It's Metamorphosis Monday!

Hello my friends...welcome to Metamorphosis Monday!

Metamorphosis Monday is hosted by my dear friend Susan over at Between Naps On The Porch! Met Monday is such a fun Monday event...where you can see all kinds of changes taking place before your very eyes!!! You'll have to go over to Susan's place and see what changes are going on over there today...and while you're there you'll find a list of all the Met Monday participants!!!

Part II

Metamorphosis of My Frenchy Studio/Office

Last week for Met Monday...I shared Part I of the metamorphosis of my Frenchy studio/office! If you would like to see that post just click HERE.

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Today I would like to show you how the working space or desk area has evolved in this room! I have more "before", "during", and "after" photos!

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I am really loving my new studio/office...this room is all mine and I've really had fun designing and decorating it!

"Before"

For those of you who don't know the history of how my frenchy studio/office came about...let me explain. This room was once my step-son's bedroom (he is now taking up residence in the downstairs bachelor pad...hehe!)

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After moving out all of the bedroom furniture, I brought in this antique desk! This desk belonged to my late father-in-law. It probably has seen its better days but I just love this old desk...and I love all of the wear and tear...each little dent and scratch just adds to its endearing patina!!!

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I left the shelf that is located above the desk. On the far left end of the shelf you will see an old black leather box...it has the word "Paris" and a picture of the Eiffel Tower embroidered in brown on it! I just love this box and it's perfect to hold a floral arrangement. Right now I have stalks of autumn colored Eucalyptus and long peacock feathers in it. I have two framed prints of Paris in the center of the shelf. I got these prints when my honey and I were honeymooning in Paris. Every time I look at these pictures, I'm reminded of the sweet time that we spent in the City of Lights!!! In front of the framed prints I have a frenchy candleholder.

"During"

Now that I have my desk in place...it's time to do a little decorating!

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Do you see the antique garden gate on the wall behind the desk? Of course you do...hehe! I was using this antique gate as the headboard to my step-son's twin bed. It really looked grand as a headboard...but now that the bed was gone, I decided to move the gate behind my desk....thanks to the suggestion of my dear friend Kathysue! This antique garden gate really adds charm to the room and it works perfectly as a memo board! I just love it!!! I hung a gold and white transferware plate with black ribbon on the gate.

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Hmm...sure wished that I had included a better photo of my desk chair. I found this chair at the Antique Market...it has the prettiest black and white toile seat on it!!! If you would like to see a better photo of it just click HERE.

"After"


My New Frenchy Candelabra Lamp

I got a new lamp! My dear sweet friend Laura custom made this lamp just for me...just for my new frenchy studio/office!!! I just adore it!!! Thank you Laura!!!

I just love everything about this pretty candelabra lamp...the glass base...and ohhhh, the pretty cherub...I just love cherubs!!! Oooh...and the pretty crystals!!!

I added the black papered shades...but they were just too plain for this beautiful lamp...so I used a fleur de lis stamp and gold paint...stamped a border around the tops of each shade. I like how it turned out!

Just a close up of some of my notes that I've received from some of my blogging friends. I'm really enjoying that antique garden gate as a memo board!!!

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A lidded silver dish...I keep some of my office supplies in it!

New Drapes

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I really got a deal on these fabulous frenchy toile drapes...they are made by Waverly and called La Ferme. They were originally $270.00 marked down to $77.00...I'm still doing a Happy Dance over this great find!!!

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Well my friends...I hope you enjoyed seeing Part II of the metamorphosis of my new Frenchy studio/office! Next Monday I hope to share Part III with you...so stayed tuned!!!

I would like to give a special thanks to Susan for hosting this fun filled Monday event! Don't forget to go over and check out all of the great metamorphosis going on this week!!!

Love ya'll,

Chari

Welcome to the 6th "Sunday Favorites"

....a brand new Sunday meme!

"Sunday Favorites" is a new Sunday meme designed to give bloggers a chance to share a favorite post from the past!!!

Hello my friends!

Welcome to the 6th run of "Sunday Favorites"!!!

