mariondee-designs

Computer problems...!

2012-01-23T17:17:00.000+11:00

Hi there girls, just wanted to let you all know that I am having lots and lots of computer problems. For the last 2 months I have had trouble either connecting, uploading pictures, slow speed issues and dropping out.. just to mention a few. I have tried a couple of times to do a post but it's just not working. So as soon as these issues are sorted out I will be back with all that I have been up to. Thanks to you all for not dissapearing on me!
take care, Maryann

spring.. in my garden

2011-10-07T11:42:00.000+11:00

It is finally spring here!! Yay! We have had quite a few wet and dreary days here lately but today was just so lovely I decided to take some pics of my garden, even though my camera is not the best. If there is one thing I love to do is stroll around my garden every morning and just take in the pretty colours of the flowers and just the feeling of spring. I never ever tire of it and could easily spend all day pottering around. It is in need of some tlc at the moment but couldn't resist sharing.. there's quite a few pics so I've just thrown them in random order..

I am in the process of redoing my family living area. It is quite different to the rest of my shabby home, more of a modern french farmhouse style.. if you could call it that. The kids love it and to be honest so do I. It's not finished yet but I'll post some pics soon. I have one corner of this room however that has me stumped as to how to decorate it so I am hoping that you will come up with some ideas for me.
Bye for now, take care, Maryann

lounge room progress...part 2

2011-08-25T14:20:00.002+10:00

So, thought I'd let you see whats going on in the lounge room. The flooring is done.. HALELUAH... Thank you Jesus!

I've started to put a few things back but I am still painting the french doors..

The fireplace will remain as is until I get round to putting some sort of insert in there or heater. Spring is just around the corner so there is no mad panic for that.

My theme is french provincial with cream, gold and touches of blue. The sheer fabric you see is actually chiffon, dress material. I purchased this a few years ago originally for the other part of my house but changed my mind on the blue and went with pink and green. I still love this fabric though and have held on to it just for this room. I will be using it on the 2 front windows and am thinking of putting a plain blue fabric curtain for the french doors so it's not all matching.

I don't know why but my spirits are lifted when I enter this room, it is so bright, light and airy and that is exactly how I want it to remain. Even though it will be quite formal, I still want it to be a usable space. Anyhow, here are some pics. Some things have been placed where they are just temporarily, but this will give you an idea of where I'm at.....

The club chair has been with me forever so will go into this room now in the corner. It used to be in my bedroom covered in teddies! For the main lounge I picked one up for a song.. that you can read all about here. It still needs to be reupholstered .. whether I do it myself or get a professional still remains to be seen. I am leaning more towards getting it done by a pro as the last thing I want is to stuff it up!!
take care, Maryann

lounge room progress...

2011-07-19T09:32:00.000+10:00

Hi girls! rather than waiting for a before and after of my lounge room ('cause that may take a while )I thought I'd let you in on the progress as we are going along...

below, this is the entry from the hallway. I still need to paint the french doors..

We have done half the flooring so far in this room. Last Saturday we went searching for something to put underneath the fireplace.

I ended up getting travertine, which is a sort of limestone I was told. I loved it as soon as I saw it. I love the creamy white colouring and the rough finish texture.. The fireplace sits directly across from the french doors so it's the first thing you see when you walk in. At the moment I am trying to decide what to do with it as it won't be a real working fireplace. I can't decide whether to just buy a vintage insert so it looks real but totally unusable or be more practical and get one of those electric 'look like a real fire' inserts, that when turned on will give the look I want and the heat! What would you do??

This is looking towards the back of the room .. these french doors lead into the backyard..

and here we are looking towards the front..you can see the steps and part of my garden..

I will be doing alot of changes to my family room very soon as well. This room will be designed mainly for my teenage kids... to keep them happy (with a big tv) and comfy (with a new lounge). It will be totally different to what I have now, not so shabby but with a more relaxed french country theme. Well, that's the plan anyway.. how it will tie in with the rest of my home...? I wouldn't have a clue.

take care, Maryann

hallway stand make-over...

2011-07-05T13:12:00.000+10:00

Hi girls, just some pics I took of my latest make-over..

I was given this hallway stand from my sister-in-law.. she chops and changes furniture like underwear..

Before.. I added the applique up top..

After..
a bit of white paint and whalaa! I decided to leave the hooks and handle black..

As you can see the flooring is done in the hallway and I am so happy! It still needs a little trim round the skirting board but that will be done last when it's all finished. Ofcourse more furniture needs to go in there but thought I'd show you my progress so far.. bye for now,

take care, Maryann

Yes! we have flooring... and peonies too!

2011-06-29T09:03:00.000+10:00

Hi girls, well we were determined to come back with something last Saturday and we did. We finally found timber flooring that pretty much blends in with our old stuff. It is a little darker than I'd liked but I knew trying to find a perfect match was going to be impossible. We even started it on Sunday and have been doing a little every night after Fred get's home from work.. I have to hand it him, my Fred's a work horse and a jack of all trades.. ofcourse, I'm his handy assistant, picking out the timber and handing it to him! Each piece is glued and then nailed down.

This is the hallway from where we started.. which joins on to our family room..

It is finally coming together but there are quite a few things I need to paint now like the french doors leading into the lounge and also some furniture that I keep putting off. So hopefully I will have some nicer pics for you in the future!

My peonies arrived too.. wasn't sure what to expect.. I bought them from a website here in Australia, in Victoria actually called Misty Downs.. they have a lovely range of peonies and an unbelievable amount of gorgeous roses!! They were so nice and sent me a free dahlia too.

I my haste to plant them yesterday I forgot to take pics but if you can imagine a twig about 6" long with a few pink buds at one end.. that's pretty much all they were, hiding in all that packaging. I am so looking forward to seeing them grow come spring.

bye for now, take care, Maryann

Lisa's party pics..

2011-06-23T09:27:00.001+10:00

Hi girls, this Saturday Fred and I are going to look for the flooring for our extension and I am determined this time to come back with something! I can't believe it's been a year already since we finished our extension and I still haven't done the floor. (We are walking on chipboard at the moment).

To cut a long story short I have had a lot of trouble trying to match something to my existing flooring as it has been discontinued and no one stocks it anymore. So unless I can find something pretty close I will be going for carpet. I still have enough timber to do my hallway but not my lounge room and bedroom, so it will only be these 2 rooms that will be carpeted. I think it's time to get this thing done as I'm really over not having my house in order. Anyway, I'll let you know how I go.

I have been seeing some gorgeous pics from you girls out there in the USA of your peonies growing in your garden! I just love them and had never heard or seen them before so after a little searching on the net I found a website here in Australia that sells them. I ordered 6 of them ( 'cause of course 2 wouldn't do) and should get them any day now. I'm curious too see what they will look like!!

It's winter here now and I'm trying not to complain too much about the cold. Thank God for camellias, they really brighten the garden up in winter...

and I've been putting them on my kitchen windowsill..

and finally here are some pics I promised of Lisa's 'country and western' 18th...

These are her 2 cousins..

Lisa and me ..my hair looks like a fuzz ball.. we had it outside in a large tent and it started drizzling that night!

Lisa's cousins.. brother and sister together..

Lisa and Fred...he looks like a drunk cowboy in this pic.. but Fred doesn't drink, this is how he always looks... lol!

Me again, with 2 of my 'workers' .. um, I mean nieces.....don't they look gorgeous!

I had to put this one in again.. the cake..

Lisa fell in love with her cousin's cow outfit and kept pinching it from him!

So I will leave you with that, hope you have all been well, take care, Maryann

Lisa's cake, Autumn and a bit of bling..

2011-05-11T17:46:00.001+10:00

Hi girls, if you read my previous post you'll know that I was going to make Lisa's 18th birthday cake. Just scroll down if you want to see my inspiration photos.

About half way through I was beginning to regret my decision as I had to make 3 round cakes, which were sliced in half and sandwiched together with a chocolate fudge icing and then all 3 iced together to make a tower. I then cut out the whole thing into a dome shape and cut out a centre hole to insert tinkerbell (which was wrapped in cling wrap). Phew.. just thinking about it is making me tired again. Oh well, I had to finish what I started and here is my finished version....

Her skirt was all made from a sugar paste that you can buy premade from the supermarket and it's just like using plasticine!

I even used it to make the flowers which was a first for me as normally I would use a different sugar paste so the flowers hold there shape better. I have to say though it turned out better than I expected and either way it was going to do!

I will post pics of her party once I get them from my nephew as he took all the photos and his camera was taken by mistake, so once he gets it back I can post some for you. All I can say is I had a lot of fun dressing up and alot of people got right into it too!!

Well, we are well and truly into Autumn here in Aussie land. It's gets pretty cold at night now (especially where I live) and we have been using the fireplace for a couple of weeks now. Nearly all the leaves have fallen from the trees...

and thank goodness for that as I don't think I can take Fred's whinging about how messy it all looks for much longer!! lol! Personally I don't mind all the leaves on the ground.. it's just part of the season but he likes the yard to look neat.

Before I go thought I'd show you what I found a couple of weeks ago... I think it will look great in my hallway once it's up... which may take a while as it didn't have any connecting parts, so Fred will have to conjure something up!

Ok have to go... hope you've all been well, take care, Maryann

where the bloody hell ar'ya..?

2011-04-21T23:32:00.000+10:00

Ok, I'll be honest..maybe I shouldn't.. but I think I will.

I've been avoiding.. my blog...leaving comments..cleaning my house...the gardening. I've been feeling pretty 'blah' lately.. if you know what I mean. (now she decides to feel blah, say my new followers!) I seem to have lost my mojo for everything these last few weeks.. and I don't know why. But I think I am on the mend now so thank goodness for that!

I did manage to make these cushions for the most wonderful and very patient lady named Linda from the USA. She described what she wanted and here they are....

The ends of the bows were gathered up a little to give a swag effect.

and here are some smaller cushions to compliment the larger one..

as you can see she loves ballerina's...and yes.. they are for her. I can't believe they are going all the way to the USA to grace her bedroom and as you can see she just adores pink!!

At the moment I am trying to organise Lisa's 18th birthday party which is on the 30th. She is having a country & western theme. She has the cutest little cowgirl outfit.. and as for me I was going to be Calamity Jane, but it just wasn't me.. I looked like I was in my pj's! So we decided in the end that I would dress up as a 'madam'!!!!!!

