Indulge Your Shelf

In case anyone was wondering, I'm still planning to start my own version of a thrifting linky party.  There are some good ones out there, but I want mine to be a bit different.  The thing is: I want mine to be ONLY thrifty finds -- not craft items where thrifty finds were used, or tablescapes using thrifted items, or makeovers of a thrifted item (before/after), or frugal meals/recipes.  Not that there's anything wrong with any of that -- I just want my party to be about the thrifty find itself, fresh out of the shopping bag.  I guess I'm just a purist!  I'll debut my linky party in the new year, okay? Do you like these little covered crock?  I really do!  I love their shape, age, and their cute flower and leaf design.  I love how there are four identical ones, all in their own little holder! I think they're great for this time of year -- to hold chili, or french onion soup -- but could also be used in other seasons, like at a cookout to hold co...

I'm excited to tell you about changes to my handmade Etsy shop!  As many of you who are also Etsy sellers know, we were recently given the opportunity to change our shop names.  My handmade shop was called Twice Shy Re-stored, a name which I found clever and suitable a couple of years ago -- but not anymore.  So, I took advantage and gave my shop a name I like much better: Leaves and Lace ! my new shop banner my new shop avatar Since, as you know, it's been looking like this around here... I've taken advantage of cosy-at-home time these last couple of days to work on some new ephemera journals for my "new" shop! You may recognize part of the covers of these two journals; they were collages that I made for Mary Green's   monthly collage challenges the last couple of months. I mounted them onto book covers and I just love them! I'm also very pleased with how these two came out -- especially the one on the left, which is the very first ephemera journ...

We are getting snow today!  So, what better time to show you these wonderful items I picked up at a craft fair over the weekend...both of which fit the winter theme! Did you know I used to collect penguins, for many, many years?  I drastically downsized my collection and kept only my absolute favorites.  It wasn't easy, but it was necessary. Still, I couldn't resist this little guy when I saw him; it's my first penguin in quite a while! One of the reasons I fell in love with him is that he's made completely from recycled materials.  The gal who makes him, Cheryl Carlson, calls her company "Seal Bait."  She's committed to using up all of her garbage!  She makes lots of penguins of many different sizes, from a decoupage-like process, using something like a medicine bottle, for example, as the base for the bird. I think he's very cleverly put-together! This little snowman, also made by Cheryl, is so unique! I love his copper nose, his wild, wire ...

I had some more beautiful things to show you from our visit to Florence Saturday.  Wanna see? I visited a store called Heartland; I liked this display of great plates with women on them. Another pretty plate -- I know, I'm addicted! We enjoyed a really delicious lunch at Aspen Leaf Bakery; everything was so fresh, service was quick, and we even shared a slice of cherry pie for dessert! At Iron Gate Antiques, where I had a camera malfunction and didn't get photos, unfortunately, I found: the cutest lot of vintage fans! These will be so perfect for future matchbox swaps, where I'm always looking for something tiny and wonderful! Speaking of small and wonderful, look at this vintage Paris box! I really loved this rhinestone heart pin! And, my favorite buy: these two buttons! Well, I'm not even sure this round mother of pearl one is a button... because, look at the back of it!  It's definitely shell, but I'm not sure if it's a button. What do you think it is?...

Dennis and I had a "date day" on Saturday since Ben was off camping; it was the most beautiful Fall day.  It was a beautiful drive, past groves of bright orange and gold aspens. Main Street, Florence Our first stop was The Mezzanine, which is two floors of great stuff and thoughtful arrangement with lovely vignettes.  They were in full Halloween mode! We were greeted by the Madam Scary masks -- which were original art I really wanted Miss Sally Victor's rose-covered hat!  Alas, it was too small for me.  Most vintage and antique hats are -- I have a really big head! Another lovely, too-small hat; this one is perfect for Autumn! Even Dennis found some things here to like; such as this vintage signage... and the building's original stairs, which are incredibly sturdy and well-made. A corn husking machine Isn't this apron-display a clever idea? I could use something like this in my house, for all my beautiful linens! At Mezzanine, I picked up some b...