Monday, July 15, 2013

My Bluebird of Happiness and Other Cute Things

If you walked into an Antique Shop and saw this guy...would you pick him up?


If you turned him over and saw that he was $5, would your grip tighten?
It was love at first sight for me. I'm not sure if he's a small planter or not
but I knew right away what I was going to use him for...

Now he sits on the lazy Susan on our kitchen table holding toothpicks that are needed at this time of year with all of the fresh corn coming in! I smile at him every day.
I also found...

glass salt and pepper shakers (I have plans for them) and a
vintage cabinet card of a child on a tricycle...just some fun things to
repurpose.
For you local Pittsburgh area shoppers, this is the shop...the owner is very friendly
and there are many interesting things to be found there. 



I used to go to lots of Estate and Yard sales in the summertime but our basement is so filled with treasures that I've limited my expeditions. There is one sale I never miss though, and that's held at the home of a local antiques dealer. Every Summer, she cleans out a lot of things from her space in a local Antique Mall and has an Estate Sale at her home. She slashes her prices 50-75% so some treasures can be found at her sale. 
This year I was happy to bring home this bowl..

It is a beautiful shade of blue...similar in shape to some Homer Laughlin plates I have but it is unmarked and there is a tiny chip but that's OK...strawberries look gorgeous in this bowl!

Do you know what this is?
It's a table-crumber..the bristles of the brush are very stiff 
and perfect for whisking away the crumbs from your table.
It works great and I feel like I've just stepped into Downton Abbey 
when I use it!


A brown transferware plate. The plate and the blue bowl were each $3.
I thought that was a good price.



My dear friend Marie calls photos like these, Instant Ancestors. I love these old photos because I don't have many from my own family so I'm happy to adopt other people's families.



Old keys and silverware...so much fun to repurpose in crafting.

I have one other bounty to share, from Lucketts in Virginia but I'll share that on another day.

Hope you're keeping cool!
xoxo
joyce

8 comments:

jemkagily said...

Love the bluebird! I have a whole collection of similar pottery chicks, hens, ducks, bunnies, and lambs that I put out at Easter. Now I know to be on the lookout for bluebirds, too.

Linens Lace and Lattes said...

Hi Joyce - I have that exact little blue bird but my little guy only comes out at Easter with some little chicks which I display. Seeing your picture makes me want to go rescue him from the holiday tote!
deb

woodandfabric said...

Your little blue bird is so cute! And your other treausures too!
On my side I don't go to yard sale anymore because I always find something to buy (And to alter in some way) My basement is full of treasure waiting for some creativity!
Have a great week Joyce!
Michelle

marie said...

Yes indeed...Mr Bluebird would have definitely come home with me! Those little salt & pepper shakers would have as well. I can't wait to see what you do with them.

I was just thinking about "instant ancestors" yesterday...I was wondering about the best way to display them. What do you do with your "family"?

Your basement sounds like my basement AND garage. This year I've been working on sorting, organizing and purging...except for the days I go to the thrift store to buy more stuff. It's really sad. :)

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

Of course the bluebird had to come home with you!
Can't wait to see what you are going to make with the shakers!
LOVE your new photo!
Warmly,
deb

Mimi Sue said...

I love getting great deals on adorable things! Looks like you sure did! The bluebird would have come home with me, without a doubt. Mimi

Suz said...

I would buy it all, too, Joyce. i especially love that bluebird and I cannot believe that price!

Jo said...

That little bird is sooooo cute. I love it! Such a great find. That table sweeper thing is interesting. I've never seen one of those before.

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