My dress is purple and black with a matching feathery thingy as a shawl,(forget what it's called) black lace gloves and a feather in my hair! Yep, I sure must have been crazy at the time, and am tempted to ring up and cancel the outfit but Lisa reckons I look 'awesome'.... and...and... all her friends' parents dress up.... so I HAVE to.... even if I am going to look like a slut. Yes, don't worry I'll post some pics and degrade myself.

Anyhoo... believe it or not she wants a tinkerbell cake.. something along the lines of this...

In a previous life (or so it feels that way) I used to make cakes as a hobby and even took out 2nd prize at an Easter Show once.. but that was about 14 yrs ago so I'm not sure if I've still 'got it'.

Ok.. I think I'll go now.. atleast you all know I'm still alive and kicking.

take care, Maryann

giveaway winner..!

2011-03-14T23:01:00.001+11:00

Firstly I want to thank all of you who entered my giveaway and for all your lovely comments. I want to say a big hello to all my new followers ! If I had a magic wand I would send out one of these quilts to each and every one of you.. but unfortunately I only have one to giveaway.

I decided to draw this the old fashioned way and let Lisa pick out the lucky number from a bowl.

And the winner is...

.... the number didn't come out very clear but it says no. 250....

which in other words means that the winner is....

ELIZABETH from Home is where the Heart is !!!!!!

Congratulations Elizabeth, if you would like to contact me with your details I can ship this out to you!
bye for now girls and take care, Maryann...

just on a side note... I'm sure you've all heard about the devastation in Japan. My heart truly goes out to all those affected. Life is so precious but can be so easily taken away. So many sad things are happening in the world right now... and we also had an unexpected loss in the family a couple of weeks ago. I for one am truly appreciating everything good in my life right now, my family, my friends, my home, my garden, my blog and even the sun shining on my face to name a few. Life is too short to take anything forgranted. M.xxx

pink and green depression glass

2011-03-12T11:21:00.000+11:00

Well today's Pink Saturday couldn't suit me better as it's a pink and green theme to celebrate St. Patrick's day! One thing I love collecting is pink and green depression glass and I just love the combination of both these colours!

I have a built in glass cabinet at the end of my kitchen cabinets and this is where I display them.

I find the pink glass is harder to find than green so I get really excited when I come across a piece.

I love the delicate pattern on the pink plate in the background.

While we're on the pink theme, here is a set of dessert bowls and a divided dish called Miss America. I found these at Vinnies.

and I just had to show you a pretty painting and mosaic tiled 'plate' all in pink with green tiles by non other than Gail McCormack -her link can be found on my side bar.

Today I'm joining Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday.. thanks Beverly!

AND don't forget to enter my giveaway if this is your first time here... just 2 days to go! Good luck to everyone.. winner will be drawn either by Random.com or the old fashioned way..i.e. drawn out of a hat!

take care, Maryann

pink serviettes for pink saturday...

2011-03-05T13:08:00.000+11:00

I purchased these serviettes from an antique/vintage store a while ago now but the minute I saw them I knew I just had to have them.

They are bordered in pink with the daintiest pink roses!

I have them on display on my tea trolley.

I had also painted up a cane basket in which I keep some mags, flowers that I'm not using and some frames waiting to find a spot.

and yes, my last photo is of my fireplace AGAIN..... I went to house warehouse and came across these birds which I thought would look perfect! I think I'm getting close to how I want it.. haha!

Just can't help myself! Ok girls, have a great week end.. I'm linking up with Beverly at How sweet the sound for Pink Saturday....take care, Maryann

fireplace look #2

2011-02-26T10:16:00.001+11:00

If there is one thing I am forever changing is how I decorate the top of my pot belly fireplace! You may have read about my first look here, which really isn't my first look, it's only the first one I blogged about!
Anyhooooow.........today it's looking like this....

I brought in a huge cherub statue I had in the garden, a rose topiary, some old books, and faux ivy pots...

My firescreen used to originally have all scrolly bits at the top just like that one you can see on the right hand side there, but James accidentally knocked it over and they broke off! I still love this firescreen so I wasn't going to get rid of it.

So I placed a whole heap of vintage doilies over the top to cover the broken bits and at the same time display some of my doilies.

But ofcourse during the 'shooting' of these pics for this post I decided to go out in the garden again to see what else I can come up with! this was all when I should have been washing the floor..sshhh

Mmm, this brass teapot with broken handle will do and yes, this vintage watering can might do the trick too!

Side view as you come out of my bathroom.

Well this is what it looks like now... BUT I just remembered those vintage trophys I bought the other day.. I'm sure they would look good too.. Ok better go and try it out!

take care girls! Maryann ps. don't forget to enter my giveaway if you haven't already!

Today I'm linking up with Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show & Tell Friday

week-end finds

2011-02-20T19:21:00.000+11:00

There haven't been many garage sales lately in my area but today I went to the markets and came home with a few nice finds! I am always on the look out for shades and today I found 3.

Click on pics to supersize..

A couple of tin tea light lanterns. Just loved the old rusty look of these and might put them in James' room.

Is that breadcrumbs on the table.. James had a crusty bread roll by the looks of it!!

A crystal tray and pretty pink sugar bowl with detailed tong. I love the ribbing effect on the glass.

Some dolly pegs for my laundry and glass door knobs

A silver tray which I just love as it has the prettiest bow design around the rim.

I also found 3 trophys dated 1939, 1941 and 1952. I think they look good on this tray for now.

A vintage fly sprayer. I already have one of these in my garden.

Now for my 2 favorite finds of the day... this gorgeous little pram. I love the shape of the legs and the little springy bits. I am going to use this as a planter and fill it up with flowers! I saw a gorgeous pic somewhere out there in bloggy land and it stuck in my mind. Ever since then I have been on the look out for one.

and an old vintage meat keeper on legs. I just love it. The previous owner painted it this colour.. which is perfect, a cross between green and torquoise. It has a deep tray up top, which is where you're supposed to put the ice and has a larger tray at the bottom to catch the water.

I pulled it apart and gave it a good scrub. After trying it in a few different positions in my dining room I finally put it next to my hutch. I love the pop of colour it gives!

Not sure what I'll end up putting on top but for now these tulips will do nicely.. take care, Maryann

100 follower giveaway!

2011-02-16T22:14:00.004+11:00

Hi girls, I can't believe I have reached the 100 follower mark! I want to tell you all how much I love being able to connect with you through my blog.. being able to share my thoughts and talk about my passions with same minded women from everywhere in the world, it's just amazing! I also want to say a big THANK YOU to all my followers and readers, I truly appreciate each and every one of you!
So to celebrate I am having my very first giveaway. I thought I would make something special... a raggy ruffle throw rug...

It is made from a natural colour linen and cotton blend fabric. I have lined it with a wool/cotton batting and backed it in the same linen fabric. As you can see it is all one colour but I have added a few ruffles, ruching and vintage lace on some of the squares. It measures 142 cm square (4' 6") and is the first in a new line of linen furnishings I will be offering on ebay and etsy.

I think this design should suit almost any decor and so will the colour...

I have placed a white cushion against the throw so you can get an idea of the true colour of the throw.

So all you have to do to win is
1. leave me a comment on this post for one entry.
2. grab my giveaway button ... or copy and paste it on your blog with a link back to this post for a second entry (please read note below)
3. become a follower for a third entry. If you are already a follower please leave a comment to let me know.

Make sure you leave me a separate comment for each of the above to get your 3 entries! So if you've never left a comment before and just like to read (which is what I sometimes do) now is the time to leave one.
This could be your lucky day...

This giveaway will be posted to ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD. Entries close on 14th March ...    GOOD LUCK!
take care, Maryann
   ps.. I am having ALOT of trouble getting my giveaway button code to work.. so if you wanted to put my button on your sidebar please just right click on the pic and save it to your computer. Then upload it to the gadget thingy under 'add a pic' with a link back to this post. Thanks a bunch!

My potting space..

2011-02-08T20:25:00.001+11:00

There is a little open section between this wall, which is a free standing old stone and cement wall, and my hubby's shed. The space is about 4 foot wide. When we bought our property 9 yrs ago, I knew immediately that this would be where I would do all my planting and potting. On the front side of the wall I started to create a garden, somewhat like a french/tuscan courtyard which you can read about here...it's still not finished but here's a few pics of it anyway..

The first 2 pics were taken a while ago...

This pic (below) was taken yesterday.. see how much my ivy heart has grown in the terracotta pot that sits on the table. I made the heart using an old wire coat hanger. I also planted ivy in the ground so it could climb up the wall.

Well let's take a peek at what's behind.

My potting space! Sorry, but it is a bit messy at the moment. There is a huge bottle brush (australian native tree) right above and it's forever dropping leaves.

I do all my potting on this metal table .. at the moment I have lots of plants that are waiting to go in the other half of my front rockery (which isn't done yet) as I know if I were to buy them later I may not find them.

I have roses in those pink tubs which I am repotting into those black larger pots. Hopefully they will grow and keep up with the other roses that I have already planted in the garden.

We made a table out of an old metal frame we had and sat an old fly screen door on it so the water just runs down.

This is the window opening from the other side.

All that climbing jasmine is coming from my neighbours bushy backyard! But I like it anyway!

If you haven't already guessed it I love to garden!... and after seeing so much snow out there in bloggy land it sure makes me appreciate every sunny day! take care, Maryann
Today I'm linking up with Cindy over at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday!

Laundry make-over.. and my sewing nook..

2011-02-06T09:42:00.006+11:00

Hi girls, today I thought I'd show you my laundry transformation. It was the worst room in the house and was the dumping ground for all the junk, bits and pieces I couldn't find a place for in the rest of the house. It was soooo bad that I was too embarrassed to take a pic of all the mess! My daily mantra used to be " keep that laundry door closed" to the kids and I would say it alteast 10 times a day!! In saying that though, my laundry is not a bad size and has lots of natural light which I just love. Here are the befores.....

face on..

side window..I attach a pipe from my washing machine to take all the gray water to my garden..

french door leading to front of house on our side verandah, which I never use..

closet door and other door leading into house, there is also a spare loo hiding behind that little wall in there...

