Tattered Hydrangeas

Some Thrifty Finds…

2012-01-31T09:07:00.001-06:00

I went back to Trussville Saturday and I MUST go to the Trussville Antique Mall, which as you know, I LOVE! I have mentioned before that there are specifically two vendors there that I ADORE! Especially one. I want to meet her! I want to be her friend….I want to hang with her…I want to SEE her house because I know it is wonderful! The next time I go I am going to take some photos, so you can see how wonderful it is. She actually has two rooms which are side by side….

I am a “smalls” kind of gal….I like things I can tuck and nitch into somewhere…I also have a thing for baskets….old, chippy worn baskets with awesome patina…love those….

I found this….

My son, Seth, was with me….when I picked this up, he said, Mother, it has a mouse hole in it…

said mouse hole…. :0

I said, that is not a mouse hole….it is character….It was $8 and then there was a percentage off all items in her booth Saturday, so I got it for $6….

I sat it next to my chair for the time being, thinking I would put throws and pillows in it….well…

It didn’t take long before this happened….

Chloe….it is her basket….she loves it….that is why I put the throw in the bottom, so it would be soft on her old bones….she is so happy….$6 is a small price to pay for my sweet Chloe… :)

Then I found this…a box of wooden chess pieces…love these!

I think they are so cool….I think on sale this was $19…

I even loved the wooden box they were in….

I have no idea where I am going to use this…I just sat it here to snap a few photos…

One thing I do know…it is fortunate that I don’t live any closer to this place than I do….it takes me 45 minutes to get there so I can’t go on my lunch hour….or I would be in BIG trouble….

I am thinking about stalking the vendor of this booth….cos’ I am cool like that ;)

Thank you for stopping by! I “attempt” to join the following parties each week…my goal for the New Year is to be more organized….I’m tryin’ people!

Tuesdays Treasures at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Potpourri Friday at 2805

Lou Cinda

Tweaking…

2012-01-23T13:22:00.001-06:00

I decided to make a runner for my dining room table. As you remember, this is the fabric that I covered the lamps shades with…and I really love this fabric…..so I went back and bought 1/2 yard to make the runner….

then I thought I could look for a companion fabric to use on the backside….so it would be “reversible”…and I found this….

SO cute! LOVED this fabric too! So….I managed to sew a rectangular shape and fashion it into a runner! SHUT UP! I did not curse, not one time!! The sewing machine cooperated the entire 15 minutes it took to pull this off….no broken needles….no knotting of thread….it was miraculous!

Yes, that is Sadie jumping up in my shot!

pinecones on a tray with silver candlesticks and a pink ribbon….

I loved this fabric so much…..

That after I bought it on a Friday….and went back on Monday to get more to cover the seats on my dining room chairs, and guess what??? They had sold it ALL on Saturday!!! Guess what else?? It has been discontinued!!! Guess what I did??? Found it on e-bay!!! Yes I did!! 2 yards of this fabulousness is in transit to my casa even as we speak…..

I will keep you posted….

On another note, I found these ornamental cabbages at Lowes a few weeks ago and thought they were SO pretty! They look like roses…

I had never seen any like them, so I bought three and some pansies and planted them in a planter on my front porch….it looks so forlorn out there since the Christmas décor has come down…

On a very serious note….the State of Alabama suffered another round of tornadoes early this morning…..I awoke to the weather radio going off at about 4:30 a.m. then the warning sirens began…I can’t begin to tell you how un-nerved I am when we have severe weather, even more so since the devastation of last April, and the loss of my friend Tina and her husband in a tornado. The ones today also did major damage to several surrounding areas….Trussville was hit and it is only 45 minutes from my house…I was in Trussville Saturday shopping….there have been two confirmed casualties….please remember those who lost everything as well as loved ones in the blink of an eye…I cannot even imagine…

While I love my beautiful mountainous State of Alabama….I do NOT love the weather here…..we have had such a mild winter….which is the reason for the storms firing up….we are supposed to get another round on Thursday….Please keep those in the path in your prayers….

Thank you for stopping by….

I am joining the following parties this week:

Tuesdays Treasures at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Potpourri Friday at 2805

Lou Cinda

Thrifty Finds…

2012-01-16T09:59:00.001-06:00

I went shopping Saturday at some really great places. The Sassy Sofa in Trussville is just a great place and a block away from there is the Trussville Antique Mall which I also really like. I have to admit there are about three booths in that antique mall that I really love and one in particular. I never go there that I don’t buy something from this particular dealer. So I thought I would share the few small things that I did manage to find, fall in love with and purchase.

I got both, this little bowl and the dog from the dealer I mentioned above. I had to work to get that bowl, let me tell you. It was inside a china cabinet and the door was stuck, so I was trying to unstick the door without everything falling off, and then snake my arm inside past a bunch of stuff to get said bowl. But I did persevere and it was only $4. Love that. I also got the little dog in there…actually I got three dogs…I seem to be on a dog jag…..what’s up with that? I have cats!

I also got this little platter….then promptly dropped and broke it half in two on the way to the car….typical! Enter Elmer’s Glue….it’s all good….

Got this little guy too…

Speaking about cats….Simon “chillin”….

Thank you so much for stopping by! I am joining the following parties this week:

Tuesdays Treasures at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Post Christmas and a Question…

2012-01-05T14:15:00.001-06:00

I wanted to share a few more photos of the ole’ casa after all of the sparkly, pretty, twinkly Christmas décor has been yanked from its perches and put back in the bins/boxes/closets for another year…it seems so dreary now…

The buffet got changed around from the pre-Christmas arrangement….Sharon got me this fabulous platter for Christmas…she knows me well…

Found the candlesticks at a thrift store…I love silver candlesticks…

I love buttons….

I love millenary and old silver…

I don’t think I ever showed you the lampshades I covered after they were totally done…

painted the bases….they were gold…

added the beaded trim…

*disclaimer* please disregard the vinyl on the mirror…it is gone now :)

So, there you go…thank you so much for stopping by…Have a Great Day!

Oh Wait! I forgot the question I was going to ask! DUH! I KNOW that you all will know what I need to do…

I want butcher block countertops in the kitchen, and as we all know, Ikea has the most reasonably priced butcher block of anyone, anywhere! Problem is, it only comes in 6’ and 8’ lengths….hence the problem…I need at LEAST a 9’ length for one section of the kitchen countertop.

Now, I think the solution is going to be for us to split the 8 ‘ length like maybe at the middle of the sink?? Have a seam there, and then that would break up that 9’ section…..I have no idea really! BUT, I know that you do….I have googled, searched, read, hunted and fretted over this and even sent a really nice e-mail to Ikea requesting that they procure a 9’ length for me…alas, they could not….what is THAT about?

