2012 June

HAVEN WAS HEAVEN !!! {2012 HAVEN CONFERENCE}

June 26, 2012 By Shirley

I attended the HAVEN CONFERENCE in Atlanta, Georgia this past week…It was HEAVEN….

When I say HEAVEN….I mean that I was up in the clouds….

On Cloud 9, and really more like Cloud 10….

…..Meeting all the wonderful bloggers.

I met the many bloggers I have come to know…

…..and met many new bloggers that I am excited to get to know!

This first Haven Conference was organized by this group of talented people: Bravo ladies!!

As you can see, I grabbed this pic from Rhoda: From left to right….

…Kate, that truly Centsational Girl, Sarah that incredible Thrifty Decor Chick…

…Beth from the great “Home Stories A to Z”, Rhoda from the fabulous “Southern Hospitality”

…Tracy from the wonderful “Beneath My Heart”, Chris from the terrific “Just a Girl”

…and last but certainly not least, Marian from the magnificent “Miss Mustard Seed”

And here is me, with the beautiful Rhoda…

My first “event” a gathering of blog friends at Cheesecake Factory..

Left to right, Kim from Savvy Southern Style, ME, Barb from The Everyday Home, Debbie from Confessions of a Plate Addict,

….Lisa from Budget Design Girl, Heather from At the Picket Fence,

….Perched above is KariAnne from Thistlewood Farm, then Vanessa from The Picket Fence,

….Gretchen from Bird’s Nest Cottage, and cute Kelly from The Essence of Home.

The “Cheesecake Group”…pardon the not so great quality photos…taken with my iPhone..

And then there is Kari (Thistlewood Farm)….I cannot tell you how emotional it was to finally meet this wonderful person of whom I have come to know…

Her Joy and enthusiasm is contagious!

I had such a wonderful time spending time with the beautiful ladies….

Lisa from Budget Design Girl has a beautiful story of how she overcame cancer and also the story of the adoption of her son.

Sitting next to Lisa is Barbara from The Treasured Home…(top picture and lower right)

And here are pics of the dinner at Pappasitos Friday evening…

Armed with only an iPhone that night..so the pics are not very good…

Oh lucky me, sandwiched between Susan from Between Naps on the Porch and Kim from Savvy Southern Style

…I was in Haven Heaven!

And look who is roaming the halls?….

The two Kim’s ..Kim from Savvy Southern Style and Kim from Kimberly Hites (La Belle Epoque Home)

They could be sisters!!

And these ladies with Flat Kelly of Eclectically Vintage

Lisa (Budget Design Girl, Heather (At the Picket Fence), Kari (Thistlewood Farm), Kim (Kimberlyhites.blogspot.com)

…another blurry iPhone pic!

Oh and front and center is the lovely, Karah from The Space Between…my DIY idol….

….she is the power tool Queen…!! Love her!

Leo (Cottage at the Crossroads), Laura from the fabulous Finding Home, ME,…

….and the better half of Cottage at the Crossroads, the lovely Jane.

….and Heidi from Decor and More and Kirby from Kirb Appeal having a great time!

Heidi again with the lovelies, Laura from Top This Top That, and Lisa from Budget Design Girl

OK…now there were the workshops!!!…

First up with the Opening of the Conference starring the beautiful couple from Young House Love…
They were wonderful speakers and truly genuinely down to earth…loved hearing their stories.

Oh, and then there was the fabulous Rashon, Mr. Goodwill Hunting….love his segments on the Nate Berkus show.
He truly had some great thrifting tips for us all.

Then there was the the dynamic duo of The Lettered Cottage…Layla and Kevin Palmer.

….Presenting a magnificent photography workshop with their friend and partner Josh.

After the session, I was convinced that I must order their on-line photography classes, Shoot Fly Shoot.

I had a picture taken with the beautiful Layla…and I was so blown away by her making sure that we had a good
picture…so Josh to the rescue to reset my camera to the correct ISO…I was so impressed by her patience and
kindness….

She is beautiful on the inside and out….authenticity to the core!

So, now we wind down to the end of a beautiful two days of the bliss….

The session was a wonderful wrap up of the conference and door prizes…and I won a Ryobi Drill..

…..How great is that!..in addition to all the wonderful goodies that were in our Swag Bag!….

So, very early Saturday morning I headed to Virginia to meet up with my hubby…

…..He was playing in a Softball Tournament….

…..It was a nice drive though…as I stopped in The Pottery Barn Outlet

…..picked up a friend whose hubby was playing too…

…..then arrived at my destination to be with:

My hubby!…to end up the week on a great note!!…

Would you believe this is the scenery that surrounds the softball field?!!!

