Friday, January 24, 2014

This Treasure Is So Doggone Cute


My fashion philosophy is, if you're not
 covered in dog hair, your life is empty.

--Elayne Boosler

If you're a dog lover, you know firsthand the intensity of the tug a dog can have on the heartstrings. Barney, our exuberant black lab, is confidante and clown, protector and playmate, beggar and best friend.

Dogs are so special to me, I find it difficult to pass up canine kitsch on my treasure hunts. Vintage dog items always make me smile. Admit it, don't these beguiling hand-carved cuties brighten your day?


This wooden piece, a recent estate sale find, was clearly handmade. It's seen better days, but still maintains tremendous charm. I put a deck of--what else--vintage dog playing cards in the box section, which most likely was intended to hold cigarettes. My vintage Scottie candy container makes a good companion to its carved cousins.


The paperback "Dogs" book was a recent flea market score.




The book doesn't have a copyright date, but  it's definitely decades old. It's in very good vintage condition. The contents feature descriptions of many breeds and the pictures are stickers that have been added to the pages. The book is a promotional giveaway for Gro-Pup Dog Food, a Kellogg's brand.


Not a new find, this handsome and stately pointer is a mid-Century console lamp and has graced the top of our piano for several years.


The large chalkware dog belonged to my grandmother. He is accompanied by a couple of friends I found at estate sales.

Dogs are not our whole life,
 but they make our lives whole.







The antique, iron St. Bernard bank belonged to my husband's grandmother. It still contains many of her old coins.


This darling litho is stained with age and has some significant other "beauty marks," none of which detract from the sweet image. Dogs and babies . . . awwww. Picked this up for a couple of bucks at a local estate sale.


When an eighty-five pound mammal

 licks your tears away, then tries to sit

 on your lap, it's hard to feel sad.

- Kristan Higgins, Catch of the Day


And, here's to the most special dog in our collection--our 93-pound baby. Barney, you're the best.

Make it a great day!
Linking to:
Knick of Time Tuesday
What's It Wednesday
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Monday, January 20, 2014

Turning Some Tassels


You may have seen them around the estate sale, thrift store, garage sale circuit. The lonely, single vintage salt or pepper shaker. Long ago separated from its partner.

I've collected an eclectic bunch of singles on my treasure hunts and enjoy transforming them into one-of-a-kind decorative tassels. I previously shared my upcycling method with you here. Recently, I got the itch to shake up some new tassel treasures.

Here's some of what I've been up to:


This one's a hoot. He's dedicated to my daughter, who's crazy about owls.



This art deco design is so evocative. Surely this one must have appeared on the dinner party table at one of Jay Gatsby's extravagant summer bashes.




What pretty, dainty feet on this charmer.  They add such a special dimension. The holes in the top of the shaker are decorated with gold stars.



This is my personal favorite. The pretty spring green design looks Irish to me, even though the salt shaker was made in Germany. The embellishment around the base of the shaker is a wonderful scrap of reclaimed metallic trim.

I've been using tassels to jazz up my decor for years. Since I started making my own with upcycled salt and pepper shakers, I've been enjoying this simple decorative element even more.

Make it a great day!
Linking to:
Masterpiece Monday