For the love of junk

I'm still here!

2012-01-31T17:21:00.000-08:00

Aha! Thought I was gone, ah? No just living my hectic wonderful life. The holidays were wonderful and the month of January have been extremely busy at the store, it had always been that way for the last 13 years, January is my best month always, crazy ah? We finished building a new storage building and that was STRESSFULL. Why are contractors such unreliable people. They say one thing and do another. Thank God after much follow thru, and my husband's watchful eye it got completed a month behind schedule. That is history today, it is already full and I'm enjoying having that space in our property. I'm buying and collecting for a big sale I'm calling Marta's and friends Spring sale. It will be hosted on March 23-24. If you are in the area and want to be a vendor just contact me by email, Facebook, phone or this blog. I have found some amazing stuff just in time for Roundtop dealers to come and shop.
I also wanted to show you some new stuff around the shop and some of my latest creations. Most of the pieces are one of the kind created with vintage materials. I have been blessed enough to sell most of it as soon as I have them out. Thank you to all my buyers. Crafting and creating is really where my heart is. The shopping and reselling is fun but crafting...if I only didn't have to sleep...I know, crazy. Now some photos, enjoy!

Merry Christmas to you all

2011-12-23T19:07:00.000-08:00

Long time without posting, so busy living and pinning to my Pinterest boards. I'm addicted! If you want to see beauty join this site. You can check my boards here http://pinterest.com/craftymarta/ . We finished construction on a big storage building in the property plus I have been busy with new pieces for both shops. Today I got a new Iphone for Christmas and I'm loving it too.
Aside from this I don't have much to share picture wise and I know that is what all you like the most. I just wanted to wish you all MERRY CHRISTMAS and remind you that HE is the reason why we celebrate. I hope you like this video as much as I do.

Blessings, Marta.

Christmas everywhere

2011-11-29T15:12:00.000-08:00

Some Christmas @ the store.

Have tons of fun putting some of the stuff together.

Christmas @home

I love how the fireplace mantel turn out. This cones I got about 5 years ago @Big Lots.

Shabby chic manger scene that I purchased @ Hobby Lobby many years ago.

I was not going to do any trees at home but could not resist 2 little ones like this that I found @ Salvation Army for 3.00 ea., why not?

I'm hoping Christmas shopping will pick up some around here. I have had the worst couple of months in many years and my prayers are that is just a fluke and not a trend. Hopefully your area is doing better, specially for those of you that depend on it. I will hang in there and pray, as always. Blessings to you all, Marta.

It is starting to look a lot like Christmas

2011-11-16T04:45:00.000-08:00

Ok, for retail standards I'm so behind is not even funny. Have been working non stop on that and everything else that needs to be done. We are building a big storage building beside the shop and that took a lot of running around for a week, thank God it is supposed to get done in a week and that will allow me to get out of renting a storage space which I hated doing. It is scary too since I have hoarding tendencies but my husband assured me he will keep me in check. I need that, I don't trust myself. I'm actually thinking I want to later in the Spring host a soiree and having that space will be fantastic so I don't want to fill it to where it will become an issue to use it in a different way aside from storing. Well, now to the stuff you like, pictures of the progress.

I still have a lot of tweaking to do. Friday I will be doing the window and my booth Downtown Belton. So much to do, so little time, and that is with me waking up at 6:00 AM everyday. I kind of like my new schedule because by 12:00 noon I have done so much. Blessings to you all, till next time, Marta.

Very late White Wednesday post.

2011-11-04T09:06:00.000-07:00

It is more like White Friday. Sitting here for two seconds after being able to sleep for two hours last night. Got a very busy day ahead of me, goal is to totally decorate the shop inside for Christmas at the same time I craft and put about 10 new vignettes together. We will see how much I will actually get done. I thought I will show you what I made last night during my insomnia spell. You might as well stay busy. Hope you like!.

AHH... I so want to hoard her. I will be making a lot of one of the kind creations using vintage materials I have accumulated thru the years. Time to let go and make some money.

Love the lace on her dress.

The crown is going on a dressform that I'm putting together.

Of course I want her too.

The laces on this little dresses is just exquisite.

I think she turn out pretty cool. On to work now. I will take pictures of the shop and show you more creations as I get them done. Blessings, Marta.

What is wrong with me?

2011-10-27T05:33:00.001-07:00

Ok, after doing some serious cleaning on Monday and Tuesday, spending all day painting yesterday, doing some rearranging in the shop, etc, etc, I find myself unable to sleep at night. This would be ok if I wasn't so exhausted. So, 2:00 AM I find myself in the craft room creating. I would say not a totally bad situation if it wasn't because of the fact that I went to sleep so late and I awoke at 6:00 this morning unable to sleep again. That makes it exactly 4 hours of sleep all together, yikes!. All is not lost, I''show you why.

I found the little basket last week, loved the shape and new it will make a good vessel for a floral.

Now, this is just a mock, nothing is glued, just and initial gathering of stuff, still tweaking. I will be making this kind of things for my Christmas @ the shops. They are large items and I'm really splurging on this. I have collected so much stuff, time to create with it. I hope my costumers will understand this will truly be one of the kind items. This is my soul, I was an artist and crafter before I became a shop owner and dealer. If I can only get more sleep...that is the reason why we creative people are all a little loony, hah,hah. Please don't take offense, I have just noticed we all have very interesting personalities.

I will post pictures of my finished cone whenever that happens. Blessings, Marta.

Forever decorating.

2011-10-25T17:22:00.000-07:00

I spend today on my knees, for 2 hours, not praying, just cleaning. I shampooed my carpet in my husband's office and my masters with a little green machine. I think it is intended for upholstery cleaning, but sometimes you just have to make do. A Rainbow vacuum would have been nice, though.

I decided to go simple for fall in my kitchen table. Love the white creamish sunflowers. They look so real and they were cheap for the quality.

I decided to redo my hallway and to keep it simple there too, just mirrors and empty frames in the same patina that I have collected for a while now.

I like how my little bears are looking this days in a super shabby piece in the entryway.

I just love the shabbiness of this piece and I'm glad I added the glass pulls to it.

More shots of my entryway. I just bought the spinning wheel last week for 3.00. LOVE it.

This is my formal living. You have seen it before, I just added the french baskets with dried hydrangeas and the awesome frames I found in Cleburne.

My friends Mark and Laurie let me have a set of 4 shutters with the most awesome patina. I like the way they frame the door.

Ready to go visit with the White Wednesday girls. Blessings to you all, Marta.

This is the reason.

2011-10-17T08:13:00.000-07:00

In case you wonder where have I been I have an answer. HERE!

I have been dreaming of a working space for a while, just dreaming since I spend all my money last year building my retail shop and moving my home to a new place. So, the studio money went bye-bye. I organized a space in my shop (8x8) thinking that was going to sufficed...Ja! I could not even move. So I kept brainstorming. My husband suggested I turn my formal living into my studio since we never sit there. NO WAY!. So that was the end of it until two weeks ago. I have a guest room which we refer to as the "princess room". It looks like the room belonging to a little girl, all pink and girlie. It was full of massive furniture that made the space look so little. It is not a huge room but is an ok size 14x16. Well, I decided to give up my guest room/princess room. Nobody had stay there since we moved and i realized that is such a waste of space when I needed the square footage. So we took the furniture to the shop for sale and I kept the armoire that came with it for storage. In came a new secretary, a small sideboard and an awesome locker with 72 little drawers that my husband got for me. I have been moving, finding, sorting, labeling, organizing, going up and down a stool, etc, etc. It is not done since I have to interrupt my work for real life matters. I can't wait to get all done, I have been writing down projects, bookmarking, dreaming of sitting there and start creating. I better crank it up since I am planning a lot of pretties for Christmas. Let me leave you with some pictures of the mess, lots of pretties buried there though.

She is back!

