Tidbit Redo

So...I have a serious obsession with tidbit trays.  I don't know why.  Perhaps it's because I don't ever remember having one when I was growing up, or because they always seem to be such an elegant addition to a cocktail party, or maybe because they utilize vertical space thus preserving precious table space on your buffet.  Whenever I see a tidbit tray (TBT) at a thrift shop I have a hard time passing them up but, really, how many of these marvels of snack service does a gal need?

As fate would have it, I was cruising one of my local haunts and spotted a new-in-box TBT setting upon the shelf.  At only $1, I had zero chance of resisting.  As I pick it up I had a thought...why not change it up a bit?  Records!  Since I have boxes of albums (33's and 78's) this would be easy.  I knew that I wanted to have graduated sizes for each level so I went on the hunt for a 45 to be the smallest top tier.  I'm sure it's been done before but it was quick, easy and oh so cute!

 

 

My original plan was to use a 33 for the bottom level, a 78 for the middle and a 45 for the top.  Unfortunately this tidbit did not come with a base and I felt that just having an album in the bottom with no foot to sit upon would just be too unfinished for my taste.  Maybe, just maybe, I would be able to use another 78 for the base and set it inside the lip of the actual tray.

 

Shazam!  That worked brilliantly!

 The next issue to conquer was that of the large center hole in the 45.  How would I fill that?  Just then I spotted a compact 33 in the vinyl bin.  It's the same outer diameter of a 45 but with the same center post size as the other albums.

Now with all of the kinks worked out, it's just a matter of assembling it all..  The bottom screw connected to the lower rod, the lower rod connected to the center rod...Sing it with me...center rod connected to the top loop....

 

I think the finished tray is super adorable.  It will be a great addition to my ever growing collection!

 

'Til we meet again,
Ms Adventure

Feeling Lampish

Well, this weekend has turned very lampish and it's only Saturday!  As you may have gathered by now I have a severe lamp problem.  Is it really a problem?  I guess that depends on who you ask.  Most folk would say "yes, it's time for an intervention".  So, without further hesitation here is the haul from the last two days....

 

 

The first find is the gold TV lamp.  This little gem was filthy when I found it yesterday at a garage sale.  I LOVE that it has a built-in planter!  I paid $1 for it and giggled when I saw that it is stamped '24K Gold' on the bottom.  It cleaned up well, shining so bright now.  I can't wait to get some fake greenery in it!  I rewired the lamp but will need to tweak it a bit as the shade doesn't want to sit straight.  I'm thinking a cardboard washer may do the trick.

 

 

 

Lamp #2 was purchased this morning at the local American Legion Hall.  They were having a rummage sale fundraiser for the veterans programs.  I spotted it right when I walked in the door just sitting on the floor. I wasn't super in love with it, more of a strong like.  It has jewels embedded in the porcelain base and I don't have any jeweled lamps yet.  At $9 it was a little bit more then what I wanted to spend on it.  However, it was raising funds for a good cause and this is where the problem comes in...I needed to 'save' it.  Do I have room for it in my house?  No.  Did I already have a shade for it?  Yes (I have a small pile of lamp shades laying around the house).  So off I went with it.

 

The base was in poor shape with corrosion and rust.  After some quality time with some #0000 steel wool and a can of gold spray paint it was looking pretty good.  The black jeweled base sparkles after a good scrubbing.  I rewired the lamp and added a vintage shade. 

 

The final lamp I actually picked up a few weeks ago at an estate sale in Minnesota.  A beautiful little black cat lamp with a planter!  I paid $5, which I thought was a steal.  I added it to my little lamp rejuvenation party today giving it a good cleaning and new wiring.  The shade was in my lonely shade collection.  I've been looking for the perfect base for the pale pink venetian lamp shade.  I think they look fantastic together! 



 

We all have our "things".  For some folks its jewelry or purses.  For me it's lamps, lots and lots of lamps.  What's your weakness?  Do you have any collections?

 

'Til we meet again,

Ms Adventure

 

 

DIY "Retro" Lamp Shade

Earlier this year I picked up a great vintage lamp sans shade.  As you all know, vintage lamps are my Achilles heel.  This beauty depicts an Asian boy and girl on a boat.  I originally wanted a red venetian lamp shade but was unable to find one at a price I was willing to pay.  So it was time to get creative. 




I hit the local Target store and picked up a rectangle shade that would compliment the lamp nicely.  I think I paid about $12 for it.  Nice shape but boring, boring, boring.











I happened to have some vintage bark cloth curtains at home that I've been planning to make pillows out of for some time.  I picked them up at a local antique shop last year.  I love the colors and the pattern looks to be an oriental bonsai motif.



Step 1:  Wash and iron fabric.

Step 2:  Cut fabric for each side of the shade.  If using a drum shade you can cut one piece to cover the entire shade.  If the top of the shade is tapered then your fabric will end up more of a 'C' shape.                                                      Step 3:  Attach the fabric to the shade using spray adhesive.  Follow the directions on the can.

Step 4:  Attach bias tape to cover the edge of the fabric that was folded over the inside of the lamp shade.  This will give your shade a clean, finished look.  I used a product called Liquid Stitch to secure the bias tape.

 

Oooooh, doesn't that look nice!

 

Step 5:  Lastly, I added great chartreuse trim to cover the seams where the fabric meets at the corners of the shade.  I used Liquid Stitch to attatch the trim.

 

So overall, I ended up spending about $25 for the shade and all of the fabric, trim, bias tape and adhesives.  I think it turned quite stunning for a quick weekend project.

 

 

'Til we meet again,

Ms. Adventure

Ready, SET, go!

Last weekend Daddy-O and I hit a couple garage sales.  The weather is still cool here so there have typically only been three or four garage sales going on each weekend.  Most weekends we have been coming home empty handed.  But not last Saturday!

Check out this beauty...

A little cleaning, as well as some super glue to the area at the rear of the hood and she's good as new.  It works like a charm!  I think it was completely worth the $3 I shelled out for it.

Simon was checking out some newly acquired lampshades.  He's just so darn cute which is a good thing due to the fact that he is so ill behaved.

'Till we meet again,
Ms. Adventure

From Drab to Fab!

While thrifting with my friend Sam last week, I picked up a poor lonely lamp.  It was sadly neglected after being painted entirely black years ago.  It had been sitting in a local antique shop for quite a while.  The owner was anxious to get rid of it and offered it to me for a song.

You'll have to excuse my pictures.  I am having a difficult time with finding a new photo editor!

First, I cleaned the lamp really well and boy was it dirty!  Next I applied spackle the chiped areas and sanded smooth after it had dried.  A few quick coats of paint followed by some new wiring and voila!

'Til we meet again,

Ms. Adventure

Oooooh the shame!

I hate to admit it but last week, I became one of "those" people.  Yep, that's right, I was having a full blown conversation on my cell phone in the middle of the local Goodwill store.  In my defense, I was gabbing with my best friend, who I speak with far too infrequently.  And, frankly, she has some pretty exciting things going on in her life right now!

So, I am being a generally bad person...yack, yack, yack...scanning the aisles...yack, yack, yack...I spy a cute little pair of 50's Asian figurines....yack, yack, yack...I notice the boy's hat is broken...yack, yack, yack...I discuss with my friend that even though the boy is broken, I will buy them anyway...yack,yack yack...I am juggling my purchases, my purse and, of course, my cell phone...yack, yack, yack...I round the corner...yack, yack, yack...and....

Disclaimer:  Dramatic Reenactment

Craptastic!  Great, now there are employees responding to the sound of breaking porcelain.

  I try to discretely end my phone conversation.  Eeeek, it's the perfect girl that I dropped!  

Oh the horror! 

I hide my phone and try to pick up the pieces which have scattered under the rack with all of the comforters and bed linens.  The guilt is overwhelming.  I insist on buying the figures anyway.  However, when I take the pieces to the register the cashier refuses to charge me for the broken figure.  Did I mention the guilt?

Anyway, here they are all glued up.  I still need to figure out a creative solution to tidy up the boys hat.  They are still lovely, in a poorly lit corner sort of way.

As for me, I have learned my lesson.  I promise never to talk on the phone and thrift again! 

'Til we meet again,

Ms. Adventure

Dance baby, dance!

 I picked these chalkware plaques up a few weeks ago.  They had some paint loss and scratches to the paint but I love the black and white ovals, as well as, the texture of the figures.  I always struggle with how much to restore.  I don't want them to look new but rather to keep some of their vintage charm.  I decided to leave the cream/white as is-just cleaned up.




Here they are all cleaned up with the black and aqua repainted.  I love the Valspar testers that Lowe's sells!  They will mix any color and they are only like $2 each.  The only drawback is the testers only come in a satin finish.  If you need a semi or high gloss then you need to get at least a quart.

The plaques are marked " '60 Modern Art Co" on the edge.  They also have a stamp on the back that is very difficult to read.  I can make out " Cory _____sted  _____ Art Co. Milwaukee, 12. Wis."

I am very happy with the end result!

'Til we meet again,
Ms. Adventure

Fantastic Finds

Daddy-o and I finally had a day off together on Friday and decided to spend it checking out all of the thrift shops and antiques stores. Here are some of the treasures we came home with.

This is a darling little martini set.  The glasses and shaker are rimmed in silver.  I just couldn't resist the You, Me and Ours script!

We accidentally stumbled on this great velvet tiki painting.  We were waiting in a very slow moving line at Goodwill and someone had abandoned this beauty on a shelf near the checkout.  The aqua and coral colors of this painting will go great with some of our other vintage goodies!

This little lamp was also a Goodwill find.  Boy was it filthy!  I could spot the diamond beneath the dirt.  Here she is all cleaned up and awaiting new wiring.  The nut that holds the socket to the lamp base is very rusty and will not come undone.  I think this will have to see a hacksaw or some other implement of destruction.  I hope she makes it through! 

A great little teal lamp.  Perfect for the bedside.  Great shape, great color.  Now to find the perfect shade to go with...

You may not know this but...I am a sucker for travel souvenirs.  I think that may have something to do with the whole Airstream Travel Trailer wanderlust phenomenon. This is an ashtray with a Michigan travel theme.  Judging by the sticker on the bottom, it was purchased at Castle Rock in St. Ignace, Michigan.

And last, but not least, a lovely teal footed bowl.  I have no idea who the maker is or how old this is but I liked so...sold!  The bottom is marked USA 262F.  If anyone has any ideas as to the manufacturer, please let me know.  Thanks!

'Til we meet again,

Ms. Adventure