a conversation at goodwill

The day that changed the world

2011-09-11T09:39:00.006-04:00

Today a 5k race was held in my little town of Gorham, located just a few short miles from Portland, Maine. It was from a nearby hotel in Portland, that two evil men left and boarded a plane on September 11th, ten years ago. The world was irrevocably changed that day. Our little town, here in Maine, thousands of miles from New York City, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania felt that change......... that pain. We lost a friend Stephen Ward. He had recently started a job on the 101th floor of the North Tower. The race today is to honor him and to raise money for the Stephen Ward Scholarship. One of those men on the plane from Portland to Boston, was the mastermind of the hijaking of the planes that day. The world became a smaller place ...... and our lives changed forever. As I write this, I hear the church bell next door ringing. We will never forget.

Got it at Goodwill

Sherrie

Wednesday is Rednesday

2011-08-24T08:47:00.010-04:00

I love red. I love Red Metal. I love RED VINTAGE AND OH-SO FABULOUS METAL!!!! You have seen it here before, there is just something so appealing about old red canisters and trays. (For more of my collection of tins, please click here.) The only thing more exciting to find is red design glassware. Yup, doesn't matter if I am at Goodwill or a lawnsale, any discovery of these treasures will get me dancing my "Happy Girl - U Go Girl" dance. (Goodwill employees are used to it but the looks I get from homeowners, Oh My.) So please allow me to share a few recent finds.

The trays shown above are recent finds; however, I previously sold the same one at my shop. When I found this one, the matching little trays did not accompany it. One by one I have been finding these little "tip" trays to complete a set of 8. I find that it is usually the way, that once an item is found, you just keep seeing the same thing everywhere. No wonder collections can happen so quickly.
You might recognize the red fork and spoon as being from my own Kitchen. They are now up in my shop. The mix and match glasses work perfectly together.

They all share a red and white theme. In my home we prefer glass to plastic. Makes for a stylish table and is good for the environment.

I love to find tins of by-gone products....... even better when the original price is showing.

Such a deal. For $.21 cents you can have Flash. Couldn't we all use a little Flash.

More tins to share. Okay one is more predominately pink, but I couldn't resist showing it to you. "Glass Wax.... now with Vanishing Action" It cleans a window a minute. Simply pour a small amount on a damp "cellulose" sponge and apply a thin coat to glass with with sponge. As Glass Wax dries, wipe off with soft cloth. Dirt Vanishes. No Skips. No Misses. You see where you're cleaning ..... know where you've cleaned. I don't know. Sounds more labor intensive than using vinegar and newspapers to wash the windows. How did our Moms do this, wearing skirts and heels, no less.

I am sharing my red treasures for Wednesday is Rednesday with Sue @ Its a Very Cherry World. Please stop over and say Hi and get your red-fix...... it will cheer you up.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Pink, Pink, & Pink

2011-08-19T19:17:00.023-04:00

What's not to love about Pink? It can be warm, soft and cuddly pastel or sizzling hot ....... a very versatile color. And when you are a girly girl like me...... well it has to be your favorite color. Here are a few recent fun treasures.

How cute are these little slippers?
1950's Size 2, from Mrs Day's Ideal Baby Shoe Co. in Danvers, Mass.....unworn and still in their original box. Not expecting to be a grandmother anytime soon, so these lovelies are in the shop.

This cute blanket with the fluffy rabbit applique is still in the original bag. Also from the 50's it is an original "Hollywood Needlecraft" made in California.

The washing instructions ask that you hand wash and touch up with a warm iron if necessary. "Please do not wring, washes like a dream. Treat this exquisite garment with the fine care it deserves".

I don't know about you, but when my daughter was a baby, everything all got thrown into one large load in the machine, regardless of its cuteness.

I can never pass up pink dishes. I still have a set of pink Pyrex dishes in the shop and now have the perfect set of glasses to match.

Pink and black glasses just say "French Glam"..... Gotta love them.

So today is Saturday which means it must be Pink Saturday, a pinkelicious party graciously hosted each week by Beverly at How Sweet the Sound. Please take a moment to visit her and all the other participants. While I have to admit to having a few favorite places that I always am sure to visit first, everyone at the party shows such fun and pretty-in-pink goodies. You won't be disappointed. Have a blessed day.

Personal note: House is still for sale, and I am still looking for a new shop location. In the meantime, please be sure to visit me at 2nd fl Thriftiques, 8 School Street, Gorham, Maine. Have I got some pink dishes to show you!

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Strawberries anyone?

2011-06-15T09:32:00.006-04:00

Wednesday is Rednesday

Oh my, oh my. I opened up my blog today and could not believe the date of my last post.......May 6th!!! I have never went more than a few days without a post, maybe sometimes a week, but oh my, oh my.... a whole month. Well I have been very busy.

For a brief recap:

1. Officially now divorced
2. Selling my home
3. Looking to relocate my shop
4. Leaving my full-time business of 21 years and looking for part-time position

Of course nothing has been easy...... kind of one step forward, two steps back sort of thing. Today, I am taking a deep breath, saying a little prayer and going forward with a smile on my face and making a promise to you, that I am back to my little blog, and my blogging friends that have kept me sane through this whole process. Thank you for sticking with me on my journey. I knew at the start of the year that I would be taking a new and uncharted path. It has been a little bumpy at times, and there have been a few detours, but my personal GPS is keeping me on track.

Having my house on the market is part of this new journey. I know I have shown photos of my kitchen before, but this photo is from the realtor. It is magic........ look how big it looks and oh so empty (de-clutter and de-personalize). I wasn't getting rid of my I Love Lucy Red chairs.

I wanted to stop by for one of my favorite parties today, Wednesday is Rednesday, with Sue @ It's a Very Cherry World. All that happy red at the party, always cheers me up!! Sorry Sue, it has been too long since my last visit.

My red today is my "For Sale" sign. It is certainly big and red. So if you know anyone who would love an 1853 house with 20 rooms and lots of land with perennial gardens..... there is the number.

I am living each day with this quote:

Faith is not about everything turning out okay.
Faith is about being okay no matter how things turn out.

I'll be back this week. Stay tuned for a virtual tour of my home. It has never looked so good, and of course now it (hopefully) gets sold. Oh well. Also have I got some fun lawn sale goodies to share. Thank you to my friends for being there for me with your thoughts and prayers. I have so appreciated you. Every day is baby steps.

Oh be sure to stop over and say Hi to Sue. It will brighten your day.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

A bit of this and that for Rednesday

2011-05-04T08:59:00.008-04:00

Today is Wednesday is Rednesday with Sue @ Its a Very Cherry World. http://suelovescherries.blogspot.com/2011/05/rednesday-in-may.html. Please join Sue and the other folks for this always cheery and colorful event.

So as you may know, my house is soon to be on the market. A price has been set, repairs have been made and oh my, the cleaning, de-cluttering, tons of bags to Goodwill and boxes of anything that could be considered recyclable items have gone to the curb. My broker has dared to utter the word (gasp) HOARDER. He doesn't understand why I have so many cans of paint (oops paint),most half empty (or half full as I like to view them). He also wonders why I have boxes of lamp parts. And how many wooden chairs that need to be stripped, sanded and painted, can one gal own? Don't worry, I have been patiently educating him on the art of re-purposing.

But there was one thing I couldn't explain.......... As we toured my home, and reached the second floor bathroom, there it was in all its Red glory.

With oh-so-stylish gold feet.........

There it was in all its beauty, my red claw foot bathtub. When I bought the house, the bathtub was there and it was red along with a red toilet and matching red sink. Did I mention the wall of mirror tiles that was behind the bathtub? Thankfully, the mirrors are gone as are the toilet and sink. But what do you do with a heavy, Really, Really, HEAVY bathtub? You embrace the red and hope that the next owner has a sense of humor.

Last week was one of my favorite sales, the Methodist Church Spring Rummage Sale. There were a lot of nice new things for sale and of course the plants being sold were plentiful. I did find a few fun pieces, like these aprons. I can never say no to an apron, much less red ones.

This year was a bit different than past years. I was more than a customer, I donated about 30 boxes of items that normally would have been on my own lawnsale. Oh I will still be having a lawnsale when my house sells, but anything that would have sold for $10.00 and under went to the church. I am not even a member but years of me being a loyal customer at their fall and springs sales have endeared me to the ladies that run the sale.

I have posted about some of my treasures that I have gotten at these sales. I might buy something for $1.00 to resell for $10 but when I see something that is vastly underpriced, I can not with good conscience take advantage of the church. It is a CHURCH!!!

So when I saw these Austrian Crystal necklaces, I knew I had to speak up. Normally, the necklaces sell for $1.00. the ladies knew that they would be worth more, but were thinking about $10.00. They were worried that the rummage sale buyers might balk at such a high price. Needless to say, I asked the ladies if I could take the necklaces and post them on ebay with the sale proceeds all going to the church. They will be listed starting at $35 apiece. It was the right thing.

SHOP UPDATE: 2nd fl Thriftiques is moving! Come July, the shop will be relocating to a ground floor actual retail space, with plenty of parking. The space is easily 6 times as large as where I currently am. I will still be in Gorham and I will be posting more later on. I am so excited. Think of all the furniture I can now sell and oh my, all the lovely vignettes I can create.

July will be the shop's one year anniversary and I can think of nothing more fitting. New location and expanded treasures. It will be one heck of an open house! Don't worry, you all get an invitation.

Got it at Goodwill

Sherrie

Happy Easter

2011-04-24T09:40:00.002-04:00

The sun is shining and you can actually start to see green grass. It is going to be a beautiful day. The church bells are ringing from the church next door and I am getting ready to go to the service. I love Easter hymns the best. It is spring!

I have a new energy and purpose in life and like the trees that are starting to bud, I too am budding. It is an exhilarating time. Thank you to all you have continued their journey with me. Your support has been invaluable. I look forward to a lot of new things but especially I look forward now to the start of the lawnsale season!!! After all, that is who I am, and that hasn't changed a bit.

Happy Easter friends and family.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

P.S. Thank you Graphics Fairy for the cute picture

Welcome Back Pink Saturday

2011-04-08T23:37:00.010-04:00

It is Pink Saturday.....oh Happy Pinkalicious Day! I know I have been a stranger to the blogging community but things are much better. The birds are singing, the days are getting longer and the snow is melting. (On a personal side note, the divorce will soon be final.) So with a breath of fresh air.......here I am back for my favorite way to spend a Saturday with the lovely hostess Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for the ever popular Pink Saturday.

A few months ago, my daughter and I were shopping at Goodwill, I know what a surprise. It was there that we spied this wonderful little beauty. I was thinking for re-sale at my shop, she was thinking for her bedroom. She won.

What was this fought over fabulous-pinkalicious-makes-you-giddy piece, you ask?

Just look at that sexy arm and leg.....................

The smooth shape and pattern detail.........

Perfect condition pillows and seams....................

Isn't she gorgeous? A mid-century Devan....perfect shape...no rips, tears, stains and the padding is great. Would you believe $39.00 before our Goodwill discount. For the moment it sits in the front parlor but will soon find it's way to a new apartment.

Doesn't this recall the set of I Love Lucy....can't you just picture Lucille Ball sitting here with drink in hand and wearing one of her fabulous fifties dresses.

I wanted to take a moment to say thank you to each and every one of you that posted such kind and understanding comments about my new status. It has been a little unsettling to say the least, but now, which each new day, the sun is shining and I am feeling good.

Okay I may not be Lucille Ball; however, I am in pink today. A new look for me and I am feeling pretty happy.

"Faith is not about everything turning out okay.
Faith is about being okay no matter how things turn out."

Enjoy your day and please be sure to stop by and see all the other folks for Pink Saturday. It is good to be back.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

When a shelfski can't be saved

2011-03-15T09:34:00.008-04:00

SHELFSKI: Noun. An object of value that may be chipped, cracked or in some other manner, flawed. However, when positioned in such a way as to hide the flaws, remains an object of beauty and value.

(Hairline crack and peeling paint does not make this charming little poodle, any less charming!)

Hi everyone. I know I have been absent for awhile. Please let me explain my blog MIA status. For those of you who read my blog, you know that I have been having problems with my computer and technical problems with the look of my blog. My banner/background problems were fortunately resolved by a very sweet fellow blogger who was kind enough to help me out. Now for the computer, no sooner had I paid to get it fixed then a new problem started with the screen. Suffice it to say, I now have a brand new computer along with a much smaller balance in my savings account. I tried to work around the squiggly lines darting across the screen; however, the ensuing headaches after a session of trying to use my laptop just was not worth it. Of course, I had lost everything when my hard drive fried, (the first repair) all my stored memories, documents and photos......gone!

Oh well. Time to start over. I held out hope for as long as I could that it might get better. In the end , you have to know when to admit it can't be saved and that you have to start anew.

Normally I do not mind if something is broken, like my beloved "Shelfski's". A crack here or there, if positioned on your shelf in such a manner as to have the flaws hidden from view, only adds to its charm. Unfortunately, computers are a different story. Even worse, when it is your marriage that is broken, with new cracks multiplying daily and no longer being able to hide all the flaws from view................ That is where I find myself today, with a 30 year marriage ending.

