Furniture For Sale

Time for a couple pieces to find new homes! I have recently reduced the price on the corner hutch, and marked both these cribs for sale.

The corner hutch is a 1920s reproduction, but that date makes this piece an antique in its own right. It measures approx 90" tall at the highest point, and is on casters (that you cant see) which makes it easy to move around. This is a beautiful cabinet - if I had room it would be in my dining room right now. I have marked it $495, which is less than what I paid for it.

Also for sale is the cast iron crib in shabby cream paint. It does have the front rail, but the hardward to attach it is gone. I am sure you could easily make something or use the rail for a seperate display, towels, etc. It measures approx 55" long and 30" deep. Marked $85.

Last I have the really unique wooden crib for sale. I do not know its vintage, but it does have the original wheels (we just took them off to make work in a display - we can reattach for you). This piece is $50.00 and measures approx. 38" long by 20" wide.

All furniture available for local pick up only. You must have a way to transport the corner hutch, but we will help you load.

~Christina Z

My First Quilt!

Well I did it... my first quilt! I've had the pattern for several years.. it's called "Slim Pickins" by Primitive Pieces by Lynda. I only had to buy 5 fat quarters to do this whole quilt... that's how much fabric I have been hoarding over the years! It took me almost exactly two months, start to finish. I did the blocks and all the hand applique while at the shop, and finished the borders at home. The leaves, stars and berries are all done in wool, and the overall size is about twin size. When I took the picture, I think I had too much flash... the picture looks really light... even my wall color is washed out. In real life it does not look light like that... it is primitive and dark.

I'm already on to my next project - an "Orange Peel" quilt from the book Remembering Adelia. I am hooked, for sure!!

Don't forget about our new hours... closed Sundays and Monday... starting Oct 11! Have a great weekend all!

Where does the time go....

For heaven's sake... do you mean to tell me I haven't updated my blog since JULY? That is stinkin' ridiculous! Why is this so hard....

I need to let you know that our hours will be changing at The Buttermilk. As many of you know, I've been working 6 days a week for awhile now. As the dentist so tactfully informed me this morning, "I am approaching middle age" now. Using that as a partial excuse, I just can't keep up this schedule! So I've made the executive decision to return to a schedule that is closer to what I used to have... starting October 11th, the new hours will be:

Tuesday - Friday 11am-5pm
Saturday 10am-5pm
Closed Sunday and Monday

Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. I've really been struggling with this decision and it just feels like now is the time to make the change.

Fall is in full swing here... I hope Oregon has a nice long Fall this year. You never know though!

Sorry I am making this short... I'll try to do better about keeping up with things. Now at least I'll have two whole days off every week - woo hoo!

~Christina Z

It's time! It's here! Buttermilk Junction will be having the annual "Summer Sale" this Friday and Saturday, July 30th & 31st. Check this out:

40% off
Amish barn stars
throw pillows
flags & select patriotic goodies
floral garlands & select wreaths
table runners, shower curtains & valances
rag rugs
select electric candlelights

30% off
Irvin's wax melters
lampshades
Family Heirloom Weavers queen-size blankets
penny runners
wool hooked rugs

20% off
special order cotton braid rugs

NO... you don't have to memorize this! Everything that is on sale will be clearly marked with a discount tag.

So sorry... sale pricing does not apply to web/phone orders and unless otherwise noted, does not include special orders. There will be no holds prior to the sale.

You can call it an inventory reduction sale, Christmas in July or simply a summer sale...but don't miss it!

One quick update... we should have the Tea Lady Teas in time for the Scandinavian Festival, which starts August 12th. Til next time, stay cool!!

~Christina Z, shopkeeper

The mailman was very good to me yesterday... I received the new Judy Condon book, The Comfort of Home!!I have only a couple copies left as the rest have already been spoken for... I just listed them on the website and they are $24.95 each.

The mailman also brought me the latest issue of our favorite magazine, Country Sampler! This is the September issue... chock full of wonderful Fall decorating ideas. 10 copies are available at $4.95 each.... dont wait too long to get yours!

I can hardly believe it's been a whole year since the issue that featured my house came out. Time sure do fly! The next update will give the particulars for our big annual sale. Stay tuned and enjoy the sunshine!!

~Christina Z, shopkeeper

I am pleased to welcome Sophie's Cottage to Buttermilk Junction as we host our very first Trunk Show! My friend AJ (a.k.a. Sophie)and I met a few years ago when she had a shop in Hillsboro, OR. She still has her goodies in several antique malls in the Portland area, so I asked her if she would put together a "Shabby Beach" themed display for the month of July and take her show on the road! We just finished putting it together and I think it looks terrific. Love those aqua tones against that red wall.

