The Turquoise Cabinet

Well, I finally finished painting and distressing my little cabinet in the living room.

I bought this like three years ago with the intentions of painting and it's taken me this long to get to it.

I might distress it more. I tend to not like things in my house super distressed so not sure.

My intention was to distress it more but the paint was stuck so tight it was taking tons of sanding 

and I just said - "that's enough"

I sanded for like 5 hours one day and still wasn't done. 

I sanded so much that I sanded my finger print off on my index finger and was not 

able to open anything by touch on my iphone!

For three days!!!!!

Super annoying.

Did you know that some people because of jobs they have had have no finger prints?

Yep, they wear them off.

It can be a job that you work with paper a lot...like a secretary or an accountant.

So for a few days I was afraid I'd removed my identity!

I still had two hours of sanding to do...but the rest I did with a rubber glove on.

That's the before. Ick. I am not into those kinda colors at all. 

Mom loved it and I would have given it to her but honestly, she does not have room for it anywhere.

I already gave her one sideboard I bought several years ago that was black and 

she didn't like it that I was going to paint it and said she wanted it. So I gave that one to her for 

her soon to be (I hope) breakfast room.

 

This photos shows up close the finish. The actual color is somewhere between this photo and the first photo. I don't know why I couldn't get the color to photograph more accurately.

 

I am fully aware that Fall is over and everyone is on to Christmas but with all I have going on at the moment I decided to go ahead and post this while I had a chance and then post again later decked out for Christmas. I can't wait to see it with my Christmas things on it. I think this photo shows the color most accurate.

It's brighter than I intended but I do like how cheery it is.

I used Waverly Chalk paint because it was cheap and I'd read good things about it. Plus you can buy in the middle of the night at Walmart which is how I like to shop. I was very happy with the quality of the paint. I mixed the color using blue, yellow and white plus a little brown craft paint thrown in. I might distress it a little more. I might tone the color down a little more with a wash and or I might leave as is. I have not waxed it yet. I'm waiting to decide if it's done or not.

 I picked up this adorable pillow at Michael's in October. I could not resist it. Michael's has been having incredible sales. This pillow I think cost me $9.

Now if you think I've been ignoring Christmas...I have not.

I have decorated two trees so far .... just not for me. 

I decorated a 9 foot tree for a client last week. What a chore! Just cause it was so tall!

She had great ornaments and enough of them. I was worried she wouldn't have enough.

My friend Toni who is a designer I worked with at the store and who recently quit same store because of crazy management came along and thank goodness she did because it took the two of us 6 hours to do the tree together. I also did the mantle.

I wish I'd taken photos but I was so tired and ready to get out of there I totally forgot. Plus the whole family had gathered for a pre-Thanksgiving night and I felt like I needed to get out of the way.

It was beautiful though. It was a Balsam Hill tree and she had all Balsam Hill ornaments in clear glass, white, cream and gold. Very tasteful. But not very creative for me. It's like you couldn't screw that tree up...with it's monochromatic theme. 

Very tasteful

Then on Sunday my BFF, David wanted me to come over and help him with his tree.

I had helped him shop for ornaments last month...making him buy way more than he thought he needed and keeping him on track with his theme. He was all over the place.

He wanted help finishing the tree up. When I got there I was like "Where are the rest of your ornaments?" He was like "I saved them the tree is full."

"Oh, no"...I said..."You need way more." I had told him you have to tuck the ornaments into the tree as well as on the branches. So he retrieved left over ornaments. About 150 and we went to town. 

Then several trips to the store for ribbon and floral picks completed his tree and he was happy.

It then looked as a tree should. He was happy. I was happy. I went home. 

I still could have put another 150 more ornaments on this tree.

This is David's first tree in his first house.

My first tree in my first house was like 3 feet tall with ornaments I made.

Still no tree up at my house however. 

Thanksgiving I spent with Mom and Peggy. That's my Mom, Alice in the floral top on the left. We ate at Ingrid's Kitchen. They have a huge Thanksgiving buffet every year. Peggy is an old family friend.

We spend every holiday together.

I am still caring for my sister's little Isaac who had back surgery a week and a half ago.

He is doing great but is a handful. He's very smart and strong willed. He has figured out how to get out of his crate. Which is exasperating! But I really can't complain. He's super sweet and all the weenies get a long just fine. It could be worse. 

I just feel like I'm practicing the fine art of dog juggling.

It's hard making sure he doesn't run out the back door on his own. He wants to so badly. But he's not allowed to yet.

