I was so excited to see this cute little apron I made featured at Whisperwood CottageIt makes me happy to see her again and know she went to a good home and is on display in Amy's newly renovated kitchen.

Chicago

Last weekend our family took a little trip to Chicago to the American Girl Place. I have been there a few times before, but this was the first time for my youngest daughter and my oldest daughter didn't really remember going the first time. It was so much fun to watch the girls take it all in. They had the unveiling of their Christmas window the day before we got there.

Since we did American Girl we decided we had better do something for the boys. So we went to Lego Land. I had no idea that there were actually lego artists. Pretty Impressive.

Chair Redo 3

Another chair has found new life. Found this one at GW for 15.00 and boy was it ugly!!!!! I failed yet again to get a before pic, but I did take a pic of the avocado green fabric I was so eager to rip off it. AfterI found some beautiful creamy white fabric on the remnant table for only 15.00
Now she's at home in my new bedroom.

The New Bedroom

I'm excited to share photos of my new bedroom. I only had one before picture, but I'm so proud of my new room because it cost me under $100 to complete.

After

To cut down on cost, I used the same bedding and just changed curtains, paint color and added a few pillows and a throw. But, simply rearranging the furniture made all the difference in this room.

I'm still working on some of my pillows, but I just couldn't wait to post these pics.

Settee Redo

Just look at this darling little settee (did I spell that right?) Look how cute it is. It just wasn't matching the all black and white room my client had it sitting in. So what's the solution?

Reupholster it,

then add some contrasting pillows.

This little (settee?) went from cute to sophisticated in about a day.

A Virtuous Woman

I was reading my bible this morning and came upon this scripture. It reminded me of my mom. She really is a virtuous woman and I'm so blessed to have a mom like mine. Lord help me to be a virtuous wife and mother.

Proverbs 31: 10-31

10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

25 Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

30 Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Happy Fall Ya'll

It's here, it's here, it's here. My favorite time of year. This is a look back at some pictures I took in fall of 2008.

I can feel the crispness of fall in the air.

Bushes are burning.

Harvest is near

Mums are in full bloom
Children are playing




Trees are turning
Allergy season is over for me!!!!

Fall is my favorite time of year to take photos. There is such a beautiful backdrop in almost every picture I snap, which makes it even more rewarding for an amateur like myself. Does anyone else love fall this much?

Bad, Bad Blogger

I've been a bad, bad blogger. So sorry that I've not been around for the past week or two. I have been keeping busy with projects and sometimes I get so wrapped up in what I'm doing, I forget to take pictures. Here's something I worked on last week. These pictures were take in Washington DC in March at the botanical gardens by my mother. She was so proud of these photos. I have had them enlarged and framed. Shhhh...don't tell her.

I took this photo in Leota when I went antiquing. I can't believe that fall is here. Soon the leaves will be changing and all color will be gone. Enjoy it while it's here.

Grandpa's Love Letter

I haven't mentioned anything about what's been going on around here lately. It's been a sad couple of weeks for my family. Both my grandparents past away within 10 days of each other. They were married for nearly 64 years and just couldn't stand to be apart. God is strengthening us and is helping us each to cope with our loss. I want to post a love letter that my grandpa wrote to my grandma. It was found a few years ago by my aunt. She had it printed and framed to hang in the nursing home where my grandma lived. Today, the original is folded in my grandma's hands.

My Love
It seems I am not able to, or cannot express fully by word the Great Love in my heart I feel for you. It runneth over and wants to burst from my body. You have given me four fine children which I love dearly (which at times) they may not think so, but nevertheless is so. I do not see how I can love you any more for that because you have it all now. I know not why I am writing you this except my heart is uring me to do this. It is all a quiver.

Love you My Darling,
Ralph

Blog Love

I am so excited to tell ya'll about a new blog I found called The White House of Parkville. Look at this beautiful quaint home just nestled up in all its green landscaping glory. She said that this home just "spoke" to her and I can totally see why.
I can tell you already I'm gonna love this lady. Just take a peek at some the items featured on her blog. My babies would love this pink tutu, and I love the dress form.

She's into flowers

But the thing I really like about her: She takes junking to a completely different level. She owns her own junking business and has even tried to retire from it by selling virtually everything in her home and storage unit, but has found that junking is something that is just "in her blood". So she's back at it again. Ya'll should definitely pay her blog a visit and leave her a comment.

Dianne

Thrifting Finds

This week while thrifting I found this cute milk glass lamp and shade for $6.50
I'm not sure what this is, but I liked it. I have a few ideas running around in my brain about what I could do with it. Whatever I decide, it will need a coat of paint and was only $3.00 at GW.

And I was soooooo very excited to see this brand new prelit Martha Stewart christmas tree in a galvanized steel bucket for only $3.00. This will be my girls' "girly tree" this year.

Ok, so this isn't a GW find. I got it at Hobby Lobby for 30% off. Does that count as a thrifting find? This will be my next project, but you'll have to come back for updates on this.

Bathroom Wall

This is a room that I have put on the back burner for almost two years now. It's my basement bathroom. It goes unused for the most part but I finally decided to do a little something about it and here's what I came up with.
I basically just doodled on the back wall with a pencil and then painted over it with plain old craft paint. This project cost me ZERO dollars since I had left over paint from another project. I had already purchased these framed prints at a yard sale last year for $5.00. There are still some things I'd like to do here, but only when the cash allows me.
For now it makes me happy and is a nice change.

Finish Chair Project (check)

I finally got my chair project done. It only took me two coats of paint and looks great (in my opinion). It kind of feels like an outdoor fabric to me. We'll see how she holds up.

A Great Weekend

I drove by a yard sale last Friday and look what I found. This rug was calling out to me from a distance saying "BUY ME, I'm only $2, it's ok, it's your birthday, do it. So I did what I was told to and brought her home. She looks so nice here in my kitchen.

Since last Friday was my birthday, one of my peeps came by and took me thrifting/antique shopping. We came to this quaint little place in Leota, IN. I'd never been there before, but the covered bridge is what really got my attention. This place is home to the Leota Country Frolic which is going on this weekend.

We went to several antique and junk dealers. I really enjoyed this store and I've added some pictures of the treasures I discovered at this place.

Glass door knobs

Barber shop chair, love that color.

Lots of old fireplace mantels.
This beautiful dresser.
For my fellow chair lovers

An entire building stacked full of old salvaged doors.

This old trunk that reminds me of my great Grandma
This chandy really got my attention. For all you milk glass lovers out there. Look at this beauty in waiting.

And look at those exposed beams and that tin ceiling up there. What a great day. I hope your weekend brings you this much pleasure.