Feed the Birdies

Saturday Sprinkles: Little Golden Books

2012-02-11T18:42:00.001-06:00

Would you believe we didn't make it to one estate sale this weekend? Exhaustion...burn out...just plain didn't have the want to change out of my pajamas...and neither did anyone else. So, no Sprinkles cupcakes for us today. But we did have slices of Chris' Outrageous Chocolate Cake and Linda's Fudge Cake in the frig from dinner at Cheesecake Factory last night, so no need to feel sorry for us. :) Oh, and we saw the Dallas Symphony Orchestra perform. That's another post on the way. Beautiful!

No estate sales means no new treasures, but I've been cleaning out and going through a lot, and I found some treasures in my own house this week. Miss Rachael Denbow had posted a picture of this Little Golden Book, I Can Fly, on Instagram a while ago, and I wanted to find it too, but it turns out that not only had I already bought it at some point for Katie, but I also have my mom's copy from when she was a little girl. Surprise! Mom's copy is from 1950, given to her in 1952. It's seen better days, but the pictures in this book are so cute it doesn't matter much.

I dug some more through books we've been collecting since we had decided they were what would be featured in Katie's nursery, and I found more that I love.

Cars for Daddy and Katie to read...I think that picture is of she and I in our future red sports car. Precious.

And then here are the books of my mom's that I have. I've got to find a way to save them. That's going on the list of future projects.What would you find if you went on a digging adventure in your own house?

#30Lists: Sign UP!

2012-02-08T10:34:00.001-06:00

Have you signed up yet? The 30 Days of Lists girls, Kam and Amy, are at it again. I'm so excited to see what they have in store this time around! And, Feed the Birdies is a sponsor! I promise posts of my lists, completed journal pages photographed for you to be inspired, and lots of vintage papers in a cute kit that you can use on your own journal...I'll give one away, and you can purchase one if you just can't wait! See you on the 30 Lists Blog! And here, too. :)

Saturday Sprinkles and a Free Vintage Valentine Printable!

2012-02-07T10:49:00.001-06:00

Saturday Sprinkles is a little late this week! We went south for the weekend and visited Austin with a big group of leadership students from my school...convention time!

Anyway, we still stopped in Dallas on our way home and got our Sprinkles cupcakes. This time: Red Velvet. Yum.

I managed to go to one estate on Thursday afternoon, and then the thrift shop too, but I didn't come home with much...a Pyrex bowl and some vintage mouse stationery for me, and some Holly Hobbie pillowcases that were still in the package for Katie. Even though there were only a few things, we love them very much! I think I'll write more letters this week. The little mouse is pretty cute!

Since we are getting super close to a day of love, friendship, and, well, a day that some people don't care for much, I thought I would share some vintage love with you. I have a collection of vintage Valentines, and I scanned four of them for you. Download the google doc, and then print them on white or vanilla cardstock, cut, and send! How could you be fussy with these? See, your heart day just got a little better, didn't it? :)

P.S. For an even sweeter deal, go sign up for #30Lists, the March Edition.

Those girls have tons of fun planned for you!

Saturday Sprinkles: Estate Sale Finds and Sweets!

2012-01-28T19:42:00.001-06:00

I've decided that since we have made Sprinkles Cupcakes a regular stop on Saturdays when we get most of our vintage hunting done, that my estate and thrifting posts should be named after the sprinkling of sweet treats as well as the sprinkling of sweet finds we bring home. Don't you think it fits?

Today's cupcake was German Chocolate, but William isn't a fan so he got Strawberry. Katie loved it.

We hit five sales today and pretty much came up dry, but for this receipt and towel from a Holiday Inn in 1969. Do you think they stole the towel?? I wonder! Haha! Whatever the story, it will hang in our bathroom. The receipt says their room was $12. They stayed in Plainview, TX. And now I have the towel they took!

The only other thing I was super proud of were new bottles of OPI nail polish for Katie and I. New pinks and reds for Valentine's Day. :) I guess $40 worth of polish for $8 made the day turn out ok. I just hope that 4th bottle isn't open in the car, left by an anxious little miss who couldn't wait to try it out. :)

Estate Sale Finds: Crazy Daisies Corelle and Vintage Wrapping

2012-01-23T12:51:00.001-06:00

The sales weren't the best this weekend and we only haunted two, but remarkably came away with something I've wanted for a while...an entire service of Crazy Daisies Corelle in yygreen. There are even two platters and three little servers. We had these when I was a little girl and my mom said she used them for so long that she was sick of them. And she also said they will never break. Haha! And then at another, I found four NOS packages of Christmas wrapping. I opened one package and the more I saw the more I loved. See? I think the last sheet is my favorite. I just hope I can handle cutting it. Ugh.

Catching up Christmas, Part 2!

2012-01-21T20:11:00.001-06:00

And then we meet Christmas Eve at my sis-in-law's house for a pajama party with the Currans. We have the best rock salt prime rib and mashed potatoes this side of the Red River. This time, we not only went in pajamas but we spent the night with the lot of them, and Santa delivered presents there! We played games and lost money ($3 each)...grabbed a pineapple square every time we walked past them, and drank martinis. The girls painted nails and the boys watched football and played video games. The elves brought Sonic and the dogs got Milk Bones. Fun times well spent!

Catching up on Christmas...

2012-01-21T08:37:00.001-06:00

I just realized that the family members that read Feed the Birdies, while they like to see the vintage that we find, they also LOVE to see pictures. And I just emptied my camera card last week. Slow. So this post catches everyone up on Christmas.

We have a huge family...and we meet for the holidays in different places. One of my favorites is the old Frieberg Cooper Community Center with its creaky wooden floors and gas space heaters in the wall...the stage at the front and the kitchen with the vintage cabinets...and the tables of food and even more tables of family...kids running everywhere...Santa comes to see us and we ALL get to sit on his knee if we want to. We crossed out the traditional Christmas dinner and had fajitas, tacos, and all kinds of trimmings and afterthoughts. Grandma gave Katie her Shirley Temple doll. We fuss over who gets the best gift card in a swap of 20 something piled on the floor. And then a hot chocolate tailgate party at the end...the kids loved that. And we loved watching them. These photos are unedited...I like them candid.

Letterpress using vintage Tomy fashion plates...

2012-01-18T19:23:00.001-06:00

More to come. Wait until you see how these are turning out. Remember rubbing the crayon across the fashion plates with copy paper on top? I'm using letterpress paper and another smooth technique...and voila! I'm very excited. :)

Twisted Peppermint (vintage paper collage)

2012-01-18T08:41:00.001-06:00

Of my favorite lotion scents. I stocked up because Texas summers require a bath in this stuff. :) I used vintage bank checks, dictionary pages, Anthro catalog pages, a sheet from a vintage prescription pad from a local doctor's estate, and some of October Afternoon's Holiday Style line.

Collage in reds and vintage.

2012-01-17T18:40:00.001-06:00

Napoleon Dynamite Watch Party

2012-01-15T21:47:00.001-06:00

We had a few friends over tonight for tots and to watch Napoleon Dynamite, the animated series. Pedro built us a cake or something, and Deb had a photo booth. Nerd friends are the best! Oh, dang...I forgot my Chapstick. I'll go ask the nurse.

Shop Update: Vintage Clothing for Little Ones!

2012-01-15T12:19:00.001-06:00

Shop update for the tiny fashionista. Lots of red...the color of the season! Spring, early summer...lots of prints and lots of fun. Ready for the park, birthday parties, or just hanging out. Come shop!

Chalkboard Part 2!

2012-01-15T11:32:00.001-06:00

All that was left to do for our thrift shop painting to chalkboard was season it and add a message! When I lettered it, of course I had to use an appropriate font for our little gathering tonight...are you watching? I used black chalk first and then added blue on top. Love it!! Its a welcome mat on the wall. :) What will you use yours for?

Shop Update! Vintage Baby Clothing

2012-01-14T17:24:00.002-06:00

I'll have little bits of shop updates all week. Starting tomorrow, the cutest vintage baby clothing will be posted; wait until you see the Neiman Marcus dress. It looks like a mini June Cleaver frock. Here's a little sneak peek... Coming soon: vintage cake carrier, clothing patches (fun ones!), tiny deer picks, and more needlepoint!

The chalkboard tutorial (part two) should be posted later tonight. For now, I'm headed on a hot date with my hubby. :)

DIY Thrift Shop Painting to Chalk Board: Part I

2012-01-12T06:50:00.002-06:00

Thrift shops sometimes have the best frames, especially for my taste. I brought home this painting about a year ago and I have had it hanging in the house. William hated it. I kind of liked it, because it was nostalgic in a way, but I still would have liked for it to be of a different scene. Then I saw this on Pinterest.

