The T-Cozy

The Thrill of the Find

Vintage relic seekers love the thrill of the hunt. When there is something they have a hankering for, they will diligently search far and wide until they find it.

Are you that way? I can be from time to time. And I must admit, looking for something very specific can be fun but daunting also. (Sites like Chairish.com can make it easier.) Know what I enjoy even more? The thrill of the find, when I discover something marvelous that I wasn't even looking for.

While scouring flea markets, thrift shops, estate sales, and more, I try to keep an open mind and a discerning eye to make sure I notice things that aren't typically on my radar. If I'm lucky, I sometimes find a special piece that speaks to me and says "Take me home." That is precisely what happened when I came across my studio's work table.

I found the table at my dealer friend Kim's inspiring booth at the Stratford Antique Center. She specializes in vintage kitchenware and her stall is always chock full of fabulous finds. When I spotted this teapot-embellished table in her booth, I knew Kim had really outdone herself. And although I wasn't looking for a table of any kind, I knew it had to be mine.

I purchased the $200 table right around the time we moved into our sweet little cottage. Without any notion of where it would go, I stored it down in the basement until we completed our kitchen/dining room/family room/office reno last winter. Then when the time was right, I gave the table a good scrub, tightened various screws and bolts, and decided to place it center stage in my brand new studio.

Isn't it the cutest? And absolutely perfect for a former tea room proprietor! I bet the table was once part of a 1950s dinette set with matching chairs and an extension leaf. Now it serves as a useful work surface. And it looks great with my vintage office chair.

My new table's shapely top wears its original red and cream Formica with a crackled ice pattern. This laminate top features a scalloped design and two cheery red teapots.

The table also sports a banded aluminum apron and chrome splayed legs brimming with mid-century appeal.

My whimsical and thoroughly wonderful work table provides an ample surface for sewing and other crafty endeavors. And best of all, it never fails to make me smile. :)

Susan

What to Eat for Lunch: Naan Pizza

Ever wonder what to have for lunch? When I want ideas for quick and healthy mid-day meals, I head on over to an online recipe site called Yummly.

My favorite lunch is a personal-size pizza that uses whole wheat naan as the crust. It's super simple. I brush the naan with a little olive oil and top it with whatever fresh or steamed veggies I have on hand. Then I sprinkle cheese on top and bake it in the toaster oven until everything is warm and the cheese melts.

Sometimes I need some naan pizza inspiration. That's when I check out Yummly. Here is just a small sampling of their naan pizza recipes . . .

Yum! Are you hungry yet?

Yummly was launched in 2010 by foodies on a mission to invent the ultimate kitchen tool. Whether it’s finding a recipe or going to the store, Yummly's mission is to be the world’s largest, most powerful, and most helpful food site in the world. They make it easier for foodies to do what they love — cook, eat, and share!

Susan

Cozy Time

More snow, you say? Sure! Bring it on!

Yesterday, we hunkered down to wait out yet another snow event. While the white stuff silently piled up around our sweet cottage, John and I were productive and did that painful, yet necessary, annual chore — taxes.

When we were done, it was cozy time. We treated ourselves to a good movie in front of a roaring fire. Along with a cup of hot tea, there is nothing better on a snowy afternoon.

Aside from all of the snow, our driveway is now home to this: a large red dumpster. Why, you may ask?

Because we are about to embark on a final reno project — updating both the master and guest bathrooms. And demo begins tomorrow! This remodeling project should take a couple of months. I promise to share lots of before and after pics with you as things progress.

Happy Sunday,

Susan

Just a Quick Note . . .

It has been super busy here, so please forgive my lack of posts this week. But before I run out the door to yet another meeting, I wanted to say — Hello!

I hope you are all having a good week.

Susan

Button Bouquets for Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day! Here are the adorable vintage button bouquets that were won in a giveaway on my Instagram this morning . . .

Congratulations to sorrythankyou79 and her friend melmom5. And thanks to all who entered my giveaway!

Wishing you a LOVE-ly day,

Susan

Kitchen Sunshine

It has been snowy and gray here for far too long. However, I am happy to report that today, we have blue skies and sunshine. Yay!

This morning, I loved how the sun was streaming in through my kitchen window. So I thought — why not share my latest pottery find with you. Isn't this old pitcher wonderful?

With lots of windows and two skylights, I like how bright our new kitchen is. It's rare that I have to switch on any lights during the day. And when the sun is out, the room absolutely glows.

Having lots of white surfaces helps, too. And all of my green and blue vintage pottery adds pops of pretty color.

I always longed for a kitchen with glass door cabinets. Now my pottery collection has a happy place to live.

As you can see, I'm not afraid to mix many different shades of blue and green together. No need for everything to match.

I also like to combine vintage pottery with Jadeite glassware and even a few new pieces. Aren't the colors yummy?

