A long time in the making........

Next project on the books.....taking the old door ($15), spindles ($1 ea.) and scrap marble ($10) that I bought at the old Overton Barn off of North Solon Road before it was demolished in a storm last summer :( , and creating something stunning out of it. I have already removed the warped and damaged stained glass window that was an original part of the door and shared the salvaged glass with my kindred spirit Linda Oeffling of Rowanberry Studios. I'm sure she can use it to create something amazing! Dug out the old door knobs that I picked up in my travels and located the rusty knob plate that I found at a flea market. This is why I gather, collect and store all this crap. You never know when you will need that certain item. It will ALLLLL come together. My plan for this relic is already worked out, now to find the time to execute this master design challenge. Stay tuned!

slowly but surely

Wow, I am working S•L•O•W•L•Y, but I am trying to get some creating done. My new schedule is certainly putting a damper on that! I guess it takes time to really get the creative juices flowing when you are being pulled in many different directions. Time to FOCUS. Anywho.....I did re-cover the metal stool from the estate sale - remember this ?P1010003.JPG. I was undecided on whether or not to paint it or leave it. One trip to Lake Geneva and my favorite shop (Refined Rustic) and the decision was made. Something about the patina and history of a piece lends me to think that LESS IS MORE. I decided to go with the chipped paint,rust and character (like many of the pieces in LG) over a can of spray paint which would have totally changed the look of this piece. I'll live with it for a while and then decide if the paint would have made it any better. We'll see.

I finished the cornice boxes for the "office" windows and am still absolutely in love with this fabric. It was so meant to be that I wandered past that remnant bin and happened upon this beautiful specimen!! I am still interested in a "name for this space"---retreat room, shangrila, happy place? It'll come to me!!

Before and After

Little by little the projects are getting done. I power washed the metal caddy and added some greenery then I bought glass inserts for the weathered metal stand. Not quite sure what I will put in the crock, but it will probably hold another treasure. Any suggestions??

Dumpster Diving

I finally found a use for the old cabinet door sample that I found at a garage sale. It now displays some of the old time pieces and watch parts that I have been hoarding (did I say hoarding? OMG, yes it is a sickness!)

Thanks to a heads up by my BFF on her evening walk (the night before garbage pick-up) I have scored a mint condition cabinet that may be changing colors in the near future. Ah, yet another project to add to the ever growing list of "to-dos". I am vowing to complete one project before starting another, as I tend to jump in to a lot of things at once and then become overwhelmed by all there is to be done! Since I have accumulated many new "finds", I know I will never be looking for something to do!

Let their be light. . .

I needed a new switch plate for "my creative space" so I did a little cut and paste job and dipped into my button collection for embellishment. Just another way to add a little more of "myself" to my "playroom".

Estate Sale Extravaganza

Thanks to fantastic tip from a junk connoisseur and fellow "picker", Kristin Blake, (www.timeforlemonade.blogspot.com) I spent my morning digging through a massive, dark, dirty (yes, it was very dirty) storage building at an Estate Sale in Spring Grove. I popped on some really great stuff, got super deals, and will be looking for just the right spots to display my haul.

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Music stand $2 / Hardcover Book-Sheet Music (c.1900) $1

Wooden bench $1 / Crock $15/ Card File Drawer $3

Metal Stand $2 / Check-o-Matic Check Embosser $3

LOVE THIS!

Metal Stool $12 / Metal Caddy $5 / Copper Chain $1

Wooden Box $8 / Coffee Can $2 / Wood Table $5

Bank Deposit Bag (freebie) / Crock (bowl) $12

Bon Jovi cassette tape (I HAD TO!) $.25

Oak Chair $3

Well, it looks like I have some projects to keep me busy while I'm on vacation. . . . watch for the "after" pictures and see how all my fun crap gets put to good use!

Funky and Fresh!!

SCORE!!

I found the perfect fabric for the cornices. A beautiful, heavy, woven piece of upholstery material. Bright, bold, funky, fresh, & (drum roll, please!) found in the remnant bin! I must have looked at 200 bolts of decorator fabric today. Everything was either the right colors and the wrong pattern or the right pattern and the wrong colors! I drifted through the aisles aimlessly searching for what I had visualized for my space. It needed to be different and fun and something out of my comfort zone (which is usually black and white----borrrr-ing). I was ready to give up for the day, when I found one more remnant bin to pilfer through. Half-heartedly I started to toss around the rolls of leftovers and was prepared to head for home empty-handed, when suddenly the holy grail of textiles screamed my name (cue angels singing-aaaahhhhh!). This $40/yard fabric will cover my upholstered cornices for a grand total of $12.12!! (50% off the 50% off price) I love a bargain, especially when it is exactly what I was looking for (no compromises here!) This is one awesome piece of fabric!!!!

"Lesson of the Day" - When you have a vision: Stay true to your intent--be steadfast, be patient, be diligent, explore all options, and you will achieve success.

You might not get a steal like I did, but you will be happy with your "find" nonetheless. . . . .

Stay tuned for the finished product