That above is Maisie, I rescued her two years ago.

She's about 11 and very scrappy. She acts like she is 3. She loves Franklin and Franklin loves her.

She's very independent. I'll write more about her later. She came from a situation where she was living in the backyard and never got to come inside. Her name was Heidi at the time but had been also Fiona and Fifi. She'd been in rescue situations a couple of times. 

I renamed her Maisie because she didn't know the name Heidi at all. She learned Maisie immediately.

It took a year for her to feel secure here. She's a happy girl now but she had anxiety at first.

Well I tell more about her later.

Next week Isaac goes back to back doctor. I know he's doing very well. He is walking fine. Doing everything fine but I have to make sure he doesn't over do. He is not allowed to run or wrestle with the others. Not sure how long he'll stay here. He seems ready to go home but he gets better supervision here than he will at my sister's. 

Sorry, to go on so....can you tell I'm alone a lot these days?

No one to tell all to.

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Much Ado About Fall

 I've been MIA again. Sorry about that. Trying to make ends meet.

Lots of running around. I started painting the little cabinet that sits under this 

window frame in the living room. 

I hope to put the final coat of paint on it today. 

But life keeps getting in the way of me finishing.

Mom's little truck got hit and totaled.

Luckily she was not hurt. But it took forever to get the man's insurance to take care of it.

Then we spent days truck and SUV shopping. She had a little 2004 Toyota Tacoma

and that is what she planned on buying again but now they are big!

So we shopped all over trying to find something she liked.

In the end she bought a new Tacoma.

I went with her on most of these shopping trips cause she needs new hearing aids 

and cannot hear things right. When she goes alone she hears things all wrong

and things get all kinds of messed up.

The final day she decided on the truck, she went back alone thinking she had it all

in mind as to how it was going to go.

Four days later she confessed that she was upset cause they'd signed her up for a $4,800 warranty she

didn't understand was going to cost that. 

This time I went back with her. Immediately they said they'd increase the warranty from 5 years to 8 years and bring the cost down to $2,800.

Hmmmm...if they could afford to do that - why did they charge so much in the first place?

In the end after repeatedly saying no...she walked out happy with just the warranty the truck 

comes with.  3 years

My Mom is also getting badly needed repairs and renovations done to her house.

So there have been many conversations on this.

Her washer and dryer are in the basement and for years Dad wanted to move it upstairs into

the back room of the house. Mom would not agree.

She wanted to expand the kitchen and didn't want the laundry on the backside of the kitchen.

Well now she is getting practical. She does not need a bigger kitchen.

But when she told the repair/construction guys she wanted the washer dryer upstairs they suggested 

where Dad wanted to put it or removing the tub from the back bathroom and putting it in there!

She was going to do this!

She said she didn't want the washer dryer standing out in the backroom. Which used to be a bedroom but she recently used as an office/library and now is going to be a breakfast room. 

I immediately hit Pinterest to show her how pretty the washer dryer could be with shelves and cabinets above.

Well she liked that idea and that is what will be done. 

They have redone her bathroom and will work on the laundry next.

Her next plan she says is stairs to the attic.

I am saying - no no no. You don't need that.

Last thing she needs to be doing is climbing stairs to the attic.

Then....my sister's little black and tan dachshund ruptured a disc in his back.

So he had surgery this week. 

I don't trust my sister to keep him out of trouble while he recuperates so he is now 

living with me and Sally, Franklin and Maisie.

They all keep getting in his kennel with him. 

They don't want him to be alone.

It would be fine except he has a very long incision on his back that I don't want them to lick.

They have not even tried but left alone they might. 

He is not happy sleeping alone in there and lets me know periodically throughout the night.

He is walking already.

He will have an easy recuperation. 

But will be here probably 6 to 8 weeks.

Just a few photos of some fall. Christmas stuff to come out soon. 

I was going to have my cabinet all painted and then show everything.

Hopefully it will be finished this week and I'll show it with Christmas decor.

 I am taking the time to paint today because if I don't...I don't know when it will get done.

I am going to a new client's house on Monday to decorate her home for Christmas.

Hoping it will only take the afternoon. But I really don't know.

Several other people quit at the place I was working. They tell me it only got worse after

I left. I thought maybe the manager would be on good behavior for a few weeks at least.

The other designer quit a few weeks ago. They had hired a new designer to take my place 

and apparently within a week she was asking "What is wrong with her? What have I done? Why is she picking on me?" She was told by the other employees - "Oh, it's nothing you have done. 

