Makes Me Smile

Do you ever buy things just because they make you smile?Even when you absolutely don't need them.I picked up these plastic summer dishes at the grocery store just because they make me smile. 

  Sometimes I end up taking things back because I feel guilty, but even though I knew I should ~ I didn't.I set them up on my dining room table and then really fell in love with them. 

  I found that they matched so many things I already owned and just had fun playing around with them ~ all the while ~ still fully intending to return them to the store.But ~ they matched my Goodwill pitcher and turquoiseBall jar. . .

and these sweet linens I bought to sell on Etsy. 

And one purchase usually leads to another and I ended up with these sweet little egg cups which matched these eggs I already had.  Can you see how I justify all of this unnecessary buying?

Day after day I walked by them sitting on my table, and every day they made me smile.  Before I knew it, they were in my sink and I was washing off the stickers and I knew then they were keepers.  

I guess, in the end, I don't have to understand or even justify why something makes me smile inside.  I just know that is a good thing, and that we can all use a little more smilingin our busy hectic lives.~Linking with The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays~A Stroll Thru Life for Table Top Tuesdays

Signs of Spring

The snowdrops have been blooming since January and the crocus weren't far behind.  But next comes another favorite sign of spring, which are the pussy willows.

Last fall I had the tree trimmers cut my pussy willow bush nearly down to the ground since it had grown higher than the house.  So that means, this spring I have very few branches to trim and bring inside.  But ~ there were just enough to fill this precious brown transferware vase that I can't remember now where and when I bought it.

As I change over my hutch for spring, I'm trying to fill it with my collection of bee items, and all things yellow and green.  But this corner of the hutch is still brown and white and fuzzy pussy willows.

Can spring be far behind?

Linking with 

A Stroll Thru Life for Table Top Tuesday

Teapot Love

I was looking online this evening trying to find information regarding a teapot I bought last summer at a yard sale.  I was hoping to list it on Etsy, but had no idea if it was vintage or had any value at all.

While browsing the internet, I got sidetracked looking at teapots on Etsy.  Would you believe they have 168 pages of vintage teapots, totaling 6,713 teapots?

Found more than a few that I loved and I don't even like tea.  It would be so easy to start a teapot collection, but hard to justify when you don't drink tea in any form.Well ~ here are a few of the sweet teapots I liked, and the links to check them out or even buy them.This one is my favorite ~ I think ~ and is from the shop Hopscotch Memories.  It reminds me of cool fall days.

This vintage Stangl teapot in a turquoise onion pattern was a very close second.  It's from the shop Cats in the Cradle from Alton, New Hampshire.

Here's another little turquoise sweetie from Scavengenius.  Actually, maybe this one would be my second choice.

Then I came across this vintage Arthur Wood and Sons chintz teapot made in England and available from Dads Teacups.  This little Etsy shop from California is full of beautiful teacups and teapots.

Next is a vintage basket weave teapot with a hand-painted floral design from Holiday Farm Studio from upstate New York.

And here's a close-up of the pretty detailed painting.

This teapot brings back lots of memories because my Mother had one, or maybe still does.  I'll have to check on that.  It's an authentic cottageware teapot from Price Kensington, made in England, and available at Fab Vintage Estates.

Here's another Price Kensington teapot with delicate blue flowers that remind me of forget-me-nots and it is priced at only $8.  It can be purchased at Shop on Sherman.

And what about this silver-plated teapot marked "New Amsterdam Silver Company" and dates back to the 1890's.  Can you believe this well used and loved teapot is only $20?It's for sale at Crow and Fig from St. Leonard, Maryland.

And what about these earrings from CM Vision Jewelry?  Too cute. 

 I do have one teapot I found at Scott's last month. 

 I think it needs a friend ~ don't you?I may just have to do some online shopping, but which one do I pick when I want them all?~Linking with~A Stroll Thru Life for Table Top Tuesday~Rose Chintz Cottage for Tea Time Tuesday~Antiques and Teacups for Tuesday Cuppa Tea  

 

Vintage Barkcloth Fabric

I found this vintage barkcloth fabric at Scott's last month.  I had never heard of it before, but was really drawn to this sweet ballerina print.

