Notes from A Cottage Industry

A water dish can be a thing of beauty...

     You know how some people have good china and save it for only very special occasions? I am not one of those people. (Actually I probably need a 12 step tableware program, since I am about 2 dishes and an antique butter knife away from needing an intervention) It's all part of living a beautiful life. So...

Wanna see the pupper's water bowl? (I can't believe I hadn't shared this with you sooner)

What?

You thought it was a compote, or a salad bowl?

Oh. Now that you mention it, I guess it could be. But I was looking for a new water bowl for the boys, and, for the most part, they are just so..small, and when I do find a larger bowl, they are often so Gawd awful unattractive and expensive (Hellooooo, suddenly single budget here, folks) and, well, they never seem to go with my kitchen decor. (and you know that I am all about the details) Then...I stumbled upon this...beauty. Toile, no less. Stunning, and just the right size. (Oh, and I loved the lifted off the floor pedestal effect, too. Those dog dish tableware designers think of everything.)

Where? Of course, TJ Maxx, baby. I got it last summer for only $9.99 and worth. every. penny.

Life is too short to not use the good stuff, people, even for the pups.

Who says you can't buy happiness?

     The happiest little cottage in Reno, Nevada just went on the market.
     This wonderfully special home helped save my life in more ways than one, these past many months.
     In the beginning, it provided many a late night project that helped me to fill those lonely, scared, sleepless nights. Then, it presented a warm and welcome haven to come home to each night, to keep my sanity and many happy, memory making meals with family and friends gathered around the table.
     Now it's time for someone else to enjoy it's warm embrace.

Master bathroom re-do continues....

OK, so you've seen the first part of my master bath makeover. Now it's time to see the rest of the area. I squeezed out a slice of time and I finally tackled the rest of the master bath.
Here it is, in the "house of mirrors" before state (I know. Scary.) and after:

...Why did I wait so long? Sheesh.
     My son in law hung the old hutch top to use for me (I have had the silly thing for several years) and swapped out the light fixtures. Gone are the "Hollywood" lights! Gone is the "tri-fold" medicne cabinet. It's so much more user friendly (no more trying to decide which mirror to look in...) and just so much more cozy...
*sigh*...more me.

Little office corner with big style

     The current Maid-of-Honor's cottage is a very cozy size. This past weekend we added a little bit of personality to a corner of the living room, to warm up the space.(sorry, I meant to take a "Before" picture, but I forgot.)
Anyway.
They found a charming vintage desk on good ol' Craigslist a while back. (did you know that next to San Francisco, Portland Oregon has the most popular Craigslist? Yup, it's true.) You can't really see the desk in my picture, but,take my word for it, it's fabulous.
     The desk sits in the living room behind the sofa (because the desk is so deep it couldn't move through a bedroom door to become an office!)and it worked out for the best, really. It adds a nice, sophisticated touch to the room.      
     Until this past weekend, there was nothing on the wall behind the desk, and not much of interest on the desk. Well, we changed that. We had the fabulous son-in-law hang the brackets that my daughter has had for about five years. They were sage green and we quickly spray painted them black to better coordinate with the room. The board we had was a bit narrow, so they're replacing it with a wider board this week, and staining it to match the desk...it'll look like a million bucks!
     A few accent pieces from around the house, and a giant clock from Freddie Meyers filled in the spaces. We then topped it off with a perfect wedding photo in black and white and we were standing back admiring our handiwork in no. time. at. all. Too wonderful for words!

*sigh* There's just never enough time to do all the projects we want to do on these short little jaunts to PTown.

a cozy corner

Here is a peek into the little area off of the kitchen in my newlywed daughter's cottage. A perfect spot for reading, or sunning, or sitting with a cup of chai tea, reflecting on the day.

     We had every intention of finishing up the area with new shabby drapes like one of these this past weekend, but time got away from us.
     Um ya, I think that means I need to hurry back up there, don't you?

The laundry room door o' my dreams (what a difference a door makes...)

   

     Sure, some women dream of fancy homes, or jewelry, or fabulous shoes. (OK, I have been known to lust after fabulous shoes myself...) but, really, for me it's all about the details. The things you might not have noticed, until they are improved upon, and are now a focal point in a room.
       Aah, such is the case of my newly installed, freshly painted, oh, so charming French door from the kitchen to the laundry room. It is a thing of beauty and a joy to behold, for me anyway. Previously, there was a circa 1966 flat panel interior door, complete with a little kitty door at the bottom. One can only surmise that the homeowner before me had a kitty and kept the kitty litter box in the laundry area.


