
When I make it, I never measure out the ingredients. I eyeball the portions and wing it.
Enjoy!

Scarves and Bracelets

I've been working like crazy.
Trying to get things made for my Etsy shop and also for a show I'm doing in October.
Here are a few new things...

Barn Sale on Whidbey

On Saturday, Ray and Jackie hosted their annual barn sale. I try to never to miss this sale because I always find great stuff for great prices!
It's a fun, flea market style, old fashion clear out your barn type sale.

There are usually 6 to 8 vendors.
I forgot to take a picture of the cute barn - I guess I was too busy shopping!
I did take this picture of Jackie's garden, though. Isn't it pretty?

Here is what I came home with...
the old drying rack was my favorite purchase of the day. It'll be put to good use in October - same goes for the rake.

Actually, the hat box is pretty awesome too...

On our way back down to the beach, we stopped at another sale.
There, I found this pretty motto. It's a nice addition to my collection hanging by our front door.

Summertime Estate Sale Finds

While I was going through pictures on my computer, I came across these I had forgotten about.

Here's a sampling of some fun things I've picked up at estate sales this summer.
Lately, there seems to be a plethora of estate sales around here each week. I've been so tempted to hit each one, but I've shown much restraint - like limiting myself to one or two a month.
Oh boy, is that hard!

10 A.M. Break

We love to visit daddy and bring treats to his work at break time.
This morning we took doughnuts from FROST.

If you live in the Seattle area, you must visit. The doughnuts are that fantastic!
FROST is located in Mill Creek approx. 20 miles north of Seattle.

Some of our favs - Aztec chocolate, red velvet, salted carmel, and smoky bacon maple bars.

I think we made his day.

Sewing Studio in the Making

It all started back in April...
We purchased wood laminate to replace the icky carpeting in our basement.
Then, one day, my hubby said, "hey, why don't we make you a sewing studio?" Huh? Whaa?
Um, okay, you didn't have to ask me twice!
So began the process.
Here is a pic of where my studio will be.

After pulling up the icky carpet, we found even ickier carpet underneath.
Ewww, I guess there wasn't much to choose from in 1975? Makes me seasick just standing on it. Oh, and it's glued down too! Aye yai yai

In this pic, you can see a bit of the new floor. Hubby has been working in sections across the room. Here, he has also laid out where the new wall will stand.

Besides building a wall, he removed part of the false ceiling that would have been on the other side of the wall in our rec room area.

Yay! The wall is up.
Complete with a built-in for our stereo theater system.
Plus the ceiling is sheetrocked. Yay

Since hubby made himself a built-in for the stereo, I had only one request.
A laundry shoot!
He designed a space to perfectly fit my laundry cart and catch our dirty clothes.
He's the best!!

Oh, and remember, I promised I'd share my bestest find from Farm Chick's?
Well, this is it!! Isn't it amazing? One day, it'll have a darling liner...
I bought it from Lisa (A Thing For Roses). She made me a screamin' offer I couldn't refuse.
Thanks so much, Lisa!!

We're still plugging along with the remodel. I get to paint the studio soon! We have beadboard stained and ready to go up. The ceiling is textured, just need to paint it. The bar is designed, just needs to be built. And so the list goes on....