Monthly Archives: June 2014
Under the Dome
Click on photo to enlarge it.
Oh, y’all… Oh, y’all! Guess what I did? For the first time ever, I’ve put an arrangement under a glass dome. I can already tell you that I’m so pleased; I envision buying many more to encapsulate my treasures and little dried floral arrangements. Why had I waited so long to embrace the glass dome, when it is obviously capable of instantly elevating any object or arrangement to rare specimen status? Glass dome, y’all. Glass dome. I’m late to the party when it comes to speckling glass domes throughout my decor, but I’m here, now!
Click on photo to enlarge it.
Click on photo to enlarge it.
Hanging on the wall near my new dome is one of my favorite paintings of a barn. It’s a favorite because it reminds me of my Gram, my paternal grandmother. No, she’s never had a barn or lived on a farm, but she loves barn art. For that reason, this painting reminds me of her and I love seeing it in my living room everyday.
Click on photo to enlarge it.
Click on photo to enlarge it.
I adore that my floral arrangement is still fully visible, yet there is this protective shield that has the added bonus of being able to reflect the light in a pillar along a curving side and a bright glint as the dome nears it’s peak while keeping cute (but often sticky) toddler fingers away from delicate foliage!
(Speaking of toddlers, I’ve never shown my youngest daughters’ rooms on this blog. This week, I’m working on a fun project of draping strings of l.e.d. lights, strands of pennant banner bunting, and garlands of yarn Pom-Pom balls all across my youngest daughter’s yellow bedroom. Details and photos in a week or so, assuming I finish the sewing and the rest of the l.e.d. strands arrive in the mail!)
Click on photo to enlarge it.
Do you use glass domes to enshrine items? Have ideas for what else belongs under a dome? If so, what? I’d love to hear!
Your Friend,
~Amber Hamilton Henson
PS
Check out these two free images I found via TheGraphicsFairy, free for my/your personal use: click to enlarge or visit her site for full size versions and lots of other cool graphics! 😉
What should I do with these images that I’ve fallen in love with? I may just print one and put it in a small frame near my dome or perhaps use one as an image transfer for a pillow?…We’ll see…
PPS
I love linking with blog parties! Its a great way to connect with other bloggers with similar interests! I’ll update this post each day as I link with parties! Check them out:
MyRepuposedLife ~ Catch as Catch Can #168
ReDouxInteriors ~ Best DIY linky #158
ShabbyNest ~ Frugal Friday
Arkansas Women Bloggers ~ Sunday Link Up
Upcycled Tobasco NeckTie Upholstery!
Click on photo to enlarge it.
More often than not, I buy something with plans to change it, but often I have to think about it for awhile before actually initiating change. Usually, it’s just a matter days to finalize my concept for what I want to do, and then I begin procuring supplies to do the task.
Today is different! Today, I bought a piece, knew immediately, and transformed it immediately!
We went to an estate sale this morning and I spotted this ornate, brass vanity stool, and I just had to have it! The manufacturer’s label says it’s made in Italy. I have no idea how old/new it is, but I’d guess 1970s or ’80s. Rather than using it for a vanity stool, I wanted to use it for a foot rest/small ottoman in the living room. It was obvious it needed reupholstery, because I don’t “do” white in my house except for sheets, towels, and candles. Furthermore, it was stained. However, the frame is all heavy metal construction! Heavy, and 18″ tall.
Click on photo to enlarge it.
My husband Mitch suggested we sew together neckties to recover it, since he knows I’ve been diligently waiting to use neckties in a project! (Necktie window valance? Necktie lampshade? Necktie etc?)
So, that’s what happened!
Image Sources used for collage:
1, 2, 3,
The neckties are all sewn together. Then, it wraps around the cushion and is stapled on the underside. Last, it’s just screwed into the frame from the underside!
Click on photo to enlarge it.
I used a fun mix of traditional and whimsical neckties! Some are paisley, one has playing cards, one has hot peppers, and one is a Tobasco brand advertising necktie! Really! How fun is that?! I love it! I may even share this post on their Facebook page. I bet they usually only see recipe posts using their product on their page! Well, today they get to see their Tobasco necktie upcycled! Fun!
Click on photo to enlarge it.
Click on photo to enlarge it.
Click on photo to enlarge it.
I’ve got my sandals off and my feet propped up on it right now as I’m writing!
So, even though this was a fast turn around time for me, I’m really pleased!
Maybe even EXTRA pleased!
What do you think of my results from today’s project? I love comments!
Your Friend,
~Amber Hamilton Henson
PS
This post was Featured! Click on the square image (USSCrafty) to be redirected to the post and to link up your project this week:
I’m linking with some great blog parties! Check them out! (I’m updating this post as I link each day this week!)