The Sophie's Cottage Trunk Show will be available for at least the next few weeks...be sure to check it out!

All flag items are still 25% off... that includes all flags, flag finials and anything with a flag on it! Sorry, consignment items are not included and sale does not apply to phone/web orders.

The next email will give the particulars for our annual Inventory Reduction sale. Stay tuned and enjoy the sunshine!!

~Christina Z, shopkeeper

We had a great turnout this past weekend at the Annual Parking Lot Sale! There were a few leftover goodies, which are now in the clearance section of the shop. There are still some great bargains to be had!

We will be closed on Monday July 5th.

Starting Saturday July 3rd, all flag items will be 25% off... that includes all flags, flag finials and anything with a flag on it! Sorry, consignment items are not included and sale does not apply to phone/web orders.

Happy summer all!

~Christina Z, shopkeeper

Just Listed!

I just put the homespun fabrics on the website! They are available for purchase as both yardage (one yard min.) and fat quarters. I hope the pictures do them justice because they are gorgeous in person! Nice soft homespun, not the scratchy & rough stuff from the big boxes.

Our annual Parking Lot sale is comingTHIS Saturday, June 26th from 9am-4pm. If you've been to my sales in the past, you know I mark sale items way down! We'll be set up in the parking lot on the south side of the building... if you pull in and don't see parking available, the entire parking lot on the north side of the building is available on Saturdays... even spaces marked for the insurance office. And one last item regarding the sale... to keep prices low, on June 26th we will not be accepting credit card payments for sales totaling less than $10.

We have two things happening in July. First, we'll be having our annual "Inventory Reduction Sale." Last year we did it in August, but have decided to move it ahead a bit this year. Details and dates will come in the next newsletter!

Secondly, we will be carrying pre-packaged tea from Eugene business "Tea Lady Teas!" This is exciting for The Buttermilk! Some of the initial offerings will be Peppermint, Yummy & Creamy, African Violet and Jazzi-Tea. As the teas arrive, I'll be posting them on the website with their own shipping rate. This will keep them affordable for those not in the area.

Last item to note in this newsletter is that Fall will be coming early to Buttermilk Junction! A nice selection of goodies will be available in early August. You were asking for it early last year so this year we're not waiting until September. Woo hoo!!

Hope to see you very soon!

~Christina Z, shopkeeper

An "Oops!"

I've been meaning to post something here and, well... you know! I did an "oops" in my ad in the latest Washington/Oregon edition of the Country Pleasures magazine. I had been debating about changing my hours to be just Tuesday - Saturday and I guess I thought I had made a firm decision so I let the publisher know. Well short story long, I decided NOT to fiddle with my hours and never changed the ad back.

We will continue to be open MONDAY - SATURDAY from 10:00am - 5:00pm. Sorry for any confusion this may have caused!!

Primitive Night Lights back in stock!

The darling primitive night lights are back in stock... thanks to the FedEx man :>) I have brown, red, mustard (shown) and brown with brownish bulb available once again. I'll be listing them on the website tomorrow. Also new to the shop and shown in the picture are the Irvin's outlet covers in blackened tin. I have the standard double outlet in stock, but they are also orderable in many other configurations, including GFCI outlets, double lightswitch, etc. Will get them listed on-line tomorrow too! Bye for now!

Almost forgot! I promised Buttermilk customers Linda and Joe Harris that I'd post a link to their house. The Harrises were featured in the same issue of Country Sampler as my home... Aug/Sept 2009. Their home is OUTSTANDING... and currently for sale! Take a minute to click on the link below... you will be ready to move right in! Toota-Loo for now!

http://www.sunriserealtyllc.net/2710whisperingoakspl.htm

If you live in the Pacific Northwest, you're probably about ready to float away... geesh.... talk about April showers! My niece, who lives in San Diego, called me a few days ago to "complain" how hot it was... 85 degrees. Poor baby!!

My new battery candles have arrived and they are way cool! I ordered these at the PA show and they were one of the last shipments to get here. There are several styles available... all are shown in the picture above. From left to right, top of shelf... small "votive" size BOC (battery operated candles) available in red and primitive brown, medium size "cake candle" BOC that actually has a timer function.. available only in prim brown, and a tall BOC avail only in mustard (and this is the only one). Lower shelf has the tall "cake candle" that have a full size taper BOC that slips down in the wax sleeve... avail in must and burg, and the new lumpy bumpy pillar BOC in mustard, tan and burg. All feature a very waxy, thick silicone bulb. Very different from the other BOCs I carry :>)

Also shown are two other items from the PA show (do these people realize it's been almost 3 months?!?!) One is a black metal sleeve with star cutouts... this will fit over a candle, but also has a small cut out at the bottom for you to feed an electric cord through. And the mustard star unit is made to show off whatever large jar or cake candle you are burning. Would even look darling with a large BOC!! Also available in several other colors.

