To Paint or Not to Paint ????

Ok, I'm back with tons of projects! I've got to get them posted before I get started on them. And there are lots to share.






Well, I'm stumped! I bought this headboard months ago at the Alameda Antiques Flea Market in Alameda, CA. This flea market is wonderful! Just make sure you take enough greenies and a hankie (to wipe the drool off) if you ever visit this place. It has almost everything a person like me could want...from vintage buttons, ornaments, blankies, furniture to ......... you get the picture.

Anyhoo, before I continue to ramble on about this flea..... back to the headboard. I saw it and bought it immediately! I couldn't look away from this piece, it called out "you want me, take me home".. and that's what I did. It's wrought iron with scrolly leaves intertwined. I wish it had some roses intertwined though, but it's still beautiful without them. Now, from the moment I saw it, I couldn't decide whether I wanted to keep it pink/gold or paint it creamy white. Part of me wants to keep its original color, but the other part of me wants it to conform to my guest room's color scheme...which is mainly white and pink. I know pink, so why not keep it pink? I don't know. All the furniture in the room is white. If I do decide to paint it creamy white, it'll be another paint project on my list, but what do you think .. to paint or not to paint? Decisions, decisions.

Until then,

Be on the lookout for two Sneak Peeks coming up within the next couple of hours.

Toodlepeeps!

MIBA - Missing in Blog Action

Boy have I been missing in blog action and missing it too! I apologize. It's been hectic around the Cloud house since the last time I blogged. I haven't been able to get on as much as I would like to, but I'm trying to make every effort to do so. I'm behind on reading my favorite blogs too. I love to be inspired!!

For starters, I've been Fall cleaning. Well, I just started my Fall cleaning. I'm not even done. I just donated a sofa chair to Goodwill and contemplating whether I should donate the coordinating sofa or loveseat. Actually, it's time to get a new sofa. This may be the push to get a new one. I've boxed up a lot of my seasonal stuff as well as themed decorations/collectibles. And I've boxed away toys for storage and a future garage sale. I plan on keeping some of the boys' toys for their childhood memorabilias. I don't have any from my childhood. My parents didn't keep anything of mine, so I want to make sure my boys have a part of theirs. I'm so sentimental!!!

We've started on my sunroom(or patio room) right after my last blog. My back is aching from buying sheets and sheets of plywood and exterior paneled walls. We're trying to move quickly on this room before it begins to rain. Actually, we're focused on getting the exterior done. Once we're done with that, we can actually take our time with the interior. And when I say we, I actually meant my father. I help the best I can. I'm a very good watergirl or tool girl. Husby tries to put in his share of help whenever he can. This week, we will be working on the roof. Tomorrow after work, I'll be heading to Lowe's for roofing shingles. Come to think about it, I've got to get those before pictures taken before it's done. Ovey!

Well, I have an absentee husband. Graveyard shift is a killer. Husby is working it and I typically see him two to three days a week. That's it. He's in law enforcement. I'm starting to feel like a single mother. And for all those single mothers out there, I praise you. It's tough. Whenever he is home, we only see each other for about four to five hours. We try to squeeze in as much family time as we can.

Adding to my hectic schedule was Halloween, birthdays, and Parent/Teacher meetings & events. Bragging here, but my Tristan was one of two students in his class that scored 100% on their basic math test. Also his reading level is at 2nd grade level for a first grader. Both his teacher and I both want him to read at third grade level before the end of the year. Can you tell how super proud and excited I am?

Last, I've got MULTIPLE projects I'm trying to finish before it starts to rain. Besides the sunroom, I have to finish painting one table, five chairs, one armoire, two kiddie chairs, one umbrella bucket, one headboard (maybe), one bench, and one exterior door (both sides). Paint doesn't dry well in cold and wet weather, so I gotta get a move on them. Ugh! I'll try to get those posted on my SPP starting next week or as soon as I can. Until then, I leave you with a Halloween costume prop I made for Tristan this year. It's a pea shooter from a game called Plants vs Zombies. It's a very, very cute game. I highly recommend it!! My mom, of all people, is addicted to it. In fact, my dad, sister, nieces, Tristan, Husby, and Lance are all addicted to it. It's kiddie fun!



Oh, oh, oh! I did manage to squeeze in some thrifting time. I've got a few items I've collected since my last post. In fact, I haven't even shared my finds from my last entry. Boy, I am behind.

Until then, Toodlepeeps!

Sneak Peek Project #7 Completed

It's done!

So gals, here it is.









