In Shock

I am in shock and in mourning of the tragic news coming out of Fort Hood, Texas. As an American, as a human being and as wife to a U.S. Soldier words cannot describe the sadness that I feel today. So I ask to please keep the families of those who have lost their loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.

Ghost of Halloween Past

BOO!!








Have a safe and happy Halloween!!!!

One Fine Fall Day

Yesterday was the perfect autumn day. I made sure the boys took advantage of it because I know we don't have too many good days left. The freezing rain, bitter cold and snow isn't too far off. Plus the weather forecaster's are predicting a cold winter. I am already anticipating many cozy days on the couch bundled up with blankets and drinking hot chocolate.

Colton loved playing in all the leaves.



Dillon is always climbing trees. I think he is going to take after his lineman dad!



We have raked several times already and despite that, this pile if leaves is HUGE!!



Even Dad got into the action and he got up into the tree with the boys as well!

Christmas Cottages

I just thought I would share with you have I have been doing the last week or so in my spare time. I really love these cardboard houses from Michael's, in fact I bought them all out and then had my mom get me some too at her local Michael's too. Of course I had to make them in my favorite colors: pink and aqua, but I also did some in lavender and I think it compliments the other two colors.

I'm A Winner!!!

A few days ago I found out that I was the winner of Beth's Wallpaper Giveaway. Its the first time I have won a blog giveaway. The wallpaper arrived yesterday and I thought I would share with you a few of my favorite pieces that Beth sent.











Thanks Beth!

I'm Finally Getting The Hang Of Photo Editing

If you have read my blog at all, you will know that I like cheap vintage junk. There is nothing like the thrill of finding cast aside junk at a garage sale, estate sale or thrift store that I know I can reuse, refinish or repurpose. (It also helps the environment) My frugal ways inhabits my life in other ways. I cut coupons, scour the Internet for good deals before I go shopping and yes I have been know to turn the thermostat down when my husband isn't looking just to save a few bucks.

When it comes to taking pictures, I constructed a cheap light box to take pictures because I wasn't willing to purchase a premade one. I have been using Picnik for a while now to edit my photos and it has a lot of free options available. About a month ago I finally decided to "splurge" and purchase a membership and try out the premium options available. I have been thrilled with the results and it certainly has been worth the money spent to get my photos looking the way I want them to look. See for yourself:





Tomorrow is Football Sunday. And while my team literally stinks this year, I will be sitting in front of the T.V. tomorrow watching the Kansas City Chiefs loose, but still cheering them on. KC Chief fan for life!

TGIF!

Is it Friday......finally?!?!? This has been one drawn out, very long week. I never thought the weekend would get here. I have been so busy these last few weeks, which is why there has been a lack of posts. I have a lot on my plate right now which I am thrilled about, but it certainly is keeping my hands full. I have a wholesale jewelry order to fulfill, Silver Bella Vendor Night to prepare for, my booth needed fluffing, along with adding new stuff to my Etsy shop, etc.

My son has been having problems at school with Math and Writing so I have been spending some extra time working with him to make sure he doesn't fall behind. Dillon is an articulate child, but he has been having problems during class when asked to write on a topic or write a story and then to actually take what he says or thinks and put it down on paper. This has lead to some arguing and back talking to his teachers and him throwing his hands up in the air and saying that he quits. (Same goes with Math.) 4th grade has been quite a shock to him and much harder than he ever anticipated.



I got him a journal so he could write his thoughts down and I have been giving him topics to write about about to encourage his creativity and we have been working on multiplication and division. I just don't want him to be one of those kids who hates going to school and then have it turn into a struggle to keep his grades up. He loves to read and is really into the Percy Jackson series and Greek/Roman mythology right now, so we have bribed him with the promise of new books if he can keep his grades up. He seems to be doing better!

Being that it is Friday, it is time for the weekly installment of VBS or Vintage Black Friday. Jill at Gypsy Brocante has been hosting this weekly blog get together.
My contribution this week is this vintage black hat with white millinery flowers.



I am using it as Halloween decor, but its probably going to be plucked of its flowers once Halloween is over. Gotta love vintage millinery!

And The Winners Are..............

Did I say winners?1?! Yep! Due to the overwhelming response I received I decided to add a few extra gifts to some lucky commentors. I wish I could post pictures of the extra prizes, but my dear old camera is on the fritz. I took it to get repaired, but its going to cost more to repair it than what the camera is worth, so my husband and I decided it was time to buy a new camera.

The winners of the surprise gifts are:

Melissa of Abigail Pocatello
April of Frilyy Frolic
and Candace of The Jeweled Postcard

And the winner of the $50 gift certificate is Vintage Junky!!

Congradulations to all the winners!!

Silver Bella Vendor Market Tickets

Silver Bella Market Tickets are now available! If you live in or near Omaha, believe me its so worth the trip. I drove up there last year to attend and I had a blast meeting new people and buying some great gifts and supplies. You can buy your tickets here.



I also wanted to say thank you to everyone who has commented on my blog giveaway. If you haven't already signed up you still have time. Because of the overwhelming response to this giveaway, I am planning a few extra surprises, so even if you don't win the $50 gift certificate, you may win something else instead!

Its Been A Long Time Coming - And A Giveaway!

I finally updated my Etsy Jewelry Shop - its been a LONG time. I have been in a jewelry making frenzy lately, but haven't been taking the time to list everything. I really enjoy the final piece, but taking pictures, editing, and listing can be a bit tedious at times, when all I really want to do is create more pieces!





I have been investing in better quality freshwater pearls and I am using all sterling silver or brass that is made here in the U.S.





This Summer I spent quite a bit of time going to estate sales and flea markets picking out the perfect pieces that I love to incorporate into my vintage inspired/vintage assemblage jewelry.





I really do prefer the imperfect, tarnished, scratched, rhinestones missing vintage and antique pieces that I find. They give jewelry character. There is something appealing to me with the tarnished patina of vintage metal on an old crucifix or medal. Or the rhinestone brooch missing a few stones. They are full of History. Each piece has a story.



To celebrate my shop update, I am going to be having a My So Called Junky Life Blog Giveaway! I will be giving away a $50 gift certificate good for both Etsy stores and my Lollishop store. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post between now and October 10th. If you blog about my giveaway you will get an extra entry. On October 11th I will announce the winner and then let the shopping commence!