New look for a great piece of art

Sorry I've been out of touch with blogging for a short time, but I'm back. I missed you. Wow - how fortunate can a person get? My cousin Patty and her friend Susan of Alexandria Va met me in a quaint lakeside town called Clarksville, Va for a girls outing and upon arrival, she presented me with a gift. I had been introduced to this wonderful artist months ago but to own a piece of Capodimonte - wow that's GREAT. A pair of these belonged to Patty and a lot of things don't have to seen together and she parted with one of them - we both use a glass votive holder and candle RATHER than the usual tall taper. Who says you can't get out of the box and do something different?

Little shelf among lots of books...not intimidated at all

I love small corner shelves - have several throughout my home. Our home is over seventy years old and like so many others built in this era, corners in rooms were not easily decorated because of door and window placement, etc. When I spotted this cute, small walnut corner shelf, I had no idea where it would end up. So it sat on top of a row of books, patiently, knowing that in due time - a permanent spot would be determined. Today I was in a book dusting mood on some floor to ceiling bookshelves I had installed years ago. I moved a few books on one of the shelves that your eye just lands on each time you pass and the spot was selected. I walked around the house, spotted a cute tiny white vase of ironstone I've had for years and placed it on the shelf. It looked lonesome so I explored other possible choices and spotted this cute, wooden bear my cousin located at her mom's house recently while relocating her to an assisted living home. This sort of seeking and putting together complimentary objects are what make our homes comfortable and cozy and receiving accolades from guests. This shelf brings a whole new look to the end of the very heavy wood constructed shelf, housing loads of books and marks a spot for something tiny, but well loved.

Anything of Johnson Brothers ... I love it!

Many of you are aware that I rarely decorate using blue, in any form. Well heads up bloggers...................I have treaded into new territory and I love the color of this china. My cousin Patty called last Saturday to share the good news about finding a place setting for four and a couple of accessory pieces. She was excited because the pattern was English Chippendale - Red, of course, Johnson Brothers. Every collector of any china knows the history of JB and I was thrilled for her. Envious also, I might add. After all, she lives in Alexandria, VA - home to the largest and BEST Salvation Army I have ever shopped in. I didn't set out to hunt for this same pattern, but while I was at our local DAV thrift shop yesterday - I looked down at the shelf, near the end of the housewares section and my eye spotted two dinner plates and one nice great shaped platter - they were offered in the most gorgeous cottage looking blue I have seen. Immediately - I turned them over to see the name and pattern - YOU GUESSED RIGHT. Johnson Brothers, English Chippendale - Blue. You will never know how happy I was. All three were only $10 and I could not wait to call cousin Patty and report to her. She was shocked that we both have been fortunate to locate pieces of this beautiful and sought after pattern. A few minutes ago, she called to say that she has found a couple of pieces for me in red - she already has a set of four, so her finds will be placed in a corner of her guest room, awaiting a visit from me to claim them. How fortunate I am to have such a wonderful cousin to do this for me - we have decided that I will have a set of four, using all the colors of the pattern. I am excited about this new project and can say that "I am on a mission to locate more of these". It was Patty who challenged me to post a photo - after all, she is our Blog Police and reminded me that nothing had been posted in several weeks. This post is for you cousin Patty. Enjoy and thanks so much for putting me onto such a beautiful pattern.

Let's squeeze some lemons or limes - your choice

I can not understand my reasoning when purchasing some of the items I have acquired over the years. I have always loved fresh squeezed lemonade and make it often. Of course, those nasty seeds are always a hassle to remove, so I started looking around the house recently for some old ones I knew I had packed somewhere. Months passed and I spotted two old ones, downstairs on a shelf. I knew more had been purchased, so I kept looking and come up with these . I love the glass cutting techniques that must have been used in the production of them. I looked glass juicers up and found that most were made in Australia. There must be hundreds of them around; I'm proud of the ones I have and after seeing such a host of them, intend to display mine better. The best thing about owning one is making lemonade - of course I made a simple syrup and added fresh basil - it's so.....................refreshing. Please try it.

Advertising my favorite author - do you know her?

I love Alexander Stoddard. She is one of the most interesting designers, self-help teachers I have explored. I purchased my first book entitled "Tea Celebrations" over twenty years ago. Since then, I've found many more. I wasn't using this cute metal planter urn so I placed my small collection there. It looks good and I enjoy having all of Alexander's books in one spot. And, better still - I'm making great use of this great piece of garden piece.

