It's been some time since we had a little thrifty show-and-tell, so shall we stroll through those Brimfield treasures I brought home?
I was quite happy to be browsing the eye candy there, not entirely certain I would come home with much at all (oh, I do love our Maine flea market prices, I was reminded!). In addition to having a clear budget, I did give some thought beforehand to what I might be looking for, as well as what I wanted to steer myself away from. Thrifty manifestations and reminders, yes indeed. My self-imposed "not allowed" list included dishes and quilts - always inclined to pick up both of those things, but with need and space for neither at the moment.
While "quilts" specifically were out (truly, where would I put another one?), I simply cannot resist the lure of tiny stitches. All those tiny stitches! All that energy of all those women! Of course, a pile of linens came home with me - mostly embroidered pillowcases to freshen the stack at home.
Another weakness of mine - vintage baby clothes. The detail on these older pieces always grabs me, and the handstitching, and oh those prints! That orange and green has stolen my heart and very likely inspired the next quilt in my mind. And these will most definitely and most heartily be worn by my girls (boys clothes in wearable condition, I find, are harder to come by).
This tiny little napkin ring was the treasure on my list that made me most happy of all to find. I've been looking for Annabel's napkin ring for the dinner table since her arrival and hadn't found just the right one until this appeared. It's just right - and just in time for her first birthday too!
Oh my - a set of linens with embroidered chickens? Likely meant to be used as cocktail napkins (judging by the size), they'll be used here as children's handkerchiefs.
I had hoped to come home with either a dresser or bookshelves - both of which are in need, in multiples, around here. I was pleased to find just the perfect shelves for Adelaide's room. Matching the rest of her furniture, they look to me as though they've always been here.
And another happy find, a wall mounted drying rack. I've been looking for something like this to keep near the woodstove - just a small one for putting a few things on. This one is just the right size, and in such good shape too.
And lastly, I found myself an old wooden ironing board. Ah! Incredibly sturdy, it just needed a new cover (using this Echino fabric) and was instantly ready to be placed into studio action, working on the next quilt as the case may be.
I realized, walking around the tents of Brimfield, and looking here at the things that came home and the things that often do come home with me from such places, that I lean towards functional and utilitarian when treasure hunting. That while I appreciate the 'collectibles,' I'm so pleased to find the little something that has a bit of life left in it. Something that was made by hand and built to last for a very long time. All those tiny little stitches embroidered by women years ago, or slabs of wood hammered into something functional for the family home - all created with the intent of being used everyday. Doing just that fills me with gratitude and joy.