You are doing a good job especially for someone new. It's her. That is how she deals with everyone."

Sad...there have been some really good people whose careers have come off the rails because

of her.

Of course after I left I imagined that she snapped herself out of her imagined reality and started

treating everyone better but no...she is the same if not worse. 

She thinks everyone else is messed up. 

I hear the manager over her is asking why she has such a huge turnover.

Somehow she talks he way out of it.

I don't know how...oh no...I do know how...nepotism. 

There is always a job for her somewhere in that company.

They just move her around. But she will never be fired. 

But many many others have and will quit because they can't tolerate how she treats people.

Ok, I better get in there and paint! Isaac has howled himself to sleep, finally.

He was sleeping good an hour ago when I was in the room with him.

I got up and came into the den and he woke up and started howling.

Fingers crossed he'll sleep awhile.

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Fall Container Gardens

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I love a great big cement urn planted with fall abundance.

 

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Cabbages are absolutely a must.

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coleus does nicely but the first frost will wipe it out

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pumpkins should be included

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this all white fall display does me in

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mums, cabbage and ivy surround an evergreen

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more mums and cabbage

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the addition of grasses add height

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personally, I think a few pansies is a must

So....over a month ago my friend Jeff gave me a huge cement planter.

A gorgeous planter...it's a monster.

It had been his wife's, my friend Shannon that died a year and a half ago.

Jeff decided to sell their home and move into a smaller place

and he wanted me to have the giant concrete planter that always sat out front of their porch.

I was very happy to get it and had thoughts of all the wonderful things I'd fill it with 

this fall.

It looks similar to this one shown below....but....

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But...it is still in the back of my SUV.

I can't get it out.

I think the thing weighs at least 100 pounds! perhaps more.

Jeff and I tried to put it in the back of my car a month ago but a neighbor of his

happened by and he lifted it all by himself!

I bet that man has a hernia now. 

Jeff lives near a military base and the man was in the military and 

I think he just grabbed it thinking it was about 50 pounds and then was too proud to 

say he couldn't do it.

I tried to help but he wouldn't let me.

So...now it's been riding in the back of my car for at least a month.

I tried nudging it a couple of times...I can't even scoot the thing.

I need a ramp, I think. Mom says she is bringing one next week and we'll tackle it.

I'm hoping soon I'll be able to fill it similar to those above.

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Fall Dining Outdoors

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Well, the first signs of fall hit us here in OKC the last two days and now

all of a sudden I'm in a fall mood.

I just can't do it when it's 90 - 100 outside but Friday it was 60 

and will be cool today too.

So I started thinking about lovely fall outdoor parties.

 

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That one above is amazing! I love the layered scraps of burlap on the table.

 

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Just a few white and green pumpkins plus white mums make a perfect

fall display.

 

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Oh....how I love all of this completely. The rough farm table with lace and 

shabby candelabra and candle holders. 

This is truly piece of art come to life.

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Lights strung amongst the blaze of autumn trees.

Like I said, yesterday the weather changed and I spent it curled up with the weenies.

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This photo reminds me of my Franklin.

I call Franklin my little fox cause he looks like a little fox except

he has droopy long ears and he's black, tan and white spotted.

Other than that he looks like a fox.

So it's really a stretch.

Did you know that when foxes are kept in captivity, 

their ears start to droop?

Anyway, yesterday I watched hour after hour of Penny Dreadful.

It was on Showtime in the spring. I wanted to watch then but I don't have Showtime.

So I found it yesterday On Demand and yippee...a tv-athon for me!

 

I can't resist anything with Josh Hartnett in it.

We don't see enough of him in my opinion.

 Everyone is good in it. 

It's a perfect show for Halloween - time. 

And it happens just that fast.

Last week I couldn't imagine fall ever coming again and this 

week I'm all in the mood for pumpkin - anything!

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Fall Living

Loving Fall!

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I love my little storybook tudor revival cottage....I adore it...but...

A photo like that one above makes me wish for a big white house.

I grew up in a big white house. They are the best at Christmas.

But doesn't that one look great decked out for fall?

In my opinion there just aren't enough white houses any more. 

They used to be everywhere.

I'm upset when I see them get painted brown or green.

Some classic houses are meant to be white. 

Let them be....now...off my soap box...and on to more pretty fall stuff.

via: French Kissed

Jermaine did a post this week where she showed off her talents as a floral designer.

She says she is not one...but the photos tell a different story.

I'm not a fan of antlers in decor...I don't care how "IN" they are.

