BARN SALE PART TWO

Well, the barn sale was a bust.  I came home with three birch logs from the firewood pile.  And I forgot my camera!!!!  Ugh.  But my buddy Sharon got herself a fabulous old iron sink from the 100 plus year old farmhouse!  SCORE....and it was only 10 bucks!  It will look great in her log home on the lake and right in keeping with the rustic kitchen decor.
It was such a beauty day and we enjoyed ourselves immensely.  The drive round the lake was just beautiful and we would get glimpses of the blue water shimmering through the birch trees.
Maybe you are wondering about the birch logs??  Well, I plan on using a spade bit and drilling some holes in them to accommodate my votive candle holders.  I will place them in the faux "fireplace" with greenery and berries for a Christmasy look.

BARN SALE!!!!

Hello dear Friends!  Hope you all have been well since your last visit to this little spot in the blogosphere.  We are fine here at the bungalow and as busy as ever.  Renovations are taking place and the bungalow is getting a new look.
Tomorrow morning, bright and early, my friend Sharon and I are heading out to the south shore area of  Lake Nipissing for a "barn sale".  I cannot wait!  The excitement and anticipation are an important part of the experience,as well as the possibility of finding "treasures" or maybe something which I can re-sell.  Sharon loves antiques as much as I do, so I know she is excited too.
I will look forward to posting some pictures and maybe a little tale or two tomorrow here on the blog.

RUSTIC TABLE

My television currently sits atop a baby's dresser.  Now, it is a cute dresser FOR A BABY, but just doesn't cut it in my living room.  Then, I happened to see this.....

Beautiful no?   My neighbor Wendy has a talented husband who can build many things and he said he would tackle this little number for me.  I cannot wait!!!!  After examining the finish on this table, I figure it will be a fairly simple process to replicate.  Of course, I will have to bash the wood up a bit too.  I will post a picture of the finished project.....
For those of you who are not fortunate enough to have a neighbor to build stuff for you, go to Ana White.com and check out this brilliant woman's blog.  She is kind enough to share building plans, cut lists etc so you can build for yourself.
Have a wonderful happy day everyone!

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT.....

I happened upon these beautiful words whilst looking at Pinterest today.... they inspired me so much that I wanted to share them with you...

Remember to be gentle with yourself and others.  We are all children of chance and none can say why some fields will blossom while others lay brown beneath the August sun.  Care for those around you.  Look past your differences.  Their dreams are no less than yours, their choices no more easily made.  And give, give in any way you can, of whatever you posses.  To give is to love.  To withold is to wither.  Care less for your harvest than for how it is shared and your life will have meaning and your heart will have peace.
-Kent Nerburn

Make today a masterpiece dear reader.

FAREWELL DEAR DOC

My dear doctor is retiring.  After 42 years of service, he is hanging up the ole stethescope.  BUT, he is not going to be idle.  He has decided to "work smart" and devote his time to helping others with the vast knowledge and wisdom gleaned from his years of practice by promoting wellness on-line.  I sat in his office this morning really taking in the surroundings and listening intently to his gentle voice as he discussed his new direction in life. I must admit I felt more than a tinge of sadness that this would be our last office visit. As he spoke, the word "flexible" came up more than once.  We talked about the futility of clinging to anything in this life and of the importance of having faith in something bigger than ourselves.  Being thankful always, and optimistic and hopeful about what may come.
I cannot speak of my doctor without mentioning the fabulous woman who is his assistant/right hand.  Denise, is someone I have come to love and admire for her strength and cheerfulness.  She provides a warmth and homey - ness to the office with the wonderful little plants and pictures and bric-a-brac carefully placed for the patient's enjoyment.  I will miss her too.
The Doc has been a wonderful caregiver and I know our paths will cross again.  I am thankful to have known such a caring and gentle man.
All the best, dear BERNARD.

I'M BAAAAAACK!!!!

