York Village Shops

Come On Spring!!

noreply@blogger.com (A Pretty Pastime) — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 21:31:00 +0000

Gosh-if I had known how much stress the brick and mortar shop was giving me I would have just locked the door and walked away a long time ago. I feel like such a heavy burden has been lifted ... ok, a heavy burden HAS been lifted. Anyway, I am trying to make myself quit running around and kicking my heels up while giggling ~ trying to get on a schedule-re-structure my days. The giggling can continue but I really need to get some work done.

So I decided to work in the greenhouse for a little while this afternoon. The weather is glorious today!

Here are a few pictures from my greenhouse workout:

Heirloom Yellow Plum Tomatoes

My DIY Upside Down Tomato Planter (5 Gallon Bucket)

Look at those Blooms!

The Key Lime is blooming too!

Here's my 1 gallon bucket of "jelly bean" tomatoes. They should put on fruit about the time the yellow plum tomatoes are about half way through producing.

The wooly lambs ear right outside the greenhouse is starting to green up...spring must be on it's way.

Bench Re Do

noreply@blogger.com (A Pretty Pastime) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 18:23:00 +0000

Remember this bench?

It now looks like this:

The paint is "Celery Ice"

and here's a close up of the fabric:

The fabric looks gray in this picture but it is actually green and white-ish.

Have a beautiful day!

Two Guys on the Road

noreply@blogger.com (A Pretty Pastime) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 13:19:00 +0000

I'm featuring my friends Perry and Clay today at Two Guys on the Road with Antiques . <-Perry's Blog, however Clay quite often posts.

This was on Perry's blog from last night.

I would have never guessed what this was (in the pictures below).

Clay's blog Two Guys on the Road with Books

is definitely a good read. This guy has a great sense of humor and I love reading about his Pyrex addiction!

I adore these guys and love reading about their adventures.

Check them out!

Still moving...

noreply@blogger.com (A Pretty Pastime) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:33:00 +0000

Tommy and I hauled several loads of furniture out of the shop yesterday and I swear...stuff inside the shop just kept mutliplying! Today we have vowed to finish moving the stuff in to storage and then I need to get the storage space set up. I'll post pictures later today. The shop looks like it exploded but I actually have a system (definitely wouldn't be apparent to anyone else :-)

I'll be so glad to be done as I am certainly feeling my age AND I'm afraid if I keep working Tommy like this he's going to run away screaming one of these days.

Have a beautiful week!

Moving Day

noreply@blogger.com (A Pretty Pastime) — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 12:57:00 +0000

It's rainy and snowy (later this afternoon) and I will be moving things out of my brick and mortar shop...in to a storage unit. The time has come to say goodbye to the little strip mall and move on to other exciting adventures. I probably wont be posting for a week or so but when I do get back to posting I will have much more time and I'm pretty sure much more energy...

Have a great weekend!

Cannister Redo

noreply@blogger.com (A Pretty Pastime) — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 15:16:00 +0000

These cannisters have been sitting in the shop since August. No one ever even looks at them. Hmmm...maybe they need a makeover.

I taped off a section of the cannisters to paint with chalkboard paint...

Painted the tops white

Then painted the tops wrought iron

I am going to find some small white ceramic knobs for the tops. (I'll add pictures when I find the perfect knobs). Not today though...it's snowing like it thinks it's Christmas ;-)

Linking to:

And:

End Table to Blackboard Table

noreply@blogger.com (A Pretty Pastime) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 03:18:00 +0000

Remember this type of end table?

Very sturdy but very outdated?

After:

Slapped some chalkboard paint on top

Happy Paint on the rest :-)

I made a matching stool/bench out of the top of the table:

I am linking to:

Transformation Thursday Link

Thrifty Thursday

Finding Fabulous

Sewing Cabinet and Bench

noreply@blogger.com (A Pretty Pastime) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:30:00 +0000

I got this sewing cabinet at a yard sale for $10.00~the bench (below) was included even though it doesn't match the cabinet. But that's ok with me :-) I will make it match something.

I'm thinking I'm going to make a hall table. We'll see what happens.

Inside - all needs to be gutted and a bottom put in.

Looks like this cabinet has lived with kids.

I know you're saying to yourself "If she removes that fabric, I'm going to ask if I can have it". Sorry. Fabric is nasty! I love bright colors and psychedelic patterns but this is too much for even me.

As an aside...look who is peeping their little green heads out. It's the thyme and oregano :-) Even though I grow these in the house/greenhouse it gives me hope that spring will return.

I also have tomatoes coming on the vine. I can't wait!

