Cottage Beach House

One wall of my studio/ guestroom and another booth

2012-02-14T11:21:00.001-05:00

Holy toledo, it's been eleven full days since I posted anything. I have been very busy.
I finally got most of the guest room/ studio finished. I'm just revealing one wall today. The office area/ craft closet.
I have been using this room to pay my bills, blog, and to do small crafting. The banner of old hankies is my Valentine's touch. I plan to use my photos on canvas here. They are mostly beach shots.

I am temporarily using this vintage lacy tablecloth instead of a closet door,

but I like how it looks and might keep it.

This wall before I took over this room, just after my son moved out. He bought his own house. I really should get around to posting some of the renovations he did there, as well.
But back to this room. Here is the before of this particular wall.

Below is the sketch I drew up in September, and this is the wall on the left of that sketch.

My idea sketch of that wall... so things are coming along , a bit at a time.

More of that before room and the idea plan back in September's post here
I like how it is coming together from things I pretty much had somewhere in the house, just re-use, and recycling! Just trying to create a pleasing look with things I already have.

Except I did recently buy those hankies!

Another item I spent some time on is this pretty little suitcase table I made at the Beach House with a few coats of paint!

I also decided in late January to open another booth at the antique mall, North End Antiques, Cape May NJ
Last posting I did was about dressing the window there, for Valentine's Day, and now I decided to take the spot by the window. So I will be having lots of fun dressing that window for every Holiday!
Lots of projects that I had to get busy on for that room!
I have sold 3 desks since I opened my 1st booth in mid October so I figured I better paint another desk!

Lucky we had some sunny days and I worked this from the garage.
Half way through I remember the before shot.

And another frenchy nite table I was glad to get my hands on below. I will post the afters next time.

More to come on lots of other painting projects, later.
Partying here:
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Project 8 and 9 The Bureaux and the Fruit Stand

2012-02-03T14:30:00.002-05:00

Annie to the rescue! Annie Sloan paint that is. Moi did the hard part. The luggin and paintin and sandin.

This lovely bureaux needed a bit of help to shine.

this is her now

Below is how she use to look.
The top was ruined from some pieces of paper that had been left to soak wet clear into the finish

and two wheels were missing.. so she stood like some say I do... with a leen to the side! ....

Get it? Eileen.... yeah I know. I get it all the time. Dopey joke. :)
That's why you see books propping up her front feet.

But she was a great size dresser and had loads of potential so I snagged her up and transformed her to a sweet vintage piece. Even her drawers are sliding smooth as silk.

And the fruit stand was a side of the road save, I thought she was a farmhouse cutie patutie the minute I saw her, all upside down, legs outstretched . Her muffled cry for help.

I think with a generous helping of Annie Sloan grey, she worked out to be the perfect little beachy display stand.

So on to the next project I go!
Sharing with these linky parties.
Vintage Inspiration Fiday
Furniture Feature Friday
Feathered Nest Friday
Saturday Night special
Nifty thrifty Tuesdays

Valentine Heart from coffee filters Tutorial

2012-02-02T22:49:00.005-05:00

This Valentine Heart decoration is very easy to make but it will take a little time.
It makes a nice window display.

You will need these items.

poster board
knife or scissors
coffee filters (4 for each rose)
green frog tape
red food dye
a bowl to hold roses as they dry

1. Cut a heart out of poster board. I like to use a bowl to form the top portion and cut with an exacto knife or scissors.

2. Fold 2 filters in half, then in quarter, then in 1/8th

and Cut 2 different size petals out of four filters

3. Open

then fold in half now with scallops overlapping

4.Start to curl the small cuts in on an angle, from the center of the filter

keep curling

separating the filters, a little with your finger as you go, and keeping tight at the bottom center point.

5. Curl the larger cuts in around the small ones the same way.

curling 2 larger filter petal cuts around your two smaller filter petal cuts.

6. Secure with frog tape at center bottom

7. Push down on the petals a bit with your finger to bend and make more realistic

8. Mix a few drops of red food dye into a glass of water and paint a little on to each petal, separate and bend petals a little more

9. Let dry sitting up... I place them in slits cut in aluminum foil covered bowl

10. Bend your frog taped end a little, and glue with hot glue gun and press to poster board.

11. Rim the entire edge of the heart with the roses you painted with red food dye and water.

12. For the interior I simply pinched white filters and glued them down one by one

If you look closely you can see the interior is not formed roses,

It is just pinched filters for a wonderful effect.

And this is the end result.

If you just glue a ribbon on the back you can hang it on your door, or anywhere in your home.
Mine is currently decorating a window in the North End antique mall in Cape May NJ
I am going to have to get busy and make another for my front door!
Show and Tell Friday
creative-me-link

Project #7 of 2012 A Big Valentine Heart for a Window display

2012-01-26T17:23:00.002-05:00

A few years back I used to do window displays for an antique shop owner who was a friend of mine in Burlington city. And I also used to do the window displays at a fabric shop that I used to work at. I always enjoyed the creative outlet that dressing a window brings.
This year I've been given the opportunity to dress one of the windows at the North End Antique shop in Cape May NJ, which I have to say at first I didn't want the responsibility, but once I decided to go for it, I dove right in.

I made the huge Valentine heart myself with coffee filters.

I rimmed the edge with pink roses which I also made from filters and red food dye.

After forming roses out of about 4 filters, I painted the red food dye on just a little bit at a time so as not to entirely soak the paper. The above pic is in a dark room, true color is below taken in sunlight outside.

The interior of the heart is just pinched coffee filters, glued down.
It is a little labor intensive but so worth it in the end.

I really enjoyed decorating this window. Gotta have a few cupids in there.

And a pretty vintage beaded bag.......Now wouldn't that be nice if hubby bought that home for you?
That's why I hung it on the cowboy coffee pot ...;) wink, wink;)

I love vintage bags, and this one below is so cool.. it actually stands up on it's own,
so it was perfect to hold a small bouquet!

Below is a shot from the inside of the window before

And after I got done with it.

The pics are somewhat dark because the sun was setting. But isn't it pretty how it makes the white milk glass glow? My favorite part of this window display has to be the enamel ware.
I love it's farmhouse quality. I am searching for an old chippy beat up table that I can set up the bucket and coffee pot on.

I also love how the whole window glows at night from the outside!

I had lots of fun doing this, and whatever you are doing this week I hope you are loving it!

Lots of Love,

Eileen

Posting at the parties below

Vintage Inspiration Friday

Feathered Nest Friday

Inspiration Friday at the Picket Fence

Potpourri Friday #21 @ 2805
Saturday Night special

Project #6 Pottery Barn Decorative Ledge Copy

2012-01-22T18:23:00.004-05:00

I love the copy cat challenges that Debbie has at her blog, Debbiedoos... I have always been satisfied finding an alternative, more reasonable way to get the same look in home decor as those big expensive name brand catalogues.
Little by little I have been working on one of the bedrooms around my house and wanted a mantle in the guest room, but really don't have the space... or the mantle, so for my copy cat challenge I chose as inspiration this Pottery Barn decorative shelf that costs a wopping $399.00.. Which was only about $349.00 more than I was willing to spend!!

Pottery Barn Shelf $399.00

My version. Total cost 32.00

I wanted a wee bitty valentine slant so used some rose buds instead of votives

and a cupid votive holder.

Sorry these pics have shadows, the light is so poor in this room,

and it just snowed so the skies are dark grey.

It doesn't help that I am just learning this camera!

But I got this look with all stuff that I already had around the house,

except for the chippy corbels, that I found at

Home Goods for 15.99 each, fell in love with.. and drug home before I even knew what I would do with them!!

Isn't it fun and fulfilling to shop around your house and put things together?

That's why I love Debbies challenges, inspiration to create that mantle I wanted!

The simple floating shelf used to be in my office.

The vintage bottles I've had forever, hubby dug them up from the streets in Philly

The picture is one of my photos on canvas. ( coming soon in my etsy shop)

The carved wood decoration above used to be over my dining room door. I added that for interest, although it wasn't in the Pottery Barn version.

Have a great week, check out the fun party!

Magazine copy cat challenge

Good Life Wednesdays @ A Beach Cottage

White Wednesday @ Faded Charm

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

Primp Your Stuff Wednesday @ Primp

Project #5 What to do with an Old Tool box

2012-01-19T12:29:00.003-05:00

I found this wonderful old tool box I just had to bring home. It was love at first site.

It had lots of yucky old tools in it and encrusted with dirt

but....

It spoke to me... " I clean up nice"

and below is how I saw it in my head!

A bit of elbow grease and help from my dearest friend, Mr Clean magic eraser, and it went from
this:

to this:

And all dressed to party...filled with some chosen treasures, dried roses from my daughter's birthday, pretty china, vintage bottles.

In the Dining room.

My centerpiece at the Dining table morphs from one thing to another all winter long, just to entertain myself!

In the summer hardly anything at all will happen in here. I will be busy entertaining myself on the beach.

:0)

That little birdhouse in the background corner was a thrifted find that I adore, and I filled it with those bottle brush trees that I'm keeping out all winter.

This way it reminds me of peering thru the garden gate of an old mansion in winter, as a child.

Here's hoping these are the only snow covered trees I see all winter!!

Off to the partays!!
~White Wednesday # 135~
Under $100 linky party

The Shabby Chic Cottage

Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple
Vintage Inspiration Friday
Feathered Nest Friday
Welcome to Inspiration Friday #48!

Project #4 Sisal Rope Vase

2012-01-16T10:15:00.001-05:00

This was a real simple project I did while watching tv.

I was inspired by the item below, I spotted at Home Goods (again)

The minute I saw it I said to myself, " yep I can do that" "Already have everything I need!"

My only regret is not taking more, bigger, better, Inspiration pics with my iphone,

while waltzing around the store. It had a big plume of natural elements in it, but I already had them too in another vase at home.

I actually went back the next day to get a clock I loved, and thought about taking another picture but the vase was gone!

