Upcycled ottoman from vintage parts

How many times have you seen that worn out table, chair, or bookshelf, and thought "with a little paint, new hardware, it could be so awesome"... But what do you do when you have an amazing piece that's simply beyond repair? Why not re-purpose those salvaged parts for something completely new!

When I found this jenny lind chair it had already been mostly dismantled, but I fell in love with the classic curves immediately! So I gathered what I could in a box knowing that one day I would have the perfect project... and here's how it all came together ;D

Shupp's Grove opening weekend 2017

April marks the start of flea market season where I live, and this year it couldn't come soon enough! As the winter fades away, it's time to get outside and shop... Starting with Shupp's Grove outdoor flea market in Adamstown PA. If you've never been, you're in for a treat; this is my favorite outdoor market for everything you'd ever want to upcycle!

Furry Knits: 10 free knitting patterns for pets

designer: Jacqueline Cieslak

Who loves us more than our pets? From dogs and cats, to guinea pigs and ferrets, we welcome all kinds of furry creatures into our families... so why not show them how much they mean to us with some hand knit gifts? I've made it even easier by puling together 10 great patterns that are adorable, quick to knit, and best of all... FREE ;D

Finding new passions: something old is new again

It's that time again... time to resolve to do all the fantastic things that we just couldn't get to last year! This year I've challenged myself to learn new things. For me, this could mean trying something completely new, but it can also mean building on the things I already know... or even re-learning something I haven't done in a really long time. From woodworking to needlework, get ready for a preview my 2017 project plan!

Thanskgiving at the grown up table: vintage folding chair upcycle

It wouldn't be a holiday if I wasn't working up to the last minute on some kind of project... this year it's a little extra seating, vintage style. I picked up these adorable little wooden folding chairs over the summer, at the request of my Mom (actual quote): "I wish I had some extra chairs for family dinner night". Well that's all I needed to hear... So the plan is to show up with these 3 upcycled seats to share with the family!

DIY sewing: handmade pouf ottoman from one yard of vintage fabric

What do you do when you come across a single yard of vintage linen velvet at the flea market? Buy It! There are a million projects you can do with one yard of great fabric, not to mention all the things you can do by pairing it up with other materials... Today we'll take a look at what I did with my amazing flea market find; and how I turned it into this little gem of home decor!

DIY project: tufted high back chair

Upholstery projects are some of my favorite these days... they're lots of work, but reward you with a one of a kind custom piece of furniture for a fraction of the cost of buying retail! (What's better than that?) This time I'm updating a thrift shop find that's perfect for the *tricks or treats* season: A high back chair with a bit of a Gothic vibe! I'll take you through the whole process, including the key steps to create this professional and timeless look... But fair warning to you all; this is the piece that got me totally hooked on tufting... so proceed at your own risk ;D

DIY fashion: Custom tailored schoolboy blazer, for her!

Picture it: You're out at the thrift shop and you spot this beautiful hounds tooth jacket! Only to find it's a men's size 40... If you know what I'm talking about, this project is for you! With a little work (and some sewing skills) you can tailor your very own custom look! Don't believe it? Well grab that jacket, because I'm about to show you how I transformed this thrift shop find into my go-to fall style!

DIY upholstery rescue: biscuit tufted ottoman transformation

So sometimes I just get this bug... the urge to pick up one of those wayward projects and get it done. This was one of those weekends! It all started few months ago (yeah, I said months), I was up at the Elephant's trunk flea market in CT. It was not the best day, and as I was preparing to leave almost empty-handed I saw this sad little foot rest. When I asked about it, the seller said she had tried (unsuccessfully) to re-upholster it, but was ready to see it go to a better home. Being a sucker for sad furniture, I happily took it home with me dreaming of the beautiful accent piece it would one day become... And that day is today!

Unique and unexpected flea market gifts for friends and coworkers!

Remember when part of going back to school meant bringing a gift for your new teacher? And how picking the right gift was so important... It was almost as if that gift was some sort of guarantee that the year would go well (**cough, cough, bribe**) Anyway, I'm not sure if this is still a thing... but I used to love the challenge of finding that unique thing that I knew would surprise and delight; and I still do! But now that everything is accessible to everyone online, finding unique and unexpected items is really tough! That's why I turn to flea markets. I'll show you some of the best and easiest to find "off the shelf" flea market items, as well as some awesome flea market transformation ideas that will have everyone asking "where did you find that!"

