HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE

Bittersweet Country Junction and I invite you to a Holiday Open House at The Seahorse Antiques & Interiors, Saturday, December 3rd from 10am-5pm (located at 907-B Arendell Street, downtown Morehead City, NC).

I have been stocking my booth with Christmas handmades, wreaths and stockings. Primitive cabinets, boxes, bowls and more! Colonial Tin lighting and Paul Revere tart burners, Irvin's witches hat chandelier, fragrant room sprays and tarts, and Christmas decor.

This stocking was crafted from an antique quilt and embelished with fur trim, greenery, candy canes and mica glitter.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas!
Becki

Getting ready for Christmas and Veterans Day Parade

I have been very busy lately, getting Christmas items tagged to take down to the booth tomorrow. Still a few more things to do, but there is always delivery next Friday.

I had a yard sale last Saturday and did exceptionally well - made enough to buy the paint and to have my front room/old living room now foyer painted, plus a little to spare.

I have been really cleaning out this year, closets, storage, etc. It is amazing how much stuff I have held onto over the years! Well enough is enough. I have been taking a lot of items to the consignment store in Newport and have made individual sales, and have donated items to the Salvation Army.  I have another "appointment" in a couple of weeks. I still have quite a few boxes to go through in the shed.

This Saturday Morehead will host its annual Veterans Day Parade (lots, lots, lots of traffic - did I says lots)  - the biggest parade in eastern NC!

I am planning to go out yard sailing and hopefully will be able to get back home before all of the traffic arrives. They stage the parade on the south side of town (my side of town), and it is always very congested! (Most of the town's big events happen downtown, we just plan for it and work around it!)

So here's to you vets -  thank you for all you do and for all that you have done!


God Bless America!

Staying busy, but enjoying Fall!

I hope you are enjoying the lovely fall weather that we have had thus far. I am looking forward to the holiday bazaars that are fast approaching.

Things are going well at the booth, I have actually moved to a bigger booth with a store front window. I have had my second biggest month in sales.  I hope the trend continues! Even a small booth in at a consignment takes a lot of work for sure! 

We have been cleaning and getting ready to clean out a storage unit. With that being said, I am selling our pine TV armoire (with the TV) as well as a 16 place setting of red willow dishware.

(The antique cradle is not included !! LOL)

I just purchased some Fiestaware in chocolate and paprika.  I think it lends well with my decor and collections.

My daughter has begun her collection, one in setting in every color. I like being able to find vintage pieces to add to her collection.

Well, we took the plunge again and got a home phone again. With my MIL living with us now, I thought it would be a good idea. We also upgraded to digital with more channels to watch, hopefully a little better selection than the basic/expanded cable that we had.

Well, I'll close for now. I need to finish cleaning up the kitchen. Have a great weekend!


Becki

Pfalzgraf anyone?

I am cleaning out my cabinets and have decided to sell my set of Village Pfalzgraf - 9  place settings, coffee/tea pot, sugar/creamer, small vase, 2 platters, souffle dish, pie plate, square baking dish, gravy boat and the soup tureen.

Selling in toto, not to be divided.

If you are interested, drop me a line!

Blessings,

Becki

Hurricane Irene - August 26, 2011

Hello everyone! We are hunkered down for hurricane Irene, our first major storm in 7 years. This is cat 3 hurricane, hopefully it will be downgraded a bit before it hits here.  My husband is a fireman/paramedic. His next shift is tomorrow, they got called in early tonight, and I will see him sometime Sunday or thereafter. They will be at Station 1 which is only a few blocks away from here.

My daughter and her house-mate are shored up next door. Granny's house has weathered many storms since it was built in the 20's... a good heavy house.

Granny, William and I, and the animals are staying home. The shelters are open now in the county and the island had a mandatory evacuation. The bridges will be closing soon.