2011-10-05T10:00:00.000-07:00

A long time since my last post, I know. Let's not interfere with life, and mine is a stove with every burner going at the same time. It is all good though. I have travel a little, to the big shows and some antiquing in Austin. Some of the pictures were meant to be post a month ago, today is finally the day. The shows were somehow disappointing. A lot of my fav dealers were MIA and I saw a lot of trash with huge tickets on it. What is up with that? I like rust and industrial, shabby and time worn, but trash is trash. I have the feeling curve picking was the source for some of the stuff. You can get a car grille with the rat nest included for the affordable price of 400.00. The buffet is only 300.00, the cucarachas eggs are free, compliment of the house. Yikes! There was some inspiration and we did have a good time, so I take that.
Some ramdom shots of Cleburne, Antique Alley.

Ramdom shots of Zapp Hall in Roundtop

Booth of Diane and Roger from Blends in Georgetown. Their space was
exquisite, my camera run out of juice so this is the only picture I took of their booth.

Do you recognize the stuff? It belongs to the Queen, Ms Theresa Cano of Garden Antiques

These are shots of some of the vendors at The Texas Rose show.

This vendor has a store and web business called Perfectly Flawed. Her stuff is amazing and so much my style. I spend a long time there.

And last but not least a shout out to Ms Sharon Taylor from Sharon Taylor Made. My pictures don't do justice to this artist creations. I stay at her booth the longest and I do so admire her talent. Maybe I can be as creative when I grow up.

That is all folks. I'm a little bit frustrated because my pictures failed to capture all the beauty that was there, so my advice is to come on down one of this days, you won't regret it. Blessings, Marta.

Booth redo

2011-09-14T12:55:00.000-07:00

I decided to redo my booth and window Downtown Belton yesterday. I changed the window to a dining decor and did some pumpkins, ravens and twigs in a tall urn for a center piece. Next month I'm planing in setting up the table as you would for a big feast. I suspended (no, Michelle did, thank you girl) empty frames from the ceiling and I think it is a good look. The window is a big challenge because is narrow and there is no walls so the goal is to make it look great from all angles. I thought I brought enough stuff but once I got done it looked kind of scarce.

I brought a lot of my glitter pumpkins and I'm so hoping they sell well.

This is the only place I used orange. It is just not my color.

LOVE the tall black urns. I have to buy a set for my house.

Thanks for stopping by and you locals, come and take advantage of all the great deals in the store. Belton Market Days is Saturday and most of the dealers will be having discounts. Blessings, Marta.

Thinking Fall

2011-09-07T13:43:00.000-07:00

FINALLY! No rain yet, but wonderful cooler temperatures. I so wish it stays like this longer. After months of over 100 degrees weather today it feels like heaven. Some of you have probably heard the news, Central Texas is burning, 600 homes and some fatalities. It really breaks one's heart to imagine what this folks are going thru. Every time I go outside I can smell and see smoke and you get so scare. This morning I walked the property with my dog, scouting, praying we don't get into the same trouble. Everything is so dry after seasons of no rain. Please pray for some relief for Texas from this crazy weather.
Onto lighter and happier news; I'm crafting again! I'm excited with all the ideas that keep popping in my mind, which of course means that I'm getting no sleep. When I get into creative spells I get so inspired that I can't control thinking about new projects and then the insomnia monster gets me. Let me show you my latest creations; PUMPKINS, all glittered and bling up. Tell me what you think.

Get your pumpkins, remove the plastic stock and replace it with cut out pieces of wood trunk. My fall color palette doesn't include any orange so I painted all my pumpkins white or cream.

Who said diamonds are girls best friend? Glitter is to me and much, much cheaper.

Gather your materials. I make my own tags with stamps and my Mac is my best friend when it comes down to cute prints. I have all sorts of scissors with deco edges and punchers. I don't think I will be buying a Cricutt, too expensive and I get most of the effects with simple tools.

Dress those babies up. The sky is the limit here. I'm also planing on covering some of the pumpkins with fabric and paper.

So, what you think? Till next project...btw I will be selling this babies in my shop and at the mall Downtown. Blessings, Marta.

Patina

2011-08-29T11:46:00.000-07:00

Photos courtesy of John Morales Photography

First, let me thank Mr. John Morales for taking the time to take such beautiful pictures around the shop. It is truly amazing how the right eye, tools and be gifted make such a difference. I know my pictures will never look like that.

Know let me show you some pictures I took around the house with my 99.00 digital.

As you can tell magazines won't be calling any time soon, so I leave it to the professionals. These will suffice for my little blog and I can always invite the real photographer back for amazing pictures. You can check more of John's pictures on his Flicker page http://www.flickr.com/photos/jslmorales/ . Blessings, Marta.

Busy bee

2011-08-22T09:14:00.000-07:00

Long time no see, I know. I have been busy keeping up with the stores and life. Last week was the first time I got a little of me time. I went shopping to Austin and Roundrock looking for treasures for the stores. I could not score any furniture at all and I pay way too much for the stuff I bought, almost retail. Are any of you having a hard time finding inventory. I do not do Market, I like one of the kind and every once in a while I buy a "filler" at Hobby Lobby or TJ Max. If the market continue to be so depleted I might have to rethink the way I do business. What is up with Goodwill and Salvation Army been much pricey than an actual antique shop? To me that is so crazy, I'm considering stop donating there all together, greedy, greedy. Let me introduce you a new store in town. The name is Burlap and Biscuits and is wonderful. I intent not to go there a lot, it will bankrupt my husband. Just kidding, you need to make the time and visit with them. They are located in 1200 Stan Schlueter Loop - next to Lions Park & Sonic in Killeen. They also have a Facebook page and blog Discover Fabulous (BLOG).

I spend time at the store Downtown Belton re-doing my booth. I added some teal to contrast with all the white. I'm loving the combination a lot.

We visit a new mall opening in Waco Junk Exchange on LaSalle - LaSalle Antique Shoppes & Crafts . There is also a cute store next door to it called Junque in the Trunk. Already fell in love with both places. They will be oficially open on September first, not that it kept me from getting in and shopping.
A belated birthday announcement for Juju. My baby just turn 1 last Friday. I love him more than I ever thought I can love a dog, more like a baby. Till next time, Marta.

1 month

2 months

5 months.

6 months

7 months

First winter.

Shop dog, NOT, he pees all over the place.

This morning, lazy butt.

Wow!

2011-07-18T20:37:00.000-07:00

I just can't believe it had been so long since the last time I posted. Life has been keeping me a busy body. I have been doing a lot of painting under a 100 plus weather, sometimes I called it a day around 9:00 PM, just trying to keep myself away from having a heat stroke. I'm also doing a lot of tweaking @ the shop Downtown. After much criticism from some friends and my husband my decision of getting more space at the mall is paying off. Not only I'm selling well but it is also getting me a lot of new costumers. Some of my local followers have been telling that I need to post more often, I will try. Let me show you some new vignettes around the store.

My two new favorite acquisitions; the fainting couch with the awesome pillows made by Paula and my blue room. I'm loving the new shade of teal I recently got. I want to incorporate some of the color into my decor at home, I'm just not that courageous right now. I also started to buy red stuff for the kitchen and then one of my favorite costumers (Ms. Angela) came and bought it all. So for now, no teal, no red in the house.

Love, love, love

You guys, come and buy me off!

I did not take a picture of my husband new french door for his workshop. He is not a handy man, he just tried and learned how to do it because it needed to be done and we could not afford to pay a handy man. It took him 3 weeks, I mean 3 weekends to accomplish what needed to get done. He went on the internet and read, got the supplies and went to town with it. I'm so proud, not bad for a first timer. This is something I have been trying to get in his brain for a long time. None of us was born knowing anything, yet we all have experienced, accomplished and learned so much. I think that saying I can't without trying is really a bad habit. I know that he is proud of himself, not more than me.

Sales have started to pick up and I'm so thankful to God, see, I know he is faithful and yet I get so tangled sometimes. It is a good thing though, to be reaffirm once again in your faith. Well, it is late and this mama is tired. I hope I get to hear from some of you. Blessings, Marta.

