tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43325021275174831062024-03-13T03:53:20.122-07:00Creating a Vintage LifeMona Kay Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10693339860770759522noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4332502127517483106.post-58673251005311194832012-05-28T14:22:00.000-07:002012-05-28T14:22:33.670-07:00Antoinette....who knew??<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dU62O5o5l_E/T8PmgvTOFPI/AAAAAAAACfM/HeGgRXPJIPI/s1600/DSCN3337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dU62O5o5l_E/T8PmgvTOFPI/AAAAAAAACfM/HeGgRXPJIPI/s400/DSCN3337.JPG" /></a></div>
I saw these beauties at a garage sale, and couldn't grab them fast enough. I had big plans for them...I figured they'd be just beautiful in white, or maybe ASCP Paris Grey. Someone would fall in love with them and buy them to take home and make their own.
And someone DID fall in love with them. Me.
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I had decided to make over my den so that I would have a place to watch TV when I couldn't deal with whatever my kids were watching (they're 20 & 16; need I say more??). The dark wood trunk I was using as a coffee table was too small for me to put my feet up, and when I did a mental inventory of all my unpainted furniture in my shed, these two elegant tables popped into my head. Since I was planning on displaying all white items on my shelves, and since I always had white in mind for these tables, I thought that's what I would use.
But a funny thing happened as I looked around the room & picked out all my favorite items....my eye kept being drawn to a different color.
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I had just purchased an order of ASCP from <a href="http://shop.bestfurniturepaint.com/">Patty Seaman</a> (she's terrific), and had ordered "Antoinette" at the last moment before completing my order. I am not a "pink" person....I love whites & blues...but the color was irresistible. I figured I'd play with it for items for my Etsy shop, or for my daughter. But suddenly I was picturing these beauties in pink, and I couldn't picture any other color.
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I know it's hard to see in the light that I had to work with...here they are with some dark wax finish and in their new home:
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I just love them!! Pink...who knew??
I have completed the study make-over except for the wall paint color (which will have to wait until my budget allows it)...but that's a story for another post.
I hope you're all having a wonderful weekend!
Mona KayMona Kay Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10693339860770759522noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4332502127517483106.post-58135725523396356842012-03-31T05:15:00.009-07:002012-03-31T05:35:33.355-07:00All About the Fabric-Textile inspiration!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9RaS2105JLM/T3b5z6DCTYI/AAAAAAAACdc/K-Nn3Gkuu_c/s1600/scissors-vintage-graphicsfairy008b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 114px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9RaS2105JLM/T3b5z6DCTYI/AAAAAAAACdc/K-Nn3Gkuu_c/s400/scissors-vintage-graphicsfairy008b.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726038646398799234" /></a><br /><br />I don't know why I'm suddenly itching to work with fabric and textiles again...maybe because I have such yummy florals, stripes, toile, and linens in my stash. With spring around the corner, I'm wanting to add some new designs and colors to my decor. Here's what I woke up thinking about this morning:<br /><br />Part of my score from a Florida Goodwill store while visiting my parents:<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HECkuS-cs9A/T3b3s3jZFtI/AAAAAAAACbw/Q6uR87aRKdY/s1600/fabric%2Bin%2Bsuitcase.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HECkuS-cs9A/T3b3s3jZFtI/AAAAAAAACbw/Q6uR87aRKdY/s400/fabric%2Bin%2Bsuitcase.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726036326446864082" /></a><br /><br />The ruffle tote I made last year:<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K37VCFJjy14/T3b4PuWQ0jI/AAAAAAAACcU/bfCHL15Kj6c/s1600/DSCN2508.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K37VCFJjy14/T3b4PuWQ0jI/AAAAAAAACcU/bfCHL15Kj6c/s400/DSCN2508.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726036925271298610" /></a><br /><br />....or my real love...my lavender sachets:<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BGEK23VLxzI/T3b4tNYKTPI/AAAAAAAACdE/upo77t585hQ/s1600/small%2Bbags.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BGEK23VLxzI/T3b4tNYKTPI/AAAAAAAACdE/upo77t585hQ/s400/small%2Bbags.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726037431816965362" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5HPW7TASd1Y/T3b4s-3RVVI/AAAAAAAACc4/0rHBooFPyZg/s1600/lavender%2Btag.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5HPW7TASd1Y/T3b4s-3RVVI/AAAAAAAACc4/0rHBooFPyZg/s400/lavender%2Btag.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726037427920917842" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SZkHlGXUjJo/T3b4sf1gc3I/AAAAAAAACcs/pvg4pAI_jc8/s1600/group%2Bnice.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SZkHlGXUjJo/T3b4sf1gc3I/AAAAAAAACcs/pvg4pAI_jc8/s400/group%2Bnice.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726037419592020850" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M6lFY1C8sCg/T3b4sE692gI/AAAAAAAACcg/5b7pD05hp8Y/s1600/blue%2Bstripe%2Band%2Bfloral.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M6lFY1C8sCg/T3b4sE692gI/AAAAAAAACcg/5b7pD05hp8Y/s400/blue%2Bstripe%2Band%2Bfloral.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726037412367161858" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4dUbUJ3lcM/T3b4tqHjlEI/AAAAAAAACdQ/W_e-tpeEJsg/s1600/whole%2Bgroup.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4dUbUJ3lcM/T3b4tqHjlEI/AAAAAAAACdQ/W_e-tpeEJsg/s400/whole%2Bgroup.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726037439531947074" /></a><br /><br />I just posted on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Blissfully-Refurbished/106665109371729">Facebook</a> that I plan to recover and tuft an ottoman. Nothing like an announcement which all your friends, family, and followers can see to keep a girl accountable!! Now I not only have to do it, I have to take pictures!! <br /><br />Wish me luck!! In my head I'm also making pillow covers......a girl can dream.....<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qLLnsWbo8kM/T3b50oEyNxI/AAAAAAAACdk/F4etfo1D4fM/s1600/Mona%2BKay%2Bsignature%2Bfor%2Bblog%2Bsmaller.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 99px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qLLnsWbo8kM/T3b50oEyNxI/AAAAAAAACdk/F4etfo1D4fM/s400/Mona%2BKay%2Bsignature%2Bfor%2Bblog%2Bsmaller.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726038658754164498" /></a>Mona Kay Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10693339860770759522noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4332502127517483106.post-15614621503672956092012-03-24T15:34:00.015-07:002012-03-24T16:22:20.142-07:00"Bertha" Unveiled<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iWE7kCrB8dY/T25RFjxEG6I/AAAAAAAACa0/aEw76zRxJj8/s1600/1%2Bheader%2Bbirds%2Bwith%2Bchair.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iWE7kCrB8dY/T25RFjxEG6I/AAAAAAAACa0/aEw76zRxJj8/s400/1%2Bheader%2Bbirds%2Bwith%2Bchair.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723601332376705954" /></a><br /><br />Let me ask my fellow bloggers a question: how long does it take you to edit your pictures?? Because I spent HOURS today taking, editing, and organizing my pictures - sheesh, it seems like it should be easier!!<br /><br /><br />Anyway...if you remember Bertha, the <span style="font-style:italic;">extremely dirty and somewhat dysfunctional but with lots of potential</span> secretary that I scored at an antiques shop:<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xxNRgd05c94/T25RFS3JdyI/AAAAAAAACak/ppxlOV1YdWk/s1600/1%2Bfront%2Bclose%2Bsmall.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xxNRgd05c94/T25RFS3JdyI/AAAAAAAACak/ppxlOV1YdWk/s400/1%2Bfront%2Bclose%2Bsmall.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723601327838820130" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-skA_jhYgXiM/T25RFOwhxOI/AAAAAAAACac/HWXufk1sxeM/s1600/2%2Bsupport%2Bbeams.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 295px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-skA_jhYgXiM/T25RFOwhxOI/AAAAAAAACac/HWXufk1sxeM/s400/2%2Bsupport%2Bbeams.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723601326737310946" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ym9Z-A3pMS0/T25QvDBurYI/AAAAAAAACaE/wbgbnSQWzwA/s1600/4%2Bclaw%2Bfoot.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 302px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ym9Z-A3pMS0/T25QvDBurYI/AAAAAAAACaE/wbgbnSQWzwA/s400/4%2Bclaw%2Bfoot.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723600945631112578" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hTpFbF5sVPw/T25Qvh4gY6I/AAAAAAAACaQ/Kuhl2ZektZw/s1600/3%2Binside%2Bcorner.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 308px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hTpFbF5sVPw/T25Qvh4gY6I/AAAAAAAACaQ/Kuhl2ZektZw/s400/3%2Binside%2Bcorner.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723600953913926562" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />I have been putting off working on her, because it just seemed like she was going to take SO MUCH WORK...and besides, she had become buried in my garage. Also, I had no place to put her.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YQi4LvbFpTw/T25Qu6RfLUI/AAAAAAAACZ4/Y-_LaNslNr8/s1600/5%2Bin%2Bgarage.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YQi4LvbFpTw/T25Qu6RfLUI/AAAAAAAACZ4/Y-_LaNslNr8/s400/5%2Bin%2Bgarage.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723600943281286466" /></a><br /><br /><br />Then I sold the bookcase in my front room...<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j1C_g0UyEDg/T25SKFDr_-I/AAAAAAAACbA/U9WBCZFxgTY/s1600/5%2Bfull%2Bmantle.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j1C_g0UyEDg/T25SKFDr_-I/AAAAAAAACbA/U9WBCZFxgTY/s400/5%2Bfull%2Bmantle.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723602509544292322" /></a><br /><br />and suddenly I had all this empty space! <br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2FbCNmoQn-g/T25SYbCHvpI/AAAAAAAACbM/MJWjXZyNsqo/s1600/DSCN3041.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2FbCNmoQn-g/T25SYbCHvpI/AAAAAAAACbM/MJWjXZyNsqo/s400/DSCN3041.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723602755961470610" /></a><br /><br />I felt ready to tackle Bertha.<br /><br />I know I'm not the only woman who won't let ANYTHING stand in her way when she wants a piece of furniture moved. I once lifted the end of a several hundred pound desk onto my son's skateboard to get it out of my studio once I didn't want it any more. I moved it into my garage single-handed. My dad was NOT happy about that stunt! <br /><br />As it turned out, it wasn't too hard to dig Bertha out. Once I started getting ready to clean her up, I got a nice surprise....the inside shelves, which I was DREADING painting...<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-57BeTE8XmyY/T25QZbP6mbI/AAAAAAAACZU/wPQ3enDssZk/s1600/6%2Binside%2Bwith%2Bshelves.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-57BeTE8XmyY/T25QZbP6mbI/AAAAAAAACZU/wPQ3enDssZk/s400/6%2Binside%2Bwith%2Bshelves.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723600574175943090" /></a><br /><br />Were REMOVABLE!! Easily removable!!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HsnX3reFFic/T25QZuSbgqI/AAAAAAAACZg/baaGiQdDb0Y/s1600/7%2Binside%2Bcoming%2Bout.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HsnX3reFFic/T25QZuSbgqI/AAAAAAAACZg/baaGiQdDb0Y/s400/7%2Binside%2Bcoming%2Bout.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723600579286762146" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Znp2TQt94W4/T25QaBHvozI/AAAAAAAACZo/UqxHacI79oc/s1600/8%2Binside%2Bw%2Bo%2Bshelves.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Znp2TQt94W4/T25QaBHvozI/AAAAAAAACZo/UqxHacI79oc/s400/8%2Binside%2Bw%2Bo%2Bshelves.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723600584342217522" /></a><br /><br />They are back in the garage. If I ever decide to use them, I'll paint them white - I'll never match the color I mixed for the inside of Bertha. Here's the rest of Bertha's transformation:<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n1nHiREiCvo/T25P-pgZsZI/AAAAAAAACYs/m1HUQnpbx8E/s1600/10%2Bvacuum.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n1nHiREiCvo/T25P-pgZsZI/AAAAAAAACYs/m1HUQnpbx8E/s400/10%2Bvacuum.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723600114146718098" /></a><br /><br />FINALLY remembered to number the drawers after refurbishing MANY dressers which ended up with drawers that never fit quite the same...because I couldn't remember the order...<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2BWCuEj8WCw/T25P_D4Z5sI/AAAAAAAACZI/1JtTpUk1RtM/s1600/9%2Bnumbered%2Bdrawers.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2BWCuEj8WCw/T25P_D4Z5sI/AAAAAAAACZI/1JtTpUk1RtM/s400/9%2Bnumbered%2Bdrawers.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723600121226716866" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kHyVA3i53f0/T25P-DsTxqI/AAAAAAAACYg/lEZUJuAAAx8/s1600/11%2Binside%2Bhouse%2Bunpainted.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kHyVA3i53f0/T25P-DsTxqI/AAAAAAAACYg/lEZUJuAAAx8/s400/11%2Binside%2Bhouse%2Bunpainted.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723600103996114594" /></a><br /><br />The drawers needed to be glued, but other than that, they were in surprisingly good condition!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2egZzB9C3WM/T25P97VR9YI/AAAAAAAACYY/byuwDmEZZ5c/s1600/12%2Bclamped%2Bdrawer.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2egZzB9C3WM/T25P97VR9YI/AAAAAAAACYY/byuwDmEZZ5c/s400/12%2Bclamped%2Bdrawer.