Cherries at the Market

The first of summer produce is now available in Farmer's Markets and fruits stands here in the basin. Today a trip to the Country Store was high on the "to do" list. 

We discovered a party-like atmosphere at the market. A Corvette Club scheduled a stop there. They were there, mostly by couples, enjoying free samples of apple juice, salsa, jams, and hand-made candies. The store manager was carrying a tray of cherry-chocolate truffles around to customers so they could sample them. It was all quite amazing! An event within a store with party-goers mixed in with the walk-in clientele. How fun is that? For some, great fun, but it was hard to shop, so I found a quiet corner in the store: the gift shop. I fell in love with this little bulletin board. And look! There's even a cute little copper tea kettle on it.

Soon the store had a more manageable number of customers and I was able to find what I came for. Cherries! The first of the season. Rainiers. They are a delicious mix of sweet with just the right amount of tartness. And they are pretty too!

After our selections were made and paid for we headed back to the parking lot. We'd parked at the far end of the parking lot where no other cars were parked. But wait! Did I mention that the Corvette Club was there? Two of the Corvette drivers had purposefully driven to the far end of the parking lot and one had parked on each side of Rylan's Mustang. They were making some kind of point, although I have no idea what it was. I found it amusing. Rylan just said "Hurry up, mom. It's time to go home." And we did.

Inspiration for Vintage Linens

One of the quilt guild ladies coordinated a class where we could learn about using our vintage linens in new ways. An instructor was invited from "the west side" who has created some beautiful patterns and made samples up to show. She also taught us how to select and choose vintage linens for projects. Here are some of her beautiful creations.

Do they inspire you? I hope so. I love her work and how she combines colors, textures, and fibers. The meld of old with new has such charm!

A Valentine

We are all a little weird and life's a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.

Love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs. 

- William Shakespeare

Valentine Greetings

Hear me, O Lord, for they lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of they tender mercies. 

Psalm 69:16

Open Dresser Drawers

Dresser drawers can be an interesting way to display pretty things.  Who says they always have to be closed with everything hidden on the inside?  I first noted that open drawers with things piling out on Becca's blog, Of Bluebirds and Roses.  In fact, I see that the she recently posted a picture again of an open dresser drawer with cushions displayed in it.  Meg of Crabapple Hill Studio also uses this technique in her showroom, placing embroidered and stuffed heart pillows inside a drawer and letting them spill out.  The effect is quaint, quirky, and charming!

So, I decided to try it at home!  At first it seemed messy to keep the dresser drawer partially opened, but after loading it with lace tablecloths, a cotton quilt, and an embroidered pansy wall-hanging, I felt more comfortable with its relaxed appearance.  It was fun looking for things to fill the drawer with.  In addition to cushions, quilts, and other fabric items, you could also fill a partially opened drawer with [insert your idea here --- leave a comment with your thoughts] and dried flowers, old sheet music, framed art and more.  The possibilities are endless.  What would you put in an open dresser drawer?

Supremely Blest

Home, the spot of earth supremely blest,
A dearer, sweeter spot than all the rest.

~ Robert Montgomery  ~

Mother's oak china closet now sits in my family room.  Dark and somewhat dated, it would look beautiful painted in shabby chic white, but for now I cannot bear to change it.  Instead, bits and pieces of vintage decor grace its shelves and touches of crocheted lace lighten dark spaces.  Its presence in the room provides comfort and familiarity, a touch of home, and objects that bring back memories of times past.  Old books, vintage plates, old silver, tea pots, and teacups fill its useful spaces.  For now it is simply. . .perfect.  Home sweet home.

All of These

How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong.  Because someday in your life you will have been all of these. 

~George Washington Carver ~

B.L.U.E.

 

Paula always creates beautiful vignettes in her shop and I always enjoy observing the creative scenes she puts together whenever I stop by. On a recent visit, all things blue seemed to call my name. Blue plates, blue tea towels, blue vanity sets, blue picture frames, blue boxes, and more blue, blue, blue. Blue beauty all around.

