New old stuff and Folk Life

The most amazing thing happened the other day.  Someone messaged me and asked if I wanted some stuff.  I said "of course!!!!" and I went to their house and this is what they gave me.

Isn't it awesome!!!

Vintage cedar chairs and this metal table!! 

The possibilities are flooding my brain.  Color, pattern, classic or whimsy, so many options to choose from.

I will have to think on it before I start but it will be re posted once done. It was a good day!!!

Then last weekend the sun actually came out and we were in Seattle when this happened.  It was amazing!!!

This is the "Folk Life" festival and I recommend it to anyone in the Seattle area on Memorial Day Weekend.

We got there when they first opened up and got to look around before the crowd got there. 

Lots of music, food, and wares from around the world. 

As well as local entertainment. 

We even were able to kick back and be a little creative ourselves. 

I made a special "monkey" hat for the day.  It was worth it for the smiles that it created. 

Many photo opportunities, especially against the EMP.

The Urban Craft Uprisisng was going on as well so it was a two fer. 

Artist were everywhere 

It was just a beautiful day here in the Pacific Northwest. 

The soccer fans were out as well, I'm gonna take a wild guess and say he was rooting for Mexico.

It really was a good day and the only thing that gave me pause was the cost of parking in Seattle.

But I so would do it again.

Yet, more stuff wonderfully tacky

So I last left you with my dilemma.  My topless tree!!

Had a great debate on Facebook about what would be great.  Giant multi-colored pom-pom, a bullet covered star, a wad of tinsel, and even a creepy clown faced yo-yo doll in Christmas colors.

All of them excellent suggestions. 

 I went with one not suggested because I had it laying around the house.

Can you guess what it is?  Go ahead and try, I will not be grading your answers.

Nope, it's not an ornament.  Nothing that normal.  Gotta remember the theme here, people.

RETRO TACKY

Ok I'll tell you.  It's an old light globe spray painted silver and highlighted with red.

Thought it looked kinda space-agey.

Other things, ummmmm I tied up a knitted monkey with Christmas beads.

He was going on the tree but, the sock monkey won.

This is where I put my candlesticks.  I spray painted some bottles to accost you visually. 

Is it working?

Hermie slipped on the ice again!  I don't know what kind of elf juice he's on but he can't remain standing.  I think Rudolph is calling 911



I amped up my shelf with some bright green poinsettias.

I also moved Hermie and Rudolph.  They seem to be doing better. 

 Could be because they are always being watched.

I liked the screaming vases but it was lacking something.

GLITTER!!!!!

Accomplished with silver glitter bows, and red, and green glitter squiggly things.

Someone mentioned to me. my mantle look Suessical.  I went on to tell them my retro tacky idea.

\But in the back of my mind a telegraphic message was sent to do a "Grinch Who Stole Christmas"

theme next year.  I can see it now, primary colors, made up words and things, a feasting on Who Pudding and Roast Beast.

I am also having a retro/tacky Christmas Eve party.  I will be encouraging everyone to come in their ugly Christmas sweater, or maybe lime green polyester pants with pink shirt.  I am excited!!!  Have to remember to take lots of pics and then figure out how to make them look like old Polaroids.

I will share, don't worry.  :)

Until then, make Christmas fun!!

What a thought, huh?

Oh P.S. I have another post about an amazing find that made me cry with joy, and squeal with delight.

Give me a few days.  I can't believe how much I have been posting.  The more people read the more I have to say........Be afraid, be very afraid.

Let the tacky-retro decorating begin!!!!!!!

I was soo inspired by the thrift store find I have decided to make it my theme.

So first up are these, oh so boring brown candlestick stands. 

A trip to Homedepot and presto-chango........

Although they are not tacky, but kinda cool.  I like it!

Some glitter bows and ribbon and candles and we have transformation.

Now we move on to the tree, at first I didn't have enough ornaments but I took a trip

to the thrift store and found a box for only $1.97.  I couldn't see in the box and didn't really know what I was getting into but as I peeled away the layers.  My excitement grew with each wooden ornament, and made in Japan things.  Still not sure what they are.

