Treasures Found

Even though I said in my last post that I didn't come home with as many treasures from the Rose Bowl as I usually do, I did manage to find some fun things there, and in some antique stores and at some garage sales. Here are my favorite finds!

The big bottle of buttons are all mother of pearl and some abalone. I think I paid a little too much for these at $15.00 but that was balanced out by the little bottle of all bone buttons at only $5.00.

The rolls of thread are a great neutral color and some are beginning to show age with some awesome yellowing areas. They look nice and old, AND I only paid about 50 cents a roll (I got twelve total).  The "silver" pitcher is only plated, but I got it for 10 bucks! It's going to look gorgeous with all white roses in it (someday).

These are too cool! The little spoon has a tightly twisted stem and the little mirror has a scene that reminds me of Argentina (where I was born).  Then there's the "thing" that I don't know what it is, but at $3.00 I couldn't pass it up. I'm going to clip it on white linen for an accent piece.  The little clippy thing is about 2 1/4" wide by 3" long. It has a little "lip" at the top that has a little hinged tab attached with a hole through it.  The top is
slightly curved.
                               
I almost forgot to mention one of my favorite finds!  The set of eight 20" x 20" super soft linen napkins with the ecru cut out embroidery (above).  They are GORGEOUS and in perfect condition. They just need a little wash and press and they're ready to go. These are for me!

I also found a set of white linen napkins for my Sister-Friend. (She'll get them for her B-day and are supposed to be a surprise…I hope she's not reading this!)  Speaking of my Sister-Friend, Colleen, we were in the same little antique boutique when we found a set of white napkin rings.  We split them so that she has six and I have six. They can be used as place holders by writing a person name or message on them. Love them!

I couldn't pass up vintage sweater guards.  One is made with cellulose flowers at the clips with a pearl chain.

The other one is teeny tiny petite needle point roses. Couldn't leave that one, could I?

This fan from the late 1940's, early 50's is made of curly feathers. They're pink on one side...

…and blue on the other. It has a little mirror on the blue side, but is too damaged to look into. Still, too cute!

This isn't old.  Just made to look old.  I bought it so I could use it as a card or picture holder, but when I got it home, I found out that most of the loops are welded together.  I think I'll run a ribbon through it, put it in a pot and grow ivy on it.  What do you think?

Thanks for stopping by!
Patricia :o)

The Story of Mr. Bingles

 Once or twice a year, I go to California on a linen shopping trip. My sister-friend Colleen, above, and I always shop at a wonderful antique store (can't remember the name of it since we just walk in without looking at the sign LOL).

 These gorgeous curtain panels ($198.00/each) are made of white, off white or taupe linen. They're stunning!

 The same dealer uses linen and canvas to upholster old benches, make pillows, etc.

 This amazing white linen tablecloth is beyond words beautiful in person. Unfortunately, it's way out of my budget ($200.00). However, inspiration is priceless, and this definitely inspired me to create my own linen items.

 Anyway, back to Mr. Bingles.  While looking and digging for treasures, I found an adorable vintage cement cat tucked away under a dresser. He's a Siamese cat and even has blue eyes. He was marked at $88.00 in the antique store, but I was able to talk them down to $50.00.  Sounds like a pretty good deal...

 However, I was visiting CA, but live in TX. He weighs 16 pounds and I had to ship him home.

 Here's Colleen calming him down before putting him in the $23.00 box and peanuts for shipping. Plus I had to pay postage at $22.00. It cost me $45.00 to ship him!! LOL
But I HAD to have him to watch my pond.

Isn't he too cute! Mr. Bingles, you're worth all $95.00 to me.

Tea Leaf Cottage

As is our tradition, after having tea at Paris in a Cup tea house, Colleen and I cross the circle to the other side of Glassell to our favorite antique shop. It's called Tea Leaf Cottage. Just feast your eyes on the displays in the windows!

So much chic and shabbiness! White cottage chic! French Country, English cottage! What ever you're looking for, how ever you want to call it, it's in here!

As we walk in, we're greeted by Joan (the owner) and the Twisted Sisters. The Sisters are three antique boudoir dolls. Two of them have been around since the shop opened about 25 years ago. The third one, was recently added to the family.

This is a shop where you can find just about anything that's antique and white, silver or beige. And the combination of all these beautiful items is enough to make me swoon.

There are several dealers in this store, and all of them have the most beautiful and unique items. It's always a treasure hunt, or more accurately, a treasure find when we come in here.

Some of the things in the store are very "frugally" priced...

