Dime Store Chic

It's All About Love

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spent his days at Morehouse College reading and reading. His friends would ask him to go out with them and have fun, but Dr. King preferred to stay in and read. He read the works of Ghandi and took the Mahatma's philosophy of non-violent activism to heart. Dr. King visited Ghandi and his life was forever changed. We all have those turning-point moments in our lives, when we realize that the path we have not taken or have resisted taking is the way to go. We have small enlightenments and large ones. They all keep us moving forward. And love is what fuels our every move. Self-love. Love for others. Love for the task at hand. When I think of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I think about love.

Have a wonderful day today. :)~~~~Love, Beth

Once Upon A Time In Grand Rapids: More Presidential Fun Facts!

Good Morning, Blogland Friends!~~~

As you know here in the Washington, DC area, we are having a "big gig" on Tuesday. Even my local Giant grocery store is jumping into the fray with an Obama souvenir display next to a gooey assortment of red, white, and blue cakes beneath shiny bunches of mylar balloons. With every Presidential Inauguration our country steps into a new history for better or worse (and I believe it's the worse which galvanizes us as a nation and brings out the revolutionary spirit in all of us). OK, enough of my Inauguration speech should I ever have reason to make one, which would be never, as I really would rather be crafting and trying to make my little corner of the world a nice place to live. So, I present to you some more Presidential Fun Facts from a President who holds a special place in my heart. It begins with a long ago trip to to Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Hubby had to go there for business. I tagged along as we were new residents of Michigan back in 1989, and I hadn't yet secured a job. After he went off to do his medical stuff, I was left alone in the Hyatt on a lovely spring day. I wandered down to the lobby where the concierge told me of the attractions. He only mentioned two. The first, I'll share with you in a minute, but the second attraction intrigued me because I had no idea what he was talking about. He suggested I stroll along the river to the, get this, "fish ladder."

And I did. And it was an honest to goodness fish ladder:

And the fish ladder now has a website. I looked down into the concrete canyon and didn't see any fish, or salmon, who are supposed to use the ladder to go upstream, bypassing the dam, so they can do what salmon do in more private placid waters.

Now, the first, and most famous sight in Grand Rapids, Michigan is this proud structure, a mere stroll from the legendary fish ladder:

This is a Presidential museum and library, the only one I have ever visited. And I visited it while this former President was still alive. Can you guess? Well, here are your Presidential Fun Facts for the day.

This President was the fifth President NOT elected by the people of the United States.
This President was the only President ever to be a Eagle Scout.
Can you guess? One more? OK...
This President was the oldest President, surpassing Regan, when he died.

And another fact was this President was an avid athlete:

When he was born in Omaha, Nebraska, his name was Leslie Lynch King, Jr. But his name was changed when his mother remarried.

Here he is as a wee tot with his Boston Terrier:

OK, you probably have guessed by now that I'm telling you about Gerald Rudolph Ford, our nation's 38th President. (Did the Boston Terrier give it away?) He served only three years after Nixon resigned, and could never shake the "guilt by association" the Watergate scandal held over his head by his predecessor.

Ford's wife Betty set an example for American women everywhere when she made her fight with breast cancer public, and mammograms became a usual medical procedure for women across the country.

Gerald Ford had some fun visitors to the White House too!

My favorite Beatle, George Harrison, and Billy Preston (love the 'fro) paid President Ford a visit at the urging of the President's teen-age daughter Susan (the youngest of his four children).  I wish my Dad had that kind of influence. I would have LOVED to have met George Harrison!

So, there are your Ford Fun Facts. If you ever find yourself in Grand Rapids, Michigan, take a look at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum (most of the library's holdings are at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor):

(This is a lovely image from Pentax Hammer)

And if you have extra time, take a stroll along the Grand River to the fish ladder. You just may spot salmon heading for their upriver love nest!~~~XXOO, Beth

Presidential Fun Facts! I'm Geeky For President Number 8!

Good Chilly Morning, Blogland Friends!~~~As you can imagine living here in the Washington, DC area, we are deluged with Inauguration info. Hubby is off work that day (because he works for the Federal Gov't) and son is off from school that day too. We plan to watch the historical proceedings like we always have, from the warm cozy comfort of our home.

