New Finds

find
noun1 an archaeological find discovery, acquisition, asset.2 this table is a real find good buy, bargain; godsend, boon.
I get excited every time I see a new text message from Kaelan's mom.  She is always offering up goodies that she's come by at thrift shops or even on the street at the end of someone's driveway.  Like they say-  One man's trash is another man's treasure.  I picked up what we think are neat old film reels (or wheels, you be the judge) from her today and have begun to brainstorm what the new decorative or functional purpose will be.  So far all I know is I plan to spray paint them white and go from there...

Another new find from the weekend is this super cool old Apothecary Jar.  I picked it up at none other than My Favorite Place for just 16 bucks-  a total bargain!  These retail at Pottery Barn for anywhere from $39 to $69 depending on the size.  It hasn't found it's permanent home yet but for now it's on my roommates wine table collecting corks.  

Quick Metamorphosis

metamorphosis |ˌmetəˈmôrfəsəs|noun ( pl. -phoses |-fəˌsēz|) Zoology• a change of the form or nature of a thing or person into acompletely different one, by natural or supernatural means : his metamorphosis from presidential candidate to talk-show host.
It's 6:30 on Friday and I have already completed an item on my weekend to-do list: Transform a side table that is worn, torn, and somehow managed to get covered in more than a few cup rings.  
I got this table from my mom and dad.  I know it's some kind of family piece but as you can see, it was not well taken care of while it sat in the basement mildewing.  I took it off of their hands knowing one day I would have time to spruce it up, making it presentable again.

This is such a cute piece with the detail on the front and the curvy legs.  I decided to paint everything but the top a "Napa Red."  I didn't prime it because I wanted the color to blend with the wood, making it appear to be a deep mahogany and not the bright crimson it would have been on top of white primer.  I applied one coat, then when almost dry, brushed some "Barn Red" on top leaving the brush stroke details.  For the top I applied a coat of Weathered Wood, then painted a creamy "Lemon Yellow" on top allowing the original wood to crackle through.  The light top, dark bottom (and vice versa) is a look I've been seeing a lot lately.  I like the idea and I think it turned out nicely here.

When it was finished I put it back in place with an old oval mirror (another wonderful piece given to me by Kaelan's mom that was found in a neighbors pile of junk) with a glass candle globe on top.  My basket of yarn and knitting needles work perfectly on the second tier (now if I can just get the hang of knitting).

  

  

Revitalize

revitalize |rēˈvītlˌīz|verb [ trans. ]imbue (something) with new life and vitality : a package of spending cuts to revitalize the economy.
Dan and I spent a much needed long weekend relaxing at my absolute favorite place, The Captain's House on Fernandina Beach, FL.  The weather was less than ideal with 30 plus mile per hour winds, thunder storms, and a violent surf but we had such a great time!  When there were breaks in the rain we walked with our toes in the water and even lucked out finding a few sharks teeth-

We crossed two more movies off of The List, visited our favorite local antique shops, watched UGA win, the Flacons not win... and even took an unexpected day trip to Jacksonville to grab a little lunch at Nippers-  a Top Chef restaurant to mark off on another one of our many lists.  

Dan braved the water on our last day.  Here he is standing out in the surf with a wave crashing in front of him.  I haven't seen waves this big since my childhood-

We got some more great shots with the camera which I still love playing with more every day.

And, when things slow down hopefully someday soon I have a few projects on my crafting to-do list:

- A Headboard bench (thank you Kathie Chipman)

- Handmade decorative spheres for the vintage biscuit board I just bought

- New use for my empty wine bottles-   This is one idea I like.

- Revamping a 1960's  sewing table