Bye for now dear friends and HAPPY EASTER!

Gratitude

Just wanted to take a break from my typical Blog posts and write about gratitude. That is, MY gratitude for the wonderful customers I have!! When I think about the success of Buttermilk Junction, I am blown away that we've continued to grow each year the shop has been in existence.

For those of you who don't know, I have wanted to own a country shop since I "found" country decorating in the eighties. In November 2005, my husband Lee and I rented the tiniest storefront we could find in Junction City and started setting up shop. If that space was 200 square feet I'd be surprised. Even though we knew it could never be our permanent home, we had to "test the waters" before jumping in any further. In April 2006, we moved to a 1000 square foot shop nearby and enjoyed that space until the summer of 2007. Due to issues with building management and a flood caused by an upstairs renter, we started looking for a new space for Buttermilk Junction. On Sept 1st 2007 we opened in a neat shop 3 blocks away. I thoroughly enjoyed that location for the two years we were there, even though parking was a huge problem as well as a few other issues. At the end of August 2009, I began packing up once again and moved over to Ivy St. to share space with our local quilt shop, Thimbles & Threads. That was 7 months ago and I haven't looked back since. Not only did my wonderful customers support the move, we've made many more country-lovin' friends since then and the past 7 months have exceeded my hopes. All this to say that without you, there wouldn't be a Buttermilk.

We are not rich by any stretch of the imagination... my husband and I BOTH need to contribute to our finances to pay the mortgage, car payment, etc. I always had a corporate paycheck and when I lost my full-time job to overseas outsourcing in 2008, I was not sure what to expect. But God is so good! And I thank the good Lord every day that I get to do what I love (DECORATE) and be my own boss. It's hard work but very rewarding and I look forward to whatever the future holds. When you come in and say Buttermilk Junction is your favorite store, or you'd rather shop there than anyplace else, I am truly honored. Thank you for your friendship and your support!!!

Homespun has arrived

Well poo I am a week behind in my posts... I have been working really hard to get my new "POS" system up and running. It's been very time consuming to enter everything... hopefully another week and it will be done.

Look at this gorgeous homespun!! I have 8 bolts now... loves it! The red reverse windowpane and the mustard/black windowpane are my two favorites. I am so thinking curtains! This is very nice quality homespun, not the rough stuff from the "box" stores... $8.75 per yard. A reminder that the fabric ladies are happy to do the cutting.... you don't want me to do it... I cut fabric like I wrap gifts... and that's not a pretty picture my friends.

Spring Open House was a wonderful success! Too bad it didn't feel like spring... but that's OK, it does now :>) I've received SEVEN more boxes of goodies since the S.O.H.! Not all of it is seasonal... there was the homespun, some wonderful primitive "tabletop" cubbies, faux tallow berry candle rings and garlands, reed diffusers are back in, repro tin Easter chocolate molds, new braided trivets and coasters in wonderful colors, etc. I am also expecting the new Judy Condon book any day now. Oh and the UPS man brought me a big box of runners, shower curtains and window treatments that I haven't even opened yet!!

If you haven't been in the shop in awhile, please come see all that is new! Will try to get some of it on the website over the next few weeks... POS taking priority right now as I have to be up and running by April 1st.. no foolin'!

Happy Friday all!

Spring Open House next week!

Won't you please join us for our Spring Open House... scheduled for Friday March 12th and Saturday March 13th from 10am - 5pm. Come have a look-see at all that is new!

How has everyone been.... I have felt very productive this week! I managed to spackle and touch up paint my office, in addition to getting my decorating theme nailed down for that room (not to mention cleaning up the extreme CLUTTERY mess!). Also, I moved a wall cabinet to a new location and a shutter became a wall hanging in my dining room... and I even started a Goodwill pile. The highlight was putting my new coverlet and duvet on my bed. Next project will be a new bathroom countertop if I figured my tax liability properly and we actually DO get a refund!

Oh ya... I also decorated my house for SPRING! Yeehaw... so nice to see some Springy things here and there. Before you know it we'll be putting out the seashells and flags. Aack! Have a wonderful week all!

Well shoot.... I missed my Friday deadline last week! I think it was because I got in a great big ol' box from Family Heirloom Weavers and I got caught up in the moment. While a few things I was expecting were backordered, the box did contain my new duvet and my "Sea Star and Jewels" coverlet. Ooooh la la this coverlet is a beauty!! I raced home at 5pm to put it on my bed. Loves it!! Still some decorating to do in the master bedroom but these two pieces were a major part of the redo.