I think my new cottage kitchen is pretty yummy, too. And don't forget all of the yummy meals that John has been creating in it for family and friends. Yummy, all around!

Susan

Enter My Valentine's Day Giveaway on Instagram!

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, I'm giving away two of my mini handmade vintage button bouquets — one for you and one for a friend!

To win, go to my Instagram for details on how to enter, at this link, by February 14.

Good luck!

Susan

Spike, The Wonder Frog

Can you believe it? Our pet frog is 17 years old!

Spike came into our lives in a surprising fashion. Back when Jacob was four years old, he returned home from his friend Jack's birthday party with an unusual item in his party favor bag — a frog! Apparently Jack's mom thought it would be fun to give all of the guests fully-formed baby aquatic frogs. Crazy, right? This sudden addition to our family promptly took up residence in a fish tank on our kitchen counter. Jacob named him Spike, and the rest is history...

Happy Birthday Spike! We're so glad to still have the pleasure of your easygoing company.

Susan

I Just Had My 1,500th Etsy Sale!

I am pleased to report that I've hit a major milestone in my Etsy shop — 1,500 sales!

To celebrate, I am offering 15% off starting today through Sunday, February 8. To get the discount, be sure to use the coupon code SAVE15 at checkout.

Many thanks to each and every one of my wonderful past, present and future patrons!

Susan

The Wintery View from My Window

Ugh! Today brings bitter cold and even more snow. And although I'm a trouper when it comes to winter, it doesn't mean that I like it. However, I do like sipping a hot cup of tea as I work in my snug studio. Makes this nasty weather so much more tolerable.

Wishing you a warm and cozy weekend,

Susan

It's Snow Time!

As reported, a respectable amount of snow fell on southern New England over the last 24 hours. Luckily, not nearly as much as they were forecasting. Even so, it was a quiet, peaceful day where kids got a much-anticipated snow day and most folks stayed put until driveways and streets could be cleared of the fluffy white stuff.

Having grown up in Northeast Ohio, snow really doesn't faze me. However, where I currently reside, it seems to make people very nervous. Of course it doesn't help that the first big storm of the season gets way too much media attention. Hopefully after a couple more snow events, everyone will relax and remember that it is winter, after all.

Susan

Button Bouquets Revisited

Whenever the temperature drops, I feel the urge to hunker down in my studio and do a little crafty project.

I realized that it had been ages since I made any button bouquets. So on Wednesday, I brewed a big mug of green tea, cranked up Pandora, and combed through my jars of colorful vintage buttons.

I gathered all of the necessary materials on my work table. And before long, I had made a couple of little bouquets. Aren't they sweet? They've just made their Etsy debut, here.

We're supposed to get a fair bit of snow tomorrow. More crafty projects? We'll see . . .

Have a good weekend!

Susan

Winter Shopping

Here in my little corner of Connecticut, it looks like the cold weather has quietly settled in. No matter! I'm keeping busy in my warm and cozy studio happily working on a few crafty projects as well as these new listings for my Etsy shop.

These vintage goodies warm my heart and are just a few of the items I'll be sharing during the long, chilly winter ahead. More to come soon!

Susan

Happy Friday!

It has been a busy week, so I'm really looking forward to a relaxing weekend in our cozy cottage. We'll also be heading into NYC to spend time with our daughter, niece and grand nephew. Should be fun...

What are your plans for this weekend? Whatever they may be — have a good one!

Susan

I Have a Thing for Vintage Miniature Furniture

Cute, useful, endearing, and chock full of sweetness — just a few ways to describe vintage child-size furniture. Admittedly, I am quite taken with doll dressers, hutches and cabinets. And since I like to share, I search far and wide so that you'll always find a few offered for sale in my Etsy shop.

Each more charming than the next, the miniature relics shown above are past, present and future Etsy offerings. (The top left and bottom right will be listed later today). 

I love how these endearing relics do double double. They are a fun way to keep small desk supplies or jewelry stashed away and organized. They also are a perfect surface in which to display a diminutive collection.

I like to collect a wide range things, both large and small. However, sometimes my tiny collected treasures look lost when arranged alongside bigger items. When I place a scaled-down dresser, hutch or cabinet on a full-size dresser, hutch or cabinet, like magic, my small collectibles look happy and right at home. :)

Susan

My Latest Artfully Up-Cycled Globe

Presenting my newest creation . . . I really love how this one turned out!

Starting with a Cram's Imperial world globe with pastel land masses, I carefully cut out images from a favorite 1940s primer. I then decoupaged the paper ephemera so it encircles the vintage globe in an interesting fashion.

The "We Are Neighbors" theme is conveyed through the oh-so-charming illustrations of friendly children, houses, picket fences and all the activity that goes on in a neighborhood.

