Wednesday, March 31, 2010

My Whites....

I am linking up to Faded*Charm today for my first White Wednesday!
I am just getting into the white craze....
so I thought I would share what I have!

I just picked this cake pedestal up yesterday
at my local Thrift Store....
it fits perfectly with my cloche....
and just in time for my Easter table!

I purchased my bird salt & pepper shakers at Pier 1
a few weeks ago. The white asparagus plate
was a clearanced find at a local department store.



I fell in love with this white pitcher
at another local Thrift Store....
I just love the bird silhouette!




This little itty bitty spoon rest....
or tea bag rest for you tea drinkers,
was found at Goodwill....
.99 cents!





My version of an Easter wreath in my entry....
notice the little white buds!





And last but not least....
another Goodwill find from last year....
my white rabbit weather vane....
deciding which way to go first to deliver
those Easter baskets!

Happy Easter everyone....
now hop on over and check out all the other beautiful blogs
sharing their Whites!
http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/2010/03/white-wednesday-41.html
She's also having a great giveaway....
so go and check her out!

Sunday, March 28, 2010

The Votes Are In....

Thanks to all who gave me their opinion....stick to my heart on this one!
I spent a good portion of the day yesterday, cleaning my new hutch with some Murphy's Oil soap and touching it up in the few rough spots with Old English.
It brought out even more beauty!


And then I started adding things here and there to make it fit even more perfectly in my Home!


~When In Doubt, Simply, Add More Wine~
Touche'

I found this blackboard at a grocery store sale, they were going out of business, so I picked this up for $15.00. It's printed on both sides and is massive. It will hang somewhere on this wall,
but for now it looks cool just leaning there.
Thanks again for all the great advice and have a Fabulous rest of your weekend!

Friday, March 26, 2010

I Don't Think I Can Do It....

paint this hutch that is!
I've been looking at all of these beautiful blogs, with these
brave ladies, who have painted hutches that they've purchased at
yard sales, goodwills, thrift stores and even off craigslist....
Like I did today!
Then they paint them black and they look GREAT!
And I wanted to do that so badly!
Until I got it Home....
cleaned it up a bit....
and fell in LOVE!!!

It holds plates....
and wine glasses....
or spoons
That's what it did originally!


It is solid wood....
Solid Walnut, to be exact!
With dovetailed drawers...



that have a stamp in them by the maker....
not just a sticker!
This drawer is specifically made for your
best silver....
It's lined!


with specific places for
spoons....
forks....
&
knives....
along with a cover, to help them from
tarnishing too quickly!

There are three drawers for your special linens....
and an open drawer for your casserole dishes....
and platters maybe....
There is a shelf, but the brackets are missing!
(the only flaw)

It has beautiful detail....
like the dental molding....
and the zinc (not leaded) original glass door fronts....
Along with the beautiful crown molding at the top!


The hinges and knobs are original....
along with the shelf holders...
they are hammered metal....


It is solid....
heavy solid wood....
that's not press board or veneered wood,
trust me....I helped carry it in!


It's also....
alittle small scale for my kitchen....
my ceilings are 11 ft tall.
Anything will look small scale here!
But it has history....
it was the Grandmother's,
they inherited it....
it sat in their garage "a few years"....
now it is in our Home,
for new memories....

Yes, I want/wanted a buffet....
to paint black!
But, I find I can not do that
with this piece!
And yet....
it is now Home....
where it belongs....
loved and taken care of
as it should be!

(the wood looks brighter in these pictures then in REAL life)

What would you do?

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Welcome....

to my Guest Room!
Please take a peek at what I have done,
to make your stay as comfortable as possible!
Keep in mind, most everything is done with
thrift finds, antique deals....
or treasures on hand....
I hope you enjoy your visit!

Your first peek....
the egg plates are finds from years ago,
and the delicate rose plate was picked up days ago
at Salvation Army for $2.99. I added the little green bow!


The bed linens are mostly new, but purchased clearanced.
The delicate quilt at the end of the bed is vintage and I have had
it for years. The bed is a 3/4 size, not quite full and not quite twin,
we purchased it at an auction about 16 yrs ago for our DD#2.
The mattress was new and customed made. Hopefully you like to
curl up in bed...because this one's just a tad short for tall people!
I found this metal picnic basket recently and had to have it!
It has wooden handles and I thought it would work great
for a bed tray of sorts. On the inside I can add some
necessities you might need for your stay! Or your welcome to
take a picnic to the park with it too!


And if you get alittle chilly during your stay, I have a
couple more vintage quilts hanging on this vintage towel bar.
Help yourself!

I'm still tweaking this corner of the room....
I need alittle something under the shelf, any ideas?
Oh and I'm adding a gender friendly, white robe to my
.69 cent rabbit hook from Hobby Lobby!
That way the "boyfriends" won't feel too girly....
I hope!
The shelf has been around for years and the tray is vintage,
along with the tole tumbler (vase to me) and tole tin pot.

This large picture caught my eye a year ago I believe,
at a local estate sale. I still love it and think it looks
perfect in this new spot!


