I'm a Picker!

I love watching American Pickers on the History Channel. They find amazing stuff! Because I don't have the means to travel the US picking for stuff, I get to stalk my neighborhood and Craig's List. In fact, a few blocks away, there is a section of old fencing laying in someone's yard and I want it! It would be a perfect headboard. Do I dare just go knock on their door? You bet, I just have to get enough nerve first...

The coolest "pick" I ever went on was in response to an ad posted on Craig's List for "Barn Wood." Paul and I got a baby sitter and drove about 45 minutes to a small town in Nyssa, Oregon. We drove 'Ol Yeller so we can load up our treasures.

My heart skipped a beat when we pulled in to this old house. There was not one, but two old barns that we could get wood from. Turns out these people sold their property and the new owner was just going to demo everything! If I had my choice, I would have stayed for hours prying pieces of wood off that old barn. We didn't have a lot of time but we did come back with a truck load of stuff...

In that truck bed is a old ladder, I want to go back and get more wood BUT the ad is no longer posted. Good thing I remember how to get there because I'm so just going to drive out there and say hello. I know my Sister in Law Bonny knows EXACTLY what I'm talking about!!!!! What a rush...

Here's whats in the back of 'Ol Yeller. Some old milk crates, a wooden ladder, old feeding door, a gate, a milk pail and a old molasses container. Here is where some of them found a home...

Old galvanized bucket and the molasses container, I love all the rust!

The milk pail!

Some of the old wood used to make a birdhouse

Old fencing, now the top of our media console, I LOVE the authentic bite marks!

I grabbed some other smaller items, that I have yet to find a place for. Not sure what the spring thing is but I have two of them. When I saw this chain just sitting on top of a post the guy probably thought I was crazy for taking it. Life's too short to worry what other's think about your junky picks right?

I just love these mini enamel dishes! They are rusty and chippy and so tiny I have no clue what to do with them...

Here is the rest of my collection today, just waiting for new projects. It's a small start and I can't wait to add to it.

My thoughts for today...BE INSPIRED at everything around you! This pile of junk and old wood inspires me to create something out of nothing.

To Cloche or not to Cloche?

What is a cloche!? I've seen these glass domes all over with cute things inside from birds and plants to books. I didn't know there was a name for them, but guess what? There is! So I googled the word "Cloche" and it found some awesome pictures and Wikipedia  describes it as a few things but basically it's the French word for bell and this website even gives more detail with tons of eye candy to go with it. So I've decided I want one too!

How about one to hold yummy desserts?

 

Or one to show a simple flower arrangement?



Any way they're arranged is adorable and did I mention I want one? So I've been looking around at the few thrift stores I visit. I did find a "cloche" at the DI the other day but it was really small and it had leaves etched into the sides and it was sort of frosted and I want to be able to see what's inside my little cloche ;) So I put it back. Skip forward a few days I begged told sweetly asked my hubby to stop in at a thrift store on the way home. The cool thing about this little store is that it just so happens to be next to another one! Two stores in a row!? Score for me, sorry hubby. So I ran in while he patiently (cough cough) waited in the car with the kids. First store...nothing. Well not nothing, I did find a awesome clock that reminds me of my momma so I had to get it. Second store...AMAZING! It was actually the first time I went there so I was pleasantly surprised to see rows and rows of housewares and kitchen stuff. Woo hoo! I totally scored!

Not only did I find a cloche but another row over I found this little stand so I swooped that up because a cloche on a pedestal is that much better. So before you throw up a little, ignore the 70's brown stain and fabulous design on the tile and the glaring brass. Soon this little sweetie will be my very own little cloche that I can proudly display my goodies in. Best of all, both items were only $7.

Once I get the wood sanded and the tile covered or replaced (it was already off) and the lovely brass painted it will be adorable. Until then here's another wonderful before picture...