HOME GOODS VASE

MY REPLICA

A bit of tweeking and I settled on this arrangement

It was a simple craft done while watching NCSI, with my sisal rope, glue gun and an old ftd vase, that was actually in our donation box in the garage.

..and this is what I formed.

I like the shape of mine better than the one I saw at Home Goods, and I made sure this baby will not be unraveling!

A nice touch of coastal decor.

You like?

Partying with these wonderful gals
Creative Me Monday
Making Monday Marvelous #89
Between Naps on the Porch
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm

Project # 3 a Pressed Back Chair and renewing my booth

2012-01-13T15:50:00.000-05:00

I found this old Pressed Back chair

and pondered painting it....but Press Back Oak chairs have always been well liked, and sought after, just in their natural oak state, so I really didn't want to mess with history. They certainly have a wonderful, cowboy, prairie, heartland of America quality.

But changing the seat wouldn't hurt. It's probably been done many times since this baby was made.

So with my trusty old oil, and fine steel wool, I cleaned her up,
and got out the dropcloth to see what I could do about that seat.

I could not get the seat off to cover her so I hot glued the dropcloth onto the existing fabric, and added some trim. I also made an accent pillow for it with a vintage map fabric from 1994.

It's got nautical maps and conk shells on it.

Now she is sitting in front of a Tiger Oak desk with a safari vignette in front of her,

That hat which I thought was a safari hat actually turns out to be a helmet from World War 11

Worth quite a bit of money!

I covered that entire wall in burlap and did a bit of a safari theme for the Tiger Oak desk and Oak chair. with a few old botanical prints, Currier and Ives prints, and vintage clocks

And of course anyone doing all that work out in a safari...

is going to need a big ole jug of rum from a demijohn!

All waiting for a new home, at my booth in Cape May at North End,

on the masculine side of my booth.
I try to have a masculine side and a feminine side to appeal to all.

The other 2 walls are much more feminine with the white distressed desk I posted about last time, a 1950's Wilendur roses tablecloth, and some ruby glass and milk glass,

I know I have to cover this wall too, not crazy about the pegboard look!

But it is ready to remind those men of the upcoming Valentines Day. They all need to be reminded.
Most of them think about it at 4 pm on Valentine's Day!

Dont ya think?
Or do you have one of those dream boat romantics?

So that's what I've been up to with my latest projects.

Renewing and stocking my booth in Cape May at North End Antiques and Collectibles.

Farmhouse Friday

FEATHERED NEST FRIDAY

Vintage Inspiration Fridays

Project #2 for 2012 a found Vanity

2012-01-09T16:54:00.010-05:00

Project 2
This is one piece that spoke to me, one day as I walked with my grandbaby down the street from her house to mine. "Rescue me"it whispered, while 2 men were tossing things out of a house. so I stopped and looked and I asked if anything was wrong with this piece. They just had no use for it... so... back I walked to get my son's truck and rescue her I did.
But I did it again. Forgot the dark and oak-y shots...Got so excited and dove right in. Here is the finished product. Annie Sloan to the rescue on this abandoned vanity.

This vanity was all dark oak.
Halfway through the paint application, I did the dunce move on my head.. :)
"You dope you forgot the befores"
So you may have to imagine a wee bit of the before. Here is a couple shots I stopped and took.

The whole thing was dark

Then I got back to work on it.

My Inspiration:

I really like the highly distress look of this bureaux, below that I spotted and photographed,

at Home Goods

So I set out to do a similar finish.

A close up below of that inspiration bureaux.

And a close up of my vanity below when finished.

I'm pleased as puddin on how pretty she is.

And today she went in my booth in Cape May

I already had an admirer before I even got the tag on her.

That feels good.... I did take my time finishing her.

It was off and on work for 3 days, cause my life gets in the way.

You know how that goes, with laundry and dishes, and God forbid, anyone should need to eat!

But.. got her done.

Do you like it?

Joining in to these parties:

Metamorphosis Monday

Creative Me Monday

DIY Showoff

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

White Wednesday

Good Life Wednesdays

Primp

Overflowing with Creativity #4

Vintage Inspiration Fridays

FEATHERED NEST FRIDAY

Pearl and Lace party

Farmhouse Friday

First project for 2012 The Basement

2012-01-08T21:26:00.004-05:00

I needed to update the basement. And I went a little Frenchy.

I started with paint. I know bad blogger I didn't take before shots. Sometimes I get overwhelmed and excited and just dive in!!
The bottom half of the wall was wood paneling similar to the floor, which is a medium to light wood laminate. (It had been carpeting but we changed that out about 5 years ago.)
The top half of those walls were wallpaper which we had too much trouble getting off, so just painted over. I like how it turned out...The wallpaper had a texture so the paint looks neat.

The fresh coat of paint was nice but needed a bit more. ...I did get that before picture, after the paint was done..

After some organizing, hanging paintings, and cleaning up, time to get to the finishing touches.

I took an old cookie pan that was almost destined for the recycle bin,

And mod podged it into a tray for cocktails

With images from the Graphics Fairy

I gotta tell ya those sofas are slipcovered with a faux leather,that comes with separate seat covers I bought from Surefit 3 years ago and they have withstood the test of time and teenagers... boys no less! These slipcovers have held their ground on 2 totally different sofas, that are too old to comprehend.
Trust me you don't want to see them as a before!
One is a T cushion seat and one is a regular seat. These cover a hodgepodge of leftovers, they are the best slips I ever bought and have a soft suede like feel. I highly recommend them.

The seat with all the throw pillows, lift ups for storage and I just covered four kings size pillows

with dropcloth for seating

I added a mix of pillows we had with a few new ones from Home Goods

The old trunk has been around forever and was painted pink when I purchased it.
It got a fresh coat of a Behr color called "calming retreat", the same as on the walls.
It's a nice soft neutral beige with a tiny hint of pink, like soft sand, at sunset.

And a calming retreat is what the basement actually feels like now, when I want to get away from the noise above.
It even reflects more light the minute I open the door to head down there...( which I avoided when it was dark paneling )
A Frenchy candle here and there adds to the effect. Also mod podged with images from the "Graphics Fairy"

hmmmnn... maybe I will just start working down here in this space. It turned out pretty cozy.
What'ya think?

Joining the parties below:
Making the World Cuter Monday {January 9}
Metamorphosis Monday
good life Wednesday's

As winter Sets in.

2012-01-03T20:29:00.004-05:00

Now that the holidays are over, the sillouette of winter is upon us.

The sun is setting at 4:45

It will be a long time before I can pick these blooms again from the bush out front. It is merely a stick now.

The pool beyond the windowsill is closed with a sturdy cover, strong enough to hold an elephant.

The visiting ducks have flown to warmer places,

as we settle in for our long winter's nap.

I'm dreaming of playing in the sand, of warmer days, of strolling along the beach not fighting the wind

Of summer sunsets

As I pass the winter painting and crafting, working, and hibernating.

I'll take the white caps of waves over snow any day.

I prefer my winter would come and go with hardly a nod

Cabin fever strikes me quickly, the minute the cold sets in, I want to run off to Florida.

Do you?

Yes.. I've never heard anyone say " Darn the winter just wasn't harsh enough for me!"

I often come in from the cold chill and say"This weather is for the aliens"and my kids laugh at that.

So I pass the time working, and keeping warm, and fixing things and updating.

That's the upside, more time indoors, more things get done.

It gives me time to finish up the room I've been putting off. The guest room.

I normally get things done much quicker, this one is taking way too long. Started in September!

For me necessity is the mother of invention.

This room... I haven't felt that necessary. But I'm on it now.

I promised myself January is the month to complete it.

A peak at the chippy Urn I will be using in my new office/ guest room which I promise to post.

I love this urn. Nifty thrifty yard sale find.

I've been painting and primping lots of furniture and walls. Feathering the nest for winter.

When I cleaned up all the Christmas mess, I just couldn't put these away....

I think i will leave my little bottle brush trees in the cream cheese crate for the duration of winter.

I like how they look.

As I wait for the summer sun once again.

I do love the Seashore, and taking pictures of it.

Joining these parties

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @Coastal Charm

Knick of Time Tuesday #15 {Vintage Style Link Party}
Boogie Board Cottage
Feathered Nest Friday
Vintage Inspiration Fridays

Happy New Years 2012

2011-12-31T23:50:00.004-05:00

Wishing everyone in blogland a very Happy New Year.

I went shopping yesterday at my favorite store, "Home Goods" and found a few great things, this clock being one of them. I have to decide if it's going in the Dining room or Family room.

We stayed home this year, just watching New year's Rockin' Eve.
I made the candles from images downloaded at "The Graphics Fairy" I just mod podged them onto plain candles and tied on a bit of twine.

Relaxing, reflecting. Thinking how quickly time flies.

While we're burning the days.

Hunkering down for winter. Hopefully not as bad as last year,

but it was so pretty

Last New Years eve we went to see Sarah McGlaughlin at Ceasars's Atlantic City casino..I adore her voice. That was a great night. We had super seats and they dropped a bunch of balloons at midnight.

Sarah was very gracious and came close to greet us in the front.

But I am enjoying my night at home, this year, just as much!

Onward we go, never knowing what's around the next corner.

May the road rise to meet you, may the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
May the rain fall softly on your feilds.
And until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of his hand.

Saturday Night Special
Brag Monday @ The Graphics Fairy
Motivate me Monday @ Keeping it Simple
Table Top Tuesday

2011 in review

2011-12-28T23:58:00.007-05:00

Going backward over the past year, I realize it has been a very inspiring and very busy year. I really enjoyed blogland and visiting so many creative woman.
Even though my kids are mostly grown we still really enjoy our Christmas, and this year Santa bought his big burlap bag of surprises.

Everyone came over to open presents.

The Duke was patient and good as gold while we opened our gifts

and he got his own little ornament from a neighborhood friend!

And grand baby had the best-est time.

December Merry Christmas... was a blast, I love to decorate, and even got help from the dog!

Duke help create this vignette below when I worked on the Dining room, here

I decorated the mantle for a challenge here

November ...went to Denver for a girls weekend

came home to prepare a great Thanksgiving

October...Early pumpkin picking

and gourd gathering, I found this awesome black gourd, that looked just like a ball and claw foot.