I love history. I love to visit historical places. This summer we are planning a trip to New England and along the way we'll visit Hyde Park (the home of President Franklin D. Roosevelt) and further up the Hudson River Valley we'll stop by Lindenwald in Kinderhook, NY. You may ask, "who is from there?" Well, one of the earlier US Presidents, who is my only famous ancestor I can trace, lived there. He is this dapper gentleman:

Can't read his signature? This is Martin Van Buren, eighth US President. How am I related to him? My maternal grandfather's mother (which would be my great-grandmother) was Carrie Van Buren. She was from Kinderhook like Martin, and was his first cousin. I don't know what that makes me to President Van Buren, but he's my only "famous" relative even though most people don't think of Van Buren when they think of US Presidents, so he's probably not that famous after all.. or is he? Here are a few FUN FACTS about Martin Van Buren.

Martin Van Buren was the first President born in the United States. Wait a minute, you say, wasn't George Washington born in Virginia? And Jefferson? And John Adams was born In Massachusetts, right? Of course, but they were born in COLONIES occupied by the British and ruled by King George III. Van Buren was born in a free America known as The United States of America. The first US President born in the USA--now you can go impress your friends. Would you like another Van Buren fun fact? No? Well, I'm giving it to you anyway...

Who is this lovely lady? Angelica Singelton Van Buren was the daughter of a South Carolina planter and was introduced into Washington, DC society by the "Hostess With The Mostess," Dolley Madison. Angelica was swept off her feet by Abraham Van Buren, son of the President. President Van Buren was a widower, having lost his beloved Hannah 17 years before being elected President. It was the lovely Angelica who used her genteel Southern manners to take the role of "First Lady" during the Van Buren presidency. So the First Lady was really the First Daughter-in-Law. But wait! I have more!

Famed Civil War photographer, Mathew Brady, took this photo of Van Buren to lure folks to his photography studio. Do you think it was Van Buren's "Wolverine" hair style that gave Brady his customers? But that's not what I really want to share with you. Three quick (and last!) Fun Facts, I promise.

History credits Martin Van Buren with being the founder of the modern Democratic Party. AND Van Buren's nickname was "Old Kinderhook," but it was oft shortened to "O.K." a phrase in common use today. AND the final Fun Fact...Van Buren is immortalized in Seinfeld "The Van Buren Boys." Kramer tells Jerry about the street gang "The Van Buren Boys." Jerry asks, "There's a street gang named after President Martin Van Buren. " Kramer replies: "Oh yeah, and they're just as mean as he was!"

So now you know far more than anyone ever should about Martin Van Buren! Impress your friends and family with your new-found knowledge!~~~XXOO, Beth

This Is No Secret...

This is no secret...

It's COLD outside!

This sweet little bird trio is prepared for the cold with their hats and scarves. It is windy and super cold out there. The temps haven't gotten above 26F today. Now, I know my friends in Minnesota are laughing at me now, but I remember when we lived there and felt flash-frozen for two years. Now we live in northern Virginia and this kinds of cold isn't common, and tomorrow it's not supposed to get above 20F! So, when it's frosty out there what do I do? Why go to a thrift shop, of course (but I waited until mid-afternoon when my nieces left--what fun it is to hang out with them)! I found these birds, so it was well worth braving the nasty chill. Now, I'm home and warm until 6: 30 when I head out to a digital photography class which is at the local rec center only 2 minutes away. That will be WELL worth facing the chill!~~~Keep warm, my friends!~~~XXOO, Beth

Winner! And Winter Holiday Dreamin'~~~

Good chilly morning, my blogland friends!~~~Brr! It's cold outside and supposed to get even colder!

The random number generator has spoken and lucky number 4 was picked in my de-stash old and new journal give-away! The lucky gal is Jessie! Congrats, Jessie, and please send me your mailing addy!

There are some fun holidays in the winter: Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's Day. I think these holidays offer some of the cutest vintage imagery out there! That is mind, I have created a few new goodies for my etsy shop (to be listed right after I post this!) for Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's Day.

