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Monday, August 9, 2010

What I do for fun...


Oh my goodness! I have been away much to long! But truly I think it was a much needed break!
We have been so busy with the house here I barely have had time to think of anything else! (Although I have managed! LOL!) The bedroom is still not finished because we decided to replace all the yuchy molding and doors etc.. and we are doing it all ourselves on weekends so it's taking ffffffooooorrrrreeeevvvveeeeerrrrr!!! But in the mean time I was able to work on the living room with some fun stuff. I've been wanting linen curtains in there for a while now, and the burlap curtains got old pretty quickly. So I went to JoAnne and bought a linen blend that can be washed and dried in the machines. The fabric was only 7.99 a yard and with a 40% off coupon it was really affordable. I bought some shirring tape at Hobby Lobby and not only used it in the linen drapes but I also sewed it to some sheers to keep the look consistent. I still want to paint the rod and rings tan instead of that dark mahogany that they are now, but that will wait until I pull everything down to paint the walls and lighten them up a bit. ( That comes in a couple weeks) So now I had 6 yards of burlap to play with.



I finally hung the chandelier my friend Julie gave me (which I left the original brass color instead of painting it white), and added a burlap chandelier cord. I think it took 12 yards worth of cord to go all the way up and down to the socket! Needless to say... there was burlap fuzz everywhere that day!


The other burlap project came from a post that Flea Market Trixie did on her blog several months ago. Then she gave the directions how to do it, and I had to try! The grain sacks are soooo expensive for the real thing! It came out so well, my husband came home and said "where did you get the old french grainsack!" I wanted to play with him and tell him it was only $300.00 but I didn't want to give him a heart attack!


This is a garage sale table that I got last year and I finally got around to painting it! Lisa's beautiful bottle looks perfect there! I also finally painted the dark brown frame that surrounded this beautiful landscape I bought several years ago. It's amazing how much painting I can do when I am able to do it on the concrete floor in my bedroom!

I still have lots of burlap left over so I got a little quirky the other night and wrapped it around my candlesticks with some silver wire and old keys. My husband thinks I'm weird... maybe he's right.

55 comments:

Hearts Turned said...

It's all so beautiful, Karen! Can you please come out here and help my house now, please?! I love the colors you use and your new curtains are just lovely...and using the burlap that way is just genius!

Thanks for showing your photos--love it all!

Julie

Crystal Rose Cottage said...

Karen....Everything looks so nice! Love how the linen curtains turned out!~Hugs, Patti

Sea Witch said...

How lovely and welcoming. You have a wonderful eye for comfortable and elegant decor. Sea Witch

ImagiMeri said...

Hi Karen,

I've worked with burlap before.....you're very brave to have used it. I couldn't seem to get the little fibers out of my nose for weeks, and it does get everywhere. I'm also a fiend for softness as my fibromyalgia and RSD have given me aversions to scratchy things, so I totally stay away from it now. I do love the look of it, though. From what I can see, your desert cottage is looking lovely. I'm currently redoing my classroom and studio and trying to make them softer looking with just a touch of whimsey and little bits of tans, aquas, soft lime green and creamy whites to "hint" at femininity. Although I too live here in the Desert, my home here in a ranch area of Gilbert seems less "deserty" (yeah I just made that up). Have fun.

Hugs,
Meri

The Green Pea said...

Karen, it is beautiful. I have worked with burlap and the fibers were everywhere. Thank you for sharing your ideas. sandi

Unknown said...

I love the candel sticks the best!:)

Pretty Pretty room!

~Liz

Cyn said...

Was wondering where you went!! I am so glad you got time to do things! I love those candle sticks!!

Unknown said...

It all looks so great. I am glad you are back to inspire us to get up and do something!

Daphne Nicole & Lynda Cade said...

Hi Karen, it all looks so lovely! Thanks for sharing!!! hugs~~~ Daphne

Sweet Magnolias Farm said...

Your home is just lovel Karen ..What an eye for design you have in the house and in your graphics as well !!!

I love how you re-purposed the burlap ..I can imagine drapes out if it might get a bit old after a short time but touches of it as you added to the chandelier cord and the candles is just a nice touch !

I especially love your "weird" burlap and key wraps on the candles ..LOL !!! Those are some of my favorite things to do .just add a small charming touch to something ordinary.

Always enjoy your blog !!!

Blessings ..Sara

Vintage Market Place said...

I just love that chandi hanger.
really looks amazing.
I should say it all looks amazing you really have a gift with burlap.
LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT
Amy

bichonpawz said...

It looks just terrific! You're not nuts...the candles are great!!

