Blog Parties

Monday, June 28, 2010

My Thrifty Red, White & Blue hutch




No, I did not paint my hutch red, white and blue. It is still black.

What I mean by red, white and blue is that I finally have my 4th of July decorating done. Well almost done. I still need to finish up my banner for my fireplace. But other than that I'm done.


I just love decorating for the 4th of July. But then what holiday don't I enjoy decorating for? I'm all about flags and stars this year.

My decorating tends to be pretty thrifty. I have to be. I'm poor. Don't you just love when in magazines or on TV they tell you something is a bargain or thrifty & it is like $100? Since when is $100 a bargain? I guess if it normally costs $1000, then $100 would be a bargain. But in my book, thrifty is less than $20.00 or 1/2 off, but usually less than $10.00. Maybe I'm just cheap.
Most everything on my hutch came from a thrift store. If not a thrift store, I still got it somewhere thrifty or at a thrifty price. So this hutch is definitely a thrifty hutch.

Normally I would display my blue and white and red and white transferware plates and pitchers for 4th of July. But this year I was too lazy to change out the plates. So I decided to stick with the white ironstone plates that were already on display. And just add some red, white and blue accessories.

Can't remember what last years hutch looked like? Here is a little reminder.

My 4th of July hutch 2009

Now back to my current 4th of July hutch. Want a better look? What better place to start than with the top.

In this cloche I added 3 vintage bottles that I got off of eBay a few years back. I got 10 vintage bottles for $10.00. I added a couple of small flags. And placed a wood star from last years Target dollar spot in front.

On the top right I placed a metal star inside this wooden bird cage and placed another small flag. The bird cage came from Tai Pan Trading store back in April. If you missed my post about my latest trip to Tai Pan Trading this weekend, click here. The metal star is actually off a star garland that I got on clearance from Big Lots last summer for $2.00. The garland had 7 metal stars on it. I actually got 2 garlands, but I took one of them apart to use the stars separately.

The only "new" things for the hutch this year are the red & blue metal buckets from Target's dollar spot (this year) for $1.00 each. I placed battery operated tea light candles inside. And the Uncle Sam figurines came from Michael's on clearance for like $1.50 each.

One of my latest obsessions is collecting vintage flatware. I love to pick it up for 25 cents to 50 cents at the thrift store. I place them in a couple of my white pitchers. This white pitcher isn't old & didn't come from a thrift or antique store. It came from Ross, but I consider Ross a thrifty store. I think this was only $3.00.

I love this ironstone tureen. It is the only one I have. It came from Salvation Army. I passed it up the first time I saw it as I thought it was too much. But when I was leaving the store I realized that everything was 1/2 off that day. So I marched my butt right back into the store and bought it for $3.50.

The small salad size plates are ironstone & I found an almost complete set of dishes for 6 at the thrift store for $15.00. That was dinner plates, salad plates, tea cups and saucers. The only thing missing was 1 tea cup, and the bowls. But who needs bowls anyways? They are so over rated. Who am I kidding? I need to find the matching bowls. And someday I will, at a thrift store.

This pitcher also came from Ross for about $3.00. And it holds some more of my vintage flatware. I placed the spoon on the shelf as it is too short to see if I put it in the pitcher.

The glittered pencil starfish were a blog win last year. I love how the silver glitter has tarnished over the past few months. The white ironstone pitcher actually came from an antique store years and years ago. This was the pitcher that started my obsession with collecting white pitchers and creamers. It is still my favorite one. I got it at a great price as it has a chip on the rim. But I don't care about imperfections. I'm not perfect, so why should my treasures be perfect.

The larger dinner plates are ironstone & made by Johnson Brothers. I got them for $1.00-2.00 each. I've found them at a couple of different thrift stores. This white ironstone pitcher was a thrift store find. I paid $5.00 for it. It is my 2nd favorite pitcher.

The Uncle Sam guys actually were attached to a long stick. I pulled out or broke off the stick so they could stand on their own. They were so happy. No one likes a stick up their butt. lol.

I love how they are dressed differently and look vintage.

Did you notice all the patriotic fans I made? This is my first attempt at making fans. I am now hooked. I learned how from Martha. She even provides the colored templates. You too can learn how to make your own by clicking here.

We are now down to the bottom level. I just found the shell plate at the thrift store a couple of weeks ago for a buck.

I found the star in front last summer while on vacation in Arizona. Yes, I vacationed in Arizona, in the hottest part of summer. Call me crazy. Except for the fact that I didn't have to pay a dime for our condo (stayed with my parents in a time share) so someone else paid for the air conditioning. Who's crazy now? Now what were we talking about? Oh yea, the star. I found it on clearance at a grocery store of all places. It was like a couple of bucks. I'm all about stars too.

If you have followed my blog for long, you know I love cloches and apothecary jars.

In this cloche I placed the little "Patriotic" creamer I picked up at a thrift store a few weeks back. I placed one of my Uncle Sam figures inside & placed on a bed of curly strips of music. Pretend that the music is from the Star Spangled Banner.

I have a hard time deciding what to put under the cheese dome cloche as the glass usually distorts what is inside. So I placed a larger fan I made. It's raised up by some more curly strips of music. It was my first attempt at making the fans & when I was holding the ends together waiting for the glue to dry, I held a bit too tight & made a hole. I thought the glass in the cheese dome would hide it, but no, it's right there big as day for the whole world to see. Would you have even noticed if I hadn't brought it to your attention?

For this cloche I placed a vintage stencil of the number 4 on a flower frog. I placed some patriotic paper behind it so you could see the "4".

