Some Things I Just "Have to Keep" and Some Painting to Do

One of the great things about being "addicted to the hunt" is... sometimes I keep some of my great finds!

I have come across, so many, wonderful treasures, over the past 30 years. I have passed on and sold most of them, but, once in a while I just have to keep them! Not for their value, but just because they are just so perfect for me.

  Since our "spare room" is not just a place for guests, but storage for my items for sale, office and craft supplies and my treasured keepsakes, I need to make it a pretty, "gathering" place, too.

  I've slowly been transforming it into a "cottage themed retreat" to use for occasional photo shoots

and since becoming a part time, novice photographer I am finding the need for some great props!

Here are a few of the "cottagey" pieces I've decided to keep....
like this Austrian, hand painted, bowl.
Just $1.79 @ my local "Goodwill" :)

 And what a perfect piece to accent another great $20 find...this vintage, shabby, cottage coverlet just had to be mine!

 

It now covers the guest bed with some pillows... a perfect compliment to the color of the room..

 

A little "glam" to dress up the headboard ( that my "honey" made :)

I found a pair of white, flour sack towels, in my "grocery store" for just 3 bucks!

I twisted and gathered them into a knot, secured them with a rubber band, added a white ribbon and the rhinestone pin.

It softened up the headboard and I love the way it looks.

"More Keepers"
These placemats, for $1 each, are so perfect for using as props for my photos...but, there were only three, now I just have to find more! 

Now, I desperately, want to re-paint these walls from their "ragged and outdated" look. I want to make them a softer shade of green.
And this cupboards color has been such an "eyesore" for me for a very long time, too...just finding the time to transform it has been the obstacle  :(

And now a choice has to be made for it's color. It's a "flip flop" for me. Should I paint it a "shabby white" and distress it right over the green or should I do a nice shade of pink over the green instead? Or let's get more confusing...white with pink beadboard?

If I paint the cupboard a color should I keep the dresser white? 

What would you choose?

Your input would be so much appreciated...I trust you have a great eye for color, too!

Til next time....I've got more work to do!!!

Hugs, Love and Happy Wishes,
JP 
xoxoxo

 

Joining these great parties @

 

etsycottagestyle

A Birthday Celebration and Some Borrowed Dishes!

My daughter, Kaycie's, "28th" birthday was yesterday and it was time for a celebration!

A, last minute, dinner was decided on the morning of....and not wanting to just use my everyday dishes and being not quite ready to be done with summer, I decided to borrow these gorgeous, floral plates. They've been stacked in my guest room, waiting to be sold :)

https://ny-image2.etsy.com/000/0/5618844/il_fullxfull.343851162.jpg

Kaycie's "little face" was the center, of the table display, along with a "little, touch of glam!"

   "Great Grandma's" crystal and cherished utensils were a reminder that she was with us in heart!

Lighting just was not on my side, but a little "photo shop" helped...any of your photo tips would be 

immensely appreciated, here!

Family images to be cherished....FOREVER!!!

 We missed my oldest and her daughter, my #1 granddaughter....work nights stink! :( 

 Can't believe that no more cake pics were taken...what happened to my assistant?

Oh, he was "pooped" from another long, hard day!

Happy Birthday, Kaycie Leigh!!!

Love, Hugs & Kisses,

Mom 

xoxoxo

Til my next post....

Love & Hugs to you, too! 

JP

Joining these great parties @

betweennapsontheporch

My Weekend Finds and Some Cottage Pics

Sharing this "old Post" for the Anything Blue link party @  The Dedicated House....my apologies for the poor quality pics but, this was from the very beginning of my blogging and photography days!
I hope you'll enjoy anyway :)

This was sure a hot weekend with temps here, there and everywhere in the high 90's again. I still braved the heat and dragged myself to my favorite, junkyard and barn. I think you'll see why I managed to spend over two hours there just meandering inside and out and inside and out again!

I, definitely, was on "on a mission" to find something great.

This swee-e-et, cottage, lusterware teapot was my fav of the day...another beauty that I'd like to keep since it looks right at home in my little, cottage room.

Then, there was this....

another pretty piece of cottage lusterware that fits right in!

See what I mean?

More, more, more! Some beautiful, hand painted fruit bowls.

And eight of them "to boot!"

Don't they look perfect layered with these others dishes?

This cottage lamp goes so-o-o perfectly with those same dishes and my tole tray. How am I ever gonna part with them?

Just another shot of my dresser again with it's "half view."

My room is also my storage/work space and it's not always picture ready!

I did manage to get some more great things before dashing home to jump in the pool but, since everything in this post just flows, so well, I think I'll keep this one as is and show my other treasures on  another day :)

So, 'til next time.....keep cool and do come back and visit me again!

JP