Little White Chair

Do you have a little piece of furniture that needs a makeover?  I had this little chair and I knew what potential it had but, I just hadn't gotten around to painting it.  Hubs and I have taken a "staycation" this year and we are doing a few projects around the house.  So, finally this little chair got it's makeover.

And, I knew my little white chair was going to be photogenic.

The chair is painted with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White.

My peppermint tea is in a Ralph Lauren cup and I do drink it while editing these photos.

Sherry

 I will link this to:

A Return to Loveliness  at A Delightsome Life

Tea Time Tuesday at Rose Chintz Cottage

Tea Cup Tuesday at Martha's Favorites

Tea Cup Tuesday at Artful Affirmations

Your Cozy Home Party  at Cozy Home Scenes

Table Top Tuesday  at A Stroll Thru Life

White Wednesday  at Faded Charm

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Beginning Anew

Welcome 2012!  Time again to begin anew.  Fresh changes going on around my house for the New Year.

I created these devotional candles for the mantel.  In seeking peace and tranquility for the new year, borrowing from the French, this made for a wonderful look. 

The candles are really easy to create.  You just need the candles, which I bought from the grocery for $1.79 each.  I printed the holy cards from The Graphics Fairy, just browse images under religious.  Then to finish them, I tied twine and religious charms onto the front.  As the candles burn, the images should glow even more.

My rusty wire crown was from TJ Maxx.  I am seeking to borrow the calm and tranquility of the French Nordic style for this year.  I think there is a reason it is so popular, we need the peace of white.  My house is not white, but I am thinking I will adapt a lot of the looks to make for a peaceful setting in my home this year.  
I was so amazed that on my Christmas post I was wished Merry Christmas from people all over the world.  This blogging adventure has been wonderful.  So, to all of you reading all over...
Have a very Happy New Year!  
 Sherry
 I will join:
Show off Your Cottage Monday  at The House in the Roses  
Brag Monday at The Graphics Fairy
Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday  at Coastal Charm
Tabletop Tuesday  at A Stroll Thru Life
Masterpiece Monday at Boogieboard Cottage
Amaze Me Monday  at Dittle Dattle
Berfore and After Party  at Thrifty Decor Chick
White Wednesday  at Faded Charm

Christmas 2012....Trends to Ponder

 source: scanned The Jeanne d'Arc Living Magazine 8th Edition 2011

I finally did it.  I have had this magazine in my shopping cart at least 3 times this year and I haven't ordered it.  I wasn't sure what I was getting.  It is very expensive.  But, I found this with free shipping and I finally got it for Christmas.  I had to see what I was missing.  And, I was missing a lot!   Now it all makes sense.  This French/Nordic twist that is cropping up everywhere.  Not only is the magazine more like a soft cover book with very little advertising, it was packed with the ideas I was craving to see.

 source: scanned The Jeanne d'Arc Living Magazine 8th Edition 2011
 

I wasn't really disappointed with any of it, but the most interesting article to me was the prediction of what might be the new trend for Christmas 2012.  The magazine predicts, next year, the trend to be looking for will be a "Rustic Minimalistic Christmas."  Okay that is mouthful....let me explain it.

source: inhumanable.com

Here is an example of a minimalist staircase.  Nothing extra, just what is needed to get down to the lower level. 

  source: scanned The Jeanne d'Arc Living Magazine 8th Edition 2011

So let's apply this to a Rustic French Country style.   Very few items used to create an impact usually repeated in a series.  I so loved this article because it was exciting.  Art imitating life!  This is what great design is all about.  Never in my lifetime could a minimalistic approach be more appropriate than now.  In the above photo a rustic French sign with wooden spools used as candle holders and a bit of greenery with an old bag. 

  source: scanned The Jeanne d'Arc Living Magazine 8th Edition 2011

Now let's look at this picture.  It would not be rustic minimalism because they adorned the advent wreath with Christmas ornaments.  Take away the ornaments and it would qualify.  Yes, that is right we are talking about decorating for Christmas with no Christmas decorations!  But.....you'll create an artistic rustic French vignette that conveys the season.  Now do you see why I think this is exciting!  Creativity can abound.

  source: scanned The Jeanne d'Arc Living Magazine 8th Edition 2011

These vignettes create this look perfectly.  My favorite is the dough bowl in the top left.  So easy and so pretty.

 source: scanned The Jeanne d'Arc Living Magazine 8th Edition 2011

Again, the tree above would not qualify for this rustic minimalism.  It has Christmas decorations, no matter how simple it won't count.

  source: scanned The Jeanne d'Arc Living Magazine 8th Edition 2011

This tree would qualify.  Imagine trying to explain this to the kids.   A nice idea for a tree arrangement would be a grouping of several small trees to create a little forest in one corner of the room.

  source: scanned The Jeanne d'Arc Living Magazine 8th Edition 2011

A more affordable idea would be to use three or more jars with Norfolk pines in a windowsill.

  source: scanned The Jeanne d'Arc Living Magazine 8th Edition 2011

So, Jeanne d'Arc Living describes this being a "spinoff" of the French Country style.  Above would be some great props to create the look with.  So...what do you think?  Can you see your self decorating this way for Christmas next year?  I will probably leave it up to Jeanne d'Arc Living to create the look as only they can, but it might work on the mantel......

Sherry

 I will link this to: 

White Wednesday  at Faded Charm

What's It Wednesdays  at Ivy and Elephants

Wednesday Show Off  at Elna-Sudden

Italian Pots de Creme

 Image source: scanned cover Victoria Jan/Feb 2009

Did anyone remember this cover of Victoria magazine?  It featured these little Pots de Creme. 

