Happy Easter, Happy Spring

Happy Bloomin' Everything! To *honor* spring, I've decided to treat myself to new curtains made from painters cloths. Not so easy to find six in the same shade, but I worked it out. After washing on warm with soapy water and downy, they came out smelling oh so sweet. I tossed them into the dryer and wrapped myself in their softness.

The cloth will closely resemble linen after dried. Can you beat that for $10 plus change?

I love the idea, but wanted to *amp* mine up. Using fabric I already had, I added a 7.5" band of fabric across the top of the cloth. I didn't sew the bottom on, I liked the idea of *floating*...giving my window panel a little somethin' somethin' extra.

The band is 9.5, using 1" seam on top and bottom.

A new blog is underway...

I haven't done a *lot* with this blog because I wanted a real life design before I began to post all of my photographs and tutorials. Stick around, they're coming!

I've got a VERY COOL project underway....an entertainment armoire built from vintage doors...it's almost ready!

A Very Special Pair of Stockings!

Designed by Shepherd's Bush, Stitched by ME.

#links

http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/

How to letter a chest......

I picked this old chest up on a tree lawn on trash night. It was bare brown wood, but I knew it could be something unique.

I wanted to use the red paint I had on my shelf, the same paint I used in my living room....so I decided to use the Sealtest logo.

First, I had to find the image...so off to eBay I went. I found an old sign for sale and saved the image to my computer. I printed it off and enlarged it on my copier 400%. I then took each letter and again enlarged it to 400%. I kept doing this until I had each of the letters. I trimmed them out with an x-acto knife, then taped them together.

I laid it out on the top of the chest and drew around each letter with a pencil. Using an old brush and cream paint that I had, I painted inside the pencil lines.

Guest Room on a SMALL Budget

Footboard turned Headboard $5
Cream Dresser (garage sale) $25
Pretty Mirror (garage sale) $5
Pretty Green Chest (garage sale) $25

My gorgeous lamp on dresser....Goodwill $15
Re-wired kit $5
Shade (repurposed)

Green wicker chair (garage sale) $5
Can of Spray Paint $5.00

That gorgeous crocheted throw on chair (Goodwill) $3
Premium mattress & box springs (Sears) a HUGE buy at $450

Red Wall Paint ~ Behr $22
Yellow Wall Paint ~ Left overs, I did glaze 3 walls

Custom duvet on bed from Ethan Allen (store sample $50
Custom pillow shams from Ethan Allen (store sample $25

The Floral Pillows, Dust Ruffle and Europillow from Arhaus Furniture
Custom set (originally $500)...I paid $40

The Floral Drapes, sewn by me, purchased fabric from JoAnn's @ 50% off,
used an old sheet as liner $30

My vintage dresser trays hanging all from Goodwill...approx $1.00-3.00 each

Can anyone add this up? I think I'm up to a GRAND TOTAL of $750 approximately)

Thanks...

for taking a stroll through my spring garden. This is just a *wee* peek at what's going on at Carey Cottage. Stop back again for more photos.

Questions? I'm always happy to help!

Computer Issues

sidelined my blogging....so I'm back!

Strawberry Pie....YUMMO

EAGLE BRAND STRAWBERRY PIE

1 can Eagle Brand condensed milk1/3 c. lemon juice2 c. strawberries, chopped or mashed1 lg. Cool Whip (9 1/2 oz.)2 graham cracker pie crusts1 c. chopped nuts
Combine condensed milk and lemon juice. Fold in nuts and strawberries. Pour into pie shells and chill. Freezes well.

What does cellulite and an old-fashioned rolling pin have in common?

Girls, I'm running a little poll....what does cellulite and an old-fashioned rolling pin have in common???? Just to keep you in suspense...I won't tell you until I have TEN COMMENTS..I like to keep you all guessing.

Hint: It's something you will wish you *thought of*.....

Mr. Bunny

Many years ago...about 25, I was into ceramics. I used to go once or twice each week to a studio. Mr. Bunny was something I made for my son when he was a wee little boy. I've held onto him, putting him out at Easter, but keeping him in my curio cabinet the rest of the year.

It's strange that we become so attached to certain items, isn't it?

Thrift Store Tuesday!!!

I purchased this beautiful hand-made quilt today at Goodwill for FIFTEEN DOLLARS!
It is beautifully appliqued and quilted, about 10 threads per inch...no rips or fading. I washed it in the gentle cycle and will let it dry outdoors....

While this is a fabulous find for me, I do NOT understand WHY such a lovely item would have a pricetag of $15...when an old hardback is $6.00!!!!!! Well, whatever.....I was smiled upon today....KARMA???? I must have been a good girl lately!

Brownie Monday!

Who doesn't love a delicous brownie? We all have our preference though; some like theirs fudgy, some prefer cakey, while others prefer gooey. I like all three!

