Thrift Store Scores - Knitting Gauge

A gauge checker helps you check your gauge without having to use a ruler. It has a V (left) with the inches on the side with a gauge swatch* and you count how many stiches are in the inch.

An extra bonus on your gauge checker it has all the knitting needle sizes. On mine it goes from 000 up to 16.

*A little square that you knitted to know how many stiches per inch so you know how many you need to cast on for your project.

Off to knit,

TaMera

January Photo Challenge

I recently participated in Black and White 5 day challenge on Instagram.

You post one black and white photo a day. The challenge was really enjoyable for me.

 

That got me thinking about January coming (In two days) and the possibility of doing a month photo challenge. 

 

I decided to make my own challenge and make it more fun!

 

Searching Pinterest I picked five totally different challenges and chose my favorite from that day.

                         

Which bring us to this...

 

My very own January of 2015 Photo Challenge!! You are welcome to use it, too!

I'll do a little explaining for some of the days:

5. What makes you think of cold? Or a cold drink, wrapped up in blankets, etc.

13. Take a photo that is easy to look at or of a kitten sleeping.

15. Get a picture of a book in a new way. A way you have never thought of before.

24. Snap a shot while driving down the road or if you are really daring...find a empty place and get your camera "on the road" for a new look.

Just think outside the square box! ;)

 

Make sure to follow me on Instagram and see how well I do!  [ @MSS_Jewel  ]

 

 

Ready or not! Here comes 2015!

-'- Jewel

A week of blog work...

For the next five days I'm at Edwin and Samantha's. She doesn't have a huge to-do list this trip, but I do.
I've been sick for the last two weeks and haven't been able to clean my room, work on the blog or clean my room. Cleaning will have to wait until I get home to get done. :) 

If all goes to plan, I'll have eight new posts scheduled and ready to be shared!

-'- Jewel

Thrift Store Scores ~ Double Pointed Knitting Needles

I found these needles for fifty cents. The size is US 8 (5 mm)
You use double pointed needles to finish up a hat, knit a cable, to make fingerless mittens and the list goes on, pretty much, forever. :)

This set has only four needles, which can mean two things. It's an older set where they only sold you four in a package or the fifth needle got lost.

Off to knit,

TaMera

Bland Gold to Bold Black (A Light Refashion)

We went down to Samantha and Edwin's at Thanksgiving! 

We always do some DIY/refashion projects while visiting and this was no exception.

First up: A Light Refashion

Samantha found the tutorial on Pinterest and Dad wired the light up into the tree for super easy access.

The mirror is another DIY project of Samantha's she used the same black paint as the chandelier.

It looks fabulous! 

-'- Jewel

Thrift Store Scores ~ Buttons

Buttons! 

These buttons are some kind of metal. Wow, genius right? Okay, I actually don't know anything about the buttons... I do have a pattern in mind to use them on! :)

Update: Thanks to my sister Samantha, I now know the buttons are called "Golf King's Royal Crest Buttons". I don't know how she figured it out! But she did. 

If anything, for fifty cents they'll look great in my button holder.

Update: She also found, you can order them at C&C Metal Products 10 for $35!! ...I really found a score and didn't even know it! 

According to C&C's website the design is a royal crest. The crest has a kings crown, a golf bag, a flower and two teed balls. Do you see that X in the middle?  That's actually two golf clubs! I had no idea!

Smiles,
-'- Jewel

House Skirt

Earlier this year my Grandma Janet gave me bag of fabric.

I was immediately drawn to this house fabric knowing it would make a cute skirt. There was just one problem; it was a scrap. I didn't think there was enough for a skirt...or so I thought.

I was talking with Mom, while going through my patterns and she suggested that I try using Skirt A of McCall's M6438.

As you can see, there was enough and I love it!

This skirt is my second finished clothing article, my first zipper and my first hook and eye!
Of course, the "firsts" didn't come without sacrifice. For one, I had to take the hook completely out because... I... uh... sewed it in backward. :-l And the zipper, I'm too embarrassed to tell you about... We live and learn, people. ;)

Sending a shout out to Samantha who let me borrow her backyard over Thanksgiving break!

Smiles,

-'- Jewel

Thrift Store Scores ~ Vintage Aunt Martha's Hot Iron Transfers 'Le Chef'

While over in the craft area of my favorite thrift store, I noticed a basket hanging on the peg board with some patterns in it. Going through the basket, this package caught my eye! 

It's a vintage Aunt Martha's hot iron transfer of the cutest little chefs! 

The transfers can be used for embroidery, needlepoint, wearable art, fabric painting and more. 

My older sister Tiffany was learning to embroider a few years back. I begged her to start again and make these for me! I even bought a embroidery hoop for her as extra incentive! Haha

Colonial Patterns, the company that made Aunt Martha’s, is still in business and is reprinting the Aunt Martha line. They are located in Kansas City, Missouri, sort of close, to home! :)

Toodle loo,

-'- Jewel

Little bit of red and a mountain of cream {Sister-o-graphy}

We spent Thanksgiving week in Austin at Samantha and Edwin's. Kimberly came up from school (in south Texas) and spent it with us too! It was fabulous to see her! 

