Recognize this picture? It's the one I use for my blog header. It was love at first dusty filthy sight in the basement of an antique mall in Shelbyville, Kentucky. She had been neglected - and abused. Someone had given her frame the triple g death treatment (ghastly gaudy gold) and apparently not cleaned and shined her glass in eons. I knew I had to save her. DH shook his head in disbelief - clearly not sharing my love nor vision. We were on our annual anniversary shopping day. After 22 years, we shop together for what we love rather than surprise one another. For me, it's antique shopping. For him - we visit Manland - sometimes sporting goods, sometimes hardware, tools and the like. So, he lugged her up the stairs for me, getting pretty grimy in the process (have I mentioned how much I love this man?) and reluctantly paid for her. He only smiled slightly when the clerk noted she was 20% off. My heart, however, was singing - I'd have paid triple for her!Brought her home and agonized over what to do about her frame. She was so beautifully faded that even my addiction to Heirloom White and/or Dover White seemed too bright. So, I got out all the acrylic craft paints that I own, narrowed it down to all the colors that seemed to blend into her background, and hand mixed my own concoction. The result was soft and subtle, very suiting for her. Carefully and painstakenly, I took her apart and cleaned her and then discovered where she used to live - an address in Old Louisville (reportedly the largest victorian neighborhood in the country) right here in our city! So, not only did I save her, I truly brought her back home where she belongs.
Things come and go in our houses. Not this old girl - I will NEVER part with her. She speaks to my soul.
What do you have in your home that does that for you? I'd love to hear your stories!
Tammy
21 comments:
Oh, Tammy... You had me at hello! Actually it was talking about things that speak to your soul, and living in the burbs in a ranch, but your heart and soul are cottage (ditto on that, a split level ranch pretending to be a cottage!)... LOVE the story of your gorgeous cottage artwork!!! It looks absolute amazing! I could live there happily ever after, I'm quite sure!! Off to read more of your posts!... Donna (P.S. I love your blog name - Yesterday's Cottage (sigh....)
hi Tammy:) greetings from your neighbor in ohio...i see you have just started blogging...i hope you make a lot of friends here...and have a lot of fun...i found you via that sweet girl Dawn at "the feathered nest"
Hi Tammy! My goodness, I can see why you swooned over the beautiful print ~ and you gave her such a wonderful cleaning...I have things that "speak" to me too!! xxoo, Dawn
Hi Tammy, We have a lovely little Fenton red bird that belonged to my mother-in-law. I just treasure it, it as always out regardless of the season.
I'm a fellow Kentuckian and a new blogger as well. I look forward to seeing your posts.
Angie
Hi Tammy! I am your neighbor a little to the north west, I think! I live in Martin County, near Bedford Indiana. A few hours away! I love your blog, you have such an easy way with your words, like talking to you over the fence in the backyard!
Lisa
Hi Tammy~ I am in Fort Worth, TX and so glad you joined our blogland. I have a beautiful lady something like yours hanging over my bed. Got it at an auction. Love it and yours. I'm getting ready for a Trade Day Saturday, but I will be back so to catch up on all your blog. Dawn sent me!
Smiles, Pat
Hi Tammy, so nice to meet you! You have such a lovely blog. And I totally get having something which speaks to your soul. You can't put a dollar amount on those, can you?
Have a wonderful Friday,
Anne
Im here from Feathered Nest. Oh I love your picture..I never thought to put one of my favorite pictures up for my header..will look into doing that.
Isnt junking the most fun. Weve gotten into basements at some estate sales this last summer..oh the treasures I have found. Ive enjoyed your blog..looking forward to coming back..Sally
What a great blog and I love the header.....Loved visiting your blog...Blog hopping is one of my favorite things to do.
Hope you will stop by my Christmas blog...a great giveaway will be given away Sunday night....
http://teresa-grammygirlfriend.blogspot.com/
http://grammyababychangeseverything.blogspot.com
HI Tammy!
Glad that I found your blog! Can't wait to see what your future blogging holds! Stop by when you have time, we are kindred spirits, love the hankie find and your other goodies!
Hi Tammy
Welcome to the world of blogging. I am new as well, my first post was yesterday. I am an avid follower of Dawn at the Feathered Nest and I found you thru her, isn't she the best! I enjoyed your posts and can't wait to see more of your "finds"...I have a thing for hankies too but haven't been able to part with any like you! Best of luck with your blog, I look forward to more postings.
Welcome to blogland -- from the shoutout at Dawn's -- Love your pics and cottage picture story -- You have a great eye for detail --
Blessings kathy - ga --
visit me at countrychintz.blogspot.com
Welcome to the wonderful world of blogging! Your painting is a true treasure. Like you, I'd love to live in a sweet little cottage, or even something Victorian, something old and with character. I can't complain about having a nice home, but I do, anyway. Our house is new, but very different from my tastes in architecture and decorating. I hate it--long story, there--hubby found it after we'd made a big move because of his job, and he really liked it. I was tired of staying with family and then an apartment for almost a year, so I said ok to make him happy--aren't I a martyr? Good luck with your new blog--you will have so much fun and meet so many wonderful people! Smiles, Jann
Hi Tammy, Welcome to Blogland. I found you through Dawn. Isn't she the best? Oh, I just LOVE your cottage prints. I collect them also. I have several in my guest room and are always on the lookout for them. You found a great one !!
Have fun with your blog. Hope you will visit me sometime. I haven't been doing this all that long either. Have a great day!! Linda
Tammy, I love your blog. You got some amazing finds from the estate sale, and I love the picture you found. It makes a great header for your page! I was directed over here by Dawn of The Feathered Nest. Just wanted to say "Welcome" and I'll be back!
Blessings!
Nita Jo
Welcome to the Blog World! It is so nice to meet you. I love this story of your old painting. It is truely a lovely piece. I love old pictures myself. There are so many things in my home that I can't part with that it would be impossible for me to pick one. Have a wonderful weekend! Twyla
Welcome to blogging..came for a visit from the feathered nest..yes I have my grannie's picture that speaks to me..take care..
Hi! I am also here from the Feathered Nest and so glad I am. My Gram had a print very similar and I am hoping to inherit it from my Mom. The story I was told was you could order them from Sears. Ours is in an odd green frame, but I don't know if that is original. I am so glad to have found your blog as I also live in a cookie cutter ranch that I am trying to change into a bungalow by the sea! Have a great weekend.
Welcome to my world of blog! I am so glad to meet you and hope you will feel free to stop in when you have time. I came from Dawn's post info. I have that same picture somewhere under a bed.(I know you are cringing! It belonged to my Momma and it is one of those things that still stings a little to see BUT because of your story I will go find it and dust it off & hang it where I can see it each day...mourning is a growing process but YOUR encouragement helps alot! Thank you,
Sharon
Beautiful blog.
Glad i found you.
blessings and welcome
Barbara jean
Hello again Tammy, what a stunning painting! How sweet of your hubby to buy it for you, and on sale even! I think you did a beautiful job with the frame and how exciting that it is "back home"... I love to hear stories like that... I always dream about previous owners of my treasures and promise them that I will always cherish their precious things... Even though they are long gone, I do believe they watch over their prized possessions which have become a part of my family now... Bisous... Julie Marie
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