This Weeks Garaging Finds & A Question: Creepy or Cool?

Here's this weekend's haul! Fantastic finds! Let's take a look...

Clock: 2.00, Gumball machine: $5.00, Wire plant stand $4.00

Blue suitcase: 1.00, "Memories" blocks 2.00, 2 iron shoe forms (1 with stand) 1.00 for all, Blue glass candy dishes (new in box) .50 each, Oak frames 1.00 each, thermos' $2.00 each, black mirror $2.00, small frame and little pedestal $2.00 total.

Stack of antique books 1.00 each, Vintage Bingo game $1.00, Box of antique sheet music $5.00, Vintage school books .50 each, Price labels .50 and the "5" was part of the $2.00 deal in the above photo.

Set of 4 vintage metal trays $3.00, Set of blue boxes $3.00, small frame .50, roll of pressed ceiling tin paintable wallpaper $2.00.
Metal topped canning jars $5.00 for the set, Brown metal step stool (a steal for $2.00!) Monopoly game $1.00, little candy dish .50.
Two huge frames: $2.00 each
Set of french doors $10.00 (I need these for a wedding I'm working on) And now for the question: Creepy or Cool...
I picked up this bust of a little girl for $8.00 and I couldn't decide then if it was creepy or cool. The previous owner thought she would paint it all cream to get rid of the red coming through (road rash she called it) I'm afraid if it's painted one color, you may lose the details- Can I paint it cream and then apply a glaze? Or will the glaze get in the eyes and make them even more possessed? Let me know what your vote is. Love, Kelly.

Chalk Paint Experiment

For months I've been drooling over the hundreds of pieces of furniture redone with Anne Sloan's Chalk Paint out in blog land. I was disappointed to find that there are no retail sellers in Arizona. There are several in California near where my sister lives, so I thought I'd pick some up on my next trip out. However, a my dear trash reader contacted me (Thanks Michelle) and let me know I could make my own! When I found this table at a yard sale for $10 I knew it would be the perfect piece to experiment with...

Here's the after...

The recipe? 1 part plaster of paris, 2 parts paint, and water to thin it down. I wanted the piece to be a light gray- however, I did learn the plaster of paris really lightens the paint. It turned out a really really light gray (almost white) so I'll remember to go a little darker with the paint next time. Other than that it was a fantastic product to work with. It distressed beautifully and has a nice soft, smooth finish. Granted, I have never had the opportunity to use the real thing- but this will be a new technique I will try on some future pieces. Will I still pick up a few quarts when I'm out in the LA area? Absolutely! I'd love to hear if you've tried the Anne Sloan's chalk paint and if you've ever made your own. Let us know what you think. Love, Kelly.

A Day to Count my Blessings

Birthdays with Kelly go like this; we run off for half the day and play.

And we giggle and share and cry until we laugh all over again.

My birthday was in September, but Kelly patiently waited for me to have a free day so we could go do our celebrating.

Finally, the day arrived two months later, in November.  

Isn’t that life!

Pedicure, nachos with mango salsa and then Anthropologie.

Sometimes when things are really special and I’m overwhelmed with all the goodness in my life and I feel like I’m the luckiest girl in the world, something whispers inside me to count my blessings.

To look around, use my senses, smell how clean the air smells after rain, how decorations sparkle at Christmas time, how my little princess lights up when she smiles.

Cherish

Remember

Listen

Because I know life can change on a dime 

and if I don’t stop to smell the pine trees maybe the pine trees won’t be there next time I walk this path.

I remember when I held my very first child.  I was told “They grow up so fast.”

When you’re in the thick of it, time doesn’t go by fast at all.  

Time for a shower doesn’t come fast enough.

And there are days when it’s trying, challenging and downright dirty.

Some days, we swim in our underwear, backwards! and that's all right for today.

Because I turn around and look at my kids – literally changing right before my eyes.

Reef said to me last night “Mommy, I was sad when you were on the airplane because I missed you.”

I’ve been home from New York for almost a month, and he’s talking about how much he missed me now.  

I take him in my arms and kiss his soft little head and run my lips across his satin hair until he finally giggles.

