The Old Tattered Flag

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Our Shop is coming along.....

I'm tired...............but possessed. I was up this morning at 5:30 and my mind went right to the shop.  To say I'm pleased with it is a huge understatement.  It is far surpassing even what I wanted it to be.  In fact yesterday when I was hanging my counter top backdrop wall I had a teary moment.  It is all coming together!!  It has been a long road to my shop.  Really it all started in 1998 when my husband put the idea out there.  We were right in the middle of his Army career so I knew it wouldn't happen until we were settled, but the thought was always there in the back of my mind.  Last year when we finally decided to convert the garage to my shop the idea began to grow.  I had my favorite items that I was saving for the shop and kind of knew the look I was going for (think old general store) but over these past few weeks it has really taken shape.  Here are a few pictures of it coming together....

The beautiful wood floors and walls happened by accident really.  The Amish family up the road has started up a sawmill and we found out that they would plane and shiplap their rough wood.  We were able to do the entire floor and walls for under $700.

I wanted the tops of my windows to have character so when hubby was framing them in I told him to just cut me a board.  I cut the half circle shape then with my dremel put a little detailing in.  I knew that I was going to glaze them so the glaze would settle in the grooves showing off the detail.

There was an unsightly beam above the two porch posts that we closed in.  I wasn't sure what I was going to do but soon the lightbulb came on.  Flags of course!! 
Flags and vines.....I hand drew the design before I painted it.  

Lighting was going to be important since we are selling wool.  Our customers need good lighting so we decided to be practical and go with 5 not so pretty florescent lights but over the countertop and project table we were able to get pretty with some decorative lighting...
I apologize for these next few photos, I took them with my phone and really need to change the size on my phone....
The beam that I painted with Flags and Vines before I antiqued it.....

Here's a very cool shelf we got.  I don't know why but the previous owner had wrapped it with masking tape, around each wrought iron piece.  We stripped it then I spray painted it with some hammered copper paint..
  
The beam with glaze on it, makes it blend with the room.  Those three chairs in the background were a steal, $55 for all three. They have beautiful leather seats and backs on them.....


It's coming together, I knew I wanted the class table in the middle of the posts......
With over 100 designs I knew we were going to have to be seasonal.  So, every couple of months we will be changing everything around.  Autumn is first up....
Next up, bringing everything from the cramped front room in the house to the new shop area....
Mom started with all the wool and has really filled the shelves nicely.....



Oh Max.......





How nice it will be to spread out and have a section for punch needle, wool applique and rug hooking.  I knew I wanted to use my fence sections and an idea was born....


.....perfect for punch needle patterns with the baskets soon to be filled with kits.....
    During one of my husbands and my.....ahem......discussions about my counter area he threw his hands up and said "find a countertop".  Well, the next day Mom and I were on one of our jaunts to Angus Hill flea market and the skies opened up and shined a light on a very old, very beat up glass countertop by the side of the road.  Needless to say I slammed on the breaks, did a quick turn around and went back and got it.  It was FREE, the best price out there.  I knew we could make something of it.....


 ....and sure enough we did. Actually Hubby did, he has done very good, indeed!



I should have worn my fitbit over these last few days as many steps were taken from the front room of the house all the way to the back part, the new shop.  With each step armloads of goodies were taken out of the makeshift "shop"/dining room.  On one of my last trips I saw this beautiful but empty room and had a moment of sadness.  This room was where The Old Tattered Flag was started.  Four years ago we threw a few patterns and a little bit of wool in here and invited people over for a lesson or two.  I am very grateful for this little room.  What started off as a little hobby has turned into a legitimate business and it started in this little room.  



What is amazing is to see all the product that we had in that little room!!  How nice to be able to spread out in the new space and make it visible to all...









So, this last pictures shows where we are at right now.  Everything is in the space, just needs tweaking and neatening up!  
I hope you've enjoyed seeing how the shop has come to be!  I want to thank all of you for helping us build it.  Without you it would not be.  I wish each and every one of you could be here for our grand opening (Sept. 20).  Lots more good things are in store for The Old Tattered Flag from this point on.  The sky is the limit!!!
Thanks for joining us in our adventure.  Keep watching for the final pictures of it all together.
Have a great day everyone...
Until next time.....

14 comments:

Phyllis said...

WOW!!!! Sure wish I lived closer. It would be long drive from Colorado. Best wishes as you start the next adventure.

Lady Locust said...

Oh, I wish I were closer so I could come see for real. It all looks so gorgeous and homey.

Caro said...

Just lovely! Thank you for sharing. Where are you located?

Maggey and Jim said...

Well" exciting, exciting! I love everything, totally Awesome.....blessings on your wonderful shop, only wish I lived close? But will keep ordering my wool from THE TATTERED FLAG...
Maggey

Katken said...

Road trip!!!!! Great job. Quite an accomplishment & dream come true. Long live the needle women & thank YOU...& family...for fueling our passion!!

paulette said...

Your new space looks AMAZING!!! Wishing you well in the next leg of your journey!!

Jacqueline said...

WOW... wish I lived any where near... the shop is beautiful and I have wool envy in my heart.

jan said...

It looks amazing! Congratulations to all of you on a job very, very well done. ... jan

Myra said...

Well ..... got a little teary eyed myself. It truly is amazing how it has all come together .... such talent from all the family. You will be in my thoughts on Sept. 20 ..... God bless The Old Tattered Flag.

woollylottrugs said...

Well Julie, everything is beautiful! You should be so pleased. Love the crock filled with worms. Hey....you are coming to my guild for the hook-in on October 25. Can't wait to meet you!!! Cindy

Cheryl R said...

Amazing job, such a gifted family. Loving all your recycling and that
painted beam. I love when people can make their dreams come true.
Congratulations and Blessings to all.

Kaaren said...

To think I used to live "almost" around the corner from you in Ontario until we moved to Nova Scotia four years ago. I think maybe it's time to go back and visit with friends which would include a side trip to your shop which looks ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!!! I wish you nothing but the best of luck in your new space!

Raymond Homestead said...

Looks great!

primitive gatherings said...

Beautiful! So happy for you and your mom!!!

About Me

Thank you very much for taking the time to read my blog. I am married and just entering the second phase of my life as a Army retiree's wife. My husband and I did 25+ years in the Army. He is now officially a retired Colonel and has just entered the civilian workforce and I am happily settled in our 1830 Stone house. I (along with my Mom) operate www.theoldtatteredflag and currently we are building a small shop in the back part of the house. We live in Northern NY, right near the Canadian border. I have two handsome sons and 2 puggles. Life is busy for us, but I wouldn't have it any other way.