     I have waited and saved and finally got the door hung a week and a half ago (by Jed, the oh so incredible handyman) and then I painted it up and hung my sweet lace curtain. You see, the laundry room has a wonderfully large window above the washer and dryer and now the light can stream in to the kitchen, with the door closed, so everyone doesn't have to admire my very old (oh, let's call 'em vintage, shall we?) washer and dryer.
     I also placed a darling lamp with a toile shade (it has been waiting a year, out in the garage for this very moment!) on top of the dryer...and soon, very soon, I'll be sharing pictures of the laundry room itself. (You see, I have further big-but-cheap plans for this little gem of a room, but it will have to wait until after the big wedding!)
*Sigh* For now, I am so happy and content, just to peek into the kitchen and look at the wonderfully cozy lil' door in my little jewel of a cottage.

angel wings- a work in progress, and opinions wanted.

     I'm starting to take down all my snowflakes and snowmen, and replace it all with hearts and angels..all things Valentine. I put my wings in the diningroom for this season and I am still playing around with what I want to use as accents with them..

Click on the pictures to enlarge them if you like...so far I am leaning towards the "Be Mine" blocks, because it seems more Valentine-ish...but I tried old books as well...which do you like best?

Window pains

         How do you like what I've done with my windows in the workroom? Oh yes, I am happy, happy now, but you should have seen me last Sunday (alllll day long...aauuuugh!) and then some more time spent last night. Oh yes, last night I was ready to pull out all my hair, trying to hang those roller shades. Did you hear all that screaming and stomping my feet? Ya, that was me.

*sigh* In the end, I think it was worth every minute.

          I think window treatments can be the toughest element in completing a look for a room, and they can literally make or break the look as well. In this case, I used what I had. Some remnants of the ticking fabric that the sewing queen of northern Nevada re-slipcovered my old piano bench with, some battenburg lace place mats, and some twigs from a very old grapevine wreath. Along with that I added some reproduction travel postcards, my favorite word on a banner of Robin's egg blue and mocha toile scrapbook paper and a little nest (you know I had to do that!)
    Here was the window treatment before...practical, and obviously affordable, the previous owner bought a ready made mini blind to undoubtedly create privacy and provide insulation, but...can we say boring? (So totally not me.)

    I mean, the windows themselves (original to the cottage and single paned..) are so charming, so cute, and they let in so much sunshine (..OK, and cold air.But, did I mention they are cute? No one will ever call me practical) that I had to find a way to showcase this so I could enjoy the cuteness of it all.

And, so I did.

Where this woman creates-the updated tour of my workroom

   
     Need a piece of paper? It's inside the closet in the paper organizer, of course. Some staples? In the middle drawer of the 3 drawer bird house, right where they belong. *Sigh* I love being tidy, but it doesn't come naturally for me.

Step right up, and welcome to the ten cent tour of my almost totally done, (for now) newly re-invented, completely organized and charmingly decorated workroom slash home office; AKA Command Central.(Hey!Look and you can see that I even got Jed the amazing handyman to hang my fabulous chandelier that I bought 8 months ago in sweet little Camas Washington!!!) It's where all my creative messes begin.

**edited at 7:00 pm Saturday night to add: I accidentally posted this post this morning and quite a few of you were wondering where in the heck the photos were!I wrote the post, but it was before I took my pictures. That was when I thought I'd get the window covering project completed today,as well as a little something on the far left wall. Well, I was busy, busy all day long, and time got away from me, so the tour is of everything except the window treatment, which you can see from the mini blinds, hasn't been updated yet, and the last wall...you'll see it soon though, I promise!**

     When I first moved into my sweet little fixer upper cottage a year ago on December first, my home office was not a priority. It was enough to focus on getting through today and tomorrow, and still coming to grips with my suddenly single life. Time passed. Slowly at first, then faster. I survived. I made a real home for myself and the puppies. Life came back.
     Now, a bit more than a year later, I am down to the last room in the cottage to personalize, just for me. (I know I will never be really all the way finished, as nesting is such a passion with me...a therapy of sorts...but this is the last room in the cottage for me to put my personal mark on)
I have a three bedroom cottage, and this is one of the bedrooms, nice and sunny, with a closet and a big cheery window. It's a pretty generic bedroom.
     As I've already mentioned in other posts, I've decided the best way to start of 2008 is by being 100% organized with my computer, my crafts, my bank statements and bills, and my supplies. (2008 is gonna be my year baby, and I had better be well prepared!)
     You know, it doesn't matter at all how big or small your creative space is. If things are orderly, things run more smoothly. Simple as that. There's a peacefulness to order; a sense of calm that can only be found (no pun intended) when things are in their proper places, don't you agree?   