Decisions

2011-07-03T20:51:00.000-07:00

I like this guy, good looking guy, a Texan guy. I don't get to see him anymore, he used to pasture with his herd across the street from our house in Killeen. I missed that view. This was right in the city, can you believe it? Now that we live out in the country I don't get to see faces like his. We do get a lot of bird watching. My husband have placed feeders all over the place and we have a water fountain right outside the front window. I might have ten birds feeding and bathing at the same time...until Mr. Bluejay the bully arrives. Then everybody runs, I mean , fly for their lives. I have many cardinals, finches and there is a roadrunner that comes and bathes there too. He risides somewhere in the back with another 4 roadrunners. In the back we have hummingbird feeders which we filled with nectar, not that we needed since the back lot have a lot of trumpet vine all over the place. They can put quite a show for us.

When I decided to named this post decisions is because I already made a big one in regards to blogging. For a while I have been contemplating stop blogging all together. Time is so limited sometimes and the main reason, the real reason was that I was not feeling as fulfilled doing it. Then I started to meditate in the reasons why I blog. Not the reasons why other people blog, they are all valid prerogatives, but why do I...
It struck me that even though I enjoy looking at beautiful things, it can get old, when that is all it is, so it became an empty show and tell for me. I realized none of you know me or that I have ever share who I really am, deep inside, See, pretty things are pretty, but they are only things. Blogging started to loose its appeal with me because I have never really shared what is important to me. I have realized that blogging is an escape for many and as such people want to keep their blogs an always happy, beautiful to look, social media UTOPIA...and that my friends is your decision and your prerogative. My decision in regards of my blogging stands as follow: I will talk about what is important to me, even if is taboo, not so politically correct, stepping in your toes kind of deal. I'm not planning in becoming a cyberbully, never! but I intent to put it all out there.
Just so you now know, I'm very opinionated, almost fanatical about what I believe. In my world is called conviction and I believed it to be a good thing. I'm also VERY PASSIONATE, about whatever I'm doing. It is a very type A personality and I know it have cost me friendships. I believe you either love me or hate me. So.... from now on I'm going to talked about everything. Reality shows, my FAITH and MY SAVIOR, the government, of course junk, my friends and family,my business, my passions, my trials and tribulations and maybe somedays a lot about nothing because that is life too. I also plan in sharing people, places and things that make this world a better place. There is so many forms of beauty and I'm planning in exploring it all. So... I hope you all come with me in the journey, it is my blog and I need it to become something else for me. Blessings to you all, whoever you are, Marta.

Just doing my thing.

2011-06-30T05:58:00.000-07:00

First, I wanted to show you my friend's cute shop. Interior Decor is located in 6th st in Belton, right across from HEB. It is a much modern, tuscan, eclectic look but just recently they are starting to add a little bit of shabby to their store. They are also doing the BUY SELL TRADE and is working for them. I think that the trade part is going to caught up with many business since more and more people are getting very tight for cash. At their prompt I traded a 2 tier table and 2 mirrors for a china head doll I wanted and a little drop leaf table. We were both really happy with our items and both got what we wanted out of the trade. It was the first time I t tried it and I liked the concept.

Then, my poor attempts at gardening. I started a shaded garden (it was 116 degrees in the parking lot yesterday) and I have to constantly water. Can you believe this is the first time I try to grow anything? I always killed everything and this is the first time in my life I'm at home so I decided to go for it. It is just that it is soooooo hot.

The little topiaries tops I got at the store forever but nobody will buy so I put them to good use and I intent to keep them now.

My mama grows this callediums from seeds. She got more shades all over her garden.

This are kind of the hardy plants the lady at the nursery recommended. I was just grabbing stuff all over and she was honest and helpful enough to advice me not to on some of the plants. She said not that many plants will survived a long day of 100 degrees plus and said the best thing was to start a shaded garden and that will require a LOT of care too because of the heat and lack of rain. I think there will be no fireworks this year, all ban because of the drought. I guess we will do the barbecue and the famous Belton parade on the 4 of July.

Be blessed today, Marta.

Work, work, work!

2011-06-21T19:48:00.000-07:00

Thank God I really love and feel so passionately about what I do, if not...have you ever been tired of been tired? That is me lately, I seem to be unable to recharge. I get so exhausted and I think, maybe I sleep like a baby tonight, wishful thinking. How can you be exhausted and then can't sleep at night? I actually hurt a lot at night. I find this the hardest thing about getting older, your brain remains 20 and your body goes down the tubes. I also think that I need to learn to slow down, all my life I have only known one speed, which is speeding fast. It is so hard to teach an old dog new habits. Then again I might run into the wall of the reality that I'm not wonder woman . Well, enough blah, blah. I spend the day today at my booth Downtown and did some tweaking there. I love this mall, maybe too much. I always spend more than I should, but with the quality of vendors that is there you almost feel obligated to. Also the people in this town are nice, beyond nice, so I'm so proud of being a Beltonian.

Not my pillows, I just wish. Much cheaper than any other place I have seen. I wish I have taken a picture of the vendor's job in a shopping cart.

This is another vendor with a lot of beautiful things. It is a mother, daughter, husband trio.

Dan created the booth walls. Look at the beautiful job on the book pages decoupaged wall. I will love a room wallpapered like that at home.

This vendor have the coolest things, very unique stuff.

I want the picture of the little girl and lady so badly, it is a paycheck, so for know I get to dream.

I hate this, I'm unable to take pictures without the glare. The window turn out Ok, specially since I didn't have a lot of Americana to display. Just not the best pictures.

If you ever in the area come and visit us. We are located in Central Ave. in Belton, Tx, right across from the historical Beltonian Theater. Tomorrow I will be featuring a great shop in Belton, with a new concept that is working. I'm ready to link to Ms. Kathleen @ Faded Charm for White Wednesday. Blessings, Marta.

Busy bee

2011-06-15T17:02:00.000-07:00

Yep, that is what I am. Still painting under the scorching heat. I went to the mall and refreshed the window for Independence Day. I thought it will be a shame not to display our colors especially since the 4th of July Parade ends in front of the store. I also was blessed with a bigger size booth inside the store. I wanted this really badly since my stuff in the window was not as accessible and I knew it was hurting my sales. Now I can use the window for advertising and concentrate in merchandising the heck out of the booth.
My hard work last week was compensated. A lot of costumers stopped for the sale and we sold a lot of stuff. I will be taking pictures of the window and new booth on Friday. For now let me leave you with some pictures from the sale and new pictures of the living room after some rearranging.

Thanks for stopping by. I will be linking to Faded Charm for Ms. Kathleen White Wednesday party. Blessings, Marta.

Mama got a death wish!

2011-06-07T17:09:00.001-07:00

Ok, who does this? Garage sale , gardening and painting, all under a 100 degrees? I know, crazy. First the Garage sale, love going to other people's sales, not so much having them. It is lots of work and people want stuff for almost free no matter what. Then I'm taking a chance, how many people go out in this heat? We are gonna have free water and we will be under the oaks and carport, still. I figured it only going to get hotter.

I always forget to take pictures of the before.

The stuff was occupying my husband workshop, maybe now he will crank it and fix some of my projects.

My best friend in life, my dear power tools. My sprayer, the most amazing little machine in the world. The paint dries almost immediately because of the volume of the spray. Also the gallon of paint goes a long way. All this stuff took only 2 quarts of paint. There is no runs or smears and I get so many compliments on the finish. I did an entire bedroom set in two hours and set up the room in about 2 more.

This plate shelves are made with a bed headboard. I can see a pretty saying stamp, decoupage or free hand in between the spaces.

I may do some pieces tomorrow. The stuff have been in storage for too long, time to let somebody else love it. About my gardening, I'm just trying to start a shade garden. I'm watering at least twice a day. You come back to check the plants and they are totally dried really quickly. God have mercy on us Texans!. I don't remember ever been so hot so soon. I hope my plants survive. On to visit With Ms Kathleen @Faded Charm. Blessings, Marta.

Just thank them.

2011-06-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

Graduations, such a happy time, so much accomplished.

