Marie's Oldnews

2011-10-24T06:11:00.000-07:00

This door from an outbuilding on my DIL's family ranch needed just a little work! But, it was worth it!

Sunflower Antiques - our newest adventure!

2011-08-03T08:04:00.000-07:00

What a crazy busy summer this has been! I retired from 22 years of teaching - for exactly 19 hours! Then I jumped in with both feet on a business venture with a friend. We opened a beautiful little antique store called Sunflower Antiques and it has been a wild ride so far! Watch for our new blog which is under construction now. There just don't seem to be enough hours in the day for all that I want to do but that's what keeps life interesting!

Paper roses

2011-04-30T23:55:00.000-07:00

I'm sure that many of you out there already know how to make these cute little paper roses, but I just learned how a few days ago and I thought I would share the simple directions.

All you need is some scrapbook paper, wire, scissors, plyers and floral tape.

Cut out a circle (any size-this one was about 2 inches across) and on the wrong side draw a spiral.

Cut on the lines and then with right side up, begin to roll until you reach the center.

Look at that! It's almost a rose! Use a small dab of glue to fasten the center of the spiral to the rest of the rose at the bottom.

Using a piece of wire for the stem. twist one end into a curly loop and put the wire through the center of the flower, gently piercing it through the bottom of the rose.

Add leaves or another bud to the stem if you want, and then into a vase it goes. It makes a pretty cute bouquet!

There it is!

2011-04-18T20:41:00.000-07:00

Ok...it took 4 hours to put together, but let me tell you this: These two little guys are worth it! I wanted something for my grandkids to play on when they come to visit, and when I found this online, I knew we HAD to have it. My oldest, Kolby is crazy about helicopters and this was perfect! It rocks, teeter totters, and the propeller actually spins! They loved it! AND, thank goodness for the huge boxes it came in, because they kept them happy while we put it together!

Spring at last!!

2011-04-18T20:29:00.000-07:00

We have finally had a few nice days, so today after work I came home and got to spend a few hours working in my yard! I picked up this old heat register as part of a huge buy I made with a friend. I knew as soon as I saw it that I had to have it for myself! It was never going to make it to the store for sure! Tonight, I screwed it to the railing of my front porch and then began the hunt for a plantable container that would fit in the small opening. I tried every clay pot, can, and tin I could find and nothing would work. I was getting ready to make a small wooden box to go inside when I remembered this metal cup with a handle that was in one of my boxes of "stuff". It works perfectly for now. I planted a couple of other great old pieces too. One was a huge old crock and the other was a metal thing (NO idea what it actually is!) but it got dark quickly and so pictures will have to wait until tomorrow!

43 days and counting...

2011-03-30T18:55:00.000-07:00

I can hardly contain my excitement over retirement in 43 school days! It has been a long, long, journey, and I am so ready for the next chapter in my life! I can hardly wait to read the newspaper instead of a stack of tests. I can't wait to take a walk in the morning, stay up as late as I want, go see my grandkids whenever the whim strikes me - I am just so ready for it all! I want to work on my furniture refinishing projects, go junking and spend time at the store where I really want to be! I will certainly miss my teaching family, but I have promised to go back as a volunteer and be the art docent for my closest friends. We will see how that goes! Right now, I just want to be foot loose and fancy free! I have worked since I was 16 and I honesty believe that I deserve to have some time to do what I WANT to do, not what I HAVE to do! Honestly, if I never, ever see another report card again, it will be fine with me!

2011-03-30T06:50:00.000-07:00

From bread bakin to shelf makin!

2011-03-24T19:39:00.000-07:00

I have been collecting elephants since I was a child. One day as I clomped down the hallway of our house at the age of about 7, my dad said "For goodness sake Marie, you sound like a herd of elephants!" We had hardwood floors and I have to admit, I probably did! Next thing I knew, I was getting elephants. Elephants for Christmas, my birthday...and It just never seemed to stop! I'm pretty particular now, because I have so many, I only want ones that are fairly unusual. I'm always looking for ways to display them, and when I saw this huge, multi-loaf bread pan contraption, I KNEW exactly what I wanted to do with it! I brought it home, washed it and sealed it with clear varithane, and it's new life began! It now holds some of my mineatures!