In Oct I also opened a booth in Cape May NJ at North End garage

in Late October I went to New Orleans where I took a zillion pictures of houses, It is a pretty neat city.

and came home to pumpkin carving on Halloween!

September... my youngest went off to college, I missed her as I dressed the shore cottage for Fall

Painted some furniture with my sis

August... my son bought a house and moved out, so I began to re-decorate his room.
And 2 puppies came home with us, well one for us, one for my grown daughter.

July... was spent at the shore house, lazy days on the beach,

also saw Ringo Starr at the Casino, and re-decorated one of my daughter's rooms, here
We beachified it.

June ..A wonderful prom and fun High School graduation party

and went back to Florida and visited hot springs

May... Opened the pool, lots of gardening,

redid the patio

spruced up the shore cottage here

April...went on a trip to the Florida Keys with my sis.

March...Went to Florida and Beachified the dining room, posted about the table intervention here

This Florida dining room was my favorite transformation this past year... I had wanted to do something for a long time. the before was hideous!!

.....scratch that .....
THIS was my favorite.. the kitchen redo

February... finished renovation of my kitchen... complete tour here...

January ...started renovation of my kitchen

That's 2011 in a nutshell, backwards! All good stuff.
In between all this, lots of tables got painted, chairs got re-made, and crafty things got done.
I had a ton of fun, looking back, hope you enjoyed it too!
sharing at these linky parties
White Wednesday
Wow us Wednesdays
Vintage Inspiration Fridays
Show and Tell Friday
Feathered Nest Friday
Saturday Night Special

Christmas Decor Ideas

2011-12-18T17:06:00.001-05:00

I added a few new elements to the Christmas decor today. Decided to add a small tree to the family room, that's where I watch TV at night, so I can see it's twinkle all the time. The big tree is in the living room, I only get to admire it when I am passing by. So I added this little one to the table with the Nativity.

I dressed it all in white with just a few of my book page angels.

which I posted how I make here

We have a white/ snowflake theme going on around the house this year, with lots of puffy white snow as a backdrop for just about everything, so when

I found some of those big white snowflakes I've been seeing around blogland, I couldn't resist adding a few to my windows for a wintry feel, in the dining room,

I love the golden glow outside on the bare tree branches today!

And more snow drops in the family room

And a few vintage additions

In the family room on an old basement window I found at the curb years ago with all broken glass.

.I had the busted glass replaced with mirrors, attached a shelf and distressed painted it all at least 10 years ago. It is still one of my favorite wall pieces in my house.

I love the old original locking hooks.

I usually have a few pictures on it and some roses garland but of course it has to get dressed for Christmas.

And on the dining buffet I added a couple little old cream cheese crates.

I almost passed this little crate below by, because I didn't like the area where someone once almost painted it green, but I decided it was coming home with me anyway, at such a great price...
3 dollars!! I've learned to accept it's imperfection.
What struck me about these 3 crates is they all have different brand names, and it really surprised me because I thought Philadelphia brand Cream Cheese was the only one that made cream cheese!

I think they will add some nice vintage charm to my kitchen even after the Holidays, don't you?

And just a dab more bling in the family room, with some branches cut from the bottom of our real tree, , added to a shiny urn.

It's the most wonderful time of the year.

............well.... besides summer time!

Sunday Scoop
Sunday Blog Love
White Wendesday

A little Christmas Tour

2011-12-13T19:44:00.002-05:00

A little Christmas Tour

The Entry:

A Christmas village which my daughters always enjoy setting up.

With a tiny nativity scene

The Duke who was kind enough to pose for me.

The Tree
It's always real because I like how it smells.
We chose a simple red and silver theme this year. You can imagine I have a really lot of hand made ornaments from when the kids were little ( 6 kids) but this year we decided not to put them up. Something different. Mary and I chose something more simple we went with all the red and silver things we had and many are from long ago, some the last few years.

I love the simple silver beaded garland

The Mantel
inspired by a picture in Southern Living magazine for Debbie-doos Holiday copy cat challenge,
posted about here

The Nativity
Now set up on that table to the right of the mantel.

I gave the Nativity it's own table this year next to the mantel.

This gave me more room to create the clouds with snow and lights behind for a heavenly appearance.

My mom gave me this set purchased from Avon some thirty years ago.

I love how they are all porcelain white figures.

The angels I purchased about 10 years ago, at a dollar store.
They are porcelain too and go perfectly with it.

A bit of Christmas bling in the Family Room

The kitchen gets a tiny bit of Christmas. The very little houses are really vintage, they were my moms.
I used to love to set them up as a kid.

And the Dining Room, which was the first room to get dressed and I posted about that here.

I still have a few lighted garlands to put up on the steps and doorways.

For the most part it's pretty simple this year.

I hope everyone has a happy and healthy Holiday!

Posting at the following

~White Wednesday # 130~

Christmas Scapes Party

Wow us Wednesday

Before and after French Provincial table

2011-12-12T19:46:00.000-05:00

I should have been Christmas shopping but..

This morning while I had my coffee, I transformed this table with a nice cleaning and freshened it up with some creamy white paint.

This is how it looked when I found it. It was in dire need of some care, some love, some TLC.
And since painting and working with my hands is good therapy for me, I was in the mood today.

It has the prettiest marble top

And now it's quite the gem...Don't ya think?

What a difference some paint makes, huh?

I put this one in my booth in North End Garage in Cape May New Jersey.

sharing at Metamorphosis Monday

Show Off Your Cottage Monday

White Christmas Dining Room

2011-12-10T11:24:00.002-05:00

I am making it simple for myself this year and keeping my Christmas easy peasy.

A pretty all white wreath that I made hangs by the door,

I'm bringing out the hand crochet tablecloth that I love. It reminds me of snowflakes.

Our dog Duke decided to help with the decorating this year. He came hoping in the back door dragging this big old wintry branch with him. (How he got it in without breaking it, I can't figure!) but as I picked it up to throw it away, ( grumbling at him and the mess he was making for me) I took a second look at what the dog had just dragged in. ...It rather resembled some branches I'd seen around for sale in the home Decor stores that I liked. .....I really liked it. And I knew the perfect spot for it.

with some book page angels added

Silver balls, little brush tree and greens from the yard. Thanks Duke for the inspiration!

And a vintage book that says KING to honor Christ

The table gets my frosty vintage bottle dressed in greens

It's a simple centerpiece that will leave plenty of room for the Christmas feast.

To create a tiny village, the corner cabinet is getting my mom's biscuit jar

Which I accidently dropped the lid and broke in my 20's

and I remember mom and I glueing it back together!

I've added a few dollar store houses and figures to it to create a little town.

So that's pretty much it for my Dining Room this Christmas, I might add some white lights that's all.

I'll be joining some fun linky parties this weekend.

Vintage Inspiration Friday

Feathered Nest Fridays

No Minimalist Here

White Wednesday

My Christmas Mantel 2011

2011-12-04T20:54:00.004-05:00

Today I finally got my Christmas mantel together. Yippee Skippee I am so excited!

I was inspired by a picture in Southern Living magazine.

Southern Living Mag

I had fun gathering stuff I had already to create my version. I made these stockings from dropcloth and vintage lace, I picked up in Cape May, NJ

Some fluffy white snow

A bit of white tulle fabric with silver stars.

Filled the top with greens picked from the yard and white decorations I normally stick in the tree, silver balls and pine cones.

Love the fluffy white and silver.

And although I don't have access to paper whites, like the magazine shot, I love how mine turned out.
The Southern Living shot, top left.

My Mantel, top left..

These little pails are the only thing I didn't already have in the house, and I found them at target for 1 dollar each. So I spent 4 bucks.
I have a deep dark desire to paint my entire mantel white, but no time this year, so when I found a picture I loved of a wood mantel I made a note of it, and planned on doing something as similar as possible.

The bottom area on the left in Southern Living Mag..

and my version..

I was going to wrap a real gift with some brown paper but I couldn't resist these cute bags at Target, I know I will use for $ 1.00

My final version after a few tweeks. I like the addition of the large jingle bells.

I moved some of the bottom items to something a bit more agreeable for us.

I will probably change the center to a manger scene in a few days.

I have a great old pure white manger scene from avon that my mom bought me many years ago and I traditionally always use that. Unless I decide to go elsewhere with it.

This one will do until I get to more boxes in the basement though.

So this is my christmas mantel for 2011

And this is the Inspiration Photo

Well, I don't have those wonderful built ins next to my fireplace, but I used what I had.

I am participating in the Holiday Copy Cat challenge

there's a party all week long

Lot's of great parties I will be joining:Met MondayShow off your cottageThrifty Tuesday @ Coastal CharmMantel Link Party White Wendesday

Book Page Angel Christmas Garland

2011-12-02T18:40:00.005-05:00

This time of year is such an inspirational time. There are always so many fun crafty things to make, and getting the house all dressed up for Christmas is so much fun. I like things that are vintage or remind me of vintage.
I made this simple garland out of old book pages, twine and sand dollars.

A few little nautical knots in between

I used for each one, 2 book pages folded accordian style and then almost in half. The shorter end creates the wings.
Glue the bottom/ longer portions together, with a string or twine in between for your hanger, and then glue on your sand dollar face.

Tie to twine. Intersperse with 2-3 inch sand dollars, and a few nautical knots. That's it.

I'll probably put these on my tree, when that goes up.
I got lot's more to make.
I'm also working on this pine cone and starfish garland for the tree or the mantel.

I can't really decide.

Better get busy.

Happy Holidays!

Thanks for stopping by.

Joining in on some fun Holiday Parties:
Feathered Nest Fridays with Courtney
Coastal Christmas @ Sally lee by the Sea
Coastal Charm with Linda
Funky Junk Interiors with Donna
Get Schooled Saturday

Jingle Bell Mason Jar Christmas Lantern

2011-11-26T23:14:00.006-05:00

I'm looking forward to the Christmas Holiday.

