Willow's Grace

Shabby to Chic

2011-07-28T08:22:00.001-05:00

This turned out Great!

Love It!

Trashy to Classy

This was a 2 dollar auction find

Bought it from a guy who got it with other stuff

Asked if he wanted it

He said “NO”

Offered 2 Bucks

Got it!

Always ask if you want something if you think they don’t want it!

Part of the game

He made money and I got a deal

Lesson: IT NEVER HURTS TO ASK!!!!

Willow's Grace

2011-06-23T01:54:00.001-05:00

Mud Boots and All….

…….

Ok… It is around 90 degrees outside with no chance of wind or rain and my fashion forward three year old decides she is going to wear her mud boots to go with me to the shop. This is the second time during near heat stroke weather that she has decided to wear these. Neither of these two occasions happened to have any rain in the forecast even.

Willow's Grace

2011-06-22T01:17:00.001-05:00

Just Odds and Ends

Here is some stuff I have found or bought dirt cheap to redo or sell. Haven’t done much the last couple weeks. Did get mirror painted and more stuff to flea market. I got the best primitive table and old door about three weeks ago for less than 6 bucks altogether. Got them in booth before I took pictures. Have got to start taking pics again. I get some really cool stuff sometimes too.

Willow's Grace

Here comes the sun!!!!!!

2011-06-09T12:55:00.002-05:00

"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty."

— Maya Angelou

I am back and am ready to face the world again. Divorce reared its ugly head and sent my life into a tail spin. Willow and I are in a new house that is starting to feel like home and life is looking brighter everyday. We are truly blessed and are finding little miracles in ordinary moments.
I am ready to get to work again on turning trash into treasure and finding the beautiful underneath the layers of dirt and grime. I so.... want to do this for a living someday. I feel that it is my passion and am ready to share all of my finds and ideas with all of you.
Have a beautiful day!
Terra

My finds

2010-07-18T21:55:00.001-05:00

Auction Finds

Here are some of my auction finds for the last couple of weeks.

This is just the big stuff! I have more in boxes! Gotta go through all that sometime and get it ready to sell! Yikes! Never enough time!

Here are some booth pics too. Running out of room. I need to sell more stuff or get a bigger booth.

Sitting Pretty!

2010-07-18T20:20:00.001-05:00

My five dollar ugly duckling has turned

into a swan! I just love how this turned

out. The colors really pop!

This was my first so called upholstery

job. I used the staple gun and it was

so easy. Hope you guys like the

transformation!

I actually won something!

2010-07-14T20:24:00.001-05:00

I am so excited to say that I won the giveaway over at Red Door Home.

The Hip Hostess sponsored this give-away and I won a cool new apron! Their aprons are tres chic. Love all of their designs. I picked the wild melon splash. Love the colors and the paisleys. It is too cool. I never win anything so I am very surprised. I think I am going to get a few of these for Christmas gifts. Too cute!

Stop by and check out Red Door Home. It is a great blog with lots of great ideas. Thanks Stacey for the opportunity to win this cool apron!

My cute little ladder sold and cool crate shelves are gone.

2010-07-08T16:26:00.001-05:00

I already miss my sweet little ladder. Now I have to find a new one. The other one I got was swiped by my husband. My old crate shelves are going to need to be replaced now too. Have to get some more character going in the booth. I think I will just take my primitive chair I was going to redo and sit her up there for a little shelf for my basket of flowers and to hang baskets off of. Was going to use her on the patio.

Not much is going on here. My babysitter is gone to Florida til Sunday and I sure miss having one of the girls watch Willow while I need an hour or two to get some stuff done. There is a BIG auction next Saturday that one of them is going to get hired for. ha ha Too hot to drag a 2 year old out in 100 degree heat for a blasted auction.

It’s never too hot to drag me out. That’s when all the prices go down.

Ya gotta be able to take the heat or you will miss an awesome deal. Not me! Bring on the sun!

White Wednesday

2010-07-07T16:27:00.001-05:00

This was the ugliest chandelier when I got it. A coating of shiny white paint and this ugly duckling turned into a swan. Amazing makeover I think!

Hoo are you Tuesday?

2010-07-06T14:13:00.002-05:00

HOOOOOOOOO ARE YOU?

HOOOO HOOOO!

HOO ARE YOU?

I just found this fun little button on Paisley Passion. Her website is very cute. You should check it out! I Thought it would be fun to know a little about everyone that visits. If you want to participate I would love to hear from you!

1. What is your favorite restaurant? Goldie's ( cheese fries) buger joints in Oklahoma --- Texas Roadhouse- Love the bloomin Onions

2. What kind of music do you like? Red dirt country (Cross Canadian Ragweed) Alternative - Fave is Candlebox

3. What do you watch on TV? Antiques Roadshow, House Hunters, and love Royal Pains

4. Do you enjoy reading and if so what kind of

books do you read? Like Country Living, Flea Market Style and other shabby chic decorating mags

5. What is your favorite color? Black to wear! also Like shades of brown and love the color magenta (looks ugly on me though - magenta that is!)

