Birds and Toile

Birds and Toile.....

When I found this quilt on Ebay, I knew it was 'the one'.

It is from Pottery Barn a year or so back....I don't remember it, do you?

Soft blue background with the deeper tans and browns, the botanicals, birds and butterflies

Just perfect!

I had the hardest time trying to capture the colors in the quilt in my pics?

Here's a better shot:

 

 

I've been debating whether I should paint the bed a creamy white or not, especially after looking at the pics.  The cannon ball posts seem to stick out like a sore thumb.

What do you think?

 

And lastly, my wonderful Grandson...whose
'room' I've taken over.  He likes it though.

It feels good to finally have a project complete....well, I'm sure I'll still tweek a thing or two.

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend...I am!

Susie

Things Are A Changin' Around The House

A new cupboard

A new idea.....

Just a little peak at what I've been up to in the dining room

AFTER

BEFORE

Tried these chairs....Nope!

(Notice, I finally painted the french doors white...much better)

And these French chairs.

I love this style....but just wasn't quite right.

So I'm sticking with the antique plank bottom chairs.

We moved my fav old shutters from the studio to the dining room...

I took a few pics late this afternoon to determine the best light for getting a good shot.  I need to experiment with lighting.

I'm real pleased with the shutters as it sets off the dining room from the living room, rather than having all 3 large windows with the same linen curtains.  I just added the panels from the dr to the lr to make them a little fuller.

 (Older pic of the living room)

Well hopefully I'll finish my tweeking of the two rooms for a post later in the week.

That's my goal anyway.

I'm  just saying.....

It's My Party, and I'll Cry If I Want To....

Today is my 57th birthday....trying to wrap my head around this.

I can't help but reflect on 56....what a year!  Let's see:

Ovarian Cancer

Hysterectomy

3 Extensive rounds of chemotherapy

Lost My Hair....actually it was kinda fun to be bald

Tired and fatigued

Neuropathy pain intensified by chemo

-constant burning, tingling, numbness in feet & shooting pains like a knife

-difficulty walking

Chemo Brain...yes it's a real thing!

Carpal Tunnel

Skin Cancer

Symptoms of Agoraphobia

I don't think I'm feeling sorry for myself today....just wanted to lay it all out.

I have many blessings in my life:

My Faith

A loving and helpful husband

My son and grandson

A few good friends

Yes, I am feeling a little melancholy right now as I reflect on my life.  I'm missing my parents today....they were wonderful and provided a functional home for my sister, brother and myself.

I'll be okay, God is on my side.

I'm going to seek His guidance and learn to hear His voice.

I will be still, listen and learn from the Master.

Thanks for listening....

Blessings To All

Susie

A Couple'a Chalkboard Projects

I've been admiring this picture while cruising Pinterest.

Have you seen it?

I'm pretty sure it's a Pottery Barn ad.

I've been lovin' that pan with the chalkboard paint...too cool!

So....here's my version...

I found this 20" round pan at the thrift store for $9.00

A few coats of chalkboard paint....

Ta Da

I'm still going to keep searching for an oval pan, but I think this will do nicely in the meantime!

So, I also finished another chalkboard project which I thought of a while back.  I haven't seen this around...so I possibly may have a new idea here!

A clipboard from the thrift store (usually under $1)

Simply tape off the 'clip part' and coat with chalkboard paint

I then tie on a piece of chalk with jute

Then I make an 'eraser' by stuffing a piece of ticking with polyfill and attach with jute also.

What ya think?

I'm linking up with Transformation Thursday

A New Book By James Cramer!

Oh My....

A friend stopped by this evening and brought a book he just purchased at an antique shop...

I about flipped my lid!

Our beloved James Cramer has a new book

'Tis The Season

Christmas Eve with James Cramer

I ordered my copy here:
http://www.simplefolk.com/catalog.php?category=147 

You won't be disappointed!

It's a small book, but loaded with beautiful pictures and how-to's.

Welcome back Jimmie!

Linking up with White Wednesday

Sometimes I Shouldn't Listen To Myself

I have often passed by a little Thrift Shop just up the road.  I'll think to myself,
"I should check it out"....but for some reason I tell myself, "na.....there's probably nothing good, just baby stuff".

I noticed a 50% sale as I passed by this weekend, but myself said...."don't even waste your time."

This morning I was passing by and saw an old table sitting outside.  Well this time I didn't listen to myself and stopped.  Oh my.....it's an old farm table (heart is going pitter patter).

Door is locked....nobody's there....PANIC!

Walked around to flower shop on other side....she gave me a number to call, which I immediately did and left a message.

I reluctantly drove home, leaving 'my table' behind.

When I get home, my phone rang....
"Yes" the table is for sale, it's $25....you can pick it up and leave cash with flower lady".

I couldn't move fast enough (well, actually, I sent my son).

"Thank You Lord"....I'm a happy gal!

Now to learn when to listen to myself.....

