Happy September 2012!

Good Saturday Morning! Can you believe it is the first of September, already!? Fall will soon be upon us, and I have SO much to do!

I think this past month of August was the BUSIEST of all the days of my entire life--seriously! It most certainly "kept me on my toes," in more ways than I'd planned, that's for sure!

Earlier in the month, we had family come for five days, from Iowa. It was such a blessing to see them after nearly 12 1/2 years!!! We truly had the time of our lives, and shared moments together, as family, that will stay with me (all of us, no doubt) for all the days of my life. I pray "next time" will not be cut so short, and never again *that* long in between seeing one another again. Parting ways, and having to get back to our "real lives" was most difficult, and painful, but having had the time together, after so many--too many-- years, was simply indescribable! ♥

Normally, we school through the summer, and it was about a week or two before family showed that I half-heartedly decided to let the kids have the remainder of the summer "off" to give them (and myself) a summer break. Personally, I've managed to start (and complete most) some projects around the house that I've been wanting to do for quite a while. I did some "purging" of a lot of unwanted/unneeded items around the house, painted/distressed/aged the dining table/chairs (photos to come *sometime* in the near future), did some home decor rearranging, painted shelves, "made purdies" here and there throughout the house, and probably some other *things* I can't even think of at the moment. 0.o

So, all in all, there was a LOT of projects going on, in between a GAZILLION "events" and happenings. There was the family visit, and our trip to the Space Needle in Seattle. There was my God son's first birthday party one day, the his baptism the next. There was (as always) my children, their friends--the entire neighborhood, it seemed, at times--in and out, all day long, every day. You should SEE my carpets!!! Oh MY! I'm not looking forward to finally tackling them for a GOOD cleaning... There were camping trips with friends and other adventures I can't even think of; youth group meetings, roller derby practices --ROLLERPALOOZA--, play-dates and other outings, oh my gosh! I don't know how "everyday life" even happened sometimes. Maybe it DIDN'T, always!? Well, it goes without saying, I'm sure --->I am truly looking forward to MUCH "down time."

The only rest I *did* TAKE (besides actually sleeping at bedtime) was my reading time. This summer, I read TEN novels, two of which were "Trilogy's," and those were just for my personal reading pleasure, and does not include passages from poetry/short story books, a biography, and science shorts--and another sci-fi/fantasy novel we've not yet finished, written by our neighbor/author friend--with the two youngest.

Though I could go "on and on" with all the other *things* that took place--just in the month of August, alone--but, I'll refrain. After all, this *is* the "Prim ~n~ Proper" blog, and I do have pictures to share, just a few, and they are not much, simply most recent snapshots from my booth down at the Exhibitor's Boutique. I never like to post a blog "empty-handed," you know. *wink*

So, with ALL that, I bid you a very happy (and "UNEVENTFUL"), relaxing, maybe even LAZY Labor Day Weekend! I pray your summer was SMASHING, and that, like me, you realize at the end of each day that you have much to be thankful for despite how CRAZY Life can get, and that you are surrounded by good friends and family that you love dearly, and whom love you right back. May your days be blessed, your sorrows taken by the wind, and your burdens and worries lifted on high.♥

~God Bless~

The following photos are (as described earlier) most recent "snapshots" of this and that that I've recently added to the booth.  Many are "Fab Finds" that I either left just "as is" (like the GIANT Vintage Turkey Serving Platter I picked up), and the rest are little projects that I "upcycled," painted, aged, etc.  Oh, and of course, I brought in a few Fall/Halloween handmades left over from 2011.  :) 

Enjoy and Thank You!

~Blessings~

Decoupage, Dry & Dip... New Spring Eggs

Good Tuesday Morning, Prim Friends!!! 

I spent my weekend coming up with a new batch of Spring Eggs, and I am here to share the finished results with ya!  

The original plan was to make a bunch more rag eggs (as they are getting very low in my booth), but I had a strong "hankering" to try my hand at decoupaging.  So, I dragged hubby with me to a couple of Goodwill stores in hopes of finding an old dictionary I'd not faint at the thought of tearing apart for my envisioned project.  I'm a lover of [old] books, and have a small collection; the thought of tearing the pages out of any of them -or any other book, no matter it's age- practically makes me "woosy."  

*Back to my story*

It wasn't until we reached the 2nd GW that I had any sort of luck.  I remember a time when Dictionaries and Encyclopedias filled the shelves of second-hand stores (and I've picked up a couple here and there), but wouldn't ya know it!, just as soon as you actually want one for any purpose other than educational or simple display, they're nowhere to be found!  Luckily, just as I'd given up hope, and was ready to hit the next bargain store, hubby spotted just two or three dictionaries on an end-cap.  None of them were particularly anything like what I was really hoping to find, but one of the books was rather large, and had the almost tissue paper-type pages I was on the hunt for.  I had also hoped for "yellowed" pages, but I could do that myself, not to mention the fact that if I'd found a nice OLD dictionary with such pages, I may very well have bought it to... set upon a shelf and admire?  Yeah, if I was being honest with myself, that's EXACTLY what would happen!  So, I thought: "I best take this one!"  It was also from 1993, which in my mind's eye was NOT a "good" year, so I'd have no problem destroying it from within!  *hehe*  Besides, I really didn't want to run around too long; I had plans, and wanted to get to crafting!!!

Other than having to find a dictionary that would "do," I also decided to hit the DT (dollar tree) at one point to grab a variety of tissue papers that I could also use in my first-time decoupaging spree!

And...

Here are the end results:

 These last two photos are of a some "less than perfect" eggs, so I used them to make a "for keeps" bag for myself... and also made up one for my bestie, Miranda.  I forgot to get a photo of hers, so I'll have to be sure to do so at some point.  :)

Well, there is my weekend project of 4 dozen decoupaged, dried, and [wax] dipped Spring Eggs for ya!  I hope you enjoyed the share!  I shall return very soon with other goodies to show off!  Until then, I wish you a REMARKABLE remaining week!

♥Blessings♥

The Last of the Valentines Goodies for 2012

Good Saturday evening, Prim Friends! I hope everyone is relaxing and enjoying it to the fullest! :)  I imagine many of you are excited about the BIG Super Bowl Sunday tomorrow.  I'm not so much into the whole Super Bowl scene, so I'll be busy doing other things, but wish you each a fab "game day" and here's to your favorite team!  :D

Well, I've come in the middle of making supper again, so I'll have to keep this "short & sweet."  These are the last of the Valentines Goodies for this year.  Starting tomorrow, I'll be moving on to "Everyday Prims" and planning for the next Holiday, as well.

The first photos are of those Valentines Rag Ball Baskets I showed you in the last post.  At the time, they weren't complete, and though I wasn't exactly sure what I was going to do to "finish them off," I did manage to come up with something I was happy with.  Here they are : 

  

*Don't forget to "click the pic" to enlarge*

Next up, I have three vintage decanters that I decked out all "In the Name of L♥ve."  *giggle*  These are filled with pink tinted epsom salts and silver glitter.  The heart picks and cupid labels are dipped/brushed in the same epsom salt/glitter mix.  I've had these decanters for years, and finally decided to let someone else enjoy them... I hope *someone* will, anyway.  :)

"Rear View"

And finally, for the last of the Valentines crafts, here are two recycled olive jars I "transformed."  I stuffed them with pink crinkled raffia, added a couple of vintage Valentine images as labels, tied off with a strip of scrap fabric, then diamond dusted everything all up!

And, once again, that's all for now!

As always, thank you so, so much for stopping by!

♥Blessings♥