Black Tole Trays

I started collecting black tole trays about 12 years ago when my son-in-law brought me a large reproduction one back from England. He had found it in the gift shop at Buckingham Palace, and from then on I was smitten. Some can be pretty pricey, so I try to look for the bargains. My little collection has steadily grown, but this last few weeks I've been on a roll.

 I found this one on Etsy here at a great price, and was so happy to find it, despite the small areas of rust. It's a pretty good size, and if perfect, these can set you back a penney or two.

I'm sticking with hand-painted ones for now, even if they're a little rusty.

( a little rust never hurts anything anyway! right?)

It's now setting on my double ovens, making a pretty statement.

Before, this smaller one just didn't show up enough.

Then, this last week when Anne and I were out scouring the shops,  I found this one with pink flowers. It's in the Dining Room for now on an old black wooden folding luggage stand.

Then, in St. Louis I came across this one that had pink roses. 

I found a spot on the kitchen counter for this one.

And then a baby one from St. Louis too...

Anne put it here on top of the scales and I think it looks so sweet!

right behind one of my chalkware lambies.

I found this other smaller one a while back,

and it has made it's way to the countertop.

This was from last Fall,

love them lined up on the backsplash.

I've been tempted with other background colors, but there's something about the black ones that just grabs me. I think it's that they remind me of an English Country kitchen, and I love the contrast of the black with the antique white cabinets.

I'll be joining in for these parties this week:

Thrifty Finds at Southern Hospitality

Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

Table Top Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

Tuesday Treasures at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Cowgirl Up at Cedarhill Ranch

Knick of Time Tuesday

Ivy and Elephants

Primp

Very Merry Vintage Style

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

A Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

No Minimalist Here

Brambleberry Cottage

The Vintage Farmhouse

The Charm of Home

Sweet and Simple Friday at Rooted in Thyme

At the Picket Fence

French Country Cottage

2805

Stuff and Nonsense

And be sure and come back Tuesday afternoon for the Blogaversary Give Away. I'll be giving away 3 (yep, 3 of them) copies of Carolyn Westbrook's new book, Through the French Door. See you tomorrow for Monday Marketplace!

xoxo,

Last Weekend's Tips and Tidbits

(say that title fast 3 times)

Being with two professional photographers this last weekend was a little intimidating to say the least. I'm just a bumbler and fumbler in the photography department. Any photo that I get that's good is more of a "happy accident" than I can say that I have a plan and know what I'm doing. So Anne and Elizabeth were shooting away Sunday afternoon when we were wandering the streets of Historic Kimmswick, Missouri. Since it was Father's Day, an Antique and Street Car Show was in progress and I had to look like I was at least partly worthy of their company. I decided I'd take photos of them, instead of trying to compete in their class.

"Dueling Photographers", 

you know, instead of "Dueling Banjos"

For some great photos of these vintage cars from last weekend go by E's (now also known as "Bitsy") If you're squeamish about a bunch of loud mouth gals (no, I didn't say "broads", but I guess that works too) and some horrible pics of me, then don't go there...I've told Bitsy that Anne and I are looking for Payback! If you have a few minutes and don't mind blushing, Elizabeth has a hilarious and "insiders" version of the weekend highlights.

 And  Someone we know has been complaining that my other photograph of the three of us had her so washed out that she looked like a "ghostly apparition", I decided that I'd put a different one out here. Same pose, just a little less manipulation to take the focus off my wrinkles and saggy-baggy, slouchy topside. And hey, what can I say, I had self tanner in my suitcase and these pasty little blondies didn't!

Elizabeth took a few minutes to give me a mini lesson with my camera, and I learned more in 10 minutes than I'd been able to figure out on my own in the last two years. I have to admit, Anne has tried to help me, but she shoots with a Nikon, and I have a Canon. So when I realized that E had a Canon too (mine is not even in the same league as hers), I was excited to see what I could grasp in a short time.

Then when we were back here in Springfield, we ran to Barnes and Noble and I found this book, which Anne swears by, and said helped her figure it all out. Maybe there's hope for me yet. I'm going to put my nose to the grindstone to try to understand at least some of this mumbo jumbo!

Another little tip I wanted to pass on to you is something I think we've all had handed to us by "Blogger", but didn't know how to change. Remember how we used to be able to click on a photo in the blog posts and it would enlarge, and then with another click it would get even bigger? Big enough that we could study even the smallest item in a store display? wow, did I ever miss that and complain about the slide show that replaced it. Which didn't enlarge much of anything...

OK, so Anne told me how to get back to the "Bigify" mode. Go to your Dashboard, then to Settings. Then find the Heading of Posts and Comments. Click on that and go to "Showcase images with Lightbox".

Click on the box and say no, or unclick the box. That will take you back to the original way of viewing individual photographs on the blogs. Oh how I've missed not being able to see all the goodies in a distance or room shot. Thanks Anne!

Anne and James (the best houseguests ever!)

Let me just say something about blogging and friendships...don't ever let anyone tell you they aren't real or important. Meeting Anne after almost three years of phone calls has been nothing short of miraculous. And then to meet up again with Elizabeth after 4 years, and find a friendship, ...well...let's just say that God has plans that sometimes we just don't know exist.

xoxo,

p.s. who of you out there have had Bubble Tea? (an Annie favorite)

and have you choked on them on your maiden voyage?

