Sewing Machine Cabinet Make~Over. . .

While the winds whip fiercely through On Crooked Creektt upstairs. . .
downstairs in Studio One, there too, is a flurry of activity!!!

"Mr. Ed" and I have made a joint effort 
to turn this ordinary sewing machine cabinet. . .

 into something extraordinary!

This sewing machine cabinet was purchased for a display cabinet 
when I had a Handmade Cards with a Vintage Flair business in Studio One.

After closing the business,
I had planned to use this cabinet to hold my sewing machine.

What seemed simple to me was not to be!

So~o~o. . .
for several years it has set in Studio One.

Moved about from one~spot~to~another,
I decided it was finally time for a make~over!


"Mr. Ed" and I both took turns sanding the top.
Whatever had been applied in the 1930's kept "gumming up" the sandpaper!

Persistence paid off. . .
after "Mr. Ed" applied two coats of Dark Walnut stain 
and a coat of protective sealer, I began to paint the bottom portion.

"Mr. Ed" removed the cabinet front for ease in painting.
On the back of the brass hinges was the word, Italy!
Had we not removed all the hardware, this would have gone without notice.

Coat #1. . .
 gave me a hint of what the outcome of our combined efforts would become!

Coat #2. . .
While waiting for the paint to dry,
I painted the brass hardware the same hue as the cabinet base.
Then, I applied dry brushing to the outer detail of the cabinet pull 
with a touch of creamy ivory paint to enrich the detailing!

We have had quite a chuckle about the "upside down" cabinet pull!!!
I think the center of the cabinet pull resembles a "crown"!

After reviewing the "before" photos,
"Mr. Ed" gladly changed the cabinet pull to the proper position!

We used MinWax Dark Walnut Stain for the cabinet top,
MinWax Polyurethane Clear Gloss Protective Sealant,
Sherwin~Williams Agreeable Gray for the cabinet base and 
Sherwin~Williams White Hyacinth for the dry brushing technique.

I may add  a bit more dry brushing,
but for now I am quite pleased with the sewing machine cabinet. . .
and even more saddened that my sewing machine won't fit inside!!!

So~o~o. . .
I'll be content to enjoy this lovely piece of furniture
until it is placed in our booth at the Unique Antique Market Spring Show!

Until next time. . .

On Crooked Creektt will be joining. . .

Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch for Metamorphosis Monday!

And. . .

Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday!

And. . .

Debra @ Common Ground for Be Inspired Friday!

Be sure to visit these amazing hostesses

for you're sure to come away filled with inspiring ideas 

for use in your own home decor!

Deer Gallery. . .

Autumnal flooding and torrential downpours 
caused minimal water damage(here) On Crooked Creektt this past year.
Once the carpet padding was replaced and the carpet laid back down,
an update to the Lower Level Family Room decor was the order of the day.

One way to describe our Family Room style would be Rustic Lodge
with a contemporary Pottery Barn vibe. Whew. . .that's certainly a mouthful!

Our Family Room is an eclectic style of family heirlooms 
combined with a few purchased vintage pieces blended 
with new contemporary chairs and sofa. . .

. . .and some handmade furniture by "Mr. Ed" and our son!

I purchased the oversize checkers / chess board from Pottery Barn
for "Mr. Ed's" 2010 Christmas gift. We, also, purchased these two 
contemporary chairs as a gift to ourselves. 

While we were updating the furnishings in the Family Room,
our son surprised us by designing and building this table 
to house the playing board and all its pieces.

So~o~o . . .
while "Mr. Ed" was repairing the water damage and drying out the carpet, 
I decided to move my favorite chicken wire red cabinet
beneath the bulkhead as you descend the stairs to the lower level.

AND. . .we all know that one thing eventually leads to another!

Without lengthy explanation, 
I'll tell you that we moved not only the furnishing in the Family Room,
but also, in "Mr. Ed's"  Man Cave 
to fill the void left on the other side of the room.

In his 1968 Shop Class,"Mr. Ed" made this 5 drawer dresser.
This piece of furniture will always go with us wherever we may live.

I adore Mary Carol Garrity owner of Nell Hill's.
I attempted to follow her lead in design when arranging 
"Mr. Ed's" trophies from his Deer Hunting Days with a Deer Gallery.

Incorporating some of his prized photos and awards
with his Deer Gallery is reminisce of our past 
and an intricate part of our Family Heritage.

One of my favorite photos from his military career,
titled, The Dirty Dozen Plus One, is seen above the Native American bust.

In his early Military Career, 
"Mr. Ed" was a Track and Wheel Vehicle Mechanic. 
This photo is of his Maintenance Company and Korean Nationalist 
training cooperatively on mechanical equipment.

