~ Hello 2013 ~

Hello friends...welcome to 2013!

I hope all your holiday times were fun and full of love and family, I know mine were.

It took me forever, but I finally went tree shopping and eventually got it decorated.

Loved sitting in the room with the light off and just gazing at her...so pretty.

Good thing my tree was pretty because it was just about the only holiday decorating I got done this year.

As you can see my pretty little wreaths never quite made it to my kitchen windows.

Oh well...maybe next year.

Lovely friends and customers gifted me with yummy baked goods...sweet snowflake cookies and this delicious Rum cake....well you will have to take my word for it. 

It was really wonderful and lasted all of 30 minutes once I got it home. 

Christmas morning was quiet and we all enjoyed our coffee and gifts.

Miss Carmen really enjoyed the boxes....do you see her?

My guys gave me a very awesome telescope and I have already viewed Jupiter's bands and it's moons.

Very cool!

After Christmas we took a trip to NY to visit family.

I always like to stop at Vanderbilt Mansion in Hyde Park, NY.

I think my son Billy is wishing he had a sled right about now.

Billy and his beloved Nana were reunited after quite a few years.

My mom has lived with us three different times and became quite close to my guys.

We spent the day together and had a lovely time reminiscing. 

Back at the shop, I am teaching Billy to sew and he is enjoying it

He is excited about learning how to tailor his thrift shop finds for a better fit.

We have been busy painting and rearranging shop displays.

I really love the softness of this Paris Grey and Emile shelf...muted and pretty.

I also took some time to create a new couture apron with the Annie Sloan Fabric that I now stock.

I used the Faded Roses line along with vintage linens and lace.

Pretty linen flower

And how about my beautiful model, Ashley (did I spell your name right Ash?)

She was very sweet to let me take her photo.

If you would like to learn how I create these beauties, I am offering an Apron Workshop this month.

Be sure to check out my Workshop listings at the top of the blog.

Billy and I also worked on a 1958 student desk I bought at auction.

We were going to paint a Union Jack, but then decided to try something a little different.

I sell sturdy wrapping paper by Cavalinni & Co. and they have a Union Jack design that fit perfectly.

After painting the desk in Napoleonic Blue, we decoupaged the paper onto the drawer fronts.

So easy!

It is not quite finished in this photo...still need to wax, distress and age it a little with some dark wax.

I will show her off in my next post.

My Saturday gal, Cheryl, found me this gorgeous old vanity.

Look at the cool, chunky trim on the drawers.

The mirror and dressing table are married, but they are perfect together!

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As soon as we repair the broken veneer

She is going to be 

GORGEOUS!!!

What do you think???

Louis Blue with Old White trim and clear wax with a touch of dark soft wax.

Stencilled drawer sides, painted Antoinette interior and pretty striped liner paper.

She sold the day I finished her!

So that's what has been happening in my life...what have YOU been up to???

Until next time...be kind and stay creative!