Bedroom Decorating For A New Year....

 

It was about 8 years ago I fell in love with my cherry wood sleigh bed...My room was warm and meant to be a bit masculine for my husbands sake. Not because I had to, but I wanted to make it his too. We had a earthy tone floral bedspread that worked well for the both of us. Over time and living in the rainy, gloomy state of Washington..The dark colors started to get to me...The room was dark. I couldn't just change it around for we spent a lot of money on that bed. So the years went by and I tried to stay content. It moved with us to California 4 years ago. I had no muster in me to even decorate my bedroom. It was too dark...too depressing, even a sweet quilt couldn't cheer the space enough. I didn't even hang pictures on the walls until this Summer. I finally told myself when the New Year rang in I would get a new bed and redecorate our space. So I saved up my money from sales on Etsy... and got a little white bed. It was just what I needed to lighten up the room and motivate color. Now to put my bed on Craigs list. I also kicked out my dark bookcase oh yeah... Freckles also decided to change her room a bit and wished to use her dresser when she was a baby...which will need refinishing after I painted it pink many moons ago. So, she gave me the white dresser in return. I am thrilled for I love that dresser. I collected some fluffy feathered pillows on thrifting escapades... added the embroideries on the wall which I have also found thrifting. And hung the sweet reminder to always kiss me goodnight...a gift from my dear Mr. Darling.

     

It's amazing what a bit of color and lighter furniture can do to a room. My hubby was in shock after I did it all and surprised him with it. He was pleasantly surprised and happy with the room, even though it looks a little more on the cute feminine side. I love how my quilts pop in the room and the little splashes of red that I love. I have been hanging out in my room more too...like flipping through magazines, reading and heck I am

snuggled down in my fluffy bed as I type. I really like being in here.

      

A few more embroideries are now on my wish list to complete the wall, perhaps another quilt, and some window treatments. I really needed this change. I am so thrilled to have bright colors and cozy feelings to wake up to and motivate my creativity and start my day off with a little smile. Sometimes change is good. Now I am ready to ring in the New Year and change more things around in my life as we will soon be focusing on our new future once Mr. Darling graduates in May.

 There will be a lot more good things to look forward to.

 Here's to a wonderful New Year.
Linkin to: Wow Us Wednesday
It's A Very Cherry World

Thrifting Advice

Hello...Hello! Hope this Autumn day finds you well. We have been struck once again with some bad colds. Yet, life must go on. I have appointments to get to, deadlines to meet and just don't have the time to be sick. We have been juicing fruits and veggies as well as taking high doses of vitamin C. Today though i thought I would share some cheery things... which would brighten any dark day. Through the years I have been an avid thrifter,antique shopper and yard sale geek. Most everything I own have come from those sources. I love it old, quirky, odd, whimsical, and classic. My recent finds from this past season was my cheery crewel floral framed piece. it only cost me $2.50. I have found the best time to Thrift is visiting The Salvation Army on the days they have 50% off.... Which is usually Fridays at my local shop. All the knick knacks on the armoire such as the wooden chair and nesting Babushka dolls have been thrifted and found at yard sales with very little money spent... I rarely will go over $5.00 for a piece, unless it's to gaga for!

Another great find has been my old quilts. Which I do go gaga for!
The top patchwork quilt is the one I made this Summer..
The other three were thrifted and spent no more than $10.00 each.
The little red vintage table~bench was $5.00 as well...another thrifting find.

I have made a sweet homey atmosphere with my frugal thrifty finds... You too can do it! Set yourself goals...Don't be afraid to ask for lower prices while thrifting at Thrift Shops and yard sales...Most people will bargain and lower prices, I know for sure Salvation Army will as well as private yard sales...And most just want to just get rid of it. Set a limit for what you will spend. Only buy things you love. Keep in mind a set theme/style perhaps...or get whimsical and go eclectic. Mixing old and new is fun too! I also keep in mind colors! I love red, so many of the things my eye loves are red. Buy small Knick knack type things which is fun to switch around as seasons change...or finding a new place for it...Don't be afraid to mix it up a bit! I will even pass up things if they are priced too high (sigh). But when your on a budget, it is best to save a few bucks unless you know for sure you won't ever see that again and you love it. I have made many mistakes in the past, buying things but didn't really love it...those things end up in my own yard sale eventually. And you don't want to be just a pack rat!
Hope this inspires you!
Have fun thrifting!

