Saturday, February 23, 2013

Trash to Treasure

I have never really believed or felt the old saying of: "Another man's trash is another man's tresure" would or could mean anything in my life. I stand mistaken and will gladly rub it in my own face (pretending it is chocolate cake).



My sister Carlie, her husband and two adorable daughters live in Italy and invited my mother and I to come and visit last year in March. Carlie entertained us with shopping at incredible markets. I am a "Shop Digger" meaning I have to literally pull, tug, and toss clothes aside to get my thrill of a good deal. I have to earn my reward. Silly? Yes, I know.

A winding road to the Amalfi coast changed my life forever. ;) Italians are known for exquisite intricate tile making. Tiles that have been broken or sentenced as no good are thrown into the ocean. Over time the edges are softened and washed up on the beach. Well can you guess that my mom, sister, and I just about DIED!!!! We found our trash that would become our treasure.




Sadly enough our journey was coming to an end. With the 50 lbs of tile stowed away in our carry-on we believed nothing could stop us. The first security line termed a scene of drama. The guard informed us after opening our bag that we were not allowed to take these tiles on the plane. We would have to go back and check them in on the plane or throw them away. There were 30 minutes standing between us catching our plane or sending our tiles home without us. :(  I was overcome with emotion due to the attachment that was made on the sandy beaches of the gorgeous Amalfi coast, that I immediately started to cry and plead with the man to let us take them on the plane. Sniff sniff. Quote, "It is just trash sir, please let me take them." Sniff sniff.  The dark haired man starred at me and my mother in an amazed shock and looked at his coworker, paused and started to zip up my bag with the tile inside. He raised his hand and said, "Bella la signorina no cry. No cry bella. Go to plane. Have a nice flight." With that he gave us kisses on each cheek and we were off!

I will never forget that man and how he saved my mother and I from bestowing our treasure to the trash.

Finally my long due project has come to an end. I have been wanting to find a shadow box table to display my tale and bond with beautiful trash.

I found the shadow box at Ross Dress for Less for $20 and the legs at Home Depot $5 each.


With a little paint and my mans strength. Bam a shadow box table. 



A place for my precious tile. 





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