I'd like to share this delicous brownie recipe with you. If you have King Arthur Flour in your neck of the woods, grab a bag and let's get to baking some brownies!

2 sticks unsalted butter
2 1/4 cups sugar
4 lg. eggs
1 1/4 cup double-dutch dark cocoa
1t salt
1t baking powder
1t espresso powder
1T vanilla
1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
2 cups chocolate chips

Preheat Oven to 350
Lightly Grease 9x13 pan

In a medium sized micro-safe bowl, melt butter, add sugar & stir to combine. Return the mixture to microwave briefly, just until it's hot 110-120F. It will become shiny. Doing this extra step will dissolve more of the sugar, which will give your brownies a shiny crust.

Crack 4 eggs, beat w/cocoa, salt, baking powder, espresso powder & vanilla until smooth.

Add the hot mixture, stir until smooth

Add flour, chips, again stir until smooth.

Spoon batter into the pan.

Bake for about 30 min., until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean, or with just a few crumbs clinging to it.

Remove from oven & set out to cool before cutting.

From Trash to Treasure

I found these two wire baskets at a local garage sale...FIVE bucks for the pair. They were in *prim* condition, but I wanted them more cottagy...so I grabbed a can of off-white spray paint and gave them a fresh coat.

When I purchased them. I had no idea where I would use them...I just knew that I WOULD find a way to make them pretty and functional.

What do you think?????

I'mmmmm backkkkk

I didn't go anywhere, just busy. The house is on the market and it's a lot of work! I'm looking for my perfect cottage...I may have found it.

Counting Your Blessings...

Let's all remember to count our blessings, as there are many. Sometimes when things look bleak, there's a blessing to be found.

My cat, Oliver (age 8), has so many UTI infections, that he is afraid of the litter box. He has been using our formal living carpet as his box...ugh. A friend sent me some information on a new study and I took it to my vet. We decided to try the therapy suggested.

I've also prayed about this. He's my LOVE, the cat who most enjoys snuggling, who loves me unconditionally, who is always by my side. I want us to be together in a normal and sanitary environment, lol!!!

For the past two days, he's been using the litter box!!!!! My prayers have been answered! Once again, I've been blessed.

My Little Volkswagen Beetle's *eyes* are sick!!!

LOL. it's my bugs headlights. This car is two years and two months old.....today I am having the THIRD HEADLIGHT replaced on the right side. The headlight on the drivers side is also beginning to fade...so that will need to be replaced soon as well, headlight #3 coming up!!!!!!!!

REALLY VW????? I think there is an issue here!!!!!!!! I love my little gecko green beetle, I wanted a beetle since I was a little girl. Six of us went on a road trip (yep in a beetle), before seatbelts were mandatory, of course. What fun that was!!!!

If I could get the eye issue worked out for my little guy, I'd be soooo happy!

Adoption Stories....a Beginning

I LOVE Adoption Stories, it's such a warm show...I end up feeling to warm and fuzzy! This mornings episode was about a Gay Man and his Partner.......adopting a little boy. I'm so happy that this little boy has a loving family AND happy that Gay Partnership has been recognized as a FAMILY UNIT. Every child deserves the love and support of a family, that doesn't necessarily mean Traditional.....as long as the child is loved and cared for....it's a Good Thing!

It's a beautiful day....

In the Neighborhood! Yes it's true......we have SUNSHINE!! Someone should bottle this stuff as a happy drug.....wait they do., it's called Zoloft, lol!

When you live in Cleveland, you learn to *Suck it Up*....I'm through Sucking It Up! I WANT Spring!!!!! Maybe if I scream loud enough....someone will hear me??????

~~~~On a happy/sad note~~~~~If anyone has been following the trial of our local doctor, YAZEED ESSA, he has been accused to poisoning his beautiful wife, Rosie, with cyanide. He skipped to Cyprus, and was extradited back to the US. He has been found GUILTY by a Jury of his Peers. Sadly, this will not bring Rosie back, nor will it give his two beautiful children a set of parents. Court TV has been filming the trial, so stay tuned. ~~~~

Sigh....My Dad is Ill...

Dear Old Dad has bladder cancer....the news didn't take me totally by surprise...I knew he had an issue, but I was hoping it was an infection...it was...sort of...is cancer sort of an infection? All I know is that the word CANCER is scary. It's an ugly word and an uglier disease. He's shook up, of course. I have confidence that he will be fine. There will be a bit of a fight though and I hope he can hang tough. He's a bit of a *baby*, not tough like my Mom. By *baby* I mean, he absolutely cannot handle pain or distress. Mom, however, wears her pain like a suit of armor. Is this a man thing, lol??? Dad will be 75, he's been in fairly good health, double by-pass many years ago and other issues that come with being almost 75.

Sigh....I will know more on March 16th...wish him luck!!!