I'm starting to make my little Christmas crafts, and wanted to share my Christmas Lantern with you. It's real simple to make. You can use them as a decor item on your mantle, window, or front porch, or give them as a gift.

start with a simple mason jar
add silver bells or pine cones

tie a little piece of silver ribbon, into a bow around the jar

add a couple jingle bells for embellishment
insert a tea light candle, you can use the little battery operated ones so you can put the lid back on the jar.

Tie a bit of wire around the top to create a handle by twisting the sides

Turn on your candle and put the lid on. (If using a real tea light candle, leave lid off)

The little tea light that I used actually have their own internal timer and they go on for 5 hours and off for 19 hrs. they vary colors, from white to red, to green to blue. I picked them up at Home Depot.

You can also just get them in just white, and set them all in a row. Hang them from a flower pot holder.

Or a little spot on your buffet.

And just sit back and watch it flicker.

Wishing everyone a peaceful and beautiful Holiday season.
Posting at:
Funky Junk Interiors
Pink Saturday
DIY Showoff
Christmas Inspiration party
Metamorphis Monday
The girl Creative
Crafty Lassie Tuesday
Sassafrass Salvation

The countdown to Turkey Day begins

2011-11-21T15:02:00.010-05:00

I finally got my butt in gear and started getting the dining room buffet and table ready for Thanksgiving day.
I really just moved around things I had. Put bowls and pitchers I will use in an easy to reach spot on the buffet. streamlined my centerpiece so we can fit place settings.

I still have to add another table and many more chairs, We are having 11 I think....so I will be moving more things around tomorrow!!
But I wanted to at least get started. I was going to get a folding table but I remembered I actually have a small drop leaf in the garage that needs some work, so I am hoping to use that.
Crazy me started last night at 12 when all went to bed!
Do you do that too?
Sometimes it's the only peaceful moments I can find.

These candles are the flameless ones I picked up at dollar tree and when I tried peeling the labels off the didn't completely come off so I wrapped them in leaves and twine!!

Moved a few things from the entry,

and pulled some out of the China closet for the buffet decor.

I will use these things. the soup tureen will hold the stuffing, chicken holds the butter..

And how do you like my little white leaf plate? I just picked that up out junkin!! I love it and wish I'd have gotten the other. There were two.

I added a few more old Ball and Atlas jars to my corner cabinet this week.

I think I may need a whole shelf going across the ding room wall just under the molding,

if I don't stop buying them!! It's an addiction.

I just couldn't resist adding a few sand dollars and starfish

Just a few more tweeks

Got all the food this morning, and making coleslaw tonight.
I got all the extra chairs up from the basement, and added a folding table so we can seat 10 or 11
Moved things around again.
I guess I should really consider painting the wood chairs white!!
What do you think?

Oh gees... I still I have to get my Turkey platter up from the basement!!

My favorite tweek is the addition of my daughter, Mary's 24 pink roses,

her honey bought them for their 2 yr anniversary of dating. One rose for each month. Isn't that so sweet?
and what a joy to put them in my Mom's old ironstone pitcher from the early 1900's that Mom found in my grandmom's attic, it came with the house.

I'm excited for Thanksgiving Dinner!! It's our first Thanksgiving in our new kitchen, we started the kitchen in January!!
If you stayed this long, I hope I havent' bored you with my rambling on!!

Thank you for stopping by my blog. Happy Turkey Day!
It's time to set up those dishes...

Some fun linkies parties:
Metamorphisis Monday @ Susan's
Primp your stuff Wednesdays
White Wednesdays
Wow us Wednesday
Whatever Wednesdays
Good Life Wednesdays
Share the Love Wednesday @ Very Merry Vintage Style
Transformation Thursdays
Feathered Nest Fridays
Vintage Inspiration Friday
Farmhouse Friday

Vintage and Pumpkins and Lace, Oh My

2011-11-21T01:11:00.003-05:00

I recently opened a booth at the North End Antiques and collectibles in Cape May NJ.
I love crossing over the bridge into Cape May and seeing all the boats!
I also love the colors that the beach grasses change to this time of year!

I know I have to hunker down at home and get myself ready for Thanksgiving Day,

and I will really get on the ball tomorow...

After all, pumpkin pies must be made for this little cutie pie.. my grand daughter.

But I have to tell you, I have really been enjoying setting up my little shop down on the Cape.
I especially love the shore when it is quiet.

I did a redo on this old desk with some Annie Sloan paint. I love how easy it distresses.

It used to look like this....

back to the finished product,... quick.

And this cute little french vanity below got a coat of one of my favorite white paints by Behr, Cottage White.
I slightly distressed the edges.

Sorry these aren't the best pics. It was rainy and dark out that day.
That little vanity's look before I slapped it senseless with some cottage white ..

She is much better now,
but I do want to pair it with a small mirror. and I recently found the perfect one to work on. You can see the one in my booth is too large for her.
Peek to the right and you will see a pair of vintage barkcloth drapes from the forties in the background,

these were always a favorite romantic shabby pair of drapes,
and some
gorgeous vintage French lace which fits nicely on a twin bed.

I hope you'll follow me as I have fun in this new adventure.
Here's wishing everyone in blogville have a healthy and Happy Thanksgiving!!

Thanks a million for stopping by!

Partying with these lovely ladies..

Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays

Wicked Awesome Wednesday

Thanksgiving is coming quick

2011-11-17T10:42:00.004-05:00

I can hardly believe it is nearly time for the big Turkey Day. This is the time of year I pull out the crystal and silver. I love the reflective quality.

I am wondering what all my blog friends will be doing Thanksgiving Day.

Cooking at your place or visiting?

I always have thanksgiving at my house. Do you have any traditions? We have a few.
I ask everyone to say what they are thankful for this past year.
My husband always says " I'm thankful dinner is finally done!"
I usually take the more serious route and express my thanks for my entire family's health this past year.
That truly is a big blessing.
I am happy to say that this little white milk glass turkey, I recently found, which is exactly like one my mom used to have, will be joining our Thanksgiving table this year, holding the butter.

Isn't it the cutest? I adore it.
A few little touches around with fall Decor and we are ready for that big cooking day.

Maybe some leaves brought in from the cold...

Some splashes of pumpkin colors in my cottage white hutch.

And the table awaits it's plates and guests.

I won't actually set my table till the day before thanksgiving because we use it everyday!! ;o)

Sharing at:
White Wednesday
No Minimalists Here
Good Life Wednesday
Feathered Nest Friday
Vintage inspiration Friday
Show and Tell Friday
Funky Junk Interiors

Hiking in Roxborough State Park Colorado

2011-11-15T03:02:00.001-05:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Reebok Settlement for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I recently went to Colorado for a really fun girls weekend. A sweet friend lives out there near the Roxborough State Park, and invited housewives from all over the U.S. We had so much fun. My favorite part was when 5 of us women went hiking in the mountains of the state park.

The scenery was incredible. I am so glad I brought my favorite sneekers along. I've had a few different brands of the tone and fit type sneeker and the pair I picked while packing for this trip is my most comfortable pair, the Reebok Easy tone.

These are the ones I pick whenever I know I will be walking for a long period of time. They start comfortable and stay comfortable. We hiked all the way up to the top of this cliff.

Someone had built a look out tower up there and it was pretty awesome. More about that later.

I recently read that there is a class action suit against Reebok for possible violations of some state laws regarding the marketing or sale of toning shoes and apparel.

If you purchased certain Reebok toning shoes or apparel between December 5 2008 and October 12, 2011 you may be eligible to receive payment from a class action suit. This is a class action suit.

Reebok settlement

Personally, I love my Easy Tone sneekers.

I have very difficult feet and yet these Reebok Easy tones work well for me.

EasyTone Settlement

The eligible shoes in this settlement are: Easy Tone, Run Tone, Jump Tone, Slim Tone, Train Tone, simply Tone and Easy Tone Flip.

The eligible apparel are: Easy Tone Capri,Easy tone shorts, Pants, Sleeveless shirt, Easy tone Long Bra Top and Easy Tone Short Sleeve top.

So If you purchased any of these in the last 3 years ( Dec 5, 2008 to Oct 12, 2011 ) you may be eligible to receive money back!

Reebok refunds

Reebok denies any wrongdoing. The court did not decide. The parties have decided to settle.

The toll free number is 1 888-398-5389

Halloween 2011 for Our Gang

2011-11-01T10:50:00.003-04:00

New Orlean's was fun and a trove of eclectic culture. that city has some gorgeous buildings. Some will be showed off in another post. But first, I have to show you the fabulous pumpkins from yesterday.

I got home from New Orleans just in time for the Pumpkin Carving Fest that was taking place at my house. My family was busy carving all these.

Even though my house is almost an empty nest, ( one child home out of 6) I am lucky that most of my children live nearby and come over often to get together share a meal, and have some fun!

I was so amazed that my daughter, who is 19 free-handed and carved this pumpkin from an image she saw on the internet.
We didn't realize until we put it outside that not only is it a witch but if you look at the eye area... you can also see it's an owl... isn't that neat?

This was a big 40 lb pumpkin we picked 2 weeks ago and everyone had to take turns carrying!

My other daughter free- handed this owl one below..and my son's girl free handed the ghost one. I stuck to the old tried and true traditional carving.

Then we stuck them all outside for the trick or treaters!

What a fun night we had! How was your Halloween?
Partying with these gals:

Making the World Cuter
Made by you Monday
Good Life Wendesdays

Fall Decor on White Hutch and Corner Cabinet

2011-10-25T20:48:00.002-04:00

Just a few pics of some of the fun I have around the house decorating for Fall.

I love to use vintage bottles for just about everything.

Don't you agree they have a beauty all their own, come any season.

And i've been moving things from hutch to table. Just foofin around, enjoying the sunlight.

Adding simple little adornments to the bottles.

And tying up little stacks of pumpkin colored vintage books from the thirties.

I like how these little hints of autumn colors stand out, set against my white hutch, and my corner cabinet at our home.

