Melony's Whimsy Daisy!

Happy Pink Saturday!

Today...(okay, tomorrow as I'm jumping the gun on Pink Saturday),  I will be in Canton, Texas For First Monday Flea Market with my husband. I'm so excited, I can hardly stand it. My last treasure hunting adventure turned out to be such a bummer. You can read about my dismal failure in finding pink vintage goodness of any kind in my post below on Expectations.

So, what is my Pink Saturday treasure?

Yesterday, during one of those quickie visits between errands, I discovered a pink molded plastic thread holder in a little antique booth with that heavenly sign posted...20% off! It is molded plastic and will only fit the old tiny wooden spools.

 

I really love the clever way it provides storage!

 

The little pincushion is a sweet win in a recent Button Floozies Giveaway. The Button Floozy Queen wrapped it so cute in vintage sheet music. It was just my style and I immediately put the cushion to work. If you love buttons, you will enjoy this cute and educational blog with great pictures of all kinds of fun buttons. You can even sign up to be a Button Floozy yourself and participate in button swaps! 

I need to research these little pink sewing room accessories because the pink thread holder sort of matched the other one I posted on another Pink Saturday post. It's like a thread ferris wheel.

  

So....I have two of these now. Doesn't three make a collection? Hmmmm...I feel a collection coming on.

Check out the other Pink Saturday participants by clicking right here!

Living with Creative People

Husband: What did you do today, honey?

Wife: I made desserts.

Husband: Desserts? (licks lips in anticipation)

Wife: Yes, they are faux desserts.

Husband: Foe desserts?

Wife: Yes. Faux. Fake. You can't really eat them. They are just pretty.

Husband: (totally perplexed by her statement) Why would you make desserts we can't eat?

Wife: (totally perplexed by his question) Because I just had to see if I could do it!

Husband: Oh. That explains everything.

 

Thank God for husbands who put up with crafty wives!

The Absence of Pink

Happy Pink Saturday! I have company and can't get on the computer. I love pink, and wanted to post a picture, but instead, if you don't mind, you can read my post below. It's all about my search for pink, and the lack of it!

Make sure you visit Beverly's (icon in the sidebar) to visit other pink participants!

The Funny Thing About Expectations...

My long awaited weekend began with attending the production of The Pajama Game. My daughter, Molly and her husband, joined us. I attempted to dress vintagey, and in my mind pulled it off. My cherry pin I wore was true vintage. Does anybody else get where you totally dislike every picture with yourself in it? In the spirit of trying to not be so vain, I'm posting the picture, my double chins and all. It was a great night. The musical was funny and had a kitschy, retro, feel with adorable costumes and fun hairstyles. We are all still singing the songs in our head.

 

By the end of the night, my ankle flew to the right with every step, and I was in  red-high-heel Hades. With a new admiration for Doris Day, I took them off and walked to the truck in my stockings. Normally this would have grossed me out, but I was desperate. Poor Molly, in high heel boots that couldn't easily be removed, hobbled to her car.

Happy Note to Self: Flats can be vintage too! 

Friday, we were off to Austin. We had a great meal at the Texas Land and Cattle Company. The Steak Soup and the Smoked Chicken Enchilada Soup were out of this world. Bob and I realize we are getting old. We are in Austin, for Pete's sake, with all these food choices, and we eat at this restaraunt twice because of the soup, and of all places, IHOP (because of the pancakes) twice! We did have a more adventuresome night at Trudy's where I had my first stuffed and fried avocado. I think it is the best thing I've ever eaten in my life.

I would like to make a disclaimer at this point. I'm going to talk about the Maker Faire. I don't mean to hurt anybody's feelings, as it was superbly organized, well-run, clean, friendly, etc. It was just not what I expected, and that is entirely MY fault. So, if anybody happens upon this post that was a part of Maker Faire, please know I'm pointing the critical finger at myself. It was like attending a Martial Arts Convention and expecting to buy art supplies. I should have known better.

I  was expecting lots of booths of cutesy handmade goods ready to take home. In actuality you were to learn and MAKE projects along with the artist...therefore MAKER Faire. (DUH) So, for someone who was expecting lots of glittery pinkness, vintage roses, and painted goodness ready to purchase, wrap up, and give for Christmas, it was not what I expected. The good news is, Bob...who was totally dreading the event, thoroughly enjoyed the Maker Faire! Go figure!

Expectation: cute little stuffed softies to purchase...teddy bears, pink poodles...

Reality:

 

Yes, it is very creative and people were having a blast pedaling this large reptile. I think it's a reptile.

