Vintage Studio Open House

Reclaimed
verb
past tense: reclaimed; past participle: reclaimed
  1. 1
    retrieve or recover (something previously lost, given, or paid); obtain the return of


    I've been eager to share some pics from our FIRST ever Open House of R7 Reclaimed Vintage Studio. This also gives me a great chance to tell you who we are, what we do, and WHY we do it.

    I made up my mind to get this done this week and then what do you know -- it's also the topic for "SHOW US YOUR LIFE" from Kelly's Korner. She was truly my very first blog crush. And what I love about her even more -- even though she has a HUGE following to her blog --she's stayed faithful to who she is. She's never trying to sell a lifestyle, or a product -- she's just sharing her family and faith. That's also my commitment around here. We are real people. Real life struggles. Real family. Real faith. 


    So pull up a seat here in the studio and we can talk about this idea of "Reclaimed"


    When I decided to take my hobby on the road I wasn't concerned about a name. Then the idea of the Reclaimed Studio was born. I wanted not only a place to feature vintage and reclaimed items, but a place that I could be inspired to spend more time writing. 


    Sometimes that writing is just about family funnies and tips for taming the chaos and clutter.
    But, in the deepest places of my heart are mountains of pages asking to be written. 
    They share the same theme as the shop.
    Reclaimed.


    We are a "Reclaimed" Family. 
    We like to fix up old houses and furniture -- true. 
    But we also  love to reclaim old friendships, traditions, values.
    Even our family wasn't "born" and "grown" with us -- it was chosen.


    We choose to love each other even though we come with a world of flaws and misconceptions.
    (All marriages have that -- second marriages tend to get a double dose)

    We choose to love our children. 
    Every day we have to make the choice whether to think yours and mine, his or hers; or to choose "ours."
    Some days that is the most natural thing in the world and in other times it's the most complex.


    In all times -- Reclaimed isn't something we invented or teach.
    It's something we follow.


    We are adopted into God's family through the Reclaiming sacrifice of Jesus.
    Ultimately that is why we live Reclaimed every day.


    Our family was broken. Hearts broken.
    But all things can be Reclaimed.


    We struggle...we mess up --
    but we try with our family to gather round the table and Reclaim the mess.


    So here we are. 
    Each day trying to live like we've been Reclaimed.


    Some days that works out beautifully...




    Other days you want to pack your bags and quit the journey.


    But on those days we are reminded that Reclaiming doesn't come without some dirt, some blisters, sore muscles, and sweat. Reclaimed things show some wear and tear.


    But Reclaimed things also have a story to tell and mean more.



    So the Reclaimed Studio is just one more way of telling the story.


    Thanks for "stopping by"
    We hope to bring a little smiles, sunshine, and hope to your day.




    If you see something you want or are looking for that something special --- we can SHIP to you!!



    From R7 to you --
    Be a blessing.

     #NEWS

    1) I've committed to getting busy on Instagram. Let's connect.
    2) Join me in Small Group #82 for 5 Habits of a Woman Who Doesn't Quit ---
    3) I'm now a retailer of Savannah Bee lotions ---- giveaway on my Facebook page

            



    Linking to:

Reclaimed Wooden Tables

Reclaimed
verb
past tense: reclaimed; past participle: reclaimed
  1. 1
    retrieve or recover (something previously lost, given, or paid); obtain the return of


So we call ourselves "R7" sort of symbolizing Seven of us and our little piece of nearly Seven acres...
Really it's just our nickname -- just one of the many ways we've embraced to make our crazy blended family a team who loves each other and works toward the same goals.


I've always had a thing for things with a story. 
And let me tell you -- Cowboy came with some stories...but that's probably another post!


Before it was "in" and long after it's "out" I will still love the timelessness of chipped paint and worn edges. I just really can't pass up old shop tables like this. 



And since recently we opened up R7 Reclaimed including a Vintage Studio...I don't have to pass them up. We are really enjoying taking projects that we would do for our own home and making them available for others to enjoy. 


On this piece the more paint my little cowboy scraped off the more I loved it!


The planks of wood are boards that are nailed onto the tops of shipping crates for ammo.
The wood had such beautiful grain and a few coats of coconut oil 
like I use on my kitchen island really gave it such a rich finish.


(Sorry for the car in the background -- won't complain about buyers though...)


I also picked up this black shop table with two tiers. After sanding and scraping we decided to add some of the reclaimed wood to this one as well.


Don't get the wrong idea -- I do some of the building and shop work too!


And then we added the wood to both tiers of the table.


I can not tell a lie.  I'm very tempted to use one of the two in our house!
Then I remembered my commitment to taming the chaos and clutter...

We had our first open house at the studio and it was SO much fun!
Now off to a few shows in May plus a big graduation!! 
Will try to keep you updated...

From R7 to you --
Be a blessing.

#NEWS

1) I've committed to getting busy on Instagram. Let's connect.
2) Join me in Small Group #82 for 5 Habits of a Woman Who Doesn't Quit ---
3) I'm now a retailer of Savannah Bee lotions ---- giveaway on my Facebook page

        



Linking to:

7 Reasons to Make Yourself Take a Family Trip

I must tell you.
Family trips and I have a thing.
Sort of like a war and peace kind of relationship.

