Cleaning up a find--any suggestions?

So awhile back I purchased this BEAUTY for a little of "nothin" at an auction...and now it has worked it's way up the to-do list!
It is a true vintage leather suitcase and I want to treat it like the beauty it is.....any suggestions?
Thank in in advance for your help--and if you want to see what other GREAT finds were at this farm auction--here you go!
http://midwestcottageandfinds.blogspot.com/2010/09/my-auction-finds.html

Some things are meant to be…found on the side of the road!

My sister and I took our other sister to Chicago for a birthday celebration and dining at some GREAT restaurants.. As  we were driving to pick up our birthday sister (about 10 minutes into our trip) i see the sign below….we all love seeing this sign don't we?  As I sighed and said okay...how far will this take us out of our way...........

I noticed something ahead on the SIDE OF THE ROAD....yes…this dresser below was left on the side of the road…now you always hear about people finding such things…but that NEVER happens to me..check her out!!  She was too big for my car so I called Mr. Midwest Cottage and Finds and said in my nicest voice…honey…can you please leave your work meeting and go to this address to pick up something they have thrown out for the garbage…and can you do it right now as I KNOW it won’t be there long….please?  Needless to say he scooped her up and she is ours now!

She has 4 drawers behind the 2 cabinet doors….

Look at this detail—Mr. Midwest Cottage and Finds can fix this little basket handle…. Look at this great hardware!  I just love her and CANT WAIT to get my hands on her…..once I unpack from my trip…and finish up my fireplace project….and redo a stenciling mishap….. time to make a list!

Kimberly's Inspiration Board

A BIG shout out and thank you to Kimberly for featuring me on her Inspiration Board on her blog Bugaboo, Mini Mister and Me.  Check it out here http://bugaboominimrme.blogspot.com. 

While there check out Kimberly's blog.  She describes herself and her blog as  "just an amateur crafter, sewer, scrapper, refurbisher, cook, baker and professional mommy who's in love with the creative process! This blog is a chronicle of mistakes. I consider myself proof positive that you don't have to have the latest and greatest equipment and gadgets to cook, sew and craft - and you don't have to be GREAT to love what you do!" 

I think you will enjoy her......a GREAT FIND!
Thanks again Kimberly!

Fireplace Makeover

Fireplace surround removed and ready to start! This was Friday night about 7 p.m. Very excited to get started!!
I did not use a primer on the bricks-I used a semi-gloss latex paint with a very fluffy roller to get between the bricks.  Now as I look at the pics I am thinking....it did not go this fast in REAL TIME!  
I think this was the point I decided--I think I might like this!
I did 2 complete coats with a touch up after the first  coat for the bricks that seemed a little gray still. This was about midnight Friday night......Saturday morning was one more coat.....and....
Now for the surround.  Tape off the glass all the way around with painters tape and then add newspaper….

Now it is ready for the primer.  I used a primer and a rust preventer prior to spray painting…

It looks really good! Now I just have to reattach it to the fireplace…..but that is for tomorrow.  I also need to find a cabinet to put all the TV and DVD and CD Bose system components in…I want an older one that I can paint and antique and take off the back to run the wires out...Also—the mantel is being replaced with a great antique wooden beam we are picking up with some barn siding and we will hide all wires behind or in the mantel……..lots-o-projects!!

Fireplace Makeover

This weekend starts the first step of my fireplace makeover—painting the entire fireplace one color…
Here is what we are working with….rectangular room-other end opens to kitchen….
To Do:
1.  Paint brick all white.
2.  Get rid of gold surround.
3.  Move electronics on right-out of sight and hide wires in new mantel.
4.  Change green couch to white-going to Pottery Barn Outlet for that project—keep fingers crossed for me!
5.  Take down pictures above couch and put up Pottery Barn oars purchased on sale.
6.  Take down small shelves on left wall—put up one BIG FIND…might have a little something in mind ;)
7.  Any suggestions?


