Thanks to blogging ...

One of the things that I love about blogging is that it keeps me motivated - I have to be creative so I'll have something to write about.

I mentioned in my last post that I couldn't seem to push myself, but putting a goal in writing and out there in blogland set me in motion.

I said that I wanted new chaise covers 

and when you see the new ones, you'll wonder what the difference is.

On Tuesday, after I hit post on the blog, I actually got busy - what you see isn't yards of purchased fabric, but an old floral duvet and a matching pillow with the striped back of the pillow showing.

Lulu was kind enough to model the two fabrics - both covers were made from old duvets, but the old covers on the left have worn thin and faded.

The first part of the project was simple - I added a pillow form to the large sham and plopped it on the garden bench.

Next I essentially made ruffle edged throws for the chaises and added the very faded matching pillows.

For more color, I tossed the pillow on the second chaise backwards.

Lulu gave her seal of approval to the new covers by taking over my seat today when I popped into the house for a minute.

I had hoped to just laze in the garden the rest of the week, but that hasn't happened.

When I should have been gardening, we've been enjoying the outdoors - the hillside and wildflowers were calling.

The little strip of beach you see below is the area of town where we live.

And now, because writing down that I wanted to make new chaise covers got me motivated, I'll show you my next goal.

If all goes as planned, I'll be showing you plate racks on our dining room walls soon.

We're not tackling the racks -  a neighbor said he was up to the challenge so I'll be lying right here while Joe builds the racks.

Happy April!

Hello Spring

 

I'm joining a wonderful group of bloggers for a Hello Spring Blog Tour.

You'll find the links to the other blogs at the end of this post and if you're visiting from one of the other blogs, thanks for stopping by.

We actually had a winter this year so like most of you, I am thrilled that spring weather is finally here.

The harsh winds and heavy rain have abated and I am busy getting our house ready for outdoor living.

Spring is happening in the house, 

but the majority of my time is spent in taming the jungle that popped up in our garden due to rain, rain, rain and more rain.

The first section I tackled was the side of the house and there is still much to do, but at least we can walk down the sidewalk.

Steve is happy that the weather once again allows him to sit on the bench in the sun each afternoon.

This little spot under the living room window was a disaster, but it's coming along nicely -

 an old red chair (found on the side of a street) adds colorful height to the space.

Far and away my favorite spring change is my little garden house.

I wanted to use it as more than a shed for holding tchotchkes so I created a fun little library for myself using whatever I could find around the house.

The denim chair cover had been hiding in the attic and it is simply thrown over a plastic garden chair.

The house is tiny, but there is just enough room for a little table.

I would love to say that I have been spending my days sitting in the little garden house, but the jungle is calling.

Fortunately, I love working in the garden

and then stepping back to see what I have accomplished.

And now let's see what everyone else is up to this spring.

Monday 

   Let's Add Sprinkles ...  Common Ground  ...  The Essence of Home ...  Bluesky Kitchen

Tuesday 

Ms. Toody Goo Shoes ... Art and Sand ... Have A Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

Wednesday

Botanic Bleu ... My Heart Lives Here ... Cottage At The Crossroads ... Fern Creek Cottage  ...
Decor To Adore

Thursday 

The Dedicated House ...  Ash Tree Cottage ... Hyacinths For The Soul ... Let's Add Sprinkles 

Spring is the time of . . .

"Spring is the time of plans and projects."

Leo Tolstoy - Anna Karenina

And, spring is the time of flowers - 

In my bicycle basket after a ride along the beach.

The nurseryman is beginning to recognize me - buying flowers on Sunday afternoons and carrying them home in my basket.

On the porch - next Saturday these will be planted in the yard and I will buy new plants for the porch on Sunday.

In the dining room - all picked from my garden - in a caddy,  or a jar, or old ironstone.

In the living room - in a pitcher or a basket.

And now, I am off to follow Leo Tolstoy's advice and follow through on a new project.

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You can find me partying at

Boogieboard Cottage - Masterpiece Monday

Tilly's Nest - Down Home Blog Hop

Little Red House - Mosaic Monday

Life of Lakeshore Drive - Bouquet of Talent Linky Party

It's About Time . . .

I have been looking at Easter and spring decorations on blogs for weeks now.

But, the only "spring" items in my house are flowers -

sweet daffodils and daisies from the market and a few from my garden.

I decided I had better get my act together and show a bit of Easter spirit.

Last night about 11:30, I finally got into the spirit.

I grabbed the little treats I received in a Bunny Swap at Cozy Blanket,

a burlap flowers from Paper Source and

some canvas pennants also from Paper Source.

I used the magnetic letters to trace the letters S P R I N G and colored them in with colored markers.

A little string, some polka dot clothes pins and

VOILA,

I have a spring banner!

Today after volleyball practice, I am heading up to the attic to find a few Easter decorations.

It's about time I got inspired!

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You can find me partying at

Savvy Southern Style - Wow Us Wednesdays
Creative Cain Cabin - Budget Decorating Party
The Dedicated House - Make It Pretty Monday

Lavender Garden Cottage - Cottage Style Party

Coastal Charm - Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Elizabeth & Co. - Be Inspired

Cozy Little House - Tweak It Tuesday
Fluster Buster - Fluster Muster Party
Les Chateau de Fleurs - Monday Link Party

Speed Shopping

Friday night we headed to one of our favorite Italian restaurants so poor Steve didn't have to cook.  

We usually go out about 6:30 on Friday nights, but we had to drop by the opening of a show where Steve is displaying some art, so we were ready for dinner about 5:30.

As we walked to the restaurant, I noticed that the lights were still on at one of my favorite shops, Meadow.

And I was in luck because the hostess told us we had a 20 minute wait.

 I talked Steve into walking across the street to Meadow - my "go to" shop when I am buying for my sister. 

She is a world traveler, for work and pleasure, and does her shopping in London, Paris and New York.

What do you buy for the woman who has everything?

I go to Meadow for little unusual gifts that she might not find for herself.

In the 20 minutes I had to spend before a table was ready, I found these sweet things.

They sat in the bag until after school today when I actually had some time for fluffing.

I love my basket of clocks, but it is time for a redo.

The birdcage is now on my antique record cabinet ( designed to hold 78 rpms) which will be changing colors next week.

A few daisies from my garden, simple books and a metal bird I found at Joanne's brought spring to the living room.

First I went with a little metal ladybug, 

but I didn't know what to do with the faucet knobs (is that what they are? ) so they replaced the ladybug.

The white heart is on my green chair,

the basket that was holding all the clocks is on the coffee table and 

some of the clock faces are on the long table.

If you read my post Losing an old friend, you might notice that "Land of the Lofts" was Steve's choice to replace the yellow truck.

The living room is fluffed and clean.

And it all came about because I had 20 minutes to wait for dinner.

The best part - our anniversary is in two weeks and Meadow has the perfect lamp to go next to Steve's old leather chair.

I think I dropped enough hints on Friday night so I hope the lamp will be mine on April 3.

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I can be found partying at

Lavender Garden Cottage

The Dedicated House

Creative Cain Cabin

Boogieboard Cottage

Spring Thing Linky Party

A Humble Creation