Ten on Ten

I've been wanting to participate in this link party for some time now.  It's a different kind of link party where you post ten pictures you've taken throughout the day.

  Rebekah hosts Ten on Ten over at her beautiful blog A Bit of Sunshine.

And since photography has become quite a hobby for me ever since I got my nice camera two years ago, I decided to join up with this once a month party to challenge myself to take unique photos.

So here we go.

My kitchen window in the morning.

 Playtime on the porch

 Doodling

 Flowers blooming in the backyard.

 Time for a wagon ride!

 Pickles with lunch

 

Time to color.

Pillow fabric choices for my new/old sofa .

Rearranging the bookcase

Nap time.

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Reupholstered Antique Sofa

There have been a few chairs here and there  and here again.  But never a sofa.

This is my first attempt at anything of this size.  I had also never made a cushion cover either.  Learn as you go, that's my motto.

This little gem was found at a random estate sale I happen to be driving by on my way home from another estate sale.
After looking through the house and walking by this couch several times, contemplating the thought of
 re upholstering it myself.  I knew if I could accomplish the task, it would be the ultimate addition to my new library decor.

Finally after much debate within myself, I made the man an offer of $50, and he took it.

A couple of sliced fingers, worn knuckles and lots of hard work later,

here is the after.

The fabric is a soft blue/grey linen.  It was hard to finally decide on a fabric and I love this one!

I struggled with the idea of painting the wood frame.  But in the end my better half and I decided it would look better with the natural wood, than painting it white.

I'm glad I chose not to paint now, because there are a lot of other wood touches in the room and it really ties them all together.

Over the next few weeks, I will be looking for colorful fabric to add some more pillows.

Just a few more pictures to hang before the big library reveal!

 A little idea of what it looked like before.

Link Parties
Knick of time
Jennifer Rizzo 
Miss Mustard Seed 
Classy Clutter

MIA

What a great past couple of weeks.  I have not worried about blogging or doing projects. 

Well, maybe one.  My first sofa upholstery job is completed.  More on that later.

But first a Christmas round up of sorts.
 

 I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, and enjoyed your family as much as possible. 

I noticed a lot of bloggers took some much needed time off around the holidays, and I'm so glad they did.

Sometimes we just need to unplug from the internet and focus on what is really important.

 

Happy 2013!  Hope we all have a great year!

 

Stay tuned for my antique sofa reveal...

Here is a little peak at the before

 

Can't you just smell the musty odor?

It's a wonderful life

The past few days have been a little confusing for me.  When humans turn on each other and kill one another, for no apparent reason, I'm very confused and worried for our society. 

So I've been trying to find the beauty in the world around me.  Because I still firmly believe there is more good than evil in the world. 

However when tragedy strikes, it sure make blogging and painting furniture seem trivial. 

Anyway, here are a few photos that made me feel better about life, and I hope they can brighten your day as well.

Beautiful blooming flowers in December.

The cute little wreath that hangs on my back door, and makes me feel like I live in a cottage.

 My beautiful angels sent from Heaven.

One of the most amazing days of my whole life.

 I believe that one of the main reasons we are here on this earth is to connect with one another.  And I feel truly blessed to be connected to you through this amazing internet.

I hope you all have a joyful holiday.

Much love,

Kathleen

Sweater Stocking with Ruffles

I don't know what you did last night, but I was crying my eyes out at Parenthood.  In my opinion, one of the best shows on television right now.  I always get too involved with the show and so sad when it's over.

I only have a 2 shows I have to watch every week.  Parenthood is one and the other shall remain nameless.

Ok, it's Revenge.

Here's a stocking I made today!

Okay, if I'm being completely honest, there are more like 5 shows I have to watch every week.

This was so very easy to make.

Step one: Lay a cut out template of the size you want your stocking onto an old sweater.  And cut around template.

Once you've cut out your sweater you should have 2 pieces exactly the same size.

Next: face the right sides together and pin around the perimeter of the stocking.

  Make sure the right sides are facing each other and sew around the stocking.  Leaving the top open.

Turn it right side out

 Using a glue gun I took two strips of red and white fabric and gathered ruffles around the the bottom of the top portion of the stocking.  I did the red first onto the sweater and the white on top of the red.

Once your finished gluing, flip the top down.  Glue on a little piece of ribbon to make a loop for hanging, and your done!

 

Link Parties
                                    Classy Clutter

Christmas Joy

As I sit here listening to the rain drizzle outside my window and smelling that sweet pine that has permeated our home, I couldn't be happier.

Over the weekend, we picked up a tree and decorated it with love.  Even though the right side has one too many ornaments on it where my three year old decided to station herself, it's perfect in our eyes.

I truly love the spirit of Christmas.  I love what it stands for and enjoy every minute choosing gifts for my family.  Usually we make our gifts every year.  I have a very crafty family.

But this year they will be purchased.  I spent a lot of time on Etsy this year. 

I hope you all are not getting too stressed about your Christmas shopping. Give a gift because you want to, not because you feel you have to. That's my motto :)

Now Showing!

Meet Louis.  Louis XV, he's French.

I moved out my other desk, which didn't quite fit the bill.  We were struggling to fit our legs under it and it  was too wobbly.  The color is the same as the desk before, Woodlawn Valley Haze by Valspar.

 I took my sweet time styling my new love for it's first photo shoot.

Hello lovah.

During my research on Louis XV desks, I found that they can range anywhere from $800-3,000! In original, near perfect condition of course. Unfortunately mine needed a little help. And I wouldn't even think of selling it now.

The amazing little details are what really gets my blood pumping. The delicate, metal accessories that adorn the corners and feet are fixed on individually with several tiny screws to hold them in to place. 

Even the pulls on the drawers are placed with little screws. I had never seen that before. 

  

 

I'm happy.


Link Parties
Primitive and Proper
Redoux 
Classy Clutter 
Miss Mustard Seed 
Finding Fabulous 
Knick of Time 

Coming soon...

Sometimes I walk in to a thrift store, not intending to find anything spectacular.  But secretly hoping I will find the piece that will make my year.  This was one of those times.

I'd never even heard of this style desk before.  But as I was on my way out of the Goodwill with a little coffee table, I ran smack dab into a really cool desk that was just coming out from the back to be put on display.

I stopped this poor guy in his tracks and told him to "Stop, I want to take a look at this desk!" So he stood there patiently as I did so. 

As I rounded the back, I couldn't believe my good fortune.  It was in great shape and might be the perfect piece to replace the computer desk we are currently using,  which isn't working out the way I hoped.

I bought it and never looked back, in case they figured out what this thing was really worth.

Here's a little hint at what's to come later this week.

 

 

 

Stay tuned, I hope to have it finished by the end of the week.