Beverage Station

I love Pinterest and can spend way too much time browsing that website!  My Hubbers probably wishes I had never found it because I'm always showing him a project I want to tackle.  When I say "I" it really means, I would like him to help me!  I can cook, bake, sew, and garden but building things has never been one of my strong points.  Putting Part A into Part B just doesn't resonate with me.  Thankfully, my Hubby is quite handy with tools and can usually manage to do everything I ask of him!

Over a year ago, I saw a picture of a beverage station made from an old door.  I knew this would be perfect in our back patio, a nice place to keep the wine, glasses, and other beverage paraphernalia when we entertain.  I set out looking for an old door.  One would think they would be easy to find, not so!  My cousin (thanks, Robin!) came through for me with a door that was in her in-law's barn. It sat in our garage for almost a year before I started tackling the project over Memorial Day weekend.

My Hubby set the door up on sawhorses and I got busy with the task of stripping the old paint off of it.  I didn't want a pristine-painted piece but this door had so many coats of paint on it, the old paint had to come off.  My goodness, what a job that was!  The first stripper I bought barely made a dent so I had to buy some stronger stuff (I'm sure it was hazardous stuff, too!) The weekend was quite warm so I got up each morning at 5 and worked on it some more. My Hubby was on a bike trip that weekend and when he returned I had it almost ready to go.  He used some of his muscle to get the really stubborn spots.

At this point, I really didn't realize how many coats of old paint I was dealing with!

I'm not so sure I'm gung-ho about stripping furniture again!

In June he went on a 2-week biking trip.  Before leaving, he moved the table to the garage where I spent a few more mornings painting it. Then production stopped because I am not a good builder and shelves and legs needed to be added.  We were away from home to drag races, the Napa Valley, and it was so hot here that we didn't want to spend time in the garage. The last few weeks I've been doing what wives do best, nag, and he finished the door for me.  We had shelves made to fit at the local lumber company.  Our contractor friend gave me some old stair banisters he had in a pile. I found the hummingbird brackets on Amazon. In a few nights he had done the construction work and I was tasked with doing the touch-up painting.

Of course, I had to add a hummingbird element!

Reproduction bottle opener.

Original, and unfinished, door knob!

I love it!  It turned out just the way I dreamed it would! I know it will be a very functional piece for us. He's quite happy with it, too.  Good thing, as I have other Pinterest-inspired projects in the works for him to help me with!

Merry Christmas!

The shopping and wrapping are done, as is the decorating, the groceries have been shopped for.  Now it's time to cook, bake and cherish the moments spent with our family! I've been enjoying our home the last few days; the glow of the Christmas tree lights, my favorite ornaments hanging on the tree, the Nutcrackers standing at attention on our mantle, the Nativity set reminding me of what Christmas is all about.  Christmas music has been on every minute we're home (and in the car, too!) In a few days everything will be packed away for another year, I'm trying to enjoy every minute of the Christmas frivolity that I can.

We all have our favorite Christmas mementos, songs, and decorations, most of which revolve around special memories.  Such is the case with these little cardboard gnomes and figurines.  My Mom bought a set of these gnomes (she thinks at J C Penney) in the 1960's.  They are made of cardboard, and decorated with glitter, chenille, tinsel and small decorations. Little Santas, angels, gnomes, snowmen, they are only about 3 inches high. Every year she would make a house out of Rice Krispies, similar to a gingerbread house.  These little gnomes would surround the house.  I remember playing with them on so many occasions.  A few years ago Mom gave them to me.  She wasn't sure if I would want them or not, many are tattered and broke. A few are missing their base and have to be displayed in a glass. I jumped at the chance to have them! They, of all the Christmas decorations I have, remind me the most of my childhood. 

 They are too fragile to be kept on a tabletop so I display them each year in my china cabinet. Each time I see them I recall Mom making the little cereal houses and how we would help to decorate them. I remember very few gifts I received during my childhood but the memories of these little gnomes have stayed with me. Thanks, Mom, not only for gifting me these little guys, but for all the wonderful Christmas memories you helped to make for your family!

