Wild Rose Vintage

New shelf part two...

2012-02-21T14:18:00.010-06:00

As promised, here is the rest of my new 7 foot shelf.

I like it right now but as time goes I'm sure I'll add a little more or rearrange it somewhat.

The right side, not very much has changed here since last week's post other than adding a button card and a card of rhinestone trim...

Moving to the left...jars of mop buttons and a little bling just to keep it pretty...

One can never have too many mother of pearl buttons!

More mop buttons and one of my favorite finds...this old brooch...

Up close of the lovely rhinestone trim and an old transferware pitcher I found at Junk Bonanza last fall in Linda's booth.... Itsy Bits and Pieces.

I love color as much as I love shades of white so as we move further to the left here is some of my vintage ribbon, silk thread, tatting, crochet, and spools of tatting thread...

And at the far left end is a large jar of vintage Star crochet thread.

A lot of these treasures came from one of my favorite Etsy shops Exuberant Housewifery

And the entire shelf with the print that I finally recently took in to have framed. I've only had it for at least 20 years!!!!

I think a lot of your blogs have inspired me to get moving and do some of the things I have been procrastinating over....there sure is a ton of inspiration in our blogging world!

(Click on a picture and it shows up a whole lot better!)

The next goal is to straighten out my sewing table which is below this shelf...it's still a cluttered mess!

Linking to;

Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Faded Charm for White Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday
From My Front Porch To Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday
The Brambleberry Cottage for Time Travel Thursday
Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
2805 for Potpourri Friday
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home

Working on my new shelf...

2012-02-14T13:40:00.010-06:00

Mr. Wild put up a new extra long shelf for me a few weeks ago and I'm trying to make it useful yet pretty (it's part of my sewing room).

Then Carol at The Polka Dot Closet had a dress form party last week which inspired me to work on my small pin cushions dress forms. Prior to that they were just sitting on the shelf bare.

I picked up 3 on closeout at JoAnn's way last winter. They were covered with a lime green black and white fabric. I wasn't about to try to recover them and then it dawned on me that I could use my fabric paints and paint them.

I did have to put on about 3 coats to cover the black and with that much paint it does make them a little stiff but then I'm not really handling them anyway once they are on my shelf.

All I will show for now is the right side of the shelf...the rest is still questionable because it takes me so long to decide.

But at least I finished 'dressing' my dress forms and am happy with this part of the shelf.

My large jar of very old lace that I found at a flea market for a super good price and there are yards and yards of it.

I just started collecting a little bit of vintage ribbon...

I can see now why everyone likes it so much, the silk is just beautiful along with the pretty labels.

Now if I can just get the rest of the shelf they way I want...I'll post it next week.
(If you click on the photos you can see the 20 cents written on the cream silk ribbon!!!)

Thanks for taking a look!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Linking to;
Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Faded Charm for White Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday
From My Front Porch To Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday
The Brambleberry Cottage for Time Travel Thursday
Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday

2805 for Potpourri Friday
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home

Dress Form Party

2012-02-08T14:17:00.005-06:00

I'm joining Carol at The Polka Dot Closet for her Dress Form Ball.

I picked up 3 pin cushion dress forms at Jo Ann's about a year ago on clearance. They were covered with a lime green, white and black printed fabric so rather than try to recover them I painted them with white fabric paint.

I decorated one...so far...with vintage lace and pearls.

Be sure to check out Carol's party!

Thanks for stopping!

Linking to Faded Charm for White Wednesday too!

Vintage Goodies from Arizona....

2012-02-07T11:26:00.024-06:00

Hi everyone! I'm back...I was only gone for 4 days but each day felt like a week!!!!

I did find time to stop at my favorite junk man...he has the best stuff!

I could not resist this awesome Doctors/Dentists Cabinet and it was a very reasonable price.

It's heavy cast iron with perfect chippy white paint.

Wouldn't this be so cool in a bathroom holding towels or even better in my sewing room loaded full of vintage sewing treasures!

Look at those awesome legs!!!

It's missing 2 plate glass shelves but Mr. Wild says that can be fixed.

I just love this thing!

All the pictures here look better if you click on them to enlarge.

(picture taken in the junk shop)

Then there was this mirror and it is large...sort of hard to tell here. I had to do everything so fast in those 4 days that I couldn't take the time to get a nice background. But it's a beautiful vintage mirror in perfect shape for $20.
The original price is written in pencil on the back...$5.50!

It's pretty in it's original gold but it could also be beautiful in white!

And just a couple other little goodies, bad picture but the candle holder on the left I thought could be fun. It holds a glass chimney and a candle.

Thanks for stopping!
Thanks for the nice comments last week. I got my dad back here and they are doing a ton of tests...mainly, he's 98 and things are just wearing out but his mind is as sharp as ever!

Linking to...
Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Faded Charm for White Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday
From My Front Porch To Yours for treasure Hunt Thursday
The Brambleberry Cottage for Time Travel Thursday
Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
2805 for Potpourri Friday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

Unplanned trip to Arizona

2012-01-27T12:03:00.005-06:00

I'm on my way to Arizona.

My dad (98 years old) called this morning and said he thinks he should come home (back to Minnesota)

He wanted to try spending one more winter there but he says he getting too weak and tires out too easily. (Plus the closest hospital is 100 miles away).

from this....

to this....

So I'll be boarding a plane on Monday to Phoenix, renting a car and driving 100 miles south to his little house in a small remote town. Then we drive back to Phoenix next Friday and fly back to Minnesota.

It will be a short trip for me but I plan to drive back to Arizona about a month so I can close up his house properly for the summer.

I hope....

So I will not bother to drag along my computer and I won't be posting or visiting until I get back.

See you all then!
(wish me luck that everything goes okay)

Just a quiet day...

2012-01-24T16:59:00.005-06:00

It's been pretty quiet today and very dark and dreary outside. I'm very much a sun person so I tend to run out of ambition on days like this. My post is short and simple.

I recently found this pretty millinery flower that is so soft and lovely, a little ragged around the edges but still so beautiful.

Add a little vintage lace background and it makes such a pretty picture.

I'm so surprised at all the new followers on my blog lately...I appreciate it so much and so many kind words.

Just wanted to say thank you for taking the time to look at my blog and to leave such sweet comments!

Linking to;
Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Faded Charm for White Wednesday

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday
From My Front Porch To Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday
The Brambleberry Cottage for Time Travel Thursday
Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
2805 for Potpourri Friday
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home

Crochet Roses Pillow

2012-01-17T15:41:00.010-06:00

Last week I showed you my little crocheted roses and this is what I have done with them so far...

I planned to cover the entire pillow with roses but when I placed a staggered row across the middle to get started I found I liked the look so I went with it...

Then I thought maybe they will look nice on my leftover linen from drawing rug hooking designs...it's not a pillow yet, just thinking for now...

With all of the roses I've crocheted, and they are so fun to make... I'm going to make a big bunch of pillows for myself and maybe I'll try a few pillows in my etsy shop...maybe?

I also just finished a new wool applique pattern that ended being one of my favorites...I just had to post about it. I added little pom pom fringe around the edges...I think they look like tiny snowballs and the colors are so soft and pretty.

Thanks for taking a look...hope your week is going just perfect!

Linking to;

Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Faded Charm for White Wednesday

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday
The Brambleberry Cottage for Time Travel Thursday
From My Front Porch to Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday
Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
2805 for Potpourri Friday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

Homemade roses, soap and the rest of my junk shop treasures...

2012-01-10T16:59:00.013-06:00

I take on way more than I'll ever be able to finish in a lifetime...I imagine most of you have the same problem...

I started crocheting these roses and I can't stop, I have a plan for them that I'll show hopefully next week..

Then I started making them with soft pink yarn....can't stop crocheting these either...

I have to include my homemade soap that my friend Stephanie taught me how to make.
This is only my 3rd batch but I think it's my best so far...it has the most wonderful lavender scent.
I just cut it into chunks because I like the rustic look...

And as promised, the rest of my junking finds in my favorite Arizona shop...
I couldn't resist this rose lamp for $5 and not a nick anywhere...

I will use the set of 4 claw feet as book ends...I love these!

The fan was in the shop on my first trip but he had just purchased it and hadn't tried it out to see if it works. He said to come back the next day, which I did, then he gave me a price... $20... but if it was working it would have been $40. He plugged it in to show me how slow it moved but once I got it home and turned on the switch, she ran beautifully! On top of that the oscillating works too...it just needed to be used, it probably sat for decades in some old shed.

I think it was a steal for $20...the blades are brass, no bends or dents and once it's cleaned up it will really shine...helps that Mr. Wild is a ~~sparky~~ electrician so I never worry about bringing home anything electric knowing he can always fix it!

An old kerosene can they used on the railroad in that town years ago which has the prettiest patina...

An old basket...

And this you will think I am crazy to buy....I had to make the mistake of opening the door and what did I find...

It's an old ironing board!
It's super heavy and has a real neat handle on the front...the pictures just don't show.

I know, pretty rough but I've had a thing for old wringer washers, irons and boards forever so this is right up my alley. I have plans for it...I want to cut out a hole in the fence around my garden when we move, I'll set this inside....I know...kind of 'out there' but that's me!

Thanks for stopping!!!

Linking to these parties;

Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Faded Charm for White Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday
From My Front Porch To Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday
The Brambleberry Cottage for Time Travel Thursday
Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home
2805 for Potpourri Friday

Yee Haw! Back Online!!!!

2012-01-06T17:17:00.002-06:00

I'm back!!!

I just installed my new internet service and I am one happy camper!

Just looked at my Pinterest and saw this pretty bird called a Blue Fairy Wren (Australia) that made me smile and decided I'd use this pretty picture for a post.

This new service is unlimited!!!!

What is that? My old service gave me so little time for so much more $$$.

I called Mr. Wild at work and told him don't be surprised if I'm still online when you get home tonight.

This could also become very dangerous...will I ever get anything productive done!!!!

It will be fun at first but I hope I can control myself!

Anyway...what fun it's going to be to spend more time on your blogs for a change!

See you soon!

A few of my favorite treasures from my favorite junk shop...

2012-01-03T17:29:00.017-06:00

Just a quick post of my first trip to my favorite junk shop in Arizona....

I about fell over when I saw this vintage laundry basket/cart. It's in such good condition and still has the original cotton clothes holder. None of his stuff is marked so I held my breath and asked...he said $10!
I've seen these sell on Etsy and Ebay for $65 on up!

We had one when I was little and I always thought it was so cool. It disappeared later on but I found the cart only about 20 years ago at a garage sale but didn't buy it. I always regretted that. Now they are so popular and sooo expensive. I'm so happy to have found one at a decent price.

