::Flying Plates::

I'm not talking about in a circus--like spinning plates on a stick. I'm not talking about a Greek wedding which might involve smashing plates as part of the tradition. I'm talking about plates flying across a wall--MY wall!

I have been collecting and gathering plates for the past several years. Some are very old and vintage. Some are very new and modern. Some were gifts. Some I thrifted. None of them did I pay more than a couple dollars for. All textures, sizes, values, colors and history. Each has its own little story. Some are profound stories for me, some just remind me of the person I was with when I rescued it. But I LOOOOVE them! They seriously make me happy! Isn't it nifty how they fly around the corner?

::Painting with Color::

I've been busy painting--furniture, walls, picture frames--well, a lot. Here's a little looksy at just a couple projects.

I didn't take "before" photos of this sad looking coffee table, but it is a center of activity in our house and was pretty beat up. Dings, scratches and a honey-colored pine left me feeling not so happy about it. Since it is solid enough to sit on--hey, I have kids--and we do lots of playing, coloring, crafting and, well, eating at this table, I had to give it a little restoration. I settled on some awesome laminated fabric from Heather Bailey

::Putting My Feet Up::

How are you this beautiful day!? Things have been happy and hectic. I'm here for one primary reason today. And that is to be a... 

SHOW OFF!!

::Hook and Knobs::

Just a quick hop in to show you what's happening in my little Felted Button patch of the world.

--Hand is healing. Doctor gave me the go ahead to do pretty much whatever doesn't cause too much pain.

--Picked up some terrific knobs for some furniture projects--colorful and non-matching, of course. 

These are going on my whitewashed hutch. Can you seriously believe I found a bunch of colorful button knobs!!? I admit--I bought every last one the store had in stock. 

::Whitewashing is Easy::

Ask my hubby. It's about impossible to keep me down. So here I am the day after hand surgery feeling quite well and extraordinarily blessed and probably doing a bit too much. I just don't hold still very well. And I want to show you some stuff. So...here are some pictures of the projects I scrambled to finish just before my surgery in anticipation of being hand-less for a bit.

It all started with this little desk that I painted white for my son to use for school. It was, of course, a thrifted find at a yard sale--$5. I love it, a lot. Especially the hardware. So that got me in the mood to paint. I had the stuff out, and the prep always seems like the hardest part for me anyway. 

::Tickled Pink::

I've had a lot of "PINK" in my "THINK" lately! As those of you who have been here before might know, I am sort-of color crazed. And my favorite color changes almost daily--usually I can't tell you which is my most favorite. But for TODAY--it's pink.

Maybe it's because I finished my little bench yesterday! Remember this piece that I posted about here...

::A Peek at my Abode::

One of my favorite things to do on a night drive is glance into homes with their lights on and shades open. Sound creepy? I hope not. I just love getting little peeks into other people's living spaces. It says so much about a person, I think. So, I thought I might share a peek into some of the crochet designs and vintage finds scattered about my abode...and maybe you can get to know me a bit better.

This bottle of vintage buttons are wonderful--but all buttons are wonderful! And the bottle of glitter is from my childhood--it used to be tucked away in my mother's closet. How excited I always was as a child when my mother pulled them out for some sparkly fun! The green shutters are a thrift store find--sprayed green--acting as a divider on my ledge between my entry and "purple room".

 Camera from the 1920's--found at my father-in-law's home when he passed away.

Lots of milk glass, crochet, and bits of yarn I can't seem to part with.

Buttons...buttons...and more buttons just about everywhere!

The branch above the mirror was painted and then colorful felted leaves were added along with a felted little bird and a pair of mini-overalls hung with clothespins. The beautiful doily on top of the mirror made by my friend, Karie.

A butterfly collection for the Zoologist Sue (yes, I always have a few bugs in my freezer waiting to be pinned) from my daughter for Mother's Day. She knew I would want a colorful frame so she painted it purple! Thanks, Lizzie! 

A green chair, a pot of crocheted flowers, a polk-dot pillow, a vintage silk ombre umbrella, a tea pot (waiting for a crocheted cover) and a huge green bottle of "frog syrup". Randomness...makes me smile.

Sterling silver bug sugar bowl--again for the zoologist.

Poms remind me of sixth grade where I first learned how to make them. Good times!

I have a hefty collection of colorful glass--primarily from the thrift store. I love the eclectic mix, the colors, the shapes.