Hello Friends!  I have missed writing on my little blog here.  I have had the most wonderful summer so far. 

This year I have been spending time in our beautiful Trout Lake.  Soaking, swimming, floating dreamily....yes, life is beautiful at the lake.

I re-connected with an old friend who has the summer off and she loves the lake like I do.  We spent many happy hours chatting and laughing and remembering good times.  In fact, we refer to the beach as the "office" where we like to say we are busy solving world problems.  And we have had some great meetings at the office I must say.

There is a family of loons that make this area of the lake their home.  Every time I spot them, my heart swells with love for them.  So beautiful and silently graceful as they float past us and then suddenly they dive and swim underwater for great distances.  The mother and her 5 little ones displaying such love and devotion for each other. 

Things have been busy in my garage as well.  I have been buying and selling like never before.  I am decorating a summer home for my friend with treasures found at the yard sales.  Tables and chairs and fabrics for curtains....such fun seeing the delighted look on her face when I show her the latest find.  Her home will be beautiful when we are done....no doubt about it.  A summer place where she and her family will gather surrounded by beauty.

I shall always remember the summer of 2011 as one of relaxation and happiness.  Appreciating the beauty of nature like never before.  And hey, summer isn't over yet! 

My creative juices are flowing too.... I have many fabulous projects coming to share with you.
Stay tuned folks!

HELLO BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE!

Happy Day everyone.  Sorry it has taken this long to write a post on this blog.  I have been sewing, thinking, painting, cleaning and a whole host of other activities! 

Here is an update on the slipcover.  I did not bother to cover the back cushions.  I opted to leave them off entirely and a quilt is in the works for the back.  Am I happy with the cover?  Well, no.... and for those of you who know me, this is no surprise!  hee hee...  But hey, it'll do until something better comes along...(like an Ektorp and then I can order a slipcover!!!)

The garage sales on the weekend were ok, but not spectacular.  However, it was nice to run into one of this blog's followers (Hi Mary!)....what a sweet, sweet lady she is. 

I am working on some wall art for over our bed.  I can't wait to show you when it is finished.  It involves a beautiful cotton voile tablecloth, some burlap and a picture of a goose from the 80's...how is that for a hint!

Lastly, I have to tell you about a new love in my life...MAINE COTTAGE FURNITURE!!!!   I recently discovered their on-line catalogue and WHOA.... do I love it!  Now, the prices are outrageous and I understand they recently had a severe financial downturn, but the quality, the concept and well.. just everything from the fabrics to the photos is a thing of beauty!   I am now on the hunt for some of their colors from my local paint store.  I have some great little cottage pieces that could use a little WOW.  And their colors will certainly provide that!  I have had white and cream for a very long time and while I still love it, I thirst for the vibrancy of "hot lime" or "trueblue".  Check it out if you are so inclined to do so!  You will love it I am sure.

GARAGE SALE SAFARI!

Hello Friends... well, today is the first post of my "garage sale safari".  It is a beautiful sunny day here in the north and I came upon the mother of all fabric sales this morning!  Oooooooohhhhh yeah!  All I came away with was this .... cotton voile.... ( for a tank top maybe?)

Yes folks, I am trying to practice self-control.  NO MORE FABRIC unless I will use it in the immediate future.  (man oh man I am hard on myself!!!!)  There is no sense in trying to fool myself...I have a fabric problem as I have shared before in previous posts.

The market umbrella is a candidate for some fabric painting perhaps and the pig will house some lovely ivy.  I don't really know what grabbed me about the little pig, just that she is so flowery and pretty.

Lastly, check out the flashy mirror!  Just look at it's glossy swirly loveliness.....  momma likey.....

There you have it ... next week I will try to remember to bring my camera for some action shots of the actual sales.... although some people are funny about someone taking pictures of their sale....

Happy Day Friends!

