Here a Tweak, There a Tweak ...

<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Many of you are familiar with the transformation of our fireplace/surround that took place a couple of years ago.  It went from this:</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPyuq0E3nvEANtE11aUL1_pRFZrV4so6otORswWRzZ7Af0v3Bm8BDnq6Q5sk5lIKg52RdfJYxa4oNO9ept1cFwoeLx6xBWTrcgdnOWXnPhZIVBNAH12uyl1yMGCq_J2i67RjNAIHu8H5w/s1600/fireplaceb4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPyuq0E3nvEANtE11aUL1_pRFZrV4so6otORswWRzZ7Af0v3Bm8BDnq6Q5sk5lIKg52RdfJYxa4oNO9ept1cFwoeLx6xBWTrcgdnOWXnPhZIVBNAH12uyl1yMGCq_J2i67RjNAIHu8H5w/s400/fireplaceb4.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">to THIS:</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0O2uHITH8J_EFp2zkzZmF1t5wxV8FAENh-vnn1b4DuQBuiW8yx8nEnFdhHX3kRX6pKfLV-WcwbATBpJtxE37Kh06Zepwb_SPs9_7KgCwoNn9aGUW9i3ofzu6JXU-hNec7qDX1yqEfFE/s1600/silvermantel1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0O2uHITH8J_EFp2zkzZmF1t5wxV8FAENh-vnn1b4DuQBuiW8yx8nEnFdhHX3kRX6pKfLV-WcwbATBpJtxE37Kh06Zepwb_SPs9_7KgCwoNn9aGUW9i3ofzu6JXU-hNec7qDX1yqEfFE/s400/silvermantel1.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, a few days ago, I decided to add a couple of coats of Old White chalk paint to it for a subtle change:</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGBBvVvainKPI0T5Vp0H2RaKVwNDf7SDah1F1P74loa4VlK-pO1_hXR6Z67n5Gl_mysEplSBmI4S6NxLkR6sVqlhSTWAlXvqBGWULfbuZn_ZvpI6YF1ZGkYDSdjfSYYqnO4LHVjs_Cjw/s1600/surroundafter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGBBvVvainKPI0T5Vp0H2RaKVwNDf7SDah1F1P74loa4VlK-pO1_hXR6Z67n5Gl_mysEplSBmI4S6NxLkR6sVqlhSTWAlXvqBGWULfbuZn_ZvpI6YF1ZGkYDSdjfSYYqnO4LHVjs_Cjw/s640/surroundafter.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also lightly distressed it:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiquhFCU5wQyyA94mCQyY_nwr8_gLb-jdMXXqD1YdhUZxOs2QQOozaO5gS6FyYDJKh33kCNburNGklzIWejuTEG4IJ5XpwZK1tBnXWvwUAy_XaDEccw2NKqF9o049KtrPsGWgtWSfitVvY/s1600/surroundclose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiquhFCU5wQyyA94mCQyY_nwr8_gLb-jdMXXqD1YdhUZxOs2QQOozaO5gS6FyYDJKh33kCNburNGklzIWejuTEG4IJ5XpwZK1tBnXWvwUAy_XaDEccw2NKqF9o049KtrPsGWgtWSfitVvY/s400/surroundclose.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And then added a few swipes of Gold Leaf Rub 'n Buff to the center scrollie:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxelrU0liBAHMB6rVDz0qI6JMgEqp_3WhtxwJ59_qHPhwtIqR-t10QU9j7XvQ9Jsrk1Y5ICO5tjFd5XOI_JNS419KM8H7Dn0oE_aj7IKOvUX_x-JPJhbL43nQ02298Zw9adWu81LzHyoA/s1600/surroundscrollie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxelrU0liBAHMB6rVDz0qI6JMgEqp_3WhtxwJ59_qHPhwtIqR-t10QU9j7XvQ9Jsrk1Y5ICO5tjFd5XOI_JNS419KM8H7Dn0oE_aj7IKOvUX_x-JPJhbL43nQ02298Zw9adWu81LzHyoA/s400/surroundscrollie.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Annnnnnd, I decided to paint the slate surround a soft caramel:</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbsiBYy04BiNncHx_sl0rEUbN6os80rEO1fHLffVeB5aPqVPmcrd2MCQrhIwTv3zuhVVP3cm9x5AzYl9Y2ORUpLizer4r8DZltt7Iehx6nZMbTC121owUu6-6kazktXaGr6I5xsImSPJY/s1600/surroundbrown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbsiBYy04BiNncHx_sl0rEUbN6os80rEO1fHLffVeB5aPqVPmcrd2MCQrhIwTv3zuhVVP3cm9x5AzYl9Y2ORUpLizer4r8DZltt7Iehx6nZMbTC121owUu6-6kazktXaGr6I5xsImSPJY/s400/surroundbrown.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just a little fun tweaking!</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1rhP9DN3FS-aE42l-eZZ6pmrACGneC2Dw_rZ5uGrurHZk9qHrgpHlbpmTM7q68ivYLr8I7D4ubGvWC9qQdcnFov4uq4cTSi7WjFKsS7KZ0-7IP7zEsV40gRyZGUjbU4axW1VqtU3joQ/s1600/surroundside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1rhP9DN3FS-aE42l-eZZ6pmrACGneC2Dw_rZ5uGrurHZk9qHrgpHlbpmTM7q68ivYLr8I7D4ubGvWC9qQdcnFov4uq4cTSi7WjFKsS7KZ0-7IP7zEsV40gRyZGUjbU4axW1VqtU3joQ/s400/surroundside.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">While we're here, I have to give a little shout out to the cute PB pillow I added to the parsons chair:</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3l7wiSSA4PZwU1ysbqMmK7CV_gCcRxWgdW9V9vaL6WN3ydNCUllZLwQDBH-yKpccztA6oh0YJsJyoKITKygnHVi3Zg9hg8YatBGVMWr0_S6B8Ag-HmT141PxFLa44wLspXS_VVCbneb4/s1600/surroundpillow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3l7wiSSA4PZwU1ysbqMmK7CV_gCcRxWgdW9V9vaL6WN3ydNCUllZLwQDBH-yKpccztA6oh0YJsJyoKITKygnHVi3Zg9hg8YatBGVMWr0_S6B8Ag-HmT141PxFLa44wLspXS_VVCbneb4/s400/surroundpillow.