Thrifting Finds!

Just a Few Little Treasures...

I seldom make it to yard sales or estate sales...so I know I'm probably missing out on a lot of treasures...but Utah yard sales tend to be baby-gear related.  You really have to look past the car seats and plastic playhouses to find...more baby stuff.  If I see a sale at a "Granny" house, I will probably stop.  So I shop yard sales the lazy way...I wait until they drop the stuff off at the Deseret Industries or Savers.  I have come across a few fun things over the past few weeks.

What's New?

Adorable Owl Jar...looks like he has mischief on his mind!

 

I loved the touches of color on his wing tips.

He's a "Made in Japan" cutie...only 50 cents.

Fun Kitchen Miscellany...the nut chopper was from the Marching Band Yard Sale for $1.

The back of the drinking straw box is as cute as the front.

I like buying empty greeting card boxes. 

 I have an antique hutch that I arrange like store shelves with Christmas "Products."

 

I love the Candy Cane font on the sides of the box.

One of the vendors at Treasures Antique Mall sews her vintage buttons to kids playing cards. 

I know some of you collect the card games.

Wouldn't they make cute gifties for blogging buddies?

I buy one or two of these every time I drop by.

Too cute to take the buttons off!

Thank you, Elizabeth!

Elizabeth of Creative Breathing sent me some patriotic goodies

to make a festive party hat! 

Not too bad for a first try!

Thank you!

Well, this was just a quick post...I have so many crafting ideas running relays through my head right now.  I hope I can get something done.  Tune in later! =D

Thanks for Visiting!



Collecting Santa Face Mugs and Pitchers!

Here Comes Santa Claus!
I've posted this picture before...my newest set of Santa Face mugs.  I cannot resist them...they are so much fun.  This set of mugs if still in the box would sell for about $35.  I got these for $4.

Holt-Howard...
During the 1950s, Holt-Howard started designing Santa Claus coffee mugs and pitchers.  The company was started by John and Robert Howard and their friend, Grant Holt.  They were college students at the time and started their company with a $9,000 loan from their families.

At first they focused on Christmas items, then branched into kitchen items as well.  These mugs were so popular that they started creating coffee mugs for everyday use. They are now credited with pioneering the coffee mug as we know it today.

The mugs on the right are very small...only about two inches tall.  I found them in a box of six.  They are so cute!

Decorating with Mugs...
The picture on the left is from Country Sampler November 2004.  I was already collecting the Santa mugs when this article came out, but I decided that I was going to:
1. Buy this sink...
2. Decorate just like this.

You can't see it in this picture, but I eventually got that sink!  I'm probably the only person I know who would buy a sink just because it looks cute with Santa Mugs.  I love this Santa pitcher the most, because it has red and white stripes.

More Mugs...

The handles of these mugs spell "Noel."

These pug-nosed mugs are newer, made in Taiwan by the Price Company.

Santa Pitchers...

This pitcher and matching mugs are made by Wales.

The red cold paint is flaking off these.

Cold paint isn't fired on.

These two pitchers have the jolliest faces of all.

This page of ideas from Country Sampler shows how versatile these little guys can be. 

 I've hung them from garlands and around my front door.

I've made them into gifts for my neighbors and friends.

I'm planning to make a wreath this year...if I get around to it.

They're Merry...

They're Bright...

And they're inexpensive!

If you come across their cute little faces...take them home.

 I'm Thankful...
I wish to express how grateful I am to be a member of this blogging community.  I never realized what a diverse and fascinating world it is.  I have met so many new people through Zetta's Aprons...more than I ever expected.  My fellow bloggers are delightful women who paint such charming scenes of their lives and the parts of the country they call home.  Thank you for welcoming me to your neighborhood.  I'll return the cookie plate when I've washed it...

Bless you all...



A Change in the Weather...A Change on the Front Porch!

It had to happen eventually...
They say the weather is going to change for the worse this weekend.  I can see the clouds already creeping in.  I've enjoyed the seemingly endless sunny Autumn days, but I now I have had to bump up my front porch decorating schedule...much to the amusement of my neighbors.  But who in their right minds wants to work outside in the freezing cold attempting to jolly up the place?  Another rhetorical question.

I've used this wreath a few too many times.  I may make a new one...but for now this looks good with the snowflakes and candy.  I love how happy red and white makes me feel.  I've mentioned it more than once today.

Warning! Kitsch Alert!
Now before you mock...let me direct you to the picture to the left.  It's from the Sundance Catalog...the Robert Redford guide to all things cool.  A quote:  "So over-the-top tacky that he scores a 10 on the retro-hip coolness scale..."  Now that you have dear Bob's word on it...I will show you my kitschy little collection.

My score on the retro-hip coolness scale must be Ginormous!

Bob will sell you one of his snowmen for $58.  But wait...there's more!

If you buy 3 or more...they are only $48 each.

I know I never spent $48 for the whole collection.

I think $2 was the most expensive.

Evil Santa Clone Army on the March!

He's from Walmart...he doesn't count on the retro-hip coolness scale.