     I began by emptying the room of everything except the large furniture pieces and my computer. (I put everything in the many empty rubber made tubs that previously held Christmas decorations. Thanks to cleaning out, handing things down to the kids, and donating some things, I ended up with several empty tubs.) The tubs were moved to my guest room and brought back into the workroom one at a time, cleaning and organizing as I went along.
     Once the contents were out of the room, I painted.(after I deliberated for far too long on if the new gallon of paint was really the same color as the kitchen and my bedroom) Oh, I can't get enough of that soothing soft Robin's egg blue-green-gray. Yummy.
    Finally, it was time to figure the layout of the furniture.Wow, less is more. The room feels twice the size it was a few weeks ago. Really.
    Lastly, (and this was the long tedious part) I began dragging in all my supplies and tools and such, a box at a time, making a donation pile (oh, my teacher friends were thrilled with these craft supplies!) a trash pile and a "this-doesn't-even-belong-in-this-room" pile. Oh yes! That's when the real fun began. The arranging, the tweaking, the discovering long lost craft tools...the organizing. Yes!

    I've still got to do a bit more fine tuning, but all in all, I am pretty happy with the way it's looking so far...and I think the puppers are enjoying it too.

Inspiration Friday - Napkin rings

      I love pretty table settings, and includes pretty napkin rings and place card holders! They inspire me to create wonderful table scapes!
     Today I thought I'd share with you some of my favorites that I have collected over the years. Most of them I have had for fifteen years or more. They never go out of style, and that's why they're such a good thing to have on hand.
    I have plain white ceramic vase style napkin rings that can be dolled up with ivy, or flowers, or holly, or even glittery faux poinsettia's, depending on the season and the formality I am after...

Think of all you can do with these....I have antique silverware handles that have been crafted into dressy rings...

I have these darling ceramic carrots (I've had them for about 20 years now!) that are perfect for any garden theme tablescape, and for a cheery Easter time meal too....oh, I am inspired for spring to hurry up and get here now!

    For breakfasts, or lunch, or when it's just me (yes! I set the table for myself, don't you? If you don't you should.)I have these sweet little tea pots...

    OK, I cheated on this last one. It's a WalMart Christmas ornament.

I changed out the ribbon and I tie it on the napkin...still one of my favorites...and oh, so inspiring.

My top ten projects of 2007...

Cindy shared hers yesterday, after she got the idea from Manuela. How fun, to look back over the year and remember all the fun projects!Here are my top ten projects of 2007 in no particular order...

1.Furniture re-do 101. This was the little table in my bedroom, and I shared a tutorial on how I paint furniture.

2. Seashell cookies for my son and daughter-in-laws wedding reception.

3.My kitchen cabinet redo...this was my largest project of the year by far. Anyway, I made it last longer than any other project of the year!

4.The paper cones. They are just so charming....

5.The angel wings, dress form dress up...wait till you see what i'm doing with the wings for Valentine's day!

6. The garden sign. *Sigh* OK, I am ready for spring now.

7.The white highchair redo...I am ready for grandbabies, in case anyone cares to know.

8.The entire backyard foofy-fying. Did I say i'm ready for spring yet?

9. The kitchen hutch...not only was it cheap, it was such a big transformation...

10. The dining room table swap slash redo....

I could go on and on....I can't wait to see what 2008 brings!

(Moderately) Extreme Makeover

     I cleared out about 70% of my old holiday decor items this past Christmas season. When I had finished paring things down, I had a small pile of items that I still loved, but needed some updating...foofifying if you will, to make them more of my current look. While I would not call myself a pack rat, I don't like to give things away just because they no longer go with my home decor, or I am simply tired of the color they are painted.
     Such was the case of Mr. Snowman here. He's so danged cute, but I am so over red right now. (never say never, 'coz he may get painted back to red someday...)  I want to keep the snowman/snowflake/let-it-snow theme going on through January, so he got a new coat..of paint.
It's not taken from the best angle, but here he is "before"...

     He was adorable then, and he is adorable now...

    The difference is that he now goes better with my color scheme, and he's not so much Christmas-y as he is winter-y.

Aah, the things a girl can do with 30 minutes and a bit of paint, string and scrapbook paper.

Lesson learned... the hard way

     Note to self- You are a lot of things, but you are not an electrician.

*sigh*.

It's been a little dark here at my cottage the past few days. Mmm hmm. My old dimmer switch  in my kitchen nook blew out three weeks ago and I completely lost my mind decided that I could replace it myself, because I live in a fantasy world consider myself "handy".
     "How hard could it be?", I thought to myself. I mean, the worst thing that would happen is that it wouldn't work, right? Wrong. The worst thing that can happen is that you can blow out all the power in one half of your lil' cottage.(Okay, the very worst thing would be that you could burn down your little cottage, but ending up with no lights in 4 rooms of your cottage is not good either...) Then, after the worst has happened, you have to wait several days to get someone that actually knows what they are doing to come over and take a look see. Today is that day.

*sigh* I am not an electrician.

Workroom/Office update:Foofified Bookcases and a way cool computer table

    Here's that second post of the day that I said I'd share if the power stayed on.
    I shoveled the driveway early, early this morning. The snow is still coming down, periodically (I love it!) and I can see that I am going to have to bundle up and shovel again.

