Vintage Home & Garden

I've got a brand new blog...and a giveaway!!

2010-05-01T20:59:00.001-05:00

Yes, it is true...I finally did it!

After a year of plotting, planning, obsessing and second-guessing myself...I have a new blog!

And the best part??....I am having a fabulous giveaway to celebrate!

Now, come on...check it out right now, you know you want to!

Urban Farmgirl

(All future posts will be at urbanfarmgirlandco.blogspot.com)

a tiny preview...

2010-04-30T00:52:00.005-05:00

Yesterday definitely what I would call...

"one of those days"

It started out well..I got up early...went to a yard sales for a few hours and found a truckload of fantastic things - but then it started. The downhill slide that makes your wonderful day just totally crash and burn. You know the kind...where you feel slapped in the face at every turn. Ugh.

So let me get to my point. I promised a preview of my goods for my booth at Kane County Flea Market this weekend...and I didn't want to disappoint. But lets just say an unexpected visit to the ER for my sweet man resulted in some stitches...and my photo preview idea to not turn out as planned.

But, I came through - kinda. With a photos of a whopping 7 of the 78 pieces I am bringing to the show

this weekend. I figured it was better than holding out on you completely.

But brace yourself.

You are about to view some of the worst photos in history. Bad lighting. Lots of shadows. And one very dusty floor at my warehouse. To sum it up...I had exactly 10 minutes to snap as many pictures as I could before the goods all had to be loaded into not one...but two...huge U-haul trucks.

Did I ever tell you this 'painting-furniture-for-your-job' thing was glamorous? If I did - I soooo lied.

But I love it...so here we go.

I am totally crazy, flipping out in love with this H-U-G-E ornate frame. I just finished mounting a mirror in it...and it is stunning. Seriously. I have tons of mirrors for this show, all shapes sized and colors, but this one is just over-the-top!

And the desk...that old girl was rescued from the office at an old horse farm. The drawers were full of old ledgers from the 1950s. Those will be available at my booth at Junk Bonanza this September.

Wouldn't you have been just over-the-moon to have a bed like this as a little girl?? It has wide wood rails, too. So pretty...this one is a full size, but I have 4 twin beds and one more full size coming with me, too!

The desk on the left has a drop front- and the inside is full of little cubbys. Looks a little "Pottery Barn" to me...so glad I chose those handles for it.

And the bookcase...well, I never seem to be able to bring enough of those. I seem to sell every.single.one. They must be hard to find...hmmmm.

There are actually 4 of the chairs on the left. Oh, and there is a matching chair with arms that I have priced separately. I have a dining table, too.

The desk is soooo cute! It is curved...and I had a glass top made for it, too! It dates from the 1940s and is solid Mahogany. (don't freak out wood lovers - it was way beyond being able to be refinishd when I found it.) I have 7 or 8 desks going to this show. Not as many as usual, but I just couldn't seem to squeeze another one this month. But like always, I will be taking custom order...so if there is something you are looking for drop me a line.

I wish I could have photographed more for you! I will try to snap some pics at the show Saturday.

I can't wait to meet all your girls that emailed to tell me you will be at the show! Remember, I will be in the Arena Building...right on the main isle. I have 4 booths so you kinda can't miss me and the sea of furniture.

If you are the praying kind...please add a little thought in for me this weekend...there is a chance of rain! Yikes!

Oh, and for my annoncement I mentioed the other day...hopefully later today. Just ironing out a few details...so check back!

Have a great weekend, girls!

come see me this weekend!

2010-04-27T12:47:00.001-05:00

I love this time of year.

Flowers.

Green grass.

Breezes.

FLEA MARKETS!!!!!

That's right, girls! This weekend marks my official start to Flea Market Season! I will be at the Kane County Flea Market in St. Charles, IL this Saturday and Sunday!

Just look for me in the sea of white painted furniture. I will be the tall thing with dark hair sticking up over a pile of dresser...vanity tables...desks...coffee tables...cabinets...mirrors...chalkboards...you get the idea.

My booth location is the same it has been for the last few years, so most of you will know where to find me. On the main drag, right across from the Office/Bathroom area. I am in the Arena Building, right on the isle.

I will be trying to get photos of everything as I drag it out of storage to load the truck - so look for a preview on Friday. Oh, and a little announcement from me is coming on Friday, too! So do check back!

Hope to see you this weekend at the flea!

have you ever cried over a refrigerator??

2010-04-16T16:33:00.005-05:00

I almost did today. And I am not a crying-kind-of-girl.

Did I ever tell you one of my favorite salvage stores here in my town is in a huge old brick warehouse...and in that warehouse they used to manufacture refrigerators waaay back in the day?? Well, I have a deep love for old industrial warehouses, I always have. The architecture, the huge freight elevators...the creaky wood floors, the 25 foot ceilings. They feel so well used and well loved to me. I love wandering through them.

The city of live in was once the manufacturing capital of the US - and yes, I am serious as silly as that may sound. Before everyone pulled up stakes a few years ago and high-tailed it for cheap labor in foreign countries just about everything you used in your home was made here in my city in little ol' Illinois. Every day when you open your kitchen cabinets, chances are your handles came from here...your washers, your dryers, your Rubbermaid totes, even your fine antique furniture. You name it, we made it here.

So, back to the story about my salvage store. It has a home in one of the formerly-abandoned beautiful old brick warehouses that used to manufacturer refrigerators. Today when I was there, I decided to ask more about the building. What used to be made there?...how many years it was open?...I just like to know the history of buildings. I have no idea why.

The story I was told was a short one, as the person telling me didn't seem to care one ounce about this building. So let me get straight to the part that made me want to cry.

When the salvage yard took over the warehouse a few years ago, the basement was still full of retro aqua, pink and yellow fridges.

BRAND-SPANKIN' NEW, and original to the 1950s.

The factory closed before they were ever shipped to a store.

There were over 100 of them down there, frozen in time.

So....guess what they did with them............

Did you guess??

They trashed every last one of them.

Trashed. As in garbage. As in perfectly painted, never used and scrapped out for a landfill.

Uh, HELLO stupid salvage people, did you ever think of putting them in your store and making about a million dollars on them??? Yeah, go ahead and sell scrap wood and broken windows for $2...and throw away the goldmine you had in the basement. Good idea!! (Yes, I said that all with sarcasm. Sorry. I am still a little bitter. I only learned this about 4 hours ago so have yet to get over it.)

Ugh.

Sick. Sick and very sad.

Do you ever get the feeling you need to run the world?

Today was one of those days I wished I could rewind the clock and take over.

(photos # 1& #2 - Coastal Living #3 - unknown)

how's it hangin'...

2010-04-14T10:48:00.002-05:00

I love the smell of laundry that has dried in the fresh air and sun.

Sheets are so crisp and fresh...

Growing up, we lived in the country. Laundry was my chore, and to be honest I secretly loved doing it. The smell of dryer sheets still make me happy.

Weird, I know.

Anyway, once April rolled around, I was stricktly forbidden to use the dryer. It was "the sun is free and we have to pay for gas" school of thought that my mother drilled into me. Now, as an adult with my own home, I totally understand. I love to pinch a penny now and then. It frees up more cash for my "junking" excursions, right?!

(both photos from Country Living)

So here is what I just gotta know...

Do you "hang" your clothes to dry in the summer or still use the dryer?

I would love to hear your opinion. I am afraid my neighbors would hate it...I don't live in a 'clothesline' neighborhood. Then again, it is also not a "paint furniture in your driveway" or a "run your palm sander at 10pm" kind of neighborhood either, but I have yet to have a knock on my door with complaints. Ha!

So should I throw caution to the wind and do something as crazy as installing a clothesline in my backyard? Or would that give me the "hillbilly" label I have heard a neighbor or two mention? Oh, and I should clarify, I would never hang bras, undies or my hubbys boxers out to dry, just so ya know!

Personally, I think they are pretty darn cute.

Lets hear it girls, and don't hold back!

loving this...bathroom edition

2010-04-07T11:06:00.002-05:00

I am on a bathroom kick today, so just thougt I would share my latest loves.

I have 3 bathrooms that are in desperate need of a makeover...so I am always on the hunt for inspiration. I love all of these...hope you will enjoy them as much as I do!

I am c-r-a-z-y about the color palette in this one. I am all about neutrals and natural pine. It is just soooo "me". I am seriously considering this look for my main bathroom. But I am not sure if I have the heart to cut open the top of a gorgeous old pine dresser.

Everthing just looks so casual and comfortable. I like things that are not too fussy. I can almost feel the summer breeze blowing through the window when I look at this bathroom.

I would just die to have a bathroom this large! If I put a cabinet like this in mine, I would not be able to walk in the door! LOVE the grey walls and of course...the chandi! Oh, and the whitewashed floors. My flooring guy thought I was such a nut the other day when I called for a quote to whitewash my oak floors. What does he know, anyway??

Loving this cabinet...I think I may have to do one for my show in May like this. The chicken-wire front is fabulous!

And the storage in this bath - WOW! I would love to have all those cupboards and cabinet doors to hide things behind! Oh, and of course...I am swoony over the grey walls.

This bath is my inspiration for my basement bathroom. I can't wait to do the beadboard walls...galvanized light fixtures...old farm sink. Love, love, love it!

I am a girl that is crazy about old metal...and the top of this vanity makes me just plain giddy! I need to find one. This is not a want. This is a NEED! I really think I am going to end up with beadboard ceiling in every room of my house, too!

Back to reality...I have to go clean the ugly bathrooms I have....and stop dreaming about the one's I don't.

After bathroom duty and a little laundry...I am off to paint a french-style entertainment center and the most gorgeous french-style bedroom set. Anyone out there shopping for a little girl's furniture? This bedroom set makes me wish I had one. A french armoire, sleigh bed, nightstand and vanity with a gorgeous bench that is soon to be painted a beautiful soft, off-white. It will be at the show in St. Charles, IL in May!

Happy Wednesday!

(photo credit: #1 & 2 BH&G, #3 Remodeling Center, #4 Unknown, #5 Canadian House & Home, #6 BH&G, #7 House Beautiful)

yard sale bliss...

2010-04-05T11:49:00.001-05:00

Friday was a perfect day...70 degrees...the sun was shining...

I started out early for my yard sale rounds. Now just a tip for you all in case you are ever driving in my town...if I see a sign that looks like this...I brake. Hard.

If someone took the time to paint their sign like this...they must have fabulous things, right?

When I see a sign like this I get that feeling...a few little butterflies...I drive a little faster than I should...and watch out if you think for a second you are going to pull out of a driveway in front of me. I will go over top of you.

Because at the end of it all...I leave with my truck looking like this.

And it is so worth it.

I wish I would have taken better photos, but I was in a hurry. I had to unload my loot from Round #1 and head back out for the rest of the sales! There is so much packed in the back of my truck, I could not even label it all.

I loaded up 3 times...it was fabulous.

And the back seat of the truck??

Well, lets not even go there. It was full. As in c-r-a-z-y full.

32 ornate antique portrait frames, old metal objects, metal baskets and old french books...oh and a few beautiful old linens, too.

It was a good day.

I have to sort and clean everything up today and start painting those frames! Maybe I will be able to snap more pics tomorrow. Most of this is going to the show with my in May, so if you see something you like..come see me!

Happy Monday...and hope everyone had a Happy Easter!

little miss sunshine...

2010-03-31T23:35:00.001-05:00

My friend Annie, over at The House That Jade Built, graciously awarded me with the...

Why thank you, Annie...it is so nice to know I bring a little "sunshine" into your day! She has such a fun and colorful blog, speaking of sunshine, so pop over and pay her a visit!

So I am adding my own little twist on this award post. I had many readers email me after my last post to as about my furniture painting business. So I am going to give you a few answers...but I'll skip typing out the questions...because it is late...and I am tired...and I inhaled a lot of paint fumes today so my brain needs a rest. Here it goes...

1. I have been in business for 10 years - this month is actually my anniversary. Most of you seem interested in how I got started doing this, but that is a whole other post - long story. Lets just say it involved a car accident, a foot surgery that kept me from going to work and a girl that can never sit still.

2. Yes, I paint furniture as my full-time job. I give a makeover to around 60-70 pieces per month.

3. When I am not painting rest of my time is spent dumpster diving, cruising Craigslist, stalking the neighborhood on trash day, going to yard sales, auctions and flea markets, prepping, finishing and selling the pieces. I hope that helps explain why I hardly ever show photos of my work. It is out the door as soon as it is done...and quite frankly who has the time? I'm wiped out by the time it is ready for delivery or shipping!

4. The color of furniture the most popular with my clients is...white. A crisp, clean bright white.

5. No, I do not spray my furniture. I have tried it in the past, may try it again in the future, but my clients have come to expect a certain finish from me...and I am not one to disappoint! I find the extra time it takes to use a good quality primer, brush and paint is so worth it. But who knows, I would love to spray to save a little time...but we will see.

6. Yes, my husband helps me. And no, he never complains. He has his own busy career, but if I need a repair or a custom cabinet built, he is right there to help, no questions asked. I swear I could never do this business on the level that I do it without a helping hand now and then. But I will say, he refuses to paint. He is my handy-man and my delivery help. It ends there.

7. Yes, I do ship my furniture and it is much more reasonable than you would think!

8. The furthest I have ever shipped something is Asia...I have a store there that buys from me regularly. It is so weird to see my coffee table in an ad with Chinese lettering all around it!

