From a Lemon to Lemonade

Time again for an oil change [2500 miles roll around to quickly] which means a trip into Hecla to Zastrow's Service. Upon pulling in I spot a packing pallet laying up against a pile of tractor tires. Hmmmm, I wonder what Matt has planned for that. Now most people may not pull into the service station, find the owner and proceed to ask "Can I have that....I'll take it off your hands...for free!" As I have mentioned in a previous post Matt is my Bro. He is one year older and my tormentor growing up...so he owes me...Right!!! I'm sure he didn't want to part with it but I gave him that Zastrow/Casper evil eye look and he said "Sure, I will throw it in Harold's pickup." OK...that makes up for listening into  phone conversations with  my girl friends and then making animals sounds. "MOM..make Matt get off the phone." So home it went....and laid.

My plans were to use it as the starting point for a table ... fill in the top, add legs, brace it and add a coat of white paint. Via photos here is the process.

OK...yes that is Harold's hand but he only helped me a tenny wenny bit.

Ready for the paint and then service.

 Add a vintage bench and chairs.

 Stop by for fruit and wine.

One day while meeting up with sis Mary in Aberdeen, she gave me this lovely quilt top. When she handed it to me I thought, Bingo...I know what I will use that for. Thanks Mary!!

That concludes the movie of  "From a lemon to lemonade."

Please exit through the rear.

[Note: I love my Brother dearly. Just sayin.]

Beautiful Cottage Homes

 via: southern living

 via:elle decor

 via:lynn morgan designs

 architect austin patterson

 via:elle decor

 truexcullins architects

 copper, robertson & partners architects

 via:coastal living

 culligan abraham architects

 beinfield architecture

 sullivan conrad architects

foy architecture

Wear It!

A Birkin Bag

History of The Birkin Bag

In 1981, Hermès chief executive Jean-Louis Dumas was seated next to actress and singer, Jane Birkin on a flight from Paris to London. She had just placed her straw bag in the overhead compartment of her seat, but the contents fell to the ground, leaving her to scramble to replace the contents. Birkin explained to Dumas that it had been difficult to find a leather weekend bag she liked. In 1984, he created a black supple leather bag for her, based on an 1892 design. She used the bag for herself then later changed her mind. Nevertheless, the bag has since become an icon.

via:Wikipedia

Jane Birkin

The bags are handmade in France by expert artisans. The company's signature saddle stitching, developed in the 1800s, is another distinctive feature.
Each bag is hand-sewn, buffed, painted, and polished, taking several days to finish. An average bag is created in 48 hours. Leathers are obtained from different tanners in France, resulting in varying smells and textures. Because of the individual craftsmanship, other details of the bags may not all match. The company justifies the cost ($9,000 to $150,000) of the Birkin bag, compared to other bags, based on the meticulous craftsmanship and scarcity.

If I had one wish....( other than world peace, good health and wealth for all, etc...), on a more...might we say shallower level...I would wish for a brown Birkin Bag. OK...there I said it and I'm not going to feel guilty.

Stuff & Things

More stuff & things to go to market.

 Antique Document Boxes.

Hello.

 Letters.

 Vintage French measuring cup.

 Vignette.

Vintage Dresser refinished.

Vintage clocks...they don't work but you don't

need to work when you look so good.

Cloche w/sea urchin.

Vintage Scottie rug.

Celluloid ivory silverware.

Vintage sunglasses.

Asst of vintage wood & metal printers stamps.

Suitcases...you can never have to many suitcases.

Virgin Mary under cloche.

Vintage set Jesus and Mary pictures.

OK...back to work.  The weather man is saying 80's today...we'll see.