You're as cute as a button...

I made a few bags of candy for Easter:
I used a variety of candy buttons:
I melted them in freezer baggies in the microwave, and cut off a corner of each bag:
And METICULOUSLY filled these little button molds:
I made 5 different colors:
I divided them into little cellophane bags and made headers on the computer:
I now have a few little treats to share after the Annual Easter Kite Flying Contest that our family has each year.
I am joining Thrifty Thursday at Tales From Bloggeritaville - so "act like a bunny and hop over" to see what other participants are sharing this week.

Necco Wafers....

I have a problem. I have a sweet tooth. I love candy.
Anything with sugar...
Chocolate is NOT my favorite, but a good standby.
My favorite? Necco Wafers. I remember playing "Communion" with them as a young child. That means I have enjoyed Necco Wafers for 50 years.
I can't go to the movies without Necco Wafers. It's a must, a neccessity... it is crucial to have them after some popcorn!
But I think they have done something new with them. The flavors seem stronger, the colors are muted and the packaging looks different. I think I will do some research to see if I am right.
Anybody out there feel the same way about Necco Wafers??

They are nifty and thrifty...so I am joining Coastal Charm's Nifty Thrifty Tuesday Party. Stop over to see find some great thrifty ideas!

Busy days ahead...

Credit: Susan Branch

Hate to say it, but....

This sign hangs in my kitchen:
Nuff said.

What are the chances?

Last week at the Goodwill Shop I spied these 3 milk glass cups for .39 ea. So I bought them.

Then I ran into the Salvation Army shop a few days later and found these three luncheon plates. They were .79 ea. So I bought them, too:
Same pattern - what are the chances? TRUE STORY!!
Update: Thanks to a reader I found out that this pattern is called Paneled Grape by Westmoreland. I think I will become a collector - I've been looking for a new hobby!
Linking up with Thrifty Thursday at Tales from Bloggeritaville

Old Paper Goods...

Syracuse has a flea market in the Regional Market every Sunday. I stopped in this past weekend and there is a little old lady who sits at the end of 2 tables and randomly "dumps" a pile of assorted items on her tables. These items are .25 each or 5/$1.00. Sometimes you will find old photos, salt cellars, linens, political pins, love letters, etc. No one can pass by without taking a peak. I was intrigued by these few things:
With the onset of World War II, the government found it necessary to ration food, gas, and even clothing during that time. Rationing was introduced to avoid public anger with shortages and not to allow only the wealthy to purchase commodities.
I can't imagine having to use stamps to buy food because of a shortage - can you?

But apparently these two women didn't need to use all their stamps:
I remember my mother collecting Green stamps, but never Red Stamps:
As a child, one of my chores was to "lick" the green stamps and put them into the books.
There was also a union wallpaper hanging price guide from 1913. And interestingly enough, NO wallpaper could be hung on Labor Day!
So, I have no idea what I will do with these little booklets, but they were worth the dollar just to look through them!

I'm joining 2nd Time Around Tuesday at A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words and Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

Let it Shine...

I came across this little tarnished silver tray at Goodwill the other day. I bought a similar one a few months ago.
All it needed was a little silver polish - I just can't seem to enjoy the "tarnished look". Any idea what these little trays were used for? I'm not sure, but jelly beans look pretty good on it:

For an Inner Goddess Giveaway, visit my friend Andrea's blog, "Holy Hormones".

I'm joining Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

Hobby Lobby

Hobby Lobby has to be the "best store ever". I just love their sale section, especially when it drops to 80% and 90%. I have been watching this lamp drop in price weekly - and today it was 90% off. I could hear it saying "Patti, you know you love me, so buy me". Now, I didn't need this lamp, but I really liked it - and the price tag made me throw it in my cart:
The lamp shade is damaged, but I will turn it to the back until I find similar one:
And my other 90% bargain was this candlestick...another item I certainly didn't need, but it SCREAMED my name:
I am thinking I should get a part-time job there, just to save money, however I know I would spend more than my paycheck. So for now, I'll just stop in on Saturdays and "listen" for my name to be called.

A trip and a skip and a laugh...

REPOST FOR SHOW ME YOUR SHOES PARTY

I am always amused when I see someone "trip" over nothing...it makes me chuckle. I call it "a trip and a skip". The person trips...does a little skip...and they always turn around to see what they tripped over...and of course, there is NOTHING ever there. That is the funny part to me, "the look". It never fails. Pay attention to this because what I say is true. They always turn to "look". And it always makes me "laugh".....except for today.

Why was today any different? Because it happened to me...at least 6 times. And here are the culprits:
New shoes. New green suede shoes. Yup...green suede shoes. And they caused numerous "trips and skips", and just as many "looks". And because it happened to me, it wasn't as funny as I always thought. I felt like a toddler...one with new shoes...who runs all day, trips and skips and ends up with skinned knees. The only difference is that toddlers don't look back...they keep looking ahead, keep on truckin' and never get embarrassed. And I didn't skin my knees. Thank God!

These caused me so much embarrassment today...THIS ONE to be precise: I "tripped and skipped "at the grocery store, the teacher center, at the Post Office, at the mall, at the farm stand and at the Christmas Tree Shoppe. Yup...and each time I "looked back".
When I got home, still flushed with embarrassment, I checked the toes. We all know what suede looks like after a few scuffs. And then I checked them all over. And guess what? I am not a klutz. One of the shoes was a half size larger than the other. The culprit. So, back to Marshall's to complain...got a new pair...and hopefully my psyche will not be harmed by this day of embarrassment.

Oh...and the best part: the shoes cost only $10.00.

My new motto: "don't look back"!

An old lantern

This is an old lantern from Chapman Lamp Co. in Avon, MA, the town where I grew up!
I just can't seem to find the right place to display it - I keep moving it from room to room. Does this ever happen to you?

Joining Thrifty Thursday at Tales From Bloggeritaville

A t-shirt necklace

This is an easy recycling project for old t-shirts:

I just made this necklace from an vintage t-shirt and it only takes a few minutes:
I cut a few strips about 1/2 wide and the width of the t-shirt (you can also purchase t-shirt fabric)
When you pull the strips of fabric tightly, the edges curl inward and each strip forms a "tube"
I then gathered a few, tied a few knots, and tied them together in the back:
It is so lightweight and I plan on making a few more, adding beads and other embellishments to the side. I might also make a matching bracelet!I'm joining 2nd Time Around Tuesday at A Picture is worth 1000 Words
and Coastal Charm"s Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

How to make organza flowers...

Organza flowers are very simple to make and can be used in many ways to add a touch of spring to your home or outfit.

You must purchase 100% organza (you can find it at any fabric store). I make paper patterns freehand in the shapes of stars and flowers:
I cut the shapes from the fabric and melt the edges:
You must set up a station which will include a candle and a bowl of water. TRUST ME....you need the water in case the fabric catches on fire...again....trust me!!

You must "melt" the edges of the organza so that is will not fray. Holding it a few inches above the candle will work well...any closer and you will certainly need the bowl of water!

I then layer about 5-7 pieces of fabric and go to my beads to create the centers:
I stitch up through all layers and thread 3 beads onto the needle and stitch through to the back, knotting.
And that's all there is to it. So, now what to do with these cute flowers? I add them to little romantic pillows:
Adding tassels, pins, keys, etc:
Or you can turn them into pins, headbands, or belts:
Let me know if you try this!!

I am joining Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch
Made it Monday at Persimmon Perch and Motivate Me Monday at Keep It Simple