Monday Morning Surprises

This morning, I woke up and made my way to the computer.  Bleary-eyed from sleep, I could barely see the keyboard let alone read the screen, so I went hunting for my glasses.  When I opened my purse and started digging around the bottomless pit, I found my sunglasses instead.  I continued digging and found another pair of sunglasses.  The third time in I pulled my hand out and lo and behold a third pair of sunglasses.  The strange part of this is, I only own one pair.

I stood there laughing out loud (my family already think I'm crazy, so a little maniacal laughter won't hurt) when I realized, I had absconded with someone else's sunglasses the night before and not just one someone else, but two!  I'm a bit alarmed this morning as I am becoming aware of my kleptomaniac tendencies.  But, I am really not responsible for anything I do at a party, particularly one where I am fearing for my life as my husband and children fling flaming sticks through the air.

So, if you recognize one of these pairs of sunglasses.  Give me a call.  They just might be yours!

My second surprise this morning came when I finally found those darned glasses and made my way to the computer.  I opened my mailbox and made the most lovely discovery - way better than three pairs of sunglasses! 

Celeste, the brains behind one of my favorite sites, has honored me today by featuring my little etsy shop in her blog Etsy it up!  Thank you, Celeste! 

The cool part of this is, if you go to her site and follow the instructions, you may qualify to win a $20 gift certificate to my shop Jenny and Pearl.  While you're there, check out some of the other contests that are still open.  I'm hoping I might win a beautiful ceramic plate from Aedriel Originals, so please, leave that one alone!

But, the fun doesn't end there.  You still have until midnight tonight to enter my Jenny and Pearl Mystery Contest, just click here or on the Win! link near the top of the page for the contest rules.

Double up your chances to win!  I will be listing more ephemera, linens and other beautiful things all week, so check back often.

See, not all the fun happens on the weekend.  TGIM - Thank God It's Monday!

Key To My Heart

I love old keys.

I don't know why, but I love the shape of them, the history behind them, their patina.  It is one of several things that I collect.  I had rationalized that they are small and don't take up much space so it's okay to hang on to them.  They fit quite nicely in my old 'Chock Full O' Nuts' coffee tin.

One day I realized that my tin was 'chock full' and I really should do something with these, so I sat down and made myself a necklace, with a nice big skeleton key and a heart.  If there is one thing I like more than keys it would be vintage jewelry, so I incorporated an old heart from one piece and a big chunky chain from another and here are the results.  I made several more of these, gave them to friends, sold them in boutiques and then kind of forgot about them.

Now, when I say I love vintage jewelry I'm not kidding.  I have old jewelry boxes stacked and drawers full of amazing things, some of them in mint condition and others just bits and pieces.  Again, I rationalized, they're so small and don't take up much space but... six jewelry boxes, ten wall hooks several tins and a plastic rolling cart later, I came to the conclusion.  "My name is Karen and I'm addicted to jewelry."  Rather than enroll in a 12-step program to cure my addiction, I was once again inspired to create.

Looking through all these bits and pieces, I went beyond the keys to making more elaborate necklaces.  My darling family bought me all the equipment I would need to create amazing jewelry and I started with great gusto, sold a few pieces and then lost steam again.  I was suffering from chronic pain and handling all the fine work was just too difficult.

So, why am I telling you all this?  I am going to start selling my jewelry again.  Starting with the necklaces I have already created, I will be offering them for sale, beginning next week.  I have to fine-tune a few things here and there, take pictures and get them posted, but here is a sneak peek at some of my creations.

I can't wait until my 'babies' are ready and 'on the shelf'.

Stay posted and I will let you know when my collection is launched.
So put away your pennies and get ready to shop!

Solve the Mystery and Win!

This week's contest idea came from this.

I recently placed this item for sale in my etsy shop.  The problem is, I don't know what on earth it is.  My husband figured it was a burger press, since it is very heavy, but when I looked online at other burger presses, they looked nothing like this.  My friend Carol, who bought and sold antiques and 'treasures' (we don't call these things junk) for years, contacted me after seeing it in my shop.  I would expect her to know what it is but she had no idea.  So we remain stumped.

Lately, I have acquired several unusual and mysterious kitchen items like this one.  They all came in a large lot from the same estate.  This lady had every kitchen gadget known to man and a few unknown.

