Sharon at Home

So Sweet!

2012-01-27T09:32:00.000-05:00

My niece, Allison, pastry chef in training, created this beautiful flower basket made from spun sugar.

It feels just like porcelain.

She took it over to my Mother. Mom has been in and out of hospital recently and isn't feeling well. This now has pride of place on her dining room table. She is so proud of her granddaughter.

We all are!

I've started the Build

2012-01-24T11:47:00.000-05:00

I'm in the process of expanding my fireplace mantel to a fireplace surround.

I have the basic frame up

I've painted out the trim and have started putting pieces together

Have to do a bit every night. The painters are coming Monday and I want it all ready for them to do a beautiful finish coat on!

Planning a new fireplace mantel

2012-01-18T16:03:00.000-05:00

Last year I painted the existing mantel on my fireplace.

This year, I would like to create a full mantel, and I've been searching for inspiration. I'm planning something like this ... a simple white surround with a reveal of the bricks:

I'll be off to Home Depot on the weekend!

Door Moulding

2012-01-09T21:56:00.000-05:00

Every door in my home has moulding on it, except or the front door. I am having a painter at the end of the month to paint most of the house, so this was the perfect time to add some.

The door is steel. I couldn't nail into it, so out came the "No More Nails" magic!

I cut my trim in my trusty miter box, glued it to the door and taped it til it dried.

Then painted it out. Now all the doors match.

New Year ... New Pillows

2012-01-03T12:36:00.000-05:00

I like to start off every new year with new bed pillows. I saw a show once that said a pillow of only two years old can be composed of up to twenty percent dust mites feces and carcasses!! With the graphics they provided it just made me want to change them yearly. ICK!

Pillows are always on sale after Christmas. I got mine (Sealy, for those who sleep on their stomach)
50% off.

It's just a nice way to start off the year.

Farewell 2011 ....

2011-12-31T21:32:00.000-05:00

2011 - It was a good year .... but Farewell.

Welcome 2012!

Wishing all of you a happy and healthy New Year.

Sharon

I can show these now ...

2011-12-29T11:11:00.000-05:00

Now that Christmas is over, I can show you a couple quilts I made as gifts.
Donna has always wanted a Christmas quilt ... so she got one in her stocking this year. It doesn't have any Santas or Christmas trees on it. It is more a "Winter" quilt, so she can keep it out longer.

I also made my brother Bruce 2 lap quilts for watching TV. Years ago, Donna thought she might take up quilting and bought all this homespun fabric. She cut it up into squares, but didn't go any further. So I got all the fabric this summer, and put it together.

I think he was happy :-)

Merry Christmas to All, and to All a Good Night!

2011-12-23T11:07:00.001-05:00

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;

And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."

Wishing you and your families a happy Christmas and a healthy New Year!!

Allison's Wreath

2011-12-16T09:38:00.000-05:00

My Niece, Allison, is becoming a DIYer. She absolutely LOVES Christmas ... and made a beautiful wreath of blue and white balls for her bedroom door.

Yeah Allison .... Beautiful!!!

Dining Room Table Topper

2011-12-11T14:57:00.001-05:00

I missed my fall, pumpkin table topper, and the table seemed to call for a Christmas one. Sew ... here it is:

Simple Christmas Mantel

2011-12-07T12:14:00.000-05:00

I'm going sparse with the Christmas decorations this year. Very minimal.

For my mantel, I kept the blue and white jar of twigs from the fall, changed the colour of the candles, and added a cute little bird.

They're back ....

2011-12-04T12:16:00.000-05:00

from the upholsterer's. New springs, new foam, new upholstery. Perfect!!

Greenery Day

2011-11-23T08:08:00.000-05:00

We held our Greenery Day a week early this year. It worked out great because we had no snow or rain to hamper our cutting.
We stopped at a store for the greens we couldn't cut; and the store manager came out and took our picture!

Then we were off on our day to the cottage. We cut cedar and red dogwood ... but mostly ate, and talked and ate more. It is always the best day.

and here is my planter ....

Busy Weekend

2011-11-15T09:08:00.002-05:00

It was a busy weekend!

I went to my Brother and Sister-in-law's on Friday night. It is my niece Allison's birthday this week, so I took her over her birthday present. I made her a quilt that she had sent me a picture of.

Allison, a pastry chef in training, was working on a commission...a PacMan/Rubix Cube cake.

Then Donna (s-i-l) and I headed down to Buffalo for Saturday. We knew exactly where we were going, so we hit the border by 8:30 and we back at the border by 3:30. I got some clothes and fabric for a Christmas quilt.

We did get pulled over at the border and had to pay Duty ... but it was still worth it!

I also made Christmas Cake ... just need to start pouring brandy on it!

PS. Scarlett Burroughs featured Allison's quilt on http://quilting.craftgossip.com/ta-dah-birthday-quilt-for-allison/2011/11/21/

Get your Wreath On

2011-11-09T11:26:00.000-05:00

As soon as the last little trick or treater leaves, you start thinking of the upcoming Christmas season. My niece, Allison, sent me this picture of a yarn wreath .... isn't this interesting ... warm, inviting and homey?

