Petite Pickers

There's something amazing that happens, when little junk pickers and older ones come together. The generation gap between them seems to just disappear. I wish I could say the same about the dust, but we all know that any treasure worth finding, is one worth a sinus infection.

During our dusty treasure hunt, we found far more than we anticipated ~ friendship. Here is Mr. Paul, as he shares a bird feeder with each of our petite pickers.

One of our very first finds, was a treasure that couldn't be stored for any length of time. Although it was temporary, we valued having stumbled upon it just the same.

It was an icicle, that despite what all developing, little icicles are taught to do, had grown from the ground UP! Talk about being an overachiever!

 

Now this...

 

this...

 and this......make up our seasoned, senior, junk picker, Paul's, office. He claims he knows where everything is, and his worst day would probably be coming in to find that the whole area had been cleaned up. Then, he'd have to start all over again getting it back to this.

 

Vintage sewing machines, like this Singer pedal model that we found, could sure share some history if they could talk. They'd tell us stories of how they fashioned items and clothing that defined an era gone by.

 

Mr. Paul explaining how his mother used to sew on a machine just like this one. What? You didn't insist on wearing American Eagle, Mr. Paul? Certainly not.

Fast forward to my sewing machine, an inexpensive Brother model from Wal-Mart, and you have to wonder, where'd the charm go?

 

No, this machine hasn't fashioned dresses out of feed sacks (if I could find some, it sure would make pillows though), or made  anything our girls will walk down the aisle in someday, or even made elaborate draperies, but it serves our needs just the same. For from it, countless costumes have come to life, sentimental things rescued, and one day soon, it will guide our little girls' hands, as they begin to sew themselves. Now, if this faithful machine would just quit breaking my thread every time I start to sew, I could check more projects off my sewing to-do list. Are you hearing me, you thread breaker you?

Anyway, on with our tour. I couldn't help capturing this junk collage as it hung here together. 

 Juliana found a wrench fit for a giant.

 

 Mr. Paul cleared a path to the piano so that Kathryn and Emma could play a tune.

We found a clawfoot tub that will one day, actually offer a welcomed bath.

 Its claw feet.

Look at this vintage radio that we found plugged in. I bet it still works.

 Cute, retro chair.

 

I was glad that my girls got to see this. The very tractor on which Mr. Paul learned to plow. Notice the crank on the very front. Farm equipment has come a long way since this simple, sturdy tractor's prime.

  

My very own souvenirs from Mr. Paul. Three weathered, water skis. They'll be coming to a wall near me, very soon :)

 

Thank you, Mr. Paul for taking time to share your treasures with us. You helped three, little girls get a glimpse of how things used to be. Until next time...

Come back and visit Cottage Appeal. I'm working now on a few "before and afters" that I can't wait to share. And making you aware of my progress, will further prompt me to GET THEM DONE. I think I'm going to like this virtual friendship accountability thing we have going :)

Upcoming post, "Nearly Free Finds"