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723600101752042882" /></a><br /><br />I am in love with the shade of greyish turquoise that results from mixing Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Paris Grey with Duck Egg...I use just a little bit more Paris Grey. I thought it would make a lovely, soft contrast to the Country Grey I was planning to use for the outside.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YD5c934sj-I/T25PFtvxPSI/AAAAAAAACXc/-vad-QKZDpQ/s1600/13%2Bpaint%2Binside.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YD5c934sj-I/T25PFtvxPSI/AAAAAAAACXc/-vad-QKZDpQ/s400/13%2Bpaint%2Binside.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723599136032374050" /></a><br /><br />The Country Grey looked great, but the gorgeous details seemed to fade with the light color.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-53WQ847EaGA/T25PFxnMF2I/AAAAAAAACXo/hkz7A3UGowQ/s1600/14%2Bwhite%2Bfoot.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-53WQ847EaGA/T25PFxnMF2I/AAAAAAAACXo/hkz7A3UGowQ/s400/14%2Bwhite%2Bfoot.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723599137070126946" /></a><br /><br />I gave the whole piece a good glazing...look how great her claw and ball feet look!! You can even see the toenails!!<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6IebmDU5SqU/T25PGr-h1SI/AAAAAAAACX0/VyXOsawWYWE/s1600/15%2Bglazed%2Bfoot%2Bwith%2Bglaze.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6IebmDU5SqU/T25PGr-h1SI/AAAAAAAACX0/VyXOsawWYWE/s400/15%2Bglazed%2Bfoot%2Bwith%2Bglaze.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723599152737277218" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JswiOeyI6AQ/T25PGwg7oYI/AAAAAAAACX8/GAdtFe-RUcY/s1600/16%2Bfinal%2Bglazed%2Bfood.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JswiOeyI6AQ/T25PGwg7oYI/AAAAAAAACX8/GAdtFe-RUcY/s400/16%2Bfinal%2Bglazed%2Bfood.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723599153955316098" /></a><br /><br />I wish I had a picture...but the dark glaze looked too brown for me, so I mixed Annie Sloan Soft Wax about 50-50 with some white paint I had on hand, and rubbed it over the entire piece (except for the feet). The result was a nice "antiqued" yet softened look:<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DjDeyN6C7T0/T25PHDvGJYI/AAAAAAAACYM/eXlwKn_XN_8/s1600/17%2Bclosed%2Bnice.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DjDeyN6C7T0/T25PHDvGJYI/AAAAAAAACYM/eXlwKn_XN_8/s400/17%2Bclosed%2Bnice.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723599159114999170" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1gKO0H5e4S4/T25OyaMaKQI/AAAAAAAACXE/oeolkDP67YE/s1600/21%2Bcorner%2Bwith%2Bchair.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1gKO0H5e4S4/T25OyaMaKQI/AAAAAAAACXE/oeolkDP67YE/s400/21%2Bcorner%2Bwith%2Bchair.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723598804366272770" /></a><br /><br />I love the beautiful soft inside so much, that for now I'm displaying it opened! Some final staging, and I had a new look for my front room!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KeKE_Er11Es/T25OyNBQRaI/AAAAAAAACW0/6vdKgVEAEHg/s1600/20%2Bopen%2Bclose.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KeKE_Er11Es/T25OyNBQRaI/AAAAAAAACW0/6vdKgVEAEHg/s400/20%2Bopen%2Bclose.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723598800829826466" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IPHz8vZfcec/T25Ox96_4nI/AAAAAAAACWs/Wbyt8QvpZCE/s1600/19%2Bopen%2Bclose%2B3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IPHz8vZfcec/T25Ox96_4nI/AAAAAAAACWs/Wbyt8QvpZCE/s400/19%2Bopen%2Bclose%2B3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723598796777054834" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rvCHjJSGBKc/T25Oxgg4hlI/AAAAAAAACWg/J_gm76x6Uyw/s1600/18%2Bclosed%2Bcloser.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rvCHjJSGBKc/T25Oxgg4hlI/AAAAAAAACWg/J_gm76x6Uyw/s400/18%2Bclosed%2Bcloser.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723598788882892370" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yvhEWANU25A/T25OyubEzUI/AAAAAAAACXQ/aNthHoDKNK4/s1600/22%2Bfull%2Broom%2Bsyd%2Bin%2Bback.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yvhEWANU25A/T25OyubEzUI/AAAAAAAACXQ/aNthHoDKNK4/s400/22%2Bfull%2Broom%2Bsyd%2Bin%2Bback.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723598809796496706" /></a><br /><br />Whew!! Honestly the staging and the pictures took MUCH longer than the time it took to paint the whole piece! <br /><br />What new looks have you added to your nest?<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iD1oqAsGf48/T25XB8s932I/AAAAAAAACbY/FBKJwa9-Vfg/s1600/Mona%2BKay%2Bsignature%2Bfor%2Bblog.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 110px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iD1oqAsGf48/T25XB8s932I/AAAAAAAACbY/FBKJwa9-Vfg/s400/Mona%2BKay%2Bsignature%2Bfor%2Bblog.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723607867420696418" /></a>Mona Kay Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10693339860770759522noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4332502127517483106.post-66833616084856672872012-02-07T19:12:00.000-08:002012-02-07T19:19:55.465-08:00Beautiful bags, and a good causePlease check out these gorgeous cosmetics bags! All proceeds go to <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/00375751214971457334">Lea and Cassidy's</a> mission tip to Haiti-you can read all about it, as well as see their bags here on their <a href="http://sewforhaiti.blogspot.com/">blog</a>.<br /><br />Their bags are functional and beautiful, and you can feel great about your purchase!Mona Kay Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10693339860770759522noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4332502127517483106.post-24674075119971251372012-01-22T10:15:00.000-08:002012-01-22T10:28:51.404-08:00Too Soon for Spring?<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3nsw-Yw2eQ/TxxUwb9pLGI/AAAAAAAACUs/N-uR0daGpNM/s1600/back%2Byard%2Bsnow.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3nsw-Yw2eQ/TxxUwb9pLGI/AAAAAAAACUs/N-uR0daGpNM/s400/back%2Byard%2Bsnow.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700524419460967522" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zIWZNWbYtYM/TxxUwmVdUkI/AAAAAAAACU0/cyC3g5Fzw_I/s1600/sydney%2Bin%2Bsnow.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zIWZNWbYtYM/TxxUwmVdUkI/AAAAAAAACU0/cyC3g5Fzw_I/s400/sydney%2Bin%2Bsnow.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700524422245208642" /></a><br /><br />I find it ironic that I started working on my spring decor during the first snow fall of the year. I know it's January, but I'm craving whites and greens with wood contrasts...kind of a la Pottery Barn. Here's what I have so far!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oyM6gduFgew/TxxUp271ajI/AAAAAAAACUU/uyM1GItrZ4U/s1600/2%2Bfront%2Broom%2Bfull.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oyM6gduFgew/TxxUp271ajI/AAAAAAAACUU/uyM1GItrZ4U/s400/2%2Bfront%2Broom%2Bfull.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700524306442054194" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PXtOLGSDtO8/TxxUp1tvUbI/AAAAAAAACUc/fctenqFX12E/s1600/1%2Bfront%2Bhall%2Bbureau.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PXtOLGSDtO8/TxxUp1tvUbI/AAAAAAAACUc/fctenqFX12E/s400/1%2Bfront%2Bhall%2Bbureau.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700524306114498994" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x3ZDSj1_dzs/TxxUhow--HI/AAAAAAAACT4/X2z_D2oOd7c/s1600/4%2Bcabinet%2Bby%2Btv.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x3ZDSj1_dzs/TxxUhow--HI/AAAAAAAACT4/X2z_D2oOd7c/s400/4%2Bcabinet%2Bby%2Btv.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700524165199493234" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RnZC3pZGrfs/TxxUhR-xwRI/AAAAAAAACTw/oPLcD0MuL18/s1600/5%2Bfull%2Bmantle.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RnZC3pZGrfs/TxxUhR-xwRI/AAAAAAAACTw/oPLcD0MuL18/s400/5%2Bfull%2Bmantle.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700524159083331858" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dOg6RzmiII0/TxxUhNk8zCI/AAAAAAAACTk/Eu3HdqIe3zo/s1600/6%2Bleft%2Bmantle%2Bcorner.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dOg6RzmiII0/TxxUhNk8zCI/AAAAAAAACTk/Eu3HdqIe3zo/s400/6%2Bleft%2Bmantle%2Bcorner.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700524157901261858" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t4_oWitwPrU/TxxUg9RZlUI/AAAAAAAACTY/7IeSua8FDEc/s1600/7%2Bmantle%2Bcorner.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t4_oWitwPrU/TxxUg9RZlUI/AAAAAAAACTY/7IeSua8FDEc/s400/7%2Bmantle%2Bcorner.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700524153524294978" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n9ZwMZdM_wg/TxxUhyLwDoI/AAAAAAAACUI/YnBIN7cvQPo/s1600/3%2Bfront%2Btable%2Bangle%2BUSE.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n9ZwMZdM_wg/TxxUhyLwDoI/AAAAAAAACUI/YnBIN7cvQPo/s400/3%2Bfront%2Btable%2Bangle%2BUSE.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700524167727681154" /></a><br /><br />Have you made any changes in your decor in the new year?<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BLjaOI3WTyo/TxxVLmGCCiI/AAAAAAAACVE/pHWkdvNng7s/s1600/Mona%2BKay%2Bsignature%2Bfor%2Bblog%2Bsmaller.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 99px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BLjaOI3WTyo/TxxVLmGCCiI/AAAAAAAACVE/pHWkdvNng7s/s400/Mona%2BKay%2Bsignature%2Bfor%2Bblog%2Bsmaller.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700524886036974114" /></a>Mona Kay Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10693339860770759522noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4332502127517483106.post-37876206798881858712011-12-30T13:43:00.000-08:002011-12-30T14:11:21.556-08:00.....From Holiday to Winter.....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NRrFEPxcXMk/Tv40YCaZHFI/AAAAAAAACRU/HIcxZuGfXTc/s1600/screen%2Bwith%2Bswag.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NRrFEPxcXMk/Tv40YCaZHFI/AAAAAAAACRU/HIcxZuGfXTc/s400/screen%2Bwith%2Bswag.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692044566611958866" /></a><br /><br />I have to say...the past two months are a blur. Sure, the holidays are always busy, but I just can't believe that there are less than 40 hours left in 2011!<br /><br />I truly had intentions of beautiful holiday decor. I've been looking at Pinterest and Blog World since Halloween! Oh, the vignettes in my head, which never came to fruition!! Sadly, as sometimes happens, I returned from a week of work travel and threw some decorations around the house. Nothing I wanted to photograph and share this year.<br /><br />Instead, I thought I'd show some close-ups which I will attempt to transition from Christmas into Winter scenes. I would say I'll take "after" pictures...but I'm learning not to over-promise!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0KZT5A-EyEo/Tv40CNnZYcI/AAAAAAAACRE/NQuh5EoynjU/s1600/ornament%2Bon%2Bmantle%2Bhandle.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0KZT5A-EyEo/Tv40CNnZYcI/AAAAAAAACRE/NQuh5EoynjU/s400/ornament%2Bon%2Bmantle%2Bhandle.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692044191662170562" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aYJPYx3U7TY/Tv4zxUzA8nI/AAAAAAAACQk/XA9MbJzfuuk/s1600/mantle%2Btop%2Bwith%2Bbird.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aYJPYx3U7TY/Tv4zxUzA8nI/AAAAAAAACQk/XA9MbJzfuuk/s400/mantle%2Btop%2Bwith%2Bbird.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692043901532172914" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XvBv2m-KFVU/Tv4zw6m7cXI/AAAAAAAACQY/Z_rB2DTQj30/s1600/glass%2Bbowl.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XvBv2m-KFVU/Tv4zw6m7cXI/AAAAAAAACQY/Z_rB2DTQj30/s400/glass%2Bbowl.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692043894502158706" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XxO0Rbobb-Y/Tv4zwqb5j6I/AAAAAAAACQM/X1l2-0XjwcQ/s1600/bowl%2Bon%2Bwood%2Bbox.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XxO0Rbobb-Y/Tv4zwqb5j6I/AAAAAAAACQM/X1l2-0XjwcQ/s400/bowl%2Bon%2Bwood%2Bbox.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692043890160930722" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hy2oojssoPU/Tv4zwSijQCI/AAAAAAAACQA/6v4ZJKvc6h4/s1600/candle%2Band%2Bberries.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hy2oojssoPU/Tv4zwSijQCI/AAAAAAAACQA/6v4ZJKvc6h4/s400/candle%2Band%2Bberries.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692043883746377762" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-KB_mlfAlo/Tv4zxmLKn4I/AAAAAAAACQ0/jLnICAOwyA0/s1600/mantle%2Blarge%2Blantern.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-KB_mlfAlo/Tv4zxmLKn4I/AAAAAAAACQ0/jLnICAOwyA0/s400/mantle%2Blarge%2Blantern.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692043906196873090" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OY3INjbC6LI/Tv4zgnz-SxI/AAAAAAAACPo/uvYj2pVRQJQ/s1600/front%2Btable.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OY3INjbC6LI/Tv4zgnz-SxI/AAAAAAAACPo/uvYj2pVRQJQ/s400/front%2Btable.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692043614578690834" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fPJcTk2gL80/Tv4zgeOLUZI/AAAAAAAACPc/xRwljt5sQZc/s1600/frame%2Bwith%2Bornament.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fPJcTk2gL80/Tv4zgeOLUZI/AAAAAAAACPc/xRwljt5sQZc/s400/frame%2Bwith%2Bornament.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692043612004241810" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OWeTcFl5bNc/Tv4zfwv6ejI/AAAAAAAACPU/HoKkd-LHM2U/s1600/candle%2Band%2Bberries.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OWeTcFl5bNc/Tv4zfwv6ejI/AAAAAAAACPU/HoKkd-LHM2U/s400/candle%2Band%2Bberries.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692043599797713458" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bx0UDjg3x6E/Tv4zf4m0tKI/AAAAAAAACPE/cZK9GikFpEQ/s1600/cabinet%2Bbottom%2Bmagazines.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bx0UDjg3x6E/Tv4zf4m0tKI/AAAAAAAACPE/cZK9GikFpEQ/s400/cabinet%2Bbottom%2Bmagazines.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692043601907070114" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U1HTcqjGzPk/Tv4zg5NZPvI/AAAAAAAACP4/BFP_NP_upIw/s1600/glass%2Bbowl.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U1HTcqjGzPk/Tv4zg5NZPvI/AAAAAAAACP4/BFP_NP_upIw/s400/glass%2Bbowl.