Thursday, December 31, 2009

Happy New Year Wish to You

In 2010, my wish is that
God gives you:

12 months of Happiness,
52 weeks of Fun,
365 days of Success,
8,760 hours of Good Health,
525,600 minutes of Love,
and

31,536,000 seconds of Serenity!

Happy New Year!

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Merry Christmas

Look at the Candy Cane
What do you see?
Stripes that are red

Like the blood shed for you and me.

White is for our Savior
Who's sinless and pure!

"J" is for Jesus, Our Lord,

That's for sure!


Turn it around
And a staff you will see

Jesus our shepherd

Born for you and me!


And so this cane reminds us
Of just how much he cares.

And like His Christmas gift to us

It's meant for all to share.


Merry Christmas!

Monday, December 7, 2009

Pretty ... Pretty Tins

You've seen from previous postings that I love vintage tins ... and I've acquired more, some of which are for sale in my store and some I've kept for myself. I thought that as I share some of the tins for sale in my store that it would be nice to share some ideas on how tins could be used.

This dainty Baret Ware Art Grace tin made in England has the most vibrant colored flowers on it. It is 5.5" tall, 5.5" wide and 4.25" deep. I actually have one of these on my dresser to collect stray items in. It is very feminine looking and looks great sitting on top of a vintage embroidered dresser scarf. I also picture this tin holding sewing notions ... it would look great in a sewing room holding vintage scraps of lace, fabric or trims.

This lovely embossed footed tin chest is a Fricke and Nacke Design by Mavis, West Germany. It is 3.5" tall, 7.25" wide and 5" deep. This is a great size tin to hold mail that gets tossed on your kitchen cupboard; or add a vintage doily and fill it with some jewelry.
This lovely tin with daisies and portrait on the lid was made in England by Edward Sharp & Sons LTD of Maidstone Kent. I believe that it once held toffee. It is 1.75" tall, 5.5" wide and 4" deep. Wouldn't this look lovely on a desk holding some paper clips or rubber bands?

This tin of a quaint little brook meandering through a country town with a little country church is stamped 'OLIVE CAN CHICAGO' on the bottom. It has a 8.25" diameter and is 1.25" tall. This is the perfect size to hold vintage buttons ... not too tall. It would also make a nice gift container for homemade fudge.

This great 70s tin from Olive Can has a 9.75" diameter and is 3.75" tall. It is stamped 'Olive Can' on the bottom. This has Christmas cookies written all over it ... would be a great gift container or serving container for your Christmas goodies.


Most of my ideas on how to use vintage tins deal with preserving them and mostly using them to organize. There are some really nifty projects out on the web like this Vintage "Tin" Clock on JUNKMARKET Style and made by Janis Gurney.

Or what about these Vintage Tea Tin Pendant Lights also on JUNKMARKET Style.

Here is one cool Vintage Tin Organizer that I found at the Better Homes and Gardens site.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Another White Wednesday

Time for another White Wednesday and I did find some more white ... some white/off white figurines ...

Check out Faded Charm's White Wednesday ... it's beginning to look like a white Christmas there.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Day to Reflect and Honor ... Our Veterans

May God Bless Those Who Serve Our Country!

Thank you for the sacrifices you've made to protect our freedoms.

"The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you;"
Numbers 6:24-25 NIV

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

White Wednesday

Kathleen over at Faded Charm began White Wednesdays back in June. Every Wednesday she does a post on things that are white and she has an open invitation for people to join in. This Wednesday is the 20th White Wednesday and she has over 100 participants. I have to laugh because this is her 20th and she was struggling for ideas ... this is my first and I discovered that I have to search for white around my house. Here are some creamy white items that I have displayed on a dresser in our loft ... enjoy!


Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Dressing up Willow Baskets full of Coleus Plants for Indoors

A couple weeks ago I brought in some coleus plants that I had displayed outside on my porch. These plants were part of my son's biology project 3 years ago ... hard to believe they have not only survived at my house that long but they have also reproduced. When a piece breaks off I put it in water until the root system develops and then plant it. This spring they were attacked, several times, when I first put them out on the porch by racoons (I'm guessing) until a friend of mine suggested sprinkling red pepper around them. That did the trick and I was able to nurse some of them back to health.

