Loving these for 2011...

This super-delicious pleated bag crochet pattern from Mamachee.

Edible sugar butterflies from SugarRobot.

Oh my, don't these make you want to have a cupcake party?

Sigh. It says “The love that moves the sun and the other stars” from onelifejewelry.

That's all. I hope you all have the best year of your lives in 2011 :)

(stolen from my sweet and inspiring friend Artgirl's facebook).

Thrifty Adventures...

The news said it's going to be below zero tonight. When it's this cold, I usually like to stay home and bake or read or sew (oh yeah, or blog surf): anything except going out in the cold, for sure.

But I had errands to get done today. And luckily, my business took me near my favorite thrift shops  : )

I found this fabulous vintage 40s barkcloth curtain. Aren't the colors perfect?

And while I usually consider it bad form to share prices, I have to brag about this one:

I'm seeing visions of vintage handbags dance in my head. Oh, I moved my sewing machine to my shop, but need another at home!

This is another little vintage curtain valance. The aqua and brown flowers are flocked! I can just imagine this ruffle deconstructed and added as an embellishment to one of my vintage slip dresses.

Don't even look at the next picture if you're the jealous type....

I know. I told you not to look.

Then I found these three vintage beauties. The pink stork is going in my Etsy shop later today. The two aqua vases are for a photo shoot and *might* be seen in my next column, then listed on Etsy or put on the shelf at Abigail's.

I also found this church birdhouse with a rusty metal roof. It's newer, but was in the 75% off Christmas section and ended up costing $.63. Maybe I'll paint it.

And last, but not least, I found a 100% wool cableknit vest on the sale rack. I buy wool sweaters to felt and sew little fun projects with.

Southeast Idaho Home Magazine Column November/December

My column for the November/December issue of SE Idaho Home Magazine.

Happy Halloween

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Love, Abigail's <3

Image courtesy Square America

Its a Cowgirl Glitter Life

Snapshots from Cowgirl Glitter Camp Altered Books 101 Class

September 10th, 2010

Abigail, Amanda, Jessamyn, and Melinda

Examples from Melinda's book I stole from her Facebook.

Can you believe this was her first try with Altered Books?

What's New @ Abigail's

I've been working on some new displays at the shop this weekend...

New Burlap Pillows!

Re-Stocked Mama Bird Nest Pendants

These are made from fresh water pearls and copper or silver wire $5 each.

They are made with 1, 2, 3, or 4 eggs.

These make perfect gifts for mamas :)

Adorable handmade tiny eggs in nests.

I've got a bunch of new/OLD (new in the shop antiques) blue canning jars, chicken feeders, rusty buckets, and other great hard-to-find FARMHOUSE CHIC antiques. I'll be working on getting these items cleaned and stocked this week in between school assignments.

I've also been working on some funky silver pendants. There are more of these coming soon.

(Hopefully by next week.)

Thanks to everyone who came to shop this weekend :)

SouthEast Idaho Home Magazine Column October/November

New Furniture!

So.....suddenly painting furniture has become exciting again.

It must be my school schedule.

For a while, I used to abhor painting furniture. I hired it out.

But now.....I'm starting to love it again.

I think it's because I spend my weeks reading, studying, writing, and learning.

I'm finding something soothing about resting my brain and working with my hands.

Ta-Da!

Here's what I've been working on this week:

Black Hutch

This hutch is solid, heavy, sturdy, painted black and distressed.

$189

White Basic 5 Drawer Tall Dresser

This dresser was sad and LT sturdied it up and we gave it a fresh coat of paint, then lightly distressed it.

$65

Of course there's more. I'll post pictures when I get a chance. Or you can stop by the shop :)

Show me your collections!

Rebecca Pyper, editor of At Home magazine for the Idaho State Journal asked me to write a regular column for the magazine.

Of course, I was flattered and said yes!

My first column came out in the online edition a couple days ago.

It should be out in the printed magazine September 26th.

So, I was thinking...there are so many great things to write about.

What do you collect?

Cowgirl Glitter Camp: Altered Books 101 Details!

My first Cowgirl Glitter Camp class is coming up soon!

There are still a few spaces available.

Here's the scoop:

Altered Books 101

September 10th @ Abigail's

*Since this class is introductory, there won't be a theme.

We will be playing in our books, experimenting and exploring creativity through collage in an old book.

We will have tons of ideas available: ideas and examples will inspire your book.

You can use our ideas as much or as little as you would like.

This class is great for everyone interested in playing and having fun with paper, ink, stamps, old photos, ephemera, and other exciting mediums.

The aim is to inspire and get your creative energies going, LAUGH and HAVE FUN.

Treats will be provided.

We will start the class at 8:30pm and finish when we finish (or get tired).

Stay as long as you would like or take ideas home.

You need to bring:

An old book, any shape, size, theme, whatever.

Scissors

Glue Sticks, other adhesive you have.

Pens, markers, crayons, gel pens, pencils (whatever you would like to use).

Collage items: get creative.

Could include candy wrappers, old photos, magazine photos, old cards, tickets, letters, bingo cards, keys, ribbon, trim, lace, fabric. You can include ANYTHING you want to. Bring extra to trade if you'd like. Anything you don't have we will have available to borrow.

I am putting together a suprise ART KIT as a FREE GIFT
for anyone who signs up. It will include vintage photos, collage art sheets, and other suprise goodies.

When you finish your book, it will make a wonderful gift or scrapbook.

Christmas seems far away, but it will be here before we know it!

They cost very little to make and they can are the sweetest gift EVER.

If you're interested, call Melissa @ 223-8898 or email melissadc76@hotmail.com

Cupcake Adventures

Adventures weren't part of my plans today.

I was going to enjoy the cloudy day, staying close to my sewing machine, filling custom slip dress orders.

Plans changed and I needed to pick up my older two kids in Utah.

My sister met us in Ogden, coincidentally, the location of the Vintage Cupcake :)

Since I couldn't take you all with me, I took lots of pictures!

Sorry LT, we accidentally ate all of the cupcakes we bought :(