Home Grown Gifts

I didn't plant a vegetable garden this year, but my daughter did.
She is so passionate about gardening.
These were on my kitchen counter when I got home Saturday afternoon.

Home grown gifts are the best!

Karen

In The Kitchen

Yesterday while I was waiting for my friend to arrive (girls day out), I was cleaning up the kitchen a bit.

It feels so much like Fall here already, so I had to display the pretty little pumpkin from my daughter's garden. The light in this photo was a gift from my son-in-law Shon. I picked up the pizza paddle from "The Nomadic Trading Company", here in Punxsutawney, PA. You never know what you're gonna find there. Love that place!

I found this old ladder out behind the garage a few weeks ago. It's not quite safe to use for climbing up any more, but has a new life now as a plant stand in my kitchen.

Girls day out ended up as girls day in. We drove to a beautiful gift shop out in Amish country and it was closed. After making a quick stop at the local bakery we spent the day just hanging out and talking. 

I think time spent with friends is wonderful whether it's out somewhere or in the kitchen having coffee and good conversation. It's just the best therapy for the soul.

Karen

Salvaged Candle Holder

Using the pieces of architectural salvage shown in my last post, I made this lovely wooden candle holder.

I love the color of the "Annie Sloan" DUCK EGG chalk paint.

It's the same as the color of my dried hydrangea.

The beautiful ironstone platter was a thrift store find last week.

It's really large and will be perfect for our Thanksgiving turkey this year.

 The rusty drip tray was a thrift store find as well.

It was nice to spend a little time playing today.

Karen

Trying Out Some Chalk Paint

My daughter has done some amazing pieces of furniture with chalk paint.

I really love the look so I wanted to give it a try too, but on a smaller scale.

I tried out some white on this little wooden rocking horse.

I'm pretty happy with the results, although the wax wasn't what I expected.

Pretty sticky stuff.

Anyway…I knew I could get the pretty "Duck Egg", by Annie Sloan, at www.nomadictradingcompany.net/  here in Punxsutawney PA,
so I purchased a quart to do some restoration projects.
By the way, The Nomadic Trading Company has tons of cool architectural salvage too.
I'm going to make a couple of candlesticks from these.

Another nice small project to try out the Duck Egg Blue.
Karen

Tansy

I remember reading about folks using tansy to dye wool.

It seemed to me that they could gather it from meadows, growing wild, or alongside the road as they were out driving. I've never seen it in this area, but came across some at an herb farm this past Spring. So, I purchased two of the plants and they are growing among a few other herbs beside my porch.

One has grown tall and is about to bloom, the other has been dug up by our dog so many times that I'm surprised it's even still alive. 

 Jack is such a good boy and I'm pretty sure he thinks that because I dig there, it's okay for him to do the same.

Anyway…there is now a fence there to keep Jack out.

I'm looking forward to seeing the Tansy in full bloom.

Should be any day now.

Karen

Before The Painting Started

Just a few photos of my dining room before the painting began.

 Everything was neat and tidy.

 Then the contents of the guest room were piled in here.

 I'm hopeful that things will be put back to normal today.

 It makes me a little crazy when I can't get through a room.

 Doors need hung and furniture put back as well as pictures hung and fresh new bedding and curtains.

Hopefully today I'll have some help with the heavy pieces and the rest will be easy.

Back to normal with a fresh white guest room for family and friends.

Karen

A Day Of Rest

Well, I've managed to work myself into a day in bed.

It's the most perfect day we've had weather wise in a while.

Warm and sunny with a bit of a breeze and finally no awful humidity and where am I…in bed, dizzy, too tired to move and just feeling generally exhausted.

The guest room is painted now, but the contents of the room are piled everywhere throughout the first floor of the house, and I have no energy to put things right. My body is telling me that it's had enough.

My sweet daughter stopped in on her lunch break and made me a lovely croissant with cream cheese and jam and a cup of tea with wildflower honey. I promised her I would stay in bed this afternoon so she wouldn't need to worry about me, so here I am with my cup of tea, my computer, and a pile of books. Jack is sleeping on the floor beside the bed. Always near in case I need protection from any unusual sounds and such. He's such a faithful companion and a good watchdog.

Time for a nap now. Hopefully I'll feel better tomorrow and will have photos of a freshly painted guest room to share with you.

Karen

Pretty Prints From Italy

As I'm busy painting rooms and old furniture I miss having time to be creative, so I try to take a few photos along the way. Snapping photos here and there satisfies a bit of my creative craving.

Not that updating a room in my home or salvaging an old piece of furniture isn't creative.

It's just not the same as actually making something.

For now, some photos will have to do.

There is just so much work to do before the seasons change.
There will be lots of time for creating once winter arrives.
Until then I'm working as hard as I can to make my home a feel good place to be.

Karen

Back To School

This old chalkboard's been in my studio for years.

 Little girl's painted face on wood from 1966.

 Child size, paint splattered, folding chair.

 Small primitive foot stool, old wooden pencil box and books.

Nothing like todays back to school supplies.

Karen

Vintage Prom Gowns

Faded, vintage, prom gowns used as accessories for home decor is such a fun way to add some soft color to a room. Most times they are quite pricey, but I was lucky enough to find these for only $10 each.

I think this white one may have been a wedding gown.

They add a little romance to my dressing area.

 I found the pink ballet slippers for only $10 as well.

 Old millenary flowers are one of my favorite things to collect.

Delicate layers of sheer fabric.

So girly.

 Tiny dots.

Pretty colors

I love my romantic little corner.

Karen

Simple White Duvet

I've been wanting a simple white duvet for my favorite down comforter, but didn't want to spend a ton of money on one. Solution…flat white sheets. I use them for just about everything.

Just cut the sheets a little bigger than your comforter, stitch three sides and add some simple ties made from left over scraps for the open end.

Super simple and a lot less money.

I would suggest cutting the sheets to size as opposed to tearing them. I tore mine and they didn't tear straight. I ended up having to trim each side to even them up. It would have been much easier to cut them in the first place.

Karen

Freshening Up The Porch

Fall is in the air.

Mornings and evenings her in PA are chilly,  just the way I like it.

Brought home a few potted mums to ease myself into the change of seasons.

Wrapped them up in some leftover burlap scraps and jute.

The little tray was made from recycled wood.

Put together a simple wreath for my porch as well.

Such a sweet old owl made up of natural bits and pieces.

Filled an apple basket with a tattered tablecloth and some hydrangeas from my yard.

New project for the other porch.

Found this fabulous old rocker at "The Nomadic Trading Co." here in Punxsutawney last week.

Perfect for my porch!

Also purchased this amazing old tub there.

Not sure what we're going to do with it, but my husband just had to have it.

We're thinking of attaching it to the wall and adding some shelves for storing towels and bath supplies.

Or maybe use it as a large planter for flowers.

I'm going to have to think about this one for a while.

Any ideas?

Thanks for stopping by!

Karen