Oh well. Time to start over. I held out hope for as long as I could that it might get better. In the end , you have to know when to admit it can't be saved and that you have to start anew.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. I had just needed a little time to take a deep breath, get my thoughts and feelings in order, and go forward. My new Year's chat was about doing just that (please click here). My personal GPS will always keep me going in a forward direction, even if I miss a turn along the way, as long as I keep going forward, I will reach my destination. Like I always say, life is a journey.

Pink, I am drooling, Pyrex

2011-02-26T00:16:00.009-05:00

I love my "Pink Bamboo" by Salem Plates. Nothing could ever be as good, that is until........

Pink Flamingo!!! Yes a set of Pyrex milk glass with oh so pretty Pink, Pink Flamingo to be exact, rim. A set of four, in mint condition..... are you drooling yet?

But wait there is more, a pink pie plate, and casserole dish! Yippee!!!!

Add a loaf pan, square casserole and large round with cover casserole dish. Talk about a giddy moment!!! These are mine, all mine!!

For the moment I do have them in the shop, but quite frankly, I think they might just have to come home. What do you think?

Thank you to everyone that has offered suggestions and comments as to what is the purpose of my vintage thingie that I previously posted. Basically, I seem to have a UFO fondue/plant pot. Still searching for the answer. If you would like to see a strange piece of pottery, please click here. It seems that no one has ever seen such an items. Your guess is as good as mine. Thanks. Hey it is pink so I thought why not run with it again for today, as it is Pink Saturday.

Thank you to Beverly @How Sweet the Sound for being the hostess for this always Pinkalicious party. Please click here for your invite. Have a great day.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Can you help name that Thinge?

2011-02-24T09:04:00.006-05:00

Okay I have been waiting for this party all week, Vintage Thingie Thursday with Suzanne @ Coloradolady. I found this wonderful pink and yellow thingie at the home (actually buried out in the garage and yes still covered in dust) of an elderly lady. Her family has no idea what it is, but that it has been sitting out in the garage for at least 40 years.

I have been showing it to my dealer friends in hopes of gathering information about this unique piece. It stands about 20 inches tall and is a container of some sorts. With the lid removed, you can see some rust spots inside that you might see inside a plant pot, residue from minerals in the water. There are no drainage holes. It is a ceramic piece.

Here is the base with the same silver design as the lid.

Possible suggestions have been plant pot, fondue pot and ashtray. I would have just called it simply an art piece, but the lid suggests a function. All have agreed that both the colors and the style would indicate a mid-century piece. Any ideas? Let's play the game....."Name that Thingie". As always, thanks for your help.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Childhood red toys

2011-02-23T13:08:00.012-05:00

Iconic Raggedy Ann & Andy rag dolls. Chalkware Raggedy Andy hangs above the dolls.

Today I am sharing a few vintage red toys. They are a part of our cultural history. I thought this would be a nice addition for Sue's Wednesday is Rednesday @ It's a Very Cherry World.

Spokes, spools, rods and reels . . . Playskool's Tinkertoy® Construction Sets, the tools of America's tinkerers were invented in 1914. Tinkertoy® Construction Sets are one of the truly classic toys of all time. They have driven the imaginations of children for generations, proving that fun and stimulating toys never lose their appeal.

Tinkertoy® Construction Sets are the invention of Charles Pajeau, a stonemason from Evanston, Illinois who established The Toy Tinkers company. Inspired by watching children play with pencils, sticks and empty spools of thread, Pajeau developed several basic wooden parts which children could assemble in a variety of three dimensional abstract ways. He designed his first set in his garage, and with high hopes, displayed the toy at the 1914 American Toy Fair. But nobody was interested. He tried his marketing skills again at Christmas time. He hired several midgets, dressed them in elf costumes, and had them play with "Tinker Toys" in a display window at a Chicago department store. This publicity stunt made all the difference in the world. A year later, over a million sets had been sold. Playskool acquired the Tinkertoy® line from Child Guidance in 1985.

I love the price tag. It reads $1.18. Below that price is says "Price west of the Rockies $1.29". The actual price of the can of toys was $1.15.

This next game Alley Oop is based on a comic strip that appeared 78 years ago. At its height, Alley Oop with its caveman and dinosaur characters was carried by 800 daily newspapers. It was popular around the world in both comic strips and book formats.

The game featured the comic character in an interesting mural on its reverse. One to four players get to flip their "oops" into the can. Manufactured by the Royal Toy Company, Inc. Copyright 1937 Stephen Slesinger Inc. (Stock Number 005alleyoop)

How fun are these games..... makes you want to be a kid again. Please be sure to join Sue for some more fun. For more childhood fun, please check out my vintage Wild West toys @ Thriftiques.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Happy President's Day

2011-02-21T10:06:00.003-05:00

Happy President's Day.

Washington's Home - Mount Vernon

President Lincoln

Hope you all have a nice day.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

We have a Winner

2011-02-18T10:17:00.006-05:00

We have a winner!! The Fifth Annual One World One Heart worldwide blogging party sadly has come to an end. Thank you Lisa Swifka for hosting this huge party. I know it must have been a lot of work and your efforts are appreciated. Thank you to all the folks that stopped by for a visit. Once more I met so many nice people. It really surprised me to see how many participating bloggers come from England and Australia. But it was a Kentucky girl that won, Jacque of Detailed 4u Collections was the winner of my Maine-themed giveaway. So my lobster goodies are on their way down south. Sorry I wish I could send the edible kind. Hope you Enjoy.

Thank you Graphics Fairy for the clip art.
Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Wednesday is Rednesday and a new background, oh Joy!

2011-02-15T23:21:00.010-05:00

My kitchen chairs and table....would you join me for a cup of tea?

Do you see this wonderful background? Isn't it amazing? I just love the colors. Yesterday, I posted about my sterile and sad looking blog. There was a glitch in code for my background design. I had spent weeks trying to address the matter, all to no avail. So I asked for your help and did you deliver. Thank you all, especially my friends Linda @ A la Carte and Carol @ Old Glory Cottage for their kind thoughts and suggestions. It helped. But a big thank you goes to April @ Abramyan Avenue for telling me all about Brooke @ Babbling Brooke Blog Custom Designs. Brooke is a genius. To make it simple, she found a leftover background widget on top of another widget. I was never going to have a background in place until that got deleted. You had to be able to read code to have found it. Now I can cut and paste code, but reading code is like reading a foreign language.... I am clueless.

This nice lady, that I just met, took the time to solve my background mystery. I know it may seem silly to you that a missing background was causing me so much stress, but honestly, it would be like coming to my house and not having a single curtain in the window. I want my blog to be inviting. So thank you Brooke for helping me put my "curtains" up. By the way, they are a Brooke custom design. Perfect timing, Brooke is having a giveaway over at her Custom Designs Blog. I am entering for a chance for background and banner make-over. After all the effort she put in yesterday on my behalf, as a blogging friend, helping another, you better believe that win or not, a new look will be coming to my blog. Thank you Brooke.

I thought it would be fitting today to show some red and turquoise (from my kitchen) that match my new background. Since there is a little red and I haven't been over in a while to her party, I am joining Sue @ Its a Very Cherry World for Wednesday is Rednesday. The cherry red posts always bring a smile and with my new background in place, I have all the more reason to smile. Thank you.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Please, I need help fixing my background

2011-02-15T08:35:00.004-05:00

A 1930's book embellished with ribbon and flowers. The story was forgettable; however, the little girl's face on the cover was enchanting.

Good morning all. It is another cold day in Maine. Now that we have gotten past Groundhog's Day and Valentine's Day, we just will have President's Day and St. Patrick's Day before we finally get to the most important day........March 20th and the First Day of Spring. For all the cold temps we have been having, the good news is that this is the first winter that my pipes have not frozen. Unfortunately, a bad ice dam, apparently a very heavy one at that, caused a large section of a gutter to come crashing down. As soon as the weather permits, that will have to be fixed. Oh well.

it is almost spring........It Is Almost Spring........... IT IS ALMOST SPRING! If I say it loud enough, will it get here any faster?

As you might have noticed, I have not been my usual chatty blogging self. I have a blog problem and I need your kind help. As you can see my background and template have changed. My previous background was a sweet piece that I got from Shabby Blogs. In January I was notified that I would have to get new code for the background. Wanting to oblige this request, I tried and tried and tried. Any time I would add a new code design, it would stay for just a second and then disappear. Also, when I went to my design page to delete the original background, there was nothing showing on that page that corresponded with the background. You know, like simply deleting a gadget.

So the time came, when my old background did get removed and it left a blank background but added a blurb about photobucket right in the middle of my banner. So I thought it would now be easy to add the new background. Wrong. Every time I copy the code and try to add it as a new gadget to the page, the image stays for a second than again is gone.(Thank you to the folks that have directed me back to ShabbyBlogs site. I can get the image but it doesn't stay.)So I tried playing around with the template and using one of the free images that came with the template and ended up with just a solid color background, even though the image shown in the preview shows the background being in place. Honestly, I have to admit that I now hate how my blog looks, rather sterile, so I have not wanted to blog. To make matters worse, also in January, my computer crashed and I lost all my wonderful photos. Over Christmas I had stocked up on images that I had planned on using over the next couple of months. They are all gone.

So please, if someone could help me out. I would love to have something pretty for my background once more. Hopefully I have explained what steps I have taken adequately enough so as to help in solving this problem. Any help that you might suggest, I would be so grateful.... for a pretty background and removal of that photobucket blurb. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Pinkalicious Pink Saturday

2011-02-04T22:57:00.014-05:00

At the start of each month, I create a new "center" display for my shop, 2nd fl Thriftiques. I've showcased vintage wedding items for "June Brides" and Amber Glass Goodies for November's "Harvest Gold" vignette. Of course, who could forget December's "Christmas Seusical" display.

It was the obvious choice to go Pink for February. Nothing saves Happy Valentine's Day than a pink-sensory overload in my "Pinkalicious" Display. From a vintage pink women's electric razor, to pink shoe stretchers, pink jewelry, pink chairs, pink dishes and glass........ you get the idea, it is "PINKALICIOUS".

I love this pink rose that would have adorned some fashionable lady's hat, back in the day.

Pink oil lamp, a trio of pink aluminum bells, and a sweet 1960's tile picturing young love at the soda shop.

I love the speckled pink glass salt and pepper set. The large white chocolate you see in the foreground is actually a candle. Not only do you get a pink treat for the eyes, when you enter the shop, the heavenly smell of chocolate greets you.

This sweet "calling card" seen above is probably one of my favorite pieces of the display. Found in a book as an unexpected treasure, it reminds me of a story from one of the books in the "Little House" series, when calling cards were a very fashionable fad for Laura Ingalls Wilder and her friends.

The pink apron with the black ric rac edged pocket sold immediately after I took this picture.

This set of Ironstone plates followed the apron. It was a service for 8, and yes the customer is planning on a special Valentine's day dinner.

An "ideal" sweet dollhouse chair and a "Superior" cabinet. I would have loved these for my dollhouse.

So these are just a few of the photos of my display. I am joining Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for her always "Pinkalicious" Pink Saturday. (Please click here for your invite). I promise more photos of the shop display for next time that Pink Saturday rolls around. Wait till you see the furniture.

Stay safe, stay warm. Another storm is on its way to start the week. Is is Spring yet?

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

5th Annual One World One Heart

2011-01-29T20:33:00.018-05:00

*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 love 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

Blue or Bleu?

2011-01-24T16:09:00.026-05:00

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

Pink Saturday Keeping Me Warm

2011-01-22T10:58:00.014-05:00

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

Something New at the Shop

2011-01-20T12:10:00.004-05:00

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

Dog-gone good!

2011-01-17T22:08:00.012-05:00

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

Pink-a-licious

2011-01-15T15:18:00.011-05:00

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

A dollar short and a day late

2011-01-14T09:44:00.016-05:00

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

Red tins and new finds

2011-01-12T09:47:00.013-05:00

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

A Few Thrifty Finds

2011-01-04T09:16:00.008-05:00

As I visited my blogging friends this week, it became clear that there was a posting theme going on..........showing their best vintage/thrifty/whatever made them happy finds. I thought what a great idea. Unfortunately, for me, that would be hundreds of photos to share. What can I say, lots of things make me happy. So I have picked a couple to share today for Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays with Linda @ Coastal Charm. Click here to visit.

Salvation Army Find:
1950's Maddux of California TV Accent Lamp $6.99

Here it is in my shop. I just love the way the early morning sun pours in through the shop's windows. $6.99 is more than what I normally pay for things at Salvation Army but it is a special lamp. The light bulb is located in the back of the horse on the bottom. With completely new wiring, it is ready for use. By the way, the little Black Beauty horse in the front was also a thrifty find (lawnsale) for $1.00. I always did want a pony.

Antique Mall (located in an old chicken coop) Find:
Vintage Paint by Numbers Painting $3.00

Come on, who can resist cute little kittens? I think the frame would look adorable painted cream and then hanging in a little girl's room. In fact it would be just Purrr-fect.

Let's not forget the little boys.

Church Sale Find:
1952 Science Fiction Book $.25 cents

Goodwill Find:
Orphan Salt n' Pepper Shaker $.99 cents

This little-saluting-ray-gun-toting-space cadet is ready to reach for the stars. He is adorable.

