Happy New Year! 2013 is going to be great!

Yes, that is a mantel full of fireworks.This is what happens when my husband and son go off to buy fireworks without me.When I got it all up there, I told my husband,"I can't believe we have so many fireworks." His reply-"I thought we had more." What?!  (The mantel will be empty come tomorrow).

Happy Soon To Be New Year Everyone!!! Was 2012 a great year for you or will you be glad to be rid of it? Although I have had a pretty good year,I am looking forward to 2013.

Do you all make resolutions?I do.
Every year,I have this big list of resolutions I want to accomplish.Within the first week(or day),I've broken almost all of them.Then the next year would come and I would have a brand new list with the same old resolutions on it.Lose a ton of weight, get organized,etc.,etc.,etc.I often thought,'Why am I setting myself up for failure?'

This year, I'm trying something different.

Instead of a list of resolutions,I've come up with a theme for 2013.

I wish to be happy, healthy, wealthy, and wise.

At the first of every month,I'm going to ask myself:
Am I happier, healthier, wealthier, and wiser than the month before? Even something small is a step in the right direction. Then I'll post about my progress.

So here's to a fantastic new year..and I hope that it finds you happy, healthy, wealthy, and wise.

One more picture of my fireworks-

                                    and two very excited guys ready to blast in the new year!

I'm Bona Fide

 

 

I know, I know...two months is too long to go in between posts.I've had a very good reason though.

 

It's official. Black belt, baby!

 

I have been training for this for a VERY long time.I've been taking shotokan karate for about five years now(and have been putting off my black belt test for about a year).

The reason(s) I had been putting off this test??

1. It's a brutal test.The test is broken up into two days.One day for the physical endurance and then another day for the katas and sparring.
2. At a little over 200 lbs, I'm a big girl..horizontally.Vertically,I'm only 5'2".So I had been trying to drop some weight before I did this.My problem??My love of butter(and other fattening foods).
3. Part of the physical test includes a two mile run.I am not a runner.It is probably my least favorite activity and not just because of my resemblance of Marvin the Martian (my legs are really moving fast,but I'm not going anywhere).In fact, they say that people have a Fight or Flight instinct..I don't think I have any Flight(I'm all Fight,lol).

So I've been training.Running my two cursed miles 2-3 times a week,building up my endurance,practicing my katas and kicks.
And it has been hard...really reaallly hard.

I did the physical test on Wednesday. It included:
*a two mile run (did it very slow at 22 minutes.I told you I'm not a runner.)
*100 push ups and 100 sit ups in 5 minutes
*100 front kicks and 100 round kicks on each leg/100 reverse punches on each arm in 5 minutes
*60 slide up hook kicks and 60 slide up side kicks on each leg in 5 minutes

Then on Friday I took my black belt test.It included:
*performance of 13 katas(routines)
*8 universals(fighting combinations)
*12 one steps(fighting moves)
*Breaking two boards

*6 rounds of sparring with my peers who were testing with me.These rounds were with a fog machine on and some of the rounds were in the dark with a strobe light on.They wanted to see what we could do when there are distractions.
*30 seconds in the ring with Red Man. Red Man is one of the instructors who is dressed head to toe in steel plated pads.
*9 rounds of sparring with the black belt instructors.

It is seriously one of the hardest things I've ever done in my life.
I plan on continuing with karate.
At the end of my test,one of my instructors said,"Getting a black belt isn't the end of your journey.It just means you know the basics."Too true.

 

I'm a Craft Hoarder

Hello, my name is Marla...and I'm a craft hoarder.

I recently cleaned up my crafting table and all the piles surrounding it.Holy cheese and crackers, how did I end up with so much stuff?? It took me all day to get that area presentable and I didn't even touch the stuff in my hall closet (also filled with craft supplies). You name it, I've probably got it.
Here's the crazy part...I buy like 90% of my supplies at thrift stores or yard sales(meaning most of my stuff has left someone else's hoard and gone to mine). I see this stuff and have great ideas, so I bring it home anndd...that's it. I forget about it or move onto something else.
Well No More!! I'm determined to lower the amount of my craft hoard by actually getting some stuff made.The holiday season is here and I'd like to get some decorations made as well as Christmas gifts for friends and family.I think if I create something every day, I can a) reduce my craft hoard and b)be ready for Christmas ahead of time (imagine that).I'm also not going to bring any more supplies home...unless I need it for a project...or it's a fantastic price...or it's really cool. Arrgh-it's a sickness I tell you.
Of course, I'm not selfish...I'll share the stuff  I create.Prepare to be amazed! Well, amazed in the sense that you'll probably think to yourself, 'How can one person have so many supplies?'