I hope that you're having a super Sunday today! Ohhh my...the weather has just been glorious at my place and we're already getting so busy with summer projects! All the more reason to take advantage of the ease and convenience of "Sunday Favorites"!!! I know that ya'll are getting busy as well...so I hope that you're enjoying joining in with the fun of "Sunday Favorites"...I sure have enjoyed reading your favorite posts revisited!!!

For more information on "Sunday Favorites"...what this new meme is all about and "how to" republish a post...just click HERE

*If you have any questions or I can be of help in anyway...please let me know!

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So, without further ado...let's do it!!! Let's join in with "Sunday Favorites" and have some fun!!!

Thank you so much for your participation!!! I am going to really enjoy going through your "Sunday Favorites" posts!!!

Love ya'll,

Chari

Sunday Favorites

In celebration of Pink Saturday's one year Birthday, I am republishing this Pink Saturday post! This post isn't very old but it has generated alot of interest and I've had so many nice comments in regards to it that I thought I would post it today!

My Favorite Post:

April 11, 2oo9

Pink Saturday...and it's Pinkalicious!!!

Hello my friends and welcome to Pink Saturday! This pinkalicious Saturday is hosted by Beverly over at How Sweet the Sound! You'll just have to pay Beverly a visit to see what she has going on today...and while you're there, you can visit all of the other pinkalicious participants!!! Thank you Beverly for being such a lovely hostess and providing a means for us to share all of our pink!!!

Well my friends, today I have a very special pinkalicious treasure to share with you! As many of you know, Russell's father passed away the end of December and we have been busy with his estate. We have already spent many hours going through Dad's home...trying to decide what we need to sell...and what we need to keep! I have to admit that this has been very difficult for me, as I go through things I just want to keep it all! There are just so many treasures...keepsakes! Our home is being filled with many, many memorible keepsakes but it's my desire to take care of them and be able to pass these treasures down to our children!

Pretty Pink Glass Canisters

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These beautiful pink glass canisters belonged to Russell's mother Mary Alice! She had the prettiest pink bathroom and I have a feeling that these pink canisters were her "pride & joy"!!!

They really are gorgeous...and the photos don't even begin to do them justice!

As you can see, there are three canisters. They range from 3 1/2 in. to 8 in. in height. The outer glass is clear, however the inside of the canisters are pink (which show through...giving the glass its pink appearance). There are no labels or markings on these pretty canisters so I'm not sure who manufactured them or even if this type of glass has a name. If anyone knows anything about these...please let me know!

The Unique Pattern...

What makes these glass canisters so unique is the beautiful diamond shaped pattern! If you click on the photos to enlarge them, you can get a better look at just how intricate it is! Small raised dots form the lines of the diamond and a larger raised dot can be found at each intersecting corner! I've never seen this type of crafting on any glass piece before and it's absolutely gorgeous!!!

Ohhhh yes...and isn't this just the sweetest and softest shade of pink that you've ever seen?

The handles are just as beautiful! They remind me of a sparkley diamond!!! They are square in shape and have the same raised dots in the shape of a diamond pattern!



Where will these little pinkalicious treasures find a home?

Many of you know that most of my home's decor is done in shades of red, olive green, and gold. Not the most conducive color scheme for pink! I do however, have one room in my house that has alot of pink...my Tea Rose bedroom! I think that these beautiful pink glass canisters will be very pretty in there. Should we take a look and see?



Ohhh yes...I think I like them in this room!!! I decided to place them on the old desk that I refinished last summer. Hmmm...the desk top may be just a little overcrowded...Nah! Can you ever have too many pretty things? Don't think so!!!

For more photos and information on my Tea Rose bedroom just click HERE.


The pinkalicious glass canisters seem to fit right in, don't you think?