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Off in the background, you might notice that I tweaked another piece, as well:</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2CPVkDhin9_xfzvUFdIgGgGKDK8UBbhxfWsOhuqtVXW3wn43CP6UjFjJ2sZbM5uDuEa5u3Q2V5SbU3oBPzSDch8lz2q9gQWIknnqlgr2sEhBjN7bu_HGRotNj_5_28liqyPozh_EU4k/s1600/scrolliechest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2CPVkDhin9_xfzvUFdIgGgGKDK8UBbhxfWsOhuqtVXW3wn43CP6UjFjJ2sZbM5uDuEa5u3Q2V5SbU3oBPzSDch8lz2q9gQWIknnqlgr2sEhBjN7bu_HGRotNj_5_28liqyPozh_EU4k/s400/scrolliechest.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was once the bird piece that I painted AS Chateaux Grey:</span></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXm5WsNJ6uXp-F84mQlEPDpiele0x5FHysremodXdcWRsKTnWpkJAlLMID8w-UZWCKVCqCi4Z3UL7EHxhYqCJ6DHw2N7X7m9AkIdBH0HOx6pU__9c7rWEmwgMZ9zZ9RQC713ebTRg2-o/s1600/chestb4after.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXm5WsNJ6uXp-F84mQlEPDpiele0x5FHysremodXdcWRsKTnWpkJAlLMID8w-UZWCKVCqCi4Z3UL7EHxhYqCJ6DHw2N7X7m9AkIdBH0HOx6pU__9c7rWEmwgMZ9zZ9RQC713ebTRg2-o/s400/chestb4after.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I thought it was missing "something," so I taped a stencil I had to the center, painted it Old White and then added Gold Leaf Rub 'n Buff:</span></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdc7OjQR9a_LVFG5Nh2XbqioqXarKCu3MumBUZMqN1czxaycQUZxg2REGiJ6yBz1LGVz8GR4Ix1ZDHbiCYuOnERxnd1eMASiY4E9WPdk7D9GDchPIcXdk0B4kq3x1bKwNsEJLDWmyBaYY/s1600/scrollie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdc7OjQR9a_LVFG5Nh2XbqioqXarKCu3MumBUZMqN1czxaycQUZxg2REGiJ6yBz1LGVz8GR4Ix1ZDHbiCYuOnERxnd1eMASiY4E9WPdk7D9GDchPIcXdk0B4kq3x1bKwNsEJLDWmyBaYY/s400/scrollie.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There, that's better:</span></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfY3dJogYbzvcQ2YcS_fOTLRGkthW_VyuGprUwOyH6C0SBrlpiV6LnKD5oZUd5B01-hb4dfSAS_cyeUJghnelewIi2kCjxwcXdTDbhFPwY6-gc2unThY3Amz2nPURETE9hYOuUavzH_Yg/s1600/scrolliechestfront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfY3dJogYbzvcQ2YcS_fOTLRGkthW_VyuGprUwOyH6C0SBrlpiV6LnKD5oZUd5B01-hb4dfSAS_cyeUJghnelewIi2kCjxwcXdTDbhFPwY6-gc2unThY3Amz2nPURETE9hYOuUavzH_Yg/s640/scrolliechestfront.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Your turn to "tweak" something! </span></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh, and just lookie what I found today ... isn't it bee-you-teee-fulllll ?!  Fall is about to explode in blogland:</span></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrHxfazPtL47LeEI-v_3ve55fbPzIejkV3ZZatjVj8TSXNQd8Cdyb5XmDT2bLJaAR5p-KgikHta5KJU7TrPBLXrckmedidbrVkUqMS6KZ6oINEZerrI-gP8nZmpdQjI_-rg5KHT4YukA/s1600/mercurypumpkin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrHxfazPtL47LeEI-v_3ve55fbPzIejkV3ZZatjVj8TSXNQd8Cdyb5XmDT2bLJaAR5p-KgikHta5KJU7TrPBLXrckmedidbrVkUqMS6KZ6oINEZerrI-gP8nZmpdQjI_-rg5KHT4YukA/s640/mercurypumpkin.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for stopping by,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/248/3B01215062574D4D6FFA221C1E7FF50B.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Come play at:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Dittle Dattle/<a href="http://dittledattle.blogspot.com/2011/08/amaze-me-monday-38.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DittleDattle+%28Dittle+Dattle%29">Amaze Me Monday</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Savvy Southern Style/<a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/2011/08/wow-us-wednesdays-28.html">WUW</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Common Ground/<a href="http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/2011/08/vintage-inspiration-friday-52-fall.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FbCGJMl+%28Common+Ground%29">Vintage Inspiration Friday</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>

Here a Tweak, There a Tweak ...