The workroom slash office redo continues...and continues...oh, so slowly.
I've been painting the hutch bottom/table/desk for what seems like a week. (Remind me never to paint something that large dark green again. It takes too many coats of write to cover it up when I get tired of it.)
All whining about the time the paint job took aside, I love the new and improved desk-y, table-y thing. It was originally a 2 piece hutch. I've had it for more than twelve years. It was time for a new look, so I decided to omit the hutch top, since it was in pretty sad shape actually, leaning a bit to one side. Instead, I thought I'd add skirts to cover my printer, computer tower and other craft supplies and use the long base as my computer/work table. Perfect!!!!!!!!!! Just exactly the length of the window, it sits where I can look outside and watch the snow coming down.(As you can see, I haven't tackled the window treatment yet..soon though, very soon.)
     As for the bookcase mdf back dilemma, well, since cash flow is a real issue in my world, I decided for the time being to use what I've got...pages from a couple of old books are covering the backs of both cases for now. Later, when my ship comes in I'll do something wildly pretty, but for now, I am kinda likin' the look.

    I am also going to attach bun feet to the bottom of each bookcase as well, to give it a more finished look.

    The organizing and rearranging is going well...I keep bringing in just a few items at a time, putting them in their perfect place, so I can actually find them when I need to use them later.
    And the purging. Oh my, people. You really should try this in your creative space. Just like the rule for clothes in your closet, if you haven't used it in two years, donate it to someone who will.   
     Luckily I have about 50 teacher friends, and they can always use crafty stuff. I can't quite put into words just how good it feels to be getting this room organized. Organized and comfy.

*sigh* It's like a peaceful, calm aura has blanketed the room, and it feels so nice.

Mirror, mirror, on the wall...

    Oh yes, I'm still working in my workroom/home office, and I am having a ball setting it up in such an organized fashion!
    You saw this mirror in the "before" state already, but here it is again.

    It was originally on top of an old dresser, but the brackets that were to hold it in place were broken. Of course, I had big plans for it, just not sure what the big plans were.
     I've been hanging on to it for a year and a half now, waiting for that right spot to jump out at me. Looking at the two bookcases with the old piano bench (newly re-slipcovered in the same fabric as my dining room chairs, by the Sewing Queen of norther Nevada!) I knew I had finally found that special spot.
    The first step was to tape it all off....

    Oh, and I had plans to add an appliqué to the top area that had been broken off before I got the mirror.
     I primed it with my favorite..Kilz water based primer....

    A couple more coats and I was ready to antique the piece....

I added the antiqued appliqué (I always antique appliqués before attaching them, and then do a bit of touch up)and I hung it on the wall....

I sat back and admired the look. *Sigh* Nice. Just the look I was after. And it didn't cost me anything but my time.

Hmmm, now, what am I going to do with the ugly mdf board on the backs of those bookcases?

Creatively organizing....a work in progress

Soooooooooooo...
      I know I told you I was tackling the workroom slash home office this week, and... I am. (I am nearly done and will have the photos to prove it soon!)
     Besides the fact that I have done a few other projects (cleaned out my clothes for donations, had two sets of friends over for dinner within the week, and drove all the way to the lake and back on an errand)I want you to think know I have been diligently working on this room in between shopping the after Christmas sales and lunching with friends doing many other chores.
Umm.. ya. So, here's the update:
     First of all, the painting took me a long while. The color didn't seem quite the same shade as my bedroom or kitchen (a different gallon, so I am guessing there was a drop more blue in it...)I mean, it was very close, but...I am particular about stuff like this.
     After many splotches painted here and there on various walls, and me looking it over every ten minutes for two hours, I decided it was a nice shade and to go with it (It's a new year, and I am working on being more flexible this year, in case it isn't obvious)
     Second, I am pretty sure I have Adult ADD (attention deficit disorder) and OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) Really.(see the above mention of how hard it was to decide on the color of paint)
     I start to go through one box,and get excited when I discover my long lost leaf shaped paper punches (I wondered where I had put them this past Thanksgiving...) so, since it's 2008 and the new and improved organized me, I want to put these punches where I won't lose them again, so I put them in a nice neat black photo box. You know, the kind from Wal-Mart with the cute little drawer pull looking thing on the end with a window for a cute little typed label? I am immediately inspired to create the said cute little label. (in an old typewriter font no less)  Now, I've got to cut the label out and slide it into the slot. Oops, too big, I need to redo it. Oops, too small. OK, finally the right sized font, all cut out and slid into place. Ohmygosh, it's cute. Now, time to clean up the cut up paper mess and put the scissors away. (See? New and improved organized me) What was I working on again? Oh ya, organizing the office. Okie dokie, back to emptying the box.
     That's when I discover my stash of old Paper Creations magazines from a few years back. Hmmm, the Valentine issue. Better look at it, since Valentine's day is right around the corner....
    OK, so you get the picture. The thing is, when I moved to my cottage, lots of my home office items sat in the garage. For. A. Year. This being said, there are lots of boxes to go through, and I want it to be done right the first time, you know? For me, it's all about organization this year, people. Even if I am taking baby steps.
*Sigh* Slow and steady. It's coming along just perfectly.

