A Romantic Touch.

When I was a girl, my grandmother used to make these pillows.

I've always wanted one, but have not seen them for years.

Just in the past few months, they've been showing up on blogs, and online shops.

I ordered this gorgeous plush velvet pillow from Vintage Rose Collection.

I love it paired with the pretty throw from Shabbyfufu.

Both pieces lend a romantic touch to the room.
I like it!
Enjoy your weekend!
Debbie
xoxoxoxo
I'll be joining Courtney at French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday.......and
Kerry Anne at Shabby Art Boutique for Shabbilicious Friday.

An old hobby.

The weather here turned colder the past few days.

I will be wanting projects to do inside, once the season changes.

I usually start making lavender sachets for gifts in the Fall.

I wanted to come up with a different idea this year when I start making the sachets.

While visiting new blogs recently, I came across The Flower Lady.

Lorraine does ribbon embroidery.

I used to do ribbon embroidery a few years ago....but got away from it.

Yesterday, I decided to bring out my supplies, and try my hand at my old hobby.

I will need more practice to pick it up again.....but after doing this one sachet, I remember how much I enjoyed working with all the silk ribbons.

The designs are endless using ribbon embroidery!

Hopefully Summer will return for a few more weeks. I'm not quite ready for it to end just yet.
At least I will have another style to add to the sachets when I start making them again when the cold weather gets here.
Have a great week!!
Debbie
xoxoxo

This will do.

It's that time of year....when I start bringing things inside.

The urn was bleached, and now graces the table in the living room.

The PeeGee Hydrangeas are starting to turn their glorious pink color....so it's time to bring them in to dry.

They look lovely in the urn at the end of Summer.

The mix of textures in this vignette makes my heart sing.

I love bringing together rustic elements with a bit of elegance....like the crystals on the sconce, and the rugged shed door.

The beautiful, yet simple design of the urn doesn't detract from the intricate carvings on the table below it.

The pretty linen and lace runner looks wonderful underneath the rough, cement urn. 
I love this look!   It's not for everyone, I know....but for me.....it'll do.
xoxoxoxoxoxo
~I'm joining Kerry Anne at Shabby Art Boutique for her Shabbilicious Friday link party.
~I am also joining Courtney at French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday.

Bi-folds as shutters.

This is what I am doing today.....

Notice the big gaping hole that we have for a doorway between the dining room and living room?

I've added salvage pieces to it over time, but never liked how huge, and square it looked.

My daughter, Melissa, gave me these bi-fold doors a while back.

I've been moving them from place to place here at the Lakehouse.

Today, being stuck inside because of more rain, the ADD was kicking into hire gear.

I folded the doors and am using them as shutters on each side of the doorway.

I can open them up for a different look, although they are not wide enough to meet in the middle.

It gives each room a cozier feel.

I might take them down and paint them white, but for now I like the creamy color.

There will be one little problem.....the hubby.

He is like a giant tank!!!

Seriously.....he is like a wrecking ball!!!

UGH......

You have NO idea.

How do I keep things white, you ask?   BLEACH!!!  lots of bleach.
I also have a nail gun, and a case of glue on hand.
I am moving a few other things around today, also....but I'll save those for another post.
Have a lovely evening!
Debbie
xoxoxoxoxo

Shabby swags....and LOVING August!!

I LOVE August!

It's the time of year when the weather turns hot and humid.

It reminds me of being a kid on summer vacation.

Shortie pajama's, fans in the windows, popsicles, kool-aid, hide and go seek, pony tails, riding bikes, catching frogs, flying kites, fireflies, and swimming until dark.

With the hot and humid weather upon us now....I find myself spending more time indoors these days.

I recently tore some strips of fabric and made some swags with them.

Different accents were used in each one.

Crinkled seam binding, vintage lace, and burlap.

This one was longer than the rest.

I tied this one right onto a curtain rod for a valance.

The one above my work table/desk is more full.

I've run out of places to hang more swags....for now, so this weekend I will probably be braving the heat and humidity to spend time out on the lake....and maybe fly my kite while I'm out there.*
Debbie
xoxoxoxoxoxo

~I'll be joining KerryAnne at Shabby Art Boutique for Shabbilicious Friday.  Go over for a visit, and see her beautiful blog.
~ I'm also joining Patti and Paula for What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants #179. I'm sure you will enjoy their lovely blog. 
~I will also be joining Courtney at French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday. Courtney's blog is about decorating in the French style....I just love it!
~Another neat party I'm joining is Donna's Upcycled link party for Salvaged Junk Projects. and since I found the lace for these swags at the Salvage Market, I thought this party would be a perfect one to link up to. Visit Donna at Funky Junk's Party Junk, and see some amazing DIY projects.

A trip to the Salvage Market.

My friend, Ruth, and I went to the Salvage Market in Bay City over the weekend.

Vintage linens and lace are what I look for at all antique shows, and outdoor markets.

This market place did not disappoint.

Plus these beautiful dishes from England were found in one of the shops we visited along the river front after going through the market.

I didn't come home with a lot....but what I did bring home I was very happy with.

I had enough narrow lace to make another rag garland for above my work desk.

The wide lace will make many lavender sachets!

This pillow slip was an unusual find for me.

It's open on both ends. Something I've never seen before.

It's long enough for the sofa, which I just LOVE!!!

The embroidery is so delicate, and compliments the cutwork design.

I am always on the look out for standard size vintage pillow slips.

This one is a beauty with the lace trim and garland embroidery.

It's a nice addition to the daybed on the sun porch.

There were many large architectural pieces that I would have loved to bring home from the market...but sometimes you really have to ask yourself....do I "really need that?" I would have liked to have said "yes!!!"  In the end, I was truly happy with what I brought home with me. Pretty pieces that make my heart sing.
Have a fun week!
Debbie
xoxoxo

The packages arrived!!!

I was pleased as punch to receive the beautiful ruffled throw from Janet at Shabbyfufu last week.

I just love it draped over the French chair in the living room.

It's sooooo romantic looking!

I chose white instead of cream, because I wanted a bit of contrast.

Another package I was waiting for was this gorgeous JDL pillow from Sissie at Sissie's Shabby Cottage, and her etsy shop...sissiecakes.

I've ordered two JDL tunics from Sissie as well, and love them!!

They are fine quality, and priced well.

I'm loving the new throw, and pillow.

I think they add style and grace to this old cottage at the lake.

Have a wonderful weekend!
Debbie
xoxoxoxoxoxo
I'm joining KerryAnne at Shabby Art Boutique for her Shabbilicious Friday link party. Visit her beautiful blog for some wonderful decorating ideas!

Roses, hydrangea and a coffee pot.

Went walking in the garden today.

Looking for just the right color of roses to put in this pretty vintage enamel coffee pot.

I paired them with the creamy white hydrangea.

Perfection.

~~~sigh~~~

It doesn't get any better than this.

Enjoy your day~~~
Debbie
xoxoxo
I'm joining KerryAnne at Shabby Art Boutique for Shabbilicious Friday. Visit her beautiful blog for some great inspiration!