Wait! Is June Almost Over?

Every month I'm amazed at how quickly it's over! Has that been happening with you to?

Things have slowly started opening up here in Illinois. Carriage House Antiques has been opened since the end of May and it's been great to get back into it! Garage sales, estate sales and thrift stores are happening now also.

I added to my growing flower frog collection. I just can't pass them up! I did though sell a few from my collection to make room. 

I found some vintage Christmas! Boy did my heart beat fast when I found these.

These I'm keeping! This punch bowl and mugs are darling and I just can't imagine parting with them.

This bull is another find that made my heart beat quickly! He's now a part of my barn/cow display in my living room....

Just the other day I found 2 pieces of ironstone at an estate sale. I have no attachment to the platter, but wow! this bowl is too fabulous to let go of.

I have to be careful because I'm starting to keep more things than I'm willing to get rid of. I go through that cycle for a while and then all of a sudden it all goes to the Carriage House. I'm just going to enjoy these new finds for awhile.

Not too long ago I visited a friends house and she inspired me with her beautiful vignettes throughout her house. That weekend I was inspired with some garage finds and I redid my mantle.

Only 2 items were recent finds. (the white door and white shelf). All the rest were from my collections. It's amazing what you can find when you look around your house!

Keep being inspired and keep looking for sales. They are out there!

Happy treasure hunting!

May Happenings....

It's May! Already.....

Hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day!

I have been baking lemon cookies....

and apple cake....my grandmother's recipe.

I wanted to bring some lightness into my home, so I bought this daisy plant from Tattered Tiques in Barrington. It has a wonderful scent and is beautiful to look at.

Here's another angle in my dining room....

I have been spending time in the garden also. I recently transplanted rhubarb from my father in laws garden into my own since I make a lot of strawberry rhubarb crisp. I also added a lavender corner into my garden. We will see how it goes since I don't really have the right conditions for lavender but I'm trying again. Lavender and allium are two of my favorite plants.

My hosta plants are starting to come up. Now I just have to watch that the deer don't eat it. I have sprayed around them with a deer repellent. So far so good.

My chippy motel chair has found a new home next to my sun room.  I have been busy rearranging collections in my yard and selling some things off.

The front of the house has gotten some changes too. I shopped my stash which seems to be happening a lot lately.

My oldest son officially graduated from college today. We took pictures in my backyard. It was sad, sweet and humbling at the same time. It's a time for memories, moving forward and staying strong. It's a time for clearing out the old and making room for the new. In more ways then one.

With all that has been going on in the world, things are starting to settle down. Get ready for those sales! Flea markets are opening up. Can garage sales be far behind? So, here's my favorite blog saying to you....


Happy treasure hunting! Even if it is in your own home, for now.

Happy Easter!

Happy Blessed Easter to all of you!

I thought I would share some of my vintage Easter collection with you...

I had this adorable guy for a while and then I found this one a few years ago...

and then there are these sweet little guys....
The larger rabbit is a candle we had when I was growing up.

This collection of vintage cement chicks has been growing...

The rabbit cabbage tureen is one of my favorite spring items. 

Wishing you a blessed Easter day! Palm Sunday for those celebrating Orthodox traditions.

Shopping My Stash!

It's soooooo much fun to shop my own stash!

Since we are still on the shelter in place order, I have been relooking at my home from different views.  Even the outside has gotten a slight transformation. I painted a bistro set white the other day which will replace a vintage motel chair. I have been spending more time sitting outside for the enjoyment of it. A small table and chairs suits that space much better.

A few month ago, I bought a chippy white Victorian bassinet from Steeplechase Antiques in Barrington IL. I knew that it would look perfect in my garden but I didn't want to lose the aged patina on it so I am keeping it in my sun room.

At Christmastime I filled it with greens and a tree and now I'm filling it with springlike items.

As I was cleaning up in the garage, I came across the chippy, rusty floral toile tray that my father gave me a few years back. I didn't have the perfect spot for it until now! It was the basis for the color scheme.

The white chippy bird cage was hanging in a bush in my yard but since the bush needs to be cut down, this is where it will be for now.  The sweet little purse is a just because piece.

The green bucket was an item that didn't sell at my space at the Carriage House. I can't figure out why since it is fabulous. I have always loved it so maybe it was just meant for me to keep it. Rounding out the display is the floral piece. I always keep a stash of floral stems for just this reason.

Another decor changing idea was to change the picture in "my" room. I had found this fabulous vintage floral painting at the Goodwill store years ago and wanted to hang it up year round. I had been using it only in the spring with the spring decor. It looks perfect in the vintage frame I have hanging on the wall even though it doesn't fit perfectly.  The frame has a chippy green border that compliments the painting colors.

Since we will be sheltering at home for a few more weeks, I just may be finding more treasures in my stash.

