Unexpected Yard Sale Finds: Firkin, Potato Bin, Cut-Glass Cruets

Last Saturday, my daughter stopped by with Henry and "convinced" me to go yard saling with her.  My first find was a little firkin for cheap that I am going to try my hand at "making over" with the techniques found in A Primitive Place magazine. I will post about it when I've gotten it done.

Next we stopped by at an estate sale! To see what Molly bought, visit her blog at Molly Makes Do.  There were so many wonderful antiques and prims there, I didn't know what to look at first.  I did purchase this sweet, old, oak potato bin.

 Here is a picture of it next to my hoosier cabinet that my hubby restored (it was originally from his family but was in the barn in pieces when he started re-doing it). My daughter said it looks like they were always meant to be together!

I also purchased the little, oak, Bible box (complete with Bible from the early 1800's) that is sitting on top of the bin.

The last two items I bought were a little cut-glass deviled egg plate (yep, 30 years of marriage and I never had one - up until now just watched those little devils slide across the plates) and a cut-glass cruet set.  It is not very ornate and that's just how I like it.  It has 4 cruets: salt, pepper, vinegar, and one that I put sugar in, but I am wondering if it is for mustard? Any one have any ideas?

Of course, there has to be a "cat" thingy in all this ... notice the kitty treats jar? I found that at a local consignment store recently!  Well, that is my show and tell today.  Hope you all have a great stitching and kitty hugging day!

My First Hooked Rug

I actually did some crafting while I've been away.  I have been trying my hand at rug hooking.  A few years ago I purchased a hooking frame and other accessories and they had been sitting around.  Well, I wanted to craft around little Henry, but I didn't want to worry about losing pins and needles when hand sewing, so I thought I could make up a simple hooked rug pattern and try out my talents as a hooker (LOL).  The pattern I came up with was inspired by a hooked rug I saw somewhere based on one of the verses from "Simple Gifts" (tis a gift to be simple). I thought that was pretty neat and decided I'd like one that said "tis a gift to be free."  So here it is, my first attempt at rug hooking!

It really was a make-do kind of project as I used wool that I already had in stash from my wool kitty projects and penny rugs.  I learned a few things (especially what not to do) and made another one very similar to it and just a tad bigger for my mom's birthday.

Here it is hanging on my Americana wall.  I am thinking of making another one for the local American Legion's (I'm an auxillary member) auction this fall.  We use the money raised to send community teens to summer camp.
 

I have another hooked rug project I'm currently working on -- wanted to get it done this spring but the gardening took over! It will be a nice thing to work on when hubby and I go on vacation up north in a few days!

As far as my cats go, they LOVE playing with the wool strips whenever I'm  not looking.  Here are Louie and Oscar looking very innocent and lazy basking in the breeze on the screened in porch. What a life ... they are always on vacation!  Well, I wish you all a lovely weekend full of fun times and quality stitching.

Prim Plush Blanket Throw

When we went Up North a few weeks ago the cabin we stayed in had the most wonderful throw blanket -- all soft, warm, and plush.  I thought I might like to have a few to replace several in our family room that we have used really hard over the last few winters. So, when I came home I searched the Web for United Weavers plush throws.  To my delight I found a pattern that is very prim, has all the colors I wanted, and at a price that I was thrilled to get!  They also make this pattern in a rug, too.  If you are interested in this throw or any others that United Weavers offer, I would suggest going to this Web Site
to purchase one.  They are having a 20% off sale on these blankets and the price is the lowest I've found online.  Also, use this coupon code for ANOTHER!!!! 20% (summersale20)!  There are no shipping charges either! I can't wait for them to arrive because the nights are getting colder here and I want to put our old family room throws in our car trunks for "just in case" winter troubles!

OUR FLAG

Today, in honor of Memorial Day, I want to share with you a little item from my home.  I was lucky enough to be able to purchase it at a flea market several years ago.  It is one of the original lithographs made of  Fred Tripp's original oil painting called "Our Flag." It came to me already framed with the original letter from McCleary Hospital in Excelsior Springs, Missouri that was sent out to former patients with the lithograph in 1940.  I am so very proud to have a part of original American history in my home. I hope you enjoy the photos and the information about the painting.

The Story of a Famous Painting

"Softly draped with folds unstirred by even so much as a breath of summer breeze. Old Glory, OUR FLAG, the flag of destiny, rests, waiting! It symbolizes the soul of America, standing in silent prayer before the Father of Light, receiving His guidance and protection through another perilous journey. It is the morning prayer of the American people, the prayer that arms them to the problems of the day with courage and cheer. Before it, America stands in reverence, realizing her sacred duty to mankind and her glorious destiny." In 1940, when the world was in a turmoil, Fred Tripp of Beloit, Wisconsin, was 71 years of age. He looked out his hospital window at McCleary Hospital in Excelsior Springs, Missouri and was inspired by the flag flying atop the post office across the street. Mr. Tripp never in his life had a painting lesson, yet he produced a masterpiece, an inspiring, compelling expression on canvas of what he felt in his heart and soul about the Flag of his Country. He presented this six foot oil painting to the hospital.

Motivated by the spirit of patriotism that was sweeping the country in 1940, McCleary Memorial Hospital produced full color lithograph reproductions and presented one to each of their many former patients all over the United States. Its distribution had reached the 200,000 mark when World War II broke out. With the outbreak of war, the demand for the picture increased beyond the Hospital's capacity to reproduce it so its distribution was turned over to a commercial enterprise. Since that time, it has become the most widely distributed flag picture in the United States, with copies hanging in many Washington congressional offices, the office of Presidents Harry Truman and Dwight Eisenhower, as well as in homes all across the country.

Please take a minute and consider flying your flag in honor of your freedom and the men and women who have sacrificed and are sacrificing their lives so that we may continue to have the privilege to do so. Have a safe and happy Memorial Day from Cat Haven Cats and all my moggies!