Bounty

 

  

  

 

 

 Images from around our home.. tomatoes (beefsteak, heirloom and grape), grasshoppers, spiders, apples, corn, zucchini, and beans. Not in that order.

xoxo~

Abbie

Blackberries

When we cleared our land six years ago to build our home, all along the edge of our woods grew blackberry brambles. Everywhere.  

 They are just now starting to ripen.. and if you look (not too hard), you can find some sweet, juicy berries.

  We still have about a two week wait for the real windfall to happen.

The kids and I eat what we pick right away. The berries don't even make it inside!   

I'm always amazed at the variety of sizes.. we have jumbo goliaths (my name) and teeny weenies.

Nothing can quite match the sweetness of the itty bitty ones, but when you find one the size of your thumb, it's amazing! The large one is the biggest we could find the other day, but we have some almost twice that not quite ripe yet.

Blackberry facts:

 If there is even one red/pink tiny fruit on the berry, it's not quite ripe yet. Don't pick it unless you are looking for a tart, snappy taste.  It won't ripen after being picked. the softer and plump it is, the sweeter the berry.

Each tiny ball is a single, individual fruit with it's own seed. Hence all the seeds when you eat them. Think of them like teeny weenie grape clusters.

They are filled with anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants and are said to help prevent cancer.

You can use them in any recipe calling for berries, like muffins, jams, jellies, tarts, etc...

They make fun ammunition in Berry Wars.. yesterday my children fired them off at each other and smeared them everywhere!

Just thought you'd like to know...

xoxo~

Abbie

Two girls

My MIL gave the girls (my daughters) two antique prints (in their original frames) that she and her mother had bough at a local auction years and years ago.  I was going to paint the frames white, as although they are old, they probably don't have much value to speak of. Once I started to take them apart to clean, I just couldn't do it. I thought perhaps the prints were from an old calender or perhaps they were promotional images that were so often given with products at the turn of the century, but when I got them opened they had the original plate title and even written in pencil near the top it said 'Rustic Frame' in fancy script. They were intended to live in these frames. As they are. They aren't quite tramp art frames, but do have a similar feel.  I'm not crazy about the guilding around the edge of the wood, but that's what they came with.

I cleaned the glass, removed the years of dust and grime and due to some water spots and old tape stains on the frame paper, I cut two sheets of scrapbooking paper to mat them. (acid free) I just laid the scrapbooking paper over top, so I didn't disturb the hundred year old print. I think the next time I'm out, I'll look for some pink paper with white polka dots but for now these peices work fine. the nails that are used to hold in the thin piece of wood in the back are actually hand-hewn. Very neat! So for now, they hang above the rocking cradle that their grandfather made them.

If you would like to print your own, while I had them out of the glass, I (of course!) scanned them in for you! I also made copies of the back plates because those are fun too.. the only thing that bothers me a tiny bit is the sensual, somewhat suggestive positions the little girls are in, (almost as if they were 20 not 5) and that the artist called them 'Pets'.  Ahh.. well. A different generation. Isn't it awful that I scew them like that? Such a cynical world we live in now. But, really.. take a look. It is almost like they were made for Lewis Carroll. :)

 

Oh well. Do with the images as you wish.

xoxo~

Abbie

Scissors, pincushions, and flowers!

 I have been playing with fabrics and papers. (surprise.. they are my most favorite things!) Below I wrapped a recycled can in a fabulous red and white cotton. Just used an Elmers gluestick, but Modge Podge, double sided tape or a glue gun would work too.

The glue bottle (you can tell the brand by the orange tip) I wrapped in some pretty stationary paper from Cath Kidston.  Also used my handy dandy gluestick. (I acquired the paper from the fabulous Melissa as she was purging her stash.) The pretty crocheted flowers (above and below) and the Happy Home needle book also came from Melissa.

 

I also stitched up a lanyard of sorts for my tiny scissors. Using a strip of trim, a crocheted flower and a vintage button.

 Now I can clip it up between my scissors. The 'frames' above, are more sheets of the above mentioned stationary glue 'stuck' to my wall. :)  They help protect the wall from stray scissor tips (I am not a gentle crafter), it helps me find the nails easier and they are really pretty! (the glue sitck will just wash off with a sponge once I want to take the paper down.)

