Monday, December 31, 2012

A couple favs of 2012

We're quickly approaching 2013, all!  I took a little look back to see how I had done with my plans for Lively Grace during 2012, and I'm pleased as punch!  I think I did quite well with my goal of posting 2-4 times per month.  I increased views during the year.  I have a few posts I 'linked up' with other blog posts, which says something for a gal with less than awesome computer skills.  I have written two articles for Pocatello Magazine (so far!), and saw my blog and name printed in Flea Market Style Magazine.  And let's not forget, the fun that is being a vendor in the Wildhare Flea Market!

I choose a couple favorite posts from the last year to share.

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Thursday, July 12, 2012

Kiddo's dresser


I had been keeping my eyes peeled for a dresser to replace the one in my kiddo's room.  I had made a stop on the way home from work when I came across this dresser.  I actually measured to see if it would fit in my car... I was about 2 inches shy... you would be surprised what I can finagle in the back of a small 4 door car!  Instead, I paid for my purchase and quickly returned with the truck to load up.



Here's what it looked like when I brought it home.  Well, actually what it looked like after a good cleaning.  It had been in a garage for many years.  My dad saw it before and after just dust and cobweb removal and thought I had stained it ... nope, just removed layers of old dust!



The kiddo was not immediately smitten as I was.  Yeah, even with those key holes! If you follow me on facebook, you may recall I learned that 10 year old boys have criteria of what makes a good dresser that are different from mine.   I learned that fort making capability is an important factor while dresser shopping, and one young man was concerned that this one was too 'stubby'.  



After reconfiguring the options of fort building within his room and his input on paint choices, he began to warm to the idea.  He decided he wanted to leave the top the natural wood color, with all the dings from many years (yeah!).

We actually tried about 4 or 5 different paint colors;  one I had at home, some I mixed, one that I ordered, and then finally found just the right one.  This piece is all wood with lovely rough cross pieces on the back.  I was able to use the side of one of the drawers as the test area until we found the blue he liked best.


                                   

The kiddo chose the drawer pulls- good taste,  'eh?  (He appears less than enthused here, it was a hot day in or out of the garage!)




We moved it into his room the day we finished.







I threw this picture in because I love the stamped numbers on the side.  They're well worn with age, but a bit of paint helped them be more visible.


His room is not 'done', and may never be, as the process of making a space your own is part of the fun and you never know what you may find next (insert mental picture of the bathroom sign here!  If you have no idea what I am referring to, you should check out my facebook page www.facebook.com/LivelyGrace )

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Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Story of the Lockers


Early last fall, I had gone to a 'moving sale'.  Anytime I drive up and see a shed or barn structure, I'm ready to roll.  This guy's place was amazing, with a huge 3 sided workshop.  To protect the innocent, we'll call him Walt.  Walt was moving out of the country on a new adventure.

I nabbed this fan at first sight!  And it still sits atop a project table.


I spied a set of lockers, dusty, and tucked all the way in the back, without a price.  The color was awesome!  I continued to look around, contributing to my 'pile', while still physically holding the fan.  Although I wasn't in the market for one, Walt was selling an enormous rain collection bin that he use to catch rain from his shop's roof and then watered all the trees on his property.  I knew then we were a bit of kindred spirits;  in a good rain storm my kiddo and I go 'catch' rain in buckets by setting them under drain spouts to use later to water the garden and flowers!  And when I say enormous, think larger than a horse trough, raised up, next to the shop - too cool.  While I visited with Walt, I wished my kiddo was with me, just to see the rain collection system and pretty property, we kinda get excited about recycling and reusing in the Lively Grace household.
So I asked Walt about the lockers.  I recognized that immediate hesitation;  he had a connection with the lockers, kinda like my new connection with the fan.  He had pulled them out of the dumpster at work, he explained, just knowing they could be put to good use.  He had planned to build shelves horizontally on the inside, but alas, many other projects had come before this one.  He admitted he couldn't take them out of the country with him, but they weren't for sale today.  As I loaded up my car (he was impressed how I could fit so much in a 4 door car!) he took my number, maybe he would contact me later about the lockers.

I went home and swooned over the fan.  The weekend passed and I didn't hear anything more about the lockers.

Then, over a month later, I had a message on Facebook.  Not from Walt, but from his neighbor, Kathy, who owns Her Alibi Antiques in Pocatello, and had been helping him with his sale.  How sweet is that of Kathy?  We had visited a bit at the last flea market, she also had a booth, and at various estate and yard sales.  Walt had misplaced my number, but had passed his number along to me thru Kathy, if I was still interested in the lockers.

 IF!  Walt and I played phone tag and then came up with a time I could drop by.  When I pulled up to his property (this time in the truck with my kiddo), I noticed the shop was completely cleared out.  Except for the lockers.  Even the enormous rain collection bin was gone;  he had auctioned and sold everything else.  But there were the lockers.  He explained how he had set them aside, that if I appreciated their awesome junkness as much as he did, they should go to me.

Since it was gone, Walt described the enormous rain collection bin to my kiddo.  We took a look at some of the trees it had helped grow.  We loaded the lockers in the truck, joking that they 'probably' wouldn't have fit in my car.

I snapped a pic immediately after I unloaded them in the garage.
Although I was super excited to put these to good use, they had been stored in a 3 sided shed and had become a haven for spiders, cobwebs and dust.  Lots of gloved scrubbing occurred before they went into the house.




