Stamped Muslin Squares....

I hand sewed a set of 12 (spaced 3" apart) onto a Country Living white curtain valance

Using a tension rod, I hung the valance on the bottom half of my hoosier cabinet - hiding the slatted sliding doors that have never slid with ease or without cracking.

This is a before pic of the hoosier from my archives

And YEAH! I still have another set of 12 to have fun and create with!

I'm done sulking....

And happy to show you what I DID buy on the way home from New Hampshire on Saturday.

These muslin squares (1 1/2" square) with stamped numbers. I especially like them because whoever made them took the time to sew the edges to prevent additional fraying.

I bought two sets of 12 at $3.00/set (sure I could have made these myself but why when they were done for me!). I've already made use of one set and will post on that soon.

Got this sweet little framed mirror for $9.00. I gave it a couple of coats of Chantilly Lace and roughed it up a bit (it was a creamy, icky yellow).

It fit perfectly underneath one of my kitchen cabinets.

I also bought a few of the little potted plants you see in the reflection... I'm not sure though what they are called.

And lastly, I got these chairs ($40 each) that I fell head over heals in love with - they're going out to my garden shed once the weather breaks.

And I don't have to do a thing to them.... love them just they way they are!

So that's it...and I guess in hindsight, it was a good thing I didn't buy anything at the White Home Market.... otherwise, I wouldn't have bought these goodies.

Isn't that always the way....

There I was....boasting about how I was going to the White Home Market and I was going to buy all this awesome stuff and then come home and post about all my awesome stuff....

And it turns out...this is all we came home with and it isn't even for ME...it's my husband's awesome find. Yes, I'm jealous...not of the piece but the fact that he scored and I didn't!

It was crazy there, like the Running of The Brides sale at Filene's Basement. We got there a half hour after it opened and most of what I call "the good stuff" was already in someone's hands or marked hold or sold. I pretty much walked around in circles, mouth hanging open and a look of "What the..." on my face!

Not to worry though...we stopped at a couple of other places and I got a few small things. I'll take pics and post as soon as I'm done sulking! :)

White Home Market in New Hampshire

They only open three days each month (on a Fri/Sat/Sun) and they feature fresh inventory each day. February's theme is "French at Heart"

We're taking the hour and half drive up there tomorrow and I'm like a kid a Christmas - antsy with anticipation!

All these pics are from their website so not necessarily what we'll be seeing tomorrow but I'm sure hoping for similar.

I hope to be blogging to you all about my purchases!

I come to you for advice....

I'm planning on painting my entire downstairs (kitchen, living, dining, family room) which has an open floor plan.


What is your FAVORITE WHITE PAINT for walls, trim and doors?

From some of the blogs I follow (Dreamy Whites, Cozy Cottage Cute, Air Kiss, Sissie's Shabby Cottage, Centsational Girl) I've noted the following but not sure if they're primarily for small painting projects.

Simply White / Benjamin Moore
Chantilly Lace / Benjamin Moore
Decorator's White / Benjamin Moore
Cotton Balls / Benjamin Moore
Cream Delight / Valspar


And while we're at it....eggshell for walls and semigloss for trim and doors - is that the rule of thumb?

I have such confidence in my blogger friends - I look forward to your ideas and recommendations!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

I've never been much for decorating on Valentine's Day but found this cute little banner yesterday and new it would look great strewn across my hutch.

Love of my life and I have been husband and wife for four years (sweethearts for 18...and counting)!

I Heart Old Barns....

{Wm P Steele}

I came across a picture of an old barn while surfing for architectural salvage so naturally I had to delve further. Thought you might enjoy my top five top picks.....

{Junque Rethunque}

{unknown}

{unknown}

{James Howard Kunstler}

Have a great weekend!!

I "Sissie-fied" a Mirror....

I bought this sweet cherub mirror at the Brimfield Antique Fair last Spring and it sat in my basement waiting patiently for its turn for a paint job worthy of making it up the stairs... :)

And then the other day, I was catching up on blogs that I follow when Sissie (as I'm sure most of you already know) from Sissie's Shabby Cottage did a post on some doors that she refinished with Benjamin Moore's Chantilly Lace. Bingo!! And out the door I went for a quart!

Love the color! Yes...I know it's white but it's such a pretty white! :)

Thanks to Sissy for turning me on to my new favorite paint!