The vignette atop his dresser displays some his favorite things. . .

deer sheds. . . 

a students shop class wooden box. . .

Native American busts purchased at Manitou Springs, Colorado
during our tour of duty at Fort Carson, Colorado.

Due to my unexpected but necessary gall bladder surgery, 
On Crooked Creektt's Lower Level Family Room re~arranged
was never fully completed the Autumn of 2013.

Recently, "Mr. Ed" and I have been spending a lot of time 
creating and designing in Studio One. 

And, dear ones, as we all know. . . one thing eventually leads to another.



Until next time. . . 

On Crooked Creektt will be joining

Susan @ Between Naps On The Porchfor Metamorphosis Monday!

And. . .

Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday!

And. . .

Debra @ Common Ground for Be Inspired Friday!

Be sure to visit these amazing hostesses

for you're sure to come away filled with inspiring ideas 

for use in your own home decor!

Simplistic Progression. . .

My life On Crooked Creektt is routinely structured.

Interestingly enough, 
one can see definite and specific patterns through the years.

Once Christmas has been celebrated,
decorations re~organized and packed away,
a simplistic progression begins. . .

2014 has, once again, begun with a streamlined decor.
The past two years of editing and purging accessories
has brought about a tranquil sense of interior design 
that I associate with Traditional Style decor.

Continual blending of my favorite warm hues of sage greens,
golds, reds and taupe's combined with the more subtle cool hues 
of aquas, linen, gray and off~white creates interesting challenges.

This iron birdcage Crown is my most recent find from* Iron Star! 
Oh, dear ones, I am quite smitten with its size and shape!

The gray and off ~ white patina 
allow the Crown to blend with any color palette, but is especially fitting 
for blending warm and cool tones On Crooked Creektt.

A simple faux boxwood wreath tucked neatly inside the birdcage
and one of my white lacy porcelain birds perched atop its pedestal
add a touch of whimsy to this simplistic vignette.

My thought, when placing the silver tray here was to fill it with chocolates.
However, I think I'll hold off awhile on that thought.
(Seems I've found a few "extra" pounds during the Holiday Parties. . .ugh!)

We are enjoying unseasonably warm temperatures 
for this time of year, here on the Prairie, 
as you can see by the radiant sunshine streaming from the patio doors!

Soon, very soon, the progression of Spring decor 
will begin On Crooked Creektt. 
But for now, I'm content with the serenity of this Winter vignette.

Until next time. . .

* * * * * * * A Fun Story To Share * * * * * * *
While visiting my 91 1/2 year old Dad, I usually stop into Iron Star.

On this particular visit to the shop, two ladies were ahead of me 
as we meandered from room~to~room. I kept my distance, as to not
bother them in their search of treasures.

As I stood behind them in line at the check~out counter holding the 
birdcage Crown, one of the ladies turned to me and said, 
"Where did you find that?"

When I told her, she left the line and went back into the room 
where I had found the Crown. She returned quite perplexed.
She couldn't find another and wanted to barter with me for the Crown.

I told her I come all the way from the other side of the Prairie
just to shop at Iron Star for unique finds. She then informed me
that she had come from another town, nearly an hour away,
for the same reason.

By now, the Shop owner was in search of another Crown,
but alas, I had found the only one of its size. Knowing that she was not
able to talk me out of my find, the woman softened some and gave me
suggestions of how to display my newly acquired find. I politely thanked
her and we both left peacefully from the shop.

Now, each time, I gaze upon my birdcage Crown, I will remember this
unique encounter and smile that I have yet to place a candle inside the cage!

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

On Crooked Creektt will be joining

Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch for Metamorphosis Monday!

And. . .

Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday!

And. . .

Debra @ Common Ground for Be Inspired Friday!

Be sure to visit these amazing hostesses

for you're sure to come away filled with inspiring ideas 

for use in your own home decor!

. . .And the List Goes On!

Visions keep bringing images to my brain!
. . . and the list goes on!

"Mr. Ed" and I are taking full advantage 
of the unseasonably warm temperatures On Crooked Creektt.

I have a rapidly growing list of projects for 2014

. . . and the list goes on,

. . . and the list goes on!

Spray painting and sanding during the warm afternoons
has several projects in various stages in our two~car garage.

While most of the cul~de~sac 
On Crooked Creektt slumbers in restful sleep,
I'm at my A Game with images to my brain!!!
Between 3 ~ 4 AM to be exact!

Hopeful that our registration form 
will be accepted for an upcoming "booth" space,
recently I've been sketching merchandise with a Vintage Flair!

. . . And the list goes on!
* Chicken wire photo frames

*Decorative chalkboards

* Posh Pillow Creations

. . . And the list goes on,
* Buttons

* Lace

* Silver

. . .and the list goes on! 

Until next time. . .