Etsy Finds in My Sewing Room

I love Etsy.  Sure, they've had their problems and have gone through their share of controversy and changes. It is not a perfect company.  But, many artists have had the opportunity to share and sell their art in this global marketplace who may not have had other venues to turn to.  When buying something for myself, or for gifts, I try to buy handmade.  I turn to Etsy more often than not.  There are some truly talented, creative, and inspired artists out there.

I have purchased a few items for my sewing room from those artists.  The three flower photographs came from Photos by Chipperfield.  Teresa is such a talented photographer and you can also find her photos on pillow covers, tote bags, tapestries, and more.

UPDATE:  Teresa is having a spring giveaway on her blog, Poppy Place Pdx!  You could win a photo of your choice!!  Be sure to check out her blog and Etsy shop today! 

The frames for the photos came from The Painted Lady. This shop has a large selection of frames in all sizes and finishes.  It was hard to narrow down the choices because I loved them all!

I needed a new ironing board cover.  I know I could have made one, but sometimes I would just rather let someone else do it!  This one came from Pomegranate Place. They also sell fabric and you can purchase a premade cover or choose one of their fabrics for a custom one.

You can't buy this sweet thing from Etsy!  Shylee and her mom have moved in with us and she likes being in my sewing room as much as I do.  She got a sewing machine for Christmas, so we're working on making room for her table and supplies along with Erin's machine and supplies too! I don't know how this will turn out, but I'll let you know ;)

Thankful Thursday

As some of you know, I was working on a One Thousand Gifts list before I took a break from blogging.  I went back and forth about continuing it here on the blog, because it became very personal.  Although I have gotten personal here in this space, I decided there are some things that I'm not ready to share with the whole world.  I continue to keep my personal list going, but will start up Thankful Thursday again.

This week I'm thankful for:
     ~ the ability to help my children when they need it
     ~ GPS on road trips
     ~ real handwritten snail mail letters from a friend
     ~ supportive friends even if they don't understand
     ~ a cold rainy morning, a cup of tea, a warm sweater, and Shylee singing softly while building Lego masterpieces                   
     ~ being able to do more physically
     ~ watching movies all day while it snows
     ~ all my blog friends and their warm welcome back

What are you thankful for today?

Wordless Wednesday

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

The Twenty Eight Year Old Temporary End Table

This end table has been with us since 1988 when we were issued government furniture after moving to Germany.  At that time, the government didn't allow us to take all of our household goods over there because they provided the furniture.  When we left Germany in 1991, we could buy any of the furniture we were interested in keeping for a very small fee.  I ended up keeping two end tables, a coffee table, a sofa, three bookcases, a chest of drawers, and two twin mattresses.  I never really intended to keep any of it for long.  We just needed something until it could be replaced with what I really wanted.

We kept all of the furniture until 2006 when we moved into our current house.  That army furniture is strong sturdy stuff, let me tell you.  When we moved, we gave away the sofa, coffee table, and two of the bookcases.  We got rid of the mattresses and I kept the end tables, a bookcase and the chest of drawers.

I was never thrilled with this table.  It was functional but it did nothing for me otherwise.  I decided I had nothing to lose if I painted it.  The color I chose was Arles.  It's kind of a butterscotch color.

I chose old white for the accent color.  After painting I used clear wax for finishing but I wasn't loving it.  Since I had the 'I have nothing to lose' attitude, I got brave and used the dark wax too.  I was really delighted with how that turned out.  The table finally had a used, aged look.

After all these years I finally like this end table that was supposed to be temporary!  But my favorite part is this...

That pop of Emperor's Silk red when you open the drawer!  It just makes me happy!

I think I'll be keeping this end table for a while longer!

Nature Photos

Hi there!  It's really nice to see you all again and I'm looking forward to getting back in the blogging groove. Life took some unexpected turns, and my little blog needed to be put on hold while I focused on family for a time.

My blogging friend, Teresa, from Poppy Place PDX, invited me to join in a nature photography challenge on Facebook.  I hesitated because T. is a photographer and I just play at it.  In the end, I decided to take up the challenge and post a nature photo everyday for seven days.  I used photos that I had already taken, and I thought I would share them with you.

We went to Denver last fall to visit Sean.  He took us into the Rocky Mountains and this was taken at a state park.

While visiting Sean, we spent a day in Boulder and this beautiful park.

Sunset on the Potomac River in Maryland

These were such pretty flowers on the side of the building where Shylee took dance lessons.

I stood on my front porch on a foggy morning and took a picture of the crape myrtle tree.

The Chesapeake Bay in Maryland

And this handsome guy was hanging out around a pond in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Nature is quite amazing!  I'm glad I accepted the challenge because it reminded me that I haven't picked up the camera much, and I miss it.  And I've missed blogging too!  I'll ease back into it and I hope you'll bear with me. :)

A Tale of Two A's

I have a confession.  I have never ever decoupaged before this project.  I'm a little embarrassed to admit it.  I mean, it's a pretty basic craft and even kids do it, but I decided it was time when I saw the paper-mache letters at Michael's.  I already had the paper napkins and thought of them right away when I saw the A.  I remembered seeing a tutorial a while back using the napkins, so I got started by pulling apart the layers and then tearing the printed side in pieces.

I had a vision of how it would look when it was finished and this A looked nothing like that vision!  It was dark and wrinkly and clumpy.  I definitely used too much glue and paper and I think the napkin was too sheer for the paper-mache.  So, I went back to Michael's and got a second A and painted it white.  I used less glue and paper and it turned out exactly like I envisioned.  Why did I wait so long to try this?!  It's one more thing I'm hooked on now!

