Saturday, September 29, 2007

Samedi Brocantes à domicile De Matin


Vintage Postcard Book

This summer hasn't been the greatest for garage sale finds, but if this weekend were to be the last of the garage sale season, it would end on a happy note and mum and I would be satisfied. On our first two stops, we picked up three vintage folding chairs (in Cath Kidston colours) for $1 apiece, vintage linen napkins (perfect for entertaining), and a few bits and bobs...books and a ceramic sun for the garden.


The next stop was THE garage sale of all garage sales...and with all the proceeds going to our local hospital, who could resist getting a bargain and making a donation all at the same time? It was here that we picked up an antique tub bench (circa 1923) and folding tea cart (complete with removable tray), a few wicker baskets, a brass holder which has hands for clips, an old antique postcard book which I'll alter and finally, a box full of Italian stamps!!


Despite having a van filled to the brim with bargains and barely being able to see out the windows, this morning's Saturday garage sales were a success!


And, while I won't post pictures of everything just yet (because, quite frankly, everything looks a bit shabby) I will be sure to take before/after photos and post them a.s.a.p.


I hope you're all enjoying your weekend!

Monday, September 24, 2007


This is my favourite new toy!
A few weeks ago, I went laptop shopping and happened to come across my dream laptop...a gorgeous HP wireless laptop complete with built in web cam and other divine devices (that I have yet to figure out!). I am completely computer illiterate, but I think this is just the thing I need to motivate me into improving my computer skills! My original intention was to buy the laptop in order to do research, but I think subconsciously I may have bought it in order to blog and download all my pictures!

This week, I promise you lots of posts and pictures of all my new crafts. I will be altering a cigar box I found a few months ago at a garage sale and mum and I are planning to try our hand at some homemade jewellery.

I hope you're all enjoying your week!

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Jolies Petites Choses





Here are a few pretty little things I've been working on with mum for the last week...


The first picture is of my collages, which I just finished a few nights ago. They're done on canvas boards, and I cover the front with pages from vintage books, music notes from antique music sheets, and various paper from Papyrus (my favourite paper store!). There all embellished with antique buttons, stickers, stamps, glitter, eggs, nests, small frames, antique lace and scrabble pieces. And since I don't photocopy any of my pictures, each one is unique and different.


The second picture is of seashell balls embellished with, of course, seashells and complete with antique pearls. These are the most time-consuming because each seashell and pearl is glued by hand while any white space must be covered. At a garage sale last year, mum and I came across antique dowels which were remnants taken from a farmhouse. We've made them into candle holders, complete with hand rolled sheets of all-natural beeswax. At the same garage sale, I also found a set of vintage tea cups and saucers, and I plan on placing an embellished ball complete with bird in each one. Some are depression glass, some are china so each one individualizes the piece.


The last picture is of my journals. Anyone who loves to write or jot down thoughts in a pretty journal will love my "VAMP", "TRES CHIC", or "WISH" notebooks. These are complete with pearls, stamps, scrabble letters, seals...even fun (faux) fur! And inside of each one is a black and white seal so that you can personalize with your name.


The one thing we're having a dilemma with is pricing each item....so we may visit a few shows of our own first to do some comparison shopping!


The only things left now are to finish up our shadow boxes, blackboards, soldered charms and tree ornaments....basically enough to keep us busy until the day of the sale!

Monday, September 10, 2007

Jeu Nommé

THE MIDDLE NAME GAME

A few days ago, Mary from Across the Pond, was kind enough to tag me to participate in the NAME GAME.

The name of the game is to:

List one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of your middle name. If you don't have a middle name, use the name you would have liked to have had. When you are tagged you need to write your own blog post containing your middle name game facts. At the end of your blog post you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them they're tagged, and to read your blog.

L-Laughter - I love a good laugh and joke, and my family are huge pranksters. I love the fact that laughter is contagious.

E-Education - I have always loved school and feel most comfortable in the classroom. This would probably explain the reason why I was always called 'teacher's pet' for most of my school years!

I-Impatient - This trait may not be one of my best qualities, so I blame it on my star sign - the always impatient Aquarius.

G-Gifts - I hate to brag but I am a fantastic gift-giver. It may also have something to do with the fact that I am also a shop-aholic!

H-Home - I am a home-body and love being surrounded by my family and friends, who I consider my extended family.

A-Animal Activist - I have always felt very strongly about animal rights, and my parents raised me with the belief that we as humans need to be the eyes and ears of animals who cannot speak for themselves. Some of the groups I belong to are Animal Aid, SPCA, and PETA.

N-Nature - Looking after the planet and protecting Mother Earth are two things my parents also instilled in me. Ohhh, the perks of having hippies for parents!

N- Nostalgic - I love anything from the past...if it's vintage, I want it!

My first middle name, Leigh, means Meadow in Ireland and Ann is a name that has been passed down from generation to generation in our family on both sides. If my parents hadn't settled on Leigh Ann, it would have been 'Blythe', after my mum's favourite second grade teacher, Miss Blythe, an animal rights activist herself who was a single woman and owned her own farm. She was a woman who was ahead of her time, and a modern day feminist.

Since I have 8 letters in my name, I have tagged 8 fellow bloggers:

Rosemary at Rosespetitmaison

Gillian at Indigo Blue

Sherry at Q's Corner

Susie Q at Rabbit Run Cottage

Pam at Art and Soul

Mandy at Pearl Maple

Karen at Jewel Box Chronicles

Nita at Red Tin Heart

Thanks again Mary for tagging me!

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Boîtes De Cadeau De Cru


Since it was a gorgeous day out, Mum and I spent the afternoon outside crafting and came up with a few little items for our craft sale. Unfortunately though, we went to the location for the November craft sale we were planning to attend, only to be told that the tables were 8 feet long! Way too small for all of our goodies! We were a bit disappointed, but we we are staying positive that we will eventually come across the perfect spot (and one with a big enough table to display everything!) And I promise I will keep you all posted!
For the time being, I'll keep posting my crafts which I hope you all enjoy!

Monday, September 3, 2007

Nuit De Martini



This past week has been crazy! I have been working full-time at my usual day job and have spent my days off researching for school and crafting in preparation for an art sale mum and I are planning to enter at the end of November. It's a bit of a way off, but I'm sure the time will fly by and it (as well as Christmas!) will be here in no time. So, I thought I should get a head start on my crafts.


But all of that work and crafting worked up quite a thirst, so my friends and I headed out for Martini's! The Martini House opened for the first time a few months ago downtown and it is the perfect spot out with your friends before another long week at work begins. We ordered Berry Berry Martinis...berry infused vodka with cranberry juice...and of course, no drink would be complete without dessert, so we went for the chocolate mousse cake. As you can see, it barely lasted long enough for me to take a picture!


It was a lot of fun, and I'm sure it will be a regular spot on the weekends for us!