On the subject of KOLBY...

2011-03-19T19:53:00.000-07:00

Many people have asked me how my grandson is doing with his diagnosis of Epilepsy. He is such a strong little guy, one of the bravest people I know! It's been almost a year, and the medication has him very stabalized. He hasn't had a BIG seizure in 9 months, and the tiny ones are hardly noticed by anyone but us. He will be 4 in April, and we are blessed to have him in our lives. His little brother is not so little anymore either! He will be 3 in June! Time goes by much too fast...

On becoming a full time junker!

2011-03-19T19:20:00.000-07:00

I'm not off to a very good re-start!! Weeks have passed again, but I am determined to get back on track! I have decided to take early retirement from teaching, so after 22 years, I will say goodbye to my class for the last time on June 2, 2011! It has been a remarkably easy decision, and I have no regrets. I will miss my teaching family, but I will not miss the politics, the the crushing pressure of test scores, the pay cuts, the budget cuts or the days off without pay. I can't wait to read a news paper instead of a pile of homework to be corrected. I can't wait to take a walk in the morning, work on my projects all day if I want, and into the night too if I feel like it! I am just so ready for the next phase of my life.
My small antique business is doing well, and I am lucky enough to work with 20 other vendors in our antique co-op. We are a family and I love my time working in the store. We work together, and we go off on "hunting" expeditions together in search of the perfect buys for the store! I have the best of both worlds because once I retire, my "job" will also be my greatest source of joy! Shopping has become work, which means work has become play! It just doesn't get any better than that! Lucky, lucky me!

I've been an absentee blogger! Shame on me!

2011-02-20T00:26:00.000-08:00

I've been away from my blog for a long, long time, and I think it's time to get back to it! We've had so much going on, a sick little grandson who is now doing wonderfully with the help of epilepsy medication and great doctors. I had both knees replaced at the same time (WHAT WAS I THINKING!!!) and it was much more difficult than I ever expected! It was months of physical therapy, lots of work on my own, and I'm still not completely ready to go yet. I am hoping that by summer I will suddenly feel GREAT! We shall see! I'm still teaching 3rd grade but I have decided to take early retirement and I will be done in June! I am very, very excited! Then I will be able to throw myself into my other job as a member of an antique co-op where I have a huge space and need lots of time to keep it filled! Life is looking up, and so am I! More to come soon!

An eventful couple of months...

2010-05-16T08:15:00.000-07:00

So much has happened since I last had a moment to post. My 3 year old grandson has been diagnosed with Epilepsy. The seizures are so frightening, and the sense of helplessness is overwhelming. My son and daughter in law have been beside themselves with the news, and are now on their second ped. neurologist. The first was probably very knowledgeable, but he was a complete idiot in terms of dealing with broken hearted parents. The newest doctor seems much more in tune and has taken swift and proactive action. We are much more pleased with him. As the grandmother, and the one who is 2 1/2 hours away, this is the most frustrating time of my life. At this moment, he is wired up and connected to an EEG backpack that will do a 96 hour test. He must wear it 24 hours a day and He is amazing. He doesn't complain, he doesn't whine, he just goes about his business, as though everyone looks like an extra in the Jetson's sequel! He gets it off on Monday, (his mommy's birthday) and then on Wed. it's back into the hospital for a couple more days for more tests. His first visit was 4 days, including an hour and a half trip in an ambulance from his small town of Chico to a hospital in Sacramento. He is our little hero, and his parents are trying so hard to keep some normalcy for his little brother who is not quite 2. Meanwhile, I madly read everything I can find on Epilepsy in Children, and try to do whatever I can to help out. School will be out on June 3 which will free me up to spend more time with them.

New uses for an old Jack!

2010-04-05T07:35:00.000-07:00

This old car jack has been kicking around my workshop for ages, and I finally found several uses for it. To see more about it check out my post on jumkmarketstyle.com

Our little Kolby's 3rd birthday!