My latest artfully up-cycled world globe has just been listed in my Etsy shop. I bet once it finds a new home, it's sure to be a conversation piece.

Susan

Please Follow Me on Instagram!

Did you make any New Year's resolutions? I did, one of which I'll share with you today . . . T-Party Antiques is now on Instagram! And although I may have arrived a little late to the Instagram party, it is something I have wanted to do for some time. Thankfully, my darling daughter is a social media whiz. With her prodding, I finally have a T-Party Instagram feed. This free online photo sharing and social network platform is a fun, quick and easy way to view and share visually inspiring images. You might be asking: Isn't that what Pinterest provides? In a way. However, Instagram has a format that organizes photographs and videos in sequential order, so it functions like a mini-blog of sorts, allowing you to experience moments in your friends' lives through pictures as they happen. You can "favorite" and comment on the photos, too.

Yesterday's Instagram photo shows me in the midst of an altered art globe project. The one I had listed in my Etsy shop sold, so I have my work cut out for me, so to speak. ;)

Although my Instagram is only one week old, I plan to post frequently and load it up with lots of eye candy brimming with vintage appeal. I hope you will consider following me, at this link. Thanks a bunch!

Susan

As We Say Farewell to 2014 . . .

I hope you've enjoyed The T-Cozy's 85+ posts this past year and I invite you to stop by throughout 2015. Please know that I am forever grateful for your loyal readership and support.

My very best wishes to you and yours for a new year filled with happiness, good health, and most of all, peace on this planet we call Earth.

Susan

My, How Time Flies When You're in Love

On this day 30 years ago, I met the love of my life on a commuter train. We have been together and blissfully happy ever since.

 

I feel incredibly fortunate and so grateful to have John in my life. Was meeting him fate? Who knows? But what I do know is that time flies when you're in love. It feels like the last 30 years went by in 30 seconds.

To my dear husband John, Happy "Meeting" Anniversary!

Susan

Happy Holiday Wishes

As Chanukah comes to a close, Christmas is about to begin, and Kwanzaa is just around the corner — may you be surrounded by family, friends and lots of love to warm your heart all year long.

Happy Holidays!

Susan

Home Sweet Cottage

I'd like to introduce you to the newest member of my cottage stitchery collection...

...this adorable needlepoint house with dormer windows, a red roof and red shutters. I discovered it a few weeks ago at an antiques mall in New Bedford, MA. How appropriate that I found a Cape Cod-style cottage while on our way to Cape Cod!

My new acquisition reminded me of our very own Cape Cod-style cottage. Last week, we had our first snow of the season — just a dusting really, like someone sprinkled a fine coating of powdered sugar on everything.

Anyway — I hung the needlepoint on my studio wall among the other cottage pictures. It looks right at home there, don't you think?

Whoever made this little gem wrapped it around a piece of wood in the same shape which gives it a bit of dimension. Pretty clever.

Isn't it the cutest?

Susan

Making a Statement

Have you noticed that framed quotes are trendy these days? When just the right message is beautifully designed, they can become an inspiring home decor element which might encourage us to stay on track to reach a goal, remind us of our good fortune, help us to keep things in perspective, or simply make us smile.

Here are a few of my favorites, found while perusing Etsy this week. Enjoy!

Find this quote HERE from Etsy seller handz.

Find this quote HERE from Etsy seller IttyBittyBookCo.

Find this quote HERE from Etsy seller shopnevermore.

Find this quote HERE from Etsy seller HappyLetterShop.

Find this quote HERE from Etsy seller chloevaux.

Please take a moment to explore these lovely Etsy shops where you'll find even more wonderful words of wisdom.

Think I'll have some tea!

Susan

My Photogenic Work Table

Here's a little mid-week eye candy for your viewing pleasure — pics of my studio's teapot embellished and oh-so-photogenic vintage work table . . .

Isn't it the cutest?

I hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving. With both of our kids home, John and I enjoyed the long weekend tremendously.

Happy Hump Day!

Susan

5 Days to Save

Yay! To kick off the holiday shopping season, my sweet little Etsy shop is having a sale!

T-Party patrons who make purchases on Friday, November 28 through Tuesday, December 2 can save 20%. To do so, be sure to use the coupon code SAVE20 at checkout.

Happy shopping!

Susan

Turkey Day Greetings

Ever grateful for my wonderful family, inspiring friends, and loyal patrons!

A Holiday Sale for the Vintage Enthusiast

The holiday shopping season is upon us and it's sure to be crazy out there this weekend. I much prefer to avoid the crowds and shop online while relaxing in my favorite armchair with a cup of tea by my side. If you're like me, then be sure to peruse my Etsy shop on Friday for the start of a 20% off sale. There, you'll find a little bit of vintage everything.

Retro Christmas items are always nostalgic and fun. They are selling really fast this year.