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692043619248717554" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sZQkXSuU6rk/Tv4zOlBm9iI/AAAAAAAACO4/m7Hd-gIOq1o/s1600/cabinet%2Bdoor.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sZQkXSuU6rk/Tv4zOlBm9iI/AAAAAAAACO4/m7Hd-gIOq1o/s400/cabinet%2Bdoor.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692043304592930338" /></a><br />I hope you all have a happy and healthy New Year!! <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M0AuhdMZQws/Tv423iTiddI/AAAAAAAACRg/vmYcVhi_jyI/s1600/Mona%2BKay%2Bsignature%2Bfor%2Bblog%2Bsmaller.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 99px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M0AuhdMZQws/Tv423iTiddI/AAAAAAAACRg/vmYcVhi_jyI/s400/Mona%2BKay%2Bsignature%2Bfor%2Bblog%2Bsmaller.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692047306772346322" /></a>Mona Kay Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10693339860770759522noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4332502127517483106.post-42624926594343245102011-10-23T18:28:00.000-07:002011-10-23T18:44:38.730-07:00Why I haven't been painting furniture - Part OneI have two beautiful tables waiting to be painted. They're gonna look great when they're done!! But they will probably have to wait until it gets colder & not so nice outside...a luxury I can make use of thanks to the low VOC of AS Chalk Paint! Here's the first in my series of day/week trips explaining what I've been up to which doesn't include painting furniture...the first explanation comes from stunningly beautiful Newport, RI!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4OoC7WNN2QI/TqTB64cjuuI/AAAAAAAACKI/cbYUwX9gCWA/s1600/u%2BInn%2Bsign%2Bwith%2Bflowers.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4OoC7WNN2QI/TqTB64cjuuI/AAAAAAAACKI/cbYUwX9gCWA/s400/u%2BInn%2Bsign%2Bwith%2Bflowers.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666867448467667682" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y021haXotZo/TqTB7uj1PnI/AAAAAAAACKo/URWZpKAQpvo/s1600/u%2BSteeple%2Bat%2Bsunset.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y021haXotZo/TqTB7uj1PnI/AAAAAAAACKo/URWZpKAQpvo/s400/u%2BSteeple%2Bat%2Bsunset.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666867462993690226" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HJKATMG2cZU/TqTB7EIFMrI/AAAAAAAACKY/-bZEyyL9V2Y/s1600/u%2BInn%2Bporch.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HJKATMG2cZU/TqTB7EIFMrI/AAAAAAAACKY/-bZEyyL9V2Y/s400/u%2BInn%2Bporch.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666867451603006130" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-36ilKWh_xhE/TqTB6hjCuxI/AAAAAAAACKA/XOq39X55Cy4/s1600/u%2BAcross%2Bthe%2BWharf.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-36ilKWh_xhE/TqTB6hjCuxI/AAAAAAAACKA/XOq39X55Cy4/s400/u%2BAcross%2Bthe%2BWharf.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666867442320849682" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--W4tYW2iAuU/TqTB8BhvgUI/AAAAAAAACKw/1ILQZzXZNPk/s1600/u%2BWhite%2BSteeple%2Bdarker.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--W4tYW2iAuU/TqTB8BhvgUI/AAAAAAAACKw/1ILQZzXZNPk/s400/u%2BWhite%2BSteeple%2Bdarker.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666867468085199170" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S2UyFTRKotI/TqTBjbPGxxI/AAAAAAAACJo/ADns0lEdLo0/s1600/u%2BBoat%2Bclose%2Bup.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S2UyFTRKotI/TqTBjbPGxxI/AAAAAAAACJo/ADns0lEdLo0/s400/u%2BBoat%2Bclose%2Bup.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666867045489624850" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--i8SO5AIYJ4/TqTBixMpiCI/AAAAAAAACJc/1ylpvH-Pu7c/s1600/u%2BHarbor%2BView.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--i8SO5AIYJ4/TqTBixMpiCI/AAAAAAAACJc/1ylpvH-Pu7c/s400/u%2BHarbor%2BView.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666867034205030434" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bjZg2fYgLRo/TqTBipwLjsI/AAAAAAAACJQ/VYAEEk85TwY/s1600/u%2BHarbor%2Band%2Bboats.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bjZg2fYgLRo/TqTBipwLjsI/AAAAAAAACJQ/VYAEEk85TwY/s400/u%2BHarbor%2Band%2Bboats.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666867032206577346" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-91uMMW6aXl4/TqTBiT_Xg8I/AAAAAAAACJE/-M3X-xXbJsE/s1600/u%2BBowen%2527s%2BFerry%2BLanding%2BCenter.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-91uMMW6aXl4/TqTBiT_Xg8I/AAAAAAAACJE/-M3X-xXbJsE/s400/u%2BBowen%2527s%2BFerry%2BLanding%2BCenter.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666867026364695490" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WgEhSwyVGQY/TqTBj25JsyI/AAAAAAAACJ0/atd2cWCJMfU/s1600/u%2BWest%2BHathaway%2BHouse%2Bcentered.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 250px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WgEhSwyVGQY/TqTBj25JsyI/AAAAAAAACJ0/atd2cWCJMfU/s400/u%2BWest%2BHathaway%2BHouse%2Bcentered.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666867052913734434" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R_9aFzacCvM/TqTBFXfxHxI/AAAAAAAACIo/AzTGpi_bN-Q/s1600/u%2BMansion%2Bon%2BCorner.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R_9aFzacCvM/TqTBFXfxHxI/AAAAAAAACIo/AzTGpi_bN-Q/s400/u%2BMansion%2Bon%2BCorner.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666866529089691410" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Frvkm_LxAR8/TqTBEmzWTlI/AAAAAAAACIg/c4e0DxVtQQo/s1600/u%2BGray%2Bsalt%2Bbox%2Bhouse.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Frvkm_LxAR8/TqTBEmzWTlI/AAAAAAAACIg/c4e0DxVtQQo/s400/u%2BGray%2Bsalt%2Bbox%2Bhouse.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666866516018482770" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9bF6fB5FgFw/TqTBEftOMkI/AAAAAAAACIM/q69bY0yTXYQ/s1600/u%2BGorgeous%2Bshabby%2Bdoorway.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9bF6fB5FgFw/TqTBEftOMkI/AAAAAAAACIM/q69bY0yTXYQ/s400/u%2BGorgeous%2Bshabby%2Bdoorway.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666866514113737282" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3pMMcToO3Hk/TqTBEFKvExI/AAAAAAAACIE/EoxWk8eZly0/s1600/u%2BGorgeous%2Broof%2Btop.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3pMMcToO3Hk/TqTBEFKvExI/AAAAAAAACIE/EoxWk8eZly0/s400/u%2BGorgeous%2Broof%2Btop.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666866506989769490" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R1Qt68_BVvY/TqTBFoJt_-I/AAAAAAAACI0/p9_c5m5RKyc/s1600/u%2BShop%2Bbuilding.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R1Qt68_BVvY/TqTBFoJt_-I/AAAAAAAACI0/p9_c5m5RKyc/s400/u%2BShop%2Bbuilding.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666866533560614882" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GkCPyi_jREA/TqTAnHbPAOI/AAAAAAAACHo/YgMLpkYZj00/s1600/u%2BCorner%2Bhotel%2Bwith%2Btree.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GkCPyi_jREA/TqTAnHbPAOI/AAAAAAAACHo/YgMLpkYZj00/s400/u%2BCorner%2Bhotel%2Bwith%2Btree.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666866009379635426" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sGZD-_OUjmc/TqTAmqygpjI/AAAAAAAACHg/94E3x6O8sxY/s1600/u%2BChurch%2Bbuilding%2Band%2Bfence.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sGZD-_OUjmc/TqTAmqygpjI/AAAAAAAACHg/94E3x6O8sxY/s400/u%2BChurch%2Bbuilding%2Band%2Bfence.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666866001692632626" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--xMggnD9W3A/TqTAmYW-S1I/AAAAAAAACHQ/b8jB0hYH0Wk/s1600/u%2BBeautiful%2Byellow%2Bdoor.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--xMggnD9W3A/TqTAmYW-S1I/AAAAAAAACHQ/b8jB0hYH0Wk/s400/u%2BBeautiful%2Byellow%2Bdoor.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666865996745296722" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ov1FYjuk4AQ/TqTAmRx9DGI/AAAAAAAACHI/__g3FXBpTXo/s1600/u%2BBeautiful%2Bbuilding%2Bfront.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ov1FYjuk4AQ/TqTAmRx9DGI/AAAAAAAACHI/__g3FXBpTXo/s400/u%2BBeautiful%2Bbuilding%2Bfront.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666865994979413090" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o4RydV21KYg/TqTAnUjDOmI/AAAAAAAACH4/2-euLVstjE4/s1600/u%2BEntryway.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o4RydV21KYg/TqTAnUjDOmI/AAAAAAAACH4/2-euLVstjE4/s400/u%2BEntryway.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666866012902079074" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ghEAwfyFliQ/TqTAMT8vGOI/AAAAAAAACGw/LiaEcChu8Hk/s1600/u%2BAcross%2Bthe%2BHarbor%2Bantiques.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ghEAwfyFliQ/TqTAMT8vGOI/AAAAAAAACGw/LiaEcChu8Hk/s400/u%2BAcross%2Bthe%2BHarbor%2Bantiques.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666865548884908258" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IhVEZUCeNfA/TqTALx1p1QI/AAAAAAAACGo/Zqc4ohHLoHE/s1600/u%2BAcross%2BHarbor%2Band%2Bbuilding.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IhVEZUCeNfA/TqTALx1p1QI/AAAAAAAACGo/Zqc4ohHLoHE/s400/u%2BAcross%2BHarbor%2Band%2Bbuilding.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666865539728397570" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FEACpHF6zpE/TqTALZZM4SI/AAAAAAAACGY/1W0B1kHhasc/s1600/u%2Bacross%2Bfrom%2Bhotel.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FEACpHF6zpE/TqTALZZM4SI/AAAAAAAACGY/1W0B1kHhasc/s400/u%2Bacross%2Bfrom%2Bhotel.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666865533166608674" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gZptlbCo2gU/TqTALOkGgRI/AAAAAAAACGM/32RRiEsexSc/s1600/u%2BBoats%2Bin%2BHarbor%2Bcloser.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gZptlbCo2gU/TqTALOkGgRI/AAAAAAAACGM/32RRiEsexSc/s400/u%2BBoats%2Bin%2BHarbor%2Bcloser.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666865530259538194" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LJ2O4uiFw5o/TqTAMvudUMI/AAAAAAAACG8/lNpYoZzgaDE/s1600/u%2BBoat%2Bclose%2Bup.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LJ2O4uiFw5o/TqTAMvudUMI/AAAAAAAACG8/lNpYoZzgaDE/s400/u%2BBoat%2Bclose%2Bup.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666865556341215426" /></a><br /><br />Do you blame me for making the tables wait??<br /><br />Stay tuned for northwest New Jersey and some gorgeous fall foliage!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jg1ohl2L_zg/TqTC49q6ImI/AAAAAAAACK8/y_j6QUWzL5c/s1600/Mona%2BKay%2Bsignature%2Bfor%2Bblog%2Bsmaller.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 99px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jg1ohl2L_zg/TqTC49q6ImI/AAAAAAAACK8/y_j6QUWzL5c/s400/Mona%2BKay%2Bsignature%2Bfor%2Bblog%2Bsmaller.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666868515021922914" /></a>Mona Kay Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10693339860770759522noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4332502127517483106.post-51200213319036887202011-10-16T17:29:00.000-07:002011-10-16T17:59:21.132-07:00My Fall Decor...as inspired by YOU!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sim9jA1jsxA/Tpt6CjVF9aI/AAAAAAAACFE/nvj3gciE4Pg/s1600/door%2Bview%2Broom%2Bvery%2Bnice.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sim9jA1jsxA/Tpt6CjVF9aI/AAAAAAAACFE/nvj3gciE4Pg/s400/door%2Bview%2Broom%2Bvery%2Bnice.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664255140610569634" /></a><br /><br />I have had so much fun on <a href="http://pinterest.com/blissrefurb/fall-inspiration/">Pinterest</a>, re-pinning all the wonderful pictures from blogland. After several trips to Marshalls, the dollar store, and some great flea markets, I took a shot at achieving a look of my own. I finally had time to take some pictures today...here they are!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rCo-PJUP7Gs/Tpt6CxVDJcI/AAAAAAAACFQ/mthljrsBUDE/s1600/room%2Bfull%2Bfall.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rCo-PJUP7Gs/Tpt6CxVDJcI/AAAAAAAACFQ/mthljrsBUDE/s400/room%2Bfull%2Bfall.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664255144368481730" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xDWQykbppto/Tpt5sn7YRmI/AAAAAAAACEs/OhE94c3Krwk/s1600/sofa%2Btable%2Bfall.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xDWQykbppto/Tpt5sn7YRmI/AAAAAAAACEs/OhE94c3Krwk/s400/sofa%2Btable%2Bfall.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664254763887773282" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jA1VJnKSK1Y/Tpt5sH3K5oI/AAAAAAAACEg/BW6DuoY0Bj4/s1600/Wreath%2Band%2Bcandleabra.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jA1VJnKSK1Y/Tpt5sH3K5oI/AAAAAAAACEg/BW6DuoY0Bj4/s400/Wreath%2Band%2Bcandleabra.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664254755280184962" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x4OF_o5jHaM/Tpt5rxjMGOI/AAAAAAAACEQ/31TnQCTcAYI/s1600/zinc%2Bbucket%2Bhydrangeas.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x4OF_o5jHaM/Tpt5rxjMGOI/AAAAAAAACEQ/31TnQCTcAYI/s400/zinc%2Bbucket%2Bhydrangeas.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664254749290797282" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YRyJHuZrdT0/Tpt5riqWR-I/AAAAAAAACEI/H5mQpAaqtHw/s1600/Corner%2Bfall%2Bnice.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YRyJHuZrdT0/Tpt5riqWR-I/AAAAAAAACEI/H5mQpAaqtHw/s400/Corner%2Bfall%2Bnice.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664254745294292962" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CmXxbV5P1A8/Tpt5s-hTc_I/AAAAAAAACE8/Ih8FYK-lce0/s1600/Silver%2BUrn%2BHydrangeas.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CmXxbV5P1A8/Tpt5s-hTc_I/AAAAAAAACE8/Ih8FYK-lce0/s400/Silver%2BUrn%2BHydrangeas.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664254769952420850" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ygcynDT-vjc/Tpt4dZnjiTI/AAAAAAAACDE/cCNAz-WnkCE/s1600/Hydrangea%2Band%2Bwitch.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ygcynDT-vjc/Tpt4dZnjiTI/AAAAAAAACDE/cCNAz-WnkCE/s400/Hydrangea%2Band%2Bwitch.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664253402836863282" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2YVF0S8tok/Tpt4dEGQXoI/AAAAAAAACC0/_gBuiEAdBeo/s1600/floor%2Band%2Btopiary.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2YVF0S8tok/Tpt4dEGQXoI/AAAAAAAACC0/_gBuiEAdBeo/s400/floor%2Band%2Btopiary.