Vintage Flower Arranging

I bought these vintage information books on flower arranging a couple years ago. The Coca Cola Co. issued these in 1940, 1941 & 1942.  Back in the 40s, flower arranging was still an art that the "cultured" woman did....and drink Coke and the same time. It is not clear why Coca Cola wanted to go after the gardening crowd as a marketing idea... but these books where in fact, very popular and sought after. I count myself very lucky to have found all 3 and have gleaned valuable information about flower decorating and the art of setting the dinner table with cactus an shown in the last picture. I aways serve Coca Cola at my dinner parties and the cactus simply adds a little texture to the mood! OUCH!

The "Blessings Jar"

  I recently saw a post about keeping a jar nearby to collect little notes about all the "Good" things that happen to you in the new year. You could call it 'The Blessings Jar".  At the end of 2013, on New Year's eve, you pour it out and look back at those moments, the blessings, the gifts, the life lessons learned and reflect on the good things... not the negative.  I am going to give it a try. The big jar is for the "Blessings" and the two smaller jars are full of little cut up pieces of paper to write on. One jar is for my husband and the other is for me. I hope at the end of 2013 the little jars will be empty and the big one will be overflowing!  Here's to a blessed New Year!

Repurposed Decor

I  love how this old coffee carafe displays my newly potted Amaryllis bulb!  It sits on two old Amish buggy warming  stones that are in great condition.   People don't use these carafes any more. I find them at local thrifts stores and have used mine for plants, collections of tiny items, and my reading glasses that seem to be found everywhere through out the house.  The warming stones have been photo props, cheese & cracker servers, weights for projects and many more functions . I have never heated the stones to warm my feet since I haven't been in a horse drawn buggy since I was a child on the farm.  But it's good to know that I have them in case the occasion would present itself.

Dana's Legacy

When I was one month old, I was given up for adoption, by my Birthmother, whose name was Margaret. She was 38 and unmarried. She had previously been married and had already raised a daughter who was now 18. She divorced her husband, due to his alcohol addiction and had moved on. She became pregnant with me from a relationship with another man, who was a truck driver. Apparently neither decided that marriage, for the sake of an unplanned pregnancy, was the right option. My Mother did a very brave thing and went into a home for unwed Mothers, knowing she would no doubt be the oldest pregnant woman there. Perhaps it was her only option back in the 50's. She was surrounded by young unmarried girls who were ashamed, lonely, and probably scared about their future, let alone the ordeal of childbirth. I was told by the Home years later that she developed a skill for making jewelry for the girls there. Perhaps it helped her past the time as well as helped her feel useful, giving a part of herself to the others, who no doubt could connect to her. After all, she was an "adult" who was in the same situation as they, and was not judgmental. When my birthday came, she named me Dana. I never saw her again. She died before I found the truth about my beginnings. It is funny how life comes full circle without our help. I like to think that my love for creating vintage jewelry, is her talent coming through to me. These pieces bring the past to the present and are called Dana's Legacy.

Kitschy Plates

What is it about these crazy "old lady" plates that has me hunting them down in every thrift store and garage sale?  They were made in Japan or Korea in the 50's & 60's and were cheap decor for who knows who. Who would dare give such a gift or let alone bring them into your house on your own? Maybe it was the sentiment written on them that holds the key to my wonderment. I have always loved painted china and can appreciate the work that the artist imparts to his craft, but these are usually pressed on decals. I still love them! My favorite is my recent find that says : THIS IS MY HOUSE AND I'LL DO AS I DARN PLEASE. It fits me... as my husband just shakes his head and keeps quiet when I bring these "treasures" into our home. Yes, I'm that old lady with the ever changing kitchy decor.

Light Reading

I came upon a real find at my local Goodwill Store this week. This 1919 Funk & Wagnall's English Dictionary that is 6 inches thick and weighs a ton! I was the envy of the check out line. It was in great condition and full of amazing old facts... long ago forgotten.  It contains pictures of things my children's children will probably never read about.  The photo of one of the first telephones is priceless. How far mankind has come .... or not.

Birkey & Gay Co. Chair

This is a repainted chair that I bought at a local auction. The original color was  a walnut type stain popular in  the mid 1800's. It was scratched, chipped and well used.  It had the company named imprinted on the bottom of the seat and I was able to research it's origin. The company was in Grand Rapids, Michigan and made quality wood furniture starting around the mid 1800's and stopped production in 1940's. The company was known for their Gothic Revival and Eastlake styles and became one of the leading furniture companies in America, even winning high merit recognition at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition in 1876. I decided to give this sturdy piece a new look by painting it with Annie Sloan "Old White" and a touch of Fiddes &Sons "Dark" wax to give it some character.  I'm in love with the outcome and might just keep it!