For the next three days we will have family in and out of our home, ranging in age from almost a year to 85. There will be good food, lots of calories, wrapping paper strewn everywhere and more memories made.  We will love every moment! It truly is the most wonderful time of the year.  Merry Christmas!

Chalk Painting For The Craft Room!

Ever since I put together my craft room I've had an empty corner.  Originally I thought I wanted a nice, comfy upholstered chair there, a place to hand stitch or read a book. While I love spending time in here I find I do need to spend some time in the same room as my husband, so I went away from getting a chair.  For the last few months I've been on a mission to find an old dresser, small enough to fit in the space.  I finally found one in an antique store and have spent the weekend painting it.  I love how it turned out and I think it fills up the corner so nice.  The dresser also gives me more storage (I seem to keep accumulating stuff!) and another work top.  I think it will be a useful addition to my room!

Harley rarely lets me out of his sight!

Chalk painting has been around for a while but I've been rather intimidated by it.  A few years ago I painted the stools under my cutting table but kept telling myself they were just stools, I didn't think I could do a piece of furniture.  A few weeks ago I chalk painted the frame for my design board so my confidence grew a little.  Yesterday I jumped in and it wasn't so bad! 

 Chalk paint leaves a matte finish, a very soft look, that blends in well with the urban farmhouse vibe in my home.  There is very little prep involved; no stripping of old paint, sanding, etc.  It's basically a matter of making sure the piece is clean and then just painting. Once painted there is a waxing process, very similar to painting, whereby the wax is brushed onto the piece and wiped off.  It leaves a nice smooth finish.  I did a little distressing on the edges of this dresser, knowing it's going to get used a lot and will get distressed over time anyway. I used Annie Sloan chalk paint.  They have a pink paint in their color line but it was more muted than I wanted so I mixed pure white with a little of red, to make a bubblegum pink color.  I have a lot of bright colors in my room and this adds to it!

 

The dining area turned into a painting studio for a day!

My husband was apprehensive at first as he knows I'm not a big fan of painting. I managed to impress him.  Now he thinks I should paint my beloved armoire as it's the only non-colored piece in my room.  I'm thinking about it now! Maybe blue?

The Wheelbarrow

I've been on the lookout for an old wheelbarrow for a few years now.  I've browsed through garage sales, antiques stores, Craigslist sites.  I've had my Hubby looking along the side of the roads and garage sales as he's on his bike rides. Why do I want an old wheelbarrow?  I had a blank spot next to our pomegranate tree.  I've wanted a wheelbarrow there, planted with a bush of some sort, to add some color and interest to the area.  I wanted it to look as if the wheelbarrow got left behind while picking pomegranates. Well, let me tell you, old wheelbarrows are hard to find!

But, I did find one and in the least expected place! We own a house across the street from my parents. We gave the tenants notice and we've been repairing and cleaning it so we can sell it.  I was at the house one Friday doing yard chores; pruning bushes, raking old leaves, weeding flower beds, etc.  My brother came over to observe what I was doing.  I asked him if Dad had a wheelbarrow, he answered in the affirmative and went across the street to get it.  Imagine my surprise when he shows up with an old rusted wheelbarrow! Who knew my treasure was hiding in my parents' garage?  I instantly told him I was taking it home and I would buy Dad a new one. The wheelbarrow isn't an antique by most people's standards, but it is at least 40 years old as they had it before they moved to their current home in 1973. It's rusted, dinged up, missing its rubber hand grips, and I just love it.

I've planted a yellow lantana in it.  Eventually, the bush will spread out and hang over the sides of the wheelbarrow. It's a hardy plant, doesn't need much water, so should do fine in its potted spot. Butterflies and hummingbirds love the blooms. The wheelbarrow and red gate have made a hum-drum part of the yard come alive!

Harley likes it, too!

Now I'm looking for a child-sized metal or iron headboard for my next gardening project.  Anyone seen one?