Source: hgtv.com via Trina on Pinterest

My frame isn't as pretty as this one, and I chose not to paint the wood, because it matches other things in our house so well. So Katie and I carted it outside and got to work. Here is the ugly thrift shop painting...William asked me, "What if you are defacing a famous painting?" I hope not.

Be sure you tape it off. We used newspaper and painter's tape to preserve the white canvas border around the painting.

We also chose Martha Stewart's Chalkboard Paint from Michael's and disposable foam brushes.

Then make sure your assistant puts on her pink wig, and pour on the paint!

You have to let the paint cure for 24 hours before you season the chalkboard. Here it is right after we finished two coats.

It took just a few more little swipes of paint after bringing it inside to cover a few spots we missed. Now we wait...

Tomorrow, I'll show you how to season it and then show you how we lettered ours to hang in our entry way...for now, go find a painting...and ugly one. Ha.

Mailbox to Bathroom Storage: A Simple DIY

2012-01-08T16:28:00.000-06:00

I've been finding several porch mailboxes at estates lately, and I can't seem to pass them up. Especially when you can do something this cute with them! We turned this one into a bathroom magazine storage and towel hook for Katie's little pink and black dressing room. Here's how we did it:

First, take off the gold horse and cart by removing two screws. Then wipe the mailbox and horse clean.

I chose to place the screws in a piece of foam to paint the heads. They were dirty.

Lay out some newspaper and have at it with your favorite color. We chose this Krylon Watermelon that I got in my stocking for Christmas. :) It will probably take two or three coats.

I was going to leave the mailbox itself a bit scratched up, but I decided since Katie's bathroom wasn't very rustic, to go ahead and paint it as well, using a gloss black spray paint.

When you are finished the painting, let it dry. It was cold outside so we let ours sit overnight. Then put the emblem back on.

Then hang, fill with magazines or books, and hook some perfect pink striped vintage towels on. I know I have seen some ideas for these floating around on Pinterest for use as other types of storage, and I'll have a few unfinished ones in the shop soon if you can't find one near you. Have fun! I'm linking up with Tater Tots and Jello, Flamingo Toes and Skip to My Lou!

Feeding Pigeons Sprinkles Cupcakes

2012-01-08T00:40:00.001-06:00

So, we taught our friends Natalie and Graham how to whisper at Sprinkles for free cupcakes (a treat after estate sale shopping that is becoming a ritual). Natalie dropped a few crumbles of cake as we stood outside the shop, and as soon as we started to walk away, in came a pigeon. Feed the birdies! They like cupcakes. Especially S'more cupcakes. :) Isn't she cute?

Scrapbooking finally: teacher buddies

2012-01-07T21:20:00.001-06:00

It's been a long time, but I got a lot done today. I thought I would be a little rusty at putting pictures on paper, let alone even have them printed, but nope. I made these cute little clipboards just layering scraps of paper and adding a few little extras. I picked the clipboards up at estate sales (they are the small ones). These and a few more will hang on my classroom wall. The 12X12 pages will hang by wooden hangers. I'll post pics when they are hung. I think it will be good for the kids to see that teachers have friends too. :) They think we live in our filing cabinets. Haha!

Estate Sale Walls Talk

2012-01-07T17:41:00.001-06:00

We saw this just as we walked in the door of an estate sale today. I'm glad we give the things from their memories a good home.

DIYs for Home and Scrapbook Pages Soon

2012-01-06T06:51:00.000-06:00

We've been snoozing over here these past few months! The holidays have had me bogged down, and then getting back into the routine of school and homework...well, we aren't so good at that.

This weekend I will finally get some time to papercraft and use some vintage lurking around the house for some super cute DIYs. I'll take pictures and post for you, but here's what's coming on the birdie blog:

DIY porch mailbox to magazine and towel rack for the bathroom
DIY ugly thrift shop painting to chalkboard
DIY Collaged magnets from Starbucks sleeves lifted from Somerset Studio
DIY Christmas Cards to New Years cards...when you procrastinate and send them too late!
Scrapbook pages using my giant collection of vintage papers
And I'm thinking of trying some embossing on vintage papers...I might post even if it's a failure. We'll see!

First post coming this weekend. Katie and I are going to tackle that mailbox this evening so she has a new accessory in her bathroom. It's going to be a beautiful 70 degrees in Texas today. And it's January? I am wishing for a snow storm. Ha.

New York City?

2011-12-28T21:41:00.001-06:00

via weheartit

I've thought about and written in stone (since they are posted here) my new year's resolutions. Although I want to lose weight (don't we all?), that is not on the list this year. I have much more important things to do.

Use my cookbooks. No more dinners on the fly, unless absolutely necessary. It doesn't take THAT much more effort to use a recipe.
Re-invent our cash system budget. With cute envelopes.
Buy a Dodge Challenger with cash. Yep, you'll see me rollin'. In Kermit the Frog metallic green with black race stripes. Ha. OK, maybe silver. Or red.
Weed out the unnecessary, including the "stuff" that drifts in my house (or, really, gets drug in tossed onto the kitchen counter until we figure out we didn't need it in the first place).
Read one book each month on my Kindle.
Read two books each night with Katie.
Research, plan, and book a trip to New York City. I have an obsession with this one.
Run. A lot.
Launch a vintage paper monthly art journaling/scrapbooking kit club right here, on Feed the Birdies, and fill my shop with things you'll love. I've hoarded them way too long.
I'll leave this one open just in case I come up with another bright idea. It's good to keep your wheels spinning.

See you next year!

Santa brought Sonic!

2011-12-25T15:41:00.001-06:00

May your holiday bring cards filled with Route 44 Diet Cokes with Vanilla! Merry Christmas!

The most random Christmas list ever...

2011-12-23T07:00:00.000-06:00

Here's what I asked for this year from the kids and William. Hmmmm...I wonder if they will find it all? I have projects to finish and ideas to brew.

$5 gift cards to Starbucks or Sonic
three small herb plants or herb seeds for my vintage planters (like mint, rosemary, basil, or cilantro)
Bic Mark It extra fine markers in black or red
hot pink spray paint
baseball card sleeves to organize my coupons
gloves or mittens with the flaps
and a pack of rolos.

That's all.
(All photos are from weheartit.com.)

Birdie lost...birdie found...

2011-12-22T21:34:00.001-06:00

Poor little birdie blog has been neglected for quite some time. But I'm working on lots of posts of Christmas and little girl crafts and a comeback kid that has her hands in some new scrapbook stuff. The holidays and the surgery on my neck have had me bogged down. For a while, I was afraid to move the wrong way, but I'm much better now. But I sure have missed this little place of mine. Maybe I should show you what we did tonight? Katie and I watched a video on Martha Stewart to make these magazine Christmas trees. This is one that is sans glitter and not quite finished...we have a few more folds to go. I must say they were quite addicting (like the magazine bows) and a much quiet activity, and she loved it as much as I did. Did you make any this year? Did you make a mess in the glitter? It's fun, isn't it. :)

P.S. I just figured out how to print photos from Facebook to Target (yeah, I know it's old news). It's been years since I have printed photos to put in books...but I'm so glad that tons of the most wanted were ready and waiting, and I just have to go pick them up. Yay!

How to feed a cat for the holidays...

2011-12-11T19:35:00.001-06:00

Make sure they each have a Christmas napkin just in case things get a little messy (per my little five year old learning to care for her pets). :)

More digital cards...snow buddies!

2011-11-29T11:27:00.001-06:00

These just happen to be my favorite! What could bring in the season like some cute little snow buddies? These are vintage snowman wind-up toys that we found about a month ago. Aren't they darling? The cards are in the shop and ready for personalization!

Digital Holiday Cards for Download!

2011-11-29T10:52:00.001-06:00

Feed the Birdies is now offering photo cards for download from some of my favorite vintage holiday finds. I have three listed and will be adding more tonight and tomorrow. Greetings sparkle with vintage party shoes or wish peace with gentle toy deer in snow. A pretty petit fours tree reminds of a table covered in sweets and the company of friends and family. The cards are in the shop ready to be personalized with your own wish, then download, and print (suggested size is 4X6)! Your card will be emailed within 24 hours of purchase. Our cards for the season are simple and fast...happy holidays!

Cyber Monday Sale!

2011-11-28T08:57:00.001-06:00

Thanks so much for a great year! Feed the Birdies Vintage on Etsy has been so much fun to create and to manage...and I love finding homes for the vintage goodies that we love so much! So, for being our vintage friends, take 25% off your order using the code THANKS. Available only today...it's Cyber Monday!

