Where have I been???

You know the old saying......time flies! Well yes it has! There are no excuses here. What can I tell you except that other things took up my time. My life and all that it entails. Family, so precious! And of course all those evil time stealers.....Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, candy crush and all those other games.......yes, I am guilty of all of these!
My family has changed a lot in the past year or so. My sweet Daddy passed away in January. Oh how I miss him! To be with a loved one at the end of their life is a precious thing. To be there as they slip away into God's open arms is a memory I will never forget. My 22 year old son, with us in that hospital room, said " I've never seen someone die before" and his Daddy and I said that we hadn't either. We let him know what a blessing it was to be there!
Another change in our family is a new baby, our first grandchild, a beautiful boy born in April! This is another moment I will never forget as I was at the hospital for his birth. What a blessing a new baby is! A new life! We are so so so in love.
Other things taking up precious time is my three antique mall booths. I love my booths! Who doesn't love having a mini store all their own? I love looking for new things for my customers and bringing them to the booths. Rearranging my booth is always fun, restocking, displaying and I also like to take pics of my booths. I usually post these on Facebook under Lynnesfinds, on Instagram under Lynnewilsonshropshire and of course, Pinterest under Lynne Wilson Shropshire.
While being in the antiques business for over 30 years I transitioned into conducting estate sales. This business is known as Estate Sales By Lynne. I cannot begin to tell you the satisfaction I get when helping folks with this service. One of my recent customers was downsizing and moving out of town. She thanked me profusely when the sale was over because she just didn't know what she was going to do. She even called me again several months later to thank me again, so sweet! That's what I like...satisfied customers!
I also sell online thru eBay and etsy also under the name lynnesfinds. Because of the above mentioned time stealers I don't list as often as I should so I need to work on that! :)
Well now I have updated! I am not going to promise to do it more often because life gets in the way, but, I will certainly make the effort to try. Have a blessed day and rest of your week!

Christmas time!

 Here is our Christmas tree for this year. Actually it probably looks like this every year. We are very traditional and buy the same type of fresh tree every year and use the same ornaments, though adding a few, each year. Remember to click on each picture for a better look!

 Frazier firs are wonderful to decorate. They are not too full with lots of branches and nooks and crannies to put my ornaments. I particularly like old, vintage, antique glass ornaments with some newer ones scattered about.

 I am especially fond of mercury glass ornaments in the shapes of fruits and veggies. Some appear to be sliced open and others are the whole piece. I also LOVE antique mercury glass beaded garlands. The finishing touch on our tree is when I am completely done putting on the ornaments I apply the garlands like icing, draping each garland in swags across the tree. Please note the large bead garland, my favorite, and very hard to find in this size.

 I also love pink and this box of pink goodness I found recently at a local thrift shop for 69 cents!

 Here is a display of vintage and antique Christmas themed china pieces that I got from my Mom. Please notice underneath it all is an assortment of holly and poinsettia silk embroidered antique linens. Both of these collections took years to find.

 I have it displayed on an antique cupboard in my entry. The floor lamps on each side are vintage Mexico which were the standard black color and now creamy white. Hanging above are 2 vintage holiday themed brass wreaths and an antique architectural piece decorated in what appears to be a lyre covered in roses....awesome.

 This picture does not do the rose covered piece justice as it is just gorgeous in person. I hate to admit this but I have probably owned this piece, bought at an estate sale, for maybe 20 years and only recently got it out from under our bed and hung it up.

 I think domes are it! This antique one I bought at a customer's garage sale a few years ago for $35.00 and I like to leave it out year round. On eBay they are several hundred dollars so I am very careful with it. I treasure antique marble lamps and probably have 7 in several sizes scattered about my house.

 More vintage pink ornaments overflowing out of an antique pressed glass punch bowl. Another collection is old silver and these victorian silver plated pieces are some of my favorites. The spool cabinet  that all this is sitting on is a family piece. Many years ago a relative let us go thru his mother's house to see if we wanted anything. It was in horrible shape and was going to be razed. My mom spotted this cabinet but it had no drawers. Once she started poking around she found all the drawers scattered about the garage, yard and elsewhere. She had it refinished and displayed in her home. It is now used as an end table in my living room.

 We bought about 8 pink trees in two sizes at a local shop probably 8 or 9 years ago and we would use them at Christmas in our antiques shop. Everybody wanted to buy them but we enjoyed them so and couldn't part with them. Now that the shop is closed they are used in my home and my parents. I have a nice collection of vintage pink ornaments that just look wonderful on this tree. Check out the antique angel hair decorated angel tree topper.