This young girl I do not know, yet I know she is a very special child. No small feat what she accomplished , valedictorian in a graduating class of 390. A bittersweet day for her and her family and for us listening. Her dad was not there, he is somewhere in the Middle East serving this country. He and many other troops got to see their kids graduate via satellite. It really broke my heart, see those man applauding, raising their arms with pride as their little ones walk that stage.

My niece graduated, we were a posse of about 15, just for her. We later went to a restaurant and celebrated with her, ALL OF US. This is were I going with this, I prayed that We will never allowed ourselves to take for granted the ones fighting for our freedom. It is hard to be part of a military community active or retired. This folks sacrificed so much and many times they do the ultimate sacrifice. If we were to talk about the ones left behind , what this kids, mothers and fathers, spouses have to do in order to keep some sense of normality... We don't know how it is, many of us had never have to endure. So today, maybe from now on, can we thank a troop when he/she cross our path, can we remind ourselves to say a prayer for them?
TO ALL OFF YOU SERVING OUR COUNTRY, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

Pink cuteness around the house

2011-06-03T18:36:00.000-07:00

Not much to share this week, only the fact that we are going to fry this summer. It is already over a 100 degrees outside and the 100% humidity only aggravates the matter. I have been been planting with the hopes of establishing a shade garden. The nursery owner was kind to counsel me on what not to get, she said that not many plants are going to be able to stand a long hot summer so she told me to get part sun-shade plants. Fingers crossed. I will show you what I have accomplish so far on a later post.

Most of this pink stuff reside in my master room which I decided to go from white, cream and brown to white, cream, pink and brown. Hope you enjoy.

On to visit with the rest of the pinketts for Ms. Beverly's Pink Saturday @How Sweet the Sound , blessings,Marta.

It is going to be a looooong post!

2011-05-31T18:41:00.000-07:00

It never ceased to amazed me how much our likes and dislikes change over time. This days I find myself loving just a very monochromatic palette. Yes, I'm a pink girl, old shabby chic kind of girl, will forever love roses, but...white is just beautiful. Then you incorporate the different patinas, rust, stainless, tea stain, sepia, burlap, etc and you just wake up everyday in heaven. I think you will see this in the before and after of my screened porch. You can click on the picture to enlarge.
Today, after 2 days of fuffling. (Is that a word?)

The way we were. Pretty yet something was missing.

Layering DOES make a huge difference in your decor. My costumers always ask me if my house looks like my shop. I tell them yes and no. Yes, because I love to decorate, to nest. No, because I do have a husband and the home must be a place to live in, not a display window. There is nothing like coming home and lay down in a comfy couch, to use and enjoy what you have. This house is the first house we have that have a family room. It is my favorite room in the house. If I'm not expecting guests my tv trays are out, house shoes are in the floor everywhere and my blue flannel throw is laying in the fainting couch. There are toys everywhere. Juju is not a tidy dog but I can't believe I love to see his toys and his food tray in the kitchen. He gets to lay down with me in the couch and he lays on my pretty Ikea throw, and yes, is white. I just throw linen in the laundry every other day and I don't mind at all.

Last night I just didn't want to come inside. It was warm and breezy and so nice outside in my porch.

I have been reading thru my collection of magazines. It is so interesting to see the changes, many of them so outdated. Remember country crafts, geese, cows, chickens, mushrooms, bamboo furniture, formica, borders, even some of the victorian in the hunter green and burgundy. Is peach a color? I have not seen peach for about 10 years. Remember the Southwest decor, thank you God, I never owned a Pepe Siesta.

To this, ahh...so much better.

Have you seen cuter bunnies? Got them years ago at Hobby Lobby.

I keep bunnies, eggs and birds as year round decorations.

The watering cans are German and the little stainless drawer I found last week. The machinist tool box got the most amazing trays inside. It was too shinny for me when I bought it. A little patience and Texas weather gave its patina.

I bought this little wicker set from Ms. Ann last Friday. When my brother stopped by on Sunday it was still sitting in the back of my truck. He asked me if I needed him to take it to the local landfill. WHAT? So sacrilegious. See, a lot of people just don't get it. I jumped of joy when Ms. Ann told me I can have it for very little money. What do you think, trash or treasure? TREASURE TO ME!.
I see a lot of sewing in my future. Have to saw cushions and some more pillows.

Yummy

I'm in love with succulents. They are such carefree plants and I don't have a green thumb. That did not stopped me today from buying a whole lot of plants. I hope they survived the heat.

Rust, rust and more rust, give me more!

I hope that my White Wednesday friends and everybody else that stop by enjoyed the tour. I love to hear from you. What do you think? I simply have the best time setting up this little porch. Blessings, Marta.

THE END

Just a teaser!

2011-05-31T07:16:00.000-07:00

More later tonight, blessings, Marta.

A re-post for Memorial Day

2011-05-30T10:48:00.000-07:00

This is something that I shared with you last year. I still feel the same way in every way. God Bless America, our troops and their families, today and always. THANK YOU...

Freedom is not free.

Today as I meditate on the celebration of Memorial day I can only think about the fact that this freedom we enjoy in our country is not free. Today I think about the mothers and fathers, son and daughters, brothers and sisters, all gone so we can live the life we so privileged live. I think about the missed births and graduations, the weddings and birthdays, the Christmas days and the growing spurs. All missed because they choose to serve, to go and fight for us, to die for us. Some are coming back with broken bodies, some come back with a battered spirit, some change for the better, some come back in presence, their mind is still there.

It is our duty to remember, not only today, but everyday. For our children, for the families left behind, for our nation. We are to be proactive. I can be proactive by lending a hand. Yards need to be mowed, some need to be relocated, some need a shoulder to cry, some need to talk, some need space. I can be there when needed. I can be proactive with my prayers; maybe I can criticize less and pray more. I believe that God listens, I believed that God cares. So my prayer today is that God will show His mercy and grace over our country, that He will protect our troops, that his angels will camp around those that serve Him, that we get to keep our freedom but not at the cost of the blood of our sons and daughters. I pray that the fathers and mothers get to come back home safe to their kids, that freedom will not only be an american commodity but the standard established by example. I pray that we get to have dreams just like MLK, that our government will be one compose and preside by God fearing men, that our children learn from history and hopefully will not make the same mistakes.
To you all serving our country, to the millions of veterans from any war, let it be known that you are loved and appreciated for all you have done so we can enjoy our freedom. To all the military wives, mothers and fathers, THANK YOU for all your sacrifices, for every life lost, for every tear, THANK YOU and God bless you all...Marta.

A good time with a great friend.

2011-05-29T18:10:00.000-07:00

Last Friday I visited with a friend of mine and I new that I was in for a great time. Ms. Ann is a retired artist that lives in the most precious cottage. She loves decorating, painting, gardening and have her own company hosting tea parties.

Her curtains, lamp shade, star fish and awnings are just examples of her home decor. She painted seagulls and sea birds in her master room, so so beautiful and all handmade by her.

Just more examples of her decor. Her garden though is my favorite place to visit.

There is so much beauty there. I know she had worked hard for many years to get the garden as it stands today. She has tons of statuary and whimsical pieces of decor.

The lady herself, isn't she photogenic? She always takes good pictures and you should see her shirt. It says "tea shirt" and have a pot that she painted. Just too cute.

Thank you Ms. Ann for welcoming into your home and for been such a good friend to me, blessings, Marta.

My pink archives and a happy third year for Pink Saturday

2011-05-27T14:43:00.000-07:00

I thought I go ahead and go back in memory lane. I have been a participant on and off (not by choice) for over a year. This days some of my pink stuff have given way to a more monochromatic decor in white. One thing I know for sure, I will always be a pink kind of girl and roses, I just can't think of anything prettier. Next week I will show you my master bedroom. I started to do only white, cream and brown and I decided I did not like it. So, pink won the battle, back to my roots.

I love her face. She is in a box somewhere in the house.

Pink Easter around the old shop last year.

My favorite dishes in the whole world.

At one point I got a cabinet full of this kind of flowers.

I still have all this stuff.

All this pink resides in what I called the princess room. My friends bring their girls to see it since is full of the stuff a little princess would like.