Thrift Shop Find:
Fruit and Basket $3.00

I am not sure about this find and am looking for your help to identify. It is five pieces of fruit in a basket, (made of terra-cotta pottery?) I just loved the muted colors and its "still life" presentation. Any information would be greatly appreciated. For the moment it looks great on my livingroom coffee table.

I spent the last week at auctions, several thrift stores, antique malls and of course Goodwill and Salvation Army. Oh my the finds!! Most will be going to my shop which is closed this week for a total renovation........ New displays......New inventory. I can't wait for my big reveal.

It is interesting to note that this time last year, I was at the stores, (real-retail stores, you know A.C. Moore, Target, Michaels and the Christmas Tree Shop) eagerly searching through bins of 75-90% off merchandise. It was after that, I made a resolution that I would use up things I already owned and if purchases were needed, they would be thrifty purchases only. Which means only if the items were really on sale as mentioned above, or found at Thrift Stores. My other resolutions like diet and learning a new language went out the window........but being thrifty as a way of life was an easy resolution to keep.

Speaking of being thrifty, please join Linda for her always fun party.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

New Year Wisdom

2011-01-01T09:04:00.004-05:00

It is officially 2011!
A new year and a new start.
Time to take stock of where we have been,
what we have,
what we want,
where we are going,
and where do we want to end.

Not that I possess a crystal ball nor do I profess to hold great wisdom, but I do simply and humbly offer up this advice to see you through the New Year. "Let your GPS guide you." Inevitably, on any journey that I attempt to undertake, I always end up taking at least one wrong turn. My GPS, with its very patient woman's voice I might add, doesn't admonish me for the wrong turn, doesn't send me backwards to fix my mistake, doesn't tell me that I am now hopelessly lost......... she simply recalculates and sends me in a forward direction to ensure that I get back on track, even if that direction momentarily takes me out of my way, it is, at least, always and most importantly, a forward direction.

I plan on arriving safe and sound for New Year's 2012.......oh I will be making many wrong turns along the way I am sure, but by recalculating the route and always going forward, I will reach my destination. Besides, sometimes it is the unexpected side roads that are the most fun.

Thank you friends and family for joining me on my journey. Wishing you all a Happy and Healthy New Year.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Wednesday is Rednesday, still showing some Christmas

2010-12-29T11:35:00.010-05:00

Today is December 29th, Christmas is done for the year 2010 but that doesn't mean that the decorations have come down. I thought I would just take the next couple of days to share a few Christmas decorations before the start of the New Year. So for my favorite party with Sue @ Its a Very Cherry World "Wednesday is Rednesday", here are a few red decorations used with my other favorite color aqua.

My Kitchen wreath was the usual boring green style from Michael's purchased after Christmas last year for pennies (75% off sale). I spray painted it white, is there anything you can't spray paint.....and then added red ribbon, blue ornaments and red flocked birds, all left over from prior year decorations.

The blue star shaped ornament was made from a toilet paper roll and then spray painted blue. I promise to share a tutorial on making the toilet paper ornament.

My kitchen as you will recall is aqua and red. It is hard to find that combination of colors for Christmas, so I was very excited last year when I found these little gingerbread houses, after-Christmas sale for $.19 cents each. They are adorable.

The aqua of the gingerbread houses goes nicely with my McCoy planter. The red door is just a perfect splash of red.

I must confess that I am a little sad that Christmas is over. All the anticipation that built up for the day is now just a memory, albeit a pleasant one. There were fewer gifts under the tree this year, but the house will have a much needed new washing machine, and my daughter's car has 2 new tires, a new battery and brake pads. Elizabeth knew all that we were doing for her car was her Christmas gift, but knowing my little girl is safe on the road, was actually a gift to me.

I hope that all my friends had a joyous, happy and healthy Christmas, shared with their family and friends. Here's looking to a better New Year. Please be sure to say Hi to Sue for the last Rednesday of the year 2010.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Merry Christmas

2010-12-25T11:40:00.005-05:00

What do I want for Christmas?
Lord, set one bright star apart,
and let me lift to it this night,
and awed and childlike heart.

The gifts have been exchanged, the Christmas Dinner is cooking, and the wrapping paper and bows recycled. For all its anticipation, Christmas 2010 is here and the day is going by too quickly. My biggest gift is and always will be my daughter. Even at 22, she is still my little one that I can't wait to see open her presents. I wonder where she may be next Christmas, where her future plans will take her. I know that little birds have to leave their nest, but for this year, she is home. There have been a lot of changes for me this year and more to come. Through it all, I have been blessed with meeting such amazing blogging friends, friends that are as real to me and special, as my friends right here in my hometown. These wonderful blogging buddies have taken the time to offer such sweet comments, advice, humor and support. I am truly grateful and appreciate them all.

It was after Christmas last year, that Shara of Monkeybox was posting about some Christmas finds that she had purchased at a school sale. Amongst all the cool treasures were these silver plastic reindeers and sleigh. I wrote to Shara with a comment how I had those same reindeers from my childhood, only a few, and that every Christmas they were part of my decorations. Even though some had broken antlers and they were only plastic, they were priceless to me. Imagine my delight when Shara wrote to me asking if I would like them. You can see them in the photo above and read the whole story here. I was thrilled. A simple and kind act of a stranger that is now a friend. I have to admit, I don't do facebook or twitter or the other social media options........ but I do have my blog, as simple as it is, that is my little piece of sanity, inspiration, and friendship. Thank you to all my friends.

Merry Christmas to you all. Wishing you a happy and healthy holiday.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Sharing Red and what is Santa's other Job?

2010-12-22T09:57:00.018-05:00

Time for a little sharing of Christmas Red with Sue at Its a Very Cherry World for Wednesday is Rednesday. (Better late than never) Also, I have a question today. Do you ever wonder what Santa does after Christmas? But first, let's get ready for Christmas.

The candles are ready.....

The lights are strung.........

The stockings are hung, with help from a few little elves.......

There are tins filled with cookies.....

And other tasty treats........

Flowers (would you believe fake and a Goodwill find for $1.99?) are ready to greet my guests.....

Here are some of the wreathes I have been making from bits and pieces of vintage floral picks, ornaments and old garland. I love this red and silver wreath.

Would you believe that I rescued this lovely aluminum flower with red pine cone center from the trash?

Red and white vintage flower picks join Santa and his sleigh for this wreath.

A little bit of this and that makes up this wreath. These were all found (from free boxes and trash) little treasures.

Now for a little music. Of course you have to have Gene Autry singing "Here Comes Santa Clause"..........

But you know me........that just isn't enough for Christmas. Remember, I was wondering what Santa does after Christmas.

Nothing can beat Christmas with the Colonel....... yes Colonel Sanders!!

This 1969 Christmas music was brought to you by Kentucky Fried Chicken..... Nothing could say Christmas more than the Colonel. Afterall, switch his white suit to red and add a beard......maybe it is Santa for the off season. I'll let you decide. Merry Christmas to one and all.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

A Goodwill Christmas

2010-12-15T09:50:00.008-05:00

You know me, I tend to find the best things at Goodwill. But today's little bit of red, for Sue's (Its a Very Cherry World) Wednesday is Rednesday, is a Goodwill find from my daughter coupled with a few of my Goodwill finds.

What do you get when you take
1. one CPR dummy $7.99
2. pair of stuffed legs $1.99
3. Santa suit $3.99
4. pair of size 7 boots $2.99
5. pillow $.99 cents

Of course, you get your very own Santa Claus courtesy of Goodwill.

When my daughter found the CPR dummy, she knew she had to have it. Like her mother, she just loves the unexpected. Since he only goes to the waist, she called him Billy Bob, her half-brother. A year later, I found a pair of legs made of cotton and stuffing. I thought they would be perfect for Billy Bob. Next we found the Santa Suit and an idea was born.

Santa is actually quite handsome, with a five o'clock shadow, beautiful brown eyes and lashes and curly dark hair. He is sitting up in my shop. One lady said that isn't Kris Kringle, it is more a Christopher. Either way, he is my Santa and I got him at Goodwill. What can't you find there?

So when you are out shopping, please don't forget to see what your local Goodwill has for gifts and decorations. And since this is Wednesday is Rednesday, please don't forget to visit Sue for all the other colorful goodies she is sharing.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Time to stop and smell the holly, and a little something I made

2010-12-14T09:07:00.014-05:00

December, we can all agree, is a busy time of the year. With my shop being in full Christmas mode, my day-job working on year-end inventories and reports, several articles due for the paper, and not to mention trying to decorate at home.....yes it has been a little hectic.

This is when I take a deep breath, and take time to stop and smell the holly.

There is something pleasing about green holly themed candy dishes and platters. This little red knee-hugger elf looks quite comfortable. I think he is waiting for the dishes to be filled with candy.......ah yes, some ribbon candy.

Then there is a bit of fun. Remember this cute little red flocked reindeer that I earlier shared? Well I just found a set of red coasters (Goodwill) that show the exact same reindeer. Really, how fun is that!!! It was a giddy moment. I amuse myself so easily.

Then there are these shiny brite boxes. I use them as decorations. Although they are empty, I just love the green color. It is my favorite shade of green. Plus the graphics are amazing.

Here is Uncle Sam shaking hands with Santa Claus. The box boasts American Made.

I also get excited about Christmas lights like these Noma light bulbs still in their pristine shape and original box. These were rescued from the trash as being old and useless! I just can't imagine that someone could do that. My favorite ones are the green, again my favorite shade of jadeite green. Did you notice the swirls on the bulbs?

So what does one do, when all stressed out with work, home and family....... you stop everything you are doing and get out the glue gun and create. Here is a little wreath I made that I think is pretty darn cute. The wreath form was wrapped in vintage garland and then decorated with vintage Christmas picks and Santa.

On the back of the wreath, I glued on vintage white light bulbs. I took my inspiration from Suzy at The Wreath Blog by GeorgiaPeachez . Her wreaths are simply gorgeous. I was suppose to be cleaning my house not making a bigger mess. My dining room table is now under a pile of supplies, glue gun and scissors. But I did have fun creating and while mine is not in the same league as the wreathes Suzy creates, it was, as it should always be, about having fun.

I am joining a new party at Today's Creative Blog for the Get your Craft on Party. There are already over 200 ideas showing at this party. If you are looking for a craft idea, please be sure to check it out. Looks fun.

Have you stopped today to smell the holly?

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Christmas Reds

2010-12-08T10:27:00.015-05:00

With all the treasures I have found this past year, all destined for my shop, my most precious treasures remain safe at home. Nestled amongst the tissue wrapped Shiny Brites in a box marked "Special Ornaments" is a rag tag assortment of elves, angels and sleighs. More of sentimental value rather than monetary value: it truly isn't Christmas until these smiling faces appear on my library shelves.

They are all time-worn if not down right chippy vintage goodness. The red elf sitting behind the angel is at least 65 years old, a family treasure. The angel is from a friend and is from her own childhood. I received it as a gift last year (Click here for story and other vintage Christmas pieces.)

This sleigh is my most recent piece, last year at Goodwill, for $.99 cents. The reindeer is still wearing its bell.

This sweet little elf still wears its rope hanger and has all its sparkling jewels intact....an elf with a little bling. I acquired this piece years ago and just love it. It wasn't a part of my childhood, but certainly is a part of my daughter's. It was rescued from the bottom of a box of mostly broken ornaments and other misc. decorations. This find, as I always say, made me down right giddy.

I found this piece a few years ago, at Goodwill, the tag is still on the back for $.99 cents. It is a shadowbox design and constructed from fabric. Beautiful green ric -rac edges the frame.

But of course, you have to have a proper Santa for Christmas. This trio has seen a lot of Christmases. The tall one is another childhood piece, a good 55 years old. The shorter Santa again was from another family's decorations and I was happy to bring it home from a lawn sale. The Santa sitting on top of the books was a gift over 30 years ago, oh dear, that makes both it and I vintage.

I recently found this vintage red flocked ornament at a Grange sale. It is sitting on a holly berry bell plate, both of which will be up at the shop.

Here is a close-up of the ornament. Now that it is December, I will be hauling out all my Christmas goodies. Wait until next week when I share more with Sue @ Its a Very Cherry World for Wednesday is Rednesday. Please click here or on the party button on my sidebar for your invite.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Mirror, mirror, in my hand.......

2010-12-06T15:07:00.016-05:00

Remember when you were a little girl and would sit at your mother's vanity for hours, brushing and styling your long hair? I surely do. With my long hair, I would play make-believe in the mirror. When my own daughter was little, she would sit at the bathroom vanity and play, dream and imagine being a princess and more.

I have always wanted a proper and fancy brush set. I found one with a matching tray at the beginning of the summer at an estate sale for $10. And as I have previously posted, as is the way for all my collections, I kept finding brushes and combs at prices that I could not pass up.

I now have five sets, four of which are in the shop, one from Goodwill ($2.99), two from lawnsales ($1.00 and $3.00) and the most recent from a church sale ($2.00).

They are used in a Christmas vignette, staged with jewelry, ornaments, hatboxes and silver trees. What little girl wouldn't want to have a set wrapped up under her Christmas Tree?

