~*Changes*~

Hello Dear Friends!

Life is full of changes!  Very unexpectedly, and out~of~the~blue... my husband and I have decided to dive HEAD FIRST and make some serious BIG, life changes!

It all started at a garage sale!  WOW!  We stopped at one being held out in the country.  It was a sale being run by a coworker of my in~laws.  (They were with us too.)  This gentleman has been cleaning and caring for his mother~in~law's estate over the past year or so.  While we were browsing through the garage sale items, he mentions to us that he will be listing the house on the market soon.  My husband's ears perked up... and before I could catch him by the collar to stop him... he was in the house looking from room to room!

Oh wait... let me back up!  Before we even went into the garage for the sale stuff... we all drooled over the view of the pond in the backyard!  So, technically, my husband was already IN LOVE with this home!

Once inside, my husband looked around and around and was complimenting the house at ever corner.  I was still trying to catch him and get him out!  I kept asking him if he was crazy!  And telling him, "We aren't buying a house!"  Yes, the house was nice... I agreed with that, but we didn't have plans to move.

Well... to make a long story short... our home is now on the market and we have a contract drawn up with this nice man and his family to buy their mother's home... as long as ours sells. 

OUR HOUSE IS FOR SALE HERE!  With our favorite realtor, Lacie Hamlin.

TIME TO STRESS!!!

So, over the past couple of weeks, we have been working frantically around our house doing some much needed updates and some major downsizing (and lots of cleaning!).

We remodeled our bathroom.  Gone is the 1970's pink... and the hideous paneling with the gold specks that we have always referred to as "Gold Spiders"!  We had a tub in the old bath, but have always wanted (and needed!) a shower.  So, after 7 years living here and 'putting up' with this out~dated mess... we now have an up~to~date & fresh bathroom to offer a prospective buyer!

 Yippee!!!

 

Much better!  Don't you think?  Hopefully a buyer will like it!  (and SOON!)

Along with the bathroom work... we have been sorting & purging & cleaning EVERYWHERE!  There are piles of things here and there that are scheduled to be taken to a local auction house this coming Monday...

MOVING/DOWNSIZING AUCTION

Thursday, August 22, 2013  5:30pm

Flint Hills Auction at Bluestem Hall

646 Road 180, Emporia KS

 

There will be LOTS and LOTS of things up for bids that we have collected and stored for too long.  It is time to let it go.  And... if all goes well... it will be LESS for us to move!

 

*~*~*~*~*

 

With all these changes... my craft business will be making changes too.  I have not decided yet what all those changes are going to be.  For now, I have closed my shop here at home.  The booth I share with my SIL, Robin, is still active at ReRun Consignments in Council Grove... and I really do wish to keep that.  However, my crafty ventures... my cross stitch patterns and all... are still needing some thinking about.  Once things calm down, I know I will have a bright look to the future and it will all work itself out then.  I'll keep you posted!

 

In the meantime... your kind thoughts, friendship... and prayers are greatly appreciated!

 

Wishing you all warm smiles...

 

Betty

 

 

~*Annie Sloan*~

Hello Dear Friends!  I have a confession... I broke down and bought some!  Yes, I kept telling myself, "No!  It is too expensive and you don't need it!  You can get beautiful finishes from the less expensive, latex paint by adding cornstarch or Plaster of Paris."... but then I was also telling myself, "It looks really cool & folks speak so highly of it.  You should at least TRY it!"

So I did!

I traveled down Highway 99 to one of the sweetest, vintage shops... Rhinestones & Rust... which is owned by the most delightful & beautiful bunch of girls... and I bought 2 cans of it!  And... you should know... I am SO HAPPY I DID!  It is really COOL stuff!

Over the last several months, I have been making my own 'chalk' paint.  I like how the mixed paint works and I love the finishes I have created.  However, I did still have a desire to try the Annie Sloan paint.

Making my own 'chalk' paint... Here is my recipe...

Use 2 parts latex paint (any - flat, semi-gloss, egg shell will work) to 1 part regular Corn Starch (yup, just like you have in the kitchen)... or Plaster of Paris.  Either will work.  Mix it well.  If needed, or desired... add a little water to thin it, but is isn't necessary.

Now... before I go on to share my first Annie Sloan paint finishes... I should tell you, Annie Sloan paint does not have any 'chalk' or other additive mixed into it.  The paint is a mixed (or made special) paint.  I felt like it had a 'chalky' look to it once it was dry.  Maybe that is why she, Annie Sloan, calls it Chalk Paint.  Who knows?    

Here are my first projects...

Two hall trees... one was purchased recently at a garage sale and the other we have had for years...

 I bought Greek Blue and Emperor's Red paints.  This is after just 1 coat... yes, I needed 2 coats when using the Annie Sloan paint.  Whereas with my own mixed chalk paint, 1 coat is usually enough.  BUT, the Annie Sloan paint does go a long way.  I barely put a dent in either quart of paint.

 Here they are after...

 I ordered new, matching hooks for the red hall tree.  We are keeping this one (it is the garage sale find)... and the other hall tree was taken to our booth at ReRun Consignments and Mall this afternoon.

Both finishes are nice and I am pleased.  I will be using Annie Sloan paints again.  I LOVE the colors available.  I have tried to 'match' them with latex paints... but haven't been able to do it all that successfully.  So... since I do like the paint & it is so cool to paint with... I will be buying more!  *smile*

Here is a color chart I found online of Annie Sloan's paint.  Personally, I don't think my Greek Blue is nearly as dark as the color chart.  I really wish I would have purchased Napoleonic Blue instead.  Hmmm... maybe that will be the next quart of paint to come home with me!!!  *grin*

 I've been stitching (and crocheting) too.  Here is the cluttered workspace in the living room.  I just LOVE my new rocker!  It is a recent auction win.  Isn't it just LOVELY?!  (comfortable too!)