My little teacup lamp was a gift from one of my dearest friends...Gloria (Happy To Be)! Ohhhh...how I love my little teacup lamp! And...there are pretty little bunnies here too! The little bunny trinket box was a gift from my honey...he surprised me with this sweet gift! He's such a wonderful husband...so thoughtful and kind!!! The larger bunny was a thrift store treasure find for just $3! Both of these bunnies must have been made by the same manufacturer...they have the exact same colors and sweet little pink roses on them. The third bunny (on the far left) was a gift from another dear friend many years ago!

For those of you who may be interested...I refinished this old desk last summer. It began as a plain natural toned wood desk. I added some shabby chic embellishments to the drawer fronts, glass knobs, and painted it a creamy off-white. I just love how it turned out! You can see the details if you enlarge the photo. I found the chair at an Antique Market...as is! It has the prettiest carved embellishments at the top of the chair and an old faded olive green & white toile seat...$20 (if I remember correctly)!



My "artsy" photo! Hehe!!!



Well my friends...I hope that you enjoyed my pretty little pink canisters and Tea Rose bedroom! I just love when you come by for a visit...please leave me a comment and let me know that you stopped by! I love hearing from you and I enjoy returning your visit!!!


Hope that you're having a "pinkalicious" Pink Saturday!!!

Love ya'll,
Chari


PS....Don't forget to stop by Beverly's and the other Pink Saturday participants!

Happy Birthday Pink Saturday!

Hello my friends...welcome to Pink Saturday!

Today we are celebrating a very special birthday...Pink Saturday is one year old!!!

Happy Birthday Pink Saturday!!!

I would like to Congratulate Beverly from How Sweet The Sound on the one year birthday of her Pink Saturday!!! Thank you so much, my friend...for making this world a "prettier-n-pink" place!!! Every Saturday you have brought "Pink Lovers" from around the world together...all in celebration of the pretty color PINK!!!

May continued success and blessings be yours in the year to come!!!

Please go by Beverly's at How Sweet The Sound and wish her Pink Saturday a Happy Birthday! I'm sure that she has all kinds of glorious pink on display today in lieu of this wonderful birthday celebration! While you're there you can check out all of the other Pink Saturday participants!

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My Contribution to Pink Saturday...

I love pink..and I love ebay! Hehe!

A couple of weeks ago I found this beautiful pink china up for auction. There were four salad/dessert plates and four dinner plates. As soon as I seen them...I thought about my new set of china and how pretty these pieces on ebay would look with it!

The price was certainly right...so I watched the auction and made my bid!

I WON THE AUCTION!!!

Ohhhh....they are soooo pretty-n-pink!!!

This china pattern is called Norway Rose and it's made by Cunningham & Pickett. I just love the single pink rose in the center of the plates. The leaves are a silvery sage green color. The band on this china is just the prettiest shade of pink!!!

This is what the new Norway Rose china looks like with my china.

The Place Setting...

The white charger plate is called "Lace" from JC Penneys.

The dinner plate is Roselet by Harmony House.

This was my late mother-in-law's china and I feel so blessed to have it! It's such a beautiful set! There is a 6 piece place setting for 10...along with all of the serving pieces!

The salad/dessert plate is Norway Rose by Cunningham & Pickett.

I think that the new Norway Rose china adds some interest and coordinates very well with the Roselet china!!! Now I can "mix up" the place settings when I would like a different look!

A "Change-about"...

This is what the place setting looks like using the new Norway Rose dinner plate with the Roselet salad/dessert plate.

I'm very pleased at how the well the "pinks" go together!!! Also, each set of china has the same silver rimming...soooo perfect!!!

Not only is my new Norway Rose china just perfect with the Roselet china...
but it only cost me $11.98!!! Ohhhh yea!!!

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Well my friends, I'm so happy that you came by today! Please leave me a comment and let me know that you were here...I love to return the visit!!!

Don't forget to visit Beverly over at How Sweet The Sound...show her some "birthday love" won't you?

Happy "Pink Saturday" Birthday!!!

Love ya'll,
Chari

PS...Don't forget about "Sunday Favorites"!!!

For more information about "Sunday Favorites"

just click HERE.

It's "Show & Tell" Friday!

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Hello my friends...welcome to "Show & Tell" Friday!

