Parlor Progress -Outside Edition

This three day weekend without rain was our chance to take the front doors down and strip them. I hate stripper and dislike the heat gun, so I worked on getting as much paint as I could off with the heat gun. They are big, double doors with beveled glass. The hardware is 1/2 painted over. We like the doorknob and old doorbell so we will save them. When we first moved in and started painting I wish we had stripped the door-hindsight is 20/20! I didn't know then that a white door always looks dirty, even when you scrub it. I wanted a stained front door. And soon I will have one. I had started to take the paint off on the inside first and we decided to do the outside, too. DH took out the glass and did the lion's share of the work with the stripper.

He got all of the paint off the old doorbell. It's never worked - but after playing with it for a while- he's got it ringing. I can't wait to see it back on the door. Now I have to think about the curtains. The old lacy curtains were so nasty- I should burn them. But, they did give us some privacy. The light coming in the window is so cheerful that I almost hate to put anything up there!

Wordless Wednesday

We Remember

My family genealogy project this year has impressed upon me the amount of sacrifice that my ancestors made to get me in this place. Thank you all....... I have rediscovered veterans of many wars that came before me, some I knew well and some that had been lost for generations.

Show and Tell Sunday - China

This week the topic is China, Silver and Crystal. Since I've never met a piece of china I didn't like, I'm going to stick to china! And most of the things I took pictures of are thrift store finds ....so cheap china!?!? Starting with my current favorite tea cup, it's not old -I did get it in a thrift store and I often drink my morning and 4:00 tea in this cup!

Next I went up to the guest room where I found this plate almost falling off the wall...Ooooppps.. must fix that. When I found these five little plates they became the inspiration for the colors of the room.

Just found these little plates about a month ago. Love the aqua.

And more aqua- do you think I like that color because I used it in my wedding?
My true love is blue! We eat off of Blue Willow everyday. Any blue and white piece of china is welcome to live at my house. I also am attracted to small creamers- really love white ones- why? Don't know....don't care...it's just unconditional love!

Turn of the century Upper Hanley English China- Trellis pattern. I bought my first piece at Angel's, my favorite shopping place. It was crazed, stained and chipped -did not matter- It was love at first sight.

OK -the Spode did not come from a thrift store...I can make an exception for an occasional piece of china that is more pricey (especially if it is a gift !)

More little creamers that followed me home....

This little creamer came home because it had some relatives hanging on my kitchen wall...

The middle plate was one of my first thrift store plates (it has a chip)...before I knew it there were 3 ...then 5.....and so on...

Thanks for visiting! Be sure to go by Analise at Sugar*Sugar to see more people who love china!

Mail Call

Mom called to tell me to look for a box in the mail. I was down by the door talking to a friend when the mailman pulled up, so I met him at the truck and told him that I already knew he had a box for me! It looks like Santa came! Let's take a closer look...

Spools, bobbins, tags, pin cushion(made by Betty @ She's Sew Pretty), and a Victorian looking stocking.....Some of these should look familiar because they are handmade by bloggers!

Buttons and more buttons- tiny buttons sent to my Mom from my Aunt Em - Military buttons from my Dad's Air Force Uniform..... Lace and a stack of doillies...hydrangea dish towels....crochet thread...
A better look at the doillies.. How many? 15 And tags made by Becca!

A vintage tablecloth, hot pink doily , a frog, napkins - still in their box! Books!

Pheasants- I have a "thing" about them- just wait until fall!

And finally a sweet little Santa boot! Thanks Mom! I'm going to play with my new toys now!

Old Book Sale

I haven't had time lately for much thrift shopping because the sewing room is overflowing. Alterations for upcoming weddings, monograms for graduation and wedding gifts, and some pleated drapes - all need to be finished ASAP! But, I did go to book sale and found these treasures! 1963 cookbook from The University of Alabama, 1942 children's Christmas carol book, 1887 book of short stories by Washington Irving and 1865 book on moral science by Francis Wayland.

Inside the short story book I discovered a Victorian trading card, a newspaper clipping and a really faded and shiny photo of a Victorian gentleman and his dog. I wish he could talk! I wonder if he is the author?

The illustrator of the children's book is Masha. I love the sweet pictures. I have another book by this illustrator that has poetry. I think they would make great framed prints in a nursery. The poetry book is in pretty bad shape. I could cut it up, but this book is in great shape and even though it was only $2- I could not cut it up!

I got another great treasure box from Mom today. After I take pictures I'll show you all the loot! Playing with al that stuff will keep me home and out of the stores this week!

Wordless Wednesday

Parlor Progress and Getting Ready for Graduation

This weekend we had some pre-graduation events, Baccalaureate and Awards Day, for Son#3. B has made a commitment to the Army National Guard. He has already completed Basic Training (during the summer of his junior year) and will report for Advanced Training in September. Here he is accepting his Army scholarship. He should get to start college in January. He also got an FFA Senior Officer Scholarship.

Meanwhile we are still plugging along in the parlor. The picture moulding is up.

The mirror is back in the mantle.

And the pocket doors have been stained. All due to the hard work of my favorite handyman! This weekend we plan on stripping the front door. I have started to use the heat gun on it- what a mess!

Show and Tell Sunday -Vintage Linens

It's Show and Tell Sunday again and this week the topic is vintage linens. I don't think of myself as a collector of linens, but more of a user of vintage linens. I have some from my family, some from yard sales and flea markets - but most of them are around the house being used and loved. Many have holes and stains that show their years of use, but that makes me appreciate them even more. Plus- I don't have to worry about my family spilling stuff on them!

Tablecloths.....
Hand towels......

This napkin is from a hotel that was 6 blocks from our house. Sadly it has been torn down.I love anything with a handmade touch- embroidery, crochet..

Huge handmade tablecloth I found at a thrift shop for $2.99!!!!

Quilts....

PillowcasesAnd finally when I find vintage linens that have too many holes then I save the good parts by making pillows.....

If you want to see really big collections of vintage linens be sure to check out Cherri at Little Pink Studio for the list of links.