High Chairs or Transformers?

noreply@blogger.com (A Pretty Pastime) — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 01:23:00 +0000

One of our customers came by last week and saw the white hair chair (bottom). We had no idea this high chair was more than a high chair but Dot knew and showed us how to "tranistion" the chair. Then Dot told us about her high chair (below). Dot can trace this high chair back 90 years!

The chair has a tray that goes to it.

This is the chair in the "play table" position.

Our white high chair

In transition

High chair transformed in to a play table

I thought this was so cool. Who knew???

Space for Rent

noreply@blogger.com (A Pretty Pastime) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 12:53:00 +0000

Sadly, Tony at Gus Anthony's is moving up the street so 7330-K Geo Washington Memorial Highway, Yorktown, VA 23692 will be available for rent on March 1st. We wish Tony all the best!

1400 Square Feet $1125.00 per month.
Contact: Ann Beale 757-868-4142.

I'll post pictures soon...

I'm still here! Sofa Table

noreply@blogger.com (A Pretty Pastime) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 12:37:00 +0000

I haven't abandoned my blog~just been very busy at the shop. I thought I better post before I kicked out of blogland for not holding up my end of the blogging :-)

I was inspired by Miss Mustard Seed's artwork and decided to try it out on a sofa table that needed a makeover. Warning: This site is VERY addictive. I don't think there is one thing on Miss Mustard Seed's site that I don't like...and now Miss Mustard Seed has joined forces with Funky Junk Interiors (another addictive site!) to create a wonderful Work Shop series. Check it out!

Oh-here are the pictures of my sofa table:

Have a great day!

This just in-Sideboard from Perry & Clay

noreply@blogger.com (A Pretty Pastime) — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 14:56:00 +0000

Perry from Two Guys Antiques called me Thursday and said he had a sideboard he thought I may be interested in.

Here it is:

Isn't she beautiful?

Here's some more of her:

The burl (sp?) on these doors is just to die for!

She has a few blemishes. I think most of that will cover with Orange Oil.

Those of you who know me know I paint just about everything that sits still. Not this piece. I love it just like it is.

Perry has such great taste AND knows his clients really well!

A few of My Hand Painted Pieces

noreply@blogger.com (A Pretty Pastime) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 23:37:00 +0000

Here is a picture of a chair I picked out of a trash truck. I loved the lines but not the brown color. So I added some happiness to the chair :-) This style of painting is actually my favorite but you know what they say about variety...

My first try at zebra stripes:

First attempt at pansies:

All done freehand

Trying out metallic paint~trying to go for a Steam Punk look. The spikes on the back as well as the top have holographic glitter on them:

Blonde laminate Cedar Lined Wardrobe found on side of road. Just added some happy paint and sold it to a new home.

Before:

After:

Nightstand

noreply@blogger.com (A Pretty Pastime) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 01:32:00 +0000

I got this night stand from Gently Used (actually got a pair of them but someone bought one before I could even clean it up!)

So here's the before:

After:

Close up of drawers:

I'll try to get a picture in better light tomorrow.

The paint is Heirloom White with Golden Oak stain over it.

The drawers are decoupaged out of scrapbooking paper.

I'm still debating if I should paint the drawer pulls...any suggestions?

Edit to add better picture of drawers:

Merry Christmas Every One!

noreply@blogger.com (A Pretty Pastime) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 12:20:00 +0000

From our family to yours

Look What The Guys Brought Today

noreply@blogger.com (A Pretty Pastime) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 00:35:00 +0000

Perry and Clay stopped by this afternoon. Their van FULL of wonderful, sparkling and exciting stuff. Before I could say "Hey, wait just a minute here", there was all the pretty stuff on a polka dot area rug (I love!) sitting right in front of the shop. Then Perry had the nerve to ask me which pieces I would like to purchase! Well how the heck am I supposed to choose. Clay understood right away and said it was like Sophie's Choice. It was. So, Perry struck up a deal for the lot and I just couldn't resist. (They are so slick those two). They knew all they had to do was wave shiny objects in front of my face and I would be hypnotized.

The lamp pictured below is made of wood and it is HEAVY! But the best part...it has a twin that came with it :-)

Aren't the details just gorgeous?

I have already taken the first lamp apart and started painting it :-)

Then they showed me this:

and this:

and these:

I will try to get a better photo of these (above) when I have time to set up a light box. There are four matching serving pieces from the 1950's and they have a very bright, shiny chrome finish.

Can you see how resistance was futile??

There were plenty more wares that I will save for another day.

Perry asked me what I thought my favorite piece of the lot was. I'm still trying to decide.

