Vintage Junky - Creating Character

Friday Etsy Favorites Vintage Goodness

2012-01-27T11:10:00.001-06:00

hello all! It seems like it has been for.ever since I did a Friday Etsy Favorites. But, since we are still at home while the Mr. is running the shoppe, I thought I would do them... and break my own rules. You see, I sometimes don't show what I really, REALLY love if it is vintage... sometimes it seems that someone swoops in and buys it from me. So, today, I thought I would show you all the *Vintage Goodness* that I am lusting over...

oh my.... look at that vintage perfections... patina... rust... love!

found~ urgestudio

love the aqua on this sweet religious medallion

found~ petitbrocante

need.more.vintage.trophies.

found~ sadieolive

If I ever was going to go crazy nuts and start collecting millions of one thing, I think it would be vintage bride and groom cake toppers... adore this one. We had a great vintage cake topper

found~ izzydaisy

I wonder if I would enjoy upholstering more if I had this sweet aqua number...

found~ The1829Farmhouse

What is not to love about this little carafe set?

found~ EmporiumGitane

adore this sweet office note pad

found~ GillyGrey

okay, I have oodles of ironstone. And a couple of these same dishes already... that doesn't stop me from wanting to get these as well!

found~ froggoestomarket

I have this strange fascination with vintage dishracks... I don't know what it is... maybe it is the pretty aqua coating or the fact that they are really useful... whatever it is, I think this needs to be in my cupboard!

found~ fadedplains

and this sweet little diver stamp... well, I didn't let it get past me... it is mine.all.mine.

It reminds me of this motel in Eureaka Springs that the Mr. and I drove past when we took a little trip.... it was called the Joy Motel and it had this great image of a diver on it.

even though this is gone, this shoppe has loads of fun vintage and handmade

found~ smilemercantile

Okay, so go pillage my faves and make me so sad! The hyena and I stayed at home today because he still sounds sick. So, we are going to work on our third art project of the morning and maybe take a little nap in a bit. Have a lovely weekend! Oh, and there is still time to enter to win the Custom Chalk Giveaway!

bye for now!

Custom Chalk Giveaway

2012-01-25T08:26:00.000-06:00

hello and happy Wednesday! Hope you are all having a wonderful week. To be quite honest, ours could be a bit better... we have some weird home repair issues going on... somehow our downstairs light globe was filled with the dirty washing machine water... very strange and we aren't really sure how it happened or how I didn't get electrocuted when I flipped on the switch. And, the hyena is sick... ugh! So, last night was a long one. I am sure to get it... a 3 year old doesn't remember to cover his mouth when he is half asleep and holding you close. Okay, stepping away from the negative and onto the positive!

I was at the shoppe the other day and was getting together a little giveaway and all the sudden it came to me.... I had the perfect giveaway right in the shoppe... Mr Hughes! No, not giving him away (at least not today... I need him to deliver furniture *wink*) I asked him to giveaway one of his great chalkboards and he jumped on board and chalked up a little board to announce the giveaway!

This is the first board he did way back in August or September. After he did this one, he quickly started getting orders for custom ones and then he opened up his etsy shoppe and he has done quite a few really great boards for weddings and birthdays and anniversaries. It is awesome to watch him start with a chalk design and eventually work up to something permanent. We carry ready made ones like menu boards at the shoppe and some fun smaller designs as well. The one above though is mineallmine! *wink*

I have been after him to do a birth announcement one and we have a few more new designs planned for that line that he will chalk up soon. Oh, and this one is random names... trust me... baby hughes was *much* larger and born at the beginning of August (still waiting on my mommy badge!)

Anyhow, they are amazing art and I am not just saying that since he is my Mr. And, we are so excited to give one away! So, I am guessing you would like to know how to enter....

Okay, first off... sorry... this giveaway is only open to the continental US.

Go to custom chalk on etsy and let me know which design you would like to base yours off of if you are the winner and leave a comment on this blog post.

For an additional entry, go to custom chalk.com and "like" it on Facebook.

If you want another entry, "like" Vintage Junky on Facebook

And, if you want more entries... blog or tweet about it.

Leave me a comment for each thing you do to enter... it makes it easier for the random counter.

The board one of you will receive will be 18" x 24" and you will work with the Mr. to create your design based off one of the ones in his etsy shoppe. I will announce the winner February 1st! Good luck!

okay, back to coercing baby hughes into drinking some more juice!

bye for now!

In the Paper!

2012-01-20T11:25:00.000-06:00

Hello and happy, happy Friday! I just wanted to share a lovely little article about the shoppe that was published in The Tennessean today! We are so excited and humbled that they wrote this nice article about Vintage Junky.

I always feel a little goofy when I have to talk about myself and what I do, so I am glad I didn't come across as a total goofball in the article. Isn't that weird that I feel goofy and I have a blog? And, just in case you would like to read it and can't make out my photos of photos, here is the link to the article.

And, I reworked the shoppe yesterday... I wasn't feeling the red Valentine's look, so I messed with it and I think I like it much better than before... it is more me... I added a blue table and was able to breathe... I had to balance the red!

I do like bright punchy red when mixed with aqua-y blue

I also foofed and fluffed the front... well, I mean, the whole store. In this petite space, you can't really change one thing without changing everything.

And, if I am being completely honest with you... it already looks different. I guess it is good though, it keeps me from changing the house on a daily (hourly!) basis *wink*

Hope you guys have a wonderful weekend!

bye for now!

The Smallest Shoppe Keeper

2012-01-17T09:21:00.003-06:00

Hello all! Hope your weekend was great! I feel like it has been forever since I blogged... if you saw my workshop you would understand! I have been working on some really fun projects for clients. The past few weekends, I snapped a few photos of what's been going on at the shoppe.

And, usually, baby hughes is the life of the party. On any given day, someone will walk in the shoppe and they are *enthusiastically* greeted by baby hughes. Normally, he will hand you a card, shake your hand, and ask your name. This kid... I think he is going to be a politician. He introduces himself giving his full name veryfast. He is charming (most of the time *wink*) He has been known to kiss and hug you goodbye and run after you and tell you to be careful. He is a handful. God must have known not to give me a boring child that would get overlooked by a mommy like me (slightly absentminded, busy, and constantly planning.) We are so blessed with this little man. He keeps me on my toes and laughing.

He is why I started this crazy business! I mean, don't get me wrong... I love it.... but one of the biggest benefits is being with him. I can get over the no paid vacations and paying for my own health care since I get to spend my time with this little guy *smiles*

Now for the shoppe talk: I have changed the shoppe several times in the past couple of weeks.

I added some garden-y type stuff to Spring it up! I am yearning for Spring!!

I added a bit, just a bit of Valentine's and red. Can I tell you... I am NOT a red person. I have very little red in our home and I don't have much at the shoppe. I do love vintage valentines and decorations, but I am itching to take this down already. It just doesn't floooowwww. And, I guess that is sort of the point of red, to stick out.

The Mr. created this chalkboard out of some salvaged furniture parts and added his lines *wink* It sort of goes with our Save the World, Buy Vintage theme. Of course, I have rearranged the shoppe since these photos were taken... I got a wild hair during lunch on Sunday and put the Mr to work once we got to the shoppe.

Okay, Flying Fairy School is just about over, so it is about time to get to work. I will try to not be such a stranger!

bye for now!

Linnea's Lights Giveaway Winners!

2012-01-11T09:14:00.003-06:00

Hello everyone! I know, I know, I am a day late with the giveaway winners. Things have been pretty busy around here (promise I am not engulfed in a book.) But, better late than never *wink* The winners are:

AubreyLaine said...

I would love Amber!

Shannon said...

always love a good candle, I think the magnolia one sounds delicious :)

So, Ladies, send me your info (michelle at vintagejunky dot com) and I will get these awesome candles to you. Thanks to Linnea's Lights for providing such a great giveaway!

I will be back soon. Promise!

bye for now!

New Etsy Items

2012-01-07T11:26:00.000-06:00

hello and happy Saturday! It is rainy and wet here in Tennessee and almost Spring- like. It was beautiful yesterday and we had a fun day at our little shoppe. I decided to list some of my new finds late last night in my etsy shoppe. I love the little birdies... well, I love the packaging!

I love the patina on this old post box.

I always love old clocks, but I can't keep them all...

And the sweetest little sewing kit... I want to find that velvet and cover some furniture in it. It such a cool vintage grey, and I love grey!

Okay, have a fun weekend! Be back next week with a winner of the giveaway... still time to enter.

bye for now!

Soap at the Shoppe

2012-01-05T12:42:00.000-06:00

Hello everyone! I have been busy researching little lines of stuff I want to carry at the shoppe and after a candle line, a line of soaps was next.

I love a really good soap and I found a line that I love that we were able to brand ourselves with the packaging.

We had a fun little photo shoot the other day with them and our new prop... I couldn't resist buying a display piece for the soap...

I may or may not have purchased it before I purchased the soap *wink* Anyhow, I think the sink is a fun little accent.

I gave a little medicine cabinet an update with a frosted cross and had a spot for each scent: lavender, grapefruit, oatmeal, lemongrass tea (my favorite!) blood orange, citrus lavender, and gardener's.

Okay, back to pricing some new items! Don't forget there is still time to enter the Linnea's Lights giveaway!

bye for now!

New Year's Giveaway!

2012-01-03T18:47:00.000-06:00

Hello all! Hope your New Year has started great! A few issues of Country Living ago, I was reading about this candle company called Linnea's Lights. Around that same time, I opened the shoppe and wanted to include a few product lines, specifically a candle line. After reading the feature on this company, I just knew (without even smelling them!) that they were the right fit for the shoppe. So, I quickly contacted them and worked with a couple of really sweet ladies to place an order. I couldn't be more impressed with the candles. The packaging (recycled or recyclable) is gorgeous! I love things in pretty packages! And, they smell divine! They are made in small batches (hand- poured) with soy wax and cotton (lead free) wicks. Each candle comes with its own little box of matches as well. It is little things like this that make them so special. But, what is really special is the story behind the company.

Lynn (left) started making candles as a hobby. And, as hobbies have the habit of doing, it led her to selling her candles at local fairs in Indiana with her husband, Danny. From there, it grew into Linnea's Lights... the name is inspired by their family's Swedish roots. After Lynn's husband passed away, her daughter Laura (right) came on board to oversee certain aspects of the company. These two ladies continue to remain deeply involved in the production, planning, sales, and marketing of their company.

Not only am I impressed with their product, but also their wonderful customer service. It is always nice to know the story behind the company and it is wonderful to do business with nice people *smiles*

So, I contacted Laura with a little idea about a giveaway here on the blog and she went for it. I did ask her what her favorite scent was (Amber) and Lynn's as well (Magnolia.) Those are the two that we are giving away this week! There will be 2 winners drawn randomly. Here is how you can enter:

First, go to Linnea's Lights, and tell me which one you think you would like better: Amber or Magnolia

Then, leave me a comment for one entry.

Leave a second comment if you go and Like Linnea's Lights on Facebook

Leave a third comment if you go and Like Vintage Junky on Facebook

Leave a fourth if you tweet about the giveaway or Linnea's Lights.

I will draw a winner next Monday and announce the winner on Januay 10th. I love these candles and know you will too!

bye for now!

ps. I wasn't paid in dollars or scents (heehee!!!) to write this blog post or do this giveaway.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T13:22:00.000-06:00

Hello all! Happy New Year!! Now, I know I said my new year starts on my birthday, but here are a few things I would like to do in 2012~

~Fun family photo session with Hazel (and maybe find something cool to haul her *wink*)

~Redecorate our living room... maybe a new wall color...some new pillows... no big woop...

~Fun 4th Birthday Party...possibly a superhero theme...

~Wear more dresses

~Actually start the sampler I bought this year

~Read more books... there are a few that I can't wait for them to come out

~And, watch more movies... I can barely wait until November, but at least there are a few that I am looking forward to coming out before then

~Be outside more and enjoy it and soak it up before it becomes miserably hot

~Discover new music and see some live shows

~ Take some mini family vacations

I have so much to be thankful for.... 2011 brought me home with my little guy and then we expanded Vintage Junky. I have B I G plans for 2012 and so many things to be excited about...my sis is graduating with a degree in nursing (so proud!) and some friends are getting married too.

I will be back soon with a fun giveaway! But for now, Happy New Year!

bye for now!

Hunting 2012

2011-12-29T16:16:00.001-06:00

Hello all!! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas! I skipped out a little early from the shoppe so the hyena could take a nap and instead of cleaning up the remnants of Christmas and the dishes, I thought I would share what I will be hunting for in 2012.

