Saturday, January 29, 2011

5th Annual One World One Heart

*Note to my blogging friends. My computer died after my last post "Blue or Bleu?" and I apologize that I was unable to respond in a timely fashion to all your wonderful comments or be able to stop by and visit with all my blogging friends. I lost all my documents, my clip art and all my photos! Can you say external hard-drive.... lesson learned. Thank you for your understanding of my MIA. Thank you*


5th ANNUAL ONE WORLD - ONE HEART

Hard to believe that another year has passed and that it is time once more for the Annual One World One Heart blogging extravaganza event. This year is the 5th Annual and sad to say the last One World One Heart, journey around the world. I just wanted to say thank you to the fabulous event creator and hostess, Lisa for doing such an amazing job.


One World One Heart is a worldwide event for bloggers only. It gives all those who blog a chance to meet and mingle and form connections with those they may not have otherwise met from all over the world. In the past 4 years this event has grown to over 1,000 participants with lasting friendships (and even one love connection) formed along the way. Think of it as a GIGANTIC open house allowing you to travel without ever leaving your home........going from blog to blog(in various countries) seeing the wonder each one has created and meeting all the fabulous people behind those blogs. As a bonus each blogger participant will offer up a "door prize or prizes"....just for dropping by, saying hello and seeing their world.

A year ago I had just started blogging and it was such a big world then, full of possibilities and unknowns. It is still a big world, but the blogging friends I have met along the way, have made it seem a friendlier, safer and smaller place. Because of these friends' support, in July, I opened my shop, 2nd fl Thriftiques (Please see the shop's button on my sidebar if you would like to visit). It has been so great to meet fellow bloggers that have stopped by to visit and become real friends along the way; people from out-of-town and out-of-state that knew of me only from my blog.

Last year I introduced myself and a little bit about my home State of Maine (Please click here to see). I am still a resident, a-Maine-born-and-raised gal and so I thought I would welcome my visiting guests by offering a few Maine-themed goodies. Here is just a sampling of "My Taste of Maine Bag" that some lucky visitor will receive when this party ends on February 17th. I have more photos to post of the rest of the prize package.


A Lobster cloth napkin and embroidered lobster canvas wine tote. These are paired with a "lobster tail" BBQ Fork (a conversation starter for sure at your next backyard BBQ) and vintage costume jewelry at its best, a painted lobster pin. There are also 2 wooden nautical decorations. For those of you who may not know, nothing is tastier than freshly caught Maine lobster ..... served hot with melted butter or cold in a Lobster Roll. Hard to believe that the Pilgrims used lobster as a natural fertilizer when planting their crops.

BBQ Lobster Tail Fork

As you can guess by the blog title, I l
ove to shop at Goodwill, so everything you see here has come from the Goodwill store as new merchandise; except the lobster pin which is a vintage find.


Vintage Lobster pin.

All you have to do to win these goodies and more, is please leave me a Howdy, Hello, Good Morning, Good day and be sure to let me know what place you call home. Let's make the world a little smaller..... let's join Lisa in this wonderful and fun journey around the world. I look forward to visiting you. For your invitation, please click on the button at the top of my sidebar or click here. Thank you.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Monday, January 24, 2011

Blue or Bleu?

I love the color Blue ....... dark blue & white of flow blue china, cornflower blue paired with yellow for a French Provencal look, or shades of aqua and red for a retro diner feel. Whether you spell it blue or bleu. I love this color.

This aqua bowl with white squiggles was a giddy moment lawnsale find. To see past aqua thrifty finds, Please click here.

This Carol Brady dress is shades of aqua, turquoise and avocado and is a 1970's delight.

Love the graphics and color of this Pretzel Tin. Another lawnsale find, it was thrown in for free as I was buying the Christmas ornaments that were inside.

Beautiful McCoy planters against a backdrop of aqua/turquoise flowers of the simply divine metal tray.

This shade of blue works really well paired with tan. These 2 plates are made by different companies, yet match perfectly with their similar colors and design.

Large gorgeous platter, need I say more.

The swan planter is marked Conder. The square planter in the back with the 24 kt gold is by Shaefer. The duck in the middle is a similar in color/glaze as my McCoy pieces but is not marked. It cost me a dime at a fall church sale.

Pyrex bowl (butterprint pattern) and Pyrex plate (blue grass restaurant ware).

Why not decorate with a license plate, especially when it is vintage, a cowboy, and turquoise.

I am in heaven with this Blue Heaven plate and pair of fabulous clip-on earrings.

The patterns are from the 1950's and regrettably not my size, but make me drool. The bowl on the left front is Haeger (still with its original sticker) and the pitcher in the back reminds me of Shaefer and is only marked 24 kt gold.