DIY chalkboard sign with vintage style

Chalk board art is some of the most creative and prominent on pinterest these days... and I can totally see why; it's so much fun! Maybe it's because it's so forgiving; just erase any mistakes,  and start over. Well this week I have fun not only creating chalkboard artwork, but chalk boards themselves. As usual, I'm reaching into my big stack of flea market finds to create a one of a kind DIY project with a vintage twist ;D

Kitsch to chic: vintage dog themed decor

Dogs have been man's best friend for... ever? As far back as ancient times (and maybe even farther) people have been sharing their homes and hearts with canine companions; So it should be no surprise to see their likeness incorporated into art, textiles, and home decor throughout the ages. To this day, dog themed decor can be found in homes around the world, including mine! From bookends to door stops, we'll take a look at how to pull off this classic look on any budget ;D

DIY project: modern styled dog bed on a budget!

 OK we've all been there, at the pet supply or local big box chain... staring at the mountain of pet beds thinking: "which will go better with my living room decor; pink bones or black and red paw print?" The answer is neither, they are both ridiculous... Now I'm not saying you can't find some really nice options out there, but have you seen those prices?!? Equally ridiculous if you ask me! If you want to create a special spot all for your pup, that doesn't hurt to look at AND doesn't break your budget... you've come to the right place. I'll share multiple options, at various skill levels, using things you already have (or can purchase for no more than $20)!

A little flea market called Jake's

In my area, there's no shortage of flea markets, farmer's markets, and antique fairs... and Jake's is the perfect stop for someone looking for them all rolled into one! This week I visited Jake's flea market for the first time, and found deals you wouldn't believe; on everything from veggies to vacuums, Star Wars glasses to screwdrivers, antique silver platters to dog bowls! You get the idea, this place has it all! Now I'm not saying I didn't have to put in the work to hunt down the treasures I found in this expansive outdoor marketplace, but we all know that's at least half the fun ;D

Flea market transformations: message tray

Ready for transformation #2 this month! This one's a little more involved than the last one... we're taking this old barn wood hand made frame, and giving it new life as a friendly serving tray; a perfect centerpiece or gift for a generous host ;D

Flea market transformations: painted bookends

This month I'm going to share a few of my projects... all recent flea market finds that I bought knowing they would be undergoing some sort of transformation! I'm starting off with an easy, and affordable, paint project. These little bookends were already super cute, we're just giving them a little refresh ;D

Beach stone art

So I've been seeing this all over pinterest, and it's one of those things on my "to do" board... (OK I might be a little behind).  But it's been speaking to me lately: (1)  because it's one of those quick and versatile projects and (2) I can do it with things I have on hand (no cost)! Of course, there are lots of options for both making and using this project. In this post I'll show you a few of the techniques and tools I used, so you can create your own masterpiece ;D

Antique extravaganza in Adamstown PA

Adamstown PA (or Atown for short) has been a hot spot for vintage goods for over 30 years; but I made my first trip this weekend for their "extravaganza". This means more vendors, great deals, and even bbq! Unlike many of the other large antique/flea markets I've been to over the years, Atown is literally a town full of markets! If you've never been, let me tell you it is worth the trip... 

Deck chair makeover

So you might remember that I was on vacation a few weeks ago. I was lucky enough to be able to take a beautiful cruise to Bermuda! This particular cruise gave us about 3 days at sea, which (for me) means finding a quiet corner (away from all the families swimming, partying, and generally obnoxious crowds). This week I'm recreating the lounge that became my private little nook for reading, knitting, and overall relaxing. In this post I'll explain it all; including shopping, finding, and creating everything that went into my new favorite summer spot ;D

Yard sale season

You already know about my love for flea markets, antique shops, and estate sales... so it should be no surprise that I also brake for yard sales! But yard sale shopping is not the same as any of these other venues; from locating the sales, to planning your shopping list, and negotiating prices. If you want to be a successful yard sale shopper, it pays to prepare and plan your trip. This is my approach to getting what I want, at a great price, without wasting my entire weekend in the car ;D