Enjoy, and Happy Holidays!

On hunting vintage paper...and healing

2011-11-25T23:24:00.001-06:00

My friend, Cassie, always says I find the best vintage paper. I have so many boxes of it...copy paper size boxes... that I almost feel like I have too much and sometimes have to pitch the stinky piles or the envelopes that are brown or curled on the edges from years of storage. These pictures show the vintage Current stationery and some birthday invitations I found today (estate sales on Black Friday are the best, by the way)... I love picking up birthday invitations for children; just the two or three left from a stack of 8...the leftovers from when parties were small and with just a few close little friends. I can imagine a trip to the local five and dime to pick the most joyful stack...the Hallmark crown on the back. And then saving a few for years. I'll use them for Katie or just pilfer through the box every once in a while for a bit of paper therapy...you didn't know paper could heal, did you?

P.S. Speaking of healing, my little blog has been neglected because I am doing just that. Healing. I finally had my neck surgery. Scary, but I am 100% thrilled with the results so far. But, until I go back to work, sifting through these boxes is a quiet, doctor approved way to spend a little bit of time. :)

birdie

Dymo love and new in the shop!

2011-11-13T09:22:00.001-06:00

I can't keep Dymos in the shop, and fortunately, William has a super keen eye for finding them at estate sales for me. One of the last few we've been to awarded three, in their own boxes, in unique color (Avocado Green), style (three fonts) and size (one holds 3/4" tape...and came with two full rolls of wood grain!!). I had to try the big one out...oh, what fun this could be. But isn't Feed the Birdies quite striking in wood grain? They are in the shop now...I'll race ya.

Pretty shoes are perfect for the holidays, and we have two pair that are sparkles and pearl and would compliment your best fashion for parties, nights out, or church gatherings. Feed the Birdies finds unique treasures from the 60s and 70s and we love to see you enjoy them as much as we do!

One last collection of fun will debut this week. We have several vintage carry on bags and totes that we are adding to the shop. Asian flight bags and rocket science to name a few!

Oh, and FYI...we are clearing out some items to make room for more...just look for the word CLEARANCE and have fun shopping!

Sunday cat nap...

2011-11-06T15:01:00.001-06:00

Betty is a lazy little thing today, and it's rubbing off on me. This is Gram's guest bed when she visits. Isn't the coverlet pretty?
-Birdie on the go...

University Park Flea Market--UP Flea

2011-10-30T20:56:00.001-05:00

A little bit of this and that from my booth today. Cassie and I had a great time at the UP Flea benefiting the University Park Library in Dallas. The biggest hits were knitted cowls that Cassie made and my vintage Fisher Price Little People. It's so fun to meet someone new who loves vintage and handmade as much as we do!
PS Like the shoes? They will be in the shop. :)
-Birdie on the go...

My clothes make me mad

2011-10-29T08:48:00.002-05:00

I've determined with very scientific evidence that my clothes can make or break my day. Friday they broke it. And it was jeans day! Here's how it went down:

7:05--layer school t-shirt with pull on school hoodie for spirit day
7:06---twist hair into highly fashionable clip on top of head, 80s style
7:07--find pair of socks matched (that's rare) in extra bedroom
7:08--socks on. pull on jeans (they are the only thing that saved grace today)
7:09--start yanking on hoodie neck because it is a little snug
7:10--new New Balance tennis shoes on (laces moved down one eyelet from previous clothing disaster) tie them loose, but double knot
7:15--contacts itching; did I get eyeshadow in my eye
7:25--walk to the car; sock is starting to smush up; toes trying to move it around; I HATE that
8:00--arrive at work; visit a co-worker, and realize the string to my hoodie is pulled out all the way on one side, and no string on other side. no wonder it's tight. stuff hoodie string down inside so it doesn't show.
8:04--unclip hair, twist back up; add an extra small clip for the strays
8:05--eyes still itch. going to class.
9:20--ate too many sweets from the Halloween Bake-Off. now jeans are snug. but they still button...hey! we've got something here!
9:55--take hair down; twist back up; forgot extra clip was in there; ouch.
10:00--run to hobby lobby to get Halloween napkins. Put purse on cross body. Go to take it off to get in the car, and it gets stuck on the hood of my sweatshirt. The hoodie is not winning the game.
10:40--back at school; take shoe off; adjust sock. whew. that's better, until I start walking again.
12:30--eyes itch. contacts bothering me.
3:45--leave school with purse stuck on hoodie, sock bunched up, contacts itching
4:00--trying to drive in car and take off right shoe to discard sock; put it in park at a stop light so I can do that. put shoe back on without untying it.
4:05--realize hair clip is giving me a headache. take it out and don a nice clip bump with wild curls. gosh, i need new color.
4:10--yank hoodie off at next stop light. arms get stuck. light turns green so I drive off with one arm in and one out, hoodie bunched up around neck.
4:15--pull into school to pick Kate up. take off rest of hoodie. decide I better put hair clip back in. walk in with flopping tennis shoe.
4:17--Katie walks out with tennis shoes untied and flopping on her feet. informs me she wants slip on shoes. proceeds to unlace shoes completely in the car.
4:35--walk into house; all clothes in a neat pile on the floor immediately. find pajamas. why can't we wear those to work??
4:35.5--yes, that's how fast I got clothes off, take contacts out and wash face, put glasses on.

*SIGH*

Pizza with the mafia

2011-10-25T15:53:00.002-05:00

I sure have been posting a lot of food lately. Hmmm...that's not good. But, the food is good. We took Katie to Campisi's last weekend in Dallas. It's an "Egyptian Restaurant." *she coughs* They have the best pizza, served in a particularly salami, in a dark, mysterious atmosphere with quiet booths and a music player. There are some rumors about this place, but we just go for the pizza and we have chosen to keep our mouths shut. Ha!

Sprinkles Cupcakes for FREE!

2011-10-23T19:25:00.002-05:00

If you "like" Sprinkles Cupcakes on Facebook, they post random phrases that you can whisper in the store, and if you are one of the first 50, you get the free cupcake for that phrase. So, on a whim, we drove there after our estate sale outing just to see if we could make it in time, and we got the last three at Sprinkles Dallas! So, here is my chocolate marshmallow cupcake. Marshmallow in the center. Yum. I will tell you that I had Katie whisper first, because, you know, they couldn't say no to a face like that, and, lo and behold, we got there in the nick of time. Yay!

Thrift Haul: Bags, Christmas, Betty Crocker, and an owl or two...

2011-10-23T17:56:00.002-05:00

We did well this weekend! Take a look at that table...full of Christmas cookbooks and ribbon (coming to the shop soon), a few owls, some Butterprint Pyrex, and check out the bags! Oh, the bags...I was so afraid those Dr. Pepper bags would be long gone on the second day of the sale, mid-morning, when we finally pulled in. But all three were still there. I think I should have purchased all three, do you? Because I'm keeping this one.

The cookbooks are fun to read and I love to look at the pictures, and the Holiday one has party favor ideas in it. The vintage Good Housekeeping is from the 50s and makes a great addition to the library.

See the Home Ec books? I wonder if the lady of the house took classes or taught classes? Or if they were her daughter's? I'll try to figure it out and get back to you.

I'm pretty excited about what we came home with...even though the weekend looked pretty glum to start out with.

Linking up with Her Library Adventures.

Back tomorrow with FREE CUPCAKES FROM SPRINKLES. :)

Vintage Petit Fours and Party Stand

2011-10-23T09:01:00.000-05:00

We stopped at an estate a few weekends ago on the last day, last few hours, and there were some Christmas goodies in the garage that had been left alone. One of our favorite things to do at estates is dig, and Katie will even tell you when she thinks it's a "digger." Buried in the garage was this pretty little petit fours stand, and there was a picture showing the lady of the house using it as an ornament stand. Just so petite, no pun intended, and very much a holiday must have. Several people tried to buy it from me at the market, and I wouldn't budge. I finally hid it under the table. :)

Before the iPhone

2011-10-20T20:20:00.000-05:00

What did we do?

I'm moving in...

2011-10-16T21:08:00.001-05:00

Somebody go vacuum and I'll quick get some clean underwear and my toothbrush...I'm moving in. Pretty much one of the coolest mid c houses we've been in for quite some time. Yes.

I would show you what it looked like furnished...herman knoll and all those so yesterday stylists, but it might cause a riot. Unbelievable.

Birdie on the go...

Christmas sneak peek

2011-10-15T16:36:00.001-05:00

Feed the Birdies will offer wrapping with gifts purchased from our shop this season. Coming soon!