To embellish the nostalgic holiday feeling, I used sepia toned photos and Christmas cards from an old photo album (how sad, it was a lawnsale find).

One set is missing its comb; however, the matching mirror tray is gorgeous and more than makes up for the absence of the comb.

Mirror, mirror in my hand,
who is the fairest in the land......

I hope you all love them as much as I do. Each and every one was a thrifty find, you know me. I have missed being over to Linda's (@ Coastal Charm) for her Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays, because I can never be ready on time, sorry Linda. I thought today my little mirrors would be nice to share. Please be sure to see all the other thrifty finds at her party (click here for your jump through the looking glass, just like Alice).

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Old wooden sleds and chairs

2010-12-03T10:24:00.014-05:00

Good Morning. I thought today I would show you a few shots from outside my little shop. I love the use of wooden pieces, barrels, sleds and chairs with greens for Christmas decorating. My front porch always showcases a worn wooden sled adorned with green boughs, pinecones and berries from my backyard woods. Something about the colors and textures says "Welcome to my home."

For my shop's doorway display, I have used 2 wooden sleds alongside wooden chairs, baskets and tree.

This wooden sled is quite old. It has wooden runners with a thin piece of metal nailed to the underside. This sled was found in the cellar of the 1850's building that houses my shop and the landlord thought I would like it. This would look great on a coffee table with a wooden bowl of pinecones on top or else hung on the wall, inside or outside, for some instant rustic charm. Any guesses on its age?

I have so many individual little wooden chairs. I just love their patina and size. This chair was a summer lawnsale find for $4.00.

On my "flying arrow" wooden sled, I have hung a wreath using a pair of vintage ice skates (found at a church sale for $.50 cents).

This wooden Flying Arrow" sled was produced in the 1920's by Sears & Roebuck. I found it on the side of the road with some other stuff marked "free." This was after a long morning of doing yard sales with an already overloaded car. It took me 15 minutes on the side of the road to unload, rearrange and repack, to make sure that this sled made it home. Boy do I need a truck.

Here is a close-up of the skates. They are engraved with the name Dr Lewis in the most elegant script. The manufacturer's mark is an outline of a Maple Leaf, with the words Maple Leaf.

On the other side of the doorway is this gray wooden chair, a Goodwill find for $4.99. I couldn't resist. It would be a crime to paint over this wonderful patina. The barrel was also a roadside find.

Today I am joining Linda @ A La Carte for this week's Junkin Finds Friday
I hope that you will have a chance to visit Linda, she has a real nice blog. Hope you all have a great weekend. It is back to the shop for me.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Merry Kitschmas and Happy Wenesday is Rednesday

2010-11-30T23:03:00.025-05:00

Christmas has arrived at the shop. As promised, I am sharing a few photos of my new display "Christmas Seussical". I knew I wanted to use a red and white theme and have it be more exciting than a flat tablescape......... so by stacking a few round white tables I have the illusion of a Christmas Tree. Behind those tables, I stacked an aqua table on top of a red table. It is bright and colorful and reminds me of a Dr. Seuss book, hence the name, Christmas Seussical.

This is the image you see upon entering the shop.

It is difficult to take a good photo in a confined space, so here are a few close-ups. This is the top table.

The lower table, all filled with vintage Lefton goodies and felt elves and Santa's.

Vintage Floral picks adorn red and white stripped packages.

A Vintage 18 inch Mercury Glass Ornament hangs from the table....

Red and white feather trees, although not vintage, complete the look.

A vintage postage scale for weighing your letters to Santa.

Candy Canes and little Red Wagon........

Vintage Red Flocked Reindeer

Plastic Santa Cookie Jar

The jolliest couple ever, Mr and Mrs Santa Claus.

Of course red tins..........

And more lovely tins...........

With all of this red going on, I thought I would share with Sue @ Its a Very Cherry World, for her Wednesday is Rednesday. I suspect that since it is now December, we will be seeing a little Christmas Red at the party. (Please click here for your invite).

Thank you to everyone that had a chance to come to my Open House and for all the nice comments that was left on my last post. I have more photos coming. Thank you all for letting me share.

Merry Kitschmas to All!

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Open House at the shop

2010-11-26T18:40:00.003-05:00

Open House at 2nd fl Thriftiques Saturday November 27th
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Second Floor, 8 School Street
Gorham Maine 04038

I have been getting the shop ready, which is why I have MIA lately from the blogging world. My apologies to my friends, if I haven't stopped by recently to say hello. I hope that you all understand. Having 2 full time jobs.....is quite frankly 1 job too many. The shop is going well and I am thrilled, but you know, any of you that have a shop, a booth, or on-line presence, that all this creative fun, is still a lot of hard work. I hope that you all had a Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving. I guess I had better get to bed early, I have a busy day tomorrow. Who am I kidding ........ I still have 100 shiny brites to price. I'm back to work.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

A Little Thanksgiving Red

2010-11-24T09:34:00.011-05:00

Time to get the Thanksgiving meal ready. I have my spices, of course they are a good 25 years past their shelf life, but who is counting. The cloves and thyme are Slade's and the nutmeg is Staff's. Wasn't that part of the old A&P stores?

You can't cook a turkey without a proper baster. Mine is an 1946 Artbeck Baster, a product of Arthur Beck Company. The package boasts that this baster is "an invaluable household aid:
* it bastes meats and fowl
* separates grease from gravy, soups and stew
* skims cream from milk
* and bastes apples.
What more could you ask from your baster?

"Thyme" to make the apple pie. I have the Better Home's recipe, my rolling pin, and

my apples. (Actually, these red delicious apples are fake and I use them as props at the shop) The apple brochure is from 1961.

To properly entertain, may I suggest these "Gay Nineties Party Mats". They are "ideal for cocktail coasters, servettes and wall decorations". I'm not sure what a servette is, do you? The mats are reproduced from Sass-Dorne Claytoon Models. These "Claytoon" illustrations are reproductions of actual full color photographs of miniature clay models and sets.

And if the Turkey doesn't come out the way you plan........ there is always Rexall's "First Aid Directions". For food poisoning, slide down to page 12.

I am joining Sue @ Its a Very Cherry world for a little Pre-Thanksgiving Red Wednesday is Rednesday. (Click here for your invite) Please be sure to stop over and visit Sue and all the other folks at the party.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

P.S. I am still looking for any information on some Aluminum Vases I just found. Please check out my last post. Thank you.

2010-11-22T14:33:00.011-05:00

I love being a (hoarder) collector. Everyday it seems, provides an opportunity to uncover a new treasure and to learn something. Although the treasures change, there is a pattern that always seems to develop, whenever I find a new treasure. Having found an item that I do not already own, I find several more of these items, all within a short span of time. How does this happen? Does it happen to you? (Remember all the mushroom canisters I kept finding?) I go from none to a full blown collection.

For example: I found this charming little vase, I believe aluminum, at Goodwill last Wednesday for $2.99. Although it reminds me of my American pottery in design and shape, I have not seen anything like this made in metal.

On Saturday, just a few short days later, a woman came into the shop with a box full of items she wanted to sell. There amidst a dozen or so vegetable shaped porcelain pieces, salt n' pepper shakers and butter dishes, was this little gem, another aluminum vase!

Two in just one week. How cool is that. So, my next question is, does anyone have some information about these fun little vases? I know my friend Linda @ A La Carte might be able to help. Honestly she is a veritable fountain of information when it comes to referencing makers of dishes. Now that I have these two vases, does that mean a new collection is starting? Will I find more? Ah, the thrill of the hunt. I look forward to any information you might be able to provide. Thank you.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Wednesday is Rednesday and a Giveaway Winner

2010-11-17T09:27:00.020-05:00

Oh my goodness, oh what a day, oh what a week. You can certainly tell that the holidays are fast approaching. Things have been so hectic, I was worried that I wouldn't have anything to show for today for Wednesday is Rednesday with Sue @ Its a Very Cherry World . I always have so much fun at her party. Then I came across this cheery red advertisement, actually a perfect product for my stressed out day.

Tussy Deoderant

This ad is from a 1950's magazine. Now it is one thing to have a Guardian Angel on your shoulder.......
But quite another to have an angel under your arms!!!! Oh well. Thought I would share.

Finally a Winner!!

I have a winner for my one year Blogaversary Giveaway. Congratulations to VintageBettys, a mother and daughter blog. How sweet! Mom, Laura and daughter, Michele love to craft, sew, garden, cook, bake, thrift, and of course, all things VINTAGE. I would love to meet these women in person. Seems we have a lot in common.

So ladies, be sure to send me your address and this Goodwill bag will be full of goodies and on its way to you. Thank you again for everyone who participated in this giveaway. I have been working on stopping by and saying a Howdy and thank you to each person that left such great comments.

Here are a few favorite thrift finds that people shared with me ........

Junque Magnet found Vintage Cross Country Skis
Leah @ My Fancy found a Vintage 50's duvet/blanket cover
Linda @ A La Carte one of her favorite finds of so many, 4 Pyrex Snowflake Casseroles
Gail @ Faithfulness Farm Red embroidery Floss, lots of it.
Mica @ The Child's Paper Most everything she owns are thrifted treasures
Anne @ His Eye is on the Sparrow Found a Howdy Doody Doll for $.50 cents and sold it for $36.
Angela @ I'm like a Little Bird favorite is a Shawnee Owl Cookie Jar
Carol @ Old Glory Cottage Her stuff is amazing, a current favorite is a vintage Halloween planter
Melinda @ Alabaster Rose Designs A hand-painted Tole Tray
My friend Tiffany @ The Folded Gingham is on a first name basis at our local Goodwill

I will share more tomorrow. Again thank you all for your support. Congratulations to Laura and Michelle. And please don't forget to visit Sue for Wednesday is Rednesday.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Visiting Pink

2010-11-13T11:21:00.010-05:00

With all the rain and wind this past week, there are no leaves left on the trees. The warm autumn color has been replaced with bare stark branches against the grayish sky. You know winter is coming, and that Christmas of course will be right around the corner........... but I am resisting the urge to show off all my pink shiny brites. (Wait until you see what I just picked up at a church sale this morning for a dime a piece! Downright giddiness.) I shall be good and will wait till after Thanksgiving. So for some pink today, I am visiting my friend Darcy. She always puts together such pretty vignettes. (Remember she is the lady with the 3 goats, 2 peacocks and 1 pig.)

Darcy owns a log cabin home which she has decorated in Victorian Shabby Chic. For her it works. In her sun room, she has layered mirrors up again one rock wall. I love the pink lampshade that she has paired with an old lamp.

I was with her when she found this old window frame. It was already this fabulous shade of pink. She added scrapbook paper on one window and then the other window holds a photo of one of her goats done in pink tones. I love this photo. Phoebe, the goat is munching on flowers outside her little shed. A few keys and misc metal pieces complete the look.

This is her birthday gift to herself. This settee is really more pink tones but looks lavender in the photo. It was a Home Goods Find, and as their commercial says "Find what makes you happy".

My own pinks range from the practical, a brand-new-still-in-the-original box bread slicer to ........

Pretty Pink Roseville.

Please be sure to join Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for some more pink loveliness. (Please click here)

Tomorrow, the winner will be announced of my giveaway (Giveaway is now closed). I wanted to do proper justice to all the folks who stopped by and left such sweet comments and wanted to share them and introduce you to their blogs.

Enjoy the beautiful fall weather today. Remember that raking leaves is better than shoveling the snow. Have a good day.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Remember our Veterans

2010-11-11T10:00:00.009-05:00

World War II Vessel and World War I Toiletry Roll

It is Veterans' Day. Not the kind of holiday where Happy precedes the day. It is; however, a happy day when the men and women serving in the armed forces return home, healthy and alive. For all the generations of soldiers and sailors that have protected our country, we salute them and their memories. We are forever in your debt.

"The soldier above all other people prays for peace, for he must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war"... ~General Douglas MacArthur 1880~1964

Today I am sharing with Suzanne @ Coloradolady for Vintage Thingie Thursdays. (Please click here to visit Suzanne) It is a simple and humble post in that the Veterans of past wars are my "Vintage" tribute today. Please take the time today and every day to say thank you to a veteran. It would be nice if we stopped having Veterans in the present. That would mean the end of wars. Too bad that World War II, known as the "war to end all wars", should have been just that.

My giveaway, please see sidebar, ends tonight. Thank you.

God Bless Our Country
Sherrie

Rednesday is Fun and Giveaway Update

2010-11-09T22:26:00.023-05:00

Oh my Goodness. I finally just got my glasses fixed. For the past 5 days I have been wearing a pair of $1.99 "readers" from Target, until I could get my glasses repaired. Although the readers were fine for basic reading skills, I was unable to use them for extended times at the computer, so that sadly meant no blogging!

I feel bad that broken glasses coincided with my One-Year Blogaversary. I have not yet finished posting all the goodies that the lucky winner will be receiving. Therefore, I am extending the giveaway to midnight tomorrow night, Veterans' Day. Thank you to all who have left such fabulous comments, I will be around visiting you. Thank you.

