CHEZ FIFI

BEAUTY ALL AROUND............

Where to begin! There is so much to cover. I may as well jump in and see where it takes me.....somewhere you will enjoy, I hope......

Several week ago I started the process of making the hearts I have wanted to create for a long time. I taught myself and learn through trial and error but I finally figured out how to handcraft them (not mass produced.) 

I am going with 3 sizes: small, medium & large. 

Here are photos I took to give a sense of size, design, wording, and finish. I will have other wording, initials and designs, and will also customize them as far as initials, names and ink color. They are metal (not tin) and there isn't two alike as far as distressing them goes. 

Prices? Small $25, medium $30, large $39. Plus shipping, which I haven't figured out yet but will soon. Can't be that much.

Customizing costs will vary depending on the number of letters or words and colors. I will quote each individually.

These are my samples but other options will be available in the next few weeks. It's just a matter of finding the time to work on them. 

As far as delivery goes, figure on 3-4 weeks.

The baby shoes will also come in pink, of course, and will have the date of birth underneath them............and if they are for twins it will say "Oh Baby Oh Baby", if the twins are a boy and a girl, one shoe will be pink and the other blue. 

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Today while I was working away, minding my own business, when my friend Sue emailed me about an antique shop with some great deals. Well, since the shop is very close to my home (and I really needed any excuse to take a break) I drove there right away. I am so glad Sue called! Look at what I found, at bargain prices: 

A gorgeous chair..................

....and an exquisite  stool.................

Thanks Sue!! These are going to go in the guesthouse when it's completed.......

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Speaking of the guesthouse, I plan to decorate it with a mix of French and Scandinavian styles with a good measure of rustic thrown in. These are some of the things that inspire me......................

A few weeks ago I found this cool chandelier in a secondhand shop

........and I made this one (also for the guesthouse) using a wire basket---turned upside down and covered with strands of pearls from the bridal section of Michaels.........................

Here is what I used:

.........and when the guesthouse is finished I will build this little garden shade for all my tools......YES! Yet another project........................... 

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Meanwhile spring has sprung here and the garden is looking luscious...........................

That's the back of the guesthouse.........

It's been great for drying clothes outside too.....................

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My sister has made new gorgeous pillows..............................

........and a sweet "First Aid" bag to hold items for "bobos" ---as we call booboos in French............

And cute lavender shoe forms.......................

As usual, if you are interested, just email Sylvie at shappy@wanadoo.fr she can tell you about prices and designs.

Her house is featured in the current issue of FLEA MARKET STYLE..........

THERE IS ALSO AN ARTICLE I WROTE ON TRANSFORMING FOUND THINGS............

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Ok, that's it! I am going to do just like this kitty. I hope this post will make up for my lack of blogging.........by the way, the lovely bed is from Debi Kahn, www.ddkdesigns.net

If you need you can email her at debi@ddkdesigns.net or call 429-461 9962. Tell her Fifi sent you.

On second thought I will treat myself to a couple of Jennifer's beautiful and yummy cookies (Jennifer@theoldpaintedcottage.com) You ought to get some because you deserve a treat too!

Bonne nuit!

xo

fifi

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VIRTUAL SHOPPING........................................

..........TIME JUST GOES BY SO QUICKLY! I KEEP MEANING TO BLOG AND SOMEHOW NEVER SEEM TO GET AROUND TO IT. WELL, HERE I AM, FINALLY.

THOUGHT YOU MIKE LIKE THIS LITTLE SHOPPING THERAPY TOUR....................

THERE IS A GREAT FURNITURE SITE WWW.SAWDUSTSHACK.COM  YOU WILL WANT TO TAKE A LOOK AT. RICHIE BURNS MAKES LOVELY PIECES RANGING FROM BENCHES, TABLES, VANITIES, AND MORE. STYLES VARY FROM ROMANTIC TO RUSTIC AND PRIMITIVE. ALL VERY ORIGINAL......................TAKE A LOOK.......................................

ISN'T WONDERFUL TO BE ABLE TO FIND OLD FASHION CRAFTSMANSHIP? GIVE RICHIE A CALL IF YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE OR HAVE SOMETHING SPECIFIC IN MIND. HE SOUNDS LIKE A REAL COOL GUY WHO LOVES WHAT HE DOES.

