Sunday, June 26, 2011

Blue Collar Design

IMG_5715

(all photos contain treasures from my Saturday trip to the flea market…

total cost of treasures?  $21

paint color above from my ongoing study re-do: SW Reflection

paint color criteria?  napping)

***

Once again, the path to creativity,

a sort of blue collar method bequeathed to me by my mother,

began yesterday

by working up a sweat in my garage.



Interestingly enough, I had two conversations this past week

(one with a dear friend and the second with my oldest daughter Heather)

about the

restorative,

rejuvenating,

redeeming,

re-focusing

powers

of working hard in the garage,

when it is at least 100 degrees outside.



IMG_5721
(Fitz and Floyd pitcher)

After an ‘oh my gosh’ trip to the flea market ,

where the rains had apparently soothed the irritability in

usually grouchy vendors,

and other shoppers were actually

handing me things,

I drove home to a big hot mess in my garage

that I just couldn’t stand anymore.


IMG_5719

(decorative plate)

Before I started though,

I did something very important that I highly recommend.


You must do this.


I went to El Pato (local restaurant chain) and bought a bag of

crushed ice for $1.95.


I then filled my Bubba Keg insulated mug (blue collar design tool)

with ice and bottled water

and drank it to the bottom

over and over and over again.



When I needed a jolt of caffeine,

I filled it with Diet Coke .




IMG_5675
(Windsor Ware dishes 27 pieces)

And so it began.

And in the midst of moments in my digging

where I thought

‘What’s that?’

or

‘this is ridiculous’

or

‘I’m glad no one can see this’,


the fog lifted

and new ideas about

arranging things in the study,

the small chandelier I will be hanging in the hall bath,

my wait on the upholsterer and my gray velvet couch,

the ornate frame I put in Hauler 2 to take to the glass company for a mirror,

and ideas about vintage items from Mexico for the little house,

began to surface.

IMG_5720

(bottle  $1)

IMG_5677

(Bordallo salad plates)

IMG_5722

(Wedgwood Nautilus Collection dish)

Thank you Mother.

***

I am linking to:

image

Thanks Rhoda!


23 comments:

Karen said...

Super fabulous! You have scored again, Miss Laura.
Hugs,
Karen
Ladybug Creek

Pam @ Frippery said...

Great finds and even greater advise. I can'y even turn around in the garage for all the garbage ...er I mean great junk...that is in there waiting to be worked on. Plus hubs has tossed all of his sh...stuff...on top. I am taking some time tomorrow to follow your lead!
Have a great rest of the weekend, Pam

Pondside said...

The garage - I think I may have to sign up for one of those intervention shows. We'll never get 100 degrees up here, but I'm sure I could work up a sweat in our garage!

Stacey said...

You do find some great things. :)

Your garage work sounds like my yard work lately. It rejuvenates me even if it is 100+ degrees.

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Wow, you did find some amazing treasures. I love them all. I so need to really clean out my garage. I have a bunch of furn. to sell and it really takes up space. Stay cool. Hugs, Marty

Dixie said...

wonderful shopping at the flea market! and inspiration in the steamy garage... thatagirl!

Deb said...

a hot mess....I understand....a good sweat always soothes the sole...

Patty Marker said...

I've been doing the same but in the attic and linen closets..finding a few treasures and a whole lot of "what was I thinkings?" Funny you made me think of crushed ice and how much i like it in my drink. I don't have a fancy refrigerator so I think I might have to head out to the dairy and buy me a bag. Can't wait to see what you've got stirring in your head.

Patti said...

Some people pay money to work out or do yoga in a heated room. Blue Collar method: clean out the garage in the summer. A good sweat is good for you.

Rita said...

Wow, you got quite the finds! Enjoy sorting through them!

joanne said...

I love all your wonderful treasures...I must get myself out and about and see what I can find. You have inspired me today!

Brenda Pruitt said...

Must have been some creative and restorative powers lurking in that water!
Brenda

Jojo said...

Wow! You struck gold! Oh those type of clutter cleaning events are painful but dontcha feel good when it's done.

savvycityfarmer said...

any wicker wrapped bottle makes my heart beat faster ...

Olive said...

I understand. We planted three trees and it was 100 degrees while we were digging! Love the paint color!

brokeintrovert said...

I just love this post!

Unknown said...

Those salad plates! Heart :)

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Hi, Laura, that's a good haul you found there. Love those blue & whites and of course, the Bordallo dishes are just my thing too. So glad you joined up this week!

Ramblings of a Southern Girl ~ Rhonda G said...

Great finds! Your 'blue collar design" is divine! :)

Tee said...

We did that a few weeks ago too. There's just something about gettin' all sticky and dusty and then scrubbing stuff and self clean to get the creative juices flowing.

But wait just a minute! You're getting a gray velvet sofa?!! NOT FAIR! My poor old red sofa has been languishing at the upholstery shop for two years now waiting for me to find that perfect shade of gray velvet (that I can afford.) No luck yet. Where'd you get yours from?

Diane at My Cottage Garden said...

They are very beautiful treasures!

Renée Finberg said...

here in florida there used to be a fitz & floyd outlet store.....
i picked up some treasures.

you did a good job yourself
x

Anonymous said...

Our garage actually stays quite clean... but I should probably think about tackling this closet of mine... it keeps giving me the stink eye when I open it. *quickly slams the door shut*

Di

 

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