Inspiration...

I'm joing Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for her Tablescape Thursday. Be sure to drop by for loads of inspiration!

I'll admit it, I'm a thrift store/antique shoppe junkie.

There are days that go by and I don't stop, but lately, I just can't help it! I've been several times this week already! There are several spots close by, it's fun to make the rounds. I love going to "just look" and usually end up with something to take home. Storage is beginning to be a problem so I'm trying to be selective...well, unless I see something really neat.

One thing I've begun looking for is fabric. It could be in the form of a tablecloth, curtains, clothes...anything that catches my eye. This past Tuesday, I found a round tablecloth that caught my eye...and even better, it looked like it just came from the cleaners! The attached tag stated that it is from Target, Waverly fabric....loved it at first site. The fabric around the perimeter is gingham and the colors are perfect for my home. Did I say I love it, yes, love it.

It was the inspiration for today's table.

This little guy usually lights up a corner in my kitchen...but today, I wanted him to shed a little light on my table.

He looks like he's happy to do so!

He's resting on a couple vintage books and the little alarm clock fit just perfectly on the book.

Things are casual, laid back for the summer. Jars for our cool beverages...

...and mix~matched, vintage flatware from my favorite shoppe.

I added my grandmother's molds.

Rosette cookies are delicate looking treats made with a batter using eggs, milk, flour, salt and sugar. To form the rosette cookies, iron rosette molds are used. These molds are usually sold in kits with several different shapes. The iron mold is dipped into the sizzling, hot oil and then quickly pressed into the batter. Then quickly dipped back into the hot oil and removed after a minute or so. Sometimes the batter can stick to the rosette iron.
                                          {http://www.ehow.com/how_5022265_cookies-off-rosette-iron.html}

Thrifty woven charger and repainted candle holders.

Vintage postcard...

...dishes from Bed, Bath, and Beyond, Westerly Basket.

Thrifty napkin rings recovered in jute.

You just never know when inspiration is "right around the corner!"

Thanks for visiting...enjoy your day!

Mustache Cup

I'm sharing a Mustache Cup today. I have only one so it usually is the center of attention. I'm always so curious as to a piece's history... I wonder who used this particular cup and saucer?

Could it have been this gentleman?

It's so strange to think that men would use such dainty cups and saucers in drinking their favorite warm beverage..

But with the guard, I guess it was safe to have their tea and drink it too!

I can easily imagine these young ladies having tea from such a pretty piece...

...while the brother, probably having nothing to do with tea, was outside riding his bicycle or tinkering with his toys.

"The MUSTACHE/MOUSTACHE cup and saucer was invented around 1830 by Harvey Adams of Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, England. What sets it apart from a regular cup and saucer? In theVictorian Era, almost all men sported a mustache of one style or size. It was de rigeur! However, the dapper mustache caused the dapper dandies problems. Their dyed, waxed and curled mustaches often drooped into the tea or coffee cup or dripped the colorful dyes and waxes into the beverages! A drawing room disaster of the times, causing women to send for the smelling salts.

Harvey Adams invention sported a ledge, called a mustache guard, across the cup. The guard had one semi-circular opening against the side of the cup. As the gentlemen sipped through the opening, their mustaches rested safe and dry on the mustache guard.They could enjoy their favorite hot beverage peacefully."   { http://myworld.ebay.com/nibblesm80/}


photo references:
#1 maternal great~grandfather
#2 maternal grandfather's mother and siblings

I'm joining Martha for her Tea Cup Tuesdays over at Martha's Favorites. Be sure to drop by, she and her participants alway have amazing things to share.

Thanks for visiting...enjoy your day!

Seashell Boxes

I found a little shadow box at Salvation Army, scrounged around a bit and found its mate. Yea! I'm always drawn to these and couldn't resist. They were only 99 cents...no harm, right?

I liked the color of the frames but had a different idea for the background. Taking off the back, I replaced  the balloons with burlap and a seashell. It was quick and easy. With a little bit of Windex, I had a new addition to my home.

Because these little guys are only about 4 inches square, they'll be easy to move around from place to place.

