Show and Tell Monday ...

Today I decided to show and tell a room in my home. I absolutely adore shabby chic decorating and I always strive to decorate in that style in my home. Fortunately, my husband leaves the decorating to me and doesn't care if the house is all white and roses. Unfortunately, because I have two very busy and very dirty boys, I can't always have everything the way I would ideally like it to be. So .. my bedroom is the one place that I can really go to town with my love of shabby chic. The walls are light pink, the decor is flowers. I found the most amazing vintage bed a few years ago. It's chippy ivory paint with it's original embellishments. I still have a long way to go to really "fill" the space but I pick up pieces whenever I can. The tall chest is the very first piece I ever painted and distressed. (It's more crackled than distressed but I can't quite bring myself to redo it ... sentimental reasons).My father-in-law rescued it from the dump and I went to work on it. I love my daybed that I found years ago at a flea market. My mother convinced me to buy it even though it was a little over my budget. I even used it in a showhouse I did and everyone wanted to purchase it but I just couldn't let it go. I have a wonderful woman who makes all of my pillows and just does an amazing job. I have to say, I was on Jennifer of The Old Painted Cottage's blog a few weeks back looking at her "cottage of the month". She had her own house on one month and I was drooling over it. It is what I want my house to be someday. It inspired me to do a little rearranging and fluffing of my own. Maybe someday my small little cape will be the house of my dreams. For now, I'm relatively happy with the bedroom. (my pictures aren't too great. It actually looks better in person). Thanks for vising...

Please join us Friday September 26th for

"A Stitch in time"
Stitches in Time; tiny stitches holding the hem of a linen napkin, stitches intertwined to make the most delicate lace, stitches crocheted by the smallest hook, stitches through canvas strengthened by wool yarn. It's these stitches created out of love that adorn a bedspread crocheted for a granddaughter's wedding, a sampler commemorating the birth of a child, a fine table cloth made to entertain the most important guests and family at Thanksgiving. Each of these stitches has survived the test of time and is so much more appreciated today as gifts from our past and treasures of our future. Join the Boutiques at Make Mine Pink for our "Stitches in Time" Pink Friday event, September 26. You will find the most cherished item stitched with time and love.

http://www.makeminepink.com/pink-friday/

Show and Tell Monday ...
First I have to say to all of the ladies who attended the MMP retreat, I hope it was all you had wanted it to be and more. From the tidbits of info that have been shared already, it sounds like it was a blast.
I spent the weekend at the Orange Country Fair with my Flair business partner. We set up at this event every year to sell our handbags, jewelry, accessories, etc. I have a few pictures of our booth. They did not come out well as we were under a tent but it gives you an idea of what we sell. We do home parties so when we set up in a home, it is MUCH prettier and looks MUCH more like a boutique. We did have a successful weekend. It's a great place to sell off some of our past season's merchandise as well as show off some of our new items for the Fall. Thanks for visiting ...

It's Show and Tell Monday ... a good, fun start to the week. I have a few pictures of some things I picked up over the week and a few finished projects. Some of you may remember seeing this piece in white from a few weeks ago. Once in a great while, a really good customer will want a piece repainted in a different color. For a reasonable fee I am willing to do that. So this white piece is now in soft pink for a bedroom. It's great to use differnt pieces in a room. This is a dining room server being used in a bedroom. Fun!

These two tables and very small dresser I picked up over the weekend. The kidney shaped table has beautiful legs. The side table with a drawer (which my MIL actually found) is a great size. This small dresser is fabulous for a girl's room. I love getting a whole bunch of new pieces to work on.

This was my find of the week. I found this wonderful drop leaf table with four matching chairs at my favorite junk shop. The owner is so good to me and knows what I like. Won't this be awesome in distressed white?? I'm going to start working on it today.

This desk is a custom order. The client's uncle made this for her and she asked me to paint it to match her daughter's room. It' soft pink, yellow and green with a touch of blue. There wasn't a lot of surface for pattern so I added some polka dots here and there. Thanks for visiting ...

Please join us Friday September 12th for "Harvest Home"

When I think of a Harvest Home it conjures up many memories of my favorite time of year. Memories of cinnamon potpourri simmering on the stove, homemade apple pies in the oven from apples hand-picked at our local orchard and memories of family and friends gathered around the fire sipping hot spiced cider and making plans for the upcoming Holiday season. Please visit the boutiques at Make Mine Pink
for Harvest Home
http://www.makeminepink.com/pink-friday/

Show and Tell Monday ...

This weekend started off with a real bang for our family. My husband came home a bit early Friday evening because we were all going to an appointment. Not ten minutes after he got home he calmly came in and told my that Josh, my 9 year old, had fallen on a dead tree and needed stitches. No big deal I thought. Been there, done that many times with him. He is a tad accident prone, much more so than his 12 year old brother. Well, upon observation of the injury to his chest, I proceeded to basically freak out and start talking loudly about plastic surgery. This, of course, freaked Josh out who had been totally calm and not even crying. The cut wasn't too big but it was very deep and in a very delicate place. Being that I wasn't helping the situation, we decided it would be best for me to stay home with Zach and he would take Josh to the doctor. He ended up in the children's ER for most of the night getting stitches from a plastic surgeon. All in all, it wasn't that bad and most likely not too much scarring. He was a total trooper, no tears, loved the ride on the stretcher, didn't mind the stitching. He just minded the first needle prick. So ... here he is with a little mohawk today and refusing to smile for the camara.

The next photos are a follow up to my blog post from last week's Show and Tell.

The blue vintage bike I found on the side of the road turned white (primer) and then watermelon pink. It needs a basket on the front and one on the back for flowers to really finish it off. Now I just have to find the baskets!

And finally, some of the things I ordered at the New York Gift Show have started arriving. I just love when UPS pulls into my driveway ... it's so much fun to get packages. Below are a few metal shabby signs I ordered (that I will list on my site today). They are very pretty in soft pastel colors with just the perfect amount of distress. I tried a new feature on my photo editor. What do you think of the soft edges on the pictures?? Good or too much??? I would love your opinion.

Thank you for visiting ...

It's Show and Tell Monday ... I have a bit of a mish mash to show today ... First, I came across a wonderful find on Friday. I have been looking for a vintage bike to paint like the one I did in the top picture. Many of you have seen this photo on my website. This bike sits in front of our shop in CT and customers always want to purchase it. On Friday I was taking my children to my parents and I was late to an appointment and there on the side of the road were five free bikes. My car was full of furniture as usual and I was so late that I couldn't stop but one was just perfect. Well, I am so happy to say that my thoughtful father and children went back and picked it up for me. Hopefully, it will be turning pink this week.

I have to admit that I read Lilli of Lilli Blue's post this morning and it inspired me to add this chair to my post. I have had this unfinished project for months. I painted the legs ages ago but haven't gotten to the recovering part yet. The fabric on it is lovely but unfortunately, very damaged. I found the pink floral vintage fabric at a tag sale for $10 that I think I will use for this chair. Maybe this will inspire me to work on it this week!

These are two small projects I finished. The magazine rack was black originally. I added the embellishments to both sides and painted it white. I think I am going to distress it as well. The little round table is ready for the shop. I love it's size and detailed legs.

Finally, I had a special request project from a customer. He wanted me to paint a sign to look old and chippy. He was very specific with wording and design. The name of the town is East Haven but the "townies" call it "Staven" which is why the EA and S are more distressed. I hope he likes it!! Thanks for visiting ...