TODAY IS A SPECIAL DAY

On April 28 1975, I had a beautiful baby boy.  Jamie.  He would be 36 today.  Sadly, we lost our precious son to a depressive illness on November 21 2006.  He was handsome, intelligent, thoughtful, articulate and self-made.  He worked his way through university and graduated with an Honors Degree in English.  He got married and had a beautiful baby girl.  His job at the National Library of Canada was a challenging one and he won an award for being the project manager of a website for jazz great Oscar Peterson.

Then one day, he fell ill.  Very very ill.  He thought it was a flu that wouldn't go away.  But the symptoms were all too familiar to me.  Depression.  And he lost the battle with it.  I know that if Jamie were here, he would want me to use this platform to say that if anyone of you or someone you know, has this dark sickness, please seek medical attention immediately.  The symptoms are here at depression.com. 

This day also marks another loss in our lives.  My sweet mother-in-law, Marion, passed away on this day in 1980.  She suffered a major heart attack and passed away on Jamie's 5th birthday.   She was a mother to me in every sense of the word.  I was a very young bride and mother and she took me under her wing, teaching me what I needed to know about caring for my little family.  I loved her so. 

I debated about sharing such personal information on this blog.  I do so with the intent of helping others who may suffer challenges in their own lives.

We do not define our son by how he died, but rather how he lived.  He did the absolute best he could in this life and we are so proud of him.  I feel that we will see him again.  If I didn't have this assurance, I don't think I could get through this.  But, I am getting through and so is my dear husband.  We know that day by day, we must make the decision and effort to feel the joy and happiness that is ours.  Do we feel down, unhappy and sad at times?  Yes, absolutely.  The feelings of loss will always be with us.  But, we must make the best of the remainder of our lives.  We feel we have a responsibility to do this when so many cannot. 

I wish you dear reader, all the love and joy that is yours on this special day. 

IN THE MOMENT

Happy Easter everyone... I hope you are enjoying the love and hope that this day brings.

I am STILL working away on the slipcover for the sofa....

Now I do not especially enjoy sewing slipcovers.  But, I have made up my mind that I will embrace this task with a better attitude.  I keep thinking that it will be a wonderful addition to our decor here at the bungalow.  I am grateful to have a bit of skill which enables me to create this thing.  I am VERY grateful to Miss Mustard Seed for her fabulous tutorial as well!

I think that when we are "in the moment" and savoring it as we ought to, the task at hand seems much more manageable... don't you think?  I like to take a lesson from my adorable Molly...she really lives in the moment too!  Here she is savoring a lovely nap....

Please stay tuned for the big reveal of the slipcover.... hopefully in the very near future!  Happy Day all!

COTTAGEY CHAIR

Is there such a word as cottagey?  Well, I guess there is now!  Happy Day all!  Sorry I have been MIA from this blog for a bit but I have been giving my sofa the "slip".

Now back to the "cottagey chair" which I think turned out so very well.  It sat all winter in the dark recesses of the garage and when I moved my bedroom chair out to the porch, I found this little chair would be a perfect replacement.  That is, with a bit of sanding, cleaning, paint and fabric for the seat.

The fabric on the seat is Liz Claiborne's beautiful linen.  I LOVE this fabric and you will see how much once I have finished the slipcover in my livingroom!  It washes well and even though some thread escapes the little circles which are embroidered on, I can live with that.  The color of it reminds me of beach sand.  Sigh.  Guess I won't be seeing much of that for a while since we got a huge amount of SNOW the other day.  Ugh. 

Well, back to the slipcover....

Linked to http://www.beyondthepicketfence.com/

SLIPCOVERS

Just the word slipcover is enough to send shivers down my spine!  In a word, making them can be....daunting.

