Where Bloggers Create II

The day is finally here.

 One we all have been waiting for.

 A day when we can throw open the door with a big "WELCOME" and say,

 "Come on in. Let me show you around."

When we moved into this house seven years ago, I was fortunate to have some extra space that I could claim for my own office/studio. I wanted some space to read and watch tv on the main level of our home. A quiet spot where I could have a comfy chair, my computer, and my books.

I love to write, read, do Bible Studies,
oh, and let's not forget lots of blogging.

 So this is where I spend a lot of my time.

I have a Bible Study and devotional blog also, "a day in the life",

 stop by for a visit when you have the time.

I found this table last year in really terrible shape

 so I repainted it to match my computer grouping.

I have a space at a local tea room and antique mall where I sell vintage and antiques. I love the white, chippy, and shabby look, so I end up painting a lot of the furniture I find.

I love having my work table here,

 and now I don't know what I did before I found it.

I like to use vintage everyday objects to hold pens,

supplies, and to just enjoy looking at.

If you read my blog, you'll know I'm a "collector". My squirrel and chipmunk collection has yet to make it's debut. They have been residing here for the last few years.

Current magazines, computer paper, notes, and journals

all have a place in some vintage files on my desk.

An old drawer painted robin's egg blue holds necessities

from hand cream to tape and everything in between.

I think it's important to surround ourselves with the small

things in life that bring us joy.

My grandfather had a print shop during the depression,

so I guess I have the "paper gene".

I love ephemera; vintage and new.

And I'm really drawn to vintage graphics.

My oversized chair has been covered in two 40's barkcloth curtain panels.

And an ottoman that holds a tray for reading and a cup of coffee,

but mostly holds a cat.

Yo yo pillow made by my sweet mother-in-law.

This message board is something I wanted to put together

before this party.

I have wanted to do this for several years and finally

had the motivation to accomplish it.

I collect old frames and found this one

that just needed  a coat of white paint and some foam board.

A layer of quilt batting and some natural linen completed it.

A really easy project, now to fill it up with inspiration.

One of my dress forms holds a few of my necklaces.

It's more of a hobby than anything else.

I sell a few at my space at the tea room.

But mostly it's just good therapy.

This pie safe I found a few years ago is a perfect spot

 to keep supplies and projects that I need to reach easily. 

Here's one of my furry assistants.

She's my little shadow.

My mom gave me my first vintage hat,

one she used to wear when she and Dad

dressed for their antique car club outings.

 My dad lovingly restored old cars ranging from the teens to the 40's.

I have a real love for old luggage and have collected

 quite a few pieces over the last few years.

I've found that it's a great place to store art supplies.

These are a few that I have painted white,

that hold old cards and keepsakes.

I have this old trunk for more paper supplies,

lace, bits and pieces, and odds and ends.

This is one of my favorite finds.

An old monogramed "Hartmann" train case,

 now holding old prints and photos.

vintage hatbox

This dress form is one of my recent finds, "My Double".

Wire mesh that takes on your own personal shape.

eecck! I decided against that option.

I enjoy playing with paper collage,

 and made a few of these a while back.

 I just ended up keeping these two.

Another area I enjoy is restoring these old, cardboard prints

from the 40's to the 60's.

This one was scratched and badly marred.

I matched the paint, touched it up, and then resurfaced it.

Now part of a favorite grouping.

Now you know where I spend most of my time.

I've enjoyed showing you around.

Thank you, Karen from My Desert Cottage

for throwing this wonderful party!

I also want to invite you to enter my

1 Year Blog Anniversary Give Away

Carolyn Westbrook's new book

"The French Inspired Home".

Click here to enter

Now, I'm off to visit all of you!

Have a wonderful weekend.

love,

Debra

Early Father's Day

"Happy Father's Day"

 to my Dad

Today, I wanted to take a minute and honor my Daddy. He has been gone for 10 years now, but when I think of him, it's always in his uniform. He was so handsome and young in this photo. Taken in 1953, He was 23, and I was just a few months old. He was in the Navy during the Korean War, and then later stayed in the reserves.  He was a gunner on a battleship, and I believe this was taken in Bremerton, Washington where he was stationed after he returned home.

I know I'll see you again some day.

I still really miss you Daddy,
love,
your daughter

Are you about ready?

For the Party of the Year!!