Now it is time to join in the fun for Wednesday is Rednesday with Sue @ Its a Very Cherry World (Please click here for your invite). Always fun and colorful, please be sure to see what other red goodies are showing up at this party. Before you head over to Sue's blog, please let me welcome you to my home.

This is my front door entryway. Personally, I think the deep red of the runner is the perfect color to welcome visitors to my home. (Not to mention that it doesn't show the dirt as much.) The floor is the original 1853 wood floor. In case you are wondering what is sitting in the corner, it is an elephant foot umbrella stand. Now I must apologize to all the animal lovers, as I myself am. But please let me state, that this piece is from the mid-1800's and I did not contribute to its demise. However, I have given the foot a good home (estate sale $25.00).

Now for something a little more cheerier red, this beautiful tablecloth. Perfect for a picnic or an afternoon of playing bridge with the ladies and eating tea sandwiches.

A cheery apron and oh-so-cute clothespin bag help to make the chores a little more pleasant, don't you agree?

Clothespin-holding puppy, yup, that just makes you want to whistle while hanging out your laundry.

Of course more red aprons, a thermos and tin to add to my every growing collection. Red and the Kitchen just go hand-in-hand. (These were all church sale finds for a dime apiece)

Of course, there is always aqua to complement the red. I love this color combination.

One last collection, my red handled kitchen utensils. Oh my I probably have way too many. But who's counting?

So please stop by and say hello to Sue and also don't forget that the giveaway closes this Thursday. Thank you.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Harvest Gold Daze

2010-11-04T00:06:00.029-04:00

**** Good morning. For those of you visiting for Pink Saturday, I do not have a new post prepared. I broke my glasses yesterday and for the moment have been a little vision challenged. I will be back on-line; hopefully this evening. Please don't forget to scroll down for my giveaway that ends November 10th. Thank you.****

You may recall that at the start of each month, I switch out my major shop exhibit with something totally new to the shop. I have had "Something Old" vintage wedding pieces, "Aqua Explosion" showcasing some of my favorite color McCoy pieces and most recently my "Spooktacular" black and white display.(Please click here to view). I have several women that can't wait to see the new display each month.

"Harvest Gold Daze" That is what I am calling my November center display. Layered on top of a vintage velvet tablecloth, are pieces of amber glass, topaz and amber jewelry, candlestick holders and candle rings. All are from lawn sales, church rummage sales, and of course Goodwill.

One of my favorite pieces is this 1960's Lucite candle and candlestick holder. I found this years ago at a lawnsale for under a dollar.

Here is a pair of Lucite candles and candlesticks, still the same amber color and silver accents but different design. These are a recent find from Goodwill for $2.99 for the pair.

I mix jewelry, like this necklace, in with my tablescape.

I placed an antique wooden folding chair on top of my table, to give height to the exhibit.

I love the chair's worn black leather cushions. Church sale this summer $3.00. I like to use chairs to stage my vignettes; however, all my chairs are sturdy to be used for sitting.

I have a collection of shot glasses, candy bowl, candle ring and jewelry perched on a cake pedestal that has a clear glass top and amber glass and silver base. You might remember this from last year's Amber Thanksgiving. (Please click here and here) Again these are all a combination of found objects.

Sitting on the chair is an old apothecary glass jar filled with gourds. A fall-themed wreath adorns the lid. Next to the jar is a framed lunar moth. It is gorgeous. You know how I like to decorate with natural elements (Please click here for my Deer mirror.) This beautiful piece was $.10 cents, yes a dime at a recent church fair.

A fabulous pheasant feather hat, in more of a headband style, is nestled in the autumn wreath. This was a Goodwill find for $2.99. I know what you are thinking, you never find such deals. Well when you live within walking distance to one, it is very easy to stop in while walking to the Post Office, to the bank or to the grocery store. Most times, I am purchasing an item that has just been put out on the floor.

A table full of juice glasses. I love to use them for cider to accompany my Thanksgiving meal. Does anyone else still use juice glasses?

I have three glass pitchers, and honestly don't remember collecting or having three. I have that problem a lot. Anyone else?

Amber glass bowls, one with a wire holder for a chip & dip set, and several candy dishes. If one is eating candy, it should be from a pretty dish. (I find it makes for less calories - - Honest)

I am showing and sharing my Amber "Harvest Gold Daze" with Suzanne @ ColoradoLady for Vintage Thingie Thursdays (Please click here or see Suzanne's button on my sidebar) I always learn something when I go over to visit this great party. Thank you Suzanne for hosting.

I am also joining my good friend Linda @ A La Carte for her party Junkin Finds. (Please click here). Who doesn't love to junk and even better, to show off their junking finds. Please stop on over to see all the fun posts.

We still have a few more days before my Give-Away ends on midnight November 10th. I am celebrating my one-year blogging anniversary. Please click here to see how you can enter or see my sidebar button. Next week, I will be showing what fun prizes await the winning entry. Give-aways are so much fun. Thank you all for joining me.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Thrifty Fall Decorating

2010-10-31T22:36:00.026-04:00

Today is cold and autumn blustery. My yard is full of fallen leaves and the garden is begging to be put to bed. After cutting back everything for next Spring, only my Autumn Joy Sedum will be left to stand out against the soon to be arriving snow drifts. I admit that the cooler weather finds me focusing more on inside decorating than outside clean up.

As we begin our countdown to Thanksgiving and of course Christmas, I thought I would share a few of my fall favorite decorations. All Vintage and Thrifty, of course.This creamer, teacup & saucer were Goodwill finds, $1.99 each. The black and orange is perfect for Halloween, while not being regulated to just the celebration of that one holiday. No mark on the dishes other than Made in Japan.

Nothing says Fall like a white painted pumpkin (Dollar Store), feather grasses, and Turkey feathers from my friend's backyard.

A pair of carved wooden owls (a close-out find from the Foreside Co. $1.00 each), pair of wooden band boxes (lawnsale finds for $1.00 each) and a crow feather from my backyard.

Old crock (passed down from family) and two hand-made pieces, again lawnsale finds. The black and orange birds were from a flea market for $1.50 apiece. They sport a Made in Japan tag and I absolutely love them. The wooden pumpkin has been a perennial favorite of mine.

All three are lawnsale items. The orange ceramic owl (Made in Japan -- $.25 cents) sits in front of a framed Book tag ($2.00) and framed owl print ($1.00). The book tag stays through Thanksgiving; however these orange owls go back in the box till next September.

This little framed owl painting is at home being framed by the much larger carved frame. Perfect for Halloween and the rest of the year. Lawnsale finds, frame $1.00 and little painting $.50 cents.

Hallway mirror wears a black boa (Goodwill $.99 cents) and a wreath made with Turkey feathers and acorns. (Home Goods clearance item $3.00). After Halloween the black boa comes down but the turkey feathers stay up until it gets replaced by a Christmas Wreath.

A glass topped driftwood table in the front parlor has pumpkins, gourds and leaves for a fall decoration. Everything you see is fake but really good quality. These were bought years ago at $8 - $9 apiece; but with years of use, I have more than gotten my monies worth.

There is a warmth to pewter that makes it perfect for fall decorating. All three pieces have been passed down in the family and are easily 100 years old. The pewter candlestick holders came from a store going out of business sale for $12 for the pair. After Thanksgiving, the candles are switched to white, and sprigs of greenery and pine cones will be added to the cups. The mini pumpkin wreath will be exchanged for one made with red berries.

Today I am pleased to share my thrifty finds with Linda @ Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays. Please click here for your invite to the party or see Linda's button on my sidebar. I am also stopping over at Selena @ Apron Thrift Girl's Thrift Share Monday. Please click here to visit.

Also a reminder about my One Year Blog-aversary. Please click here to join in the fun.

Here is another peek at what Goodwill treasures will be going to the lucky winner. This is a piece of sheet music that just jumped out at me. The song is titled Huggin' and Chalkin' and you can see the man's hand in the drawing placing chalk marks on the backside of the woman. I was going to frame it and have it hanging with my home-made chalkboards at the shop. I am not going to spoil the surprise by sharing the lyrics to this song.

Remember the give-away ends November 10th. Thank you to all who have taken the time to leave comments.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Pink is the new Orange

2010-10-29T09:24:00.018-04:00

My how time flies. The month of October has flown by, once again it is already Pink Saturday. It is time to join our hostess Beverly@ How Sweet the Sound for a little bit of Pink Fun. This time we get to showcase some Pink Halloween Trick or Treats. To meet up with Beverly for the party, please click here.

I love this photo of my daughter and her friend, dressing up for a Halloween party. This pink dress was one of her favorite play dress-up outfits and got a lot of use.

This year for Halloween I decided to try something different for the dining room mantle, a pink & cream theme. I had a couple of ceramic cream pumpkins that I paired with a few fake mini gourds and pumpkins, of course painted pink. Something different. I liked the look.

Did I mentioned that I also painted some leaves?

This fuzzy-pink-sweater-heart-holding-kitty makes the perfect birthday gift for my friend who celebrates her birthday today. The plastic pink pumpkin was $.99 cents. Who knew they made these in Pink? I guess Pink is the new Orange.

Happy Birthday Darcy!

I found a stack of these cloth cocktail napkins at a recent church sale. These little pink spirits look like they are having fun. The owl; however, looks a little nonplussed.

Please be sure to stop over and say Happy Halloween to Beverly and all her guests at Pink Saturday. It should get you in the mood for Trick or Treating.

Also please don't forget to enter my One Year Anniversary Giveaway. (Please click here to enter)

The prizes are going to be some of my special Goodwill treasures, like this vintage Rebus scarf from Symphony.

(Please click here for the story about the scarf.) I will be posting more of the planned prizes over the next few days. Please remember that the giveaway will end at 9:00 p.m. Eastern time on the 10th. Good luck.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Cheery Red and a Giveaway

2010-10-27T09:43:00.012-04:00

It may be raining outside, dreary, cold and wet............ but I am keeping warm, surrounded by all my cheery reds. You know I love Red. It is evident in both my closet and my interior design. It makes me warm, cheery and oh so happy. What better way to celebrate a little Red giddiness than with Sue at It's a Very Cherry World for the ever popular and fun Wednesday is Rednesday. (Click here for the party.)

Please pull up a chair, pour yourself some coffee and let's chat. Don't you just love that barber's chair a $3.00 lawnsale find. The table and chairs are from an auction $50.00.

Red painted utensils, tins, potholders, cookie jars and aprons .......... makes a girl giddy!

Curtains made from vintage tablecloths, stainless steel cart, and a very diner feel with plates and ceramic red fork and spoon. The fork and spoon were Goodwill finds for $.99 each. The cashier asked me what on earth I was going to use them for as they were quite "garish". She was a new cashier at the store and didn't know me , yet.

Of course, now that the leaves are falling, thoughts are quickly turning to Christmas, my very favorite time to display my reds ..... angels, stockings and trees.

It was officially a year ago that I had A Conversation at Goodwill with my friend Tiff @ Folded Gingham about blogging. (Hence the title of this blog.) As we were perusing the aisles at our favorite place to be on a Friday night, she told me how easy and rewarding blogging was and suggested that I might like to give it a try. Admittedly, I am not the most computer savvy person, but am proud to say that I have learned so much in a year's time from assembling photo collages, adding text to photos and links to my posts. I couldn't of done it without the support of all the wonderful people that I have met while blogging, too many people to list in one post.

So here is a big thank you coming your way, a One Year Anniversary Giveaway.

1. Please leave a comment here telling me about a favorite thrift store find for one chance to enter.

2. Please post about the Giveaway on your blog for a second chance to win, as well as leaving me another comment that you have done so.

3. If you would like, follow my blogging adventures for another chance. Each follower automatically gets a chance. Thank you.

The prize you ask? Some of my Goodwill treasures. If you have been following along, you will be familiar with my vintage Goodwill scores. I will be showing pieces up through the 10th for your viewing pleasure. Thank you all for a wonderful year.

Please be sure to visit Sue and see all the fun reds at her party.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

I learned something new and it was Pink

2010-10-23T10:21:00.007-04:00

I love learning new things, finding a new treasure, and having a chance to do a little research. I recently found this pink, what I thought to be a casserole dish, at Salvation Army for $1.99. When I turned it over I saw it was marked "Made exclusively by The Hall China Co. for Hotpoint Refrigerators". This was new to me. Of course, we all know (and highly covet) Pyrex Refrigerator Sets, but I didn't know of any others. This 1040's refrigerator dish with lid was
the forerunner of Tupperware.

The original Hallware represents an era baby-boomers can relate to. There's a good chance their mothers and grandmothers had several pieces of Hall that they used in the kitchen, as the china was often given via promotions by companies like Westinghouse, Hotpoint, Lipton, Jewel Tea, and many more.

I just liked it because it was pink ........ being from the 1940's was an added bonus.

Have a blessed Saturday and please be sure to stop by How Sweet the Sound (Please click here) to visit with Beverly and all the other participants of Pink Saturday.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

It was old and tacky so I thought of you.

2010-10-21T23:43:00.014-04:00

My friend: "It was old, tacky and destined for the dump, so naturally I thought of you."
Me: "Thank You I guess. What is it?"
My Friend: "Deer parts."
Me: "Why not."
This happens a lot to me, not necessarily the deer parts part, but the "old and tacky so thinking of you" part. There is a compliment in there, really. My friends know that I can turn trash to treasure or as I call it, my Repurposed Treasure.