 Fall stitches... and a few crochet washcloths... have been keeping my fingers busy in the evenings.  Oh, I will share more of both with you soon...

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

P.S.  I'm trying this new Bloglovin thing now too.  I'm not sure what it is all about yet... but thought I should get involved with it.  

~*I Cut Another Hunk of Linen*~

Hello Dear Friends!

Yup, that's what I did!  Yup, I have numerous samplers & stitches started that aren't finished... and yet, I cut another hunk of linen!

Why?  Oh, that I'm not sure can be answered... but I did it... and I have a few more things started...

These are expected to be stitched up into a few 'smalls'... and hopefully will be pattern offerings.  Time will tell...

One thing about this hunk of linen... it is a larger count than the samplers that have been set aside.  Yes, like so many others... my eyes are having trouble seeing the small counts.  I do intend to continue working on those samplers, but will probably use less and less of the small count in the future.

This is just a short update and a little sneak peek of more to come... wishing you all warm smiles...

Betty

~*Hooking!!!*~

Hello Dear Friends!  I'm soooooo happy to tell you that I have been hooking!  I have been working on PRIMS too!!!  

I was feeling a little off my path... and it feels so nice to be seeing the direction get back the way I want it to go!

This past Tuesday was our rug hooking day in Council Grove.  We didn't meet for long because there were family members visiting many of the ladies... but we did meet, hook, giggle, and laugh.

Here are a few of the items I have finished up from the week...

Some reclaimed stools... before...

 And after...

 Sunflower hooked top for one...

 with some prairie grass, green chalk paint on the stool...

 Hit N' Miss hooked top for the other...

 with some barn red, chalk paint on the stool...

 I attached the hooked tops with upholstery tacks.  It was simple... and if someone decides to change out the tops later... they still can.  NO GLUE!  *smile*

This past Friday, Trinity and I had a day together in Manhattan.  We visited the Flint Hills Discovery Center (which was AWESOME!), the mall, stopped for some frozen yogurt... and did a little junking at a couple thrift shops.  It was there that I found this little cradle.  I forgot to take a 'before' picture... but here is the after...

My old, and very well loved doll, is a little big... but it is still prim~cute!

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

~*Latest Projects...*~

Hello Dear Friends!  I do hope you had an enjoyable 4th of July... and my Canada friends a Happy Canada Day... and all the rest of you... just a GREAT Summer so far!

We had a great weekend... and our Summer has been a blur of delight so far.  I've been crafting when I can... and have been posting regularly on Facebook.  Like Primitivebettys if you haven't already!  Please and Thank you!  *Smile*

Tomorrow is the monthly rug hooking day with the wonderful ladies in Council Grove.  Sadly, I missed last month... and was very worried I would miss tomorrow.  Thankfully the host has her young granddaughter staying with her... and Trinity has been invited to come alone and spend the afternoon swimming in the lake.  I'm sure we will all have fun!

I've been working this afternoon to get organized for hooking tomorrow.  My plan is to hook some tops for a couple of auction/garage sale find stools...

 These stools were each purchased for only a couple of dollars.  I plan to paint & distress them.  Then I will attach the hooked tops.

Not too long ago, I had the pleasure of visiting Anita White's booth at the Greenwood Mercantile in Greenwood, MO.  I snatched up a 2 pound bundle of scraps for about $12.  No, I don't need any more worms... but these are better than mine because they are different than my stash of woolly worms!  Anyway, I cut up most of the bundle and will be using these to make hit n' miss tops for my stools...

 I will share the finished stools with you soon.

This vanity was one of my resent finishes.  My dear Mom picked it up at a garage sale and shared it with me.  She told me to finish it for my booth or my shop.  I will be taking it to my booth at Rerun Consignments and Mall in Council Grove, KS tomorrow...

 I had the upholstery fabric and decided to use it for the bench, back, and drawer lining.  It doesn't show very well in the photos, but the fabric is a pale yellow with a pink 'Toile' pattern.  No, it isn't primitive... but is is a great finish for a little girl's room!  Don't you think?

 To line the drawers... I cut a piece of foam core (sold by the poster board at the store) slightly smaller than the drawer.  Using hot glue, I first wrap one side with cotton batting... then wrap it with the desired fabric.  Next, I gently work the covered foam down into the drawer and glue it in place.  Sometimes the edges need a little adjustment to work out any bunching or wrinkles.  A putty knife or 5 in 1 tool does the trick to fix it.  The fabric lined drawers really add a great detail finish... in my opinion. 

I'll post another update soon to share the stool finishes.

Wishing you all warm smiles...

Betty

~*Something Else I Made*~

Hello Dear Friends!  Did you have a GREAT weekend?  I sure hope you did!  We had a nice one... another FULL one!  I did manage to finish a few more things between all the family fun!

I cannot take credit for the originality of this re~purposed ditty.  I have seen several made... and, well, I just thought they were all super cool!  I had the ironing board already... so why not make one up?  *smile*

Here is my re~purposed, ironing board bar...

 The bucket was another 'found' item.  It has been well used, but is solid.  It can hold a bag of ice on the bar.

 I painted the board with some white, milk paint.  It is wonderful stuff... and left an awesome chippiness!

There were 3 spoons flattened & bent... then added to the side to hold towels, an apron, or some utensils.  They are silver plated... and have sweet designs on 'em....

Also finished is another scrappy penny rug... that looks GREAT on the bar!

Both of these items were taken to our booth at ReRun Consignments and Mall in Council Grove, KS yesterday.  This weekend is the big Washunga Days festival there.  It surely will be crowded and loads of fun!

Now... on to the next project!

Have a beautiful day with warm smiles...

Betty