For the Shoppe~

I would love.love.love. a vintage cash register for the shoppe.

And, I also have my eye out for some vintage price holders... I would have my resident graphic designer make me up some cool, vintage-y price signs.

And, a farmhouse table... for the shoppe... maybe move it to the house when I get tired of looking at it there *wink*

I have a repro dress form, but I would like a vintage one... one can live at home and the other at the shoppe. I like to call that a win-win!

I would also love to have a rack like this one for my kitchen... I am thinking ironstone bowls would be perfect on it... and I just happen to have a *few* ironstone bowls!

I am also wanting to find a really cool vintage piece... like a library cabinet or something with patina and charm... here is another I love!

More~ I want more vintage trophies and loving cups

I am also wanting to trade out our side chairs in the living room.... something with a bit more detail or lines. The ones we have are nice, but I want something a little more... different, I guess

Mr. Hughes has been wanting to do this for awhile... I love the look!

These are nice... probably a bit too fancy for our space though

These are so fun! Love the color combination!

If you would like the sources or to follow along on what I am hunting this year, here is my pinboard for finds I would like to acquire this year. So, what are YOU looking for? Vintage-wise *wink*

Okay, be back soon with some shoppe photos... we added a organic soap line this week! They smell great! Oh, and also, I will have a little giveaway next week as well!

bye for now!

Scenes from the Shoppe

2011-12-19T08:41:00.003-06:00

hello! Hope you all had a great weekend! We had a busy little weekend at the shoppe, but I managed to find the time to rearrange a little. I didn't realize that I missed working in a boutique until I was able to change things up... even more than I do at the house! So, I thought I would show you a few photos I took this weekend. Click on photo or here for a fun interactive shopping guide!

I got my hours decal for the front door! It made me feel like a real shoppe!

This is one of the most popular items that people spend their time digging through... one of these days, I am going to get rid of our PB flatware and get a mismatched set. But, for now, I will part with them *wink*

This was made by Mr. Hughes, of course. But, I will take a little bit of credit for it since I gave him the idea and also showed him the pretty French envelope.

And this, my dears, is something I am SO excited about... like jumping up and down excited. We found this post box last Wednesday while we were out on our family day. And, Mr. Hughes knew it would be perfect for our little ....

... candle line!! This is something I have wanted to add since we opened. I love really nice candles. We carried a few lines at a boutique that I worked at in college and I loved so many. I knew when I saw this line (Linnea's Lights) featured in Country Living that it would be a right fit, even before smelling them. And, when we got the samples in... well, all three of us had a great time sniffing away and finding the right scents for us.

I was so excited to get them before Christmas. You should have seen baby hughes and I chasing down the FedEx man on Saturday! He went to the building across the street, and I just knew those were our candles. I was thrilled and so was baby hughes... let's face it... he is just thrilled most of the time *wink*
So, we dug in the boxes and Mr. Hughes couldn't get there fast enough to help me heave this post box up on top of the library table.

Okay, back to the awesome post box... check out the back... it is pretty cool too with all of those little brass labels with names.... check out this name! Mr. Hughes and I debated on whether or not it was the Woodrow Wilson. I don't think it is, but wouldn't it be awesome if it was!

Okay, I am off to paint... I have a full house right now with furniture to paint for clients and for the booths and shoppe. Got to get busy.busy.busy. (quick... what Christmas movie is that from?)

bye for now!

A Vintage Junky Christmas 2011

2011-12-14T20:47:00.002-06:00

Hello everyone! I feel like I took forever to get the Christmas decor up this year. We have been pretty busy, but I feel like I was over thinking it. Like I needed it to be different than last year... with the exception of the snowflakes... got to have them *wink* We also had a few bumps getting things the way we (mainly "I") wanted them. So, here is our home this year. A little simpler, a little different, a little the same.

Mr. Hughes found these awesome... I mean, awesome, vintage Christmas lights. They still work! There were a few bulbs that were shot, but, thankfully, I had a bunch in the shoppe that I was able to replace them. They are outside since they are h o t!

The Advent calender is getting empty and the tree is getting full! I found this great ironstone waste pot at Scarlett's and Mr. Hughes brought me home a little live (prickly!) tree.

I put up the whole nativity this year. Some years, I just put up the Holy Family. But, I thought this little shelf on the mirror was perfect for it. I still feel the camels are a little large... are they that much larger than a cow...does this really matter....

When I was sprinkling the jumbo confetti, one aqua piece landed right where Baby Jesus will be... like right in front of Mary and Joseph... you can't make this up folks... so, I left it there.

We continued our little tradition of wrapping baby Jesus. We unwrap that little box and place Him in the nativity on the 24th before we go to sleep.

Mr. Hughes came up with the great idea of putting the ornaments in my top hat.... I had them in a tarnished bowl. His way was much better.

I snowflaked the place!! I can never get enough of them!

The infamous Joy....

I did the ornaments from the dining room window again.

I love these little birch pots that I got awhile ago. I filled them with ornaments and clippings from our boxwood bushes.

I attached some little bottle brush wreathes to the chairs.

I decided that I really, really needed this branch (also from Scarlett) I knew I wanted to hang.... what else... snowflakes!

I found this little, tiny window... can you imagine such a cute window actually in your house? We lined up a little collection of vintage trees behind it. I like the view through it.

Here is Mr. Hughes' Santa... check out those snowflake shadows... maybe it is a sickness with me, but they are just magical!

I can't wait to see what Santa puts in the stockings!

We have a few of these around. Someone... ahem... insists on removing the trees and wreath...

A few more vintage trees and a little vintage deer.

I only added a few things to the tree... I wanted a more bare look... I lived with the tree for like 4 days with only lights while I thought about what I wanted it to look like. And, I started to really love the bare look.

I found these vintage letters in this etsy shoppe and I tied them with some twine.

And, in honor of our new addition this year, baby hughes and I picked out one from this etsy shoppe.

Okay, so that is all! We had a really fun day today. We went to see Santa and we also went to paint a new Santa's cookies plate... there was a terrible accident with the one from 2009... a shelf fell in our cabinet and it was the only thing that broke. But, all three of us worked on one today, and it was fun and I am sure that the cookies will look just as delicious on this one *smiles*

I will be back soon to show you an awesome display piece I picked up for the shoppe.

bye for now!

I am linking up to The Nester's Party

and at Shabby Creek Cottage

and at Jen Rizzo's Housewalk!

and Rene's Room by Room Christmas Home Tour!

Back in Shoppe!

2011-12-08T06:01:00.002-06:00

hello! Thanks so much for the birthday wishes yesterday! This will be short and sweet since I will be off to the shoppe in just a bit... just wanted to let you know that I restocked my etsy shoppe with the Toy Trucks Towing Tiny Trees (some with Trailers!)

And I also restocked the little JOY and NOEL burlap bags

There are still a few days to order your stockings before Christmas! I have had so much fun doing these this year. The Mr. cuts the silhouettes... he is pretty handy with those scissors!

Okay, that is all! I finally got that Christmas oomph yesterday! It could have been the mini blizzard we had yesterday... remember you Northern Folks, I live in TN... it was a blizzard! I hope to be all decked very, very soon!

bye for now!

Genuine~

2011-12-07T08:18:00.000-06:00

hello all! how are you today? how am I? Let's see... I am 33. Yikes! Where have my years gone? I don't enjoy wrinkles or a less than 20 bum, but I have always liked birthdays. And I think I sort of look at them a bit differently. Just like my true Mother's Day doesn't happen in the middle of May. My Mother's Day happens at the beginning of sweltering August when baby hughes was born. I sort of look at my birthdays as my New Year. I think if you think on it, you might too. It is the beginning of your New Year, your next one. You have 365 days behind you of good memories and 365 before you of a blank slate. 365 days to be what you want to be. Now, I am realistic, I am 33 and NASA stopped the big Space Program so I am not going to be an astronaut. And, I am never going to have a wonderful singing voice or be 5'10." Many people choose a word on January 1st that they want to define their year, so here is mine *Genuine*

First off, doesn't it have a lovely ring to it? I love the word! And, up to this day, I have strived to be just that, genuine, even though I never really put it into thoughts or words. I think it is the best way to be. Am always successful? Nope. I do try though. So, what do I mean by being *genuine* I guess it just boils down to being yourself.... good and bad. Recognizing your faults (ugh!) and try to do more good than harm. For instance, I know that I am a sponge.... I am so affected by other's moods. So, I try to surround myself with positive, happy people. Deep down, I am a happy person even if I let foul moods affect mine.

yes, I own this shirt... maybe I will wear it today... found here

This New Year, I want to be the best, most genuine Michelle I can be. Extra silly, sort of clumsy, off key singer, Harry Potter reader, absent minded, loud talker. I want this word to define me for the next year. I want people to know what they mean to me. I want to be a better mom and wife and friend and daughter and sister.

I look back over all the changes that have occurred in the past 365 days and all the possibilities that lie ahead in the next 365. I would like to think that I didn't get here by being who people want me to be, but by being myself, in the best way I can. This next year, I am going to own this word.

Thanks to all of you for all of your wonderful support over this past year. It has been one of the best... but I always say that *wink* I will be back soon with some Christmas decor... but today, I am going to enjoy my cupcake.

bye for now!

in true Michelle fashion. I drug the 1st image from somewhere in the depths of pinterest instead of pinning it... maybe it wasn't working properly. So, I am taking a long way to say, I don't know exactly where it came from. Let me know if you know and I will give credit to the source!

An Early Birthday Present

2011-12-06T08:10:00.000-06:00

hello and happy Tuesday! I am starting to like Tuesdays...not as much as Thursdays, but I like them. Is it terrible that I like Tuesdays because of a TV show? Keep in mind I truly only watch like 2 a week... most of the time the TV is on something like Mighty Machines is on. Why do little boys find this so interesting? Anyhow, I love the New Girl and I think my little hyena has a crush on Zooey. He goes around singing the theme song. That is okay... she is on the preapproved list of people allowed to be crushed on by the males in this house.

The other day I got a little early birthday present. Most men buy their wives jewelry. My Mr. bought me the stuff to create my own!

I have always loved necklaces. And I love vintage inspired jewelry. Simple necklaces are probably my favorite.

So he found these little tokens by accident and thought they would make great necklaces. And they do! Many of them have little initials, some have fun little bells and trolleys. And, while I really love my necklace, I love the supplies he designed for me.

He is the intricate artist of the family.... I sketch ideas, but when it comes to drawing detail work, it is the Mr. that is the artist. I have been after him to create me a little coat of arms for Vintage Junky for quite some time (I adore shield shapes!) And I was so happy to get a stamp with this little coat of arms... it plays a little off of the stamps on English Ironstone...they have a unicorn and lion flanking the center design. I have a jackrabbit and a labrador... quite fitting for me *seriously tearing up thinking about my sweet lab*

So there it is... my very own line of simple jewelry.

So, I am looking at a half bare Christmas tree. It needs some attention and so does the rest of the house. I am going slowly this year... just putting up a bit at a time, but I hope to have it all finished by the end of the week. We have a busy few days ahead of us... or as my Thomas loving boy says "we have a lot of special jobs to do!"

bye for now!

Restocked!

2011-12-03T14:12:00.000-06:00

Hello and Happy Saturday! We have been having a fun day at the shoppe... hazel is here and baby hughes and Mr. Hughes are enjoying the semi- not- cold weather outside with her. I did a quick etsy restock of some of the little toy trucks towing tiny trees... some of these have trailers! I may die from alliteration happiness!

okay, that's all! Back to work *wink* Back soon with some Christmas decorating (I hope!)

bye for now!

Advent

2011-12-01T08:01:00.000-06:00

hello and happy December! There is frost on the ground this morning and it will be chilly on our way to the shoppe today. I like a good chill now and then..... I make exceptions for December. But, after the New Year, I want warmer temps pronto!!

Have you ever seen something raw... like in its original state and completely see something else... what it could be? Well, I did this summer. Mr. Hughes brought home a big buffet for me to paint and I saw this velvet board set aside. Now, I have painted a few buffets and I have seen a few of these boards that go in the silverware drawer. But there was something about this board's faded color and its perfect velvet-y-ness (fact: the Mr. doesn't like velvet.) I immediately brought it into the house and told him that whatever he was planning on doing with it would not work. That it would be our Advent calender.