Since this has the original cloth 'basket' which is in good shape except for a stain on the edge (no holes, tears or rot), I think I'll use the original as a pattern and make a pretty floral 'basket'. Maybe I'll find some vintage or vintage looking fabric...or maybe some old pillow ticking in pink and white.
If you click on the image you can see it a lot better.

Then I saw this old sewing machine, it's a Wilcox Gibbs and looks good other than being pretty dusty. He said $20 on that so I went for it. I've sewn all my life and I've always wanted to collect vintage sewing machines like this but again, the price has gotten so high.

One can never have too many old tool boxes. $3 to $5 each. One is a tackle box. I recently saw a pin on Pinterest where they put brackets under a red box like this and used it as a flower planter...will do that with these someday.

An old twin bed size bed spring for $5!!!! This will be my Sweet Pea trellis!

I have more but will save them for next week...by then I hope to have an additional internet service to use.
I've had a glitch in this one since Dec. 23rd.

Also planning a giveaway in a few days!

Thanks for stopping!

Linking to;
Faded Charm for White Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday
From My Front Porch to Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday
The Brambleberry Cottage for Time Travel Thursday
2805 for Potpourri Friday
Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home

Some of my favorite posts from 2011

2011-12-29T12:56:00.010-06:00

I've noticed some of you are doing a little post with some of your favorite posts for the year so I decided to give it a whirl too...

One of my favorite finds was this crochet lace...the entire bag was $2. I rolled the scalloped piece into a giant rose...

A big surprise was this old iron baby bed found at an antique store for $20...I still think the price tag was a mistake! But a nice mistake for me...

This 1920's silk satin (in perfect condition) wedding gown that was a steal at $35 which included the picture of the bride...

One of my favorite pictures was this one of the keys, lace and buttons...

One of my favorite projects was Mr. Wild built 2 benches for me that I then painted shabby...

This lovely bit of silk ribbon flowers from the 1920's...

My door that I just love!!!...

Jars of lace and an huge old clock face that is still one of my favorite pictures...

And the best for last...I love my vintage camper!

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year and that everything this coming year will be just perfect for you!

Linking to;
Faded Charm for White Wednesday
The Brambleberry Cottage for Time Travel Thursday
From My Front Porch To Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday
2805 for Potpourri Friday
Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home

Vintage Toy Trucks and Ice Skates

2011-12-18T21:15:00.013-06:00

I'm back in Minnesota and finally doing a little bit of late decorating around the house...

I picked up a pair of old ice skates, added a little mica glitter and some of the bleached bottle brush trees...

I love this old aqua truck...Mr. Wild found it in his stuff in the basement so I cleaned it up a little and filled it with vintage glass balls...

Or add a little pink to that aqua...

I think I like the aqua/pink combo.

Remember those old tin foil type ornaments? (The pink snowflakes in the background) There are 3 layers with staples in the middle. They were meant to be 'bent' open but they are so fragile that they will eventually tear so I'll leave them 'as is'.

This old Buddy L truck was mine, yes...I was a tomboy. Give me a good tree to climb or a couple of trucks so I could build roads and ponds in the dirt and haul stuff around and I was happy.

Now my old red truck can haul vintage bottle brush trees!

I 'borrowed' the idea of the red books from Sandi at A Cottage Muse and added one more green book.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Holiday!

Thank for stopping by!

Linking to these fun parties;
Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Faded Charm for White Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday
From My Front Porch to Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday
The Brambleberry Cottage for Time Travel Thursday
2805 for Potpourri Friday
Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home
My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

Vintage Christmas Mercury Glass Ornaments

2011-12-13T16:49:00.016-06:00

I'm still in Arizona...it's cool, wet and raining! But I'll bet the desert will be in full bloom with beautiful golden poppies, purple owl clover and pink penstemon this spring if this keeps up.

I started to collect the old mercury ornaments last winter just before Christmas. I LOVE this stuff...I mean I REALLY LOVE this stuff! I ~~piled~~ carefully placed most of it on the floor before I left so that I'd have a Christmas type post while I'm here.

For Kathleen's White Wednesday a few silver mercury glass, old tinsel garland, glass bead garlands and a few vintage bottle brush wreaths...

As much as I love the silver...I love all of this color too...

I found a blue glass bead garland that was still in it's wrapper from way back...I'll just leave it that way.

I love these gold star burst type ornaments made in Japan, most all of these are either Japan or a few are from Germany.

The large purple Silent Night along with most of the larger ornaments were found at a yard sale here last spring, a big box full for $3!

Okay, I think I have enough now that I see it all piled up like this....no more unless it's a really cheap price! This little collection looks like it got out of control when I see it like this!!!!!

I also made a couple of trips to my favorite junk man here in town and I found some treasures. I have to leave them here until I drive back in a couple of months but I'm going to take pictures and post about it after Christmas. Good thing this guy has no clue about the stuff us girls like! I really got some awesome cheap deals that I can't wait to show you.

Until next Tuesday....hope you all have most of your shopping finished!

Thanks for stopping!

Linking to;
Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Faded Charm for White Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday
From My Front Porch To Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday
The Brambleberry Cottage for Time Travel Thursday
2805 for Potpourri Friday
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home
Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

How about a little glitter on those bottle brush trees!

2011-12-06T13:17:00.014-06:00

This is what makes blogging so much fun! The friendly people we meet!

I was so surprised one day last week to find an email from Diane in Wisconsin.

She had seen my post about bleaching bottle brush trees and she decided to not only bleach them but she went further and added glitter.

Diane also got really creative on the bases...this is an old porcelain light fixture...

She used old milk glass jars and added sheet music and string...

And for the wee little trees she used tinker toys!!! How clever!

Now for the 'How To'...

Diane said after the trees were bleached and dried she brushed them with watered down glue and then sprinkled them with glitter!

So easy! Now I need to do this too. Just think, you could use any color glitter if you wanted pink trees or blue trees...the colors are endless!

Thanks Diane for sending the pictures and how to do it! When you decide to get into the blogging world, let me know and I'll be your first follower!

As for me...I'm in sunny southern Arizona for 2 weeks and almost freezing...who turned off the heat here!!!! Or is it because of all the frozen snow birds coming here cooling it off. At least there is endless sun, very clear blue skies and no snow.
I'm getting my dad's little winter house all set so he can stay here until spring.

And so far, one Christmas decoration that I made a few years ago.

Linking to;
Faded Charm for White Wednesday
Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays
The Brambleberry Cottage for Time Travel Thursday
From My Front Porch to Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday
Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

Vintage Department Store Window Decorating

2011-11-29T11:17:00.011-06:00

Do some of you remember the windows of the department stores from years ago? Especially at Christmas?

For those of you who are too young, they went all out on decorating the windows and everyone went downtown at night to view the beautifully decorated windows full of all the latest toys. My memories are from the late 50's and early 60's.

It was magical and if the snow was falling, all the better!

Can you see the Shirley temple doll to the far right?

And a view from above with the old 1920's automobiles...no I'm not that old but I do love these old cars....
Notice the Christmas trees all lined up on the ledge of the building.

All 4 images are of the old Dayton's Department store in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota.

How about a new fox stole for Christmas?

And my favorite...the 1920's wedding dresses...notice the brides dress middle right!

Reminds me of that beautiful 1920's wedding dress that I found late this summer at the yard sale. Could she have seen it in a window and said "that is the dress I want for my wedding!"

All the pictures above were from this link. Mr. Wild brought home the article out of the Minneapolis Star and Tribune.

My awesome find this summer...the 1920's wedding dress...If you missed it...more about my post here.

Thanks for stopping!
Linking to;
Faded Charm for White Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday
The Brambleberry Cottage for Time Travel Thursday
Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
2805 for Potpourri Friday
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home

Dying Bottle Brush Trees

2011-11-22T14:27:00.014-06:00

It's really easy to do and very addicting!

I found that I love the natural color of the bottle brush trees most of all but it is fun to have a few colorful trees.

I did a little winter decorating with a few natural trees, vintage tinsel garland and mercury glass ornaments. I love the old postcard of the children playing in the snow.

I did not take pictures as I dyed these because it's so easy to do.

Below are the results.

Please be aware that every single tree comes out completely different so don't plan to get the same result twice. Just have fun with the surprises you get.

I used Rit dye for the pink trees (Petal Pink formerly Rose Pink). I LOVE the pink trees!

First off I tried the Rit Aquamarine on the tree on the far right and was disappointed in how it turned out, plus for some reason all the 'snow' came off so it will need some glitter.

I found out that I liked the bluish color far better as the trees bleached rather than dying them. Funny thing is, they ended up the same color as the Aquamarine dye anyway. Possibly a lighter blue dye would have been a better choice....next time!

Bleaching and removing trees as they lighten; use about 50% bleach and 50% water in the smallest container that will fit the tree(s) (do not use for food). Push the tree down so that it is entirely covered and watch as it fades. Using tongs, pull out the tree as soon as you like the color...not all trees bleach the same so grab the trees that you like and and leave the rest in the bleach solution ...the longer they bleach the lighter they become and are better for dying pink or pastel colors. They bleach out quickly using this much bleach!

Rinse under water and plop into fresh water with a glug of vinegar, rinse again and set aside.

Dying the pink, I used about 1/8 package of the dry dye and about 1 Cup of water. (This is for the smallest size trees....you will need to increase this for larger trees). Heat in a saucepan that you do not use for food and be sure the dye has completely dissolved. Warm dye solution is fine.

When you have a tree ready to dye, use the tongs and be quick about it...drop the tree in the dye but pull it out after only a few seconds. The tree will take up the dye very quickly. Keep dipping the tree into the dye until you get the color you like. Set aside to dry.

I discovered that the trees take up the dye a lot quicker if they are still wet from the bleaching process. Don't handle the trees harshly if you want the 'snow' to remain on them.

Try any color but if you want the softer pastel shades use the trees that bleach out to be a light cream.

The 'green' trees can be found in craft stores such as JoAnns, Michaels and Hobby Lobby.

I'd love to see what you do!!!

Thanks for stopping by...and Happy Thanksgiving!

Linking to:

Faded Charm for White Wednesday

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday
Brambleberry Cottage for Time Travel Thursday
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home
My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday
2825 for Potpourri Friday

Just what I needed! From Sandi at A Cottage Muse...

2011-11-21T12:14:00.001-06:00

Sandi over at A Cottage Muse offered a giveaway that was just perfect for me and I was the lucky winner!

