"Holy Toledo"

     Can you believe that my dear husband purchased this for me?!! I have always loved these old scales and now I own one. It's substantial, heavy and beautiful and I already have a few ideas for displaying it either at home or in "Sweet Repeats."  But whatever I do, I can promise you that this is a keeper forever!

     While looking at different vendor spaces and inquiring about them, most of the the responses were "Sorry it's sold."But before leaving the grounds for home, I did a quick run through and actually located this scale right across from were we had lunch.

     Thank you "Cottage Vintage Home"in Vancouver, Wa. for the great deal you gave us and it's in perfect condition. This is the best gift ever....thank you Tommy because you never hold back on trying to give me the things that you know I love.

     Until next time....The Blue Farmhouse.

My new gift

Stored right now in my brother in law's garage

Last look before heading back to California

"Barn House Vintage & Antique Marketplace 2012"

    Wow what treat for the senses...and I mean all of them... food(taste & smell), vendor spaces (sight), fabulous band (hearing), wallet or credit card (touch)... did I miss any? The drive to the event was picturesque, serene and green...and I was filled with anticipation of what was to come. Well, Barn House Boys you delivered!

     So...after we park and pay (I took 4 others with me) we head straight for food before shopping because we were all very hungry. The food portions were big and oh so good, then you'll never guess what happened? While I was eating I spotted one of the Barn House Boys...and I was star struck but tried to act normal. 

     So, I hurried and ate, pick the meat out of my teeth and went over and said "Excuse me my name is Rita and I follow your blog.....in short, can I take a picture with you!? He said of course and did asked if I was having a good time and I replied, "You better believe it" because you had to pass all these beautiful decorated spaces with their wares as you headed up the hill to eat... I was already mesmerized.

     I guess I should stop talking now and hopefully the pictures that I took will give this beautifully coordinated event the props it rightfully deserves. Here we go....

Thanks Barn House Boys!

Loving this bike

Finger licking good barbecue

Lots of vendors

Lots of people

I'm here!

My sister in law looking through the pretty pinks

Love this

Lovely ironstone

Lots of pillows

I purchased some of these "butter dishes"

Another scale
(I have a surprise post about this one)

"Goodwill Hunting-Vancouver Style Day 3"

     Returning back to a local Goodwill store on Friday, looking for more ironstone and picture frames to repurpose into chalkboards, what I found instead was these glorious professionally upholstered pillows. I usually buy all my pillows from Pottery Barn because you can change out pillows (seasonally or new color scheme) just by buying the pillow top after you have made the initial investment of the down pillow.

     The fabric print immediately reminded me of a pillow I purchased and post "Santa Barbara-America's French Rivera" and I will infuse it with these pillows. Ending my search I found a Homer Laughlin platter and brown/white transferware salt and pepper shakers.

     I would call it another successful day of thrifting and I hope your return each day to see what treasures I might find. Well I better hurry now because I'm off to Battleground, Washington for The Barn House Boys "5th Annual Vintage & Antique Marketplace"event.

     Wish me luck and immediately after the event we are heading to Port Angeles for more shopping and visiting family.

     Until next time....The Blue Farmhouse.

Total of 4 pillows (2 throw & 2 bolsters)

Closer look

Brown/White Transferware & Homer Laughlin Platter

"Goodwill Hunting-Vancouver Style Day 2"

     On Thursday I found this beautiful gold trimmed/faded patina green and oriental patterned lamp. It was love at first sight and it would look great on a table flanked by some blue and white collectibles. I'm not sure if the patina really shows through on this lamp, but it's definitely a keeper!

      Upon returning home I will visit my local Pottery Barn to shop for the perfect lampshade that will make this baby shine. Can you guess how much I paid for it? Okay I'll tell you...$6.99! I know it's unbelievable but it is true.

     Until next time happy thrifting and collecting, The Blue Farmhouse.

     Another great find

Up close

"Goodwill Hunting-Vancouver Style Day 1"

     I want to share with you snapshots of my daily finds during my vacation in Vancouver and later in Port Angeles. I hope that you will enjoy them as much as I'm enjoying the daily anticipation of what I might find each day!

     On our first day out I found this beautiful queen size blue/white/green duvet with 2 matching shams, small ironstone plates and bowls and a cup and saucer that matches a set I have at home. The total price was unbelievably low (about $25) ...yes...I'm very pleased. 

     Enjoy and thanks for dropping by and letting me share with you my latest finds.

     The Blue Farmhouse.

Wednesday's Finds

Love the duvet cover

Ironstone bowls

Ironstone bowls and small plates

Blue & White plates

Spode Cup & Saucer 

(Pattern "Wicker Lane")

"Old Hutch"

     I eyed this old hutch forever...and forever at a thrift store but, it was (in my opinion) way over priced yet desirable. So, on Sunday (after church) we take a nice motorcycle ride to a favorite spot to eat and check out the thrift store again before leaving for Vancouver, Washington...and the price was marked down to almost pennies!