Immediately the wheels started tuning and I starting thinking... brass window/ screen door tacks... I have some of those... but I don't have a whole set... off to etsy/ ebay I go!! But they were a bit pricier than I remembered. I eventually found some goldy brass, not the white brass. I looked and saw #1, #2, and #25... okay they are all there... add to my basket.

When I got them, they weren't #1- 25. Oh well, I will use what I have. And I did... I pulled together some random numbered tacks and now have a complete, perfectly mismatched set.

The idea behind the calender was to add one item each day of December to our little tree. After we add the item to the tree, then we write our favorite memory of the day and place it in the envelope to save. So, we will have an empty board, full tree and hopefully at least 25 perfect Christmas memories.

I thought this would be an easy way for baby hughes, who doesn't really grasp time in weeks and days... it is "now" and "in a minute" to him. And, I have seen so many fun interviewing things done with kids and just thought it would be great to hear what he thought the most important part of our day was.

I quickly put this together last night so we will have it ready for tonight. I truly wanted fun little ornaments that he would like, but I couldn't find any small ornaments, so I used what we had. These are small, and either durable or un- precious.

I really can't wait until tonight to see what his favorite part of the day was. I may ask Mr. Hughes and write mine down as well. This is really the important part of the season for me. Besides, the Reason, of course. It is making these little memories. This year will be busier than I expected when I quit my job in June. The shoppe wasn't in the plan, or in ours anyhow, back then. I still think that we can make great memories, even if we are working a little more than expected. It will be special memories that only we have created. Maybe I won't be crafting each and every day or baking cookies til we all explode. But, I bet we can manage to fill all 25 of those envelopes with happy little memories to share for years to come.

What is something YOU do to celebrate this season? Any fun traditions? Okay, time to wake up the boys and get this day started!

bye for now!

Something Christmas-y

2011-11-30T18:31:00.000-06:00

Hello there! I finally went to see Breaking Dawn today with a sweet friend. That little break was SO needed. Before I left though, I did my first Christmas-y, wintry thing for the house. I think if you have seen my house at Christmas, you know I have a thing for snowflakes... I have it bad, folks. And, I am sort of obsessed this year with kraft and white. So, after I finished doing a doormat for the shoppe, I decided to use the other (which I bought for the back door... or in case I messed the 1st one up!) for our house. I am one of those people who really likes a new doormat... it is almost as good as a new toothbrush or a haircut. Anyhow, I figured let's combine a long time love affair with snowflakes and a new lusting for kraft on white. Oh, and this is an official Vintage Junky DIY... ha! I am so bad at tutorials!

Okay, so I started with a very plain doormat.

Then, I cut a bunch of snowflakes out of printer paper. I even noticed that on the front of this printer paper that it now has a paper snowflake. See... they are on to us... they know we don't use a ream of paper for printing anymore. And, if you don't cut snowflakes as often as I do and you forgot how to fold them, here is a little tutorial with some fun cuts that I asked the Mr. to put together a few years ago. He is much better with that sort of thing than I am *wink*

So, I then pinned them all in place.

Then I asked myself... Michelle, could you have picked a worse day to spray paint... and I answered.. yes, I could have. Yesterday it was raining/ snowing. Today is is a warm 30.

Besides, I think those directions on the back of the can are for best results. And I just wanted results.

So I sprayed. And sprayed. And warmed up and sprayed again.

Now, if you are wanting a really BOLD design with loads of contrast, then you would want to pounce and stencil... and it would be mighty frustrating to stencil paper over coir. So, this is the method I chose. If you had a metal or plastic stencil, it would be much easier, and BOLDER. I knew there would be some overspray and it would be a bit softer. I wanted snowflakes. I had paper. This is what I got:

The overspray wasn't too bad... it didn't leak under the paper too much... I used quite a few pins. If you do this, don't spray at an angle, it will muddy your snowflake shapes.

And here it is all happy in front of my door. Sort of a faded Fairisle Sweater/ Nordic look. Now, I need to get to decorating the rest of this house (still not clean!) Okay, I am off to work on our Advent calender... something I have been planning since this summer, yet did not really start it until tonight! I have some ideas though *wink*

bye for now!

Toy Trucks Towing Tiny Trees: Etsy Update

2011-11-29T15:34:00.000-06:00

hello! I totally had a little bit of Christmas to share with you, but Tennessee weather had something else in mind: SNOW! Not much, but just enough to make spray painting impossible or just extremely difficult and sloshy. So, I am busily updating my etsy shoppe and enough of you asked yesterday about the little trees that I decided to list them there just in case you can't make the trip to bring these little haulers home. I truly believe this is what SUVs were made for... hauling Christmas trees *smiles* I just wish we still had Gabe, our Jeep Grand Wagoneer to take to get our tree from the farm this week.

Oh well, we do have Gordon, our Jeep Cherokee to tie a tree on.... I name our cars too. Does that surprise you? I name lots of things.... little men are usually Fred and Bob... every now and then there is an Enrique to mix things up a bit.

Okay, enough about me naming things. I went on my date with my cute blonde and we picked out quite a few Christmas books (one aptly named Christmas Trucks.... perfect!) Tomorrow though, I am FINALLY going to have a date with a much older man.... not my Mr. either *wink* I haven't seen Breaking Dawn yet, so my sweet friend (who I bailed on to get the shoppe ready) and I are going to see a matinee tomorrow... so excited!!

I will have some Christmas-y projects soon... promise... I had my scissors snipping snowflakes last night *wink*

bye for now!

Christmas at the Shoppe

2011-11-28T07:40:00.001-06:00

Hello all! Now that Thanksgiving is officially over, I feel 100% comfortable talking about Christmas. I didn't even put any Christmas up in the shoppe until Thanksgiving (we weren't open.) And, since I can't put Christmas up in our home until it is c l e a n (my rule) I think that I will show you just a bit of what we did in the shoppe.

Some ornaments made from vintage clock faces

Little toy trucks with tiny little trees... baby hughes is quite upset that these aren't all his. I have even tied trees to his current trucks and it just isn't the same.

I sort of flocked a tree... sort of as in this wasn't true flocking.... anyone know where to find that? Now it is all falling off since I used a WHOLE can on a teeny tree... that's okay.... it looks a little snowy and magical on the tabletop now.... or everyone thinks I should dust.

I did some silhouettes of some famous Christmas personalities to put on some stockings at the shoppe. I am still doing the custom ones in my etsy, but thought these may be a little fun for those of us who don't really like our profile *wink*

I also did these little Christmas burlap bags... I love how the white JOY turned out... I may have to make some more white words.

Some more repurposed items made into Christmas ornaments.... baby hughes helped decorate most of the trees.... this one is overflowing in vintage goodness!

Mr. Hughes made these... they are little slide holders with vintage paper.

I also updated my little etsy store... it has been sad lately with its vintage category lacking in items. I found out this weekend that the shoppe is the perfect place to take photos... it gets good light nearly the entire day.

There are loads of vintage cameras... seriously, LOADS!! The Mr. came across a lot of them and I picked out the best.

There is also some tarnished silver and some other vintage goodies now in the etsy store.

Okay, I am off to paint and then a date with a cute blonde.... we are going hunting for some Christmas library books. I am working on our Advent calender and hope to show you that really soon! This week we are going to chop down our tree too.... I love this time of year!

bye for now!

Friday Etsy Favorites Black Friday

2011-11-25T06:12:00.004-06:00

hello all! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! The Mr, baby and I had a quiet little day creating some new Christmas items and just enjoying the day... well, if I am being totally honest, the baby was a bit of a pistol. Some tell me 4 is worse than 3... please tell me that it isn't true. Two was a breeze compared to this 3 stuff. So, I know some of you are die hard Black Friday shoppers. I really have never been. I do like shopping online and buying handmade more and more each year. So, I compiled a little list of what I would buy if my paypal account was full and I had no bills to pay *wink* Here is my *Black Friday* favorites:

This sweet fox towel would be a fun addition to our kitchen

found~ sweetharvey

Awesome tee... love!

found~ milatree

I love these sweet little embroidery scissors.... they would be great if I ever start my sampler

found~ cheswickcompany

Adorable frock... you can change and remove the collars and cuffs

found~ mrspomeranz

maybe it is the excitement over the Hunger Games trailer... or baby hughes' love for Robin Hood... whatever it is, I am in love with this little delicate silver necklace

found~ datter

Now, I wouldn't say all my ideas are amazing... I would say most of them aren't. But, maybe they would be more amazing if I jotted them down in this little notebook

found~ sparrownestscript

isn't this awesome?!?

found~ merriweathercouncil

ahhh... ruffles. They make me so happy!

found~ bayousalvage

do you think this sweet flamingo would make me a better houseplant keeper?

found~ oneeyeddog

Knit buntings? I think this may be perfection!

found~ ColetteBream

well, we are off to the shoppe for the day. I will post some photos of some of our new Christmas and vintage items today... maybe I will list some on etsy as well! Be safe with all those cah.ra.zee shoppers out there *wink*

bye for now!

sometimes I feel the need to clarify these *Favorites* These are actually things I like... not like paid advertising or anything like that.

The Shoppe is Open!

2011-11-21T06:00:00.004-06:00

hello all! So, we opened the shoppe this weekend... Saturday was the first day we opened. Not everything we envisioned was quite finished, but we opened anyhow... when will it ever really be finished? In 2 days, it has already changed a bit. But, it has changed A LOT from the original state it was in... remember the tiny photo?

And, here it is as of Saturday...

(keep in mind you will see rogue hammers and juice cups and trucks in the middle of the floor)

We didn't do anything to the exterior... it is a old building, but has been updated with vinyl siding and shutters

We did paint the door black and add some little decorative touches. I am wanting to add a cute decal with our hours and maybe a light under this little portico.

Mr. Hughes put together some really cool framed heraldry prints from the late 1800s.

A month or so ago, we found a paper roller at a great price... they can be so expensive. We snatched it up and I am so glad we did. I made some cupcakes (golden with salted caramel icing) to share with our very first guests.

I painted the walls greyish blue... it was a pleasant surprise. On the swatch card, it didn't look blue at all. The floors are a slightly darker grey. Under the carpet there was lovely stained linoleum tile... 2 layers in fact. Over hardwood. The way it was attached made it nearly impossible for us to remove the tile by ourselves. Since we are renting and doing this on a budget, we decided that painting the floor was the best plan. I am pretty pleased with the result. It is MUCH better than the yucky tile.

I painted several pieces for the shoppe and for the booths last week. One of the best parts about the shoppe is that it nearly split in half. So, I was able to paint custom orders along with all of the furniture for the shoppe and a few pieces for the booths.... seriously, like I had A LOT back there. It is of course, a bit messy and not cute at all. But, very useful.

Mr. Hughes is going to have some ready made chalk art here and also take custom orders as well.

I made some more burlap shades and did a few new designs in linen and canvas as well.

Mr. Hughes built me an awesome counter from a dining table base I painted and an old barn door. He is also going to do me a little design on the chalk area behind the desk.

We also took down the fluorescent light fixtures and replaced them with some great pendants.

I am planning on adding a light fixture to the pendant shades and a few burlap shades once my lamp parts get here.

We hung up a little piece of fencing to display the flower pins.

Mr Hughes found that great ledger and typewriter. The little red truck is baby hughes'... not for sale!

My little Jeep business card holder on a really chippy counter

Mr. Hughes came up with this design when he purchased a lot of vintage cameras... we have all kinds.

So that is what we were able to get photos of the other day. We still have more to take and a few more things to finish. We have a photo booth planned with a vintage Land camera... the photos are incredible. The Mr. also hung up a bunch more stuff on the walls today and I sorted and priced some more vintage things. We are planning on putting out a bit of Christmas next week.

This was just our opening.... we plan to have a Grand Opening and ribbon cutting in the future. It has been exhausting at times, but we had so much fun putting it together.

If you are in the area and would like to come visit, the address is:

309 Hardin Alley

Spring Hill, TN

We are open

Monday- Wednesday by Appointment

Thursday- Saturday 10-5

Sunday 1-5

I will be back soon with more photos and gasp... Christmas stuff for our house and the shoppe!

bye for now!

The Best Business Card Holder Ever

2011-11-15T07:53:00.000-06:00

Hello all! Wow... it has been awhile! Most of my time this week has been spent getting things ready for the shoppe. So, while I have had stuff to blog about, I haven't brought my computer or camera. I don't really like showing things in a half done state... and trust me... it hasn't been very pretty. We have run into some snags here and there, but we plan on opening sort of bare this Saturday and have our Grand Opening at a later date. I am sure it will be a little like a home... you know, never quite *finished*

So, the other day I was *chatting* with a friend that is quite encouraging in the acquisition of vintage goodness department.... let's just say that we encourage boosting this economy! And we were talking vintage trucks. She knew that I missed one on etsy that I loved from Mary's shoppe. She sent me a link to one on ebay. I rarely win on ebay, but I did this time!

