Valentine Fun

Valentine's Day is nearly here and I wanted to share a few goodies for the occasion.

These darling cupid's arrows were made by our daughter, Mia, for our Valentine's Day gift!

 She said they are easy and all you need are sturdy sticks, from your yard, felt and hot glue.

Aren't they darling? I hung them here and there among my Valentine decor.

I bought this awesome Mickey Mouse Club Scrap Book at a local flea. I opened it and

was amazed to see the fabulous valentine card collection. They were glued in

by a 9 year old girl and some have stickers attaching them, as well.

Check out the date and price back then.

Here are what the pages look like. They are chock full of retro Valentine fun! I want to keep it intact

and share some of the cards, over time, here and on Pinterest. There are a few from other

holidays too but mostly sweet valentines.

I love them all! Look at the detail and the funny sayings back then. Remember the joy

of getting special valentines from your classmates and teachers?

Why didn't we all save them? I am a saver and I didn't.

This lion, with a collar and tie, is accented with silver glitter!

And this sweet girl has a red flocked trim on her pinafore. Flocking was used a 

lot on the cards back then. The hearts with the birdies are flocked too.

Follow me on Pinterest at https://www.pinterest.com/wrenlizgifts/

to see more vintage valentines like these and craft ideas.

WE wish you a fun and fabulous Valentine's Day!

Melin

xoxo

Susan Branch at Apple Farm

I flew to Los Angeles this spring to spend a glorious week with my 

bestie,  assistant WE buyer-promoter-slave and sister, Linda Howard. 

We spent some time catching up,seeing my extended family, the beach,

 etc, then set out on a girlfriend's adventure to SOL. 

I had really only been through  San Luis Obispo and never stayed.

Our drive up the coast was fun. We stopped and explored (SHOPPED)

 in Arroyo Grande, a small town we both love. We could hardly wait 

to get to the Apple Farm Inn, so we didn't stay long.

I LOVED everything about the Inn, especially the flowers! I tried to do

 what the sign says. I am a rule follower, for the most part. 

The Inn is charming and the staff could not have been more welcoming and fun. 

They greeted us with wine and cookies and more.  Our room was close 

to the reception area...convenient!

They have a wonderful gift shop (more shopping) and tables with decor

 set  up all over the Inn for purchase, plus it was so springy!

The exciting person that brought us here is our beloved Susan Branch!

We could hardly wait to see her, hear her, be near her and talk to her. 

I know it sounds like we could be stalkers but we admire her  work and have all her

  books and just know she loves us as much as we love her (she really does)!

Once we checked in and received our wrist bands, we were invited 

to enjoy delicious treats and lemonade. It was very classy!

We met many like minded women, who are lovers of all things SB (like us).

We chatted and met others who saw her with us in Pasadena too.

It wasn't long before there she was in all her cuteness!

Don't you just love her outfit! 

Linda is just to the left of her left hand in this pic.

She is a true GIRLFRIEND (just like her book) and seemed as excited to

see us as we were to see her. She spoke for a bit then

opened it up for questions from us...FUN!

Here are the three of us in the traditional girlfriend signing pose.

She is so very generous and spends some quality time with each and 

every one of us. Susan is signing a very special Christmas print

of hers that Linda was generous to gift me. I will display it 

every Christmas to remind me of my two dear friends.

She signed our books too in her loving hand.

It was a magical trip from the start to the very end. We antiqued along 

our way home. Ate at many of my favorite restaurants too.

How blessed am I to have these two incredible 

woman that I call FRIEND?

The pictures were taken by me with my iPhone, and the husband's 

of Susan Branch (Joe) & Laura Lindsay.

Wishing you a spring adventure or two!

Melin

xoxo

New Antique Hutch

I spent this past weekend painting the inside of this French antique hutch

WE bought from a designer friend, shout out to Shelley McGinity

 of Kiski Design & Construction, Inc.

I am not a painter at all but it felt good to accomplish this easy task. 

It took many coats of Antique White to cover the Sky Blue!

My big reward came today, when I got to add a few pieces of collections, 

family favorites and a few touches of fall.

I started with Granny's Hall Jewel Tea Autumn Leaf mix. I love this because

Granny had it although I don't think any of this was actually her's.

I thrifted this gorgeous hand painted fall plate and the love the old 

Hallmark Thanksgiving turkey S&P, even if they are plastic.

This turkey platter was my Mommy's from the 50's. We ate every Thanksgiving turkey

off this platter. I am so grateful to have used this platter for my

family, as well, and it will go to my older daughter.  

So that is what I have been up to for fun! 

Please share you recent projects with us for inspiration.

Wishing you and yours a blessed

Thanksgiving.

Melin

xoxo

Fall Decorating With Thrift Finds

I enjoy sharing my love for thrifting and decorating for the season. These simple 

ideas use a base of a thrift store find or a new one that can be found

on the cheap. I used super-market gourds, faux leaves 

plus a few decorations from my store.

