New drapes - No more echo!

Drapes are up in the studio and the echo is gone! I'm busy working on several projects today, as you can see by the looks of that table.  I just wanted to share a few quick pictures today.  Forgive me for my lack of attention to my photo editing today! I'm working on handmade goodies to share with you too.

Here's a close up of the trim.  The room feels really cozy now. The drapes cover that green accent wall that I've never been too fond of too.  I've left the palm tree in the corner for now for height. I'm sure it will likely be replaced with some vintage find like a ladder or shutter in the future. For now, it stays. This is Florida after all.

Here's the dining room before and after. Funny thing, both times my kids were using the chairs for something!

Helps finish things off in here.  Here's a close up of the two panels and the fun brush trim.  I guess I need to put those two other chairs back! The kids steal them for the office when they are playing computer games with friends.

The husband is ready to replace the lights in the foyer and dining room now.  Sounds like a plan to me! Get ready to join me in April for a month of giveaways! I've got so much to celebrate with YOU. Get ready for some great handmade items with a twist...there's a theme. Any guesses? I'd love to hear!  Have a blessed Sunday. Linking to -

Burlap table runners from Etsy

I've been wanting to make or buy matching burlap table runners for my dining room table and buffet.  I thought about a no sew option, but I wanted mine to be lined.  I also wanted a ruffle or lace on the ends.  After pricing materials and considering that sewing myself meant I had to sew in straight line for nearly eight feet (lol), I began to search Etsy!  I found the help of The Vintage Drawer.  I contacted Myra and discussed the sizes and lace options. She had the final product in my hands within a week! Thanks, Myra!

So, I have the new drapes installed (so excited!) and new table runners in the dining room.  I'll do a photo shoot in the sunshine and daylight tomorrow. I can't wait to share.

I've started to decorate for Easter. We have the whole family over usually for Easter dinner. It is on my birthday this year. Think they'll do the dishes for me? lol  What are you doing this weekend?  Any great projects planned?  Speaking of planning...April is going to be a very special month here at Rusty Rooster Vintage. I'll be celebrating six months of blogging, over 500 followers and a very important announcement with an entire month of giveaways! Stay tuned my friends. This is going to be fun! Thanks so much for stopping by. I appreciate the time you spend here, your follows and your sweet comments.

Latest finds

I just love foreign text. It is great for collage and backgrounds.  This is an old Czech Bible that I stumbled across this weekend.  The binder is falling apart but that just helps justify using her in my artwork!

The pages are all trimmed in red.  This would make a great paper wreath. I may have to make one. Our church is constructing a new building. Maybe a gift?

 

Double click the photo to get a better look at the text. It is really gorgeous. I just love it! I can't wait to create with this.  

I also found a few vintage hat pins for just a few dollars. I'm so glad I stopped in this local store on my busy Saturday!  These always come in handy. I hope you are having a great week. Drapes for the studio and living room go in on Thursday! I can't wait to show you the before and afters. A few little projects to share too. Ready to make something? Well, click follow and come on back by in a few days.  Take care! Linking to -

A bunch of "junk" from the in-laws

That title is just fun to say! Actually, I received a sweet surprise from my mother in law, Jean, this weekend. We had dinner Friday night and she brought me a bag of vintage goodies she has been saving for a long time.

This little box was full of rhinestone bracelets, necklaces and little treasures. The top of the box is a pin cushion. She used it for her hat pins.  I love the blue pieces in here too.  Here's a better look at some of the rhinestones.

She also had saved a tin of buttons for many years and has donated that to my studio and artwork.  I really like having a little part of her in the studio with me now.  I was touched that she thought to give them to me.

I snapped a few photos tonight as the sun was going down. When I shoot photos in the backyard, I always have two helpers, Shelby and Zoey. I have to be careful with art pieces that they don't slobber and step on them. It can be a challenge! Bassets are very, very curious. What is yours, is theirs. They parked themselves within a few feet of me to watch.

I have a handful of projects on the table this week...art doll assemblage, altered whisk brooms and some rooster tags.  I've struggled a bit with my next giveaway choice.  You guys are so wonderful and I've hit some important milestones in March - 500 followers and six months blogging. I'm working on something special to share with you so hang in there with me and check back often. I appreciate your follows and comments so much. Have a safe week!

Whimsical Musings Magazine feature

Thank you to Cindy for featuring me this week via her online magazine Whimsical Musings Magazine. Cindy is such a gifted artist and writer. You can visit her personal blog here.  She also has a great Etsy shop. She created this magazine to feature the women she meets in blog land.  It has been a great way to meet new bloggers, explore new styles and drool over artwork. I hope you will visit. Thank you, Cindy, for the time and effort you put into this.  I'm honored to be added to the list of featured bloggers and artists.  P.S. - Love the picture collage you made above!

Kara and the Bee

Kara traveled to the county spelling bee today. That's her on the left with some of the school board members and the runner up from her school.  There were 50 kids from fourth grade to eighth.  Our little fourth grader did not make the final 20, but she was really close!

Ms. Robinson, the assistant principal from her school, came too for the awards ceremony before the competition.  Take a look at this great medal!

...and as a little reward for a job well done, we made a pit stop after lunch for this guy ...

Meet "Mr. Citrus."  He moves into his new fish condo tomorrow. We are letting the water condition and get to room temperature.

Some how I've managed to keep two other fish alive for the past 4-5 years for my son. Let's hope I have the same luck with this guy.  Please send prayers, cross your fingers, throw a pinch of salt over your left shoulder, raise your feet off the floor and hold your breath...whatever it takes to help  me keep this little guy healthy! lol  Hope you are having a great weekend. I'm headed to another antique sale at Sweet Peas tomorrow morning. I'm also having lunch with some Central Florida bloggers on Tuesday.  I should have some fun finds and good stories to share. Make sure you stop back by!

For the love of vintage hardware

I can still remember the smell of my grandfather's old garage. I can see the countless number of jars filled with nuts, bolts and old nails. They were fascinating to look at and even more fun to open and pour out. I can remember playing with his folding carpenter's rule and pounding rocks with his old hammers on the cold cement floor. I remember the skeleton keys on the work bench that opened crystal door knobs inside the house. It was a room filled with pure treasure to me.

I never met my grandfather. He died a month before I was born. My grandmother left his workshop untouched for many years, long enough for the grandchildren to eventually explore inside and discover the hidden treasures there. When I see vintage hardware or something rusty, I think of that garage. It sparks a bit of excitement inside me.  It feels like I've found treasure again.

I love to use old hardware and vintage doodads in my mixed media art. Above is just a glimpse of a project on my work table tonight. Have a terrific weekend! We are off to the county spelling bee tomorrow. I'm one proud mom.  Linking up to -

VIF link