Musings of a Vintage Junkie

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Random Fall Things

Some exciting things happening around here lately....at least for me!

I won the most wonderful giveaway from Tuula whose blog Thrifty Rebel Vintage is one I eagerly read each time she posts. She does the most amazing makeovers and repurposing of unusual items.

This is what I won! A beautiful garden flower art made out of a silver platter and pretty glass bowls.

It came all wrapped up so pretty with a sweet note....

Here are a few close-ups...

It really adds so much to my dying Fall garden!

Also in my garden, my Sweet Autumn Clematis is blooming profusely....finally! It takes 2-3 years for it to really fill out and bloom.

They are the sweetest little white flowers!

New Café curtains in my kitchen....again!

I haven't started decorating for Fall yet and probably won't until the beginning of October, but I felt the need to take the summer out of my kitchen.

I made this pair of café curtains this summer from flour sack dish towels I found at Walmart. They came out so cute and brightened my kitchen up during the hot weather. The post and tutorial is here if you are interested.

For Fall and Winter I wanted a more neutral, cooler look using the cobalt blue that is already in my kitchen. I thought of mattress ticking and found some sheets, but they were too dark.

While killing time in Marshall's one day, I came upon the dish towels! There hanging on the wall were the perfect set of three. I did not notice in the store that the two on the left were a little different!

I did it once, why not again? I made a plan to use all three towels to make two panels for café curtains.

Towels are so perfect to use because there is minimal sewing. The edges, bottom and top hems are all done! I cut the dark striped one in half lengthwise and attached it to one side of the checked white towel and one half to the vertical striped white towel. One quick seam for each one. I turned the top over for the rod casing and sewed it all down, added another seam for a little header, and done.

It took all of a half hour! The cost? $4.99 + NY state tax = $35. Just kidding! $5.39 to be exact.

A little quirky, a little different, but I like it!

I love my new addition in the window too. I had the bottom half of the kitchen scale and recently found the top part at a barn sale. It doesn't work but I love it. The pitcher is a recent find at another barn sale.

I did take my Fall front door wreath out today and I have been thinking about my velvet pumpkins from last year. I need to style my shutter vignette in the side garden for Fall and add some color to my front porch.

I'm just not feeling it yet! How about you? Does it feel like Fall in your hometown yet?

AnnMarie xoxo

I am linking up with these great blog parties....

Amaze Me Monday
Roses of Inspiration
Wake Up Wednesday Linky Party
Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop
Share Your Style Party
What's It Wednesday
Home and Garden Thursday
Share Your Cup Thursday
Anything Blue Friday
Bouquet of Talent
Best of the Weekend
You're Gonna Love It Link Party
Freedom Fridays
Flashback Fridays

Saturday, September 19, 2015

I'm in The Saturday Spotlight!

I am so excited to have been asked by Kris to write a post for her Saturday Spotlight: Life Behind the Blogger at Junk Chic Cottage. Click on over to her blog if you are interested in learning more about the woman behind this blog.....Me!

AnnMarie xoxo

I am linking up with these great blog parties:

Best of the Weekend
Pink Saturday
Amaze Me Monday
Roses of Inspiration
Wake Up Wednesday Linky Party

Friday, September 11, 2015

It Reminds Me of You....

Everyday things tell a story.

I know we all have them. Those things around your home that take your mind and heart immediately to that someone special that gave it to you.

Every morning I start my day with a cup of coffee. And I store my coffee in this beautiful stoneware, cobalt blue glazed crock, given to me by my sweet friend Michelle. She and I both visited the quaint country store she bought it from many times over the years. It was called The Leaning Barn. The store is gone now so it is even more special to have an item from it.

As a child I received a very special gift from my grandmother, Ga. I have so many things around my home from her, but this Madonna and Baby Jesus statue is my most favorite. It sits on my dresser where I see it everyday.

Surrounding her are other precious pieces of Ga's

For my 50th birthday I threw myself a Mary Engelbreit "The Queen of Everything" party.

My daughter Jena found the perfect gift...

It hangs by my dresser above a hook for my scarves. I see it everyday.

Every evening I end my day in bed reading before I fall asleep. And I always think of my friend Darlene who cross stitched bookmarks for all the ladies in our bible study, several times! I am blessed to have two of them and they are prized possessions.

