Sad News

We got this beautiful Lilac(James Macfarlane)planted this weekend.

The 24th brought sad news of a death in the family.

The Quilt and a Wrought Iron Headboard

I've been sort of inspired by the french country look.
This vintage poppy quilt was made by my husband's grandmother. I thought it was great and wanting to use it, Did some repair and cleaning.I'm happy with my efforts.
I think this pattern is from the 40's or 50's ??.... If you're a quilter , I'd love to know. Now, all I need is an old wrought iron headboard.

Decorating on the cheap

This dresser was about 70 years old and belonged to my husband's mother.I used the old hardware that was on it.I only needed to clean the handles.

Almost any piece of wooden furniture will do,if it's painted white.I collect pieces from flea markets,garage sales,and the attic.

Here's how I've refinished this dresser.


Prepare your workspace.Lay the furniture in the middle of a drop cloth or just news paper.If the furniture has drawers, remove the drawer and place the drawers on the drop cloth. Make sure there's room to move around the furniture as you paint.I put my dresser on of an old table.


One of the most important steps to refinish furniture is to lightly sand the piece before painting so the paint will adhere better. Don't worry about sanding out imperfections in the furniture - they will actually contribute to the shabby chic look.You could use a sander,but it works out much better if you sand it by hand.


Apply the first coat of white or off white paint and allow it dry completely for a few hours before applying a second coat. If the piece of furniture is large, If you are working in hot, humid conditions you might need to allow for more drying time.

After the second coat of paint is completely dry, use the sandpaper and lightly sand the edges of the furniture.Stain and rub it off before it has time to dry.The stain will give the white paint a vintage look.The sanded spots will take on a distressed," shabby chic"
look.

Paint the drawer/cabinet pulls (if your furniture has them) buy something vintage looking or unique from a hardware to store.

Wildflowers

Columbine



My woodland garden is getting a lot larger and the cost wasn't very much.I decided on a style that would look nice in a woodland setting.Found a good book about wildflowers in Wisconsin(Wildflowers of Wisconsin by Stan Tekiela)I was able to identify lots of native plants and include them in the garden as well.

I found Columbine(which isn't native)Thanks to the birds,it's growing right outside our door.Columbine is an easy to grow perennial.Hummingbird love it,It's a favorite of hummingbirds and bees because the flowers contain lots of nectar.

My new life as a Homesteader.

Wisconsin River

Welcome......

I moved to the driftless area of Wisconsin just last Spring. Really enjoy living here. People of diverse backgrounds and experiences strive to accept their differences and co-exist. I live on 40 acres of woodland in the "Driftless Region" of the Wisconsin River Valley. The soil of this region is millions of years old, making it some of the richest in the world. It's beautiful here! Last year we were quite busy , setting up my studio/workshop, renovating the cabin, putting in a well, electricity and plumbing, as well as planning a wedding. I'm happy to share my adventures.This is where I've found myself down life's road.