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664253397060050562" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mFmpJWS36q4/Tpt4csP7LFI/AAAAAAAACCs/J1PKOhEJWRg/s1600/Cloche%2Bclose.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mFmpJWS36q4/Tpt4csP7LFI/AAAAAAAACCs/J1PKOhEJWRg/s400/Cloche%2Bclose.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664253390658153554" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y3YHOB8Hk8k/Tpt4cqe16kI/AAAAAAAACCc/_TFBdvu0ozw/s1600/bowl%2Bcandles%2Bwood%2Bbox.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y3YHOB8Hk8k/Tpt4cqe16kI/AAAAAAAACCc/_TFBdvu0ozw/s400/bowl%2Bcandles%2Bwood%2Bbox.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664253390183852610" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VaTUGZ9Z90w/Tpt4d5hdZ3I/AAAAAAAACDM/1RG5bGbb69s/s1600/Hydrangea%2Band%2Bwood%2Bbox.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VaTUGZ9Z90w/Tpt4d5hdZ3I/AAAAAAAACDM/1RG5bGbb69s/s400/Hydrangea%2Band%2Bwood%2Bbox.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664253411401230194" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2XJMmURy4NQ/Tpt41AuymaI/AAAAAAAACDw/d3Fay0fm8Uc/s1600/Mantle%2Bcorner%2Bgreat.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2XJMmURy4NQ/Tpt41AuymaI/AAAAAAAACDw/d3Fay0fm8Uc/s400/Mantle%2Bcorner%2Bgreat.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664253808473184674" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tgU0ua6mNj0/Tpt40xy_h8I/AAAAAAAACDg/ZbWY3KtwyOA/s1600/corner%2Bmantle.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tgU0ua6mNj0/Tpt40xy_h8I/AAAAAAAACDg/ZbWY3KtwyOA/s400/corner%2Bmantle.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664253804464277442" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XzkmcNtfMf8/Tpt40k1XheI/AAAAAAAACDY/G-BCgNmGrlY/s1600/corner%2Bmantle%2Bpls%2Bcrop.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XzkmcNtfMf8/Tpt40k1XheI/AAAAAAAACDY/G-BCgNmGrlY/s400/corner%2Bmantle%2Bpls%2Bcrop.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664253800984577506" /></a><br /><br />Peek-a-Boo, Sydney!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--KM48mRKvRk/Tpt41hlidzI/AAAAAAAACD4/ElGCNOKcp7k/s1600/Sydney%2BPeek-a-Boo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--KM48mRKvRk/Tpt41hlidzI/AAAAAAAACD4/ElGCNOKcp7k/s400/Sydney%2BPeek-a-Boo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664253817292748594" /></a><br /><br />The front porch is still a work in progress, but I hope to have some pictures soon.<br /><br />Thanks for your inspiration! Hope you all have a wonderful week.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HhdfsT21jZs/Tpt64NWbcSI/AAAAAAAACFc/yULJFwJOreM/s1600/Mona%2BKay%2Bsignature%2Bfor%2Bblog%2Bsmaller.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 99px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HhdfsT21jZs/Tpt64NWbcSI/AAAAAAAACFc/yULJFwJOreM/s400/Mona%2BKay%2Bsignature%2Bfor%2Bblog%2Bsmaller.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664256062423527714" /></a>Mona Kay Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10693339860770759522noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4332502127517483106.post-78861419878787573942011-10-08T18:49:00.000-07:002011-10-08T18:57:12.480-07:00Fall on the way!Well, it was almost 80 degrees here in New Jersey, and it's actually going to be hotter tomorrow...but I'm still going to work on my fall decorating, and hope to have pictures for you soon!!<br /><br />In the mean time, take a look at where I'll be getting some of my inspiration...Jess at <a href="http://http://scarletbegoniavintage.blogspot.com/2011/10/halloween-countdown-get-look-vintage.html">Scarlet Begonia Vintage</a> shows us how to throw a party with vintage Halloween embellishments...enjoy!!Mona Kay Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10693339860770759522noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4332502127517483106.post-18752675745286266582011-09-18T17:52:00.001-07:002011-09-18T18:33:01.660-07:00True work in progress<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zW4yFB77YDU/TnaaQap9pII/AAAAAAAACCM/4dbf5KRMvJc/s1600/door%2Btable%2Bnice%2Bvignette.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zW4yFB77YDU/TnaaQap9pII/AAAAAAAACCM/4dbf5KRMvJc/s400/door%2Btable%2Bnice%2Bvignette.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653875989034148994" /></a><br /><br />I am not an interior decorator...no kidding!! I read the beautiful blogs of blog land, and I am inspired on a regular basis...and I have so much fun using my home as my personal styling lab! I get such a kick out of going back and looking at old photos when I had items that I loved, and was trying to use them to get the look I wanted. I'm getting close - but I have fun thinking what my rooms will look like next year...when the current pictures will be the "befores"! I thought you'd like to see the evolution, so here is my front room when I just began using flea market finds and refurbished items to decorate:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1n5-QZfZ7d4/TnaUs39Y1nI/AAAAAAAACAc/eBWTrwvmVzE/s1600/DSCN0597.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1n5-QZfZ7d4/TnaUs39Y1nI/AAAAAAAACAc/eBWTrwvmVzE/s400/DSCN0597.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653869880866821746" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ugU9zBIz8ts/TnaT6KOdWUI/AAAAAAAACAM/0-lMtDnMoNU/s1600/DSCN1263.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ugU9zBIz8ts/TnaT6KOdWUI/AAAAAAAACAM/0-lMtDnMoNU/s400/DSCN1263.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653869009596930370" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HO2S4tzalgg/TnaUtORWhkI/AAAAAAAACAk/_ngKwzwg49g/s1600/DSCN1022.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HO2S4tzalgg/TnaUtORWhkI/AAAAAAAACAk/_ngKwzwg49g/s400/DSCN1022.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653869886856136258" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y2cM2N7c1ZY/TnaT6Rfe_9I/AAAAAAAACAU/txpKauuu4XQ/s1600/DSCN1018.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y2cM2N7c1ZY/TnaT6Rfe_9I/AAAAAAAACAU/txpKauuu4XQ/s400/DSCN1018.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653869011547389906" /></a><br /><br />These are some picture I submitted to a contest held by Romantic Homes Magazine...I did not win :) but I had fun staging and working on the room...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L7ZhvYF_WeU/TnaWZqESQfI/AAAAAAAACA8/yE8f_1KAkI4/s1600/Dresser%2Bfull%2Btop.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L7ZhvYF_WeU/TnaWZqESQfI/AAAAAAAACA8/yE8f_1KAkI4/s400/Dresser%2Bfull%2Btop.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653871749743395314" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--zbggNU388E/TnaWZWcZplI/AAAAAAAACA0/rDWVYj8eTOg/s1600/Front%2Bcorner3.5x5%2B334%2BPC.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--zbggNU388E/TnaWZWcZplI/AAAAAAAACA0/rDWVYj8eTOg/s400/Front%2Bcorner3.5x5%2B334%2BPC.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653871744475833938" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xwhYJer3aYg/TnaWaFGlobI/AAAAAAAACBM/fLcL62JNFnw/s1600/Cabinet%2Bbottom.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xwhYJer3aYg/TnaWaFGlobI/AAAAAAAACBM/fLcL62JNFnw/s400/Cabinet%2Bbottom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653871757000810930" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n9zC-Gur2Io/TnaaC9L48PI/AAAAAAAACCE/iJhAxlwcMLw/s1600/Sofa%2Btable.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n9zC-Gur2Io/TnaaC9L48PI/AAAAAAAACCE/iJhAxlwcMLw/s400/Sofa%2Btable.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653875757785084146" /></a><br /><br /><br />...And here's what the room looks like today (next year's "before"):<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u7GxdEMVfYI/TnaZjyKHuDI/AAAAAAAACB0/4VAhU-yqqLA/s1600/front%2Bangle%2Bfuller%2Bnice.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u7GxdEMVfYI/TnaZjyKHuDI/AAAAAAAACB0/4VAhU-yqqLA/s400/front%2Bangle%2Bfuller%2Bnice.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653875222248929330" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YF8RYWMRewU/TnaZF_EjLnI/AAAAAAAACBk/11xrxhLfq0k/s1600/front%2Broom%2Bwith%2Bsydney.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YF8RYWMRewU/TnaZF_EjLnI/AAAAAAAACBk/11xrxhLfq0k/s400/front%2Broom%2Bwith%2Bsydney.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653874710319148658" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U9nwYn74Oh8/TnaZF1PVDFI/AAAAAAAACBc/GpZNLzhyICE/s1600/front%2Btable%2Bangle.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U9nwYn74Oh8/TnaZF1PVDFI/AAAAAAAACBc/GpZNLzhyICE/s400/front%2Btable%2Bangle.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653874707680005202" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LeeBRlxWFCk/TnaZGOTrdVI/AAAAAAAACBs/o6hmhWfJpnY/s1600/front%2Bwith%2BSyd.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LeeBRlxWFCk/TnaZGOTrdVI/AAAAAAAACBs/o6hmhWfJpnY/s400/front%2Bwith%2BSyd.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653874714409137490" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qq4drIy_ALs/TnaZuaMd3JI/AAAAAAAACB8/3hqgDfSccXE/s1600/door%2Btable%2Bnice.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qq4drIy_ALs/TnaZuaMd3JI/AAAAAAAACB8/3hqgDfSccXE/s400/door%2Btable%2Bnice.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653875404794879122" /></a><br /><br />My dog Sydney is usually very camera-shy, and runs whenever I try to take her picture. However, let me try to take some styling pictures, and she wants to be part of the action! Go figure...<br /><br />Do your "befores" make you smile?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_pF43oDQz5U/TnabuT8KWuI/AAAAAAAACCU/_qwyXk8gVGo/s1600/Mona%2BKay%2Bsignature%2Bfor%2Bblog%2Bsmaller.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 99px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_pF43oDQz5U/TnabuT8KWuI/AAAAAAAACCU/_qwyXk8gVGo/s400/Mona%2BKay%2Bsignature%2Bfor%2Bblog%2Bsmaller.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653877602139134690" /></a><br /><br />Have a great week!!Mona Kay Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10693339860770759522noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4332502127517483106.post-85814199330772570832011-09-10T17:33:00.000-07:002011-09-10T17:49:06.823-07:00Lavender Crush and Soft LinensAbout a year ago I began collecting soft, fine linens. I displayed some, but most, I kept in a cupboard, awaiting inspiration for a good use. Some time later, I fell in love with the scent of dried lavender buds. You can guess what happened next :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yevAo022mi8/TmwCkKn9ncI/AAAAAAAAB_U/wRS7JISlcdE/s1600/blue%2Bstripe%2Band%2Bfloral.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yevAo022mi8/TmwCkKn9ncI/AAAAAAAAB_U/wRS7JISlcdE/s400/blue%2Bstripe%2Band%2Bfloral.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650894452793646530" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TqsItP7g-iY/TmwCu5ZhccI/AAAAAAAAB_c/pvRGVTmQvdQ/s1600/lavender%2Btag.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TqsItP7g-iY/TmwCu5ZhccI/AAAAAAAAB_c/pvRGVTmQvdQ/s400/lavender%2Btag.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650894637148238274" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pcLP0BQUuMg/TmwDkAZfygI/AAAAAAAAB_k/nNrHc3TJPkY/s1600/whole%2Bgroup.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pcLP0BQUuMg/TmwDkAZfygI/AAAAAAAAB_k/nNrHc3TJPkY/s400/whole%2Bgroup.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650895549560244738" /></a><br /><br />I had so much fun with lavender sachets, I made some smaller sachets in different shapes using flour sacking and old buttons:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FhjZOKQ7Uvw/TmwEM8IpEdI/AAAAAAAAB_s/VMWhp45bSVc/s1600/small%2Bbags.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FhjZOKQ7Uvw/TmwEM8IpEdI/AAAAAAAAB_s/VMWhp45bSVc/s400/small%2Bbags.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650896252790444498" /></a><br /><br />My whole studio smells like lavender...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-55niY01YNGw/TmwEq_rHPqI/AAAAAAAAB_0/ZMhYz1sNScY/s1600/whole%2Bgroup.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-55niY01YNGw/TmwEq_rHPqI/AAAAAAAAB_0/ZMhYz1sNScY/s400/whole%2Bgroup.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650896769136410274" /></a><br /><br />...would it be weird if I decided not to sell them??<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1FdvVKQ9bk/TmwFPkGHt9I/AAAAAAAAB_8/7lyDPllZA0s/s1600/Mona%2BKay%2Bsignature%2Bfor%2Bblog%2Bsmaller.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 99px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1FdvVKQ9bk/TmwFPkGHt9I/AAAAAAAAB_8/7lyDPllZA0s/s400/Mona%2BKay%2Bsignature%2Bfor%2Bblog%2Bsmaller.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650897397388654546" /></a>Mona Kay Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10693339860770759522noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4332502127517483106.post-13345272646483775732011-09-05T16:38:00.000-07:002011-09-05T16:55:58.871-07:00When the Power is Out....
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YdR67PBXZTI/TmVel3YkMTI/AAAAAAAAB9s/ez_oNx-_Fg8/s1600/keurig.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YdR67PBXZTI/TmVel3YkMTI/AAAAAAAAB9s/ez_oNx-_Fg8/s400/keurig.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649025312221311282" /></a>
<br />About the only thing that WAS working when Irene knocked out my power for FOUR DAYS last week was my camera. I never realized how dependent I am on electricity!! No lights, no TV, no internet (that was the worst), no Keurig coffee-maker (no, THAT was the worst!!). The second it stopped raining I ran to Starbucks for their instant "Via" coffee...which by the way, is not to bad in a pinch!!
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<br />I did a lot of painting and rearranging in the house, and then eventually went and stayed with my sister, who had power. Seriously, on day 4, when I realized I was going to face another night in darkness, quiet, and no internet, I started to lose it!!
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<br />Here's how I kept busy at home...
