weekend finds...

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!

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...

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...

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.