Anyhoo, please advise me as to how I should proceed with this little endeavor….or should I just throw in the towel altogether???

thanks much!

Kisses :)

I am joining Courtney’s Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage.

A New Beginning…

2012-01-03T14:37:00.001-06:00

I took last Friday off from work and stayed home to take down all of my Christmas décor.…I wanted to start the New Year fresh and clean…and it dang near killed me….I did not get out of my pajamas all day and it was about, oh, I would say, 5:00 p.m. before I even brushed my hair! It was SCARY people! But I got’er done…..

A few shots of the after's…

My “helper”…

I have more photos that I will share later in the week! Thank you so much for stopping by! I am ready for this New Year and have high hopes for great things

I am linking up with Linda at Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday…

Lou Cinda

Random Christmas Shots

2011-12-21T09:20:00.001-06:00

Okay, new camera…..idiot photographer = whoa! What does that thingy do? 140 page manual….Seriously? Anyhoo….I took a few shots just playing with it to see what I think….

LOVE his face! I won this from Margaret at The French Bear a couple of years ago…and I sO SO love him….she is amazing….

And Cameron and Malory – Christmas Dance…yeah, cut the top of Cameron’s head off :0!!

So……what do you think? Better pictures?? Let me know what you think….I have MUCH to learn!

Hope you are all ready for Christmas and are just in “chill” mode….Me? NOT!!! Still wide open as a peanut hull!! I plan to be done by Sunday…. ;)

Thank you for stopping by!

The Porch

2011-12-16T11:42:00.001-06:00

I am going to share some photos of my front porch. I have ordered a new camera and wanted to wait until I got it to take photos, alas it isn’t supposed to be delivered until the 23rd….bummer. So, I am taking photos with what I got…

Greenery, magnolia, ribbon and there you have it! Thank you so much for stopping by!

Wishing you all a Very Merry and Blessed Christmas!!!

Lou Cinda :)

The Tree…

2011-12-12T14:15:00.001-06:00

I thought I would post some pictures of my Christmas tree this year….as with the mantel I changed things up a little this year….didn’t spend much moolah, just bought a couple of spools of tulle to use as garland….

It’s mostly red and white….

From the front door looking into the den…

So glad to report that “The Sadie” has not bothered the tree at all….I was seriously concerned when I walked into the den to find her sitting amongst the branches when I had put it up sans decorations….but since it has been adorned she has not touched it….she is such a good girl…..HA! When she is asleep ;)

She is a fluffy little thing….for those of you who don’t know, she was a rescue from the pound…

I have some photos of the front porch which I will post later this week….thank you for stopping by :)

I am linking up to the Christmas Tree Party at Midwestern Sewing Girl! Please stop by the party!

Lou Cinda

Mantel Parties…

2011-12-06T08:34:00.001-06:00

I wanted to participate in the Mantel Parties this week which are being held at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia and Southern Hospitality . Thank you so much ladies for hosting these parties!

I did change things up a bit this year on my mantel as I was ready for a change….I used whites and reds in the mantel and my tree…but today, the mantel…

I wrapped white boas around a wreath form to make the wreath and hung it on my window….

silver candlesticks…

little birds and nests…

That’s it! Since I changed it up this year I spent a lot of time just standing in front of the mantel with my head cocked to one side just pondering….what to do what to do….I am happy with the snowy theme this year….

Thank you so much for stopping by and be sure and check on the other participants!

Have a Great Day!

Lou Cinda

The Buffet….

2011-11-29T14:33:00.001-06:00

I am slowly but surely getting my Christmas decorating done….I have gone in a totally different direction this year than I normally do….what is UP with that?? I am, after all, the glitter Queen! But this year I find myself drawn to serene and calm….the Season I suppose….paired with my state of mind….

I thought I would share some photos of my buffet in my dining room…

pre-greenery…and a sunnier day….

I ordered a vinyl and applied it to the mirror…it was easy! The dolls and the lamb were my mothers :) Steve made me the little wooden riser as I needed something to “lift up” that little vignette…

Sharon and I were eating at the Mellow Mushroom Saturday and could not help but notice the lovely green LARGE bushes lining the parameters of the parking lot. Suffice to say that we snipped a limb or two or three or four and that is what you see on the buffet…..Disclaimer….no large green bushes were permanently damaged in the decorating of this buffet….just sayin’

Thank you so much for stopping by…I will be posting more as I move through the decorating abyss…..

Have a Great Day!

I am joining in for Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style and Whatever Wednesday at Momma Hens Coop! Friday I will be joining Debra at Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday, Honey at 2805 for her Potpourri Party and Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage. Please stop by these great parties and be INSPIRED!

Lou Cinda

It’s in the Details…

2011-11-18T13:35:00.001-06:00

I have been busy busy trying to get my Christmas decorating done….and I am a long way from done!! But I realized I had not posted my finds at the Country Living Fair in Atlanta, so I thought I would do that. As you may (or may not) know, I love the “smalls”….those little treasures that I can tuck into a little nook or cranny that just adds that something extra….it’s all about the details…so I suppose that is why I am drawn to the little things…..

Can you guess what I purchased in this photo? The wasp nest….I LOVE these! Steve looked at me like I had three heads when I took this out….he said, “I have torn many of those down and thrown them away.” I said, well, don’t throw them away anymore….they are valuable! I love their texture….

I also love old millinery….I’m not sure if I spelled that right….all I know is I love them…

those velvety leaves are just perfect!

I also got the basket with more flowers under the dome…..love it!

and these clothespins….

Little things you an just tuck anywhere….

It was dark and hard to get a good picture of my lamp….I love my lamp! It’s RED!

You know I am freaky for little chairs too…

I got this one at Hobby Lobby…the little silver birds were my mom’s :)…I miss her…

The “Sadie”…I have been trying to get a photo of her FOREVER but she isn’t still long enough…..she is in CONSTANT motion….my other three “old” cats look at her like “what is WRONG with that cat?”

As you can see I was unpacking the Christmas “stuff”…

Hope to get a lot accomplished this weekend….I have high hopes….

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you all have a fabulous weekend :)

A little more CL

2011-10-31T11:07:00.001-05:00

I had a few more photos to share of our Country Living “soiree” so I thought I would go ahead and share those…

This girl was a doll! Personality and talent all over the place! Her name is Molly and she and her husband, Brent are Barn Trash.

They make these fabulous pieces from doors! Absolutely gorgeous stuff! They are from Carlinville, Illinois and they were loving the South! Well, what’s not to love ya’ll?

loved this coffee table and the top opened for storage….

Some more random shots….

Just in case you ran out of money….heaven forbid!

The end of a VERY long, but fun day….well, we still had to drive 3 hours home, and stop to eat, and stop at a Hobby Lobby….

and there are those PINK fingernails again…..sheesh!