Christmas eve breakfast tablescape...charming and cheap.

Wow. Two posts in one day. What can I say? I'm still high on life from my fabulous Christmas.
    I have a few shots from our Christmas table in P-Town that I wanted to share. *sigh* Such fun being up there, even if time was too short. (It always is)
To start off the holiday, we all gathered for a fabulous Christmas eve breakfast. We did the table up with hints of blue and mocha to coordinate with the dishes.(followed later that day by an amazing dinner, with white dishes and all silver and glittered accents!)at the current maid-of-honor and her sweet hubby's cottage.

    For the base of our center piece, we used a very old, chipped mirror from a thrifted sideboard. It works perfectly as a shabby backdrop for anything glitzy and is a nice long rectangle. (Think about using a mirror on your table next time you're stumped for a tablescape)

    I took my "Wish" tickets along with me...my gosh, have I gotten my money's worth out of those little gems, or what?!

    Their place is cozy, with only room for a darling vintage drop leaf table and 2 chairs in the area between the kitchen and living room, so we took an old wooden closet door (it was actually 4 feet by 8 feet in size) and placed it right on top of the table. We then covered the board with a beautiful white cutwork table cloth (TJ Maxx...on sale right before Christmas for only $8.99!) and set the table. Voila'! We took a caned back settee (yard sale find!) and covered the cushion with fabric that matched with the table (actually an old vintage damask drape purchased at the Willows Nest event last summer!) The caned settee coordinated perfectly with my daughter's chairs around the table. It looked amazing. Truly.

  Oh! Another idea you'll want to remember. Hit those after Christmas sales! The items on this tray at the bride-to-be's home are all simply Christmas ornaments and a long plastic silver beaded garland. Toss it all on a silver tray (or an old mirror, or whatever suits your fancy) with some candles, and you've got instant (and so affordable!) glam.
     I'm sharing this because I want you to know that no one cares how big your home is, or how fancy, or how many your table usually seats. It's about people, not things. It's about thinking outside of that box.
     Look around your home next time it looks like you may have a space limitation, not a large enough centerpiece, or not enough tables. Use what you've got. Ornaments, thrifted finds, old books, a piece of heavy plywood (or a free closet door left from your remodel!) and make. it. happen. Make it special. Show you care.

That's what it's all about.

We interupt this holiday season...

...to paint the bathroom. (I realized it's been a while since I've worked on a home improvement project.)The photo above gives a tiny sneak peek at what I created...including a darling nest that arrived a couple weeks ago from sweet, sweet Becky in Ohio!
Oh, I've been meaning to tackle this job for one entire year now. A full on remodel is not in this girl's budget, so I had to really think outside of the box. Way outside.
     Actually, the master bathroom is kind of divided into two areas. The first, with the vanity counter and  sink, is in a large open doorway type area off of the master bedroom. (I'll share more with you about this part of the bathroom in another post, very soon...)
     The second area is through a door, and houses the toilet and shower stall (my tub is in the guest bath, which I love, because it means I actually use both bathrooms in my home, as I hate having rooms that are never used.) This is the space that I am going to share today. Not horrendous (we'll save that area for later, when I show the re-do on the front part of the bathroom with the vanity. Now that is horrendous.) but still very old, tired, and b o r i n g. (notice the decorative bar the previous owner put on this ugly old window, the unusually long and large selection of circa 1966 towel bars- 3 in the shower area alone- and the use of white everywhere possible- floor, walls, tile, toilet....yawn.)

Anyway.

     I needed inspiration to get me going on the fix up of this part of the bathroom. As you can see in the "before" photos shown down below in this post, the 1966 master bath left much, much to the imagination.
     Last spring I found the inspiration I needed. I stumbled upon the perfect fabric for a shower curtain at the $2 Fabric Store. It coordinated wonderfully with my bedding, and it has a sweet cottage look to it. I bought the fabric, and then it laid around in my workroom/office for...oh, all summer...and fall.  I finally got around to giving it to the sewing Queen of northern Nevada last month.
     This past weekend she surprised me the completed shower curtain as a birthday present. I was out of town Friday night and returned home Saturday evening to find this pretty curtain all finished up and ready to be hung. I was so thrilled that I ran in there, right then (8:00 pm Saturday night) and I prepped and scrubbed and cleaned. Then, I painted. (What can I say? That's just how exciting my life is) I mean, this new shower curtain had me all on fire to wrap up this untidy, unfinished job, pronto!
     Well, as it turned out, the paint I purchased (uh huh, last spring, from Home Depot) was a tad bit too dark. Not to worry, I had a cream glaze already mixed in the garage. I let the paint dry (11:00 pm Saturday night) and then began glazing. Oh, so much better. (It photographed kind of screaming orange-ish in a couple pictures, but it's really a warm wheat-like tone...yummy!)The photo below was taken before it occurred to me to add my newest, sweetest nest to the vignette...