Many of you are familiar with the transformation of our fireplace/surround that took place a couple of years ago.  It went from this: to THI...

Read more »

Repurposing My Wine Labels ...

<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just a little non-descript project I thought I'd share.  When I opened our wine cooler the other day, I found that two identical wine labels had fallen off of their bottles due to being in there for so long (admittedly, we're not *big* wine drinkers).  As I was about to throw them away, I glanced over at a plain glass hurricane that I have on the kitchen island ... that's when the lightbulb went off ....</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I grabbed my glue stick and applied the matching wine labels to the front and back of the hurricane.  </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmmv4uIu3T3RQzud5AZgMw5mH5dKoXKhAVm37Px_xlPmJ1-mu17grvQ0TV2fs2qtrmkhhOENjLxeiyadYKsbNqF-UTP7aRfG7ckmgoHk4b1wiWB9VUKn2H3moa9S31y-_BTFnRvQK6AXo/s1600/islandwine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmmv4uIu3T3RQzud5AZgMw5mH5dKoXKhAVm37Px_xlPmJ1-mu17grvQ0TV2fs2qtrmkhhOENjLxeiyadYKsbNqF-UTP7aRfG7ckmgoHk4b1wiWB9VUKn2H3moa9S31y-_BTFnRvQK6AXo/s640/islandwine.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Realizing I needed a couple more labels, I pulled out two more matching bottles of wine that still had their labels attached.  I soaked the bottles in hot water and the labels floated right off!  I then applied them to the hurricane while they were still wet ... they stuck right to the glass, without the need for the glue stick.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigOZhmaT9mu2KA_MValfvUKvLdkWlnMoN-189uyuioHTnctay-g_ViIy7zspekgcrVL-S5Hn-VQC0-pVacx_k3gAERFfdsoAO0u2xQ_GkkTTtgGwv79l7gepkMoDFVDBubnCGGNtNQGaY/s1600/islandwine2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigOZhmaT9mu2KA_MValfvUKvLdkWlnMoN-189uyuioHTnctay-g_ViIy7zspekgcrVL-S5Hn-VQC0-pVacx_k3gAERFfdsoAO0u2xQ_GkkTTtgGwv79l7gepkMoDFVDBubnCGGNtNQGaY/s400/islandwine2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I also tucked mini bunches of colored faux grapes around the base of my battery operated candle.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9C4lP8x-KYZQs16JZHa9hEaSmUg-PbBKCsgowSF_GKFZHZq_F7EPS6PqInsZOuOYDhLitOyzJg11jUouWVjYpUhtfLDJhEBoPLLt2QaNL416HTpbH8WcgG7DqGwOor4IoERp_Z0jh0rU/s1600/islandlittlegrapes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9C4lP8x-KYZQs16JZHa9hEaSmUg-PbBKCsgowSF_GKFZHZq_F7EPS6PqInsZOuOYDhLitOyzJg11jUouWVjYpUhtfLDJhEBoPLLt2QaNL416HTpbH8WcgG7DqGwOor4IoERp_Z0jh0rU/s640/islandlittlegrapes.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Now, it helps to complete the wine theme vignette I created (which sits on top of an oversized placemat from Pottery Barn), consisting of a glass apothecary jar filled with wine corks (with faux grapes nestled beside it), along with the </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">scattered wine corks on the other side.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijrVJSDZGE1aTLsfgDSJZbmjW2SARnldGVgddlMh1lkpCAyxvJYSOZvNOGyigUM9RU_r0OpdyoVKt4D3BB7nTKAZa1BHf33KWiMiPecgwHAiCQQmaE3XNg6yIkAXb5Cc3OUbKHHpcO7_0/s1600/islandapothecary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijrVJSDZGE1aTLsfgDSJZbmjW2SARnldGVgddlMh1lkpCAyxvJYSOZvNOGyigUM9RU_r0OpdyoVKt4D3BB7nTKAZa1BHf33KWiMiPecgwHAiCQQmaE3XNg6yIkAXb5Cc3OUbKHHpcO7_0/s640/islandapothecary.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP57z6bdFRr4iCW7zupyNV2tFAA_K63f-yEHOGE1HitQvRg1WBYYE3ht434PDczN-scLaxYeb7nEz37UECMENSCYBmAQrQ6DkrIzjGSG8WOwMbgi27gxEm6MZbnnmXoOYXNZvF8C_F5G8/s1600/islandcorks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP57z6bdFRr4iCW7zupyNV2tFAA_K63f-yEHOGE1HitQvRg1WBYYE3ht434PDczN-scLaxYeb7nEz37UECMENSCYBmAQrQ6DkrIzjGSG8WOwMbgi27gxEm6MZbnnmXoOYXNZvF8C_F5G8/s640/islandcorks.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">This will probably be my last *summer-y* vignette, as it's time to start thinking about Fall decor!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3bI-D6t225Qx5grCi3vQ0vQgP5F71yooJjs6BjvzvYnKF1pQ83HVe9BvwW-AOCZsIozEnwhuJ5IoFTN17mwiNuBf-1VwD7Uzrj5o7hIElEVY31FVvpEebqThV9ATDhfcbfdMvZRT_Lqc/s1600/islandoverall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3bI-D6t225Qx5grCi3vQ0vQgP5F71yooJjs6BjvzvYnKF1pQ83HVe9BvwW-AOCZsIozEnwhuJ5IoFTN17mwiNuBf-1VwD7Uzrj5o7hIElEVY31FVvpEebqThV9ATDhfcbfdMvZRT_Lqc/s640/islandoverall.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">*   *   *</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Moral of the story ... if you have a wine theme anywhere in your home, why not save your wine labels and add a little pizazz to your plain glass hurricanes!  I'm going to try this on a lamp shade, too!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have a great day.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Come join the fun:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />Chic on a Shoestring Budget/<a href="http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/2011/08/flaunt-it-friday-66.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:%20blogspot/SRimK%20%28Chic%20on%20a%20Shoestring%20Decorating%29">Flaunt it Friday</a><br />At the Picket Fence/<a href="http://www.atthepicketfence.com/2011/08/welcome-to-inspiration-friday-no-27.html">Inspiration Friday</a><br />French Country Cottage/<a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2011/08/feathered-nest-friday_11.html">Feathered Nest Friday</a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/248/3B01215062574D4D6FFA221C1E7FF50B.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>

