Burlap Bows

Hello all!  I am taking a short break from the birthday madness!  Just a short one though.  I went last night to check the fit of the cushions on Hazel.  They fit just right.  So, I only have to make 3 more cushions.  See... it hasn't been all birthday party stuff here... we have other priorities, people!  *laughs*

I just opened up my computer and thought I would share with you something I did for the booths... something to add a little oomph to the chairs... and it keeps people from setting cool rusty things on light upholstery (I hope!)

Introducing the large burlap bow!  Fun, huh?  I hope it serves its purpose and it looks like a fun present too!  Well, that is all I have today.  The hyena and I are off to pick up paint and run some other errands.  Can you guess what new color I am adding to the Vintage Junky lineup?  

Oh, and grey ruffled pillows will be back in the shop today!

bye for now!

And So It Begins: The Invites

Hello all!  I gave you fair warning a few posts ago.  Vintage Junky has officially entered into Birthday Party Land.  Where all I can think about is if my treat bags are big enough and what needs to come down off the walls to make this thing happen the way it is in my head.  So, here is a little peek at the invites, designed by the oh so talented Mr. Hughes

He designed them to look like how tickets are sent... letterhead, tickets and in a utilitarian looking envelope.

The front of the invite.. the ticket part.  We included tickets for each member of the traveling party.

A little letter explaining logistics of traveling on our railway.  

And since baby hughes is so fond of going around yelling "tickets, tickets please!!" a la Polar Express, we thought it would be cool to punch out the date on the tickets.  This is all Mr. Hughes!  He is pretty wonderful (and JUST as wacky as me when it comes to the parties.  You should see what he has bought to wear!) Okay, I better get chugging along and work on some projects.

bye for now!

Check and Check!

Hello and Happy Monday!  It is the beginning of a new week and I am excited to have a few things checked off my To Do list... you know, the non essential to do list.  First of all, I finished those dining room chairs that I begged Mr. Hughes for:

I painted them a light, light grey and added a little more cushion... you know... for our bottoms *wink* You will be pleased to know they are no longer stuffed with crunchy horsehair.  Then, I covered them in a charcoal grey linen.  I wanted a fun pattern to play off the pattern in our draperies, but in the end, I really ended up liking the solid.  It matches the ribbon on the draperies and also the face of my vintage clock.

Then I did this quick and easy project by following Ashley Ann's simple steps:

So easy!  baby hughes says they are snowflakes (and you know I love snowflakes) so maybe I will put them away until Christmas.  But, for now I will enjoy them.

As for the finish on the chairs...hmm... where do I start?  Well, let's just say that I was less than happy with a certain big name company that produces primer.  I tried a new formula.  It seems to have clashed with the paint that I always use.  In short, the paint never dried in some areas.  That has never happened (part of it is the lovely heat and humidity that we are having, I am sure.)  And I had painted 3 chairs.  So, what to do?  Do I strip and repaint the 3 and not use the primer on any of them or do I paint the remaining ones with the primer and hope to get the same results?  At this point, I had taken sandpaper and a drywall trowel to them.  And, I was sort of digging the look.  So I went with it.  And it looks pretty authentic.... like layers and layers of paint had been worn down by years instead of my vengeful hands.

I call it "Accidentally Authentic." And if you want me to recreate this finish for you, there will be an upcharge *wink*  And, since the dining room is once again finished (for now!) I thought I would show you what it looked like almost 5 years ago soon after we moved in...

And now, from a slightly different camera view...

We have changed the chairs and the draperies and have taken some things down and put some up.  That wall color will remain though.  I always love change, but that is the one wall color in the house that hasn't been up for change in all the time we have lived here.  Okay, kids, I have to get some invites out for someone's 3rd birthday.  Oh, and I read that book on my to do list too! check, check, check!!

bye for now!

Meet Amelia!

Hello all!  Hope you have had a wonderful weekend!  The Mr. has been busy delivering loads to all the antique booths today.  Including the lovely piece that was named in the Name Game Giveaway!  I had so much fun with this giveaway, so I am sure I will do it again.  I chose my favorites from the great names you provided and then let Mr. Hughes and my sweet sister pick their favorite... and they chose the same name... and it was just perfect.  So, meet Amelia!

Amelia was named by Amy, so Amy, if you are reading, contact me with your address and choice of pillow or Mimi tote.  I gave this piece a light grey paint and she needed just a little something extra... so Mr. Hughes suggested chicken wire.  And it just fit.

Something a little rustic to tone down her sweetness... check out those legs and casters.  I adore casters!

I love the little shield shaped raised details too.  She is at Winchester Antiques in case any of you locals are in in love with her too!  Thanks to you all for commenting.  Well, I will be back soon with some things that are now checked off my To Do list!  Yay!  

bye for now!

The End

That's right.  I am one of those that will be staying up extra late to experience it first.  And, it is a date night too.  My wonderful sister will come to watch (or sleep next to) baby hughes.  So, to all of you guys out there who will be mourning this last movie, I raise a frosty mug of butterbeer to you!  There is still time to enter my giveaway!!  I have gotten some great names so far!!

bye for now!