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<br />Moved all my multi-colored china out of my cabinet and replaced it with all of my white-only pieces
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CZbR0X1YnVU/TmVe3x6eGmI/AAAAAAAAB-E/c2cUNibtmpU/s1600/cabinet%2Bwhite%2Bbetter.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CZbR0X1YnVU/TmVe3x6eGmI/AAAAAAAAB-E/c2cUNibtmpU/s400/cabinet%2Bwhite%2Bbetter.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649025619990551138" /></a>
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<br />Painted everything in sight
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1SJpiyseIag/TmVe3pKv5jI/AAAAAAAAB98/Sk4k5skzLYk/s1600/bistro%2Bchairs.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1SJpiyseIag/TmVe3pKv5jI/AAAAAAAAB98/Sk4k5skzLYk/s400/bistro%2Bchairs.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649025617642907186" /></a>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c5lmnG4E9VA/TmVe3tL1ENI/AAAAAAAAB90/5MomtSWOmbY/s1600/paint%2Beverything%2Bmore.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c5lmnG4E9VA/TmVe3tL1ENI/AAAAAAAAB90/5MomtSWOmbY/s400/paint%2Beverything%2Bmore.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649025618721181906" /></a>
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<br />Painted and stamped some drawer pulls (I've been wanting to try this)
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vNYOE9RrAuA/TmVe4C3kD7I/AAAAAAAAB-M/CjLiB01rq2I/s1600/knobs%2Bstamped.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vNYOE9RrAuA/TmVe4C3kD7I/AAAAAAAAB-M/CjLiB01rq2I/s400/knobs%2Bstamped.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649025624541761458" /></a>
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<br />Arranged a few vignettes
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RxrhhRQXcM8/TmVfQRPop0I/AAAAAAAAB-k/E69IUuhr0RA/s1600/silverware.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RxrhhRQXcM8/TmVfQRPop0I/AAAAAAAAB-k/E69IUuhr0RA/s400/silverware.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649026040717682498" /></a>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4oXRDrxdtrQ/TmVfQffLHbI/AAAAAAAAB-c/Rqdq9NNOl3U/s1600/bottle%2Bcarrier.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4oXRDrxdtrQ/TmVfQffLHbI/AAAAAAAAB-c/Rqdq9NNOl3U/s400/bottle%2Bcarrier.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649026044540951986" /></a>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-48DG14Qe6zg/TmVfQBZhIKI/AAAAAAAAB-U/TxVge2C4J4s/s1600/lavender%2Bbucket.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-48DG14Qe6zg/TmVfQBZhIKI/AAAAAAAAB-U/TxVge2C4J4s/s400/lavender%2Bbucket.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649026036464165026" /></a>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a2q9GT8kjMs/TmVfQrJ1WbI/AAAAAAAAB-s/huas_dKF_VE/s1600/shelf%2Bvignette.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a2q9GT8kjMs/TmVfQrJ1WbI/AAAAAAAAB-s/huas_dKF_VE/s400/shelf%2Bvignette.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649026047672670642" /></a>
<br />
<br />Re-read one of my favorite Mary Kay Andrews books
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jMGVdxAe5Eg/TmVgOSsl-3I/AAAAAAAAB-0/xonaTAF7_qU/s1600/mary%2Bkay%2Bbook%2Bfront.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jMGVdxAe5Eg/TmVgOSsl-3I/AAAAAAAAB-0/xonaTAF7_qU/s400/mary%2Bkay%2Bbook%2Bfront.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649027106259467122" /></a>
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<br />I am so fortunate to have won a contest she ran last year, and received an autographed copy...so cool!!
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kxDSdzt70LA/TmVgOr8WkWI/AAAAAAAAB-8/kImi86LrV_I/s1600/mary%2Bkay%2Bbook%2Bauto.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kxDSdzt70LA/TmVgOr8WkWI/AAAAAAAAB-8/kImi86LrV_I/s400/mary%2Bkay%2Bbook%2Bauto.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649027113036452194" /></a>
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<br />....and experimented with romantic candle photography. That got old quick...it's very different when you can turn the lights on when you're done!
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-klMJdVulDtg/TmVgfesQsYI/AAAAAAAAB_E/wJ7tRSgDX-M/s1600/candles%2Blit%2B2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-klMJdVulDtg/TmVgfesQsYI/AAAAAAAAB_E/wJ7tRSgDX-M/s400/candles%2Blit%2B2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649027401537073538" /></a>
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<br />I know I was fortunate...I had no damage or flooding, and life got back to normal pretty quickly. However, I will most likely invest in a generator and a crank radio...not even getting the news is brutal!!
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<br />I hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend!!
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nQ8MHNcZw2Q/TmVhVNcH-nI/AAAAAAAAB_M/J0pV9oTTRl0/s1600/Mona%2BKay%2Bsignature%2Bfor%2Bblog%2Bsmaller.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 99px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nQ8MHNcZw2Q/TmVhVNcH-nI/AAAAAAAAB_M/J0pV9oTTRl0/s400/Mona%2BKay%2Bsignature%2Bfor%2Bblog%2Bsmaller.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649028324618926706" /></a>Mona Kay Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10693339860770759522noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4332502127517483106.post-82861374727267658542011-08-29T12:29:00.000-07:002011-08-29T12:31:45.767-07:00Good night Irene!I miss Blog World!! And I have pictures to post, but unfortunately I am without power or Internet (this post comes courtesy of Panera). Hopefully I will be up and running soon. To all my East Coast friends who were affected, I hope you are all safe and well,
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<br />Mona KayMona Kay Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10693339860770759522noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4332502127517483106.post-88907356495147880072011-08-21T14:41:00.000-07:002011-08-21T18:18:06.391-07:00Blissful Home Decor...My New Line!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LZT8iBxPLJA/TlGDN7oPB1I/AAAAAAAAB9k/WbT7KBvqWmE/s1600/blissful%2Bhome%2Bdecor.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 92px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LZT8iBxPLJA/TlGDN7oPB1I/AAAAAAAAB9k/WbT7KBvqWmE/s400/blissful%2Bhome%2Bdecor.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643436083439929170" /></a>
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<br />I've been waiting a long time for today. It started with an idea, some inspiration, and a purchase of LOTS of burlap....followed by late nights at the sewing machine, and later nights tossing & turning, wondering if I was ever going to see this idea through. But...here it is...the beginning of what I hope will be a product line I continue to enjoy as much as I have for the past several weeks (even with all the worry!).
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<br />Introducing Blissful Home Decor!
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9aHxs8iLhdg/TlF_M0ZaugI/AAAAAAAAB9M/OitdsDTwd7o/s1600/intro%2Bfull%2Bw%2Bcabinet%2Bgood.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9aHxs8iLhdg/TlF_M0ZaugI/AAAAAAAAB9M/OitdsDTwd7o/s400/intro%2Bfull%2Bw%2Bcabinet%2Bgood.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643431666272352770" /></a>
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<br />My Etsy shop is still open (<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/monakayathome">Mona Kay at Home</a>), so since these items CAN be shipped (unlike my furniture), I have currently linked <a href="http://www.blissfullyrefurbished.com/Blissful_Home_Decor.html">Blissfully Refurbished</a> to my Etsy shop...makes it easier to accept PayPal and provide shipping. I would love it if you would check it out!!
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TyZgeNU8Q-E/TlGAtcxH9NI/AAAAAAAAB9U/74XWyk6NwQI/s1600/Mona%2BKay%2Bsignature%2Bfor%2Bblog%2Bsmaller.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 99px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TyZgeNU8Q-E/TlGAtcxH9NI/AAAAAAAAB9U/74XWyk6NwQI/s400/Mona%2BKay%2Bsignature%2Bfor%2Bblog%2Bsmaller.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643433326376645842" /></a>
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<br />UPDATE: The winner of my market research give-away, as generated by Random.org is...CLARA!! Congratulations, Clara, please e-mail me at blissfullyrefurbished@yahoo.com, or FB message me with your address and your choice of item!Mona Kay Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10693339860770759522noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4332502127517483106.post-930111433275572742011-08-18T16:01:00.000-07:002011-08-19T06:45:05.298-07:00Bertha - A Dirty GirlHello Blog World...I'd like to introduce you to Bertha!
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9dm2TryBqgA/Tk2bfl5kXmI/AAAAAAAAB78/cyJIo091GTU/s1600/1%2Bfront%2Bclose.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9dm2TryBqgA/Tk2bfl5kXmI/AAAAAAAAB78/cyJIo091GTU/s400/1%2Bfront%2Bclose.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642336875216920162" /></a>
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<br />As you can see, she's VERY DIRTY!!
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hs-YLqN3g0o/Tk2cP8qbrDI/AAAAAAAAB8E/S74wDMM2cwg/s1600/8%2Bcorner.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hs-YLqN3g0o/Tk2cP8qbrDI/AAAAAAAAB8E/S74wDMM2cwg/s400/8%2Bcorner.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642337705961172018" /></a>
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<br />I know that like me, you can see her potential...those curves, those lines....those claw feet!
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N8Crok5TvWI/Tk2dMCrFenI/AAAAAAAAB8U/1xyenI55TN0/s1600/7%2Bangle%2Bview.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N8Crok5TvWI/Tk2dMCrFenI/AAAAAAAAB8U/1xyenI55TN0/s400/7%2Bangle%2Bview.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642338738366675570" /></a>
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GwSJOffV0iY/Tk2eB5T2IWI/AAAAAAAAB8k/_Pfs9HK_eUE/s1600/4%2Bsupport%2Bbeams.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GwSJOffV0iY/Tk2eB5T2IWI/AAAAAAAAB8k/_Pfs9HK_eUE/s400/4%2Bsupport%2Bbeams.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642339663566217570" /></a>
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gO0Wa17uf_E/Tk2dVJd7tAI/AAAAAAAAB8c/rrl_7Pmkrvs/s1600/3%2Bclaw%2Bfoot.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gO0Wa17uf_E/Tk2dVJd7tAI/AAAAAAAAB8c/rrl_7Pmkrvs/s400/3%2Bclaw%2Bfoot.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642338894809379842" /></a>
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<br />However....
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-laQTl0uIf6k/Tk2ccuN9FhI/AAAAAAAAB8M/Hj2F2XZWmxY/s1600/6%2Binside%2Bcorner.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-laQTl0uIf6k/Tk2ccuN9FhI/AAAAAAAAB8M/Hj2F2XZWmxY/s400/6%2Binside%2Bcorner.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642337925421930002" /></a>
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<br />...she's just so dirty!!
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<br />Thank goodness I plan to use ASCP, so won't have to spend too much time prepping. Still, the inside is going to be a little tricky...
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gMcZdIM1a4c/Tk2ePTo2iBI/AAAAAAAAB8s/NywQWB3J2Kw/s1600/5%2Binside.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gMcZdIM1a4c/Tk2ePTo2iBI/AAAAAAAAB8s/NywQWB3J2Kw/s400/5%2Binside.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642339893971945490" /></a>
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-28KTToZ812M/Tk2ePRqiuoI/AAAAAAAAB80/GZzOrG7T3x8/s1600/6%2Binside%2Bcorner.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-28KTToZ812M/Tk2ePRqiuoI/AAAAAAAAB80/GZzOrG7T3x8/s400/6%2Binside%2Bcorner.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642339893442165378" /></a>
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4eYR-vLmk7A/Tk2eXTFy9RI/AAAAAAAAB88/i4WNQ3CDCxU/s1600/7%2Binside%2Bwith%2Bstamps.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspothttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif.com/-4eYR-vLmk7A/Tk2eXTFy9RI/AAAAAAAAB88/i4WNQ3CDCxU/s400/7%2Binside%2Bwith%2Bstamps.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642340031263864082" /></a>
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<br />Love these stamps!! I wish I could somehow preserve them...they're stuck inside.
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<br />I'm feeling ASCP Country Grey...any thoughts? I haven't decided yet, and I'd love your input!!
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<br />Don't forget to enter my <a href="http://creatingavintagelife.blogspot.com/2011/08/market-research-contestgiveaway.html">GIVEAWAY!!</a> Only 2 days left!!
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MxrM8CtZwVk/Tk2e45oak1I/AAAAAAAAB9E/0UE3wnFuzJc/s1600/Mona%2BKay%2Bsignature%2Bfor%2Bblog%2Bsmaller.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 99px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MxrM8CtZwVk/Tk2e45oak1I/AAAAAAAAB9E/0UE3wnFuzJc/s400/Mona%2BKay%2Bsignature%2Bfor%2Bblog%2Bsmaller.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642340608545297234" /></a>Mona Kay Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10693339860770759522noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4332502127517483106.post-74045812152244287322011-08-14T13:09:00.000-07:002011-08-14T13:15:12.854-07:00French Country CottageIn the mood for another give-away? Check out Courtney at French Country Cottage...you'll love her blog, and what she's giving away!!
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<br />http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/
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<br />Don't forget to leave me a comment on my giveaway post to be entered for one of my new items of your choice!!
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<br />Xoxo
<br />Mona Kay,Mona Kay Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10693339860770759522noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4332502127517483106.post-15170630281806958132011-08-08T12:53:00.000-07:002011-08-08T16:03:41.509-07:00Market Research Contest/Giveaway!Well, I went on a little shopping spree at the local fabric store, and bought YARDS of burlap and muslin. I've been wanting to add some soft items to my shop to add to my painted furniture. I had some ideas...and last weekend I played with them. Before I list them on my shop, and make the rounds to the local brick and mortar shops, I am holding a contest/giveaway for my Facebook fans, and the talented ladies in blog-world...who better to tell me if I'm on the right track??
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<br />So...have a look at the pictures below. Then leave me a comment here, letting me know if you like and would purchase these items (please "follow" me, if you don't already!). You don't have to comment on every item (unless you don't like one, then I'd really like to know!). On August 21, I will randomly select a participant (commenter), who will receive the new item of her (or his?) choice!
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6380bjds15g/TkBIZxHyoqI/AAAAAAAAB7E/PBwZEyUSvJ8/s1600/scroll%2Bsachet%2BBR.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6380bjds15g/TkBIZxHyoqI/AAAAAAAAB7E/PBwZEyUSvJ8/s400/scroll%2Bsachet%2BBR.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638586340987806370" /></a>
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<br />Lavender-filled sachet, 4"x4" $5.00
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zid4DA3XdX4/TkBIZkzc_lI/AAAAAAAAB68/fTNOBkUGhzk/s1600/scroll%2Bburlap%2Bbest%2BBR.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zid4DA3XdX4/TkBIZkzc_lI/AAAAAAAAB68/fTNOBkUGhzk/s400/scroll%2Bburlap%2Bbest%2BBR.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638586337681276498" /></a>
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<br />Hand-stamped pillow with scrolls, 12" x 11", $10.00
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3t-fUCNAELM/TkBIZs2cbFI/AAAAAAAAB60/ZdMgAXnVcmo/s1600/grains%2Bsachet%2Bgood%2BBR.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3t-fUCNAELM/TkBIZs2cbFI/AAAAAAAAB60/ZdMgAXnVcmo/s400/grains%2Bsachet%2Bgood%2BBR.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638586339841305682" /></a>
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<br />Lavender-filled sachet, 5"x4" $5.00
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xgOsTZ41Iic/TkBIaDWFGjI/AAAAAAAAB7M/EXQPx_0OtlQ/s1600/stamp%2Bgood%2BBR.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xgOsTZ41Iic/TkBIaDWFGjI/AAAAAAAAB7M/EXQPx_0OtlQ/s400/stamp%2Bgood%2BBR.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638586345879575090" /></a>
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<br />Hand-stamped pillow, 11" x 10" $10.00
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dl7-KTqM1dg/TkBHreEhBJI/AAAAAAAAB6c/CD4cdz388zs/s1600/bee%2Bsachet%2B2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dl7-KTqM1dg/TkBHreEhBJI/AAAAAAAAB6c/CD4cdz388zs/s400/bee%2Bsachet%2B2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638585545599812754" /></a>
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<br />Lavender sachet, 4"x4", $5.00
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-45OS8hv6aS0/TkBIDwg8qCI/AAAAAAAAB6s/T_q5ii3eVTc/s1600/bird%2Bsachet.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-45OS8hv6aS0/TkBIDwg8qCI/AAAAAAAAB6s/T_q5ii3eVTc/s400/bird%2Bsachet.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638585962867763234" /></a>
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<br />Lavender sachet, 4"x4", $5.00
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XRKwh80-Y_M/TkBHq-yix6I/AAAAAAAAB6E/UmK8Cwl7T94/s1600/bee%2Band%2Bburlap%2Bnot%2Bas%2Bgood.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XRKwh80-Y_M/TkBHq-yix6I/AAAAAAAAB6E/UmK8Cwl7T94/s400/bee%2Band%2Bburlap%2Bnot%2Bas%2Bgood.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638585537202931618" /></a>
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<br />Bee & Burlap pillow, poly-filled, 15"x10" $12.00
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iwyhAuUBVlQ/TkBHrhJY8qI/AAAAAAAAB6k/odXTn-AAnCI/s1600/dress%2Band%2Bburlap%2Bbetter%2BBR.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iwyhAuUBVlQ/TkBHrhJY8qI/AAAAAAAAB6k/odXTn-AAnCI/s400/dress%2Band%2Bburlap%2Bbetter%2BBR.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638585546425561762" /></a>
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<br />Hand-stamped pillow, 12" x 11" $10.00
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<br />Thanks for stopping by...and for helping me with my market research!!