I have been busy today though, as my hubby and son took care of storm-proofing the grounds yesterday. We took the dogs to the groomers, and I have sewn together four more pumpkin heads, and cut out appliques for 4-5 more pillows, and I will soon be finishing up a cross stitch that I have been working on. I don't know whether I will frame it or make a pin keep out of it or maybe a door hanger?? I can paint the heads tomorrow and start assembling them soon after. 

I have been thinking about paining my living room/foyer this fall. Eddie Bauer has a paint color - Molasses - I am leaning towards. It is kind of a yellow/brown color. My sister had a high back bench that she was selling so I acquired it. I am thinking of paining it black and distressing it to put in the living room/foyer along with another older table and lighting, to take it back in time a bit. I really do love country/primitive decor. I'm not really sure why, but it has a warm feeling, and I do like history as well.

Well, I will close for now. I will post pics later.

Blessings,
Becki

Been busy...

I have finished up these punkin heads to take to my booth this week as well as finished up a counter cubbie....

Have finished cleaning and changed the curtains in the living room to my black and tan tab tops, changed out the pillows on the couch. And changed out the decor in the bathroom, a new Country House shower curtain with red stars at the bottom, and a couple of samplers and an old Amist toddler dress. Lesa Cook at Brier Creek Primitives is making soap. I picked up a couple of bars from her when I visted with her in July and have those setting in a bowl near the sink.

School starts this week. My daughter is going back to school another year to get her associates in Medical Assisting (she is working full-time at a pulmonologists office). She is very excited to take this extra year to get her associates. I hope she doesn't get burned out, going to school full time and working full time too. My son is continuing to take classes, plans to take the medical assisting program next fall. Sometimes I think he is a professional student, but he still hasn't found a good full-time job yet, so he might as well get all the education he can get until he does. Maybe it will help him in the future.

I need to work out in the yard, but it is so hot here. I will have to wait until dark to do that. Mostly weeding and trimming back some wisteria (darned plant!).  I actually planted them when I had an arbor, but have since taken down the arbor and uprooted one plant, but my husband and son gave up on the other one. I try to keep it trimmed up weekly.

I will close for now and hope you have a blessed week!

Becki



Fall and Moving??!!

Hi everyone -

Can you believe August is almost over, school is about to start again, and Fall is around the corner!!
Cooler weather will come soon!

I have just finished up some pumpkins I made from a pattern featured in Mercantile Gatherings magazine. I will be taking these to my booth this week. How do you think they turned out??

I will be working on some crow pillows today. I will post them later.

Even though we have taken our house off of the market in July, our friend/realter has shown it this Thursday. They called back Friday and wanted to see it again yesterday. We found out today that we are tied with another house around the block (husbands choice), UGH!! I hope we find out something this week (preferably tomorrow).

Well, I am off to craft a while. I need to go by the grocery store too. I hope you all have a blessed week, and I will keep you posted on the house deal.

Bye-
Becki

Ready for fall!

Hello everyone!

Sorry I have been missing lately. We had a family reunion in WV and have been busy making and gathering things for the booth.



The family reunion was bittersweet to say the least. Went to the homestead up Turkey Creek, not at all like I remembered as a youngen...made me want to cry. There was only one living aunt left  and she was unable to attend as she is in a skilled nursing facility. The first generation of cousins arrived, albeit a wee bit older and grayer, and a handful of second generations arrived as well. It was a nice gathering and a time to remember.

I met a nice gal on FB and we arranged to meet while I was there, Lesa Cook from Fayetteville. Bier Creek Primitives. She makes some very amazing furniture, very prim, and has a lovely little shop as well. Please stop by to see her at FB. It looks like she has been very busy lately getting ready for the shows coming up ahead!

That being said, I have been busy here myself gathering and making new items for my booth.

See the bonnet on the stand sitting on the table? Lesa makes bonnet stands and has dresses, towels and other goodies too!  I also brought back this primitive lantern that she made...

See it on the left! Just amazing!

I do hand work like the wicked cross stitch and the stitched prim towel.

