My Gnome Little World

We may just leave this oh-so-not mid-century couch in this room as both the room and the couch are big and they fit each other!

94% of everything else in the living and dining rooms is from the Mid-Century!

Matter of fact, most of the house is furnished with mid-century items…down to the set of Sears flatware my Mom gave me as a teen probably for my hope chest!

New Living & Dining Above…
Old Below!

You get the point…new paint, furniture and personal touches!

The Foyer…

Could not pass up the light fixture that Jim rebuilt and the Sears star burst clock that my Step Father fixed!

A corner here…

The Above Corner has my Mid-Century Belt Chair and a bunch of drift wood in the corner!

And a corner there!

The above Corner has our somewhat collection of international stools…two are old, one is from Honduras!

The Dining Room!

We love our new OLD dining room lamp that Jim rebuilt!

And now our bedroom!

Oh so cool, airy and grey with a splash of color!

New Above….
Before Below:

The other side (plus a tri-pod, an air filter and Chloe):

The Master Bath!

And Before!

No more carpet, stripped wall paper or dressing room lights!

Now…

THE FAMILY ROOM!

And what it used to look like!

The Whole Picture!

We want a cool low profile mid-century couch in this room, probably where the table and chairs are…but have not found one we like enough yet!

And Introducing…

THE KITCHEN!

And a similar view from before!

Bright and Happy!

Similar shot from before:

Personal Touches!

In the Kitchen:

And in a Hall!

TaaDaaa…

Jim’s new Office/Den/Man Cave!

And the old Dark Den!

Personal Touches in the Den!

And…

The guest room / Dawn’s Making Things Room!

Cozy Area!

And Work Area! (The table enlarges!)

The Pink Jack & Jill Bath just needed some love and a spit shine!

Half Bath is just a “happy” as before…

But updated!

And with personal touches!

The new front!

The old front!

Not sure you can tell the changes…

All the cranky 50-year-old bushes were removed and more tropical plants were put in AND the entire outside was painted!

Love our new mid-century style shutters and the pop of flower in front!

The new Landscaped Corner Island!

The old corner:

New side yard “Island” landscaping!

And if you ever visit (And you know YOU ALL are invited) the Garage Door Entrance Welcome Area!

WE Love our new place and had fun and some fights getting it to this point, but it is not still 100% done!

And 10 pieces in these photos, I created! Can you guess which 10?

Look forward to finishing it completely!

And to buy Mid Century Modern Items for you Home…Visit Our Online Shop!

Click: OurOwnBigWorld

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FUNKY FUN VINTAGE FINDS FOR…

Posted: December 12, 2012 in Found Items
Tags: Acadia Florida, antique, antique fairs, antiques, atomic, atomic lamps, atomic mid century, auctions, circle tables, drexel, Drexel Declaration Line, interior design, Kip Stewart, mid century, mid century bars, Mid Century Furniture, mid century modern, mid century serving carts, vintage globes, vintage mid century

THE NEW HOME!

Although the house is not blog ready yet…

HERE IS A PEAK AT SOME OF THE STUFF GOING INSIDE IT!

THE BAR!

AND WHAT IS A BAR…

WITHOUT A 3 TIERED SERVING CART!

WHAT? YOU NEED TO MAKE A CALL?

SIT HERE ON THIS COOL METAL STOOL AND USE THIS EVEN COOLER PHONE AND PHONE BOOK STAND!

THE WORLD ON A DREXEL!

Vintage Globe sits atop a perfect Kip Stewart’s Declaration Line Drexel End Tables!

WHICH GO SWELL WITH THIS…

Kip Stewart Drexel Coffee Table!

FELL IN LOVE WITH THIS ONE OF A KIND STAR BURST MIRROR!

AND WHO COULD SAY, “NO” TO THESE BEAUTIES?

“NOT I!” SAID THE MID CENTURY VINTAGE BUYING FOOL!

