Teal Blue and New Photographs

 I wasn't happy with my teal milk paint photographs, so I did them over, much better!  I love the color so much, I painted one million more things with it and now I have to order more paint.

I was patting myself on the back for finally getting some Independence Day goods done early....then I realized it is only 2 weeks away, so I am actually very late.  I may start doing fall now, as it crazily seems to sell in July and August better than in October.

The Once in a Lifetime Antique Find

I stumbled upon this set of toy graniteware quite by chance--someone had listed them in the pretend play toys section and called it spatterware.  I knew I loved it and wanted it and could not believe I was the only bidder.  There were 30 pieces!  Further investigation found that it is confetti graniteware, or "end of day" graniteware, when the factory workers used up all the bits of enamel color left at the end of the day to create this beautiful pattern. It is rare to find any, let alone this many pieces, most in excellent condition.  I am only slightly surprised that I re-sold them so quickly.  I think this is my most wonderful find of my antique career.

 

Studies in White

I have become a bit obsessed with early ironstone, old photos and black and white graphics. I would love to do an antique show using just this style.  If you have never heard of 1871 Farmhouse, look up the etsy shop and her blog and Pinterest, I love, love, love her style.  I am so inspired by all her photos--she takes gray and white and all things neutral and makes them "catch your breath" beautiful.

 

Just Working and Working

 I have nothing interesting to say, just painting and painting, no fun these days.  This is the new teal milk paint I just bought:

These are the tins that just needed blue calico:

and some more odds and ends:

Breathe In and Breathe Out

 I quote my new favorite song from For King and Country.  The chorus of "breathe in and breathe out" gets me through the day.  If you haven't heard of this band, go the Youtube!  Watch their live performances for the best idea of who they are, which is amazing.  Grace took me to a concert last year, I went to make her happy, expected nothing and turned out they are now my absolute favorite music to listen to, and the concert was unlike anything I have ever been to.  The brothers sing like angels, the music is very percussion centered, very energetic and wonderful.  My husband didn't want to go to that one, but agreed to take us to their Christmas concert in Kansas City last November.  He, like me, thought he was just going to make us happy, and ended up becoming a convert.  We immediately bought tickets for the next concert in our area, which was 2 weeks ago in Moline.  It was even better than the first shows we saw, so back to the tour page, we find they will be in Des Moines in August, definitely going.

Now, back to work, here is the latest from Catspaw:

 

Playtime

 

I am listing a bunch of early toys....