Have been yard sailing and estate shopping as well. Last weekend I picked up various items but I love this washstand (of course it didn't look like this now)!  It was filthy! It was in excellent shape with one door that had split and broke. I vacuumed it well, used a wood wash on it and then used Briwax. I think I will keep it a while!

And finally, I love sunflowers, so I made this arrangement, inspired by some pics in the latest issue of Country Sampler....

They make me smile!

So I hope you all have a nice weekend, and happy hunting! I'm off now to an estate sale....I hope I find some goodies!

Bye now, ya'll come back, hear!
Becki

Yard Sale Treasure

Went out yesterday morning with my daughter. I found this wonderful chippy white vintage cabinet, and the mirror too!



It was the perfect size to use at the side entrance.

Occasionally you can find some really cool things. I wish I could find some grain sacks. I love those that Marian has on her blog www.missmustardseed.blogspot.com. I can't find anything like that here.

I have also seen some wonderfully painted furniture in blogland. I would like to try Ann Sloan's chalk paint.  They offer a great range of colors to choose from. There are three distributors in NC.  I can usually find some great pieces to redo at the Salvation Army and yard sales so maybe I can get the paint here before I need it. We have just finished cleaning and rearranging the shed and have installed some new overhead lighting, so it will make a great workshop for painting.

Things at the booth are steady, although a bit slow last month. Still making booth rent, plus some, at least. I now have a couple of Irvin's chandeliers for sale - a six arm chandelier and 2 witches hats.



Eastern NC is in a severe drought. We haven't had rain in ages........ I planted some roses last weekend, so I am keeping them watered pretty well. It's a good thing we have a well and don't have to rely on city water!

Well, you guys take care and have a blessed week.

Come back and see me now, ya hear!

Becki

Allergies

Took son for allergy testing. He has been having progressively worsening sinus/allergy problems over the past few years to the point that he develops a couple of bad events a year requiring multiple antibiotics, etc. Well come to find out he is allergic to most all things, grass, trees, mold, dust, cats and dogs (we have 2 dogs and 3 cats)!  Well, knowing is half the battle. We will now begin to implement some of the suggested recommendations (minus finding new homes for the pets), and the doc prescribed another allergy medication.

It has been rather hot here the past week or so, triple digits. I would love to get out and rework the front flower beds, but I need to do it early one morning or late in the evening.

Things are steady at the booth in town. It seems people call every day wanting to know where "I" am at. Car ads/signs really do work well! As you recall, I am a vendor at The Seahorse at 907B Arendell Street, downtown Morehead City.  I would really like to be able to open my own business in a few years, selling new items as well as consigning all things "country" - - - furniture, art work, etc. This is my first step to achieving my goals.

I have a few sewing projects planned for this weekend, and I may paint a small demilune table to put at the kitchen door and maybe an old mirror above it.

We had a wonderful yard sale over the Memorial weekend. I have really been cleaning out and this  yard sale really moved some items for me - a wing chair and slipcover, a side table, a swing arm lamp and some shades, pillows, etc. This fall I will cull some more out of the shed, i.e. Christmas decorations, old canning jars, etc. (It should be a bit cooler too!)

I hope you guys have a wonderful week!

Until next time..... Becki

Cleaning, decluttering and redecorating

I have been busy for the past few weeks. I decided to clean out all of the cabinets and closets and get rid of "stuff". It really is a good feeling to be lightening up and decluttering! I have been taking things to consignment, and have taken things to work to sell as well.  I am planning to have a big yard sale Memorial weekend. Hopefully we will have finished sorting through the shed.

I have decided to sew today (instead of sorting through the shed). I have had it on my mind to make some slip covers for the dining room chairs to make them less formal. I used  a muslin type material and added pleating at the bottom. I think they turned out better than I had hoped.

Details of pleating at the bottom of the slip...

I also redressed the table for the summer. The old bowl was found in the attic and the candlestands I repainted and aged. I used burlap for the runner.

I also used the same painting and aging technique on my favorite lamp!

I made some new pillow covers today as well.

