TDIPT Mercantile Open House...with Drawing for Prizes!

The TDIPT Mercantile is having an Open House for the month of November. We are offering many lovely handmade prizes to our faithful readers and beloved buyers. To qualify is easy! Simply sign up to recieve the TDIPT newsletter. If you already recieve the monthly newsletter, then you're already qualified.

PLUS, each purchase made from the Mercantile from October 31st to November 20th will give you another entry in the drawing. Names will be drawn and winners announced on November 21st. To sign up and see all the lovely handmades that you can win, click  HERE! 

Here's a peek at what I've been working on this month, between marching band contests, football games, major projects, homework, dentist appointments, doctor appointments, you know-the usual!

He'll be available at the TDIPT Mercantile update this evening around 9:00pm.

Have a lovely week!

~Katherine

TDIPT Mercantile Update tonight!

Just a reminder that the TDIPT Mercantile's mid month update happens this evening. Stop by and take a look at the lovely handmades offered there. Here's a peek of my things...

It's so nice to have some cooler temperatures, and I'm definitely thinking Fall!

~Katherine



A project complete...

Summer has been so very busy for our family so far, but I've been able to squeeze in a little time here and there on "my stuff". I had this small bookcase in my donate pile after some tweaking in my younger son's room. We needed a place to put my husband's favorite books in the office, so this was the right size, just ugly as all get out. I forgot to take a before, but here's what it looked like-fake natural pine, but with the back panel painted navy blue. (It had been in two toddler/little boy rooms).

I already had all the stuff, except the two small rosettes, so I just went to it, figuring I had nothing to lose.  I attached the moldings with wood glue and my brad nailer. Having never painted this kind of fake wood before, I just did what I would do to prep the real thing,  a light sanding with 120 grit sandpaper. I was pretty confident though, because I was using a super duper high quality Benjamin Moore paint. It's latex but goes on and wears like oil. So awesome. It got two coats of black, and probably three of the tan to cover the navy on the back. 

I lightly distressed the edges, and gave the whole thing a coat of Early American stain. I normally use a dark walnut, but I knew the laminate wouldn't absorb the color like the wood moldings, so this looks more uniform.

Here's a terrible shot of the whole wall. This room is dark without the overhead lights on. I spent less than $5 on the top rosettes, and accessorized with what I already had. Notice the gum machine is empty? And the keys are in the top? It is impossible to find the old square bubble gums, and everything else gets stuck.So it's pretty much an oversized candy dish for whatever we find at Costco... 

So happy with my cheapie makeover! Now I'm off to watch Wall-e on this rainy afternoon! My little guy is growing up on me so fast-I'm thrilled that he still wants to watch old movies with Mom.

I'm linking up with the sisters at Shanty 2 Chic for their "I made it without my Hubby" party. Go take a peek!

~Katherine

Happy Fourth of July!

Happy Fourth Y'all! Should be back to a regular posting schedule later this week...

Katherine

And the winner is...

I apologize in advance for the lack of photos, but I'm posting from an old computer. Long story. I just wanted to be sure I announced the winner when I said I was gonna. I used a random number generator to pick, but I couldn't get that to show up here either. But what I did was number each comment in order that they were recieved, then I went back and marked those that got an extra for posting on their blog, and recorded those in order. So without further ado, our winner is:

Karen from My Colonial Home!


I received so many sweet comments, and appreciate every one of them. I wish I could send something to each of you. Even better is that I've found so many new great blogs to read! This was so much fun, I'm already thinking about the next giveaway. Thank you all so much for playing!

~Katherine

A little Spring Giveaway...

I've been super busy, working on several projects here around the house, but most are still not quite finished, so I have little to share. I'm putting the finishing touches on both the boy's bedrooms, they still need valances on the windows and one bed needs a skirt to hide the scary mess that always seems to be there. I'll share some pix of those when they're all done. I'll have to be quick, cause you know they won't stay clean for long. Well, not what they call "Mom clean" anyway! I've also been cleaning out the flower beds and landscaping outside. The weather has been gorgeous here, so I'm enjoying being outside, and can begin planting in mid April. My house is mostly in chaos as I try to Springify and lighten everything up.  Here's the only area I'm somewhat happy with so far. I love my giant island, but everything tends to get lost on it, so I tried to think big. I love to mix my primitive stuff with more European Country/Farmhouse things. It's just what this house calls for, and I'm tryin' to listen!

I bought the smallest pitcher at an antique mall years ago. The other two were finds at the Thrift store. I'm sure I paid under $5.00 each for them.

I've also been working on a little giveaway. I appreciate each and every reader, so I've put together a Spring Offering...

