Thank you all for your enthusiasm and kind words. I still can't believe the stuff people throw out. It never ceases to amaze me. Friends of ours saw it and said that if we were to go into a 'chi-chi' greenhouse/florist/gift store the price tag would be around $250. Works for me ;o)

Thanks for your kind words! I wont let the chair set in craft heaven to long LOL! I was more upset over loseing the purple flowers that was planted at the back of the chair, dont know what there name is, but they had the most wonderful scent, you could smell it just walking by, if anyone knows I sure would love to find out there name, I was told its a annual. anjabee,I read alot of the fourms, just dont have much to contribute most of the time, I do enjoy reading the painting fourm,and looking at all the photos, you all do a beautiful job! maybe if I get back to the other chair and fix what I dont like I might post a picture. Mammie, the white glue will give you a crackle finish, so much cheaper to use I will post a link to the site where I learned how to do it, not good at giveing instructions myself and there is alot of good info at the site, so nice of the crafter to share with us! http://reviews.ebay.com/Confessions-of-a-Lazy-Painter-How-To-Paint-Stuff-QUICK_W0QQugidZ10000000000018516 at the bottom of the page look under more guides you can read about the crackle finish, hope this helps, also dont ever feel bad about asking a questions if you dont understand something, there are alot of helpful people at these fourms, with alot of good info, and willing to share. Happy Crafting Oddie

There are many bargains at auctions, estate and yard sales, etc. I got several part-balls of wool (and other material) in a bag at one for $1.00 that I'll use during this winter to darn some heavy work socks, etc. And some others that I can't remember at the moment. Careful when you're at an auction, though ... don't get into a bidding war and end up paying about double what you would have paid in a store! That happens sometimes ... and a person feels really stupid when thinking what a dumb trick one played on one's self! The best deal, though, is shoopping at the roadside clearance place. I've picked up cupboards, shelves, wood, running shoes, etc. Plus a good crib blanket on the street in town last Sunday and some good sheets on the freeway ... in fact, I picked up a light jacket (CVS logo - and "Donnell"), almost new in northern Ohio on the freeway about 4 years ago - that I'm wearing at the moment, as a matter of fact: it's 60 degrees in here. There's a U.S. flag at the top of one sleeve, that I've never bothered to remove, though I can't qualify, being true-blue Canadian ... but my kids can, as they have dual citizenship, their late Mom having been an Iowan ... and daughter has worked in AZ for several recent years. Some folks on this thread got a good laugh about six years ago when I told how I found a good chesterfield a couple of blocks away, went to son's apt. downtown and pressed him into service to come out to carry the other end as I slowly drove home with one end in the back of the car, with the hatch open ... ... asking him several times whether I was driving too quickly. And he answered ... that I wasn't ... between puffs of breathing. I took a vanload of pop cans, most intact, when I helped a friend move a trailerload of scrap iron to the scrap metal dealer's about three years ago, yielding $90.00, most of them picked up on the roadside, at summer festivals, fall fairs and other joyous gatherings, when I took my son to be an entertainer. Plus quite a few dollsrs' worth on other occasions. And I've taken a bunch of beer cans and bottles, about 1/3 - 1/2 of them originating at a friend's house who likes to drink but has no vehicle, to the beer store, where they pay me 10 cents each for them, that has netted a number of dollars, as well. Being cheap - pays!! Enjoy your weekend, everyone. One of the perquisites of retirement is - every day is weekend! ole joyful ... thankful to be in good health at 80

Charinky and Jodifay, don't know if you are into decorative painting or not, but the August 2006 issue of Painting magazine had lots of wine bottles, grapes, etc. in case you want to check it out for ideas.