What I did this Saturday...

I didn't have much time this Saturday as I went out on my treasure hunt. It was a late start too! My hopes were not high...truly they were not. Perhaps I would find something that someone had just overlooked...but I couldn't take the time to scrounge around. I needed to fulfill my objective and bag the game, so to speak.

To my delight I came across several treasures to share with my pink friends. But I cannot show all of them to you!!! If I did, where would be the mystique, the surprise?! So I have selected just a little taste of what I scored this Saturday.

First up...an offering for Christmas in July...I just have to share this one. It is by far my favorite thing today because of the wonderful memories I associate with it. I found this beautiful string of vintage Christmas lights featuring the likes of old Father Christmas himself, Santa Claus. Are they not the coolest vintage kitschy lights you have seen?!

Next up...this sweet little rose cup that I will be offering this Friday for our next themed event.

Well...that's all I am showing you today...but here is a hint: YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS THIS FRIDAY...because there is more in store!!!

To the BEACH!!!!

My favorite place to vacation is the beach. Ever since I was a little girl my mom and dad would take us to the Jersey shore on a summer vacation every single year. I loved the waves that crashed to shore, playing in the sand, walking the boards, and the excitement and fun that seemed to permeate the place. It was the highlight of my summer.

The beach is still one of my favorite places, but my tastes have changed a bit. I crave the peaceful quiet of the waves lapping to shore, the gentle breeze, the salt air and the sand between my toes. I want to go there just to soak in the peace like a sponge and then bring it home with me once again. That is truly why we decorate our homes with the beach cottage theme, isn't it? We want to drench our nests with the warm summer sun, the peaceful cool hues, the sweet scents of a far away place. We want to make our homes a true place to get away from it all.

This week our theme for Pink Friday is A Beach Cottage. Isn't it funny that the results of my poll earlier this week show that MOST of us pinkies want to spend our off-time by the sea?! How appropriate that we celebrate that this Friday. Please, please do not miss this wonderful day of special shopping. I am offering some exceptional items and THIS Friday...to celebrate...there will be NO shipping costs on the beach themed items. This is a fantastic offer! Not only will you save on gas, but you will save shipping as well! This is truly the very best way to shop...so I know you will not want to miss this! I can't wait til Friday to see you...and to shop with you. See you then!

A Cottage Vacation!

Ohhhhh...to be in a cottage beach house! The clean, soft decor, the breeze floating in on sheer curtains, the sound of distant waves lapping gently into the shore...sand between my toes...a good book...a pair of sunglasses...peaceful calm, sunny days, the perfect vacation. This week at MMP, Pink Friday celebrates the Cottage Beach House. So, where is your perfect vacation destination? What brings you the most calm, the most peace in your hectic life?
There is a little survey on the sidebar. Let's see where all of the pinkies are hanging out these days!

Tea Party Trivia...in honor of Pink Friday

1. True or False: There are 3 types of true tea: black tea, green tea, and white tea.

2. True or False: For centuries the main process used to prepare tea was drying the leaves in the sun.

3. True or False: There is a Japanese tea ceremony known as ocha.

4. During which century was tea drinking introduced in Japan?
a. the 6th century
b. the 7th century
c. the 8th century
d. the 9th century

5. Before tea was known as a refreshing beverage, what was it best known for?

6. True or False: Tea drinking can help protect against tooth decay and gum disease.

7. What country first introduced iced tea?

8. The Boston Tea Party was a protest against what?

9. True or False: The Boston Tea Party was held in 1773.

10. How many tea farms are located in the United States?

ok...are you ready for the answers???

1. False...we left the fourth tea off the list: oolong.
2. False...steaming was the main process.
3. True
4. d. the 9th century
5. Tea was first known for its medicinal purposes.
6. True...there is fluoride in tea!
7. The good ol' USA first introduced iced tea in 1904.
8. Taxes
9. True
10.One tea farm in the whole USA - and it's located in Charleston, SC

Now tell the truth...how much of this did you really know?! Let's hear your comments!

....and the winner is....

*drumroll*

FIRST PLACE GOES TO INKA!!! for her creativity in repurposing old china.

But, for those of you who are a little disappointed...never fear...we have runners up:

First runner up: Debra for that beautiful, inspirational hat.
Second runner up: Debbie for the box tote.
Third runner up: Theresa for the block wagon.

Now...ladies, this was a very difficult decision, I want you to know...everyone was so creative. So for each and every person that entered, I will be sending you a little something in your email as a thank you. For the runners up...please send me your mailing addresses...Inka...you too. Remember, the prizes are SURprises...so I am not telling... but we will share soon enough!

Two More Entries!!! YAY!!!!

Theresa and Debbie sent in their entries today. The first one is from Debbie:

This is Theresa's entry. She writes:

The first picture I painted on an old blocks wagon, it's in my family room.
The second a local artist painted on an old bread tray, it's in the front bathroom.
You can tell who's the greater artist, lol.
Thanks for the contest,
Theresa

Arte y Pico Award

What an honor to be the recipient of the Arte y Pico award from Carrie of Noelle Garrett Designs. The Arte y Pico is "given to those who have a penchant for art." Thanks to Carrie for considering my blog amongst those who are worthy of this award. I am proud to be a part of the Make Mine Pink family.

Here are the rules:

1. You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserving of this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also contribute to the blogging community, no matter what language.

2. Each award has to have the name of the author and a link to his/her blog to be visited by everyone.

3. Each award winner has to show the award and put the name of and a link to the blog that presented it to him/her.

4. The award winner and one who has given the prize have to show the link of "Arte y Pico" blog so everyone will know the origin of the award.