...Others, well, let's just say I'm waiting on winning the lotto. Isn't this display cabinet dreamy?!
Most of the things fall somewhere in between.

I'm only posting a few of the photos. This is a shop that has wondrous things tucked into every nook and cranny. AND you have to remember to look up. There's all kinds of things (like gorgeous chandeliers) hanging from the ceilings and walls.

My pictures really didn't do this shop any justice. I forgot to take pictures of the front counter that stock full of heavenly perfume bottles, rare trinkets, and of course, Joan, who is a doll to work with.

Tea Leaf Cottage is located at

141 N. Glassell

Orange, CA 92866

714 771-7752

It's a definite Must See if you're ever in the area.

Patricia :o)

I love everything in this store front window!!!

A clock that's for the Birds!

Since I'm always running short on time, I thought it would be appropriate to tell you about a great find I made a couple of months ago.

I found this beautiful porcelain clock at a church rummage sale for only $5.00!! I probably could have got it a little cheaper, but it was for the church and a good cause, so I didn't haggle. I knew it probably didn't work (it didn't) but how much could it cost, right?

How could I pass it up. LOTS of pretty pink roses, sweet little blue birds...

There are even little angels in it. It was in great shape with very little damage. I accidentally broke the tail off of this little bird. But then I lost it so I couldn't super glue it back. Oh well!

Look how sweet these pretty blue birds are at the top of the clock!

Back to the "it didn't work" part. My hubby searched the Internet and called a few places. He did find the part that had to be replaced on line. After taxes and postage it was $23.95!! Yikes! Not only that, a clock repair place told him to get it as that was a great price and those parts were soon to be discontinued.

The great news is that the part came super fast, was easy to replace and the clock works wonderfully now!! Even though my $5.00 bargain turned out to be a little on the expensive side, I think it's beautiful and worth way more than the $29.00 it cost in the end. I love it and feel very lucky to have found it.

Patricia :o)

Fun Finds

After 2 1/2 years of living in San Antonio, we're still finding our way around. We'd heard of a flea market north east of us called Bussey's Flea Market, but weren't too excited about visiting it because, so far, all the flea markets in our area sell cheap new things. But we read some reviews and decided to make a day of it. It's not the kind of flea market I'm used to from So. CA (Like the Rose Bowl in Pasadena), but it was SO MUCH better than I expected!

I fell in love with this vintage wedding dress! It's a size 7/8 so I'm not sure if it will fit M'lady (my dress form). AND it has to be cleaned some how. But I couldn't pass it up. It has metal snaps, hooks and zipper.

It's all layers upon layers of lace. I only found one or two tiny tears on the sleeves, and it is in otherwise wonderful shape. However, I do need to wash it...

I got it for so cheap, that I think I'm going to risk soaking it in a tub of Oxyclean and rinse with cool water, gently squeeze the water out by rolling it up in towels, and then line dry. It smells old and musty and I can't stand the thought of bringing into the house, so it's hanging in the garage by my car.

There's not a lot of adornment. Just lots of lace and a few sprinkles of sparkles.

At first I couldn't find any decent linens, affordable or otherwise. Then I hit the jack pot!! There was a wonderful older lady who had most of these linens priced a little high. They were marked, but I asked the price anyway. She knocked $3 to $5 dollars off of each. Suddenly, they were VERY affordable and in GREAT shape. I even have some of them up for sale already in my eBay store.

I also picked up this little cherub compote plant holder thingy for only $2.00! I thought it was vintage until I got him home and looked at the bottom. It had a store price tag for $5.95. I guess it doesn't matter. He's cute, he's affordable, and he'll be vintage someday, right?

I got this old plant stand for only $5.00!! I think the guy made a mistake. There was a smaller one that I heard his wife quote $10.00. It pays to ask, even if you think you know what the price is. I hope the husband didn't get in trouble...

Can you believe I got this fishing basket for $10.00??? It's pretty old from what I can tell. It has leather and canvas straps. I've seen these at antique stores for $95.00 and up. I was so happy to get this for my hubby. And look what was inside...

...these adorable hand crocheted and embroidered baby shoes! The guy selling the basket gave them to me for free. They didn't look like this when I got them, but it wasn't hard to soak them and air them dry. Too cute!

If you're interested in visiting Bussey's, their address is 18738 I.H. 35 N., Shertz, TX 78154 (210)651-6830. I wouldn't make a special trip out there, but definitely stop by if your in the area on a Saturday or Sunday.

Patricia :o)