I didn't do any major changes, just painted the walls, which needed to be redone with spack filler first and sanded back, which is probably why we left it so long. All the tiling was done by the previous owner. So we didn't bother changing that. Whilst I was painting away, I thought how nice this room would have been as a sewing room. You see I don't have a craft room just for my sewing (not yet anyway). I would normally take my machine out when I needed it each and every time. I would use my dining table or leave it out in the family room, which needless to say can get a bit messy at times.

My gorgeous painting by Tanya.. she sells her lovely work on ebay under the username 'boudoir123'

Any crafter will tell you there is NOTHING worse than having to set up everything, everytime you want to work and then pack it all away again. So in order to have my machine out ready to go for whenever I needed it, I decided to turn half the laundry into my sewing nook.

These white shelves were originally pine so had to paint them too.

My gorgeous print by Gail McCormack, the one on the shelves is hers too!

I wanted to put a table in there but it wouldn't fit because of the dryer. So out came the dryer.. it's an ugly looking thing anyway which I only use when I absolutely have to. So it's sitting in my wardrobe for now till I can sneek it into my hubby's garage.

Remember this shelf I painted up a while ago.. this is where it ended up!

My gorgeous little painting by Natasha Burns

It's not quite finished yet, but again, if I wait till I'm 100% finished with it, I'd never get to show you! Cause I'm NEVER 100% finished with anything..

I no longer have my daily mantra... (not that one anyway)

and I just love being in my laundry.. I practically live in there.. 6 days out of 7! I have so much washing all the time I don't even want to get started on that one..! take care, Maryann xxx

I'm linking up with Cindy over at 'My Romantic Home' for Show and Tell Friday,
Gina over at 'The shabby Chic Cottage' for Transformation Thursday,
and Cielo at 'The house in the Roses' for Show off your cottage Monday.

PS.. just want to add on, as a couple of gals have asked what colours I used on the table and chairs. Well the table was actually already green when I bought it.. so all Idid was distress it and for the shelves, it ended up being my own concoction of colours as the original green colour I bought turned out too torquoise so I ended up adding some black, white and a dark green to the mix. Sorry I can't give you a definite colour as I don't think I could replicate it exactly if I wanted to!

My Potager.. or as we call it down under 'vegie patch'

2011-02-03T08:00:00.000+11:00

We are well into summer here in Australia. Infact we have been having a bit of a heat wave this week.. but what's an aussie summer without a few scorchers. Thought I'd show you something I'm REALLY into apart from my sewing and decorating .. and that's my vegie patch.

Here are the front views.. the fence is a boundary from my back yard and the back paddock.

Looking from the back...that little shed was Lisa's cubby which I am hoping to convert into a practical garden room one day..

It would be a dream of mine to be totally self sufficient. To be able to feed my family off our land, I would even have cows and sheep. But I don't think that will happen soon, so for now I am quite happy to grow what I can myself to save a few dollars and also know that my vegies are organic. I grow many plants from seeds as this is the cheapest way to go.

At the moment I have growing.. zucchini..

way too many tomatoes, they are growing into each other from one row into the other...

Needless to say we have been eating lots of brushettia (I'm sure I spelt that wrong but you know what I mean) and I also love making home made sauce and freezing it for my next pasta meal instead of buying cans of tomatoes.

Cucumbers...

Watermelon...

I like to put little mats underneath my melons and pumkins.. keeps them clean.

Radichio

Spinach or silverbeet

Climbing beans..

I'm also a very keen recycler and put all my garden and kitchen greenwaste back into a compost heap to reuse in the vegie patch..

and here is my harvest for the day...

Yep, I sure do love summer.

take care, Maryann

ps I've just woken up to pouring rain..hallelujah! Our fellow Queenslanders had to endure cylcone Yasi last night but thank God it was downgraded from a catagory 5 to a cat 3. and there are no casulaties or fatalities.

Farmhouse cabinet re-do and look what I won!

2011-02-02T08:38:00.003+11:00

Well first of all I want to show you what I won from Amy over at Maison Decor!
I was lucky enough to be one of four winners of one of her sketches and the sketch was to be of my home! Yay! I have always loved her sketches, they are soo darn cute... so I was absolutely thrilled when I was announced as one of the winners. Here is a pic of my home.. but if you want to see her sketch make sure you head on over to her blog.

I told Amy how I wished my gardens were finished (as it's still a work in progress) and she immediately offered to put in the gardens and other features for me! Isn't she lovely! So if you don't know Amy from Maison Decor yet, get your butt over there right now! She has one of the lovliest blogs around and I just love her decorating style.

Do you remember my farmhouse cabinet from a couple of posts ago? If not well here it is again.

I really love it the only problem was the blue. It just didn't look right. Too much of a beachy blue and just didn't fit in with the rest of my decor. So yesterday out came the white paint and it now looks like this..

I just love it.. still needs new handles though but I couldn't wait to show you. I went over it with a dry brush. That is not much paint on the brush so it wouldn't go into the grain of the timber. I painted over alot of the blue and got the sander out to reveal more timber and give it an aged, worn feel. It still has a few underlying tones of blue but no where near as much and gives it a different hue to the rest of my white furniture. As you can see I changed the inside around which also helped change the look! I'm linking up today too with Kathleen from Faded Charm for 'white wednesday'

Well on another note seems like I am slowly (but surely) heading towards 100 followers! I was thrilled when I hit the 10 mark... (after all who'd want to follow me) so to commemorate this grand occassion I have decided to do a giveaway. Can't tell you what it is yet but I do have something in mind that I will be designing and making myself and am sure it will suit ANY style home...and will go to ANYWHERE in the world. So stay tuned.... have a great week girls.. Maryann

my vintage china cabinet..

2011-01-08T18:15:00.001+11:00

Today I thought I'd show you some pictures of one of my most favorite china cabinets. I picked up this half round glass vintage cabinet a few years ago now at a garage sale for $150. I didn't know much about vintage furniture back then. It had no mirror backing or glass shelves. So I had someone do all that for me for an additional $150..so all up it cost me $300 . I have seen these in antique stores for way more but sometimes if you are lucky you can pick them up for around that price anyway.. sorry but this is the only pic I had of this before I painted it.. you can still see it in the background..

Today it looks like this...

The dinner set you at the bottom was also a garage sale find just a few weeks ago.. I nearly fainted when I saw it as this is one of my most favorite patterns. If you look at my header pic you can see 4 small plates in this pattern that I have had for ages and just adored. So to see a whole dinner set I had to really control myself to get it at a good price. How much you ask?.. all of $30! Definately a keeper!

I purchased this bowl set from an antique store so it was a bit pricey but I just had to have it. I just love the colours and the floral design.

Here are some more of my favorite vintage pieces ... Royal Albert plate..

A jug set which is ever so delicate..

A 4 piece Royal Albert rainbow trio set.. would you believe I broke the green cup when I got it home .. I nearly died. I did try finding one on ebay for a while.. but gave up..mmm maybe I should look again.

This next tea set was a gift from a friend who knew someone that was going to throw it out. How sweet of her to think of me! I think it is soo cute and it was still brand new in the box.. looks like an unwanted wedding gift or something! It came with 6 cups and saucers in the shape of a heart and also a leaf shaped sandwich plate. The roses on this are just gorgeous.

Well I hope you enjoyed my little tour of my china cabinet. As you can see I just love old china! take care, Maryann

my farmhouse cabinet.. and a new year's resolution??

2011-01-07T16:44:00.002+11:00

Hi girls, well it's already one week into the new year! I hope 2011 will be a good year for all of you, may all your dreams become a reality! Christmas was a great event at my place this year with 57 people it was really a great day. Fred and his brother had the gokarts and buggies ready for the boys .. and girls .. as for me sipping on my wine, just sitting down doing nothing was all I needed.

We went away for a week after that to the south coast. We have an onsite van there, which is very handy as all I need to pack when we go is clothes and food. The kids love it there and James is such a keen fisherman. He'll get up early in the morning to go fishing by the side of the lake and he always comes back with something.. a flathead or bream.. but you know what the funny thing is.. he fishes with cabbanossi, salami or even bacon. No need for prawns or your regular fish bait! He cracks us up every time!

We are now thinking of selling the van but I have had this cabinet which I love in there and decided to bring it home.

Not sure about it being blue though as everything I have is pink or green. Looks like the white paint may have to come out. The handles will have to go too, the ones that are on it look like cotton spools. I love its rough texture, like that of fence palings, and the chicken wire. It used to store beach towels at the van but now it will hold all my tablecloths. For now I just threw anything on top till I get a bit more inspired.

If there is one thing I learnt at the end of last year when I had so much to do in so little time.. is that it's amazing what one can do when one has a deadline.. and that it CAN be done. I was pushing myself every day to get the house and garden how I wanted it. Now if I could apply that to my life every day I could achieve so much more than I have.

In the past I have never really been in to new year's resolutions.. perhaps because I know I'll never keep them, but this year I'm making one and one only..

and that's to STOP procrastinating and GET ON with it!!

So... starting from now, I am going to get off my butt and put all those ideas and designs I've had floating around in my head for years and make them real. I am going to stop putting off till tomorrow what I can do today. Dreams don't come true just wishing them.. YOU have to MAKE them come true..

So again I hope all your dreams come true, no matter how big or small. Let's make the most of 2011.. as I certainly intend to.

have a good one! Maryann

getting there.. finished quilts and bring on Christmas!

2010-12-17T20:30:00.000+11:00

Hi girls, it's been VERY hectic here lately.. but I thought I'd show you some pics of the quilts I finished..
THis is the ballerina quilt.. I love making these.. shame about the fabric being discontinued though. I made this as a gift for my niece.

The other quilt was a customer order and she wanted roses.. so roses she got!!

I also had an order for a cushion but ended up making 3.,, well I was on a roll! They all look like this.(only 1 left)

Yesterday I got the blinds put in my bedroom and lounge ..They are just holland blinds but I am very happy, and even happier that they will only take me a minute to clean when need be.

Ofcourse I still need to put curtains up and am putting just one curtain on each on the sides closest to the walls. Not sure what kind yet as this room will be getting a makeover once I decide exactly what I want.

Finally our Christmas decorations went up to. We are sticking to red, gold and green.. the kids would have my head if I changed it to pink and white, so this is for them..