     Well, to make a long story short I returned early Monday morning to purchase and later that afternoon we drive back down to trailer home before leaving for vacation on Tuesday.

     For now it's in the garage and I can't wait to get back and transform this beauty that I will either keep or place in my vendor space at "Sweet Repeats". It's massive, heavy and has long glass shelves to display my collection of dishes.

     But, I have just one dilemma and it's the paint color? I have been considering white, blue (not just any blue though) or maybe a grey. What color would you paint it? I'd love to hear your comments on paint colors.

     Until next time happy thrifting and collecting.

     The Blue Farmhouse.

I love those curves

My best helper strapping everything down

One last check

Can't wait to transform this piece

"Vacation, Vacation, Vacation"

Dear Friends,

     Just a note to say I'm on vacation for the next couple of weeks in Vancouver, Washington and I have some fun things planned. First and foremost at the top of my list is "The Barnhouse Boys 5th Annual Vintage & Annual Marketplace". You can visit here for more information and I might just see you there!

     This will be my very first visit (hopefully not my last) and needless to say I'm very excited.  Also, accompanying me to this event will be my sister in law who lives here in Vancouver and of course, my husband.

     It's gonna be fun and I will be posting pictures to share my experience with you. Wish me luck....

     The Blue Farmhouse.
 

More information  visit here

Beautiful Mt. Shasta

Barn houses dotting the highway

Hurry!

We made it!!!

   

"Garden Finds"

     I was on an errand for work and passed by a home with "stuff" in the yard, possible for sale or maybe not (there was no visible sign). So, in passing I spotted 3 blue tables and of course, I make a U-turn immediately.

     I could tell from the street that the tables aren't for indoors but, I had gardening in mind. So, as you can see from this post I returned for only one...she just wanted to get rid of them...so I offered $2.00 and she said great.

     The big (heavy) urn is something I've had for a few years and I continue to collect a variety of garden artifacts to use later...when I can garden again.

     Until next time happy collecting and thanks for visiting....

     The Blue Farmhouse

Garden Acorns & Old Tools

Blue and White Garden Pots

Some old tools

Found Blue Table & Repurposed Frames

"Collectible Dishes"

     I definitely didn't need these but, I'm sure glad that I found them. The blue and white platter and 2 plates I found for only $6...surely I read that tag wrong! I have in my old white cupboard some blue and white willow ware with the marking of "Japan" on the back and I love them.

     The white ironstone platter I found in a thrift store in Santa Barbara as well as, the tureen bowl. It doesn't have a lid but it's still functional in so many other ways. Also, pretty close to the pattern of the tureen are these beautiful coffee mugs "Pink Blossoms" by Nasco Japan.

     Finally, don't you just love those 4 plates with the blue flowery pattern? I just couldn't resist them or the price.

     Until next time, happy thrifting and collecting and thanks for stopping by.

     The Blue Farmhouse.

A favorite collectible

Stamped "Japan"

Ironstone platter and 4 vintage plates

Vintage dishes "Springtime" by Nasco (Japan)

Not a matching pattern but, too beautiful to pass up 

"Painted Toe"

     Have you seen anything more precious than this "painted big toe?" This is my newest granddaughter Kylee's latest fashion statement... thanks to her mommy.

     Baby girl...I love your little feet and I love being your grandma!

     The Blue Farmhouse.

The Painted Pink Big Toe

Tiny Toes

Baby Ky:)

"Wormwood Frame"

     Usually when I find unique picture frames to turn into chalkboards, I always paint them white. Well, I decided not to paint this frame. Why you might ask? Because this frame is really unique with all the little holes and grooves in it, and the proper term is "wormwood".

     And my husband suggested to leave in it's original state because of its' uniqueness. I really like how it turned out, but I can't keep it, so "Sweet Repeats" here I come.

     Until next time....The Blue Farmhouse.

Completed Chalkboard

Either way is nice!

"Time and Friendship"

Goodbye My Dearest Friend

The hardest part of any friendship

is when it is time to say goodbye,

and even though I wished I could make you stay,

I know I got to let you spread your wings and fly.

For life is a journey that needs to be travelled

and I am certain you'd make it through,

I just want you to know and never forget

that I will surely miss you.

So follow your heart and never give up,

as dreams and wishes do come true,

for I know that someday we'll meet again,

so never forget I will be praying for you.

(Leilani Hermosa Petersen)

A place where I can see it all the time

Closer look

Found clock at "Sweet Repeats"

(I love the cherub on the front)

One last look

     Thank you, Brother Mark for the gift of your friendship and this beautiful gift from your personal possessions to remember you by. 

     I'm truly thankful for the past 5 years of serving on the worship team with you. It's been awesome and I'll miss you!

     The Blue Farmhouse.