It's a soapmaking frenzy!

noreply@blogger.com (A Pretty Pastime) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 13:04:00 +0000

For the holidays I make special soaps with soothing oils and oatmeal for winter skin.

Everyone who knows me sort of rolls their eyes at Christmas and says "Gee, wonder what this is?" in a sarcastic voice when they receive their gifts from me.

Here is the Lavender Sage soap getting ready to go in the oven.

Here it is after it has "baked" for 2 hours:

On the drying rack:

Other soaps on drying racks:

Met some new friends today...

noreply@blogger.com (A Pretty Pastime) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:58:00 +0000

Perry and Clay have been coming by York Village since as long as I can remember and we have always exchanged pleasantries but never really conversed. Perry deals in antiques while Clay deals in books (and Pyrex). And they have a blog! Check it out! They have some beautiful finds on their site. (Yeah, yeah. I know I overuse the exclamation mark.)

Perry and Clay came by this evening as I was unpacking some neglected crystal stemware and asked me if I would be interested in a pair of wall sconces he had Anyway, we got to talking and I was intrigued by all these guys do but even more intrigued by all these guys KNOW. It made me tired just thinking about all the time they spend on the road buying and selling goods. Perry looked at the stemware I'd been unpacking and told me what it was - far better than my description "stemware" .

Visit Perry and Clay at TwoGuysAntiques.

Little Red Desk

noreply@blogger.com (A Pretty Pastime) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 03:56:00 +0000

I forgot to take "before" pictures. Sorry :-)

I didn't use any stencils ~ this is all free hand which would explain the non-uniformity of some of the patterns ;-)

A shot from above. I painted the desk top with chalkboard paint. I had a heck of a time finding chalk. I finally ended up with sidewalk chalk.

Top and front of the desk

Some more detail

Back of seat

Seat detail

Top Detail

Look What I Found At "Gently Used Thrift"!

noreply@blogger.com (A Pretty Pastime) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:39:00 +0000

Would you just look at these happy Santa lights?!? Aren't they adorable?!? I bought them at Gently Used Thrift for $1.50. They're so cheery I'm just going to have to find a place for them front and center! Gently Used still has LOTS of Christmas and Holiday decorations. Check them out!

Cabinet Door into Memo Chalkboard

noreply@blogger.com (A Pretty Pastime) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:51:00 +0000

Someone was nice enough to bring me some cabinet doors. So of course my mind began racing. I got out the chalkboard paint, Heirloom white and went to town. This is what I came up with.

What do you think?

Yuzu Soap

noreply@blogger.com (A Pretty Pastime) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:33:00 +0000

Two posts in one day :-)

<-Here is the Yuzu Soap all fresh out of the oven. It smells heavenly and looks oh so wonderful.

Yuzu fruit has a dry, tangy almost floral note (scent).

"Used in aromatherapy, Yuzu is said to have a refreshing and uplighting effect on the body whilst calming the mind. The oil is said to have a powerful anti-bacterial which makes it effective against colds and flu, which would account for its popularity and success in Japanese folk medicine.

The oil is also said to be effective for stress, burn-out, nervous tension or anxiety, where it brings soothing and calming effect to the emotions. Likewise it gives upliftment to depressive states, frustration, regret and helps to build confidence." http://www.quinessence.com/yuzu.htm

The ingredients in this batch of soap are: Saponified Coconut oil, Palm oil, Olive Oil, Rice Bran Oil, Shea Butter and Castor Oil (<-humectant) with retained glycerin and some skin soothing oatmeal blended in for winter skin.

My local readers can find this lovely soap at the shop after Saturday.

Soap on drying rack See the pretty oatmeal flecks?

Save the Trees

noreply@blogger.com (A Pretty Pastime) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 14:28:00 +0000

Tommy and I bought an artificial tree the first year we were married. The kind that has the color at the end of the wire branch that goes into the pole (and a lot of the colors looked the same so we always had to re-do several of the branches). Tommy took the tree out of the attic this year and we looked at each other realizing the tree couldn't really even stand up well anymore (the tree has outlived 3 cats and 4 puppies). I didn't want to donate the tree, it was our first. Even though we have 4 other trees I tried to figure out a way to save this one. This is what I came up with. Greenery for the mantle.

Holiday Open House!

noreply@blogger.com (A Pretty Pastime) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:59:00 +0000

Saturday December 12, 2009, most shops at York Village will be hosting an Open House during regular business hours.

Come on by for a visit.

Thomasville Cabinet Contiued

noreply@blogger.com (A Pretty Pastime) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:51:00 +0000

Here she is...all done and sitting in "Once in a Blue Moon".
Isn't she pretty?

<-Detail