What a real beauty!

Every time we go out of town, particularly for parades,

I'm on the lookout for fixer-uppers for sale.

This one caught my eye the minute I saw

the three levels of porches through the trees.

Most definitely a fixer-upper, that's for sure.

But what potential it has!

The porches wrap around all four sides,

including the one that faces the lake.

Sadly it is way out of my price range,

unless I win the lottery or get adopted by someone very wealthy.

Furniture fixes with fabric

I went fabric shopping the other day,

for the first time in I can't tell you how long.

My sewing machine broke a year ago and

I've been destashing fabrics for a few months now.

With two very specific projects in mind --

one for Red Hen Studios and one for our home --

I felt justified in getting more.

Helps that they were at great prices!

The apple and owl prints were in the clearance remnant bin.

My plan is to paint both chairs a cheery red

and make removable cushions for the backs and seats.

I've made seats for these folding chairs before.

This time I bought outdoor fabric

so they don't get moldy from being wet.

My husband can't wait for them to be done

so we can once again enjoy our back porch.

Time to get sewing and painting!

Dream car

I've shared with you some of my dream houses,

but I have now come across my dream car. 

It shall have the license plate "R3D H3N"

and will be for transporting more than just children.

This  gorgeous VW truck was at a car show in NJ.

Its more "rustic" counterpart is for sale here locally.

Every time we drive by it the kids and I talk

about how cool it would be all fixed up.

And now we have something to aspire to.

This was such a beauty!

 

New life for old things

Now that I have more room in my workspace,

after destashing quite a bit,

my eyes are on refinishing things I have collected.

I plan to use Krylon Fusion paint for plastic

on these two preschool-size chairs.

It will also work on the rusty metal legs.

 

This sled will look great with all the metal painted glossy red

and with refinished and stained wood.

Not sure how to get the stain off the logo though...

 

These sweet rocking chairs need new fabric for cushions

and a fresh coat of bright paint.

 

The base of this globe is broken

so it will be turned into two lamps --

one uplight and the other a hanging pendant.

Time to go to the hardware and fabric stores

for color inspiration and supplies.

Classic cars

I love classic cars. 

Who doesn't?

 

I especially love when I have my camera

when we come across them.

(Be sure to click the images for a larger view.)

This beauty was in a Memorial Day parade.

Check out the flags reflecting in the hub cap.

We see these cute little cars every year

at the Bonnie Brae Scottish Festival in New Jersey.

When we were leaving our hotel on Sunday morning,

we noticed classic cars were pulling into the parking lot.

Our favorite was this VW truck, but the rest were pretty cool too.

Unexpected surprises while thrifting

  I am in a bit of a quandary.

While thrifting I came across a garbage bag

with yarn, an knitting instruction booklet and

what I thought was an unfinished sweater.

I bought it all for $2 just so I could reuse 

the vintage Spinnerin wool yarns.

The sweater is actually complete.

And gorgeous, with cables all down the white.

I'd hate to take apart someone's handiwork,

but it has most likely been bagged up

for over half a century.

What would you do?

(PS, if you are interested in vintage knitting patterns,
I have quite a few books in my Etsy shop)

Pixie baby bonnets -- and a new model

Here are my latest crocheting obsession --

sweet little pixie-style bonnets,

most with rosettes and braided ties.

And notice how I have graduated from photographing

my hats on a ball of yarn to a baby doll head.

I found her on eBay and am on the search for more.

Not sure if I will find another one as cute as her.

  

Newborn size with rosette in pink acrylic.

$20 incl. shipping.

  

Newborn size with rosette in purple acrylic.

$20 incl. shipping.

 Newborn size with rosette in black-and-white baby alpaca.

$36 incl. shipping.

Newborn size with rosette in handpainted boucle yarn.

$30 incl. shipping.

 SOLD! But I can make these in any infant and toddler size. 

Babyweight acrylic with rosette, lace trim and extra-long braids.

$22 incl. shipping.

"Little Red Riding Hood" in red acrylic. Size 6-12 months.

$18 incl. shipping.

A reason to declutter

This furniture has sent me on a cleaning spree

for the last few weeks.

I visited the thrift store on a Saturday.

The set was then marked 25% off.

I went back the following Tuesday

and it was marked 50% off.

Even though I didn't have a place for it

I knew I just had to have it.

Who could pass up vintage toile for $90?

Not me, especially when I saw that the grimy surfaces

were actually custom-made slipcovers.

A quick run through the washer with a bit of bleach

and they now look perfectly shabby chic.

They just needed to come in from the driveway.

That was when my cleaning spree started.

My plan was to remove the dining room table and chairs

and move them in. Which I did.

But what about all the bins of fabric, trims, supplies, etc

that were taking up so much room in my work space?

I've been methodically moving things out.

Donating bags-full back to the thrift store, 

listing things on online crafters and garage sale sites

and getting rid of paperwork we no longer need.

I'm almost done.

Amazingly, I've made back more than enough

to cover the cost of my new seating arrangement.

And I am almost ready to enjoy the room again.

Dreaming of a house

A few weeks ago I drove past a house I love, the one above.

Not that we are looking to move, but I still like to look.

Bright white paint and pretty green shutters.
And look at all those window panes!

It's on my list of potential future homes

or maybe even a little craft or antique shop.

The list includes other older homes

 plus a grist mill and other historic businesses.

Maybe someday...

My Etsy bookshelf

I've recently expanded the offerings
in the Red Hen Studios bookshelf.

Beautiful covers, children's classics plus a bit of history

ready for you to purchase for your own home library.

Aunt Sophy's Boys and Girls

German Fables for Children

Baby Book from Better Homes & Gardens

This Fabulous Century series from Time Life Books

20th Century Encyclopedia of Catholicism books

Pair from the Bronte Sisters

Set of 4 books by Louisa May Alcott