Junky Saturday and Some R&R

 I am happy to report that we had the "go-live" last weekend for the office project that has been taking so much of my time and I lived to tell about it.  This weekend I am enjoying three days of much-needed R&R.
My only junk stop today was Nina and Joe's where I had a good visit and gathered up this little pile.  The pink chester drawers 8+) will get a make-over and might get to stay in my bathroom if it works out.

 The sweet detachable lace collar is headed to Etsy when I get caught up with that.  Today I caught up a few things around the house, including spending an obscene amount of money at the grocery store but the cobwebs in my cupboards have been replaced with food.

 A new tea ball is missing from the pictures above because I already hung it up in my little collection.  Yes, I have a little collection of tea balls and I have that fancy new teapot in my last post and I don't even drink tea.  Nobody has ever accused me of making sense.

 Friday morning I dashed out before work and took a couple of garden photos.  The Poppies are past their prime but really put on a show this year. I am fighting wild Morning Glory in the Yarrow.  Anyone have a good remedy for that??

 The Foxglove continue to delight.  I was able to get out in the yard tonight and clean up the Dahlia bed and put in Preen so it stays DONE for a while.  There are three things I can do that totally relax my thinker.  One is reading, one is junking and one is gardening.  When I think back on those three things I can't remember a single thing I thought about while I was doing them.

Even though I was working last weekend, Memorial Day wasn't totally lost on me.  This was the gorgeous view out the window of my office. No way can you look at that and not feel gratitude for those who let freedom ring!
I hope you are all having a relaxing weekend.

Tea, Anyone?

 I hit one estate sale plus the VOA yesterday morning.  This was my hands-down favorite find of the day.  It is a vintage Simplex tea kettle, made in England.

The unusual bottom is what caught my eye.  I have never seen it before.  It is made to be used on a gas stove and the design helps the water boil faster.  It also has a patented spout that has a built-in whistle.  I haven't tested that out yet.  Right now it is sitting in my kitchen sink, waiting for the oven cleaner to remove the baked on grease.

 This is the rest of the story.  The old Hallmark United States puzzle is missing West Virginia so it will go in the craft supply destash section on Etsy since I know there are folks who like the puzzle pieces that are shaped like the states.  Another lingerie bag and another satin dresser box for my collections.

 A couple of pretty hankies.

 A vintage prayer book and a not so vintage rosary.

This is my second favorite find of the day, gummed gold Dresden-style trim.  Sorry for the poor photo.  The reflection from the gold foil made the picture wonky and I'm too lazy to take it over - lol!
I don't have any more junky plans for the weekend but rain is in the forecast for the afternoon so we will see if I can stick to my guns on getting the patio cleaned up or if I veer off the path to junk-land!

In the Garden

 Junking and gardening are my two mental relaxations.  After I do either, I can't remember anything I thought about while I was doing them.  This week I have been coming home each night and "puttering" outdoors and I'm slowly making progress on getting the garden shaped up.
We haven't fed the birds in several years because we were taken over by a pair of Blue Jays and the bird feeders became a target for them to attack the little birds.  We haven't seen the Jays this year so The Husband brought the feeders back out last night and filled them with fresh seeds today.  I have high hopes!

 As long as I was out I also took photos of the roses that are in full bloom now.

 It is, after all, The Rose City!

Nothing like outdoor time to relax the brain after too much screen time!

Quick Junk Stop

 I made a quick stop on my way home today for a little junk fix at the VOA.  I'm so glad I stopped because you know how much I needed yet another satin vanity box - lol!  Actually, I was very happy to find this one because it is only the third one I have found in this large size.  My cabinet is completely full now so time to start switching them out to get colors that match the contents.

 Three new Wades for the Grand and an accidental duplicate I'll gift to another Wade collector I know.

 Some sweet little creatures to add to my accidental accumulation of little critters.  The rabbit is stamped Made in Japan.

My whoopsie drawer of critters.  I actually used some in a terrarium project a few years ago and I am fascinated with all those faerie gardens I'm seeing on Pinterest so who knows...
I hope you are finding time for some fun this weekend!

A Little Piece Of Pretty

 I have been feeling a little frustrated lately about making a living eating in to my time to make a life.  I like to garden and take a lot of pride in my yard.  It is big and it is a mature garden so it takes some work to keep it all under control.  We had beautiful weather on Sunday so I spent the day in the front yard, you know, the one people driving by can see.  I ran out of steam before I finished, but I made a good dent in it.
I walked in the back yard and stood on my patio and all I could see was all the work needing to be done.  Not very gratifying or relaxing!

So last night I came home and cleaned out one small bed that is front and center to my eyes when I am on the patio.  I think I dug out at least 8 of those pesky ferns that invade EVERYWHERE in my yard.  Those stinkers will inherit the earth!  Tonight I stopped at the green grocer on my way home and treated myself to 10 zonal geraniums.  I don't typically buy many annuals but I need a little piece of pretty to rest my eyes on.
Big sigh.  So pretty!

