Friday, May 10, 2013

Meyercord Decals

While scraping paint off my dad's very special
old wooden chair, a retro ship image became apparent.
It was a neat decal of some sort on the wider
portion of the chair back.
I've since deleted the photographs from my
computer and camera.  That was when I
had convinced myself that I would NEVER
start a blog and need them. Oops.
 
The search for this decal has taught me some
valuable things & I'd like to share.
 
Meyercord Decals can be readily found on Ebay!
There are many images, from baby theme to western.
 
 
They get the most amazing crackle with age!
You'll see the bears on old cribs a lot of times.
 
 
I adore this bundle of flower on a large old jar.
It's fun to imagine who took time to add
a decal to this old jar back in the day.
 
 
They'll cost around $1-$15 on Ebay,
but were originally around $.25-$.59!
 
Check out this old catalog page
of their decals from 1952: Smithstonian
 
Here is link to an old shop display of the
items available back in 1940: Smithstonian
 
This link is to a fun color display
of the many images: Pinterest
 
On this blog, a gal added some
old decals to jars: Bargain Hunting Treasures
 
Next time your have a simple vintage find
or even a modern project...
jazz it up with some Meyercord decals!
 
Linking up to:
 
 
 


 
 
 


Saturday, April 27, 2013

Tool Box

I bought a red tool box at the thrift store for $4.
It's a newer one, but scratched & rusted from
sitting in the back of pickup truck.
 
 
 
It gave me (ironically) a chance to use my new
tool & see if I could alter the inside to fit my needs.
 
The box had a diagonal metal sheet inside to
hold it's specific tool just right.
I used my saws all to cut that in half &
then pounded each side loose.
 
 
 
 
Now I can fill it with magazines for storage or even
plant some flower in it!
 
Here is a great example from Pinterest.
 
Pinned Image
 
I'm getting fired up for the garden season,
are you?
I work at a greenhouse
 & today we open for the season.
 
Linking up to:
 
 
 
 


Sunday, April 21, 2013

Wooden Key

I took the plunge at $1.25 for this plain
wooden key at the thrift store.
It meastured about a foot long!
 
 
I gave it a coat of metallic silver paint
and some black edge distressing.
 
Then, with Stazon ink & a
Tim Holtz script stamp, I jazzed it up.
 
The sentiment I stamped on cardstock
for a cute tag is also Tim Holtz brand.
A hole punch and jump ring allowed me
to tie it on with gingham ribbon!
 
 
The key to life is to...Love * Wish  * Dream!
 
 
 
Linking up to:
 
&
 
 
 


Sunday, April 14, 2013

Winter Ferns & Bed Frame Display

For my Midwest readers,
here is a thrifty tip if you like to hike!
 
I've noticed in the winter,
ferns have pretty brown spore stalks.
(YES...it's still winter here!)
It's not too late.
 
 
This is the patch near my home.
The dark patches are dry fern leaves,
and the 6-12" stalks are coming up around them
on separate stems.
 
I've had them in the house for several seasons
and have never had bugs or pest travel in on them.
They don't seem to release the spores rolled up inside 
due to the continued dry conditions.
 
Here they are on an old bed frame display:
 
 
It's such a pretty bundle,
wrapped in jute rope.
The look is similar to lavender,
but lacks color.
 
 
I found all the feathers out hiking as well!
 
 
I made the moth tag & burlap/muslim ribbon.
The rhinestone Faith pin was on clearance
for $2.50 at a very classy gift shop in Iowa.
Those rustic metal numbers were found in a gravel pit!
 
 
 
The waist apron was less than a buck at the thrift store!
 
 
 
I made the burlap bow and added some thrift store butterflies.
They're common, cost around .50 to $1.25
and will often be sold in pairs.


 
 
Linking up to:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Thursday, April 11, 2013

Green Glass & Grass

This year, I had my very first Easter.
It was fun to break out my green horseshoe depression
glass & drink milk from my fancy tumblers.
 
 
I hope there is no law saying Correlware &
depression glass cannot co-exist!
I worry about cracking plates,
because I've done it before with old dishes.
Never slap a large spoonful of hot
casserole on plates from the 1930's!!!
 
 
My rustic reclaimed wood box was
one of 6 I made.  They were good practice
for me, using my new power tools!
I planted wheatgrass (liquid sunshine)
& it came up so fast for a great spring touch.
 
 
I sold three kits at my booth
containing seeds, soil, burlap bow &
chippy square boxes.
 
 
Here is the one I kept (without a bow).
The grass keeps growing,
and I keep trimming it!
 
Oh spring....when will it come?
We got about 4 inches of snow today.
 
Linking up to:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
 
 


Thursday, April 4, 2013

Garden Lighting

I purchased an very old lamp from the thrift store.
It has the coolest details
 & even had a marble base for great stability!
 
The wiring was shot, so I just snipped the cords off
and considered a more primitive use.
 
 
It's rusty, so it seemed like a great
way to light a patio or deck in the warm
summer evenings!
 

With some copper hardware,
these candles fit just right!
 
 
This would be cool at an outdoor wedding
dance or at any summer celebration!
 
I know in Minnesota there are a lot of lake
people that sit outside and savor those
mild summer temperatures at night!
 
 
 
Linking up to:
 
 
&
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Saturday, March 30, 2013

Suitcase Quick Fix

Do you ever buy something,
only to get it home & find a flaw?
 
I do, especially when excited just to have
found a vintage item on my wish list.
 
The bottom suitcase, shown here,
was thought to have been ruined
by a tacky content label written with a Sharpie.
 
 
 
Tragic, right?
 
Not to worry.
I have a solution!
 
Ebay.
 
Just search "luggage sticker" and you'll have
more options than you could ever need!
 
It cost me $5 after shipping for the sticker,
but made my suitcase worthy to display!
I recommend buying an extra label,
just to have on hand.
 
 
Wah lah!
 
 
This is actually a vintage looking NEW label.
It's a little glossy, but great muted tones.
 
Linking up to:
 
 
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