Feeding my dollhouse addiction...

When Chris and I went away for our 20th wedding anniversary, we hit several antique stores.  Yes. I realize that I'm lucky that my husband doesn't mind exploring antique stores with me. Hidden on the floor, under a large table, was a rather large bag of  1930s Strombecker dollhouse furniture. 


I've had this empty wooden dollhouse in my craft room just waiting to be filled. 

With it's green/red graphics, this dollhouse frequently makes an appearance at Christmas on my sunroom shelf. 

I decided over the weekend to remove the roof and give the interior a clean-up and light coat of new paint. 
Before pic

The roof also got a fresh coat of stain. 
Before pic

For now, I'll show you the finished living room. 

I'm currently on the hunt for the missing Strombecker bathroom pieces, as well as a few lamps and a floor radio.   I figure its only fair that I have my own wooden dollhouse after giving both Josie and Emma several dollhouses of their own.  Heck, I could have worse addictions than dollhouse furniture!! For more pictures of the girls dollhouse collections, see this album.   I promise to share more pictures as the rest of my special house comes together. 

Lee - Thank you for that wonderful box of dollhouse accessories.  They will be coming in handy!  Happy playing, friends!
 

Band camp...

Emma leaves for Varsity band camp bright and early Monday morning.  

It's the longest time she's ever been away from home and away from her little sister. 

 A week in a university dorm 70+ miles from home.

 

 A week of sweating on a football field and learning new music, line formations and being introduced to upper upperclassmen.  We're so proud. 

 We'll miss you tons, Emma. 

 

My summer mantle...

I thought you might like to see a sneak peek of how I've decorated the living room fireplace mantle for summer.  Before you know it, I'll be pulling out Halloween decorations (see this post for last year's Halloween mantle). A blue canning jar is filled with the last remains of our white daisies.   
The shells on the wreath were collected from Lake Erie many years ago and hot glued on to a straw wreath with spanish moss.  The vintage sailboat teapot was a Goodwill steal. My grandmother had the exact same style teapot and I remember it fondly.


The glass windows hanging above the mantle are filled with vintage postcards mixed with family photos and flashcards. The framed picture of the little girl wearing the purple sunglasses is myself and my father many many years ago. 


Even my little wooden cabin has a canoe parked out front waiting for a few adventures. 

Just wait until you see my sunroom shelf.  It's filled with all sorts of other vintage summer goodies. More pictures to come next week.  Have a thrifty crafty weekend, friends. Stay cool.

And the winner is...

 Before Emma left for Varsity Band practice, she drew this evening's give-away winner.

And the winner is...

LBP Sews

Congratulations, Linda.  Please send me your postal address and I'll get your treasures in the mail.  For everyone else, I promise there will be many more give-aways...especially as we get closer to holidays and my craft room is over flowing again.  

XOXO

Getting Ready for the Olympics with a can of Pringles

Four years ago, we were getting ready to enjoy the summer Olympics which were being held in Beijing. 

 We had just traveled to China a few months before the summer Olympics to adopt Josie and the country was very proud of their opportunity to host this event. I was looking back at our pictures from that summer and just had to share a few pictures from the night of the opening ceremony. Look how little they were!!!  They are holding one of the many Olympic items we brought back from China.  

While Emma is busy with Varsity Marching Band practice, Josie and I decided to create our own Olympic torch with supplies that we had on hand...amazing what you can do with an empty Pringles can!

I wrapped a sheet of silver tissue paper around the can (tin foil would work equally well) and then we shredded red, orange and yellow tissue to make the flames.

If you are looking to host an Olympic party, you have to check out the Hostess with the Mostess Daily blog which features a Sporty & Gold Olympic Party theme. 

Another site which features all kinds of free printables and worksheets is 3 Dinosaurs.

Just in case you'd like to be a winner, there's still time to leave a comment on my "vintage inspired no-strings" attached giveaway". 

XOXO

 

Giveaway time!

It's been a few months since I did a giveaway and I'm happy to share a few of my favorite vintage goodies with my blogging friends. 

I'm giving away a set of 6 linen place mats and matching coasters.

I'm also including a miniature vase filled with tiny millinery flowers, along with a teacup/pot stationary set and crochet potholder.

I'm also including a vintage basket purse along with three of my favorite paper lanterns and a pair of clip-on earrings.

Just leave a comment by Thursday July 26 by 7pm (EST).  Entering is super easy! All you need to do is leave me a comment on this post.  It'll be a random drawing by either Josie or Emma! 

Good luck, friends. 

 

Let’s Get Us Some Pic-a-nic Baskets!

Last September I picked up this picnic basket at the Allegan Antique market.  

A few weeks ago when I was busy painting wooden bowls to make toadstools, I decided that my picnic basket could use a little makeover.

Fabric and ribbon freshen up the brittle handles.



Now, I'm not smarter than the av-er-age bear, but I know a good looking picnic basket when I see one.  Have a thrifty/crafty weekend, friends.

Linking up with The Thrifty Groove:  Thrifty Things Friday

Caves, Elvis and Bass Fishing!

Our final destination on our mini Route 66 tour was Springfield, Missouri. 

 
Along the way, we stopped at Cuba, Missouri to see their outdoor Mural Gallery.    

  

  

We also stopped the Fanning 66 Outpost and General Store to see the world's largest rocking chair and purchase a few Route 66 souvenirs.  

No the dog didn't join us, but she the girls were in love with her. 


Once we finally reached Springfield, the girls were excited about visiting the Fantastic Caverns..."America's only drive-thru cave". 

I have to admit this cave tour was pretty darn interesting.


 Josie has now decided that she wants to be a "bat" for Halloween after enjoying this cave tour.

Our motel that evening was this infamous Best Western Route 66 Rail Haven.  Elvis was even rumored to have stayed here.

It was definitely charming (including the $75 room rate which included a separate bedroom with bunk beds for the girls) and a Route 66 themed lobby/breakfast area.


For dinner, we enjoyed the downtown Springfield Brewing Company.   YUM!

The next morning, we ventured to the Granddaddy of all outdoor stores...Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World!

As you can imagine, Chris was in fishing heaven.



The girls picked out our next boat (just kidding).

For lunch we dined at Hemingway's Blue Water Cafe complete with a 30,000 gallon tank.

We then hit the road and drove 7+hours back to Springfield Illinois where we stayed at the Route 66 Hotel and Conference Center.

As I said on my earlier post, our room wasn't fancy but the decor, hotel 50s diner and $65 room price was perfect.

In an ideal world, we wouldn't have jammed in 1,500 miles in 4 days.  We would have spent multiple days in St. Louis and Springfield MO.  In 2013, we're actually toying with the idea of skipping a year at our Lake MI cottage rental and extending our Route 66  vacation tour out west.  We'll need to save up a vacation fund first. We definitely enjoyed this road trip.

 For more ideas on where to travel along Route 66, be sure to visit this Legends of America website.

I would also highly recommend stopping at the Welcome Centers along your drive.  Each Center was more than happy to share all kinds of free maps, brochures and advice about where to visit.  Happy trails!