Altered Art?

Every time I drive by this I want to take a picture to show you and I finally remembered to take my camera with me. run on  sentence.

What do you think?  Like it or loathe it?  The young guy who owns this usually has huge wooden carvings that he makes out there.  When he does some more I'll try and show you.

This is my latest foray into altering things:

I saw some stamped ribbon on an online shop somewhere and decided to try it for myself.  Easy peasy!

Just make sure you use waterproof ink.

I got the stamps on Etsy from a shop called Nora Jane's. I think that's the name.

 I also tried stamping on sheer organza type ribbon too and it worked beautifully.  Did I take a picture?  Nooo  because I am doing this nonstop:

Cheers!

The Best Gifts Come in Small Packages

Do you remember how when you were small, the biggest gift seemed so exciting?  My mum always told me       " The best gifts come in small packages."

Well, she was right!  Look inside:

Do you see that copy of Flea Market Style in there?  I received all this mini goodness just because I offered to send a life size copy to a gal in New Zealand  as they were not available there.

Mercedes has the sweetest little shabby chic dollhouse and she makes so many things in miniature it is unbelievable.

The little magazine even has pages in it!  She made all the little rusty jugs,  the sweetest little birdhouses, and the dear little nest!

She is so sweet that after she accepted my offer of the magazine, she was contacted by the editors and sent one by them, she said she was going to send me some minis anyway!

So I sent her a copy of Cottage Style instead.  Mercedes said magazines are so expensive in New Zealand that she just doesn't buy them.  I hope she will be pleased, she hasn't received my parcel yet.
I am continually amazed at the kindness of strangers friends we have met online.  Everyone is so sweet and generous.

Please hop over and visit her blog.  Even if you are not into minis, you will be inspired for your real sized home!  Thank you so much Mercedes!

An Eggscellant Adventure

I was planning to post a few pictures of spring decor around my house this morning.  When I looked out the window lo and behold:  A snowstorm occurred overnight!  However, I will not let that stop me.

This little birdie nest has been around here for a long time.  It was originally a Christmas decoration but I like to use it in the spring too.

Someday this mantel is going to get a big chunky wooden top on it.

I cross stitched this picture a looong time ago.  I can't even see well enough to do that anymore!  I just really love the colours in it.

Unfortunately, the true colours are not showing up.

I did this picture for my daughter a long time ago as well.  Can you read the date on that?  Oh my, time flies when you're having fun.

The sun is shining and the snow is melting. Yay Spring!

A Nice Surprise

The other day my hubby surprised me by whipping up curtains for my Studio. He's sweet like that.  Blue and white is my all time favourite colour combination.  I love toile and have had this fabric for years.

Do you pick up fabric without a specific use for it but just because you love it?  Hey, I just noticed the horses.  So that's why he whipped those curtains up so quickly!

                                                Bob and Pumpkin

Please don't look at the unfinished hems.  Just enjoy the white tulips.  White is my favourite colour for flowers.  My Studio is nearly finished, just needs the window trim and baseboards.

Have a great day!

Hot Cross Buns!

I make bread two or three times a week in this little number above.  Last week I decided to make hot cross buns and looked for a bread maker recipe online.  I just picked the first one I found here

This is what the dough looked like when I took it out of the bread maker.

Then you make little buns on a greased pan, cover and let them rise according to the recipe.

I guess I skipped a step!  Now as if by magic they are all baked.  Just brush some water and sugar on the tops to make them nice and shiny.

The icing recipe calls for water but I used milk instead.  That's how I roll.  To me, these are not wearing enough icing but you can do what you want.  Now, these little buns are best on the day you make them so prepare to enjoy them. A lot.  Carry on.

ps. I think the middle one in the top row has a tumour or something.

pps. I omitted the fruit because...well, just because.

A Mini Giveaway !

Go visit Marleen and enter to win this fabulous mini giveaway!

A Cushy Job

Here are pictures of some pillows I made for Christmas gifts. They are easy to do using printer friendly fabric sheets.

This one was made using an iron on transfer.  Easy peasy.

This final pillow was made using a silkscreen.  Not so easy peasy.  Now I have a question for you gentle readers:  Do you think these pillows would sell on Etsy?  Enquiring minds want to know.  Cheers!

A Sneak Peek!

Hello, gentle readers!  Yesterday I promised a peek at my Studio.  my friend insists I must call the room my Studio because I'm worth it.  So Studio it is.

You will notice the small table to the left.  My father made this for me quite a while ago.  I would show him a picture in a magazine and he would whip it right up.  My hubby made the slipcover for this old chair several years ago.  It was made from drop cloths when they were very heavy and white.  It washes like a charm.  The lampshade is a Rachel Ashwell shabby chic lampshade that I bought on Ebay for $9.99.  Yes, people, $9.99 and still in the cellophane!

This is a chandelier my hubby is installing for me.

And finally here are some bits and bobs I've had for a long time just waiting for my own space!  When I finally get everything together I'll have more pictures for you.
Thank you for your patience.  Carry on.

This and That

Yesterday I showed you my summer garden in all its blurry glory.  Here is what is looks like today.

I also got a new camera finally.  I bought a Canon PowerShot SD1300IS on the advice of my son-in-law.  He knows these things.

Thanks to Jen I got my mantel straightened out. The Lettered Cottage is focusing on mantels this week so I may change it up some more.

This is a partial shot of my open shelf in the kitchen.  Most of my things live in an old fashioned pantry but I wanted to try this and my hubby made it for me.  He's good like that.
Tomorrow I'm going to show you some teaser pics of my craft room.  See you then!

Summer Lovin'

Today it seemed like summer will come this year. We will probably have more snow but it won't amount to much.
The only things coming to life around here are the flies that were presumed dead over the winter!

Where Has the Time Gone?

How did this little bundle of joy
Grow into this little girl
And grow up to be this beautiful young woman
So quickly? Happy Birthday L, I love you lots!

Ode to a Country Kitchen in Winter

I've tweaked my kitchen mantle a bit this week.



How do you like it now?
I like it much better than before. Thank you for all your suggestions and help. It's still a work in progress. Maybe it always will be!
I've had these bottles for a very long time, I just adore the old green glass. One of them says "Mellin's Infant's Food, Boston". Another says "Goodall Backhouse & Co." Has anyone heard of these companies?