My “made in Italy” terra cotta planter

2010-07-05T14:29:00.001-05:00

This is my 50 cent planter! What a find! I almost kept it but went and put it in my booth. I sold my ugly 2 dollar desk today too. Made twenty bucks on it! Would have made more if I had repainted it, but was lazy.

Great Garage Sale Finds

2010-07-04T23:02:00.003-05:00

Yesterday was a great day with lots of good buys. I got a nice Home Interiors mirror plus another mirror with shutters from another retailer for 4 and 3 dollars. Sold them before I got them to my booth in the parking lot. Sold each for less than they were worth but I still made 20 bucks plus my money back. Bought some planters for fifty cents (one was a HUGE terra cotta one)!!!! Sold those in the parking lot unloading my car. Found another wooden step ladder for a dollar too. Hubs says he is keeping it. Already used it and said it was perfect! Could have turned a profit on that one probably. I got some other cool stuff for next to nothing. Will have to get pics up.

I sold over a hundred dollars in my booth this month and figured that I only spent about 12 bucks on the stuff that sold. I made all my money back from last month’s auctions and paid my booth rent before that. Hubs was impressed that I did well. I still have a whole booth full of stuff to turn a profit on too. I LOVE doing this. Wish I could do this for a living and go do shows. That would be the life!!!!!!

TOMORROW IS GARAGE SALE DAY!!!!!!

2010-07-02T23:14:00.001-05:00

HAVEN’T BEEN BARGAIN HUNTING FOR TWO WHOLE WEEKS NOW!!!! Hubs is watching Willow tomorrow so I will get to hunt without watching little hands grab and want germ-ridden toys. I also won’t have to worry about her breaking something mommy doesn’t have the money to pay for either. She, luckily, has never broken anything. She is usually really pretty good about looking without touching, but she is starting to get a mind of her own now and will occasionally grab what she can reach. Not good when what she can reach is an antique glass dish that costs more than a couple of dollars. I will not know what to do without her. I am excited at the thought of roaming in the heat til my heart’s content though. Watch out! Here I come with a pocket full of ones! Ha Ha

With momma’s purse—a bargain shopper in training!

Yet another giveaway post!

2010-07-01T07:50:00.003-05:00

Junkology is giving away a cool hat or tee in their "What is it?" give away contest. I couldn't figure out what it was, but I am sure someone knows. Plus, of course, there are other ways to win.
http://www.junkologie.com/

I woke up at 6 am this morning. I laid Willow down and fell asleep with her at 9 and didn't wake up til this morning. I even fell asleep with my contacts in. I slept really good. I didn't even want to go back to bed after I got up. I have been looking at the give-aways ( I don't know if I am spelling that right). Maybe I will win something. I don't really have much else to post about. My camera was locked up and hubs just got it fixed for me last night. I did sand down my delapidated old table with a sander to get the gorilla glue blobs sanded off. I used an electric sander all by myself. I used the elbow grease method for the rest of it. Still have a little bit to go, but it is getting there. Weeded in the yard which should be a before picture. Almost down with the landscaping around the front of the house. The back of my legs really hurt from bending down. Today I think I am going to try to dig up the old shrubs in the front that I hate. Hate little cedar trees. Just ugly.

Red Door Home: Why Wait to Celebrate and a Fantastic Giveaway!

2010-07-01T07:05:00.000-05:00

Red Door Home: Why Wait to Celebrate and a Fantastic Giveaway!

2010-06-28T13:50:00.001-05:00

Need a fix

Went back home this weekend to visit family so I missed all of my junk huntin’ for the whole weekend. I don’t think there are going to be any auctions this weekend either. Going to have to make the garage sale scene and get some stuff painted. I do have to sand down my broken down table and paint it. I put gorilla glue on it and it will look quite shabby chic once I get it painted and distressed. I then have to paint the table at the end of the hall. Hubs would like me to also paint the bedroom. Lots to do I guess. I just need to get a little bargain shopping done to hold me over for another 2 weeks.

Isn’t she just lovely? Use your imagination. She will shine once again , once I get done with her anyways.

I just love this ladder!

2010-06-22T22:32:00.001-05:00

I just love this ladder! I so want to take it home with me, but it is very attractive and invites visitors into my booth. Would you guess that I got this ladder and 2 others for 2 bucks at an old farm auction? Had to give one away because it wouldn’t fit in my car. I was happy to see that the bigger ladder I put in my space was gone and this little one is still here to make me smile just a little longer.

She bids and she scores!!!!

