I Just Can't Believe It.

Maybe I should call these the frustrating days of summer. We planted a new tree out front because a truck hit and killed one of our two trees. So I wanted to put some plantings under each of them. Guacamole Hostas and Heucheras (coral bell) with purple on one side of the leaves and green on the other. The plants are compliment to one another.

The Heucheras are little limp but they will perk up. I was very satisfied with how it all looked until I woke up this morning. I guess deer prefer Guacamole Hostas over traditional hostas because until last night I never had an issue. 

 The good news is she got full after 4.5 hostas, I planted 6.

Hot Summer Lazy Heat

There is only so much listing I want to do on etsy and ebay when sales and views are slow. I think these are what is referred to as the hot lazy days of summer! So instead of being discouraged and lamenting over the lack of sales I spend time in the garden. It does help that the weather this year has been very co-operative with just the right amount of sun and rain. Since taking theses pictures lavender has been moved from one side of the house to the other.

My Love for Armoires

 

My Armoire on Etsy 

I love antiques and even more so an antique armoire! When I found this armoire I was so excited but my the majority of my family doesn't share my love for antiques so I have decided to enjoy it for a short while and pass it on. More pictures of this beauty can be found here:http://tinyurl.com/4yxjq5q

Here are some uses for these beautiful pieces of furniture.

Below is a nice example of an armoire made into a bar. 

Courtesy of ladolfina blog

This next piece of furniture has been repurposed into a pantry by Martha Stewart.

I love this next one! Make a kitchen pantry!

city sage armoire

And lastly, don't forget the baby's room!

 Martha Stewart Baby Armoire

If you have your own armoire that you have repurposed I would love to see your pictures and post them!

I love my job!

This is the time of year that I really start to enjoy my job. The townwide yard sales start. One of my favorite towns is a historic town called Hackettswtown in NJ. Over 150 years old with beautiful well kept old homes. 

One of the homes on this rainy sale day had a sign that said "sale under porch." My problem was I got sidetracked by the overpowering flower smell. I didn't even notice the nice lady sitting in her stone porch screened-in alcove. I just had to find that smell! There were so many flowers to try smelling. Flowers I didn't recognize, lilacs, rhodos and then the owner popped out to check me out! I was too busy looking for right flower to be embarrassed. The owner sweetly pointed out the Lily of the Valley which at the height of 4" I easily missed.  She explained that the flower had come from her grandmother and that her husband had spent years creating their heritage garden. It looked like Eden. 

The linens I bought from her were just a nice bonus. I also bought that day a suitcase and crate but what I really wanted was a Lily of the Valley plant.

I LOVE Typewriters

I really love typewriters! If you follow my etsy store I am sure you have noticed that. I love them in any shape or color. To get them in color isn't easy. I still remember when I let a pink typewriter  slip through my fingers because I didn't want to lay out the money. 2 years later I am still kicking myself!  All these different typewriters type differently and behave differently. They even sound different.

Many of my customers buy them for their photo shoots. I would REALLY love to post their photos to my blog. Sure would beat my photos!

Above is a 1928  Duotone Remington No.3 currently in my shop: http://tinyurl.com/6ezrwt6

Below is 1960 Royal Pink Typewriter. I really want one in good condition! 

Olivetti Typewriters and Instructions for the Lock

The Olivetti shown is the Lettera 32 in blue. The lock is on the right. You simply move it up or down as needed. I have also had the 22. I think the lock was on the left. It seems Olivetta puts the tiny little lock in places that are hard to find but your typewriter DOES work you just need to find you lock. When you find the lock and unlock it your carriage will move.

Mason Jar Soap Dispenser Instructions

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As seen in Country Living magazine 9/10. Remove glass insert from lid and drill a half 1/2" hole to fit pump insert. Inserts can be found at onedreamdesingn.com for $3.75.  I have loads of jars and lids in many styles so come shopping or send me an email. http://www.etsy.com/shop/ingenuityondisplay

Ideas for Vintage Show Ribbons

Ribbons are beautiful, satiny and colorful. There will always be one to match or coordinate with your decor. They are beautiful together or all alone. I have had several customers buy them in groupings to decorate their offices. Below is the same idea in a bedroom.

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Another fun idea is dressing up a mannequin. LOVE this! I have a relative that has a mannequin in her hallway and she dresses her up for every season. How fun "she" will look with her daughter's ribbons on there. 

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By some ribbons and enjoy making your space colorful!

