31 Days With ME: Bluegrass Festival

 It's Friday! Day 5 of my 31 Day Series. Welcome.


One of the reason I love the fall time is because of the festivals. I think there is one every single weekend! This one was a Bluegrass Festival in Carl Junction MO, which we had never been to. However, I have recently become interested in bluegrass music. Not country music, but bluegrass....I know there is a thin line. This is how the recent interest came about. I sat down and turned the TV on one evening and it was a one of the public stations, and Austin City Limits was on. Now I don't typically watch that show, but who I saw on stage kept me from changing the channel. Guess who it was. That's right. Steve Martin! I had NO idea that he played the banjo, I mean I think I vaguely remember something from his stand-up days, but I just didn't know. He plays with the Steep Canyon Rangers. I sat there and watched in amazement how great Steve Martin is and how much I was enjoying this Bluegrass Music. Ok, I'm getting a little carried away...SO when I heard that there was a festival going on in my area, we made some plans. Like I said, we had never been, so I didn't know what to expect, but there were lots of different craft/handmade vendors, food vendors, a car show, a petting zoo, and a bouncy house...with the sound of bluegrass wafting through the air the whole time from live bands playing throughout the day.

 

Let the petting commence.

Sometimes petting zoos (and aquariums) make me sad, poor things. I know I'm weird.

 

The car show was great. For some unknown reason, I am a car buff....I like the old ones, mostly the 50's, 60's and 70's. Keegan and I quiz each other on the year before looking at the placard in the windshield...he's a car buff too.

 

 Here's me with my GTO ;)

Fall. It's Festival season and I love it.

31 Days With ME: Patch NYC Tablescape

 Welcome! It's day 4 of my 31 Day Series. Thank you for coming everyday so far.

It's Thursday and I can't help but do a tablescape. Putting a table together is one of my most favorite things, it's like putting a room together, except it's a table (har, har)...but because of chemo, I have only done one this year, and this is my second. Have we eaten at the table this year? Yes, it just hasn't been pretty while we do it. :)

 This is not the original centerpiece that I came up with, but the first one was too wimpy. Every time I try to "do something simple" it looks wrong in my eyes, so I end up beefing it up. I can't help it, I like things beefy. Do you like the brass champagne bucket the hydrangeas are in? It's new (to me), found it last weekend...I bought it to go in my booth, but I think it might stay here at home with me for a while...I mean how many brass champagne buckets do you see around? Not many. You wanna see the first one? OK, but don't pin it. Just kidding.

 See? Wimpy.

 What inspired this whole table are these cute dessert plates I found at Target from the 'Patch NYC' Collection (hence the name of the tablescape). Each plate has a different woodland creature...and I love the white on black with a little gold. Each member of the family is represented...

The fox is Keegan:

Justin is the stag:

 The owl is me (of course ;):

 Ain't he cute?

And the rabbit is Logan:

 I have been seeing all sorts of chalkboard-paint-on-log projects around so I decided to try some for myself. Cut up a log in about 1" slices and then paint them with chalkboard paint. I will be using these for Christmas too, I feel sure. I even operated the miter saw by myself, I was really nervous (first time using one)...hopefully I will get use to that thing. Keegan supervised, he uses one in his shop class at school, hows that for the son teaching the mother?

 The walnut and brass napkin rings are vintage with 'Lagoon Blue' napkins from World Market.

 Used the flatware I received as a wedding gift umpteen years ago...shhh, don't tell anyone, this is only the second time they've seen the light of day...they are a little on the fancy side for me.

 I don't know if you can see them well enough...the candle sticks are brass with glass inserts with blue votive cups inside. I like to layer people.

 Soup bowls are vintage, love the handles. Dinner plates from Dollar Tree a few years back, all on chargers from Mary Carol Garitty Home Collection. I'd point out the glassware, but they are the same ones I use every time (from Nell Hill's).

 So I know it's not a traditional palette for fall, but I hope you can still grab some inspiration and ideas.

 

Joining Susan

 

31 Days With ME: Bookcase Styling

Thank you for stopping by again today. This is day 3 of the 31 Day Series. I hope you are enjoying it so far.

 It's time to talk bookcases. I recently redid mine because they were looking pretty sloppy. For some reason, the shelves are sort of a catch-all. With my computer desk so close, my desk junk tends to spread to the shelves....I use the bottom row for storage, so that row just has baskets for storage and never changes...but the mess four shelves up, is inevitable. Sometimes, I've got some random accessory I end up shoving it somewhere on there too with the thought: "I'll get it later". Finally later arrived and I got to work.