9. No, I do not paint in my garage or my basement. Thank goodness! In the early days I did but I hated the mess and I never had enough room to work. I had to rent 3 storage units just to keep my stock in - crazy! So a few years ago I had to move the operation to a warehouse. Much better.

10. YES! All the furniture in my house is white. All but one gorgeous European pine sideboard from the early 1800s...I could never paint that!

I think that should cover all the questions I received, if not...remind me and I will post the answer!

I am off to bed. I have a list of estate sales to make the rounds to tomorrow and an afternoon date with an armoire!

Sounds like a perfect spring day to me!

weekend furniture painting...

2010-03-30T08:58:00.003-05:00

UPDATE:
Thanks to your emails....all the furniture and the frames shown in the photos in this post are SOLD! (Thank you Sharon, Elizabeth, Cammy and Barb, they will be shipping early next week!!)

I will be posting more photos next week when I get the next "batch" of furniture done. I can't wait to show you...I have the most beautiful Frenchy bedroom set I am painting this weekend!

It is going to be a busy month, I can just feel it...I have my first show coming May 1st & 2nd and I am starting to feel the pressure...but I am so excited at the same time! Selling at the show is always so much fun! I love meeting the people...and there is nothing better than seeing my furniture being loaded up and on its way to its new happy home! I sell quite a bit of furniture for little girl's rooms, and it feeds to soul to see how they light up when the get a new dresser or desk. Never fails to make me happy...I am not so sure a piece of furniture would have thrilled me like that when I was a kid!

Here is a little of what I worked on this weekend...

A few vintage frames...

and a few more...they always fly out the door on the first day of the show. I will have 30 or 40 there for the first show, so there should be plenty to choose from!

a full size bed...fit for a princess!

and a gorgeous, solid mahogany tall dresser

This cabinet I actually did last fall but it never made it to a show with me. It will be there in May, but I take custom orders for these, too. They are the perfect size for an over-the-toilet medicine cabinet, or at least that is what most of my buyers tell me they are using them for! I use a salvaged window for the door, and build the cabinet around it. The old locking mechanism is the pull for the door on this one, but each one is different.

And of course a bookcase...I can never, ever bring enough of these to the shows. I usually leave with a "waiting list" for bookcases. I think maybe I am should start building a few of those, too!

And last...but not least...YES...I will have my letter necklaces there again this year! Thank you for all the emails...it inspired me to bring them again this year! I have a few in stock and ready to go...$15 each...so let me know if anyone is in a hurry and needs one before May. I will be happy to drop it in the mail!

I hope some of you "local" girls will stop out at see me at the show! May 1st & 2nd at the Kane County Fairgrounds in St. Charles, IL. I will be in my ususal spot...and have 4 booths stuffed with furniture! Things goes fast, so if you are looking for something specific, be sure to get there on Saturday!

I have a date with my paintbrush again today, so I guess I better get away from my computer and get on it! I have a desk and a dining room set with 6 ornate chairs that need to be done before my head hits the pillow tonight!

Happy Tuesday, girls!

diy kitchen love...

2010-03-29T08:28:00.000-05:00

I'm doing a little happy dance for Kristin over at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia!

She just heard she is going to be featured in Better Homes & Gardens Special Interest Publication...

Kitchen & Bath Makeovers!

Have you seen her kitchen???

Really, if you have not...you have to. Right.now!

I'm even giving you a little preview below...but you can get all the details on her blog.

I was going from blog to blog a few months ago, and stumbled on her kitchen redo...and about fell off my chair. I could not believe the kitchen she has now started out so 'builder basic'. Since then her blog has become one of my favorites, I am always checking in to see what she is up to.

The space was done on a budget...and was totally DIY...well, she had a little help from a painter friend, but who can blame her! Look at all those cabinets! It took a little time, as all good DIY projects seem to. But, she did it a step at a time and the space has evolved into an elegant, comfortable space.

Can you even believe this gorgeous space...

started out like this????

And she didn't get new cabinets...nope...she used what she had an made them better.

Not just better...incredible!

Seriously, Kristin had a vision...and it was perfectly executed.

I have seen a good make-over or two, but the change in this one is fantastic!

It is so bright...and is it just me...or does it seem about 10x bigger than it started out??

I am loving her floor...and the big window above the sink is fabulous!

On her blog, she even shows step by step how she created that gorgeous island!

And the part that I find more wonderful than the kitchen is that she was lucky enough to have one of the editors from Better Homes & Gardens find her blog and fall in love with her kitchen like I did! That would be the best job ever!...to sit at my desk and blog-hop all day looking for rooms that make me swoon.

Congrats, Kristin. I am glad your hard work is going to be shown off for the world to see!

old painted cottage giveaway!

2010-03-25T08:41:00.002-05:00

Jen at The Old Painted Cottage is having a giveaway!

Laurie, from Bella Inspirations has offered one of her gorgeous burlap table runners to one of Jen's lucky readers.

Jen's blog is one of my favorites! I have been following her from the very beginning...and it is amazing what that girl can do with a room! I am in love with her kitchen and living room...this girl is amazing! Oh, and she has a little online store, too! Packed with some of the most amazing finds I have ever seen! I want one of everything! She has some serious eye-candy over on her blog, so click over and take a look!

But please, try not to drool on your keyboard.

So pay a visit to Jen's blog by clicking here and follow her instructions.

Maybe you will be the lucky winner of the burlap runner...

(but secretly, I hope it is me!)

Good luck, girls!

chandelier heaven...

2010-03-24T10:51:00.003-05:00

Yesterday the hubs and I took a little "field trip". He needed a break from building and repairing furniture...and I needed a break from painting it. So...we headed over to see my favorite "chandelier guys". They are two men that clean and restore vintage chandeliers and sell them to women like us that just can't get enough of them!

I was lucky enough to make it into the treasured storage space for all their chadis. I swear as I made it to the bottom step and into their basement angels started to sing...well, not really, but they may as well have!

I was in h.e.a.v.e.n.

Now, be warned. These photos are not pretty, but the chandis were. Taking photos in a basement just does not do these beauties justice, and I couldn't bear to ask 2 men in their late 70s if we could haul each one upstairs so I could get better pics outside. So, they are what they are...but I wanted you to see what they had.

This was just one corner...the chandis went all down one side of their basement. There must have been 75 of them too choose from...and their prices were very, very good.

All I heard from my husband behind me was "Oh, boy. Here we go."

There were chandis that were all glass and crystal...I always love those the most.

Some heavy on the crystals...some a little more simple.

There were some reeeeallly cute petite chandis, too. I would LOVE a little one like this is my bathroom...or above my kitchen sink as a pendant. I am going to have to remember this one since I will be starting a kitchen reno in a few months.

This one would be great in a foyer...it does hang straight, but the crystals are so heavy it won't be straight until it is up on the ceiling.

This is the one I bought for my office. I think it am going to paint it gray and distress it. My office is all white, so I think that will be perfect!

And these two were my FAVS! Seriously, I stared at them for so long, my husband finally just said, "so why don't you buy them so you can stare at them at home". I love that man. He is just the best!

But, I have a house with ceilings too low to handle these, and I am still sad about it this morning. I asked my hubs if we could move just so I could have a place for it. He agreed.

Isn't she a beauty???

The metal that holds the crystals is my favorite part. All made by hand. This chandi is stamped with the manufacturer name and the year it was made on the inside. I believe it was 1927.

This style is called a 'wedding cake chandelier'...love that. Can you imaging the house this came from? It bet it was stunning!

This little mini one matched it. I love the bits of old paint on the ceiling cap.

I really, really, really wanted this one for my foyer...be he didn't want to separate the pair.

I love days like this when I can escape the paint fumes and sawdust and go look at beautiful things.

A wonderful friend I have made here in blogland reminded me the other day just how lucky I am to be able to what I do for my job. I am so glad she did...because it is so true! I would be so unhappy working behind a desk all day. This is what feeds my soul. Searching through old barns, finding those out of the way junk shops, meeting people unexpectedly that sell great things out of their basement...it is so much fun!

I can't see mylself doing anything else. My little biz is celebrating its 10 year anniversary April 1st...here's hoping for another successful 10! Because I will take wearing my favorite dirty boots over heels any day!

weekend finds...

2010-03-23T10:58:00.002-05:00

Ok, girls...I was at it again!

I just can't help myself.

This stuff seems to find me, rather than me finding it. I swear.

I hit some estate sales and thrift shops this past weekend...and here is what I dragged home with me.

Here's the low-down on what I am going to do with it all...

The 3 white enamel dishes with lids will hold clutter on top of my desk...frames will be painted and sold at my first show at the Kane County Flea Market in May...the grain sacks will be used to upholster chair seats...

the ironstone pitcher is going in my collection...I think the little ironstone sugar bowl without the lid will work as a vase for my kitchen window...the bottles are going in my bathrom...

and the clocks, scale and fan will be at the May show, too.

Oh, and I can't forget the vintage metal number 8 and letter G...I buy those whenever I find them, too.

And my favorite find of the day....drumroll please....

22 MATCHING vintage locker baskets!

Love the patina, love the cream color paint...within 2 seconds I had a project for them in mind! I just haven't told my hubs yet...but he is going to make me a long...low...cabinet to hold these in my work studio. Then my sister...she does all my sewing...gets the task of making me 22 liners that fold over with litte ruffles out of some white vintage linen I have been stashing. I hope they both still love me after this project! I think it will look fabulous...and will be perfect for sorting and storing all my fabric!

I love the weekend. The junking bliss starts on Thursday & Friday around here...thats when the estate sales happen...and I usually make the rounds of my favorite little junk shops on the weekend when they are getting the most donations.

Now, I am off to see the 2 guys I told you about a few weeks ago that have a basement full of vintage chandeliers for sale! I really hope it won't be too dark for photos...I know its going to be good...so I have to show you what I find!

Wish me luck!

Marley & Lockyer giveaway!

2010-03-21T08:56:00.001-05:00

I am taking this moment to spread the love...

Marley & Lockyer is having a giveaway!!

Her Etsy shop is loaded with so many beautiful things...

and she is kind enough to offer not one...but 2...of her gorgeous pillow covers...

AND...

a set of your favorite clay tags from her shop!

So head over to her site and pay a visit!

There is so much eye candy, stay a while and look through her past posts. Ness' blog was one of the very first I ever followed, and I love every second I spend there!

progress...

2010-03-17T09:44:00.002-05:00

Ok, ok...I know I keep going on...and on...and on...about that slightly-oversized Opera House cabinet I have been working on for my living room, so thought I would give you a little sneak-peek.

It is in the home-stretch...I have to do a little distressing...install new glass shelving...and put the sliding glass doors on the front. But I could not wait to show you a little peek.

I am soooo happy I decided to leave the areas that were raw pine natural!

It is such a beautiful contrast to my white ironstone collection that will be on display inside.

I am in love with that bowl in the center. I have never...ever...seen another one like it. It is a rather large size and has a metal rim...so cool! Anyone out there know what it was for? Maybe it had a lid??

I am not sure about the handles...I left them in their original state for now. They look black in the photos, but they are old, and solid brass, so have a great dark brownish-bronze patina to them. I may keep them this way, we'll see.

The inside of the cabinet has a little writing here and there. No idea why...but I love it. I could never paint over it.

Now, did I happen to mention that my beloved cabinet seems a bit too large for my room??

Yeah. Just a little snag in my plan.

It is just so massive, it makes everything else look a little small. I had a feeling that would happen when I bought it, but had to take the chance anyway. My room is 33ftx16 ft...so rather bowling-alley-ish. The scale of the cabinet really needs a much larger room...but it is what it is.

And I love it. So it is staying.

For now.

I'm off for another day with the paintbrush. I have a coffee table, 3-drawer bombay chest and a full-length mirror to get done today.

This is a piece I delivered yesterday. Let me tell you, there is nothing like a girly white dresser to make a little girl soooo happy!

Oh, and Happy St. Patty's Day, girls!

happenings...

2010-03-15T15:13:00.000-05:00

You girls are the best, you know that??

Thanks for all the "where have you been?" emails...I really didn't think anyone would miss me if I was gone from blogland for a week! You sure know how to make a girl feel good!

I have had a lot going on around here...some small things...and some really big things. I am trying to tie up loose ends on something super-exciting so I can make a little announcement to you all next week.

It is something fabulous but scary all at the same time. Aren't those kind of things just the best??...ok, for me only when I look back on them, NOT when they are happening!

I've been trying to get a few new projects projects started...and finished...around the house...

I've been painting furniture for clients like a crazy woman...I just finished piece #13 this morning...I need a break. And some Girl Scount cookies.

While the paint is drying on those pieces...I try to sneak in a little work on that g-i-a-n-t cabinet I told you about a few weeks ago...I am soooo close to having it done. Hoping to finish it tomorrow and so I can have new glass shelves cut and have it loaded by next week. Here's hoping...

On top of house projects and furniture painting...spring is right around the corner and I am trying to figure out a landscape plan. Lets just say I am much better at painting furniture than designing a landscape. I decided today to hire someone. I just don't have time to do it all. I do need sleep, afterall!

Note to self: Next time I buy a house, I will NOT rip out every plant, every bush and every weed until I have a plan on paper for how to replace it. My poor old house was being swallowed by bushes when I bought it, and I got a little happy with my girl-sized chainsaw.