ArkansasWomenBloggers ~ Sunday LinkUp
TwiggStudios ~ Sunday Best
USSCrafty – Submarine Sunday #87
BoogieBoardCottage ~ Masterpiece Monday #179
ElizabethAndCo ~ Be inspired #122
ConfessionsOfAPlateAddict ~ the Scoop #122
KammysKorner ~ Trash 2 Treasure
SavvySouthernStyle ~ Wow Us Wednesdays #173
FromMyFrontPorchToYours ~ Treasure Hunt Thursday #159
MyRepuposedLife ~ Catch as Catch Can #168
MissMustardSeed ~ Furniture Feature Friday
ReDouxInteriors ~ Best DIY linky #158
ShabbyNest ~ Frugal Friday
Funky Junk Interiors ~ Upcycled Side Tables
In my garden, today!
The pretty pink Lily planted among the Rosemary along the path to the front door stretch out towards the sun out of the shadow of the house:
Our Heirloom Arkansas Traveler tomatoes are loaded with green tomatoes patiently waiting to burst into a show of gorgeous red fruit soon:
Our peppers that we planted early and babied with protective covering through late frosts are thriving in the Arkansas heat, now. Can you see the heat these peppers radiate, yet?
(Click on photo to enlarge it.)
At the end of the day, taking photos of our garden is one of my favorite things to do. Then, when the light gets low, I come inside and continue to enjoy them as I kick off my heels, put my feet up, and play with photo editing apps on my iPad. These photos were edited with a combination of 3 apps: LensLight, Bokeh Booth, and Phonto. I don’t share these evening garden photos of mine much on this site. Maybe I’ll start.
Your Friend,
~Amber Hamilton Henson
PS
I’m Linking with some great blog parties! You’re invited to visit the parties:
HowSweetTheSound ~ Pink Saturday
CreativeCountryMom ~ Home Sweet Garden Party
AnOregonCottage ~ Tuesday Garden Party
FromMyFrontPorchToYours ~ Treasure Hunt Thursday #159
Peacock Chair!
Click on photo to enlarge it.
We picked up this old, tattered antique chair for $20. The upholstery was stained and ripped, the seat and cushion were completely failing, but the frame was sturdy. The carving detail and the overall shape of the chair made it too cute to pass by.
My middle daughter, age 9, asked if we could re-do the chair for her room. She said, “I like it, and if you fix it, I can sit in it while I do my homework.” I needed no further convincing that the chair should be hers!
Her room is painted a bright purple, and she has lots of hot pink accessories and colorful artwork. A restoration of the chair to its former design just wouldn’t make sense for her room. We needed it to be bright, fun, and youthful in fit into her space! On that note, she and I dove into Pinterest looking for inspiration. What idea did we come up with as inspiration to her chair renovation? Peacocks! We decided to make it a vivid, shimmering PEACOCK themed chair!
Here are the peacock themed photos that Daughter and I found on Pinterest that inspired us the most for this chair:
Click on photo to enlarge it.
SOURCES of inspiration: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
The next step was to create a plan and find our materials for our new peacock chair! We decided we would paint the wood frame of the chair some sort of bright blue, “peacock blue,” if you will. We used Rustoleum spray enamel! I just LOVE the opaque glossy finish that their spray enamels provide! It’s such a durable AND pretty finish!
Click on photo to enlarge it.
Click on photo to enlarge it.
Together, Abigail and I decided we wanted to use greens and purples in addition to the blue enamel of the chair frame, and we wanted some sort of shine, shimmer and texture from the fabrics. So, I promised that while she was at school I would search online for fun peacock fabrics to order. We found what we believe to be the PERFECT newly manufactured fabrics from an eBay seller; he also has an online store www.RonnieHomeTextile.com.
The fabric for the upper portions of the chair is going to be a beautiful emerald green with metallic sequins in shades of hot pink, purple, gold, greens, and teals! For the seat cushion, we found a purple, laser cut, rosette fabric that reminded us of feathers, yet should be far more durable and comfortable to sit upon than real feathers would’ve been! Aren’t the two fabrics fabulous together with the paint color?! Love it! …and more importantly, my daughter LOVES if! YaY!!
Click on photo to enlarge it.
Then, the work process:
First, we stripped the chair. Mitch pried it apart and Abigail helped pull staples!
Second, we primed, then painted the frame, taking special care not to paint over original makers’ marks! The original Victorian era maker’s stamp is on the frame, a pencil signature from its re-upholstery in the ’40s, and our pencil signature from current reupholstery. That way, if it’s ever re-upholstered 20 or 50 years from now, the history is preserved!:
Click on photo to enlarge it.
Third, we added new webbing for the seat (stapling and trimming excess,) a thick layer of foam for the seat, and a thin layer of foam for the back. Finally, the whole thing was wrapped in polyester fiber (stapling and trimming excess.)
