Let the Winter Projects begin!

Now that I am past Thanksgiving, shopping, wrapping, more shopping, more wrapping, family vacation, more shopping, more wrapping and Christmas...I'm so ready for some projects!  I don't think I had a paint brush in my hand for about 5 weeks! 

My projects tend to change a bit during the winter.  I do more small projects indoors.  Here are a couple that I completed once the Christmas tree and decorations were put back in the attic:

I got this cutting board from an Estate Sale and it had been lovingly used the perfect amount.  I added the French stencil and ribbon.  I'm planning to sell it, but I sure do like it.

I also FINALLY tried a coffee filter wreath.  I referred back to a couple of great tutorials and practiced on a small one.

The wreath forms that I had were the flat kind and I think a rounded one would work better.  I got my coffee filters at Dollar General - this is a very inexpensive project.  I plan to make more - I'd like to try a large one as well as one using the brown filters. 

Are y'all dying to get back to projects too?

Mark your calendars - January Events!

Hi friends - hope your Christmas was merry & bright!  Here are some January shopping events in case you got lots of cash for Christmas (or in case you got presents you didn't love - ha!) :

Dec. 29th - Jan. 1st
First Monday Trade Days
Canton, Texas

Jan. 7th & 8th
Treasure Spotters Market
401 E. Virginia
McKinney, Texas

Jan. 7th & 8th
Buchanan's Market
MOVED from Dallas Market Hall to Lewisville
Admission is $5

Jan. 13th - 15th
Third Monday Trade Days
McKinney, Texas

Jan. 14th & 15th
Big Red Barn
Round Top, Texas

Jan. 21st
Treasure Spotters Market
401 E. Virginia
McKinney, Texas
9:00-5:00

Jan. 21st & 22nd
Buchanan's Market - Garage Sale
2460 S. Stemmons Frwy.
Lewisville, Texas 75067
Admission is $5

January 28th & 29th
City-Wide Garage Sale
Palmer Events Center
Austin, Texas

Some sites are not updated just yet so I'll add events/dates as they become available.

A second chance to shop McKinney in December!

Treasure Spotters Market in McKinney will be open for a one-day sale this Saturday from 9:00-5:00!  We have wonderful indoor and outdoor vendors.  Here are a few pictures from the sale earlier this month:



On Saturday you can also shop our neighbors at the Old Red Lumberyard, Fringe and the quaint McKinney Square!

A dollar can't buy anything anymore

Oh, yes it can!  This is just too good to keep to myself. 

Do you know about these darling Santa hat chair covers?

You can get them at Dollar Tree for $1 each!  They are easy to miss - the package is probably 5x7.  And you really should call before you go because they sell out pretty quickly.

So, in case I wasn't the last to know...I wanted to share!

A Vintage Christmas Mantle

Hi friends!  Is it just me or is time flying by at record speed?!

I finally got around to getting our stockings out of the attic and decorating the mantle.  Y'all know I'm not a big seasonal decorator, but I enjoyed added some vintage charm to our mantle this year.

I have these two old jars and it just so happens that one has a green lid and one has a red lid!





I love these two vintage-inspired ornaments.  I got them a couple of years ago for 75% off after Christmas.

I even used my antique bread pan and added a couple of vintage Christmas prints with magnets.

I also used my two old spools because I have a red one and green one.

Our stocking holders spell out "PEACE".  I splurged on our stockings and holders (Pottery Barn) ten years ago but I always put them back in the plastic and they still look brand new.

Our tree is yet to come - we always buy a live one.

I hope you are all enjoying bringing a little Christmas cheer into your homes! 

 



Come shop in McKinney today!

We'll be set-up at Treasure Spotters Market in McKinney this weekend!  Shop with us today from 9:00-5:00 and Sunday from 10:00-3:00.

There are indoor and outdoor vendors with lots of great antique and vintage goods.

To learn more about the fantastic dealers at the Market check out Facebook pages for Treasure Spotters, Pocket Full of Heirlooms, Good Look, The Patina Nest and Rusty Pearls just to name a few!



And we even have a little press to share!

You can find us at 401 E. Virginia - just beyond the Square in McKinney.

Do you speak German?

Me neither, but I was thrilled when I saw this:

My sweet friend Denis of Ruby Grace's nominated my blog for this wonderful award!  Denis and I are dealers in the same antique mall.  He has three booths and it's always so fun to see his displays!  He often posts pictures on his blog so I know you'll love Following him!

Liebster means "favorite" or "dearest" in German - I didn't research this, but Denis said so - ha! This award, which originated in Germany, recognizes up and coming Bloggers and is meant to showcase Bloggers who have fewer than 200 Followers. This is all done in the spirit of pay-it-forward (love that).

In accepting this award, I agree to:

• Thank the person that gave me the award and link back to their blog
• Copy & paste the award to my blog
• Share 5 blogs I have chosen to award and notify them by commenting on their blog.  Okay, so I'm really sharing only 3 but I'm doing it with gusto!

