NEW WORDS TO LIVE BY

WE HAVE 4 WINNERS!!!

I am happy to announce the winners of my giveaway.  They are:

Julie Marie from Idyll Hours

Cat from Writing Out Loud

Carrie from Cottage Cozy

Diane from A Slice of Gray

The tulle girl pictured is my last one and the one I will keep.  I have managed to give all of the others I made new homes.  Congratulations to all the winners.  Your girls will be in the mail as soon as I can find boxes to ship them off in!!!

COLORFUL PILLOWS

 The new bedding for my client's 14 year old daughter.  She was thrilled.  Actually, they both were.  The fabric that is draped around the headboard is supposed to be the purple paisley, but I forgot to bring it when I delivered the pillows and draperies.

 The 26" x 26" Euro squares are reversible.  The purple stripe is, technically, the back and the large window pane check is the front.

 The round pillow also has the purple stripe on the other side.  And you can't really tell, but the welting is a green and white gingham.

 Lots of color!

I love making pillows and this was one of the jobs where my client said,  "Here are some fabrics and any that you might have in your own stash that would coordinate, feel free to use those, too.  I trust you."  The draperies are made from the purple paisley, but are not installed yet.  My client's daughter was so happy and that makes me happy.

Update on my blue hair:

Thanks for all your suggestions.  I ended up using hairspray.  Tristan's method would have required that I leave the island and I decided to give Lisa Michelle's method a try first.  Of course, it's not like I had hair spray, so I went and got a can and I am pleased to say that most of it is out.

BLUE INK

I was all ready with a post of a job I delivered on Saturday.  That is, until I had a pen explode in my hair yesterday.  Now, I love the color blue, but I really don't want blue hair.  My good friend, Lisa Michelle, has suggested hair spray to get it out.  Does anyone else out there in Blogland know of any other solution?

BIG GIVEAWAY

Okay, I mentioned a few posts back that I am in a clearing, cleaning and changing mood.  I have decided that these tulle girls need new homes.  There are 4 available, so your chances are pretty good to win one.  

The way I'll choose who gets which color is the first name I draw will get first choice and so on down the line.  You can leave your preference with your comment.

This girl is quite large.  She stands almost 16" tall and is about the same width.  She is the only one I did with organza.  Her rhinestone button is vintage.

It's kind of hard to tell from the photo, but this tulle has silver glitter on it.  She is the smallest of the girls, just 10" tall.

On my screen, this girl does not show as bright green as she really is.  She is about 12" tall.

And finally, black beauty is about 11" tall.

So if you want a chance at winning one of these girls, leave me a comment on this post.  Since my blog is connected to my Facebook page, you can also leave a comment there.  Just be sure to let me know how to get a hold of you if you win.  I will draw the 4 winner's names on 29 April. 

SLIPCOVERED PARSONS CHAIRS

These six parsons chairs got new, summery beach clothes!  

The button back is strictly decorative, though functional.

Although the house is a Coronado 'beach house,' the decorating is very Tuscan. The slipcovers these chairs usually wear are a dark forest green velvet.  The subtle cream and wheat linen print help to lighten up the room for summer.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Today is my best friend Kathy's birthday.  We have known each other since we were 12 years old.  This picture was taken a couple of years ago up at their lake house.  (She lives in Raleigh, NC with her husband and 3 kids.)  We grew up in Atlanta, but haven't lived near each other for years.  We will be celebrating both our birthdays in just a few weeks when we meet on Saint Simons Island, Georgia.  So, Happy Birthday, Kathy!  

(GIANT) PADDED BULLETIN BOARDS

I did these (4) very large padded bulletin boards for BE Styled.

Close up of button

This is what I started with.  The size?  72" x 40"!

I glued batting to the cork side.

Then upholstered it with the fabric.  In this case, it was drapery panels from IKEA.  Then I put the ribbon on, stapling it to the backside.

Then the real fun began.  I used this extra long upholstery needle and roman shade cord to 'sew' the buttons at the intersections where the ribbon met.

The back view.

A close-up of the cord.  I didn't actually sew the buttons on.  I pushed the needle through with one side of the cording, then put the button on and pushed it through again.  To give it the tufted look, I pulled the cording tight and tied it off.  Let me tell you, it wasn't easy and my hands were very sore.

In the shop

Eventually all 4 will be mounted on the wall.

CHANGE IS IN THE AIR

Last Saturday, Rachel Ashwell was at Vignettes to sign her new book and to let everyone know about her new Shabby Chic Couture line. As you can well imagine, the place was hopping! I met Rachel 12 years ago in Chicago when she was there promoting her second book. She is just as gracious and beautiful today as she was then.

I am sure you noticed the new look to my blog. I don't know if it is that I am turning 50 in June or just a hormonal imbalance, but I am in the mood to change all kinds of things. I thought I'd start with my blog. I am also in the mood to get rid of things. Stay tuned for another giveaway. Maybe more than one. My desire to clear out can be your gain!

GLAMOUR KNITS

This beautiful lampshade slipcover is from the book "glamour knits AT HOME" by Erika Knight. The book has 15 projects, ranging from pillows and cushions to slippers and a throw. As I am not a knitter myself (I do know how, I just don't enjoy it,) I had my mother make me two of these covers. I have yet to add the embellishments, so the picture is taken from the book. If and when I ever get mine finished, I'll be showing them off.

On another note, I need to take a wee break from my blog. I've got some personal stuff I am dealing with and I should concentrate on that and not be worried about my blog. I'll be back soon, probably in a week or so. Until then...

ANOTHER SPRING BEAUTY AND THE JOLTS KEEP COMING

As I am sure you've heard by now, Southern California/Northern Baja was rocked by an Earthquake yesterday. We were just sitting down to Easter dinner when it started. I've felt Earthquakes before, but never as long as this went on. It is an eerie feeling. Then last night, oh around 2a, an aftershock woke me up. Luckily, no damage here.

Have you ever seen a blue hibiscus? They are very rare, indeed!

Or one that looks like this?

Okay, okay, so this is the original, which is still pretty spectacular. I had a little help from Photoshop on the other two, as you may have already guessed. I just love it in blue!

HAPPY EASTER

Wishing everyone a very Happy Easter!!!

(Bunny by me.)

BE STYLED

There's a new shop in town: Be Styled

It is located at 1113 Adella Avenue, Coronado, CA 92118 619.435.3800

Hours: Friday and Saturday 10a-6p and by appointment

Barbara Burton and Elena Halley started out as personal shoppers and have now expanded into a retail shop. They also host private parties at your home or in the new studio location. Clothing, shoes, accessories and items for your home, there is something for everyone at Be Styled.

CABANA SLIPCOVERS

I just came back from delivering these slipcovers. There is a new, really cool shop here in Coronado and these cabanas are serving as the dressing rooms. (I'll give all the details for the shop in my next post.)

A lovely little chair to sit on.

Talk about recycling: the 'valance' for this cover is from Elena's daughter's crib bed skirt. The panels are draperies from IKEA.

Top view

These cabanas are 4' x 4' and were a bit of a challenge to make. I've been wanting to get a 10' tent for the Point Loma Farmer's Market, and, of course, I can't have a plain, boring white canopy. After making this size though, I'm not sure I can do one more than double the size. Anyway, my clients (and me) are very happy with the way they turned out.

Tomorrow, all about Be Styled.