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ri32WH2yR2Q/TkBLme17WoI/AAAAAAAAB7U/ebIcSZ6rGGE/s1600/Mona%2BKay%2Bsignature%2Bfor%2Bblog%2Bsmaller.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 99px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ri32WH2yR2Q/TkBLme17WoI/AAAAAAAAB7U/ebIcSZ6rGGE/s400/Mona%2BKay%2Bsignature%2Bfor%2Bblog%2Bsmaller.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638589857954224770" /></a>
<br />Mona Kay Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10693339860770759522noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4332502127517483106.post-51572521586516466602011-08-05T16:10:00.000-07:002011-08-08T16:19:44.886-07:00Ruffle LoveDon't you just love blog-surfing?? I do..all the talent inspires me. For some reason this week, I alternated between blog-hopping and Etsy window shopping, and I found myself with a serious craving for ruffles!! If it wasn't the ruffled laundry bags from <a http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifhref="http://www.freckledlaundry.com/2011/08/hallway-makeover-reveal.html">Freckled Laundry</a>'s Jami, and her gorgeous new hallway, it was <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/raggygirl?ref=pr_shop">Raggygirl</a> and her yummy burlap and ruffle table runners...I bought <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/77998554/burlap-table-runner-with-shabby-white">this one</a>.
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<br />Ironically, at the same time, I found myself looking for a bag to keep my portfolio in so it won't get messed up...and I remembered...I (sorta) know how to use a sewing machine...and I own one! Here's what I threw together...hardly any finished ends, but it's just for me, and I was impatient. Besides, I tell myself I like the rough, unfinished look ;)
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BjbkkpbLtIU/Tjx8zEv6xWI/AAAAAAAAB4s/arf17qcpT_k/s1600/1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BjbkkpbLtIU/Tjx8zEv6xWI/AAAAAAAAB4s/arf17qcpT_k/s400/1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637518050450916706" /></a>
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XePhlbxROPs/Tjx8zDbCMXI/AAAAAAAAB40/xd11DK3SZAQ/s1600/2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XePhlbxROPs/Tjx8zDbCMXI/AAAAAAAAB40/xd11DK3SZAQ/s400/2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637518050094887282" /></a>
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<br />Yep, it's a pillow case. A Rachel Ashwell pillow case!!
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yzWy8wVgKD0/Tjx8zWgWITI/AAAAAAAAB48/HuZgJhzztsI/s1600/3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yzWy8wVgKD0/Tjx8zWgWITI/AAAAAAAAB48/HuZgJhzztsI/s400/3.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637518055217439026" /></a>
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<br />Sorry some of the pictures are so dark...did I mention that I'm impatient?? I didn't feel like waiting until the weekend when I could work during daylight...sometimes after my day job I decide to start a project IMMEDIATELY!! ....which usually means at around 7:30-8pm, when everything else is finally done :)
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<br />So....how'd I do??
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<br />What have you been in love with this week??
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4n9TozC0URQ/Tjx_3NXGGMI/AAAAAAAAB50/mXdAzXlOxmQ/s1600/Mona%2BKay%2Bsignature%2Bfor%2Bblog%2Bsmaller.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 99px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4n9TozC0URQ/Tjx_3NXGGMI/AAAAAAAAB50/mXdAzXlOxmQ/s400/Mona%2BKay%2Bsignature%2Bfor%2Bblog%2Bsmaller.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637521420017080514" /></a>
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<br />I am linking to:
<br /><a href="http://www.freckledlaundry.com"><img src="http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa176/JamiClune/PartyButton.jpg" alt="freckled laundry" width="125" height="125" /></a>
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<br />....and
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<br /><center><a href="http://houseinroses.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src=" http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee130/cielosky47/FotoFlexer_Photo-4.jpg?t=1274305894" /></a></center>
<br />See you there!!Mona Kay Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10693339860770759522noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4332502127517483106.post-23612306021990757212011-07-30T11:04:00.000-07:002011-07-30T18:02:25.449-07:00I Am Soooooo Into "The Graphics Fairy"!!<a href="http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" title="vintage images & crafty products"><img border="0" width="150" alt="The Graphics Fairy" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CarNcodpCMA/Su96jbqKftI/AAAAAAAAE8s/3e6j-o_6uD0/S1600-R/Graphics-Fairy-Buttonblacksmall.jpg" height="150"/></a><br /><br />If you're in the blogging world, you probably know about Karen, <a href="http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/">"The Graphics Fairy"</a>. I use her graphics all the time in my website, my blog, for some of my backgrounds, etc. The majority of my headers have been created from her images:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ORKzR_h_MHo/TjRIpIeT_wI/AAAAAAAAB1Q/Whw9d273bRU/s1600/Linky%2BParties%2Bbutton.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 134px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ORKzR_h_MHo/TjRIpIeT_wI/AAAAAAAAB1Q/Whw9d273bRU/s400/Linky%2BParties%2Bbutton.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635208905233792770" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yHiEbp6zW7E/TjRIpNLondI/AAAAAAAAB1I/-cTIJTFon_w/s1600/About%2BMe.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 83px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yHiEbp6zW7E/TjRIpNLondI/AAAAAAAAB1I/-cTIJTFon_w/s400/About%2BMe.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635208906497629650" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ok0IpiK0Jhs/TjRIpSijA2I/AAAAAAAAB1Y/PZ6SWYFqyWA/s1600/my%2Bprojects.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 85px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ok0IpiK0Jhs/TjRIpSijA2I/AAAAAAAAB1Y/PZ6SWYFqyWA/s400/my%2Bprojects.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635208907935908706" /></a><br /><br />I recently created a website, and used one of her beautiful wreaths to create my header:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ma58dFvccaQ/TjRJE39sdcI/AAAAAAAAB1g/S1Ztku2JqfQ/s1600/frame%2Blogo%2Bsite%2Bonly.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 284px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ma58dFvccaQ/TjRJE39sdcI/AAAAAAAAB1g/S1Ztku2JqfQ/s400/frame%2Blogo%2Bsite%2Bonly.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635209381838353858" /></a><br /><br />...And another button/header:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EYedy60rMjE/TjRJE5-jehI/AAAAAAAAB1o/wDUgsPUFtwA/s1600/blissfully%2Brefurbished%2Bscroll%2Bonly%2Bstamp.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 81px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EYedy60rMjE/TjRJE5-jehI/AAAAAAAAB1o/wDUgsPUFtwA/s400/blissfully%2Brefurbished%2Bscroll%2Bonly%2Bstamp.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635209382378830354" /></a><br /><br />My new favorite thing to do while I'm relaxing in front of the TV is to combine Karen's backgrounds with her images sometimes with text:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_doWSYC-RUw/TjRJ09s8PqI/AAAAAAAAB2A/ko3ewNWnYhw/s1600/french%2Bsheet%2Bmusic%2Bcollage.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 375px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_doWSYC-RUw/TjRJ09s8PqI/AAAAAAAAB2A/ko3ewNWnYhw/s400/french%2Bsheet%2Bmusic%2Bcollage.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635210208012418722" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zTIYHTvds3Y/TjRJ029RZdI/AAAAAAAAB14/2s2BNwKoSL8/s1600/french%2Bmusic%2Bblock%2Bw%2Bbirds%2Band%2Brose.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 207px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zTIYHTvds3Y/TjRJ029RZdI/AAAAAAAAB14/2s2BNwKoSL8/s400/french%2Bmusic%2Bblock%2Bw%2Bbirds%2Band%2Brose.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635210206201865682" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mu9sUEoprRw/TjRJ0sswIXI/AAAAAAAAB1w/HmwS5JfkQ-o/s1600/Blissfully%2BRefurbished%2Bcollage.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 220px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mu9sUEoprRw/TjRJ0sswIXI/AAAAAAAAB1w/HmwS5JfkQ-o/s400/Blissfully%2BRefurbished%2Bcollage.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635210203448222066" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ko06LqHgfUU/TjRJ1A1YloI/AAAAAAAAB2I/Kbc97XjFu2E/s1600/floral%2Bbird.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 262px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ko06LqHgfUU/TjRJ1A1YloI/AAAAAAAAB2I/Kbc97XjFu2E/s400/floral%2Bbird.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635210208853137026" /></a><br /><br />I even created a collage picture frame for a picture of a beloved pet:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-92qWXkX8UfQ/TjRK1dHIrEI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/Hq-Pmqg0ciE/s1600/wolfie%2Bcollage%2Bframe.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 314px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-92qWXkX8UfQ/TjRK1dHIrEI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/Hq-Pmqg0ciE/s400/wolfie%2Bcollage%2Bframe.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635211315955412034" /></a><br /><br />Karen's generosity is well-known throughout the blogging world...she tirelessly posts image after image for all of us DIY-ers to use, free of charge. And speaking about DYI...check out her <a href="http://www.graphicsfairy-diy.com/">DIY</a> page for ways some unbelievably talented crafters make use of her graphics! Maybe I'll see you there...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YlJDDGiVrZc/TjRMR8xvP2I/AAAAAAAAB2Y/GsDS1cFIcIM/s1600/Mona%2BKay%2Bsignature%2Bfor%2Bblog%2Bsmaller.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 99px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YlJDDGiVrZc/TjRMR8xvP2I/AAAAAAAAB2Y/GsDS1cFIcIM/s400/Mona%2BKay%2Bsignature%2Bfor%2Bblog%2Bsmaller.jpg" borderhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635212905003564898" /></a><br /><br />Oh yeah...I also created my signature using her graphics!<br /><br />NOTE: I used the free software <a href="http://www.photoscape.org/ps/main/index.php">Photoscape </a> to create my headers & collages using Karen's graphics.Mona Kay Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10693339860770759522noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4332502127517483106.post-64668272040626616882011-07-24T18:28:00.000-07:002011-07-24T18:46:05.987-07:00No More Hot Legs!! (Except in Shorts)Well, it was 107 degrees on Friday in New Jersey, and 95 degrees yesterday. Today it was 89 degrees and humid...it's too hot for an over-heated lap-top, and this evening I was sick of it burning my skin while I was blog-surfing. Time to put some of those salvaged fabric scraps to a good purpose!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b2L-ozI6VpU/TizI0AISIFI/AAAAAAAABwo/dAuMVCVKkCg/s1600/laptop%2Bmaterials.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b2L-ozI6VpU/TizI0AISIFI/AAAAAAAABwo/dAuMVCVKkCg/s400/laptop%2Bmaterials.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633098029647142994" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O_AgZ5l0GzE/TizI0J68FOI/AAAAAAAABww/UIfKz7Cm1os/s1600/layers.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O_AgZ5l0GzE/TizI0J68FOI/AAAAAAAABww/UIfKz7Cm1os/s400/layers.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633098032275526882" /></a><br /><br />I used some materials that I had left over from a custom bag I made for my sister...and I rough-stitched some pieces of my favorite fabrics...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-venC3HMnHHg/TizI0esGnvI/AAAAAAAABw4/RyhOdhK9dQ4/s1600/layers%2Bclose.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-venC3HMnHHg/TizI0esGnvI/AAAAAAAABw4/RyhOdhK9dQ4/s400/layers%2Bclose.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633098037850447602" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3JLsQht6xyU/TizI0oLWNXI/AAAAAAAABxA/PcZY6e95PRE/s1600/corner%2Bunsewn.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3JLsQht6xyU/TizI0oLWNXI/AAAAAAAABxA/PcZY6e95PRE/s400/corner%2Bunsewn.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633098040397411698" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vHmL6dG4g_g/TizI0yhZxSI/AAAAAAAABxI/XmBIknxPC6I/s1600/finished.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vHmL6dG4g_g/TizI0yhZxSI/AAAAAAAABxI/XmBIknxPC6I/s400/finished.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633098043174274338" /></a><br /><br />....and there it is! I know my computer will be hiding it, but I'll know what's underneath!<br /><br />Mona Kay<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X6iXsAjE5CE/TizKpPK__wI/AAAAAAAABxQ/pKLIsYpNwBo/s1600/french%2Bmusic%2Bblock%2Bw%2Bbirds%2Band%2Brose%2B2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 207px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X6iXsAjE5CE/TizKpPK__wI/AAAAAAAABxQ/pKLIsYpNwBo/s400/french%2Bmusic%2Bblock%2Bw%2Bbirds%2Band%2Brose%2B2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633100043729764098" /></a>Mona Kay Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10693339860770759522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4332502127517483106.post-72453321713203794772011-07-11T17:46:00.000-07:002011-07-11T18:26:50.535-07:00Where Bloggers Create: My Studio EvolvingI purchased Pottery Barn's largest dining room table about eight years ago. I was just beginning to cook a lot, and I was hosting many dinners for friends and family. I don't remember the dimensions, but I do remember that the folks at Pottery Barn made me measure my room twice to make sure the table would fit...apparently that model was returned A LOT.<br /><br />When I began my business a year ago, I needed <span style="font-weight:bold;">SPACE</span>! My house is small...I have a garage, but in New Jersey, there is only a small window of time when one can work in a little room with no heat or air-conditioning...and besides, I was storing all of my unfinished furniture in the garage. In addition, I was beginning to collect interesting pieces for my home as well as my shop, and my rooms were getting more crowded...not less....I was becoming desperate for work space.<br /><br />In the spring of last year, I found myself in front of my beloved dining room table, eying the 12 x 12 room which was only used about three times per year. I was moving toward the unthinkable decision...I was going to sell my dining room table. It sold on Craigslist in one week for $700....half the price I paid for it.