out with the old, in with the new...

As we reach the tail end of 2007 and look forward to 2008, I can tell you with certainty that the title of today's post is not the mantra in the Wingert household.

Yesterday, I brought home the old...some of the very old.

But, let me start by telling you the story.  (You knew there had to be a story, right?)

On Wednesday night, as I was leafing through my new Country Living magazine, I saw a farmhouse bench that reminded me that I needed to find one for my studio.  The plan is to use a footstool style bench to house my collection of vintage locker baskets but I had forgotten to follow through on my plan.  I Googled farmhouse bench and got all sorts of benches, none of which fit what I was looking for.  I made a mental note to check out some of our antique malls to see if they would have something that appealed to me.

Fast forward to Thursday.  I headed out in the morning in search of inspiration.  I've not been creating a whole lot in the past couple of weeks and felt like I needed to reconnect with products, people and creative displays.  I popped into Scrapbooks, Etc.  to pick up my display board to redo over the weekend and checked the store for new product.  I then headed over to Mystic Paper for my fix of vintage stuff.  Mystic Paper shares building space with an antique store which is owned by Kim's (one of Mystic's owners) hubby. 

As I walked down the aisle to head into Mystic, there right in front of me was a farmhouse bench...in all of it's painted, faded, and crackled beauty.  Oh my word, it was EXACTLY what I was looking for.  I just L.O.V.E. when the image I have in my brain materializes right before my eyes!  Has that happened to you, too?

As I meandered through the store, I came across a vintage postal scale...rustic but in operating condition.  I snagged that as well.

When I got to the front counter, there was this aged silver coffee service and tray that was just begging me to bring it home.  I succumbed.

I have to say that I did feel a bit guilty about going out and buying more stuff, especially after such a great Christmas...but I guess I overcame the guilt quickly enough to really enjoy the stuff I picked up.  Have any of you had shopping guilts this week as well?

After picking up the new Stampington magazine called Life Images, plus the recent editions of Somerset Studio and Somerset Life, I ran across a couple of vintage pocket watches...get this, one of them was ticking but didn't have any hands...which kind of reminded me of myself sometimes...ticking but totally not productive! :) 

I had to laugh when I brought the stuff in the house...Vern's expression said it all...where are we going to put this stuff?

No worries...I'll find a place for everything...even if it means recycling something else.

After all, our motto for 2008 could very well be in with the old, out with the new!

Happy Friday and have a great weekend!

Comments

[cricket]

Beautiful finds Carol! I have an antique silver tray just like that one, it was my grandmothers and is a favorite of mine! I just LOVE Mystic Paper...wish I lived by it, in fact when I was visiting in September and went there, I spied through the window (while paying) a Raggedy Ann and Andy doll hanging on the wall of the antique store...what a score since I collect them! And, the kicker was he gave them to me at 50% off!!!

Anyways, have fun with your new(old) stuff!!

smiles,

[Kim Johnson]

Carol,

We love seeing what you do with your findings at our store! The bench and tea set are beautiful. Happy New Year!

[Debby Schuh]

Sounds like a motto to live by! Have a happy new year!

[Jill]

JACKPOT!!!! Yessirreeeeeee! JACKPOT!!!! I Love it all!!!! No guilt.... you found a wonderful new home for some lonely items.... I call that a public service.... kinda like social work, don't ya think? Enjoy!!!!

[Shirley]

I had to laugh at this, "which kind of reminded me of myself sometimes...ticking but totally not productive! :) " We are one in the same! Love all your beautiful finds!!! Fantastic color on that bench!!!
:D

[shabbyVTchic]

I love that bench SOOOOO much! What a fabulous find... you definitively scored! I totally have made purchases before that maybe I shouldn't have made because we weren't financially ready to make the purchase, or because I just really didn't NEED to have it. So I know what you mean. But doesn't it usually happen like that? It's when we shouldn't or need not to, that we see most of the things that we want. Many times I can talk my way out of it... I can find that same thing or something I love just as much another day. But then there are those items that you know you will never see again, and you'll never stop thinking about it (like the bench). I felt that way not so long ago when I stepped into Twice Upon a Time... a resale shop here in VT. It was one of those unusual days when I saw like 5 pieces of furniture that were just screaming my name. And I really just couldn't seperate with the $1000 (would have been such a steal). I still think of those pieces, and hang my head. Glad you were able to bring some new items into your home that you will be sure to treasure for all time. And that silver... you can pass that down to your daughter, and she will love the story behind it. Be well :)

[Jeanette]

I love it when that happens. And your finds are incredibly fabulous. Don't feel guilty about your purchases being so close to the holidays. You have to seize opportunities like that when they happen!

[pamelajane]

Looks like the adage proved itself again: "Luck is opportunity meeting preparation." May your good fortune continue in the New Year, with all your hard work meeting well-deserved opportunities! Hugs, Pam

[Lyn Meeker]

Sometimes it seems the timing to buy isn't right .. but the "Time" is! ... I never second guess myself when the right thing comes along! Whooo Hooo for you!

[tongue in cheek]

love the photos, still life beauties!