For Keepsies

The past few hunting trips I have just had some luck.  I mean, this past weekend I wasn't looking for something in particular and I always think that is when the best stuff finds me.  Like this cookie jar.  It was in a booth that I never, ever find anything.  And, it was on the bottom shelf with a cracked lid that had been repaired.  But look at it!  I mean, I have been on my "find high" over this one all week.  I will glance over at this baby and just smile.  And, I think the Mr and the little man are tired of me pointing it out and asking them to bask in all of its beauty.  Plus, it isn't something that fits into my style if I can even categorize my style.  Which makes this find all the more perfect.  Still, I know that this is just one of those things that I will always treasure.  I even went online to hunt more of them once I got home.  Because 2 is always better than 1.  And 20 is always better than 2 *wink* Seriously though, I don't think I need more than one.  I just need to know how to search for another if my precious ever gets into an unfortunate accident.  It is a McCoy.  They were made from the 1930s-1940s and came in a few colors and canister shapes too.  

Now these... these are something special.  Like the Mr thinks they are too... he isn't just buttering my bread like he does when he mock fawns over *my precious* These are some original plates from a book printed between 1780s -1804.  I love butterflies and he loves paper.  So, I decided to keep them.  I found 3 smaller ones that I am debating on keeping, but these are my keepers.  I even put holes in the wall that previously did not have holes.  If I am ever on Antiques Roadshow, this is what I will take.  I mean, I don't think they would take me seriously if I showed up with my cookie jar with the cracked lid.

The Mr purchased this piece from Carter's Creek Station Antiques  a few weeks ago for his studio space and he decided it wouldn't fit, so he turned it over to me.  Now, I know in the photo the chippy paint looks incredible, but it wasn't old paint.  It had been sprayed and it just wasn't going to last.  So, I painted it green.

I was going for that authentic old green color that you see so often falling off antique furniture.  I sanded the old paint smooth and left bit of it to peek through here and there.  This area in the entry was a little cluttered, so I cleared out all of that and put this here instead.  I am always trying to cover that annoying air return just enough so it doesn't impede its purpose, but that I don't have to look at it.

So, that is what I kept.  I have a BUNCH of stuff headed to my booth at Winchester Antiques today.  The Mr so kindly took it so I can take the little man to see his *girlfriend* today. Plus, I can't haul the trailer and unload furniture by myself.  I know, I know.  I probably should learn to do that myself.  But seeing as I can barely parallel park (I lack the confidence,) I don't see that happening any time soon.

Wishing you a great day~

The ones that got away

hello all!  We went to the flea last weekend before the germies set in and I left pretty empty handed.  When I go to the flea, I always have these grand notions of all the treasures I will find.  What I bought, I really like (and it is all for me... bonus!) It got me thinking about all the things that I have sold and now I am sort of kicking myself about the ones I let get away. Here are a few off the top of my head that I remembered and actually took photos of.

This piece I named Carol after the sweet friend that turned it over to me to transform. I loved the curves and angles of this piece and its stylish simplicity.  And those little drawers!  I love little drawers!

This one had little drawers too!  Harriet was sweet and simple too.  I think I am drawn to clean lines with just a bit of embellishment for my personal home.  I love the French-y details to paint and pieces with gorgeous hardware, but for my personal space this one is one that I think about often.  And, it is even white and my go to is definitely in the grey family.  This piece had a taller chest that matched it that I painted aqua and I adored it as well.  I really wish this one was in my bedroom though.

I remember rounding the corner and seeing this beauty at the flea one day.  I fell in love immediately!  There is something about old paint and it was so close to my own yellow that I created for my line.  Anyhow, I don't know that I ever planned on selling it, but I had a busy weekend that really emptied out the shoppe and I needed something. It sold almost immediately.  I have since been on the search for a piece, any piece with old yellow paint.

These dark slides.  I started out with about 50 of them.  Maybe I am exaggerating.  All I remember is that I wanted to do a little wall of these at home in a grid like fashion and one day I realized I had 3 left. 

