My next fun Project

 A beautiful hutch I plan to restore. Maybe its not real perty yet, but I can already see how it will look, and to me that is beautiful. Remember I told you I had gotten something special when we went to MET? Let me tell you how I came across it. 

When I walked about the grounds at the resort, peeking into the old sheds on the property, I saw this piece of furniture standing in one corner, somewhat exposed to the the rain at times, and not having a proper place to sit on. I felt kinda sorry for it... I went back to Daniel and told him, I am going to ask to buy it. I think I just about embarrassed him, and he said they probably won't sell it. I asked anyway, and they said it was mine for 50 Bze. After only a little bit of thinking,... "Yes, I'm taking it"!

OK, I agree it looks a little sad yet. It came with one drawer and the doors missing, the bottom shelf gone, the boards in bottom starting to rot, one door knob gone AND the back torn away... Perhaps you're thinking, what could I possibly have seen in this piece of junk that compelled me to pay 50 for it! I'll tell you what: A sturdy frame like you don't often see built anymore that can last another couple hundred years if taken care of. I saw a lovely white hutch with my vintage enamelware displayed behind the glass doors, which are all intact. When I said recently that all I needed to display the dishes was a cabinet painted white, I had NO idea I would come across the perfect thing so soon.

I saw in this hutch what I saw in these old pieces which I have already restored...

before...

 ...after

I will be sure to let you all know how this next project works out, but first I have other priorities I need to tend to. So, in a while!

Catching Up

Finally I have gotten the quilt done. I don't think I will attempt another queen size quilt anytime soon. I thoroughly enjoyed having all the ladies over to help me quilt it though.

 I have matching curtains, and plan to make matching pillowcases someday. For now I will pack it away.

 

 Here are the chickens I mentioned a while back. For the most part the coupe is now done. All the wood is recycled. I love recycling! The posts come from hubby's work shop, and instead of nailing a structure that can be moved, I dug holes in the ground, put the posts in and attached everything to the posts. I did not bother trying to saw those posts in any way, so I found it easier to put them in the ground till they were the same height, as the posts came in different heights. Our skill saw is down so everything else had to be sawn by handsaw. (I suppose its just as well, since I am too busy lately to exercise, but I need it somehow. :) The roof is not nailed down and can easily be removed. The door is on the north side; I used a plywood sheet as I figured this way the chickens had a little more shelter in one corner at night. During the day we open the door and let the chickens roam. It is Joseph's job to feed them before breakfast, and he enjoys it. 

Will it save us any money raising a few chickens this way? Maybe, maybe not, but when you are a parent, you start looking at things not just from a financial point of view, but how will your children benefit from the experience. And in this case I realized it is an invaluable lesson for them. Besides, its fun!!!

Vintage Enamelware

Yesterday there was another yard sale, which meant more fortune for me! I have been collecting enamelware for a while without realizing how much I was accumulating. Now, I am thinking all I need is an old cabinet painted white, and I will have a lovely display. 

The flower bowl to the back left was my Grandmothers. It seems to me it was a soup bowl, but it being so long ago, I can hardly recall anymore. The cup to the front left also belonged to her; the handle is broken off. 

The little cream pitcher to the right is something my mom passed on to me. The bowl to the back right, the candleholder, and the two huge cups toward the middle I picked up from yesterday's sale. The candleholder and bowl were free. :) The rest of the items are garage sale finds over many years. I have green enamelware as well, but decided only to show the white here.

I welcome any suggestions for displaying these items, if you have any ideas.

Fun Project

A wobbly old table. My Dad built it years ago for my sister and myself. Two rickety old chairs that my aunt said I could have.

I am having lots of fun working on this set, and will show you how they look when they are all done. Both my dad and my mom were (are) good carpenters. My Mom would probably not prefer to be called by that title, but she is good at it!

Stabilizing the chairs so they won't wobble anymore.

(And now you know why I can't finish my quilt; this table and chairs are standing right next to it...)