2010-06-20T22:43:00.003-05:00

Russel Wright Modern Dinnerware circa 1939 - 1959. This creamer bowl is so cool! The sugar bowl is missing a lid, but everything else (6 cups and saucers, 6 bread and butter plates and 6 dinner plates) are all in mint condition. So very excited to have found them!!!!! This set was what I wanted on the trailer of stuff displayed too. I had never heard of Russel Wright or Steubenville before, but had a feeling they were worth something. I feel bad about how low I paid after I came home and researched them. I struck gold. Will have to figure out how to work e-bay, since these are too nice to put in my booth. Do not want someone to come by and drop one of these babies. Auctioneer told me not to let them go. Guess he knew what he was talking about. God was definitely smiling on me yesterday. It truly was a perfect day. Mary my new friend from the last auction was there and I made some new friends too. Hubby even took me to McDonald's for lunch afterwards. What a big spender! Just teasing. I actually like their little hamburgers and fries. It did blow my diet, but "Oh well! You only live once." Might as well be happy with a bit of meat on your bones. I do love my carbohydrates! I did cut down on my sugar quite a bit this week though.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aren't these just so cool??????

This sugar bowl is missing a lid, but it is in a rare color. I think it is just the perfect shade of blue even though it is called cedar green. I just love this set. Would keep it for myself but I am clumsy and it would probably have a safer home somewhere else. Besides I think I can make my money back on my auction spending ror the last 3 months if I can sell it.

Anyone care for some corn on the cob?

Got this sandwiched in between some othe bowls I didn't even know that came with what I bid on. It is just gorgeous!

Can't wait to bake a cake in one of these!

Got 6 of these. I bought them from an old guy who just likes to bid on stuff and they were with his stash and I paid him for them. Just 2 bucks for all 6.

Beautiful Pillow giveaway

2010-06-19T09:37:00.000-05:00

Go to http://www.theinspiredroom.net/ and sign up for the awesome pillow giveaway. These pillows are from a wonderful retailer Outer Banks Trading Company. Lacefield Designs makes the pillows. Anyway stop by the Inspired Room and check out all of the details.
Hope I win one. They are the prettiest pillows I have ever seen made.

I have 15 followers! Hee hee

2010-06-19T01:28:00.000-05:00

Made it to 15 followers tonight. Too funny. My husband thinks I am crazy for doing my goofy little blog. Gives me something to do when everyone is in bed and am manic and can't sleep. Just got done finishing cleaning the kitchen. I made chicken fry, mashed potatoes and real homemade gravy made with the dripping from the chicken fry batter. Just like a good southern wife would do. My husband is not from the south (Chicago and Spokane) He got stuck with an Okie.

Was very proud of myself. I don't like gravy and it usually ends up looking like mortar mix, but I tried really hard tonight and it turned out awesome! My husband said it did anyway. I double breaded the chicken fry's and they were great. Last time I cooked them, they bled when we cut into them. Not a good sign. They did however look very nice and crispy. This time I cooked on a lower heat for a longer time. Chicken fry isn't supposed to be bloody is it?

I would like to say " Thanks! to you 14 followers! ( I am a follower too. My little area looked so sad with no one following when I started. How pathetic of me.:( Very excited to see that people are coming by every now and then. (even if they are just getting here by mistake) I know I am not that exciting but I try. Going to an auction tomorrow. Love this auctioneer. He was the one that hauled my load of crap back to the house when my husband was gone. He will be glad to see me again. HA!!!! He did tell me to come this week though.... This time I won't need him to truck my stuff back to the house cuz the babysitter lives just a block away from this auction. I can just load up and haul it to her house for pickup from my poor husband later. Free babysitting too tomorrow. Girls are going swimming in their yard and gonna watch the baby. How sweet. They just love her. I am one lucky mama when it comes to babysitter and her family. Truly God put them in my path. They are just angels. Well, I have blabbed on and probably just boring you, but it is kind of fun to ramble on without anyone telling me to shutup! I love to talk, but I am trying to be a better listener. Love reading everyone's little stories on their blogs. It's nice to know that there are other crazies out there like me and a lot of sane people that give some of us crazies great ideas. I will leave you with a picture of my box of door parts..... got for a dollar with some other junk last week. Imagine that! Auctions are better than the Dollar General any old day!

Giveaway at LaurieAnna's Vintage Home

2010-06-18T21:51:00.003-05:00

Check out the Santos doll giveaway at http://www.laurieannas.blogspot.com/. Her blog is just awesome. I just found her and have heard about her wonderful shop on lots of other bloggers' sites. She is celebrating 750 followers! WoW! I am happy to have 12.

window to dining room wall art

2010-06-17T22:02:00.000-05:00

Here is what I did with my old window I got at a garage sale. The glass had already fallen out and I have been trying to figure out what to do with it and my wall was empty next to the dining room table. How Boring! Anyways, I decided to hang it there. The color of the old paint blends well with our colors. I put the little wreath on there that I had hanging somewhere else. I think it will look better with a bigger wreath, but for now it works, Even Steve said it looked good. Ha ha
Looking at it on this post, I must get a BIGGER wreath. Garage sales start tomorrow!!!! Yea!!!!

Flowers and the many shades of hydrangeas on one bush!

2010-06-15T15:12:00.000-05:00

I am linking to nifty thrifty tuesday

2010-06-15T10:28:00.000-05:00

Checkout nifty thrifty tuesday at coastal charm. She has a great site. I am linking up with one of my posts of auction finds. Hope you are having a great day!

I Think I have a boring blog! How sad!