Not your typical "country prints", but the toile and the vintage print both have a bit of red and being in them.

I took down the dark colored curtains and switched out the comforter in the bedroom. It is lighter and brighter now.

I added the slop jars and lids above the jelly cabinet...

 The thing is I like too many things, old ironstone, white McCoy, and those items that remind me of my grandparents.

Things have done surprisingly well at the consignment. As you recall I now have a spot in an antiques consignment downtown selling my Americana, primitive and country decor.  My husband is planning to  retire in 3 years and he said he wants to plan to open our own business. Wow, that's a little scary, but by then everything will fall into place.

I hope you all have a blessed week. Thanks again for visiting!

Becki

Spring cleaning and consignment...

Another weekend has come and gone. I have been cleaning out closets and cabinets and will be soon tackling the shed.  I have gone through curtains, small kitchen appliances, dishes, you name it, and will be taking them to a local consignment for sale. I may even have a big yard sale at the end of May (it depends if I get through the shed or not).

With that being said, I have been redecorating a bit as well. I have introduced more creams and whites to the living room and have take down my black and cream checked curtains for the summer and have replaced them with some lovely cream colored sheers. Although I have recovered the wicker chairs in a blue print, I am not too happy with them and have bought some tan/cream striped material to re-cover them, again. I will reuse the blue material another day.

I went to an estate sale weekend. It was a lovely story home on the water, Victorian style. They had a wonderful selection of antique furniture and collections. I did pick up a piece of yellow ironstone (pitcher). I cannot recall ever seeing one in yellow. It only cost $5.00. So I brought it home and it is currently residing on my kitchen table (awaiting some fresh cut flowers).

Business at the shop is going well. It has exceeded what I thought we would do our first month. I am pleased with the response and feedback we have received from our customers. I purchased some material from the Coverlet Museum and plan to make some kitchen towels for sale. I have also been gathering Americana items to place in the shop soon.  Wow, I can't believe it is May already!!

Well, I hope everyone has a great week!

Blessings,
Becki

Back to work??!!

My week of recovery is over tomorrow, and I go back to a loaded desk :(    I did, however, get a lot of other things done this week at home, spring cleaning, redecorating, etc... My husband and I went to check out our booth and to drop off some new items and re-arrange. Things are moving well there and we couldn't be happier! For the two weeks I have been there I have met the booth rent and am working on profit!! That has motivated me to get back to work on some projects that I have in the shed so I can get them in the booth.

I can't believe Easter is here!  Church special at the waterfront Easter morning (6 am) and then to breakfast at the fellowship hall. John Conner always outdoes himself. Thank you Jesus for your everlasting gift!

I hope you all have a blessed week!

Becki

CATS!!

Friday I discarded a loveseat, yesterday discarded a chair - CAT PEE!!!! Took #1 suspect to the vet (all day affair), yes he has a UTI. #2 suspect also has a UTI. Took #3 suspect to the vet today (she wouldn't give any up) - verdict pending.

So, I have to use the front room/living room as a spacious foyer - I've always wanted a foyer in a house.

Thank you cats (I think)....

Blessings,
Becki

Recuperating??!!

My surgery Friday went well and I am back at home. My Lap-Band is readjusted and I will be starting all over again (of course with less pounds to lose).  I have taken the whole week off to recuperate and am thinking about things to do around the house, and a few little needlework projects to work on. Of course, I don't want to over-do it, but by the end of the week I should be in good form.

I have taken down the burgundy checked curtains from the bedroom and am looking for a new comforter set/quilt for the bedroom, preferably blue to go with my blue buffalo checked curtains I have. They are actually light weight and more of a blue than a navy blue if you know what I mean. I will post pictures when everything is completed. I found this amazing quilt at JCPenney. It is Americana with red, white and blue prints. I love it! I just don't know if I want to pay the $$$ for it or not. And there is a lovely comforter set that would work as well, for about half the price.

