Vintage Pillow Shams...

I  rode with the Man-Child on the semi last Friday to Cedar City, Utah. On our way back home, he stopped in Beaver, UT and let me browse and peruse the antique store there.I didn't even know Beaver had an antique store until a few weeks ago. I never make it to that side of town, I always turn to go to the cheese factory before the antique store...

Upstairs in this old house bedroom, I found these beautiful vintage pillow shams. They're in excellent condition.

They are a beautiful pattern and a nice old ecru color that matches nearly anything I want to put them with.

The little tag inside said, "Dry Clean Only," so of course I ran home and shoved them in the washer to soak and then, I washed them and hung them up to drip dry.

No, I wasn't going to pay to dry clean a set of old pillow shams that only cost me `Five Bucks' - Pretty neat find for a few dollars.

Just when I think I have haorded enough crocheted, fringed and lace and linen bedding, another beauty pops up and comes home with me. Gosh, even those crocheted burgundy throw pillows were only $3 at a yard sale.

They are pretty and there was nothing that happened by washing them, except that now they're clean...

(=

And how do you like that burgundy bed skirt?

Well, it's a twin velvet/poly blend bedspread I acquired for $1 and I just cut it in half, hemmed it and tucked it in between my matress and platform.

I wonder if the Man-Child feels like a duck in a new pond every time he gets home because I change the bedding in this room so much?

Do you think men even notice such things?

This was Saturday and she's already re-adorned another color...

I need to join bed covers anonymous, or something. I have such issues~!

Psst... 

If you are an antique'r - check the closets in the old antique stores if allowed. 

(The antique stores in the old houses)

That's where I seem to find all my crocheted treasures~

*Wink - Wink*

A beautiful doily coverlet and some vintage linens...

Isn't it pretty?

Our local antique store owner visited another estate sale over the Holiday's and brought this treasure back with her. It's very long. I believe it's a twin, but with its length, it will be beautiful on the bottom of any of my beds.

She kept it hid out in the secret closet for me, until I could get there to retrieve it...

The 'Secret Closet' is really a closet in the old house where the antique store is located. It's chock full of treasures being held for the natives she knows. The 'Secret Closet' is my favorite closet ever. It's like the wardrobe in the book, "The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe," only it's full of antique wonderfullness.

This coverlet is amazing...

It fits nicely in my piles of other hoarded, antique, crocheted coverlets. I may just have the Western World's largest collection of antique bedding, but I'm scared to get it all out at one time and see...

I'm scared to face my obsession all at once~ 

*smile*

I also bought a full Rogers Victorian Rose silverware set and an old vintage anchor hocking syrup dispenser that I desperately needed for the kitchen.

Would you believe I've never had a matching set of silverware?

I'm like the patchwork silverware goddess, or queen. We laugh about it at every holiday. It's because I'm so picky. I've had the same, antique, mis-matched rogers silverware for most of my adult life. I like the size and weight of the antique, albeit mis-matched pieces. Oh, trust me, if I could ever have found a full set, I would have bought a full set, but all I could ever find was a couple pieces of this one and that one and another one, so I just made due.

Now that I have a matched set. It's really strange to do the dishes~!

<Whose kitchen is this with the matching silverware ~ he, he>

When we got done at the antique store, we stopped into the local thrift store and hit a 'Jen Jackpot'...

~Ya, the Man-Child was along for the hunt. He don't mind. He has great taste~

Someone must have cleaned out Grandma's closet and thrifted it over the holidays...

There were matching sets of embroidered pillowcases and lots of vintage linens. Of course, I loaded up!

I figure I can crochet a cotton edge around the pillowcases and gift them, or use them upstairs in the bedrooms, when I get stairs, of course... 

We're getting closer to  getting stairs put in to the upstairs bedrooms.
~Well, at least, we've finally decided where to put them~ Yay!~

How could anybody walk away from matching, embroidered pillowcases for $2 a set ($1 each)?

