Sunday, February 27, 2011

For the Birds

For the last year or so, I have enjoyed looking at all the wonderful signs in Bloggersville and finally got the courage (I am not much of a crafter) to make one for myself.     I knew I wanted my sign to hang on a 15 inch wide wall that separates the kitchen from the sun porch.    I “went shopping” in my hubby’s woodworking shop and found the perfect size board.   How lucky is that?     It seemed like a sign from above (pun intended) that I should make this sign in spite of my fear.

Now the dilemma was what wording to place on the sign.      I thought about various words related to cooking but decided to go with my love of birds.   My creative hubby came up with the idea of Aviary and from the moment the word came out of his mouth, I knew that was what I wanted on the sign.

I went outside, braved gale force winds (maybe I am exaggerating a bit here, but it was very windy), and began the painting process.   Only one curse word was uttered in the making of this sign and ironically it was because a bird flew a little too close to my head while I was painting.

I applied left over white paint to the wood with a rag and wiping it off creating a whitewashed effect.    Using a scientific and mathematical method often referred to as eyeballing it, I stenciled the word Aviary with terra cotta colored paint.

After letting  it dry for about 30 minutes I went back over the lettering with a lime green color.     When that dried, I sanded it with the hope that the terra cotta would show through but it didn’t show as much as I would have liked it to.

One of the downsides to eyeballing your projects is that you may not always get them spaced properly which forces you to think creatively.

I ended up with more space at the bottom than at the top which drove me crazy so I modpodged a picture of birds onto it that I found in a Pier One advertising flyer.   

You can see the aviary sun porch  in the background where my parakeet, Sky, happily lives.     She, too, loves to bird watch.     There is a little wren who comes up to the window to flirt with her, but she won’t have anything to do with him.

Thank you for stopping by and visiting.     Sky and I hope you have a blessed week!     I will be partying will all these wonderful ladies and hope that you will pay a visit to them also.

Between Naps on the Porch for Met Monday

Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays

The Shabby Chic Cottage for Transformation Thursday

Marlee

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Memories Of Mom

My mom passed away ten years ago this month.    It is hard to believe that so much time has passed since her sweet soul left this earth for eternal life in heaven.    Needless to say she has been on my mind recently so I decided to celebrate her life with a few of her belongings that are very special to me and evoke precious memories.

This teapot was a fixture in her kitchen where it sat proudly on a shelf.   I don’t recall it ever actually being used, but it was always there and I am so happy to have it now.

These pitchers also sat on a shelf in mom’s kitchen for as long as I can remember.    I have always loved the little crowing roosters on the red rooftops.    Every time I look at these I get a craving for made from scratch pancakes topped with warm syrup and melted butter.    I never got that at my house though because my mom didn’t cook pancakes.     We usually had cereal with bananas for breakfast.

One thing I do remember her cooking was lemon ice box pie with meringue on top and my oh my, it was delicious!     I can still see her juicing the lemons with this reamer which I believe is depression glass.     It probably belonged to her mom originally, but I don’t know for certain.    That pie was one of my favorites but I didn’t like the meringue so I would always scrape it off.

Thank you for taking this walk down Memory Lane with me.     I hope you have a blessed weekend and that you make sweet memories with those you love.   Who knows….they may end up writing about it one day.

I will be linking to these fabulous parties:

Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage

French Country Cottage

and

Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

Take care,

Marlee

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Today I took my Valentine’s Day decorations down which made my heart sad.    I was pondering on what to decorate in their place and knew it was too early to bring out my Easter decor.     And then I spotted it!    A box that said Mardi Gras decorations.    It was divine intervention.

I had just enough Mardi Gras stuff to decorate the mantel and the best part was that I didn’t spend a dime on this because I already had everything I needed.

This is a picture of the full mantel.     I placed gold and purple lights underneath a shimmery gold fabric to lighten it up a bit.    My great room doesn’t get much natural light so I always try to add light where ever I can.

That handsome gentleman sipping a glass of wine is Bacchus, the God of Wine and Vegetation in Greek mythology.    The Krewe of Bacchus is one of the most spectacular parades in New Orleans.

I love this Mardi Gras mask.    The bookshelves you see in the background are a reflection in the mirror which is behind this lovely lady.

I stuck a bunch of artfully arranged Mardi Gras filler in a vase that my sister gave me a few years ago.  The filler and the two ornaments on the mantel glow in the light.

Thanks for stopping by to look at my Mardi Gras mantel.    I will be joining the following parties:

Between Naps on the Porch for Met Monday

Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays

The Shabby Chic Cottage for Transformation Thursday

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Marlee

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Tassels and Pearls

 

I am linking to  Funky Junk's Saturday Nite Special, the chandelier edition.   Check it out because Donna has not one, but three categories to link to!

Wow.    It’s been a little over a month since I  blogged.     I hope I haven’t forgotten how to do it.    Not that I was ever an expert at it, but it is something I enjoy doing and learning more about.

Actually there hasn’t been anything blogworthy to write about.     I have been super lazy busy and haven’t worked on anything around the house recently but I know of at least two potential projects that I would like to start so maybe I will have something to write about soon that someone out there might find super inspiring.    Ehh…probably not, but a girl can dream.

Enough of all that.    I know the reason you are here is to see my fabulous chandelier.     Oops…I don’t have one.   But what I do have is a picture of my precious little great-nieces’ chandelier that hangs in their bedroom which is painted a girly pink.  Their talented and creative mom, who is my niece, painted an ugly old brass chandelier white.    She bought plain white lampshades from Ikea and covered them in pink gingham and added a pink and green trim with tassels and then draped “pearls” around it.    It is precious!   Perfect for the little princesses.

I wish I had a better camera and better photography skills because this photo does not capture the true cuteness of this chandelier.    But at least you get the idea.   At least I hope you do.

That’s all I got.    I know it’s not much, but it is what it is.    I hope you all enjoy the rest of your weekend and wish you a Happy Valentine’s Day!

Marlee