A tarnished silver teapot. Many would pass it by; some might call it ugly. I picked it up and brought it home.

I don't mind the tarnish; I kind of like it. It looks especially pretty as a contrast against the rich colors of fall.  I have a use for it {I knew I eventually would}. It's holding my stash of plastic bags, ready to be reused.


On a table near the back door, it stands ready to hold one of the supplies most needed in a home with two golden retrievers.


Not the most gracious use, I know. But I do not serve tea every day and I do need these bags every day.  Have you ever seen a prettier container for them? It becomes part of the fall decor... in a most useful way!







 
 

I was looking through my collection of vintage cards and realized there are definitely a few themes. The top categories seem to be deer, puppies and just about anything Christmas. There are many others, but these are the largest collections.

I am going to try and take some time to scan more of them to share with you in the weeks ahead.  Here's one of the deer cards I think you'll like. How about that sweet little bird holding the card as a bonus?

Enjoy! As always, these are posted for your personal use in craft projects and are not to be redistributed on CDs or websites for commercial purposes.

All the outdoor chores I needed to get done before the winter chill arrives are just about complete. My thoughts have moved inside, ready to fluff my rooms for comfortable evenings at home on a cold night.

One of those rooms to fluff would be my craft room. I sat down last night to create some birthday cards and ended up bringing the supplies into my family room. I have a craft space in the basement of our house. It's really two folding tables from a warehouse club with my craft supplies stored randomly nearby. It's workable... but last night when I was watching the Nate Berkus show on my DVR while working on my cards, I was longing for a warm space on the first floor where the goldens could keep me company and I didn't feel so isolated.

I've begun checking out different craft rooms and storage ideas online and started a board on Pinterest with a few of my finds. While clicking along, I came across a planning tool and furniture designed by who else, but Martha Stewart, on HomeDecorators.com



All of this furniture is very pretty, but what I would really like is to integrate the craft storage into my current family room so that I can stay in that first-floor space, enjoy the DVR and the company of my goldens, and still have my craft supplies close at hand.This top room is my favorite. I love the table that holds all the magazine dividers, and it's neighbor with the wrapping paper rolls is pretty awesome too.



I don't really want my space to look like a craft space... so I just need a few elements. A desk of course, a comfortable chair, and then storage. Lots of storage.



I like this furniture, but I was trying to improvise with what I might already have on hand. For instance, the armoire in the picture above... I have an old armoire my sister gave me. It's not quite as big, but it looks right at home in that room and it could store a lot of supplies.




I just gave my daughter a desk I used to have in the entry. That would have been perfect behind a sofa to use as a kind of sofa table/work surface. Instead I'll have to make do with another piece of furniture. Perhaps my farm table from the office {nope, it's too big}or a smaller desk I have used to hold a sewing machine upstairs.This last room would be my ideal design office... at work, but not for home.

Open storage in pretty jars and such is nice for a dedicated craft space, but this wouldn't fly if I was going to use my family room. Is it possible to have a space to craft that also functions as a family room? Not sure.. but you can bet I am going to try!

Here's my favorite links from last week...


Wigs are often the most expensive part of a Halloween costume, but you can make your own Jack Sparrow hair... the tutorial is here on A Couple of Craft Addicts!
I just can't resist these pictures of kids ready for the big day... This Hulk costume is fabulous, and you can tell this little guy feels the same way! See how the costume came together over at The Sasse Life!


This last link is not Halloween related at all... but the colors of the creation are true to autumn and the words are most definitely the star. Check out this post over at Bonita Rose to see her beautiful collage but most importantly, read the message she shares.



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I have a little table on top of my backyard deck. It's a favorite spot to sit and enjoy the yard, but I also enjoy decorating it for the seasons with something simple.

This year it's a clay jack-o-lantern all dressed up with a new coat of paint. It used to be a bronze color, but it became chipped and definitely needed a makeover. I used the same process I use on much of my furniture, a quick sanding on the rough spots, a coat of primer and some ivory paint with tobacco glaze to shab it up a bit. A coat of satin polyurethane should help this new finish withstand the weather.


It's just a simple addition to brighten up my view from the kitchen for Halloween. Do you ever decorate in the back yard?





As usual, Marley is wary of any newcomers, including clay pumpkins!



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These sweet tables were $20 for the three of them. Pretty shabby to start with, Deborah remade into this gorgeous set. I love the colored pastel detail on the legs and the fabulous contrast between the stained top and white legs. Check out their transformation and the products used over at Upcyling My (ordinary) Life!


 The intricate carving was the first thing that caught my eye on this makeover. But when I clicked on over to Zoomin 24-7 I was amazed at the gorgeous table top... a faux marble painted finish..



I'm a sucker for a vintage mirror, and Kate has quite the collection! Mirrors have the ability to add light to a room, reflecting the beauty in their path. Can you imagine what a whole wall vignette of mirrors could add to a room? You can see it over at Lilies for Kate.


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Let's get this week's party started! Link up the best of your blog and be sure to link back to the party with a button or text link. If your post has been removed because there wasn't a link back, add the button below or a text link and link up again. Most importantly... mingle... click around the other links and get to know this fabulous group of partiers!

I have a lot of vintage luggage. As long as I keep finding uses for it (mostly storage), I'll keep picking up pieces if the price is right.

This piece first caught my eye because of the neutral stripe. I have one other case with a similar pattern; it's perfect for fall. It can go anywhere... the color will blend easily in any of my rooms.



It's missing the handle, which is why it was only $5. That, and the dealer I bought it from always is ready to provide great prices. I thought I could replace the handle... or not. I'm perfectly fine with it the way it is if I don't get around to it. I was ready to buy it as is... And then...



I opened it up... and the inside, well.... it's amazing! Absolutely perfect blue silky satin. A diamond in the rough, don't you think?


Every original tag and ribbon are still attached. It is the most intense shade of blue. Pristine and elegant...it's over the top glamorous {on the inside}, don't you think?




Right now I am getting my hats, scarves and mittens out for the season. I don't have a space cleared for them in the mudroom quite yet. They'll be happy to be tucked away in this pretty package for a while. I often use my vintage luggage as a temporary home for things around the house and also for seasonal decor collected before it's time to be displayed. You can see an example of fall's suitcase full of  autumn leaves here.



 Remember to look for beauty where it counts... on the inside!

I have a lot of seasonal decorations. Bins and bins of vintage finds, family treasures and thrifted goodies. I am feeling a little overwhelmed by it all this year. I actually packed most of it back up and gave a few things to my daughters for their college apartments. I had purchased a few new things from JoAnn's and Michael's and returned them once I brought out my collection that was stored away. I have so many decorations already that would work well again this year.

Just as I was putting things away, I set a stack of faux autumn leaves, yet another vintage candle and a new rectangular tray I picked up at Target over by the bar sink and decided the leaves were too pretty to put away and they would be perfect set on the new tray by the sink. Very simple... yet pretty!





The other side of the sink needed a little something and so the candle slid right into place.


Nothing fancy, no great creative shakes.... just a few things I enjoy looking at brightening up the bar sink. Leaves on a pretty tray.... why not?




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