LIFE AT THE COTTAGE

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Talented Time Travelers in Focus #22


Ready to revisit some of the fantastic projects from last week's party?
Here we go!

It's always so much fun to have new partygoers link up.  It gives me the opportunity to meet bloggers I didn't know existed and be exposed to their creative ideas.  

Home Hinges is one such new-to-me party participant—actually participants, since theirs is a family affair.

There are five sisters in the group—that should sound familiar—and the eldest—same here—is named April—my birth month.

April linked up two totally terrific turquoise projects...


a redo of her grandmother's mirror and...


"smirking, sassy swine strutting her stuff" that April painted herself.


Not to be outshined by her big sister April, Brooke @ Home Hinges shared the winsome winter wonderland she created.

Maybe next week Catherine, Paula, and Squash—the other three sisters—will decide to join the party fun, as well!  ; )


Sweet Jenn @ Five and a High Chair—whom I've actually had the privilege of meeting in person—created this fabulous photo display from some nifty fun components.

Go visit her to get all the details.


Vintage, shades of white, and Christmas—a winning combination to me!

Cheryl @ Zany Mayd decorated her home with all three.


Are you  hurriedly looking around for some cute, but simple holiday decorating ideas—like me—and are quickly running out of time—like me?

Megan @ Homemade Ginger has the perfect solution with this simple, but sweet door wreath.


I've seen the rolled-paper wreaths all over the blogosphere, but not a rolled-paper Christmas tree...

that is until Tammy @ Type A Decorating linked her project up to the party last week.

Too cute!


Jeanne @ Bees Knees Bungalow borrowed the idea for a wordy wall over the mantel from a showhouse she visited.

Keep on borrowin' those creative ideas Jeanne—and sharing them with us!


Here's another super cute, quick and simple wreath idea from Meg @ Momma Meg's.

This would make a fun project for the kids, too.


This is the time of year when sweet treats are plentiful.

Malia @ Yesterday on Tuesday shared a recipe for these scrumptious looking minty chocolate chip cookies.

How did she know I've been craving chocolate?!!!


Thanks to each and every time traveler who joined the fun last week.

I can't wait to see what creative ideas you link to the next Time Travel Thursday party!



Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Time Travel Thursday #23 - Diamond in the Rough


"We all have our time machines. Some take us back, they're called memories.
Some take us forward, they're called dreams."
~Jeremy Irons~


Welcome to the 23rd Time Travel Thursday linky party at the Brambleberry Cottage.
Are you ready to share your fondest memories, grandest dreams,
and most creative projects?
OK, here we go!

During one of our many junkin' jaunts—back in the 90s—the Yankee
and I stumbled upon a wonderful stash of antique stained-glass church
windows and empty sashes.

They were just too fabulous to pass up...
so we promptly bought
the entire lot!   ; )


One of the empty sashes was a large diamond-shaped piece—
probably a connector piece for two of the large windows—similar to the one 
surrounding the purple glass, in the image above.

We were never quite sure what to do with that particular architectural detail.

So it sat aimlessly in storage for years, with no particular destiny
 or purpose in sight, until...


we pulled all those wonderful beaded boards out of the old Victorian a few years ago.

I know I've told you many times before, but it's true, that bounty of vintage
beadboard has been the key that has unlocked the door
to numerous stalled projects.


For our little diamond in the rough, it was just a matter of
selecting the perfect board color from the pieces
 stored in the barn.


We were delighted with the results of our first project using those
salvaged boards—three fantastic wooden boxes—and decided
one of those colors would be just right for this piece.


After a bit of deliberation, we agreed that pink would be the perfect pairing
 for this pretty project.   ; )


Of course, no project is complete without the embellishments that make it unique—
like a stunning spindle part...


and a shimmering vintage glass doorknob.


And with the addition of a little ornate appliqué for the top...


and the bottom...


our once pleasant-but-plain window frame became a gorgeous...


one-of-a-kind...


sweet, sleek, shabby chic mirror.

It might have taken a few years for this diamond to shine,
but it sure sparkles now!   ; )

Linking to Leigh's Thrifty Thursday, Suzanne's Vintage Thingie Thursday,
and Susan's Metamorphosis Monday.