Ikea Frames Up...Art next

Well, we're closer to having art....We finally hung some frames in our living room. Since January we debated hanging 1 huge print [see post] but in the end, I liked the idea of having the relief and having 2 frames. I'm trying to figure out what to put in them. What I do know is the Ikea matting is coming out and I'm going to cut a new mat. [I find Ikea matting is yellow] Hopefully I'll tackle that this week. xo Lindsay

my first autumn bouquet du jour

Haven't been able to show you any bouquets for a while, August is a difficult month to keep the flowers going in the garden.   Now we have the first of the autumn flowers, dahlias, roses, sedums beginning to turn pink and with a couple of baby apples and some blackberries, the whole things melts in tones of pink and purple.

We are swimming in brocante fairs at this time of the year and I'm off early treasure hunting this morning - hopefully tomorrow I'll have a good loot shoot to show you!

painting and mid-year resolutions - 48 hours and still on track !!

Thursday I announced in a most fool hardy manner my mid-year resolutions - well guess what ?!  48 hours later  and I'm still on track !!  Well almost .....

Thank you for all those who expressed concern that I may stop blogging - you really are the sweetest.  My intention is to blog as before, each day, but to use my time more efficiently.  So,  for those who are interested

1. YES I have cycled each day (we are only talking about two days after all!)


2. NO I haven't ridden my horse yet, but it has been pouring with rain


3. YES I have spent more time en famille


4. and NO, unfortunately the novel isn't finished yet, but maybe that was a little optimistic  totally unrealistic   sigh ..........


5. AND I had the huge pleasure of dusting off my easel and spending a couple of hours painting

I'm not a painter, I have no training or expertise, but I do love to sit in front of an easel.  Transferring colours from a palette to a canvas is quite hypnotic.

I only paint in the summer.  Firstly because I love working outside, but more importantly because I am so messy when I work that  painting indoors is way too dangerous!

Some people's art is produced with a camera.  When Julie of Being Ruby came to stay with us a few weeks ago, she kindly gifted me several of her photos.  Lucky me!  I adore her pictures, her sense of composition and her talent for reworking them so they become painterly.

 

I particularly loved this beach picture, and inspired myself by it when painting yesterday.    It sort of feels as if I'm cheating to paint from a photo, but it is very relaxing, rather like using those painting by number cards we all played with as kids.

I didn't really achieve Julie's wonderful colour mix and softness, but it doesn't matter, it's only for me. I popped it up on the wall to dry safely

While in the South this summer I took this photo, specifically to paint from.  I knew that if I didn't freeze the moment with my camera I would never be capable of remembering the different shades of grey/blue/green as one layer of trees follows another till they reach the horizon.

This has to be the most relaxing thing I do!

I wish you all a happy and relaxing weekend, doing whatever you enjoy most

{How to turn a pantry into an Armoire}

Here's the before.

Ehh, okay, right?

But not me.

Too vanilla.

And I am NOT vanilla.

Much better after a coat of 

Martha Stewart's Milk Pail

After that, I added a coat of brown glaze all over

to age the pantry a bit.

then, I needed to decide on which "knobs" to use.

I use the term "knobs: lightly, 'cause they're not really knobs.  

They're a collection of finials I've collected over the years.

I wanted to use knobs, but I'm 

trying to be economical.

And heck, what am I collecting these

finials for anyway?

If I like them so much to collect them 

in a jar, why not use them, right?

So, I settled on these guys.

 and, as if I haven't beaten the vintage paper thing enough yet...

 I added some to the inside of the door.

'Cause, why not?

So, grab some paint and paint something in 

YOUR kitchen today.

Just paint it.

playtime in France

How many hours can be whiled away with a game of boules or petanque?  Played by all generations in every corner of France, taken seriously, played for fun, it rarely fails to please.

Of course it helps if you can play on a perfect boules ground with the finest sand and gravel, surrounded by stone walls, ivy and the sound of cigales, but failing that a regular gravel drive works well too.  We have had memorable boules evenings here, with teams, trophies, champagne and a lot of loud French discussion over winning points.

If you've never played,  you may enjoy this light hearted extract from Le Gendarme de St Tropez.