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ANOTHER PLACE TO FIND BEAUTIFUL HANDMADE TREASURES IS LAURA DELLAPORTA'S SHOP IN OCALA, FL. IF YOU CAN'T MAKE IT THERE YOU CAN STILL SHOP BY GOING TO LAURA'S BLOG VERBENANESTEDTREASURES.BLOGSPOT.COM

HERE ARE A FEW EXAMPLES OF WHAT YOU WILL WANT......

A GORGEOUS BAG................................

 

DAINTY, LOVELY NECKLACES (I HAVE SEVERAL OF THEM...)

A STUNNING EX VOTO.................

A LUXURIOUS FLOWER PIN.................

.................AND MUCH MUCH MORE.

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MY SISTER HAS ALSO BEEN MAKING NEW HAND CRAFTED BEAUTIES............... 

HEAD RESTS (THIS IS THE BACK AND FRONT OF THIS PARTICULAR ONE)....

EXQUISITE BAGS FOR JEWELRY.............................................

............SILVERWARE.....................................

............PERFECT GIFT FOR A BRIDAL SHOWER OR ANY SPECIAL DAY LIKE MOTHER'S DAY..

PILLOWS TO EXPRESS YOUR STATE OF MIND..........................

..................OR YOUR LOVE OF HOME........................

...............AND LAVENDER-SCENTED SHOE FORMS TO KEEP YOUR PRETTIES IN SHAPE AND SMELLING FRESH..............

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ANY OF SYLVIE'S DESIGNS PLEASE EMAIL HER DIRECTLY AT

SHAPPY@WANADOO.FR SHE CAN ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS BETTER THAN I CAN!

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HERE IS A REALLY NEAT IDEA FROM WWW.BLOSSOMCROWN.COM FOR CREATING BEAUTIFUL FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS. THESE METAL CROWNS ARE A BRILLIANT CONCEPT ......NO MORE FUSSING WITH YOUR BLOOMS! THE METAL CROWNS COME IN VARIOUS SHAPE AND SIZES.............................

.........................AS DO THE VASES.........................................................

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FINALLY, I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON CREATING A LINE OF METAL HEARTS....IT'S QUITE A PROCESS INVOLVING CUTTING THE METAL, FINISHES, RUSTING AND MORE.....I AM STILL MAKING VARIATIONS OF DESIGNS, COLORS, AND SIZES........SOME WILL HAVE INITIALS, OTHERS FRENCH WORDS, NAMES OR HOUSE NUMBERS, AND MORE....THEY CAN ALSO BE CUSTOMIZED --TO SOME EXTENT--THESE ARE MY FIRST TWO PROTOTYPES....................

WOULD LOVE TO KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF THE IDEA. I AM NOT SURE HOW I AM GOING TO PRICE THEM YET BUT THEY WILL BE AFFORDABLE. HEARTS ARE ALWAYS SO COMPELLING AND THEY FIT ANYWHERE. THESE WILL BE JUST AS MUCH AT HOME INSIDE OR OUTSIDE.

SO, THAT'S IT FOR NOW. I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS VIRTUAL SHOPPING TOUR..........

XXXOXXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX FIFI

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A FEW NEW THINGS..................

As you probably know, the print media is taking a beating, as many other industries have. Many publishing houses have undergone major downsizing and restructuring. Some of our favorite magazines have ceased publications. It's a sad sign of the times! Fortunately, so far, I have remained busy. Romantic Country is still going strong--thanks to your subscriptions and loyalty, for which I am very grateful--and I am still writing for a number of other magazines. I consider myself extremely fortunate..... and hope my lucky star keeps on shining brightly. I am optimistic but cautious.........Meanwhile I am leaving next week to shoot 3 homes in Georgia.............

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My sister Sylvie arrived from France on January 8. She is staying with me until February 18. She brought some more of her lovely needlepoint work with her and has many more at home. Here is a sampling....

Little Lavender Sachets 

SOME GORGEOUS PILLOWS

LOVELY JEWELRY BAGS (FRONT & BACK BELOW)

HEAD REST

AND MUCH MORE............IF YOU ARE INTERESTED EMAIL ME FOR PRICES.....SHE CAN ALSO CUSTOMIZED INITIALS AND COLORS..................

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 SATURDAY I RECEIVED A BOX OF GOODIES I ORDERED FROM THE VERY TALENTED TERESA SHEELY

Take a look then rush to her website to get your own!..................

She customized these for me based on the colors I needed...........

.......and these for my sofa (that I yet have to refinished.......)

...........and what about this yummy tea towel?...................

.......don't you just want them all???? I LOVE them!! THANK YOU TERESA!