And in the living room I have moved the wingback chair to the bedroom (I will slipcover it later) and brought in my husband's grandmother's wicker chairs. They are very, very old, but in excellent shape. I have found a nice print to recover the cushions in, blue of course. I will be putting away all of the burgundy pieces, pillows, etc, and bringing in more white, creams and touches of blue. And I want to make new covers for the couch pillows.

Well I mustn't let my work list hamper my recovery, so a little bit at a time.

I hope you have a blessed week!

Becki

Officially In Business

Well, Bittersweet Country Junction is officially in business. We were set up by Friday afternoon, and we had a customer the very same day! I think we have made a good decision in setting up with The Seahorse One in Morehead City.

This will give me a chance to rotate some stock and will allow me to have more time to be create some of my own things to sell.  I do like creating wool runners and mats and a bit of cross-stich and needle work as well.

My daughter took these pictures of our booth with her i-phone and sent them to Facebook.  She is one of my biggest supporter! She helped set up my Facebook page for the business, but I basically use my personal one which is linked to BCJ.

Today is my hubby's birthday. He is 57 today. He helped me finish putting a few touches on the booth, and then we went to Havelock to the hobby shop to pick up a remote control helicopter for his birthday. He is out with his friend now who is picking up a motorcycle! Boys will be boys!

Until next time,
Becki

A New Business Venture

Well, not quite. I am moving my business to a more permanent location, at The Seahorse One in downtown Morehead City. I am one of many vendors. I carry country/primitives and antiques as well, new and re-dos, and hand-dids. We will be moving this weekend, and I am very excited about the prospects. Look for my booth - Bittersweet Country Junction.

On another note, I found out Monday that my LAP-BAND has slipped (second time now). We have tried conservative treatment (releasing all fluid for a "band" holiday), but I think at this point in time it is time to surgically re-adjust it. I can't afford to gain back what I have lost. So, surgery is next Friday. Gee, it will be like starting all over again. How exciting!

I will take pictures of my booth and post soon (during my recuperation period).

Blessings,
Becki

Saturday pickins

I had a nice Saturday out yard sailing. No estate sales this weekend but the local Presbyterian church had a Junque Sale. It is a good thing I carried a tote in with me because I left with a load. My best find was 10 tin window candles, all for $2.00, and they all work too!  I also picked up an old cutting board, wood spoons, three small tart tins, a small copper pineapple mold, and a metal carrier you can use for small vases for flowers or two taller bottles as a soap dispenser - the possibilities are endless. I ended up using Briwax on the cutting board and on the wood spoons and made a vignette beside the stove. I put a small wax flicker votive in the tart pan. I will post pictures soon.

I also picked up a quilted shower curtain. I think I will just use it a light-weight throw.

Well, bye for now as the computer battery is LOW......

Blessings,
Becki

RIP Jasmine Rae 2/16/98 - 3/7/11

Well, our sweet little girl passed away early yesterday morning.  We will miss her very much.

 Until we see you again.....


Becki

Rainy days always get me down.

A rainy day, don't get me wrong, we do need the rain, but it makes for a dreary day. On top of that, my miniature poodle Jasmine who is 13 is very sick. She has lost a noticeable amount of weight in about a month and a half (she was rather rotund), and then she started with blood in her bowel movements. Took her to the vet and she thought it was some irritation and gave her some Metronidazole and put her on a bland diet. I thought she was recuperating pretty well, but in the last few days she seems so feeble, has been drinking constantly, and has been throwing up and has diarrhea. She can barely stand up and is sleeping a lot (more than usual). I will be taking her back to the vet as soon as possible.  I will keep you posted.

On another note, there was a local estate sale this weekend as well as an auction that I attended. The estate sale had a lot of nice old/vintage/antique items. I picked up a blue ironstone bowl, some wooden spools, a small crock, a small cutter quilt with blues in it, and a wool carder.  I went to the auction specifically because they had some old wood boxes, a spinning wheel, and what sounded like a dough bowl. The boxes ended up being pricey, no dough bowl, but did walk away with the spinning wheel :) My hubby wanted to wait and bid on a nice glass top secretary, which he ended up getting a nice deal on as well. Needless to say, we had a very busy day Saturday!