Not only did Tara sacrifice this adorable Jeep, she also gave me the best idea... this will be my business card holder... that is if baby hughes will keep his hands off of it for a few minutes!! Oh, and don't feel too sorry for Tara... she got a couple of cuties to share with her boys too *wink*

Okay, have to get to work... be back as soon as I can!

bye for now!

The Big Boy Room

2011-11-07T09:04:00.006-06:00

Happy Monday! I am finally 95% finished with the big boy room and it is finally straightened enough to take some photos of it. For some reason, I felt that a change was coming in the past few weeks... my intuition was perked or peaked or something. So, I felt this push to get this room finished and repaint another room... it was almost as if I was nesting (and I am not.) So, I feel good that baby hughes' space is finished before we open the shoppe.

I thought you guys might like a tour... so c'mon in.

This chest of drawers has been waiting a makeover for some time. It was my grandpa's, then mine, now the hyena's. It has been painted and stained and painted and painted again. Who knows what it originally looked like. It is an awesome piece that I will treasure forever.... underneath that paint, my grandpa carved his name in the side.

I got this great idea for an original mobile (who says mobiles are just for babies?) And, I set to work on it. Then I looked up paper airplane mobile on pinterest. Well, wouldn't you know it? Someone else did the same thing with an old bike tire and some comic book pages. oh well!

The view from his little reading chair... I think it is fun and magical!

The kiddo has some books. Lots of them. This isn't all. I am still searching for the perfect bookcase... I mean, I found it already. But I waited and some other person snatched it up!

The quilt is very, very old! I bought it from some dear friends of ours. Sometimes quilts are so girly, and this one wasn't. I love it. Hopefully, it isn't too fragile to live with this boy of ours. The bed is also vintage and was originally white and I painted it navy. It just seemed like a color that would grow with him.

I commissioned a Custom Chalk Art piece from Mr. Hughes. I nagged and nagged him, I mean, asked him sweetly to finish something for above the bed. baby hughes loves Hazel, our camper, so it is perfect!

We couldn't decide on just one print from yellow heart art, so we got both! The Mr. and I loved the dino one and baby hughes loved the "super powers" one. (pardon the glare on the dino!)

Just a little spot for dirty clothes (the vintage mail bag) and his cape.

We made a few changes to the teepee decor.... we had a LOT of faux fox fur left over from his Robin Hood costume. So, I thought it would be a little cheeky to make a rug for the teepee out of it. Now, if you know me... like really know me... you know that I am so not into taxidermy or hunting or fur. I think it is icky. But, for some reason, this seemed like a good idea.

I also made a little campfire pillow. I had seen this on pinterest and googled it, but it didn't seem like the company was making them anymore. So, I made one. Every teepee needs a campfire pillow!

When he isn't on his bed, he sits in his little chair and reads... I love coming in to find him like that... sitting quietly with a book in his lap, sensing me spying on him and looking up to give me a grin *teary smiles* I am searching for the perfect bookcase/ library cart for this space... the basket will move to the closet.

The windows.... those blasted curtains! Originally, we started off with tab tops from Target. They hit the floor. They were actually a bit long. Now, no offense if you LOVE tab tops, but I am just not a fan. I don't like the weird space when you hang them with blinds... and we have bamboo blinds. So, I thought I would just add a valance or band and be done with it. In the meantime, I had to wash the curtains, since some little boy ripped the whole rod out of the wall, including anchors. So, they were rumpled in the closet until the Mr. put them up. When I pulled them out of the dryer.... MAJOR shrinkage. So, I had to configure a way to make them longer, while making them all one length again. Mr. Hughes was like... just buy new curtains... I just wanted to use what we had. It seemed like a waste.

Mr. Hughes made this before the bambino was born. Wouldn't you know our giant child was able to make the first mark on the chart!

I sacrificed one of my favorite suitcases from the stack for baby hughes. It will be some type of storage eventually, but for now it is simply a perch for a few vintage trucks... he picked out the Winnebago himself.

Now, some of you will ask where all the toys are... and he does have new toys that aren't wooden and fun. His train set is actually in the library/ office. And he has another black basket with toys (mainly stuffed animals) in the closet. He also has a small bin downstairs under his table. He isn't lacking, trust me. His gang is noticeably absent from the photos... a few owls, a puppy and a musical seahorse... he is cuddled with them and a favorite quilt in our bedroom as we speak.

Okay, that's all for now! I have to go get the paint for the shoppe! So excited!

bye for now!

sources: Not all of it is vintage, I promise!

furniture: all vintage, painted by me
wall color: from the FreshAire line by home depot... I think it has been discontinued
Dino and Super Hero art : yellow heart art on etsy
reading chair: land of nod
train sheets: pottery barn kids
easel: pottery barn kids
Teepee, camp fire pillow and fox: all me!
rug: pottery barn kids (ages ago!)
book shelves: the talented Mr. Hughes
curtains: target, altered by me
lantern nightlight: house8810
camper chalk art: Custom Chalk
wool buntings (on teepee and above bed: monkeypuzzle on etsy
mobile: me
Spot storybook pages: vintage via ebay
horse paint by number: vintage via ebay
Train chalkboard above chest of drawers: vintage
pillows: me
alphabet flashcards: circus font printed on card stock with rounded corners... in other words: us :)

If I am forgetting anything, just ask~

Huge-mongous News

2011-11-06T08:46:00.002-06:00

hello all! hope you are doing well. A long, long, time ago ( I can still remember how that music used to make me smile... nope... that isn't what I was getting at... ) I wrote a post about driving by this local building and dreaming about having a shop there. And, my Mr. even did a mock up of how the building would look if I got my wish....

And, this building was quite impractical to become a shop. So, it was just a little wish and a dream in the back of my mind and on my heart. So, I opened an etsy shoppe and then some booths. Then last week, Mr. Hughes orchestrated a way for me to get my own shop. So while it doesn't look like the above photo, it does look like this!

excuse the really longish, messy bangs... I have a trim on Tuesday!

If you follow me on facebook, this is a few days old news... I got the keys to my own shoppe!!!!! Can you hear me jumping up and down?!?! We got them on Thursday (my favorite day!) I am so excited! It is sort of sudden, but it couldn't come at a better time. I am taking on more and more custom painting clients and it is getting cold painting in my garage. This space has a large back room/ workspace that I will be able to spread out and work on projects (hopefully keeping our home a bit cleaner *wink*) The Mr. and baby will join me on most days. We are starting out working Thursday- Sunday and we will take it from there. I am thrilled that I will have the best of both worlds... being a mommy and a shoppe owner. In fact, the very first thing I purchased is a large kids table for him to play on and entertain our younger visitors.

In true fashion, we forgot to take photos before the Mr. started ripping out the carpet, so here are some teeny tiny ones from the craigslist listing:

I know, we are terrible! Hopefully, we can get some more photos of the progress. We hope to be open fairly soon... November 19th is the projected date, even if it isn't 100% perfect (or my vision of perfect!)

I want to thank all of my friends... online and offline and my family for believing in me and THIS. Both of my booths will stay open and I will still be blogging, of course. These next few weeks I may be a little absent (minded and otherwise!) It may take me a little bit to get adjusted... time management is something I can become better at... I am pretty easily distracted!

I did finish baby hughes' room for the most part... I am still searching for a good bookshelf. So, I will post photos of that this week. Okay, time to get to work!!

bye for now!

What I Keep Wednesday: Urban Farmgirl

2011-11-02T07:58:00.000-05:00

Hello and Happy Wednesday! Time for another What I Keep. Now, I have seen some of the items that this adorable blogger has found. Hey, I have bought some of those items. So, I really wanted to know what she keeps... welcome, Mary from Urban Farmgirl!

{Somebody pinch me!} Am I really over here guest posting on one of my very favorite blogs of all time?? I am humbled...and grateful to Michelle for asking me to share with ya'll what I keep when I go out on my little junking adventures...so here it goes.

Let me start by saying I am out junking, hunting, picking...whatever you want to call it...a lot. As in 3-5 days a week. I have a path worn into the road between all my local haunts, I know all the cashiers by name, their kid's names and what they like in their coffee. Personal relationships are sooooo important in this business! On top of all that I work for an estate sale company 2-3 sales a month, and I am a regular at the auction circuit within a 100 mile radius of my home. I am so very lucky to live in an area where I can find such awesomeness, and I love to it share with all of you through my Etsy shop. But, there are a few things that just don't seem to make it that far.

In the beginning I wanted to keep EVERYTHING. I loved it all so much, I just couldn't let it go. One day I realized that I was destined to be the subject of a Hoarders episode if I didn't learn to let go. I had to realize that there was someone out there that would love and enjoy all these fabulous things just as much as I did, so that made it ok to let them go to new homes and live a happy life.

But, since we are here to talk about What I Keep...lets get to the few things that, if found, are mine for the long haul.

Top of that list...

Old metal Tonka trucks.

What says Farmgirl better than a beat up old truck?? Nothing, says me. So until I get the real-deal...I am on the hunt for these. White, pale green, light blue, tan...I am currently looking for the perfect red one to put out at Christmas. I love them all.

There is one thing that I can always spot among tables of "stuff" at a sale. From across a crowded auction barn I see its pale glimmer and am not too proud to knock everyone out of my way to get to it.

Galvanized metal.

{sigh...}

I am mesmerized by its simplistic beauty. Its raw look. It is as though we were always meant to be together. I don't mind if it comes in the form of a bucket, a basin or a tool box...its mine. But secretly, the toolboxes are my favorite because they were always...always...handmade. That makes me happy.

Another favorite...chippy white scales. I started out saving any color I would find, but have since narrowed my scope to just white. {LOVE...}

Ironstone has always been my true love. I received my first piece after begging for it for my 21st birthday. Weird, I know. Most 21 year-olds would want a pitcher...full of beer. I wanted one with a Johnson Brothers of England stamp on the bottom. Call me crazy!

Pitchers with simple lines are my favorite. I have 58 of them. (I just went out to my dining room to count them, speaking of calling Hoarders.) I love the big, old ironstone slop buckets, too. They are so large, and make perfect vases for Hydrangeas in the summertime. I have a number of bowls, platters and plates, mortars-and-pestles. Someday I will have to show you my huge old pharmacy cabinet that holds all of them. If my house ever caught on fire I swear I would have to find a way to push that baby out, pitchers and all!

And last...but certainly not least...I can't seem to part with any old camera. Aren't they gorgeous?? Slightly industrial feeling, with words and numbers - they are just so cool! Photography has always fascinated me, so these represent that love for me.

So there you have it. Just a few of my favorite things.

All simple, yet beautiful little pieces of history.

Mary

WOW! Good thing she doesn't live close to me or she might have a few less than 58 pitchers and I have a little guy that has developed quite the appreciation for old metal trucks. For as what she keeps, she also keeps her etsy shop stocked with lovely, lovely things. But, you have to get it quick. The day I realized she had an etsy shop, I clicked the sold items by mistake and saw this gorgeous shield shaped advertising mirror (frameless) oh.my.gosh. I couldn't add it to my cart... WHAT? it had sold. I still haven't gotten over that one.

Okay, peeps (can we still say that?) it is cold here. I have been doing some things around the house, just waiting on a few prints for baby hughes' room and hunting for a bookshelf or library cart. And I painted the library/office/train table room last night... it was a secret, covert mission to get it finished while the Mr. was away!
So, I will show you all of that soon!

bye for now!

Robin Hood and Little John Walkin' Through the Forest...

2011-10-31T22:20:00.000-05:00

Laughin' back and forth

At what the other'ne has to say

Reminiscin', This-'n'-thattin'

Havin' such a good time

Oo-de-lally, Oo-de-lally Golly, what a day

hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween. It was a sunshine and rainbows sort of day for us. good night!

bye for now!

costume: Me and Mr. Hughes
lyrics: Mr. Roger Miller
attitude: all baby hughes

The Talented Mr. Hughes

2011-10-30T14:43:00.000-05:00

Happy weekend! Just popping in super quick in between projects to show you something that my Mr. completed last night... this chalk art is keeping him pretty busy. I commissioned one for baby hughes' big boy room... I will show you that one once that room is finished... but for now this:

He is also participating in the Franklin Art Crawl at Scarlett Scales' shop on November 4th from 6-9 pm. So, if you are local, come by and see his latest work. If you aren't local, you can visit his etsy shop.