I had so much fun at Haven and I look forward to attending next year…I miss everyone already!!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Haven Conference, Mr.Goodwill Hunting

35 Comments

Company’s coming…

June 18, 2012 By Shirley

The Haven Conference is drawing near…..

I will be picking up Barb from The Everyday Home at the Airport….

~ ~ ~ She will be staying at my home for one night.

While hubby will be staying behind….holding down the fort…

Barb and I will be heading on the highway at O’Dark Thirty the next morning……

But…in the meantime…..

~ ~ ~ I finally got around to doing this:

Yes, they are drapes….

~ ~ ~ No more deer peeking through the windows….to say good-night….

While strolling through the aisles at Ikea….I spotted these beauties…

~ ~ ~ At the gorgeous price of $24.95 pair

These were a great temporary solution….until I find the perfect treatment…for those windows.

The other side ready to be “draped”…..

~ ~ ~ Draped with the Ikea Ritva….pretty linen-esque drape….with those great tabs.

The tabs that when sheered on the rod, fold to give you that pleated drape look.

They stack back beautifully…we did not want the drapes to overwhelm the window…

~ ~ ~ Just needed the privacy from the deer wanting to say “good night”….

All done…finally up…until the perfect ones come along….

~ ~ ~ But until then…my total investment including the rod was $60.

GOTTA LOVE THAT IKEA !!!

Now….remember my deal of the century….the “one dollar frames and mirrors” ?

I painted them with Annie Sloan Chateau Grey..using both dark and clear wax…

NOW WAIT A MINUTE….Chateau Grey…with an “E”….so do ya think the “E” is for the “E”nglish” version of GR”E”Y…

~ ~ ~ and the “A” is for the “A”merican version of GR”A”Y….hmmmm….may have come on to something here….

Added a cute “initial” and done….Art for a total of $3.00…:)

I added a new “Welcome Plaque” to the door too….

I placed a small silver tray on the door….

~ ~ ~ the great part of the silver tray is that you can remove what you write with a damp cloth and make changes…

So the room is ready again for company…love company…

So now I welcome company, good conversation, and fun…and headed to Haven….

I am joining the following wonderful parties:

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: frames, garden gate, guest room, Ikea drapes, Pottery Barn bedding

37 Comments

Company's coming…

June 18, 2012 By Shirley

The Haven Conference is drawing near…..

I will be picking up Barb from The Everyday Home at the Airport….

~ ~ ~ She will be staying at my home for one night.

While hubby will be staying behind….holding down the fort…

Barb and I will be heading on the highway at O’Dark Thirty the next morning……

But…in the meantime…..

~ ~ ~ I finally got around to doing this:

Yes, they are drapes….

~ ~ ~ No more deer peeking through the windows….to say good-night….

While strolling through the aisles at Ikea….I spotted these beauties…

~ ~ ~ At the gorgeous price of $24.95 pair

These were a great temporary solution….until I find the perfect treatment…for those windows.

The other side ready to be “draped”…..

~ ~ ~ Draped with the Ikea Ritva….pretty linen-esque drape….with those great tabs.

The tabs that when sheered on the rod, fold to give you that pleated drape look.

They stack back beautifully…we did not want the drapes to overwhelm the window…

~ ~ ~ Just needed the privacy from the deer wanting to say “good night”….

All done…finally up…until the perfect ones come along….

~ ~ ~ But until then…my total investment including the rod was $60.

GOTTA LOVE THAT IKEA !!!

Now….remember my deal of the century….the “one dollar frames and mirrors” ?

I painted them with Annie Sloan Chateau Grey..using both dark and clear wax…

NOW WAIT A MINUTE….Chateau Grey…with an “E”….so do ya think the “E” is for the “E”nglish” version of GR”E”Y…

~ ~ ~ and the “A” is for the “A”merican version of GR”A”Y….hmmmm….may have come on to something here….

Added a cute “initial” and done….Art for a total of $3.00…:)

I added a new “Welcome Plaque” to the door too….

I placed a small silver tray on the door….

~ ~ ~ the great part of the silver tray is that you can remove what you write with a damp cloth and make changes…

So the room is ready again for company…love company…

So now I welcome company, good conversation, and fun…and headed to Haven….

I am joining the following wonderful parties:

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: frames, garden gate, guest room, Ikea drapes, Pottery Barn bedding

37 Comments

Atlanta here we come……

June 14, 2012 By Shirley

While my hubby stays behind and holds down the fort….

…..I will be leaving at the crack of dawn.