All this reminds me of a song.  Do you know it?


Blue, blue, my world is blue
Blue is my world now I'm without you
Gray, gray, my life is gray
Cold is my heart since you went away


When we met how the bright sun shone
Then love died, now the rainbow is gone


Black, black, the nights I've known
Longing for you so lost and alone
Gone, gone, the love we knew
Blue is my world now I'm without you.

I hope your day is blue in all the happy ways!  Happy week-end!

Creating Napkin Rings with Bling

 

Napkins are always a part of proper table setting.  The more formal the meal, the plainer the presentation.  Always folded, the napkin can be set on the plate or to the left of the fork on the table setting.   Very formal meals always have fabric napkin, but paper napkins have become more and more acceptable over the years for most table settings.  Fancy folded paper napkins are never considered appropriate for a formal table, but they sure are fun for a casual one!  At times a napkin ring can be a part of a proper table setting, but those with "bling" should be reserved for a whimsical or casual table.

 

You might remember the beautiful napkin rings that my friend, Tari, gave me recently.  I posted about them here.  She found them when on a trip to North Dakota and knew I'd love them as part of a vintage tea table. 

Today I decided to try my hand at making a few more.  I gathered together several plain napkin rings and raided my treasure chest for an assortment of old broaches, earrings, beads, and pendants.  Most were old yard sale finds (as in before my time) with enough bits of tarnish to make them more interesting.  Little bits of "bling" all worked together to make pretty metallic circlets made to hold napkins.  I attached the "bling" individually or in groupings of three or four items.  Some of them matched (if I had two vintage earrings for a napkin pair) but the rest were created by themes of like colors, sparkle, texture, or bead.

It was a relaxing and creative way to spend an afternoon.  Who needs retail therapy when you can create to your hearts content?

Old Silver Teaspoons in Home Decor

 

In most kitchens, silverware has been replaced by stainless steel flatware.  But for those who enjoy vintage things, a tarnished silver teaspoon is a great find when on a thrifting adventure.  Although some may use them as intended ~ to stir a cup of tea or nibble on a dainty dessert ~ most collectors take pleasure in using them as part of their home decor.  Long past is the day when silver had to be perfectly polished to be considered beautiful.  The Shabby Chic trend favors the dark, tarnished look.  This look is elegant and beautiful in its own way.  I will admit, though, to explaining that to some of the guests in my home.  You know, the ones who still abide by the rules of home decor as established for proper homemaking years back.  In the meantime, my silver tea set remains unpolished for most of the year.  Occasionally I will give it some polish just so it doesn't turn completely black.  I like the contrast of dark and light in the scrolled pattern and fancy edges.  But, back to the simple, silver teaspoon.

 

The use of the silver teaspoon for home decor is only limited by one's imagination.  Here, a creative crafter has drilled holes in spoon handles and hung them on a wire lampshade frame as an accessory for vintage or French country style decor.  The lampshade is placed upon a simple base and a clear light bulb is used as the source of light.  Satin ribbon is threaded around the lampshade wire and small ribbons are used to attach the teaspoons.  Tiny bows are tied at each place of attachment.  This lamp was somewhat lost in the midst of a jam-packed antique mall, but I think it would be beautiful and effective in a carefully selected spot in the home.
 

 

Another use of antique silver teaspoons is to create a hanging piece of art.  Not exactly a wind chime, but similar, this array of mismatched teaspoons is effective and pretty as they hang from a ceiling on a metal frame.  This inventive piece of home decor was created by Bonnie, a friendly and talented woman who owns a shop filled with custom French country decor.  A great deal of the furniture and art she sells in her shop was created by her!  She has some amazing pieces and her silver teaspoon art especially caught my eye!

Another simple, but very effective way to decorate with old silver teaspoons is to mass them together in an old pitcher or vase.  There is something quite stunning about placing a collection of simple items altogether in one place.


What do you do with your bits and pieces of old silverware?  We'd love to hear your comments and suggestions.  Would you share them?

