Yay, You! Graduation Party Theme

The book we used for the theme of my son's graduation party was Yay, You! by Sandra Boynton. It is a fun book and we used excerpts from it in almost everything we did ...

the cake

the table decorations

the envelope box and the invitations (sorry no pix of the invites).

The most fun was trying to grow the grass for the table decorations. We planted the grass in cut off plastic cups a month ahead of time. The grass began growing after 3 days. After several hair cuts it wasn't looking too good. We pitched it and planted more about 10 days before the party. We let it grow and didn't give it a hair cut until the night before the party and it looked wonderful!

The highlight of the party was the chocolate fountain. To dunk in the chocolate, we served strawberries, maraschino cherries, marshmallows, wafer cookies, pretzels, caramels, and cream puffs.

The weather was beautiful and a great time was had by all!

Graduation Party Themes - Dr. Seuss

We are preparing for my son's graduation party which is tomorrow (lots of prayers that the rain either comes before or after the party) and we are into themes. Two years ago we used Dr. Seuss's, "Oh, The Places You'll Go!". Well, we didn't want to use the same theme this year so we searched for a book to base the party on and thanks to the Books for Graduates list on the Barnes & Noble site we found one. But you have to wait until after the party to find out what book we picked.

Here are some pictures from my daughter's, "Oh, The Places You'll Go!" graduation party.

We used excerpts from the book everywhere ... it is really a great book for a graduate. Here is the cake, "Today is your day. You're off to Great Places! You're off and away!". The bowls above are toppings for ice cream!




The basket for cards was set up to look like a hot air balloon with a card on it that read, "You'll be on your way up! You'll be seeing great sights! You'll join the high fliers who soar to high heights." The book was also at this table for friends and family to view.



The tablecloths, napkins, and plates were orange, pink, lime green, yellow, and blue.









Each table had a tent card made out of colored popsicle sticks with a different excerpt from the book on both the front and back.We also made the invitations (sorry-no picture) that we sent out and you guessed it ... there was an excerpt from the book on it. My daughter and I had a lot of fun making the invitations, table decorations, card basket, and just being creative together. It was a great day ... lots of family, friend, food and fun.

VintageTreasures4U and Remnants From The Past right in my backyard

I've found vintage jewelry in my backyard ... Judi from Wabash, IN is a vintage costume jewelry collector who enjoys the hunt as much as being able to pass the pieces on to others to enjoy. I can relate when she says, "The best part is the hunt and finding that special treasure that makes your heart beat a bit faster". I get that same feeling when I attend an auction and start bidding on an item that I want.

Judi sells her vintage costume jewelry in several online venues. You can visit her Ruby Lane store, Remnants From The Past where you will find vintage costume jewelry both signed and unsigned. You might find designer names such as Trifari, Coro, Lisner, Goldette, or Coventry. Here, Judi offers free shipping on jewelry purchases over $30.

This Vintage Poodle Brooch with Faux Pearls is one of the fun-est pieces I've seen in a while and I found it at Remnants From The Past.




Judi also sells her jewelry on Etsy at her store VintageTreasures4U. At this store you might also find, as Judi calls them, 'vintage treasures' other than jewelry.

And she is right ... look at this vintage treasure I found, Vintage Comb with Rhinestones and Enameling. I've never seen one as lovely as this.




She also has some very gorgeous jewelry sets, like this Demi Teal and Blue Rhinestone Brooch and Earring Set. I love the way it sparkles.



Judy is also a member of the Vintage Village.

Shop with confidence at Allison's Antiques & Vintage Jewelry

Just stopped in at Alison's Antiques & Vintage Jewelry at Ruby Lane where you can find a lot of vintage jewelry but also a variety of clothing, glass, porcelain, and various collectibles.

I found this lovely vintage Heart Shaped Sterling Silver Pill Box that was acquired from an estate sale ... beautiful piece from the past.

Allison's Antiques and Vintage Jewelry has a platinum shop rating which means she's sold over 1000 items. Right now she has reduced the price on over 100 items.


For those of us still celebrating the 4th of July what about this Pell Patriotic Rhinestone Flag Brooch.


If you don't find what you're looking for here then stop on over at Alison's Etsy store, AntiqueAli's Vintage Treasures where she has another large selection of vintage/designer jewelry. This store has been featured in the Facebook "Wall of Jewels".


This 40's Sterling Silver Green Rhinestone Flower Brooch reminds me of one my grandmother use to have ... it is truly stunning.




You can also visit Alison at the Vintage Village ... tell her that Endless Collectabilities sent you!

Oodles of Vintage Jewelry at 'Purple Daisy Jewelry'

Sue, from Purple Daisy Jewelry, says, "If your taste is an eclectic one you should enjoy browsing thru my selection of vintage jewelry in great wearable condition and at affordable prices". Sue is Texas born and bred and even though when she was 12 her mother started selling jewelry, Sue didn't get the bug until after she was married and had children. Her and her mother then spent countless hours sharing the passion of jewelry, going on jewelry hunts and discussing their finds.