The vintage ice-cream bucket with orange handle was also picked from Walt.  And, like Walt, I have a long project list (which includes re-painting the walls in this room- not quite as blue in person)  that frequently gets re-prioritized.
After such a story, you may think, "and she stores paint in those?".  But if you have ever used, priced, or talked to me about Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, you would understand that this paint deserves a special storage place!  One may also find, on occasion, mini peanut butter cups on the top shelves : ).
I think Walt would approve.
-Jen
Are you a reader of Flea Market Style Magazine?  These are the lockers I mentioned as one of my favorite finds when I wrote to Flea Market Style Magazine.  Imagine my excitement when I saw my name and blog in the article Reader's Choice favorite cities (Winter 2012)!

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Well, although I was painting in that room today, it wasn't the walls.  Guess I can add that to the plans for 2013!  
 
Happy New Year!
-Jen 

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Here's to a great New Year!



Hi all!

If you follow Lively Grace on facebook (www.facebook.com/LivelyGrace) you may have seen this picture already.  I had high hopes to post this last week, but just didn't squeeze it in among the holiday plans and some great time just hanging with my kiddo.  So, what the heck, I figure it's still before the New Year, right?


This is my kitchen tablescape;  re-graced style.
I found this box in a basement.  It was actually part of a handmade tool box.  The edges boast cuts and knicks from tools being tossed in and drug back out.  Now all a little smoother, worn with time.
I picked up the candles at 75% off Christmas goodies at Fred Meyer last year.  I had a hunch they would look great with my vintage door!
The silver balls were a score at Goodwill sometime over the last year.  I like the glimmer against the wooden box.
The red berries were shopped from my house, found in that Christmas box we all have.






And here's the decor for my large vintage window in the living room.   Simple and easy, but with that great contrast of silvery sparkle and chippy paint!  Last year I added a vintage sheet music wreath, you can view it here.






A big thank you to those that have visited and followed my blog, shopped the flea markets, left comments on facebook, and taken finds to your homes.  I really love the Lively Grace part of my life, and hope it continues to grow.  I'm pretty excited about an article I wrote for Pocatello Magazine for the January/February issue, I hope you'll all pick up a copy.  And Linda, from Wildhare Flea Market, is beginning planning the spring flea market!  I'll be sure to give you a heads up here and on facebook for any events I'll be attending.  And of course, continue to offer great finds right here!  You can also 'follow' my blog, or receive my posts right to your inbox by entering your email (it doesn't get sold or passed out, I don't even see the address).

Here's to decorating with great finds, thrifting, re-gracing, and some great junkin' in the New Year!  While keeping present the desire for downtime with family and friends that seems to be rekindled during the holidays!

Cheers!
-Jen

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Reduced items!



Hello all!   I had as much fun decorating my porch as I did our tree!  Alas, the porch decor is not all for sale.  Oh, but that teal side table is!  Even though it is soooo fun right where it is!  But don't pout... I've got oodles of goodies for those last week shoppers!!  
I'll be sharing items on facebook too, don't forget to "share" a picture to enter my giveaway.  Plus, 'sharing' on facebook is a great way to give the Mr. a few ideas! 


Turquoise side table $32
 Such sweet legs!  Measures 34" tall, 19" wide


Vintage grey dresser SOLD
 (reduced from $225)

Solid wood, original hardware, two-toned distressed and sealed paint.







Open bookshelf  $ 40
measures L 36" W 11" H 26"
Shelf is adjustable
Look close, this piece has cute curved short legs! 




Old cupboard door turned Chalkboard with knobs  $15
easel not included 




Shabby vintage barstool  - SOLD



Vintage cheese boxes $6 each
Great typography!  These can hold all sorts of greatness and so fun for putting a another gift inside!  





Grey sidetable or bench - SOLD
Sturdy.  Mesures 20.5" wide, 12" deep, 23" tall
A cute little stopping point for removing those winter boots!








Vintage Sugar and tea canisters $5 each - SOLD




Vintage Starline suitcase $ 12
Vintage navy suitcase with 'SLC' tag still intact!  $ 22



 Vintage book turned journal $ 15
These books have had paper inserted, and are divided into 3 sections with original pages from the book.  Use them for a journal, idea book, or give that inevitable grocery list a little vintage flair!
These would also make a lovely 're-graced' gift!




One will be a giveaway! (This giveaway has ended)
To enter:
1.  On facebook, "share" a photo from the Lively Grace facebook page onto your timeline, inviting your friends to "like" Lively Grace.
2.  Become a follower of this blog and leave a comment.
3.  Already a follower? Thanks!  Leave a comment and you're entered! 


Contact me to take a look!
208.390.8653
livelygrace@me.com

-Jen
  

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

A few new, and more





Hi all!   What a busy time of year, but also quite fun.  I've got more items still available on prior posts, so scroll on thru.  Oh, and my giveaway is also still in progress... likely to wrap it up next week, so be sure to enter!

Grey side table or bench- SOLD



The outside photo coloring is more true to the actual color.  (But it gets dark soooo fast in the evenings now!)









Vintage enamel pot - SOLD
Great for holding just about anything!  I used it for the garbage in my laundry room.  I'll have to share with you later what I replaced it with- oh my!



Vintage paper scale $22



Vintage wooden cheese box $6 (reduced)
(Anyone else share my love of containers?!) 


Here's the scoop:
Contact me if you want to take a look.  I'm easy going, if you decide against an item- no worries!
Call/text 208-3nine0-8six53
email  livelygrace@me.com

Keep scrolling!
-Jen

Thursday, December 6, 2012

A sneak!



One of the best things about writing an article for a local magazine .... I finished a project for me!





One of the tricky things about writing an article ... waiting for it to be published!   Watch for Pocatello Magazine January/February issue for the details.

One of the things I didn't quite realize- just how much time I would spend on it, and just how fun it would be!  Now, back to holiday plans!

Lots of goodies still on sale, scroll on thru my prior posts!

-Jen