Thursday, July 28, 2011

Sling Chair Makeover


Hello Friends!

Today i want to share with you a little project i did over the weekend...
i re-covered my sling chair in one of my vintage french grain sacks. The blue and red stripes give the chair an elegant, beachy-chic look. I just love the way it turned out!

Here is a photo of the sling chair before i recovered it...


The bottom of the chair is stamped Made In France

i can't believe August is just around the corner..
best wishes for a great weekend!

until next time

xo
Cheryl

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

No-Sew French Grain Sack Placemats


Hello Friends!

This is a quick and easy no-sew project that anyone can do.
Materials and Tools needed:
Grain Sack
Scissors
Seam Ripper
Measuring Tape


Use your seam ripper to open your grain sack into one long piece.
if you would like a visual on how to open your grain sack into one long piece, go here.
Cut out a rectangle that's 19" x 14".
Make sure to cut off any hemmed sides.
Leaving a hemmed side will prevent you from getting that raw-edge look.


To achieve the raw-edge look simply throw the placemats into the washing machine.
Here's a little tip: if desired, use a pin to pull out more thread and if necessary use scissors to trim any unwanted thread.


i tied the placemats together with some thread and replaced a traditional bow with an old enamel clock face.
Wouldn't these make a lovely handmade gift?

Happy Tuesday my friends!

until next time,

xo

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Summer Table Setting for Two


First of all, i'd like to thank everybody for leaving me such sweet comments on my fireplace makeover, your comments really mean a lot to me!

My table setting was inspired by my grain sack placemats. Adding placemats is an easy way to dress up any table setting. i'll be sharing a tutorial on how to make these grain sack placemats in the next couple of days.


i found these beautiful vintage turquoise plates at a garage sale here in Santa Barbara. They look perfect as a salad plate over a simple white dinner plate. They are accented by antique silverware passed down from my Great Aunt.
The glassware and coffee mugs are both from Anthropologie.


in the center of the table a pile of uncovered old books act as a base for two vintage purple jars filled with freshly cut lavender from my Mother's garden.

For a little ambiance i hung tea lit mason jars from the tree and the French ladder adds a nice rustic touch.


My fiancé and i had some time to ourselves to enjoy the romantic space I had created. The fun part was we have a couple of things to celebrate..
i signed up to run the Disneyland Half Marathon with a girlfriend,
tied for first place in a photo contest (I'll be sharing more of that soon)..
and my fiance who is a real estate agent will be closing a big escrow next week!


i just can't believe how fast this summer is going!!!
i'll be catching up on everybody's blog over the next couple of days.

until next time,

xo
Cheryl

I'm sharing this at..
My Romantic Home- Show and Tell Friday
French Country Cottage- Feathered Nest Friday

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

A Fireplace Makeover


I love a cottage style home and try to create that feeling in my own home.
i look for white and neutral pieces to decorate with and love to bring in natural elements.
it keeps the home light, airy and refreshing and it also makes it is easy to decorate for any season or holiday.
Bringing in these two white outdoor folding chairs into my living room create a cottage feel.


The two French vintage hand loomed monogrammed pillows that are resting on my chairs are considered one of those 'it was meant to be purchases' since they have mine and my daughters initials on them.

When ever i find a piece of art i like it always has a hefty price tag to go along with it. For an alternative piece of art i hung an old window dressed with a sticker from the ceiling.
i bought the white chain from a local hardware store.


i like the simplicity of just having the window displayed on my mantel, for now. Maybe i'll get around to doing a summer mantle before summer is gone.

The day we moved in i went around and took pictures of everything so i could share before and after pictures.
Be prepared, it's not pretty!


I do dream of a different kind of flooring but for now this is what it is and i'm appreciative of all the things i do have!

Have a wonderful week my friends!

until next time,

xo
Cheryl

I'm sharing at..
Faded Charm- White Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style - Wow us Wednesdays
A Beach Cottage- Good Life Wednesdays
French Country Cottage- Feather Your Nest Fridays
At The Picket Fence- Inspiration Friday
My Romantic Home- Show and Tell Friday
Between Naps on the Porch- Metamorphosis Monday
Miss Mustard Seed- Furniture Feature Friday

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Santa Barbara Blueberry Picking


I took my daughters to spend the day with their cousins picking blueberries at the blueberry farm located 30 minutes north of Santa Barbara.


What a fun and wholesome activity for kids.
Their little faces lit up while picking those fresh blueberries.
We decided we to bring the kids back every summer as a new family tradition.








i bought those adorable blue jean dresses my girls are wearing at Target last Spring.
i just love them!
i also love those little blueberry picking buckets so much so i even tried buying one. i've seen those little buckets for sale at Michaels so i asked if they sold their label stickers and they said "no.....
those are free"!
Score!
Now, i'm on the hunt for some perfect little buckets.

Have a wonderful and safe Fourth of July!

until next time,

xo
Cheryl