Here are my inspiration photos…

Before and after—from http://www.younghouselove.com

See how having every wall the same color makes this room seem bigger and more cohesive.   My gold fire surround must go —and we have SCORED some great wood beams from a late 1800’s barn to use as our new mantel.   But first the paint…… Having the brick  all one color is a good start….here is one of my other favorite  fireplace makeovers…
This is gails from My Repurposed Life –check out her makeover—it is amazing-Love her white brick!http://www.myrepurposedlife.blogspot.com/2010/02/painted-brick-fireplace-makeover.html  
Wish me luck!!! See you soon…I will be the one with paint on everything!

A couple fall shots……

Our weather has been so perrrrfect……thought i would share some of  my yard with you……….(as I prepare for my upcoming weekend project…painting the fireplace…..pictures to follow) but until then…..enjoy the season!

 

HaPpY BiRtHdAy LuKe!

I loved this card from one of Luke's cousins...look at the balloons and cake...children's handmade cards are the best!

There were lots of presents.....

Everyone had a 4 wheeler ride!

And went fishing.....

and were able to shoot a bow and arrow at a target! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is my grandson with all of his cousins........and of course....what's a party without a cake...............or two!

Happy 5th Birthday Luke...May we experience the excitement of a 5 year old--opening a gift!

Tomorrow is a Birthday Party!

Tomorrow we are celebrating my grandson's 5th birthday--his birthday is not until December-but since this is what the party spot looks like in December-he asked if we could do a fishing, 4 wheeling, bow-n-arrow party at Papa's Shed before it gets cold......now who can say no to that request...especially since we borrowed his name for the lake.......The weather looks like it is going to cooperate, the 4 wheelers are gassed up-helmets waiting, life  jackets are on the dock--party assistants have their assignments...pictures to follow!!  

UPDATED----The Dresser Project-Part One & Two & Three

So here is the dresser I have been struggling over—do I paint it or not?  I am really committed to all white-so you know what the answer is…AND  sometimes we must just jump right in…well…..I jumped all right..My assistant (below)

and I started this journey with some paint de-glosser….
And we found some history about this piece while working on it…

I have a great story about this dresser—it has been in my husband’s family for  years…more about that later…..



so I started doing a dry brush technique I had been reading about..I figured it would look a little better once I sanded and painted a bit more...

Nope......

 So I pulled out the Gorilla Glue and clamps to do some repair work--and maybe get a new perspective on the technique I was trying...


 


New perspective now?…Nope…..but the drawers are all repaired!

 At this point I was beginning to see some light at the end of the tunnel…then it happened....

My husband came out in the garage and said…hmmmmm…I’m just not seeing it honey….And i said—wait let me add the knobs…maybe that will help…….oh my…..I had to agree..I just was not seeing it either....

 so……. I decided to start over…at 10:00 p.m. last night…..because I wanted to get a good coat of  paint on it last night and then one more in morning before I left for work......so I could start some sanding after work......

And then something happened after a couple sanding sessions....…I started seeing it…

 

 

and seeing it….
and maybe even liking loving it!
I think we might have something……

So-I must say at 10:00 p.m. tonight I am MUCH happier than I was at 10:00 p.m. last night….and tomorrow I will do the big reveal and share the family story about this little beauty….but for now I must hit the sack…4:45 a.m. comes VERY early…Night all! 



****UPDATE****Good morning and finally---drum roll please.........The reveal--

 

The key is sanding....Sand with a medium grit paper or block and sand where you the natural wear would occur...edges, sides.....I also sanded off the key holes to add a bit of detail also.....

Yes-she is back in the house and I am enjoying her....Now for a little history lesson... She was in my husband's childhood basement for years and his parents decided to put her to use in their bedroom-but wanted her in their closet.  This would have probably been in the early 1960's...She was a little too big for where they wanted to place her so they sawed off her legs--wooden wheels and all-and sawed off a bit of her top also..on each side.  You can still see some of the saw markings on the top sides-I purposely left them there for the history factor......Now she has come full circle....back in a house..holding a place of importance but sadly missing those great legs and wooden wheels..What's a woman to do!!  Well that's my story and I'm sticking to it and now I must run over to the MONTHLY DIY Club http://thediyclub.com/calendar-of-events-2/ to enter her into their monthly contest....Come along and enter also--you know you want to!!!! See you there! 
UPDATE--I am linking this to

 

come join me!!!