It's Destiny....

Do you believe in destiny?  That everything happens for a reason to get you where you are supposed to be at a certain time?  Well, I do.

 

I do love the mall where I am right now, but I have been dreaming about being with a group of people that share similar interests and creativity.  To be surrouded by those that I can draw inspiration from and feel that I can return the same. Then I received an email.....

 

Cheryl of Deep Creek Vintage is transforming a landmark mansion into a fabulous new multi-vendor antiques and more destination.  She messaged me the other night, and that started a new sense of excitement with the business that I haven't felt in a while.  Dean and I set up a time to visit with Cheryl at the manor to gather information so that I could think about what I may want to do....but once I walked in the door, I knew exactly what I needed to do.  She showed us around the upstairs first, then we came back to the main floor.  When we walked into Room #6, it literally took my breath away. The room was perfect!  She left some exposed brick and studs, old hardwood floors and a FIREPLACE!!!  Yes, I get a WHOLE room!  Windows and all!

Our mantle is the one to the right...and it will have it's original overmantle reattached!  The other mantle is located in the room across from us, and will be filled with fabulous items by Erica from Tattered Elegance. Her work is to die for! I'm all giddy just thinking about it!

Another view of our room.  I'll have better pictures next week once I start filling it up. 

 

 

Opening on June 22nd!  There will be a grand opening at a later time, but don't wait until then!  :)

 

 

I am so excited to be a part of this!  Some may say it's risky, being a brand new venture and all, but it's a risk I am so willing to take! 

 

 

 

Lucketts down.....The Vintage Home Market to go!

I'm really late posting about our time at Lucketts this year.  I took my camera, but never got out to take pictures of this fabulous event!  Shame on ME!!

Luckily, I have a few pictures from friends that stopped by.  This one was taken by Ron Childress....sorry Ron, I cropped myself out. :)

 

While I was standing in the back taking a very quick lunch break, I spotted Jodie from Pieces!  I LOVE her page and her work!!  She is such a beautiful lady!

 

Note....it was a rainy day and I was quite sick with a bad cold. My hair really has seen better days. :)

 

I did get a chance to run over to Miss Mustard Seed's booth later in the day on Sunday (but did I remember to grab my camera?  NO!!)  I already had one of her books, but bought another so that I could get her to sign it.  Her Mom was with her and was just the sweetest lady ever!  She kept me entertained with her stories while I waited for my turn with Marian. 

 

I got the biggest kick out of watching Sarah and her aunt from Hunt and Gather, who were set up across from us.  They were so much fun!  And, I LOVED the pink tent!!  This is Sarah's picture taken probably on Sunday because they were full in the beginning.

 

 

Photo:  Hunt and Gather

 

I really, really wish I had taken pictures!  Since this was my first Lucketts show, I was literally in a frenzy all day Saturday and on Sunday, I was just about shot.  My fever had spiked in the morning, and I was on cold medicine.  I went all winter long without any sniffles whatsoever, then it had to hit on THIS weekend.  Isn't that what they call Murphy's Law?

 

Here are some other shots sent to me by Ron!

 

 

I loved, loved, LOVED being part of Lucketts and cannot wait for next years' show!  We did quite well and I learned a lot.  I'll be making several changes to our set up, one being a larger space!  Having to cram everything into a narrow space because of the weather was not an easy task. 

 

Our next show will be at The Vintage Home Market on June 15 & 16 at the Richmond Raceway Complex in Richmond.  This one is just a hop, skip and a jump from our house, so our schedule will be a little more relax as opposed to having get up a 4:00 am to make the daily trek to Lucketts.  Plus, this one is indoors, so weather won't threaten us and our furniture!

 

I WILL take pictures at this event!  It's promising to be a great show!!

 

 

It's Almost Here!!

The Lucketts Spring Market will be here in 3 days!  We've been working overtime and we're running out of room in the trailer! 

This is going to be a FABULOUS weekend and I'm especially excited about Sunday's Hometalk meetup with the legendary Donna from Funky Junk Interiors!!  Not to mention that Marion Parsons (aka Miss Mustard Seed) and Karen Watson (aka The Graphics Fairy) will also be there....I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about it!  

 

We'll be setting up all day Friday and I'll post some "sneak peek" pictures Friday night.  We're going tomorrow to our space in Fredericksburg and grab some more items to load up.  That space has definitely been suffering over the last month, but I have some great plans for it after this weekend.  More to follow! 

 

If you go to Lucketts this weekend, please find us in the Field of Gold and say "hello"!

 

 

 

 

Tea Cart Reveal

Remember this humdrum piece? This one took me longer to do than most because I went through so many spectrums of color trying to find the right one.   I almost did it in red (probably the next one!), but I really wanted more of a garden feel. 

 

So, without further ado.....here she is!

 

I have a lot of sage green paint leftover from painting the cabinets in my mother-in-law's house, but I wanted a little more green to it.  So, I mixed in some Granny Smith Apple green that I had and came up with this refreshing color.  It reminds me of the wall color that you saw a lot of in 1940s and 50s homes. 

It needed something extra, so I went to The Graphics Fairy page for help and found this adorable French Typography here.  Then I gave her a little distressing and a little dark wax to age her up. 

 

 

Now she is ready for her next garden party! 

See her at Lucketts!

 

Footnote:  Our porch is scheduled to get painted in two weeks!

 

 

 

 

The "Wine Crate" Table

I picked up this table a little while back and it needed a lot of work.  As always, I look for inspiration in so many different places, but just couldn't find anything that screamed at me.  I loved the fact that it is solid oak, so I decided to keep the top natural. 

 

After refinishing the top and giving the legs a couple of coats of black paint, I stood back and looked at it with a critical eye.  It just needed a little something else.  So, I hunted through The Graphics Fairy site and found this French wine graphic.

 

 

I transferred it onto the leaves using the freezer paper method.  I opted not to go over it with paint because I wanted it to resemble an old wine crate - and I love how this transfer method gives it a time-worned look.  The legs were given a slight distressing and I gave it several of coats of satin poly.

 

 

I like the fact that it's very subtle, but yet a little whimsy.  There are two plank bottom chairs hanging in the garage that will be painted black to go with it. 

 

This table will be available in our tent at the Lucketts Spring Market this month!

 

 

 

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A Junkin' I Did Go!

I woke up yesterday morning with a horrible  headache, but I had plans that I wasn't going to let that ole' pain stop me.  So, after taking a couple of Advil, I left for my most favorite spot in the world!  I hit there a few times a month and every time I go, there's always something totally new. 

They are the sweetest people ever.   I usually go during the week and every time I go, the inventory has changed.  No doubt, if you THINK you like it, you better get it because most likely, it WILL be gone when you go back!!  I have learned this....

 

I was on the hunt for a few more smaller pieces for Lucketts and I found a GREAT selection of the coolest stuff ever.  My score for the day was a tea cart, an old farm table, an antique wicker table/desk and an older shutter (project coming soon!).  Prices were fabulous and I love them all!!

 

 



I really love the little farm table....

 

Look at this top!

Such great patina!

 

And this wicker table....how sweet!

 

 

I plan to freshen up the paint, even though I do love the chippiness...

 

 

This tea cart is adorable, but it does needs a facelift....deciding what color to paint it is proving to be quite difficult...

 

 

All in all, I think it was a successful day.  I believe that I am just about ready for Lucketts!  Rain is forecasted for most of this coming week, so I will get the final details done...

 

Two weeks away and I am getting so excited!

 

Susan

 

 

 



Simply Easy Fruit Cobbler

This is the time of year when fruit takes the lead in a lot of desserts.  This recipe is super easy and simply delicious.  Passed down from my mother, this is a favorite in my house!

 

 

 

Warning:  This version is not low-fat, but you could definitely substitute ingredients to make it healthier.  But do you really want to?  Actually, I did use 2% milk. :)

 

You need just a few ingredients:

 

 

 

1 Cup Sugar

1 Cup SELF RISING flour

1 Cup Milk

1 Stick of Butter or Margarine (I used lightly salted butter)

1 Can of Pie Filling in your choice of fruit (I used apple here)

 

Fresh fruit can be used....you would just need to prepare it by boiling it with sugar to your taste.

 

Melt the butter (or margarine) in a baking dish at 375 degrees.  While that's melting, mix together the sugar, flour and milk. Remove the melted butter from the oven and pour in the batter.  Top with the fruit and put back into the oven for about 30 minutes.

 

 

When it's a rich, golden brown and the sides are slightly pulling away from the edges, check the batter on top with a toothpick.  If it's no longer "gooey", it's done! 

 

 

Serve warm with Vanilla Ice Cream and ENJOY!!

 

 

 

My favorite part of the cobbler is the edge....chewy goodness!! 

 

 

 

 

The Ragtime Rocker



I picked up this cute little rocker at an auction a little while back.  It was actually painted a dark green, and had no seat.  I wasn't sure what I was going to do with it, but the price was right, so I got it. 

 

First thing I did was paint it a lighter, fun green.



 

Then I took some scrap fabric I had and tore two inch strips long enough to wrap around the seat frame and tie a knot.  I used different shades of beige because I planned to spark it up with the quilt pillow. 

 

I first started tying the strips all in one direction, tying each piece into a tight knot.  I just randomly

 picked colors in no particular order.

 

 

Once the knots were tied, I pulled the knots so they were underneath.  I scrunched the strips together some, but not so much that they overlapped.  The next group needed to be easily weaved through these rows.  I trimmed the tails of the knots to about 2 inches. 

 

Going in the opposite direction, I weaved the next set of strips in and out of the top rows.  On this set, I continued under and weaved in and out of the lower rows and tied a tight knot.  When all are done, I trimmed the tails of the knots to about 2 inches and tucked them up into the weaving. 

 

The end result is this!  Just as simple as making potholders as a kid!

 

 

The seat is strong and will make some little one a cute rocker. 

 

 

I hope this sparks some ideas for your projects!

 

 

 

Susan