I always try to have a place for something and when I bought this, I didn't have the perfect place for it.  But, I knew that it needed to come home with me.  I listed this awesome bowler hat form and the sweetest lady that is now a friend bought it.  I still love it and I am so happy it went to a good home!

This piece was the second piece I painted for my first booth.  But, it didn't go right to the booth until I didn't have another piece ready to go one after a busy week.  So, I had to fill it up with something and totally planned on switching it out once I had another piece ready, but it didn't work out that way.  Those pulls haunt me sometimes.

This birdcage was one of those things that I just adored and I even remember the gentleman that I bought it from.  This one also went to a dear, sweet, lovely friend! I have a new birdcage though that may soothe the pain though once I get it finished.

I am sure there are many other pieces and small treasures that I have let go and I know there are things the Mr. questions why I I let go.  I mean, I can't keep it all and I do love to share the vintage goodness!

Okay, back to trying to remove 2 layers of paint from a bird cage, but leaving one layer....

ps. I posted a fun little project I am working on in May over at Thimbled

Around the Shoppe

Hello all!  Today was one of those great rainy days!  I was excited to be back at the shoppe after a little break from it last weekend to restock and *roadtrip*  We picked up some great furniture over the past week and if you follow along on Facebook you have probably seen some of the finished pieces already. 

We created quite a few lamps and shades for the barn show and we have some more waiting in the wings.  I love lighting!  I love interesting lamps and I really love making shades as well.

This pretty buffet is the first thing that sold today... it will be in a nursery!  I always love to know that my furniture pieces will be in a baby's room!

I have a thing for bachelor's chests and I always have to pick them up when I see them.  I painted the hidden drawers the contrasting color on the insets and knobs.  I love the spindle-y legs of this one too.

As always, it isn't all work at the shoppe.  Today, the Mr picked up the guitar and then baby hughes picked up some clothespins and turned them into drumsticks for a little jam session.  I think the lunch pail drums drowned out the acoustic... imagine that *wink* We also managed to fit in some games of *Go Fish* It is relatively new around here and quite entertaining to play... I love games!

Tomorrow, our neighbors, the Spring Hill Antique Mall, are hosting an autumn vintage market with handmade, vintage, food, and music from 9-6, so I am looking forward to sneaking over there at some point.  If you are in the area, you should stop by... the Spring one had a great turnout even though it was f r e e z i n g for April.

I am still adding to the shoppe over the next week... we have finished some other handmade items and repurposed *stuff* that we just need to put the finishing touches on.

Have a lovely *Fall* weekend!  Go crunch some leaves!  We are enjoying it!

bye for now~

Around the Shoppe

Hello and Happy Friday to you!  I have been busy at the shoppe this week... painting as always and moving the whole shoppe.  If you have been here in person, you know that my little shoppe is on the petite side.  It isn't always easy to make it look really different since there is only so many ways to arrange everything.  I did snap some photos on a grey day yesterday to show you some of our newest *stuff*

I have a stack at home that reaches the ceiling so it shouldn't surprise you that I have one here at our home away from home.  

This is one of my favorite, favorite, favorite pieces ever!!  I call it a big girl piece... that is what I call all Empire pieces.  It is like when you get your big girl job and don't have a roommate anymore... this is the type of piece you buy.  Or I would buy *wink*

We normally have a few cameras around the shoppe.  There is something that draws me to them even though we are pretty much completely digital.  They are just cool.... they just don't design things the way they used to.

It is always nice to have a man with nice penmanship around since I don't have it!

I decided to not hoard all the ironstone pitchers in the world... it was hard, but I make sacrifices!

I love this little sign Mr. Hughes made for the new jewelry line we have at the shoppe.  I normally am out a few afternoons during the week and on Sundays with the hyena, so I always love to come and find that he has done something like this.

It has been grey and rainy here for days (perfect reading weather!) Not complaining at all though... I love a good rainy day.  It is just not great for us amateur photographers that don't know anything about settings and just have not taking the leap to learn.

Hope you have a lovely weekend!  

bye for now~