Facelifting the 80's

Remember dark wood, 80's furniture like this?

SOLD!

She had the right lines, so my sweet hubs began the process of sanding, staining, and basically giving something old and ugly a facelift.
Here's the finished product! Painted in Old White.....
who'd of thought the 80's could look so good? A closer look...


She's sitting pretty in my booth right now....and for sale, btw!

Hennants Wax - Dark

I wish I had a "before" picture of this chair. I found her at a yard sale....a little pricey...but she was a true antique. I almost didn't want to paint her. But I took the ol' trusty Anne Sloan Old White and painted away......

I then sealed it with a coat of Hennants Dark Wax. It was my first time to use the dark.........when I opened the can, I thought, " whoa.....that's dark."

But she went on beautifully, I think. I didn't coat 100%. Left a few areas bare or barely waxed.

She's got legs....She knows how to use them!

Beautiful job Hennants!

Full Garage Equals....

LOTS to do.

I'm super excited about some upcoming redo's, but I'm feeling a little claustrophobic.

I've got to find a cure though because refurbishing little beauties like this....

....is just gonna be a blast! I can't wait to show before & afters!

Here's a true before & after. My hubs scored these little guys on the side of the road.

No one wanted them! Shhhaawwww 'nuf. I did.
New vs. the old.
New wins.

It's all in the details....

Another little beauty almost finished....

A coat of paint on "the littles" .....


My right arm muscles are definitely getting a workout. My left arm muscles are jealous....

Featured Artist - The Lead Cup

If you visit my booth at Winnie & Tululah's, you'll see a bevy of paintings on canvas created by my sister-in-law, Molly, of The Lead Cup. The one above is my favorite....whimsical, nature inspired, and earthy. Love, Love.

There's no end to talent here......visit her website to see more!

I Bet You've Never....

....gone junkin' at a wedding. I did. I'm not ashamed.....

This past weekend, my hubs married his 5th couple to date. The service was at a gorgeous bed & breakfast, complete with a gorgeous plantation home next to it, complete with a gorgeous "garage sale" sign on the property. This gal got truckin'. (We got there early, why not?)

I have to say, even though I was late to the yard party, someone really missed out. I scored this 12 foot vintage door, chippy paint and all.......talk about love, love! My hubs will be the lovely one to turn this into a table for some gorgeous farmhouse (okay...word overusage alert.)

I Heart Chippy Paint

I'll be showing you a table pretty soon!

The Hardest Project

I work at a Title I school district, and every year, the absolute hardest "project" is crazily enough...not TAKS.....not Alamo re-creations....it's Mother's Day. That's no lie. Mother's Day.

Year after year, it's sad to say that most students don't live with their parents. Grandmothers, aunts, relatives.....not mothers. Or, their version of "quality time" with their mother is watching tv. Or watching their parents sleep. Creating a Mother's Day poem with specific memories about their mom is a heart-wrenching task. I can't tell you how many times I've asked a child what 'a special memory with their mother' has been, only to have a reply....."the time she bought me ___". That's it. No homemade cookie moments. No back scratches.

This past weekend, my family took time out from the craziness of this past week, to enjoy each other. We went to the Children's Park in Tyler, Texas, which is an area built and dedicated to children whose lives were lost too early. It's such a strangely peaceful place.

God's presence is tangible.

One inscribed quote read, " Each day we make deposits in the memory banks of our children." - Author Unknown.

I pray my girl's memory banks are full of love, hugs, tender moments, and sincere conversation.

We love these two so much.

The "Littles" Matter

I'm learnin' a lot these days. Shannon at Vintage Restyled gave me some valuable advice before my booth opened...she said, 'Make sure you have inventory to replace sold items, so you aren't having to scramble'. Good advice. Wish I had taken it!

I got to my booth after day one and it already looked bare! Good problem, I know, but 1) I learned a little about pricing......and 2) I learned that the "littles" matter. One lamp sold, and boom! that section looked very dim and drab. One chair sold and suddenly, the table next to it looked barren.

So, yes....I got to work. I finished these pieces quick and reset my booth....whew!

I actually made this sign! It was my first attempt at creating a vintage-looking sign......after scoring some great pieces of old oak at a really junky garage sale, I turned one into a rather cute little piece.....hopefully someone will want it to hang in their kitchen! : )

Probably the best thing that has come from this whole experience is 1) knowing that God will provide the energy and resources I need and 2) meeting some incredibly wonderful women, shining with the light of God's beauty........Jodi at Gresham Barn Sale.....Rhonda at Mavis & Harriet.....you all rock. Thanks for taking time with a 'newbie' like me! And most of all....thanks to my husband. Without your constant encouragement and promises of 'you enjoy being my delivery man'.....I don't think I could've made it this week.