A Collection is a Wonderful Thing

So I am into collecting a few things now.  I find myself on the hunt for certain items

to add to the rest of my obsession.  Now, I remember having a collection

of many things, including bells, spoons, bears, etc.  But as our collections come and go, so does our taste and style.  We change over time, and that's perfectly fine.  

Nothing wrong with change.  So, back to this collection thing.  Okay, one

big thing I want to start finding are bread boxes.  Any type of bread box.  I have two now

and I love them.  I like things that are different, vintage, whimsical and artsy.  Here are 

the two bread boxes I have now.  The larger one actually has a flour, sugar, tea and coffee drawer and the bread section is on the bottom. Super cool! The other one, well needless to say I just love it because of the color and the crystal knob.  This is definitely

not going anywhere.. so take a look

Aren't they great?! Ya, I think so too!  So that's one obsession.. here's the other one.  Well, part of one.  I really have been into Ironstone.. But I don't own a real one yet.  I've seen them and I love them.  I'm awaiting the purchase or find of my first Ironstone.  So in my hunt for Ironstone, I came across a few mini pitchers.. all white.  I love them. And found the perfect way to show them off.. take a look!

I LOVE IT!  So moving onto my collection, and I've already partially highlighted this particular item earlier on my blog but I found a cool, new use for them! I will be looking for these everywhere!  Tool Caddies.... so versatile and who doesn't want to take an item and use if for something totally opposite of what its meant for! Check this out!

Weighing In on Vintage Scales

What is it about rusty old scales any way? I know I'll never use one (especially the kind you stand on..ha!) but I don't usually spend any amount of time weighing out my food.  But there is something about the vintage scales.  I never really considered collecting them and whenever I'm checking out another blog (i.e. Miss Mustard Seed)

there's a scale..or two, or three... and I fell in love almost instantly

with them!  How can something so not necessary be so wonderful!

The rustier (is that a word? ha!) the better!  I actually came across my first one

at a yard sale, an unexpected stop no-less.  I saw it the minute I pulled up and I kept

telling myself "This is probably priced way too high and that's why nobody

has snatched it up"... As soon as I walked up to, the gentleman (who was dressed in overhauls and a cowboy hat) says, "I'll take $2 for it".. well, I must have looked like I was

disgusted with the price because before I could mutter another word, he says to

me "Alright, $1.50" ... SOLD!  And I took my treasure home :) . It gave me

just a warm and fuzzy feeling inside.  Finally, I had something that I had seen

everywhere on the internet, and it was actually mine.  So here is my pretty vintage scale, perfectly weathered, rusted and aged.  (My better half still gives me a funny look on this one..ha! Wait until you all see my vintage bread/flour/tea/coffee box). I'll post next!



A Bike Any Girl Would Love

I've been thinking about how to keep active in the evenings instead of getting caught up watching the t.v. so after I posted a blog a couple of weeks ago with a picture of a bicycle, I thought "that's it!".. and then the hunt was on.  I was in search of the perfect bike..because anyone that knows me that just any old bike isn't going to do, it has to be me :).  So I started searching, and searching, on and on.. I also never like to pay full price for ANYTHING!  So if its not on sale (at least 60%), clearance, Craigslist, flea market, garage sale or free, I'm not interested.  I finally found my bike.  Well, my first one any way.  I think this bike thing could become a potential collection for me.  But here is a picture of my bike.  I love her! I need a bell and basket though, which the bell a friend of mine has so I will be getting that but now I am on a  quest to find the perfect basket.  I paid a little more than I wanted to for this bike BUT it is one that I have had my eye on for a while.  It's readily available (WalMart) but it's not a true vintage but it has the spirit of one, and that's okay in my book.  Check it out! Isn't she pretty?

It's Tool Time

Let's just say I've been so lucky when it comes to barn picking and flea markets.  I'm onto another collection (doesn't surprise me) that I have to be on the hunt for whenever I'm hitting flea markets, garage sales or barn picks.  Toolboxes!  Antique, Vintage, unique, I'll take them! My latest find was through a friend (thanks Mel ;)) and she had a whopper of a tool box.  Wow, this thing was huge! 38" long to be exact.  But it was a beauty.  So of course I had to have it.  But I was bound and determine NOT to use it as a tool box or a planter or even a shelf (turned upside down).  I was going to use it on my newly purchased, recycled barn wood coffee table to hold magazines, remotes and coasters.  This you MUST see  

And this is how I decided to use it.. (look at my awesome coffee table too, another good find on at a barn ;))

...LOVE IT!