TO FINISH THIS UP…

WE HAVE ONE OF A PAIR OF FUN CIRCLE GLASS TOP OCCASIONAL TABLES!

I HAVE AN OCCASION FOR THESE…DO YOU?

The above items were bought at Antique Fairs in Acadia and West Palm, Florida, and at an Auction in Sarasota Florida.

Everything we buy we get for relatively cheap…the Drexel pieces and the 3 tiered wood cart were a bit higher…but still way under value!

We hope to have the house 90% done by Christmas…photos in the new year!

Matter of fact…I should be packing right now so we can move our stuff on over! Shhhhh!

UPDATE….OH WE BOUGHT SO MUCH THAT WE OPENED OUR OWN ONLINE STORE!

Please visit and shop, if you are so inclined at: Our Own Big World!

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UGLY BEAUTIFUL BRATTLEBORO

Posted: December 1, 2012 in Art
Tags: art, arts, ARTS AND CRAFTS, Brattleboro, Brattleboro VT, death, folk art, photography, poetry, seasons, snow, The written word, vermont, Vermont Winter, VT, Whoville, winter

Vermont is freakin’ beautiful…

Even when it is dead.

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MY PHOTO and WRITTEN WORD SERIES.

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Ugly Beautiful Brattleboro

The beauty of death

The deadly spine flitters and floats.

“We are not in vain!” says the beautiful flower that dies.

Whoville died in Vermont.

But it is where butterflies go to hibernate!

The veiny fingers of death reach for the sky.

What death makes you…

Oh Puffy Stuff?

Even in death, I will stand tall!

“Blue skies you do not deceive me!” says the naked tree.

“I still like the sunlight.” she said with her last flower breath.

Eyelashes of death try to block the view.

And its veins try to suffocate.

Color laughs at the grey of death.

“We are not of this deadly world,” says the lively fluff ‘n’ stuff.

Pods of death ready to blast off into winter.

We will not die, we will not curl up and die!

Star bursts of death spring upward.

While death breathes, roses sleep.

Death loves me, Death loves me not.

Death’s fairy wings on a stick.

I flutter, I flitter, I flurry and soon I will die.

Winter is upon as
Balls lay unused among dead leaves
Guarded by the Gnomesman
Who has stood the strength of winter
And shall prevail once again!

And then it snowed!

Adding a bit of clarity to death around.

Sprinkling death with sugar.

Tiny fingers cupping clouds of sugar.

Clouding death.

And still purple strives.

As does the Gnomesman of Winter.

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STRAIN YOUR LIGHT!

Posted: November 8, 2012 in Crafts, Upcycle
Tags: antique, antiques, art, arts, arts & crafts, ARTS AND CRAFTS, crafts, crafts arts & crafts, felt crafts, folk art, food strainers, homemade christmas trees, homemade lights, interior design, lighting, lighting crafts, metal vintage stariner, pendant lamps, Pendant lights, recycle, strainer, Strainer light, upcycle, upcycle vintage lighting, vintage lighting, vintage strainers

UPCYCLE LIGHT!

EASY PEASY!

To start the hole, I used pliers and a hammered it just a bit in the centered dot in the centered star of the bottom of the strainer.

You can see the finished hole in the photo.

Oh, and yes, those pliers have a pink rhinestone on them!

To help enlarge the hole, I snipped from the inside with wire cutters.

Then I would push this vintage soda bottle into the hole to make it more round!

Picked these up at IKEA for $5.00 each the other day!

Put lighting through hole, put in lightbulb…

And there you have it…and cool hanging lamp that casts spotted star shapes!

That was fun!

But I was not done creating!

Back to Gnome Christmas Trees!

I so need a gnome for under that tree!

Now, let’s see if these things sell!

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GNOME CHRISTMAS TREES!

