Luna, I don't spend much on beading,lady that gives me her clothes(same size as I am) gives me beaded gowns, fancy sweaters with pearls, Christmas sweaters with all kinds of jewels,pearls & beads.Yard salers aren't interested in buying that stuff, I keep what I like & give to DD & Mom too. The TS's when they were new had no idea what to do with craft stuff so would put all kinds of stuff in a bag I could barely lift & it would be $3.98 & not sell so go down to $1.98 & maybe even 98cents. They have gotten savvy now & are much higher but it was great while it lasted. Only problem is it takes "forever" using a thread puller to get all the goodies off the sweaters & dresses. 1 day TS had sample book of laces 18 in long by15 in wide by about 6 in high,all samples were stapled on,about 4 pieces to a page, so all pieces ready to use on projects for $1.98 for book. All colors too, too bad days of making wedding books is over. You know those brocade,lace & pearl books that you put the pics in several years ago. I do see some gals take jewelry classes & spend a fortune on supplies. If I do need something to finish a project I get it with coupon/or 40-50 % off at Joanne's or Michael's. I'm finishing up a beaded butterfly for the garden 8 1/2 in. long by 8 in wide, copper body. I had to buy stainless steel wire & then twisted 2 wires together for strength, some of beads came from old broken necklaces those are the larger ones. spaghetti bead on tail is from when I made beaded reindeer ornies, over 25 years ago. I saved up beads & broken jewelry as thought I would make a Christmas tree on board someday, instead updated & made a Christmas tree last year of Styrofoam cone & beads & old buttons & jewelry & didn't glue(U shaped wires) as some are very old & didn't want to damage any value they might have. I made bunch of hair combs last year posted on crafts & decorations forum & used combs I used to use when my hair was so thick, did get some beads on sale as I wanted the colors to match what I wear. Also GF & I trade back & forth, I get a bunch of black beads & give her some,she gives me stuff she used to sell at Quartzite when they had a booth each year. Jan

I'm glad all of you enjoyed the pictures and felt like you sort of got to come along with us. Trust me, you are always along on any shopping excursions--find myself constantly saying "Oh,so and so would really like this" or "Isn't this like what so and so collects?", etc. I do have to exercise restraint when I go on these shopping excursions. I see so darn many things that I like, but my little house is nearly bursting at the seams already and no matter how cute, I just really don't need much more! Also, my neighbor/friend and I had hit her favorite TS in a nearby town this week too. Here's pics of my finds that day, along with the little Campbell's soup mugs I got while with OA yesterday. My newest neighbor/friend has MS and just recently had to get leg braces. She is redoing her kitchen and has been looking for Campbell's soup kids items, so I was excited to find these things to gift to her and hopefully brighten her day. ;o) Punk, my gift from OA is wonderful--it is used in the top of a candle to cut out the hole so you can sit a votive inside. Can't wait to use it on my Fall and Christmas candles this year. Magpie, Upland used to be a fantastic place to find unique stores and antique/collectibles shops. Unfortunately, the economy hasn't been too good to those types of stores and many have gone out--only five or six left there now. Janet, I've visited the mountains of N.C., and loved it there as well as the outer banks too. We have family in the Raleigh area so will most likely head the motor home that way again one of these years. Both OA and I said we hate having our pictures taken, but we agreed to do it in spite of knowing we looked hot and wind blown, just for all you gals here. Jeanne, you're a sweetie, but trust me, we're NOT too young to be retired! LOL Here's my "treasures" for this week: These are for my neighbor/friend. There are two of the mugs. This little wooden bread box will get a coat of white paint and be used on my kitchen counter to hide some of the vitamins and medicine bottles. I hate having them in site. The spice bottles revolve and will be great for glitters, buttons, or whatever in my craft room. This little snowman plate was just too cute to leave on the shelf. I love snowmen, but I actually thought of Miss Karen when I saw this because of the cardinals.

Thanks marlene, PM, marylee, yachter, & party! When I Googled to try to find info on them, I found this site ...so it looks like they're grown in San Diego Co. luvs...I'm sure you were thinkin' of ways to 'craft' one! ;-) party...I just to my tape & measured...you are close...I get 41-42" ht & about 19-20" dia. Gosh, that is cool that you are making one...I did a vine wreath from some growing in our trees today ...just wrapped it round & round & wired it tog ...I can't imagine doing this type of tree! Kudos to you! Thanks all! Possibility of flurries here tomorrow...another big change in the weather! Beautiful 70 today so was outside most the day! Jeanne S. Here is a link that might be useful: pumpkin tree site

I bought real white pumpkins and had them mixed in with my fall decorations. Also the light blue-ish grey - I can't remember the name of those, but I love them!!! Again, REAL. That said, I have also seen where people are painting the faux pumpkins. Nothing wrong with that. One I remember she painted it kind of an off-whitish color - just enough to not be stark white. She also then used a very light shading in the "indentions" which made it look very realistic. tina