tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65079707965119997712024-03-18T12:58:02.854-07:00just paint it whiteHave nothing in your home that you do not KNOW to be useful or BELIEVE to be beautiful - William Morrisfiona andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413757450464594746noreply@blogger.comBlogger160125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507970796511999771.post-23604227499625886162019-05-10T05:14:00.000-07:002019-05-10T05:14:33.449-07:00RufieDon't feel obliged to read this... I've written it for me and my dog.<br />
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Sometime in 2006 my partner Ronnie suggested getting a rescue dog and I only had one answer 'well I'm not going to walk it'. Even though I'd never owned a dog (growing up we had guinea pigs and then cats), I knew what a commitment they were and I also knew Ronnie and how many other commitments he had, including his daughter Abby, who was only about seven at the time and who stayed with us half of every week.<br />
Anyway, I must have relented, I love animals and we thought it would be fun for Abby.<br />
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We had to be vetted to see if we, and our home were suitable for a dog and when we got the all clear we decided to go to the RSPCA in Brighton on the way to visit some friends. I woke up that morning with one thought in my head, that if we got a dog we should call him Rufus. I have no idea why, but I just woke with that thought so clearly in my mind.<br />
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Our only discussions about breed were that it should probably be a smallish dog as we didn't have a very big garden. <br />
Unusually there were 3 Westies at the animal sanctuary, a female and two males. The little female was so bouncy and happy and just looked so cute so we asked about her, but she had already gone and so had the male Westie next to her. They pointed out another Westie on the opposite side and the poor little thing looked so forlorn, he had been washed and left to sit on the cold concrete, shivering.<br />
We were delighted when they said that he was available.<br />
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We weren't allowed to take him with us, we had to keep visiting and taking him for walks around the large field next to the sanctuary. He didn't seem very keen on walking, so Ronnie often picked him up. He also didn't react to his name which was Brandy, and luckily Ronnie and Abby were happy to rename him Rufus which quickly became Rufie.<br />
Three weeks after our initial visit I rang up and almost begged to be allowed to bring him home, I couldn't understand how they could keep him in a cold cage when there was a warm home for him at our house.<br />
Fortunately they said yes, so I went and collected Rufie from the sanctuary that morning, it was February 2007 and he was 9 months old.<br />
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Poor little Rufie was scared stiff at first, he hardly moved from the sofa, he didn't know how to play or how to go for a walk. </div>
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The first couple of nights we left him downstairs, then one evening Ronnie suggested we bring him upstairs and let him stay with us for an hour or so (I was thrilled), and from then on he never slept anywhere else but on our bed.</div>
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I didn't have any work when we first got him, so of course I took him for walks, fed him and generally looked after him and inevitably he bonded with me the most. At that time we lived 10 minutes walk from the beach and it was such a pleasure to go down there, especially when the tide was out. If we were both working he had a dog walker Julie, whom he adored. She took him up into the hills with other dogs and they played a doggy version of football. She also told us that he was like a little marshal; if other dogs weren't getting on, he would gently intervene and try and make it all better.</div>
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Unfortunately my relationship with Ronnie wasn't working out and when he said 'you love that dog more than you love me', I thought 'yep, you're right', although I didn't actually voice it. We parted company in 2013 and I moved back to the house I owned and had rented out for seven years. Abby was 13 by this time and didn't question the fact that I would be taking Rufie with me, it was an unspoken absolute, that Ronnie had a daughter and I had a dog.<br />
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Although we didn't part on good terms Ronnie and I eventually became friends and in fact he and Abby spent the following four Christmas's at my house and I still keep in touch with both of them.<br />
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Rufie didn't like moving house, he sat by the front door for the whole of the first day, and it took two more days for him to settle down and enjoy his new home. I think it helped that Julie still came to get him and take him for walks.<br />
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Rufie didn't like being touched and so trips to the vet were difficult, he often had to be muzzled. Eventually we realised that if I left the room he behaved much better, so that became the norm at the vets. We also didn't have any luck with dog groomers, he was just so petrified and they couldn't get near him so after two attempts we gave up and he remained my scruffy little Westie. I trimmed his hair myself when I could but I just loved his fluffy teddy bear looks and other dog walkers often remarked the same.</div>
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Rightly or wrongly Rufie became my whole life, he was the surrogate child I never had and being single and upset about another failed relationship I poured every ounce of love into him and thought of him as my little saviour. When you're down, a little creature that needs you becomes the whole point of your existence. No, he wasn't a human being but he was still everything to me.<br />
Leaving him, even for a couple of hours was difficult but coming home, especially after a day's work was exciting every single time, knowing that my little boy would be so pleased to see me.<br />
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Julie retired but then he had two other lovely dog walkers, Crystal and Amy who posted pictures and videos of him on social media. It was such a thrill to be at work and check facebook at lunchtime and see videos of him out on the South Downs, enjoying himself. If either of them came to the house while I was at home (sometimes I worked from home) he wouldn't even give me a backwards glance, he absolutely loved those walks.</div>
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It is thanks to the lovely Amy, that I have all these wonderful pictures.<br />
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Rufie had a problem with a grass seed one year (they can be very serious and work their way through a dogs body), and then a couple of years ago he damaged an eye digging in the sand on the beach. I had to work from home and give him two drops every two hours during the day until it healed, I stayed at home for 15 days.<br />
I tried to avoid thinking about Rufie getting old, though I could see he was getting slower and couldn't walk as far. Then one day in February Amy mentioned his cloudy eyes, and I thought I'd better take him to the vets. The vet said he had cataracts which was normal for a dog his age, by now he was almost 13. She also said she would like to give him a scan because his breathing was laboured.<br />
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On Tuesday 12th March I took poor little Rufie to the clinic (he tried to leave at every opportunity, he hated it there), and had a call a few hours later to hear the absolutely devastating news that my little baby had cancer. There was a large mass attached to his spleen and it was also in his liver. They said they could take out the large mass but that it wouldn't necessarily prolong his life, but there was no way I was going to put him through that, the scan was bad enough.<br />
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A week and a half later I walked out of my job: trying to negotiate working from home became too difficult, and although I liked the work, there were a lot of things about the job that I didn't like. They never gave me a contract so it wasn't very difficult to leave and although I didn't have pots of money, I knew I could survive for a few months if I didn't live too extravagantly.<br />
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The vets had told me that Rufie would probably live for a few weeks or months so I was aiming to stay at home with him and not to look for another job.<br />
I'm so so glad I made the decision to leave work because I had five weeks with him. I wasn't expecting him to go so soon but his poor little liver was giving up and he was having seizures. On Friday 26th April a lovely vet told me that it was totally my decision but that in her medical opinion I should let him go. After visiting the clinic that morning, we came home and he went straight to his bowl and ate all his breakfast so there was no way I was letting him go. By Saturday morning he had had two more seizures and I knew I shouldn't let him experience any more pain. <br />
I had to get my brother to ring the clinic and then we spent the day waiting, mostly with Rufie on my lap, for the vets to come to my house and let my baby go peacefully. They were extremely kind but as you can imagine it was unbelievably hard.<br />
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I had already said that I didn't want them to take my little boy with them, that I would bring him up to the clinic myself. I sent my brother away too, so that I could have a couple of hours alone with Rufie. I wanted to tidy all his fur, cut off all the messy bits and make him look as good as he could. Then I sat on the sofa, with him next to me, his little body still warm. It may not be what everyone would do, but it helped me, I just couldn't bear someone else taking him away from me, the process needed to be gradual.<br />
After a couple of hours I took him to the clinic and eventually left him.<br />
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I'm finding it very hard to cope, I feel completely lost without him. I have had a couple of lodgers, and met a couple of men but nothing serious, Rufie has really been my whole life for the last seven years. My friends and family have been amazing, they all knew how this would affect me and I appreciate their amazing support.<br />
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Sometimes I have moments of pure clarity, dogs don't last forever, my dog got to be almost 13, he had a wonderful, completely spoilt life and that's what I have to cling on to. I was lucky, I got to spend years and years of my life with a wonderful little creature who gave me so much comfort. I have his ashes in a lovely little box, and pictures of him everywhere.<br />
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One day I will get another dog, there are so many other dogs out there that need rescuing, that need the comfort of a nice home.<br />
For now I'm just taking one day at a time, doing the best I can.<br />
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I love you Rufie xxx<br />
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<br />fiona andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413757450464594746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507970796511999771.post-51461274138798659272019-04-09T14:04:00.000-07:002019-04-09T14:04:17.126-07:00For Emily Rose<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I haven't been here for a while (ok, a few years), and I may not be back here for a while but I felt the need to update this blog and also to say thank you to Emily Rose. I don't know who Emily Rose is, or where she is, or even if she has a blog herself, but she left the most amazing message on my last post (one of two) and I have long felt the need to update her.<br />
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So, Emily Rose, I have continued to do diy, on and off, sometimes large projects, sometimes small.<br />
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I started with the blue dresser top in my kitchen... I painted it white!!!<br />
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I can't quite remember what I did next, but one way or another I painted all the kitchen units in Dulux Egyptian Cotton and completely changed the ceiling. I had asked my ex, years before, to put tongue and groove on the ceiling but he was never keen, so I decided to do it myself.<br />
I pulled down the coving, had a bit of a problem with a hole over the boiler, fixed it, then used gripfill and panel pins to secure wood across the whole ceiling, did it all myself and loved every minute of it. I didn't baton out the ceiling first as I knew that the next stage would keep everything secure. This time I had help, from the same ex funnily enough! We worked out where the joists were by checking under the bathroom floor above and he drilled through the small beams I'd had cut, into the joists. All I had to do then was lots of filling, add a little trim around the edges of the tongue and groove between the new beams and paint everything white.<br />
Can I just say I love it, every single day when I walk in my kitchen I love it, it's my most favourite diy project ever.<br />
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As you can see, the ceiling was quite warped and one of the beams needed loads of filling, then there was the problem of the ugly boiler. Although there is a small window to the side of it (that's still there) I really wanted to box it in. I managed to make (with a little help from my brother drilling the frame together) a box that slides in and out, in case the boiler ever needs some serious work. There's also a space at the bottom for cookery books.<br />
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Next step was a light fixture that I had made from a piece of driftwood I found on the beach, mason jars and lovely old looking cord and fixtures. Tom Freer made it for me, an artist that has a studio on Worthing beach on the Sussex coast. He's a perfectionist so I knew he would do an amazing job, the way he routed out the back for all the wires is just incredible, a work of art in itself.<br />
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The kitchen as it is now, with a new oven and hob. I still need to get that little window filled in and in a perfect world I would have white marble worktops.<br />
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The next project I tackled was painting a couple of walls at one end of the dining room, everything was rather white and I thought the gold mirror (great find in a charity shop) would have more of an impact on a hand-painted wall. I gathered loads of inspiration on Pinterest and eventually took the plunge.</div>
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I'm always too impatient and re-hang pictures before the work is actually finished.<br />
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After this I didn't really do much at all in my house, though I did work on my garden quite a bit. I also stopped working at the café and went to work in London. The café had been enlarged considerably and my job had become even more stressful, then an old friend offered me a job designing needlepoint, something I did over 30 years previously. The work was really enjoyable but two years on it has also come to an end. I'm not going to go into the details here but I'm at home, working on my house and a few other projects. I think I stopped doing diy in the last two years because I had a creative job, but I've missed it. I now show my house on instagram, it's called bee.on.a.page, because I have started a new chapter in my life and I really need to be on the right page, right now.</div>
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I've noticed that lots of my old blogger friends who mostly live across the pond have also stopped blogging which is a real shame, but who am I to talk, anyway, this one is for you Emily Rose, I hope you get to see it one day.</div>
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<br />fiona andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413757450464594746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507970796511999771.post-17792080032445628532015-06-23T12:28:00.000-07:002015-06-24T11:23:42.008-07:00new (old) stuff and 'Bob's moving out fund'<br />
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When I finished my hall, I really was on a mission to find the perfect rug........the hall needed it, the white floor desperately needed it.<br />
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I spent hours (literally) trawling Ebay until I found a couple of companies that I believed would supply the type of used Persian rug I was looking for (as you've probably realised old works better for me). I did a bit of bidding, then chickened out because of one reason or another.<br />
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Then I saw the perfect rug, the perfect size and colour and I was determined to have it. I calculated exactly how much I could afford (there were 10 days to my next pay day and I thought I could live quite frugally) and sat at home one Sunday evening with my heart pumping (sorry if this is melodramatic but I've never bid for something before) determined to win it, and I did............right at the top of my budget.<br />
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Isn't it fab.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_zx44ALbCy3rSMANx167SHktoWZJ-umIYrwQHajS4wHl87FRSqtx7Zn3UmS_aeEOQILm9ZrN9twmdvJlE0cR7YLexqS6hqaDmxxcVJrtLlFVYF5hB09ynISWblI-ld0benfEWjHTDOPN0/s1600/DSC02321.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_zx44ALbCy3rSMANx167SHktoWZJ-umIYrwQHajS4wHl87FRSqtx7Zn3UmS_aeEOQILm9ZrN9twmdvJlE0cR7YLexqS6hqaDmxxcVJrtLlFVYF5hB09ynISWblI-ld0benfEWjHTDOPN0/s640/DSC02321.png" width="424" /></a></div>
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I love it. I love that it looks authentic, that the size is perfect, that the colours are great and tie in with the stained glass on the door, that the pile is in pretty good nick even though it is used and I think £105 for over 8 feet of gorgeousness is a pretty good deal.<br />
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My little photo bomber seems to be enjoying it too, though I imagine he's thinking he'd rather be in the kitchen where there might be a chance of some food.............. </div>
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and if he looks all sad and forlorn and bows his head, he might get a treat soon.<br />
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The other thing I wanted was a new light fixture, my existing light was just too small and I wanted something grander. I had no budget for the light whatsoever, but there's no harm in looking is there.<br />
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About the same time as I was searching the internet for runners and chandeliers, I decided it was about time my brother moved out. He's been here over two years now and still hasn't found a job which means he's never paid me a penny, in fact he's just cost me money because I've helped him out on a few occasions.</div>
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Anyway, I decided to sell some stuff to raise some money for 'Bob's moving out fund'. I started with some old gold jewellery that <u>did</u> have a bit of sentimental value, but as I wear silver it had been in boxes for the last 30 years so it was a bit pointless keeping it for another 30.</div>
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You might have worked out what happened next..........I had an envelope with £155 in it and 'Bob's moving out fund' written on the front...........what did I go and do............spend it almost straight away on an empire style chandelier for my hall. What really swung it for me was that the seller was in the next town to mine and he could shorten it slightly for me, and after all, it was <u>my</u> money.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzxE50aOyAtG9OiSgFLBzJM_G45cUj5-0v8CtXf2V6tnMJ0ifPV126oSOUiQSIf8gIif7Y5murm52MTDs7Krtk7wDwCFidP9Pu_7Q3PuKrplOqcZXamV3HFKnueeGLYsxqFXazyX_BciOm/s1600/DSC02491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzxE50aOyAtG9OiSgFLBzJM_G45cUj5-0v8CtXf2V6tnMJ0ifPV126oSOUiQSIf8gIif7Y5murm52MTDs7Krtk7wDwCFidP9Pu_7Q3PuKrplOqcZXamV3HFKnueeGLYsxqFXazyX_BciOm/s640/DSC02491.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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It was a bit more than £155, so I used some of my tip money, but it feels great that I still have something to show for the gold I sold. I now have a family heirloom hanging from the ceiling instead of around my neck.</div>