I Do Believe Country Living Missed the Mark with Horse Ribbons

Country Living is my favorite magazine by far but horse ribbons were really hot a year ago. I just received September's issue this week and there is a horse collecting theme. Horse Show Ribbons are one of the featured items. The price for ribbons can range from $9.99 - $20.  I think they also had had a beautiful display of vintage ribbons in a frame last month. Here are a few of the vintage ribbons I have sold.

 A year ago my ribbons were selling like hot cakes but now not as quick. I hope Country Living makes a new interest in all show ribbons! Not only are horse ribbons beautiful but dairy and dog too.

Vintage Western Electric Phone Ma Bell

The joy of my job, being out on the road and hunting for treasures, is that I get to bring home whatever suits my fancy for the day. Yesterday it was phones. Actually, I have been looking at phones for awhile. I grew up with the original Ma Bell phone even though it was the 80s. WOW! As a teen that was an awful phone. Cool to look at and I always loved the rotary dial sound but it was heavy and the pointed handle meant I couldn't talk for hours. I also loved the ringer! 


Theses are 2 different model 302s. The top phone is made out of thermoplastic with a bakelite handle. The bottom phone is steel with a very hard rubber handle. Both are early 50s. Both can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/yegnpz5


 If you are old enough to remember Ma Bell would charge her customers $4 a month to rent these phones. I think that is about $50 in today's money. Can you imagine?!

Crates for Organizing

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You can hang crates! Don't just think horizontal. You can buy any square crate and they don't have to be the same size to hang the wall for organization. All you need is to make sure that they are sturdy. But my favorite idea here, from the gypsydaisyblog, is the Coke soda crate or organize books. Here at home we use these low crates to organize canned food and other pantry items. I have tons of theses crates and others for sale. 

http://tinyurl.com/yegnpz5   If you don't see the one you want just email me from my etsy site. I also have mason jars for sale.

Antique Sewing Drawers Uses

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Sewing drawers are fantastic organizing tools. The top picture is from Blueberry Cottage Primitives. Makes a cute basket and an easy way to carry. But if you don't want to buy or to create one yourself just use a drawer as is. 

You can use for socks in child's room, storage of folders in an office or hold meds in a bathroom.  Get creative!

A Fabulous Professional Picture Using One of my Vintage Cameras

One of my customers, Meagan, bought this camera from me on my Etsy shop and took this amazing professional photograph. It is just begging to be displayed! To see more of her fabulous work visit  http://www.meaganhildebrandt.com and for more camera ideas please keep looking through my blog!

Time for Another Suitcase Showcase!

All these pictures are from Country Living Mag. but you can easily do this yourself! Suitcases have SO many uses. Decorate, store things in, display, make a pet bed. I have a GORGEOUS set of suitcases listed on ebay (ingeniouslycreative) and some listed on etsy. Just use the link on the right. Or if you have some laying around the house use them and send me some pictures and I will post them! I love new ideas! KW8M2CXCVH42 

A Litte Break from the Typical Work

Too hot to do much of anything lately and not enough rain so I spend a LOT of time watering and in the garden taking care of things. In the first picture I got the homemade trellis at an estate sale.  

In the last picture is an antique lawn jockey. I have had a few of these in travels. Google and see the interesting history on these. This little man isn't too old (40's) and his electric has been cut so he isn't too expensive. A true original will be over $1000. There is a milk can with original paint in front of the door. My cats use that to peer in the window and let me know they are home. On the right is a 6ft bench I "rescued" from a barn and a barrel with a wandering jew on it. 

The barrel is an item I will ship from my etsy shop but the other items are pickup items due to size. 

Decorating with Vintage Telephones

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There is just something about the sound of the rotary phone as the dial slips back into place. A very nostalgic sound! The stand is sold by Moxie Thrift on etsy. Nice simple display with a Kodak Brownie, can use any vintage camera and I have loads in my shop, and the vintage phone on top. I happen to like the blue crackle phone that I have for sale in my shop!

This last picture is a phone sold by KlassyKlassics' on etsy. Not super old just a nice phone from the 70s.

The Iron Bed Search---Redecorating the Guest Bedroom

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I love cast iron beds! Great vintage/antique item. I think every house should have one. We bought a full size for my daughter's room and repainted it and it is absolutely beautiful! Now I am on the hunt for a twin for my guest bedroom and will put a trundle underneath. The top photo (countryliving.com) is lovely but I do like them with a foot-board and I think I will be using a vintage chenille bedspread.  I will post a picture of the final product. Won't be until August when the oldest goes back to college.