However, not according to that slipcover genius, Miss Mustard Seed!   Thanks to her fantastic series of instructional videos, I think I can actually tackle this thing!  And by thing, I mean my velvet sofa.  It is burgundy and looks quite dated.  So, it is off to the store to buy my drop cloths for the slipcover.   If only Ikea were closer, I would just bite the bullet and buy an Ektorp sofa and be done with it.  But alas, my sofa is in good shape and I cannot justify getting rid of it because of the color.  I figure I can cover this thing for under 100.00.

Of course, if I can get this done and if it looks okay, I will tackle the chair which sort of matches the sofa.  It is from Pottery Barn and I bought it last year at a garage sale for 75.00.  It has great "bones" as they say and would be worth the time and energy to slipcover it as well.

Wish me luck friends!  If I am missing in action on this blog, it means I am up to my armpits in fabric!!!!!!

PLANTS ARE PEOPLE TOO

I know...weird title.  But, I do have a plant which seems very much like a person to me in that it likes to go to "bed" at around the same time each night!  I love this little plant so very much...

This is a "shamrock" plant.  Usually, it sports delicate little white flowers.  So pretty.  Anyways, it is a bit of a joke in our house between hubby and I to be quiet once she has gone to bed.  Her little leaves fold up for the night.  Isn't nature wonderful?  What is it that makes her leaves hide their faces when night falls?  I know there is a "scientific" explanation but I prefer to think in more imaginative terms!

My father always said he saw God in nature.  I do too.  And I see Him right here on my kitchen table in the leaves of a little houseplant that seems to "know" when it is bedtime.

Happy Day everyone.



SILVER AND SHELLS

Happy Day everyone!  I hope your weekend was a beautiful one.  Ours was quite lovely here... spring sunshine, raking our now-visible lawn, then a cleansing rain and cooking some delicious food.  Life is good here at the bungalow.  And we are thankful as always.

In our dining room is a little shelf which I designed and had my "wood guy" Pete build.  Pete is a wonderful man who retired a long while ago.  He is quite handy with the power tools and can build anything I can draw.  Anyways, this shelf is something which I never tire of looking at.  Especially when it has silver and shells on it....

I just love the combination of silver and shells!  You can see photos of my loved ones peeking around the perimeters of the picture.  Of course my family photos are more precious than anything else, but I felt that for the purposes of today's post, you would probably be more interested in the silver and shells!  I enjoy looking at this little vignette and thought you might too.

Have a beautiful day everyone!

SALES ON BANK

Hello Friends!  I have mentioned previously that I do a little selling here and there at the bungalow.  This week I have two really nice pieces that are "diamonds in the rough".
Here is diamond number one...

I wish that I had room for this piece!   Sadly, I do not, but I think it will have a new home in the near future.  I would love to see this painted (white of course).  I watched the TV show Steven and Chris yesterday and they did a feature on Chris Kaufman's home.  She is the author of the Just Beachy blog.  There is a pair of nearly identical dressers on either side of her bed which she painted aqua and white.  Fabulous!  Check it out folks....it's worth the looky loo...http://www.chriskauffman.blogspot.com/

I love this little night stand.  What great lines.  I can see it a very pale blue for some reason!  And I think I would add a wonderful floral "curtain" across the opening.  The handle is perfect too.  I really do love nearly everything I sell.

I meet the nicest people who come to my home and buy my things.  I just love helping them to see a piece in a finished state too.  Sometimes a person will look at something and not know what to do with it.  They know they like it, but feel that it may need something.  I guess I have a "knack" when it comes to seeing something "done".  I just seem to know when a piece needs changing up.  It is great fun to do this.  Transforming furniture is a wonderful way to make something your own and fit into your decor.                                                            



LITTLE WHITE BENCH

Happy Day friends!  It is a beautiful day in the neighborhood and it might just be warm enough for a little painting... WOOT!  Now, deep in the recesses of my garage sits a little piano bench.  I purchased it last year with the intent of using it at my kitchen table.  The table is an oldie but a goody that I found in a barn 25 years ago.  The bench is a perfect width for the table, but it needs to be white.   I love that the lid opens and will provide storage for my grand daughter's coloring books, crayons and markers.  The color I will use is called "Simply White" by Benjamin Moore.

