Thursday, April 26, 2012

Granny's Rocker

My youngest son who love to curb shop and find garage sale items for me come home bearing this rocker a few weeks ago.  It was weathered gray from sitting on someone's porch and wasn't very appealing.  It looked to me like a rocker for Granny to sit and rock in on the porch while she shelled peas.  So what better color to paint her than Granny Apple Green.

 The green spruced her up quite nicely but I thought most of us need a little cushion to sit on to rest our weary bones.  Then I remembered some fabric in my stash that I used to make a baby quilt.
Hot pink and Granny Apple Green frogs having a Frog Frolic what could be more fun.  Would you like to come sit on the porch with me and try her out.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

In The Shade

Every year I try to expand one of my flower beds or create a new one so I have less lawn and more flowers.  In the spring of 2010 I added a large area to one of the shady gardens.  The photo below is the garden in April 2010.  A few tulips popped up from a fall planting but not much else is in place yet.



The photo below is April 2012 and I think the garden has filled in beautifully.  But the amazing thing to me is what our nonexistent winter has done for the plants in this area.  This is usually what the garden would look like in late May or early June.
 One of my favorite plants in this shady spot is the Columbine.  I had no idea it was such a hardy reseeder.  My one regret is they don't stand up to our summer heat.  They die back in the heat but pop up their pretty heads again in the spring.  I always enjoy seeing where a new one blooms.
Hope everyone is enjoying their spring and having some time in the garden.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Lady in White

My youngest daughter called a couple of days ago and ask if I wanted her to buy a coffee table she found at the thrift store to make over for my booth. It has great lines she went on to say and it even has a drawer.   Of course I said yes.  Remember those maple coffee tables that had a railing at each end with spindles that were so popular during the 50's.



I removed the rail and the spindles.  Patched all the holes with wood filler and sanded.  Then pondered what color to paint her.  I have been doing well selling bright colors such as lime green and turquoise so that was the direction I was headed.  


But the more I looked at her curvey lines I thought this little lady needs to be dressed in white and perhaps a little shabby.


 So I brushed on a couple of coats of Annie Sloan Old White.  Waxed her well and distressed just a little.  Than I distressed just a little more.  But I love how she turned out. Almost hate to tell you she cost $9.95.  I will have to send my daughter shopping more often.

I am going to hop over and join Treasure Hunt Thursday at From My Front Porch To Yours why don't you drop also and check and the fun things these ladies do.

Monday, April 16, 2012

They Are Early

It's amazing from this little bud springs such beauty.
All of the flowers are blooming so early this year I almost don't have time to enjoy them.  On Sunday morning I looked out to see the Peonys had popped open.

Usually we never see these pretty ladies until Mother's Day or closer to Memorial Day.

The white ones opened first so can't wait for the pink and red.  I will share with you as soon as they bloom. 

Friday, April 13, 2012

Blue Mood

I promised to share with you some of my adopted pieces once I had worked magic on them.  This desk is a curb side find from my son.  The top was the plastic laminate finish found on many pieces of furniture of this era. The finish was in sad shape and it looked like it had lots of history.
I painted it with Annie Sloan Aubusson Blue chalk paint.  Aubusson Blue is a beautiful deep gray blue that has so much depth.  I have talked about chalk paint on my blog before so I won't go into detail except to say it requires no sanding or priming. I finished it with a hand rubbed clear wax finish.  I applied three coats of wax to the top and then just buffed with an old T shirt.  I was amazed by the depth of the shine.  Check out how the objects on the desk are reflected in the top.   There is lots of information on the internet about Annie Sloan chalk paint if you want to know more about chalk paint.    Or,  if you are interested I can share more of my thoughts and experience with chalk paint with you here.



I painted the original brass hardware with Annie Sloan Old White paint and then distressed them a little so some metal show through. 




The white hardware makes a lovely contrast to the dark blue paint.

It did have little wooden knobs on the top drawers but I changed them out for white ceramic knobs and I think it looks much better.

Certainly no reason to be in a Blue Mood if you look this good.

I am going to join the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Party over at Shades Of Amber.  Why don't you pop over and check out all the great pieces painted with Annie Sloan paint.  Those girls have some great inspiration pieces.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Adoption

As you all have probably noticed I haven't spent much time blogging lately.  My life has been so busy something has to receive less time and attention.  I decided to open a second antique booth in another small town close to Kansas City.  Keeping two booths stocked and pretty is very time consuming and I also have to find things to add to my booths.  One thing I have found while doing this is I love to adopt and restore orphan furniture. My youngest son has been aiding and abetting me in my quest by picking up curb side finds.  So I am not the only one responsible for all the adoptees on the front porch.


Since the only place I have store all this bounty is my front porch it now looks like a used furniture store.  With some pieces half finished and the rest waiting for my attention.

Really, they all do have potential for being beautiful, useful pieces that someone is going to love.  At least that is what I have been telling my hubby.  I thought he would he glad I am now adopting furniture instead of dogs.  At least you don't have to feed them or take them to vet.


I know it's hard to see the beauty in this piece.  But remember beauty is in the eye of the beholder.


Before it became furniture storage my front porch used to be decorated for every season.
 Spring saw her decked out in lime green.

On the 4th of July she shined.

In fall the oranges and golds glowed in the autum sunshine.

Some days I wonder if I am sane cluttering up my front porch  So I will be back soon to share some of my finished pieces with you and we can decide together. 

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Spring

Usually spring in the midwest is a shy little miss and arrives so softly one is awed by the first daffy and soon an eager tulip bursts into bloom.  Then the dogwood and lilacs will open and spring unfolds day by day.  After a mild, short winter this spring blew in to  town with gusto and made her presence known.  Flowers that usually don't bloom until late April or early May have already opened.  It seems as though every spring flower jumped up to to sing in harmony spring is here, spring is here.






With 80 degree days in March I have to wonder what summer will bring.  But for now I am just going to enjoy the beauty the Lord has sent and enjoy every blossom.  Have a Happy Easter and remember that Jesus died for us and rose again.