Be still my beating heart...

When I spotted this, it was looking more than a bit sad.  Sat under a tarp trying to avoid the rain, wood-stain as dark as the rain laden skies.

But 

I recognised straight away that she was a lady no less, who had  once been quite fine but had sadly seen herself fallen on hard times.  

Whispering 'oh my goodness what a treasure' words I loaded 'her' into the car and bought her home for a spot of TLC.
My eldest son is partially responsible too, I spotted her earlier and wanted a second opinion...he agreed that it could be a thing of beauty.

Sugar soaped and handles removed she was looking forlorn and I think possibly questioning my wisdom.

However a coat of Annie Sloan later and she came back inside, looking happier, cleaner and on the road to recovery/renovation!

Others passed by her, making appreciative noises.  Some ran their hands along the lines, others smiled as they mentally found a spot to re-house her.

And here she is...

barely recognisable from how I found her.  

Paint was mixed, the right colour befitting this fine old gal...

I uhmmed and ahhhed {as I tend to do} over handles, then decided to keep her original ones which are really quite lovely.

A light wash over the handles just to pick up the detail.

So what do you think?

***

Sold
thank you
x

Looking forward...

It's a bit early, 

but, 

in my mind the countdown is starting this coming week...

ALWAYS a HUGE turnout of stalls 

{there really are 120 stalls here!}

Hand-made & Vintage hand in hand.

I manage to find something for myself at EVERY show...usually a tin or a piece of crockery.

Worth the trip out if you live a while away...the shopping centre is HUGE, there are all the usual High Street shops there as well as the show.  

All under cover, lots of lovely eateries {Valeries Patisserie!}

I 'think' there if something for everyone 

***

Dabbling with Paint...

in the sunshine!

Oh what glorious weather; sun is shining with only cotton wool clouds passing by.

Yesterday I got brave and climbed the ladder to paint the landing and stairwell.  No-where near as tricky as I thought it was going to be and has made me wish I had gotten on with the job years ago.  Problem is that now the wall are looking all spick and span that the woodwork and carpet are now looking shabby.  Woodwork will be simple to sort, but the carpet is in need of a professional clean or replacement.  {no budget to replace so getting quotes to clean - any recommendations?}

We took full advantage of the hottest day so far this year last night by having a bit of an impromptu BBQ.  My sister and niece popped around and H's girlfriend.  It was lovely.  One of those things just naturally evolve, relaxed, funny, happy and chilled.

We made a pot of tea once the sun went down and spent the last bit of light watching the kiddos having a kick about on what's left of our chicken ravaged garden!

No further progress on the frilly knickers, fru fru lampshade.  After all that I was totally pooped last night and vegetated in front of the lap-top, catching up on news from bloggy friends.

Today I did a second coat on the stairwell whilst my youngest was at nursery and found a bit of time to give this another coat...

I think I have finally decided to settle on this now as I'm finally happy with it! {3 shades later!}

Just a bit of gold on the trim to compliment the handles it came with and job done.

A mix of Annie Sloan 'Original and Country Grey'

It's amazing what a bit of sun can do for productivity here at Priddy Priddy HQ!

***

Rebel Blogging...

Round after round of lurgies swept through our family, just as one got slightly better another dropped ill.  Once we were all feeling slightly more human another bug hit the house.

And what started as a bloggy break from my family blog turned into a full blown 3 week Internet Vacation!!

I'm not returning a bronzed Goddess, not even a pastey Goddess; But I am returning a slightly more refreshed happier mama.

Not so much Rebel Blogger, more along the lines of over whelmed, tired, ill mama.

Real life creeps into blogging sometimes, not just the good bits but the bare bones of it.

This is not however a sad, poor old me post!

Ha you thought I was still whinging didn't you?

Well I am happy to report progress here.

Soooo...

Do you remember this?

Wouldn't surprise me if you didn't!  

I was doing a very poor job of trying to ignore and forget about it here.  

I uummed and aahhed over the fabric choice, worried without need over the cutting/sewing, shied away from attaching the sewn pieces to the frame and once that was done I popped it on a stand to check out the alignment of the seams and there it sat for simply ages.  Lighting up our dining room, casting a very lovely warm glow over the room...

but it was all the time quietly nagging me.

Finally I could take the nagging no more!  

Got of my derriere and went for the final push.

But then there was more choice...what trim to use, what colours to choose??

Should it be cream?

Pretty yes?  But not quite right {thank goodness I only pinned it on}

But then in a flash the decision was made...

Were you expecting that?  

I wasn't!  I thought it would be pale blue but after a few days trying to find the 'right' blue I could see it wasn't going to be.

Then I spotted the purple, it has two tones to it, neither an exact match but both happy.

Now you'd think I would be happy to settle with this, I thought I would be, but turns out like so many things in my life it was a 'feast of famine' thing.

So another old slightly tired lampshade that has been waiting for a bit of love has been put in the beauty chair and the transformation has begun...

This is the mock up...

what do you think?

Too late if you're not that keen as I'm halfway through now and it is looking very frilly and fru fru!  

It reminds me at the moment of frilly can can knickers!!

I have one last old lampshade that is in need of a dollop of TLC, I have a vision in my mind, whether I can translate that into the real world remains to be seen!

It's not been all sewing though, there has been a bit of painting too...but enough for one post.

Didn't expect to see the words frilly can can knickers here did you?!

Happy to be back and looking forward to popping in for a virtual cuppa around all my bloggy friends...

xxx

Country Living Magazine...

May 2013

image source

Country Living on Facebook

I love with a passion the oh so pretty front page of the latest Country Living Magazine!

So, so simple and easy but just so gorgeous!

Mini Milk bottles still available over at 

Priddy Priddy on Etsy

Now if only the cold weather here would skidaddle and let the blossom bloom...