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.

The ol' switcharoo

It's like buying a gift for someone else, and ending up keeping it for yourself.  That's how I see it.  They never know.

There are just some pieces that are destined to stay in my home.

 Take this dresser for example, a non descript, free dresser that I dressed up and tried to sell at the Barn sale.
But alas, she came home with me.  And I wasn't too upset about it.

I saw it as my bedside table immediately.

My old side table

                          

My "new" one.
 

Check out what I was using when we first moved in.

 

Nothing at all wrong with having a dinky side table, if you like that sort of thing.  I just need  plenty of room for all my bedside needs.

For those of you who paint and sell furniture, you are nodding your head and know exactly what if feels like.

Tell me your story.

Today

Today I'm going through all the furniture I didn't sell over the weekend.  The sale was not as busy as we'd hoped.  The furniture was not moving an inch.

We had a feeling that all the gifty type stuff would do well and the furniture would do best at the Spring sale.
And we were right, unfortunatly.

The weather was beautiful, about 60 and breezy.  We huddled together by the fire pit and drank hot cider.  The crowd was intermittent,  and I sold several of my things the last 30 minutes of the sale.

So here is one of the dressers I had that didn't sell.  So on to Craigslist she goes.  It is the sister dresser of this one.

Looking forward to spending time with family this week, some of whom I have not seen in two years.

Have a happy Monday friends!

Link parties
Primitive and Proper 
Elizabeth and Co.

Small antique dresser

The weather has been sunny and perfect the last few days.  The leaves on the trees are still in the transformation process and I'm loving every minute of it.  I often thank my mom for delivering me in  November.

This weekend was the celebration of my birth.  I ate dinner with some amazing ladies, and consumed many a desert.  My man also took me to a movie.

 And now I can't say "but it's my biiirrrrrthday" anymore.

Apparently there's a limit to how many times I can use it.



I have a cute little dresser to share with you today.  It came from an antique store down the way, and it had been sitting under a leaky ceiling.  The top was damaged beyond repair, therefor  I had to peel off the veneer and sand like a mad woman.

This one's headed to the barn sale this weekend.

Link Parties~

Primitive and Proper
Elizabeth and Co. 
Miss Mustard Seed 
Redoux

The Little Red Barn Sale

It's time for our bi-annual Little Red Barn Fall sale.  I'm loving the hustle and bustle of getting everything ready.  We are less than two weeks away and I'm looking forward to sharing what I've made with the public.

Here are a few items I have ready to show you.

I made some canvas pillows.  

And the chair goes with a table set.

Also I've made some ruffled tree skirts

 There are also several pieces of furniture half finished that I plan to share with you as well. 

 Next week perhaps?

 If you live in the Atlanta area please come out November 17th and say hello!

For more info click on the red barn in my left side bar.