Another Project Completed

I was on Pinterest a while back (weird, I know) and I pinned this amazing idea

Pinterest

Ever since we built our house, the towel bar in Alex's bathroom has never stayed attached.  He always just flings his towels over the shower bar and it drives me CRAZY!  I thought this would be a brilliant alternative to a towel bar.

So last weekend, Maddie and I found this old cabinet door for a dollar at an estate sale

I applied two coats of Ace paint in Cucumber Salad semi-gloss

 Then Maddie and I sanded it with 120 grit sandpaper all over. After that, I wiped on then wiped off Minwax Wood Finish Stain in Ebony. 

 Then we sanded it again. 



Turned out pretty good, don't you think?

 

Then my husband added a little hook in the middle and hung it up in Alex's bathroom (Blogger is being stupid right now and won't let me add the last picture.  But you get the idea).

 

One thing that I learned while doing this project is that a little wood stain goes a looooooooong way so don't be afraid to buy the small can.

 

Pinterest is dangerous......

 

Until next time.....

 

Erica

 

 

 



New Prizes & a Pyrex Trick

Hi everyone, a very exhausted Hanna here.  It has been a busy week with my birthday and then my first two days back to work for the school year.  I wish I could say I am like all those cute teachers on their blogs, sharing their secrets and excitement for the new school year.  I'm more like the teacher that has no idea what she is teaching and drinks too much wine in the evenings.  I will snap out of it, but right now I'm bitter summer is over.

Well, moving on.  I bought myself a few little goodies for my birthday.  First, I got this cute little pitcher at the antique mall here in town.  I can't wait for Sister to visit so we can use it!

Next, I headed across the river to a huge antique mall that I sometimes like to visit.  I searched the whole place and didn't find a single thing I needed or wanted believe it or not.  As I was walking out I caught a glimpse of the words, "Wisconsin," and was lucky to find a souvenir table cloth.  I know Sister collects these, but if there was one other state I would live in, it would definitely be Wisconsin, so I had to have it.  (Sorry for the wrinkly shot)

Now to the tale of the Pyrex trick.  When the husband and I got home from my b-day adventures there was a package in the mailbox wrapped in newspaper.  Attached was the nicest note from my friend telling me I didn't look a day over 20 and how he found this Pyrex bowl (442 pink Goosberry) while thrifting in Boston.  

Now, I should have known right then that this was suspicious.  First, he never thrifts.  Second, all he does is pick on me about Pyrex, but I was too excited to think clearly.  I raved to Sister and Husband about how I loved the bowl and it was such a nice gift.  Then Husband showed me my Pyrex display.

What is that?  A missing bowl in my pink Gooseberry set?  I was so excited I didn't even think that my friend was sneaky enough to wrap up one of my pieces.  I couldn't be mad, because it was a really good trick.  Instead, I've decided that periodically both him and Husband should wrap up my Pyrex and give it to me as gifts.  I mean, do I really know all the pieces I have?  No way, it just happened he chose to wrap a piece I recently purchased and displayed, so it was clearly missing when it was finally pointed out to me.  Now, if you got in my cupboard and pulled a piece out, I would probably have no idea that it was something I already owned.  I think this may be a sign I have a problem.

One more day to get my classroom ready, then next Tuesday I can officially turn my sanity over to middle schoolers.  Pray for me.

~Sister Hanna

The Last Week

It's the last full week of summer vacation and I purposely planned nothing.  No appointments, no projects, and no plans.  It's been so nice to just laze around, enjoying the last few days of non-chaos before the school year starts.  I hope all of you are taking a few moments to do the same:-)
 
Want to see what I've picked up lately? Well, of course you do!

I managed to do a little antiquing while we were in Vegas last week.  You may wonder who in the world antiques while they are in Las Vegas.  Seriously, we go about 3 times a year so sometimes it's nice to take a little break from all the chaos of The Strip.  I found these 3 Swanky Swigs at an antique mall for $2.50 apiece.  They weren't even on sale!  That is the cheapest I have ever seen them in an antique store.  These were also patterns I didn't already have.  Sister, don't be mad at me about the little orange puppy glass.  I will find you one, I promise!

I went to an estate sale that was for a lady who had a huge booth at one of my favorite antique malls.  She had recently passed away and her son and husband were having the sale.  She had quite a collection of vintage lunchboxes and this is one that I picked up.  I am going to have one heck of a 4th of July display next year!

I also picked up these old lunchboxes.  Aren't they so cute?  I have the picnic basket that goes with the yellow and black plaid one.

What do you all think of the quilt I picked up for Miss Maddie's bed?  I don't know too much about quilts but I'm pretty sure this isn't all that old.  It is handmade and in perfect condition and only set me back 10 bucks. Not a bad price, huh? 