And...apparently I'm now taller than her. ;)

/  shirt: little mountain print shoppe [here] /  skirt: friend  /  shoes: payless    /  earrings: coldwater creek   /

/  shirt: little mountain print shoppe [here]  /  skirt: black market  /  shoes: payless shoe source  /   

After not seeing Kimberly for a long time our photo shoot was far from normal. ...or maybe this is pretty normal? ;)

 Have an awesome weekend,

-'- Jewel

Thrift Store Scores ~ Hook & Eyes

I know you are probably wondering why I bought hook & eyes at a thrift store. Normally I probably wouldn't have. But a quarter for a brand new box that usually retails at $1.88. I couldn't pass them up! :)

Smiles,

-'- Jewel

Thrift Store Scores ~ Crown Potteries Cross Stitch Bowl (1943)

Today's Thrift Store Score is a beautiful bowl with a cross stitch pattern made by Crown Potteries in June of 1943. The price...a solitary dime!

I always enjoy researching about my finds, interestingly, all of the other photos of this pattern has the leaf edging painted black. My bowl has no indication of that. I wonder if it there was two different options, back in the day.

Smiles,

-'- Jewel

Patterned Pattern Box

I have a lot a patterns. 

(Mostly, dress and skirt patterns. You can see some here, here and here.) 

I needed a storage solution, that didn't involve a drawer and preferably in plain sight.

After buying the latest patterns to add to my collection. (or is it addiction? ;)) 

The plastic zip-bag, I was storing the patterns in was not big enough! 

I decided to use an almond box to store them.

Which worked but made me hungry and it was a little unsightly. 

Didn't take me long to change that!

1. The box of wonderfulness
2. Lid and flaps cut off
3. Hot glue dabbed in the bottom (to help strengthen) 
4. Lid hot glued to bottom (also to help strengthen)
5. Patterned paper cut a bit longer than the height of the box
6. Paper glued to sides.
7. (Not pictured) Using the extra paper, I attached it to the side. 
It didn't quite fit but I had a strip of paper that matched and cut that into four pieces, to cover the seams.

I LOVE having them right there on my desk! 

Talk to you soon,

-:- Jewel

Thrift Store Score - Spartus 120 Vintage Camera

Technically, this is an antique store find. You would not've known that except I told you. ;)

It's a cute little box camera. I love that this inexpensive find ($8) was made in the USA!

Here's an interesting tidbit: The problem with these types of cameras, (any camera with the eye hole on the side) is when you set up the shot it might be set up perfectly in the eye hole. But, on the film and final picture, it would be more to the left. Due to the eye hole being to the right of the lens. 

Learned that in Photography class! :)

-'- Jewel

Sleeveless ...in 20 degree weather

We took these photos Wednesday evening and as I'm writing this post (Saturday morning) it is snowing!

You may think us crazy to take pictures in sleeveless outfits in 20 degree weather.

But straight out of the house and out of the wind it didn't feel too cold. Even so, we made sure not to waste time getting the pictures before going back in to warm up and get our coats. :)

Earrings: Vintage Thrifted / Necklace: Matthew West (similar) / Vest: Ross Dress for Less  / Shirt: Walmart / Jeans: Shopko /Boots: Ross Dress for Less

Learn how to make yourself a vest like mine, here!

The necklace was an "on the fly" DIY.  It's a long chain (without a clasp) so I used two safety pins to make it into a three chain necklace. 

Earrings: Black Market / Necklace: Thrifted DIY / Dog Tag: Medical Alert ID / Vest: Kohls DIY (Learn How to make your own here) / Dress: Penny Lane Trading Company / Jeans: Old Navy / Shoes: Payless 

I'm so excited that I found an outfit that I can wear my dog tag with! Yes, it is a genuine medical ID dog tag. I wore it backward to make the obnoxious red medical alert symbol unnoticeable. :)

Talk to you soon,

-'- Jewel

Thrift Store Score - Temporama Dishware

I was walking through our local thrift store and noticed this right away in the housewares area. I stared at it, trying to figure out how I could justify $9.99 on a 16 piece set of dinnerware. Considering, I have all the dinnerware I need with my Pfaltzgraff. 
This was/is so adorable! 

At that moment, I remembered. I had a $5 voucher from my punch card!  

I quickly handed TaMera some of the pieces and gathered up the rest. The dishes came out to be about $5.69. 

After telling Kimberly about my "problem" and showing her the dishes. She took a heavy weight off my shoulders and said "You can give it to me for Christmas or something." 

It may be my find, but it will one day be serving Kimberly's guests! :)

The dishes were made in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, by the Canonsburg Pottery Company. Canonsburg Pottery Company was originally called Canonsburg China Company 1900, but changed their name in 1909.  

The mid-century modern design is called Temporama. Interestingly, they are oven proof and detergent proof.

Smiles!

-'- Jewel