Is is shameless self promotion if you are promoting your honey? *wink*

Okay, I am finishing up the curtains for the big boy bedroom. It is almost finished!!

bye for now!

Friday Etsy Favorites boo

2011-10-28T08:22:00.000-05:00

helllllooooo! hope you have a great weekend ahead of you. I am hoping this rain doesn't spoil our plans, but I do like a rainy day here and there. For this Friday, I collected a few things that I would love to have for a not so scary Halloween party. Say *boo*

These fun cupcake toppers would be great for a Hocus Pocus party... I always loved that movie

found~ kiwitinicreations

I know some of you will know why I chose this one *wink*

found~ UnderTheSunPrints

Every party needs a bunting... who am I kidding.... every DAY needs a bunting!

found~ BHBKidstyle

I adore this collection of sweet witch postcards

found~ IrenaSophia

I am terribly afraid of spiders, but I still love this bowl

found~ catherinereece

These letterpress coasters are so fun

found~ bstreetpress

I love silhouettes, always have, always will

found~ EmbellishedByElana

I love the retro feel of these trick or treat bags

found~ HelenRawlinson

again with the silhouettes (on a repurposed platter!)

found~ merrymagpie

love these spooky tags!

found~ songbirdgreetings

I hope all of you have a very fun weekend and a great Halloween! We are probably around 95% finished with the big boy room, so I hope to share that next week. First though, I have to get out from under my afghan...

bye for now!

How To: Create a Teepee

2011-10-27T08:48:00.001-05:00

hello and happy Thursday! My favorite day! And today, I am going to share a project that I recently completed. Whenever I type "how-to" in that little title box I have to laugh a little inside...you see, I will look online on how to do something... obsess over it, talk about it, and usually just jump right in and not take very good photos... plus, I use non- exact instructions like... "attach that to this." And don't even get Mr. Hughes started on my mix-up of right and left... drives him crazy! Anyhow, if after all this you want to know how I created a teepee for baby hughes' big boy room, then by all means, follow along... at least there were no injuries.

So, like I said... I have been obsessing over making a teepee. I couldn't make it until after we got rid of the upholstered rocker from the nursery days. The night we sold it, baby hughes and I sat on the sofa and looked at photos and how to create one of these bad boys. As I was racking off what I thought we would need to create it, Mr. Hughes chimed in with ... you know, we have those pool cues that I picked up awhile ago.

Excellent.... so we started with those... now, I know that most of you don't have pool cues lying around your house, but we did. You can use sticks. These were the perfect height since the height of the stick is related to how big and wide you can make your teepee. baby hughes has a tiny room, so this worked. If you want a teepee, buy some bamboo sticks that are taller.

We put together a rough form which I moved downstairs to have more room to work around it... that is why we didn't tie all the sticks together securely until the end... we needed to move it. So, decide how big you want it... have your kiddo get under it and make sure it will fit him and your space. I found that about 27"-29" between the "non door" sticks was the perfect measurement... I wanted them pretty even (this measurement allowed me to be able to butt 3 of the sticks against the wall.) The space on the door side was around 34". We used 5 sticks... with a larger teepee, you will need more for support (also, longer so they reach in the middle.)

See how we loosely tied them together... only for me to work on the canvas covering.

For the canvas covering, I bought a 9' x 12' uncoated drop cloth from Home Depot and I had more than enough.

Here is where I start to wing it... I measured a rough triangle, allowing an 1/2" for seams along the side. If this was a stable structure, I could have just laid the sticks down and traced the exact angles. Instead, I measured the base of the triangle and cut upwards... I also cut off the top point.

I made 4 of these triangles (the doors are different measurements) and I laid them out along the structure.

Then I began pinning all the sides together.... As I moved towards the top, the seam allowance got larger and larger... no biggie....

...because next, I trimmed all the seams to a manageable size (I waited to trim the bottom.)

I made sure the seams lined up along the sticks nicely and then I stitched all the panels together by machine.

As I said before, I waited to cut and attach the doors... I had run out of pins and I also was sort of liking the exposed edge look... so I wanted to be sure that I wanted the seams on the inside. When I did do the doors, I measured the base of the door area and cut that in half. I then used that measurement and expanded by 2 inches (this includes seam allowances) and cut it. I wanted one side to be a little larger to allow for overlap. Again, since I wasn't using the exact angles, there was actually more overlap towards the top to trim once it was pinned together.

With the doors pinned in place, I trimmed the outer door straight down and then the inner door as well, allowing for overlap. Then I stitched it all together.

Next (and it was very dark when I did this, so sorry, no photos of the process) I added the closure at the top. I have seen several ways to complete the closure... lacing, some stitch it partially together.... I used wool felt and embroidery thread and some large buttons... I wanted it more childlike and not so authentic.... I mean, I am using pool cues here.... not quite up to par with the Native Americans from the Plains here.

Then, I simply trimmed around the bottom edge... I didn't hem the very top or bottom... I wanted it a little rough and it doesn't fray too badly....and when it does, it will be similar to the fray on blue jeans.

We moved it back upstairs and Mr. Hughes tightly bound the rope around all 5 sticks. I have also seen people drilling holes in the cues and binding the sticks with rope through the holes and around the sticks... your choice.

Here it is all finished:

I spread the sticks a little wider once we got upstairs... baby hughes likes to have me over for company and it is a tight squeeze in there. He loves it though... when you now ask him where he lives, he replies... in a teepee!

We are discussing decor options for the interior, but this is how is looks right now.... well, I cleaned up a bit. His big boy room is awaiting just a few things (like remounting the curtain rod he ripped out of the wall... with the anchors!) He hasn't completely knocked it over yet *knock on wood*

Hopefully, I will be able to share his whole room next week... I am still needing more book storage.

So, I hope you enjoyed the little (long) *how- to* Here is one *how-to* that I used for inspiration and another one here. I had a lot of fun making this and he will have even more fun playing in it, so I am not too worried if there is a better way to do it.

okay, now, I have to finish a Robin Hood costume... happy Thursday!

bye for now!

What I Keep Wednesday: Life Made Lovely

2011-10-26T07:06:00.000-05:00

Hello all! Hope your week is incredible so far. I have another What I Keep Wednesday this week and today I invited one of the most cheerful people ever. And her home really shows it... it is so happy and colorful. She is pretty awesome too. Here is Heather:

Hello Vintage Junky loving friends!

I absolutely adore Michelle and am tickled pink

to join in the What I Keep Wednesday fun.

My name is Heather from Life Made Lovely
and I'm officially addicted to thrift store shopping.

A-dict-ted.

I love the thrill of the hunt, but mostly it's because I adore

the fact that beauty can be found in another person's castoffs.

So here's my little list of what I absolutely, positively cannot part with.

Ever.

1. My vintage Pyrex collection.
I'm currently the owner of dessert plates, dessert bowls, mixing bowls, platters,
and onr very pretty green apple shallow casserole dish. I love, love, love it all!
The only thing I love more about Pyrex is if it's a little faded out from being
~~used~~ loved so much. The more love it's had, the more lovely the colors become.

2. My vintage plate collection.
I choose castoff vintage plates that have a modern feel to them, either because of
their pattern or color. Right now they're being prepped for a little project I'm working on.
It's part of my "I must do something with all these pins I'm acquiring" effort.

3. My vintage mug collection.
I love finding colorful mugs made in Japan, but also have a few made in

England and Germany. I hang them from a vintage bread delivery truck basket

that's hanging over my kitchen island. Most of the mugs are a bit on the small

size compared to the size mug I drink my morning coffee from, so instead we

serve the kids their morning OJ in them. It makes for very happy mornings!

4. My vintage book collection.

I prefer vintage informational books, but if it has a pretty cover then chances are it

will end up living at my house. I just love the little bits of pattern and color

they bring to spaces in my room. I'm also a big fan of typography, so for me...

books cover two bases at once.

Thanks for letting participate in the fun Michelle!

I just think you, my dear, are the bees knees.

-xo Heather

Heather just introduced a line of Christmas cards with her business Life Made Lovely Designs. Seriously, if I didn't have a graphic designer living under the same roof who loves to do the Christmas cards each year, then I would definitely get one made. I would have a hard time choosing though since they are all so... lovely *wink*

Okay, off to use my time wisely while the hyena is sleeping.... or maybe I will have another cup of coffee....

bye for now!

A Foof and a Fluff

2011-10-25T09:16:00.000-05:00

hello everybody! Lately, I feel like I have been cleaning and purging constantly. I think it must be the change of seasons. And the fact that the Mr. and I tend to accumulate. A long time ago, we moved his office out of the the extra bedroom to carve out a little spot for us to create in... a studio. Quite a bit of the time, we will bring stuff downstairs and in one of my mad cleaning dashes, the so called studio becomes a dumping ground. I am not comfortable enough in my messiness to show you what it looks like on those days. Last week though, I cleaned and purged and organized to get it back into working order.

I moved some things around, put the closet to better use, and got rid of some stuff to make this a fun place to be in again.

While I adored the blue chairs that I created for this space, they just weren't right... they felt too delicate and didn't scoot well. So, on 2 different trips to our favorite haunts, we came home with some old sewing stools. Perfect. Here, I have my partner in crime modeling "his."

Sometimes you need something a little fun to make you feel creative. This little pincushion is useful too.

I also wanted to hang up the piece of kraft paper that I used at Bella Rustica for my booth. I couldn't see trashing Mr. Hughes' hard work.

I also couldn't see leaving those festive honeycomb balls all folded up in the closet somewhere. Why not put them to use? So, now it is like a little party up here. As fun as it is to mess things up (and not fun to clean them) it is also really nice to have a clean spot. First mess to be made in here: a Robin Hood costume. Better get on that!

bye for now!

Music Valley Antique Show

2011-10-24T07:45:00.001-05:00

Hello there! Happy Monday! I have loads of things lined up to show you if I could just get something completed... I am thinking this is the week (that I make a Robin Hood fox costume.) Anyhow, I am about to make some plans for you local folks...this weekend there is the Music Valley & Tailgate Antiques Show. These shows always have absolutely swoon worthy antiques. I am partial to old signs and the Spring show did not disappoint. In the Spring, there were also plenty of vendors with great industrial wares (I am also partial to industrial looking baskets and storage.)

And, if you want to go to this show, I can get you free tickets... all you have to do is go to City Farmhouse and tell them Vintage Junky sent you and they will give you free passes... it pays to know me, huh? *chuckles*

Okay, I will be back soon to show you some things that are finished.... well, they aren't right now but they will be very, very soon. Pinky promise.

bye for now!

oh, and for those of you that have had trouble commenting on mine and other Blogger blogs... I found a piece of info: it seems that it is a Blogger/ Internet Explorer issue with the embedded forms. So, I changed my comment form for the time being. So, c'mon, talk to me *wink*

Friday Etsy Favorites Crafty

2011-10-21T11:06:00.000-05:00

hello and happy friday! There is something inside of me that switches over at this time of year... maybe a change of seasons or all the holidays or how I am suddenly cooped up in the house more. Whatever it is, I get a little more crafty... which I think is a bit different from what I usually am. This time of year I can sit down with paper and scissors and all kinds of trimmings and keep myself busy for hours. So, let me show you some of may very favorite things to get *Crafty*

glass glitter. love it. sometimes the things I create with it are downright dangerous, but it is sparkly!

found~ littlepinkstudio

want to make me a happy girl? Buy me all the colors of divine twine... and maybe a new pack of sharpies. No joke.

found~ whiskergraphics

kraft seals... love them!

found~ knotandbow

Mr. Hughes got me the needle felting owl kit last year and I think this one is precious!

found~ fancytiger

hello sly fox stamp... you need to be mine

found~ahueofduckeggblue

these calligraphy, bracket-y tags are my kind of thing

found~ KisforCalligraphy

this is one of my favorite shops to buy things I probably don't need, but really want

found~ caramelos

I must get some of this felt! look at all the colors

found~ giantdwarf

and, if you aren't crafty, but would like to pretend you are, you can buy some happy daisies from here

found~ papersquare

another thing that makes me happy... washi tape. I want every color. But especially this one.

found~ littlehappythings

buttons... moody, smokey, grey buttons.

found~ smilemercantile

So, are you feeling *crafty* Oh, and a note on this word *crafty* Recently, this has become a favorite word in our house. You have to say it like you suspect that someone is clearly up to no good. baby hughes and I like this book: The Cow that Laid an Egg. Now, I don't want to give away anything for those of you who haven't read this book, but there is a certain line in the book that says, "We think the *crafty* chickens did it." We have this phrase in our family lexicon. It is sure to get a laugh every time.

