vacation

Wishing you a happy, healthy, and safe 4th of July!

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burlap table runner

A couple of weeks ago I was browsing on Pinterest when I ran across this from Antique Chase:

Antique Chase - Hand Knotted Burlap Table Runner



I pinned it immediately, knowing this would add a pretty rustic touch to our Vermont getaway.

Doesn't it feel great to pin something KNOWING you'll actually make it?

I measured my table, adding 6 inches for overhang and 12 inches for fringe on each side. I rushed to Joann's and came home with...

the much less rustic oyster colored burlap. I really do struggle with this rustic thing...

At any rate, I layed everything out to measure...



and I really do need to start using my table more. My helper - yeah - not really all that much help.

I only wanted my runner to be 18 inches wide, so I cut my bulap 37 inches wide and made a seam starting 12 inches from one end of the runner, ending it 12 inches from the other end (for the fringe). I turned it right side out and pressed it.

This part, pulling the cross threads, is slightly tedius - but only slightly. I pulled enough for 12 inches of fringe, but in retrospect, 9 inches would have been plenty. It's all a matter of preference.

Knotting is easy, just try to make sure they're uniform and face the same direction.

And voila, you're done - quick and easy table runner.

When I put it on my table, it fit perfectly and I was feeling pretty happy. But then, as I was walking by our little sunroom I remembered that I had been meaning to get something to protect my antique table from the sun.

Soooooo

The runner is a bit too long for this table - which would be an easy fix - except that I kind of like it this way.

No - I really like it this way!

Do you ever make something and then like it better when you use for a different purpose?

I am really enjoying my new table runner!

I am joining:

Little Red House for Mosaic Monday

A Stroll Thru Life for Table Top Tuesday

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moments "away"

Sometimes being “away" is not as much about location as it is about capturing a moment in time – those moments that make you smile, that feel like a break from the ordinary. They can happen at any time and often come as a surprise.

A couple of weeks ago I was enjoying a girls afternoon of shopping and lunch with my mom when we noticed this:

Smile

It may be hard to tell in this photo (which I couldn't resist playing with in PicMonkey), but this is not a child's bicycle.

Maybe because it’s pink – maybe because it’s a bicycle – maybe because it has such a cute pink basket in the front… I don’t really question why.

I was already enjoying the day – this was just a little added moment.

I am Sharing with

How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday

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june flowers

One of the drawbacks of going away on weekends is that feeling of always running behind on things to be done at home. I'm a little late this year planting my window boxes.

Last Sunday was one of those truly beautiful June days that we sometimes get here in New England. I enjoyed a weekend at home planting and puttering. I'm keeping my windowboxes low maintenance this year - impatiens, million bells and some spiky plants for height.

It will be a while before they fill in enough to enjoy. In the meantime, my perennials are enjoying our mild year.

My fringed bleeding hearts have been reliable bloomer every year

I transplanted the foxglove last fall and am so happy to see them bloom in their new location

These are Endless Summer hydrangeas. In the past they've been a more vibrant blue - but I think I'm liking this soft muted color.

And - for an added splash of color, I made a wreath for our front door.

Wishing you all a happy, colorful June!

I am sharing with

A Delightsome Life for Home and Garden Thursday

The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sunday

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cabinet facelift

If you’ve been following along, you might remember my bathroom project – from long, long ago. Okay, so this project is taking forever. I’m learning the hard way, that projects on a vacation home kind of drag…..

Anyway - as part of that project, I gave the builder’s stock cabinet a little facelift. To refresh your memory, here it is before. Sorry - bad angle, but you are all probably familiar with cabinets like these.

I admit there was a part of me that said “don’t even bother” and another part of me that felt skeptical about painting laminate. So I did one of the things I do best – research.

Zinser Bulls-Eye 1-2-3 primer was highly recommended for laminate. I’m pretty sure there are others that will work, but this one requires no sanding (I sanded a little, anyway) and it is supposed to have great gripping power.

I thought about painting it something dark (more rustic) but wanted to keep it pretty neutral, so I chose a soft off-white color (BM Muslin). It’s just slightly darker than the paint I used on the walls.

The part of me that tends towards traditional style probably would have left the cabinet like this. I really like that the new hardware adds a little bit of a rustic touch. Even so, this is not saying "cabin" to me.

So against every impulse in me that was screaming “Noooooo!!!!!”, I lightly sanded the painted surface, sanding it down to the wood is some spots. Then I used Minwax stain in Provisional which I brushed on with a foam brush, immediately wiping it down with a cloth. (Sorry – no pictures of this process. I was much too traumatized to be thinking of photos.)