I won 100 5" x 7" postcards from UPrinting !

They just arrived last week and this is how they turned out...I love them!

I took this picture a couple of years ago in Nevada City, Montana looking through a window into an old cabin.

I added my rug hooking business info and uploaded it to the the website (it was all very easy to do). They printed them out and shipped them to me and they are even better than I expected! They are just perfect for slipping into my packages when I mail out orders....and 100 of them!!! I know I'll be ordering again!

Thank You Sandi!!!!

98 year old 'antique'...My Dad's Birthday!

2011-11-19T10:59:00.006-06:00

My dad is celebrating his 98th birthday I thought it might be nice to post about him...

He worked hard all his life, he was a Chief Gunners Mate in the Navy in WWll in the South Pacific during many of the big battles.

He still lives on his own, does his own laundry, makes 2 meals a day, goes grocery shopping and yes, he can still drive and he drives well! Better than most people around here (and he doesn't gab on his cell phone while driving either!). Besides that his memory is better than mine or Mr. Wild.
And he still has his hair!!

A picture of him in his Navy uniform with his 1942 Plymouth.

This was taken when I was born, my dad, brother, sister and my mom.

My mom was born 3 days after the Titanic sunk, 1912. She's no longer with us, she passed away in 2000 at 87...didn't quite make it to 88.

Anyway...Happy Birthday Dad!

P.S....we're getting out first snow!!!

Bleaching Bottle Brush Trees

2011-11-15T15:18:00.017-06:00

Little forest of bleached bottle brush trees....

I planned to try this last year but never had the time.

I found out it is so easy and fast!

I used an old plastic dish tub with about 1 cup of bleach and enough warm water to cover the trees. (more trees...use more bleach) Wear rubber gloves to save your hands from the bleach.

You can see the bleached trees which only took about 1 hour or less to lose their green color. I was happy with the results so I tossed in a few more trees.

When they lost all the green color I rinsed them under the faucet and then I filled a container with fresh water and about 1/2 cup of vinegar (the vinegar will neutralize the bleach). Swished them around in that and rinsed again. Let stand overnight to air dry.

If after about 2 hours there is still a little green left in the trees, pour out the water and start with fresh warm water and bleach.

As you can see the little trees pull out of the white plastic stand, very easily.
I like the 'snow' that is already on them but it does flake off easily after the bleaching process so I handled them carefully.

I used a dab of poster putty to secure inside the spools which were wrapped with a strip of vintage music paper or...

...an old door knob as a base.

I love how they turned out so I'm on my way to pick up another bag of trees (any craft store and I bet dollar stores have them). And I'll keep my eyes open for anything else vintage that may make a good base.

Two days later....I can't stop!!!! Here are a few more that have bleached and dried. I keep finding little things around the house to use as holders. A tarnished silver cup, glass door knob, an old coffee cup with wheat, a spool of crochet thread, an old bean pot and I wrapped a couple more spools with old tatting and lace.

My info on dying the trees here.

Thanks for stopping by!

Linking to;

Faded Charm for White Wednesday

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday
From My front Porch To Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday
2805 for Potpourri Friday
Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

Vintage buttons, skeleton keys and pocket watch faces, just for fun!

2011-11-08T15:17:00.005-06:00

Old buttons, skeleton keys and pocket watch faces....Don't we all just love 'em!

I was finally in the mood to play around with Photoshop a little bit...it was easier than I expected!

Now if I'll just remember what I did for the next time!!!!

I remember when I was a little kid my Grandpa had a whole cigar box full of old skeleton keys. I LOVED them then and I was too timid to ask for a few...would I love to have that box full now!

I just need to learn to slow down and take time...I'm always in a big hurry and I don't know why...wasn't there a song by Alabama about that!

I hope you all are having a splendid week!

Thanks for stopping by and taking time to look...

Linking to;

Faded Charm for White Wednesday

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday

From My Front Porch to Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday

2805 for Potpourri Friday

Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday

The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

Rick Rack Roses

2011-11-01T14:17:00.008-05:00

It seems rick rack roses are becoming more popular.

My friend Stephanie got me started on these, they're easy to make and addicting!

I hand dyed the pink and I love how they turned out.

All of them are made using jumbo rick rack and if you want to learn how to make them...here's a link.

Thanks for stopping! Wish I had more to say but I'm working more than normal for awhile and it puts a crunch on my fun stuff!

Linking to;

Faded Charm for White Wednesday

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday

2805 for Potpourri Friday

Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home

My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

I Won Sandi's Giveaway...

2011-10-29T16:22:00.001-05:00

Thank you so much Sandi!

I won something that I really can use! Sandi's blog is A Cottage Muse, she offered some neat postcards from uprinting.com and I was the lucky winner!

As soon as I get them I'll be sure to post them...I can't wait! This is going to be fun!

Thanks Sandi!

Be sure to stop by Sandi's blog, she always has something interesting going on and is also one of my favorite blogs!

Beat up old suitcase full of pretty treasures!

2011-10-25T15:00:00.010-05:00

I found this old suitcase a few months ago and planned to fill it full of old lace and crochet...

It's one of those gloomy dark days that looks like it will rain any minute...but doesn't.

Taking pictures was not working too well, I sure prefer sunny days for this plus I'm solar powered and need those sunny days!

Have no clue who the young girls are but they are all just too sweet!

My fave is this pair of butterfly brooches. They belonged to my mother and I'm sure they came from her mother. My mom would be 99 if she was still alive so the butterflies have to be quite old. (She was born 3 days after the Titanic sunk!)

I have been crazy about them since I can remember, I assume they are just garnets but I would love to find out if they are anything of value...other than sentimental...

An old string of mother of pearl (mop) beads...

Crochet flowers and other pretty laces...

That's a teeny emery strawberry made of silk near the millinery flower.

The old beat up suitcase has a black top, I'm thinking when I have a little more practice at painting flowers that a few pink roses would be perfect! When that happens...I'll post it...if it turns out!

Thanks for stopping!

Linking to;
Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Faded Charm for White Wednesday

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday
From My Front Porch To Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday
Common Ground for Inspiration Friday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home
2805 for Potpourri Friday

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

Fabric pumpkins with my old chippy white door...

2011-10-18T13:52:00.008-05:00

I finally brought out some of my fall decorations...for some reason I'm not in the 'autumn' mood.

Maybe it's because of what is to come...our long cold winter...

Many phases of my pumpkin making since the early 80's with the larger plain orange pumpkin to the more current wool pumpkins...there's more but I can't find them all...

An old crow that is noise activated...it flaps it's wings, eyes flash red and makes a 'scarry' noise...he's always out at this time of year...until he drives us crazy and then gets shut off...

Finally....I got Mr. Wild to bring in my chippy white door!
This wall is still slowly coming together. Once the snow flies I'll be able to get him to hang an old architectural piece or two on the wall and there is one more door that needs to be brought in.
Maybe by next week I'll be more ambitious with the fall decor....

Thanks for stopping!

Linking to;

Faded Charm for White Wednesday

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday
2805 for Potpourri Friday
Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
French Country Cottage for feathered Nest Friday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home
My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

My Vintage Camper

2011-10-11T15:21:00.021-05:00

I finally found a vintage camper!!!

Next summer I plan to paint the outside white, the middle "quilted" part between the windows will be yellow and the shutters and door will be white.

After searching for months out west and here I finally found exactly what I wanted.

I still have to pinch myself...I can't believe I finally have my very own vintage camper!!!
These will be the "before" pictures...I plan to keep 'decorating' it and posting as it progresses.

It's a 1969 Trailblazer made in Spencer, Wisconsin.

Not very common but I was sold on the floor plan, the shutters on the windows, the louvered windows on the door, the yellow Formica table and cupboards and it's in great condition.

I've never seen another camper model with window shutters!

It's so bright and cheerful inside even if it's cloudy, it puts me in a good mood as soon as I step into it. I spend most of my days inside fussing over how to decorate it or just sitting there crocheting a giant yellow rose pillow.

You can't read the tan cardboard sign very well but it says "No Boys Allowed!"

Everything works, it's clean and looks like it was hardly used.

Only the front burner on the stove was used and very little, the sink looks barely used and the ice box just a little. The old linoleum floor is in great shape and no leaks or rot or funny odors.

The inside is cluttered while I try to decide what fabric to use to recover the seat cushions and curtains.

I found my Grandma's old transistor radio and it still works...AM only...but how appropriate for the era.

The Formica has a paisley pattern, not visible here but if the image is enlarged it's easy to see and it's in beautiful condition.

Notice the Coleman gas lantern in the middle of the upper cupboards.

The cupboard doors open up like an airplane overhead compartment, I love that!

I also found my mom's old Melmac set for 12 and a few Pyrex bowls and her old coffee pot.

I'll cover the drawer doors with birch bark wallpaper to give it that up north cabin feel.

I was trying to decide on a theme but there are so many choices. When we went up north to pick it up (200 miles north) we went right past Bay Lake where I spent most of my weekends as a little girl at my Grandparents cabin. Lots of good memories and all the familiar scenery.

I wanted to bring in that cabin feel yet add chenille, crochet and vintage fabrics. I'll add my mom's old fishing poles and tackle box...the women were the fisherwomen in our family. Myself, my mom and her mom, I was practically raised in a boat. None of the men cared much for fishing including Mr Wild..

There's an overhead bunk that is folded up and out of the way. I wrapped an old chenille bedspread over the couch/bed cushion because they are an ugly orange and gold upholstery.

The logo for Trailblazer, this is on the awning and faded. the one below is a photo off an older Trailblazer.

A design so typical of the 60's. There was a small grocery store/bar that the neighbor girl and I would walk up to at the lake. It was called White Hawk...maybe I'll call the camper that...not sure.

Sort of fits with the Indian logo.

We do intend to use it. I hope to tow it when I go to rug hooking camps and Mr. Wild says we can use it in the mountains, it's so light and tows so easily. I'll have to box up all my breakables and pack them away each time though....

Thanks for stopping by...

Linking to:

Faded Charm for White Wednesday

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday

From My Front Porch To Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday

2805 for Potpourri Friday

Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home

My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

The rest of my weekend treasures....

2011-10-05T11:31:00.015-05:00

Here's the rest of Saturday's garage sale and flea market (from yesterdays post)...I don't know why my pictures are fuzzy....they look great when I Photoshop them but then when I get them on blogger they look fuzzy!

3 lovely vintage tablecloths...2 at $4 each and 1 at $7

A beautiful white vase marked Abingdon, a little creamer form the flea market from Germany and an old bow tie in the box from the garage sale...from $2 to $5

A pink chiffon purse form a little girls "coketail" party. The invitation, flowers and pink velvet hair bow were all inside.

