THE ALTERED FLEA

Monday, October 1, 2012

Swapping and Biking the Day Away

Sunny, Southern California Sundays -- you gotta love 'em. That is, of course, if you're at the beach. We're still in this crazy heatwave here in Los Angeles, so the best way to stay cool is to escape to the coast. And that is exactly what we did.

We threw our bicycles on the rack, tossed some cold water bottles into the car, and headed north up to Ventura. That area has some great biking paths and beautiful scenery.

"Guess what, honey? The Ventura Swap Meet is today."
"What a coincidence!" he says.
She laughs.
He sighs.
This can only mean one thing.
She will browse the market while he gets in some extra solo biking.
It's a win-win situation!

Here are photos from my two-hour mad dash through the market:

A few of the items I liked, but did not purchase:

[I think I found your missing spoon]

These matching side tables made me stop in my tracks!

Growing up, we had these in our living room.

Had I known they would be "vintage" one day,

I would've asked my parents to keep them.

These are the items I did walk away with:

a large wood tray with very old, stained fabric under glass.

vintage clothespins

a wooden spice rack

English grammar books published in 1915 (copyrighted in 1881)

a little shelf with a clothesline rack that folds out!

How handy is that for the laundry room?

and this wonderful vintage luggage set.

My husband didn't understand why I bought this slightly ~~used~~ beat up set of luggage.

I said it was for our daughter.

He said she doesn't have any room in her apartment.

I said it will stay in her room here at home.

"Didn't we just ~~get rid of~~ donate three boxes of stuff to the thrift store?"

He didn't get it.

I did.

And yes, after a quick lunch, I was ready for cycling.

And a nice day was had by all.

Sharing Here:

Answer is Chocolate BFF Open House

Serenity Now

One Artsy Mama Shine of Fridays

My Repurposed Life Catch as Catch Can

House of Hepworths

Suzy's Sitcom Commercial Break Thursday

From My Porch To Yours Treasure Hunt Thursday

Someday Crafts Whatever Goes Wednesday

My Girlish Whims Your Whims Wednesday

Wow Us Wednesdays

Lil Luna

my uncommon slice of suburbia tuesdays treasures

Cozy Little House Tweak it Tuesday

Romance on a Dime TIOT

The Blackberry Vine

Vintage Wanna Bee Talent Tuesday

Knick of TIme Tuesdays

Debbie Doo's

Coastal Charm Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Salt Tree Open Call Tuesday

Skip to my Lou Made by You Monday

Between Naps on the Porch Metamorphosis Monday

Project Queen

Alderberry Hill Make the Scene Monday

You are Talking Too Much Meet Me Monday

Get Outta My Head Please

My 1929 Charmer Linky Party

Mop It Up Mondays

Nifty Thrifty Sunday

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Hopping on the Furniture Before-and-After Bandwagon

I spend a great deal of my online time reading creative blogs. Blogs that inspire. Blogs that make me smile. And blogs with great "before and afters." These are my favorite! I've been captivated with furniture transformations, giving cast-offs a new lease on life.

Well, after two years of reading about them, I've finally joined the bandwagon, scouring neighborhood garage sales, swap meets, vintage markets and thrift shops in search of potential ~~victims~~ beauties.

And here is my very first furniture before-and-after: the step stool.

The Before
(They should've paid me to take it off their hands.)

And with sanding, painting and a freezer-transfer, I present

The After

And I'm just warming up! I've got a few more fabulous finds waiting patiently for my next makeover.

Thanks to every one of you (and you know who you are) for your inspiration. And a special thank you to Karen at The Graphics Fairy for some last-minute ~~hand-holding~~ advice.

Partying here: Graphics Fairy, Le Chateau des Fleurs ,Mod Vintage Life Mod Mix Monday One Artsy Mama , Lil Luna, Domestically Speaking, Project Queen, Ginger Snap Crafts, From my Front Porch to Yours THT, French Country Cottage, Suzy's Sitcom, House of Hepworths, Katherine's Corner,My Repurposed Life, Craftionary, Doodles and Stitches, Miss Mustard Seed, Serenity Now, The Answer is Chocolate, Flamingo Toes

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Crafting with a View of the Pacific Ocean Blue

Ahhhh--vacation! We work so diligently immediately before and right after

a getaway, but it's all worth it for the change of scenery, relaxation and...

uninterrupted craft time!

We spent one glorious week, with family friends, enjoying Laguna Beach.

If you've been there, you know how beautiful the Pacific Ocean water

shimmers under the bright hot sun.

We hoped for some nice, cool ocean breezes,

given the relentless heatwave Southern California has been experiencing.

It was a "mild" 90', which was, at least, cooler than the 108' at home.

We enjoyed early morning walks at low tide,

beautiful views while sipping on a chocolate banana shake

overlooking Crystal Cove,

The Shake Shack

simmering sunsets

and crafting with friends!

That's right. No vacation is complete without a trunk full of craft supplies.