And if you have followed my blog you know that I also collect MacKenzie-Childs pottery. These canisters are the originals from the 1980's. I decorate with alot of my pieces and also use them for dinnerware. My husband likes it too so he has spoiled me plenty with some of my bigger pieces. This setting is in my dining room on a small buffet...more antique mercury glass beaded garlands in old glass jars, vintage Christmas trees and reindeer and another holiday themed brass wreath above.
  I hope you have enjoyed seeing my version of Christmas decor! Merry Christmas everybody and have a blessed New Year!

"Girl's Trip" to Gonzales, TX and the Barn Sale & Berclair, TX

 My sister-in-law and I took off this past weekend to go to a sale I was wanting to shop at that is only once a year. We are talking 3 1/2 hours away but I didn't care!! We first went on a wild goose chase to Houston, another 3 hours, to see 2 cool stores and only made it to one that was still open. Very nice stuff but too pricey for me.....I did get lots of ideas though. Now, back to Gonzales! These pics are of some of the vendors at the Barn Sale. Remember to click on photos for a closer look. This booth was real interesting and look at that bluish gourd!

 This booth is a lady from San Antonio that had really neat stuff. I wanted that vintage pink Christmas garland so bad I could taste it but I held back! She also had the great pink Christmas table cover, too, and very old ledgers.

 There's Teresa holding purchases, my birdcage and browsing. This sale was set up in a livestock show arena and a stock show/rodeo was going on at the same time in another arena next door......lots of cute "cowboys, cowgirls, cowchildren-is that a word?"! When they weren't competing they were in here shopping, sorry, no pics!

 This vendor had really cute items such as hand painted furniture and accessories, western type jewelry and other goods, all very nice! Turquoise was the theme here!

 Lots of retro items in this booth. They really had the merchandise loaded in here. Now that I see my own pictures I would have liked some of those old crates!! They make great displays when stacked!

 These chicken feeders/roosting things are so fun. Apparently they are a hot item and big seller! There were booths with baked goods and also Dublin Dr. Pepper....if you haven't had a Dublin Dr. Pepper, you are missing out! Okay, here's me! I got lots of compliments on my necklaces. One is full of a kinds of hearts and the other is all kinds of things. It took me several years to find just the right things and most are antiques or vintage pieces. I am collecting for a necklace of crosses and a necklace of turquoise and silver pieces. Stay tuned!

 We just about died over all the antique homes in this little town. They were just awesome. This one had MARBLE steps to walk up to the porch. Beautiful!

 There are all styles of these older homes. Alot of them are kept up but we also saw alot that were in disrepair. We want one!!!

 Look at this gorgeous home. Hard to believe it was in this small town!!! It is a stunner for sure!

 And I had to take a picture of this old filling station. It had all the old advertising still on it and was in really good shape. That winged horse sign on top is worth a small fortune!

 When I was growing up and we would go to Missouri on vacation we would see these old painted advertisings all over the place. Nowadays, they are painted over, worn off or the buildings have been torn down or remodeled. I was tickled to see this still on the side of a building in downtown Gonzales!

 On the way up and back I showed Teresa this old mansion in Berclair, TX. This town is halfway between Beeville and Victoria on Hiway 59. It is almost a ghost town with very few residents but they do still have a post office. This old mansion sits back off the road and is open for tours and special occasions. Everything else in this town is dilapidated, falling down, etc. so this is a sight to see.

 This old building sits right on the road and has caught my attention every time we go thru so this time I stopped for pictures. Please click on the photos for details of the bricks. They are all handmade with rocks, glass, shells, etc. Some are dated 1946 and all are in great condition. This building is like one big piece of folk art. Mosaics at it's finest!

 Well just wanted to show you our trip and what we saw. Have a great week!!!

Mirror mosaic elephant and a French chair!!!

 I know, you are asking yourself what do these have to do with each other?? Well, absolutely nothing! I just wanted to show both of these things to you! This nearly life sized elephant is on some property adjacent to our major expressway here in the Rio Grande Valley. To be exact it is in Donna, TX.

 A circus comes to town from Mexico called Circus Vasquez, I believe, and they set up on this vacant property each time. Last year they had this great mirrored mosaic elephant set up out front to draw attention...and it did! Funny thing is that when they left town the elephant stayed. Well, after driving down the Valley numerous times over the past several months to take fresh merchandise to my booths, I finally stopped and took pictures of my favorite elephant! He actually blew over awhile back so somebody has him strapped down now......just had to show y'all this! Only in El Valle!!!

