How to Create a Keepsake Vignette

I collect vintage compacts (mostly Stratton) and I wanted to display them in a  "cherished" way. So I found some small random boxes around the house, covered them with hankies and started arranging my compacts around. I also added keepsakes from my boys, special pictures, old gloves, and vintage jewelry. 

You can easily create a keepsake or collectibles box with inexpensive items from thrift stores, yard sales, or even from things around your house. I created this one with a vintage carry-on case.

There is really no wrong way to put it together. 
But there are some tips I can give:

1. Try to create different heights for interest. I used the boxes for this.
2. Put the larger things in first. Largest then smallest.
3. Use anything you love. Create a theme or make it eclectic, like mine.
4. Try and use items with different textures, finishes, patterns. This will add interest too.
5. Make it your own. As long as you love it, that's all that matters! 

Now, go create a keepsake vignette and send me a pic. I want to see your creations!

Classic Movie: Journey to the Center of the Earth

At first you might over-look this movie because it is a 1950s Sci-fi, but this movie has so much to offer: action, adventure, love, wit. And don't forget about the graphics. That is one appeal of this movie. They did such a great job with the graphics considering the year it was made (1959).

It is probably cheesy to some, but it is more nostalgic for me. This movie and The Teahouse of the August Moon had such an impact on me when I was young. So much so, that I use the three notches in Journey to the Center of the Earth as my painting signature. 

Sweet Potato - Watercolor

Now lets talk about Pat Boone. Handsome and smooth are two words I would use to describe Pat. He's got the looks and the voice. He makes it look so easy when he sings, and the smoothness of his voice is...well, listen for yourself. Pat Boone - My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose

Give this movie a try! You don't want to miss the giant lizards, a crystal paradise, and let's not forget James Mason!

Pat Boone and Arlene Dahl

My $2 Side Table

I found this vintage side table at a yard sale last year. It was from the side of an old vanity. When the seller said it was $2, I knew I had to snag it! 

I wish I would have taken a before pic. It had a really cool art deco design. I tried to find a way to save the design, but couldn't think of anything. So I painted it matte black and roughed it up a bit. Those nobs are original too! Love them!

I want to put an old sign on the side. Guess I will have to wait till I find the right one. I thought about painting a sign on the side, but I really want an old rusty metal one. And the search continues...

A Silly Verse About Yard Selling

I walk up the lane and take in a wondrous vision. 
So many different things. I am on a mission!

I remind myself not to show my pleasure, 
but I'm jumping inside at the site of these treasures.

Slowly I gaze and wonder around some more. 
Oh look! Oh my! It's milk glass galore!

Another and another. I have found so many things
to fill my spirit. It's as if I had wings.

Walking away, I smile with satisfaction.
I MUST keep going. Its such an attraction. 

-Rachel Harvey

Finished Foyer (Almost)

So it has taken me quite a while to finish my foyer. Mostly because I don't like to paint walls. (It had an awful faux finish that made it look kinda dirty.) I've put it off till I couldn't stand it anymore! I do that quite often. NOW, It is painted and somewhat decorated. I say "somewhat" because I probably will add more once I find the perfect pieces, as in, the right shape, color, and size pieces.

Anyways, I am writing this post to tell you about a great website where you can print off high-quality nature paintings for free!

John James Audubon was an amazing artist who painted all kinds of birds in a very natural and eye-catching way. I just looove his style! All you have to do to print these great paintings to to subscribe to the email list. Easy peasy! Here is the link . . .  https://www.audubon.org/birds-of-america

I used two of his paintings in my foyer and I will probably use more around the house.

NOW on to the items I chose and their budget-friendly prices! I like to share the price of things I've found so you can see that it is so easy to decorate on a budget. Just be patient and keep searching. You WILL find great things you can use to decorate with! Everything in this foyer was under $12 each! Check out this list...