So take one deer trophy mount that has seen better days,
Add a $2.00 mirror purchased at a recent church sale,

Dust if off and paint everything with high gloss white, yes, even the fur.

Before and

After.

The completed project, a gorgeous mirror for your foyer. Just think, those little hooves could hold umbrellas or hats. I call it "Sculptural Bambi". Painted white, those little hooves look like they were carved from marble. The mirror fit perfectly, as if it was made for the piece.

Personally, I think this mirror would look right at home with these Country Living photo shoots.

Just imagine it hanging by the back door instead of that boring framed print. Hey, I think I may be on to something. What do you think?

Today I am linking up with Miss Mustard Seed's Furniture Feature Friday. (Please click here to see some fabulous make-overs). I am also over at Fingerprints on the Fridge for Feature Yourself Friday for all kinds of fun show and tell goodies (Please click here). I am so proud of myself that I actually remembered (took my time for once) to take the before shots.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Who doesn't love a little vintage red?

2010-10-20T09:20:00.016-04:00

Who doesn't love red, shiny, shiny red? Who doesn't love metal? Even better, who doesn't love vintage shiny red metal? When I can find such treasures, it makes me happy, dare I say giddy with delight. C'mon, you know what I am talking about.

One, two, three red-capped thermoses. Yup, that makes it a collection.

Red and Black shiny metal tins ........... be still my heart. Shiny Red and Black PLAID tins, I am in Heaven!

Red metal lid on glass jar.....loving the lid.

It looks like it is a grater of some sort. I have never seen one like this before. Any suggestions? This glass jar is definitely a Vintage Thingie.

Cute size, shiny red toolbox. What treasures would you store inside?

To think that someone was tossing out that beautiful red tin can.

Of course there are delightful vintage kitchen gadgets.

Please join Sue @ It's a Very Cherry World for Wednesday is REDnesday (Click here) and for Vintage Thingie Thursday with Suzanne @ The Coloradolady (Click here). They are such great hostesses with such fun parties, please do stop by for a visit.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Move over red bathroom, make mine Pink.

2010-10-15T22:48:00.015-04:00

It is another Pink Saturday ...... where is the month of October going? Well since I showed you all my red bathtub, yes my red lipstick bathtub, the other day (Click here to see), I thought it only fitting to showcase my cotton candy bathroom with Beverly at How Sweet the Sound to share for Pink Saturday. Please click here for the party.

As discussed the other day, when my house was built in 1853, there was no indoor plumbing. This bathroom was created from a study off the family room in the early 1940's. The original tiles, woodwork, and wallpaper were pink and remain pink. This room has never been redecorated.

The wallpaper has faded over the past 70 years but otherwise has held up well. The paper is thicker than today's wallpaper and remains durable and washable.

This is the built in vanity. As a little girl, my daughter spent countless hours sitting before this mirror .... playing dress up for herself and her little dolls.

This cabinet goes back 4 feet and made the perfect place for Elizabeth to crawl inside when playing hide and seek. The drawers below are roomy. The bottom drawer always held her bathtub toys and anything else she would sneak inside. I think even now, there may still be a rubber duckie or two hiding in the guest towels.

The wallpaper job was amazing. Strips of tan wallpaper were painstakingly inlaid above the vanity mirror and also above the bathtub.

The floor tiles are also 1940's originals. Notice the inlay of the white tile with the green tiles. These tiles are a special clay composite and remain in fabulous shape, requiring only a damp mop.

The towel bars are in a deeper contrasting cranberry color.

It would be a crime to change out the tiles of either the floor or the walls. So until I find an appropriate Arts and Crafts style wall paper, I am keeping the bathroom as it is. If it has held up for 70 years, I can live with it for a few more years.

Hope that you all have a pleasant Pink Saturday. Please remember that the pink this month is all about being the Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Please show your support.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Why didn't I think of this?

2010-10-15T09:30:00.007-04:00

You know how it is when you come across a good idea, one that is so simple, one that you should have thought of yourself.......but didn't. Today I had one of those "eureka" moments. I came across a pretty decorative plate that I wanted to hang but was out of my wire plate hangers. On a side note, I don't really like those types of hangers as they prevent the plate from lying flat against the wall, making the plate rock. The alternative is buying those round disc plate hangers that stick to the back of the plate. They do the trick but at a whopping $5.00 for a package of two, (at A.C. Moore, can't find them at Michaels) they are just a little too pricey for me. Since I love decorating with plates (they are more than just for the dinner table) I was going to need a better solution.

Ta-da! Here it is. When I turned the plate over to check out the maker's mark, I noticed 2 little tube shaped pieces on the top of the plate. At first I thought the plate was manufactured that way, but upon closer inspection, saw that someone had epoxied on the pieces.

This allows for a piece of string to be threaded through each tube to form a plate hanger. The length of tube can be found at any hardware store and then cut to size. How simple is that!

For the moment I just used some twine that I had handy but plan on switching it out with ribbon. You could then have the ribbon tied in a nice bow above the plate. Or you could make the string shorter so that it does not show at all. The possibilities are endless.

Why didn't I think of this?

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Lipstick Red in the Bathroom

2010-10-12T17:00:00.012-04:00

This is my house. It is an 1853 Federal style building. In case any of you were wondering, those are tomato and pepper plants growing in containers up on the balcony, safe from bands of marauding raccoons and hungry little Bambies that nightly visit my backyard. I fell in love with that front porch the first time I saw it in the Multiple Real Estate Listings back in 1993. The rooms are stately, with three floors and 4 fireplaces (unfortunately none of the fireplaces can be used but the mantles are all gorgeous) and 9 foot tall ceilings. So it was a bit of a surprise while being shown the home, that first time by our realtor, what awaited us in the second floor bathroom.

Now mind you, there was no indoor plumbing when the house was originally built (the attached barn had a 2-holer). So the bathroom on the second floor was installed in what was once a closet at the end of the hall. It doesn't have a shower but makes up for it with the bathtub, and oh what a bathtub it is................

It is big and shiny and oh so red!

It is a claw foot bathtub that a previous owner had painted red. (Why?) At the time we bought the house, the sink and the toilet seat were also bright red. Having both seen better days, they have been replaced. The tub is rather too heavy to move, much less down all those stairs. So I have learned to embrace the red.

Last summer, I decided it was finally time to redo that bathroom but my budget was pretty much non-existent. I got the floor tiles on sale, the oops paint for $5.00 for the gallon and the fabric I had left over from a curtain project. Normally I would not have picked these colors to work with but remember, I have learned to embrace the red.

On the far side of the bathroom are shelves, that were don't-allow-company-in-the-upstairs-bathroom-messy, that are now hidden from public view by this curtain. I do like the cherry pattern, It makes waking up first thing in the morning a little more cheerier if not cherrier. I have learned to embrace the red.

This bathroom wouldn't have been so bad with the red bathtub if the sink and toilet hadn't both been bright red as well. And did I mention there was also floor to ceiling mirror tiles covering one whole wall............ Oh my.

Today I am sharing my red lipstick bathtub (I have learned to embrace the red) with Sue @ It's a Very Cherry World for Wednesday is REDnesday. Please click here or see Sue's button on my sidebar to join in this always colorful party. Remember to embrace your Red.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

What is black & white and vintage thriftiness all over? Not to mention one heck of a lawnsale find.

2010-10-11T13:02:00.002-04:00

You know I love my orange ......... you have all seen my orange plates and orange mushrooms and will be seeing (subjected to) more of those orange beauties. So it is rather surprising that for Halloween I prefer a more subtle black and white scheme. Today I thought I would share a display a la Tim Burton from my shop. It is black & white, of course vintage and all so very thrifty, perfect for Linda @ Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays. (Please click here or on Linda's button on my sidebar for your invite to the party) So please join me for the tour.

I used several smaller tables in the shop all placed together to create one large display but with different levels. This photo shows hobnail milk glass, vintage ladies hat with black veil and a pair of paperweights.

The paperweight on the left is the Courthouse, Toledo, Ohio. The one on the right shows a man and child in a cemetery.

I am mesmerized by this one. The man appears to be wearing a World War I uniform and there is crescent moon in the upper top right ....... very eerie. These two paperweights were found at a church sale for $1.00 each. (I know it feels like I am stealing from a church.)

These fun loving little ghosts are sitting on top of a vintage black hat box. Both the box and the ghosts were Goodwill finds. You might remember the shoe flower piece as decor from the Bridal Shower I did last Spring. (Please click here for instructions) It seemed a perfect fit for my black and white tablescape and a very thrifty re-use. Yes that is an actual skull in the background. It is a coyote skull from a neighbor's woods.

More milk glass vases and lamps and candlestick holders. Several of the pieces are marked Fenton. Also from the shower, I have re-used the large black Gerber Daises.

I couldn't find white pumpkins so I painted Dollar Store mini pumpkins to achieve the look I wanted. (Very thrifty) Here is a cute pair of carved owl figurines. I am not sure what they are carved from, they are quite heavy. Their eyes are glass.

Another shoe design and white plates. The bottom three plates are Ironstone.

These Buffalo China plates are sitting on a small, what would have been boring otherwise little table that I painted with blackboard paint. Boring no more. All these dishes were Goodwill finds.

Here is a side view of the middle table. I thought the fringe of the shawl was reminiscent of a spider's web. The shawl was a lawnsale find for $.50 cents. The small skull that you see, belongs to a raccoon. That one came from my back woods. I remember when my daughter, at the time 7, and her little friend made this discovery one year after a spring thaw following a wicked brutal long winter. As spring progressed into summer, nature took its toll on the poor little creature. By fall we ended up with just the skull, so of course it needed to become a decoration. What else would one do with a raccoon skull? Do you honestly have to ask.

The vintage M.I.T. plate shown below, (Goodwill) already sold. It was from the 1960's. The woman who bought it, her dad was at M.I.T in the 60's. I never get tired of hearing these stories.

A close-up of the skull. I just love these silhouette pictures of the little boy. A lawnsale find for $2.00 for the pair.

This plate is also a favorite of mine. Purchased at Salvation Army for $.79 cents. It is Harkerware from Harker Pottery. I love anything with pine cones, being from the State of Maine. After all, the White Pine Cone and Tassel is our State's flower.

The black berry and mini witches hats wreath was a Goodwill find. The sparkly spiders were 6 for $1.99 at Wal-Mart. If you are going to use spiders, make sure they are bling worthy.

These two platters are Homer Laughlin, and lawnsale treasures.

Black licorice "spiders legs".

I forgot to mention that my cloth on one of the tables has black roosters and pumpkins, kind of a toile feel, and perfect for my display.

More flowers, spiders and skulls, oh my.

Speaking of skulls, I have saved the best for last. Allow me to introduce you to Georgette.

At first I thought it was George; however, an Anthropology major up at the University informed me that George was in fact a she. Isn't she beautiful. You may be wondering where does one find a human skull. Believe it or not, at a lawnsale. For $20 dollars, she was mine. Usually the lower jaw, being detached from the rest of the skull, is missing. She is gloriously intact.

Now I am not sure if the skull constitutes being thrifty, but for my $20, I think I got a good deal.

I just discovered a new party that I am joining today as well. Please be sure to say Hello to Selena @ Apron Thrift Girl for her party Thrift Share Monday. (I bet no one else will have a skull.) Have a great day everyone and be sure to stop over at Linda's and Selena's parties for a little thriftiness.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Good Afternoon

2010-10-08T12:54:00.007-04:00

Good Afternoon

Just thought I would show you a few pics from outside my shop, a little Fall-inspired vignette. I am afraid that this past week has been extra busy with work, the shop and a three articles deadline. I felt I had better take the time to say a quick howdy to all. Wait until you see what I will be posting next............

The wooden chair on the right is really old and a Salvation Army store find at $3.99. The wooden folding chair is also quite old and was a Church sale find at $3.00.

Of course, what better use for a vintage mushroom pot than a plant holder.

Enjoy your day.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Pink Treasures

2010-10-01T23:44:00.014-04:00

It is Saturday so that means it is time to join Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for another Pink Saturday (Please click here to visit all the other wonderful blogs participating today). Today I am showing a few of my most priceless pink treasures. No not my Roseville, Majolica or McCoy pink pieces; something even more valuable.

All through high school my daughter worked at Goodwill. It was a perfect job for her, close to home and walking distance, so no car needed. They were wonderful folks to work for and even now that my daughter is employed elsewhere, they are still like family. Please note that my love affair with Goodwill started long before my daughter was even born. The fact that Goodwill opened up a store in Gorham right at the time my daughter was looking for her first job, was just one big happy piece of good luck and coincidence.

For Mother's Day her first year of being employed, she was excited to finally be able to buy me something with her own money. She knew I loved pink, the dining room china cabinet was full of pink glass and pink plates. She found a pair of gold rimmed pink flower plates at the store and bought them for me. The marking is faded but I can make out England. At the time they were priced at $7.95 each and that was 8 years ago!

She was so proud to give them to me, each carefully wrapped in tissue paper and ribbon. I have since started to redecorate the dining room from pink to cream (think lots of Ironstone) but these plates will always be prominently displayed. A gift from my daughter, paid from her first paycheck. Priceless!