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Apparently it's French but I don't know how old it is, however it doesn't matter either way, to me it's just totally gorgeous, come day or night.</div>
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I'm going to have to see what else I can sell so that I can put something towards 'Bob's moving out fund', but at least I have two beautifully 'old' new things.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxxuzD92KFB8hAWR1wXvWpA6KPP7fcJGEc8KJq9RqUuU9V4aZNE5L3hcQSwEnO0NTrCUunJsnMhdFJawMbcL7gxiqbtnVQi1fBlOLV7jfCa133nc31Jpya1VQIAe9OMJJ-eExSjtKdIjKm/s1600/light+and+chandelier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxxuzD92KFB8hAWR1wXvWpA6KPP7fcJGEc8KJq9RqUuU9V4aZNE5L3hcQSwEnO0NTrCUunJsnMhdFJawMbcL7gxiqbtnVQi1fBlOLV7jfCa133nc31Jpya1VQIAe9OMJJ-eExSjtKdIjKm/s640/light+and+chandelier.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Did I mention I want a runner for the landing.</div>
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fiona andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413757450464594746noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507970796511999771.post-89184005222345499062015-06-04T13:08:00.000-07:002015-06-04T13:08:15.621-07:00a tale of illumination<br />
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For the last month or so, my house has felt a bit like a lighting shop, though I tried to hide this fact by keeping two light fixtures behind the dining room table, two in my bedroom and one in the spare room.<br />
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I didn't have any major plans to change the lights in my house, and seriously I'm not sure how it all came about but somehow five lights needed to be put up, so I got a professional in.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjercPxYvaWJhT97NKDhobP9UdyoyB7zBFWsKNqLjAmPhaU00UvmoIEQVKTj9TUcwleqxfb8Tym8qjXSyOIROI-90z6yTDkqmXsh_35ZUGWotZbtqO9rr0WowHjCLcnnc-kNTbe9f24ADW6/s1600/Montage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjercPxYvaWJhT97NKDhobP9UdyoyB7zBFWsKNqLjAmPhaU00UvmoIEQVKTj9TUcwleqxfb8Tym8qjXSyOIROI-90z6yTDkqmXsh_35ZUGWotZbtqO9rr0WowHjCLcnnc-kNTbe9f24ADW6/s640/Montage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I had been asking my ex (for the past two years) to take down a light fitting in his house that belongs to me. He finally did it a few weeks ago so I went to collect it and whilst I was there, I looked out a few boxes in his loft. I came across some old lights that I'd bought back from Spain in the late 90's. I'd used them all in my flat in Brighton but then never put them up again which means they'd been in boxes for about 15 years - such a waste really. <br />
Originally there were five in total, three ceiling lights, one medium pendant and one large pendant. One of the small ones is already up in my <a href="http://justpaintitwhite.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/the-wc-before-and-after.html">WC</a> though I couldn't find the largest pendant.<br />
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I thought about putting the medium pendant in the hall but it didn't seem quite right so I asked my electrician if he could put it in my tiny porch (where there was a power connector but no light fixture). My outside light was on the outside of the house and a) looked too contemporary and b) didn't give any extra light when trying to unlock my front door in the dark.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Out with the new, in with the old !</td></tr>
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I'm so happy with the look and at night it throws a lovely subtle light into my hall. Also, I've tested it, I came home late from the cinema and loved the ease with which I found the keyhole.<br />
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Next, I asked him to take down the light in my dining room and switch it for one that had been sitting behind the dining room table for over a year. It didn't cost a penny because my bf gave it to me. Did I mention I have the best bf in the world and she just gave it to me because she didn't want it, she's never even used it. <br />
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It suits the dining room perfectly, in fact it looks like it's always been here. If you were over 6ft you wouldn't be able to stand under it but that's not really something that worries <u>me</u>, and I believe in aesthetics before practicality all the way ha ha !<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsKG8cDLIXimlxqvrWdMRtrA2STAvBMu6i92EiteTAKvO-UAfeEl78evNBcjEeS4IxpMQbFibFw_0Ds-B8nWBIY3XRxi6LbWUfdl2tX8C6np7DDey088ePupfPA8rUn1KwB4-XYsU_0-K/s1600/new+chandelier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsKG8cDLIXimlxqvrWdMRtrA2STAvBMu6i92EiteTAKvO-UAfeEl78evNBcjEeS4IxpMQbFibFw_0Ds-B8nWBIY3XRxi6LbWUfdl2tX8C6np7DDey088ePupfPA8rUn1KwB4-XYsU_0-K/s640/new+chandelier.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before and after.</td></tr>
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So the next light to go up was the original chandelier from the dining room. It has hung there ever since I bought this house, even during the period I rented it out, and before that it hung in the bedroom of my flat in Brighton, having been a house-warming present from my bf's Mother.</div>
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I'm so glad I finally have a nice light fixture in here as it's always just had a basic cable with a light bulb on the end. This suits the bedroom much better and one day, hopefully, the bedroom will be as smart as the light (there's a long way to go, just look at the horrible plasterwork on the ceiling).</div>
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Light number four - well, it should have been the fixture that my ex took down. It was going to go on the landing, but then, miraculously I found the large Spanish light (in the wardrobe in my own guest room.........silly old me) and knew it would work much better. It's a little bashed and worn but that's nothing new in this house.<br />
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So far I have four lights up and I love them all and the cost...............just that of a very reasonable electrician.<br />
Light number five, well I feel it deserves a post of it's own so I'll write about it next time, but you can catch a sneaky peak in this next photo.<br />
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I love a bit of sparkly illumination.....................<br />
<br />fiona andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413757450464594746noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507970796511999771.post-75516975020155651382015-05-22T13:41:00.000-07:002015-05-22T13:48:01.866-07:00hangers, clipboards and book pages<br />
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My choices for my home are mostly fuelled by envy...............I've been hankering after trouser hangers, clipboards and using book pages somewhere for some time.<br />
Other people have them and it makes me think 'I'd like some of those'.<br />
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An idea came to me for my landing after I found this mirror in a local shop for the knock down price of £12.99.<br />
It's a bit small but I thought I could make a wall display, using the mirror as the centre piece.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqLvv7VnQXsmCVSwpRK3sCussuf3pyk4eBiAk3NYDKV7B_e3YdaXV8d6dkTDe7lXUKzhfDu1H4sJ-wncHNjK4SWceIvUHCfkCDYTZ3ZChoI56ltYKZoB8noqFHzLmygH8czQw1F9I0KeQG/s1600/DSC02408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqLvv7VnQXsmCVSwpRK3sCussuf3pyk4eBiAk3NYDKV7B_e3YdaXV8d6dkTDe7lXUKzhfDu1H4sJ-wncHNjK4SWceIvUHCfkCDYTZ3ZChoI56ltYKZoB8noqFHzLmygH8czQw1F9I0KeQG/s400/DSC02408.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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First I sent off for three trouser hangers from the US. I love them all but two were identical and perfect for my display.<br />
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As I wanted eight clipboards, the cost of finding vintage ones was a bit prohibitive, so I chose new ones that worked out at around £2 each.<br />
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I cut up some old calendars that had colourful pictures of Islamic tiles and textiles (calendars are such a good source for decoupage and frame-able pictures).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDxmD8V69Qmh5gMIAOXLaIywQIZGOi4x8GsOpHALemU2LMLXPIXPTGVRiEkJ9Tx_mI3kQBY9Lyv8ZU9YeKhWhyphenhyphenE-gHc2lRJCVY47m33zMtLkYaDE5GAss0xvkqPtROTaz42HsSdpomdSL/s1600/DSC02292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDxmD8V69Qmh5gMIAOXLaIywQIZGOi4x8GsOpHALemU2LMLXPIXPTGVRiEkJ9Tx_mI3kQBY9Lyv8ZU9YeKhWhyphenhyphenE-gHc2lRJCVY47m33zMtLkYaDE5GAss0xvkqPtROTaz42HsSdpomdSL/s400/DSC02292.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3BTqFrouU8cF_26QJzjCTzdx1giKNSEVGC21744m4Rk9TwC9tDmCk0GFT-tyWesoY9VoBe247A_PodzKg371oGauUgkUVynsCmvGFGYZ5jD3qSKUy1gdtP2UN-92lw0DZiRpyhCKDNhp/s1600/DSC02293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3BTqFrouU8cF_26QJzjCTzdx1giKNSEVGC21744m4Rk9TwC9tDmCk0GFT-tyWesoY9VoBe247A_PodzKg371oGauUgkUVynsCmvGFGYZ5jD3qSKUy1gdtP2UN-92lw0DZiRpyhCKDNhp/s640/DSC02293.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I added book pages (not book pages that I had torn out of a book myself, as I still haven't managed to do that yet, but ones that I bought, a great selection for £5), and then added photos of places I've visited. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBaGdVGgHCxUcCk7vV1__FDgcv1iZSsuJKNpleQixqjYiCx4YFNs3dUEYlZdKdOHZWrOhsQgvH1dJNw_YmZxURi1fqcCxcDELeR_b3kin6GWmWJKGhBVN_r8dEdc2yEWRBCKZtewvGel44/s1600/DSC02402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBaGdVGgHCxUcCk7vV1__FDgcv1iZSsuJKNpleQixqjYiCx4YFNs3dUEYlZdKdOHZWrOhsQgvH1dJNw_YmZxURi1fqcCxcDELeR_b3kin6GWmWJKGhBVN_r8dEdc2yEWRBCKZtewvGel44/s640/DSC02402.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I put eight on the wall around the mirror, and left them for a couple of weeks but they just weren't right, I didn't feel happy at all, so I started again, and now I have this.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6evUhX7ULWVs_9Z-aLRkpsniWNJLJsc0NMTzYhyphenhyphenBCgSeJNH__XzwSa71Mda5k9PtX6hKzKQskD7WaeQKhy1vNOkaLTzgpPd4RTRMfz6AewiuvKArNbEztdAjT8aKzg6Ld2zpHUNSqD2_S/s1600/DSC02392.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6evUhX7ULWVs_9Z-aLRkpsniWNJLJsc0NMTzYhyphenhyphenBCgSeJNH__XzwSa71Mda5k9PtX6hKzKQskD7WaeQKhy1vNOkaLTzgpPd4RTRMfz6AewiuvKArNbEztdAjT8aKzg6Ld2zpHUNSqD2_S/s640/DSC02392.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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I've had the fruit and stamp pictures in my stash for years and years, I just tore them out of magazines.<br />
I never read the article about the stamps, but they were painted by American artist <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Evans_(artist)">Donald Evans</a>, who made up a whole series of countries and individual stamps for each nation. They're fascinating and give the display the drama it so badly needed (and now I've read a bit about him, I feel lucky to have them).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA4Sbkg_Qu3TmSWP7mBAQeRIri2uirn-Iq8cW5QLo5Xg8Q07KXZDrZn0vQCoCxRa_8LH1tbZJpF5mtilktVD3d0aMtynm-7gYPmVI9OTiYHHG3pWUy_JXDA273PB0w2q1WMD7enaAHfT3r/s1600/DSC02393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA4Sbkg_Qu3TmSWP7mBAQeRIri2uirn-Iq8cW5QLo5Xg8Q07KXZDrZn0vQCoCxRa_8LH1tbZJpF5mtilktVD3d0aMtynm-7gYPmVI9OTiYHHG3pWUy_JXDA273PB0w2q1WMD7enaAHfT3r/s640/DSC02393.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
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I downloaded some graphics from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/UnoPrint?campaign_label=transaction_buyer_notification&utm_source=transactional&utm_campaign=transaction_buyer_notification_010170_10529880387_0_0&utm_medium=email&utm_content=&email_sent=1431534980&euid=VGY2RqfuLt2hTfXBZskqTK8BcemW&eaid=1682430417&x_eaid=60dda21417">this etsy site</a> and got someone to print them on the book pages, I love the result. If I ever get bored with the current arrangement, I might change them all to printed book pages.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oops, they're a bit crooked.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNlPmj9d0mls4f_RhaxHJq0KEzyfaAD72-xQekDQlVbe6X-A7Io-w772_j3LK5E2URhfRGzJOVFKYCJ9FveGpUjxq2APzn_IOgk6yJwwjBCfGEngMqUMN71EWmLWPo0DrQvXPRGc2jjUCp/s1600/DSC02400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNlPmj9d0mls4f_RhaxHJq0KEzyfaAD72-xQekDQlVbe6X-A7Io-w772_j3LK5E2URhfRGzJOVFKYCJ9FveGpUjxq2APzn_IOgk6yJwwjBCfGEngMqUMN71EWmLWPo0DrQvXPRGc2jjUCp/s640/DSC02400.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
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The maps came out of some other old calendars, so I just chose two of similar size.<br />
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The long piece at the top came from TK Maxx and used to hang over the picture at the end, but I felt it would help finish off the wall display.<br />
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I might hang something else to either side of the maps if I get inspired, but for now the view is a whole lot more interesting than before. </div>
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My favourite parts are definitely the printed book pages, but I just discovered something on the back of one of the calendar pages......................<br />
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the date we picked up my dear little dog from the RSPCA in Brighton......January 10th 2007.<br />
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It was completely by chance that I chose this calendar page, but I love that it's here, because Rufie (Rufus) means the world to me.<br />
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fiona andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413757450464594746noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507970796511999771.post-24845810562559274862015-05-07T01:34:00.000-07:002015-05-07T01:34:51.766-07:00garden tales #2 'patience is a virtue'<br />
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I love flowers with pom pom like heads............thin stems with a flower head like the Armeria I showed you in the last post.<br />
Chives have very pretty lavender/ish pom pom like flowers, so when I saw them sprouting up all over my flower bed last Summer, I decided to wait and see if they would flower.<br />
I left them and left them and waited..............patiently.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycDK_uTnZP6eu5Ugade3r6NL9AIVwFHzI5czEdHhH4sTOUh0fi9e2-7pogwESw_9KG2YkvjHgHQNCj3yOs9bAasQ-zUkNJPqf9AAg2jYfw9Y3P3Zw_HImohTZHjTmWK60_FYleyiEkop_/s1600/DSC01715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycDK_uTnZP6eu5Ugade3r6NL9AIVwFHzI5czEdHhH4sTOUh0fi9e2-7pogwESw_9KG2YkvjHgHQNCj3yOs9bAasQ-zUkNJPqf9AAg2jYfw9Y3P3Zw_HImohTZHjTmWK60_FYleyiEkop_/s1600/DSC01715.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few nice plants, lots of weeds and lots of chives, growing separately.</td></tr>
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The long stems started to grow buds.<br />
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Which started to look promising...........so I waited.<br />
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Then they sprouted long green tendrils not resembling petals at all.<br />
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Which died.<br />
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But patience is a virtue so I waited some more, and eventually I saw the beginnings of the resemblance of a flower.<br />
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A definite pom pom like flower.<br />
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Until I had this...........one fully open (?) lavender coloured tiny pom pom flower head.<br />
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Did you read that carefully ? I said ONE, just ONE tiny pom pom flower head that doesn't look much like other chive flowers I've seen and only lasted a couple of days.<br />
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Needless to say............this year I didn't feel like being quite so patient so I pulled them all up.<br />
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fiona andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413757450464594746noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507970796511999771.post-21328498248119762252015-04-15T12:36:00.000-07:002015-04-15T12:36:26.418-07:00garden tales # 1<br />
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Once upon a time I lived in my house with a man called Alan and our back garden looked like this. I did the planting and Alan did the weeding and kept the lawn neat and tidy, it was a great place to spend a sunny day.<br />
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Needless to say, my tenants didn't look after the garden quite so well, and when I moved back here, the garden looked like this (you might spy my brother behind a bush), with a rockery, large flower bed, lawn and raised patio at the back.<br />
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On the right, just in front of the kitchen window is a gravel area and then a small pond.<br />
The white wrought iron furniture got moved (one chair sits in the <a href="http://justpaintitwhite.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/my-front-garden.html">front garden</a>) because it's not quite my cup of tea, but it was <u>free</u>.<br />
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This was the view then, back to the house.<br />
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And after a lot of weeding.<br />
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I had to stake the Arum Lily last year as it grew so big (due to no frost the winter before that), at one point I counted 38 flowers. What's wonderful is that it flowers for months and months, unlike the Australian Bottlebrush that unfortunately doesn't flower for very long.<br />
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I tidied up the area round the pond too and half buried a terracotta pot amongst the rocks with another smaller one inside it. There's a sort of potting bench area to the right, but I'll save that for another day as it needs a lot of work.<br />
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Unfortunately the Saxifrage to the left of the terracotta pot didn't survive, and it's one of my favourite plants along with Armeria.<br />
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My <u>absolute</u> favourite though is Agapanthus, and I have quite a few in the garden. The large clump on the left has been there for years; I'm trying to fill up the rest of the flower bed so you can't see any earth, so far there are a few Lavender plants, a Hellebore and a Ceanothus, and of course the Bluebells that are starting to flower now but die back before summer.<br />
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The Agapanthus are a little shaded by the Acer tree here, hence them straining to find the sun.<br />
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I divided the plant in the pot below early last year and now have Agapanthus in about six different places, though they didn't flower last summer so fingers crossed for this year.</div>
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This is the raised back patio with the strange zig zag edging which I'm not very fond of - I have an idea to disguise it, it's on the never ending list.</div>
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This picture is also for <a href="http://www.itsallconnected.ca/">Maureen</a>, who asked to see my Bay tree. It self seeded in a tiny spot behind a pine tree that we cut down and when I moved back here it had grown............somewhat.</div>
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There is so much I want to do in the garden, but I think it'll take a few years, especially as my house takes priority, but I just found out that I can have some reclaimed wood to change the path and make it wider and then I want to have some more paved areas......................</div>