(all photos from here...I am totally obsessed with her work)

Oh, and I am on the hunt for a spiffy new pair of Hunter rain boots...did you see the ones on Oprah last week with warm little liners you can take out? I fell in love...so Zappos, here I come! I will be needing them when show season rolls around for me in May! It always seems to be cold and rainy that first show of the year! Now...what color to get...hmmmm....

Happy Monday, girls.

Its good to be back.

weekend flea market finds...

2010-03-09T08:28:00.007-06:00

I am a road-trip kind of girl.

There are few things I like better than hopping in the car with my hubs and heading somewhere for the day. We always have such a darn good time!

Saturday I had a delivery in the Chicago area, so we loaded up the trailer...hooked up the GPS and took off for the day.

First stop...ESTATE SALE. I love, love, love seeing those words on a sign nailed to a post! Here were my finds at that sale...some are to keep...some are to sell...but hands down favorite was the galvanized metal tool box! How cool is that thing, anyway? I was gushing about it the whole way into Chicago.

At one point, my so-easy-going-you-have-to-check-him-for-a-pulse-sometimes hubs says proudly "my friend's wives want designer jeans and expensive shoes...not my wife, she wants a dirty old toolbox she crawled on the floor under a workbench full of sawdust to get."

He gets me.

After breakfast at a little diner along the way..which, by the way, is a requirement for him spending the day "junking" with me...we were off the the flea market.

First stop at the flea market...to see Anita & Judy aka the Iowa Junk Gyspies! Now, I really shouldn't tell you this or I am going to create competition for myself, but if you don't get early, you will be sorry. Trust me on this. The things on their tables grow wings and fly out of there. They always have stacks of ironstone, tarnished silver, loads of old bottles...you get the idea...really, really good stuff!

I snagged the basket in the photo below...but why the heck didn't I get those finials?? Kick.my.self.

I have a weakness for old glass bottles. I feel the need to buy every one I see. I controlled myself this time...I only came home with 2. That stack of white plates peeking around in the bottom right corner was another kick.my.self moment. Why did I leave those behind?

But here is some of what I came home with...love the vintage pig breadboard. He is going to look fabulous on display in my kitchen. And the ironstone bucket...don't even get my started...I am c-r-a-z-y about that thing! I can't wait to fill it with hydrangeas this summer!

I was on a mission to find a chandelier...or two. I almost let out this really-embarrassing-for-my-husband squeal when I found a vendor that was actually from my town...and was selling chandeliers! Here is one that I think I might buy...if he didn't sell it. The prices were fantastic!

(Yes, I knocked that crooked bulband broke it...I blame it on my excitement.)

They had about 6 of them at the show...all ready-to-hang...they rewire when they need to, all the crystals are in place and this one even had its original ceiling cap! He wanted $150...I think that was a pretty good price!

I didn't buy because I am going over to their house this weekend to see what else they have. He has 15 different chandeliers right now, so I can't wait to get over there to see what else screams "take me home". I am dreaming of an all-glass chandi with crystals for my office.

If anyone is looking for one, drop me an email. I plan on taking more pics while I am there. I know how hard they are to find at a good price, so if you see something you like I can ship it!

Happy Tuesday, girls.

I am off to work on painting my giant 'opera house' cabinet. I am dying to get it done and in place so I can show you! You will never believe it is the same cabinet. Gotta love white paint!

flea market weekend - woohoo!!

2010-03-05T08:14:00.002-06:00

FINALLY!

I have been waiting...and waiting for my flea market to open for the season!

Notice, I say my flea market...but it has become such a part of my life...I feel I can call it whatever I want! But really, its known just as the Kane County Flea Market in St. Charles, IL.

I give 7 months of my year to selling there...but this weekend I am getting my shop on, so watch out girls!

I'm bringing my husband...he's got the whole linebacker body style goin' on...so he is going to block for me while I grab what I want to buy.

Ok, so he will most likely be standing there with a coffee holding my purchases looking reeeaaaallly bored while I buy more stuff I don't need.

Here is what I am on the hunt for...

White dishes...all shapes, all sizes...I have a new 8ft wide cabinet to fill lets remember!

Oh, and any old metal things...salt/pepper shakers, platters, pitchers...whatever. I want to mix a little in with the ironstone in the above-mentioned cabinet.

(image: country living)

Mirrors like these...I am filling a wall in my entry and need a couple more. Why oh why did I sell all I had last summer. Kick.my.self. Ugh.

(image: country living)

I will be hunting for 2 of these...why the heck are they so hard to find right now? Not one antique store in my whole town has one. Geesh! I need one for my office and the other for a guest room reno I am doing. Anyone have one they want to sell?...I didn't think so.

(image: unknown)

Oh, and if I could find one of these I could die a happy woman. I am searching the world over right now for a new farm table. I have one, but it is too small in my new home. I want a nice long one that would seat 8-10. This one may take a while....

(image: Atlanta Bartlett)

And no trip to the flea market would be complete without coming home with a truckload of this...I've got orders stacking up, and I don't like to disappoint!

(image: me)

Wish me luck girls! Hope you all get to go to a flea market this weekend! Here in IL it is going to be 50 degrees - WOOHOO!!! It is about time!

Happy Friday, girls!

how sweet it is.....

2010-03-02T08:06:00.002-06:00

Today I get to spend the day with a few of my favorite things...

a fresh gallon of paint in my favorite shade...'cloud white'

a brand new paintbrush

and a radio playing my very favorite tunes

I don't have much of a post today...

because I have a dresser

one gorgeous frenchy armoire

a changing table

grandma's beautiful old rocking chair

and a side table

waiting for a makeover

oh, and a chandelier I have to remove all the crystals from before I can paint it white, too...

I think I have stumbled on my very favorite client...

of all the clients I have worked with in the last 10 years

a wonderful husband who is having me paint all the furntiure for a very important nursery...

a nursery for his very first little girl

(all photos from here...)

he wants to fill the room and surprise his wife when she gets home

~ a nursery full of girlie delights ~

I have a feeling the 3 of them are going to have a happy life together.

That is one sweet man.

i can feel the love...

2010-02-26T08:44:00.008-06:00

I love Etsy...

and it feels so good this morning to know that Etsy loves me, too!

I woke up yesterday morning to find this in my inbox..

A few of my favorite things...white..grey...silver...and more white...so I decided to keep reading...

I am blushing...because that is my bed up there on display! My bed??

Are you kidding me?

I am sure most of you don't even know I have my own business painting furniture. I sell to a number of designers, stores and my favorite...the Kane County Flea Market in St. Charles, IL...May-October.

I don't even tell anyone I sell online...but I guess now my secret it out! I have only listed about 6 pieces of furniture...how pathetic...thats why I never say anything. Not much of a show to put on with 6 pieces! I am embarrassed to even mention it, to be honest with you.

I am so busy with custom orders...getting ready for my first show in the Spring...and trying to finish my own house...things just never seem to make it to Etsy. I put a piece up here or there just for fun.

I want to do more...I really do.

But picture taking in a nightmare for me...but thats a whole other post. Thanks to my new BFF Tara, I think I may be getting the hang of indoor shots in my "shady" home...so watch out! If I do figure this camera out I am going to wear you out on home shots, project makeovers and furniture listings!

So where am I going with this...I am blushing because I was featured in an Etsy treasury again and I feel a proper 'thank you' is in order! THANK YOU SUSAN! That makes 6 features so far...and I have only listed 6 pieces. How funny is that? I am really thinking...why me?? There are so many fabulous things on Etsy...how are you finding the girl with only 6 things posted?

How awesome are those girls out there in Estyland, anyway??? They sure know how to make a girl in the middle of IL freezing her tail off with a paintbrush in her hand feel soooo good!

I feel like I need to give a little speech like Sally Field..."you like me, you really like me!"

Just take a look at the fantastic company my little bed is keeping up there! Those mercury glass bottles make me want to pass out...and that camera is the most fabulous thing...I just may have to have that for a shelf in my office!

So again, THANK YOU SUSAN...maybe you have just lit a fire under this girl to get her act together and take more time to make her Etsy store pretty...and actually fill it up! Funny how we can do such little things in life, and they end up meaning so much. This has meant so much to me...as trivial as it may be. Sometimes we just need a boost!

Happy Friday, girls.

Wishing you all a fun, sun filled weekend!

did I...or didn't I...buy that big ol' cabinet???

2010-02-23T08:20:00.003-06:00

Well girls...I have made a decision.

It is not a decision I have taken lightly....because I guess when it comes down to it - I'm a cheap girl -

In terms of what I want to pay for my wood furniture pieces, that is.

You may remember...a few days ago I did a post about this big, beautiful glass front cabinet...

I wanted it soooo badly when I first laid eyes on it.

Tall, dark and handsome...it was just what I have been waiting for my whole life.

The sliding glass doors...the original metal pulls...I had.to.have.it.

But the price....$850...ouch-o-rama!

So I talked to the owner of this lovely cabinet.

I told him how I ran up and hugged it the moment I saw it. He either thought I was totally crazy...or was really crazy in love with it.

I told him about how I wanted to fill it with my white ironstone collection. He said "no way could you have enough ironstone to fill an 8ft x 8ft cabinet!" And I replied "uuuhhhh....yeah, I actually do." From over my shoulder my always silent husband says "Yes, trust me...she does." Thank you, baby for helping me make my point! I love how when I want something, he always wants it to. Even though he could not care less about all these white dishes or a big old cabinet to put them in. Love that guy.

I wanted him to see...I need this cabinet...and this cabinet needs me.

He told me there were originally 3 cabinets like this, and they came from a room of an old Opera House. He had already sold the other two for $1,500, and that was a deal. Yikes.

The $850 was way more than I was wanting to pay, so when I heard the other two went for $1500...I knew I didn't stand a chance at talking him down.

But, when I want something...I cannot be stopped. I will make it happen.

No is not a word in this girl's vocabulary.

So I went home and "slept" on it.

But there really was not much sleeping involved...

I was plotting and planning how to make this happen...

So I talked to him again...I used a few tricks that usually get me the deal I want...and I think just to get rid of me...he sold it to me for one heck of a sweet deal! He knocked $200 bucks off...and this baby is officially mine!

I pick her up Saturday...then the transformation begins.

Now, lets hope she turns out as fabulous as this one...I just happen to have chairs similar to these...and I am on the hunt for a farm table like this one. Isn't it a tragedy there is no chandelier hanging above the table? That light is just wrong!

(no idea where this photo is from...its been on my computer forever..if someone knows, please tell me!)

Wish me luck on getting her home!

I will be sure to show you pictures when I get her done! If I can figure out what all those buttons mean on my new camera. I can never get good shots inside my house!? Anyone that knows, feel free to come on over and show me how!

easily distracted...

2010-02-19T07:38:00.001-06:00

Yesterday I set out with intentions of finding a dresser for a client.

I swear.

In my mind I kept telling myself "you are not shopping for yourself. Don't look for anything other than the dresser."

The word "focus" was repeated in my head over and over.

But it didn't work.

Nope.

Never does.

The bling always catches my eye. I can spot a chandelier from 40 yards.

And in one store today...I saw four of them! They looked so sad hanging there waiting to be taken home. The shop owner all but begged me to buy one.

I could feel my mind start to wander. Within 30 seconds I had plans in my head. Which room, what color walls...the whole 9 yards, as they say. Why, oh why do these shop owners play with my mind this way??

This one was my favorite...but it needs a few modifications...I would remove the hurricanes and shine her up a bit...but she is oh-so-pretty in person! And she is an 8-arm chandi, too! Those are a tough find!

This little beauty was petite and had cute little details...see the little flower crystals towards the top? Super sweet for a little girls room.

Some were a little heavy on the "ornateness" for a simple girl like me...

And my husband said this one reminded him of Vegas. He has a pretty good eye after tagging along with me all these years. I guess he has a point. It was about 3 1/2 feet tall and had tiers of crystals...pretty...just not "us".

At this point, my neck had been cranked "up" for so long staring at what was hanging off the ceiling, I completly forgot about looking for my client's dresser. I needed to put these dang chandis out of my mind and get down to business.

But then it happened.

I locked eyes with the most amazing piece of furniture. Time stood still for a moment, and all I heard my husband mutter under his breath was "Oh man, I know that look." He knows just to stay out of my way and back the truck up to the door, because something is about to come home with us.

Brace yourself...this is the worlds ugliest photo. It was taken in a junk shop, lets remember girls.

It is a H-U-G-E vintage apothacary cabinet from an old store! You have no idea how much I love this thing.

Seriously l.o.v.e.

As in "if I could marry it - I would" kind of love.

A majestic beauty...8 feet wide x 8 feet tall.

But the price is killing me. $850. Yikes.

I am the queen of the antique furniture deal. I don't think a single piece in my whole house cost over $100.

I know that is a crazy good deal for what it is...but ouch!

It needs a little "Mary Makeover"...and no one pass out when I say this...if I buy it - it will be painted white. I couldn't have it any other way. I am going to dream about this cabinet tonight. I just know it. In my mind it is already full of all my white ironstone and old metal pieces.

Oh, and I never gave a second thought to the dresser I was looking for.

What do you think?? Should I do it?

I heart Meadowbrook Farm...

2010-02-18T08:33:00.006-06:00

I am in love with Meadowbrook Farm.

Seriously.

I want to move there.

Or at least swing by the next time I am anywere within a 5 hour radius. Do you think Mr & Mrs. Meadowbrook would mind if they came home one day and I was sitting in that white rocking chair? Surely they have a guest room...I would promise to keep it tidy and even cook dinner and do the dishes while I am there.