This was a booth that Country Living had where you could go and get your picture made with some of your purchases, and they could, potentially, choose your photo to be in the magazine….well, I don’t look for that to happen as I don’t think our purchases were substantial enough….I did tell the little guy at the booth to not make me go back in there and buy a flippin armoire to haul out of there on my back so I can get my picture in Country Living! Just sayin’…

The “silly” shot…

I will take some photos of my “stuff” as it is displayed about my humble abode and get those posted….

Than you for stopping by and have a GREAT week!!

Country Living Fair….Atlanta….

2011-10-24T10:51:00.001-05:00

Oh-Em-Gee!!!! WE LOVED IT!!!! LOVED.IT!! So much fun!! I got up at 4:00 a.m. Friday morning and was at Sharon’s house at 6:00 a.m. and we headed for Stone Mountain, Georgia! It was a three hour drive for us, but SO worth it!! I wanted to go back Saturday! I will NEVER miss another one! The vendor’s were just AWESOME!! Their Booths were Stunning!! Eye Candy GALORE! We were overwhelmed….I ain’t EVEN lyin’

Every time we walked into one…we would just GASP! We were there at 10:00 when the doors opened and we didn’t leave until almost 6:00 when we HAD to go….they made us!

LOVED SassyTrash!! Loved them!

thought of Allison at the Polo House when I saw this…

Sharon loved this champagne bucket…

This arbor was SO cute!!! The Painted Fern….LOVED them!

It was made using windows and architectural pieces…I wanted it SO bad, but you had to come back Sunday to pick it up…

Sparkly…..

How cute is this guy??

Cari from Cash and Cari! LOVED her! She is just adorable!! Sweet and gorgeous and TINY!! I just TOWERED over her…I was so excited when I saw her!

Me and Sharon at the end of the day… I have more photos I will post later….with my purchases…

SO MUCH FUN!!!

I wish I could find some pink nail polish….just sayin’

The talent that all of these artisans have is just mind boggling! The creativity….the flair, the spark….and personality! They were ALL so sweet and kind and talked and cut up, it was just an Amazing day! We laughed A LOT! This was a pre-requisite to Warrenton and Round Top!! WE ARE GOING!!!! Did you hear that Debbie of Talking Trash? We are coming your way in the Spring if it kills us….

Watch Out!!!

Thank you for stopping by!!

A Quickie…

2011-10-20T09:32:00.001-05:00

Seth came home one day and told me that some friends of his were having a yard sale and he noticed they had a window that they were going to put in it and he asked if I wanted it….(yes, he knows me well)….of course I told him YES! HE brought it home and I just hung it on the wall…

Every night I would look at it and “study it”….do ya’ll do that? I do…all the time….so anyway I decided it needed paint….black paint….so I took it down and threw some paint on it…took me about 30 minutes or so….hung it back up and accessorized the area and this is what I got…

Oh yeah….moved the lamp over….raised the window up…it was too low…why didn’t I do that FOREVER ago???

I think it looks SO much better black….

cozied up the corner a bit…it is COLD here today…

You can see this is a checked chair….you know how I am about the gingham! A FREAK for it! Seriously…..rehab may be in order….NOT!

What do you think??

Thank you for stopping by :)

Country Living Fair tomorrow :)

Driving in Atlanta :0 :[ :0 :| :0

A Teensy Bit More Fall…

2011-10-18T08:32:00.001-05:00

I tweaked the front porch a little more…just to add a little wheel barrow I found at Encore Resales in Birmingham…I loved it when I saw it but wasn’t really sure where I was going to use it and this seemed like the perfect place…

I have no idea if it is old or not, but it sure looks like it is….I just loaded it with “fall’ish” stuff, a crow and a candle and called it done…

That’s it for me today! I am super excited as Sharon and I are heading to Atlanta on Friday to go to the Country Living Fair and we are pumped! Wouldn’t you know it, a cold front is coming in tonight and it is supposed to be down in the 30’s at night and the high for Friday is 54!! Breakin’ out the sweaters!! We are having THE craziest weather this year!

Thank you for stopping by!

TMI?? I think not…

2011-10-11T15:51:00.001-05:00

Now all of us women….at some point in our lives….sooner or later….will have….”the” menopause…well, I am so sad to say that that time for me….is now….it is upon me! The night sweats, the hot flashes, insomnia…all of that I can pretty much handle….what I have had the biggest problem with is….the MOOD SWINGS!! LORD HAVE MERCY people!! My emotions are ALL OVER the flippin map! There is no rhyme or reason for it…..I NEED a reason for it…but, alas, there is none!

I will go from happy go lucky….to a hot mess of tears in the blink of an eye…or even WORSE….I will be madder than a wet hen…I ain’t EVEN lyin’…I HATE this!

Case in point…

My girlfriend Jamie and I left Saturday morning and went shopping in search of fabric, and various other treasures…and I was unable to accomplish all of the “chores” that I do every Saturday…..On my way home, some 4 hours later, I called the hubster, a/k/a Steve, and said, “did you get anything done around there today?”…I could hear the apprehension in his voice…because these days he never knows what will either (a) send me into a fit of tears or (b) make me livid….he said, “well…no… I didn’t know you wanted me to do anything…..” (insert eye roll here) so, I just said… “ whatever”….yeah, he hates when I say that.

When I got home I could tell that he had literally hurled himself off the couch and ran, at breakneck speed, to the bedroom wherein, he “attempted” to make the bed….honestly, I wish I had taken a photo of that….looked like he had made it with his feet! WHAT IS UP WITH THAT!!! I said nothing…I am maintaining control….I just redid the bed and then…

I dusted, vacuumed, swept, threw a load of clothes in the wash, cleaned up the kitchen, loaded the dishwasher, cleaned both bathrooms AND blew off the sidewalk and driveway…..every time I walked past the den where Steve was sitting watching FOOTBALL I would just pause and “look” :| at him….I’m telling you the look on his face is just priceless….he is nervous…

Okay, so I did good, held it together, did not launch into a tirade about everyone should be pitching in and I do MORE than my fair share, and I am not a maid….yadda yadda yadda…did not do any of that…no I did not….

Fast forward to Sunday….we went to church…emotions still in tact….doing good….after church we come home and I cleaned out all the bottom cabinets in my kitchen….I don’t know why….it’s a sickness…then I decided to make stuffed bell peppers for supper….I LOVE them….my mother used to make them for me…but they do require some prep work, they are not a one pot dinner….so I am saute’ing hamburger and garlic and chopping onions and cooking the rice and adding this and that and coring the peppers and then I parboil them for 3 minutes so they will be soft….take them out of boiling water….drain….stuff them with deliciousness and bake them for 30 minutes….smells divine….I am so excited….

