Memorial Weekend Plunder

 

 

Looky what I found! I stopped by a church yard sale this past Saturday, and they were selling everything you could stuff in a plastic bag for just $1.00. Among some other items, (like a pair of hardly worn black heels with adorable bows), I picked up this pair of classic 1950s RAY BAN cat eye sunnies. The lenses are cracked on one side, but the frames are highly collectible. They're Ray-Bans, after all.

I also scored this black crepe 1940's - 1950's handbag with pink velvet roses and leaves. It's in perfect condition.

I also picked up 5 vintage reproduction tins for my kitchen, which I didn't take photos of. I felt so bad about taking all this stuff for just $1.00, that I ended up making a donation of a few more dollars so I wouldn't have guilt later. I mean, it would have ended up being about five or ten cents per item otherwise.

Happy Memorial day everybody! And thanks to all those who serve, and have served our Nation in the Military.

Cherries!!

I went and picked some cherries out of the neighbor's cherry tree the other day, and made cherry jam. I decided it was time for a cherry celebration on this blog.

I love cherries! Not only are they one of my very favorite fruits to eat, they are just so darn cute!

Cherries were wildly popular in the 50s, in clothing, accessories and home decor. So today there are many vintage cherry themed pieces floating around out there looking for loving homes.

Here are some of my favorites from Etsy:


These canisters are just perfect! I love them. They're from Sadie Olive.


How about these realistic looking cherries? They seriously look juicy enough to eat!
They're available from BadassBunny.


Serve up some cherry pie and hand out these napkins to your guests! From Vintage Funland.


Ok, so these aren't cherries.... but they look like it from a distance! This breadbox is so cute. Buy it at Shade Tree Vintage.


Even these shoes look good enough to eat! They're from Tuppence Ha'Penny Vintage and Retro.


This hat is adorned with celluloid cherries. Get it from Madame Sassy Pants.



I love this dress with the cherries and the red ric rac. Available from Redux Delux.


Cover it up with this vintage apron from Vintage Curve.


And lastly, this adorable hair clip from Here Lies Boots.

I'm going to go eat some cherry jam on some home made scones with whipped cream!

Hay Ride

I have not felt like blogging recently. I just can't think about it of late. I guess I am still feeling the heaviness of the loss of my Grandma. I'm sure some may wonder, "What's the big deal? Grandmas die every day." Yes, but..... you don't watch your Grandma die in front of you every day. I go to bed at night with that memory in my mind, and every morning it is my first thought. I'll get over it, I know.... but in the mean time I just haven't been feeling creative or clever or much like blogging about my life.

Anyhoo.... this past weekend, my step brother Andre and his wife and two sons came for a visit. We had a big dinner at my house and later, after a thunderstorm and a gully washer (downpour), we broke out one of the tractors and trailers and we took the kids on a hayride.

Our friend Daniel took these shots.... I was trying to decide which ones to post and then I decided they were all too good. Every shot is different... here, I'll show ya:



Everyone is getting situated. Here comes Mom and Dad.....and Naomi and Katie are laughing because I had just told Daniel he was part of the family now because I had spit in his drink at dinner. (i didn't, really; I promise.) Ethan is showing off some bugs or something he found and thinks is pretty nifty.



The wind blew, and all the rain in the leaves above fell on everyone. Noelle is freaking over on the far right in the front row. Noah is looking up like "What the...?" Ethan and Lexie look around like "Who did that?!"



Alana - the child with her mouth wide open on the right in front - is letting loose with a bloodcurdling scream and Noelle is flinching in pain. Mom: "Emilie....sit here and be still!" And Ethan is still showcasing his bug or whatever.



Eli has something on his elbow, and Noah is picking something out of Ethan's hair...



Dad and Kevin making horns. *Tisk, tisk*





Katie is doing her "gangsta" pose and Kevin is gracing Noelle with a full set of finger antlers.



Finally! Everyone looks....okay!

PS - Andre is on the far left with his hand on Lawrence's shoulder. (Look how much he resembles our Dad - in the light blue polo shirt next to Kevin on the far right.) His wife Katina is sitting with baby Charles Xavier on the left front row. WHAT a handsome family!

I Couldn't Do It

I couldn't leave it all abandoned and alone at Sallie's.

Just when I decide to stop buying vintage dresses (I have had no success in selling them at all), I happen upon this poofy pink 1950s prom gown:





I couldn't NOT buy it.

And what you can't see in the photos is how there is no possible way it could fit on any modern-sized woman.
So all it is good for is looking at.

Oh, well. At least is has a home now.

What Goes Around....

I love doing giveaways; and just ended one last week. I also enter giveaways from time to time, and today I received word that I won a blog giveaway! Here is the link to "It's Beelovely" and the post revealing yours truly as the winner of some lovely orchid hair bobbies. Thanks, Blanche! Here is also a link to the blogger's Etsy store; one of my favorites, "The Honeycomb: Woodland crowns, floral combs, and Austen accessories."
Thanks again to Blanche, of the blog and Etsy shop responsible. :D

Winner!