Expectation: funnel cakes, big chocolate chip cookies, hamburgers and foot long corny dogs

Reality: (and much healthier, I know):

 

Expectation: Lots of quilts, vintage linens, polka dot aprons, and hats 

Reality:

 

A very scientific display on algae that eats engine exhaust.

Expectations: some wood crafts, cutesy little embellished boxes, sewing cabinets

Reality: A large wooden catapult that tossed watermelons. Bob insisted we wait twenty minutes to see it in action. Yes, it can toss a melon a country mile.

Expectation: Perhaps some vintage clothes, ephemera, old dishes

Reality: Can you spot the vintage disco ball? That's a blast from the past! A band was playing on top of the firetruck, and they were really good!  

 

Expectation: Artwork, collages, decopauges, original paintings

Reality: A great old van anybody could add their personal paint touch to it.

 

Expectation: Embellished cuteness everywhere

Reality: Embellished cars

It was all very interesting. It was just not my cup of tea. The weekend away with my husband was wonderful, and on the way home we stopped at an antique shop and I spent $1.62 on these great 50's, aqua, big, tumblers. So, I'm a happy girl!

 

Another Pink Saturday!

Today I'm at the Maker Faire in Austin, Texas! My husband wanted me to plan a getaway weekend, and I don't have to be asked twice. He almost croaked when I told him we would be going to a craft event. He pictured embroidery and glitter (and I"m hoping that will be there) but they've got manly-man things there too. Fighting robots or something, I don't know. I'm hoping we will both be very satisfied, but the whole point is to be together. It will be fun no matter what. I'm a newly married widow, and so we are still on our honeymoon!

By the time you read this, I will have seen the Pajama Game, which is the kick-off of our little getaway weekend, and I will have to post about it when I get back. I'm being extremely clever in a technical-unusual-for-me kind of way, and have scheduled this post early.

Why? Because Pink Saturday is a favorite of mine, and I don't want to miss out. Please check out the other Pink Saturday participants over at Beverly's blog by clicking right here! 

These two pink ladies are from my budget challenged early years. I clipped this ad from a magazine. Pink was involved. Happy smiling faces were present, and who could resist the ton of chrome on these beauties' heads? No worries, they have their Coca- Cola in hand, and as the ad states "everything goes better with Coke" including large conehead hair dryers. It made me laugh. 

It's in a cheap frame. I probably robbed something out of it to put these ladies in. I never have upgraded, although now I'm not as budget challenged as I was years ago. They still take residence in all their pinkness in my kitchen. 

  

Happy Rose Wednesday to you!

 

Jan and Tom  are hosting Rose Wednesdays. Maker sure you check out their site for a listing of other Rose Lovin' Bloggers by clicking right here!   

My rose picture is one I found in an antique shop. It took my breath away as the girl reminds me so much of my mother when she was young...the hair, coloring, and the smile. I can even picture her picking out this dress to wear somewhere special. My mother is still very beautiful. I have enjoyed having this vintage print so much as Mother and I do not get to see each other as often as we would like. It makes me happy having it on my wall across from my chair.

Clean Sheet Monday

No, there are no clean sheets on the bed yet. But, I would like to talk to you about pajamas!

My Bob has bought tickets for a play...the Pajama Game! This is the role Doris Day played, and it's a musical, and I'm just so very excited. This is not the kind of night we have very often. My mind is racing on how to squeeze this size 14 body into something retro to wear.

I thought of a cashmere sweater with a pencil skirt and stilletos. Sadly, I'm allergic to cashmere, and have too much junk in my trunk to pull off the pencil skirt. Actually I have too much junk in my truck to pull ON the pencil skirt, and balancing my body on high heels is probably a little dangerous. I don't have a poodle skirt, but I do have a vintage pink boxy coat from the 50's. I could do my hair in an updo, and wear a brooch. It's still eighty degree weather here, so the coat is sort of out too. Or I could do what Doris is doing and wear this...

 

No, no... I would never do that...but maybe with some jeans it wouldn't be so bad!

So, while I'm planning my big night out, I will share with you a new craft project. I'm a Sunday School teacher, and have a black music stand I've been using for a podium. It sinks every time I set my Bible down, and is very distracting to me. Thus, and therefore I decided I needed a podium.

The very next day after this decision, I found one right in my own little town. It was sitting outside the Goodwill store. I walked over to it and asked nonchalantly if it were for sale, and the lady said, "Yes, it was $10.00."

