Imagination...

Time to employ your imagination. What is this and what can it be used for? Bought it years ago at an estate sale. Didn't know what it was and didn't have a clue as to what to do with it. Because of my love for blue and the wonderfully painted bird design I knew it belonged to me. Was it a plate or a top to something? The back is signed Palomar Mexico. I did some research online and it is from El Palomar Pottery in Tlaquepaque, Jalisco, Mexico. I found a 1960s El Palomar art pottery plate and serving bowl similar to my piece. I don't think mine is a plate as it is flat...most food would roll right off.

Thus far it has served as pure decoration on my coffee table and end table, and as a resting spot for a glass bowl of crystals. Today when I was dusting it I tried to imagine what else it could be used for. Add a plate holder and put it on the wall, trivet for hot food, or use either side as a serving plate for appetizers such as cheese and crackers. What else???

Beach chair blues...

Bought a folding, beach style chair in Buffalo, MN for $12. Spray painted it with glossy white paint...I love white. Once it was painted I decided it need a pillow or quilt for a pop of color. Then it dawned on me that I had two pillows in my favorite colors (blue and white) that hadn't ever been used. Bought them to use as floor pillows...but they were too small to use as floor pillow. Tossed the blue and white pillows on the chair and it looks good. Used it as an extra chair at dinner last night and it was quite comfortable. It also works well when I need to do work at my red drop leaf table.

My friends will tell you that I have a fetish for tables and chairs that fold and any thing on wheels. I have moved 29 times hence the reason I like folding furniture and wheels make rearranging furniture much easier.

Spackle this...spackle that

I am in love...yes in love with lightweight spackle. My kitchen cupboards are white beadboard. Unfortunately they were painted after they were assembled, therefore when they expand the 'creases' between the boards open up and the original wood color shows. I have lived with this look for years and it has driven me crazy. Fortunately my friend Melinda recommended lightweight spackle...it's kinda like whip cream that has been over whipped. I hadn't ever heard of it. Oh my gosh, it works fabulously. When I have more time I will post before and after pics of the cupboards.

Someone's in the kitchen with Dinah...

If you remember Dinah Shore then you are probably as old as me. Spending the day in the kitchen made me think of the lyrics Someone's in the kitchen with Dinah. Someone's in the kitchen, I know. Someone's in the kitchen with Dinah. Strumming on the old banjo.

The kitchen was my domain today. Four loaves of pumpkin bread - I have the best recipe in the world, one apple pie, one banana cream pie - for the kids, and two pumpkin pies and some homemade dog treats. Did something different this year...stole this idea from my 'happy hour' neighbors...made one of the pumpkin pies without the crust and with non-fat carnation milk. This was done for several reasons...to reduce fat for those who are watching their weight and for those that don't like crust. Put a little whipped cream on it and you won't even miss the crust. Happy Tday!

Pumpkin Bread (makes 2 loaves)
3 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
1 can (16 oz) pumpkin

3 cup flour
1 teaspoon cloves
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg,
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt

-Mix together eggs, oil and sugar, then mix in pumpkin. Sift together dry ingredients.
-Slowly add dry ingredients to pumpkin mixture.
-Spray two loaf pans with Pam.
-Bake at 350 for 1 hour and 10 minutes (mine actually comes out around the 1 hour mark). Use a toothpick to test several areas in the middle of the bread – if toothpick comes out clean bread is done.
-Cool in pan on rack.

Another first...

My creativity and my ability to read were tested as I made my first snapfish photo book. It took me a lot of experimenting and calls to my friend Melinda to figure out what all could be done. Of course as soon as I finished my first book and hit the order button, I learned a few more layout techniques that would have been great to incorporate. Oh well, I have three more to make as holiday gifts so there is plenty of opportunity to hone my snapfish skills. Lollie, my two-year old cock-a-poo was the subject of my first photo book. Writing Lollie's story on the front and back flaps was a blast. I can't wait to get it and display it on my coffee table. Here is a picture of Lollie and her siblings. My girl is the black and white one on the far right. To see a current picture of Lollie go to my first blog: http://cottagelifestyle.blogspot.com/2008/11/my-first-post-meet-my-other-half_18.html

The first slip cover I ever made (and the last)

As part of my cleaning spree I washed the slip cover on the chair in my dining room. Unfortunately I can't remember the last time that happened. Since I had the slip cover off...I thought I would show you the chair I rescued out of the neighbor's trash a few years back. I liked the size and style of the chair and couldn't bare to see it tossed into the dumpster. Not sure what I was thinking though because I hadn't ever reupholstered anything or made a slip cover. For some reason I thought since I make quilt tops I could make a slip cover. I had some fabric that had been given to me by my friend Anita...I loved it and knew would be perfect for this chair. I struggled through the slip cover class and about the only thing I learned was how to rip out stitches quickly. If you only knew how many times I had to redo my work. I wasn't ever able to master putting in the zipper and had to hire one of our local talents, Sandy Stone (http://www.sandystonedesignstudio.com/) to put the zipper in. As you can see from the picture it isn't a perfect fit...but it doesn't bother me...I am happy with how it turned out.

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It finally happened!

Are you wondering what happened? Well...I finally got motivated today to organize and complete a few projects. It feels great when you get on a cleaning and organizing roll. My first project was cleaning and organizing my armoire. I was too embarrassed to take a 'before' pic so you are only seeing the after shot. I love this armoire...it made the move across the country (Bay Area to Minneapolis) with me years ago. It sits in my dining room and houses baskets of CDs, a stereo and very large speakers, baskets for my mittens, hats, scarves and sunglass cases, and various tools (i.e. screw drivers, pliers, nails, hammers, etc.). I am going to pack up the stereo system and donate it...so there will be even more room.

I have been looking for curtains for my second floor bathroom. I don't need anything for privacy as no one can see in. However, the sun can make the small bathroom very hot in the summer. I found 4 sheer panels with a design at an estate sale for $2. I had one tension rod and went out a bought a second one. I put 1 panel on each rod and that looked fine, but I thought since I had 4 panels why not put 2 panels on a rod. Curtainless window and 2 panels on each rod pictured below.

The weather was in the 30's (warm for Minneapolis) today so I got outside and finished the last of the winter projects. Took down some cute shutters I put on my front porch during the spring and summer for decoration, put out a winter mailbox as it becomes too slippery for the mailperson to walk up my steps to use my door mailslot, and put away my gigantic American flag. My porch looks so boring and somewhat ugly. Time to get back to cleaning and organizing.

Wicked...

I saw the musical Wicked tonite. It was fabulous. I am always amazed by the talent of the actors and the creativity of those that dream up and build the scenery. I love the theatre. My favorites shows are Jersey Boys (absolutely loved it), Lion King, Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk (saw it 3 times) and Sunset Blvd.

Little Girl Quilt...

Last year I made 10 quilts and this year I haven't made one. My favorite was this Little Girl quilt. It is unique from any other quilt I have made as the 'skirt' portion of each sundress hangs free from the quilt. Even though I have other quilt projects that need to be completed -- one quilt cut out, and one just needs the binding finished, and a dog quilt that needs to be quilted...I want to make some doll quilts using the Little Girl pattern. I need to move quickly if I am going to do this as I thought the doll quilts would be a good holiday gift for a friend's little girls.

My First Post - Meet My Other Half

For the past few month I have been spending hours reading blogs...drooling over the creativity of others. I decided to blog as a way to learn new things and to force myself to complete projects and to tap my creativity. Yikes, where to start...what to write...what to share. So right off the bat...I am taking the easy way out and posting a picture of my other half. Yes, my cock-a-poo Lollie.