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I really should get my brother onto it, as he used to lay paving for a living !</div>
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fiona andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413757450464594746noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507970796511999771.post-7100957781041982772015-03-28T16:08:00.000-07:002015-04-15T13:28:16.530-07:00Ta da !! <br />
Here it is, my hall, stairs and landing all finished.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOo1X_8YVdbKce2dyfFUduaMwghMbjwZLBirLgxtIikLCcGPnS2RN83TtOy3fVzxHixl9fAISi32Sd_-H0UNIXz1I0_RIVqfR23hgB-P6AeX0AZwBWFzwVitOdrVtmqrpfX0FkY84j4__/s1600/DSC02259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOo1X_8YVdbKce2dyfFUduaMwghMbjwZLBirLgxtIikLCcGPnS2RN83TtOy3fVzxHixl9fAISi32Sd_-H0UNIXz1I0_RIVqfR23hgB-P6AeX0AZwBWFzwVitOdrVtmqrpfX0FkY84j4__/s1600/DSC02259.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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I painted all the wood work white, including the floor. Then there's the blackboard wall on the left that I showed you after <a href="http://justpaintitwhite.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/the-wc-before-and-after.html">Christmas</a>. The rest of the walls are painted in a grey I mixed myself (from some white and about ten old tins in the shed) and once again based on Farrow and Ball's Lamp Room Grey (I did a lighter version in my bathroom). On the right is the radiator cover that got a <a href="http://justpaintitwhite.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/ive-had-smashing-time.html">new grille</a> and beyond the mirror, the wall display that I showed you in the <a href="http://justpaintitwhite.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/more-dust-collectors-and-peak-at-my-hall.html">last post</a>.<br />
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Then there are the stairs, whoever thought of dressing up stair risers first, thank you, thank you, thank you.<br />
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I nearly went with the words from a poem or song, and have you seen the ones painted to look like books, there are so many fun ways to decorate stair risers; but after finding the Chinese dogs (on the radiator cover) in TKMaxx, I knew I wanted some bright turquoise blue's, so I chose maps showing a lot of sea.<br />
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I've had the maps for years and years, in fact I wrote about them <a href="http://justpaintitwhite.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/maps-and-geography-and-quiz-questions.html">here</a>. I'm so happy that I'm a hoarder and that after over 30 years of holding onto them, I was able to put them to good use.<br />
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I decided the chalkboard wall needed a map too and did one of the world and wrote a couple of paragraphs from Moby Dick around it, which was once again inspired by something I'd <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/275915914647298032/">pinned</a>.<br />
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Apologies if you live on an island or a peninsula somewhere, I couldn't get in every detail of every continent !<br />
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The mirror got a makeover too, some turquoise paint, then black paint washed back a little to allow the original gold to show through.<br />
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Between the Chinese dogs, there are two pots filled with driftwood and moss, then a basket with book boxes, to hold the items one needs to take a dog for a walk (sorry if I've just lowered the tone of this post haha).<br />
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Rufie's leads are back on the end of the newly made over rad cover (he's hanging around because it's his dinner time).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaSnPShOn9Vy5LBYwS_SnnKVe0NBbN1owMU2s6wAgyIdkXaRsp8D_zF86nyouDSiKqyLWd9hA-JzMGXrZrr4OEtzupkM6tTZKL8P6z1mbOCJRmvihfs3vMrM3u2OuUps-t_-buQyYWV5Y2/s1600/DSC02262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaSnPShOn9Vy5LBYwS_SnnKVe0NBbN1owMU2s6wAgyIdkXaRsp8D_zF86nyouDSiKqyLWd9hA-JzMGXrZrr4OEtzupkM6tTZKL8P6z1mbOCJRmvihfs3vMrM3u2OuUps-t_-buQyYWV5Y2/s1600/DSC02262.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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I like the fact they're hardly visible from the other end of the room and no-one notices them when they come in the door.<br />
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I kept the doormat that's fitted to the front of the hall, but I'm looking for an old Persian runner rug in deep reds to pick out the red in the stained glass, because although my brother and I can take our shoes off, my little dog.........er.........can't, and that white floor won't be white for much longer.<br />
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The landing looks refreshed with the new grey walls and white woodwork but I've got a few projects to do up here, to make it more interesting.<br />
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The large mirror is going to get a makeover and then I have a few ideas for the wall between the guest room and my room. Also as you can see, there is one step up to the landing that runs to my bedroom so I'm still contemplating adding a map to it as well.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51JzXetqANth4Mz_X9IWFAejlPaHtTiHg_V3OvnR35dGiXVae7RVi4T3d3JcWy80UYWyZ37RmVmIDjonfBHh3teUCeg_0_QXJPZ3uuPijKeXNmKk4VeACq0T2_Z3tZSTEquv91SSWBWZZ/s1600/DSC02274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51JzXetqANth4Mz_X9IWFAejlPaHtTiHg_V3OvnR35dGiXVae7RVi4T3d3JcWy80UYWyZ37RmVmIDjonfBHh3teUCeg_0_QXJPZ3uuPijKeXNmKk4VeACq0T2_Z3tZSTEquv91SSWBWZZ/s1600/DSC02274.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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This area looks very dark but normally I don't shut my bedroom door, it's just that it's not photo worthy. The white thing sticking out on the left is the loft hatch which is permanently down because my brother has the whole of the loft as his bedroom.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9NS_TACzso5W6M7uvjXet4Ut4fpkcps6kxLzsci-I9tdoJmXbFPzTbHNxmh2Kaqgv1HDKet00vSImFQ7kdx02z6qHWsiWJeTwh63YVtBfL0vCe3rxLiDqpoHYpgI8ZdRYt67uXyp3FRU8/s1600/DSC02272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9NS_TACzso5W6M7uvjXet4Ut4fpkcps6kxLzsci-I9tdoJmXbFPzTbHNxmh2Kaqgv1HDKet00vSImFQ7kdx02z6qHWsiWJeTwh63YVtBfL0vCe3rxLiDqpoHYpgI8ZdRYt67uXyp3FRU8/s1600/DSC02272.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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Ok, I guess you can have a proper look, it's all quite plain for me isn't it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWKVqkItVQQ7erDWwELuD92X08DSBe0pfgH5mqvlmCxF1KeKxV6Lq4hS6qEtIsk0sh1Zm3A5u-wikNlLKfOcDAcaJWZrdzX5afaUkFb5xuCMpW0niGfzzdGWwXee2fyl7hJz9dEwXFx_Ig/s1600/DSC02275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWKVqkItVQQ7erDWwELuD92X08DSBe0pfgH5mqvlmCxF1KeKxV6Lq4hS6qEtIsk0sh1Zm3A5u-wikNlLKfOcDAcaJWZrdzX5afaUkFb5xuCMpW0niGfzzdGWwXee2fyl7hJz9dEwXFx_Ig/s1600/DSC02275.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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And now, I guess I really should go and give Rufie his dinner, he's been patient enough, but I'll leave you with some before and after shots. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqSs7TwxT6x7rrS0avn2yaKj2gmpKEKBpjhM338ltpord9UCkeDW9pMWi9gL0o6V_uDUXTsJjfYPNQEqDRdcXj8s_ttNL0141P3mB3KtlXZw2Tr36XiD5WehhJEK21fTl6YP7iwcWZmGp0/s1600/DSC02279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqSs7TwxT6x7rrS0avn2yaKj2gmpKEKBpjhM338ltpord9UCkeDW9pMWi9gL0o6V_uDUXTsJjfYPNQEqDRdcXj8s_ttNL0141P3mB3KtlXZw2Tr36XiD5WehhJEK21fTl6YP7iwcWZmGp0/s1600/DSC02279.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYLdTqB2OJvckOLN_nXUkslZe7lQN194yNnyx7s791mYkT25-dAKXxYYfFB5KbU8DO_mVK9RX1Q196SVUKmxobJMT-3ZrR-jAz1jSBCJGYPKFJfAEnRlwb_vymOiTEwbB3rJuDeImxFVL/s1600/front+of+hall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYLdTqB2OJvckOLN_nXUkslZe7lQN194yNnyx7s791mYkT25-dAKXxYYfFB5KbU8DO_mVK9RX1Q196SVUKmxobJMT-3ZrR-jAz1jSBCJGYPKFJfAEnRlwb_vymOiTEwbB3rJuDeImxFVL/s1600/front+of+hall.jpg" height="412" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPUxbNHU_ncVcVJKPs4J3ADxhHkcYSHA9fFFmQJEJcA9t4MKLwoOYtDuGN82VhS_3kjf_838tarQypskUtR2Kjt0b_nWJ7BBiI7D0HtnhUKoV1TA2cNabZJiWrLof6AfAc_zxdIHIGWZBQ/s1600/blackboard+wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPUxbNHU_ncVcVJKPs4J3ADxhHkcYSHA9fFFmQJEJcA9t4MKLwoOYtDuGN82VhS_3kjf_838tarQypskUtR2Kjt0b_nWJ7BBiI7D0HtnhUKoV1TA2cNabZJiWrLof6AfAc_zxdIHIGWZBQ/s1600/blackboard+wall.jpg" height="412" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWl_pNJKPfkCQRXCAOVC2YCR224ieSiiCKcU0mEDrWqcgO6t0-jjns3GU9cNRV3nRpIpvLrgeXTr0eM1CbL9PLkI5SyeBefGrZx-6dcyu5l5G8f6WhDLN0ktEobLzE60Kl3fGuXTnQgL7g/s1600/stairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWl_pNJKPfkCQRXCAOVC2YCR224ieSiiCKcU0mEDrWqcgO6t0-jjns3GU9cNRV3nRpIpvLrgeXTr0eM1CbL9PLkI5SyeBefGrZx-6dcyu5l5G8f6WhDLN0ktEobLzE60Kl3fGuXTnQgL7g/s1600/stairs.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></div>
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Yes, my hall is definitely darker, but personally I love the drama, it's just so much more interesting than before.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAyU0pv3ef7vDnvxAjI2nI9KnjAMxIlzjADl8uqtE3-GN2pwt7mUs-t8N1FPPJTiSsgNgvAYsBiam2cXqnar7MqDBFTe_2BXFIN4ATgD7xeH0rJwnk4TCjKIPV-zIlgg1jNzVVOohdKgky/s1600/DSC02259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAyU0pv3ef7vDnvxAjI2nI9KnjAMxIlzjADl8uqtE3-GN2pwt7mUs-t8N1FPPJTiSsgNgvAYsBiam2cXqnar7MqDBFTe_2BXFIN4ATgD7xeH0rJwnk4TCjKIPV-zIlgg1jNzVVOohdKgky/s1600/DSC02259.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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linking up with</div>
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Inspire Me Monday @ <a href="http://sandandsisal.com/">Sand and Sisal</a></div>
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Show and Share @ <a href="http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.co.uk/">Coastal Charm</a></div>
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Inspire Me Tuesday @ <a href="http://astrollthrulife.net/" target="_blank">A Stroll Thru Life</a></div>
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The Scoop @ <a href="http://cedarhillfarmhouse.com/">Cedar Hill Farmhouse</a></div>
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Before and After Wednesday @ <a href="http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/">The Dedicated House</a></div>
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Feathered Nest Friday @ <a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">French Country Cottage</a></div>
fiona andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413757450464594746noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507970796511999771.post-37253506609636332332015-03-21T12:08:00.000-07:002015-03-21T12:09:32.837-07:00more dust collectors (and a peak at my hall)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My bf gave me a couple of cutlery trays last year and I immediately knew how I wanted to use them. </div>
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I had seen an idea somewhere on Pinterest that used cutlery trays as shelving, and you know me, I love to display stuff and I love to dust...............not !</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnUuBMrQBTt0n53jM2XGtdtExKp7TVeKHarDRO47xvaApPywjFQKGrwD6OTEvUpPaPXHsyA1WkhIpklNEJeTSV5jBNE0LDzz9kxCV4pbKo6VUvwTX6rgxWU_8tgfKnOGmHIDZmsZ2bwGM/s1600/cutlery+trays.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnUuBMrQBTt0n53jM2XGtdtExKp7TVeKHarDRO47xvaApPywjFQKGrwD6OTEvUpPaPXHsyA1WkhIpklNEJeTSV5jBNE0LDzz9kxCV4pbKo6VUvwTX6rgxWU_8tgfKnOGmHIDZmsZ2bwGM/s1600/cutlery+trays.jpg" height="240" width="640" /></a></div>
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I looked out two other pieces that she had given me before (more dust collectors), an old drawer turned into a box frame for dried flowers, and a piece originally used as a tea caddy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinjtLTz4vGeNjlP7lkvB1t0hNO-f6Lf0Cug1hoD0agh3C-2ufO8tUs4asnpfQsm8PEM4scZDDG-v6dt_80z7PrYcTwdG_rN2g7HQUSuPeCPlpmxqqDd_w5LXoKq9CXbVgTgz_TxJcsElA2/s1600/different+trays.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinjtLTz4vGeNjlP7lkvB1t0hNO-f6Lf0Cug1hoD0agh3C-2ufO8tUs4asnpfQsm8PEM4scZDDG-v6dt_80z7PrYcTwdG_rN2g7HQUSuPeCPlpmxqqDd_w5LXoKq9CXbVgTgz_TxJcsElA2/s1600/different+trays.jpg" height="240" width="640" /></a></div>
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I used Rustoleum chalk paint in Graphite on all four pieces and papers from the collection below.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDAbSIQPg70YGFOZ0XHVggTQqYEyPDkTc-5a8HGatB7GcL_I04mesdFfiyzUXYoXoWh847tOkabrnunsBQVPlkDqt7AdkbXli33K4bee_lx3sDB1SbbC2xR4rsRgAyS3VlcXSDN35QJ0N8/s1600/paint+and+papers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDAbSIQPg70YGFOZ0XHVggTQqYEyPDkTc-5a8HGatB7GcL_I04mesdFfiyzUXYoXoWh847tOkabrnunsBQVPlkDqt7AdkbXli33K4bee_lx3sDB1SbbC2xR4rsRgAyS3VlcXSDN35QJ0N8/s1600/paint+and+papers.jpg" height="342" width="640" /></a></div>
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I painted the tea caddy inside and out and waxed it and added various pictures.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3pZJswXI9bjZd1c9GJcX1Tz4jk4m6vQv4S_kxS1ZVEnNQQqVzYT9q7EdoyhhqgnS4MBIiPBaNniiquBlzXZs5FNYJy04_6lY5RCqBswJGWCZ0WDjRDNT4xHrGK09V6k-_AoU7Yx1BcwK-/s1600/decoupaged+boxes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3pZJswXI9bjZd1c9GJcX1Tz4jk4m6vQv4S_kxS1ZVEnNQQqVzYT9q7EdoyhhqgnS4MBIiPBaNniiquBlzXZs5FNYJy04_6lY5RCqBswJGWCZ0WDjRDNT4xHrGK09V6k-_AoU7Yx1BcwK-/s1600/decoupaged+boxes.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></div>
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The old drawer needed a bit more work, I <strike>couldn't get the</strike> didn't have the patience to get the inside completely clean so I painted it and left the outside as it was.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rpdGiO-8HRl6yX39jRfl5AZWRsnFqLTimJccjEi1QyNeUOu3rwVzxYkr3nFstMkQ8qQvSC65IlJngmG58YBIhN1KG3To-CQ5ZlIIgh7Ok7eAsYQI0_5a8CcsZ9zanl22nHW0nCtIRPl2/s1600/decoupaged+trays.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rpdGiO-8HRl6yX39jRfl5AZWRsnFqLTimJccjEi1QyNeUOu3rwVzxYkr3nFstMkQ8qQvSC65IlJngmG58YBIhN1KG3To-CQ5ZlIIgh7Ok7eAsYQI0_5a8CcsZ9zanl22nHW0nCtIRPl2/s1600/decoupaged+trays.jpg" height="466" width="640" /></a></div>
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You might recognise a very familiar graphic.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcoUsAmXq7-AwE13_p5QO1cXW9LK9PvW1cZ7sP0Wlw6ME6613whqdpHfAuqmz6v_njix0_gUPrBolbCeVSffcl5y4viBGH6dNmugP8S82_xSHc51tRMtzruZhZunNnNQHJM8kH2MQqToT7/s1600/DSC02121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcoUsAmXq7-AwE13_p5QO1cXW9LK9PvW1cZ7sP0Wlw6ME6613whqdpHfAuqmz6v_njix0_gUPrBolbCeVSffcl5y4viBGH6dNmugP8S82_xSHc51tRMtzruZhZunNnNQHJM8kH2MQqToT7/s1600/DSC02121.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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The cutlery trays also got a lick of paint on the inside only. I love the graphite when it's waxed but didn't want to lose all of the wood look.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5lQzPtdkq7cr_fpHVLbxjDbd85S48KrD-kXaJdFe5FCVhBMvGC69Hgl6iVI-GiRhlZKKZrTB9lc_Zm3RMlW2G97eFzJ8i3A0gSMbKyiQeUMOJXd5MipkgtAyi5HreAM8GkvnGSRxZIL4q/s1600/decoupaged+cutlery+tray+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5lQzPtdkq7cr_fpHVLbxjDbd85S48KrD-kXaJdFe5FCVhBMvGC69Hgl6iVI-GiRhlZKKZrTB9lc_Zm3RMlW2G97eFzJ8i3A0gSMbKyiQeUMOJXd5MipkgtAyi5HreAM8GkvnGSRxZIL4q/s1600/decoupaged+cutlery+tray+small.jpg" height="212" width="640" /></a></div>
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I used different papers on each piece, but as they're going to be full of beach finds I tried to use naturalistic pictures that included birds, bugs and butterflies.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJm7SFOLv1700Xy2FXOOny4nUkhuilrKmd81i497nLoQ1HTZ0eDOLC7-2BqMr6lZy02KM9BI_GLBolpD3XlUJlqVHx9CiIr3ipGJsfNfuu5MmmVIefoR0SLpW3mz8dG4shmNLKNCNKruWS/s1600/decoupaged+cutlery+tray+large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJm7SFOLv1700Xy2FXOOny4nUkhuilrKmd81i497nLoQ1HTZ0eDOLC7-2BqMr6lZy02KM9BI_GLBolpD3XlUJlqVHx9CiIr3ipGJsfNfuu5MmmVIefoR0SLpW3mz8dG4shmNLKNCNKruWS/s1600/decoupaged+cutlery+tray+large.jpg" height="212" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglVgE-h5LK5cWGNogbSRm3ftfINhEMwbA4nrBA9qQabcnidbXUkdaCJ5H2OLW2lOeq2VfPBrPCmd-s7oSkz_LoRyQLNHHFHLUBM5VmRHXz3HXfG0p3cr5p2DlyNGulenv4pRAL_jQf9NyL/s1600/DSC02124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglVgE-h5LK5cWGNogbSRm3ftfINhEMwbA4nrBA9qQabcnidbXUkdaCJ5H2OLW2lOeq2VfPBrPCmd-s7oSkz_LoRyQLNHHFHLUBM5VmRHXz3HXfG0p3cr5p2DlyNGulenv4pRAL_jQf9NyL/s1600/DSC02124.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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Then I hung them all outside the dining room door, a wall that had been crying out for something for a long time. <br />
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On their own, the four <strike>dust collectors</strike> shelving units didn't fill the space enough, so I added a piece of flat driftwood.<br />
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I didn't want to do the same thing to the driftwood that I'd <a href="http://justpaintitwhite.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/bathroom-update.html">done before</a> but remembered a piece of rusty wire and fixings from the back of an old frame that I'd stashed away.<br />
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Both the wood and the wire were the perfect size to make a sort of pin board for postcards and photos, using miniature pegs.<br />
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So far I've styled the shelves with items from my ever burgeoning stash of beach junk, but there's room for lots more.<br />
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So, you've had a sneak peak at my hall, with the grey walls, and white panelling and next time I'll post the big reveal, and I might even do a little bit of dusting before then !</div>
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<br />fiona andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413757450464594746noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507970796511999771.post-24791218070508434162015-03-03T09:16:00.000-08:002015-03-03T09:16:25.077-08:00I've had a smashing time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When I showed you my <a href="http://justpaintitwhite.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/its-not-christmas-yet.html">hall</a> that I wanted to makeover, I mentioned disliking the grille on this radiator cover.<br />
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It was sandwiched inside the mdf frame, so the easiest way to get it out was to smash it out.<br />
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Truly, smashing things up is very therapeutic, as long as you don't get carried away and destroy the thing you want to save.........which I did...........almost.<br />
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I wanted to use chicken wire as I have some left over from <a href="http://justpaintitwhite.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/new-cabinet-doors.html">this project</a>. I tried to push it into the gap where the grille had been but it was a bit of a nightmare, so in the end I filled the gap with caulk, painted the radiator cover white and then stapled the chicken wire on the back.<br />
I tried two fabrics behind the chicken wire, but the darker hessian (burlap) with the more open weave definitely looked better, and it's half the price at £2.99 a metre (you'll probably see some burlap cushions here sometime as I have some left over).<br />
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So here is my newly made over radiator cover........and I love it.<br />
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And I do love the old paint splattered floorboards as they are, but I had to paint them white so that the hall would look wider.........or was it because even <u>I</u> can't cope with that much shabbiness.<br />
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The hall ? it's nearly...........nearly all done.</div>
