Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Time To Think

As we walk along the beach on our 2-3 hour walks,


I have lots of time to think.


We play with Lulu,


look for heart shaped rocks,


enjoy our surroundings


and marvel at the gorgeous houses sitting right on the beach.


Neither Steve or I talk much


unless I am pointing out a house on the beach


or he is pointing out the waves.


The other day, seeing perfectly manicured yards made me think about the disarray our garden is in and I began making plans.


I have been wanting to make new covers for our chaise lounges - I made these covers last summer, but they faded within a week of making them.


I remembered seeing some simple covers on Junk Chic Cottage and decided that I wanted copy Kris's look.


I also recalled a table runner made by Vickie of Ranger 911 and thought it would be fun to make covers like Kris's, but paint on stripes.


Yesterday, my impatient nature got in the way of my original plans.


I haven't had time to get to the hardware store to buy a drop cloth for the covers, but I had enough on hand to make a table runner.


After our walk, I got busy copying Vickie's table runner.


It took about two hours to paint the fabric and sew the runner.


Today, I need to get to the hardware store to buy a drop cloth,


but at least I had a bit of creativity yesterday - and that felt good.

65 comments:

  1. Good indeed Carol. I love it. You are quick. I love the walks you and Steve take. What pretty sights. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

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  2. Carol, I just love your cottage and all its charm! The eye candy on the walk is nice too, but there's no place like home!

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  3. I wish I had time for a nice long walk! FOUR MORE YEARS!

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  4. A creative mind never, ever rests. I love how you and Steve walk together; that is what Ruben and I do. We often CHATTER a lot however, but when the quiet comes, it's OK. Like you, I'm pointing out the houses. Ruben points out the birds. What love.

    There is so much to plan for my friend. Have a ball doing it. Anita

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  5. There's a lot of really gorgeous inspiration out here in this land of blog, Carol, I agree. It's wonderful that you have the time to be creative. Your table runner looks great!

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  6. It's beautiful and so is your house. Love, love, love!

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  7. I'm new to your blog. Where do you live? The beach and houses are lovely.

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  8. Beautiful! I so love your house...

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  9. The table runner turned out gread and I am curious if the paint will hold up better and not fade so fast. I struggle with the same thing on my patio. Even though it is covered the UV rays still get to the chair pads and fade them right away.
    That little "hut" looking house on the beach is adorable!

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  10. So cute! You have so many talents.

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  11. The table runner is so perfect for your home. I can't wait to see the covers for the lounge chairs! Your walks are so peaceful. Beautiful photos!
    hugs,
    Linda

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  12. It look adorable there, perfect for your sweet cottage! You are so lucky to live on the beach and be able to take such scenic long walks....I would give my eyeteeth to be on the beach...enjoy!

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  13. That is a cute table runner you made. It's so nice that you can just whip one up like that! Aren't drop cloths the best? Looking forward to seeing your lounge covers next.

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  14. You are a clever girl, Carol. I admire your spunk. I'd still be dreaming about making the runner. '-)
    It looks great on your table in your perfect seaside cottage. I envy your long morning walk along the shore.

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  15. Nice long INSPIRING walks...are fun!
    I don't know that I get QUIET time like that...though I do long for it.
    When you have moments of quiet..with just natural sounds around you, (like the sound of the ocean in your case) -- you can clear your mind and just THINK.
    I long for some of that myself. ;)
    The runner is pretty!
    I think your slip covers will look wonderful!

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  16. Walking on a beach gives one lots of time to think and enjoy the beautiful views. I like your runner! Great inspiration come to fruition. Have a lovely day.

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  17. I love the table runner!! And yes those doses of creativity are always welcomed!!! They make you feel good!! Can't wait to see what you create for the chaises!! And your walk was beautiful!!!

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  18. Your runner looks great :) I made new slips for the deck furniture last year too and they are faded from the sun, it's a chore to keep making them but it is cheaper than new furniture.

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  19. I love your runner and am looking forward to seeing the lounge covers...looks like those quiet walks on the beach lead to creativity!