Purple Daisy Jewelry on Etsy is busting at the seams. She has vintage rings, bracelets, earrings, necklaces, brooches, charms, crosses, and jewelry sets. So much to choose from!


Check out this Nodell 12K Goldfilled Cross Necklace Pendant from the 70's. It is beautiful with the goldtone box chain.






I just love vintage rhinestones ... look at this vintage molded glass pale pink rhinestone brooch ... it is truly stunning!







If you didn't get enough vintage jewelry at her etsy store, try her Purple Daisy Jewelry on Ecrater. Here Sue sells Vintage, Antique, Sterling, Costume, New and Gently Used jewelry.


I fell in love with this Crystal Bead Expansion Bracelet with silvertone metal and aurora borealis finished crystals. Look at the way it sparkles and shines ... lovely.





Sue is living her dream! Her goal is to continue bringing customers great jewelry at great prices but most importantly, she wants you to leave you smiling (which she symbolizes in her very cute avatar - the smiling purple daisy)! You can also visit Sue at the Vintage Village.

Happy 4th of July

Happy Birthday America!

Relax and enjoy the holiday no matter what you do ... friends, family, fireworks, picnic, parade, BBQ, or beach. Just don't forget to take a moment to remember the people who have fought to keep our country free.

Speaking of picnics do you have a favorite recipe to share? I made this Acini Fruit Salad for the first time and it is a wonderful picnic recipe because it makes a lot.

Cook 16oz of acini de pepe pasta the night before the picnic. After you drain it and it's cool break it up with a fork so there are no clumps. Drain 1 can of pineapple tidbits and save the juice. Whisk the pineapple juice, 2 eggs, 2 T. of flour, 1 1/2 cups of sugar, and 1 tsp. of salt together in a sauce pan and bring to a boil. Simmer until thick. Pour over the cooled pasta, mix well and refrigerate over night. The next day, add drained pineapple, 3 tall cans of drained mandarin oranges, and 16 oz of cool whip. Mix well and refrigerate. You can also add maraschino cherries, sliced fresh strawberries or any other fruit you would like

So whatever you do this 4th of July have fun and stay safe!

Camelot Glass and Collectibles

Looking for Carnival, Vaseline, Opalescent, Depression, or Art Pottery? Look no further ... Camelot Glass and Collectibles on Etsy just may have what you're looking for. Glenda is a long time haunter of auctions, flea markets and second hand shops. She deals primarily in vintage glassware but don't be surprised if you see metalware, vintage accessories, figurines, or plates in her store.

Glenda is also a power seller on ebay as Camelot300. Visit her shop there and you can sign up to receive her newsletter.

I have found several pretty pieces that would look good in my house. This Lord Nelson China Blue Pansy Chintz Teapot is just adorable. Glenda has it up for auction ... don't let this one slip by ... only 3 1/2 days left.



Another Chintz piece, this Lord Nelson Marina Chintz Underplate is also up for auction and also only has 3 1/2 days left. I am falling in love with Chintz .... it is amazingly adorable.






If you are not the auction type then look what I found at Glenda's etsy store, this beautiful green Depression Vaseline bowl in the Georgia (Lovebird) pattern.


Have you also noticed that Glenda takes wonderful pictures? You can also visit Glenda on the Vintage Village.

Vintage4U, AllButtons, and AllPatterns on Etsy

I began my title with just Vintage4U on Etsy but I soon found out, Elaine actually has 4 online stores:

Vintage4U on Etsy where she specializes in antique and vintage toys, paper, supplies and treasures. Elaine believes (and I have to agree) that there are so many wonderful things from the past that just can't be replaced with today's modern items.

AllButtons on Etsy where she sells antique and vintage buttons. She loves the many styles and colors and it facinates her to see how the buttons have changed over the years.

AllPatterns on Etsy where she sells 100's of different patterns from many decades by many makers and for many styles. Many of the patterns for sale were never used and most of the ones that were cut have been very carefully done and are neatly folded and placed back into the envelope.

Timeless Treasures Antiques and Collectibles on Ruby Lane where she sells a variety of antiques and collectibles.

Elaine was an antique appraiser and sold antiques and collectibles for over 20 years. She's a very interesting lady and I found that I have some things in common with her. She loves contemporary christian music and I really could relate to her blog entry How I Learned to Conserve and Survive on her blog, Treasure It Always. I too love contemporary christian music, am a saver and big time coupon user.

I have to say that she has many wonderful items for sale. This vintage sewing notions collections is one of my favorites because there is something special about old sewing notions. I had some vintage sewing notions that I used to decorate a wreath. Elaine suggests making a shadowbox out of them which would also look good adorning the wall of a sewing room.

You can also find Elaine at the Vintage Village.