So, I've brought them inside and decided that the willow baskets needed a little vintage vavoom (I am loving this book) . I was at a tag sale not too long ago and bought a bag of scrap pieces of lace and some trinkets and I really like the effect.





They even look good on the porch...

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Vintage Kitchen Towel Ticking Stripe Fabric

Something draws me to the old ticking striped fabrics ... it could be the softness of the fabric, or the various stripe layouts and colors, or the simpleness of them ... I just love them!

Most of these pieces of fabric that I have acquired are linen, a textile woven from fibers of a flax plant, and measure between 15″ to 17″ selvage to selvage. These narrow fabrics were woven to be used to make kitchen towels or I've seen them used as curtains in pie safes that had wire mesh window openings.

Linen tends to make a good kitchen towel because it is a very strong fabric, highly absorbent, lint free, it resists dirt, and lasts for generations. Linen will also soften on repeated washings.

Linen wrinkles very easily adding to the vintage charm but if you don't like the wrinkles, after delicately washing them in cold water with regular detergent, line/tumble dry them until just damp and then iron.

You can certainly use them in projects to get that soft romantic Vintage Vavoom look as I have done with this basket that sits on the island in my kitchen. I was experimenting with chalkboard paint and created this cute plaque from a silver serving plate that was damaged and spoon angel. I thought it was kind of "bistro romantic" but had no place to hang it in my kitchen. So I found this basket in the basement and decided I could hang the plaque from it. I then used one of the red ticking striped pieced of fabric which layered nicely in the bottom and now my basket becomes a welcome to the kitchen and a fruit basket (or at Halloween time - a treat basket). Works great on the island in the kitchen.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Vintage Tins and Bottles ... more History

I've done a little more research and have found that this Bokar tin bank is a replica of the package of Bokar Coffee sold by the A&P stores. Bokar Coffee was a brand of the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company in the 50's and 60's. It measures 4" tall x 2.25" wide x 1.75" deep and has the classic bokar colors, black, red, and gold. Not dated but from my research, it appears to be from the 1950's-1960's.

This colorful tin once held 2 1/2 ozs of Mellomints by Brandle & Smith Co., of Philadelphia, PA. The tin measures 3 3/4" x 2 1/4" x 1 7/8". There are some speckles of white paint on the lid adding to the vintage character. Again I couldn't find a date but from my research, it appears to be from the 1930's.

This advertising dose glass shaped like a druggist graduate has a pedestal base and the glass flares to a wider opening at the top. There is vertical embossing along one side, "UNCLE SAM'S HERBS" and the reverse side has "TEA SPOON" 1-12 and "TABLE SPOON" 1-3 measurements. This glass measures 4" tall with a 2" diameter. I am unable to come up with any dates for this unique glass.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Tins, Bottles, Boxes, and more Tins!

Last weekend I was lucky enough to go to an auction with my mom and the weekend before I went to an auction with my daughter ... what fun! Tins/bottles/boxes seemed to be in the cards for me both weekends. Here are some of my finds...

Some of them I've already put in my etsy store, some I will have up on ebay and some I'm keeping for myself.

The one that I just adore is this pink cardboard prescription pill box ... it's just so cute. It is very small measuring 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" x 5/8" and still has the prescription label intact. There is no date on the label so I did a little research and found that the Meyer Brother's & Co. existed in the late 1800's and early 1900's but can't find when they went out of business. Since I didn't get anywhere with the company search, I searched to see when cardboard prescription boxes were made and found anywhere from the 1930's - 1960's. Based on some of the boxes I saw, I would guess this box to be from the 1960's.