Please tell me that I'm not the only one who squirrels away craft supplies.

Snow People

The piles around and on my craft table were at a natural disaster level for quite a while.It was so messy that I didn't even feel creative. I finally couldn't take it anymore and spent all Saturday cleaning,purging, and organizing my space. It's amazing what a good clean-up will do for your creativity! I made this after I had everything tidy.
I had gotten a set of round knitting looms several months and tried to make a scarf.
Knitting loom + Only one skein of white fuzzy yarn= a tube scarf that's too short to tie around my neck.
So when I found my yarn tube under a pile of fabric,I knew what I wanted to make.

                                                                   Mr. & Mrs. Snow
First,I got six styrofoam balls and covered four of them with various scraps of batting. Then I tied off the middle of the tube with two rubber bands and cut the tube in half.Secure each ball in the tube with rubber bands.

At this point,I realized my snow people were not going to stand up on their own-too floppy.So I took two dowel rods and jammed them down the centers.Ahh,much better.

I cut two circles of cardboard out for the bottoms.I wanted them to have some weight so they'd stand up so I glued several metal washers to the cardboard before I attached the tube around it.
Add scarves and hats made from a stained sweater,flowers,snoflakes,and buttons for the face and body.
I tried to use branches from the tree in the front yard,but it didn't look right so I cut pieces off of a grapevine wreath and they're perfect little arms.

The best part about this project was that I used stuff  I already had in my stash, so basically it's FREE.

I love how they turned out.Can't wait to use them in my Christmas decorating.

Pin Cushion

I found this awesome mug at Goodwill for .59 cents a few weeks ago.I love the colors and the way it feels in my hands.My problem? I don't drink coffee or hot tea.Maybe once or twice a year,I'll drink hot apple cider or cocoa.I just didn't want to have it sit in my cabinet, collecting dust, when I could make something out of it and enjoy it every day.

                                                          I feel like saying, "Ta Dah!!"

I needed a new pincushion because the little tomato I had was just not working for me anymore.Apparently,to a four year old boy, it looks just like a ball that needs to be thrown.How'd you like for one of those suckers to be beaned at you by surprise?
This project took less than two minutes to make and most of that involves plugging in the glue gun and gathering materials.I cut a piece of floral foam and shoved it in the mug.Then I took a scrap of fabric,placed a scrap of batting inside, gathered it together, and tied it with a rubber band.Then just hot glue the fabric to the mug and foam.Easy peasy.
Loving the way it turned out.I might have to make another for my mom who is an avid sewer.
The best part? I can change it back to a mug if I want.I'd just stick it in the freezer for a couple of minutes and pop out the glue.
Ta Dah!!

DIY Haunted House

So I was at Hobby Lobby a few weeks ago to get some posterboard for my son's project, when I came across this cute paper mache house.It was torn up,but I knew I could make something cool with it.I even got it at a discount-$2.00 people!!

My first order of business was to fix the sides that were torn.Hot glue to the rescue.Then I pulled out some black spray paint and did a quick coat, inside and out.

Then I got some scrap black and grey paper,my heart punch, and I punched...and punched...and punched some more. Well, I caught up on some of my shows at the same time too. (See? I can multitask.)I used hot glue to adhere the hearts, starting in rows from the bottom to the top.There was really no rhyme or pattern to the colors as I had them all in one pile-grab and glue.I left all the hot glue strings because they looked all cobwebby(and per-maybe-haps because I couldn't find the heat gun to melt them away, but lets just go with "creative license").

I used a newsprint scrapbook paper for the front,but it had more of a cream background.So I went over it with grey and black ink pads to make it match better.The orange and white diamond paper on the sides was a little too bright for me,so I covered with skeletal leaf rub ons.The paper on the back was also used to trim the windows and the door.Add some vellum to the back of the windows, some embellishments, and glitter to the chimney and base....(kissing fingers)VOILA! I plan on putting some LED votives inside so it'll light up too.
I had all the materials except the house.

Pretty good for $2.00!

