Indulge Your Shelf

With Ben's school year ending last Friday, we are in summer mode! The lilacs have already come and gone, but the state flower, the Columbine, is in full bloom.  I have them in many colors in my garden; with the hot, dry weather we have here it's best to try to be satisfied with what is native, I've found. As I spent most of the Spring sick in bed, I never got around to my usual spring cleaning so over the last few days, as my son sleeps until noon, I've been trying to work on that; I began with clearing off my crowded, side kitchen counter. I also did some re-arranging on the shelves which show off some of my favorite red-themed stuff...at the top of the above photo, my f un new greeting card from Julia , which I have mounted like a print; it proclaims, Her Royal Highness Queen Mum, which is a name I will answer to! I also got busy putting up my seasonal artwork, including this assemblage of the art collages I made at Birdsong Two. I started with this kit...

More of the fun finds from the last couple of weeks' worth of thrift stores, estate sales, garage sales and antique store bargains (also check out  part 1  and part 2 ): This little metal container, the size of a hotel bar of soap, with a sweet floral etching on the front. An ostrich feather fan -- you don't see these too often! These are fun and useful (and, well used!) -- a set of drawing scales rulers... in just a great old box with label. This is a fancy desk Social Secretary; it has a leather-like cover with great embossing (and love the color!)  It came in its original box, and had plenty of paper left inside to use! I also found this cute red leather-bound traveling chess set.  It's clever, really, with tiny slots to hold its thick paper chess pieces! I was very attracted to the old leather coin purses I found at an estate sale; they were so well-used and have so much character... and great metal closures.  I also found a pr...

I received my tiny cartes de viste (CDV) album in the mail!  It was put together by swap hostess JoAnne : Enjoy the fun photos!

Even though this linen towel had some stains, it is the kind of thing that makes me so happy! I just love the key motif, especially; I also love the combination of avocado green and the pinks! I got all of these from that gal whose booth is now closing at an antique store -- this flower, and the linen, and... this beautiful red rose hankie -- old but brand new -- and these wonderful Lucite buttons! Aren't they sparkly? At an estate sale, I had to come home with this beautifully embellished hankie (above); isn't it swirly? It must have been a 'blue' day that day, because I found this really fun souvenir pillow cover with old-time views of Colorado Springs landmarks; its silky ruffle and bow are in remarkable condition for its age!  My master bedroom is blue and white so I'm always attracted to that color combination. On the left, a thrift store find of feedsack fabric; on the left, blue burlap from the '70s I found at a garage sale! You...