Treasure Hunting Jackpot!

I needed a thrill today!  I grabbed a few small silver trays today at Goodwill.  Two were $1.49 and one was .99.   I got 20% off because Monday is "Buy $25 get $5 off" day.  So, here's the 99 80 cent bread plate I found.  

As I was cleaning it up, I read the back... Wallace Sterling  4640-9  Rose Point.  I quickly checked online and here's what I found...

Pretty cool- eh? Replacements has this pattern but do not have the bread plate so they don't list the price.

OK... Find number two.  A Vera Bradley Chanticleer Rooster Backpack.  It was retired in 2002 but I found a few selling online for over $40.  

I paid $1 at a local thrift store.  

Lots' more but I needed to share my excitement with someone and the guys in my house don't get as jazzed as my online friends!  More to come!
 Lori

A Daily Choice - A reminder to myself

I wrote this and posted it in January but needed a reminder today.  I challenge each of you to write your own!  Please share with me!  Together, with God's mercy.... we got this!!

I will LIVE life.

I will look to the future 
unafraid of failure; unafraid of falling.

I will view each day as an OPPORTUNITY
to fully experience life.  MY life.
 

I choose to be open to what God has planned for me, 
knowing that it may not be what I had envisioned 
but with the calm assurance
that it is His plan for my special journey.  

I will welcome and rejoice in trials 
because I know that past trials 
have made me a very strong, resilient, and wise woman. 

I will accept challenges and limitations
that sometimes seem hopeless 
because though I may feel weak and broken,
I know the truth.  I am MORE than this pitiful vessel. 
I am as I SHOULD be at THIS moment in time. 

I am blessed to be loved by my husband and sons 
for WHO I am... not HOW I am 
and I thank God for them and for unconditional love.

I will live with the understanding  
that my time here is short...tomorrow is not promised.
For that reason, I will cherish each moment 
and make it as beautiful as possible.  
I commit to living in the present and will let go of the past. 

I will invest in the lives of others,support 
and encourage them becuase I know that I am here
to make a difference in the lives of others. 

I choose to relinquish control of my life 
and the control of the lives of those I love 
for it only serves to fulfill MY will 
and I desire the Masters will.  It is perfect.

Crazy or brilliant? The test chair.

In an earlier post, Delicious Dining Rooms,  I showed some dining room chairs that had been painted white.  I just love the look.  My Mom gasped when I mentioned painting my chairs.  It's one of those decisions that seems huge but really... they ARE just chairs.  Not antique, priceless chairs... just nice cherry chairs that came with the set.  They are not irreplaceable.  So... I found two similar chairs at Goodwill.  (Got to LOVE Goodwill - right?)  

Here's the test chair....

BEFORE

AFTER

 So... what do you think?  I did learn something very important.  Painting these by hand is NOT going to be a good idea.  With that many little crooks and crannies, it's hard to get good coverage without drips and runs.
Fortunately I have one more test chair to work on before I take on my chairs.  The arm chair that matches the first one is waiting to be refreshed.

 I'm debating purchasing a professional sprayer.  I've been looking at a HVLP paint sprayer.   It's going to cost $400-500 but will allow me to transform my 6 dining room chairs (and the test chair!) and as many as other pieces of furniture as I can get my hands on!  Stay tuned!

Test chair #2... coming soon!

I'm linking to  the following blog parties.  Be sure to check out these great blogs!

 Thanks for stopping by!

Lori

Creative solution to a Realtor's challenge

One of the Realtors that I do a lot of work for called today with a challenge.  She has a house with two rooms that she needed to label so home buyers wouldn't miss them.  A small half bath in a hallway and a laundry room off the kitchen.  She didn't want to leave the doors open so she asked if I could come up with a cute little sign for each door.  What do you think?

I made both signs on 5 x 7 canvas.  I printed the text and surrounding graphics and used Matte Medium to attach it to the canvas.  The border is actually the border of a napkin.  I added it using the Matte Medium and wrapped in around the back.

I cut a piece of gold thick paper a little smaller than the canvas and glued the ribbon in between the  two pieces.  I will tie a small wire loop on the back of the bow that will allow her to hang it on the door.  They are so light that they can be hung by removable hooks.

I took the photos while they were still drying.  The bows should lay properly when installed on the doors.

Lots going on here!  Hopefully I'll have an opportunity to post more soon!  Thanks for stopping by!

Lori

Linking to:

Savvy Southern Style