Left overs; the good kind

Isn't summer grand?  Sunny days, swimming, hiking, kids out of school, yard projects, gorgeous evenings and delayed bedtimes?  I'm enjoying it all, so that's why this post (that I thought I'd have out last week) is just posting now.  And why the garage that I figured would be straightened and organized, still doesn't quite have a spot for my car.  Oh, did I mention it's also yard sale season?  That may have something to do with the lack of tidiness in my garage.  But it has sure added to the lovely junkness of the place! (in my world, junkness is a word)

 Here's a few left overs from the lawn sale.  Not the kind that you keep for a while then throw out.  These left overs are 'tasty'!

 Super fab shab sidetable  

SOLD

 If you want a little background on the shabby story, check it out here.

Sweet spindles twin headboard

SOLD

 Check out a few more pics here!

Yellow chalkboard $18

measures 20 X 24 

 

These make a fun wedding gift!  

(Hmmm... not the best pic, sorry.  It's a warmer yellow with a lot of great texture to the wood.  It was one of those gorgeous evenings that started to get away from me!)

And yes, you can 'follow' me.  Here's a couple ways;  enter your email at the top of the page, become a follower thru blogger (it's free to set up an account, then you can easily follow all your favorite blogs, leave comments, and enter some sweet giveaways), or 'like' my facebook page www.facebook.com/LivelyGrace

Contact me via email, livelygrace@me.com, or phone/text (208).390-8653, if you'd like to take a closer look.

I'm off to enjoy a summery day!
-Jen

Post-sale catch up!

Shew!  I doesn't seem that it has been over a week since I had a little sale at my place.  And, WOW, I was blown away!  I was a concerned that I wouldn't have folks come with the intent of shopping my Lively Grace items.  Amazingly, lovely folks came!  A huge, big, thank you to those who came, and to those who stopped me in passing to say that you couldn't make it,but would have liked too. 

 

 It's a great feeling when something I've had a hand in either 'finding', 're-gracing', or painting excites someone else.  Even better when I think I can see what something could become, and someone else sees it too.  Like this metal cabinet...

 

I really thought it could be the coolest nightstand for a teen/tween. Uh, magnetic, so you can attach stuff to it, uh, chalkboard paint so you can doodle on it (and then change it on a whim!), and uh, did you check out the mad caster wheels??!!  But, then what if my 'idea' is not as hip to others as I think it is to me? - Yikes!  Until a visionary tween gal came, saw what I saw, and gave a little jump and clap combo when her parent's loaded it up.  I kinda wanted to clap a little too!

You would think that with a bunch of stuff sent to new homes, my garage would be all organized, awaiting more projects.  Well, the projects await, and the garage is not yet tidy!  I caught up on fun mom stuff this past week (between the usual events the week holds).  And am still trying to catch up on laundry (yep, aren't we all).  This week's agenda includes further work on a piece for my kiddo.  See, I sold his dresser!  It was in great shape, but was a laminate that had been used in his room since the day I brought him home.  I found an awesome vintage dresser a few weeks back that he liked the lines of, so his it will be!  I'll share pictures when it's complete.

Between paint drying and summer fun, I hope to post a few items that remained with me after the sale, and hope to begin working on some new items too.  

Have a great week!

-Jen

 

Lively Grace Lawn Sale!

Yes, a lawn sale.  Imagine an up-cycled yard sale where a bunch of great finds have been gathered together.  Some have been re-graced, and some pieces the dirt and cobwebs have been removed!  I'm looking forward to setting up, it will be different compared to a flea market booth where I am limited on space.  Oh, don't get me wrong, I wait in anticipation for the next Wildhare Flea Market, just thinking it may be fun to spread out this time!  I also just have stuff to get rid of...I have just 1 child, so the clothes and toys he's outgrown are in great condition!  I also have a family, and since I live on a corner, they thought my place would be a great location to clean out their stuff too.
So, if you're local, or local enough, stop by!  Friday 3pm-6pm and Saturday 8-2.  I hesitate to put too much personal info on line, but check the Idaho State Journal for the add, or general directions are to find your way to East Chubbuck road and drive to the round-a-bout.  You'll enter into Hartland Estates (the only subdivion to turn into) and you'll see it as you come in!