Repurposing My Wine Labels ...

Just a little non-descript project I thought I'd share.  When I opened our wine cooler the other day, I found that two identical wine la...

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More Splashes of IKEA ...

<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just thought I'd share another one of my IKEA finds!  As I've mentioned before, they have such great textiles at incredibly reasonable prices.  When I spied these stainless plant pots, I knew I had to have one ... okay, maybe three(!):</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUAsPov_24PdgX3MuQIeX4u-_T-xaaicVkfAtN8ov-1mOxoTxXoAeVNIxNNLnWQdC7Pju0CJJegAJAPJGP2qmh4pXKi84_fYQQGexh8ONg0O_7lxiW47XMfnW9NJa1Z7qFPt2PEUs27I/s1600/ikeapot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUAsPov_24PdgX3MuQIeX4u-_T-xaaicVkfAtN8ov-1mOxoTxXoAeVNIxNNLnWQdC7Pju0CJJegAJAPJGP2qmh4pXKi84_fYQQGexh8ONg0O_7lxiW47XMfnW9NJa1Z7qFPt2PEUs27I/s400/ikeapot.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And, of course, I had to have something to put in them ... that's when three of these little cuties jumped on in my cart, too:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPzERxr0Pyk46qq56WZSQ75OwKWaPA6Tcyl7jY4pAe65KkRzjg13IEM8hocjNFchKAXxBcr-R8_rVh4IUBwpaJFm6oE-fx2nLmLDt0DqPcOXb5mtShWVXU8B__g6OEF1SSw2kxo8RLhxA/s1600/ikeaplant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPzERxr0Pyk46qq56WZSQ75OwKWaPA6Tcyl7jY4pAe65KkRzjg13IEM8hocjNFchKAXxBcr-R8_rVh4IUBwpaJFm6oE-fx2nLmLDt0DqPcOXb5mtShWVXU8B__g6OEF1SSw2kxo8RLhxA/s400/ikeaplant.jpg" width="272" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I added them to the bookcase in our sitting room. Here they are ... all lined up like little soldiers:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSISaIhvtbGgg2hPUrx0mwWHv5sQdtZ13CCM3TaWS-XMGvNMeWo2yhM063C3qN8STNJfn2jDEOHdKm3bCjBYbYsWyuLGQIOCxK8cwRB1mN9AybnQsflSdk0FFjiejUcISc5ZCpHndFBAg/s1600/ikeaplants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSISaIhvtbGgg2hPUrx0mwWHv5sQdtZ13CCM3TaWS-XMGvNMeWo2yhM063C3qN8STNJfn2jDEOHdKm3bCjBYbYsWyuLGQIOCxK8cwRB1mN9AybnQsflSdk0FFjiejUcISc5ZCpHndFBAg/s400/ikeaplants.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Enjoying the element it adds:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJdIRY5puqlQTN4qjoC7ipkRMXwHJ0yxThn-xg-n5-SKgYsaRWiXR4eFHbnzxYEigb6lSnVkvzsgDtI7ei6jGTAKxyoNc0n-D4G2CIMZolOmRaRTheCNG76-bahQcp-zXjn_l6st2yy2s/s1600/ikeabookcase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJdIRY5puqlQTN4qjoC7ipkRMXwHJ0yxThn-xg-n5-SKgYsaRWiXR4eFHbnzxYEigb6lSnVkvzsgDtI7ei6jGTAKxyoNc0n-D4G2CIMZolOmRaRTheCNG76-bahQcp-zXjn_l6st2yy2s/s640/ikeabookcase.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Annnnd, in other news, a large box finally arrived today ... let me just say that my jaw started hurting the minute I opened it, as I've clearly bitten off more than I can chew !!  I hope I get to show it to you within the next YEAR  ... O.M.G. !!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiREkT5mUiougrFVTAtDdiGPzEcbozLAqFoFrNJXgX85n8dA7dAt0urEqxUuibmrqCR_b_Ieb8-qqTS4TdvNTmd3w6u29aW7OR12qIm8zq5FqtfdN-E8M9OwIxCNziSAE7ngkrHhzO2HG0/s1600/chandiebox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiREkT5mUiougrFVTAtDdiGPzEcbozLAqFoFrNJXgX85n8dA7dAt0urEqxUuibmrqCR_b_Ieb8-qqTS4TdvNTmd3w6u29aW7OR12qIm8zq5FqtfdN-E8M9OwIxCNziSAE7ngkrHhzO2HG0/s400/chandiebox.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have a great day,</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/248/3B01215062574D4D6FFA221C1E7FF50B.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a></div><br /><br />