Here's a peek:

And another peek:

If you have a minute take a look!~~~Stay warm, except for my Aussie friends--I am jealous of your warm weather photos at the pool and seaside!~~~XXOO, Beth

Paper, Purge, Give-Aways, and Bobby Sherman

Hello, Blogland Friends!~~~

What a delightfully busy weekend! It began when my BFF Suzy came up to join me at the Big Flea on Saturday! We founds lots of great goodies for use in our crafts. One of the best parts of our time at "The Flea" was meeting the cute-as-pie Stacey, and having lunch with the wonderful Sue at Willard's Bar-b-Que. Miss Sue gifted me a recent estate sale find:

She saw a group of teens thumbing through a stack of mostly 1970's records and snagged Mr. Sherman for me. The teens had no idea what they missed! The record even had a bonus gift inside, left there by the previous owner:

How cool is that? Of course if you were a David Cassidy fan, you do not agree with me. If you were born after 1974, you have no idea what I'm talking about, so I'll move on to my next topic...PURGE.

Suzy inspired me with her FAB laundry room make-over. When she was visiting up here, we went to Target (and we all LOVE Target!), and I bought these wonderfully colorful fabric storage cubes like she used. They replaced some rather utilitarian-looking white boxes. I also took lots and lots of manuscripts, put them from floppy to DVD, and tossed all of the paper! What liberation!

Some of the cubes became a new home for some crafting materials, like these millinery flowers:

Some of the things I purged was this stack of new and old notebooks.

They are perfect for jotting notes, and using in collaging, I am giving them away! The old books have pages missing--they are old date books--, and are perfect for collaging. I know you'll find lots of fun uses for them! If you would like a chance to win this fun stack, leave a comment on this blog post, and I'll draw a name on Wednesday morning, January 7th.

And speaking of give-aways and cleaning out, head on over to Suzy's blog where she's giving-away a WONDERFUL apron she made! You'll LOVE it!

Before I sign off, you may have noticed an unusual candle on my shelf. I recently bought two cool candles from Berndt Offerings.

From left to right is "Our Lady of The Plains" and "St. Lucy." Aren't these wonderful? So perfect for my whimsical studio. And if the power goes out, instant light source!~~~Take care, my friends, and good luck with your own purging endeavors!  And good luck in the drawing!~~~XXOO, Beth

The Sun Shines! Take A Twirl!

Happy Thursday Here, My Blogland Friends!~~~The sun came out after two rainy days. The sun shone through the skeletal winter tree branches and bathed our living room in a lovely glow. I had the opportunity to take photos of my latest "rainy day creations" and put them in my etsy shop. It is a challenge to twirl the ballerinas on top of the pin cushions, but here they are:

And another little dancer twirling in the sun...

So happy!

Vintage Indie, of which I am a proud contributing editor, recently published a fun Paper Patchwork Dime Store Chic vintage jewelry box how-to from yours truly. It's an easy project and a wonderful storage solution for your little bits and bobs!

It's easy and you probably have many of the materials on hand!~~~Thanks for stopping by!~~~XXOO,  Beth

It Was Too Cold To Go Out. It Was Too Wet To Play...

...So we sat in the house all that cold, wet day...

Well, I did sit a lot today. And I didn't go out. I crafted. There are things ready to go into my Etsy shop, but I can't take a decent picture unless I go outside in the rain, but I don't think my pieces would hold up in the rain like this granite bird house we bought at the granite quarry in Vermont the summer of '07...

Or this wonderfully rusted wire heart I bought years ago in White Stone, Va when Mary Randolf Carter had a shop in an old gas station named after her book American Junk...

And my kitty says he's quite comfortable down in the warm, cozy confines of my studio, thank you very much...

So, I look at the completed pin cushions I am anxious to put on etsy, and look at the projects I need to finish, and I think well...rainy days are actually good days to catch up on things...

And to make more things!...I'll see you on the sunny side which will hopefully be Thursday when I can put new things in my shop!~~~XXOO, Beth

What To Do With A Bazillion Ballerinas (part 2)

I corralled a few of the tiny dancers into a be-ribboned circle and came up with this...

I think the little ballerina's looks quite content dancing on a dome of vintage flower beads, heralded by a ribbon rosette corsage...

Yes...very content...

I have some other ballerina ideas cooking, and this circle of tiny dancers needs a ribbon hanger. I hope to have my ballerina creations listed in my etsy shop later this week. Now, back to crafting!~~~~XXOO, Beth

What To Do With A Bazillion Ballerinas (part 1)

I have a bazillion ballerinas. What can I do with them?...

Something's coming to me...

I'll get back to you :)...

XXOO, Beth