2010-06-14T22:58:00.000-05:00

Got a feedgit thing that tells me where traffic is coming from on my blog. Well it's mostly coming from my house. Did get two others today, but it still seems very sad. I have to figure out what to do to jazz up my blogging. I try to be funny. I know I don't have enough of before and after because lately I feel like the before has too much character to be turned into an after. I have been busy in my booth though and need to get some cool pics of my little vignettes that I have down. Probably still not as impressive as some of the other way.... cooler sites showcasing all of their talents. Well... today as I was dusting the table my husband had made for me for Christmas( which needed to be stained or painted), I just decided right then and there to whip out the stain I got on clearance and get after it. Didn't take a before pic without stain, but I did manage to get a before picture of the mess. So... without further adew or more boring rambling here is my before and after. Pretty lame, but maybe one more person will accidentally hit the wrong button and end up here and see it. Ha ha
I did get some pictures of my beautiful Hydraneas outside today, but I will put those up tomorrow. Thinking about a giveaway to lure unsuspecting people to my crazy little blog. What could I give away?

The before! See the rose petals somebody who shall remain nameless dumped all over the floor.

The After! All nice and neat! I love my new bird cage!

biscuit tin and cool basket

2010-06-13T01:36:00.001-05:00

Nifty little basket. I thought it was cooler when he was holding it up than when I got it but it had some neat stuff in it.
I also got a huge rug with no stains for less than 5 bucks and 3 wood ladders for 2. I gave one away cuz it wouldn't fit in the car. I really just wanted the short one, but ended up with all three.

This is a square tin that says Sunshine Specialties made by Loose Wiles Biscuit Co.
This is the original company started in Kansas City before they changed their name to sunshine biscuits in 1946 I think. Sunshine still produces Cheese-Its which my daughter is in love with. I really liked the stamping on the tin when I saw it in the sales ad for the auction. No one wanted it. I got it for 2 bucks I think. Can't decide if I want to keep it or sell it.

Pictures from my outing to the auction

2010-06-13T01:29:00.002-05:00

Binoculars??? Came with the biscuit tin I wanted. Had to take em. Maybe someone will want to buy them out of my booth. It kinda creeps me out to wonder what people were looking at with them at one time.

Cool apple crate. Came with the biscuit tin for a whole, get this, 2 dollars!

Came with the- can you say biscuit tin????
I only got one skate in a box of old door parts, but it was a nice surprise even if it didn't have it's mate. It will look cool on somebody's shelf/ Wonder what happened to the other one. It's probably only been lost for about 80 years or so....

This little crock has a cork top and says "made in England" on the bottom.
Definitely not going to keep this either. Someone who loves mustard can sweep this baby right out of my little booth.

Sweet little music box. Says it's made in Switzerland. Wonder if he's worth anything. Kinda cute. Came with basket of stuff I got.

Platter came with basket. Salt and pepper shakers came with my new friend Suzi's stuff and she gave 'em to me when she saw the kind of ugly platter. Why can I not pass up a dollar sale?

Nice little surprise! Don't know if it is worth anything, but it is bright and cheery -- a little bottle of sunshine.

Old antique laundry hamper. It has metal hinges and is stamped with some company and says Hawkeye. If anyone knows what this might be worth I would like to know. It is very old. Couldn't find any pics on internet of one like it except a Longabarger knockoff of this original antique.

Garage sale find last week! Might paint her white. Think she fits in better in my house the way she is though.

Fun day! No tantrums and some good deals.

2010-06-12T18:24:00.001-05:00

Went to an auction in a little tiny town where the real estate being offered was built around 1886 so there were some really old things. Wish I had a pickup truck once again. Could have gotten some really good deals. I would make a killing selling this stuff around Chicago at the bargain basement prices here. I can't really remember all the little things I got. Nothing really spectacular, but a few neat little goodies. Will take and upload pictures later. I should have gotten pics of the old house. It was too cool.

More of my auction finds -- all for a dollar each --

2010-06-07T16:20:00.001-05:00

These were getting a light shower when I tooked the picture. I just noticed them blooming this morning.

My three shelves with brackets for a dollar

Gorgeous rusty old knobs. Keyholes even.

I haven't seen doorknobs like this before. Very old.

set of shutters for a dollar-- will look nice after they are cleaned up--will be ready to sell then

Love the pattern the chippy paint is making on my primitive shelves.

other set of shutters I got for a dollar-- can't wa\it to bring out their beauty

detail on the top of my brass lamp i got --- solid brass and very heavy

sweet shelf made out of slats -- can't decide whether I want to keep it or not

Steve said we can redo the seat on this -- it is in good shape for as ancient as it is

got a stack of bushel baskets-- guess how much they were -- one dollar for the set--
sat them upside down to get the mud off the bottoms with the rain that was starting to fall.

brass detail on lamp

i need to cut some of these and bring inside -- i love the hint of violet in the blossoms

Old doors

rickety old table -- no one wanted her -- look at the fancy legs -- she has potential I think

Some of my bigger auction finds. HOT HOT HOT Day!