And, getting my motor running….and head out on the highway….

With Barb of The Everyday Home (formerly Grits and Glamour)….

Looking for adventure…and whatever comes our way….

We will be racing with the wind….

Singing along with the boys of Steppenwolf…

Because we are heading to HAVEN !!!!

Do you think I am excited….yes, you are so right!!

I am so very excited to be able to meet the many talented bloggers….

…..that I have so admired..

And…….of course have a lot of fun.

Oh, and learn…..yes, learn from all the awesome workshops that will be presented….

So, stay tuned for hopefully some amazing pictures from the conference…

…..that I will be so excited to share with you!….

Filed Under: Uncategorized

22 Comments

Suzy’s Blogaversary Giveaway….

June 12, 2012 By Shirley

OK…you know that saying…”Gotta keep up with the Joneses”….

…..Well I gotta keep up with Ginger…of Savannah Granny….

She just posted about Suzy at Worthing Court’s Blogaversary Giveaway….

Happy One Year Blogaversary Suzy!

Suzy is a great gal with a great blog….We had communicated thru emails and blogging..

…..and then I finally met her….we took an Annie Sloan Paint Class together. And later on….

……….I won her Fish Foam Giveaway and she delivered it in person….on her way to her Beach Condo….

That’s Suzy on the left and me on the right….with my can of Fish Foam!!…..

So if you want to see a great blog and have a chance to win this:

Visit Suzy…!

So, how did I do Ginger…?

Filed Under: Uncategorized

13 Comments

Suzy's Blogaversary Giveaway….

June 12, 2012 By Shirley

OK…you know that saying…”Gotta keep up with the Joneses”….

…..Well I gotta keep up with Ginger…of Savannah Granny….

She just posted about Suzy at Worthing Court’s Blogaversary Giveaway….

Happy One Year Blogaversary Suzy!

Suzy is a great gal with a great blog….We had communicated thru emails and blogging..

…..and then I finally met her….we took an Annie Sloan Paint Class together. And later on….

……….I won her Fish Foam Giveaway and she delivered it in person….on her way to her Beach Condo….

That’s Suzy on the left and me on the right….with my can of Fish Foam!!…..

So if you want to see a great blog and have a chance to win this:

Visit Suzy…!

So, how did I do Ginger…?

Filed Under: Uncategorized

13 Comments

The Beautiful Color Purple….

June 11, 2012 By Shirley

I love hydrangeas….

They are my all time favorite flower.

They are really blooming beautifully now….

I just can’t get enough of them.

…..The more I cut, the more they bloom…hundreds of blooms.

The seem to start out pink and pretty shades of lavender….

…..then morph to a deep purple…

“Purple Haze”…seems to be the theme of the flowers this year….

The wire around the shrub is unsightly, but the consequence is that the deer will have it all for dessert…

…..Hubby is placing another less “unsightly fence”…well, something a bit better than this….

Lavenders and purples….

My hubby set out to place decorative stakes around the hydrangeas…

…..to replace the “green poles”….

He did a lot of clearing around the shrub….then the stakes went in….

…..oops…

Every homeowner’s nightmare…he hit the cable line…A quick call to Time Warner and they came to the rescue!

We were their third call that morning, of people hitting the cable, planting lovelies in the yards….

Fixed!!…Within one hour of the call…I call that great service…

So all’s well that ends well…and the hydrangeas are now happily in the house…

In these…

And this:

My wooden French Apple Box….

Filled with hydrangeas…sitting atop my vintage homespun tea towel….

Kim from Savvy Southern Style posted a similar box with hydrangeas…I told her we were twins!

…..Great minds think alike!

And I am always picking off the little seeds that drop from the blooms onto the tea towel….

………a small price to pay for gorgeousness on the table….

As my granddaughter would say, “they make my heart feel happy”…..

I am joining the following wonderful parties:

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: French Wooden Apple Box, Hydrangea arrangements, hydrangeas, Vintage tea towel

31 Comments

Tagging along…

June 10, 2012 By Shirley

Hubby had clients to see in D.C….

…..so I tagged along.

He saw clients all day for the first day, so I just stayed in the hotel room, catching up…

…..on things I never seem to have time to do..

……….read and watch TV

The next day, we headed home….

And look what we see….yes, Wegmans!…The Grocery Store Mecca…of course I had to go in!

Just wish we had one in N.C.!!

AND… on our way home, we pass through Leesburg, Virginia…

Now…do you know where I am headed????

LUCKETTS !!!…I made it !!

As you can see, it was a beautiful day!