Well, bye for now.

Blessings,
Becki

Waiting for Spring!

Well the weather has been teasing us here a bit on the Eastern Coast of NC. I am ready for Spring!!!

And I am so ready to open up the windows and let the fresh air in!. Did some heavy duty cleaning Friday evening, and did a wee bit of redecorating. What do you think?

The top picture has some items that were found in the family attic, an old ledger of receipts from Piner Brothers Fish House, an old Sunday School book, glasses and a coin purse.


The second picture is the cupboard re-decorated. The lamb in the bottom right corner was made by Judy Indersoll. I made the pinkeep.

The third picture is the living room fireplace mantle. The picture is of my husband's dad as an infant. I collect white ironstone.

The last picture is in our master bedroom. Again, the white ironstone, old clocks and pictures of my children. The clothing hanging on the shelf reflected in the mirror were my husband's fathers as an infant.

I hope this Spring brings you all good health and Hope in the future.

Prim blessings,
Becki

It's coming up hearts!

I have been working on a few projects, heart bowl fillers (some to sell)

and have completed a couple of small samplers

I am looking forward to making a few pin keeps soon, after I have found a pattern I like.


I have posted some items for sale on Facebook. Look under my pics at on-line mercantile - Bittersweet Country Junction. I have reproductions, antiques and one of a kind items. Here is a little selection of what is available.

Paul Revere Lantern with silicone bulb

Hand stitched by me.

I hope you shop on over!

Prim Blessings,

Becki

One finished project, Jan 2011

Well, we have another snow day, the second snow day this month, and the third one this winter! How amazing is that. I love it! An excure to stay home, relax, and to watch old movies, read magazines, and maybe finish some needle work I need to stain. My goal this year is to finish all of my un-finished projects. My first completed project is a slipcover for my wing chair. I followed the directions given by Pat at www.picturetrail.com/oldebittersweet farm. I think it turned out pretty good for my first one.

For next cover I will cut the back smaller so I don't have to put darts/pleats in the back and it will be more streamlined. I used a red/beige ticking for this one.

I see so many good ideas on other people's websites and blogspots and picturetrails. I wish I was as talented as so many of you are. I would love to learn how to hook rugs. They are all so amazing with their details and colorations.

I like to go to yard sales and to the thrift stores. One of my next things to complete is a small doll's bed that I picked up from the Salvation Army. It is actually painted this horrid blue and has stickers all over it. I will take some before and after pics to post. I intend to use it not as a doll bed, but as a riser on my coffee table. I will sand it and prim it up a bit.  I hope it turns out like I picture it in my mind.

I have completed  few stitcheries I need to stain today as well as some heart bowl fillers (red ticking) before I can finished those up.

Well, I will close now and watch the sow swirling around outside. I did remember to get some evaporated milk to make snow cream with and luckily I still have granulated sugar and vanilla.

Prim blessings!
Becki

New Beginnings - January 2011

Well, Christmas is over and everything is packed away again. One of my resolutions this year is to finish all un-finished projects. I have been working on a slipcover for a wingback chair. I have made a pattern from an old sheet, and have finally cut it out of my upholstery fabric. I plan to stitch it together this weekend when I have time to tweak it to fit properly. Remember, measure twice, cut once - especially if you don't have a lot of fabric to spare!!

I see lots of things I would like to work on this year craft wise, sewing mainly, and learn to make room sprays and wax tarts, etc. I did finish up my sampler quilt this fall (after a year and a half)! I get lots of inspiration from magazines such as Merchantile Gatherings and A Primitive Place. I like primitives and make-dos. I can appreciate now what my parents and grandparents had and made do with.

We had a wonderful surprise yesterday, SNOW! It sure was pretty. I am glad I was at home and could enjoy it. And then as fast as it came, it was gone today!

Well, here's to new beginnings! Have a blessed new year!