Notes from A Cottage Industry

A totally free mirrored tray

     Aaah, I love a good free item at a yard sale, don't you? A few weekends ago I snagged a free mirror and I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it. Here it was before I painted it up. (Ignore the view of my toolbox in the reflection...) It's large, about four feet long and two feet wide. Perfectly sized for my dining room table, don'tcha think?

      Yesterday, when taking a quick break from painting Tumbleweed Cotillion merchandise, I painted this up. I still plan to add a fancy drawer pull on either end to use as tray handles and add a nice piece of felt to the backside of it, but even as it is now, I am pretty happy with it. (and for whatever reason, my Robin's egg blue candles look screamingly turquoise in these pictures, but they are actually a soft blue)
    The key is too always think outside the box when you're out thrifting and junking. The woman had the mirror in the Free pile because it was oxidized and the paint was all peeling on the frame.
     I think the weathered mirror only adds to the character of the piece, and gives it the vintage look I adore.

  
*sigh* Like I said - I just love a good freebie.

Let's shed some light on the subject...

...in a really charming way, shall we?

       I adapted this idea from a picture I saw of treasures at Round Top in Texas on Carol's Blog. I just thought it was so cute that I had to try it for myself, and I'm so glad I did.
     I had 2 wonderful lamps that were thrifted (of course) a long while ago, and I had added some darling shaped shades (WalMart) to them. I played around last night with one of the lamps and I think the shade looks oh, so much more adorable with the ribbon embellishments, don't you?
     It's now now ready to take a trip down to the antique mall until the Tumbleweed Cotillion at the end of the month.

not-quite-finished French chair

    I showed you this a couple of weeks back, remember? I wasn't sure at all as to what I was going to do with it. I just knew that I loved it. The nice lines, the carvings, and the small crack in one arm all made it feel very vintage to me.
      I don't know how to upholster, and I didn't see a way that the sewing queen could slipcover it. After much thought, I decided to throw caution to the wind and paint the sweet little thing, a'la' Elizabeth Maxim. Once it was painted, I knew it must be antiqued. I began antiquing it, but by then I was pretty tired (and it was nearly midnight) so I will have to finish it up tonight. I have no doubt that after a few more vintage touches it will be perfect.

Weekend recap of my thrifty deals and my booth at the new Antique Mall

 
    Whew! busy weekend (I know. You're thinking I say that every weekend. Well, yes, I do. And it always seems to be.)
   The navigator was sick Saturday morning so I decided to run around the block real quick to just one sale right in my own neighborhood. Well, thank goodness I did. I was gone exactly 14 minutes, spent $7 and got a very nice haul, thankyouverymuch. (just you wait till you see what I am going to do with that long mirror!)
     Then, Saturday evening I looked on craigslist and found this dandy petite armoir that had just been listed. I spoke with the seller and she ended up offering to deliver the piece. (Talk about a fabulous deal! Remember, I was born with no sense of direction, and I don't have a nav system in my car to help me out.) Here's a little picture of all of my finds, except for one giant picnic basket that I forgot to set in the photo.... 
     I then spent the rest of the entire weekend (Um, ya. Both days. Pretty much all day long) making price tags, sorting, cleaning, painting and foofifying pieces of furniture and accessories, followed by dragging them down to the booth at the antique mall.
    It was worth it. The booth is shaping up. Even if I only stay in the booth for a couple of months it will have been worth it to get things organized and completed. I say this because I actually have no idea how my stuff will sell in this venue. I figure it's worth a shot.
     Here's a picture of my basic booth space. I also took a very small spot across the way to put some overflow items.

 I still must admit my favorite part was making all the little signs and what-not. I just love creating all those detail pieces; price tags, signs, mini-banners.

Later this week I'll show you my spin-around rack full of paper products for sale.


    

A preview of my Antique Mall booth!

     I was down at the new antique mall all day Monday, (Memorial Day) getting my booth set up. Back and forth, hauling treasures from the garage to the booth, prettying up the wall space, and creating a charming feeling within my little slice of the mall. Then, more work Tuesday and Wednesday nights after work and Thursday on my lunch break from the grown up girl job. Whew! It's all coming together quite nicely, if I do say so myself. (now, keep in mind, this is the "bones" of my booth; the backdrop for the treasures and trinkets to appear later this weekend.)
     The very cool old brick building has character, but the back of my booth is done in peg board. While I like the versatility of pegboard, it certainly doesn't lend itself to any vintage theme I had in mind. What to do? well... I "wallpapered" the walls in my area with old book pages and copies of vintage photographs... and I plan on adding lots of little surprises too...

