Teaser...

What could I be up to now that required real power tools?

Beat any Tuesday "Bluesdays" with a little thrift

Not that I'm counting, but although I've only been under-employed for 11 business days the budget crunch is beginning (yuck, gross, blah). To relieve some pent up lack-of-shopping-frustrations I allowed myself $10 to splurge at The Closet in Herndon today.

As you may recall, this is the same store I snagged my cherished lamps not so many weeks ago for $5.50/set so I knew $10 had potential to go far!

I left exuberant with a bag filled to the brim!

Antique replica bacon press to be used as kitchen decor ($1.50), painted wood frame for future project ($4.00), single-flower-sized vase ($.50), knit dollie ($.25), yellow lace handkerchief ($1.00), and paisley scarf ($2.00).

No major life lesson here today just a reminder that lightening can strike twice ! The Closet is sure to remain a favorite hunting spot in future vintage to come!

A project is never really finished....

One thing I've had to train myself to do is STOP. Sometimes I get carried away with ________(fill in blank with any embellishment, glitter, stickers, paint, etc). Thus, the constant advice that less is more. But pulling away from a project can also allow you to come back later to add just a pinch more _______ (full in blank with any embellishment ).

Today was my refinished tv stand. About 5 weeks ago I sanded until I bled, replaced drawers with an open unit for our record player, painted a super awesome antiques finish and had sewn a burlap curtain. I left it alone until being inspired by all the cool industrial signs at an antique emporium. So here's the quick instructions:

Materials:
Spray paint
Cardboard
Razor blade or exacta knife

Instructions:
1. Trace or draw pattern into cardboard
2. Carefully cut pattern out
3. Place stencil on material
4. Spray paint about 6 inches away in short bursts
5. Let dry as per spray paint instructions
*enjoy!

I chose the number 7 because that was Evans jersey number his whole soccer life. So in five minutes I made it personally perfect with a personal, sentimental touch.

Make the small things count

Make the small things count

Deciding to take a day away from all things job-hunting related I ventured out with a girlfriend, Catherine, to take in some country air and antique viewing.

Just like the fresh coat of paint, this was a welcomed release from job applications. The three hours spent browsing shops and catching up with a friend was wonderful. It helped take me out of my tiny little world of “jobs, jobs, jobs” to emerge in the larger, more important world of me; the world of my friends.

Since this was a first for us, “vintaging” together, I also learned some new things about an old friend. Not to sound creepy, but observing where she went first in the stores, reactions to my “ohhs and ahhs” and also what made her “ooh and ahh” was a mini friendship lesson. I learned she liked things I wouldn’t have assumed before (rusty metal and ants), and also made mental notes of places she may like in the future (Manassas antique shop with lots of jewelry!). These small observations may be teeny-tiny, but just like a flower unfolds its petals to full glory, friendships have petals to drop too. Being aware and listening with your ears and eyes is an important part in any friendship; trying new things together gives you both an opportunity to listen with new ears and eyes.

Speaking of flowers…another small thing that counted: Forget-me-knot china dish! 

Shown with peach for size comparison- it's small!

My mother who passed several years ago loved wild flowers. During the warm weather months our home was always brightened by untamed bouquets of whatever she could readily pick from the backyard. From a branch of the lilac tree outside her bedroom window to a bunch of tiger lilies from along the creek path; in old mason jars or a cherished teapot, flowers were abundant! Her favorites being black-eyed-Susan’s and forget-me-nots.

Since her passing I’ve always kept an eye out for reminders of her, including anything with these flowers. Yesterday for a mere $2.00 I acquired tiny little dish delicately painted with forget-me-nots. I’ve placed it on my dresser, to hold my engagement ring when not wearing. Fitting, since she did really cheer for Evan being the man I’d marry.


The little dish, with the tiny flowers was just another lift yesterday. A lift that would remind me the smallest of things can really make a girl happy. In life, it usually is the small things that count.

Sometimes you just need a fresh coat of paint

For my few loyal readers, you may have noticed that in the past week all vintage has been on hold.

In the description of my blog I promised to grow and become a better person while pursing my passion of all things vintage, re-purposing and other creative endeavors. Yesterday I put my money where my mouth is. Well, not my money, more like my paint brush....

It's no news that tough economic times are shared across the country. Both companies and families have had to tighten their purse strings and cut back. As families may be skipping a vacation or pulling from savings, companies too are faced with difficult decisions, including reducing their workforce. In this past week my organization had to make that difficult decision, and I was one of the impacted employees. And, well gee! Sometimes life can really take the wind out of your sails!

