Blue or Bleu?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Large gorgeous platter, need I say more.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Aqua Thriftiness

Aqua, how do I love thee, let me count the ways. But before I start counting, let me invite you all to join these two fabulous parties, Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays with Linda @ Coastal Charm and Vintage Thingie Thursdays with Suzanne @ Coloradolady. (Please click on the links here or go to their buttons located on my sidebar. Thanks) Between these two parties, there are countless thrifty treasures to be enjoyed. Speaking of counting, here is Number One.

I just love everything in this photo. Three pieces are marked McCoy and the tall kind of fluted vase is not marked but is definitely USA and was a Goodwill find for $1.99 as was the taller of the two plant pots for $3.99. The smaller round planter was one I recently found at a lawnsale for $2.00. (I almost felt like I stole it.) The rectangular planter is also a lawnsale find from last year at $1.50. Let's not forget about the tray, it is a bed tray that I found for $.50 cents.

Number Two. I was absolutely giddy when I found this bowl and serving utensils at a lawn sale a couple of weeks ago. It was an extremely hot morning and the sales had been full of sports equipment and kid's clothing. Then I found this sale. Mom was moving in with daughter and had to downsize. There was mostly new stuff but there in the corner of the garage, mixed in with plastic take out containers was this be-still-my-heart beauty. The color, Gorgeous, the white squiggly lines, How Divine. Both the fork and spoon were dirty but I knew salvageable. Hesitantly I asked how much for the bowl and utensils. Surely, it would be more than I would be willing to spend ...... she replied "Would .75 cents be okay?" Honestly, don't you just feel like you are stealing? But hey I didn't offer that price but gladly took it. I gave her $1.00 and told her to keep the change.

Aqua and squiggly lines, what more can a girl ask for?

Number Three. I know I showed you this tin before, but it needs revisiting. I was at a lawnsale that again had mostly new stuff including an impressive inventory of woman's shoes. The shoes were beautiful and were being sold for $10-25 dollars a pair. So when I found this tin filled with shiny brite ornaments, again I expected a high purchase price. The lady said $2.00 for the ornaments and that I could have the tin for free as it was being tossed out anyway. I don't know which I loved more, the tin or the shiny brites.

Number Four. Pyrex bowls and plate. The large casserole dish was a Goodwill find for $2.99. The smaller one in the Butterprint pattern was a lawnsale find for $1.00. Both the Pyrex dinnerware and the wooden handle utensils were from Goodwill, each $.99 cents. You have seen my kitchen and know that everything I have just shown would look fabulous there in my kitchen, so why is it in my shop? Two reasons. First, I only buy what I love and would use, and not just buy something I don't like because it is cheap. Secondly, I am trying to downsize a little myself and am being good about what is coming into the house.

Number Five. Music themed wall hangings which would look gorgeous against a white/cream wall. I am always drawn to anything music related. Music is a big part of my family. My daughter plays 4 instruments and sings, her father plays three and is a proper tenor.

That is 5 reasons why I love aqua but not all the reasons. I will save the rest for another post. I want to have time to go visit Linda and Suzanne. Be sure you stop by and say hello.

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie

Welcome to my shop

My shop officially opened on July 10th. My apologies, I have been trying to post since the 11th. Between life in general and still working 40 hours at my "real job" and then all the hours at the shop, or spent getting things ready for the shop, it has been a bit hectic. I finally have gotten caught up on everything and now can go forward, that is until the holiday season. As tired and busy that I am, I AM HAVING THE TIME OF MY LIFE!!! Thank you for your patience.

Welcome to my Shop. (Sorry Bad Hair Day, curse this humidity!) Please let me show you around.

Doorway view of the shop. I made the curtains out of scraps of fabric and trim. I wanted them to look like aprons. What can be more vintage fun than red pom poms!

I am so very happy! So very, very, very HAPPY!!! I had customers. I had paying customers. I had paying customers with lovely comments!!!! Can you tell that I am happy? Last Saturday, not even pouring rain or having to walk up a flight of stairs kept people away. Of course I expected friends and family, but was so happy to meet and greet new folks. It was a pleasure to meet fellow blogger Julie of Dog Trot Farm who knew of my open house through A Conversation at Goodwill. Several other local bloggers have commented that they will be stopping by this summer and I so look forward to meeting them all.