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This fabulous fun filled Friday event is hosted by Kelli over at There Is No Place Like Home. Please pay Kelli a visit...you'll want to see what she has for "Show & Tell" today...also while you're there...you can check out all of the other "Show & Tell" Friday participants....

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But first....I have a craft project that I would like to "Show & Tell" about today!

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My New Seashell Dishes...

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Some of you may remember that I recently purchased a new set of dishes...I did a post about it and if you'd like to check it out...just click HERE.

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I just love these pretty seashell dishes! They are called "Water" from JC Penneys. I just finished a tablescape using these dishes, however I missed the deadline for Susan's "Tablescape Thursday" today...so stayed tuned...I'll show my "Water" tablescape next Thursday!

A Craft Project....Seashell Candles!

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I love crafting!!! When I purchased my new "Water" dinnerware, Penneys had a set of three "Seashell" pillar candles that coordinate with the set...but they were $49.99! Eeeekkks!!! Sorry, I just can't see spending $50 on three candles...so I decided to make my own!

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Here is a photo of the finished product...

(no peeking at my tablescape now! Hehe!)

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How To Make a Seashell Pillar Candle

Materials Needed:

Pillar Candle (any size or color of your choice. I used a 6" white candle) Cost...$1.88

Decor Sand (I found this at Walmart...it's called sand but really the product is made up of crushed seashells...it's really sparkley and pretty!) Cost...$2.97

Elmers glue

Paint brush

Seashells (I already had a big ol' bag of shells so didn't have to buy any!)

Glue gun and glue (I used a "hot" glue gun...a "cold" glue gun would have worked much better...I have a big ol' blister on my thumb to prove that! Eeekss!)

Instructions:

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Step One...

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I used the decor sand for a base coat on the candle. With a paint brush and Elmers glue...brush on a nice thick coat of Elmers glue onto the candle. I only covered about 1/3 of the candle but you can cover as much of the candle as you would like.

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Take the decor sand and sprinkle over the wet coat of Elmers glue.

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Let this dry completely before moving on to the next step!

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Step Two...

Choose the shells that you would like to use. I chose all different kinds of shells...different colors and different sizes.

With the glue gun, begin to glue shells onto the sand base in a random pattern.





And...Voila!...there you have it!



This is really such an easy craft project and so much fun (although I'm still nursing that big ol' blister on my thumb...Hehe!)

JC Penneys seashell pillar candles...$49.99

My version...
2 seashell pillar candles...$4.85



Thank you so much for stopping by today! I just love when you come by for a visit...please leave me a comment and let me know that you were here!

And remember...stay tuned for my "Water" tablescape!!! wink...

Happy "Show & Tell" Friday!!!

Love ya'll,
Chari

It's Metamorphosis Monday!

Hello my friends! I hope that all of you are having a blessed and safe Memorial Day weekend!!!

Today is Metamorphosis Monday...hosted by our very own Susan over at Between Naps On The Porch! If you haven't ever been over to Susan's place...you really must go! Let's go over and see what kind of metamorphosis that Susan has to show us this week! While we're there...we can check out all of the other Met Monday participants!

But first...let me show and tell you about the metamorphosis that has been taking place at my house!

My Frenchy Studio/Office

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Many of my blogging friends know that I've been working on my new Frenchy studio/office for a couple of months now. I am really enjoying my new studio/office and have had a blast designing and decorating it!!!

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Today for Met Monday, I thought I would show you a few "before", "during", and "after" photos!

"Before"

Before my Frenchy studio/office...

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This room was my step-son's bedroom and of course there is a long story to go with this transition but I'll give you the short version today...hehe!

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My 15 yr. old step-son moved to his "hip" new pad (previously known as the bedroom) into our basement. Hmmm...what to do with an empty room??? No problem...I didn't waste much time claiming this new space as my own...for my new Frenchy studio/office!

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"During"

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The New China Hutch

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I have recently acquired my mother-in-law's china hutch. I just love this hutch and really treasure it!!! There was only one slight problem...I had no where to put it! This beautiful china hutch was the start of the entire transition of what was previously a bedroom into what was to become my studio/office! You know...the "domino effect"!

