Back to the 50's.

 While shopping for projects last week, I came across this 1950's desk. It was the blonde wood, very boring and in need of a little TLC.  I knew what I thought would be the color choice, but asked on Facebook for advice. Black and Pink, Aqua and Pink or my choice Aqua and a Sunflower yellow/gold. You can see what won out.

The first step was to fill in any imperfections in the wood. A little spackle, sanding and good as new. Next was to paint the drawers. The outsides were in good shape but the insides needed a little touch up. They had ink and pencil marks and someone even tried different spellings of the word Peach.. Peech, Paech and finally Peach. To heck with paper... use the drawer!!!!

I chose a soft off white to finish the insides. Then came the outsides, the color is called Arles but I like to say Sunflower yellow. Not bright yellow, just yellow with a hint of warm gold.

 Now to tackle the desk. All the sanding was done and the paint went on so smoothly. The color is called Provence. A better description would be to call it a 50's aqua. The photo shows it a little bluer than it really is.

 Before I even purchased the desk, I had been playing with different restorations. This little foot stool was dark laminate "picture of wood" - with torn fabric for the top and stained. It wasn't meant to go with the desk but once I get the chair done.. it will be nice to sit and put your feet up while reading a book.

The same for this little galvanized bucket. It was just fun to play with it... cute little waste basket or wonderful to put bunches of flowers in (especially those sunflower bouquets you can get at the farmers market).

One thing - it's going to be hard to part with this desk. It makes me happy just to look at it. Who knows if nobody wants it, maybe I'll have to make myself an office.

Well, I better get back to work. Hope you enjoyed the show and tell.

Later,
Patti

Busy and Happy

 I think that Busy and Happy says it all. I have been working non-stop at "Next Act" getting the lovely antiques and pieces ready for our opening. Nancy and I have decided that it would be better not to rush it, so we will open closer to the middle of October.  It's amazing how long it takes to give a face lift to a dresser or desk.

This little white desk was in nice shape when it arrived. As you can see, it has been loved alot. The estimated age is around 80 years old... I think it looks darn good for 80.

Nothing says "I've been loved", on a vintage piece better than a little wear around the edges. I think it gives it character. This is just one of the pieces I'm working on today. Almost done with my 50's desk - it's gonna be hard to part with it.  Next post....

Til then, be "Busy and Happy".
Patti

Today's accomplishment

This morning I worked on a vintage piano bench. It was in pretty rough shape when we got it, but with a little help, it's good as new.

 I love carved wood, it adds so much. When it came to deciding on a paint color I chose Emperor's Silk with a touch of Graphite to accentuate the carving. Once it dried,  I waxed the entire bench with clear and dark wax. The wax gives a wonderful patina finish when it's rubbed into the paint.

I started a few more projects and they're in various stages. I'll post a few pictures as they get further along.

New day, New project.

Today, I'm going to finally put the finishing wax on my latest project.

 This is a "before" photo of the top of the hutch I've been transforming. It has lovely leaded glass doors and soft inside lighting. So often the pieces we're working on are in rough shape and require a lot of additional work - this was in excellent shape and fun to work on.

Nancy and her husband Kevin went on a trip last weekend and brought back a van full of wonderful antiques and treasures. Just worked on one of them yesterday. There's a companion piece that I hope to get to sometime this afternoon. It makes you feel good to take a piece of furniture that has been around for 80 years, and from the condition it's in you can tell it's been truly loved and used every day.  A bit of paint and a little TLC and I can rejuvenate it so that it has 80 more years to be loved.

I've come to the conclusion that I need to go to National Camera. The quality of the photos that my little camera produces don't do justice to the projects I'm working on. I need one that will let me show you some of the detail. We have lovely antiques that my Cannon just doesn't photograph well. A trip to the camera store is on my list.

Nancy and I are still hoping for an October opening. We want to have time to do quality work and not have to rush. The wait will be well worth it.... 

I'm having fun, doing something creative and enjoying every minute of it. 

 On a separate note:  I've been emailed about Quahog. He hasn't had much time to blog but he's doing well. He has a kennel at the shop and his Aunt Nancy lets him stay in her office. Right now he's a little bit of a pest while there. It's going to take a little while for him to settle in - it's all new to him. He will be celebrating his 2nd birthday on Saturday. Can you believe he's already 2?

Hope you all have a great day.. be creative.