Materials used:I already had everything except the house.
Paper Mache House(found mine at Hobby Lobby.I think they're regularly $5.99)
Black spray paint
Hot Glue and White Glue
Black Glitter
Heart punch
Black and grey cardstock
Newsprint paper (K & Co)
Orange/white diamond & black/white definiton papers (Echo Park)
Stickers(Echo Park)
Clock face, Orange Pumpkin Plaque,Metal Boo,Key, Buttons (stuff that's been in my stash forever.I don't even remember how I got some of it.)

http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/
http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/

Can I get a little motivation please?

I need to go out to the playhouse and get to work taking pictures.It's sunny outside and the weather is nice.Come on, motivation-where are you?? I'd probably make alot more money if I was just more consistent about listing. The money would be nice too. My husband says we need to get a new  radiator for the car..and a timing belt...and the girl needs new glasses..and I need new contacts..and the list goes on and on and on.
Ok, there's a little motivation..what else you got?. Oh I know,the playhouse is full of treasures to list and I told myself that I had to go on a thrift diet until I made some room for new items.I could be missing out on new stuff at Goodwill because I haven't listed this stuff yet.
Wait,the house isn't clean? All that housework will still be there when you're finished taking pictures,weighing,and measuring a bunch of stuff.Then you can alternate listing and cleaning.
What, I'm tired?You know who is not tired? The four year old and he's not going to let me sleep either.Might as well take some pictures.

My latest sales

It's amazing how when I work harder listing,I get more sales.Here's some of the stuff I've sold lately..

I've sold three of these turkeys for $6.99 each with free shipping.I've got seven more and am confident they'll all sell before Thanksgiving.

                                   Sold this owl ornament for $12.99 with free shipping.

Listed this on auction for .99 and it ended up selling for $24.18 + shipping.I also sold another lot of felt & sequin ornaments for $8.27. I will be picking up these kind of ornaments from now on.

Sold this sweet little Lefton nursery lamp for $19.99 a couple of hours after listing it.I think I priced it too low.

I took a best offer of $25.00+ shipping for this vintage wood purse with Holly Hobbie decoupaged on it.

This is a two way radio with a charger stand.It's something my husband got when he was at his old job,but he rarely used it because it's kind of bulky and got in the way when he was working on cars so it sat in his tool box. He's been at his current job for three years now and he finally cleaned out his box and gave this to me to throw away.I put it on Ebay and it sold less than a day later for $59.99 + shipping.Pretty good for something that was taking up space and didn't cost us anything.
It's easier to work out in the playhouse now that it doesn't feel like I'm being roasted,lol. I've decided to give up on thrifting for awhile to see if I can make a dent in the stuff out there.I've got a big pile of small toys and Build a Bear clothes to list.Hope everyone else's sales are picking up too.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Have you ever seen that commercial where the dad is buying school supplies while "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" is playing?  Yep, I'm that parent.
Today was the first day of school for my big kids-they're now in the 8th and 11th grades.It seems like yesterday they were little and loading their supplies up in their princess and Spongebob backpacks.
My four year old was none too happy about being left behind and tried to cheer himself up by getting into his brother and sister's things(he knows an opportunity when he sees one,lol).He also announced that he needed to go to the store so he could get a doughnut(or as he says "doo-nut")Next year he'll be in kindergarten--woohoo!!
I finally braved the heat and organized the playhouse a little.It was over 100 degrees-I was a hot mess when I came back in .I brought a couple of full boxes inside and did the whole photograph,weigh, measure thing.Some of the more interesting items I listed include:

This vintage beaded & sequined owl Christmas ornament.It's really well made and is even beaded on the back.I did remove the wire ornament hanger at the top because it looked like it was starting to rust-I'll just add fishing line to hang.

This sweet vintage angel tree topper.I like that she's a redhead.She even has her original Montgomery Ward box.

This vintage set of sequin and felt Christmas ornaments based on the Cinderella story.See Prince Charming holding Cinderella's slipper?

And last but not least, a passel of these 10" vintage inflatable turkeys.Sold one within a couple of hours of listing-I've got 9 left.They remind me of WKRP-remember when someone decided to release live turkeys from a helicopter and were horrified to learn that turkeys couldn't fly?LOL
Did anyone notice a theme in my listing?Yeah, my holiday shelf is right by the door and it's what I could grab without extra effort(and sweating).

Thrifted Art

My oldest son took Visual Art last year and came home with a pretty thick portfolio of work.I've got to say, some of it is good.Really good.I asked him to pick out a couple and I'd frame them.This was in May and I finally found frames for the art today.

