oldgreymare

Thursday, August 18, 2011

It's a Process

"(It don't come easy, you know it don't come easy)

(It don't come easy, you know it don't come easy)

Got to pay your dues if you want to sing the blues

And you know it don't come easy

You don't have to shout or leap about

You can even play them easy

Forget about the past and all your sorrow

The future won't last

It will soon be your tomorrow"

George Harrison

So yesterday this is what the great room looked like:

It's a process.

After purging all the main floor rooms

and dumping into this one spot,

I was able to separate what was

to be given away, sold, or relocated.

Local gals, yep, another sale....

Today I am playing in here.

Not so many changes,

this space has always worked.

Pics to come.

I have been making lots of

small changes in the evenings,

working on lamp shade swap outs,

covering light switches on counters.

I noticed they where a negative focus

in the kitchen shots.

Attention to small, no money changes.

******

See your home with a fresh eye:

Two ways to give yourself a view

of a room you have not changed in awhile.

Take several photos from all angles

and study them objectively,

or my favorite; turn on some lights,

go outside in the evening

and look in the window .

You obtain objectivity for a room this way,

and visualize with a fresh perspective.

I am not suggesting any of you scale your walls

to see in the second story...lol

Don't do that!

OK back to work...

Remember that den with the newly

painted wall unit? Well the sofas got

swapped out and I made an ottoman.

It don't come easy.....

Debra and Kristen?

Yoo-hoo you won!

scroll down :D

post script- reposted from 30 minutes ago

Covered these books on the right before DD left.
She was to label for me but we forgot!
I made a "tear and attach" linen drape
to hide brightly covered books on the left.

sorry for blur- I hurried

Sectional was here, now it will be sold.
Floral was in family room.
I made ottoman slipcover for sectional ottoman,
which I am keeping.
I have matching chair to this sofa
so it makes sense to keep it, not the sectional
because sadly I no longer need room to
seat 4 teenagers always sprawled there.
Money spent so far? Zero

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

WOOT WINNERS WOOT

I am thrilled to announce the winners:

Kit @ A Montana Life

Jolene @ The Primitive Bucket

Connie @ She Dreams Big

Debra @ Maison St Germain

Kathleen @ Faded Charm

Connie @ Hartwood Roses

Danielle @ My Blessed Serendipity Life

Kristen- no blog

Congratulations to all of you! WoOt wOoT

To keep the surprise going just a wee bit longer,

you'll have to wait and see

what special treasure arrives on your doorstop.

I'm so mean..hehe

Now, I need all your addresses

ASAP via email please, so

that all these lovely ladies can get your

prizes winging your way. <3

Gift Givers..as soon as I have the address

of your recipient I will email you.

A ginormous hug and thank you once more to

Carole, Carole, Cindy, Donna, Tanya, and Theresa.

These ladies are so wonderful I could gush endlessly.

These are such warm, loving, talented women, the backbone of this country, kind of women.

I am truly blessed and honored to call them my friends.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Kitchen- The process continues

The Kitchen:

Pretty self explanatory

Master Howie tucked under the bench

He thinks we can't see him.

Gonna paint those stools some day...

been going to for..oh..about....

15 years

Now at the top of my list,

after the new shades for family room.

Bananas usually in the egg basket

Cookie jar empty - good thing

no temptation

Onions usually in smaller copper

in front and garlic in crock.

No bananas, cookies, garlic, or onions...

Hey, I need to go to the market

Be Brave - a secret note here to a bloggie friend

At least I have apples.

Anyhoot, if you are planning on stopping by, either

bring food or give me a heads up, the cupboards,

and counters are bare.

******

Many of you have commented and emailed your

personal path of purging/ paring down,

and inquired how to do it.

Since I do this often for many others, I can

only say it is a process and some of you will need

to go slowly or risk being overwhelmed, and some of you

will go crazy and tear it up and

then put it all back together...

Do what works for you.

Design the way that makes you happy.

Use what YOU have, before acquiring the new.

You may get inspiration from others,

but replicating it may not bring you satisfaction.

Deal in realities and follow your own heart.

My photos are straight out of the camera,

nothing is staged or moved ..

( except for the paper towel holder Tot lol)

A home should always be a process of evolution,
never stagnant.
Just as we grow and learn as we age,

so our homes should mature and

change with us. It should reflect us

at our current stage in life,

not the life we were living 30 years ago,

or even five years ago.

Sometimes just removing unnecessary stuff

is all you need to do to have

a brilliant new perspective and view.

My home gives me a sense of peace,

of refuge, when I walk in the door.

Shouldn't yours?

It's a process. Begin.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Family Room check! check!

Well I'm happy with it. I've always loved this couch.

It was the one that was on the porch.

Got it for free over 25 years ago,

and it was "gently used" then. I recovered it twice,

and now it is slip covered and it is still going strong.

Gotta love those old Drexels.

Finally found a home for this gorgeous wool rug that

I bought from West Elm last year at 75% off.

