I was a kid watching Abbott & Costello, when I first Ella Fitzgerald sing this song. Today, as I listened to her sing this kiddie, joyful song of her little yellow basket, it brought me to post about these once used tobacco baskets. The tobacco basket was used until about 1980, to display tobacco taken to market. The crop is grown throughout North Carolina, primarily on family farms. According to the NC Dept. of Agriculture, North Carolina farmers today produce approximately 2/3 of the US crop of flue-cured tobacco.
After sorting and grading, the leaves were tied into “hands.” A hand of tobacco weighed about 1 pound if made of tips or lugs and about 2 – 3 pounds if made from cutters. A hand of tobacco is a group of leaves tied together at the stem end. The end is wrapped in another cured leaf.
The hands were then laid in the tobacco basket in a circle with the stem ends pointing to the outside. The baskets were then loaded and taken to the tobacco warehouse where they were sold at auction. Today these baskets are used for more decorative purposes.
Placed neatly behind this lamp – it makes for the perfect backdrop
Tobacco baskets are old and some are even broken, but they still offer an array of ways to decorate with them. They may not be the type of basket Ella sings about but, it’s the basket I chose to write about. However, if I found Ella’s basket I’d like to give her this and say “Thank You” for making a beautiful music.
I hosted a NYE party for the first time since living here and as I was preparing the table and foods, I had the music playing to get the vibe flowing through me. As me and my mom danced around the kitchen to “house music” this song came on and I said – I must share this with you. Even though the words are pertaining to a relationship, it doesn’t matter because the meaning of the title says it.
It’s 2015 and guess what…! It’s your time to shine, It’s your time to make it happen and it’s your year to do You! because guess what – It’s your world.. As we ring in the new year filled with new beginnings, we reflect back on the mistakes we’ve made and learn from them. We think about what brought us joy – and we keep doing it more..It’s all in what we call the book of life. We are born and then we die.. the dash in the middle is what me choose to do to make it our world. Of course there will be moments where you’ll second guess yourself, that’s natural, but guess what, if you mess up.. just do it over.. and over and over again until you get it right.
As Steve Jobs quoted: Your time is limited – don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living the result of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinion drown your own inner voice. And most important – have the courage to follow your heart and intuition, they somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.
Live your life to the fullest, let your loved ones know how much they mean to you and remember to create a world around you that makes you happy. You’ve only got one life to live.. Make it count! And in the process, remember to dance – dance and dance… even if you get sore (like me), then praise God thanking him for making it all possible.
As for me and resolutions, I don’t make them because the reality is.. I don’t keep them. However, every year I promise myself to make each new year a little bit better than the last. Some how, some way, every little bit helps.
Now — let me share my little creative moment I had while preparing the table. Remember the vintage glass swan collection. I needed some dip bowls and looked at them and said “hmmmmm”…why not? Here they are..
I was totally pleased with how they added a little touch of elegance to the table.
I plucked some magnolia tree leaves and put them in a vase of water (also featured are pink faux roses) added some floating star glitter candles
And this folks is a part of my world, that I love sharing with you.
The evening was simply fun filled with my family, a few good friends, good music, and laughter. I forgot how much fun Taboo really is.. 🙂
Peace and blessings and again —- HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
I hope you enjoyed this song as much as did…(my knees still hurt from dancing — oooouuch) LOL!
Hey everyone!! Remember me ??? I just want to touch base with you and say Hi and let you know all is going well. It’s so hard to believe that Summertime is over and Fall has begun. I’m already missing the beautiful summer days, lounging around and enjoying the easy living. I’ve always loved this particular song and the way Sylvester sings it- just moves my soul. ( I know you’re probably saying – this girl and her music – and you’re right.. this girl and her music is her life) .. I’d be a lost soul without it.
Well, we are finishing up painting the shop. Boy, it’s more work than I thought, but it’s worth it. Just thought I’d share a few before pictures of the shop and what I’m working with. Please don’t be too critical, because it’s been vacant for months and TLC is all it needs. We’re pretty excited about it.
This is the beginning stages of “Pieces of Time” Antiques & Home Decor Boutique.
Of course we’ll be adding some curb appeal too! Perhaps a window box and of course some planters.
We were pleased to have the display cases which will come in handy
I thought picking out paint colors would be fun, but it’s actually very challenging but these were a few selections I came home with..
Considering the size of the space we are working with I had to narrow down the selection to one color. It was a tough decision, but I think you’ll like one I chose. I also have to tell you about my good luck fortune. Sometimes, God works in mysterious ways and he’s really blessed me with finding things. I was extremely happy when I found these brass shelving units which would be perfect for the shop and the price was $35.00 for each, but the gentlemen let them go for $30.00 ea (talk about insides screaming – yippeeee).