1. Picture frames - $7 each from Ikea
2. Vintage Sewing table - $10 (It got a fresh coat of paint too)
3. Refurbished Lamp - $12
4. Yard Sale Orchid(faux) - $2 
5. 1/2 off Wreath - $12
6. Yard sale rug - $3 (Threw it into the washer. Good as new.)
7. Coat Stand (not pictured) - $10
8. Bird Prints - Free
9. I got the basket and violin case at an estate sale. I don't remember the cost, but I know they weren't over $10.
10. Woven Bag - Had it for years and can't remember the cost. It was stored in a closet.

I accumulated all these things over 6 months or so. Patients and persistence is the key. I'll post more pics when it is completely finished. At least it is pleasing to look at, for now. 

Tip - That empty violin case hides the lamp cord and outlet. 

Replacing Cheap Door Knobs

New Vintage Knobs

After living in our new house for a few weeks we realized that the door knobs were cheap. Zach had to rig them up with some duck tape inside just so we can use them properly. WHAT A HASSLE!

We found the same door knobs online, which were about $17 a piece. Cheaply priced, cheaply made. Then we found the good quality ones that we need to fit the door properly. $70 BUCKS EACH! Zach kept telling me to buy one every month till they were all replaced, but I couldnt bring myself to do it. I am a cheapo and we need nine door knobs total. 9 x $70 = $630 JUST FOR DOOR KNOBS!

I waited and waited. I started getting stuck in the bathrooms and the boys rooms, because they were falling apart. Once when I got stuck in the bathroom, I had to unscrew the knob plate with my tweezers. At least my two boys (5 and 18 months) were with me and I didn't have to worry about their well-being. lol Wow. This is kinda funny as I am writing all of this down.

Anyways, Zach kept telling me to buy the $70 ones. "No!" I said, "You are just going to have to push that Buy button, cause I can't do it." Zach got on Ebay and started to look at vintage/antique knobs. We found two for $30 total! YAY! Zach installed them, and they are great! They work perfectly and look old. WIN WIN!

So all of our door knobs will be different, which gives our house just a little bit more personality.

The Value of Knowledge and Experience

 photo by Greg Ruffing via Wired Raw File

The other night Zach and I were discussing our greatest finds. I realized that we have learned and experienced so much in such a short time.

I remember the first time we went hunting for vintage and antiques for our Etsy shop.  We didn't know what to look for. We didn't know what would sell. We just bought stuff we liked and made a lot of guesses too. I remember telling Zach that I could not wait till we knew more about vintage...the history...the popular brand names...whether it was desirable.

Now, we know what we are looking for. We know what sells. Of course, we still take risks on things we don't know about. Risk is important when learning about new things. Zach likes to take more risks than I do, and I am thankful for that. He will buy a pricey item, and I will be very skeptical. I voice my opinion, but we always seem to come out great on his buys. I think he has kinda gotten a big head about it. lol 

It is so exhilarating to find an item at a yard sale for pennies-on-the-dollar and then to find out it is worth hundreds! For example: I bought a vintage item for $2 at a yard sale, brand new, never used. I sold it for almost $200. This is one of my favorite finds!

I encourage you - Go to yard sales and estate sales. Find old things you love and would use yourself. Buy used, instead of new.  Haggle! - Of course, there are bad yard/estate sale days, but it is soooo worth it when it is a good day! Ohh, it just makes my heart start thumping just thinking about it.

Lennon's Vintage Camping Nursery

So the theme for Lennon's room is "Vintage Camping". I love how it turned out. Unique and repurposed. My inspirational piece for this room was the rustic rocking chair and stool. I bought it in Florida long before Lennon was even thought of. Can you believe I got it at a thrift store in excellent condition for only 50 bucks? Score!

A lot of the items in the room I had around the house. And others items, Zach and I put together. Zach made me that wonderful bookshelf. I was inspired by one I saw on Pinterest, and Zach just whipped it up. He just knows exactly what I envision. I love that about him. Anyways, I painted some stripes on the paddles and the finishing touch was the map hung by some rope.

Almost everything in this room was used, except the curtains, rug, and a few decor items. The used items I bought from thrift stores, estate sales, and yard sales. It just came together so easily, with some help from Pinterest. :)

Long Time, No Read

Lennon Graham

Welp, It has been a crazy year. Had a new baby boy! Isn't he adorable?! I just think he is perfection.