I tell Steve dinner is ready….he comes in the kitchen….gets a plate….takes one of my beloved stuffed peppers and…

are you ready for it…

DUMPS the stuffing out on his plate and throws the bell pepper….IN THE TRASH CAN!

SERIOUSLY????? ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? The bell pepper that I had cut and cored and boiled and hovered over and stuffed…..yeah those!

I look at him and say, very calmly, “did you just throw that bell pepper in the trash?” The “look” comes over his face again….”did you want it?” he says….. ”I don’t like bell peppers.” LORD.HAVE.MERCY!! How in the World did I end up with a picky eater????

Well, folks, that was it…..the straw that broke this proverbial camel’s back………the hormones unleashed and I launched into one of my world famous TIRADES!!! SHUT.UP!! I did!! And then burst into tears because seriously….I do not know who this woman is that is dwelling within the confines of my body….”The Menopause” is kicking my ARSE!

My GYN told me last month that it lasts for ten years…….TEN…YEARS…….Isn’t.that.Special?

All I can say is….the men in my household better don some armor because….this is going to be a LONG ten years!

Just Sayin’

Kitchen…

2011-10-10T11:32:00.001-05:00

I decided to join Rene at Cottage and Vine for her Room by Room party and today is Kitchens…

I am not finished with my kitchen, as we are going to add butcher block counter tops and a backsplash of some sort…to be determined….

When we bought our house it had oak cabinets…..I am not an oak cabinet kind of gal….

That is A LOT of doors people….A LOT! Howevah…I painted…and painted…and painted….and spray painted the hardware oil rubbed bronze…

Then I had this…

THEN…I decided to spray paint the countertops…yep…took’em outside and spray painted them…black…

and I got this…

new sink and faucet…the sink was a Craigslist find….$50

Then…I decided to make new window treatments….one thing ALWAYS calls for TEN others right?

Now, I have this….

So there you have it….the progression of my kitchen….and I’m still not finished!! lol

Thank you for stopping by and be sure and check out the other party participants :)

A Little More Fall…

2011-10-05T09:40:00.001-05:00

I have a few more fall touches around the house that I thought I would share….

You have seen this vignette before in my kitchen, I just added a pumpkin or two, some tiny flower pots and a pinecone…

On my island….simplistic

The potpourri in the basket is THE BEST smelling stuff EVER…they sell it at TJ Maxx and it is AWESOME!! I picked up the wire basket there too and just dumped it in…

All fallish colors…

the table…

I love this runner….picked it up in an antique mall for $8…

LOVE this fabric! I would like to have just YARDS AND YARDS of it!! And those little covered buttons!!! I am a gingham FREAK!! I ain’t lyin’…it draws me in like a moth to a flame…

The mantel….

I got these great books from my sweet friend Sharon… :)

Sharon and I love these little oil cans…she has a BIG one that I covet!

This crazy cat comes out every year at this time….I had him with my kids were little and they just loved him….I wish they were still little :(

Sweet Chloe….my 17 year old cat is loving these cool fall temps…she loves to snooze on the sofa on the deck :) I don’t know what I will do when I lose her….

That’s it for me today! Thank you so much for stopping by!! We have some upcoming events scheduled! Sharon and I are going to Atlanta at the end of the month to the Country Living Fair! I am SO excited! If you are planning on being there, please let me know….I would love to meet up :)

Hope you have a GREAT day~!

Door Decor

2011-09-29T14:20:00.001-05:00

I thought I would take a few photos of my front porch and link up with Rhoda at Southern Hospitality for the Door Décor Linky Party! I think I have got the front porch as finished as it’s gonna get…

My ficus tree I have had FOREVER and it will have to get a pruning before it comes in for the winter…

this fern has THRIVED this summer….heat did not bother it one little bit…

these….have struggled….

I change out my rabbit’s bow with the seasons…

I loved the color of these mums…they are just starting to bloom…

I hope everyone is enjoying these cooler temps! I know we are….it is supposed to get down into the 40’s this weekend at night…..BRING IT!!

Thank you for stopping by and be sure to check out the other partiers at Rhoda’s!

Hope you are having a GREAT day!

Where have I been?

2011-09-27T14:22:00.001-05:00

Well….suffice to say, I have been busy….Sadie (the new cat) has been sick TWICE!!!

I told my vet I have already spent more on Sadie, my pound rescue cat, in three months than my two 17 year old cats! She is a high maintenance Diva kitty cat…but we love her…

She is trying to escape from the cat carrier upon return from a recent veterinarian visit…she did NOT like that box…

THEN we had the remnants of a flippin hurricane that blew through up here in Northeast Alabama….Who Knew??

So we got this…

yeah, that is my NEIGHBOR’S house behind me….just brushed the side of their house…lucky!

WOW! If it had fallen towards our house, it would have HIT our bedroom….

I do not like windy weather AT ALL…just sayin’

Now, at this time I feel the need to admit something…and I know there is a great possibility that I will be drummed OUT of the blogging world forever….and ever….and ever….HOWEVER, I must confess…I do NOT like Annie Sloan Chalk Paint! *sigh* there, I said it….it’s out! I know I am probably the only one in the universe that doesn’t like it, BUT…it is what it is….

I just don’t have time for painting and waxing and dark waxing and clear waxing and all that waxing….sheesh! When I am doing a project I got to git’er done ASAP!

So AFTER I painted my buffet with the chalk paint….about 4 coats because I thought you didn’t have to prep or ANYTHING, but alas….my buffet was pine, so it KEPT bleeding through….and AFTER I started the sanding process *NOTE* (do not sand indoors, as it is like sheetrock dust that goes EVERYWHERE) I was dissatisfied with the results….and I know I am impatient, and should have tried a little harder, but at this point I just wanted to finish the flippin buffet! SO! I hauled her outside in the front yard, got out my beloved spray paint in Heirloom White and went at it….sprayed, sanded, back in the house, top stained, waxed, DONE in about 2 hours!

Before: the dark buffet in the back

And After….+chalk paint + wax + spray paint + mocha glaze…

I added the wood appliques to the front so they would match the dining room chairs….”marry them” if you will…

distressing…

I stained the top walnut and then rubbed in a coat of clear minwax…

I am so happy with it…it isn’t the buffet I will keep FOREVER! But until I find exactly what I want, I am happy with it since I painted it and it works with everything else in the room.

So there you have it! Thank you so much for stopping by and please don’t hold my dislike of the chalk paint against me :( I just think I am happier with a smoother finish and less steps….

Hope you are having a Fantabulous Day!!

Lou Cinda

SCORE!!