Elizabeth worked at the store with two of her best friends. They made quite a trio. I have been truly blessed in that all of my daughter's friends are wonderful young adults that I would be proud to call my own and it is with great honor that they consider me as their second mom.

Now you would think that working at Goodwill might have some perks but employees must wait 48 hours before they are able to purchase just put out inventory. The three of them would try to be helpful, telling me about some new treasure at the store; however, when visiting the store, the treasure would be something nice but new and made in China. Finally I simplified matters, asking the three of them to be on the lookout for flowers, pink and/or green plates and more importantly, making sure it was marked made in U.S.A. When my birthday came around, this was the gift I received from my daughter's 2 friends.

Obviously, they had a little too much fun in creating this tongue-in-cheek plate. In pink marker, the plate reads: I am anteek ...... werth lots of monie....... good! Sell me for anteek!!! and Pretty Pink Flowers.

The back reads: Not Canada! Canada Bad! No Flowers for Canada! (Please no offense to my friends in Canada. I am not sure why they picked Canada.)

Of course it is marked USA.

While this plate is not displayed in the china cabinet, it has a place of honor in the buffet. It is truly a one-of-a-kind treasure as are the two young friends that honored me with this gift.

Hope that you all have a blessed Pink Saturday.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

A little repurposed red treasure

2010-09-28T18:30:00.006-04:00

Today I am joining Sue @Its A Very Cherry School World (Please click here to visit or on my sidebar) for Wednesday is Rednesday and showing off a little repurposed treasure, a Red repurposed treasure. For those who have visited my blog before, you know I love all things vintage and I enjoy giving things a new purpose.

I recently found this metal stand at a lawnsale for $2.00. It was painted black and pretty dinged-up. The black paint hid the details of roses. Yes as you will recall from last week, my love of roses ....... (Oh my luv is like a red red rose......remember to say it with a Scottish accent!) Anyway I thought it only fitting to paint it red, to jazz it up a bit.

Next I added an old metal strainer and a vintage New England Flaky Crust Table Talk Pie $.10 cents deposit Pie Plate. I have 2 at home that are in constant use.

I put apples in the strainer, but you could have it hold your kitchen utensils, other fruits or vegetables or even a plant. The pie plate could also hold a plant or a trio of wine bottles or candles. Actually for the photo and it being Wednesday is Rednesday, I had wanted to stack a pyramid of Campbell Soup cans, tomato of course, but didn't have any. I thought this could work in a kitchen, a bathroom or perhaps out on the patio filled with plants.

I already had the strainer and pie plate. The oil red paint was a quart of $4.00 oops paint purchased at the local hardware store. This is the third thing I have painted so I am definitely getting my money's worth.

Please be sure to say hello to Sue and check out all the fun of the party.

Also I wanted to thank everyone that left comments for "How do you let go of a treasure". I received some great advice. Thank you.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

How do you part with a fabulous find?

2010-09-28T10:27:00.007-04:00

How do you decide? I have bought and sold for years, long before opening up my shop 2nd fl Thriftiques. In fact, one of the primary reasons that propelled me to shop owner was my background in dealing. Some items were quick re-sales, while others were meant to be used and enjoyed before ultimately being sold. I love to decorate for the holidays as well as stage complete room makeovers. Both are easy to do when you are working with a revolving inventory. But how many times have I sold a piece only to find that it would have been perfect for a new tablescape design or some other use?

Take for example this little green sidetable. This green is MY favorite green,....... it is already perfectly distressed from time and use and not sandpaper ........... it is the perfect little size, compact but with the 3 levels and the magazine racks on each end, it holds a lot. I found it at Goodwill for $2.99. (Yes $2.99. I should have taken a photo of the price tag)

I have painted all my display pieces in the shop a light cream color so that the actual merchandise can stand out. I couldn't, I wouldn't, it-would-be-a-crime-to-do-so, paint this little piece. It would look lovely in my home and I can think of several rooms where it would work.

I have had so many people ask how much and I explain it is just for display. I finally decided to put a price on it, a reasonable but somewhat high price. That way if someone loves it as much as I do, they can purchase it. But I would be sad to see it go.

So how do you decide? I trust your comments, you have never let me down. So today's question is this, when we are out looking for treasures, of course it is natural to buy what we love, how do you part with your finds ..... when it is an extra special piece? Thank you so much for your advice.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

I'm a Girl and I like Pink

2010-09-25T10:00:00.012-04:00

Happy Pink Saturday. I am joining Beverly @ How Sweet the Sound for a Pink-a-licious Party. Please click here to join.

I have never not liked pink. Honest. Although you can't tell by this photo of my sister and I (1969). It looks like my hand is forming a fist.......I just don't like having my picture taken. Or it might have been that I wasn't pleased with my mother's hair cutting job (notice the bangs). In this photo you just see my older sister and I, our younger sister posed in her pink outfit with our brother for their own photo shoot. When I outgrew my pinkalicious outfit, my sis was ready to pass hers down to me. That would have been 1970 or 71. Now I loved the outfit and yes I wore it with my white go-go boots (really really loved those boots) but our poor baby sister spent the next 5 years wearing the same outfit, first hers, then mine and then big sister's. I don't think she likes pink anymore.

I can't pass up a pink dish, especially when it is California Pottery, a favorite of mine..... as are both the lighter pink bowl and the plate and both Goodwill finds for $.99 cents each.

These pieces all have a pink edge. The Grandpa cup, the cup and saucer with flowers and the little vase are from Germany and Austria. The plate is Blue Ridge.

Of course pink candlestick holders are a must. All four of these were antique mall finds ranging from $2.00 to $15.00 for the one front right. In the right tablescape design, they are beautiful.

I found this plate years ago at Goodwill. It was produced by Salem and is appropriately called Pink Bamboo. It has taken me the past three years to find 3 more plates. I know I could probably find them online, but it feels like cheating. The thrill is in the treasure hunt.

Here is an impromptu (hastily assembled from dishes at the shop) tablescape. Pink glass salad plates are matched with the Salem plates and 2 mismatched pink glasses. The only thing that ties this vignette together is that it is all vintage and pink.

So please visit Beverly and see what everyone else is sharing. I must confess that I take my time visiting the blogs. It is a very relaxing way to spend the evening and Sunday morning. Visiting with blogging buddies always puts me in a good mood and really ........ how fun is that! Thank you to all that participate and stop by for a visit.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Vintage Fungi

2010-09-22T21:38:00.011-04:00

You know how I love orange............even better when it is orange mushrooms!! You may recall my love affair with mushrooms when I showed these beauties (Please click here) and again (click here). But just when you thought I couldn't possibly find any more VINTAGE ORANGE MUSHROOMS, I did. You know I could. I thought the folks over at Vintage Thingie Thursdays would enjoy my colored little fungi, so I am joining Suzanne @Coloradolady for her party. (Please click here for the party or see the button on my sidebar).Hope you all enjoy.

First I wanted to show this poster of the three ladies and a lawnsale. I found it years ago at the Christmas Tree Shop of all places. I was with my best friend and we were rolling in the aisles. Between her laughing and crying, she kept blurting out "That is so you". It was decided that since I was the only Blonde in our group, I would be the Blonde one in the poster. The poster isn't vintage, but everything pictured at the lawn sale is, right down to the paper tablecloth.

I think I may have had something similar for one of my birthday parties in the 70's. Nothing says "Let's Party" than orange mushrooms.

This summer I found at a lawnsale, some rubber, yes rubber, not plastic, mushrooms. I have no idea what they were used for originally. I am using them as part of my "Orange Daze" display at my shop. You can see the mushrooms peeking out of the green basket.

Here is a close-up.

How about an orange mushroom tile....... You can see in the background, my previously shown mushroom pot.

That was a sauce pan, I needed a fry pan to complete the look. I found this harvest gold with orange mushrooms beauty. Doesn't it make you want to get right in the kitchen to start cooking. Surely, everything must taste better when you have such a cute pan.........

Lawnsale find $.50 cents

No home can be complete without an embroidered wall hanging with yarn. I remember doing several of these types of kits as a kid. I still have a clown one that took me forever to complete. I may need to pull it out to post. Hey there is an idea. I think next Vintage Thingie Thursday it will be vintage (scary, oh so scary) clowns. Until then, please be sure to join Suzanne today and all the other Vintage Thingie Thursday folks for a little fun.

Lawnsale find $.25 cents

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Red Red Roses

2010-09-22T09:07:00.014-04:00

Plaster of Paris Red Rose wall hanger.

Oh My Love is Like a Red Red Rose by Robert Burns

O, my Luve's like a red, red rose,
That's newly sprung in June.
O, my Luve's like a melodie
That's sweetly play'd in tune.

As fair as thou, my bonnie lass,
So deep in luve am I;
And I will love thee still, my dear,
Till a' the seas gang dry.

Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi' the sun:
I will love thess till, my dear,
While the sands o' life shall run:

And fare thee well, my only luve!
And fare thee weel, a while!
And I will come again, my luve,
Tho' it ware ten thousand mile.

I have a terrible memory; however, I can proudly say that there are a few things I can actually recite from memory, in their entirety. This poem by Robert Burns, considered Scotland's National Bard is one. I was first introduced to this poem in my seventh grade literature class. I loved how it sounded, the lilt of the phrases, and how I used my best Scottish accent while reciting. (Actually not so much my best accent, but serviceable........ I mean you could tell at least it was suppose to be Scottish.)

By the way, the other things I can recite include Psalm 23 and The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere by Longfellow. I guess both of those say a lot about me.

Today is Wednesday is Rednesday, and I am joining Sue @ It's a Very Cherry (School) World, for a little red fun. (Please click here to visit Sue and the other participants). Nothing says red more than roses, so that is what I am sharing today, vintage style of course.

Here is a vintage Avon Rose Pin.

I know I just showed this vase for Pink Saturday with Beverly, but for those of you who didn't see see it, here it is pink with roses and quite the odd choice for the inside glaze of the vase. That I like the quirkiness of the vase, also says a lot about me.

Well that's all for today. Promise though, when you read the poem, try saying it with a Scottish accent. Go ahead try it. Trust me, it is fun.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Feeling Rosy Pink Today

2010-09-18T07:15:00.013-04:00

*******Sorry for delay in posting. Internet problems**********

Good morning. It is a beautiful fall day and the morning began with a rosy sunrise, so all is right with the world. Today I have the pleasure of joining Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday. To stop by and visit all the other wonderful pinkness that the other participants are showing, please click here.

Although my house at the moment doesn't have much pink, I can't resist purchasing this color, after all, I am a girly girl that loves her pink. So let's see what I have today.

This first piece is a fun little pink vase with red roses, another love of mine. What makes it interesting is the glaze used on the inside of the vase. Let's just say, it is an interesting juxtaposition of color and style. It is quirky and perhaps a tad on the garish side, so of course I had to get it.

I love my aluminium pieces. (Please click here to see my collection) These are pretty pink pieces, marked Boscal Anodized Aluminium. I now own two, just these two, but am looking for more. The hunt for pink is on. I love a challenge.

For something a little dainty, these pink shoe stretchers. Wouldn't they look adorable with pink ballet shoes?

I have had this piece for years. I love the combo of cream and rose along with the scalloped edge. It does not have any markings.

Last but not least is this little kitty, obviously meant for a February birthday. I remember growing up, all the "month" collectibles that were available, figurines, plates and flower paintings. These types of pieces just aren't made today, but the vintage ones I find sell quickly in the shop. Sorry Nancy, my sister, you won't be getting this kitty for your birthday, it just sold.

Please remember to visit all the other participants for today and have yourselves some pink fun.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Seeing Red and how do you handle a shoplifter?

2010-09-15T09:43:00.019-04:00

(My shop entrance 8 School street, Gorham, Maine)

I am seeing red today and not just because it is Wednesday is Rednesday over with Sue @ Its a Very Cherry World. Thank goodness, Sue always throws a swell party and I could use a little cheering up. Before I explain, let me show you a little red fun at my shop. Come on in, the open flag is out.

I know, I know, what is the first rule of refinishing furniture, TAKE A BEFORE PHOTO! Honestly, though, I am always so anxious to begin the project, that I just dive in and start scrapping and sanding. This little red side table did not look like this, just a week ago. it is a lawnsale find for $1.00, it was filthy and the paint was chipping off and not in a desirable shabby chic way. Three coats of carnival red oil paint later, I have this cute little functional piece perfect for the kitchen or even a bathroom.

For the moment it holds a few red treasures. I like to group my vignettes by color.

This is an Animal Cracker tin from 1979. A lawnsale find for $.50 cents.

I love this little black & red tin, Salvation Army for $1.99. Marked Made in England.

And I really love, love, love this red & black cookie tin! Same day, same Salvation Army store, for $.29 cents. I am starting to enjoy my runs to SA, but don't worry, I will always stay true to Goodwill.

This step stool was a lawnsale find for $2.00 and it needed work. A little spray paint and a new seat cover was all it took to go from drab to fab.