    They will be doing a soft opening today and I want everything to look perfect, although I won't have the booth stocked fully for a few more days. (probably not until Sunday afternoon, and I'll share more pictures then!) I hope to sell some of my overflow pieces there before the Tumbleweed Cotillion at the end of June...we'll see what happens!

A sneak peek at my new petite boutique!

    
     I was down at the new Antique mall all day Monday,(Memorial Day) getting my booth set up. Back and forth, hauling treasures from the garage to the booth, prettying up the wall space, and creating a charming feeling within my little slice of the mall. Then, more work Tuesday and Wednesday nights after work and Thursday on my lunch break from the grown up girl job. Whew! It's all coming together quite nicely, if I do say so myself. (now, keep in mind, this is the "bones" of my booth; the backdrop for the treasures and trinkets to appear later this weekend.)
     The very cool old brick building has character, but the back of my booth is done in peg board. While I like the versatility of pegboard, it certainly doesn't lend itself to any vintage theme I had in mind. What to do? well... I "wallpapered" the walls in my area with old book pages and copies of vintage photographs... and I plan on adding lots of little surprises too...

      They will be doing a soft opening today and I want everything to look perfect, although I won't have the booth stocked fully for a few more days. (probably not until Sunday afternoon, and I'll share more pictures then!) I hope to sell some of my overflow pieces there before the Tumbleweed Cotillion at the end of June...we'll see what happens!

1.5 minutes of semi fame (a teeny tiny bit of shameless self promotion here, people)

 
I'm so excited that I just had to do a second post and brag a little bit.

      Channel 2 ran my little news story, and promoted the upcoming Tumbleweed Cotillion, both on the news, and with a link in the article! These people rock.
Here's the link to the story AND the video...not sure why they list only Pam in the title...on the news they mentioned both of us of course...oh well....did I mention that they plugged the Tumbleweed Cotillion in the article and the video?!

**note** I have done nothing but eat since March 15th (the last wedding) and I wish I could say the camera added those extra pounds, but...no. I will be eating sensibly beginning tomorrow at sunrise. *sigh*

My big morning on camera

       It. was. a. blast. (and this was the only picture I took all morning. Mm hmm, just the camera guy filming our strategy sheet for the days yard sales.)
     The camera guy (Jay)  and the news guy (Brian) arrived promptly at 7:25 this morning. (I was ready and waiting for them at 7:00!) The Navigator was...late. ( Oh well, it gave me time to chat up the news guys.) I wore my sassy  "Vintage Chick" shirt, which I thought was appropriate; not too dressy for yard saling, not too grubby to be immortalized on tape.
     I was "miked up" and they had me walk them through my main rooms of the cottage, sharing my treasures and then did a sit-down-up-close-and-cozy-by-my-bookcase-full-of-cameras-and-old-books interview. Oh! It was so fun! Then, we drove, with Jay in the backseat filming us, to a nearby yard sale. More filming, and interviewing and then... we were done. (Sheesh! I realize I am making it sound like they spent enough time to do a mini series on us. In actuality it was an hour and a half and the clip should be 1.5 minutes in length according to the news folks.)
     The newscast is set for this Thursday in the 5:00 news slot, unless something earth shattering news wise happens then.

You can bet I'll be sharing the clip here, people.

Newsworthy junk

A little shamelss self promotion here....
       You know that I consider myself a professional garage saler. In fact, I was interviewed for an article in our local paper about garage sales. This coming Saturday, the local CBS affiliate station (Channel 2, KTVN for all you locals!) is doing a "ride along" with the Navigator and me to see up close and personal what saling and thrifting are really like. The story is scheduled to air on June 5th, unless there is some huge breaking news that steals our time slot.
     With all that being said, I thought I'd share my most recent treasures.This past weekend was wildly successful in terms of junking. I got so many great things that I am not quite sure exactly where to begin with my painting projects.
     I grabbed the rocker for little Peanut Roberts for a mere $2.50. (This was, of course, before I knew there would be two grand babies this winter! Now I will most certainly be on the lookout for another rocker!)The frames will be in the Cotillion; some with chalkboards and some without, and the darling sofa table will be done up in proper cottage style. The doggy dish will have the metal bowls replaced with vintage soup bowls and maybe some applique's.
    My favorite find of the day had to be this fabulous $5 French chair....oh, just you wait and see what I have planned for it! I'll give you a hint...there will be a Fleur di lis involved!
     I am so excited to get started, but this will have to wait until tonight after the grown up job day is over...hmmm, now, the only question is....which piece do I begin first?

