Look what the cat dragged out... finally!

This dining setting has been sitting in my garage I'd say, for about 3 years! Why do I leave things sit so long? I don't know, but finally hubby and I dragged it out of his garage, to his relief and joy I might add, so I could get started on it .  I purchased this on ebay and even though it wasn't really what I was originally looking for, as I wanted a more french provicinial Queen Anne, Rachel Ashwell looking one (get my drift..lol!), I really liked the look of it all and imagined how lovely it would look white!  Now these are all before pics so not so pretty, but we have to see the ugly first.. right, and please excuse the mess in the background. This is actually my lounge room which is a dumping ground at the moment!

I really love the look on the back of the chairs with it's curvy lines up top and timber applique. I actually wrecked one with the blow gun as a small piece came flying off (oh, well..) as this is what I used to get all the dust off first, then a wipe down. They were filthy. I also love the cut out on the back. Ofcourse, it's not perfect as some of the beading has come off, if I can find some to replace it I will, but it really doesn't worry me.

I think what won me over though were the legs on the table! Love the shape and the ornate piece inbetween. It may take me a while to do as when I purchased it, it said nothing about the springs on the seat pads being wonky so I got rid of them. Hubby will cut out timber inserts to which I'll add foam and cover them with calico. Then make pretty removable fabric covers... a must in my household!

I think this will make such a difference to my dining room, I can't wait till they're done, even though it may take me a few weeks as I have some more orders to work on too. So stay tuned.... take care, Maryann

Latest creations...

I have been working on an order for a lovely lady and she wanted 4 shabby pillowcases. Since she said she had so much fabric I ended up using hers so it wouldn't go to waste. She sent me a lovely selection of Rachel Ashwell fabrics and some others to work with which all looked so pretty together.  She explained the style she wanted but left it up to me how to arrange the fabrics. I divided them into 2 groups as she wanted 2 matching pairs.
I thought these would make lovely soft pink pillowcases..

and these would make a bolder statement with the greens in the Charlie Brown and the red's in the grandfloral.

and here is the finished product.  I am very happy with how they turned out. I really love seeing something come together!

I hope she likes them! take care, Maryann

Devonshire tea at Hume Cottage..

Well ladies, this morning I had the best time ever! I was invited by the lovely Lucinda from Hume Cottage for devonshire tea in her shop.  Meet Lucinda, she is so sweet and set out the prettiest tables with the yummiest food!

Not only did I meet Lucinda for the first time but I met a whole group of lovely lady bloggers for the first time too and as luck would have it 2 gorgeous ladies, Mandii from Shabby Vintage Dreams and Kirstie from Adeline Country Cottage,  who live in Melbourne, were up for the week-end too! How lucky was that!

From left to right, here is Vicki from The Silver Teapot with bub on the way, and Sarah from Sarah Jane

Kirstie from Adeline Country Cottage and Mandii from Shabby Vintage Dreams

Lucinda with her friend Heidi who doesn't have a blog .... not yet anyway! Lucinda did a post on Heidi's gorgeous home not long ago if you want to have a look.

Delcie from delcie-teapartyland and her friend Susan cameall the way from Katoomba.

Lucinda has the most wonderful shabby shop, Hume Cottage, in Mittagong. Sooo many pretty things to pick from..

Group photo of all of us,, I'm on the end.

I had such a geat time meeting and talking to everyone, I hope you take the time to visit their blogs as they are such lovely and talented ladies. When I first started my blog I was a bit hesitant..... as I thought who would want to read about me, but I'm so glad I did now as I would never had met these gorgeous ladies. I wish I had more time on my hands as I had to leave a little early, I think I could have talked all day!  thanks Lucinda~

I love vintage..!

There is just something about a piece of old furniture, an old hat box or just a piece of vintage jewellery that has come from days gone by. Have you ever wondered what previous owners they've had and what stories they could tell.

In these modern times, with so much hustle and bustle, there quiet presence in my home give me great joy and a sense of a time when life was simple yet filled with such beauty.  Perhaps they hint to me of a time when my parents were children,  of old Doris Day songs and elegant ladies and real gentlemen. Sometimes I wish I had a time machine and go back 100 yrs (true!) even for just a day, like Meg Ryan did in that movie with Hugh Jackman. I also wish I could remember what it was called!

So perhaps that is why I love going to garage sales, thrift shops, antique malls and swaps. The thought of finding something new to transport me back again and again is just tooo alluring!!!!!!!    take care, Maryann