Warmer weather is coming, honest!!

Still patiently waiting for the weather to warm up.  Yesterday was not bad at all, sunny and bright, but today it went back to being chilly and dreary.  Good job I can keep myself busy at home.

So, what have I been doing?

I found a rather dirty old footstool and dragged it home and when I went to work on it, ripping off the old material, this is what I found underneath.  Can you imagine how excited I was.  It must be pretty old but I am no expert so when I put it in my Boutique I will ask a reasonable price for it but I think it will be a win/win situation for all.  This is what it looked like (with small legs) when I got it....

and this is what I found underneath that mess.....

Lucky the person who buys this - I think it is a treasure!!

Then I worked on an old cabinet - a dear friend of mine had given it to me and it needed quite a bit of TLC but after going out and buying new hinges and searching for a piece of board to fix the back and painting it, but at the same time keeping the original cracked and peeled paint, I ended up with this beauty.....

If I weren't trying to downsize, I would be holding on to this beauty also.  It will be in my Boutique tomorrow also and I'm hoping that someone will snap it up.  The price will be right.

How about this lovely Inspirational piece I just did.  Wouldn't this look lovely above your bed?

Another piece I finally finished.  I had worked on it a couple of years ago and was using it in my living room but then decided to tidy it up and sell it.  It is so cute in its creaminess with a lovely French decal on top.  I might bring this one back home if it doesn't sell...

Oh yes, and another Inspirational piece I did, this one with a real shabby chic look.  I painted and shabbied the frame and then covered inner board with pale green burlap and then painted letters and glued them on....

It's only when I write my blog that I realize just how busy I have been and not to blow my own trumpet, but I am truly amazed at just how much I can accomplish considering how much pain and ill-health I have.  I am in constant pain with my back and symptoms from Lupus and Fibromyalgia and Heart Disease, and COPD, and, Osteoarthritis, shall I go on?  Better not, because I try not to give place to any of this but sometimes it really is too hard to ignore, so I work through the pain and I always come out ahead.  I'm not the type to indulge in a pity party for too long, except the time when my second hubby died and I had to face all the problems that this marriage and his illness had brought me, and I fell flat on my face, but I managed with some great counselling to pick myself up.

What about this lovely shabby chalkboard?  You like?  You can see that I mainly like doing shabby stuff, LOL

Then there is this lovely little shelf unit.  I keep forgetting to take before pictures but just imagine it a basic typical brown - as you can see, another shabby chic item...

My next project is going to be a cute old desk and chair I bought from a neighbour who was moving out of this apartment building into a retirement home.  This sweet lady, who is in her 80's, said her hubby made this for her many years ago.  Notice the delightfully scalloped edges.  I will also put new hardware on the drawers.  It wasn't cheap but then I wasn't out to take advantage of her, so I will probably have it up for sale in my Boutique when I have it finished for about $20 more than I paid for it and as you can see, it's going to take a lot of work upholstering the chair and chalk painting and waxing both pieces....

Well, that's it for now.  Shall finish up with my usual photos of the two little ones who are so very close to my heart, my grandkids...

Katherine is going to be 2 in March, what a sweetie...

Rhys is going to be 5 in June, what a little imp, but so adorable......

Take care my friends - see you in Blogland.

Oh, and not to boast but the Olympic winners of the Male Curling are from my hometown, Sault Ste. Marie, Yea!!!!

Hugs, 

Crazy days of summer

Isn't the weather odd?  Recently we had really high and humid temperatures and now it has turned much cooler and we have been deluged with rain, to the point where our streets have been flooded, some like this......

Toronto had similar weather a week or so ago - what is happening to our seasons and weather patterns - changing so, so much and it can't be for the good.

I mention my Boutique quite a bit in my blog so I thought I would show you where it is - it's in an old MNR building, an old warehouse type setting.............

It's perfect for our kind of store and being old and quite shabby, the rent is just right.  I don't think our "landlord" makes any money out of us.

It's been very peaceful at the Boutique for the last couple of weeks, the stress level has gone right down, and I hope it continues.  A few new ladies have been added to the room where I was (I think 6 people have their "stuff" in there now) and I hope we can all get along.  I must say though, I do so much like being on my own and anyway, the lease states that there is no sub-leasing allowed, so on my own I will stay, LOL

Here are a few things that I have been working on..........

Painted this mirror for a friend.  She wants to make a willow stand for it and put it on a dresser.

Turned this calender holder....

into this, a beautiful chalkboard.....

Found two old drawers at the side of the road "free", so I lugged them home and gave them a coat of home-made whitewash paint.  Looking good and now they hold my vintage linens in the Boutique..........