Two second tap shoe foofifying

Lots and lots of little re-do's from Saturdays finds. Remember, when you're out thrifting, look closely at everything. It's the tiny stuff that is so easy miss, and also, so easy to reinvent, so pay attention. Here's one example. There were the adorable lil' tap shoes...

that were foofied with fabulous ribbon (left over from the last wedding!) in exactly two seconds. Really.

Can't you just picture these in a baby girl's vintage nursery, or place, just so, on a hutch, near old pictures of children and babies?

*sigh* Too, too cute.

Finding happiness (and gift shopping) on a Saturday morning

    Yes people, it's the most wonderful time of the year. Aah, yard sale season. When a young girl's heart turns to thoughts of turning trash to treasure, and  the highlight of the week comes very early on Saturday mornings, in a stranger's driveway. It's all about the hunt for the coolest junk at the cheapest price, and eating Krispy Kreme donuts while sealing a deal.
    On the yard sale success meter, I'd rate today an 8 out of 10. We managed to fill the navigator's car to the roof before 9:30 this morning. We did however, pass on the cat towers.(I'll share pictures of my haul a little later.)

Not only did we shop for items for ourselves (for the Tumbleweed Cotillion, in my case) but we also managed to find a present for a mutual friend of ours. You see, she's revamping her home and her patio, all in a tropics theme. Kind of "Tommy Bahama meets British colonial meets luau" and it's coming along nicely. We knew when we spotted this...

...that we had to get it for her. Big spenders that we are, we each threw in fifty cents and couldn't wait to stop by and surprise her with it. (nothing better than sharing a little yard sale love with kindred spirits)
   Sure, her grandkids might enjoy it, but we were thinking it would be fabulous fun at a Mai Tai party too. She loved it, and our party idea.

I mean, wow. Island bowling with coconut balls. (It just doesn't get any better than this for summer fun, does it?)

*sigh* Yes, I lead quite a wild life.

Full house of painting ladies....

     This Saturday is my "Make it Special" Furniture Painting Workshop, and I'm thrilled to tell you that it's all sold out. Yes, all my seats are full! This workshop is going to be so much fun.
     Last night I began assembling the goodie supply kits for the attendees. Oh! They are coming along nicely and I think everyone will like them.
     I'm using gallon paint cans that I bought and added bright colored paint drips to, along with coordinating color drenched paint brushes (which are part of each attendees place cards; they will have each person's name attached!)
     Drop cloths with brightly splattered paint will cover the work table and each attendee will have their very own take away little containers of primer, paint and antiquing glaze.
     I completed the take-away booklets last night, complete with a perfect quote from Edgar Degas. (Click the picture to see it enlarged so you can read it)

Tonight I'm prepping some of the items I'll be demonstrating techniques on while our paint dries between steps. Then, all that will be left to do is bake my treats for our little break and I think I'll be all set.

Ooh!I can't wait!

Happy Earthday, 2008: A completed vintage dresser re-do

      In honor of Earthday, I thought I'd share one of my most recently completed recycled pieces. Remember the old dresser before?

Well, it's all painted and antiqued now, ready for my booth at the upcoming Tumbleweed Cotillion's Vintage French Market. It's so sweet that I kind of am tempted to keep it, but I really have no place to put it in my cottage.
     Not only would it be darling in a bedroom, but I can picture it in a living room with a fat candelabra up top, or in a dining room with a silver tea service gracing it, or even at the end of a hallway, with vintage family photos tucked in the corners of the mirror. Oh! How about in a large bathroom, with some hand towels and a vase of flowers up on top? Done up plain or fancy, there are just so many spots it could go.

*Sigh* So much nicer than in a landfill, don'tcha think?

WWJD?

