Owl #2 (Embracing the Neon Trend)

Last month, I bought a creepy owl at a flea market and turned into an adorable knick-knack.  This past weekend, I found this little owl and while he was pretty cute as is, knew that he would make a wonderful addition to my owl collection.  (I've been wanting to collect something for quite a while now.  Perhaps this is it!)  So, I decided to give him a couple of coats of neon pink paint (neon is all the rage these days).  It took about 4 coats of paint.
I used this "Sizzling Pink" neon paint by Americana and applied the paint with a sponge stencil "brush".  It really helps lay the paint onto a rough and uneven surface like this little guy.

The finished product!!  

(Neon does not photograph well, this picture does not do him justice.  Much cuter in person!)

Flea Market Finds from the Funky Flea

On Saturday morning, I went to the Funky Flea!  It's an annual flea market at a shop called The Pink Cabbage in Ellicott City, MD, benefitting the American Cancer Society.  I went with my friend, Heather.  She purchased the first item pictured below and perhaps the best pick of the day!  When I saw this vintage doll house for $5, I knew we could not pass it up!  But I really don't have the room for it.  Luckily, Heather did!  Not sure what she'll do with it, but so happy that we didn't leave it behind!  I am so in love with it!

 Since I am a former St Louisan, I could not pass up this adorable little Spirit of St Louis mug.  

 I love old maps.  This one was in pristine condition!

 Apparently, I also love owls.  How many items do you need to have for it to count as a collection?  I bought one a couple of months ago and turned it into a fun little turquoise knick-knack.  I couldn't pass this little guy up.  Stay tuned for his make over!

I also picked up these two little punches.  I have a project planned for the bow punch.  I had been on the hunt for one of these and couldn't pass this one up for only .50!!

I also purchased this little frame.  So cute and only $1!

And finally, my favorite pick of the day.  Purchased at an antique mall in downtown Ellicott City.  Only $5!  No idea what I'm going to do with it.  But loved it!

Owl Makeover.

I was inspired by these little owls I saw at a very cute little store.

So I couldn't pass up this little owl that I saw at a flea market.  Although she may be possessed by a demon.  Her eyes are super creepy.  But I knew I could give her a little make over and she could be totally cute and chic.

Here she is!  Amazing what a few coats of paint will do!  Isn't she darling!  She's come a long way!

The Mystery of Grace

I recently bought a print from the Squam Store, by Alena Hennessy.  (Unfortunately it's no longer available.  The Squam Store offers one handmade item every month for sale.)  It's a quote from a favorite author, Anne Lamott.  It reads, "I do not understand the mystery of grace, only that it meets us where we are, but does not leave us where it found us."  

Enter the flea market frame purchased over the weekend.  (Haggled down to $1!)  

 And here's the print all framed up!  Unfortunately, the frame wasn't exactly the right size...  And I probably will have a mat cut for this in the future.  But luckily the print doesn't look too bad with the existing blue mat.

Flea Market Finds: A Good Citizenship Medal, A Souvenir & A Demonic Owl. Instastyle

I've been on a quest to find some "vintage" items for some projects and finally had a little bit of success today.  A lot of bloggers tend to find things at thrift stores.  I have never had much luck at a thrift store.  I recently read that it's best to visit thrift stores during the week and not on the weekend, that the mid-week visit is the key to finding great stuff.  That's not really an option for me (that pesky career of mine keeps me busy during business hours), so I decided to follow the other tip I received this week and visit garage sales and flea markets on the weekends.  I found one flea market going on this weekend, in Mount Airy, MD.  A bit of a drive, and I almost didn't go, given the very chilly weather.  But I pulled on my boots and coldgear headed out.  Here's what I found.  (Pictures taken with Instagram.  If interested, you can follow me on Instagram @emilytutorialtrials.)

I picked up this straw tote.  I have a weakness for straw totes, particularly ones that are souvenirs.  In fact, I would love to start my own collection of these.  (I have one other one, so now I can officially say that I have a collection, right?)  So I couldn't pass this one up. Perhaps I should have, because it was not in as mint condition as I thought.  Of course, I didn't discover this until I got it home.  It has a small water spot on the front and a small hole in the lining.  So, maybe I can't actually use it as a tote.  I'm also considering turning this into some sort of wall hanging, framing it somehow.  I still love the colors.

A demonic little owl.  I realize that in her current state, she is nothing short of creepy.  But I promise, I have big plans on her becoming cute.  Hopefully really cute.  Stay tuned for an "after" picture of this little one.

I have this little dream of making a bunch of little notebooks.  Perhaps this is the tiny business I should start? (A hobby business.) I thought these bingo cards would make great notebook covers.  Even if I just make them for fun.

 I bought this for the FRAME only.  No, I don't yearn to receive a "Good Citizenship Medal."  And I haggled her down to a $1.  And to think, I almost bought a frame just like this for $12.99 yesterday!  I also have a project all planned for this one.

If there is something I can't pass it, it's a nice container.  I can't explain it.  But there are endless uses for this little jar.  Lots of crafty things I can store it in.  And a real deal for $0.75!

The flea market visit was totally worth it!  I found quite a few things that I was looking for.  And a few things for future projects.  There is some good blog content on the horizon!  Stay tuned, dear readers, stay tuned!