     Sunday morning I decided to add these old swinging doors that I used as shutters in my last house. I painted them and antiqued (glazed) them to coordinate. I hung the new, oh so charming shower curtain, which still needs some equally charming rings added to it as soon as I find some I adore.
  Here are a few before and after shots for you to get a better idea of the transformation: (click on any photo to enlarge it)

I think they give the bathroom a perfect French cottage ambiance, n'est pas?

Voila'! A petite French cottage bathroom. Just for moi.
Merci beaucoup, Mama.

 

Most unusual cupcakes indeed.

    These cupcakes aren't for eating, there for heating.**
     That's right. They're fire starters, and they make wonderful gifts for anyone with a woodburning fireplace.

    I thought everyone already knew how to make these, but I found out while conducting my workshop last Saturday that many of you hadn't heard of these yet...so here's the skinny on them.

FIRESTARTERS

Cedar shavings (found in the pet section of WalMart or at pet stores. It is meant for the cages of guinea pigs and hamsters)
parifin or candle stumps left from used up candles..any color will do
An old large pot (from a thrift shop or yard sale- you won't be cooking in these things after this)
Cupcake pan (again, from a thrift shop or yard sale)
cupcake liners

Melt the wax on low heat on the stove. Watch it, wax can be flammable if overheated. Fill cupcake liners with cedar shavings (don't pack it too tightly) Pour melted wax over cedar shavings. Let set up (put in freezer to speed process up) Bag up the fire starters, along with a few pine cones if you like, and instructions for use. When you're done, let any left over wax cool and harden in the pot and store the pot, cedar shavings and cupcake pan for later use. As you have little candle stubbs, simply drop them in the pot and when you're ready to make more, you'll be set.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE

Put one of these little babies in the fireplace, beneath the grate. Add some newspaper and your logs on top of the grate. Light the fire stater, and it will burn for a long while, starting up your nice big fire.

Bag a few of these little gems up in a large corsage bag or basket with directions for use and you're finished. These make perfect gifts around the winter holidays for neighbors and friends alike!

**side note here** I will admit that the first time someone gave me a bag of these (my eldest daughter was in Kindergarten and her teacher gave them to the room mothers as Christmas gifts...)and I did think they were some odd kind of bran muffins. (I vividly remember thinking that they looked a bit dry to me.) Luckily, before I tasted one, a fellow room mother announced to me that she was thrilled to get some, because they were the coolest thing for starting a fire.

The reason for the season...

      I have a very large nativity set. Large in size and in number of pieces. This year, being my first to decorate for Christmas in my cottage, I've told you that I've decided to scale it down a bit with the less is more mind-set. I have chosen to highlight Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus without all of the kings on camels, angels, shepherds and stable animals. (with any luck in just a few years I'll be blessed with a grand baby or two or three to share in the joy of setting up the giant set!)

Anyway.

     I am loving how my precious nativity figures look under my  bell jar, especially at night by candle light.

*sigh* So simple and peaceful and beautiful.

A little Christmas cheer in the kitchen

     I used to be crazy for Christmas decor, going with the "if one is good, five surely must be better" attitude. I think I may have mentioned that I had 15 rubber made tubs of Christmas decorations to go through. What I didn't tell you was that I also had four fake Christmas trees as well. (I told you my last house was big.) Not full blown giant trees, but the kind you could put in a group, with the skinny trunks...
Ahem..Anyway.
     While I am going with a less is more attitude in holiday decor this year, I do enjoy seeing merry little details in my rooms. The high chair I keep in my kitchen (I know. I do not have any grand babies yet, but it's so cute that I had to keep it after I painted it up a delightful Robin's egg blue) got a little holiday cheer with a faux sugared fruit spray and a simple bow. (See? Cute, huh?)
*sigh* I just love it.

Simply cranberries

    I'm working on putting out my Christmas decor this week, whittling through all the many (15 to be exact!) boxes of decorations from years gone by. These faux cranberry trees are from WalMart (I got them about 3 years ago...) and I do love them. Just the right size for my kitchen table.

As you can see, my kitchen table isn't terribly large, (I think it's 42 inches across...) so big centerpieces make it impossible to enjoy a meal, or to see who you're eating with, and I don't like to have to remove the centerpiece just to sit down.  The cranberry trees don't take up too much room, and they look so festive.
I think these are just perfect here.
     This year I am going much more into the soothing, sophisticated holiday blues and silver instead of the traditional red and green, but this is one of my exceptions. There are a few more splashes of red and green, which I'll share as the week goes on.
What are you putting on your holiday table this year?

