Victorian Sewing Basket

Isn't this wicker chest something else?  I found it over in Roseburg several years ago. I was told at the time of purchase that the owners great grandmother used it to hold sewing items back in the early 20's and that it was old then.  I later found similar examples online and they were popular in the late 1800's and were used by Victorian ladies for sewing paraphernalia.

I use to keep it in the spare bedroom to hold the linens for that room and towels for guests.   

It's only about 3 feet high and 20" wide. Of course you have to allow space to open it up.

But when I opened my shop I needed pieces to fill it with, so I took it in for a display piece. I priced it, but, never really wanted to sell it. So awhile back I brought it back home (where it belongs!).

In my shop as a display piece. From this post.

I love the plaster swags and baskets on the front. And they are mostly intact, and in fact for it's age and being wicker it's in remarkable condition.

A wicker, long handled basket, filled with flowers is one of my favorite Victorian motifs!!!

 

 

The center of the dome style top has suffered the most loss of plaster adornment.

 There are four of these floral pieces on top.

 

When you open it up you can view all four compartments at once, they are not very deep and because of the way it folds together you can't stack items very high.

I've been reworking my bedroom so it's going in there and be the new home for my ribbons and laces.

Thank you for Popping in~~~

Happy Hunting and Gathering!!!

Planting In Wicker

I stopped by my favorite nursery, Garden Elements, and found the prettiest pansies, Frizzle Sizzle in shades of purple. They're so ruffley.  

 

I had already purchased the pink snapdragons earlier at another market.

I got home and unloaded them unto the back patio to await planting.  My plan was to incorporate these into beds that needed filling in.  But they looked so pretty sitting in this little corner that I decided to search out some pots and keep them right here.

I went out to the shed to fetch the pots and there sitting on the shelf were several wicker baskets. I had forgotten all about them!!! It was about a year and a half ago that I picked these up with the intention to use as planters.  But this time last year (and well into July) I was sick with pneumonia. So I missed the whole spring gardening time.

The bigger basket with the lid I lined with some rubber material (pond liner) that I had. The wine carrier/picnic basket I just filled as is since the weave is very close on this one.   The bigger one might go two seasons  but the other will probably be just this year.  Which is pretty good since I only paid 25 cents for it and $3.99 for the other.

I added a plastic #7 house number with jute string to the larger basket. Just coincidence but it's holding seven plants!

I have two of these little cedar box planters, just using one here. I think it goes well with the wicker. The pansies look so bright and happy in it.

I had already planted the baskets when I brought home some Sweet Alyssum? (could be wrong here) for another area.  Well I thought they would look well with the others and since they tend to cascade over edges they would look very smart tucked into the wicker planters.

I'll be keeping an eye out for more wicker containers like these to plant next year. I'm so glad that spring has arrived here. The weather is exceptionally beautiful and unseasonably warm...just perfect for gardening...we usually stick to the saying "April Showers Bring May Flowers".

Thanks for Popping in~~~

Happy Hunting and Gathering!!!

Musical Chair and One for the Cards

I found both of these chairs in recent weeks and at different times and different places. Both are in great shape and sound of seat. This one will go as is and the other is getting a makeover!

First up is this piano chair...yep that's what it is, I understand harpists also use these.  They were first made in the late 1800's~~~It's a Victorian thing~~~  This edition was probably made in the 1950's. 

   When I first saw it at the thrift store I thought "someone has hand crafted a piano chair with a back, too funny". Well I shopped some more, took another look at the chair, shopped some more, then bought it and checked out. I'm a sucker for a chair, the odder the better!

 Love the cast iron and glass ball claw feet.

And the beautifully detailed legs.

And Monday when I was out junking, I found this sweet little fold-up chair.

I just love these~~~but~~~I never ever keep them~~~I always sell them, 

go figure!

 

The wicker back is in excellent shape, in fact the whole chair is very good except for that little blip at the top left.  It was easy peasy to fix. Been seeing a lot of wicker backed chairs being painted lately...

 

 Love the manufactures name on this one, and it came to me by way of 

New Jersey!!!

This little cutie is way due for a serious makeover. Not going to divulge anymore, it's a surprise~~~I'll show you when I get it done.

Thanks for Popping in~~~

Happy Hunting and Gathering!!!

NEW THRIFTING FINDS

A Cute Little Slipper Chair & Ottoman


Stopped by the Salvation Army - my fav go to thrift store - and I immediately spotted the cutest slipper chair and ottoman.  Well I looked it over, not a thing wrong with it except that it is faded a teensy bit, which is fine with me. The small scale raspberry and mint green plaid is very delightful and so springy looking. The price with discount was $17.55 for the set...great price!  But did I need it?  No I did not need it.  Did I want it? Yes...Yes...Yes.  So I left it sitting there and strolled around looking for more finds.  Occasionally I would glance over to see if anyone else was showing an interest in the set...

Well I found four lovely white cotton table cloths of varying lengths. Two are monogrammed with the letter "C".  I've been collecting monogrammed table items for awhile now...Napkins...Silver Plate.  I also have a stockpile of  small square embroidered table cloths that will look so cute on top of  these white ones.  I will use the 54" square one as a bath sheet they line dry so much faster than regular towels and I just like the feel of these against my skin. So I have a use for these. Paid $9.00 for all four.  Still thinking where I could put the chair.

Found a basket to lay the tablecloths in.  These flat, handled baskets are a recent obsession of mine and this one is particularly fine.  $.50 cents ...I know, unbelievable.  Drawing a blank on where I could put the chair set.

Next I found three rubber moulds for plaster paris.  A rose, bell and heart shape. Now I can make some appliques like Carol over at here The Polka Dot Closet does.  I've been wanting to try her technique on some of my transformations.  $1.35 for the three of them.  Yes...still thinking about where to put the chair.

Then I found a glass covered dish for trinkets and such. The knob on top is formed like a rose and embossed roses adorn the sides...gorgeous. This would work in several places, bathroom for cotton balls, bedroom for jewelry, sewing room for odds and ends, even the guest room for them to corral small things.  $1.35 - and in perfect condition.  Nope, nothing yet.

Isn't this  ceramic Gingerbread Lady cute!  She's a Victoria Littlejohn. At 9" tall she's a nice size. I might be taking her to one of my booth's, either  at Black Cat Antique Mall or Antiques and Collectibles of Coos Bay.  My continuing with the booths will be another  post.  I paid  $2.25 for her.

Oh my!!! There is a lady sitting in the chair next to my slipper chair. I nonchalantly buzzed back over to the chair and ****inspiration or desperation struck**** I needed a new chair for my side covered patio. And this one is perfect for me (I'm short) and the area (it's small).  I gave a nod and a smile to the lady in her chair and said, "yes, I am going to get this set over here".  I think I work better under pressure.

Later I will do post on the transformation of the side patio...so stay tuned!

I did up one batch of plaster rose moulds just to see how they would turn out. Just lovely, thank You! I'll be trying out the rest this weekend when my granddaughters come for sleep-over.





~A fun project to do with them~