I rocked it back and forth and examined some rotten parts on it, and she said, "Oh, well, you can have it for $5.00." I immediately paid and loaded her up. Here she is  before I gave her a makeover.

 

and the yucky part...

 

I took my scissors, scrapbook paper, some old magazines, stickers, glue, Mod Podge, and polyurethane. I slapped glue on and slapped papers everywhere. I love craft projects where slapping is involved. I feel so creatively assertive! (Remind me of this when I'm in therapy next year for assertive aggressive creativitism.) I cut out some prolific words "improve" and "family" and such, in case I bore my audience to tears, maybe they will retain something!

 

 

My husband replaced the rotten boards with good boards. I polyurethaned it all, and then worked on decorating the top. 

 

Then, I took a Sharpie and added the prayer I always whisper to God before I get up to teach on Sunday mornings. It always comforts me to know, it isn't all about Melony, but all about Him.

 

Goodness, that blue on my computer hurts my eyes!! It's actually quite soothing in real life. I will continue to take guesses on the post below, and will send out the gift to the winner next week.

Now...off to get clean sheets put on the bed. Nothing makes a nicer end to a Monday than knowing you will be sleeping on clean sheets!

Happy Pink Saturday!

I'm veering away a little bit from a traditional Pink Saturday post, but I will try to make it worth your effort for going along with me.

Read my docudrama below.

You will find ONE pink item in the modern abstract bedroom my husband loves so much. It is NOT the candle. The candle is very peachy corral color. Post that you saw my one little sneaky bit of pink, and I will draw one name from the comments and send a little something special to the winner!

Be sure to check out Beverly's web page (see the link in my sidebar) to visit all the other participants, and once again...thank you Beverly for hostessing this weekly event. So much fun!

Tomayto, tomahto...when opposites must co-exist in a decorated home.

   

This is Melony. She was a widow with five children (just two left at home) who never imagined love finding her again. Who would have her? She was (and still is) unorganized, silly, creative, and didn't own a clock that was set to the right time. She put her important papers in "safe places" that she soon forgot, and the milk in the fridge was always expired.  

 

This is Bob. Don't let the overalls fool you.(I bought those for him.) He is a Marine. He is methodical. He saves every receipt. He knows where all of his belongings are at all times, and he knows what time it is in China. He knows how much he paid for last month's electricity bill and his milk never expired. He was resigned to live a life of quiet bachelorhood...until he met the aforementioned Melony. His neat little world was turned upside down.

Bob and Melony got married and began to blend their families, as well as their belongings.

Bob scared Melony with his huge abstract paintings by Kandinsky, and talked of buying BLACK LACQUERED furniture. Melony shivered as she clutched her chippy, pink, shabby chic, Mary Englebreit, Rachel Ashwell, flea market, garage sale, treasures.

An agreement was reached. Bob would get to have his modern art in the office, and (gulp) the bedroom. I, Melony, would get to keep all my national treasures, with perhaps some (gulp) editing in my future.

So, how does a Melony, who decorates like this...

 

make a cozy bedroom with someone who loves this:

Since Bob is so easy to love, and I did agree, I tried to stick with his wishes, with just a teeny tiny bit of "me" thrown into the mix. There is no clutter, no collections, and no pink...well, maybe one tiny bit. See if you can spot it. Bob likes simple, clean lines. Things in their place. A place for everything. Function. You get the idea. Here are some bedroom pictures. I think I've shown great restraint, and I've actually enjoyed the neatness of the room.

Simple sheets, no frufru bedspread, but I got to choose the color of the sheets. One pillow. Just one...but it is of my making! Black pillow with felt appliques. The pillow makes me happy, and the painting makes Bob happy. Happy couple.

   

Simple curtains made from the dust ruffle (which of course could not be used because of the ruffle.) Hemmed and hung with BLACK COLD METAL clips! The picture above is a Melony touch. It is sort of shabby chic BUT it is allowed because he likes the kissing sentiment expressed. (Clever of me, don't you think?) He was also impressed that I made this out of a Dollar Store plaque that said something in Spanish and was sort of cheesey. It's even crackle painted, but we needn't mention that to someone who asks, "Why would you want something to look old on purpose?"

This antique armoire above once housed my vintage fabrics...now it houses my pajamas and his jeans. I've got to show you this vintage box I found with the original electric blanket in it...therefore the name "Everhot". I took out the drab grey blanket and added some vintage fabric. Once again it was allowed because of the romantic theme. The tulips brought out the flowers on the box...but do you notice the BLACK COLD WROUGHT IRON mirror in the background. Is this not the sweetest graphics on this box? I just love it!