Where Bloggers Create

 

Just about time to unlock the doors

 to our private creative spaces and start the fun!

 

Thanks to Karen,

I've made great headway into cleaning and organizing my workspace.

I had to start a couple of weeks in advance because it was pretty scary.

It was long overdue!

Now I think I've found a proper place and display

for most of my supplies and projects.

So be sure and start the party with us

Friday evening the 18th

as we welcome you all inside our homes and spaces.

 I know I'm really looking forward to seeing

where and how you create!

Be sure you've entered my French Inspired Giveaway!

Click here to enter.

love,
Debra

Vintage Linens Chair-Back Slips

About six weeks ago, I decided it was time to "lighten up".

So I've had one project after another

to try to lighten and brighten my interior spaces.

A few weeks ago I did chair slip covers

 for my bergere chairs in the Living Room.

I surprised myself at getting them accomplished,

because...

I really don't like to sew.

Sorry to say, I'm sort of a klutz when it comes to sewing.

But since I redid my Dining Room,

my heavy wood dining chairs seemed to be

 bigger and darker and heavier than ever.

(Oh My!)

They taunted me to start another "project".

It's taken some thought,

because I wanted to recover the seat cushions.

(a relative easy job)

So I didn't want to do a seat slip,

even though it would have been

flirty with ruffles.

Two kitties with gray fur,

who love to lounge, talked me out of that idea.

I need to find some heavier flax or linen upholstery fabric

for the seats themselves.

What I have here is too lightweight,

but the right color and texture.

I had three "must haves" in choosing the material for these chair slips.

1. needs to be lightweight and somewhat transparent.

2. needs to be easy to work with.

3. Has to be inexpensive,

 because I have ten chairs to eventually slip.

So... I just chose a plain white cotton.

Then to dress them up,

I added pieces of vintage dresser scarves with crocheted lace,

that I found recently at a barn sale.

(see my header photo)

Depending on the time of day and the light,

you can see the silhouette of my chair backs.

I made a template pattern by tracing the backs onto poster board.

Then to add a little fun,

 I used a vintage button in back to tighten up the fit.

I have another project I'm working on,

so I'll show you soon.

This involves paint again,

just not on the walls.

(thank goodness!)

I'm linking to

the DIY Showoff

Between Naps on the Porch

Linda at Coastal Charm

Happy One Year White Wednesday!

with Kathleen at Faded Charm

Show and Tell at My Romantic Home

And if you haven't entered my

1 year Blog Anniversary Give Away

then click here!

to have a chance to win this wonderful

soon to be released book

by Carolyn Westbrook!

Thank you everyone for the great response,

remember, there will be two winners!

love,

Debra

Meet "My Double"

Let my introduce you to

"My Double"

Yes, she's quite the petite little thing.

Found her a few weeks ago at an antique mall.

I just wish she was "my double"!

I don't think I'll see this waist size anytime soon.

But I'm showing her off for 

Silver Sunday.

Look hard,

there's some "silver" in there.

Her hardware is "silvery"

so I hope that qualifies.

And here's a few of my key necklaces

 that I've been making for the shop in Ozark.

Old keys with just a little "bling".

My one year Blog Anniversary is this week

And if you haven't entered yet...

Click here to enter my

French Inspired Anniversary Give Away

Two lucky people will be chosen to receive

Carolyn Westbrook's

 new book.

Head on over to Beth's at Gypsy Fish Journal

to see all the silver fun!

Hope your weekend is a great one.

love,

Debra

A French Inspired Give Away

Hi Everyone! Next week is my One Year Blog Birthday and I wanted to do something really fun and different to celebrate. My third post last June was about a person and book who I truly identify with. When I found her, every photo resonated with "me" and my style.

Carolyn Westbrook  is a talent that many of you know personally. She has space at Warrenton for the Texas Shows and is now branching out into her own lines of bedding, linens, and lighting. Her book, Carolyn Westbrook Home, has been sort of a decorating bible for me. I keep it nearby and have studied each page and photo.

                                    

Carolyn's wonderful Texas home, The Oaks

So now for my one year anniversary

 I want to share the excitement of

Carolyn's new book:

The French Inspired Home

with an interview with Carolyn.

She was gracious enough to take time to answer some questions

about her new book which will be released in September.

What was your motivation for doing this new book?

