Teatime Pretties and Happy Spring

First of all...happy spring!  Yes, it is finally here.  What a winter it has been!  That is one thing I like about March...the hope of spring (among other things!). 

 

I go shopping and rarely buy anything for myself.  I'm either looking for things for other people, or just shopping for necessities, or shopping for things to either resell or to make into something to sell.  Well, these pretties I actually bought for me. 

 

 

 

The teacup/tea mug is from a gift shop.  It reminds me of a Cath Kidston print, though this is not related to Cath Kidston at all.  I've been greatly admiring all things Cath Kidston lately--the flowers, the colors, the prints--on Pinterest and elsewhere, and this tea mug was just perfect (in fact, I'm drinking tea from it right now).  The mug really does make tea taste better....really!

 

This little single-cup teapot is from the local antique mall.  I had had my eye on it for awhile, picking it up every time I went by it.  Remembering the old motto "Buy it or you wish you had", it made its way into my hands somehow.  Now it is mine!  It is very small.  Chintz patterns have always been a favorite.  I'm delighted to say the least. 

 

Antique Car Vase Find

We girls were out doing our antique mall/thrift shop hop last Saturday.  The guys were busy, so off we went.  There weren't too many goodies out there, but I did find this...

It's an antique car vase.  They were placed into hooks onto the outside of cars...whether funeral cars or a Buick or what have you...and bouquets of flowers were put into them.  This pretty vase doesn't have it's hook...BUT it is beautifully intact.  It is cone/sconce shaped and has pressed grape vines and grapes all over it. 

Such pretty detail!  I see that the holders can be purchased on Ebay.  However, this does have a hole in the glass, so that a hook could be secured to a wall. 

This would look lovely as home décor or on a door.  Anyway, I was glad to find it and have listed it in my Etsy shop.  It has a tiny crack in the very tip of the glass (amazing that's all since this probably bumpety-bumped along the road quite a bit) that does not affect the prettiness nor does it leak.  Anyway, I was delighted with the find.  Hopefully someone else will be too!

The Lamp....Again

I really was content with the lamp I found at the thrift store a few weeks back.  I truly was content.  THEN...we went to a thrift/charity shop yesterday, and I found the **perfect** lamp for a song. 

It is the exact style I was looking for, only I think this is prettier than I imagined.  The glass shade looks like a flower.  The brushed brass goes with our living room rug.  It is the right size--small but with a good, strong light.  I'm thrilled!!

On the way out of the store with lamp in hand, and a few other ladies were commenting on it wishing they had seen it first!  Yes, I'm very pleased and feel like I will be doing my needlework in the evenings in style.

Also, this tin was at the same store.  I have a few of these (in red, blue, and green), only not in this color (brown) nor large size.  It's about 6" tall.  It was only 25 cents.  What a deal!

Cranberries, ICE Resin, and a Hike

It has certainly been a busy weekend.  It started early with us having Friday off, and we got going at a good time to go to the Cranberry Festival located a little over an hour north of us in Warrens, Wisconsin.  It is full of crafters, flea market booths, food, and, of course, cranberries in every way imaginable from a huge cranberry whoopie pie to cranberry and apple pie to celebrate the cranberry harvest.  Unfortunately I didn't bring our camera, or I'd show you a picture or two.  It was a beautiful fall day, and this little town of less than 400 was bursting at the seams with thousands of people.  We had a great time, and I found a few things at the flea market booths. (The cranberry apple pie was delicious, too!)

On Saturday Mom and I took an ICE Resin class at the local bead shop.  I had always wanted to "play" with resin but also wanted to know what I was doing and what sort of techniques were available.  We learned a great deal and had fun. I tried to do different things (in the time allotted) regarding what the teacher discussed.  I wasn't impressed with what the resin did to my little feathers, but it was worth trying just to know.  It's pretty amazing stuff, and I'll probably do some more in the future. 

After church on Sunday we did some hiking.  Again...no camera.  There is a state park that has a nice trail that goes back into a gorge.  It has a rippling brook, deep sides to the gorge...and the trees were luminous!  It was gorgeous and was a wonderful hike.  This picture is from a news site (click here for the CREDIT), and, no, this is not us...but this gives you an idea of how pretty it is. 
It was a busy weekend.  I'm glad we took advantage of the nice weather and got out and did things...while we still can since winter is around the corner. 

Handmade Artists' Shop Selling Venue

Well, several years ago I was a member of Lollishops.  Remember that?  It was a very sweet and fun selling venue.  I met some wonderful people through it....sold some things.  Their advertising and networking ideas were great, and with co-op ads I was able to have my site link in a number of big magazines.  Unfortunately Lollishops closed after just a short time.  I've been selling through Etsy for quite awhile now, and it has gone well.  However, I thought I'd branch out a little and try another selling venue again just for a few of my things.  It had to be economical.  I love the idea of Make Mine Pink and Shabby Shops and others, but I just can't afford their monthly prices.  

Then I read about the Handmade Artists' Shop though an Etsy forum.  They don't take any fees other than $5 per month, and all the products on there have to be hand made.  I like the attitude of the owners....so I'm giving it a try with my hand stitched felt things.  I may keep a few felt things on Etsy...haven't decided on that though.  Check out my SHOP if you'd like as well as some of the OTHER SHOPS there.  It's a small but growing community and could use other vendors if you want to join.  No sales yet...but I've only been there a week.  What do you think?

Much Loved Tea Kettle

Found this tea kettle at the thrift store this past weekend.  It has been re-soldered and was certainly used, but it "spoke to me" instantly.  I love the brass color and all of the detail.  Thought the picture needed to be taken by our old chest...looks almost like an old painting by a Dutch Master.  Enjoy!

Favorite Mug

Come on...admit it. You have a favorite--the one one you go to, the one you specifically look for in the cupboard, the one you feel things taste better in, the one that feels "just right" in your hand, the one you feel a little down about when it's still sitting dirty in the dishwasher, the one you hope guests don't choose when they come for a visit....THAT one!

Well, this is my favorite mug. I don't drink tea in it unless I must (and have numerous times); however, coffee or hot cocoa or hot cider or even a small cup of soup always get poured into this one if and when it is at all available. I"m convinced things taste better in it. My mother bought it for me before I headed off for college. It sort of represents her and me and our love of shopping together.

It is just the right thickness, size, and weight. I love the picture too--so fun and carefree and simple. There are many memories I have where the mug though in the background was present. I have laughed over this mug, studied over it, cried over it, worried over it, rejoiced with it close by, prayed with it in hand, found comfort and warmth sipping from it, moved around the U.S. with it, read my Bible with it by my side...and am enjoying a cup of coffee from it right now while typing to you all.