This is exactly what I needed to go along with my $5 pink prom dress posted here.

2 round linen table cloths with crochet edgings are underneath.

A beautifully embroidered Redwork with expertly crocheted trim, it has a few light spots and I can't tell if it's faded or a variegated thread...but it's still so beautiful. I'd like to hang it above my bed.

The design is me all the way...early to bed for sure...and the branches and flowers. It's exactly what I would pick if I had 100 different designs to choose from.

I love this most...a linen table runner with the prettiest design I've seen yet.

Those pink clusters are solid french knots! And the colors are to die for....

An old beaded purse that has seen it's better days but for $2! Look at the tip of the clasps...they glow in the light.

A cotton crochet heavy bedspread that is coming apart at the seams.

Now I understand what the 4 pieces of crochet were intended to be when I made that giant crochet rose posted here.

They pieced a bedspread together using the crochet strips and cotton....the wide crochet is like giant insertion lace. Then they edged the entire thing with the crocheted scalloped lace.

The lace is hand sewn onto the cotton and I can remove it and make another giant white rose using the scalloped crochet!!! It was 5 bucks!!!

From the flea market I found this tall wicker hamper...I think it's a hamper..with a little neutral stain I can brighten up the wood. For some strange reason I just love this thing even though it's a little shabby.

And a small basket.

A cool wire paper basket with little springs on each corner...why? I don't think they show up very well here.

We think the foot stool may have been used in a passenger car of a train?

I had to have the shell backed child's rocker!!! Mr. Wild will sand blast it and paint it a nice color

A couple of guys were selling mums that were at their peak for $2 each or 3 for $5...I started with one and came home with 3!

A wicker basket and a beautiful crochet piece...yes that's the back of the price tag but I kind of like it there and was thinking of stamping something on it.

A cloths line winder for dirt cheap, the sugar bag and the perfect pink pillow ticking came from the garage sale.

All of these treasures were not pricey. I don't buy it if it's too much unless I just cannot live without it. I try to be frugal at sales and I truly have more fun finding a bargain. But it's terribly addicting so it adds up anyway!

Someday, when I'm old and ready to unload some things I'll start selling it but for now I just want to enjoy it all.

Thanks for stopping by to look at my 'junk'!

Just when I finished posting and walked away this guy was perched on the top of the open window and flew to the tree so I grabbed my camera for this pileated woodpecker.

Linking to;

From My Front Porch to Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday
Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
2805 for Potpourri Friday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday
How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday

1920's Beautiful Vintage Wedding Dress and other pieces...

2011-10-04T16:45:00.022-05:00

This has got to be one of my very favorite finds!!!

Saturday, as I was on my way to a flea market, I saw several garage sales in my neighborhood. I knew I should stop but instead I went to the flea market

The signs were still up when I came home so I checked one out and this is part of what I found!!!

Beautiful ribbon roses on a 1920's wedding dress...

It's a cream color although it picked up a bluish cast outside...

The dress.... It was in a plastic bag, inside a plastic bin with more stuff piled on top. I peeked inside and saw the ribbon flowers and knew immediately I had to have it. The woman said it's a wedding dress and would I like to see the picture of the woman wearing it so I said sure!

When I finally took the dress out of the bag at home I was so surprised to find the brides silk stockings in great shape, they are hanging on the left side on the hanger. The wedding dress is terribly wrinkled from being crushed for so long.

I had to drape the enormously long veil with train over the hanger several times. The dark part is the headband of the headpiece and the entire piece is very fine and delicate.

Out she comes with this huge 20" x 30" photo! She said she would throw it in with the dress, the dress was very reasonable.

Please click on the individual images. If I post them original size, there are too many and it will take too long to load...but you just have to see this dress up close! Especially the image directly above.

I wish someone had written her name on the back...we will never know.

I'd like to frame the picture and somehow hang the dress along side, hopefully I can find just the right spot. I'd like to have all of these pretty things out where I can enjoy them yet take good care of them.

Update on Oct.6....I just researched more of this dress because there are 2 hoops underneath. They are panniers, it's a c.1920's Pannier Dress and it is made of silk satin. Evidently the panniers brought the dress out at the sides and would show off the lace and silk ribbon flowers in the middle. Can you imagine wearing this!!!!

I have seen these beautiful 1920's silk ribbon flowers on Etsy and they are not cheap. I spotted this undergarment with this flower cluster attached at the top. The price was too good to pass it up.

It measures about 4 1/2" across!!!

There is pink ribbon encased in the edge of the lace, you can see a bit of it to the right of the ribbon flowers.

Look at all this gorgeous lace!!!

Then there was this long undergarment...again if you click on the image below you'll get a much better look...maybe this is older than the wedding dress?

Then there was this set of 3 pieces....

The camisole, slip and pantaloons...on the right...

Every single stitch on all 3 pieces is done by hand! All of the crocheted Irish lace and all the other laces are pieced together like a puzzle and every single piece is hand stitched with teeny tiny stitches.

And it's loaded with lace, all in very good condition.

Can you imagine work like this nowadays!!!!

I don't know if all of these pieces belonged to the woman in the photo, I'd like to think they did.

I have much more from Saturday to post but it would make this post so long.

I wanted to get these beautiful pieces on here first. I'll add the rest tomorrow afternoon.

Update....They are posted now....here.

I started sewing when I was a little girl, clothing and quilts and now I hook rugs and wool applique. I love to make things using cloth and finding something like this is just a real treasure for me!

I hope you enjoyed seeing this little bit of history...thanks for stopping!

10/6 update on the wedding dress...this afternoon I discovered the dress was purchased years ago in St. Paul, MN. The woman that sold it to me thinks she may have the name someplace and promises to call me if she can find it. There's a lot of cool history in St. Paul back then...my mind is wandering...who was she!!!!

Linking to:
Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Faded Charm for White Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays
From My Front Porch to Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday
2805 for Potpourri Friday
Common Ground for vintage Inspiration Friday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday
How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday

Mosaic in Whites

2011-09-27T16:31:00.010-05:00

Another dreary day here...too dark for pictures so I decided to make a mosaic of some of my previous white posts.

I hope it's sunny and bright where you are!

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Linking to;

Faded Charm for White Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday
From My Front Porch To Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday
My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday
2805 for Potpourri Friday
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home

Giant Crochet Lace Rose and Other Treasures

2011-09-20T17:31:00.017-05:00

I think this is so pretty... this happened totally by accident....

I picked up a bag of crochet lace at one yard sale while in Wyoming. It was marked $2 and tied shut. I thought why not...for $2 take a chance.

When I got back I pulled out what was on top, the long rectangular pieces in the above picture.

Then I started pulling out the really long piece...it was like the magician with the scarves being pulled out of his sleeve...it just kept coming and coming....

I remembered seeing a beautiful rolled piece of crochet lace here....French Laundry... and thought some day if I find a long enough piece I'll roll it too...and so I started rolling this long piece of lace....

I flipped it over and then remembering what my friend Stephanie does with scalloped lace, I peeled back the 'petals' and low and behold....a giant crochet rose!

It measures 12" across!!!

Here's a little bit unwound...Mr. Wild estimates it's over 7 yards long. The widest part of the lace measures 5 1/2".

I just love this thing...it's sits as is and looks like a giant rose pillow.

A few more finds form that day...Old Pal tackle box, a neat old tool box with a leather handle and a full box of cork lined bottle caps....full...all the way to the top!!!

Aqua Windsor Melmac bowls for my vintage camper (that I don't have...yet...but I'm watching everyday)...I'm determined to find just the right vintage camper!

And who could pass up all this color!!! Pencils for $2.

I was going to display them (and use them) in jars.

But I found this neat idea on Pinterest so now I have to do this!

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Linking to;

Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Faded Charm for White Wednesday

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday

From My Front Porch To Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday

2805 for Potpourri Friday

Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home

Junk Bonanza Report!!!

2011-09-16T17:37:00.001-05:00

It was a lot of fun....a long line to get in but worth the wait. A beautiful sunny and crisp autumn day.

here are my treasures...

The old coat rack and the Baby Ben are my best treasures of the day...and the Baby Ben works! This coat rack will go on the wall so I can hang up my pretty pink prom dress...wrong era but who cares!

A table full of goodies...

I think I found the right old door knob for my chippy white door, that sort of embossed single knob and also a few pretty butter pats...

Love the old glass ball legs, a pink and white cutter quilt for $5 and a beautiful large crochet table cloth with a wonderful pattern...

An old beveled mirror for the bunkhouse bathroom and the long white coat rack will also go in the bunkhouse...

And here's the entrance to the Junk Bonanza show along with a few pictures inside...

And last but not least Linda (on the right) from her blog Itsy Bits and Pieces

I met Linda through blogging and what a sweet gal she is. It's almost like we already knew each other.

She's super friendly and has an awesome booth! (Booth # 231).

And boy do I need to get my hair cut...it's long and drives me crazy so I tie it up but I didn't know it made me look bald this way!!!! Eeek...off to get a hair cut very soon!!!

My $1 Wicker Basket....

2011-09-13T18:37:00.010-05:00

I hope everyone is having a wonderful week!

The NW wind came through last night and sure has made it feel like fall in Minnesota!

I'm back home and still waiting for Mr. Wild to take my chippy door out of the trailer so I can put it in it's new place...maybe tomorrow....this weekend????

But while we were in Wyoming, one of the yard sales I stopped at had this pretty white basket for $1.

Just exactly what I had been looking for and there is was in this terribly dirty place yet it's clean and in great shape...I still think that's odd.

Anyway, I picked up a large bag of crochet (this isn't it) that was market $2.

I didn't look inside until I got back to the "Dirt Ranch" as we jokingly call it.

I'm saving that big surprise for next week!!!!

I tossed in some of my crochet doilies and a little bit of bling....until I find a place for this pretty basket.

Thursday morning I'm heading out to Junk Bonanza.

I'm going to look....not buy...at least I'm going to try really hard to behave myself!

I hope to see some of you there....

Update Thursday Sept 15....I went and I had a blast!!!! I bought more cool stuff that I'll post this weekend. The place was packed, even more than last year. I was pretty good and didn't buy too much, but people were buying and hauling out stuff like crazy!

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Joining up with these fabulous parties....

Faded Charm for White Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday
2805 for Potpourri Friday
Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home

Three Dollar Dishes....

2011-09-10T17:52:00.001-05:00

Can you believe I paid only $3 for all of these dishes!!!!