Beautiful millinery hat and one of my favorite pin cushion doll.

Daisy kingdom pretties and a Bunny By the Bay bear.

Of course I have to include my Juju, 1 month old. He is 10 months old now.

Pink pillows, I love a bed full of them.

This pretty slippers I bling up for the masters bedroom, I will show you more next week.

Pinketts, that is all I got. I will be linking to Ms. Beverly @http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/for her third year celebration. We are all more than appreciative of her for all this years of hosting for us. Blessings, Marta.

Cute white stuff

2011-05-24T15:52:00.000-07:00

I spend the weekend playing in finishing my bedroom and tweaking around the house. I got this little bird at Michaels for 2.00. I glitter the crown and added the rhinestones. The little nest is a Martha Stewart ornament shaped like a wreath. She sits perfectly in it.

I got these two arm lights by each side of the bed and I have been looking for the right shades. I went ahead and bought simple ones. I got some cheese cloth that I used to make the bow and rosette. I wrap the cloth around the top and bottom edge. I kind of liked it.

I bought a garland made of balls covered with different textures. This is my favorite. I found the ribbon today at Walmart. It comes in 3 yards for 4.00. Not bad.

I also collect crazy looking lightbulbs. I know, odd. I bought the box from my friend Krista. It advertises lightbulbs, perfect match.

This guy, I LOVE. He is 36 inches tall and I dress him for the seasons, well, I used to. This last look I like the best so he will stay like this for a while.

My collection of corals have grown. I really like shells and corals, before it became so popular to have around. The 3.00 dollars days are gone, this days I start at 25.00 and up.

I really like this condiment set. I pay eleven dollars for it. The tops are all mix matched and I don't care, that is part of the charm.

I love clocks. The problem is that everybody else does too. So no more cool, dirt cheap clocks for anybody.

Last, one of my girls, no bra and all. So proud, so bold and so yummy. None of my friends like them, I do and that is important since I live with them.

That is all for today. I will be linking to Faded Charm for WW. Blessings, Marta.

I know so many people like to keep their blogs a happy place and I'm all for that but tonight I can't help but to cry and ache for the cities devastated by the tornadoes. It is so hard to watch and so hard to understand so much devastation. My prayers are with you, Marta.

What is wrong with blogger?

2011-05-23T16:06:00.000-07:00

Today I tried to change my look. Blogger keeps telling me that I have exceeded my quota and therefore I can't download or make any changes. When I tried to upload pictures for this post it will load a server rejected symbol. Then it will tell me that I can purchase space and offers a great deal for 5.oo per year. With a lot of trepidation I got my card and did the steps in order to purchase space. One step short of finishing the deal the screen will freeze and you are left to guess. I'm tired of blogger issues. I know I'm not the only one losing, missing or having so many issues. Who do you call, what do you do? It is so frustrating.
Most of my favorite blogs are in blogger, should I take this as a sign? I will admit that the thought of quitting blogging all together have already crossed my mind. Maybe I'm stressed (I filled for a tax extension and I feel like I'm carrying a monkey on my back because of it) and it is just bad timing. We will see, hopefully I get over this by tomorrow. Blessings to you from a VERY FRUSTRATED BLOGGER.

Around the store

2011-05-22T17:04:00.000-07:00

Not much happening around here. Business have been SLOW, very slow. The shop is bursting out the seams with cool merchandise, nobody is buying. That puts a damper in my shopping expeditions. If I'm not selling I don't feel like buying. How is your business doing. Is it just me?

Still, I keep taking care of my baby, I love having a shop and tending to it. The slow times do allow me to be more creative plus I have been frufing my home. My bedroom is coming along nicely. I just need to finish two little pillows and I will be done.

I'm not a gardener, actually I kill plants. We noticed this bush by the shop the other day and I thought pretty nice for a weed. There are baby plants like it all over the place and I don't mind them at all. So nice to have something green in the drought we experiencing.

It never ceased to amazed me all the beauty God have created.

Blessings, Marta.

Congratulations!

2011-05-17T15:12:00.000-07:00

WOW! A hundred White Wednesday posts, quite a milestone in blogland. White Wednesday happenedto be my favorite blog party and the only one I try to keep up and never forget. Most of my favorite blogs on my blog list I came across because of WW. When I'm running on empty inspiration wise I get online an open Faded Charm blog and go thru the links. I still buy magazines, hardly ever because there is more beauty to find thru the blogs. So needless to say I'm so thankful to Ms.Kathleen for taking the time to create, establish, follow thru and put together the most amazing place to get inspired in blogland. Happy 100 and a 100 more to come...best wishes and blessings to you all, Marta.

I thought I will go a put together a group of my favorite pictures from my WW archives. Hope you enjoy!

2011-05-16T09:11:00.000-07:00

I just realized I have this draft saved and never post it. This was the Lampasas city wide yard sale. It was held 3 weeks ago and buying wise was fabulous thanks to the lady below. I went back to her about five times and every time bought a box full of pretties. She was unpacking and I was grabbing. I was curious because the kind of merchandise she got as if she was a dealer going out of business. She told me "just a hoarder/collector getting rid of stuff so I can go and buy some more. Lucky me!

The sale is held in the square Downtown and it is such a pretty city. They have beautiful b&bs and tea rooms. They also have a couple of good antique malls. I remember the days when it seems every old square in little towns will be filled with antique shops. I'm thinking that if the economy keeps going the way it is many of this little towns will just disappeared. So sad...

On to something more positive, my finds.

Can you believe this little matches? Gold tips! I can really said victorians were really eccentric folks.

I have been looking for a figurine with a bishon. I have seen new ones but I wanted an older one, I finally found it.

My baby stuff collection. I have a lot at the shop too just to share with kindred spirits.

That is all folks! I found out I was not the only one unable to use blogger for a couple of days which got me thinking that I better save all my pictures to a folder in my computer, I don't think this people are to be trusted with safe keeping them. My blog have been doing all kind of weird things lately so out of paranoia I'm taking precautions. Be blessed, Marta.

Today I'm loving...

2011-05-10T20:44:00.000-07:00

My new bedding. All white, crisp white. It took me a couple of hours to iron the shams and comforter. I like the no wrinkle look, call me stuffy. I also like a very fitted fit on my slipcovered pieces. I know...but you got to go with what you like most. Now the count starts: How long do the white linen will stay white? Don't know, husband+ puppy dog= trouble in Whiteland.

Ok, linen people of the world, please don't kill me!. I cut up this beautiful tablecloth. 32 panes of beautiful embroidery and tatting yumminess so I can make little curtains.

First try, straight, me no liked it as much.

Gathered at the top, me like it better, no total bliss, just ok.

That brown pillow, it got 9 beautiful roses. I love a bed full of pillows and I need some more.

Just cute, on top a shelf, again like, no bliss.

On another note, today I undressed Peter in order to clothed Paul. Ok, meaning; I needed stuff for my window Downtown. I went shopping in my store.The things actually look much better in the window.

So sorry about the glare. Photographers of blogland, how do you take care of the glare when you shoot a window?

It is so cute in there now. Love the oars and the aqua glass jar.

Not possible to get a good shot from the inside because of the position of the pieces. I could not believe all the stuff I got in there with even more coming for trade days weekend. Call me a busy body, I'm off to do more...I'm linking to Faded Charm for White Wednesday. Blessings, Marta.

Message to me...hang in there.