Vintage Musings

Have you noticed the trend in design and collecting? Vintage is absolutely in style! How strange it seems that antique and vintage shops are now filled with items that were common in my childhood. When I was a little girl, I remember asking my mother how old something had to be to be considered an antique. She thought a moment, and then said fifty years seemed about right. Well, now that fifty years have passed, I would prefer that items of that genre be considered vintage, not antique. But, it is all about perspective, isn't it. Just like fashions cycle again after several decades, so do household items and decor. Retro is in. I like the bright colors and stylized patterns of the fifties. But, I am not so fond of the resurgence of avocado green and brash gold. But, by the time that trend is in full swing again, I will probably be happy for the subtle changes in how it is used, and will embrace it wholeheartedly. What is your favorite, retro trend?

Vintage Sewing

Yesterday Kim and I discovered an intriguing booth at an antique mall nearby. Stepping inside it's space was like stepping back in time. It took me back to my childhood when I would go to an old-fashioned department store downtown called "The Beehive". Wooden bins, open trays of thread, buttons, thimbles, and trims invited the observer to explore each space. Patterns from an era past reminded me of the fashions of my youth. Such displays simply inspire the observer to learn to sew! Trims and threads in a variety of colors and styles make one dream of creations! Buttons of interesting shapes and colors become central in selecting fabrics and styles to go with them. Backwards, maybe. Usually the pattern would come first, but for a budding seamstress, sometimes the little details inspire and the rest of a project is built around it. How fun it was to step back in time, even if just for a moment. And it made me pause to think. What inspires new seamstresses these days? Only they can tell, but I think it would be so interesting to know!

Roses, Lavender, Coneflowers, and Mint

 

The fragrance of roses, lavender, cornflowers, and flowering mint filled my car today as I ran my errands around town.  It had fun delivering them to Paula and Terri so they could use them in their booth at the antique show this week-end.  And I enjoyed seeing their booth!  It featured the best of their shop and was filled with so many beautiful vintage things.  The soft pastel colors, old linens, and vintage and antique treasures all worked together in soothing harmony.  I wish them much success as they enjoy visiting with community members enjoying the antique show this week-end.  Happy times, you two!    

[Click on the picture to see it better]

Vintage Trinkets

Trinkets, gems, costume jewelery, bits of this and that. Whatever you call them, sparkling bits of vintage gold, silver, pearl, and shiny beads and jewels work together to create sentiment and adornment. Most women have broaches or other pieces of jewelry which have been passed down from a grandmother, mother, or aunt. Although many of these tidbits don't have much monetary value, they have great worth as heritage pieces that help us remember cherished people and times. A mother's ring, the broach worn on grandmother's coat, or the dangling earrings on Great-aunt Jo's ears all work to form visual pictures that are tied to warm memories and close relationships. Even as fashion changes so they are no longer considered stylish, they remain in jewelry boxes and trinket trays, reminding us of those we love.

Pretty pieces like these also remind me of the story of Esther in the Bible, given the best of fragrances and jewels before her visit with the king. I wonder if she was able to keep those pieces and pass them along to her daughters and granddaughters; a reminder of her courage and bravery as she saved her people from harm. For me, this favorite Bible story emits it's own bond to my past; memories of reading the story over and over again and wondering about the brave queen.

Today's photo is a small part of one woman's collection of vintage pieces given to Paula for her shop. Can you picture her in her hey-day, wearing these pieces with fashion flair? You can click on the picture for a larger view if you'd like.

Teacup Apron Heaven

I'm in teacup apron heaven! Two new aprons joined my collection yesterday, both with a teacup theme. The first is the beautiful little turquoise and yellow apron that has red trimmed teacups in the accent fabric. A flared flange at the base adds swirl and grace. Ric-rac is carefully stitched and edged to complete the look. I've admired it for a long time at Elm Street Antiques yesterday it simply called my name. It's special to me because it was stitched by Terri and I'll think of her each time I wear it. If that wasn't fun enough, in the evening another friend with the same name, but spelled as Tari, stopped in for a visit. She brought a beautiful little apron that she'd asked her mother to make for me. What a pleasant surprise! A pair of Levi jeans were cut to make an apron front. The pockets have teacup and teapot buttons stitched onto them for accent. The tea-themed print in pink makes a ruffle and tie that is strung through the belt loops. Not seen in the picture is the apron top (making it a full apron) that's crafted in the same print. If you click on the picture, you'll see a larger view. The aprons in the middle of the collage are new ones at the Elm Street shop. Paula and Terri just found them at The Farm Chicks show. I love how they are displayed. What a perfect apron day! May yours be so as well.

