Seashore Frames

Way, way back summerwise time, I had an idea. A trip to a flea market, a walk on the beach....a home made craft. It was worth the try and it has been an ongoing project!

 

 So these two images are the start.....broken wind fences, old canning labels that came from my trip to Brimfield.

The basic plastic miter box was my friend as I cut the frame pieces. It was something I had used before,  so no learning process here!

But, trying to figure out how to put a piece of glass in place was a different story! I decided to make a frame back from small pieces of trim cut as you can see here.

So I glued the back framework and went to the "framer" to get glass cut.

They were not very nice. 

 My frames were called rudimentary and other things. Sorry, I was trying to do something fun. They did cut the glass and I had a matte cut coordinating to each color scheme....more than I wanted to pay, especially when they totally "dissed" my hand made frames.

But I love these frames and the old canning labels!!!! The project is half done...two more frames to make to complete the group. Do I go back to the old framer???? Maybe, as long as they do not put their noses up at my homemade frames. Not sure what to do.

Brimfield Bounty

This weekend, we attended a special wedding in Worcester, Massachusets. Congrats again to Kate & Tim! Luckily, it was the same weekend that the world famous Brimfield Antique and Flea Market was happening! We were only 1/2 hour away so the next day I was set on experiencing this event and had a definite mission. To find small, old, oriental throw rugs to match one we have in place already. With dark stained floors, these look awesome. The one below is our old faithful.

The rug has been in my family for years, threadbare, without fringe and just old...as you can see! But we love it and wanted more.....

 I found so many dealers, so many rugs! Trying to keep in the same color family was important, the aged. no fringe look and the price. Hmmm, not a good bargainer. I will have to work on that. Three rugs, love them all and have found homes for them in strategic high traffic areas. Mission Accomplished.

BUT, there is more!

Remember my love of tomatoes? Well, even if you don't, I do, I did. One of the first vendors we stopped at in this inaugural visit to Brimfield was a paper, old advertising specialist. I could have spent hours browsing the inventory. I am a graphic designer by nature. Letters, logos, page design and colors have always excited me! Even the banal...someone has to design it...they may as well have fun. And so they did. I found old tomato can labels from the 1920's-1930's. 

First, my name Carroll, then the name Bessie!  My name, different spelling. Bessie was my grandmother's name! The Defender had a lovely sailboat and Boris????, well that one fit the color and size scheme so it made my purchase complete.

Hopefully, these will be matted and somehow framed before Christmas. I have a few thoughts, a project in mind. Summer Wrap Up Posting might shed light on my progress!!!!