Okay, have a great weekend! I have some fun stuff to finish up and share next week.

bye for now!

What I Keep Wednesday: Faded Prairie

2011-10-19T07:25:00.000-05:00

Hello and Happy Wednesday! It is time for another What I Keep... a little guest posting series to show all the great vintage finds that we just can't let go. Sharing today is Kristin from Faded Prairie...I love her blog and photography... it makes me want to leap right in the screen and grab everything and run!

hello dear vintage junky readers!

i just want to give a huge *thank you* to michelle for having me here on her beautiful blog! i am completely humbled and honored to be here...

when michelle told me what she would like me to share i had to *smile*...

i have been told time and time again that i was in the wrong business, not because i can't find amazing items but that i can't let them GO!! :0)

each and every item that i find makes my heart soar...each item brings a story, a life that once was...

so needless to say when i hear the {whispers} it makes it that much more difficult to let go...

the following vintage goods are some that won't be leaving my little prairie home anytime soon, no matter what my husband says! ;0)

i hope you enjoy...

vintage wheat sifters and a farmhouse pump...

a {pride of the farm} water trough front and a vintage windmill...

the white flour bin was built by a carpenter in 1890 for his bride as a wedding gift...i bought it from his great, great-granddaughter who didn't have room for it anymore....*love*...

a vintage barn vent found from my good friend sue of {bella shabby}, a vintage milk jug with the original dairy label and an ironstone pitcher...

i have a huge obsession with cows, its a good thing too since i'm in the cattle business! ;0)

these two are a couple of my favorites...

a couple wooden pitchforks, the craftsmanship that went into these beauties takes my breath away each time i look at them...you can still see the farmers brand upon them...

a vintage gas station number and a white, chippy stool...

a vintage sap bucket from the one and only {barnhouse boys}...

and last but not least two stoneware crocks that belonged to my great-grandmother...i still remember the pickles she would make in the #10 crock...

thank you again michelle for having me here and for letting me share my vintage *loves*...

a.ma.zing. I love it all! I can't pick just one thing!! In case you didn't know, sometimes Kristin will let go of stuff. Great stuff, in fact! And, you can visit her etsy shop and get your own little bit bit of vintage-y prairie goodness! She just introduced a new line and I have my eye on one of those necklaces!

bye for now!

Sort of Spooky

2011-10-18T09:17:00.000-05:00

hello there! Halloween is almost here and I have a little confession about it...while I love dressing up my boy and buying pumpkins, I don't like the really scary decorations. I barely decorate for it at all... just pumpkins. It irks me when I walk by something with my 3 year old and all the sudden some half decayed looking monster type thing screams at him. Not cool. I like the not so spooky side of Halloween. So, this weekend the Mr. took out some sort of spooky, sort of moody things for the booth.

This is the Annabel, one of my moste favourite pieces (I thought those spellings were a little spooky)

she is sold *smiles*

Now, I almost always.. okay, always... briefly daydream about keeping every piece, but this one, well, she really almost stayed here.

Now, Mr. Hughes sort of has a thing for ancestry and doesn't mind going through grave yards, taking photos of cool, old stones and gates... he took out his Poe inspired chalk art for a little photo shoot. We both love Poe. The Mr. agrees with me about the make you jump decorations. I want baby hughes to have fun, but not be scared. To me being scared does not equal fun... being thrilled, like on a roller coaster is fun for me... but being so scared of something you saw that you can't sleep... not fun

So, how do you feel about scary stuff? Are you into really scary stuff or just sort of spooky or not at all?

Okay, the dishes are a'callin'

bye for now!

A Crib

2011-10-17T07:39:00.000-05:00

Hello all! We (or at least I did) had one of those sunshine and rainbows sort of weekends, even if it didn't start off that way. Can I confess something? I loathe having yard sales. Really. I love to treasure hunt and buy and I had a great time selling at Bella Rustica, but a yard sale.... notsomuch. I am really not sure why... maybe it is because I will still have to deal with the leftovers. And, the getting ready for it isn't fun either. In spite of all that, we had gorgeous weather and we all stayed outside and painted (Mr. Hughes) and read library books (me and the hyena) in between visitors. Plus, we sold some stuff that was taking up space, including a rocking chair from the nursery which is slowly becoming a big boy room. We decided to quit the sale on Friday and spend all day Saturday doing fun things like getting pumpkins and cupcakes and hunting for old toy trucks. Yesterday, one project that was dependent on us selling the rocking chair was practically finished and I will show you later this week.

Whew... wordy! I bet you are wondering what that crib photo is for... not us. baby hughes was quite concerned when I was painting it... his was identical to this one. A sweet couple that bought a dresser from me this summer contacted me and asked me to paint a crib. I remember looking at Mr. Hughes and being like... uhhhh... I don't know. But then, I warmed up to the idea and told them to bring it! Since I hand paint everything and hand sand as well, I knew those spindles were going to be some work. I used no VOC paint since I knew that it would probably be gnawed on a little *wink* I am really pleased with how it turned out and I am pretty sure they love it too... I made her promise to send me a photo of the room all set up. They bought the Rose dresser:

I love this piece with all its little details. I can't wait to see it in the nursery! I am always thrilled when I know that I piece I painted is going into a nursery. There is something special in knowing something that you did is going to be around a new little soul. I think this nursery is going to be so lovely!

Well, it is sunshiney today too! I think we will get out and enjoy it when the hyena awakes. I have some finishing touches on a personal project that I will show you later this week...it may turn into a tutorial of sorts... don't expect much though.... I am terrible with directions!

bye for now!

Friday Etsy Favorites Put My Name On It

2011-10-14T05:00:00.001-05:00

Hello! Are you ready for the weekend? We have a yard sale planned this weekend, so I am up super duper early to get it all set up. Lately, baby hughes likes things with a name on it... specifically his name. So, I decided to find some not really cutesy name stuff. As baby hughes says, *Put My Name on It*

Names in calligraphy are so pretty... I wish I could do it

found~ dellacarta

These nautical flag signs along with their meanings are so great for boys' rooms... I especially love this one!

found~ bexpert

This wedding topper is adorable!

found~ readygo

Remember these? This says being a kid to me

found~ brooklynretro

If your (or your alter ego, evil twin, etc) name is Dorothy, you better snatch up this incredible scarf!

found~ babyboomerrelics

How are these for awesome seating cards?

found~ simplypear

I am smitten with this giant h

found~ EdiesLab

I love this fresh take on the stamped letter necklace. The banners are so sweet.

found~ goseek

This one I am particularly fond of...some of you may know that my artistic husband does drawings on our big chalkboard for special occasions. And, he did the wonderful sign that I took to Bella Rustica. Lately, he has been getting requests to do custom chalk art, so he has decided to offer it locally and also on esty. pssttt... it isn't always chalk that he uses, so you don't have to worry about Uncle Earl who had a few too many mimosas coming over and erasing your name and replacing it with what he used to call you on your big day. He does them for all special occasions and I have placed an order *wink* for a special one for us to keep.

found~ customchalk

oh.... there are a few more examples here

Okay, time to caffeine up and get out there and get rid of some baby clothes and toys... *sniff, sniff*

Hope you all have a very lovely weekend!

bye for now!

What I Keep Wednesday: Gilly Grey

2011-10-12T07:22:00.001-05:00

hello and happy Wednesday! That means we get to peek into another blogger's treasure trove of Vintage Goodness. And today, I have Rachel from Gilly Grey. I so admire Rachel's vintage style. She recently started a vintage rental company, so you know she has great stuff! Let's see what she can't let go of...

Hi Everyone! So happy to be over here at Vintage Junky! Michelle is one of my favorite bloggers of all time, so I'm honored to share with you "What I Keep"!

I am a true lover of all things vintage and can't seem to get enough of flea markets, estate sales, and antique shops. I own Gilly Grey Vintage Rentals, which supplies event planners/designers, brides, and photographers in the Baltimore/DC area with one-of-a-kind vintage pieces for their events and photo shoots. Lucky for me, treasure hunting is part of my job! When I'm out scouring for great pieces to add to my inventory, I see so many things I would love to keep, but the one thing I can't seem to part with are my monogrammed and engraved silver plate pieces.

When I see initials inscribed on the patina of the tarnished silver it makes me think of the person attached to those initials. I think that's the best part of vintage and antique pieces...the history and the person behind them. These little details make my heart go pitter patter!

And of course I couldn't pick just one thing to hoard, oops, I mean keep! I also have a strong affection for anything related to letters, numbers, and typography. Here are just a few of the vintage typeset printing blocks I have found over the years. I have several in my inventory, but I always pick out some of my favorites to keep on display at home. There are so many other things I would love to keep, but the size of my home doesn't allow for too much excess. I have to count that as a good thing, otherwise, you
might see me on the next episode of Hoarders!

Thanks Michelle for having me! I'm looking forward to seeing what other people "keep".

Wow! I love tarnished silver with years of love and patina! Great picks, Rachel~
And, I have been known to hang on to my favorite letterpress blocks as well *wink*

Okay, I will be back soon with some new furniture pieces... I have been painting ah-lot!

bye for now!

More Granny Chic

2011-10-10T07:16:00.000-05:00

Hello All! Happy Monday! Last week I started obsessing over some Granny Chic with a little project that I did. So I thought I would share the project with you. It all started with some needlepoint chairs that I was uncovering to recover... 4 of them. Now, needlepoint chairs aren't really my thing, but I sort of felt sad while I was pulling the nails. Then, I thought of a way to reuse the needlepoint fabric.

I put them in some vintage embroidery hoops. I would say simple, but at one point I was wiping sweat from my brow and words may have been said... that thick fabric didn't want to go easily into those metal hoops. But it did... after I threw it down a few times. I liked the hoops so much that I pulled together a little Granny Chic area. It is only temporary since the table is my bedside table and the chair is from downstairs, but I like its homey feel. I wish I had a bigger table filled with those little brassy frames... my Grandma always had a table filled with photos in those frames.

Okay, I am off! I have loads of stuff to keep me busy and out of trouble this week. But first, coffee!

bye for now!

Friday Etsy Favorites *Granny Chic

2011-10-07T08:03:00.002-05:00

Hello and Happy Friday! The other day, I was ripping out upholstery nails... not as many as last time, but still quite a few. I got inspired by the very granny fabric that I was removing and had a little idea for a project. You will have to wait to see that, but put on your reading glasses and see if you are into
*Granny Chic*

This sweet crocheted tote is perfect for holding your knitting supplies

found~ susanneedlehands

I love this patchwork pillow

found~ ThreeRedApples

This set of cups and saucers is perfect! Love the crocheted bunting too!

found~ alittleVintageShop

I think afghans are the cornerstone of granny chic

found~ afghansbyflorence

Check out these adorable cross stitch earrings

found~ MaMagasin

I adore this little purse!

found~ sadieolive

Really Granny, but really cool!

found~ VeraVague

Mixed and matchy crocheted coasters

found~ saltcitydesign

You don't have to be a granny to appreciate this warm and cozy style... it makes me want to learn to knit!

We don't have any set plans for the weekend... the best kind of weekend... anything can happen! I am itching to get some pumpkins though. baby hughes said he wants a white one... so my child!

Have a lovely weekend!

bye for now!

ps... Speaking of Etsy... I added a few new pillow designs to my shop!

Fluffed And Spiffed

2011-10-06T08:26:00.000-05:00

Hello all! hope you are all doing well... Today is bright and shiny and Thursday! Sometimes I forget the day of the week....I woke up and sleepily wondered what today was and what I had to do. Then I realized it is Thursday and while that may mean nothing to you, but Thursdays is my favorite day. Always has been and I suspect it always will be. Yesterday, I went out to the booths for a few hours and fluffed and spiffed to freshen them up a bit. Loads of new items went in and I hope to get some more burlap shades there this week.

Here are a few photos from Winchester:

Sprinkle some Sparkle: German glass glitter in little salt and pepper shakers

I also went over to City Farmhouse to stock and fluff, but Mr. Hughes had been there the day before hanging some things for me, so he had it looking pretty good if I do say so myself!

Some of you who are local will probably see him at the booths more than me. And you will call him Mr. Vintage Junky. He now answers to that and is okay with that moniker *wink* He is my muscles and luckily, he has a good eye as well.