A vintage personal-sized teapot with a matching handmade tea cozy is a thoughtful gift for the tea lover.

Vintage fun! I always stock an array of old toys in my Etsy shop, with even more coming soon.

Rustic relics like these make great gifts for guys.

Vintage aprons are both sweet and practical presents.

Kitschy canine collectibles are popular gifts for pet people.

Small vintage items make great stocking stuffers. In my shop, you'll find little mending kits, swatch portraits, a tiny children's book, miniature paintings, curtain tie-back holders, a Shawnee Pottery mini vase, metal tip trays and more.

My Etsy shop 20% off sale will run for five days. It begins on Black Friday, November 28 and goes through Tuesday, December 2. In order to receive the discount, you must use the coupon code SAVE20 at checkout.

I'll be listing additional items chock full of vintage appeal throughout December. So please stop back again!

Susan

Flying in Style

John and I spent last weekend with friends on Cape Cod. While perusing a local antique shop, I came across a fun find — an American Airlines postcard from the 1950s.

Depicting the main cabin of a DC-7 Mercury, this 365 mph passenger plane provided non-stop service between Los Angeles and New York. Back then, air travel was a special event and folks wore their very best clothes for the occasion.

A quick Google search unearthed an image of the DC-7 as well as an AA promotional film about their cross-country service, below.

Warning: it's rather lengthy, and this is only Part 1. Part 2 and Part 3 can be viewed here and here. In its entirely, the promo is 30 minutes long — a bit of a snooze-fest, unless you're an aviation buff.

Google also dredged up an advertisement about this flagship service. Coast to coast in under eight hours, and that was three hours less than existing flight times. My, we sure have come a long way! Something to think about as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, undoubtedly the busiest travel time of the year.

Susan

Rescued Relics

I never pass up tattered old books with beautiful covers. Why, you may ask? Because I like to repurpose them into spiral-bound notebooks brimming with vintage appeal.

Here are my latest rescued relics . . .

Sunny Bunny, a darling children's book from 1918, sports an illustration of the title character playing a flute on the front and a group of his friends on the back. The inside has pictures of Sunny's family in the garden of their adorable pink cottage.

The First Book of Magic, a fun children's instructional book, was originally published in 1953. With a graphic of a top hat and magician's wand on the front, it also has magical illustrations on the inside front and back covers.

Heidi, this classic children's chapter book by Johanna Spyri, was published in 1954 as part of Doubleday's Junior Deluxe series of kids' books.

This Dana Girls Mystery Stories chapter book is from the 1950s. I like the illustration of the Dana Girls holding a holding a flashlight on the green tweed front cover, as well as the drawings of the sleuthing duo on the inside.

In 1931, The North American Almanac was considered the aristocrat of almanacs. It features a wonderful illustration of Viking ships at sea on the front and back covers.

These reclaimed books-turned-journals, along with other items made by me, can be found for sale in my Etsy here.

Susan

Little Green Letters

Ever wonder what to do with orphaned parts from vintage board games? At estate sales, I often come across ones where there's just enough of the game missing to render it un-playable. However, I rarely pass them by if they have usable pieces that can be up-cycled into something else, like Scrabble with its little wooden squares that creative folks incorporate into mixed media art. Or these cardboard letters, below, from an old game called Dig that I found at a recent barn sale.

The game had seen better days, but I knew its letter pieces would be fun to use in crafty ways. In a nice shade of Jadeite green, several have areas that have faded to a soft brown color. Shabby perfection.

Yesterday afternoon, using red and white baker's twine thread through a large embroidery needle, I began stringing together letters to make a little message garland. Sitting at my work table with my favorite music on, this simple project was very relaxing. Fun, too.

I think the finished garland is super sweet, perfect to place across a mirror, on a wreath, or just about anywhere. When time permits, I plan to make more with different messages like Happy Holidays, Welcome, etc. Then I'll list a few in my Etsy shop to see if they are sellable.

Any ideas as to what else I should spell out? If so, please let me know . . . Thanks!

Susan

A Republic of Tea Tasting

Lately, my brew of choice (beside Susan's Blend) is green tea. So when The Republic of Tea recently contacted me asking if I'd sample a few of their premium teas, I chose to try an array of their organic green teas.

How lovely to find a package with these three varieties on my doorstep: Spice of Life Green Tea combines green tea with turmeric, ginger, cinnamon and pure honey flavor. Their Organic Dancing Leaves variety is a full-leaf loose green tea. And Double Green Matcha Tea combines organic green tea powder (matcha) with organic green leaf tea.

I really like The Republic of Tea's round, unbleached tea bags. They stack neatly in those well-designed cylindrical tins and nestle comfortably inside the teacup. For the loose tea, I used a mesh stainless steel tea ball which is perfect for brewing one cup.