The instructions are at: http://simonesmith.hubpages.com/hub/Christmas-Wreaths-to-Make, along with lots of other examples of diy wreaths.

Don't Sit Down ....

2011-11-07T09:57:00.000-05:00

The dining room chairs have gone off to the upholsterer. As every DIYer gasps and thinks how easy it is to recover a chair seat, let me tell you that the seats have springs in them and they have gotten saggy. They need to be replaced/tightened. Once that is done, if I want to recover them in the future, I can do it myself.

The fabric is more feminine.

I'm really looking forward to getting them back.

Magazine Storage

2011-10-31T20:30:00.000-04:00

Hi my name is Sharon and I ~~hoard~~ collect magazines. I was going thru a pile today thinking I should get rid of some, then I remembered that I had this metal egg crate.

It usually sits outside in the summer, upside down with a potted geranium on top, but I just brought it in so it wouldn't completely rust away during the winter. It is the perfect size for magazines. I put it in the guest room, added a piece of foam core to the bottom so the magazines don't get permanent rung marks and stacked two years worth of Canadian House and Home in it. Look at how much space is left ... I can ~~hoard~~ save tons more!

If you were staying in my guest room, wouldn't you like to have magazines to thumb through?

Happy Halloween!!

2011-10-30T13:39:00.000-04:00

Architectural Interest

2011-10-24T12:47:00.000-04:00

This is what I purchased at the Christie Antique Show in September.

I've been wanting to change the knobs on my front hall closet for a while, but couldn't find anything that moved me. Then I saw these ... not at all what I had thought I wanted.

Old Door Knobs:

Not inspiring to say the least!

So I put a fresh coat of paint on the doors, removed the uninspiring knobs and add my touch of history.

Love, love, love them.

A small thing, but a bit more architectural character.

Let there be (halogen) light!

2011-10-16T17:40:00.000-04:00

My electrician came back and installed the halogen track lighting in the kitchen. I LOVE it! It completely updates the kitchen.
BEFORE:

AFTER:

P.S. I painted the ceiling the night before the installation. There was some repair work where the old flourescent lights and drop panels were removed.

Harvest Antiques

2011-10-12T12:43:00.000-04:00

On Sunday, I went out to Oshawa to Chris' Open House (Just Beachy).

After I went thru her amazing house and had a visit, she suggested that I go to Harvest Antiques about a mile away.

It was three barns full of amazing furniture.

I really want an old buffet for my kitchen.

Most was in the original wooden finish, but they had some painted also.

A great side trip!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

2011-10-09T10:49:00.000-04:00

It is Thanksgiving in Canada this weekend. Hope you have a great long weekend. Enjoy the fabulous, warm weather, time with your family and good food.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Halogen ... Yes or No?

2011-10-06T10:25:00.001-04:00

Ever since I moved into this house I have wanted to take down the drop, flourescent lighting in my kitchen. Finally, I purchased some track lighting and arranged for the electrician to come and do the switch.
I started with this:

and quickly moved on to this:

At that point everything stopped. There was no electrical box in the ceiling, just wires sticking out and the electrician hadn't brought a box with him! He then took the track lighting out of the box to look at it and said he didn't think halogen was a good choice because it gets too hot! He suggested that I get LED track, but said there wasn't a lot of choices in that yet. He also said that halogen pot lights would be too hot here! His second suggestion was a light fixture with incandescent blubs!

(a lot of !!s, but that is how this conversation made me feel!)

So now I have wires hanging from my ceiling. I took the lights back last night and couldn't find an alternate. This weekend is a hunting trip for lighting.

On the upside, I did have him change the light in the powder room from this:

to this:

SO ... QUESTION?

Do you have halogen? Is it too hot with 8 foot ceilings?

UPDATE

I went to a good lighting store last night and the owner suggested that I go with the halogen lights I had purchased and as the LED bulbs improve, that I retrofit them. He said they were too weak and expensive at the moment, but improve every couple months .... so I think that is what I will do. Now I just have to call the electrician back!

Fall Tablescape

2011-09-29T07:40:00.000-04:00

When I had the girls over for lunch and the sign tutorial, I pulled out all my Fall decorations. I needed something else for the table, so I make a Fall Table Topper.

Sign Tutorial

2011-09-25T13:23:00.000-04:00

The last time the girls were over, they loved my Used Book sign and asked for a tutorial. So I had them over for crafts and lunch yesterday.

Painting and appetizers to keep us going ...

After lunch, and the paint dried, they sanded and stained the signs.

Everyone was happy with their finished signs.

Please, have a seat ...

2011-09-21T12:43:00.000-04:00

My favourite place to sit in the garden is on my park bench. This year the wood was really past it's prime. I thought I could sand it down, but Ray, the husband of a friend of mine had just refurbished their bench and offered to do mine. I forgot to take a picture of the original bench, but this shows how bad the old wood was.

I resprayed the cast iron parts.

Then I had Ray and Kar over for dinner, and as Kar and I gabbed, Ray put the bench together! All gorgeous cedar.

Voila ... my favourite garden seat done.

