.thanksgiving.

Today is Thanksgiving, and the holiday spirit has been in the air all day! Woke up this morning to the sound of sleet outside, which made it so very hard to get up and out of bed. We got to see my husband's brother perform with his high school band on tv for the McDonald's Thanksgiving Day parade, which took place in Chicago. We finally hopped in the truck (me with my rainboots on) and drove throught the sleet for the 30-minute drive to my in-laws'. This is what it looked like outside:

We had a full house this year, and the food was amazing as usual. I made it a point to take a few pictures of people mingling and getting food. It happens the same way every year: We all hold hands and someone says the blessing, then we form a line and help ourselves buffet-style. This year, we had adults eating in the living room and eat-in kitchen, as well as the den. The little kids also had their own table in the den.

This is me with my mother-in-law and her mom. We got a kick out of the fact that we all 3 wore cable knit sweaters. They are the sweetest ladies ever, and I'm very blessed to be able to say my in-laws are good, Christian people who show me love and have made me feel like a welcome addition to the family since Day One.

So after we stuffed ourselves and sat around chit-chatting for a few hours, hubs and I headed home to do a little Black Friday research. Hubs discovered a few online deals and went ahead and ordered himself a few goodies. My brother and his wife came over to discuss Black Friday game plans, and I made some brownies. I was (and still am) in the mood to pull an all-nighter and watch Christmas movies, but unfortunately hubs and the sis-in-law both have to work in the morning.

Here's hubs and the bro working on their shopping game plan. I love that they got really into it this year and spent an hour or two looking through ads to find the best deals on tools. They're meeting up at Home Depot in the morning. So cute. :-)

I am so excited to hit up Target in the morning...at 4 am....Fingers are crossed I'll be able to find everything on my list without too much hassle.

Good luck to everyone out there fighting the crowds to get some deals! I hope you all had a blessed Thanksgiving Day!

.possibilities.

I'm up late...

Real late.

It's almost 1 am! I never stay up this late, ever, but it's my week off work and I'm milking it for all it's worth!

I've been spending a lot of time daydreaming and crafting, trying to make my house more of a home. My taste of decor is strongly vintage modern with a sudden intolerance for anything "country." I'm attempting to rid every room of all traces of "country," including my barn house star, berry wreaths and wooden birdhouses.

Combine my wealth of unwanted decor with my obsession with sewing, and a new venture in life squats at the starting line, waiting for the gun to sound the "start" signal.

Basically, what I'm trying to say is: It looks like a flea market booth might be in my near future. Eek!!! This is something I've thought about doing for a long time, and with a couple of friends and family members willing to share booth space rental with me, the dream looks to be a soon reality!

I'll definitely post more about that when the time comes, but for now I'm up late thinking of bedding, artwork, curtains and crafting. I have a lot of ideas spinning around my head and not a lot of $$$$$ to back it all up! I've decided I'd love to change out the bedding on our master bed. Right now, it is a madras plaid print. I've been looking at IKEA duvet sets but the hubs isn't too fond of most of what I like. Since he has to sleep on the bed too, I'm taking his opinion into consideration. My newest idea is to have a white duvet cover and a few white shams and use a brightly-colored printed sheet set to contrast. I still need to run that idea by the hubs...Fingers are crossed he'll be open to it!

I'm happy to say ever since I started advertising my reversible aprons to my facebook friends, I've received a total of seven orders so far. I've been very busy sewing, and I couldn't be happier about it! I couldn't have asked for a better time to have a week off of work. {I'm already looking forward to Christmas break when I'll have TWO weeks off! Now, that's a lot of sewing time!}

Well, the hubs has been tucked into bed for a few hours now, and the pug is snoring on the floor next to my feet. I guess I should take a hint and take myself to bed. I'm afraid it's going to be hard to turn off this crazy brain of mine and actually get some sleep, but I guess if I don't try I'll never know.

Here's to another day tomorrow filled with thrifting, sewing, crafting and dreaming of more possibilities.

With Thanksgiving only 3 days away, I must say I have so many blessings to count and I'm so thankful for family time and time to dabble in things that I love.

.reversible aprons.

I have found my new favorite thing to sew/make! Reversible aprons. I made myself a Christmas apron and love how it is basically two aprons in one.

See?

There are two ways to tie them...

