French Poppy

Oh, oh, what's this?

Looks kinda crooked----hmm, luckily the blue tape isn't permanent!  What is going on?  Well a new look for the walls!  I've seen this in various places with the chair rail around the wall with the framed piece underneath it.  This is where I am headed with this.  It will take awhile to do the whole room, this is just the small entry way.  What better place to practice on right?  As you can see in the first picture the chair rail was glued to the wrong spot so had to be adjusted to the right area leaving a ripped of torn spot below it.  Oops!  No worries, can easily be fixed with a little spackle and sandpaper.  When finished the bottom part of the wall from the chair railing down will be white and the top either painted a khaki or lighter blue,  I am leaning towards Ralph Lauren's Prussian Blue!  It's very pretty and reminds me of Pottery Barn or Restoration Hardware colors. 

The above photo (courtesy of Restoration Hardware)  You can see the wall effect I am after.  Of course my trim isn't quite as fancy as theirs, but is nice all the same.  This wall treatment is really very easy to do, just go to Home Depot or any hardware store and buy your chair railing, which mine was $1.79lf (linear foot)  be careful when buying this pieces as they will trick you.  The price you see is $1.79 so at first I thought it was per piece, but then if you look really really close you will see a very tiny small (lf) meaning it is by the linear foot.  The pieces you would need for the framing cost me $4.00 per piece, and they are around 8 ft. tall.  All and all it is a pretty inexpensive project.  Now all I have to do is fix the mitre blade that broke off the saw....oh yeah you will need a mitre box or saw to cut those 45 degree angles with.  I will share the finished project photos soon!!

Women & Entrepreneurships

I was reading an article about woman entrepreneur Rachel Ashwell who of course founded Shabby Chic.  It was impressive learning of her somewhat humble start and how now her company has grown into this $10 million dollar venture.  Her spirit of determination and the belief in herself is what has made her such a success today.  The article is stating how her business is good, but it could be better.  She felt it was in such a stagnant state.  Even after having her licensing deal with Target and all the books, celebrity following, she still hasn't grown to her next level.  She states that she is aiming for the $100 million mark.  Her next steps are planning to open 45 new Shabby Chic stores in the next two years, and it isn't going as fast as she anticipated.  Hmm, do you think the trendy Shabby Chic phenomenon is reaching a bit of a lull?  Are we moving in a different direction with our decorating tastes?  I always stop to think of these things, how do these companies continue to thrive.  I do believe she is changing with the times and adding a bit of that French flare to her line now.  I have never stepped foot inside a store, I have just lingered at the website.  I wonder if a line of clothing is in the works, accessories too maybe?  What she has on in this photo (courtesy of Entrepreneur mag.), is what I would wear everyday!  I love the shirt she has on, in this photo and the front cover.  She's simple, and very chic looking.  So I say Rachel launch a clothing line, with those simple fine prints.  And if they are already in the stores, then please put them on the website.  If I were her this is one direction I would go for growth.  We all strive to succeed like this, we all would love to have a piece of her pie, and ladies it is possible.  We must believe in ourselves and what we do, it's all at our finger-tips!  Are we growth minded like Rachel ? 

I just wanted to share a few of my Holiday designs with you...

may your weekend be filled with dreams, and creativity!

Great Whites

 

I love all things white.  All the different shades of it, and all the objects you can find with it.  While on my little trip this past weekend, I picked up this great little french music cd.  It has the most relaxing, enchanting mix of tunes on it.  You feel like you are right at a little chateau in France.  Great to listen to while I am doing my artwork. 

Next, is the journal that I bought from Abby from The Blissful.  Also, along with this beautiful journal I snagged a pair of those cute little bracelets.  She was a complete joy to do business with.  I am anxiously awaiting her online boutique that she will open in January.  Oh how I would love to be able to just walk through her store! 

And then you can't forget the great white pumpkin!  I was happy to find this little light up guy!  Since there are no kids home to carve punkins with, this one is already to go, no mess, no clean up, just plug 'er in.  He looks great in the evening with his glowy smile.

I am beginning to think my little white table is starting to be too chipped.  But then again, there are some objects I beat and pound on to make them look this way.  So maybe I will just leave it alone.  I don't know if you can see it very good in this photo, but there is a little white rosary I bought from Teresa!  Never can get enough white!