After a week spent focused solely on cover letters and applications I felt heavy. Heavy hearted, heavy eye-lidded and just plain heavy! All of that heaviness simply let me drown in the sorrow of losing a position I loved, anxiety over money and nerves for upcoming interviews. Yesterday I had to put myself in my place.

Having spent significant time in my "office", I knew what needed to be done. Putting on my best painting smock I turned on the radio and put my hair up. With a quick scan of my "workshop" I produced a nice warm beachy paint leftover from a past project and got to work. After an hour of rolling, some light scrubbing and re-organizing I felt lifted again. I not only had a clean desk but a little color to lighten the mood of my office nook.

It was only a fresh coat of paint but that reprieve from job hunting reminded me of why I started to this blog. To encourage myself to spend more time investing in things I love. Even when life gets tough, even when that wind is sucked from the sails- staying true to yourself can get you through it! Taking a break, taking time to do something you appreciate can re-energize you. That energy is what you need the most during difficult times.

So while I cannot neglect the important task of job hunting, I will remember that my virtue is in vintage. Holding true to my virtues will make this a much easier time period.




And to think, I got all of that from a just fresh coat of paint!

Use your own vintage

Breathing new life into past cherished items is one of the greatest joys in vintage. I wrote before that knowing the story is also part of the joy. So why not look within your own home, objects with your great story to create a new one? This idea dawned on me when packing for a weekend beach get a way.

Desiring a dress that was casual enough or a beach dinner but stunning enough to make an impression I thought to an old favorite- my white lace cutout dress. Bought almost 8 years ago I've worn the dress only twice. Despite loving it and how it makes me feel wearing it- the white sheer material was hardly ever appropriate. Since the white was the problem, I decided to take a chance and dye it- tie dye it.

 Materials:

1 package of fabric dye (I always use RIT brand)
Rubber bands
Large pot
Bleach
*rubber gloves

 Mix dye according to package instructions. Wear gloves, I did not and my hands were blue for two days! My item was small enough to follow instructions for stove top dye method. In my garmet I double-processed. Once to get overall color then "tie-bleached" to get a lighter version of the same color. I mixed bleach with water (probably 1 part bleach to 5 parts water)and then followed tie dying instructions. YouTube has tutorials for tie dying techniques which are helpful for first timers.




The dress was originally bought for a fancy 18 year old-me's date. Found at a boutique on Elmwood Avenue in Buffalo, NY it was magical. My mom helped me pick it out and said she pictured one day my wedding dress looking like this lacey number. The night I wore it I felt beautiful.

 Yesterday 27 year old me wore it for a beach weekend with my finance. In a new shade and with confidence that only age can build, I felt magical. We dined ocean front then took the dress right onto the shore creating one of our best memories yet.

 Man do I love this dress.

Day 3: Ta-da!

Day 3 Ta-Da! It's done!

Day 3 work was a repeat of 1 and 2.  We had to prep the new boards then glue and hammer onto the base.

Hanging It Up To Love

Our antique door-headboard

Last year we visited our local hardware store to inquire about hanging a 50 lb. stained glass door as a headboard. Since its 1) heavy glass and 2) above our heads when we sleep- dependability was a must! The hardware expert lead us to "Anchor Wire, Picture Hanging Systems". These systems are brackets that attach to the wall and the object to be hanged. So far, the piece has remained undisturbed!

You can find different sizes based on weight to hang. They usually run under $15 for brackets with all needed materials (screws, anchors).The best part- built in levels! The only downside is you do need to drill a bracket into your object which causes damage.  This is only a problem if you decide to reveal the wall side in the future.

Instructions for use: "Attached one bracket to wall using included mounting hardware. Ensure wall bracket is level with included level. Mount other bracketto back of object to be hung. Slide object bracket over installed wall bracket" 

Before and After Views- the, "Ta-Da"

                                   

Final thoughts: Anyone that says, "she should have made it bigger...". Yes, I agree. I got scared that it would be overwhelming and used the less-is-more approach when I should have gone H-U-G-E (had I listened to my project partner in the start it would be a foot taller and probably just right). Either way, we love it. The board colors are perfect for the industrial-farmhouse vibe we were looking for. It also warmed up the living room without needing to paint the apartment. All-in-all, I'll chalk it up as a success! Now on to the next story....