sweet stack...

I went treasure hunting with Mary Ellen this past Monday.

We had a great time!

In addition to finding some new pieces for our booths, we are starting to gather pieces for the next At Home With White Show at the shop.

While we did not hit the vintage jackpot we did find a few things.

Of course I found something for myself too...

Vintage books are one of my weaknesses and the colors on the top book of this sweet stack are perfect for my studio.

They are beautifully worn...

I would like to untie this pretty package and browse through the pages.

If you look closely, the book behind the top one is "The Adventures of Pinocchio"...

I would like to untie this pretty package, but just can't yet...

It is just too cute!

I think I will admire it for a while just like this...

Blogger is still not letting me visit some of you or let me leave comments on some of your blogs.

I feel like I am missing out on so much and hope it will be fixed soon!

I am joining in on the fun at Vintage Inspiration Friday and Feathered Nest Friday.

no more second thoughts and sticking to the rule...

So when I was having second thoughts the other day about keeping this silver tray chalkboard...

It's a keeper!

And having Jim remind me of the one thing in, two things out rule, I listed a few extra treasures in my Etsy shop like this lovely trinket tray...

As well as a few sweet vintage books...

Don't forget that I am having a sale in my Etsy shop through the end of the month which I blogged about here.

Today I am visiting the ladies over at Capers of the Vintage Vixens and joining in on their Blogger's Bodega.

Lots of great shopping over there!

(Remember the rule Sandi.)

Have a wonderful day!

christmas music...

Good Morning!!  Debra is hosting her Vintage Inspiration Friday again today at Common Ground ~ don't you just love  her new button...

Today my little holiday nest tour continues with a bit of a music theme.  I put this simple vignette together and my Mom's old music book was the starting point...

There is a little peek of my tree in the reflection!  I love the graphics on the cone don't you...

I wanted the vignette on this table to go with this sweet Christmas sheet music banner I put on my mantel mirror (which I do not use on my mantel!)...

  Each "flag" is a different Christmas carol and the edges are trimmed in glitter...

Another peek at my tree!  And yes, it sits right next to my ugly old computer table and chair (hoping to find new ones soon...still trying to talk the Mr. into the chair Hilary!)  Well, since I sort of showed you a bit of the desk I will share with you how I tried to make it look pretty for the holidays.  Above the desk on the message board I put the advent calendar I made for myself...

Then I took the old drawer with metal dividers out of my craft room and put it on the corner of the desk...

I added a few little flower frogs and some petite white bottle brush trees but I think it might need something else.  Any suggestions?  I am sure a bit of browsing through all the other VIF links over at Common Ground will probably give me a few ideas!

I hope you all enjoy your day ~ mine started off just fabulous ~ I won the beautiful giveaway over at Dreamy Whites!!  Thank you so much Maria!  Am I a lucky girl or what!!!

love of vintage...

For as long as I can remember I have always loved "old things" (as I called it in my youth), "vintage treasures" (as I refer to them now) or, as my Dad used to joke, just "stuff". My love of vintage came from my parents. A little part came from my Dad, who could appreciate the "stuff" my Mom brought home ~ he just loved to see her happy. I am lucky to have a guy like that now. However it was my Mom who has always been the biggest inspiration in my life. She was passionate about hunting, collecting and preserving certain pieces from the past that spoke to her. I am thankful every day for falling in love with this way of life. The wonderful vintage treasures that my Mom cherished as I grew up are now being cherished in my home. They each hold special memories ~ whether it was of my Mom telling me not to touch it or using it as a "house" for my dolls ~ each memory is precious. I have taken these treasures along with the once or twice loved pieces I find and, can happily say, have made this house a home. Let's take a peek... One of my weaknesses is vintage mirrors. I imagine romantic tales and secrets hidden away in past reflections, and look forward to what changes are in their future... I usually use mirrors or empty frames as art for my walls. I feel they are smart purchases as they would work in any room. That is not to say I do not appreciate paintings, especially when they add a touch of vintage romance and are in my favorite colors...

This beauty hangs over the desk in my craft room for inspiration. See the gorgeous one in the corner here... I remember staring at that print when I was a little girl thinking the two beautiful ladies were sisters and they reminded me of my Mom and her sister. They now keep watch over Vivienne, my vintage pin cushion doll. Now this simple little chair comes with a story ~ you see my Mom insisted it was hers and I insisted it was mine. The mix up being a result of treasure hunting together. So it was shared through the years and has worn many different colors... I used to use this old crock as an elevator for my dolls...This antique oil lamp was one of those "don't touch" items ~ I just admired it from a distance... My Mom taught me how to repurpose when in a decorating dilemma, like hanging an old cupboard door on a wall... I also adore sweet vintage books and started my collection with this one from my Mom. She bought it because it is beautiful and her maiden name was Perkins...I recently used this book in my fall ledge makeover.