I love that creamer and sugar bowl...and the big pink roses...

I went to 2 garage sales this morning...mostly all plastic kids toys but one sale had all of these dishes with a sign that read $3...now how could I walk away from that!

When I got home I took them all out of the box to admire and counted 8 of everything except the cups...why is there only one cup! I'm thinking I may go back tomorrow and ask, maybe I can leave my number in case they find them later on.

These were included in that fabulous price...similar but a different pattern.

Thanks for stopping!

Linking to
How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday

It's Here...from Old Time Pickers....

2011-09-09T20:27:00.001-05:00

My package from Old Time Pickers arrived yesterday!

Not only do I love everything but Cindy does know how to package everything so don't ever worry about buying something breakable from her Etsy shop!!!

I love the McCoy pitcher and mugs. My hydrangeas are just starting to turn a little pink, I thought they went well in the pitcher.
I actually baked a few cookies this afternoon...add a little coffee and a few friends and we're all set!

The other item in Cindy's Giveaway was this great berry tote. As soon as Mr. Wild saw it he commented that this was the exact kind he used as a kid to pick berries on the farm.

I picked up a bunch of old books in my favorite antique shop in South Dakota on my way home. They look good in the tote but I have lots of ideas for this berry tote that I know I'll be posting in the future.

Thank you Cindy!!!!

My Mom's Old Suitcases

2011-09-06T19:07:00.006-05:00

We're packin' up to head back.

Time to leave Wonderful Wyoming and the big open blue skies.

One of the things I hauled out here this time are my moms old luggage set.

She's had these since I can remember and I always thought they were neat when I was a kid. Sure glad I hung on to them now that old suitcases have become so popular.

The key to the locks is still hanging on the right of the bottom suitcase. And the insides are so cool...sure don't make them like that anymore!

Since we have no real 'home' here yet, an old trunk and horse corral had to do as a backdrop.

Missing the cover of one latch but I happened to pick another train case up years ago in a junk shop and some day I'll get Mr. Wild to fix up my mom's train case.

Linking to;

Faded Charm for White Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays
My Front Porch for Treasure Hunt Thursday
Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
2805 for Potpourri Friday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home
My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

I Won the "Old Time Pickers" Giveaway!!!!

2011-09-03T16:51:00.001-05:00

The very first Giveaway I have ever won and I am just so happy!

I won this 'pickin' perfect old berry basket and this wonderful McCoy pitcher and mugs

from Old Time Pickers.

I mean seriously...I would have picked everything here for myself had I seen them in a shop!

And I dearly LOVE old berry baskets!!!!

And pitchers and mugs!!!! And McCoy is always a favorite of mine!!!

Thank you so much Cindy!

I am just so excited that I can hardly think!!!!

Please be sure to visit Cindy at her blog Old Time Pickers

And also her Etsy shop Old Time Pickers

I have done some of my best' pickin' in her Etsy shop and I know I'll be back there for more fine 'pickin'!

Cindy...you are such a sweetie!!!! Thank you!!!

Crochet Hanger and Fabric Rose

2011-09-02T21:42:00.001-05:00

I'm joining How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday this week.

Be sure to stop over there for all the wonderful inspiration...

I have ~~an obsession for~~ am hooked on crocheting hanger covers and I just recently finished this one.

I made a fabric rose using the Clover Rose Maker. This was the first rose I made using the medium template.

I'm so pleased with how it turned out. They take a little practice and a some patience but I think the roses are worth every bit of it!

I plan to give the embellished hangers as gifts, keep ~~a few~~ a lot for myself and some to sell.

Thanks for stopping by!

Old Chippy White Door

2011-08-31T10:47:00.010-05:00

We went shopping at my favorite Wyoming antique shop yesterday...Auntie Q's in Cody.

This guy finds the best architectural pieces!

This door is a Happy Birthday to me present!

Today is my birthday so I'm posting what I bought for myself for my birthday. I've begun a new tradition, every summer we seem to end up in Wyoming on my birthday and last year I found the most beautiful architectural piece in the same shop...posted here.

Last spring I knew I was going to find the right door in this shop and sure enough...there it was. It was on hinges and he was using it, I hesitated to ask but then figured all he can say is no. He said "everything is for sale"! It was a very good price too since someone had trimmed it down on the bottom a little.

But who cares...I plan to lean it against the living room wall behind an old chair. The same wall also will have the piece that I found last year, once I can get Mr. Wild to hang it!!!

I have lots of old door knobs so I will find just the right one.

Some times you just gotta buy what you want!!!

I'm just so happy with this old door!!!

Thanks for stopping!

Linking to;

Faded Charm for White Wednesday

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday

From My Front Porch to Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday

Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home

My Romantic Home for Show And Tell Friday

2805 for Potpourri Friday

Old Beat Up Zenith Wringer Washer

2011-08-30T22:53:00.011-05:00

An old Zenith wringer washer we picked up on a ranch in South Dakota to add to my 'collection' of wringer washers. This one will definitely become a planter.

I just love old wringer washers planted with geraniums, petunias and trailing plants...this will make a great planter! And it best of all...it was Free! (It better be...in that condition!)

Love the rust!

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Linking to:

Faded Charm for White Wednesday
Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home
French Country Cottage for Feathered nest Friday

Old Wrought Iron Chippy White Baby Bed

2011-08-23T11:04:00.008-05:00

While on the way to Wyoming we stopped at my favorite South Dakota antique shop...

I always walk through the main shop, back outside and into an old barn full of 'good junk'!

But on my way to the barn I saw this old baby bed leaning against the fence. It was white at one time but the paint has yellowed and become all chippy...just the way I like it best...

On close inspection...everything was there and the tag read $25! The man said it just arrived about 2 hours ago, no way was I letting this bed go so Mr. Wild loaded it into the trailer. I also found the pretty vintage crocheted edge table cloth that I thought looked nice with the old baby bed for the picture.

I picked up a few more goodies but I'll save them for later.

Thanks for stopping by...

Linking to;

Faded Charm for White Wednesday

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday

Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday

My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home

Wild Wild West...Wyoming!

2011-08-20T23:07:00.002-05:00

This is my first post with Funky Junk Interiors Saturday Night Special! I accidentally discovered the Barn/Farm/Western Things party tonight and since we are in spending a little time in Wyoming working on our ~~Dirt Ranch~~ hopefully soon to be our new home when we retire, I thought this was perfect timing to post a few pictures of Wyoming...

Wild Mustangs in the Pryor Mountains (Montana but only a few miles north of us)...

A 'small' cattle drive that happen past our place...

An old hand made hay feeder that came with the place....

Buffalo skull....

Part of our fence with the Big Horn Mountains in the background...

Old hand made, from way back, corral gates...

if you can see up close they used old horse shoes as latches...

And last but not least....a Wyoming sunset...

Joining

Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Night Special Barn/Farm/Western Things

Thanks for stopping!!

Rose Dishes

2011-08-16T19:08:00.007-05:00

We're on vacation but I couldn't resist going back into my files and posting...I didn't want to miss out on the parties this week.

I apologize for not getting back to any of your helpful comments last week. With packing and trying to get ready to go, I just couldn't...I thought I would but it just didn't happen.

I found this large set of dishes at my favorite thrift store a few months ago. It could stand a few more cups but there are a dozen dinner plates and saucers. There are about 6 salad plates and 6 soup bowls.

I love the sugar bowl but the little creamer was missing. I just happened upon one for sale on Etsy so I grabbed it but I didn't take a picture to add to these.

I just love the pattern with the sweet pink roses and the blue and gold border. I wouldn't mind adding to this set.

The pattern is Mt. Vernon and it was made by Hall for Sears. I found them in an old Sears catalog...I need to ask Mr. Wild what year but they were featured as the top of the line dishes at that time in that catalog.

Thanks for visiting and I'll try to do better on returning comments.

We're out in wild and wonderful Wyoming working on our retirement place.

Be sure to check out these parties...

Faded Charm for White Wednesday

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday

Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday

My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home

Happy to Design for Sunday Favorites

Old White Chippy Table....What Was It????

2011-08-09T14:51:00.006-05:00

Okay blogging friends...I need your help!

I bought this odd little table at a flea market at least 15 years ago.

I liked it because it was different and I planned to use it on my front porch as a plant holder.

I did put a clay pot with a plant in it for years and other 'stuff' on the bottom shelf. I have since moved it into the house. (It's a cloudy day and too dark for pictures so back outside it went for this and of course I set it down crooked!!!)

There is obviously something missing in the upper right and left of the top shelf.

It's too small to be a wash stand. It's only 31" high, 18" wide and 11" deep. I forgot to measure the hole but I'm guessing about 6" across.

I love the chippy white paint but you cannot touch it without chunks falling off. Years ago I sprayed it with some sort of clear sealer but it really didn't help at all. I considered just taking off the old paint and painting it white and age it but I really like the original look best.

So my question to you, dear bloggers....is.... What Is It? Or what was it in it's past life?

And how can I 'preserve' it the way it is???

What can I use to spray or paint over this and make the old paint stay stuck!

Thanks for your help in advance!!!!

When I get it ready I'll post it again looking all nice the way it should be....

Linking to;

Faded Charm for White Wednesday

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday

Common Ground for Inspiration Friday

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home

Milk Glass Lamp and Other Treasures...

2011-08-02T16:33:00.010-05:00

A couple of weeks ago I went to the thrift store and came home with a pretty good haul.

One of the last things I spotted was this large milk glass lamp. I've never been a huge fan of milk glass but this lamp is changing my mind...

I've been trying to find the right lamp to sit on my mom's old table for 10 years and when I saw this I knew it would work...

I happened to have a shade I bought several years ago and it seems to fit the style okay.

My 2 old chairs I found in an antique shop in Cody, WY that I HAD to have! They have the original upholstery and in pretty good shape and the price was right. I needed 2 chairs desperately and I couldn't buy new...it doesn't go with all the old furniture we have...

My sweet little pitcher fits right in...

I think the 'beads'on the lamp go so well with the 'beads' on the table...

I LOVE this old table, I think it belonged to my Grandmother before my mom had it...

The lamp as I found it in need of a new cord and cleaning.

Mr. Wild is an electrician so I never need to worry about any fan or lamp that I buy, he can fix it.

The lamp was $3.75! And not a mark, crack or chip anywhere!!

And I have to include the rest of the treasures from the thrift store trip...
A couple of old measuring sticks, sugar and creamer set, ironstone bowl...etc...

I love donkeys so this guy had to come home with me and that silver plated pitcher has such a pretty shape. The woven box appears to be old but I like it either way...