I even found some mini chandelier ornaments.. how exciting!

and some sparkly snowflakes..

and we couldn't leave santa hanging so we hung him on my archway.. you press his leg and he starts swaying and singing.. he's pretty cool..and always makes me smile..

and what is Christmas without our nativity set.. .

and just to keep me happy a little pink and silver in the dining room....(little do they know I am gradually taking over...he he!)

I WAS hoping to have my dining table painted white by christmas but I don't think that's gonna happen, it's still the same as I left it in my last post.. in undercoat. With all the rain we've had, my garden and the weeds have gone wild so I have spent so much time sprucing the garden up and pulling out weeds and getting rid of snails! I'll be mainly cleaning my house inside and out in the next few days and believe me it needs it! We are having a family get together on boxing day at my place... about 57 people..(15 people on my side and 42 on Fred's!) Every family is bringing something which works out really well so I don't have to spend xmas day pulling my hair out ....cooking all day.

I'm a little sad that my flooring didn't get done and my new lounge room is no where near finished... as I would have liked the house to be totally finished... .but I suppose it's something to look forward to next year.

Not sure if I'll be posting again before Christmas so if I don't I truly wish you all out there a wonderful and safe Christmas! Love always, Maryann

front garden rockery..

2010-12-13T18:02:00.002+11:00

Today I thought I'd show you what we are up to in the front garden. If you've been following you'd know that due to our extension we've had to dig into the land, leaving us with one big muddy mess at the front.

I had taken inspiration from these photos for a retaining wall with sandstone done in tiers. We have so much sandstone on our property it was the obvious way to go.

and since then it has gone from this, in my last post..

to this......this is the front corner..

We used block pavers for stepping stones and a crushed concrete/brick mix for the base. We had intended to pave that entire section around the house but after we did the stairs we decided ~~bugger that~~ to scrap that idea!! Besides I love the look and the sound the gravel makes when you walk on it. Reminds me of a show I love to watch called 'escape to the country' which is an english show where they view country cottages and they ALL have crushed gravel or pebbles.

this is from the back looking to front..

Lisa suggested we add more stepping stones on the grass from our round about where we drive in to encourage people to use the front door.. we are so used to using the back door!

We also made some stairs using the pavers we already have and also made a row of them right across the front and down the sides. These were all cemented in and act as a border between the grass and garden and most importantly will catch the water when it rains to take it away from the house and down the sides..

but as you can see we have only finished half the project..bugger.. the rest will have to wait until after Christmas now..

but hey, I'm not complaining.. I need a rest from all the back breaking, heart aching, finger nail scraping, sun scorching, mud squishing, digging, shoveling and cementing. I had to wash every paver and rock as since they are just lying down the back of our property they were full of mud so that had to come off first if they are to stick to the cement properly.

I have to say though I'm very happy with it and wish I had a better camera and a degree in photography to show you how pretty it's looking. Ofcourse you can hardly see the plants as they are only little, but on the top level, which is what will show from the road, I went for alternating yellow and white carpet ground cover roses with a munstead lavender in blue in between.

For the lower tier a mixure of cottagy plants in all different colours. I can't wait till they grow and start to flower. Here's a couple of pics of my garden at the moment. Wish they were better quality as every time I try to take pics of my garden they always come out wishy washy. I can't tell you how many photos I've taken over time that I never end up using. Any tips would be appreciated!

Ok, I'm off to give one more coat of paint to the trim around my lounge room windows. I am getting some blinds installed tomorrow morning to the windows in the front, which is my new lounge and bedroom. Even though my whole house has venetians I have opted for simple roller blinds as in all honesty I am over cleaning venetians, no matter how much I like the look of them! Eventually I will change the whole house to roller blinds as they give such a light and airy feel to a room and bring the outside in.

Will show more pics soon.. take care, Maryann

To paint or to sew???

2010-11-16T08:20:00.000+11:00

This seems to be the question I ask myself every morning lately.. will I paint or will I sew?

Last week I finally made a start on my dining room table, actually the chairs...

This is going to be a bigger job than I anticipated. The table itself has sort of split and lifted slightly in the middle so hubby needs to attach some wood underneath so he can hammer it down and he also needs to cut out some seat for the chairs. It did originally have springed seats but they were all out of wack (which was not mentioned when I bought them from ebay) so all that needs to be done.

I have been painting them by hand and it takes me about an hour to give a chair 1 coat. It is so fiddley and it was just last Friday I was saying to hubby I need to buy an electric spray gun so I can just spray them. I would ask hubby to spray them but he has so much on his plate right now I thought I'd just do them myself.

Anyhow you wouldn't believe what I found at a garage sale I went to on Saturday...

Now is that freaky or what..! and only 5 bucks.. bargain!

I haven't tried it out yet as this week I decided I really need to get some sewing out of the way..

These fabric squares will be a ballerina quilt soon.. I am making it as a gift for my neice's little girl.

She is just adorable and reminds me soo much of Lisa when she was a baby! She melts my heart! The squares in the background are for a quilt for a customer. All floral, it's going to be so pretty.

I'll show pics when it's done. Ok better go as I have lots more cutting to do.. hope you have all been well..

take care, Maryann

When life throws you lemons?

2010-11-15T08:33:00.000+11:00

What do you do when life throws you lemons.... and lemons.. and lemons..? Well you cook them ofcourse!

I have had so many lemons from my tree this year I could not stand seeing them literally fall from my tree to rot. After giving some away to family I decided to have a go at making a few different lemon recipes. With the chopped up peel you see above I made candied peel... great to use in cakes or sweets..

With the juice I made home-made lemonade...

and heck I even had a go at preveserving some too!

But I think my favorite thing to make for summer from now on is GRANITA!

This is my first go at it and it was so yummy. Granita is very popular in Italy and Malta.. sort of a cross between an iceblock and a slushy... so from this...

to this!

It was delish! and if any of you would like the recipe

for the Granita click here My kids loved this so I think I'll be trying a few different flavours this summer.. take care, Maryann

week end finds..

2010-10-25T11:33:00.000+11:00

Hi ladies, went to a couple of garage sales over the week end and this is what I found ... a great wicker basket for my laundry, which I want to paint white so it matches my clothes basket , some pretty floral fabric, a small square tablecloth and some great cook books. I love buying cook books and for a dollar each who could resist! Not that I need anymore, I've way too many already..

and I was so pleased to have found something I have been on the look out for a while..

it will either be a desk for James or maybe a computer table for me. It all depends how it turns out and if Sir James approves with the final result or not.. kids.. they get so picky after a certain age!

Anyhow, I'll be pretty busy for the rest of this week preparing for my son's 21st birthday party as I will be making alot of the food. In all honesty I am looking forward to it but will be glad when it's all over. Then it's a race till the end of December to get ALL my projects done before Xmas! I am having all our family (and it's a big one) over to my place this year and would like to get as much done as possible. So hopefully, you will get to see quite a few 'afters" (finally, you saY!).. and somehow I still need to do a bit of sewing in between. Ok, talk soon.... take care girls.. Maryann

Lisa's yr 12 formal..

2010-10-14T22:49:00.000+11:00

Lisa had her Yr 12 graduation and formal just a couple of weeks ago.. My how time has flown. She has grown up so much..

She was so excited preparing for her formal.. what dress to pick, jewellery and shoes.. especially shoes, she definately has a thing for them! I have to say, she looked beautiful, not that I'm biased or anything ya know.

These pics were taken at a local park..

She wanted a picture of the back of her dress so I made them do a 'pose'

and here's Ryan and James. Ryan will be turning 21 on the 20th, just a few more days. He'll be having some mates and cousins over so I will be a little busy with that too!

She's just applied to TAFE to do a Children's Services course, that is she wants work in a preschool or daycare centre. She tried it for work placement at school once and she loved it. I can really see her in that line of work. She has such a lovely temperament with little children. She hopes to then, later on, go to uni and become a primary school teacher. Looking at my children now, I think where have the years gone? They grow up so quickly these days. They really are my pride and joy.. take care, Maryann

busy bee & hutch makeover

2010-09-29T09:07:00.000+10:00

Hi ladies, I hope you are all doing really well! I have been one busy bee lately. With the onset of spring (my favourite, favourite, season) sunny mornings and a warmth in the air I feel truly revitalised and ready to go!

So lately......... I have been maintaining this...

planting out this...

building this ... with hubby ofcourse!

making over this...

and revamping this... I purchased this quite a while ago from a garage sale and yesterday was the day it got it's makeover! Yes it's done.. have a look.. This is the before.. first gave it a light sand..

Now primed ...

painting done.. yeah! Now to distress and decorate..

Here she is!

I had so much fun with this painting it green. I love white but thought I'd have a change! I love a green piece of furniture in a room. Soon I will show you the room this beauty now graces! I am so happy with how it turned out.. take care, Maryann

forever changing...

2010-09-14T08:58:00.000+10:00

Do you have one particular spot in your home that you just can't seem to get right? Well for me right now it's this big black blob of a fireplace!

I have a tendency to keep moving and changing things on it in an effort to make it look good. Being black it really stands out from the rest of my decor. I have had flowers in vases on it, lamps..etc. but I've never really been happy with the look. I can't get rid of it though as it is a definite must where I live.

So for now it looks like this... still not 100% happy with it but it will do till I find the perfect piece to compliment it..

I am thinking a lovely birdcage maybe and have been on the lookout for one, but haven't found one that I REALLY like. So what would you put on it.. any other ideas?

take care ladies, Maryann

Latest lamp & a gift in the mail!

2010-09-09T07:51:00.001+10:00

Have been working on this and finally finished it! Yay! It's now on ebay. Hopefully this will be the first of a few lamps where I will be using ~linen and lace~ instead of the normal floral fabrics. Ofcourse I will continue to make my shabby roses lamps as they will always be my favorite but it's nice to make something different.

I thought I would keep it simple and let the frilly flounces take centre stage. It has a double frill, one in linen and the top frill in vintage lace. Hopefully it won't take me as long to list other ~linen and lace~ lamps and also matching cushions!

Well a while ago I met up with some gorgeous bloggy ladies at Lucinda's shop in Mittagong where I met Kirstie from Adeline's Country Cottage and just before I was leaving I wanted to get there websites down so I took out an old vintage note book, that had a cover made from old cards with pretty flowers on it. Well Kirstie was immediately drawn to it and I couldn't believe how much she loved it. So I gave it to her. No biggie really, she obviously appreciated it more than what I ever did.