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fiona andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413757450464594746noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507970796511999771.post-23392285561145774262015-02-19T14:26:00.000-08:002015-02-19T14:26:05.233-08:00spot the difference<br />
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I love those competitions in magazines and newspapers where they put two (almost identical) photos side by side and then ask you to identify a number of differences to win a prize, I love the challenge and I love looking at details.<br />
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Here are some small changes I made in the kitchen, can you spot the differences ?<br />
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First I just swapped something round because I was always unhappy with the position of one thing.<br />
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You might notice it a bit better in the picture below.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLIC3X_NlBT2iCFX0NLZj-H63okHAHv1_jyu3qGOE17RLG1JhQbI0z4xFmirfIVWIxQ6-aMM3WmD0u-DSaahzabRIIPA4DsyIZWZp-4i_08JmjZcRRd9F3S0nvrcceHMeDajLc1i_2p_El/s1600/collage+No.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLIC3X_NlBT2iCFX0NLZj-H63okHAHv1_jyu3qGOE17RLG1JhQbI0z4xFmirfIVWIxQ6-aMM3WmD0u-DSaahzabRIIPA4DsyIZWZp-4i_08JmjZcRRd9F3S0nvrcceHMeDajLc1i_2p_El/s1600/collage+No.jpg" height="430" width="640" /></a></div>
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Then I decided something needed painting because although I love all the wooden touches, one of the items is practical but not very pretty.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8zDTVyCrBpX423NqecE_kFKn-4OEOZ8J6MZccSr3Z7DjOHuVOZGqz83rhu0PLdSyPRLHd1B7arW9ghWG8CDK4XwsxlV6ShodfkiooepvkHEg2ZOcmEmb6V7aFWUYzMOX-IkSOKGPqA4xv/s1600/No.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8zDTVyCrBpX423NqecE_kFKn-4OEOZ8J6MZccSr3Z7DjOHuVOZGqz83rhu0PLdSyPRLHd1B7arW9ghWG8CDK4XwsxlV6ShodfkiooepvkHEg2ZOcmEmb6V7aFWUYzMOX-IkSOKGPqA4xv/s1600/No.jpg" height="430" width="640" /></a></div>
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You can see it better here, where you can also see my new black kettle. Chronologically this all happened <u>before</u> I painted blackboard walls in my <a href="http://justpaintitwhite.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/the-wc-before-and-after.html">hall and loo</a>. The desire to paint things black had been growing in me for quite sometime, so I started small and it grew and I think it's still growing.<br />
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Something very large also took place, can you see it ?<br />
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Now I'm sorry but there aren't any prizes for noticing the changes. <br />
I really disliked the vintage black scales on the windowsill, somehow they looked out of place, moving them onto the microwave seemed to work much better.<br />
The knife block was old and tatty, so I painted it black and that's when I decided to get a new black kettle................the old one always spilled when it poured so it was time for a new one anyway.<br />
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The biggest change was a new window........yes ok, there is more frame with the new upvc window than there was with the wooden one, but I hated all the tattiness of the old wooden frame, you can't really see it but trust me it was very untidy. The new white frame looks much nicer and cleaner.<br />
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Luckily I dissuaded the salesman and the surveyor from trying to persuade me to have a central bar down the middle of the window (giving me two large windows whose handles I could reach). No, I can't reach the top windows without jumping up on the side, but when I'm old I'll get a pair of steps out coz nothing is going to spoil the view of my garden...............<br />
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and I'll still be here when I'm old because I'll be paying for the window for the rest of my life anyway !!!<br />
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fiona andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413757450464594746noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507970796511999771.post-77718994889760240962015-02-14T12:45:00.000-08:002015-02-14T12:45:17.543-08:00the Barrista, the Palaeontologist and the Hobbit<br />
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Someone I used to work with years ago, would often say 'change is <u>not</u> a good thing'.<br />
I would always disagree........vehemently. Change is good, change means that life is moving forward, we all need to adapt to change because the world is ever evolving, ever changing.<br />
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The only changes I don't like are those where <u>people</u> move on, when they move out of my life.<br />
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Last September my favourite barrista Harvey moved on, moved to London to study music, left his Saturday shift at the café and left me bereft of the one person that could always put a smile on my face (and on the faces of many a young lady that visited the café !). <br />
Harvey is caring, polite, clever, a complete one-off, gorgeous inside and out and a credit to his parents, and I miss him.<br />
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I encouraged his departure, I told him he should move away to study, even though there was a very good music course in our own town. I encouraged him, because I wanted him to broaden his horizons. I encouraged him because if you care about someone you want what's best for them (I'm not under the delusion that I had any sway in his decision), and so he left.<br />
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Parting was very sad for me, slightly amusing for him.<br />
Saturdays just aren't the same.<br />
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David also left..........in November.<br />
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The prolific, grumpy old artist who worked next to the café had long talked of giving up his studio and moving away, moving somewhere quieter where there would hopefully be less chattering females, noisy children and yapping dogs.<br />
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He gave me a parting gift, a painting I had admired, he called it The Palaeontologist.<br />
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I love it, it reminds me of him. You can see the similarity between the man pulling the giant skull and the self portrait he drew on the front of the envelope of the Christmas card he sent us. Also he's moved from the South Coast to the quieter and more rugged north Norfolk Coast, and I could never imagine him away from a beach.<br />
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It's a miniature.<br />
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He gave me another gift.<br />
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We had been to see the first two Hobbit movies together but he knew he was moving away before the third film came out, so he made me a little version of himself that I could take to the cinema with me. I call him my David Hobbit.<br />
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He's also miniature, a miniature Hobbit with a white beard and an artists jacket covered in paint.<br />
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I miss David too, he was a friend and ally that I had known long before I started working at the café. He said I wouldn't miss him, but I told him I'd miss his grumpy face every morning, he laughed and kissed me goodbye (I think I could have been his 5th wife, should I have so desired !!!)<br />
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Whether I will ever see the palaeontologist again, I don't know. We've joked about getting a coach load of people together and going to visit him (officially he's given no-one his address, but he did draw it for us !) something I think he would hate and love in equal measure, but either way I'm sure the change is doing him good. <br />
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As for the barrista, he came back at Christmas and did a few shifts at the café.......... it was great, like old times. It also made me wonder why I had had such an adverse reaction to his departure; after all London isn't very far away and though his life will change and move on I'm sure he'll often be back to visit.<br />
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And my David Hobbit............well although <u>my</u> life may change, at least <u>he'll</u> never move on..............anyway, he's got to stick around for a bit, we haven't seen the movie yet !<br />
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fiona andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413757450464594746noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507970796511999771.post-43208727271821666672015-01-28T12:13:00.000-08:002015-01-28T13:45:36.444-08:00updating the gallery wall and milk paint<br />
Sorry if this post is very similar to a <a href="http://justpaintitwhite.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/the-reason-for-my-blogging-downfall.html">post</a> I posted recently, you might have a slight case of deja vu !<br />
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Some time ago CJ at <a href="http://juniperandroses.blogspot.co.uk/">Juniper & Roses</a> sent me some samples of MMS milk paint. She has become a salesperson over here and uses the paints with great skill (just take a look at her header, I wish I owned the plan chest).<br />
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I had always wanted the two large dark frames on the gallery wall to be painted a light colour, perfect for trying out the Ironstone sample. I also realised that I could probably squeeze a few <u>extra</u> things in on the right because the gallery wall wasn't quite central to the sofa (and I don't need much of an excuse to put more things on the wall).<br />
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I bought the frames years ago in a flea market in Brighton and got glass cut for them and put Klimt pictures in them.<br />
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They have no varnish, so were perfect for milk paint.<br />
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The milk paint didn't mix very easily and I got a few lumps but the lumps painted out. It also did exactly what it said it would, it stuck, because the frame wasn't sealed at all, so I used a scraper to get a more distressed look.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPE6Ca8OXj0gPlF-AoKUWK6J0KHyhihArKSmoDQBQ4G_DzkwoLdF2Ltw612UciuKvPWFAA1hgb_UQk94bIkomeQ6ghTLTtOT-j3ps5M3MYtmcdw8kVgKyyAt7_ICMdA5xg836Z8HqN74t/s1600/2013-09-04+17.34.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPE6Ca8OXj0gPlF-AoKUWK6J0KHyhihArKSmoDQBQ4G_DzkwoLdF2Ltw612UciuKvPWFAA1hgb_UQk94bIkomeQ6ghTLTtOT-j3ps5M3MYtmcdw8kVgKyyAt7_ICMdA5xg836Z8HqN74t/s1600/2013-09-04+17.34.46.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
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I didn't use the rest of the paint on the other frame, I used it on something very non-porous and shiny, a plastic coated basket, just to see the difference. It flaked off really well, in fact it was hard to get the paint to stick but I did it a couple of times and varnished it once I was happy with it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgymMQEYb3OULL8YWmanntl1hgeLoAcIPlE0dIIYshOBsBGdnWK_6Lfl3qnwI1OlRsr_82MJOOCQfCs4TTSkjKXJMf2kaXBIVt-059P58sHRzeMW5wf0MbYstPcibSF755E2eRBMFZFm6p4/s1600/mms+milk+paint+on+plastic+basket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgymMQEYb3OULL8YWmanntl1hgeLoAcIPlE0dIIYshOBsBGdnWK_6Lfl3qnwI1OlRsr_82MJOOCQfCs4TTSkjKXJMf2kaXBIVt-059P58sHRzeMW5wf0MbYstPcibSF755E2eRBMFZFm6p4/s1600/mms+milk+paint+on+plastic+basket.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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The basket became a shelf in my bathroom, with a bit of wood pushed through the bottom, and although I originally put the toothbrushes here, my brother found it all a bit precarious, so I had to find another solution.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpxls8dj22ggnZsQ7IS3hSEv-2FIqIqNSqL0MN82E23DVtOvyfoIcZlEqvBb1y8hn3w_LZRmI8pYCwRexjmvo6rxCrQkw2JdJqdetkTLzFBzccxqxZaigqOS-h6Dkwi8_b2sdTOHYfE-GH/s1600/DSC02071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpxls8dj22ggnZsQ7IS3hSEv-2FIqIqNSqL0MN82E23DVtOvyfoIcZlEqvBb1y8hn3w_LZRmI8pYCwRexjmvo6rxCrQkw2JdJqdetkTLzFBzccxqxZaigqOS-h6Dkwi8_b2sdTOHYfE-GH/s1600/DSC02071.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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Anyway, I digress.</div>
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I used a matchpot on the other frame and distressed it, then stuck a map of Worcestershire to the back of the glass and discarded the back of the frame because I really like the 'floating' look. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJl5ruhHpeh7ja35TalwGEzdbkVuVEvqBA3nT51KdtO19Hg5WdcLsV0hAxyISmTmUs1ESiEVwOrvyA8ExekwSZRK4Bf_oYYrMJCVfy7brx4_9cUI4DuxjVGLIf2WebldZr1-za7qP8sq8T/s1600/DSC01655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJl5ruhHpeh7ja35TalwGEzdbkVuVEvqBA3nT51KdtO19Hg5WdcLsV0hAxyISmTmUs1ESiEVwOrvyA8ExekwSZRK4Bf_oYYrMJCVfy7brx4_9cUI4DuxjVGLIf2WebldZr1-za7qP8sq8T/s1600/DSC01655.JPG" height="343" width="400" /></a></div>
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Also, I love the look of hand-tinted prints, as this is.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFV_z2sFW2CrWumNwyZOJ1TBEN55CDqNF6j5Qjfk_QvYaajvFGF8E4S7v1eBunfG4m4XQN3vt7TWsdfWG2-4oL48cxJ1wM9GVswnPDkWLcA6mI3l2ngkKbuyOQe7A3Acpxiy4Q1DStCzCm/s1600/DSC01654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFV_z2sFW2CrWumNwyZOJ1TBEN55CDqNF6j5Qjfk_QvYaajvFGF8E4S7v1eBunfG4m4XQN3vt7TWsdfWG2-4oL48cxJ1wM9GVswnPDkWLcA6mI3l2ngkKbuyOQe7A3Acpxiy4Q1DStCzCm/s1600/DSC01654.JPG" height="640" width="468" /></a></div>
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So, the additions.</div>
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I got a No. 9 (I felt at the time that I chose it randomly but actually my birthday is on the 9th - doh !) covered it in a map of the Middle East, but didn't like the clean look, so I touched the edges with an ink pad, then sanded the whole thing gently, and it looked much better.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfoAwI_T5LjPYwW0cq3syL0LgIjvtptVcgUd94IXRoAZH06X4sNSaVDNyQesE4t6oyWAILxBdJna4kHgM97qmDULyAXhy_Io1rbN24ysd18iHgb1iZ_gCzhxL_xJCRV66b0QPEwXkl_-G/s1600/No+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfoAwI_T5LjPYwW0cq3syL0LgIjvtptVcgUd94IXRoAZH06X4sNSaVDNyQesE4t6oyWAILxBdJna4kHgM97qmDULyAXhy_Io1rbN24ysd18iHgb1iZ_gCzhxL_xJCRV66b0QPEwXkl_-G/s1600/No+9.jpg" height="160" width="640" /></a></div>
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I put up my little green head, the one I wrote about <a href="http://justpaintitwhite.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/sometimes.html">here</a>, that <a href="https://www.blogger.com/profile/08724939947607431433">Cheryl</a> in Wisconsin had inspired me to fix.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fPRt5ibEi99JjBjxEfTj_VpQq5swihysXxctvuOC5Oc6gSdGxqYnzDhOUWt0Aq9RWBm_FCI_E4dTvmcgPq2WjaR1U0ISR2GFJKP0HLsAcIXTpq5U7QKHJ7MZWsnkD5WfgoNmgmo0W9c9/s1600/DSC01657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fPRt5ibEi99JjBjxEfTj_VpQq5swihysXxctvuOC5Oc6gSdGxqYnzDhOUWt0Aq9RWBm_FCI_E4dTvmcgPq2WjaR1U0ISR2GFJKP0HLsAcIXTpq5U7QKHJ7MZWsnkD5WfgoNmgmo0W9c9/s1600/DSC01657.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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Then found a frame that was the right width and left it like that for a considerable amount of time.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMBPb-77BsyasX40vVPJqhpJZRp_eruDJ0vfZoAUr61_YzsQ11D0KyNgZAauuIInD56_cxHtd_iTmVBEcfYYOwtmxL5WMHFeSsSUkrwoAwj6G5evXdWld2rILJi5giBXDkNZYKUNW8zKbO/s1600/DSC01653+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMBPb-77BsyasX40vVPJqhpJZRp_eruDJ0vfZoAUr61_YzsQ11D0KyNgZAauuIInD56_cxHtd_iTmVBEcfYYOwtmxL5WMHFeSsSUkrwoAwj6G5evXdWld2rILJi5giBXDkNZYKUNW8zKbO/s1600/DSC01653+(2).JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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It needed something else but I didn't want another small thing on the wall under the gold frame, so I moved everything down a bit, added white coral to the opening in the top of the green head to fill one gap and used the top of the gold frame like a shelf and put a favourite card on it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGNwFc6ZSgivgDjSL2BtrxXsuRaSFaiSobhheM5k3WZBC4aY0v1AdzQG0T52TKgGtS9B2NVP79h34YPaFDwB7njcazYiN26VjKzI49ktS5AcBpNmkkoHrtaA1HRmph7QIhwc5qJBmIMEzt/s1600/DSC02058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGNwFc6ZSgivgDjSL2BtrxXsuRaSFaiSobhheM5k3WZBC4aY0v1AdzQG0T52TKgGtS9B2NVP79h34YPaFDwB7njcazYiN26VjKzI49ktS5AcBpNmkkoHrtaA1HRmph7QIhwc5qJBmIMEzt/s1600/DSC02058.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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While looking for Christmas presents, I found a little piece to put in the frame, a little glass 'thing' with the quote 'Fashion fades, only style remains the same' Coco Chanel.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPevJTXzVVaED44BY0mBmdVqNwA6reNBUu3xHzB2G77NelU2NocrHvP5ufzoJphdjpx-pHq3czPZnrDZ8LGH66USVMREIwJutccCPy4gFEkzjToL_xtG6i1iIyk8przs-B018vjgbn1Osr/s1600/DSC02059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPevJTXzVVaED44BY0mBmdVqNwA6reNBUu3xHzB2G77NelU2NocrHvP5ufzoJphdjpx-pHq3czPZnrDZ8LGH66USVMREIwJutccCPy4gFEkzjToL_xtG6i1iIyk8przs-B018vjgbn1Osr/s1600/DSC02059.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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Finally, it's finished and I really need to leave this part of the room alone and go do something else.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrza8vuphOEI7dq9toTmxoEXmqU9AEvYtw0I0Yaqn6p1e40C98-kPEeGiE-YChfzYMJXtD_wRS97X-6TDA7t3_uubEttafkCMWS5qUxPwzVltlud_KsYkmfykTyVBqL4bot0LX813MCYC/s1600/DSC02039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrza8vuphOEI7dq9toTmxoEXmqU9AEvYtw0I0Yaqn6p1e40C98-kPEeGiE-YChfzYMJXtD_wRS97X-6TDA7t3_uubEttafkCMWS5qUxPwzVltlud_KsYkmfykTyVBqL4bot0LX813MCYC/s1600/DSC02039.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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I definitely prefer the gallery wall without the dark frames, everything seems more mellow.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfeTexOfN4rTgllkGksJHhTkZa5eu3i1xI2A-jPXe7gw5Amh7PdacUqtrByx3LTBLDQ0VMHR1OrcGPyM_k8YBuf3jRdiAtTkqHTheqJG5yXZ0vz7-Ybly6PWcX79YYhtQ-1TX9XNjbuG9/s1600/sofa,+cushions,+gallery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfeTexOfN4rTgllkGksJHhTkZa5eu3i1xI2A-jPXe7gw5Amh7PdacUqtrByx3LTBLDQ0VMHR1OrcGPyM_k8YBuf3jRdiAtTkqHTheqJG5yXZ0vz7-Ybly6PWcX79YYhtQ-1TX9XNjbuG9/s1600/sofa,+cushions,+gallery.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></div>
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I managed to paint a whole chair for work with the MMS Tricycle sample, though I had to thin it down to make it cover, but yes, if you're wondering, I <u>would </u>use MMS milk paint again, I'd just buy one of those mini whisks for mixing.</div>
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THANKS for my samples CJ, I told you I'd do a post <u>one</u> day xx</div>
fiona andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413757450464594746noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507970796511999771.post-16153067585694597252015-01-19T12:46:00.000-08:002015-02-03T01:57:44.583-08:00the WC before and after<br />
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Recently I had ten days off work and without the where withal (or perhaps the inclination) to go away anywhere, I chose to spend my time in the water closet, the WC, the loo, the lav, the littlest room !<br />
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Regulars here will know that I decided to decorate the hall, stairs and landing just before Christmas.<br />
Well it's almost done, apart from the floor. In fact it was <u>all</u> <u>almost</u> <u>done</u> before Christmas.................apart from the floor.<br />
I'm procrastinating.<br />
Bending down, sitting cross-legged on the floor, kneeling.....it all hurts, so I diverted my attention to the WC.<br />