The last project I tackled over the past few days was to make myself a jumbo pincushion. You can see the two pin cushions I now have side by side. :) It's huge and I love it! I used a six inch diameter lid as a pattern. Cut two circles of fabric. Then using a pliable measuring tape I measured around the outside of the circle and added an extra inch in length to that for the side panel. (21" x 2" rectangle) Sew right sides together. Long side of rectangle to edge of one circle, then sew the other circle to the other side of the rectangle. It's not as confusing as I make it sound! :) The vertical opening in the side panel that is left is just the right size to push stuffing through. A lot of stuffing. I stitched up the small side seam and added a button tuft to the center. It holds all my pins, some needles, won't tip over, the needles won't go all the way through and I can't miss it!

I'm almost organized/picked up enough to get the girls quilts started. For their birthdays (both in June) I'm making them quilts for their beds. Now that they are both in twin beds, I'd like for their bedding to match. I hope to also make some curtains, some sweater pillows, pillowcases, a pendant bunting, and add some shelving. They don't spend anytime in their bedroom, but as they get older, I know they will. (hope they will..) 

xoxo~

Abbie

Studio Photos

If you have been wondering where I have been, this is it... I finally painted my new studio space, and this time, I took my time. Only that which I truly need, love, and use is here.

Quick tour.. the cutting table under the eaves is set up on bed risers so it is 6" higher than a standard dining table. (I'm short.. so that works fine) The skirt covers a fabulous mess of junk.. maybe I'll show that later. The 'sewing' table is a table we had on our screened porch. I covered it in a white damask vinyl cloth to keep things bright.

I still have space on my shelves to fill but that's a good thing. And, yes, I'm loving my Laura Ashley ironing board cover! It has so much more padding than the cheap ones that come on the boards. The clothe hanging is my cover clothe so adhesives, etc.. don't get on everything.

The clock above once had a tacky puppy dog face on it. The outside color was perfect though, so I took it apart and replaced the face with something much more 'me'.

All of the fabulous, vintage knitting needles my mother in law gave to me. I love having them in a tall glass container so I can see their colors..

More storage.. are you figuring out my color scheme yet? :)

Vintage notions.. I love the look and they are just as functional as 'new' ones.

More storage.. the tins hold a medley of supplies.. I really need to label them though, as I have to open both whenever I am looking for something.

This studio space feels so different than the rest of the house. My goal was bright, fun hues that inspired. I hope they inspire you too..

xoxo~

Abbie

To see photos of the rest of the house click on the label 'house' below.

In a nutshell..

I was outside with the kids the other day and despite my complete lack of creativity, I grabbed my camera on the way out the door. Above is a shot of the blackberry brambles that wrap around our backyard. They are nasty, but have supplied us with many blackberry treats and jellies.

This is a micro shot of the moss and tiny seedlings sprouting on our stonewall. It amazes me to no end how complex and precarious life is.

I spent a few days in Ottawa during the beginning of the month visiting my father. It was the Tulip Festival so I had to throw in a tulip photo.

Our apple trees are in blossom as well. This lovely sits outside my kitchen window.. the spring breeze carries it's fragrance all over our yard.

I had to drag the pots I had on the deck into the 3 season porch the other evening. It got down to 30 degrees and the frost would not have tread kindly on my tomatoes.

Last fall I made the tiny pillow sitting in the little chair. It makes me happy. We also have chickens now! They are so fabulous! They make me happy too.. I'll get some pics up for you when time allows..

Hope everyone is out, enjoying the world!

xoxo~

Abbie

Images of Reality

I thought I'd share with you my 'reality'. So often in Bloglandia we sugarcoat, crop and edit until our worlds are lovely, picture perfect illusions. You get glimpses into my home, when it's clean, organized and unfettered by my children's rampage. The truth is that my house rarely exists in perfect harmony and most often it is a chaotic mish mash of Disney Princess toys, tents and Matchbox cars. With the occasional leaky sippy cup or barking dog dressed up as Tinkerbell. So, for all of you who love before and afters, here is one of my Red Room. Strategically hidden behind the large leather couch are all of the toys... isn't it serene and tidy? Note the very intentional photography so that none of the toys behind the couch are visible.

After the hurricane of my 1 1/2 and 3 1/2 year old hit. This is the way it looks most of the day.

Now you know why I take pictures when it's neat. Because it rarely is!