My ugly brass chandelier re-do. A little white spray paint, some scrapbook paper over the sleeves, a colorful felted flower bunting. Perfectly me.

Aren't polka-dots always wonderful!? I think so! And, of course, a colorful table runner of crocheted motifs--connected with buttons, of course.

This hideously beautiful vest was made by my granny--the one that taught me to crochet in the 70's when granny squares were all the rage the first time around. It reminds me of the time we spent together, her teaching me to crochet, doing the splits (yes, even in her sixties), and making the best ever homemade chocolate cake!

That rose is actually made of chocolate! But no eating--it is several years old!

A little peek into my studio. I feel so blessed to have my own little creative space.

Yard sale chandelier sconce--adorned with yard sale vintage crystals--for a steal I might add.

Where my pattern writing takes place. I had my daughter actually sit on this desk at the thrift store while I found a clerk to mark it as sold. A coat of milk-white paint and a lot of distressing made it perfect to me.

Numbered doors--single digits downstairs, double upstairs--sort of like in an apartment building. Random, I know.

Definitely a necessary reminder in the boys' bathroom! You'd think they would notice the grime, but it just doesn't cross their radar.

A sweet vintage desk from the thrift store--painted red. Should I paint the desktop with chalkboard paint or not?

Crocheted stuff, more crocheted stuff, and yet more crocheted stuff. Now you know why I opened my Etsy shop. I only have so much room in my house.

Since buying my first home in my 20's, my home decorating has not only changed with the styles of the decades, but my thinking about how I decorate my home has drastically changed as I have grown older.

I used to believe that my home needed to look "sellable" all the time--with decor and paint colors that were "in style" and that others would like. I mean, what if you decided to sell and your walls were not the right color? And don't even consider putting in carpet that is not neutral. If everyone is painting red walls, then I had better do that, too. 

Today,I don't even care what the current trends are. I don't care if it doesn't appeal to anyone but me. I don't really care if the furniture and decor fit some dictated style. Mix it up. If I like it, I use it. If I tire of it, I change it. And buying and upcycling from the thrift store makes this all very possible!

I am crazy and eclectic and LOVE color--not just a little color, but lots of color. And now that I look back over my decorating choices even as a child--rainbows and bright colors were always in my palette. I know that many would find my style "tiring", but all of the boys I live with don't seem to notice. And it makes me happy. 

Now I'm off to smooch on those boys of mine. Toodles!

By the way, if you haven't been to my Facebook page and "liked" it--please do so and you can keep in the "Button" loop. Hugs.

::Vintage Embroidery::

I found a couple little treasures at the thrift store recently and after a couple of coats of hot pink paint and some good distressing...

I ended up with these...

1975 was scrawled on the back in pencil--about the same time I was learning to do this kind of work as a child.

The frames were cheap and poorly painted black--with a little school-bus yellow peeking through in places. I like them. Very happy and colorful. Very vintage. Very Sue!

I have also been making a few of these for a local charitable project. The pattern can be found here...

...only you'll have to add the <3 slip stitching on your own.

I am working on editing the pattern to include instructions for this little felted flower & button ring to the wristwarmer.

They are super easy and can be felted by hand. What do you think? 

::Milk Glass Lamp with Granny Shade::

Waiting...waiting...waiting...this little treasure is just waiting for me to get on the ball and redecorate my bedroom! 

I found this lamp at the thrift store (Deseret Industries) for a mere $5. It was a sad little lamp with an ugly orange-brown wood finish and no shade. The drum shade was another find on another day and I quickly made a granny square cover using my stash.

I love the happy bright colors and even though the shade doesn't fit well, I decided to introduce the two. A blind date of sorts. Kind-of like two people that meet and don't seem well suited, may not look like the perfect couple together, but you overlook the flaws and "misfittedness" of them. A little pink paint over the dismal brown, white spray paint over the brass...and I like it! Actually, I love it! Maybe, just maybe, I'll buy a shorter harp. Maybe not.

Will my bedroom project ever occur? Sadly, I have lived in this house for over three years, and it has not occurred yet. But the bedding is purchased, paint color selected, and sitting chair nearly ready! Oh, I plan for it to be a little bit of heaven.

Let's "get 'er done!"

By the way, the love of my life actually said he doesn't mind a pink bedroom! Pretty terrific guy I married, huh?!