Note to Self

Well I got my (our) first project done last night. And by done I mean done enough to post pictures online for all to see. I still want to add casters to the bottom of the dresser so that I can wheel that puppy around my kitchen. What am I talking about? Here are the pictures:

This is the shabby dresser from the auction.
Drawers were busted inside so they wouldn't close right.
Hot mess. 

This is my purple lovely afterward.
Drawers close nicely (although they need a little soaping) but I think it looks much nicer!

In case you were wondering what in the world
was going on with the sides of this thing, here's a better look.

And the other side. Isn't that towel cute?

I know what some people are thinking... Purple? Really? And yes, I chose purple for my new kitchen storage cart. You can see in the picture above that I have a purple trash can. I also have a purple toaster, garbage bowl, kitchen timer, and clock. 

Think I like purple? It is my favorite color. Jeremy's too. But long ago, when we were talking about decorating our house, we decided that only purple accents were going to be done so that we didn't get absolutely sick of the color. Ok Honey, whatever you say. He hasn't seen this piece yet... hopefully he doesn't think its too much.

I learned a lot from Ms. Purple. First off, sanding if overrated. I found a wonderful primer that doesn't require sanding. 

I did the drawers that way and no one can even tell the difference. It saved me so much time and helped avoid even more sawdust in  my garage than there already was. I only needed one thin coat too, so the stuff is going to last a while. 

I also figured out that spray painting is not for me. Well, big pieces anyway. I went through 4 cans getting everything coated right. If I was going to sell this piece, I probably would not have made much of a profit because of the paint. From now on I'm using interior latex paint instead... 

Well its on to the next piece! 

This is going to be my TV stand in the living room.
I'm using a color called Resplendent Fern Green
(or something like that)

Ciao for now!

Sold to number 60

As some of you may know, Mom and I love a good auction. We are like two excited moths to an open flame. Sunday was not only a good auction, it was a great starting off point for our new hobby. The scene took place just down the street from Mom and Dad's house, so we were able to just walk to it. (When I found the auction online, I didn't realize at first that it was an estate sale for our very sweet neighbor who passed away.) We found so many items to work with in every new room we saw, and we won them all. It was like the Heavens opened up and smiled approvingly down on us.

This was the first purchase of the day made by me! A chest of drawers that needs a lot of work, as you can see, from the broken knobs. But I already have big ideas for this baby.

Mom scored a pair of these dressers next. She had to beat a guy who wanted them, but we wanted them more! They look nice from a distance, but they definitely have some damage.

Two wooden chairs they almost gave away, but I see a LOT of potential!

A vintage desk I fell in love with near the end.

It was quite a different story when it came time to move all of our newly acquired items.

It started with a bad accident that I am still paying for today, and likely will be paying for the rest of the week. I decided to go get a "two fourteen" for Mom and me (that would be two large Diet Cokes from McDonalds for those of you unsure), and thought I would carry two bar chairs home to save a trip.

I was happy as can be, practically skipping home, and about half way there, I fell. I've walked that sidewalk 10 million times in my life and this time, possibly because of the high a good sale brings me, I wasn't paying attention and tripped. There is a 2-3 inch step in the sidewalk where the ground settled over time and my clumsy feet found it. I tried to balance myself but the top of me was going faster than the bottom and I didn't make it. All I could think was, "Save the chairs!" as I threw them to either side of me on the grass. Two seconds after I hit the pavement I heard not one, not two, but several pairs of feet running at me.

Crap, people saw me.

Neighbors and fellow auction-goers came to see if I survived the fall, and two nice men carried my chairs the rest of the way back to the house. My poor mother thought I was unconscious, but all I got was a scraped up palm, a sore knee, and various bruises that popped up overnight.

Today is a different story. My knee is swollen and I can barely move. I guess I'm not a teenager anymore. Buy hey, no pain, no gain, right? Hopefully I can try again tomorrow...

On top of the wonderful furniture finds from the auction, I also received a special little item that is perfect for someone like me. He came with the pair of chairs and I think he will fit in perfectly in Casa de Sam.

Every live plant that enters my home leaves in a body bag, er, trash bag.  I can't kill plastic!

Note: I find all of my auction info here. Auctions with John are really fun, you can take the whole family, and they have a comfort station with lunch available! I don't think there has been a time I have come home empty handed!

Time for a change

My mom and I have always loved finding activities we can do together and both get enjoyment out of. When I was little we did 10,000 different creative projects that a mom and child can do together. All bad "Gilmore Girls" comparisons aside, my mom and I have always been really close and this is a way we continue to have such a great relationship.

A couple of years ago we decided to get into the selling game and joined with a company as a new team. We started out strong - having parties, selling products, making money. We were high on cookware and kitchen gadgets. Soon, we only did enough work to feed our own habits. Our stashes were amazing, but there was no money to be made like in the beginning. Times were changing. There were ten dealers for every customer out there and everyone had different product to push. To stay in the game, we purchased everything ourselves, and even at a 20% commission return, shiz was getting pricey.

Its two years later and frankly, we are in a bad way. We don't have the drive anymore. Our hearts are not in it. So we are getting out. This fall will be our last season. But never fear! We already have a new venture in mind. We have been inspired by the magical website that is referenced constantly when it comes to new recipes, household tips, and "lolz". It seems like we are always seeing items and saying, "I can make that... and better!" It will be mostly for fun, but I don't think either one of us will complain if it brings in a little bit of money, too. After all, we both have mortgages now, and I'm only a partially employed teacher at the moment. Maybe this idea won't last too long either, but we are darn excited about it right now. (Look G-pa, no swearing!)

We want to take the old, worn out, run down and renew, restore, revamp, until it is splendid once more.

Welcome to Recreated Bliss!