Hope to see you this weekend!
-Jen

Hob (k)nobbing

I've debated on painting this for a while;  yes or no, what color, all of it or leave the slide out writing surface unpainted, and on and on.

 

It belonged to my husband's grandfather, so I'll be keeping it.  I think I'm a little hesitant to paint it because it's in nice condition.  And because there are other projects in front of it.  And because sometimes I'm indecisive : ).  But, I did change it up a bit today.

 

Do the knobs look a little familiar?  Yep, same ones are on the super shabby piece in my last post.

 

So, I imagine it will stay this way for a while.  Hopefully it will stay this tidy for a while, it tends to be a great landing spot for papers & such.  Maybe I'll work on styling it a little more, but really, can it get better than the hand drawn card I received a few years back from a certain kiddo... I think not!

What are my other projects you ask?  Well, my car is not parked in the garage due to the numerous projects in multiple stages of done-ness. I'm  mulling over the idea of having  a 'Lawn Event by Lively Grace'  on, uh, my lawn : ).  Selling items in person is such fun;  we can chat about paint, how you plan to use it, and then you lovely folks can see it in person, touch it, slide drawers open and closed, and see all my wares in one stop.  Tell me what you think?!

-Jen

Super Fab Shab side table

3 drawer Super Fab Shabby side table  $52

 

 I read a blog post about not being afraid of poorly painted furniture.  Miss Mustard Seed, you may have heard of her ... if not, you don't read many painted furniture/DIY blogs and you should pay her blog a visit.  I had taken this advice once previously and finished a chair that is a favorite and resides in my home.  So when I came upon this poorly painted, hand pieced, time loved 3 drawer side table, I nabbed it. I was hopeful that underneath the paint and texture was another layer of awesome colored paint, so I began sanding (with all the right equipment, don't worry) and did come across another paint color, and a worse looking set of drawers than what I started with.  Not cute chippy, shabby like I hoped for, but rather "you are going to paint it, aren't you?" comments.  So, I painted.  But the color was wrong.  So, I painted it again... mixing a little color to get what I wanted...which ended up being a lot like the color of paint I had lightly sanded off!  

 

But without the original paint, chips, and gouges, it wouldn't have as much character as it does now.  I even like the back of it.  All wood and what looks like a repurposed piece of wood on the back of one of the drawers, love it!  There are no fancy metal runners for the drawers, but they have been reinforced previously and all the drawers work well.

 

(Hey, wait a minute!  I swear I pulled that weed out before I took this picture- yikes!)

 

I sealed the piece with a wax, so although there is great texture, it is not rough to the touch.    Super shabby it is, hoping you think it's super fab shab too!

Wanna check out this unique piece in person?  Great!  It can be difficult to decide just by pictures, so contact me and we'll set a time for you to look without being committed to buying.  

Wishing you all a Thankful and Safe Memorial Weekend!

-Jen

livelygrace@me.com

208.390.8653 (text or leave message)

 

 

Super fab shab

A little peek...

 

Usually, my pieces are not this shabby.  But sometimes you just get lucky with the combination of what you found and what paint will bring out.

If I get up with the sun, snap a picture, import, & write a blog post before my day begins, I'll offer this 3 drawer nightstand/side table  tomorrow.  I do have the coffee pot programmed, but it is already late, and tomorrow begins early.....so, it could possibly be Friday before it's up for purchase.  

Anyone else out there like the sight of old nail holes?

P.S.  Have you entered my giveaway yet?!  Visit my blog post about the giveaway for the details, info is also on the Lively grace facebook page.

-Jen

Antique steamer trunk

 Antique steamer (or dome) trunk-sold

         

First of all, let me be clear.  I am not an antique expert.  I just know what I like, and this trunk is amazing!  It has curved wood, and stamped metal on the exterior, with the sweetest little wheels set into the bottom.  That's handy, 'cause it's heavy my friend!
 

What I do know, are sites like google, etsy, and ebay.  Similar trunks are dated between 1880-1930's.  (And go ahead and price compare, plus imagine shipping this beaut.)

 

It has a great patina that I like just the way it is.  Or, it could be refinished and restored.

The interior is in quite good shape.  The picture above is with the removable tray inserted.

  

Contact me via email (livelygrace@me.com),   if you'd like to take a look under the lid!

-Jen