Category Archives: etc.

etc.

Southwest Road Trip: Petrified Forest National Park

July 13, 2012

I’m not sure if normal people visit the Petrified Forest National Park, but we did, and I’m really glad we did actually.  Lon’s dad, our rock hound, needed to see this place in person.  Visiting the Petrified Forest is like, well in his own words “a taste of heaven”.  I’m not sure Lon’s mom agrees with this or is hoping for the same heaven.  Hers is more of a tropical Maui type heaven.  All joking aside, it really was an amazing place to visit.  The colors of these, once living trees, rocks are spectacular.  The actual trunks of these trees are almost unreal in size.

Above left: petrified wood Above right: the painted dessert
Below: Olivia on a piece of petrified wood

etc.

Thrifting Thursday: Santa Fe Flea Market

July 12, 2012

So, if you are regular reader, I’m sure you’ve noticed that we have been on a road trip of the Southwest.  Our, first stop was the Grand Canyon.  And now since it’s Thursday, I’m going to jump over to our time in Santa Fe and share my visit to the Santa Fe Flea.

I’m a sucker for a Flea Market, and Santa Fe’s was a lot of fun.  It was small and quaint, but just the right size for a wonder around.  The venders were all VERY friendly and gladly talked about there wheres.  If you compare it’s size to the Pasadena Flea Market, it’s only about 3 aisles of that one.  But, I’m on vacation and space in the car is limited.

I was hoping to see some great Southwest antiques and vintage items, and I wasn’t disappointed.  I just can’t get enough of all the great silver and turquoise jewelry.  And the Santa Fe Flea had both new and antique pieces.  I fell in love with Turquoise, Julienne Barth’s booth that sold vintage SW rugs, cowboy boots, leather belts and her own handcrafted silver and turquoise jewelry.  Besides being some of the most modern and fantastic jewelry I’ve ever seen, each of her jewelry pieces is unique and no two are alike.  We visited for quite awhile and she generously shared her techniques, what mines she got her turquoise from, and some great information on buying good quality turquoise.  She made beautiful leather cuffs with large turquoise pendants, beautifully crafted rings and turquoise charms.  It was very hard for me to walk away without a piece of her stunning jewelry.

I bought just two little vintage metal florist frogs.  They were an excellent price at just $2 a piece (they are usually about $10 or more at the Pasadena Flea Market).  I think they will come in quite handy.

Do you have a favorite or local Flea Market that you love?  Leave a comment and share with other thrifters where you flea.

These are some of the things I wanted to take home from the Santa Fe Flea.  Is there something in these pictures that catches your eye and interest?

etc.

Southwest Road Trip: The Grand Canyon

July 9, 2012

If you have been following Oleander and Palm’s Facebook or my Instagram (jeranmcconnel), you will have noticed we are on a summer road trip through the Southwest.  We started out trip with the amazing Grand Canyon.  We met Lon’s parents there and have been enjoying this adventure with them.
  
 
I love how the Grand Canyon changes color constantly during a 24 hour period.  We did a fantastic 6 miles hike along the canyon rim early one morning.  We started at Hermit’s Rest and beat the heat and the crowds.  What a truly amazing place this is.  
Have you visited this amazing place?  What adventures are you up to this summer?

etc.

Canada Day Bunting

July 1, 2012

Happy Canada Day!  I wanted to share a quick bunting a whipped up, in no time at all, to bring a little Canuck cheer to my home.

I think I’ve been feeling homesick for Canada lately.  Now that my parents no longer live in Alberta (they have migrated down to Cali), I just haven’t been up to Canada in so long.  I love that I am born Canadian and proud that I have Canadian roots.

I had fun on pinterest one evening, pinning all kinds of clever ideas for Canada Day fun.

But, this bunting by Simple As That (via) was so dang cute, I just had to make it.   I hope you go check out Rebecca’s adorable blog.

Don’t fret my American friends, I have a quick bunting you can make for the 4th as well.  Are you patriotic?  Do you embrace your Nation’s holidays and special days?  Or are they easily overlooked?  I feel so privileged to be from two blessed Nations (Canada and The United States) and I love an excuse to throw a party.

etc.

The Redwoods

June 29, 2012

I mentioned yesterday that we spent the last 2 weeks at my parent’s.  They live in Eureka, CA.  It is at the tippy top of California and right on the coast.  We were able to sneak in a couple hikes in the Redwoods. They are magical – I really can’t think of any other way to describe them.

Here are a few shots from our hike through Lady Bird Johnson Grove.