2010-06-06T17:06:00.001-05:00

My cheapo depot desk for 2 bucks!

My trunk and wobbly table in background

Got this lazy boy rocker for a steal. Maybe I can sell it and make a little profit. Somebody will want it.

One of my antique doors. A buck for one and one for free.

primitive shelf aka scrap wood my husband says

Spent all day at the auction. Got a load to bring home. Auctioneer even took it to my house, cuz I said I didn't have any way to haul it because my hubby was gone. Thought he was joking, but he was serious. Got some shutters, pegboard, art supplies, shelves and brackets, an old chair, a nice solid brass pole lamp, set of nice pottery cups (8), and misc. junk that I can put in my booth. It was a fun day! Very hot, but what deals there were. Wish I had more money, I could have really raked it in. Of course, I would be finding a new place to live after hauling all my "treasures" home. Oh I got 7 galvanized pails for a dollar and a stack of bushel baskets for a dollar and a really cool slatted shelf. Who knows what else I forgot about in the back of my trunk too. My friend says I need to go to AA meetings ___ Auctions Anonymous, because I am addicted. All day in the heat, she thought I was crazy.

Cutting board to Chalk board -- How easy and too cute!

2010-05-27T22:29:00.000-05:00

New Booth Pics

2010-05-26T22:37:00.000-05:00

Isn't my itoning board awesome?

My old scale and mason jars look too cool!

I love this table even though the top is in tatters. Love the detail work.

I have at least 3 basketfuls of frames at home that still need tagged/

I added nails to my door to hang stuff from it. It is taking up space, so it needs to be useful, not just vintage cool.

Don't quite know what to do with this end table and rack on top of it.

Here are pictures of my booth space. So glad to get it almost done. Going to put up shelves tomorrow and a place to hang clothes to sell too. I wish I had more space already. I found an old ironing board today when I stopped in another junk mart. It works perfect for putting stuff on. Very sturdy and it isn't wobbly. Wouldn't want a wobbly ironing board. That would definitely not be a good idea especially when your iron weighed about 5 pounds back in the day. I sure wouldn't want to drop that on my foot. Hope you like my pics and like what I have done so far. It needs more lace curtains in background or some kind of fabric. I would also like to add a ladder across the top to hang stuff off of too. I am putting some of Willow's old baby clothes and toys in tomorrow. I wish I could just leave the whole vintage look going all the way, but I need to get rid of some of the stuff that is taking up space in her room and our closets.

Booth in gear

2010-05-25T22:08:00.003-05:00

Today I had a few hours to acutally get some stuff to the new booth. My husband watched Miss Willow for a couple of hours while I drug the big stuff up there to put stuff on. The owner was out fighting a fire since he is a volunteer firefighter so my shelves will hve to wait to be hung til tomorrow. I did manage to buy some from a nice man that is getting rid of some of his and got a good deal on an old tall white shelf. He has another one I may get also that is metal for just 10 bucks. What a deal!

My booth is looking very cool I think with my lace curtains, old door and white shutters. I think it is going to look great when I get it all finished. Tomorrow I have to haul the rest of my stuff up and figure out where I want the owner to hang me some shelves up. YEA! EVERYTHING IS STARTING TO COME TOGETHER!!!! Willow is excited too. ha ha

this is a tree in my backyard! Isn't it just gorgeous?Little Willow is excited for mommy. ha ha She is just having fun with daddy.

Found an old door on the curb!!!

2010-05-25T01:12:00.002-05:00

My husband doesn't know it yet, but I drug home a door that I found propped up against someone's mailbox. Not just any ole door..... a nice old chippy paint and old wood kinda door. I saw it this morning then went back to get it this evening on the way to Wal-Mart. Willow is in tow and had no idea what her crazy mommy was up to. The old man that lived there (very nice house by the way) was just dropping off his trash can when I stopped and yelled at him asking him about the door. He was very nice and told me sure I could have it. He didn't think I was crazy at all. He said he saw them used as dividers in the old flea market stores in the next town up. I think it will make the best prop in my new booth. Boy! What luck!! I have been looking for a door too. Of all the places to find one --- on a curb. I drive by there everyday since the babysitter moved. Would have never found it if that hadn't have happened. Anyway, that was my find of the month so far! I have a booth to put stuff in tomorrow too!!! WOOHOO!

Day's results

2010-05-22T23:05:00.001-05:00

Started out late, but made it to a decent auction with a few garage sale stops along the way. Willow was in a good mood and the babysitter's daughter came along for the fun of it. She is such a doll. In the 4th grade and is so helpful and too funny. I think the auction bug is rubbing off on her. She was even helping me tag this evening. We ended up with a car load for less than twenty bucks. LOTS OF PICTURE FRAMES!!!WHAT WAS I THINKING?? CHEAP! I am a sucker for a dollar a box. Gotta be able to make some money off of them in my booth. Shine em up and set em out! My booth is gonna look like a Hallmark display. Got a really ugly chair to redo and a really ugly end table to use to sit things on in my booth. Doubt anyone will buy it. Only was 2 bucks so when I get better display stuff, I can just put a free sign on it. ha ha

Also found out I can get my stuff in a week early so I have to get everything tagged. So..... excited! I hope I do well. Would like to make a small profit or even out. A really big profit would be Awesome!