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We moved the bed out...and the china hutch in!

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You can see that the antique garden gate that I was using for the headboard is still on the wall. I took all the wall art down...just stacked it on the floor...would I use it in my new studio/office?

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Hmmm...so many design decisions! Hehe!

The first step...filling my new china hutch! Oooh...that was an easy decision! Hehe!

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As you can see, I started to play with what I would put on top of the hutch.

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I also brought in all kinds of wall art...some of which were old family photos that were in some really beautiful antique frames. I just brought it all in...to get a feel for what I wanted to do in this room!

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"After"

This is the "after" photo!

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After many fun hours of planning and playing!!! I won't guarantee that these changes will be final...you know how we are! Hehe! My home is ever evolving!!!

This area of the wall is just to the left of the china hutch.

I found this pretty frenchy mirror on ebay...it was $9...and I just love it! I took a frenchy looking silver ornament and hung it over the top of the mirror with a black organza ribbon! It just added a little more interest to the mirror. I found this ornament at Hobby Lobby's after Christmas sale. It was marked down 90%...only cost .39 cents...I bought several of them! Isn't it pretty?

This is one of the old family photos that we just received from my father-in-law's estate! The little boy in the center is my husband's grandfather. I just adore this photo and look at the beautiful antique frame!



A vignette is born...

Well...as you can see...I changed what I had previously started with for the top of the china hutch.

I wanted to do a pretty vignette on top. I found the black (frenchy) birdhouse at an Antique shop...it was only $2! I placed an autumn colored vine at the foot of the bird house and nestled a sweet little violin into the vine. This violin was one of my honey's toys when he was only 4 yrs. old! Isn't it sweet? A couple of old hat boxes found their way to the center of this vignette...I'm not sure that I like them here or not...but for the meantime, they'll stay! I placed a stack of old books on the end of the hutch...a decorative iron crown with a little bird in the center sits atop the books!



Now you can see the black bird house a little better. This cute little bird house stands upon a 10" pole. See...even the bird house has a frenchy design on it...it was perfect for my frenchy studio/office! I love how the autumn colored vine, with its little berries, looks with the black bird house! The little violin makes the reddish browns of the vine pop!

Ohhh...I do love my decorative iron crown! It has fleur de lis all over it! My little ceramic bird seems to have found a happy place to nest right in the center of the crown!

Well my friends...this is just one stage of the metamorphosis taking place in my frenchy studio/office! Next Met Monday...I hope to show you what I did with that antique garden gate...so stay tuned!!! Hehe!

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Thank you so much for coming by...I really enjoy your visits...please leave me a comment and let me know you were here! I'd love to pay you a little visit too!!!

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Happy Met Monday!

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Love ya'll,

Chari

Welcome to the 5th "Sunday Favorites"

....a brand new Sunday meme!

"Sunday Favorites" is a new Sunday meme designed to give bloggers a chance to share a favorite post from the past!!!

Hello my friends!

Welcome to the 5th run of "Sunday Favorites"!!!

I have been so excited about the interest and participation in "Sunday Favorites"! Thank you my friends for making this brand new Sunday meme so successful! I hope that you're having as much fun as I am!!! I just can't believe that we are already on the 5th run of "Sunday Favorites"...ohhh my, how time flies when you're having fun! Hehe!

For more information on "Sunday Favorites"...what this new meme is all about and "how to" republish a post...just click HERE

*If you have any questions or I can be of help in anyway...please let me know!

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So, without further ado...let's do it!!! Let's join in with "Sunday Favorites" and have some fun!!!

Thank you so much for your participation!!! I am going to really enjoy going through your "Sunday Favorites" posts!!!

Love ya'll,

Chari

Sunday Favorites

My Favorite Post:

January 12, 2009

Tagged...A Trip to the Swiss Alps!

Hello all my blogger friends....I've just been "Photo Tagged" by my dear friend Lynne over at Lynne's Gifts From the Heart! Ooooh...what fun!!! Thank you Lynne for including me in the fun! Okay, here are the rules....

