God Bless America

I hope all of you are enjoying this week.  I am surprised at how fast June has been flying by.  As we approach July, it is obvious that everyone thinks of the 4th of July.  With that in mind, I knew just what I was going to do with my most recent auction purchase.  Again, another piece that no one bid on.  I know, I just don't understand either.  Doesn't anyone else see the potential?!

 Here she is before any tlc.

You can see that we have a little veneer issue.  But overall, I felt she was a great little candidate for a patriotic makeover.  First thing I had to do was pull up the American flag to make sure I did, in fact, have the right amount of stripes.  I painted the base with Annie Sloan's Emperor's Silk.  Then, I painted the top white.  After measuring and a little math, I started taping off my stripes.

I picked up some star stickers at Dollar Tree instead of making a stencil.

I slapped on some blue paint from a sample I had.  As I peeled off the stickers, some of the white painted started to pull off.  Therefore, it would have to be distressed.  To finish it up, I applied clear and dark wax.  Now, she is an eye catcher!  All set and ready for a little patriotic guy or gal.

I decided to gear up for the 4th of July in my booth by adding this desk, bunting, and a little chalkboard word art.  I followed how Maison Decor made her bunting.  For the font for the 'Freedom' word art, I used Mutlu font.  I used the good ole' rub the back with chalk and trace over the front with a pencil.  To add even more of a pop, I had to add a little red and blue fireworks.

 Sharing at:


     

Ugly duckling

Ugly duckling. Yes, that must be what everyone thought about this poor little desk at the auction. I couldn't believe NO ONE bid on it!

I got it at an absolute steal! It is true that she isn't the most well made but she had the bones too make for a nice redo. I decided to go with Annie Sloan's Graphite for the body and Old White for the drawers. Sorry for the poor quality of the picture. I took it with my archaic phone once I got it to my booth (I forgot my camera). It is a good thing I did. It was snapped up in 2 days!

See, a little lipstick can go a long way girls!
Sharing at:

Posted with Blogsy

Ironstone love

I love me some ironstone!  I have no idea how it happened but it did.  It probably happened by looking at others' collections arranged so grandly.  Every auction, flea market, thrift store, and garage sales, I keep an eye out for ironstone.  I seem to be drawn to soup tureens, casserole dishes, and pitchers.  Funny thing is I do not cook anything nice enough to serve in my nicer pieces!

When I went to my usual weekly auction, I spied with my little eye some ironstone.  I thought for sure some others would think it was just as fabulous as I did, but luck was on my side! Check out all of these pieces that I snagged for $10!

Take a look at the beautiful detail on the casserole dish.

I picked up these terrific tea cups, sugar caddy, and cute ironstone cow creamers.

A little closer shot of my cows.

Finally, I picked up this great ironstone platter for $1 at the flea market.

Needless to say, I felt like I hit the ironstone jackpot last week.  I wonder if I will ever find that perfect hutch to display them in.  A girl always has to have a dream, right?!

Linking up to:
 Coastal Charm

$2 Cosco stool

Another auction, another purchase.  I just can't seem to walk away from an auction empty handed.  I had got this little yellow Cosco stool at the auction for only 2 bucks!  Cheap right?!  I guess when no one bids you can get stuff pretty cheap. 

Okay, I know it looks a little rough around the edges but who doesn't ever have a bad hair day (or decade in my case).  Anyways, hubby was nice enough to take it apart for me to spray paint an apple red.  Before I could spray paint, I had to take off the rubber grips on the steps.  They seemed to look as if they were dry rotted.  It took a lot of elbow grease and a lot of Goo Gone to get it all off but finally got it.  Next, the back rest.  With the extra drop cloth material I seem to have accumulated, I thought a little faux grain sack for the back rest would look just right. 

Here she is all painted up.  I could just see her sitting in the corner of a kitchen, couldn't you?

I'm sharing at:

Latest finds

I have been meaning to share with you some of my latest auction finds and to get your opinions.

First up is this huge $5 french mirror.  It weighs a ton.  I think I have a little plan up my sleeve for this one. 

Next, I got this two tiered cart for $10 or $15 (I can't remember which)  Can you believe that all the dirt came for free?!  I figure it would look cute in the booth after I get it all cleaned up.

Now for the gorgeous frame and sconces.  Sorry I didn't think to get a close up to show off all of the beautiful details.

So, here is where I need some advice.  First, the sconces could be wired to become electric verses just using candles.  I was thinking of replacing the current ironwork I have above the fireplace with the empty frame and the sconces.  This is a current picture of my mantel. 

Would it look too corny to use an empty frame?  Would the sconces be too much?  It is awful to be so indecisive.  I could really use some guidance from you wonderful gals out in blog land.

I wanted to save the best for last.  This Italian chair I picked up at the auction for $45.  I felt like it was a steal since I maybe have seen this style once a year at the auctions since I started going.  Because I just didn't know when I would be able to stumble upon something similar, I snatched it up as an early birthday gift.

I absolutely love it!  I didn't realize how dirty it really was until it hit the sunlight.  The amount of dirt and who knows what else I have been cleaning off is just unreal.  I've got to totally strip this chair down to the bones.  I am going to paint the frame a softer, pale, more muted turquoise.  You'll just have to stay tuned in to see my progress.  I can't promise it will happen at lightning speeds but slow and steady wins the race.

Hope you enjoyed peaking at my finds.  Let me know what you think about the frame and sconces.

Sharing over at:
 
  
The Shabby Nest

White done right

I have to first start off by thanking all of your for your sweet comments regarding my union jack dresser.  It is very gratifying knowing that others feel you have done a good job! 

I have been meaning to post about this little tray table I got at the auction.  Funny thing is that I didn't realize that it was a tray table until a nice lady that has a booth in the same shop as I do told me it was.  I thought the top was just broken off the base.  She told me what she thought I should price it at.  She is very nice to give me advice on pricing and what kind of pieces she feels will sell good.  Being new to this booth venture, I greatly appreciate any advice.

Anyways, on to this sweet little tray table.  Here she is straight from the auction:

I had to glue all the joints and used twine to "clamp" it together as well as add a missing finial.  The finish was in bad shape. What better way to spruce up this little gal than with some paint. I always feel white can really freshen up a piece. Now she resides in my booth. Hopefully, her stay will not be that long before she goes to some lovely home!

Sharing over at: 

Union Jack Dresser

I've been waiting to share this with you!  Of course you all know that I am a huge fan of Miss Mustard Seed.  Of course when she posted about her union jack dresser, I just had to try it.  It took a bit of time to find just the right dresser.  After a morning at an auction, here is what I selected:

It really is beautiful but in pretty rough shape.  After stripping the top, priming, and taping it off, here it is ready for the paint.

I used Sherwin Williams naval and kiss just as MMS.  I only used the primer for my white.  I was conflicted as whether or not to distress it but for now decided against it.  I'm very pleased how it turned out.  

I decided the old rusting pulls just wouldn't do.  I came across these and felt they were perfect!

My wonderful hubby sanded down the top for me.  It had some water damage to the top.  But after sanding and refinishing, there is no sign of it.  It turned out just as I hoped.  

I was going to put it in my booth but I am nervous about what a reasonable price would be to put on it.  Any thoughts would give me a good gage as to if I'm nuts for wanting to put the price I have in my head on it.  I'm dying to know how you guys think it turned out.  Let me know what you think.  Should I distress it, what should the price be, any feedback is good.

I'm sharing over at:

  Frugal Friday @