Included is a cute Chubby Bunny that I made from a Kentucky Primitives pattern, a wire basket filled with 6 paper mache eggs, and a little paper covered journal. All are distressed for a warm old look. The momogram on the journal will be replaced with the winner's initial of choice. (The K isn't permanently affixed) Sorry, my beloved blue chair isn't included! I will choose a winner by random drawing on Thursday, March 25th. I know that's not a lot of sign up time, but I want to be sure it arrives at least a bit before Easter. So, here are the rules...

*You must be a follower of my blog. You can sign up on the side bar- New followers are welcome!

*You must leave a comment here on this post so I'll have y'all in one place for the drawing.

*If you post a link on your blog, let me know, and I'll throw your name in twice!

(I don't know how to do the little pix for the sidebar, but you are welcome to use the photo for that if you want)

So that's it! I'm linking up with Leslie at My Country Home for Whatcha Working on Wednesday. Be sure to stop by to check it out. Leslie's always up to something good, she's been sewing up some really nice accessories lately.

Wishing you all a lovely day!

~Katherine

TDIPT Mercantile Group Launch on eBay!

The artisans of TDIPT Mercantile are getting together for a Springtime auction launch! Starting this evening, February 21st, will begin a week of handmade offerings that follow our theme "Birds of a Feather Create Together".  Just type TDIPT into eBay's search feature to see the wonderful and unique creations. I'll be listing my things on Tuesday...

~Katherine

A Springtime Giveaway...

Please hop over to visit Christine at Preferably Prim! She's offering a generous giveaway to celebrate her 100th post. Adorable bunnies, and beautiful stitcheries to remind us to hang in there, Spring is coming! Make sure to read through her blog. Lots of great photos, and definitely one of my favorites.

~Katherine

It's even Snowin' in Texas!

We rarely ever believe the weatherman when he says snow in Texas. So we were surprised to wake up to the white stuff lightly covering the ground, and huge clustered flakes falling fast. School was cancelled, we're having a real live snow day here! There's probably 3 or 4 inches out there right now and it's still falling, the thich, wet and sticky kind.  My little one said "This isn't even Texas snow, it's like real snow!"   So if you can stand  any more pics of snow, here are a few of Dallas snowstorm, 2010. I had to snap these pretty early this morning, before the kids made tracks across the beautiful blanket on the back yard...it's quite a bit deeper now.

My son is currently working on the "biggest snowball ever", and there is already a huge pile of we clothes by the back door. This is snowman #1.

I know those of you buried in several feet are laughing at our dusting of snow.Most of you are so sick of it, and tired of being snowed in, but for a bunch of Ohioans, we are pretty excited. We don't usually get more than an inch or so of the dry, blowing stuff. Seeing all of your beautiful, white photos, I was frankly, a little jealous. The little guy above is our native Texan, and I think he's most excited of all. I'm just happy to have my boys at home with me for the day, making cookies and watching movies in our sweats with the fireplace burning. It will be gone tomorrow, so we gotta cram it all into one snow day! Thanks for bearing with me...

~Katherine

Frames,Quilt Blocks, and WWW...

I love old quilts! I have several single quilt blocks that I've gathered over the years. I've picked them up at flea markets and antique stores, and a few at the TS. It feels a little sad to see part of someone's unfinished quilt, and I wonder what happened to the rest, and why it wasn't completed. So they always have to come home with me if they are reasonably priced. I finally decided to do something with them. This week I've been on the hunt for some square picture frames. Any excuse to go to a thrift store, right? I managed to find just one frame out of 4 stores, but it was the right size for my favorite block, the red basket. It was hard to get a good photo with the glass and the gloomy weather-it's a nice deep red, and the white parts are naturally aged to perfection! I found this block in an antique store in Lebanon Ohio, nearly 20 years ago. My husband and I spent a Sunday afternoon there, having lunch and browsing the antique stores. We didn't have much extra money then, so after a nice lunch, that little red block was probably all I could afford that day. Everything was so expensive, but I have the best memories of that day. It's a shame that it's taken SO long for me to do something with it. These will all go in my guest room. The simple nine patch blocks are pretty sturdy, so I may make them into throw pillows for the bed . I don't know the name of the other one, but it's really well done and aged so nicely too.

I was also able to finish up a cross stitch  that I've been working on. It's just aida cloth, so it went pretty quickly. I'm learning to stitch on linen, and it's really difficult for me and my old eyes! Not sure what's up with my camera today-it's making all the reds too bright. This is really much more rusty and subtle.

I'm looking for a frame to prim up for it as well. So that's about it from me.I've been busy with cleaning, organizing and general house stuff, so not a lot of creative time. Please be sure to check in with Leslie at My Country Home to see what everyone else is up to!

