tweaking

Saturday, I tweaked!

The sun porch in the back of our house had become the unloading dock

for most everything all winter long.

While trying to get it straightened a bit, 

I came across both the print AND the empty frame (above).

My husband took the frame to the local hardware store and had a glass cut to fit in,

cut in insert to cover the back and applied a hanger.

I have JUST the place for it!

THEN...

he stitched the binding that had begun to detach from one of the rug's (below) back sides.

When surveying the finished product, 

I realized there were roosters in each corner and the middle!

How could I not have realized this?

Having noticed that, the logical place to put it was in front of the faux mantel

in our dining area where the five roosters join

more roosters, swan, geese and a few other miscellaneous fowl.

All items seen in these photos were garage sale or thrift store purchases

or -in the case of the mantel, for example - curbside treasures!

it pays to wait

Several years ago, my husband and I struck up a friendship with an elderly couple

who frequented Borders Bookstore almost as much as us!

The gentleman was an artist.  We attended one of his shows in Portland, IN.

The couple met in Chicago where both worked as young adults.
While there, he painted a series of Chicago scenes.

He gifted us with two prints.

I've been looking for proper frames for a long time

(at a bargain price, of course).

Friday I stopped at a thrift store on the way to visit my mother and dad.

Imagine my delight to purchase two frames at only thirty cents each.

And THIS, too.  At an equally pleasing price!

Good things really DO come to those who wait.

"The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks Him."

Lamentations 3:25

finders/keepers

 We did our share of finding last Friday!

This lamp (1/2 the marked price of $1.50) is a keeper!

 One day I'll find a whiter lamp shade.  

Until then, it sits beside my chair "as is".  Just the right size to keep chair-side clutter to a minimum.

 This incredible vintage white stand with wheels that turn (!)

is too large to keep.  It has already been spoken for.

The glass on this lovely vintage print has been cleaned,

and it will hang with other vintage prints on my bathroom wall.

Another  keeper--along with a glass pitcher, a picture frame and a couple other miscellaneous pieces.

The outing was an inexpensive and satisfying way to enjoy time with my husband.

falling off the wagon

I know I'm downsizing.  And I really HAVE been staying clear of thrift stores and garage sales.

Until today.

Driving through a small neighboring town on my way to visit my parents,

I stopped at a garage sale in the parking lot of the local Senior Center.

I am a sucker for prints and paintings.

That's all I'm going to say.

Items weren't priced.  Payment was on a donation basis.

I don't like those arrangements and generally walk away, but this time I didn't.
I couldn't resist the sweet, muted turquoise and yellow colors.

timeless

 Stepping out of the shower this morning,

 I realized how little the decor in our upstairs bathroom
 had changed in the past five or six years.

My collection of pink florals still bring me pleasure.

Gathered over a period of years, these pictures were purchased

at thrift stores or garage sales

I am in no hurry to replace them.

For me, they have timeless appeal.

***

What items in YOUR home are timeless in their appeal to you?

how could i resist?

Photos don't do these lovely, framed needlepoints justice...

 

I found them during the last hours of a church rummage sale

in a nearby town.

They're all signed and dated (1957 & 1960).

It was stuff a bag full and pay $3!

How could I resist?

a little bit

 a little bit of paint on this frme changed the personality of
the needlepoint floral....

 and a little bit of change - 25 pennies -
purchased this sweet sugar bowl (marked Bavaria)

at my favorite thrift store this morning.

another picture for my wall

Honestly, this is just my favorite thing going on right now!

While browsing a thrift store  on Saturday with nothing particular on my mind,

I saw this.  I went weak in the knees!

It's large.  It's perfect.  A 1941 lithograph.

I need another picture like a "hole in the head" (as we used to say)...

but I HAVE it anyway.

girls just want to have fun

 It was impossible for me to pass up this piece of needlepoint

at the thrift store last week!

Why would anyone go to the work to finish this

and stop short of framing it?

I had a white frame all ready for SOMEthing--

and my husband did a great job of stretching the

needlepoint canvas over a board,

inserting it into the frame,

and covering the back to look quite professionally done!

Girls just want to have fun.