Anyways, we went to an auction for the first time in forever the other week. It was great! I have missed it! The population was low, so the prices were low. Just how I like it. I bought some adorable, feminine hankies...vintage and never used! Love them! They would look so cute framed and put in a collage on a wall. Or you could make cute, little pillow out of them. Hmm...well I was going to sell them, but now I might want to keep them.

Inspired: 1950's Dress

I am starting this new blog series, called Inspired. VERY often I get inspired to try something new and fun. And when this happened, it is the only thing on my mind for days, until I get it done. I get kinda obsessed when I'm inspired, and needless to say, it can drive Zach a little nuts. BUT he is the same way! Anyways, this is my first "Inspired" post!

naughtyshorts.blogspot.com

I have always wanted to make a dress. I did make a jumper in high school, but I don't count that. Fear and maybe a little bit of laziness are the reasons I have not made a dress. BUT! I am doing it now. I was inspired when one of my friends pinned a blog about making dresses out of vintage sheets. They are simply adorable! Look to the left. :)

So I checked out Hobby Lobby for patterns, and they did not have anything that I liked, so I went to Etsy. I knew I would find something there, and I did. YAY!

Looove! I am going to make the plaid one, but with a floral print fabric and probably without the bow. I looove bows, but I don't think I like the placement on the dress. Look at the back, isn't it adorbs (as my sis would put it)! Can't wait to get started. I will let you know how it turns out, and I will take pictures if it is good. Wish me luck!

The Lull of Winter

Zach and I have been aching for some good auctions, estate sales, and yard sales. We had forgotten what winter brings...nothing, a lull in vintage snagging. It is quite sad. Of course, we find things here and there at thrift shops and such, but it is not like the massive snagging we do in the spring and summer. Oh spring, how I love thee! I am dying for spring to get here for more reasons than one. Let me give you a list of reasons, if you are interested...

It's pretty and fun for about five minutes!

1. It's spring. Who doesn't like spring!

2. We are building a pergola and patio on the back of our house. YAYYY!

3. More, more vintage galore

4. Gardening. We love to make our yard b-e-a-u-tiful.

5. The warmer weather. I am from Florida. I love the heat.

6. No more winter downers. If you are like me, the winter just gets you down and lazy.

So those are the top reasons why I can't wait for spring to get here! What are your reasons?

Last year's Easter egg hunting

My Favorite Earrings

I found these lovelies at a thrift store in Florida for $3 (with no missing stones)! I am in love with them, therefore, I will keep them till I die. And to beat all, I have never worn them. I just don't have an outfit worthy enough. I picture wearing them with a feminine white or cream dress...to a spring wedding or garden party (like I ever go to garden parties). Anyways, I keep them in this little box that I also found at...somewhere... I think it was Goodwill. I take them out once in a while to cherish them. Keep in mind that these earrings are only worth $15-$20, but they are worth so much more to me. I LOVE THEM!

When I was younger, I refused to where clip-ons. I don't know why, I guess it was a pride thing. But now, it doesn't bother me. I where vintage clip-ons and screw-backs more then anything. Read with a salesman voice: They are relatively cheaper, better quality, and cuter.

These earrings were made by a jewelry company called Leru. This company made a bunch of other dainty jewelry in the 50's and 60's. If you like dainty and feminine, keep your eye out for Leru.

You're mine...allll mine!

I found this adorrrable tea mug at an estate sale the other week. I say "tea mug" because I'm a tea drinker. When I saw it sitting on the shelf, I thought "Oh that's cute." But when I picked it up and looked inside I thought, "OMG That is sooooo cute! A frog!" I loved the speckled exterior in blue and green, but the best part is the cute little frog hiding inside. I held on firm and knew it was mine...forever!

Oh, I just realized that I have tea in this mug waiting from me. See ya.

The Perfect Estate Sale

My life-saver!