They were dusty from being stored, but an overnight soak in some Oxyclean brought them back to crisp white and new / unused.

There were a few other random linens I bought too...

I think, I'll turn the butterfly piece into 2 quilt blocks and salvage the lace edging. 

And, I'm thinking about turning the bottom, linen one, into a bolster pillow. 

The bottom linen piece is gorgeous~!

It's a hand embroidered piece of really heavy linen cloth. 

I think, I'll fold it in half and stuff it. Then, I'll crochet around the edges with doily cotton in the same color. 

Can you believe it was only $1 ~ ?

I even came out of the thrift store with a really pretty burgundy berry wreath for 3 quarters... ($0.75)

It's a nice change on the kitchen table now that all of Christmas is tucked safely away for next year.

When I put Christmas away, I took some time to change the living room curtains for a few months...

Having full size lace panels and some balloon lace valances in the entryway brightened up the whole room. 

But, it instantly went Victorian, so I'm undecided.

It sure made a great backdrop for a pretty picture though...

I hope you have a "Beautiful Week~!"

Feed the monster ~ Buy the crocheted, antique, bedspread Jen...

I did it~!

I bought this beautiful, antique bedspread at an antique store for $100 a week ago... It is huge - the biggest one I could find at 90" x 90". I sold some sheep just to go antiquing and only spent a hundred bucks... 

I have been dreaming of a white one. A white one to match my new white trim that I'm not finished painting yet...

I'm getting closer though (well, not really ~ But, a girl can dream)... 

I did however get the exterior door to the hot tub painted white...

 And, the interior entry door painted white with the vintage crystal door knob and back plates installed..

I need to order some antiquing medium, or dark wax to patina everything and make it look old, because it is old, it just has new paint...

(A concept men will never understand *wink*)

We got the yucky old retro fan light down and a flush mount light in its place. You don't even notice this new light above the canopy now - it really blends right in and it was only $40 from Home Depot.

~ That took a full day because we had to tear the bed canopy apart and move it out of the way ~

The new flush mount light has 9 year, energy efficient bulbs. I'm hoping we don't have to take the canopy apart for another 9 years. That would be wonderful because it's beasty to tear apart~!

I'm still waiting on the new / old chandelier to arrive that will go in the corner above the dresser. The sweet lady fixing it for me has  been really, really busy and so have I... 

I have been busy working & treasure hunting for a pure white, antique, crocheted cotton throw for my bed.

Which I have found...

And also busy with a lot of landscaping projects, moving an old garage and much, much more, so stay tuned...

There are a few awesome blog posts I'll be doing in the near future about my latest adventures at this old farm. But, for right now... I'm going to go in and roll around on my new, antique bedspread...

 Because I can... 

Did you know the best way to keep an antique doily bedspread in good shape is to use it often? It keeps the stitches and thread pliable and keeps it from getting stiff. 

Did you know that if you put an old, antique, crocheted cotton doily bedspread in a conventional washer, you'll ruin the fringe?

It gets all tangled up, so hand wash only!

While I'm laying on my new / old white bedspread with a smile on my face. Enjoying the victory of finding one this big. I'll be staring at my beautiful dresser... 

At the beautiful satin, screened plaques that my best friend sent me all the way from Wisconsin...

That are perched upon a brass, dresser mirror that I got at a thrift store for $0.75

(Ya, 3 quarters - it was a STEAL)

On top of a beautiful, crocheted, fringed runner that I got at an antique store for $6...

And smile and gloat over my new, white, built in, Entryway Mirrors...

That the 'Man-Child' built for me last month...

And dream about getting the other half of my bedroom painted and finished soon. But, still feel accomplished because this half is DONE~!

And, dream about the whole room (both sides) looking as beautiful as this room someday~!

This room pic is off of a FB yardsale page.
It was an advertisement for an antiques store that's inventory was for sale recently. 

Isn't it beautiful?
I just had to share it...

HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY TODAY~!

I'm actually thinking about maybe opening that paint and finishing my room soon...

Plotting a bedroom recolor...

I just can't take this 'blush,' 'brownish,' 'camelish,' whatever color this is any longer...

If I could move mountains ~ well big furniture myself, it would be DONE~!

Tell me what you see...

What color do you think would be pretty in here?

Ivory, cream, white, taupe, beige...

I'm leaning toward an ivory color, with a brown base pigment?

With bright white trim?

I HATE the color it is, but I want to get it right...

What about the color of this taupe'y crocheted coverlet?

Or, even lighter, like the ivory colored lace throw on the left?

The 'soon to be' new color has to match Russian Pine and the burgundy / wine color in the rug...

And, remember my deep, deep, window seats caused by the walls in this old house being 2' thick?

I'm thinking of a window seat cushion, something like this perhaps?

Made out of white linen, or perhaps just simple white sheets?

(The pic is off Houzz.com, but I have no link. If someone comes across the link, I would like to give credit where credit is certainly due, please send it along...)

I have a 'funky' closet corner I rarely show...

It has mirrored closet doors and a big space between the top of the closet and the ceiling...

To make it a statement, I'm thinking something like this?

Perhaps, some old windows above the closet, to hide the funky space that stands out?

(This pic was emailed to me by a friend. If anybody is familiar with a link, please provide it, so I can give credit back to the originating source...)

I also have a beautiful, vintage chair in my room ~

Right now, it's sort of housing the dvd player and surround sound ~ ey, yey, yey...

I would love some completion, some organization in my room soon.

Cross your fingers that my wish of a beautiful, recolored, bedroom will soon come to fruition.

I just need help moving all of the big furniture soon...

=(

And, this is one of the new crocheted coverlets I got at the antique store the other day ~~~

It's beautiful, but I haven't really found it a home just yet...

How do you see my finished bedroom???

I need your ideas...

Adorned for Autumn...

Some people think it's expensive to change the look of their bedroom, but changing your bedding does change the whole look and it can be done very cheaply.

I think it's odd how some people have the same bedding ensemble for years ~ why is that?
I change mine constantly...

It's not expensive to get a change, if you're cheap and smart, think outside the box and you become a hoarder like me~!

I switched everything over in my room yesterday for the Autumn Season...

Let me give a rundown of how cheap you can do it...

The rose bedding; a king size bedspread and 2 king sized shams were $6 from a thriftstore. And, they were brand new...

The burgundy, crocheted set is a full size bedspread and 2 standard size shams and they were $8 from a thriftstore...

That's just $14 for a complete change... 

Cheap, huh???

Throw in the 3 throw pillows for $1 a piece and we're up to $17 for a complete change~!

The vintage, dusty rose, chenille coverlet was $1 at a thriftstore and it looks brand new. Not even a mark on it. It is one of my favorite treasures and rarely leaves my bed, even when the bedding changes...

Hello~~ how do you like that bright orange boot box under the bed ~ duh! 

Yes, I hide stuff under my bed ~ would you believe there's lace, or curtains in there? 

*Big smile!*

(=

I admit, there are 2 expensive things that are always on my bed... 

I'm a lover of expensive sheets (Ssshhhh - don't tell the 'Man-Child' - I just won't admit what I pay for them ~ lol) And, that antique, hobnail, cotton crocheted layer with the fringe, over the platform / under the mattress. It was an antique store acquisition. But, it came with a damaged, crocheted coverlet and they both cost me $50... I do splurge (cheaply) once in a a while. And, I like 2'fer deals~!

(2'fer = 2 for the price of one... antique dealers are sometimes easy to talk out of stuff...)

The 'damaged' antique coverlet I got with the hobnail bed spread hangs on the linen cabinet as a decoration and only gets hand washed occasionally, to try to avert any further damage to its beautiful self...