2011-05-09T07:58:00.000-07:00

For those of you that don't know me, first time readers, welcome back friends, etc, I have been in the antiques business almost my hole adult life. I went from a dealer in a pantry size closet, to a small room, to a dingy basement, to my shop off the highway and last to my dream, a shop and home combo out in the country. It's been quite a journey, one of struggle, joy, faith, ups and downs, uncertainty, conviction...you name it. The move took a lot out of me. The logistics of moving an over 3000sf shop into a 1200sf seem daunting but we did it. Moving my home to the new place was something else, a collectors-hoarder home is not an easy thing to pack. We decided to keep the older home a bit longer so we went ahead and rent it. I drove around the other day and my heart just sank. Gone are my fruit trees, my grass, all my plants. The pretty bushes in front of the bay window stand as trees since they have not been trim at all. I don't even want to think about the inside, so we know coming October we will be redoing a lot. We will put the house on the market then. Then my business and my new location...I underestimated what moving to the countryside will do to it. My sales are down, way down. We are so used to doing really well. I invested everything in this, and by that I mean everything. Just like any other investor you go for it. I'm taking the challenge head on. I believe we talked faith but when the opportunity arises for your faith to be tested we run away from it, we hide, we get depressed...all of these are very valid reactions, if you are not me. I believed in doing the walk if you do the talk. Life is one of seasons. Everyhting passes, we don't stay still forever. The only constant in our lives as believers is our trust in the fact that God have our back, actually, He got our everything. The gas prices are high, not enough money, husband is stressed out, I give it all to God, He is able and He can handled it better than I possibly could. I was witnessing to a friend and she was asking me what my plans are going to be. I have none. I will continue to do what I do, I will not try to change the things I can't change. I only know to work hard and to let God do. He got me this far, He will continue to give me grace, wisdom, joy and whatever I need to fulfill His will. God has changed my prayer to "Your will will be done..." so I leave it at that and whatever the outcome we will be fine. To God be the glory!

Just for fun, I redo my blue room in the store. Hope you like. Blessings, Marta.

I love to play...with bears!

2011-05-04T18:46:00.000-07:00

Remember I talked about my" bear hotel "? Well, I'm ready to show you exactly what I was talking about. First, I want to introduce you to my menagerie.

The nerd. he is the keeper of my camera and antique binocular collection.

This one likes pins.

I just got him last week. He is made of wool and he is very hard since his inside is full of sawdust.

He is a stuffy one too. Somebody wanted him for her "dog collection". I have to informed her he is not a dog.

The queen. She is scruffy and sweet. I got her the longest, about 20 years.

Check out her crown.

She is quite a scholar too.

Now, may introduce to you my "bear hotel"? Under construction...

This are the little ones. They were all over the place and I decided to give them a more prominent spot.

The "bear hotel" , all finished.

Everybody got their own little room. I love how it turn out and have so much fun putting it together.

Every single pocket have a different decor. I loved it, but you know who loves it more? JUJU, he was in time out twice today. I might have to find a spot to hang it higher, unless I want some on my bears to die at Juju's arms.

I decided to allow my bear collection to occupied the hallway by the guest room and office.

I have one corner cabinet that I'm still working on, full of bears of course. I have more in the store and they are for display only, bears are one of the things that I have collected for years and have never gotten tire of.

Thanks for BEARing with me through the bear tour. Blessings, Marta.

I love to play

2011-05-02T19:32:00.000-07:00

I just experienced the most amazing weekend of shopping. I found so many treasures for very affordable prices. We came home with a truck full of goodies, no furniture, just little treasures. I'm posting early for White Wednesday and I hope I get a lot of visits from you guys. I decided to dress the girl. I found the bustier for 2.00 many years ago and of course she gets to keep the pretty hat.

Two of the newer pillows that I added to my family room decor.

Weekend finds.

Ironstone and kitchen utensils I found this weekend too. The utensils are marked 1923.

I got a red lid for the Tom's jar, just added the clear to match my decor. That is my 4th full jar of white buttons. This are more common buttons.

I found this beautiful basket at crafters corner in Copperas Cove. The victorian umbrella I found in Roundtop.

I was taking pictures and Juju decided he wanted to model for me. I could not get him off the couch so I decided to go ahead since he matches the stuff so much.

I really got the best dog in the world. He has gotten so good at his potty training. He is a mess with his toys. It is like having a two year old messing up your house.

Another cute bear for my collection and more trinkets from my buys.

Can a woman ever have too much bling? I don't think so.

Last for today, my ironstone pitcher. It is huge, no chips or damage, 10.00 bucks, SCORE!

I just finished creating a " bear hotel ". You will understand when I show you in my next post. It is amazing how much you get done when the phone doesn't ring all day. i can really use more days like today. Blessings, Marta.

Friday's adventures

2011-04-29T19:34:00.000-07:00

This morning I venture out to a gathering of some fabulous dealers in Salado, Texas. The soiree was held at Janelle's of Salado. It was my first time visiting this shop and I was taken by the beautiful florals and antique pieces. I found out through an email from one of my favorite ladies in this world, Linda of Willow Nest. I was hoping to see her there but she was busy in Austin getting ready for the City Wide garage sale . Ludmill was there, very busy selling their beautiful wares. Most of the pictures are from Linda's and Ludmill's space. Enjoy...

Inside Janelle's.

Gatherings of Georgetown. If you have never been to their store you are missing out on a great thing. Stephanie just came back from brocantes in France and brought some amazing pieces.

This is all for today, Got to get some sleep since tomorrow the town of Lampasas is having their city wide and is a good one to attend. Wish me luck. Blessings to you all, Marta.

Tweaking...again.

2011-04-26T13:00:00.000-07:00

Look at this baby. Work in progress, I have to distress some more and glazed it. It got a granite top in taupe colors and a giant label that says made in France. Now the best thing, I pay 35.00 for it. It goes to show my husband to never assume. It was sticking out of a booth at the local flea market. The gentleman at the place didn't know how much the wife wanted for it and told me to come back later. As we were driving out I remember about it and my husband insisted we go on since he got the feeling it was going to be expensive. Well, you know the rest. I could not believe it, it is a solid piece, all I did was paint it.

I did some rearranging around the house since I have found so many new things @very reasonable prices. The two little urns with roses I got for 10.00 for both. The mirror with the harp cost me 26.00, the leather bound books were 3.00 each. They are from the 1800's and the writer is a
children book author named OUIDA. The glass thingy I got at TJMAXX for 15.00 because it was missing the back glass piece. The regular price was 45.00. The french girl inside is my third doll of the kind and I only pay 20.00. I paid 45.00 for my first one at a local mall.

Can you believe I only pay 4.00 for this mirror...score.

I keep adding more pearls to my dress form, she can wear them with more grace than me. The hat is my all time favorite hat.

I collect little kids group pictures. They are hard to find.

My collection of coral and shells keep growing. Love the stuff.

Ouida books

I thought the little urns were new. They are french tole painted and they are really old...score again.

Can you guess how many mother of pearl buttons?

Tha hat.

Foyer coming into the house and Juju sticking his head in my picture.

Tweaking around the kitchen. I love the ladder with the vintage linen.

I could not part with this dresser, it used to be in the family room but I decided to placed the french dresser there. The doll house used to be hunter green and I painted it white. I knew it will be beautiful in white. I kept the shingles wood color. Cleaning the paint off the little windows was labor intensive. It fits perfectly a top the dresser.

My favorite couch in the house. I almost sold it once. Somebody put a stain on one side of the cushion and I decided to keep it rather than discounting the price, I'm glad I did. It is from the 1950's, french too.

I changed my mantle again. I like the layering look. That is my other half doll.

I think that I need to add an area rug to my tiled floors and window treatments (Long panels on each side only, I like the look of the wood shutters) What do you think?

Ok my friends, this is all for today. I'm linking to White Wednesday party @ Faded Charm. Blessings, Marta.

Awesome shops in Rogers, TX

2011-04-25T20:14:00.000-07:00

For a couple of years now I will pass this shops in my way to the big show in Roundtop, TX. The Cottage and Veranda Bloom did not disappoint. The shops are owned and run by a very talented mom and daughter. The space next door to the Cottage belongs to them too and I was so fortunate to have a pick at it. I can see the potential, lots of architectural details and I believe this two ladies and their helpers can do magic. They also have a green thumb, the garden at Veranda Bloom is so beautiful and believe me pretty gardens in Central Texas are hard to maintain. The Cottage is a shabby chic store, which is so close to my personal taste. Veranda Bloom is just as gorgeous and if you like tuscan and french style you will love it. If you ever in this area pay this ladies a visit, you will be glad you did.

