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Friday, February 27, 2009

Rearranging My Life Via Furniture!

Change is good!When craving something new or different my furniture gets rearranged. My sister thinks its a sure sign of inner turmoil! I purchased this hand-embroidered runner in Idaho for $2. It's repurposed as front door decor. This old shutter door is propped behind my front door and holds outgoing mail in a rusty wire basket. The piano (previously green) is now in the small living room as you enter the front door. (Before shooting this photo I wish I had tucked away the black wire to the pink lamp and picked up from the floor my daughter's piano books!) In the front entry we installed 2 large and very heavy wrought iron cornices and added white lights. I couldn't fit both cornices in this photo.The two wicker chairs from my front porch now sit in front of our fireplace. The round table was upstairs. The patio table and 4 chairs were on our back deck. I recovered the seats in pink chenille and didn't think they should be outside any longer! Eventually, the set will go to my shop at Very Vintage so the chenille is protected with temporary fabric covers. On the other side of the piano area are these chairs and small table/stand that were upstairs. The cabinet that occupied this space is now in the T.V. room.Yes, another seating area! This ice cream parlor set was purchased at a yard sale with bright yellow vinyl seats. I replaced the padding and covered them with a shabby blue/white stripe and pink floral cotton fabric. These will also make their way to Very Vintage in the future. This overstuffed chair was previously in front of our fireplace. Now, it sits in a corner next to our T.V. I love sitting here! The floor lamp was one of my Idaho purchases several years ago. I love that it lights up beneath the glass table top! I added the Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic lampshade that my husband bought for me in Malibu as a Mother's Day gift. This is the other overstuffed chair in the opposite corner next to our T.V. cabinet. The corner is lit with a pink chandelier I purchased on Ebay several years ago. The corner still needs wall hangings (or something else) to fill in the empty space. This clock is a Michael's purchase several years ago. I was going to paint it white, but I really like the dark brown wrought iron for a bit of contrast in my sea of pink and white! The small table lamp was purchased at a church sale. The large table lamp was purchased at a yard sale and sits next to my printer (under the floral slip cover.) The large lamp lights up at the bottom, too. The lampshade is another Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic lampshade my husband purchased in Malibu. My husband knows that anything he purchases there will be a keeper! I love this paisley fabric! I covered my cork board with it. This is our phone/message center. Magazine anyone? This simple slipcovered chair sits outside my home office. I look forward to lighting the candle next to it and browse through some magazines!I purchased this tall book rack for $10 at a Joann's Fabrics store that is going out of business. I bought another that organizes my daughter's piano/music books. This headboard/shelf unit was purchased on clearance at Home Goods for $18! It stores some cutepinkstuff from my website.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Getting Organized!

Folded textiles neatly stacked behind closed doors. . . Life is good!I don't recall specifically what led to my frenzy. Last week I became OBSESSED with organizing 3 supply/linen closets! Maybe it was all the rain. Perhaps it was the new year. Most likely it was the falling contents of each closet that drove me into my organizing frenzy!
I started with the kids' linen closet. It houses linens for 3 beds including those warm and fuzzy flannel sheets that take up too much space. That closet also contains too many area rugs that I LOVE to buy!
Next stop, the closet/cupboard in my home office area. It holds all my indoor and outdoor cushions, slipcovers and tablecloths.
At last, the upstairs linen closet. It stores upstairs bedroom linens, blankets, quilts, more area rugs, pillow forms and now, my fabrics. Whew! Last week I pressed and folded until my fingers ached! I still must find space for more pillow forms currently on my sewing table!
I used 4 of them by creating shabby blue and pink rose slip covers for my shop window. Next post: Rearranging furniture!

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Felted Flowers

My latest project - felted flowers. I'm learning and experimenting. Most of these I made from felt. The cream colored flowers I made from wool. I'm uncertain about what to do with them so for now they occupy a flower pot and simply make me smile!

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Happy Valentine's Day!

