Pre~Autumn Thinking~~

~~Just about everyone is feeling it.  I love fall time; it's my favorite season and I'm pulling out/putting up the summery stuff; getting excited to decorate with pumpkins and autumn leaves~~

I've been moving things around and feeling "lame" with my bookshelf downstairs~~still tweaking it until I add some autumn elements.  My favorite prints will stay along with the wooden chest/boxes:

These two prints were bought separately; I didn't realize they were both (vintage reproductions) of Anton Mauve, Dutch realist painter.  I was so intrigued by his style~~researched on the internet about him.  He was married to the cousin of Vincent van Gogh~~there is an interesting story behind that.

This print I cannot find an antique frame to fit; it is an unusual size, so I'm taking it Hobby Lobby and have them frame it for me.  HL has an amazing selection of framing materials~~

My sister gave me this little print many years ago; she found an antique greeting card and had it framed for me.  I love the muted colors; adorable kittens in that green basket.

Tomorrow another project day; painting more trim work and want to work on my bargain end~table; maybe sew the curtains for the dining room.  Are you ready for fall decorating too?

Chair Challenged

~~This week's shopping experience at the local Habitat Resale Shop:  a vintage desk chair for $2.00; a 1970's side chair complete with "mauve" upholstery for $5.00~~~(Please excuse my unfinished walls in

 the background~~we are still working at it!)~~

I have a thing for that cane backing on chairs; my vintage dining room set is also caned.  I want to paint both chairs white and reupholster. 

Also above; a galvanized tool carrier, metal strainer and bread basket.

Below: I found a this neat "tool" to use for projects and a large wooden pedestal base~~

A crocheted collar complete with a little pearl button~~such sweet handiwork for only $1.50~~

~~Vintage flower frog for $1.00~~

~~This $2.00 black and white print in a wide, chunky wood frame:  I'm thinking that frame painted white would make that awesome mansion stand out~~I was intrigued by this for some reason; looks as if it may have been originally drawn with pencil.  Beautiful.

~~Gutter guards??? No, no~~these are my little crowns for vintage flower pots!  (but, they are vintage guttering guards)~~

I love them.  They look like galvanized royalty to me!  What would you do with them?

I'm joining in with these fun, inspiring parties:

http://laurieannas.blogspot.com/

http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

http://vintageonthefarm.blogspot.com/

http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/

Feed~Sack Mannequin

~~~This was a sweet project that involved little time, little sewing and lots of hot~glue.  I love how she turned out.  I'm using this at my booth to display jewelry and/or vintage aprons~~~

Here are my fabrics and plastic form~~

I used a thin sheet of (the pink stuff) housing insulation and drew my outline of the form onto it~~

Hotglue the form onto the backing; I used a wide trim piece to adhere with hotglue to seam the two parts together~~then using batting and covered front and back.  Now~~ready to cut out my pattern right onto the front and the back~~

 Sewing a dart seam to the ticking fabric; and I liked the idea to stitch the ruffle onto the feedstack for a "tailored~look".  (can a feedsack look tailored???)~~

The hook added before starting the project (comes with the forms~~you can buy the plastic forms off of ebay for about $18.00 -- $20.00 for a set of three; not too bad a price really)~~or check around the resale shops. 

I added roses to the bottom of hook with the left~over feedsack fabric and stitched a band to go around her neck (that "tailored look" again~~;-)

Going to join these parties this week; check out all the inspiration found here and thank you to the hostesses!

http://www.pollywantacrafter.com/

http://memakingdo.blogspot.com/

http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/

http://typeadecorating.blogspot.com/

http://micheleravendesigns.blogspot.com/

http://frommyfrontporchtoyours.blogspot.com/

http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/

http://vintageonthefarm.blogspot.com/

http://lbratina.blogspot.com/

http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/

http://laurieannas.blogspot.com/

Habitat Resale Shopping~~

               ~~Tuesday at the Habitat Shop was awesome~~I'm posting just a quick snippet of my lucky finds early this morning; will post remainder for Friday's Bloggin' Parties~~Let me say first~~I don't hoard ALL this stuff (I buy cheap; paint it, fix it, and sell it).  Although, I might be inclined to keep around a few favorite pieces for awhile.

I spied the metal basket for 50 cents on entering the first isle; a huge roll of this awesome jute webbing (thin enough to sew onto fabrics) and only $3.00

Below: putting some thoughts together for fabric inspiration~~

And~~my $1.00 old suitcase.  I love this thing. 

What I didn't buy (and may go back to get them if still there) an antique birdcage for $5.00; three old metal type~writer tables for $2.00 each (like a fool I only bought one~~$2.00 each!!) I'll post mine on Friday with my other bargains.

Time for coffee~~be back to see what you've been up to; have a great day.

~Collections~

       ~~~ On Mondays my favorite junking places are closed.  Tuesday is getting closer!  I'm thrifting only one day this week; too many home projects going on.  I've decided I really do spend too much time blogging; but that is where I get inspired~~here at my little desk (I'll paint it eventually) ~~

I bought this "handsome" desk with bookshelf many years ago for my son's college years~~and years later he gave it back to me (I still love it's potential)~~

Love this side of my little room next to the window~~a few cluttered treasures.  It'll all change again; I'm ready to reorganize~~been stuffing boxes with "stuff" and feels good to just move it out, donate or resale to my little booth at the antique mall.

So I can bring home MORE stuff! 

Let's get serious now.  I love stuff.  Here's my treasures from last Friday~~look at these beautiful, non~edible apples!  (please tell me someone else out there loves faux fruits and veggies!) ~~ $2.00 big bag of Autumn looking apples.  Could not resist.

Two oval antique frames.  The bigger one found at Catholic Charities for $3.00; and DH stopped in the local Habitat Resale Shop; got me the $5.00 baby chandy and another oval frame for (get this)~~a dime....

(since I didn't get to go this makes~up for that error;)

Here's some of my favorite inspirational parties:

http://www.bystephanielynn.com/

http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/

http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/

http://dittledattle.blogspot.com/