Then I came across a lady selling paint. Could you believe this!! She had a 5 gallon bucket of Behr flat white paint – never used or opened.. for $5.00. I just couldn’t believe it. All I could say was- “Thank You God” for your blessing, because he knows I’m working on a shoestring budget. Well that’s all I have to share so far. Like I said, I just wanted to touch base – and hoping all is well you. Have you found any goodies lately or done any projects? If so, please share, I’d love to hear all about it. Also, don’t forget to follow along with me on my VivaGram and Twitter. If you find goodies and like to share, use hashtag #urthriftygirlfinds so I feature them on my Friday Finds. Until next time – ta-ta.. smooches,
Happy Friday everyone – I have to say I’ve been feeling a little bluesy – not the emotional kind bluesy – but the music tunes bluesy. I thought I’d share one of my favorite tunes with you in this post. Koko Taylor, who is the Queen of the Blues sings this song which reflects how I felt at the time I found this week’s fab find. They call me the “Hunter” ! cause I’m always on the hunt for some fab finds, thrifty deals and terrific scores. But before I show you, I would like to share some terrific news! I won’t be doing too much blogging in the next coming weeks (please don’t get too excited about that part -hahaha) buuuuuttt.. guess what??? I’m opening a shop – Yayyyyy !!!! Yes, finally YourVintage Girl is back in business. We (meaning me, my sister Amina and our dear friend/ business partner Renee ) have decided to open the second location of Pieces of Time Antiques. We have a space in new Jersey – and now one in South Carolina. So I’ll be busy setting up shop, but I’ll touch base with you from time to time – so please – don’t forget about me.. 🙂
Ok..let’s move on to my Hunted Item – I’ve haven’t been getting too lucky lately but just when I was ready to give up shopping at this particular Goodwill, my woman’s intuition decided to give it one more try. I popped in there, walked straight to the back and look what I found sitting on top of a table – all by it’s lonesome self – waiting for me to strike – the catch that I was after….
O00ooo weeee… ain’t He sweet!!! A Franco Albini pouff ottoman… Talk about a Teeeeerific Score!! Remember I already had one that I posted about here. The price was even of a shocker — $9.75 Can you say WHAT!!!! SHUT THE EFEN DOOR!!!! – cause that’s exactly what I said… naturally I gave it a quick inspection. The only thing wrong was this little paint splash – which will be removed.
Ain’t no need to hide – ain’t no need to run – cause I’ve got you in the sight of my — Luuuv gun 😉
I love these ottomans and so does my twin. She’s been wanting one. .. so now I have one and she has one !! Just in time for our birthday – so pre-Happy Birthday Amina!! It’s Yours!!
So… I guess I’ll dub myself the “Hunter” – thanks to Koko and her bluesy song. I hope you all have a good-feeling bluesy weekend! Smooches!
My old school jam Flashlight to listen to for Flashbacks! Me, music and projects are like the three musketeers…
It’s Throwback Thursday as they say in FB World, so I figure I’d do a quick flashback review of my “Make Me Over” projects. I didn’t tear down walls, rebuild, or create drastic changes (yet – smiles) but these were simple projects using paint and fabric and a bit of creativity.
I’ll start with the most drastic transformation of the lovely slipper chair. I know call me crazy, but when I spotted this on “bulk trash day” I was ecstatic about picking it up. Of course, I was told I lost my mind, but that’s okay.. because it’s one of the best chairs in the house.
Shortly after that came the sofa. Dragged in from the streets – I paid $35.00 for it and paid $150.00 to have it re-upholstered.
The rattan high back chair was purchased for $20.00 at a garage sale. Transformed for $80.00 (it’ll be transformed again)
Up next is the freebie I did myself: This cabinet had a good structure but could use TLC. It was being thrown away, but now it’s home with me. My first intention was to use it as a bath cabinet but it was a tad bit too big. However, it’s perfect in the foyer under the mirror. Just 2 cans of Rustoleum metallic silver spray paint and a simple mirror cut ($12.00) to place on top adds a special touch. This piece costed me $20.00 to complete:
Two other freebies I created were the doggie beds for Ms. Koko. Using the boxes from Costco, old pillows, paint and few embellishments these were too simple not to do:
The footstool was another freebie. The store was going out of business and it didn’t have a price tag, so the guy said – take it… so … I took it. I love the green/copper combination.
Dumpster dive freebie was this – I guess- bar stool bottom. It’s been transformed into a plant stand for less than $5.00. I used Valspar white spray paint and brushed the tips with Martha Stewart metallic gold. The tile topper was caught on sale at Lowes.
The transformation of my office was really a blessing for me: I needed my own work space and without building or taking away a room, this proved to be an asset to the home.
Using an unused tray table, a picture frame and chalk paint – a new welcome station is used in the guest room:
The revamp of the Martha Stewart wastebasket was a winner:
Then there’s this corner table. I used Valspar Ivory Bluff spray paint to freshen up the look. I know some would cringe about painting wood, but I really wanted a brighter look for it.
A simple, easy-peasy project was to create an earring holder from an antique mirror. Just hot glued a piece of screen, used Krylon nickel spray paint to freshen up the look. Total cost $0.50 (lucked up & got the paint at a yard sale)
Outdoor projects like the diva chick was a blast. In fact I won 1st place in a garden contest with it…. yipppeeee!
The herbal cart and bistro set were featured on Hometalk.. I was very happy about that:
Scrap fabric was used for the outdoor furniture cushions update:
Added a bit of whimsy to the garden with this firescreen purchased from Goodwill:
Be creative with objects and re-purpose them. The rusted plant stand makes great use in the bathroom.
Or this rusted light fixture used as a plant holder – There are lots of things that could be multi-purposed….
Last but not least – paint and stencils gave the outdated wine rack a new look
and my sister did this chair for her daughter with just paint and fabric. The power of paint, fabric and creativity goes a long way. So, the next time you come across something, take a second look and use your imagination. You’ll be surprised what you create.
Always remember to crank up the music to the get the project party started. You might even find yourself doing a dance or two to keep the rhythm going.. it really makes it all the better! I hope you enjoyed my Flashlight-Flashback! Happy Thursday!!!