Lastly, we upholstered the back and seat, and stapling all pieces into position, then stapling cardboard tack strip around all of the edges in order to create a smooth surface to adhere finishing trim!
Click on photo of husband working on the chair to enlarge it.
Click on photo to enlarge it.
Click on photo to enlarge it.
Now, she’s proud as a peacock of her new chair, and I’m expecting continued straight ‘A’s from all the homework and studying she’ll do while sitting in her Peacock Chair!
Click on photo to enlarge it.
What do you think of our chair renovation? We’d LOVE it if you left us a comment or two!
Your Friend,
~Amber Hamilton Henson
PS
Guess what? 😃 This chair is being featured on KammysKorner and HandyManCraftyWoman! Click the square images below this text to be redirected to their sites:
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I’m linking with some great blog parties! Check them out! (I’m updating this post as I link each day this week!)
TwiggStudios ~ Sunday Best
ArkansasWomenBloggers ~ Sunday LinkUp
HandyManCraftyWoman ~ Wicked Awesome Wednesday #163
FromMyFrontPorchToYours ~ Treasure Hunt Thursday #158
MarigoldsLoft ~ Tutorial Thursdays
ReDouxInteriors ~ Best DIY Linky
My Repurposed Life ~ Catch as Catch Can
MissMustardSeed ~ Furniture Feature Friday
ShabbyNest ~ Frugal Friday
The36thAvenue ~ Best DIY projects and recipes
ChicOnAShoestringDecorating ~ Flaunt it Friday
TrulyLovelyBlog ~ Fancy This #179
HomeStoriesAtoZ~ Tutorials Tips #161
HouseByHoff ~ Enchanting Inspiration
ConfessionsOfAPlateAddict ~ the Scoop #121
FunkyJunkInteriors ~ #242
BoogieBoardCottage ~ Masterpiece Monday #179
SmilingSally ~ Blue Monday
KammysKorner ~ Trash 2 Treasure
SavvySouthernStyle ~ Wow Us Wednesdays #173
Mad Tea Party!
We’ve been invited to a blogland “Mad Tea Party!” It’s actually the 7th annual event! Where have I been during the last 6 years?!
If you love whimsy even half as much as I do, you should click on the invitation FLYER to be re-directed to the informational (and rules) invitation by A Fanciful Twist. Her whole blog is such a treat! You’ll be glad you visited!
She is definitely the hostess with the mostest! Beyond showcasing her work, and offering tours of her spaces, she has invited us all to participate in this “Mad Tea Party!” She has links to our blogs on her sidebar, and on July 12th, we ALL post a Mad Tea Party of our own and then hop from blog to blog to visit all of the tea parties!
What will we offer at our tea party on July 12th? (Our = me + 3 daughters?) Well, we’ll pull out our finest, of course! Come see our treasures escape the china cabinet and get put into use! What fun! What FUN!! We’ll serve many treats we make ourselves, like our Coconut Macaroons … with Milk in Martini Glasses, and we’ll have a curious adventure of big and small spaces that we show and tell along the way!
(Click on Photo to enlarge It.)
We’re tweeting the news! The birds have heard and may join us, too!
(Click on Photo to enlarge It.)
Sound interesting? Well, take a look at a few posts from I’ve found from previous years’s Mad Tea Parties:
Hostess Vanessa’s Mad Tea Parties for the last 6 years:
http://afancifultwist.typepad.com/a_fanciful_twist/2008/06/the-time-has-co.html
http://afancifultwist.typepad.com/a_fanciful_twist/2009/06/-the-mad-tea-party-2009.html
http://afancifultwist.typepad.com/a_fanciful_twist/2010/06/mad-tea-party-2010.html
http://afancifultwist.typepad.com/a_fanciful_twist/2011/06/mad-tea-party-2011.html
http://afancifultwist.typepad.com/a_fanciful_twist/2012/07/mad-tea-party-2012.html
http://afancifultwist.typepad.com/a_fanciful_twist/2013/07/mad-tea-party-2013.html
Participant Mad Tea Parties:
http://triciafountaine.blogspot.com/2011/06/mad-catter-tea-party.html
http://apinkdreamer.blogspot.gr/2013/07/a-magic-invitation-magic-summer-art.html
http://cobblestone-prims.blogspot.de/2013/07/happy-un-birthday.html
and soooo many more!!
Save the Date, and we’ll see you for a blogland Mad Tea Party in July! Songbirds and sweet treats will be here for our adventure!
Your Friends,
Amber, Caroline, Abigail, & Veronica!
PS
I’m Linking with some great blog parties to extend the invitation! You’re invited to visit the parties:
HowSweetTheSound ~ Pink Saturday
what AMBER loves 