Clock On!

I like the design of many clocks from the 50's, 60's and 70's. I know I'm not alone in this, just google vintage clocks. There are more clocks than a person has time. (See how I worked that in?) Garage sales, thrift sales and estate sales can be good sources. But if you are looking for a specific clock or style, eBay or etsy is a better source. Let's take a look at a some great clocks from this era. 

Braun Clocks

These cute little Braun clocks would fit almost anywhere. I like their modern style and cute little legs!

JOE JE BIN

This owner has a nice collection of flip clocks - very retro. Keep hoping I'll come across one of these on a thrifting trip, I know they're out there!

Kimberly Roberts

How great is this Coral Clock? It's owner purchased it on eBay. It's very space age and in 60's lingo, I dig it!

purplepuglips

Sweet GE turquoise clock, this little number would look great on 

a nightstand or dresser.

breareye

This United Starburst clock was found in the trash and rescued. The new owner took it to a clock repair shop as it was not working. The electric housing was taken out and a battery operated motor was put in for about $20. No cords and a great idea!

lainheath

This teak starburst clock is simply gorgeous!

retrovintagecorner

Starburst Clocks are kind of like the movie stars of Mid Century clocks, aren't they? This one is a Metamec clock.

carissapod

Love the design of this Nelson Ball Clock

Thrift Store Addict

This yellow Spartus clock is fresh and retro at the same time. (What, what!) It's owner found it dumped in the trash - score!

hollyminneman

The design of this Seth Thomas Clock is timeless (no pun intended, hee hee, oh I slay myself, oh I must stop staying up too late at night) It was purchased at a Goodwill for $3!

Dee Adams

Very nice design on this Seth Thomas clock, the Japanese pottery looks great next to it. This just furthers my love of mid century and Japanese design.

Lastly, thought I would share with you an illustration I did as one of my final projects before I graduated last year and got my degree in Graphic Design. Yes, I'm a late bloomer, but I'm here to tell you that you're never too old to go back to school. When I graduated I was 52, best thing I ever did.

As you can see my obsession with vintage clocks is not new. Please ignore the sucky name, I was a little burnt out from working on multiple projects that were due and my brain couldn't handle any more creativity. Let me know if you think of a better one, I would love to hear it!

You Light Up My Life.....

I've been looking for lampshades to go with a pair of lamps I found this past weekend and getting frus-ter-a-ted. If I find the right size and shape, it's not the right color. Plus paying $60 or more for lampshades for lamps I paid $6 for is hard for me. What's that saying - you can't have your cake and eat it too? Maybe. This could turn into a diy project. 

HGTV

On HGTV's website there is a great tutorial on covering a lamp shade with fabric. I think this may be a good option for me if I can't find what I'm looking for. 

Of course I can't stop looking, even after I find what I need. (I think there's a name for that.)

Southern Living

I think this coffee cup lamp is just as sweet as can be.

Tip Junkie

OMG - this photo lampshade is so neat!

Interiora

Although there's no tutorial for making this lamp, I love the idea. It would be so cute in a boy's room. Snag an old toy like this at a garage sale and spray paint it all one color. It could be rusty or paint peeling and left as is too. Buy a cord with a socket like the one above and you're set to go. (To be on the safe side a lamp like this would be for a child that is old enough to understand that a lamp like this can't be played with.)

Tip Junkie

These diy outdoor lights are simple and inexpensive. I could see a whole bunch of these used for an outside party - ambient and festive!

The DIY showoff

How cool is this lamp? What a great use for old rulers that have a nice patina or good graphics on them!

Thrift Share

I had a good weekend thrifting, hope you did too. It was overcast here Thursday, Friday and Saturday - so good way to cheer up a cloudy day! On to the finds:

Found this nice stainless steel batter dispenser for pancakes and crepes. I didn't know what it was at first, thought it was a flour sifter :>)Good thing it says batter dispenser on it, otherwise I wouldn't have bought it, I paid $3.

I like these coffee colored glass canisters that were made in Belgium, paid $5 for the pair.

This Dansk pencil holder is teak and was made in Thailand. It looks nice with some markers in it and will go on my desk. Cost was $3.

I've been looking for a retro radio and this Panasonic faux wood grain radio fits the bill, it was $4.

I like the style of these mix drink glasses and it's nice to find a set of eight. Only .40 each - great deal. They will go in my bar cabinet.

This pair of ceramic/wood mid century lamps are in good condition and will go in my daughter's bedroom on the night stands. They were only $6 for the pair!  There is an old metal bed in this room that I had stripped to the bare metal and sealed with clear varnish. I think the lamps will add a nice contrast. Once I get shades for the lamps I'll take a picture so you can see.

I also found a couple more mid century plates for hanging or displaying. Less than $2 for the both of them.

I got two of these redwood benches at a garage sale for extra seating around my patio table - $5 for the pair, I plan to paint them and will also show this in a later posting with the tree stumps on my deck too.

Another project, thought this wood box was cute, like the shape of it. I'm going to paint it and will show you when I'm done with it.