    I don't mean to sound sacrilegious with my title,  I'm just wondering.
     There weren't many yard sales today that were in our "area" (three to be exact) so it didn't take long, but, oh baby, were they worth the trip. The first stop was right around the block from my cottage and I snagged a silver plate gravy boat and a picture of Jesus. Not just any picture of Jesus, mind you. It's the exact picture that I had hanging in my room when I was a little girl, except mine was a little bit smaller and was in a gold plastic frame. Uh huh.
    I think it was from one of those "Home Interiors" parties in the early sixties, or maybe it was a church fund raiser. At any rate my Mom apparently bought it. I remember that it hung on the left side of the bedroom window with the made-by-Mom pink with giant white polka dot curtains. The curtains matched my coverlet on my twin sized bed. As I recall, I really loved that whole ensemble. Girly, but hip at the same time, you know?

*sigh* It's funny how things like that can remind you of all kinds of trivial, but oh, so warm and fuzzy memories from way back when, isn't it?

Anyway.

     When I went to pay I told the woman having the sale my little story about how it brought back memories of my childhood and such and she said she actually felt "weird" putting a Jesus picture in the yard sale. She thought it might be considered offensive to re-sell Jesus like that. (The truth be told, I think I made her feel better about selling him by sharing my little story)
     What I didn't tell her, because I thought it, might in turn, offend her, was that I bought the Jesus picture for the fabulous frame. Really. It's going to be incredible when I get it all painted and antiqued. Then, I will add a chalkboard to the center of it and it will be all set for the Tumbleweed Cotillion.

*sigh* Now, if I can just figure out what to do with the picture of Jesus inside the frame. Somehow, it just feels kind of "weird" to give it away.

I was Green before green was cool, people.

...and I know lots of you were too....Her, for example. And her. And her. Oh! and of course, her.

Green....Um, ya. You know, renew, reuse, recycle. Recycle. That's what we nutty and obsessed serious yard saling, junker types do. (I wonder if we junkers could be LEED certified?) We re-purpose discarded items, skillfully size up what may appear to the untrained eye to be trash, unearthing a real diamond in the rough.
Such was the case this past weekend. I spotted this fabulous antique dresser on craigslist last Friday and emailed the guy. We set up a time after the writer's conference on Saturday for me to go take a look.
Can you see the inner beauty? Look close. It has the original wooden wheels (like those last 2 chairs I bought!) It is so darned cute. So perfect. I got it for a great price, and after a little bit of repair work on the drawers I will work my painter's magic on it.
     I love it. It's gonna be another positively adorable piece for the upcoming Tumbleweed Cotillion....(if I don't keep it!)
     Once it's done I can enjoy the cuteness of it and be proud of myself at the same time. After all, I saved it from an everlasting life in the landfill.

Sweet lil' table re-do

    So, this is the cute lil' table I snagged at the high school rummage sale early last Saturday morning. Here it was before....
     Good bones, decent price, but, oh, so 1981 Sears and Roebuck. Yawn.
     I took it home, primed it, painted it, and finally, antiqued it.(just like I shared in this past post...same color paint and everything.) I added the bows for good measure...now I am not sure I like them, so they may disappear.
     Now, it's divinely vintage foofy-la-rue, and I'm really feelin' the love.

Look for this little baby at the upcoming Tumbleweed Cotillion....unless it sells ($45) locally before June 27th.

A little peek at what I've been up to the past few days....

     I totally meant to post last Friday and then on Saturday, but time just was slip sliding on by me at record speed. I've been oh, so busy on some to-much-fun-for-words projects! Mmmm hmmm...
So, without further delay, here is a little, eensy, weensy peek at one of the projects.(I know some folks don't believe anyone should  paint wood, but pul-ease. These chairs were so not working for me unpainted.)
They are for the upcoming Cotillion, (mark your calendars!!)and I am loving the look of them so far. Yup, there are two of these chairs, exactly alike, with perfect upholstery (are you noticing the original, in mint condition little wooden wheels? Too charming!)...

Oh, and I also scored a (soon-to-be) equally darling table that I found early Saturday morning at a high school rummage sale. I am doing the table up to match the chairs, natch. (I'll share the table later...typepad won't cooperate this morning!)    
     The Sewing Queen of northern Nevada is whipping me up some fabulous toile pillows with yummy fabric I found at the $2 Fabric Store! (feather filled no less!) with half inch knife pleat ruffles (a darling coordinating stripe we found at WalMart for the fabulous price of $2.50 a yard!) to lay on the chairs....

