It's been a while...

It has certainly been a while since I have posted. Things are staying the course here, the house(s) is still for sale, hubby is busy after his retirement, and family is well.  The shop is doing super with increasing sales every month (yeah!).

Weather permits us to continue yard sailing. I found this amazing walking spinning wheel last weekend at a consignment store for a wonderful price....

I didn't realize how big it was until I brought it in.

This is mom's stone fruit she had. She had it sitting in a stone dish as well, but I put the fruit in this old bowl and will give my sister the stone dish to use...

This is a picture of "the front room" or foyer...it used to be our living room until we added on. The two chairs I picked up a couple of weekends ago at a yard sale for $7 each to go with this old pine table.

Several weeks ago I bought a "lot" from a young lady that was moving and "redecorating". I kept this Antiques sign (the rest goes to the shop).

One day last winter I painted this foyer/alcove off of the kitchen with the "free" paint from Ace's paint promotional. Hubby made the bench for the crocks.

I love my drysink. I purchased it at auction for the shop, but I swapped it out with another piece and brought it home. Can you tell I like crocks? I keep my potatoes and onions here.

Well the holidays are soon approaching. Tomorrow after yard sailing I will start to put out Christmas and such. I need to get the bird out of the freezer too!

I hope you have a Blessed Thanksgiving!

Becki

Hello fellow bloggers. It certainly has been hot here on the Crystal Coast, but we have been getting some much-needed rain!

The previously mentioned bed is still available. Local pick-up only. $100, rails and steps included (we're keeping our mattress).

I have taken the week off from work. Believe me I couldn't have needed it worse! We have new management with new ideas and everything is turned upside down at the moment. That's all I will say about that.

So this week my plan is to finish up some sewing projects, restock our booth and maybe look at a few houses. We did show our house yesterday evening to a young military couple. They liked the house a lot, but will be looking at some others before deciding. You know how that goes. Of course, we will do the same thing. We are looking for a 3+ bedroom, 2+ bath home. Everyone will be living under one roof (2 kids and granny), plus our 3 cats and 2 dogs, and my daughters 2 cats. We have selected some potential homes off of the MLS listings but we will need to see them to see if they will work or not. Also we would like a house with a garage, and plenty of parking area, and a fenced in yard. My husband does not want an older home that needs any work (we have lived in one for 25+ years and he is done with that). He would like it to be move in ready (I agree!).

Well Sunday I decided it was time to get ready for fall around the house.

Fall flowers in the crock filled drysink.

Flowers and gourds in the table arrangement.

I brought this bucket bench back from the booth when we took the large "pie safe" to the shop. The blue bucket is actually one of several found in the in-laws attic. The others have preserve labels on them. I painted this one to cover up someone's initial attempt at a paint job.

Decluttered the cabinet (inside too). New fixins in the dough bowl.

Fall flora and crows on top of the pie safe.

This slant top desk (and hogscraper candlestick) I picked up from a friend earlier this summer. The books and glasses are from my husband's family.

Inside of the desk with parchment paper and quill. The old receipt book and small picture are from husband's family. 

New Billy Jacobs print/canvas, available in our booth.

I picked up these two wonderful wingbacks from an estate/moving sale last weekend for the low price of $100.00. They are by Clayton Marcus. Miss B is taking a nap currently. I made the crow pillow last fall.

Beside the chair where I read/sew/ and watch TV.

My husband just called me from outside to say we might have a showing tomorrow (a car drove by looking for details on the realtors sign). Wish us luck!

Blessings ~

Becki 

Bed for sale

I have decided to sell my much longed for four poster rice bed. Steps included.

If interested, please e-mail me.

$100.00 FIRM, and local pick-up.

July 2012

Wow, 2 posts in one week. I don't think I have managed that before. :)

It's Sunday, and quiet, so I decided to take some pics from around the house.

This pie safe I recently purchased from Mary, a fellow vendor from The Seahorse. I love the color of this piece!

This desk is wonderful. It has a nice drawer, and when you open the lid,

The two drawers are also dovetailed.

I need some input on how to decorate. I love this picture in the Autumn issue of Vintage Style (Pg 22/23)

You need to purchase this magazine. It has some wonderful pictures and ideas (even this article on a home decorated with primitives!)