A small silver plated box from Spain that was too pretty to leave behind, it has a plush red velvet inside and is heavy for it's size...

2 pretty plates, wallpaper with pink bows perfect for covering boxes and a roll of pink satin ribbon made in the USA...

A few cloches and I love that basket! I'll paint the wood candle holder and add pink roses...

Thanks for stopping by and I hope your weekend is perfect!!!

Linking to;

Faded Charm for White Wednesday

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays

Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday

The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home

French Country Cottage for Feathred Nest Friday

My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

A few vintage finds...

2011-07-30T10:35:00.004-05:00

My pink finds from a trip to a flea market at The Little Log House Pioneer Show yesterday.

An old pink floral batter bowl for $3 that I couldn't resist, it will look great up above the kitchen cupboards...

A sweet little creamer with dainty pink roses for $3...

And the matching casserole for $4...

The linen and crochet tablecloth was only $3!

Linking to;

How Sweet The Sound for Pink Saturday

Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Painted Garden Bench

2011-07-26T13:06:00.010-05:00

This morning I finished sanding one bench that "Mr. Wild" made for me last month.

I copied an old farm bench we picked up at a barn sale in South Dakota about 15 years ago.

I wanted that weathered look like my old bench so I painted the bench with Valspar flat gray.

I rubbed candle wax in different areas where the paint would naturally wear.

I then painted it with Valspar flat pastel base (white)
After it was good and dry I started to sand. It was easy to remove the white paint and expose the gray and give it that worn and weathered look.

I chose the flat paint thinking that as time went on it will weather even more. I also did not seal it after sanding so that hopefully it will turn into that old farm look.

And here is a picture from the original post.

This was the first time I've used candle wax.

I could have used more wax and now I see where I could have rubbed it on a little more heavily. I'm starting on the large bench using the same treatment.

Thanks for stopping and please check out these parties....

Linking to:

My Romantic Home for Painted Furniture Party

Faded Charm for White Wednesday

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday

Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday

The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

Homemaker on a Dime for Creative Bloggers' Party & Hop

Jars of Lace....

2011-07-19T10:56:00.018-05:00

I'm rearranging my sewing room (sewing corner). My DH put up a couple of long shelves for some of my treasures.

This is only a little more than half of the upper shelf to be continued...once I get everything just right...

I found the large jar at Home Goods last spring for a steal and stuffed it full of old crochet lace along with a few more jars found at the thrift store.

A very large (14") vintage metal clock face that was another steal.

The glass dome was from a cheap plastic clock found at the thrift store...I bought it for the glass dome and kept the clock works.

I was thinking of putting something inside the dome but I don't want to block anymore of the clock face, I'm starting to like it empty the way it is...

I love that old tattered Corticelli box and the old white rose...

And on the left side is my brothers old metal horse, my grandfathers old pocket watch and a very old photograph of my other grandfather...

And his dog tag on the left side from when he was a fireman. He was born in late 1800's and he's quite young here so this had to be taken in very early 1900. He was a fireman in the days of horse drawn firetrucks and I still have his old heavy fireman's hat (number 8) I'll have to post some day!

Thanks for stopping by!

Be sure to check out these parties...linking to....

Faded Charm for White Wednesday

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays

Faith Grace and Crafts for Pearls and Lace Thursday

Common Ground for Inspiration Friday

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home

My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

Vintage Family Photograph Books

2011-07-12T13:17:00.007-05:00

I went down the basement a little while ago to soak a few old pieces of lace and just happened to put something away near the shelf that holds my husbands family's old photo albums.

I haven't looked at them in ages and as I was digging through things it occurred to me I should show some of these neat old books that are hiding in the basement.

One book is a little rough around the edges...Some people are related to my husband and some are friends of the family at that time.

My husbands great grandfather homesteaded here in 1858. We still have a small piece of the land...the oak trees that they did not grub out for farming because there were too many little ponds...more like mud puddles.

The young girl in the upper left is Mary G., the teacher and traveller...Check out this post and see her trunk that I went through last summer and posted about. If you have the time, it's pretty interesting, it was like opening a time capsule. I need to post more about her...I have her old black button up shoes and several other neat things.

Do you suppose they placed that tissue there to cover her stern face!
I lifted it up and went...whoa! I hope she's not a relative!!!

Pretty fancy lady! I'd like to know what and why...and who?

Check out that beard (on the right)...

This larger photo book is a beauty, a mirror surround with red velvet...

All 3 books are full of photos but I don't want to turn this post into a super long one and bore you with a ton of old pictures!

There were several bank books and receipt books from farming in the late 1800's and very early 1900's that I didn't bother to photograph but I liked the look of this old farm ledger

Thanks for taking a look...

Linking to;

Faded Charm for White Wednesday

Savvy Southern Charm for Wow Us Wednesdays

The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home

Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

Common Ground for Inspiration Friday

French Country for feathered Nest Friday

A quick trip to Colorado and a short stop at a couple of sales!

2011-07-05T13:36:00.018-05:00

I'm back from my camping trip to Colorado for the rug hooking workshop. It was fun and I thoroughly enjoyed getting away for awhile.

Of course I had to stop at an antique shop on the way home and accidentally found a rather large garage/yard sale I couldn't resist!

I've been picking up these Shawnee flower pots lately and I spotted this little pot in the antique shop. I almost passed up the old white shelf but I'm glad I went back and grabbed it too (covered in South Dakota dust).

A small collection of 'stuff' from both the antique shop and the yard sale. I forgot to include the 2 aqua Ball jars I picked up for $1 each.

I'm trying to gather a bunch of glass towels bars for our next home and about dropped when I spotted 4 of them tied together for really cheap!!! Kind of hard to see here.

2 large tablecloths, the one on the right is Wilendur for sure and I'll bet the other is too, has the same look. They were at the yard sale for a very good price, no holes and a few small stains that will soak out.

And a few white dishes that were in a box for $1.

A rusty Crown bird cage for $5!!!! I couldn't pass that up. I was thinking I might paint it white but let the rust come through...but for $5!!!! How could I not get this and this was at the antique store of all places!

I can't leave out a few shots of Rocky Mountain National Park.

The woman who organized the rug hooking workshop is also a good friend of mine. She took me on a tour of Estes Park and drove us up the mountain to Rocky Mountain National Park. That was the best day! We had delicious buffalo burgers and awesome homemade pie in Estes Park at Molly B's and right next door to my friends summer shop, The Wool Basket, we stopped in a quilt shop called Maggie Mae's. This sweet little woman was just the coolest lady and makes beautiful embroidered quilts.

Thanks for a fun day and great workshop Karen!!!

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Linking to these fun parties....

Faded Charm for White Wednesday

Savvy Southern Charm for Wow Us Wednesdays

Elements Interiors for Whassup Wednesday

My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home

Old Sugar Bowl

2011-06-22T15:50:00.004-05:00

I found this old sugar bowl in a box I packed up years ago that were my husbands grandmothers. At the time I didn't like any of it but thank goodness I kept it. The wrapping newspapers were dated 1985. I can't believe it was that long ago. One of these days I'll haul it all upstairs and go thru everything...who knows what treasure I'll find that I thought of as just junk years ago!!!!!

Anyway this sugar bowl looks a lot better here than in person, it's chipped and stained and has a crack on the other side. It was obviously well used. So glad I kept it now...not sure what the DH thinks about it on the mantel.

See you all in a little while...I'm heading west for a rug hooking workshop!

Linking with;

Faded Charm for White Wednesday

Vintage Frilly Prom Dresses

2011-06-14T14:14:00.023-05:00

1950's prom dresses...

The first garage sale I hit last Saturday appeared to be a dud...until I walked way back into the garage and I spotted the pink dress! Then the white dress behind it. No price to be found, I asked...while holding my breath....hoping they would be reasonable...the woman said how about $5 each! YES! I grabbed them and they never left my arms until they were safely in my car!

I started talking to the woman and found out she wore these dresses when she was young. The white was her prom dress and the pink was for some other event which I forgot the name, I had never heard of it. I have an idea the pink was worn when she was a little younger. She said they are from the late 50's, her name is Dee.

I love the pink dress! I was such a tomboy when I was younger...I wouldn't have been caught dead in a dress like this...I even told her that...I told her they will be well taken care of and she knew I was extremely happy to now own them.

How about this white strapless number. I can't imagine that I was ever THAT size !!!!

And the big pink bow on the back of the pink dress! Love that!

I can just imagine how proud and excited she was wearing these dresses...I wish I had asked her if she had a picture of her wearing the pink dress...

Close up of the detail on the white dress...

The layers of ruffles underneath....

The pink dress is especially frilly...

I'm just thrilled to have found these and I'll find a place to display the pink dress...maybe hanging in front of that wall I've been working on and posting about....

Thanks for stopping by!

Linking to these wonderful parties...

Faded Charm for White Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday

Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home

My Romantic Home for show and Tell Friday
How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday

Treasure Shelf

2011-06-07T15:39:00.023-05:00

I'm still slowly working on that wall....this is what I have below the baby dresses from last weeks post.

I found a wood shelf at Goodwill with a horrible design on the top. DH sawed it off, I painted it white and it sits on top of a small bookcase full of my quilting books. If I can find a new place for the books I'll fill the shelves up with treasures or I'll just cover the books up with a pretty piece of cloth.

A girl can never have too many mother of pearl buttons, lace and rhinestones...

This is the bottle that I unearthed just a very short distance from our house in a very old farm dump along with an old French Postcard.

I LOVE this old lilac chocolate box. It's one of my favorite treasures.

An assortment of treasures, I still need to find a little white feather to put in the old ink bottle...

A very old trade card for Garland Stoves and Ranges. On the back is a picture of an old cast iron stove. The front reads "Where the Wild Flowers Grows", an old millinery flower and some rhinestone mesh.

Thanks for stopping!

Linking to these awesome parties....

Faded Charm for White Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday

Elements Interiors for Whassup Wednesday

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home

Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday

My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

New Shelf Display

2011-05-31T14:21:00.023-05:00

Very slowly I'm redecorating small areas of my house...this is all because of all the awesome inspiration I'm finding on your awesome blogs!

Theres more coming. I'm working the area below this and also I need to add more to the wall to the right.

I picked up the first baby dress by accident online. It's the one in the middle of the 3 white dresses and it was with a bunch of laces I bought. Wrinkled and terribly stained, after a good soaking it looked so pretty that I decided I better keep it. That made me decide to pick up a few more and find a way to display them.