Teresa, the lovely lady that gets the pleasure of calling Meadowbrook Farm "home" has to be one of the luckiest ladies on the planet.

Not only does she get to live in one of the cutest houes I have ever seen...

She gets to enjoy a view like this...

And have a unbelievably gorgeous greenhouse built just for her.

* insert jealousy here*

The inside of her house is just pure happiness.

Ooohhh...and it has beadboard ceilings...my favorite!

Look at those gardens outside the window - incredible!

The little vignettes around her home scream to be int he pages of a magazine. Anyone out there an editor? If so, I have to tell you something. "Call Teresa. Now. I'm telling you, she is going to get offers, yours may as well be the first."

Girls, I don't know about you...but I have a hard time growing a pot of petunias. Maybe when I pop in for that visit they can give me some pointers on how to grow a garden like this!

*Once again, insert jealousy here*

I saved my favorite part for last...the barn. I love barns. I grew up with one very similar to this, but it was white. There is something about the red...just so beautiful in every season!

You have to read the story of their "new" barn. It just knocks my socks off.

If you have not yet had the pleasure of reading Teresa's blog, click over and do it now! Read every.single.page.

Not only is her home and land absolutely incredible eye candy, but she enjoys the love and happiness of a beautiful family and a simple life. I love that she went from suburban mom to living an out-in-the-middle-of nowhere life. She has a wonderful story...and her photography is out of this world!

Thank you, Teresa...for letting me share your beautiful corner of the world.

Happy Thursday, girls.

Hope this brought a little sunshine to your day.

double whammy in my maibox...

2010-02-16T16:58:00.004-06:00

I know it is going to be a lovely day when I find something waiting for me in my mailbox...besides bills.

Today was a happy-mail day because I opened it up to find these waiting for me inside!

I love seeing those big blue letters staring back at me!

First I tore into the big box...I always open the biggest one first, don't you?? I can't wait to see what is inside!

Lucky me!...I was the giveaway winner the lovely Tammy of Tinsel & Company was hosting in honor of Valentine's Day!

Isn't her wrapping just gorgeous!? I love knowing I can visit her website...order something for a gift and it will arrive just as beautiful on the outside, as what is on the inside!

These are little beauties that were inside all that pretty wrapping...are they just the cutest!? 4 of the most adorable vintage-inspired Valentine's towels! Nothing like a little rik-rak and bright, cherry color to liven up a dreary February day! Thank you, Tammy!

You really need to check out Tammy's blog...and her website! The new Easter goodies that are coming in look gorgeous!

Package #2...well that one held the long-anticipated FLEA MARKET STYLE MAGAZINE!

Did you get yours yet? If you didn't pre-order from Heather Bullards blog, it will be in stores on Feb 23rd. I was happy to see so many of the girls I have grown to know and love in blogland featured in the pages. I'm looking forward to reading every single word! If you are not familiar with who launched the Flea Market mag...visit their blog. You may see some familiar faces!

Nothing this girl likes more than curling up in bed and dreaming my way through the latest and greatest in decor magazines. By the way, if you have not yet checked out the new Cottage Style magazine you see peeking out from behind...run...literally...to your closest store and buy one! See all those green post-it notes marking my favorite pages?? Well so many of those pictures have been saved on my computer for soooo long. I was thrilled to find so many in one magazine!

Have a great night girls...I'm off to do a little dreaming...one page at a time!

true love...circa 1945

2010-02-12T10:37:00.004-06:00

Last month, I did a post about 92 WWII love letters I bought at a farm auction. I have been beyond thrilled to read through the words of Irwin & Helen...I read each letter he wrote her, then her response...it is like being in their converstation.

I love how he starts this letter...

Just like everyone before and after it...

"Dearest darling Helen"

and then he calls her his "little ray of sunshine"...isn't that just the cutest thing ever??

This letter goes on to talk about his daily life while he is away. What he does for his job on the ship, what the other guys are doing. He is careful to not reveal too much, the sensors would never send it on to her if he did. Can you imagine? Every single personal word your husband wrote you while you were apart being read by someone else? Yikes.

Parts of the letters have me laughing outloud. Apparently she is a not-so-great cook, and he made a comment about not being ready for home cooked food any time soon. Umm....Hello, Irwin - I wish I would have been there to help you out. Someone needed to imform you that women are not amused by jokes like that. Needless to say, Helen did not find it to be funny at all, and he apologized for about 13 letters afterwards.

And I have discovered Irwin has a little naughty side to him, too! He throws in a comment or two that I am sure they would not appreciate me reading. I guess years away on a ship will do that to a guy...wink...wink.

But most of all, he begs to hear about the mundane, day-to-day things she is doing. He wants to hear details. What she did...who she saw...what they talked about. I admit, at first I thought Irwin may be just a little controlling.....but then he says why. When he lays down in his bunk at night, he falls asleep imagining he is there. Remembering what life was like before he was...somewhere in the South Pacific...all those miles away from her.

He talks about how much he is missing the little things. Going bowling, mowing the lawn, fixing their car, even painting the house. The simple things in life really are the most important, aren't they?

I love how he signed this letter...

"sending all of my love and kisses now and forever, your loving, loyal but ever so lonely husband Irwin"

I have been trying to figure out what to get my husband for Valentine's Day. Cologne? Dinner and a movie? A new watch? But really, when it comes down to it...we like the every day things in life just like Irwin. I think I will just cook him his favorite dinner...and he can build a fire. We will pop open a bottle of cheap champagne, drink it out of the wrong kind of glass and enjoy a night in.

Happy Valentine's Day, my friends.

Wishing you a Helen & Irwin kind of day...enjoy the simple things in life.

a room with a view...

2010-02-09T10:54:00.002-06:00

I did a post a couple of weeks ago about a historic house that I fell in love with while visiting my mom in her recovery center. She is starting to joke that I am coming to visit her just so I can see these houses! The one I am showing you today is right across the street from the one in my first post...and it has made me an all out-stalker.

Seriously.

I have pinned down that the owners appear to be in their 60s. She has gorgeous silver hair in the cutest little bob haircut...and always wears a short mink coat. He also has a full head of thick silver hair, they drive away together in a beautiful black Mercedes SUV.

See. Told you I was a stalker.

Actually, I have just been spending waaaay to much time staring out that window. You can't help but notice these things, right? Over the last month I have seen these people so much, and have imagined for hours on end what their house must look like inside...that I almost have the nerve to ring the bell and ask if I can see inside!

But I think that would be crossing the lines into all-out-stalker...as in call the police, honey - there is a crazy lady at the door with a camera!

Here are a few photos...tell me you wouldn't go a just a tiny bit insane of this beauty!? Oh, and sorry they are a little crooked...and not the best photos...click on them to get a much better view. I had to dart in and out of the intersection between school buses and kids in the crosswalk. This baby is a block from a school.

View from the street. And yes, the house is an octagon shape...and solid brick! That was some serious money back in the day.

Isn't she gorgeous!??

I want sooo bad to get into that room at the top! Do you see it?? Now that is the place for a sunroom! Actually, I would put my office up there. This house sits on top of a hill in the neighborhood, so the view would be fantastic! I would get to see all the beautiful homes in the neighborhood with a birds-eye-view!

This is the door next to their garage. I am in love with that screen door.

From the front you would never guess this house is so HUGE! Looks like it may have had a couple of additions, but in person it is very authentic. All the brick matches, and it looks old and full of character.

Who knows...maybe I will get up the nerve to knock this week. They may be flattered I asked, right? I hear they are on a historic house tour during Christmas time, so they should be used to strangers snooping around their house. I just want a personal tour, is that too much to ask??

how did I miss this?

2010-02-06T20:39:00.002-06:00

Did you know about this?

I had no idea!

HOW DID THIS ESCAPE ME!?

So, you mean to tell me...on nights like tonight...when the hubby is off playing poker with the guys...and I am home in my jammies cruising my favorite blogs...I can click over and SHOP AT GOODWILL!!!???

I can't believe I didn't know about this!

It seems to be just like any other visit to a Goodwill store...you have to sift through a lot of "stuff" to find the treasures...but in 10 minutes I already have 3 things on my "watch list".

And I can even search the Goodwill in my own city so I don't have to pay shipping. Is this why I can't find the good stuff lately...are they hiding it all in the back room so it can go up for auction??

Seriously. I don't need to be able to thrift 24 hours a day.

This could be bad. Very bad.

i heart salvage yards...

2010-02-05T10:49:00.003-06:00

I have to admit something to all of you.

I am not a girly-girl.

Maybe I am...I don't know. But yesterday, I was not.

I was climing through piles of old junk...getting dirty and loving every minute of it.

It was one of the most fabulous, fun days I have had in a long time! I am happy down to my toes today...and it is all thanks to a whole lotta JUNK and a drafty old 6-story warehouse!

I love how the men in the place are in awe of a girl that loves junk. A girl with french-tip nails, and a super-cute bag on her shoulder, that is. At first they always think I am going to require their "help"...I just thank them and continue on with my digging.

As most of us do, I have an adgenda every day of my life. A long list of "to-dos". I work too much...usually 6-7 days a week...sometimes 8 depending on how many orders I have go get done that week. Did I ever tell you I have my own little business painting furniture?...I really need to do a post about it sometime. Oh, and we build furniture, too. Out of salvaged materials...and I love, love, love it! I don't sell those pieces at my shows...usually I sell those to stores...but this year I think I may bring some and see how it goes.

Yesterday, I needed a break from my paintbrush. We were just spending too much time together lately. So I headed out for a little inspiration at my favorite architectural salvage warehouse.

Did you know you can find beauties like this at a salvage yard??

I was climing over piles of old ceiling tin, tripping on old door trim and making my way through 100s of old chippy doors trying to find the ones that needed a new home. It was heaven to a girl like me. But cold as a meat locker...that part was not fun after a couple hours. But you should see the doors I came home with! Worth every minute and every frozen toe! I snagged chippy painted doors in pale blue, cream, white, pink, pale yellow...and think there is an old aqua or two in the mix.

The building iteself was incredible. It is a beautiful old thing from the 1800s. Exposed brick walls...old creaky wood floors...floor to ceiling windows. In its prime it was a factory for millwork. They had photos on the walls. Some of the most incredible fireplace mantles, doors and mouldings came out of that place. As I looked around at all the reclaimed goods I couldn't help but wonder if some had found their way "home" again.

*sigh*

I saw chippy, layered paint...thick beveled glass...and some of the most stunning doorknobs I have ever laid eyes on! As I am typing this...I can't help but wonder if I am the only person that has ever used 'stunning' and 'doorknobs' in the same sentence.

There were old wavy-glass windows as far as the eye could see. And old ornate ceiling tin...it was everywhere! Stacks and stacks of it! There was one room dedicated to sinks, toilets and bathtubs. Seriously, even the toilets and sinks were beautiful back in the day!

If you have a place like this in your area YOU MUST VISIT!

You never know what you might find! I brought home old keys, antique hardware for my furniture, a fabulous mirror. a couple chandeliers and loads of doors and windows! Oh, and 2 English Ironstone pitchers now have a permenant home in my kitchen, too! When the weather gets a bit warmer I am going to build a few armoires with those old doors, so I will be sure to keep you posted!

I'm off for another day with the paintbrush...

Happy Friday!

can anyone help a girl out?

2010-02-02T15:07:00.004-06:00

Ok, raise your hand if you are hopelessly in love with TJMaxx, Marshalls

or Home Goods...

If someone asked me that...I would be the crazy kid in the back of the class waving my arms like I was trying to land an airplane.

Seriously. I love those stores. For me, its like a flea market fix...only with new stuff. I walk in having no idea what I am looking for...or what I will find...but always manage to walk out with a cart full!

Today, I have found something I have been searching for...I love it when that happens! I look for months and months...almost give up hope...then there it is! I swear the skys part and I hear singing.

I did a post some time ago about a spice rack I was making for my kitchen. Martha Stewart inspired me...but I was having a hard time finding the jars I wanted. They needed to be larger than the usual spice jar. And I wanted them to look vintage, but be new.

And then today....I found them...at my local Marshalls.

*instert parting skies and the singing here*

Each one is a little over 5" tall...and 2.5" in diameter.

But...I need more of them...so that is where I am hoping one of you girls can help me out.

If you get to one of the above mentioned stores...and find these little beauties...I would be more than happy to make it worth your while! They were filled with all sorts of things, most had peppercorns in them. I don't care what is inside. I am going to empty the jar and soak the label off.

Maybe someone knows of a source for these type of jars...only empty?

it's not nice to stare...

2010-01-28T20:33:00.002-06:00

But, I can't help it! I am house obsessed. Always have been.

I have fond memories of being a child...and peeking in peoples windows.

No... its not what you are thinking.

Living out in the country it was a long drive to anywhere...so I had a lot of staring-out-the-window-time. I vividly remember driving home from church on Saturday nights...we had to pass through 3 small towns before we made it to our farm. I would be in awe staring through the windows of the houses where the drapes were open and the lights were on.

Is that weird?? Probably...but it was nuturing my early love of decor and architecture. I didn't want to spy on the people...just see their house. My favorites were always the big old houses with staircases. They always look pretty through a front window.

If you have been reading my blog the last few weeks, you know my mom had surgery...and it didn't go as well as planned. Anyhoo...she is getting better day by day...but is recovering at a "rehab center." I don't particularly love it there...and she spends a lot of time sleeping or at physical therapy...so I spend a lot of time staring out the window. But with eye candy like this...who can blame me??

