Church Potluck Dish----Before & After

There's nothing like a church potluck! Last night we had a real feast. My friend Vickie always brings scalloped corn casserole (I think especially for me!) and this time she also brought this whipped cream cherry salad. It was really yummy, but what really excited me was the watermelon bowl. Anyone that knows me, knows I love dishes--especially cool serving dishes, bowls and platters. I loved this bowl, so I took a picture before the potluck. Afterwards when we were done with the dishes, I looked back, and there was that bowl again--see below for the surprise!

How fun are the seeds in the bottom! I had to take another picture. They thought I was crazy!

Doesn't take much to excite me--really!! As fall and the holiday season approaches, I'll be showing more fun dishes to use for entertaining. I love it!

Until next time,

Pam

Yellowware Pottery

If you love antiques, you love Yellowware Pottery! These couple of photos were taken in Nashville at the Spring Tailgate Show. Alot of times, I don't know or remember whose booth is whose. But I know this is Munday and Munday Antiques (Makala and Sandy Munday). I haven't talked to them recently, Gary saw them in Indiana at the Heartland Show that he did solo, so I haven't asked their permission to show these photos, but I'm sure they don't mind.

I wish I had more pictures to show, they have the most incredible inventory of pottery--the best I've ever seen. And....they know all about it. I have some pieces that I bought because I liked them, and the color matched what I was looking for.....but they know the history. If you ever are looking for pottery, look them up at a show. A great mother-daughter team that works very hard to please all. Unusual, fun and mint condition pieces!

Until next time,

Pam

RED FRIDAY

This picture if from the Tailgate Show in Nashville, but I can't remember what dealer. I love the red cotton dresses on these early mammy dolls. I wish they were mine! Hope everyone has a great RED FRIDAY! It's going to be hot here in Alton.

Until next time,

Pam

Early Sewing --What Will I Find Next!

So much stuff--it's all running together. These great old spools and tools were in the bottom of a hat box. I have know idea where they came from. But I do know that I love finding stuff like this. It will be great with my other linens, buttons, and textiles.
As we are redoing our shop, I am going to move all of the linens, quilts and anything textile related into one section. My own little fabric shop! Keep watching for more.
Until next time,
Pam

American Pickers--Antique Archeaology

American Pickers--you gotta love'em! While in Iowa a couple of weeks ago, Sharon of Sweet Repose asked if we wanted to head to LeClaire Iowa. We had been running all day, but she knew
how much we loved the show. We got there after the shop had closed, but still--we were so excited to see the shop. Gary was like a kid--wanting to knock and ask if Mike and Frank could come out and play!
Gary visited with this nice man about his old car. It was beautifully restored.

Maybe next time we'll get there when the shop is open. We love old signs and bet there are some great ones. All I know is that every time Gary sees a white Sprinter, he almost drives off the road looking to see if "Antique Archeaology" is on the door. He would probably leave me in the car and go with the guys! We love the show. In this business--you meet all kinds of people--with all kinds of stuff--and everyone has their idea of what it is worth. It's real simple, it's worth what someone is willing to pay for it. And if we, as buyers want it bad enough--we pay the price. Isn't this a fun business! Keep on picken guys!

Until next time,

Pam

New Candles & Soap are a Hit!!!

You wouldn't believe how people are loving the glycerin soap and soy candles! Truly a hit! I thought I had alot, but at the rate they are selling, I'll need more! One of the new flavors "Strawberry Rhubarb" smells like Grandma Bertha's cobbler.

I haven't really even fixed the display as good as I want it. It doesn't seem to matter! Yum!

Until next time,

Pam

RED FRIDAY

Even the birds of Iowa live in wonderful homes! I saved this picture that was taken at Sister's Garden in Kalona, Iowa just for RED FRIDAY. I love it, but then I love RED!
Make sure you check out the other RED FRIDAY bloggers starting with Tricia of Red Door Antiques! Happy Friday everyone. It's going to be a hot one.
Until next time,
Pam

A Stop at Sister's Garden and Bloom

I'll never be able to go to Iowa without stopping in an Sister's Garden and Bloom. It's always fun to see a shop owner that is so nice and really enthused about what she does. Her displays are outstanding. This old outhouse greeted us in the parking lot!

The setting below was at the other end of the parking lot. Very pretty.

Old church birdhouse--very large!

Gary really wanted this small cupboard.

I love the green glass handles on this piece. Like depression glass.

A nice soft aqua green bench-perfect size.

Colorful seed packets.

Who would think to hang a white wicker chair, compliment with pink--Barb?

