Friday, June 8, 2012

Vintage Inspiration #91 Confessions of a Plate Addict

First of all I want to say a big ThankYou to everyone that left a comment on my last post about my new dining room chair slips. I loved reading them! I think you might like those slips almost as much as I do!!

And now I want to aim the spotlight on a sweet and talented gal, Debbie and her blog "Confessions of a Plate Addict"; don't you love the name? I'm sure that most of you know her and are fans. As a retired French teacher she even lived in France for a year, so her blog reflects her love for all things French Country. I first found Debbie because of her wonderful collection of Quimper French Faience pottery; a love we both share.

 But I have a question...
Is there anything this woman cannot do?

How about a Pottery Barn inspired birdcage pillow
that she shared last week...


(she is the queen of graphics transfers on fabric)


or my personal favorite,
the Le Mouton pillow...
(does she know how much I love my sheep?)


Here is another creation,
 her faux grain sack runner with some of her wonderful Faience.


Faux pumpkins decoupaged with paper or fabric
(she can do it and then end up being featured in Country Living!)


Oh yes, she was one of the first to make a burlap tablerunner. 


decoupaged eggs...?


French Script candles...?


And don't EVEN get me started on this little tabletop box
that she morphs into something more fabulous with each new season!


see what I mean?


One of my favorite parts of Debbie's blog, 
and a continuous source of endearing humor,
are her amazing companions and "staff".
They help her create all the fabulous projects that she shares with us. 
I tell ya, I wish my girls were half as talented as her group!


And speaking of my "girls",
we attended Baby Kitty's Birthday Party a few years ago...
it truly was the Cat's Meow!!
(isn't he handsome...and so smart.




So, if for some reason you don't know Debbie, French teacher and Francophile extraordinaire, then it's time for a visit. You never know what kind of project she'll be working on next, but I can guarantee it will be worth Pinning! Thanks Debbie for keeping us inspired. Wait to see what she has in store for this week!

I cannot keep up with all the wonderful inspiration you all bring to the table each week! I could feature all of you! Here are just a few from last week:


Ellen the Scribbler Unfocused, shared a tablescape of yellow on yellow.
You have to see all the photos, this room is wonderful!



Pam from Backwoods Cottage
used a church pew as her inspiration for this great bench. 



An Old Dresser from Bella's Rose Cottage
 has been turned into a wonderful planter.
 Be sure you see how she put it all together.


And Candylei from Westie, Art and Garden
 photographed her lovely daughter in an Edwardian dress
on a beautiful bucolic afternoon.


Thank you everyone for joining in for Vintage Inspiration.
Please be sure you put a link back to Common Ground within your post,
since I choose my features based on your linky. So be sure and link back!


And be sure and visit these other great Friday Parties







So let's see what you're up to!




Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Dining Chairs Slip Cover Reveal

I'm so excited to have you meet my new little girls.
That's what my husband calls them, because they look like they are wearing new little dresses.

I don't ever want to come across as ungrateful. I have a lovely Dining Room, but it just wasn't where I wanted it to be. We moved here nine years ago; funny how our tastes can change over the course of the years. Our Dining Room isn't small, but it's also not huge and all the dark wood was overwhelming.
I lightened up the walls (papered and painted) two years ago, but even that didn't get me "there". I've toyed with painting the furniture white, but I never could make that final commitment, so I felt like it wasn't the right decision. waffle...waffle...fingernail chewing...







But a few months ago when I saw the custom chair slipcovers 
at my friend Debra's store, Inspirational Home, it all came together for me.
I knew this was the answer.




She has three different colors of linen, and each in two weights, (white, off white, and natural) I chose the off white, a nice antique white with just a hint of cream in it, in the heavier fabric.



I wanted to be able to see the outline of the chair, which I really love,
through the linen... just not see all that dark wood.
And it was important that they hug the shape of the crown on top.


The two other "girls" approve as you can see,
now if I can just keep them off of them as a napping spot.





I had six side chairs and two end chairs to slip.
I wanted them simple and feminine, 
but not too ruffly and prissy, so I went with a single ruffle
and a simple tie to knot.


We used a snap to attach the ruffle across the wooden arm.





Here is one of the two extra chairs with pillows I found at Antique Farmhouse. They sit either side of the breakfront.


For the first few days I was literally giddy...
they turned out just as I had envisioned them.



Here's the before, without the slips.



I love how the room looks now. 
It has the vintage feel, with maybe just a little French thrown in.




Just a note here to let you know I have no contact with the seamstress that made these for me back in 2012, and cannot be a liason to taking orders for chair slips. The reason I have this photo and link to the post is to share with my readers the construction of how you can make your own. The most important element besides exact measurements is the use of a template of the back of your chair. That gives a custom look and fit. Please contact a seamstress locally, then share your ideas from here. Thanks so much, Debra


XOXO,

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Monday Marketplace #15


Happy Monday, Everyone, time for 
Monday Marketplace
where you can link up your Etsy and Online Boutique items.

Here are a few goodies from last week:


Belle et Douce, Beautiful and Sweet Altered Art 
from Jill at Feathers and Flight




from Cottage Wishes




Union Jack Inspired Pillow from Brenda at Cozy Little House



from Jill at JunkinGypsies


 This party is just for items that are for sale from your Etsy Shops or Online Boutiques. Link up to three items, and if possible, a direct link to that particular item. You don't have to have a blog to join in, but if you do, I'd love for you to grab the button on the sidebar and share it somewhere on your blog. This let's people know where you're selling and invites them over to shop. (and so nice if you'd become a follower thru Google Friend Connect)
This party link will be up all week, so be sure and stop back by during the week to see all the items that have been added. There are always so many great things! Thanks to all you new shop owners, too, who have joined in this last week or two. I appreciate you being here! There is room on the link for your blog name, too,  if you'd like.



Hope you're enjoying your start to summer!!






Sunday, June 3, 2012

A few finds and a slip-tease...

I know...
a little play on words...
but I just couldn't help myself.


an ecru linen crocheted edge table runner...
(so yummy I want to wear it!)





three diminutive bottles from my visit to Leola's...
(they will be used to root some ivy starts)

and a brown transferware platter...

(my favorite  $2.50 find with a few little imperfections,
but then we all have those little flaws)












and look...what's this?


see those mysterious "girly" curves clad in linen?


yes, my darlings have arrived...


sweet and ruffly
all tied with a ribbon...

(just had to give you a little tease)

I'll be joining in for 

Thrifty Finds at Southern Hospitality 
Tuesdays Treasures at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Table Top Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

See you tomorrow for:


xoxo,