This week's contest is straightforward but not necessarily easy.  Take a real close look at our mystery object.  Examine it carefully.

Now, tell me what it is.  If you don't know what it is, make up something. 

The winner of this week's contest will be the person with the best story describing what they would use this item for.  It doesn't have to be right, although that would be great and would definitely get you brownie points, just be creative!  Next Tuesday, my esteemed panel of judges (consisting of my husband and three children), will choose their favorite story and the winner will receive...

the mystery utensil!

Just kidding.  The winner can choose any single item (including the mystery utensil) from my Housewares or Linens categories, valued $20 or less.

 Red Striped Tea Towel with Embroidery

 Sunkissed Southwestern Tablecloth

I have plenty of beautiful things to choose from and will be adding more all week.  Take a peek and see what you like or pick out something to give as a gift.  Remember, when you submit your entry below, make sure to leave your name or an email address so I can contact you if you win.

Good luck!
(Contest ends Monday at midnight PT)

Giveaway Winner!

Thanks for all your feedback, links, postings and general goodwill during our first ever giveaway.  I loved hearing from you and finding out what makes your heart go 'pitter-pat' in my store.

Now, let's get down to business.  Once all the entries were in and assigned a number,  I picked a number at random.   The person with the winning number is...Cristina P!   Congrats, Cristina.  Here are two of the items Cristina especially liked.

This vintage Griswold skillet "would be awesome to make tortillas on!!"

And, once you've made tortillas, you need a lovely place to serve your food.  This cheery tablecloth is "perfect for serving mexican food".

Some of you (you know who you are), tried really hard to win.  Don't be too disappointed.  I will be announcing the rules for my next giveaway tomorrow, so you will have another chance.  Plus, I am listing loads of fun things all week. 

See you later today for my regular daily post.

If It's Free, It's For Me!

I don't know about you, but I love to get a deal.  I inherited this from my mom, who always made a beeline for the sales rack in every store, before we looked at anything else.  "For $12.00, you can't go wrong!", right mom?  I'm always looking for a way to make a dollar stretch further and when I get a really good 'steal', I make sure I let others know about it.

I have decided to offer a great deal to you by christening this my first "Jenny and Pearl Giveaway".  One lucky winner will receive a $25.00 credit towards anything in my Etsy store.  I have lots of fun finds priced $25 and under, and I am listing new things continually, so you may find a couple things that tickle your fancy.

 

blue checked tablecloth

You have until midnight PT on Monday, to enter .  At that time I will randomly draw a name and inform the lucky winner next Tuesday.  They will pick their item(s) and receive a lovely package in the mail.  If you are local and would like to put the shipping cost toward more stuff, we can arrange to get it to you personally!  Sounds good?  I knew it would!

There are several ways to get your name into the drawing.  There is no limit to how many times you can enter.

1.  Browse my etsy store, Jenny and Pearl and leave a comment here on any item that you like.  Every time you leave a comment, another entry!  Be sure to leave your name, nickname or initials to identify yourself!

2.  If you have a website or a blog, add this blog  www.jennyandpearl.com as a link.  Let me know you've done it and, voila! - three entries.  For those of you who have already done this (Barb, Norb, Doneanne and others), I will give you credit!

3.  Sign up as a follower through Google, another entry (those already signed up will get credit).

4.  Post a link to www.jennyandpearl.com or the jenny and pearl etsy store on your Facebook page - one entry.

Handyman's Book

5.  If you have an etsy account, mark my store or an item as a favorite and let me know - one entry.

As you can see, there are plenty of ways to enter.  Remember, midnight PT on Monday is when the contest ends and email me when you have completed any item.  Any questions, contact me.  Good luck!

 glass flower frogs

Are You a Scrapper?

There are many things that I don't do. I don't exercise like I should. I don't speak several languages (I envy those who do). I don't always finish things that I start and I don't scrap. Although, according to Merriam Webster's dictionary a scrapper is a ": fighter, quarreler; also : a fierce competitor". Under that definition, my family would say I qualify!

But anyone who is a serious scrapper knows that scrapping nowadays, involves, photographs, die cuts, scissors, scrapbooks, and a whole lot more! Under that definition, I do not qualify. I have tried to get into scrapbooking. I love the end result - beautiful pictures, framed with lovely papers and sweet little sayings. However, this is as far as I have ever gotten...