Tomorrow is auction day!

2010-05-21T22:49:00.000-05:00

Today was last day of school for me for summer. What a crazy week. We refinished the cabinets in my art room. I learned to sand and stain. What a mess! Thank goodness I had lots of help from my awesome students ( 4 high school boys who did most of the hard work). I did learn how to heat paint up with a heat gun and scrape off the old paint. Easier than paint thinner any day. .... Tomorrow is auction day and the first auction of my summer vacation. Couldn't decide which one to go to. There are 2 in the same town and it is supposed to be sunny with no rain and no mud!!!! I am going to hop back and forth between both. Hope I can find something cool for my blog.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!!!!!! HAPPY HUNTING!!!!

new pics of some of my junky finds

2010-05-18T23:18:00.000-05:00

Can't even tell you how cheap I got this for. In rotten shape on top, but it is beautiful to me. Going to redo the top . Can't decide if I want to keep it or sell it. Will look good in a display.isn't this just gorgeous? 75 cents!

Great fine. LOVE this crate!!!! Awesome deal too. Can't wait to use it in a display

Love this scale! Got it for 4 bucks!!!!! It was on the 75% off table. What a deal!!!!

Cool old sewing box and funky corner candle holder that something must be done to in order to bring it back to modern society.

Was in a box of junk I got. Gonna paint it black I think.

All my cool old bottles I got! Over 60 for a dollar. Aren't auctions awesome?

My spare room is starting to look like Sanford and Son. What a mess!!!!!! I don't get my booth til june 1st, so I am just piling stuff in here. There is a stack of hubby's clothes that don't fit and a clean mattress cover and a desk that has a top somewhere under all the clutter.

Punch bowl and beautiful little candy dish. Got that for a quarter I think. Bowl for 3 bucks.

chandelier painted finally

2010-05-15T23:02:00.000-05:00

Before and After!!!! What a difference a color can make!!!!

Trip to a muddy auction

2010-05-15T22:57:00.001-05:00

Today me and Willow ventured to an out of the way auction. It turned out to be about as muddy as Woodstock in tbe backyard of the house. The mud was about 5 inches thick. This is not good for pushing a stroller through, so we I decided we must leave. There was a lot of boxes we could have gotten good deals on but I would have needed golashes and a wheelbarrow to get through all the mud.
We did end up at a cool flea market in a town about 20 minutes away and I got some great deals. I hit the 75% off booth and I got a load for less than 20 bucks again. I think 18 is my lucky number. That is always what my finds add up to each time. Anyways, it turned out to be a fun day after all. This will definitely be a market to go back to again. Hopefully on a sunnier day.
Will have pics up tomorrow.

What a haul for less than 20 bucks!

2010-05-09T12:29:00.001-05:00

I got all this stuff for just 15 bucks at an auction.

I know theere are chips on some of the pieces, but I think that just adds character. I got a whole flat of old bottles of every shape and size. Some have stuff in them still so I will have to wear gloves as to not get some toxic residue on me.

These lamps are just darling I think. I would love to find shades for them, but I think I will just sell them as is. I got the sewing machine, which weighed about a ton, for just a buck. I think it would look so cool on a shelf.

I got a booth!!!!!!! I am now an official flea market carney!!!

2010-05-05T21:30:00.000-05:00

Stopped by for a quick run through the furniture area yesterday for my fix for the day. Gosh I sound like an addict. I just get a rush when I find some hidden treasure that no one else has found or seen the potential in. ------Anyway..... I started talking to the owner who probably thinks I am crazy, but highly entertaining, and she said 2, not just 1 booth, was opening up June 1st. Then she said I could take my pick of which one I wanted. How cool! I got to pick the location plus I got to pick out a cool number for my booth. I am number 33. Was a good year for me. I met my husband that year! A blind date even! HA! Never saw that coming. Rambling again....starting to get off track. I have just been giddy since then. I am so stoked to get to finally be a flea market vendor like some kind of garage sale junkie with an outlet for their addiction. I can't wait to decorate my space. If anyone has any cool ideas, send them my way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This picture is from our trip to San Francisco a few years back. Just thought it looked cool with this post. I will have to get a picture of my flea market with no name. Funny. Just a big white tin building that says FLEA MARKET> Nothin' fancy, just like me. Nothin' fancy, but it has character.

60's bulletin board

2010-05-02T22:06:00.001-05:00

Found this cute little memo board at my local flea market. Was going to open a booth there, but they just filled up. Darn! Just going to have to keep collecting stuff til someone quits or dies and leaves open a booth. Really hope no one dies. That sounded kind of mean. Anyways, here is the before and after. The memo board had an advertisement of itself on the back so I took a picture of it since I forgot to get a before picture. I think I am goint to put a monogram on top of the fabric to jazz it up a bit. Not bad for a buck.