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I'll show you part of the hall first, the chalkboard wall. The hall is so narrow that I couldn't stand back and get a better shot.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQE3JeHzdCPbjxAzvgBpcCvCqA1zfMXG4w5NX0KFg0EdNmHGCVReOR7tIjMM-E5dLvJXgbOQI6stVn6BvLriKPvkDgefprg-M0JRhWWUeC2ZOgjM1IByFNIbH0huDxK1TiF_C5q707whGH/s1600/DSC02014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQE3JeHzdCPbjxAzvgBpcCvCqA1zfMXG4w5NX0KFg0EdNmHGCVReOR7tIjMM-E5dLvJXgbOQI6stVn6BvLriKPvkDgefprg-M0JRhWWUeC2ZOgjM1IByFNIbH0huDxK1TiF_C5q707whGH/s1600/DSC02014.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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I've had blackboard envy for a considerable amount of time, and when I did this (and my friends wrote over it and the neighbours children drew all over it) I loved it so much, that I decided to paint the loo walls (and ceiling) black too.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGrb7rT542OIJyUVlIY9jVU5mEsLV26I9kjqtc7Tf41tJ-l_p5zdxmNebUFgsYuVD9_1JJcGFl_R5IYRFLkWNyJ1qDxLeB5HuipM0ffH5WYwPTxWBiWKMjqQGYmc6JB3yS-hI9un5sKDa5/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGrb7rT542OIJyUVlIY9jVU5mEsLV26I9kjqtc7Tf41tJ-l_p5zdxmNebUFgsYuVD9_1JJcGFl_R5IYRFLkWNyJ1qDxLeB5HuipM0ffH5WYwPTxWBiWKMjqQGYmc6JB3yS-hI9un5sKDa5/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" height="416" width="640" /></a></div>
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I also took up the carpet and painted the panelling and door frame in brilliant white.</div>
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I seasoned the blackboard paint with chalk.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMd9Kyh-2CQF4goxR_-zfWb7MMZKgbkKm20jHBZqyPidZ8i7yNERoqfYrBQISuzCFJiqHL6Mw-90FiVGObVJaMi7DxQSlnQzxDIxXaxYqz9uaBbqTfHeXZIy6VPV0b1LRoi3N-wK6pU0M/s1600/DSC02021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMd9Kyh-2CQF4goxR_-zfWb7MMZKgbkKm20jHBZqyPidZ8i7yNERoqfYrBQISuzCFJiqHL6Mw-90FiVGObVJaMi7DxQSlnQzxDIxXaxYqz9uaBbqTfHeXZIy6VPV0b1LRoi3N-wK6pU0M/s1600/DSC02021.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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I've always loved <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/275915914644536362/">this picture</a> that I put on my Pinterest board Wall Displays, where a collection of cameras is highlighted by putting them against blackboard walls and I realised that if I had some blackboard walls of my own, I could try and replicate it a little. <br />
I have loads of framed photos of friends and family, but they were in the ex old geezers loft, so I got them back and painted and distressed most of the frames with black and graphite, leaving a few gold ones in their original state.<br />
I went through a massive trunk full of photos (an afternoon that was spent reminiscing) and found some more and painted yet more frames.<br />
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And now I have a blackboard photo gallery in the WC, with names of friends and dates of days gone by, memories of travels in far off places, and memories of family also gone but not forgotten.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUWeAUhryXhWkJx-Gk0yQYCC_vwKtI9-Z_xR_D143YV72Mtel452Jn8VROAbn-DINVwoEsVAufeGjdNnHBlj3culPoXIiFVFh5w-iK15zQILNJww4HPPWIHJ1ttWy37ts-QM2gW_JZX-Uo/s1600/DSC02076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUWeAUhryXhWkJx-Gk0yQYCC_vwKtI9-Z_xR_D143YV72Mtel452Jn8VROAbn-DINVwoEsVAufeGjdNnHBlj3culPoXIiFVFh5w-iK15zQILNJww4HPPWIHJ1ttWy37ts-QM2gW_JZX-Uo/s1600/DSC02076.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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The ceiling worked out way better than I imagined, when I found the perfect quote to wind round the light.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2B1k7VYYZ567SGaND436Ktq7DBP9BxlrcH6AI6KM_UNiYGfkwHaf6FZfD_DZ9tINcIbsXO8Y6Qglhop2-fuu5chMG91hBsXDP35qmrHS35YbCfecx6AiSW0Yx_ZXsJTY9rXpfzEQ2tfq1/s1600/DSC02087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2B1k7VYYZ567SGaND436Ktq7DBP9BxlrcH6AI6KM_UNiYGfkwHaf6FZfD_DZ9tINcIbsXO8Y6Qglhop2-fuu5chMG91hBsXDP35qmrHS35YbCfecx6AiSW0Yx_ZXsJTY9rXpfzEQ2tfq1/s1600/DSC02087.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<em>From quiet homes and small beginning</em></div>
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<em>out to the undiscovered end</em></div>
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<em>There's nothing worth the wear of winning</em></div>
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<em>but laughter and the love of friends</em></div>
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- Hilaire Belloc</div>
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At face value it seems to fit because I wanted the words to spiral out to the ends, and I've been to the 'ends' of the earth, and also the water closet is all about friends, but I think it's a great quote with a great meaning.</div>
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As you can see I painted the floor white, but this is the only section I've done, so that it would be photo worthy.</div>
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I had no plans for putting up the pictures, I didn't lay them on the floor, I just put my favourite photos on either side at eye level and just let the gallery grow randomly.<br />
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I don't really like pictures of myself but this one I can cope with. It was 25 years ago exactly that I went on an amazing overland trip from London to Kathmandu and the best thing about visiting the Taj Mahal was that we were the first people there at 6am and we had it to ourselves at first and you have to take your shoes off, so walking on the cool white marble made it even more special.<br />
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I've been spending a lot of time in the water closet, and now you know why.</div>
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linking up with</div>
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Make it pretty Monday @ <a href="http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Dedicated House</a></div>
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Show and Share @ <a href="http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.co.uk/">Coastal Charm</a></div>
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Inspire Me Tuesday @ <a href="http://astrollthrulife.net/" target="_blank">A Stroll Thru Life</a></div>
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The Scoop @ <a href="http://cedarhillfarmhouse.com/">Cedar Hill Farmhouse</a></div>
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Wow Us Wednesdays @ <a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.net/" target="_blank">Savvy Southern Style</a></div>
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Feathered Nest Friday @ <a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">French Country Cottage</a></div>
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Silver Pennies Sundays Link Party @ <a href="http://findingsilverpennies.com/" target="_blank">Silver Pennies</a></div>
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fiona andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413757450464594746noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507970796511999771.post-42626653098768751632015-01-10T12:45:00.001-08:002015-01-10T13:58:55.641-08:00the reason for my blogging downfall.....<br />
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When I took another break from blogging last year I worked on a few small areas in the house. One thing that was really bugging me was the sofa.<br />
The sofa is pretty new and pretty nice, but it's hard to relax at night, the back cushions make it too upright.<br />
That's great in the daytime when I might want to sit upright and blog, but not so good at night when I want to relax, throw the laptop on the floor and watch something on tv.<br />
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I had the idea of switching the back cushions for smaller ones that would be far easier to throw around or sink into, rather than trying to lift the cumbersome original cushions onto the floor (which I did.....often.....I've mentioned before, I'm pretty lazy and I <u>love</u> watching films).<br />
When I got the extra spondulies from <a href="http://justpaintitwhite.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/in-boiler-room.html">this job</a>, I went straight to a <a href="http://www.next.co.uk/shop/productaffiliation-cushionsandthrows-0#2_435">Next</a> superstore and found three cushions straight away, which put me on a mission to find more.<br />
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As I'm always <u>trying</u> to be eclectic I went for different styles. The grey velvet (only £8), green ruched velvet (£14) and devore velvet (the most expensive at £25) were the first buys.<br />
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I couldn't resist the printed blue and white cushion and it was a steel at £6. Also from the same shop I got the duck egg blue, brown and green check cushion (14.99) and the grey felt cushion (can't remember how much that was but it was inexpensive).<br />
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The linen cushion with the green stripes came from H & M online, I think it was £7. The brown check was a £2 remnant I made into a 50cm cushion for the back row (the other three being the same size).<br />
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Then I just needed one more to tie it all together, something with green and blue and definitely a pattern and I found it online, in the US, and it looked right when I put the computer on the sofa to try it for size.<br />
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When I received it, I found the background a little yellow for my liking but I love the pattern and all the other colours, so it stayed.<br />
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And this has actually become the reason for my blogging downfall, because it's way too comfy and the laptop gets discarded early in the evening.<br />
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And in true blogging style, let me just show you the other end of the room that is in slight disarray, due to staging the sofa (I had to take the throws off........you're guests after all)) and numerous painting projects, and of course my favourite little photo bomber is never far away.<br />
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I'm currently off work because the boss has closed the café for 10 days for essential maintenance but I still haven't finished the hall, stairs and landing because I'm slightly obsessed with the WC. That sounds weird but I had a little idea to make it more interesting and it's all coming together, more on that soon.........<br />
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<br />fiona andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413757450464594746noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507970796511999771.post-34117562220185438062014-12-24T13:11:00.000-08:002014-12-24T14:48:58.756-08:00A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year xx<br />
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If you've been here before and read the last post...................<br />
no, I haven't finished the hall...........but I did manage to get out all the Christmas decorations <u>and</u> decorate the café where I work.<br />
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So, here are some pictures and few words because I'm rather late with this post.<br />
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The finished cabinet makes a better backdrop to the Christmas tree....................<br />
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last year it didn't look quite so good.<br />
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I managed to get a fake wired branch this year to make a Christmas mantle, it works better than the lights I used last year and I can get more of the decs on it, so the tree isn't quite so packed.<br />
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The kitchen got a little Christmas too, with metal decorations on some branches I now keep out all year long and my latest additions, a pair of cute reindeer on springs.<br />
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At work, I recycled the recycled decorations from last year, the camembert boxes with string, packaging and bottle tops and added a garland made from cutlery, orange slices, chillies and light bulbs. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8wtNqiEb3GGt3L8q2WjnFaWmNi6arFVY3I8VDxQwtFDzE8F0scAOz0UpOs639y6cOy5JeUkJjnT80SMR6c1dgfMe6ElwT56D71Y8U_kFm-P5BVk5PMewodEhmxPTXvSwtuxLI2Grc5fMN/s1600/DSC01945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8wtNqiEb3GGt3L8q2WjnFaWmNi6arFVY3I8VDxQwtFDzE8F0scAOz0UpOs639y6cOy5JeUkJjnT80SMR6c1dgfMe6ElwT56D71Y8U_kFm-P5BVk5PMewodEhmxPTXvSwtuxLI2Grc5fMN/s1600/DSC01945.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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I was also asked by the boss to make some 'things' out of marzipan. He's half German and he says the cafe's and cake shops there are filled with marzipan sculptures - so here is my tiny offering (that drove me nuts).</div>
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so have a <em><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">very</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"></span></em><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;">MERRY CHRISTMAS</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">and a </span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">HAPPY NEW YEAR</span><br />
<em><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">xxx</span></em></div>
fiona andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413757450464594746noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507970796511999771.post-87480038953189418802014-11-28T14:01:00.000-08:002014-11-28T14:01:45.292-08:00it's not Christmas yet !<br />
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While some of you will have had Thanksgiving, and many of you have decorated your homes, and written more than one Christmas post, I am the lunatic who has decided to decorate my hall, stairs and landing AND the toilet in a cupboard, right at the end of November.......<br />
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because it's not Christmas yet !<br />
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The quatrefoil grille on the rad cover <u>has</u> to go, I really don't like it any more. The rather pink display on top, that went ages ago, it was just too pretty.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl3vXhC_yp9oX9cth07e7W2zAqceuvB_j39BfoDX0iccT7Ow4v_FGM8eXuhNxS6bvxFxsZENdkFajHYt2OtUeYwstrmCMYXjweSWaSOyya-rFbGCsUnY4Alf-tKXoTn-i36s6eMZ7-mnfY/s1600/2013-07-02+13.41.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl3vXhC_yp9oX9cth07e7W2zAqceuvB_j39BfoDX0iccT7Ow4v_FGM8eXuhNxS6bvxFxsZENdkFajHYt2OtUeYwstrmCMYXjweSWaSOyya-rFbGCsUnY4Alf-tKXoTn-i36s6eMZ7-mnfY/s1600/2013-07-02+13.41.27.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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We originally painted the walls in a pale blue - that's gone.<br />
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About 10 years ago I did the woodwork in a cream then aged it with a glaze - that's gone too.<br />
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That horrible carpet - gone - I'm going to paint the lovely old floorboards.<br />
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My favourite part of the hall ? The hook on the end of the rad cover for Rufie's leads, it's neat and tidy and makes me smile every time I use it - that'll be staying !<br />
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The landing ? Well cleverly I never took any photos of it, but it's pretty much the same but with an old bannister rail !<br />
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What will the colours be ? Well there's a clue in one of the pictures.<br />
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What's left to do ? A second layer on the walls, the topcoat on all the woodwork, virtually all of the toilet, sanding all the floorboards, painting and sealing them and a few little surprises.<br />
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Then there's Christmas decs to do here and at the café - wish me luck !!!<br />
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fiona andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413757450464594746noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507970796511999771.post-28508531189976628672014-11-16T15:42:00.002-08:002014-11-16T15:42:43.570-08:00a bit of this and that and a little chicken wrap !<br />
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No, I've not been gone so long because I've been working on changing this into a food blog !<br />
A little chicken wrap is not about my favourite sandwich (it wouldn't have chicken in it anyway), but something entirely different.........more on that later.<br />
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First, I need to tell you about dear Nancy over at <a href="http://ajoyfulcottage.com/">A Joyful Cottage</a>, who wrote a lovely piece about my home and me and made me realise that I seriously need to pull my finger out (not the nicest expression in the world, but very apt) and get on with some creating and decorating.<br />
You can read all about it <a href="http://www.ajoyfulcottage.com/2014/11/living-large-in-small-spaces-charming.html">here</a>.<br />
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The reason I haven't posted for so long, or visited y'all, is not for any particular reason, just a chain of events.<br />
Friends who know me here will know that I have a lazy streak, and I'm very good at allowing myself to be lazy, especially after the workload I had during our busiest summer at Coast Café.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcKlgfUDxJNWYZufFuHT9QxS8Zl3V8CPhNylbjR1yGrrT9Zq_0LUnSwllOWDkl3vSoF8UweNnXT_LPCbp630u5DLnrmFj0PmTFUF1jtZ41-gXNA5YRwd_0KBOGKt6EqiMcBJR4ErDozxw/s1600/Photo0310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcKlgfUDxJNWYZufFuHT9QxS8Zl3V8CPhNylbjR1yGrrT9Zq_0LUnSwllOWDkl3vSoF8UweNnXT_LPCbp630u5DLnrmFj0PmTFUF1jtZ41-gXNA5YRwd_0KBOGKt6EqiMcBJR4ErDozxw/s1600/Photo0310.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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In fact summer seemed to go on and on and on - the last time I wore 3/4 length trousers (because the kitchen gets unbearably hot) was only three weeks ago during half term, when the café was once again as busy as it had been in July !<br />
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Something else happened, I lost some weight. I didn't notice at first that I'd dropped 6lbs. But the 10 or 11 hour days (I know chefs in top end restaurants do much longer days than this) on my feet with no break, then feeling too tired to eat at home, took their toll. It was easy to carry on because the busy schedule carried on. To date I've lost 17 lbs. When I lose weight I start to think about clothes more and more. So instead of buying stuff for my house, I did more clothes shopping and less crafting.<br />
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Feeling better about the way I looked made me realise that I'd like to go out more. I was turning into a bit of a recluse, and my brother kept remarking on it. I was quite happy though, happy to be in my own space without the old geezer, happy to be at home, happy but perhaps wondering if it was a little unhealthy.<br />
So I've been asking friends to go out for a drink (which they find extremely bizarre) and we've got quite a few evenings planned from now till Christmas.<br />
I'm still not much of a drinker because I can't bear feeling rough the next day (and a certain party in my twenties made me realise I didn't want to ever be out of control again - maybe that's another post for another day !) so I don't go crazy, but it's been fun.<br />
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So, the chicken wrap....................<br />
My poor wee dog got a grass seed in his paw in August. They can be extremely dangerous, as they're like thorns that can travel up to the heart or lungs. Luckily the vet realised that it was probably a grass seed when we went for a routine vaccination. I thought Rufie was doing his normal summer scratching and itching but the vet realised it was more serious. He was booked in for the next day, and when I collected my sad little dog who was very sleepy and kept 'crying', this is what he looked like........<br />
