It's all in the Words!

In Westwood Cottage this cross stitch picture hung on the wall near the stove.  Grandma stitched it on linen and framed it herself.  I had it re-framed and now it hangs in my kitchen along with the cross stitch picture I made for my kitchen.  I remember her saying to me "I'm not dull!" and she was right!  I am reminded of her everyday when I look at the picture and the lovely times we had in Westwood Cottage.


Grandma Westwood's Cross Stitich



Joanne's Cross Stitch



Before and After Bathroom

Nearly eight years ago we moved into our house that was built in 1890.  The previous owner went sponge painting mad and we are still changing it.  This time it was the downstairs powder room. 

                                                             BEFORE
 

Almost forgot to take a before picture!  Lifting peel and stick fake parkay look floor, old oak look vanity, brass 3 bulb light, grungy taps due to previously rusty water supply, and. . . . . .

The Sponge Painted Ceiling!



AFTER

We painted the walls and ceiling a grey blue (polar drift) colour and the cabinets blue cascade.  Replaced the floor, hardware on cabinets,  light, mirror, taps and towel bars etc.  It is really, really nice.

And we finished it off with the "storage wars" picture on the wall.  The picture came from a hotel and was left in a storage unit.  We helped to clean it out and brought the picture home.  George, took it apart, fixed the mat and painted the brassy gold frame black.  It fits the room perfectly and gives it a mediteranean feel.  And of course no room is finished until it has headless Roman statues in it!

Vintage Handkerchief Scarf

For years now I have been collecting vintage linens with the hope of using them in sewing projects.  I just can't bring myself to cut into vintage handkerchiefs.  So I was delighted to find a tutorial at the Skip To My Lou blog to make a vintage handkerchief scarf.  Why didn't I think of that? 

You can find the tutorial at  http://www.skiptomylou.org/2011/05/06/handkerchief-scarf/ .  My handkerchiefs have scalloped edges so I hand sewed them together.  This would also make a really nice table runner.  Happy Sewing!

DIY Deck Chairs

BEFORE: Found two chairs at a yard sale for $8.00

DURING: Spray paint matt gold to match existing plant stand and replace vinyl on the seat.

AFTER: Sit and enjoy the summer!



Fairy Garden

if you learn to see the beauty in every plant then your garden will never have weeds
if you learn to find the joy in every stone then your garden will always have a path
and if you learn to hear the blessing in every curse then your garden will always have fairies
Written by Jim Cumberland, © 2010 Jim Cumberland

"Spread your wings and let the fairy in you fly!" ~ Author Unknown

“Don’t you wish you could have the fairies’ day – just laugh and dance and sing and play!” ~ Mary Jac

~ Where you believe there is magic ... you will find it! ~

Coils, Slabs and Pinch Pots, Oh My!

One of my new passions is handbuilt pottery.  It is relaxing, creative, social and rewarding at the end.  Who could ask for anything more!  My grandparents would have been interested in this and would have definatley given it a try! Here is what I have been up to.

 

I carved a shape and then made a mold and made 4 sided box.

Used a small piece of copper pipe to make the holes!

                                              A house for the fairies in my garden to live in.

 

Box with a fitted lid and carvings on all 4 sides and the lid.

                        Coil vase.  Coils are very difficult to do well.  Still need some practice!

Rolled balls of clay and slipped them together.

Slab drapped over a plate used as a mold and stamped with images.