Irish Linen Press

Hello all!

While heading to my mother's home one day, I saw a garage sale sign.  It is a good thing my mother wasn't with me because I took the car on two wheels to make the turn!  She is always concerned with my driving when on the hunt for garage sales.  I see her hit her invisible brakes many times.  I am sure I am not alone when I say I brake for garage sales!

Anyways, I stumbled upon the most beautiful linen press of all time.  The previous owner got it overseas when her husband was stationed in Germany.  It is truly one of the most authentic antique pieces I have found to date.  I had to snatch it up at the price she was asking.  I mean this piece stands the test of time.  You know worm holes, small fixes not just cast aside.  Can you believe it sat in my mother's garage for almost an entire year!  Unfortunately, it just doesn't fit anywhere in my house currently.  I just had a hard time parting with this.  With much sadness, I had to place it in the shop to sell.

 
I think it is a steal at the price I have it at.  So far, no bites.  Maybe subconsciously I have it priced higher and perhaps I will have to find a spot for it in my house.  Hubby would just love that!!!

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Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage blog

   

Busy Bee

Busy bee!  That is exactly what I feel like these days.  Since school has ended, I have been running the kids to day camps or entertaining them from dying from boredom.  We actually got to visit with some family in Missouri this past weekend.  It was great!

Anyways, I have been excited to tell you what I have been fiddling with.  I use Photoshop Elements to edit my photos.  For those of you who play in Elements, I am sure you have heard of Florabella.  I have admired Florabella Photoshop Actions just about forever now.  Well, I decided to jump in and buy a bundle.  It took me a while to pull the trigger because I usually never would spend that amount on actions.  I felt like I could justify it as an invest and savings by getting frame worthy photos I took instead of a professional photographer (at least that is what I am telling myself).

I thought I would share some of my pictures.  Before pictures are straight out of camera on Auto Mode.

I wish I could tell you exactly which actions I used within this bundle package but the combinations are limitless.  I spent hours fiddling with just these photos.  I literally could get lost for hours creating edits.  What is great about these actions is you can make adjustments on each layer.  I purchased Florabella TRINITY + Retouch/Workflow Brushes bundle.  I really do love these actions.  If you want to check out actions without making such a financial commitment, there are plenty of free actions for you to play with.  Check out The Pioneer Woman or The CoffeeShop Blog.

I would really love to know what you think of my editing.  Please comment.  I need input to make sure I am not over editing them.  Share at:

 

Under the Sea!

I have been going postal going coastal!  I have decided my upstairs addition would be a coastal theme.  I don't really know why.  I am not crazy about going to the beach.  I only like to swim in water that I can see in.  I have watched one to many River Monster shows with my son!  To get inspiration, I started searching on Pinterest.  I came across some mermaid decor.  Like any good DIYer, I found my inspiration and got to work.

I started out with a piece of wood. Sketch out my mermaid and started jigsawing!  I think my husband was waiting to call an ambulance.  I would say I felt I was safe.  I mean, I knew where all my fingers were in relationship to the blade at all times.  Anyways, here is my shape cut out (and I didn't even cut off a single finger).

Now for the part I felt was agonizing.  What should I do?  Stain?  Paint?  After much deliberation, I decided to go for painting it.  What color should I go with?  So many options!  Since my walls are a light blue, I decided to go with an orange and navy for the color pop.  Here is pictures from beginning to end.

 

After all of that work, I don't know how I feel about it right there.  

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From drab to fab!

Crazy but I came across this post in the drafts section.  I have completed this project so long ago, I really couldn't tell you when it was.  With that being said, I will let you start reading ;)

Well, just like the song says, 'one thing leads to another.'  Yep, you know how it goes.  One project spurs another and another and another.  My dining room started off with this buffet.

Then, I acquired this beauty.

After painting this, there was no way I could keep my cream dining table.  I thought I would sell both my buffet and dining table and chairs.  I dragged out my hubby's grandfather's dining table from under my bed.  I know, not the usual place to store a table.  The story behind the table is hubby's grandfather dug it out of a dumpster and refinished it.  (A man after my own heart!)

I now had a replacement table but no chairs.  I know we don't usually entertain others but chairs do seem to be a necessity.  On the hunt I went!  I came across these four chairs for only $29!  Yes, you read that right.  I paid $29 for ALL four.  Talk about hitting the jackpot!

Okay, they are a lot on the drab side but I knew I could really spruce them up.  You cannot tell from the photo but I believe a dog used these chairs as a chew toy.  After much wood filling and sanding, I used the same paints as my china cabinet, ASCP Paris Gray and Pure White.  Did a little distressing.  Put new foam and fabric on the seats.  This is how it turned out.  You might notice that I also added the leaves to the table.  I really like how it has turned out.  I also picked up 2 parson chairs and made drop cloth slipcovers!  Are you ready to check them out?!  Hold on to your seats because I have taken tons of photos to share.  I was playing with my new wide angle camera lens.  I will start with the chairs.

Now to show you it all put together.

Drop in and let me know how it looks.  It will be changing soon due to something I have up my sleeve!  Be sure to check back!

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And the Winner is....

First, I want to thank everyone for signing up for a chance to win the 16" x 20" canvas print.  Unfortunately, we can only have one winner.  The winner was picked via Rafflecopter random winner.  Without further ado, the winner is.........

Trisha Ridinger McKee

You should have received an email from me, but if not, please contact me.  Congrats!

 Remember, you don't have to miss out even if you didn't win.  My readers can use this code INSPIREDBYYOU35 for 35% off an order with CanvasPop.  This code will expire July 30, 2015. 

Gallery Wall & Giveaway!

Have you ever wanted something but just find that you are too cheap to bite the bullet?  That has been me with printing off our family picture.  I mean, I paid to have a photographer take wonderful pictures of the family.  But I have been too cheap to have such a large photo printed off.  So, the CD sat in a drawer for about a year with gorgeous pictures of the family.

Well, I received an email from CanvasPop.  They offered for me to get a photo turned into a canvas print for free!  The only thing they wanted in return was for me to review their product and blog about it.  Needless to say, I jumped on this!  I emailed my image and within seven days I had my canvas.  I cannot tell you how much I love it!  It is lightweight and was ready to hang.  It is the best family photo we have ever had and it looks wonderful!

Unfortunately, this picture just doesn't do the canvas print justice.  The lighting in the stairway is horrible so I adjusted it with Photoshop Elements to get a better image for you.  While I am showing off my canvas print, I need to show you my gallery wall going up the stairs.  I collected all sized frames from anywhere and everywhere to create this gallery wall.  Are you ready for to check it out? 

I would love to hear your thoughts.  Now that I am looking at it, maybe I need more?  What do you think?  Before you click away, CanvasPop has graciously offered a 16 x 20 print stretched on a 0.75 inch frame to one lucky reader!  Check out their products here.  Don't forget to enter my first ever giveaway below.  The only restriction is shipping is restricted within USA and Canada.  I will close the giveaway May 11 and contact the winner via email.  Also, my readers can use this code INSPIREDBYYOU35 for 35% off an order with CanvasPop.  This code will expire July 30, 2015.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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