Our Just A Second Sunday Social - November 2013

We just came off a very successful Holiday Open House, and we will give you a glimpse of what is in the shop right now.

A black and white tree is adorned with celophane bagged, excellent condition vintage ornaments. There are not as many as there were when our event opened, but still a lovely collection from Tina.



Above, a prancing glitzy deer is accented with hand crafted tea light lamps dressed up in red gauzy rosette ties.

Multicolor painted tables are accessorized with oil funnel trees, vintage mason jars, striped burlap ribbon, boxed vintage tree topper star and ornaments, and a cardboard Santa train engine.


Yes, we let Santa dance among our silver and crystal, but we also acknowledge the reason for the season with the lit 50's highly collectible, hard plastic church surrounded by gold and white made-in-Mexico plaster manger figurines.

Our displays feature primitive, traditional, whimsical, and industrial items as shown.

 













It's a lot of work getting a shop ready for an event, but ever so worthwhile when our customers enjoy and appreciate our efforts. 

I will conclude with a quote from one customer among many who comes in for a mini-break from the cares in their lives.


 "Can't wait to come! Thank you for your hard work. Your shop is filled with love and friendship and happy spirits."

• The window display featuring The First Forest.

On the Home Front

It has been a month since I posted and oh what a full month it has been.  It began with Cider N' Cinnamon when I was on my own, because John had doctor's orders to lay low for the weekend.  I am very grateful to Devola who has handmade pillows, aprons, bags, and clutches in the store, along with her husband Chad, for pitching in and filling the gap. I could not have gotten through the weekend without them. By the way, Devola has expanded her line of goodies adding very rustic,industrial farm accessories and a few pieces of redone furniture. Be sure to visit. Some of her stuff is perfect for this fall season.

The next week was spent with John's seeing doctors and having tests and subsequently his having open heart surgery, which although very scary, went very well. Another thing to put on my gratitude list. 

Before and after surgery, days were spent going back and forth from the hospital, with daughters visiting and helping with the details. Gratitude again.

Finally home and getting used to a very new routine and role - that of caretaker- something I haven't done full time since our youngest, now 28, was at home.

That brings us to the point of this post: being home, and while there, adding fall touches, very often some of the old familiar elements, but always looking for new ways to arrange them.

Just adding a bit of bittersweet or leaves or both can turn everyday accessories into seasonal ones as is evidenced in this front hall photo. I again am finding that I want to simplify.

I love the warm wood tones of this chest in the living room.  The aqua pitcher picks up color from the chair and in the oriental rug below. I recently picked up the small oval dish at a sale and love it paired with the pitcher. Adding the white pumpkin says fall.

From the entry way to the kitchen is a walkway and along the walkway is a wall with the mirror shown below.  It used to be in the entry way, but when we picked up the "unfinished sketch" by Tom Heflin, I really wanted that to have the entry way spot, so now the mirror, which was a wedding present, is a bit further into the house.

Again, adding a fall "pick" is just enough. On a side note, you probably have noticed that I don't shy away from color. As much I love the whites and neutrals and pale whitewashed woods, I know it is not me.

Along that same walkway we enter the kitchen  at the end of which is another pine piece, a piece I picked up at a thrift store and was using as a kitchen island/buffet line piece for our family gatherings as well as every day extra counter space. After I refinished the kitchen floor, John and I decided we would try it in its present position.  It holds all the kitchen small appliances and anchors the large apple painting that daughter Faith did while in high school.  She is going to have to fight to get it back.:)

Close up of bowl of apples with 
bittersweet added for fall

                       

We used to have a bench there which has now been moved to the gathering room where sits our kitchen table and the seating area (with TV, which I can watch from the kitchen while preparing or cleaning up after dinner.)

                                            

Now the bench is in front of the windows and is the perfect spot for the herbs and succulents brought in for the winter, along with a plant sent to John while he was in the hospital by our son DJ and family.

 



















On both the kitchen table and the dining room table are other fall arrangements. I am not a big fan of Halloween.  I decorate for Fall in late September or October and we are set through Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday, because it's all about family and GRATITUDE.

Never Bored

Let's see. It started Monday and Tuesday of last week.  I painted this cabinet and hutch top and, of course, had to move it from the back, storage, work room so we could use it to serve libations at the Churchill's Grove meeting on Wednesday.  (It is SOLD!) Had a  really good crowd at the meeting, and I did take quite a few photos.  Unfortunately, only one photo showed up when I went to import them to my computer. 

I could not believe all the treats which arrived with the neighbors for the meeting. Churchill's Grove neighbors are certainly a most generous and gracious crew. Thank you all. 

  

Then Thursday, it was finish a few painting projects, pack up, and set up for the fabulous, fun Vintage Market. I was not able to stay for all of Friday nor be there for any of Saturday, but fortunately, after John put up the tent and unloaded, Dee was able to help me set up and be there after I left on Friday plus all day Saturday. The market went so well...a huge crowd, wonderful neighbor vendors, and great sales. The shop is looking quite spacious, since I haven't had a chance to get out and fill the holes. That's the challenge for today. 

And why couldn't I be there? Because there was a wedding in Indiana, and our daughter from S.Carolina was a bridesmaid for one of her closest friends, so after leaving The Vintage Market and packing up, we headed to Midway airport to pick up Faith whose flight was delayed, as were we, with bridges out along our customary short cut route. We didn't get to Culver, IN until after 11, but look at the sight which greeted us the next morning. 

