A Tea Luncheon

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*Hello my friends...I'm so happy that you came by for a visit today!
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*You are cordially invited to a special tea luncheon...I hope
 that you are able to accept my invitation! I would just love to spend
 some time chatting with you over a cup of tea and lunch!
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A Tea Luncheon
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*Ohhh good! I'm so happy to see that you could make it!
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*Our little Tea Luncheon is taking place in my French Country
 dining room. I have prepared a table just for you and me!
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Ohhh yes...please do have a seat!
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*Today our tea/luncheon table has been set in
 "creamy white and sparkling crystal".
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The crystal pieces that you see here...
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The candleholders, pedestal cake plate and cover, and spoon dish
 are all recent thrifty treasure finds. I found this pair of pretty crystal
 candleholders at a new thrift store for just $1...can't beat that price!
 I also found the crystal spoon dish for just $1!
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The crystal pedestal cake plate is one of my most
 awesome treasure finds of late!
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 It is Godinger Shannon Crystal made in Poland and measures 18 in.
 tall...it really is gorgeous (the photos do not do it justice). I found this at an
 "after Christmas" sale at Dillards for just $19...it was originally $139.00!
 Ohhh boy, I was really doin' the happy dance with this
 thrifty treasure find!
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*The Place Setting....

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A creamy white ironstone dinner plate.

A white ironstone salad/dessert plate with a fruit motif.

A small crystal berry bowl.
A metal lacy charger plate.*

The flatware is "Brahms" by Oneida.*

White lace trimmed dinner napkins.
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*I just love these pretty ironstone salad/dessert plates with
 the fruit motif...they're just perfect for our tea luncheon!
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*Salad/Dessert Plates...

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"Strawberries"

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These pretty ironstone plates are called "Snowhite Regency"
 and are manufactured by Johnson Bros. made in England.

 I found a set of six on ebay for $12. I just fell in love with them and
 had to have them! Hehe! I love the beautiful fruit pattern in the center of
 the plates. The rim of the plate has a swirled pattern...trimmed
 with a silver band.
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There are five different fruit patterns....
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*Strawberries (pictured above), Peaches, Oranges, Pears, and Grapes.
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I love that each plate has a different fruit displayed! Oooh...so pretty!

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The Beverages...

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A white ironstone tea cup and saucer from the same set of
 dishes as the dinner plate.
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Would you care for a cup of raspberry tea?
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*A crystal champagne glass.

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This pretty etched champagne glass is from a set that I
 inherited from my late mother-in-law!
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Mmmm...I was thinking that just a little glass of bubbly
 with our lunch sounds good!

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The Teapot...

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I just love my new little teapot! It's another thrifty treasure
 find...just $9.99 from TJ Maxx. Don't you just adore those delicate
 little roses that stand up off of the teapot? Sooo pretty! The teapot is sitting
 upon an ironstone platter that has an embossed border of fruit. They
 make for a pretty combo...the white ironstone tray and teapot!
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A close-up of the teapot.

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*Would you like a tea cookie to go with your tea?

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Mmmm...little heart shaped tea cookies with raspberry jam filling!
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The pedestal cookie plate is another thrifty treasure find from
 TJ Maxx...just $5.99! This is my first time to use it. It came with the prettiest
 red & white polka dotted ribbon but I changed it out for a white organdy ribbon
 for today's tea/luncheon table. I love the cut work pattern around the edge...
I can change the ribbon out to go with whatever I would like!
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*Ohhh yes...please do have a tea cookie! Mmm...I love raspberry!

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I do hope that you enjoyed our visit today!

I enjoyed your company immensely!

Well my friends, thank you so much for coming by today!
 Please leave me a comment and let me know that you were
 here...I'd love to visit with you!

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Thrifty Thursday!

It's "Thrifty Thursday"....

Hello my friends...welcome to "Thrifty Thursday"!!!

Thrifty Thursday is hosted by Leigh over at Tales From Bloggeritaville. This week Leigh has a special co-host...Chandy from What Now Tablescapes! Chandy will be co-hosting "Thrifty Thursday" while Leigh is out of town! Thank you, Chandy for carrying on for Leigh! I adore both of these sweet ladies' blogs...go pay them a visit and while you're over at Chandy's place...you'll have to check out all of the other "Thrifty Thursday" participants!!!

Ohhh my...I enjoy a good bargain just like the next guy...so I just love shopping at thrift stores!!!

You know...I also love the fact that shopping at thrift stores gives some wonderful people work opportunities!!! ARC Thrift Stores (where I shop) employs some wonderful individuals that may have a difficult time getting work in a regular setting...and I love that!!! Our local thrift shop, Coopertive Ministries, provides financial assistance to those in need with the proceeds from their sales. So not only do I benefit from getting some great treasures at great bargains...but I also feel that I'm helping out a bit as well!!!