I used a pretty "silver" curved  platter that I found for $3 and added fall touches.

A long ago find of a wooden box with a serene fall landscape makes a 

great container for a touch of fall!

This centerpiece uses new items on a vintage yellow Fiestaware platter. I filled a new aqua

Ball jar with candy corn and added a "chalk" type topper. Aqua or turquoise 

are the latest way to add a fresh touch to fall colors. 

Old trucks may be easy to come by where you live but I searched high and low and

finally found this one on the way to the Farm Chicks Show. Add candy pumpkins

 to an old metal truck...an idea I stole from Serena Thompson.

One little pumpkin and leaf on a vintage Hall Jewel  saucer...small perfection!

Find an unusual real pumpkin or gourd and place them on a large

 cake plate with leaves and smaller gourds.

I have used this old picnic basket in many different ways but isn't it beautiful stuffed with 

as many fall colors as I could gather around the house and shop?

I hope you can use an idea or two in your fall decorating. See what you have around in your kitchen cupboards and add a few gourds and leaves. Keep your eyes open, as you thrift, for a

 few new pieces that you can use as next years bases. They look great all around

 the home. Add a touch of aqua for a fresh approach!

Happy fall decorating!

Melin

Farm Chicks here WE come!

I am packed up and ready for another fabulous Farm Chick adventure 2015!

I am heading to Washington state a week early, so I can check out all the vintage goodies 

closer to the coast with my bestie Teri. Then, WE will meet with our other 

grade school  bestie Nancy (she lives in Idaho), and head to Spokane for 

The Farm Chicks Show. Find out all about the show at 

http://thefarmchicks.typepad.com/farmchicks/the-farm-chicks-antiquesshow.html. 

WE went in 2013 and had the greatest time. Farm Chicks is the greatest show on earth!

You must read about the founder, Serena Thompson. She is just the sweetest little

 gal and has quite a wonderful story. She is so warm and welcoming 

to all of us, who travel from 

near and far to join her Farm Chicks fun. 

I have packed a carry-on bag inside my big bag, so I can bring home goodies 

on the plane. Wow, is it ever heavy (exactly 50 lbs)!

I reviewed Ki Nassauer's tips on packing up the junk at 

http://kinassauerstyle.com/2014/10/how-to-pack-your-junking-treasures-for.html. 

She has a lot of great ideas and a lot of experience.

Wish me the luck of fabulous finds that WE can share with you.

Melin

Wren Elizabeth Gifts: Ornament Treasures

Wren Elizabeth Gifts: Ornament Treasures: I get so caught up in the holiday decorating that it seems there is no time to blog. I thought I would at least share a few more of my fa...

Ornament Treasures

I get so caught up in the holiday decorating that it seems there is no time to blog. I thought I would at least share a few more of my family treasures. These ornaments have been a part of most every Christmas. 

These are an assortment of vintage beauties displayed in my milk glass collection.

The flying goose was my Momma's. His wings are made of real feathers that "fly" when moved

 up and down. The little figure's head is a bit wobbly after all these years.

These two mischievous ceramic squirrels clip to the branches.

 Santa loves to do a few deliveries from this celluloid car!

The Shiny Brites above are mid century and well loved.

A collection of random retros. The clear striped on was from my Granny's tree.

Just a couple more cuties. Mom loved the drippy icicles and now I really do too. They give

 a tree that dreamy look. The ornament on the left was a flea find!

Do you have any family treasures on your tree? Share them with us on Facebook

 or Pinterest and tell us their stories here in the comments.

Now, back to decorating.

Melin

Truckee Local Antique Show

This weekend is the 40th Annual Truckee Antiques Show. I go every weekend I am in town. It is close, fun and it benefits our high school Booster's Club. I will share a few

of the vendors I enjoy and the treats I bought.

 

The above vendor is www.antiquesandmoresancarlos.com. She has glass ware, doilies and more!

I enjoyed her milk glass but the pic turned out blurry, darn it :)

 

 

Glen from www.serendipityshows.com does a beautiful job restoring wooden pieces,

like boxes, crates and the cool cranberry scoop on the top right. 

 

 

I am a sucker for old linens and bought a few hankies from

 Dianne at Laces and Graces (310)780-4701. 

 

 

Don't you just love the rich colors vintage of Bakelite? Pamela Lee, "The Bakelite Lady", 

of San Francisco has an awesome display. You can reach her at (415)282-7642.

 

 

My favorite booth was Corry's from Once More Around. Her email is antque1plus@gmail.com.

She and her friend had a great selection from the 40s and 50s...just my thing!

I bought this vintage wicker writing table from them and the floral sprig.

 

 

 

I picked up a few hankies, a new embroidered towel and an ornament...love!

Wishing you a fun time at your local antique or flea. If you live

in Truckee, this one continues today and tomorrow.

Please share a find that you love.

Melin