Friday, March 25, 2011

Shabby Finds

In yesterday's post, I shared the vintage Easter postcards I found at a local antique sale this week but there were a few more things there that I couldn't resist for 40% off. One was this old Household Scale in a great shade of green. Not much of the green paint showed when I bought it...it was covered with rust. But some steel wool and lots of elbow grease, plus a good rub-down with cooking oil, brought it back to life.

 I love how it looks as part of my Easter display in the dining room.  The little ceramic birds were $1.99 each at our local wine shop, of all places.

And then there was this piece. It is actually the front of an old drawer but I loved the colors and carvings in the wood. Still some clean up to do on this baby but I already love it. It will be repurposed to hang on a wall, possibly with vintage photos or postcards tucked under the pulls.

With a little work, the delicate leaf design embossed on the brass beneath the pulls will be a nice contrast against the rough textures in the wood.

As a former Girl Scout and sometimes embroiderer, I couldn't leave this not-quite-finished linen piece behind. Apparently the girl scout who started it was not quite "prepared" to finish it.  I'll have fun doing that and then either frame it or make it into a throw pillow.

These little redwork napkins were $2.00 for the set of four. I can't seem to resist vintage linens...


or old books...

especially when they're signed and dated. This inscription was inside the cover of Uncle Tom's Cabin. I wonder where East Noel is?

Hope you enjoyed this rusty, scratched and frayed little post...I like things that look as if someone really used them, years before we were even born. Simple items like these have a history to them that lends a reassuring sense of continuity to everyday life. I kind of like them just the way they are!

I hope you will visit these great blogs to which today's post is linked:
Show & Tell Friday at My Romantic Home
Friday Pretties at I Love Pretty Little Things
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
Junkin' Finds Friday at A La Carte
Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground
Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home
Frugalicious Friday at Finding Fabulous
Air Your Laundry Friday at Freckled Laundry
Favorite Things Friday at The Speckled Dog
Saturday Nite Special at Funky Junk Interiors
A Few of My Favorite Things Saturdays at Bargain Hunting With Laurie
Show & Tell Saturdays at Be Different, Act Normal

23 comments:

Claudia said...

The scale is fabulous! I love old scales but have yet to get one. I wish I had my old girl scout things - like my sash with the merit badges. Don't know where it went!

xo
Claudia

Pam Kessler said...

The scale is gorgeous. Love that color. I am also seriously in love with that drawer front. I just recently painted a buffet turquoise and am having trouble explaining to people that it really is a vintage color. Here's my proof!

Tammy@Beatrice Banks said...

Great finds! I've been wanting some vintage scales forever. If I saw some on sale, I wouldn't pass them up either. I'm your newest follower!
Have a great weekend!
Tammy

koralee said...

Your finds are beautiful...I love the red work napkins...I love red and white.

Happy weekend.

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

What great finds!! Love the scale!
And the drawer has great details! But the redwork made my heart go pitter patter!

Hugs,
Debbie

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

Love your finds! Those little birds fit right in! Love the old drawer front..awesome!
deb

Ann@A Sentimental Life said...

love your finds! I love to read book inscriptions and post cards and wonder about the person they belonged to,

Lynn at Cottage and Creek said...

What a fun post! You found some wonderful treasures. I love the scale, the linens, and the books. We have lots in common! I'm your newest follower and can't wait to read more.
~Lynn

Sir Thrift-A-Lot said...

Love the napkins!

Jane said...

Such great finds!! That drawer front is awesome and I love your idea of hanging it and displaying old photos under the pulls. Would love to see it after you get it hung.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Jane

pamq said...

I think I worked on that same Girl Scout stitching project!

I don't think mine got finished either.........

LOVE your drawer front---that is awesome!

liberal sprinkles said...

gosh, what lovely finds. I'm going to take a look at the postcards too. I came from Friday Pretties, have a great weekend!

Anonymous said...

I also have been on the look out for an old scale but have not found one at a reasonable price. Hoping to be lucky at an estate or garage sale at some point.
I love your ideas for the old drawer front and hope you'll show it again when the pulls are buffed.

Linda @ A La Carte said...

That is really a fabulous scale! You did great! Love the chippy green. All your finds are awesome! I love vintage linens and the Girl Scout sampler is so fun! I was a Girl Scout also! hugs, Linda

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Thanks for joining Junkin Finds Friday for the last party! I appreciate your support my friend! hugs, Linda

Everlasting Blooms said...

LOVE that aqua drawer such an awesome color! And the little scale so cute.

Try googleing East Noel maybe it will pop up! :)

~ Thanks for this lovely post

Heidi said...

I love Junk Shopping. I just went Yesterday. Love your finds.

come visit
chickhardware.blogspot.com

Simply Bungalow said...

Great finds. Love the scale!

The Charm of Home said...

What a awesome scale! Love that, all are great finds. Thanks for linking up!
Sherry

whimages said...

GREAT finds! Glad you shared them on French Country Cottage! New follower

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Oh, you did find some treasures! Love that scale, and I would have bought those pretty little napkins too. Some of that GS memorabilia is becoming valuable. What a great little piece that is. Thank you for linking to Favorite Things. laurie

I Love Pretty Little Things said...

Wow! What amazing finds!!! You are good. :)
Joyce

Margo said...

ooooooooo! I love the drawer front!!! I found one in the street and it is now my key holder. I think there's a pic on my blog of it. But your is WAY AWESOMER!! Love the color!!