It feels like a sweater to my feet.

Be a good dog Howie!

The pooches are rolling on it like it is catnip.

I still have "things" as many of you asked, but I evaluated

each one before including it back into the room.

I had to love it or use it.

It is a cleaner look for sure,

but not cold, or less cozy to me.

I still have all the lampshades to work on, covering

them with other fabrics or trims, updating them.

The french door you see to the right

is to the back porch you visited yesterday.

******

So tonight is the end of the giveaway.

Midnight PST

I've met some delightful new gals, visited new blogs

and had a grand old time.

I wish you all could win a little something

because you mean so much to me.

I will announce the winners as soon as I finish

making all the drawing slips,

and verifying the winners.

WoOt wOoT

I did my best to reply to all of

the comments except for those of you who are

"no reply comment".

(please put your email in your profile ladies)

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Simplify

Should I begin with the story of Howie locking himself in the bathroom today? (for those who don't know, Howie is a cocker spaniel). Actually that is misplaced blame as I did not notice he had curled up in the cool room to sleep and closed the door. When I heard scratching, I discovered the door was locked. How? I think Howie was playing games with me in retaliation for being neglected the past few days. After 30 minutes of attempting to unlock the door and 2 frantic calls to SIL for advice - ( she has grandchild adept at locking situations) After trying 6 different implements, success, hallelujah! and I swear he smirked as he calmly walked out..

HOWIE!

Other than that I, have been destroying the downstairs. Every room.

I had been anxiously awaiting the photo shoot to be over so that I could purge and pare down even more.

I started with the porch.

Simplify Simplify

The tables are piled high and bins are full of items to be sold or given away. I love this feeling of examining and assessing. Getting to the basics.

Keeping only the useful,

or items I favor.

Do you even remember what it looked like last year?

I have a lovely bottle rack coming, so the bakers table

top will change again once it arrives.

Last two days for giveaway. Ends Midnight Monday.

My humble thank you for the generous response.

Many of you have shared with me your joy

at finding these new friends.

I told you they were cool, and oh "the ribbon lady",

Carole, started a blog.

Welcome her, please.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

GIVEAWAY AT OLDGREYMARE

Giveaway is HERE!

THIS SELECTION OF WHITES BY ME, IS

THE LAST GIFT IN MY GIVEAWAY

STARTING TODAY.

OF COURSE , KNOWING ME,

IT JUST HAD TO BE ALL WHITE, RIGHT?

INCLUDED ARE 2 FRENCH STYLE TOTES,
(perfect for flowers or baguette and wine)

LINED WITH CREAM/BUTTERCUP ROSE PRINT

A PACKAGE OF CREME/BEIGE XL FELTED WOOL ROSES

A PACKAGE OF CREAM FELTED WOOL BALLS
A CREAM WOOL TEDDY

A COZY OF TALLOW BERRIES

TIN OF MOP BUTTONS

TIN OF LOVELY BEIGE BEADS
VINTAGE "NICE" FLASH CARD

SCROLL DOWN TO YESTERDAY'S POST TO SEE ALL

THE AMAZING GIFTS (8) IN THIS GIVEAWAY

RULES:

IN ORDER TO WIN

YOU MUST LEAVE 1 COMMENT ON THIS GIVEAWAY POST

IN THAT 1 COMMENT, TELL ME THE NUMBER OF ENTRIES

YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR

1 ENTRY FOR LEAVING A COMMENT

1 ENTRY FOR EACH OF THE GIFT GIVERS
THAT YOU FOLLOW, INCLUDING ME

(SO 6 POSSIBLE ADDITIONAL ENTRIES)

1 ENTRY IF YOU MENTION MY GIVEAWAY IN A POST

1 ENTRY IF YOU PUT MY BUTTON IN YOUR SIDEBAR
tell me who you follow, so verification is easier

old grey mare Giveaway

SO YOU HAVE THE POSSIBILITY OF 1-9 ENTRIES

tell me all in that one comment...
aren't you glad you don't have to leave 9 separate comments? lol

ENTRIES WILL BE VERIFIED IF YOUR NAME IS DRAWN

1 PRIZE PER PERSON

IN ORDER TO FIND EVERYONE EASILY

IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER

Carole @ Maynard Greenhouse

http://maynardgreenhouse.blogspot.com/

http://www.maynardgreenhouse.com/category_20/JEWELRY.htm

Carole @ The Ribbon Store

http://www.ribbonstore.com/

c.sidlow@lvdi.net

http://stores.ebay.com/The-Ribbon-Store

Cindy @ Fat Cow Studio

http://www.fatcowstudio.com/

http://www.etsy.com/people/cmfcook

Donna @ Everyday Elegance

http://www.dreyne.com/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/dreyne

Tanya @ Bead and Needle

http://beadandneedle.blogspot.com/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/beadandneedle

Theresa @ 612 Riverside

http://www.etsy.com/people/theoldwhitehouse

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Old-White-House/198864406817411

JOINING THE BEAUTIFUL KATHLEEN @

FADED CHARM FOR WHITE WEDNESDAY

GIVEAWAY ENDS MIDNIGHT MONDAY THE 15th

Monday, August 8, 2011

THESE GIRLS ROCK! The Giveaway is almost here

I simply cannot say enough about the talent and generosity

of my blog buds helping me with this Giveaway.