Me and George Strait

2011-10-11T20:33:00.001-05:00

Mom said Katie found this framed picture of George Strait in my old room at home this weekend, and she wouldn't think of leaving it there. So it's back with me again, after years of concerts and teen infatuation have passed, and I'll pass it on to her. Maybe I should load an old album or two of his on my iTunes for her. Except she won't have a Ford station wagon to ride in with her grandpa, driving down the road, singing, "You Look So Good In Love," in her best country voice.

-Birdie on the go...

Double Chocolate Pumpkin ...bread?

2011-10-09T14:09:00.001-05:00

Or the moistest, yummiest, chocolatey cake ever? I made the recipe from Picky Palate's post...heavenly. Then added a scoop of peppermint ice cream on top. The mister opted for pumpkin ice cream, but dessert we enjoyed none the less!

-Birdie on the go...

Gifted China

2011-10-09T13:20:00.002-05:00

A friend of mine from high school has noticed through my Facebook posts how much I love vintage. She was so sweet to send me the most beautiful China a few weeks ago...it is a starburst pattern in shades of pink and black with sparkling silver trim. The maker is Grantcraft from Japan, but I am not sure of the pattern name. This set of party serving dishes is in mint condition and just gorgeous. I think it's time for tea, ladies. Thanks so much, sweetheart!

Grandma's pretties

2011-10-04T09:20:00.000-05:00

Today I will launch a beautiful line of vintage jewelry in the Feed the Birdies Vintage shop here. This line is very special to a dear friend of mine, as it is her grandmother's collection from many years. Her grandmother has decided to part with most of it, as she is needing to make some repairs to her home. So, with your purchase of these beautiful pieces, all of the proceeds will be given to this special lady to help make her house a home again. The pieces would make beautiful gifts for the holidays, or will add some sparkle to your daily outfits or top off your winter formal...such gorgeous pretties! There are rings, bracelets, broches, beads, and necklaces. The line will launch at 7:00 PM tonight, here...see you there!

Don't open that box!

2011-10-02T17:55:00.001-05:00

We found an entire set of Junior Chef mixes, pans, and utensils made by ARGO this weekend. 1950s? Can you believe the mixes were still in all the boxes? Yuck, but wait, really cool. These will be fun for Katie to pretend with in her kitchen.

-Birdie on the go...

Green Chalk Boards and a Froggy Family

2011-09-27T19:43:00.001-05:00

I've updated the shop and have more on the way. We have had such fun digging this last month, and have turned up some adorable finds to share! Check the shop for your favorites!

Checks, Prescriptions, and a Funeral circa 1930s

2011-09-26T20:32:00.000-05:00

We went to one of the neatest sales we've been to in a long time this weekend. The family kept everything, but for some reason there wasn't clutter, just really cool finds. These checks, prescription pad, and funeral notice...kinda creepy...were all from the 1930s... (The funeral was in June of 1938). Can you imagine not having to put your name or address on a check? And a phone number that was only two digits? I scooped these up real quick. Great paper projects in lying in state.

I hoard (vintage) pillowcases...

2011-09-25T21:33:00.003-05:00

But how can I not? $2 for 4 of them. I can swap them out for extra pillows on the couch. Or have extra ones for the beds. Or just stack them up and stare at them. Pretty, aren't they? My stack is getting taller and taller.

41 wishes

2011-09-23T18:06:00.001-05:00

My birthday was Wednesday. 41! I don't mind counting, though, and if you are on your way to your 40s don't sweat it...they are awesome!
William surprised me at work with roses, balloons, and a moose pillow pet (love...so fun!)...and he hung a Hello Kitty birthday bunting in my classroom.

And then my friends at work brought chocolate and a Sonic card...and then a delivery at lunch from my sissy came with gourmet popcorn, balloons, and a Sonic card too. Yay for Route 44 fountain drinks on the way to teach 168 Freshmen!

Here is one more shot of those pretty roses on Day 3.

They stayed at work with me until today and now they are decorating my kitchen island. :) Birthdays make a girl happy!

-Birdie on the go...

Commercial Break!

2011-09-18T21:11:00.005-05:00

I guess I've had a commercial break this week on my blog....sheesh! Where does the time go? I have all kinds of goodies to show you that we have picked up since my last post.I decided to take a break from the sales this weekend to spend some time with my little girl while daddy is at the track. So...we spent some birthday coupons, had lunch with Sissy and Hannah, and then came home to watch princess movies and drink chocolate milk. See you in a bit!

P.S. I'll take the bunny in the cup please. Photo via weheartit.

Little Mrs. Teacher (edited: with pictures this time!)

2011-09-10T07:48:00.002-05:00

What is one plus one?

In line for the potty...

Lecture time!

Since little miss started Kindergarten, she has been coming home and teaching her "class." So far, only two have had "accidents," and one has had to mark his folder yellow...uh oh. What a cute class she has. I think she is going to make a GREAT teacher some day.

LOST: Season Premiere

2011-09-10T07:43:00.001-05:00

Ha! I gotcha! I wish it was going to start again. Don't you miss it? Mr. Miata and I may watch the whole series again. Even though we know how it ends (I think they were in Heaven at the end, and the whole series was the hell that dying is, what do you think?) I want to see it again to pick out all the tiny pieces we missed, and put more pieces together, although, really, the writers didn't want us to be able to do that anyway.

Until then, I'll admire my little Hurley bus that William painted for me. It used to be a metal yellow Tonka bus. I wish I had a "before" picture for you. It was his when he was a little boy, and he sanded it, taped it off meticulously, and painted it Hurley colors for me. I would love to have a real one, wouldn't you? :)

Self Portrait

2011-09-06T21:19:00.001-05:00

Don't you wanna know what your blog buddies look like in real life? No, not a set up picture that took two hours and a tripod, but just a snap of an iphone camera? Here's mine from today, sitting in the doctor's office, bored out of my mind, playing with the QuadCamera app. Doesn't my hair look particularly lovely? *giggle* And I'm linking up with Scatter Girls. I heart them. :)

Thrifty Tuesday, Part 2: Monster Mash!

2011-09-06T19:13:00.001-05:00

Who says you have to go with the traditional pumpkin and black cat this Halloween? Pull your tricks and treats out of the oven with these. Handmade potholders going in the shop tonight!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

{Thrifty Tuesday} How Scrapbooks Were Made

2011-09-06T06:23:00.001-05:00

We came across two scrapbooks this past week that were filled to the brim with pictures...a basket sitting beside them with more to pilfer through. Black crumbly pages with photo corners in silver, black, gold, and red, holding in memories of the 1950s. Some were labeled and some were not, which left you guessing who and where. Two books left behind by family who didn't want to bother finding out. We scooped them up and brought them home, and took two meticulous hours removing the pictures from the glue behind them, the pages disintegrating from the stress of the process. The photo corners piled up on one side, as we were able to recover them with the pictures. Black dust blew across the table and in our laps, and pictures settled in a neat stack...vacations, school, Girl Scouts, animals, friends, and family gatherings. About 100 of them. The next book holds about the same.

It's fun to look at the images and create the story of how they lived, what they enjoyed, and how many children they had. They had two cats. They saw a bear in their camp site on vacation to Yellowstone National Park. He came up to their car. She was in Girl Scouts and kept pictures of her troop; individual portraits of girls she spent time with each week. She must have loved her teachers...she had pictures of them too, labeled with their names and the subject they taught. There were some pictures with several copies; she must have saved duplicates to give to friends and family. Pictures of war heroes coming home. Each spot in the beginning of the book was labeled with a white raised ink; I would like to know what she used. Maybe acrylic paint?

I'm about to leave for a retreat this weekend to scrapbook, and I have realized that styles change...trends come and go...and we decide what we really want on paper to pass along to our loved ones. It doesn't matter what paper you use...the most expensive or just plain card stock...the raised stickers or the glitter pens...what matters is the heart that is poured out onto each page, the story you tell, and the things that are important now, that you preserve your stories and keep them safe for the ones that will divide your things when you are gone, and know that you loved, treasured, laughed, cried, and lived your way to a legacy.

French Pressed

2011-09-03T08:36:00.001-05:00

I must set my alarm a little earlier now. French pressed coffee is so amazing, that I don't know if I can use an automatic coffee maker again. I used Starbucks whole beans and coarse ground them, and used three scoops for about 3 cups of water. I ran the water through the coffee maker to heat it, and then poured it on top of the ground coffee in the press. Let it steep for about 3-4 minutes, press, and enjoy. Yum.

Gas was a $1.05...

2011-08-28T21:48:00.001-05:00

Brady (Bunch) is 16...woah...and a licensed driver...handsome as all get out (he favors his momma)...and he's still my Bug.

