Both of us woke up way too early this morning, but what can you do? I’m right on the edge of becoming testy, so I’m going to work overtime not to be so. I finished Susan Hill’s latest and now have to make the decision as to what to read next. A quality problem.
Other than that, this is what I’ve been doing – Yesterday, I decided that I would go to the local antique shop that I had planned to visit earlier in the week, but cancelled when I realized I needed to buy outdoor lights at Target. This little multi-dealer shop is very charming. My favorite dealer (the one who sold me the egg cup cubby cabinet) has a booth there. She has booths at three different antique shops, by the way, two of which I’ve been to very recently.
I’ve been wanting to find more putz sheep to add to my mantel shelf over my desk, and though I see them rarely, when I do see them it’s usually around Christmas or Easter. My search had been fruitless so far, but I had a feeling that if anyone carried some putz sheep, it would be this dealer.
As I was drinking coffee and scrolling through IG, I saw that she had two new posts up, both of which concerned her booth at the shop I wanted to visit.
One of them had photos of putz sheep.
Serendipity. And also interesting that she just added the sheep on Friday, so I wouldn’t have seen them had I gone earlier in the week. I scooted on over there and grabbed them. They’re in great condition.
I initially picked two of them and left one behind, but in true Claudia fashion, I felt badly for the one I didn’t pick, so I went back to the booth to retrieve it. I worried it would be lonesome. They’re old, they’re German and I love them.
This one has a bell. It also has a little bow on its tush, which I’ve never seen before.
I added them to my shelf upstairs in the office.
Smile. I love my little sheep. And my Lamb Chops. And a felted sheep that I have in my bedroom. And another fat sheep in the office. So does my sister, who also collects sheep.
If I had limited the damage to the three putz sheep, I would have been fine. But a stroll through the shop revealed other impossible-to-resist treasures.
This striking egg cup, which is actually more of the ecru color of aged ironstone, with a lot of crazing that you can’t see in this photo. I really love it.
This little vintage putz house.
Isn’t it charming? How could I resist?
And this Roseville baby’s plate, something I’ve wanted for a long time. It was so reasonably priced that I had to buy it.
It’s very heavy.
It now lives upstairs in the cabinet that holds some of my Roseville.
After that little treasure hunt, I came home, took photos of everything because I’m a blogger, and then started in on the decorating of mini Christmas trees, which turned out to be frustrating for a while until I figured out how to do it. Glitter now covers every surface upstairs. I’ve vacuumed twice. I know I will be finding it everywhere for a long time. I had to launder my clothes, which were covered with glitter.
This is why I normally avoid glitter like the plague.
But here is the mid-century modern tree, in progress.
I cut off a lot of the branches at the bottom, but I also want to cut the wire spine of the tree. I have wire cutters, but they’re made for much thinner wire, so I’ll probably make a trip to Lowes in the next couple of days. Meanwhile, I decided I needed to glue the ornaments on this tree because they kept falling off, causing me to curse out loud several times.
The ‘pine’ tree that I made is another story. I don’t want to glue anything on that tree.
I’ll figure it all out.
And finally,
I ran outside to get his picture of the house with outdoor Christmas lights.
Gosh, I love them.
Happy Sunday.
The lights are beautiful!
Thank you, Debbie!
your house with its lights is just gorgeous- i hope your neighbors enjoy that beautiful sight-
I had never heard of putz figures/decoratives before, so I did what any good internet user would do … I ‘googled’ and read and looked at many pictures of small fascinating items- it’s never too late to learn! your new sheep with the bow on its behind is absolutely adorable … wonder what the story behind that beribboned sheep-bottom is-
you had such a good collectible day- lots of fun additions-
as usual … take care-
barb
I’ll have to research the ribbon on the tush! I’ve never seen one before, but that doesn’t necessarily mean anything.
Thanks so much, Barb.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in your neck of the woods!