And lots of great stuff to see…

And even some things for hubby to see…he is perusing some old golf clubs…

And here’s a few snipits….

And then after seeing all the great things outdoors…I ventured inside….

…..and came upon Miss Mustard Seed’s fabulous items….

Too bad the secretary would not fit in the car.

Other “pretties” of hers….

We then left to go downtown to grab some lunch….

……after a wonderful lunch, I spotted an antique store on our way out of town….STOP!!!..

The shop was wonderful.. antiques from Europe: however, mostly from Germany…

There was an entire room dedicated to German grain sacks and linens….

But then look what I found!….

The store owner called it a “wine balloon”…I guess that is what they call the basket weaved wrapped demijohns.

It was huge…they had other smaller ones…but we liked this larger one…I loved the two-toned color of the weave.

I did not take many pictures inside….I was unsure how they felt about it…

So here is my stash…my treasures of the day….

I picked up the old chair with the missing seat and the milk glass candle holders from Lucketts…

The “wine balloon” and old basket…from the antique shop, German Favorite Antiques….

And this is where they ended up..at least for now….

The chair will be repainted a pretty bright color…this is my future potting bench area…

Clipped more hydrangeas this morning….

So that was my wonderful day out with my hubby…a beautiful day…as we ventured home…

I am joining the following lovely parties:

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: antique basket, demijohn, garden chair, hydrangeas, Lucketts, milk glass

43 Comments

Everlasting flowers…

June 7, 2012 By Shirley

Several years ago…I went to a gorgeous showcase home and my heart stopped….

……….an incredible display of floral plates in a 3-D type of design on the wall.

I never forgot that vision….

Until I walked into one of my favorite stores that just opened up in my town….

……….Arhaus….love that store!

When I entered the store…..my heart stood still again….

The wall before:

I saw these beauties…they were clustered on a wall…

I started with three….with the possibility of adding more….

Placed over the bed…that space needed something….

…..something other than a picture….something different.

They seemed to “fit the bill”….

Now look at my collage…I just figured out how to do this!

After KariAnne’s post today on her “picmonkey features”…..

……….I thought that I would get my “rear in gear” (oh..that rhymed!)….

…………….and learn this feature!

Now, I am going to be collaging away…

…..maybe I will change my middle name to “Collage”….

……….oh that has a nice ring to it…like it better than mine…

……………and don’t ask me what it is!!!

So many changes in store for this second guest room….

…..just a short time ago, this room was filled with exercise equipment…

Really needs paint…on the walls….on the furniture.

I added these cute burlap curtains……

Dreary day…so lots of shadows…but not complaining as the “front” brought us gorgeous temps in the 70′s…

Then later I will move on to create a “work space” for me….in the meantime..

…..there are temporary fixtures in that space.

Collage….yep…that’s my middle name….

There…I did it again….

So I shall leave you now….as guests are to arrive very soon!….

Have a wonderful day!

I am happily joining the following “parties”:

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Arhaus, Burlap curtains, ceramic flower plates, guest room, Pottery Barn, salt glazed pottery

23 Comments

Who doesn’t love a chippy chair?….

June 5, 2012 By Shirley

When I removed the vanity table out of one of the guest room baths (which is across the hall from my hubby’s office)…

I heard him exclaim….”where am I going to sit and tie my shoes?”

For he uses this bathroom after he gets really dirty working in the yard….

…..he can enter this room without going thru the house….

……….leaving trails of leaves and dirt….

So I set out to find the perfect chair…

I found it….

…..while at my new favorite antique mall…(Melville Trading Company in Mebane, NC)

……….where they also sell Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.

I was going to get paint supplies….

……….and came home with a chair..

I have lots of chairs in the attic….

…..but none of them worked…

I needed one that I did not care if the fabric (or wood) would get ruined….

The antique mall owner came to the rescue…he had something that may fit the bill in his warehouse….

…..it was perfect….an old metal chair that most likely came out of an old schoolhouse….

…………and the price was right…$25.00

I took my pics against (“a coming attraction”)…took the cue from Amy at The Salvage Collection.

……….to place your finds and projects in front of a great backdrop.

I do not have great old doors like she does…so I chose my “upcoming attraction project”…..

The perfect size for that space…

Now I definitely need a new pillow for that chair….

…..one with no ruffles or flowers… one that is appropriate when tying your Nike’s….

I think it looks great with the table I just finished in ASCP with the help of a “budding decorator”

Thank you for visiting me…hope you enjoyed my “chippy chair” against the backdrop of my upcoming attraction!

I am joining:

Mrs. Hines Show and Tell

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, bathroom, vintage school chair

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