Feeling Blue?

I have been feeling blue lately.  Not sad.  Not down in the dumps.  Just BLUE!  This shade of BLUE!!!

Isn't she pretty!  Remember I said that there was something I left behind at the thrift store, and then couldn't stop thinking about it?  Well, I went back the next day, and there it was.  Waiting for me.  In all of it's TURQUOISE splendor.  I have been hoping to find a vintage typewriter for some time now.  They are very collectible and quite pricey.  However, this was a steal.  I had a 20 dollar bill on me.  I got the typewriter, stopped for double AA batteries on the way home, and a bite to eat too!!  This one is a portable manual typewriter, with a case that that you can either clamp it down into and use, or you can release it and use it.  It typed just fine too.  And while I was typing, I went straight back to 1976, typing class with my best pal Anita.  We were both so fast at typing, that we would finish our assignments, and then spend the rest of the time typing each other notes.  I have some of those notes to this day. 

I have always loved to write.  I have kept journals my whole life.  I write short stories, and poetry.  I have wanted an old typewriter for no other reason than, well, I wanted one.  I love this!!!  I LOVE the pretty turquoise color.  I have been drawn to blues lately.  Turquoise, aqua, and mixing them with reds and greens....like on my BLISS quilt top.   And as you can probably tell, I am a fan of bright yellow as well!  Above vintage step stool, was purchased last year at an antique fair here in town.  It stays in my kitchen, and the grands love to sit up on that stool to help Gamma cook!

When I went back for the typewriter, I happened upon a nice gentleman, who was unloading his car with his grandson, to take some things into the Goodwill.  He had trucks and toys that his grandson had obviously outgrown.   I asked  him if I could buy the big dump truck.  He said...NO...take it!!  I knew my grandson would be THRILLED beyond words with this gem!

I couldn't wait to pick him up from school to see it. And he gave me another one too. This truck has a lever that raises the front scoop, and then has 6 buttons or so that make the truck do different things.  It shakes, it rolls, it beeps, it scoops, it plays music, it talks.  All it needed was some new batteries and it was good as new. 

He was one happy little boy when he saw these!  Look at that little tongue sticking out!!!
I had one more stop to make though.  I wanted to peek in on another shop I like to visit. Especially on Fridays.  Boy am I glad I did!  I got this table, that actually matches the coffee table I have in my living room. 

See the pretty carved front drawer?  It was a perfect match to my coffee table.  But...it needed some TLC.

It looked like it had been left outside. The top was in very bad shape. So was the back. And it had one leg with a piece broken off, but the piece was there.  See how it matches my coffee table.

I knew that this was a quality piece of furniture.  Well worth the time put in it to fix it.  AND, it was 50% off day for furniture!!!   The selling price was........................5 dollars!!!!  And I got it for 2.50!!!  Yes, I did!

 

So I took it home with me.  Gave it a good wiping down.   And  this morning after going to Farmer's Market, I stopped at Home Depot and purchased some stain and varnish to get to work on it.  First I sanded it really well.  The entire top and back, then with a fine sand paper to tack up the rest.  Wiped it free of dust.  And got busy.

 Here it is, with it's first coat of stain and varnish. 

It needs to dry for 8 hours before giving it another sanding with a fine grade steel wool, and then I will apply the final coat on it tomorrow.  I already know I am going to be VERY pleased with this.   My daughter Erika came by just as I was finishing up, and says she wants me to help her find some pieces and teach her how to refinish.   I have been telling  her for several years...I have this place...they have great finds....all you have to do is look.  And if you learn a little bit about how to tell if it is a quality piece, you can really get some bargains!  

The men folk are all at the March Madness games at The Honda Center today.  So I spent the day being very productive.  I also planted about half of my garden.  And did quite a bit of yard work.    So right about now, my body is begging for my heat up bag of corn, and a movie on the telly.  Stay tuned for the finished table reveal.  

See you soon!