New purpose for a small corner shelf

Don't you love it when anything can be used in more than one spot - an item that takes on a new personality when placed with other things you love. I have always loved SMALL books and have many. Displaying these tiny treasurers is sometimes daunting. Last week I redid our bedroom and took everything off the walls, including a cute, wooden small hanging corner shelf. I think these were popular in the 40's and I had hung it in the corner of the room displaying a small collection of the famous Little Gallery Pewter Collection from years ago. Tired of this look and always having to dust them, I took the shelf down, cleaned it and wondered off and on during the painting project "where to use this shelf again". Then I thought of my small books and decided to use the shelf in a horizontal position and place the books on it. Looks really cute - reinforces my purpose to re purpose a treasured piece. It looks great on the shelf, above the tv.

Come early for brunch - to celebrate SPRING

I love brunches - sometimes I keep the table set just to view during the day. I love the three Homer Laughlin simple white plates with the green on the left side. Not much planning was utilized for this simple brunch post. All I needed to add was the fruit in the small yellow cups I posted a few weeks ago. I would not use these for candle, but a couple or three of pretty bite sized choice fruits would look so appealing. I was fortunate to find six of the neat tea short mugs with names of tea spelled all around the rim. These are made in Indonesia. How sweet is that? My cousin Patty gave me the two attractive candles featured. They are Fitz & Floyd - lucky me!! The small brown teapot I've owned for over thirty years. It's my favorite and if you'll stop by sometimes, we can sit here and enjoy a spot of tea. The two simple white soft linen napkins, edged in green have been used by me for over forty years. Some things NEVER wear out. My son saw them a while back while eating with us and he could not believe I was still using the napkins. People that know me and visit at meal time can attest to the fact that I NEVER use paper napkins. The cute rabbit that stopped in to eat with us I found at DAV and decided that he needed a home and today is making his debut to spring celebrations.

For added attraction

Hello again. I mentioned I would not post again until March 1, but I HAD to show off this cute wall pocket. A friend makes beautiful pottery and sells it in his shop - I've purchased five of these beauties over the years. They add a simple freshness anywhere they are hung - I loved placing it on the small door knob to this china cabinet in my living room. Adding small flowers just gives these pieces an extra bonus - Jonathan makes these in a taller size which looks great near a fireplace where longer matches can be stored for quick use. I have another small, long one hanging with tiny flowers on my window casing near the kitchen sink. Such pleasure from a small item. Best part - Jonathan lives in the USA - Danville, VA.

Found - an abandoned piece of McCoy Pottery

No one should have priceless items in their house they have forgotten about. A few weeks ago I posted a small collection of my prized pottery - McCoy. Tonight while looking for something else in the basement, I opened an old cabinet and just peered in. At the back on the second shelf, I spotted this beautiful McCoy piece. It is in mint condition and has a soft shrimp or coral color. It is so pretty. I dusted it off, brought it up the stairs and displayed it on the shelving piece in the small hallway. Wow - I must take inventory soon of all this stuff. I have accumulated a ton of stuff over the years and like so many others, never discard much. Some pieces just have to stay with me. I am pleased to be able to admire this piece of pottery every time I pass through the hallway. How fortunate for me.

Some old things NEVER become old

Most of us have heard of McCoy Pottery even if we have not had the opportunity to buy a piece. This true American company was successful in the late 19Th century and some of the 20th. I've seen it in Antique shops all my life and have only had the chance to purchase the pieces you see displayed here. I have other American made pieces of pottery I will post later, but McCoy Pottery is classic and I would not disrespect it by mixing it. The colors used in the process have stood the test of time and though in the past, through my comfortable ignorance of doing so, I planted IN the piece itself. This is a no-no. Years ago I realized the value of these pieces and removed all plantings. Now, they sit proudly displayed together in my living room on a round table in front of my window and once in a while I will purchase a small plant, already potted, and just place it inside my McCoy piece. They are priceless - a real American treasure. I'm pleased to own these few.

Cards of the 40's to Pillows of Today

As promised in an earlier post, I have made our first pillow to begin a series of pillows to compliment beautiful greeting and note cards of a by-gone era that many of us long to revisit. Modern technology is appealing but one can not replace the sincerity of the well wishes conveyed through older cards. We will launch Southern Thresholds Collection - 2010 as soon as details on Etsy can be outlined. We're positive that guests will want to acquire a pillow from this collection which will capture and preserve those wonderful years of the 40's.