Dinner with family...Katie in all the pictures...

Those brothers...

Grandma Wilma and Papa Dee...

Mimi...

Daddy...

Uncle Rick...

Yum...

Cake with a pickup and police car...no, it wont happen to my kid...*cough*

And then playing Smokey and the Bandit in his truck with a little sister who loves the PA system...let me talk, Brady...

Little legs hiding behind a big ol truck...

Say something, Brady...

Then a sleepover in my old room at home...

Then digging in my closet, I found my own driving test, certificate of drivers ed completion, and my first ticket! $10. Oh, and a gas receipt...$1.05 per gallon. Wow.

Happy Birthday, dude...you still have my heart!! Now you have keys.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Tiptoe through the tulip...table

2011-08-26T21:53:00.001-05:00

I wasn't going to stop at the thrift shop today...I needed to get home and get some things done. But, I know if I don't stop at least twice per week, I'll miss something. And I would have...

It's not a cake plate. It was on the sidewalk. A tulip coffee table. Waiting on me. $10. I almost peed my pants. It's safe at home now. :)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

You wear me out!

2011-08-24T21:36:00.001-05:00

That's what Miko has to say about us going back to school, anyway. I wonder what the kitties think when we are all suddenly gone all day after being home all summer? It seems like we just took a long Christmas break. Summer went to fast for me...but I will be very glad to get rid of this hot, hot, dry weather.
Here we are, headed to kindergarten and high school!

I thought we might get a drop of rain this afternoon when some clouds and high wind blew through like a banshee, but not one little bit. I even left the windows down on the car.

I'm reading this book right now. Wow. I have her next one waiting on me when I finish it. I have pretty much devoured it.

I made more journals out of found papers and those old heavy green filing folders. They have all kinds of things in them....just need to be bound. I'm not sure what I am going to use them for, but writing is going to be good for the soul this year. And I can't wait for 30 Lists to start.

I'll have a Thrifty Tuesday post for you hopefully on Thursday...I'm running behind! We found lots of great stuff last week, and have some we're keeping. You saw the awesome atomic TV...there's more. :) See ya later, alligator.

Silent Sunday...

2011-08-21T08:34:00.000-05:00

Right now, the TV is off. But I'm squealing about finding it this weekend, for $10. And it works!

For the love of Pete!

2011-08-18T21:14:00.001-05:00

We can't take the summer heat anymore! Ugg.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

New hair...

2011-08-17T21:46:00.001-05:00

I asked for the Jennifer Aniston new do...I love my hair guy. :)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

High School Home Ec...

2011-08-17T17:32:00.000-05:00

My other career is teaching Career and Technical Education for Allen ISD. I love it there. This will be my 10th year to teach! Wow! Today at in-service we toured the new CTE facility. Now, you must understand that when people drive through Allen, TX, looking for the high school, they mistake the school building for the mall. It's that big. But we like it that way. We are a one high school town. This, is what it's all about...sports, community, and opportunity like no one else...they don't make 'em like they used to. Gordon Ramsay would be jealous...so would Anderson Cooper...look at what the community built for these kids...I even squealed a little (ok, a lot!) and my peers got a giggle out of that one. How embarrassing! Ha!

First, this is looking into the entrance. Check the giant TV made up of several screens. We watched them finish it up. See the man below? That's how big it is.

Looking out from the inside...

Then our full hi-def news studio with the coolest equipment. Our news team has won several awards for their newscast.

Their stage lights up.

An interview station...

Makeup room and green room...

Macs...

Cameras...

Then we move to the culinary arts center...with a fully functional restaurant, coffee bar, and catering service. Yeah, I'll be eating gourmet for lunch.

Looking in the restaurant. Those are boxes of hotel quality dinnerware.

The coffee bar...

Looking back toward the kitchen...

Animal Science rooms...you can bring your pets for shots or to be groomed by students learning the profession...

Two health science rooms where our students can become CNAs or get EMS certification.

Computer science, engineering, and drafting classes. Also fashion merchandising, education, and a school store run by marketing and accounting students.

Here are some of the plans...the details...

I see a detailed, beautiful future for our kiddos. I'm so proud to be able to call myself an Eagle!

Thrifty Tuesday: French Provincial, typing tests, and {deer} to my heart

2011-08-16T07:05:00.000-05:00

Oh emm gee...we had one of the best thrifty weekends ever. The estate sales were brimming with treasures this weekend, and Little Miss made out like a bandit. I had been looking for twin beds or a trundle bed for her, and found a few, but I'm so glad I waited, because this weekend, she got the set and a night stand that I had as a little girl, and she has the perfect room now. It's so cozy and comfy and sweet, and I just want to stare at it all day! The best part is that my mom still has the desk that goes with it, and the chair we think, but we aren't sure what happened to the dresser. Maybe it will turn up in the barn? Ha! Then there's the sweet sugar dispenser and the daisy cups. I got some diamond aqua glasses, and a vintage Dymo (so awesome and ONE roll of woodgrain tape...) too, but you'll have to wait for those pictures. The other goodies you see above are a Remington 1040 typewriter in Aqua (I had to push myself really hard to put this in the shop), some cute creweled pics, an awesome notepad with mid-century design (shop fail...I"m keeping it!) and a magnetic pencil that is just so Peggy from Mad Men. You can add lead too. And the deer. Look at them. I had Katie place her tiny little finger next to them so you could see how small they are (yes, I know she needs a mani)...we got a whole ziploc bag of these little animals. I want them, but she won't let me have them. Wouldn't they make the cutest charms??? And don't you want to go shop?

Mommy Mondays: Guest posting at Giggles, Glitz, and Glam

2011-08-15T12:46:00.000-05:00

Happy Monday! I'm over at Giggles, Glitz, and Glam today, guest posting for Jana and her Mommy Mondays feature. Come see what it's like to have two teenage boys and a little girl that's five...not to mention one just getting his license, one just starting high school, and the little bit just starting kindergarten. I planned that right, didn't I? Whew...what a year! Thanks, Jana, for letting me hang at your place today!

{In stock}: Be still and make a journal!

2011-08-12T09:28:00.000-05:00

Since we are getting ready to start 30 Lists, I decided to scour Etsy for lots of paper journals and ideas. I love old books, and you can see my journal made from pages of some of mine at the end of the post. Read on!

I finally decided that parking my booty in my craft room floor was the best way to get my journal made! No waiting for the house to settle down...just sit! And I did!

Look at these pretty things I found on an Etsy hunt (be very, very quiet)...in case you are running short on time to get yours ready yourself, I bet these would make great journals to carry around while you list yourself away!

Love campfire chic's woodgrain notebooks. Faux bois!

Library cards by Knot and Bow.

Ladyfranslibrary has beautiful books.

Country Chic Cottage has this great dictionary!

I love the three ring binder BHG books, like this one from ric rac and buttons. What a fun book to use! Now I have to get mine out to ponder it's possibilities. :)

And you can always use a vintage dude ranch menu or an ephemera pack from Feed the Birdies Vintage. All the little pieces come together for a big, fat journal, like mine!

Is your journal made yet? :)

Technology: Day 8

2011-08-08T21:50:00.001-05:00

I'm jumping in a little late here, but I have decided to join the Oh So Lovely photo challenge because her prompts are so fun, and she's right...it will give you a little snippet of what goes on around here every day! I'll back up and post days 1-7 in one big swoop for you...I'm sure you want a self portrait and a childhood memory. I might even find a picture of me milking a goat. Aack! Yes, I have those. Here's Day 8: Technology (here is where I spend a lot of time, the culprit for my neck issue, and the beauty of the friendships, blog world, socialization, and outlet for my creativity and the need to market....yes, my laptop. Pointed smack dab in the middle of Feed the Birdies.) Hi there!

Thrifty Tuesday: Mattresses (yes!), babies, and reading

2011-08-08T11:00:00.000-05:00

Oh, my goodness...I posted about this weekend being one of the best thrifting trips ever...Cassie and I found these mid century day beds and now our homes are quite a bit more mod. We love them! I thought you would want to see the mattress that came with mine. It's Stearns and Foster, one of the higher end companies of mattress kings, but it's VINTAGE Stearns and Foster. Haha! Take a look. I got all excited.

The new daybed was my model for my other finds... the baby clothes...ahhh...they are precious. If you are a sewing mama, I think your little one will most definitely need the embroidered dress in gray blue on the left. Look at the detail.

A cute appliqued giraffe dress that has a big tie in the back instead of zippers or buttons. How cool and comfy for this hot summer sun! And the peach overalls with ruffle straps and embroidered sheep...too cute for little bits.

