Furture projects/future vignettes ~ Just Let It Go and Get Over It!!!

Unseen Treasures abound and no time like the present to sell - sell - sell! I'll be dragging out inventory that is contained in two rooms ~ some of which you might see in these pictures. If not they will be in the store and still be on sale! Gotta get some green or give it up all together ~ and if you know me I will not give up without a fight! These are some pics of the goodies available + + +!!! Saturday 10/24 10am - 5pm and Sunday 10/25 12noon - 4pm. Unless I fall prey to an unforseen illness, accident or whatever ~ I will be here with bells on. Oh!! where did it put those dern bells!

"Happy Birthday HD"

What would you like as your Birthday Dinner Honey? Okay, you think about it and I'll check back with you in a bit. What do you want to do on your Birthday Dear? This is not what I would wish for on my birthday ~ My hubby dearest, Mark disappeared from inside the house and to my surprise here is where I found him today ~ on his Birthday ~ washing my car!!! Perhaps this is his therapy, coping with turning another year older. Or maybe he just can't stop working. He was laid off week before last and has hit the pavement and the airways in search of the new dream job ~ hope it exists! If not ~ will settle for less. He is an Architect and has been with the M Associates for 12 years +. Was let go due to a lack of projects and because he was probably the highest paid at the firm. His cutback would be a quick replenishment of funds, I guess! So, as I'm sure you can guess that with the lack of funds ~ there will be no bearing of gifts this year! This past week we found out the what the cap amount of unemployment will bear and it is under $375.00 per week. Let's see there are 5 in our household, so that will afford eating and some utilities, I hope! Maybe one vehicle between 3 drivers. Can we keep the phone? I think cable is probably out of the question. What does a family do when they have to go from a three figure income per year to a cap of $10,000.00 per year. Can anyone really live on that in the city limits where you can't farm and grow your own food. My son lives in an apartment with 2 friends and probably makes about that much and still struggles to pay rent, utilities, cell phone, car payment and insurance! He barely has enough left over to feed himself. He does his laundry at our house. Hope we can keep the house, electric and water so he can continue his weekly visit! We're all up a creek if the washer goes out. No literally, you will find me at the creek~doing the laundry!!! Do I sound cynical? I'm sorry! I know we are not alone as there are many enduring the same fate. Look to God and keep up your spirits ~ The Lord knows I am trying and have been talking to him more and more everyday! It could be worse, after all we still have our lives, our eyes, our hands, our legs to walk. Our hearts are full of hope and in fairly good health (with medication), God willing!

Happy Birthday Honey!

Hamburgers it is! Would you like fries with that?

Marriage ~ A Happy Medium

This marriage of two pieces makes for a Happy Medium.

I purchased the two pieces at two different times.

You know how they say "opposites attract!"

And how, 'without darkness there can be no light.'

I like mixing a dark piece in it's original state with a cream creamy white painted piece, creating a nice contrast.

I love how these pieces look together, they are as attractive as you make it after adding

your treasures to display in and on it!

I painted the top piece except for the drawers. First had it hung on the wall and was trying to decide if I should paint the drawers as well!

Then I added it to the top of this buffet that I had removed the doors from, allowing for additional display surface! Now I am glad that I didn't paint the drawers as I think they bring it all together ~ complimenting one another!

Marriage is good when the pair is compatible, each one unique in itself, each one a compliment to the other both in life and when decorating!

Thanks for visiting!

Maureen

Mimi's Girlie Girl

I just realized I had never shared a picture of my Grand Daughter Carli!

I don't know how that happened. I guess my days just kept running away from me!

Hard Times

If everyone could pass their prayers along to Ann by visiting her blog and to let her know that your thoughts are with her! http://ann-jamesaskeltonyahoocom.blogspot.com/ . I know that so many people are struggling with one thing or another. Most of our problems are monetary with so many being plagued with the loss of jobs, cars, homes, etc. Those are just possessions and I know are hard to live without, but can eventually be replaced! You never what you can live without until it's gone. Thank you ahead of time to all of the blogging angels among us. Maureen

Lucy & Ethel would be jealous

OMG! was this my 50th post?! Sure took me long enough! How time flies when you are refurbishing a 1951 cottage. I still have more to do ~ but wouldn't it be boring to be all done?