2010-04-05T07:24:00.000-07:00

My grandson Kolby turned 3 on Easter Sunday this year! We celebrated with friends and family on Saturday, and it was a very special day. I can't believe he is already three, the time has gone by so quickly...And right behind him his little brother Kallan follows! He will be 2 in June. The two of them make my heart sing! I love those little guys so much! Kolby loves trains and tractors and couldn't decide which one he wanted for his new bedspread I was making him for his birthday...so...I made it with a tractor on one side, and a train on the other! It will fit his jr. bed now and his twin bed soon! Once the presents were opened, all the kids spent the rest of the day rolling down the grassy levee hill, squealing with delight as they ran back up to do it all over again! Boy did they sleep well that night!

Change is good...

2010-03-31T18:31:00.000-07:00

Only a week into my new venture, and I'm already looking for ways to make things better! I found in my travels today an old oak shelving unit that will work SO much better in my space. It's about 8 feet tall, and at least as wide and will hold much more "stuff"! As it is now, I have no more room for anything and lots more I want to get in, so I snapped it up. The best part - it was 20 percent off day at the shop I found it in, and it was already a steal, so I feel like I really scored! I'm going back tomorrow with my truck to pick it up, that is, if it ever stops raining...What a soggy, wet, long winter this has been! We even had snow today on our beautiful Mt. Diablo! I don't think I have ever seen that on March 31! This year, March came in like a lion, and it's going out that way too! I hope spring arrives soon, and decides to stay for a bit longer than a day or two! We are all ready!!

My newest venture...

2010-03-27T20:14:00.000-07:00

I am excited, but exhausted as I embark on my newest endeavor! I was on a waiting list since last August for a space in a wonderful local store called the Antique Faire. I had all but given up, assuming that I would have to be willed a space by someone already there to ever get my foot in the door! But this past Tuesday, I received a message on my answering machine asking if I was still interested in joining the group! I went straight down to the shop, met the manager, and grabbed the space! With barely 5 days until I return back to school and my full time job teaching, I had to put myself into high gear! I spent all day and most of the next night pulling my things together, pricing and tagging them, and trying to visualize in my mind how to set it all up! Friday (yesterday) I began the daunting task of loading up my truck, and then moving it all in! By last night, I ached everywhere - well, more than usual - but it was taking shape! I finished today, and of course, forgot my camera on the kitchen table! I will get a picture of it tomorrow and post as soon as I can! I am SO excited about this whole experience. I have no unrealistic expectations. I mean, I know I won't get rich, but the opportunity to test these waters is one that I am so grateful for. I have wanted this for years, and I am so happy to be finally taking the plunge! I must confess too, that although exciting, it was also terrifying! Walking in there all alone, with what I considered to be my "treasures", unpacking, knowing everyone would be watching, wondering...Well, it was very scary! My stomach was in knots while I tried to act as upbeat and unconcerned as possible! So far, the other vendors there have been absolutely wonderful and have made me feel more than welcome! Phew!!

Time Flies...

2010-03-22T01:30:00.000-07:00

So much has happened since I last had time to write! I made a wonderful trip to Texas to visit my son and daughter in law who live in Arlington. It was my first visit, and we had such a great time! One of the highlights for me was meeting my Junkmarketstyle.com friend Alice Hanson. We met on the site, and then through our blogs and eventually Facebook. When I knew I was going to Texas, and found out that I would only be about 20 minutes from where she lives, I knew I wanted to try to get together! We had lunch, talked, laughed and exchanged "junk gifts"! Well, let me rephrase that! She gave me a beautiful necklace that she made, and I left her gift back at my son's house! So, we had to mail it to her the next day! I was so mad at myself, but honestly, most days I'd forget my head if it weren't firmly attached! Hopefully she has received it by now!
If you are a Junkmarketstyle.com fan, then you know that we have a "junk Exchange" going on! Sue partnered us up and we emailed back and forth, got to know one another, and then put together a shipment of junk that we thought they would enjoy! That was the fun part! Mine arrived the day I returned from Texas, and I got some really wonderful stuff! The HARD part is this: we must create something from it, and then post our projects on the site. It's a little nerve wracking, but really so far it's been a huge amount of fun! I've finished two, but have several more to go! Wish me luck!
I made another forage to my local scrap yard and picked up some cool stuff. I found some great old rusty gears and a beautiful old burner that I have already put out in my garden. I plan to make another trip there tomorrow since I'm off for spring break! Gotta love vacation time!

