What The . . .

Okay, so I want to show you some things I’ve already purchased for my future craft/sewing/creative space.  You better swallow your coffee, soda, water or vodka first, because you’ll be thinking, “what the . . . she’s the one who loves black and white!”. 

You remember I showed you a few posts back the chair slipcover and pillow I bought from Ballard Designs’ Estate Sale section?  A chocolate checked slipcover and a hemp linen monogrammed pillow.  Well, they’ve arrived! Perfect.  They will go together.

This is what the chair looked like in its Surefit slipcover.

And this is what the chair looked like before the Surefit slipcover when it was my daughter’s bedroom desk chair.

I forgot we did an animal print on her seat.  This has to be about 10 years ago, but it’s still in great shape.   Here’s the new slipcover.

It’s a loose fit and the back of the seat area has the most looseness {is that a word?}, so to counter that I stuck a standard size bed pillow against the seat back and it filled the seat back, as well as providing me with a softer back.  Notice the difference in thickness from this angle?  For $29.99 I can live with it!

Moving on ~ strolling through the fabric.com site, I came across this fabric.  A brown {lighter in real life, more browny taupe} and creamy white toile.

I do love brown and white transferware and this fabric made me think of that.   I’m thinking table skirt for my sewing machine or whatever other table I may have to create on.  They only had 3 yards left in stock.  So I ordered it!

So, I’m going with a brown/white/cream color scheme for this room.  I’m figuring I can just switch out the black I might have done with brown {such as painting those bookcases I showed here by doing a harlequin pattern in brown and cream}.  I can plan most of this out because I actually already know the style home we will be downsizing, too, and what it basically looks like.  Just so you stick with me here, let’s play and see how it might look.

The skirt will be gathered for the table.  I’m thinking a creamy white for the walls or a tan color like BM Blonde {which I have in my powder room presently}.  There is no window in this future room, as it is really a storage room, so the lighter the better.

In fact, I’ll be posting what is an exciting-good-news-post {to me, anyway} on Friday, August 12, 2011, so I hope you’ll be here to share in my excitement! 

Linking up with:

Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps On The Porch

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

Textile Party at Freckled Laundry

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

 

Kathy

Practicing A Transfer Technique

In my continuing effort to create with what I already have on hand, I found this wood block that had the word “Home” on it.  I forgot to take a before picture, but it was a light green color and has a hole in the top for something that was stuck in there at one time and is now lost.

The green and the design on the lettering didn’t really work for me so I sprayed it Heirloom White and wanted to try adding a different phrase to it.  I searched through my images from The Graphics Fairy to see what I could come up with.  This one was already provided in mirror image by Karen.

I decided to try the transfer technique of putting glue or Mod Podge on the image, letting it dry and then dampening the paper to remove it, leaving the image behind.  I printed this out on a laser jet printer, which may be a mistake as the black ink changed to a teal or blue/green shade by the time I was done.

I thought it looked like a giant bar of soap so I put it in my bathroom {which the ink color actually matches pretty well}.

I’m not sure what I did wrong; it may have been the printer I used, but I will keep trying.  For now, it will sit here on the shelf in my bathroom.

My UPrinting.com giveaway for a rolled canvas print is going on until August 3, 2011!

Kathy

Design Challenge ~ At Common Ground

Debra at Common Ground has come up with a great idea ~ a Design Challenge for those who would like some constructive decorating tips on the various decorating challenges they may need some input on. 

Head on over to Debra’s to read her post on the subject, but basically, in her words ~

Anyone who is in need of some advice, help, or just a fresh new idea, can submit a few photos to me for a feature post.  You can do it anonymously, or not, whatever you're comfortable with.  Then I'll post them, and you all get to leave constructive comments to help the blogger in need.  It could be a whole room, a wall, a vignette, a mantle...

suggestions for paint colors,

furniture placement,

anything about decor...

Great idea, right?  I know I’ve asked for help on my own projects and gotten some wonderful input from the blogging community.  Sometimes you get an idea you might not have considered and who knows, maybe you’ll get the perfect solution to your dilemma.

Kathy

P.S. Don’t forget to enter for a chance to win a rolled canvas print from UPrinting.com.