The object of the photo tag are;

1) Choose the 4th folder where you store your pictures on your computer.
2) Select the 4th picture in the folder.
3) Explain the picture.
4) Tag 4 people to do the same.No Cheating! (cropping, editing, etc)!

A Fairytale Come True

In May of 2004, Russell asked me to marry him....we had been together for three years and we decided to make it "official"...hehe! I'm tellin' ya...our story is a "love story" come true!!! One evening after Russell proposed, he asked me if there was any place in Europe that I could go...where would that be? Immediately I replied, "Switzerland"! A girl has to act fast on these kind of matters (wink!)...hehe!!! So, the honeymoon trip was planned and booked! We had the time of our lives planning this trip...where would we go...and what did we want to see? Ohhhh my...there was so much to do and so much to look forward to!!! There was luggage to buy...a wardrobe to plan for....

At last, we were married June 4th, 2005!!! With the "I Do's" behind us, one week later we boarded the plane in Denver and we were on our way to Zurich, Switzerland for our European honeymoon!!! We really wanted to see Europe...to get off of the "touristy beaten path" so we rented a car. We had two weeks in Europe and we wanted to see and do as much as we could! We drove through the countryside of Switzerland, Austria, Germany, France, and Italy! I really do think that I am a woman blessed among women...not only did I marry the love of my life but we were honeymooning in Europe!!! It just doesn't get any better than that!!!

Okay...back to the purpose of this post...hehe!!!
Here is the 4th photo in the 4th photo file in our pictures.

Lil' ol' me in Horw, Switzerland

The first "trek" of our journey:

After playing in Zurich for a couple of days, we decided to take a drive through the Swiss Alps. We drove from Zurich into central Switzerland known as the Oberland. While in Europe, we seen some of the most beautiful scenery but this drive through the Swiss Alps was my favorite!!! It was breathtaking...so picturesque!!! As long as I live, I'll never forget it!!!

As we drove the winding roads...we could see all of these quaint little Alpine villages nestled into the mountainsides. I just couldn't stand it any longer and asked Russell to take me up to one of the little villages...and being the wonderful husband he is...he did just that! The photo above was taken in the village of Horw. We parked the car and walked up the little cobblestone road...all the while I was thinking, how in the world did these people drive this road in the winter when it was covered with feet of snow? Just look at the beautiful homes....the home in the background with it's pretty red shutters was glorious!!!

Below is another photo of one of the homes in Horw. Now this is just how I pictured a home to look in the Swiss Alps...didn't you?

Of course, everything is built on the hillside....just look at the little vineyard that is planted in someone's backyard!

As you can see...the quaint little village of Horw is really built in a valley. It surrounds this beautiful lake! Do you see the sheep in the backyard of this home?

Well, it was time to be on our way! Back to the highway for us...but just look at the picturesque scenery! We were at such a high elevation that the clouds were beside and below us...ohhh my! And just look at the waterfall!!!

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Another quaint little Alpine Swiss village! This is the village of Diesselbach! Just look at that beautiful blue water! These Alpine lakes were amazing...each of them were the most beautiful shade of blue/green that you could ever imagine! And look at how green the grass is! The Swiss Alps were covered in velvety green grass! If you enlarge this photo, you can see that this little village was built on the edge of a cliff...just look at the lake...everything seems to just disappear behind it!

Our final destination was Interlocken, Switzerland! This town sits right in the middle of the Alps and is very well known for it's skiing! I'll save those photos for another day! I do hope that you enjoyed your little trip through the Swiss Alps! I would love to go back...ahhhh...maybe some day!!!

Now it's time to play "Tag"! As part of the "Photo Tag" rules, I am to tag four more people. Let's play...."Tag, Now you're it!"

1. Mary at Mary's Meanderings

2. Gloria over at Happy To Be
3. Ann at Lifeatannsplace
4. Melissa at Melissa's Heart and Home

Have fun my friends!!!
Love ya'll,