It's Time to Talk of Many Things

Spray paint is in the air here at my home today. After a trip to Goodwill last week with Victoria, it was about time to get busy with a find or two.

If you are like me, often my finds are not to be used as is. There is often a vision.

So, here is my little basket thingy. Of course, it needs paint--couldn't leave it alone.


So while it dries, I have to mention something that bugs me. This basket was $1.71 at our local Goodwill. Much better than many of the prices there. Every time I see something that speaks to me, I joke, "Is it $14.95?" The prices at our store are very often ridiculous! Victoria saw a really pretty mirror, that would also require a makeover w/paint. The price...$38.00. What!!! We may could buy a new one for that amount, or at least close. Last year Victoria found something from Target's dollar spot marked for $2.55. She said that the $1.00 tag was still on it. It seems in blogland that some of the Goodwill prices are much more reasonable than others. How are the prices at your Goodwill?

So, now that I've gotten that off my chest and given my basket a second coat, let me tell you about another little find from this weekend.

The fabric behind my little basket thingy above is by Laurie Smith, of Trading Spaces fame. My introduction to Laurie was not on TS as I have only watched show maybe twice all the way through and it's just not my cuppa. My introduction was from her book, Discovering Home with Laurie Smith.


I bought this book several years ago at Hancock Fabrics. She had designed a line of wonderful fabrics for them, though they didn't seem to do all that well. Maybe Hancock's was not the place for the contemporary edge that her fabrics had. The piece pictured above was a small remnant that I found under a pile of other fabrics this past weekend. Though I would have loved to have found the golden color of this same pattern, we will find something to do with this eventually and the price tag of $1.00 was great.

If you ever have a chance to pick up her book, which is now deeply discounted at places like Wal-mart and Amazon, do. If you love classic with a twist of contemporary, you will enjoy flipping through this book. I really enjoyed seeing her personal home, a 50's ranch, remodeled and decorated and the thought that went on behind it. The finished product is just lovely.

Here you see her living room. It is full of wonderful fabrics, furniture and the classic/contemporary mix that I love.


Here she shows a vingette on the same table, but changes out the lamp shade and the other displayed items.


There are also a few photos from inside the book on Amazon.

So my basket is dry and ready to hang, which is great as the rain has just arrived. I have this niche in the kitchen that is very awkward. I'm adding the basket here for pens, pencils and scissors. A small vase tucked inside one of the spaces allows me to add some fresh rosemary from my yard. Adding a small bowl, also thrifted for 10cents, adds just the needed touch to fill in the empty space on the wall.

I didn't have a plate hanger, so I did a very "bad" thing. Hot glue and a ribbon=plate hanger.


Disclaimer: Only do this if you don't have a huge attachment to something. Though I've done this many times and never had anything to fall, I don't want to be the cause of great aunt Gertrude's beautiful china falling and breaking. Make sure to mush the glue around with the tip of the glue gun and glue, glue, glue to get it to adhere very well.

Every item in this vignette came from a thrift store, or was given to me except for the lamp shade(from Ross), the burlap ribbon(Michael's)and the crown knob (Hobby Lobby).

I am participating in Diane's (A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words) 2nd Time Around Tuesday.

Please visit her site to see what others have to show and tell about.
Christina