A Vintage Inspired Wedding at The Coop

My youngest son is getting married!  We are so excited for he and his beautiful bride to tie the knot.  And it's all happening right here at the Coop.  Guess what I've been doing?  So many projects, so little time, all done on a tight budget, but I think the outcome will be amazing.

Think Red, Black Damask, and Ivory... add some peacock feathers, curly willow and a whole lot of vintage decor that I just happen to have... ah dreamy.

How to Make Chalkboard Paint

With Back to School "daze" upon us all, get into the goove with a recipe from Houzz to make your own chalkboard paint.  I have heard it really works- no worries.

DIY: Make Your Own Chalkboard Paint

Houzz- Kitchen Remodel, Bathroom Remodel and More »

Browse Bedroom Products on Houzz- For Example:

Bedskirts · Quilts · Shams · Bedroom Benches · Beds · Dressers Chests And Bedroom Armoires · Headboards · Nightstands And Bedside Tables ·

My Inspiration from Houzz

My Houzz: Patterns at Play in a Scotts Valley Home

Houzz- Kitchen Remodel, Bathroom Remodel and More »

Browse Bedroom Products on Houzz- For Example:

Bedskirts · Duvet Covers · Quilts · Shams · Sheet Sets · Beds · Nightstands And Bedside Tables · Sofa Beds ·

A Little Love

Once again I must make my apologies known for not being a responsible blogger. 

Ahhh, life! 

Have you had those weeks that never end and you find yourself playing ridiculous online puzzles (superior avoidance behavior) as your state of confusion and the list of things to do gets longer?  Does the term, "get things done in a timely fashion" make you giggle uncontrollably, because it's not happening today? And here I sit playing Poppies 3...  Well Enough!

New Improved Shorter List

•   A long weekend to get things in order.  Perfect!
•   A pretty heart basket to say, "Thank you" to my   sweet followers.  Yes!
•  A great big "Thank you" to faithful bloggers who stay on top of things giving out constant inspiration and take us daily to happy joyful places.  Check!

Happy Joyful Place.

My Weekend... And a Lesson Learned

Hey Gals! 

I hope everyone is getting that pre-holiday blitzy-glitzy feeling.  You know, the urge to stay up until the wee hours of the morning decorating the top of your refrigerator- on a school night!  I have been working pretty much around the clock to keep up with all of my responsibilities and after super gluing my fingers together this morning and spray painting in the basement (to cold outside and definitely not recommended) I decided to share my excitement and disappointment all at the same time.  Oh yes, It's possible.

As everyone knows, I have become a vendor at, Old Town Mercantile and Antiques, and it has kept me constantly crazed.  I have made a ton of new friends (love-love-love them) and have narrowed down what I will do when I retire.  More on that later. 

The latest addition to my 10 X 10 space was a wonderful old closet complete with square nails, alligatored varnish, hand crafted wooden pegs and hand made iron hooks inside, ah, the list goes on.  Did I mention that it was pretty cheap too.  My intention with this piece was to keep it in my space and use for display (ugh- just like my galvanized chicken coop that sold all to quickly).  It was dressed with my "Frenchy-french" mirrors, a hydrangea Christmas tree, and a nice little price tag to boot. 

Guess what?  It sold.  Oh, I am happy to have the extra money at Christmas and a customer was absolutely thrilled,  but...  I have layed awake at night figuring out where to put that closet here at the Coop where storage is minimal. I had two suitable spots in mind.  And she's gone.  I will never find anything like it again.  Definitely OOAK!  Here's a photo, (tears, sniff, sniff) of my dear old closet gone to a sweet lady who fell in love at first sight.

Solid Pine.  Handmade latches.  A star embellishment.

I'm going back to the basement to pout paint some more.

Lesson learned.

I could use a little cheering up and would read every comment over and over and over.

October

The end of October.

Oh how I have missed you.

The leaves dance every once and a while and the air is crisp.

I remember wishing for jacket weather and thinking about us.

I walk down a path of fallen leaves

the bumps in the road, the uphill climb, wrap giant arms around me, smother me lonely, but only for a while.

 Holding me in helplessness

Dreams lost in pity

I feel the cool air and rise up.

My fingers reach out, I stretch to see the next bend in the road

fog shrouded,

obscure expectations, 

Yet, I know I am one with the road and you are there,

my path, my journey, my Autumn. 

Yes, my Chickabiddies, CoopDeVilla has been going through some rough times, thus, the poem to reflect my absence.  Having had time to re-coop (or regroup) I am moving ahead and looking forward to the holidays.  Not a day has gone by that I haven't visited your blogs and appreciated the beauty, creativity, and strength in all who, "dream in vintage."

