Decorating for Easter with thrifted stuff

[Thrift Shop Romantic]

I was just wondering whether any of you decorate for Easter or use thrifted stuff at Easter?

Over the last year I've been picking up 50s kitschy lamb planters in various styles and putting them away for Easter. After a year, I've got quite a flock going on, it's pretty funny actually. (I've bought so many of them from one particular thrift store, the woman there who runs the register actually whispered amusedly to one of her coworkers, "She's the one with the sheep.")

I'm going to have to pop by there and show her pictures, I think, of how all the cheap sheep have turned out.

Anyone else buy Easter baskets, eggs, or other goodies?

[foutchie]

I did see your blog and love love love your lambs!   Made me start looking for them!   I do minor decorating, mostly because the "new" easter stuff I see doesn't appeal to me - however, vintage easter would be perfect!

[Thrift Shop Romantic]

It's absolutely true there's a lot of stuff that looks "new" for Easter-- not as many vintage-look options.

I believe the planters were probably intended more for kids' nurseries than for Easter, but we all know how thrifting sort of makes you look differently at things and how you can use them.

[dukek9]

Last year, at the after Easter clearance, I think at Wal-Mart, I got some lovely rabbit dish towels, potholders, etc. that weren't "Easter Bunny" looking at all.  Just simple little rabbits--black patterns on white.

Thought they were nice and it would be fun to have a bunny themed kitchen. Still working on it, but it is fun to go to the thrifts and look for things that will work.  I've gotten rabbit planters that I use for holding utensils and cleaning brushes, canisters, knickknacks and so on. Oh, and some plastic buckets which work nicely for holding stuff.

It's just fun and if I tire of it, or want something new, I have spent little so don't have to feel I am stuck with anything.

Dee

[goodaim]

Loved your collection of lamb planters! I'm wondering if their original use was for new baby gifts (ie potted with a little something and thus given to the new parents)? They sure are sweet!

I do decorate for Easter - for one thing, I have a small feather tree (reproduction, not vintage, alas) in my dining room that I change with the seasons, so it's in Easter mode as of today. I also have the usual assortment of egg- and bunny-shaped things, like candles, salt and pepper shakers, etc.

Was at my favorite thrift store last week and although they had two tables of Easter decorations, none was vintage. However, I did buy a bagful of egg-shaped ornaments decorated in various Easter and springtime themes (the latter good for the feather tree's spring look after Easter is over). The items were mostly Easter baskets, bunny figurines and stuffed toys.

goodaim

[ChrisMiss]

I've never decorated for Easter myself but I do appreciate all the talent that goes into the decorating by others.  I saw your sheepish blog and enjoyed reading it.  You are such a talented lady.  You have an eye for the unusual and make it work.  You also write incredibly well. 

P.S. I'm glad to finally be back on the forum.  I couldn't get on for several weeks.  Every time I'd click the forum from the home page I'd only get one piece of it and no way to go anywhere else.  I don't know why because it seems everyone else got on and have been contributing to the forum.  I'm glad that whatever the problem was is gone and I can now get on and read.  I suffered withdrawal terribly.  I wonder if I could sue anyone for the damage to my psyche?

[Thrift Shop Romantic]

Goodaim, yup, I do indeed think they were baby shower type presents. It seems planters in general were BIG in the 50s, I've seen them for various occasions and a ton of holidays. I love the idea of your feather tree! I hope we'll get to see photos. It's a nice idea.

Dee, your rabbit kitchen theme sounds really clever-- and when you don't feel you have to have it all together instantly, it really does allow you to thrift better stuff that will really work.

Chris-- WONDERFUL to have you back! I had thought maybe you were just on the road doing some good traveling (at least I'd HOPED that was what it was.) Hope all is well? (...Other than the damage to your psyche, as you say, for the forum disconnect.)

[ChrisMiss]

Yes all is well with us, just suffered from not being able to read the forum.  Weird how I couldn't get anywhere.  We have managed to get some traveling in.  We're currently in New Mexico.

My friend, also an RV traveler, loves pink flamingos.  This year she received a pink feather tree for a Christmas present.  It was such a hoot, matches her flamingos.  She set it up on her picnic table with lights.  If I find any small flamingo ornaments I'll have to get them for her. 

[dukek9]

Well this is wierd because I suffered from the same problem that ChrisMiss did--being unable to read the forum. Yes, I think we should sue for emotional damages!

Interesting about the planters being popular in the 50's.  I hadn't realized that but I have come across some darling ones during my thrift travels.  I have only gotten the ones I can't resist because frankly most aren't very practical as planters. Just because my plants need to be more self-sufficient because they sure aren't getting watered every day!

Dee

[Thrift Shop Romantic]

Chris, the pink flamingo idea is wonderfully kitschy-- would be great to see what you come with with to add to it.

Duke, I agree, for actual live plants I think they'd be lousy planters, quite small and would require a plant that likes cramped quarters. I mostly tend to grab holiday ones, just because there are a few holidays I don't really have much decor for. Like Thanksgiving. I found a cute little Indian Maiden one where a drum is where the plant goes. That's slated for Thanksgiving.

[foutchie]

Violets might work - they like tight quarters if you want them to flower!  Or cacti

[foutchie]

BTW, I use a Scotty dog one to hold my sunglasses on the buffet by the door.......they stick up, easy to grab

[Thrift Shop Romantic]

That's a fun idea!

[Other People s Junk]

That is a great idea to use old lamb planters as Easter decor!  Very nifty!

[dukek9]

Ooh, I love the idea of using a planter to hold sunglasses or eyeglasses!

By the way, does anyone know what is up with Scottie dogs?  I see a lot of them in figurines, salt and pepper shakers, planters and so on.  the more recent stuff seems to be heavily "one Hundred and One Dalmations" but older stuff seems to have loads of Scotties.

Dee