Patti

Playing with color and texture

Yesterday, I decided to try out a new color - Duck Egg. I didn't remember to take a "Before" photo but this was a beat up - brown wood.

I used a little Old Ochre on the trim, distressed it and then applied the wax

Just a little distressing and dark wax totally changed the color and texture. I'm having so much fun working on my projects. I started a hutch last night. Right now I'm at home taking Quahog out, heading back to apply my second coat. Wait til you see it...

Moving Day

Today was moving day. With the painting done, the clean-up done and the crew lined up, it was time to move all the "stuff" from Nancy's house into our new location. I knew there was a wide selection of things... that was an understatement. I was not expecting half the amount that we've collected. Now the real work begins. 


On top of moving all Nan's things, we are moving all the furniture and fixtures out of Fabric Town. It's time to empty the shop and start working in my new workshop at "Next Act". I'm excited to set up my space and begin my new job.

Thank you to Denise Hall for all her help. She arrived at the shop this morning and the two of us moved quite a bit of furniture and things. It's almost done, just the back room and some misc. stuff. Hard to believe how much you can accumulate over the years (even more amazing at how much of it's junk).  

 Give me a few days to get set up and I'll post a few photos of my projects. 

Patti

 

Old is new again.. a little project.

I've been putting in alot of hours working toward the opening of "Next Act" This is just one of the fun transformations.

The hunter green and pine works well in a log cabin.  With a little effort, I now can see it in an entryway or as a desk for a boys room.

Relaxing and Refreshing

On Sunday, Jeff and I went to the "Black Forest" in Minneapolis for lunch. It's one of our favorite places to relax and enjoy a wonderful German meal. The weather was nice enough and we were able to sit outside on the patio. I had to share the unbelievable floral baskets and the lush greenery with you. 

The floor is red brick and the tables are covered with checked tablecloths. While you're eating, little birds are flitting under the tables hoping for a tid bit or two. Jeff and I are softies, we tossed them a handful of tiny pieces of bread. Now we have about 8 winged BFF's. They'll be watching for our next visit.

My thought is to try making a basket like this for my deck - next summer. I only get the sun in the morning til about noon, so the impatience would work well.

Our table was right next to this waterfall. The sound of the water was so relaxing, if we hadn't had some previous plans, I think we would have just spent the afternoon chatting and enjoying the peace and quiet. 

Patti

Here we go..."Next Act"

Hi,

Patti H. my computer guru has been working on getting my blog set up. I asked her to use the same floral background as I had on the Fabric Town blog. I loved it, soft floral in relaxing colors. We are still tweaking it - being as non-techy as I am, it takes a while for Patti to try to find what I envision in my head as my blog and then make it happen.

The name I have chosen for my blog is "Cranberries and Calico".  I came up with that name over 20 years ago when I first started working for Barb at FT.  I had said that if I ever owned a quilt shop in Massachusetts  I would give it that name.  Being from Boston/Cape Cod I have always been in love with cranberries... Ocean Spray Cranberry sauce is good with everything. So, if you add my love of pretty fabrics to my cranberry addiction  you get "Cranberries and Calico".  It never ended up being a quilt shop... but it works well for a blog.

With the closing of Fabric Town, I find myself starting over and a new chapter in my life is beginning. I have mentioned "Next Act" in my FT blog but not been specific.  My sister, Nancy, and I are both starting on a new adventure. It was Nancy's idea but the more we talked about it the more exciting it got. "Next Act" is going to be a shop with Antiques, Collectibles and Treasures. Nothing specific... we have a certain look and style we are working toward. I have been painting some fun pieces of furniture, I guess the phrase is "re-purposing".  I think I finally found something that I'm good at and enjoy. Face it.. I wasn't the best quilter and my attention span is short. If the quilt had more than 100 pieces - not happening. (Did I mention that I bought my self a buffer and sander... a woman and power tools!!!) 

Our shop will be two doors down from where Fabric Town was located. We rented the smaller side of the gift shop. It was perfect for what we had in mind. Right now, we're trying to get all the necessary things taken care of and then we'll get in there and start setting up. Our goal is to open by the end of September. We will announce our Grand Opening and all the details as it gets closer.

I will be posting some of my projects as I'm working on them. I hope you like this new blog and that you will follow me into my new life. After 20+ years with FT, this is a new journey and I must admit a bit scary. I'll also post different things as I enjoy life.

Creatively Yours,
Patti