This is by far the easiest Sneak Peek project so far! There was not much to do except paint the birdcage gold, attach the rose swags on, and hang the cherub pendant. That's it. The rose swags are made of a tin material and was really easy to work with. I bought them a few years ago for my backyard, but they sat in my project box collecting dust. I'm glad I didn't get rid of them. This was a absolutely a perfect use for them. The birdcage stand was bought at a city-wide garage sale about four years ago. That too sat in my shed collecting dust or say rust. My original plan was to hang a mini chandelier from it, but I hadn't found the perfect chandy or pendant for it until a couple of months ago. So yesterday, it got a quick makeover and is now put to good decorating use. The only negative about this stand is the base is not sturdy when it has a little bit of weight on it. My father and I have been trying to figure out what we could do to keep it standing straight without tilting. So far,it's just keeping it propped behind a couch. I'm ok with that. I could (in the distant future) cement it to a decorative planter ????? Hmmm. Until then, I'm off to search for pearls for my SPP #6.

Toodles.

Sneak Peek Project #7

I thought I would have Sneak Peek project #6 done by now, but when I thought I was done, it didn't feel right. It didn't feel completed, perfect. So for half a Sunday last week, all I could think of was what my table was missing. And then it hit me, PEARLS! Yes, pearls. So now, I'm gonna have to hit the thrift stores looking for pearl necklaces for my table. Hopefully, I'll hit the jackpot this week so I can finally show off my table.

Anyhoo, here is my next project.

A rusty birdcage stand.





It'll take me at least an hour to transform!

Stay tuned.

Toodlepeeps!

Sneak Peek Project #6

Here's a table that I've saved all those broken & cracked plates for. This weekend. Me. Table. Broken china, glass & ceramic tiles. Mortar. Grout & sealer. Paint. Diet Dr. Pepper. Quaker's rice cakes. And hours of fun.....I think.





Until then, toodlepeeps.

Sneak Peek Project #5 Completed

This base went from this:

to this:







This is the fabric close up. I didn't notice the hanging thread until afterwards. It is now gone.

As I've mentioned before, my mom purchased this at a flea market. She actually purchased two for $8!! What a steal....ooops, deal. When she showed me them, I was thrilled. I knew immediately I wanted to cover mine with a rose fabric, but I wasn't entirely sure of the style. Then it hit me. Why keep it at one color? So I requested my mom to make a footstool slipcover. Yep, slipcover. One - footstools can get dirty if used often, two - slipcovers can be removed and washed, three - you can make different slipcovers with different colors and style. So off to work my mom and I went to make our footstools look fab! It took me close to an hour to paint, cut two wooden bases, and foam & cover our footstools. My mom took about two hours to cut and sew two slipcovers (one for her, one for me). Now that they are done, she's thinking of making another slipcover for me. She's thinking pleats. Go Mom!!

Well, I was going to post my next project today, but it's raining (and boy do we need it!!!). So I'm going to wait a couple of days to post it. The next project is so easy peasy that I will admit it'll take me less than one hour to complete it. I'm really excited to show this one off.

Until then, toodlepeeps.

September's De Anza Flea Market Finds

Well, it was that time of the month again! Shopping at the De Anza Flea Market that is. My mom and I had a delightful time, I must say. I just love spending my thrifting time with her. We managed to find some great vintage goodies.

So let me show and tell:


I adore figurine vases, so when I saw this priced at $4, I knew it was coming home with me. The framed needlepoints were also an instant keeper. I can't resist these types of framed decor! They are so froufrou like me. And Barbie, well,it's Barbie!







Now I got the items shown above plus a bunch of plates (not shown but some are broken & some are good) for $10. Can you beat that? And why buy broken plates? Mosaics!! I've got three mosaic projects on my to-do list so they'll definitely show up as sneak peek projects. Collecting glass/ceramic tiles and broken plates can be difficult. Breaking beautiful plates is even more difficult for me to do. BTW, I also like to collect invalid/mustache cups because they make great vases! No frogs or foam are needed to keep your flowers standing up.


Oh, and I got these too. Aren't these adorable?

Last, my favorite find for Saturday was this.



I really, really like vintage, tole chandeliers. If I could, I would replace all my home lighting with tole chandeliers. And since this is my first vintage, tole chandelier, I'm really excited about this purchase. However, what kind of lampshade does it use with a top like this?



Well, that's it for my flea market finds. I still have to show and tell my thrift store finds when I get a chance; however, I'm definitely going to post the results of my last sneak peek project this weekend. And post the next SP project right after.

Until then, Toodlepeeps.