Scrap Yard in Chico, CA - What a GREAT place!

2010-02-15T21:39:00.000-08:00

While visiting my son and his family, we made time today, Monday, and Presidents Day, to finally get to go to the Scrap yard in Chico, CA. It's closed on Saturdays, so I've been wanting to go for ages and because of work, couldn't get there on a weekday. Until today that is! As you walk in the gate, there is a long row of old iron wheels - every size imaginable! I picked up a really cool one for a great price! We spent about an hour and a half scrounging around, digging through piles and dumpsters and racks of metal scrap. it was an amazing yard, and the people were friendly and always offering to help. First thing I did was check into the office and make sure it was ok to "shop" and find out that they do charge by the pound. Then, off we went! I found some really great pieces, and put a few back because of the weight, eventually ending up with some springs, a beautiful copper tube thingy, (NO idea what it is, but I had to have it!) I immediately saw it as a wonderful lamp base. Pictures to come! Then I took my wheel, the rest of my goodies,and went in to get weighed. Was I ever thrilled when she said how about 20 bucks for all of it? Had I known she wasn't going to weigh it, I would have certainly bought more, but there's always next time! I'll be going back during my March break for sure - with lots of cash!!
We also hit their local Flea Market which again was absolutely great! We went on Sunday afternoon and people were already packing up so I spent a whopping $2.20 and got a box full of old bottles and jars, a metal lamp base, a huge glass embossed jar, and an old camp toaster! My son was cracking up! My oldest son lives in Texas, and constantly give him a hard time about "feeding my addiction"! If you're reading this, then I probably don't have to explain about the thrill of the hunt...
All in all, it's been a most productive junking weekend! I have definitely added to my choices for the big junk exchange coming up soon on JunkmarketStyle.com! Can't wait to see who I get as a junk partner! It should be a lot of fun!

SCRAPS Warehouse in San Francisco

2010-02-13T07:30:00.000-08:00

I made my first trip to a fabulous place in SF called SCRAPS. It's a warehouse loaded with junk! Literally! The inventory changes daily and it has everything from beads, paper goods, furniture, art supplies, metal, wood and glass scraps to fabric and yarn! A-Mazing Place!! I never paid more than 2 dollars for anything, most were much less and came away with some really fun stuff! If I'd had more room to get things home, I would have bought more, but there were several of us in a small car! I've posted pictures of some of my stuff and I can't wait to go back again!
And speaking of scraps, I couldn't waste the glass scraps from my stained glass projects, so I made small valentine heart sun catchers for friends at work (8 of them) and gave them instead of candy - at least these won't make us gain weight! Then, I took a pile of the smaller cut pieces and made a couple of really fun abstract pieces to hang in a window. I have one in my kitchen window and it brightens up even a dismal, foggy, wet day like today! Years ago, all these little pieces would have gone straight into the trash, but that would just kill me now! My how times have changed!

One quick day of spring - now it's raining again...

2010-02-07T21:55:00.000-08:00

It was SO nice to get out in the yard and enjoy our one day of sunshine today! I cut back my roses, planted a couple of new ones and put in a few new succulents. It was a very productive day, and it leaves us all longing for more days just like it! About the time the clouds rolled back in it was Superbowl time so I went in hoping to see the Saints pull off a win. They didn't disappoint!
I spent some time this weekend working on a new glass project which I'm pretty excited about. It's another unorthodox one, so we'll see how this one goes! I have been cutting nothing but circles, which is a little more time consuming that the triangles needed for the bike wheel project. And, since I need about 35 of them, it will take a bit of time before I can start putting it together. As soon as I can, I will post some pictures!
Tomorrow night I will get going on a Valentine project for a friend at work. We do a secret Valentine lunch and I want to get it done for her by Wed. so I gotta get moving on it. Pictures to come...

