How To Use A Single Curtain Valance...

Some months back (yes - it has taken me that long to write this post)... 

I found a gorgeous curtain valance.  But there was only one.

It was too pretty to not buy - and it was only $2.50!  Just look at all that luscious brown and teal satin and fringe.
But what does one do with just one valance?

 As it turns out - the coloring blended perfectly with my existing shower curtain.   

(Apologies for the awful lighting/coloring of these photos - was hoping to get better ones)... 

I did spend a bit more than the $2.50 - because I needed to 

buy a 2nd shower tension rod - but I'd say it was worth it.

That single valance 'makes' this bathroom.

My advice?  Never overlook a single curtain.

Linking to What's It Wednesday and

Wow Us Wednesday

Great Yard Sale Finds...

Today was my first real yard sale outing for the season.  

The thrill  of 'what will I find?' is SO fun!  And then there's the connecting 

with old and new friends and yard sale buddies - love that part too.

My stash from today...
(Isn't that big gold iron scrolly piece great?  $1!)

When we do take time to sit down and watch a movie - 

I appreciate having some morally clean ones on hand - 

thus the two that I picked up today.  The magazines were 'free' 

(I got 4 -why not?) and the plastic containers were 50 cents 

for 4 small ones (needed some).  

The vintage damask napkins appear unused.

But my favorite find was this stack - yes stack - of old books and bibles.  

Let's just say they were very, very (did I mention very?) affordable!

  

And the book of old bank checks will be appearing in my shop very soon.

Now tomorrow I'll be busy in my flower beds - cause I picked up 

some perennials too.   I don't consider myself a great gardener -

but I'm always looking to improve on what I have.

 And thanks to a friend for the free ornamental grass (it pays to ask).

I've been wanting to do more shrubs and grass in my beds - stay tuned...

New Listings - Paper Ephemera...

 I find old graphics and paper fascinating.  Such detail, charm, artistry...

I've been listing up a storm in my shop - and there

 are several pieces of paper ephemera in the mix.
Are ya ready?  Here we go...

Love old labels - and these unused crisp white flat sheets 

still have their original labels in great blue and gold graphics.

This little note pad goes WAY back... isn't it sweet?

You can never go wrong with old receipts (love the font that is used for these) -

 and there are some old mailing labels in the lot too...

Can't do paper without some post cards.  This spring grouping

of pansies and violets includes a Raphael Tuck card.

I've a selection of greeting cards for you that have

 ribbons, die cuts, satin padding elements, and more...

Something about this tiny flip file holder just says

 'industrial charm'.  It's business card size!

Isn't this chap cute in his father's hat?  2 photos of the same little guy...

And probably my fav... is a big lot of handmade price or product tags - 

made from an old school math book.  

Fun - and they all have a summer theme!

There's much  more - but these will get you started.

Vignettes - Going Green....

My favorite activity of the week is creating vignettes at my 

local thrift shop.  We have so many decorators now -

 its hard to find goods to use that aren't already utilized in a 

display, grouping or vignette somewhere in the shop. 

So .... I often resort to those items that are a little less popular.  

This is generally a fun challenge for me.

 Today - I went to the tote bags for inspiration - and found 3 - 

but only 2 would fit in my space - so here's the result...

The tallest bag says 'Green is not a color - it's a state of mind'.  

The other bag is linen in a perfect celadon green.

  The bamboo board and fruit round out the green theme.

A few spring colored items... 

(again - not overly popular - but together they look great!)

 And how about some fun coordinating colors just right 

for teens and tweens?

 Just goes to show - even ordinary objects can look good.

Have a blessed day everyone!

Paper Making...

Today was a handmade paper making sort of day...

Paper can be made from junk paper - i.e. envelopes, old 

correspondence, dried flowers, etc.  But as I started my project, 

I realized that I have no junk mail on hand (recently emptied my trash).

Instead, I used pages from a phone book... where there's a will...

 

Now it's either 'have patience and wait for these

 wonderful sheets of paper to dry on their own' - 

or whip out the iron and iron them dry.  

I have product tags to print!

You can buy a paper making kit here.

Saturday Sightings - Unexpected Pleasures...

Back when I first started blogging - I had good intentions of doing 

a Saturday Sightings feature.  And I did.... a few. 