Veranda Bloom

I,m baaaaccckkk!

2011-04-19T18:21:00.000-07:00

It feels like I have been gone forever. First, I could not find my camera, the family baby have been in the hospital twice this month and my dear mom have been dealing with extreme pain in her back and arm. She will be going to therapy twice a week for the next 2 months and I'm her ride. So, busy, busy. That have not kept me from shopping like a maniac at all the fabulous Texas shows. The shop is busting out the seams and I see a big sale coming up soon, that is, before you can't stand to be outside in the Texas heat. I got a million pictures in this post so bear with me.

My precious little dolls, I have mention before I love this kind, I found 5 in less than a month.

Love bears, I have a project in mind for the ones I own. I will show you when I get it done.

I love how the table escape turn out in this table tray.

Such a dandy....

This two doll heads I bought in Roundtop. I pay a lot for them but I love their
faces.

That is all folks. Till next one if I get a breather. I'm linking to Ms Kathleen from Faded Charm for her White Wednesday party. Blessings, Marta.

My new location!

2011-03-01T20:30:00.000-08:00

I have worked overtime for the last week or so in order to be able to accomplish this window, sorry about the glare in all the photos, it was half hour after closing time and I didn't want to over do it in my first day there. In case you don't know I have been a shop owner for over a decade and recently moved my home and my shop to the country side. My loyal costumers have followed me there but I'm very interested in making new friends. That is the reason why I decided that opening a second location downtown Belton was a great strategic move. Then to make things better I was offer the window in the best mall in town. I jumped on that one since this little town and its people have my heart anyway. The vendors in this mall were very friendly and welcoming today, they know me as a costumer now they get a taste of my good junk. I still going back on Friday to add dishes and some details to the window. I want to incorporate fabric in the window to soften it up.

I promise I will take better pictures from the inside, minus the glare. I would say not so shabby for one days work.

Got to do something about the blue floors. I'm already brainstorming on that one.

Something new, blogger will not let me download pictures unless I buy space. I thought blogger was free. It is not a lot of money but it didn't let me post all my pictures for this post. Then it says it will take a day or so to go thru. Humm, I just didn't know. I'm off to visit with Ms. Kathleen @ Faded Charm and her White Wednesday party. Blessings, Marta.

Just a quick one

2011-02-22T18:07:00.000-08:00

And a teaser. I wrote a long and kind of cool post and all the sudden it all disappeared before I could saved it. It was going to be long with a lot of cool links. I didn't have the time to rewrite it again so this half baked potato is going to have to do for this week WW.

Bummer!

2011-02-18T19:51:00.000-08:00

OOPS!

No pretty pictures, nothing today, just bad news. I have been feeling sick, for a long time now. I get this shooting headaches, blurry vision, shortness of breath, dizziness, you name it. I keep postponing going to the doctor because getting busy usually will take the edge of the pain or discomfort. So I will get busy a lot and will ignore what my body was trying to tell me. This morning I was schedule for a pap smear. I got up this morning feeling the usual stuff I describe before. I thought maybe if a mention to the doctor she can do a quick physical or something. Well, I didn't have to explain anything, when they took my blood pressure it was thru the sky high. The first words out of her mouth were "I'm diagnosing you with hypertension and I prescribing medication to start today. Then they took a blood sample looking for diabetes. That came back within normal limits the only thing is that I was not fasting, so I have to go back on Monday for more labs and back to her in 2 weeks. I will have to buy a blood pressure machine and keep a journal and the most crushing thing, NO SALT. I wanted to die, if she only knew that this been going on since forever. I kind of knew too. I haven't felt this sick in years. All I can think was "No more kettle chips" is that sick or what. No, seriously. I know this have been brought by overeating and the lack of real exercise. This have been a struggle all my life but now as I grow older my body is just telling me no more. I kind of thank God for the chance. I could have found out after a heart attack. I hope this is just the only damage. I will have to change my lifestyle that is for sure. I just what to change this negative into a positive by trying my hardest to improve upon what I know I have been doing wrong. Please help my pray for grace, strength, self-discipline and God's character in my life. I don't want to just be alive, I want quality of life too. Thanks and blessings to you all,Marta.

I feel like crafting again

2011-02-15T20:12:00.000-08:00

Many years ago, about 18, I used to craft everyday. I have always love the process of making something wonderful out of nothing. I used to make country wooden crafts, florals, victorian inspired pretties and everything in between. Then we moved to Fort Hood because of the military and my world was turned upside down. Moving to Killeen which back then happened to be this place in the middle of nowhere was not my idea of a pleasant move. There was no market for my product and people there seemed to be stuck in a nothingness for style. So I became a frustrated artist. I put my brushes away, sold everything in a yard sale and got a 9 to 5 job. Then The Antiques Roadshow change the market. I was very lucky because I have always been a hoarder and collector, I thought, hum...maybe I can combine my junk with my creations, and that how Marta's Room was born, That was 15 years ago, the first three as a dealer with a room full of good junk. I went back to paint, upholster, do florals, sew and used everything I knew to make a go of the new adventure. The rest is history. Then lately, for the last year or so, my time got so limited that I stop making things all together. I have more materials than I can probably use in this lifetime. I have it all, in excess. Last week after organizing my craft room I felt the urge to create something.Well, this is what I make, from 12:00 to 3:00 AM last Wednesday.

I have so many silver pieces, I can make so many of this pretties .

I'm getting my bunnies ready, I lied, I keep my bunnies year around, anything garden, I love.

I love coin purses, I keep the leather ones and sell the silk ones. I like to decorate them, I just pin things to them, I don't glue the stuff.

I made about 10 of the little nest signs. I glitter the eggs too.

I almost discarded this little shoe, that would haves been a waste.

This past weekend I went to a sale and there was a linen basket. This beautiful lace collar was in the basket and it looked like a rag. I bought it, washed and ironed it and voile! Isn't it beautiful?

This week I have been sorting my costume jewelry, trying to decide what to keep and what to sell or use in my projects.

I have one box of blue and green bling, pink and red, amber and yellow and so on. I will post pictures of those for PS. I have been having fun doing all this and that is a good thing, I believe that I'm getting my groove back. Happy White Wednesday, blessings, Marta.

Just a little pink for Valentines

2011-02-11T23:21:00.000-08:00

Hello pinkies! Just a quick post in a little bit of a hurry. I have been working my behindny off trying to organize the shop, making the most of the limited space, not an easy task let me tell you. I got too much stuff, will probably need another lifetime to use half of it. Do that mean I'm planning on downsizing? NO!!!

What can I say, I love stuff. Let me leave with a few shots of some of the pink Valentine vignettes around the shop.Enjoy!.

Love the combination of hot pink and red.

Can you believe I added a whole bunch of stuff to this corner today, all pink and yummy. I forgot to take new pictures.I just keep having fun setting up the craft space.

The little pink corner, most ladies just think little girl when they see this room. Not me, I think Princess, me, all pink, love, love. I already have some Spring and Easter out.

That is all for this PS. Go and visit the other PS participants @ Howsweetthesound for more fun and eye candy. Have a blessed Valentine day and let us not forget, everyday is a chance to love, love abundantly. Blessings Marta.

Mess, no more!

2011-02-08T16:47:00.000-08:00

As promised, I will show you the progress in my checkout/ craft room. This space will have to do until I can afford to buy a a small barn building. What I will really love to find is a very shabby cottage that I can bring into the property. My home closets are pretty much still full, not big change there. I hope that having all the cute stuff for all to see will not create any kind of wanting issues. Then again, I might be open to sell some of the stuff for the right price. I hope you like. (click on image for a larger size)

Have news to share too. I have been considering taking on a booth Downtown. They stay pretty busy and I love the folks there, actually that is where I started as a dealer. I thought that since we moved to the middle of nowhere having a booth there will be a great advertising tool for me plus the owner have no issues with me doing so. So today I went in to discuss the plans further and I was blessed with a better offer. They will give me the window, just like that and for a great special price. I feel so honored, usually people have to work their way there. It will be a little more challenging than what I have plan but I believe God always have my back, so I'm going full steam ahead, sooo exciting. I will post more photos of the pink around the shop for PS. I will love to hear what you think of the progress.

