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

As It Is

Sometimes I feel like the normal, everyday goings on, just suck the life out of me.

Like there's no time left for me after tending to what everyone else needs.

Don't get me wrong…my life is good, but I crave a little solitude at times.

Time to think, be creative or just do nothing.

It seems like it's been a while since I've done that, so with camera in hand, I stole away a few moments of time this morning to just be.

Nothing staged.

Just things as they are.

The chippy cabinet door on my porch with the flower long gone from the old green bottle.

A burlap coffee bean sack stuffed with pillows, cushions the iron bench where I sit and drink my coffee in the mornings.

Sunflowers hanging from the porch post to dry.

They managed to grow all on their own with no help from me. Scattered seeds left by the birds and field mice, from last years vegetable garden.

There was no time for growing vegetables this year.

My old weeding wagon is almost hidden from the towering weeds that have taken over my garden.

Some of the weeds are quite pretty, like this morning glory that has climbed the fence that surrounds the garden.

I hesitated slightly as I turned the knob to enter the garden shed.

I never know if I'll meet a family of mice or chipmunks when I walk inside.

So far so good, but you never know.

Pots and garden supplies fill the shelves.

A birds nest found last Fall sits near the window.

Walking back to the house past the picket fence.

Time to get back to reality.

Thanks for joining me on my short journey of solitude this morning.

Hope you enjoyed the photos of things as they are in my world.

Have a great day everyone and remember to take a few moments for yourself now and then.

Karen Ann

Finding Beauty

Yesterdays walk was so therapeutic.

Jack and I ventured out again this evening.

 Looking for bits of blooms left behind by Summer.

There's beauty everywhere if you take the time to look for it.

karen

Remembering Grandma's Farm House

Every year the month of August brings back special memories of my childhood and time spent visiting Grandma's farm.  

 I loved playing under the great weeping willow tree in her yard and the arbors covered in climbing blooming vines. It felt like such a magical place and I would spend countless hours there breathing in the heavenly fragrance and sharing secrets with my dolls.

Yesterday as I shopped for antiques with my daughter, I found this pretty piece of teal and white transfer ware that reminded me of those days at Grandma's house.

 Her china cabinet was filled with treasures like this that were off limits to everyone but Grandma.

 I'm not sure what happened to all of those special treasures that belonged to my Grandmother, but when I see something that reminds me of those days I bring it home and relive those wonderful days from so long ago.

To me, Grandma's house was the original Shabby Chic Decor, even though it wasn't labeled as such back then. It gives me such a feeling of comfort.

karen

Valentine Pockets

For years I've been gathering old lace and linens, hankies and ribbon.

Pretty bits and pieces from flea markets, thrift shops and estate sales.

Perfect for making Valentine pockets.

 Scraps of vintage papers for writing a little love note are in each pocket.

 There are antique photos and tiny doilies.

 Very old buttons made of glass and pearl.

 Broken jewelry bits and sewing notions.

 Hat pins and

 tattered hankies.

 Bits of old wedding gowns.

Some have pockets in the front and some are in the back.

Some are for hanging up and some are for wearing.

I love how all the layers of fabric and lace look all tattered and torn and pretty.

These are almost ready for shipping out to loved ones.

karen

New Life For An Old Chair

What better place to show off my updated pressed back chair than against the old rescued hutch in my dining room. This old rough chippy chair had been on my porch for years and had seen better days. I brought it inside and freshened it up with a quick almost dry brushed coat of turquoise paint.

 Last Fall I had such a nice harvest of pumpkins and gourds from my garden, but this year's garden was a failure.

 I opted not to spend money buying real ones and instead used some of my faux decor.

 I grabbed up the pretty blue blanket from my daughter's donate pile as she was moving things into her new house last month.

 This small stick wreath was packed away with the faux pumpkins and seemed like the perfect thing to hang on the hutch door.

I'm loving that old chair all over again.

karen

Prairie Star

My chippy old window seemed like the perfect place for displaying my prairie star.

Instead of just using it as a Christmas decoration, I brought it out of storage and adorned it in a shabby chic fashion and now it hangs above the fireplace in my bedroom.

I know it's not a very original idea, but that's why I buy decor books.
Sometimes I'm inspired by other people's ideas and come up with my own twist on things and other times I just like their ideas straight up.

Anyway...I hope some of my ideas inspire others at times too.

Thanks for looking.

karen

Shabby Dress Hangers

One of my favorite things to repurpose is old floral sheets.

Last year I made pajama pants from sheets and baskets which I crocheted from torn strips of sheets.

A few days ago I came across some of the leftover strips from the basket project and decided to put them to use. I covered ugly plastic hangers with them. Just tear your sheets or fabric into one inch wide strips, attach the end with a dab of hot glue, and start wrapping. Add a dab of glue every inch or two and a little at the end to secure the fabric strip in place.

 They are much prettier now.

 I added some ribbon for tying on accessories.

 The fabric keeps the dresses from sliding off the hangers.

 Some pretty paper roses add a nice touch.

 Such a simple project and a good way to use up some of those fabric scraps.

Thanks for stopping by!

karen