This sweet little picture belonged to my Grandmother. It's been floating around the house for years. Once I put the shelf up and every thing in place this just seemed to fit right in...totally by accident. It goes so well with the puppy hangers and the little girl dresses.

The shaving mug with the rose was something I bought at an antique store and I just love it. It's one of my favorite pieces. It was $5 because it has a very slight hairline crack in the back, that doesn't bother me at all.

The wooden thing hanging to the left is supposed to be a baby toy. I wonder about that but it so different I just had to get it and it was so inexpensive. I wonder if that's lead paint???
The dress in the middle is what started all of this, the embroidery doesn't show well here but it is so dainty.

This little jumper is all wool. The jumper looks to be hand made but not the cape, not quite sure if they really belong together or not but they are pretty together.

And this hankie!!! It's all completely handmade. The eyelet is hand made and the rest of it is tatted. I have an earlier post of handmade eyelet lace showing the tool that was used.

This hankie just amazes me, the time that was spent on it and what was it for...a wedding perhaps?

Thanks for stopping!

Linking with these fun parties;

Faded Charm for White Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays
Elements Interiors for Whassup Wednesday

Common Ground for Inspiration Friday

The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday

Farmhouse Benches

2011-05-30T17:03:00.005-05:00

This is what we did today....

My DH spent most of his day building 2 benches for me. I was supposed to do it but I didn't mind at all that he took over. I was happy to just hand him the tools and tell him what I had in mind.

We copied the design from an old white bench I picked up many years ago as we were heading out west on vacation. It was an old red barn somewhere in South Dakota. (They had the best stuff but unfortunately they are no longer in business.)

I wanted a small bench (42") for that hutch I bought at the barn sale from a few posts earlier and then one long bench (6 feet) to set my window box of impatiens on.

Now all I have to do is pick up some white paint and get to work, try to give them that well used look.

I'm just thrilled with how they turned out and I think I'll be wanting more....

Wild Rose Tea Cup and Saucer

2011-05-28T14:15:00.006-05:00

Happy Third Pink Saturday to Beverly of How Sweet the Sound!

A pretty little cup and saucer I picked up at the GW the other week for $1.99.

Just what I was looking for...wild roses of course!

In great condition and made in Austria.

Thanks for stopping!

Return to the Barn Sale!!!

2011-05-24T14:49:00.031-05:00

YES!!! I went back to the Barn Sale!!!! Most everyone said (from last weeks post)...Go back!!!

I found one more rose plate that wasn't there last week and this pitcher that I intended to buy but forgot to pick up...it was still there!

I usually go for only all white pitchers but I love this style so much and it was so reasonably priced.

But the first thing that I saw was this white plant stand. I can see this used in a shabby bathroom...set a basket on the bottom shelf full of towels and maybe something fun on the top shelf...like a plant!

The last thing I found way back in a corner was this black plant stand, the price was $4. I couldn't pass it up, it looks like it's missing one leaf but you really have to stare at it to notice.
DH will sandblast it and paint it white.

Then hiding under a table was this old shelf. I kind of have a thing for old shelves...I've been picking them up and repainting them because I want places to keep my little collections rather than hiding them in boxes...I want to be able to see my cool treasures.

It's been painted cream, bright green and then white. It's sitting out on the screen porch where I've been working, not sure if it really needs a paint job or just leave it be. I'm starting to like seeing that bit of green showing on the edges.

Then the one thing that stuck in my mind that I regretted not buying was this cement pedestal. I figured if it was still there then it would be mine. I'm sure it's not old since the paint is peeling off in big chunks and it's pretty dinged up and shabby.

But once I set it out on the patio, which is still a work in progress, I decided it would stay right there. All I need are a couple of old pots filled with pink impatiens sitting on the bricks around the base (and hide that nasty green stuff growing on the siding). Top it off with a pretty pot of flowers...I'm glad I went back!

DH found something too, he called it a snatch block....whatever that is but it's big and it weighs a ton and he says he can use it.

And I just had to throw in the jack-in-the-pulpit from my wild garden....

Thanks for dropping by!!!!

Linking to these fun parties;

Faded Charm for White Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays

My Cottage Charm for Treasures and Trinkets Thursday

Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday

The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

Old Barn Sale...

2011-05-17T12:48:00.035-05:00

I found a new Barn Sale last weekend, in spite of the rain, wind and a very cold day, it was still fun to get out and discover a new junking place.

I finally found PINK rose dishes!!! I see all of your pretty blogs and your beautiful rose dishes so I have been on the search and I got lucky...I found almost all of them in one day!

The 2 plates here were from the Barn Sale except I did pick up the little pitcher on eBay...

Both of these from the Barn Sale...

I found this cake plate in Miss Gracie's Etsy Shop...

A couple more from the Barn Sale... the most I paid for one at the sale was $3.99...

This sweet little pitcher needed a home, it was only a couple of dollars, it has a chip and a repaired handle but it sits so nicely on my mantle...

A small wood box with old green paint for $2. I filled it full of old mop buttons...

An old white chippy chair for $3! I couldn't leave that behind and I even have the right place for it at home...it's a little rough around the edges but that's okay for the garden...

And lastly this home made hutch? Not sure what to call it. I need an old white bench to set it on and I plan to add a back to it. I have it on my front porch and I'll find some treasures to put inside...it still needs a little work but I thought it was kind of a fun addition.

Don't you think I should go back this coming Friday, it was so much fun and prices were reasonable and there won't be another sale until Halloween....(can you hear a little whining here???)

Thanks for stopping!
Linking to these fun parties...
Faded Charm for White Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays
Elements Interiors for Whassup Wednesday

My Cottage Charm for Treasures and Trinkets Thursday

Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home

How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday

New Rose Bushes

2011-05-13T21:05:00.008-05:00

I stopped by the nursery to pick up a hanging basket and came home with more...

I want so badly to grow a few roses but I'll be darned if I'm going to do the "Minnesota Tip" every fall. (That's where you dig a trench and tip the bush down into it and cover it with earth...way too much work!)

Let me introduce you to the 'new' roses! This is Ole developed by the University of Minnesota to withstand our harsh winters without being buried in the ground. There is also a Sven and Lena (sounds like MinnesOtans).

Then there is this beauty called All The Rage and smells divine, I don't know where this rose came from but it is guaranteed to be hardy.
I decided to dig up a small area in the back and try out these two, see what happens this winter and IF they make it...I'll add Sven and Lena, by then they'll probably have added another Swede.

And my fuchsia hanging basket, what I originally went in the nursery for...such a soft pretty pink, I couldn't resist it!

Thanks for stopping!

Linking to How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday

Glass Cloche

2011-05-10T14:10:00.023-05:00

This little post is all because of my friend Stephanie. She introduced me to your awesome vintage blogs which in turn inspired me to start my own.

I picked up this monster cloche at Home Goods a couple of weeks ago. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it. It's 12.5" x 12.5" and was only $20!!!

I emailed Stephanie to tell her of my really cool find and asked her, but what do I put in such a big cloche!!!

She immediately emailed bunches of images with ideas. One cloche idea had crochet things inside.

Seeing as I love to crochet using the vintage crochet thread, have saved all of my Grandmothers fine crochet hooks and have all these beautiful crochet pieces and crochet thread, that seemed like the ideal thing.

I spotted this old silver compote that I hadn't done anything with, that would make a nice holder.

And this beautiful old dinner plate I picked up at the Goodwill for $1. The gold trim seemed to go so well with the aged look of the compote and the old white went so well with the crochet.

It sure is not easy to photograph a cloche with reflections from the windows !
I hope these show up okay.

Thanks Stephanie!!!! for all of your inspiration!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

I lost so many comments from bloggers glitch. Everything from Thursday and some I never even got to read. I had planned to visit everyone that commented but now I don't know who your are! :(

Linking to;

Faded Charm for White Wednesday
Elements Interiors for Whassup Wednesdays

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays

Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday

My Romantic Home for Show and tell Friday

The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

Flea Treasures

2011-05-03T15:16:00.023-05:00

Lately I've been lucky at the flea markets, thrift store and antique shops. The more cool stuff I find the more addicted to it I'm becoming. It's just soooo much fun!

I stopped at my favorite antique store in Missouri on the way home from Arizona and I found the prettiest sugar bowl with pink flowers that almost matches the teapot form an earlier post, it was only $3. It's old and crazed but just the way I like it...no chips at all. A pink floral cup for $1, a green glass knob for $3, a pretty linen tablecloth with pink flowers for $5.

I had to grab the mason jar just because it had a star on it.

Then that following Saturday was the big flea market at the fairgrounds. I love this little dress/slip/camisole. It's in excellent condition with it's hand crocheted lace...$10!!! To me that's a great deal because I know how much time it takes to crochet with the fine thread. A huge long piece of crochet lace and a smaller piece. A white pitcher, pretty blue compote, an apothecary jar and another sugar bowl with roses that is hard to see....too much sun and bad angle.

Then last Friday I dragged my husband to a farm flea market. I found a sweet little quadruple plated creamer and sugar bowl and 2 old school books for $1 each!!!

This shabby old mirror. I want to paint it white, the finish is so rough...he says leave it...we'll see....

And I saved my favorite for last!!!

This wrought iron violet stand...it was $15! I grabbed it so quick. It's about 4' tall although it's hard to tell here...I placed my violets on it and I just love it!!!

I have a place in mind for all of this stuff...I don't buy it unless I have an idea of what I'll do with it...sooner or later I'll show you gals where these things are...but I did find a good place for the books, silver and violet stand so far....

Thanks for stopping by!
Linking to these awesome parties;
Faded Charm for White Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays
Elements Interiors for Whassup Wednesdays
My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday
French Country Cottage Feathered Nest Friday

How Sweet The Sound for Pink Saturday

Straw Bag & Fabric Roses

2011-04-26T13:44:00.002-05:00

It's a dreary rainy day so I decided to make a few lace fabric roses.

This is the little bag that I picked up at the yard sale for .25 cents from an earlier post.

As soon as I spotted it I could see flowers of some sort added and then hang it on a door knob or peg.

I used an old lace curtain panel and cut into a strip, rolled and glued. I added a couple of fabric folded leaves, not so sure that I like them but they are on there to stay. A few pieces of old lace tucked inside. Just plain and simple!

We're so behind this spring, the Bloodroot has just started to bloom. These are one of my favorite wildflowers, when the sun shines they open so nicely.

Thanks for stopping by!

Linking up to these fun parties...please be sure to visit them...
Faded Charm for White Wednesday

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays

Elements Interiors for Whassup Wednesdays

Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday

My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

Happy Spring and Happy Easter!!!

