Out with the old...

Where has the time gone? Where have I been? Christmas has come and gone. Phew! I enjoy the season but am glad when all the hustle and bustle is overwith.

I made these stockings for a sale, but made six in case they didn't sell, so I could use them for our family. I had made four earlier, that sold at a sale right away. The kids protested not using the traditional red ones, at first, but then realized these burlap ones were bigger, so then they were fine with them!

This has not been a great year for me for several reasons, but things are looking up, and I am hopeful for a better 2012.

Unprepared

Well, if you happened to log in and see my last post, now deleted, you would have wondered what was going on. I was having computer troubles and was having difficulty logging in and posting a message. Of course the one that finally posted was one that expressed my frustration, and then I, of course, couldn't delete it!

I have pictures to share but came unprepared because I was actually out running errands and dropped into the library for a quick computer visit on impulse. So, I shall get back in the groove in the off chance you check back in sometime looking for something new to read!

All white alweady!

Thought I would show you what I've been up to. Of course we moved again and I got rid of a lot of stuff. I'm trending toward a white decor with some touches of brown. Ugh, I know, I have hated brown as a decorating color for ever. But guess we can change. So what you are seeing is my beautiful lamp shade atop my vintage lamp. I saw the shade idea at Farm Chicks last year and thought I could replicate the look. Turns out I could. I love it!
This creme 'dough' bowl I've had for a few years and like it on my table. Kind of a farm style look to my shabby glam.

I've had the corner cupboard for a few years and finally painted it white. It is sooo cute!

And then a hint of what I am going for in "new" dishes. Still my love of old silverware, but now paired with creme, white and brown dishes. They can be all creme, all white, or combined with brown like these little salad plates. I am also collecting the brown and white Oregon dinner plates, so if you see any on your out and abouts, pick them up for me!

Signs of Spring

The calendar says its almost summer, so I went in search of signs of Spring to ensure that we actually had one! This is what I found.

Some delicious Rhubarb from which I've already made two yummy pies, and this beautiful blooming "cotton candy" tree that to me was the perfect tree.

Shady Lady

I saw a lampshade like this last year at the Farm Chicks sale in Spokane and thought it looked pretty cool. I also figured I could make one so I went on the hunt for just the right shade and found this beauty at a yard sale, of course.

I removed the fabric that was on the shade then cut strips of fabric from different materials, tied them to the shade form and wa la! She's beautiful!

Now that I know how easy it is I won't wait so long to make the next one. I have a shade all ready for it in my bedroom just waiting for me to get to work.

Pallet-able

Well I don't know where I have been or what I have been doing that has kept me away from posting for so long. But maybe this will get me back on your good side. Look at these fun ideas for pallets. Yep, those bothersom wooden things that people try to give away. Now you know what to do with them! You can bet I already have my eye on a couple!

home baked

It seems like every magazine I read lately has a recipe for homemade biscuits. I used to be quite the Baking Powder Biscuit baker but hadn't made any in awhile. I couldn't take it anymore. I had to tie on an apron and whip up a batch. Of course I used an old metal bowl and a vintage silverplate meat fork to blend the ingredients. Who needs a pastry cutter?! Next I kneaded the dough a little so it would form some kind of cohesive blob. Then I rolled it out just a bit with my handy dandy wooden rolling pin I have had for over 20 years. Cut some biscuits with what else, but a vintage biscuit cutter. Plopped them in a pan and baked.

While they were still warm I spread on some butter and strawberry jam. Mmmmmm. Nothing better on a rainy afernoon! For this recipe, look in Country Living Magazine March 2011. I'll have to have my daughter show me how to make links to such sites, but until then, you'll just have to borrow the mag, look it up on line, or go buy one yourself. Happy eating!

Treasures!

Success! I drove out to a much a do about nothing yardsale and had to wait in line for 45 minutes to buy my booty, but I had some luck!

I got these cute little hobnail wall lamps for $5 and they'll be finding a home in my "glamping" trailer, the Cowgirl Cottage.

I've been looking for a chandelier that I could make shabby chic and I finally got one, again for $5.


The pretty little glass crystals alone were worth the $5.


I'll show you what she looks like all done up.

I love this! Another favorite saying that reminds me of our role as women was one I read on the wall of a building on a college campus that I have remembered since my days as a young student: "No Success Can Compensate for Failure in the Home."

Booty

I had a business meeting in La Grande today so I drove over last night and stayed at my house with the kids. How cool is that!

After the meeting I went junking and found some good stuff.

It's difficult to see but the plate on the chair is actually a cake plate made of silver and glass.
On the cake plate is an old cup and toothbrush holder, and a silver serving spoon.

I also found a lampshade. If you know me at all you know I have a thing for old floor lamps, and sometimes they come without shades, so I'm always on the lookout for the vintage shapes. I also found this lovely little 'train case' that I will decopague, and the little metal 'basket' that will soon have a coat of white paint and hold dainties in my vintage trailer.


The painting goes great in my bedroom and will be perfect after I paint the frame country white. You can't see it very well but it is about an inch or so thick wood frame that holds the painting out from the wall.

So cottage-y.

I also went on etsy and bought some chicken wire cloches that I read about in Country Living Magazine. When they arrive I will definately post them for your viewing pleasure!

Happy junking!

Spring Fever

Isn't this the cutest idea? I have a bunch of these type of springs and tried to make one of these wreaths but haven't quite figured out how to make it come out this way. The springs collapse on themselves, they don't hold the wreath shape.

And you can bet I'll be looking for egg separators in my junking outings to make one of these lovely bouquets. I have everything I need except the egg separators!

What are some ideas you have for spring(s)?

I'm in the mood for yard sale season. Unfortunately it's a couple of months away. These are just some of the things I'll be looking for:

A little table and chairs for a breakfast area in my kitchen
Some mirrors for the wall by the bathtub
A tub tray for the bathtub (I saw a shutter once as an idea)
An old upright wood radio or some such sized furniture to catch keys, etc. in the entry
A fireplace mantle (my living room wall desperately needs one)
A lamp for the boys' room table between their beds
Some vintage wall art
Old frames for my soon to be kids' photos wall
Old silver, of course
White stoneware dishes
Silverware
Aprons, tablecloths, hankies (all vintage)
Downstairs bathroom decor (used to be an old Butler's Pantry)
Containers for container gardening on the back deck and front landing area

I love having one of these in my new house. We have already decided where the Christmas stockings will hang and in what order. The kids have also re-discovered sliding down stairs. And look at this, a real claw foot tub! I love these and now I have one in my house. Picture a couple of mirrors hanging on the wall and a tub tray holding bathing luxuries. Add a little candle light and I'll be ready for that "Ahhh" moment.
And finally we got re-connected to the technical world, meaning we have cable tv and internet again, so I'll be posting more frequently and updating on facebook more often. I could do it from work but we aren't supposed to, and Lexy will be glad we don't monopolize her computer when we visit her and Eric.

Yahoo! (pun intended)