A recent thrift store find, this set is absolutely stunning. It would be oh so fabulous with the dresses shown on the patterns above. Still in their original jewelry box with handwriting noting that they were a birthday gift July 17, 1947 for a very lucky woman.

Of course, if you have the 1940's necklace and the 1950's dress, you need the 1960's Jackie-O pill box hat. It has two tags that read: Mr. John Classic, New York & Paris as well as another one, Cherry & Webb.

So whether you spell Blue or Bleu, how can you not love this color?
I am sharing today with Sally @ Smiling Sally for Blue Monday and Melody @ Etsy Cottage Style for "Cottage Colors Party". Please be sure to stop over for a fun blue-color overload.

Still below zero temps here in Maine. Another storm is on its way. I just love Winter. Hope everyone is staying warm.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Pink Saturday Keeping Me Warm

It is Saturday. No matter that I have icicles hanging precariously from my gutters, that Mt. Everest is now at the end of my driveway and the temperature is struggling to reach 20 degrees, it is Pink Saturday with Beverly @ How Sweet the Sound, and that makes everything seem a little warmer. Please be sure to visit our gracious hostess Beverly and all the other Pink Participants.

"Old Country Roses" Royal Albert Bone China - England

So let's get a cup of tea.......

Take off our shoes..........

Put our gloves away..........

Take some time to just relax........................

Maybe cook up a batch of cookies........

I just love this apron. How cute is the pocket.

Pink crocheted collars, made by my Great-Aunt a lifetime ago, dainty pink gloves and copper metal/pink bling earrings to complete the look.
The front and the back side of the earrings.

I hope you enjoyed your cup of tea. I wasn't sure I would make it for Pink Saturday with all the shoveling we have been doing with back to back storms. I am always glad when you visit and look forward to seeing all the other fun and always pinkalicious goodies for Pink Saturday. Stay warm.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Something New at the Shop

If you will allow me, today I am posting about some changes for my shop and not a regular "Conversation at Goodwill" post. Thank you.


For the past few weeks, we have had snow, sleet and cold temperatures, more than making up for the lack of snow we had in December. Being house bound as it were, has given me time to finally get my other blog "2nd fl Thriftiques" in order. You have to remember that anything I do on the computer has been a slow and self taught process. Frankly as I have said before, I was born in the wrong century. I would have been best friends with Susan B. Anthony (all for getting out the right to vote for women) in a time period that didn't have so many electronic gadgets.

Anyway, I opened up a facebook page for the shop, if you like, please see my facebook badge on my sidebar. So for those folks interested in having a sneak peak at what is coming in to the shop, please add your "like" to my page. If facebook isn't your thing, you can still visit the shop through the blog button, also located on my sidebar or simply click here. Thank you.

Today, I am showcasing new furniture in the shop like the "nana's" kitchen stool that is shown above. I promise that I will now be updating both the blog and facebook page every few days. Thank you to all you have visited the shop.

Stay safe and warm, another storm is coming in for Friday.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Monday, January 17, 2011

Dog-gone good!


I love to cook and not just for family and friends, but for my four footed friends as well. Today I wanted to share these dog biscuit recipes for Tuesday's at the Table, hosted by Cole@All the Small Stuff (Click here for your party invitation). I have done both of these recipes and have been greeted with tails wagging and licks. Try both and let Fido and Spot decide which is their favorite.


Cheesy Dog-Bone Biscuits

Makes 30 servings
*This recipe is adapted from Bow Wow Chow: Hearty Recipes for Happy Dogs, by Julia Szabo. I found the recipe in Country Living December 2008.

4 ounces extra sharp cheddar cheese, grated
4 tablespoons butter, softened and cut into 4 pieces
3/4 cup all purpose flour (plus more for rolling dough)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon half-and-half

Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a food processor, combine cheese, butter, flour and salt; pulse until mixture resembles course crumbs. Add half-and-half; process on low speed until dough forms a ball. On a lightly floured surface, using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll dough to a rectangle about 8 by 10 inches and 1/8 inch thick. Cut biscuits with a cookie cutter, and transfer to an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned. Let cool.



Homemade Dog Treats from Family Almanac
Makes 2 to 3 dozen, depending on size

This one is also made with cheese (a favorite flavor among canines) and garlic (which is a natural flea repellent).

To make a batch combine 1 1/4 cups of grated cheddar cheese, 1/4 pound of softened corn oil margarine, 1 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour, and 1 crushed garlic clove until well mixed. Add enough milk to form the dough into a ball, then cover the ball with plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes. On a floured board, roll out the dough to a 1/2 inch thickness. Cut out bone shapes and bake on an ungreased baking sheet at 375 degrees for 15 minutes or until slightly brown and firm.