UPrinting Rolled Canvas Giveaway

This Giveaway Has Ended.

 

I’ve got a wonderful giveaway for you today sponsored by UPrinting.com.  Did you know they offer full color business cards ; I visited the website and found some great examples.

They also offer a variety of full color business cards to choose from ~ 8 x 10 all the way up to 40 x 60!

UPrinting.com is offering one winner the following:

One (1 ) piece 16” x 20” rolled canvas print, with 2-inch border or No border.  1 Business Day Turnaround *Free shipping.

To enter this giveaway:

• Leave me a comment telling me which of the three options above you might choose if you win;
• Blog about this giveaway or put it on your blog sidebar and leave me a separate comment that you’ve done so;
• Tweet about this giveaway and leave me a separate comment that you’ve done so.

Giveaway ends on August 3, 2011, and winner will be announced on August 4, 2011.  Winner must confirm by August 5, 2011, or a new winner will be chosen.   Winner will receive their rolled canvas print by August 31, 2011.

Restriction: Limited to *US residents 18 years old and above only.

Disclaimer: Required as per FTC Ruling: This canvas printing giveaway is sponsored by UPrinting, no monetary compensation was given  for hosting. Check out full color business cards for more details about canvas sizes.

Kathy

This Giveaway Has Ended.

Furniture I Can’t Wait To Paint!

In follow up to my previous post on furniture I won’t paint, this post has furniture that I can’t wait to paint!  This is furniture that I plan on utilizing ~ perhaps in different ways then currently used ~ when we downsize.  These pieces have to be painted to fit in with what I have envisioned for our next home.

This table/desk.  It’s hard to see because this room is difficult to photograph, but it’s that orangey looking stain.  It was an inexpensive piece but it is all wood.  I’d love to do this in chalk paint, but not necessarily the white.  We’ll see.  I think this is a versatile piece.  This could work as a bedroom side table, a desk, a craft room table, a hall table and would even work in a decent sized bathroom {imagine towels rolled up and stored on the bottom or a basket to hold t.p.}.

This three drawer dresser which presently sits in my entry foyer.   This works great for storage in this space, holding winter hats, gloves and scarves, as well as my overflow table linens.  I’d like to paint this and put it in a guest bedroom.

Next on the list are these bookcases that were part of my son’s bedroom set and he decided he didn’t want them anymore.  I love them and moved them into my daughter’s old room.  I can see them painted and, hopefully, used in a future craft room.  I would love to try the harlequin pattern like the chest pictured on my sidebar on these. 

Last, is this hall tree.  I’d love to do this one with the gray and old white chalk paint.  I’d need to figure out what to do with the brown and cream marble top though.  Maybe using the dark wax would help that blend in.  Of course, I still have to get to my thrift store headboard.

Soon.  Promise.

So, that’s what I got.  Now I just need to figure out do I paint them before we move or after.

Kathy

Frenchy Memo Boards {Or A Custom Frame Mistake Is My Gain}

Sometime ago, I shared that I picked up these two frames at Michaels {from the clearance section} just as you see them.  No backing, no glass.

For $8.00 a piece I knew that I could come up with something at some point to use them for. 

Finally, I have!  With the stash of fabric that I have here, I figured something that incorporated fabric would be a good idea.   I really like them “as is” with their brushed silver/nickel look, so I didn’t bother to paint them.

I looked through my fabric to see what I had and decided on these two. 

When you use writing with text or numbers, you need to decide ahead of time how you are going to want to hang the frame.  You have more flexibility with a solid, stripe or geometric and can change your mind once you are done.   For the smaller frame, I decided to go vertical and for the larger frame {to show off more of the large print} I decided to go horizontally.

This project used the frames, fabric, foam board {from a craft store or office supply store} and staples.  You could probably use hot glue instead of staples for securing the fabric to the foam board.  When the main part is done, some embellishments if you want to dress it up.  I had everything on hand already so I didn’t have to buy anything.

Here it is with the fabric attached to the board and snugly fitted in the frame.

I used some flat trim which I already had and just did an “X” for holding papers, pictures, etc.  I stapled the trim {or you could use ribbon} to the back side of each corner.  I pulled tight before stapling to the opposite side.

