...out like a Lion!

Just when I thought that my 'stuffing karma' had frozen over for the Winter, and all had been calm as a Lamb for far too long... When I was beginning to think that all I would be left with until the Spring thaw were crafts and 'clean-out' projects...

L.A.R.G.E. red ice cube Sparkling in the deceptive sun.  Frozen with silver garland in a Candy Mold... just HOPING it will melt SOON!!!!

The Thrifts came through in a BIG way for me last week!!

Cashier at my fav Thrift: "You're buying those Ugly Coasters??!  That's gonna cost you a Quarter you know!!"

I just had to laugh at her, 'cause I knew what the little tag on the back said!

 Then a few mugs caught my attention.  As an Interior Designer of the 80's, I was familiar with WAVERLY for their fabrics and wallcovering...

 and apparently they also did a complete line with corresponding china - who knew?!   Replacements say these have long been DISCONTINUED, so hopefully somebody is looking for them!!

On the same shelf... ((sigh!)) six. Bennington Pottery. White. Mugs. By David Gil. 1967. OH MY!  I must get these out of here before I cave and keep them!!

I also picked up several metal cookie
cutters and a lightweight copper creamer
to use in some METAL STAMPING projects!!

On my way out I spotted a Gallon Ziploc bag... 

FULL of FUN polymer clay beads & miscellaneous!!
OH the possibilities for one dollar!

Some little pendants & earring creatings I found in the bag, just waiting for their future life!

IT'S FEBRUARY EVE EVERYONE!
TIME TO GET YOUR RED GOING!!!
(**Yes, I DO realize the Lamb/Lion reference is supposed to refer to March - I'm just taking a 'January Stuffing Liberty' here!!**)

...DEPT 14

I have  'new-to-me' additions to my 'tool box' arsenal...

I'm sure any of you who follow me on PINTEREST can guess in a heartbeat what my latest obsession is...

 I've been lurking in the aisles of the 'Big Box' craft stores for quite a while... just waiting for the right sale / coupon before I made The. Plunge.  The other day I was discussing 'metal stamping' with my boss at the 'old downtown Hardware Store' - he gave me The.Most.Puzzled.Look and said "We have those."  Then proceeded to show me a low, corner shelf in the hardware that held several of the most WONDERFUL pre-loved, dove tailed wooden boxes in various sizes of LETTERS (only one PLASTIC box of Numbers!!).
((sigh))
It was LOVE at first sight.

 and now, 'DEPT 14' joins the rest of MY special TOOLS ~ all of which live in MY special TOOL BOX!!  
Okay all you bloggers - fess up, I KNOW YOU have your own quirky SPECIAL TOOLS & BOXES TOO - I want to hear about them!!!!

The 'clam knife' is probably my
FAVORITE 'all-time-go-to' tool!

You were wondering 'WHY the blue evening bag?' - I could tell!  Well... It is in there to hold all of the 'essential smalls' - you know The 'Metal Chalk', The extendable magnet, The small metal file, the hole punches in various sizes, the boyscout canopener, the line level...

...and FEBRUARY is Rapidly approaching ~ is Everyone getting their V-D mojo on?!