...Man, I love me some toile. Love it, love it, Love. It. (Never can get enough of it, especially in Robin's egg blue.)

*sigh* I'll share the completed project, just as soon as I get the finished pillows from the Queen Mum. (Hey, wait a minute!!! Mom, is that you, reading this? You should be sewing!!!!)

Petitie french buffet

  Or maybe you'd call it a dresser. Or a sideboard. Or an entry table.
     It was in need of some TLC and my favorite robin's egg blue paint and some antiquing brought it back to life. It's a sweet little piece of furniture that's oh, so versatile.(hmmm, I can see it warming up my new office at my grown up job, holding a fabulous lamp and a photo of my family, with the drawers being used for office storage...) I like it so much, I'm tempted to keep it for myself...it will be at the Tumbleweed Cotillion.

*sigh* That is, unless I decide I can't bear to part with it.

from ordinary to extraordinary in just one day

...and just in the nick of time for Tumbleweed Cotillion. (countdown- only 9 more "get-ups" till the Cotillion!)
I loved the lines and size of this sweet table the minute I saw it. Still, it was just a bit too...ordinary for my taste. 
So...
I painted. I sanded, I antiqued. I added some detail work. I stood back and looked. I smiled.
*sigh* Now it's extraordinary, don'tcha think?

Thrifted Props for the Tumbleweed Cotillion!

  My partner in the Tumbleweed Cotillion told me about a little shop in a house downtown that was having a half price sale. I was so excited with what I found there last Saturday that I simply had to share! A vinatge baby scale and an old wicker dressform with no stand.
What's that, you ask? What am I possibly going to do with a slightly-worse-for-wear wicker dressform with no stand you ask? Well...

    I've been a busy, busy girl, making gift tags to sell at the Cotillion.The dressform provides the perfect display to house them. I'm having such fun getting ready for this event, and if you're able to come, please, do make sure you find me to say hello! (I'll have a special treat for those of you that do!)
    Lots more things to come...

Mail cubby gets a makeover just in time for the Tumbleweed Cotillion

I bought the mail cubby a while back, you may remember. (that's what I'm calling it anyway)
First I primed it, then I painted and antiqued it (my usual way) Then, I added the Fleur De Lys to cover the old cut out heart shape, you know, to give it a bit of a Paris Flea Market look...

Here is the finished product. All set for somebody's office, or kitchen, or maybe even in a hallway. It'll be available for purchase at the Tumbleweed Cotillion.

I'm making it oh, so special

     I am working like a mad woman, getting ready for Saturday's gift wrap "Make it Special" demonstration class.Not only on the projects I will be demonstrating, but on the presentation  and the set up arrangement and supplies I'll be  using in the demo.
     Although I will be showcasing ideas and techniques from many different styles (funky and fun to sweet and charming to sepia toned retro..) I must admit that my current personal favorite look is still vintage.
     I even prefer to store my crafting supplies in vintage containers. I have several old baker's bread pans and they work amazingly well for storing and sorting all sorts of small items in such a charming way. I use old cupcake pans and antique Ball canning jars (the blue glass ones!) and of course I've shared before that I also love to use old suitcases for storage as well. The entire look is charming and somehow welcoming and warm, even if it is just old junk. (it keeps going back to that living a beautiful life thing) I can hardly wait to get the demonstration table set up!
     *sigh* It's going to be fabulous.

price of not wearing your readers...

      It's September first, and, here in the biggest little city that means two things.
     First, it means we are nearing the end of yard sale season. Other than an occasional "all-out" moving, or estate sale, once the weather turns cold,it's over baby. Here's a picture of the fabulous finds from today's adventure.
     Second, it means it's time to flip the page on the good ol' Krispy Kreme calendar and see what exciting new coupons await us for the new month. Now, we are not donut crazed women all of the time, but we do keep the calendar (and it's glorious coupons) handy in the car, for the very rare  "things-aren't-going-great-today-so-we-should-have-a-treat-to-make-us-feel-oh -so-much-better" mornings. Today, was one of those Saturdays. For me, anyway.  The Navigator was doing just fine thankyouverymuch, but when one of us is having a bad day, we both need donut therapy. (to be, you know, supportive)