Well, I am off to paint if the hyena will stay asleep just a little longer. If not, it is time to start our day. Which includes a covert Operation Vintage. Keep your fingers crossed that an awesome bookcase I passed up months ago is still at the place where it was. I would tell you, but then I would have to erase your mind. baby hughes needs more storage. And, he also wants a truck. A green one. Happy Thursday everyone!

bye for now!

What I Keep Wednesday: Blondiensc

2011-10-05T09:53:00.000-05:00

Hello all and welcome to the very 1st What I Keep Wednesday. You know, I like alliteration, so I am thinking that I will do this on Wednesdays from this point until I forget about it or I run out of posters. This week, I sweet talked a friend into guest posting even though she doesn't blog anymore... we'll see about that! So, welcome Tara!

Michelle, my very brilliant and talented friend asked me to come out of semi-retirement from blogging and tell y’all what I keep…it took me about 2.5 seconds to respond to her e-mail…so without further a-do, here are the things I keep and would never sell, part with, giveaway, or allow to be stolen from my home.

Let’s start with the obvious, I wouldn’t part with this guy….even if he did stash banannas under his bed for two weeks cause he didn’t want to eat them…and yes I found them last weekend, in their rotted state… he swears he is allergic to them {he is in fact not allergic to them…just so you know}.

I could’t part with this newest member of our family….

Even if he wakes mommy at 1:30am, 4:00am, 5:15am and 6:00am…because his little belly is a’rumblin’!

I just want to fold this little fella up and stash him in my pocket on most days…

Ok, enough of the obvious {sheesh} all you vintage lovers are waiting for the goods…not my babies!

So here we go, I can’t live without Vintage locker baskets:

I use them all over my home, the more patina the better!

Vintage Fans:

I have 4 of these, one in each room of our home!

My son’s bed:

I acquired this from a good friend, it is very old, so old that my husband (aka the pool man) flung himself on the bed a few months ago and the whole thing came crashing down and broke…we fixed it right up, after our punk cried a river of tears, he loves his bed…and loves to sleep!

{here is the evidence}

Suitcases:

There really isn’t much I need to say here…except they make my heart go pitter patter like when my hubby does exactly what I ask, without nagging him for two weeks….! I have about 15 suitcases from train cases to the large tweed ones all over my house! {purrrr}

Lucey and her wings:

This is Lucey, we have been friends for over 7 years…she resides in my room…in a pretty pettie coat and covered in my favorite paper craft, vintage sheet music butterflies!

She just recently acquired her wings! I wear them on occasion just to remind my hubby of the “angel I really am”!

Vintage glass S & P shakers:

A quarky love, I know! I figure the more the better…just like shoes!

And last but not least, if there were ever a fire in our home, god forbid, I would get my babies out of the house, secure them to a tree and run back in, throw this beauty on my back and run like, uhm…hell out of there! I can’t live nor would I ever part with this vintage farm table….

I am sure there a million other things I couldn’t part with but I would sound close to being a hoarder if I kept going or allowed you into my home, therefore I will keep this short and sweet…like my boys!

Thanks Michelle, keep rocking your creativity, you inspire me to the moon and back!

Muwahhh!

Blondiensc!

Are you drooling? Do you miss her posts as much as I do? You can visit her here. Okay, I have a large load of stuff to take to the booths... I really don't keep everything!

bye for now!

Something Crafty

2011-10-04T12:26:00.000-05:00

Hello all! How is October treating you? I miss September, but I am determined to make October just as wonderful... I am going to will the warmness to stay around a little while longer!

So, I did something sort of "crafty." Does anyone else not like that word? There is something about it that brings forth memories of wooden bunnies and toilet paper cozies... both things that I am not really into... if you are, please don't take offense. I just think of toilet paper of something that is okay to be seen... you know, so you can use it. I actually like little stacks of rolls, provided that there isn't too much quilting on the toilet paper (Cottonelle, anyone?) How did I get off on this tangent... oh well, back to the matter at hand: being crafty. Sometimes, we have things around here and I wonder what in the world I will do with it... this time it was two big bags of crocheted little flowers. I have used them in the past on various things... they look like little doilies. One day, for some reason, I decided that I would dye the little circles. All 5000 of them.

So, then I had a big box of aquaish crocheted circles...thinking back, I shouldn't have dyed all of them. I may have had a purpose when I dyed them... I am sure of it. I just can't really remember why I did it.

Fast forward to when I got a little package of ribbon goodness in the mail... and I decided not to use one of the ribbons for the purpose I had originally intended. But, as I was seriously obsessed with said ribbon (talking about things like the "hand" and the way it didn't crinkle when I tied it,) I had to find something to do with it. Enter the Jo-ann's 40% off coupon and a trip to buy a wreath form. After lots of hot glue, I had this:

A new fallish wreath. It sort of reminds me of a sweater or an afghan. I only hope that I did the person justice that sat there and crocheted all 7500 of these little flowers. I wonder what he/she had planned for them. Probably not anything like this.

Check out that ribbon... can't you just imagine how well it ties? I rarely change out my wreath...for someone who likes change as much as I do, I am pretty set in my ways with my door decor.

I just realized what an extremely wordy post this is to show you my new wreath..... I could have titled it "New Wreath" and simply posted a photo... maybe a short sonnet on the beauty of the ribbon...

Okay, I am off to go clean the hyena's room... and possibly move his newly painted bed upstairs.

bye for now!

What I Keep

2011-09-29T09:04:00.000-05:00

Hello all! Have you ever been by a incredible vintage shop or booth or even the flea and look around at all the Vintage Goodness and wonder... if this is what they are selling, then what in the world are they keeping? You know they are holding onto their favorite and their best. Hey, I am guilty of it. There are some things that I don't part with. So, I thought I would start a little series about what we keep. I will ask a few bloggers and maybe some non bloggers to snap a few photos and tell us what they keep and why. I don't have any hard and fast rules for this sort of thing, but I would love to begin next week and continue as long as I have fresh posts from vintage lovers. So, stay tuned! I can't wait to see what everyone hoards... I mean, treasures!

I am trying to squeeze as much out of this beautiful month as I can. I hope to be back tomorrow with a Friday Favorites!

bye for now!

Guest Posting: My Favorite Room

2011-09-28T06:43:00.000-05:00

Hello! Today I am over at Cottage and Vine sharing my favorite room with Rene's readers. Can you guess which room it is? C'mon over and find out!

bye for now!

Cupcakes~

2011-09-26T18:06:00.000-05:00

Hello all! Hope you had a great weekend! I think I finally kicked the flu on Friday. Just in time for the Mr's birthday. In which I made these:

They were pretty yummy and I think they look pretty too. I just learned a month or so ago that if I started in the center instead of the outside that the cakes look like roses. The rose ones are golden cake with fudge frosting and the light swirly ones are golden cake with salted caramel frosting... sprinkled with just a bit of salt. YUM... I love sweet and salty.

If I had all the time in the world, I would perfect my cupcaking abilities and have a little cupcake store... maybe out of Hazel! Ah... but until I figure out how to stay up all hours and still be a good mommy and wife, I will not pursue cupcakery.

I didn't get much painted last week due to the nasty bug, but I made up for it today... 2 pieces! And, I hope to start on another before the bambino awakes tomorrow. I also listed the propaganda poster

in my etsy shop today. So if you want one, scoot right on over there and grab one! I also bought some navy paint to start on some things for baby hughes' big boy room... I hope I can start it soon... we will see. Have a great last week of September... sniff... I can't believe I wasted a whole week of my favorite month sick!!

bye for now!

Friday Etsy Favorites Cocktails

2011-09-23T10:56:00.000-05:00

Hello there! Hope you are all doing well! I have been forced to enjoy a quiet week inside.... that cold/flu/whatever is still lingering. I hope to be back to painting a few pieces next week including starting on something for the big boy room. For now though, I am enjoying a little rainy day with a second cup of coffee. I found something on etsy a few weeks ago that totally inspired this weeks post. So, sit back and have a *Cocktail*

wow! what is a cocktail party without some killer vintage heels?

found~ MonDesirVintage

Gorgeous fascinator!

found~ littleladyblue

This is what inspired my cocktail collection... have you ever seen such pretty rimming sugar?

I mean, it is stunning.

found~ dellcovespices

I adore silhouettes... I don't think I will ever stop loving them! And these drink coasters are so lovely! And, hello? They are letterpressed too

found~ missive

A cocktail party calls for a fab-u-lous vintage black number. This one fits the bill

found~ mariesvintage

And, of course, a party is the perfect excuse to buy a statement piece of jewelry

found~ recollectionclothing

These stirrers are a little on the manly side to keep your soiree from getting a little too girly

found~ ideachic

Vintage smokey glass is perfect with the gold rimming sugar

found~ JollyPollyPickins

Okay, yellow will never, ever replace green in my heart. But, yellow... specifically this sunny, mustardy shade has snuck up on me a little

found~ willowship

Makes me want to get our penguin shaker out and start mixing some drinks... well, not quite this early. Well, it seems that some little man has dumped his toys all out on the floor... seems like the perfect time to sort through them. Have a lovely weekend!

bye for now!

Over Here!

2011-09-22T08:46:00.000-05:00

Right here. Heather is one of my favorite bloggers and I was so happy when she asked me to give you a little tour of a few of our rooms. So, I am over there today doing just that. I will be back tomorrow with some Friday Etsy Favorites.

bye for now!

Bella Rustica~ A Recap

2011-09-20T15:49:00.000-05:00

Hello all! Well, that cold that the Mr. and the baby had finally caught me. At least it waited until after Bella Rustica. I was in bed all day yesterday sleeping off whatever this is that I have. But, you don't want to hear all that. You want to hear about what a great time that we had! And we did have a great time! I thought I would share a few dozen of the photos that the Mr. took. I wish I would have taken photos with the great vendors I met, but I didn't. We were all quite busy. Okay, let's start with this:

Look at our girl all spiffed up!

Mr. Hughes sold posters benefitting AGAPE out of her. She also came in handy for baby hughes' naptime and a place to hold items that had been purchased from my booth. We didn't take any interior shots, but I will get those posted soon.

Miss Linda was able to find a truck that looked just perfect with Hazel. If only I could have taken him home with us...

Okay, booth photos! This was our first show, so we didn't really know what to bring or expect. We just treated it like we were setting up an antique store booth, so we brought a little of everything. The Mr. put together some great lamps including this one. He also came up with the design for the rope frame.

I wish he would have gotten a photo of the mirrors.... I wrote little sayings on all of them... this one said "everyone looks prettier in a vintage mirror."

Another one of the Mr's brilliant ideas.... these are old dark slides and he mounted some photos on them.

We brought a lot! Two trailers full in fact.

I had a few new pillow designs that I introduced at the show and I will list them on etsy soon.

You can also see just a peek of the sign that Mr. Hughes created for me. I knew that I wanted to cover the walls in kraft paper but we couldn't use nails or tacks. So, we got some really large clips and clipped the paper to the wood. And, he drew my logo along with some other fun things in white marker all over. I am sort of obsessed with white on kraft right now. I also stenciled vintage junky on some kraft bags in white.

We had a drawing to "Give Away the World" for a vintage globe and had everyone put their entries in a vintage top hat that our friend Scarlett found for us the week before in Brimfield.

A naked lampshade covered in vintage photos... this was a conversation starter as there were some great random photos

Another thing the Mr. drew for me

This was the booth on the second day when we brought in the buffet, Louise.

The garden gate was perfect for displaying the flowers... it is too bad it sold early on the first day... no complaints though!

On of the 3 chairs I got ready for the show

Organ pulls are always hard for me to part with for some reason.

Loads of bottles... all kinds... all sizes

We had to restock and rearrange on the second day. One of the best parts of my booth location was that I was right across from the girls from The Strawberry Patch. Christy (the cutie pictured above) and Alicia were so much fun to get to know.

The chairs were in front of old doors. Mr Hughes attached some brackets to them so we could hang the birdcage hanging lamps that he wired up for me. This was one of the things in my vision for the booth that I decided I wanted early on.

The sign up dresser on the second day

Besides being a little obsessed with white on kraft, I also was a bit obsessed with the linen buntings... I attached them to just about everything that stood still.

The Louise wouldn't fit on the first day, so we took her on the second day... I love how she turned out.

Now, it just isn't me that has a hard time giving things up... I had been saving these bottles back for some time and when I pulled them out, the Mr. said... those are too awesome to sell. I think we may keep the few that are left.

