Friday, August 8, 2008

Vintage Charm



I took this image because I loved the fact that this fire alarm was still hanging on a pole in the middle of the town square in New England. It looked to be in proper working order from what I could tell but it looked ions old, so it drew me in. I love things with character. A bunch of things just ran through my head, like that's why I like my husbands face, etc. lol I digress. Anyway...

When visiting antique shops, I am most drawn to the ones that have a bunch of stuff scattered out the door and not all pristine. I like to find the treasures and the hunt is that much better when you feel like you found something that someone else may not have seen because they did not take the time to move a few things out of the way or off of the gem. :) I also like to clean it up myslef so I can be proud of it. lol. I know, but it makes me feel good when I can take a ratty old piece of furniture and turn it into a showstopper. Showstopper...show show stopper... Okay, that is part of the lyrics from some song I have heard with my teen in the car. Distractions, distractions. It's funny how a word or smell can make you think of a memory, song, someone special, etc. Geez, focus...I am all over the place in this post. Anyway, it feels very rewarding to make something of nothing, Not something of nothing, I mean something special out of something not so special. Yes, it's Friday evening and I think I need a glass of wine or something. Cheers! Tammy

74 comments:

  1. Dear Tammy, I have never seen such fire alarm here. How does it works? Will there be a sound to alarm others? I am sure its not connected to the internet and connected online to the fire station hahaa..tks for sharing. I am beginning to appreciate vintage-y things via blogs nowadays..previously, the only thing vintage I know is my husband lol.. happy weekend :D

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  2. Oh, Tammy. That picture just oozes ambience. What a beauty! It makes me want to walk outside, wearing a corset, and toting a black umbrella. So lovely! Thanks for sharing.

    And...HAPPIEST SITS day!

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  3. Happy SITS day Tammy, love that pic and all things vintage!! Have a glass for me too!

    StampinMom :-)

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  4. I love that picture, thanks for sharing! Have a great SITS day!

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  5. Cheers to you too. And happy SITS day. I will visit again.

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  6. I am with you there! My new best friend's name is Craig...., and this dude has a list, and I Love Craig's list...!! I have been re-doing my house for over a year, and it is SOO rewarding!!!

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  7. What a great photo! I love stuff like that. :)

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  8. Interesting find. Visting from SITS.

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  9. This is pretty much how my mind always works - it just jumps from one thought to another - so glad to know I'm not the only one.

    I love the fire alarm picture.

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  10. What a cool find. I think we would have tons of fun if we went antiquing or yard sale-ing together. I love the hunt and being able to find something wonderful hidden in a bunch of junk. And when you talk about smells and sights bringing back memories, you couldn't be more on track. Every now and then I buy myself a bottle of Mennon Skin Bracer because when I use it, it makes me think of my Grandfather. That's all he ever used. Almost every year of my youth I would buy him a bottle of it for his birthday or Christmas. He would make a big fuss over it and I would always be happy about it. When I wear it, it's almost like he's still here.

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  11. I love finding a diamond in the rough!

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  12. That fire alarm is an antique itself! Really enjoyed reading your blog.

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  13. Those are the best kinds of antique shops. It's like atreasure hunt!

    Happy SITSday!

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  14. What a great find! I hope you enjoy your SITS day!

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  15. How cool to find that old fire alarm in town.

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  16. I wish I lived somewhere with more history around me. Love the photo!

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  17. Hee, I'm from MA...we have those all over the place! They are cute, aren't they?

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  18. I always admire people who can take an old ratty thing and remake it into something beautiful. I wish I were one of those people. :-)

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  19. I LOVE that picture of the firealarm. My husband used to be a firefighter and I know he could appreciate the vintage charm in that picture. We love Saturday morning hunts at estate sales or vintage shops. Its always the biggest surprise when you find something old and wonderful that you can just imagaine in a certain spot in your house. Loved this post.

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  20. Happy SITS day! I, too, think I've seen these around... But I'm from NH, so I guess that makes sense :)

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  21. What a cool photo! I love looking at old things and just imagining the people that used them back in the day. Like finding a good antique dining table and thinking about all the meals that were served there...and the discussions that took place over the table. Does that make sense? Thanks for sharing and hope you enjoyed that glass of wine! ;o)

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  22. Love that fire alarm! I love going to flea markets and looking for gorgeous plates but I don't get to go that often--I think I need to change that this summer!

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  23. I have a new obsession for "vintage"...i've realized that we're moving so far away from the past now...and i don't want to be that far from all those beautiful yet simple things.

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  24. What a fun rambly post. I like stuff with character, too. I don't know how to take old and make it new or mundane and make it special. That's talent!

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  25. Love that photo! I have been to an antique/junk shop in ages. The ones I've been to seem to be over priced. sigh. Maybe some day I'll find a treasure I can't live without!
    Happy SITS day!

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  26. Now, see I'm drawn to stuff like that too, but it would have taken all my strength not to see if it worked or not. I woulda opened it up and tried it out!