Refreshed

2011-09-16T10:18:00.002-04:00

I love hydrangea, but don't have any in my garden. I've had this pot in my bedroom for years, and it is getting very dry, pale ~~and dusty~~.

I was driving by a plaza that had masses of hydrangea bushes and pulled in. I asked at the corner spa if I could cut some before it all died off and was told to go for it. (they had never been asked that question before ... imagine that... hahaha). So I loaded up ... and refreshed my vase.

Christie Antique Show

2011-09-11T11:06:00.000-04:00

My brother, Bruce, and I went to the Christie Antique Show yesterday. It was the perfect fall day and we walked the whole, huge event. Some very beautiful things and some very strange things ...
Tins of every kind -

Lots of antique quilts.

tons of pine -

A copper viewing casket ... hard to believe but there were two of these (in separate stalls), and we saw an embalming table that someone bought .... ick!

A curling machine ... can you imagine sitting under this for hours ...

and tons of signs ...

I did purchase something .... I'll show you in another post.

More Civil War Blocks

2011-08-25T09:08:00.000-04:00

Four more weekly blocks from the Barbara Brackman Civil War Quilt. http://civilwarquilts.blogspot.com/

Rosebud

Carolina Lily

Indiana Puzzle

Empty Spools

Let them eat cake ...

2011-08-21T13:53:00.000-04:00

My Niece, Allison, a pastry chef in training, created this shower cake for a friend.

Red velvet cake with Cream cheese icing. I especially love how she put it on the frilled cake stand. YUM!

Jewllery Storage

2011-08-14T19:50:00.001-04:00

My sister-in-law really thinks out of the box. She was in Home Depot recently and found this tile edging. Does this make you think "earring storage"? ... it did her.

I've now made jewellery storage on the back of my bedroom door. My door already had 3 square moulding boxes on the front and back. On the middle box, I adhered cork tile, added cup hooks along the top and an additional piece of trim for more cup hooks.

For the top box, I glued a piece of trim to the tile edge, nailed it to the existing trim ... and voila!
Perfect for earrings.

Here's Donna's door:

and one she did for my niece, Allison:

DIY??

2011-08-05T10:44:00.002-04:00

I confess ... the most arduous DIY going on here is changing the hose on the dryer!

Is it the hot weather? ... or am I just uninspired?

I REALLY do have plans for the fall ... really .... I do ...

Update on my Civil War Quilt Blocks

2011-07-24T14:58:00.001-04:00

Seven more weeks of blocks from Barbara Brackman's "Civil War Quilts" quilt-along.
http://civilwarquilts.blogspot.com/
Peterson's Stars and Stripes

Railroad Crossing

Next door Neighbour

Irish Chain

Barbara Frietchie Star

Calico Puzzle

Ladies' Aid Album

Linked to Sew Many Ways Craft Party

Missing in Action

2011-07-20T11:59:00.001-04:00

I'm MIA for the moment. My 86 year old Mother had a heart attack and heart surgery, and I've been back and forth to the hospital for a week. She was discharged on Monday and is in a recuperative suite in a Senior's Home which is located right next to the apartment building she lives in ... so all her friends can visit.

No DIY going on at the moment .... I'll be back soon.

Country Roads, Take Me Home ....

2011-07-10T22:15:00.000-04:00

It was the most gorgeous summer day today. Not a cloud in the sky. The kind of day you remember summer being when you were a kid. I went to visit a friend in Bethany ... and took back country lanes all the way.

I have a thing for old barns ... and I saw some great ones today.

And this is just idyllic country ... a century home, a barn, and laundry on the line!!!

Sigh!

The BIG One

2011-07-06T09:45:00.000-04:00

I just had a BIG birthday on the weekend. My sister (in-law) and niece took me on a roadtrip to Buffalo to celebrate. We hit the outlet malls, craft stores and I finally got to a TJ Maxx/Home Goods store.
Here's our haul:

Donna tried out the massage chair in Brookside (I think that is the name of the store)

and Allison loves all things Penguin (at TJ Maxx)

We went to dinner at the Melting Pot ... I had to wear a tiara!!! At one point the tiara that said "Birthday Princess" was inadvertantly broken ... who would guess that my niece travels with a backup tiara!

We had a great two days ... on the way home we stopped at Spencer Park in Burlington for lunch and a dip of our feet in the wading pool.

Thanks for the great birthday Donna and Allison.

Canada Day

2011-07-01T12:06:00.000-04:00

Happy 144th Birthday Canada!!

Leaded Windows

2011-06-27T07:43:00.001-04:00

I recently used a old window to make a bookcase.

I got a call from a friend this week, she was moving, had some leaded windows and wanted to know if I could use them to build something else. Of course, I never turn down offers like that.

They had been in her garage for 20 years, so I cleaned them off with soap and a hose to get a good look.

The glass is all there.

Beautiful ... Now what to do with them?

Tweeking the Powder Room

2011-06-20T19:32:00.006-04:00

I painted the powder room navy last year.

I wanted to lighten it up a bit and thought I would do wallpaper beadboard. I got all the supplies home and realized how many corners I had in this tiny room and decided that wasn't going to be the way to go.

