Monday, April 26, 2010

Let your collections grow!

I am a collector! I love so many things and get a thrill hunting for treasures. What I don't like....is buying a collection of something all at the same place. Many stores have all the 'matching' pieces to decorate a space and they look good together. But isn't it more fun to find a perfect piece here or there and put it together in time?

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These are old beakers that my hubby had in his garage and I think they are perfect for tiny shells. But I didn't fill them up. I hope I can walk on the beach and add to them as time goes by.

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OK....so I cheated a little! lol I found a big bag of bright white shells at TJ Maxx and couldn't resist!

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Here are a couple of my best finds from the Thrift Store here in Florida. This tablecloth is a small rectangle and will be perfect for my little table in the courtyard. Won't it brighten things up?

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And isn't this a sweet little relish dish? ( I haven't used silver polish on it yet! )

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It has a glass liner and even has a little knife! Let's see....it has a knife....what is supposed to go in this dish? I don't think we should try to serve relish with a knife! heehee!

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This is the view from my kitchen window this morning!

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Glorious!

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What do you look for when you are shopping or treasure hunting? Anything special that catches your eye?

star Happy Monday!  star

35 comments:

Unknown said...

Good morning Diane!
You must have sent the sun to Washington because it's about to burst out in joy over my house! And, the best news is...it's my husband my day off. Plan to head to the Dutch town of Lynden today where those windmills turn free!
I shared some merry merchandise over on my Fairyland blog today...you might just like it!

Freckled Hen said...

You make me laugh-cheating and buying shells! Your place is so pretty. There is something soothing about the sounds those big sprinklers make.
I hope you have a good week!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Love those beakers!!

I don't really collect anything. Well, it seems like I collect roosters, but I really don't. They just seem to multiply in my house.

Simply Shelley said...

Love your collections...the table cloth is wonderful and the little relish dish is so elegant...the beauty that surrounds your home is awesome..blessings on your week Diane...

Unknown said...

That relish dish is super sweet! I love that, what a find! Suzie xxx

sweet blondie blue eyes said...

The dish is actually a butter dish, thats why it has a little knife with it. You use the knife to cut enough butter for your bread, put the butter from the knife on the side of your plate and then use your own knife to spread it with. Its not silver, I think its porobably nickle so do not use polish on it a rub with a damp cloth is all it needs.

Vee said...

You made me laugh with your white shell cheat! I am too much indoors so my world has shrunk so much. Thank goodness for blogs where I can see something...anything!

Anonymous said...

Love the butter dish with the little knife.
My favorite thing to look for at thrift shops and the flea market is white pitchers.
Happy Monday to you, too!!
~Cindy~

Mila said...

Hi Diane :)
How are you? I hope is all ok with you!
Love shell collection :)
as well your wonderful view !
Have a wonderful day
Hugs,
Mila :)

Unknown said...

It looks more like a butter, than relish, dish ... hmmmm.

Beautiful collections & presentation.

Have a great week.
TTFN ~ Hugs in love, Marydon

Kaila said...

I collect lots of things--dolls, teddy bears, old photographs, clothing, handbags, real cats (oops! I got carried away).

I live in a very small apartment, so I find that I keep giving away all but the most precious items in each collection. Otherwise, I would not be able to live in my own apartment.

Twyla and Lindsey said...

Hi Diane! You know we're collectors! Dosen't everyone need something to collect?:) I hope you have a wonderful week! Twyla

joyh82 said...

I have bought sea shells too :)
I remember one time we brought a
shell home from FL and I was about 8 or so and my sis and I saw the shell start moving around the back of our station wagon..there was a creature in it...lol
Happy Monday :)
Thanks for the info on the MJF book.

Stacey said...

What a fun post! I giggled a little because my son is the serious collector in our house. We cleaned out his closet the other day but kept collections of shells, cars, books, you name it!