Made this out of another old, and really battered, calendar holder.  I think it looks so cute with its shabby paint job......

Here are a few pictures of my neighbourhood.  I live downtown so it's really nice to see some prettiness.....

This one is taken from the side of the Library where I used to work, it's just across the road from the apartment where I live....

and these are just round and about my apartment.....

A new blogging friend of mine is Sharon Srock and Amazon.com explains her far better than I can....

"Author Sharon Srock went from science fiction to Christian fiction at slightly less than warp speed.  Twenty five years ago, she cut her writer's teeth on Star Trek fiction.  Today, she writes inspirational stories that focus on ordinary women using their faith to accomplish extraordinary things.  A member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, Sharon serves her local chapter in the role of treasurer.  Sharon lives in the middle of nowhere Oklahoma with her husband and three very large dogs.  Her books include:  The Women of Valley View:  Callie and The Women of Valley View:  Terri, both of which are currently available.  The Women of Valley View:  Pam will release in early 2014."

Here is a synopsis of her book "Callie".  I'm sure you will want to read this one and the sequels.

"Three dire circumstances. Three desperate prayers. One miracle to save them all.  Callie Stillman is drawn to the evasive girl who’s befriended her granddaughter, but the last time Callie tried to help a child, her efforts backfired. Memories of the tiny coffin still haunt her.  Samantha and Iris Evans should be worried about homework, not whether they can pool enough cash to survive another week of caring for an infant while evading the authorities.  Steve Evans wants a second chance at fatherhood, but his children are missing.  And no one seems to want to help the former addict who deserted his family.  For Steve to regain the relationship he abandoned, for his girls to receive the care they deserve, Callie must surrender her fear and rely on God to work the miracle they all need."

You can also find out more about Sharon at these links:

Visit her BLOG at: http://www.womenofvalleyview.blogspot.com/
Connect with her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SharonSrock#!/SharonSrock
Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/SharonSrock
Find her on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6448789.Sharon_Srock

If you'd like a chance to get acquainted with THE WOMEN OF VALLEY VIEW you can download a free 39 page PDF here:
http://bitly.com/SmQmUs

My favourite topic.... My granddarlings just came home from spending a beautiful week with their mum and dad at a cottage. The weather was great and they all had a fabulous time.  They needed a good time away.  To finish up, a couple of photos of darling Rhys and sweetheart Katherine.........

Well, that's it for now.  I hope you have a wonderful, happy and healthy week and I will "talk" to you again soon.

Hugs,

Summer is definitely here!!

Well, summer has definitely arrived and I'm already fed up with this hot, humid weather.  I guess I just cannot be pleased - complain when the winter lasts six months and then when the temperature is above 70 degrees.  Ah well, just have to put up with it I guess!!

I'm still busy with my Boutique and on my way there from my apartment just down the street are some pretty flowers planted alongside the road.....

Makes the walk enjoyable.

Talking about the Boutique, sad to say but things were not going too well.  There were three of us when it began and we seemed to be getting along fine but the old adage "Two's company, three's a crowd" came into play and it ended with me having no choice but to go out on my own, for my own peace of mind.  Quite a few people had warned me about three never working out, but as we seemed to get along so well I didn't pay much attention until I became the third wheel, LOL  I rented my own space just across the hall.  I'm loving this and am hoping that they will let me enjoy what I am doing.  I have a goodly amount of valued customers who love to come and visit me - they don't always make a purchase and that's okay.  It's not about money with me (although I don't say no to it, LOL).  No, it's having a hobby which fills my retirement days and satisfies my artistic side.  I'm always making something or other or re-doing an item.  Here are a few things that I have been working on.....

Just finished painting and re-upholstering these dining chairs.  I have done a few in the past but I am particularly proud of these two.

A couple more lighthouses.  Aren't they adorable?

A couple of plant holders, into which I put a couple of clay pots.  Quite cute.

And, I repainted an old highchair.  It wasn't selling in it's natural state so I asked some of my online friends what colour I should paint it and this was the colour which was mentioned the most.

Repainted an old mirror.

and that's about it.  From now on, things are going to be a lot better.  I'm certainly going to do my best to make it work.

Now that I have got all that out of the way, I saved the best for last.  I just returned a while ago from visiting my darling grandchildren and celebrated Rhys's 4th birthday.  It's amazing how quickly these kiddies are changing and growing up.  A few photos of the sweethearts to end this blog.

Oh, before I leave, just have to mention that I sold my crow table that I painted this past Saturday at the Boutique.  She said it was going to a loving home.

That's all for now folks.  Have a wonderful week.  Be kind to each other.

Hugs,