I decided to do a chair rail and wainscotting. I like the navy, so I just painted primer and then BM Cloud White up 5 feet.

I added the chairrail which I had pre-painted and then started mitering the wainscotting. Easy Peasy!

I like it! Not to formal ... not too casual., and the room feels huge after being so dark.

I have a new light for over the vanity, but I couldn't get the old one unscrewed. I'll have to wait til someone with muscles visits :-)

Linked to Shabby Chic Cottage Transformation Thursday ,
Remodelaholic Link Up , Funky Junk SNS and Addicted2Decorating Link Party

An Update on my Civil War Quilt Blocks

2011-06-15T08:35:00.000-04:00

Four more:

Blockade

New England

Illinois Roads

Underground Railway

And a re-do ... I wasn't happy with my first attempt:

Kansas Troubles

At only one block a week ... that's month's worth.

Fabric for the Dining Room Chairs

2011-06-08T19:25:00.004-04:00

I want to recover the dining room chairs. They have to be sent out to an upholsterer because they have a spring system in them (which is failing).

My living room / dining room are in an L shape.

This is the dining chair as it is now ... covered in a steel blue velvet.

These are my choices of fabric:

and this shows the scale on the chair seat:

My love seat is a solid blue, two chairs are in beige, and I have another chair in a large Robert Allen fabric that I LOVE!

I tending toward the small scale print ...but it might be too safe. I like the other too .... and it is not too close to clash with the chair pattern

This is against the love seat fabric:

Where is Sarah Richardson, the Queen of Pattern, when you need her?

What do you think?

Should I start over with other fabrics?

PS: after staring at these all night I think I will go with the one on the right side. It is bolder.

Friday ... A View from my Home Office Window

2011-06-03T10:27:00.000-04:00

It is a fabulous day today ... SUNNY and warm. I'm working from home, a gorgeous breeze coming in and I can see the neighbourhood backyards from my window.

This is the neighbour behind me ... I wish she would cut her lawn .... but the glorious peonies make up for that!!!

Kitchen Envy

2011-05-29T15:50:00.002-04:00

My friend, Denise, just closed on a new house. She isn't moving in for a couple weeks as she is having hardwood put in the dining room and living room, a backsplash in the kitchen, all new light fixtures throughout and a number of other things done beforehand, but we drove two car loads of items up today.

Her kitchen opens into the dining room ... .with a beautiful island between.

I just grabbed this picture as I was heading out ... but the other end has the fridge, a humungous pantry and more beautiful quartz counter tops. There are so many cupboards I can't imagine her filling them all.

Ahhh .... kitchen envy!

Impatient

2011-05-23T13:14:00.000-04:00

We finally had two days together where the sun shined! I was at the garden centre at 8:00 on Saturday to avoid the rush and got all my annuals.

Now I'm impatient for the impatience to spread, and the geraniums and hanging vines to grow.

Lilacs

2011-05-17T13:19:00.002-04:00

My French Lilac is out in bloom.

It's been raining here for the past week and it is expected to continue for another week. As there is such a short window of opportunity to enjoy lilacs, when the rain held off this morning I brought in some stems for my desk while I work from home today.

Gorgeous fragrence is filling the office. What a lovely mid-week treat.

Don't you wish they had "scratch and sniff" on the internet?

In just a week ...

2011-05-13T14:34:00.000-04:00

Finally the weather has turned nice, and in just a week the buds on the trees have started to turn to leaves.

I'll soon be sitting in the shade of this tree with a cup of tea!

More Civil War Quilt Blocks

2011-05-06T09:12:00.002-04:00

I am completely up to date on my blocks now ... and even have done a couple re-do's to keep everything in the same colour wave!

Missouri Star

Union Square

Comfort Quilt

Lincoln's Platform

Seven Sisters

It was perfect ...

2011-04-29T12:50:00.002-04:00

We were up at 4:00AM to catch the Royal Wedding. The rain held off in London and it was perfect ... a beautiful bride and groom, cheering crowds, horse drawn carriges!!

We had fancy sandwiches, sweets, scones and cream, champagne and TONS of tea!

Dust Off Your Tiara!

2011-04-28T08:59:00.000-04:00

One more sleep til the wedding!

Not a full sleep ... I'm going to a Royal Wedding sleepover and we are getting up at 3:00AM to watch all the festivities.

I have to be back at work at Noon ... I hope I don't imbibe too much Champagne!!!

Spring in the Bedroom

2011-04-25T12:20:00.000-04:00

I showed you earlier the fabrics I had chosen to make a Spring quilt.

Well, it is done. I got it back from the quilter and put the binding on. Just in time for Spring to arrive (surely any day now!)

I wanted something fresh in a less traditional pattern

This is the back ... I don't like a plain back. It seems like a wasted canvas.

When you fold over the top, you see the design from the front.

Janet Chisholm did my quilting. She did a fabulous job.

Into the summer, I like to use a white Matleisse coverlet, and I'll fold the quilt at the bottom for a bit of colour. This is how it will usually look.

It seems like I'm turning into a quilting blog, but I'm not. It is just in between seasons, not much to do outside, I'm not incented to start a project inside and with all the rain I can amuse myself for hours sewing.