My Christmas mojo has returned....

    ...and it's only November 24th! Oh yes, I am feeling the Christmas spirit. Big time.
     I realized last night (and I was very surprised to discover ) that I am actually looking forward to Christmas this year! Last year I pretty much skipped the entire holiday, and had only been moved into my cottage a couple of weeks at that point in time. Now, a year later, I am mentally ready to dig through the 15 giant rubbermade tubs of Christmas decor to see what will stay, and what will go.
     Going from a large house (about 4,500 square feet) with five Christmas trees, and too many collections to count (Santas and snowmen and pine trees....) to a smaller home (about 1,600) means I don't need all of this..stuff. Not only that, some of the items have memories attached that I'd just as soon donate.
*sigh* Bittersweet, but freeing too, in a way.
     So, the Christmas music is blaring, the cider is on the stove, and a roaring fire is ablaze in my charming dining room fireplace. Oh yes, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas here on Norman Drive.
     *sigh*The dogs think I've gone over the deep end.

Autumn elegance...and a request

     The new-bride-to-be is thinking of maybe having an elegant, yet rustic Autumn wedding.  They've found a place that just may be perfect, so I am trying out some plans for the decor, you know, in my spare time, just to give us some food for thought. (who am I kidding? I can't even sleep for all the rustic-yet-oh-so-elegant ideas racing through my head!) I'm thinking white pumpkin lined walk ways, with oodles and toodles of tiny white votives and twinkle lights...(My photograph didn't cooperate. It's a pumpkin with pearly glittery confetti, and it actually looked oh so romantic in person, but you'll just have to take my word for it, 'coz the photo above looks like the poor pumpkin has some kind of shiny warts...)

Anyway.

     I saw an incredible wedding article with tons of great pictures in a magazine a few years back (Country Home? Country Living? Mary Engelbreit?) Anyway, it was a fall wedding done in a barn, in Oregon of all places, and it. was. fabulous.
     Well, I tore the pictures out, hoping to someday get to put this plan into action. The new-maid-of-honor had the pictures when we were working on her wedding plans, and as you know, she married before Autumn, so...she tossed the magazine photos out! I have googled till my eyeballs are burning and no sign of the article or photos. If it rings a bell to you, please let me know the month, year and magazine so I can set about trying to get the back issue. (My girls think I am completely crazy, since they said we can remember what was in the picture, but...I fear we might be missing something fabulous. A picture is worth a thousand words you know.)

Autumn porch

     
     Aah, sweet Autumn has arrived in a big way here. Chilly mornings, leaves turning, the smell of neighbor's fireplaces as I walk the pups. Mmmm, I love it.
     My summer flowers finally all played out. I replaced them this morning with some fake ivy and  green moss I found in a bag when I was working on the Tumbleweed Cotillion booth furniture.
My porch was looking mighty sad and droopy, especially with the plant morgue I had going on in the window boxes, so I did a bit of sprucing there too. Looking at this picture really helps me see how desperately I need to paint my front door (what color should I paint it? Tomato red, a medium darkish-wheaty-brown or classic black?) and take down the hose holder. Oh, and add some more visible house numbers. Some black or chocolate brown shutters would be nice on the sides of the front windows too. (Maybe, if I do well enough at the Cotillion...)
  I moved the old worn dresser, formerly used as a sofa table/buffet server on the patio, to my front porch for winter. It's pretty weather worn and this will most likely be it's last stop before I steal the old drawers out and do something creative with them and dump the frame. So, tell me...

What's on your porch for fall?

Inspiration friday- Pumpkins!

The ultimate symbol of Autumn, in a way.
Oh yes. I have 'em everywhere during the fall season. Inside, outside, real, faux.  Shades of orange to pearly whites. I know I've shared this a while back, but I simply love this old Fitz and Floyd Soup tureen from about 13 years ago when my Mom had a darling little gift shop.

I found these perfectly matching mini soup bowl pumpkins years later at Big Lots for a dollar ninety nine each.(Yippee! I love a good deal almost better than anything on earth)I have eight of them.

Here are some of the set of six (I think) vintage soup bowls the new-Maid-of-Honor got at a sale up in Portland, and sent to me for the Tumbleweed Cotillion. Aren't they sweet?

Oh yes. *sigh* Pumpkins inspire me.

Treasures from the trip, and a few more details

Yes indeedy, it was a wonderful trip from start to finish.
     I was able to give the magazine people my promo packet on Saturday morning. They had a special drop off location for anyone that had such packets to leave them. I also followed up by sending a promo packet via email to the managing editor when I returned home.
     We were given fabulous little gifts throughout the weekend as well. Tea, soaps, a lovely robin's egg blue ribbon bookmark...oh so much stuff I cannot even list it all. (Dawn shared a photo of all of our swag on yesterdays post,so check it out there!)
     They also had a room set up as the "Emporium" on Saturday, with shopping booths. I got the amazing silver plate square cake pedestal, (Picture that with a square cake, or full of cupcakes!)