I have SO many pictures (thousands, I'm sure). This is a fraction of them.  I can't even get them organized chronologically. I truly believe that there is a scrapbooking gene that is not present in my family. My mother has the same mountain of boxes (although better organized than mine) and my sister, a very organized person, is also victim of Shoebox Scrapbook Syndrome (yes, that is an official diagnosis)!

Over time, I have had visions of all my photos, organized in albums, with vintage maps, cards and letters adorning every page. I just realized something the other day. It ain't gonna happen! Every time I look at my pictures or try to find that baby photo for a kid's school project, I feel guilty about this. It should be easier to track down that picture of my daughter at her first recital, or that cute pic of me and my family looking oh so Brady (mom rescued me by finding this one)!

In order to assuage my guilt and completely rid myself of these allusions, I have started selling all the amazing ephemera (that's 'paper stuff' for the uninitiated) that I have accumulated over time. Trust me, I have a lot! - cool maps, greeting cards, vintage game pieces, letter tiles, postcards and fantastic vintage albums, ledgers and scrapbooks. It all has to go! Once it is gone, I know I can finally admit defeat and revel in my shoebox scrapbook world!

So, if you, or a friend are a scrapper (the crafter, not the fighter type), please take a peek in my etsy store. I know you will find something that captures your imagination. I am offering to my blog friends an extra special deal. With every 3 lots purchased, I will throw in a lot for free! This is an even better deal than I am offering in my store and will be available for the next two weeks only! It applies to anything in the Paper/Ephemera or Postcards categories.

While you are there, check out at all the other beautiful linens, glassware and collectibles that I have listed.

Happy scrapping!

One Man's Trash

I hit the neighborhood garage sales today. On my way home from my son's Little League game (which they won- GO Red Sox!), I was lured in by the arrows and the signs scattered throughout the neighborhood. "I'll just go to one and then I'll head home" is what I told myself, but an hour and a half later, I had the trunk filled with treasures and finally pulled in the driveway.

Not only did I find some great stuff, I met some interesting people - a couple down the street who publish a literary magazine for young girls and a sweet couple on the corner who have lived in the neighborhood since it was surrounded by avocado groves. They were selling the contents of his brother's home. He had been a hoarder and it is taking them years to dispose of his belongings. "He liked his things more than people", they said.

When R and I headed back out, the house at the end of the street had a "Free" sign in their driveway and we picked up the old STOP sign for her room. Now that's my kind of sale!

I noticed two themes running through my purchases today. One was a modern mid-century vibe. I was drawn to the color orange and found some funky canisters and a beautiful pillowcase with a Scandinavian feel. I also found an amazing Red Wing bowl with beautiful clean lines.

The other theme was definitely shabby. Some vintage linens caught my eye, a quirky old shoe form, a red painted box (I LOVE boxes!), a pair of odd looking cats, a very sweet metal soap dish and my favorite find of the day, an antique bird cage.



Now comes the hard part, what will I sell in my etsy store for someone else to treasure and what will I keep?

I don't NEED anything else cluttering my house, but my two favorite finds are the pillowcase and the birdcage. I could paint it and buy a bird, or I could leave it as is and put a plant inside and hang it in the back patio. What should I do?


Well, I love my stuff but have learned over the years to hold it loosely. In the past couple of weeks we have had one friend flooded out of their home and two other friends' homes broken into and robbed.

These are horrible losses and not to be taken lightly, but it helps to keep things in perspective. If we don't cling too strongly to the things that we own, they won't end up owning us.

"Don't store up treasures on earth! Moths and rust can destroy them, and thieves can break in and steal them. Instead, store up your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy them, and thieves cannot break in and steal them. Your heart will always be where your treasure is."
Matthew 6:19-21 CEV

Uninspired

Some days it's just not there - the inspiration doesn't come and it can't be forced.

I have been SO busy today, listing some fun things in my etsy store, catching up on old business and plowing through it all.

But I don't want to leave you uninspired, so I have chosen a few of my favorite pics by my daughter R to bring you some joy today. Maybe tomorrow inspiration will return!


Our dog Casey - we pray she will be feeling better soon!




The brook near our cabin - I think I can hear the water!




Her prize-winning picture from a photo contest - San Diego Zoo




The budding photographer - so sweet.