2011-04-21T22:21:00.001-04:00

Happy Easter.

I'm off work tomorrow for Good Friday, and I'm hoping the Spring weather finally kicks in. As you can tell from my blog, I haven't done any home improvements in a while. I think it is the fault of the cold weather! I really am ready to get outside, dig in thegarden, get the patio furniture out and have tea in the garden. This is definitely not a happening any time soon here in Toronto; but in anticipation, I don't have any inside projects lined up. I've been sewing a lot ... really that's all you can do with all the rain lately.

I am sure Spring will arrive any day now. Hope you have a great Easter.

I'm Caught Up

2011-04-17T19:45:00.000-04:00

I am caught up on my Civil War quilt blocks.

Cotton Boll

London Square

Tears for Texas

(see the T in the dark fabric)

White House

Richmond

I don't know what I'm going to do now I'm down to one block a week.

Civil War Quilts site

I'm a Maniac!

2011-04-13T20:09:00.001-04:00

I'm obsessed with doing these Civil War quilt blocks.

Birds in the Air

Louisiana

Log Cabin

Little Blue Basket

Fox and Geese

Lincoln's Platform

Kansas Troubles

Fort Sumter

This is my favourite block so far ... the brown is the fort, the blue is the water and the red is the incoming canon fire.

They all have the most interesting stories. I only have three more to go to be caught up and then I'll only have one a week for the rest of the year to make.

Civil War Quilts

Civil War Quilt

2011-04-09T19:54:00.001-04:00

I watched the Ken Burn's documentary "The Civil War" again on PBS this week. This year is the 150th Anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War.

I have been following a blog "The Civil War Quilts" created by Barbara Brackman. To commenorate the Anniversary she is posting a different quilt block every week, explaining the relationship of the block to the war and giving some civil war history.

I was in a quilt store today and decided that I would do the quilt, so I stocked up on Civil War prints . Barbara started in January, so I'm a little behind; but I just finished the first two blocks-
"Catch Me if You Can". .

and "North Star"

I'll show you the rest as I catch up and throughout the year.

Easter Baking

2011-04-04T07:55:00.001-04:00

My extremely talented niece, Allison, a pasty chef in training, did some Easter baking on the weekend.
Chocolates:

I love the little lamb ...

She also made chop suey loaf ..... mmmmm

I could gain 5 pounds just looking at it!!!

Pussy Willows

2011-03-31T10:26:00.000-04:00

As I watch the final (I hope!) snow of the season falling, I am enjoying my Spring mantel. And what says Spring more than pussy willows?

Card Display

2011-03-28T08:02:00.000-04:00

My Sister-in-Law Donna makes the most beautiful cards! She has come up with a clever way to display them in her new craftroom. She hinged two small shutters together for the corner of her desk area ... voila ... card display!

I made her "Crafts for Sale" sign.

I've been featured ....

2011-03-25T07:48:00.000-04:00

Roeshel at The DIY Showoff has featured my headboard from shelving ...

My first feature!!!

Thanks Roeshel.

Gothic

2011-03-21T10:33:00.000-04:00

I have a footstool that was my Great Grandmother's. It is very gothic.

I covered it with leopard print which seemed more in keeping than the floral it was covered in when I received it.

I don't have a picture of my Great Grandmother ... but this is my Grandmother as a young girl. I love old family photos! A gothic chair ... and a fabulous dress. Isn't she pretty?

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2011-03-17T12:20:00.003-04:00

May your blessings outnumber

The shamrocks that grow,

And may trouble avoid you

Wherever you go.

Headboard ... a little "out of the box"

2011-03-10T09:26:00.006-05:00

I wanted to replace the upholstered headboard in my guestroom with a white, wooden one.
I had this in the garage ... I had bought three last year when they were being cleared for $5 each.

The shelves were 12" wide, so I used 4 and a half shelves. I attached them together with a board at the bottom, and trim at the top.

I primed and gave it a partial coat of blue as I wanted blue showing thru in my antiquing.

Then a couple coats of white and sanded it back.

Oh my ... I love it!

Then I hung on the wall over my bed.

Exactly what I wanted.

Linked to:

Shabby Chic Cottage Transformation Thursday

Savy Southern Style

Miss Mustard Seed Feature Friday

Funky Junk Saturday Night Special

Coastal Charm Thrifty Tuesdays

Headboards from Shutters

2011-03-08T22:55:00.000-05:00

Another great option for a headboard ... using shutters.

From Apartment Therapy

From HGTV

From Pottery Barn

From Shabby 2 Chic

From Girl in the Air

From Cottage Lifestyle

From Olive and Love

Ok .. this isn't a headboard ... but it could be. This is a work in progress, but imagine a whole wall like this with a bed up againt it. MMMM lovely.

Spring Time for the Bedroom

2011-03-06T13:32:00.000-05:00

I spent a Sunday with Donna recently picking out fabrics for a Spring quilt for my bed.
It was more urgent yesterday when the rain had washed all the snow away ... less urgent this morning when there was again 3 inches of snow covering the ground!

My pallette:

I started cutting and sewing it together. It will be nice and bright for Spring.