Also in Franklin and Esther Schmidt's book Passion of Primitives, there is a desk similar to this with a black/dark finish. Ilike the finish on that piece, but I don't think I could do that to this piece.

Now where to begin?

Some other pics from around the house...................

Our 2nd/master bath

Hallway

Above the sink

Stove board

My small collection of treenware, molds and mortis'

Tabletop display

My small collection of firkins (they're hard to find around here). The larger bucket on the floor came from a friend who picked it up from a hardware store. I stained it. The bucket bench I picked up in Selma this past spring.

I love the geraniums and crocks in the drysink. Geraniums mean summer to me.


I would greatly appreciate any input with the desk and this spoon rack. I have a few things gathered, but haven't quite got it yet.

Thanks!

Wishing you all a safe and Happy 4th!

Blessings ~ Becki

Hello everyone! It is hot and sunny on the Crystal Coast today! My husband and I, granny and neighbor did hit the yard sale circuit this morning. It was so hot and humid it felt like you just stepped out of the shower. We did find some goodies today though :)

Also this week I purchased a wonderful blue/gray pie safe and slant top desk from Mary, a friend of mine from the shop. I have the pie safe in place and re-loaded (with dinnerware) and have taken out the old oak dresser and placed the desk. I am having a little difficulty decorating it right now. In the new Autumn issue of Vintage Style, on page 22, there is an article labed "Back in Time".This couple has renovated their 1860's home to focus on their primitive furnishings. They did a spectacular job. On page 23 she has a desk that is similar to the one I have purchased. I love the way it is decorated. My desk doesn't have the high back on it, nor the ledge on the desk. I have asked my husband if he could add a little ledge on it for me with some trim molding after I have stained it to match the desk. I have an electric Paul Revere lantern (for melting wax) and various old books. I think the black shelf above also add so much to this setting.  Frankly her whole house is wonderful! 

I also went to Amazon and purchased Franklin and Esther Schmidt's new book Passion for Primitives. It is a colorful book and the pictures are amazing. I have found in their book as well a desk almost identical to the one I just purchased except theirs has a black aged finish. It makes me wonder if I should pain mine.

I know pictures say a thousand words.  I will post some soon.

The housing market is slow, to say the least. We have had two showings since my last post. Both ladies liked the house very much, both husbands wanted something newer (sounds like my husband too). Well God will put things into place in his timing. I have faith in Him.

I have been having a few health problems for a while, namely right-sided abdominal pain. Yes, I still have my appendix. I had my gallbladder taken out years ago. My PCP ordered a CT Scan and blood work and everything appeared okay. The pain persisted, and radiating from my back, so I thought maybe I had a back problem. Well I did, spondylolisthesis, and apparently something I have had for a long time. I must have done something to exacerbate it (hmm, maybe crawling over the dogs to get in bed?). Anyway that has now resolved, but the right lower abdominal pain has not. So now I am scheduled for a colonoscopy (not looking forward to that, at least my husband just had his and says it is a breeze), and I might possibly have a hernia. I hope the tests Thursday shed some light on the problem so I can get it resolved.

Business at the booth has been good and steady this month. I am quite surprised by the items I have found for the booth have sold so quickly. We just took in a side table yesterday that we did a paint treatment on and it sold today! (I bet my husband $1 that it would.)

Well, off to get dinner ready to go on the table. Hubby just came in from the grill.

Have a Safe and Happy 4th!

Blessings ~
Becki

Hello there, I hope you have enjoyed the holiday weekend! It is hot and humid here on the Crystal Coast. Hubby grilled steaks and we had baked potatoes and pea salad for dinner. Yum!

Well, we did list our house. It is officially on the market. We will see what happens. Hopefully it won't be a long, drawn out affair and we can move on.

I went to a yard sale this Saturday. A friend of mine called me and said to go to 2004 Fisher Street, she had a pie safe. So off we went and sure enough she did! She had a price of $250 on it, and I asked her if she would take $100, and so there we go, she countered with $150, I with $125, and then she countered saying she had other interested parties. I told her I would take it for $150.  So it is at my house for now until I can make room for it at the booth.

Don't you like the crusty finish!

I think it was a wardrobe at one time until they converted it to a pie safe.

I also added a little Americana to my decor.

 I like this arrangement on top of the pie safe - simple.

 And this is a display on top of my hanging cabinet.