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Karen, Everything looks so beautiful! You have done a fantastic job and I can't wait to see your other projects.
xo, Sherry

Lisa said...

Gosh Karen,
I just love it when you show things your doing to the house. I just love your style. The chandy hanging low is so perfect! I would love to do that except I'd have 3 kids playing Tarzan on it! The curtains turned out great too. Can't wait to see the bedroom. Lisa

Holly Loves Art said...

Sooo happy to see your latest post! Love all the pictures! The chandelier scrunchy is fab! I am thinking about making some soft pink velvet ones for two birdcages I want to hang from my art studio ceiling on chain link. Fun!
Have a great week ahead.
Holly

Charlene said...

Tell him to NOT call my friend names!!!! You are not wierd! I miss talking to you! It just seems life is not my own any more. I LOVE all the things you are doing around the house. I bet you just SMILE when you walk into a room you feel like you almost have finished. It is a LOT of work to do all of this. I bet you are sick of it. But, it'll be worth it when you're done. HUGS! Charlene

Romeo said...

Karen! I love burlap AND linen! Two of my current favorites! But I totally agree on the working conditions regarding burlap - it goes EVERYWHERE! Love the look but when I decide to work with it I shut the door ...

Your curtains are beautiful! Of course we know you are only capable of making beautiful things!!! Case in point - how about those candle sticks?! Great idea AND beautiful....nothing crazy about you when you can make these wonders!!!!

Thanks for sharing what you've been up to....you are some kind of busy!!!

Have a great week!!

"Her" and Romeo

oldgreymare said...

Karen,

I was thinking of doing a burlap cord cover the other day. I think you've helped change my mind...a linen one would do me just fine.

Everything is looking wonderful of course, cannot wait to see the big reveal.

I will finally be mailing you what I planned to send you 2 weeks ago. I had to wait for delivery of something..so hopefully I will ship out the end of the week...

Enjoy your week!

Suzan

Dorthe said...

Dear Karen,
it is looking so very wonderfull, in every corner,-the linen curtains, are so elegant,and so are everything else.Love how you have decorated your room,dear.
And !!!!my husbond thinks I`m weird,too :)
Hugs,Dorthe

Anonymous said...

Everything is beautiful and thank you for the link to how to transfer the design on burlap. Obviously THAT isn't going through a printer! LOL!
Hugs, Diane

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Hi Karen,
I really love your curtains and they look wonderful.
The way you hung your chandelier is so pretty especially with the burlap cord cover.

Isn't it fun to redo things around the house, makes you feel good, doesn't it!


hugs
Sissie

Michelle May-The Raspberry Rabbits said...

Gorgeous Karen! Everything is just gorgeous!

Victoria said...

Super Gorgeous and inspiring as always Karen!!..you have a magical touch wherever you create..you are simply charmed!!
have a sparkling day!

fairyrocks said...

You have a gift for decorating!!
Would love to see your mansion in real life!!!
Thanks for sharing your lovely spaces

Uncovered Ruby said...

What a beautiful home you've created Karen. You are so blessed with good ideas, it all looks lovely.
Lisa ;-)

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

How great that you are accomplishing stuff, Karen! Love the faux framed grain sack. I had seen Trixie's as well and loved it myself. I haven't really gotten on that burlap wagon, but I do like linens. I did panels for the Summer in my dining room, but I went the easy {lazy} route and picked up panels at Target for $24.99!

Peeters Liliane said...

I love reading your blog and watch the beautiful pictures.
Greetings from Belgium
Liliane

Sandy said...

Hi Karen,

You have been missed! Everything is looking so dreamy and inspiring. Thank you for sharing a breath of beauty.

Linda K. said...

So pretty and so neutral! Love that! Your grainsack is lovely!

Linda :-)

Debby said...

Hi Karen,
Wow...Everything looks amazing, love your style!
Debby

Unknown said...

When do I come for a weekend??? You are opening up your house as a B&B, right????
xoxoxo
lynn

Denise said...

Glad you are back! I am going to be redecorating our living room and I need inspiration! I love to just peruse your blog for great ideas.

Angela Richardson said...

Hi Karen,
So glad to see you.
You room is fab fab fab,I especially like your chandelier, a really nice idea, it would look great over a bed.
Thanks for inspiring me to beautiful blogging,
Best wishes,
Angela.

Sandy Navarro said...

You'ev done a FabUlous job! I just love the satisfaction of saying "I did that myself" Thanks so much for sharing.

Cheryl Santiago, MPAS, PA-C said...

