Vintage Edison Battery Jar Repurposed

Hidy-ho, neighbor! Hope y'all had a great weekend. Things were busy here at WWC with all kinds of summer things. I met my friend, Lani @ Cottage Elements, in Grand Rapids, MN, for the annual swap meet. There were vendors of all kinds there.

I picked up this glorious old Edison battery jar for a song. With a glass base and a ceramic lid, it was a miracle this piece had no chips anywhere!

I wanted to give this piece a task, so I wanted to make it more practical by adding a simple handle. I took some leftover jute rope from Canvas Corp, cut a piece to length, threaded both ends through the holes, and tied some simple knots.

Instant handle! I love simple projects like this! For right now, it's new job is to store toilet paper in the guest bath. With a clear container, your guests won't have to search for extra paper and you will know when to restock!

     

Summertime

Hope you are enjoying your summer! :)

Just Add Water

• Oh My Mud!
• Just Add Water
• Ma? MA!
• Do you think she seen me?
• But Mom, I CANT wash it off, I'm exfoliating!
• Dad, I TOLD you the water is too shallow for water skiing!
• But I asked for salt on my White Castles.
• I didn't do it!
• Building the World's Largest Oreo Cookie Castle...takes strength and determination - and sometimes a life vest!
• I thought Mom said to "dig in the sand," not "wash my hands!"
• Mom, I know you said not to get sand anywhere, but it just jumped up at me.

Thank you to the creative people (including Grandma!) who offered up your creative captions for the photo at the top of the post! If you want to see who came up with these clever quips, see the original post and the WhisperWood Cottage Facebook page. Each of them made me smile, so I applaud all of you!

"Just Add Water" made for the perfect post title, so thank you to one of my blog crushes, Tricia at Tricia Boutelle Photography! Tricia's photo talents put my attempts to shame, but it is work like hers that inspires me to learn more and more about photography.

This beach time adventure was part of a recent summer vacay. He had such fun pushing sand into big piles. And grand sand castles they were! He is also a fan of superheroes...especially Batman...and someone called Iron Man, I think. Don't quote me on that. I'm am not current on my superhero knowledge!

Create a Caption for this Photo...

Any photo caption ideas? Use the linky below to share one or more possible captions. You can also leave a caption idea in the comments or on WhisperWood Cottage's Facebook page. In a few days, I'll share some of my favorites and tell you about this handsome fella!

A $1 Garage Sale Find & a Chic Respirator...What do you get?

What do you get when you cross the makeover of a $1 garage sale find...

and a chic DIY get-up like this?

Click the button above to find out!

Authentic Style Series: July 2011 Features

Thank you to all the gals who linked up to the July Authentic Style linky party inspired by the style of Marian of Miss Mustard Seed! Marian's style components of painted furniture, antiques, blue & white, great fabrics, and slipcovers are beautiful and truly inspiring!

These bloggers have authentic style...

Here are projects by five great bloggers who demonstrate how they've used Marian's style components to create their own authentic style! If you are featured below, please be sure to grab an Authentic Style Award at the end of this post...

Sunburst mirror at Crazy Wonderful

Chalkboard dresser makeover at EllaBoo & Co.

Toy repurpose at Ranger 911

Chevron chair makeover at Don't Disturb This Groove

Numbered dining chair slipcovers at Hammers & High Heels.

Thanks sharing your authentic style, ladies!

Please grab an Authentic Style award...

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Coming August 10!

Sarah of A Beach Cottage will be the next feature in the Authentic Style Series. Get ready to link up! If you are not familiar with Sarah's style, go check out her beachy loveliness in her Oz cottage...

Master Bedroom Nook Gets Simplified Summer Look

 

BEFORE                                                        AFTER

Dual Milbradt Library Ladders in the Guest Bedroom

While we're on the subject of the guest bedroom, I have another new addition to tell you about! This Milbradt Patent library ladder, obviously used as someone's paint ladder (shock!) came home with me from an auction a few months ago. A local antique store was closing and had an auction to clear out tons of stuff.

It fits here between the window and cabinet. And it balances the other antique Milbradt ladder on the other side of the window. However, the new addition is missing the top and bottom hardware. It is loved all the same! :)

Eventually, I'd like to build some library type shelving and put these bad boys to work. Until then, they have the been assigned the task of adding vertical interest and warmth to the guest room! :)

SEE ALL GUEST BEDROOM POSTS

Vintage Printer's Tray Photo Display in the Guest Room

Here's a fun and simple project that took only minutes to do!

It all started with this vintage printer's tray that I picked up from Junk {Re}defined at Junk Bonanza last year. It's been sitting in storage for almost a year...waiting for inspiration to strike!

With a few minutes, a few supplies, and a little ingenuity, I had an instant display for photos, postcards, and/or notes from friends and family.

It has a happy new home in the guest room. Did you notice I changed out the headboard slipcover and the  bedding? The denim and white has a fresh summer feel to it. I feel light and happy walking into this space!

The tutorial for this project is featured at 

The DIY Club: Amy's Printer's Tray Display

Vintage Turquoise Ring: $5 Garage Sale Find

Found this gem (hee! hee!) of a turquoise ring at a garage sale last weekend. I'm not usually into jewelry that much, but this one caught my eye. For five buckaroos, I couldn't pass it up.

 

The older woman who was selling it said that it had belonged to her mother. I'm guessing it is sterling silver, as most vintage turquoise jewelry pieces usually are. It has a adjustable band, which makes it easily wearable on any finger. 

Turquoise pieces remind me of summer...maybe the color reminds me of the ocean, the sky, a pool...I don't know. Turquoise just has a fresh, vibrant, and cool feel to it, don't you think?

Are you a fan of vintage jewelry pieces? Any great jewelry finds lately or long ago?

Pouf! Well-Loved Vintage Moroccan Pouf/Ottoman

As soon as I saw this haggard, beat-up, well-worn beauty at an estate sale last weekend, I snatched it up without hesitation!

I wasn't quite sure about the history of a piece like this, but it reminded me of the poufs that are all the rage. It also reminded me of a piece that my neighbor has in her home. She said it had been her father's and that he had gotten it in Morocco on one of his many travels.

To learn more about them, I did what all good bloggers would do...googled it! I found these similar but new Moroccan poufs/ottomans online...

Source: Mosaik Interiors (Moroccan Camel Pouf), Price: $199

Source: From Morocco with Love (Gold-Stamped Leather Pouf), Price: $99

Source: Overstock.com (Genuine Leather Camel Ottoman [Moroccan]), Price: $103.99

Now, you know that I did not pay $100 or more for my vintage Moroccan pouf/ottoman. Especially in its well-loved condition. In fact, when I went to the checkout line, the guy running the estate sale referred to it as "the ugly footstool." I'm sure he didn't think anyone would buy it, and it was priced accordingly. In fact, had I been on my game, I probably could have gotten it for less. What did I pay? Eight lovely dollars.

Oh, it's definitely rough around the edges, and it was obviously well-loved and put to use. That's what vintage is all about. I appreciate its history (and its modest, flawed beauty).