Bedroom re-do teaser

Well.... I had the good intentions of showing these great before and after shots of this dresser's transformation but as it turns out I had the camera settings set to high for web photos and it would just take too long for the pics to load. So I decided I would at least give you one shot of the dresser back in it's place. It started out as an old cherry dresser that my sweetie has had for a gazillion years and it looked like it too. The front of the drawers was very plain and it was really beat up. I added the wood scrolly pieces and painted it with a light beige paint. Then I glazed over the whole thing to give it a little more depth. It's still an old dresser but now it has a second life.

The bedroom re-do is coming along fabulously. It's really starting to get the feel that I want. To give you an idea of what I am undertaking here is my list of To- Do's

Paint old brass lamp (from Goodwill) for desk
Make new shade
Paint 6 frames for rose prints
Paint shelves............DONE!
Paint oval mirror
Finish painting quote around room...... DONE!
Paint bulletin board
Paint built in bookshelf
Paint built in cabinets
Paint tissue box cover........DONE!
Paint table next to desk
Paint dresser..........DONE!
Paint doors and trim
Lower mirror on fireplace
Make sheet music plaques (tutorial to follow)
Make pillows
Make new curtains
Hang shelves........DONE!
Make slipcover for desk chair
Hang new wall art........DONE!

I actually got a lot finished this weekend. The room looks presentable. Now it's all the detail work that I have wanted to get done for years. I'll be busy for a while... bit I'm having a great time!!!!!

I need your help

Okay my friends, I need your help. While browsing all the wonderful blogs who are participating in the OWOH blog party, I came upon a blog that had the most wonderful vintage/shabby chic/french pillows I have ever seen. I wrote the blog name down so I could go back and visit later.... but now... of course... I can't find it!!! I really loved those pillows. Can anyone tell me who I am talking about? She was giving one of them away for her contribution to the party and I don't remember any other blogs that were giving away a pillow. I am in the middle of re-doing my bedroom and one or two of those pillows would be just what the room needs! Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you all so much!!!! I found her!!!

Now there is one more small matter. I know this is kind of weird but I would like to ask one of my new followers to contact me. Renata from Wish Upon a Star.... Could you please email me sweetie? I can't seem to get a message to you from your blog.

Okay, that's it!!! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I am going to be working away on my bedroom !

One World, One Heart Givaway 2010

I don't know what rock I've been hiding under, but somehow I managed to be completely unaware of this wonderful blog party that is happening over at Lisa's blog, A Whimsical Bohemian. This is her 4th year bringing bloggers from all over the world together. She has graciously allowed me to join the party a little late, and I am thrilled to be a part of it. What a fabulous opportunity to meet hundreds of new bloggers and share a little bit of my art with one new blogging friend. (or maybe an old one!) I am always looking for new blogs to visit and there will be HUNDREDS to visit over the next few weeks. I would also like to welcome anyone who is new to My Desert Cottage. I hope you find yourself comfortable to be here, and are able to find a little inspiration, as I am sure I will while visiting all these new (to me) blogs. One of the things that I love so much about blogging is how it brings people from all over the world together. We put aside our religious and political differences and just become one world full of loving and creative people. I always get so excited when I receive an email from someone on the other side of the world. It points out that we really aren't that different from each other. I am a changed person because of blogging and very grateful for it.



My contribution to the giveaway is this little shadowbox. It's approx. 5.5" x 6" As you probably know by now, all you have to do is leave a comment with a way for me to get a hold of you, and you will be entered in the drawing. The last day to leave a comment will be Feb. 14th .My art is made from the heart and I hope one of you will enjoy owning it as much as I enjoyed making it. Now LET"S PARTY!!!!!

Things that make me happy...part 3

Sometimes when I complain to much about living in the desert I have to slap myself and take good hard look around. I am very grateful that I am able to spend time outside for most of the year. We are blessed to have a very large lot that allows both my husband and I to have the spaces we need to make us happy. My happy place in my backyard is in my garden. Well, I call it my garden. Really it's the back porch, the flagstone patio my husband and I built several summers ago by hand. (Yes, I said summer. What were we thinking???) A large grassy lawn and tons of flowerpots holding a rotating variety of plants.


When the weather is nice, I love to sit out on the porch with a good book and listen to my favorite music with the sound of my fountain in the background. A couple years ago when I was working a job that really stressed me out, sitting out there was the best therapy I could get at the end of the day.


This is an old photo. I was in the middle of refinishing a pair of wooden Adirondack chairs when I took this picture, but wanted to show you how pretty the garden is in the late afternoon.

On nice evenings my husband and I like to sit outside here together. We listen to music and talk about our day, or better yet, talk about our dreams for the future. On cooler evenings the mosaic table top that I made gets put away and a firepit takes it's place. A mug of hot coco and an afghan and I am a happy camper!


Some of the plants in the pots change out according to the seasons. I think the Garden looks it's best in the spring. We have fairly mild winters here so the plants have a chance to grow and thrive through the cooler months. If the winter is to cold for some things, I just replace them with something else. The Home Garden garden center is also a happy place for me. :)

It's a lot of work to keep the garden looking it's best. Some years are better than others, but it's definitely a labor of love.

Things that make me happy... part 2

I will admit it. I am head over heals, completely in love with my dogs. There is not a day that goes by that I don't whisper in their ears that I love them. (I know... a little weird right?) But, I cannot help it. They are the most lovable creatures I know. They bring me buckets of joy on a daily basis.


This is Jasmine. She is a Pembroke Welsh corgi, and the only female I have ever lived with besides my mom. She is always happy and excited to do just about everything. Her big ears make her the perfect watchdog because she hears EVERY THING that is going on outside. Jasmine is a TomBoy through and through. She can outrun most dogs twice her size even though she has short little legs. When I come home, she will not rest until I get down on the floor to say hello.


This is Rocky. I don't have the ability to properly convey in words how I feel about him. I have never had a bond with a pet like I do with him. When we snuggle he looks into my eyes as if to say... "I'm glad you're my mommy." He loves to play fetch. His favorite toy is a glow in the dark rubber ball that he carries around with him all the time. He loves to sleep on the bed with me but only comes up when he is invited. (He's invited a lot.) On nights when my husband stays up late working, Rocky keeps me company. He is a total little boy and I love it.





This is Harley last Christmas before he passed away. He was a good snuggler.

If you aren't a dog person or you are from another country you might not understand the freaky bond that some of us have with our dogs. That's okay. I don't mind being thought of as weird. If you are a dog person then you you know how I feel. I can't imagine a life without dogs in it. Especially these dogs. I love them like I love my own child. They put me in my happy place.