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Keeping in Touch:  Ransack The Shack  |
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Shery Jespersen
True Blue Farmgirl
115 Posts
Shery
Upton
Wyoming
USA
115 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 27 2009 : 6:06:08 PM
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Today, a friend and I went to an old homestead shack on another friend's ranch. It is wayyyy out in the country and we're already in a remote area by most folk's standards. We were given permission by the ranch owner when we were helping them brand their calves in June to come back out and explore his family's old homestead buildings and the junk scattered about. We were excited to get Project Ransack The Shack underway! We loaded up our tools and off we went with our 20 foot trailer in tow. The weather was perfect. Coyotes, skunks, barn swallows and other wildlife had taken up residence in the old homestead shack years before our arrival. The same was true for the 2 old dugout shelters in the side of the hill. Wildlife invented the word 'repurpose'. My Farmgirl pal and I went home with a lot of vintage goodies. My stash included a very primitive table which I'll paint and distress, old tins and jars and a wonderful iron bed frame. All it needs are glass finials on it's 4 corners, but, I think I'll try using antique doorknobs as the finials. We emptied tins of coffee and flour that had never been opened and have been in the shack since the late 1940s. Many things were not in good enough shape to salvage. What a grand adventure we had, afterward we went out for lunch on the way home. We were dirty, gratified and satisfied. We'll give our old foundlings new life in new homes. Shery Jespersen
Reata Rose Ranch, Wyoming
My jewelry store: http://www.1000markets.com/users/reataroseranch
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graciegreeneyes
True Blue Farmgirl
3107 Posts
Amy Grace
Rosalia
WA
USA
3107 Posts |
Posted - Jul 27 2009 : 6:11:22 PM
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Wow Shery - what a neat experience. That would be a dream come true for me, glad you had the opportunity!!
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"
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peapicker
True Blue Farmgirl
716 Posts
texas
USA
716 Posts |
Posted - Jul 27 2009 : 6:14:04 PM
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| Sounds like FUN! We have the best time looking at all the old stuff in abandoned houses. We have one down the road from us and the owner told us the same thing. We haven't started really going thru anything because it is so hot here and I need to dress for snakes and wear my boots. I think I will wait for cooler weather. Ok, now that you have our interest, you have to post pictures of the before and after of your finds. |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Jul 27 2009 : 6:23:58 PM
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When I read stories like this, one part of me says wonderful! and another part mourns the loss of one more time capsule looted. Bittersweet and unavoidable.
Farmgirl Sister # 31
www.blueskyjeannie.blogspot.com
Psalm 51: 10-13 |
Edited by - jpbluesky on Jul 27 2009 6:28:38 PM |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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Shery Jespersen
True Blue Farmgirl
115 Posts
Shery
Upton
Wyoming
USA
115 Posts |
Posted - Jul 27 2009 : 8:13:20 PM
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Ok, as per request...a photo of the old iron bed as I found it. It is sky blue in color. I'll clean it up, but leave the rust and the color as is. I've not been able to locate finials for the 4 corners, however, I think I'll opt for antique glass door-knobs and I found 4 that are also light blue! Ok, picture the bed with a white all cotton dust-ruffle and matching sheets and ruffley pillowcases, Ralph Lauren roses & strips bedding, a vintage quilt and a vintage needlepoint pillow. First though, the bird poop has got to come off - ha. shery jespersen, wyoming
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Edited by - Shery Jespersen on Jul 27 2009 8:15:17 PM |
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Shery Jespersen
True Blue Farmgirl
115 Posts
Shery
Upton
Wyoming
USA
115 Posts |
Posted - Jul 27 2009 : 8:26:51 PM
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| Blue Sky Jeannie, I understand your lament, but it really wasn't looting in any sense of the word. It was very much a clean-up and rescue. Try and look at it this way...the only thing that was happening to the 'time capsule' was further decomposition of several items that could be used by people in the here and now, not thrown away or wasted, but given a new life. Many things that were too far gone to rescue or that have no useful purpose remained behind. The shack and the dug-outs in the hillside provide welcome shelter and housing for many wild creatures and insects. Ours is a harsh climate and shelter is not easy to come by. Many wild animals and myself are thankful for finding an old shack and making use of those things that best suit each of us. History is only preserved if it is taken forward in time and kept in a safe place. Otherwise, it can be lost to the elements or to people with no appreciation for bygone days. That's my thought on it anyway. :o) shery j |
Edited by - Shery Jespersen on Jul 28 2009 07:39:08 AM |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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Beverly Gill
True Blue Farmgirl
1114 Posts
Beverly
Marlborough
USA
1114 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2009 : 04:59:04 AM
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Awesome find alright.....enjoy.
Beverly Gill |
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gspringman
True Blue Farmgirl
387 Posts
Gail
Bonanza
Oregon
USA
387 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2009 : 07:31:20 AM
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That bed is really awesome. I would love to go through some old places myself. It's been a long time since I've had that pleasure. I too, like that you can restore old things and keep the history alive, then again I love to see things as they were so that I could imagine how one lived in the place. But, Sheri, I think that by bringing those things that the weather is destroying into a place for preservation is much better than the true loss of such great finds of our history. I only wish that everyone would get the permission, as you did, to salvage such, rather than to loot and destroy old history.
Would love to see your other finds as you "renew" them. I really am jealous I was'nt there as I love a good treasure hunt.
