A LIGHT AND A LAMPSHADE

Do you sometimes hunt and hunt for something when you are antiquing, and never find it in your price range? Then, all of sudden, there it is!

For a couple of years I have been looking for a small alabaster lamp. A unique alabaster is quarried in Colorado that is pink/gold with unusual veining. I remember these little lamps being sold in gift shops as a Colorado product, and even saw one awhile ago in an antique shop with the original shop sticker on it. It was way out of my price range, so I had to walk away. But, recently I found one in a local antique mall (without the shop sticker) for $15, and it came home with me.

It is quite heavy, and smoothly polished. It's perfect.

It came with a ratty lampshade that needed replaced. I really like lampshades covered with an accent fabric. So, now the search was on for a lampshade. In the past, I have covered self-adhesive lampshades; but the ones available at Hobby Lobby and Jo-Anns were not the right size. I finally found a web site (hollywoodlightscrafts.com) to custom order self-adhesive shades in any size for a reasonable price.

I used the last bit of toile fabric that I had bought from a French vendor several years ago. I like finishing details, so I covered the raw edge with gimp.

A patient search is always worth it -- I'm really enjoying my new lamp on the kitchen counter.

I'm joining in the following parties:

Courtney at French Country Cottage
for the Feathered Nest Party.

Marty at A Stroll Thru Life
for Tabletop Tuesday

Donna at Funky Junk Interiors
for Saturday Nite Special

Be sure to go by these blogs for great inspiration.

INDUSTRIAL CHIC

Up front let me say that I love the so-called 'finer things' in life and in my home such as 19th century dishes, velvet, paisley tapestry, lace, etc. But, I'm always in conflict as I love a big hunk of metal junk, peeling paint, and rust, too.

Margo's Junkin Journal
is having a linky party to show off our Industrial Chic. She didn't mention the farm industry, but that is where my background is and what I love to scrounge for!

I love this cultivator thingy - it fits in the umbrella hole of the wicker table on our back porch, then holds a candle perfectly. Check out that green paint that goes with the rusty tips.

Every porch needs a tractor seat made into a stool. My Dad made this years ago, and he used it at his workbench to sit on while repairing farm machinery. That's International Harvester red paint on the seat that has oxidized to orange. The base is made from a pipe and a disc.

These disc spacers are great for elevating pumpkins or pillar candles. All we did was wash them off, and spray some acrylic sealer on them to control the rust. They sit on an old tool box from my Dad's shed.

So, head out to your nearest farm machinery salvage yard where there is a plethora of neat stuff waiting to be discovered.

Here are some of the disc spacers I had to choose from. I wanted them all, but they do weigh a ton. The three I did pick cost $4.00 total.

Before you go salvaging, stop by Margo's

for mega inspiration.

THE DISH STORAGE ROOM

Sheila at Note Songs
is having a party today to celebrate "The Heart of the Home". I think she means the kitchen. Right?

Oh, I thought that was the dish storage room, as I don't have much of a passion for cooking.

But my joy lies in collecting dishes.

Don't get me wrong -- I do know how to cook and can put a decent meal on the table as I've had lots of practice -- just not much joy in that activity. See my kitchen is really functional - it has a stove, lots of storage and counter space.

It has a sink - I like it best when it is empty and clean!

There are well-used utensils close at hand - some I've had since we got married 52 years ago

I do enjoy looking at my kitchen - these old Ball canning jars have held my supply of macaroni and rice for at least 40 years. I remember the day we bought them (the jars, not the rice) at an auction in Montana.

My favorite time in the kitchen is cleaning up and turning out the lights for another day!

Be sure to go over to Sheila's - I'm sure you will find lots of kitchens belonging to passionate cooks. One just doesn't reside here!

A DEMI JOHN AND A VISIT!

Just in the last month or so, I have been seeing wicker-encased demi johns around blogland. In our many years of antiquing and junking, I don't recall seeing one before. Then magically, yesterday we were at an auction, and there was one! I'm usually not very trendy - you know: "a day late, a dollar short" type. But, we won the bid for $5.00. Did we pay too much??

I know nothing about them, but this one appears to have held rum. Does anyone know how old this one might be?

It has some interesting labels.

There is something about the shape and texture that is engaging.

I'm linking to the following parties:

Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays with Linda at Coastal Charm
and
Tabletop Tuesdays with Marty at A Stroll Thru Life

Check out these two blogs for lots of inspiration and treasures.

= = = = = = = = = = =

On Friday last week, Bob and I spent a most enjoyable day with Mary
of Mary's Meanderings and her husband. We have met together several times before, but this was the first time we had visited their wonderful home. This energetic and enthusiastic couple have a lot going on both personally and professionally. They own this huge old house which they are restoring - it is already full of great details and belongings - I can't imagine how charming it will be when they finish. It is a huge job, but they have already done a ton of work. Professionally, they are missionaries and are working in the small town of Aguilar, Colorado to establish a food and clothing pantry to aid these people that live in this depressed area. Not only are they giving these people a hand-up, but are really trying to impact their lives for the better on a personal level. Mary fixed lunch of quiche and soup for us, and served it in their newly refurbished breakfast nook. Sorry - no pictures as we were too busy visiting and enjoying the day. Be sure to check out Mary's blog here, as she always has wonderful, informative posts.