Wanting a new Headboard

2011-03-03T07:48:00.001-05:00

I want a new headboard for my guest room.
I have one upholstered in blue ticking now:

but I want something older/vintagey looking. Something wooden, white, and a DIY.

Inspiration:

I have a pretty good idea what I am going to do ... a little out of the box ... but perfect!

Grover's Bar and Grill - Buffalo

2011-02-27T16:57:00.000-05:00

Do you watch 'Diners, DriveIns and Dives'?
Donna and I decided to go down to Buffalo yesterday to stock up on crafts and fabric, and my brother volunteered to drive us. Of course the reason he was willing to put up with us hitting every craft store in Buffalo while he sat in the car reading was so he could have lunch at Gover's Bar and Grill! It was showcased on DDD.

MMMMM it was fabulous .... It was packed and there were seven parties ahead of us, but well worth the wait. The burgers are HUGE and the wings FABULOUS ... really crispy on the outside and moist on the inside.

We had a great lunch and a chauffeur ... how can you go wrong????

Grover's Bar & Grill
9160 Transit Rd, East Amherst, NY 14051
Phone: 716.636.1803
*They only take cash

Used Book Sign

2011-02-24T14:20:00.003-05:00

Like everyone else in blogland, I decided to make a sign.
I started with some wood left over from my bookcase.

I primed and painted the wood. Printed some large letters. Taped them to the board and traced them using carbon paper. Then I filled in the letters with black paint.

I waited overnight ... which in my case is extreme patience, then sanded it back til I liked it and then added a coat of stain.

VOILA

That's not where it is going to live.. I'm not sure where yet ... but did I mention that patience thing ... I had to see it hanging up!!!

Linked to:

Shabby Nest - Frugal Friday

Remodelaholic

Tattered Tag blog bash K.I.S.S.

Donna's Craft Room

2011-02-21T10:15:00.001-05:00

I visited Donna yesterday and got to see her finished Craft Room. Wow!!! I love it.

Donna is going to paint the desk chair black and add black and white upholstery to the seat and a cushion on the wicker chair. Also a couple pictures to go up.

What a great room. All the cabinets are Ikea which she found in the 'as is' section. They had just dismantled a display, and there wasn't a mark on any of them. Lucky Donna.

Craft Room Makeover

2011-02-17T08:20:00.000-05:00

My sister (in-law) is making over her craft room.   It's a lovely sized room, with great natural lighting and they are adding cabinetry, a desk and TONS of storage.
First up was a coat of paint. They used BM's Ashphalt.   What a great grey, especially with the white trim. It is going to be fabulous.
                                                                      BEFORE:

AFTER:

Donna won't send me any more pictures ... she was just teasing me with the paint picture, .. but I'm going over on Sunday to see the finished room. I'll show you the "after" next week.

Outdoorsy Cake

2011-02-14T14:47:00.001-05:00

My Neice, Allison, is attending the Baking and Pastry Arts course at George Brown College (for those of you in the States, this is the most prestigious cooking school in Canada.)

Today she made a birthday cake for a friend. As a completely unbiased Aunt, I think it is terribly brilliant.

Isn't she talented???

Happy Valentine's Day .... Looking for love ... Must be handy!

2011-02-13T21:22:00.000-05:00

Flowers for Friday

2011-02-11T10:27:00.000-05:00

It's been SOOOO cold recently.
Tulips make me believe Spring is on the way.

Have you started your Christmas Shopping?

2011-02-08T07:46:00.000-05:00

I was in the fabric store for something else entirely (and didn't get what I went in for); and they had their Christmas fabric on sale. So I loaded up and thought I would get a start by making some runners.

Simple .... strips of Christmas fabrics

Three hostess gifts made. I bet I'm the first one with Christmas shopping started!!!

Next Big Project

2011-02-03T10:02:00.000-05:00

My next big project is going to be adding board and batten to my family room walls.

There are examples and tutorials on a number of blogs, and I think it is something I can easily do.

Thrifty Chick

Centsational Girl

Just Beachy

I went out looking for wood at Lowes/HD last weekend and can't find the lovely lattice all the US bloggers use. Lowes said they would not cut MDF into 1 1/2 inch strips, so this weekend I'll try at Home Depot again.

Really the only thing holding me back is the magnitude of moving furniture in the room and having the room 'under construction' for a period of time ... then all the painting. Huge job ... in planning at the moment.

SNOW Day

2011-02-02T09:27:00.001-05:00

Well the storm from the States has hit Toronto, and it is a snow day. I love working from home. I'm in my sweats with a cup of tea at my laptop.

Today is Groundhog Day. I don't think he'll be seeing his shadow today!

Spring must be on the way.

Organizing the linen closet

2011-01-31T08:07:00.000-05:00

In all this cold weather, everyone is just staying in and organizing.
I'm doing the same and attacked my linen closet last night. I purchased some baskets at Michael's for all the toiletries, sorted through all my towels and linens and got the closet tidied up.

That was so easy, I just might have the incentive to organize the kitchen cupboards!

I've been featured ...

2011-01-28T08:16:00.002-05:00

Well ... my bookcase has been featured! As a Highlight of Designer Garden's VIP Party.