The 3 blogs I wish to award are:

Vintage & Company - Jodi is a true delight.  She and her mom host several Barn Sales throughout the year.  You will love keeping up with Jodi's treasure hunting and restyling!

House Wren - this couple from Austin are the king and queen of display!  I love seeing how they transform a space that started out as a chalk line on the ground - no walls or anything.  You will be blown away!

J Hill Designs - I swear I don't know how Judy's blog could possibly have fewer than 200 followers!  Judy hosts shows at her place - Hackberry Hill Farm - and everything displayed throughout the home is for sale.  And when I say displayed - I mean unbelievably displayed!  Check out this post done by Theresa over at Garden Antqs Vintage to learn a little more about it.

Please visit these wonderful blogs!  A huge thank you to Denis - go visit his blog as well!

 

Mark Your Calendars - December Events!

December 1st-4th
First Monday Trade Days
Canton, Texas

December 3rd
The Dallas Flea
1409 S. Lamar St.
Dallas, Texas

December 3rd
Joyeux Noel Sale
The Red Shed
317 Church St.
Grapevine, Texas

December 3rd
Holiday Open House
Grapevine Antique Mall
10:00-7:00

December 3rd & 4th
Treasure Spotters Market
401 E. Virginia
McKinney, Texas
Check out my photos from the last show here.

December 10th
Vintage & Company Barn Sale
10:00-4:00
Flint, Texas

December 10th
6th Annual Arts & Crafts Extravaganza
Sanger High School
Sanger, Texas

December 16th-18th
Third Monday Trade Days
McKinney, Texas

December 17th & 18th
Buchanan's Vintage Market
Lewisville, Texas

December 25th
Santa Claus is coming to town!

Please let me know if you have an event you want me to post!

Come see us at Buchanan's tomorrow!

Hi friends.  Today was Day 1 of Buchanan's Vintage Market in Lewisville.  Here are a few photos of our space - complete with our Christmas tent:



We brought some of our LUX Candles - we have several wonderful Christmas scents!

You can shop in comfort tomorrow from 10:00-5:00.  Find us at Lake Pointe Shopping Center - 2460 S. Stemmons Frwy., Lewisville, TX 75067.

They say Sunday is the day for deals!

Almost Show Time!

Mom and I are feverishly working to get ready for our show this weekend - Buchanan's Vintage Market in Lewisville.  I have a few completed projects to share.

You might remember this post where I shared a coffee table I was eager to paint.  Here she is all ready for her debut:

I don't usually photograph tables on the bed in our guest bedroom, however the floor is currently COVERED with merchandise and Christmas decorations for the show.

Here is another little table that I just completed.

This was my first time to stencil with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and I LOVED it for this application!

And then an easy-peasy ornament project - this one is great to do with kids because it's no fuss.





All you need is some thin cardboard pieces, pretty papers, ribbon, small jingle bells, scissors and glue.  Of course there are a million and one ways to decorate these - let your kids go crazy!

UPDATE - Big Mamma Jamma

So, I decided to hang the ginormous tapestry above our bed in the master bedroom.  See what you think:

It is wider than our headboard.  I'm sure that breaks some rule of design - you know the one - thou shalt not have artwork above thine bed that extends beyond thine bed - or something like that.  But, despite this rule-breaking, I think I might like it.

Hope your Monday was great!

Big Mamma Jamma

Hi friends.  I hope you have all enjoyed your weekend!  I wanted to share a new treasure with you:

I got this fabulous framed tapestry at a sale on Saturday.  It is ginormous - just shy of 33x75!  I'm not usually drawn to these, but this one has such great muted colors and the scene is pretty too - castles and ladies in beautiful dresses. 

I originally planned to sell it, but the more I look at it the more I like it.  And I'm thinking it might look nice in the master bedroom.  I'll keep you posted on this one!

Creativity - how does it happen for you?

I'm fascinated (and jealous) of truly creative people.  That's why I love to follow so many blogs - the creativity and inspiration out there is just incredible. 

I get in a crafty mood from time to time - especially in the winter months when we spend more time at home.  I wouldn't classify myself as creative but every once in awhile I'll get a little spurt of creative energy. 

Sheet music lampshade.

This weekend I was baffled by how creativity happens for me.  I'm always buying things that I think might turn into a project someday.  I bought a neat cabinet door from a Habitat store months ago.  I had no idea what I was going to do with it.  I've seen that cabinet door in the garage many times but never paid any attention to it.  So, I see the cabinet door this weekend and suddenly I just had to do something with it - like RIGHT THEN. (At this point I'm hoping that someone out there is saying "yes, that happens to me too!")

So the next thing I know I'm drilling holes, painting, staining, sanding, stenciling and hot gluing.  Hubby walks by and says, "oh, when did you decide to do that?"  And I respond "um, I didn't decide anything - it just came to me and I HAD to do it."  It's not as if I was looking for a project.  I didn't walk out in the garage out of boredom and hope that something jumped out at me.

Discarded cabinet door turned artsy organizer.

This isn't about my end-result - because really it's nothing special - but more about the creative process.  What is it that sparks our creativity - time, energy, other creative people?  Can we foster our creativity - allow it to happen more often?  I'm dying to see what my creative blog friends have to say about this!