I fired up my tea kettle and when it whistled its tune, the brewing began. Using a timer left over from my tea room days, I steeped each for a full three minutes. Then it was time to sip...

When brewed, each variety had a distinctive color and taste. The Spice of Life blend was complex and a bit sweet. I definitely could taste the cinnamon, turmeric and ginger. The Dancing Leaves loose tea was hardy and rich with smoky tones. And the Double Green Matcha was simpler and quite smooth.

All three teas were yummy, but I had a clear favorite: Double Green Matcha. Many thanks to The Republic of Tea for sharing!

Susan

Collective Inspiration

Belonging to folks wishing to pare down their stash, the items shown below have somehow found their way to me. To lend a hand, I have offered to sell them in my Etsy shop. Perhaps they will inspire someone to start a new collection . . .

Art Deco anyone? These 1940s delphinium blue Hall Pottery pieces were made as an accessory to Westinghouse refrigerators.

It takes a village. These glittery little cardboard buildings from the 1950s are chock full of Christmas kitsch.

Industrial chic. These vintage porcelain glove molds, in an array of sizes, can become quirky and sculptural home decor.

Preserve the past. These blue Ball mason jars came straight out of an old red barn from an estate that was once a dairy farm.

Gosh, lots to list! You know what I'll be doing for the rest of the month . . . 

Hope you have a terrific weekend!

Susan

The World is My Canvas

I recently found two old globes that are ripe for repurposing. Both are in rough shape and no longer geographically accurate, making them perfect for some crafty projects. 

A vintage primer, titled We Are Neighbors, provided the images for my upcycled globe on the left. It features charming illustrations of friendly children at play in an active neighborhood. This fall, I think I'll use these images, once again, to transform my newest finds into earthly art. 

I enjoy getting crafty every once in a while. How about you? 

Susan

Grime Time

I've never been afraid of a little dirt, which is a good thing because you wouldn't believe some of the estate sales I attend. Many take place in neglected houses that are grime-encrusted from attic to cellar. But to find the good stuff, you have to be fearless.

I often purchase things which haven't been cleaned for decades that most estate sale goers pass by. My latest find is a case in point: this darling doll dresser, the kind of endearing item that usually sells within the first few minutes of a sale. 

I guess its schmutz must have turned people off. (Or perhaps it was just waiting for me.) 

Caked with dirt, this charming relic was in desperate need of a new home — and a good cleaning. A little elbow grease really brought it back to life. 

I even lined its two small drawers with pretty vintage paper making it all ready for its Etsy debut.

This little dresser looks so happy now. If it could, it would be smiling.

Susan

Never Stop to Think... Do I Have a Place for This?

I have a favorite new decorating book! Written by best-selling author Mary Randolph Carter, it’s titled Never Stop to Think... Do I Have a Place for This?

I have long admired Carter's approach to decorating. She embraces living stylishly while surrounding herself with massive collections of treasured things. Way to go! 

Here’s what publisher Rizzoli has to say about the book:

Mary Randolph Carter's newest book indulges our desire to surround ourselves with belongings that impart beauty and meaning to our lives. Whether you are passionate about flea market thrifting, have a collection of pedigreed antiques, or simply find inspiration among the castoffs in your attic, this book is a tribute to making artful interiors with your acquisitions.

With her trademark style and love of heirlooms and beautiful old objects, Carter delves into the interiors of real-life tastemakers (antique dealers, fashion designers, artists, and boutique owners) to explore how our homes are the perfect canvas for our self-expression. In these pages, Carter curates a variety of unique interiors, from a couple who restores and displays antique textiles and china to an anglophile with an incredible library of vintage books to an artist who lives with the old photos and maps he uses in his work to an antique dealer known for having multiples of everything. Carter muses delightfully on the universal desire to acquire while imparting her philosophy and tips for living creatively and integrating our passions stylishly into our decor. Chock-full of ideas and inspiration, this book exalts in the beauty of bounty and is sure to delight Carter's legions of fans.

If you are an incurable collector like me, not only will you find this book inspiring, you will find yourself in very good company. And when that next vintage flea market find shouts, Take me home!, you just may no longer stop to think... Do I have a place for this?

Susan

Kitchen Inspiration with a Vintage Vibe

Remember my inspiration book? 

Filled with tear sheets of wonderful rooms from my favorite shelter magazines, it really came in handy over the past year. 

When we moved to our new house last fall, it was the first place I looked for kitchen ideas. I have been saving pictures of kitchens with a vintage vibe for years, not knowing I'd ever get a chance to design one from scratch. 

Our new home gave me that opportunity. We are thoroughly enjoying our new kitchen, which I believe is just as lovely as any of the ones in my inspiration book.