<br /><br />I immediately sunk the money into my fledgling business, and began to set up my workspace. Chippy and vintage cabinets were purchased, a much-coveted library card cabinet was run down (I followed the dealer to a flea market & grabbed it), furniture was moved from other rooms in the house...and I finally created a couple of "inspiration boards". I fell in love with my new studio, and arranged my materials and tools in a way which pleased my newly creative eye. When I found a complete set of vintage seltzer bottles in their wooden caddy, I sold the bottles, and kept the caddy, sanding it down to a buttery smooth finish, and arranging scissors, pens, rulers, etc. in its divided openings. A salvaged drawer holds business cards, stamps, and notepads. The library card cabinet hides spools of thread, bits of lace, and other small items. When I saw a large, picnic-style table with a matching bench at an estate sale, I left a low bid...then fretted and worried all day that I would lose it. I got it...and had to take it apart at the sale to get it in my car. I sanded it and waxed it but DID NOT paint it...very unusual for me. I get a thrill every time I run my hand across its soft, satiny finish....working on it is sheer pleasure.<br /><br />I have been fortunate enough to create a space that I love to use. It is still evolving...but here's what it looks like today: <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XldGPtnt8z0/ThufW7uo2_I/AAAAAAAABss/RwXfnHIVl0E/s1600/table%2Band%2Bchair%2Bw%2Bother.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XldGPtnt8z0/ThufW7uo2_I/AAAAAAAABss/RwXfnHIVl0E/s320/table%2Band%2Bchair%2Bw%2Bother.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628267375668812786" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ux4LGa7Az6M/ThufXu9vbQI/AAAAAAAABtE/YzNDGZ1Mo_E/s1600/cabinet%2Btop%2Bw%2Bshades.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ux4LGa7Az6M/ThufXu9vbQI/AAAAAAAABtE/YzNDGZ1Mo_E/s320/cabinet%2Btop%2Bw%2Bshades.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628267389422365954" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5ozbmF6CEUo/ThufXCG5GuI/AAAAAAAABs8/tH7OpRuf_vE/s1600/bench%2Bcorner.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5ozbmF6CEUo/ThufXCG5GuI/AAAAAAAABs8/tH7OpRuf_vE/s320/bench%2Bcorner.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628267377381153506" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GSsTheRaCLI/ThufXLw9Z0I/AAAAAAAABs0/2-oqtOXp14I/s1600/with%2Brocking%2Bchair.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GSsTheRaCLI/ThufXLw9Z0I/AAAAAAAABs0/2-oqtOXp14I/s320/with%2Brocking%2Bchair.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628267379973515074" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qph3vtSmJ0o/ThufXl_QX1I/AAAAAAAABtM/SfHcbWgwthY/s1600/cabinet%2Bw%2Bblue%2Bbench.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qph3vtSmJ0o/ThufXl_QX1I/AAAAAAAABtM/SfHcbWgwthY/s320/cabinet%2Bw%2Bblue%2Bbench.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628267387012800338" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--m0L7rxRqvs/ThugnENYgEI/AAAAAAAABuU/V_-vOjYplJg/s1600/hanger%2Bclose.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--m0L7rxRqvs/ThugnENYgEI/AAAAAAAABuU/V_-vOjYplJg/s320/hanger%2Bclose.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628268752334782530" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iwghDE6_zr0/Thugmt0g_4I/AAAAAAAABuM/AUiZEsBnmmg/s1600/chair%2Bcorner.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iwghDE6_zr0/Thugmt0g_4I/AAAAAAAABuM/AUiZEsBnmmg/s320/chair%2Bcorner.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628268746324901762" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HSfi8JixVAA/ThugmUHp8_I/AAAAAAAABuE/mZtpGcOfoCY/s1600/catalog%2Bdrawers%2Bopen.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HSfi8JixVAA/ThugmUHp8_I/AAAAAAAABuE/mZtpGcOfoCY/s320/catalog%2Bdrawers%2Bopen.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628268739425858546" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oEfOORCNt1Q/ThugmVuCCQI/AAAAAAAABt8/XEspT66uXDU/s1600/boards%2Bclose.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oEfOORCNt1Q/ThugmVuCCQI/AAAAAAAABt8/XEspT66uXDU/s320/boards%2Bclose.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628268739855255810" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tAHspvGcH3g/ThugnNrFZ5I/AAAAAAAABuc/7OYBSzv2yU4/s1600/inspir%2Bboard%2Bcorner.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tAHspvGcH3g/ThugnNrFZ5I/AAAAAAAABuc/7OYBSzv2yU4/s320/inspir%2Bboard%2Bcorner.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628268754875279250" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-axPN9Y_1K4w/ThuhFBCmUwI/AAAAAAAABu0/eZ-0giQi13c/s1600/making%2Brosette.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-axPN9Y_1K4w/ThuhFBCmUwI/AAAAAAAABu0/eZ-0giQi13c/s320/making%2Brosette.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628269266880320258" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vX2JJve8iDE/ThuhEvfW2nI/AAAAAAAABus/JzGGR0cGJhg/s1600/paper%2Bflower.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vX2JJve8iDE/ThuhEvfW2nI/AAAAAAAABus/JzGGR0cGJhg/s320/paper%2Bflower.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628269262169102962" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ao8b5GCaSIo/ThuhEjNXkFI/AAAAAAAABuk/nATLRTVIIaI/s1600/inspr%2Bboard%2Bclose.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ao8b5GCaSIo/ThuhEjNXkFI/AAAAAAAABuk/nATLRTVIIaI/s320/inspr%2Bboard%2Bclose.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628269258872426578" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c5IWhxAgBDY/ThuhFQO0WUI/AAAAAAAABu8/DdLVQczVgX4/s1600/white%2Bstool%2Bstaged.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c5IWhxAgBDY/ThuhFQO0WUI/AAAAAAAABu8/DdLVQczVgX4/s320/white%2Bstool%2Bstaged.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628269270958102850" /></a><br /><br />I am linking up to:<br /><br /><center><a href="http://mydesertcottage.blogspot.com/2011/06/where-bloggers-create-2011.html" target="_blank"><br /><img border="0" src="http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt108/valentinestudio123/My%20blog%20stuff/WhereBloggersCreate2011.png" border="0" /></a><br /></center><center>My Desert Cottage</center><br /><br />I can't wait to see all the studio spaces from the very talented women in blog-world. Thanks for looking at my pictures, and if you're linked to "Where Bloggers Create"...I can't wait to see your space as well!!<br /><br />Mona KayMona Kay Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10693339860770759522noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4332502127517483106.post-45338778423980008062011-07-10T18:35:00.000-07:002011-07-18T18:32:31.924-07:00Armoire UpgradeWell....I looked and looked, but I can't find my "before" pictures of the armoire in my bedroom. Picture a large, very dark, wood box with two plain doors, and you'll get the idea. Anyway, it was a real eye-sore in my blue and white bedroom, but with all the items I was painting for my shop, and some custom orders I needed to complete, it remained dark for a long time. However, over the holiday weekend last week, while in the middle of other pieces, I hauled it out & got started on it.<br /><br />First it got a coat of Paris Grey. Then I took a look at those plain doors, and, inspired by the look of a striped grain sack I added some detail.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-leeepE6ZIT8/ThpVihXwfVI/AAAAAAAABrw/H1W67iZa9_w/s1600/very%2Bclose.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-leeepE6ZIT8/ThpVihXwfVI/AAAAAAAABrw/H1W67iZa9_w/s320/very%2Bclose.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627904735914786130" /></a><br /><br />I love to tone down a coat of paint by mixing Annie Sloan Old White paint with her clear Soft Wax, and rubbing a coat of this mixture onto my pieces. I used this technique on the armoire, and it gave it a washed effect, almost like faded linen. I know there's no "before" for comparison, but here's the after:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OYvK_mXGq7c/ThpWcA90LAI/AAAAAAAABsA/1yy5EZmCaPQ/s1600/perfect%2Bdistance.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OYvK_mXGq7c/ThpWcA90LAI/AAAAAAAABsA/1yy5EZmCaPQ/s320/perfect%2Bdistance.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627905723648453634" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IS5SRuEE9nA/ThpWcL0MQTI/AAAAAAAABr4/4-rmpWUFxwM/s1600/close%2Bup.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IS5SRuEE9nA/ThpWcL0MQTI/AAAAAAAABr4/4-rmpWUFxwM/s320/close%2Bup.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627905726560878898" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nupDBXGpTrU/ThpWccDsmjI/AAAAAAAABsI/e70e4Hlf414/s1600/front%2Bdistant.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nupDBXGpTrU/ThpWccDsmjI/AAAAAAAABsI/e70e4Hlf414/s320/front%2Bdistant.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627905730920880690" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-leeepE6ZIT8/ThpVihXwfVI/AAAAAAAABrw/H1W67iZa9_w/s1600/very%2Bclose.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-leeepE6ZIT8/ThpVihXwfVI/AAAAAAAABrw/H1W67iZa9_w/s320/very%2Bclose.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627904735914786130" /></a><br /><br />It looks quite nice in my blue and white bedroom now! It's a real improvement. <br /><br />One of these days, I'll work on my bedroom, and then I'll be able to show you how it fits in!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YoqnikWFk-Y/ThpXpEC35oI/AAAAAAAABsQ/gGxqNLtOzxQ/s1600/bird%2Band%2Bnest%2Bgraphic.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 304px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YoqnikWFk-Y/ThpXpEC35oI/AAAAAAAABsQ/gGxqNLtOzxQ/s320/bird%2Band%2Bnest%2Bgraphic.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627907047324903042" /></a><br />Mona Kay<br />I am linking to:<br /><center><a href="http://houseinroses.blogspot.com/"><img src=" http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee130/cielosky47/FotoFlexer_Photo-4.jpg?t=1274305894" /></a></center>Mona Kay Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10693339860770759522noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4332502127517483106.post-1923503534804887582011-07-04T12:24:00.000-07:002011-07-08T12:55:55.468-07:00Use a coaster!!!Didja ever look at something in your house...a vignette, an arrangement in a nook, a piece of furniture...and think, "I need to change that RIGHT NOW"? I do this all the time...especially if I've been procrastinating with a project, or if I'm not sure of the change I want to make. I've been brooding over my coffee table for MONTHS now....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gIFYcj0JbrU/ThIUI9ptjHI/AAAAAAAABoE/nR0VkHkBgSE/s1600/full%2Bview%2Bw%2Bcoffee%2Btable.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gIFYcj0JbrU/ThIUI9ptjHI/AAAAAAAABoE/nR0VkHkBgSE/s320/full%2Bview%2Bw%2Bcoffee%2Btable.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625581028760194162" /></a><br /><br />....but I just wasn't sure what I wanted it to look like. I knew I was sick of the heavily varnished, pumpkin-color pine, and it really is a pretty little table...the possibilities abounded. I look at it every time I sit and watch TV. Two days ago, when I was in the middle of two other projects, one for a customer, and a large armoire for my bedroom, I was resting while I waited for paint to dry. Suddenly, I couldn't stand it another second. I jumped up and dragged the table outside, grabbed my sander and stripped the top down to unfinished pine. <br /><a href="http://missmustardseed.blogspot.com/"><br />Miss Mustard Seed</a> has some truly beautiful pieces with stained wood tops and painted bodies which I just love, so that is where I started, by staining the top.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c4Anz9qFi10/ThIZQOLiwnI/AAAAAAAABoM/upukfdGW30k/s1600/stained%2Btop%2Band%2Bsydney.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c4Anz9qFi10/ThIZQOLiwnI/AAAAAAAABoM/upukfdGW30k/s320/stained%2Btop%2Band%2Bsydney.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625586651014283890" /></a><br /><br />Sydney, my two-year-old Border Collie, didn't run from the camera for once, so I included her in the shot :)<br /><br />I thought some detail on the top would look nice, so I decided to add some small stenciled scrolls.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X6WtYX6D3uo/ThIZ6wfMv-I/AAAAAAAABoc/_X3nqVm7XaY/s1600/stencil%2Bmaterials.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X6WtYX6D3uo/ThIZ6wfMv-I/AAAAAAAABoc/_X3nqVm7XaY/s320/stencil%2Bmaterials.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625587381778038754" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DlKN6Vo9_fw/ThIZ6jr6S3I/AAAAAAAABoU/_xgrYBUINQs/s1600/table%2Bwith%2Bstencils%2Bbest.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DlKN6Vo9_fw/ThIZ6jr6S3I/AAAAAAAABoU/_xgrYBUINQs/s320/table%2Bwith%2Bstencils%2Bbest.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625587378341694322" /></a><br /><br />I painted the legs and the body with Annie Sloan's "Old White", then mixed Valspar Mocha Glaze with Annie Sloan's Soft Wax (Annie Sloan makes a soft Dark Wax too, but I was working with what I had). <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YUbE3dvrDpM/ThIaX_zV7mI/AAAAAAAABok/KBCsBQQ3va4/s1600/glaze%2Band%2Bwax.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YUbE3dvrDpM/ThIaX_zV7mI/AAAAAAAABok/KBCsBQQ3va4/s320/glaze%2Band%2Bwax.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625587884105264738" /></a><br /><br />I brushed this mixture generously over the Old White to give it an aged and textured look. I've read several ways to do this, and I highly recommend Annie Sloan's how-to book "Quick and Easy Paint Transformations". Here's how it turned out:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-33bQ0gYBtXI/ThIbPr07UWI/AAAAAAAABos/_2DXz002wII/s1600/table%2Blegs%2Bvery%2Bclose.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-33bQ0gYBtXI/ThIbPr07UWI/AAAAAAAABos/_2DXz002wII/s320/table%2Blegs%2Bvery%2Bclose.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625588840815874402" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kgzLSpiKnQs/ThIbP-vllDI/AAAAAAAABo0/FN8y9Po6g9I/s1600/top%2Band%2Bbase%2Bpainted%2Bno%2Bwhite%2Bwash.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kgzLSpiKnQs/ThIbP-vllDI/AAAAAAAABo0/FN8y9Po6g9I/s320/top%2Band%2Bbase%2Bpainted%2Bno%2Bwhite%2Bwash.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625588845893751858" /></a><br /><br />Et Voila!! Finished, right?? Well....I left it for quite some time, because I wanted to wax the top, and the stencil paint takes a long time to cure. And the longer I looked at it, the more I decided that the dark top just wasn't for me. After all, I'm always painting brown furniture another color! I needed a way to lighten it, but I wanted to keep the detail of both the beautiful wood and the stencils. Back to mixing paint and wax....