Well, guess what I got in the mail yesterday..

Oh my! how gorgeous is the wrapping! A part of me didn't want to open it as it was too pretty as it was and the other part of me couldn't wait. This is what I found..

Wow Kirstie, what can I say they are all sooo beeeautiful and you are so so talented, I love them all! They are too pretty to use as gift tags, I think they will go on my Xmas tree this year or I might just attached them here and there around my house, they are just too cute! Thanks so much Kirstie ( you naughty girl!) I believe Kirstie is now making these to sell on her website so go on over and have a look! Have a lovely day everyone, take care, Maryann

Spring...

2010-09-01T21:59:00.000+10:00

What can I say.........

BRING IT ON.....................!

week end finds & latest creations..

2010-08-31T09:32:00.000+10:00

Just a quick one today but I had to show you what I found this week end...

yep.. more mirrors! Aren't they pretty. But the funny thing was that hubby carried them to the car for me... LOL!! if you read my previous post you'll know why I think that's soo funny! Not sure yet about incorporating them on my wall of mirrors as I think I need a few more small ones so I have a few to play with.

Finished a couple of lamps that were on order ..

and I'm finally working on a lamp to list on ebay. It's been ages since I made one to list. It's a lovely spring day today for the last day of winter... hope you have a great day too! take care, Maryann

mirrors mirrors on the wall...

2010-08-26T09:20:00.003+10:00

I have always loved the look of a collection of mirrors on a wall.

So I decided to start my own wall of mirrors in my family room. I have had the centre mirror on the wall for a while now but have had candelabras and even prints on either side. Since doing my extension the room has somewhat become a bit darker now so I thought the wall of mirrors would be the perfect solution in bouncing more light around. So I replaced the prints with 2 other mirrors which I have had for a while but were gold and painted them white over the week end.

It's a bit plain at the moment and I am hoping to add a few small mirrors inbetween. Or perhaps some pretty plates.. what do you think.. mirrors or plates?

Anyhow when hubby came home, as I was waiting for his reaction.. which I pretty much knew what it would be anyway.. he didn't notice it at first but later that day..... he said he absolutely hated it! quote..It looks like you're trying to sell mirrors!

I could only laugh as I knew this would be his reaction. Now hubby has been really good with all my pretty pink decorating.. he has never complained, but I think this is the one thing he doesn't get.

What do you think, do they look silly... personally I am liking them more and more each day, maybe because I can envisage the final look..

Well for now they are staying, I'm hoping they will grow on him...........ps. can you tell I like pink and green!
I am linking this post with Debra at Common Ground for her very first Vintage Inspiration Friday..
take care, Maryann

vintage pillow cover come cushion..

2010-08-18T10:56:00.000+10:00

Have you ever come across those pretty vintage embroidered flat pillow covers? You may have bought some to use as a doily or table centre piece. Well the other day I came across a gorgeous pair of embroidered ones with lovely crocheted lace around the edge. I knew exactly what to do with these.

With spring just round the corner.. HALLELUAH!.. I thought I'd use these to make a couple of cushions. All they needed was a backing, so I quickly cut out 2 rectangles of white cotton, folded one side in, so at to form a pillowcase and attached them to the back .

Whala!! I just love them, definately the quickest cushions I've ever made. Being white and so delicate and fresh they really sing spring to me! I am linking this post to Faded Charm's White Wednesday ... take care, maryann

Love at first sight....

2010-08-16T14:17:00.000+10:00

Hi girls, I just have to show you what I stumbled upon whilst driving James to a friend's birthday party a couple of weeks ago and have to tell you I'm in love!

It is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen, certainly not the grandest, but to me it was calling my name. The design, the colour, the features.. it was as if someone designed the house of my dreams!
Then I saw the garden.. I nearly fainted.. it was perfect. Even in winter when everything looks dead the garden looks beautiful. It has a winding driveway to the front of the house but also a pathway from the front fence to the front door. It is full of garden beds with roses, buxes hedges, conifers, stone edged paths.

Now I'm pretty happy with my house and really cannot see me moving. But I tell you, if THIS HOUSE ever came on the market I'd buy it in a flash! don't worry about the fact I might have to find 3 jobs, but who cares about that right?
Who would have known my dream house was just a couple of streets away from where I live, and if there is such a thing as falling in love with a house.. this is definately it for me.

take care, Maryann

Latest finds..

2010-08-12T09:20:00.000+10:00

Hi Girls, thought I'd show you some of what I found over the weekend. Hubby and I went up to Cessnock swap meet and I found the cutest things.

I will definately be keeping the pink and gold vase, teapot and trio, for now atleast anyway. The pink vase is already in my bathroom.

The other things will be going on ebay at some stage.

The tall lamp base is definately a keeper. I have a habit of selling my prettiest finds so I am determined to keep this one for me!

Gorgeous wall sconce which I will paint up and add 2 chandelier shades to, I may have a buyer already for this, if not will be going on ebay too.

Also found 3 little vintage sewing machine drawers that will look great painted a pale pink.

I couldn't believe it when I saw this scrolly metal and glass shelf. I have been looking for one for ages to go in my bathroom and I finally found one.. yay! Ofcourse it will be white when I'm finished with it.

Ok ladies, gotta go.. take care, Maryann

food for thought... food for life..

2010-08-10T12:23:00.000+10:00

Hi Ladies, today I thought I'd write about something I am becoming very passionate about other than my sewing.
I actually wrote this post a few weeks ago but didn't publish it in fear of being thought weird. Why I am even compelled to put it on my blog baffles me. But a part of me says that if it makes a difference to just one person then it's worth it. Perhaps it's the teacher, the preacher, the nagger in me (as my kids put it).

Lately I have been very interested in food.. I mean healthy food. A few family members and friends have been having health issues and I have been asking myself alot, why do some people get sick and some people don't. Why did my best friend die at age 42 with breast cancer and some people live to the age of 100? There are lots of tv shows out there that talk about food, lots of information on the health benefits of all different types of food. So many different diets. So much so that sometimes I find it very confusing.

What SHOULD we be eating and what SHOULDN'T we be eating....does anyone know the right answer???

..and that's when it hit me like a brick, .. to go ask the CREATOR HIMSELF.
Now ..I'm not a churchy person, but I do believe in God. I know bits and pieces from the Bible and I wasn't sure where to start looking.. so I went to my computer and googled 'food we can eat according to the Bible' after all he is our Creator, and left us with a complete guide on how we should live. I was amazed at all the information that came up and I did find which passages to look up.. Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. So I went directly to the source and was amazed and SHOCKED to learn of all the things I am eating that I shouldn't.

Now I am not going to go into all the details but if you go into this website HERE or HERE I found it very helpful or just go straight to your Bible if you have one.
But I will tell you a few things that according to God we should not be eating, things that are 'unclean', things that are eaten very frequently and are very popular.

PORK.. including bacon and ham, which is of course pork. I have never been a great fan of pork but I have of bacon and ham. I rarely buy these 2 items now, nor pork sausages or anything pork derived.
SHELLFISH, CRUSTACEANS etc. This is where I was shocked, I LOVE  seafood and my favourite thing to order when dining out was a seafood platter. I no longer buy or eat prawns, crab, mussels oysters, actually the only thing we are meant to eat from the sea are fish, that have both fins and scales. All the rest are 'unclean' as stated in the Bible, or unhealthy in the long run.

You may be saying.. but I only have prawns once in a while.. that may be true, but you may also be having ham sandwiches for work, bacon and eggs on the weekend, seafood marinara or pork for dinner... so in reality you may be having more than you think!

Now I am sure there are a number of factors as to why we get sick, but this may be one piece of the puzzle.. one VERY IMPORTANT piece that we are not taking into account. Just the other day they said on the news that artificial food colour (especially 102,110,120) and flavours could be linked to cancer...is it any wonder?  There is so much CRAP added these days to the foods we eat, even to the ones that we think are healthy, its not funny.

The other day I squeezed some oranges from my own tree. I gave some to my daughter and she said.. is this what real orange juice tastes like? I just stared at her for a moment for she totally shocked me....have we become so accustomed to the 'ready made' foods that we are forgetting what real food supposed to taste like? I think we just need to go back to basics, to natural, fresh, organic (if you can afford to) food that doesn't have to be a great concoction of loads of  ingredients, BUT ALSO follow a few simple guide lines as given to us by our Creator.

This post is about what I believe and I don't expect you to agree. I also believe that a lot of people don't know about the foods that they shouldn't be eating. Last Saturday I went out to dinner. Looking at the menu, that seafood pizza was a real temptation, but in the end I ordered atlantic salmon. Still just as yummy and I'm sure my body is all the better for it. It's not easy breaking bad habits or changing what we eat, it will always be a work in progress, but I'm hoping, eventually, I will get there..
as always, take care, Maryann

Life isn't always sweet..

2010-08-02T11:12:00.000+10:00

I have always considered myself a pretty friendly person. Easy to get along with, always giving people the benefit of the doubt. I have always thought myself to be a pretty patient person too trying to avoid unnessesary conflict.
But now I find myself in a situation where my happiness and sanity rests in the hands of one person. I wasn't going to do this post, this is my problem, but if I don't let it out I may explode and do something silly I may regret.

As you all know I live on 5 acres and the one most absolute thing I love about living here is the peace and serenity. Waking up to the sound of sweet chirpy birds. Being outside in the garden with no-one but me and my thoughts.

Well a couple of years ago a new neighbour moved in. I tried to say hello the first time I saw her but I knew after a minute that she was the stand offish type. Ok then, that's fine. I can respect that.

She and her family moved in with a couple of dogs. Now, just let me paint a picture for you. My house is set far back from the road. Her's isn't. So alot of her backyard is in alignment with my front yard. So? you may be saying. So in the couple of years she has lived her she has now 10-12 dogs, plus around 8 cats a couple of which come to eat at my place as they are always hungry. Yes, I admit I feed them. I feel sorry for them. So all her animals are basically to the side of my front yard.

So now instead of hearing chirpy birds in the morning all I can hear are her more often than not barking, high pitched dogs along with a very antogonising howl from a greyhound she has aswell. I have tried talking to her. She just slammed the door in my face. I have put in a written complaint to council. They have spoken with her but nothing much has changed.