I am always on the lookout for visual inspiration. And like many of you out there, I now save my favorite images on Pinterest. Click here you'd like to view more of my Pinterest boards.

What do you like to pin?

Susan

To Tea or Not To Tea?

That is the question. You see, even though I no longer have my tea room, I still get requests for tea. Every so often, someone calls my cell phone asking to book a private party or make a reservation for afternoon tea. I hate to hear the disappointment in their voices when I tell them my tea room closed six years ago.

Other times, I am contacted by someone wanting to try one of the teas offered at my former establishment. Just last week, one of my lovely Etsy shop patrons from New Hampshire was curious about my former tea room, so I suggested she peruse the Once Upon a Tea Room category on this blog to see the posts I wrote while the shop was still open. 

A week later, I heard back from her. She said, “Thanks for the link to your blog. It's easy to get lost in there! I've enjoyed seeing the pictures and reading the stories of your tea room, and regret that I did not get to experience it in person. Do you sell your loose tea blends? Your Susan's Blend is one I would like to try.” 

I called my tea purveyor to see if they could create a fresh batch of my namesake tea, a delicious Rooibos mixed with ginseng, blackberry leaves, orange peel, rosehips, chicory, ginger root and a hint of cinnamon. Luckily, they kept the Susan's Blend recipe on file all these years and kindly made some for me to send off to my customer in New Hampshire.

Since then, I've been pondering whether I should offer some of these loose leaf teas for purchase in my Etsy shop. 

Hmmm, to tea or not to tea? Not sure what I'll do . . . But in the meantime, I would be happy to take order requests for the varieties shown in the list above. Feel free to contact me via my website's email form to discuss your tea needs.

Happy weekend!

Susan

A Year in the Life of a Cottage

365 days ago, we became the proud owners of a house brimming with potential. From the very first time I set eyes on it, I knew this humble abode had everything I wanted. All it needed was a little TLC. Well, maybe more than a little...

Over the past year, I've shared our vintage home's top to bottom improvement projects with you — its new roof, garden, paint, floors, kitchen, dining room, family room, living room — and let's not forget my new studio. Yes, it has been a lot of work. But I would do it again in a heartbeat. I hope you've enjoyed seeing the progress as we brought this 1925 charmer back to life. Thank you for coming along.

Is this finally the cottage of my dreams? You betcha!

Susan

Coming Attractions This Fall: Part III

And finally, presenting “Part III”. . . 

. . .  a Little Miss toy sewing machine, pair of crochet dress pot holders, Ransburg Pottery sugar bowl and creamer set, instant collection of thread in a cut glass jar, children's book titled That's Why Stories, R. Atkinson Fox cottage print, pastel chenille crib quilt, floral water pitcher, set of Hazel Atlas cobalt blue glasses with white sailboats, fabric tote bag with vintage plastic handle, Susie Cooper Patricia Rose plate, and a sturdy footstool with yellow paint.

These appealing vintage goodies will be trickling into my Etsy shop over the next month. As always, if something in the last three posts has caught your eye, let me know and I will be happy to place it on reserve just for you.

Susan

Coming Attractions This Fall: Part II

As promised, here is “Part II” of what's new . . .

. . . a teapot-shaped salt and pepper set, tea time apron, red metal shelf, three lots of 1940s greeting cards, Syracuse China flower pattern berry bowls, Pretty Maid toy sink, Onondaga Pottery Company (OPCO) personal-size diner teapot and matching cozy, vintage flower basket with tin liner, set of four ivy tip trays, woman's woven hat with flowers, and a Syracuse China restaurant-ware individual teapot and matching cozy.

Stop back tomorrow for a peek at “Part III” packed with even more vintage goodies destined for my Etsy shop!

Susan

Coming Attractions This Fall: Part I

All day long, I've been busy photographing my latest vintage finds to ready them for their Etsy debut. A few have already made an appearance in my sweet little shop. The rest will be listed very soon.

Here is “Part I” of what's new . . .

 . . . a porcelain dog figurine, Japan covered pitcher, old school abacus, Nasturtium flower lampshade, Sunny Bunny reclaimed journal, Steubenville China Russel Wright seafoam green serving bowl, iron table lamp with winter scene lampshade, pair of sad iron bookends, woman's velvet hat, wooden tray with carved lilies, personal-size Hall China diner teapot, and a set of six small aluminum trays.

Please stay tuned for “Part II” tomorrow!

Susan

Finding the Good Stuff

To ready my Etsy shop for a busy autumn and holiday season, I did some shopping myself last weekend. On Saturday, I visited an estate sale at this historic house, below. 

Unoccupied and shuttered for over 20 years, this three-story home is in complete disrepair and has plaster literally falling off the walls. Even though it has been sorely neglected, it was also chock full of interesting and wonderfully obsolete objects. 

