When two of my seven blog readers ask when I'm going to post, I'd better get on it so I don't lose readers! Since school has started, there just isn't enough time to document the days. For the last three weeks, I spent every spare minute preparing to send some products with Chicks Pics to the Country Living Fair in Columbus Ohio.
I sent the usual, pillows, lazy susans, vintage bling magnets and soldered necklaces. One new item was these 12x12 decoupaged frames. I scanned and copied some vintage pictures and inserted them to show that the frames worked best with black and white photos. (My mother is the little girl on the left!) They were lots of fun to make.
All summer I had envisioned making "paper doll sachets". Finally I got around to printing these images on white linen and after stitching around the dolls, I filled them with french lavender. Off to the fair the girls went!
Finally, Ed and I went to USC for parent's weekend on the 17th. We had a wonderful time with Ben and his friends and their families.
So now I'm digging out of my craft mess that I created while creating!
I had a WONDERFUL summer. Although I am ready for fall and cooler temperatures, I always am so sad to see summer go...the house goes from full to very calm. I do like that I am doing less cooking, but I really miss the kids. We're into our second week back at school and 6:15 and I really don't get along well!
Yesterday was the first day students began school. Holly stopped by on her way to school for the annual 1st day picture. My two little teachers :)
Today was out first day back to school for teachers which meant that it was Jack's first day with a new sitter. He did SO WELL and we are all so thankful! Tonight he is over Mimi and Pop's while his mom is at Bible study and dad is on a long run. He's a tired little guy, chillin in the chair and watching Wonder Pets. Oh my goodness, I LOVE this little guy!
Well one week from tomorrow I'll be back in school and it's really been a great summer! This afternoon I got back from USC... where Sis and I finished helping Ben get settled in his new house. It's hard for me to believe he is half way through school and I was really sad leaving him this time....how can he be this grown up and independent? We work so hard for them to grow their wings and then we're sad when they do....
I have a list a mile long of projects to finish before school begins~ I need use my time wisely. Before I left for South Carolina, I did make these necklaces from vintage buckles and show clips-so easy and fun! They are for sale at The Cottage in Leesburg.
Last week the girls and I went to the thrift shop and I spotted 2 of the cutest lamps I have ever seen. The shades had been replaced and were hideous, so I took them off, left them in the store, and paid just $2.50 for each lamp! I needed shades and Target didn't have anything close to working so I went to a lighting store where I found a shade style that worked. I've hesitated taking the plastic off because I paid WAY TOO MUCH for the two shades. Holly was sweet and picked up 2 inexpensive shades in Lynchburg this past weekend, but they were not made for the harps. I do love the way theses pricey ones look with the lamp, so off the plastic will go tomorrow!
Well I am back from Richmond and and have discovered that slip covering IS NOT for DUMMIES! I can sew pretty well and my perceptual skills are OK... but this slip covering stuff is difficult! "Mrs. M", my slip covering tutor, is a spry 83 years old and had been cutting and sewing slip covers for at least 55 years. For two days, I felt like I was running a slip covering marathon and could hardly keep up with her!
I took pictures of the process, and made lots of notes as she did most of the measuring and cutting. She is a race horse.... in a day and half, we finished 2 identical chairs for my living room.
We started with this ugly chair from the thrift store...
After lots of cutting and pinning and stitching...
We have this beautiful chair!
I need to make a little book of pictures and notes before I forget all that I learned! (Ann- thanks for running such a fabulous B&B!)
Ann took me to a newly discover fabric store, U- FAB, where I bought some beautiful french blue fabric which I will use to slipcover the sofa. Being a solid fabric, it should be a lot easier, not worrying about matching a pattern anywhere. I also bought some new area rugs from AAA Carpet. The website does not do the warehouse justice. T hey buy designer remnants and bind them right in their warehouse and they have an amazing selection at terrific prices... definitely worth a trip to Richmond if you are looking for an area rug.
On a side note, I am so thankful that my sweet husband doesn't have an opinion on these matters. It took him three days to notice that I had switched the old rugs to the new!
So much to do before school starts 2 weeks from tomorrow. Where did summer go?
A few weeks ago I picked up my $20 thrift store chair from the sweet lady in Richmond who makes my slipcovers. I am so happy with how well it turned out and the total price with labor ($90) and sale fabric ($120) was still a great bargain for this area! The ottoman was actually an additional $5. It was "half price furniture day" at the Salvation Army in Leesburg!
Every morning when I walk downstairs Beast (our black tailless cat) is still asleep in the chair . I'll grab my camera next time....he looks great sleeping on the black and white toile!
So today, I'm off to find a another something to slip cover! I'll be leaving tomorrow for Richmond for a three day lesson in making slipcovers. I have wanted to know how forever and this is such a great opportunity to learn from someone who has been doing this for 50 plus years! I plan to take pictures as a reference since I am visual...oh my, I hope I can do it!
Finally, I have made some progress in moving my sewing down the basement. I haven't made enough uninterrupted time to finish organizing everything quite yet, but it's getting there. I want to have a place for everything and train myself to put everything in its place! That may take some practice!
Each piece of furniture that I've moved in has a specific purpose and I love each piece but my favorite, by far is the table placed as an island in the center of the room. I scooped it up atThe Cottage and painted it a beautiful blue. Love, love, love the bottom shelf where the locker baskets fit perfectly! It serves as my cutting table- just the right height.
I wish I had a lens for my camera that would show the entire room. I walk downstairs and am so thrilled to have everything in one place. And I'll love it even more when everything gets put away! Here's a glimpse ......
I felt a bit guilty about painting the chestnut cupboard, but it turned out just perfectly and it is so nice having some of my special sewing collection behind glass doors.
Finally, Ed and I went to USC for parent's weekend on the 17th. We had a wonderful time with Ben and his friends and their families.
Thank you, family, for putting up with my mess and piles for so many years. I hope I can do a better job keeping it contained now.