I have been woken up at unGodly hours in the morning, forget about sleep ins on the weekend. I have tried ringing her but she now has an answering machine so she doesn't have to talk to me. So cut a long story short, my sanity, my happiness are in this woman's hands. I could think of a few words to call her right now but I won't. Sometimes I can't believe I am turning into (she has turned me into) a very bitter, angry person.

I know I shouldn't be putting this on my blog. But I have too, I just have to for my sanity's sake. I don't know what to do. Should I move? I have put so much blood, sweat and tears into this place. Why the hell should I? Yesterday I found myself looking at property on the net, 100 acres.. where my neighbours can do what they want. Have any of you ever been in a situation like this? I have never had problems with neighbours, not even when I lived on a normal block. I have been pretty lucky I suppose, up till now. So the saga continues and only time will tell what's to happen.....
ok, back to my sewing to get my mind off it and cheer me up.. take care, Maryann oh ps. I just purchased Julia Child's cook books and can't wait to get them to try out her recipes!!

Look what the cat dragged out... finally!

2010-07-19T09:35:00.000+10:00

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...

2010-07-13T08:49:00.000+10:00

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..

2010-07-10T22:40:00.000+10:00

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..!

2010-07-07T21:06:00.000+10:00

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

Flooring dilemma...

2010-06-30T13:32:00.000+10:00

If you have been following my blog you will probably know that we recently added on a small extension to our home. It sits at the front of the house and is made up of a hallway in the middle( with front door) which now takes you into the already existing home. A 'formal' lounge sits on one side of the hall and a bedroom on the other. Just 3 rooms. I have been searching for timber flooring to match the rest of my house but as 'bad luck' would have it they no longer make it and to my disbelief can't find anything that matches. So I have hit a bump in the road and come to a standstill. Now I do have enough timber left over from before to do the hallway so my biggest dilemma is.. do I use another timber.. or go for carpet like hubby suggested. I really don't want carpet as I've been there done that and with kids and living on acres I know I will regret it later.

The other problem is that I already have another type of timber in the kid's bedrooms so this would make it a third type of timber in the house. Admittedly the new timber will be in the lounge on top of which I would have a big rug anyway, and in my bedroom, so a lot of the furniture would cover the floor .. so I would love to ask you, if you have the time, what would you do?????? as this is driving me totally nuts!!

I cannot wait till the floor is done as I'm aiming to have my home finished inside by Christmas. I have been purchasing some pieces though along the way, to put in lounge room.

I'm pretty sure you know which way I am going with this.

I have had these oil paintings of Paris for about 15 years now. Someone came knocking on my door at night selling his paintings and I really liked these. I like the one with the Eiffel Tower in the background the most but of course being a Libran I had to buy another one matching to have a pair. I've had these in storage for the last 10 years now. I'm so glad I kept them but I will be changing the frames though to more vintage ones.

Please excuse the junk in the background, at the moment my lounge room is one big mess! See the floor still waiting to be done.

OK better go as I have dye in my hair and it's been in there for way longer than what it should be... God forbid someone should knock on my door... which did happen once.. oh... the... embarrassment..!!
take care.. Maryann

Declutter = Ebay listings

2010-06-16T21:58:00.000+10:00

I've been doing a bit of decluttering lately and unpacking a few boxes I had in storage while we were doing our extension and came across my teddies. Yes, I had started a bit of a collection but am uhming and ahring whether to keep them or not. I also have a bit of a collection of antique baby dolls but they're still packed for now. So i decided to keep some and sell some as you can see here and are now on ebay....

I also have this pretty stool listed..

Sometimes I don't know what possesses me to buy certain things.. I think it was the quirkiness of them!! Prawn napkin holders!! What was I thinking?????

I made these shades a while ago and never really found a spot for them so out they go too!

A couple of weeks ago I purchased this antique pram, yes I have a thing for them too! well I needed it for my dolls see so I had a pretty good reason to buy it..even though I have another in storage..

but what the??

I see ginger has found it and made it her bed.. ok she can have it for now till I clean it up.

Hope you're all having a good week,

take care, Maryann

Pretty pink house...

2010-06-03T21:29:00.000+10:00

On my way to go to the major shopping centre, which is about 1/2 hour away, I pass through some pretty nice scenery..

As you can see it was a miserable day today, pouring for most of the day but I managed to get some snaps of this pretty pink house that sits up high on a hill..

Sorry about the clarity of the pics but some were taken through the windscreen as it started to rain. You can't really see, but it does have beautifully landscaped gardens. It is winter here so much of the leaves of the trees have already fallen.

I just love this house! Lisa and I often argue (jokingly) in the car who is going to buy this house (yeah, in our dreams!) as I want it and so does she.. lol! I just love the sweeping staircase and all the white ironwork trim. I love the 2 bays windows in the front and the gorgeous white door.. I think they still have their Christmas wreath there and ofcourse I love the fact that they painted it PINK! You don't see that very often.

I often wonder what the inside looks like and how it's decorated. One thing I know for sure is, that if this house ever went on the market I'd be the first one there checking it out! It's a shame it wasn't a nice sunny day as I don't know how many times I've driven past but didn't have my camera. It looks just glorious on a sunny day. I might have to take better snaps next time.

take care, Maryann

Latest creations...

2010-05-15T21:56:00.004+10:00

Hi ladies, thought I'd show you what I've been up to. Finished the raggy ruffle quilt that was a customer order. It's an all roses quilt for a lovely little girl. It always makes me happy to make these pretty quilts.

Also made a couple of cushions that I ~~still have to list on ebay~~. Now Sold! Thank you!

There's actually a heart appliqued on this one but for some reason couldn't get some decent pics.

Apart from that, Lisa got her 'P's (provisional driver's licence) on Friday, I was trying very hard not to get emotional and cry in the middle of the RTA... and was doing pretty well .....till I saw Lisa burst out crying (with happiness). We were both a blubbering mess at one stage and I'm sure people in the shopping centre were looking at us funny when we both walked out with bulging red eyes from the RTA!

bye for now, not forever,

take care, Maryann

Painting done and blogger sitting on the fence!

2010-05-03T15:39:00.000+10:00

Well, I can't believe it's been a month since my last post! So I will try and go back to fill you in on what's been happening,(which may prove to be a tinsy hard since I can't remember what I had for dinner last night,,)

So, I know for sure I ran out of gb on my computer last month and couldn't use it for a few days, so had no temptation to check for msgs, check out new blogs, check ebay,etc, etc, etc.. It really is amazing how much one can get done without temptation lurking!! So I have made it one of my goals to stay off as much as possible and use my time more wisely and efficiently. I will still be blogging but perhaps only once a month where I will fill you in with all my boring details...

Ok.. FINALLY MY HOUSE PAINTING IS FINISHED.... well atleast from the outside. It all looks one colour now... yellow.. I love it.. it makes me happy! I gotta tell ya though that hubby of mine is one slave driver.. if he says tomorrow we are painting this, this and this, there's no changing his mind. Gulp down breakfast and off we go. I really should take a leaf out of his book, and stop thinking about doing something and just get on with it!
Here's some pics,

We are going to pave infront of the house and down the sides and put in a cottage garden as well.

I would love to convert my old front verandah into a sunroom/sewing room and have mentioned it to hubby not long ago( was waiting for my extension to be finished first before I hit him on the head again with another project) Have to say though he didn't say no.. I think, maybe, just maybe, he might do it. Question is when???

I love my french doors, if I could I'd take out all my sliding doors and replace them I would.

Last Friday was Lisa's birthday. She turned 17. She's the one far right being silly with her friends

She is growing up so fast now. She has a boyfriend and will be going for her driver's licence in a couple of weeks. Need I say how I feel? Sick.. yep totally worried about everything and have the weirdest dreams of her being eaten by sharks... true! T'was just yesterday she was only a 4 year old who adored mummy, dollys and pink! Atleast she still likes pink.

I just want to also say sorry to those ladies I normally visit and leave a comment on their blog. I have been sitting on the fence when it comes to blogging but I have been reading what you have been up to! Will promise to leave comments at least once a month and honestly you don't have to leave comments on mine all the time too !

I have just started up my sewing again and am working on some orders which I had since before last xmas and some new ones too. I am making a pretty roses quilt for a very special customer and I'm looking forward getting back into it and hopefully some new stuff for ebay. Will post pics as I go.

I managed to get a quote on getting my bargain find reupholstered..

I think now maybe it wasn't such a bargain find, not unless I can do it myself. They want $1850.00 and that's not including the outer material, .. what do you think.. it sounds like alot to me. I think it will be residing on my back verandah a little while longer.
Well I think that's it for this post.. I do hope all you lovely ladies have been well and happy.. take care, hugs always, Maryann

An Easter wish to you all...

2010-04-03T18:23:00.000+11:00

No pics today ladies... just warm wishes to you all for Easter Sunday. Hope you have a lovely day no matter where you are or what you're doing. For us it's the usual visiting family which is good as we don't get to see each other as much as I'd like to. Hope you all have a great and safe holiday.. take care, Maryann ps. won't be blogging for a little while as we have maxed out our GB usage this month!! First time ever! Just to post this was painstakingly slow.. back to dial up speed for a few days.

Painting my house yellow..Yay!

2010-03-30T07:04:00.000+11:00

With the Easter break soon upon us Fred has planned to paint the exterior of our extension to match the rest of the house. Then when that's done it will be up to me to paint all the trims and front door white. I hope it's still going to happen as it's been raining since yesterday! Oh well atleast my grass will start to grow where we had that massive pile of dirt right in front of our house, that came out of the excavations. My garden will be loving it too as everything was a bit dry as you may have noticed from my garden pics.

this is the original front verandah

Sorry about the messy curtain in the back there, that's my laundry which we haven't painted yet and I just tend to throw everything in there right now. That's another post.

I am also looking forward to starting on the landscaping around the front.. but that may take a while.

Hope y'all have a great day, take care, Maryann

week end finds...

2010-03-29T15:14:00.000+11:00

Found some really cool stuff over the week-end. Not a lot, but then again I only tend to go for things that I would put in my home.. should really stop doing that as I am sure I could come home with other finds that I think other people might like too... Anyway, not sure what I am going to keep out of this lot so some things will be going to my ebay store tonight.

These little jars are keepers. I put them in Lisa's room and she cut some geraniums to put in them. She really loves the brighter pink to add a dramatic splash, compared to the paler toned pinks in her room.