Posted: November 5, 2012 in Crafts, How To
Tags: antique, art, arts, arts & crafts, ARTS AND CRAFTS, Beachy Christmas Decorations, Christmas, Christmas Crafts, Christmas Decorations, Christmas Trees, crafts, crafts arts & crafts, Elves, Felt Tree, folk art, Gnomes, Holiday decorations, Holiday Interiors, home accessories, How to make Christmas decorations, Making Holiday Decorations, recycle, Shell Christmas Tree, Shell Tree, Small Christmas Trees, string, string art, upcycle, vintage, Vintage Christmas Decorations

Yes, Gnomes celebrate Holidays too.

And they, just like us, need Christmas Trees.

I have made it my goal to supply them some this holiday season.

From Felt Tree

Let me talk first about the tall one in the back.

Or better yet, let me show you how I made it!

From Felt Tree

Supplies: Cone, felt, glue gun, scissors and maybe some tidbits for decorations (I used some brads and tacks).

From Felt Tree

Cut, cut, cut out your tree leaf thingies.

From Felt Tree

Glue them, one at a time to the cone, all of them!

From Felt Tree

Start adding your decorations as you go.

From Felt Tree

Figure out your topper and decorate.

I decided on decorating a small Styrofoam ball with the brads and tack.

From Felt Tree

There you have it, the first of many…

From Felt Tree

A Gnome Christmas Tree!

For those Gnomes who like simple lines…

From Felt Tree

The Bobble String Christmas Tree!

Yes, it bobbles a bit from the way it is attached to its stand.

And now for those Beachy Gnomes…

From Felt Tree

The Pearly Shell Gnome Christmas Tree!

I made both the string and shell trees awhile ago…lots of string, shells, glue and patience, and you too can make them.

As you can see from the first photo, there are many other trees.

Some are vintage and some are just darned cute.

From Felt Tree

I had to have a variety, so many Gnomes so many different trees needed!

And these two are my favorite!

From Felt Tree

They so remind me of my Italian Grandparent’s Christmas decorations. Under their Aluminum Christmas Tree (Yes, I said Aluminum) they had this tiny outdoor winter skating Scene (a mirror was used to make the frozen pond) with these tiny trees all around it! Ha, but they have sold already…should have put a higher price on them!

I have two more in the making, but not sure they will get finished in time.

Gnomes…I got you covered!

Elves get all the attention during the holidays, give some love to any Gnomes you may know!

EARLY HOLIDAY BONUS CRAFT FOR YOU:

From Felt Tree

I made the wreath awhile ago, Click here to see how I did it: The Garbage Wreath

But then I put it in an old frame and threw some red felt on the back for that something special and different Christmas decoration!

HAPPY HOLIDAY CRAFTING TO YOU!

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CIRCLES & CROSSES

Posted: October 29, 2012 in Crafts, Upcycle
Tags: antique, antique maps, antique metal frames, antiques, art, arts, arts & crafts, ARTS AND CRAFTS, crafts, crafts arts & crafts, fabric, fluer de lis, folk art, frames, interior design, map art, map crafts, maps, material, metal frames, needlepoint, needlepoint hoops, needlepoint hoops crafts, old maps, recycle, retro fabric, upcycle, vintage, vintage frames, vintage maps

I have a thing for circles, balls, orbs, globes, pizzas…anything round!

So I buy needlepoint hoops, lots and lots of needlepoint hoops.

Mind you, I do not do needlepoint!

But I do love cool retro looking material.

So, I put the two together and this is what I got!

From Button Up

This little cutie consists of three different size hoops, 3 different sample pieces from JoAnne’s and some twine.

I did glue them together, so it is a just hang one thing wall decoration!

Note to self, iron material next time!

For those that can not commit to 3…I give you this:

From Button Up

Not attached for cases where just one or two will do!

PS…the lint and stuff on the floor do not come with hoops!

I have saved the largest hoops (one really big…others quite large) for the wall on our new dining room.

Now on to something different.

I like frames, and I could not pass up this little metal one with tiny crosses!

From Button Up

I found a map, which I also love..and this little fleur de lis was calling my name.

From Button Up

All together, and they make an interesting conversation piece!