A couple black ravens escaped from the basement to bring in the Halloween spirit. :0)

Hope ya'll have a super Happy Halloween this weekend!
Joining these parties:
Nifty Thrifty Tues @Coastal Charm
Wow Us Wednesdays #37
~White Wednesday # 123~
Good Life Wendesday @ A Beach Cottage

Transformation thursdays @ Shabby Creek Cottage

Picky and Pickier hit Cape May, Paint the town!

2011-10-23T11:51:00.002-04:00

I had great weekend and hope all of you in Blogville did too !
My sis and I went to Cape May for the film festival and had a good time. Come to think of it, last week was pretty cool too.
I used Annie sloan chalk paint for the first time last week, and I have to say it's a fun paint to work with.
I was thinking it was sort of expensive. But once i used it, I changed my mind. it goes a long way, and you really do not need to prime.
Here is the piece I worked on. I chose the paris Grey as my first paint color to try.

I hand sanded along the edges in strategic places for a worn, distressed look.
I love how this paint sands off!

I lined all the drawers with pretty paper. And re-used the original hardware.

Here is how it started out... pretty beat up and worked over.

I also got the opportunity to live what has been one of my life long desires, which was to join one of those co-ops down in Cape May, N. J.
I finally was able to get a little spot! I am so happy to be setting it up with all my vintage finds from over the years. This piece is one of the first pieces to go in.

I discovered this place called The North End Garage just a few weeks ago, and they had a spot open,

so I didn't think too hard about it. I signed right up.

I had just come from the West End Garage where I purchased my paint, and inquired about a spot, which there seems to be a waiting list for. So I was very pleased to get in here.

Cape May is one of those Beach resort towns that have a super ambiance with lots of gorgeous Victorian homes. It has some of the prettiest seaside cottages and mansions on the east coast.

So today my sis and I strolled the streets for one last time before she goes back to Florida for the winter!

One last adventure for this year, for Picky and Pickier.

Here are a few photos of why we adore this cute little town.

Just walking through this town is sheer joy.

Fabulous wrought iron fences are all over this town from the heyday of iron workers in Philadelphia.

No 2 house are ever exactly the same.

There are a few that look similar here and there, but all are painted differently.

No matter how many times my sis and I go to Cape May, we always find different houses to drool over.

There are wonderful old slate sidewalks everywhere!

And many still have the hitch for the horse out front.

And do you know what this thing below is?

Can you guess?

The hitch to the right of it might give you a clue.

It is an old step from the days when stepping down out of a horse drawn carriage could be tricky.

Pretty neat huh?

And I am sure each home has a story all it's own.

This one below could have been used in the Practical Magic movie, they wouldn't have had to build it.

Susan at "between naps on the porch" did a beautiful post last week of all the interior shots of the

Practical Magic house.

I enjoyed my stroll, I hope you did too!

Joining some parties!

Perfectly Imperfect

House in the Roses

Between Naps on the Porch

Favorite things to do in the Autumn?

2011-10-20T11:19:00.003-04:00

Sorry I haven't posted much during October, but I have been busy painting and a million other things.
I am still working on the guest room/ slash office re-do, and will post some of my progress this weekend.
But I've been waltzing around town taking some pictures here and there, and I wanted to share with you some of the things I enjoy the most in the fall season.
I still love the beach this time of year!

Who wouldn't love this feast for the eyes. The clouds make it so pretty, don't they?

My Cottage is up in that cluster of houses.

Beach Cruisers waiting for the return of their owners as they walk on the beach,

no need for chains and locks.

Just around the bend of the beach up here...it looks like you can jump and touch those clouds!

Around the bend is the lighthouse.

Looking Halloweenie even without it's decor yet.

I've discovered a few new shops too, and especially wanted to mention

the North End Garage in Cape May.

I was drawn in immediately when I spotted the front window. I love vintage bottles.

they're multi-colored glass sparkling in the sun.

I love to browse around these places. this one has a few different dealers.

I love all the different rugs on the floor.

I adore this perfect size trunk.

So eclectic.

And this cute little dresser has smuckers lids as handles. I love that idea!

Ok.. so I have to get back to working on my guest/ office room. I posted that plan here.

I knew it would be a long journey, lots of other things to do along the way.

This bed and this bureaux below are what I have been working on, painting

Here is a sneak peak at the bed still in progress.

It is a three step process, for the many layers look I'm after.

the headboard just has the grey as of yet.

the footboard has the 2nd step also

Annie Sloan Paris grey

Then Annie sloan Off white dry brushed over that

Then some sanding.

This entire room is being redone with just the cost of paint.

All the furniture I am using has been taken from different rooms in the house or storage.

And this pretty antique pitcher will be getting a sweet spot in the new room.

Isn't it the sweetest thing?

I'm off to do some more work on my little Frenchy room.

Have a great weekend!

Join in some partays!!!!

Transformation thursdays

Creative things Thursdays

Under $100

Feathered nest Fridays

Vintage inspiration Fridays

Flaunt it Friday 75 and a Giveaway!

Show and Tell Friday

Addicted 2 decorating

Last night's Beautiful Beach Walk

2011-10-01T12:27:00.001-04:00

Has anybody noticed how pretty the sky has been this last week?
I went for a walk in the evening last night and this is what I saw!

Good Lord above!

It's so nice to have the modern technology of an I-phone. I bring it along to listen to the ipod feature as I walk. And accept phone calls if I need to, but this time....I just could NOT stop taking pictures.

September is a fantastic time at the Jersey shore. The beauty is all around for peaceful enjoyment.
I love the pink reflections. And all this glory is only the light bouncing off these clouds above the ocean, because the sun doesn't set here, it sets behind us... in the wetlands.
And that is it's own fabulous spectacle.

But here by the inlet and ocean in North Wildwood, all of the clouds capture the colors of that setting sun to produce this gorgeous show for us!.

As I walk down the beach on the sand at 6th street,

I realize I will miss this place when the deep of Autumn comes, and , hush the word, Winter.

Even now with a soft warm drizzle falling on me. It feels wonderful. After a long, fairly hot walk.

But it's time to turn back. To today.
And it's gorgeous out... once again.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cottage Beach House Down the Jersey Shore for Fall

2011-09-30T16:01:00.003-04:00

Last post I showed you our front porch and entry. Now I wanted to show you the Cottage Beach House at the Jersey shore dressed up for fall..
At this house, I don't have a mantle to dress so I do the hutch.

I think my favorite thing is the vintage book stack in Autumn colors, especially because the top one says "The Islanders" in orange. These were just thrifted and set up today. I have been searching for pumpkin colored old books that were not too expensive for weeks.

Love. Amour.
And another very lucky thrift find. Today. This adorable seed can in pumpkin color!
I think the Gods walked with me today.

The gravy boat is an oldie but goodie, and she only shows her orange flower this time of year!

I found some adorable gourds at the local market for 50 cents each. they look like birdies.
See them perched up on top?

And these little birdies on the books, look to me like they may be planning their escape!

I think they are saying "If we could just make our way up to those pine cones above!"

Maybe hoist ourselves up with that string!

All the way to the top.

Or jump down and perch on that sea grass before we fly off. :o)

Let's go visit with those gourds that think they are birds outside on the ledge!

And right out the front door!

Going over to
FEATHERED NEST FRIDAY
Inspiration Friday @ At the Picket Fence

Vintage Inspiration Friday:# 57 Fall Front Porch Inspiration

Funky Junk Interiors

DIY Fall Porch and Door Decor, a Lantern and Garland

2011-09-28T19:00:00.010-04:00

The porch decor for Autumn is simple, just a pumpkin in an urn and some pine cones and gourds in a favorite ceramic dish.

The impatiens are still pretty so, they get to stay a bit longer, soon they will be replaced with mums... but not today.

I love my fairies so they are out till the weather gets nasty, around November 15th or so!

I wanted to make something a little different this year than the usual leaf wreath for the door. Don't get me wrong I love leaf wreaths and think they really look so pretty this time of year. I made a few myself, last year.
But I just wanted to change it up this year. So I made a few new things...

A door Decoration,
An Acorn Lantern,
A garland from twine, acorn and starfish.

Easy as Pie.
For the door.
I started with some drop cloth, wheat stalks, acorns,and a few old corn stalks.

I fastened the dropcloth to a corkboard ( staple gun)

tied twine around my wheat

tied and glued acorns to the twine

fastened the whole thing to the canvas, letting the twine garland spill.

added a few corn stalks.

And done!

It's a little different but.. I am happy with it.

I love how it looks on my door.

Come on in and take a peak at the entryway.

Just inside the door is my Acorn Lantern, I plan to make a ton of these for Halloween

And some of my acorn garland wrapped around the mirror. We have tons of acorns around here, so I scoop up as many as I can, and make these garlands by glueing baby starfish and tying and glueing the acorns to twine. easy, but time consuming.

I love when the Acorn Lantern is lit.

So those are my simple, and pretty much, really thrifty, Fall decor ideas.

Hopin over to these linkies:
Good Life Wednesdays @ A beach Cottage
Creative Things Thursday @ The Vintage Farmhouse

The Shabby Creek Cottage
Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground
FFeathered Nest Friday @ French country Cottage
Inspiration Friday @ The Picket Fence
Somewhat Simple

Happy Fall Y'all
Joining in on the fun below:

Rhoda's door Decor

A Simple Fall Mantle

2011-09-26T23:27:00.001-04:00

I wanted to post about a mantle decoration for Layla's linky party Tuesday Sept 27th.

I've done just a few small things to decorate for Fall around here. I have to admit I'm not real enthusiastic about it because, I hate to see the summer leave us. I know all too quickly that the leaves will all be changing on the trees and then falling off.
Leaving us with bare trees, and dark skies for months and months.
We just closed our pool, 2 days ago!
When I begin the Fall decorations before the leaves actually turn yellow and red, it is a little hard for me to ... ummmnn...get into it.
I usually like to really wait until the trees are turning. Then there is actually a pretty glow to the sky. And I can really use the leaves that are falling. This picture below is from last year, in November. We are a long way from this yet, and I am not one to rush anything in my life.

