Lazy Girl Rocker Cushion

When I found this sweet old wicker rocker last week, I immediately threw away the ugliest cushion ever. She looked better 'nekkid'.

She needed a "cushy" cushion to sink into and I lucked out when I found a thick feather pillow just the right size at the fabric store.

 I turned up the corners and secured them with a stitch to 'round' the edges a bit.

From the moment I found her, I'd known which fabric I'd pull from my stash. This beautiful old flour sack. I was surprised to find it still stitched together along the side; most of the ones I find have been taken apart to ready them to use for dish towels or quilt pieces. (The sacks were only stitched along one side to leave a generous piece of fabric for housewives to re-purpose. And you thought your generation had invented recycling...no girls, it's been going on for-evah!)  See how the corner on the stitched side (right), is rounded?  

I got my sewing machine out and stitched a matching curve along the other corner.

Wonder of wonders, my pillow form slid right in to the sack...a perfect fit!  I added a bit of fill to the corners and then folded the extra fabric over the back - (a bit like wrapping a gift). A couple of stitches secures it. 

What do you think?  She's very comfy now, and just perfect for a little lemonade-sipping-on-the-porch.

I'd keep her if I had the room. Instead, she's headed out to my space at the Waterloo Antiques Mall tomorrow.  Somewhere out there is the perfect porch, just waiting for her.

Rock on, red rocker...rock on!

I'm linking up with At the Picket Fence for Inspiration Friday

...and Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday

Let's go check them out!!


P.S. When I'm visiting a 'new to me' blog, I don't see the "follow" button along the top edge any more. Where did it go????

It's About Time

In spite of the fact that I was a bad blogger and got no photos of the Elkhorn Antique Flea Market, I would be remiss if I didn't take a moment to say thank you to our wonderful buyers. It was great to see so many familiar faces and meet some of you for the first time.  The next market is June 24th - get it on the calendar now!

This year has been crazy busy and Kathy and I have decided to back off the shows a bit - we won't be teaming up for anymore shows that involve overnight travel this year, except for the fabulous Junk Bonanza - of course!  We've both been so busy that it's resulted in no time to devote to decorating our own homes with fab finds. I've been away from home a lot this spring and haven't had time to spend with CG, either.  (We're going to remedy that with a little weekend getaway.)

So while you may not find Gracie's Cottage at quite as many shows this year, we'll still be bringing you our fun and wacky finds.  (Any 'local' shows I add on short notice will show up on my sidebar and on my facebook page.)

I've just re-stocked my space at the Waterloo,(WI), Antiques Mall.  My booth is right at the top of the stairs and it's chock full. I refill it every week with fresh finds.

I've also been busy restocking my etsy shop. and will be adding lots more in the next week.  You'll find some of these fabulous vintage watch dials there, soon.

Are YOU trying to make more time for yourself this summer?  If so, I wish you much success!

Down Lilac Lane at Waterloo

It's a junkalicious trifecta now at the Waterloo Antiques Mall.  At the top of the stairs, Gracie's Cottage, just to the right Altered Ever After, and now in the corner just to the right of that, my friend Kathy has set up her space, 'Down Lilac Lane'.  The following pics are from her space...a hint of all the great things you'll see!

While Kathy and I were working in her booth this past Friday, it was so busy in the mall that it was like working a show.  We met so many great folks. (Thank you all for your business...we enjoyed meeting each of you!)  I got Jean to stand still just long enough for a photo.

We'll be restocking Waterloo on Tuesday this week...I've picked up some more great things.  Come one out and catch us there!

A Good Day Pickin'

Today was a wonderful day, and not just because it started with a long overdue visit to the dentist!  We're having the warmest stretch of March weather on record, daffs are blooming, birds are singing and the picking was great.

 Here are a few things I picked up.  If you are reading this Olive, (Olive Out), I'm sure that big green funeral basket caught my attention due to your recent post.  You'll see how I'm going to use it in my next post.

This door is fabulous...I can't get the color to 'read' right on my monitor.  It's creamy yellowish-off-white over green.  If you are a girly-girl you'll like the other side even more. P-I-N-K!

The sweet little black wire table has a removable tray top, perfect for serving lemonade or sweet tea this summer.

From an old pharmacy cabinet, comes a slant-top unit, complete with dividers for holding medicine labels.

And for you sports fans, we've got this 'films' & 'score pads' cabinet.

On the top you can just make out "Training...library".  Is that not cool?  I wish I knew where it came from.

There's more, but I've got to get this all loaded up and ready to roll out to Waterloo tomorrow.  See ya!
P.S.  Follow me over to Faded Charm for White Wednesday  - you'll find drool-worthy posts all linked up there!

Good Help is (not) So Hard to Find

The 'moving in' process continues at the Waterloo Antiques Mall.  As of today, most of the bigger pieces are in, and I'll be adding loads of smalls in the coming days.

I drove all day on Saturday to get this wonderful old piece.  It was used in a bakery to display the loaves of bread. What doesn't show in the photos is the wavy old glass that is all the way down on each side. I think it was worth the drive, do you agree?

On Tuesday, Pamm from Fresh Eggs Antiques gave up her day off to help me.  Not only that,
she brought yummy sandwiches for us!

It was a regular old party on Tuesday, as Kathy also gave up another day to help, and brought a delicious apple tart for our working lunch. I'm so blessed to have friends to help; couldn't have done it without them. Thanks Pamm & Kathy!

Although the mall is sixty miles from my home, the trip seems shorter each time I go. Once I'm set up, I plan to go there at least once a week to freshen it up and add new finds.

There will be a an event sometime in April when all of the exciting changes that are currently in the works at the Waterloo Antiques Mall are completed.

Among the happenings, I've learned that two of my dear friends will soon be setting up spaces of their own near mine.  I can't wait!

I would love it if you'd stop and visit Gracie's Cottage at the Waterloo Antiques Mall anytime that you're in the area...you might just find me there!

Setting the 'Bones' at Waterloo

When you're setting up a new space, I recommend that you find a 'Kathy' to help you. 

My 'junksista' Kathy was kind enough to go out to Waterloo with me yesterday, to get the 'bones' of the booth in place.  I couldn't have done it without you Kathy - THANKS!

It's going to take several more trips to get everything in, but I hope to have most of it done by midweek next week.  

The entire mall is in a state of positive transition right now; many of the great dealers that have been there for years are moving or re-doing their spaces; you know these things take time, but when it's all completed you are going to be wowed!    I'm so excited that the terrific management and staff are moving forward with the times, and not stuck in the same ol' time-warp that many of the malls in this area seem to embrace.  

I'd love to know what you see in the malls and shops in your area; fresh ideas, or same as always?  Go ahead and name names in the comments if there are shops in your area that are keeping up with the times...better yet, go post a link to them on my Facebook page - click here.