OUR LITTLE PRINCESS!

You will always be our little princess. Happy 14th birthday, sweet Cait!

T-SHIRT MORPHED INTO A PILLOW

A couple of years ago while we were in Paris, we went to this department store called 'Galleries Lafayette'. The architecture was amazing.

While there I bought my granddaughter a sparkly, Paris t-shirt. She came bounding in the other day with this pink and bling t-shirt on. After I commented that she had just about out-grown the shirt; she said, "But, I love it sooooo much!"

So, it was decided that it would live on in a pillow. I found some fabric that coordinates with her shams and comforter and added them to the knit of the shirt. This is the result:

I cut out the label and put it on the back of the pillow.

She was excited today when she came after school to find her new pillow.

This is a good solution for those much-loved t-shirts that just won't disappear!

A couple of hints:

When combining knits with a woven fabric, it helps to stabilize the knit with an iron-on interfacing before sewing to your fabric. This eliminates any stretching that might occur.

If you don't want to spend the money for a down pillow insert, or even for a quality fiber-fill insert; check the pillow section at Wal-mart. I found this 14" x 20" travel pillow to use for the insert and it was just $2.00. You certainly can't make it for that money; and they are great for teen-age rough and tumble!

I'm linking to Donna's Saturday Night Special
on Funky Junk Interiors.

and

Susan's Metamorphosis Monday
on Between Naps on the Porch.

Check these two blogs out for inspiration beyond belief!!

MY BOYS OF SUMMER!

There has been considerable discussion at my house the last two years about the possibility of a treehouse. You are only eight years old once, so it was decided that this was the year to make it happen. When you combine an eight-year old dreamer (Wyatt) with a seventy-one-year old engineer (his papa), there is a lot of talk about possibilities versus structure/buildability/safety/etc.
And then the supplies had to be gathered - trips to yard sales for reclaimed lumber, to the lumber yard and to the Habitat for Humanity restore for bolts, etc., and to one of our own hidey-holes for necessary pieces!

Finally, they got started.

A left-handed hammer and a right-handed drill.

Learning a few skills along the way.

Safety first - a railing, gate, and a sturdy ladder so the old-folks can climb up there, too.

Every castle needs a shield and every pirate boat needs a flag.

You need a supply of rope because you might decide you want to surf under the treehouse. In arid Colorado, you have to pretend to surf on a rope and board.

Where will this happy boy's imagination take him next?

Hopefully, when he is seventy-one years old; he will remember the summer he and his papa built the treehouse.

I'm linking up to Mosaic Monday with Mary at
Little Red House

and

Outdoor Wednesday with Susan at
A Southern Daydreamer

Please stop by these two blogs as I'm sure you will enjoy your visit!

APOTHECARY LOVE!

It is time for Marty's annual Fall Cloche/Apothecary Jar party. I decided to join in this time not with a cloche vignette, but using my antique apothecary jars. I had my eye on these four jars at a local antique store for a couple of years; and finally around my birthday and Christmas last year, we bought them. I've sure enjoyed them as versatile containers for all kinds of stuff!

Today, they hold grocery store flowers in Fall colors.

Be sure to go by Marty's A Stroll Thru Life
where you will find a plethora of ideas for your cloches and jars.

LAST REPORT ON THE ESTATE SALE

I bet all of you are tired of hearing about the estate sale that I have been helping with the last two months. I promise this is the last post on the subject! We are ready to open the doors for the two-day sale this coming weekend. The ad in the paper says, "Treasures from 34 Countries; Tools to Tuxedos; The Elegant to the Ordinary!" That about sums it up.

And now, to finish up showing you the rest of the things I bought at the presale.

The deceased was a well-traveled, accomplished woman.
I bought these three watercolors that she had done as a teenager in the 1920s. They are inscribed on the back as gifts to her mother.

I've always been attracted to amateur paintings, plus these three have nice, old frames.

Then, from the $.50 - $1.00 table I bought the following:
An old red tea tin and a little Tum's container.

A small snuff bottle with the cork intact and a great label. The large brown jar used for canning was originally a cocoa jar.

Also, from the $.50 - $1.00 table a wooden hanger from the Grand Hotel in Paris. I love this as we have stayed by the St. Lazare Station in Paris (but not at the Grand Hotel)!

For $10, I bought this Irish wool throw.

AND NOW -------- my big purchase!

I bought 101 pieces of Johnson Bros. Friendly Village dishes. I had a few pieces of this pattern that I had picked up in the past, but now I have enough to feed an army. You can't have too many dishes, can you?

I really had to work at moving dishes around to find room for 101 more. But, like I told my husband -- you can always find room for more dishes.

And that is it -- I have pretty well shot my wad, for a while anyways!

I'm joining in with Rhoda at Southern Hospitality
for the Thrifty Treasures party

and

Linda at Coastal Charm
for Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays.

Please check out these two wonderful blogs for more thrifty treasures.