Hey, if he gets to bring his boogie board, I get to bring my crafts.

One day, we moms got together on the large patio.

We altered shadowbox photo frames with, of course,

a BEACH theme!

It was so much fun sharing my crafting obsession with the girls.

Here's my finished shadowbox frame:

I love how the contrasting sepia photo with the brightly-colored photo frame

and the coordinating banner tucked underneath the glass.

Additionally, my husband encouraged me to take a collage class

with a well-known Laguna artist.

She taught us technique, color and composition.

Here is my first-ever genuine collage:

It was a fun week. Of course, the days flew by.

We're already looking forward to next year's beach vacation.

Monday, July 2, 2012

Handmade Gift Exchange

Sometimes crafting can be a solo sport. Other times, it can bring friends together and even provide opportunities to make new friends, such as participating in Linda's Craftaholic Anonymous Handmade Gift Exchange.

Linda coordinated a huge gift exchange with crafters across the country. We were each assigned a "giftee" and, in turn, a "gifter." My giftee is Cathy who lives in South Carolina. As you may recall, I recently posted a tutorial on an altered chalkboard here. I thought this would make a pretty as well as useful gift. Using a brown and turquoise color combination, I altered this chalkboard with a garden theme.

Garden Theme Chalkboard

Layered Flowers & Watering Can Button

Upcycled Mint Tin becomes Chalk Holder

Sure hope Cathy likes it.

In the meantime, I'm looking forward to seeing what my gifter has made me!

Is that the mail carrier I hear?

Thank you, Linda, for hosting and organizing such an incredible and creative exchange.

Summer 2012 Handmade Exchange Linky Party

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

After 64 Years, It's Nice to Know...

There's a song in one of my favorite musicals, "Fiddler on the Roof," where Tevya asks his wife, Golde, if she loves him after 25 years of marriage.

(Tevya) Do you love me?

(Golde) Do I what?

(Tevye) Do you love me?

Golde) I'm your wife!

(Tevye) I know...But do you love me?

(Golde)

Do I love him?

For twenty-five years I've lived with him

Fought with him, starved with him

Twenty-five years my bed is his

If that's not love, what is?

(Tevye) Then you love me?

(Golde) I suppose I do.

(Tevye) And I suppose I love you, too.

(Both)

It doesn't change a thing

But even so...

After twenty-five years
It's nice to know!

My husband and I have been married 26 years, and it's always nice to hear the three words, "I love you."

And what about 64 years? Today my parents are celebrating their 64th wedding anniversary. They have set the bar high by being a great example of a successful, loving marriage.

Their love inspired me to create them a special anniversary card. I pulled together coordinating paper, rubber stamps, a library pocket, tag, and twine to create this:

We all love Then & Now photos, right? Here are theirs:

Engaged November 7, 1947

Married June 27, 1948

Happy Together 2012

Happy Anniversary, Mom & Dad
MAZEL TOV

Sharing at these parties:
The Twinery Blog Anything Goes Twine Madness Challenge
Happy Hour Projects
Serenity Now Weekend Bloggy Link Up
House of Hepworths
Katherine's Corner Thursday Favorite Things & Linky Party
Ginger Snaps Wow Me Wednesday

Lil Luna
Cowgirl Link-Up
Coastal Charm Nifty-Thrifty Tuesday

Polly Want a Crafter

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Irish Coffees at the BV

Nothing beats a cold, foggy day in San Francisco than a warm Irish Coffee at The Buena Vista. Except maybe two Irish Coffees! Just a week ago, we sauntered into our favorite local establishment and imbibed in a couple of these delicious liquid refreshments. The fact that it wasn't cold or foggy isn't really important! [It was actually close to 80 degrees that day.] However, we didn't miss our chance to dine at The BV anyway. After all, it's been a San Francisco icon since 1889.

Back in Southern California [tell me again why we ever moved?], it was time to think about a gift for Father's Day. I immediately remembered the two napkins I [accidentally on purpose] took with me that day. The napkins detail a beautiful line drawing of The Buena Vista. How can I incorporate these into a gift for my husband?

Although I'm a master at decoupage, I had never used napkins in any of my projects--until now.

I gathered all my supplies: the napkins (obviously), 4" ceramic tiles, paper cutter, sharp scissors, off-white cardstock, corner rounder, liquid chalk, Mod Podge and a brush, and a pint of my favorite Irish Whiskey [this item is optional].

Since the napkin was so thin, I decided to first decoupage plain cardstock onto the tile. I cut two 3-3/4" squares, rounded the corners and edged them with brown chalk. Then decoupaged the cardstock to the tiles.

I cut out the illustration with sharp scissors, keeping the napkin folded. It was easier to get a precise cut using the four napkin layers. Then I CAREFULLY decoupaged the just the top layer of the napkin to the front of the cardstock tile.

It was a little tricky to lay down the thin napkin, but if you work gently and quickly, you get a great result. Three more coats of decoupage and felt rounds to the back finished the project.