Emma's Dilema

Hello,

I've spent the last few months writing, editing, and finalizing a new children's book, Emma's Dilema. With a prayer and a wish, I sent the manuscript off to publishers in New York, San Francisco, Boston, Atlanta, Vermont, and Pennsylvania.

If you're not familiar with the publishing process, you basically send out what's called an "unsolicited" manuscript that will be put in a "slush" pile with thousands of others-hopefully to be read at some point and not put through the shredder! It's a process not for the thin skinned as going to the mailbox and seeing the dreaded form rejection letter can be a discouraging moment. But every dream comes with the possibility of rejection, and success doesn't come from giving up when the going gets tough.

So, send poor little Emma's Dilema positive thoughts as she waits in the slush pile at the big bad publishers.

I wish you all luck in accomplishing your dreams!

Take care,

Di

More darling decoupage

Hello,

Here are more pics of darling decoupage! These are from the Shabby House (which will soon be getting a new fabulous name). I LOVE the shabby house with its rooms full of vintage treasures and friendly fun owner.

They decoupaged old sheet music onto a headboard and dresser. Such a clever idea!

Have a fab Friday!

Di

Darling decoupage

Hello,

In a recent magazine, I came across an article on how to decoupage fabric onto furniture. I was dying to try it, and found a cute but boring blue dresser at a yard sale.

I left the dresser blue and decoupaged fun French looking bird fabric onto the top. The hardest (and messiest) part was cutting the fabric to the right shape and "folding" it under the corners for a straight edge. I also decoupaged one of the birds on the front and added 1, 2, 3, 4 vinyl letters on the drawers. A final ragging of gilding completed the distressed look. It turned out adorable.

The following pics are of the dresser at my antique booth.

Have fun decoupaging ladies!

Di

It's a blue summer

Hello,

This summer, I have the blues-teal blue, spa blue-everywhere I look it's blue! I've never really been a huge blue fan. I usually prefer pink or red. But I can't resist this summer's blues!

Here's a few cute pics from my booth. The first is a coffee table my daughter-in-law bought and painted teal blue. Second is a bookshelf we painted and distressed in spa blue. Third is an unworking chandelier that I painted antique white and added tea lights and teal crystals. So cute in a bedroom or garden! Last, but not least, is the adorable high chair my daughter-in-law bought at the antique mall and painted teal blue-her fav color! It's all set up for our grandbabies first bday party.

Have fun being blue!

Di

Succulents

Hello,

I've noticed succulents showing up in design mags and store displays this year. They have a quirky and charming appeal. My gf planted some in an small aluminum chicken feeder we found at a recent yard sale for $1.00. I also planted a few in my window boxes along with the flowers and herbs. Maybe you can find a way to encorporate them into your vintage decor or garden.

Take care,

Di

Spa blue cocktail cart

Hello,

I decided to add some color to my patio with those pretty peach pillows with pale blue accent from home depot (previous post). I wanted to pick up the accent color, so I spray painted my cocktail table in spa blue (paint from home depot).

I found this table for $5.00 at a recent yard sale and wasn't sure what it was until my country living mag showed a pic of it. It was a wash basin table and the handles on the side were used to hold towels. Of course, I though it would make a great cocktail table. I put a tray with silver ice bucket and hung a girly cocktail towel from the towel rack. It looks great next to the table and picks up the color of the pillows.

Here's the before and after pics and pics of the whole patio (the last one is of the battery operated chandelier mentioned in the last post).

Happy Friday!

Di

Pretty green Spring decor

Hello,

I love all of the bright colors for Spring decor. Especially the apple green and coral! I'm thinking of doing coral on my patio this year. There are some adorable coral outdoor cushions from Home Depot I want. You can find them here:

http://homedepot.digby.com/homedepot/product/detail.do?itemId=203144441&categoryId=&path=

I also bought a pretty battery operated chandelier in brown at Shopko with brown crystals. You can hang it anywhere-from a tree, over the hottub, centered in a gazebo. You set the timer, and it comes on and turns off at the same time everyday-like magic! You can find it here:

http://www.shopko.com/detail/anywhere-kami-chandelier-br/33171

Here's a few cute pics of green vintage decor (the last few are from my booth).

Take care,

Di

Shabby schoolhouse sale cont.......

Hello,

Here are more pics of that fabulous shabby schoolhouse sale we went to a few weeks ago. There was so much to see and buy, buy, buy!

I think I'm going to try the upside down wire basket chandelier in the following pics. I found a wire planter at a yard sale last week for .50 that is perfect. You can buy the light kits (with the white cord) at cost plus or pier one. Of course, I'll add crystals for more bling.

Have fun!

Di

Adorable little cottage made from old doors.

Hello,

At a recent sale in an old schoolhouse (see previous post), we stumbled on the most adorable little cottage made from old mismatched doors!

The doors were held together by simple metal brackets at the top, middle, and bottom with a French door front. The top had a canvas cover with ruffled fringe held up by wood beams. A sparkling chandelier hung from the ceiling.

It's the perfect spot for a cocktail with the gals, daydreaming, or a long, summer nap.

Such a great idea to recycle old doors! I'll be looking for some during our Sat morning treasure hunts!

Take care,

Di