I was lucky when I spied this little butt basket at a church thrift store - $2 !!

My husband and I took a little trip to Selma, NC last weekend to go antiquing. I found the large crock bowl and the other two two-tone crocks while we were there. I also picked up a hog scraper, a rush seat rocking chair, a zinc lid, and a couple of vintage children's shoes. We had a nice time to ourselves and the weather was wonderful.

I finally ordered new curtains for the windows. I love the prairie style curtains and swags that I purchased from Primitive Home Decors, and their rugs are wonderful too!

Well, I guess that is all the news for now.  I hope you have a blessed week!

Becki

Oh my, what a change!

Well, I was wondering what was going on! I am on the laptop and was finally able to get in to blog, but on the pc??????  I think I do like the new layout though. It is much easier to navigate.

A lot has been going on this past month. Things are super at our new shop location. Our booth is super!  On the other hand, hubby is retiring. He is a Firefighter/Paramedic and wasn't up for retirement until another couple of years; however, a few weeks ago he went on a call that was very traumatizing to him. He is now in counseling. He states he just cannot go back, cannot take any more, and his counselor recommends this as well.  So a date has been set, July 25th.  Just another life change!

In addition to that, he thinks maybe we should put our house on the market, downsize expenses, etc. We tried that a few years ago and to be honest with you, it is a big hassle. You always get your hopes up when the house is shown....one couple came back 2 and 3 times before deciding on a house down the road.  I don't think I can go through all of that again. But, we will see.

I was able to get the house cleaned up fairly well this weekend with hubby's help, and it got done a lot quicker too! Even got the floor mopped LOL!  It always makes me feel good to get things cleaned and squared away.

I have a few things in line to sew up, cross stitch, pillows, etc.  I bought this amazing lamp last week at a yard sale. It is definitely 70's Americana, an urn-shaped lamp painted red/white/blue. I actually like it a lot, but can't decide if I should repaint it black, tan and cream. I will post a pic soon and let you decide.

Well, I'm going now. I hope you have an amazing week!

Blessings,
Becki

4101 Arendell Street

Good Saturday everyone! I hope you are enjoying your day today.

Today was the "grand opening" of our shop's new location - 4101 Arendell Street, Morehead City. The Seahorse moved from downtown to it's new location to offer 5000 square feet of inventory. There is still space available if you would like to "rent" a booth.

Here is our new booth - after priming, painting, and moving....

We have pewter

An exeption Goodwin Guild coverlet

Lighting, bowls, bowl fillers, and penny mats, as well as boxes

Dresses and bonnets (The dresses are selling fast)

Crockery (this brown bowl sold today)

A wonderful early dry sink, enamel basins, rooms sprays and candles

(yes, that's a door box you see in the corner)

Our sales were exceptional today. Thank you again for visiting with us, and return again, soon!

Blessings,
Becki

AUCTION FINDS AND TREASURES

Good morning everyone!

Hubby and I have had a busy weekend thus far. Friday we spent painting our new booth at The Seahorse - first primer, then paint. Saturday morning, we went out to do some yard sailing. Went to Pine Knoll Shores for a "moving" sale which was advertised with Americana, crocks, etc. This lady knew her stuff and she had some great things to choose from. In retrospect, I wish I bought the metal bed she had without the rails. It would have been a nice accent in a garden.  Then we had breakfast at the Kountry Kitchen before heading back home (our little ritual).

Hubby then went back to finish the trim work, etc., while I attended a bridal shower with my daughter. The booth looks great! After it is loaded I'll post pictures with some of our newest finds!

Saturday evening we attended an Auction in Cape Carteret. There was a living estate sale with lots of wonderful early antiques. I picked up an early primitive dry sink as well as a Goodwin Guild blue/cream coverlet in pristine condition. It is very hard to find such items in coastal NC and I was thrilled to get them to offer at our booth. There were many dealers in the house last night, and a little competition too.

And now, finally, I need to sort through my 2011 folder to finish up preparation for our taxes. Hubby doesn't want to wait too much longer, I might forget LOL

I have lots of items to finish up with before we move this Friday. We are very excited to have more booth space to offer more items for our customers.

I hope you have a blessed week!

Becki

We're Moving!

