Indulge Your Shelf

Like much of the rest of the country, we're having a frigid, well-below-zero temperature weekend this weekend -- and into next week.  This morning when the sun was briefly out, we took advantage and ran off to an estate sale we'd seen advertised. To our surprise, it was held at an old home on a country road that we often drove by, and admired.  The inhabitants had named it Hodgen in the Dip.  They often decorated the outside of the house by the sign with whimsical figures for different seasons.  I felt sad to know they were no longer there. They were creative, and the items decorating the outsides of their houses and outhouses gives you an idea of their taste! I was happy to learn that their family would stay in the home; and enjoyed looking through the jumble of oddities that were for sale there! It was the last day of the sale, and I had missed out on much of the good stuff, but I couldn't leave behind this sled, even though it was missing Santa and the reindeer ha...

Once again, I'm here to show you some delights I found at two different sales at older estates yesterday.  One of the sales was small and the other was PACKED.  The packed one said they would be putting more stuff out every day, which makes it hard to resist popping back by.  I will resist, though, as part of my this-year's RESTORation is to curtail my antique shopping! That, however, was not my mindset yesterday when I treated myself to some shopping!  Both estate sales were, in my opinion, mostly overpriced.  I detest going to sales where they are asking antique-store prices for their best smalls.  For example, there were several valentine planters/vases that I would have loved to have but they were marked $20 each! Here are the ones I did get - the large was $5 and the small was just $1.  They did gift me the Hallmark nut cup, which I love because it matches these little guitar favors I found this year! I also got these three fabulous hand ...

Goodwill has what they call Outlet Center, or sometimes Outlet World, stores.  Ours in Colorado Springs opened a few years ago, and recently I decided to check out the three that are in nearby Denver.  What I've discovered is that the one we have is the best.  One of the Denver outlets, in Englewood, is also decent.  The one in Aurora is terrible -- dirty, gross, small.  The other day I finally made it to the third Denver one.  It was also, in my opinion, gross.  As in, I wouldn't ever go back!   Before leaving, though, I did find a pile of vintage linens and doilies, all in the same bin.  I thought you'd like to see:  The whole pile  A remnant of lace  I loved how this one was already nicely "stained" with age  (detail)  I thought these were unique little inserts  Kinda unusual fish motif  Pale blue with rose My favorite; this is just a very s...

I was gifted a package of good stuff for crafting and creating from one of the people who reads this blog regularly, Linda!  Linda lives in Canada and let me know she had some things she was ready to part with that she just knew I would like and could use.  And, could I! I wouldn't even know where to star in saying what my favorites were; high on the list are the button cards, especially the one with red buttons that says "Made in Canada" at the bottom!  I don't have a card like this, and don't think I've ever had any buttons that were labeled Canadian before. If you take a close look there are also cameos and other jewelry findings, and those fabulous clock faces that are made of porcelain!  The pink beaded trim is heavy and luxurious, and the dark green and sparkly motifs have me dreaming of Mardi Gras crafting! Everything is a delight, and I can't wait to show Linda once I've used some of her beautiful things in upcoming projects!  You guys a...

Cerri's snippet roll arrived and it is just gorgeous! Here it is in full...  and section by section.  I love having my initial "L" on it  The "sweetheart" pin is another favorite section...  ...along with that pretty lavender button! But the little bird, I think, is my favorite part of all! I'm so happy to have done this swap, and I hope Cerri liked her snippet roll as much as I liked mine!