I have really enjoyed finding tole trays in thrift stores, antique stores and on ebay! I've had this basket for a while and thought it would look cute hanging right below.

The black color just pops off the new color of the room!


This little throw pillow was purchased at a second hand store for
about $3.00...new to me, and it coordinates perfectly to the rest of the bedding!


This bed skirt was purchased at a totally separate thrift store.
As you can see it was only $3.00, and it's perfect!


The two white shams worked perfectly in the color scheme
and add a bit of crispness to the room. One is being used as
a dresser scarf and the other is on the back of the rocker. The
checked sham was the perfect color and I loved that it was checked.
I'm using that to cover the seat of the rocker, I think it ties it all in!



Here's a peak of the rocker. The two dark green shutters are
original to our Home...we found them in the basement crawl space
covered with dirt. I brought them in and hung a simple embroidered
napkin/hankie from the top with a vintage tole round tray and simple
green wreath. The door leads to another room and I thought you'd want privacy!
Libby had to be in the photos, hope your not allergic!


The tole tray over the bed is a recent purchase from ebay. I didn't think I'd win
but, I'm glad I did because it looks great with these little white plates. I purchased
those a few years back for cheap! The vintage metal tole tissue box is part of the
tumbler and container set on the shelf. I'm lovin' my tole!


It breaks my heart to go to a Thrift Store or Goodwill
and find someone's precious needlework for sale. The rocker
on the right was purchased about a year ago for a dollar. And the one
on the top was a recent purchase, I think I paid $7.99. It says:

The things
I prize of
greatest worth,
are just
the common
things
of earth.

Perfect for this room and I Love them!


This is my window curtain. The color doesn't show true,
but it is the perfect green to match the rest of the bedding!
Not a bad price either!


It hangs high. The window is down low and the
window sill touches even with the floor! The tie back
is an antique picture hanger that I have had for a few years,
and bought at an estate sale for $1.00. It has pink tassels on one end
which would, if used for a picture hang from the crown molding, and I just
tied the other end into a bow! It works!
My chippy metal dresser is in the corner. I have a better picture,
but I am having trouble adding in photos I forgot, for some reason.



Well, that's a little peek for now!
Hope you'll come back for a visit real soon!
Just in case you do....
I'll leave the light on for you!

Have a wonderful day!
Thanks for stopping by!

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Why does this stuff happen?....

You know, sometimes things within families run deep! The past, is never really the past even though you try your whole lifetime to make it change. Some people, family members...sisters to be more exact, will just always have a problem with the others. It doesn't matter that they are now grown and married and have children of their own, who are also, quite possibly grown and married themselves! Certain relationships, like sisters are always a competition and sadly, there is always one who has to try and out do the others and try and make them look bad in certain situations! And more often then not....it's silly, laughable, but not always at the time it is happening! Alot of you know what I am saying, hopefully not many though. Because underneath ALL the pettiness, that you try NOT to let happen and yet, somehow you are part of it....It's sad and hurtful! Not only to you, the person that it is actually hurting, but, MORE then likely and probably more so, to the person that is doing the hurting, but refuses to acknowledge it!
This is happening right now to me and one of my sister's. The one born before me, I am the baby! There has ALWAYS been tension between us, maybe even before I was old enough to realize it! She is about 5 yrs older then I and has ALWAYS tried to make my life miserable. For years, as grown-ups we rarely contacted each other. Not because of all of the "past", but because we are grown now and have our own lives and families. That happens in some families, especially when they aren't close anyway....sadly (I'm the youngest of 6)!
Now it has come to the simple planning of our Dad's 80th birthday....and there is strife! Over something silly and ridiculous! I live the furthest away and so communicating has had to be thru email.....I know, things get misconstrued thru emails. But, this particular sister, as she so strongly pointed out to me, works a 9 hr a day job.....I am at Home (my job never ends)! She has no energy OR time to debate my issues! I asked why she changed me from doing this one thing for the party and gave it to our other sister instead (she is in-charge of it all)? She basically told me, as IF I am still her Little Sister....to Just Stop! Yet she never answered my question....never told me the reason, I had to find that out from the other sister!
I guess what I am trying to say is this.....Communicate! Alot of stress on people, especially in families between Sister's, could be avoided with Communication!
I did take the high road and apologized, even though I didn't do anything to apologize for! She, as expected, accepted my apology....but didn't offer one back! And when I pointed out to her that all she had to do was tell me why the change in plans happened....she now tells me again, to Just Stop! And asks me if all I have to do all day is complain!
How am I to respond to such childish responses from my older sister?
I responded that she has my cell and she is welcome to call on her "free time" to discuss things like a grown-up and that I love her!
Thanks for reading! I had to vent....advice welcomed if you have any!

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Not Just Another Thrift Store Find....