Worldly keepsakes, A Global Idea

So I went to a flea market this weekend.  However, keep in mind it was NOT your ordinary flea market.  It was out in the middle of nowhere.  Literally.  Driving to it meant taking back roads, broken roads, one lane roads, muddy roads... need I say more?  So I really didn't anticipate finding much of anything and if I did, it would be something small.  Well, I was wrong...wow! The very first table I walked up to I see a globe.  You're probably thinking "What is so fascinating about a globe?"  Well, I never thought I'd be even remotely interested in a globe but when I saw Miss Mustard Seed's garage sale finds a few weeks ago, I had to have one.  Here is the one I found.  I paid $20 for it (what a bargain) AND it is circa 1920's pre-World War II!! That's what I love about it, it's Vintage!! 

So with this great find, I HAD to find more pictures of all the globes I could out there..I think I just found a new item to collect.. 

And here are some creative ways to use a globe.. I just love these ideas, very creative and nostalgic.  Most of all they are unique and different..love it!

Great uses for grain feed sacks

I was so excited last week I got my hands on some vintage burlap feed grain sacks.  They are so neat.  They are a little dirty and musty and I've researched them and they cannot be washed or the design will come of but I think I can repurpose them for sure..which makes me very excited about my next project.  The sacks I picked up (there were about 7 of them which I paid $5 for, what a steal!) that the majority of them are for old Purina Chow Foods.  The are red and blue print on more of an Oatmeal grain sack than a lighter color.  I really don't want to upholster a chair with "purina on it" but I might take the blank sections of fabric to see if I can't cover a chair (or two)..So with the logo on it showing, I think I might tackle a bench I have.  I found some photos (below) showing different uses on chairs.. but I also found a stool.  Pretty cool looking.  AND I get to use Miss Mustard Seed's Milk paint (in blue) for the first time so it should turn out pretty cool. 

This chair (above) is sooo pretty and perfectly paired with the logo used

from the grain sack

And as for these two, WOW, love the stripes!! Can't wait to hunt down some of

these sacks

Ohhh, lampshades.. I love 'em! You can do so much with so little.   I bet I have

a lampshade (or two) lying around that could use a makeover or I might hunt them down

at some garage sales.  This is a great idea for the left over pieces

that are too small to use as upholstery (hmm.. I see project #2 with this)

And so here it is.. when I saw this bench (above), I realized I could definitely refinish the one I have in my living room (which is taking up too much space so I need to get

rid of it) and make it more kitchy using repurposed grain feed sacks.  Love it!

So here is what I am starting with:

...and when I get finished with it this weekend, I will post the repurposed/refinished

bench..this should be great! check back and check it out!

It's the Simple Things in life that matter.....

There is definitely something so pleasing about this photo... maybe its the water or the hint of boat in the background.  But my favorite thing is the bicycle.  It's white and bright, it is stunning.  It just sends a message out to me to just hop on and take off for a bike ride up the coast and take in the fresh air, the wind blowing in your hair, the splash of the waves on the water.  Now that's pleasing.  I think I'm going to begin a quest to find this bike! I just love it! I've seen many like it, well, somewhat like it.  However, I can't tell from this picture if its truly vintage or not.  Oh well, I still love it, old or new.  This bike is a must for me.

Ahhhh, my favorite color! Who knew? Well I can tell you all of my friends know this is MY color. I mean, not "my color" but it's my favorite and is all over my house.  It's all over this blog.  But it looks great! It's soothing, beautiful, refreshing and can go with any style decor and can be paired nicely with an array of other colors.  To me, this robin's egg blue color represents vintage, and it also represents the finer things in life.  Robin's egg blue, literally the color of the Robin's eggs.  Fragile, delicate and so pretty.  So be forewarned, you will definitely see this color many times posted on my blog.. i just love it :) 

This bed....what can I say about this bed?? WOW!! this thing is gorgeous!! Stunning, breathtaking... I could say many things about this.. I WANT I WANT I WANT! :) haha.. well, I know I wouldn't be able to afford this however I could try and find something very similar and recreate this room.  It's girly yes, but it's different and just says "take your shoes off and take a nap"...now where's my tea and my book.. can you just imagine? I know I could