Found these at Goodwill for 50 cents each.I wasn't in a huge hurry because...

Yeah,I know. My son, the ar-teest,lol.Looks like Andy Warhol gone zombie apocolypse wrong.What can I say? He's a fifteen year old boy who loves video games and monsters.They're going up in his room by his computer.

I'm just glad I don't have to look at this face every day,lol.

My Thoughts About Chic-Fil-A Appreciation

Anybody heard about the whole Chic-Fil-A controversy?
Truett Cathey,the founder of Chic-Fil-A was interviewed by a Baptist magazine and he expressed his thoughts on marriage(between a man and woman). The gays didn't like what he said and wanted to boycott.Then the mayor of Boston said don't bring your restaurant to my city.Then Mike Huckabee stuck his nose in it and declared today Chic-Fil-A Appreciation Day and encouraged everyone to go to show support for the restaurant.It's a touchy subject for alot of people for alot of reasons.
So my husband came home from work last night and announced that we should go to ChickNflick(my nickname for the restaurant).I thought,'Oh hell no.'
My reasons include:
1)I don't get it.Why are gay people surprised by what Truett Cathey is saying?Hasn't he always represented himself as a Christian?His restaurants are closed EVERY Sunday and has promoted his values for years.It's like saying you're surprised that alligators will bite you if given the chance...or that Easter falls on a Sunday...or that we have to pay taxes every year.
2)Hey Boston mayor and Mike Huckabee, this protest/boycott/appreciation mess is not going to hurt ChicNflick one bit(so don't flatter yourselves).Have you all ever been to a Chic-Fil-A on a regular day??It's always busy...and I mean busy like there's a line of cars around the building every time I go there. Wanna know why? I don't think it's the values.It's those chicken sandwiches.They're dang delicious. Mmmm-So juicy,tender,seasoning just right(wiping the drool from my chin now).
I think Truett Cathey will be laughing all the way to the bank today.
3)I hate crowds.Just thinking about being crammed into that restaurant with all those people makes me want to break out in hives.Add a rambunctious four year old who doesn't listen into the mix and that's a migraine waiting to happen.Why in the world would I want to torture myself?

Man, now I'm jonesin' for a Chic-Fil-a chicken sandwich.They really are good.Maybe I'll go tomorrow when it's not so crowded.

Is it almost August already??

This summer has flown by.Where did the time go??Tomorrow is school registration for my two oldest kids;I've got one going into the 8th grade and one going into the 11th grade.School starts August 6th-the earliest I've ever remembered them starting.Craziness I tell you. At least now we're in line with all the Back-To-School sales.
With the big kids going back to school,that leaves me with the four year old at home.I wish we had the money to put him in preschool, but unless money starts falling out of the sky(Dollar bills, not change.That might hurt.) it's not going to happen.There is a preschool at the elementary school he'll be attending next year, but it's for special ed.I did, in fact, ask them 'How special does he have to be?' The answer was special as in he has a documented disability(Facebook didn't count as documented).They also said that they have a few regular kids in there to be a "good example" for the others.It was at that point I just gave up because out of all the kinds of examples there are in the world-I wouldn't say his was "good"(in fact,he leans more towards "horrible warning").It's not that he's a bad kid...he's just rambunctious...and independent...and mischievious...and curious.Like MacGyver, Evil Kenevil,and Dennis the Menace all rolled into one. So it's still up in the air, what I'll do with him during school.Hmm...maybe I can get his grandparents to chip in for Mother's Day Out as my Christmas present(something to think about).
I'm hoping with the big kids back in school, that means I can do more on Ebay.Honestly, though, it's not the kids stopping me-it's the heat.All of my inventory is located out in the un-air conditioned play house and I just can't bring myself to go get some work done.And ((whiny voice)) it's too hot.The temperature is supposed to top out at 102 today.102!!!((Groan))My sales have reflected this too. I've sold one thing in the past few days- a light bulb for a movie projector.

Bought this for $1.65.Sold for $19.99. I bought it because 1)I thought it was pretty and if it didn't sell I could make something "steampunkish" with it, and 2)I know any kind of projector bulbs can get expensive.My dad gets overhead and opaque projectors at the school auctions and when the bulb goes out,it's cheaper for him to buy another used projector than a new bulb.Seriously.

Gotta go- my four year old just picked a fight with the fifteen year old and I can't ignore it any longer.Sigh,this is my life.Entertaining thoughts of running away from home..or maybe I'll just go to Goodwill for a couple of hours.