My Romance with France and most things French. My romance with France began long before I ever set foot in Paris. I have always loved the intricate detailing that is evident from French furniture, to the way the French decorate their homes with elaborate moldings, aged objects and pieces that have become antique as they were passed down the line, from one generation to the next. They still take the time to consider the details, whether in their architecture, buildings, statues or just in a to-go bakery box that is adorned beautifully. Not only that, but they realize the importance of their history and beauty, and they protect it. They do not push down historic buildings to pop up a super mall and life is not about disposable surroundings. I do love and respect that philosophy. I do hope that the new book will motivate others to surround themselves with aged and antique pieces that have been carefully sought out and gathered. This is the "good stuff" and it cannot be found at the local mega mart. These pieces were built at a time when people took pride in their work, and will not have to be replaced in six months. Just as our countries landscape has become much of the same, no matter what city that you are in, so are people's houses. A handful of big retailers are all selling similar products, so that people that decorate their homes in this manner, end up with essentially cookie cutter interiors. It is my job to let everyone know that not only can you find it often times cheaper at a tag sale or flea market, it is better quality and you are helping keep our world green, by recycling. This is truly the "good stuff" so go out there and get it.

Is this an "evolution" of your own personal style?

No. I have a love for all styles, as is evident in my own home. Growing up, as my Mother was a decorator, I was always inspired as our interior changed often from Asian, to contemporary to French Country, it was always evolving and I try to do just that. It is important to keep things fresh.

Will the backdrop for this new book be your personal residence or will you be showing other people's spaces?

It is partially my own home, but much of that has not changed from the first book, Carolyn Westbrook Home. I do add and subtract elements and change things around, but if you have a classic interior, then it is always good. I use much color throughout the house and I love prints. I am happy to see that prints and wallpaper are making a comeback. We did shoot some other houses for the book, that were either friends, colleagues or clients of mine.

 Did you "redecorate" your entire home?

No. I have spent my whole life collecting, what is precious to me, and I would never consider scrapping that to go with the newest trend. I do think it is important to freshen up your room and assess what needs to be moved around or in some cases moved out to another room, but for the most part, I am happy with my home. We have redone a few rooms, like the girls room, as it was all floral in the first book and they were just not having it, now that they are teenagers, but alas, their room is not in the new book. One of our downstairs rooms, is now the "Library." It was not photographed for the first book. It has always been a beautiful room with a fantastic mantle, but I have always wanted a library. We brought in enormous shelves and filled them with our collection of books, some of which had been packed away, so it was great to see them displayed, while other books, I bought at antique malls and flea markets. I was thrilled with the result. Now, it is one of my favorite rooms in the house.

How did you incorporate the French Inspired Home into your existing style and decor for your personal Home?

We have always had French Inspired style in our home, as both my Mom and I are big fans of the French furniture and accessories. If you look at my first book, you will see the main hall is filled with antique French chairs and paintings that we have brought back from France. I have always had a love for the French linen monogrammed sheets, and look for them wherever I go. My love for the French style is not something that simply was thought of for the book, but has been an inspiration, since I was young.

I love the "format" of your book "Carolyn Westbrook Home" and enjoyed how you took us room by room and area by area, even your outdoor spaces, to show us your decor and design sense. How will this new book be similar or different from this room by room format?

It is formatted a bit differently, as it is broken down in different chapters, the first being "A Romance with French" to another that is "French Bleu." I hope that the readers will love this format, as much as I do. I was very fortunate to work with a fabulous team and they were very trusting of the way that I wished to see the book layed out.

Thank You, Carolyn!

I love sharing a good thing,

so there will be two names chosen to receive this new book.

One will be from all the entries,

and a second will be chosen from those who

post about /link up with me with the sidebar button.

Here are the ways to have multiple entries:

1. Become a follower of my blog and leave a comment, then let me know you are a follower.
2. Post about this give away
3. Link up with the give away with my Give Away Button
4. And for those of you that have me on your blog roll, thank you dear friends, just let me know!

5. and then, if you'd like to go visit Carolyn's blog and follow her, leave another comment.

Five entries possible!!

Remember to leave a separate "comment" for each entry!

I'll be choosing the winners!

 Yea, there will be two of you!

on June 30th.

Thank You, each and every one of you

for making this last year

one of my very best!

love,

Debra