Elm Street Nursery

Paula and Teri have so many lovely linens and vintage china in their shop, I sometimes forget to stop to appreciate fully all the lovely infant things in the Elm Street Nursery. How about taking a little tour with me. When I stopped to visit Paula yesterday, she was not there. But instead, a cute little guy greeted me with a dimpled smile. He's sharing that smile with you here as well! Enjoy!

Pretty in Pink

Things are pretty in pink at Elm Street. Teri and Paula have been busy finding and creating lovely new treasures for their shop. Soft pinks, creamy white, and rose decals all work together on tin, wood, and fabric to form pretty shabby chic embellishments for the home. A creamy white tea tin with tiny rose decals was too beautiful to pass by --- it had to come home with me. It's so pretty sitting on my kitchen counter. Charming and sweet, it reminds me of the creative sisters of Elm Street and of all the fun they have together, adding special treats of vintage decor to their antique and gift shop. Great job, you two! Each visit to your shop is a treasure hunt of new and interesting things!

Charming Country Kitchen

Have you ever noticed how a kitchen reflects the personality and interests of the cook? I haven't spent much time reflecting upon what types of kitchen each type of cook might prefer, but it would be an interesting subject to explore. I've been posting pictures of Terri's house the past few weeks, and today's post is to show you how Terri's personality is expressed so beautifully in her kitchen. If you had a chance to meet Terri, you would know that this kitchen is quintessentially Terri! She chose a simple palette of white cabinets and walls to showcase the many beautiful details she enjoys. Vintage, antique, and new all meld together perfectly to create a dreamy and cozy space for meal preparation. Gadgets, canisters, her signature green color, lace, and rose prints all work together in creating a space that is a joy to work in. I can just picture her baking cookies, cinnamon rolls, or savory soups in this lovely kitchen! Thank you, Terri, for giving us a peek into a space that reflects your personality so well.

Photos: Paula@2009

Hand Maid Curtains

With curtains on my mind, I decided to visit Paula and take a look at curtains. The little details I observed showed the care and attention that she and Terri put into creating the perfect space at their shop. Each window had its own, unique details. I would have been so easy to just put up a fabric or lace curtain and leave it at that. But, that's not their 'style'. Instead, finishing touches made each window covering its own work of art. Let's take a look at their creative additions --- a bead swag, rosettes spaced six inches apart that pull and tuck lace panels, hankies layered into a valence, a bundle of dried roses capping a gathered drape, a row of narrow lace bordered with lace swags and a puckered top, and side panels of floral printed cotton hug gathered lace panels. Sweetness plus! Hand maid curtains --- purely vintage!

[Double-click on photo for larger details]

Vintage Vignettes

Terri's house has sweet surprises in scattered throughout every room. Just like at the shop that she and Paula 'keep' on Elm Street, her home is filled with interesting things that remind of days gone by. Gentle vignettes of interest await in every room. Vignettes: a word that means a short scene or to describe in a brief way. From the Old French for vigne, or vine - which comes from the use of vine tendrils in decorative borders. Terri's vignettes really are short scenes, each a story unto itself. They are scenes that would meld exactly onto pages of a book adorned with borders of tendrils that wind around the edges of a page. Thus, each becomes a page unto itself in the book of a beautiful home. They are storybook rooms mastered by author Terri who's skills as artist are just as effective as an author who has a delightful way with words.

Tomorrow we'll take a look at some of the outlining features in Terri's home. Please stop by again.