Antique Cups

For Valentine's Day I put out my small collection of pink antique cups.

I love these next two that have a sentiment written on them. My favorite is "love the giver".

It is fun to have a cup of coffee in a beautiful antique cup.

KayteeJane

Fun Saturday

Warning, this post is not about junk or collecting. Please indulge me as I share a trip to one of my favorite places on earth, The Strip District in Pittsburgh. Since there haven't been many estate sales or flea markets lately, this is the next best thing on a Saturday morning. 

If you aren't from Pittsburgh, "the Strip" is a historic market place set in downtown Pittsburgh across several city blocks.

Here are some highlights.

A trip to Wholey's Fish Market.

Checking out the lobster tank

the fish market

Waiting in line as our order of fried clams, smelts & shrimp is made (while the kids snack on fresh-baked bread sticks from the bread bakery next door)

The reward!

Digging in!

Check out this array of pastries being sold on the street

A trip to Pennsylvania Macaroni Company to wait in line for cheese. The smell in here transports me back to my Grandmother's kitchen. The best place on earth in my mind.

Self-serve olive oil

Such a fun way to spend a Saturday.

Back to junk & collecting tomorrow!

KayteeJane

Birds

I love these vintage pottery birds. I have this collection on display in a small cabinet.

Added in are vintage post cards, flower frogs, nests, flash cards & small books.

Happy Bird Watching

KayteeJane

Cocktail Stirrers

Since I don't drink many cocktails, I'm using these fun plastic stirrers as coffee stirrers.

If you believe in being "green" these are great. You can wash them and reuse them.

I bought them all this past summer at a yard sale. The person who owned them before me must have drank a lot of cocktails to have so many.

Another neat thing from the past.

KayteeJane

Junk Wish List

Some people make lists in January to mark their resolutions. I like to make a list every year of those things I'm looking to find while out junk hunting.

Every year my list changes. 

Some things on the list are constant - like Scrabble games. I always buy these games when I see them because I use the letters in craft projects. 

Other things come off the list as my taste's change or as I acquire things.

Don't get me wrong, I don't carry a list around with me while shopping at yard sales. My motto always will be - if it speaks to you go for it. Instead I use lists to help me focus my hunts and remember those things that I saw somewhere online and would love to have for myself. Really it is just fun for me to think about and then record those things that I would love to find while treasure hunting.

Here is what is on the list for 2012. Subject to change :)

All images are from Pinterest. I created a board called "What I Am Looking For". I invite you to follow my board if you want to see what I add as the year goes on. Or maybe you could start your own board.

Pink Pyrex - Cinderella Bowls

I blew it on this one. I saw these at a flea market last summer priced around $40 - which is a total steal for these. I hesitated because I was trying to conserve money. My mistake because when I went back for them they were long gone.

Orange Polka Dot Pyrex. 

I've never even seen these in person! I want them!

Pink Bottle Brush Trees 

I love bottle brush trees but don't currently have any pink.

Store Displays
I love vintage store displays. I snatch them up whenever I see them and can afford them.

A Vintage Bike
I've been looking for a cool vintage bike for years. Way before they started selling repros at Walmart. I always wanted to park it in my front yard, add a basket, fill it with flowers and just leave it there.

Let's hope that I can find one or all of these items on my wish list!


KayteeJane

Jars of Thread

One of my favorite display pieces - jars of colored thread.

I love the beautiful colors. Each spool is different. These pictures don't fully capture their beauty.  I don't have these on display in my craft room but in my living room.

These are showcased in an old glass battery jar - another favorite piece of mine. 

All the spools are wood. They are made by various manufacturers. 

Even though I sew, I would never dream of actually using these. I like them too much.

Is there any collection that you have that would be pretty displayed in a glass jar?

KayteeJane

Breakfast for Dinner

Tonight for dinner I made breakfast. I am tired from working all week and need something easy. It also seems to suit on a cold, snowy night when staying in beats going out.

Home fries cooking in a cast iron skillet. 

A well-seasoned cast iron skillet is the best non-stick skillet there is hands down. This skillet has been in use for years and has obtained the perfect "seasoning". 

Hubby looks for cast iron at yard sales and flea markets but seldom finds any. When he does they don't come cheap - they hold their value and rightly so.

Greasy Bacon - the real, pork variety - which I prefer to cook on an electric griddle.

Then, as the bacon is cooking all I can think about is how much bacon grease is getting on my Pyrex! (That is the down fall of open shelving)

But it is all worth it in the end when I sink my teeth into my yummy "breakfast".

Enjoy!

KayteeJane

Tree Quilt

I love quilts. Vintage scrap quilts are my favorite. I wanted to share my tree quilt with you. I put it on my bed during the winter. 

 

It isn't vintage but it is handmade. It was bought at a quilt auction about 10 years ago. Someone lovingly made it with a great selection of colorful plaid fabrics.

Here are some of my favorite trees.

Wouldn't it be cool if there really were pink pine trees?

KayteeJane

Winter Decorations

I finally got out my winter decorations. You've seen some of these before.

Old books with a winter theme. 

A milk glass plate decorated with a page out of a children's book.

My small collection of maple syrup bottles.

An old photo graph

 

My star picture holder is used to display a pair of child's mittens, a flash card and a crocheted pot holder, which I threw in because of it's soft blue color.

I love changing out my collections according to the seasons. I never grow tired of them that way.

KayteeJane

I'm linking this post up to Debra's Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground.

Stop over and visit to see some beautiful displays and inspiration!

Winter Love

Call me crazy, but I love Winter.

Here are just a few of the reasons why...

Delicious clementines,

Paper Snowflakes

A cozy chair and a blanket for reading The Word - or any other good book.

And plenty of my favorite drink - coffee. Lots and lots of hot, delicious coffee.

What do you enjoy about Winter?

KayteeJane

Charm Bracelet

I love charm bracelets. I own a few, both vintage and new. I love to give a new charm bracelet with one "starter" charm as a gift at a baby shower or wedding shower. The recipient can add charms over the years to mark milestones.

This is my "Winter Charm Bracelet". I found it several years ago at an antique store. The charms are an ice skate, some hearts, a flower of the month charm for January and a cupid. I think it is a child's bracelet because it isn't very wide. Lucky for me that I have small wrists.

These bracelets don't ever go out of style. Keep your eyes peeled for vintage bracelets that come already outfitted with charms or start your own keepsake bracelet today.

KayteeJane