It’s National Camera Day!  I can’t go anywhere without my camera.  Do you feel the same way?  I get so much enjoyment out of capturing sights and people with my camera.  I think if I was to go on vacation without my camera, I’d have to buy a new one before I could enjoy my trip fully.  Taking pictures and eating are me two favorite things to do when I travel.  Do you love taking pictures as much as I do?  

etc.

Thrifting Thursday: American Pottery

June 22, 2012

I love thrifting and antiquing in Northern California.  I’m up visiting my parents in Eureka.  I slipped away for just a couple minutes today and visited one of my favorite over crowded, super dusty antique shops, Old Town Antiques.  I picked up this fun grey ceramic pitcher.  I’m not sure if it’s really Russel Wright Pottery, but the shop owner said it was one of his pieces from the 50’s.  Whether it’s American Pottery or not, I’m happy with it either way.  It’s a cute shape and the perfect color.

The shop owner wanted $22 for it, I offered $18 and he took it without a question.  I just doesn’t hurt to ask.

I also got this bottle for $2.99 at a local thrift shop.  It will be a great simple vase for a flower or two.

etc.

Grey and Yellow Bathroom Redo

June 21, 2012

So, here’s a look at my bathroom redo that I did a couple weeks ago.  I shared my grey and yellow inspiration and the laminate cabinet I painted.  I finally took our main bathroom for beige and dated to grey and modern. 
I took a big risk (well it’s not that big of a risk), but I painted all the bead board, chair rail and walls grey.  I feel like it gives the room a much more modern look and feel.   
I added new towels and a rug from Target.
And I found some great storage at Homegoods and a new mirror from Lowes.  
This is the paint color I used.

Take a look back at the old bathroom, and let me know if you like the improvements I’ve made.  

etc.

Travel Quotes

June 16, 2012

Men are just plain hard to buy gifts for, and my man might be one of the worst.  He really doesn’t think he needs anything at all and is totally happy that way.  The one thing he does really love is travel.  So, for his birthday this year, I made him these three travel quote prints.

I framed these together in one frame with a simple white mat board.  (Available at Aaron Brothers).
We hung it in our bathroom.  Now I love this bathroom even more.

He already had the travel bug pretty bad, and I don’t think seeing these everyday is going to help the situation.

Are these prints something you would like to see on my etsy shop?  Do you have the travel bug and see the truth in these quotes?

etc.

Thrifting Thursday: Metal File Boxes

June 14, 2012

The Human Society Thrift Shop, just down the street from my house, wins again.  I picked up these two vintage metal file boxes there for $1 each.  I love all things metal or industrial looking these days.  And anything to make my life a little more organized, makes me even happier.  Can’t really complain about their paint jobs either, green and grey – they were meant to be mine.

Way back when I first started my blog, I shared a way to organize your kid’s school memories, awards and projects.  Now I can give each of my kids there own box of memories.  Plus, the one file box for 2 kids was not going to cut it much longer.

How do you organize and store your kids special school mementos?  I’m definitely more of a thrower, but I know there are some very special things that should be saved.  Are you a thrower or a saver?

etc.

DIY Mix and Match Pattern Napkins

June 13, 2012

So, this is what I whipped up Sunday afternoon.  I’m one of those weird people who likes to have a little project in order to relax.  Don’t get me wrong, a nap is nice, but I find a finished product more satisfying.  I had done cleaning, laundry, and cooking all day Saturday and just felt like I needed to make something for a change in pace.

I love to use cloth napkins.  There is something about them that makes dinner just a little more special.  I’ve been wanting some new napkins, something graphic and and great for casual events.  I love mixing and matching patterns, and napkins are a perfect way to do this.  I’ve had these 3 fabrics for a while now, just waiting to use them is some fun way.

To make a set of 6 napkins, you will need 1/2 yard each of 3 patterns.  Wash and dry the fabric before you cut it (you don’t want it shrinking on you after you cut and sew it).  Use a rotary cutter and mat for best results and cut two 18″ squares from each piece of fabric.

Using an iron fold over the helms one side of the napkin at a time.  Fold over 1/4″, iron and then fold over again another 1/4″ and iron.  I didn’t do anything fancy of the corner.  And then I just simply sewed all the way around the napkins, being sure to backstitch a couple times on the corners to keep the secure and in place.

Really a set of six is not going to be enough for when I’m entertaining.  So, I’ll be on the look out for other graphic black and ivory cotton patterns to add to this set.

Making mix and match pattern napkins leaves you with endless possibilities.  Think of all the patterns and colors out there.  Do you like mixing patterns?  Does this seem like a sewing project you might attempt?