Thursday, November 5

thrifty thursdays...

since it's turned november i am seeing little snippets of holiday crafting everywhere i look.
not necessarily when i look in my yard, my car or my cat litter tray... it's usually when i am looking in the cyberworld

so now i have got past halloween successfully ignoring all pumpkin buying or decorating, but in return having to listen to the 'moans' of discontent from our #4, i must really try and make an effort for christmas.
thanksgiving will come and go in a blink of an eye and then i will be looking at december the 1st and having to fix up a 'charlie brown' christmas tree due to my lack of 'foresight'.

i will not let that happen dearest readers, no for i am determined this year to be one foot ahead of the game.
of course if i was really one foot ahead of the game i would have started planning last january but let's ignore that bit and just focus on how great it is to be thinking ahead by around five weeks.

in my new found 'being prepared for christmas' state of mind, i have been perusing the figurine aisle at the thrift store, but alas there have been no pesky gnomes looking for a warm shed this holdiays. in fact, as is usual with the figurine aisle, it is full of 'horrendous crimes' committed with ceramics, wood, clay and other materials.

the only joy i've had so far is a little deer


apparently it traveled from china at some point
i looked at it and it looked at me
i asked, if it knew how to keep it's eyes closed
it said it did and so i took a chance

several coats later it is a glossy red (actually orangey/red as that was all i had) and is preparing to play 'some part' upon our mantlepiece this christmas.


i really have no direction this year, no vision of 'crafty delights' with which to add a warm eclectic vibe to my decorating. i am quite fearful that last year was the best it is ever going to get and it's down hill from now on.
i plan to get a few things down from the attic, my yarn balls, my crocheted popcorn garlands and little trees... take them out, in the off chance, they may inspire me in my creative thought process.

in the meantime, i'm happy to report the advent calendar situation is under control, more 'bemoaning' from one half of the shed clan, but the other half was relatively onboard.
even i have to admit i'm still not sure if i have crossed the boundaries of 'tasteful' holiday decor.

dearest readers it is with great delight and perhaps some trepidation that i report, stumbling upon a '1970's macrame christmas tree' wall hanging complete with pompoms, last night on vintage etsy. when it arrives via the mail man, only then will i be able to tell if i have truly crossed the 'iffy' boundary or if indeed it was $5 well spent...

and so it just leaves me to tell you i will be away for a few days, our #1 has her wisdom teeth removed tomorrow and so i must scrabble around the kitchen drawer trying to locate my florence nightingale hat along with my 'best' bedside manner...
i have plans of being a wonderful caring attendee to her, whilst also updating the shop with my latest offerings...


she is wishing you a lovely weekend, dearies (do you like that, she thought 'dearies' was rather endearing) and will see you next week ~ Tif

31 comments:

Gigibird said...

Ice cream - for your no.1
I am not sure what to say about the painting of a little foal....it has left me traumatized ever so slightly!
Your coat hangers excite me so all in all I feel I should lie down…

melissadc76 said...

Oh, Tif you are hilarious. I have to admit I was thinking, "that little deer is hideous" and "she usually has such good taste" until I scrolled down and saw what you did with it. It turned out very lovely, you have such an eye. Thanks for sharing,
Melissa

Rachel said...

I adore being called a dearie. So sweet! Those yarn balls are quite delightful. May your Christmas season be filled with simplicity, love and sweet little reminders of what's most important in your life. Love your blog and stories!

dottie angel said...

quite true gigibird, it was traumatizing to paint a little foal, even afterwards i look upon my little glossy friend and keep telling myself when she is surrounded by gnomes and other such lovelies, she will surely glow ("oh please glow, please")... in the meantime,
perhaps i need to crochet her a little scarf...

Mandi said...

Am very excited for your darling little shop update. Am hoping I can finally get one of your garlands.

Hear Me Roar! said...

The thought of painting one of those little thrift store figurines NEVER occurred to me. But I absolutely LOVE the bright shiny Bambi you created. You could sell those on Etsy (of course you might have to invest in some other paint colors as well)!!

Sarah - Red Gingham said...

Oh please make her a little scarf, that would be so adorable! Would give her a bit more character as well. Well she's not left with much is she? She's just kind of all red.

dottie angel said...

you are quite right sarah, she is just rather red. i am not sure what to make of her... i think a scarf may help her greatly :)

Leah said...

I would have never thought to paint the deer, but that is why I come here to read your blog. I love her even if she is a bit on the bright side. Im sure she'll fit right in with the yarn and gnomes.

