Weekend Getaway

One of the things I love about living in Utah is that we have the most National Parks of any state. My favorite park in Utah would have to be Capitol Reef. Since it was the last weekend of summer, Poopsie and I decided it was the perfect destination for a quick getaway. A 4 hour drive from Salt Lake City, it's off the beaten path and therefore never crowded. Capitol Reef has everything you'd want in a National Park: breathtaking views of majestic rock formations, waterfalls, streams, great hiking, petroglyphs, fruit orchards, ancient relics and oh yeah, pies.

The Mormon pioneers settled here in the late nineteenth century. Relics of pioneer life remain behind like this old plow.

Before the Mormons, there was the Fremont Indian tribe. These petroglyphs are said to be 1,000 years old.

The Fremont river as it winds its way through the fruit orchards cultivated by the early Mormon settlers.

A one room school house for pioneer children. The teacher there was paid a whopping salary 0f $56 a month.

What a fun weekend. The weather was perfect and the scenery outstanding. Just the break Poopsie and I were looking for.

Stay tuned for more adventures in Capitol Reef and the part about the pie.

Love, Kelly

Happy Labor Day

Second Hand Chic will be closed on Monday, September 7 for Labor Day. Have a fun yet safe holiday with friends and family.

Button, Button, Whose Got the Button?

I have my sister Robin to thank for my latest additiction. Last fall when she was working on the Obama campaign she purchased a button maker and produced about 1 million buttons with Obama's image. I believe her efforts on the button making front actually won the election. Anyway, after the post-election dust had settled I borrowed her button maker to make some items for the shop: magnets, pins, pendants, etc. Well, that little machine that produced 1/2" buttons was an overnight sensation. I couldn't stop. My husband was no help with my newfound addiction. After he bought me the 1 1/2" model for Christmas, he didn't see me emerge from my craft room until Groung Hog Day. I have a problem. After a few months, the button supplies dwindled. I ordered a new batch of supplies last week and John called me at work yesterday to tell me the UPS man had just delivered my new supplies. He also mentioned that a Mad Men DVD had arrived from Netflix and he was spending the evening at the football game so I wouldn't have to make dinner. New button supplies, Mad Men and take out dinner...dreams really do come true.

Last weekend at an estate sale I found this cute little children's dictionary. Since it was a bit ragged the guy threw it in my pile for a $1.00. Look at the cute little line drawing graphics. Hmmm. What a great idea for buttons.

Making a button couldn't be easier or more instantly fulfilling. First, this handy circle cutter cuts your image.

Then you load your image, a button and mylar into the ring, lower the boom and voila! In mere moments you have a button!


I chose to make this batch into magnets. I use a jewelry glue, E-6000 to attach the magnets. Be sure you use a large enough magnet depending on your button size.

Check out the results, so easy and so cute. After the glue dries they'll be available in the shop for $2.00 each. Such a deal!

Here is the perfect gift for that special democrat in your life.

Love, Kelly

New Music

One of the things I love about having my own shop is that I get to play amateur DJ. I'm always on the lookout for new music to share with my customers as they shop. One of my absolute favorites is Melody Gardot. After hearing her first album last year, "Worrisome Heart" I was hooked. Her latest release, "My One and Only Thrill" is even better. At 23 years of age, her music is surprisingly sophisticated, blending elements of jazz, folk and blues. Her voice is soulful and seductive and her original lyrics display a compelling level of heartache.

Injured in a car accidient at the age of 19, the story of her personal recovery and triumph over tragedy is an inspiring tale.

So check out Melody Gardot at:http://www.vervemusicgroup.com/melodygardot

Love, Kelly

Vintage Children's Books

If anyone out there knows of anything cuter than vintage children's books, I'd like to hear about it. I find their whimsical illustrations to be absolutely irresistable. I became obsessed with old children's books about 15 years about and started snatching them up at thrift stores when they were cheap and plentiful. What a cute and clever way to decorate a child's room!

Each page is a work of art and in my opinion, suitable for framing. Second Hand Chic has a large selection of these little treasures. Most are priced in the $8 - $16 range.

The artwork is also a great source for jewelry, buttons, magnets, collage and other mixed media projects. Color copying the pages is a good idea so you can preserve the books.

Love, Kelly

White Out!

The paint has been flying this weekend over at my place. The fact that summer (painting season) is over has hit home with me. The pile up of furniture in the garage waiting to be painted was becoming precarious. In my crazed attempt to cover everything in white paint, I almost painted a few of the neighborhood cats. My driveway is beginning to look like a Jackson Pollock painting. This French style coffee table is only $150.

I discovered a new "distressing" technique. After leaving some tables in the driveway overnight to dry, a wind whipped up some dirt in the yard and covered the French coffee table with tiny flecks, giving it an interesting aged patina. A very cute and useful drop leaf table. Only $65.

This little column table has a hidden compartment; the perfect hiding place for your stash of chocolate. Admit it, everyone has one. It could be yours for $50.

Here's a cute coffee table with a beachy cottage feel. It even has a drawer to stash those unsightly remotes. At $150, it's a steal!

This is the perfect book case for a child's bedroom. It stands 23" high so even little ones can pick out their favorite books, toys or movies. At only $60 it won't last.

A small version of the French coffee table; 40" x 24" oval. The perfect piece for a small apartment. $100.

So come in and check out these new stylish and practical pieces. They are all solid wood, of course and priced to move.

Love, Kelly

Drum Roll Please....

Congratulations to Linda de Acevedo. She is this month's winner of our drawing. We selected this cute vintage tray with a "South of the Border" flavor as her prize. Having seen pictures of Linda's vintage kitchen on Flicker I think this tray will be right at home.

If you are reading this blog and have not yet signed up as a follower, well what are you waiting for? You could be next month's winner!

Love, Kelly