The bottom, scalloped bed skirt is really window valances that I have safety pinned underneath, to the mattress platform and they were $4 from a yard sale~

The HUGE, antique tablecloth draped over the bottom, side of the bed was a yardsale find for $2...

So, everything on the bed right now, including the antique lace and antique crocheted items is under $75~! 

(Not counting the sheets, of course - we're not going there in case the 'Man-Child' reads the blog *wink*)

I love layers, on top of layers, on top of layers, on top of layers ~ 

I love lace and I LOVE ANTIQUE FRINGE ~!

I throw them all together and drag out more and more and more... 

And yes, it ends up in a wad on the 'Ohhh, La,La Chair' (the vintage tufted chair in my bedroom,) if I don't beat the 'Man-Child' into the room first when it gets late... 

At least he's kind enough to wad it up and stuff it in the chair, instead of just plopping down on it...  

I admit... I have quite a collection~!

Can you see that stack there next to the linen cabinet? And, the linen cabinet is full... 

And, there's an armoire at my other house full, in my other master bedroom at the barn. And, there's a ladder hanging in my hallway upstairs, at my barn house full and there is even more hidden and shoved here and there and everywhere~!

I hoard bedding and blankets as well as lace & linens~~ 

I got issues and my issues got issues~!

Some women collect and hoard shoes & clothes ~ I wear old holy jeans, boots and tank tops, t-shirts, or hoodies... I'm a boring person, but I have fantastic furniture, lace & bedding~~~

I would ask you to keep the secret & not tell the 'Man-Child,' of my linen issues, but he's been well aware of my fetish for years. It must not bother him, or he would gripe. I think he just lets me have my passions, so he can have his - his include large, heavy equipment. My issues are CHEAP compared to his. And, some women's closets are stuffed full of clothes & shoes. Mine are stuffed full of lace, linens & bedding!

And, a really nice thing about him...

For being such a big, tall, masculine contractor, he has never, ever, griped about a lace layered bedroom ~ go figure. 

He does occasionally get in trouble for having his boots on some old piece of lace. He just gets a scared look on his face when confronted and hurries and moves them. Other than that ~ once in a while I hear, "A bed is suppose to be slept in, not adorned. But, when I get that ~want to challenge Jen~ look on my face, he backs way off ~ quickly...  

Who listens to men anyway???

So, if you get bored with your bedroom and want a change ~ consider doing it cheaply & wisely and you can have dozens of changes... Just make sure you have a place to store it all, once the bedding / hoarding bug bites~!

I'm going on a road trip this week for a couple days, through WY & CO... Yes, the 'Man-Child' already knows he's going to end up at an antique shop, or two if we have time ~ perhaps, I'll find some more bedding?

(=

Gosh, I can't wait until I have stairs ~~ 

I can't wait to use some of my excess amount of bedding in the other two bedrooms hiding above me right now~!

***Sneak Peak of my other, gorgeous furniture set that will go upstairs, when I get stairs...***

These pics were taken a couple years ago, with a crappy camera, at my barn house, so they're not very clear ~ You get the idea though. I have another complete, King sized set of beautiful, distressed, carved oak furniture waiting to come to this house. It's still sitting at my other house. In my other master bedroom ~ oy' vey'... Yes, I am a furniture hoarder too~~~!

I think I need a couple more houses, to fill with more furniture, bedding & lace, maybe... lol

Would you believe this 'Monster' heavy, hand carved, distressed oak bed cost me $350 years ago... I bought it from a 'scratch & ding' store, before everybody else discovered scratch & ding and it became over run with the herd. Seriously, it's a $3,000+ bed. It was just a fluke I got it - I brought it home and used some antique medium to cover the scratches and dings and you can't even tell it was ever damaged~!

And, look ~ more bedding~!

(=

Another linen cabinet / armoire full of bedding ~ 

(sorry for the blurry pics - I just had them on my jump drive from a couple years ago)

Oh, I have issues~!

Everybody have a great week~!

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