Vintage Funnel Planter

A few years ago I pinned a picture to one of my Pinterest boards. It was of a vintage funnel that had been converted to a hanging planter.  Imagine my surprise when, a few months later, my friend Kathy brought me a funnel from her annual expedition to her hometown in North Dakota! She had no idea I was looking for one!

I told my Hubbers my plan and put the funnel away.  A few weeks ago I dragged it out and asked for his assistance. He drilled some holes, attached some chain and I was good to go! I planted a flowering succulent in it.

I love unusual items in my gardens, feel they bring character to my outdoor spaces.  I love repurposing things, too. I bet the original user of this funnel never thought it would hold flowers!

"The" Crib

In 1982, pregnant with our first child, my Hubby & I bought a Jenny Lind-style crib. I loved the simplicity of it and the vintage charm it possessed. We were newlyweds, didn't have extra money, and the crib was probably beyond our budget.  But we put it on layaway (remember those days?) and saved for it. Our son  and daughter both used it, we just changed the bed linens. Once they outgrew it, it went up in the attic.  My sister had twin boys in 1988 so down the crib came for their use.  After that the crib stayed in a corner of the attic, with the intention of being used for grandchildren at Nana & Papa's house someday. In 2010, while pregnant with her daughter, my daughter said she would like to use the crib.  So, down from the attic it came once more! It was reincarnated as a white crib for our granddaughter's use. When she was done with it my son told his sister that he wanted to have the crib, he and his wife were hoping to start a family soon.  Now it's 2014 and our first grandson will soon sleep in the same crib that his father once did 32 years ago. Another reincarnation of the crib has taken place as my daughter-in-love's father painted it to her specifications.

My sister told me the other day that this is a well-loved crib. I agree but also add that the occupants of the crib are well-loved, too!

The crib may not be an antique, may not have monetary value, but, to our family, it is priceless!

Jared - 1982

Our cat, Krisha (who lived to be 21), loved the crib, too!

Jenna - 1986

 

Waiting for Avery - 2010



Waiting for Jacob - due date 12/24/14.



Hull Pottery

For as long as I can remember my Mom had this Hull pottery vase.  She says that as long as she can remember her mom had it before her.  I have no real history on how or when the vase was acquired. I'm 57 and I'm pretty sure the vase came before me! My most vivid recollection of it is it would always show up in early spring, Mom would fill the vase with the first of the blooming lilacs. I've always loved the vase.

A number of years ago she gave the vase to me and I began looking into the origin of Hull pottery. The Hull Pottery Company began in 1905 in Ohio and its early lines were mostly common utilitarian stoneware. Over the years they enjoyed an excellent reputation and expanded throughout the Midwest and east coast.  In the 1920's they began to also produce a line of art pottery, using more colors and glazing techniques. In the mid-1980's the company was hit with union issues and foreign competition, eventually ceasing operations.

Most of the pottery was sold in dime stores and it was common to have a plant or flower bouquet delivered from a florist in a Hull container. Perhaps this is how Grandma got hers. The pottery was not a high-end item but is now becoming a coveted collectible.

Over the years I've acquired some more Hull pottery, usually as I was antique browsing. I keep them displayed in an entry way cabinet but I do use them (I think "pretties" should be used, not packed away!")

I used them a few years ago in my Christmas tea table settings.

 

 

The "Old" Pink Coat

If you know me, or have been following this blog, you know I love and treasure hand-me-downs, especially if they come from family or close friends. Most of my vintage items aren't worth much monetarily, but they are priceless to me (cue the Visa commercial!) I display them in both the traditional ways, such as on a shelf or cabinet, and in non-traditional ways. I believe old treasures should be used and appreciated, not kept in a box and saved for a "special occasion".

One of my most sentimental items is a pink corduroy baby's coat and hat.  I wore it as a baby.  I'm sure my sister wore it, too, as we were not an affluent family and my hand-me-downs became hers.  Unfortunately, as the third child, pictures of her aren't as plentiful as mine and I've yet to find a picture of her wearing this coat. This picture of my Mom and I was taken in Klamath Falls, Oregon (where my Dad was raised) in 1957.

