Winter Decorations

Due to the extremely cold weather here the kids were off school and I stayed home from work today. I spent my time putting out my winter and Valentines Day decorations. I figured that I might as well just go ahead and put out both so that I could enjoy them longer. I think they work well together. I used lots of milkglass this year - which is a perfect compliment for both. Here are the winter decorations. I will show the Valentines later.

The tutorial to make this milkglass snowman plate can be found under the "craft tutorials" tab.

Hoping you are keeping warm and toasty on this cold day. 

KayteeJane

Humble Collections

It is no secret, I repeat NO SECRET, that I love to collect stuff. I love to collect mostly older things - some are valuable in the eyes of the world and some not. I just collect stuff that I like - period, the end. Here is an example of a collection that I have that isn't valuable by any means, but I like it so I collect it.

Aunt Jemima Bottles. I just like these. I guess because they are something of the past that doesn't exist anymore. It all started when I saw some one else on the web that had a similar collection. I thought to myself "wow, that is cool". Shortly thereafter I began seeming Aunt J at sales. She was pretty inexpensive - about a $1. So I bought a few. Yes these are pretty useless - except to look at. But that is ok. I bring them out every January. I guess I associate winter with pancakes or something. Along the way I've also bought some other maple syrup things that I've seen around to go with this collection.

I guess the point of me telling you all of this is to encourage you to collect, display and enjoy what you love. Don't just collect because something is valuable monetarily - or you think it may be in the future. If you like it then it is valuable to you. I would love to hear about some of the things you collect. Let me know in the comments.

By the way, if you love pottery or antiques like I do and would love to see some great collections, pop on over to the blog I Love Collecting. You will be inspired to begin a collection today.

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!

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

Fresh and New

The Christmas stuff is put away and I'm ready for the freshness & newness that January brings.

The other day I stopped at a local antique mall and came home with these. They were only $2. I'm kind of on a white kick right now. 

There is just something that attracted me to them. For several years now I've been drawn to romantic creams & whites. Maybe this will be the year that I take the plunge and paint all of my rooms in that palette. Here is a shelf in my family room devoted to a collection of black, cream & white.

I even bought my new iPhone in white.

On that same trip to the antique mall I bought this cute kerchief. No, it isn't white, but oh so vintage & cute. It reminds me of "Rosy the Riveter". I think I'll wear it this summer while out thrifting. My daughter was gracious enough to model it for you. She looks so much better in it than I do!

Then today, while working at the antique store where I have a booth, I caved and bought myself another primitive country cupboard/pie safe. I have sort of an addiction to them. It is painted a sort of ugly burgany color. I intend to fix that problem straight away by painting it what else...but creamy white. Pics to come soon!

Hope your new year has started out fresh too!

KayteeJane

I'm sharing this post at Apron Thrift Girl's Thrift Share Monday.

Cindy's House

Isn't it fun to take a peek inside someone else's house?

One of my favorite places to visit to look at all of her wonderful displays is my friend Cindy's house.

Cindy is a collector like me and has a gift for displaying things. She changes her displays seasonally, so each time you visit there are new things to admire.

Today we will visit while her Winter display is out.

This cute little chair & ice skates sits near the front door.

  

This pretty metal coat rack always holds seasonal goodies.

Right now it is decked-out with pine cones, snowflakes, children's mittens, miniature ice skates & snowmen.

 

A beautiful grapevine star with evergreen & pine cones.

 

White twinkle lights, crocheted snowflakes, candles & pine cones give this winter display its beauty.

  

A little glass case holds a snow elf.

  

A beautiful antique china cupboard sits in the kitchen.

 

Inside this glass cupboard sits dishes decorated with pine cones.

This display is so cute - and my pic doesn't really capture how special it is. Inside this cupboard is a collection of vintage & hand made children's mittens, booties, hats & sweaters.

Hands holding scripture.

Cindy is a collector of toys and miniatures. This is one (out of two) cabinets that sit in her home filled with treasures. Miniature wooden shoes, steins, dolls, teddy bears, tea sets & more delight the eyes.

An up-close view of one of the shelves. I love that copper baby cup.

 

Left over candy canes inside vintage Phillip's Milk of Magnesia bottles.

 There was so much more to see, but the batteries in my camera died!

Thank you Cindy for allowing me to visit and share your home.

I hope you will invite us back when your Spring display comes out.

Blessings,

KayteeJane

Winter Collection

Here is what's on display at KayteeJane's house during the winter months...

Cute Snowmen!

Vintage post cards with winter scenes. Both of these reference Bible Scripture - love that!

An old book, flashcard, white pottery, a pair of antique child's mittens and an ice skater figurine.

Another great old book! Love the cover.

Pancakes anyone? A few years ago I started a collection of old Aunt Jemima syrup bottles. I think they are cute. Unsure what to do with them they now come out with my winter collectibles. Winter makes me think of Vermont and maple syrup time.

I encourage you to look around for your own unique collections. It doesn't have to be new, expensive, or a precious antique. I just has to be something you enjoy!

Blessings,

KayteeJane

Snowflakes

I have collected alot of vintage crocheted doilies over the years and I'm always looking for new ways to use them. Because I really appreciate that they are hand-made, I like to use them instead of hiding them away in a drawer.

I think they look like snowflakes. So I strung some up across my mantle for a cute winter decoration.

They also look cute hung up against a window using a suction cup or twine & clothespins.

Happy Winter!

Kaytee Jane