Circles, Frames and Maps…I wish I only like those 3 things!

Whatever it is for you…find new uses for your favorites!

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BUTTON UP!

Posted: October 26, 2012 in Crafts, Upcycle
Tags: antique, art, arts, arts & crafts, ARTS AND CRAFTS, Buttons, crafts, crafts arts & crafts, folk art, interior design, recycle, storage, storage containers, upcycle, utensil vase, vintage, vintage buttons

Buttons aren’t just for clothing anymore…

Especially cool old Buttons!

I pulled out my small collection the other day when I wanted to snazz up a few other things.

And here is how it went!

The below were just plain old round colored cardboard boxes.

From Button Up

AND NOW THEY ARE FANCY RESPECTABLE DECORATIVE CONTAINERS!

So easy…old buttons and some burlap!

From Button Up

Oh, and Mod Podge, gotta love the Mod Podge!

Wait, and some glue!

I used the Modge Podge to adhere the burlap and after that was dry, I glued on the buttons.

From Button Up

Sassy & Brassy!

From Button Up

Golden Girls!

They were so cute, I did not stop there!

From Button Up

This nice piece of pottery had the word “Utensils” across the front.

Why? I mean, if the utensils were in it, couldn’t you tell what was in it?

So, I got rid of it and prettied it up with some vintage white buttons!

From Button Up

I really like how it came out!

Can’t wait to use it now!

Any button will do…glue it on, sew it on, or even use wire for jewelry…

JUST BUTTON UP!
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“MADNESS,” I SAY, “MID-CENTURY MADNESS!”

Posted: October 1, 2012 in Found Items
Tags: antique, antique stores, antiques, arcadia, arcadia florida, art, arts & crafts, ARTS AND CRAFTS, florida, folk art, Howard's Restor-A-Finish, howards, mid century, Mid Century Furniture, mid century modern, refinishing furniture, thrift finds, thrift stores, thrifts shops, vintage

It’s official now…

WE ARE MAD FOR MID-CENTURY PIECES!

Here are some of our most recent finds.

Mind you, most of these photos are taken after I rubbed, shined, & scrubbed!

To get’em cheap, you gotta get dirty!

Oh, yes we did!

Although I love the colors of the material on the stool, I am thinking we just may have to change it! And folks, the pillow is Jim’s pick. That is his favorite color after all! The book rack and snack trays make everything all the better!

I am not sure if this is a stool or a table, but how can you not love those curves and swirls?

Poker anyone?

No poker could be had without hip turquoise cocktail glasses and bowls for chips and snacks!

And we could use this octagonal beauty for a card game or two!

The above has not yet been spit shined, as I have do not own my secret spit shining sauce in that color…yet!

Okay, it is not a secret, I will shout it out! I love Howard’s Restor-A-Finish !

Here’s a cutie to look at in the meanwhile!

Need some light and a place to put your cocktail while you lay out a flush? Use this handy lamp / triangle table!

For those non-card playing party goers, we have this nice conversation area full of lovelies!

We prefer wood, but could not pass up these chrome numbers for the price offered!

Already shined up, but with some new material, they will soon be everyone’s favorite!

And anything looks better next too a black metal magazine rack and a “I dream of Jeanie” table lamp!

In love with our new Mid-Century Danish Modern chair…look at those lines on that baby!

One of my favorite finds…the lamp shade!

Ooh, the chicken scratch of it all just makes me smile.

I got the lamp with a different shade…

But I had to bring the couple together and now they will live happily ever after!

Old kitchen chairs and a vintage doctor stool, with new colors, may make great seating at our low kitchen peninsula!

I could not pass this one up for only $2.00!

If I do not use it as is, I have a gold-fish scale wall art project in mind for that frame and maybe a couple of smaller pieces from the art!

But this little cutie will fit in nicely.

My husband is a sap for water / boat scenes!

Although we have the nice turquoise ones above, these small handfuls of color will fit nicely in that mid-century bar…uh…when we finally find it!