Not too Shabby for a Day's Shopping

 This morning my friend Pat called me because she happened upon a really great yard sale.  Of all things, a yard sale on Wednesday!  I hadn't really gotten dressed yet, hadn't combed my hair and was just sippin' on my coffee. 

Pat started listing items that she saw...

(coffee cup down headed for the closet) 

She said, "thought you might like the iron beds."

(pants on)

"Oh, I see a table, and there's a cute chair.  It looks like little old granny stuff." 

I said, "Tell me about the beds."  I could hear her going down some stairs,

"Well, here's a cute little pink painted one with brass knobs on top... I don't know if you'd be interested in this or not... little spindles, old box springs...

(whilst trying to put my bra on and listen, the phone slipped out of my hands  hit the ground and busted into 3 parts)

(bra, flip-flops, out the door in 5 min.)

Once in the jeep, phone back together, I phoned her for the directions.

We met, she helped me shop and I purchased only the best shabby things- the pink bed, a french chair and a cabinet. 

Might as well go to St Vincents since we're in the vicinity!  Sure thing.  As soon as I walked in there they were

two white chenille fringed bedspreads!  Not too shabby.

Pat had scheduled lunch with a mutual friend so we bid farewell.

Not looking my best (I had stuck my hair up in a clippy) I put the sunglasses back on and decided to make a quick trip to the D.I.  There really wasn't much to see in the isles so I headed to the very back where they keep doors, bed frames, kinda rusty crusty stuff.

Look what I found there:

Do I see mirrors?  French country mirrors?

They were stuck behind some heavy doors and it took me a minute, but I set them free.

They are dresser mirrors and made of heavy plastic.  I wish they were solid wood, but they will do just fine for now.  I'd like to keep them white and totally distressed.  Maybe add some gray and get rid of the gold antiquing.

I'd say it was a "not too shabby" day of shopping.

Thank you new followers.  You really make my day and I love your comments.

Much love to you all.

Patty

This post is linked to the following parties at:

http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Click buttons on my sidebar

A Lamp, Bird Cage, and a Blouse

Isn't it the truth, that so often the best laid plans fly right out the door?

When your plans go awry usually there's some stress created and perhaps disappointment.  That was not the case for me this past Friday night.

I had been working with my friend Jeri to get the store ready for the Art Walk.  The plan was... we would get all wall decor hung by 3 o'clock giving me plenty of time to leisurely travel home, take a shower, get dressed up/makeup/hair and get back to the store by 5 to meet and greet.

Hmm, I still had a hammer in my hand at 5:00! 

The air conditioner had been worked on so for part of the day it was off.  My working clothes consisted of jeans, a now dirty shirt and flip-flops.  Are you getting the picture?

When a vintage chick is in distress what does she do?  Lurk into the backroom and stay hidden among the cinders? 

 She goes shopping! 

Jeri and I high-tailed it across the street to the, Youth Ranch, a lovely thrift store were we hit the racks to find a clean shirt for me.  Bingo we found 5. Another vendor was watching the shop so we figured we had at least 10 minutes for a quick look-around.  

There she was... a white iron birdcage, so perfectly cottage...  

Jeri went another direction and grabbed a mirrored oak dresser top that sat on 4 little drawers.  While we're standing there in thrifty joy, why... right next to the birdcage was the cutest white lamp.

The rest of the night was pure bliss.  Okay, I really wish I could have showered, but I was able to change clothes, fix my hair, say, "hello" to many old friends and new who came into the store.  In the back of my mind I kept thinking that the white duo are now my favorite summer finds.  Just the right amount of shabby for the Coop.  (I don't even know if the lamp works)

Who cares.

Shabby bliss.

Hugs,

Patty

I am linking my summer finds to the following parties:

Sunday Showcase at Under the Table and Dreaming

Sat. Night Special at Funky Junk Interiors

Homemaker on a Dime's Creative bloggers' party hop

Southern Hospitality's August Thrifty Treasures

LaurieAnna's Vintage Home's new party

see all buttons on my sidebar

 

A Store is Born

Here is the actual account of the labor and delivery of ...

(of course there was much more that was done before the 3 days that follow)

Day One- Painting and Hauling

Jeri the store manager had been painting for a couple of days all by herself.  It's a big space and she needed help.  I spent a day of painting over some very strange colors and white-washing an awning (with the help of some other vendors) and hauling in load after load of items.  I don't really remember driving home that night.  Man, was I pooped.

Day Two- The Real Fun Began

3 Vendors and I had things scattered from hell and back.  It was time to pull everything together for the Art Walk.  Jeri and I decided on vignettes and got going.  It took around 5 hours to work everything in to particular areas.  Again, pooped, and two days of McDonald's Southwest Chicken salad for dinner.

