common ground

Monday, May 17, 2010

Give 'em the slip...

...chairs that is!

I have two wonderful bergere chairs in my living room
that I have been wanting to "change up" for awhile.

I'm finding that I need a lighter palette,
in home decor, and after years
of living with darker and deeper colors,
I'm wanting more neutral surroundings.

So I gave them the slip!

Out came the craft paper to make outlines of their backs.

and of course my two ~~drive me crazy cats~~ favorite helpers showed up.

I worked straight off the chair, piecing and pinning and fitting.

They aren't perfect,

and I'm so glad that there is that great word...

"shabby"

... still floating around.

ahem...

I've had the material for several weeks

but just couldn't get them started.

At least I've had some time to form the idea in my head.

Thanks to all you amazing, talented people out there

who have given me some great inspiration and encouragement.

Love the ruffles, but don't look too close.

I wouldn't show them to my high school

Home Ec teacher,

but they work for me.

I even gave one of them little vintage linen and lace

"sleeves" to cover an arm cushion.

My husband said they looked like a couple

of little girls with ruffled dresses...

just what I wanted.

I'm linking up with

The DIY Showoff

Between Naps on the Porch

It's So Very Cheri

Coastal Charm

White Wednesday with Kathleen

My Romantic Home with Cindy

My Favorite Things

and Bargain Hunting and Chatting with Laurie

Tools are for Women Too

And Threadneedle Studio

for Slipcover Show Off #11

I can't believe I actually made these.

I usually don't like to sew.

But they were well worth the effort,

Hope you're having a great week,

love,

Debra

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Has it lived a Prior Life?

I ran over to Lezlee's a little while ago,

and found out she is having a party!

Uh huh, a

Prior Lives Party!

And we're all invited.

Lezlee's livin' up to her name and asking people to share

objects that they use that once had a "prior life",

or was used for something different than what it is now.

The first thing that came to mind was my sweet little

Staffordshire Commode.

Now, I have to admit that it IS at home in the bathroom.

But now used for extra t-p and soap.

I"ll refrain from any blatant bathroom humor,

except to say,

it DOES have a large crack on it's bottom.

Now, go visit Lezlee and see what you have to share

that might have had a Prior Life!

If you haven't seen my post on "Tattered Treasures"

a new store in Lebanon, Missouri,

please scroll down to the next post.

Have a great weekend,

love,

Debra

A Visit to "Tattered Treasures"

On our way to St. Louis last weekend,

we took some time to stop at a store I had been wanting to see.

Tattered Treasures in Lebanon, Missouri.

I'd heard great things about it and sure enough, it didn't disappoint.

We didn't have room for much, because our car was full for the trip.

It was a chippy, white, garden extravaganza!

Primitive, shabby, cottage yumminess...

...at every turn.

please disregard the people in the mirror.

There are tons of great flea markets and
antique malls along I-44,
Springfield to St. Louis.

Be sure and google Tattered Treasures
for a map and phone number.

Hope you all are having a great weekend.
It's rainy and cool here. Oh well,
I have tons of cleaning and organizing to do.

I will be sharing my work space at the
Where Women Create Party
on June 19, which is also my 1 year
blogging Anniversary!

Hope you'll be there too!

I will be having a Give Away to celebrate...
Stay tuned!

Love,
Debra

Thursday, May 13, 2010

What a "Sweet" Pea

The mail lady made a special delivery today.

A box from Shelley of Sweet Pea Home

who had a wonderful multi Give Away last week!

I had such fun opeining up the boxes.

This note card is definitely "frame-worthy"

Gorgeous tags,

Nesting boxes in the most beautiful cream and taupe

A pocket journal,

a vintage "D" stencil,

Hot cocoa body lotion...
Oh My...

it smells so good I don't know whether

to wear it or eat it!

And a note pad with vintage silverware graphic

And look what happens just as soon

as I put my new goodies away...

A lazy cat takes over.

Ahhhh, a vintage linen towel just for her napping pleasure!

And if you haven't been over to Fiona & Twig,

Anne is having a Fabulous "French Country" Book Give Away.

Be sure and check it out.

Hope you're having a wonderful week!

love,

Debra

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

The paint bug bit me...

...at a really bad time!

We got home last night from a really great Mother's Day weekend in St. Louis with our kids. Of course we did a lot of flea marketing and found some incredible antique malls, but did I take pictures?... No, I was too busy going crazy and I forgot my camera in the car. So much inspiration to soak up. Now I have loads of laundry and need to put things away, but what am I doing? Grabbing my paint brush and making more of a mess!

My honey surprised me earlier in the week with this amazing new piece of furniture for the entry way, from Inspirational Home. I mentioned earlier that I am on a mission to "lighten up" my house. Nothing drastic...well, at least not yet, but just some paint and a new mirror and rethinking a few things like chair slips. More on this later.

The mirror is vintage, found this weekend. I loved the gold, but it didn't fit with the gray distressed table, which looks better with cream or pewter. So I whitewashed it. Fits the shape of the furniture and the look I'm going for.

And then you know how the "domino effect" kicks in. Well, the paint was already out, might as well take care of a few other projects...candle holders found a few weeks ago go all white.