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

Inspirational Memory Board

 

We know these have been popular for the past decade or so. I wanted to create one in for my

home, to make me smile, but I wanted to find just the right piece for me. I was really

looking (and looking) for something cool and vintage.

 

I was at a friend's home, around the corner, for her yard sale and found a piece that I love.

 It is a newer, but vintage inspired, decorative white metal piece. I think she let me have it for

 a mere $5! It looks perfect in our blue and white bedroom hung over an antique table.

 

 

 I have very s-l-o-w-l-y added some things of meaning or that delight me. As I take a quick

glance, I see flowers, birdies, pink and cards from loved ones...all treasures!

 

 

 The angel was a gift from Aimee, when I sat on her Soroptimist Board. The birdie card was

from my Missy Birdie and the hand print is my grand-baby, Will Bug's. In the bottom center,

of the photo below, is a felt flower, beautifully handmade by my first born, Mia.  

 

 

I have seen very special boards created from vintage gates, bedsprings, small fencing,

trellis', shutters, you name it. For more inspiration, take a look at Pinterest or Google images.

What will inspire you and what will your board say about you?

Melin

 



Vintage Valentine Collection

 

I have collected valentines here and there for many years. I love my eclectic collection and have never spent more than a dollar or two on any of them. Do you collect valentines?

 

These are cards that have a stand up design.


 

These have moving parts.

 

 

The celebration of Valentine's Day began in the early 1700s with the exchanging of hand-made

 cards or notes. Esther A Howland, of Massachusetts, published the first American valentine

 in 1849, made with real lace, ribbon and "scrap". Hallmark began mass-producing

valentines in 1916. Today, over a billion cards are sold each year,

mostly for family members.

 

 

For more images of vintage and retro valentines, check out our Pinterest boards

 at http://www.pinterest.com/wrenlizgifts/.

Have fun sending your special valentines this year!

Melin

 

 

 



What is your collecting style?

Some collectors start with one item that just appeals to them, in a happy way, and they buy it on the spot. If they just have to have more of the same, they slowly gather the knowledge about their collection over time. Others are more cautious collectors and they study the items to learn

all they can about their history and values, so they don't make many mistakes along the way.

 And others start with a gifted or purchased collection that someone else collected and passed on.

 There are a lot of psychological explanations of why we collect but, wow, that's too heavy

 for this collector. I think "to each, his own". Seems to me everyone collects, whether

 it is a 100 year or older antique, a childhood collectible or new shoes or ties.

 

 

What interests you? That is the best place to start a collection. I've changed my collections over the years as my interests and resources have changed. Do you like sports and it's memorabilia,

 cooking and all things kitchen, travel, places you have loved and want to bring it's essence into

your home decor? How does your Grandma's china inspire you or your Grandpa's plaid thermos?

Holidays have always brought me great joy, the decorations, china, family and even gifts.

They stir warm nostalgic feelings deep in my spirit and I love to collect those kind

of things.  Most of my collections are built around fabulous memories.

 

 

Whatever makes you feel that thrill of the find, long after you leave the shop

or flea market, go forward and collect!

Happy Holidays,

Melin

Red Picnic Basket

I love this little still life I created in my family room for the fall. I will move it onto my porch and set it in my little red wagon a bit later in the month. I just love decorating for fall!
I was so lucky to find this wonderful old red picnic basket this past July while exploring Oregon. I love to go antiquing and thrifting and was blessed with this treasure for only $5.99 at a Goodwill. I also bought the big jar next to it at an antique store in Washington. The old Mason/Ball jars were found in both states at both types of stores but all for good prices.The flowers can be found in my store.
The basket's sides were a bit caved in but I shored them up with card board and a box. This basket has a cool red metal top layer compartment that sets on top which is perfect for display and carrying food so it won't get smashed.
Hope you enjoy my sweet find as much as I do. Happy fall decorating!
Melin

Wedding Details

I had the honor of helping my daughter with the planning  of her wedding. I love party planning and a wedding is the ultimate!

Her family nickname is Birdie (it's a long story) and she agreed we could use that as the wedding theme. The wedding was held in April at the Flower Farm www.flowerfarm.com. It was a perfect setting and even has chickens to carry the theme further. She grew up in a rural setting, as a young girl, and loves it. 

I will share some of the details with you here. Maybe you will take an idea or two with you for your next party or special occasion.

A small chalk sign in the entry welcomes guests.

The welcome and gift table on the patio of the entrance to the reception.

And they lived happily ever-after...a fun way to share pictures of the bride & groom growing up and their courtship. The birdcage is a perfect place for the guests to put cards.

This print of a tree with two birdies lets guests put their fingerprints and add their names.

We bought this one at www.michaels.com.

Cut out birds in different shades and patterns of blue, the color theme, were placed in a nest for the guests to write a message and hang them on a wire tree. They will be great keepsakes.

The centerpieces on the tables were all different tablescapes made up of moss, birdhouses (from www.joann.com), my milk glass vases from my collection (see my collection Blog), nests, moss, flowers, birdies and more. The salt & pepper shakers were even little white birdies.You can find them at www.partypail.com. Many of the items can be purchased at our store at www.wrenelizabethgifts.com.

This is another tablescape using a real nest we found.

The bride and groom's sweetheart table.

The bride's sister and matron-of-honor painted and his this little thrift store gnome as a surprise.

  

The cake topper was a gift from the bride's sister-in-law and brother. The bride hand painted it to match her wedding color. The cake was a delicious as it is gorgeous! It was made and designed by the talented Brita Geiger from www.britasconfections.com. She added fresh flowers with a perfect designer touch. Could it be any more perfect? You will die for Brit's chocolate cake!

I glued faux moss to a ready made cardboard N to honor the groom's, and now the bride's, last name. The arbor was decorated with faux flowers and bows.    

The ring bearer carried the rings in a nest that is actually two nests together with a few faux flowers added and ribbons to tie on the rings. The flower girls carried our hydrangea baskets. What cute kids!

A great photo of the rings in a tablescape nest.

I love making bouquets, especially for my daughter's weddings! I added the butterfly brooch as a keepsake for the bride. It's the small details that make it so special.

The favors were our bird card/photo holders. The bride and groom selected a special thank you message for their guests. We used the same nest stamp on the back that was on the invitation.

I hope these ideas will inspire you. Party decor is such fun, especially when there is a running theme throughout.

Melin