A Little Trick Became My Treat...

We're not into celebrating this day.  But had to share this.

 On this of all days - my little Gerbera daisy decided to 

play a little trick and treat me with an off-season bloom.  

Right there among all the dried off grass.

Little daisy - meet November.

Now that's what I call 'Bloom where you're planted!'

Simple Summer Cottage Porch Upgrades...

Some years back - My Love made me a park bench.

  But said park bench was looking pretty weathered

 and had mold and mildew staining.   Not anymore!

 

Thanks to some primer and trusty leftover exterior paint...

 The cottage is sporting a new rest spot for passers by...

We also recently renamed the cottage.  

I'm happy with how the sign turned out (using the pencil rubbing method).  

We consider 'Haven of Rest'...

a nice upgrade from Sunset Glo!   (It only took us 6 years to rename her!)  

I did keep the old sign of course for part of the porch decor...

Hello 'Haven of Rest'.  

You're just as cozy in the fall as you are in the summer.

 We'd love to have you visit!

 

Saturday Sightings...

Spotted in front of me today...

...a young Amish boy with a team of 3 mules and wagon with steel wheels.  

More and more Amish have moved into our area.  

I am loving the mules they use for farming.

Inventory Storage In the Living Room....

Those of you that are sellers - where do you keep your inventory?   

I have shelving and an office - but often my other rooms

 and garage become my warehouse.

  

Currently my living room has several items that are part of the temporary 'decor'.

I try to place items in the room they look the best in while they wait... usually... 

Not sure why this truck is still in the 'neutrals' living room.  

The plan is to make it look Christmasy.

Sell quick!  I have real life decorating to get to.

Free Pile Project and What I DIDN'T Get...

I'm delighted with my new little free pile project...

 

I actually turned around for this one because I spotted a cute little red stool.

  Turned out it was way too decayed.

Not to be deterred - I picked up these chopsticks instead.

 After a few coats of paint...  

(sometimes it pays to keep an extra styrofoam egg carton on hand)

...some hot glue and a bit of glittery snow 

(glitter would have worked too - but I was thinking 'white'...)

I have 4 new stars for Christmas decorating in a few weeks.  

I'm thinking these will end up on a garland - but we shall see...

 The rest of the story however goes like this...

What I hadn't noticed from my car was a great old

 floor scales - with weights!  I was so excited!

It needed a bit of redoing - but it looked good.

Source - eBay

But - for the life of me - I could not man-handle that thing into my car - 

it was just too heavy!  It sat at the end of a long lane and I was 

too short on time to travel in the lane and ask for help.  

It hurt - a lot - but I left probably the best 'free' find of my life 

right there and instead rescued only chopsticks. 

Can you believe it?

New Listings...

Take a peek at some of the new listings I have up right now.   

This time - on eBay.  I plan to keep adding through the week.  

So if it's not up tonight - it will be - keep checking! (And more to come)...

Do you love red velvet jewelry boxes?  This one has a unique shape...

Also a uniquely sized beaker or flask...

A great sign in gold calligraphy for your home office...

Not one but 2 choral music books - with a great look...

This old cast iron advertising bank is figural - but I'm not positive on the shape.  

I'm guessing a washing machine.  Any thoughts?

I'm also listing a whole grouping of Sunday School

 and Bible story books and papers...

Gotta love vintage!  The new stuff just doesn't have the same appeal.
Linking to the Let's Talk Vintage Party.

Warehouse House...

Today I went on a local Fall House Tour.  My favorite dwelling 

was actually an old Tobacco Warehouse...

 Inside was this massive open space with a loft hallway...

...big dining area...

  

...and a neat DIY kitchen space.  

The lower cabinets are IKEA door fronts attached to other cabinets.  

The back splash is actually roof slate - cut to resemble 

bricks and painted and grouted in black.  (love this!)

That tin star sculpture (from a welding class) shades the sink light.

The huge opposing kitchen wall is done in chalkboard paint.  Fun!

In talking with the homeowner - I learned a bit more about this makeover project.  

They had recently lost their business and quite a bit of money but happened to own this old building.  

With no where else to call home - they moved in.  

Renovating is happening on a shoestring as they are able.  (Some parts still have dirt floors!)  

Her story of how God has provided for them along the way just melted my heart.

We need to keep holding on to Him - He's got it under control!

This was a very old stone home also on the tour.

(We're talking Williamsburg style and era)...

 

And this log cabin owner always does her porch to the hilt...

My partner (niece actually) for the day.

 We picked a really bad place to do a selfie - but here we are - 

enjoying an organ concert in an old church balcony...

Had to get a shot of the German street dancers too.

  Goodness I love this area I live in. 

After 'wasting' my day - I hope to be more productive this evening.  

I'm actually working on this...

What did you today?

Fall At the Antique Mall...

The mall where I sell is also home to a wedding, etc. events venue.  

As such - the grounds are getting tweaked into shape for 

group photos and more.  I'm enjoying the current Fall look...

To enter the grounds (an old farm) - you walk through this original corn crib...

This guy greets the public as they walk through the space...

Love, love corn stalk bouquets.  You can't get much easier than this!

In the center of the courtyard - this grouping delights...

  

But check this out - a mums planter with a garland of

 burlap or landscape fabric.  Love this!

And just a few scenes from my booth...

My recently finished bench - see yesterday's post.

 And an old tool chest...

This bottle carrier has since sold...

And back to the mall in a barn - gotta love old foundations...

I think I'm starting to like fall decor more than Christmas.... 

It's simpler with much less pressure!

Finished Projects...

 I finished a couple of paint projects recently...

 

I found this old fabric at a thrift shop for 50 cents.  

It has a ticking look - but is in upholstery weight.

It was the just the right amount to cover this old bench 

I picked up in a pretty rough state some months ago...

Combined with multiple layers of quilt batting that I had on hand - 

the bench gained a new look!

I also had this vintage Home Interiors sled that just

 wasn't selling in its original state...(anyone remember these?)

 

So both pieces got a shabby paint treatment...

 Like it or not - Christmas is just 9 weekends away. Time to begin stocking the booth!

I'll share a few booth scenes tomorrow.
Linking to the Inspiration Gallery @ Craftberry Bush