I got these ornaments at the same sale as the quilt.  There were about 20 grab bags of ornaments and each bag was $1.00.  This was the lone bag of vintage ornaments mixed in with a bunch of bags of Walmart ones.  Lucky me!

I think Maddie almost has me conned into doing a little back to school shopping today. Better late than never, right?

I'm also going to head over to Rednesday to link up and check out what all is going on in the world of reds.

Until next time....

Erica

A Crazy Project Weekend-Part 1

Hi There!

Remember on Saturday when I blogged about all the little projects that I had hoped to get done over the weekend?  Well, with the help of my amazingly willing husband, we completed all but one.  This was easily the most productive project weekend that we have had since we built our house!

Project #1

 

I found this awesome old cabinet on Friday at an estate sale.  I didn't even get there until 2 hours after it started and I couldn't believe that someone hadn't already grabbed it.  I had the perfect place in mind for it....above the toilet in my bathroom. Normally I wouldn't paint something like this because I do tend to love the rustic look but this poor cabinet had paint splatters all over it and the door was pretty tacky.

 

I suggest to anybody who plans on doing a lot of furniture painting to invest in a paint sprayer.  I picked up a Wagner Pro on clearance at Lowes for $44.00 and it took my husband about 10 minutes to completely paint this whole cabinet.  The only thing I would suggest is to buy your paint in larger quantities because this sprayer really throws it on.  It is definitely better for bigger projects.  We used Valspar Signature satin in Sea Breath.  I lightly distressed it and re-attached the original hinges and cute little bird knob. The hinges were in pretty bad shape so my husband just used a heavy brush to remove the rust but we left the bird knob original.  I love the rusty look it has.

I think it turned out perfect!

Watch for what else we managed to accomplish!

Until next time...

Erica

Happy Birthday, Hanna!

Happy 26th Birthday to my very best friend in the whole world! 

I love you, Sister!

A (Hopefully) Productive Day

So my husband and I had agreed that we were going to work out in the yard today.  But that was before I found an awesome wall cabinet at an estate sale yesterday that I am dying to paint and get hung.  And while we are doing that, we may as well paint that dresser I picked up a few weeks ago, and hang the new "headboard" (more on that later) I got at a sale down the road.  Oh well, there is always tomorrow right?

But before I do anything, I thought I'd have a little fun and share some cute stuff with all of you

Remember the tablecloth I posted about last week that I found at the thrift shop while in Washington with Sister and BFF?  Well, this is the other one I picked up at the same time.  It set me back a whole 2 bucks and was absolutely filthy.  Probably the worst tablecloth I've ever bought.  I've said it before and I'll say it again.....OXY CLEAN!

I picked up all of these things at a dirty little sale on the side of the street downtown.  I am not sure exactly what possessed me to stop.  Oh, I know.  I AM AN ADDICT!

So you know that it is not a good thing when you get to an estate sale that promises tons of vintage treasures and 60 years accumulation and you see dealers walking out with nothing.  This sale made our most expensive antique mall look like a church ran thrift store.  The prices were ridiculous.  They had an entire room full of Fenton glass that was actually being guarded by three people.  You should have seen the looks of panic on their faces when Maddie and I tried to go into it.  She's 10 people, not 2.  She knows not to touch.  Anyway, the house was full of amazing things but this is all got.  My most favorite thing is the Magic Touch ice tray. Have you seen how much those go for?  This one was only a quarter. 

If they are cheap enough, I will normally grab vintage greeting cards.  I just need to figure out what to do with them without actually using them as greeting cards.  Pinterest, here I come! The Trick or Treat Cooky Cutter set was from Sister to Maddie.  It will be perfect in our Halloween decorations.

These Atlas jars are the perfect shape and size to drink out of.  I got these on our girls trip. Sister said she was going to "borrow" a couple from me for some new Vodka drink that she has been making.  Well, maybe if she would make me one of those fancy new drinks, I'd give her some.

So to give you all an idea as to how serious I am about being productive today, I haven't even allowed myself to look on Craigslist or in the paper for sales.  That's pretty serious, huh?

Time to get moving!

I will be linking up over at Pink Saturday, Thrift Share Monday, and Flea Market Finds.  Check them out!

Until next time.....

Erica

I Need a Routine!

I hate to say this, but I am getting pretty excited for school to start.  I miss the routine.  It's too easy to sit around all morning on the computer drinking coffee, obsessively prowling Pinterest for DIY ideas that I will never get around to in this lifetime.  Before you know it, it's almost noon and I haven't even made a dent in my day.  I am an early morning type of gal.  I normally can accomplish 90% of what I need to do by 10 am.  If I have something to get up for, like the kids going to school, I have no choice but to get my butt  moving.  Oh well, they don't call it The Lazy Days of Summer for nothing, right?