(Thai concoction of flavored tea with milk and round balls of tapioca)

p.p.s. And if you haven't joined in for Vintage Inspiration Friday,

 it's still going strong, just scroll down to the next post.

Vintage Inspiration # 93 Elizabeth House Style

Today I wanted to share more photos from Elizabeth Maxson's wonderful bungalow in St. Louis. If you didn't get a chance to see my last post, then please scroll down later; you don't want to miss seeing Elizabeth's wonderful office and studio. These are just a few photos of Elizabeth's dining room and kitchen. Her style is all her own; not shabby chic or Victorian...but her own unique mix of hand painted furniture and vintage, with a decidedly European flair; "Elizabeth House Style". Everything has a purpose in the home Elizabeth shares with her endearing husband Randy, as she daily uses all her wonderful vintage items.

If only Elizabeth would have turned her back, this Aesthetic Movement transferware platter would have traveled out the door stuffed in my pants.

Her home and work have been featured many times in magazines and publications, such as Romantic Homes Magazine, (where she wrote a monthly feature called "ta-da") Where Women Create and Where Women Cook. (can you tell I'm in awe? She's a pretty big deal, and the "real deal"!)

Blog Bestie and dearest friend, Anne Lorys, and I traveled to St. Louis to meet up with Elizabeth, and it can only be described as one of the most amazing weekends I've experienced. I have a few more photos and tidbits from our time together, I'll be sharing them this weekend.

( I have other photos, but magically thanks to PicMonkey, 

all my wrinkles have disappeared in this one...)

But now, here are a few links that were not to be missed from last week:

Tricia from A Rosy Note has been freshening up her dining room

and this wonderful chalkboard list of  "Summer Fun" is just perfect.

Paige from Hodgepodge created this wonderful mossy light fixture, which I wish I'd thought about a long time ago. I've had several of these old light fixtures that I just didn't know what to do with!

Laura from Top This, Top That

created a really fun patriotic pillow and gives a great tutorial.

Susan from Must Love Junk 

totally had me with this amazing shoe rack in her wonderful Hallway.

You'll want to go visit, She has so many wonderful vintage things!

Thanks everyone for coming here each week and making Vintage Inspiration such a great party.  You all are THE most talented people out there, and I always love seeing what you've been doing each week. Please be sure and have a link within your post to be featured, and share "anything vintage or vintage inspired".

The 4th of July festivities have sneaked up on me,

so next week, June 28th, please link up

 all your patriotic and July 4th fun.

Recipes, summer traditions, decor...

Let's Celebrate!!

Please join in with these other great Friday parties:

joining in with SNS at Funky Junk Interiors

 Hope you're having a wonderful week,

xoxo,

Our weekend in St. Louis

There really aren't words that are adequate to describe this last week. Anne and her husband James arrived last Tuesday evening and it's been a whirlwind of talking, laughter, tears...good ones..., shopping, and eating. We left Friday morning to go to St. Louis where we spent a long weekend at my daughter's and son-in-law's wonderful home in University City.

(French lavabo with lavender, right inside the door of Elizabeth's home)

But I couldn't wait to show you one of the highlights of the trip, visiting with Elizabeth Maxson and seeing her wonderful home that was just a few miles from my daughter's. I had met Elizabeth just briefly a few years ago, but we've kept in touch through comments and my blog "a day in the life..." which is my Bible Study Blog.                

Elizabeth graciously let us take photos of her home and office/studio, which were featured in the May-June-July 2010 issue of  "Where Women Create". I just took a few and let Anne have the honor of capturing these beautiful and inspiring spaces.

(chandelier in Elizabeth's office) 

(Elizabeth's desk)

(Elizabeth's wedding dress that she created)

 (front porch)

Look who else was here!

Anne will be sharing her photos soon I'm sure.

I was so blessed to be around these two amazing gals this week. For Vintage Inspiration this Thursday, I have some shots from Elizabeth's kitchen, which was featured in the premier issue of "Where Women Cook".

I'll be sharing with these great parties this week:

White Wednesday at Faded Charm

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Open House Party at No Minimalist Here

Creative Things Thursday at The Vintage Farmhouse

Simple and Sweet Friday at Rooted in Thyme

Time Travel Thursday at The Brambleberry Cottage

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Inspiration Friday at The Picket Fence

Fridays Unfolded at Stuff and Nonsense

Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home

SNS at Funky Junk

xoxo,

Monday Marketplace #17: On the Fly

Hi Everyone, What an incredible week this has been. We're heading back home to Springfield today from St. Louis, where Anne and I have spent the last few days with Elizabeth Maxson. I'll share some of the fun later this week! But this morning it's Monday Marketplace, so let's see what great items you have in your Etsy and Online Boutiques! Here are a few links that I loved from last week:

Vintage London Burlap Tote

 from TheBrownShed

Vintage Milk Carrier

from Becky at VintageGoodness1

Vintage Laundry Box full of Goodies 

from LemonVerbena1

Set of Three Vintage French Monogram Clay Tags

from Kerry at FrenchandSparrow

You can link up to three items from your shops, and remember that this link party is open all week, so come back by and check them out during the week.

Lot's of great stuff coming later this week. 

xoxo,