I like how the grass is still so green and pretty in this picture.

And the flowers are still in their glory.

Nothing looks like this yet around here. Everything is still as green as can be.
But blogland is calling me... for a Fall mantle...so this is what I've done. Nothing fancy because It's not a great big fireplace here, the big fancy fireplace is in my Florida home...Ironic isn't it?

Here.. in the cold Northeastern US, I only have a gas fireplace and the big screen is above it, so I'm not big on decorating it. Just not much room. But I love my mantle that is above my kitchen oven, so just a few touches to change it for the Fall...

Some leaves and a gourd or 2

A bit of wheat in a vintage bottle

And i can't decide on the plate

I kinda like this one even though it has pink in it and that is probably more suitable to a spring mantle, but I really like the warmth it's bringing in with it's gold and green leaves.

I'll probably change it 5 times till I'm content.
Thanks for stopping by my blog.

Joining the Lettered Cottage Fall Linky party
Coastal Charm's Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

A thrifting adventure in Cape May and the Irish Fall Festival in Wildwood

2011-09-26T11:54:00.003-04:00

I had a great weekend, How was yours? I hope you took it easy and enjoyed life a bit!
I found a really neat rusty wire basket thrifting in Cape May. Only 5 bucks! I bought it home and have finally started my Fall decorating. Gotta love those dollar store pumpkins and ghourds.

I can never bring myself to do it until the actual start of Fall. I'm not one of those end of August Fall decorators. I actually enjoy the dog days of August and squeeze out the very last drop of summer here in the Northeastern USA.

I figure the rain, cold, snow, and wetness will be here to stay for more than long enough when it does arrive.

And a Fall garland I am working on from found acorns and twine..

You can't get much thriftier than free.

My chippy old rusty, vintage wall pocket, will get some new pumpkin colored mums too.

When is it that you begin your Fall decorating?

There is a big Fall festival every year at this time to celebrate the arrival of Fall down in North Wildwood NJ.

It can get a bit crazy but is always fun

.

And this festival is what always gets me started with the Fall decor... And my absolute favorite has to be the 2 little white pumpkins!

I picked them up from the dollar store. Wish they had more than 2. Just the touch the entry table needs without changing the rest of the decor.
I got lots more to do to catch up around here. Summer straglers are coming out and Mums are going in my chippy old mexican pots,

I kinda like the fall decorating , so I will be doing a little more.

It's the winter that I don't like... not one little bit.

Have a great week ladies.
Nifty thrifty tuesdays @ Coastal Charm

Thrifty Treasures @Southern Hospitality

Met Monday @Between Naps on the Porch

Rescue an Old Chair with New Fabric

2011-09-26T10:44:00.001-04:00

Today, a fabric that I carry in my fabric store on etsy was featured on a blog about decorating to make your home soft and restful. Shulman Art
The fabric is a waverly fabric called Millbrook stripe in the colorway Cadet blue.
I have used it in my own home down the shore, to cover a chair that was in dire need of being rescued.

I posted about it last year when I first began my blog.

I was inspired by a photo in a magazine and determined to make that chair look similar.

The before of that chair is really not pretty, but it was and is very comfy.

So surf on over to Shulman Art blog for creative living and check out their other decorating ideas.

Picky and Pickier were at it Once Again

2011-09-23T11:57:00.005-04:00

I have been very busy lately with lots of stuff and with some painting my sister and I recently did, so I really kinda laid off the blogging for a few weeks. It's raining now so I am back. I thought I would show you a little transformation my sis and I did, last weekend. We really had a lot of fun doing it, even though it was a lot of work. You may recognize some items here thrifted on our previous adventure !

Today, I can start with the "after"

A few years ago my sis sold her home in Pa. and bought one at the Jersey Shore and one in Florida, and retired. With them came the Hutch that they had for 30 some years.
The "Before'

Marilou ( my sis ... otherwise known as Pickier.. from the "Adventures of Picky and Pickier") desperately wanted to lighten and brighten, and had purchased a lovely yellow table, with some white, some yellow chairs and all decked out in blue and yellow. But the hutch just wasn't to her liking anymore...so an idea was launched. She decided to paint it the color of the table. "NO, NO" screamed her grown children, as she presented this idea. "It's an antique," They protested.
Errmmmnnn no, it's maybe 35 years old kids.. not an antique. But they persisted she keep it as is, in honor of all the Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners it presented and presided over. She caved.:(

But neccessity is the mother of invention!

So another idea was launched. While out junking one day with "Picky"( that would be moi) she spotted, a real antique china closet from about 1930, with nice details, that was in dire need of attention.

Thinking "they won't care if I paint this, it means nothing to them".. she bought it.
And we tackled that baby, Primed her up, in her garage over good music and hare of the dog from the night before. :)

and a bunch of other stuff she had bought out junkin.

Since we didn't dare paint the sentimental hutch, it got moved to another spot and the back removed from the shelves.

This was her daughter's idea and it really helped to brighten it up. And made room for the new lighter brighter china closet.

The white cabinet on the left had been where the hutch is now.
It replaced this darker piece, below, which made it's way to a goodwill, with the dark wine pictures.

And the right corner got a piece that's been around for also 30 years paired with a thrifted shelf.

Some of the details on the vintage china closet...

Rescued from this..

Thanks for stopping by!.. Smooth sailing to ya!
Going off to join some parties... come along.

Furniture Feature Friday

Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage

Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground
Makeover Monday @ Altared designs
Piece of work Wednesday @ Primitive and Proper
Good Life Wednesday @ A Beach Cottage

The "Frenchification" of my Studio/Guestroom Phase1

2011-09-21T10:16:00.005-04:00

One thing I really enjoy doing is changing things. There are a lot of things that need it, in my world ;)

So I have finally found some time to begin the process of Frenchifying the room my son moved out of.
I like that term " Frenchify"... I picked it up from Debra over at Common Ground, who just yesterday had a Design Challenge, featuring the room I am currently working on.
Design Challenge: Eileen's Guestroom/Studio

So the Frenchification began today with this old mirror, I gave it the first coat.

Preparing her for her "White Wedding" ( cue Billy Idol)... she has the prettiest details, and a bit of chippy, layered, vintage charm.

I just need to give her another creamy white veil of color

Then distress her up a bit for her marriage to the big dresser which will be my next paint project.
The way she looked before was kinda tired and old, and my daughter said give it to goodwill..

I think she is starting to look pretty sweet now.

This is my first attempt at Frenchifying! This is the beginning stage of my Studio/ Guestroom re-design, you can see the plans in a previous post My Studio/ Guestroom redesign

I have previously "Beachified" many things, and I've posted some of the more miraculous changes, in the posts below,

It's been Beachified

Cottage Beach House Table Intervention

Cottage Beach House: Florida Dining Room, finally Completed Re-do

When I went down to Florida for 3 weeks, to paint and party with my sis.

Oh and speaking of my sis, We just finished painting a slew of furniture for her Beach house. I'll post about that later... I am trying to get her to start a blog.... she loves to write, and she is so good at it. Some of the stuff we used for her place, we found on one of our thrifting adventures.

The Thrifting Adventures of Picky and Pickier ...

Joining the fun at these linkies:
Good Life Wendesday @ A Beach Cottage
~White Wednesday # 118~ @ Faded Charm
Wow Us Wednesdays #32
Furniture Feature Friday

My Studio/ Guestroom redesign

2011-09-20T12:18:00.008-04:00

I am participating in the Design Challenge at Debra's Common Ground

I have this great room to redecorate and move my office into that I want to also function as a guest room.
The way it looks now is bad. typical boy. Don't come in my room and do anything mom!
I know it's messy, but this is the reality, now, but not forever.

I want the wall above to look like this sketch.

And this wall where he had the bed right on the floor.

To get a vintage bed post and old nite table... like in this sketch

We want to turn this completely around and give it a
French look.

I am using stuff that I already have around. Taken from other rooms that have been re designed.
I have sketched out the look I want, for all the above walls:

I am planning to paint this bureaux white or dove grey and marry it with a mirror that used to be in my daughter's room.

Another great piece I will paint white is a night table that has been sitting in the basement. I also plan to pull an old bed frame from the shed to paint up and include in the redesign.
My challenge is to only spend on paint and a new comforter, because I have so many pieces I can use already.
But as you can see from the sketch, I can't figure out what to do with the entrance.
Here it is now. Below
Yuk

help me out will ya?
Any suggestions or ideas would be appreciated.
You can go see the entire Design Challenge Feature at Common Ground
Where there are lots more sketches, and pieces I plan to use.
Debra and I would love to hear your thoughts on how to make this room a French Inspired Haven!
Also Sharing at
Coastal Charm
http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com

http://www.houseofhepworths.com

http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com
http://www.astepinthejourney.blogspot.com
http://missmustardseed.blogspot.com/

All settled into College

2011-09-09T14:50:00.000-04:00

Last weekend we moved my youngest daughter into college. I miss her.
They gave us a late move in time so,
We only had an hour to get everything into the room and then attend a parent meeting. There were some tears involved when we said goodbye. But not from her, from the rest of us. She is really looking forward to this.
When we arrived this was the look.

This is after we got everything inside.

We did our best to transform it in the short amount of time we had. Dad set up the TV, I set up the printer connections and the bed. Her sis helped us with everything, and her other sis stayed home and watched the baby dogs.
She picked a red and white color scheme.

And then we had to leave because of set up activities for the students, and she had to finish the printer hook up and T.V. cable hook up, later . She did good. Wow they grow up too fast. Time moves too quickly.
I know everyone says it, but it feels like yesterday she was this inquisitive, little squirt on the beach. Picking up big horseshoe crabs, larger than her head and peeking into them.

Then suddenly,
It's senior prom:

Enjoy your little angels they sprout wings way too fast.

Do you remember your college days? What did you like the most about them?

Here's a pic of our new baby dog which she will surely miss.!

