Ideas for New Year

Not much chatter in my blog today; just photos and thoughts for starting the New Year.  Sharing some photos along with some ideas floating around in my head! 

Love using small stack of old books; using my $1.00 antique gravy boat atop.  Simple, but sweet.

Those "dollar stores" (Everything For $1.00---) bundles of "Emergency Candles"--

Tomorrow's list:  buy more plastic storage boxes--take down Christmas decorations; clean out the big closet downstairs:  ORGANIZE!

I'll take a break later with a cup of favorite tea in a pretty cup/saucer; maybe read a few chapters of a new book from Christmas; maybe just try a new vignette here and there in the house.

Hobby Lobby has the new garden stuff out already!  (had to have the big 'ol blue-bird you see in the cloche)---I think he looks rather vintage and sweet with his cracked glaze and little floral motiff on his chest!  (maybe it's a "she").

Our local thrift shop had this darling handpainted on canvas print ($1.00)---signed "Toot".  This had to come home with me!  It makes me smile-----

It's time!  I'm making lists while I sit here at the computer browsing your blogs; getting ideas for home and garden.  Spring not that far away---gives me time to drink hot tea and dream big!

Drag out the inspiration papers, books, scraps-of-ideas; put in my order for the new Pottery Barn catalog; re-organize my stashes and loot; box up items for charity.  Clean out some spaces.  Buy more junk to fill in spaces.  Oh---I love this life of mine!  I'm sending this post over to Linda's: she's hosting Friday Junkin' Finds:

http://ljm-alacarte.blogspot.com/

Pink Raspberries for Decorating!

The Christmas gifts are wrapped and ready.  Spending today in the crafting room with some sweet items picked up this morning at our local resale shop; all the Christmas goodies have been well picked over; but, I spied these pretties immediately for future use:

These two little canvas oils for $1.00: ---THE PLAN:  they will pop right out of the frame; I will paint the garish gold a white; add some dark glaze, then return the paintings back in the frames for a more "antique-y look".

Got ~4~ big bundles of these silks with raspberries; each bundle only $1.00.  So pretty in person; and my camera (I need to upgrade soon) does not do them justice. 

These are quality silks; not the cheapy kind---so I was very thrilled to find them; perfect for my vignettes, birdnests, wreaths, etc, etc!

Thank you for letting me share!  I'm sending this over to A la Carte; see Linda's fabulous finds for the week plus more talented bloggers for Friday's Finds:  http://ljm-alacarte.blogspot.com/

Vintage Santas and Stars

I bought these tree-topper stars for 50 cents; used them in my $4.00 lantern on the porch; in a basket with pinecones. 

And two sweet Japan porcelain santas; another star as a backdrop.  Thank you for stopping by; visit A la Carte for more creative ideas and decorating!  http://ljm-alacarte.blogspot.com/

Metal House Terrarium and Christmas Project

This house terrarium I bought at a local antique shop; however--it is not an antique or vintage; I've seen these at Walmart the past year or so.  But--was a sweet bargain and could not pass it up for it's potential.  I may paint it this spring and add my potted plants.

Fun to find little things to display; I can see this in white; but, also like the idea of soft jade green--distress to show the black---more like an antique one I remember seeing.

This week I have to show you my projects for the Christmas tree.  I found some vintage Christmas cards at Catholic Charity; bought some cardinal gift tags at Hobby Lobby; found some vintage white trim/garland; and made "vintage looking" decorations for the tree.  I love how they turned out.

Above is one example--I added dimension with a sprig of sparkle berrie branch (hot glued onto the card)---these really make my tree look pretty.

Oh---those big 'ol bells and snow flakes (Dollar Tree).  AND----found wicker sleighs of all descriptions and sizes at the junk shops.  Very cheap/basic/silver/whites/little touches of red on the tree.  I'm loving it.

Will show my "vintage cards for the tree" later this week. I'm sending this over to Kathleen's for White Wednesday http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/

MisMatched and Mixing

Did a little "Black Friday" shopping today; but first had to hit some favorite junk shops.  Found this sweet antique brown transferware gravey boat at an antique shop--really cheap!

Some may think you cannot find cheap (reasonable) bargains at an antique store:  you'd be surprised! 

The antique silverware was tied up in a string: priced at $4.00; that's a bargain!  Last week found two identical sugar bowls (one pictured above) both for $2.00. 

