Turning my thoughts to House Projects

The ornaments are down and put away until next year and now my thoughts turn to the projects I had put on hold while I enjoyed the holiday season. I work best when under pressure and so I decided to add some pressure to ensure some of those "on-hold" projects get done in a timely manner! I have a large yard in dire need of help so I hope to spend spring and summer outside tending to it, so, having the interior projects done before we thaw out will help me concentrate on the yard when the time comes. I've decided to have a February tea party! Nothing will make me whip the rooms into shape faster then the thought of 30 style-savvy women descending upon my little house, looking to see what I have accomplished! I have until February 20th to get a long list done but if I write on a calender what I'll do each night once home from work, I can make some progress. First up: finish that hutch! Second: finish painting the family room's walls and adding the stencil. Then there's the coffee table in need of a couple coats of white - and the cedar trunk that I want to turn into a replica of a 17th C. dowry chest. OH! And the wallpaper needs to go up in the library. The list goes on...no TV for a month!

I got some new CD's to keep my ears happy while I work - all 1940's pop and Big Band. Happy music! Then the new Country Curtains catalog came yesterday in the mail and in it I find the curtains I want for my library ("Sophia") to match the blue ticking wallpaper. And the "Apple Blossoms" linen curtains (in blue) for the living room... I see alot of people on other blogs talking about their "word for the year". My word for the year is "COMPLETION". I have alot of unfinished projects that I'd like to get done so I'm not embarrassed anymore when someone comes over and sees the same project half done as it was several months before when they last visited! hehe

Dreams of a Vacation

It happens every year for me, about this time. Christmas is over, the new year upon us and I start to get spring fever. My cats already have it - they have been racing through the house at break-neck speeds, springing up and over furniture. I hear meowling (half meow-half howl) coming from the windowsills as flicking tails part the curtains.
I feel like meowling myself right now!
The arrival in the mail of the new Jung's seed catalog isn't helping - I am planning to get that new hydrangea on the cover...

I could use a vacation but none are in sight for me. Still, I can dream!
If I could be on my way any where right now, it would be the French Riviera - how about you?

Here's a fun collage I put together of my dream vacation on the Riviera.

Signs of the Holidays

The house is taking on the signs of the holidays! Glittery lights, a tree in the window, candles aglow on the mantel and a darned good port wine on the sideboard I can't leave alone! (Quinta Do Crasto). But nothing says Christmas more then a frosted pine wreath on a red front door!

A 1920's French Bakery Station

...at least, that is what I feel it is. Kind of French looking - very Shabby Chic.

I think Rachel Ashwell would be proud of me!!

I took in a renter (Jon) who is now occupying the bedroom up under the eaves and as a "thank you" for welcoming him into my home, he gifted this beautiful piece to me!! (he loves old furniture and has a rented storage room full of unique pieces)

It is naturally crackled in a soft cream with a matching patterned glass back splash. The metal towel bar and handle have a beautiful patina. He wants to do a few repairs on it for me and then he said I am free to paint it or do whatever I want with it!
I will have to think about this...might just leave as-is! I know it will be a sideboard in the dining area and will hold a silver tray with glass & silver liquor decanters on it.
The white marble is cracked but I LOVE it anyways and it will stay - Jon will clean the crack so it's not so obvious.

I feel so lucky to have this piece!!

Hutch details update

I have begun to paint the flowers on the side of the hutch topper. I went through many ideas before I hit on this one - a simple strip of flowers down the center in the same blue hue on the rest of the hutch (paint and wallpaper). It is partially filled in here - have only done detail work on a few of the flowers so far. This same strip of flowers will be on both sides. I used a cheap stencil from JoAnn Fabrics as inspiration - altered it until it fit the length and was detailed enough for my taste. I'll wash over it with RL's "Sunfade" when done, to tone down the bright ultramarine blues. I am using Windsor-Newton acrylic paint.
I will post more photos later when I get more done.

Cast Iron Soup Pot

Check out this deal I got at TJ Maxx last Saturday. Can you believe I passed it up, got half way home and drove back to get it, worried it was gone already? A Cuisinart 7 Qt, cast iron in the perfect shade of blue. I already made the best beef veggie stew in it. I smile every time I see it. Oh, the price was $59.99 because of a few hard to see scratches on the lid. I looked up new ones and they are twice that online. I think I scored!