This is the house across the street from her room...I have to see it every time I visit.
And it is painful.
Because I want to buy it and live there!

Can a person be in love with an portico? If so...I am.
I want to walk through this entry every.single.day.

Oh, and I have to interrupt house photos with my faaaaavorite part. This would be where I have my office-slash-furniture painting studio. It has an authentic carriage house. And this one is H-U-G-E! I swear, my whole house could fit in this building.

I confess...I used to live in an old house...and I loved calling my old wood garage a carriage house. It was not...but I like to call it that because it sounded cool. A true carriage house is big...and tall. See the hay door up top? Love it. The two huge glass windows on the bottom right would be where the horses and carriages were kept. Too bad they didn't keep the sliding doors that would have been there. I have a love affair with old sliding barn doors, too.

I about died when I saw it had not just one...but TWO sleeping porches. I love the idea of sleeping on a covered porch in the summer months. They have built these in to make it more practial for the Iowa weather...but now they are so much less romantic!

Ahhh...so pretty. I can't wait to go back Sunday. You should see the old beauty next door to this one!

Am I alone in this....or does anyone else covet old houses?
And dream about old architecture?
Do you take random pictures of stranger's houses?

Seriously, am I the only one that will admit I look in people's windows at night!?

more thrift store love...

2010-01-27T11:43:00.000-06:00

I seem to be on a roll this week in the shopping department!

Yesterday I started my day with a trip to Target...one of my favorite places on this plantet by the way...and came out with $39 worth of groceries for $14.06! Did you know you can go onto Targets website...print their grocery coupons and then combine them with manufacturer's coupons?? If you didn't, I am hear to tell you...yes you can! I only bought what I had coupons for, but they were items I usually buy each week anyway. But that is truly another post. I could write a book on the whole coupon thing. I love the game of saving a buck.

Speaking of saving a buck...I love decorating my house...and don't mind admitting I am totally cheap about it, too! After Target I paid a visit to a couple of the thrift stores I missed the other day. Tuesday is half-off day at a couple of my favorites...so of course I was there when the doors opened! Here is what I found...I hate it that I can't make my pictures larger, so click on them if you want to get up-close-and-personal.

You may remember me talking about the wire baskets in Monday's post. The one where the owner thinks I am some poor stupid girl that can only afford or want the cheap junk the store doesn't see as 'valuable'. Fine by me...and I am not about to tell him there are a whole bunch of us that actually love it! After I made my purchase, I had to ask him about these wire baskets I saw sitting in a curtained-off area. (A tip from me to you...ALWAYS peek in the area behind a curtain. That is where they keep the new stuff!) He said they were not worth making a tag for...and that I could have them! Thank you Mr. Rather Condescending...I will take you up on that!

This one is going in my new studio work space. I think it will be perfect for rolls of vintage wallpaper!

And these I have a very special project for. They will be going in my office...in the Pottery-Barn-inspired desk my hubby just built for me! I am supposed to be painting it right now...I can't wait to show you as soon as I get it in place. Hopefully next week.

I can never have enough white ironstone pitchers. I have too many already...but I spread them all over the house and love each and every one of them!

I need to find my local chapter of Books Anonymous. They are something I just can't resist. I try to stick to titles that fit things we love or are just the right color. The two tan books drew me in because of the color...and they fact that they are from a series about dogs was a bonus. I have never met a dog a didn't like. I love them all. And the On the Beach could not have been a more appropriate find. I have a lot of "beach" in our house.

The bottom book was simply gorgeous. Who knows...this one I may put on etsy...but the graphics were just so gorgeous I could not pass it up! Just look at that cover!

My husband swears I have a built-in radar for galvanized metal. I have picked up every old piece that has crossed my path for the last 10 years! It takes the number 2 spot on my "please bury me with this list"...right after my white ironstone. This beauty is going in my office. I love pretty-yet-a-little-crusty storage.

Oh, and I can't forget my shell-motif antique picture frame...and a sugar mold candle holder for a buck!

I'm off to paint the desk I told you about...I better get to work! I have had too much fun shopping, I'm not getting anything done!

Here is my inspiration photo...lets hope mine is just as cute when I get it finished!

can you buy happiness for under $20?

2010-01-25T19:06:00.007-06:00

Usually, I would say...no...but today...I have to give it a big fat YES!

I had a day all to myself today. It was so nice...I rambled from thrift shop to antique shop throughout my city searching for just the right things that needed to come home with me!

I keep my "style" a pretty good secret around here. Not many people in my area are into the same look I am...so I always seem to luck out with these beautiful treasures for such a small price. They laugh at me and one old man today actually said "little lady, we need to teach you what actually has some worth...and it sure isn't this old stuff!" I never correct these silly men, I just smile and play the dumb girl role to make them happy.

I scored some lovely bits and pieces for around the house, so thought I would share my finds. I could not believe my luck today! Don't you just love it when that happens? There is nothing better than coming home with a trunk full of old stuff to make a girl feel good! You should see the wire baskets I brought home. Seriously to-die-for! The 'man' I referenced above thought I was nuts for wanting them, so gave them to me free. Not such a dumb girl afterall, eh??

I am in love with the graphics on this bottle...I can't believe what good shape the label is still in after all these years!

...and this one is *gorgeous* in person...love, love, love etched wording in old bottles

This little tabletop thermometer makes me smile...not just because it's lovely patina is in my palette...but it reminds me of my Dad. Before he retired he was a Meterologist...aka 'weatherman' for the US Government. Ever time I hear a weather report...I think about him. Growing up in the country we always had an old radio with a button you could push that would take you directly to the weather station. I would push it every once in a while because I thought it was cool to hear his voice on the radio. When I would visit him at his office, he would let me go into the recording studio and I would sit on his lap while he taped the days report. Ahhh...I love memories like that.

Oh, and this crusty, rusty kitchen scale is perfection in my eyes. Love the white...love the rust..but did I really need another vintage scale?? I already have 7 of them...but yes, I guess 8 is my lucky number so its joining the collection!

Speaking of scales...this was the best find of the day! And the price??? Yep, thats right...$3. Three stinkin' dollars??? I can't remember the last time I bought something I was so in love with for that little! It is a hanging scale with a dial on both sides. This baby is going in my kitchen! Oh, and I can't forget the ironstone mugs...I have a shelf just waiting for those.

I just want to give a great big THANK YOU to all of you dropped me a little note to ask about my mom. You girls are just the sweetest...it means so much to have you guys care! She is doing better...not 100% yet...but she is improving a little bit every day so I am happy with that.

Happy Monday!

long weekend...

2010-01-18T20:48:00.001-06:00

Well, there have been no exciting blog posts out of me the past few days. I am at a loss for creative ideas.

I am tired.

It has been a looong weekend. My Mom had a little setback...and she is back in the hospital about a week after her surgery. Lets just say a certain "Doctor" doubled one of her medications...in error.

In ERROR??

How the heck does that even happen??

She was so very sick. My poor mother. Survives raising 8 children, but a pill almost "does her in." (Her words there, not mine.)

But...she is recovering from that little episode now...so I am choosing to dwell on the happy things.

I'm sharing another of my favorite "Mom" photos. It was May 1956. Mom & Dad were on their honeymoon in Florida. They had so little money when they were starting out. I love the thought of them tooling around South Florida in their old Chevy. Driving on the beach...sand on their feet and the wind in their hair.

Life seemed so simple back then.

HELP WANTED: birthday party planner

2010-01-13T11:31:00.006-06:00

I need help! And I just know you girls will come through for me!

My sister is having a big, important, special birthday in Feburary! Shhh...don't tell her I told you...but she is turning 5-0! It is ok though, we all secretly hate her for having a bod that does not look a day over 25! There is a 16 year age difference between us, so I always tell her that I keep her young...wink...wink...she hates that!

So not fair...anyhoo...this is my sister that lives next door to me. My sister that will drop anything to help me dig a dresser out from someone's trash at midnight...the sister that does not hesitate for one second when I ask her each and every month to help me pack a 17-foot U-haul truck full of furniture when I am leaving to sell at a show. Oh, and I can't forget her kitchen pantry acting as the "store-next-door" when I run out of something...I have been over there digging around twice this week already!

So you see...I owe her something fabulous. And I am getting a bit of a late start on planning a party for her. In my defense, I had it all planned. We were taking a plane load of girls to the Virgin Islands for a week...renting a house overlooking the water...it was going to be spectacular! Sun, sand, surf...we could not wait to come home with tan lines in the middle of Feburary. But such grand plans came to a screeching halt when the guest of honor could not get the week off of work. Ugh!

I need ideas. No, I need incredible ideas. Ideas that will make her cry...and laugh..and get a little crazy. We are simple girls, so it needs to be casual...and nothing is off limits no matter how silly it seems. Nothing as large as the trip I was planning, we may do that later this year. She has an outrageous sense of humor, so even wacky ideas will do. If only it was summer...I could have such a pretty outdoor party for her. Those are always our favorite. But, unless we go sledding...that is out for this time of year around here!

I know every one of you girls out there has been to a fabulous party. I want to hear about it! What did you do? Where did you go? Did you have a theme? Do I invite people she works with? Do I invite her friends I don't really know? Or do I keep it family and close friends only? Did you do something special for a cake?

I can't wait to hear from you! The clock is ticking for me...so I better get planning!

(Oh, and I thought we all needed a bit of summer today...so these gorgeous photos are courtsey of one of my all-time-favorite websites...Style Me Pretty.)

giveaway alert...hurry the clock it ticking!

2010-01-12T20:57:00.003-06:00

Only hours left to get in on this giveaway, girls!

My friend Anita, from the Iowa Junk Gypsies, is doing a fabulous giveaway!

For the love of all things French...get over there and leave your comment to enter!

The lucky winner will receive:

one. Entre Nous - A Woman's Guide to Finding Her Inner French Girl

two. Wandering Paris- vocab and guide book in one

three. TheLittle French ABC Coloring Book (training them young is best:)

four. Say it in French - a travel phrase book

five. Madeleine Peyroux- The Perfect World CD

six. Lu Petit Beurre notepad ( these butter cookies are awesome)

seven. Sabre bottle opener and cheese knife

Did you know Anita is fluent in French....and she lived in France...and she teaches French, too! She is hosting a trip to Paris in April! I am hoping to tag along with her...but if you want in, click on the link under her header for more info!

Now click on over and check out her blog...leave a comment and you just might win her bag of goodies!

a great big thank you...

2010-01-11T15:16:00.001-06:00

You girls are the best...you really are!

I cannot say THANK YOU enough for all the well-wishes for my Mom! She was finally able to come home from the hospital today...but I think she has a long road ahead of her, and maybe one more surgery. But, she is a strong woman, so I know she will be back to her old self before we know it!

Since I am on the subject of "Mom"...I thought I would post my very favorite photo of her and my Dad.

It was the summer of 1956, and they had just returned from their Honeymoon. My Dad was 22, Mom was 20. This past May they were married 53 years. Can you imagine?

My Mom said she dreamed about that dress after seeing it in Vogue magazine. She worked and saved until she could afford to buy it. I think she still has it packed away somewhere. I just might have to dig it out one of these days! Oh, and check out their car! How cute is that?

They had no idea what path their life would take...much like all of us...us they were young and just had simple dreams of a home...with kids...and living happily ever after. Now, here they are, 8 children later...21 grandchildren...and they can't belive how fast time has gone.

Do you ever think about things like this?

I have such a hard time wrapping my mind

around how time goes by so fast.

dearest darling helen...

2010-01-09T17:06:00.005-06:00

It has such a wonderful ring to it...doesn't it?

I am so happy today.

I crawled out of bed extra early to stand at an auction all day...and did I mention is was only 5 degrees here?

Yikes.

But it was all worth it...because I came home with these.

92 of the most beautiful letters...lovingly written back and fourth...from Irwin to Helen during WWII.

Have you ever really read a letter from that era?

"Dearest Darling Helen,
Twilight is gradually coming upon us..."

They are so sweet...so romantic...so genuine.

That is why they made my list of "99 things I love".

Notice the letter was written 65 years ago...almost to the day. Somewhere out in the Pacific Ocean that night was a ship...with a lonely young man that missed his wife.

I can't help but wonder where Irwin and his bride are today. Did they live a long, happy life together? Do they have children? If so, why would they not want to keep the letters? In one of his letters, he mentioned he had written one to her every single day before he went to sleep.

Tonight, my hubby will build a fire...and I will curl up on the couch...immersing myself in the words of Helen & Irwin.

The most perfect winter Saturday night.

7 things about me...

2010-01-08T13:20:00.015-06:00

~ I'm blushing! ~

Janis, at White Alder Home tagged me with a Kreativ Blogger Award!

Wow!...thanks so much for thinking of little 'ol me and my take on life in blogland!

So here's my checklist of what I have to do to accept this most gracious award:

1. Thank the person who nominated me for the award.
check

2. Link to the person who nominated me
check, check

3. List 7 things people may not know about me
I'm not sure there are 7 interesting things about me!

4. Nominate 7 creative bloggers, post their links and leave a comment on each
I love them all...I have to pick just 7??

So here it goes...7 facts about yours truly...

~*~

ONE. I am ambidextrous. I use both my left and right hand for different tasks. That must explain why I can never make up my mind on anything. My brain is totally mixed up!