2011-08-23T15:39:00.001-05:00

I saw in the paper last Thursday that there was an estate sale on Friday and Saturday…but for SOME unknown reason, it went right out of my mind….cue to Saturday….

I was meandering up a main road and I remembered the estate sale and it was on the street I was on….and then I saw it….and it was the gorgeous house of a precious friend of mine from high school….her parent’s house….my first thought was I hoped nothing had happened to her mother….and so I stopped.

Thankfully her mother is a wonderful gorgeous 81 year old who has simply moved to a smaller place….after the hugging and reminiscing about wonderful memories I began to look around….Carolyn told me that whatever I wanted would be cheaper….I picked up several silver pieces, small bowls, dishes, old flatware (which I love) and then I saw this tray…..

LOVE those handles!

It was HEAVY!!

It was pretty tarnished, but after dipping it in an aluminum roasting pan with hot water, salt and baking soda she was good as new…tho I do love tarnished…..

Wanna know how much I paid for it….it is sterling….

Guess….go ahead….guess…..

okay, I’ll tell you…

$10…..I was SO excited!!! And I think of sweet Carolyn every time I look at it….

I will share my other finds in another post…

Thank you for stopping by!!

The Bathroom “Redo”

2011-08-18T13:29:00.002-05:00

Okay, let me start by saying I haven’t done one thing to this bathroom since we moved in this house 5 years ago….not. ONE.thing….suffice to say this is the bathroom that Seth and Cameron use…..it is a large-ish bathroom, with A LOT of white tile….now I was not up to tearing out tile…been there….done that….have the scars to prove it….I decided to work with the white….white is easy….
Now, we all know by now that I am NOT so good at taking before photos….howevah, I did manage to snap some in the preparing to paint mode….this minty green color is just absolutely hideous….I hate it!

the before…..with spackle and various and sundry necessary tools strewn about….

little, ugly vanity…..(it used to be white too….I did paint this when we moved in)

the lone obligatory accessory….

ugly light fixture…..

we had already taken down the massive mirror that was on the wall… no breakage I am happy to report….

Now, this entire deal started with this fabric, which is not at all what I had in mind when I went looking for fabric to make a shower curtain and window treatments….yeah, you heard me…I MADE them….

LOVED this the second I saw it….Sharon found me the fabulous perfect trim….she’s good like that…

this vanity I found at a consignment shop…it came with the granite top, undermount sink and oil rubbed bronze faucet….got it for $250.00….I thought that was a GREAT deal!

my faux roman shade…

the two “missing tiles” is where the toothbrush holder and soap dish were….we have the tiles but have not replaced them yet…

the chamber pot I got at the 100 mile yard sale with a pony tail fern in it….

new light fixture and mirror…

the walls are painted “Down Home” by Sherwin Williams…
prints are in route…. ;)

So what do you think? I still have to tweak a bit, get some towels and stuff…

Before…

After….

Steve did all installations and removal of vanities, mirrors, light fixtures and plumbing…and well you know….plumbing can be a biotch! But he was successful……thank you sweetie :)

before….

after….

Thank you so much for stopping by!

I am linking up with Kim at Wow Us Wednesdays over at Savvy Souther Style.

100 Mile Yard Sale

2011-08-08T13:43:00.001-05:00

100 miles of 100+ degree weather = MISERY!! Howevah, my partner in Crime, Sharon, came up Saturday and we did venture out to explore a small portion of said 100 miles……ever so small….more like 20 miles…give or take….

Suffice to say, way down here at the beginning of said sale….there are no “pretty booths” accessorized and decorated so as to “lure” us in….no no no….things are strewn about and splayed out on the ground in the hot hot sun for us to peruse.

Lucky for us, it was overcast Saturday, so it was not as hot as it could have been…..I did manage to score a few things that I loved…

the tray I bought for $3.00 because well…..you just never know when you will need a good tray and also because it was only $3.00….the little white pitcher was also $3 and I LOVE it! The pots were FREE! The little red chipped ones are my favorite and I couldn’t believe he gave them to me for nothing! He said I had bought quite a bit….my total was $16.00!

I LOVED this the most….a chamber pot….who knew??

yeah, $10….

So, I spent a total of $16 at the sale and love my stuff….Sharon got some really cool stuff too….I am working on her cos’ she NEEDS a blog!!!!!

Coming soon……redoing a bathroom…..involves this….

and this…

and a sewing machine….I know….Dear Heaven….

Stay tuned…..

And for those who really needed this….a Sadie shot :)

napping….

Thanks for stopping by~!

I got it Covered….

2011-08-01T09:36:00.001-05:00

Catchy little title don’t you think? Lampshades would be the topic…covering the ole’ dreaded lampshade….I covered the two in my dining room….and it was time….high time….that they get an updated little do over.

Alas, the before…

Isn’t that a lovely before shot? I totally suck at this…..let me see if I can find another one….

LOL That is as good as it’s gonna get folks…..now for the AFTER (I did better on this)

Better yes?

You know I am a gingham freak! I made a shower curtain and window treatments for my bathroom….more gingham used in there….it is a sickness….

It wasn’t hard….just tedious….SORRY! No tutorial! I just get something on my mind and am a woman possessed! No photos….no pauses….just full speed ahead!! I do know that I used Fabric-Tac to do this…that stuff ins AMAZING!! These seams are glued….no sewing machine was used in the covering of these lampshades…

LOVED this fabric!!

See that trim? It’s going around the bottom of the shade…..stay tuned…

I still have to paint the lamps….maybe heirloom white….distress them a little…..

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you have a FABULOUS week :)

Complete…..almost….

2011-07-25T14:36:00.001-05:00

As you know, I have been plugging away on a redo of my bedroom….for quite some time now…

QUITE some time….soooo I have managed to ALMOST get it complete…..emphasis on ALMOST…

I do not have a before….this is after….but during….

I did the bed skirt first….

then curtains…..

made pillows….

my favorite pillow…

before lamp….

after….I recovered it…

There you have it…..this is where I am thus far….I’m still not finished….I still have to find art to hang on the right side of the bed, and a new skirt for my vanity….I am really kicking it up with my sewing skills! Not NEAR as much fussing and cussing as I used to do…..I made the pillows on my bed without uttering one single ugly word…..Praise the Lord!!! I’m on a roll!

Hope you are all having a Marvelous Monday!

Lou Cinda :)

Contrary to Popular Belief…

2011-07-11T09:29:00.001-05:00

I have NOT fallen off the face of the earth entirely…..still clinging by a fingernail…

As an update on my precious Bella, we have not found her…I have been looking for her for two and a half weeks and done everything I know to do….flyers, newspaper, Craigslist, Facebook, foot searches, searches by car….I am going to have to just tell myself that she is living with another family somewhere and they are taking wonderful care of her….I can’t let myself think otherwise….