It helps to have a minimum ability to aim, and if you get to a good level you can start flourishing your arms and using key phrases such "je pointe ou je tire?"  ("do I roll up to it, or do I shoot it out of the picture?").

Whichever way you play, whatever your style, it is a simple game needing a minimum of inexpensive equipment that guarantees an instant French moment !!

Vive la pétanque!

Mini Me Table

I bought a Svala wood table from Ikea for Oscar. I can't get over how cute it is. Granted, he is too young to use it properly but because he is showing little signs of wanting to eat on his own, I thought having a little table in the house couldn't hurt.

Seeing as no Ikea product is safe from hacking in our house, I stained it the same colour as our desk, Walnut, but it soaked in really well so turned out a bit darker. And, originally I was going to paint the top blue like in this post but I realized he will be banging the table with his trains/toys/spill juice and that table top if it was painted would get chipped/stained. So, it's staying as is. Plus, it looks like a "mini me" table beside our Dining table in our [work in progress] dining room.

In other news, check out my post on my obsession with Chevrons over on Style at Home, and my feature over on The Hip Urban Girl's Guide website , I was their "Hip + Urban Girl of the week". [don't laugh, I do think I'm exceptionally hip. ;) ]

Ellie Inspired Pattern Review AND Giveaway

Today I am reviewing one of my fabulous blog sponsors, Ellie Inspired's, new knit sewing pattern called "Serenade".  I was really excited to give this pattern a try because I have very little time to sew with knits, but I love making knit clothing for my girls for everyday wear.

 Here's what I thought of the "Serenade" sewing pattern..........

This pattern was "fabulous"!  I've only sewn from a couple knit patterns in the past and this one far exceeded my expectations.  Yes, it is a totally adorable look........but my favorite part has to be all the wonderful information that is given about sewing with knits, the different types of knits, what needles to use with knits.  The pattern can be done completely on a sewing machine, but it also gives instructions for using a serger as well.

For some reason sewing with knits brings out my slightly funky side (and I mean slightly).  I'm a classic girl at heart, but there's just something so fun about using knits.  I had several knits in my stash from Patty Young's line for Michael Miller fabrics.  For children's clothing, I love using 100% cotton interlock - I think it has a nice, thick feeling and is very durable.  When I'm sewing for myself, I tend to gravitate towards something with a little more stretch, like a jersey knit.

I can't ever stick to a pattern exactly, so I changed up a few things to make it my own.  

Here's my version of the "Serenade" E-Pattern:

So, as you can see, not my typical style, but I think it turned out pretty cute.  My daughter, Savannah, and I found this Gymboree shirt for 50 cents, but it was way to large for her little size 4T body.  I used the pattern and cut the shirt down to size.  I also made the sleeves long since we will be entering fall here in the windy city.  The dress calls for three tiers of ruffles, but I left the bottom tier off so that she could have cute black leggings poking out underneath.

I also added a ribbon around the waist for fun.  I like how the black and white polka dots tie in with the shirt.  I wish I could have had my little lady model this one, but she wasn't in the mood and I wasn't in the mood for a battle, so my dress form will have to do.  I am envisioning her black patent leather quilted ballet flats with this as well.  Very fun and chic.

Sewing with knits is so much fun!  If you've never tried it, you must - don't be scared.  With Ellie Inspired's pattern you have nothing to fear.  She gives you all of the instruction and advice you would need to get sewing with knits.

Today Ellie Inspired is giving away TWO patterns to The Cottage Home blog readers.  

Both are her new knit patterns:

Sandpiper E-Pattern

Size 1-5

Serenade E-Pattern

Size 1-5

Both of these patterns are perfect for back-to-school.  Cute and casual!

To enter to win the Ellie Inspired pattern giveaway do one or all of the following (please leave a separate comment for each entry):

1.  Visit Ellie Inspired and let us know what is your favorite pattern.

2.  Become a fan of Ellie Inspired on Facebook and let her know that The Cottage Mama sent you (click HERE to do so).

3.  Follow Ellie Inspired's blog (click HERE to do so).

Giveaway will be open through Tuesday, August 30, 2011 at Midnight (CST).  

Open to US and International readers.

Ellie Inspired is running a back-to-school sale through Midnight tonight - Buy One, Get One Half Off.

Come check out the patterns HERE!