A few new finds

2010-05-02T21:58:00.000-05:00

Well, yesterday we went to an auction out in the country and of course it rained off and on all day. Lots of stuff, but everything was getting wet because there were no canopies. So.... anyway I did manage to get a few good buys. Accidentally bought about 6 boxes of crap for a dollar. Thought I was just bidding on one box of crap that had a few crafty things in it, but got a whole load of crap. I did manage to salvage some stuff that wasn't totally getting ruined by the rain. Got a bunch of ribbon for 8 bucks and a basket off of a guy who just wanted Dale Earnhart magazines. Nobody wanted the ugly green candle holder, so I got it for free since I missed that batch earlier. Here is a pic of my basket and awsomely ornate and redone candle holder. Forgot to take a picture of it the ugly green. I spray painted it white and then stained it a nice oak color. Just rubbed it on with an old sock. I am really technical about the process of redoing old things.

new bulletin board

2010-04-29T21:54:00.000-05:00

Here's a picture of the new bulletin board I made. I sold one yesterday at school and got that one finished today, but didn't get picture of it yet. I am going to start making these and selling them if I get a booth opened at the antique mall here. I found a load of frames I can buy at LOW prices. Think I have found a place to get extra fabric scraps from upholstry and drapery projects too. I am so.... excited that everything is falling into place.

Found this cool but strange light fixture for 3 bucks a couple of weeks ago. Think I will paint it white and distress it with another color. I think it will be nice once it is refurbished. It's very heavy so I don't know if I want to hang it in our house. I will probably try to sell it in my booth once I get one anyways. ha ha

Finished bookshelf

2010-04-22T15:52:00.000-05:00

Finished the bookshelf last night! Doesn't it look just awesome? I think so. Turned out too cute. Willow hasn't seen it yet. She is sleeping right now. Finished painting it last night.

I changed the name of the site, because I thought it sounded better and was more personal. Now....if I could just figure out how to change the web address to that without having to start all over on everything. Ugghhh .... I am not a computer geek. Wish I were sometimes, but then I wouldn't be so creative, now would I? Hope everyone is having a great week. I got lots of stuff to upload and post about, but the little one has been sick and it has been crazy buzy in our household! Hope you like the new site and name!!! Bet you can guess the little one's name now! I think it takes grace to give old things new life too, so it fit.

other odds and ends I have found

2010-04-14T22:33:00.000-05:00

Found these cool wall shelves with curly scrolling designs. Of course, I am going to paint them white to go in my precious little one's room. Think I may put little tea cups from my collection (that hasn't seen daylight since we moved) on them. Will be so sweet and dainty on her wall. Only 2 bucks each.

Little shelf was 3 bucks. Think I am going to hang it above table in hallway and get som letters or blocks or small pics in little small frames to put in it. Definitely going to paint it too. Oh.... when will I do all of this painting?

My lonely little candle stick holder was just a buck! Think I will just leave it alone and let it be it's natural woodsy self. Getting late and I am starting to get loopy. Seems to be past my bed time. I am starting to make up words. You would never know that I can teach English as well as art.

my cool basket

2010-04-14T22:20:00.000-05:00

This is just like the PB wire baskets that sell for way more than I paid for this. Twelve bucks! It's from Jersey City too. Thought that was cool. I am from Oklahoma originally and have nevet been to the likes of Jersey so I thought that was kind of neat. Boy! Do I sound like a hick?!!! Going to use it for towels or tp or something useful. When I figure it out, I will post a pic. (if anyone cares) . Will have to disinfect for sure since it could have stored old gym clothes in a locker room at one time or icky wet towels at a public swimming pool. Oh! the places it could have gone! How did it end up in Missouri?

side table

2010-04-14T22:11:00.000-05:00

My 15 dollar table. Going to paint her black and leave at the end of the hall. Was going to go in crazy 2 year old's room, but it looks good in hall and I found my ugly yellow bookshelf to be painted white.

bookshelf to be

2010-04-11T16:16:00.000-05:00

I have been looking high and low for a bookshelf for the crazy 2 years old's room that has some character and I finally hit the jackpot. Got this spicy mustard yellow piece for just 15.99. Don't know why they don't just round up to 16 bucks! Anyway, I am going to paint it white and put some modge podged scrapbook paper pieces in the background. I think it is going to look great in the little one's room. I might be able to paint wide vertical stripes in the background instead of the paper. Oh... the possibilities. Wish I actually had lots of time on my hands. Gotta go! The crazy two year old is up!

My new shabby chic black chair!