Speaking of glass…

My husband being sensible, found some ceiling light fixtures, that just may fit in!

As a gift, I found this beauty for my Jim!

No Picasso’s in our finds, but we like them!

So…”Where do we find them?” You ask.

We found most of these pieces in a great little town in the middle of nowhere, Florida. Arcadia has a cute little downtown that consists of 4 blocks and a million antique stores. Once a month they have an Antique Sidewalk Sale!

We found some smalls for great deals on the sidewalks, but hit the mother lode when we walked into the The Opera House!

If you are into history, antiques from any era or style, or even ghosts, Arcadia and The Opera House are must see!

We will be back for sure! Okay, we need to pick up a bigger piece…but since a full day there did not get us through all the stores, I think more shopping will happen.

Some of those pieces are from thrift stores! Thrift stores are my heart and soul! Most antique stores are too dear for my pockets, so I hunt thrifts often. And don’t forget to find the Goodwill Clearance stores! Chairs for $3.00…what the what?

HAPPY HUNTING TO YOU!

Our next adventure is a couple of mid-century auctions!

Wish us luck!

UPDATE: WE BOUGHT SO MUCH WE OPENED AN ONLINE STORE!

Please Visit and Shop if you are so inclined at: Our Own Big World!

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WHO KNEW?

Posted: September 27, 2012 in Crafts, Found Items
Tags: ARTS AND CRAFTS, circle art, design your own fabric, fabric, fabrics, folk art, interior design, mid century fabrics, mid century modern fabric, needlepoint hoops, wall art

I would be a fabric designer???

And you can be one too!

This awesome website makes it easy peasy!

Spoonflower.com

I just found out they do wallpapers too!

How cool is that…designing your own wallpaper for your living room or fabric for a dress?

Here is what I came up with using photos of stuff, including my art.

You ou can edit and manipulate the original coloring too!

The options are limitless, still so excited about this new find!

I would never pay $5.00 for such small pieces of fabric, but since I designed them, of course I did!

But get this…once you do that, you can get paid for anyone buying your design! Cool, huh?

Not sure if I am going to allow that or not, but it is an option!

My favorite, so far:

Swirly Love!

But then again, there is this one:

Mid-Century O’Clock!

Okay Okay, you get the point, I luuurve my designs!

And one day they will be Wall Art!

First, a warning…I was stuck in the outskirts of nowhere waiting for our car to get a trailer hitch put on it.

So when stuck for two hours, what do you do….the below!

Mind you, this is just a sample of what I will do on my dining room wall.

Ha, although I do like the rough background this green sidewalk makes!

I have collected hoops of all sizes, many more than shown in these photos.

You will notice, I have not cut the material yet either! Some tucks would just not stay long enough for the photo!

I love circles!

Now, I am thinking of making a design for our bedroom headboard!

Like I said, the options are limitless!

Try it out, you will love it!

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SUPER STAR!

Posted: September 26, 2012 in Crafts, How To
Tags: arts, ARTS AND CRAFTS, crafts, gold starburst mirrow, how to make your own star burst mirror, interior design, mirrow, modern mirror, Pinterest, pinterest craft, silver starburst mirrow, spray painting, starburst mirror

Okay, I love Mary Catherine Gallagher…

and…

I love starburst mirror decor pieces too!

But after looking the at cost of new ones and even vintage ones, I got discouraged!

Pinterest to the rescue, especially after I saw how easy it was to make (ha)!

Here is my attempt and how I did it!

Supplies needed:

More supplies:

Measuring and Gluing!

Pre-final touches…

Prep for painting!

Painting!
I know silver is popular right now, but the antique versions are in gold, which will go better in our entry way!

Final Product!

Not bad, eh?
Even up close!

Please click on any of the photos, to get to the photo album and to find out some extra details on how I did it!

Okay, now I have to be truthful!

After seeing a starburst mirror in every remodel/revamp/decor TV show, I am thinking it may be over done!

So I may change this: