"that" chair

That chair (the gold one down below) is scaring me!  Truth is, I haven't been able to get back to it.  It looks like this still!

The more I took it apart, the more nervous I got about putting it back together.

 It's not your basic "staple the fabric on" type of chair!  yikes!  It's well built, it's got good stucture.

       Oh boy.   

So, this is on the back burner for now, I really need to work on the kitchen floor, but first I'm having a family dinner.  That might be scarier than the chair.

on to the next project

This one has needed attention for a long time!  I had to move it where it couldn't be sat on, so it didn't totally desintegrate!  I picked it up last summer at a garage sale, or maybe it was two summers ago?  Just now getting around to it, I know, busy times!

At this point, I have the fabric all torn off.  It was a beast.  Those tacks can really be in there good, all embedded in the wood.  It needs a little glueing and new webbing on the bottom.  Hopefully I'll get started next week.

One ugly chair got the slip (cover)

Here's the new cover.  I do plan to put a piece behind those corner slits, maybe.  And the buttons are not on the back yet.

Here's the underneath ugliness.  But it was FREE! 

She sits in the library, where I've been working on making it a cozy study place.

ta da! the table is done and.....the ORANGE curtains and dinning room I never showed you!

This is the table now.

BEFORE

The finish was very sticky and always smudged with pencil graphite.  I had to get out a scrubby to clean it and even then it wasn't very clean.

My ORANGE curtains made from dollar a yard shirting!  I've got ten whole dollars wrapped up in these.  The fabric came from big box mart.  It was a gamble, but I like it.

another angle

My $20 garage sale dresser from last summer.

Fancy dishes and do-dads.

The "lady with sicle" reminds me of hard work and harvest time.

I'm trying to get you a shot of the soft gray/green on the legs.  I almost wish I had done cream, but now I'm tired.  I'm just so glad to say it's finished.....

Hopefully I'm preparing my mind and heart for my best homeschool year ever and we can put miss decorator wanna-be in the closet.  (Probably not, but just say'in)

I'm loving it, and boy is it smooth and VERY cleanable.

My ALMOST barrel shade dressed in a potato sack

This shade and lamp, never put together before, was headed for the garage sale pile.

But them I decided to throw it in the mix here.

THE TABLE RUNNER SAYS: The Peonies Finally Came

I'm a little late in showing the beautiful peonies.

I just keep putting new stuff in this same ol' vase!

Wish you could have smelled them!

A fresh look on top of the piano.

In the process of  sprucing up the dining room, the piano top was included.

I changed to "orange" striped curtains.  I know you are cringing.  So, I'm trying to add some blues and rust tones.  I'll show you the rest, including the curtains, as soon as I get up the nerve.  I'm still working on the room and getting ready for a city-wide garage sale!

This book is full of Audubon prints.  This is the center of the book.  I got it for a ridiculous price from a used book store going out of business.  I like to have my kids see BEAUTIFUL art worth looking at.  They should move past stick figures as soon as possible.

My most interesting mix yet, I think....an antique mint tin? hmmmm

close up of "Ruffed Grous"

I would just love to know what restorative nervine is.  Anyway, there's some "blue" dressed up with a little dollar store twine.

About all the wooden candle sticks.  I seem to collect them like I did cute little girl dresses when I finally had a girl.  In my dreams I'm a home stager/wedding planner/interior decorator.  Don't ask me why, it's just a creative bent.  Blame my mother.

That sewing machine drawer keeps popping up everywhere around here.

The whole scene....I've been avoiding showing you that ugly vent, it's always been in the way.

I'm linking to HOME BY HEIDI today!

the table runner says.......LOCUST BRANCHES AND A WATKINS BOTTLE

I would rather be showing you peonies but the rainy coolness has them stalled.

The vase has been empty for days......

so I went out and cut a few small shoots off of the locust tree.

Believe me, it made the dining room sing.  I'm keeping an eye on those peonies.

She's been framed.

I first put this together at least a year ago.  I instantly loved it, and still do.  It's such a unique look. 

Looks like I paid $3 at the Goodwill.  The picture was just not my style, I knew the frame could become a great new thing.

a little close up. I'm joining the linky party over at Funky Junk Interiors

the table runner says.......AQUA GLASS AND POPPIES

Some of my blue Ball jars with poppies and my new shabby picture in the backdrop.

another angle

and yet another angle

and now from the other side with a sneak peak at what I'm doing in my dining room and grandma checking out the latest CL (it was a rip-off, good thing they lowered the price)

whatchamacallit bouquet

I was inspired by a magazine photo recently, like THAT never happens!  The picture showed 3 small blue bottles inside a large clear vase with strait sides, maybe you saw the same one?

Cute, huh?  Is it possible to be bored with a "normal" flower arrangement?  Maybe this is just a classic case of   monkey see ~ monkey do . 

Theirs did not have the antique plate underneath, ok?  And those little "vases" are actually salt and pepper shakers.  This might have to go on the table runner after we all eat our very own pear.

I like this new "method" of flower arranging.  I tried it with a couple of clips of crabapple blossoms and it was beautiful!  Didn't post that one though.  one more picture.....

These are just clippings from a bush.  No trekking out to the flower shop here, in fact I leaned out the kitchen window!

something unexpected

I'm joining the Frugalicious Friday party at Finding Fabulous blog today, go check it out.
I was unexpectedly blessed while garage saleing a few weeks back!  I've been wanting feather pillows for my couch for a    l--o--n--g     time.  I looked up some prices and they were ONLY $50 each!  OK.....waiting on that one......

So, a friend invited me to a nearby citywide garage sale outing.  I could have easily done without spending a dime that day, but jumping at the chance to chat it up with a friend, I went just for that.  I found not just a couple, but 5 in all! 

I was actually having a hard time believing I actually found 5!  The first 3 were amazing enough.  The fabrics for these slipcovers was something I had laying around for years.  Not to mention that it all looks great with my shabby green shutter with picture!  perfect

 



Ever feel like GOD is just blessing you?  with things that matter to you?  I mean I didn't mention lots of other goodies, like my 25 cent new favorite shirt.......... So I got the 5 pillows for $7, the fabric I used I'm guessing was around $10-$15 dollars, I had one of the zippers and my MIL got me the other 4 for Mother's day! So for sure~less than $25 dollars for 5 nice feather pillows and washable slip covers.  wee!

While the fellas in the household didn't understand my excitment about feather pillows;  they do admit that they are comfortable.

this is the before-before picture