Happy treasure hunting!

Hello April!

I have been working on projects that should have been done a while ago. I figured that now is the perfect time since the shelter in place order was issued here in IL until April 30. (As of now).

A few years ago I bought an unfinished patchwork quilt top from a thrift store and I only had put in the batting and made the back for it. So, I was tired of seeing it laying around and finally finished it! I'm not a perfect quilter but it was finished with love. The vintage fabric used for the top is so fantastic that I really wanted to finish it.

I'm so happy with how it came out!

Speaking of vintage fabric, here's a slight glimpse into my vintage linen collection....

I collect vintage tablecloths, doilies, trim and fabric. My mom always used doilies and tablecloths and changed them out seasonally. I do the same. I love embroidered pieces especially. It's heaven to me when I look into this closet.

With some time on my hands, I have been reading my favorite magazines. It gives me incentive to do some redecorating.

I was motivated to scrape, sand and paint the window frames in the master bedroom. It took me three days but it was well worth it. I live in an older home built in 1946 and we still have storm windows to put up and take down. Tomorrow, when the paint is dry, I'll be able to put up the screens and let the fresh air come in! The warm weather is starting to arrive.

I'm sure that most of us have been baking. I saw this recipe for lemon blueberry scones and decided to try baking them. They didn't disappoint. My friend, Dragana Seizovic, originally showed these scones on Instagram. So, this was my hand at making them.

Today was beautiful! I was outside without a coat on planting a few pots and tulip bulbs and just walking around putting out my garden ornaments, It felt so great to be in the sun with my hands in the soil.

My yard is full of vintage flea market ideas.

This angel statue is in front of my garage.

I just love gnomes! These are my absolute favorites.

And this lazy gnome too.

I'm also pretty crazy about pink flamingos too.  This one was missing its legs but I couldn't get rid of it.

The blue motel chair is broken too but I couldn't part with it either.

These pink flamingos look great when surrounded by the lilies when they come up.

My yard is mostly shaded surrounded by woods, but at this time of year the area in front of my garage is bare. The hill has moss growing on it and the ground cover and ferns haven't come up yet. I really like it this way. To me it's so peaceful.

That's it for now! Stay well, get some sun and stay positive.

Isn't this chippy, rusty chair fabulous? I think so!

Welcome Spring!

Spring has finally arrived! At least on the calendar anyway.

Since I have been spending a lot of time inside, I decided to tackle some projects that have been on the back burner. (besides dusting and vacuuming the house). Yesterday I posted a fabulous piece of  floral barkcloth fabric. So today I used it to make a pillow. Just a plain and simple pillow with no trim or frills on it. It's great!

I also had bought a vintage high school "B" letter sweater at an estate sale a few years ago. I turned that into a pillow too. I decided to keep the collar opening so it still looks like a sweater minus the arms. I'm super happy with how it turned out.

Hope you are making the most of your time at home. I still have a quilt to complete, I'm hoping to get to that soon.

Stay healthy!

March Ramblings

Happy St. Patrick's Day! With so many cancellations due to the COVID-19 virus going around, I needed to find some happy thoughts today.  After working on Gardenfest for 1 year, it obviously had to be cancelled due to the health concerns. I get that, but I was still devastated when it was cancelled.

Somehow, a walk in nature today around my yard, picking up sticks and throwing them into the woods, really helped my mood. That and the sun shining. I am truly blessed! I just need to be reminded of that sometimes.

Listening to Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes helps too!

The Elgin Flea Market went on as planned a few weeks ago. It was before the shutdowns began.

Here's my car so packed that I couldn't even see!

There was still a nice size crowd even though it was sunny and warm.

These are just a few pictures of my set up. I always have a good time selling at the event and I always make some time to shop too. How could I not!

This was my favorite find! I love vintage floral paintings. This one is super fantastic!!!!

It's in my happy place room in my home.

Another fabulous find was this floral barkcloth.

My plan is to make a pillow with it.

While getting out and shopping at the Vintage Shop Hop that was the first weekend of March, I was at Pink Geranium in Barrington. I bought this super sweet child's dresser. I redid a corner in my basement that gets lots of light. So every time I do laundry, I smile.

The small vintage floral painting was a rummage sale find. Love the combination of colors in this corner.

Look at the details on these columns! They will be for sale soon at the Carriage House. They were an estate sale find.

I also picked up these cute spring decor pieces recently at a thrift shop....

They are sure to bring a smile to anyone's face.

Well, since lots of markets and sales are on hold for now, why not spend time cleaning and rearranging your home. Move things around for a decor refresh and get things ready to donate to a local charity. I will be doing just that. Carriage House Antiques is closed this week and I'm not sure if we will open next week so I'm going to keep busy with projects that I never seemed to have time to do.

Stay safe and well my friends. Soon enough we will be treasure hunting again!