ROTATING STUFF

 Above the two windows in our bedroom there are shelves that I enjoy changing out occasionally.  If you've followed my blog you know that we are lifetime collectors of all kinds of stuff, and a lot of it is stashed away!  I decided it was time to put the things currently on the shelves away, and bring out some different items.  

 Above is one of the before pictures, and now below the change-out.

 Below is the other 'before' shelf.

 And, now, the after.

We probably have enough collections to change out each week, but that probably won't happen.  I hate ladder work -- dusting will be about it for awhile!!


I'm joining the following parties this week.  Please check these blogs out and thank them for hosting!
Very Merry Vintage Style for Share the Love Wednesday
The Shabby Creek Cottage for Transformation Thursday
No Minimalist Here for Thursday Open House
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday
Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Tuesday's Treasures
Northern Cottage for Partytime Tuesday

BED SKIRT SECURITY

 I've always called them dust ruffles, but I guess the manufacturers call them bed skirts - sounds better, I guess!  At any rate, they have always been a fixture in our household.  Always short on storage space, all that real estate under the bed could not go wasted --  thus, a dust ruffle to hide the clutter.

Since I've made scads of dust ruffles over the years I've developed my favorite way of making them.  I love a secure dust ruffle -- I don't want it to move around and need daily fussing!

So,  I use a fitted sheet that covers the box springs as a deck for the skirt.  Then, I just attach the skirt with hook and loop tape to the fitted sheet.  This allows the ruffle to be removed for laundry or to be changed out without disruption of the bed.

 And, the fitted sheet holds everything securely.  I have a mechanical bed which does have a lot more movement involved.    So, I go one step further and use safety pins to secure the fitted sheet to the box springs.  These pins are the best.  They are curved for ease in pinning, and are quilt basting safety pins.

 My dust ruffles always stay in place with the exact clearance I like.

I'm joining the following parties:

2805 for Potpourri Friday

Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays

Thanks to the hosts of these blogs!

Copy Cat Pillow

 Back in the 1950s as a teenager, I inherited a bunch of stuff from my step-great-grandmother including furniture and paintings.  They were my first antiques, and started me on a life-long collecting journey.  Among those belongings from her was this small embroidery with painted accents.  She was a talented painter, and I assume she made this.  I've always wanted to do something with it, and recently found this image below in an old November 2007 Romantic Homes magazine.

I decided to incorporate the embroidery into a pillow.   

 I'm always looking for ways to make things out of what I have on hand.  So, I used muslin scraps plus plaid fabric from an old 100% wool Pendleton skirt.

 My grandmother's button box did not yield any suitable buttons, so I asked Bob to make me some out of his supply of twigs.  I think the buttons turned out perfect for this pillow.

I love the completed project and it is so suitable for our Colorado home! 

I'm partying with the following blogs.  Please stop by these blogs for a plethora of inspiration.

2805 for Potpourri Friday

Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

Debbiedoos for Copy Cat Challenge Monday

Between Naps on the Porch for Met Monday

Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Very Merry Vintage Style for Share the Love Wednesday

VALENTINE CANDY

 I realize it is a little early but this is a recipe to hold onto for Valentine's Day.

 Yummy chocolate covered peanuts.

It makes enough to share with all of your loved ones, plus the neighbors.  I need to share -- otherwise I'd eat them all!

Chocolate Covered Peanuts

32 oz. salted dry-roasted peanuts

4 oz. baking semi-sweet chocolate (4 squares)

12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips (2 cups)

1 1/2 lbs. white almond bark 

Put peanuts in bottom of 4-quart crock pot.  Layer baking chocolate, chocolate chips, and bark.  Cook on low for 3 hours (you are just melting all of the chocolate).  Stir with wooden spoon until smooth.  Drop candy into mini-cupcake papers.  Cool.  Makes about 100 pieces of candy.  I keep these in the freezer, and they seem to do just fine.

This week I'm linking up with the following parties.  Be sure to check out these blogs, and thank them for hosting.

A Stroll Thru Life for Table Top Tuesday

Northern Cottage for Partytime Tuesday

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday

2805 for Potpourri Friday

Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday

NEW YEAR RESOLUTION #1 - ALREADY FORGOTTEN

Well, I haven't really made any New Year resolutions for years, but I do try to think about some things I need to accomplish in the new year.  I've been thinking that I REALLY do need to curb this 60-year old collecting habit I have, especially when it comes to dishes.  I'm just plain running out of room, and I've already purged leaving only the best and the ones I love the most.

BUT, yesterday we went to Colorado Springs.  After running errands and having lunch, we had some time to kill before the 'Home and Remodeling' show opened.  What to do?  Of course, we stopped at one of our favorite antique malls.

I walked down one aisle, and there they were -- two 19th century aesthetic movement soup bowls in brown transferware. I was prepared to walk away after admiring them, but then the price caught my eye -- "pair of bowls - $9.95".  That's way under the going price for one bowl, let alone two!!

 I couldn't leave them there.  After I got home with them, I noticed they had the same rim pattern as this wonderful pedestal dish that a friend gave me.

 They aren't the same inner pattern.

 But, so typical of the aesthetic movement!

 I just love them!!!  Guess my collecting days aren't over, yet.

I'm partying this week with the following.  Check them out for lots of inspiration.

Northern Cottage for Partytime Tuesday

A Stroll Thru Life for Table Top Tuesday

Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday

Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday