Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves

On a recent trip, we stopped at the Plunderosa in Loxley, Alabama. Yes, there's a restaurant nearby that offers an All You Can Eat Quail night.  Humm....I wonder how many quails the average person eats???......I digress...     
     I was curious to head into an antique store that I had not visited in many years. The first thing I saw really piqued my curiosity. The lighting wasn't great over there in that back corner, but I thought to myself, "That looks like a Gypsy wagon." Taking a closer look, I decided that it was part of a Gypsy wagon--the part that the passengers sat in.  It had been lifted off the wheels and the wagon base and was just sitting there in the back of the store in the corner. Remember, I'm in a store in south Alabama???  A Gypsy wagon.....ok, so now I hear that Cher song in my head as I start to really look around.  Then, I began to realize that this isn't a store that sells your average Alabama-type antiques.  The more I looked around, the more delighted I became.  There were a good number of items that were obviously from Europe.  I spoke to the kind ladies at the check out area and my thoughts were confirmed.....they shopped in Europe and had containers of treasure shipped here!

Here's a sample of the offerings--

Lots of beautiful demijohns

Stained glass doors and windows

Another Gypsy wagon--complete with the wheels--

and full of wonderful wooden tools

They didn't have any bread boards, but the lady said buyers often cut down the longer handles to make a bread board from these paddles with the long handles.  I smiled at the lady and said, "I bet you have a saw in the back to help folks out." She smiled back and said, "Yes."  

You've just got to love helpful people......

They had painted furniture

They had GOAT HEADS!

I took a bunch of pictures of the goat heads (holding the camera up in the air) and never got a good shot.  They were on some tall pieces of furniture--up high where you could kinda see them, but where they wouldn't be disturbed by curious little fingers. 

 The goat heads were $150

They had antlers--these were very large

There were bread/dough bowls--many, many different sizes

Grain sacks

Loved the zinc sinks.  

These were very large.  I've wanted one for years, but we didn't have room in the car....even if I left my daughter behind..... :)

Shutters with chippy paint

The had pickling jars in a variety of colors

I came home with a couple of treasures and I will be sharing those items in a future post.  Here's a link to the Plunderosa Antiques.

Lorraine will be happy to answer any questions you may have about items in her wonderful store.  I hope you will be able to stop if you're in the area or going to the Gulf Coast Beaches.

Vintage-Style Wedding

I'm probably a lot like you.....

You know.  You have all kinds of friends and all of the friendships are different. You have the friend that you hang drapes with (all the hardware, too) without using anything to measure except a piece of cardboard that was part of the packing materials.....or a friend that you hang out with for a visit and you both decide you're tired and decide to take naps on the sofa and reclining chair, but you have to set the kitchen timer so you won't be late to pick up you kids from school.....those kind of friends.  I also have YMCA friends who I keep in touch with even though you see each other more at the grocery store than at the Y.  You know each other's children's names and where they go to school or college.....well, I saw THAT friend last week.  And, instead of telling me what they were doing for Easter, she told me about the wedding that was planned for this weekend.  She showed me pictures of all the things she had been working on out in their shop that had been made for the wedding. I realized after the first picture that she was planning a rustic/vintage-style wedding.  After a few more squeals of delight from me, she invited me to help her! And I said "YES!"

     

 

SO, the first thing she asked me the other day was how was my lettering....I said it was good.  I'm not sure what I meant....good. What she really wanted to know was would I write on some chalkboards she had made.  I taught kindergarten and first grade for a number of years, so I know my way around a piece of chalk.  But, I've visited Blogland and Pinterest, so I knew she wasn't wanting that block printing I taught my students.  She wanted something more decorative and that sounded fun.  She said not to get stressed about it, so I knew I was going to be okay.  Most people who say "Don't get stressed about it."  want your help and aren't going to be too judgmental over your efforts.  So the last couple of days, I practiced my writing and tried to come up with some creative strokes. Now, the "Reserved" sign above is BEAUTIFUL and I was delighted when I saw it--but she said she painted the signs with a stencil....who knew?  Great job, Susan!

SO, I got to play today. 

The wedding is going to be out in the country at a beautiful and historic 1825 property. 

Today's weather was perfect and tomorrow is predicted to be just as nice.

My friend had made several trips already to the Marks House with all the wonderful goodies she had gathered or made for her daughter's special day.

It was fun to decide what items to use and I was tickled to select pieces and start creating.  I was glad I told her I could help.

I should have taken a picture of this room and the table BEFORE we started decorating the rooms. So many fun goodies to use for decorating!

I was honored to decorate the room where the bride's wedding cake will be served tomorrow.

This spot will get a fern on the little box tomorrow. 

The house isn't really furnished, so a number of pieces were brought in to be used in the rooms and outside.   The walls and corners were in need of attention, too.  I believe this room only had the wicker table in it before the decorating began.

There will be some greenery added here tomorrow, too.

I used the bride's initial at the hearth and

 her new last name initial on the mantel. 

The wedding cake will go on this table.

Other friends decorated the room that will be used to serve the groom's cakes. There are going to be three cakes and they will be served from the coke crates.  

There is a small seating area in this room.  It was probably used as a parlor at one time. 

I decorated the mantel in this room, too.  I loved this wooden bread box that I put the large R initial in. 

My friend had the best ideas. 

 You should have seen her board on Pinterest!

The ceremony is going to be outside.

Ferns or flowers will be added to a number of spots tomorrow. 

This is the other side of the Marks House.

There will be tables set up on the lawn for a buffet meal.  The tables will be decorated with white cloths, burlap runners, candles and flowers.  My friend's husband made beautiful and rustic boxes that will hold 3 or 5 mason jars that will be filled with dozens of white roses, snapdragons, hydrangeas and other flowers. 

And, I think I did okay on my

 first attempt at chalkboard lettering.

Best Wishes for a Blessed Day!

Joining the Party:

Funky Junk Interiors

Flaunt It Friday


Savvy Southern Style


The Bramble Berry Cottage