To add a little bling and some interest, I cut off the back of a decorative button and hot glued that to the middle where the “X” meets.  Isn’t that button pretty?

The second {larger frame} got a little embellishment with some brown ribbon and three buttons ~ one on each end and one in the middle.  Here I’ve laid it out to see if I like the way it looks.  It looks a little off in this picture but it’s laying on the floor.

As luck would have it, my hubby recently bought chicken wire and knowing he was done with his project, I cut some for my own. I got the idea for adding the chicken wire from Dee at A Lapin Life.

Once I got the okay from daughter {because I knew she was going to want one} I put everything in place.  I didn’t think she’d like the chicken wire and that’s why I waited, but she did like it.

I just want to acknowledge the beautiful tags I’ve now used twice as props for project pictures.  These  tags came from Creative Visions on etsy.  She makes really beautiful tags and after reading about her on Sissie’s blog, I ordered several different styles.

Linking up with

Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps On  The Porch

Tuesdays Treasures at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

Open House Party at No Minimalist Here

Sizzle Into Summer at DIY by Design

Textile Party at Freckled Laundry

Inspiration Friday At  The Picket Fence

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Frugalicious Friday at Finding Fabulous

Kathy

Furniture I’m Not Painting

I think we always talk about furniture we want to paint or can’t wait to give a fresh coat of paint to, but I thought I’d show you some pieces of furniture in my house that I won’t paint. 

I was so happy when we bought this chest.  I love painted furniture and it was the first painted piece we got.  I believe my hubby got it for one of my birthdays.  I still love it after ~ about 10 years, I guess, and have no thoughts of painting it.

This huge computer armoire in our great room.  We bought this piece because we needed something for our PC at the time and it has great storage, which we still use.  The scale of this piece works well to balance our great room; having a television and entertainment center on the other side of that doorway you can just see above {and cathedral ceilings} in a 25 x 26 room, a piece this size was needed.

Our dining room hutch, which is oak, but oddly enough I don’t hate it.  I actually kind of like it as is.  The table and chairs are another story altogether!

I love the glass doors on the top.

Last is another painted piece.  Not expensive by any means.  I think I got this table on clearance from JC Penney for $40.00.  I just still like it and think I could fit it in anywhere.  Right now it is in our master bedroom.

Do you have any furniture you won’t paint ~ no matter what the current trend or fad is?

Next post, I’m going to show you furniture I can’t wait to paint!  Amazing how that list is longer than this one!

Kathy

Ballard Designs ~ Sale Alert

Every so often, I visit the Ballard Designs website to scan the Estate Sale section.  Sometimes, I even find something that I like and that I can also afford!  That was the case this week when I came across these items.

Pleated slipcover with short skirt for $29.99-49.99.  While they say it goes with a specific Parsons chair they carry, I measured an old desk chair {currently wearing a Surefit long skirt slipcover} that I use at my sewing machine and the measurements were close enough.  For $29.99, I’ll make any adjustments that are needed.  I got the Small Chocolate Check.

Pillow cover with free monogramming {your choice of monogram design and thread color} for $8.99-16.00.  For $8.99 I’ll use a Joann’s coupon and get the pillow insert!  At this price, these would make for great Christmas gifts, if you are planning ahead.  I got the Hemp Linen with a black monogram.

Happy shopping!

Kathy

You May Be Following The Wrong Blue Creek Home Blog

A little public service announcement.  Our bloggy friend Rhonda of Blue Creek Home lost her domain for her blog and it was bought by someone else over the last weekend! If you follow Rhonda and are unaware of this, you are now following the wrong Blue Creek Home. 

To follow Rhonda’s new blog address, I unfollowed the current one in my blog roll {under “manage”} and then went to her new blog address and followed.  I tried to do it without unfollowing the original one and it would tell me I was already following Blue Creek Home.  Below is a snippet of Rhonda’s post regarding the matter.  I have linked to her new blog address within this post.

Find me at bluecreekhome.blogspot.com for now and please change your link address to the new blogspot address if you have my button, follow me, or have me saved to favorites/bookmark.
This has taken the wind out of my sails. I am trying to decide if it's time for a break so that I can focus 100% on little Mason and family. I will keep y'all updated.

Now back to your regularly scheduled blog reading!

Kathy