My Easter Shopping Trip at ARC Thrift Store...

On Easter Sunday (after church), I stopped by the ARC Thrift Store! I was a bit surprised that they were open since it was Easter! I found some great "treasure finds"!!!

These are my newest little "treasure finds"...

Treasure Find #1...

***Silver Tray***

I do apologize for the photo...it's always difficult to photograph silver because of the reflection of light.

This little beauty measures about 12"x 22". I just love silver!!!

Here is a close-up photo of the beautiful engraved French shell design. I just love it!!! I have actually polished this little treasure since I took these photos and it polished up beautifully!!!

I paid just $5.99!

"Tresure Find" #2...

***Soup Tureen***

I did it...I did it!!! I finally found a soup tureen!!! I have been looking for some time for a soup tureen and could never find one...or when I did, it cost more than what I wanted to pay.

I just love the creamy white...it will fit in nicely with my white ironstone collection! It is missing it's ladle though...I will have to keep a lookout for one! This little beauty measures about 12" across and is about 8" tall. It's a nice sized tureen...I'm happy anyway!!!

I paid just $4.99!

Treasure Find #3...

***Ceramic Lattice Tray***

Ohhh...I think this was my greatest "treasure find" of the day!!! I just love this pretty white, lattice work tray!!! It is ceramic...fairly heavy! It is a good sized piece measuring 12" x 19" and is about 3 inches tall.

You can see the detail in this next photo...just look at the pretty grapes and leaves! I really do love this ceramic lattice tray!!! I think I will use it for a fruit bowl, but it also could be used for bread, rolls, cookies, etc...so versatile!!!

I paid just $4.99

Well my friends...I'm so happy that you stopped by for a visit today! Hope you enjoyed taking a little peek at some of my new "treasure finds" from the thrift store! Don't forget to go over and see Chandy, Leigh, and all of the other "Thrifty Thursday" participants!!!

Please leave me a comment and let me know that you were here...I just love visiting with you!!!

Love ya'll,

Chari



PS....Just wanted to let you all know that our new Sunday meme, "Sunday Favorites" ...is a GO!!!

I have figured out Mr. Linky...Praise the Lord! hehe!!!

I will have a post about this new Sunday meme this coming Saturday...so stay tuned!!! I sure do hope that you'll plan to participate!!!

For more information on "Sunday Favorites"....just click HERE!

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!

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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!

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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!

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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?

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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!!!

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

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

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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!

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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)!

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My "artsy" photo! Hehe!!!

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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!!!

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

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Love ya'll,

Chari


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

It's "Thrifty Thursday"!

Hello my friends...welcome to "Thrifty Thursday"! This fun filled Thursday meme is hosted by Leigh over at Tales From Bloggeritaville! Hehe...don't you just love that blog name! It's so fun...just like Leigh! If you haven't ever been over to Leigh's place, you really must go! She has a delightful blog!!!

This is my very first time to participate in "Thrifty Thursday"....after my weekend shopping trip to the thrift store, I could hardly wait for Thursday to roll around to share some of my thrift store treasures!!! However, before we get to my little treasures, I'd like to tell you a little about "Thrifty Thursday".

"Thrifty Thursday"

It is time for you to showcase your thrifty find. It can be an old find or a new one. It might be something that you found at a thrift store, a consignment store, flea market, garage/yard sale, dumpster diving, even antique stores. It's it was a thrifty find, then it meets the requirements. I am not picky, It can be a great pair of boots & a killer vintage dress, jewelry, home decor, even fishing lures. It is your thrifty find. Tell me about it.Where did you find it? What is it? What do you plan to do with it or how do you plan to use it in your home? Do you want to sell it? Thrifty Thursday's are about the thrill of the hunt...and the treasure you found. So....do show and tell!!! I took this excerpt right off of Leigh's blog...and I'm sure that if you have any more questions, etc. Leigh would be more than happy to help you out! I just wanted to let all of my friends know about this fun filled Thursday event...so many of us just love to go "thrifting" and it's a great way for us to share our treasure finds!!!

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My Thrift Store Pitchers...

Wow...I really hit the jackpot this last weekend when I shopped at the ARC Thrift Store!!! I just love going to the thrift shops but I live so far away from any. I wished I lived closer, I would be sure to know the days that they put out new merchandise...I think that this is when you can really get some treasures for some great bargains! But....I don't! So I'm always really excited when I do find something!

I just fell in love with this first little glass pitcher! It's kind of retro looking don't you think? It's the type of pitcher that sits at a slant (hmmm...not sure how to explain it?) You know...when I saw it sitting on the shelf there at the thrift shop...I actually seen this little beauty sitting out on my patio table this Spring and Summer...full of fresh lemonade!!! I was sold!!! Hehe!!!