Still need more tinsel

I went to WalMart today and as I was wondering around, I couldn't believe my eyes!

I had wished for it the other day but didn't know they existed.

Can you believe it?!?!?!!?!?   I had found a bright green sock monkey!!

I think I even squealled with delight.

My last dilemma is this.........

What to put on top??

I have a santa hat with felt cookies on it or a glass globe that is silver with red dots.

Will update when decision is made.

it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Well it is, at my kitchen door.

My son brought up the boxes last night.  I think I'm probably behind everyone in bloggerland but I'm not a professional and you can try this at home.

I had my theme down, yes I like doing themes.  They make me smile and help me to make something look good instead of good enough.  I have been guilty of hurling the tinsel on the tree and calling it a good day.

So far I have done a "white as snow", "nutcracker", "peanuts", this year it is "retro tacky"

I am excited. 

So I whipped up this wreath with stuff lying around, cheap green garland, and a wood bead garland.  I then found these kitchen ornaments and went digging for my vintage cookie cutters and other stuff.

Next up, was more wooden bead garlands and an old sled I found discarded.

I've been meaning to paint it but the rust works.

I then butchered my holly tree and threw the branches in an Ikea trashcan.

This last piece is the perfect touch of tacky.

Found today in a thrift store for 1.97.

I love it!!!!

Someone really did put a lot of work and love into this.

It's been hand sewn, with felt, and gold ric-rac.

What else screams retro tacky?

I want to find ray guns, and sock monkeys in vibrant colors to put on my tree.

That is what is up next.

I wish I had all those odd ornaments from my childhood.  You know the ones, when you just wondered why? as you hung it on the tree.  This is the time to pull out all those misfit decorations, you don't need Rudolph showing the way, you know where they are.  I say celebrate the mooning Santa's!

Laughter is awesome.

Really late pics of "The Retro Baby Shower"

So where to begin......back in the beginning of my blogging was a post about my niece's baby shower.  I came up with a Retro theme shower with pink and blue.  I also had a onesie station which everyone loved! The onesie station was so people could create a unique one of a kind onesie for little Jacob.  I had a variety of fabric markers and other embellishment.  A few of them I had already drawn characters on them to be colored in by people who didn't feel creative.  The end of the shower the mom to be got to take home all the personalized onesies.The drinks were mock tails of pink and blue and a variety of vintage finger foods.

I had these glass vintage baby bottles I used for vases through out the rooms and these hand drawn images of the mother and the father at the base.  I used small frames I found at the Dollar Store.

The food was excellent and everyone had a great time.  I had more decorations up but didn't photograph them.  I'm still learning and I forget way tooo much.  My ideas are always larger and more grand than my budget.

ideas for a baby shower

I am soooooo excited my niece is having her second baby and I get to throw the baby shower or rather the "baby blessing" as to not offend people stuck in tradition.
So to get back to my many ideas. I have recently stumbled upon an awesome find that was actually found a few years ago. I was going to sell them and I still may but they have definately inspired me for a theme. They are these 22 1950's glass baby bottles. That are perfectly intact. Even the nipples are in great condition. They would be great for the decorations or favors or prizes. Thinking about filling them with m & m's.
I'm going for a retro pink and blue shower. I am working on the invites right now, with a blk and wht vintage photo with a humoruous twist.
I will serve old school hor'devours like deviled eggs, wienie dogs, fondue, etc and mocktails. We will do blue drinks in martini glasses and pink in chanpagne flutes. I even found blue cherries for the blue drinks.
I'm thinking of doing a famous vintage mom guess as they come in and some door prizes. I have also come up with a hopefully simple homemade favor for everyone. Also some clothes line and oneis and socks to hang on them. Maybe a decorating station for making the onies personal. hmmmmm still many ideas that I need to whittle down. I'm not sure if I can wait until Januarary.