SHORT AND STOUT - Not just for boiling water!

WELCOME to my newest Followers and let me tell you how happy I am that you stopped by for a visit.

I am thrilled to show you the little treasure I picked up at yesterday’s Cozy Cottage Annual Barn Sale. I’ve had my eye on this kettle for quite some time and last night I brought it home as the newest member of my collection. 

Most of the vintage enamelware pieces that I have are not suitable for food or beverages due to small amounts of rust or other imperfections.  Not to worry…I actually prefer to fill them with other pretty things such as fabric or flowers. The contrast between the color of the fabrics and the glossy sheen on the sides of the kettle truly enhances the presentation.  

Enamelware items are not difficult to find; I often run across these “remnants of times past” at various flea markets or antique shows. The price per item typically ranges from $5.00 to $60.00 depending on how rare or unique the piece is.  These days, I’m on the hunt for a medium to large size bucket with a wooden handle just like the one featured at Simply Me blog.

I don’t have a farm, but this particular collection brings the “farmhouse style” into my kitchen and warms up the room, inspiring me to bake up a batch of homemade cornbread and serve it up with a nice cold glass of milk.

By the way, Cozy Cottage is a wonderful shop that features vintage collectibles, antique furniture and new gift items.  You can find great photos of yesterday’s barn sale on the Cozy Cottage FACEBOOK page.

Looking forward to seeing you again! Wendi

Loved All Over Again

One great thing about appreciating something vintage is giving the article the chance to be loved again. Perhaps the item was once new when the original owner cherished it or maybe it's been handed down from generation to generation, each time delighting the new owner with its beauty or usefulness. Then again maybe the items found their way to someone who would take them in for a second life.

The colorful plates shown below found me and although you only see three, there are actually four in the set. I call these my breakfast plates. I always pull them out on a weekend when I am fixing an omelet or some waffles. The cheerful pattern makes the morning feast all the more interesting as if dining with a friend who has a lot to say.

A funny thing about the little tea saucer here is you can't see the seam where the superglue holds the right side to the left side. When my niece was little she was visiting my "Child Proof" home and thought she would inspect the sparkly tea cup but accidentally knocked the saucer from the table. It busted into two pieces. I love the little set all the more because I remember her big eyes as they stared at me in disbelief and worry. The hug we shared is also like the glue that holds the two pieces together and made everything all right again. 

SoulDelights Now Listed at The Blog Guidebook

Find more blogs that interest you at The Blog Guidebook. You'll find me listed under Vintage and White. Happy Blogging! 

 

The Spring Stitch

When the colors of spring emerge outside the house, like the pink blossoms on my Crabapple Trees and the green stems of the spouting tulips, I can’t help but want to unpack my stash of spring toned fabrics.
 

Tulip Bud and Crabapple Blossoms

I’ll admit it, akin to every other quilter I know, I have piles of fabric stored away for projects like the ones you see in the photos below. Mixed in with several pieces of my vintage enamelware, are pretty little bags stitched from some of Amy Butler patterns. Many of the prints featured are from Amy Butler’s fabric collections. 

Frenchy Bag, Swing Bag, In Town Bag - Patterns by Amy Butler

Gifts and Treasures

There used to be a specialty tea store in the area which sold dainty tea services like the one you see here. I only have a few of these sets (some new and some old) but this one is quite special to me. It was a gift from my sister's mother-in-law. The tea cup is all the more lovely because of the person who gave it to me. It reminds me of her delicate beauty and the kindness she always shares. The little tea stainer came from my mother's collection of vintage tea accessories. Both of these items have practical uses but I thought it would be fun to showcase them in a more natural setting, nestled between blades of green grass and spiny ferns.

Windows of JOY!

I'm always on the lookout for a new item to add to my vintage treasures. A unique piece of enamelware, an embroidered tea towel or a pink depression glass berry bowl. I like to arrange these items in various layouts to create interesting photos. The photo here shows a collage of some of my favorites.

This photo makes me think of the moments and days of my life that could just as easily be arranged to showcase the joys I've experienced. Such as a hug from a niece or nephew, the laughter of my sister or the praise of my parents. Snapshots of time that implore happy memories and continue to fill my heart with gratitude. Take a moment to imagine a collage of your happy memories and gaze through the windows in your life that lead to exceeding joy. 



Sophie Kitty was just passing through to get in on the fun!









































Psalm 107:9
For He satisfies the longing soul and fills the hungry soul with good.