It is. No tree up yet and it won’t be until the end of the week at least. Thanks, Shanna!
great work on the lights and tree-trimming … beautiful!
and especially on the sheep-finding. they are very sweet. love their little faces and the bow on the bottom. :) i have a small collection of sheep … three right now, but i hope to add more soon.
enjoy the day. hope you sleep better tonight and good luck with the glitter!
kathy in iowa
The glitter is driving me crazy. Hopefully, I’ll be done with it by tomorrow and I’ll clean it up.
Wow! What a productive day you had yesterday. I love the new treasures & your house at night is perfectly lovely. Best-
Thank you, Martha! It was a busy and productive day. Today? I’m so tired that it’s not so productive!
I had a feeling you would have a good day antiquing. Cute sheep…especially the one with his bottom covered in a bow. Your cottage looks very festive! ;)
I love the outdoor lights and since they’re so easy to put up, it’s the first thing I do come Christmas season. Thanks Donnamae.
You had a perfect day! Vintage finds in a favorite shop, puttering, and christmas outdoor lights. Nesting at its’ best! Thanks for sharing.
Lani
Yes. And I love nesting, Lani! Thank you!
and I thought I was the only one that felt like this! ” I felt badly for the one I didn’t pick, so I went back to the booth to retrieve it. I worried it would be lonesome. ”
I love the wonderful pictures in this post. but then I always do love your pictures.
and Mockingbird Hill Cottage with its happy lights on for Christmas . . . just pure perfection!!! XO
You’re not the only one, Tammy!
Thank you so much!
Fine haul!
My husband get’s a tad worried when i enter one of these stores. Happy hunting
I suspect my husband does too! Thanks, Mary!
Your house looks so lovely and so welcoming!
I put my tree up last night ( finished at 2 am). Live in a condo now but still able to have lots of twinkling lights and Christmas cheer. Just have to work little harder to figure out how to make things work. Compromise, that is the answer! And some creativity and some problem solving.
Love your collections! I am learning a lot of things from you.
Lyn
I bet you’re loving your twinkling lights, Lyn! Enjoy!
I love your little purchases, Claudia! Especially the eggcup. The colors are so bold. I love sheep too, but I collect cats, figurines, that is. I’ve grown into a crazy cat lady, starting with one addition to our family. When she died, I adopted two. When they died, I adopted three. Hmmm…arithmetic progression? All are street rescues, except the first one, who was born to a farm cat who lived with my husband’s aunt and uncle. They didn’t know better and didn’t fix her until after her seventh litter. At least all the kittens were given to good homes. My husband had at least 21 maternal first cousins and it’s rumored that most of them had gotten one of Auntie’s kittens.
The silver tree is coming along! For the green tree, you can string the ornaments on fishing line or fine beading wire and wind the ornaments around the tree? Then you don’t have to glue them onto the tree and the fishing wire should remain more or less difficult to see.
You love cats and you rescue them. You’re a good person, Wendy!
These ornaments are not ‘stringable.’ Today was frustrating and I’m just about ready to glue them on the green tree. I moved it downstairs to the dollhouse and a then, as I tried to position it, several fell off. I think I’ll glue them on. After all, I only use it once a year!
A wwww, my mother had the child’s rabbit plate – could have been from her own childhood. Nice to see. Your egg cup reminds me of British artist Clarice Cliff’s work ! So bright. I got an old bottle brush tree last year, and it still needs work.
Your outdoor pic makes your home look so welcoming.
Connie
You’re right – it’s a lot like Cliff’s work. And I do love her designs!
Thanks so much, Connie.
When we were driving home from Madison last night, I wondered why we only put our festive lights outside in the dead of winter. Do we think that is when we most desperately need the cheer because it gets dark so early? Or is it one of those “because that is how we always do it” things? I’m thinking it might be fun to keep some white lights outside through the year. I suppose everyone would think “that old woman has always been a bit odd. She must be losing it”. Oh, well.
I absolutely love the Putz houses. And those sheep are mighty sweet! I would have done the very same thing and worried about that one lonely little sheep being left behind. I, too, couldn’t do that. Hope your Sunday is lovely and the glitter is tamed!