2011-04-19T13:34:00.000-05:00

A little Easter vignette.

A hand made wire Easter egg tree decorated with wet felted eggs.

I found almost everything at the thrift store all on the same day.

I went there hoping to find a white ceramic bunny and low and behold, the very first thing I spotted was this bunny, not only was he cheap but he's perfect, not a single chip!
I found the little ceramic picket fence pot, the white container holding the grass in the background and the white pitcher. The egg was from a different trip to the thrift store a week before.

I twisted wire together to form a tree and then DH spray painted it for me.

I needed tiny eggs and it dawned on me I could make my own by wet felting some colored roving

Add a little vintage chiffon fabric and the pink fabric backdrop for taking pictures and there's my centerpiece.

All of these pieces were sitting out and as I was looking at them, the perfect little vignette came into my head. Make a twisted wire tree and paint it, add some eggs, add a little soil and grass seed to the one pot, some flowers in the pitcher, It just all came together from that one trip!

For some reason my mom saved this old Fanny Farmer candy box. It's full of her old metal hair clips. I cherish this little box, I remember getting one like this...probably this box...at Easter when I was little.

All four sides have such neat graphics

A little spotted and stained here and there but I don't care, I'm just glad she saved it.

Happy Easter!

Thanks for stopping!

Linking to;
Faded Charm for White Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays
Elements Interiors for Whassup Wednesday

Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday

French Country Cottage for for Feathered Nest Friday

Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday

Snow in the middle of April!!!

2011-04-16T07:21:00.000-05:00

This is what we woke up to this morning!

And I left warm sunny Arizona for this???

My daffodils just barely started to bloom, I think they'll be okay...

The big flea market starts in 30 minutes, all of the good stuff is outside!

I'll go anyway, I'll wait a couple of hours, maybe this stuff will melt by then. The vendors set up yesterday so I'm sure they are still there...

Good ol' Minnesota!!

But I guess it could be worse with tornados...they will be here soon too...

Concrete Urns and White Paint???

2011-04-09T17:15:00.000-05:00

I need your help!

I just bought these 2 concrete urns (they weigh a ton!)

They are about 23" tall and 16" wide.

So many of you clever vintage loving bloggers know how to paint furniture, concrete and different things to make it look old, worn and weathered.

I want to add white paint to these yet make them look like they have been sitting out in the garden for years, where the white paint is kind of washed and worn by the rain.

Can anyone help me with what type of paint and how to apply it so that is has that partially worn off look? I'd like no more than about half white paint and half concrete showing.

Or should I leave them alone and let them weather on their own?

(The urn on the right looks lop-sided but that's only because of the angle that I took the picture)

Of course the cat had to get in on the action and see what was inside! She's so dark she looks like a silhouette!

This is what I want to do for my next flower garden.

I will build this arbor and use it as the entrance to the garden. I will paint it white just like this. I want it to be a walk through into the garden and I would like to place an urn on each side right where the clay pots with the pink flowers are.

I'll fill the urns with trailing vinca vine and either white impatiens or white alyssum or both.

I'll plant climbing pink roses on each side. I still have plants that were my Grandmothers which she had at least 56 years ago.

Maybe even a bench on each side, inside...lots of time to decide that.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks!!

Linking to

Faded Charm for White Wednesday

Elements Interiors for Whassup Wednesday

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays

Bunny Pillow

2011-04-05T19:08:00.000-05:00

With Easter on just around the corner I thought I would show you my cute little bunny pillow.

I purchased an old Easter postcard and using PhotoShop I removed the wording and fixed up the scratches. I then printed it onto fabric and top stitched it on the pillow fabric. I hand sewed the vintage crochet lace and then a lot of vintage mop buttons.

It was fun to make and I love how it turned out!

My bunny pillow was featured in the April 2011 Create & Decorate magazine. I have a small assortment of fabric printed vintage postcard images available. You can email me at WildRoseVintage if you want to make one like this.

Thanks for stopping!

Linking to

Faded Charm for White Wednesday

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays

Elements Interiors for Whassup Wednesday

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

Crochet Flower Pillow and Yard Sale Treasures

2011-03-29T16:44:00.000-05:00

I finished my little crochet flower pillow! There are not a lot of flowers here but I finally got tired of making them and I was anxious to see how it was going to turn out...

I used different brands of vintage crochet thread so that I would get a variety of off white shades. I just hand stitched them to the pillow material in the middle of each flower so that they stay loose around the edges...I keep wondering if I need to add a few more flowers or is this enough? Should I make it so that none of the background pillow fabric shows?

So of course now I want to make a pink pillow...

I have a ways to go yet...

I'm enjoying the "real" flowers so much while in Arizona, I can't believe how beautiful the petunias are here, they just started to bloom about 2 weeks ago. Back in Minnesota the pounding rain would never let these be so full...

And I found one yard sale last Saturday. There were 3 boxes of old frames. I started picking through them and finally asked how much...she said $1.50 per box...I grabbed all 3 boxes! I didn't go through the boxes at the sale but when I got home I found a lot of nice old frames. There are a LOT more but I just kept out the best ones...

Then I saw a guy pick up one of these crocks and I said to myself (not out loud of course)...no! put that down! and he did so I grabbed them. They are kind of old, I think. They have England embossed on the bottom and came with cork tops. They will make great kitchen utensil crocks or paintbrush holders. I love the earthy warm golden color. Thanks for stopping by!

Linking to;

Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays

Faded Charm for White Wednesday

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

How Sweet The Sound for Pink Saturday

Yard Sale Treasures

2011-03-21T17:19:00.000-05:00

I've escaped the snow and ice and now mud and flooding of Minnesota and am enjoying the sun and heat of Arizona. Although today is windy, it brought rain and that is always welcomed in Arizona (as long as it doesn't flood). It smells so good outside!

I hit a few yard sales this last weekend and this is what I found.

The best thing is this very old and very heavy trunk. It's made with thick wide boards. It's trimmed with metal and I can see it's copper. This town was Arizona's first copper mine so it makes sense they would use copper.

The back is just as cool as the front.

Neat old hardware and all heavy duty stuff...$10 for this big old trunk.

Next I found this white headboard for $5. It is not old but it will be perfect in my flower garden. With all the rain and humidity in Minnesota I don't have the heart to use a vintage headboard...it would be a heap of rust in a year or two so this will be perfect and I don't have to care if it gets rusted, it could stand a little aging.

The last thing I found was this small straw bag for a quarter. It's a little squished and I'm sure it's not old. I stuffed it with paper and I'll try to steam it into shape. I think I'll add some wool applique flowers or maybe crochet flowers. Wouldn't it look good hanging on a door knob? For the photo the donkeys ear will do.

Isn't it just too much fun to find stuff that we can remake into something else? I try not to buy anything unless I have an idea for it. The trunk...well...that was too good to pass. The top is a little warped but it still makes a great piece out on the patio.

Thanks for stopping by!

Linking to

Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays

Faded Charm for White Wednesday

Element Interiors for Whassup Wednesday

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays

My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Fridays

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

"Semi" Vintage Crochet Hangers

2011-03-15T15:43:00.000-05:00

I've become hooked on crocheting clothes hangers. I use both vintage and new crochet thread but I use old wooden clothes hangers and then embellish with bits and bobs.....vintage mop buttons and rhinestone jewelry pieces.

The hangers were photographed on my friend Stephanie's beautiful hand embroidered dish towel. (Link to her Etsy shop) I tried all sorts of backgrounds and this worked the best.

A close up of the bits and bobs...

I also crochet the little flowers using fine size 30 thread. My plan is to make a lot more and fill my closet with these hangers.

Thanks for stopping by!

Linking to

Faded Charm for White Wednesday.

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays

Elements Interiors for Whassup Wednesday

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday

Pink Floral Dishes

2011-03-08T15:54:00.000-06:00

Yes, more dishes....I found this pretty little plate on Etsy. It will eventually be placed on a shelf, part of the button frame and the other 'stuff' I'm painting and making to hang on the bare wall in my sewing room...

I picked these up at the thrift store a few weeks ago. I love that soft blue trim all around...

All of the floral dishes I find seem to go along with each other so well...

I have one more pretty batch that I found last week...

I'll post them another day...

I'm heading south! Getting out of this snow, Minnesota has seen the most snow and cold in 100 years....it's hard to read about nearly everyone else seeing the spring bulbs blooming and hearing the birds sing while we are still in winter.

I'm on my way to Arizona and I'm driving, just me and my cat. 'Mr. Wild' has to stay home!

I'll be gone a few weeks...

There are lots of yard sales where I'll be and I plan to hit each one. I hope to find some cool things to show you.

Linking to Faded Charm for White Wednesday.

Pink Flower Dishes

2011-03-01T15:50:00.000-06:00

Lately I've been finding a lot of pretty white dishes with pink flowers and blue trim at my favorite thrift store.

Here are a few...and I'll post another pretty pattern next week...

It will be so much fun to set a beautiful table using all of the different patterns and a mix of silverware, this vintage crochet tablecloth and invite the girls over for coffee and a rich sweet dessert...

Thanks for stopping!

Linking to Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays.

Linking to Faded Charm for White Wednesday.

Thrift Store Frame Remake

2011-02-22T16:34:00.000-06:00

I have a really cool idea for an empty wall in my sewing room. I'm collecting thrift store frames and shelves and repainting them ivory and then sanding the edges a little. I almost have it all ready, just have to get 'Mr. Wild' to help me hang all of this stuff.

When I spotted this frame a few weeks ago I immediately could see some of my vintage carved mop buttons inside (and buckle). I removed the glass and painted the frame a nice soft ivory. Wrapped a piece of Osnaburg around the cardboard and put the back on the frame. Then I attached the buttons.

The frame before...

Thanks for stopping!

Linking to Faded Charm for White Wednesday.
Linking to Savy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays.

Linking to My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Fridays.

Linking to French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday.

Linking to Frou Frou Decor for Fabulous Friday Finds.

In a Blizzard....again

2011-02-20T20:07:00.000-06:00

Just when we finally lost some of the snow cover, here comes another snow storm.

They say a foot or more. It's been snowing since 10 this morning.

A good day to stay home and get a lot of unfinished projects completed.

This was something I've seen on blogs and wanted to try and since I'm stuck inside all day this gives me a chance to see how it works.

A few of my favorite things from my earlier blog posts.

It's easy to do, it just takes time. If you want to give this a try go here to make a mosaic.

I know I'll be making more of these!