It was interesting to see what items sold and was surprised in some cases. My Moose leg lamp (yes a real Moose leg) sold to a college student attending the Maine Maritime Academy. She couldn't wait to take it to her dorm room. After all, nothing says Maine more than a Moose leg lamp. A 10 year old girl bought my old Royal Typewriter. She just loved the sound that the keys made. The jewelry and clothing have been huge sellers along with Pyrex and cookbooks. I never get tired of hearing my customers say "My Nana or Aunt or Mom had that same vase, dish or apron. The shop has generated some happy childhood recollections for the folks that have stopped by to visit. I already feel like a success with just those comments. It means that I am finding desirable pieces for the shop.

Having such a small space 14x15, I wanted to make use of the whole space but did not want it to look too busy or topple heavy. You know what I mean, when you go to shops that have so much stacked that you are afraid to pick something up for fear of causing an avalanche of plates, pottery and assorted glassware, all very breakable. So I created "rooms" cozy little vignettes as if you were visiting someone's home. I used old photos to identify each space. I have Mama's Kitsch'n full of Pyrex and aprons, Aunt Lu-Lu's Closet with jewelry and fashions, Road Trip featuring Vintage Souvenir pieces from Maine and around the country, and Papa's Study with old maps, photos and of course that 1930 Philco Radio I recently found at a lawn sale. In addition to these cornerstone vignettes, I have several displays that will totally change out at the start of each month.

I have created a new blog titled 2nd fl Thriftiques just for the store. It is there that I will be showing detailed photos of each of the displays and when new things hit the shop. Please click here to see detailed photos of Mama's Kitsch'n. I will next be sharing photos of Aunt Lu-Lu's Closet. Please be sure to stop by for a visit.

This is a little step stool that houses some light green pottery pieces. On top is my favorite color green egg basket. Sitting on the floor is a metal tray that I have had for years. Love the color but the center of the tray had a bit too much rust. Problem solved with a little bit of sanding, primer and chalkboard paint.

I have had this little grasshopper for years, and am ready, although still sad, to part with it. I must ask, how do you collectors/shop owners part with any treasure? That is the hard part for me.

I have a children's area. This little doll's crib needed a little TLC. I made the mattress from an old curtain and the pillow is from an old pillowcase that had seen better days.

This is my vintage wedding display. I have wedding cake toppers, beautiful hats in white and ivory along with gloves and pearls. I have it all displayed on my ashtray turned display stand that I previously showed. The whole display feels like a 3 tiered wedding cake. Come the start of August, this display will be changed out for a new collection.


This area is Nana's Pantry with crocks and jugs and blue & white dishes. Hanging on the wall above this display are 4 unused Ford 1986 wheel covers. I think they look great as artwork. The license plates are from a World War II London. They also make great artwork.



Above Nana's Pantry are shelves filled with McCoy, Haeger, Shawnee and Hull, all dark green.

This jelly cupboard houses my pastels. I especially love the aqua pieces on top.



A 1960's dress and pillbox hat.

Part of Aunt Lu-Lu's Closet.

In the center of the room, I have this fabulous table with 4 chairs. It may be sold any moment as I have 2 customers vying for it. For the moment it houses barware and glasses. I added a man's tuxedo cummerbund and tie along with ladies hat, gloves and evening bag, to set the tone for a "Night of Cocktails" for this display.

More photos to come, quickly, I promise.

I still can't believe that my dream to own a shop has become a reality. Honestly it was a lot of hard work but at the end of the day, I wouldn't have changed a thing. Thank you , Thank you, Thank You, to all of you who took the time to leave such wonderful comments in showing your support. Whether it was seeing your successful booths or shops for ideas, or just receiving your words of encouragement, you gave me the courage to try. I am grateful for your support.

Sherrie

A good haul for a weekend of lawn saleslaw

Well this weekend's sales were so much better than last week's, although the temperature was still just as hot. I filled up the car with goodies which is easy to do as my car is so small. Fortunately, it is 4 doors and I can creatively pack my treasures. It is like watching a dozen clowns come out of the small car at the circus when I start to unload, and unload, and unload.

My first sale of the day was at the Lion's Club annual sale. It started at 7:00 and I arrived there at 20 minutes before. I pull in just in time to see a truck pulling out, their first customer of the day. Now I still found a ton of treasures there so it makes me wonder just what other goodies I missed. Oh well. That is what I get for hitting that snooze button the second time. For the next 15 minutes I had the sale all to myself and found an old meat grinder, dishes, books, pottery and so much more, all for $20. The gentlemen running the sale were all in the 70's and they were cracking jokes and other such silly banter. I asked them if I should pay extra for the entertainment. They were delightful.