     I have 50 year old eyeballs, and I wear glasses for things like reading  price stickers at yard sales. Well, sometimes I am in a hurry, or my purse is too crammed full of stuff, and I don't bother to pull out my readers. Today, was a day like that.
     We stopped at a sale,and I approached a darling table and chairs. The table (or so I thought....) said $10 and the chairs, $20 each. I then spotted a sweet night table for only $5! We looked at loads of things there, and finally I approached the table again (oh yes, still not wearing my readers...)and I glanced down at the table. It said $20.(or so I thought...) Still, a fabulous price (OK, not as fabulous as $10, but doable) I offered to woman $20 for the table and the sweet night table. That would be taking $5 off. She said yes. Yippee!
    I was high. on. life. This meant the cute night table was actually a "gift with purchase" if you will. (Thats how we saw it, at any rate...)Then, the table could be painted and sold at the upcoming Tumbleweed Cotillion Vintage Market Faire, or I could paint it and use it for a work table in my workroom.

*sigh* Life is so good sometimes.

     After some finagling, we managed to get both items in the back of the navigator's car and we headed to my beloved cottage to make a drop-off.
     We got to my cottage and began unloading. Wait. What is that? The sticker I thought said $20 (and I was able to shave five bucks off of!) was really some woman's version of a fancy number one!You know, not a stick style number one, but a one with a doo-hicky on the top left side and a line on the bottom. It read $10. Oh. Dear. God. I had actually paid the woman $5 more than the table and night table together. The Navigator agreed it was a slightly confusing number one, especially without our readers on (She's a true friend with eyeballs past their prime as well...) I felt sick. And mad. Mad at me. For taking half a second to put on my glasses, for breaking one of the cardinal rules of saling: Never pay full price (I am sure there is not even a rule for what I did.Would that be... tipping? At a yard sale?!)

Anyway.

This little incident brought on a large case of buyers "so-danged-mad-I-didn't-put-my-glasses-on-and-then-I-paid-to-much-for- that-table!" remorse, which was thankfully cured (somewhat) by...an emergency donut therapy session. We had a good-in-September-only coupon for the free donut of the month (I couldn't afford a donut. I had just tipped someone a five spot at a freakin' yard sale, for gosh sakes.) which was a football shaped donut,if you can picture that, and  wasn't actually available this early on September first, so they just gave us two free chocolate donuts. Double yippee!

I felt so much better after we did the math:

cute table at yard sale:$10
sweet night table at same yard sale:$5
not wearing my glasses and seeing a two where a one was:$10
sharing donuts and whining on a Saturday morning with one of your best-est friends: PRICELESS

*Sigh* Life is so good sometimes.

Can you say "Giant shark head"?

     Whew! Busy day. I wanted to post earlier, but here it is after 9:00 Saturday night and it's my first chance at the computer.
     This week's saling haul was fruitful and fun. The Navigator and I took along an extra passenger, a friend of ours that wanted to see what it was really like "out there". She wasn't disappointed.
     Our unusual find of the day? A large faux (Fiberglass maybe?) shark head. Hmmm, no thanks. We all passed on purchasing this baby.

     See the fabulous cake stand, and the pewter candle holders? The candle holders didn't photograph well, but trust me on this one, they are full of ornate detail, and they weight a ton.(Click on the photo to see them enlarged to get a better look at the detail) I love 'em, I love 'em, I love 'em.
     Here's my haul for the day, in all it's entirety, registering in at a mere $20.50.

      A pretty nice pile o' stuff, don'tcha think?
     *Sigh* I'm not sure what I want to do first, break out my new Mary Engelbreit alphabet rubber stamps, or set up the croquet set in the back yard.

yard sale finds of the day

Aah, Saturday. Yard sale day. This sign says it all. Good. Old. Stuff.  There were some real deals out there today.

Here's an eye catching "Free" sign. Creative use of blue painters tape,huh?  I didn't need a washer or dryer though. Oh, well. Today's yard sale trip was quite productive, and I still managed to come home with change from a twenty dollar bill.

I spent a grand total of $15 and here's what all I got:

• Vintage blackboard (love the chalk tray)
• Mail cubby (wait till you see what is going to become of this baby..)
• Chair (destined to become an awesome planter)
• Metal dresser (Yes! Metal. and such a cool patina on it already!)
• End table (to be foofied up later)

*sigh* This is the way to start a weekend.