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with his little chicken wrap !<br />
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And even though he was totally exhausted and could hardly hold his head up, he followed me everywhere, because he didn't want to be alone.<br />
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And I felt like a very bad Mum who had taken my fluffy baby for torture, and I knew we had to visit the vets twice more before the ordeal was over.<br />
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About two weeks later when the chicken wrap came off, Rufie had a slightly alien looking foot, but it had healed up nicely and he seems to have forgiven me.<br />
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From Tuesday I have a week off, so I'm going to make a start on my hall, stairs and landing. Something I've been putting off for months but Nancy has inspired me to get on. <br />
I'm not sure how much I'll get done because I'm going to London with my bf Pandy (one of the teenagers at work told me that saying bff is uncool, so I've cut it to bf !!) on Friday for a couple of nights, because we're going to see Strictly Come Dancing at the BBC studios in Elstree. She got everyone she knows to apply for free tickets (for every single Saturday that it's on tv) because she loves a certain pro called Anton du Beke, and I couldn't believe it when I won. This is the best present I could give someone who has done so much for me over the years.<br />
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I've also just finished watching the latest series of Downton, which ended in an incredible climax and now we have to wait for the Christmas special to see what happened next. And because I used to work for Spode and Royal Worcester (selling their wares in a reputable department store !!), let me just tell you that Lord and Lady Grantham and their friends and family drink their tea from Spode's Stafford White, just in case you were thinking of investing in a new tea service.<br />
And if you're feeling very flush a little Stafford Flowers would mix in very nicely !<br />
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I've also been trying to catch up with all the posts I've missed. I've caught up with a few people so far, but I've still got a lot of reading to do, and I'm determined to read everything and thank you to those of you that asked after me. And while I'm here a friend has a Christmas giveaway that I know you'll all love, and she made it very easy for me to catch up with her because she doesn't post much (!!!) so thank you Diane, and this is the link <a href="http://thecheckeredapple.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/my-christmas-giveaway.html">The Checkered Apple</a></div>
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I have actually made a few minor changes at home, so I may be back with them soon - or maybe not !<br />
Thanks if you've made it to the end<br />
Fiona x<br />
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fiona andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413757450464594746noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507970796511999771.post-36787754324665520622014-07-29T13:58:00.001-07:002014-07-29T13:58:17.846-07:00the old sew and sew<br />
For me, sewing is a necessary evil.<br />
That might sound a bit extreme, but I really don't like it.<br />
I can do it, and therefore I do, but I don't like it.<br />
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I always make a mistake, I always have to unpick something, and I don't have the patience to measure properly.<br />
That probably sounds wierd because I really needed patience to hang my <a href="http://justpaintitwhite.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/new-cabinet-doors.html">cabinet doors</a>, but sewing.............<br />
noooooooo.........<br />
my patience just goes out the window.<br />
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But when <a href="http://artandsand.blogspot.co.uk/">Carol</a> sent me these...........<br />
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and I saw this again........<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLJLWDOg7EfpvqUTU3jPFx_sFzwledPgH_eJ_8SCrvg4tLw1J9G3lPxIn1l82sVHG20Ye-VUqs7Tiok9nmYwUjdCEhfBPLX1ip50qxmGbNk5Y_bwUgi0Wc9oQOWlrcBUGPIb8XE6Z_o5BW/s1600/PicMonkey+abcCollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLJLWDOg7EfpvqUTU3jPFx_sFzwledPgH_eJ_8SCrvg4tLw1J9G3lPxIn1l82sVHG20Ye-VUqs7Tiok9nmYwUjdCEhfBPLX1ip50qxmGbNk5Y_bwUgi0Wc9oQOWlrcBUGPIb8XE6Z_o5BW/s1600/PicMonkey+abcCollage.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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I knew that I wanted to create a new cover for my sewing machine, because the old plastic one was falling apart,<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubkHzuAe60mknMicStJShBVZl1SRGTXUjAenCMtbRBC1CiTPnGyh-1SD7IMwDeRfm_6T_jCJKEqSzPGfrdaUJtHz818Hwalbcd95DYya-NZSGU6yEwV8ZZhD6BuOIeKWHlkNP3IwXBuLT/s1600/DSC01762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubkHzuAe60mknMicStJShBVZl1SRGTXUjAenCMtbRBC1CiTPnGyh-1SD7IMwDeRfm_6T_jCJKEqSzPGfrdaUJtHz818Hwalbcd95DYya-NZSGU6yEwV8ZZhD6BuOIeKWHlkNP3IwXBuLT/s1600/DSC01762.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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and it doesn't look very pretty under the desk in the guest room (sewing stuff has to stay in this room because it won't all fit into the <a href="http://justpaintitwhite.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/new-cabinet-doors.html">cabinet</a>).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhSktqlDekvo8uJEkPKaBsfCEQZNY0ObgBUFutLmmDmF5JwJmZ1XbJ8pCLn6Man1eWknacLpZBlWpZMOl3O8CS-Nv8fSjZ34QmQxXVT2k9N7YGtRjPkSVaBF9lbOe5Ct7v33FvVRyM81t/s1600/DSC01764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhSktqlDekvo8uJEkPKaBsfCEQZNY0ObgBUFutLmmDmF5JwJmZ1XbJ8pCLn6Man1eWknacLpZBlWpZMOl3O8CS-Nv8fSjZ34QmQxXVT2k9N7YGtRjPkSVaBF9lbOe5Ct7v33FvVRyM81t/s1600/DSC01764.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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That little bag hanging to the right of the desk holds all the electrical bits for the sewing machine and that'll get a makeover soon, but first I made this.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_spVWzvPaY4Uycga6brXYpd-uEc9AzMhr0nFXrAGSrLqQt5cciira8gTlzY7uRDJwe5W0-vzJLVNXLlkjfBgpY_lG2NDCn2lPv8SI78AuF4veETQxeW3sJmgVHFW-675Ow5gTPnjGQ7zP/s1600/DSC01851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_spVWzvPaY4Uycga6brXYpd-uEc9AzMhr0nFXrAGSrLqQt5cciira8gTlzY7uRDJwe5W0-vzJLVNXLlkjfBgpY_lG2NDCn2lPv8SI78AuF4veETQxeW3sJmgVHFW-675Ow5gTPnjGQ7zP/s1600/DSC01851.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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I used some old burlap type fabric, some cream fabric I found in my stash to back it and some printed 'sewing' fabric that I've had for a while.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-Ms1irE2WB72y4H7gG8dae58tfOePZrgDU2Sc3N7XCuUYsGqDBCqvJn8c-6kS3fVM9nblrHLrkKXn-XKl9mNusC_t1ecuYATSycaW19eoEnhER5j5_1YtesEmSBaqYjB8f2qEqbboQ4a/s1600/DSC01784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-Ms1irE2WB72y4H7gG8dae58tfOePZrgDU2Sc3N7XCuUYsGqDBCqvJn8c-6kS3fVM9nblrHLrkKXn-XKl9mNusC_t1ecuYATSycaW19eoEnhER5j5_1YtesEmSBaqYjB8f2qEqbboQ4a/s1600/DSC01784.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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I masked off a border and used my new alphabet stickers to write 'my sewing machine'. I know it's not very original but that's just the way I roll, stating the obvious !</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghHbN_acwSmX6oNUTG1h6-YDUK9ayaNDqfeNQ633qPGZBR3Rg1HSSlzje-MywvXNWAPbK3OTo0imeYT_1xvFUSxI2C0f-k6ZQrmEB1wHesz5_aN18ECarhKAOK0Kl7qs2tUyxRziYIfVt9/s1600/DSC01786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghHbN_acwSmX6oNUTG1h6-YDUK9ayaNDqfeNQ633qPGZBR3Rg1HSSlzje-MywvXNWAPbK3OTo0imeYT_1xvFUSxI2C0f-k6ZQrmEB1wHesz5_aN18ECarhKAOK0Kl7qs2tUyxRziYIfVt9/s1600/DSC01786.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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I used both fonts, something that I think has stuck with me after seeing <a href="http://www.bliss-ranch.com/2012/07/old-dresser-turned-portable-bar.html">this</a> at Bliss Ranch. I just love the mix of lettering.</div>
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I used some black paint and an old stencilling brush which meant I could use the stickers more than once because I was using a stippling action, pushing the paint into the fabric.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qONyafXwEjCkfnngC9ujFeMJbDvVm_-YQJQvJ24V9OyKQfU0xjPUUU7j94i3GTDlalAaMK2VwEIyXXwt94y3DlXTmNyw41LNYev1od9lZVa3NigajDwy3prmVby5tMa6l0S8ytO7FTh_/s1600/DSC01787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qONyafXwEjCkfnngC9ujFeMJbDvVm_-YQJQvJ24V9OyKQfU0xjPUUU7j94i3GTDlalAaMK2VwEIyXXwt94y3DlXTmNyw41LNYev1od9lZVa3NigajDwy3prmVby5tMa6l0S8ytO7FTh_/s1600/DSC01787.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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I cut up the old plastic cover and used it as a template to make four sides and a top. I cut up the 'sewing' fabric into little labels and used bondaweb to attach them, stitched it all together (twice, because the first time it went wrong !) and embellished it with ribbons and buttons.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjayoSQABAvIP0rTID2Cbg9-S6YOcbHILnZXjQp8k1SR3_ypw15lRLc3bl0v6hmuVaqI05NGfe0S2kwsXXhjZ2ElqoZ6TyRXjS-zMd8048CSp-U-56v7fQrpfm1R_03SEYytSzst5qLh6Wa/s1600/DSC01789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjayoSQABAvIP0rTID2Cbg9-S6YOcbHILnZXjQp8k1SR3_ypw15lRLc3bl0v6hmuVaqI05NGfe0S2kwsXXhjZ2ElqoZ6TyRXjS-zMd8048CSp-U-56v7fQrpfm1R_03SEYytSzst5qLh6Wa/s1600/DSC01789.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTEXw6tKPgEDD9BgyuHrzP8HPpuyMbomG9Gny_GS2BlxT46sS73Lra2sAsHpVIQuJmnf2PBTo1oykaeGuJhpUT2ls3LUnR8ByWxqWpUuqLp4qC3PMczC1LyK3vOKRBVKtKefbTtx2ZB41_/s1600/DSC01851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTEXw6tKPgEDD9BgyuHrzP8HPpuyMbomG9Gny_GS2BlxT46sS73Lra2sAsHpVIQuJmnf2PBTo1oykaeGuJhpUT2ls3LUnR8ByWxqWpUuqLp4qC3PMczC1LyK3vOKRBVKtKefbTtx2ZB41_/s1600/DSC01851.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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The buttons are all shell buttons and are mostly more interesting on the back than the front.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9i1zH7tyX1U-Ydw6Q3P7Hl6ylm0Dj_0gplOWDdHfm01i0y-JmeBofiar9d2BnMqnpNZF_1A6I7FNeh22LLyRu8aQhVTznJsF261kFd2k-5EbsrLKvL9kJFF-5DWVtKU07VTXj4AxYeZJV/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9i1zH7tyX1U-Ydw6Q3P7Hl6ylm0Dj_0gplOWDdHfm01i0y-JmeBofiar9d2BnMqnpNZF_1A6I7FNeh22LLyRu8aQhVTznJsF261kFd2k-5EbsrLKvL9kJFF-5DWVtKU07VTXj4AxYeZJV/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" height="242" width="640" /></a></div>
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I also found some great buttons in my Grandmother's button box. They're fabric covered metal, in different sizes and perfect for my new cover.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYeUgUe46i-Dhd1Y1LxP8Hz55edF3AkdPKiM0tBz7NXw8iLKG4N6F-nyz_9jgyR7x3nknTbigr1CD-uXXYPCZ5EqON1qKwDGa-mXYUyEcYQ3U0IGaOEQODp_byf0f3MN3CeUS4kzI4Ad6Q/s1600/DSC01824+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYeUgUe46i-Dhd1Y1LxP8Hz55edF3AkdPKiM0tBz7NXw8iLKG4N6F-nyz_9jgyR7x3nknTbigr1CD-uXXYPCZ5EqON1qKwDGa-mXYUyEcYQ3U0IGaOEQODp_byf0f3MN3CeUS4kzI4Ad6Q/s1600/DSC01824+(2).JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdnzVbciuylEqqBHnt3Du1QB8u8iBuiD_lO9XtTH8rCu3tJ7qZt6MINlHZaT2Kc5C1qj4YLVQrtSy9kKoukmNSruc52pgv0s11UYGgLzA9njq1_hA2GnRA-h7qA6Un6NKVRl-M5XSU7Pms/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage+No+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdnzVbciuylEqqBHnt3Du1QB8u8iBuiD_lO9XtTH8rCu3tJ7qZt6MINlHZaT2Kc5C1qj4YLVQrtSy9kKoukmNSruc52pgv0s11UYGgLzA9njq1_hA2GnRA-h7qA6Un6NKVRl-M5XSU7Pms/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage+No+2.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></div>
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I used a left over bit of border on the top of the machine, and put an eyelet for the spool pin (which actually comes off so that you can pack it away safely, but I love eyelets after doing <a href="http://justpaintitwhite.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/my-pass-it-on-gifts.html">this</a> project, so didn't want to waste the opportunity to use one).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0B65Oip0eeIZnk3o9ugTzNHnwhU6XDh2kBgT58Q-HQaS17ueFzEdSGqmDiwOCJ2m3VHjsPFT6dXZcWHlu1O1P57wQBTB8CzZNW0hGka0n7QcLpxNCkTRT6otLecA_XGmP43d6el5f4HR/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage+No+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0B65Oip0eeIZnk3o9ugTzNHnwhU6XDh2kBgT58Q-HQaS17ueFzEdSGqmDiwOCJ2m3VHjsPFT6dXZcWHlu1O1P57wQBTB8CzZNW0hGka0n7QcLpxNCkTRT6otLecA_XGmP43d6el5f4HR/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage+No+3.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></div>
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At least when guests come to stay, the old sew and sew looks slightly better than a bit of torn old plastic. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLj2cOlpc8DWwOj4-aTRPuSz3yXAzQZNS6fR_MhFRCyUoCVv9giaYoiYhLTI81cYDQp6a8NhzNo0jg5_3gNTfqcCuiy6f035H2ib7wBrqOhzsv4fWxGQHHLMm9E1xYzLLwbQBDoP97pCIi/s1600/DSC01866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLj2cOlpc8DWwOj4-aTRPuSz3yXAzQZNS6fR_MhFRCyUoCVv9giaYoiYhLTI81cYDQp6a8NhzNo0jg5_3gNTfqcCuiy6f035H2ib7wBrqOhzsv4fWxGQHHLMm9E1xYzLLwbQBDoP97pCIi/s1600/DSC01866.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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So thanks again for the stickers Carol, I love the look of the negative stencilling on fabric and will definitely be doing more. In fact I've kept all the stickers I used because I believe they still have 'stickability' and I can't bear to throw them away.</div>
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I need to make over the little bag now, which will probably get the obvious name of 'electrical stuff''. </div>
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Unfortunately it won't be any time soon because work is busier than ever. My boss has gone on a three week holiday to the States with his family, and I seem to have been promoted from Head Chef to Manager, even though I was never actually asked !</div>
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I won't have a little rant here, but suffice it to say I'm rather shattered so apologies if I haven't paid you a visit recently.</div>
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I hope you're all enjoying a wonderful Summer.</div>
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fiona andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413757450464594746noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507970796511999771.post-4282505814674870992014-07-04T13:56:00.000-07:002014-07-10T12:24:16.962-07:00new cabinet doors<br />
For those of you who haven't been here before, I moved back into this house about a year and a half ago, after renting it out for seven years. I'm slowly decorating the whole house, but my latest project involves adding doors to this cabinet.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1JVgKocjHcpteyOT2wJhLmvi-j43N1snpXBhhBI1XXZ9st4Kn0DB1goZAWO5OJndr5UFapfWzBzPp4bnAbBGHX0h0Bvp-6qRdkI6Py9I99nZsN6RCNH1swN8grUgTP2KSpzZWNaLZXQG/s1600/Photo0309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1JVgKocjHcpteyOT2wJhLmvi-j43N1snpXBhhBI1XXZ9st4Kn0DB1goZAWO5OJndr5UFapfWzBzPp4bnAbBGHX0h0Bvp-6qRdkI6Py9I99nZsN6RCNH1swN8grUgTP2KSpzZWNaLZXQG/s1600/Photo0309.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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I originally wanted a china cabinet with glazed upper doors, so my partner built this unit, and added a wooden detail to the top that he found on a job somewhere. Then he got a computer and made an extra shelf in the bottom section for paper, and even made one section of wood removable, so that he could slide the screen and keyboard behind the non existent doors.</div>
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I didn't mind the compromise because there was nowhere else to put his computer, but the doors never materialised.......</div>
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and then we both moved out, separately !</div>
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After being inspired to turn the cabinet into a craft cupboard by Carol (instead of just using it to house junk) which you can read about <a href="http://justpaintitwhite.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/more-letters-more-inspiration-and-thank.html">here</a>, I was intent on finishing this built in unit.</div>
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I went to a wood yard and had four pieces of mdf cut, two with cut outs for the upper doors.</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyA3C04O3ygI2BEJCyLeiTdYprNShDFImQg1ZO6JLQ4usnQvcb1JD365bI1ug8GovDJYE4nGixOsgHC6rh1WVqhYMedQrSZ_dA5a50rmaZnFTeTt9b1en67_dlQmMQN03MgG3wYdfcOGVA/s1600/DSC01684.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></div>
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I bought some trim to make a central panel on the bottom doors and to frame the opening on the upper doors, which would also disguise the edges of the chicken wire.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3eVudAwKndpDRzXdaM4tndodWEr0ZrIlPje4pLsAansKBnFh4Mn5HRoU4mECPRBbuc48qXFjdsQLYc2D2d_ZSflXSJ2YpCqzBfDJywMCredpyGtnXNhZb_4da9U5VJYoVBvmhEBj3fiZZ/s1600/trim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3eVudAwKndpDRzXdaM4tndodWEr0ZrIlPje4pLsAansKBnFh4Mn5HRoU4mECPRBbuc48qXFjdsQLYc2D2d_ZSflXSJ2YpCqzBfDJywMCredpyGtnXNhZb_4da9U5VJYoVBvmhEBj3fiZZ/s1600/trim.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></div>
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I don't have a special place to work or any special tools, I just used a saw and a mitre block and my dining room table.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmvlIsYDuueIGQ2bc4S2LF7W-kJ_aQ0qMGF_VPyBdLqF8Ap6ibkmB4x7nXx_9T1QxjIuDvs9dhCtJneje_eDmAmwza7gXaLPIzAJVU86P1PZXvy3Mm2qVgiBRzlGyU8cVEOtw55p0ueFM/s1600/DSC01688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmvlIsYDuueIGQ2bc4S2LF7W-kJ_aQ0qMGF_VPyBdLqF8Ap6ibkmB4x7nXx_9T1QxjIuDvs9dhCtJneje_eDmAmwza7gXaLPIzAJVU86P1PZXvy3Mm2qVgiBRzlGyU8cVEOtw55p0ueFM/s1600/DSC01688.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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I pinned on all the trim in a couple of hours, then tackled the hinges. <br />
I laid out the doors back to back and marked and measured all the hinges, and after another couple of hours, I went from this,<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcuYxOTPXKllPc0uvS3I8PYK4w5ctblu3ByvoGwoVMZK9t6wXXjreQBW1cX47fd10B8M5PxpehxVs5qyIumekYSGWofS6VYjTyp5Z3bwzoN2qHhOv_czU8RSRhdH6ACSj4TnmmHqE485in/s1600/DSC01692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcuYxOTPXKllPc0uvS3I8PYK4w5ctblu3ByvoGwoVMZK9t6wXXjreQBW1cX47fd10B8M5PxpehxVs5qyIumekYSGWofS6VYjTyp5Z3bwzoN2qHhOv_czU8RSRhdH6ACSj4TnmmHqE485in/s1600/DSC01692.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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to this,</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_ysbc1c1dY9TzaJhpg5mj9eqNNfi3SXHJcKDFUVHpqG5XXM_f_60JqejElzGA5gmYuYDdawXZkvujlGUSUK58-jkoWx1Lx9x16m1vqRkKtCOwiL8rRgio_tPtskh9C7_M43z-Vk8V9yB/s1600/DSC01695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_ysbc1c1dY9TzaJhpg5mj9eqNNfi3SXHJcKDFUVHpqG5XXM_f_60JqejElzGA5gmYuYDdawXZkvujlGUSUK58-jkoWx1Lx9x16m1vqRkKtCOwiL8rRgio_tPtskh9C7_M43z-Vk8V9yB/s1600/DSC01695.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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and then this,</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlWJ6J30iRTrlo9smzJ-A6QWYNiXxZ4bR662ceqQMfLclAABzJyupqQwICwOuMhogVzAJWK_WwaoSYkf5pogrsEHtXRphSxwmB3d1hAYS7hmyNJR8xSglohydrzZf-kLC0xO4c9tPvPdF/s1600/DSC01696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlWJ6J30iRTrlo9smzJ-A6QWYNiXxZ4bR662ceqQMfLclAABzJyupqQwICwOuMhogVzAJWK_WwaoSYkf5pogrsEHtXRphSxwmB3d1hAYS7hmyNJR8xSglohydrzZf-kLC0xO4c9tPvPdF/s1600/DSC01696.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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Then I took off the crosses (because I wasn't going for barn door, I was going for European), and put on trims in a diamond shape, and a trim on the edge of one of each set of doors to cover the central gap, added magnetic catches inside and painted the doors dark brown.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9S78gglzsQZyxKgcenS-VT6K-MfbBDZCKbB7JJWLKYHnWxrX6vdbT2Cz69Bzch_0Hi6cScfh-HJcMz4pteXJSlRcG2iLHn8reFfIRa08ucSw7pmko9mpmnKw1N6egxji0L9KvC72BUAl/s1600/2014-05-28+12.51.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9S78gglzsQZyxKgcenS-VT6K-MfbBDZCKbB7JJWLKYHnWxrX6vdbT2Cz69Bzch_0Hi6cScfh-HJcMz4pteXJSlRcG2iLHn8reFfIRa08ucSw7pmko9mpmnKw1N6egxji0L9KvC72BUAl/s1600/2014-05-28+12.51.07.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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I rubbed the edge of a candle on the trims to resist the paint and then coated the doors in two layers of white, and distressed and finished with AS wax .<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYvbTsevaraTlDe_wTfc9xh19dXW0dwKxvrRUlfGVePENVIXqyCfh8LhRGKNusRr6f2v7GIsXJBzBHp8gjyqu4iK1eaxqTE9UIHcmZ73jL2sAxvmgnj-29-hCW9dxfdUaLslcGP_9oyrl/s1600/2014-06-04+18.34.37+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYvbTsevaraTlDe_wTfc9xh19dXW0dwKxvrRUlfGVePENVIXqyCfh8LhRGKNusRr6f2v7GIsXJBzBHp8gjyqu4iK1eaxqTE9UIHcmZ73jL2sAxvmgnj-29-hCW9dxfdUaLslcGP_9oyrl/s1600/2014-06-04+18.34.37+(2).jpg" height="640" width="470" /></a></div>