And then, the paper hoarder *clears throat* came home with some paper, of course. Vintage Current (don't you remember looking at their catalogs to find your next letter writing papers?) baby deer fold-a-notes, a vintage recipe book for storing handwritten recipes, and 1970s Cosmos. I bet those will be fun to read. Ha! Then all of this will make its way to the shop, Feed the Birdies Vintage!

Thanks so much to those who have visited, promoted, and purchased from FTB Vintage. I have my niche, I am so happy in it, and gosh, this is more fun than I have ever dreamed it would be! Next step...a vintage trailer that I can travel with in the summer, and the show is on the road. Don't you think that would be fun?

I am sharing my thrifty finds this week with Thrift Share Monday (Apron Thrift Girl), and Flea Market Finds (Her Library Adventures), two of my favorite new blogs!

Mid Century Score!

2011-08-05T21:03:00.001-05:00

I'm blogging from my recently found daybed. Isn't it fabulous?? Cassie and I met at the most awesome estate sale in Dallas today...a house of mid-century modern heaven, right down to the light fixtures and wallpaper...and we didn't even have to hold our breath, it was so clean! We bought these matching daybeds...she took one and I the other, and we have made them a new nook in our houses...they are ours...because guys don't get daybeds. Well, except for the cat. Ha!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Dude Ranch Menus

2011-08-04T10:09:00.000-05:00

I found a stack of these Dude Ranch menus from the 1950s in an estate last summer. They would make great covers for art journals, wouldn't they? Or for 30 Days of Lists? What do you think, Kam? (Go see her...she has the cutest blog ever and their 30 Days of Lists project is SO awesome...sign up!) In the meantime, you can find these menus along with an included paper ephemera pack in my shop. I have several just waiting for you!

Feed the Bunnies

2011-08-02T20:59:00.000-05:00

We found a nest of bunnies in the neighbor's yard today. What a sweet fuzzy little nest of snuggles. We couldn't help but stay a while. I'm glad the neighbor put a sign up for the mowers tomorrow. There are five little ones in there.

Tonight reminds me of when I was a little girl, and we raised rabbits. When the new little ones were about this size, Grandma Betty would let us take them in the house with us. They would scurry up our pants legs for a warm place to snuggle. And we always got excited when the next litter was born. We watched the momma pull her fur to build the nest mixed with hay, in cold and in warm months, for her babies. When they were a bit older, we would take them to 4-H shows...a pen of three or a doe. We had Rexs, New Zealand Whites, Dwarfs, and Mini-Lops. What a neat experience to grow up raising these creatures. Of course, we didn't think at the time it was too terribly neat...the work anyway. But now I wish my own kids could learn the responsibility and care that I learned. Did you grow up on a farm?

Vintage Barbie fashion...found.

2011-08-02T14:41:00.001-05:00

Check out these shoes and the pretty silky yellow gown. Not to mention the vintage case that held all kinds of goodies. $1 for all of it. That was a great fashion find. :) Katie loves estate sales on days like that one.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Thrifty Tuesday: In Prep for Halloween

2011-08-02T08:58:00.001-05:00

We have two new friends at our house this week. I knew as soon as I saw these guys that Katie would love them. She did...she won't let us put them in the attic yet. She drags them all over the house, and they have been make believe playmates since last Thursday. Ha! Don't they sit like good students in the playroom? I bet they look great on our porch in a few months too. Big Orange Plastic Pumpkins: $3 each at an estate. You never know what you'll find!

A pain in the neck...

2011-08-01T09:42:00.000-05:00

I'm having injections in my neck today for a severely herniated disc. I'll be back tomorrow!

Praying for some relief from this.

Shop my craft room! (rubber stamps)

2011-07-31T17:30:00.001-05:00

I'm cleaning out and thought you might want to take advantage of the purge of rubber stamps. :) These would be great for shop tags, cards, scrapbooks, art journals...and lots more. Shipping is priority mail $5 for each set, but I will combine shipping for multiple items. Email me at smartypantsart(at)gmail(dot)com. First come, first serve! Happy shopping! I'll have more soon.

Close to My Heart 25th anniversary clear mount set of 7 "Good Times" new in package. $5

Close to My Heart "Totally Chic" clear mount set of 13, used, $7.

SU! wood mount "Sweet Season" set of four, new, $8.

SU! wood mount "On a Pedestal" set of 7, new, $8. Make cute cakes, cupcakes, margarita glasses, etc with this one. So versatile!

SU! wood mount "Cheep Talk" set of 11, used, $10. Everybirdie needs this set. :)

SU! wood mount set of 8, "Good Friend. " new, $10. Another great bird set!

SU! Wood mount set of four, "Four the Holidays." great set for Christmas cards this year, or tags for your shop! $8

SU! wood mount set of four, "Sweet on You" new, $7.

SU! wood mount set of 6, "Too Terrific Tags," great for gift or shop tags! $8.

SU! wood mount set of 8, "Batty for You." great for spooky packages to send to friends or customers. $12.

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Winner of {Girls like...} Week!! Is it you?

2011-07-31T11:04:00.000-05:00

Here are the results! Comments were counted from the first post to the last and then the winner was generated using Random.org...and that winner is:

Comment #10

Holli!

Holli said...

Love Instagram.... it's such a cool app :) My sister in law does cool things with the app Hipstamatic too.
July 28, 2011 11:48 AM

Yay, Holli! Send me your address and I will pass your information along so that you can have Christmas in the mail soon. Girls like Christmas!

My craigslist friend...

2011-07-30T22:40:00.001-05:00

Mr. Miata and I have dear friends, Graham and Natalie, that we met through craigslist. What? You don't have a craigslist friend? They bought a vintage turntable/coffee table cabinet from us a few years ago and stayed for an hour...talking...we have very similar tastes in decor (they have 50s mostly and we have 60s) and the rest is history. They have done some super cool remodeling to their home and have great finds in there too. It's nice to have friends that appreciate your tastes and not think you're a complete crack-up. :) Tonight, we went to Natalie's Christmas/birthday party...

Graham and Natalie in front of their chalkboard door.

So awesome...see the ornaments on his antlers?

Watching Elf. Cool lamp in the corner.

Little tinsel tree.

Christmas, I mean, birthday gifts. It looks like Christmas, though, doesn't it?

See the color wheel? They have the best aluminum tinsel tree ever.

And the best window to put it in front of. For the record, the neighbors did text her and tell her she had a Christmas tree in her window and wondered what was wrong with her. Ha! There were lots more holiday decorations too.

A feast...gah...we ate way too much! Isn't the ceramic tree cute? Their friends were super fun too, and some like to hunt for vintage just like we do.

So how are you cooling off this hot summer? I think this has just started a string of snowy posts to divert my attention from the 107 degree forecast. Ugg.

Merry Christmas!!

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

One more day!

2011-07-30T11:14:00.000-05:00

I decided to wait one more day for the giveaway so don't forget to enter! If you read any other posts this week and commented, followed, or added the button, your entry will also be included. Good luck, and look at these little charmers you could win!

Go enter here!

{Girls like...to create!} Guest Post with Alexz from Bird Trouble

2011-07-29T18:39:00.000-05:00

Hey ya'll! My name is Alexz from Bird Trouble! I run a handmade bag shop and a little personal craft portfolio + inspiration blog. Trina asked me to guest blog this week and I immediately said yes. Little did I know, my brain has been over consumed by our move next week. I knew I was going to move, I just didn't know how fast the week would go. So thank you Trina for giving me this chance and putting up with my disorganization! ;)

Girls like to: CREATE!

The blog world is a wonderful way to connect to people you have things in common with. A shared common we probably have: creating things! If it's sewing, pottery, cutting hair, making bird houses, cooking, making finger paint messes with your kids, and so on! We all like to work with our hands, and even if you don't think so, we're all creative in our own ways. Being apart of the blog world, we get mingle, get inspired, lurk, and meet others.

I love to sew and give materials a new purpose. Today, I'll share a few projects I've done!

Recently, I made a tote bag from a thrifted kimono! Super easy peasy!

I'm also really excited about this day backpack that I made out of a vintage work apron. The apron looked like those you would see at a butcher. You know those white ones? Well this apron was a heavy cream canvas, and it has paint splatter on it with a look of vintage wear. As soon as I saw it, my mind started running with ideas and this is what I came up with:

What is one "creation" or a hobby you love to do?
Come say hi to me on my blog! I'd love to read and learn about what you love to do!

Thanks, Alexz! I love the Kimono bag...that is adorable. :) I think I should try that for a book bag this year. And I'm so glad that you made some time to post! Moving is rough...ugg.

{Girls like...to be noticed} The Giveaway!