Have a lovely week!

~Katherine

Whatcha Working on Wednesday...

I know it's a little late for Wednesday, but I'm linking up with Leslie's Whatcha Working on Wednesday anyway. My post and projects were all ready, but I had to wait to get pictures this morning. I've been working on several things, but these are the only two that are complete. So I'll start with this tin star shaped light that my Mother-in law gave me years ago. It has a glass chimney, which always seemed undersized. I used the chimney on something else, so the light has been tucked away for a few years now. I've also had this huge silicone bulb for a looong time. It's so big, I could never find the right lamp for it. When I was organizing (yes, really, I was) I got inspired and decided to experiment with a pillar sized slipcover for the candle.

I just used the cardboard circles from a spool of ribbon and some posterboard to make the cylinder. I covered it with some grocery sack, and added glue gun drips. Then I just painted it ivory and antiqued it with some water based antiqueing medium. I've always loved this little lamp, and now it's perfect for this spot in a dark hallway. When the jumbo bulb burns out, I'll just remove the pillar sleeve, and resume the search  for a more proportionate glass globe.

I also want to share my Valentine's day Wreath with you. I was fortunate enough to snag the sweetest Cupid ornament from Robin of Bird in the Hand Primitives. This was her prototype for this new pattern, so I'm really thrilled to have him. Robin's work is fantastic-he's so well made. I knew he'd be the perfect centerpiece for a twiggy wreath, so I made several hearts in different reds,burgandy, pink and some muslin ones too. Those were supposed to be stitched with phrases like "Be Mine" and "Love", but whatever. Next year.

Isn't he the best? It was hard to get a good photo without all the glare on the glass, but it looks much better in person. (If you click on the photo it will enlarge) So now I'm ready for Valentine's day. Especially the chocolate!

So that's it from me today. I'm off to shop my my little one's 13th birthday...I'm on the hunt for Ripstik wheels and other fun boy things. Wish me luck!

Doughbox Makeover

It's been a pretty low key Monday around here. The boys are out of school, so there is plenty of noise from video games and the never ending arguments. No fist fights yet, so that's a plus. But, between laundry and other glamorous chores, I was able to finish up a TS find that has been hanging around in the garage too long. Here's the before shot. Sorry it's all taken apart at this point, I got a little overzealous and almost forgot to get a photo. It's a 1960's "Early American" piece.

I don't mind the turned legs at all, in fact I really like them, but I thought the curvy apron around the bottom really made it look less authentic, so I covered it with some flat molding I had left over from some other project. I sprayed the hinges first, with some black Rustoleum Hammered finish paint, then I painted the rest black. I sanded the edges and then rubbed the whole thing down with Special Walnut stain.  It's now in my media room, waiting for the perfect lamp. It was hard to get decent pics, since it is so dark in there, but I think you get the idea. Not bad for $8.00 and some spare time.

It's deep, so there's lot's of room for the junk that accumulates in the room. LOVE that! 

So that's all from me today. I'm off to figure out what the heck is for dinner.

~Katherine

Can I get a Do-over?

On this blogging thing? I mean, I have to be in the top 10 worst bloggers for 2009. So let me start over, and try again. I'm much more organized this January than last, so let's hope I can keep that up. I am currently on hiatus at TDIPT Mercantile, but am planning to have some offerings ready for Spring, probably April. My work this year will be a reflection of what I really love. Old, worn, well loved dollies, and Santas. I've pulled out some inspiration fabrics and remnants. The basket below will be sitting on the work table in my sewing room, along with my pattern making materials, all ready for me to get started... There are indigos, double pinks, ticking, drab browns, and antique coverlet pieces in there.

The big doll is Lizzie. Sometimes she wears homespun or indigos, but today she's Amish. That's a real Amish baby dress she's wearing.* Love it* The little boy I made ages ago, out of old materials. They'll be reminding me to keep it simple.

Since today is Whatcha Workin on Wednesday at one of my favorite blogs, Leslie's My Country Home, I'll join in with one of my first re-dos of the new year. These are just those basic pine cheese boxes you've all seen. Below is the larger one, I stained it back in the 80's when everything had to be stained. It's been on top of my kitchen cabinets unseen, to lift up some baskets I have displayed there. The smaller one I found at the thrift, with an ugly mauve painted wood cutout that said "Welcome" hot glued to the top. I peeled that baby off and left it right on there on the store shelf.

I painted them in my favorite blues. I am loving them now, and have to move some stuff around to find them a prominent home.

So I'm off for now, there's lots on my to-do list today. But first, I think I'll grab a Diet Coke, and read a few blogs!