You remember those extremely cheap tacky plastic decorations?

I used to have them wired to wreaths...but have replaced them with giant candy pieces.

Okay...I admit to falling for Redford's siren song.

I bought him last year from the evil Christmas Catalog.

Apparently this guy sets "the holiday mood-ometer at over-the-top jolly..."

I sure hope I didn't pay $58...but I probably did.

He looks different this year...Bob must have found a newer, "greener" supplier.

Bless you Robert Redford for saving our planet!

(...and not including the lightbulb)

I may not sound like it, but I am thankful for Sundance.  I live near the mouth of a canyon that if you follow the road...called "The Alpine Loop"...it will take you up over the mountain and down into another canyon.  Sundance is located on the other side of the mountain.  It's a beautiful resort and ski area.  We love to eat at the Foundry Grill...outside on the patio by a little waterfall...then ride the ski lift to the top of the mountain.  

It can snow now...Front Porch is done!

Collecting Vintage Christmas Ceramic Figures!

Cheerful Christmas Ceramics...
When my husband built the new kitchen addition, he added this pretty built-in knick-knack shelf.  The mirror in the back doubles my collection but can make it hard to get a photo. 

I love cute vintage Christmas figurines.  The shiny red and white catches my eye the minute I enter the store.  Most of my little figures were from thrift stores.  Some have chips and dings...but that doesn't matter to me...it's the cuteness that attracts me.  I love turning the item over to find the "made in Japan" sticker.  It used to signify something cheap, but to me it says "vintage" usually pre-60's.  "Cheap" is the crappy resin that is being used today.

The one that started it all...
The cute little girl on the right is the very first figure I ever bought.  I've had her for at least 20 years.  She's not too small...about 7" tall.  Most of my collection are Inarco, Napco, Joseph, Lefton, Holt Howard...to name a few. 

Salt and Pepper Shakers...

Cutest Mr. and Mrs. ever!

More Mr. and Mrs. Claus

Santa's Boots

Santa's Boots were a popular theme.

Candle Holders... 

Candle Holders.  The little girls spell "Noel."

I have a few sets that are missing letters, but I still like them.

Sweet Little Noel Angels.

I gave my sister Patti a set where the little girls looked just like her.

Cute Children...

Singing Children and Girls with Gifts and Trees.

Novelties...

This Chunky Santa is about 7" tall.

His rough trim is called "flocking."

Two fun pieces.

When I bought the vase on the left I thought it was broken.

Look at the little reindeer...he's taken a bite out of it.

The deer shaker is kind of Deco looking.

Super fun D.I. purchase.

This cookie jar has three faces.

Under the lid is a wind-up music box that plays "Jingle Bells."

I never grow tired of looking for vintage ceramics.  I don't think I've paid more than a few dollars for any of my treasures.  Some were less than $1.  I hope when you see a cute little orphan "pepper" who is missing his "salt," that you'll consider taking him home for Christmas.

I am thankful that my husband, children and grandchildren are happy and in good health.

I look forward to spending the holidays with them.

Have a Happy November Morning,





This Week's Thrifting Finds!

Christmas Finds...
I'm sharing this weeks thrifting with you because I hate to let the weekend go by without posting something.  This week I've been to two D.I. thrift stores and an antique mall in SLC that I can never  remember the name of...they keep changing it.  I bought the fun wooden ornament at D.I.  You can't see the roof, but it's polka dotted...yay! 50 cents! The two candy boxes were a steal at $3.50 each.  They are pretty old...anywhere from the 30's to the 50's.  My Christmas book didn't show this design.

I usually go to that antique mall before the holidays.  I can usually find some vintage craft supplies like the Santa picks and angel package decorations on the right.  I was told I was a little too early for the best selection.  So I guess I'll be going back in a few weeks.  I also picked up a couple of shabby Japanese houses.  They were fixer-uppers that I'm going to turn into ornies for an ornament swap.

Bluebird of Happiness!
The best thing I found at the antique mall was the Lefton Bluebird pitcher.  I had a small collection of bluebird items that I displayed on the windowsill of my downstairs kitchen.  One dark day...tempted by a partially opened window...three very bad cats decided to make a run for it.  Needless to say, only my cute reproductions survived.  The beastly beasties were curiously unmoved by my sorrow.

This pretty little lady is so sweet!  She is holding a laundry basket.  Wouldn't she make the cutest pin cushion?  Maybe I can find some fabric with little blue forget-me-nots.  She was only 75 cents at D.I.


Another pink and pretty porcelain miss.  She was also only 75 cents.  I love it when the volunteers at the thrift store under-price things.

I found these German Easter baskets on the same shelf as the lady with the laundry basket.  They were in almost perfect condition for 50 cents each.

This last find wasn't from an antique store or a thrift store.  I bought it on Etsy.  I love the shabby decals on the bottles.  The seller only asked $16 for it.  I can't wait to fill the jars with buttons and other odds and ends.  I found a few more odds and ends on my quest, but these were the most interesting...I thought...of my treasures.

Keep looking for your own Bluebird of Happiness,