...napkin rings made from real vintage silverware (is that a fabulous idea, or what?)and some books (I simply can't pass up an inspirational book!)there. You know you'll be seeing these things in photos on posts to come...

     All the swag and Emporium items were wonderful, but by far my favorite gifts from the weekend came from our friend Dawn. When we arrived at the hotel she had laid out two gorgeous satchels to carry our things in, handmade by her of course! Inside, lavender sachets. Oh, I just adore mine! Look at the detail! I will use it and keep it out where I can enjoy looking at it each and every day.

    Alexandra Stoddard was even better in person than in her inspiring books. She talked in depth, along with her dear husband Peter, with each and every person in line for the book signing. She made me feel like I was the only person in the room when we spoke. She and Peter have sold all of their belongings, except one cottage they own,(which they listed, but "the universe said it wasn't to be" so they still have it) and are now going to travel the world. All of her belongings. She said they donated their home's furnishings and clothes, and she threw away years of journals. Can you imagine? She reads Aristotle every day. Amazing, amazing woman.

     I had to share pictures of this woman. She is a milner, although she did not design this particular hat...but isn't it rich? Sooooo Victoria.

    There was a vintage clothing expert that was absolutely fascinating. He shared dresses back to the early 1800's.

One last parting shot of the beautiful table at tea...

*sigh* Such a great trip. So many wonderful memories.

Harvest

Last night I created the banner to announce glorious Autumn.

I think it adds the finishing touch to the dining room mantle, don't you?

     I added pumpkins to my window boxes on the front of my cottage as well. These are old faux pumpkins from a few years back that I bought at Michael's and Wal-Mart, so they are lightweight and  I don't have to worry about them being to heavy for the window boxes.

*sigh*Autumn.  It's by far my favorite time of year.

oh, so ready for Autumn

     I spent a few minutes Sunday afternoon getting out some of my fall decor to cozy things up around my cottage. Tonight I plan on making a banner to hang on the fireplace to finish off the Autumn look.
     Oh, it's my most favorite time of year. The air gets crisp and the leaves begin to fall from the trees.

    In another couple of weeks it will be cool enough to burn a fire in the fireplace, and make spiced hot cider... and I will be ready.

The moment we've all been waiting for!

Yes friends, it's finally here.
Strike up the band, clap your hands, ooh and aah, and for gosh sakes, somebody throw some confetti!
The kitchen cupboards are done. Painted. Antiqued. Fini. (Well, all except for knobs, which are laying on the counter in a bag, and I do promise to get them all up this week, and to share photos!)
     Here is a before shot of part of the kitchen as seen from my entryway. It's a bit digitized, as it was from the virtual tour of the cottage online. (I showed the counter re-do before on this post...oh my. Was it really all the way back in March?!) And just below the before, is an after...including a vintage table that used to be painted red and served as a night table in a guest room in my last house. ( it's just exactly the perfect size to use as a kitchen island now that I am in my sweet, sweet cottage!)

Now, it's been reinvented, and I owe it all to the Maid-of-Honor. (I had no idea this was what Labor Day meant...) She was like a pit-bull drill Sargent. I only got to take a break twice, and that was to assist her in an hanging a light fixture in the master bath, and then for a quick deli sandwich.

     In the end, it was all worth it. I love the cool, calming, vintage-y look and feel it gives my much-loved cottage kitchen. I wonder why it took me so long to wrap this lil' job up?

*edited to add: If you're interested in trying this paint method,  I have full instructions here.
For my kitchen cabinets I used Behr Brand from home Depot "Ultra Pure white" in eggshell finish for my paint color, after I painted 2 coats of Kilz primer.

A little rearranging

     While cleaning my cottage this weekend I also did some rearranging. I moved my little vintage camera collection from my office to the living room, and I moved my vintage storage boxes as well. Aren't they wonderful?

   The bride-to-be got them for me (in Portland, of course!) as a surprise several months ago, and I love them. (she's got a great eye, doesn't she?) They're quite a nice size,as you can see in the first photo.

     From the looks of the insides of these boxes, they were both used for filing paperwork. They are very sturdy and have nice clasps to keep them closed. I also have a small faux "Book of Sweets"  that was my Grandmother's, and hers was originally a candy box. (She used it to store old letters)
     I think these fabulous storage boxes make a wonderful addition to my end table in the living room, and together with the cameras, and a black and white wedding photo of the newlyweds, add a nice, kind of sophisticated vintage feel.
     *sigh* I think it's always such fun to shake things up a bit by simply rearranging and moving items into new groupings. It makes everything feel fresh and charming in a whole new way, and all. for. free.