Scandinavian Gift Ideas

I love the clean and classic lines of Scandinavian design. Here are a few ideas if you are looking for a unique holiday gift!

Mid Century Modern Wood Bowls

Vintage Norway Pewter Owl Necklace

Mid Century Krenit Enamel

Bowls From Denmark

Vintage Emerald Green Dansk Votives

Scandinavian Inspired Zippered Pouch

These items can be found on Etsy at http://www.funvintageliving.etsy.com/ and http://www.blessedsparrow.etsy.com/

Catching Up

It's been over a week since I've posted, so today is "Catch Up" day!

First and most important, a huge THANK YOU to all of our veterans who have served to keep our country safe.

My mom visited for a week and while we had a wonderful visit, I didn't get much completed in the way of sewing or blogging. I'm sure you all understand! Mom and I were very busy shopping, "treasure hunting", and just plain visiting with each other. One of the days my mom visited, we let the kids play hooky from school (sshhhh....)and went to Julian for the day. What a lovely day! Julian is in the hills of North-East San Diego and Fall had definitely arrived! Colors changing on the trees, a crispness in the weather, and fresh mountain air combined with the warm apple pie we had at "MOM's", made for a perfect day!


Lunch with grandma in Julian

We shopped for "stuff"

Fall Festival Fun!
We attended our church's Fall Festival in lieu of trick-or-treating October 31st. The kids had a blast! They "trunk-or-treated", got their faces painted, went on a hay ride, ate hamburgers and played numerous games. Oh yes, and don't forget, they ate way too much candy!

Finally, I wanted to let you all know about my Holiday Sale, offering many items at reduced prices, on both of my Etsy sites! Be sure to visit and start shopping for those Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers!

*The Blessed Sparrow http://www.blessedsparrow.etsy.com/ (I will also take custom orders).

*Fun Vintage Living http://www.funvintageliving.etsy.com/


I hope you enjoy this long weekend and reflect on the gifts of freedom our country's veterans have fought to keep for us.

Little Zippered Pouches

I wanted to share with you three new zippered pouches I created. Two of them are made of Ultrasuede, so they look and feel like suede. They are lined with a polka dot lining and a pretty flower decoration on the front. The third is made from soft, purple leather with a tree applique on the front and fully lined interior. These little bags make great cosmetic cases, money pouches, holders for your phone, iphone, Blackberry. Super cute and very durable!
You can check out these little goodies and others at my Etsy store. Thanks for stopping by! http://www.BlessedSparrow.etsy.com

Guilty Pleasures

We all have them, come on, admit it...there are foods you eat even though they aren't good for you and activities you may partake in even though it's a waste of time. I like to think that our guilty pleasures are a way to relax and spoil ourselves once in a while during our hectic and sometimes frantic days. Mine have changed over the years. It used to be Nordstrom shopping, professional manicures and house cleaning service were my guilty pleasures. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but due to life circumstances, I have gratefully found happiness in the simpler, more important things in life and in the process God has become my #1 pleasure.

Here are a few of my other guilty pleasures:

2) Oreo cookies and milk after the kids go to bed
3) Re-runs of Alias, LOST and Gilmore Girls (rarely, but I love it when I get the chance)
4) Browsing Barnes and Noble bookstore with a coffee (even though I may not purchase anything)
5) Walking on the beach
6) Listening to music really loud and singing at the top of my lungs in the car, BY MYSELF.
7) Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte
8) Crafting and creating
9) Lastly, and many of you may be able to relate, but my guiltiest pleasure of all...estate, thrift store and garage sale shopping for vintage treasures!

The last item on my list is a new "guilty pleasure" that I've turned into a small business because I can't possibly keep every cute retro item that I just HAD to purchase (because it's so awesome and a "great deal"). In the "old days", I used to get the same thrill shopping at Nordy's when I would find the cutest pair of shoes, but times, hmmm hmmm, and my checkbook, have changed... now, I actually get more of a thrill when I find a one of a kind treasure at the thrift store for $2.00! I usually go on a huge shopping trip once a week, quickly walking up and down the aisles, when my eye catches that special vintage treasure (my son coined the term "treasure hunting", which makes the trip more bearable, I mean fun)! My pulse starts racing and I get excited, I run over and put the "treasure" in my basket before someone else realizes what a prized possession it could be! Yes, this is what I find exciting and let's just say my husband is putting up with me...he's actually gone with me a few times, however he doesn't have the stamina for "treasure hunting" as is required!