I have been to estate sales in some really scary houses. But this one was particularly frightening. Sometimes you gotta be brave to find the good stuff!

On Sunday, John and I took a stroll around the annual flea market on the grounds of the Lockwood Mathews Mansion Museum in Norwalk, CT. 

There were several sellers there with an array of interesting vintage items, so I was able to find a few more fun things for my shop.

I'm spending this week photographing my finds to prepare them for their Etsy debut. There's lots to show you, so I'll devote my next three posts to my latest discoveries. Stay tuned!

Susan

And So It Begins . . .

Oh, how I love this weather! Love the crisp, cool air; love wearing a warm, cozy sweater; love the colorful leaves.

Happy Fall! 

Susan

Re-Purposeful Creations on Etsy

You may have noticed that I am a fan of using vintage objects in new, creative ways. Always on the lookout for inspiration, I love to meander through Etsy shops and stumble upon talented sellers who dazzle me with their upcycled products. Here are a few of my latest discoveries.

Rodger Thomas of Atlanta is a masterful re-purposer who stocks his shop, Benclif Designs, with innovative lighting. Two of my favorites: a percolator lamp (complete with floating coffee cup) and his electric fan table lamp.

Indianian Peggy's shop, Salvage Relics, is chock full of vintage goodness. I particularly like her re-purposed set of faucet handle photo holders, shown above. 

Manfred Maiers of Minneapolis offers unique, eco-friendly accent pieces, many of which use vintage cameras. These two, and many others, can be found in his shop called Light and Time Art.

Love this magnetic Air Race Globe, brought to you by Sandy of Michigan's Vintage Homegoods shop.

Ingenious dollhouses, large and small, are crafted from recycled containers (suitcases, match boxes, cigar boxes) by Australian Marisa David. These little works of art can be found in her Suitcase Dollhouse shop.

Last but certainly not least — the whimsical and weird "Air Plant Boy." Brooklyn's Ursula loves to give new life to unexpected beauties. This kinda creepy creation, and many more curiosities, can be viewed in her quirky shop called EarthSeaWarrior.

Susan

Green, Greener, Greenest

Check out this car I spotted a few weeks ago in Oak Bluffs! Being a Prius owner, I always thought I had a "green" car. But this vintage, ivy-encrusted Volkswagen Beetle is even greener.

Speaking of my Prius . . . John and I have decided the time has come for a new car. I must say, I have thoroughly enjoyed my Prius for the past seven years. But our new home is located in a rather hilly part of town — good if you want to avoid flooding from hurricanes — bad if you want to go anywhere on a snowy day.

Last winter, we had lots of trouble navigating the rolling hills around our lovely cottage. After going to the gym one snowy morning, we couldn't even make it home. We had to leave the Prius at the bottom of a hill and walk back. And that wasn't even my Prius! John drives a company car and it is a Prius, too! Therefore, after last year's super harsh winter, we vowed to get a new car that would get through most anything.

Having been spoiled with the Prius' gas mileage, we began our new car search by looking at Hybrids. The criteria? They had to have All Wheel Drive, be affordable and fit in our smallish garage. Unfortunately, they are few and far between.

Next we focused on fuel efficient AWD vehicles. Want to know my favorite? The Mini Countryman. What a crazy fun car! But it is also crazy small and we deemed it unpractical. Time for a Subaru . . .

We finally settled on a Crosstrek, their zippy, smaller AWD. It even comes in a hybrid version. However, that model costs several thousand dollars more and only gets an additional five miles more to the gallon. So the standard Crosstrek, a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV), would do just fine.

In a few short weeks, we'll be going from being a two-Prius to a one-Prius family. I'm sure it is for the best as then we will be ready for the winter to come. Bring on the snow!

Susan

My Studio Revisited

It has been a while since I've blogged about my new studio. Hard to believe that I've been in the space for seven months already! As time marches on, I continue to tweak my lovely new workroom, making small changes and improvements that keep me happy and organized. 

I love to spend time in this special room where I am surrounded by cheerful things brimming with vintage appeal. These whimsical relics never fail to inspire and make me smile. 

Do you have a smile-provoking place in your house that is all yours? If so, I'd love to hear about it. If not, see if you can find one. You'll be glad you did!

Susan

Scenes from the 146th Grand Illumination

What a magical night! I will be forever grateful to my sweet son Jacob for letting me tag along on his spur of the moment getaway to Martha's Vineyard.

BTW: the morning after this glorious event, I rode my bike to a gym in town for a work out. Afterward, I strolled through the MVCMA for one more look and to my surprise, there wasn't one lantern in sight. Everything was back to normal and I found myself thinking — Was that a dream?

