Desperately Seeking Carol

Do you remember that '80's/'90's movie:  Desperately Seeking Susan?  Well, I know it was about a girl looking for a girl she saw or thought she saw or something like that.  I am in search of myself.  I need to make some time for myself without feeling like I am slighting someone else in the process.  How does one do that?

I've spent the better part of the last week stealing moments with my dear mother.  Lunch here, shopping there.  She leaves for Georgia in the morning.  I will see her again soon and will start thinking of when I will make my next journey there.  I've seen her more in the past few months than I have in recent years....her trip here at Christmas, my surprise visit to GA in February for her birthday, and her "tax trip" here this past week.  I know I will be in ATL in October for the Country Living Fair, but will make it up there long before that, I'm sure.  Thank you, Mom, for still being my mom.  Even at 48, I feel like a little girl sometimes who longs for her "mommy."  Maybe we never outgrow that.  I know I am blessed to have you. 

My Aunt Claire came over from the west coast this past weekend too.  I was so happy to see her and will have to make the 3 hour drive to see her new haven.  Lake Susie....how "dreamy" does that sound??

I am feeling taken advantage of, of late.  I need to get a grip on that and find time for me.  I vow, this week, to take care of the things I feel I need to...feeding and bathing my sweet granddaughter, but maybe letting her daddy put her to bed as I venture out to the shop to work on a dresser a dear friend has entrusted in me.  Yes....that will make me feel that I am using my time wisely, accomplishing a goal, and doing what I love.  I longed for time in my garden this weekend, but did not find it....or make it.  At some point, I need to make time for me.

Maybe this week?  How do you steal moments for yourself?  I could really use your advise.....

VIF, Early Birthday Present, Little Changes to Come

I received an early birthday present from my husband last Sunday when he said to me, "I think I'm going to make your potting bench today."  I said, "Really???"  He said, "Yes!"  I said, "Okay!  My only request is that we only use material we have on-hand and not buy anything."  Off to work we went....

I stumbled across an old iron country kitchen sink a while back.  And when I say "stumbled across" I mean I saw one in someone's trash pile, made a quick u-turn, and asked my strapping son of 23 to "Quick...throw that in the back of the truck!"  Okay.....I'm not proud!!  The owner of the house in which we raided her trash pile even gave her blessing!!  So off I ran with a very cool sink. 

A day or two of hearing "What are you going to do with that thing?" from my son and husband had me envisioning a lovely potting bench. Truth be said, I never even got a good look at it. My son put it face down in my truck. It went face-down in a cart in the backyard by the shop. It went face-down in the yard while my husband and I worked on bench. Little did I know that it needed a good scrubbing. Of course it did....why wouldn't it?

Okay....back to Sunday. Here are pictures:

One can't get started without the proper
foreman.  My Kloe-Angel was really the
one in charge!

Scrap wood from building the chicken coops,
hen houses, and sunroom was used.

I had to stop Mr. Handy Hubby before
he got too far so I could paint!

Leftover exterior house paint. 
Brushes already on-hand.

One of two cast iron brackets/corbels.
I've had these for a few years now.
I.love.them.
My husband does not as they each
EASILY weigh 150 pounds!
What in the world could they have been
originally used for??
(Did I tell you I.love.them???)

This is my worst-off stained glass window....
(did that make sense??)
one I would not be too upset over seeing it age
some more being out in the weather.  Plus I liked
the green panes with the green paint.
I did put some clear poly on it to seal it a bit though.

It had to be moved into its new position
before we could tackle adding the brackets and
sink.  That cool backsplash is actually the
footboard of a bed I bought during my first
trip to Maine several years ago.  I use the
headboard in my son's room, but have had
this out in the garden.  I happened to walk by it
while we were out there and said, "Hey...I have a
great idea!"  It is absolutely perfect!!!

Sink in place and looking exactly as I had
hoped.  Gracie is giving it a once-over.
We had to make one purchase....the metal
bands that are holding up the brackets.
Not bad!

And here she is....
my beautiful New/Old/Vintage Potting Bench.