Tiny little china cups with writing on them look sweet stacked in a vintage glass showcase.  These I found and GW.

I'm finding sleds of all descriptions this year (everywhere in the junk shops);  I wanted to spray-paint this one white--but the weather is not cooperative right now--these are great to add your own signature collections:  little books, trees, sheet-music cones, candles---endless possibilities.  This one cost me $1.20; heavy brass and metal: I love using the sleigh for vignettes during the Christmas season. 

I'm going blog-hopping and see what you've been up to! 

 Have a great weekend.  (I love all your comments and read every one of them--thank you!)

Tree Topper Stars Vignette

I find these star-shaped tree toppers everywhere right now; really cheap in thrift stores and local Dollar Tree.  Here's my take on using them for other than the "top of the tree":

I found a half dozen of these darling stars in different shops "on the cheap" (talking 25 to 50 cents!); and here's one I used for vignette--tucked behind a mini frosted tree.

Hobby Lobby had some sweet Christmas floral picks with birds--they have that vintage look about them; the one above I used in an antique ironstone gravey boat.

Found two darling vintage Santa's; porcelain knick-knacks--

Here's more of my tree-topper stars!!  That old porch lantern I found at thrift shop for $4.00; gutted out the electrical--put in a tree-topper-star!  Nested beside this is ANOTHER STAR--looked sweet in a huge wicker basket.  Small vignette outside my side-door to the house---

Got to have a big bow on a basket!  ----and some big pinecones.

There's my old toboggan I painted white--drapped some garland and added the vintage ice skates. 

I'm loving those stars! Sending this over for Vintage Friday with Debra at Common Ground: http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/

Christmas Sled Found!

Here's one of my FAVORITE places to hunt great stuff; B & J's Antiques in Sullivan, Illinois.  Huge place inside just full of awesome goodies.  But, today---had my eye on finding an OLD SLED:  going use it on the porch for Christmas wreath or garland.

LOOK!!  at all this wonderful rusty metal and wooden items!  Eye candy, I tell you!

Hmmm---I don't remember seeing that old porch swing--that just may be revisited soon.

I'm home now--here's my loot:

I found it!  No--I found TWO sleds; the toboggan I will use on the porch for Christmas--and of course had to visit inside and found some other neat things.  (See that vintage Halloween Pumpkin light?)

Stopped by the local resale shop and got the pans, ironstone, bicycle lamp--

earlier this week I bought the brass lantern that will be taken apart; painted and used as a cloche for candles, treasures, etc.

Okay; that's my posting for today--will post picture of the porch after I decorate the sled tomorrow.  I can hardly wait--got to find some huge pinecones for my basket---(part of the porch display--will explain with pictures later this week).  I'm going over to your blog and see what you've been doing!

Another Vintage Alarm Clock

Another clock!  Love the pink on this old beauty.  Nope, doesn't work; but has the original box and the little tattered paper on how to "use your clock".  Sweet vintage colors.  

Going to your blog and see what you're up to!  Have a great day. 

White Buttons Vignette

Here's my White Wednesday treat; I love old white buttons.  These vignettes were last weeks photos, but wanted to share for this week's event.  Sending these over the Kathleen's at Faded Charm:

http://www.fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/

Layering and Vintage Cradle

I spotted this darling vintage cradle in a shop recently; chippy white and a sweet piece to vignette with.  I'm having second thoughts about listing it in my Etsy shop.  Hmmmm---

This could "vignette" all seasons from roses to pumpkins to Christmas.  Would make a cute planter box too.

I like simple things; sometimes just random items for decorating; changes around here all the time!

Simple is good.  But, layering is much more fun! 

Have a great evening; I'm going blog-hopping and see what you're up to!

Sweet Things

A good week for treasure hunting; most of the items in this post will be in my Etsy Shop.  I'm going for a "grouping theme";  to start down-sizing my hoarding!  It takes me forever to picture/edit/list---so I've decided to offer bargains with multiples of similar items. It will save me time and who doesn't like BARGAINS!!

Yep; more sheet music!  Decided to do some little packages with sheer bows and old buttons.  5 old bottles will be listed as a group BARGAIN.

Found this sweet ceramic sleigh (was an ugly green); so pretty with some soft white spray paint.

Close-up of pretty bottles with "vintage packages"; love the scrolly stamp on top.

Okay; no more talkin--just pics of some stuff I will list.  Visit me again soon; I love your comments and thoughts!