These doggie-treats are fun to make and share. But since I can't pass these treats out in person, please allow me instead to share a few vintage-fido's now on display in my shop, 2nd fl Thriftiques Shop.


The book is titled Peter by Clarence Hawkes. Published in 1949. There is no more winsome animal companion than a bright fox terrier, that unsurpassed combination of intelligence, playfulness, affection and courage......every boy and girl will love Peter's story.

Well the snow has started and the icy rain is going to follow. I think I will just curl up with my laptop and check out all the fun recipes that await me today at Cole's party. Of course I probably won't be able to get to the store to buy the groceries.......... Spring is on its way, isn't it. Stay safe and warm.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Pink-a-licious

Today is Pink Saturday. It has been awhile since I have had a chance to stop by this ever-so-fun little party. What is not to love about sharing your pink treasures and even better visiting with all the other wonderful pink-loving party guests. As always, thank you Beverly @ How Sweet the Sound for being the gracious hostess. (Click here to join in the fun.)

I thought I would share this charming little couple, the musician and his dancing partner. Growing up, I don't think I had a friend that did not have some sort of similar plaque(s) in their bedroom. Now I can just imagine how cute they would be in a little girl's bedroom today.

I love this 3 piece brush set. In perfect condition, the mirror, brush and hair container. I love sharing the latter with the younger girls that come into my shop. They can not imagine why anyone would save hair. It is truly a beautiful set.

A Red Wing pottery vase, tulip design. A recent find paired with a vintage milliner's pink rose.

You can't get any more girl-girlish than these pink glass necklaces shown here with a teddy bear.


Heavy glass beads in various shades of pink. Each of these pink treasures are available in my shop 2nd fl Thriftiques. Hope that you are all staying safe and warm this weekend.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Friday, January 14, 2011

A dollar short and a day late

Isn't it always the way, you find something really cool, absolutely perfect, makes you giddy-happy .......... after the holiday, event or other special occasion that you could have used it. For example, these vintage Christmas cards. I found them at a thrift store, of course, AFTER-CHRISTMAS.

The graphics and the colors are amazing, just as bright and vibrant as they would have been when first received. They were all postmarked from 1938 and 1939. I plan on copying some of the designs.

I also found these adorable Putz houses at the same thrift shop. Love the colors. Yes, I can use them for next Christmas; however, the cards and the houses would have looked perfect with this year's Christmas display at my shop , which I titled "Christmas Seusical! "

To see more of Christmas Seusical please click here. I enjoyed giving new life to the traditional red and green of Christmas.

All the cards I purchased came from a large bin for $10. There were 182 assorted cards and decorations. Yes a giddy-moment!

Included with the cards were several fun advertising pieces. The 2 Santa's have banking advertisements on the reverse side. and another Santa holds 30 feet of string. My favorite is the matchbook.

But then again, this Santa with the beard, may never make it in the shop. Sometimes you just have to keep a treasure or two for yourself.

There were also Birthday, Easter, and Get Well Greeting cards.

What little girl would not have been happy to have received this adorable purr-fect birthday card. (Sorry couldn't resist)

Today I am joining with my friend Linda at A La Carte for her party Junkin Finds Friday. Please be sure to stop on over and say Howdy.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Red tins and new finds

I love the color RED.

Make it something metal, especially tin and shiny red....... I am in heaven.

Oooh la la........ French, metal and red. C'est Bon.

Red and green, my favorite combo!

Sweet Hor's d'oeuvres trays and matching serving tray.


A special treat. I have never seen one of these before, a cracker tin with a special anti-moisture feature........ a Krispy Kan.

The design is so adorable. A flower made with crackers, pretzels, popcorn and chips.

The lid has a glass knob (DRI-KNOB) filled with crystals. The Krispy Kan will keep crackers, potato chips, popcorn, pretzels, peanuts, dry cereals and many other foods crisp and tasty.

The directions for use of the "DRI-NOB" appear under the lid. The crystals are first heated in a hot oven turning bright blue. In use, the Blue Magic Dri-Knob will slowly turn pink in color, as it absorbs moisture. When the pink color appears, merely repeat the heating process. What a neat idea.

I am joining my favorite party Wednesday is Rednesday. Please join Sue @ Its a Very Cherry World for a bit of color today. It certainly helps make all the snow outside my window a little more bearable.....blizzard conditions, school cancellations and parking bans. Such Fun. Hope everyone stays safe and warm.

Got it at Goodwill.
Sherrie