Ladies by the Sea

What could be better than spending a long weekend at the ocean?  I think nothing!  Each year my sister's and my niece steal my mommy away for her birthday.  This year was really a no different pick than before...the ocean.  She turned 81 during our travel day.  It's a mere 6 hour drive to the beautiful sea, however there are must needed stops along the way such as shopping, shopping and more well, shopping.  You can't be that close to the Seattle area without hitting a few essential spots!    The long weekend was beautiful.  Full of storms, great food, laughter and love. 

The sea and all her glory.  This particular day I think she was a little cranky, but oh so beautiful.  Our destination was here.  First visit to this sleepy little resort town for all of us.  The shopping was way too much fun.  Over-budget, yep that's me, my new nickname!

Then there was this great new town we got to go explore...

 

Yes, I will be moving in the second house to your left, ummhmm, in my dreams!  I cannot tell you how beautiful this place was.  It's called Seabrook, and it is a new beach town right here in the state of Washington.  The ambiance is incredible.  There are old fashioned bicycles everywhere for your riding pleasure, trails to the ocean, and the most lovely homes ever.

oh wait...this is my new house

or maybe this one...

oh, i can't decide

 

 

honey, get the check book out we're moving!! 

 

Yeah, I know, I'm a sucker for a pretty face like these little maids all in a row, living on streets name "campfire" or "bayberry lane", it's such a tease.  But it does feel pretty good to literally step in to a fantasy dream like this.  Now, off to work!  Happy Monday!

 

October

Vintage potato mashers, perfect for making garlic mashed potatoes

The apples are harvested now.  There is a poignant sweet smell of rotting fruit, the ones that are left behind, on the ground letting smaller creatures nibble on their nectar.  The pine trees are tired and show their hint of brown needles ready to fall with a really good gust of October wind.  Walnuts have fallen out of the trees and I saw a little fuzzy squirrel and his partner scrambling from the tree to their hide-away dodging my car.  Little do they know they will be fine, I have slowed down to watch them and stop if I need to for them.  It's so sad when they look so confused that way.  They too must love this time of the year when they also harvest and gather. 

It's starting to get a little colder outside and you can smell the scent of burning brush, and wood smoke in the air now.   As I look out in our valley the colors of gold, red and an exhausted looking green are a patchwork pattern below me.  The mountains in all their majesty stand so still and quiet against the gray of the sky like they are waiting for the snow to fall on them, just like we do on the first snowfall with our tongues sticking out catching the flakes. 

The hunters are looming in our town with their big boots on and all the camo clothing.  You see pictures in the local newspaper of a big hunter-man with his kill next to him and always the pose of the propped up rifle and a hand wrapped around he horns of his trophy, lifting the head of the deer up for everyone to see.  This bothers me somehow.  Those that hunt are ready for their venison stews with fresh potatoes and other harvested end of the season vegetables. 

Me, I prefer to make my comfort foods with fresh vegetables and meat from the store.  Soups, stews, pies and cinnamon rolls.   Reasons unknown to me, but these types of foods just go with this time of the year.  They are homey and soothing, almost calming.  My imagination also changes somewhat like a Splenda commercial all fairy tale like.  October is enchanting and colorful.  I hope where you live you can also enjoy this season and reach for your favorite comfort food recipes and enjoy some hot apple cider while you are reading your recipes and finding your perfect dinner to fix.   

Sneaking Around

My hubby is a real estate broker, and when he lists a new house, I get to go sneak around these homes and take pictures of their dwellings for hubby's listings.  My eyes are always sneaking and peeking at things I can take photos of for my own selfish purposes.  Sometimes, though, just sometimes there is a great home decorator out there, that knows how to make things look great, then there are those that have really great homes, and no clue how to make them look charming.  This house had a little bit of both.  It was a great looking cottage style house, actually I would love to snatch it up myself and re-do some things.

 

Take for example here, I see white, they see greens, and oranges.  What do you see? 

This bedroom is crying for a little make over.

I see some possibilities here too!  Maybe a very french looking kitchen.  Blues, white, a real french rustic kitchen. 

Hammock isn't a bad idea, but I want a big, huge white one maybe with that robin eggs blue table set that is in the photo a top of this post.  A little more landscaping too.  Thanks for going on a decorating stroll with me.  Put your mind at work for this little cottage too.  I know I saw lots of possibilities. 

Oh and by the way, there is an adorable fireplace in this house, but it has a insert, which I would completely get rid of, and paint that baby white!