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I ALSO GOT THE MOST CHARMING AND ELEGANT HEART (PERFECT FOR MY GRAY COLOR SCHEME!) FROM LESLIE JANSON

MERCI BEAUCOUP LESLIE!

TAKE A LOOK AT LESLIE'S ETSY SITE FOR MORE OF THESE EXQUISITE BEAUTIES. THEY ARE THE PERFECT VALENTINE GIFT BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT ONLY LOVELY BUT ALSO INEXPENSIVE, WHICH, IN THIS ECONOMY, IS JUST WHAT WE NEED! SO, INDULGE YOUR SELF OR SOMEONE DEAR TO YOU....................

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I TREATED MYSELF TO SOME BLING FROM MY FRIENDS SUSIE & MARK'S SHOP- THE CAT'S MEOW

We have all seen plenty of letters but these have real cool shapes and the rhinestones have a vintage feel that's quite lovely.........

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I think you will really appreciate the work of Canadian artist Claude Gauvin. Claude creates life-like dolls from photographs send to her by parents and grandparents eager to see their little darlings made into these incredible dolls.

All of Claude's works is made from recycled material and each doll takes about 92 hours to complete.

Here are a few examples (please keep in mind that these images are from photo copies so not the clearest, but you certainly can see the amazing likeness...)

FIRST THE ORIGINAL PHOTO

then the doll..................................

ORIGINAL PHOTO AT LEFT, DOLL AT RIGHT AND BOTTOM RIGHT

..............ORIGINAL PHOTO ON THE LEFT, DOLL ON THE RIGHT AND BOTTOM RIGHT...

Have any darlings you want to see made into a doll? Email Claude at cgauvin@nb.sympatico.ca

and she will give you all the details you want to know....................

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I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON SEVERAL HAMMOCKS FOR AN ARTICLE THIS IS THE 3RD AND LAST ONE....................

AND A MAYPOLE.........................

............A NEAT TULLE FOOD KEEPER................

AND SO MUCH MORE..........BUT I CAN'T SHOW YOU EVERYTHING......IT WILL ALL BE IN THE SUMMER ISSUE OF ROMANTIC COUNTRY..............

SO, NOW YOU KNOW WHY I DON'T POST TOO OFTEN ANYMORE.......TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE..............

THAT'S IT FOR NOW..........BACK IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS........

XOXOXO

FIFI

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CHRISTMAS MORNING IN FLORIDA.........

...........................a few photos from a sunny and warm Florida Christmas Day........

just hanging around in the garden and enjoying the miracle of nature........................

                  

Noticed Teresa Sheely's lovely crown pillows???? Hard to miss!

                  

                   

I bought this tree (Dombeya Wallachi) last year. It was only about 3 feet tall. It has grown tremendously and is covered with buds and blooms that look like pink upside down hydrangeas...

                    

                 

.......roses are also putting on a show..................

              

...................This one (Abraham Darby) makes gorgeous bouquets...........................

                  

This one is called Sally Holmes, in France we call that specific type "eglantine." It's a climber and I just planted 3 of them on trellises so they can soar......................

          

I am afraid I am not sure of the name of this one but it has the word "bride" in it. It opens all white then turn to a very soft blush tint..........smells lovely!................ 

                

..........Ah! Christmas in Florida.....just yummy!!...........................

I hope yours is as peaceful (if not warm) as mine !

                              MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL.

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               WISHING EVERYONE ALL THE VERY BEST FOR 2009!!

.................SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!................XOXOXO FIFI...................

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SOUTHERN COMFORT.........

..........I DON'T WANT TO MAKE ALL OF YOU SNOW QUEENS, ICE PRINCESSES AND BLIZZARD BABIES FEEL BAD. JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT IT WILL GET WARM AGAIN, THE SUN WILL SHINE AGAIN, AND A FRAGRANT BREEZE WILL BLOW AGAIN.......I KNOW, IT'S EASY FOR ME TO SAY THAT WHILE BASKING IN TODAY'S DELIGHTFUL WEATHER HERE IN FLORIDA. BUT, TO COMPLETE THE MENTAL IMAGE THAT IS SURE TO WARM YOU UP, HERE ARE A COUPLE OF PHOTOS OF A HAMMOCK I JUST SET UP IN MY GARDEN........