Another ice bucket, this one was made In Italy by P.P.I., PEDRN or PEDRINI? It's nicely made, think it will go well with my Heller plates - I'm still on the lookout for a few more plates.

What did you find?

This post is linked to:


Her Library Adventures
Apron Thrift Girl
Coastal Charm
Creating a House of Grace
Very Merry Vintage Style
Faded Charm

Enamelware

Two Balloons Blue

When I see some of the gorgeous Scandinavian enamelware on other thrifting blogs, I wonder why I see so little of it on my outings. Don't know if it's the area I live in or that I'm not going to the right sales. I could go to Etsy or eBay to find it, but the thrifter in me wants to score it for a pittance somewhere. Perhaps a reality check is in order? For now, at least I can look. Here is a variety of enamelware for you to peruse. Don't forget to click on the links, some of these sites are really good sources of information.

Just A Modern Guy

Object of Beauty

A Collection A Day

Finding the Grail

Modern Findings

Vertigo Home

Wood Jungle Store

Tandem Antiques

Bonafide Vintage

Is it wrong if I want everything in this photo?

Cafe Cartolina

Tandem Antiques

Modern Findings

How about you? Do you have a enamelware score to brag about? I love to hear about your conquests!


This post is part of Flaunt it Friday with Chic on a Shoestring Decorating

Quick Meal for a Hungry Thrifter

I've become rather lazy about cooking. Don't know what it is, but lately the easier, the better. Rather than berate myself, I'm taking this as a opportunity to eat more simply. When even a sandwich sounds like too much work, I'll have cheese and triscuits (like the tomato/olive oil ones) with fruit. Another favorite (you gotta try this) is cottage cheese, strawberries, sliced almonds sprinkled with a teaspoon of raw sugar. Marscapone cheese with blueberries and a light sprinkle of raw sugar is the bomb! Lest you think I'm miss healthy, I confess a serious weakness for sweets, especially chocolate. 


Last Saturday after going to a book sale and a couple garage sales I made the Yakisoba soy sauce flavored noodles by Maruchan (sorry I don't have the package to show). This is the brand that makes the ramen noodles, but these are supposed to be Japanese noodles. It comes in it's own container that you microwave it in and two packets, one with a minute amount of dried vegetables and the other a seasoning packet.  I was hungry and broke my rule about not microwaving in plastic, but next time I won't. Anywho, after cooking the noodles I added my own culinary twist: a few squeezes of juice from a lime and chopped peanuts. Voila! It was good, easy and cheap. 

Nutrition facts were not as pretty, I'd like to find a little healthier version of it. This post is a part of hey what's for dinner mom?

Thrifting Finds, Thrift Share Monday 6/06

This past weekend was pretty busy. I managed to score some thrift finds and did a ton of yard work.It felt good to be outside, we've waited for summer since, well, last summer. On to the pics!

I went to a library sale on Saturday and bought most of these books there. I'm always on the lookout for children's picture books that have good art in them. I use them for my other blog, The Art of Children's Picture Books. My recent post shows one of the books I got at the library sale.

I found a pair of nice curved spoons with wood handles for .50 at a garage sale. They will be nice in the crate and barrel bowls (one shown on left, previous thrift find) that I like to use for salsa or guacamole. Stainless steel bowl in middle has groovy round feet on it. Bowl on right is a pantone bowl, thought it looked summery.

At Goodwill I found this bar set to put in my bar cabinet - to see previous post about this, click here. Also found a nice set of 8 contemporary wood handles. Not sure what I'm going to put them one, but they will be nice for adding contemporary style.

Two nice metal boxes to add to my collection

My favorite find of the weekend are these mid century candle holders. Need to get candles to fit.

This owl picture is a little out of my comfort zone and different from any other pictures I have. Beautifully done and that's why I got it. Will probably get a different frame for it.

Closer view, the details are incredible. Artist is Simon Calburn, print has date of 1975 with signature. This print may be signed, but I can't tell for sure until I take the glass off.

Close up of moth in owl picture. Another thing I liked about this picture is that there is information on the back about the artist, which is always nice.

Just trying out the owl picture here, it would have to go more to the left if I kept it here.It is not faded/reflected as it looks in pic. Bought this mid century dresser last fall at an estate sale and paid $50 for it. Label inside drawer says Phoenix Chair Co. of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. I like the smoky candle holders on it. I bought the galvanized tray at the UW-Madison swap shop. Lamp bought a goodwill last year, it was shiny black and scuffed. I spray painted it a gray matte. Found the burlap shade and round black finial thrifting too.

The picture is not hanging straight, need to add wire, sawtooth hangers don't do the job. So what do you think, is this picture a aye or nay here? I'm starting to think something abstract would be nice with a pop of color.

I'll be showing more thrift finds this week. This post is a part of Thrift Share Monday with Apron Thrift Girl

My baby is 17 today. This picture is from last summer when we took a family trip to the Alabama coast and drove there from Wisconsin. John and my grandson Grayson, (John's nephew) sat in the back. They both look pretty psyched for our trip to the ocean.

Unfortunately there wasn't enough of this

And a lot of this

It was a long trip

John was much happier when we arrived at our destination. Here with sister Patti.