You can visit my other etsy shop to see what I've been up to (when I'm not sewing)at:
http://www.funvintageliving.etsy.com/

More Great Gift Ideas

With Christmas just around the corner, I will be sharing unique and special products, shops and ideas with you!

I just visited one of my favorite blogs, "Lee La La" and she is showcasing a special etsy shop called, "Much Ado About You". Much Ado About You sells beautiful, custom made planners, calendars, etc... with a flair! They will make excellent gifts so you MUST check them out! Oh yeah, if you go to Lee La La blog you can enter the contest to win one of these special day planners!


You can visit Lee La La's blog at:
http://lindsay-thelees.blogspot.com/2010/10/much-ado-about-you-giveaway.html


You can visit Much Ado About You at:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/muchadoaboutyou

My favorite item, The BEVIN dayplanner from Much Ado About You

My Kitchen Garden (sort of....)

I've always wanted to have a vegetable and herb garden, but felt intimidated by the entire process. Living in the suburbs, it is too convenient to drive a few blocks to the grocery store and purchase overpriced and scientifically engineered food. Well, I finally had enough and mustered up the courage to jump into the dirt, through trial and error, learn how to grow my own veges!

Now, all of you green thumbs and experienced gardeners are probably rolling your eyes or thinking, "how cute", but for this girl, this is a big step! First, I had to stake out the "perfect" plot of dirt, till it, fertilize, THEN start the planting. My sweet husband was worried that I would just walk outside with my shovel, start digging and drop in some seeds. I assured him, don't worry, I will do my homework (my pride will not allow me to fail this project...my family is watching from the sidelines wondering what will come of this new "Lucy" idea of mine to feed my family from mom's garden). My wonderful husband volunteered to till and prepare the dirt for me, which, after watching what it entailed, I was very thankful for. I have since sectioned out four smaller plots within the larger area, planted seeds in two of them and watch them like they are my children! I never knew how fun and rewarding gardening could be. I love digging in the dirt and watching God's amazing work as the seeds grow into plants. My children get so excited when a new row of seeds starts to pop through the surface. Okay, I admit, I did have visions of strolling outside within a couple of weeks of planting and plucking a nightly dinner salad...that may happen, with TIME. LOTS OF TIME. This is a true lesson in patience for me and I definitely need to learn that lesson!

A few of my new favorite books (aka Garden Bible and tutor):

1) The Kitchen Garden by Alan Buckingham 2010) - this book is awesome! It is a step by step, monthly guide for the extreme beginner who knows NOTHING about gardening. This book will guide you through the process without making you feel guilty for not having started sooner

2) Gardening for Food and Fun by The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (1977) - I found this vintage book at a thrift store, and yes, I admit I purchased it first because I thought the retro pictures were fun, however it has turned out to be a wonderful resource book!

3)Vegetable Gardening by Sunset Magazines (1974) - Another great vintage resource packed with useful information and retro pictures. Love it!

Jeremiah 29:5 "...plant gardens and eat what they produce..."

The Holiday Bazaar

Calling all experienced holiday crafters...I need your help...in a big way!

I was invited by a fellow etsy-er to participate in a holiday bazaar (in 3 weeks!!!) and although I am very excited, I'm also in a complete panic! This very nice person probably has no idea that this is my first time...yep, I'm a "newbie". However, I want to show up prepared and at least fake like I know what I'm doing! Hopefully it won't be too obvious that I have never done this before. Oh, and yes, it will be lots of fun to meet new people and sell my hand-crafted goodies!

My first point of anxiety is not having enough inventory. Yes, I know, easy to fix...just MAKE more! But still...it is worrying me. Between driving the kids all over the county every day for school, dance, karate, youth group and art class...oh, and trying to be the wife and mother I desire, which includes making three meals a day, making sure the house is at least sanitary, the clothes are clean, the animals are fed, the husband and children are loved, it's amazing that anything else fits in the schedule! During the hours in which the kiddos are in school and my hubby is at work, I run around like a crazy lady trying to get as much completed as possible so I can enter my favorite room in the house, the art/sewing/library/office room, for the rest of the day to create. I know ALL you mommy crafters and artists know what I'm talking about!

Second, I have no idea what to expect...should I decorate my table with "holiday" decorations and hand out sweets and baked goods to entice people over? How should I display my wares? How much cash should I have on hand? Seriously ladies, I need your tips and advice from your previous experience. I appreciate any and all words of wisdom you have. Oh, I must tell you now, I draw the line at wearing a Christmas sweater...nope, no way, can't and will not do it.