Although I can hardly wait to finish the last two rooms, one of which will be available for lease to another Cottage Panache Associate when she or he comes along! Did I mention the hardwood floors!!!?

Somewhere in the shop is the hat that goes with this 1940 -50's rain cape!

Aren't the Polka Dots wonderful!

I've been framed!

Just a few of my favorite things at Cottage Panache

Happy Pink Saturday!!

Check out this pink blouse ~ it has a wired organza collar and cuffed sleeves! Thanks for visiting on this fine Saturday!

Signs*Signs*everywhere*Signs!!! How'd they do that!

So...if anyone is having trouble finding me at my new location~I apologize!! This is my sign to be! Still awaiting approval by the city! Sometimes I wish I wasn't such a chicken and just go for it! Slap that sign up and be done with it and face the consequences later. But just call me chick-a-dee ~ boc boc boc! So I will wait and if you see this sign on Glenview Drive ~ just know ~ yes, It's Cottage Panache`s sign. Come and see me sometime!!!

Before and After Pics

DoEs tHIs MAkE yOU diZZy!? I hope not...it's my new floor! When I told my dear friend Michelle Jones that I was going to attempt to do a Harlequin pattern on the floor...she responded...do you need any help? If you know Michelle from The Red Shed aka Me & Mr. Jones, she has done numerous tables with this pattern and what better expertise could I possibly get! I had already picked my colors and had already put down the fairer of the two tones and was waiting for the gumption to hit me and get going. God sent me an angel as Michelle arrived with pattern, extra long yardsticks, etc. in hand. We had to enlarge it quite a bit as this is a much larger surface. Michelle traced on the first diamond with the new pattern that we quickly cut out. I say quickly because Michelle is a very busy gal and with her...it's let's get--r-done! I wish I had half of the energy and stamina that she has! After Michelle left I continued and finished drawing the rest of the pattern on. The next day Michelle offered to come back to help lay down the contrasting toned diamonds. She finished her area and was off again...busy...busy...busy lady! By the time I finished I could not bear to get on my knees and still can't without screaming in pain!!! Okay I went a little overboard there...but it hurts like #*!K fire because this floor is not smooth...it's bumpy! OW it hurts just thinking about it. I am so pleased with how it turned out and I can't wait for Michelle to come back and see the end result! Thank you so much Michelle for you help.

Kitchen ~ Before.....good thing I had a vision or else I would not be here today. EWW!

The floor consisted of the chipboard/pressed board plywood and it had been walked on for...I don't know how long!

After!!! Another after>

BAM! To the Deer Lease Jeeves!

A few pics of treasures placed in the space where the fridge use to sit.

vintage ironworks old weather vane on primitive wooden ladder scrolly rusted metal hanging light fixture with chain

This is the space where the florist refrigerator use to sit. Now treasures sit there in it's place.

Well...finally the day has come that I can say, COME ON IN! First I thought it would all be complete before I opened, but after all this old house, built in 1951 has 3 bedrooms (and not little ones), 2 baths, 1 living, 1 den/office, 1 large kitchen, laundry and a converted garage!!!

This is a pic of the florist refrigerator ~ what a monstrosity!

This house was once lived in and they ran a florists shop in the converted garage. In the converted garage was a large walk in florist refrigerator. Didn't need it so...weeks went by while the owner of the building prepared to have a tag sale which mostly consisted of clothing. She tried to offer up the refrigerator to florist shops, refrigeration companies and then to customers that visited her tag sale. But to no avail, it still sat in this spot. I suggested I list on craigslist and so I did. I listed under appliances and under sporting goods! Why sporting goods you may ask ~ well imagine it reconstructed on a Deer Lease (we all know people that own a Deer Lease ~ Right?!) BAM! 15 minutes after listing it, the owner got a call. They came and got it the next day! How awesome is that?! This is a picture of the 6ft x8ft x 8ft refrigerator. The new owners were two men who did actually take it to their deer lease to use as a refrigerator for the fresh meat! Speaking of fresh meat ~ I am looking for a couple of new dealers at Cottage Panache! I'll tell you more later and show some pics of the spaces available!