Barkcloth is a type of cotton with a special weave that gives it a nubby texture similar to tree bark.  It is defined by its texture rather than by weight, fiber content or print.  It is typically a medium-to-heavy weight fabric best suited for upholstery, drapes, and other home decor.  

The vendor told me this fabric was from the 1950's and she only had two small pieces, but I knew I had to have it to make a few pillows with.

I decided to trim out these pillows with hand-gathered tulle in coordinating colors.

I love these sweet fabrics from the past.  I wonder what their previous use was and where they've been since the 1950's.

Hopefully they'll live another long life as pillows and made a little ballerina somewhere happy.
~
Linking with

Common Ground for Monday Marketplace
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Boogieboard Cottage for Masterpiece Monday
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Mod Vintage Life  for Mod Mix Monday

Pink Saturday

Do you ever feel like you don't have anything to say that anyone would want to hear?  That's how I feel today.  S0 ~ I'll just share a few pictures  for Pink Saturday of a spring wreath I just made.  On this dreary rainy day, it makes me feel like the sun is shining and spring can't be far away. 

I hope it brought you a little ray of sunshine too.
Linking with How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday 

Linens and Lent

 I bet you're wondering what linens and Lent have to do with each other.  Well ~ absolutely nothing.  Inspired by Brenda's posts a few days ago over at Cozy Little House about authenticity and blog parties and being yourself, I decided to post today about Lent and throw in some pictures of the pretty linens I found at Scott's last weekend. 

 So here we go with some authenticity ~ I attended my first Lenten service tonight.  I must admit until the last few weeks, I knew absolutely nothing about Lent and never understood it's meaning or purpose.  I didn't understand what giving up chocolate had to do with Easter or anything spiritual.  I attend a very large non-denominational church that is made up of people from various church backgrounds and over 100 different cultures.  Last year they held their first Lenten service and it was packed to overflowing, so this year they held two services. 

I was amazed at what I learned tonight ~ a little bit of Lenten history through the ages, but more importantly, what it means and how to apply it to my life today. 

 Our pastor talked about Lent as acknowledging our need for God and it being a sort of spiritual spring cleaning ~ getting rid of the accumulated clutter.  Now I could really relate to that in a material sense, but he focused on accumulated clutter as being things like passing judgment, habits, bitterness and our thoughts.  I could also relate to that and the need for a spiritual spring cleaning of my heart. 

He talked about fasting or giving something up, not so much as self-denial, but as a way of "creating space for God" and asked challenging and probing questions such as, "what do I satisfy my thirsts with?" 

I squirmed a little in my seat as it wasn't hard for me to see all the "things" I use to fill up my life instead of seeking more of God. 

A part of me wished I had remained ignorant of the meaning of Lent, but another part was ready to embark on this 40-day journey of spiritual spring cleaning in preparation for Holy Week. 

 I am glad I attended my first Lenten service tonight and to learn more of church tradition, but most importantly, to realize that every spring, Lent will be a reminder and  challenge to seek a closer walk with God.~Linking with The Brambleberry Cottage for Time Travel Thursday  

A Goodwill Sweetie

 Found this sweet little pitcher at Goodwill a few weeks ago for only $2.99.  I love it's curvy top and how it screams "spring".  I didn't really need it, but thought it would look lovely on my hutch when I change it over for it's spring look. 

 I find the closer it gets to spring, the more I want to fill my house with green, so I threw a clean rag rug on the table that offered the right combination of texture and color and paired it with the pitcher.Since it seemed a little bit early to pull out the spring silks, I decided just to use my faux head of lettuce in it. 

I love the ephemera on this lettuce and the way the light shines through it. 

 For now, this simple splash of green will hold me over until it begins in earnest outside. 

Linking with~Blue Cricket Design for Show and Tell~The Thrifty Home  for Penny Pinching Party~Southern Lovely for Show & Share