For my shop, I tend to go for small furniture pieces as smaller scaled items fit better in a dorm room or first apartment. Remember, I am in a college town. This past weekend was the first full weekend of the kids back in school, and back in town. My shop was packed all day. Needless to say, I was one very happy gal. But it wasn't just the college crowd at the shop, there were lots of folk my age as well.

One of those ladies in fact bought quite a bit from me. She was parked directly in front of the shop and I noticed her New York Plates. Being close to Sebago Lake, a tourist destination, we get a lot of out-of-state traffic through town. While she was in the shop, I was busy putting out new jewelry that I had just finished pricing. I was working on pricing some books, when the lady brought her pile up to cash out....$133.00, paid with cash. Yup I was happy, happy, happy. Then the lady left along with a necklace and 4 rings, not paid for, the ones that had only been on the shelf for ten minutes. Really, you have cash for other items, and you still have to steal. Really, my shop is a one room little business venture, and you feel the need to steal. I was upset. My first shoplifter, and I know not my last.

At first I was angry. Then sad. It had been a beautiful necklace made of 50 rhinestone buttons. Then I totally rearranged my shop to move the jewelry display case right next to the cash register. Lesson learned. So here is the question: How do you handle shoplifters? How do you make your shop a little safer? I know I am asking the right folks, so any suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks.

Please don't forget to stop over and say hi to Sue and visit all the other folks showing Red.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Pink Saturday & Remembereance of 9/11

2010-09-10T23:08:00.011-04:00

Thank you Beverly @ How Sweet the Sound for hosting Pink Saturday today (click here), not as a party but a celebration of life; for giving us a reason to put on our pretty pink lipstick and smile, and say howdy to our fellow bloggers; ones that have become more than just a name on a post, they are true friends that we haven't yet met. For this day of remembrance of our how lives were irrevocably changed nine years ago, we need to think of rosy thoughts and not dwell on the overwhelming sadness of that day, or if not, we shall certainly be consumed by despair. As we honor the lives that were lost that fateful day, we must also cherish each new life that has since begun, as they bring hope for a better tomorrow.

(A little vintage pink and blue planters, perfect for the nursery).

Look at these rosy pink cheeks and innocent eyes that look upon the world with wonder and awe. Let us teach our little ones to share their toys with others, not to call each other bad names, and to all play nice with playmates. If we all did that now as adults, the world would be a very happy playground.

(Vintage pink gloves)

But for today, September 11th, please join hands in silent prayer, to remember those whose lives were lost that day and the lives that have since been lost. Place your hand over your heart and with pride, recite the Pledge of Allegiance. With a hand raised, salute the military personnel and all other security forces that keep us safe at a great cost to themselves and their families.

At first Portland, Maine seemed so far removed from what was happening in New York City nine years ago today. Then we learned that two of the hijackers actually stayed in a hotel in South Portland, only a few miles from my home. They flew out of the Portland Jetport and I could have seen their plane fly overhead. Suddenly the world seemed a smaller place.

(Pink frosted glass from the fifties and a small pink vase marked with the outline of the Empire State Building and the words Worlds Fair 1940).

We will never forget what took place that day at the Pentagon in Washington D.C, a field in Pennsylvania, or at the Twin Towers in New York City. Nor should we. Like all horrific events in history, it must be remembered and respected, to not be repeated. But we must also look to the promise of a better future, and so I raise a glass in a toast to this day's rosy sunrise, to a new day, and to a new beginning.

Thank you to Beverly and all the other folks participating today for Pink Saturday. Life goes on, one pink baby step at a time.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Barnyard Bash

2010-09-10T10:36:00.003-04:00

Moooooooove on over, all you other parties, there is a new one in town. Actually in the barn to be exact. Happier Than a Pig in Mud is hosting the first Barnyard Bash (click here to see all the other hens a' clucking at the party) Now I am a city girl, although I do garden and like to be outdoors in the dirt, I wouldn't know how to milk a cow if I ever tried. However, when I saw this sad little cow at Goodwill, I knew she had to come home with me.

Her little tag simply states "So you think you've got troubles". It took me a second to realize why the poor ole girl was crying.

She was stepping on her udder. I would be crying too!

I have always loved lambs. Since my daughter's birthday is in April, she has a collection of stuffed rabbits and lambs. I just think they are also a perfect decoration for any nursery. This little lamb planter would look especially cute planted with "Lamb's Ears".

But hey, since we are celebrating with Happier than a Pig in Mud, it is only fitting to show a little piggie cuteness. This little guy stands guard for my cloth napkins, but he has also been a letter holder. Unfortunately, most of the envelopes were bills and he just hated that ...... so back to holding napkins.

Now this next little piggie has let fame go to his head. He thinks he was featured in C. Dianne Zweig's book, Hot Kitchen Collectibles of the 30's, 40's & 50's. (A must have book) Shhhh, Please don't tell him that it was actually his cousin. Hey, every pig deserves his time in the spotlight.

Since I showed the little guy above a second time in a post, this next pair wanted to come back again for a visit. They were just visiting Beverly @ How Sweet the Sound this past Saturday for Pink Saturday. A few of the day's lovely comments suggested that these little fellas would be happy pigs joining up with Happier than a Pig in Mud. It went to their heads. But I have to admit that these little Japanese beauties are adorable. (They still have their original cork stoppers).

This is a fun little piggy bank. It looks like it is covered in real coins. They are all dated 1964. Even though I hadn't seen one like this before, it was his eyes and those little floppy ears that said take me home.

Please be sure to stop over and visit all the other party animals in the barnyards today, the kind this city girl doesn't mind one bit.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Pinkalicious Vintage Finds

2010-09-04T01:00:00.000-04:00

Oh Happy Pink Saturday. I have always enjoyed visiting Pink Saturday Posts and have always wanted to participate. Well today, I am doing just that. A big thank you to Beverly @ How Sweet the Sound for hosting this lovely pinkalicious gathering, (Click here for your invite).

For a girly girl like me, finding something pink is not a problem. Let's start in the kitchen shall we, with this pair of cute little pink piggie salt n pepper shakers.

Actually, with them sitting on the kitchen table, staring at you, it makes it hard to eat your bacon.

I just love this Russel Wright - Steubenville casserole dish. It is really more than a dish, it is a piece of art. The way the lid handles turn up, and the bottom handles are down turned, I am not embarrassed to say, it makes for one sexy stylish piece of pottery. What makes it even more appealing to me, is that is was a Goodwill find for $4.99.

Russel Wright (April 3, 1904 – December 21, 1976) was an American Industrial designer during the 20th century. Beginning in the late 1920s through the 1960s, Russel Wright created a succession of artistically distinctive and commercially successful items that helped bring modern design to the general public.

Wright is best known for his colorful American Modern dinnerware, the most widely sold American ceramic dinnerware in history, manufactured between 1939 and 1959 by Steubenville Pottery in Steubenville, Ohio.

Still visiting in the kitchen, is this fabulous, still in its original packaging, never used, bread slicer. You would place the piece of bread in the metal holder and then use the knife to slice down to make two perfectly thin sliced pieces. When making your cucumber and watercress party sandwiches, a girl has to have thin slices. Don't forget to cut off the crusts.

My favorite pink kitchen utensil is this wonderful egg beater from the 50's. You have seen my collection of green and red painted handle utensils, quite popular and readily available at flea markets and church sales. I have never seen a handle that is pink and black. Makes me want to change out my kitchen with a new color scheme just to match this egg beater.

Pink in my sewing room. Here are a few finished yo-yo's for a baby's quilt I am making. I first learned how to sew these yo-yo's or what I call puckers when I was 10. Over the years, I literally have made thousands. Here is a hint. A plastic coffee can lid makes the perfect pattern for the perfect size pucker.

Remember at the start of August, I spent my birthday doing some "Thrift Shopping". One of the places I visited was Salvation Army. On that day, I found a cute little yellow canister for only $.79. It wasn't till I got home, that I realized something was inside the can.

Here she is in all her pink deliciousness.!!!!

Here is what the bottom looks like. Now I have some ideas as to what she might be, but I would really love to hear from you as to what this lovely lady was used for, thank you in advance for your help.

So that is my pink today. I am glad to be sharing with you for this most colorful party. Makes me want to get out my pink ruffles and bright pink lipstick and go have some pink fun visiting everyone at the party. Thank you Beverly for hosting. See you there.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Baked Bean Recipe & Vintage Bean Pots

2010-08-30T10:24:00.017-04:00

"Old Hickory" Stoneware Lidded Casserole Dish - Old Hickory Pottery Co.

Growing up, Saturday night supper was always Baked Beans and all the fixin's that went with a proper baked bean supper. For my family that included brown bread, hot dogs, coleslaw and clam casserole, the latter one being a nod to our Maine roots. My childhood, the 60's & 70's, was a time when things were changing faster than anything experienced in previous decades. With the aroma of the oven baked beans and the grilled onions on the stove top filling the kitchen, no matter how violent the evening night news with Walter Cronkite, the baked bean supper was a comforting tradition. No need to ask what was cooking, if it was Saturday, it was beans, and a sense of stability in my little world.

My mother's beans are widely acclaimed by bean aficionados. At the monthly Church Baked Bean Suppers, hers were always the first to get eaten. Folks recognized their favorites by their respective crock pots, casserole dishes or by their bean pot, the only true way to bake beans. Mom's recipe as well as the bean pot they were baked in, were both from Grandma Benner, my father's mother and I don't think Dad ever got tired of eating those beans. For Dad it was beans for supper Saturday night, a bean sandwich for breakfast Sunday morning and leftovers on Wednesday night.

Now what we cook up here in Maine is the traditional Boston Baked Beans, quite fitting as we were part of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts right up through 1820. You have to be patient when baking beans, it is the slow oven cooking that provides just the right authentic texture and taste. So today I am sharing a tried and true Baked Bean recipe for Tuesdays at the Table with Cole @ All the Small Stuff. (Click here or see the button on my sidebar.) I am also joining Suzanne at Vintage Thingie Thursdays with my collection of Bean Pots. You can visit Suzanne (here) or see the button on my sidebar. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the parties. Hope that you enjoy.

Boston Baked Beans

Ingredients:

16 ounces (2 cups) dry navy beans

2 quarts cold water

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup molasses

1/3 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon dry mustard

4 ounces salt pork

1 medium onion, chopped (or my mom would cut the onion in half and placed it at the bottom of the pot)

Rinse beans; add to water in saucepan. Bring to boiling and simmer 2 minutes; remove from heat. Cover; let stand 1 hour. (Or add beans to cold water; soak overnight.) Add salt to beans and water; cover and simmer till beans are tender, about 1 hour. Drain, reserving liquid. Measure 2 cups liquid, adding water if needed; mix with molasses, brown sugar, and mustard. Cut salt pork in half; score one half. Grind or thinly slice remainder. In 2-quart bean pot or casserole (I prefer the bean pot), combine beans, onion and ground salt pork. Pour molasses mixture over. Top with scored pork. Cover; bake in 300 oven for 5 to 7 hours. Add more liquid if needed, save your water from the boiling stage to use. Makes 8 servings.

Of course no Baked Bean Supper would be complete without Boston Brown Bread. Yum Yum.

Boston Brown Bread

This is best made the night before.

Sift together 1 cup sifted rye flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon soda, and 1 teaspoon salt; stir in 1 cup cornmeal, 1 cup whole wheat flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon allspice. Add 2 cups buttermilk, 1 cup raisins, and 3/4 cup dark molasses; beat well. Divide batter among 4 greased and floured 16-ounce fruit or vegetable cans (labels removed). Cover tightly with foil. Place on rack in deep kettle; add boiling water to depth of 1 inch (cans should not be resting in water). Cover; steam 3 hours, adding more boiling water if needed. Bread is done when it has risen almost to fill the can and the center has puffed slightly. (If center remains indented, steam 15 minutes or so more). Cool 10 minutes. Remove bread, best done by removing bottom of can and pushing bread out of can. Wrap; store overnight. Makes 4.

Bean Pots, not just used for cooking, I actually decorate with the ones that I have collected here and there. Here are a few of my pieces.

The cream colored bean Pot is McCoy. I was pleased to find it with the lid. Unfortunately, lids are always a casualty of being dropped one time too many or being chipped or just plain misplaced.

I love finding bean pots or any crock for that matter with words or other markings.

The bean pot in the center is marked E. Swasey Company. In 1890, Ebon Swasey established a crockery and glassware company in Portland, Maine. It remained in business until the Great Depression. During its operation, it turned out thousands of crocks and bean pots, each distinctly marked E. Swasey Co.

These are my two favorite pieces. The E. Swasey bean pot in the front is only 3 inches high and is complete with lid. This came from my father and is truly priceless. The B&M bean pot is dear to me because it also represents Portland, Maine. Burnham & Morrill Co. was founded by George Burnham and Charles S. Morrill. Its first products included canned meats, specifically mutton, pork, clams and lobster, along with canned vegetables. It wasn't until the 1920's that B&M began experimenting with Brick Oven Baked Beans. Today, B & M still bakes it beans the traditional way, a seven hour process, in open pots, in a brick oven.

I hope that you enjoy your baked beans and like my vintage bean pot collection. Please be sure to stop by to see Cole and all the other tasty recipes that folks there are showing.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie