Howdy! Before we get started, you might want to grab a cup of coffee or a glass of wine here, as I tend to ramble a bit...First of all, let me tell you a little bit about the reason for this blog in the first place. You see, I have another blog called, "365 Days Of The Year." Four years ago, I started it as a challenge to post a photo a day on it for a year, and I did! When my year was up, I thought I could just drop it, but I found I missed it. So, instead of the pressure of taking a "picture worthy picture" every day, I just started to post random thoughts and stories of my family and friends, with an occasional picture. After each year, I would have the entire year made into a hard cover book, to some day give to our son Landon. I also have a handbag business that I do on the side from my full time childcare business. Occasionally, I would post on my blog, things about purses or shows/expos that I was doing and it just didn't feel right. It was business and my blog was for family, friends, and my place to go to vent or just tell my little stories. I would also post a bit about business on facebook and that didn't feel right either. Now, I have started to dip my toes in a little crafty stuff. Nothing major, but a little something here and there and I needed a place to put it along with my purses that felt right. That place is here. Here I will post things about purses, re-purposing, flea marketing, or maybe just take you along on a few road trips with me. Wherever it takes us, I hope the trip is as much fun for you as it is for me. Ready to ride?



If you would like to send a comment/question, shoot me an email at: tdsiegel@hotmail.com



If you would like to check out my other blog, here is the link:
http://www.desireesiegel.blogspot.com/

If you would like to check out my purse blog, here is the link:
http://www.desireeschicanduniquehandbags.blogspot.com/

I know. I know. The length of that purse site link is insane! But, when I created it, I couldn't think of anything short and cute that wasn't already taken, like... "The Swedish Cowgirl." Ha! By the way, I am 1/2 Swedish. On the other side it's a bit Heinz 57. English, Dutch, German, Irish, Chinese and Indian! My dad's side was the wild side! So, it is what it is. I am what I am.

You can also check out my facebook page, at:
https://www.facebook.com/TheSwedishCowgirl?fref=ts#!/TheSwedishCowgirl?fref=ts

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Bling, Baby!

Last summer I repurposed a picture frame by making it into a chalkboard. Sadly it never found a home. I think I figured out what the problem was though. It just need a little bling to make it sing!




Sunday, October 28, 2012

I Get By With A Little Help From My (Furry) Friends

 
I spotted this picture on PINTEREST last summer,
and since I have a few of these babies tucked away
in my junk shed, I thought I would try my hand
at my version of one.
 
 
 
I painted a light blue/green color all over, distressed it a bit,
sealed it and then and free hand styled a little
chalkboard paint in the middle.
(Santa is bringing me a new camera for Christmas!
I promise my pictures WILL get better!)
 
 
View from the top.
 
 
It wasn't long before Clyde decided to check it out.
He seemed to like the quilt.
His foot isn't broken. He was just born with
a funny looking twisted foot. Doesn't bother him at all.
Or me.
 
 
And then we have Lucky, who can't be left out of anything.
He thought the quilt was o.k., but the raffia tied on top
was the cat's meow!!
 
 
 
And then we have Chloe.
She's fast and skitterish.
I rarely get a good picture of her.
 
 
She liked the "behind the scenes" scenery.
 
I was going to put this little suitcase in my Etsy store,
(It's coming soon! I promise. It's just a long work in progress.)
but I think I'm gonna take it along to the
Wheaton Craft Fair.
See you there next Saturday from 9-3!
 
 
 

Friday, October 26, 2012

Squeal Worthy

I have a few favorite blogs that I follow, and once in a while they will throw out a give away contest. I love those contests. I've only entered a few, but I actually won two of them! The first time, I won a beautiful enamel house number. I am so sorry that I can't remember who the Blogger or sponsor of the house number was, as it was so long ago. The ol' brain just ain't what it used to be. (The house number was too pretty to hang on our ol' house, so it sits on my "favorite things" shelf.)  I also won a box full of Command brand hanging hooks from, "My Repurposed Life." It was so exciting to win those contests, that now when I see one, it's all I can do not to squeal like a little baby pig! Tonight, I was catching up on my reading and came across this beautiful brass crown giveaway by Miss Mustard Seed and Decor Steals. Man O' Man....it is just stunning. The contest ends in five hours, so it might be too late to enter by the time ya'll read this, but I'm gonna share it here anyway. Here is the link:

http://missmustardseed.com/2012/10/mms-decor-steals-pick-of-the-month-giveaway/

and here's the crown.


 
It's o.k. if you squeal too.
It just can't be helped sometimes.






Monday, October 22, 2012

Who's The King Of Delivery?


I have been ordering purses like crazy to gear up for the big Wheaton Craft Fair, so my UPS and Fed Ex guys are getting quite the workout. Normally, when the UPS/FED EX  guys drop off my packages, they just open the door and set them inside. I have told them to do this, as the dc kids and I are usually on the other end of the house, and there's really no reason for me to be there. If I know both of them are going to be making deliveries, I move the boxes out of the way after the first drop off to make room for the next guy. Today the first guy to drop off just left one small box. (I won't say who, to protect their innocence. ha!)  So I didn't bother to move it. I just left it there. While I was serving the dc kids dinner, I heard the next guy arrive, but I just kept on with the dinner service. After I got everyone fed, cleaned up and in bed for their naps, I went to check out my goodies. Well....this actually made me laugh. Guess one of those guys wants me to know who's KING of the deliveries! I'm just glad my little box on the bottom didn't have any breakables in it!





Hmmmm....



 
I think I'm getting warmer...
 
 


Friday, October 19, 2012

It's All In The Details, Baby!

Sometimes the purse pictures posted on my purse site just don't do the pictures justice. They miss the little details that are so important. Like these...

 
This is purse #1144 on my purse site.
Check out the clasp on this beauty!
 
 
This is purse #1149 on my purse site.
Look at all the treasures tucked inside here!
And those diamond roses?
Sweet!!
 
 
This is purse #1152 on my purse site.
It's all in the details, baby!
 
I love vintage inspired purses. These were so unexpectedly
sweet, that I might just have to order all of them again.
For me!!
 
 
 








Wednesday, October 17, 2012

The Purse Fairy!


 
Today two of my dc (Daycare) girls thought the purse fairy had arrived! (It was just the UPS guy.) They were a little upset when they found out the purses weren't for dc.



 
But all was well once again, once they found out I was going to let them play with all the boxes!
P.S.
The little girl in the orange is wearing one of our dc "how to train your dragon" costumes.
Just thought her mom would like you all to know she didn't dress her that way today!
 



Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Wheaton Craft Fair Rocks!

I think the best way to kick off this blog is to tell you about the best crafts/gifts/accessories/home decor/you name it/craft fair/show in the whole wide world! Well, it's the best craft fair in Minnesota. (In my opinion anyway.) It happens on The first Saturday in November every year, at the Wheaton High School from 9 A.M. to 3: P.M. It's huge! The commons area and the hallways are filled to the gills, and tucked way back in the corner at the end of the west wing/hallway, is my room. My purse and now re-purposed/junkin'/fun stuff room. Trust me you won't want to miss this one! Here is a "partial" shot of my room and I last year. There are tons more purses on either side of me that wouldn't fit in the picture and I have been working hard to make sure there are even more this year!! See you at the Wheaton Craft fair!!



 
In case you missed the link at the top of the blog....
 
Go here to see some of the purses I will be bringing:
 
 
I have purses arriving daily right up until the day before the show,
so not all of them will make it onto the purse blog.
You will just have to come to the show to see the rest!!
Trust me. It's gonna be a good one.
 
 


On The Ol' Skating Pond

O.k., so I have this older than dirt... Oops. I mean,"Vintage" (I've gotta remember to use my "cool" words!) sled and pair of ice skates. I've been trying to think what I could do with it them for a while now. I originally wanted to keep them, (like I do all the cool junk I come across!) but I decided to part with them and sell them at the Wheaton Craft Fair in November. So, today while the kids were napping, (I have 10 day care kids that come to visit me almost everyday!)I drug out the sled and ice skates and this is the first thought in progress that happened.

 
Naked.
 
.
 
 
All dressed up.
 
I hate it. I really do. I had some pine cones that I had painted and a string of green garland with mini pine scones that hung from it. So, I threw it up there with a few glitter snowflakes. It looks like the sled threw up. I know the picture is the pits, but I had to take it fast and couldn't be picky as I wanted to get this posted before the kids wake up. I think I need to paint the skates white, as they just seem to get lost in the whole thing. So, it's back to the drawing board. Why am I even showing you this, if I hate it? Because when you come to the craft fair in November and see the final fantastic version, you will be so impressed! Ha!
 
P.S.
I will be posting a few junk tibbets and a few new handbags, that will be at the craft fair. However, while I will be happy to sell you a purse at any time, in all fairness to everyone, the junky stuff will not be sold early or held. You will just have to show up early and it will be on a first come, first serve basis. Yee haw! Let the madness begin!