 This is the other thing I just had to show you. I purchased this a few days ago from a dear friend who just really didn't have room for it. She calls me up and asks if I want it?? Duh! It is an antique French style chair with wonderful carvings and a rather petite size, so delicate and sweet!

It is probably walnut with just the right patina of age and a soft tapestry fabric, just right and ready to go! This was hard to let go and sell but I didn't really have room for another chair....I just had to show you! It is now at my booth in Weslaco waiting for a new home. Until next time.................

My new "OLD" display pieces!

 I have been truly blessed this past weekend. I was in a bit of a funk trying to decide how I was going to decorate my new larger booth at Mimi's Attic Antiques Mall. Well, lo and behold, I found this great long old aqua painted store table at one of my favorite junking spots! It has just the right amount of worn pale aqua paint on the legs and skirt and shabby peely white on the top. I posted about it on Facebook and my oh my, everybody wants it!! Sorry everybody, display only-don't you just hate when people say that? Me, too!

 Then on Sunday I ventured out to the monthly flea held indoors, the first for the Fall season. Oh my gosh!! I had so much fun!!! I kinda wound around to the different tables as some were all set up and others weren't. I was buying here and there and then got to one of my favorite sellers. I have a bad habit of looking down at the merchandise on the tables and not at the sellers or what is behind the tables. Well not this time! Staring at me was a very cute 1950's Mexican china cabinet......still with the key!

 I asked how much really thinking they were going to say it was sold........they told me the price, really reasonable, and I said, after only a few seconds because I couldn't believe my luck, I'll take it! The lady was stunned I think because I didn't even go behind the table to look at it closer. It didn't matter, I wanted it! She asked where to deliver, OMG-delivery, too?-but I told her I had my truck, old faithful, with me and I would be taking it once I was thru shopping. I paid her fast!!!

 Isn't is cute?? I was upset last week because a locking display cabinet at my parent's booth had sold that I had my heart set on using and this will fit the bill! Thank you God! God is so good to me. I had to skip church to go to this sale and He didn't let me down. I will be at church next week for sure!

This cabinet is in my dining room and is the same kind, 1950's Mexico, and has the key. I love these sweet cabinets as they have so much possiblity. I painted mine and have it full of some of my favorite things!!! The new one I think I will just use as is for now and fill it up with great goodies at my other booth at Weslaco Antique Mall. I am so excited! Everything is all coming in to place and the weather is even beautiful today. I'd say I have a great start to my week! Check me later!!!! I will be posting photos and blogging about my two booths after all this gets down there and arranged!

My vintage dishes creation!

 I have seen several gals who have been making garden totems, stands and flowers out of vintage dishes on some of my favorite sites and blogs recently. Well that sent me into a buying frenzy I can tell you. Look at the stacks of plates, saucers, bowls, cups and stuff! And this is just a part of them!

 Here's more! I can't wait to use the red glass in one and that sweet paisley pot is going to look great, too!  Oh yes.....my husband thinks I have lost my mind, again!

 Here is my first garden stand/totem or it could be used for a party! I love stacked antique cake stands and this is similar to that. It took me a few hours, I kid you not, to finally put together what I liked together. I arranged and rearranged many many times with multiple dishes. Now I know that is a little crazy but I am a picky person. I want it to look just right, not slapped together!

 That sweet cup with beautiful colored flowers was a recent find. And check out the dog bottle...it is a vintage candy container missing the lid-perfect! I couldn't have used it if it still had the lid. I am funny like that! The MacKenzie-Childs saucer went perfect with the vintage dinner plate below.

 I found this candelabra base at a resale shop......it is vintage signed Baccarat crystal, lovely and very heavy, perfect for the base!

For now this first attempt is a keeper. However I am so inspired I have to do more!!! Since they are so delicate they will probably end up at my booths. If I get real brave and think I can pack them well enough for shipping I may list some on my Etsy or eBay sites.  Stay tuned! P.S. Remember you can click on my pictures to get a closer looksie!!

Vintage Birdcage Project Update & My Colorful Antique Daybed

 I posted this picture the other day and told about finding it. I absolutely love this sweet birdcage but the blue had to go!!! I dislike most blues, not AQUA & TURQUOISE which I LOVE, but do not HATE blue like my grandma did. Oh how she hated blue, anything and everything blue and she wasn't afraid to tell you about it either. In the early 70's my Dad had a Satellite Sebring, sooooo cool, as his work vehicle-he loved teeny-bopper cars. Anyway, you guessed it....it was electric blue-again, sooooo cool- and Grandma hated it and she let us know!!! Secretly I wondered if my Dad picked blue just to get her goat, ha! Just to clarify (if you are not my family) this grandma is my Texas grandma. My Missouri grandma couldn't hate anything, at least that is how I remember her!