But her images just might make me change my mind.

I love how she coupled them with blushing pumpkins and roses.

It's a fall pumpkin fantasy at her house!

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I'm not sure where this image came from originally. 

I searched and couldn't find it.

I think it might be from Savvy Southern Style or Common Ground taken 

when one of them was out and about 

but I could be wrong. Let me know, if you know.

via: Fiberluscious

That is the sweetest pumpkin....ever!

Just found this blog and its full of pretty little embroidered things.

Very inspiring.

via: Southern Living

This is where I want to have my Thanksgiving dinner.

If the weather holds...I will have mine out on a back patio in front of 

an outdoor fireplace.

But...with the holiday being late this year...it may be too cold.

via: French Larkspur

Oh...who can resist this? Orange and turquoise....I adore that combination.

This image makes me want to simplify my whole way of living.

Out with the painted white furniture in my house and in with the rough wood.

At least for Thanksgiving!

All these images saved in my Fall folder on Pinterest.

I've been "pining" on Pinterest of late...not to be confused with "pinning" on Pinterest.

Hope you are having a great weekend!

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Mod Mix Monday #121

Painted Puppies

I've been meaning to show this little painting for awhile.

It was sent to me by one of my readers, Karla.

She thought it looked so much like my Violet that she thought I must have it.

It's a vintage painting a friend gave to her and she decided to pass it along to me.

So glad she did!

She has a black and tan longhaired dachshund of her own.

It's really a great painting of a couple of doxie pups.

It's been sitting on my mantle since I got it mid summer....and I recently 

decided to fix an early fall mantel scape around it.

Someday it will be in a more permanent spot but I thought it was very sweet here for now.

I just plopped a few fall things down around it.

My living room is really in a state at the moment.

As I told you I'm painting it.

I began with sanding the windows to paint in a new glossy white.

They are a dull creamy white now.

This painted by a previous homeowner.

I knew there were going to be some spots that the paint might fleck off and cause me a little extra sanding.

But look what has happened!

Apparently, whoever painted this woodwork did not bother to sand them before painting.

The paint is chipping off everywhere but especially in the grooves.

It would have taken perhaps 30 minutes per window to sand and prepare these windows correctly

for painting back when they were first painted.

But whoever did it....didn't bother and now all these years later...I have a huge mess on my hands.

Let the chips fall where they may.

It's going to be hours and hours of work before my windows are 

ready for me to paint.

Anyone got a great solution for this mess?

I am trying to avoid using any toxic paint strippers. 

I'm thinking perhaps I need to invest in a heat gun. 

My simple room painting project has now turned into a nightmare.

Makes me want to cry.

I won't think about it now...let's just look at all the greatness that was linked

up in last week's Mod Mix Monday.

Shall we?

Katie of Upcycled Treasures made this lovely beverage tag for her beverage dispenser.

This is just about the prettiest beverage dispenser I've ever seen and her chalkboard tag is perfect for it.

But what about her candle holders? I love those too...all wrapped in rope. 

Lisa of Create Inspire painted up this pretty dresser.

I love the bold teal color. And you must see a closeup of the knobs.

The knobs are wonderful!

Melinda of The Refeathered Roost came up with a whole story line to explain her Halloween

display. It's creepy and certainly original. Oh...it's pretty too.

Restoration Redoux created this super cute Fall Mantel.

Isn't it fun? I am loving turquoise mixed with orange and brown for Fall.

Denise of Bella Dreams creates the best displays.

This one is no exception. 

Isn't her banner super cute? I love the turquoise urn full of orange pumpkins and berries.

Again, I'm loving turquoise for Fall this year.

Ann of Tarnished Royalty has spun up the most elegant spiderweb ever! 

Including pearl spiders! Not so scary...just pretty.

Just look at Danielle's latest at Finding Silver Pennies!

She painted this piece in Miss Mustard Seed paint.

It's has the perfect amount of chippiness.

Shabby Gals recovered some sad old stools and turned them into these.

Wow! Super Mod Vintage!

And finally....who can resist this face?

That's Cindy's Nora from Old Black Cat Boo.

What a wonderful photo! I love the bight colors around, her expression and those pretty eyes and very pink tongue. 

I can't wait to see how your projects are going this week.

I hope better than mine. 

Share your new mixes below.

Remember anything old made over to be new...anything new changed up to look old.

New and old together...

Please include the Mod Mix Monday logo and back link to me.

Use a permalink to your individual post not to your entire blog.

If you link up...I'd appreciate it, if you'd follow me.

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