Some lovelies from the garden....roses, rosemary in bloom,
marjoram, and a jalapeno pepper.

Every night I go out there just to gaze at this lovely creation.  I can't wait for this weekend to start so I can continue tweeking it.  I want to add more old brass hose nozzles (as I collect more over time) to the top shelf and collect old watering cans (to join the lovely plastic one) to add to the bottom.  I have another storage container that is housing still more pots and supplies.  That will all be added as well.  Then at some point, I will actually put a stopper in the sink, pour a bag of potting soil in it, and pot something!  How cool will that be???

And with that....I am linking to Debra's Common Ground Vintage Inspiration Friday!!  Please stop in to see her beautiful Valentine's Day inspired porch.  I am in love with the bulbs in the red/white transferware.

As for the little changes to come....I'm making a few changes to my blog page with the help of Karen Valentine.  I've been wanting to make some changes here and there now that I've lived here in this room for a little while.  That's what we designers do, right....rearrange and then rearrange again?  Who better to give this tech-challenged blogger some pointers than Karen, who did my page design in the first place.  So I've started cleaning house a bit to make some room.  Please let me know your thoughts as you start seeing the changes.  I value your opinion!
Wonderful weekend wishes to you!!

Special Delivery....The Reveal!

Sorry to keep you waiting.....  Here is my beautiful special delivery.

Oh, how I love a beautifully made tag!

My special delivery came with
special instructions.  Remove the tissue
in the center and give it a gentle fluff.

And finally....my GORGEOUS nest...
made especially for me by
Vicki of 2 Bags Full.
(Jami....you were right!)

And just like a sweet bird would do...
tidbits added here and there...
tucked in just so.

Look at these sweet details!

It will live atop one of my
old iron urns so I can give it a
turn every so often to enjoy
all its beauty.

