Back in the Saddle & Ready to Redecorate My Porch with some New (Old) Junk Finds!

After completing another successful AAJMS show, I have had a full week to recoop and it's time to get back to work, dontcha think?  I feel like I've been out of commission for awhile...and well, maybe I have.  But I'm ready to rock-n-roll (okay, maybe that was on Dancing with the Stars this week).  But I had enough energy to get my porch changed over from dead summer flowers (really dead), to fall decor.  It was about time!  I think my neighbors were probably wondering if dead geraniums were the new in thing!  Nope...just not enough time in a day.

But I have to admit, I had some time to go shopping.  Well isn't there always time for shopping!  A couple occasionals sales, and a seasonal sale helped me score a couple amazing finds.  That helped me when it came to redesigning  my porch.  Fresh finds, fresh vision.  So here ya go.  New and improved, my front porch!

These uber-cool metal steps are one of my most recent junk purchases. It's one of those pieces that had been owned by several local dealers. It's the history of the travelling junk! And you know what they say about three junk dealers on a dessert island with one chair?  They'll never go out of business!  LOL. But I think these steps, they've found a permanent home.

 

This black cat is a great addition to the steps fall vignette. Though it has a broken tail, it doesn't matter to me. With a household of two manx (tail-less) cats, I think it's a perfect fit! 

I have a plethura (I like that word) of these farm spacers, so decided to add one to the mix. Don't tell anyone, but I chose to mix some faux wheat with some leaves from my yard. My bad!  But it worked on a pinch.

 And on a dreary rainy day, these little rain boots fit right in.

 More pumpkins and some kale help make my Paris park bench more autumnal.

 

 I love kale, and this one was a double header...georgeous! 

I added mums to a vase and inserted it into a vintage army bag on my front door. Don't know how long they'll last, but I can always change it up with some fall leaves. And I love the beautiful rust color of these mums.

 Here's a little vignette by my front door with some of my favorite junk pieces.

Another recent purchase, this metal ring made from vintage ductwork, looks great with some exotic pumpkins.

 

 Here's a closer look.  The patina is perfect!

Here's a unique planter.  It's from a local phone company used by the linemen to hold their tools when repairing phone lines. Though it may have some stains, it doesn't matter to me. I love using it to display a head of kale.

I purchased this bucket at the Country Junk Sale in Monticello.  The patina on this piece is maqnifique! 

More exotic pumpkins, but to add interest, I've added a farm disc spacer and rusty grate.

A canvas water bucket is another great container for some mums. Love! The rake next to it was welded to an old gear for a stand and the vintage light rosette on top of an architectural bulls-eye holds a small pumpkin perfectly.

 

 Here's some closer looks.

 

I purchased this twig wreath a few years back, but it needed a little embellishment so I added the berries and again some faux wheat.  The black cat was made by a friend of mine.  Ain't he cool!

Some more of my junk finds help ring in the fall! The chicken feeder has been embellished with a favorite saying, while the pumpkin is showcased in my rusty birdcage. The rack holds some house numbers purchased years ago at a JUNKMARKET sale.

I have been working on pictures from the AAJMS sale and am in the middle of editing them.  Too much to do, too little time.  But stay tuned.....

 

To see more of my JUNKMARKET projects, click on the link on the side of my blog. 

A Simple Grate for some Great Vintage Photos

I purchased this piece at a local sale, not knowing what it originally was or what it was used for, but knowing it was a great piece.  And I knew exactly how I wanted to use it...to display some vintage family photos. I loved the elements of it, and the price was definitely right.  A mere $9!  Couldn't beat that!

It was constructed of four sections held together by thick metal o-rings.  I can't take credit for putting it together, but whoever constructed it, must have known it would be used for such a purpose. 

And I love vintage family pictures and the stories they tell.  I've used them in other projects and they'd be perfect to display on this piece.

These office clips will work perfect to hold the photos. 

It all fits together perfectly.

And I can now display a picture of my Dad as a young boy.  Isn't he cute!

And if you don't want to use it for pictures, how about keeping important cards handy by the phone.

Now you don't have an excuse for remembering important dates or phone numbers, now do you.

And here's another little unabashed self-promotion and plug for the next Art + Architecture, JUNKMARKET Style event coming October 13-17.  Check out the details at http://www.aajms.com/.  We'd love to have you come!

To see more of my JUNKMARKET projects, click on the link on the side of my blog.