Monday, November 23, 2009

my thankful heart...

This morning I am thankful for ...sleep.
You know, the all-night, sleep like a log kind.
The kind that when you wake up you are ready to tackle the day ahead.
I needed that kind of sleep.
My posts have been kinda one dimensional lately.
That's because I really didn't think you wanted to read
about my intensive cleaning
of the insect-infested pantry
(note to self-don't ignore those little moths)
or the never-ending attempt
to get everything under cover
(and maintain some bit of an organized plan)
before it snows.
That's what I've been up to around here...
So we begin this week of concentrated giving of * THANKS*
and my favorite holiday...

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

shabby house whites...












This is what I've been up to...last week was our Holiday Open House...I do have to admit it was a stuggle to prepare for...I always feel like I'm a season behind anyway and then the way retail moves in christmas so early...now am I 2 seasons behind? But it was my last big push of the year and now I can turn my attention to home...pumpkin pie and fall cleaning...ahhh...back on schedule.

a very cool old house turned antique store where I rent the back porch to sell my many projects

Monday, November 16, 2009

got tea?

Have you been over to cottage instincts, yet?
Cindy is a hoot...she is real and always is working on great projects.
She is hosting a "i made it with what i have" party...
I signed up, thinking,
" I'll get to that pile of lampshades , or that box of bottles, or
maybe even make a pillow."

But that didn't happen...it was a such busy week
getting ready at The Shabby House
so I dug through my files looking for a project
and I found *her*.

I wanted a vintage manny
but those are pretty rare around here.
So I bought 2 mannequins off of ebay
1 to sell and 1 for me.

She came with bright white fabric...


Now for the vintage, water-stained look...
TEA
I love it...instant age!

I used dark tea in a spray bottle and just went at her.
I spritzed on several light coats
letting it dry in between.
The patient girl that I am...I got in a hurry...and switched to coffee...
much quicker and much darker.

I love how she came out blotchy...just like water stains.

We use tea stain all the time round here...
on fabric, on ribbon and lace, on paper,
and even on our clothing to get that shade we are after.
I just use whatever black tea we have.
How about you...got tea?

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

white cupboard love...


I have a thing for old cabinets...

Remember this one?
I put this beauty up in my inspiration room


I had great fun filling it up with all kinds of pretties.






Have a fabulous week!

happy birthday...

to you
dear sweet Fairmaiden.

Monday, November 9, 2009

power of five...


Do you have a hard time focusing?
I do.
Do you get overwhelmed with all that there is to do?
I do.
Do you play little motivational games?
I do.

I have this little game I play...it's called *5 things*
throw away 5 things
put away 5 things
finish 5 things
comment on 5 blogs
5 more minutes on the elliptical
Just do something...


That's what's I'm playing this week...
Friday is our holiday open house
at Shabby House
...and I am so not ready...
off I go. 1...2...3...4...5

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Powder-ey whites...






Here are some photos of my downstairs powder room.

It is the first room I have ever painted all white...

the family thought something was a little off when I did it...but I really like it!

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

a new day...

Thanks gals,
Time has a way of leveling things out.
We're doing much better now.

It's a tricky balance-this blogging is.
Do we post real stuff?
Or just the pretty?

Talk to you soon,
Rene'

Sunday, November 1, 2009

disappointment...

Disappointment
blew into our home
this week
like a cold winter's wind.



and with it feelings of
discouragement, weariness, and fear.
But those are only feelings.

It is in times like these
that I come back to these life verses.


As for God, His ways are perfect.

2 Sam 22:31



(Oh, don't get me wrong...
I've battled with this before...
perfect is perfect...always...
not just when it's going my way)


But I trust in you, Oh Lord;

I say, You are my God.

My times are in your hands.
Psalm 31:14


Have a blessed day of rest, dear friends,

Rene'

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

just a few...

of my favorite (white) things.










Thanks to all

who wished my daughter and me

a Happy Birthday!

See FADED CHARM for more white pretties.
Blog Widget by LinkWithin