For information on making the seashell bottles pictured above, click here.
For the transformation of the blue shelf, click here.

Today I'm joining, Susan's Between Naps on the Porch for her Metamorphosis Monday, Rhoda's Southern Hospitality for her Today's Thrifty Monday, Marty's A Stroll Thru Life for her Tabletop Tuesday, and Linda's Coastal Charm for her Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays. Be sure to drop by these ladies' parties for a great time!

Thanks for stopping by to visit...enjoy your day!

Happy 100th Tablescape, Susan!

This post is for the 100th Tablescape at Between Naps on the Porch. Susan, the host, is celebrating and I'm thrilled to be joining...it's one of my favorite parties. Be sure to stop by for loads of inspiration!

My table today is on the back patio.

It's a quiet, calm, and relaxing treat for two friends.

Thank you Susan for graciously hosting this party on Thursdays.
Each week, I eagerly await to see your tables and those of your participants.

Thank you for sharing all your wonderful, creative ideas.

Looking forward to the next 100 Tablescape Thursdays!!!

chargers and white vase: Marshall's

square candleholders: Hobby Lobby

dishes: Lenox Opal Innocence

candleholders: Spode

champagne flutes: gift

napkin rings: recovered with jute {originals were a thrift store find}

flatware: Michelangelo

Thanks so much for visiting...enjoy your day!

Hutch Redo

I'm joining Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch for her Metamorphosis Monday. Please be sure to stop by for a visit for amazing transformations!

I'm sharing a project that my mother completed. {This is her first refinishing project!} She and I were shopping at Salvation Army and she ran across this beauty.

Yep, that's her "SOLD" sign on the front!

The piece is very sturdy and luckily has all the pieces...all glass and hardware. There was even the light inside that worked! She browsed a little more, went back to make her decision and the sales girl came over to tell her all furniture was 25% off the regular price. Well, that sealed the deal...she was purchasing it!
So she got it back to her home and began the work.

She sanded, primed, sanded, painted, sanded, painted and sanded a final time.

Isn't it a beauty?

{She still needs to put the hardware back on...but I think she did a great job!}

Thanks for visiting, enjoy your day!

Look at these babies!

I have been reading a lot about hydrangeas lately on so many blogs...many of you have gorgeous, well~established plants, others of you live where they grow wild. How wonderful it must be to see these beauties regularly!

I have always loved hydrangeas too. They remind me of my grandmother, she had pink ones. I love their big moppy heads and the fact that they can either be pink or blue depending on the acidity of the soil.

Read more about the specifics here.

I know they also come in {or can change to} a variety of other colors, but I'm really interested in these two colors.

I bought my first ever hydrangea plant today and I'm so excited. It was from a well know nursery so it should be healthy. Now...to plant or not. I originally was going to keep it in a container but now I'm concerned it wouldn't do it's thing...spread, grow, and bloom. My yard is about the size of a postage stamp and the perimeter is already pretty much taken with shrubs and such. I could always carve out a niche for it...hm...can't decide.

I live in Zone 8 {close to Houston, Texas} and from everything I've read, it needs morning sun and afternoon shade.

For all you experienced gardeners out there...any suggestions...container or ground?

images: http://www.hydrangeashydrangeas.com/

            http://www.digitalphotoartistry.com/

If these Faces could Talk...

I guess the reason I love vintage things over new things is the story behind the item. I always wonder who had the item, where was it placed, why it is in my hands...did they tire of it, did family members pass it on?

The items I'm sharing today are from my maternal grandfather. He was a minister that tinkered with clocks as a hobby. Because of him, I developed my appreciation for these timepieces...it's their faces that truly hold their story.

 This is a little pocketwatch inside a cloche.

I wonder if most kids know that clocks were once wound with keys?

Looks like these two must have quite a story.

I wonder why this porcelain face needed repair?

This is the face of one of my favorites. The crackle is authentic.

I'm linking with Cindy over at My Romantic Home for her Show and Tell Friday and Laurie at Bargain Hunting for her A Few of My Favorite Things Saturday. Be sure to drop by for loads of treats!