Thanks Sommer!

A New Home for my Bookcase

2011-01-25T07:56:00.003-05:00

I had a friend over last night to help me carry the bookcase up two flights of stairs to the guestroom

Then I loaded it with some of my trashy novels.

Another project complete!

Here are the posts on how I made it ...

here and here

Linked to Funky Junk SNS

Cold, quiet weekend.

2011-01-23T20:50:00.000-05:00

It was freezing all weekend and it is going to be minus 26 tonight!!!! I ran around on Saturday and did the usual weekend chores ... but didn't step out the door today. BRRRR

I did get some unglamorous jobs done. Besides the vacuuming and dusting, I did touch ups on the fireplace screen; painted the seat of the bay window, and put the final coat on the closet doors in the guest room.

I also ironed. I think I have a freakish DNA glitch. I LOVE ironing. Everything just looks better when it is pressed. Yes I press my jeans! (no crease ... just ironed) But my favourite thing to iron is my linen table cloth. It just seems festive somehow. I guess it is that I only iron it when I have company.

A quiet weekend ...but a good cold weekend to putter and get some of these little job done!

My Bookcase is Completed!

2011-01-19T08:07:00.003-05:00

Further to my previous construction post, the bookcase went from this ...

To Primed and Painted. The back was added.

The paint on the back is some grey and navy that I had on hand mixed together.

To the door being added!!!

A little bit rustic with the old window frame, but a little bit polished with the nicely painted body.

It's too heavy for me to carry up two flights of stairs ... but I couldn't wait to share the finished bookcase.

Once I get it in the guest room and filled I'll show you how it looks.

My first piece of furniture from scratch ... I'm happy!

Link to : How I made the cabinet

One of THOSE projects!

2011-01-17T07:51:00.000-05:00

You know the project ... someone gives you something free, and you think ... WOW, I can make something out of this and it won't be expensive! Well that has happened with the window I received from a friend. Could I just hang it as is? make it into a mirror? .... no I decided to make it into a bookcase, and use the window as a door.

In order to trick myself into seeing this as an inexpensive project, I have been buying bits of wood as I go along; some days making two trips a day to the lumber store, and definitely hitting it every night on the way home. Another reason I do this is that I have the wood cut at the store, my cutting skills are negligible.

This is my non-woodworker's tutorial.
Building by the Seat of your Pants 101.

I made two bases, one for top and bottom, and attached the side panels.

Added a bottom, then the bottom shelf.

For the top, I added nailing strips, so I could screw the top on from the underside and the screws wouldn't show.. then once the top was on, put another piece over the base so the workings didn't show.

To hold the face trim on, I added these hurricane fasteners (in case a hurricane whips through my bedroom). I wanted the face trim to be VERY sturdy as the weight of the hinges and the door would be weighing on it (can you tell I've never built a piece of furniture before ... I just wandered Home Depot til I saw something that might work)

A bit of trim on the bottom.

The face trim is on, first shelf in, testing trim for the top. Oh yes ... filler is your friend.

I'm whipping right along ... well five days along ... and am really happy with how it is looking.

Just need to add another shelf, get the trim on, sand, prime, paint, antique, hinge the window and get that installed. .... what maybe 5 more trips to the lumber store??

Brass

2011-01-14T09:53:00.001-05:00

I am in the middle of building a bookcase. While I was building in the basement, I was looking for things for the shelves. I haven't even painted the cabinet, but it is never too early to stage right?

I found this brass box. It was practically black. I checked on-line for natural cleaners then went to town with vinegar and salt. It really worked.

I wanted to keep some patina, so left the edges tarnished. Who would have thought ... vinegar, salt and elbow grease!

Target is coming to Canada

2011-01-13T12:38:00.001-05:00

Target is coming to Canada!

They purchased Zellers from HBC, and plan to have 100-150 of stores open in Canada by 2013.

We soon won't have to travel across the border .... but we will, for the girl's weekend!!!

Beefing up the Mantel

2011-01-10T07:43:00.000-05:00

My mantel started like this ... shiny pine.

Then I decided last week to paint it:

I was happy with the painted mantel, but I decided to beef it up with more wood and mouldings:

I like it. It's more substantial.

First DIY of 2011 ... Paint the Mantel

2011-01-05T08:02:00.000-05:00

My den mantel was pine. I've been in this house for 3 years and have been debating painting it all that time. I was bored the day before New Years's and got out the primer.

In the spirit of full disclosure, there was a bit of a disaster before this happy ending. I had the primer on and was my impatient self. Within 10 hours I had primer and two coats of paint on. When I took the tape off, whole sheets of paint came off too. I had to strip off all the paint, sand and start again!! I must learn patience.

Thread Count

2011-01-04T12:28:00.001-05:00

I bought new sheets with a very high thread count. They are sooo soft and feel like you are sleeping on silk.
People rave about high thread count sheets ... I miss the crisp coolness of a lower thread count.

Even Cozier ...

2011-01-03T15:09:00.000-05:00

I received a gift certificate for Christmas and went out and bought new sheets today. They are a luscious carmel colour and make my new quilt look even cozier.

