Taming The Abyss

This weekend I will be selling from The Abyss.  Yes, you can actually walk in my garage.

As hard as my team and I have been working,  it's still not the way I want it, but, it's worlds better.  It WILL be tamed.

I still have a lot to do, so, I only had time for a few pics.  I just wanted to give you an idea of what I've been unearthing.

I literally have a least a dozen more containers to go through.  Still, we've made a huge dent.

Okay, breaks over.  I'm going back in.

Jazzed Up Mat Board

I love jazzing up mat boards.

I just consider them frames.  I've decorated many of them with script.

This one was covered in fleur-de-lis paper.  I used a left over rusty metal fragment from one of my handmade crowns as an embellishment.

Next, I tinted a French book page, and stamped on a hummingbird image.

The page was attached to the back.  Now, it's nice piece of art.

I decided to have my big sale next weekend.  I needed to continue organizing, purging, and being very methodical.  I know what I want, and I'm not stopping till I get there.

I had a little pop-up lawn sale yesterday, to clear out more of the miscellaneous items.  That worked out well.  Ahhhhhh, feeling focused.  I've made more progress in the Abyss.  I still have lots of organizing and sorting to do, but, it's not as daunting.

The weather is perfect today to get more work done, and, that's what I'll be doing.  I'm about to assemble my team.  See ya soon.

Hydrangeas and Laced Bottles

I've been working diligently in my garage for the past two days.

However, today, the energy level was low.

So, instead of pushing it, I took a break, picked a few hydrangeas,

and laced some bottles.  You can see how I use lace as a stencil HERE.

I used spray sealer to protect the finish.

Renewing my energy for tomorrow.  I'm making progress in the Abyss.  Unearthing things in boxes I haven't sorted through in a long while. 

I knew I had a lot of small items, but I don't think I realized just how many.  It took me an entire day to sort and categorize just a few boxes.  I'll have to share more of what I discover.  For now, rest.

See ya soon.

Sharing With:

French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday
The Charm of Home: Home Sweet Home

Shabby Tray

I've been wanting to do this to one of my dresser mirrors for a while now.

I have a stack of these.  I find them all the time.

I removed the mirror, and, using it as a template, cut a piece of wood to fit.

I'll be using the mirror in another project.

Next came a white finish, and faded roses.  You can transfer a design, or stamp them on.

Done.

The heat wave has tempered here.  I was able to get back in the garage, and take a good long look.  Then, I walked back in the house, and took a good long look.  The sales I've had this year were anti-climactic.  I never get to everything.  There are always things I wish I'd pulled out, finished off, taken out of boxes, etc. Yes, I have that much stuff.  The garage (intended to be open) was off-limits at my last sale, for fear of someone hurting themselves.  While I was ill, it all seemed to breed.

Another sale is coming.  Don't worry, I won't overdo it. I'm bringing in extra forces to help me organize it all. I'll keep you posted.


Sharing With:
Savvy Southern Style: Wow Us Wednesdays
Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Redesigned Plaque

This is what I did with the plaque from my last post.

Originally vertical,

I painted over the flowers,  white washed the scrolls,

turned it on it's side,

and added one of my vintage graphics.  This is a reduced tissue copy of an old sheet music cover.

I distressed the edges a bit.

Another inside project for a hot, and humid day.


Sharing With:
French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday
Common Ground: Be Inspired

Redesigned Former Music Box

Here's a little piece I redesigned this afternoon.

The before.

A former music box, this is what the inside looked like.

I glued thick board over the holes, then filled them from the bottom with wood filler.

I gave the entire thing multiple coats of antique white paint, and a little distressing. The interior was painted as well.  My vintage script was copied onto tissue, and applied to the top insert,

and the interior.

The piece it's sitting on is almost finished.

I picked it up at a garage sale.  I love the scrolls, but, didn't care for the flowers.

Here's what it looks like now.  It's about to become a sign.

It's hot and humid here.  Two things I'm not crazy about.  I'm hanging out inside, making little pretties,

and staying cool.  See ya soon.


Sharing With:
Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday
Common Ground: Be Inspired
Stone Gable: Tutorials, Tips, and Tidbits
Savvy Southern Style: Wow Us Wednesdays
Time Washed: Blissful Whites Wednesdays

Fancy $15 Tables and Fleaing

It happened so fast.  We made it to our local flea market today.  I didn't think about taking photos until we were on our way home.  Sorry.  I can however share a pair of tables we had with us.  My husband picked these up yesterday for $15 at a garage sale.  Yes, fifteen dollars for both.

They SOLD very quickly after the crowd rolled in.  Marble tops with ornate metal bases.

I have to be honest.  I wasn't crazy about the marble.  I prefer marble with white and grey tones.  However, the lady who purchased them loved the color.  So, that's all that matters.

The pair of weathered green chairs I shared before sold as well, as did quite a few other things.

My inspirational plaques, and brocante signs sold well.  People at this particular market don't see a lot of repurposed and handmade items.

Frames, pottery, this and that, sold.

It was nice to get out.  The weather was pleasant, and this flea market is only a 15-20 minute drive.  Many years ago we sold at this market almost every week.  The crowd comes in at 7:00am.  We were pretty light by 9:30, and left around 10:00.  We didn't bring a huge load, but, for a few hours work, we were very pleased with the results.

I'm still taking it easy.  Thanks again for all your prayers and well wishes.  I'm making a great recovery. Feeling like my old self again.  I'll have more to share during the week.

See ya soon.

Finds, and Simplicity

My family and friends have kept a close eye on me.  Yesterday, my friends Rhonda, and Sharon took me out to lunch.  We had a great time.  I'm feeling much better.  All the rest I've had, the careful diet (low sodium),  help from friends, and "easing" back into my regular routine are paying off.  However, I've been so focused on getting rid of what I have lately, and watching my budget, that I just haven't been hunting very much.

I was going through withdrawal.  I needed to get out, I needed to hunt a little, and I needed to find REAL bargains.  I achieved all three.  I had enough energy to hit a few garage sales today, and here's a bit of what I found.

I love this vintage  lampshade.  When I got it home, I knew I had just the right embellishment for it.

I had a millinery piece that looks like it was made for it.

Alabaster birds.

A pan stamped "France", and small ornate metal frames.

This vintage stamp was only 50 cents.  I love the fact that the numbers are kinda large.  I can add numerals to quite a few projects.

It was the rusty handle on this basket that got me.

I'm keeping things simple these days.  I'll only be altering a few of these finds.  I'm focusing on items that don't require major overhauls. I do have a pair of tables I'm transforming, but, it's a simple transformation. I'm also slowly going through the rest of my boxes in the garage (a.k.a., The Abyss).

I'm planning to set up at a local flea market this Sunday if it doesn't rain.  I won't be doing any of the lifting, or packing.  I have three strong men for that.  I'll be the director, and salesman.

Taking it slow and easy.  I want to make a full recovery.

See ya soon.

Sharing With:

French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday
Common Ground: Be Inspired