Stay tuned for the reveal of the little "white" bench in an upcoming post... I can't wait to shake that paint can!

PAINTED "SILVER"

Happy Day all!  I found a wonderful container for flowers at the thrift store some time ago.  I didn't use it for the longest time.  It just sat in a cupboard til one day I looked at it and thought "hey, I should throw some paint on that!" 

It has a silver plate on it and I love it's little "legs".  My current obsession seems to be for sea shells, so I thought it would make a nice container for part of my collection of shells.  I find I really like the aqua interior as well. 

You can paint anything these days.  Even if it is metal, plastic, whatever.  Now I look at things in a whole new way.  I LOVE PAINT!  I should probably add that I love a transformation of things (and people for that matter!). 

I also found a candy dish with a lid that was such a good deal at a garage sale last summer, that I bought it without a clue as to what to do with it.  (no candy in a dish for me sadly)  Again I thought... seashells!  It looks great in my jam cupboard that is in our bedroom.  I love how it looks.

Hopefully, there will be some garage sales this weekend and I can write the first "Garage Sale Safari" post for this blog.  Here's hoping the weather co-operates!

This post linked to http://www.abeachcottage.com/ linky party and http://www.somewhatsimple.com/ and http://funkyjunkinteriors.com/

A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE!

Hey all!  For those of you who read this blog, you know that I really love this town I live in.  I guess there are a few more folks who love it too,  for it has been voted in the top 25 best places to live in Canada.

It's rugged wilderness, natural resources and multi cultural people together make for a most beautiful city.  Situated between two lakes, in the Laurentian mountain foothills, the "Bay" is a great place for anyone to call home.  Three generations of my family have called it home and it is my hope that future generations will too.

Sadly, many of our young people have had to leave due to limited job opportunities, but hopefully this will change in the near future as more and more people learn about our fair city.  Of course, I would hate to see any polluting factories coming here to sully the environment for our clean air and water are what we really have going for us among other things.

There is a thriving arts community here and the talent I have seen is second to none.  Actually, I feel that our city will become a "retirement community" with the baby boomers leaving the larger centers in search of a quality environment to spend their "golden years".

I wanted to dedicate this post to the place I call home.  I feel a part of the land here, like it owns me rather than the other way round.  For those of you in other parts of the world, if ever you get a chance to come to Northern Ontario Canada, do not hesitate.  You will be welcome and I know that you will have a wonderful time.

THRIFT STORE SCORE #4

Happy Day friends!  I hit the thrifts yesterday and I must be out of sorts because all I came home with was this...

A floral duvet cover.  I love the flowery softness of it and I thought hey!  How about some cute pajama pants with a ruffly  hem.  I would have more than enough to do a couple of matching tank tops too!

I find that instead of using a pattern to sew clothing, I just take apart an item which fits well, press the pieces and trace that onto patternmaker.  I then place the pattern in a ziploc bag for future reference.

I like the fabric of this duvet cover so much, that I will use the remainder of it for a raggy quilt.  So, there you have it....even though I came home with one thing, I can turn it into several things!

A PLACE TO HANG YOUR HAT AND A NEW FEATURE TO BOOT!

Happy Day everyone!  Hope your weekend was lovely.... Mine was about painting and sanding and building.  I made a beadboard coat rack...

This is it before gluing and nailing.  I just placed everything on it for this picture.  I love starfish.  I thought they would be a nice touch on the coat rack.  I would like to add an old mason jar with some sand and a candle in it....

This is a simple thing to make.  Just some plywood and some bead board!  The hardware store cut the plywood to size for me.  I can't say it was cheap though....the hooks and starfish cost a few shekels!  But hey, I think it was worth it.

