Getting ready for school.

Today I got out the kids school supplies to make sure we had bought all we needed.

Have you ever started sharpening pencils with a hand sharpener?  I sharpened two last year and asked my  husband to sharpen them at work with the automated sharpener and thankfully he did.  This morning I began sharpening pencils and remembered why I asked Wayne to do this job last year.  Tonight I asked Wayne if he would sharpen the pencils at work and he said it took way too much time and he couldn't:(  Soooooo, I started sharpening some more.  I got to number 30 and I had to stop because I developed a blister on my thumb. 

I guess I will get started again in the morning.

Have you ever sharpened your kids pencils one at a time with a hand sharpener?

I hope you have an electric one:)  I think I will be looking into getting our family an electric sharpener:)

Happy Monday night.

~Dena:)

Pottery Barn bedding.

Several weeks ago I was at Goodwill searching through the bedding.  I came across this Pottery Barn duvet and two pillow shams for one of my daughters rooms for only $3.99.  After a good wash in hot water it came out like this:

It is a bit wrinkled but I love the crisp white look of it.  It has pastel butterflies as well.

I know these cost at least $100 new at Pottery Barn Kids, what a great find:)

On the same trip browsing through the bedding I spied this for my bed:

The duvet is from Pottery Barn.  I love the pattern.

I also found the ruffled sheet which is also Pottery Barn

It was $7.99 total for both the Pottery Barn duvet and the dust ruffle:)  Another happy day at Goodwill.

Happy Sunday to you all,

~Dena:)

Etsy seller on Sickle.

Good evening,

Our family just got back from Eagle Crest in Central Oregon.  We had a relaxing week of sun and swimming.  I cannot believe that our summer is coming to an end.  I am so happy that the sun finally decided to stay a while:)  While driving home today we went through Madras and Warm Springs where there is a huge wild fire.  The smoke is so thick you cannot see the sky.  My sister lives in Massachusetts where they are getting ready for Hurricane Irene.  I feel so lucky to live in Portland today.

Before I left on vacation I did my usual treasure hunting and came across a garage sale at the top of Sickle Terrace where there was hand made jewelry, purses and hair clips.  She also sells on Etsy.

The purses are made from plastic bags.

She sells the scrabble tile pendants for $5.00.

If you are interested in her work you can find her on etsy:

Recycled Living

Designs by HB

Heather Burdette

hburdette3@gmail.com

www.etsy.com/shop/hburdette?ref=si_shop

Enjoy your weekend:)

~Dena:)

I LOVE summer Friday's:)

There is something about Friday's in the summer.

The sun is shining, the grass just mowed.

I am ready for a party:)

If you are reading this and can come, 3:30 - 6:00 today.  Please bring something yummy to eat and I will provide the drinks:)

~Dena:)

Mix and match silverware.

I remember when my husband and I were engaged and we were registering for plates, cups and silverware.  Of course, I loved the stuff that was WAY too expensive.  So, almost twenty years later I am finally able to get some of my favorite patterns at just .29 each:)  Just as I love the idea of different glasses, I decided today that I love the idea of different silverware.  Here is what you will be finding in my silverware drawer:

I think these are my favorite because they look like they have shells on them.

Don't you love the flowers?

I love the little dots all around the spoon:)

This seems like a design that will never go out of style.

The flowers are so delicate.

Oooh la la, so much fun!

These are onsies.

I am going to enjoy my food so much better with these fun utensils:)

Do you have utensils you love?

Happy Thursday to you:)

~Dena;)

Things that make me smile:)

It has been a while since I did a post about things that make me smile.  Here are a few things around my home that make me smile:

I picked this candle holder up a while ago at a garage sale for a few dollars.  I love this because it reminds me of a french cottage.  The grey hue is very in right now and can be found at Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware.

I love that these old binoculars have a cool old looking stand to sit on:)

This shell always makes me smile:)  It looks like its mouth is closed in a smirk.

Haven't we all dreamed of being this little girl on the seashore?

I am a sucker for basket bags:)  I have so many but I never seem to have enough.  They make me think that I can fill them up quickly and head out for a day at the shore:)

I hope all of you have things around your house that make you smile:)

Happy Tuesday,

~Dena;)

School shopping at Goodwill.

Happy Monday to you:)

My oldest daughter is going to high school soon and needed 3 inch binders and some other folders.  Usually those 3 inch binders cost $10 each so I decided to look at Goodwill.

We found four of these binders for .99 each!  I think we may have even left some for others who might need these:)

I also found this folder for .99.  I wrote each of my kids names on each of the tabs and I will use this for all of their papers I need to look at or sign.  I am hoping to be a bit more organized about school papers this year:)  Wish me luck.

~Dena:)

My garden is all in bloom:)

Good evening:)

My family has just gotten back from nine days in Yellowstone.  It was truly an amazing experience.  I look forward to sharing some of our photos with you later this week.

I am always amazed when I go away during the summer for one week how many of my flowers bloom.  Here are a few of my plants that I came back to:

I hope you are all well.

Have a fabulous Monday!

Dena:)

Happy Friday:)

Aren't they gorgeous?

I don't think there is any flower that makes me smile more than these:)

I hope your Friday is amazing!

Good luck to all you treasure hunters out there:)

Dena

Such a fun project!

Happy Wednesday to you:)

It is another sunny day here:)  Nothing is better than a sunny summer day in Oregon!

I was at my favorite treasure store and spied this:

When I saw this I knew I must have it:)  I brought it home and started investigating ribbon I had and decided on burlap to go over the old ribbon.

I cut the burlap and got out my trusty hot glue gun.

I spray painted in the dead grass.

Here it is:)  I LOVE how it turned out!

Instead of painting the wooden circle I covered it with burlap.

It is such fun when you see something that you can't use in its current form and change it into a way that you can use:)

Enjoy the rest of your sunny Wednesday!

Dena;)