This Judson Thomson Slotted Clinch Rivet tin is kind of catchy with it's black text, product image, and yellow background. It contains directions on the back for driving and clinching the Thomson slotted clinch rivet. The Judson L. Thomson manufacturing company was in business in Waltham, MA in the late 1800's, they were in violation of section 3 of the Clayton Act in 1944, and they made improvements to the automatic riveting machine in 1962. Too bad there were no rivets in this tin to add to the charm.


I just love old tins and their history.

Friday, September 18, 2009

White Heart Project .... Done!

So over the weekend, I finished up the two smaller hearts (see previous blog entry) which left me with the three bigger hearts to do.

I knew that I wanted to add pictures in these bigger hearts. I used the kids senior pictures but finding a picture of me and my husband was challenging ... every picture of us tended to include a kid in the middle :) After adding the pictures I created the yo yos with cross-stitched button centers spelling out L-O-V-E and using the same material as the background for the smaller hearts. Still needed a little something ... so I added a music note charm to my daughter's picture since she is studying to be a music teacher, a hockey skate charm to my son's picture since that is and has been one of his passions, and a cross from an old ring that I used to wear to me and my husband's picture since our family loves the Lord and give thanks and praise to him everyday.

So here's the finished project ...

The picture doesn't do it justice ... I just love the way it turned out! I've just started reading the book Vintage Vavoom: Romantic Decorating with One-of-a-Kind Finds. I'm really enjoying the book and I think this project personalizes my living space with a soft romantic look as well as brings in some momentos of my past ... Vintage Vavoom!

Monday, September 14, 2009

Small White Hearts Done

This weekend I really enjoyed working on this project. I finished the small white hearts.

For the background of both of the small white hearts, I used leftover fabric from my one and only quilt project (about 20 years ago). I also glued a little piece of blue-ish, gray sparkly ric rac and a dainty little fabric rose to each.



For the heart on the left, I pinned a locket brooch that I used to wear years ago which has a picture of each of my kids in it from when they were 1-2 years old. I glued a couple vintage buttons to finish the look.





For the heart on the right, I made a heart out of vintage buttons and then finished the look with a cute clip on earring that I just adore.




I've almost got the last 3 white hearts done ... just looking for one last picture.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Gathering Supplies to Decorate White Heart Frames

Last night I began to collect supplies for the project. I found a couple pretty remnants from a quilt that I made in the 80's. I also found some old brooches, buttons, beads, ric rac, lace, doilies, and clip on earrings. I'm excited about the finds ... hope to get started tonight.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

What To Do With These Pretty White Hearts

I just love these white heart picture frames ... they hang in my bedroom. I've had every intention of putting pictures in them but have not found the right pictures. I've figured out the reason ... I'm trying to find the right size picture to fit in the hearts and use a mat of course.

This weekend I decided that I'm going to finish this project and I'm going to think outside the box ... I'm not going to look for the perfect picture and mat ... I'm going to try something different.

Watch this week (could take two) as this project unfolds and feel free to offer suggestions.

Friday, September 4, 2009

Labor Day Weekend - Yeah!

Labor Day ... the unofficial end of summer. Last weekend at the lake cottage, beach, camp ... or summer home. Barbeques, cookouts, and picnics. Shopping the Labor Day sidewalk sales. Family time ... a three day weekend of pure family time.

The Department of Labor explains that Labor Day is "a tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country".

Through the years, it's evolved from a labor union celebration to a last fling of summer activities. As for me and my family we will be spending time together, relaxing, and a little barbeque-ing. Hope you enjoy your Labor Day!

'Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.'
Matthew 11:28

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Yay, You! Graduation Party Theme

The book we used for the theme of my son's graduation party was Yay, You! by Sandra Boynton. It is a fun book and we used excerpts from it in almost everything we did ...
the cake

the table decorations

the envelope box and the invitations (sorry no pix of the invites).

The most fun was trying to grow the grass for the table decorations. We planted the grass in cut off plastic cups a month ahead of time. The grass began growing after 3 days. After several hair cuts it wasn't looking too good. We pitched it and planted more about 10 days before the party. We let it grow and didn't give it a hair cut until the night before the party and it looked wonderful!