In other news, there will be a new feature here at Bungalow on Bank.  It will be called Garage Sale Safari where I document my adventures whilst garage sale-ing.  Should be a good time folks!  I can't wait to bring you with me!

This post is linked to http://www.abeachcottage.com/ linky party.

THRIFT STORE SCORE #3

Today is a beautiful day!  I had to get out for a bit, so I whistled for Molly and we jumped into Betsy to go thrifting.  YEEEEHAWWWW!

First, I had to make a short drive out to Callander which is a small, picturesque community on the shores of Lake Nipissing.  I purchased a "window mirror" from a fella who was selling it on Kijiji.  It's smaller than it looked in the photo online but hey for 10 bucks you couldn't go wrong.  I will paint it white, sand it back and wax it.  Then perhaps some nice little nickle hooks will go on.  I am thinking of adding some trim to the top too.  We will see....

On the way home I saw the beautiful Haflinger horses(from my post called "My First Love") in their paddock playing and kicking up their heels in the sunshine.  Why oh why did I forget my camera!!!!  DANG!  They looked positively joyful. 

Value Village is on the way home too so I stopped there and purchased a denim duvet cover.  I will fold it in thirds and drape it across the bottom of our bed where Molly always lays.  I like to think of our bed wearing a denim "dress" with a "petticoat" showing underneath.  The denim will look great with the cotton gauze bedskirt I made.

Lastly, I picked up a starfish at a craft shop.  I want to use it with the mirror somehow.  Even though I do not live near an ocean, I like to feel as though I do.  Perhaps I will one day...who knows?   I have visited the Atlantic ocean and even swam in it one summer on vacation... brrrrrrrrrr....c.c...c...cold!  (This was off the coast of Nova Scotia)   The salty air, the hot sand, the pounding waves.. yes, it's easy to imagine I am there right now! 

While this is not a thrift store find, I recieved this lovely art in the mail today.... so springy!  I just need to mat and frame it....

That is it for today's post friends.  Why not take a minute and imagine the place where you feel the best.... 
Happy Day!

STUFF THAT GOT AWAY...

Every now and again, I will sell something at the bungalow that I really should have kept.  Like this....

This chair was sooo comfy.  And well made.  I hadn't really planned on selling it, but, someone came by the garage, liked it and made me an offer I couldn't refuse.  Oh well....

And then there was this....

A really nice functional little chest of drawers which is becoming hard to find these days.  They are so cute all painted up with nice glass knobs. Sigh.

Lastly, I sold this gem and again....I regret it. 

The Ikea Tulsta chair with not one but TWO slipcovers!  GACK!  I really regret not holding onto this chair because there isn't an Ikea in these parts of the country.  I would have to travel for 4 hours to get to one.  These little chairs are so versatile .... they can fit into any space, they are comfy and you can't beat the slipcover thing for easy cleaning.

Yes, some things I sell and I wish I hadn't BUT they are only things and can be replaced.  I met some great people through selling these items too.  And some times I really need some cash and so I am thankful that I had something to sell!

The best part is when I hear from someone who bought something from me say "Gee, I always remember when I bought "such and such" from you.  I always think of you when I look at it."  That makes me smile and any regret about selling the "such and such" goes right out the window.

METAL FLOWERS AND HAPPY SPRING!!!!

HAPPY SPRING EVERYONE!  Hope your weekend was lovely!  The sun was shining for most of ours, but still quite chilly in these parts.  Even so, I LOVE springtime.

I have had these metal flower thingys in the garage for some time.  I tried unsuccessfully to sell them on Kijiji and had only a bite or two on them.  People liked them, they just didn't know what to do with them.

So, I figured since I am such a maniac with the paint....well, I'll just paint 'em!

Then I can display them on the space above the door on my garage/shop/hangout.  I think they are kind of cool and interesting.

In fact, I am now considering upping the cool factor of them by maybe decoupaging the petals of the flowers in some colorful fabric or paper.  I cannot leave well enough alone!  It's just how I roll!