More Splashes of IKEA ...

Just thought I'd share another one of my IKEA finds!  As I've mentioned before, they have such great textiles at incredibly reasonab...

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I've Been Bit by the Graphics Fairy ...

<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and now I'm hooked !!  I know many of you are familiar with the <a href="http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/">Graphics Fairy blog</a>, but I just recently started following along.  I couldn't resist the temptation after seeing so many amazing projects that have resulted from such cool images !!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I spotted this graphic and knew it was the one:</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm7-Eeu157V1a59JmYeVpl1qw6Q3Ms-aZHvBnnqmtDXhvZOwASgujRvOTb7sSMFAjLavZHagEXAM-cRFk2RCaV4eTVpm4BidHdt4nUfD5sMmcSY1CB4i9J9zRLqwvHqUXovMV7AxZXLb8/s1600/graphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm7-Eeu157V1a59JmYeVpl1qw6Q3Ms-aZHvBnnqmtDXhvZOwASgujRvOTb7sSMFAjLavZHagEXAM-cRFk2RCaV4eTVpm4BidHdt4nUfD5sMmcSY1CB4i9J9zRLqwvHqUXovMV7AxZXLb8/s400/graphic.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">My stools have gone from this:</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4IwLAU92sLwQRTiVhs2Po331-VUKwpI5TwwZeEA7Exx6YfYewqPLU3Jxd597uI7tAfyoeS4Q-pM4J_QwUmP-1ZIPdT1BI3ce3FQgGhnfGAnrkKKIk_jQhcPHYeeJOORkS-bR32nNbyaU/s1600/stoolsb4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4IwLAU92sLwQRTiVhs2Po331-VUKwpI5TwwZeEA7Exx6YfYewqPLU3Jxd597uI7tAfyoeS4Q-pM4J_QwUmP-1ZIPdT1BI3ce3FQgGhnfGAnrkKKIk_jQhcPHYeeJOORkS-bR32nNbyaU/s400/stoolsb4.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">to THIS!</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8lv1tTFfcHYZPxlXsX6fjRGKn-9LxaIqC2deIA9CxdeaaOeL8LANO6Q46CmIiYiPsJYcUzFbx_6R12XnvEvf-hyWqjciGHOSDol6EbUGiIOJRJLU5UZu-zOI-NjlI2Dq-Qe2NJc8QDA/s1600/stoolsoverall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8lv1tTFfcHYZPxlXsX6fjRGKn-9LxaIqC2deIA9CxdeaaOeL8LANO6Q46CmIiYiPsJYcUzFbx_6R12XnvEvf-hyWqjciGHOSDol6EbUGiIOJRJLU5UZu-zOI-NjlI2Dq-Qe2NJc8QDA/s640/stoolsoverall.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Whaddaya think?</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEids3RRDHOqfHS5EsLio0OpA3QdKTTk_n0WLNV9e2kZhN-KhcYUfdkR2eET0hH2YfQ7DVRd0VtThRIYUx5n2YX2hujgKPPNquY8nlgtUmD3mDsvM-f0XK3yUBZq9ZXa2MaJxCFZcCtSmQM/s1600/stooltop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEids3RRDHOqfHS5EsLio0OpA3QdKTTk_n0WLNV9e2kZhN-KhcYUfdkR2eET0hH2YfQ7DVRd0VtThRIYUx5n2YX2hujgKPPNquY8nlgtUmD3mDsvM-f0XK3yUBZq9ZXa2MaJxCFZcCtSmQM/s400/stooltop.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Here's how I did it ... First, I painted my stools Old White (chalk paint).  I then lightly distressed them and added wax to both (except for the tops).</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I then printed my selected image, got my pencil out and performed the ever-so-technical pencil transfer (turn the paper over, go over the back of the paper with pencil, turn the paper back over and tape to surface where you want to transfer ... then, with a pencil, trace over the letters/image carefully.  When you're done, lift the paper and you will see a penciled image for you to then trace/color over with your paint pen or brush).  Then, I used one of my paint markers to fill them in.  After the paint was dry, I lightly sanded over the tops to "age" the images just a tad.  I finished up by adding a coat of wax to the tops.  Easy peasy!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeF6ekrRfbG3VXmcN8a1Rzjvs6n3MEawetMCyQ90pYUucSoqOkDwt1C9bYe49BaD4wtFGYOSENbnTpo7GvG4dfS5jhLvj7QwQOmzPXwtaRFJgIRuvGbk-3J6h6rx7HJP0YiFbjjEpEEns/s1600/stoolclose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeF6ekrRfbG3VXmcN8a1Rzjvs6n3MEawetMCyQ90pYUucSoqOkDwt1C9bYe49BaD4wtFGYOSENbnTpo7GvG4dfS5jhLvj7QwQOmzPXwtaRFJgIRuvGbk-3J6h6rx7HJP0YiFbjjEpEEns/s400/stoolclose.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Love them popping against the chateaux grey island.</span></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyL-ranF6OtBcNUOVggoMP925ICHwOEhmJhHoGVds3GMh0F-jGmzagZOpZ6sYWZ5BaTjTsWu26NFHvWjhFznKGAbZOv30YBf9V8bCBw89Isg6hKUdQMGw7_I8B2LwvUjYS0EBHza4aL_4/s1600/stoolsoverall2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyL-ranF6OtBcNUOVggoMP925ICHwOEhmJhHoGVds3GMh0F-jGmzagZOpZ6sYWZ5BaTjTsWu26NFHvWjhFznKGAbZOv30YBf9V8bCBw89Isg6hKUdQMGw7_I8B2LwvUjYS0EBHza4aL_4/s640/stoolsoverall2.jpg" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgevQ52waN-joRUYWwfVVZL6Qr0AOKFXEcmtqbdi1snX_OFki47bvySGHr4haVmPIzQ5Vuaap4XYe1dR-rG4cMmpz0jUVV-rNje6ZUj86dGQ6BEWUAelkCMkuUU3txN6RCjnqh2c-Os5bg/s1600/stoolsbar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgevQ52waN-joRUYWwfVVZL6Qr0AOKFXEcmtqbdi1snX_OFki47bvySGHr4haVmPIzQ5Vuaap4XYe1dR-rG4cMmpz0jUVV-rNje6ZUj86dGQ6BEWUAelkCMkuUU3txN6RCjnqh2c-Os5bg/s640/stoolsbar.jpg" /></a></div><div align="left"><br /></div><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Thank you, Graphics Fairy ... you rock!  A</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">nd, I'm afraid that my love affair has just begun!</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">And, as an aside, thank you all so very much for your endearing and comforting comments about Mrs. Farleigh.  She truly was an amazing woman, and I know her family appreciates having read your thoughtful notes, as well ... thank you so, so much.</span></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Be sure and visit these fun parties:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dittle Dattle/<a href="http://dittledattle.blogspot.com/2011/08/amaze-me-monday-36.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DittleDattle+%28Dittle+Dattle%29">Amaze Me Monday</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Graphics Fairy/<a href="http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/2011/08/brag-monday-hydrangea-tins-paper-dress.html">Brag Monday</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia/<a href="http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/2011/08/tuesdays-treasures_08.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MyUncommonSliceOfSuburbia+%28My+Uncommon+Slice+of+Suburbia%29">Tuesday's Treasures</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Southern Savvy Style/<a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/2011/08/wow-us-wednesdays-26.html">WUW</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Delightful Order/<a href="http://delightfulorder.blogspot.com/2011/08/delightfully-inspiring-thursday-party_10.html">Delightfully Inspiring</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Miss Mustard Seed/<a href="http://missmustardseed.blogspot.com/2011/08/furniture-feature-friday-favorites-link_11.html">Furniture Feature Friday</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">French Country Cottage/<a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2011/08/feathered-nest-friday_11.html">Feathered Nest Friday</a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">As always, thanks for stopping by,</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/248/3B01215062574D4D6FFA221C1E7FF50B.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>