Button Sampler

If you have some extra vintage buttons laying around, you can make a button sampler!  I used muslin cut two 5" x 7" pieces cutting a little extra for seam allowance.  Sew together, leave a small opening for turning right side out.  After sewing, turn right side out, stitch together opening.  Dye piece in a coffee bath or tea bath.  For aging I put the piece on a cookie sheet and bake until dry in a 250 degree oven.  It will leave you with a really aged look.  Then add your vintage buttons, various sizes.  I made one with all white colored buttons and this one with darker tones.  Add vintage safety pins for hanging or anything of your choice.  Just make it your way with your creative flare!  I saw this from a crafter a few years back and would give credit where credit is due, but it was awhile ago.  I love aging fabric, and love the aged look.  This is a great way to display those vintage buttons!

Background is my new note card design I have been working on.  They are finally finished and are selling in a box set of 6.  I will have them for sale at my Etsy Boutique later!

 

Giving Thanks

Hello everyone!  It's been a busy last couple of days, and I feel like I am neglected many things, but hopefully I will get myself organized today!  Carol from her blog Raised in Cotton nominated my blog for the "You Make Me Smile Award"!   Now it is my turn to pick 10 blogs that Make Me Smile and pay it forward.  I really appreciate Carol being so kind and including me with her 10 blogs, actually her picks are ones I would pick too, including hers but her graciousness has made me very thankful for all this bloggy friendship.  Okay so now I will share the 10 blogs that make me smile, which will be very hard to do, because there aren't any blogs out there that don't make me smile or inspired!  Thank you all!

1.  My new buddy Jen ~ The Cottage Nest

2.  Most talented Sara ~ Sadie Olive

3.  New found blog Lucy's Lounge at Tutti Chic

4.  Another new found blog McMaster & Storm

5.  Very inspiring Andrea ~ Velvet Strawberries

6.  Great gal, with a great name! Teresa ~ My Minutia

7.  Lovely, lovely Lidy ~ French Garden House

8.  Everyone's Favorite ~ Corey ~ Tongue in Cheek

9.  Love all the colors from Anna Maria Horner

10. And...one of my very personal favorites! Chris ~ Urban Prairie Refueled

I could pick many, many more, my sidebar is filling up quickly of my daily check out to see what they are doing blogs.  It seems I add a new one almost everyday!  Enjoy my picks and once again I am very thankful for all of this inspiration! 

Sights, Sounds, and Smell of Fall

This has been the most beautiful fall weekend.  The leaves on the trees are just gorgeous, although there are still quite a few that haven't turned color yet.  But what we have so far is enough to get me to feel that warm fall feeling.  Both of my kids were home this weekend from college.  It was so wonderful to have everyone home!!  Now they will be leaving and my heart will feel heavy for a day or two then I'll be okay again.  The smells from the kitchen are even different when they are home, my baby girl was in the kitchen making these yummy chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter frosting, courtesy of Barefoot Contessa at Home cookbook.  The whole family gathered at our house for a delicious and oh so fattening Indian taco feed.  Everything smelled so good with the crisp of the fall air, a smell of wood burning somewhere nearby, and delicious bread dough being fried.  Nothing better!  Now this morning the smell of coffee, bacon and pancakes cooking.  I love that homey feeling.  The kids will be taking off shortly one a 4 hour drive the other one, my son has a 9 hour drive ahead of him, which I am glad he got to have his glimpse of fall because it snowed 6 inches in Montana yesterday, so he is headed back to winter!   I hope your weekend was filled with yummy sights, sounds and smells of fall too! 

Pillow Talk

Let's talk pillows!  I love pillows.  Every shape, size, different colors, different patterns, I love them!  As you can see my couch above has a few selection of multi-dimension, patterned, colored pillows.  Really nothing matches, but they make me happy, and feel cozy.  My bed is loaded with assorted pillows also, which I would show you, but sorry not sure the bed is getting made today so no peeks this time.  When the kids are home my little pillows take to their name appropriately "throw pillows".  They don't like them, especially one certain tall kid (my daughter's fiance), he thinks they get in his way, so zoom off they go across the room and land in the chair that nobody sits in.  But when it's just me and the hubby and all the pets, the pillows stacked up again, tucked and cuddled.  They don't bother me, oh no, the more the merrier and the happier I am.   So tell me is your couch loaded with fluff too?