A New Painting

I haven't painted much, recently. I'm really beginning to feel the pull to paint more, a lot more. I finished this one, yesterday.

What do you think?

365 Days of Junk - Day 24

Longaberger Picnic Basket

This is a Longaberger Picnic Basket with the gingham liner, signed and dated 1987. It make me think of Little Red Riding Hood going to grandma's house. I found it in a local Goodwill store.

365 Days Of Junk - Day 23

Inspirational Junk

This is just a small inspirational tile. I think it was priced around $1.00. The message seems like an important one to remember. Right?

365 Days Of Junk - Day 22

Red Mid-Century Footstool

This is a red vinyl footstool. It reminds me of the footstool in the Beast's Castle in Beauty And The Beast (you know, the Disney movie). What do you think?

365 Days Of Junk - Day 21

Rustic Natural Birdhouses 

I found these 2 birdhouses at the same time, in a thrift store. Strangely enough, I see birdhouses for sale in thrift stores, ALL THE TIME!!!!! I buy the interesting ones. I like the natural, rustic look of these. They were less than $2.00 each. I think it could be fun to put lots of interesting birdhouses in the backyard. What do you think? It's not really my thing to decorate the inside of the house with them.

365 Days of Junk - Day 20

Bed Steps

I paid less than $6.00 for these steps. I love the creamy distressed finish and the wheat pattern on the side.

365 Days Of Junk - Day 19

Telechron Electric Clock

I only paid a few dollars for the clock. It has a quirky mid-century look to it. It kind of makes me think of the TV show My Three Sons. Did you ever watch those reruns?

365 Days Of Junk - Day 18

Ferdinand The Bull

I know it is silly, but this guy makes my heart skip a beat! He's old and dirty, and missing a horn, but that's OK with me. The tag on the back of his leg reads: Dream Pets, R. Dakin & Co. It also says that he contains wood by-products, which means he is an old plush made of heavy-duty velvet and stuffed with sawdust! I think he dates back to the 1950's. I didn't know, until I found Ferdinand, that old plush toys were filled with sawdust.

Now I just need to find an old copy of the book! Yes, please!

365 Days Of Junk - Day 17

Needlepoint Pillow

This is a floral needlepoint pillow that I purchased in a thrift store for $2.99. It has a pretty, soft floral pattern with fringe around it and a velvet back. I love it's shabby chic look. I have to say that pillows are something that I always look at when I'm in thrift stores, because I will almost always purchase the needlepoint ones.

365 Days Of Junk - Day 16

Animal Print Trinket Boxes

I bought these today! There are 3 of them 1 larger and 2 smaller. The boxes wooden with some kind of overlay, which creates the animal print. I purchased them in a thrift store, of course!

365 Days Of Junk - Day 15

Folk Art Painted Gourds

I think these are supposed to be chickens/hens. I guess it's a mama and baby pair. They are dried gourds, which have been painted. I smile when I look at these two. The coloring and spots kind of remind me of a leopard, but they are clearly supposed to be birds. I'm thinking Leopard Hens or Hen Leopards. Thoughts? Couldn't you see these being sold at a country craft fair somewhere?

365 Days Of Junk - Day 14

Painted Wooden Box

This is a painted wooden box with a handle. It is black with a floral design painted in reds, greens, and yellows. It has sort of a primitive look to it, but I don't think it's actually very old. However, I like the look and feel of it. I like to buy wooden pieces, especially the old, handmade ones. I enjoy thinking about the history behind them, and wondering about the craftsman who made them.

365 Days of Junk - Day 13

Collection of Vintage Sewing Gadgets

I must admit that there are times when I purchase things (especially from thrift stores) that I have no reason to purchase, These are the contents of a bag of sewing "attachments" that I bought, a couple of days ago, from the Goodwill store for $9.99. Most of the items are from the 40's & 50's, and fit some model of Singer Sewing Machine. I do not really sew, much less have a vintage Singer Sewing Machine. So... this purchase was a bit of a what-the-hell-are-you-thinking moment. But... I was intrigued and could not resist. Included in this lot of junk is a Dritz Dot Sanppers Kit. Apparently, you can use this thingumabob to put metal snaps on clothes. I'm not sure why, but the idea of putting snaps on things seems like fun. 

365 Days of Junk - Day 12

Limoges Planter

This is such a pretty porcelain planter/pot. It's made by Limoges. It's white with flowers and butterflies, very feminine. This is another great Goodwill find! 

365 Days of Junk - Day 11

Vintage Brooks Brothers Briefcase or Satchel

This is one of my favorite finds. It's an old Brooks Brothers satchel type briefcase. I totally stalked a woman in the Goodwill Store to get. I watched her walk around the store for at least 20 min, until she put it down and I grabbed it. I can't remember exactly how much I paid for it, but I know it was less than $5.00.

When I brought it home, I had know idea that it was a Brooks Brothers piece. I never flipped the tab over to check. Alex is actually the one who found the marking. Since then, he has claimed it for himself.