I really didn't have anything patriotic to put in my apothecary jars so I filled them with game pieces and my number balls. I placed one of the stars from my Big Lots garland on the middle jar. I should really paint it red, as most everything on the hutch is red red, not burgandy.

The Scrabble letters in this jar came from the thrift store. Do you know how long I have been searching for them? They had 2 games, but I only bought one. Now I am wishing I had bought both of them. This jar could use some more letters. Just shoot me now. Oh well, you live and learn.

I still love my number balls a year later. They were a thrifty find from Coldwater Creek outlet last year on clearance for 1/2 plus an additional 20% off.

I just got the Dominoes from a thrift store. Whenever we go on vacation with my parents, we always play Dominoes. So I wanted my own set. And I wanted black & white ones. I found a brand new set of Double 12 Dominoes (the Tournament ones) New in the box (NIB) for $6.00. They sell for $15.00 new on Amazon. So for less than 1/2 off, NIB Dominoes from the thrift store is indeed a thrifty find. I probably won't really play Dominoes at home. I really just wanted them to put in my apothecary jar. Same thing with the scrabble letters. I'm not really a game person. Just when on vacation, with the parents. Am I the only one who does this kind of stuff? I didn't think so.

On this cake plate I placed one of my daisy flower balls that I made. And in front I printed out a vintage 4th of July print from my computer and placed it on a flower frog. I really should have added some glitter to make it more snazzy, but I was too lazy.

Well I hope you enjoyed the latest metamorphosis of my china hutch.

Be sure to check back later tonight or sometime tomorrow. I have more patriotic decor to post about. Not sure when I'll get it posted. You know how I tend to procrastinate and besides, the Bachelorette is on tonight and we can't forget the Housewives of New Jersey. There is suppose to be some fireworks on both shows. I can't wait. Who doesn't love fireworks????



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22 comments:

  1. Love your hutch, it looks great and very festive! The Uncle Sams are too cute, and don't ya just love Martha!
    I'm having a patriotic give-away, winner picked on the 4th of July, stop over if you'd like.

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  2. I love the hutch! I really like how you have taken plain white plates and made it 4thof July with other accents. Very cool. It doesn't take a lot of money just great imagination!

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  3. Wonderful 4th of July displays. I am really liking the MS patriotic fans on all the plates...fun idea. Everything is adorable!

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  4. Absolutely wonderful! I love all your thrifty finds and the wonderful way you've mixed in the red, white, and blue. You've done a fantastic job, but then you always do! Thanks for telling us about the Martha fans. I want to give these a try. Love the stencil with the paper behind it too. You have a wonderful sense of design, Kim. Thanks for sharing.
    Happy 4th of July! ~ Sarah

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  5. kim, you sure know how to put on a great 4th display.. Love your Uncle Sam..

    Sonny

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  6. That is beautiful! I think my favorite part is the Uncle Sam peaking out the cup! haha But it is a fabulous display!

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  7. I love it when you show your hutch! it always looks great whatever the occasion!

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  8. Your hutch looks great! I have 3 different kinds of dominoes in an apothocary jar purely for looks! I have been on the hunt for scramble tiles....the only ones I found so far were burgundy not wood so I passed them up! Love those Martha flags-I printed them off the other day too! Hey I wouldn't say you were lazy-at least you decorated! Me-not so much!

    Jody

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  9. I love your hutch, and you always do such wonderful vignettes with it. You really do have the perfect knack of displaying dishes and other things that just make it so pretty and interesting. Of course I am drooling all over your cloches. So pretty. Thanks so much for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty

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  10. I <3 your apothecary jars! This is so bright and festive. The transferware is beautiful, too.

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  11. You did a super job on decorating your hutch. It looks very festive. Those fans are too cute, and love your Uncle Sams.

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  12. Your hutch vignette is just gorgeous! I adore the rosettes.

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  13. You are so talented and clever! I always learn something when I come to your blog! And I always have a big laugh, love your sense of humor!

    Love the way you added the Martha fans on the plates! So different!! I also like the stencil 4, really unique as well. I need to go back and look again to list all the neat things, I'll do that later when you post more stuff! Can't wait!

    I always enjoy seeing what you've done, and what you say! I'm still laughing about Uncle Sam's stick being removed! LOL!

    Katherine

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  14. That is a great patriotic 4th of July display you have.

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  15. How dramatic a presentation against the black background. Just lovely ...

    Have a lovely 4th!
    TTFN ~ Marydon

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  16. Kim, you are soooo smart - so many fantastic ideas on this hutch. I love it all. Thanks for all of the inspiration you provide. laurie

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  17. I ♥♥♥ your patriotic hutch, Kim!

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  18. I had to laugh at the "Ross as a thriftstore" comment! It is isn't it!

    Your hutch looks wonderful! I really like the addition of the patriotic fans on the plates!

    Manuela

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  19. Wonderful !
    Happy 4th to you & yours
    hugs from Savannah, Cherry

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  20. Hi! I just discovered your blog and I am in LOVE! You have a great comfortable sense of decorating...I love it! I love the thrifty-ness too! Have a happy Independence Day!

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  21. Hi Kim! I just saw your blog and I am IN LOVE!!! You truly have an eye for decorating!! I love your hutch! I love everything about last year's set up and this years!!!
    I seriously have been on the hunt for a Scrabble game for months, and just found one the other day, came home, did EXACTLY what you did with your pieces- and discovered the SAME EXACT thing, that I needed MORE pieces!!
    I love your "About Me"!
    I am a newwww follower for sure!!!

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