Have a great weekend!

a Pretty Rainbow

2011-09-03T16:47:00.000-04:00

My cottage survived the storm very well. Thank you all for the emails and the prayers!
I've been very busy lately putting things back in order, and cleaning up.
I thought it might be a good time to post a couple of nice rainbow pictures that I took in North Wildwood.

It was a full arch and I don't have a wide angle lense so I had to take several separate shots!
Below is the other side of the arch.

And I just luv how the sea birds have a glow about them in this one:

Also been busy getting ready to move my youngest into a college dorm room tomorrow. Making pillow covers and picking out bedding, and printing pictures for her new frames. We are trying to decorate with lots of pictures so she doesn't miss us all too much. I'll post pics of her dorm room re -do, after we get it all set up.
She wanted to make a statement. Can you guess what color scheme she is going with?
The choices:

black and white
black, pink, and white
red and white
red and black

We've got everything ready now and packed in the car!
hasta la vista, baby

Hoping my Cottage holds fast.

2011-08-26T15:15:00.000-04:00

A mandatory evacuation of New York buroughs that are low lying is a bit scary. First time in N.Y. history. In New Jersey all of Cape May county has been evacuated. These aren't suggestions they are mandatory which means if you stay you are breaking the law. You may not get help if you need it. I am glad I went down to my Jersey shore cottage yesterday to secure lawn furniture and close things tight.
As the sun shone and the skies darkened

I wish I would have done more. Like boarded it up. It became a mandatory evac while I was locking things down, so I secured what I could and left. A one and a half hr trip home took 3 1/2 hrs. Lots of people leaving. There is only one gas station in North Wildwood on the way out and it had at least 75 cars in line. and a police presence. I was lucky, had a full tank.

I'm worried about my little cottage down the shore and really hope this hurricane will lose some of it's strength. They are saying it may be the worst in 50 years to hit the northeast. Gee we just had an earthquake the other day. what the heck is going on?

This is a vintage picture of the area where my seaside cottage is, back in the early part of this century.
The large garage type structure in the foreground is the Coast Guard building. Behind it you will see a few cottages. Mine is the fourth one in. The first 3 cottages you see, all were destroyed in the Nor'Easter that hit in March, 1962 .
North Wildwood, NJ

My cottage held fast. the 3 next to it ocean side, were totally destroyed and fell victim to the great Nor'easter

The 2 story white shed you see below is still there. It is behind my cottage today.
After those 3 homes were extremely damaged and torn down there were empty lots till the 80's

Picture after 1962 hurricane

Below is the same area yesterday, taken from an area over on the right side of this picture.

There is a park in this area now, and 3 new big homes. That 2 story shed that survived the 62 storm? It's an effieceincy now in pink , with a deck and patio! See it in bottom right of pic below.

There is just a peek of my little cottage behind the white house with red trim here.

A closer look. My neighbors taped their windows. My cottage is tiny, maybe the big houses will protect it! Recognize my sunroom? I hope she holds.

A lone police car. And the Coast Guard building from a different angle

I just heard that the Atlantic City casinos are shutting down tomorrow. Wow. that's a biggy.
Here's hoping my cottage holds fast.
In 62 the whole Jersey coast was hit pretty bad.
Below is a picture of Sea Isle after the storm.

So let's all send up some prayers, for the entire Eastern seaboard.

Picky's thrifty finds while Pickier was lazing away in Florida

2011-08-18T19:13:00.000-04:00

I just want to show you a few fun and usable things that I found while out thrifting and they seem to fit right into my little cottage.

First off i love little porcelain pots, and cookware, and I found this great strainer for like 2.00 at our local thrift, so I nabbed it. ain't she sweet?
And the minute I saw this cute little spoon rest/ bowl/whatever i want to put in it, versatile fish piece, I snatched it up with my ~~greedy little paws.~~ pretty, tiny hands.

It was only 1.00 and doesn't it look darling next to my fishy trivet by the oven?

One of my all time favorite pieces I ever thrifted was a wopping 3.00 platter
that says on the back "hand painted, Italy"
It is great for getting big orders off the Barbbie, or for a huge selection of fruit. I love the blues and greens, and that it features fish.

A big white glass embossed bowl perfect for serving mash potatoes in, Love at first sight- it had to come home with me!

Perfect for feathering my nest!

The blue tinted wine glass below, I grabbed at a yard sale down here at the shore a while back for 25 Cents... and wished they had more than one. It is featured below at dinner. :)
I have been fooling around with my new camera all week. The photo challenge for week 4 at a step in the journey was dinner.

I'm not very experienced at taking pictures of food. I do see it around in magazines and food blogs.

But this was the challenge, so I took a few pics of the dinner I made, tortellini and meatballs, and settled on this one for my shot in the challenge, because I like how the wine glass looks up against the porcelain pasta strainer.

It's a simple dinner tonight only for two, and not a great big gang of us!

I gotta go finish setting the table....
Arrivederci Amico
Eileen

Joining in at these parties!
Feathered Nest Fridays @ French Country Cottage
Photography Challenge: Week #4 @ A Step in the Journey

Cape May Diamonds

2011-08-16T16:02:00.001-04:00

If you are familiar with the Cape May NJ area you've probably heard about Cape May diamonds.
But many people have no idea what they are, and have never heard about them. I mentioned them in a post last week about lanterns that I make. My Cape May Lantern
They really only show up on a certain beach in Cape May, Sunset Beach. Although Cape May is on the Atlantic Ocean where the sun rises, not sets...this beach is special because yes the sun does set here, over the water. And it is celebrated by many people who come to view, just like in Key West. This is Sunset Beach Cape May, NJ

It is where the Delaware river empties into the Atlantic ocean. The river is vast here and you can not see land on the other side. So you get to see the sun go down. The river is the reason for the diamonds.

I googled the term Cape May Diamonds and came up with some pretty neat stuff about them.

left side=in the rough //right side= polished

Cape May's "diamonds."

Photo by Colin Archer & Marc Steiner/Agency New Jersey

And here is a close up of what you can expect to find on the beach. After a bit of tumbling they become shiny like this.

My picture of the pebbles raw and washed up on the beach is below. so you have to do some picking for the white and the clear, and the peach ones.

How pretty the clear ones are tumbled

Below is a pic I took last year at Sunset Beach.

(Better pics will be forthcoming now that I have a better camera)

The bird is sitting on a rock jetty and just beyond is the sunken concrete ship Atlantis.

It is said that these two huge objects, are what forces the pebbles to wash ashore here rather than be thrust out to sea.

So the forces of nature and the dalliance of man on these shores have resulted in a unusual and enjoyable trinket.

Below is a pic of jewelry made from the Diamonds

Here is the some of the info that came up on my google search.

Here is what New Jersey Monthly has to say..

The diamonds begin their lives truly “in-the-rough” in the upper reaches of the Delaware River, in the areas around the Delaware Water Gap. Pieces of quartz crystal are broken off from veins and pockets by the swift-running waters of mountain streams that feed the river. Thus begins a journey of more than 200 miles that takes thousands of years to complete. Along the way, the sharp edges of the stones are smoothed as they are propelled along the river bottom. Eventually the stones come to rest on the shores of the Delaware Bay in South Jersey.

Thousands of vacationers in the Cape May area each year search for these sparkling crystals that, when cut and faceted, have the appearance of real diamonds. The largest concentration of booty is located on the sands of Sunset Beach in Cape May Point. Here, the wreck of the ship Atlantus and a rock jetty trap the stones, which are forced ashore in large quantities just prior to being swept by the tides into the Atlantic Ocean.

Some days the stones are more plentiful than others. “The best time to hunt is on cold, windy days when the water is churned up and just after storms,” says Kathy Hume, of family-owned Sunset Beach Gift Shops. Would-be prospectors should come equipped with a beach bucket, sand shovel, and a beach sieve to shake off sand. Typical specimens are about the size of a pea and come in a variety of shapes and colors. “Much of the time, larger stones the size of grapes are just underneath a layer of smaller ones,” advises Hume. Prospectors may also find sharks’ teeth, Indian arrowheads (some of museum quality), agates, and black quartz.

The gift shops at Sunset Beach sell Cape May diamond jewelry, including pendants, bracelets, necklaces, rings, and stud earrings. The pieces are made from gems that have been smoothed and polished in rock tumblers or cut and faceted. Prices start at 99 cents for a polished stone with a description card, and run up to $265 for a 14-karat gold ring with a 6-millimeter stone (just under one karat).

Cape May diamonds may have more than just monetary or sentimental value. In an earlier time, the local Kechemeche Indians, a part of the Lenni-Lenape tribe, believed the gems had supernatural powers to influence the well-being and good fortune of their possessor. The bonds of friendship and lasting goodwill were often sealed with gifts or exchanges of the sacred gems.

I hope you enjoyed my post about one of the unique qualities found along the Jersey shore.

It's Always Summer in Florida

2011-08-14T18:11:00.005-04:00

I know soon the Fall decorating begins in blogland. Too soon for me.
I will be the very last to indulge in that.

I love summertime, and no matter how hot it gets, I always want the season to remain. I have to admit September is one of my favorite Summer months. Yes, summer doesn't end until September 21, so it is officially, mostly, a summer month. The water is warm and the beach is delightful in September. So, being my favorite summer month, I savor it. I celebrate the last stages of summer, like it was the final stages of a ceremony, and aren't those final stages always the best?
Now when I am down the shore in New Jersey I can literally tell when summer is coming to it's final 3 weeks by the blooms on the seagrass out back. .
As you can see from this picture taken today, the blooms are just beginning to sprout. August 14th, plenty of summer left. ( My neighbor got a nice new picket fence.... I might need to plant some roses! I love roses on a picket fence)

There is actually only one visible plume sprout, dead center in this photo just popping out

By the end of summer there will be tons of plumes up and they get real plump and full like I showed you here in this tablescape post where I filled a fabric basket with the seagrass plumes.

So Jersey's summer will end in 5 weeks. But Florida, now that a different story.

What I truly appreciate about Southwest Florida is that it's pretty much always summer. And that's why I go there, in the dead of winter after Christmas when I start longing for sunshine again.
My mantel in Florida will forever reflect summer. The tropical painting was a Home Goods find.