I've Been Bit by the Graphics Fairy ...

and now I'm hooked !!  I know many of you are familiar with the Graphics Fairy blog , but I just recently started following along.  I co...

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Goodbye to a Phenomenal Woman

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2LE2xMbyXbWxXTrOl9Pg203AiZ-pZ8rROwHNRd4ZZJ2L85MbptunBEbSqdHpqCS-FjLl8_Kdw199yIedg-4GoDSkoRmb0Bkqpn0b9zDMJbndNJk34MUCStAhXsAVQUpJSbecgnmZUnjU/s1600/ash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2LE2xMbyXbWxXTrOl9Pg203AiZ-pZ8rROwHNRd4ZZJ2L85MbptunBEbSqdHpqCS-FjLl8_Kdw199yIedg-4GoDSkoRmb0Bkqpn0b9zDMJbndNJk34MUCStAhXsAVQUpJSbecgnmZUnjU/s400/ash.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yesterday, my family lost a woman who was like a Mom to me for many years.  She fought a brave battle against cancer and is now finally at peace.  Her daughter, Ashley, and I were best buds for years (in fact, Ashley and I set up my sister and her brother, who eventually married and have three beautiful children).</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She passed away much too young.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She was one of the classiest, kindest, most loving and well-respected women.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She had the most sincere and infectious laugh.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">She loved unconditionally.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">She had the most genuine smile.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She was there for so many pivotal moments in my life.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She was a true Matriarch of a wonderful family, which includes four awesome children, two beautiful daughters-in-law and nine dynamic grandkids.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She was a fabulous cook who loved to entertain ... her 7-layer dip becoming my favorite appetizer to serve.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She loved to hear Ashley and I recall our crazy high school and college adventures.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She loved the holidays and would decorate their stunning home to the nines!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She was always dressed beautfully.  In fact, in the 25+ years I've known her, I don't think I ever saw her in a t-shirt or without makeup! </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">She wore her gorgeous "baubles" all the time, even when sitting on the beach, covered in sand.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She and her husband were married over 40 years and did almost EVERYthing together.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">She loved their trips to Pigeon Forge in the Fall.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">She loved to have movie nights at home with her husband and whoever wanted to join them.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She always offered sound and comforting advice when listening to my "young love" drama.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">She made their kitchen table a favorite spot for anyone to sit and chat for hours.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She nurtured an incredible mother/daughter bond with Ashley ... they were best friends.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">She should still be here.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">*   *   *</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please, if you don't mind, say a prayer for the Farleigh family, who is going to need support starting this next chapter in their lives without their wife, mother, grandmom, mentor and best friend.  </span><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKugMfyBiGVzejhM6QAa1bq7k0zODBvABl1tUfaj2yem7bHZ-bwsSJUq5mS1muS5rK3dvxzguZd9booDUEzxHqpwJIudLABwv3e641XildViBZ-OKl5j_jrw500n59gvOcmjzaJloFtU/s1600/farleighs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKugMfyBiGVzejhM6QAa1bq7k0zODBvABl1tUfaj2yem7bHZ-bwsSJUq5mS1muS5rK3dvxzguZd9booDUEzxHqpwJIudLABwv3e641XildViBZ-OKl5j_jrw500n59gvOcmjzaJloFtU/s400/farleighs.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love you, Mrs. Farleigh ... you will be sorely missed, but forever in our hearts.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><em><strong>Becca</strong></em></span></div>

Goodbye to a Phenomenal Woman

Yesterday, my family lost a woman who was like a Mom to me for many years.  She fought a brave battle against cancer and is now finally at p...

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When Doves Cry ...