2010-03-28T17:11:00.002-05:00

I spent a whole thirty minutes painting this chair with some left over lamp black paint. Probably should have done more than one layer of paint, but I am too impatient to go over it again. Besides I was goint to rough it up with a sanding block anyway. It turned out pretty good I think. Now all I have to do is spray it with polyurethane so it won't get scratched up and peel.

my pretty dish

2010-03-28T10:53:00.000-05:00

The green is lots lighter in person. In the picture it looks like an army green though. Got this for 2.50.

new flea market discovery

2010-03-28T09:07:00.000-05:00

Went to a new town and found a wonderful flea market with great finds. I didn't buy much. What I wanted wouldn't fit in the car anyway so I will have to go back with my hubby and the truck. I did find two big picture frames for my memo boards for a buck each and a beautiful pale green cut glass candy dish. I realized last week when I had guests over that I don't have any pretty serving dishes that are not made out of plastic hardly so that is my new mission. You can find beautiful glass serving dishes and small dishes to serve pickles, condiments and other little dishes in at almost every second hand market you go to. Most finds are way more valuable than what you would find in a upscale store and are probably a lot more intricately designed. I would rather pay five dollars than twenty five for a nice piece of glassware any day of the week. Anyway, that's about as exciting as my week got. The two year old and I did have an excellent outing and she was in good spirits most of the day. The restaurant visit was a little scary. We had a fight over her gulping down her sugary drink and a huge fork that she could poke her eye out with, but that was about it. We did get to meet the Easter bunny too. That was fun. She was a little nervous about the huge furry creature, but at least sat down by him and got her pic taken. Turned out too cute.

My Five Dollar Chair!

2010-03-17T20:43:00.000-05:00

So... today I thought I would go over to the big flea market building in town. Last time I had been there it was just a big building with very little stuff. Well.... Now it is a Big Building with a LOT of Stuff. Lots of crap too, but there are some nice finds if you look hard enough. The two year old fell asleep about 10 minutes into the scavenger hunt so I got to look without worrying about her throwing a tantrum over some germ infested toy that she might see. I did however have to haul all 25 pounds of her throughout the maze of booths for about an hour, but it was worth it for the shear fact that I got to look uninterrupted. And...in that uniterrupted hunt for a diamond in the ruff, I found an old but quaint wooden chair for just five bucks!

Can you say 5 bucks?!!! That is an awesome find I must say. Anyway, I think I am going to paint it black and put some kind of padded seat on it. or....it might look nice white with some kind of pink satin sash strung through the spindles. Who knows? I just know I got a good deal!

2010-03-17T10:24:00.001-05:00

Picture with newly painted frame. Doesn't tht look much better? Will really look better on the wall than on the newspaper on the floor.

jazzed up dresser

2010-03-16T22:10:00.003-05:00

I added flowers to the top of the mirror with some cheap flowers I got at Michaels. Just stuck them on with the hot glue gun. Don't mind the mess on the dresser. Those are the flower bouquets that I cut the flowers off of. Just fanned the rosettes out a little and voila a fancy frame on an old antique mirror.

2010-03-16T19:20:00.002-05:00

Bulletin board I made out of an old frame, twine and scrap fabric. Pretty nifty I think. Got idea from -- Myhomespunthreads website and just added fabric to mine to cozy it up a bit for my concrete wall at school by my desk where it will end up.

cheese grater- soon to be votive cover with a set of others i soon hope to find I hope.

2010-03-16T18:50:00.003-05:00

detail of painting

2010-03-16T18:42:00.003-05:00

detail--- a little like Van Gogh's brushstroke style.

Here are my exciting finds for cheap,cheap,cheap!

2010-03-16T18:04:00.004-05:00

Going to pain the frame a matte black. Going to look really nice somewhere in my house. Great deal for under 4 bucks!!!!

Download accomplished

2010-03-16T14:08:00.001-05:00

Figured out how to get pics off of camera onto the computer, so I am so very proud of myself. I did this with no help from my hubby. Now I can put all of my before and afters on here to keep track of my projects and to showcase what I have actually gotten done. Today's to do list includes painting the door jamb around the little one's closet and hot glueing little roses around her antique dresser's mirror two years after I decided to that. Better late than never! Now I have errands to run and house to clean and then off my bum to finish my list. Wish me luck!

Outing results

2010-03-14T22:59:00.001-05:00

My trip to the antique mall resulted in a original painting in a rustic Mexican frame for 3.50. I got an old metal cheese grater I am hoping to turn into a shade for a votive candle. Saw this idea in Martha's magazine a couple of years ago. She grouped about 5 cheese graters on her entry table and put candles under them. Was quite a eye-catching display. Since I finally have a entry table to be proud of, I am on the look out for cheese graters. ha ha And with the help of my two year old, I scored 2 cookie cutters for a buck. Oh yea, the cheese grater was 2 bucks. I came out good for just under 7 bucks. I plan on painting the frame black on the picture I got and hanging it in my master bath. Will have pictures tomorrow to show off my goodies.

antique mall and my two year old

2010-03-14T12:53:00.000-05:00

We are off to the antique mall. To call it a mall is really pushing it. My two year old is in good spirits so this will hopefull be an uneventful hour. We will see. Hopefully I can find something to revamp. I am needing something to hang over our bed . The walls are just blank and we have lived here for over 3 years. I need to find something that makes it feel like there is some kind of design element going on besides bare minimalism. Well, here we go..... oh the trashy treasures I hope to find.