                     

IF IT MAKES YOU FEEL ANY BETTER, I DIDN'T GET TO REST IN IT......I PUT IT TOGETHER TO SHOOT FOR AN UPCOMING ARTICLE IN THE SPRING ISSUE OF ROMANTIC COUNTRY ......WILL BE SHOOTING A FEW OTHER VERSIONS...........JUST THOUGHT I WOULD GET YOU IN THE MOOD.......CAN YOU FEEL THAT SUNSHINE ALREADY????

I USED A MOSQUITO NETTING I HAD. CLIMBED UP THE TREE TO ATTACH A FLAG POLE TO HANG THE NETTING......THE BLUE AND WHITE FABRIC IS A BEDSPREAD DRAPED OVER THE HAMMOCK..........THE STENCILED PILLOWS AND THE GREEN THROW WERE IN THE CABANA.

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SOME OF YOU HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED THE CURRENT ISSUE OF ROMANTIC COUNTRY BUT I JUST FOUND MINE IN THE DRUGSTORE TONIGHT.............................

                               

...................IN CASE YOU DON'T HAVE YOURS HERE IS THE TABLE OF CONTENTS ........

                              

                                       

...........................AND A LITTLE COLLAGE TO GIVE YOU A SNEAK PREVIEW...................

PLEASE DO LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF THIS ISSUE. THANKS!

                                

...............IF, FOR SOME REASON, YOU HAVEN'T FOUND A SUBSCRIPTION CARD AND WOULD LIKE TO SUBSCRIBE JUST PRINT THIS ONE AND MAIL IT TO 

                                     

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I AM WORKING ON ANOTHER PROJECT. IT'S A WOOD ROOM DIVIDER. IT TOOK ME A WHILE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT I WANTED TO DO BUT I FINALLY DECIDED. I AM NOT TELLING YOU WHAT IT IS BUT HERE IS WHERE IT'S AT RIGHT NOW AFTER PAINTING IT WHITE..........ALL I CAN TELL YOU IS THAT IT'S GOING TO BE FUN AND COOL (I THINK....) 

                                 

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~~~HAPPY HOLIDAYS~~~

THIS YEAR I AM KEEPING THE DECORATIONS TO A MINIMUM....LITTLE TOUCHES HERE AND THERE......................SOMEWHERE ALONG THE LINE I HAVE BECOME VERY FOND OF GREEN.........MAYBE BECAUSE IT'S THE COLOR OF HOPE AND RENEWAL.......SOMETHING WE CAN ALL USE.

WISHING YOU LOVE, HAPPINESS, HEALTH AND........ HOPE, ALWAYS.

XOXOXO

FIFI

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Making Do.....

With the onslaught of bad news in regards to the economy it's wise to make do with what we have. With that in mind I decided to "remake" some things I already have and, by the same token, satisfy my need for something "new". It's very therapeutic, at least for me. It gets me away from the computer and gives me the satisfaction of having made something with my hands.

Here is what I mean. Take this pink armoire (did it like this for a photo shoot. It used to be white)

                     

 I have had it for several years. It was a cheap one to begin with ($100 at the unfinished furniture store.) This is the end result after removing the top panels, adding chicken wire and repainting. The fabric panels are the work of TERESA

               

                

I WAS LOOKING FOR SOMETHING UNIQUE TO MAKE THE PANELS AND WHEN I SAW TERESA'S TEA TOWELS I KNEW I HAD FOUND THE ANSWER. I GAVE HER THE DIMENSIONS AND REQUESTED A GRAY BACKGROUND. AND VOILA ! AS FOR THE LITTLE ZINC CORNERS I FOUND THEM IN A SALVAGE SHOP. 

I HAD THE ARMOIRE, THE PAINT (LEFTOVER FROM ANOTHER PROJECT), THE CHICKEN WIRE (WHICH I BROUGHT BACK FROM FRANCE 3 YEARS AGO!) SO THE ONLY MONEY I SPENT WAS $10 FOR THE PANELS.

AND, I SAVED THE PANELS I REMOVED TO MAKE A PAIR OF SHUTTER FOR A LITTLE WINDOW....(WROTE "BONNE NUIT" WITH STENCIL LETTERS)

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I ALWAYS WANTED TO MAKE A "CHANDELIER" WITH AN OLD LAMPSHADE FRAME. I REMOVED THE FABRIC FROM ONE I GOT AT GOODWILL SEVERAL MONTHS AGO. SPRAY PAINTED THE FRAME WHITE AND USED ALL THE "CRYSTALS" I HAD HUNG ON THE METAL TREE I NEVER QUITE FINISHED LAST YEAR. SO, FOR THIS ONE I DIDN'T EVEN HAVE TO SPEND A PENNY..