So how do I go about foo-fooing my bookcase? Here's what I do:

Pick Focal Accessories Color (large accessories). It's a two part-er...if you like high contrast, like I do, and have dark bookcases, select bigger light/white accessories (to stand out). If you do not like high contrast and have light shelves, chose bigger light/white accessories (to blend in). Can't find accessories in the color you want? Two words: Spray Paint.
 I chose a combination of several white things. Ginger jars, artichoke pedestals, porcelain antler, coral, vase (on top) and a frame. White is used on nearly every shelf without books. Speaking of books, I do not have a huge collection of books, but what I do have I put on the diagonal to help balance the visual weight.

Tip: Use books to elevate smaller accessories and a manzanita branch adds texture

Pick Secondary Accessory Color. I like the color orange (especially with fall here) and used the color in three areas throughout the bookcase. Spread the love. The flowers on the top, smaller flowers midway down, and a vase near the bottom.

Use Something Metallic: Vintage brass is appealing to me more and more (and more) and the idea of mixing metals, I love. I used a tray, an owl, a pear, and a silver frame to add a little shimmer.

Use Something Natural: I used several natural things, some real, some not. I used real driftwood and a manzanita branch for texture. The flowers, antler, and coral, while not real, still add a sense of rustic life.

Tip: Woven boxes and baskets add nice texture too

     So that's how I do it my friends. Fill your bookcases with pieces  that add texture and depth with all sorts of layers and you'll be happy you did.

31 Day With ME: My Secrets to Second Hand Shopping

Today is day 2 of my 31 Days Series (yeah baby!), welcome!

I am not sure when it happened...I think I was in my 20's when I discovered a love for second-hand shopping. It was probably out of necessity too, living in an apartment in Morehead City, NC with nothing but the matching bedroom suite with me that I had growing up...that's probably what we all had. You look around yourself with your hands on your hips and there is nothing to sit on and nothing to eat at. I think I remember being a little nervous too when I first started, but that is not the case now...super speed 20 years and I can dig around like nobody's business. Somewhere along the way necessity turned into love and logic. It makes complete sense to me to first seek something second hand than to buy new. Things were just made better. Nothing adds to the character of a room than a good piece of vintage furniture. I'm going to throw the tree hugging card in there too, keeping all of our 'stuff' out of landfills. It is 'living green' as they call it, but I have been doing it since I had long hair and curled my bangs.

So let's talk about where I "shop". Typically, I like to shop locally and help support my community, but I also seek thrifties out when I'm in other towns, especially big towns. Big towns=more selection (I find that to be true in regular retail too). Know your town, use the newspaper, use your Maps app on your phone (if you're out of town), worse comes to worse, use the phone book. :)

The prime places I find goods are (in no particular order): Goodwill, Salvation Army, small business second-hand stores, Church-founded thrift stores, yard/garage sales, estate sales and auctions.

Here is my permanent shopping list: Furniture (no laminate), Lamps/Chandies, Artwork, Glassware, Dinnerware (especially high-end, Mikasa, Noritake, Johnson Bros., etc), Accessories (vases, candle sticks/holders, etc.), Linens (no bed linens though, unless I have a project in mind to repurpose), jewelry (estate sales), nearly anything silver or brass. This list keeps me tight and in line.

How I shop at second-hand stores (ie Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc.): I call myself a "scanner", I head to each department (furniture first) and scan what I see. If something jumps out at me, I stop...I'm not a look-love-linger sort of shopper, I'm pretty fast. Don't forget to look on the bottom shelf either. As my eye improved (over time), I see the potential in furniture and accessories in a jiffy.

How I shop yard sales and garage sales: Now it has taken me a while to get comfortable with this type of shopping, it's just my personality, but I hesitate going up to a complete strangers home and start rifling through their stuff...but realistically, the are having a sale and have it out in the yard/driveway etc, get over it, Michelle. They are just trying to get rid of their stuff, and make a little money while they're at it. Simple. And I have found some great stuff. Confession though: my MIL has caught the 'yardsale' bug so she is usually with me, so I feel more confident. Shop with a buddy!!!

Same thing as if you were in a store, scan, scan, scan. Don't be afraid to leave empty handed either, if you don't see anything, walk away.

How I shop Estate sales: Shopping estate sales is a lot like yard sales, but the stuff is usually better, and the prices are a little higher (not much though) and you need to be there super early. All the good stuff is gone if you go late. Usually, there is a service that is handling the estate sale (which accounts for the higher prices)...there are different associates that help around in the different rooms, and a check-out area when you are done. I do, however, and this is my personality again, feel a little sad at estate sales...you know someone has passed away and this is their children thinning down the household, it's just sad. So I do sort of mosey through the home, room to room keeping my eye out for good stuff...again, scanning. Also, estate sales are where I find a lot of great vintage jewelry.

