Ironstone love

I love me some ironstone!  I have no idea how it happened but it did.  It probably happened by looking at others' collections arranged so grandly.  Every auction, flea market, thrift store, and garage sales, I keep an eye out for ironstone.  I seem to be drawn to soup tureens, casserole dishes, and pitchers.  Funny thing is I do not cook anything nice enough to serve in my nicer pieces!

When I went to my usual weekly auction, I spied with my little eye some ironstone.  I thought for sure some others would think it was just as fabulous as I did, but luck was on my side! Check out all of these pieces that I snagged for $10!

Take a look at the beautiful detail on the casserole dish.

I picked up these terrific tea cups, sugar caddy, and cute ironstone cow creamers.

A little closer shot of my cows.

Finally, I picked up this great ironstone platter for $1 at the flea market.

Needless to say, I felt like I hit the ironstone jackpot last week.  I wonder if I will ever find that perfect hutch to display them in.  A girl always has to have a dream, right?!

Linking up to:
 Coastal Charm

Great finds @ Kane County flea market

I know.  It has been so long since my last post that I had to dust off my keyboard!  I've been adjusting to school starting again.  No more leisurely sipping coffee in the mornings.  No, now it is getting the kiddos moving, fed, dressed, and off to school.  With that said, I should have more time for all of my projects. 

It seems that I would post about my latest project but that would mean I would have to drag out the camera to get some pictures.  Well, I am just too lazy for that today.  So, I decided to share some photos from my first time trip to the Kane County flea market in IL this month.

It was a great time.  I talked hubby into making a weekend of it since it was about a 4 hour drive.  He and the kids enjoyed the hotel pool while I was 'gathering fleas' as my husband likes to call it.  There were so many vendors.  My head was spinning.  I have found now that I have a booth, I have grown entirely cheap.  I passed up a lot because I just couldn't bring myself to pay the prices.  I did get a few things.

First off my hook racks and vintage laundry basket:

Next, these lovely corbels in there chippy glory, three french pots, and a little frog.

I wanted to share a couple of vendors spaces with you.  Of course I remembered to charge up the kids Nintendo ds's but forgot all about my camera battery.  So, I only got a very few pictures to share.  Since it has been a couple of weeks since I went and am posting, I can't remember and/or find the vendor info to pass along.  All I can say is that I loved these spaces.  Wish they would come and decorate my house.

Hope you have a great week!

Horton's French Flea Market

Friday I was able to go to Horton's of Tipton's French Flea Market in Indiana.  (Yes, I am a Hoosier.)  Just seeing the eye candy on their  blog was enough for me to drive for a while to get there.  I was so inspired by the store and vendors.  I will warn you that I will be sharing some photos that just do not do justice.  I was trying to not get people in the shots which became increasingly harder.  I'm also trying to give you a link to some of these vendors.

Sorry but I didn't get the vendor info on this one.  I just was drawn to the booth because of the white decor.

Next up is Rebecca Ersfeld for Vintage Living.  The store site is here which can connect you to her blog.  The booth was so inspirational with such great stuff!  I loved just looking at how it was displayed.

On to Hot House Market.  If you want to check out their blog, click here.  What I loved about this booth was all of the pops of color.  The couple running the booth were super nice. 

These are photos of part of the actual store, Horton's of Tipton.  I was so in love with the displays.  Unfortunately, the pictures I took of my favorite parts didn't turn out.  Here is all I could salvage to share.

I have to mention two other vendors.  One is The Vintage Farmhouse.  She is a fellow Hoosier.  I have been able to make it to a few of her sales.  I made sure to stop by and say hello.  I didn't get a chance to get any pics of her booth. 

Next is the ladies from Damaskdesigns.  Let me tell you these gals were super nice.  The booth was to die for!  I felt like I wanted them to come home with me and sprinkle some magic through my house.  I am kicking myself for not getting a picture of their booth. 

I just had a great time being inspired by all the different vendors!  I did come home with some goodies.  A cute french burlap bucket.  Can't wait to find just the right flowers for this.

Then comes my bird 3 tiered tray, zinc plates, and chalkboard plates.

Here is a close up of the zinc  plates.  I love them. 

Last but not least is this desk organizer.  It was displayed with pens, pencils, and scissors but wouldn't it look great with flowers in it?!  I also thought it would be great to put forks, spoons, knifes, and napkins in for an upcoming cookout.  I can't wait to use it!

So, I realize this has been a lengthy post.  I just wanted to share with you my trip to Horton's.  Until next post...

Fabulous finds

Well, school is out and we have been adjusting to everyone being at home all day.  Yes, that means that little sister just cannot keep from pestering her big bother all day long.  So, I've been referring along with trip to the zoo, going to the movies, and preparing to our trip to Missouri.  We shove off tomorrow.

Before we set sail, I have to share with you some of my latest and greatest finds.  These are finds from the Goodwill outlet, Salvation Army, and my local flea market.  I have been trying to collect some smaller goods to fill my booth.  I have some exciting news on that front but more on that later.  On to the goods.

I think this basket would be great holding blankets.  I could just see cute little flowers potted in the orange teapot.  I wonder what kind of lunch was served up in this vintage lunchbox.  On the far right, I found 2 table leaves.  Just the thing to make a sign with using some chalk paint!

I really loved the tarnished silver I picked up.  I love it just as it is.

This is my favorite find.  This ironstone pitcher I found for $1.  Yes, it is discolored but just look at it.

Maybe you need a closer view.

Look at that beautiful crazing.  Any tips on cleaning the discoloration would be helpful, although I do like it that way.  It has a sense of history about it. 

I'm sharing over at:

    

Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest

What I live for...

Thrifting, flea marketing, and yard saling are what I live for (okay, not literally).  I think I hit the jack pot this weekend.  I search Craig's list about every other day for particular items or upcoming sales.  I stumbled across a sale that was quite a jaunt from my home.  I was being beckoned with the description of all of the stuff.  When all was said and done, it took me about one hour to get there.  It was so worth it!  Look at all the stuff I got for only $12.  (Don't remind me how much $ I spent on the gas to get there and back.  We will let me believe I got a fantastic deal, OK?)

Those giant wings will be a great decoration during Christmas time.  How about those frames?  They had cracked mirrors so for safety reasons they've already been tossed.  They could become a mirror again or chalkboard.  We'll just have to wait and see.  That pretty circle thingy (doesn't everyone know what that is).  I can see it hanging above my daughter's bed with fabric draped down.  I really don't know what I will do with the pot rack.  Any ideas would be very welcome.    Needless to say, I was pretty happy and enjoyed the hour drive back home listening to my music not Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

Also, when at the flea market I found a box of silver under one of the vendor's tables.  He said I could have it all for $5.  I didn't hesitate.  I snatched it up.  The pieces were quite dirty and tarnished.  I cleaned the initial dirt off and started to clean the smaller pieces before I took the picture.  They are stamped Sheridan on the bottom with crests.

I'm hoping to post what I did with these items throughout the week.  I already have too much stuff in my closet waiting for me.  While ideas are fresh and new, I will get started on this stuff first.   

Linking up with Southern Hospitality's Today's Thrifty Treasures and