Thursday, November 1, 2007

Toasting Up a "Grate" Idea

What is this?
Answer: A $3. toasting grate.
...used for holding old pictures and postcards.
As my visitors will come to know, I have a "thing" for wire - old wire of course - baskets, cages, frames, lamps...list goes on.
I found the tiny clothespins at a fabric store and used them to clip on the postcards and pictures. The small picture is of my late Aunt Rebecca - who I was named after. The other "vintage" photo is of my Mother and I. It is one of my favorite photos of my Mother - and I love her outfit! (You can click on the pictures to enlarge them).

37 comments:

Anonymous said...

You always have great ideas, even when they don't involve a "grate"! Very cute idea!

xo,
Melissa

Rebecca said...

Hi there! I love this idea!! I love wire goodies too! I emailed you back, hope you got it.
Smiles~

Chris@Cats On My Quilts said...

Great idea. Going to have to try and find one of these.

Ele at abitofpinkheaven said...

That is a fantastic idea and the pictures you selected are perfect. Gotta giggle with the one of you and your mom. You obviously received some good genes as these ladies are over the top lovely.

Esther Sunday said...

I've got a wire cage dealy in my craft room where I have also pegged photos and stuff that is inspiring. Neato.

Love, Esther

Sondra said...

I love it. I just got two these for free. They were pretty rusty so I decided to paint them red and do exactly what you did. Although, I'm thinking of selling at least one of them. I may glue the clothespins on??? Great minds think alike, eh!!!

Natasha Burns said...

what a grate idea!!!

Scrappy Moments said...

That's a Grate Idea, I have one of those, How Creative, Love Your Vintage Pictures You used, so creative!

Angie

Rosemary said...

Great idea!! Love the pictures.
Clever girl.
Rosemary

bj said...

This is such a great idea. I like old wire, too but don't have any. I will start looking now.
I clicked on the pic to make it larger and LOVE that basket of puppies!! lol
bj

bj said...

oooo, i forgot...i do have two vintage locker room wire baskets with the old numbers on them....I love 'em.

Nunnie's Attic said...

Cute idea!! And I love the pictures. Why do we have to find vintage cards? Why can't they all look like that - now!

Love,
Julie

Simply Shelley said...

Hi Becky, what a neat ideal. Love it! Have you seen the springs from baby beds used in this way. They hang them on the wall and clip all kinds of neat things on them.As soon as I come across one, I am going to put it in our shop! I like the picture of you and your Mom. Very sweet !

Blessings,Shelley

Mary said...

Oh, Becky, what a wonderful idea! I love old wire, too, and you are inspiring me to search the cellar, garage and barn to see what I can find! I love the sweet pics of your aunt and your mom. :)
xoxo,
Mary

Anonymous said...

I've come to visit here a few times-Love your blog! The picture of you and your mom is priceless. The look on both of your faces is pure joy. Such a cute and clever idea!
Robin

Susie said...

How cute is this! We used to use something very much like that to make toast over a campfire!
Love your vintage photos Becky!
xo

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

What a clever idea! I never see cool items like that when I am out shopping! It must be because clever people like you grab them before I get there!
Penny

Nancy said...

What a clever idea! Wonderful vintage photos and greeting cards. Both your Aunt and your Mom are so pretty. Women used to have such classic beauty, don't you think?

Anonymous said...

Becky what charming pictures and such a great idea to display them that way. Love seeing your Aunt and Mama, with her little sweetie in the snow...inspired me to ask my sister to bring the box of family pix on her visit this weekend..thanks for sharing!

Esther Sunday said...

Thanks for visiting me just now, this evening, darlin! Love ya, E

crazyhaberdasher said...

Look at you with your lovely Mother! ....lovin' that snow!
Your Aunt was certainly a beautiful lady...was she a model at all?

Heidi said...

What a great idea! I love using things for functions other than they are meant for. You really came up with a fabulous use for this toasting grate. What a pretty lady your Aunt Rebecca was. How nice to have been named after her. And that photo of you and your mother is soooooooooo adorable! Are the postcards vintage or reproductions? I love old postcards but they are so expensive. These are really beautiful. I am starting to get so excited to see holiday decorating on the blogs this year. And this after I just wrote an entry on my blog about not rushing the season ~ LOL!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend! I am packing our weekend case as we are off to our cottage. I missed all of October there and am heartbroken. I am hoping there is still a good bit of color on the trees. Oh my trees, I can't wait to get there and see the woods again! Make your weekend an inspired and fun one!

Hugs ~
Heidi

FarmHouse Style said...

Very clever! I would never have looked at that grate and saw it in that way. You are very creative.

The photos are so precious:)

Rhonda

Kristen said...

Oh Becky, I know I have told you this a thousand times, but you are soooo clever! I love it! Your mother looks beautiful! I love the black and white photos! :) GREAT IDEA!!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Becky, love this idea! We love wire too, baskets, birdcages, pot plant stands, you name it we seek it out :) Have a great day! Jenn and Jacqui

Ginger~~Enchanting Cottage said...

I always alway enjoy your blog, thank-you and your music makes be smile!!!
Have a blessed day
ginger

ShabbyInTheCity said...

I've got a big 'ol lump in my throat! Aw gosh this is a cute idea! There is a really old wire birdcage on a stand at our flea market that has been on my brain for a week...1/2 price right now for $45...today might be the day...

vintage twist said...

What a great idea and what beautiful photographs.

Bristol said...

Great idea!! I love anything wire to! Have a great weekend.
Bristol

Jane said...

Great idea! I don't know how you keep coming up with them! You are one clever lady!

Rose Garden Romantic said...

What a great idea and what treasure those vintage family photos are!
Michelle

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

Hi everyone - I see several questions here that I should answer ~~

The cards on the grate are original vintage pieces and are tiny little cards that open up - like a book. Often times you can find these on eBay or estate sales. So Heidi, keep on looking!!

It sounds as though so many of you have a wire object that you could use for clipping pictures on. Yes, I have seen the wire frame from an old baby crib used for the same purpose. It is mucy larger and you can really fit a whole bunch of pics on that!! :)

Everyone is so sweet with the comments about my old pics. My Aunt Rebecca was a very tall woman, but I don't believe she ever was a model. I should ask my father about that one..she is his sister. I wish I could have known her. My other Auntie, Margie, is a hoot and a holler and I just love her so much!!

If any of you get inspired to do this little project, do a post or email me a photo. Would LOVE to see what ya came up with!!!

Blessings and hugs to all of you!!

Becky

Simply Me Art said...

I am so Excited to see you did this. I have had a what I call a Wire Veggie Basket for the Barbeque in my Garage since I moved into this house. Never knew what I could do with it, but also Never got rid of it either. You have Inspired me, Thank you, jamie

Rose Garden Romantic said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Rose Garden Romantic said...

Hi again! No, that's not my yard in the Halloween photos- I wish! Wouldn't that be fun? Love the photos of those adorable doggies in their costumes!! Too cute! Love your "Monster Mash" music, too! :D
Michelle

Kali said...

wonderful ideas as always Dear Becky! Though there is no way I could pull it off as stylish as you have here.

Maria Catalina Wiley said...

You are so original & inventive with your ideas! Love the grate/photo idea & the photos are lovely, especially the one of you & your Mum,
cheers Maria