The highlight of the party was the chocolate fountain. To dunk in the chocolate, we served strawberries, maraschino cherries, marshmallows, wafer cookies, pretzels, caramels, and cream puffs.

The weather was beautiful and a great time was had by all!

Friday, July 10, 2009

Graduation Party Themes - Dr. Seuss

We are preparing for my son's graduation party which is tomorrow (lots of prayers that the rain either comes before or after the party) and we are into themes. Two years ago we used Dr. Seuss's, "Oh, The Places You'll Go!". Well, we didn't want to use the same theme this year so we searched for a book to base the party on and thanks to the Books for Graduates list on the Barnes & Noble site we found one. But you have to wait until after the party to find out what book we picked.

Here are some pictures from my daughter's, "Oh, The Places You'll Go!" graduation party.

We used excerpts from the book everywhere ... it is really a great book for a graduate. Here is the cake, "Today is your day. You're off to Great Places! You're off and away!". The bowls above are toppings for ice cream!




The basket for cards was set up to look like a hot air balloon with a card on it that read, "You'll be on your way up! You'll be seeing great sights! You'll join the high fliers who soar to high heights." The book was also at this table for friends and family to view.



The tablecloths, napkins, and plates were orange, pink, lime green, yellow, and blue.









Each table had a tent card made out of colored popsicle sticks with a different excerpt from the book on both the front and back.We also made the invitations (sorry-no picture) that we sent out and you guessed it ... there was an excerpt from the book on it. My daughter and I had a lot of fun making the invitations, table decorations, card basket, and just being creative together. It was a great day ... lots of family, friend, food and fun.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

VintageTreasures4U and Remnants From The Past right in my backyard

I've found vintage jewelry in my backyard ... Judi from Wabash, IN is a vintage costume jewelry collector who enjoys the hunt as much as being able to pass the pieces on to others to enjoy. I can relate when she says, "The best part is the hunt and finding that special treasure that makes your heart beat a bit faster". I get that same feeling when I attend an auction and start bidding on an item that I want.

Judi sells her vintage costume jewelry in several online venues. You can visit her Ruby Lane store, Remnants From The Past where you will find vintage costume jewelry both signed and unsigned. You might find designer names such as Trifari, Coro, Lisner, Goldette, or Coventry. Here, Judi offers free shipping on jewelry purchases over $30.

This Vintage Poodle Brooch with Faux Pearls is one of the fun-est pieces I've seen in a while and I found it at Remnants From The Past.




Judi also sells her jewelry on Etsy at her store VintageTreasures4U. At this store you might also find, as Judi calls them, 'vintage treasures' other than jewelry.

And she is right ... look at this vintage treasure I found, Vintage Comb with Rhinestones and Enameling. I've never seen one as lovely as this.




She also has some very gorgeous jewelry sets, like this Demi Teal and Blue Rhinestone Brooch and Earring Set. I love the way it sparkles.



Judy is also a member of the Vintage Village.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Shop with confidence at Allison's Antiques & Vintage Jewelry

Just stopped in at Alison's Antiques & Vintage Jewelry at Ruby Lane where you can find a lot of vintage jewelry but also a variety of clothing, glass, porcelain, and various collectibles.

I found this lovely vintage Heart Shaped Sterling Silver Pill Box that was acquired from an estate sale ... beautiful piece from the past.

Allison's Antiques and Vintage Jewelry has a platinum shop rating which means she's sold over 1000 items. Right now she has reduced the price on over 100 items.


For those of us still celebrating the 4th of July what about this Pell Patriotic Rhinestone Flag Brooch.


If you don't find what you're looking for here then stop on over at Alison's Etsy store, AntiqueAli's Vintage Treasures where she has another large selection of vintage/designer jewelry. This store has been featured in the Facebook "Wall of Jewels".


This 40's Sterling Silver Green Rhinestone Flower Brooch reminds me of one my grandmother use to have ... it is truly stunning.




You can also visit Alison at the Vintage Village ... tell her that Endless Collectabilities sent you!