Rugs #8 and #9 Complete!

I'm on a rug making spree this past week, mostly because I need to get several made up to put in a store to sell.  I just finished rugs #8 and #9 and feeling awfully proud of myself.   I seem to have the hardest time getting a rug project started - I think because it can be so time consuming.

Before you can even pick up your jumbo hook you have to find sheets that will work for your project.  100% cotton is the best, but a lot of sheets have a cotton/polyester blend which I find to be too thin and stringy.  And then once you've found a set of sheets that will work, you have to tediously rip it into "yarn" and then wind it up into a ball.  That part alone can easily take 1-2 hours.

But once I get started and make it past the first few rounds I am always pleasantly surprised.  It's a very easy project worked with a jumbo hook.  You crochet in the round using single crochet only and you just increase as needed.  Usually each rug will follow a slightly different pattern.

I like to put a crab stitch as the border, as you can see in the photo above, but sometimes I run out before I can do that.

Overall each rug can take anywhere from 5 hours and up.  Not too bad, I guess.   I have 4 in my house that are getting used and after a year they've held up thus far.  

I really love seeing the way that different patterns will translate into a finished rug.  I really enjoy the look on people's faces when they pick one up to take a look at it, and perhaps purchase it to put into their home.  That's really the most satisfying part of all - the end result.

I Am My Beloved's & He Is Mine

A few things about me, if you do not know me.  I crochet a lot - not as much as I would like to, because it's so time consuming.  I make soap and other bath and body products.  I like to dabble with making jewelry.  And I love photography.

Here's a photo that I took the day of my wedding - these were my bridesmaids bouquets.  My wedding was pretty much all DIY, down to the invitations, and these bouquets were done by a lady from my church.  They're extremely simple and romantic, just some baby's breath tied together with a big pink satin ribbon.  I took a photo of them while they were resting on top of a piano.  It may not be the most glorious photo, as it certainly is not, but I still like it.  I decided to throw one of my favorite romantic Bible verses on there to add something special to it.

Song of Solomon 6:3

This photo is available as an instant download.  It is for personal use only, but could be used for..well, whatever you would like it to be really.  Have it printed at a lab and framed.  Turn it into a note card, a thank you card.  Open it up in Photoshop and add some text and turn it into a wedding announcement or whatever.

I Be Thrift Shoppin': Pretty Little Haviland Teacup and Saucer

I saw this on the shelf and it was instant love.  I don't own a fine china set, but it's on my list of something to get when...well, when the timing is right, I guess.  I would love to have a set to pass down to my children.

I love china.  I love the patterns you can find.  I love the colors and the quaint details, like the delicate curvature of the handle, the pleating and ribbing on a plate or cup, and the fine detail work of the design.

Haviland is a pretty popular name in the world of fine china.  If you'd like to read up on the history of Haviland, you can check this out.  

I am not expert appraiser when it comes to pottery, glass, or porcelain pieces.  I have no idea if this is authentic or a knock off.  I cannot find anything online that is similar to this pattern, except for a candy dish on Etsy for $20.00.  That listing didn't have any information on the history of this pattern, either.  I have no idea if it's a newer pattern or an older one.

It has a lovely floral motif done with blue branches, mint green leaves, bright yellow, orange, and red flowers.  Both the plate and the cup each have 1 single butterfly.  There is "gold" on the rim each of the saucer and the teacup, and the handle on the teacup also has some "gold."  

Both the teacup and saucer are pretty symmetrical, from what I can tell.  And the design is very pretty and neat, not sloppy at all.  

Here's a look at the backmarks.  I found several examples of antique backmarks online, but didn't find this one exactly which makes me think it is either a very modern pattern (2001 or newer) or a knock-off.

This is one of my favorite details about this set - look at that dainty ribbing!  The saucer has the exact same ribbing to match.

In the picture above you can see the butterfly.  This will certainly be a display only piece.  It does have 1 little chip around the rim of the teacup, but that's OK.  I'm not a diehard collector.   I just like it for its pretties.  

I got this set for $4.

Dining Room Decorating Total to Date: $7

From Ugly Ugly to Shabby Chic Pretty: White Paint Is Awesome

Anytime I use or hear the word "awesome," it is in the Legos theme song.  If you don't know what I'm talking about, just Google it.  You're welcome and I'm sorry.

Moving on...

White paint is awesome.  I have kids, so it is my least favorite color.  I see people decorating in a sort of monochromatic, all white scheme and I admire it to heaven and back.  No siree, not in my house.  Maybe when the kids are grown, but for now...oh lawdy...I think my 4-year old would take a stark white wall and turn it into a Crayola masterpiece.  Too bad decorating in all black would be creepy and dark.  Can I just chalkboard paint everything?  That sounds kid friendly.

I cannot do all white, at least not everywhere.  What is it about all white, anyways?  It's so simple.  It looks clean, crisp, and refreshing.  It seems to have the ability to draw out certain details and make them the star of the show.

My ugly "bless our home" sign is the perfect example.  I just posted about this a few days ago.  It was a $2  thrift store find.  The second I saw it I thought, "Wow, that is hideous."  But then right after that thought, an even better one came in to mind: "That would look perfect with a coat of solid white paint!"

So I took home that ugly $2 sign and bought a $4 can of Krylon Fusion white satin spray paint.  No sanding or priming needed.  Thank you, Krylon.

Several rounds of thin coats and 30 minutes later, I do believe I like how it turned out.

Is this the most awesomely, amazing, brilliant upcycling you have ever seen?  Pfft.  Hardly.  

However, as simple as it is, I do hope it will inspire you to start looking at old, ugly items with new eyes.  Paint that ugly duckling and turn it into a swan.