I will continue to study it, inside and out, top and bottom.  It appears to be knitted (or crocheted) then all the goodies added.  I am in awe of its creation and its creator.  Vicki....it is more beautiful than I even thought it would be.  I will cherish it and your friendship for years to come!  Many thanks to you again.

~~~~~

I made mention of a vanity I happened across that I picked up for my granddaughter, Taylor's, 4th birthday.  I wish I had taken a BEFORE shot, but here is the finished product.  I delivered it today and am very pleased how much she loves it.

Taylor is truly a princess!!

Once a cream and rose (and worn) painted vanity,
it now wears Taylor's favorite purple.
(Lavender actually to play off the purple
walls in her room.)

I am pretty proud of this letter T.  I hand sketched it while
looking at my computer screen, cut it out,
traced it onto the vanity, then hand painted
it.  I am very pleased with the result.

So....what do you think?  Good stuff is worth the wait, I hope.  "Kindness is more than deeds.  It is an attitude, an expression, a look, a touch.  It is anything that lifts another person." (unknown)  Vicki....your kindness has lifted me.

Sending blessings to you all for a great rest of the week ahead.  I hope to talk to you again soon.

Borrowed Pictures and Feeling the Love!

Yes, it's really me!  Can you believe how long it's been since my last post?  I simply cannot.  AND....I only have a quick second to write this one and send it out.

I saw this picture on one of my favorite blogs, Inspired Design, and it really grabbed me.  I had to just stare at it and figure out what exactly it was that attracted me so. (To be really inspired, visit Debby's Inspired Design blog daily.  Her's is a most beautiful blog!!)

I am loving the wallpapered accent wall.  I would especially love it if was a stamped/colored grass cloth. Notice that it doesn't go all the way to the ceiling, which tells me this room has a gorgeous vautled ceiling.  I love that there is a little molding cutting it off a bit and a curved wall, too.  And love, love, love the shelving.....half open, half with a door.  My books would be most happy there.  The window seat is calling my name.  I could even sit there in the dark as my new NookColor is back-lit (more on that later).  Finally.....the bed looks so inviting in the natural linens and cottons.  Clean, cool, soft...the makings of a good night's sleep.

I love these two necklaces from Bittersweet Designs.  I'm hoping to learn to make something similar from the classes I'm getting ready to take, however, I love to buy these sweets too.  In fact, I'm wearing one of my Bittersweet necklaces today.  I really love it!  Thank you, Laurie, for always presenting such style!  The pearls are so lovely....I don't have one of those yet....maybe someday!

Well, I just had to share these quick thoughts and pictures this morning.  It is back to work for me.  I do have so much to share, too, but alas, it will have to wait.  From the brown transferware gifts from my mother, to the jewelry making classes from my husband (and the Nook), to my granddaughter's first birthday, and the vanity waiting for a quick redo for my other granddaughter, Taylor's, fourth birthday today, AND my first trip to IKEA.  Please hang on....I'll be back soon.

P.S.  I guess I'm in a LOVE mood today.  I used that word profusely today.  Nothing wrong with that, I guess!  LOVE to you all!!!

~ Teaser ~

Just a quick post, mid-day, to say how much I LOVED the Country Living Fair at Stone Mountain Park, Georgia this past Saturday.  Beautiful setting.  Beautiful weather.  Beautiful and inspiring booths. 

Here are a couple of pictures to hold you over.  Chances are it will take a few posts to cover all that I wish to share.  Meanwhile....enjoy these few:

Kloe inside the General Store pavilion.

My little Sugar Dumplin' by the Pumpkin Tower.


Much more to follow!!!

I'm a Winner & 50th Post!!

I am the oh-so-very-proud winner of d.reyne's Over 200 Followers Give-Back!  I throw my hat in the ring for many of these very fun drawings, but have never won before.  So....what did I win?  Donna calls it Autumn Wonderment (sounds wonderful, don't you think?)  It is a tote filled with goodies, including a burlap pumpkin that I can't wait to see.  I will show you all the wonderful goodies soon.  How sweet of Donna Reyne to offer this gift as she has so much on her plate.  Please see my older post on her Tinker House and this post on the project she is working on at Horton's.  Really....where does she get the energy?  I'm sensing a shoe theme for the Christmas Open House.  Oh, how I love shoes....I will have to follow this one closely and I hope you all do also.  Many thanks to you again, Donna...for the give-back and for joining me as a follower. 

As for my weekend....it was a doozy!  I worked with two clients yesterday with my 9-month-old design assistant, Kloe Marie, in tow.  She was a trooper and is just an angel.  It went well at both appointments.  One client is a young family moving into an 80's house and trying to bring it up-to-date for their young family.  My second visit was with Susan Stokes.  See her previous project here.  Susan is getting married in January and she and her future hubby have decided to stay in her lovely water-front home and add an incredible master suite......complete with an awesome CLOSET!!!  Both projects have what I call  an Upscale Tropical look that is very popular here in South Florida.  I am honored to be working with both of these clients....who are also my friends.  They put a great deal of trust in me and I take that very seriously.  I will be sure to share pictures as both of these projects will be quite beautiful.

I did get a few minutes to run around the backyard this afternoon to take a few photos before the sun went down. 

The Dixie Chicks on their evening walk-about.
See the shed?  Can you envision my own version
of Tinker House here?  Oh....I can see it SO clearly!

Kloe chewing on her pink cowboy boot (every girl needs
a pair, right?), chickens and a dog in the mix.  My husband
has successfully acclimated all our pets to live as one.

This is the entrance into the coop.  See the beauty berry in
full color to the left?  Hanging just above...a gorgeous
chocolate mint in the basket.  We just got it today and it
smells delicious!

Our orchids are in full bloom.  That is Gracie in the background.

This is my husband's creation....appropriately named Wilson.
Levi, our beagle, in the background.

Spanish lavender and a trailing rosemary in one pot.
Scented geranium to the left.
Fall zinnia's in the ground on the right.

And finally, this is my 50th post here on this blogspot, including a few from my aim at this a few years ago.  In the grand scheme of what is going on in the blogosphere, I'm still an infant, but I feel that I am starting to grow and I find that mighty exciting. 

Sending a big, giant wish to all for an incredible week ahead!!