Susan

Preparing for O.B.'s Showiest Night of the Year

Grand Illumination Night is the annual summer event that is most emblematic of the magical Martha's Vineyard Camp Meeting Association. This historic community in Oak Bluffs, MA, has over 300 charming homes embellished with gingerbread trim and painted in every color of the rainbow. One August day each year since 1868, cottage owners retreat to dusty attics and unpack Asian lanterns and umbrellas, many as old as the homes themselves, to embellish their picture-perfect cottages even more. Come nightfall, these lanterns will be lit en masse to the oohs and ahhs of thousands of appreciative onlookers.

I spent the afternoon before Grand Illumination last week riding my bicycle around this area so that I could watch as the cottage owners prepared for their showiest night of the year. The result is the photos, below.

Aren't they wonderful? Just wait until you see them all lit up — in my next post! 

Enjoy the holiday weekend,

Susan

The Ferry at Daybreak, No Lines at the Art Cliff Diner, and a Little House Called "Seashell Cottage"

Last week's unexpected visit to Martha's Vineyard was such a treat. Here's how I was able to go back a second time this summer to my most favorite place on the planet...

Before returning to college, my son and his girlfriend were planning a last minute trip away. MV was where they really wanted to go, but it can be very tricky finding a place to stay and getting a spot on the ferry with such short notice. Luckily, there was space at a camp site and I helped them secure a ferry ticket. (The only boat available was at 7am!) I then checked an online calendar to see what was happening during the three days they would be on the island. When I saw that they'd be there for Grand Illumination Night, I was beyond jealous. I have always wanted to witness that lovely spectacle. So, Jacob kindly invited me along! Now I just needed to find a place to stay.

I'm not one for camping, nor did I want to horn in on Jacob's trip, so I was bound and determined to find a room for two nights near the action in Oak Bluffs. Plus, to further stay out of Jacob's hair, I was going to use my bike to get around. I searched every inn and hotel to no avail. They were all booked and had long waiting lists. I was just about to give up when I came upon a listing for a room at a tiny place in O.B. named Seashell Cottage. To my delight, it was available! 

In order to get to Wood's Hole and catch the 7am ferry, we began our journey by the light of the moon at 1:30am. I offered to drive and with almost no other cars on the road, we arrived at the ferry landing in record time — so early, in fact, that we were put on the 6am ferry. How lovely to watch the sun rise as we made our way to our beloved island.

By 6:45am, we docked in Vineyard Haven and headed to our favorite place for breakfast, The Art Cliff Diner. Eating there generally involves a 45-minute (or more) wait for a table but it's always worth it. This time however, we arrived just as they opened and didn't have to wait at all. (I guess 7am is the time to go. By 7:20, every table was occupied!)

After a delicious Art Cliff breakfast, we drove over to Seashell Cottage and met Carol who graciously rents out one of the bedrooms in her darling house. We also met Birdie, her adorable blue-eyed Cocker Spaniel rescue.

Seashell Cottage sits high above Lagoon Pond and is adjacent to a path that leads to a small neighborhood beach. With a white washed beadboard interior, this little cottage oozes with charm. Have a look inside.

Isn't it sweet? And best of all, it's walking and biking distance to Oak Bluffs. Bicycles are a popular and perfect mode of transportaion on Martha's Vineyard because there are miles of paved bike paths that are safe and separate from the road.

Please check back for more about last week's blissful MV trip. Next time, I'll share pics of the Martha's Vineyard Camp Meeting Association cottages as they prepare for their showiest night of the year.

Susan

Three Days of MV Bliss

Talk about spur of the moment... I have just taken an unexpected trip to Martha's Vineyard. Again? Yes!!! And it was all because of an opportunity that arose that allowed me to be there during an event that has been on my bucket list for decades: Grand Illumination Night.

I returned home late last night, so once I have a chance to catch my breath, I'll be sharing more about my three days of bliss on MV.

Happy weekend!

Susan

A Green Thumb Moment

A concrete birdbath seemed like a good idea when I acquired it over a decade ago. For years, it resided in our garden under a shady tree. In all that time however, I never once saw a bird bathing in it. They preferred to splash around in random puddles on our driveway after a soaking rain. Every now and then, a neighborhood cat would drink out of it, but other than that, the birdbath sat idle.

When we moved, the birdbath came along, but I was reluctant to fill it with water. So it sat in our basement until this summer when I decided to use it for something else entirely — a planter.

The birdbath is somewhat shallow, so I figured the only plants that would thrive are tiny succulents and rock garden plants. Luckily I found a few small varieties at a nearby garden center. I planted them and then used recycled glass rocks to improve drainage and cover the soil.

I placed the birdbath on a shabby vintage table in a spot that gets lots of afternoon sun on our front terrace.

This welcoming outdoor area features a couple of wrought iron chairs, my favorite broom that was handmade in Appalachia, a primitive cottage painting on the wall, and now — our birdbath-turned-planter. 

Susan