Then…..Friday…..Seth brought me this…

I know! I have to admit, I didn’t think I was ready for another cat…my heart is still so raw…but I have to admit, she has been a breath of fresh air around our house! My old cats just rolled their eyes when they saw her and said, here we go again! lol But she is fitting in quite nicely….she was a rescue kitten from the pound….a life saved….always a good thing :) Her name is Sadie….she looks like a Sadie don’t you think?

And for the first time in weeks, I started piddling around my house and changing things up and moving them around…..

I ordered the tiny cloche from Hive for the Home…..so cute! The little clay pot too….

The little wheel barrow too….she has wonderful things and SO reasonable….check her out!

I want to thank each and every one of you who sent me such sweet, understanding comments on my post regarding Bella….the encouragement and prayers I received has kept me going as I have shed many, many tears….you women are beyond Wonderful and I appreciate it so much more than I could ever EVER tell you….from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU! And Carol in Va….a special thank you :) Such a sweetheart!

I hope you all have a wonderful day….

My Bella is Missing….

2011-06-27T11:44:00.001-05:00

And my heart is breaking…..

Bella is a roamer….she does not like to stay in the house all the time, but she comes in and out all day long….Saturday night I let her out at about 8:00 and went back to call her in about an hour later….and couldn’t find her….if you have pets that are like members of your family, then you understand what I, along with the rest of my family are feeling….it is horrible! I looked for her all day long yesterday….ALL DAY LONG! I tromped through the woods and the neighborhood and the shrubbery….I looked for her in the rain, I was in my neighbors back yards and front yards….driving through the neighborhood….calling for my Bella…

If you have been reading my blog, you know that my son Cameron found Bella when she was 4 weeks old in the street, sick and dying…he picked her up and took her to the vet where it was discovered that she was dehydrated, had an upper respiratory infection and covered in fleas….she lay in a shoe box for three days….we hand fed her and gave her medicine and then on the 4th day she opened her eyes….blue eyes….and she was in our hearts…..Her personality is larger than life…she always makes us laugh…she came into a house with three other OLD cats and she just insisted that they accept her….and they did…

And today our hearts are broken….I have cried and cried and cried…because you see…I am the one who let her out, so I blame myself….

We have taken out an ad in the paper and printed flyers in an effort to find her…please, if you have a moment, please say a prayer for me….I would so appreciate it….

Hello??? Anybody there??

2011-06-07T08:59:00.001-05:00

It has been awhile since my last post! Just a lot going on between losing my friend in the storm to Cameron’s graduation from high school and then a week at the beach….which was sooooooo needed. It just soothed my bruised soul….

Thank you so much for checking on me and making sure that I was alright….you have no idea how much it meant to me to open my e-mail and see a message from one of my precious blog friends wanting to make sure that I was okay….that also soothed my soul :) My girlfriends do not understand the whole blog thing and that we actually know what is going on in each other’s lives and we care and pray for each other….but I understand and I am SO blessed and grateful for it!

I did manage to complete a project that I started weeks and weeks ago! I know, I know, it truly is a miracle!! Especially since this particular project involved the dreaded sewing machine….good Lord that thing HATES me! But, alas, I did persevere…there were times when I thought I would succumb, but no, no I kept going and got those flippin curtains done in my bedroom! Now, keep in mind it is only two panels….don’t’ judge! If I could have made those hummers with hot glue, I would have!

Look at me go!! I had to sew two DIFFERENT fabrics together AND add trim…..yeah, I know!

Steve cut and hung the rods….that was way outside my area of expertise! You have to measure that and rumor has it that it needs to be “accurate” measurements…..Lou Cinda out! Can’t measure worth a flip! I am a big fan of the “round up” method….all those little lines on the measuring tape…..who needs those?

This project all started with two pillow cases out of this fabric that I found at TJ Maxx. LOVED the fabric!

This fabric is Ralph Lauren and I actually found it by the yard CHEAP on eBay so I ordered yards of it. I got one piece 100x100 for $35 and then I got another piece that was just a bit smaller for $27. I know! Really good!

(Bella is very helpful)…

The largest piece I used as a throw at the end of the bed….I still need to add some trim to that….

Sharon and I found the ticking fabric for like $4 a yard and we loved it with the floral, so I did the bed skirt and bottom of the curtains out of that….

That tacky little blue pillow is gone….I have fabric to make pillows (pray for me) and that is next on the list…also on the search for new lamps or maybe just shades….or maybe cover those shades…..the list never ends…..

I got the window over the bed at a shop I love and Seth gave me the wreath for Christmas…I have to watch Bella or she will just reach up there and pull her off a mouthful of feathers!

The required puddling…..

So……what do you think?? I tell ya’ I’m just so happy to be done with them!! I did one panel and then stopped….I hate it when I do that!!! I am notorious for it! Make my ownself nuts!

Thank you so much for stopping by and for being so wonderful and saying prayers for me….it means so much!

Hope you have a WONDERFUL day!! :)

Loss…

2011-05-03T08:48:00.001-05:00

As some of you may know, I live in Alabama…the beautiful mountainous gorgeous State of Alabama….last Wednesday was the most horrific day this state has ever seen as multiple F4 and F5 tornados ripped across our state…changing the landscape forever….changing our lives forever…

My family was very blessed….the terrible storms were all around us, but we had no damage, no tornados…we didn’t even lose power…so very blessed….many many others were not so fortunate..

Beginning last week, the weather forecasters had been warning us that this weather was coming…to be prepared…to have a plan in place….one forecaster said there was a 110% chance of severe tornados across the State of Alabama on Wednesday…but you know, we have heard about storms and tornados before and that kind of thing always happens somewhere else…to someone else….

Not this time….

I was so anxious over the weather….storms and warnings have always made me nervous, but this time was different….the air felt dangerous…it was hot…humid….I said prayers all day long while I was at work….I was just so antsy….the wonderful girls that I work with and I discussed it at lunch…in fact Tina had had some storms pass through her area Wednesday morning and she had no power….she came to the office with wet hair and her hair dryer in her hand….

We closed our offices early Wednesday and as we were leaving we were all telling each other to “Be Safe”, take cover….be careful….I went home and cooked supper and was just tense….Cameron was at a friend’s house and they didn’t have a basement so I called him and told him to come home….we don’t have a basement either….I was watching the weather on the news and saw the massive monster ripping across Tuscaloosa and then Birmingham which is about 40 miles from me….

That was it….I told my family, “We are OUT of here”…we took our cats and went to some friends who live close to us, only a few houses away, and we got in their basement….and we watched….it was scary…I was hearing the towns Argo, Springville, Hokes Bluff, Ohatchee, Glencoe, Gadsden….take cover! So terrifying….and we prayed….