So what do you think? This pretty little pitcher was only $3.99! Ohhhh, how I love a great deal!!!

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Some of my friends have already seen this next pitcher...I just blogged about it a couple of days ago...but for the sake of a few that didn't see it....here it is again!

I found this pretty "frenchy" pitcher the same day I found the glass pitcher (shown above). Wow...I really made out in the "pitcher department" that day! hehe!!! It was truly "love at first sight" with this fabulous frenchy treasure find!!! It's a large pitcher standing about 11 in. tall. The only label on the bottom are a set of initials which lead me to believe that this may have been handcrafted by an individual. I love the beautiful ornate embossing...definitely indicitive of many French designs!

This fabulously french pitcher was only $4.99!

What a deal!!! I grabbed it so fast off of the shelf that it would have made your head spin! Hehe!!! Of course, all of you thrift store shoppers know exactly what I'm talking about...you better act fast or it may be forever lost!

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Another photo...I purposely left this photo a bit dark...the ornate embossing really shows up!

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Well my friends...there you have it...a couple of my newest thrift store "treasure finds"! I'm so glad that you came by for a visit! Please leave me a comment and let me know that you were here! I always try to respond...I love doing this, I've met so many new friends this way!!!

Do you have any thrift store treasures that you would like to share? Why don't you go on over to Leigh's place and join up for "Thrifty Thursday"! I'd love to see your treasures!!!

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Happy Thrifty Thursday!!!

Love ya'll,
Chari

It's "2nd Time Around Tuesday"!

Hello my friends and welcome to "2nd Time Around Tuesday"! I'm so glad that you have stopped in for a little visit today!

Do you enjoy shopping the thrift stores, yard/garage sales, and flea markets? Shopping a great "2nd time around" store just makes my heart race! Hehe!!! I'm not exactly sure what it is...is it the thrill of digging through old boxes, or is it the challenge of finding an old broken down...worn out treasure and creating it anew, or maybe it's just the "thrill of the hunt"? Whatever the motivation...it's always exciting to find a great treasure for a real bargain!!!

"2nd Time Around Tuesday" is hosted by Diane over at A Picture is Worth a 1,000 Words. Believe me, Diane knows how to shop for a deal, you should see the fabulous lamp that she has posted about today! Just click HERE to get over to Diane's place...you'll also find a list of "2nd Time Around" participants that I'm sure you'll want to visit!!!

My Newest Thrift Store "Treasure Find"...

Easter Sunday I went shopping at the ARC Thrift Store. Actually, I couldn't believe that they were open and I felt a bit guilty shopping on Easter Sunday...I always feel bad for people that have to work the holidays! However, since they were already there at work, I thought that the least I could do was to help contribute to their salaries by buying an item or two (okay, so it was more like 6 items) Hehe!!!

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Creamy White (frenchy) Pitcher...

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Today I thought I would show you just one of my ARC store "treasure finds"! It's a beautiful, creamy white pitcher with the prettiest "frenchy" embossed designs. It stands about 11 inches tall and is a good sized pitcher! The only mark on the bottom are initials which lead me to believe that someone had handcrafted this pretty pitcher! I gave only $4.99 for this beauty...not too bad!

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I'm not exactly sure where this pitcher will find a place in my home. I've been collecting ironstone pitchers for some time now and thought it would make a lovely addition to my collection. I couldn't hardly pass it up for just $4.99! I think it would be beautiful filled with pretty hydrangeas...or a big bunch of flowers of any kind!

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I just love the pretty shaped rim of the pitcher and just look at its handle! (Note: please click on the photos to enlarge and see all of the pretty detailing)

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I left this photo a bit on the dark side...simply because the embossed design shows better!

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Well my friends, I'm so glad you came by for a visit! Thank you for letting me share my newest "treasure find" with you! Do you have any "2nd time around" treasures that you would like to share...if so, go over to Diane's and join up using Mr. Linky! I'd love to see them!!!

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Love ya'll,
Chari

It's a Party...It's a Toile Party!!!
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Hello my friends! Ohhhh boy...it's time for a party...and it's not just any ol' party but it's a TOILE PARTY!!!
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Yes...you heard me right...Pretty Organized Palace is hosting a March 24th Toile Party! I must admit, I had never been over to the Pretty Organized Palace blog before, but when I heard that she was hosting a Toile Party...it didn't take me long to find my way!
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If you haven't ever been to this wonderful blog...you've got to go! You will also find a list of Toile Party-goers...you won't want to miss out on all of the fabulous frenchy toile!!! I know a short cut....just click HERE and I'll show you the way
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I Love Toile!!!

I love toile...I just adore it! I don't know what it is about it...is it the pretty pattern? Is it the fact that it's sooooo French? Hmmm...maybe it's a little of both!

