School days, school days – dear ‘ol golden rule days.  Reading and writing and arithmetic, taught to the tune of a hickory stick.  You were my queen in calico; I was your bashful barefoot beau.  You wrote on my slate, “I love you so” when we were a couple of kids.

My mother used to sing the song penned above to me every year as we were starting back to school.  She made the anticipation joyful with a special shopping trip to buy the needed supplies.

In celebration of those teachers who are preparing their classrooms for their children, and for the homeschooling moms who are desperate to find something new to grab their students’ attention, I decided to usher in my own vintage memories of school days gone by to my booth this month.

Crayons were (and still are!) a favorite of mine.  This sign is a reminder to me that we don’t have to “color in the lines” to be an artist, or to appreciate the happiness we find in design.

Chalk boards are coming back and while I never liked the sound of the chalk against the board, I am finding great satisfaction in displaying a Bible verse to ponder on the one in our own home.

The one pictured here is made from a vintage frame found in my grandmother’s attic. She being quite the artist, it was fun to find an assortment of frames in her attic that I have now crafted into various chalkboards.  In my booth space this month are 3 that boast various frames and sizes – perfect not only for the classroom, but for the restaurant owner to display today’s special, the mom who needs an organizing board, or the business man who likes to scratch out his thoughts before his board meeting.

I searched high and low to find the perfect vintage school desk that reminded me of my youth. This one comes complete with gum stuck to the inside of it, and I love Billy etched in and scratched out again on the inside wood….which, by the way, made this the most exciting addition to my booth this month!

You will find perched upon the desktop a metal box filled with crayons and a toy giraffe for inspiration in art class!  The Abacus rests below the chair, awaiting those days of math and higher learning.  Take a spin on the globe when geography lessons begin, and use the vintage flower frog to rest the colored crayons you were using until you can return to your artwork.

And speaking of art work, why not use this distressed window to display those pictures your child brings home?  Or take those black and white photos you have hidden in a box or stored on your computer files and display them here.  The ideas for this vintage window are endless….and can be changed as your child grows!

Straight from the days of my childhood come these vintage suitcases (which my grandmother used to take along on our trips to the heated swimming pool in Chattanooga, TN).  Of course they were not painted when she carried them, but to me they represented all the fun of dressing up because I knew that is just what we would do on our trips!  My grandmother, known to me as Nanny, was a hairdresser by trade so it was not unusual for her to do some pretty remarkable things with my bed-head in the mornings.  In keeping with her style, the smaller cosmetic case comes adorned with hair ribbons and clips that any young lady would enjoy using.

The larger case is the perfect holding spot for those rainy day dress up outfits.  To get you started on your collection, I have included in the booth a poodle skirt and blouse or an “I Love Lucy” housewife dress to choose from.  And did I say these items are all unbelievably priced?!?  You may want to overlook the dresses completely and go straight to the dress form in the corner.  It’s a beautiful metal-cast form that would be great to put in any room even undressed!

Grab an umbrella on your way out the door!  These vintage finds are actually more like parasols… open them up and you will find the most exquisite designs on the inside!  Use the milk can to hold them, or instead cradle a potted geranium in its mouth!  The can will hold all the water released from the plant until you are ready to dump it out and use the can in some other fashion. For those young men in your life, the milk can is the perfect resting place for bats, skis, hiking poles or fishing rods!

The distressed side table makes the perfect addition to a bedroom or den and could easily hold clothes, sewing supplies or everything necessary for scrap-booking beginners.

These bottles are beautiful lit or unlit….why not use them as a night light in your baby’s room, or a guest bath, or on the kitchen counter for that late night snack attack?

And the wooden sign sums up my thoughts for today’s blog…The greatest gift you can give someone is the gift of inspiration.

May you leave this site inspired to go and enjoy the journey of helping to create memories for those loved ones in your own life.

~ Connie ~