After the threat had passed we went back home and I started calling and checking on all of my loved ones….my sweet precious friend Sharon, whom you have heard me talk about on my blog many times….my partner in shopping crime, was the first one I called….she lives in Ohatchee and I heard a tornado had “touched down” there….she did not answer her cell, but she did answer her land line and I was SO happy to hear her voice….they were fine…no damage….power out….thank God…I had talked to Janice when I was in Peggi’s basement, so I knew she was fine…Cameron had talked to Malory, she was fine…Debbie was good….but I couldn’t get in touch with Tina….I assumed the power was out, cell phones down, because Tina only lives about a mile from Sharon…..so she must be okay…

When I got to work the next morning, Debbie said she still had not been able to reach Tina. We called Tina’s boss and asked her if she had heard from Tina…she said no….Gina sent her husband to Tina’s house to check on them…..the picture above is where Tina’s house used to be….She and her husband were both killed in the tornado….they were huddled in their bathroom with their two dogs when the house took a direct hit….there was nothing left but a concrete slab….we are devastated….

This is Tina and Mike and their son Blake, who was deployed to Afghanistan….he had been gone 9 months and was due home Mother’s Day weekend….I can’t tell you how excited Tina and Mike were! They were all going to North Carolina to be there when he got off the plane…..he came home a week early because he had lost both of his parents…I cannot even begin to imagine what he is going through….They also had a daughter Jessica, a son-in-law, James and a precious 5 year old granddaughter, Ariel, who was the apple of their eye….Tina was only 49 years old…

This was a beautiful Godly couple…Mike’s last post to his family as they huddled in their bathtub was…”Angels will protect us or, Angel’s will usher us home”…Heaven is a much brighter place….Tina was beautiful and funny and fun and always laughing….we will miss her so very much….

I will see her again….of that I am sure….but please remember those that are left behind to mourn their loss and to deal with the terrible void that has been left in their lives…..

One of their dogs, “Cuz” who belonged to Blake, survived the storm and has been reunited with the family…

All of the photos above were taken in the county I live in….about 12 miles from my house…my neighborhood….there but by the Grace of God, go I…

Tell those you love….that you love them….often….

Bittersweet…..

2011-04-15T11:36:00.001-05:00

I have dreaded this particular time in my life for 18 years…..Graduation…..

Cameron will graduate from high school on Mary 27th….and my heart is just so heavy….this year has been a year of “lasts”….

I am so happy for him as he looks to his future, but….yesterday…..

yesterday was his very last baseball game…..EVER…..

When I watched #21 jog out on the field for the last time…I thought my heart was breaking….

I tried so hard to hold it together during the game….I cheered real loud….

yelled at the umpires….

And I fought that lump in my throat like a tiger…..

I tried to tell myself that nothing was changing….that everything would be the same….

But….I know better….

After the game as the other mothers, my girlfriends and soul-mates, that have been together cheering for our boys since they were 5 years old….stood up and looked at each other…and just lost it!

What will we do now?

We tried to pull it together once again before the guys came out of the fieldhouse so we wouldn’t look like total hot messes….

When Cameron walked out….he was crying….and then it was just over for me…he ran to me and hugged me and we both just sobbed….I mean, I have kissed boo boos and held hands and wiped noses and tears, and listened to hopes and dreams and funny stories, and fussed and prayed and said be careful and I love you a trillion times…

Cameron and Dakota….buds since they were 3 years old…played ball together since they were 5….

Their faces say it all…..

so many memories, so many laughs….

Since Cameron was a little boy he always cries….if I cry….still does….

He has such a tender heart….and he is very sensitive…everybody doesn’t know that….

But I do….

So as he goes forward…..into this big ole’ world that I have tried my best to prepare him for, for 18 years, while at the same time protecting him from it…..I will watch and pray….and hang on to his leg with everything I have….cos’ that’s just how I roll…

I love you my Sweet Cammie Pie….to the moon and back….a million trillion times…I am so proud of you….

and…I will always be here….

Prom Weekend

2011-03-29T11:09:00.001-05:00

We had not one but TWO Proms last weekend….Malory’s Prom was Friday night…Cameron’s Saturday night…

Cameron and Malory have been together about 4 years….I know they are mine…but my heart just swells every time I see them together….such a beautiful couple…

Elizabeth and Malory….they are first cousins and Elizabeth is my best friend’s daughter….we are all family…I was there when BOTH of these girls were born and never in a million years would I have predicted that Cameron and Malory would meet one summer at the beach….Cameron was 14 and Malory was 13….I KNOW! These girls are beautiful on the inside as well as the outside….

Evan, Elizabeth, Malory, Cam….

Buds since they were 5 years old….yeah I cried about three different times Saturday night….

James, Jace, Cameron, Dakota….

This is really how they like to roll!

I heart her….

Next up….Senior Week in Panama City Beach, Florida…..

Of course I am going too, what do you think I am….NUTS?

Sneak Peek…

2011-03-23T13:58:00.001-05:00

I have been crazy busy working on my bedroom…I said I was just going to do a few things and Springify it a bit, but we all know that one thing leads to another to another to another…..the one thing that is finished is the bed skirt…

Love the fabric….

If you have read my blog at all, you probably know that I “think” I can do anything…..even sew….HA!

Alas, I CANNOT! I get so frustrated it isn’t even funny….this bedskirt, which is stapled on a board which I slide between the mattress and box springs took me….I’m not even going to tell you how long it took me…..

okay, I will….

SEVEN HOURS! SHUT.UP!!!

I am an idiot in the sewing world! I admit it! The simplest things take me the longest time to figure out…I swear, Steve get’s so upset when I work myself up into such a tizzy! By the time it was done, I had thrown the staple gun, a million staples littered the den…(because they wouldn’t go in the board) and I gently “tossed” a hammer…..JUST BE’IN REAL!

But I did accomplish the said task at hand….

Sewing machines…….hate me…

A lil peak at what else is going on in there….

How did that get in there?? My cutie patootie Cammie Pie :)

Pitching….they won….YAY!!

This weekend is Prom weekend and Cameron and his girlfriend Malory, go to different high schools and as luck would have it BOTH of their proms are this weekend….one is Friday night…the other Saturday night…busy weekend ahead…..

Stay tuned….I am going to attempt to sew again this weekend at some point…..

Lord help me….and Steve!

Her Majesty….

2011-03-15T10:50:00.001-05:00

I am making some changes in my bedroom and had taken my BIG boa wreath that Seth got me for Christmas off the wall and laid it on my bed….when I came back, this is what I found…

Chloe taking a little nap…

She was really OUT!

May I help you?

Cats…..gotta love’em!