365 Days Of Junk - Day 10

Double Brass Lamp

A lamp like this one isn't really my design style. I don't think I can find a place to work it into the house, but I kinda like it. It has a sophisticated country feel to it. I think it could be given a totally different vibe with some paint.

I found it in the Goodwill store. Oh... It works great and is in great condition!

365 Days Of Junk - Day 9

Restoration Hardware Circus Tin Plates

This is a set of four tin plates in a decorative tin. They are in like new condition. I found them in a thrift store. Each plate has a different vintage looking circus scene. I think they are just FUN.

365 Days Of Junk - Day 8

Ultimate Sweater Machine

I kinda sorta can't believe I bought this thing! It may be the silliest, kitschiest (is that a word?) purchase I have ever made! But... I'm kinda excited about trying it. (OK. OK. I'm really excited about trying it!!!!!!)

Did you ever the see the infomercials for the Incredible Sweater Machine?????? I did, as a kid.  I wanted one back then. I guess this thing is the new improved version of the Incredible Sweater Machine. I think this is either going to be one of my greatest purchases ever, or a huge bust. Either way, I only paid $8.68 for it from a thrift store.

I hope to try it soon. I will let you know how it goes.

I crack myself up!

Toddler Drawing

Sophie is very into art and music these days. She spent lots of time, over the weekend, at the table drawing & coloring. She used to enjoying coloring in coloring books with markers. She is currently digging crayons on blank sheets of paper.

Here is some of her work:

She is also REALLY into writing the letter H and an occasional letter O. She certainly has a mind of her own!

Did I mention that she LOVES to dump the crayons and/or markers out while she's using them?

365 Days Of Junk - Day 7

USPS State Bird & Flower Stamps

Today, I found a sheet of 50 USPS stamps, matted and framed. The stamps are state stamps depicting each state's state bird and state flower. The value of each stamp is 20 cents. They were apparently issued in 1982. I paid $5.45 for them. It cracks me up that 2 stamps won't even cover the cost of postage to mail 1 letter, today!

365 Days Of Junk - Day 6

Aaron Fink Red Apple II

This is a matted & framed painting by artist Aaron Fink. According to the sticker on the back, the title is "Red Apple II". I found this in a thrift store and paid $7.77 for it. SCORE!
I have it hanging in the house.

365 Days Of Junk - Day 5

Elephant Basket

This is a basket with an elephant head lid. It has handles on the side, so I think it's meant to be a laundry hamper/basket. It makes me smile to look at it! I think I paid $2.52 for it, which makes me smile even more! I found it in a thrift store, of course.

365 Days Of Junk - Day 4

Miniature Lane Cedar Chest

I know it sounds silly, but this item is near and dear to my heart. Lane Furniture originated in Altavista VA, my parents hometown. My beloved maternal grandfather, and 2 of my great grandfathers worked for Lane. When I find something made by Lane, especially pieces made in Altavista, I always try to purchase them. I hope that my grandfather has had some hand in making the pieces that I find.

The miniature Lane Cedar Chests are mini versions of the standard size chests. They were used as salesman's samples for furniture stores. This one is marked with the name of a furniture store in Florida.

People used these as jewelry boxes or keepsake boxes. It has a lock and would have come with a key. It's rare to find one that still has them key with it, but I think you can easily find replacement keys.

Oh yeah... I found this particular one in a thrift store for $1.21!

365 Days of Junk - Day 3

Topsy-Turvy Doll

You've  seen one of these, right?

It's all the same doll! This one is a Little Red Riding Hood topsy-turvy doll. On one end, it has Little Red Riding Hood with her dress and her hood. When you pull her skirt up and flip the doll over, you have Grandma on one side and The Wolf on the other side. Grandmas bonnet covers The Wolf's face so that you can't see him until it's removed. 

I found this doll at a local thrift store for $1.91. It totally reminds me of my childhood, because I had several of these types of dolls, which my mother purchased from a specialty gift shop. When I found it, I started researching it and discovered that they are called Topsy-Turvy Dolls. They were traditionally handmade folk art dolls that had a white female doll on one end and a black female doll on the other. 

My mother recently found some new ones in a specialty store in Charleston, SC. She bought several for Sophie & me. It is just amazing to see the dolls that people can create!

Fun, yes?

365 Days Of Junk - Day 2

A Horse Tricycle 

I decided to stay with the horse theme and share this piece. I consider it to be a horse tricycle. I'm not sure if it has another name. This one is probably a reproduction of an older one but this one is still vintage. He's made of wood, with metal wheels & handle bar, and has a leather saddle. I think his tail is real horse hair. I purchased him from a flea market/junk store a while ago. I don't remember exactly how much I paid for him, but I think it was in the $40 range.

Sophie likes to try to ride him. She's entirely too big for it, so it's hilarious to watch!

Happy New Year!

HHHHHHAPPY New Year, friends!!!!!!!! I wanted to take a minute to wish everyone health and happiness for 2013. May all of your dreams come true!