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The History of Toile or Toile de Jouy

Toile...pronounced "twahl"...is a type of decorating pattern consisting of a usually white or off-white background on which a repeated pattern depicting a fairly complex scene, generally of a pastoral theme such as (for example) a couple having a picnic by a lake. Toiles also often consist of an arrangement of flowers. The pattern portion consists of a single colour, most often black, dark red, or blue. Greens, browns and magenta toile patterns are less common but not unheard of. Toile is most associated with fabrics (curtains and upholstery in particular), though toile wallpaper is also popular.

Toile or Toile de Jouy originated in France in the late 1700s. In the French language, the phrase literally means "cloth from Jouy-en-Josas", a town of north-central France.

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Without further ado...Oh, and did I mention that I LOVE TOILE? Hehe!!! For those of you dear, sweet, faithful followers of my blog...I do apologize, for these are all photos that you've seen before! Please forgive my excitement but I just had to participate in this March 24ths Toile Party!

I have always just adored toile but just didn't have any at my place...well, until recently! A couple of months ago, I reclaimed my step-son's bedroom and made myself my very own studio/office! It was the perfect opportunity to redecorate...and you guessed it...using toile! My new little Frenchy toile studio/office is still a work in progress but I have enjoyed planning each and every little detail!!!
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My Frenchy Studio/Office in Toile

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I just adore my new Waverly toile drapes!!! They are a beigey-olive green and black! The toile pattern is called La Ferme...with country scenery and chickens...but not just any ol' chickens...these are French chickens! hehe!!!

I found these beautiful drapes on sale in the JC Penneys close-out online. They were originally $270.00...marked down to just a mere $77.00! WOW...I just couldn't believe my good fortune!!! I also purchased a new frenchy decorator drapery rod and hung these drapes as close to the ceiling as I possibly could. The panels measure 95" in length. This is a "Juliet" style valance...I just love how it hangs on the rod...and look at all of the pretty black tasseled fringe!

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I found this beautiful old chair at the antique shop. The best part...it already had a pretty black & white toile fabric seat! This little "treasure find" was only $19!
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I even found a pretty black & white toile decorative plat for my frenchy studio/office! I love Hobby Lobby...these pretty plates were marked 50% off...I only paid $5 per plate!!!
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Craft Project using Toile...

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For one of the walls in my Frenchy studio/office, I wanted to do a museum/gallery wall art grouping. I needed just one more small piece to complete the wall grouping so I made this piece using an old family photo. I wrapped black & white toile scrapbooking paper around the picture mat. I love how it turned out!!!

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This was a gift from my honey...isn't he just the sweetest? And he has such good taste!!! I'm not sure how old this hunch-backed trunk is...but it's pretty old! I just love the embossed metal inserts...the pretty black & white pattern remind me of toile!!! This trunk has found a home in my studio/office...I use it to store my "Old World" Santas. Don't forget...you can click on any of these photos to enlarge them to get a better view!
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The museum/gallery wall...

Here it is...all put together! Now you can see the pretty decorative toile plates, the little picture that I crafted using the toile scrapbooking paper, and the antique trunk!

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A close-up view...

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For more photos and history on my Frenchy studio/office you can click HERE.

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French Country Dining Room and Toile...
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I have started collecting red transferware dishes. They go beautifully in my red and olive green dining room. While redecorating this room awhile back, I decided to use some of my red transferware as wall art. I made this grouping using some of my favortie pieces....I think the red transferware looks so pretty on the olive green wall...they have that frenchy toile look!

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A close-up view...you can click on the photos to enlarge them! I just love the pretty toile designs on these pieces!!!

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Toile and Tablescaping...

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I used some of my red & white transferware (dessert plates) in my Valentine's Day tablescape! They added just the right, romantic touch!!!
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A close-up view of the place setting. For more photos of my French Country dining room you can click HERE.

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Toile in the Tea Rose Bedroom...
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I found this darling little rocker at a yard sale for just $5. I reupholstered it using an olive green & beige toile! I found this pretty toile fabric at JoAnn's...it was on sale for just $1.50 per/yd. The total cost to redo this rocker was $8...not bad!
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The newly reupholstered rocker in the Tea Rose bedroom. For more photos of the Tea Rose bedroom you can click HERE.

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Well my friends...it's been quite a party...a toile party that is!!! hehe! I hope that you enjoyed all of the toile! Did I mention that I just LOVE TOILE? hehe! I hope to incorporate more of it into my home in the future...so stay tuned, we may just have to have another Toile Party!!!
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I would just like to thank Pretty Organized Palace for hosting such a lovely Toile Party...don't forget to go by her place and see more of the lovely French Toile de Jouy!!! Thank you so much for coming by...I just love it when you visit, please leave me a comment to let me know you were here!
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Happy Toile!

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