Gail
Farmgirl #486
Planting Zone 5
http://grammasladybug.blogspot.com/
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Shery Jespersen
True Blue Farmgirl
115 Posts
Shery
Upton
Wyoming
USA
115 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2009 : 07:43:25 AM
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Thanks Alee! I checked out the site and passed it on to a friend who has been looking for a chenille bedspread. I already have the bedding for my iron bed project. I'm anxious to incorporate MHF fabrics into my stash of vintage fabric...for future crafting. shery j
Wow Shery! That bed is awesome! You should check out the MaryJane line of linens at www.belk.com they are much more affordable than RL and so very pretty!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com
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peapicker
True Blue Farmgirl
716 Posts
texas
USA
716 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2009 : 07:44:19 AM
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| I can't wait to see what you do with the bed. |
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LauriP
True Blue Farmgirl
239 Posts
Laurianne
Hertford
North Carolina
USA
239 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2009 : 08:02:11 AM
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~~ Wow!! ~~ What a find for you!! I just love all things old, and I can imagine how cool it was for you to be able to just go at all those old things. It is kinda sad when a family can't take care of old things, but at least you were given the opportunity to salvage as many things as you could. Giving old things a new life is better than just throwing them in the dump.
Le's see what else you got!! -- And I gotta say that bed frame is just too too cool!!
Laurianne |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2009 : 09:44:39 AM
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Wow, whenI saw the photo, I was happy you saved that gorgeous bed!!! What a find!
Farmgirl Sister # 31
www.blueskyjeannie.blogspot.com
Psalm 51: 10-13 |
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RuralSuburbia
True Blue Farmgirl
251 Posts
Leslie
Northern CA
USA
251 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2009 : 12:20:07 PM
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What fun, what a wonderful find, and I can't think of a better way to spend the day! What did your friend go home with?
*I've got stars in my eyes and exactly $1 in my pocket!* |
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Shery Jespersen
True Blue Farmgirl
115 Posts
Shery
Upton
Wyoming
USA
115 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2009 : 4:21:24 PM
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| She's more ranchy than I, she likes old implements, tools and stoves for her yard etc. She took home a small corner stove from the calving shed, old glass jars & tins, and an old tractor seat. Her real treasure of the day will have to wait for her husband and a wrecking ball - ha. I could say I'm kidding, but removal of a huge iron stove in the main cabin will require taking the end wall out. There is a magnificent 6 burner 2-level stove -- very heavy iron. It had to have been put in the cabin before the house was finished as there is no doorway wide enough to have gotten it in there. Several pots & pans were scattered on the floor. The cabin is small and plain, no frills, but in it's day board lumber was not inexpensive and that old stove was a fancy-shmancy top of the line model. My friend is determined to give it a new home, what a lot of work it will be to get it there though! My iron bed was a piece a' cake -- all I needed was a hammer and a little wd-40. shery |
Edited by - Shery Jespersen on Jul 28 2009 4:31:35 PM |
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Tapestry
True Blue Farmgirl
1223 Posts
Cheryl
Wisconsin
USA
1223 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2009 : 04:29:28 AM
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Oh what wonderful finds and understand all points of view. Sad to think of the people who once lived there now gone and their belongings slowly decomposing. On the other hand so wonderful that you and your gf were able to rescue and will revive some great finds. That bed is just going to be gorgeous. I have an old bed frame too but is heavier and not as lovely as your find. I'd have been in my glory able getting to sift through history as you gals were able to do. Can't wait to see the after pics.
Happy farmgirl sister #353
Look for rainbows instead of mud puddles 
http://fantasm01.imagekind.com/
http://tapestrysimaginings.blogspot.com/ |
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Shery Jespersen
True Blue Farmgirl
115 Posts
Shery
Upton
Wyoming
USA
115 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2009 : 06:42:49 AM
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| Maybe someone out there in Farmgirl land has worked with a 3/4 size bed...? I don't want to modify this bed if I don't have to. My husband is real handy with iron -- he's got all the tools and a couple of welders and so on (rancher can fix/build/repair anything). I look at this bed and want to think that the oversized twin box spring and mattress that I have may work. No? If hubby has to alter the bed to a twin, it is doable with a little ingenuity. I've never looked for a 3/4 size mattress.......do they even come in that size nowadays?? Would that be a daybed size? Thanks in advance for your thoughts. shery j |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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tx_grl
Farmgirl at Heart
5 Posts
Cyndy
Brady
Texas
5 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2009 : 07:35:46 AM
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| Your story sounds just like something my girlfriend and I would do. What Fun! We love old stuff and have been known to ransake quite a few yard, estate,garage sales,and junk stores! Not the same thing as your old cabin, but still fun and when we would find treasures...it would make our whole week! We would say we didn't have room to start collecting anything else and then laugh get it anyway! I have a collection of old canning jars, I just love them. Anything glass or old dishes....it just melts my heart! Glad you got to have that experience! |
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cdmcan
Farmgirl in Training
21 Posts
Diane
Homer City
PA
USA
21 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2009 : 09:15:38 AM
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I once (over 20 yrs ago) had a 3/4 bed mattress made. Check with a manufacturer or a good furniture store. I ordered mine through a local furniture store. I still have the bed... an old oak frame but it has broken and I just haven't found the time to modify it to a headboard only or to a standard bed. mmmmm maybe this will be a project for my amish friend!
Lover of Siamese Cats |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Jul 30 2009 : 08:47:52 AM
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What a beautiful bed frame. I love it. I hope you post pics when it's all done and in the bedroom with frilly sheets and a quilt in it.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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Singing Tree Farm
True Blue Farmgirl
196 Posts
Cari
Chase
Michigan
USA
196 Posts |
Posted - Jul 30 2009 : 7:08:26 PM
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| Sherry, the bed is beautiful! You could try vandykes.com. It all kinds of stuff. I'm not sure if they have the finials for a bed, but they do have several different glass knobs that fasten from the back and are really pretty. |
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Keeping in Touch: Ransack The Shack |
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Ransack The Shack
