French Lessons

A few years ago at a swap meet here in town one of the dealers

was selling some old books for just a few dollars a piece.

There were a handful that I was interested in

 but they were in terrible condition.

It was getting late and he didn't want to haul them home,

so he suggested I pick out several for a dollar.

One was a French Lesson Book in English from the 1850's

and another was this book published in 1905.

The Lesson book's cover and binding were falling apart

but I loved the yellowing pages and some penciled notes

from a student many years ago.

And if you've visited many flea markets or antique malls

I'm sure you've run into at least one of these glass top trays,

probably from the 30's or 40's.

So some Modge Podge and book pages,

with a little white paint,

transformed the ho hum

into a sweet little tray to brighten the ottoman in my studio.

The vintage bird graphics aren't glued down,

they're just under the glass

so it can be changed out for the seasons.

I'd been wanting to do this for awhile and finally got it done

during one of my "paint" sessions.

Mumpkins

I sort of go nutso this time of the year,

cause I'm just a "Fall"  kinda gal!

So be warned...

you'll be seeing a ton of fun fall images and ideas.

Just wanted to share this one that came in the mail from

 Lowe's Creative Ideas Magazine.

Hope you have a great weekend,

and be sure and enter the

Vintage Inspiration Friday Give Away

by scrolling down to the last post.

There's still time to link up for this week!

xoxo,

Vintage Inspiration Friday #51: One Year Give Away!

Hello, hello, ready for a Give Away?

I missed my 2 year blog anniversary back in June,

so I thought I'd better get busy to not miss my one year

Vintage Inspiration Friday

 Birthday!

(Hope you like what I have planned. I'm Excited!)

I love lots of different styles of decor

and I can't pigeonhole myself in one particular area,

but just having come on a journey with my Living Room

I've realized that Romantic French Styling has been my biggest inspiration.

So for a Give Away to celebrate Vintage Inspiration Friday,

 I thought I'd share two of my "go-to" books with you all.

Carolyn Westbrook's

The French Inspired Home

And Selina Lake's

Romantic Style

and just to let you know how much I love and appreciate you

supporters of Vintage Inspiration Friday and my blog

I'm going to add in one of my Key Pendant Necklaces .

A little vintage watch face on an old key

with a little bling for some fun!

Here's the deal for entries:

Separate comments please, for each one.

1. Please follow my blog and let me know.
2. Grab my Give Away button for your sidebar.
3. Spread the word with a Blog post.

And then, when you participate in

Vintage Inspiration Friday

I'll count it as an extra entry.

(one link up for each week, please)

that means three more chances to win!

Ends September 3, 2011

And now from last week's wonderful entries:

My sweet friend Sharon from Sharon's Wannabe Cottage

demolished a boat sized island and "found" this

great workbench to open up her wonderful kitchen.

Debbie at Confessions of a Plate Addict

continuously has me lusting after her linen creations.

White Whimsy uses Coffee Bean Sacks

to make a great table runner for her buffet

and framed art.

And A Few Pennies More shows us with a great tutorial,

how to create a Feed Sack Dress Form that looks so vintage.

joining in on

Hope you'll join in this week,

please include a link within your post

or button on sidebar.

Remember we're starting the Give Away today,

so please leave your comments here on this post!

You all are the best.

Thanks for making my life so much fun!

xoxo,

Vintage Inspiration Friday, Birthday Give Away starting tomorrow!

This is a heads up for the fun that's starting tomorrow for

Vintage Inspiration Friday!

but you can grab the button on the sidebar today!

 Entries for the Give Away start on tomorrow's post,

but you can still say Hi, today!

xoxo,

p.s. thank you for all the great advice for Charlotte's Great Room!!

If you haven't checked in, just scroll down for her Design Challenge post.

Design Challenge #3 Charlotte's Great Room

Hi Everyone, Time for another Design Challenge!

Today, Charlotte from Butterbean Row

is hoping for some good advice on how she can achieve a softer, casual,

updated look for her Great Room.

She has great elements that are a little masculine and rustic,

and needs our help to bring in a little chic.

Take a look, and think about her ideas.

Lets' see what we can suggest!

In Charlotte's Own Words

1. Being on a budget, I need to handle this re-do in stages.

2. I love all things white due to the inspiration of decorating blogs such as "White Ironstone Cottage", "My Romantic Home", "Common Ground", "Faded Charm" and many others.

3. I love country French and that casual elegance of some lovely flowers in an old bucket.

4. Casual but elegant. Not fussy.

5. I need HELP arranging items on my mantle and built in book case. I have never figured out what to do to make it pretty and not so cluttered looking.

6. My sofa is reddish brown leather. Is there a way to accessorize to brighten it ?

7. Thanks to you all for your help!

♥charlotte

This is Charlotte's Entry.

Don't you love the lighter brighter wall color,

and that great blue console table?

I can see where this lighter color could be incorporated in to the rest of the Great Room.

Thanks so much for all your great design advice and ideas,

I know the recipients really appreciate you all taking the time to weigh in!

OK, let's share our thoughts and help Charlotte get started!

And a special "Thankyou" gift will be going out to

 Eileen at Cottage Beach House

for spreading the word about Design Challenge!

xoxo,