I LEFT SOME OF THE CRYSTALS CLEAR AND DRESSED A FEW OTHERS LIKE THOSE BELOW....

 

                               

 

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I REPLACED A "CURTAIN" I USE FOR HIDING STUFF ON TOP OF MY FRIDGE WITH ONE OF TERESA'S LOVELY TEA TOWEL.............

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I DID BUY A LITTLE PILLOW INSERT FOR THE COVER WITH THE RED CROWN (ALSO MADE BY TERESA)

                              

AND FINALLY, I TREATED MYSELF TO SOME ROSES FROM.........THE GARDEN!

   

                              

SO, IN THE END, I THINK I SPENT A GRAND TOTAL OF $30. VERY LITTLE FOR A LOT OF IMPACT.

NEXT I WILL BE TACKLING THE SOFA REMAKE. BY THE WAY I DID BUY THE MATERIAL FOR IT. SINCE IT'S MY FIRST ATTEMPT AT REUPHOLSTERING I DECIDED ON INEXPENSIVE COTTON AND IT WAS QUITE A DEAL BECAUSE I HAD A 50% OFF COUPON FROM JOANN'S FABRICS. GRAND TOTAL WAS $18.50! THAT WAY IF I MESS UP (AND I PROBABLY WILL) IT WON'T BE TRAGIC!!...........

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THE DAY BEFORE YESTERDAY IT WAS 82. YESTERDAY MORNING WE HAD A TORNADO WARNING AND THE SKY LOOKED OMINOUS.................................

                 

                            

FORTUNATELY WE DIDN'T GET A TORNADO ONLY MAJOR DOWNPOURS AND GUSTY WINDS...

TONIGHT IT'S...44! GO FIGURE! IT SNOWED IN NEW ORLEANS AND THE EAST COAST GOT BLASTED WITH AN ICE STORM....THOSE OF US WE ARE SAFE AT HOME ARE VERY LUCKY! SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT..............

BE WELL AND STAY SAFE (AND WARM) WHEREVER YOU ARE. 

A BIENTOT.................FIFI

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IS ANYTHING SACRED??

I have been thinking about this for quite sometime and finally decided to post about it because I can't believe I am the only one who is appalled by what has become mainstream. Maybe it's a generation thing but most likely it's just a by-product of a world focused on making money at the expense of decency, privacy and personal/health issues.

I am not a prude but, on the rare occasions that I turn the TV on, I find it very offensive to hear/see what is blatantly advertised on the major networks (I don't subscribe to cable channels like HBO, SHOWTIME and the likes where anything goes.)

 

From erectile disfunction (Viva Viagra?????) yeast infections, tampons, birth control, and stimulating lotions ( KY "warming" personal lotions...) just to name a few, nothing is off limit. 

If only the birth control ads helped prevent teen-aged pregnancies it would actually be worth it. BUT, it hasn't taught young (and not so young) women much of anything as statistics demonstrate. I have always wondered why condoms are not advertised? Not enough money in it?

And what does it say about the incidence of AIDS? 

If they MUST have sexually related ads and sex is to be encouraged (which is what Viagra and KY promote---yes, I know, it's targeted to adults) it seems to me that the millions spent on ads for these products would be better allocated to educate people about sexually transmitted diseases and ways to avoid unplanned pregnancies.

Yes, I know they have ads against smoking, drinking and other for getting checked for colon and breast cancer. Although also private issues, these do serve a very valuable purpose. And I am all in favor of saving lives.  

Then there is the question of language. It's no longer unusual to hear, at anytime, the very words we taught our children not to use. How does this help parents? And how about the level of stupidity of most programs? TV could be a wonderfully useful and informative tool if used properly but, instead, it has become an instrument that erodes values and makes very intimate issues much too public.  

I could go on to the music videos....but what's the point? You already know what I would say.

If one wants to go see a movie or a play, that's fine because one makes a conscious choice (think The Vagina Monologue or The Penis Puppeteers" When it comes to TV the only choice we have is to turn it off!

Maybe it's just me (I am the kind who cries at "Finding Nimo" and "Charlotte's Web"......) but I love it when I find a program worth watching. It doesn't have to be serious or intellectual only heart warming, thoughtful, witty, and TENDER. Life is tough enough.

OK. That's it. Just had to ask the question: When it comes to TV is there anything sacred?

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Back to my usual ramblings.............