Congrats to Robin ("OneCraftyBugger", from MJF)!! You won the embroidered hanky "tussie mussie". Yay! Thanks to all who entered, and stay tuned for more giveaways of cute things later on.

My Grandma

Grandma and me in 1981




I love this photo of Grandma. I love the ruffle bikini! This was in the early 1960s


Grandma is picking oranges in my Uncle Pat's citrus orchard on the Indian River in Florida in this photo. 1970.


My nephew, Ethan's baby dedication photos. This is 2004 or 2005 - I forget.

I do not know why this year has seemed so full of tragedy and death all around me. I don't understand it, but I am trusting The Plan. In the past few days I confess I have secretly wondered "what next"?

But as for my Grandmother, I rejoice that she enjoyed such a long life, and so full and rich.

Giveaway Delay

I know I said I was going to announce the winner of my Giveaway today, but my Grandmother passed away suddenly yesterday and I have not been doing anything except staying with my Mom and coming home to sleep.
I will get back to the giveaway next week when things settle down. Sorry for the delay.....

Giveaway

I was going to do a giveaway for my 1 year blogging anniversary that was last month.....and completely forgot. Anyhoo..... I am giving away this cute, adorable, romantic, shabby chic, sweet little embroidered hanky tussie mussie.
 
I made this myself with a machine embroidered hanky, lace, and ribbon. I didn't even use a machine....
The embroidery is violet/purple, by the way. 100% pre-washed cotton.
 
Filled up with peonies, climbing roses, purple clover, honeysuckle, mint sprigs and hydrangea, it is stunning.

To win it, simply leave your name in a comment on THIS post. If you have a blog and want to link to this, please do. This is also open to all my Carolina Roses Facebook fan page followers. (Being a "fan" on my Facebook page is the best way to stay up to date on what I am listing in my Etsy shop. If you don't want to miss my shop listings, click on the Facebook link in the sidebar.)Only one entry per reader/fan.... if you're a Facebook Fan and a follower of this blog, please enter one place or the other. Thanks!

The giveaway will close one week from today on May 13 and I will announce the winner on the 14th. Good luck!

Etsy Shopping Links - Check Them Out!

My friend Faith opened a new Etsy shop last week, selling cool vintage items. Check her out at Goblin Queen Vintage. I love her silver cameo locket!

Also: I nave not linked to many of my favorite Etsy shops (besides Jodi's and Faith's, of course - and maybe a couple of others) before, but I have to share this one I discovered that I simply ADORE:
Alice's Looking Glass. *sigh*

Anyhoo. Enjoy!

Sneak Peek

Here is something I have been working on since the winter.
 
I bought some vintage handbags, beat up ones, from Etsy sellers. Then I made little flowers and beaded thingys and attached them. I had to buy a purse handle from overseas for one. With the Iceland volcano, it was deeeelaaaaayed big time.
 
I guess that people call this "altered art". I just call it pretty.
 
I had these in mind for weddings, and other special occasions; but now I am not so sure I even want to get rid of them, I love them so much!
 
I am unsure if I want to try listing them on Etsy or not. I was thinking of getting more bags and making more, but I don't want to invest a whole lot of money in handbags and materials to make the embellishments and then have them not sell.
So what do you think? To try to sell, or not to sell? Are they corny? Are they too "shabby"? (I made them kind of shabby on purpose.) I thought I might try a few bags of different colors - and maybe even some black bags. (Or, custom bags.....)

Goodies

Warm weather is here once more, and with it all the tag sales, yard sales, rummage sales, Estate sales, and other outdoor - or indoor - sales of "stuff"!!

One of my favorites is the annual Caswell County (NC) Council for the Arts rummage sale, held in the auditorium of the Caswell County Civic Center in Yanceyville, NC.

I did my civic duty and went yesterday, and also stopped by another yard sale, and picked up some goodies both places. I have to show some of them. :D


This is a 1960's "fur". It is rather dingy, but nothing that can't be dry cleaned out. I am undecided as to whether I will keep it or not - I kind of like it.


1960's glittery silver handbag. The rhinestone clasp fell off and was inside the bag. I practically stole it; and Kevin can weld the clasp back on for me so - no biggie. I have no use for a silver handbag, so this will get listed on my Etsy.


I love this enamelware bowl - and "Sundries" is just so cute. Fifty Cents.


I loved this shabby pink roses pie plate as soon as I saw it. It's oven proof, 1930's (ish), and I pad $3.


Ten cents each. The ice cream dish is Depression Glass.


Vintage kitchen gadgets - all for fifty cents. I love the red handled biscuit cutter.


Antique napkins: One set embroidered, one set open work. And that is also an embroidered pillowcase.

I also got a set of wedding cake pans but I didn't take a photo. I think I did pretty well for spending less that $20 at both sales.

Find a yard sale or benefit "rummage" sale in your community and check it out today! I find it is a very enjoyable passtime, and benefits you as well as civic organizations in your community. :)