Let's Talk Vintage #75: My First Chalk Paint Project and Some Exciting News

Welcome to Let's Talk Vintage!
 

This is a blog party where you can link up your latest finds, vintage inspired projects, collections, old family stories and even antique things you are selling. And there's
no limit, so you can link as many as you'd like!

Please try and visit at least two other
partiers this week, it is fun to see
what other vintage lovers are up to!

********
 

Today I'm sharing a chalk paint project

 that I hope will be the first of many,

and I have some exciting news!

First, the chalk paint project:

 

 

A French Tool Caddy!

I guess saying, "not too shabby" would be a bad thing.

So, it is shabby and that was the look I was going for!
 

 

Of course I forgot to take the before
photo so I have a photo mid-way.

I used paint from Lowes, at least
I think it is Lowes that carries
Valspar chalk paint. The Hubs
bought it for me and said "Why
is this paint so expensive????"

After doing some research
a friend and I are now
making our own... that way
we can use any color we'd like.

The brush I bought at AC Moore.

And whooo Nellie! Stenciling
turned out to be much

harder than I thought it would be!

 

The first one always is, right?

Let's hope!

 ***********

And now for my exciting news! What

could it be?

 

No, there is not going to be another

Bebe in the house. I know what

you're thinking!

 

No, no, no, no. I think the

ship has sailed on that one.

 

(This is it!)
 

But this is also a big deal:

 

I am finally going to open a brick and

mortar shop!

 

Yes! Something very new and

exciting. So much to do and plan.

 

And of course, you will be able

to see the progress as we go along.

 

************

 

Now for this week's features:
 

 

  Brocante Tresures shared her love for
old books. Now most of you
know I also love old books... can't
 resist them... apparently Amy can't either
she brought home a box full!

and  Gina of Victorian Wannabe
shared her St. Patrick's Day
themed tablescape.
Love the rich colors of green!

and while we're thinking green,
check out this St. Patrick's Day
themed cupboard from Debbie
of Debbie Dabble!

Thanks ladies!

 

 

 

Remember if you were featured,

feel free to grab this graphic

and place it in your post or on

your blog side bar.

 

Thanks so much to all who link

up... some every week, some

on occasion, it doesn't matter,

we love it all!

 

Now it's your turn: 

 

An InLinkz Link-up

Linking with:

Share Your Cup

Vintage Charm

The Friday Flea

Pink Saturday

Getting Together: A Ladies Brunch

When was the last time you went to a brunch?

It had been so long that I thought the time was right. Spring is in the air, so why not?

They're fun.
A change from the normal routine.
They're pretty yummy, too!

And a great excuse to gather some old friends. (And to use my Grandmother's china!)

I invited a group of gals over that seem to have stayed connected long after our seemingly simple connection ended.

We were all dealers at an antique mall... and we have the love for vintage in common.

I asked myself what is a typical brunch menu. Normally I go right to Pinterest and see what everyone else has... but this time I went the easy route.

I made a tomato and cheese quiche and my dear hubs made Belgian style waffles with blueberry topping.

Plus, many other treats to nibble on.

It was a fun morning... and we chatted 'til mid-afternoon!

Amazing how our time together selling antiques has crossed over into get-togethers now.

Bon appetit!

Linking with:

Pink Saturday

Vintage Charm
Show and Share

 

Let's Talk Vintage #74: New Jersey's Batsto Village

 

Welcome to Let's Talk Vintage!

 

This is where the party is...

if you love old stuff.

 

Today I am sharing our family

trip to New Jersey where we

met up with my Dad. We

usually try to find something

fun to do. A place to explore,

a place where we can learn

something. It's just what we 

like to do, when we visit (who

Bebe calls) "Pop Pop!"

 

 

So, over the weekend we took

Pop Pop to Batsto Village,

which had it's beginnings

around 1766.

 

 

It is a place that takes you back

in time...when you walk through

the village and go into the

restored buildings.

 

Batsto began during an era

of iron ore and glass making.

 

Homes were made for the

people to live in and other

buildings were created:

 

Gristmill

Sawmill

Blacksmith

Wheelwright

 

Batso played a vital role during

times of war...(remember the iron 

making ability.) Cannon balls

and other military items were

supplied to the Continental Army

during the American Revolution.

 

 

The workers of the village were

paid in "Batsto Money."

 

Which could only be used in...

the General store, etc. 

(Photo courtesy of the Batso website)

The General Store was open

six days a week. 

 

There was some definite eye candy...

 

 

Lots to see to get a glimpse of what life

was like back then.

 

 

Love these old display cases.

 

 

 

Just look at these awesome bins!

Mirrored fronts!

 

Look at this early mannequin!

 

 

In the center of it all was the

mansion, where the owners lived.

 

It is quite a vision.

Very different from where the

workers lived.

 

 

It was owned by the Richards Family,

then Joseph Wharton,

of Wharton's Business School

of Philadelphia.

 

He added the tall tower

and made some other

changes.

 

 

The entry fee for Batso is free,

as it is owned by the state of NJ,

but specially guided tours of

the mansion were by ticket only.

($3.00 for adults)

 

Unfortunately, I was not

allowed to take pictures.