TWO. I need to multi-task at all times. It is impossible for me to sit and watch TV without doing something else. Usually, I am doing laundry, reading and magazine and planning my menu for the week...all while not missing a moment of my favorite shows. It drives my husband crazy.

THREE. My parents took me on my first trip to Europe when I was 9 years old. They wanted me to see how other parts of the world lived, and decided we would take the train into Czechslovakia. There is a story between the idea to go there and the end, but lets just say one little girl almost didn't make it out of that country. My Dad ended up having to pay off the guards on the train to let me go back into Germany. The guards were trying to take me away - saying I wasn't their daughter. I guess it was all about lining their pockets with a little extra cash. My mom was freaking out at that moment...but there were many, many times she brought this up during my angst-ridden teenage years. She would tell me to straighten up or we would take a little "trip"...oh, she's always a comedian!

FOUR. I love to do laundry. Weird, I know. It is my favorite household task. It must be the part of me that likes to have everything neat and orderly. I could do it every day and never get tired of it.

FIVE. I have never had a drop of coffee in my life. I love the smell, but will not even try a single sip. I just know I would hate it. People are always amazed at that for some reason.

SIX. I have a cousin that went to school with someone we all now know as 'Princess Diana'...and yes, I am being completely serious. They were friends and she attended her wedding, and later her funeral. I will sum it up like this...one side of our family did well in business and lives in Brentwood, CA...my Dad decided to "break out" on his own and move to a farm in rural IL. Needless to say we were not the side that did well enough to roll with the Royals. That is fine with me, to this day I can't figure out what all the forks are for on a formal place setting.

SEVEN. I was married in Las Vegas. Most people that know me have to pick up their jaw about now. For as much as I love all things beautiful, I never, even as a child, dreamed of the typical wedding...and I hate being the center of attention. I am a low-key kinda girl. A few members of our family and friends flew out for 3 days of festivities, and it was awesome! It is possible to have a beautiful wedding at a resort in Vegas...and no we did not use a drive-thru or an Elvis impersonator. 10 1/2 years later we are blisfully happy.

Whew! That was tough...I am a rather boring person, you know.

So, here are the 7 of my very favorite ladies in blogland. If your name is on my list...consider yourself tagged!

Andrea @ Faded Plains
(I am stalking her for her old truck)

Trina @ A Country Farmhouse
(Have you seen her farmhouse reno? WOW is all I can say...)

Holly @ In the Fun Lane
(She lives an all-around fabulous life.)

Jen @ Sanctuary Arts
(Uber-talented - this girl can craft like no one else!)

Martha @ Butterflies & Dragonflies
(One of the sweetest girls in blogland, love her!)

Anita @ Iowa Junk Gypsies
(She is hosting a trip to Paris, wanna go?)

Shannan @ Flower Patch Farmgirl
(She needs to bottle and sell that wit she has - I love reading her posts!)

yellow roses are her favorite...

2010-01-06T22:08:00.001-06:00

Today, I am feeling stressed.

My mom is having surgery. A big surgery.

She is a tough lady, that I know.

So I am sure she will be just fine...but I still worry.

I wish I could keep her in a bubble and stop time.

So nothing would change...and time would not keep moving on...

(photo found here...)

Do me a tiny favor...if you would.

Send good thoughts her way.

I'll take all I can get for her today.

packin' my bags...

2010-01-05T00:32:00.003-06:00

I love County Living Magzine.

And I love architecture...and houses...and renovations.
And I love it even MORE when the two worlds collide and Country Living showcases a few homes around the US that are for sale!

I look forward to the "real estate sampler", as they call it, each and every month. But in all the years I have been a subscriber, I have never actually gone further and checked out one of these houses. I do wonder how in the heck these big old houses sometimes come with such tiny price tags.

This one caught my eye this month, so for the first time I decided to check out the realtor's website and get the scoop on this old beauty. That is where I stumbled on these pics...and fell in love. I think I am packin' my bags and heading South!

This lovely Antebellum home is in Brunswick, Missouri and is on the market for only $99,000. Around here...that would be a steal! It has 4,400 square feet with a smoke-house and a barn...and sits on 2.6 acres. It has 6 chimneys and a widow's walk.

I think I just may pass out. $99,000?? Really?? It is my dream to live here. I just hope I would also find the closets stuffed with the cash I would need to fund the enormous renovation this old girl needs!

Just look at her. So majestic. So beautiful. So in need of a little TLC.

Look at that profile...gorgeous! I think for the rest of this post, I am going to dream that she is mine. She could be so much more than she is right now.

Ok, so the trim needs a little "work done"...a little nip...a little tuck...nothing I can't handle. Here is my trim-repair tip of the day...for those of you working on an old house...get a pen and paper...I'll wait.

Use Bondo to repair the wood. It is magic in a can, I swear. Oh, and if you don't know what Bondo is, visit your friendly neighborhood auto-body shop. It is what they use on rusted out old cars when they are restoring the body. Works magic on old rotten wood so you don't have to replace it.

So lets start the inside tour. It only took me about 20 seconds to reno this home in my head.

I am crazy-obsessed with this foyer. I have dreams of refinishing the hardwood floors and painting all the trim and bannister white. I would love to take down the wallpaper, give the walls fresh paint and a lovely jute runner up the stairs. Oh, and of course a vintage chandelier needs to live here, too.

~sigh~

I love it so.

Now, the next picture is a bad one...so look very close. See the middle of the photo? That gorgeous curving staircase winds up to a third story and you can see all the way down the middle to the first floor.

I love the sound of a slamming screen door. And check out how wide this one is. And yes, that wallpaper and those sconces would have to go. A couple of lovely vintage metal and crytal ones would suit me nicely. Oh, and of couse more white woodwork.

I can't live without natural light. It is essential to my being. These floor to ceiling windows would make me a happy girl!

Oooh...that mantel! This house has 3 fireplaces, all with hand-carved, large mantels. They are all begging for fresh white paint...but I have to leave that old mirror just like it is. Have I ever told you how much I like weathered mirrors?

I saved my favorite for last...I have no idea what this little shed is currently used for...maybe this is the old smokehouse...but I see my office here. A perfect little get-away. A new window. A new roof. A pretty paint color with white trim. I would wake up early just so I could get out there and do some work!

Ok, I am back to reality. Back to my house built in the 50s. Back to 8' ceilings and a 2 car attached garage.

A long way from my Antebellum fantasy...but I have to admit, it was so nice to dream.

99 things I love…

2010-01-02T18:59:00.008-06:00

making lists

mongolian beef from PF Chang

light filtering through white curtains

creaky wood steps

flea markets

the sound of old typewriters

disneyworld

dining al fresco

the rat pack

my dog jake

old glass door knobs

the farmhouse I grew up in

gravel roads

white sheets fresh off the clothesline

pencil starfish

love letters from WWII

camping at state parks

quotes

decorating magazines

old sliding pocket doors

labeling everything in sight with my label maker

down comforters

big tvs

road trips

old chippy paint

sprinkles cupcakes

typography

being home

the smell of fresh cut grass

subway tile

the ocean

beautiful business cards

squishy pillows

old crystal chandeliers

the smell of dryer sheets

rigatoni d from maggianos

shopping vintage boutiques

lake superior's shoreline

vanilla candles

the sound of crickets

outdoor summer concerts

cabinets with lots of little drawers

the smell of suntan lotion

white lights in trees

spending time “up north”

architecture

every dog I have ever met
english ironstone

jackson hole, wyoming

diamonds

a good hair day

lipgloss

old fireplace mantles

wrap around porches

the number 8

giving gifts

the las vegas strip

u-pick strawberries

every single song by kenny chesney

the smell of cooking onions & garlic

dinner out with friends

fall leaves

the sound of lawnmowers from down the street

seagrass

a good yard sale

cute elderly couples

someone saying ‘thank you’

white english ironstone

new car smell

finding a bargain

santa barbara, ca

singing in the car

falling asleep with the windows open

weekend trips

a success story

hgtv

planning a vacation

driftwood

being spontaneous

photography

a sundae with peanut butter & pecans from culver’s

reality tv

100% Grape juice popsicles

laughing until I cry

michigan sand dunes

fabulous sunglasses

lemon bars

a hug from my husband

the smell of fresh ground coffee

my dad’s hands

wedding cake flavor ice cream

walking around washington dc at night

jeans that are actually long enough for me

old white dairy barns

the smell of a campfire

dipping a new paintbrush in a fresh can of paint

tjmaxx, marshalls & homegoods

all white covers on a bed

simplicity

2009 was a great year...but stressful for me. I worked too much and enjoyed life too little. It was a blur. I just flew from one thing to the next in a quest to be everything to everyone. I couldn't say no to anything. I painted a record number pieces of furniture for clients...had a fabulous meal made for my husband every night...tried to do a reno on every room in my new house...took nieces and nephews on vacations in hopes of making fun memories for them. But, in the end, I found myself out of breath, out of shape and had no good memories for myself. To be honest, I am so happy there is official closure on one year to give a fresh start to the next.

So as I was painting some furniture today I had time to think. I promised myself that in 2010 I would enjoy the little things in life again. I made a mental list of crazy things...silly things...that bring me happiness. But, there is something about actually putting it in writing. Makes each thing seem so much more important.

My intention for 2010 is just simply slow down and enjoy it.

(photo found here...)

change is in the air...

2009-12-30T08:44:00.003-06:00

But then again...when isn't it around here?

I make it that way.
I am a change junkie.

My husband comes home from work and finds a new coffee table in front of the sofa about once a month. A few weeks ago we went to bed...he turned his lamp off...and about 30 seconds later says "I see I have a new nightstand." It doesn't even phase him anymore. Although he does think I should donate some of my extra time to being a case-study for a college Psychology class somewhere. He thinks I have some yet-unknown metal disorder that make a person constantly change their surroundings.

Thank goodness he so easy-going...because I need that constant change. That is one of the pit-falls of painting furniture for a living. Few things stay in the same place in my house for more than a couple weeks. But it feeds my craziness that I can do something different each and every day. Lets just say I am not a girl that can sit behind a desk in an office 8 hours a day. I have tried. Trust me on this one. Oh how I yearn to...I want to wear the cute clothes and killer shoes. It would be much better than the hoodies with paint all over them you would normally catch me in. I miss seeing people at work, the gossip, the day-to-day chat. It is just me, a radio and a paintbrush most days.

This year alone I have painted and sold over 500 pieces of furniture. Maybe doing this is what has made me a change-junkie. I am always needing to do something different...and better than the time before. Is this how extreme-sports get started? Mountain biking becomes boring after a while until you are doing it at high speeds next to a cliff? Will I soon be seen on a reality show for Extreme-Dining-Room-Set-Painting?

By now I am sure you are asking where the heck I am going with this long winded chat about change...so let me just say there are new things going on in my life right now. Professionally, that is. Exciting things...things that are keeping me up at night. And once I do fall asleep I wake up thinking about them as soon as I open my eyes. I'm plotting and planning. I can't tell just yet, but I want to soooo badly. I am busting to let it all out. I work so hard, it is such a wonderful thing with life rewards you with opportunity you didn't even see coming.

I am definitely a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants girl, but ironically, new things make me nervous.

So, to escape all this stress of these big changes...I am making a pact to finish all the reno projects I have started during these winter months. To tie up loose ends, to vow to keep a piece of furniture in one spot for a long time. (Don't tell my husband just in case I relapse on this one.) I am going to finish my home rather than always work on other people's spaces. And I promise to take photos and post my projects as I go.

Whew, I was soooo good to let that all out. Sorry it was such a long one. That happens when I don't get much sleep.

Off to finish project #1. The hallway. How hard could that be?? Wish me luck. I am painting it the fourth color since I have lived here. Yikes!

(photo found here...)

words to live by...

2009-12-28T21:29:00.001-06:00

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

I was cruising the internet today looking for inspiration. I am trying to finish up a reno project but feel I am running out of design steam this week.

Instead of images of gorgeous rooms...I found this. I thought it was fabulous - so had to share.

It seems like an appropriate sentiment to start off the New Year with...

merry christmas...

2009-12-24T10:18:00.002-06:00

Well my friends...it is finally here!

Wishing you...

love, laughter and all good things the Holiday brings!

Merry Christmas!

paper...plastic...or canvas??

2009-12-20T17:06:00.004-06:00

I don't know about you...but I've been shopping my socks off this week!

I unpacked everything today...getting ready to bust open a bottle of wine with the hubby tonight and crank up the Dean Martin Christmas album for a good old fashioned wrapping party.

As I was unpacking I was shocked to see just how many bags were piled all over my bed. Can one woman really kill the planet with plastic store bags?? If she can, I am the responsible party.
* Insert guilt here *

So this made me think...should I do the "green" thing and carry my own bags to the store? I have tried this in the past...I bought a few super cute grocery totes thinking I would carry them with me into every store...ha! I think I have forgotten them in the back seat of my car 99 out of 100 times. Seriously, I don't even remember I own one until the girl at the checkout whips out yet another plastic bag for me to bring home. Geesh! (I have a serious lack of short and long term memory...but that is another story...we could be here a while)

So I have to know...do you girls bring your own bags when you shop?

I just gotta know if I am the only one destroying the planet with these things.

a new baby...

2009-12-16T13:27:00.002-06:00

I am so giddy with excitement I can barely contain myself!
We had a new arrival in our home today!