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  27. This is exactly the reason I started photography. It has allowed me to find beauty in everything...If you don't have a macro lens, you should get one. I think you would really like it!

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  28. I totally get what you were saying. And I love the photograph.

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  29. I love to go to antique stores, and I also love to browse around thrift stores for great finds.

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  30. My Hubby and I love antique shops. When we were on vacation a few summers back in Traverse City, MI, there was this shop that had at least four stories. We fell in love with it. We went there three more times before then end of the vacaton.

    Memories:)

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  31. LOVE the fire alarm. Happy SITS day, enjoy the spotlight!

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  32. Such a great picture. I like the observation of the daily, little things in life too. Also, I love the sidebar picture of your Maltese. My daughter has one, Paddington, and they are great dogs; so loving and fun.

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  33. I love when smells trigger memories. I grew up very close to Six Flags Over Georgia and spent MANY MANY days there every summer. Certain spring smells trigger the memorie of walking through the ivy covered tunnels on the way to another ride. So fun!

    Happy SITS day!

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  34. I too am of the "If it's a hunt...I'm in" school of thought.

    Lovely blog.

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  35. Happy SITS day!

    PS: Your husband is SO cute. Do you just love those dimples? Your little doggy is so cute too.

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  36. They used to have those fire alarm boxes downtown when I was a very little girl. I always wanted to open it up hoping there was a phone inside.

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  37. So neat! I love antiques...have a great day Tammy!

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  38. Happy SITS day!

    May I just say that the images of your handmade works of art are GORGEOUS and as soon as I am done typing this I am heading over to what I presume is your Etsy store to check them out further.

    BlogBaby

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  39. I love all things vintage. It seems sad when I by pass something simply for the fact that it is new, and I would rather have something at least 50 years old. Beautiful picture.

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  40. That's how our brains work though, isnt it. It's why we get so many things done in a day.

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  41. My almost 14 year old daughter has an eye for taking photos like this, too.

    Happy SITS day :)

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  42. Happy SITS Day!

    Great shot of the fire alarm!

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  43. Ohhh, I love the character to that piece as well!! Great find!! Too bad you couldn't take that one home!

    :)
    ~Tabitha~

    freshmommyblog.com

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  44. Those are usually the more affordable antique stores as well! Lovely photo. Happy FB day.

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  45. Love the picture of the fire alarm, funny how a fire alarm can look beautiful. :) Oh and the distraction thing...I'm the worst smells and songs always for me. Well and anything glittery...or a person walking by...

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  46. Love it. You really have an eye for these things. I am glad you are nurturing it and sharing. Thanks.

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  47. A beautiful picture. You are an amazing photographer.

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  48. Very cool vintage find! Happy SITS day

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  49. At our house we seem to be a lot better at taking something new and messing it up. Or taking it apart to see how it works. Kudos to you for being on the opposite end of the spectrum!

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  50. That is a very cool picture. What a faboo photog you are! And yes, character over sterile, every time!

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  51. I have seen these fire alarms around in my part of N.E.
    I always wonder if they still work.

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  52. VERY cool fire alarm. I can honestly say, I've never seen anything like it.

    - a SITSta

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  53. Happy SITS day! I love the fire alarm picture, too.

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  54. I'm definately with you on the pleasures of a junk antique store versus a fancy antique store. It feels more like a treasure hunt rather than a catalogue shop. I prefer things that are a little beaten up anyway. They have more character than things that are highly polished...and cheaper too.

    I too prefer men with character in their faces rather than your typical good lookers like Tom Cruise. I think I would get bored looking at his face all the time...it wouldn't change.

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  55. wonderful and charming photo. Good for you for noticing it. I love those antique stores with stuff spilling out too. It's just so intriguing.

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  56. I love vintage things, too. I love the stories those things have to tell.

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  57. I completely understand the thrill of the "find". Sometimes I spot "that" item that was shoved to the corner and overlooked and have to stop myself from running across the room squealing with excitement! (that usually causes strange glances!) But I see it for what it CAN be, not what it IS! (HEY! thats how God sees us!!)

    Tracey

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  58. I love the scattered-about antique places, too - the shiny ones are just too... well, shiny! That is one cool fire alarm. New England always looks so pretty in pictures.

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  59. Don't you just love quaint little towns?

    I miss mine..sometimes

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  60. You have such a wonderful perspective! I love it!

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  61. I love your pictures! You are very talented.

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  62. I like the way your mind wonders. I love it when I smell or see something that reminds of someone or something special.

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  63. I love this picture. I also love antiques, history and everything vintage:) Congrats on being saucy this week!

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  64. I loved the picture. The color red is so nice. I also like that you write in Red. Have a great Friday.

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  65. Given what you describe, I'm almost surprised you didn't try to pry it off the pole! ;) I'm with you on the fun of the hunt. Of course my problem is that I don't know how to fix things, so they need to be visibly good when I first find them. That just leaves more for you though, right?

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