recent flea finds

Lately I have been trying to purge myserlf of the many things that I and I alone have cluttered my house with. A friend of mine said something profound to me once," It occured to me that if I don't buy it, I won't have to sell it." So true! I love the hunt, the gathering together of unrelated ,once loved objects. I don't enjoy keeping my books ,keeping track of where I've been how much I paid for things. I am no business woman. I wish I could stop doing this or make it pay off! 

Highly distressed

I know some would look at this old chippy vanity and think it either needs stripped or repainted but I think it looks perfect. This piece is naturally distressed.But i have to say I have worked for weeks on certain peices to get them to look this worn out and tired. My dear husband thinks I am crazy. I guess he's right but I can't help it. This stuff really thrills me. It's in my blood. I tried to quit once but a couple of years later I was back at it again. I can't get enough of acquiring these objects that have such history to tell of the places they've been and the families they've belonged to. I guess I am over - romanticizing my hobby. But i always wanted to be an archeologist and this is sort of simular to that in my mind any way. There is nothing more thrilling than a good day at the auction and a truck  loaded to the brim with all of my tired treasures ready for their new life.

The last days of summer

This is my second attempt at blogging and I am sooo technologically challenged. It makes it very difficult to join in. I am also very guarded about how much I share on here . But something keeps drawing me back to the world of blogging. It is so encouraging to see so many talented women willing to share their creative ideas and secrets with all of us. I really appreciate that. It is so refreshing to see people being kind and supportive to each other.

Tarnished Silver

I Love tarnished silver. Believe it or not this tarnished mess of dirty silverware inspired me to do this to my little 1930's night stand. It would  have inspired some to clean it but not me. I wanted to get this look onto a piece of furniture. I know it's not for everyone but what did I have to loose? I only paid a dollar for this little cutie. I think it turned out pretty good. It definitely looks old and tarnished. I sprayed it silver, then sanded it then added some dark walnut stain. I have an old William and Mary Dinning set that I think this treatment would look great on. It has just the right amount of chipping veneer to grab the stain after it's silvered. Hold me back. If it's not nailed down it will be silver.

Old # 7

I am looking for a change in my familyroom so I was looking through some of the projects that we did last summer. This was an old table top I found at a sale married together with some barn wood and some posts turned into legs. I stenciled the number on it just to give it  a little more character. I left the ring on it as well thinking that it adds to it more than it detracts. It sold pretty Quick. When that happens I always get that gut wrenching feeling that Ugh ! I should be keeping this one!

New camera

My husband and I just got this camera from our son-in-law this weekend so we have been practicing. a little bit. For me it is very complicated so I will have to take a class. I have always had trouble just using a basic litlle "point and shoot". These are my first attempts. I know i have a long way to go but I look forward to learning something new.Now maybe I'll collect pictures of old junk instead of having to own it. It would sure cut down on the unmanagable clutter around here.

Copy Cat

As I said, while in OKC I visited some great shops full of great stuff. I couldn't wait to get home and try a few things myself. The first picture is a chest I saw in Okc. The second picture Is what I did when I got home. I used a lace tablecloth to get the effect. I put it in my little booth and it sold in less than a week. It is always nice when someone appreciates what you do.

Inspirations

Recently My husband and I went to OKC for a visit. While he was busy eith work I was able to steal away to some of the cities most creative and inspiring shops. I came home ready to create and hope that I might gain a few fans back here in western Pa. I took ALOT of pictures. I will share bits and pieces along the way. I Love the french provincial dresser at the top . I just bought 3 FP pieces that I am trying to figure out what to do with. I'm hoping to get the creative juices flowing. Tomorrow will be sanding and painting day.

Fireworks and ice cream

Last night we had a great time in New Castle Pa at the Fireworks Festival. We scouted out the perfect spot earlier that day, not sure if it really would work out or not.Turns out it was great! We had a wonderful view of the town and the fireworks . Best of all before they started we strolled through one of  NC's renovated neighborhoods on our way to get ice cream. This is a beautiful town to me and in its day it must have been very prosperous. There are some breathtaking old mansions with great architecture. The Festival is the weekend after the 4th if you love fireworks it is a must see.

Keeping Cool

If only you could bottle a cold winter day and use it in July.

Happy Fourth!

Have a safe and happy fourth. I am off to do a little holiday junk'n.