We had an amazing playdate yesterday with a newly made friend for both me and the girls. They had the most beautiful historic house, I fell in love as soon as I walked into the built in porch. The wicker furniture was covered in patchy quilt cushions, and there were tons of cute little things everywhere. I think I've met my thrifty match. She also had a basement full of crafty goodness. She brought up several bags of yarns, baskets, flowers, boxes, shells, beads, you name it. Chloe made a sailor's valentine, and Lily made some magnets. They also made these:


They're like chia pets, made out of nylon some dirt, grass seed and googly eyes. She was so cool! We all had fun, and I found another mom who refuses to make barbie dolls, or polly pockets talk. I'm not as crappy as I thought I was.

We went to our next door neighborhood yard sales today. i scored right off the top with 2 bags of hand dyed wool yarn for $5

Next, Shawn bought a whole box of i drawing materials, including ink, pens, and paper for $5.

It was really really really hot, so the girls were on super whining mode, not to mention that they wanted every piece of wierd crap they saw. i need to train their yard sale eyes better.

The last sale we went to was huge, and had lots of moth ball smelling stuff. I scored some more cute Christmas decorations. The cupcake decorations make me think of Amy Sedaris, and I love the wiener dog card holder.






There were other odds and ends, bits of wool yarn, a new Simpson's Christmas dishtowl set, and a Mormon Cookbook. I have been looking for a bio on John Wesley, and this one looked perfect.

Mom does it again, this time with some of her childhood National Handcraft "fad-of-the-month" club kits. I love that my Grandmother never threw anything away.


the letter is from 1959



I plan on making these today with the girls. There is also an apron doll and a magnetic snap purse.

My mom has been finding some great material while cleaning out my grandma's house. here is a selection of my favorites. I especially love the feedsack.





This is some christmas material that I got at the neighborhood yard sales last week. it was my only great find.
you win some you lose some.

Today was the last day of school.




Here they were on the first day





Tonight is the school carnival. I'm painting faces, nice to know that art degree is getting put to good use.

first of all, my computer has been in the basement for the whole entire winter, where it is not too warm or cozy, so that is my first excuse.....second, i was working, and had not too many things to post in the way of craftyness. who wants to hear about my 7 months of customer service work?? hmmmm, didn't think so.
so i'll kind of start a fresh new blog, we've started the summer with a little gardening, as you can see, i have plenty of help.



Lily and Chloe have been working on making Fairey houses and trying not to trample any of the new plants I have put in. i'm going to try really hard this year not to be neglectful and let the weeds eat all my hard work.

Next we headed to Greenfield village


Chloe wasn't feeling the moment.


I love walking through all the homes and seeing how they were decorated. This house was insulated using cardboard and old newspapers.

The beds were covered with these adorable quilts.

We're kind of set on visiting as many places as we can in Michigan this year. I've never been up North since we've moved here, and the girls are excited about going to the dunes and lakes. I'm such a homebody, so I'm thinking that some weekend adventures would be just the thing. Other goals are helping Lily learn to sew on the machine her grandma gave her, and perhaps Chloe as well. I have a small lists of projects to start and hopefully finish by the end of summer. i'm hoping that this will kick my butt into getting them done.

Check out my sister's blog for a great picture of her with my boyfried Anthony. I get cable TV today!! we haven't had cable in years, and i had no idea how far it had come. i can watch "a cook's tour" ON DEMAND. since tomorrow is the girl's last day of school, we're having a "rot your brain" day. basically they can watch all the tv they want all day without me setting the timer like i usually do. it's their one true day of tv freedom. tomorrow i'll post our NEW ikea furniture, after i clean up all the crap. xoxo