Two dollar bird feeder

   

     It's no secret to anyone that I am half crazy into nests, birds and pretty anything associated with them. So, you can imagine the pure delight I felt when, out junkin' today, we came upon this beauty of a bird feeder. I stole this treasure from a guy (Who clearly had no idea of the value of the prize he had) for a mere two dollars. Ya baby. I'm just. that. good.
     I won't be able to put bird feed in it of course, because that would just be mean, what with Mr. Bear and Moose hanging around under the tree just waiting to scare the ba-jeebees out of any little bird that dared to try and stop by for a snack there. *sigh* Oh well. I just know it's just gonna make the yard.

This week's saling finds..or what $12.50 can get you

     I know I already posted today, but I just had to share....
      With the holiday, yard sales were sparse here this weekend. I did manage to find a few fun new pieces, and spend twelve dollars and fifty cents. I already have a vintage typewriter, but this one I am going to take to work. We are moving to a brand new, larger office in mid August and I thought this one could go in the new reception area. (Hmmm...maybe with a thought for the week?) For ten bucks, I just couldn't pass it up.
     I am going to use the Robin's egg blue urn for my make up brushes in my bathroom. (only paid fifty cents for it!) Last but not least, I just loved the detail work on this dear silver pitcher. I'll have to use a bit of elbow grease to clean it...two dollars., and worth every penny.
     Hope you are keeping cool and having a fabulous weekend!

A picture is worth a thousand words

...or at least I hope so. My gosh, I came back from my trip to PTown and the Willows Nest Barn Sale so inspired I couldn't even sleep last night. (I couldn't even decide what category to put this post under, so I listed all that even remotely applied.)And I took so many pictures I think it will take at least two days of posts to share them all! Where do I begin...?

The weather was fabulous Saturday. Not a rain cloud in the sky. (Please note the fabulous sky in the above photo as proof.)The crowd size at the Willows Nest Barn Sale was good. Crowded, but not overly so, (just enough to add that adrenaline rush that someone might beat you to something, right after you spot it, but before you can get to it)and everyone was so friendly. I mean, just the absolute nicest folks (which I have found seems to be the case all over Oregon and Washington) Nicest of all was the moment I got to meet up with my fellow Bliss Sisters. I was afraid I might not find them in the crowd, or that I wouldn't recognize them, but no, I picked them out of the crowd right away. Kindred spirits, one and all. It was a wonderful time meeting them in person. We laughed and chatted like we were old friends from school. (*sigh* it's actually too hard for me to describe in words just how good it felt to really meet them in person)

I absolutely hate having my picture taken worse than anything, but for this occasion I am going to share one.I have a terrible habit of scrutinizing my appearance in any and all photos, which is why I am rarely in one. Anyway, I'll leave it to you to guess which one I am! I will tell you this much- I really truly didn't know I had such a furrowed brown, and now I see firsthand that I simply must stop with that God-awful squinting, since it makes me appear constipated concerned,and exactly what is up with my hair?!(Hint: Really, I look so, so much younger and lovelier in person, tee hee.....I've had a tough year, allow me this one fantasy please.) Now back to the fabulous event....

     The property was amazing. (Yes, this is the view they enjoy from the back of the house...it's God's country for sure.)

As you can see, it's a big 'ol sprawl of land with an incredible view of the Columbia River and plenty of room for the booths to be spread out, not jammed up on one another.Here's the barn from outside, and some of the wonderful booths (Look at that umbrella!)

The cutest hand made signs, telling where the restrooms were, exit, etc... Oh,and the products and displays, aaa-mazing.


The whole event was simply off the hook with creativity and imagination. Sure, some darling antiques, but so much more than that. Quaint painted furniture pieces, hand made jewelry, and charming papercrafts.

(who knew tying jute around a stack of books could look so fabulous? I know now.)


Heck, even their price tags were so cute I had to take pictures. (Now that you see them, you see why I had to photograph them.)
Here are more Booth shots....

We came, we met, we shopped. It was a good thing, for sure. But it didn't end there.
Oh no, we all caravaned from the Willows Nest Barn Sale to a nearby estate sale, (and got some more fabulous finds there!)and then to the ever so lovely 4th Street in Camas, where we had lunch and shopped some more. My Bliss Sisters were as enthralled with dear sweet Camas as I am. Once again we hit Camas Antiques, followed by a trip to "Fancies" which carries some of Linda from the Willows Nest's things. Such a treat!