May your day be blessed!

Banana Bundt Bread

I have been listing vintage recipe books in my ebay and etsy stores and it inspired me to share with you one of my family's favorite recipes that I just baked fresh today! I am NO great cook, my husband is the chef in our family, but I do like to bake now and then - not too often, or I would eat it all!

I think my sister and I begged this recipe off of Linde many years ago, but I'm not sure where it came from. Anyway, she is getting credit. I made one slight adjustment to the original recipe, substituting half of the oil for applesauce to make it lighter. It tastes great either way.




BANANA BUNDT BREAD

1 1/2 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
2 c. flour
1/2 c. chopped nuts (optional)
3 ripe, mashed bananas
1 tsp. vanilla (I LOVE Mexican vanilla!)
2 eggs
1/2 c. canola or vegtable oil
1/2 c. applesauce

Grease and flour a bundt pan. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Combine the first five dry ingredients. Add the remaining ingredients. Mix until well blended. Cook in 325 degree oven for 1 hour or until toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes before turning out onto a plate.




SO simple - and your family will love it! A few extra tips - the riper the bananas, the better. The flavor intensifies. You can store them in your freezer until you have three ripe ones, or you're ready to bake. Just thaw, peel and mash!

Also, I add walnuts and, as far as my dad is concerned, the more the better. I often add a full cup of chopped nuts instead of 1/2 cup. I also make this recipe without.

This bread freezes well and stays moist for days.

Enjoy!

Yeehaw!

We recently spent a family day with our favorite ranch hands - the Pirelli Family of beautiful Calicinto Ranch in the foothills of the San Jacinto mountains. The weather was perfect and we enjoyed a full day of eating, horseback riding, BB guns, basketball, eating some more and just relaxing (after all that eating!).

If you are ever looking for a retreat destination for a group, give the Pirelli's a call. They will treat you like family, feed you well and make sure you have a lot of fun!

They also operate Angel Tree Camp every summer, ministering to the children of prison inmates. There are opportunities to be a mentor to these incredible kids. Our daughter RA did last year and can't wait to go back again. You can find out more at www.calicintoranch.com.

I have listed a couple of horse-themed items in my etsy store. Click on the picture above for a direct link. I have also listed some beautiful vintage tablecloths that you will want to take a peek at.

Grace and Baseball

How do days end up like this? And why does it happen so often?

I start the day filled with plans for all I am going to accomplish, then one by one things fall apart - the computer is slllloooowwww - the camera won't charge - nothing seems to go right. The end of the day comes and I think "what have I accomplished?"

One little listing on my etsy site - pretty mixing bowls - but I planned for more.

Now, I can stay home, knuckle down and force my way through this or call it a day and go watch my boy play Little League.

What a great day for baseball! The sun is shining, there's a breeze in the air and there is nothing sweeter than the sound of a ball hitting a bat and parents (plus Grandma and Poppa) cheering in the stands.

Tomorrow is another day. I'm letting go of what today wasn't and enjoying what it was.


"Grace mixed with faith and love poured over me and into me"
1 Timothy 4:13, The Message

Insomnia

2:41 and I should be asleep. I have been fighting insomnia for days now - could it be the coffee first mentality wreaking havoc....Nah!

Thought I would post the link to my etsy store which is still under construction but I have a stack of vintage linens that I am itching to list so that is my task for tomorr....today!

For the interested, my etsy store is www.etsy.com/shop/jennyandpearl. I will be listing the best of my vintage finds there, culling them from my stash at home and from the hodgepodge in my ebay store. I have some beautiful stoneware bowls, depression glass, hankies, 1940's vintage tablecloths and too much to list. I better get back to bed and get some sleep, I have a lot of work to do!

In the meantime, I will share a beautiful pic of the flowers in my yard that our girl R took! Enjoy!

Beginnings

So...here is my first entry. My adorable daughter finally convinced me to take the plunge and I am going to give this world of blogging a try. I am excited to show you some of the beautiful things in my etsy store store and on ebay, but give me a while. I have a dog, a cat, a husband, 3 kids and one soon to be kid-in-law (is that a real word?) to deal with, so my listing is often slow, sometimes frenetic. One caveat, I did NOT list my haves in the order of their importance in my life.

Can't wait to share my treasures with you!