Okay, if you read my last post about my "sputnik" dishes and fried devilled eggs, you will recognize these plates as being the same pattern. My heart skipped a beat when I saw them, 10 plates for $.50 cents. Unfortunately, no cups. Nonetheless I was still pretty giddy about this find. I just think it is so funny that this is the second time that after posting about a certain collection, a week later I find more of that collection! I might have to post some of my other harder to find collections and see if it works.

The guys thought it was funny that I was going through a box of coat hangers that they were tossing out. I collect wooden hangers. The top hanger is from a store, sorry I didn't get a close-up of the store label, the bottom one is just a nice simple wooden hanger, and the fancy white one in the middle is my favorite.

It actually had a sticker on it marked Nevco Japan. The guys just gave me the hangers, after all, they thought they were just throw aways.


The photo does not do this vase justice. It it textured, gold, tan and white, the blue sticker you see at the top is marked West Virginia glass. Vase $.50 cents.


I love love love suitcases and will be using stacks of them in my shop for display. I got 2 suitcases, both Samsonite, both beauties, both for $1.00 each. They are in excellent shape and more importantly, no musty smell!!! That is one of the drawbacks to finding old suitcases.


I have been looking for an old lunch box for a vignette that I have planned and found this plaid beauty. It is solid; however, there is a lot of rust on the inside. But it will look perfect with my collection of Stanley Thermoses. The little bottle with the red metal cap was in a box of rusty nails and tin cans. Honestly, the whole box looked like trash, but that is why you have to be willing to dive in and dig. I took the photo before I had a chance to clean up both pieces.

This was my favorite find of that sale and for the whole day. A Philco radio. All its parts are intact and I should have taken a photo of the backside of the radio, the tubes are really cool looking. The radio can be tuned in for overseas and displays settings for Rome, Japan, South America and London. I didn't care if it worked, but was assured that it did. I plan on cleaning up the wood and knobs and using it for display only, anyway. I am researching the piece for the year it was produced. I then thought I would pull up historical information from that year, by certain dates and print it out as news bulletins to go with the radio in my shop. Just something for fun. The radio was $3.00.

This next piece came from a neighborhood lawnsale in Scarborough, that was a true neighborhood sale, with over 25 houses participating. I am not as familiar with the town and inadvertently went down the wrong road. The homes on this road overlooked the salt marshes and were easily all multi million dollar homes. When I saw the homes, I knew I had missed my turn, as these places didn't look like they did lawnsales. Oh my, can you imagine the treasures.

One of the houses from the neighborhood sale, was only selling plants and some garden stuff. The plants were nice; however, I knew that if I bought any, it would drastically reduce my cargo space in the car. Just as I was turning to leave, I noticed in the garage a shelving unit filled with the owner's own garden supplies, tools, gloves, plant pots. I could see this gorgeous blue and knew it was just not a pot from the Christmas Tree Shop. I asked the lady if she would be interested in selling it, that I just loved the color. She said yes and guessed that the price would be $1.50 like the other pots (the Christmas Tree Shop pots) that she was selling. I gave her $2.00 and told her to keep the change. I was feeling a little guilty. Here is the hard part. I love this color and it will look fabulous on a white table next to a glass jar filled with white shells, in my home. Or does it go in my shop?

Pickle server in its original box. $.25 cents. Church sale. To be the hostess with the mostess, one needs a pickle server, doesn't one.

My last find of the day. Neighborhood sale $8.00. Sewing machine base. I knew I could get it in the already stuffed-not-one-spec-of-available trunk- space-car, I knew I could, I knew I could. I would love to find just the right piece of wood, perhaps an old wooden sign, to make the top.

Yes, Saturday was a good day for lawnsales. Thanks for letting me show you a few of my finds. I am joining these fine ladies for a few vintage/thrifty finds parties. Won't you join me?

Just click below for your party invitation.

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality for Today's Thrifty Treasures
Linda @ Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays
Diane @ A picture is worth a 1,000 words for Second Time Around Tuesday
Suzanne @ Colorado Lady for Vintage Thingie Thursdays

I got it at Goodwill
Sherrie