<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, after overdosing on chalk paint around my home, my other fave (BM White Dove) was longing to be used again.  So, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I finally did something that I've wanted to do for a LONG, long time!  </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Our kitchen sits in the middle of our home, not getting direct sunlight.  And, while I love our maple cabinets, it just seemed a bit dull in there.  Weeel, not anymore!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">BEFORE:</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtl0pPHVq-8aTwCtCfHFHo0fy-HSf9rt46V_-Rev3goRIje1e9O9YtOTPxTao2pWty0Pd9YAHdYwigxFPHMWn_cliImRJwHLNoklZ6ijUhoh5JYl5TzV1sL3FP50NNTft9rNs6V3y4c58/s1600/cabsb41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtl0pPHVq-8aTwCtCfHFHo0fy-HSf9rt46V_-Rev3goRIje1e9O9YtOTPxTao2pWty0Pd9YAHdYwigxFPHMWn_cliImRJwHLNoklZ6ijUhoh5JYl5TzV1sL3FP50NNTft9rNs6V3y4c58/s400/cabsb41.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>AFTER:</strong></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH1EaN6S_uE77leSk667MiDsDydlN6JIrgxXnAA_JlXkZlLndAyGcLV99WQvGTrSeVhs-506v2EOzYoRwnpNbGNz9hoqQy6V_HDoG9fHniz700P2X2Hqka9Ri9Ndoi_YSHb3Znp1xLBek/s1600/cabsafter2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH1EaN6S_uE77leSk667MiDsDydlN6JIrgxXnAA_JlXkZlLndAyGcLV99WQvGTrSeVhs-506v2EOzYoRwnpNbGNz9hoqQy6V_HDoG9fHniz700P2X2Hqka9Ri9Ndoi_YSHb3Znp1xLBek/s640/cabsafter2.jpg" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I lightly sanded (220 grit), primed with Zinsser BIN and applied two coats of White Dove (Satin Impervo).</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm leaving the base cabs in their original state, so that we still have the warmth of the maple.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZq55pbsqOUv5XtNatfNWRuGgzPmi_XShfZKZn_EUCPcqS1gOvlzEwmMb_6RGa3a_7p3DQourvQntQ8tpaO_99PPrEm10Qpa7ox7ihk6gleTvfvAOkCT0gG2d3kjT8m1-4vVVar02e6pU/s1600/cabsafterside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZq55pbsqOUv5XtNatfNWRuGgzPmi_XShfZKZn_EUCPcqS1gOvlzEwmMb_6RGa3a_7p3DQourvQntQ8tpaO_99PPrEm10Qpa7ox7ihk6gleTvfvAOkCT0gG2d3kjT8m1-4vVVar02e6pU/s640/cabsafterside.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And, because you all know by now that I love odd numbers, I'm pleased that I now have three different cabinet colors going on in the kitchen ... the white uppers, maple lowers and Annie Sloan chateaux grey island!</span><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Poc8UU6-9QP3ZRsR-4hVOy0Grwgr76TwM_9cdvr1C1dA4KYBqJfG81LUzp8X467IUiiqP0CZRPEJplfaOWWQBSXyg7_lkAlN5WXUAjFQ-n9CBmoeuZI3m8qgYbBNM9dOJL3VBtsulic/s1600/cabsafter3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Poc8UU6-9QP3ZRsR-4hVOy0Grwgr76TwM_9cdvr1C1dA4KYBqJfG81LUzp8X467IUiiqP0CZRPEJplfaOWWQBSXyg7_lkAlN5WXUAjFQ-n9CBmoeuZI3m8qgYbBNM9dOJL3VBtsulic/s640/cabsafter3.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqOptQCzOjhXrUOyrJ-H_QyQLABufPAq1VayR-d4pYeA-NA67PhTfdOZqsrsPX0jcMluoBkd7D6qfwVnWLACBgdCgL_IP4ulG1VqWh5Sdv5NrSvD2C4P24pByLcAZ5HQU4B248GO20zw/s1600/cabsafterroo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqOptQCzOjhXrUOyrJ-H_QyQLABufPAq1VayR-d4pYeA-NA67PhTfdOZqsrsPX0jcMluoBkd7D6qfwVnWLACBgdCgL_IP4ulG1VqWh5Sdv5NrSvD2C4P24pByLcAZ5HQU4B248GO20zw/s640/cabsafterroo.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRaRQDTQ5jMfR11TQgR1mtAuIbIBVEU-MIM7i4irMKV2ST00iRSQzxwILmB3JAIWPgDb9RlaEWQTnsSpjzs2s1iMaLDmZT6jtj4-KzJO-pyLB5-kbnVjC46sQXX-zi3yjDA2IGTc7QV6Y/s1600/cabsafterother.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRaRQDTQ5jMfR11TQgR1mtAuIbIBVEU-MIM7i4irMKV2ST00iRSQzxwILmB3JAIWPgDb9RlaEWQTnsSpjzs2s1iMaLDmZT6jtj4-KzJO-pyLB5-kbnVjC46sQXX-zi3yjDA2IGTc7QV6Y/s640/cabsafterother.