Estate sale goodies

"Oops!.... I did it again "   I'm not a Britney Spears fan but that's what popped into my head as I drove over 3 hours to Durham to attend a great primitive estate sale!  Gosh I really wish I could have met the collector because she had such great taste and her pieces were just gorgeous but sadly she passed away at a very young age (59).  I did meet one of her friends who said she was an amazing woman and everyone that ever met her loved her.  I hope people say nice things like that about me when I'm gone or at least love my collections half as much as I did.  Seriously I spent 2 hours at her home just wandering around petting all her lovely things and managed to pick up some wonderful things. 

Just look at this egg storage cabinet.  Now I love all things chicken as you know so there was no way this wasn't coming home with me.

Drying rack which will hold my coverlets beautifully

 This sweet cutlery carrier which isn't an antique but a very well made reproduction will house our dinner napkins for now.

And how could I leave without these coverlets.  I swear these need to be my last ones in my collections as I have more than enough but......well we all know how hard it is to stop so I can't promise anything.  I did leave 2 others there but they were sold by the time I left. 

This is my first signed one and I swear I was swooning when I saw it.  It's been reinforced to help stabilize but that appears to have happened quite some time ago.

It was well worth the drive and here's a peek at what didn't come home with me.  Told ya she had a great eye and had quality pieces.....sigh.  But I'm very happy with my purchases and enjoyed my time chatting with the estate sale team and fellow collectors. 

 

I did it myself!

Mark was away for 10 days so I had a lot of home projects that I wanted to accomplish while he was gone.  I'm really handy after being his assistant for 29 years I'm managed to pick up a few skills and utube fills in anything I might have forgotten.  I started with a little shopping, a lot of ironing, painting and finally the fun part putting it altogether.  Best of all no injuries which is always challenging for me especially when it involves ladders. LOL!  So without further ado the unveiling

Master bedroom was painted, changed ceiling fan light fixtures and new curtains along with some small changes.

Before

After:

Now for the big project....the living room.....let's see changed ceiling fan lighting, removed track lighting (shudder), removed extra wooden pieces from mantle and painting....lots and lots of painting.  I used cabinet paint which was the correct choice but dang it took forever to get to dry.  I still need to wax it but it's suppose to "cure" for a month before I do it.

Before:

After but still not quite right.  Mark hated it because it was so dark according to him.  Then my neighbor stopped by and in discussing it he suggested adding some up lighting to the back of the cabinet.  That might work so off I went to the home improvement store the next day.

Instead I found this black art lighting and knew it was the perfect solution.  It provides down lighting, blends perfectly so it's really not noticeable and best of all, I could install it myself.  I just had to make some modifications to the mounting brackets but with the right tools that was no problem.

Finally I had bought this amazing crewel work piece from my friend Rhonda and my original plan was to make a valance for the stair case landing windows.  Instead I realized the colors were perfect for the living room so I folded it for right now and draped it on the sofa.  Now to paint the living room  next month when Mark leaves again.  He actually likes this pale green color and the darker green accent wall but I hate it. 

You can't even see most of the changes I made but I see them everyday and I'm really pleased with them.  So that's it guys and gals for now so do something today that makes you happy!

Happy 29th Anniversary to us

So this week Mark has been in Europe and will be for another 5 days so I've been making the most of my time.   Lots of rearranging, fluffing and home improvement projects but those are for another post. 

Before Mark left on his trip I found a primitive local auction house and conned him into stopping by for the preview.  He just couldn't see anything worth staying for so I ran him back home then drove 95 to nothing to get back in time for the start.  I also might have mentioned that he was going to be gone for our 29th wedding anniversary so buying a special piece would be a nice gesture.  LOL!  There were a lot of people but I met some really nice people and I plan on being there every time the doors are open.....of course!  There was just so many awesome things but unfortunately some went for more than I wanted to spend since I had spotted a pie safe that just had to come home with me and of course it was offered later in the evening.  I have wanted a pie safe for the last 30 years but just never found the right one at the right time but this time the stars all aligned.   So here is in the dining room and I love it!!!!!  All it took was a quick swipe of murphy's oil soap and then it was decorating time.   Mark's not crazy about the doors being open so I have comprised and keep one door shut....hey that's a huge comprise for me!   I have promised Mark that no more furniture will come in unless something else goes out so I have to sell my dry sink that I had in the dining room but this home is smaller so editing collections is a good thing.

I was also able to snap up this pine bench and it looks great on the staircase or at least for the moment that's where it is residing.   Oh and the basket below it came from the auction as well. 

I did some rearranging and managed to finally get my small cabinet hung.  I love it because it shows off my sheep beautifully and it was a dead area before at the area between the kitchen hallway and garage. 

Ok next post will be the big home improvement addition while Mark was away.  Do something today that makes you smile my friends.

Thrifty Thursday

The thrifting gods have been smiling on me lately and I'm on a roll that I hope doesn't end any time soon.  LOL!

First one of my best scores ever.....my first Stone fruit $10 for all at GW.  Notice I said my first because I've heard that stone fruit is very addicting. 

Then this sewing cabinet that I'd love to get more info on.  It still has a few spools of thread in the box but I'm having a hard time dating it.  Any ideas from y'all? 

I've picked up several platters of this Currier and Ives pattern Blue from the 50's/60's and I just love it. The pieces that I've been lucky enough to pick up have all been under $3 each so this may also become a new collection but it will be one that I can use.

And even though I didn't buy any of the next items I got a chance to revisit my childhood last week while shopping with my friend Carla at the flea markets.  My younger cousin, Stephen loved Hong Kong Phooey

 Santa brought my brother Jeff this horse one year for Christmas

He also brought me and my younger cousin Donnie and Marie dolls one year

One of my favorite gifts ever was this Barbie Camper complete with the pop out tent!  Oh how I loved that camper

My best friend Donna had this game and I really loved playing it at her house

Well that's it for thrifty Thursday so hope y'all do something today that makes you smile.  As for me maybe I'll head back and play a round of Mystery Date ;)