This is the booth on the first day... well, just after set up

We literally found the cabinet on the way out of the house on the second day, along with a small chest that will be getting a makeover as soon as I feel a bit better.

Did you know that shoe forms make the perfect business card holders? You do now *wink*

This is a Empire chest I finished right before the show. But, what I really want to point out are those great lamps.... Mr. Hughes created them out of salvaged table legs and wired them and put them on a base. I did the painting, but he did most of the work.

The original plan was to hang these honeycomb balls all around the booth. When we couldn't find a feasible and easy way to do that, I decided to just put them here and there.

After Mr. Hughes made one of these hands for the train party, I thought he should make some for the show as well. He put them on stands and made the hands face all different directions.

When we got in Friday, a thin layer of barn dust covered the tables... that brought us back to reality... that we were definitely in a barn!

We were able to spill some stuff outside the booth as well... this area constantly changed. It seems I am not the only one who brakes for vintage stuff outside.

So that's all folks! Well, I am sure we have a few hundred more photos as well, but this seems to be a good stopping point. We learned so much and got some great feedback on our products and designs... like what to make more of next time and for the booths as well. I think my only regret was not going around and taking photos with some of the vendors and the other booths and people I met. I will definitely have my point and shoot available for that next time. I got to meet Beth from Old Tyme Marketplace... super swoony booth and Celeste from Rural Socialite and many, many more bloggers and non bloggers. Of course, the ladies from The Roost and Three French Hens were there... they are always fun. And, Autumn, a very talented photographer that hopefully didn't get any photos of me eating a delicious hamburger. Plus, all the people who work at Taproot Farms and AGAPE.... they were wonderful. I couldn't have done all this with out my families and friends and all my bloggy buddies support. So, thank you! We had a couple of friends that stepped up and helped with baby hughes. He did spend much of the weekend there... and what a trooper he was... I think he behaved better there than he does at home most days!

Alright, I am sure I missed a few mentions that should have made, but I have a fuzzy head and I think I will take a nap while the hyena is taking one. I need to get better and start painting the few pieces and also some things for the big boy room.

bye for now!

Bella Rustica... just a little peek!

2011-09-15T20:35:00.000-05:00

Hello there~ This will be realllly short with just a few peeks at the booth. We had a great day and if the wind would have just calmed down it would have been perfect! Here's a few peeks...

Okay, you locals, if you want to see the rest, you come to the show!! You non- locals will have to wait until next week when I can upload oodles of photos! I have already met some of the sweetest people! It will be so much fun. Okay, have to shower and sleep... big day tomorrow!

bye for now!

Excited {insert scream}

2011-09-14T07:03:00.000-05:00

Hello all! We start all the Bella Rustica fun-osity tomorrow!! AHHHHHH! Hopefully, if I scream through type I won't actually scream while I am there. That could be embarrassing. I think this is my favorite thing, getting it all together and setting up a booth. Except this time, I will stick around for two days in our booth, instead of leaving tired in desperate need of coffee. I will be there! To see people and talk to them and show off my newly acquired under eye circles. When did this start to happen... maybe at 31? Who knows... baby hughes is 3 and he has them when he wakes after too short a sleep.
Oh, and since I have been giving you some sneak peaks of the other vintage stuff I am bringing, how about a peek at the largest vintage item we are hauling?

Who got a sassy yellow stripe and her name emblazoned on her? Sorry though, she NFS (in case any of you don't regularly go antiquing, that means, "not for sale" and is usually on the best thing you have ever found. I am guilty of having one or two of those items as well.. maybe not the "best thing" part, but the NFS part.) Mr. Hughes is selling posters from her. She can't just stand there and look cute... she needs to work!! We didn't do everything we wanted to her before her debut, but she really didn't need much to begin with... it is easy when you start off cute!

On a totally random and unrelated note, I had a dream last night that Mr. Hughes set up a yard sale to run while we were at the show just because our neighbors were having one. And, I was pretty upset to see all my laptop cases in the yard sale (I only really have one.) There were like 8. And, they all had some form of piano keys on them... like they would be floral and there would be piano keys in the corner. What could this possibly mean? No, you know what? I don't want to know.

Okay, back to pricing and finishing up the last.few.things. Mainly buying some stuff to bribe my hyena to behave. He will be there too... probably trying to give you a rock or telling you exactly what a piece of machinery is.

One last scream: AHHHHHHHHH!

bye for now!

ps. I know I have been a terrible blog visitor lately. I will visit when we are finished.
pps. I also know that I promised to list these posters on etsy for a few of you. I haven't forgotten. I will. Pinky promise.

Color Inspiration

2011-09-12T17:45:00.001-05:00

Hello all! One of the things that I always wanted to do for as long as I can remember is name colors. I even entered a Crayola crayon naming contest when they introduced the "new" colors back in the 90s... maybe the 80s... Anyhow, I find color inspiration everywhere and I am constantly drawn to certain shades. I am not a red girl at all, but blues and greens... Yes please! Oh yeah... I also like greys *wink*

I gathered together some of the things I collect... mostly old... well, all old except for the sweater. And, I only wish I collected JCrew cashmere *wink* Stained ironstone, tweed suitcases, mercury glass, vintage maps, Portuguese aqua flower pots, and silver with a rich patina inspired my very own color collection.

At first, the idea was to use these shield shapes as a way to show my custom painting clients a sample of my finishes in case I didn't have a piece here to share with them. Plus, they are fairly portable. The shield shapes are actually antler mounts.... so not into antlers...

Then, once day, I was picking out swatches to give a client for a bed that I was to paint for her and I realized, that paper swatch didn't look like what the finish was going to look like... it was a different sheen, it was on paper, not wood, and it wasn't distressed at all. So, I played around with a few wooden tags that we had and my custom swatches were born.

Then I needed to have a tasteful way to let visitors to my booths know that I offered custom painting services. I found a few old cabinet doors that Mr. Hughes picked up to paint signs on and painted them a grey from my Mother Dough and silver leafed that great raised detail.

Mr. Hughes helped put it all together... and came up with the genius business card holder. I am really pleased with the way it looks. I named my most often used colors after my favorite things. I didn't have my Mora clock in the suitcase photo since it is tethered to the wall to keep a certain little man from knocking it over.

I may be no Martha, but now, Vintage Junky has its own color line! Obviously, I will paint a piece any color for my clients... they aren't limited to these colors. This was just a fun way for me to put it all together. I am thinking I may add a few more in the future or change them out for seasons or whatever inspires me at the time.

Okay, back to work... it is nap time!

bye for now!

almost forgot.... I got my vinyl decals from Leen the Graphics Queen. She was the second person I worked with... the first was less than satisfactory. She got me just what I needed promptly.

Friday Etsy Favorites Foggy

2011-09-09T10:42:00.000-05:00

hello and happy Friday!!! I woke up a little later than usual this morning. I looked out the window and saw fog! I love fog! There is just something about it. So, I threw what I had planned for this Friday out the window since the fog inspired me to choose some Favorites that were *Foggy*

Love these simply elegant earrings

found~ bellachicdesigns

What better way to knock off the chill on a foggy morning than with a pretty afghan? And, there is a silver of sunshine yellow

found~ thehouseofhemp

Besides the gorgeous fog in this photograph, I also chose it since I sort of have this thing for sheep lately. Maybe because they are constantly wearing wool

found~ lucysnowephotography

love the weathered look to this wood... looks like it washed up on a foggy beach

found~ whitehousegreybarn

incredible locket. love!

found~ heartworksbylori

I adore rosecut rings, especially greyish ones

found~ silverwoods

This shop has amazing original one word subway signs that I just think are lovely

found~ seawashed

When you think of fog, London comes to mind. When I think of narwals, I think of ELF.

Anyhow, I love this pen and ink drawing.

found~ sombrasblancas

This hand painted San Francisco postcard is awesome!

found~ jack's master

Okay, I am off to go work on some more goodies for the Barn Show. The sun is shining now! Have a very lovely weekend!

bye for now!

One Down...

2011-09-07T12:31:00.000-05:00

hello there! Hope you are having a wonderful day! Mine has been pretty busy, but I wanted to pop in, say hi and show you another little peek of what I am bringing to Bella Rustica. Remember the forsaken chairs with the 4 bazillion nails... I found more, by the way. But, the girls and I are on speaking terms again and one of the sisters is looking pretty incredible if I do say so myself!

Me-yow! Who knew those legs and curves were lurking under all that fabric and gold?

(Ignore the worn welcome mat... it isn't there...)

Just a reminder... before...

Her sister is next in line for a makeover at naptime today. They are both planning to make their debut at the Barn Show next week.

Okay, I have more stuff to do! There will be loads of goodies and surprises at the show next week!

bye for now!

Propaganda

2011-09-06T10:29:00.003-05:00

Hello all! It is a rainy, rainy day. I have quite a few things to show you, but it is so dim in here (and I am not.so.great with messing around with the camera. Impatience some may call it.) Anyhow, I haven't taken any photos of finished projects. But, don't worry... I will share some more Barn Show sneak peeks very soon. You may remember that Mr. Hughes designed some posters for Bella Rustica that he is selling out of sweet Hazel. Well, the other day, one of us was talking about vintage propaganda... and then on another phone call, I mentioned "Save the World. Buy Vintage." and low and behold, our very own propaganda campaign was born.

I am a bit young to remember true propaganda campaigns on television and during movie previews, but I love the look of them. Those really jumpy Super 8 videos are awesome! Look for our very own video sometime in the future. In fact, if any of you in the middle Tennessee area have a Super 8 camera that you would like to rent us, let me know. I really think our slogan is catchy... along the lines of "Only YOU can prevent forest fires." He is going to have some of these posters printed as well for Bella Rustica. ***edited: the posters are now available in my etsy shop.

Now, I must get out in this rain, towing a recovering baby hughes with me. Apparently during one of my cleaning sprees I have thrown out all but 2 of his socks... and they don't match. Plus, he needs non flip flip shoes. The kid hasn't had his toes covered since Easter.

bye for now!

Featured: ohdeedoh!

2011-09-05T13:17:00.000-05:00

hello all! hope you are having a wonderful Labor Day! I am taking a break from both of my jobs to let you know that baby hughes' birthday party was featured on ohdeedoh today... one of my favorite kid sites! We are so excited! You can check it out here.

Okay, I am back to work.... finishing up furniture for the Barn Show, the booths, and some other goodies! Enjoy your day!

bye for now!

Vintage Junky - Creating Character

Friday Etsy Favorites *Vintage Goodness*

Custom Chalk Giveaway

In the Paper!

The Smallest Shoppe Keeper

Linnea's Lights Giveaway Winners!

New Etsy Items

Soap at the Shoppe

New Year's Giveaway!

Happy New Year!

Hunting 2012

Scenes from the Shoppe

A Vintage Junky Christmas 2011

Back in Shoppe!

Genuine~

An Early Birthday Present

Restocked!

Advent

Something Christmas-y

Toy Trucks Towing Tiny Trees: Etsy Update

Christmas at the Shoppe

Friday Etsy Favorites *Black Friday*

The Shoppe is Open!

The Best Business Card Holder Ever

The Big Boy Room

Huge-mongous News

What I Keep Wednesday: Urban Farmgirl

Robin Hood and Little John Walkin' Through the Forest...

The Talented Mr. Hughes

Friday Etsy Favorites *boo*

How To: Create a Teepee

What I Keep Wednesday: Life Made Lovely

A Foof and a Fluff

Music Valley Antique Show

Friday Etsy Favorites *Crafty*

What I Keep Wednesday: Faded Prairie

Sort of Spooky

A Crib

Friday Etsy Favorites *Put My Name On It*

What I Keep Wednesday: Gilly Grey

More Granny Chic

Friday Etsy Favorites *Granny Chic

Fluffed And Spiffed

What I Keep Wednesday: Blondiensc

Something Crafty

What I Keep

Guest Posting: My Favorite Room

Cupcakes~

Friday Etsy Favorites *Cocktails*

Over Here!

Bella Rustica~ A Recap

Bella Rustica... just a little peek!

Excited {insert scream}

Color Inspiration

Friday Etsy Favorites *Foggy*

One Down...

Propaganda

Featured: ohdeedoh!

Friday Etsy Favorites Vintage Goodness

Friday Etsy Favorites Black Friday

Friday Etsy Favorites boo

Friday Etsy Favorites Crafty

Friday Etsy Favorites Put My Name On It

Friday Etsy Favorites Cocktails

Friday Etsy Favorites Foggy