So, here is my reality. :) Bright chaos, in shades of pink and princess plastic. In all honesty, I do love this room. It is bright, full of sunshine and it takes only five minutes to throw all the toys over the couch to 'clean it up'. You can get a peek of my PC in the hutch in the corner. the sun is shining and the snow is melting. What could be better?

xoxo~

Abbie

Mad Dash!

I am on a mad dash to finish an afghan that I started way back in November. Nothing fancy, simple double crochet, soft off white yarn. I planned on using it in the family room to brighten up our dark plaid couches, but I didn't plan very well. White afghan, three dogs with black hair. What was I thinking??? It might end up in our bedroom, but perhaps I'll still use it in the LR. It'll just need to be washed every few days or at least run through the dryer. I have also finished decorating the red living room for the time being. Here is a before shot (you can see more before shots HERE).

And here are the after photos.

Let's see.. the brown beast of a recliner came out of the family room to make way for my new chair shown further below. Also added were a pair of lamps to either end of the bookcase for reading or task lighting. The only lights before were the ceiling spots and they were very hard to work/read by in the evening.

I actually really like them, it makes the ends of the cabinet function more like end tables. I love the little birds on the lamps!

The other really wonderful addition is the ottoman. It stores all of my magazines nicely and it is super comfy as a foot rest. Also, there are no sharp edges for small heads to bang into. With toddlers around, have to keep function in mind!
Below is the before pic of the family room before the switch of the chairs. I really didn't care for the leather one. It was too big! My feet would swing and I felt like a school child who just got into trouble.

The new chair is lighter (obviously) and it rocks and spins. Very convenient as now I can swivel it to see the TV or what's going on outside.

I haven't looked for an end table yet. But having spent all of my Christmas money already it'll have to wait. The step stool there now works well and is light enough for me to move it quickly out of the way when I spin the chair. Well, that will be the end of the house pics for a while. Now that my large projects are finished and I am content at the moment with how things look, it's time to focus on my art more.

Anyone else having huge problems with HGTV's new site?? I have lost all of my Rate My Space pages. Not impressed at all! That took a lot of work! Hopefully they'll get the kinks worked out.

xoxo~
Abbie

A wee splash of sunshine...

I didn't add too much, (at least I don't think so) just enough yellow and bright green to freshen things up. We need the sunshine around these parts lately as the winter dull drums have hit me hard. Some glass containers on the cabinets with lemons, new yellow dish towels and a yellow rooster mat for the floor. I think I might paint the cherries on my 'Keep It Simple' sign yellow. Since I made it, I can paint them whatever color suits my fancy! :) I also took down the curtains to let more light in.
The three tiered rack is a new addition to the kitchen too. I think I found that on clearance at Lowe's for $6 last year. It had been hanging out in a closet since then as I thought it might be too tall for the space. I like it. It helps make the yellows, greens and oranges the focal color.
I picked up a package of four place mats, the fun green print above, on clearance at HomeGoods for $4. That's only 1$ a piece! Looovveee a bargain!
The cutting boards I have had for years. When I realized the colors were perfect I switched out these wall plaques for them.

The antique wooden bowl above was my grandfathers. Every family gathering he'd pop popcorn on the wood stove in his kitchen and then put it in this bowl. After he passed away it was one thing I asked for from his home. Can I tell you, the damn thing stinks to high hell! All the years of butter being put in it, are, well, let's just say I can't clean it. I've tried. If it doesn't get touched, its not too bad. I just love to look at it though. So, I bring it out in the winter time, because in the summer heat, it's unbearable!

What do you think? Do you like the yellows and greens or the RED ?

Hope you are finding a bit of sunshine!
I'll have picks of a new chair and also some new pics of the red room for you soon.

xoxo~
Abbie

Wow. White Fluffy Puffy Stuffy. Wow. I tell ya, wow.

We had a foot of snow fall on Friday and into Saturday.

Now, we are having another 12" to 18" fall today. We are precariously balancing our sanity with the thankfulness that we still have power. 25 thousand in NH have been without it for over a week now.

I'm thinking that perhaps I'll BBQ. Burgers on the grill anyone?

As I type, the wind and snow is swirling around the house so quickly that I can't see the grill on the deck anymore. Maybe I'll skip the burgers tonight.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep. I went and hid there yesterday for a moment to get away from the two housebound, stir crazy, wild eyed monsters that were once my sweet little girls.

Hope everyone else is surviving!