As you can imagine I have lots and lots of goodies that my husband gave me as gifts, but the one thing that is an important part of my day and is useful and practical, is this cute eyeglass holder.

It sits on my bedside table along with my books and pictures of him and my son. It is the last thing I use each night before I go to bed.

I don't get to see my friend Michelle very much anymore. Our lives are on different paths and she is busy being an international artist!

Ga passed away when I was 11 (47 years ago!!) but I have so many reminders of her that I feel her presence all around my home.

I have been told I look like her!

I talk to my daughter almost every day and see her throughout the week, but it is a nice reminder to me that I am the Queen Mother in her life!

Darlene is a knitting buddy of mine and I get to see her big smile almost every Sunday at church.

And of course my husband is the one I get to share my life with every day. He is my Knight in Shining Armor.

All of us Queen's have to have that strong man around the palace :-)

What everyday things do you cherish that were given to you as gifts?

AnnMarie xoxo

I am linking up with these great blog parties:

Share Your Cup Thursday

What's It Wednesday

Sunday, September 6, 2015

Which Flea is it??

I have been wanting to go to the Avon Flea Market for a couple years now. It is known in these parts as a big outdoor, pretty nice place to go pickin'.

My treasures for the day.

The only problem is that it is only held on Sundays and it closes by 2 p.m. Not enough time to drive the 50 minutes after church and be able to shop like I want to shop. And, not sure I should skip church to go to a flea market!

We went out to dinner this past weekend with some friends at their favorite Italian restaurant. It was a 50 minute ride. When we got off the expressway, right there down the street were signs for the Avon Flea Market next to a big, old gray building. What luck!

Love this set of three blue and white onion pattern pieces. Marked Japan

It has been hit or miss all summer for church because of things going on so I asked my husband if it would matter if we missed ONE more Sunday to go to the flea market the next morning.

I am not a backslider!

Don't judge me :-)

We went to the flea market.

I was so excited to get there, only to be let down a little bit by the atmosphere and the "junk" to be found. I didn't help that it was humid and 90 degrees.

So pretty!

I did find a lot of good stuff though.

I have never seen a canister set like this. So retro!

I went off on my own while my husband and son had a bite to eat. They started chatting with a couple that told them there was a bigger flea market down the street at the Vintage Drive-In (love that).

We set out to look for it, only to be sidetracked by a small building with junk outside that may have been a flea market.

It wasn't. But another couple there told us they had just been to the drive-in one, it closed at 2 p.m., and that a lot of the vendors were packing up. It was 1:30.

Speaking of sidetracked...I am going to right now. On our way there we missed our exit (I have to ask you if the driver or the passenger is responsible to watch for it??!! I wasn't driving.). We went a half hour out of our way and then had to backtrack.

I was sitting there watching the minutes tick by on my watch.

I really hoped this was all going to be worth it!

So back to the drive-in flea market. It was bigger and nicer and great stuff. A lot of the vendors were packing up but that is usually a good time to get deals. Right away a guy offered a lamp to me as I was walking by.....free. He didn't want to pack it. I took it!

Pretty, right? It is very heavy and he said it was his mothers.
I was thrilled, till I turned it over.....Made in China!

We walked around a little bit and I got chatting with a nice couple at their booth. I asked them if this was THE Avon Flea market or was the other one it? They said this was and it is called The EAST Avon Flea Market. I never paid attention to that part when I Googled it.

So I skipped church, started the day with a migraine, walked around another flea market most of the day in 90 degree weather and it wasn't even THE one I wanted to go to??

Lord, are you trying to tell me something?!

I did find a few really cute items at the "real" Avon Flea.

Cute rusty tin napkin and salt and pepper holder

And the rest of my treasures from the day are throughout this post.

I am going to church next week, but I may have to skip a Sunday in October to go to the real East Avon Flea Market again. It closes for the year at the end of October.

I just sold one of these Santa squeeze toys so I thought I'd put this one in my shop. Great for your doggy or baby!

BYE!!

AnnMarie xoxo

I am sharing with these great blog parties:

Amaze Me Monday
Show and Share
Thrifty and Vintage Finds
Vintage Bliss Tuesdays Linky Party
Let's Talk Vintage
Vintage Inspiration Party
Share Your Cup Thursday

Saturday, August 29, 2015

Very Vintage Christmas Finds

Are you thinking about Christmas yet?