5. You must also post these rules.

The winners of this award as presented by me are:

1. Kitty Forseth of KittyGlitter

2. Susan VanRossum of The Dutch Rose

3. Stephanie Smith of Shabby in Pink

4. Erica of Meadow Street

5. Carol of Clutter Bug Studio

Who do you think will win the contest?

I so do not know the answer to this. I am leaving the judging up to my family, so I have no idea who will be chosen as our winner. I do know that I am putting together a lovely surprise for whoever wins...that's a good thing! But as for the person who will get to enjoy that...it's anyone's guess. So I thought it might be fun to have a little poll, guessing who might be the winner. Let's see who YOU would choose... The poll is to the right in the pink sidebar. Can't wait to see your answers.

Georgia's entry

Hi Carolyn!!
What a fun contest! I re-purpose all over my house because I love the
look of vintage over new in most things!! This is one of my favorites!
Here is a little vintage table.......

And a vintage tray......


Covered with a vintage doily and several re-purposed items.....an antique
water pitcher, used to hold my brush, combs, nail files; a milk glass piece used
to hold my Q-tips; and finally a jar with flower frog top to hold make-up brushes,
tweeezers, etc!

This is, of course, used in my newly renovated bathroom!! Hope you like it!
Pink Hugs!
Georgia Mallory
Grandma G's

Susan enters the race...

Now...just to clarify...I am sharing some of the pictures that Susan sent of items made by her replicator. However, Susan's real submission for this contest is the last picture of the chickens.
...look at the table Ruthie redid for me...and the new stash of houses! And another mirror...

A tad sadistic...but I wanted to get something in for you...

These candy dishes from the 50s and 60s work well for serving chicken salad or egg salad!
Even chicken soup!

Woohoo - Another Submission!

Here is Susie's submission for her repurposing. She says:

The vintage teapot with no lid became my catch-all for pens, scissors, magnifying glass (yes!), etc. by the telephone in the kitchen. I would take this type of reusing decorating over purchasing new any day!

Thanks for making me think Carolyn!

Susie
The Polka Dot Rose

New Submission from Lilli Blue

above is how it started. My sister in law sent it to me.

This is it's new incarnation.

I had so much fun doing it! Love, Lilli

Inka's & Pat's submissions for the contest

Pat submitted these lovely little pomanders for our contest. Here is what she says:

this is a picture of pomanders I make by grinding up the leftover citrus skins we generate in the house. They smell heavenly--citrus, clove, cinammon and nutmug.

These are Inka's submissions...her explanation is below:

Here are a couple of recycled items that I use for my art work. Old dishes used for bird feeders and old cabinet doors that were to be discarded after a kitchen remodel! I love to do my mosaics on them and if you check out my website you will see lots more of them...and more to come each week for Pink Friday!!!

Repurposing Contest Submissions

This is the first submission from Lisa:


Here is a repurposed picture frame. Just applied a quick coat of white paint, a little distressing and added a foam core back covered in Barefoot Rose fabric. Makes a great piece of wall art or you could use it for a vision board.

A Time to Repurpose

Repurposing has become very popular these days in decor. This "tweet" little birdhouse is made of repurposed barnwood. I love to find different uses for an item, other than it's original intended purpose. It really spikes my creativity. Have you ever seen a display where the shopowner used a candy dish to show off handmade soaps? What about a crock that was repurposed as a makeup brush holder? These things intrigue us because they stretch our imaginations and cause us to think outside the proverbial box. So now I am issuing a challenge to you:

I am holding a contest this week! So what items have you repurposed? Take a picture and email it to me at OddSparrow@msn.com and I will post your pictures on my blog. The most creative will win, so put your thinking caps on and let's get started!!! The contest will be judged by my family. Oh... deadline for picture submissions are Monday, June 16. I will announce a winner on Tuesday, June 17...MY BIRTHDAY!!! So, let the games begin! Woohoo!!!

Now for the prizes...I am sure you are wondering about this...well, you will have to wonder a bit longer. I will announce that later. I'll be looking for your emails!

Calling all June bugs

It is finally June! This month marks a special day for honoring fathers. It is also my birthday. Here is a piece of trivia for you...I was actually born on Father's Day. In fact, I always teased my dad that I was the best Father's Day gift he ever got! My dad had a June birthday too, so often we had combined celebrations of our birthdays and Father's Day. Now that Dad has gone on to heaven, we only celebrate my birthday. It has left some emptiness in our celebration.


This week Pink Friday at Make Mine Pink will be an opportunity to buy gifts to honor the wonderful men in our lives. Now you don't have to make a trip to the nasty ol' hardware store and you don't have to buy that same old shirt you get him every year. You will have more unique choices for that special man. And the best news of all (and this will make HIM happy too)...NO WASTED GASOLINE. You will save time and money by shopping for him at MMP and you will find some really thoughtful and different gifts there as well. Now don't get concerned...these items are NOT pink...but they are wonderful and isn't pink really another word for wonderful???

So....without further ado...I present a taste of what you will find at my Little Pink Boutique this Friday for your Father's Day shopping pleasure.

Oh...and one more thing...don't forget to buy yourself a little treat and I will gladly combine your shipping on all items purchased from The Odd Sparrow. Additionally, you will be pleased when you check out all of the other wonderful shops on MMP. So, see you Friday...and happy shopping!!!

Toot & Woot

For show and tell Monday. =)

My son did this over the weekend... it's a pictorial representation of what the new website will look like once he figures out the software and such. He's fifteen, too.