In honor of the advent of yard sale /auction/flea market season, here is a toast to creative re-use. The beauty of sales of this type is the sense of discovery and adventure one encounters when scoring the perfect find. Each day of sale-ing is different. There are days where little to nothing turns up, and there are days when it is like hitting the jackpot. Sometimes before a day of going to these sales, I picture the item I am looking to find, whisper a prayer to the yard sale gods, and verbalize my intention for the day. It rarely fails! Oftentimes, I find the very thing I had been searching for at a reasonable price. Give it a try next time you venture out, and you might be pleasantly surprised.
The images for the day all come from Better Homes and Gardens. They demonstrate clever and lovely ways to reuse, repurpose, and reclaim vintage or cast-off items. Sometimes all it takes is a good cleaning or a coat of paint to give your latest treasure a new lease on life. Come take a look.
The birdcage plate protector is just for fun.
A vintage cupboard sports linens and stoneware.
Clock faces as three-dimensional hanging art...gotta love it!
Notice the great patina on the dresser and tub surround.
Outdoor elements bring a sense of ease to a room.
Ironstone pitchers are a perennial favorite.
A can of spray paint adds dazzle and a celestial aura to a once non-descript mirror.
Shutters used in any way add fabulous texture to a room.
The porch- post bed is perhaps my favorite image of all. How truly clever!
I hope these images give you some inspiration to get out, enjoy the beauty of spring, and let your creative side shine as you explore ways to use your latest treasures in your home.
Until next time...
Anne
Anne, thanks so much for your sweet comment. I'm so sad to hear about the loss of your son, and my heart breaks for you. Yet from my side it is so easy to see how this happens all too often, and that's just so sad. My only hope is that by sharing I can have a small impact on someone else, maybe let them know they aren't alone, and that it's okay to seek help. I thank you for your encouraging words, it is still something I struggle with from day to day, but luckily for me I've had no major episodes since the beginning. I hope that this will skip my children, but if not I hope that acceptance and awareness will be on the horizon, and I will certainly do my part to make this happen.
ReplyDeleteTake Care xoxo - Carrie
P.S. your blog is lovely, and I've become a follower...can't wait to read more.
Hi,Carrie,
ReplyDeleteI truly appreciate your kind words. It appears that you have already made an impact with sharing your story. There was an out-pouring of support from your wonderful readers, which warmed my heart. In my work, I have observed the power of sharing one's story in an aptmosphere of acceptance and caring to be ultra-strong medicine. I hope this has proven true for you.
Starting this blog a couple of months ago has been wonderful therapy for me. Coping with Ryan's death will be a life-long endeavor, I know, and being surrounded by beauty helps alleviate some of that pain and counteract the darkness. Thank you for being a part of this healing with me. I am so glad to have found your beautiful blog!
Take care,
Anne