2011-07-29T13:15:00.001-05:00

Yes, they do! These fabulous ladies have contributed posts and pretty things to give away for this week long blog party, and I couldn't be more grateful. It's so nice to have friends in the blog world, especially those that support you and help you grow as a writer and as a shop owner, and also as a friend. Please go give them some love and visit their shops!

Also, the big giveaway is here!

One lucky winner will receive all of the gifts below.

You won't want to miss it! Here is how to enter:

Follow me through Google Friend Connect and leave a comment saying that you did
Other entries (one per comment)

visit each of these blogs and leave a some comment love for their contribution to {Girls like...} week!
visit each shop and tell me what your favorite thing is!

Tweet about this giveaway; be sure to mention @feedthebirdies in your tweet!
Blog about this giveaway
Swap buttons with me for August! Leave me a comment that you would like to do this!

GOOD LUCK!

(From my shop, Feed the Birdies, you will recieve this Up and Away children's book and some vintage paper goodies.)

Roxy from grrfeisty.

shop and blog

Roxy is giving away a fox or dino necklace!

Courtney from Vintch.

shop and blog

Courtney is giving away a $25 credit to her shop!

Cassie from cassiecakes

shop and blog

Lindsay from scenic glory

shop and blog

Alexz from Bird Trouble

shop and blog

Polly from Pixie Momma

shop and blog

{Girls like...Frank Sinatra}

2011-07-28T20:30:00.000-05:00

Mmmmhmmm...we do. Cool off a bit and listen.

And have you seen this guy on AGT? WOW. That is all.

{Girls like...colorful things} Guest Post with Lindsay from Scenic Glory

2011-07-28T12:42:00.000-05:00

hello feed the birdies readers! i am lindsay from scenic glory and today i wanted to share a cute and colorful photo board i created...girls most definitely LOVE colorful things ;)

via pinterest

i hope this made your day a little brighter...i know it did mine! XO, lindsay

Thank you, sweet Lindsay! I just love everything that Lindsay does. She is a master at creating beautiful things...blog design, jewelry, accessories...all kinds of colorful pretties! Go visit her shop and her blog. Stay a while...it's such a neat place to be!

{Girls like...Instagram}

2011-07-27T21:59:00.001-05:00

Some favorites from the past week...Don't you love this app? You can follow me at feedthebirdies.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

{Girls like me...} Guest post with Polly from Pixie Mama!

2011-07-27T05:00:00.000-05:00

Today we have Miss Polly from Pixie Mama with us. I met Polly when she won a dress giveaway that I did some time ago, and she sent pretty pictures of her wearing the dress with awesome style! She's so pretty, and I adore her red hair...I hope you will go visit her!

Hey! I'm Polly and I blog over at Pixie Mama about my life as a mama, wife and craft-a-holic!
I design and create bohemian jewellery and upcycled clothing which I sell in my Etsy Shop – This Enchanted Pixie.

Girls like me......

Don't care what others think of us

source

Live out loud

source

enjoy every single moment

source

Dance in the rain

Sing in the shower

source

Love with all of our hearts

source

Eat cake

source

loves,

Polly

Go check out Polly's shop and leave a comment here with your favorite item, along with something that makes you unique for a chance in the giveaway. Check back every day for another chance to win the big giveaway on Friday!

{Girls like...Soap Operas} Star struck in the 80s

2011-07-26T17:31:00.000-05:00

Remember when Days of Our Lives was good? I mean really good? Remember when the new Roman appeared after Stefano had "killed" him, but didn't really kill him? And that Drake Hogestyn was so hot that you might die drooling over him? And Shane and Kim? And Hawk? There was a car show called World of Wheels in my hometown, and every year (my high school years...yes, I'm dating myself, huh?) they had soap stars from Days of Our Lives come sign autographs and meet fans. I stood in line. Every year. Here are the photos from some of them. Please, don't mind the hair. Ha!

Could I have gotten any closer to Roman? I was sitting in his lap and I remember him grabbing my hand. Be still my heart!

Um. Yes. That's really big hair right there. It's Texas, you know. I don't watch DOOL anymore. But I love some new ones. Mad Men for one. Now, I know you have some celeb snapshots around somewhere, don't you? Show me.

{Girls like...Roller Derby!} Guest Post with Roxy from grrfeisty

2011-07-26T11:38:00.000-05:00

Here is Miss Roxy from grrfeisty! I met her a long time ago when I noticed that she was a fellow teacher and blogger. It's nice to have teacher friends that are as creative and fun as Roxy is! Lately, I have admired her as a Roller Derby girl...that sport sounds so awesome and challenging, and she's here to tell you a little bit about it!

I've been involved in Houston Roller Derby [houstonrollerderby.com] for almost a year now. Reasons why I like it?
The sport is completely empowering! You are constantly playing and practicing with strong, independent women, and if you weren't one already, it definitely rubs off :)
Meet your wild and dangerous side! So you didn't think you could take a skate to your hip bone? Stomach? Face? Who knew!
And although Roller Derby may sound completely tough, it's got a real retro theme! So every once in a while you get to look super cute [and not sticky and sweaty from a scrimmage!].

A lot of cities of recreational leagues you can check out, and a league you can join or try our for. Research what's going on in your part of town. If you are at all feisty, maybe Roller Derby is for you ;)

xoxo
grrfeisty

Hop on over to grrfeisty and say hello! While you are there, click on her shop link, and come back here to tell me what your favorite thing is. She is giving away a fox or dino necklace with our giant giveaway on Friday! Hooray!

*Remember, comment all week for extra chances to win! You must also follow my blog through GFC (Google Friend Connect) in the sidebar. Thanks, and good luck!

{Girls like...Sharing}

2011-07-26T10:56:00.000-05:00

A little shout out to Ashlyn of My Unrehearsed Life, who has the most adorable blog and inspired me to swap buttons for August. My blog is for me to share with you, and I would love to share you with my readers too. Grab a button, leave me a comment that you did, and I'll grab yours for my August Blog Roll. I would love to find some new blogs to read. What do you say?

{Girls like...Thrifty Tuesday!} Racoons and some trash!

2011-07-26T05:15:00.000-05:00

Those two go together, don't they? We always have to make sure we have the metal cans closed tight at night when we go to the lake. Those crazy things will look for and EAT anything! By the way, it's a little known fact that raccoons wash everything they eat. Did you know? I found two little cuties that are even cleaner than that...these two darlings from Fitz and Floyd, circa 1980. They were on a shelf peeking out at the thrift shop I haunt weekly. They are going in the shop today!

Oh, and look at the trash can they could *play* in...a.dore.able. Found at an estate in the garage and just waiting for my kitchen, it holds much more, and looks much prettier! How could you not be happy cleaning up? It was $4.

Did you find something fun last week? Go visit my shop here, and tell me what you would snatch up for your house, or use in your office. Leave a comment here for a chance to win in the big giveaway on Friday!

Play With Me, Momma (1)

2011-07-25T20:02:00.000-05:00

A vintage coloring page from one of my color books as a child (1973) I am going to enjoy with my daughter. Just click the picture and print so you can enjoy it too. Have a good night!

{Girls like...Thrifting} Guest post with Courtney from Vintch

2011-07-25T13:00:00.017-05:00

This afternoon, we are off on a thrifting adventure with Miss Courtney from Vintch. She is one of my favorite bloggers and her writing is breathtaking. Be sure to say hello!

On the art of thrifting

We’re an eclectic bunch, us thrifters. We brave musty old warehouses and early morning flea markets. We haggle with the best of them and our heart falls to our knees when we find that perfect condition vintage blouse, typically tucked between two awful corduroy jumpers with sew-on appliqués of apples and rulers.

We travel miles during our lunch break to our favorite little haunt. The one right off the highway that most passersby just drive right past. We drag our husbands, boyfriends, sisters and mamas along. To the antique malls where everything’s too expensive but tantalizingly beautiful. To the bargain bins in the middle of run-down strip malls, and the consignment shops on the corner of main and fifth where the wealthy drop off their barely used pea coats.

We do it to belong. To pull over our heads a sweater from the 1960s that has seen its fair share of ambrosia, dinner parties and Sundays on the front lawn. To wear a coat that has had an entire life lived within its sleeves. Because it’s more than clothing. More than an absolute steal (and what an absolute steal you can find sometimes!) It’s a conglomeration of memories.

Of course there are those awful items. That hat you’re scared to put on your head, or that dress with the long sleeves that smells like a mixture of cigarette smoke and kittens. I’ve found more than one tissue shoved in the pockets of my skirts.