But today, I happened upon some neat things in my

 morning outing - and just had to share...

First up - I had no idea that I lived near this beauty.   Covered bridges used to be fairly familiar around here - but unfortunately - many have been victims of arson.  

Today I was on a small nearby road that I've apparently never 

been on before.  What a treat when I got to pass through this 

wondrous piece of local history on the old wooden floor boards.

And when I came out the other side - this great old stone and 

stucco farmhouse greeted me.  Love that tree too!

Second up - as I was driving down another back road I saw a 

horse go running full barrel into a pasture.  The owner was 

nearby and I stopped to ask if I could take pictures.

  "Sure thing"... was the reply.   "I have another horse I'm bringing out - 

you can stay and watch".  I learned that today was the first day 

the horse owner was letting her horses out to pasture

 after being cooped up all winter.  I was all prepared

 to get some great full-out running horse shots...

 "This horse is over 30 years old" I was told.  So out she came...

 ... ready to break into her first Spring gallop...

...or not! 

Apparently a good back scratching was all this horse desired.

 Too funny!

 "Have  a good day in the pretty sunshine my horse friend."

I'm thinking I like this meandering down country roads stuff.
And I love this area that I live in!

What did you do on this gorgeous Spring day?

  (Hopefully it was warm and sunshiny where you live too.)

Unique Vintage Easter Finds on Etsy...

I went on a search to see what I could find that is

 somewhat unique in the vintage Easter category.

  (Because after a while - it can all look the same.)

  Here are some of my findings per Etsy... 

(Click on the captions to go to the listing.)

Love this little cutey with his Easter toys...

Child Easter Photo

Easter hats are common enough - but how about some Easter shoes?

Tapestry Easter Shoes

Gurley makes lots of figural candles - but these little ducks are made by Tavern.

Duck Candles

Wouldn't this egg lithograph make an amazing piece of wall art?

Egg Botanical Poster

Here's a sweet vintage Annalee toy - never used!

Annalee Rabbit

How about a photo of a military Easter church service?

Military Easter Photo

Not only is the front of this post card lovely - 

the back has  beautiful French script handwriting...

French Woman & Egg Post Card

Does a magazine ad from 1943 for Easter Candy do anything for you?

Easter Candy Advertisement

I thought this vintage Easter card was especially cute...

Easter Card

It's hard to find good looking Easter candy containers - but this one is! 

Easter Candy Container

And one more from 'moi' store - how about an unused

 jumbo sized satin puffy Easter card?

Large Satin Easter Card

Happy Shopping!

'Free Pile' Season Is Here...

Here in this more northern climate - free piles and curbside finds 

are pretty scarce during the winter months. 

But 2 weeks ago - my neighbor had a small 'Free' sign out - with this bucket...

 It said 'free scrap metal - take bucket too'.  OK.  I can do that.

It's the bucket that I wanted anyway.  

It even has its original 'WHITE' label.  Labels are always good!

 The bucket was about half full of greasy bolts and small car parts.... 

truly nothing worth keeping.
It made for a heavy load - but I chugged it home anyway (2 houses down).

 I salvaged a few pieces that looked interesting, 

and sent the rest to metal recycling.

Yay - 'Free' is back in season!
 Did you have any roadside rescues lately?
Linking to Grey Dey Thursday

Last Ditch Effort Easter Vignettes...

 Easter goods are selling fast at the thrift shop where I volunteer.  

In a desperate search for some goods to create a few

 last minute vignettes - I used gift bags, tote bags...

 ...plastic eggs (there's always some of those left),

 spring colored books and a teddy bear.  In pastel coloring - 

it's the 'new' bunny.  (smile!)

I'm thinking till next week I might have to forego Easter in my 

vignettes altogether.  Just not enough good lookin' stuff left.  

But we shall see.   (The challenge is half the fun!)

New Goods....

 ...in the shop...
(Click on the caption to see the listing.)

Lot of 7 Cotton Thread

60 Quilt Patches

3 Old Wooden Brushes - Horse Hair

Daisy Embroidered Summer Spread

Darner + Wooden Spools & Thimble

I've been listing and listing.  This is just a sampling.

  Enjoy!