I probably could have distressed it a little more - but really, this is all I could handle. This room is so narrow, it's really hard to get a good shot.

We’re going to be switching out the faucet, and framing the mirror.

Here it is in process – after my first failed attempt. (Please ignore all the piles of stuff you see in the reflection) There are lots of tutorials out on the web for framing a mirror – and when they say to use Liquid Nails – please, please, please use Liquid Nails. Not all glue is created equal!

After a minor melt-down that went something like
“I JUST WANT THIS PROJECT TO BE DONE NOW!!!!!”
(there may have also been a little stomping around)
We tried again, and this seems to be working – if it doesn’t, there will just be no frame on the mirror. I’ll let you know….

I’m happy with the finished cabinet. Of course, the cabinet I really want would be something like this -

Pottery Barn William Sink Console

But I am liking this change – a lot!

So now our bathroom is almost done – phew!

I am joining:
The Newbie Party at Debbiedoo's
Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm
Power of Paint at Domestically Speaking

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hiking the overlook trail

Over Memorial Day weekend, we had the good fortune of extending our weekend in Vermont a couple extra days. So, we headed on back to Jamaica State Park (through the main entrance, this time) to hike the Overlook Trail.

It starts out following the West River.

I really can’t describe how restful it feels to walk through the forest with the sound of the river by your side.

We didn’t get far when we were rewarded with this

I think I’ve only seen a lady slipper maybe once or twice
Greg is actually the one who spotted it. I’m so proud of him – he’s really getting the hang of this whole slowing down and smelling the roses thing – so to speak.

The hike passes by an area on the river called the “dumplings”. I bet you can guess why.

This is one brave tree, trying to grow right in the middle of that boulder!

Up to this point, we were really just leisurely strolling along the river. But as you may have guessed by its name “Overlook”, there is a little climbing involved.

I neglected to take pictures of this part – you’ll understand in a minute.

The reward at the top of the trail

Sooooooo

Thankfully, this was a fairly short hike and it would have been wonderful
IF
we had remembered the bug spray.

Seriously, who forgets bug spray when they’re going on a hike?!?

Of course – if you're looking for a full-body workout, you can do as we did and walk briskly while maniacally flailing your arms and slapping yourself.

Me? I already loaded my knapsack with spray, wipes, clip-ons...

Believe it or not, we still had a great time – but – lesson learned!

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mountain cabin chair redo

I know – I’ve been a bad blogger. Work has been crazy busy – you know - the kind of busy where you come home from work hours late feeling as though your brain has turned to mush and about all you can manage is flopping on the couch – and checking through pinterest.

Hey, at least I’m keeping up with my research!

Anyway, I’ve been busy busy busy. Lots of projects in the works. Right now I’m in the midst of redoing three lamps, my bathroom project is almost done – almost – I'm refreshing two adorable mirrors that I picked up at a little antique shop, I just finished some Adirondack chairs (that I think I might redo again, ugh) – and this is just for starters…
Plus we went on a great hike that I’d also like to share at some point.

If you know me, you also know that this is probably the only time you’ll hear me say this -
Thank goodness for rainy Saturdays!!!
Whew – an opportunity to catch my breath and just putter around the house.

Anyway, I digress.
So do you recognize the chair?
Yep- it’s the one I found while on my spring cleaning frenzy.



chair before

I really like white wicker - it says "cottage" to me.
But – as you may remember, I’m trying to add more of a "cabin" feel to our mountain getaway. Unfortunately, white doesn't seem quite right.

Dark brown spray paint to the rescue. This one is Valspar Brown Velvet in the satin finish. (I really need to learn to take pictures of my projects while they're in process)

I ran out to Joanne's for fabric repeating "think cabin, think cabin, think cabin" - (my natural inclination is more cottagey)

I found a remnant in a nubby tan and brown and thought "aha - cabin!" (smile - and a remnant no less - I'm so proud of myself). I took it home and layed the whole thing out, using the old cushion as a pattern.

I had a little more help on this project than I really needed...

I put it all together and found a couple pillows and a throw down in the basement.

- and placed it in the guest room.

I'm pretty happy with it. For the cost of a can of spray paint and a fabric remnant, I feel as though I have a new chair.
Of course, the pillows need a little "snazzing" up. New pillow covers is somwhere on my long to-do list.
So - what do you think? Does this say "cabin" to you?

I am joining:
Newbie Party at Debbiedoo's
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

Thanks for dropping in!