Cute vanity set, I already have another similar so this one will be going.

Came across this trophy. I really loved the shape of it and how it stands on a brown base. Might look good in my french theme lounge room later on, but still can't decide. I also love this litte silver bell with crystal insert at the top. This I'm keeping, (me thinks)

Also found these gorgeous hangers. I have never come across ones so fancy! I think I might have to keep these as I don't think I'll come across them again. Might mount them up on a nice piece of timber or something.

Yep, more little bottles. These are green toned. Do they have a special name? Not sure... but for now they are sitting on my vintage bread box in the kitchen till I figure out if I want to keep them. Decisions, decisions, decisions.... ok better go, making spag bolognese tonight. Easy. I like that.

take care girls, Maryann

Treasures in my garden...

2010-03-25T11:55:00.000+11:00

One of my favourite things to do is work in my garden. Unfortunately I haven't been able to much of that lately. I just love my old established trees that were here when we moved in. I find it so relaxing to take a stroll and check out what's growing well (or not) in my garden. What I also love to do is to add statues or anthing else that tickles my fancy to make it even more interesting. So I thought I'd give you a bit of a tour and just warn you there are heaps of photos! ....

I hope you liked my tour.. just wanted to take some pics before autumn really sets in. Leaves have already started falling from my trees. Oh No! I don't like winter .. and already can't wait for spring to come round again. Atleast I can see other bloggers are now enjoying spring coming round to their place.

take care, Maryann

Lisa's shabby bedroom make-over.....

2010-03-16T17:34:00.005+11:00

Well here it is.... Lisa's bedroom. She was very particular of what she liked and didn't like. I would go into her room with something thinking she might like it and she'd come straight back out with it! It was pretty funny really.. there were to be no roses prints only some flowers in a vase and no doilies (except for one) and no empty frames. I think it's turned out very light and fresh, she didn't want too much clutter..... I painted absolutely everything white apart from the bed which was already white. It still needs a few pics above her dressing table as it looks abit too empty, so I am on the look out for some pretty frames and perhaps a fluffy chenille throw for her bed to soften the look.... but if I wait for that to happen you'll never get to see........

The bedspread I already had. I purchased it from the USA a while ago. The cushion covers were from a garage sale. We did go shopping for a quilt cover but nothing really grabbed us, so one day I am hoping to make something for her myself. The lace curtains are from Rachael Ashwell and I just love how they give a soft and feminine feeling to the room.

This is looking into the room from the doorway. Her room is not very big, only 3m x 3.6m. the wardrobe I purchased from a garage sale for $20. As you can see we went for a white look with just pops of pink instead of having pink in everything.

The pink silk dressing gown hanging from the wardrobe was actually mine that I had for ever and the dressing table was free! A friend of ours just gave it to us.

She still need to place photos of her friends in the little 3 sided frame.. yes I painted that too!

I only had to add new handles, maybe a bit too fancy but we liked them!

Lisa's memory board. I purchased the frame a while ago at a garage sale and we decided to keep it brass to match the chandelier and also the floor lamp base as we didn't want everything white. I think it adds a little old world charm to the room.

I used silk and lace to cover it.

Mini crystal vases make lovely jewellery holders...

The drawers from another garage sale.. $15! The lampshade also got a make-over.

This little cabinet holds her make-up up the top and shoes down the bottom. As you can see I still haven't attached some of the handles on the door as when I was using the drill, I dropped it and broke the drill bit. I haven't given Fred the good news yet!

Well that's it... everything in her room was a garage sale/market find apart from the chandelier which I purchased at an antique shop but just had to have it and her bed from a bedding place which was a bargain as we got it for 50% off.

Ok, now onto the next project!!!!!!!!!!!

I have joined in at ~Show and Tell Friday~ at Cindy's My Romantic Home Blogspot

Take care, Maryann

Quick & Easy ~pillowcase make-over~ Tutorial

2010-03-14T15:45:00.000+11:00

I had a couple of vintage pillowcases which I just love as they are so nice and thick but were pretty plain and boring. I wanted to use these in Lisa's bedroom but wanted to jazz them up a bit. What to do? I then remembered I had a couple of pieces of vintage lace (different to each other, but that's ok) just long enough to fit from top to bottom.

My aim was to make them romantic and pretty by adding some lace to the edge of each one. I first placed the lace onto the p'case where I wanted it to sit when it was finished. As you can see I wanted the lace to overhang the edge of the p'case by about 1". I only had enough lace to do the front of each pillowcase. If I had more I would have gone round front and back but this would still achieve the look I was after. I placed a pin top and bottom of the p'case where I need to sew the lace to. Make sure you cut the lace 1/2" longer top and bottom for seams.

Now remove the lace and make a hem top and bottom by folding in lace by 1/4" and then again by1/4" /This will finish the edge to prevent it from fraying.

Now pin your lace right side facing right side of your p'case and line top and bottom of where your seam is going with the pins we placed earlier on your p'case.

Now sew along your pin line. If you are new at this I recommend you baste it first. Make sure you don't catch the back of your p'case!

Fold out your lace so it is now right side facing up and pin along the edge you have just sewn so you can go over and top stitch along the edge.

Now you need to topstitch the top and bottom section of your lace to your p'case so they stay in place and won't flap around.

Here they are finished. A very quick and easy way to jazz up a plain pillowcase! If you wanted to take it a step further you can add layers of lace of different widths. Simply place the narrowest lace face down first followed by the next and ending with the widest and sew them all at once. Then I would only sew the widest lace to the top and bottom of the p'case and let the other layers flounce around. (now why didn't I think of this.... BEFORE....!)

Hope this wasn't too boring but I thought a beginner might like to have a go! take care, Maryann

saturday finds...

2010-03-14T14:53:00.001+11:00

Saturday morning and I'm still in bed thinking.. I really should get up now and get dressed to go to those garage sales that are just around the corner from me. (which doesn't happen very often) Will I, won't I.. a part of me couldn't be bothered and the other part thought, I wonder what I'll be missing out on if I don't. So after a cuppa decided yep, better go! I'm so glad I did..
For the past couple of weeks I've been searching on ebay for a couple of sconces for my family room to replace the ones I already have.. they're ok but wanted something more eloborate and couldn't believe I found these!

Also found these vintage S & P shakers! I just love them! Also found the little silver dish earlier this week from vinnies. Think the shakers look really good sitting in it. (atleast for now anyway)

Found these really cute handles at a local market ( mmm... must remember to go there more often!)

They had a bit too much gold on them so I have just given them a coat of offwhite and I think they will go really well on Lisa's cupboard. I had intended using crystal ones, but for $1 each I couldn't pass them by.

I hope you all had a great w/e. Was a pretty quiet one for me... take care, Maryann

Shabby armchair make over...

2010-03-05T13:20:00.003+11:00

I thought you might like to see what I've been up to lately.. still working on Lisa's room, it's taking a little longer than anticipated but I just finished her armchair today and thought I'd let you have a peek.

These are all the before shots..... I had already taken the swivel back off and thought 'oh yeah, better take some pics!'

Too many nails here so I decided to slice the fabric from the sides of the seat.

Iwas very happy to see burlap keeping it all together underneath

Before recovering it with the proper fabric I covered it with a sheet of wadding to make it all nice and clean and also to give me a light coloured base to work on.

We decided to use a dainty roses fabric by Rachel Ashwell .. (which is one of my fav's)

I'm also going to make a slip cover for it as I don't think it will stay white for long. It looks so pretty in Lisa's room but can't show you that yet! All I have to do is cover her lamp and her room is done. ! So stay tuned.

Also My Cottage Charm is having her very first 'Treasures & Trinkets Thursday' if you'd like to pop over and have a look and Cindy at My Romantic Home is having Show and Tell Friday!

Hope you all have a great week end ...take care, Maryann

My lounge room chandelier..

2010-02-23T08:20:00.000+11:00

Have you seen that movie "Castaway' with Tom Hanks.. the part where he's in the cave and he keeps flicking his torch on and then off, then on and then off..... well that was me yesterday with my lounge room chandelier! I just had to show you a pic of it!

It's been in storage for the last 4 years but finally took it out a couple of weeks ago to work on it.. well all I did was give it a good clean by spraying it with hot soapy dishwashing liquid and then I hosed it down. Yes I had to use the hose it was that dirty and prayed it would still work when it was dry. Ofcourse I covered the globe bits with a plastic sleeves to keep the water out. She came so sparkly. I love it.
She did look like this...

I have to say I was a bit disappointed when I took her out of the box. I forgot what she looked like. I really thought she was 2 tier with a row of globes up top and bottom.. but they were all at the bottom... that's how good my memory is for you! Plus she was filthy, a bit of a let down really to how I had remembered her. I can't tell you how relieved I was when I saw the dirt just dripping off when I started spraying her and her shine was coming through. I just love it now!

I decided not to do the scrunchie thing over the chain as I think its just part of the look of the chandelier. Have a great day, the electrician's back this morning to finish off a few things so better go get dressed! take care, Maryann

week end find..I found a beauty! & 4 tips to help you get a bargain!

2010-02-22T11:08:00.000+11:00

Call it luck, call it fate... but sometimes I get an eary feeling when I come across something that I know was just meant for me! With my new lounge room now built ofcourse I would be needing a lounge to sit on but knew I would have to wait a while to get the one I really wanted due to financial reasons. But I was happy to wait, I'm pretty much used to it! I knew what I wanted in the back of my mind, a nice comfy lounge with big cushions for Fred and 2 french inspired armchairs, you know the ones with the ornate wood trims, to give the room a french feel.
Well Fred and I went to a swap meet this weekend, he goes for car parts and I go for my treasures. We rarely walk together as we don't like to slow each other down looking at things we're not interested in.

So guess what I came across.. I couldn't believe my eyes! A beautiful french Louie style lounge suite! OMG! That's when that eary feeling came over me and I knew that lounge was coming home with me! It would need a fair bit of work to bring it back to it's former glory... but that's ok.

Tip no. 1 - ALWAYS ask for the price. the lounge already had a small tag of $250 on it, but I've learnt that peoples emotions and needs fluctuate constantly when selling, so never take a price tag as the right price.