I’ve kept my lights up well after Christmas – into March. Maybe all year round is a good idea…
I felt like I was abandoning that little sheep. Just couldn’t do it. Thanks, Chris!
Your cottage could be a little vintage ornament! Thanks for sharing. I love your silver tree! My great auntie had one in the 60’s. It even had a light that shone upward on it that changed colours! As a child I remember thinking it wasn’t a proper Christmas tree, but I sure wish I had it now!
I remember those lights – some of them had 2 or 3 colors and they revolved. I remember them very well!
Wouldn’t it be neat if you had that tree?
Your little putz sheep and house just made my day. You really had a good day at the antique place. I am absolutely obsessed with little houses and by now have collected so many I’m running out of places to put them. Even so, this week I’m going to make my own with a 3-house set I bought at Michaels. Talk about glitter. After I finish painting, glittering and trimming them, I’ll be lucky if we aren’t still seeing it next 4th of July. You must have the patience of a saint to trim and glitter such a tiny little tree. Steady hands too – it’s beautiful.
It’s been so dark and gloomy – and rainy – for so long that I have to fight the urge to light the Christmas lights first thing in the morning and leave them on all day.
Oh, have fun making those houses! Yes, you will have glitter for months, but you’ll also have pretty little houses!
I didn’t glitter the tree – it came that way. But the glitter sheds everywhere!
Once our tree is up, Kay, we turn the lights on in the morning and leave them on until we go to bed.
I love when I find treasures at the Antique store and you hit the jackpot! I love that you had to get all three sheep and your reason makes perfect sense to me. That Putz house is so so sweet. Of course I love the egg cup. Lights on the cottage make me smile.
Happy you enjoyed your puttering. I have most of the Christmas decorating done but will help Mom get hers up this week. Then the Grands will do their tree this weekend and I usually get invited to ‘help’! I love it. I spent some time with them today and how I love those sweet children. I’ve had a very good day!
I’m so glad. They are adorable, Linda!
Just finished Louise Penney’s new one. She never disappoints!
You’re way ahead of me in the decorating department!
I expect nothing but the best from Louise Penny!
Enchanted~!
Thank you!
I love all of the treasures you found and the picture of your cottage lit up at night is beautiful!
Thank you, Nancy!
I’ve been enjoying your adventures since I found your blog recently. I love lambies–my nativity has a huge flock of sheep from many years of collecting–so I am with you on your putz purchases. I just need a sheepdog! Roseville freesia pattern is another love of mine although I’ve inherited a few others from family. My favorite grandfather collected eggcups( but not as nice as yours). And today my table is a bit glittery as I eviscerated a pseudo-ornament and created a diorama from the best parts which needed a healthy helping of “snow” to disguise the flaws. It’s always fun to find someone who feels like a friend I just haven’t met IRL!
We must be twins, Roxie! Thanks so much for commenting!
Hi Claudia, I love the little putz sheep, too. I couldn’t have separated the third sheep from his friends, either (I thought I was the only one who would do something like that!)
Love the lights on your cottage, too! So welcoming and cosy looking.
My tree is half decorated so far…it takes me hours to do but I love putting it together and I like to buy a few new decorations each year. It’ll stay up until 6th January (or until I get the enthusiasm to pack it all up!).
Beverley
I think the process of decorating should be fun, so if you take your time, it only prolongs the fun, right?
The ribbon on the sheep’s tail reminds me of the first rodeo I went to. I had no idea of the traditions. When they let a bunch of calfs (calves?) into the ring with ribbons on their tails I wondered until they then let loose a passel of kids who chased the dickens out of those baby cows in order to capture the ribbon and win a prize. Perhaps your sheep was in such a sheep fest! LOL. And your mid-century tree is a lovely!
I wouldn’t want anyone chasing my sheep, however! I do love that little bow!
Those sheep are adorable. I love that house you purchased. We have a lot of them,too. Your house looks so beautiful all lit up.
Marilyn
Thank you so much, Marilyn!