 Old white paint.....pegged legs!

 2 Board Top!

It was also a good weekend...here's a few of my 'finds'.

Old concrete sink with stand....I'm pretty sure Michael's face turned blue when he picked this one up!

Old wire newstand rack (needs a little cleanin' up)

 Wouldn't this look great with a concrete top?

So that's my 'Show and Tell' for today.....I just need to get busy!

Blessings,

Susie

I Won, I Won a Wonderful Giveaway

Earlier this month, Kristen from My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia hosted an amazing giveaway of $50 to be redeemed at Timeless Settings which is a wonderful online shop full of unique and interesting items.  Be sure to stop by and check it out, and also stop by the owner, Sharon's Blog.

I was so excited when I learned I had won!  Yeahhhhh

I had so much fun shopping, but it was so hard to choose amongst the many things on my (want list).  It took me a few days, so here's what I decided on.  I am very happy with my choices.

I'm redecorating my guest room and this neat bucket with vintage style and a bird, is just perfect in the room.  I'm showing a few pics.....when I get the entire room finished, I debut it in a post!

Here's the bedding I'm working with.  It is a pattern from Pottery Barn a few years back.  I found it on Ebay and immediately knew it was perfect!

I've used vintage french ticking to enclose this screen-less cupboard.  It adds interest, function and texture.

I'm making linen curtains which are just about finished, and need a little more tweeking here and there.

I'm also trying to decide if I want to paint the antique bed white (I think this would be a good place to try Annie Sloan Chalk Paint).

The next item I decided on is this great galvanized shelf with hooks.....check out the vintage appeal!

This is perfect for my bathroom (also under construction) as I'm using galvanized accessories.  I'm also going to attempt to paint the countertop as I was inspired by Laura from 52 Flea.  Check out her post 

here.

 

Here, I removed the glass globe and attached a vintage light cage with an Edison style bulb.

More to come on the bathroom....just searching for the right shower curtain and rug.

FYI

A lot of times I don't enter giveaways cause there's like 485 entries already, but I'm not going to let that stop me any more!  I've won 2 in the last couple of years that I have been blogging....

Blessings,

Susie

Michael's Pickin's

My husband, hereinafter called 'Michael' works with his family in their truck parts business.  They have a HUGE junkyard.  I got to thinkin' the other day, "surely there's some neat stuff out there...some cool junk....gears, rusty metal pieces, interesting truck pieces and parts, etc." 

"Don't you ever see neat old stuff that I would like?" I asked.  So tonight...he brought me presents....rusty, crusty old presents!  He did good!

 This guy is big and heavy.

White, rusty metal...

Now, what to do with it?

Any ideas?

"Thanks honey", I said.

I have my own personal 'American Picker'...

Have a wonderful weekend

Susie

A Day We'll Never Forget

My heart is heavy

 My eyes filled with tears

  My Flag is waving in all it's glory on my front porch

I will never forget.

I pray today for the families and loved ones of the victims of that horrid day

I pray for our Country and government

I pray for peace and justice

I have Faith

God is in Control

Fun Afternoon At Ikea

I bought a chair on Craigslist, and the seller suggested we meet at Ikea Saturday afternoon.

"Sounds great to me", I said.

My husband said he would go with me.

"Yipee", I thought.

We had fun, and I found a couple'a neat items that I thought I would share!

 

First is this great looking pillow cover.  The fabric content is 100% ramie, which has a wonderful rustic appeal...very similar to an old grain sack.  It's a nice, generous size...36", and the insert stripe fabric is sewn in.  Best thing......$13! 

Here's the link although it's not available online:

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40200691 

 

The next 'find' is a pendant light.  I've been looking for lighting for my guest room which I am working on...not sure what I really wanted.  We found this pendant light with a metal drum shade on sale from $69 to $19.  I think I will cover the shade with burlap or a slubby linen.  It's a nice large size, and I'm sure it will look perfect!  It's only available at stores as well.

 I also found some great looking glasses.  I like all my glassware to match, and somehow my last set has all but disappeared, leaving mismatched assorted ones (where do these odd glasses come from anyway?)

They are a nice thicker glass which I've learned works best in our household.  I love the shape and style.  There are 'rings' around the bottom...kinda hard to see in the pics.

Set of 6 - 16 oz.  $4.99

Set of 6 - 11 oz.  $3.99

Better than the Dollar Store!

I found a few other little 'odds and ends' also.

No matter what your taste or style is, there's always a treasure at Ikea to be found!

Have a safe and happy Labor Day!

Blessings,

Susie

 

 

 

 

 

Shells to Pumpkins

I'm so ready for Fall.  Yea, right.....like we have Fall in Florida!

Well, I'm putting away the sea, shells and Summer things

And bringing in a little bit of Fall

 

 

We've painted and changed things up a bit also...

Have a Terrific Thursday!

Linking up to Transformation Thursdays here

Blessings,

Susie