Have you tried something new lately?  Have you decoupaged before?  I want to hear all about it!

xo Annette xo

317.  listening to Shylee read

318.  letting go of the need to be perfect

319.  a book that draws you in on the first page

320.  making time to read

321.  the privilege of praying for others

322.  finding a new stress reliever

323.  realizing I can do more than I think I can

324.  binge watching a tv show

My First Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Project

I have finally jumped on the Annie Sloan chalk paint band wagon!  It took a while, but after visiting with Janet at The Empty Nest I came home ready to get started.  She assured me that my fear of the waxing process was nothing to be afraid of.  After a quick demonstration, I was sure even I could do it too.  

There are quite a few pieces of furniture in my house that I would like to paint.  I started out with a small table I bought back in the early 90's.  Something small and simple.  I was surprised at just how easy it was since I've never done anything like this before.  It took two coats of Old White paint which dried super fast, and the waxing with clear wax was a breeze.  No elbow grease required!  The distressing was my favorite part.  Who knew that would be so much fun!

I love how this little table turned out.  This one is going in the entryway from the garage to hold the key basket.  I have another one just like it in the guest room that will get a makeover too.  I'm totally hooked!  I'm looking forward to trying different colors and techniques.  The possibilities are endless!

Have you painted furniture before?  What was your experience like?

Have a fun and safe holiday weekend!

xo Annette xo

314.  people who encourage and inspire

315.  trying something new

316.  learning to just do it

Meeting a Blogging Friend In Person

When Michael asked me what I wanted to do on Mother's Day weekend, I knew right away what the answer was.  I wanted to take a day trip to Warrenton, Virginia to meet my blogging friend, Janet, and visit her shop, The Empty Nest.

I started blogging in 2009 and it wasn't long before I noticed she was leaving comments regularly.  When I checked out her blog, The Empty Nest, I was hooked right away.  Her creativity was inspiring and she posted some pretty yummy recipes too!  Eventually, Janet discovered Annie Sloan chalk paint and was painting all kinds of furniture pieces, frames, lamps and anything else she could think of.  This led to her getting a space at an antique mall which led to her opening her very own shop in downtown Warrenton.

The shop was full of vintage and vintage inspired treasures, tea pots and teacups, exquisite china, frames, linens, and of course Annie Sloan chalk paint and supplies.  Janet is a stockist and has posted numerous videos showing different techniques using the chalk paint.  She was gracious enough to show me how to wax and distress so I can get started on my own projects.

As much as I loved the the shop, I was just happy to meet Janet in person.  She was as warm and friendly as I had imagined.  Visiting with her made me realize just how lucky we are to have this blogging community of friends.  I've met so many people that I consider a friend that I never would have if it wasn't for blogging.  We might never meet in person, but I hope we do someday!

These are the treasures I brought home from The Empty Nest.  A painting by Janet, a teacup, and eleven embroidered napkins.

You can follow The Empty Nest on Facebook here
Have a great Monday!

xo Annette xo

305.  fresh air and sunshine

306.  day trips

307.  meeting a blogging friend in person

308.  finding a new happy place

309.  being Sean's and Erin's mom

310.  still having my mom

311.  my nephew graduating from college

312.  birthday surprises and love

313.  disconnecting from the internet for a few days

Photo A Day Week 17

Day 111 - This happened
Every time Shylee visits, this happens.

Day 112 - Season
Yay for spring!

Day 113 - Mess
Mess or lots of wishes?

Day 114 - Snack
I snack on these every day.

Day 115 - Fill the frame
More cherry blossoms.

Day 116 - I sat here
Watching Shylee play.

Day 117 - 4 o'clock
Collecting shells on the river beach.

Shylee has been visiting a lot this month.  We actually had a day without rain and could finally get out to play and take pictures.  It was such a perfect spring afternoon.

I hope you've had some perfect time outside recently.  It does wonders for what ails you!

Happy Wednesday!

xo Annette xo

299.  birds singing in the early morning

300.  cherry tree blossoms

301.  play days

302.  open windows

303.  the way the sun shines through the lace curtain, creating a lacy pattern on the opposite wall

304.  the Baltimore community coming together

Photo A Day Week 16

Day 104 - Paper
Our paper shredder died and the paper has been accumulating while I keep putting off buying a new one.

Day 105 - Up
The basketball hoop at the edge of our driveway.

Day 106 - Dinner
 I kept forgetting to take a picture before eating.  This is after dinner last night.

Day 107 - Where I work
You know what my sewing room looks like, so I chose the great outdoors for where I work with my camera.  This is the street behind my house.  It goes straight to the river.

Day 108 - An ordinary moment
It doesn't get much more ordinary than laundry.

Day 109 - Fluffy

Day 110 - Together
Erin and Shylee working on a school project together.

I'm getting better at remembering to take my camera everywhere and take photos regardless of what the prompt is.  While Shylee was here over the weekend, she kept asking if I needed to take a picture of whatever she was doing!

The one thing I couldn't photograph last week was my son Sean marrying his sweetheart, Marie.  They eloped (we knew they were going to) and we are very happy for them...just wish we could have been there!

Have a terrific Tuesday!

xo Annette xo

294.  hearing from an old friend

295.  buds on the cherry tree

296.  buds on the red bud tree

297.  clothes shopping with Shylee

298.  Sean got married!