Fast forward to 1985 and I now have a daughter of my own. Mom retrieved the coat from its storage spot and my daughter wore it on more than one occasion.

After she outgrew it, I packed it away. I presented it to her at her baby shower in 2010.

And, later that year, a third generation of babies wore that coat and hat!

Once more it has been packed away.  I hope I am around to see another little girl wearing it someday! In another 20 years or so I'll only be in my mid-70's!

In making this post, one thing I've noticed is we all have the same fat cheeks! There is no denying the mother-daughter-granddaughter relationship!

Recycling Vintage Treasures

My Hubby & I have always been interested in vintage things. As young newlyweds we would often go antique shopping. We would take a picnic lunch and hit the road. We couldn't afford to buy much (if anything!) but it was cheap entertainment and we acquired ideas for the future. We especially like vintage treasures that have been passed down from family & friends. Even though we have many vintage items in our home many of these hand-me-downs languished in closets, drawers or in the attic because they didn't go with our decorating style or lifestyle. Over the years we have learned to re-purpose these things, to be able to show their beauty, the talents of a loved one or just to recall a special memory.

My Grandma McGee crocheted many a doily or table runner. They were heavily starched and placed on tables, the backs of sofas and chairs. Some had flowers, some had ruffles, all were very intricate. I have a plastic storage bin full of these doilies. I have no desire to use them on furniture like she did but I felt bad that no one was able to see their beauty. I have had some of them framed, both for me and for gifts to family members.

Doilies displayed in my dining area.

Doily I had framed and gave to my sister as a Christmas gift.

I have a few quilts that were done by my Grandmas, as well as my Great-Grandma. One quilt, in particular, was stored in a closet after I got married. Unknown to me, the closet leaked during a rain storm. During a move from that home I discovered that the quilt had mildewed. I had it professionally cleaned but it was too late to get all the damage out. I couldn't bear to part with it so it sat on a closet shelf for years. About 10 years ago my Mom started making teddy bears for her grandchildren. I thought of the old quilt and asked if she could make a teddy bear out of it. She was able to get enough pieces to make a teddy bear for me, as well as herself and my sister. This teddy bear now watches over me while I work in my craft room, a reminder of the handwork of a long-gone relative.

The yo-yo quilt was a popular style of quilt making in America during the 1920-40's. Yo-yo's, or tiny circles of fabric, were gathered up at the edges and sewn together to make a three-dimensional effect. They were popular because women could carry the little circles of fabric with them and make yo-yo's whenever they had a free moment. They didn't require much material so scraps of material, grain or flour sacks, or old clothing could be used. During the depression-era, when nothing was wasted, the scraps could be turned into something useful and decorative. My family has various yo-yo pieces made by family members. This piece was made from yo-yo's made by my great-aunt, Rhoda, in 1935 when she was bedridden during her first pregnancy. It now hangs in my hallway.

Many of us have jars or boxes of buttons from our relatives. My Mom has my Grandma's buttons (Mom, put my name on them, please!) Periodically, I will raid her stash and insert some into a cross stitched piece I've made. Or, they are beautiful thrown in a jar and displayed!

My Grandma Fannie always had hand-embroidered pillowcases on her beds. Over the years she gave me a few sets. Again, they were relegated to the closet as they didn't go with my decor or never would've lasted in my childrens' bedrooms. A few years ago I began noticing a child's dress called a pillowcase dress. You take an existing pillowcase (or make a new one), put armhole openings and a casing for the neckline and you have an instant dress. I made this dress for my daughter's baby shower in 2010. Grandma's embroidery and crochet work is wonderful.

Two years later my granddaughter was old enough to wear the dress! It's now packed away, saved for the next generation. I know Grandma would be thrilled to see how her pillowcases got recycled.

I've learned over the years to "think outside of the box" when acquiring vintage items, to look for ways to display these treasures so they can be enjoyed once more, even though it may not be in the way they were intended!

Join me at Show 'n Tell Friday!