Please stay tuned for the finished product... it was a tad cool for spray painting this weekend.

THIS WEEK'S THRIFT STORE SCORE

Hello Friends!  And a happy Friday!  Well, I must say there were many many things at the thrifts this week.  People seem to be purging big time and I guess it may be attributable to the spring like temperatures we are enjoying at the moment. 

It is always an adventure for me when I enter a thrift store.  Almost like a study in the way people live.... like urban archaeology.

I did find a wonderful little milk glass hand.  I think it may be fairly old but I am not sure.  I just liked it, so I bought it. 

Here is a turnaround which I will paint white.  Then, I will decoupage some cans in some lovely scrapbooking paper and affix them to the turnaround.  They will hold my paintbrushes, pencils, and other art tools that I use on a regular basis.

In other news, Betsy (my truck) highjacked me to the fabric store!!!!!!  GACK!  (hee hee)  Yes folks, it is quite a battle for me to stay away from the place.  Fabric is indeed my drug of choice.  Whilst I was there drooling over this... I seem to remember a Ralph Lauren fabric from years ago which looked like this and I always loved it.  By the way, I LOVE RALPH LAUREN! (ok, I said it).....

I met the most lovely lady.  We chatted about our various projects and then went on our ways.  Isn't it lovely when you meet a total stranger and you engage in a wonderful conversation?  Like the old saying goes, "A stranger is just a friend you haven't met yet."  And of course, I know all the gals who work there, especially Peggy.  Peggy is knowledgeable and very good with color.  I always enjoy chatting with her about sewing and life in general.

I am off to shake up some paint cans folks.  Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

CHALLENGING TIMES

Hello Dear Friends!  This post is a little more serious in nature.  I would like to pose a question to you, who read this blog. 

How do you cope with challenging times?   Are you a person of faith?  Do you cope by staying busy? 

I tend to cope with most challenges in the same way.  First off, I STOP.  BREATHE.  THINK.  Depending on what the nature of the challenge is will depend on how I cope.  But,  I do depend on God.  I also believe that we are given common sense, reason, rationality and a sound mind with which to deal with most anything. 

In recent times, we have seen the devastation in Japan, Haiti, the Gulf.... I could go on, but the point is, these crisis and challenges big and small seem to always be with us.  And it can be weighing us down.  Or, we can just take it in stride, one thing at a time, one day at a time, one breath at a time.  And all the while remembering the beauty, the goodness, the purity and the joy that can be ours.

I heard something once by a motivational speaker and I shall always remember it... he said: "If I can look up, I can get up and if I can get up, I can go on!"

Oh how I love that saying.  It really spoke to my heart.  I think of it often.  These words, this sentiment, the love that is behind the willingness to share them... oh, how I would love to send these to those who are suffering in this world.

And so, if any of you are suffering with your own crisis, this is my little gift to you today.  Given with an open loving heart.

Happy Day All

MOSAIC CHAIR

Hello!  I have a beautiful old chair which is very solid and in fact, I think it is oak.  I keep it in the laundry room so I have something to stand on to change light bulbs and reach high shelves.  It is a wonderful candidate for mosaics.   I have alot of chippy china in various colors and chose this fabulous green and white transferware for the back of the chair.  I may have gotten a little carried away with the freehand painting on the sides,but hey, this is art.

As I have said in a previous post, doing mosaics is much like doing a jigsaw puzzle.  It is so relaxing and the finished product is lovely I think.  It is a unique way of putting your own creative stamp on something.

This chair was done quite a few years back, but I think it is still pretty and will be around for a few more years to come.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's THRIFT STORE SCORE!  When who knows what I will drag home to the bungalow!  hee hee

Happy Day Friends!

I have linked to http://www.abeachcottage.com/ linky party...

