snow scenes

nothing so perfect as a leaf

 It's a glorious fall morning.  In 5 minutes I had 32 pictures on my camera.  I just couldn't stop!

Look up..... look down.... tangles of color everywhere

 I was so entranced with the leaves, I completely missed the jet stream..

in two weeks that will be Sweetie and I

off to Maui!

 since I have been known to outline every shape in a photo or two or ten...

I have to admit that I did not do this one - I'm not that crazy!

Never say there is nothing beautiful in the world anymore.

  There is always something to make you wonder in the shape of a tree,

the trembling of a leaf.

 Albert Schweitzer
 

ugly duckling chairs

 I found two of these ugly duckling chairs in Victoria - the second one is in pieces already

they cost me $6.99 for one & $7.99 for the other

the young man was not sure why the price difference

I wasn't sure why they were so cheap!

Some new upholstery (I didn't do it, that's why it looks so good!)

I found the indoor/outdoor fabric at Fabric Land at a 50% discount

had the cushions replaced with outdoor foam

 a lovely chalk paint finish on the wood with Benjamin Moore Antique Lace

and here they are...

I think they are too nice to go outside - but if they do

I won't have to worry about it!

chalk board chicken

the first thing I ever painted with chalk paint

the real stuff, like on blackboards

I saw the coolest chalk paint sheep in Chintz & Co a few years ago

but I was too cheap to buy it

So I found a terracotta chicken

and painted it myself

Chair, before & after

 This little chair wasn't so bad... it's just that I wanted it to go with my newly painted desk

and the dark wood just wasn't doing the trick

neither was the old dated (and yes, dirty) upholstery.

A couple of coats of homemade chalk paint in Benjamin Moore ice cube silver

some gorgeous new fabric (Thank You Gladys!)

and ta da!  Isn't it cute!

Oh beautiful day

What a beautiful day!

I had to get away from the painting so I dragged Sweetie out for lunch

A short drive later and here we are - Qualicum Beach

 The view is amazing

Why don't we do this more often?

Just down the path ...our destination for lunch - the Shady Rest.  It has been

a popular dining destination on Vancouver Island for over 75 years. Yummy

Sunflower, isn't it amazing

 Sunflower smiling at the sun
Your time is gonna' come
Keep your eyes on sunny skies
Your heart soars above the clouds
Sings a song out loud
For a brand new day - not so far away
Isn't it amazing - what you see
Isn't it amazing - what you do
Isn't it amazing - everything

 

by

Alice Peacock

Not that I don't love orange...

 As I was saying.... it's not that I don't love orange... I bought this beautiful orange fabric in Hawaii

 but I really don't love orange furniture.. I mean orange toned wood furniture... 

Look away again Men!  I'm painting wood, well veneer wood type product.

I think I've hated the color of my table forever so I finally decided to do something about it.

the top was going to be Benjamin Moore ice cube silver, the apron and legs, BM sun dried tomato.

 Not such a great photo, the legs look black but they are in fact sun dried tomato, and the top... well let's just say it's on it way to being antique lace. 

I found the ice cube silver a bit cool to go with the tomato legs...

 which brings me to the thing that started this little painting craze!  My beautiful new desk. 

Isn't she cute!  Not so in love with the nicotine stain looking finish...

 but she's going to be gorgeous in ice cube silver. 

see, isn't she pretty now!

Chalk Paint, Oh my.....

While in Victoria last week visiting a friend I stumbled across a wonderful store on Oak Bay Ave called French Vanilla.  I immediately fell in love with the painted furniture.  (Men, turn away, I am talking about painting wood!) The paint finishes were all lovely soft fresh colors, all done with chalk paint.  What!  a painted finish I haven't tried?  I purchased two tester pots, one in cream the other duck egg.  Check out Annie Sloan Chalk Paint here. Lovely!

When I got home I searched high a low for items I could paint (I wanted to do my dining table but alas I only had sample pots).  So an old metal table lamp that I had been thinking to spray paint black (yes, quite a jump I know) and a sort of tacky gold picture frame that was hanging around were my first victims.  They look GREAT in cream.  I'm showing the before pictures last because I always like to lead with the better photo!

I found this mirror on Oak Bay Ave as well in a consignment shop.  I think I paid $10 for it.  This really was a tacky gold frame but the mirror is in great shape and the detail work was pretty.

 It looks so good in the duck egg blue!  YIPPEE - that I just had to repaint over my cream picture frame.... much better :)
I purchased this little teapot trivet on my Coombs trip specifically to paint.

And here it is.... TADA.... using my very own homemade chalk paint.  I should say while the Annie Sloan paint is fantastic!!!  it is very expensive.  There are a ton of recipes for homemade chalk paint out there but I went with the simplest one I could find.  I had a 2oz tester of Benjamin Moore called Harbor Haze 2136-60.  I put 1 TBSP of plaster of paris in a glass jar, added 1 TBPS of hot water and mixed well, then added the 2 oz of paint and continued to mix until totally blended.  It has the same consistency as the Annie Sloan paint and went on the trivet perfectly.  The finishing touch for all chalk paint projects is waxing (this is what gives it the super smooth feel and the protection it needs).  The Annie Sloan wax was around $36 for 16oz and I am way too cheap for that so I have some Johnson paste wax coming from Ebay for $7. (can't find it anywhere on the Island) I can't wait.  If it all works out I'm mixing some sun dried tomato and painting my dining room table!

Sunday in Coombs

 I spent my last vacation day of the summer in Coombs, BC with my sister.  She is visiting from northern BC so really wanted to see some Island garden spots.  This is a great one!

 I love the little dish gardens of succulents.... so pretty

 And we had a fantastic lunch out on the very sunny patio

 Surrounded by potted chinese planters - full of trees and vines...

And the loveliest hydrangea I've ever seen!  It's called Invincibelle Spirit - the first pink Annabelle hydrangea.  I really have to find a spot for her in my garden!
What a lovely day.

I'm in a New York state of mind

 layer after layer of very cool tools in Picassa gets me this amazing rendition of my photo

 so of course - I have to try more.....

 If I can't be in New York in body - I can certainly be there in soul (anybody out there get that?)

 Oh, Yes!  this is what I'm talking about!

 blocks and blocks of blocks

And reality beckons (Sweetie yelling "what are you doing honey?)  Sigh, I'm going to New York... soon I hope....

let there be trees

I've never been to Europe but my camera has....  I think lending my sister my camera gives me license to play with her pictures too!  She took so many great photos in Amsterdam - this was not one of them (sorry Sis!)  a little tweak here and there.. and Yes, this is what it's supposed to be!

 Buildings are one of my favorite things... trees too, so building and trees, Yes!

 And who can resist the canals and trees?

 And the boats and trees...

 And a horse drawn carriage...(trees too)

 A lovely little corner cafe, bicycles everywhere.... I would be very happy to be here (even without trees)

Oh goody, more trees

Sigh.... a bridge.. over water... with bicyles.. and trees....beautiful