I wanted to lighten up the bedroom somewhat, a little more Springy….I am trying to get everything pulled together and finished which is difficult when you have to work! I hate that! And I am the WORLD’S WORST for doing “the look for less”….sometimes that is just a pain in the rear!!! But I am trying to persevere! ONWARD!

Hopefully, I can get it all pulled together and get some photos posted….

Hope you are all having a great week!

Lou Cinda

Spring? Where did you go?

2011-03-08T16:06:00.001-06:00

We have been having Glorious weather and wonderful temps in the 70’s for the last couple of weeks! We thought that Spring had surely arrived….I even bought a couple of ferns for my front porch…..

and then…

…Spring went away! We are back in the 40’s and it is raining and yucky!

However, I did do a little Spring prep around the house because I am SO READY!!!

This is the table in the foyer/dining room….

Kitchen island…

Hope you are having more “Spring” than we are right now!

Thank you for stopping by :)

Lou Cinda

Fluffed up…and Springified….

2011-03-01T09:11:00.001-06:00

I managed to get the dining room table “dressed” in between work and baseball games and all of that stuff that keeps me in a twist most of the time….

I had bought the fabric to make a runner, however, I found this one at TJ Maxx for 9.99, loved it, bought it….actually I got two….one for the table and one for the buffet…

I did have to alter it as it was waaaaay to long for my table….and I added the

trim …

love me some beady fringe….

I also found the rabbit at TJ…..

This buffet is the next thing that will be replaced in here….I am on the hunt…

Thank you for stopping by…..have a great week!

I am linking up today with Linda at Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays…..please stop by the party!

Lou Cinda

The “Reveal”

2011-02-24T12:03:00.001-06:00

Okay…the story behind this table and these chairs is this…

I got the chairs, as I have said before, at the auction….$30.00 for all four chairs…and here they are in all their glory…..

They were a hot, dark, shellacked to the pit of hell, beat up ugly mess…..yep, it’s all about a vision….and not having a lot of bucks to spend don’t hurt….

Then….I painted said beat up, shellacked, ugly chairs…..ivory…

The table, I did not get a photo of the before….I know, I know….bad blogger….. however, the table was all mahogany….like the top….but with pretty carving all around the apron and legs…

I painted the bottom ivory as well, and glazed it with Valspar glaze in Mocha….

Now, I had one teeeeeny weeeeny problem with my table, which I also got at the auction, just on a different night, for $100.00…..the problem was….it was just a teensy weensy bit too small……Enter Steve…..with a plan….well, actually, I had the plan THEN enter Steve with the skills to facilitate said plan….

He MADE a leaf for my table….it had one at some point in it’s life, however, that necessary appendage did not make it to the auction with said table…..so, Steve made one and I have one coat of red mahogany stain on it….I think after another coat it will “blend” much better, and I am making a runner to go on there too….so problem solved…..

I glazed the chairs too….and “distressed” them….I just freak out when I start to sand furniture! Especially after I have KILLED myself getting their shellacked ugly selves painted…..

But sand them I did….

Said “sandage”….

I added these little appliques to the backs of the chairs to dress them up a bit….

Heavy sandage…….OUCH!

I covered the seats in a solid green fabric….because I thought a solid would be easier to work with in there….I had a floral before and found myself limited as to what I could do in the room because I felt that it competed with that floral fabric….enter said upholstery instructor, whom I do love, but AFTER I had covered the seats he said, “I hate that fabric.” Well, okie dokie then…….don’t hold back Gary, tell me how you REALLY feel!!!

SO, I am stressed about that and mulling over whether to change it or not…..

Dining room before…not a great photo, but you get the gist…

And after….

I really do love it…..and after I get the runner done and the table accessorized I will post another photo….or two….or three….

So what do you think??? Don’t hold back now….tell me how you REALLY feel!!

Thank you for stopping by :)

Lou Cinda

Testing 123 Testing

2011-02-23T08:41:00.001-06:00

Where have I been??? I have still been trying to visit everyone, howevah, my computer became stricken with an illness of which it could not recover! COULD NOT RECOVER! SO I got a new one which is all good, EXCEPT for the fact that when the computer guy transferred everything over from the old to the new he neglected to transfer said Live Writer from whence I do said blogging!

Quite obviously, he did not realize the gravity of this little omission and therefore, I had to download Live Writer again and it is a newer version and the jury is still out on whether I like it or not……it looks different….I don’t do change well…we shall see…

I have finished my dining room table and chairs, but have no photos….I know, I know……it has been crazy busy at my house and baseball season started for Cameron Monday night…his first game went 14 innings….yeah, 14! The ole’ tie game went into extra innings….SEVEN extra innings….then we lost….by one run….needless to say, mama wasn’t happy!

I feel quite certain that the umpires were well aware of mama’s unhappiness…..

So…..I am going to see if this puppy posts, and if I am up and running….or not….

I will post a photo to see how that does…..

So far, so good…I will be back tomorrow with actual photos of my latest “rehab” project…

Lou Cinda

You Gotta Have a Vision….

2011-02-15T09:05:00.001-06:00

It is imperative, if you decorate on a dime like I do, to have a vision….to be able to see PAST the ugly and visualize what something can “become”….

Such is the case with these chairs I got at the auction a few weeks ago….I got these four chairs for $30….for ALL of them…..

They have good lines….loved the shape of them….and they were very sturdy….that is a good thing…

Now, I had also “visualized” just spray painting them…that would be so easy and FAST….but alas, they were covered in some kind of varnish that is probably toxic by today’s standards and my paint just bubbled up….

SO! I sanded them down and tried again….nope! Same thing! Third time is a charm! Primed them with a brush and THEN spay painted them…

Ivory…

I’m not through with them yet….I have added to them and recovered the seats and I still have to glaze them…

I hope to be finished with them in the next couple of days and I will post the final product…..

I am Re-furnishing the dining room a piece at a time! I also got a table last week that is in remake mode as well….so far I have spent $130.00 for a table and four chairs…not too bad….I sold my old table and chairs for more than I paid for these….love when that happens :)

Please say tuned for the reveal and, for your viewing enjoyment…

Sissie….lounging in a pizza box, cos’ that’s just how she rolls!

Thank you so much for stopping by!!

Little Changes…

2011-02-03T08:53:00.001-06:00

I made a few changes to an area on my kitchen counter…moved the marble thingy that I got at a yard sale for $2 from my island to the counter where it shows up so much better…

As a little side note, I would like to point out that , as most of you know, I have a few cats….well, more than a few….okay I have four! HOWEVER, we do NOT allow our cats to get on the counters….it is simply not allowed and is against the rules…and they all know this and abide by this rule….at all times….

Yeah buddy! They toe the line around our house!

Hope you are having a great week and STAYING WARM!!

Kisses :)