SOFA SO GOOD.............

I found this old sofa. As you can see it needs work but it's sooo comfortable! As soon as I get a chance I am going to try reupholstering it.....never done that before so it's going to be an interesting learning experience. ...........

                    

.........all I know so far is that it's going to be redone with some kind of white or off white fabric. Maybe something similar to the feel of the super soft batting that's left on it, if i can find it.

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FROM THE HEART...............

As you know, I always visit old French graveyards when I go home. Not only are they beautiful spaces but they also provide me with the lovely heart markers I collect. As I mentioned before I NEVER remove the markers from crosses. I only pick up those that have fallen from abandoned graves. 

         

Also: I do not sell them. One thing I am working on though is to find a way to reproduce them. I am making very slow progress but learning the possible techniques. This is something no longer done so its taking sometime to retrace the production steps. If and when I succeed to make my own I will post about it. Just another of many projects....

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SEW NICE..........

My sister has been making new little fabric shoes and pillows......

some of my favorites are the ones I asked her to make for me.......

she is also making wreaths with fabric..............................

........and bibs with the baby's name and date of birth to give to the new mom..............this one was made for my friend Monique's new grandson (Monique took the photo. Thanks Monique.)

Anyone interested can contact my sister Sylvie at shappy@wanadoo.fr

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I"LL TAKE ROMANCE...........

On a final note the winter/spring issue of ROMANTIC COUNTRY will be out mid-December. It's full of goodies including SOME LOVELY HOMES with BEAUTIFUL TOUCHES......................

                    

                   

A MOST ROMANTIC B & B............................

 ...........some exquisite transformations of castaway objects.........

                      

and so much more.........

you will also find the instructions for making these:

Tussie Mussies..............

        

........flower holder.......................................

..........your very own seed packets...................

........a delicate rose pudding treat.......................

............and more...............

Well, i have really covered a lot of stuff....kind of all over the place...but that was the mood of the moment!

xoxoxoxo

fifi

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SALE WAS SUPER SUCCESSFUL....

....it really was! Thank goodness for my friend Sue's PRICELESS help that day. It began early and went on all day. It was lots of fun. Darling KIM came down from Lakeland (outside Tampa) with her handsome husband, Kevin. They arrived bearing gifts! A pretty aqua tray filled with iced pumpkin cookies (made by Kim) presented on a delicate vintage platter, coffee ready to brew, a lovely napkin with a cherub napkin holder, a mug filled with nuts and a tiny pot of, of course, white daisies! Needless to say the cookies went first......

Ruth of The beautiful Life, also from Tampa, took the time to drive down to Sarasota to get some things. It was truly a pleasure to get to meet her in person. She, like Kim, is lovely. I can't tell you about everybody. It would take too long. Suffice to say they were all so gracious and it was all heart warming.

I also received hundreds of emails (220 to be exact!) inquiring about things that I might ship. The truth is that everything went with the exception of the following 3 items. All are pastels on handmade paper. The "girls" are $50 each and measure 40'' x 18''.

The large painting of "Nights and Her Children" measures 56" x 45" and is $150. The "girls" would be easy to ship but the large painting would probably be better off taken out of the frame. Anyone interested please let me know.

Thanks again to all for the many emails and comments. I am sorry I probably missed to answer a few but I have been trying to catch up........................Oh, by the way, one of my youngest "customers" was also one of the prettiest....she left wearing a head piece I got in New Mexico.................

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So, did you have a yummy Thanksgiving? Mine was very quiet. Spent the day with the kitties and doggie watching me refinish furniture............here are the end results..........

before setting down PAL debated whether or not to eat the pansies...but, wisely, opted for sniffing them.................

Sometime back I found this flashy gold chair and, finally, did it over...

Since the cushion was in good shape I painted it with fabric paint...................

.....including the upholstery nails..........why not??? The crown was a bonus............now it's fit for a royal behind (or mine!)

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Also refinished 2 armoires. Cut out the top panels of the first one and replaced them with chicken wire. Waiting for the right fabric to put behind the chicken wire.................It's a cheap armoire (plywood) so I wanted to give it an aged patina (haven't painted the inside yet...maybe never....)

I am using the panels to make a pair of shutters with "Bonne Nuit" stenciled on......cool!...

The other armoire is pine. It used to be in the guest room and was painted yellow....

...also added these cool little zinc pieces in the corners.......................