T SHIRT DRESS DIY

Hello Dear Friends!  Happy Day to you.  Are you like me and have t shirts you really love but have shrunk a little or alot?  Or perhaps you have a bit of the old "middle age spread" in your nether regions?  Well, I have a great little DIY for you....

The t shirt dress.  Not an original idea, for I seem to remember something along these lines from the 90's.

I thought of this idea whilst rifling through my stash of fabrics.  I thought, oooo... I like this fabric but only have a 1/2 metre of it.  Then, it came to me.... why not make a ruffle from it and attach it to my too-short  t shirt.  The new "dress" could be worn with tights or jeans or a nighty (as some of mine are used). 

So, I called a neighbor who is an excellent sew-er.  I paid her to make these up for me because at the time, I was ill and not into sewing.  She did a great job too! (thanks Wendy)  I had her make up some belts for them which button in the back.  (you could use velcro or just tie them in a bow or whatever)

You can make this ruffle as long or short as you want.  Or as "ruffly" as you want.  Wendy used a super strong clear elastic to make the ruffle.

 This way, the ruffle is stretchy as well as the t shirt. (make sense?)  I happen to love multi-purpose things be it clothing or furniture or whatever.  These t-shirt dresses are ideal for many purposes as I mentioned above.  By adding ric rac around the seam or a fancier belt, you can really jooge? them up.

Well ....that is it for today.... I have a shiny black lab waiting for a game of ball and who am I to refuse her?  I am her "multi-functional" person.... her Mommy, her best buddy, her chef, her chauffeur, her wrestling partner....well, I could go on and on, but I won't.  You get the picture I am sure!

A QUILTY MEMO BOARD

Happy Day All!  I have a neat little idea for you today.  A few years back, I purchased some Moda charm packs from a local quilt shop.  I made a memo board, dresser runner and stool cover as you can see in the above pic.

On the shelf above my sewing desk is a quilty runner with "prairie points" which I really like to make.

As you can see, I attached each square with a pushpin.  I meticulously glued a tiny flower to the head of the pins!  (oh and please excuse the "paint job" on the wall.  We are getting ready to paint and change up this room)  This is where I create and I find I like to re-decorate it fairly often.

I love that these charm packs come already cut.  However, I did learn the hard way that they are not cut precisely.  So, it is wise to check the measurement of each square.  Don't you just love fabric?  I am considering joining FA....(fabricaholics anonymous)  I am working on this addiction to fabric I have.  In fact, there is a local charity which makes quilts for those with cancer.  And I have some wonderful cottons coming their way!

I have been featured http://diybydesign.blogspot.com//2011/03/swing-into-spring-its-party.8.html
I am linking to http://romantichome.blogspot.com//2011/03/show-and-tell-friday.html

PRAYER FOR JAPAN

Just a short post about the recent tragedy in Japan.  There are no words really.  So, I just want to offer up my prayers for the survivors of this disaster.  And for those who lost loved ones.  Our hearts are with you.

JUST PASSING THROUGH....

Happy Day All... I thought for today's post I would show you a few of the things which have "passed through" the Bungalow.  My garage is sometimes a hive of activity in the summer.  Many people drop by to see what is in there and sometimes a sale or two will occur....

Like this....

A beautiful little parlour table....

and this...

this tapestry was all hand done!....

Sometimes I sell something that I SHOULD NOT HAVE SOLD!!!!  Like this beautiful 100% wool rug 8' x  10'  I never see these rugs and especially in this shape and that large size. It was perfect.  Ugh.  Oh well....

This easle went very quickly!  The lady who bought it LOVED it!

how about this darling aqua trunk thingy....so cool!

I really love finding these treasures.  It is great fun and the people I meet usually teach me something valuable.  In fact, I have learned much during my treasure hunts.  About people, how they live, struggles they have been through, history, and life in general.  In fact, that is the real "treasure" in all this.

So, there you have it folks.  A little peak into the great stuff that can be found at Bungalow on Bank!  Have a wonderful relaxing weekend everyone!