New Opportunities

Sorry I've been gone so long...not that I've had alot to post about. My Ebay sales have been close to non-existant.Just abysmal.I'm trying not to take it personally since almost everyone's having a slump, but it's very discouraging.
I've been eating healthy and working out more since I've gotten the walking boot off my foot(down 18 pounds-woohoo!).The tendons still get pretty tender after I've been doing stuff all day,but it's way better than it was before.The doctor said that tendons are the slowest to heal-it could take up to six months.All I can do is make sure I wear my brace when working out, try not to overdo it,ibuprofin, elevate/ice at the end of the day.The workouts have been pretty intense,but I'm training for my black belt test in December.
I've also been busy with the kids just enjoying the summer.Karate, water fights, sleepovers, fireworks, museum,swimming,cookouts,driving lessons...we're on summer time.No school.No schedules.No tests(except for the Driver Permit test my 15 year old took).They're getting so big.

    How did I get to be the mother of two teenagers and a four year old?Weren't they just babies?
Onto the reason for my post...New Opportunities.As I said,my Ebay sales have been terrible.I've been selling some things for a friend lately and taking a commission.This friend happens to be an accountant for a firm that has several nursing homes.They've got a ton of equipment that they've just updated and now they've got several storage units of things like phone systems,servers,etc. that they want to sell.She said that the last phone system she bought for the company was $100,000.Her boss wanted to know if she knew anyone that sold stuff on Craigslist or Ebay.Ding, ding, ding!!! ME!!!She said I can do it at my own pace and set my own hours since it'll be a commission job.
It's still not set in stone yet, but hopefully this is something I can do.Fingers crossed and prayers said.

Sales This Week-June 16-22

This week I sold a grand total of two, count 'em 2 items.I know...the word "pitiful" comes to mind.
The first sale was this set of Hasbro softies plush Bert and Ernie-sold for $7.99.
The other sale was for a package of 50th birthday decorations-sold for $9.99.
See? I told you...pitiful.
I blame my ankle. With my foot in a boot(pulled some ligaments and a tendon while sparring at karate), I haven't felt like doing much, especially things that involve being on two feet.So all those treasures stayed out in the playhouse .. or the thrift store.
The ligaments feel much better now and even though it'll take a while longer for the tendon to get back to 100%, it no longer has that "Son of a B*#@&! That F**ing Hurts!!" kind of pain.
So this week it's back to listing.I guess the old adage is true.."The harder I work, the luckier I get."
Wishing everyone great sales(and no injuries).

Sales this Week-June 9-15

Holy crap, this week flew by. Between starting a new diet, taking the family to a water spray park, and karate, I feel like I've been running all week.
I've been reading "The Skinny Rules" by Bob Harper(you know, the trainer from The Biggest Loser) and have been following his diet plan since Monday.It's a good read-there are sound principles behind his "rules" and I have to say, not the hardest diet I've ever tried. I still miss butter...and salt...and potatoes...but my hips sure don't.I've lost 6 pounds since starting-6 pounds people!
I rolled my ankle Wednesday night while sparring.I was kicking someone and when I went to land on my right foot, I felt my toes roll under and I landed on my ankle.Ouch!! Thank goodness no bones broken, but I pulled some ligaments and a tendon.That means three weeks in a boot, then the doctor said I'd go to a brace.Normally, I'd just wrap it up myself and deal with the pain, but since I'm testing for black belt in December I didn't want to take a chance on making it worse.I hate wearing that stupid boot(especially in 90 degree weather-sweat city) and missing karate, I'm trying to stay positive by focusing on my diet.
Ok, enough about that...onto the sales!
This week I sold 11 items on Ebay for a total of $226.79.

Little Einsteins Rocket-not the one that brings alot of money,but still worth it to pick up if you can get it cheap enough.This one was missing a few pieces, so I added Annie. Sold for $19.99.

A Thomas and Friends blue trackmaster set(this is not all of it).I had it photographed and ready to list a long time ago, but a certain four year old decided to help himself to some of the pieces.So I had to gather everything up and photograph it again.This time, however, I took blue painter's tape and bundled the pieces and numbered them.It made it alot easier when it came time to ship too.Sold for $50.00.

This is a bunch of needlepoint wool that was in a bag with a kit that I bought for a $1.00.The kit hasn't sold yet, but this lot of yarn sold for $20.09.Did I mention I love selling yarn?

