A SLIPCOVER, SOMETHING SILVER, AND SOMETHING GOLD

Hello and thanks for stopping!

Today I've been at my sewing machine . . . a LOT!  I was working on some pillow slipcovers for the living room and another for the ottoman that I made a couple winters ago.  I know, it's only had the original cover for a hair over two years, but I like to change things up.  Two years is an eternity in my mind!  Anyone who knows me, knows that I'm constantly painting walls or rearranging furniture.

But, before I get to that . . . I got some awesome finds at Goodwill to share with you.  One of the first places I look when I get there is the silver section.  There are often other women hovering around the same area and I've considered asking them if they are bloggers.  I read about so many of you that do the same thing and so, I wonder . . . ?  But I found this incredible silver champagne bucket for only $9.99!  I put it in my cart - and guarded it carefully.  They were eyeing it . . .

 It was really tarnished - totally black.  But there was no engraving on it, and no dents anywhere.  I've seen them online for anywhere from $50 - $90, so there was no decision to make!  It took a ton of Tarn-X - but it sparkles!

Then I saw this pretty little antique jelly jar with a scrolly gold leaf design and wording.  It was only a couple dollars, so that came home with me too. 

I'm thinking jelly beans . . .

I think they look great together!  They're on a beautiful silver tray that was only $5.  So, it was a good day at the thrift store!

Which brings me to another project of the day - a new slipcover for my ottoman.  I decided to have my "coffee tables" switch places between the family and living rooms.  More on the one that left the living room another time.  You can find my tutorial for the ottoman here.  It was originally covered in a floral fabric that had the browns and turquoise of the family room as you see here.

But the fabric has faded quite a bit since this picture was taken, and it just looked limp.  So I pulled it into the living room and made a simple little off-white linen slipcover with a pleated skirt.  

Linen and silver . . . I like that combination!

And there's Norma, waiting in the wings!  Isn't she beautiful?
(I wish she sounded as pretty as she looks!)

Some day.

Some day she'll really sing!

-Nan

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June Roses (and Snapdragons and Fuschia and Salvia . . .)

June is National Rose Month!
After a very long winter, and a cold, wet spring, it's about time we see some flowers in the garden.  But, it's been chilly and wet all the way into the third week of June this year.  While everything else in the garden is struggling to show off, the roses are not about to let the weather stop them!  So, until my garden becomes a little more photo-worthy, these hardy blooms will have to do.

Sweetheart Roses from a Mother's Day plant from my son. 

Snapdragons and Salvia in a little silver creamer that was handed down from my grandmother. 

Last, but not least, some Fuschia and Honeysuckle in a fabulous ice bucket that was a real thrift store find.  It's not silver or even silver-plate, but it's the next best thing and for only $3.99!  It feels like silver, is weight-y like silver, but it's something else.  The information on the bottom calls it "Silver Glamour" and all I know is that it is extremely shiny and mirror-like and it does not tarnish!

Here are some ideas for things to do to Celebrate National Rose Month:

-Host a garden party for your gardening friends.
-Visit a public rose garden near you.
-Send photos of your roses to friends and family (or blog about them)!
-Gather your favorite rose photos and create a coffee table book to 
give as a gift to someone who can't get out and enjoy them.
-Create your own special postage stamp celebrating your own rose garden.  You can create them here. Expensive, but nice for a special occasion!
-Take a shut-in to visit a rose garden near you.
-Give a rose plant to a nearby nursing home.
-Take a bouquet of roses or other flowers from your own garden to special friends - just as a way to show them how much you appreciate them.


Happy Rose Month!