Independence Day weekend

A nice, long Independence Day weekend, can you believe it, we are already half way through the year.  I still feel like it is March and I just sent in my taxes.  Well the heat tells me different and the neighbors shooting off fireworks confirms it is the Fourth of July.  

I place Old Glory all over my yard and took a quick photo of my antique wire chair with a few flags.  A quick run through a filter and we have a painterly effect.

Didn't want to spend a lot of time cooking over these three days so I decided to make, homemade, baked giant rigatoni with three cheeses and fresh sauce.  Always good but just gets better each day it sets.  Some fresh Rosemary and Sea Salt sourdough (from Fresh Market) and it just doesn't get any better.

Went to my favorite haunt to for treasure on Saturday.  One of those trips that really didn't find a lot (it happens) but the five items I did find I was really delighted with. 

Brilliant cobalt blue and sterling silver overlay , Art Deco cup was black with patina. Really shined up nicely.

Beautiful hand painted late Victorian plate offers pretty hydrangeas as a theme.  Not often seen.  It is signed and circa 1900s

Pretty little Northwoods EAPG blue opalescent tree truck pump creamer has damage, but it is just too pretty not to save and use for holding makeup brushes, paint brushes or hat pins.  Circa 1900s

My best find at the thrift shop was this stunning vintage Leslie James hat.  This label is in high demand for their unabashed sassiness. Known as Leslie James and celebrated as the pre eminent women's milliner of the 30's, 40's and 50's.   James Druce was the founder and CEO of Leslie James of California.  He was the James and his partner was "Leslie Masters", the creative designer.  

This magnificent pink and mint green summer hat is a stunner with the huge, flopped silk flowers surrounding it.  Perfect for a garden party, horserace or Sunday church.

Really nice EAPG open compote.  Trying to decide if I want to keep this one or sell it.  I have such a weakness for EAPG compotes.

Antiques in Old Town, (Lilburn) was celebrating 22 years and I had to swing by to see what celebratory items they had.

Couldn't resist this lovely vintage Edgar Berebi brooch.   Brilliant yellow gold wash with large iridescent blue stone.  Circa 1980s. 

 What could be better than finding a King Crown (also known as Emperor's Crown or thumbprint) pedestal cake plate with ruby stain in excellent condition?

 How about two of them!!!  I was head over teakettle when I saw these in one of the booths at Antiques in Old Town.  Highly sought after for their pattern and rich ruby stain.  

 Finding treasure abounds at Antiques in Old Town and I was delighted to find four, "Stars and Stripes" water/tea goblets by Anchor Hocking.  (really the definitive find for Independence Day)  Circa 1940s, these are highly sought after and to find four was a joy.   These are now in my cabinet and are my day glassware.

 A gal pal has space here, Romantic Farmhouse, and her pieces are always amazing.  This gorgeous brown transferware teapot insisted I take it home.  Who am I to argue with a teapot so we had fresh brewed lavender and green tea that evening.

Cheryl's space is always filled with the prettiest antique linens and she knows I have such a weak spot for them.  Purchased these three and they will be used throughout my home.

My sweet little Gynness, insisted upon rolling in the antique lace pieces while I attempted to photograph them. Sweet baby knows fine linens.

 There is a lovely primitives space here and I always find the most unique pieces.  One of the space owners, Linda Napier, created these lovely tags of George Washington with pretty crepe paper rosettes.  We spent time talking about American primitives and the conversation turned to spinning wheels.  Seems Linda also has a few wheels but has never learned to spin.  She asked if I knew of any spinning instructors...yea, "me"!!!  So we are going to get together, at Antiques in Old Town in the near future and I will teach her how to spin and do a live demo for visitors.  Such fun and I always love the way conversations, with those who love antiques, take on a life of their own.

I went into the Buford Queen of Hearts to fluff up my booth spaces and then did a complete walk around to see all 100+ spaces and sure enough, found a little treasure to bring home.

Lovely antique, EAPG lidded glass compote in the Paneled Sprig pattern by Bryce Higbee Company.  Circa 1885.  This is a keeper and is now in my EAPG lidded compote collection.

I hear the neighborhood fireworks going on and my little doxie barks and barks at all this noise.  I'm grateful that she isn't afraid of them like so many other animals are. Wishing everyone a safe and happy Independence Day and much blessings to you and those you love.  Sea Witch

An Antiquing Friend

 It has been a marvelous 4 days with me hitting three Holiday Open Houses that I adore.  On Wednesday, I attended the Vintage Village Candlelight Open House, on Thursday, I was a the Buford Queen of Hearts Open House and then on Saturday, I visited Monroe, GA and three huge antique malls.  I have lots of photos to share, but today's post will contain photos for only one booth.  Why only one, you ask.  Well, when visiting Davis Street Antiques in Monroe, I ran into an antiquing friend I had not seen in nearly 10 years.  I happened upon a booth called "Romantic Farmhouse" and as I walked through it I knew I was in a place most familiar.  I returned once more before I left Davis Street Antiques and there I find a woman "fluffing" the booth, my friend, Cheryl Alexander. 

Cheryl is one of those talents who has an incredible visual eye for decorating.  When you experience her booth you know you have walked into a special place.  I want you to know her Romantic Farmhouse booth through the photos that I took. It was wondrous in it's elegant simplicity with all shades white.

 

 Tiny white lights, mica churches and houses, candlesticks of many styles draw you into her booth.

  

 Pretty drieds hang from rafters, old windows repurposed into looking glasses and bottle brush trees abound creating tiny woodland spaces.

 

 Soft white and glitter touched garland hangs from a shabby mantle. Entwined are pretty lace pieces, repurposed vintage items and garland.

  

Vintage mannequin angels wear feathered white wings, jewelry creations and vintage lace.  They say the devil is in the details and Cheryl has stenciled the word "Paris" on this heavenly body.  

When you look above she has transformed her empty ceiling space into a marvelous place.  Old, rusted bedframes become an open display for hanging dried roses from old lovers and friends. Dripping with vintage lace as well, this is one of my favorites areas of her booth.

Nestled above the dried roses is a pair of toe shoes.  I have a thing for worn ballet toe shoes.  Never been a ballerina, but my middle sister was a gifted dancer.   So much heart and physical passion goes into this art form, perhaps that is why I like them so.

Those delightful bed frame pieces display delicate mercury glass ornaments...I am now on the hunt for rusted bed frames as I so love this decorating element.

 

How lovely is this vintage candelabra with dripping crystals and delicate tapers.  I would be burning candlelight each night if I had this in my home.

Be still my heart...I have such a passion for vintage velvets and lace...I must go back and purchase this vintage wedding gown.

Antiqued and several shades of white, this stocking is scrumptious. What a marvelous place for tiny gifts to hide.

Another lovely married piece created by Cheryl. You can see why I am always thrilled to discover the creative pieces that she envisions.  Thinking I must have this piece too.

 

Cheryl's booth is such a reflection of her heart and soul and gentle character.  She bursts with a quiet creativity that translates true emotion to the pieces in her booth.  As I took this final shot, I realized that Cheryl may have had the last laugh on me with this delightful angel she has on her entry post.  A true self portrait if ever I saw one.  Sweet face with sparkling blue eyes and that wild blond hair styled closely and just off the side of her head that begs the question, "Guess what I have been up to?"  Arms clasped in front of her with a silver star, an angelic gift?  Oh, yes, most definitely, because Cheryl's pieces are truly a gift from her heart.  So good to see you my friend and now that I know where your hanging your stars out these days, I will be making frequent trips and hopefully, will cross your path more often.  Ten years is way to long to chat.