...and the fabrics coordinate. As soon as I slip this apron over my head, I immediately want to whip up a couple dozen cupcakes and a few loafs of freshly-baked banana bread!

I can't wait to wear this apron while I make pecan pies for Thanksgiving this year. Of course, I'll have to make myself an apron out of Fall fabrics and save my Christmas one for the Winter!

It's not like I'm looking for an excuse to make another one or anything...

I would love to make a customized reversible apron just for you! They also make great Christmas gifts if you know any ladies that like to bake. Email me at shabby.threads@gmail.com to place an order (or two).

They are $30 if you purchase the fabric. Otherwise, they are $30 + the cost of fabric. You can choose exactly what you want or trust me with the choice. It's up to you!

Here's wishing everyone a blessed holiday season.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Linked to: Link Party @ Tools are for Women too

.2010 cma recap.

This year I made it a point to sit on the couch with the hubs and watch the whole CMA show. It held my attention the whole time, and I loved almost everyone that performed. I was especially happy for Blake Shelton's win of male vocalist of the year. He was up against some stiff competition, so I can only imagine how elated he was when they announced his name. I thought he and Miranda Lambert were so sweet the whole night, so supportive of each other and I loved the "crazy" thing he mouthed into the camera after Miranda performed. They just seem like a "real" couple that I wouldn't mind hanging out with!

I was glad I got to see a glimpse of Band Perry performing their song live. It made me realize how ethereal the lead singer's voice is and how much I really like the song "If I Die Young."

Oh, and the hosting job... A+ in my book! I love Brad Paisley (such a talented song writer and he seems so FUNNY!) and Carrie Underwood. (She's like a life-size Barbie with perfect legs and impeccable taste in dresses. I love that she's so in love with her hubby of 4 months that she glows when she sings "Mama's Song.")


I have to give some recognition and LOVE to Jennifer Nettle's short little pixie hair cut. She is always pretty and such a fun performer, but with this new 'do, she's even CUTER and SASSIER!


I was pretty much swept away by Taylor's performance of "Back to December." It is one of those songs that I loved the first time I heard it. I have a lot of respect for singers that also write their own songs. I don't think there's anyone that could deny Taylor's song-writing ability. She has that ear for radio-friendly, sing-along melodies.

I was really excited to hear Gwyneth Paltrow make her country debut. I didn't even know she could sing, so I couldn't wait to hear her voice. I have to say I LOVED her voice, her swagger standing on the big stage with that acoustic guitar. However, I didn't particularly like the song she sang. I know it's from a movie, but it just didn't seem authentic coming out of her lips. She's so glamorous and grew up with a celebrity mom, so to hear her sing about being "Country Strong" seemed like a big farce. Did anyone else think they saw Miranda Lambert sort-of roll her eyes as she clapped for Gwyneth or was that just me?

I enjoyed Jason Aldean's duet with Kelly Clarkson. I think their voices blend well, and the song had great drums and guitar.

I was happy that Lady Antebellum's song "Need You Now" won for single of the year.

Oh, and I almost forgot... When Zac Brown Band performed with Alan Jackson I was all giddy and excited. I love their new song...and I'll admit...I have an odd, unexplainable crush on the lead singer of ZBB...I like his hats and his voice...and beard...

I miss seeing Faith Hill at these award shows. It's time for a Faith comeback!

Country musicians I'm over: Reba, George Strait, Kid Rock, Little Big Town and...drum roll...Rascal Flatts.

If you watched the show, I'd like to hear what you agree and disagree with. Those are just my humble opinions!

I love country music!

.a shabby threads GIVEAWAY!.

In honor of reaching 100 fans on my facebook page for .shabby threads. I have decided to host a very exciting giveaway!

I am giving away a Christmas pillowcase dress in the size of the winner's choice!

The fabric for the winner's dress will be picked by me, but don't worry...I promise it will be too cute for words!



All you have to do to enter this giveaway is go to: shabby threads on facebook and leave a comment on Tuesday's post about the giveaway.

A winner will be chosen a week from today, on November 9th, using a random number generator.

Comments on my facebook page's status from Tuesday, November 2nd are the only ones that will be counted. Commenting on this blog post does not qualify for an entry. :-)

Pass the word along about this exciting giveaway, and a big THANK YOU to everyone for your support!