My gardens still look like summer, and I won't decorate for Fall till October 1st, but yes, I can't help thinking about Christmas.

While I am out pickin' and thriftin' I see a lot of vintage Christmas items that I just can't resist. Although I am coveting a large box of vintage ornaments, which are still elusive to me, I am finding other goodies.

This Santa has to be the find of the season so far. He is so kitschy that I just had to have him.

Santa and the poinsettia are flocked. The holly and berries are plastic, as is the "stump" Santa is standing on. There is some fabric and yarn thrown in to complete the kitschy-ness! He is available if you can't resist!

I found this great blow Santa at an Antique Car Show/Flea market of all places! He was sitting amongst the greasy car parts and tools. I had to rescue him. Why was I at an antique car show? My sweet friend Darlene's husband had entered his car in it and when she mentioned flea market, I was there! I found some great stuff!

Available

I have been looking for some vintage, felt Christmas stockings and these fit the bill. I just love the nostalgic look of them with all the elements that I think of for a 1950's Christmas.

Available

How about a really different, fun tree stand? This is perfect for a faux red foil tree, or if you are adventurous, a real tree that you have to water constantly!

Available

I have had these kitschy knitted ornaments since the 1980's. I got them at a local Christmas bazaar. They are just too cute for a nostalgic Christmas.

Available

I love Fall and am so looking forward to picking pumpkins, decorating and walking in crunchy leaves. But Christmas is always in the back of my mind.....Christmas treasures to pick, that is!

Are you thinking about Christmas now?!

AnnMarie xoxo

I am linking up with these great Blog parties:

Thrifty and Vintage Finds Link Party

Let's Talk Vintage

Roses of Inspiration

Vintage Inspiration Party

Share Your Cup Thursday

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Shutters in My Garden

You know how you are just scrolling through your favorite blog, décor magazine or Pinterest and you see something and a lightbulb goes off? "I have that!" and "I can do that!" you exclaim.

When that happens to me I have to get up immediately and go do it.

I have had two royal blue outdoor shutters in my garage for a few years. It was one of those impulse buys that I had to have but had no idea what I would do with them.

I have been trying for a month now to incorporate an old door I got at a yard sale into my garden. I showed it to you here. It just isn't working. I remembered the shutters in my garage and got an idea.

If the door wouldn't work, I would make the shutter work! I had just gotten a great weathered wood board with a rusty shovel on it at an antique sale and I thought it would be perfect.

I nailed it on.

I had an old shovel in my garden that had rusted to perfection. I nailed it on too. A few nails into a skinny tree standing amongst my Christmas tree ferns and done! Interesting. Different. I like it.

Then my Garage Sale Queen friend Susan texted me a picture of a bi-fold shuttered door, all chippy and weathered looking. Did I want it for $1? YES! Again, not knowing what I was going to do with it but I had this thing about putting a door in my garden.

I just randomly hung my animal keys there!

I recently had two overgrown bushes removed from the side of my house, one in preparation for moving my lilac bush over and the other was left empty. That is where this vignette was going.

The before.....

I have seen so many really great potting tables made out of old benches, doors, windows and tables. That's what I wanted. I needed a table.

A few days later Susan texted me again with a picture of a great table that would go great with the shutter door. It was a drop leaf and it looked small in the picture. Yes!

Then the debate on what to do with it all started. It was bigger than I thought. Do I take the leaves off and attach the shuttered door to the back of the table and make a sort of potting bench? Didn't look right.

The door is crooked because it is literally just standing there on it's own!

This way didn't look good either....

After deciding not to take this great farmhouse table apart (besides, the hinges were thickly painted on!) I tried a vignette Susan hand drew and texted to me........

I styled it up over a few days with stuff I already had. The green plastic watering can is a recent find.

I need to plant something to fill in the front this Fall. I am not crazy in love with it but it fits there and it's kinda cute.

What do you think?

At the risk of this post being too long, I thought I'd show you one more picture. I am sure you have been wondering what I did with the other royal blue shutter!

I brought it indoors and added it to a vignette I already had going in my narrow front hall. It was quite trying getting a good picture as there is little light and a railing blocking my shot!