Today, Payson asked me if I’d play kickball with him because “you never play with me anymore.”

We run in the grass, chasing after the ball.  Of course, I have the baby in my arms and the dog gets out only to run away and the water’s boiling on the stove for spaghetti dinner, but I played with my boy until he was begging me to stop.

Because I can't keep that boy still for a second

(photos courtesy from younger brother, Mayer)

and when my patience is tested, I need to remember I was once a child too who loved to jump on beds and do front flips (maybe not from the top of beds onto another bed across the room).

Eden wants to play with her dolls and read all day long.

She brings me books, places them in my lap and starts turning the pages. 

  “Momma,” she says, getting my attention to everything she points to with her tiny fingers, exploring and making doggy and kitty sounds, sitting in my lap, only to jump down again to get another book.

And I get that feeling again – that today I am so blessed.

Today I celebrated my mom's birthday

Today I welcome my sister's new little baby, Emma

Today my little children are my prize possessions

Today I appreciate my sweet husband who willingly dressed up as Edward Cullen for Halloween because I asked him too

and for friends who are precious
because the love I feel in my life can hardly fit inside my heart.

And I’m grateful, very grateful.
Linking up to:

This Weeks Garaging Finds!

It's still great garaging here in Arizona. Here's what I found this week...The metal framed fruit prints were $2.50 each, the retro clocks were .25 each, the wicker and iron urn was $2.00, the wood spools were $4.00 for the bag, the glass knobs with key plate were $4.00 and my favorite find- the antique black leather boots from the 1800's. A bit of a splurge at $15.00 but these will go into my Halloween decor for some fun witch vignette next year.
I also picked up this huge thick canvas for $5.00 and the pillow covers for $1.00 each.
I was sold out of scrabble pieces at the shop- so I was super excited to find 3 sets of 100 this weekend. Also two specialty monopoly games for $1.00 each.
This turquoise cork board frame was just $4.00, the mirror was $2.00.
This picture doesn't do this lamp justice! It not only looks great, but it provides the best light for when I'm listing on ebay. Since I've turned 40 it seems my vision has gone a little blurry- Now I have some concentrated light so I can read the size and materials tags- and all for just $10.00. What'd you find this weekend? Love to hear from you. Love, Kelly.

Something’s were meant to be white

Something’s have to be white, like:

A white Snowmen, or should I say snow person, I do want to be politically correct.

White Marshmallows, but not always.

White Paper, for printing off a resume or research paper.

If a white shirt isn’t crisp white, I don’t want it anymore.  Nothing’s worse then a dingy white shirt.

A White wedding dress.

An angel's White wings.

What about this beautiful Armoire with the French curvy legs?

I love it.

I listed it on craigslist as-is, but not a single call.

The moment I first laid eyes on it at the thrift store, I new it was meant to be white.  I could see it in my mind.  I would be the one to bring this piece of trash to its potential, to make it shine and reach its glory.

I used an heirloom white (Kelly's favorite), a creamy white with a hint of ivory.

A bit of distressing and I loved how it turned out.

I’ve re-listed it on craigslist and I’m curious to see if it sells now that it's painted white.

Now, this amazing retro credenza is such a funky piece of furniture, but is it meant to be white?

A client of mine wanted to purchase it and she requested I paint it a white.

A few days later, she changed her mind and no longer wanted it because she didn’t have the room, but I still thought I’d paint it white and use it in my living room.  

It seemed like a great idea.
White paint makes everything look better, right?

Mid-century furniture does not look good painted white.

No, no, no.
Mid-century furniture does not look good when it's distressed and stained.

I'm not sure what it is, but the white seems to wash it out.  It's no longer funky, it's calming and that's not the direction I wanted to go with this.
This credenza begs for a color that's loud and in your face.
What do you think?

I’m a bit worn-out to re-do it.

My mother-in-law came over and looked at it.  I asked her advice.  She told me furniture was not white in the 1950's because the 1950's were about rock n' roll.
What color is rock n' roll anyway?  I wonder.

Maybe next year I’ll paint it some funky mint green or a jazzy blue.

So, what about this antique wood cabinet?

What color should I paint it?