Botanical paper dying

It has been raining here in Western  North Carolina. I had promised my nieces I would do natural paper dying. To do this we needed to pick fresh leafs, flowers, whatever strikes our fancy!!

It was drizzling and we headed out to the yard and neighborhood with our scissors. We ventured to the neighbors and even to the roadside. 

I spotted a mushroom in my neighbor’s yard and picked up her dropped pink and red rose petals. 

We took our assortment of papers and picked out weeds, flowers and leafs to make our designs. I had bought some letters from a friend in Michigan. She sent a stack from the 1900’s. My niece read the letter and didn’t want to use it because it was so lovely.   

It start “my Darling girl”. Oh so special. Anyway. As the packets were soaking we shared thoughts of boys, friends and dreams. It was such a special afternoon.   

We pulled our papers out and we’re excited for them to dry and talk about our next project.

We are excited for the next step of adding elements to our pages. Journals, art, cards and embroidery. 

Di

Joining

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Botanical papers

Loving all things botanical.  Over the years, I have collected vintage flower prints and pressed flowers.

 I eeven dried ferns, mounted and framed them for display.

 

I saw that Kate Thompson had a class on Botanical Collage Mini class.  I thought oh How FUN!  I quickly collected my papers, graph, lined, copy paper, watercolor paper...anything I could find.

Fractured Angelics

    

I collected flowers from the house and yard and placed them on the papers.

  

 

 

Now I am hooked on dying papers.  Here is the after effects, I love the colors and variations

     

A added bonus is I get to dry these flowers!  The second viedo will tell me how to use these.  I can't wait.

  

I will continue my class and post the final results!

Joining All About Home Link Party

Di 

Tale of the Mirror

The tale of the mirror started last year.  When visiting our aunt in Pawleys Island, SC, the mirror was in the garage.  It was from the house that she bought.  She had downsized from her home and couldn't leave her mirror behind.  Her sweet husband had given a beautiful mirror and she hung hers up.

The mirror in the garage was heavy and large! Also, it was a greeny turquoise color.  That is not my color at all.  

But, it is a Drexel 18th Century Classics piece.  Needless to say, I took it (I should say hubby carefully packed it in the truck).  Here is how it would look orginally.

Enter Anne Sloan paint, my go to.  I get my advice and paint from Linda @ Myfreshpalette.  I choose Paris Gray and White.  I did an undercoat of white and covered with paris gray.  I like the paints like this so I can sand to let the white slightly show through is places.  I waxed it with clear and in some areas white wax.

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Here is the finished mirror on the wall.  It does bring light into the room!  I will have Gigi over to view the room in person to see if there is a better flow.

Meanwhile I will work on pillows!!  Joining 

Di 

Living room update

We have a small open floor plan at our home. I have rearranged the furniture many times. I think I need a little change. 

 I will be working with a fabulous designer Gigi Lapone McHone.  She has an online  Marketplace and design ideas, https://www.facebook.com/bellaantiquesdesign (click and go to her facebook site).  Her new web site houses her  Antique & Vintage Treasure Finds and Furniture Shop and she has an Etsy shop. 

Besides this she is the most genuine and fun person to know.  She is a mom of three, twin boys and the cutest little girl.

So back to my decorating dilemma.  Here is a gallery of the main part of my house.  I am concentrating on the living room.  When you walk in the door this is the area you first spot you see.  It's good but see that nice peak above the blinds...

 

  

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                                                                       Can't move that fireplae in the corner!

   

I feel like this wall is a little dark.  Love my blue chairs but they sure worn from years of love!

                                                                       This is the front door area, you see the dining room from the living room

   This is another view of the entry to the right is 2 bedrooms and bathroom

Another angle of the living room area with the blinds closed

This leads to our porch to the left and kitchen to the right

The eat in area and back wall

looking towards the kitchen

The view from the kitchen

That doorway leads to the back hall to the laundry room and the master bedroom

s  Gigi will take my style and my loves and give me some design thoughts.  I can't wait!

Join along as we take this to the next level.

I am joining Inspire Me Monday 

The Cottage Market 

Di

Mothers Day

Paintings

Two of my favorite bloggers have free painting classes.  Staying at home, I have no excuses not to practice “arting” , as my daughter calls it.

Marian @ Miss Mustard Seed, was the first blog I started following. I have been on a journey with her. I love ironstone, blue and white and antiques. I am sure we could be best friends!

Marian has a Friday class.  Here are some paintings I have completed.  Now, these were done with watercolors, but I have ordered oils. 

 We have so much fun because it is live. I feel like we are connected as a group. 

I love the sea and beach. I will watch the videos many more times to get cloud techniques. 

We laugh, giggle and swear (under our breath).  

My next class is from the fabulous Jeanne Oliver @ Jeanneoliver.com Online Art Classes. Yes, she is offering classes free on Wednesday. I started following Jeanne right before we moved to Asheville. She got me thru the move, unpacking and missing of my mom who passed away a few months prior. I have taken online classes and live (the best) from Jeanne. 

This class was on my courses that I had not taken list, so before I start on the free classes I had to do this - Shelters: Painting Places that House our Hearts taught by Mary Gregory

 Mary (click to visit her facebook) is so delightful, funny and encouraging.  

I love barns, farms, churches and old homesteads. She had it all. I did have arylic  paints. But not all the right colors, but I kept up. 

I loved all these painting classes. Now, I am on to the next class, join me.

Di