American Pickers: Amateur Edition

Last weekend, my mom and I made our way to the Springfield Antique Show & Flea Market in Ohio. It turns out many of the vendors canceled because of the heat, but those who braved it had wonderful items for sale!

Here are a few things I found at the show:

I've been looking for a recipe box for awhile now! I wasn't sure what I was looking for, but knew I wanted it to have a 1960s feel. This was made by Ohio Art Co. (the same company that created Etch A Sketch!) I just love the brightness of the pink and red flowers combined with the aqua lid. It reminds me of my side borders! I can't wait to fill it up with yummy recipes. Got any good ones I should add in?

The next find was sheet music from one of my all time favorite musicals, State Fair. "It Might As Well Be Spring" won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1945.

We found it among a large stack of music, each piece with Miss Betty Sellers's name on the front. We think she must have been a music teacher. If not, then definitely a lover of some great music! In the past I didn't like items with names written on them, but I now feel like it's making a connection with someone. I think she'd be thrilled to know that she is still able to share her love of music with others.

Rodgers and Hammerstein was the ultimate musical duo, don't you think?

The last thing I spied was this cupboard. I walked up to take a quick look at the tag thinking there's no way I'll have enough for this! I always need some more shelf space. As I turned the tag over to take a look, the dealer immediately said "I'll take $12 for it." $12!?!?!

Maybe I'm the crazy one, but I think that's a deal! It's very sturdy and the doors still close. All it needs is a new coat of paint! When I fix it up, I'll be sure to show you the after pictures.

We made it through the outdoor show with plenty of time left in the day, so we hit the two antique malls as well--Springfield Antique Center and Heart of Ohio Antique Center. Let me tell you, these are huge malls! Springfield, Ohio is considered the antiquing capital of the Midwest, and it's obvious to see why!

I love pink and black together. I've seen these dishes before, but hadn't yet bought a piece. This bowl was cheap. I love setting old bowls on tables, desks, and dressers to hold small items.

One last thing I grabbed was this red "S." My mom and sister both have a letter of their first initial, so I've always wanted one too. This one looks like it could have been used on an old marquee. I think it will go well with my aqua bedroom walls!

Summer is my favorite time of year for "picking." Have you found anything good this season?

Tea Time and the Antique Hunt

Today my mom and I ventured out on an antique hunt. If you’ve been to my mom’s blog, you probably know that this is one of our favorite ways to spend a day!

First though, we needed some sustenance for the hunt. Our first stop was for tea and lunch at The Ruby Pear. This is our favorite tea room. It’s located in a beautiful Victorian house. The tea comes out steaming in large teapots and is poured into a variety of lovely teacups. What I love the most about having tea here is that you feel like you are having tea in the home of a good friend.

Here’s the tray of delicious sweet treats we devoured!

Their service is wonderful. They encourage you to sit and talk awhile even after you are through with your tea. Isn’t it nice to see a business that’s focusing on the true meaning and relationship building of tea time? I can imagine ladies sitting together years ago sharing tea time together in their own Victorian homes.

So, you are probably wondering what we found on our great hunt! It turns out we only bought a couple of items. We’ve decided we aren’t going to buy things just to spend money (which is so easy to do!). Instead, we make sure an object really speaks to us before buying it.

These two packages of patterns definitely spoke to me. I love to collect paper items like these to use in collages. And who knows, maybe someday I’ll even take a try at making the outfits using the actual patterns!

Aren’t these two ladies so classy? They are posing on the front of an Advance pattern.

I love the look of the polka dots and plaid! I wish women still wore outfits like these. How pretty and feminine. And look at those waists!

I couldn’t resist these either! These two look ready to lead the band right off of the Simplicity pattern cover.

She's ready for a winter skating party!

Aren't they precious? So vivid and cheerful. Vintage graphics are so much richer. I can't wait to display these.