I can't say no to the idea of the escape. I dream of the trip.  I'm like a detective searching out new places to go and unique places to stay. I plan and I plot and I scheme...

Then, just before the trip  I remember the packing to get there, the crowded travel, the close sleeping quarters....and then...BOOM. I panic.

I'll simply say -- It's. Not. Pretty.

Inevitably -- we make it to the car -- all packed, the house clean (I'm a nut about leaving it that way), arrangements made for the animals we keep bringing home. By the time I get in the vehicle, Cowboy and I barely speaking, the kids are shifting uncomfortably in silence and the whole time I'm reprimanding myself for dreaming up the crazy idea in the first place. Will I EVER learn???

It usually takes about 30 miles down the road when I mumble I'm sorry for my manic ways and he says I'm sorry I didn't help and the kids breathe a sigh of relief that it's actually OK to show they're excited for the trip. Then it starts. Hour by hour I remember why the monumental act of taking a trip is SO WORTH IT!

1. Because in the car -- they sit close to one another. They touch and share snacks and once they are certain it's safe -- they even talk to us. They learn patience. They learn anticipation.


2. When you get there -- the excitement is contagious! From the beach to a roadside park...from Disney to the local zoo -- they never disappoint. They are ecstatic and investigate every detail.


3. The pictures. I remember in years past that it's always hard to find a picture of kids with their mother. Mom's are always taking the pictures. With this in mind -- I try to sneak in a selfie with each of the kids on the trip. 


4. Play time. Our kids are SO MUCH fun. Uno, card games, bags, or a rock-throwing contest. They love to play games. We don't take enough time to do it and a trip is a great time to make up for it!


5. Silliness. I'm kind of boring but when we are on a getaway I try to let loose and let them enjoy every ounce of humor and creativity God has blessed them with. I know from my own childhood that hours of homework and getting groceries will be a blur but hilarious stunts and inside jokes from family road trips will forever be remembered.

6. The days just last longer when you getaway. When you have nothing to do but look around and enjoy your family. No rush. No fuss.

 
7. Discovery. From fish hatcheries to learning about the rings on trees -- there's always something to explore. It seems like we just take time to see more when we are away. Sometimes we even learn more about each other.



Especially when the boat you rent dies in the middle of the lake. That's a story for another day.
So go ahead. Take that trip. Make the sacrifice.
Be creative. Just go.






Cleaning, Organizing, Gathering

My style for organizing can be simplified to two words. Purge and gather.
I try to be smart about what doesn't need to stay, but with seven there is still bound to be a LOT of stuff scattered about. I try to keep it all in perspective and remember that ...
I WILL MISS these days -- EVEN THE MESS!

As part of Kelly's Korner - Show Us Your Life I'm sharing just a few ways we here at R7 attempt to tame the chaos that goes with our way of life around here.


Lockers made of wooden boxes act as little miniature lockers and an old hardware bin helps keep up with the shoes. I mean even if we each just had one pair -- that's 14 objects with laces and dirt...


And boots are a big deal so these are similar boxes going the other way to keep those lined up. The handled wooden box catches who knows what. 


Just like gathering boots and shoes -- I gather books and magazines.
I LOVE to READ!! 


Baskets also gather linens and placemats in the dining room. 


More places to gather favorite things.


An old toolbox keeps our cards corralled -- this is a FAVORITE family time activity.


Even seasonal decor and centerpieces get nestled together in a box. Then cleaning the table is easier. 
Just pick it up and set it to the side.


In the office a cubby with drawers and labels makes notes and bills a little easier.


I read "A House that Cleans Itself" before I even had kids and it's totally shaped my thinking. It's easier to change a space than it is to change people. So -- I look at where the messes gather and try to give them an easy way to drop their clutter rather than trying to get them to pick it up.


Bags designated for certain activities and outings also helps a little.


We have our fair share of clutter, but each area that we try to make a system for helps.
I can't wait to see what others are doing...

Other random cleaning tips & tricks...

When I get a used dryer sheet from the dryer or laundry basket -- I use it to immediately dust something. It collects the dust so easily and forces me to wipe something down!

I spend a little more and use stainless steel wipes and bleach wipes. Then any kid can help!

Pick a couple areas to keep clean -- for me it's the bathroom sink and kitchen sink. Keep those clean each day. When everything else is out of control -- you've got that under control. An old Fly Lady trick...

Use a daily shower spray. Just do it.

Keep it smelling nice -- oils, scents, candle -- whatever works for you!

My favorite: invite someone over -- you can clean the whole house in less than 20 minutes that way...


From R7 to you --
Be a blessing.

#NEWS

1) I've committed to getting busy on Instagram. Let's connect.
2) Join me in Small Group #82 for 5 Habits of a Woman Who Doesn't Quit ---
3) I'm now a retailer of Savannah Bee lotions ---- giveaway on my Facebook page

        



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