By the way, this will be going in my dining room.  I plan to paint the walls in Glidden's Almost Aqua.  The stark white of the sign will really pop against the beautiful blue color.

Oh, and for the record, that $4 can of paint still has plenty left in it.  I think enough to do a mirror I found at a garage sale recently.  Stay tuned!

I Be Thrift Shoppin': Cute Little Sugar Dish

I'm a sucker for cutesy little things like sugar dishes.  I miss the days where ladies had guests over for afternoon tea.  Can we bring that back?  I don't know if it would be nearly as much fun without all the fancy dresses, carriages, petite snack cakes, and all that general romance of days gone by.

I picked this up for the color and the design.  It's nothing fancy - no markings on the bottom of this piece.  I have no idea what country this was made in, or if it was made yesterday or 30 years ago.  It's a lovely sort of mustard yellow and stands about 4" tall by 3.5" wide.

I think the lid is my favorite part.  It's decorated all around with that pretty little pointed tip.  I also love the handles.

I found this cute little sugar dish at the DAV on one of their 50% off sales.  Originally $3, marked down to $2, so I got it for $1.  Even if this never gets used as a sugar dish, I would say it's well worth $1.

Dining Room Decorating Total To Date: $3

I Be Thrift Shoppin': Ugly Bless Our Home Sign

If you are needing to decorate on a budget, you just absolutely cannot go wrong with thrift stores.  You may not make some fantastic scores each time you go, but when you do find something you need or want, it feels really good to only have spent a few bucks.

So I have a vision for my dining room - you can see where I plan to go with it HERE. I'm not entirely sure what my style is and honestly I don't care too much.  I do what I like and I like what I do - what style it is doesn't matter to me, because I'm bound to break some rules somewhere.

My vision has evolved a bit as I plan to use less gold metallics than originally thought and plan to incorporate some silver metallics as well.  Overall, I'm just looking to create a pretty space that I will enjoy looking at, and that my family will enjoy as well.  We bought this house back in January and I haven't done a lick of decorating.  I decided it was time to start collecting pieces.

My goal is to decorate as much of my home as I can strictly from thrift store shopping finds.  My reason for this is: 1.) It's a challenge and 2.) It will save us tons of money and 3.) I just really enjoy it.

Our local DAV is a great place to go.  Every major holiday they have a 50% off sale.  Since Memorial Day was this past Monday, I went late that night and found some great finds.

Here's one that I am excited about - I call it the Ugly Bless Our Home Sign.  Because dude, it is ugly.  For now.  I don't have a clue what decade this is from.  It looks like something I would have grown up with, so I am going to say the 80s.
 

I like gold, but not in this instance.  It just looks old and dated.  The gold "Bless our home" is some type of metal.  In different spots the coating has worn off.  It's attached to a wood base (also with lots of wear) with some screws.  The sign is about 16" long by 5" tall.

I think after a fresh coat of solid white paint it will look much better and more modern.  I plan to put this into the dining room, but not sure where just yet.

It was originally priced for $5, marked down to $4, and I got it on a 50% off sale for $2.

Dining Room Decorating Total: $2

Dining Room Inspiration: Navy, Mint, Gold, & Yellow

We just bough a house at the end of January.  I haven't had time to even think about decorating.  Ugh. The farthest I've been able to get, so far, is decorating in my head - know what I mean?  My time has been consumed between Odd Duck Soaps, the kiddos, and our yard and garden.

I decided it's time to start thinking about making a decorating plan.  For me that can be kind of hard.  I think my overall decorating style - and I'm no professional interior designer - would be best described as eclectic.  I love everything from vintage, folk, modern, cottage chic, to minimalism and beyond.  If I had to choose one decorating style, I would probably cry.  There's so much beauty to be found in them all.

I haven't decided on a paint color and I also think I will have to change the curtains, but this is the direction I would like to go with our dining room.  I see a vision of navy blue, shades of mint, yellows, cream, and a touch of metallic gold finishes.

A few key items that I need to get: vintage trays for a tray wall, fabulous pieces of display china, and a large, ornate gilded (real or faux) mirror.  These are the big 3 items that are going to set the mood for our dining room.  I really would love a hutch but due to the room layout I think a buffet or dresser will work best.  Since I will be decorating on a tight budget I hope to score at some thrift stores and yard sales.  I will have to see things with new eyes and hone my recycling skills.

If you are interested in any of these items that are for sale, please go here.  All photos belong to the shop owners.

Favorite Find Friday: Pieri Mid-Century Modern Lamp from Eclectic Blue Vintage

Today's feature is a wonderfully vintage, mid-century modern chalkware table lamp by Pieri being sold by Eclectic Blue Vintage.

(Photo source)

I love this lamp in so many ways.  I mean, just look at!  I am very happy that I stumbled across it today.  It features a bowtie pattern in orange and gold and is hand signed.  Best of all, it functions properly!

This item is being sold without the shade and measures 20.25" tall and has a diameter of 25".  A very unique standout piece for your home!

Here are a few more of my favorites from this shop:

Georges Briard Vintage Glass Dish

I'm thinking about snatching up this clear and gold vintage glass dish for my plate and tray display wall.  Metal tones are very trendy right now, especially gold metal tones.

Rios of Mercedes Vintage Cowboy Boots

Vintage brown leather boots.  Seriously people, there is a reason why leather boots come with a price tag.  They wear well and only get better with age, and this pair looks fantastic.

Vintage Floral Paper Mache Trays with Matching Box

I have no idea what I would do with these little cuties, but it wouldn't matter.  I'm a sucker for anything vintage floral, so even if I didn't use them as a functional piece, they would certainly find a home in my everyday decor.

Eclectic Blue Vintage is based out of Iowa and has over 100 listings online - go check them out!