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  20. Carol, the table runner looks very good. i think your cover for the chaise will look great also. I would be so tired when I got back home that I would need a little rest. LOL So glad that you are feeling better. Bet Lulu loves those walks along the beach.
    Happy sewing.
    Mary

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  21. I love your drop cloth table runner but I enjoyed the walk better! LOL! So different from where I live.....gorgeous! Now I know where all the money is....it's sure not at my house! :)

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  22. Carol...I love the table runner that you made!! I have a burlap runner with a ruffle on each end on my dining room table...but I'm thinking that I would like to make one like yours. That would give me a choice to change them out on the table.
    Hope you had a great walk today.
    ~Cindy

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  23. vickie and kris are awesome people to be copying:) your runner turned out lovely! these are projects i need to copy...

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  24. I love this runner with the bright yellow pitcher filled with flowers. Your photos are especially lovely today of your charming cottage by the sea!!
    Mary Alice

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  25. Gorgeous photos of the beach! Wish I was there walking with you. I hope someday to walk that far. I got creative on Monday and painted two pieces of furniture, and now I'm having to pay the price by resting.
    Brenda

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  26. I think I'd spend an awfully long time looking at those gorgeous homes, thanks for always sharing your photos of the great place you live in. It's good to dream.
    I've been creating quite a bit recently and it's very satisfying isn't it. Great table runner.

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  27. Cute, cute table runner. And love your heart rocks. You are totally rocking your walking! I had to take mama to a doctor's appt. this morning and was going to run while she was there, but a leaky tire sidelined me. Made me mad. I have the worse luck with tires. Ha! Oh well, yoga tomorrow and maybe a run after. Have a good evening.

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  28. How lucky you are to be in such a beautiful area to walk! Your runner is so cute! What a fun project! I love those cushion covers! They're adorable! Have fun with that project too! :-D

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  29. Time on the beach and exercise too can't be better.
    Merle..............

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  30. Those long walks on the beach sure bring out your creative spirit. Love your very creative table runner and I'm sure your covers will be just as nice.

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  31. We biked 23 miles on Monday, and were pooped Monday night. I was glad to get a massage yesterday! Long walks on the beach are fabulous, and yours looks so relaxing. We should have done that instead!

    I think your chaise covers still look great, but the covers you're considering making are adorable and will look lovely.

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  32. Love the table runner! It is so pretty. I love the covers you are planning to sew as well, although the ones you made last year still look nice to me. I always enjoy seeing what you have created. How's the garden shed coming? So looking forward to seeing it finished! Have a blessed Thursday.

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  33. I would say that you 'nailed' the table runner. It looks just like the previous picture. Great idea using drop cloth for those items. Looking forward to seeing your outside cushions.

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  34. You had a walk AND got creative! That is pretty good for one great day, living at the beach! Lovely table runner Carol.
    Blessings,
    Patti

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  35. Hi Carol, looks like your walks bring great inspiration. Love the table runner. Your pics are gorgeous and I love the heart rock.
    XO

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  36. Carol,
    Most people would rest after a 2-3 hour walk! You need to bottle your energy, you amaze me. Love your new runner!
    xoxo,
    Vera

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  37. Oh Carol The table runner is so sweet. What a great idea. Is your lounge chair fabric the outdoor kind or just cotton? Even in the northern summers, some of those out door fabrics even fade the first year. I can't imagine being closer to the sun wouldn't speed up that process for you. I really like the more ethereal look too.

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  38. Using drop cloths for these projects is a great idea. I have been trying to think of something to do with them as well.

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  39. Your creativity is astounding - love the runner!

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  40. I absolutely love walking on the beach but I have to wait until late spring and summer to do it. The ice and snow has taken over for the time being. I can't wait to see your covers! The runner is very cute and I so love your bright and cheerful home on the beach. Have a great day!

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  41. Gorgeous beaches with lovely views on both sides - houses/landscaping and the ocean. There's nothing like walking on a beach. Your runner turned out great!

