Snickers and Surprises

Before we get talking about my most recent thrifty find, I wanted to direct your attention to a post my fellow cat-lover readers might enjoy... a little tale (or tail?) on my humor blog Of Cabbages and Kings called, um, "UnderWHERE?!" You can access that here if you need a little Friday chuckle.

Okay, now on to business! I've largely just been either prepping my humorous space fantasy for printing, or have been writing on the second book in the series. Admittedly, the tasks mean I'm spending less money, but it also means I spend most of the weekend with my laptop.

However, I did enjoy a trip to Jeannette, PA recently, and at Junk for Joy, I picked up this nifty little Atkinson Fox art deco print, featuring one of his "Enchanted Girls."

The frame was a bit dusty, so I'd removed the print only to tidy it up a bit. And I thought it was interesting what the backing was... An old cigar ad!
Judging by the style of the lettering, and the pricing of the box of 10 cigars, I'd say the ad was pretty close to the same age as the print.

As I always say, when searching for secondhand treasure, you just really never do know what you're going to find.

I hope you all find yourselves having a terrific weekend!

Treasure Box Wednesday: Pastels, Prints and Posies

A quick trip through one of my favorite local thrifting routes brought a few nice vintage surprises I wanted to share with you.

It was an early start, and one of the places closest to home wasn't going to be open yet. So I popped by Rossi's Pop-up Flea Market in North Versailles. Which presented a purchase of such pleasing proportions I could not pass...

I'm guessing the courting couple there in this 30s romantic print may be Romeo and Juliet-- before the downer ending. The landscape has a bit of Italian flair to me. What do you think?

At the L&L Fleatique, I got this pretty but watermarked print by Annie Benson Miller...
It was framed and extremely inexpensive because of the damage. Yet, I know I can either add a little bit of matte, or hang it with a vintage scarf dangling off one side, and the soft aesthetics of the piece won't be ruined a bit!

I just thought the imagery was charming, and the size of the piece is quite large.
Folks who read Sunday's post know I got a little haul on Hull pottery... With the two pieces on the left...
And lastly, the day was sweetened by an iridized pink candy dish. I love the creamy color to the pink. And as fall sets in, and gloom overcomes the Pittsburgh region, I tell you, I can use all the sparkle I can get.
Wishing you a week that is easy on the eyes, the nerves and the wallet, as we wave a fond farewell to the summer season.

Treasure Box Wednesday: Rummages and Resale Shops

A little exploring on the weekend brought me to some Treasure Box opportunities I don't ordinarily have-- and which I'll share with you today!

The first was a local church rummage sale. It was a misty gray morning, drizzle dropping down on us as we queued for the sale to open. Neighbors met neighbors. Kids dangled distractedly on their moms necks. And I felt a sense of anticipation. This sale had yielded goodies for me before, in spring...

And fall was no exception. In fact, as we stepped out of the rain into the warmly lit basement, in the very first row, I found a 1930s-ish art deco print for $3...

It's called "The Viking," I learned, when I took the frame apart to clean the very dirty glass. And while it looks quite a bit like an Atkinson Fox print, no name is on the piece. All there is is the title and this publisher's mark...


"Reliance Picture Frame Company-- NY." Looks like when I get some time, I'm going to have to do a little research!

I also uncovered some 60s cookbooks-- one of which I believe I'll be treating you all with in a future post-- and this vintage pottery planter...

At fifty-cents, I figured I couldn't go wrong!

Later in the day, at a resale shop in Bellevue I hadn't been to before, I found this detailed Made in Japan figurine which, thanks to info from a nice reader, is likely based on the nursery rhyme about the cat off to see the Queen...

Anyway, I loved the bisque look and soft colors. The store benefits a local hospice, the prices were great, and it is definitely one I'll visit again.

(I have to get the details to share with you all. I admit, I was so enamored looking around at the merchandise, I forgot to get the contact info! Ah, the price of being an avid treasure hunter-- we get distracted sometimes.)

The other item I bought was this 1950s style carriage-shaped novelty clock. I thought. given the fairy-tale quality the blue room in my house has been taking on, it might fit in well on the mantle I'm assembling.
Lastly, I stopped by the Ohio River Boulevard Antique Mall and came across additional material for a future post... These "Official Detective Stories" magazines...

I love old pulp fiction, and these dramatic, kitschy covers really caught the eye. Plus, at 50% off, how could I say no?

Anyway, that's the Treasure Box for this week, my friends!

• If you missed Sunday's post-- "Painted Lady"-- which talks about how a furniture stash is getting a makeover, click here.

If not, I'll see you on Sunday perhaps, where I should have more progress on some home decorating projects!