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I had the base of an old potting bench. I bought a piece of plywood that I covered with a table cloth so I could use it as a table for the garage sale. After the sale I thought of making it into a "vintage" potting bench........here is  how it developed, kind of took a life of its own.......

First, the original rustic base got a coat (or 2 or 3...) of leftover Ralph Lauren paint (don't ask the name of the color because I don't know it....)

Then topped the plywood with 2 metal ceiling tiles I had bought for another project but never had a chance to use (I must have 50 more....they will come in handy again one day..)

I finally splurged and bought an electric stapler that doubles as a nail gun (being very careful not too staple my fingers to the tiles....)

After stapling the tiles to the plywood, they also got several coats of gray.......

Glued (with Liquid Nails) a piece of wood left from a dresser to the back of the table........

....also glued some of the architectural fragments to the front legs..............

.............and: VOILA! my new/old potting bench. All done.......

......Just what I needed! Love it!........

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Next project was to disguise an iron chandelier for Christmas........... .....strung 3 beaded garlands to the existing candle holders and wrapped the top with a sparkly netting i got for $3.00 in a junk shop.......added the bling heart I had for more sparkles. .... bought the candles when I was in France..............

....the beaded garlands really did the trick...........

........This brass thingy below (a $5.00 find also from a junk shops) was transformed with.........

......several coats of gray and white acrylic paint. You can't paint metal/brass with a brush as the paint won't stick...i "sponged" it on and let the paint dry well between coats...

It's now a great candle holder...........................

The little numbers came from France and I wasn't sure where to use them until I realize they would be great for these little milk bottles. They are simply attached with some light wire.......................

TERRIFIC CHRISTMAS PRESENTS IDEAS...........................

DO YOURSELF A BIG FAVOR..............................................TAKE A LOOK AT TERESA SHEELEY'S ETSY SHOP................. 

Teresa Sheeley Designs

www.teresasheeley.etsy.com

www.teresaksheeley.typepad.com

....FOR THESE ( AND MORE) LOVELY AND INEXPENSIVE GIFT IDEAS........... I JUST ORDERED ALL THESE AND THERE ARE OTHERS JUST AS DELIGHTFUL FOR YOU TO GET............

HAPPY SHOPPING!!!

I FORGOT! I AM LOOKING FOR A BED LIKE THE ONE OF THIS PHOTO TAKEN BY HEATHER BULLARD AT THE ROUND TOP/MARBURGER MARKET IN TEXAS. IF ANYBODY KNOW WHERE I CAN FIND IT PLEASE LET ME KNOW. THANKS SO MUCH!

........AND ON A LAST, BUT TASTY NOTE, HERE ARE SOME ABSOLUTELY YUMMY MACARONS YOU CAN ORDER FOR THE HOLIDAYS..................

THAT'S IT FOR TONIGHT! 

XOXOXOXOXO

FIFI

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MORE FABULOUS GARAGE SALE GOODIES....

I PROMISE I WILL GET BACK TO ALL THE EMAILS BUT RIGHT NOW I HAVE TO KEEP AT THIS MONSTER JOB....MAN! I WISH I HADN'T STARTED. THE THING HAS TAKEN A LIFE OF ITS OWN....I ADVERTISED IT LOCALLY AND I WANTED IT TO LOOK GOOD SO I HAVE ORGANIZED BY COLOR (AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE) I HAVE STUFF INSIDE AND OUT IN THE COURTYARD. THANK GOODNESS WE ARE NOT EXPECTING ANY RAIN AND THE TEMPERATURE SHOULD BE IN THE LOW 70S TOMORROW....

OK, ENOUGH FOOLING AROUND. HERE ARE A FEW MORE PHOTOS...............

 

A BIENTOT.......

FOOLISH FIFI.................

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BIG, BEAUTIFUL GARAGE SALE...............

Yes, I made up my mind and will have the garage sale this SUNDAY 9-5.

I spent all day sorting through "stuff" but I still need the next 3 days to complete my "search and organize" mission......I am not even sure I will have gone through everything by then.....meanwhile I am posting photos of a portion of the stuff that will be in the sale so that anyone who lives locally can get an idea of what there is.  I am also thinking that I could ship some things to those of you interested in an item or 2.

So, here is the deal: if you see something you want, email me and I will tell you the price but, with the exceptions of a few pieces (old French things or unique items, it will be CHEAP) the idea is to get rid of everything. And, considering the economy CHEAP has to be operating word. OUI?