Canon EOS Rebel T1i

December 16, 2009

10:27 am

1 pound 6 ounces

8" long

I never imagined it would feel like this. I am so in love.

Isn't she beautiful?

Brace yourself, I will be boring you all very soon with photos of just about everything! Oooooh...and she shoots video, too! It will be like going to the in-laws and having to sit through hours of family vacation slides.

Let me offer you my apology now.

I can't wait to name her.

it's a Lola B's giveaway!

2009-12-16T10:23:00.002-06:00

I was sad to hear Kasey is bidding her online store, Lola B's Boutique adieux.

Kasey and I met a couple of years ago at the show where I sell in the summer months. She has a good soul. And there is nothing better than a girl that has a sharp eye for all things vintage!

So pay her a little visit, leave her a kind word or two...and you may even be one of 3 lucky people to win some of her gorgeous boutique goodies!

As a business owner, I know how hard it can be to keep up with...well...everything! To constantly stay fresh, and on top of what is new and exciting. That is a full time job itself. So I cannot help but applaud her. This door is closing, at least for a little while, but I know many more are going to open up for her.

She is amazingly talented...so I know wonderful things are just around the corner for her!

Wish her well...and good luck...if you win...let me know what loveliness was in the box!

it's a creamy soup kind of day...

2009-12-15T17:57:00.003-06:00

Just sharing a little recipe love with you all...

I am crazy in love with this receipe, so try it. You will love it. I swear.

CHICKEN & WILD RICE SOUP

You HAVE to try this one...it is super easy and fast to make. I serve it with crusty french bread....so yummy on a cold day! This is one of the favorites around our house.

INGREDIENTS:

4 cups chicken broth

2 cups water

1 grocery store rotisserie chicken, shredded

1 (6.2oz) box Uncle Ben's Fast Cooking Long Grain & Wild Rice w/seasoning packet

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup butter

2 cups milk

DIRECTIONS:

In a large pot, combine broth, water and chicken. Bring just to boiling, then stir in rice, reserving seasoning packet. Cover and remove from heat.

In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper and flour. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in contents of seasoning packet. (It will be thick.) Reduce heat to low, then whisk in flour mixture by a little at a time, to form a roux. Whisk in milk, a little at a time, until smooth. Cook until thickened - about 5 minutes.

Stir cream mixture into broth and rice. Cook over medium heat until heated through, 10 to 15 minutes.

Enjoy!

I've never been happier...

2009-12-14T10:12:00.003-06:00

I've never been happier than I am right now...that I am a coupon clipper.

That's right girls...I am no longer ashamed to admit it.

I.use.coupons.

Right now you may be asking yourself why this makes me so happy...

So let me tell you...

It involves my friend Anita...you know...Iowa Junk Gypsies...yes, that Anita. We both sell at the same show in the summer months, and I just love her and her 'junking partner' Judy. Afterall, they are Iowa girls, and anyone that knows an Iowa girl knows they are good people.

I was over the moon to hear Anita is hosting a trip to take a group of girls here...in April...

But a second later...when I realized I would actually have to pay for this trip...I was sad.

I was telling my husband about it...about how much I would like to see Paris again...and the fact that I would be traveling with Anita...and this is what he says..."so, go." Simple as that. No questions asked...no hesitation. God I love this man. Never in my life has he thought one of my crazy ideas was a bad one. He should have a time or two, trust me on that one.

Then it dawned on me. I have been clipping coupons like a crazy woman this year! I gave myself the challenge in December of 2008 to see how much money I could save in 2009 with using coupons. I was just curious. I just had a couple of rules...I never bought anything just because I had a coupon - it had to be something we actually used and would have bought anyway...and I had to keep a log of how much I saved as I went.

So I did it...restaurants...grocery store...Target...even my plumber had a coupon in the phone book! If you put fourth a little effort, there is a coupon out there for everything, I swear.

So here is it...the grand total...to this minute...what I have saved this year...

$1,756.75.

Seriously.

Paris...here I come!

etsy love...

2009-12-10T20:59:00.001-06:00

I need to find a therapy group. One that deals with OED...Obsessive Etsy Disorder. I can't get enough.

My mailman and I are on a first name basis. I leave cookies for him in my mailbox. He is on my Christmas card list. All because he is at my door all too often bringing me cute little Priority Mail boxes. This can't be normal.

Here is the source of today's love affair...thought I would spread that love.

I am a simple girl. You won't catch me wearing a lot of accessories...but I would looooooove to find one of these in my stocking this year.

Hattie Rex

Check this one out...I have the calendar already marked for when I am buying one of these babies. I'll be off on a girl's trip to the Virgin Islands this year...I know my sweetie will be missing me, so I'll have one of these sent to the mailbox. He will love it. What a cool idea! Why am I not smart enough to think of these things?

Miniature Rhino

It is gray. It is a tote. 2 of my favorite things on this planet. Enough said.

I want one.

Drika B

I should not be showing these to you...because I want to buy them for myself. And once you see them, you are all going to want them, too. They are just so darn cute! And in my book, you can never had enough vintage white pitchers. I have to say that...because I have collected about 96 of them. See. I do need therapy.

Remember Me Emily

Just doing my part to support small business. A very big part. Hope you are doing the same this season!

sisters...

2009-12-09T11:50:00.012-06:00

I come from a rather large family...I am the youngest of 8 kids.

No step-siblings, we all have the same parents. I get asked that all the time, so just wanted to clarify. Just one big happy, Midwestern farm family. Question #2 is usually..."Are you Catholic?" Apparently Catholic families are known for being large. Really?? I thought all sorts of religons could have large families. Ugh! But seriously, who the heck asks these sort of questions? I would never. But they are part of my most vivid memories as a child.

(photo courtsey of Style Me Pretty)

My parents have always dimplomatic and fair...even when it came to having children. There are 4 girls and 4 boys in our family. I am way down on the list - number 8 to be exact. I was born 9 years after number 7. I have heard every comment that goes along with that. I should have kept count, but I swear I have been called an "oops" by people that barely know me at least 11,496 times in my life. Ugh! I find no wit or humor in that statement. I am hoping I will someday stop being referred to as "the baby"...maybe when I turn 80 I can finally shake that title.

So this long-winded introduction brings me to the topic of my day...

Sisters.

I love my sisters, and my life would be so different without them. 3 of us are very close, even though we are far apart in age. One of them lives actually lives right next door to me. Yes - next door. As in our-front-doors-are-100 feet apart. They house next to her went up for sale and my sweet hubby and I snapped it up before it even went on the market. I have entered a new phase in the strage comment section of my life. Now I hear "I could never live next to my sister"...or even better..."we would kill each other if we lived that close". What do I say to that?? Ususally it is just..."that is too bad...we love it!"

Fast forward to this morning. We were hit with 12" of snow last night. I get a call this morning. "Come on over, I'm making pancakes!"...I was there in 2.2 seconds. In my PJs...with bed-head. We yak it up for a while and eat way too much bacon.

Today we may have 5 phone calls back and fourth, but never longer than a couple seconds. I am sure when I go to make dinner tonight I will have forgotten to buy some ingredient. I always do. She always has what I need, so much so she is now referred to as "the store next door"...I love it. Oh, and it helps just a little she has workout equipment, a tanning bed and a hot tub, too!

There are lots of impromptu shopping excursions...and she is always the first one I call when I drive past some really good piece of furniture sitting by the curb that I just have to make mine. The 2 of us jump in the truck and drag the darn thing home without thinking twice. She gets me. If I asked anyone else to garbage pick with me in the dead of night they would have me committed.

Now if only my other sister could buy the house on the other side of me.

So I want to hear from you! Do you have sisters? Do you get along...and best of all...could you live next door to each other?

Wishing you all a fabulous-sister-lives-next-door kind of day.

a little Ikea love...

2009-12-03T09:01:00.001-06:00

I have a love-hate relationship with Ikea. I love their vignettes as you walk through the store. I love how their furnishings look in a photo. I love their prices. But the quality...not so much. But today I have a little restored love for Ikea...I this found on the Ikea Sweden's website...

Everyday people can post photos of how they decorate for the season. Some info may have been lost in translation, but I believe the idea was to showcase how Ikea plays a part in your Holiday decor. These are some of my favorites...and now I think I am heading to my closest Ikea to see what I can find to make my home look this fabulous!

Enjoy...

I am soooo making a mirror like this for my hallway. Love it.

The simplistic beauty of this table is incredible. I love everything about it.

And where do I begin this this room?? I am in love with the wood walls and painted floors! And that cabinet...oh I want it sooo bad....I see another addition to the "honey-do" list once my desk is finished. The hubby just may have to make one for me!

It looks just like the one Holly painted...if only Canada wasn't across some silly border. I would have bought it and hauled it home as soon as I saw it. I still go on her website to stare at it now and then. Yes, Holly. That is me stalking you with 1000 hits a day on your site. I am coveting the dresser. Don't tell me who bought it. I may start stalking them, too!

So simple and beautiful. Again with those walls...I am crazy in love with them! I am so glad my house has a few rooms with wood walls like this. I am getting inspired to add little touches of greenery around my home this year. I bet it smells fantastic!

It must be something in the air around here. My husband's family is from Norway, and now I am hitting him up for a trip to visit. I want to live their life for just a couple weeks. I have really fallen in love with the relaxed and casual decor in Scandinavia. But I have a feeling I am going to have to bring a few extra suitcases to bring all my buys home! Wish me luck...maybe I will find a couple of plane tickets in my stocking. I have been a good girl ~~all~~ most of the year!

this week's to-do list...

2009-11-29T22:18:00.000-06:00

Just thought I would show you a little of what is going on in my house this week...its just another week full of building and painting...but I am super excited about this project!

You see, I fell in love with this desk from Pottery Barn...it is a simple, uncomplicated style and it was my favorite color...white. It was love at first sight....

(photo: Pottery Barn)

...but I did not love the price tag. So, what's a girl to do???...build one herself, of course! (Or cook a week full of fabulous meals for her husband and ask in her most persuasive voice for him to build one for her. I went with that plan.)

So this week, after my sweet hubby gets home from his super-stressful, manly-man job...he gets to unwind and relax by spending a little quiet time with his tape measure and table saw. I am forever grateful he loves to do these things for me, and even more grateful one of us took math class seriously in high-school. I think there would be a few frustrated freak-outs if I was really the one that had to build it. Hopefully, by the weekend I will be painting my gorgeous Pottery Barn inspired...but waaaaay less expesive desk for my newly renovated home office.

Oh, and just in case he gets my desk done a day early...I have drawn out the plans for one of these, too!

(photo: Martha Stewart Living)

I have a wall in my kitchen just waiting for this. Each night, about 5:30, my husband hears me complaining about my train-wreck of a spice cabinet and how I can't find a freakin' thing in it! So I am sure he will be happy to accomodate.

happy thanksgiving...

2009-11-25T21:39:00.002-06:00

Wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving...

I thought I would show you this very "Pottery Barn looking" dining room I found on Rate My Space tonight!I think it is pretty darn fabulous! She was inspired to throw a Thanksgiving dinner party after finding the table, which seats a whopping 12 people by the way, at her local thrift store for $29! I want to shop where she shops!

Hope you all have a wonderful day...

sweet potaotes + pecans = heaven

2009-11-24T12:00:00.003-06:00

I am gearing up for Thursday...I will creep out of bed extra early that morning to start the turkey and all the yummy goodness that goes along with Thanksgiving. I love this time of year. Comfort foods...seeing my nieces and nephews...all the boys playing the annual family football game...its just a good old fashioned Holiday around here!

So that is why I need to share this recipe. Try it. Your guests will LOVE it. As in freak-out-when-they-take- the-first-bite-and-insist-on-the-recipe-so-they-can-claim-it-as-their-own - kind of love it.

I am not sure what kind of magic happens in that oven of mine....but when I combine some of this:

with these:

and a little bit of this:

It comes out to be the most AMAZING creation ever known to grace a Thanksgiving table.

Here is the receipe.

MARY'S SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE

4-5 sweet potatoes

1/2 cup white sugar

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 teaspoon salt

4 tablespoons butter, softened

1/2 cup milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

topping:

1 cup packed brown sugar

2/3 cup flour

6 tablespoons butter, softened

1 cup pecans, choped

Wrap each sweet potato in foil. Bake at 400 degrees for 1 - 1 1/2 hours. When soft, remove from oven and let cool. Unwrap, and they will mush right out of their skins.

In a bowl, combine sweet potatoes, sugar, eggs, salt, butter, milk and vanilla. Mix until smooth. Transfer to a 9x13 baking dish.

In a bowl, combine sugar and flour. Cut in the butter until the mixture is coarse. Stir in the pecans. Sprinkle over sweet potato mixture.

Bake at 325 degrees for 30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown.

ENJOY!

i feel the love...

2009-11-23T11:40:00.007-06:00

I thank you all for your emails, you are just so sweet and I am feelin' the painted furniture love over here, thats for sure! I am slooooly loading things up on Etsy, so bear with me.

A sincere THANK YOU to all you fabulous ladies that are patiently waiting for me to get my act together.

You see, with doing shows May-October, I don't have much of a life during that time. I work 7 days a week almost ever week of the summer. So, once that last show wraps in October, I relish in being able to do 'normal' things like...clean my house...cook...finsh off reno projects that are loooong overdue, do a little shopping now and then. Things I should always be able to do, but I have a little problem with the phrase "sure, I can get that done for you by next week" popping out of my mouth waaaaaay too often. I have been busy with custom orders, but with only 2 left to finish that I promised for this month, I have a little time to try to get some things posted before I start in on Decembers load. I am so lucky I love what I do!