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I trawled the internet for hours looking for handles, and finally found what I wanted, and I really love them.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Bw0kFX0CI1Tp3zyN7r9J05pjn7nLyRgJACcxsPzL1ZKdt7p7KBaQ6rcaLRXNhk7Q4AN5p9YEhQu7fL4oIkFrUKl5b07RQIkfmytQSR3s4TI_aLFeizD7BU4APxxKlGl5x_dqYJZmeRDz/s1600/2014-06-04+18.34.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Bw0kFX0CI1Tp3zyN7r9J05pjn7nLyRgJACcxsPzL1ZKdt7p7KBaQ6rcaLRXNhk7Q4AN5p9YEhQu7fL4oIkFrUKl5b07RQIkfmytQSR3s4TI_aLFeizD7BU4APxxKlGl5x_dqYJZmeRDz/s1600/2014-06-04+18.34.53.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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All that was a breeze compared to fixing the chicken wire and finding some fabric.<br />
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I can't quite believe that I had managed to hang the doors straight, with almost no adjustments, but it took three or four attempts and lots of scratches to get the chicken wire right.<br />
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And the fabric, oh my ................... I had always imagined tightly gathered white or off white muslin, but it looked awful because it was too bedroomy.<br />
My second choice wasn't much better.<br />
I went to every fabric shop in town and all the charity shops. I even tried old lace tablecloths but nothing looked good, so I went back to the internet and looked at prints and sent off for loads of samples.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6K0-UP50jCqW_VRZ5Wv8xEwEsZ-qhgteRxYUn00uW781Yb2X91wlvY-cwRzajUEJCJywjt9WkvrT36oTw-H7rswDIcz2-awjJBSLn-DW0H8BZ5wHq6aABsJv7ic2vXtA6aum8hzdVu_5T/s1600/DSC01741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6K0-UP50jCqW_VRZ5Wv8xEwEsZ-qhgteRxYUn00uW781Yb2X91wlvY-cwRzajUEJCJywjt9WkvrT36oTw-H7rswDIcz2-awjJBSLn-DW0H8BZ5wHq6aABsJv7ic2vXtA6aum8hzdVu_5T/s1600/DSC01741.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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I really like the two green fabrics at the top on the right, but I wanted something a little different, so I went with this.....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBs9znTCnXgqfQxBiaQUZz6cPpOvqJ3ZDFL4XaJ_zB_xbQDNl5E0oj8b8yX3POmLsRIFHC1XRvd0YrdzZ6fI3v_IWNP3GogW_HrGhic_qmdZsgw9EHf53BInMFfJF69UtCjTc4cwefomo1/s1600/DSC01750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBs9znTCnXgqfQxBiaQUZz6cPpOvqJ3ZDFL4XaJ_zB_xbQDNl5E0oj8b8yX3POmLsRIFHC1XRvd0YrdzZ6fI3v_IWNP3GogW_HrGhic_qmdZsgw9EHf53BInMFfJF69UtCjTc4cwefomo1/s1600/DSC01750.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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Yay for map fabric, I love it.<br />
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The colours are perfect for the dining room. It has lots of blues, reds and browns. Some of the pictures have a slight green tinge, but the picture below shows the true colours of this great fabric.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzNACUb10plktHPgVGP_uYZtYy6SO8CANA6CQ9H_3JZxxf1yBHYDS67vXb7TdtO-UJSpbz-_AFM7NxXAtncsxQGl7FWzuHCQUHG15R2XmLpgiGGxVuBFIc1xLjAQKjMcPJ1uMkVuleQXob/s1600/fabric.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzNACUb10plktHPgVGP_uYZtYy6SO8CANA6CQ9H_3JZxxf1yBHYDS67vXb7TdtO-UJSpbz-_AFM7NxXAtncsxQGl7FWzuHCQUHG15R2XmLpgiGGxVuBFIc1xLjAQKjMcPJ1uMkVuleQXob/s1600/fabric.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></div>
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Also, I originally found it on the <a href="http://www.next.co.uk/">Next</a> website for £15 a metre, then found the exact same fabric on another site for £8.99 a metre, so that was a real result.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXLePjEQUsdxisgEPClMzjl-kQiv-tU3Mdq5YZCRSPaGmFDkvAFtGO_2JMORwjXIc5WAfPrIqw5iIsvYjMyF4dxFvfCKPomSS-yk4OcfZ55jqlVFPI1N5BAfLj-3Zm_0B54Ok7zZg4E73/s1600/DSC01756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXLePjEQUsdxisgEPClMzjl-kQiv-tU3Mdq5YZCRSPaGmFDkvAFtGO_2JMORwjXIc5WAfPrIqw5iIsvYjMyF4dxFvfCKPomSS-yk4OcfZ55jqlVFPI1N5BAfLj-3Zm_0B54Ok7zZg4E73/s1600/DSC01756.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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My dining room almost looks like a proper room now.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGVOw1wgrYvM3vmZ4cl6TNMmUB1-Ix23_1Bz0CJRlOwwvTRUm_o11uMjX8xCDriLptO_mST-_XGnXj2bxfCMl_8FPogJwDg6wXoYmfar95Ed2isq_BFnxpmO8j43BDjn4dBohBMAN7DR1y/s1600/DSC01781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGVOw1wgrYvM3vmZ4cl6TNMmUB1-Ix23_1Bz0CJRlOwwvTRUm_o11uMjX8xCDriLptO_mST-_XGnXj2bxfCMl_8FPogJwDg6wXoYmfar95Ed2isq_BFnxpmO8j43BDjn4dBohBMAN7DR1y/s1600/DSC01781.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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From empty.... to wasted storage space.... to useful art cupboard.... to dining room shabby chic/useful art cupboard......</div>
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and it only took 10 years !!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJLu7rVTl6ilvhcHZyJEuNHR-7zDiGqmX7MxzXRPZ1GiCh1otw27a9Ij2eleLG1w9vlKXec2dd8P9UH3YudYql6gTf_mwGPtFtCvlkGws-2X1eyvNzp9PVWc0SFE2wODjtJq_pNwlm2E9L/s1600/cabinets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJLu7rVTl6ilvhcHZyJEuNHR-7zDiGqmX7MxzXRPZ1GiCh1otw27a9Ij2eleLG1w9vlKXec2dd8P9UH3YudYql6gTf_mwGPtFtCvlkGws-2X1eyvNzp9PVWc0SFE2wODjtJq_pNwlm2E9L/s1600/cabinets.jpg" height="298" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm pretty happy and as <a href="http://daranger911.blogspot.co.uk/">Vickie</a> has pointed out to me, I can always change the fabric if I go off it, but I don't think that will be any time soon. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifcwapNFz4nUQu51uMH9peD-4wt_2FmZs-y2zKRsXhNiXH14Ba63SnyofMMsvbHAiNyRcchcLSYzZCCrFDQkCsyCOEiVPCEJoqKUuvEx7hlLhgQ8SdewLhm3GRivmu1tewCdfiNLjRiAc5/s1600/DSC01776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifcwapNFz4nUQu51uMH9peD-4wt_2FmZs-y2zKRsXhNiXH14Ba63SnyofMMsvbHAiNyRcchcLSYzZCCrFDQkCsyCOEiVPCEJoqKUuvEx7hlLhgQ8SdewLhm3GRivmu1tewCdfiNLjRiAc5/s1600/DSC01776.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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I hope you've all enjoyed your 4th July celebrations, of course we don't celebrate this day in the UK, but most people are celebrating the great weather we're having here.</div>
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It's hardly rained at all in the last few weeks, which is very unusual, my garden and I both like a little bit of rain !</div>
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Linking up with</div>
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Make it pretty Monday @ <a href="http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Dedicated House</a></div>
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Inspire Me Tuesday @ <a href="http://astrollthrulife.net/" target="_blank">A Stroll Thru Life</a></div>
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The Scoop @ <a href="http://cedarhillfarmhouse.com/">Cedar Hill Farmhouse</a></div>
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Wow Us Wednesdays @ <a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.net/" target="_blank">Savvy Southern Style</a></div>
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Show and Tell Friday @ <a href="http://romantichome.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">My Romantic Home</a></div>
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Feathered Nest Friday @ <a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">French Country Cottage</a></div>
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Silver Pennies Sundays Link Party @ <a href="http://findingsilverpennies.com/" target="_blank">Silver Pennies</a></div>
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fiona andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413757450464594746noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507970796511999771.post-48880054507983198282014-06-24T14:57:00.001-07:002014-06-24T14:57:27.781-07:00more letters, more inspiration and a thank you<br />
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If you visit Carol at <a href="http://artandsand.blogspot.co.uk/">Art and Sand</a> you will find beautifully sunny days, filled with primary colours, numerous creative projects, the work of an amazing artist and lots and lots of letters.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtkyQ0MWzLZhAtt1ECMirLhUqKd60nk1oj_MsJWBaYToEWQZ7NLC9sciXp11e_7NNgb-Ey2Bk9Y8IM_EgbhXNWkIEldrBUg9hYZu2n4xLtSBsfWm8P1MwIrjIePaud9bp_zRIEvKNU_JrB/s1600/IMG_5933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtkyQ0MWzLZhAtt1ECMirLhUqKd60nk1oj_MsJWBaYToEWQZ7NLC9sciXp11e_7NNgb-Ey2Bk9Y8IM_EgbhXNWkIEldrBUg9hYZu2n4xLtSBsfWm8P1MwIrjIePaud9bp_zRIEvKNU_JrB/s1600/IMG_5933.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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A shelf spelling out a word, or a cubby full of c's, Carol's collection seems endless.<br />
Just look at this Ikea Expedit showcasing the whole alphabet.<br />
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It's inspiring in itself to me, to think of someone who has spent years collecting letters (and numbers) of every size and shape and material possible. <br />
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Recently I was admiring one of Carol's many projects, using letters.</div>
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I was bemoaning the fact that I can't find any alphabet stickers over here. I finally bought a zinc alphabet stencil set last year, but you can't create the kind of negative stencilling (or reverse stencilling as I think Carol call's it) that I admire so much without stickers, or some sort of cutting machine.</div>
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I love the amazing border she created on this tablecloth.</div>
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So Carol, kindly sent me some letters, and though I knew they were coming and I had been thinking up loads of ideas, it was only when I was typing an email to say thank you that I had a little light bulb moment and I knew what my first project would be.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7k5Wjxx1_K9WpbxR989bkkwkDU0NSIKL8VmLxxSTsn63i4R4CSbZ5U-O6yoUzks8JC4CKpm-EMwLD0KIQawP3JdkNR1ihsk9tw3P7eKuXNVny2S1rrSeHHPNDxy6rJgvrboLlENPW-1SE/s1600/DSC01707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7k5Wjxx1_K9WpbxR989bkkwkDU0NSIKL8VmLxxSTsn63i4R4CSbZ5U-O6yoUzks8JC4CKpm-EMwLD0KIQawP3JdkNR1ihsk9tw3P7eKuXNVny2S1rrSeHHPNDxy6rJgvrboLlENPW-1SE/s1600/DSC01707.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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That hasn't actually happened yet, but I just wanted to say another big thank you to Carol for my stickers and also for the inspiration I had a while ago to do something else.<br />
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Some time ago Carol posted a picture of this work space in her garage and it totally inspired me.<br />
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Before this Carol had a corner of Steve's studio and I think before that she kept a lot of her craft supplies in a cupboard, but seeing this work space made me envy the accessibility of everything.<br />
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All my paints and brushes were in my under stairs cupboard, which is full of coats, ironing board, vacuum etc and not easy to get to. I was inspired to turn my built in unit (with no doors) in the dining room into my craft cupboard.<br />
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This is the before, with pointless old files on the top shelf, which I have culled, decoupage stuff and old maps which needed to stay, and books which needed to find a home somewhere else.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMsGsczLEYdya97lKDtfErKfXDwSkN3bUjzZjSgE4ws2eWByYqVpmmyEMqEPyPOVzkqTjzxf3_Uw97HmlKgGKHVxAKQiHzZb12uLkxxMTR4kvyUHh_m3UjO3CtIY2ZZJ06VvPV3UxejDNR/s1600/2013-05-18+16.55.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMsGsczLEYdya97lKDtfErKfXDwSkN3bUjzZjSgE4ws2eWByYqVpmmyEMqEPyPOVzkqTjzxf3_Uw97HmlKgGKHVxAKQiHzZb12uLkxxMTR4kvyUHh_m3UjO3CtIY2ZZJ06VvPV3UxejDNR/s1600/2013-05-18+16.55.54.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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I used two wine crates to provide extra shelving for my paints, and boxes to store the small stuff like stamps.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw9zHxBcxj5CbOVjz8t2qdJxWx1CBXsZCMqkfNqaX4cMKvi-6SVAp1vYH1nYZ6lkmuCXH4qy0LM9W5m-_ku9NVZtrYildu3Hk8agRDBv2XgaSjuNpzFDSw8lI8zYsKhZ5b1IoGrTFGXWA5/s1600/2013-08-14+16.51.26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw9zHxBcxj5CbOVjz8t2qdJxWx1CBXsZCMqkfNqaX4cMKvi-6SVAp1vYH1nYZ6lkmuCXH4qy0LM9W5m-_ku9NVZtrYildu3Hk8agRDBv2XgaSjuNpzFDSw8lI8zYsKhZ5b1IoGrTFGXWA5/s1600/2013-08-14+16.51.26.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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The bottom section is stuffed full of things to paint. I think I've probably taken it out and put it all back at least ten times.</div>
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Since turning this unit into a craft cupboard Carol has actually moved her creative space into the house and now has a wonderful new studio.</div>
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But I am very happy with my unit, because I usually work on the dining room table anyway, everything is easy to reach and of course I couldn't leave it like this, I have finally put doors on it, and it's almost as I imagined it, about 12 years ago !</div>
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Just a sneak peak. I have now hung these mdf doors, which have some beading detail, are painted white and distressed of course. The handles are on and there is some chicken wire, but I can't show you my finished cupboard yet because I can't find some fabric to put behind the chicken wire.</div>
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I have already wasted money on two different types of fabric, but they didn't look right, so I've sent off for some samples and hopefully one of them will work.</div>
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So thank you Carol, thank you for my sticky alphabets and thank you for inspiring me to create a special place for the fun stuff.</div>
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fiona andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413757450464594746noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507970796511999771.post-36814953382843505702014-06-07T14:56:00.000-07:002014-06-07T14:56:05.106-07:00life in and around a cafe on the beach .....................<br />
can be hectic, fun, busy, mad, tiring, interesting and sometimes even exciting !<br />
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While I'm stuck inside, slaving away in a hot kitchen, people are out and about on the beach, enjoying all that our little slice of Worthing has to offer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfiKQjEG1mr345X5KWwWT5PE9EUKfAUpYNF4gs1JJJ6akmrakLBtA3Kr1dSq6c-61ZBotivtTjOMonJyBC3u6Jby_EsfBrCX9IG9guKH5HmNalYcErcBd3hKX11s0Y6FkwimHLqElud_Y/s1600/Photo0310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfiKQjEG1mr345X5KWwWT5PE9EUKfAUpYNF4gs1JJJ6akmrakLBtA3Kr1dSq6c-61ZBotivtTjOMonJyBC3u6Jby_EsfBrCX9IG9guKH5HmNalYcErcBd3hKX11s0Y6FkwimHLqElud_Y/s1600/Photo0310.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Next to the café there are numerous beach chalets some of which have been turned into artists studios. Soon there will be seven more and a gallery space. After more chalets, which are rented to locals, there is a twin building to ours (you can just see it on the right hand side of the picture).<br />
A few months ago it was opened by Nik and Ant Baker, former professional windsurfers, as a school for teaching various watersports like kitesurfing and paddle boarding.<br />
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This is another view of their building (before it opened), with the new local swimming pool behind (which wasn't built in the first picture) and the old swimming pool to the right.<br />
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Our two buildings were originally part of a walled garden belonging to Beach House. This is the view from the beach looking north, in a gap between the chalets, with the new swimming pool on the right. <br />
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Many people have lived here, King Edward V11 stayed here and some Spanish children were looked after here, as refugees from the Spanish Civil War.<br />
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Now it's full of private apartments, all with views of the sea, through the gap between the chalets. </div>
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This gap is currently being turned into a water feature.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkwiPmNwY9lh-3N0jBLf6HkCryQDKLp_Bmxn5QkrHJkPvbkyolxwTIYoXdKQpvikgV1nHEg9ln5ZR85pUzR-91JwC1n6cF_PgQ98ZE3Z3K9Zeogd59Dmx-80hnelGzJYyDmu1ayEgtJUwX/s1600/2013-07-17+11.23.52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkwiPmNwY9lh-3N0jBLf6HkCryQDKLp_Bmxn5QkrHJkPvbkyolxwTIYoXdKQpvikgV1nHEg9ln5ZR85pUzR-91JwC1n6cF_PgQ98ZE3Z3K9Zeogd59Dmx-80hnelGzJYyDmu1ayEgtJUwX/s1600/2013-07-17+11.23.52.jpg" height="362" width="640" /></a></div>
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Behind our café is a great playground with sand pits and a pirate ship.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1DZHQ9otYg2OQS63sMDBtttZQ1_NgkdbX6MPE0rXZokY2YYp4FST-D8MKpk_JJocoqfw8CsVVxrgx7r5E8y9-5-tuakRfdUGjBUwfM1ODLSMm9O8ovEjpC8ScpxauhG6LvgKxsGaYQh8J/s1600/2013-07-17+11.26.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1DZHQ9otYg2OQS63sMDBtttZQ1_NgkdbX6MPE0rXZokY2YYp4FST-D8MKpk_JJocoqfw8CsVVxrgx7r5E8y9-5-tuakRfdUGjBUwfM1ODLSMm9O8ovEjpC8ScpxauhG6LvgKxsGaYQh8J/s1600/2013-07-17+11.26.13.jpg" height="432" width="640" /></a></div>
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Beyond that are the sand courts, which we have to run from the café (which is extremely hard when we are busy).</div>
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And beyond those arches (part of the original walled garden for Beach House), are the gardens with mini golf, which I'm happy to say is run by someone else.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfYjhTHbPXCKemKxKDzMPoSIC49EF6WP4IDczAyUSsFGmIafkxq2V_ArVTL7VqY7fxCfil-w1h0UjpL1u3stGbv7j4Wk9rDlNjRcdwvkTRTyfLfSr5zR3pO_VrqIWsUfTAzaTE9mPIZ1I/s1600/2013-07-17+11.32.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfYjhTHbPXCKemKxKDzMPoSIC49EF6WP4IDczAyUSsFGmIafkxq2V_ArVTL7VqY7fxCfil-w1h0UjpL1u3stGbv7j4Wk9rDlNjRcdwvkTRTyfLfSr5zR3pO_VrqIWsUfTAzaTE9mPIZ1I/s1600/2013-07-17+11.32.47.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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When the sun shines, the whole place is buzzing, and although I don't get to join in all the fun, sometimes working in a cafe on the beach has it's rewards.</div>