 

I have one lonely little vintage print above the door frame to my closet. It matches the tulips and has some of the same colors in the abstract art painting. Such restraint on my part...if I do say so myself.

 

I pushed the envelope on this little set up below. The colors in the tiger lilies bring out some of the colors in that HUGE ABSTRACT art painting framed in BLACK LACQUER, and the very simple undecopauged-unembellished-unpainted pitcher they are in is the perfect green for the room. The candles are on a square undecopauged, uncrackled, unembellished modern plate. I rather like it!

 

So, that is how I feathered our little nest. I'm happy. He's happy, and God has blessed me big time. Hope you enjoyed the tour!

Clean Sheet Monday

Mondays are sometimes a yucky back-to-the-old grind kind of day. Because of that I have instituted Clean Sheet Monday. If everything else goes bad, my husband and I can look forward to crawling into a comfy bed with sweet-smelling, cool, clean cotton sheets. He always lays down on Monday nights and says, "I love Clean Sheet Monday!" That makes me happy.

Needless to say, it is Monday afternoon, and the clean sheets haven't made it to the bed yet. I am typing madly because I want to share a fun project with you and say thank you to Heidi at Gold Country Girls. I won my first blog give away, and here are the little treasures she was so kind to send me. I love the little millinery flowers and the vintage post card! Check out Heidi's blog. There is always something fun to see and read about...cute vintage graphics and lots of vintage finds. Thank you, Heidi!

My daughter, Molly, has now been married for a year to my sweetheart of a son-in-law, Jonathan. To celebrate we did a little makeover on her kitchen. I think the walls were pale yellow, and she wanted a pop of color, and to put her touch on the area. Molly also loves to decorate on a shoe string, so we wanted to keep costs down to the bare minimum.

Our first trip was to the fabric store. We needed some fabric inspiration, and I had an idea for a craft project using the boxes that fabric is wrapped around. We asked the saleslady if they had any empty fabric boxes, and she gave us this stack for free. I can think of so many other fun things to do with these.

Molly wanted a little kitchen dining area with the feel of a cozy coffee shop. We selected some brown coffee fabric, as it would be a good contrast to the blue paint she chose. We took the boxes and wrapped the fabric around them using hot glue to hold the fabric. We could have used some cotton batting to give this a more padded look, but we wanted to spend money on the things that would give the most pop and could be enjoyed. So, the fabric is just hot glued to the fabric box/spool.

We covered three of these boxes with coordinating fabric, and were going to velcro them above the window to add a little fun touch. Jonathan and Bob (my dh) decided hot glue was the way to go. The boxes are so light, it didn't take much to attach them to the wall. They were all about the glue GUN. If it had been called a glue APPLICATOR, you would be probably looking at a picture of Molly and I doing this.   

The sheer brown curtains are from Family Dollar for $5.00 each, and are nice and sheer to allow in light, but add a really rich coffee color.

The table is borrowed from Bob. It was in storage. The gigantic coffee cup was from Wal-Mart and Molly will add some fruit for more color. We painted some letters with Molly and Jonathan's last name. We could do it pretty cheap because they have a short name!!! I painted the letters brown and added some simple polka dots. Molly will fill the hutch with lots of colorful dishes and accessories to add more color.

I had some blank canvases at home. Molly picked out 5 sheets of pretty scrapbook paper for $1.00 and I made these two coffee collages. They add lots of color to the room, and she can bring out some of the colors with items she chooses for the hutch. I found some vintage coffee advertising on the net and printed them out and mod podged it. 

The glare on the pics are awful, but you get the idea. She surrounded the collages with Dollar Store frames, and took pictures of all her family members holding coffee cups. She will use all the pictures in these frames and add a bit of family personality to her dining room. I can't wait to see these funny pictures. I surprised her with a picture of her daddy, who died in 2005. I knew I had a picture of him drinking coffee and was so tickled I found it and she can add it to her collection. He is grinning so big in the picture. She will treasure it.

It's amazing what a little paint can do to change the mood of a space. Molly added these dollar store wooden signs above the cabinet. I think it was a perfect touch with the perfect sentiments. There are some more little projects and finishing touches to put on the room (accessorizing) but Molly and Jonathan are very pleased with the coziness of their little coffee shop kitchen. I had a great time, and we didn't spend much money at all, which made it that much sweeter! Thanks Molly and Jonathan for letting your old Ma have some fun and to Bob for helping with the tall stuff!