'How much do you want for the lounge' I asked
'$150' he said.... so there you have it, he'd already reduced the lounge by $100 without me even trying..
'I just want to get rid of it and really don't want to take it home' so at this stage I was hearing horns and sirens in my head because I knew he was open to more negotiation.

Tip no.2. -NEVER look too interested, even when you KNOW you are going to buy it.
'Mmmm, I wish it was blue not green, do you know how much they charge too reupholster lounges' I asked. This part is true, I do not have a clue how much they charge.. but I thought at that price I can afford to give it a go myself.. so.. as fate would have it, Fred was coming towards me from the other direction, and before I even mentioned the lounge he said 'that's a nice lounge'.. well that's all I needed to know.

Tip no. 3- ALWAYS haggle the price.. I'm a pretty good haggler.. and what's the worst thing that can happen?... they'll say no. Either way I was already happy with $150 but the guy didn't want to take it home right?
'Will you take $100 for the lounge?
Approx 10 seconds later he said 'OK' ..and that was that.... yay!!!!!!!!

Tip no. 4 - CLOSE the deal and pay in full if you can, especially if you aren't taking it with you right away. Like that the deal is closed and he won't be tempted to sell it to the next person who comes along that may offer him a better price.

So, if anyone out there has any tips and suggestions on how to reupholster I'd be so happy to hear from you.. I'll try googling it and see what I find. I 'll be painting the wood trim white ofcourse and antiquing the ornate bits for more definition. I'll also try to replace the foam bits and then recover it all in an offwhite fabric. I can't wait to see it finished! Hope you all had a good week end too! take care, Maryann ps. I know alot of people don't like to haggle, but asking that one question saved me $50 and if he had said no $150 is the lowest I'll go I would have just said fair enough, I'll take it any way. easy peasy!

My new 'frenchy' bike..

2010-02-19T09:20:00.000+11:00

Well sometimes it is a bit hard putting a title to a post, but I didn't know what else to call this..

I just had to show you what hubby bought me without me knowing. Now just let me tell you something he doesn't do this very often... he is not very romantic at all, but this time he really surprised me............... so I forgive him.

I actually saw this bike at 'recollections' when hubby and I went to pick some door handles for the extension. I immediately fell in love with this bike and kept saying I love that bike, I love that bike it, I have to get it. But ofcourse, I didn't, too many other expenses going on at the time. Well, not long after he turns up with this! Totally shocked me! I even started crying (mind you it doesn't take much to make me cry.. all Oprah has to do is give out cars and I start balling) So for now it's just sitting in my formal lounge ( sorry no pretty background here yet, this room is still waiting to be done up)

I am still uhming and ahring where to put it... it was supposed to go on my front verandah but since no one goes there I think it will be a waste. I am seriously contemplating leaving it in my lounge room! Would definitely be a talking point and would really add to my French theme.

I thought I'd post a pic of Lisa's wardrobe, her room is nearly done. I still have to cover that floor lamp and make-over an armchair, and memory board aswell. Hoping it will be all done by the end of next week!

So have a great week end everyone! take care, Maryann

Lisa's bedroom ~sneak peak~

2010-02-09T08:22:00.000+11:00

I have just finished painting Lisa's room. It was green before (as this used to be the boys' room)
and have now painted it the softest romantic pink.. I just love it. Just don't ask me what it's called as it's my own concoction of 3 different whites and 3 different pinks, I just kept mixing till I got the colour I wanted.

The lamp you see there is waiting for its makeover, and I have just put in Lisa's new bed (still waiting for a mattress) It has the same design at the foot of the bed aswell. We purchased this exactly a year ago so we were both anxious to get it out of the box.. we love it and actually were fighting for it but, ok... I let her have it!!

I've also started painting her furniture as you can see

This wardrobe is nearly finished just putting on the last coat today.. then can start on her drawers.

Hopefully it won't take me long to put it all together and you can see the end result. Have a great day, I think the sun may just make an appearance today, fingers crossed!

Take care, Maryann

You snooze..you lose....

2010-02-06T17:36:00.001+11:00

Didn't get much sleep yesterday. Lisa was sick during the night and had to get up twice with her. Then to top it off the second time I went back to sleep all I could hear was Fred's snoring.... what does a girl have to do to get some sleep! Anyways, what I am getting too is I was so tired this morning I forgot to get up early to go to a garage sale that was just down the road.
Well, Fred ended up going to this garage sale on his way to the hardware this morning and what did he find? Only something that I've been on the look out for! You have to be kidding! I have been after a vintage desk or table that I can put my computer on and they had one, the only thing is, it was SOLD! I tell you, if my leg was long enough I would have given myself a kick up the booty!!! Well you know the saying.. you snooze, you lose!

Last week though I did go to a garage sale and found this shelving cabinet..

I think it will look really nice in the laundry or perhaps it could hold some of my sewing bits and bobs... ofcourse like everything else it will get a shabby makeover.. so stay tuned. Ok ladies, hope you have all been well, have a great week end, Maryann ps. Lisa was much better the next morning (nothing worse than when the kids are sick)

Back to school.. and a lovely surprise!

2010-01-28T08:38:00.000+11:00

Well today James, my youngest, starts highschool. So I thought I'd take some quick snaps of him with Lisa who is in year 12 now. Sort of brought back memories of his first day at kindy, I was a bit emotional as you know your last baby is growing up too now!
It was a bit hard trying to get a decent photo of them though....!

Finally a decent one of James

It feels a bit too quiet here now ... yay!! I think I'll make myself a cuppa and just enjoy the silence..

For a while now I have been on the look out for a full length mirror for my bedroom so when hubby turned up with this mirror out of the blue I was so surprised. Apparently one of his work mates' wife had this in her bathroom, but because her house is modern she gave it to me as she knows what my house is like. I only ever see her at Fred's work xmas parties, so how nice was that of her! thanks Sue! I love it!

Ok better go and do something productive..... ! take care, Maryann

these are a few of my favourite ~pink~ things..

2010-01-22T12:12:00.001+11:00

With having 3 boys at home at the moment, James and my 2 nephews not alot is getting done, so I thought I'd post a few of my most favourite pink things that I just love!

My most fav teacup trio... isn't it the most shabbiest thing you've seen!

My favourite lady (apart from my mum!)

Vintage dressing table set..

Vintage pink and roses napkins..

My pink vintage meat safe... got this from a garage (yard) sale for $3!

This little pink hobnail dish, with a pretty cupcake that I won from Shannon (Paint Mine Pink)

My fav pink and roses glasses...

My pink orange squeezer.. this isn't vintage, actually got this from BigW, just had to have it anyway...

and my pink crystal grapes...

I had more pics but the photos came out blurry so will have to do part 2 next time... to be continued.. .... so, have a great day! take care, Maryann

How many chandeliers are too many chandeliers???

2010-01-20T10:33:00.001+11:00

I am in a bit of a dilema at the moment about my light fittings... is a chandelier in every room too much? Would it look like a chandelier shop... as my family have put it? Does any one else have trouble convincing their family that they know what they're doing! (atleast I think I know..??)
I am having a chandy in my formal lounge, my bedroom and lisa's bedroom. I also have the cherub one over my dining table. I really need your help on this one. I was planning on putting 2 small chandys in the family room but since the ceilings aren't high I have opted for fancy white dome light fittings( when I find them). so I was thinking of putting the small chandeliers,one either side of the cherub one. That is, one will go in the kitchen and one will go in the other section of the dining room (where my buffet and hutch is) What do you think, do you think it would be too much and should they be matching?
Here is a pic of the one I'm talking about.. I have 2 of them and I'll be painting them white.
Now, just one thing please be HONEST, you don't have to be nice, I'm a big girl, I can handle it... lol.

One will go here, as you can see my dining room is fairly long and is separated by a beam.

and the other one will go here in the kitchen, so the cherub chandelier will be in the middle so to speak.

So what do you think? I'd love to hear any suggestions you might have, maybe I've missed something.

see ya all soon, Maryann

Reno update- painting almost done!! Yeah!!

2010-01-19T13:27:00.001+11:00

Well ladies, we are surely into the new year now! Hope this one's a good one for you! We went away for 2 weeks over the holidays down south as we have a van at a caravan park and it was great not to have to do anything but eat and sleep and fish and walk. The kids love going swimming and going on the biscuits! For those of you thinking.. what the? that's when you lie on a big rubber tyre or doughnut and get pulled around behind a boat! I tried it once and that was enough! Being dragged behind in a straight line is not so bad but when they go from side to side trying to get you off is another. Nope, I'd rather read my mags!

Anyhow, on to the fun stuff... lol! Here are some pics of my house where I have painted.. no more yellow, just white and am loving it.

After I took this next pic I wasn't quite happy with the look, this corner has me baffled abit on how to decorate it as it has no purpose really. This was where the window used to be so now it's more of a reading nook I thinking.

so I put the camera down and after shuffling and adding a few things it now looks like this....

So there you have it. I am slowly putting everything back where it's supposed to go and giving everything a good clean as I go. At the moment I am getting ready to do Lisa'a room. Today my 2 nephews are coming over for a few days so won't be getting that much done... Hope you have all been well, take care, Maryann

Renovation update..

2009-12-23T22:54:00.000+11:00

Hi girls, just a quick post, didn't think I was going to have time but managed to take a couple of snaps of my bedroom and family room where you go into the new extension part. We have come across another hurdle, ofcourse! They no longer make my timber flooring. I have enough left over from before to probably do the hallway. Hubby suggested carpet but I really don't want to have to vacuum and wash out stains. Been there, done that, and living where I do it's very easy to bring dirt in. So now I have the tedious task of trying to match something up. So for now we still moved my bedroom furniture into my new room and I love it. I have so much room now compared to before. I really haven't set it up properly as I will wait to do the flooring first before I do that. I'll show more pics then, so for now this is what it looks like...

and this is where the window used to be facing the front of the house, which was removed and an entry way was made into the new part of the house.,don't mind the flying saucer hanging from the ceiling, thats the old ugly light fitting there used to be, that will be coming off as soon as I can decide which one to replace it with.

Not sure if it will stay like this but for now I think it will do. You can see my cabinet full of fabric! I have been very busy, painting and cleaning and the house is starting to feel like a home again. You can see the yellow is now gone too!

Well girls just want to wish you all a wonderful and safe Christmas. Hope you have lots of fun and pressies and may 2010 be a good one! Take care, thanks for visiting me, Maryann