Pondering Thoughts....

Today we are mourning a dear Sister in Christ who took her life yesterday. 

I have been bothered about it all night ...

I can't even think straight with the sick feeling in the pit of my heart. 

 I know she is no longer suffering and in the loving arms of our Lord.

My heartfelt prayers go out to her dear husband and family.

These are surely the times to embrace God's love.

***

I finally finished my very first square in a 

100 blessings stitch along challenge. 

My first blessing is first and foremost God.

I have a blog set up strictly for the challenge.

Please stop by there..

All are welcome to join in the challenge.

The Sowing Box

***

As I end this post....Please join with me a moment of silence

and prayer for our Sister In Christ.

We will surely miss her.

***
 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
  Surely goodness and mercy  shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever. 

Autumn Evenings

If you have noticed through this season,
I have been taking pictures of this tree
and the changes it is going through.
The leaves are almost all off....
a sure sign of Winter ahead.
The day's have been warm yet,
as I have mentioned in past posts. Yet,
there is a friendly little chill in the evenings.
Enough to light the fireplace.

These are the kind of evenings perfect for quiet embroidery.
I am slowly making progress with this crewel
project I started earlier this Fall from
this post.(click)

Of course I have my little Mini Me right along side me doing a project.
Freckles just learned how to use a Knifty Knitter
and is in the progress of making an Autumn Cap.

I also finished a puzzle that my son & I started.
It feels so good to actually complete a project!

This scene is one of the sweetest reminders of Autumn.
It tickles me to the bone.

We are now preparing for our
Thanksgiving dinner for next week.
It has surely come too soon.
I am grateful to be able to spend the day with my little family.
I sure hope ya'll are having wonderful Autumn evenings
along with making your Thanksgiving plans.
Many blessings from my home to yours!

Autumn Evenings....

My favorite season is finally here!
Yet, the day's are still fairly warm here in Sunny California.
I can feel the Autumn breezes in the evening. We adore the cooler weather.
The perfect time to sit down and work on a project.

I am taking up crewel embroidery this Fall....
I found this great vintage floral pillow kit at an Estate Sale for one buck!
Can't beat that.

Miss Freckles cut up some yummy veggies
for a delightful Autumn stew.

There is nothing like comfort foods, family and quiet times.
These are the moments most people take for granted.
Not my family!

I do hope you are having a splendid Autumn evening with your family.
This is a great time to slow down and take it all in!

Senecio....

Senecio
(pronounced /sɨˈniːʃi.oʊ/)^[1] is a genus of the daisy family. The flower heads are normally rayed, completely yellow, and the heads are borne in branched clusters.
***************
Check out this sweet crewel embroidered piece I found while junking !!!
The colors are vivid as the design is sweet.
I love the posies and the little blue bird flying overhead.
The cheery piece is wrapped around a wooden frame, which I hung in my little studio.

I also picked up this colorful vintage art smock for $3.00.
It's perfect for my little Freckles

The art smock was made with bright flowery vintage fabric and has huge pockets to carry around spare art brushes or pencils and completely covers her whole front so as not to get her pretty clothes dirty.

It also ties in the back for an easy on & off.
Freckles absolutely loved it!
She even created a wonderful masterpiece
to add to the rest of her " Flower Gallery",
which we will share as soon as she finishes a few more pieces.

Senecio
By Paul Klee ( 1879-1940)

Many of Paul Klees pictures were made up of shapes
and patterns that had hidden meaning.
This portrait is called Senecio, which means a group of plants.
The title is a clue to help us see that Klee has
painted this face to look like the head of a flower.
*************

Here is Freckles version of "Senecio".

SMELL THE FLOWERS!!!