Happy New Year

2011-01-01T00:01:00.004-05:00

Welcome to 2011!! I want to thank everyone who
has visited my blog in the past year, especially if
you left a comment. I LOVE comments!

Wishing you a healthy and happy 2011.

Sharon

New Quilt for my bed

2010-12-29T09:34:00.001-05:00

I've been working on putting together a quilt for my winter bed. Throughout the rest of the year, I use a white Matliesse quilt with a pale green quilt I made at the foot of the bed. But I wanted something more cozy looking for winter.

I started with this palette:

And this is what I made:

Much warmer looking and cozy when the winds and snow start blowing.

What's a bed without a cat?

Christmas - Family Picture Alert!

2010-12-26T17:07:00.001-05:00

Christmas ... it's all about Family.
Christmas Eve ... Oysters and Champagne at Aunt Marg and Uncle Bruce's ...

Me, Aunt Marg, Allison, Mom

Allison, at midnight, making Carmel Chocolate Reindeers.

Mom and her granddaughters, Allison and Heather.

Afternoon Christmas at my Brother Allen's home.

My sister(in-law) Donna

Twas the night before Christmas

2010-12-24T09:07:00.000-05:00

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;

And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,

With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."

Wishing you and your families a happy Christmas

and a healthy New Year!!

Sharon

Personalized Christmas Tags

2010-12-19T20:26:00.000-05:00

I wanted to personalize the tags for my gifts this year. I checked through my photos and selected sections showing me with the recipient and added them to tags. (done in Word)

CUTE!!

Something see-through for the bedroom

2010-12-14T20:24:00.001-05:00

I needed something light to complete this corner of the bedroom.

Some frames, white spray paint, and voila. Just enough ... airy and light.

Something see-through for the bedroom!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!!!

2010-12-12T14:06:00.003-05:00

The halls are decked.

The Christmas shopping is done.

Presents are wrapped.

It is softly snowing.

Time to put on a fire.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Christmas Mantel

2010-12-08T13:52:00.000-05:00

The mantel is decked for the season. I'm going with the 'less is more' theory this year and my decorations are very subtle. ~~Ok, someone might have said 'grinchy' ... but I think 'subtle' is more in the spirit.~~

This hand carved sleigh and reindeer is my favourite Christmas decoration, and just having it out makes me feel more festive

. I think it's festive ....

New Banner - Picasa

2010-12-05T14:18:00.000-05:00

First with the disclaimer .... I am not the most technically adept person in the world.

I've tried to make banners in Picasa previously. It just wasn't intuitive to me, but I saw these step by step instructions for doing a banner on Cloverlane . Even I could follow them.

Woo hoo ... isn't it cute?

Not that I'll ever be able to do it again ... even with instructions .... Thanks Sarah.

Suggestions for my window frame

2010-12-02T10:02:00.001-05:00

I have been looking for ideas for my window frame .... here's some good ones:

Both from Secret Garden Cottage.

From HGTV

as a window box

A Window Wall

Mirror from the diyshowoff

Table top from Rosemary's Home

Mirror - Apartment Therapy (great scale!)

There is lots of inspiration out there ....

Old Window

2010-11-29T07:54:00.000-05:00

When I was at the cottage last weekend, my friend gave me an old window. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it, but I'm sure I can find a space for it. It has some nice crackle.

Christmas Cake is made ...

2010-11-26T08:30:00.000-05:00

I made Christmas Cake on the weekend. In our family it's not Christmas without Christmas Cake.
Not the wimpy store bought kind ... the kind with tons of cherries, raisins, dates, gum drops ... made with love by me!

All done but for the basting with copious amounts of booze!!!!

Greenery Day

2010-11-23T09:36:00.002-05:00

Saturday was my "Greenery Day" with the girls. We go to Nancy's cottage and cut greenery for our holiday pots. .... well really we stop all along the way at shops ... and especially at "Butter Tarts and More" in Little Britain! It's more about getting together with the girls, shopping, eating, drinking, talking and laughing.

This year we stopped at a store to get some pine. We can cut cedar, spruce and dogwood at the cottage, but I love the look of soft pine. In order to get a group shot, we had the cashier take our picture. She had to shut down her cash ... Everyone in the store thought we were nuts!

The first thing we did on arrival at the cottage was set the table (with our coats on while the furnace kicked in). It's all about the tablescape. We all brought something for the table this year.

We went out in the bitter cold, cut our branches then returned to the cottage for hors d'ouvres, gift exchange and lunch. It was hard to leave at the end of the day after all that fresh air and relaxing in front of a roaring fire.

And here is all my greenery:

Isn't he cute? ..... got him at the bazaar two weeks ago.

Craft Room

2010-11-17T13:17:00.000-05:00

I love my office/craft room. I work from home at least a day a week, and can set up my TP and work looking out onto the yard. My 'desk' is a large table. This room is also my craft room and I need a large surface to cut/sew on. The opposite wall has tons of shelves for craft supplies/books.

But I'm always looking for inspiration.

A craft room/office needs a great work surface, tons of storage, comforable seating and effective lighting.

Sorry I don't know where these images are from.

who does it better than Martha?