But sometimes, if you take the time to really hunt, to enjoy those low fluorescent lights and 90s soft rock, you will stumble upon a treasure. A true gem among the rubble. And it makes it all worth it. And with every compliment you receive, you join in. On the collection of souls past that have donned the very same dress draping your shoulders. It’s a quirky family tree, that’s for certain. With branches intersecting and overlapping in one giant, devastatingly beautiful, circle.

Thank you, miss Courtney. I so love all the stories and treasures and wonders of what I find out on a thrift hunt. Stop by Courtney's blog, Vintch, and visit her shop! Leave a comment here of what you find amazing. Courtney is giving away a $25 shop credit in our big giveaway on Friday, so come back every day for more ways to enter!

{Girls like...Breakfast} Iced Coffee with Cassie and Banana Pancakes

2011-07-25T09:55:00.000-05:00

Research says you must start your day with breakfast; don't skip it! I say we start this party with breakfast; what do you say? I don't know about you, but I need that hour or so of time in the morning with just me, my coffee, and something to read. The quiet before the house wakes up, with sometimes a kitty walking across my keyboard while I check email and read my blog roll. This morning, let's have coffee with Miss Cassie from cassiecakes. I hear she makes the best iced coffee ever, and she's sharing her secrets with you!

Cassie's Iced Coffee

Ingredients:

Cold Coffee (I put yesterday's coffee in a jar in the fridge and let it get cold overnight)

Hershey's syrup

half n half

ice

tumbler with lid and straw (or a nice mason jar and straw!)

Step 1: Fill your tumbler about 2/3 way with cold black coffee.

Step 2: Pour about a tablespoon or two of half n half. It's about a 1 Mississippi pour.

Step 3: Add about the same amount of Hershey's syrup. It will sink to the bottom. If you like your coffee really sweet, add a Splenda or Sweet n Low. The syrup makes it semi-sweet.

Step 4: put on your lid, cover the straw hole, and shake until the syrup is mixed in. If you don't have a lid, just stir with a spoon.

Step 5: Add ice to fill the glass. Replace lid and straw and give it taste!

I love my iced coffee with cinnamon toast. What about you? Thanks, Trina, for letting me share!

To go with Cassie's coffee, I think pancakes are one of the best breakfasts ever, so I am sharing my family's favorite recipe with you...from Southern Living's Ultimate Quick and Easy Cookbook, here are Easy Banana Pancakes. We top them with traditional syrup and butter, and slice a fresh banana for garnish. They clean up the batch every time!

Easy Banana Pancakes
2 c. biscuit mix
1 c. milk
2 ripe bananas, mashed
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
Maple syrup or fruit topping

*combine first four ingredients in a medium bowl, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened.
*pour about 1/4 cup batter for each pancake onto a hot, lightly greased griddle. Cook pancakes 2 minutes or until tops are covered with bubbles and edges look cooked; turn and cook other side. Serve immediately with syrup or fruit topping.
Yield: 16 pancakes

For an entry into Friday's giveaway, leave a comment with your favorite breakfast! Comment all week for extra entries into the giveaway, and be sure to come back on Friday for one last entry! You must be a follower of Feed the Birdies via Google Friend Connect in the sidebar to be eligible to win.

A few things before {Girls like...} week kicks off!

2011-07-23T15:38:00.000-05:00

(grab the code in my sidebar for the button!)

Hey there! I wanted to update you on a few things before next week. First, here is a new button you can place on your blog so that everyone can join in the fun of {Girls like...} week! Grab the code in my sidebar. And if you comment here that you have put the button on your site, you will get an extra entry into the giant giveaway on Friday evening!

Next if you tweet about the week, you will get ANOTHER entry into the giveaway. You must tweet:
"Come join us for {Girls like...} week with guest posts and giveaways on @feedthebirdies feedthebirdies.blogspot.com"

Comment below that you tweeted for your extra entry. Only one tweet will count, but tweet as much as you like, please...I have great guest posts, new posts, and regular posts for you, and awesome things to give away!

Last, don't forget to join us on Monday morning for all the fun! All of our sponsors (a big thank you to all of them for all of their hard work!) and guest posters will be in the sidebar for the week. We'll have breakfast for you, Courtney from Vintch will be here to kick us off, and then I have a silly post about what girls like! And I promise, girls like it. :)

Have a great weekend!

Thirsty Thursday! Pink Panty Martinis

2011-07-21T09:53:00.000-05:00

Pink Panty Martinis make any "girl's night out" that much more awesome. This recipe is from my cousin's bridal shower this spring. It'll help you cool off from all this hot summer sun, and it tastes super yummy too! Oh, and {Girls like...} week is coming up on Monday, so don't we need a little something in advance to usher it in? I think so. Here you go. Enjoy!

Pink Panty Martinis

1 can frozen Raspberry Lemonade
1 2 liter bottle of diet sprite or 7UP
1 bottle of raspberry vodka
ice

Mix the lemonade concentrate with three cans of sprite or 7UP instead of water. Add one-half to one can of raspberry vodka. Mix in more sprite/7UP if desired. Pour over ice and garnish as you wish. So, so good!

I'm linking up here...come visit!

Where I create...it's thrifty!

2011-07-19T22:07:00.001-05:00

Even though it's a mess of sorts, it's my next to favorite spot in the house (beside the kitchen)...most everything here, including small containers accessories, were thrifted. I use an old CD tower for my rubber stamps and ink. The big black shelf on the wall was $10 on craigslist. Most of the owls were gifts. :) The strawberry cup was my great grandmothers, along with the Strawberry Shortcake jar that I stash ribbon scraps in. It's good to have nostalgia where you are inspired to create.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

{DIY} Business Cards from Vintage Cards of Buttons

2011-07-19T19:25:00.001-05:00

My grandma owned a fabric shop called The Sewing Box when I was a kid. I remember spending afternoons with her there, playing store and listening to my brother getting into mischief as he messed up the thread rack. I"ve got quite the lot of her vintage button cards, and I use them in scrapbook pages and also on cards that I make, but then thought of a grand idea. Business cards! Vintage shop owners need a signature style to match their product, and your customers get an extra treat when you attach these to their package!

Start with these:

And then use an extra fine point
Sharpie and your best lettering, and they become this:

Now isn't that pretty? I added a tiny crocheted flower to the edge with a zot, and it is ready to attach to a parcel.

I think I will try some game pieces and playing cards next.

What do you think?
Oh, and just in case you need the cards or if don't want to make them yourself, I will soon be offering them in the shop. Sweetness.

Roy Varga is a genius...my photo shoot sneak

2011-07-18T14:05:00.001-05:00

Here's a little sneak peek (along with the new pic top left) of my photo shoot with Roy Varga this spring. Oh, to be a woman of that era. More to come during {Girls like...} week. Don't miss it! This guy is a genius. Photo by Roy Varga; edited by me.

Thank you!

2011-07-17T13:54:00.000-05:00

image via weheart it; edited by me

I've just realized that we have reached over 300 followers through Google Friend Connect, Google Reader, and Blog Lovin'! That makes me smile a whole lot, and I just wanted to say thank you to everyone...new and old...and I hope that I keep writing what you will read!

P.S. This is going to make {Girls like...} week super fun, isn't it?

Build the princess a castle

2011-07-17T10:27:00.000-05:00

William brought out all of his Legos from when he was young (that big blue tub...it took hours to sort) for he and Kate to play with. First construction: a castle, of course.

{In Stock} My favorites from your shops! (link up!)

2011-07-16T11:09:00.000-05:00

I thought it would be fun to have an {In Stock} shop link party here once each week. Saturdays are my day for thrifting, shopping Target (ha!) and having lots of time to sit and catch up on blog rolls and shop updates. I will also update my shop on Saturdays with new things I've found. It's a great way for me to pass the word around and share some shop love for you, too, so won't you link up and show us what's new in your shop? Here are two from the box of vintage goodies that will go in my shop today...I bet my suitcase friend, Polly, will swoon over the train case. *wink* And, a rainbow striped Polaroid? I hadn't seen one in quite some time, so I picked this one up!

Here are some new friends I have found through Twitter and blogging this week, and gosh, I love their stuff.

Look at these feather earrings from Hello Sundae. *swoon*

Or what about these cat eyeglasses from Hello Again Vintage? Oh, my. I may die.

Comment below with a link to what's new in your shop! Grab a button so others can join in too. Won't this be fun?

Also, don't forget about the {Girls like...} week starting on July 25th! Thank you so much to the girls that are joining us with guests posts and giveaways! If you would like to be a part too, click here!

When your kid gets your iPhone...

2011-07-15T23:30:00.001-05:00

Glamour Shots (self portraits) by Katie. She's saving for college. :)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone