LITTLE OF THIS..SOME OF THAT..AND A SUPER HERO...

Got this glass tray at Ross's

Regular price: $25.00

First reduction: $9.99

I bought for: $6.00

I thought I'd update you on my thrift store finds of late and some projects that are almost managing to get finished around the Cottage.

First, I've been on a pillow making rampage.  Just let me say, I love pillows and I have quite a few, but there always seems room for one more.

  I have bits and pieces of fabric that I have picked up, here and there, but I've come up with a different procedure, which probably isn't a new idea, but for me it is a simple and easy way to produce a pretty pillow at a low cost.  It's napkins. Dinner napkins.  

Every time I go into a store, I look for sales on napkins.  There is such a variety of patterns and colors that it is usually easy to find one that works at a reasonable price.

  With four to six napkins per package, it's pretty easy to whip out two to three pillows at one time.  The most expensive part of putting one together, for me, is the pillow form.  I know I could do it less expensively using stuffing, but I always seem to use either too much or too little and I try to pick up the forms when they are on sale.

  Here are a few that I've put together recently...

I had a piece of jute webbing and some buttons from garage sales that I used as trim on the top two pictures and just folded over part of the napkin and added black buttons in the bottom picture.

I showed this dresser scarf (left) a while back that I had picked up at the estate sale next door.  I had this remnant of fabric from Hobby Lobby and since the scarf had holes at one end, I cut it in half and used it as part of the pillow with some button embellishments (right).

Another favorite find at garage sales and thrift shops are curtain valances.  The ruffle on them is an ideal addition around a pillow, and so easy.  The ruffling is the hardest part for me.

This is a peek of a valance I used over an existing lamp shade.  The shade is quite old and the silk fabric is at the point of crumbling with the slightest touch, but I love the shape of it.  By adding the valance and some ribbon and letting the original shade's ruffle show, I have a new lamp shade for about ten cents.  This is part of a project that is just about ready to reveal!!!

This little cheese shaker is probably from the 1940's. I've had my eye on it at the next door estate sale since the beginning but it was always marked $8.00 and I didn't want to pay that, although it was probably worth it.  The last sale it was marked down to $3.00 so I picked it up along with the Blue Calico plate and the set of birds.  As it turned out, she let me take all treasures home for free, because I was one of her best customers!!

I picked up this match safe at a shop for $10.00.  I don't know it's age, although it reminds me of vintage and it looks like it was hand made.  I just thought it was different and cute.

"Keepers of the Light"

A Cheerful Giver, Inc., Elmer, NJ

www.acheerfulgiver.com

I've read a lot of recommendations for candles in blogland, but I've never seen my favorite mentioned, so I'd like to add it to the list.

If you ever try this one, I don't think another could compare.  The company carries many different fragrances. The spicy ones for fall, I love the best, and they work well all year long.  They are made with double wicks so they burn evenly all the way down and never lose their fragrance.  They are not overpowering but your whole house will smell like you have been baking cookies forever.

  If there is any wax left in the bottom of the jar, I just put it in the freezer for awhile and it scrapes right out, and you are left with a very pretty and useful container.

  I will admit they are a little pricey, compared to some, $27.00 for the size shown. They have a smaller size and a larger size and if you can't find them in stores, you can order on line.  I think you will find them a worthy investment.

Not old, just a cute statement for the kitchen wall, picked up at my favorite little shop, Country Living in Amador City.

The animal shelter, Sammie's Friends, where the Captain walks dogs, just opened a thrift shop and I picked up this napkin holder for $2.00. It looks vintage so I thought it was something I needed and every little bit helps the animals.

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Now on to the Super Hero....

We are fortunate (or not) to have one in our midst....

Drum roll, please....

Ladies and Gentlemen....

May I present to you....

...T H U N D E R   D O G...

On Easter Sunday evening, after days of sunshine and spring, we had rain and a thunder storm.  It really was the loudest I had heard in some time.

Now, you have to know Buddy.  He is ferocious to some big dogs he might take a disliking to, but when it comes to loud noises such as thunder and fire works, and even the overhead fan coming on, or the smoke detector going off, he turns into a 97 pound pile of quivering jello.

  He tries to hide under places that are not equipped to handle him, such as...

The results of one of his attempts to fit under our bed.

So when we heard about the Thunder Shirt, we had to give it a try.  I have to say it seems to really work.

  It's a little hard sometimes to predict when a loud noise is going to happen and once he becomes afraid, it takes a lot longer to calm him down but eventually we got him to at least sit still and not go looking for places to hide or trying to dig to China via our carpeting!

  The 4th of July will be a great test as it is always a very hard time for him and frustrating for us, and we can put the shirt on him earlier in the day so he has a chance to relax before the fireworks start, literally!!

Poor old guy. It is such a fearful situation for him. You can really see the fear in his eyes.

If your dog is bothered by loud or unexpected noises, or has any kind of anxiety problem, you might consider getting one of these shirts.

 Just google Thunder Shirt.  I am not a paid spokesperson for this product.  I just know it was $39.95 well spent and it works... with it...way better than without.

Hope things are quiet where you are...now let spring begin.

The lilacs are starting to bud out.

Oh, happy days.

...Judy...

I'm sharing with these lovely parties today:

Seasonal Sundays

Rustic Restorations Weekend

Make It Pretty Monday

Amaze Me Monday