Grayslake This Weekend - Vintage Valentines & More

Good morning new Blogger dashboard.  Let's see if you feel more like cooperating when I use Chrome instead of Firefox.  (clicks 'preview'...so far so good!)   Remember to print this page off or pull it up on your phone for half price admission to the Grayslake Antique Market this weekend.

Today is load-up and head out to Grayslake day.  Of course I'll have tons of vintage Valentines; it's now or never people!

Those old heart-shaped candy boxes have plastic roses.  Quaint, eh?

I'm also bringing a bunch of letters like this because you just never know when you are going to need to hang your initial on the wall. That turquoise N is as tall as a small toddler!

Of course I've also put together my usual offbeat assortment of things to get you thinking.  I  have a couple of titles in mind for this grouping - what would you call it?

Now follow me on over to Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday...that will get you thinking for sure!

See you at Grayslake!  

White Christmas...Not Much!

Growing up in California, I always dreamed of having a white Christmas.  After decades of Wisconsin Christmases, I still love snow in December. After that - not.so.much.!  It appears that this year we will have a Christmas of gray skies and sorta-green grass.  Maybe that's why I've had a hard time getting into the groove this year.

I didn't get my entire snowman collection out, but did manage to pop a couple of the little guys into the antique apothecary jars in my kitchen, along with some tiny brush trees.  (In a fit of craftiness that shocked me, CJ took the little trees out and made card-stock bases for them so they would stand up better in the jars.  Will wonders never cease?!!!)

...and speaking of California, my dear sister-in-law, Jan, helped my 87 year old Mom put up her tree last week, and texted pics to me all during the process. Mom wasn't going to put a tree up this year either; "it's too much work". I'm blessed to have such a caring s-i-l  who is always there for her when I can't be. Here's Mom with her tree:

By the way, our 25%-off-everything-in-our-shop-sale continues through today!   Use the code 25off at checkout to receive your discount!

I'm linking up with Debra at Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday. Follow me over there. You are going to love it!

Is Four Years Too Long to Wait for Annie Sloan?

Well, if I'm being honest, I'd never heard of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, (ASCP), four years ago when I bought this little wicker desk. Ive been meaning to cover the horrid avocado paint ever since.  The desk was just the right size for my tiny sunroom/studio/office and has provided a hospitable home to my laptop.  But really, this room needs to be pulled together.  Someday I'll show you the before & after of the entire room, as soon as there is an "after".  The walls are a soft green and my vision has always been to have this room furnished in a mix of the calming greens & blues of the sea.

Enter ASCP in Duck Egg

I carried the desk into the kitchen and started painting it this morning.

 This paint thickens up quickly once opened. I found it helpful to have two brushes handy. One in use and a second one "on deck" for when the first one started to stiffen up a bit.  I also found that covering most of the open can with Glad Press'nSeal really slowed down the thickening process.  I left an opening just large enough to slip the brush in easily.

Painting the wicker was interesting; I soon learned that a circular motion with the brush worked best. If I was doing it again I might pull out a stencil brush to use.  Here's the desk after the first coat.

The second coat is on and looking good, but it's too dark for pics at the moment. I've got ASCP wax on order and can't wait to finish it up..stay tuned, or check our Facebook page for updates! 

Linking:
Miss Mustard Seed Furniture Feature Friday

French Country Cottage Feather Your Nest Friday

At the Picket Fence Inspiration Friday