More Granny Chic

Hello All!  Happy Monday!  Last week I started obsessing over some Granny Chic with a little project that I did.  So I thought I would share the project with you. It all started with some needlepoint chairs that I was uncovering to recover... 4 of them.  Now, needlepoint chairs aren't really my thing, but I sort of felt sad while I was pulling the nails.  Then, I thought of a way to reuse the needlepoint fabric.

I put them in some vintage embroidery hoops.  I would say simple, but at one point I was wiping sweat from my brow and words may have been said... that thick fabric didn't want to go easily into those metal hoops.  But it did... after I threw it down a few times.  I liked the hoops so much that I pulled together a little Granny Chic area.  It is only temporary since the table is my bedside table and the chair is from downstairs, but I like its homey feel.  I wish I had a bigger table filled with those little brassy frames... my Grandma always had a table filled with photos in those frames.

Okay, I am off!  I have loads of stuff to keep me busy and out of trouble this week.  But first, coffee!

bye for now!

Organizing My Thoughts

hello there!  How are you?

My head is so full of *stuff* 

Are you ready? Here we go!

• See the above photo.  That is straight out of the camera... did you have any doubt? heehee Anyhow, my peonies have exploded this week.  I feel a strange pride that I planted them from tubers and that they have flourished enough for me to cut them and bring them inside.  I love fresh flowers and the selection at the Kroger is unsatisfying.  Plus, these are free.  I am wondering if there is any reason I shouldn't be cutting them all and bringing them in though.

• Have you ever had so much to do and things you want to do, so you decide to do nothing?  I really mean, nothing... except fold laundry and get lost in pinterest? Okay, I believe there was also some bubble blowing and a trip to Target and a walk, but really nothing that needed to be done.  And, you know, I am started to wonder if lazy is my true nature and that it is coming out now.  Not worried, mind you.  Just wondering.

• I am also wondering what my "schedule" is going to look like when I am at home all the time. I am laughing inside because while I like to plan things like birthday parties months (ahem... years) in advance, we aren't really scheduled.  We will be in big trouble when the hyena starts school, as I hear they encourage school age children to be on a schedule.  Right now, we are rolling with it.

 

•  Are you wondering if anything has made me question my decision to live frugally and not have a job? Well, true to form, it would be the clock above.  Gorgeous.  Love it.  I could work 2 more weeks and afford it.  That is assuming that the Mr. would let me spend that entire paycheck on it.  It is Swedish and while it isn't a true Mora, I love it all the same.  It is different and has a lovely face.  I did mention that the traditional gift for 5 year anniversaries is a clock. (Back me up here, ladies!)  I know that it isn't really, but it didn't stop me from saying it. Oh well, being with my bambino is better.  And just so you know, I consider true friendship anyone who is willing to scheme with me on how to fulfill my vintage cravings.
• As of Mother's Day, I am a proud owner of a Kindle.  Now, I did tell Mr. Hughes that letting me quit the full time gig was enough of a present, but he went above and beyond and got me one.  Which makes me think he wants me to ignore him and get lost in book after book?  Not only did he get me a Kindle, but he also bought a cute case off of etsy.  And, just so you know, I consider a mark of a great spouse to know that the cute cover is just as important as the technology... and that I like my margaritas with extra, extra salt.
• I recently wrote an article for Busy Bee Trader (page 32, if you want to read.) I gave parenting advice.....hahhaa.... from me?  The unscheduled mom?  Well, I gave some tips on how to antique with a 2 year old.  And in the weeks since I have written that article, baby hughes has really tried to prove me wrong.  I wonder if he can read.
• And, speaking of the hyena, he is turning out to be almost everything that I wished for... almost. Does that sound too mean... let me finish.  Before he was born, before I even knew he was a he, I wrote down some wishes for him.  Like that I hoped he would be friendly... the type of child that will befriend the new kid in class. I prayed that he would be confident.  He will walk boldly up to child or adult and introduce himself with confidence. That he would be a lover of animals... he is a regular St. Francis, actually petting a baby bird last summer. And, most important than any other traits, I wished he would be positive and funny and happy. And he is.  However, I neglected to put on that list.... not scared of riding in a wagon... or swinging... or sliding... My child is fearless when it comes to sticking things in outlets and running into the street (I promise, I watch him, he is just FAST!) When it comes to the playground, he prefers to just talk to people. When I try to put him in a wagon, he screams and wants to pull it.  And I can roll with it. My only concern is that I like to ride rides and the Mr. doesn't.  I was sincerely hoping that with such a tall, bold child that I would soon have a partner in crime at amusement parks.  It isn't looking good.
• Just to give you another little insight on baby hughes and my wonderful parenting skills...let me preclude this by saying that we are mostly careful about what we watch in front of him.  Case in point, no guns.  Last week at the park, baby hughes was playing with his friend and they both had sticks.  His friend had a "gun" and baby hughes tried to "disarm" him with his "wand" shouting something that sounds a lot like Exspelliarmus.  I told him that I sincerely hoped for his sake that magic works faster than bullets.  Now, before you think I am on my high horse with "no guns" I can assure you pro-gun mommas that he will have water guns when he is older.  I can also tell you that I laughed about the difference between the boys with my friend.  And I can also give you this nugget to make you feel superior to me in parenting strategy.  Have you ever seen 500 Days of Summer?  You know the part where they are picnicking in the park and they take turns saying a certain  word, gradually getting louder each time?  Well, last Sunday at CHURCH, the little man thought it was a good time to recall the word and say it louder. And louder. Now, mind you, I know that word is fine in the proper setting... like a medical office. We just are not that ultra hip family that uses the proper terms of anatomy. And half of me was proud of him that he instinctively knew the best time to use such a phrase for maximum comic impact. The other half of me that worries about listeria and brown recluses, well, that half was mortified. 