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

The shell butter dish is awesome and of course looks perfect withyour beach theme home.
Of course I collect...TOO MUCH!! LOL!
Seashells are fun to collect.
Warmly,
Deb :)

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

You have a beautiful view Diane!

I like your collections and thrift purchases.

I like to collect sea glass, little unusual boxes, unique baking pans, and vintage books!
♥ Pat

Unknown said...

I love all shells too and collect them whenever I am at the beach. I have my shells lined up on my window which I love. You have a fantastic view at home Diane. Have a fab week ahead...hugs/M

Carrie @ Cottage Cozy said...

I love that tablecloth too...and of course the beautiful shell collection!

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Diane,

Love all your shell collection and the pretty tablecloth.
I wished we had enough water over here to have sprinklers - we are still buying water, with the drought here.

Happy week
Hugs
Carolyn

Marie Rayner said...

Love, LOVED your collections and that view!! Worth a million that is! How lovely! xxoo

In the Light of the Moon said...

A wonderful view from your window!!My eyes always weed out things I can alter in some way..I just love altering little doo-dads!!Big Hugs-Cat

Melissa/Piney Rose said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog- I have enjoyed my visit to yours. Love the beakers and shells, and I definitely plan to read the calla lilly book!

Boo-Bah AKA Iris said...

Love that tablecloth. I never know exactly what I am looking for when I go to the thrift stores. I just wait to see something I really like.
Your views from your kitchen window are gorgeous.

Anonymous said...

I'm your newest follower!
I also have that shell relish dish!
and think that collecting things is sheer bliss rather than a perfect set of anything, it is way more fun to gather mismatched pretties over time and put them together myself!

you are a girl after my own heart!
nice to meet you!

ciao bella

Creative Carmelina was here!

M.L. @ The House of Whimsy said...

I think most of us who Blog, are collectors. It's a blessing......and a curse (a quote from the show 'Monk'). :-D
I LOVE the beakers you brought in from the garage. They look awesome there.
Ha!! I bet you got a big kick out of my Florida photo today. : )
Thanks for stopping by.
M.L.

Maya @ Completely Coastal said...

I'm always looking for something nautical, sea worn..., but don't get out that much..., and with a possible move ahead, I just window shop!

Love your collections!!

Elizabeth and Gary said...

Your shell collection is really growing! My fav's are the sand dollars I just love those little buggers, sure wish I could cash them in for green dollars LOL.
We are having rain today. So we should have a lovely weekend ahead.
Take care and hugs, Elizabeth

Brenda Pruitt said...

That tablecloth would have caught my eye! Has all my colors in it!
Brenda

Shell said...

Too fun to pop over on a "Shell" Day!
Thanks for coming to visit my blog and entering my giveaway!

I SO want to come and visit the East Coast, but I'll think I'll wait until my friend Lulu relocates back down to the Carolinas!

Thanks for becoming a "follower" too, and I will follow you as well, just as soon as I'm done with this post!

It will be fun getting to know you better!

Hugs,
Shell

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

Had I come across that bag of shells I would have cheated too! I think they look just wonderful!! The beakers are great too. Colored sand would also look wonderful in them...you know, the layers? I wonder where you get such things? Anyway..I liked the beakers..WHAT were they doing in his GARAGE?? LOL
Hugs and love to you my lovely Lavendar friend!

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

p.s. if I woke up and saw a view like that out my window I would have thought I had died and gone to heaven!! LOL

Lila Rostenberg said...

I am currently on the watch for taupe and indigo ironstone from Japan in the 1970's. It has a lightly "speckled" glaze in grey/brown and is often decorated with indigo blue. These were very common, ordinary imports, full sets of dishes in those days....I'm just watching, it is fun to be aware of something from the past!

Lara Harris said...

Love your shell collection!

Tootie said...

I love your beachy ideas. :) Will be back.

RURAL said...

What a great little relish dish, I think that my Mom has one just like it. I am a big fan of silver, the more aged the better.

Jen