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  42. I also use my beach walk to think... I love the table runner. I need to find time to sew a tablecloth and every weekend I think I'll find some and the weekend ends without the sewing machine going even out!

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  43. I adore that runner! The little flounce on the end is just perfect! I envy those walks, your time, thinking time, and the warmth! Looking forward to the lounge covers!

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  44. Love 911 Ranger's and yours table runners. I also love your beach, and the waves, and the houses. Gosh we have so many things in common. I've got plenty of drop cloths but I've fallen out of love for them. Maybe if I painted stripes on my curtains I'd fall back in love with it. It's great when someone else inspires us and our creative juices get flowing once again! Have a great day! And again thank you for my lovely gifts.

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  45. Oh so very pretty! Love the runner and of course all the brights!

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  46. Isn't beach-walking just the best? So much to see, so much peace, such a lot of lovely time to think and dream and plan. I love what you've done and look forward to seeing the drop cloth slip cover.

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  47. I love that you share your walks with us, it is so comforting to me! I too love Kris's chaise cover! Can't wait to see the one's you create! Blessings, Cindy xoxo

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  48. Such beautiful photos of the beach and the amazing houses! Your house is looking lovely too, and I love the table runner. I have just emailed you, Carol, to say a big thank you as the sweet banner you made me has arrived here safely all the way across the pond!
    Happy weekend.
    Helen xox

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  49. Your walks along the beach are a wonderful location to think! Is the coastline almost lined with houses? Here it almost bare of habitation! Sarah x

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  50. I love the pictures of the beach walk. Love the table runner and the cushion covers will look great.

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  51. I love the table runner. I especially love the oversized ruffle! It's my favorite part. xoox

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  52. Do Not let your husband put it in the washer! That is what happened to mine. I love this project and can't wait to see it on the covers.

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  53. That's what I admire about you, Carol, you say you're going to do something and you do! Yeah! Your table runner looks lovely on your farm table! And I can't wait to see your cushions wearing their new covers! Thanks for the feature and all the lovely photos of your sights along the beachfront. We walked today, and our views of the dirty melting snow were not pretty in any way, shape or form, but the fresh air felt good! Enjoy your sunshine and have a great weekend!!
    Vickie

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  54. Hi Carol,
    I know the cover for your lounge chairs will be awesome. You go girl. We just got home from Florida and helping my mom move and I have to say I loved that summer feel down there. It is so weird to go from 20 degrees to 80 degrees in just a 2.5 short plane ride. Back to the cold but loved that nice weather. I am so jealous you get to feel this summer year around in Sunny California. I cannot wait to see your cushions. The table runner looks wonderful.
    Kris

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  55. Both of those inspiration pieces are wonderful and I love that runner! You did a great job with it and I'm sure your covers will be wonderful as well. I need a beach walk for some inspiration and motivation!

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  56. I cannot imagine strolling on the beach each day for 2-3 hours. Just heavenly! Isn't it nice to fit in a little creativity here and there?! Love your table runner, especially the ruffle!

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  57. L. O. V. E. IT! And, honestly, I'd take your charming cottage over any of the houses (though they are lovely) you photographed. You are wonderfully blessed, Carol. I love coming to Art and Sand and always leave inspired. XO ~ Nancy

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  58. What nice amount of exercise that is! Love the table runner - you always make the cutest stuff!

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  59. Living here on the shores of Lake Michigan - I love seeing others enjoy their time walking along a beach. It is a great place as you say - to think. I do that often as I pick up stones, view the waves, etc. We have it nice. Jack

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  60. I certainly agree to some points that you have discussed on this post. I appreciate that you have shared some reliable tips on this review.

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  61. Hi Carol ~ I came over from Helen's blog and was scrolling down, thoroughly enjoying the sights around your lovely home, and then I saw that heart shaped rock! My hubby finds heart shaped rocks for me and my collection has really grown! I have large ones in my garden, and small ones in bowls around our home. I just love the little HOME banner you made for Helen. What a lovely visit this was. xo ~ Deb

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