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">If you've ever thought about painting your cabs (whether they're in great condition or in need of a facelift), go for it!  I know it can be considered a daunting project, but you'll love the results!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">One more time ... BEFORE:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCtiaW1gZCd3FOAJGi5IBhQbWVyAwP9AAvs3_K3LjvQcl7IZFNf5oFo_BHaT5VDLKrzUBYVUDycFe0ZPFR2dHn2836jmf-UIdTR459qAnbfFqO6Tw6DMicOk5PFQyylvB33oWCelHpgzk/s1600/cabsb4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCtiaW1gZCd3FOAJGi5IBhQbWVyAwP9AAvs3_K3LjvQcl7IZFNf5oFo_BHaT5VDLKrzUBYVUDycFe0ZPFR2dHn2836jmf-UIdTR459qAnbfFqO6Tw6DMicOk5PFQyylvB33oWCelHpgzk/s400/cabsb4.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Annnnd,<strong> AFTER:</strong></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOws1gwwp3XlzMHR7F7Yxmq1eQUqie76uWx1pK4sb3ipMCWvOfgpDts0UP0wxyLOj_UmNuzMUh7ZqBQgLkTp3t0h_saSPpKlkpzRyAvTy8BzYeGTNJ9M0i08K5-LB34aGc2Ad4A_CLm8/s1600/cabsafter1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOws1gwwp3XlzMHR7F7Yxmq1eQUqie76uWx1pK4sb3ipMCWvOfgpDts0UP0wxyLOj_UmNuzMUh7ZqBQgLkTp3t0h_saSPpKlkpzRyAvTy8BzYeGTNJ9M0i08K5-LB34aGc2Ad4A_CLm8/s640/cabsafter1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And, admittedly, while I love how the white cabinets now tie in with the molding, I am *thinking* about lightly distressing (just along the lines of the panels) and possibly glazing them just a smidge ... giving them more of a custom look.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We'll see ...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Come play at these fun linky parties:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Dittle Dattle/<a href="http://dittledattle.blogspot.com/2011/07/amaze-me-monday-35.html">Amaze Me Monday</a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">BNOTP/<a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2011/07/bath-restoration-and-renovation-for.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BetweenNapsOnThePorch+%28BETWEEN+NAPS+ON+THE+PORCH%29">Metamorphosis Monday</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia/<a href="http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/2011/08/tuesdays-treasures.html">Tuesday's Treasures</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Savvy Southern Style/<a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/2011/08/wow-us-wednesdays-25.html">WUW</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">No Minimalist Here/<a href="http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/2011/08/open-house-party.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+NoMinimalistHere+%28No+Minimalist+Here%29">Open House Thursday</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">French Country Cottage/<a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2011/08/feathered-nest-friday.html">Feathered Nest Friday</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">At the Picket Fence/<a href="http://www.atthepicketfence.com/2011/08/welcome-to-inspiration-friday-no-26.html">Inspiration Friday</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Miss Mustard Seed/<a href="http://missmustardseed.blogspot.com/2011/08/furniture-feature-friday-favorites-link.html">Furniture Feature Friday</a></span><br /><br /> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Thanks for visiting!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><em><strong>Becca</strong></em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>

When Doves Cry ...

Yes, after overdosing on chalk paint around my home, my other fave (BM White Dove) was longing to be used again.  So,  I finally did somethi...

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