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Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Trash Transformation

As my husband and I headed out the other night to run a few errands, I spied something by the side of the road. There were two boxy looking things but we sped on by. On the way home I suggested we drive slowly past and check out what had been discarded and left in the gutter. Not one, but two kitchen cabinet drawers were abandoned on the roadside! Of course, I rescued them and here is what they became... 


The drawer front unscrewed easily from the box frame.  I put on a couple of coats of paint, first a creamy taupe followed by mustard yellow. After a little distressing and a smidge of  rubbed on stain I applied a beehive graphic and the words "Lavender Honey" in French. 

 Voila! My honey bee crate! 

For project #2 I filled in the screw holes on the drawer front and used the same paint colors. The Bon Appetit graphic is courtesy of  The Graphics Fairy.  Then I added a couple of hooks to hang it with.

Two projects for free! Right now the crate is the centerpiece on my dining room table, but I'm sure both of these will be making their way to my antique store soon.
Now, what shall I do with the other drawer?
I'll be joining


Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Flea Market Fun


Have you ever been to the Long Beach Antique Market? It's one of the largest regular flea markets in the country. I hadn't been for years, but a friend's wedding took us to California last weekend so of course we included the market in our itinerary!

 The Long Beach Antique Market is held the 3rd Sunday of every month and hundreds of vendors bring their wide assortment of wares for sale. 

There was so much to drool over - ironstone, 

mercury glass, 

 French bottle rack (I really want one of these someday!)

 grain sack pillows, 

shabby furniture (that's me taking my own picture).


Of course I bought silver, lots of it! 


And I was so happy to find some demi johns 
at a reasonable price.

I also found some pewter and a few other trinkets. All of these will be making an appearance in my store this week. Come see me at  Merchant Square  booth #20.
And if you get the chance, visit the Long Beach Antique Market. Read more about it HERE.


Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Garden Cloche


 We've been having quite a cold snap here in Arizona. the temperatures have been below freezing for several nights in a row. I realize this is nothing compared to most of the country, but it is still enough to harm our tender garden plants! Throughout my neighborhood shrubs and flowers are draped with sheets and burlap to protect their leaves from the bitter chill. 


Yesterday I shared a post about my little bird's nest under a cloche. Cloches have become such a fun home decor item. Many of us have several on hand and fill them with ornaments, flowers, candy, candles, you name it! Marty over at  A Stroll Through Life even hosts regular "Cloche Parties". But of course, their original purpose was to be used in the garden! Cloche means "bell" in French and they create a mini greenhouse  intended to cover and protect young seedlings. So I toted my largest cloche out to the herb garden and set it over my cilantro. The sun warmed things up nicely during the day and so far has kept the frost out at night. 


 The rest of the garden is shivering under beach towels! I fear my cherry tomatoes are goners :( 

I found this lovely post about the history of cloches along with some great photos. Check out Barbara at It's About Time to learn more!
I hope you and your gardens are staying warm!
I'll be joining


Monday, January 14, 2013

Bloggers Block

My hat is off to all of you regular bloggers who frequently post fun and inspirational ideas! You've all heard of "Writer's Block"? Well, I'm afraid I've had a case of "Blogger's Block". I haven't posted an update since mid December, what with children and grandchildren staying with us, holiday activities and parties, work, Church responsibilities, putting away Christmas, cleaning everything - in other words LIFE! 

So the best I could come up with is my little bird's nest in a cloche. I found the cloche a couple of months ago out thrift shopping. I think it may have originally been for a clock. I still have a few nests left over from my daughter's wedding last June so I perched one atop an old candlestick and made a tag to nestle in with the egg. Even though it is frigid in most of the country this is a tiny reminder that Spring will be here before you know it!