It's not too late!

If you couldn't make it out to the Grand Opening sale at Treasure Spotters Market today - don't worry you can still shop tomorrow from 9:00-5:00.  We have indoor and outdoor vendors with tons of amazing finds!  Here are a few pictures:

There is a fabulous mix of merchandise - truly something for everyone.  We will be open the first weekend of every month - come see us at 401 E. Virginia, McKinney, Texas!

The excitement is building!

There is a new shopping event coming to town and we are SO exicted to be a part of it!  Treasure Spotters Market invites you to it's Grand Opening on November 5th & 6th from 9:00-5:00.  This sale will take place the first weekend of every month in McKinney. 

You can find us just east of the Historic Downtown Square at 401 E. Virginia.  There are indoor and outdoor vendors.  Enjoy heat and air conditioning in the indoor section - woohoo!  We are thrilled to be joining forces with some amazing vendors.  Check out Facebook pages for Treasure Spotters, Pocket Full of Heirlooms and Good Look to learn about just a few.

Mom and I worked on our space over the weekend.  Here is how it looked before we got started:

And after working on it for the better part of two days:



We have more furniture to bring in on Saturday before the sale opens.  All of the vendors work hard all month to bring you the best in antique, vintage, repurposed and just plain awesome finds!  Don't miss out - be some of the first to shop this exciting new event!

 

Mark Your Calendars - November Events!

Get ready friends - November is busting at the seams with shopping events!

November 3rd-6th
First Monday Trade Days
Canton, Texas

November 5th
Holiday Open House
5:00-7:00pm
When Pigs Fly
Golden Triangle Mall
Denton, Texas

November 5th & 6th
Grand Opening of Treasure Spotters Market!
9:00-5:00
401 E. Virginia
McKinney, Texas

November 10th-13th
Neath the Wreath
presented by the Junior League of Collin County
Plano Centre
Plano, Texas

November 12th & 13th
Buchanan's Market
Dallas Market Center - North Hall
Dallas, Texas

November 16th-19th
Christmas in the Country
Preview Party on the 16th
17th-19th 8:00-5:00
Gresham Barn
Flint, Texas

November 16th-19th
Mistletoe & Magic
presented by the Junior League of Tyler
Harvey Convention Center
Tyler, Texas

November 16th-19th
Chi Omega Christmas Market
Dallas Convention Center
Dallas, Texas

November 18th-20th
Third Monday Trade Days
McKinney, Texas

November 25th & 26th
Old Red Lumberyard Junk Market
600 E. Louisiana
McKinney, Texas

November 26th & 27th
Buchanan's Vintage Market
Lake Pointe Shopping Center
2460 S. Stemmons (I-35)
Lewisville, Texas

November 26th & 27th
City Wide Garage Sale
Palmer Events Center
Austin, Texas

Whew! And we've got Thanksgiving in there too - have an extra slice of Southern Pecan Pie for energy!

Updates to the Laundry Room

Our laundry room is basically a long narrow hallway that leads from the garage to the kitchen (very difficult to photograph long, narrow spaces). 

A few years ago we added beadboard to the wall along one side.  Our dog's crate took up one big corner in the space.  We couldn't add the beadboard where her crate was because it literally wouldn't fit - her crate really didn't fit either but we sort of forced it - as in had to remove the baseboard to get it in!  So, a year or so ago our dog suddenly decides she no longer wants to spend her days in the crate which she previously loved.

I finally moved the crate out and called in my beloved painter to add beadboard in that corner.  And since he was coming could he please paint the beadboard and the walls.  I went with Sherwin Williams Ancient Marble on the walls and I LOVE it.  These pictures don't do the color justice.

You may recognize what is now occupying that corner.   Remember the great typewriter stand from this post? 

The room is lighter and brighter.  I really wanted to keep it simple so a bunch of my previous decor didn't go back into the space.

Now, if you are looking at these pictures and thinking to yourself "it looks pretty full of decor if you ask me" - just take a look at all the items that didn't make the cut:

Yes, I have enough to outfit a couple more laundry rooms!

Isn't it amazing how clean spaces feel with a fresh coat of paint?  I'm loving my updated laundry room!

It all began with a fifty-cent purchase

A few weeks ago I picked up this old book at a garage sale for fifty-cents.  The cover was missing and I didn't even look inside to see the title.  I bought it with plans to make a book-page wreath.

I pulled the book out last night because I needed a few book pages for a little project I was working on.  I opened it up and saw this:

I know it's hard to read - it says HOMES OF AMERICAN AUTHORS, DATED 1854.

It includes chapters on authors such as Bryant, Emerson, Longfellow, Hawthorne and many more.  The most amazing part is that the book has illustrations of the breathtaking homes!

These pages are on a thicker paper and show their age beautifully.











I wanted to make some type of art using these illustrations and I came up with this:

I embellished the corners of the old window with these half-spindles that I painted:



I'm trying to decide if I might want to embellish further - perhaps with antique lace and buttons...I'll keep you posted!