 Well, that is all folks. I will be back soon with a less wordy, less insightful post!!

bye for now!

Published!

Hello all!

I just wanted to toot my horn just a bit.

Heehee!  

Recently I was asked to write some small filler articles for an area antiques magazine

Busy Bee Trader.

The first article was due just a few days after the editor asked me so I wrote about something near and dear to my heart.

My Stack!

So I just wrote a short small article and shared a sneak peak of my growing stack.  I think it has the potential to reach the ceiling!  I actually have added a small one since this photo was taken. But, it is an obsession and I need MORE!

So, if you can't get enough of me here, you can go 

here and read my short article on page 38.

Oh, and don't forget to enter my Garden-y Giveaway!  I will draw a winner on Friday.

bye for now!

Some News and Some New Pieces

hello!  how's your day?

Ours is rainy, rainy!  But I know that it will pay off when all the green comes out.

Green is my favorite!

So I thought I would show you a few new pieces and share some fun news that I received yesterday.

Someone local found my little blog after Scarlett posted a link.

And, that someone is the publisher for a local antiques magazine, The Busy Bee Trader.

Well, she asked me to write some small filler articles for the magazine!  

Pretty cool, huh?

So, I submitted my first article to her today just in time for the deadline and it should be out in April.

Now, I normally wouldn't share news like this until it is in print, but what the hey... I am pretty excited!

Now, would you like to meet some new pieces... sure you would...

Meet Twiggy!  She also has an identical twin sister named... uhhh... Twiggy!  

This pair of chairs was a little bit of a deviation from my usual style, but they were fun and I la-ove the green fabric on them.

This library table is called Harper.  I painted her a light grey and I think it enhanced the lines nicely.

I think it would be a perfect desk with its small drawer.

And, this bench is much cuter in person... trust me.  It has been so rainy and the Mr. just had to deliver her and take a photo inside.

Anyhow, her name is Sara (after a very sweet friend!)  and very nearly stayed here along one side of my dining room table!

She looks great with pillows on either end... the ruffly linen variety.

Here is a better view of the color along with a repro sign that Mr. Hughes made

*smiles*

He is quite talented!

Well, my sweets!  That is all I have for you today... I WILL be back on Friday with some Etsy Faves!

bye for now!