*sigh* this was such a wonderful trip, and it is a memory I will treasure always.

**Note: I forgot the Bliss Banners at the bride-to-be's home that I made for my friends, so those will now be going out to all three of them later today.

A bit more of the patio livingroom-before and after

    I found the "Before" photos of the backyard, but for some reason I only have pictures of the patio. (These photos were taken by some Realtor long before I bought my cottage, and you can tell by the lack of rose bushes that it must have been winter time.)  Hmm, not much help for showing all the work I've done.Oh well. Here they are anyway. (I have removed the dead tree trunk in the middle of the yard that held one end of a hammock)

    Please excuse the hose all over the place and the left hand shutter not being hung. I was in the middle of all this when I realized how late it was, and I had to hop in the shower for work, so I just snapped these quick shots to share with you.I am still needing to remove the iron grill from the one back window also...

     Last night I got the coffee table and side table painted my favorite color- Robins egg blue. It matches the quilt accents very nicely.Now, all that's left to paint is the hutch.
     I am enjoying tending my garden more than I can tell you. I am out there each morning before I go to work, and each evening as well, watering and fertilizing and such. Instant gratification I tell you.

I have flowers in pots, around the patio, and around the yard. It is so gratifying!
Next summer I will tackle the front yard, which is smaller but needs some cottage touches as well. Oh, I can hardly wait!

summertime and the livin' is easy

        Hangin' out in my backyard. That's what I'm doing these days right after work. Tending to my flowers and dining outdoors. I got carried away the other night planting flowers and broke a sprinkler pipe. Sheesh. It's fixed now though and I am back in business.

     I promised I'd share the patio and backyard when it was completed, and it is very nearly there, so I'm giving you a little look-see at what has been going on back here. I also need to dig out the "Before" shots of the backyard from when I moved in...maybe I can find them tonight and share them tomorrow.

and of course, so many roses I can hardly believe it myself. *sigh*

  Of course I still have a Do-List a mile long (you know how I am) and I still plan to make a sign for above the Barbecue, plant flowers and a vine near the old bicycle, paint the coffee table a robin's egg blue (to go with the quilts)and paint the shutters a chocolate brown with creamy colored Fleur de lis on them...all before the fourth of July get together. I am loving this gardening stuff, and all that goes with it.(and you know I'll share pictures!)

     Aah, summertime. A charming backyard. What more could a girl ask for?

New old cupboard for my workroom

        I am getting ready to tackle my workroom here at my cottage.
       What? Oh, thanks for asking- No, I haven't finished painting all those kitchen cupboards....yet. As the words to live by said yesterday, I am struggling to make progress here, people. I like to think that it is one of the perks of living solo with two incredibly understanding dogs. I can finish painting them when I am ready to. You know, when the urge strikes me.  As of last night, half the cupboards are oak, and the other half are antiqued a nice shabby white, and the dogs don't seem to mind it a bit. I simply do not sweat the small stuff these days.
     Now, where was I going with all this? Oh, yes. I am about to tackle my workroom. (Then, I promise, I'm gonna wrap up that kitchen cabinet painting job and show pictures of the finished project. Really. Really.)
    You see, I spend so much time in my home office/studio/workroom that it is very important to me that it be inviting, and comfortable, but functional at the same time. (back to that livin' a beautiful life thing)  And of course, it has to be done on the non existent suddenly single budget.
     I already have pretty much everything to make this room a perfect haven for me to be creative- my old open top hutch, the used-to-be-on-my-deck-buffet-turned-worktable piece, curtains from my little shop at the mall, and of course, Dolly. (I just need to repaint everything the colors I want, and do some much needed organizing...er...cleaning...and such.)
     What I added to the list of items to complete my workroom from yard saling was the most fabulous chandelier, which I shared with you this past week,and now, this perfect shabby cupboard with workspace top.

I traded a piece that didn't sell at the Porch Sale for this little charmer at the consignment store on Saturday afternoon. The only thing better than a thrifted find, is a straight across trade. (That means it was totally free, baby!) All I need to do now is decide if I am going to paint this piece, or simply put a coat of sealer on it to protect it, and leave it as is. I am really kind of enjoying the old weathered patina the cupboard is currently sporting. It adds an instant vintage feel to the room. Very Elizabeth House/Curious Sofa looking, don't you agree?