                                 

Then came a bit of shopping in the cute little Culver business district, because, of course Renie forgot a few things like a toothbrush and ear rings. And we got to hit a yard sale and pick up a couple of goodies. Then was the wedding.

And here we are with our lovely daughter, Faith, and the gorgeous bride, Caitlin.  It was a beautiful nautical theme wedding (notice the sails on the ceiling) and so nice reconnecting with Faith's friends from college and their parents, and visiting with Rockford people we don't get to see that often.

Sunday, it was up, and pack, and hit the road by 8, since Faith had a noon flight out of O'hare. Then back to Rockford to pack up the Vintage Market tent and remaining goodies, and a big thank you to Kay and Polly for letting our tent be set up until we returned. And of course Mass at 5 PM, the Bears at 7 (couldn't stay up).

Was feeling a bit exhausted yesterday, Monday, but impulsive Renie started on the kitchen floor which has been driving me crazy for months. Another coat of varnish this AM, and we will be set to move things back in tonight.

And how was your weekend? 

Signs of the time before The Vintage Market

 having fun 
                    making a few signs 
                                                  for the Vintage Market...

                                                                                 for fall and everyday

                                            including this painting on an old screen

                                  
celebrating the farm 




and enjoying our homes

and being together.

Be sure to join us at the Harvest Vintage Market 2013

Clearing the Back Room and Garage

I have been trying to get the back room and garage stash of furniture, painted and ready to display and fill your decorating needs. Furniture hauling, painting, distressing, waxing, and buffing take a lot of energy. Who needs to go to the gym when we do what we do. 

On Labor Day, I painted a table (appropriate to labor on Labor Day?) On Tuesday, I worked on the Louis XIV chair that I had started a year ago. I spray painted the fabric with special fabric paint which is permanent and leaves the fabric soft  - wonderful if the upholstery is in good condition and has the detail which I do not have the skill or patience to replicate. 

 


Then the trim was painted with CC Caldwell chalk paint.  I had picked up a couple of samples while a few of us were on a day trip. I posted previously that the color was Seattle Mist. It is actually Smoky Mountain Grey.  Notice the paint names are American as is the paint. CC Caldwell is the American version of Annie Sloan chalk paint. The photo to the right shows the chair before the wax was applied. It looked chaulky and pale grey. 

Today, after distressing lightly then applying and buffing paste wax, the detail of the wood stands out, the color is deeper, and there is a light sheen on the trim. Looks like it's been that way forever.

The crowning touch is the lovely felted wool pillow beautifully done by Tina.  More of her creations will be coming to Just A Second as the season progresses and the weather gets cooler.

Because Just A Second will be closing a bit early on Saturday, we will open at 10 instead of 11, and we will be serving treats from the Farmers' Market. We are gathering and combining items in preparation for the Vintage Market coming in just 2 weeks - September 20 and 21. Have you marked your calendars?

Getting ready for the Harvest 2013 Vintage Market on September 20 & 21

Collecting, painting, making, fixing, embellishing, Doing whatever it takes to get ready for the 2013 Harvest Vintage Market "Shop the Farm" event, wanting to give you the very best shopping experience ever.

We have been working on birch twig wreaths embellished with Vintage items such as the Weiss 50's black rhinestone butterfly brooch, on the right. 



All wreaths are one of a kind because I never know what I will find and how the elements will be combined.




And there will be a variety of styles from cottage to flea market to industrial chic.  This repainted vintage (made in the USA) hanging metal pendant light with an Edison style bulb gives you an idea of what lies ahead at the 2013 Harvest Vintage Market.  Are you getting excited?

Just A Second will include a couple added attractions which do nothing except broaden our appeal and add to the variety. More on these delightful young women another time.

Reminder, Just A Second will be closed Friday the 16th and Saturday the 17th because of family commitments. We will open again next Wednesday, August 21. See you then!

Sprucing up a bit at the shop

Our grandson, Eli, visited a couple of weeks ago to help paint our fence behind the shop and alongside the parking lot. 

Do you think it needed it?

So while John replaced some bad boards, Eli painted and painted and painted, front and back above and between, and then John joined Eli and painted and painted, having to second coat much of the thirsty, worn out wood.

I cannot imagine how long it would have taken if I had to do the project. Thank you Eli, and thank you, John.  As you can see it is a job well done.  

 






As a fun aside, look at Eli Gile backward and forward (a palindrome!) And yes, Brian did that intentionally.  I'm glad we all love the name Eli.




Then John tackled the front porch, and it just gleams, so much so that yesterday, I added a rag rug to it. That's dressed up!

However, there is much more to do.  One thing calls for another.  Doors need to be painted and the parking lot needs to be resurfaced. One day at a time, one project at a time.

With our increased visibility pending the demolition of more buildings and the completion of the new roundabout, we are wanting to put on our Sunday best. 

 



























And speaking of the roundabout, the construction is coming along beautifully.  A lot of planning has gone into the design, and it is really going to enhance our little corner of the world. One lane of traffic is open in each direction, and with a bit of maneuvering, you can still get to Just A Second.  We look forward to your visit.  

We will do all we can do to make the extra effort worthwhile - treats, new goodies for your home decor projects, and of course, special gifts for all those on your gift list - from beautiful hand knitted baby gifts, to new books perfect for your school age children, to wreaths for your front door and lovely gifts with a past.