 Look at my birdcage now after several coats of Krylon "Ballet Slipper Pink"-isn't the name even sweet? It is perfection!

 To top it off I found this perfect green depression glass bird feeder/waterer at a local shop! Of course I jumped right on it, while mildly gasping 'cuz I was so excited, AND it was half price! I hope nobody heard me! And this green is just my color, too. A lot of colors are "just my color"!

 Obviously, I LOVE color, just look at my refurbished antique daybed! (Click the picture for a closer look) I am 53 years old and I slept on this as a young teen when we would visit my grandparents home. They lived in Independence, MO and had awesome garage/estate sales there. My grandma actually bought this at a garage sale for fifty cents!!! It had a pull out bed inside and was covered in a torn faded velvety fabric. When they passed away years ago we stored this at our warehouse. Well, a couple of years ago I finally got inspired and had it fixed up. I found the fabric on eBay and painted the wood black and my local upholsterer finished it up. Then I just started adding throws and pillows-check out the hot pink crushed velvet 1960's bedspread! This is actually in my dining room right now but I have used it in the living room, too! What do you think? Wild, right??? Gotta go now......have a colorful day!

My local flea market, vintage jewelry finds, vintage bird cage and my new crafting room.........eventually!

Hi folks! Take a look at all my pics today as they cover a wide range of subjects, that's for sure! First pic is my now newlywed living in California daughter's room! Yes, it is pepto-bismol pink! When she was here it was darling I admit but now she has taken alot, left alot and some stays and some goes. However, it is going to be my new craft room hopefully sooner than later. And yes (don't tell my daughter) it is going to change colors! My "room" will be all shades of whites and beiges plus some baby pink and a touch of black! 

  One thing I recently bought is the black antique office chair and I found it recently at a garage sale for $25.00. I knew the older woman, I grew up with her daughters, and she said it came out of her father's sewing machine repair shop on South 17th street, now long gone. I love old McAllen memorablilia and was thrilled to know the history of this piece. It has a good home now!

 Now for a look at one of my local flea markets! Yes, that sign reads in spanish & english as this flea is only about 5 miles from the Mexico border....yes, I live in DEEP south Texas and have almost all my 53 years! It is not like it used to be but it is still home! Just for the record I have been coming to this flea since I was about 14 years old! Of course over time my tastes have changed considerably but no matter what my "style" or "wants" at the time, I can usually find something I "need"! Husbands just hate that word!

 This was an old drive-in theater so the front area is paved with slopes where your car would face the screen. For years there were lots of speakers on poles but now only a few poles remain. Check out this fruit and veggie stand, yum! Behind it is another stand that sells old linens, bedding and miscellaneous.

 Here is one of the parking areas-there are three at this flea. This one is a mess after rain which sadly isn't often. Fortunately this week we have a chance of rain over the next few days!!!

 Another pic of a booth that sells furniture and there are lots of boxes of stuff-you never know what you might find!!!!

 I found a woman selling some jewelry, new and old, of which I picked out these things. This vintage  large-sized multi-hued pearl necklace has a wonderful round sterling and rhinestone clasp. The vintage oblong scarab bracelet is signed Winard and gold filled. The small vintage woven ring is sterling and gold filled and is worn but sweet! The best piece, which is MINE-at least for now, is a vintage french coin ring that appears to be handmade and just fits my pinky!

 This old vintage birdcage jumped into my truck at a local resale shop. Well, it had help getting in my truck, and no, it will not be blue much longer. I have the most wonderful powdery baby pink paint in a spray can that will be used on this shortly. The birdcage is one of the items I want to display in my new craft room!

 I have always wanted a vintage bottle rack but they are so expensive!! I actually bought an AWESOME antique half-round one several years ago that my mother talked me out of-one of my big regrets-and darn it, she loves it!!!! I don't blame her. Well, I was scouting out some of my favorite blogs earlier this year and came across this rack at Laurie Anna's blog and online shop. It was new, looked old and reasonable and boom, I bought it! Aren't credit cards and the post office wonderful!

I have vintage medicine bottles and flower pots on my rack and galvanized tubs on this antique marble table top on an antique iron sewing machine base table. This was my mom's but she didn't need it anymore, yea! More on my backyard another time. Whoops, it is starting to rain outside. Thanks God!