So, heres a little preview. (sorry my pics are not the best, my camera had a little "accident" so I have to use my old one for a while.)

I have loads of frames to post...so if you want enough to fill a wall, email me! I think I have 18 vintage ornate frames ready to go...

And yes....I finally have more necklaces done, too! If you ordered one, drop me an email to remind me! My brain is a little fried from all the paint fumes lately...I don't want to forget anyone!

To check out the few things I have listed...visit me on Etsy. I have a way to go to "pretty" the shop, but I at least wanted to get some things posted!

today's crush...

2009-11-19T11:37:00.003-06:00

I am flippin' out, girls! In a good way...because I am crazy in love with this bedroom from one of my favortite blogs. Just a little eye candy from me to you...courtsey of Bird Tweets.

Be sure to hop over and take a peek for more pictures...it is fabulous beyond words! These 3 crazy ladies are amazingly talented!

Back to reality for me...I've got a floor to paint today! I'm working on getting my new studio space finished by Christmas so I can show you the results. I am giddy with excitement over this makeover! Stay tuned!

my friend Anne...

2009-11-18T10:09:00.009-06:00

I am lucky a lucky girl. I have wonderful friends in my life.

One of those friends is Anne. I met her last year when she came to a show I was selling at. You see, Anne loooooves painted furniture. She is changing over everthing in her home...she wants a softer look. Out with the Oak...in with the paint! She quickly became one of my best customers, but I had no idea she would become a friend. We ended up seeing each other so often during our "furniture exchange rendevous" that we did just that.

Anne is so easy going. And real. A genuine, honest person. Those are hard to come by. She doesn't pretend on any level. She is up front, and you can feel the "take me as I am" feeling in the air when you talk to her. She doesn't pretend to be anything more than herself. I love that about her. She is not pretentious. She is not interested in the label that is in my shirt or what kind of car I drive. She is simple. She is real. And I need more people in my life like her.

I am so very sad because my friend has recently learned she has Breast Cancer.

She was shocked. And so was I. I have never had someone close to me have cancer. She had no family history, had her exams regularly...how could this happen?? Her doctor told her only 8% of Breast Cancer comes from family history...I had no idea! The rest of the statistic is what he called "environmental". The foods we eat, the air we breath. I was stunned!

I don't mean this to be a sad post, really. I am not into dwelling on the sad moments, and neither is Anne. She is treating this as a minor speedbump in her life. Like it will be over soon, and we will move on. The day before she was to have surgery she insisted on bringing me a load of furniture to paint for her. I couldn't believe it. One would think you would have so many other things on your mind, but Anne has plans. Cancer is NOT going to get in her way of a beautiful dining room!

I was thinking of her all day yesterday while I painted her chairs. It got me thinking about the time we have and how we need to do the very best with it.

So that brings me to the reason for this long, some-what sad post. I want to send my friend a care-package. Just something to let her know I am thinking of her. But I am at a loss. I don't know what do send. That is where you girls come in. I want ideas. I want to send fun things. Things to lift her spirits and make her laugh. Things that will comfort her after Chemo.

Please...take a second to leave me a note. Let me know what you would send a dear friend going through a rough time. I want to make her smile.

(lovely photos from Kristybee...)

so..you see...I have this piano...

2009-11-17T09:30:00.000-06:00

I have an antique upright piano that came with my house...why oh why did I let that slide through on the contract???...it must have been the buzz I had from buying a new house.

So here is the story. The piano resides in my finished basement. I am currently going through a reno of my basement to transform it into a fabulous and long-awaited work room for my painting and whatever other projects come to life down there. I am so excited...painted floors, a 9ft antique farm table for an island...chandeliers...all kinds of old, chippy painted cabinets...I can't wait to show you!

So that brings me to the piano. Within my fabulous new space is this antique upright piano. It has been sitting downthere looking so sad and lonely. It has beautiful carved legs, and gorgeous bench that looks so graceful and pretty...it would be great with a little restoration. It has seen some use and abuse over the years, so it is not a 'fine' piano, but it is still so pretty.

So there is my question...what the heck do you do with a piano that weighs 600 lbs and won't fit up the basement stairs?? Oh. did I fail to mention that? The previous owners finished the basement and now the piano won't go up the stairs. I would have to rip out part of the ceiling. Yikes!

Should I make lemonade out of these lemons??

Do I use it as part of the room...even though it would be an inefficent piece in a work-room where storage is so important? But look how darn cute those stocking are...love them!

But this would be yet another project on my long list of things to do. And I already paint somewhere in the ballpark of 60 pieces of furniture each month. I don't know if I have it in me to take on a piano on top of that. Ugh!

I could sell it...but remember..that option would require a very sweet "honey, can we take out just a little bit of the ceiling so this baby can get up the stairs?"...is it worth the trouble?

Or do I just smash it. Put it out by the curb..and move on with my reno? That seems like such a dreadful idea, but according to my realtor friend...it happens all the time. Sellers find it is too heavy to move so they smash it and throw it out before their house goes on the market. Isn't that sad??

I want your thoughts! I am apparently too emotionally involved with this piano...more than I thought...and it is once again clouding my judgement. Similar to the day I said "sure the piano can stay...put it in the contract. No problem!"

My husband is such a keeper. He came up with the idea of gutting it and using it for storage. He said he could modify the inside (the front panel would lift and open) and make a custom "cabinet" out of it. How cool does that sound?? But...not much storage for how big that thing is.

Ugh! What's a girl to do?

Extreme Home Makeover...watch Sunday night!

2009-11-13T11:54:00.005-06:00

Did I ever tell you ABC came to town this summer? They were here for a week to film an episode of "Extreme Home Makeover" and it is going to air THIS SUNDAY!

This episode features a family that lives on a farm outside Lena, IL. My parents live in Galena, IL so I have been passing by this old farmstead on the way to their house for 15 years...never dreaming I would be there when it got such an incredible makeover!

I was lucky enough to be able to sign up to work on the set. I was hoping to get to see Ty running around like this all day...

But I am sad to say Ty never really left his bus except to shoot his scenes. Paige and Pauly were saying he had "gone Hollywood" and didn't hang out much with the crew anymore. I really hope they were joking, because I was sad to hear that. Everyone else was so accessible. You could just walk right up and talk or knock on their trailer door. Ty was the only one with a big tour bus. It sat away from all the others...but I will give him the benefit of the doubt. He must have a lot on his plate hosting the show...so he was probably busy in there and thats why he didn't "hang out" much.

But really...when Ty was out and about...he was just as cute as ever.

This is the family that will be featured in the episode...the photo is from right after Ty did the screaming thing to get them to come outside.

A super nice family, just trying to make their way in the world and live their dream of owning a self-sustained organic farm. Sidelined by an unexpected illness and a devestating fire, they thought all hope was lost. But, that was until ABC swooped in and rebuilt that dream.

I have so many photos I could post, but I can never figure out how to get them out of my phone and into my email. If there is anyone out there that has owns a Verizon EnV2, and knows how the heck to use it...please help a girl out! I am clueless when it comes to this sort of thing.

Pauly is always one of my favorites...so fun and real. Just a down-to-earth regular guy. Although, I will say he hates it when all the women flock to him. Lets just say some of the volunteers got a little "friendly" during the week. He is not flattered by it. Hates it. I like that about him. Oh, and the designer was Paige. LOVE HER! She is so cute...and let me say t.i.n.y in person! Is there such a size as a -2? If so, that is her size. She would turn sideways and you would think she left the room.

Oh, the secrets I could tell about this experience! The ins-and-outs...the behind the scenes things that are sooooo different from what you see on the show...and lets just say the group from Extreme Home is a little...wild! Shhh...I didn't tell you this...but there were mornings when they came on set straight from being out the night before! woohoo! I lead quite a boring life, so that is a whole different world to me!

Oh...and I forgot to mention...David Duchovney stopped by. That is him on the right...and I someone mocking and alien with the cupola from the barn...love it.

I don't want to give away too much about the house so I am not going to post photos of it. For those of you that are going to watch this Sunday, I figure it would be like telling the end of a movie. I will say the house isn't as "grand" as they usually are, but still wonderful. Which I think is a good thing, there is always so much wasted space. The family wanted a comfortable home, but a more conservative size than they usually are. They were worried about taxes, etc. I have heard there are several families that have lost their homes to forclosure after mismanaging their new found equity, so I thought that was a good thing.

I will say this...some in that family better love the color yellow...a LOT! I don't mean a soft, butter yellow. I mean yellow-yellow...as in Big Bird from Sesame Street. I guess it is just not my thing. I was a little shocked at their use...or should I say over-use...of this shade of yellow. They said it was because it was special to the family. I sure hope so.

But there is a fabulous butler's pantry...I have always wanted one. And watch closely for the furniture. A friend of mine worked alongside Pauly all week building most of the pieces. And dare I say....look real, real close for a few pieces of white painted furniture, too! Don't they look like they were plucked straight out of my booth the Kane County Flea Market?! Hmmmm...could they be??! I'm not telling...wink..wink..but I really need to get my Etsy store loaded up, don't I??

Don't forget to tune in. I want to hear what you have to say about it on Monday! I need reassurance I am not the only person out there that is not a fan of Big Bird Yellow on a gorgeous farmhouse!

ooh la la...and a giveaway alert!

2009-11-12T07:59:00.002-06:00

Oh my, girls...if you have not been there for a visit yet, you MUST to stop over to Tracey's gorgeous blog today...she is having an incredible giveaway, not to mention all the inspiration and eye candy while can enjoy while you are there, too!

FRENCH LARKSPUR

She is celebrating...so stop over for a visit...sign up to be a follower...leave a comment...and you will be entered into her giveaway drawing for some incredibly beautiful things!

a closer look...

2009-11-10T22:03:00.002-06:00

I was going through some pictures from earlier this summer...and I was happy come across some of my super handsome nephew, Luke, so just had to share. You may not be able to see it in the photos, but he has a John Travolta chin-dimple. It is so cute, I just love it. In 15 years, the girls are going to be all over this guy...I can just tell.

You see, these photos are from when we went camping for the weekend. And everywhere he goes...tractors follow. I mean, really, how would we have moved all that sand if it wasn't for his John Deere rig?

But then I looked a little closer...and realized my all-american-iowa-farmboy-nephew with the big blue eyes and lady-killer chin dimple has a love for something other than green tractors...do you see it??

I belive it involves stealing from his big-sisters toy box...

17 months old...and he already likes the ladies with long legs, pink go-go boots and a mini-skirt.

Maybe this is from some really bad country song he overheard. I hear their minds are like sponges at this age.

Ugh. They grow up waaaaay to fast.

to front load...or not to front load...

2009-11-07T16:48:00.001-06:00

That is the question...

I am embarking on a total gut and reno of a room in my basement to use as a new laundry room. As strange as this is going to sound...I love to do laundry. I do. And I am ok saying that outloud. It must be the part of my brain that likes everything to be neat and orderly...and smelling fabulous. Yes, I can stand next to you and tell you what brand of fabric softener you use. A strange and useless talent, but whats a girl to do...

Growing up we had a huge room for our laundry room. It was a big old farmhouse, and it had those great wood cabinets that went all the way to the ceiling, cabinets and counters everywhere. Lots of windows for natural light. Even then, when I was too young to know anything about the value of good counterspace and a deep farm sink, I remember loving all the workspace.

Sadly, in my current home, I don't have a huge room to use for my laundry room. I gave it up to my husband for a workshop. A backhanded gesture since he spends his time in there fixing and building the furniture I paint!

Anyway, my "new" laundryroom is in the basement, so has no luxury of natural light, and is only an unfortunate 7 ft x 8 ft. So...there goes my dream of a center island for folding. I am looking for a gorgeous yet space saving and efficent layout.

So the question I have for all of you is...

Do you have a front load washer??...and if you do...do you love it..or hate it?

I am not totally sold on the whole front load thing, anyway. Maybe it is because I am tall. At 5'11" those front loaders seem pretty short! It is going to be like doing squats every day getting the laundry in and out. Not that its a bad thing, I guess. Maybe my bum would shrink a little.

But I like the idea of having a counter on top, especially since my room is small. Is this a good idea? I am not sure...I would love to have the drawer underneath just for the sake of making them more user-friendly. I think having them right at my height would be a great idea.

Thoughts??

Oh, and I am throwing the picture in below just becuase I think the sink is so stinkin' cute!!

I hope some of you will leave me a comment on your opinion of the front load washer. Are they really worth the expense? Do I want a counter over it, or should I have a drawer under it to make it a more comfortable??

Can't wait to show you the before and after pictures!

erin's buffet makeover...

2009-11-05T17:54:00.003-06:00

I love a good before and after...so here we go!

This is a buffet I started yesterday for a client...and I just finished it up so thought I would snap a few pics. Sorry they are not the best. The sun was going down, so it was a 'now or never' scenario...as it usually is for me.

It needed more than a little love when I came across it. When I saw the picture I wasn't quite sure about this one...but it was solid oak, from the 1930s...deep down I knew it had potential. A little fixing and a few coats of paint later...viola! One mighty fine piece of furniture!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

The handles on this piece are just awesome...and the doors and bottom drawer have a lace looking overlay on them. So pretty! Click on the photos to make them larger and see the details...

Isn't it amazing what a little paint can do!?