Today started out with a quick bite to eat here at home
and coffee for the road. My husband and I were going
carpet shopping, for his room, his man room....
you know his own place in this house of girls!
Well, more on that later....
but on the way home I suggested we stop at our local
Thrift Store, here in our own little town. Sometimes
you might be able to find something...
but not always! He agreed. I usually head right to the
dishes and pictures area. Especially lately since I have
been re-doing our Guest Room....which I am still tweaking,
but I am LOVING it! So first I go to the pictures and
INSTANTLY, my eyes are drawn, no kidding, to these
two pictures. The colors in these pictures are GORGEOUS....
I don't even think I can do them justice in this post,
I mean really, they are beautiful....
and I had to have them....
but I had to convince him first. They were marked $39.99, down to $19.99 each,
and for a Thrift Store picture, to me that was a bit high.
But, he soon found me and he agreed they were beautiful,
but wanted to go Home and "google" them first....
so we did! And of course I ran right back to the
Thrift Store and purchased them both!
They are J G Keulemans Lithographs

~Signed~

Framed somewhere in Chicago....
a loooong time ago. The backing is in very poor shape,
but the fronts are beautiful!


~Burmese Roller~


~Coracias Spatulatus~



~no real price found~


~worth at least $165.00~

Apparently the guy was born in 1842 and died at the age of 69
in 1912. I am very excited about these pictures and would appreciate
anyone with knowledge on art like this to advise me of what steps
I should take to maintain these pictures! Even if they are not
priceless pieces of art....I think they are worthy of
preserving in some way!

They are large pictures, 17 x 21 and matted nicely,
all seems to be original too!

By far, THE BEST find I have ever found in a Thrift Store!

My husband told me at dinner tonight, basically
that he doesn't always care for what I bring home from
a Thrift Store, but he thinks these are a Great buy....
and he gave me a sweet potato!
(knuckle bump for those who don't know, lol)

Thursday, March 18, 2010

It's Play Day....

I finally am to the point to start putting it all together in my
Guest Room....
and as you can see the sun in shining beautifully thru the
only window in the room....
facing the morning sun....
Beautiful!
Happy Sunshiny Day!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

It's Official....

I am finally going to have a
Guest Room!
The older two are basically
moved out....
except for DD#2 who is Home for breaks.
So I have been a busy bee painting
and shopping for items to go in my new
Guest Room!
This is what I have been working on today....

I've been white washing the bead board around the room.
Have I mentioned I don't particularly care for painting
trim of any kind? Well, I don't!
Walls I don't mind....
especially if they use to be this color!
Sorry Mal, but I am so over this color!

This picture is a bit dark....
but it is called....
Antique Lace and I am really liking how it looks!
Better pictures to come, along with the great
buys I have picked up along the way for this room.
Hope to be done soon so I can share it all with you!


Well, I smell the corn beef cooking....
better go check it out.
Happy St. Patricks Day!


Monday, March 15, 2010

I Went To Hobby Lobby....

today and I got these 3 great buys!
I went in for some plate hangers....
to be blogged about later. But,
I couldn't leave without checking out the
90% off aisle....

~a plaque, a wall hook, and a lamp~

Yes, the lamp was marked down to $7.00!
I couldn't get it in my cart fast enough...
it already had a light bulb in it, lamp shade included and
it works!


~cute as a bunny wall hook~
.69 cents!


~and matching plaque~
$1.00!
I seriously couldn't pass these up!
The lamp will probably stay where it's at,
in my kitchen, by the door to the backyard
on the radiator. The wall hook, I'm thinking in the
guestroom I am re-doing, to be seen later when finished.
And not quite sure about the bunny plaque yet,
but I'm sure I will find a spot for it!
Thanks for stopping by!

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

The Burlap Bug....

I seem to have it....bad! I have seen some beautiful things made with burlap on lots of blogs, lately. So of course I had to try my own....crafty hand at it. I found this bed tray up in our attic. Not something that we had, something that was left from previous owners (?) I'm guessing. So, I had an idea and it turned out quite nice, if I do say so myself! I thought it was quite nice with a bit of vintage doily with crocheted edging!
~My new bird mugs, a nest and candles~
~ a very Romantic look~
Then I got an idea, which brings me to burlap!
So here is how it started. I found the "how to" on a blog and I apologize
I am not finding it. So please take credit and let us all know who you are.
But, that got my wheels turning for this project.
This is the tray as found in the attic. Bare wood!
I taped off the perimeter....

and just simply started painting with a foam brush
in my chosen color....Black!






Then I found some burlap that I happened to have left
from some other craft project and traced out the word
I printed off the computer. Oh yeah very important,
I traced it on freezer paper....
Cut it out with an exacto knife and ironed that on the burlap....
and whaa laa!


I did a sponge paint-like technique....
again with my chosen color of....
Black....


and there you have it!
An identified piece of "art" in my
Home!


But I wasn't quite done yet!



I needed to protect it....
so I went and had a piece of glass cut.
and now it is finished!


And I think it's lovely!

Stay tuned....
there's more to come!

UPDATE: I am linking up to Traci @
http://beneathmyheart.blogspot.com/2010/03/best-diy-projects-of-march-party.html
Go check out all the fun projects!
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