<br /><br />I mixed equal (by eye-ball) parts Old White and Soft Wax, and mixed it into a paste with the brush that I reserve for waxing. I painted and wiped, painted and wiped...rubbing and removing, until I got just the "washed" "limed" look I wanted. I also brushed a little undiluted Old White on with a "dry brush" (very little paint on the brush), and wiped to the consistency I wanted. Here's the final result:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RApmR4UL9wU/ThIc1CzWK_I/AAAAAAAABo8/7HRi_8DiKUo/s1600/finished%2Btable%2Bstaged%2Bvery%2Bnice.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RApmR4UL9wU/ThIc1CzWK_I/AAAAAAAABo8/7HRi_8DiKUo/s320/finished%2Btable%2Bstaged%2Bvery%2Bnice.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625590582150048754" /></a><br /><br />Once again, the before:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rFmTq9BzqDc/ThIeMbwpXOI/AAAAAAAABpM/vivXnTo-iQg/s1600/full%2Bview%2Bw%2Bcoffee%2Btable.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rFmTq9BzqDc/ThIeMbwpXOI/AAAAAAAABpM/vivXnTo-iQg/s320/full%2Bview%2Bw%2Bcoffee%2Btable.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625592083498228962" /></a><br /><br />And the after:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e71-2M5Ev5g/ThIc5lDA-3I/AAAAAAAABpE/iK3nAczFUUI/s1600/staged%2Bwith%2Bsofa%2Bvery%2Bnice.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e71-2M5Ev5g/ThIc5lDA-3I/AAAAAAAABpE/iK3nAczFUUI/s320/staged%2Bwith%2Bsofa%2Bvery%2Bnice.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625590660062051186" /></a><br /><br />I'm so much happier with this table...for now!! Now, about that pesky sideboard in my window.....<br /><br />I am joining Miss Mustard Seed at:<br /><a href="http://www.missmustardseed.blogspot.com"><img alt="Furniture Feature Fridays" width="125" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-hXDHrKD_XvU/TXAXmYvMPjI/AAAAAAAAHOk/U5ckiottQZ0/s1600/mms_fff.png" height="125" /></a><br /><br />And linking to:<br /><br /><a href="http://romantichome.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i744.photobucket.com/albums/xx89/cindy95131/showandtellfridays.jpg" /></a><br /><center><a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YW52hcrOLTM/TLHo48mpLbI/AAAAAAAAB3c/3EpSUhmoXUI/s1600/1aaaeiffelgfairy.jpg" /></a></center><br /><br />Join me there!!<br /><br />Mona KayMona Kay Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10693339860770759522noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4332502127517483106.post-18203125263279129922011-06-26T17:24:00.000-07:002011-06-26T17:42:48.300-07:00My Sister's Sanctuary<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kn8bdOIUzmI/TgfRxO3X2kI/AAAAAAAABno/oNL5lvkgfmo/s1600/front%2Bgargoyle.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kn8bdOIUzmI/TgfRxO3X2kI/AAAAAAAABno/oNL5lvkgfmo/s320/front%2Bgargoyle.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622693303529495106" /></a><br /><br />Usually, I can't wait for the weekends so that I can work on whatever furniture is waiting to be painted. On a typical Saturday, I sit with my coffee alternately watching my puppy and the birds having breakfast, then hit the garage sales/flea markets, and come home to work on whatever piece is waiting in line.<br /><br />This weekend, however, I had been to a garage sale in my sister's neighborhood, and decided to stop by. I've been wanting to photograph her garden and deck for ages, and this time I had my camera. None of my furniture got painted this Saturday, because once I sat down, I didn't leave for quite some time. Here's why:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nmCpK8MZBWY/TgfP4pNg01I/AAAAAAAABm4/BjA-mADcKP8/s1600/Winter%2Bnice.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nmCpK8MZBWY/TgfP4pNg01I/AAAAAAAABm4/BjA-mADcKP8/s320/Winter%2Bnice.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622691231837508434" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fyw98kcn-cU/TgfP4Qg8G-I/AAAAAAAABmw/V6DctOttyXQ/s1600/wagon%2Bclose%2Bnice.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fyw98kcn-cU/TgfP4Qg8G-I/AAAAAAAABmw/V6DctOttyXQ/s320/wagon%2Bclose%2Bnice.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622691225208101858" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yDEybNQrLYY/TgfP47Kg8JI/AAAAAAAABnA/zi8Lki0YM8k/s1600/view%2Bfrom%2Btable.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yDEybNQrLYY/TgfP47Kg8JI/AAAAAAAABnA/zi8Lki0YM8k/s320/view%2Bfrom%2Btable.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622691236656771218" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JM_WjLPeQFI/TgfPsswWVCI/AAAAAAAABmg/mSAfBhO0cBg/s1600/kissy%2Bbetter.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JM_WjLPeQFI/TgfPsswWVCI/AAAAAAAABmg/mSAfBhO0cBg/s320/kissy%2Bbetter.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622691026630497314" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oj6nCFHcfGI/TgfPsYu5SfI/AAAAAAAABmY/L-0B1iNhnBw/s1600/hanging%2Bbaskets%2Bnice.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oj6nCFHcfGI/TgfPsYu5SfI/AAAAAAAABmY/L-0B1iNhnBw/s320/hanging%2Bbaskets%2Bnice.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622691021255690738" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iZyzKqlMC-I/TgfPsNsL6uI/AAAAAAAABmQ/VXXpKxDTh9I/s1600/cranes%2Band%2Bstatue%2Bbetter.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iZyzKqlMC-I/TgfPsNsL6uI/AAAAAAAABmQ/VXXpKxDTh9I/s320/cranes%2Band%2Bstatue%2Bbetter.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622691018291538658" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VnxaUmAOoVQ/TgfPs9XvguI/AAAAAAAABmo/h8eItOToD10/s1600/lantern%2Bby%2Bdeck.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VnxaUmAOoVQ/TgfPs9XvguI/AAAAAAAABmo/h8eItOToD10/s320/lantern%2Bby%2Bdeck.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622691031090692834" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9eEe81nTgg8/TgfPd8GTPmI/AAAAAAAABmA/xoLJg4FUXHY/s1600/back%2Bcorner.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9eEe81nTgg8/TgfPd8GTPmI/AAAAAAAABmA/xoLJg4FUXHY/s320/back%2Bcorner.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622690773051063906" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gkWijj4QZE0/TgfPdi1gwAI/AAAAAAAABl4/N6-k77zhx-w/s1600/entrance%2Bw%2Bchair%2Bclose.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gkWijj4QZE0/TgfPdi1gwAI/AAAAAAAABl4/N6-k77zhx-w/s320/entrance%2Bw%2Bchair%2Bclose.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622690766269759490" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--8wMqByN2nM/TgfPdUapAJI/AAAAAAAABlw/vAsGZFXOJ-M/s1600/entrance%2B1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--8wMqByN2nM/TgfPdUapAJI/AAAAAAAABlw/vAsGZFXOJ-M/s320/entrance%2B1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622690762398957714" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tP5FpDOo8mk/TgfPeBg3MmI/AAAAAAAABmI/o-_bDE2IL2A/s1600/corner%2Bclose%2Bnice.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tP5FpDOo8mk/TgfPeBg3MmI/AAAAAAAABmI/o-_bDE2IL2A/s320/corner%2Bclose%2Bnice.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622690774504649314" /></a><br /><br />The best thing about my sister's deck is the hummingbirds....there's dozens of them! They are so used to my sister and her husband, that they typically fly right in front of their faces, and chatter to them. I'm just not quick enough...I couldn't get any pictures. However, they have multiple birds and other wildlife...check out this woodpecker!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9gdiZGxqSOs/TgfQgXzlK0I/AAAAAAAABnI/_h2CyesD1-k/s1600/woodpecker%2Bbetter.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9gdiZGxqSOs/TgfQgXzlK0I/AAAAAAAABnI/_h2CyesD1-k/s320/woodpecker%2Bbetter.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622691914360105794" /></a><br /><br />My sister put out some peanuts to coax out the chipmunks...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ICsfoDF-GIA/TgfQggDlAMI/AAAAAAAABnQ/tvpKE6pWdbA/s1600/chipmunk%2Bsniffing.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ICsfoDF-GIA/TgfQggDlAMI/AAAAAAAABnQ/tvpKE6pWdbA/s320/chipmunk%2Bsniffing.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622691916574687426" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sd2-jijBLto/TgfQg5Kq-SI/AAAAAAAABnY/9zkP81yXuJg/s1600/chipmunk%2Beating.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sd2-jijBLto/TgfQg5Kq-SI/AAAAAAAABnY/9zkP81yXuJg/s320/chipmunk%2Beating.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622691923315325218" /></a><br /><br />So...can you blame me for not getting to work painting?? <br /><br />What did you do this weekend?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cahUu1_SP_I/TgfRjgP-YBI/AAAAAAAABng/uhlOLnKoLi4/s1600/daisy%2Bvery%2Bsmall.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 92px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cahUu1_SP_I/TgfRjgP-YBI/AAAAAAAABng/uhlOLnKoLi4/s320/daisy%2Bvery%2Bsmall.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622693067677917202" /></a><br />Mona KayMona Kay Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10693339860770759522noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4332502127517483106.post-78244221310933403122011-06-18T13:10:00.000-07:002011-06-20T18:10:16.541-07:00From plain old brown to Paris Grey Fabulous!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yA8wAc4TFvo/Tf0HjkWLQ2I/AAAAAAAABik/S64_Esa1hGQ/s1600/DSCN2026.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.giftext-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yA8wAc4TFvo/Tf0HjkWLQ2I/AAAAAAAABik/S64_Esa1hGQ/s320/DSCN2026.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619656217661752162" /></a><br /><br />After falling in love with Annie Sloan paint, and making friends with Patty Seaman of <a href="https://bestfurniturepaint.com/Home_Page.html">Classic Wall Finishes NJ</a>, I couldn't WAIT to try the paint on furniture for my own home. I had purchased some gorgeous pieces at an estate sale a few weeks ago, and after I lived with them for a while, I decided that they definitely needed to be lightened up.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O-_2g8Vr-QQ/Tf0HKNS1kDI/AAAAAAAABiE/-J7n9KmgdHg/s1600/front%2Bcorner.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O-_2g8Vr-QQ/Tf0HKNS1kDI/AAAAAAAABiE/-J7n9KmgdHg/s320/front%2Bcorner.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619655781977002034" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l9R7xCj9t4A/Tf0HJNgOlSI/AAAAAAAABh8/2cMVG1CE4-c/s1600/white%2Bbench%2Badded.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l9R7xCj9t4A/Tf0HJNgOlSI/AAAAAAAABh8/2cMVG1CE4-c/s320/white%2Bbench%2Badded.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619655764853298466" /></a><br /><br />While the pieces I have painted so far have needed NO priming, sanding, or other prep, this unit turned out to be a nightmare of an exception. You can't see it here, but the original stain bled right through the first coat of Old White. I stopped painting, and opened and applied a coat of water-based sealer...and the stain bled right through again. UGH!! So I went to Home Depot and consulted the people at the paint section, who advised me to use an oil-based sealant. Unfortunately, this meant working outside, as the fumes are terrible...and it was 90 degrees here in NJ. I waited until 7pm and then hauled it outside and gave it two coats with the oil-based...I ended up wearing my spray paint respirator because the fumes were terrible, so a word of advice...NEVER use oil-based sealant in an unventilated area!! After that, applying the Old White on the inside, and Paris Grey on the outside was a pleasure! The only pain in the neck was removing all the hardware and taping up the glass doors. But...NEVER get in the way of a determined woman who wants a piece of furniture painted!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SKNJjsyCK2E/Tf0HKutAbjI/AAAAAAAABiM/sz1gEaP8unw/s1600/DSCN2023.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SKNJjsyCK2E/Tf0HKutAbjI/AAAAAAAABiM/sz1gEaP8unw/s320/DSCN2023.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619655790945136178" /></a><br /><br />I wanted to add some detail to the Paris Grey frame so that there would be some contrast with the doors. First I sanded some areas to distress them, then used Valspar Mocha glaze (Lowes...can't find it at Home Depot), and wiped it on with a rag, using a light touch and a new portion of the rag when it got too dark. That looked very nice, but I wanted more. I experimented with mixing Old White paint with Annie Sloan's Soft Wax (I love this stuff), and wiped this on the frame, not too heavily, working quickly before the paint portion dried. I was thrilled!! Here are the results:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tE5YPMEKqg0/Tf0QmkkjfII/AAAAAAAABi8/n1xqO294r_w/s1600/DSCN2254.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tE5YPMEKqg0/Tf0QmkkjfII/AAAAAAAABi8/n1xqO294r_w/s320/DSCN2254.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619666164866317442" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X0J8PscbaiA/Tf0QblNiX9I/AAAAAAAABi0/98R3zNrDac4/s1600/DSCN2255.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X0J8PscbaiA/Tf0QblNiX9I/AAAAAAAABi0/98R3zNrDac4/s320/DSCN2255.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619665976059650002" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EdrkYNhVuZk/Tf0HTrUa4kI/AAAAAAAABiU/sE6uILndy2c/s1600/DSCN2038.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EdrkYNhVuZk/Tf0HTrUa4kI/AAAAAAAABiU/sE6uILndy2c/s320/DSCN2038.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619655944655528514" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_lTz7Lx94Qk/Tf0G0Q02FuI/AAAAAAAABhk/RHh2U2s3yAo/s1600/distressed%2Bcorner.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_lTz7Lx94Qk/Tf0G0Q02FuI/AAAAAAAABhk/RHh2U2s3yAo/s320/distressed%2Bcorner.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619655404967827170" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EAW2ygvwbfA/Tf0G0rfSA0I/AAAAAAAABhs/Xrnl5X6KQzI/s1600/unit%2Bclose.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EAW2ygvwbfA/Tf0G0rfSA0I/AAAAAAAABhs/Xrnl5X6KQzI/s320/unit%2Bclose.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619655412125139778" /></a><br /><br />Remember that little bench?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8h5lU_KuVfs/Tf0G1AVsf3I/AAAAAAAABh0/msFqHPg3YEg/s1600/white%2Bbench%2Bclose.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8h5lU_KuVfs/Tf0G1AVsf3I/AAAAAAAABh0/msFqHPg3YEg/s320/white%2Bbench%2Bclose.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619655417722077042" /></a><br /><br />That's a story for another post :)<br /><br />I am linking to "Show off your cottage Monday"<br /><br /><center><a href="http://houseinroses.blogspot.com/"><img src=" http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee130/cielosky47/FotoFlexer_Photo-4.jpg?t=1274305894" /></a></center>Mona Kay Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10693339860770759522noreply@blogger.com6