Tuesday, February 28, 2012

me, white walls?

Who would'a thought 
that 
I would start painting my walls white?

By choice?

And love it?


I certainly didn't.

But I did.

And I do.







I continue to be  amazed 
at how paint can change a room.

It totally transformed my kitchen.


 Take a peek 



..





Next post...we'll talk details.
but for today
I am off to my girl-young-in's basketball tourney
and
I have started a new project.
Yes, I did.
And it  may or may not 
have included more white paint.

Linking to:
White Wednesday @ Faded  Charm 
Tuesday cowgirl Up @ The Farmhouse Porch 
Knick of Time Tuesday @ Knick of Time
Tuesday's Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants
Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground
Farmhouse Friday @ Laurie Anna's Vintage Home
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home
PRIMP Your Stuff @ (PRIMP)
Thriftin' on a Thursday @ Savvy City Farmer
Inspiration Friday @ At The Picket Fence


Tuesday, February 21, 2012

for the love of ROSES...


it is no secret


I have a long-term love affair with ROSES


I love ROSES in the garden



I love ROSES in the house


I love ROSES on the wall


I love ROSES on the mantel


I love ROSES in the barn


and 
I really love ROSE dishes



I still remember buying my first ROSE plate
about 25years ago
and I still have it
(of course, I do)

(1ST PLATE)

and what that did to my decorating style.

 I.was.smitten.


 ROSES here, 


ROSES there,

ROSES everywhere


Besides proving that I have spring fever, 
"Where is this going," you ask?

Last year, when I began  my kitchen makeover
I went from this


lots and lots of ROSES


to this


beige walls, neutrals,


 lace, ironstone,


 more farmhouse primitive

the ROSES were packed away...
but 
not  forgotten

 you know what?
I missed them.

One day, while in the bathroom


this inspired me


My own bathroom became my inspiration.
It combined the all of the elements that I love
and wanted to include in my kitchen.


VINTAGE-that almost goes without saying
WHITE-lots of it
LACE-a bit here and there
WOOD-to warm things up
PRIMITIVE-a touch but not too country
NEUTRALS-gotta have ironstone and tea-stain, too
and
ROSES.


ROSES done differently 
than  I've done them in the past.
not too many
just enough 
for a pop of color and cheeriness.


I call it 
romantic.primitive.farmhouse 
with a titch of victorian.

Usually,
when doing a room reveal, I show you the  big picture
and then go onto the details.
I'm doing this backwards...so you will know what my goals were,
what my loves are, and how I made my choices.

Just show me already?!
Here is the teaser
I'm bad, I know


pinky-promise, the rest is coming.....


White Wednesday @ Faded  Charm 
Knick of Time Tuesdays @ Knick of Time
Tuesday's Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground
Farmhouse Friday @ Laurie Anna's Vintage Home
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home
PRIMP Your Stuff @ (PRIMP)
Thriftin' on a Thursday @ Savvy City Farmer
Inspiration Friday @ At The Picket Fence



Thursday, February 16, 2012

joy dare...2.12.2012


for you
for me


I've tried to write this post about 3 times now
and
 I can't quite figure out what I'm trying to say
or 
how to say it
so
I will  do the obvious:
quit trying 
and
just 
 let it speak for itself.


continuing to count to 1000 ...see what it's all about here
thankful for these gifts:
  HE is with me
  HE delights in me
  HE rejoices over me 

Monday, February 13, 2012

killing two birds with one post...



I'm going to share a post from 2 years ago.
I think it  fits with the pinterest debate that is going around
as well
as showing you one of my Valentine celebrations.
There are fewer calories
if
we revisit the post
rather 
than 
re-creating the decoration!
**********************************************************************************
are you
a trend setter or or a trend follower?
These words have been rattling
around inside my head...
ever since my daughter said
"mom, you're such a copycat"...
There are a few out there that set  the trends
and
most of us  follow them.
I confess...I am a follower.



Take the new issue of Romantic Homes
for instance...
I saw the cover and loved it...


so I took the idea and made a few changes


changes that suit us


like pink candy corn and cinnamon bears









Then I added in some things I really love




and finished with this


I'm bringing this up because
there are so many wonderful ideas out there...
...some that I have been pondering for quite some time...
...waiting for me to get the courage to try...
and I feel it (the courage) coming.
If some of it ends up looking a little familiar,
Remember: Imitation is the highest form of flattery...
but I'm trying to give it my look...
as I get my wings it will become more and more me...





Thank you
so much for your kind words of encouragement
on my collage project!

You are giving me my wings...and I am flying high.
...know that I appreciate you all...
...even if I don't always say so...
I have so many plans...big plans...and they are keeping me busy...
now to land and finish the dishes...


********************************************
As I read this again
I can see how  in the past 2 years
I have  
timidly stepped out,
been brave, 
and 
tried new things.
I really do feel as though I have found my wings.


But I DO still use your blogs, pinterest, and magazines
to gain inspiration.
I gather all of the ideas
looking for what I pin over and over.
I try to pin-point what it is that I am loving.


And then I step away, 
turn off the computer
and listen to my heart.


"What do I have?
What do I really love?
What am I really trying to accomplish?"


And I still quote 
Cindy from Cottage Instincts:
What likes am I willing to give up 
so 
that I can keep that which  I love?


Just some ramblings for the day...I don't really have an
answer for the debate.
***
These 2 photos show how my photo editing has changed.
Which do you prefer?

2010


2012


All  of that said...I am so close to being ready
to show  you my  kitchen makeover...I am lovin' it!

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

i heart...


I took a bit of a break from
my kitchen work
to
make
 valentine hearts


most made their way to the shop











this one stayed home with me



White Wednesday @ Faded  Charm 
Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground
Farmhouse Friday @ Laurie Anna's Vintage Home
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home
PRIMP Your Stuff @ (PRIMP)
Thriftin' on a Thursday @ Savvy City Farmer