Mirror, mirror, on my wall

I picked up this mirror at a garage sale a couple of weeks ago. It once sat atop an old dresser that was long gone. I love the size and the shape. The finish was rough. I hate to paint perfectly good pieces, but this was a candidate for a little paint TLC.

I took off the back and the mirror is stamped January '20. I knew it was old, just not that old. I very carefully took the mirror out of the frame and cleaned it up good. I think the streaky imperfections are just right.

A coat of primer and a couple coats of black paint later I think it's gorgeous. I plan on putting it in my office.

Joy

On my wall

I have this affinity for old platters and odd plates. I try to imagine where they've been and what they've held during their time.The one at the very top was a thrift find and it weighs a ton. Quite a bit of the gold around the rim has worn away and it has a chip in the edge. It's had a hard life.

The one in the middle on the left has been with me for years. I'm sure I picked it up at a garage sale years ago. Somebody, besides me, had loved this platter. I adore the shape with the delicate rose band.

On the top right, that's my granny's platter. I can't remember a meal that she didn't eat off of it. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and holidays, she always used it. It isn't very big at all. In my mind I can still see her one biscuit, piece of sausage, and gravy on that platter. She's been gone almost 23 years.

In the center is the plate rack I bought the other day filled with mismatched little bread and butter plates and saucers. I understand now why it was sold. The plates have to have an absolutely flat back or they try to flip out. It was easy enough to solve with a little tape and care.

What's on your walls?

Open House

Welcome! Come on up the sidewalk.Don't mind the cat. He's just hanging out.Go ahead. Ring the doorbell.I'll leave you to wander around and look. If you have any questions, just ask.







This way to the dining room.








I hope you enjoyed your tour.

One of these days I'll finish getting stuff on the walls, my lampshade covered, etc. Until then, I just keep tweaking. Eventually stuff will land where I like it.

If you feel the need...

For holiday decorating stuff, there are some crazy good sales on Christmas decor going on right now.

A few days ago Target was at 50% off. I've no idea what it is now. I bought little wreaths for $1.25 each and this cute little bird.
Mom and I went to Hobby Lobby today and found all Christmas stuff at 80% off. I got a $70 wreath for $14. My front door will thank me. It needs more 'stuff' and then it's going to be perfect.
Wal-Mart, the store we love to hate, is up to 75% off. Ornaments, red bows, and candle-hickies followed me home.

My favorite scoop of all was from Statuary World. Here's what $33 got me.

A sweet snow angel.
Snowman candle holder.
Set of four carolers.
Santa on a spring.
10 piece nativity.
Three mini snowman plates with plate rack.
Snowman that doesn't do anything but look cute.
Another snowman candle holder. That's not all of it. I also got a big star, a couple of cute signs, and a couple of ornaments.
And if that wasn't enough, I went back today and picked up these and a bunch more stuff for $14. I think I can safely say I'm ready to decorate next year. Of course I'll need to start in October just to get it all out.

Before I forget, look what I found in the dumpster last night. I heard it clink when I threw my bag in and I decided to investigate. By investigate, I mean I climbed inside the dumpster in my jammies and slippers.It's a Hazel Atlas Williamsport Square Punch Bowl from the 60s. It weighs a ton. Sadly there were no cups or ladle. Fortunately, I already had 6 cups. Bwahahaha!

For all the trouble I had getting out of the dumpster, I think it was worth it.

It's beginning to look a little like Christmas

In lieu of the insanely early Black Friday madness, I slept late and stayed home most of the day tinkering with my toys. I'm not a decorator and don't play one on the Internet.

The mantle arrangement is a bunch of wooden spools, a little bit of velum, package garland, and battery operated tea lights. I stole this one from my mom. She did the same thing on her TV cabinet. Very cute.Every year I buy us each a new ornament. DH always seems to get Santa fishing.This is what I ended up with on the treadle. I'm not sure I'm 100% happy with it yet. Since taking this picture I put the rest of the package garland around the base of the hurricaine.
This bucket came from the inlaws. I don't remember where they had it in the house, but I thought it would look okay holding fake poinsettias.
My favorite this year. The candle holder is an old lamp shade made out of heavy glass. The runner is old and smells like starch. Well it should, I starched it. LOL! This mess is sitting on my $2 coffee table (an old tool chest from a garage sale nearly 15 years ago).
Another decoration from years past. I'm not sure if this is one I got for DH or for myself.
Have you started decorating?

Linen corner

I had a small spurt of decorating inspiration this morning.

With the wringer attached to the washtub, we now have a place for vintage aprons and a washboard. I'm not sure I'll have room for the ironing board, assuming I ever find it.

Sadly or gladly, depending on whether or not you're doing the laundry, I found another box with runners, doilies, embroidered items, and flour sacks. I found the rug beaters that started the whole search, but they'll be show-n-tell another time.

I had found 2 yards of blue ticking patterned fabric a while back. I washed it before noticing a couple of stained spots which didn't come out. Right now it's in a bucket being tea stained. I hope to make curtains out of it.

Goodies I've found lately

I promised to share pictures of my most recent thrift shop finds. In addition to a denim jacket, a bag of lace/eyelet trim and two old aprons, here's a bit of what I found.

Butterfly quilt blocks to applique, $1.50. There are 27 of these and another 20 or so cut. One of these days I'm going to come across a whole quilt and not one I have to make myself. LOL.













A felt tree skirt that begs for embellishment, 25 cents. If you click on it please ignore the lint and thread on my floor. Obviously I should be cleaning house instead of posting here. :)













Five 100% wool sweaters, 50 cents each. I'm going to make a felt bag if it's the last thing I do.













An entire bag full of jar decorations, $1.00.
Valentine theme: two different hearts, LOVE, and a teddy bear.

















Halloween theme: black cat, ghost, jack-o-lantern, and witch.

















Fall theme: corn, leaf, scarecrow, and turkey.

















Easter theme: bunny, carrot, Easter egg, pot of tulips.

















Christmas theme: Santa, snowman, gingerbread man, and tree.

















An Atlas Strong Shoulder pint canning jar complete with zinc lid, 50 cents. The buttons are also a thrift shop find. I think those were a dime. There aren't very many yet.

















The thrift shop is changing. Someone new is doing the pricing and I've noticed that the deals aren't so good anymore. A 25 cent apron is costing 50 cents to a dollar now. A little bag of trim that use to be 50 cents is now up to a dollar or more. I know that doesn't seem like much, but I'm a tightwad.

Rumor has it that someone working there is getting first choice on stuff and she pays minimum price for it and then puts it up on Ebay. While I suppose there isn't anything wrong with it, it doesn't seem quite fair if you know what I mean.

It's going to be interesting to see how the shop does once all of the good deals are gone. One of the ladies that works there said that people don't seem to buy anything any more. I remarked that the prices had gone up and she agreed that things were priced too high and she had tried to tell them, but they think it's a good idea. Maybe, maybe not.