I just have to tell yall about the estate sale I went to today. It's hard to find a good one, but this one was excellent.

I had plenty of fruit snacks for Cayden, so he was set to just follow me around and eat his snack. As I walk in, I notice everything is well organized and priced. Almost immediately I find something. YAY! I am walking around with things in my hands trying to find a worker to ask if I can start a pile somewhere, when a worker approaches me. She says, "Let me help you," and then led me to the garage where they had shelves with a sign that said,"On hold." They had tons of shelves where you can place your finds and then go get more. GENIUS! I have never seen that before. It was great! So I kept going back and forth. Find something, go put it on the self...find...shelf. And Cayden just kept following me around while stuffing his mouth. lol. 

What a great experience! They have 50% off on Sunday, so I am definitely going back!

It's a Gamble!

When you think of "Estate Sale," you think of tons of stuff (goodies) that a family wants to get rid of, right? Well, that is what I think of.

So we went to this estate sale a couple of weeks ago. We drove thirty minutes to this sale. I was so excited! Eek! I almost left Zach and Cayden behind at the car to go find those sales inside. But I refrained, yet again. We all walked up to the garage. I took one look at a price tag on a jar, and I knew we aren't going to find much. Walking, I'm walking through. Yah, there is some great stuff, but the prices are outrageous! What are these people thinking! Of course the workers were hired to sell this stuff for the family. But come on! Don't you want to get rid of this stuff! hhh. We didn't buy a thing.

That's all I have to say.

Our Personal Collections

We finallyyyy got a curio cabinet for our personal collections. I'm the kind of person who will wait a long time until I find what I want at the right price. So I have been waiting a while for this curio. I found it on Craigslist and jumped on it. It is just perfect for us. YAY!

On the top shelf we showcase our vintage lighter collection. We don't smoke, but we just like lighters. Zach and I both collect them. On the second shelf is Zach's taxidermy collection. He likes the weird and unusual taxidermy. He is nuts. I will probably put my vintage compact collection on the third shelf. I just looove dainty compacts. I collect mostly Stratton compacts, which are the best in my book. I don't know why they don't make things like they used to. hhh.

Kangaroo and baby made from rabbit fur. Rockin' Duckling.

A few of my favorites.

Giveaway!

Ok ladies (and gents if you want these for your special lady)! I am doing a giveaway for ya. 

All you have to do is get your friends to follow my blog. Whoever gets the most friends to follow will receive these adorable stick pins. In order for your friends to count, just have them comment on this post telling me that you sent them. This giveaway will last two weeks. Good luck and may the best lady (or gent) win!

Men...

Zach is going to paint it white, and I am going
to add some glass knobs to the drawers.

Where to start. As yall know, I have been working on redecorating my guest room. It is all painted and cleaned. Now I just have to hang up my curtains and pictures and add some nicknacks. BUT! I can't do that until my HUSBAND finishes repainting my vintage vanity. I got it at a yard sale for $22! YES! I love it. It has a art deco feel. I got it months ago and have been waiting patiently for my dear hubby to finish it. He is a very busy man. I told him I can do it, but he told me not to touch it because the old paint could contain lead. uhhh. What is a girl to do? 

I guess I will have to try a different strategy. "Hmmm," I say to myself as I look up to one side and tap my finger on my puckered lips. Compromise, or maybe renegotiation. Or this line..."You can have "this", as soon as you finish my vanity." That is what I will use. Works every time. I'll let you know how it goes.

Vintage Jewelry

I am not one to just go out and buy jewelry at a store. I have a lot of neutral jewelry which goes with just about anything. And I don't go anywhere without earrings. Lately, I've found some great vintage earrings at thrift stores. Studs are what I really look for. Big studs. Most of the vintage studs I find are clip-ons or screw-backs, but that doesn't bother me at all.

I bought these studs for only $1! Since they are mustard color, which I loooove, I wear these a lot. Most of the studs I buy are $2 or less. YAY!

Vintage jewelry usually is better quality then newer jewelry, especially for the price. So if you are a jewelry lover and are on a budget, try searching for vintage!