Keep cutting............................

................those hydrangeas from the garden. Mine are really changing now, colors so different from their brilliant blue of Summer. The change to chartreuse green was lovely, now that shade is becoming deeper, tinged with dusky mauve and cottage pink. I think cutting blooms for drying at different times during Autumn gives a variety of shades when the drying process is complete. Later some tan and cream shades appear as the blooms eventually die on the bush, these can be added to give more definition to large bunches in a container.

Having fun with that delightful, and so easy, little editing program, Photoscape, you can see the mix of colors of the hydrangeas from my garden. All these blooms are from the two blue Endless Summer bushes in front of my porch. Looking out as I write, they are still heavy with flower heads and I'll be cutting more for drying soon.

These blooms are mixed - last year's have turned lavender, blue-gray and tan, new ones are green.

Same image edited with Photoscape ~ no color change just a vintage look.

Photoscape is very easy to use for creating mosaics.

Do you have any special tips of drying, displaying hydrangeas? I strip all the leaves from mine, place them in a little water and then just allow them to dry in the vase - no further water added - simple. Within a few weeks they are ready and of course look lovely during the entire drying period. It's not necessary to hang them upside down in a dry place as I do the roses.

Ready for another chair makeover?

As promised, I'm back to show more finds at the Sleepy Poet Antiques Mall (from now on known as the Poet, as the locals/dealers call this emporium of antiques and vintage). A thrill ran through me when I laid eyes on this pile of vintage French linen/hemp grain sacks....................so I was already in heaven at one of the very first booths just inside the entrance. I knew there were going to be treasures with my name written on them.

Hemp and linen sacks awaiting a new life at the Poet.

Some came home with me to give this old chair a new look.

This was an odd Thomasville dining chair bought in the clearance room of a furniture store for a few bucks......over 30 years ago! Nice bones and pretty carved details, almost country French! It's moved around with us, always ending up in a corner as an extra chair to pull out when needed. I had it recovered in this rich terracotta damask about 6 years ago during my "Tuscany" decorating phase after a trip to that stunningly beautiful area of Italy.

I'm painting/distressing the chair frame, same color/finish as the bergere chair. The seat and back sections are at the upholsterer, along with my precious grain sacks, and hopefully my chair will soon have a new look......................show you later.

Pink Saturday

My sweet pink roses from last week are gone.............but not far. They are now hanging from the chandelier in the potting shed, drying to a dusty, crinkly, muted pink.

Once dried, the roses will join these. They are lovely in their second life....................sometimes I use them to add to a gift wrap.

A rose is a rose......is a rose. A beautiful flower loved by just about everyone.

Visit How Sweet The Sound, our lovely Beverly's blog to see today's list of Pink Saturday participants....................and have a good weekend.

Love at Second Sight

It's not always 'love at first sight' but when the shape is right and the bones appear strong, a little work can change a piece of furniture from ho-hum to hot diggity!!

Chair hanging out at the ScreenDoor in Asheville

This was the reproduction French bergere chair I found at the ScreenDoor in Asheville, NC a few weeks ago. A few hours in the garden armed with a paint brush and sandpaper after the upholsterer had removed it's dowdy, modern clothing..................................

..................then back again to be dressed in a French gown of natural linen. A small ottoman I already had was also reupholstered in the same linen. I'm really thrilled with this chair now.

Christmas Tea Party in Aspen, CO

My ex-pat Brit friend, the amazing graphic designer, Mmm, has invited us all to his First Annual Christmas Tea to be held in beautiful snowy Aspen, Colorado on December 1, 2009. Do visit him at Hot Toast and Jam or click on the above logo on my sidebar to join the growing list of people who love to gather for a tea party.

Be prepared to dress warmly, Colorado is chilly in December. I'll be wearing my heavy coat, tall boots, the warmest muffler, hat and gloves. Plan to arrive with British delicacies and sweetmeats, and of course your favorite tea.........mine is Earl Grey.

Go visit Mmm soon and RSVP - I know he'll be thrilled to hear from you...............he grew up in London and makes the best cup of tea!

Introducing the Sleepy Poet

In Charlotte, North Carolina, the Sleepy Poet Antique Mall is a great place to visit for stuff, stuff and more stuff! By now you must be familiar with the feeling where you walk in not knowing what to expect........heart pumping, eyes bulging at so much old beauty, legs a bit wobbly - yours not the furniture, camera ready, hoping, wishing they will have just what you are searching for.

My wish list includes such items as French linens, vintage silverplate, old cream china and white ironstone, French chairs and fabrics, chandeliers.........................and unusual things with writing/numbers that catch my eye, and of course just about anything French!

However, do you, like me, also see things you just know friends will love? I find myself getting excited over...........................

.............beachy cottage looking stuff for friends such as Sarah in Sydney, Australia.

Vintage dress forms and Brazilian burlap coffee sacks for Vanessa my close-by dear friend who often treasure hunts with me.

After traipsing around that 50,000 sq.ft. several times last weekend - this bed looked so good, I almost crawled in! Luckily there's a tiny coffee shop in the back of Sleepy Poet with comfy wingback chairs, books, and fabulous 50's/60's music.......................where hubbies and others not interested in hunting can hang out. The nicest people work at Sleepy Poet, including Karen - go see the amazing old homestead she's planning to renovate in South Carolina!

Vintage hotel silver for Brooke to add to her fabulous collection..........

.................and glittering crystal lighting including chandeliers which Penny may want for her lovely new home in the North Carolina mountains.

Next time I'll share my finds from the Sleepy Poet...............believe it or not I brought home some beauties from my wish list!!

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All images taken by me last weekend to share the treasures available at Sleepy Poet Antique Mall, Charlotte, NC

Southern Junk Finds

As if tootling south down the interstate last weekend to enjoy lunch with blog pals at Rhondi's home wasn't fun enough..............having a patient DH who would take me treasure hunting along the way made it doubly fabulous!

I was excited about visiting the Sleepy Poet Antique Mall in Charlotte, NC. The gals at SuzAnna's here in Raleigh told me about it ~ 50,000 sq.ft. of antiques/vintage shopping ~ AND a special blogger's booth belonging to Janna of Artsy Fartsy Junk Finds.

These pics are of Janna's junk finds in and around North Carolina.

Janna has a great eye and displays her vintage stuff so well.


Her colors are mostly pale, neutral or muted.......................

..................her little treasure items mixed in with old painted pieces.

Look at this old wooden dog bed - Janna suggests using it as a centerpiece on a large farm style table - that would be a conversation piece!

Necklaces are eye-catching, made by Janna and her husband, and are available on her blog.

You will enjoy visiting Janna at her blog Artsy Fartsy Junk Finds

All pics on this post taken by me last weekend at the Sleepy Poet Antique Mall - more pics and stories from Janna's road trips on her fun blog.

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Stay tuned - more Sleepy Poet finds coming soon.