As far as my local friends go, if you want to come to the sale I am going to advertise it on CRAIGS' LIST so the address and time will be on it.

i took these photos in a hurry so they aren't the best but you will get the idea. Here we go...............starting with the Welcome sign

 

                           

  ............................some CHRISTMAS items ........................................                     

                             

                         

                          

........................................LAMPS AND LAMPSHADES...................................

                         

...PAINTING.....CABINETS.....SHABBY SHELVES....ANTIQUE FRENCH FIRE PLACE TOOLS......

                                                              ..........WOOD SCREEN....OLD DOORS........

                            

....BEAUTIFUL ANTIQUE VASE............AND ELEGANT IRON & WOOD CANDLE SCONCES......

                           

........VINTAGE CHICKEN WIRE DRESS FORM.........ANTIQUE (ELECTRIC) LANTERNS....

                          

............OLD BOXES.........AND CARVED WOOD..........

           

...........SHABBY WALL COAT/APRONS/TOWELS/WHATEVER YOU WANT TO HANG/ RACK...

.............PINK IRON WALL SHELF..............

                      

.................................STONE BABY.......

                      

                      

.......STUNNING ART: A PAIR OF LOVELIES (PASTELS ON HANDMADE PAPER.................)

     

..............AND THE MOST GORGEOUS PAINTING (VERY LARGE, I HAVE TO GET THE DIMENSIONS) OF "NIGHT AND HER CHILDREN"....ALSO PASTELS ON HANDMADE PAPER, FRAMED...........MY VERY FAVORITE......................

                 

.......ANOTHER STONE ANGEL..........AND............A SPECTACULAR PAINTING ON WOOD.....

                        

.......A LITTLE FAIRY HOUSE, TALIAN CHERUB PLAQUE, CANDLE STICKS, HURRICANES.......

              

ANTIQUE CAST IRON FRENCH BED (VERY HEAVY)........PILLOWS...........

  

 WALL CLOCK, DECOUPAGE MAGAZINE RACK HANGING LANTERNS........................MORE SHABBY SHELVES........................

ANOTHER ANTIQUE IRON BED (MUCH TOO HEAVY TO SHIP....WOULD COST A FORTUNE) AND A QUEEN SIZE TOILE BED SPREAD WITH MATCHING SHAMS.....................

 

THE WHITE WOOD CANDLE STICKS ARE OLD AND FRENCH, THE LITTLE CHANDELIER HAS METAL SHADES. THERE IS ALSO THE SAME IN PINK WITH TINY WHITE FABRIC SHADES

 

.................................ONE MORE BABY (BROKEN WING GLUED BACK)

                             

GREAT SHABBY HEADBOARD (FULL, NOT QUEEN) --WOOD PAINTED WHITE WITH GRAY SCROLLWORK, 

VINTAGE TABLE CLOTHS.................................... REAL STARFISH AND BOWL.................

 

LET'S NOT FORGET CLOTHES!!!! I HAVE JUST BEGAN TO TAKE A FEW OUT....MUCH MORE TO COME..........................

 

TOPS....SKIRTS.....JACKETS......KEEP IN MIND THAT MOST OF MY STUFF IS FOR WARM WEATHER. I HAVE VERY FEW THINGS SUITED FOR COLD AND I NEED TO KEEP THEM. IN FACT, IT HAS BEEN RATHER COLD HERE: DOWN TO FREEZING AT NIGHT IN LOTS OF AREAS, AND NOT OVER 60 DURING THE DAY...BUT THIS WEEKEND IS SUPPOSED TO BE IN THE LOW 70S. AT LEAST THE SUN IS OUT!

NOT ALL MY CLOTHES ARE PINK! THERE IS A LOT OF WHITE AND PALE BLUE, STUFF WITH SPARKLES AND OTHERS WITHOUT. SIZE WISE: MOST TOPS RANGE BETWEEN 2 AND 4. SKIRTS BETWEEN O AND 4, DEPENDING ON THE STYLES..........

THIS IS JUST A SMALL SAMPLING. IF I HAVE A CHANCE I WILL TRY TO POST MORE PHOTOS TOMORROW OR FRIDAY.

OK, TIME TO GO BACK IN THE CLOSET(S)...........MORE DIGGING AND FORAGING TO DO, INCLUDING UNDER THE BEDS TOO.......LET ME KNOW IF ANYTHING YOU SAW SO FAR  "FLOCKS YOUR BIC" "TURN YOUR CRANK" OR, IN OTHER WORDS: APPEALS TO YOU.

XOXOXOXO

FIFI

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