Tuesday, May 12, 2020

a Bicycle . . . a Box . . . a Bedspread

With lots of time on my hands, I'm working on projects - the challenge is working with what I have on hand.


This past week I tackled my To Do List with gusto.


From the title of my post, you can guess that the projects involved, among other things, a bicycle, a box and a bedspread.


Someone left an old black bicycle in our driveway years ago and I have wanted to paint it forever.


I have no idea what took me so long - it was easy, but I will use spray paint next time.


The box was easy with a quick coat of paint.


There are many fond memories of family gatherings attached to my mother's tattered and torn table cloths.


I have wanted to make them into pillows for a long time.


Last fall I made a patchwork bedspread out of my childhood chenille spread and plain white fabric.


Steve said it was just too heavy with the long ruffled sides so we replaced it with a duvet cover and bedskirt.


Last week, Lulu came in from the beach with tar on her paws and proceeded to walk on the crisp white covers of both our chaises - there was so much tar that I had to throw the covers away.


The bedspread was cut in half as was the ruffle and with some quick sewing, we have new chaise covers.


There were quite a few items on the list dealing with a back corner of the garden - all were complete, but I wish I could have found flowers like those in this old pic.


Sadly, the pickings at the nursery were limited - I know that eventually the ladder will have lots of fun flowers on each rung.


I will be adding plants beneath the studio window to my list and I can see that I need to redo the Welcome Friends sign.


The garden is looking good with new chaise covers, new pillows, and the yuccas thinned out (by our tree guy) and decorated with buoys.


I just have a few things left on the list, but I am taking the week off.


Except I see that the Mandevilla plant is creeping across one chaise so I will be working in the garden.

28 comments:

  1. Good morning Carol!

    Once I can check off my end-of-the-year school duties from my list, I will take some time during the week (shhhhhh) in between students to start cleaning my enclosed deck. Ruben and I made great progress two weeks ago in the front yard and it looks amazing.Now, to tackle the backyard and once we do, planting will be in order and my deck area will get a good cleaning. SO much fun to be had and it looks like you got a head start on that! I too have some photography plans for my white vintage bike but when oh when can I even go out for flowers....

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  2. Good for you for being so creative with your bedspread! Your yard looks so relaxing and you will certainly enjoy it. Love the bike!!

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  3. Wow! You have been busy and gotten lots done. I know I've wasted a lot of my time but at least we've been able to hike this whole time. So the days I don't hike...I stay busy with regular chores. I DO want to make some new pillow covers though. What a great idea to use the old tablecloths! Take care!

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  4. Your yard is so pretty. You got a lot done on your todo list. Enjoy your week off. Have a blessed and wonderful day. Madeline

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  5. Wow, you've been really busy! I bet it feels good to be "back at work" with the things around the house and garden that give you so much pleasure. Everything looks so beautiful.

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  6. Everything looks so beautiful, Carol! You have such an eye for creating a lovely garden!

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  7. Wow, you've accomplished a lot and it all looks wonderful.

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  8. You ROCKED that To-Do List!! Love it all and admire your creativity in using that precious quilt in a new way! I just love that!

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  9. For heavens sake! Congratulations! Haha! LOVE the pillows. And your gorgeous California garden.

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  10. You have been quite productive and all with things on hand. That's impressive, Carol! I think your bedspread turned chaise covers is my favorite...stunning and sentimental. Those are the best kind of projects!

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  11. Girl, where do you get your energy? I need some of it! LOL! Lots of good things you have accomplished and that bike is just too cute. Hope you have a great day. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  12. You have such a pretty yard and it must be nice relaxing on the chaise lounge reading. The painted bike looks so pretty and I love the blue color. Hope you get everything done on your list. Have a great week.

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  13. Way to go Carol! I love what you have done! laura

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  14. Hi Carol,
    You got a lot done on that to do list. Oh how I loved the patchwork bedspread. How pretty. Glad you could re use it and make it into chaise covers. Just gorgeous. Love that you could make pillows out of the tablecloths too. Of course I love the bike. I just got one this year for this new house. Oh how I love a garden bike. Looking so great in your garden area. Kris

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  15. Awesome garden! I would never leave it. Your were very resourceful using things you already had, great job.

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  16. You know how much I enjoy seeing your garden. It always makes me happy and is always gorgeous. Great use for the lounge chairs they look so pretty!

    Cindy

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  17. You've been productive, Carol -- and with wonderful results! Well done. I especially love the pillows.

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  18. Dang that was a long list and you accomplished a lot. I love turning the old table cloth into pillows.

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  19. You had quite the list but it looks like you've made great progress. I love the way you've repurposed your mother's tablecloths and your chenille bedspread. Wonderful ways to give new life to your treasures! Hope you all are staying healthy!

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  20. Carol it brightened my day to see that you had stopped by to link up at Thursday Favorite Things, and then I got an extra dose of sunshine when I read this post. Everything looks gorgeous! Thanks for partying with us!

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  21. You've really made a dent in your to-do list! Mine hasn't been nearly as fun, like removing black scuff marks from our baseboards, washing windows, and power waashing the exterior hardscaping.

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  22. Your post brightened up my day Carol! I just can't get enough of the beautiful colors and your sweet cottage by the sea! I can't even imagine having to clean up tar from my pups! You're a trooper. I'd love to invite you to our Charming Homes and Gardens Link Party, Wed- Sun.

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  23. Carol, you really have an ambitious to do list. I love seeing your posts come in. Your header pics and your little cottage by the sea are always such a welcome sight during these times especially. I don't miss the fog by the ocean (at least in Northern CA) but I can just feel the ocean breezes and the smell of salt water when I read your posts and that I do miss..Stay well and safe..xxoJudy

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  24. Look at you, making a list and checking things off! Wish I had that umph. Maybe seeing you do that will inspire me to do better! BTW I love your mother's tablecloths and the pillows you made from them. And the new covers on the chaises looks lovely. The urns! I wish I could go to those shops where you live. Sigh, have to be satisfied with the ones in Virginia.

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  25. Such an adorable idea. Your site is so cute. Thanks for sharing with us at Charming Homes & Gardens. Look for your feature on Wednesday. Congratulations. Rachel

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  26. LOVE the bike and the chaise!! So pretty and your gardens are lovely!! everything is finally starting to bloom here in NEPA!! I have a To Do List too!! Thanks so much for stopping by!!
    Hugs,
    Debbie

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  27. Great re-use of your lovely bedspread Carol. I can only imagine the mess the tar made!!
    Your summer yard is looking amazing and I'm so glad that you shared it at Create, Bake, Grow & Gather this week. I'm delighted to be featuring it at tomorrow's party and pinning it too.
    Hugs,
    Kerryanne

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