Now, in my bedroom, or Paris Hotel Suite, is where you will find some of my favorite vignettes like this one on my bureau... I added this little shoe to my Mom's engagement photo, her old perfume bottle and match book that was on her dresser. I also added the pearl collar for a classic touch. The next vignette holds my mother of pearl opera glasses that my husband bought for me at a flea market before we were married... I put one of my little dress forms with it as well as a little clock assemblage I picked up at the shop. I love to create these little ladies for my booth space too...My Mom and I would have had so much fun treasure hunting together for my space! I know she is with me at every yard sale, flea market or thrift store in spirit. They both are. Thanks Mom and Dad for making me an old soul, a kindred spirit ~ one who prefers antique malls to the mega malls. They taught me to hold tight to my dreams and never give up. So, that is what brings me here today. To the blog launch party for the new magazine Creating Vintage Charm. I remember there always being stacks of my Mom's favorite magazines around the house and you will pretty much find the same around mine. Keeping those special issues where an article or photo hit home and spoke to me. I would love to be able to share with their readers a peek into my home where I show my love of vintage.

jane muffet and peter and wendy...

Well, it has been raining since Sunday and probably will be right through tomorrow! I guess I should be happy ~ the rain has brought cooler temperatures. The last few weeks working at the shop on Tuesdays has been so hot and humid. I am looking forward to fluffing my space today and not feel like I am melting! I found some wonderful old books this weekend. Some are headed for my Etsy shop and some for my booth... John Martin's Big Book No. 10 published in 1926... is full of lessons for little ones, sweet stories as well as a bit of history too...

Did you know Miss Muffet's first name was Jane?!

Wonderful old story books...

They are in great condition for vintage books. They all belonged to "Corinne" who wrote her name inside each one. I love this cover... I noticed that in addition to the contents page of a book there would be a list of illustrations page too. As I browse through this beauty I don't know if I can part with it! How about a book with bedtime stories, you know before the Sand-man comes... After reading the Foreword it made me wonder if the stories are for bed time or not... I did pick up 19 books from The Bedtime Story Books collection. There were 20 in all... I am going to save these for my booth ~ the colors will be great for a Halloween display I am working on (and am very excited about)! This next book is probably in the worst shape with the hard cover coming loose. However the illustrations are so sweet...

Great as is or for altered art projects by all you creative ones out there! Now, this was the first book I picked... I quickly grabbed it for the colors ~ thought it would be perfect for a holiday vignette. Then I took a closer look...Sigh..."Peter and Wendy", first edition from 1911. Love the first illustration... I usually use Ebay and Etsy to do a little homework on the treasures I find. I nearly fell off my chair when I looked this one up on Ebay! I only paid 50 cents for each book!! Well, I am off to get a few things ready to take to the shop. I will be listing a few new things in my Etsy shop this week too. Thank you for taking time to visit and browse through these wonderful old books with me today. I am joining Linda over at Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday. I think I did some nifty thrifting, don't you?!

the one that took my breath away...

Well Hello!! The lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer are here and we are having a heat wave! I think it must have hit 100 yesterday. I know it was very hot in the shop yesterday afternoon while I was there. Since I have been enjoying the lazy days of summer at my campground and have not done any feathering of my nest at home, I thought that for White Wednesday I would show off a few whites that the other shop girls have in their booths right now. I have not hit any yard sales since I returned from Aruba but I did a quick hit at the antique malls in downtown Plymouth. I found this sweet little lamp... I spied this beautiful lamp in Jackie's booth... I also fell in love with this lamp that Jeannie created... Isn't that so cute! Jeannie's is so creative ~ I get lots of inspiration from her booth! You know how I love sweet vintage books ~ well I found a beautiful one in Plymouth which I'll show you soon. My little collection is getting bigger so I decided to part with a few that I put in my booth...
Uh oh...having seller's regret already!! Okay...moving on...Pam has some pretty whites for your kitchen...

Lee has this sweet little cart that I think would be so cute on a porch filled with flowers... Betsy has this lovely old hand made eyelet lampshade... Then Karen has this sweet little canister set that I really should get for my craft room...

Mary has a message board with the prettiest frame...However, leave it to Maureen and Pete to have the piece ~ the one that took my breath away... Just look at the wonderful details...

Maureen and Pete...you two make it so hard to be good!! I soooo could not sneak this one in my house! I always say to myself ~ if it is here next week it's mine! We all know it will not be there ~ sigh. Like I mentioned it is the crazy days of summer too and I am finding myself picking up a book before I pick up my laptop to blog hop and visit all my favorites. So if you have stopped by to visit ~ thank you so much! I am almost done with my latest book (yes I am a Twilight fan) and will catch up on my visits before I pick up the last book. Before I go I thought I would also show you the sign I made for my booth...I need to get some more cards made up with my blog address and put them in a cute little holder and hang it underneath ~ soon! Thank you Kathleen for hosting today!! Have fun everyone over at Faded Charm for White Wednesday, the one day in blogland that I just can't miss!!