I just so happened to see one of these little pots in the thrift store the other day.  I only found one.  It was $2.  I was really surprised to find it because it really is similar to the one on the cover of Victoria.

Pots de Creme refers to the custard dessert as well as the small lidded pots this dessert is served in. Pots de creme translates from French to English as "pot of cream".  Source: potsdecreme.com

This creme pot is made in Italy.  They could also be served as part of an Italian Christmas Eve dessert.  This little pot is getting wrapped up to go under the tree to my Mom.  She loved the pots on the cover of that Victoria.
May everyone have a fantastic Holiday filled with special desserts, great family, and friends! 

Sherry

 I will link this to:

2nd Time Around at A Picture is Worth a 1,000 Words

A Return to Loveliness  at A Delightsome Life

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

White Wednesday  at Faded Charm

What's It Wednesdays  at Ivy and Elephants

Wednesday Show Off  at Elna-Sudden

Thrifty Things Friday   at The Thrifty Groove 

The Holly and the Ivy

I was just taking some pictures of my Christmas decorations and I kept thinking of the song "The Holly and the Ivy."  I found free Christmas Carol sheet music online for you to print for singing or crafts.  Click here.

More peaks of Christmas decorating.  

 Sherry

I will join:

I will link it to:

Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

Masterpiece Monday at Boogieboard Cottage
Show Off Your Cottage Monday at The House in the Roses
Amaze Me Monday  at Dittle Dattle
Tabletop Tuesday  at A Stroll Thru Life

White Wednesday  at Faded Charm

Mantel Scarf

I have decorated my mantel like this for late fall.  And, I have always wanted to try a mantel scarf.  So, I had seen a vintage French petticoat in the antique store and the other day and it dawned on me it would create a perfect mantel scarf.

This is the piece of petticoat I purchased.  There was a little damage to the lace at the hem.  I repaired some of it and worked around the rest of it.  It was overall well made and it had French seams.  I am not sure of it's claimed French origin but, it was pretty.  

It had a sewn in underskirt and I cut that off and saved it for a later project.  It has some staining.  I am pretty sure I can get that out with a good soak in Oxyclean but, being short on time I just sewed it up as is.

For the stabilizing piece of fabric that will anchor it to the mantel I used white burlap.

Here is how it turned out.  I really was pleased with the overall result, because my mantel is dark and this can lighten it up for different looks without changing it completely with paint.

It looks a little puckered up because I haven't pressed it yet.  I don't want to press it till I get a chance to wash it so the stains don't get set in by the iron. 

It makes the mantel very cottage and very romantic.  That is the Christmas tree.  It is standing there completely bare except for this one strand of lights my husband threw on it.  I took this camera shot and I looked in the view screen and was so excited!  I forgot I didn't have my macro lens last Christmas and didn't get these great Christmas light shots.  This year I will be playing with lots of photos in front of the tree.

Sherry

 I will link this to:
2nd Time Around at A Picture is Worth a 1,000 Words

A Return to Loveliness  at A Delightsome Life

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

White Wednesday  at Faded Charm

"Shabby Chic" Cloth Napkins

Has anyone visited a retail store today?  I just got back from Walmart and it was completely transformed for Christmas!  Yes, even White Christmas on the intercom.  Well I am also trying to fill the Etsy shop with Christmas gift ideas.  It is interesting to have a shop and create a product line, all entirely of my own creation.  I have been trying out different fabrics from companies I admire and this fabric was a treat!  All of these "Shabby Chic" style cloth napkins were made out of Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic fabric from her current collection.

This is 100% cotton and a treat to work with.  It is heavier in weight and gorgeous patterns and colors.   This pattern was very "Cabbage ans Roses" don't you think?

Here the napkins are washed.  I noticed a little trouble with getting the edges exactly straight on this pattern.  Then I pulled the fabric and realized it had to have a little Lyrca in the lengthwise grain of the fabric.  This gives it the heavier weight and this gorgeous shabby un-ironed finish that Rachel is famous for in her shabby mismatched table settings. 

Nothing about them are exact.  They are hand made and perfectly imperfect.  Which is exactly what Shabby Chic is all about.  They remind me of some little vintage napkins I have.  They never are an exact perfect fold but when you work with them they fold up nicely and are charming all the same.

The patterns are truly beautiful.

So, I will be working to fill up the shop for Christmas the whole first half of November and blogging a lot about that.  Then I will dedicate some time to Thanksgiving and we will dive right into Christmas!  The stores are making me want to decorate already! 

Sherry

I will link this up to:
White Wednesday  at Faded Charm
Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
Passionately Artistic  weekly party

Neutral Fall Inspiration

I was most inspired for fall by Lulu Tapp's home featured in Romantic Country magazine 

(Fall 2011).  I love the neutral palette and how she made it come alive with fun touches of the season.  Lulu Tapp is a photographer and stylist for Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic Couture.

I scoured the internet for more images of this feature and had no luck until I stumbled across The Old Painted Cottage's blog.   All of these photos are Lulu Tapp's and were featured at the Cottage of the Month at The Old Painted Cottage.  Click the link to view more of this fall decor.   I have these images and more pinned to my neutral fall board.  What colors do you like to experiment with for Halloween or fall?  

 Rachel Ashwell briefly had a tv show in the 90's.  Does anyone remember it?  I couldn't find it anywhere online.  So, looking around for a video of Rachel Ashwell this was all I could find.   Would love to see her wisdom and style on the screen again.:)

Rachel Ashwell for Target.com from rob featherstone on Vimeo.
 I am joining Natasha for her Pinning and Singing party.  
 I will also join Kathleen for White Wednesday at Faded Charm.
Click the link to view.