It seems like we celebrated Christmas yesterday, yet Valentine's Day is only one week away!I have only a few Valentine photos to share this year. This pink velvet mannequin makes me smile! "She" stood at the corner of my fireplace for awhile before making her way to the display window at Very Vintage. I can only imagine having such a petite hour glass figure! My mantel displays a few candles and statues. These crown pillows, crown slipcovers and heart-shaped pillow are listed on my website.Most of my Valentine decor is in the display window at Very Vintage. So if you're in the vicinity of Agoura Hills, CA you can see lots of PINK AND WHITE displayed there!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Quatrefoils Revisited

Last November, I posted these chairs. It only took me 2 months to paint them! Our family spent the better part of a weekend applying white primer and paint to the four chairs and matching table. For the seat covers, I chose a pink and white fabric that somewhat mimicks the quatrefoil design. The table and chairs were destined for the Valentine's Day display window at Very Vintage until I found out the table was too wide for the window. Soooo. . . the table is my desk for now. The four chairs are placed around our farm table. I do love them!

Friday, January 2, 2009

It's That Time Again. . . .

HAPPY NEW YEAR!I'm looking forward to a new year. Starting over is motivating, as is spring cleaning!

My sister-in-law sent me the following email. I found it interesting and I thought it would be of interest to fellow germ-a-phobes (You know who you are!) I'm a bleach devotee, but contemplating a change after reading this email. Hang in there, the text is lengthy!

This was written by Becky Ransey of Indiana (a
doctor's wife.)

I would like to tell you of the benefits of that plain
little ole bottle of 3% Hydrogen peroxide you can get for
under $1.00 at any drug store. What does bleach cost?

My husband has been in the medical field for over
36 years, and most doctors don't tell you about peroxide.
Have you ever smelled bleach in a doctor's office? NO!!!
Why? Because it smells, and it is not healthy! Ask the
nurses who work in the doctor's offices, and ask them if
they use bleach at home. They are wiser and know
better!
Did you also know bleach was invented in the late
40's?
It's chlorine, folks! And it was used to kill our troops.

Peroxide was invented during WWI in the 20's.

It was used to save and help cleanse the needs of our troops
and hospitals. Please think about this:

1. Take one capful (the little white cap that comes
with the bottle) and hold in your mouth for 10 minutes
daily, then spit it out. (I do it when I bathe.) No more
canker sores, and your teeth will be whiter without
expensive pastes. Use it instead of mouthwash.
e.g. Arm & Hammer baking soda & PEROXIDE

2. Let your toothbrushes soak in a cup of peroxide
to keep them free of germs.

3. Clean your counters and table tops with peroxide
to kill germs and leave a fresh smell. Simply put a
little on your dishrag when you wipe, or spray it on
the counters.

4. After rinsing off your wooden cutting board, pour
peroxide on it to kill salmonella and other bacteria.

5. I had fungus on my feet for years until I sprayed
a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water on them
(especially the toes) every night and let dry.

6. Soak any infections or cuts in 3% peroxide for five
to ten minutes several times a day. My husband has
seen gangrene that would not heal with any medicine but was
healed by soaking in peroxide.

7. Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of peroxide
and water and keep it in every bathroom to disinfect
without harming your septic system like bleach or most
other disinfectants will.

8. Tilt your head back and spray into nostrils with your
50/50 mixture whenever you have a cold, plugged sinus.
It will bubble and help to kill the bacteria.
Hold for a few minutes, and then blow your nose into a tissue.

9. If you have a terrible toothache and cannot get to
a dentist right away, put a capful of 3% peroxide into
your mouth and hold it for ten minutes several times
a day. The pain will lessen greatly.

10. And of course, if you like a natural look to your
hair, spray the 50/50 solution on your wet hair after
a shower and comb it through. You will not have the
peroxide-burnt blonde hair like the hair dye packages
but more natural highlights if your hair is a light
brown, faddish, or dirty blonde. It also lightens
gradually, so it's not a drastic change.

11. Put half a bottle of peroxide in your bath to help
rid boils, fungus, or other skin infections.

12. You can also add a cup of peroxide instead of bleach to a load of
whites in your laundry to whiten them. If there is blood on clothing,
pour it directly
on the soiled spot. Let it sit for a minute, then rub
it and rinse with cold water. Repeat if necessary.

13. I use peroxide to clean my mirrors. There is no
smearing, which is why I love it so much for this.

I could go on and on. It is a little brown bottle
no
home should be without! With prices of most necessities rising,
I'm glad
there's a way to save tons of money
in such a simple, healthy manner!