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Last weekend this great guy came in the café. I was busy cooking and didn't catch every word, but his accent was very thick. I was thinking that he sounded French Canadian, when I heard him say that he was from Quebec.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6-7ycopDkZ0hAMlCZDiN-0BzPA2FRUBe25B7Ed_FURMZlzOVd3vrsQhmNhIHHBZSs4qSpGrcK6IfSi4Qws71zQcap1G-47h8GgWSE60zVaXRzyotJIu89ofzss7jEBHh8T_iD7W_hb_H/s1600/2014-05-29+16.21.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6-7ycopDkZ0hAMlCZDiN-0BzPA2FRUBe25B7Ed_FURMZlzOVd3vrsQhmNhIHHBZSs4qSpGrcK6IfSi4Qws71zQcap1G-47h8GgWSE60zVaXRzyotJIu89ofzss7jEBHh8T_iD7W_hb_H/s1600/2014-05-29+16.21.22.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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I still didn't catch every word when I got a chance to listen more carefully, but it was soon apparent that he was telling us that he is walking around the world.<br />
Yep, he's walking around the world.<br />
A-MAZ-ING !<br />
<br />
He was so charming and never stopped smiling and chatting. I took his picture with Christina, outside the cafe, but we were so busy we didn't get to spend very long with him.<br />
What we did find out, is that he has walked from Vancouver to Newfoundland, and Alaska to Argentina. On his latest leg he started in Ireland, then crossed to Scotland and walked through England and Wales and he's on his way across the rest of Europe. Every 8 months he has to go home to pick up his pension (he got a special dispensation to pick his pension every 8 months instead of every 6 months), then he goes off again.<br />
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His name is Pierre Paul Cayer and he is 67 years old, maybe you've met him.<br />
He reckons he'll finish in about five years and then write a book about his adventures.<br />
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That was the Friday, but on the Saturday life got even more exciting (because I'm a sad old woman who doesn't have much of a life !).<br />
The rowing regatta was on, so the beach was busier than usual, but there weren't so many people in the café. <br />
I only had one order on the tab, and took it myself because I had to go to check out the volleyball courts. As I walked back into the café I noticed a cute guy at the till but didn't think anything of it. I started having a little rant about the courts again and was moaning to Christina when the cute guy asked if there was a swing park nearby. Sad old woman that I am, I took the meaning of swing quite differently and gave him a clueless look. Luckily Christina had seen him earlier with his wife and child and directed him to the playground.<br />
His Scottish accent had given him away completely (Christina was clueless this time because she doesn't watch tv and rarely goes to the movies) so after conferring with my favourite barrista Harvey, I concluded that James McAvoy had just been in our café.<br />
Yep, the x-man himself, the brilliant actor that is James McAvoy had just visited our little stretch of the beach.<br />
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Just to confirm this fact, I quickly looked him up on Wiki, to find out that his wife is blond and that they have a four year old son. I went outside to scan the surroundings and saw him on the beach with his wife and child.<br />
He was talking and looking straight back at the café where he would have seen a sad stalker like old woman with hand on hips staring straight at him !<br />
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I went back inside, where another customer just confirmed that he had indeed seen James McAvoy.<br />
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I'm sad I know, I've met famous people before, my bff is married to the son of a well known sporting hero. I worked in a shop in London frequented by Lords, Ladies, royalty and tv stars but seeing an actor I admire in my little town really made my <strike>day</strike> <strike>week</strike> month !<br />
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I hope he and his family enjoyed their day on our little stretch of beach.<br />
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And sorry Mr. McAvoy that when you came back in the cafe later on, there was such a big queue that you decided not to wait.<br />
And to Pierre, good luck with your walk through Europe.<br />
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fiona andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413757450464594746noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507970796511999771.post-49198985581375328022014-05-27T14:33:00.000-07:002014-05-27T14:33:12.675-07:00in the boiler room !<br />
I recently took two weeks off work, because a) I need to use up my holiday time and b) an old customer was hassling me to do some work for him.<br />
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I have worked in this house on and off for about 10 years, for the previous owners and the current owner. I have hand-painted every single room except the laundry. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-D-xGKUIFwNDBWITNZQ_qX9TF8i0icvXCxxZTTrI9a49Y7U2Rf0JnCXZPaPrmfen75fmQm1jVFr3FrH1xSSyPOJQlAqvkSa47Pcxv05OTcrQwakeobD97aHTXdtvadhFCETKo9l-ebGH/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-D-xGKUIFwNDBWITNZQ_qX9TF8i0icvXCxxZTTrI9a49Y7U2Rf0JnCXZPaPrmfen75fmQm1jVFr3FrH1xSSyPOJQlAqvkSa47Pcxv05OTcrQwakeobD97aHTXdtvadhFCETKo9l-ebGH/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></div>
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He initially asked me to come and fix one of the guest rooms because he had had some water damage from a leaky roof.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA18fQlNwgnGslGXcUJgntoHruecwZSdcYMbZy4uFY-5G79284BHe2AXeVpLyyoXWEvYs2FlWp4lrHA5GsZj9gOnP7TqMjpctGD8b3yy-q6N_kCe1PeigLZwOvVOyA0nLYAZyRjgrMcm5G/s1600/2014-05-08+08.31.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA18fQlNwgnGslGXcUJgntoHruecwZSdcYMbZy4uFY-5G79284BHe2AXeVpLyyoXWEvYs2FlWp4lrHA5GsZj9gOnP7TqMjpctGD8b3yy-q6N_kCe1PeigLZwOvVOyA0nLYAZyRjgrMcm5G/s1600/2014-05-08+08.31.36.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> The white paint is the stain block I used before re-painting the cream and then the green stripes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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He also asked if I could do anything with his laundry room. There were lots of holes, and dirty and unpainted walls where a new boiler had been installed.<br />
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There are also lots and lots of cable's and pipes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm1SPUlPwBInKDsXwelQ0odzHsZiFDTtz25tIcTH3VPh4o8kdyfvVLE48yKiPBwKAViWutcK6GBb0g7J1h_IFN6FasFYporoJNYO3au6exeUbhZ8ie0_9zy-c56cz6oAJOFbCXmwpMqPu3/s1600/boiler+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm1SPUlPwBInKDsXwelQ0odzHsZiFDTtz25tIcTH3VPh4o8kdyfvVLE48yKiPBwKAViWutcK6GBb0g7J1h_IFN6FasFYporoJNYO3au6exeUbhZ8ie0_9zy-c56cz6oAJOFbCXmwpMqPu3/s1600/boiler+room.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></div>
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The only thing I could suggest was to turn his laundry room into a boiler room and add even more pipes !<br />
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So instead of spending two weeks at home, decorating my own house, I spent 6 1/2 days in this boiler room.<br />
As soon as it started to look ok, I stopped berating myself for taking on the work, and started enjoying it.<br />
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Mostly I was left on my own, given a key, and told to help myself to tea and coffee: so I just turned the radio up and got on with it.<br />
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I painted the back two walls in grey, stippled with silver, because there was already enough going on, on these walls and I knew everything would look good against a darker colour.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfGMJt1YcZ9H0x0btkInAyvSqos6i2EGRFK9NEJjQJaVJqA6lZlPtmF8RXSty2DcZNm-vruoPLfbDug6OrFGILODp2ENSH6Bne-PDCmjV2hASZuclSh8iOR24AMgEIhLFdyRG6Kb_Obiw/s1600/DSC01674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfGMJt1YcZ9H0x0btkInAyvSqos6i2EGRFK9NEJjQJaVJqA6lZlPtmF8RXSty2DcZNm-vruoPLfbDug6OrFGILODp2ENSH6Bne-PDCmjV2hASZuclSh8iOR24AMgEIhLFdyRG6Kb_Obiw/s1600/DSC01674.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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On the other walls I painted 'metal' panels because I couldn't cut round all the pipes. One morning the shelf had gone (a new galvanised one has been bought) and then the next day I was asked to remove the tiles. It definitely looks better without them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYg_YUqQKZ5eApgEGaXkiCKSrzx3bJ7OS_oP0NgNaY9EY9mFuLxCI8TjrDTYEieCkfpx9wbQkJ0K5pECyDPrM5NQYC7l9ttlnjVBMJFzEse1XPvytlR4XI8dnNl8rjxKX5mdAO9DgVoC66/s1600/2014-05-13+08.43.04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYg_YUqQKZ5eApgEGaXkiCKSrzx3bJ7OS_oP0NgNaY9EY9mFuLxCI8TjrDTYEieCkfpx9wbQkJ0K5pECyDPrM5NQYC7l9ttlnjVBMJFzEse1XPvytlR4XI8dnNl8rjxKX5mdAO9DgVoC66/s1600/2014-05-13+08.43.04.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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I added a copper pipe, tap and gage, and rivets to make the panel look realistic.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34n1wLTDPCaoXU0DOphlwxUp7BdrL3yC_PxHrqvySHirLAz1wj19B99_13TrQ42sVxmtFMt2krc1xULE9gYcaTF7pRP_pmwnbkVK4_e0dEIDcVA8cxmx7uISo1sChKP5euO_uY2UVneB1/s1600/DSC01672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34n1wLTDPCaoXU0DOphlwxUp7BdrL3yC_PxHrqvySHirLAz1wj19B99_13TrQ42sVxmtFMt2krc1xULE9gYcaTF7pRP_pmwnbkVK4_e0dEIDcVA8cxmx7uISo1sChKP5euO_uY2UVneB1/s1600/DSC01672.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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I 'signed' my work (in the gage) with my initials and year of birth - though the client doesn't know.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijftZQSU4v0SmAE8jfVUD2m9hbYgeR50DT3NeH_0LZE70Egw5ozPURWUcef3cjFTewEDkoLxRWklVXYWWt3bntTid7iYa2hZwjEMjrZMO7I3TvnmuzOetfhn-OfKPsaBqVvemTngxn2gOf/s1600/DSC01682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijftZQSU4v0SmAE8jfVUD2m9hbYgeR50DT3NeH_0LZE70Egw5ozPURWUcef3cjFTewEDkoLxRWklVXYWWt3bntTid7iYa2hZwjEMjrZMO7I3TvnmuzOetfhn-OfKPsaBqVvemTngxn2gOf/s1600/DSC01682.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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I also added another panel on the wall by the door, with an air vent, and a pipe that runs around the back door and behind the washing machine.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJBs6-eesykW_BQ1QErgnoN6hxemgocmf3DZZeCFdRtifwJWA5pXn8qxORTToNnRsuvvDgxt7bBki5qm8vr-VndIVoUx6uDOCyTv1Vr8-eYEqj5WEkshE9le-sAUpDESrgPtpKCYJ9dBF/s1600/DSC01668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJBs6-eesykW_BQ1QErgnoN6hxemgocmf3DZZeCFdRtifwJWA5pXn8qxORTToNnRsuvvDgxt7bBki5qm8vr-VndIVoUx6uDOCyTv1Vr8-eYEqj5WEkshE9le-sAUpDESrgPtpKCYJ9dBF/s1600/DSC01668.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkzPYa90bvNMzm6n-hoF8wsYb3P9JfAbdeLmFCIWRyBw5IYwuHHv3aOjqg_QomaBbxQwRXmxPrQiDMAAQX4jBPWj4IyIeND2Xjnl7py4BjcgWSXEqkZqLT_RmS2TXvvGS70HHC6uPNv10w/s1600/2014-05-13+12.36.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkzPYa90bvNMzm6n-hoF8wsYb3P9JfAbdeLmFCIWRyBw5IYwuHHv3aOjqg_QomaBbxQwRXmxPrQiDMAAQX4jBPWj4IyIeND2Xjnl7py4BjcgWSXEqkZqLT_RmS2TXvvGS70HHC6uPNv10w/s1600/2014-05-13+12.36.57.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8chic-mBdCOYNpvvxn_SK4AF_NZR0P793p00fztBMnM4okWx-qeHInSzvmBDGc_0Ywzg3nPavWM5S8sHFf93SXv8vA5skAa_er2p7tm4-MuGw6J8iGcVBj6N7k1yqt3VZpdu2kSYiBhnV/s1600/2014-05-13+12.36.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8chic-mBdCOYNpvvxn_SK4AF_NZR0P793p00fztBMnM4okWx-qeHInSzvmBDGc_0Ywzg3nPavWM5S8sHFf93SXv8vA5skAa_er2p7tm4-MuGw6J8iGcVBj6N7k1yqt3VZpdu2kSYiBhnV/s1600/2014-05-13+12.36.38.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-TJd9K6_IS458SsaNK2QiEDzQIkHs6K1Pm8921M438ouqmgUxKoMDGzrT9dP0bYjsEQyCMihuS49GI7CIHQUh3fm0-lT1m0AQfTCpAg1wnb-H71lUyP9Z_BAecMoZAL6BDtVij_ytYBM/s1600/2014-05-13+12.36.03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-TJd9K6_IS458SsaNK2QiEDzQIkHs6K1Pm8921M438ouqmgUxKoMDGzrT9dP0bYjsEQyCMihuS49GI7CIHQUh3fm0-lT1m0AQfTCpAg1wnb-H71lUyP9Z_BAecMoZAL6BDtVij_ytYBM/s1600/2014-05-13+12.36.03.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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I would have been happy to paint fake copper pipes everywhere, but it would have taken so long and turned the laundry room into the most expensive room in the house.</div>
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Oh boy, it was hot in the boiler room, I had to open this valve to let off some steam !!!!!</div>
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My client was very happy as he says he's always in here, washing clothes for himself and his daughter, and his OCD prefers the more finished space.<br />
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The white sockets and switches have already been changed for grey metal ones and I also painted a 'danger - authorised personnel only' sign, that I neglected to photograph.</div>
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Now every room in the house has a Fiona paint effect, though he's thinking of updating the hall.</div>
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Er, 'not this year' I told him, coz I'd like to keep my days off for myself.</div>
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The job was fun though and the extra money really helps !</div>
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fiona andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413757450464594746noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507970796511999771.post-16135675537013939252014-05-20T12:13:00.000-07:002014-05-20T12:13:51.637-07:00L.E.T.T.E.R.S<br />
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I bought a few more cardboard letters for my bathroom, to fill the gap to the left of the cabinet. I've always had a feeling it would give the illusion of making the cabinet feel wider.<br />
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I tried the white B.A.T.H.E letters here, but felt it was a shame that you only got to see them when walking out of the bathroom (or lying in the bath with your head at an uncomfortable angle). Anyway, they work well by the window, but I still had a gap by the cabinet that needed filling.</div>
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So, I thought....why not, just go buy some more. I chose Le Bain and gilded them because of the little bit of old gold on the cabinet handle. Or maybe just because I can't resist a bit of gold. </div>
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I mentioned in the last post that I wanted to tie all the colours in the room together, albeit in a very subtle way, so I painted the sides of the letters in a few carefully chosen colours.</div>
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I found a perfect matchpot of yellow to go with my yellow bath, and painted the E and the N.</div>
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I bought a red match pot for the B, because of the paint and fabric on the cabinet.</div>
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I used AS Emile on the L, because of the pinks and lavenders in the room.</div>
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I also chose a blue and a turquoise for the A and I.<br />
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I just painted the letters in a charcoal, then gilded the fronts and put a glaze on the gold to dull them slightly and then painted the sides and distressed a little.<br />
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My obsession with letters didn't diminish, I bought two more, but not for the bathroom.<br />
I finally got out of the bathroom.<br />
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I'm now working on something I've wanted to do for about 10 years, it's very exciting.<br />
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I've also been working on all of these. More red chairs, some updating at home and some work in a boiler room !<br />
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I just don't blog very much, so I want to say thank you very much if you've stopped by for a little look.<br />
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fiona andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413757450464594746noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507970796511999771.post-35593316418880183642014-04-29T14:42:00.001-07:002014-04-29T14:42:31.417-07:00thought processes.......<br />
As soon as I had finished my mini bathroom makeover, I started updating it, and adding things to it.<br />
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The positive comments I received about my yellow bath, made me re-assess the look.<br />
Let's face it, I'm probably never going to get it re-enamelled in white, so I'm embracing my retro vintage yellow bath.<br />
The walls are grey, and yellow and grey go together, right.......... so I thought I'd mix it up a bit more......<br />
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I thought I'd add a colour I would never normally use........<br />
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um....yes....I painted the chair in AS Emile.<br />
I bought a match pot of this and Paloma when I went to the shop in the previous post.<br />
All the gorgeous blues and greens were drawing me towards them (all the gorgeous blues and greens that would have gone great with yellow !) but no, I was trying to think outside the box.<br />
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I think I like it, I'm still not sure......I quite liked it when it was white !<br />
I painted a little wooden pot in the Paloma, distressing through to the cream and adding charcoal as highlights.<br />
I like this........a lot.<br />
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Then I tackled the gap on the wall.<br />
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I had always wanted something to the left of the round mirror and originally envisaged some empty white frames and then I thought an eye chart would be great, because it would make more of a statement. <br />
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After embracing the yellow retro/vintage bath and painting the chair I thought maybe something colourful would be better, like a circus font, maybe saying 'HOME', or a Mexican style floral skull (done in colours to suit my bathroom of course).<br />
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I liked the idea of both of these, but knew they would take a while, when I remembered I had some old artwork in the under stairs cupboard........................</div>
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and where I found a couple of near perfect (colour wise that is, I'm not saying my artwork is perfect) pictures.</div>
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The yellow is nearly identical to the bath, and the pink ties in with the chair, and they're perfume bottles (in fact one of the perfume bottles is in the cabinet on the right). I painted them for a company that used to print my stuff and give me royalties. I never made much money out of it and I'm not sure I ever showed them these.</div>
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Anyway, I played around with displaying them.</div>
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One went on the shelf. Actually I tried both on the shelf and managed to break a pretty pot in the process, but c'est la vie. That's what you get when you keep re-arranging stuff.</div>
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Then I painted an old gold frame in turquoise and then in grey (because I tried to live with the turquoise and couldn't) and distressed it, to frame the yellow picture.<br />
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And although there are lots of different colours in here now, it still feels like a restful place, and I've tied them all together in yet another project, that I'll post about next time.<br />
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And thanks to my thought processes, I've added more empty frames, eye charts, circus font artwork, and skulls to my looooong list of things.to.do !<br />
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Btw, I was drawn to Paloma because I used to wear Paloma Picasso perfume and because of Paloma Faith, She's an amazing singer and recently did an incredible performance on a chat show. You can see it <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQpiTOONIik">here</a>.<br />
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fiona andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413757450464594746noreply@blogger.com12