New and Improved Laundry Room

I've been dreaming of having a laundry room since we purchased our first home in California. The first one didn't have a laundry area and we had to do the laundry at my mom's. The second house, the washer and dryer were in the garage.

So I was thrilled when we bought our home in Texas and it had a laundry room INDOORS!!  Woo Hoo!

But, it was just four walls and the hook ups.  I needed a utility sink for soaking my linens and storage for all my other junk laundry products.

These first four pictures are the "before."  (That's me in the first one)

No real storage

Blank boring walls

Linoleum flooring

And now the "After"

Nice sunny walls and white cabinets

Big sink with sprayer and under cabinet lighting,

Super cute dish towels 

Little yellow birds doing what I do everyday...

…washing and ironing

Ceramic tile and vintage needlepoint door stop. So Cute!

The vintage iron on the left was my late mother-in-law's
The one on the right is a bank to collect loose change while doing the laundry

Adorable vintage laundry bag to collect single socks until they meet
up with their partner at the end of the month. 

 There are still a couple of tiny details that need to be finished on it, but it is fully functional. I LOVE it! The sink in this room is so practical not only because I can soak linens and wash dog bowls (not at the same time, of course! LOL), but because the garage opens into this room. So if hubby is working on the car, or my hands are muddy from gardening, we don't have to trapes through the house to wash our hands.

This room has been on my to-do list since we moved in. What a wonderful feeling to be able to line it out.

Blessings,
Patricia :o)

My chocolate pillow!!

 Look what I got in the mail.  Just when I needed a pick-me-up, I get the sweetest little package.

 I ordered this from my good friend Jil (never met in person, though LOL). She does WONDERFUL work and makes the most amazing pillows (and other sweet things - you should see her guest towels!! You'll love them).

 I love this!! So pretty, So elegant, So CHOCOLATE!! Now this is how to get a chocolate bar fix with no calories.

 And how cute is the back. Black and grey polka-dots. Sorry my pictures don't do it justice.

Not only is she super talented, she's as sweet as can be. Ya gotta vista her beautiful blog; Say it with Roses.  But wait, there's more!! Check out her Etsy shop and her web store, The Ruffled Rose to see all her goodies.  You won't be disappointed!

Blessings,
Patricia :o)

Vinage Tablecloth Curtains - Catch 22

 There's a little town North East of San Antonio called Geronimo.  It's tiny, and basically feels like it's in the middle of nowhere. It has one street through it, and that street is lined with antique stores.

Hubby and I go every few months just to check things out, and after shopping we go to the one and only place to eat (see address at bottom of page). A little family owned and operated hamburger place.  Everyone in the family has a job, and Grandma's job was to make the curtains.

 She took vintage tablecloths, cut them in half and added tabs to the tops.

 Each tablecloth curtain panel is lined with a white fabric for support and protection.

 And each tablecloth is different, except for the tabs which all have the same fabric.

 I was embarrassed to ask if I could post a blog about the curtains. All the pictures were taken on the sly so they're not as good or as detailed as I would have wanted them to be.  Rest assured that before I walked out of the restaurant, I did ask for permission to post the pictures I had taken. They said yes, but by that time the place was filling up, and I was embarrassed to take photos in front of everyone.  SILLY!!! I know. LOL

Catch 22 about using tablecloths as curtains:  Because tablecloths become semi translucent when held up against the light, they have to be perfect. Any stains, tears, holes or imperfections will show, even if lined with a backing (unless it's light blocking). So basically you have to use a perfect vintage tablecloth. But I can't bring myself to cut a perfect tablecloth if it's perfect…Catch 22.

Blessings,
Patricia :o)

Grain Bin Cafe & Store 

121 Dennis Road, Seguin, TX 78155-0402(830) 379-2233 

Shabby to French

 I think I am slowly growing out of my "shabby" phase.  Although I'm still very much attracted to white fixtures dripping with shining crystals. But my current house doesn't seem to support that kind of thing.

 When I first found these two scones (many years ago) they were an ugly silver mat or aluminum color. I spray painted them white, but it was too white so I dry brushed and smeared brown paint into them. Added two very inexpensive shades and called them shabby.

 But they didn't work in my new house. So I found even cheaper light shades and painted them an oil bronzed brown and added  the new shades.

 At first I added the crystals back on them, but I didn't like it (Gasp!! ME not liking crystals? Weird.)

I think I should probably pain the candle sleeve an antique white, but I don't have that color in my house and never remember to get it while I'm out. So, They'll probably stay white.

They were in my bedroom on either side of my mirror. I've moved them to the window bench in my breakfast nook, but I'm not sure if they'll stay there.

Happy Birthday, America!

 American women have long shown their pride in our country through their needlework. The needlepoint tapestry above is probably 30 to 40 years old. The workman ship is beautiful! I believe it was used as wall art.

 This gorgeous counted cross-stitch needlepoint was done much more recently, but with as much love and pride. It shows a beautiful bald eagle with the American flag behind it. The colors are bold and bright, and the detail is amazing.

Happy 4th of July, everybody!

The Story of Mr. Bingles

 Once or twice a year, I go to California on a linen shopping trip. My sister-friend Colleen, above, and I always shop at a wonderful antique store (can't remember the name of it since we just walk in without looking at the sign LOL).

 These gorgeous curtain panels ($198.00/each) are made of white, off white or taupe linen. They're stunning!

 The same dealer uses linen and canvas to upholster old benches, make pillows, etc.

 This amazing white linen tablecloth is beyond words beautiful in person. Unfortunately, it's way out of my budget ($200.00). However, inspiration is priceless, and this definitely inspired me to create my own linen items.

 Anyway, back to Mr. Bingles.  While looking and digging for treasures, I found an adorable vintage cement cat tucked away under a dresser. He's a Siamese cat and even has blue eyes. He was marked at $88.00 in the antique store, but I was able to talk them down to $50.00.  Sounds like a pretty good deal...

 However, I was visiting CA, but live in TX. He weighs 16 pounds and I had to ship him home.

 Here's Colleen calming him down before putting him in the $23.00 box and peanuts for shipping. Plus I had to pay postage at $22.00. It cost me $45.00 to ship him!! LOL
But I HAD to have him to watch my pond.

Isn't he too cute! Mr. Bingles, you're worth all $95.00 to me.

Easter Linens - Part 2

As promised, here are more Easter linen eye-candy. Of course, all these linens can be used any time of year, but I think they're extra special during Easter.

The tablecloth above has a floral Easter basket on each corner.

The iris on the runner above is a design I haven't seen before. It just shouts Easter, to me.

Maybe orchids aren't necessarily Easter, but this color purple sure is!

The praying hands on the pillowcase below are definitely a symbol of Christ. Perfect for any time of year!

I just love this pillowcase with it's simple tulip design and fancy crocheted medallions. Love it!

The Holy Bible pillowcases are perfect for Easter, but they're also perfect for any one who needs a little "Up Lifting."  

All of the linens listed are already sold, except for the Holy Bible pair of pillowcases.
(Click here if you'd like to know more about them).

Of course there have been and endless array of embroidered linens that have passed through my hands that could be used for Easter. But it would get a little boring to list them all here.

Better yet, check out your own vintage linen collection and take out anything that has baskets, pastel florals, sweet animals, or anything that says "I'm special enough for this occasion"  and use them.  Don't let them sit in your closet. They were meant to be enjoyed!!

Patricia :o)