The pillowcases are from pbteen.com ... they are black with white polka dots! The pillow and bedskirt are Ralph Lauren "Cold Springs," a black and linen mattress ticking. Also, the coverlet reverses to linen background with black. I must comment, that white basket looks out of place in the photo... funny how the camera really highlights certain things! Maybe I will get out the black paint this weekend.

The UPS man was not very good to me last week! I think he stopped twice; once with a tiny box of not much to speak of and the other time with the blankets. He did show up yesterday with a huge supply of 2010 Country Sampler Home Tour Editions, which was great... but I had hoped for something even a teence more exciting?!?! Mr Fed Ex brought two ginormous boxes from Lt. Moses Willard lighting... a special order for a customer. I told Mr UPS he better not let me down on Tuesday. He didnt seem particularly amused.....

Well this is a short one since it's already Tuesday and I need to be back on schedule by the end of the week. Bye for now!

WOW... Spring Fever is going to be rampant if this weather keeps up. Even though I have to be at the shop all day, it is still so nice to look outside and see glorious sunshine. It's probably 60 degrees out there, yet I just saw someone go by on a motorcycle wearing a T-SHIRT!!! Crazy people!!

The UPS man didn't have anything too exciting for me today (tissue and bags... yawn....) but the FedEx guy brought me some Amish barn stars. I have never ordered them before, but am trying out the 10" size... they are adorable! Perfect for the authentic barn star lover with a space problem! They will retail for $18.95 and I'll try to get them scattered around the shop tomorrow.

Have been keeping myself busy today with a painting project using some new paints I ordered at the Winter Market. So far it's, er, interesting! It's quite a process and I am anxious to see the end results. Since the day is almost done that probably wont happen until Monday. Also managed to do a little hand stitchin' today and whipped up some cute SEED bags. Will have to wait til Spring Open House next month to see those tho....

**UPDATE** Furniture is SOLD......So I just got a call from my BFF Laura and she asked me to post on my blog that she has reduced the already bargain price of her IKea Ektorp set to just $500! For everything!! OMG I wish I had an empty room somewhere! Here is a link to the IKea website / Ektorp page so you can see how wonderful a deal this is....http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20031656 This link shows the sofa slipcover... and as you can see it's $149 just for that ONE slipcover... so $500 for an entire set of furniture plus three complete SETS of slipcovers is an incredible deal!! See my previous post for more info.. it's the one from February 5th.

Well I shall close for now as part of "Blog Friday" is writing in my own blog, but the other part is reading some of my faves!! Happy Weekend all!

New tin "Petticoat" lamp - USA made

New tin hanging taper holder - USA

Tall tin "hogscraper" electric candlestick - USA

Grapevine garland with tiny twig STARS attached!

Oval penny mat

Black crows

Tan primitive cat

Faux bay leaf wreath with "pip" berries

Does anyone else have the "wintertime blues?" I have just been struggling to get motivated to get ANYTHING done! Cant get interested in doing too much of anything... and there is so much that needs to be done. I hope this feeling doesnt last too long... I much prefer to feel productive and energized (well, who doesn't, right?)

The UPS man has brought me a few new things this week.. always so fun to see him coming with a big ol' box! So far it's just been the "tip of the iceberg"... most of the larger orders are still yet to arrive. I snapped a few pictures as I unboxed this week... as shown above. A lot of what I ordered at the show was "Made in America" product and I am tagging things as such as they come in.

I've been putting new goodies out as they arrive, except items that are spring-specific. Those will have to wait until the Spring Open House, March 12th and 13th. I hope I have enough product for Spring.. I always worry about that. Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Happy sunny Friday! We are all going to get a severe case of Spring Fever if this keeps up.

My BF Laura found out yesterday that her house has sold, and she and her hubby Mike will be able to buy the "farm of their dreams." I am so happy for her, but I will sure miss hearing her go "toot-toot" every morning as she's on her way to work. Although, the new place is just a mile up the road.

Anyhoo... Laura has a collection of IKea slipcovered furniture that she is wantin' to sell. She has a full size sofa, loveseat, chair and footstool in the "Ektorp" line, complete with a denim, a tan and a white (washable) slipcover for EACH piece! She is asking $1000 or best offer for the entire set... that's probably cheaper than the 3 sets of slipcovers alone. I can attest to how well these pieces go with "our style" of decorating because I have the loveseat in my living room. If you are in driving distance to us here in Oregon and are interested, please give me a call here at the shop and I will put you in touch with Laura.

Still patiently waiting for my new goodies to arrive! So far all that has come has been new plastic bags and a giant roll of tissue. B-O-R-I-N-G! As things start rolling in I'll put some pix up here. Have a wonderful weekend!