Sold this Megalodon tooth for a friend.I think a Megalodon was a dinosaur shark, all I know for sure is I'm glad they're extinct.Look at that tooth! Yikes! Sold for $48.63

Sold this vintage Fisher Price Little People set for $31.00.I could've gotten more,but I only paid $4.99 so I'm happy.Am I the only person who hears the cash register sound in my head whenever I get my hands on vintage Little People?
I also sold two vintage paint by number paintings that were not in the best shape($9.99),a lot of two Blue's Clues toys($15.99),a camera($9.99),a vintage toy car($12.34),two Barney toys($7.78),and some Mickey Mouse Magic Choo Choo Replacement tracks(.99).
Hope everyone has an awesome week.

This Weeks Sales: June 2-8

I had 11 Ebay sales this week. Not to great, but I made up for it in stuff I found. I stopped at a thrift store that happened to have a half off the entire store-it was awesome! I walked out of there with a huge box and a huge bag full of stuff and only spent $14.82 (one of the items was a Kosta Boda crystal candle holder that'll pay for the whole trip).
This week I sold:

This lot of My Scene boy dolls for $49.99. I had bought these in a bag with 5 more regular Ken dolls for $15.99.Sold the Ken dolls for $15.99 so this was profit-Yippee!!

A pair of vintage cat eye sunglasses.Paid: .50 cents(Seriously,why isn't there a cents sign on the keyboard?) Sold for $25.00.

A Poloroid sx-70 Land Camera with Leather Case.Listed this on consignment for someone.Sold for $75.00 + shipping.Also sold a little 16mm spy camera with flash for $9.99 for her.I have a couple of more things that are up for auction that are hers,then I'm done.I don't mind consignment work for friends,but I like selling my own stuff better.
Other things I sold:
Barbie Doctor Accessories-99 cents
Pair of My Scene swim shorts-99 cents
Lot of Barbie doll clothes-$13.00
Casserole dish-$4.99(had this for a while.GoodBye)
NWT Liz Claiborne pants-$12.99
Lot of Barbie shoes-$4.50
Another lot of 6 smocking magazines-$14.99(that $3.00 box keeps on giving.One lot left to sell)

And now for this weeks WTF?! Ebay sale (at least for my husband anyway).I saw this ceramic cookie jar at Goodwill and snatched it as soon as they put it out because I knew it would sell. My husband took one look at it and said,"That is the ugliest thing I ever saw."(Name that movie)

Front side

Back side

Bought it for $2.99.Sold within 2 hours of listing it for $19.99(I think I could've asked for more).The best part: the "I Told You So" dance I did in front of my husband(it involves much pointing and shimmying,lol).

Hoping everyone great sales in the next week!!

Woohoo!! 200!

I looked this morning and saw that I have 200 feedbacks on Ebay.I know it's not a big deal for some people,but it makes me feel like awesomesauce. You see, I don't chase people down after they buy something whining,"Hey you didn't leave me feedback!" I feel if I've done a good enough job,then the feedback will come.Build it and they will come(Quick-name that movie!). On to 300 and more!!

PS-Answer: Field of Dreams

PPS-Speaking of Kevin Costner,did anyone see "The Hatfields and McCoys" miniseries?I recommend it.It was fantastic!Some of those people were cray cray-it was like watching a train wreck.

The Spoils of Thrift

Got some great deals-not so much at yard sales, but Goodwill and a thrift store that was having a half off sale.My favorite find was the church plate-it's the same church I grew up at and my parents still attend.Now to get it listed.

Well, it WAS New In Package

Went to Bargain Barn on Friday and saw a new in package WonderPets FlyBoat that talks and has all three figures.The cashier said,"WalMart donated a bunch of stuff-they probably cleaned out their whole clearance aisle."It was priced $4.00-I couldn't get it in my hot little hands fast enough.I thought,'I'm totally saving this for November to sell right before Christmas.CHA-CHING!'
I walked into the living room today to find a WonderPets package all torn up and an unnamed 4 year old playing with a FlyBoat.

AArrrrgh!!! Seriously??!?!I'm still totally selling it, but geez.
Note to self: If I want something to stay NIP, then I need to find a better hiding place...and lock it...and don't show Nathan where I keep the keys.

Sales This Week- May 26-June 1

Not a ton of sales this week, but I did sell some things that were taking up valuable space in my playhouse(which is now clean and organized-woohoo!!).
I finally got around to listing the yarn and crochet thread I've been hoarding collecting. Good yarn is something I'm always on the lookout for because a)it's easy to sell and b)it's easy to ship.