Hello friends -

It's official, we are moving to a bigger location!  Bittersweet Country Junction will be moving with THE SEAHORSE to 4101A Arendell Street (next to Cox's restaurant) this month. Opening day will be March 24th, 10 am -5 pm.  Better parking, a bigget booth, more vendors and a lot to choose from!

And I must say things have been booming already this month!!! I have sold 2 cabinets as well as other goodes, and now I must hit the road again (I'm not complaining! LOL)

And my husband will be making some new pieces for the booth as well - soon.

So, out we go this weekend!

Blessings,

Becki

Saturday Night Auction and Gardening

Hello everyone. I hope you are having  great week!

I thought I would chat a while. Hubby and I went to an auction Saturday night and picked up a few items for the booth. We went to a new-to-us auction up the road from us. We were pleasantly surprised with his layout and how quickly he moved through the merchandse. He had brought a "lot" back from Pennsylvania which is why I wanted to go.

I picked up Thomas and Sarah...

In original frames and bubble glass.

Victorian needle work - this frame is in excellent shape with no chips and its original wood back,

And I fell in this, it reminds of something you would find in an old country church...

We also picked up another slaw cutter (complete), a couple of crocks and a couple of bean crocks (one McCoy and one #3 brown/tan). All will be going to the booth (except for maybe Thomas and Sarah).

This past week we sold the larger reproduction cabinet (YAH!). I have another smaller cabinet that I will be taking down Friday. I will be re-arranging again and making room for other things. I also picked up a couple of nice older wood bowls to take to the booth as well, one is a fairly large Munsing bowl.

And it is time to work in the garden. Saturday is yard day for me (that's my plan anyway). I am digging up everything (EVERYTHING) in the front two beds, tilling, and then re-designing the garden, simple and clean.  I have it in my head, but still need to go to the garden supply to see what is coming in now and what will be good to plant now. I am looking for nice shrubbery, and something that is blooming. I had a fella in a few weeks ago that suggested I go with the bigger pots, not the dinky one-gallon size plants, so the garden fills in quicker. So basically I am looking for a couple of tall plants for the corners of the porch, and smaller/shorter/dwarf plans for the front of the porch - maybe boxwoods, maybe azaleas, etc., etc.  I have an old wheelbarrow in the back I might use as a planter. And I am looking for a concrete sheep statuary to put in the garden as well, at a REASONABLE price. Well, we will see. I have to buy the plants and mulch first, then "decorate".

Well, there you have it, for now.....

I hope you have a great weekend!

Blessings,

Becki



Sewing, mental health and more

Hello friends,

Super Bowl Sunday, hubby is at work, so I am working on some projects. I have been wanting to make some of these dresses for a while now. I made 5 yesterday and finished them up today. I picked up an old pattern at the Salvation Army and used it for one, then made my own pattern to make the rest. They are all stained and have dried and I embellished them with an old button. They hang on make-do hangers. I am partial to the lighter ones, but the others will go to the shop.

A friend gave me some old wood thread bobbins from her grandmother's estate. I have had them for a long time and have finally gotten around to using them. I wound blue calicos around some and mixed them up in a wood bowl as bowl fillers. I had so many that I made a few bags to sell at the shop and also sold a bag of plain bobbins.

I have been working on some other projects too. They are spread out across my dining room stable drying, waiting for the final process.

This wood carrier is one such recently finished project. I picked it up this summer at a yard sale for $2.00.  It is now completed and is decorated for spring.

I have re-arranged the top of the pie safe as well. I picked up the lamp recently at the S.A. I will repaint it when the weather is warmer. The wax lamb I placed under glass and sits on a pewter plate. The crock was found locally as well, I think at a yard sale or estate sale (LUV those!).

I picked up this quilt at a local consignment shop for $8.00. It is a twin and is just the right size to use on the couch.

I don't know about you ladies 50 or older, but I think I am starting the "change" and I am having a terrible time with it! What an emotional rollercoaster!!!! I don't really want to go to the doctor for anything, so I have purchased some Estroven at the pharmacy. I hope this helps.

I have taken some time off work this week (F and M for a "long" weekend) in the hopes of relieving some of the stress. I found that sewing and crafting has helped a lot as well.

Now, I need to find some more fabric (I purchased a lot of mine at yard sales) so I can do some other projects!

Well, bye for now.

Blessings,

Becki