Have a blessed WW and for my fellow Texans, brace for the bad weather and stay safe, blessings, Marta.

Bad weather

2011-02-06T17:14:00.000-08:00

No big complaints here. We are so spoiled. We encountered bad weather not very often, still when it happens we will discuss, talk, complaint...for days. We forget our friends to the north, those folks really get hit hard, a lot. My shop front porch was destroyed by the high winds, can't put anything of value there. My water lines froze, thank God no leaks. This is how the outside looked after the storm.

Now, brace for this one. This is how the inside of the store looked after a storm named Marta's Insanity.

Ok, I am coming clean after showing you this. For weeks now I have been using the move as an excuse for my mess in the space I have reserved as a checkout area. It is a tight space, 8x8. Week after week my costumers got to see the worst mess, disorganized, there to see, rats nest of a space, ARG!!!.
Last week I decided to make the most of the time, having no costumers coming because of the bad weather. I sort, organized, trash, almost killed myself working kind of time. I love the results, more so because I turned the space into an efficient machine of a craft room and checkout. It looks pretty good, it will not get a post on "Where women create" but I'm pretty happy with the results. Those pictures I will leave for next White Wednesday reveal. So make sure you come back then. Blessings, Marta.

Tweaking...always.

2011-02-01T07:09:00.000-08:00

This is how the living room look this morning. Cute stuff, still lacking something. That big cream wall just stared at me and I didn't like it. What a girl to do? Add junk.

BEFORE

AFTER

You'll know how much I like pillows.

The book, all 395 pages of the most beautiful handwriting collection of poems, thoughts, clippings, photos, etc. I first thought I will use the papers in projects, then I realized what a gem I have found. I will never take it apart nor I will part with it. Thank you Debbie from Collectors Market for letting me have it.

   This dome thingy is HUGE.

The lamp table was in my master room. I like it better in the living room.

I think I will be getting rid of this two chairs. They kind of look like an after thought, not quite right. I'm having two beautiful antique chairs done in cream linen. It is not a sure thing, keeping them that is, is up to how they look there. Thank God having a shop takes care of any decorating mishaps.

I found this gate leg barley twist drop table with 4 chairs in another of the antique malls in town. I decided to sell the chairs and keep the table for extra seating when we have company. I placed it in the window in the family room. My husband is trowing a cow because I'm filling up the new house with a lot of furniture like I did the other house, what can I say, I love stuff. Is it look too much for you too? I would love your unbiased opinions. At least I'm a controlled hoarder plus you can still walk around and most importantly there is no pooh on my floor. So DH take that! I guess I'm long ways from recovery, they said the first step is to admit you are a hoarder.

Thank to Ms Kathleen @ FadedCharm for hosting and visit the other WW girls, you for sure will find a good time, blessings, Marta.

My favorite things in pink

2011-01-29T06:31:00.000-08:00

Since I have been sooo busy I haven't have the time to take new pictures for this Saturday so I decided to revisit my old Pink Saturday posts and gather a little collection of my pretties. Hope you enjoy and by the way I'm crashing the party.

For ever and ever my favorite china and fostoria glasses

Capodimonte flowers, can't get enough of them

one of my favorite hats, the flowers on this one are to die for

My storybook girls. The two on the right look really mean.

My chalkware half dolls, love them and I'm always looking to add more.

You know how much I love pillows

My little darlings

I collect a lot of little children stuff from photos to clothing and everything in between.

Have a happy PS and Ms Beverly please forgive the party crasher. Blessings to you all, Marta.

My favorite things

2011-01-25T18:52:00.000-08:00

For many years before I finally figured this blogging thing I was a lurker. I'm still trying to figure it out. I sometimes have blog envy, there, I said it. There are so many breathtakingly beautiful blogs out there. I have gone thru times that I have wonder why blogging at all. I love comments, but I bet that the folks that leave comments would love some kind of response and in my case time is never on my side. I'm thankful and humble by those of you that stop by and leave a kind word but I haven't been able to establish many friendships this way. I know that readers love great giveaways, great pictures and a great read. I don't have any of those. I have friends that don't understand social networks. Why putting your thoughts, life, home relations out there for everybody to see? I really don't know why, I just know that the blogging time is my down time, it is just me and the three of you that read my blog. It is so inspiring, it gives me hope. I promised myself that if blogging was ever to become another chore I will stop doing it. I only do 2 parties, White Wednesday and Pink Saturday. It have been thru those that I have met most of you. I don't even know where I'm going with this post, I rather have you friends look at some pictures of my favorite things. I went back into my old pictures and pick the things I love creating, owning or simply eye candy. I hope you enjoy.

It hangs in my master bath

I'm a button hoarder, especially mother of pearl and glass.

Ironstone potty chambers, yikes!

My fav altered shoes made by my sista Vintage Sue

Little doll rescued from the trash.

Love anything sewing related

Love this vignette from last year's spring

pearls and white yumminess

love pillows

Got so many of this

Of course I have to include THA FACE

Altered rescued doll heads

Saw this at Rountop last year, I need to make me one.

Love clocks
Thats is all for this revisited images. Have a blessed WW, Marta.

Simply a good time with friends

2011-01-24T10:00:00.000-08:00

Yesterday my friend Caroll have a social at her new bistro/antique shop. It was a Valentine party and I don't know how she did it, but her shop was all decked up in red and Valentine stuff. I was there Friday and she was open Saturday so in a couple in hours she completely rearrange her shop. I want a magic wand like that.

Yumm!

Red velvet cake, which happen to be my favorite cake.

By the way, we all wore comfy pajamas or sportswear. So much fun.

You have seen my friend Denise before. She is the closest thing to a sister to me. We hang around a lot.

One of her table vignettes.

This window creation was put together using old corsets and girdles.

Carol is the lady in the red pajamas.

I love this kind of books and have never seen so many of them in one spot.

I wanted this so badly for my laundry, could not afford it.

It was a ladies only party and this is the first thing you saw coming in the door. I never look like that, this girls were beautiful.

All her furniture is one of a kind piece. She carries slipcovers, bed linens, curtains and all kinds
of costume pillows made for her shop.

I love this lady. Her name is Ann and she puts together tea parties. She also supplies the Tea Time Texas magazine in our area. If you ever travel to Catalina island you will get to meet her there since she is one of the artists that sell wares during the summer festival.

The antique and art business have been one of the biggest blessings in my life. I just love to be surrounded by such creative and plain nice people. Love them all!!!!!.

Still tweaking

2011-01-18T16:42:00.000-08:00

Today I can finally said my Christmas is finally put away, done, totally. I went ahead and boarded the attic for much needed storage space. I huff and puff bringing all the stuff up and thankfully I got an extra set of hands helping me. I decided to go with a bird and twigs theme in the kitchen. I brought in a library ladder from the shop and I intent to display my kitchen linen on it. My husband walk in the kitchen today and the first thing that came out of his mouth was NO, it got to go, you are blocking the view, which really upsets me since there is no view due to overgrown bushes that the mister will not trim. I see a battle coming. I'm leaving the dry twigs in the basket and the branch over my kitchen shelf, I'm just adding eggs in neutral colors.

These are finds from my trip to Georgetown yesterday. Love it all, I just going to keep the floral door stopper.

The birdcage I found a couple weeks ago for 20.00, a steal.

Finally i wanted to show you my heart. This little puppy is growing fast and changing everyday. These days he is able to climb on the furniture and do all sorts of tricks. He still doing some of the bad behavior, I think he knows he got us.

This yummy throw that Juju is previewing I got at Ikea yesterday. Love the throw, no so much the store. I don't think I'm going back. It is too modern and not so inspiring to me. Then having to use a map...and the costumer service was horrendous. I thought they sold slipcovers, they do only for their line. Love the linen and that is about it...hold on, I love the closet and organizing ideas.

Stop and visit the other White Wednesday participants @ Faded Charm. Blessings, Marta.