 

(This is Bebe trying to get a peek before the tour started.
Look how large the windows are.)

 

I was so disappointed because there

were some neat things I would

have LOVED to have shown you.

 

But there was also a walk-thru tour

inside the Visitor's Center.

 

 

That's where we saw several

displays with amazing antiques.

 

 

I was happy to see that I

 have a set of sock stretchers

just like the ones in this case.

The pair above is mine, which

are small, for a child.

 

Since this post is going on

awhile, I'm only going to show

one more thing... part of the

glass making display.

 

 

This "End of Day" glass

chain was so neat!

Where they used the last of 

the glass  on this piece.

 

And that brings me to the end

my fun afternoon at Batsto Village

in New Jersey!

 

Can you tell I like old stuff

and the history behind it? 

 

************** 

 

Now for this week's features:

Brooke of Creative Country Mom
Check out her wreath
project... using vintage lace!

Penny of Penny's Vintage Home
set up an adorable Alice in Wonderland
Tea Party for her Granddaughter.
So sweet!

Kelly at  Homespuns & Hayfields shared a craft room sneak peek.  We all love those! She's off to a great start with these wonderful cabinets.

Wanda of Victorian 1885
shared her spring deck and patio
area of her new home on the island
...in a rain forest! Love the
window on the garden shed.

Dianne of Deanie's Stash made over
this vintage suitcase... if it's
pink then I'll probably feature it!

and Stacey at The Farmhouse
in the Field shared how she 
hand painted this $5 chair.
Her tips and advice were great!

Thanks to all who stopped
by to link up and to those
who follow along each week!
 

 

If you were featured, be sure to grab

this Let's Talk Vintage Graphic

for your blog side bar or for your post.

 

 

Now it's your turn:

 

 

An InLinkz Link-up

Latest Vintage Finds: Vintage Florentine Wall Decor, Milestone Scrapbook, and an Art Deco Print

 

 

This Florentine style picture trio caught my eye at our local thrift. Need to clean 'em up a bit and then they'll be ready

for the shop... marked "Made in Italy" on the back.

Happy they were all still together, sometimes these

things get separated.

 

 

There was also something about this

framed print that I liked.

 

 I thought this vintage scrapbook would make a great display, filled with pictures at a milestone birthday party. I could have really used it for the 75th birthday bash I put together for my Mother! You can read about it here. Maybe someone else can put it to good use. It is still unused with the paper label inside.

Believe it or not, I used to enjoy reading my Mother's Reader's Digest "magazines" when I was young. My favorite section was "Laughter the Best Medicine." While these late 1950's / early 1960's issues may not bring in too much money themselves, I think I might frame the vintage advertisements found inside.

 
I found several that I liked but got sentimental over this one... remembering when soda came in glass bottles. Whose with me on this one?

Sounds like a possible subject for a

"Let's Talk Vintage" post, eh?

But my favorite find of the day just

 might be this framed print.

Enjoy your weekend! I'm diving into unchartered territory this weekend... you all have inspired me and I'm finally trying out chalk paint on a few tables and smaller items!
I of course, will show you pictures.

Plus, (Teaser alert!) I may have some exciting news next week...

Stay tuned!

Linking with:

 

Vintage Charm

Share Your Cup

Pink Saturday

Show & Share

 

Let's Talk Vintage! #73: A Garden of Vintage Rose Prints

 

 

Welcome to Let's Talk Vintage!

This is a great place to visit, beginning

every Tuesday morning at 9 EST.

 

Link up or just sit back with

your morning coffee and

check out all of the vintage

goodness we have here!

Link as much as you'd like.
So far, there's plenty of room
for your vintage inspired projects,
collections, heirlooms, latest
finds, you name it! You can even
link up items you sell.

 

This week, since it

is the beginning of March , I'm 
sharing some lovely lithographs
from an early, turn of the century,
 gardening reference book.

 

The front cover, tiny print,

 reads :  Copyright 1911

by United Lithograph Co.

Rochester, NY.

Go Rochester!

While the book contains all

kinds of plants drawn by

artists, these pictures are  

gorgeous and my favorites.

 

 

Such beauty!

 

Such talent!

 

This page is a stunner as well.

Each rose has a name with
a description.

As the title of these page reads:
GENUINE BEAUTIES

Indeed they are!

*****************

Now for this week's features:



Sarah of Sadie Seasongoods created a ring

organizer out of an old cigar box!

So charming and functional!

Cynthia of View From a Garden
shared some amazing photos
of 1920's accessories.
These peacock feather fans
are stunning!

Dianne of Deanies Stash shared
her favorite chalk paint
with us and some of her
new projects.

And I love, love, love Cecilia's film reel
photo frame project. Hop over when you
get a chance to My Thrift Store Addiction
and check it out!

 

Remember, if you were featured,

you can right click and save this

"LTV Feature" button to use

on your blog post or side bar.

Thanks so much to everyone who
posts each week and also to
those who faithfully read about
all of this vintage creativity!

***********
Now It's Your Turn:
 

 

An InLinkz Link-up

Joining these awesome blog parties:

Vintage Charm
Share Your Cup

Pink Saturday