Margith said...

Just lovely.

Floss said...

Love the photos from last year - I'm sure it will all come together this year too. A set of glowing figurines with scarves would really add a certain je ne sais quoi!

Jody McDowell said...

i just found your blog and you have such great taste! i'm loving everthing so far.. and i'm off to see more!

Elissa said...

i NEVER in my life thought of painting a figurine and it is an absolutely BRILLIANT thing to do! although, i do understand why you asked her to close her eyes....

the little shop pile is delightful!

Anonymous said...

Poor deer! It didn't close its eyes, did it? They're red too. Does this make it a no idea?

Jude

dottie angel said...

oooh, tee hee, that's a good one jude :)
actually when i took it's photo it blinked so you are actually looking at it's eyelids. when she's got them open it's a scary thing!!

ami said...

saw your tweet that #1 is resting after her op--hope all is well with that, teeth are a horrible thing when messed with like that!

the little deer is cute, I found myself looking at the thrifty trinkets in quite a different way today!

dottie angel said...

thank you ami, yes she is resting up, doing rather well considering and i am quite sure in a day or so it will all be a distant memory.

so far i have served up pureed apple and instant mash potato... tonight i am thinking soup and ice cream will be in order. i think my florence nightingale hat is doing wonders for my bedside manner :)

Emme said...

Hey there, just found you through Artful Blogging! Girl, you've got it goin' on! Congratulations on the awesomeness. :) I'm just down the hill from you in Carnation too! Can't wait to poke around your blog a bit more, and perhaps we'll hang out in person someday! :)

dottie angel said...

hi emme, thanks for dropping by and visiting my little world :)
i take a trip every now and then your way... that antique mall in duvall calls my name from time to time and so i head up the hill for a potter :)

Rachel@oneprettything.com said...

A macrame Christmas tree sounds fabulously crafty to me. I can't wait to see it! I just clicked over to you blog via the holiday garland link on Sew, Mama, Sew! The garland is GORGEOUS! I would love to link to it if you didn't mind.

Emme said...

Thanks Tif, :) I know its a little stalker-ish of me, but maybe we could my 4 kids who talk back too together with yours for some holiday crafting goodness or something. I'm always looking for a new fellow tribeswoman. I promise I'm cool, and my kids are not so bad either. :) My email is TheAmbles at CenturyTel dot net.

dottie angel said...

rachel, you are most welcome to link to my little holiday garland tutorial, i'm so glad you liked it and evener gladder you came to say hello :)

georgia b. said...

i would have never have thought to take that little deer from cute to fabulous with a couple of coats of paint. so absolutely adorable.

i just now saw your request that anyone wanting to use one of your photos ask first. i posted about your blog and your challenge yesterday, and i used a photo for the post. i apologize for not asking first. i provided a link and a credit, but as i just saw your request in your side bar, i realized i should have gotten permission. i will take it down if you would like. but i hope it's okay.

Maggie said...

I really love the little deer! You are so creative! Who would have thought that little deer could look so 21st century!


I love your blog! I'll be visiting often! I have left you an award over at my blog:
http://intothemagpiesnest.blogspot.com/
If you get a chance, please visit!

dottie angel said...

georgia b, no problems at all, as long as i'm linked to the pictures i have no worries in them being used :) thanks for asking and so happy to have you as a challenger!

magpie, thanks for the award... you are most kind :)

Pamela Holderman said...

I just discovered your wonderful blog - you gave me several chuckles tonight which I seriously needed;) and then I discovered we both live in the same city !!- what a small world...I will be back often.

Helen Cuthbert said...

I LOVE your orange deer and my I love your blog too! Such beautiful things and such beautiful colours. Thankyou so much ;0)

Helen Cuthbert said...

By the way I have a post scheduled for next week and am using pictures of your house from neet magazine. Hope you don't mind? Let me know if you do and I will amend the post ;0) If possible I would like to use some images from your etsy shop too as my blog is about handmade and recycled etc. Thanks so much.

dottie angel said...

helen, no problem at all, thanks for asking me :)

and pamela, thanks for saying hello :)

Maureen said...

The expression 'dearie' was very common here during the 1930's, 1940's and 1950's. Nella Last uses it a lot in her books.

I love it, I can think of nothing sweeter than to be addressed as 'dearie'.

Zenzhetty said...

I love him! How wonderful! What kind of paint did you use for this^ He looks so shinny and edible!