How I shop Auctions: Now I am fairly new to auctions, but find them to be quite fun. I've only been to estate auctions (sad again, I know!) versus Auction Houses. Estate auctions can be found in your newspaper, or online. First, get there a little earlier than the scheduled time....and plan to stay late, it's an all day affair (and I recommend leaving the kiddies at home for auctions). I walk around and find the things that I think I want to bid on...you have to be stealthy and quiet. Don't visibility show interest in anything or you'll call other people's attention to it and the stakes could possibly go up.

Whisper a lot. If you are with your shopping buddy and need to share your excitement over something, you can, just whisper. This is the time you find out whether you even want to stick around or not.

The auction can begin, you've got your mental list prepared from doing your recon earlier, and you can bid on said items. I do have a cut off point though...I let things go (ie lose) if it's beyond it's value, or what I'm prepared to spend...however, I have 'won' things for very little and known the value is much greater....that's the fun part. The other fun part, and I'll throw this one in there for free, is watching what other people will bid on....it's the 'people watcher' in me that finds it fascinating to see what people bid on, for example, a box of plastic ducks...I know, I know, each to their own....they've probably done their mental list and plastic ducks was on it!

I have seen crazy bids too like, a crappy set of beat up old wicker furniture on it's last leg go for more than a solid oak dining table and chairs in excellent condition...I've seen people argue with the auctioneer to the point the law might be called....you just never know what will happen at an auction and it's a thrill.

I look for things that are well made, classic pieces that have stood the test of time. Even in accessories, I avoid trendy collectibles and look for timeless pieces that represent an era. 

Some weekends are good some are not, but if you go frequently enough and hone your eye, you will find pieces that you'll love. Keep an open mind and visualize what it could be.

And one more thing, don't you think things were made better 20 (even 10) years ago than they are today? I figure too, if it's lasted for 10, 20, 30, 40 years already...it's going to keep on going. Money well spent.

Get out there and go thrifting!

Visit Nester for a lot of other 31 Days partisans

31 Days With ME: DIY Fall Letters

Today is the day!! October 1! The very first day of the 31 days series that I hope I can pull off I'm participating in. I'm feeling pretty good about it, I've gotten some ideas nailed down and even used a calender and everything. Fancy.

Check out my announcement here, if you missed it.

Last week, our fall mantle was revealed with 'Fall' letters as the focal point. Justin and I made the letters and finally the tutorial is ready!

Here is what you'll need: 2X2's (2) from the lumber yard, wooden base from the craft store, wood glue, staples, nails or screws, Spackle (and putty knife), primer, grey paint and sand paper.

Justin handled all of the cutting part, I am TERRIBLE at mitre cuts. He used a mitre saw, but you could certainly use a mitre box for this project.

Wanting to make a big statement, the letters needed to be big. they are 18" tall and 10" wide.
Keep in mind that you can make them any size you want. I have high ceilings in the living room and need height.

I put them together the best that I could. Justin had gone to work already and I couldn't find the drill, and even if I had, I don't have any upper arm strength....so this is what you do when you can't find a drill and do not have nails on hand that are long enough....and you're a wimp. First wood glue: 

Then I used the staple gun. Would I have used screws had I found the drill? Yes. Would I have used nails if I had some long enough? Yes. But the staples ended up working just fine, so I'll leave the choice up to you.

For the F, because it is top heavy, it needed a little base to attach to the bottom for stability. I used one of those little craft bases from the craft store, but you could probably use a scrap piece of wood too. I did manage to use a screw for that part (by hand even:). Go ahead and prime all the letters with your choice of primer.

If you have been around for any length of time, you probably remember the lamp I made over using a technique with Spackle. This is sort of the same technique. Basically using Spackle to create a texture on the smooth wood. With the putty knife, spread the Spackle over the wood unevenly. I used the pink stuff that turns white once it's dry. 

Once the Spackle dries, paint the letters grey. Of course you can paint them any color you'd like, I just feel you can't have enough grey in your life. Plus, this is the Bedford Grey that is painted on the kitchen walls, so it is a nice nod to the kitchen color. The paint job does not have to be perfect, in fact, you don't want it to be perfect at all.

Once the paint has dried. Do another layer of Spackle, just like the first time...right over the paint.

This is how it will look once the Spackle has dried. It will need to be sanded a little to smooth out the finish, but not too much.

Do each letter the same way and you are done! I did not seal anything, but you certainly could, I'd used a matte spray sealer. I love the fact that you can move each letter around as you need to. If you want each letter straighter of further apart...anyway you want...whatever. On my mantle, I used a faux book to elevate one of the L's and the base of the F is not even noticeable.

I hope you are inspired to give this project a try!
That went alright, right? If you have any questions, let me know. I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Thank you Nester for hosting this lovely affair, click HERE to visit a lot of other 31 Day partisans.