Paper weight keepsake

2010-02-02T20:01:00.000-08:00

I picked up an old paper weight at the thrift store for 99 cents and brought it home. It had a tired old picture of Yosemite in it and was pretty dirty, so I removed the picture and cleaned it up. Next, I cut a circle from scrapbook paper, and added rub on letters. My little grandson's names both start with the letter K, so I added two of those. Next to each K I displayed their birthstones, and then an old key that came from their dad's (my youngest son!) key collection from when he was just a child himself! It represents the key to my heart, which those two little guys definitely OWN! I love the way it turned out and have it at school on my desk as another constant reminder of how lucky I really am!

Up and SPINNING!

2010-02-02T19:57:00.000-08:00

I got my bike sun catcher up and spinning, and I am SO loving it! It's for now, haning on my front porch, until I decide exactly where I want to permanently put it! We have BIG wind here, so I have to be careful when deciding on it's final home. it was a lot of work to complete, and I don't want to risk having it damaged!

2010-01-31T20:07:00.000-08:00

I should have my sun catcher up and spinning by tomorrow, weather permitting! We have another storm rolling in, and it's supposed to rain like crazy for the next few days, so I'm hoping that it lets up when I get home from work tomorrow just long enough for me to get the hooks up and see how it does! Can't wait! I settled on some chain that looks like hammered pewter to hang it with. It matches perfectly with the solder lines. I'm simply putting it on each side of the the wheel post, then screwing on a bolt to keep it in place, Two hooks in the porch ceiling and it will be good to go! I wanted to get it done and up today, but with rain coming in, I had to opt for getting my plants in the ground before the storm. I planted two more climbing roses, 6 stock plants, ornamental Kale and the last of my bulbs. I barely got it done before dark, so the wheel will just have to wait one more day! I'll post a picture as soon as I get it hung!

Glass is done - Finally!

2010-01-30T22:58:00.000-08:00

I really have to admit that I struggled with the soldering on this piece. I don't ever remember it being so difficult, but since it WAS 25 years ago since I last worked with stained glass, maybe (!) I just don't remember! I wasn't able to lay the pieces on a flat surface held in place with pins either, and that definitely increased the difficulty level enourously. It was a great learning experience, and certainly got me back into the groove so to speak!
The next step in this project is to devise a way to mount the wheel so that it will spin. I have some ideas, but won't know until I try them out. I know I'll find a way though, and if I get really stuck, I am fortunate enough to have a very talented son who is a welding fabricator who I can hit up as a last resort! He lives 3 hours away though, and I really want to try to do it myself before I have to ask for help! I'm very optomistic so we'll see!
Next Wednesday, I plan to start a new project, a stained glass hand mirror. I've drawn up a pattern that I think will work and I'm anxious to get it underway.

2010-01-26T17:57:00.000-08:00

It's only Tueseday, but honestly it feels like it ought to be Friday! It's been an eventful week here, with weather that has been harsh - at least by California standards! The little Island I live on is known for it's tule fog that rolls in about December and doesn't leave until March. But this year, on the odd day that we have no fog, we've been inundated with cold, drenching rain. On Saturday my shop ceiling came crashing down because of a leak that we didn't know we had. So I scrambled to clean sheet rock muck off my tools, and work bench and glass! I had just finished refinishing a really wonderful old oak arm chair, and unfortunately, it got so wet that it's begun to darken with water damage. So, this summer when it dries out completely, I will begin on it again...As I get older I find that I have become more patient. I used to think that life was "too short" and I had to try to jam all that I could into each day. Now I firmly believe that life is LONG, affording me lots of time for contemplation! I find that it's better to smile broadly and utter those famous last words : "Oh Well, there's always tomorrow"...
If that wasn't enough, last night the well pump for our whole street went down, and suddenly, we had no water! None. Here we sit on an island, surrounded by water, in the torrential rain, water pouring in our ceiling in the shop, but not out our faucets in the house! We just looked at each other, smiled, and said : "Oh Well!"
Today, we have water again, sort of! The pressure is extremely low, but a little water is better than none at all, so we aren't complaining! (too much anyway!) We'll see what tomorrow brings!