That Darn Cat!

I have a constant companion.  His name is Smudgie and he often appears out of nowhere! 

Often in my before & after pictures.

He’s never been a picture within a picture before though!

Now you see him.

Now you don’t!

Junking without a Plan… aka Freestyling

 

So last Saturday’s unplanned junking went well.  It always works well when you have no plan.  No disappointment!

This was it!

Anyone know what that red handled kitchen tool might be?  There was also a nice oak mirror in excellent condition.  I didn’t even notice the tag on the back until I got it home.

 

‘Arts & Crafts” period.  Cool.

A very cool vintage wallpapering kit with instructions.

A vintage …. and probably close to antique hat that seems like it is from the style of the 1920’s!  Navy blue taffeta.  Dusty but so sweet!

Silverware!  My weakness!  At very least, I am keeping the 8 piece knife set.

An old bell….a mother of pearl spoon with engravings.

All in all a good junking day!

Fabric Love!

 

My love for fabric started in high school when I took sewing in ‘home ec’ (I know – I’m dating myself!).  It’s not only the colors and patterns but the feel.  A piece of lace may look beautiful but when I touch it, if it’s ‘crunchy’, it just won’t cut it.  It needs to be soft and supple.

That brings me to my latest project.

I was thinking about throwing this out because it was rather sad looking but decided that since it was such a small project, I’d give it a whirl.   It’s a useful piece because the top opens an I keep slippers and flip flops in it.

First I painted it white (no pics) and then I went fabric hunting.

Success!  Only $6.98 a yard on the clearance table!  The pattern is called ‘Latika’ by Echo.  It’s nice and soft and has some weight to it.

Now the white paint wasn’t working.  So I dry brushed over the white with gray.

I think we all know the power of paint.  We can transform just about anything!

 

With about a 1/2 hour of effort, I’m glad I didn’t get rid of it.   It’s a keeper!

I May be Crazy!

I wasn’t even sure how to label this post.  It was a colossal amount of work.   I kinda, sorta knew what I was getting myself into when I bought it and if it hadn’t been so cheap I would run away in a heartbeat!  I thought at very least it would be an education in what NOT to do.

The appliques on the doors (which were my favorite part) had pretty much crumbled.  I glued the pieces that I had back on and then used Bondo (used for repairing auto bodies) to make the missing parts.  When that was dry (it dries very quickly) I used a blade to carve the parts to blend in.

(I don’t have any before pictures because I started working on it before Christmas last year and then it was put away for the holidays.  Then my computer died…pictures were lost….yada yada.  Plus, I needed to build my stamina to tackle this one!)

The top was a mess and rather than try to repair the veneer (been there, done that…not fun), I chose to take it all off revealing the most beautifully imperfect top.  A little dark stain called Kona (I think – it’s been a while) and the top was beautiful.

The veneer on the upper right recessed panel was bubbled so I sanded it as best I could and called it a day.  A couple of years ago I would have obsessed over it but not anymore….I‘ve learned that people embrace imperfection in beautiful old pieces.

Thankfully all of the old hardware was there and it just needed a bath. 

With that, it was off to the shop where it took up residence for a week and then sold!

The Frumpy One

I picked up this dresser a few weeks ago.  It was rather plain and frumpy but it was good and solid.  Kind of on the masculine side and the knobs were a complete mismatch.

Tres girly!

So with a little paint, some wood appliques and glass knobs….it was looking more feminine and shabby.  Maybe not for everyone but much more to my taste.

It’s in the shop but I am somewhat tempted to bring it back home.  It would work great in the kitchen with the shallow top drawer for silverware and the two deeper ones for linens, etc.  Hmmmmm…..

Good Junk! An Oxymoron?

 

Unintentional junking is the very best kind!  It’s impossible to be disappointed!  So on Sunday I hopped in my car not sure of where I was going.  Do I turn left or do I turn right?  Left it was.

Chairs ‘n knobs ‘n mirrors.  Oh my!

First up was an estate sale.  I found the ladder and gold mirror there.  Then right around the corner was a roadside junk sale!  With loads of good junk!  Yippee!

Cast iron pulls, knobs and hooks!  An old cast iron “Letter” slot.  Weathered wood boxes.  My eyes didn’t know where to turn!

A colander and a very old (and delicate) mirror.

A gear of some kind (not sure what but I loved the patina!).  It’s marked “White Mountain Freezer” so I’m guessing it “grew up” in New Hampshire.

An old bakery basket. I’m not sure what this is made of.  I thought it was metal but it’s not.  It’s more like a rigid leather.  Not sure but it is cool!  There is very faint lettering on the side that says “Arnold” which I assume is the name of the bakery.

I’m so glad I turned “left”!

Reloved Window

I’ve always had a thing for old windows.  Years ago I dragged my dad out with his pick-up truck when a local nursery had changed out their windows and there was a stack of the oldies outside.  He was always game for my nonsense and we loaded up his truck.  I hoped to one day make a greenhouse with them but dad is now gone so…. so is that dream. 

I’ve since dug into the stash and done some upcycling.  You can see some of those projects here. 

My latest project is similar to this one that I have over my bed….

I did this one for the shop……

I used waistband elastic to hold the pictures in place.  I glued two strands across each pane on the sides (you can see them below) so that the pics can be easily changed out.

NEXT!