Friday, March 11, 2011

Vintage Inspiration Friday #28 What can I do with that...?

If you're like me, and a junker at heart,
then you can't let a great find pass you by;
even if you don't know WHAT it is or what you could do with it.



A few years ago my hubbs located these
glass and hardwood whatchamacallits at a swap meet.
The first thing to be said was that OK,
... these are cool,
...what are they?
...what could we do with them?
...why are there only 3 of them?







After doing some investigation on the Internet,
I found out these rectangle boxes with glass inserts,
are old door window insets.
When I was young we lived in a house with these stairstepped on the front door,
sort of like this one, except our door was a blue gray.


(google images)


I try to grab every "Bird Book" and print I can find. The illustrations and information, especially if they are vintage, just fascinate the nature lover and artist in me. Soooo, my love for bird prints and old junk got married!



Below is my vintage Lefton birdie


Our rooms downstairs are more rustic with a lot of wood.
The mantel is really huge and with the red brick it's difficult
to keep the rooms from being too dark.




So I try to keep white and light on the mantel.


Some of my ironstone has found a happy place there and it just doesn't want to leave.



other birdie figurines from Czechoslovakia



I can't tell you how many times I DIDN'T make that purchase
that I later kicked myself for.
Go with your gut...
if something grabs your attention,
you'll usually find a use for it someday!




And speaking of birdies and Spring
can an old wire birdcage get by as a "cloche"?
joining Marty for Spring Cloche Party







And now for some wonderful inspiration from last week,

One of my favorite people,
Rebecca at a RE Purposed Life





Sissie's Shabby Cottage



Chippy Door



The Shabby Chick



Honestly, there are so many wonderful posts just full of inspiration.
Thanks so much, all of you who link up for the party!

I'll be joining these great parties this weekend.
Just click to visit!

        


        


             




                     


And I'd love you to grab my VIF button for your sidebar



We're having our Spring Open Houses this weekend,
hopefully, next post I'll have photos!
Have a great weekend,
love you all,
Debra






Thursday, March 10, 2011

Spring Open Houses this weekend

If you live in the Southwest Missouri area
 I just want to remind you of two great
Spring Open Houses
this weekend.

Leola's in Ozark,
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
right behind Lambert's
5219 N. 17th Street








Then come by Spring Creek Antiques and Tea Room,
just off the square on 3rd. Street for lunch
and visit my space.





Then head on over on I-44 to Lebanon

Tattered Treasures in Lebanon, Mo.
Saturday, March 12
304 W. 2nd. Street


Wonderful stores with tons of vintage inspiration!

I'll be posting for Vintage Inspiration Friday shortly
hope to see you at the party!




Monday, March 7, 2011

"Spring Fever"

It may not be Spring by the calender, but once it hits March, it's Spring to me!
You probably know by now how much I love to change things up
 for each new season and holiday.
The winter's darker colors and warmer textures give way
to lights and brights with a fresher look and feel.



One way I like to freshen things up for Spring is with a change of kitchen curtains.
I had two sets made last year; one of a rich brown floral linen,
and then a lighter shade of floral for Spring and Summer.







If you remember last fall right after Thanksgiving,
I painted my kitchen cabinets and walls in shades of cream and white.
What a change!
I still can't believe the difference.



This photo is after the paint change, but with the darker curtains.



Changing out floral arrangements and bringing in some pastels also lighten it up.
(Pink tulips and a rabbit thrown in for some early Easter fun!)








A pink floral vintage hatbox with a stack of ironstone creamers



I just love vintage cross stitch and needlework sayings



It was also time to "Spring up" the fridge top...


daisies in an old enamel coffeepot with Monsieur La Porc.



And the top of the double ovens.



I just found this vintage "Redcliff" ironstone tureen last week.
I'd not heard of Redcliff, but learned it was the ironstone maker in the U.S.






Today I'm joining in with





Kathleen with Faded Charm








"It may not be Spring outside, but it's Spring in my heart."
(me.)

Hope you have a wonderful week!
lot's of love,
Debra

Friday, March 4, 2011

Vintage Inspiration Friday # 27: Sitting right under my nose...

I find the best inspiration from all of you.
Each week for Vintage Inspiration Friday,
I'm totally amazed at all the creative and inspiring photos and posts.




Thank you all so much for joining in!
There's always a fresh idea and a new way of looking at things.


My inspiration for this post came from one of your posts.
(See who in just a minute)

Not only the sights, but the scents of Spring are so intoxicating...



Aromatique has the "Smell of Spring" wrapped up in a bag.
A heady floral of Spring goodness.
I treat myself to this each year.




So I combined one of your ideas with the wonderful potpourri



The little paper flowers and ferns are part of the mixture.



Sorry for the glare,
the sun was actually shining today!!!!!


So a nest, a candle, a little potpourri, a transferware saucer,
 and a short stack of books...



then, a few more touches of Spring,
really have me in the mood,
(oh, and it's my Birthday)

So, who do I have to thank...?



The Summer Kitchen Girls!!
(thanks gals!)




And here are a few more posts for some great ideas


Clusters




The Charm of Home
(OK, this is fabulous!!!)




Olivia's Romantic Home
(I have a "thing" for white suitcases!)



Hope you'll join in for the party!
Link up within your post
 Anything vintage or vintage inspired!


and I'm joining






Thank you all for all the feedback from my last post.
Hopefully Blogger will get this fixed,
so we can "see" the new posts.

Have a great weekend
love you all,
Debra