Ok, enough rambling about my lack of motivation.  Here is what you really stopped by to see

I adore vintage jewelry (who doesn't?).  But I rarely get a chance to check it out at estate sales because the cases are normally 3 or 4 deep with people.  I got lucky while in line the other day when the girl ahead of me decided against this.  Why in the world would you decide against this?  It is real sterling silver & turquoise FOR $3!!!!

I normally don't go to sales that started the day prior.  I believe that most of the good stuff is gone within the first 2 hours.  But this sale was right next door to another one that I was at so I stopped by real quick. Glad I did.  I got this awesome cake carrier for 75 cents.  It's not marked but I wonder if it's Lustro Ware.

Ever since I found my Arizona tray at Goodwill a while back, I have been on the lookout for the rest of the states.  I found Oregon, Idaho, & South Dakota at the same sale as the turquoise necklace. Not exactly sure what I am going to do with all of them. I just want them.  Does that make me a hoarder?

I have really wanted to start collecting old metal picnic baskets but unlike bread boxes, they are really hard to come by.  This is only the second one I have ever found.  Maybe that's a good thing.

I got this tablecloth on the last day of the Piccadilly Flea Market for 50% off.  The best part about it is that it is HUGE.  It actually fits my monstrous farm table.

Oh how I wish that vintage Halloween was as easy to come across as vintage Christmas!  My collection is slowly growing.  I found these Beistle decorations at an estate sale but I am not sure if they are old or just reproductions.  In either case, I can't wait to use them!

So today I decided is a no work day.  I plan on cleaning up a dresser that I recently bought and spray painting a side table for my bedroom.  My husband is normally the spray painter but he has zero time for projects right now. Being in the HVAC industry during the heat of Summer leaves no time for the fun stuff.  Poor guy.

Until next time.....

Erica

Just in Time

Whew...made it back from Vegas just in time for Rednesday!  We had a great time but I missed Sister desperately.  That's okay though since we are all heading back in October!

I know, I know, another bread box.  But it's red!  I bought this from a "Hoarders estate sale".  The guy really knew his stuff and had it priced pretty well for an antique mall, but this was a yard sale!  Lucky for me, this breadbox was unmarked and he was out putting up signs so his sweet little old lady mother was holding down the fort.  When I asked her how much, she said "$3.00?".  I paid and left before her son got back.  The bonus was that inside the breadbox were about 15 zinc lids for old mason jars.  Don't you love it when that happens?

Here it is on my back patio along with an old red toolbox I picked up for a quarter and some of my growing enamelware collection.  It's pretty sad when you have to start decorating your back patio because you are running out of places in your house.

Some more random reds I've picked up here and there. The round cutter with the red handle has a middle part that you can remove so you can make things with holes cut out of the middle.  Did you know that one of my newest collections are antique souvenir drinking glasses?  I got this Montana one last weekend on table at a garage sale where everything was a quarter. That's also where I got the shaker, the cookbook and the rest of the cookie cutters. 

I also got this little Made in Japan rooster shaker on the quarter table and this lonely little kissing cowgirl at Goodwill. I searched everywhere but couldn't find her mate.

Lucky for her I had a smooching dutch pepper shaker also without his mate.  I think they make a pretty cute couple!

I don't sew but I still couldn't pass up this set of three 49 Star American Flags.  The instructions say "Simply cut out and sew".  When it comes to me and sewing, there is no simply involved.  But I'm not sure if I want to pass these on to my Mother in Law to put together or keep them in the package.  What do you think?  And I got this Colgate Shaving Mug Soap in the original box out of the free box at the same sale.  I love old advertising!

And last but certainly not least is this Pyrex 1 quart 473 red casserole dish with lid that I got for 2 bucks.  I think  that it is part of the Friendship Bake Serve & Store set. 

I love Vegas but I am sure happy to be back.  There is definitely something to be said for routine.  Only a couple of more weeks until back to school and then a whole new routine starts.  What happened to Summer?  Better enjoy it while it lasts!

Until next time....

Erica

Pyrex Luck is in the Air

Well, I figure that since I can't get lucky in Vegas (this is the first year in 6 that I've missed Vegas in August with Sister, so sad,) I should at least share my ridiculous luck on the Pyrex front.  I've had two different purchases in the last month that absolutely blow my mind.

First, when in Snohomish on our girls weekend we saw a TON of beautiful Pyrex.  I know I already shared my splurge purchases, but I kept one little beauty to share with you today.  I don't know if you guys are like me, but I check the price on all the Pyrex in the antique malls.  It is always interesting to see what people value pieces at, and at times so entertaining.  I mean, a 401 Spring Blossom for $58, really?!?  So in the same mall that my Sister got her beautiful Fire King Red Dot Bowls, I found a little gem.  Now, Sister got an amazing price, but I think I did to.  Have you ever seen Pyrex Balloons for $6?

I guess checking prices pays off.  I'm pretty sure Sister and I were both glowing with glee the rest of that day!