I suppose if i were to actually live there, well then I might actually make a Fall and Christmas mantel, ...for like.. a week....but in no way, no how, will I do it now. First off I won't be there till after Christmas.

I go there for the never ending summer. To get way, far away, from the cold.
To drool at the warm delights of the sea. The shells are all collected from beaches on the gulf coast, except the starfish. Both mason jars are old, an Atlas and a Ball, found at a little antique shop in Englewood. And the large shell my daughter found while snorkeling at Boca Grande

I love my Florida fireplace! It is made entirely of fossilized coral. My little nymph was found at a thrift store, isn't she sweet? A candle or seashell fits perfectly in the flower she holds. The picture below is only half of our gang. Hub, me and our 3 girls. We also have 3 boys.

And I love how tall this fireplace is, it goes all the way up to the ceiling, and they are high.

I am seriously considering painting that black and gold to beige. ( hummmnn another project reason for me to disappear to Florida for a month)

I cozied it up by with some throw pillows, It's another place to plop down when there's a crowd.

I made the pillows myself

One side is a novelty fabric, the other side is dropcloth with beachy words written on it.

Thanks for stopping by, Smooth Sailin to ya!
Eileen

posting at:
Show off your cottage
Metamorphosis Monday
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Good Life Wednesday @ A Beach Cottage

Saturday Chilling with a Bahama Mama with Premium Dark Rum

2011-08-13T17:00:00.001-04:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Diageo. All opinions are 100% mine.

Having an ice cold tropical cocktail always makes me feel like I am on a little vacation. Even if I am just hanging around in my own back yard, a frosty cold drink is so relaxing.

In Florida there are a lot of places that serve the tropical drink Bahama Mama and it is one of my absolute favorites.

Back here in New Jersey, it's not so easy to find a good Bahama Mama,to go along with your dining experience, and some places don't even make them. So I have tried several different recipes myself to come up with what I think is the best.

I've shared my Mojito recipe with you before in this post here so let me share with you what i think is truly the best Bahama Mama recipe around.

In a blender:

1 1/2 oz Zacapa premium rum

1 oz coconut rum

1/2 oz grenadine

2 oz orange juice

1 oz pineapple jc

6 ice cubes

Blend until frosty

The secret that makes this recipe the best is the Zacappa brand premium dark rum. The reason is they have a very special way of making this rum. I have read that the process used in aging this rum is absolutely like no other. Zacapa is acknowledged to be the world's best tasting rum.

The story behind it is rather interesting.

In 1976 in Guatemala, the town of Zacapa was celebrating it's centenary celebration and this is when it gave birth to the world best tasting rum. The terrain just west of this area produces quality sugar cane. This is the cane used by Zacapa for it's rum. But the difference is, where most rums are made from molasses, which is a by product of the sugar making process, Zacapa uses only the first press of sugar cane otherwise known as virgin sugar cane honey.

They also have a unique aging process, one which was first developed by the Spaniards 500 years ago to age Sherry, high up on a mountain in a place called the House above the Clouds. This location is 2300 meters above sea level, Each drop of this fine rum passes through huge vessels that previously housed American Whiskey, Oloroso Sherry, and Pedro Ximenez wines. It is these vessels that impart an extremely distinctive flavor to the rum, making it the finest in the world.

The rum has won awards from different international competitions.

Early Zacapa bottles came in a bottle covered in a handwoven matting made from palm leaves which dates from the Mayan period

There is even a society of Zacapa lovers, which once you try my Mojito or Bahama Mama recipe, you might just become.

You can join the Zacapa society by simply registering here http://bit.ly/pvKdC9

When you become a member of the Zacapa society you will learn exclusive details about this brand of rum and will receive the opportunity to enjoy fantastic gifts and prizes along the way, and who doesn't love a prize?

Interestingly enough Zacapa is currently looking for talented writers and bloggers, to share with others the wonderful story of this distinctive premium dark rum and it's aging process.

As I sit in my little backyard Hacienda, sipping my delicious Bahama Mama made with the best tasting rum in the world, watching the sun sparkle across the pool, I realize it's a really good life!

Photo Challenge #3 Bold Colors

2011-08-11T10:11:00.000-04:00

Yippee, I finally got my Digital Single Lens Reflex camera. I'm not really sure of what I am doing. I guess I should read the manual. Years ago, I had an old Minolta SLR. Everything about it was manual.
I remember turning this and changing that to get different aperture settings. And learning about depth of field, shutter speed, manual focusing, different speed of the film you could buy. Certain ISO were for capturing birds in flight or fast moving objects. A tripod and a super slow shutter speed for capturing moonlight.
It's all different, now and I have so much to learn. I've never been a manual reader, so that alone is a challenge.
So it is starting from scratch for me. But not to worry my daughter, Karena has had a DSLR for about a year and she can give me some tips. She takes gorgeous photos. And while I am busy making all kinds of mistakes. I thought I might use one example of her work for this 3rd challenge which is Bold Colors

The story behind this photo is:
Karena was out shopping one day, this past week, searching for a nice new summer dress. A rack of colorful dresses on black backgrounds caught her eye.
Perusing through the bright assortment, she found that she wasn't the only one drawn to these somewhat tropical prints.
This unexpected admirer was just hanging around, clinging to the prettiest dress, right there in the middle of the bright lights and concrete floors!

This huge praying mantis looked right into the camera as if to say, "hey bug off this one's mine!"
She had the attendant gently capture her and escort her to the outside.

I have heard that the mantis is a symbol of good luck so I looked it up and this is what I've found.

Praying Mantis Meanings in the Realms of Animal Symbolism

The mantis comes to us when we need peace, quiet and calm in our lives. Usually the mantis makes an appearance when we've flooded our lives with so much business, activity, or chaos that we can no longer hear the still small voice within us because of the external din we've created.

After observing this creature for any length of time you can see why the symbolism of the praying mantis deals with stillness and patience. The mantis takes her time, and lives her life at her own silent pace.

So that is my entry for todays challenge over at Laura Beth's blog A Step in the Journey

P.S. I hope I am not breaking any rules again, featuring my daughter, my teacher. I figured heck, if my tripod can take a picture then my daughter can. Plus I thought this one was really enjoyable, and it's not a contest, it's a challenge and it's all a step in the journey right?

Posting at Photo Challenge # 3 Bold Colors at A Step in the Journey

My Cape May Lantern

2011-08-09T20:57:00.005-04:00

For today I'd like to show you the lanterns I make from mason jars,

Cape May Lantern

I call it the Cape May Lantern because I make them when I am down the shore, in Cape May County, and I only use white pebbles collected from the Cape May Sunset Beach.

Sunset Beach in cape May is where they find the "Cape May Diamonds" They are much like these white ones but a bit more clear and when polished and cut they shine like a diamond and make gorgeous pieces of jewelery.

I might start also collecting the peach color pebbles but for now, I have a bit of obsession for only the white ones. Some come with a hint of grey, and some with a hint or vein of sandy beige.

It gives a nice glow from the little tea lites, and a whole bunch of these lanterns creates a magical ambiance in a yard or lining a path for a ceremony.

You can dangle them from tree limbs, or just set them on your deck.

Wire twisted around the neck to form a lantern handle .

A bit of twine tied around the neck in a little nautical knot.

I try to always use the Atlas mason jar, they have been making glass jars since the 1800's here in America. Sometimes I use butchers twine, or jute twine, and sometimes sisal rope. I like the neutral and white combinations.
These come in handy when we have power failures, which we seem to have a lot of when the heat is on, and everyone is burning the air conditioners.

To me it's just nice to have the time to be able to craft things that I like to look at ...and that serve a useful purpose. It's the Good Life!
Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays
Get your Craft On
hooking up with ~White Wednesday # 112~
and Good Life Wednesday
Wicked Awesome Wednesday #24
Under $100 Linky Party @ Beyond the Picket Fence
Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple
At the Picket Fence

Vintage Inspiration Friday

Feathered Nest Fridays

The Thrifting Adventures of Picky and Pickier Episode 1

2011-08-05T01:56:00.003-04:00

My sis and I have been doing an awful lot of thrifting lately whenever we get the chance.
So I thought I would start a little series on what we find. You know sort of to chronicle our times out, hunting, thrifting, junkin, antiquing.
We've named ourselves "Picky" and "Pickier"
Like a cross between "Dumb and Dumber " and "The Pickers"
And because it is always an adventure going anywhere with my sis,
( you never know how much laughing we will do)
(Or raggin about our DHs)
Isn't it funny how sometimes when the hub is on your good side, DH stands for Darling Husband.
On your bad side, well... we all know what DH stands for then!

So back to The Junkin Adventure...Have you found anything great out there lately?

Picky.. that's me... I found some really great linens this time out.

A lovely piece of old lace ...5 yards of it, in Cape May

A very nicely done lace bedskirt in a full size

And a fine Cozy Cottage Hand Embroidered Vintage tablecloth with pink blossoms.

Such a work of art! I can't imagine how much time it took someone to create this pretty cloth.

And Pickier... that's my sis.. (pronounced picky-er) or ...pick- e-air if you prefer French :0)

Found some great pieces of pottery. We both like this color blue, but didn't fight over them.

Such a beautiful urn isn't it?

These cute little tea towels

This great pine shelf that will get a nice coat of paint.

It has a plate rack on each shelf.

And these pretty little blue glass dishes.

Traveling around to different thrift shops and consignments and such, is absolutely one of our favorite past times together. We really enjoy it.
That, and our newest obsession... Zumba. Wow is that fun! Have you tried it yet? What a great workout.
I am actually looking forward to my work outs now! A bit more fun than just walking.
We're making up for lost time when we were raising our kiddos we didn't get to hang out much together. We didn't live that close and you know how little ones always have schedules, and soccer, and baseball, and just stuff. But now down the shore, we are just a couple blocks from each other.
Do you have a sister that you don't get to see much? Or are you lucky enough to hang out all the time?

Thanks for stopping by! I'm off to join these parties.
Eileen

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