                                            Lot of Metallic Crochet Thread-Sold for $15.50

                                            Lot of Colored Crochet Thread-Sold for $9.99

                                                      Lot of Baby Yarn-Sold for $13.50Sold a couple of other mixed lots of yarn for .99 and $3.48(really just want to get those two out of here).Points to remember when buying yarn to resell: 1)Look for natural fibers(wool,silk,cashmere,alpaca,bamboo,cotton,etc.) 2)Look for big lots of the same color.This means someone can actually complete a project without worrying whether they can find some more. 3)Don't buy stuff you can get at Walmart.Look for stuff that's hard to find..like the colored crochet thread.
I get alot of my yarn at Bargain Barn(Goodwill Outlet) really cheap because the people working there want it out of there.They don't like it when the yarn is pulled out all over the place, tangled with the other stuff in the bins.

Also sold this week:
*Lot of 6 Smocking Magazines for $14.99(that $3 box keeps on giving)
*2 Sewing patterns for $2.99 each
*Lot of 5 Ken and Friends dolls for $15.99
*Vintage Embroidery kit for $15.99
*Vintage satin dress for $10.00
*80's gold mesh purse for $14.99
*Lot of Bratz shoes/purses for $7.99
*Coleman Power Supply Plug for $29.99(this was a Christmas gift to my husband from his boss-it plugs into a cooler...that we don't have.LOL)

And now for this week's WTF?! sale item.

That is a sealed in package long handled Gatorade spoon-made to mix up the sports drink in those big coolers.It came in a lot I had bought at an auction.When my husband saw me photographing it, he didn't think it was going to sell. He said,"They used to give us a spoon whenever we bought a big case of powder."I threw it on Ebay in the same category as the coolers and it sold a couple of days later for $5.99(Dang it, should have asked more for it,lol).Now where can I get my hands on some more Gatorade spoons?

Hope everyone has a great productive week!!

I can check that off my list

Remember this?

I've been working reaaallly hard-listing, selling, purging, organizing...and now it looks like this!!

What really helped the most were these cabinets with the doors.A friend of mine was saying she was going to have to put them in storage since she didn't need them in her house anymore.The same friend wants me to list some records for her. I've traded listing for the cabinets(there's another not in the picture).I feel like it's a great deal for both of us-she's not paying to store them(plus I'm listing some records for her) and I've got these like new cabinets(she used them to store VHS movies).
I'm so happy..I've got all like toys together(no missing pieces from a sticky finger 4 year old) and I know where everything is stored. Now time to get listing.

Red, White, & Blue Wreath

I'm pretty sure my Momma bought this trim in 1976 (remember the Bicentennial?) to use on some sewing project that never happened.Fast forward to 2012, these trims were in a box sent home with me. Since the Olympics are this summer plus all the patriotic holidays,I made this red/white/blue wreath for the front door. The best part-I used stuff I already had so it was FREE.

I had a straw wreath already wrapped in silver tinsel garland (I was going to make an ornament wreath for Christmas and didn't get around to it).I briefly thought about taking the garland off, but I didn't want to see the straw.The red, white , and blue flowers were a trim I cut into individual pieces and hot glued on.After attaching the flowers,I made the bow from some embroidered vinyl. I feel like it needs something else like fireworks, but I'm setting perfectionism aside and calling it done.
What do you all think?

Goodwill Finds-A good man is expensive

You know how some days just feel longer than others?Friday was that day for me.Scott had taken the big kids so that my oldest could test for his learner's permit and I had the four year old with me doing errands and stuff.When we finally did get back together, it was across town to pick up my car from the shop.By the time we all got home, I needed a little break so I headed over to Goodwill.
I was in there earlier that day with Nathan, but didn't find anything.I rechecked the toys and found a taped up bag containing these.

The price? $15.99-more than I have ever spent on dolls at a thrift store,but I thought the top five were Bratz boyz and knew they sold well.They also had a ton of Barbie and Bratz dolls also taped up in bags @ $7.99 a bag.I got home and figured out that those aren't Bratz, but rather Barbie My Scene dolls and they sell really well too.I've got them and the Ken and Friends lot already listed. I also got two bags of Barbie shoes, clothes, & accessories for $5.99 each-got that stuff photographed, just need to list it.