hitting the tag sale ground running

Tons of tag sales, tons of balls and trucks.  Alas, Gus is finally at the age where he realizes that he, too, can buy stuff at tag sales.  I did manage to score a few items for myself, though, including a vintage suitcase for free, my favorite price.
The most fun was visiting a found objects artist's studio and pawing through all of the treasures that were up for grab.  I scored all three letters in Gus' name (another good reason for choosing a single syllable name) and turned around a project in no time flat, which makes my husband very happy.


Here they are in their original form:

sturdy, wooden, boring

Then I quickly repurposed the 1970's Massachusetts map I scored around the corner from our house (tip:  better to trace on the right side of the map, so you actually get the part of the map you want.  Unless you're more talented than I am, and can see through the paper).  At first I obsessed about a perfect trace, but then it occurred to me:  Gus is three.  And to quote honey badger, he don't care.  Quick layer of mod podge, some cute stamps, a layer of poly, and done.  All in a perfect spring weekend (insert pat on the back here).

or Sug, if you prefer

or those ugly boots minus a "g"

boat detail on the Cape

cycling detail in the Berkshires

car in the happy valley