Happy Mother's Day!

 A few pretty flowers from the garden...

To wish you all a Happy Mother's Day!

Last Weekend's Junk

 I only had time for the VOA and Nina and Joe's Division Street Antiques last weekend but still got a nice little junk score.  I hit the Mother Lode of vintage crochet pattern books at the VOA.  They will eventually be listed in my Esty.

 These vintage salt and pepper shakers are already listed.  The frosted glass has a cool art-deco design.  The tops are plastic but have that perfect Jadeite green color we all know and love!

 A few neat buttons for the collection.  Love that poodle in the lower right!

I think this wooden hand is a business card holder but it is a body part so you know I love it and it will be staying with me, at least for a while!

Trust Yourself

I noticed this quote this week and it inspired a page in the new altered altered book.  The bottom birdie was cut {gasp} from a postcard I picked up at Plucky.  On my inspiration kits I always say ...  No instructions are included.  Trust yourself, you will know what to do.

Update on the mystery notions in my last post.  Two readers have educated me that they are corset stays.  Oh good golly, thank goodness Levi hasn't resurrected them in their "look slimmer" jeans!  Now I will be the first to admit that back in the day when my husband and I spent a lot of time on the motorcycle I threatened to buy myself a Fredrick's of Hollywood  butt for some extra padding but let's just say NO to to corset stays and bustles in our jeans!!

Recent Junk

 I haven't had a lot of time for junking lately but my world has not been totally without junk because that would just be WRONG!  The Husband even went along to this sale because they advertised wood turning blanks.  Sadly, it was picked over by the time we got there on Saturday so he didn't score anything but I managed to get a few second-day leftovers.

I am always happy to find lace trim for my inspiration kits and who could resist a vintage postcard with a birdie.

 This was my favorite find, a huge stack of Green Stamps.  These bring back such happy childhood memories for me and I still have a few things my mother bought with them.

Does anyone know what these are?  They were in the poke sacks of sewing notions.  They are rigid and about 4" long.  Collar stays, maybe?  If you know, please educate me!

Feeling Purple

 You all know I don't have a favorite color because there are just too many to choose from but noticed that I seem to be surrounded by shades of purple tonight.

 The Wood Hyacinths and the ferns will eventually inherit the earth, or at least my backyard.

 My Frank Klager lilac that takes a licking and just keeps on ticking.  That reminds me, the Gunera isn't doing well this Spring.  I don't think it was the Winter.  I think we didn't give it enough water last Summer.  There is still a sign of life but send your good vibes, please.

 New lavender nail polish because sandal season is right around the corner.

 Johnny Jump Ups growing anywhere they want.

 As are the petite, wild, Lily of the Valley popping out between the stones.

 An inspiration kit that has been languishing in my Etsy for a while so I re-listed it tonight.

A new Dark Star California Lilac for the garden this year.  I need to get this guy planted!
Have you been feeling any special color?

Have you heard the news? There's a party going on!

Thanks to Cathy at ma vie trouvee, I am joining in on the Pay It Forward Art-making Project for 2014. For me, blogging is all about sharing our ideas and passions (obsessions??) so what better way to share!  The rules are simple if you would like to play along:

What I will do:   Make a small work of art for the first five people who comment on this post and say "YES, I want in!"  

What you will do:  Swap a piece of art with me, post the rules on your blog or any other social media AND make something for the first five who comment on YOUR post...you in return will get 5 pieces of original art.

The rules are simple:

– It has to be your work, made by you, and the recipient must receive it before 2014 ends.

- Doesn't matter where you live in the world. 

- Copy & Paste this as your latest entry on your favorite social website (your blog is fine).

– It can be anything art-based: a drawing/illustration, a photograph, digital, jewelry, a knitted item, cross-stitch, paper maché – or anything in-between.

- It doesn't matter if you aren't an artist...the sky's the limit...

Okay - who is in??

A Little Pile of Plucky

 On Saturday I had the pleasure of meeting up with Annette from My Pinecone Cottage and browse the isles at the Plucky Maidens Junk Fest.  We visited, we were inspired and we did a little shopping, too.

 Annette gifted me with a "poke sack" of buttons.  She knows me well.  I had a great time sorting through them and mining for treasures that night.  It is easy to see there were some fun ones in there!  Thank you Annette!

 I picked up a couple remnants of bark cloth I am collecting for a project, some lace, a few glass buttons and some trinkets for projects.  I was in search of just the right box for another project but one was not to be found.  Oh darn, now I have to keep hunting - lol!

 You can see from the first photo that I got quite a few rose postcards for the lace book project plus a few old lithographs.

I love the captions on this last card!
I hope you all found some play time this weekend!