Wish I could be there. Great ideas! You are fabulous!

Diana said...

Karen, It's all so beautiful. I love the way you decorate and fix things up. Please come to my house and help me do away with my husbands southwestern decor. Gag!

Ticking and Toile said...

Hi Karen,
Everything looks soooooo beautiful!! Your grainsack came out perfectly!!

Doesn't it just take forever when doing everything yourself...???? sheesh!

xoxo,
Shellagh

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Hi Karen, you are always busy, up to something fun and fabulous, creating a cozy and creative environment for you and your family. I was fortunate to be able to come across a copy of Where Women Create in you are published for the studio tour you hosted. That magazine is just awesome -- a definite keeper! And the ladies who will have their studios showcased are so deserving. Always enjoy seeing what you are up to. So many redos, makeovers and revamps I would like to accomplish around here. So much organizing I need to do after our trip. It's the getting started part I can't seem to get past. :/ Best wishes, Tammy

Anonymous said...

I'm loving burlap now too. It's very versatile and fun to work with. Your projects always turn out fabulous....you have a real gift!

cindy-stitches-n-stuff.blogspot.com said...

Hi Karen, thanks for your phone call the other day. Wow, things are spining around here. I haven't been able to think about blogging. This week is super nuts too. I'll give you a call. Hold everything untill then.

I'm starting over. I'm moving my studio into a larger room. I'm refinishing some things that will go in it. I'm also painting two walls. Guess what color - lime green. Can't wait to see your work.

cindy@stitches

Melissa/Piney Rose said...

OMGosh, Karen - this is just gorgeous! I love your style. I'm getting ready to update my foyer and living room area, painting the walls and lightening things up a bit to make a good backdrop for all my cottage white. I've got a gorgeous chandelier that I must paint, but it has a million prisms!Been procrastinating because I really dread removing those. You're inspiring me to begin....

Unknown said...

nice to find your blog ! big hugh Kathrin

scrapwordsmom said...

Everything sure looks great to me!

Stephanie Suzanne Designs said...

Hi Karen,

I'm so glad you've been playing a bit. I love the cord cover and how you hung the chandelier.

I'm glad you mentioned the shirring tape..that's what I need to use...makes it so easy to get the perfect gathering.

I have a Jo Ann's fabric opening in Sevierville in about 9 days..YAY I have 4 quilt shops near by for the great designer fabrics but I had to go to Knoxville {30 miles} for a JoAnn's. I'm excited to say the least. They always have good sales going on.

I know what you mean on the "forever" bit. We've been working our tails off this summer and have got a lot done but now I still have a lot of small stuff to paint white..maybe by the time fall arrives I'll be done. :0)

Happy Day,
Stephanie ♥

Sherry from Alabama said...

You have a beautiful blog. I've enjoyed my fist visit here so much. Something about your name lured me over for a visit. :)

Sherry @ A Happy Valentine

kim@atascaderosewingandvacuum said...

Karen, I love your decor, it just inspires me so much! Thank you for sharing!
Happy Stitching!
Kim

The Rustic Victorian said...

Your on a roll...you go girl! Everything is simply the kewlest!
Love
Marcie

LeeAnn@Encouragement Is Contagious said...

Oh my goodness, I love your blog. I just found you and I'm so glad I did. I love your cottage style and also your cottage style decor on your blog. I feel like I'm in one of my favorite little decor stores here.

I look forward to following you and coming back for more goodies!

Smiles,
Lee Ann

Unknown said...

HI Karen,
I love what you've been up to. Very inspiring. I will have to try that transfer too. It looks fabulous.
Thanks for sharing the eye candy.
Tammy

Vanessa said...

Hey, what marvelous your blog!!! Very diferent, truly beautiful. I'm fall in love with it. Congratulations form Brazil!!!
Vanessa

Anonymous said...

I added myself to follow your blog. You are more than welcome to visit mine and become a follower if you want to.

God Bless You ~Ron

Felicity said...

What a clever cookie you are Karen.
I loved reading through this post to find out what you've been up to.
x Felicity

Unknown said...

Absolutely lovely.

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

Oh Karen, this is so beautiful! ALL of it! Love the curtains....so gorgeous! And I love the burlap on the candles with the keys! SO me!

FAB-U-LOUS!!

Lou Cinda :)

The Jule Box Studios said...

Karen!! girlfriend...your projects rocked sooo big time! I loved everything you did. I am so inspired to make curtains for my craft room! I have mini blinds now...I don't like them at all and I have tons of fabrics...maybe I'll play with them later! Thanks for sharing Karen!!

Jules:)

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