Be warned.  The following photos are a bit scary.  Reminds me of "hoarders gone wild" or the biggest yard sale I've seen in a while.  Seriously, it was a fun process as we pushed and pulled furniture across the room, changed our minds, tried something else and then got down-right bossy. 

Oh, uh-well that would be me.  Jeri do you still love me?

Look at the wicker desk... love it.

Little table (center) has been repurposed from a plant stand and a large faced clock.  Clever Jeri!

More and more arrives.

And some More... and I think that is Brennan back there...

By the end of day 2 we had everything arranged all that was left was hanging pictures, adding layers, cleaning and fluffing.

Day Three- Opening the Doors

We worked like crazy hanging wall decor.  It's a good thing that Jeri is a tall gal and I'm shorter.  We saved a lot of time not having to use a ladder for everything, and worked right up until the Art Walk began at 5pm. 

So soft and pretty.

And on to our area with an international flair...

Vintage Game boards against our chalk board wall.

A sweet baby themed vignette

How about a little rustic and country...

A little glam gal... 50's  (sorry about the exposure on the next two).

Notice the 3 piece set of luggage...

Some "man" things of course.

Everyone loved, I mean loved the store and wished us the best of luck.  I couldn't be prouder of our new baby and so happy that once again I get to surround myself with some creative, like-minded vintage chicks.  Okay, there are a few men in the mix too.  (Probably get into big trouble if I called them roosters...)  So tired and happy tonight and yes, another salad from Mickey D's.  May I add, they are tasty.

A Store is born. 

There you have it!  And of course you can have it. 

Come to our grand opening September 1st.

Old Town

Mercantile and Antiques

324 Main

Pocatello, Idaho

If you are interested in being a vendor act fast- spaces are filling up.  See the previous post for details.

Until next time my sweet chickabiddies,

Hugs

Big Announcement

It's happening!  I jumped in with both feet and a great big smile. 

No it's not a swimming pool. 

Here's a hint... 

Vintage, rustic, cottage, white, quilts, okay do you give? 

Let me introduce you to a new store in Pocatello.

Our grand opening is planned for September 1st.

In the meantime my vintage sistas and I have been having a blast decorating everything in sight.  There is still vendor space available.  The opportunity awaits to work with many talented artists, antique experts, and those who adore everything vintage.

Want a sneak peek before the grand opening?

Come tonight for the Art Walk in Old Town, Pocatello. 

We will be opening the doors this evening at 5 pm.



Organizing and Foo-fooing

I have this little room upstairs where I usually take all of my Etsy photos.  The lighting is good and I have a shabby little sideboard where I place my items and can spend all day snapping pictures if I must.

It oozes shabby chic with its white crackle finish, glass knobs, and crystal and metal leg ornamentation.  Did I say crystals?  Did I mention yard sale find?  Yes sirree!

Oh, she's missing a few, but they're around here somewhere...

The room has been a total wreck.  I've been playing personal Twister just trying to navigate from one place to the other.  It has been the dumping ground for unfinished projects, pretties waiting for picture day and for those goodies in "accessory limbo."

Accessory limbo really gets me.  There's the self-talk that goes on and on... "It's so cute, I really love it, why I could decorate and entire room around it, I'll hold on to this gem because it will be perfect when the new addition goes up..."   

Smack!  Reality sets in and basically I'm overwhelmed with the mess and know for sanity's sake (hoarding with a purpose) I have to do something.

(Please tell me I'm not the only one who does this.)

So, I got busy. 

 With an accumulation of baby and floral prints, tattered  quilts, and some sweet shabby furniture pieces that are too near and dear to my heart to get rid of, (no limbo here) I decided to pull everything out and make it all work together.  My objective was to "shop the house" and still keep my photo staging area.

This is a built in twin bed on the other side of the room.

What's great is that I can still use this area for my photos, hop up on the bed and read magazines, or even accommodate an overnight guest.

And that's just what happened.  My beautiful granddaughter came for a visit and loved playing in this room. 

So where did all of the "stuff" go?  Well that's another post my dear sweet Chickabiddies.  Until then... Hugs.

I am linking this post to some really great parties.

Click on the link below or see the White Wednesday button on my sidebar.

http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/2011/07/white-wednesday-110.html

And to Miss Mustards Seed's

http://missmustardseed.blogspot.com/search/label/Furniture%20Feature%20Friday/

Also, Common Ground's
http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/

Lastly, French Country Cottage's  
http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

and Funky Junk Interior's
http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/

And don't forget...  See her button on my sidebar.
http://www.homemakeronadime.com/2011/07/creative-bloggers-party-hop-073111.html