Last week I was in Eugene for one of my best friend's weddings.  I managed to get one day where Sister, Miss Maddie, and I could do a little shopping.  At one of my favorite antique malls in Springfield we came across a booth having 30%.  It was one of those days where I was thankful Sister has a Pyrex problem and owns every piece known to man, because I could swoop in on one of her claimed colors, pink.  I got the entire Pink Gooseberry Cinderella Bowl set for a mere $23.50.  

At some point I know this luck will end, but man am I enjoying it!  The husband and I are headed down the coast this afternoon and I'm planning on a couple thrift stops along the way, because for once he can't tell me no, I mean it is almost my birthday!

Have a great weekend!
~Hanna

I'm Off!

I'm off to Las Vegas, everyone! 

Sister, since I can't fit you in my suitcase, you will have to hold down the blog while I am gone.

See you all when I get back!

Erica

Annual Girls Trip=Lots of Red!

Even though Summer vacation is winding down, it sure is heating up!  But fear not, fellow thrifters.  The heat hasn't slowed down my treasure hunting!

Since it is Rednesday, I thought this was the perfect opportunity to share with you the Fire King red dot bowls I found while on our girls trip in Snohomish, Washington.  I had never seen these in person and the price was un-heard-of cheap.  Now I just have to complete the set.  I also picked up the table cloth at a little thrift store called "Nurses Helper".  Not sure exactly how Sister missed it!

 I saw Laurie over at Magpie Ethel use these vintage shampoo bottles in her 4th of July decorations.  I was pretty excited to find my own to use next year.

I have a huge wall in my dining room that used to be covered with old clocks.  Well, I got tired of them so now I am going to hang old tin trays on it instead.  Anybody have any ideas as to how to hang these on a wall?

We went into this little antique store in Bellingham that was so tiny and crammed full of stuff, you literally had to turn sideways to go down some of the aisles.  I got this set for next 4th of July.  It's in perfect condition and only set me back $18 which I think is a pretty good deal.  The guy running the shop took my money and handed me a sack and some newspaper to wrap it up myself!  Awesome customer service.

At what point do I stop buying old bread boxes?  NEVER!  And the coffee tin was in a booth that was 75% off.  Unfortunately (or fortunately) it was all I found.

I guess when we were antiquing on our girls trip, I had Rednesday in the back of my mind.  I sure did buy a lot of red things!  Head over to Sue Loves Cherries & see what other reds are happening this week.  I will be linking up over there too.

Until next time....

Erica

Good Rusty Junk

Not only do I love any and all things vintage, I also am attracted to the rustic side of decor.  My mindset when it comes to decorating has always been that if I love it, I decorate with it.  Whether it goes with the rest of the home decor doesn't matter to me.  Don't be surprised if you come into my house and see a giant rustic metal fish lamp sitting next to a delicate display of vintage pink tins.  But somehow, it all ties together.  It's just us.  If I were to name what our decorating theme would be I would have to call it "Vintage 50's Farmhouse".  I love it.

Now, onto the junk

I got this old metal picnic jug at a sale for a whopping 50 cents.  I have it sitting out on my back patio steps.  Very summery.

I also picked up this watering can from the same sale for another 50 cents.  Have you seen how much these go for in antique stores?  Wow.

Don't you love old metal baskets?  I got this thinking it would be perfect for Maddie's vintage book collection but I ended up using it to hold some of my vintage cookbooks (sorry, Maddie).  The nice lady threw in the Martha's transfers for free.  The yardstick is part of a new collection I'm starting.

There were two sales at the same time and I really needed to be at both!  But one of the sales was on a road that I will never drive on again.  A few weeks ago, Sister, our mom, Maddie, and I were almost hit head on by some idiot passing in a no passing zone.  He had to be going at least 70 and I had to put my car in the ditch to avoid being hit.  I was pretty shaken up for a few days and still get sick to my stomach when I think about it.  The road we were on is notorious for wrecks, often fatal.  I will NEVER drive on it again.  Lucky for me, I have an awesome husband who understood my fear and offered to go the sale for me armed with a list.  He got this awesome old Igloo water cooler. I have this sitting outside along with some old gas cans that are in the same shape.  I will have to show you that collection sometime.

 He got this amazing cooler at the same sale.  It still has the original tray on the inside and a bottle opener on each side.

How cool is this old Scott's grass seed spreader?  When I found it, I had the perfect place in mind for it.  I think it looks pretty good sitting next to that old wash bucket (a quarter!) next to the walnut tree in our back yard.

I got this oil drum at the same place as the grass seed spreader.  I am pretty sure that the Sinclair sticker was added but I love it just the same.  It looks really good sitting in front of our house.

So my decorating philosophy can be summed up like this.......If it's old, I will love it.  There is just something about things from era's ago that suck me in.  I will never get tired of them.

Until next time....

Erica