A nice assortment of tarnished silver.

Fans.

This piece is to die for! I think it is 2 pieces.

I still have a few more pictures but will save them for another time. This shop is one of those that you enter with your camera in hand and don't know where to start clicking! I hope you enjoyed the visit!

Until next time,

Pam

From Illinois-to Iowa-to Illinois-to Iowa-to Illinois!

Well, we have made the rounds! Left home in Illinois, went to Iowa, over to Illinois, back to Iowa, then home to Illinois! With Gary as the driver and Sharon of Sweet Repose the navigator in the back seat--we covered some ground. I have a ton of pictures to share, but I'll break them up. It all started because of candles! I have been carrying the wonderful soap in my shop that Sharon makes, and now I have the candles that her daughter Piper makes! Instead of shipping the big order, I went to pickup! So....., we start at The Candle Shed. It is wonderful. The displays are great. Lots of customers coming and going. I loved it. I have pictures to share and instead of alot of worthless blather, I will let the pictures tell the story.

I insisted on a picture of Piper (left) and Sharon (right). Such talent. Below are pictures of the shop.

Talk about a smelly ride home- Next time, I'll take some plastic to put the candle boxes in. Travel in the Yukon with dozens of candles and bars of soap was breathtaking! But then, the whole trip was. More pictures to come of our visit to Sister's Garden, Le Claire--Gary thought he was an American Picker! and more. Sharon--next time we are having dinner at The Wood Fire Grill/Button Factory. Not just McDonald's in the car! The food was amazing.

Until next time,

Pam

RED FRIDAY

When I saw this stack of souvenir pennants, I thought it was ironic that the RED "KENTUCKY" pennant was on the top. I remember collecting pennants, mom liked state plates and a lot of ladies collected salt and pepper shakers! I haven't posted for Red Friday in a bit, so surprise! I am today!
My friend, Tricia, owner of Red Door Antiques, Eddyville, Kentucky started Red Friday's a little while ago, and I've been bad at keeping up. I love red!

Have a great RED FRIDAY!

Until next time,

Pam

Bling That Shines Like the Hot Summer Sun

Sparkly jewelry is one that that is not really a "seasonal" item. It is loved, worn, and sought after all year. Every season of the year. I' showing a few pictures from the shop. Enjoy!

The brooches are getting picked over. I'd better get more cleaned and ready to go!

Hope you are having a sparkly day!

Until next time,

Pam

A Little Helper vs. A Big Helper

This little helper just sits and listens to me--he never talks back. Sometimes I like that! You might see him at shows sitting in a miniature cast iron bathtub holding my business cards. Here, in this picture he is sitting on a stack of holiday dishtowel sets. He's keeping the stack from falling over. I haven't named him yet--I picked him up in Iowa earlier this spring--I think from Barb Conner's booth at the Cedar Rapids Show.
The helper in the picture below is in a league all of his own. He helps me with everything. And yes, he does talk back to me! I hope he knows how much I appreciate him.

It's hard to find good help isn't it??!!!

Until next time,

Pam

SUMMER TIME BLUES!!!

Well, we finally starting making some of the changes at the shop. I have wanted to setup this great iron and brass bed full of blue accessories. It is right in the front of the shop. Looks totally different and I love it.

Big utility baskets instead of pillows, and a big chenille bedspread with peacocks on it.

The small chest in the corner is perfect size, very early piece. It's getting alot of attention!

I picked up these checkered dishes last year and thought they needed to be in the "Summertime Blue" display. Even the flatware is blue checked gingham looking!

We had this piece sandblasted and painted white. The seat was gone so it has been replaced too.

This small love seat has a real Hollywood look toit! Curvy and unique.

The size of this Bakers Cabinet is much smaller than normal. Lots of storage in this piece.

The toys on this display piece get lost in the background. This is not even a start of the toys that I will be bringing in. I think the 2 booth spaces behind it will have to be for toys. I have enough to fill it up and will be great for the holidays.

This is a shot down one side of the shop. Gary worked really hard to get the walls all repainted. Now we have the other side to do. It is much brighter now.

If you haven't been in lately, you'll be pleasantly surprised. Lots of changes, dealers moving around, expanding and add lots of great merchandise.

We are leaving for Iowa for a couple of days. Can't wait to see Sharon and hopefully meet her daughter. Have a big candle and soap order to pickup! Why have it shipped when it gives us a reason to go to Iowa! I hear Sisters Garden calling my name now! I don't remember the last time we went on a road trip without a big Enterprise rental truck full for a show. This is just a couple days of R & R.

Until next time,

Pam