Sunday, May 7, 2017

~THOUGHTS ON A SUNDAY MORNING...Recapturing Moments of Innocence~

 Last summer a new family moved into our neighborhood.  The original owners, who were probably the age my Mr. AGP Man and I are today, moved away about 15 years ago and have since passed on.  We called him The Bernina Man because he owned the sewing store in our town.  Their boys were grown and our relationship with them was friendly and cordial with lots of hand-waves and chatting at the mailbox!  The next set of owners were quiet people even though they were very kind.  Ms. D sadly passed away two years ago from cancer and her husband sold the house to the family that now calls it home.
One day while working up in my studio I heard an odd banging sound outside.  Because lots of renovations were being made to the house and grounds (some major ones in fact!) I dismissed it at first.  But...it kept on and on and so out of curiosity I peaked out from one of the room's two shuttered windows to see what was going on.  There was this thud, thud, thud noise and then sometimes a softer sound, like the scrambling of feet followed often by the sound of metal and then another thud.
(I knew it wasn't a power-tool or yard equipment because I know those sounds so well!!!)

It was then I saw three young boys bouncing and dribbling a nearly flat basketball.  Their scurrying around, followed by the familiar sound of a SWOOSH, made me smile big!  Children had finally re-entered our neighborhood after a very, very long absence.  My children have been out of high school for almost 15 years now and it's been about that long since we heard the wonderful sounds of childhood play.
I didn't know until I heard those young boys laughing how much I missed the sounds of innocence.  I began to long for the cuddles from my two babes...forever grown and settled into their adult lives.  Never to return again to the safety of their small twin beds, scattered puzzles, Legos and blanketed baby dolls.


In childhood, where we dwell in the world of carefree play, joy is found in a simple ride around a merry-go-round, the thrill of a push upon the seat of a rickety old swing or even in the bouncing of an under-inflated basketball.

Childhood.
It's magical...
Especially when we find we've grown beyond it.
 As I continue to heal from my injuries I've made it my mission to recapture some of the innocence I think I lost last year.  

I refuse to become bitter or angry over days lost or stolen health.

And so~I'm spending some time this week journeying back into the sweetness of my childhood.  I know it will be there I rediscover more about who I am
and also the person God desires me to become in the future.

"Lord of hopefulness, Lord of all joy,
Whose trust, ever childlike, no cares could destroy.
Be there at our waking, and give us, we pray,
Your bliss in our hearts, Lord, at the break of day."
(J. Struther)

Love to you...

Rebecca

Friday, May 5, 2017

~FRENCH FARMHOUSE STYLE CABINET MAKEOVER~


 
Well...do or die I was going to FINISH the transformation of this neat old cabinet if it killed me.  My Mr. AGP Man told me at 11:00 PM (that would be last night or Thursday!) he was going to bed.  I said I'd be there in a few...

Yeah...RIGHT!
(I say that a lot!  Just a FEW MORE....)

 Now it's early morning and I'm finally done with BOTH the pieces I showed you yesterday!

Remember this?
 This cabinet MIGHT have been great during the 90's when trompe l'oeil was really popular, but I'm not sure it would fit today!

(Remember when you could buy topiary stencils?  Country Inn & Suites had them all over their hotels...not sure if they still do today!)

After sanding the cabinet down (especially the front) I de-greased it and then applied a coat of beige paint (flat) followed by two coats of white paint (flat).
After the paint was dry (and after I put a roast in the oven for dinner) I distressed it before adding vintage French images. 
 
(Here's a tip...go to Graphics Fairy and check out her transfer techniques.  There are many to choose from and all but one or two I've used over the years.)
 After the transfer was dry I lightly sanded down the lettering before applying a light wax followed by a dark was in the corners, etc.

This piece is really too big to ship so it is destined for my booth instead of my website
(www.RebeccaVintage.com).

I'm working at the store where I have a booth today and this is going with me.  My Mistah is going with me to unload this one and the desk I showed you yesterday.
(Yep...I got it done too!)

Yeah, I know.  I'm kinda crazy like that!
But...if you felt locked up in a room doing NOTHING for nearly 10 months you'd be breaking out of the madness as well.  Listen...I'm just so happy I have my life back so work is GREAT.GREAT.GREAT!
(getting.better.everyday)

 I'll be back soon to share with you how the desk came out.  That one I just freshened up with white paint, sanded down the top and re-stained it.  A light coat of wax over the paint and it was done.

More than anything I'm so grateful to be able to return to what I love.  
 It was a LONG year....

More soon.

Love to you~

Rebecca

 
  



Thursday, May 4, 2017

~TRANSFORMING CRUSTY OLD FINDS~

I've had a busy week as I've worked towards getting BACK into the groove of doing things I love! I'm almost done with the Vintage Train Case Makeover I told you about last week and yesterday, while out junkin' and slummin', I found several amazing pieces of furniture that are destined for a transformation as well.  I found the most amazing place EVAH!  Not new to my town, but certainly to me.

After all I haven't done much tag sale shopping since May of 2016.  One of the things I missed doing with my Mr. AGP Man!
I'm soooo OUT of the practice of blogging!  I had my phone camera with me, which was fine.  But, I failed to bring my Cannon Rebel along for the trip and that is my go-to, sure-shot way I photograph my finds.  Anyway...I snapped a few pictures of an incredible desk...one that I fell in love with.  This one for sure is going into my booth!  I sold several pieces of furniture last month and now my little space is HUNGRY for more...
 I'm pretty sure the desk came from Spiegel as part of the original label is underneath.  It's not an antique by any means...more likely it falls under what I call
ALMOST VINTAGE! 
  It needs a repaint and top needs some sanding and restaining.  I may change out the knobs as well.  We'll see!
 Now...looking at this cabinet in the photo will fool you!  It is chest high and several years ago you could find them here and there.  Back when stenciling with hand painted accents were popular!
 This one has seen some better days and I can't wait to get it painted and [farmhoused up!]  For sure it will be painted with a couple of coats of soft white paint and I'll probably add some sort of French transfer to the front.
 I can see it in a bath or something!  
I'm excited to get started on both these great finds.

As I work my way back into my studio I'm ovah-de-moon HAPPY about creating more handwork! Snagging some old lace is always fun!  I especially love the cotton cluny lace!



 But...this old hat with the white roses is simply fabulous as well!  They are getting harder to find these days!

OK...there you have it.  As soon as I finish up these latest projects I'll share the final results.

Hope today finds you happy and well!  Gosh...I've SO MISSED YOU
and my life.

Love to you...

Rebecca 


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