Appreciation of things of the past

Do any of you purchase greeting and note cards - only to find that lately it's easier to text a greeting or perhaps e-mail someone? I'm guilty of the latter, but wanted to let our guests in on the nicest collection of note cards and greeting cards I've seen in years. My cousin Patty had kept these for quite a few years (they were passed down to her by family members years ago) and last fall while we were working on a project in her house in Alexandria VA, she gave them to me - the whole lot. It must be over 100 cards. Many of the envelopes would not pass postal guidelines now, but I will use the cards and lovingly send them to many of the shut-ins at my church. These ladies will probably recognize the timeless beauty of the wording on the front. I love them so much and wanted to share them with you. I'm glad you're on the receiving end to enjoy them and not on my sick list of shut ins. Just a couple of the greetings to share - Especially for you! Just to remind you Now your birthday is due. There's no one more deserving of happiness - than you! Another one with a cute kitten saying Hello - Just a little note to say "hello", and ask if you can guess - how pleasant it is to think of you and wish you happiness. How cute are these two? Enjoy this special collection of a dear and caring person who kept these for years. Best thing of all: Made in USA

Losing my Head....

Do any of you collect spreaders? I simply adore spreaders and have a variety of them. One thing I do each season is to place a seasonal mug on my island and fill with spreaders...makes it easy to butter a hot steaming roll or make a quick sandwich without scrambling through the drawers to find an appropriate gadget to use. Several years ago I ran across this spreader set and this trio never fail to gain some comments at a table setting when they lose their heads!

New enjoyments of old things

Many times I ponder about the amount of money I spend – the unnecessary items I tend to purchase, knowing that I don’t need them. Why do so many of us have the urge to drop money down on items that don’t enhance our lives or move us to some inner peace? After clearing away the Christmas ornaments, trees and lights and many other things too numerous to mention, I attempted to clean out an old wooden two door cupboard I purchased over thirty years ago. The piece was used in an old farm house in southern Tennessee and you can see several holes in the corners where mice made their entry to the cupboard – to sleep for the night or to wait out the wintry weather suddenly hurled onto them. I use the hole, worn with years of struggles perhaps, to run a lamp cord through and now I have a cozy and warm light on one of the shelves that houses many collections. One side holds about seventy five candles – many fragrances I have purchased and never had the occasion to light the candle and it sits idle, waiting for its turn to come out in the open spaces of my home, to be enjoyed by those who enter inside. There was a time when small votives were the “in thing” to purchase and I must have around fifty or more of these, in various shapes, sizes and fragrances. These too, are stored neatly in a pile, just waiting to be used. No sane person should have this many of any single item, but I have this bad habit of purchasing things in a quantity of more than one, because I just know I will need more than one. Who doesn’t? Last night while rearranging candles and votives and holders for each – I realized that I need to stop and really look at what I am doing. I don’t do resolutions very well, so I won’t resolve anything, but I promised myself and God to absolutely not purchase anything that has to be lit with a match or lighter until ALL, I mean ALL of these items I looked at last night have been used – totally UP. This I will do – I have to do this – it’s my way of staying in control of my purchases – my contribution to not be labeled a hoarder – frivolous spending of this nature, has got to stop and 2009 will be my year to do so. I shall be happy to report any inappropriate behavior that does not support my goal and objective to stick to this phase of purchasing. Who knows how much money I will have saved within a year? I look forward to being reminded of my commitment each time I look at the cupboard and especially the cute Believe greeting that meets me when I gaze at the shelf. I look forward to burning more candles in 2010; not to just burn them, but to give the items a chance to be enjoyed in my home.

Making Plans for another get-together

Christmas Books – they introduce us to recipes, wreaths, decorating tips for windows and doors – decks and porches – everyone has more books than any one single item in their homes. I enjoy books to the point that I purchase them and really dislike having to place them on a bookshelf, sitting idle until a notion strikes to pick it up again and peruse its pages again. Books compliment any room and I love to display all my Christmas related books together. This year I took a few minutes and grouped my entire collection into one section at the end of my counter in the kitchen. Many ideas are born here in my 12x17 space. I live in an old house, so additional space has been created over the years to accommodate another area to define an area of use. The books look great – I even have them in date order, by author. I could launch any dinner menu from the pages of these books. I could decorate any theme from looking up references I have marked throughout the years. The only thing that is hard for me is deciding what recipe to use or what look I wish to convey to my guests as they enter my home. I love to entertain and look forward to each person that ventures over the threshold. Coming to my house may be my guests’ best venture on that day and I wish to convey my thanks for their presence.

Collection or Obsession?

Do you have collections of items you simply love or do you have obessions like I do? I started collecting Gingerbread Men years ago....back when I first started collecting them; they were very hard to find. If you look over on the sidebar and view the video, you can clearly see how much I love the little devils...Unfortunately, I also have collections obsessions with several other things too such as snowmen, cookie cutters, spreaders, elves and books...Tell us about your collections and what got you started collecting what you do.