These are smart, funny, kind, women

who create so many beautiful things with their hands, and

not just for sale; they also take extreme pride in their homes,

adore their families and work very hard.

If they are new to you, I hope you will take the time to visit each one and

hang around their blogs, websites and etsy shops a bit.

(HINT: If you follow them, you get an additional entry for each one)

I adore them, I'm pretty sure you will too.

*******

The last sneak of the giveaway is this set

of lavender sachet

and wall pocket by Donna of

Everyday Elegance

When you visit Donna be sure to click in her sidebar

on her post on Tinker House.

You are in for a real treat. Donna is a designer
extraordinaire as you will quickly see.
She also has a heart of gold.
Donna has an etsy shop, don't forget to pop in there too.

***

This beauty is the work of Cindy at

Fat Cow Studio
You can find wonderful jewelry in her etsy shop, or email
for special orders.

Cindy and I met just a short time ago, she is very funny and sweet
and already I am a huge fan, and yes, she has cows!
***

Carole is offering 2 different boxes of ribbon,
or two separate winners I should say
I introduced you to Carole in this post
"the ribbon lady" awhile back.
Carole does not have a blog but please
visit her website and ebay shop
and email her about her ribbon of the month club.
(These boxes are samples of her club)
and her house..oh, some day I must tell you about her house!
***

Tanya is a Nevada girl with a Rocker Chick heart.
You can find her at Bead and Needle where she is usually ogling
some blue-jeaned backside. She has great taste BTW.

Talented as a quilter, jewelry artist and so much more,
Tanya is always working on a project when she is
not rocking out at local venues.
She is what I lovingly call A "Hoot"
This lovely set goes together as one prize, and
find more jewelry and goodies in her etsy store.
***

The summer issue of Jeanne'd Arc Living.
( my favorite mag)
will be sent to one lucky winner via Carole
of Maynard Greenhouse
Want to see gorgeous flowers or hear
funny stories of her cats or get great vegetarian recipes;
order the latest JD issue or
coveted Jill Schwartz Jewelry?
( see her side bar)
Then please stop by her blog and get to know
the gal who keeps me sane, who makes me laugh,
even when I would rather wallow.
***
Just in time for fall, which is so quickly approaching:

we have this yummy grain sack pumpkin by
Theresa at 612 Riverside

Theresa has a fabulous etsy store, she solders, she sews,
she even makes her own detergent.
Talent and kindness is just oozing out of this wonderful gal...
and she does it all with five kids in the house!
****************
7 great gifts to be given by
these wonderful, treasured friends,
and I will show you my gift on Tuesday the 9th
at the launch of the giveaway.
So 8 gifts to be given, and lots of chances to win.
The giveaway will be for one week.

Rules:
You must leave a comment on my
Tuesday Giveaway post to win:
In that comment tell me how many entries you are eligible for, (it is up to you) 1-9:

1 entry for leaving a comment
1 entry for each of the gift givers
that you follow, including me
(so 6 possible additional entries)
1 entry if you mention my Giveaway in a post of yours
1 entry if you post my Giveaway button in your sidebar

oldgreymare giveaway

and yes, all entries will be verified (if your name is drawn)
but at least I'm not making you leave
9 separate comments lol
1 prize per person and yes the gift givers can enter too! WOOT!
except me, darn it....

I am overflowing with affection for these women,
I cannot put it into words.
I feel blessed to be a small part of their lives
and treasure every email, phone conversation and visit.
They make my life richer.
Welcome them into yours.

z

Sunday, August 7, 2011

MORE SNEAKS

More giveaway sneak peeks

Do I have the best buds or what!!!!!

Hand Sewn Jewelry Roll with Roy Rogers and Trigger Necklace

Fabulous Summer Issue of JD

(Sorry for the blur Carole, it wouldn't enlarge correctly for me,

or in other words, I am a doofus and could not get it to)

You all know how fabulous this magazine is anyway!

Grain Sack Pumpkin with Burlap Rosettes

So many beautiful gifts and so many chances to win,

and yes there are MORE prizes!

Giveaway begins August 9th.

I will proudly share all the info

on these fabulous talented women in the post.

I just wish I could enter. lol

Friday, August 5, 2011

Looking Back

It seems she is looking back at me

often these days, as she goes forth in her new life.

I could not watch the car drive away

with her and her bags this morning.

Too many looking backs piling up around me.

Hannah and I went to the mall two days ago. I haven't been there in years, but she had a coupon for "free panties" from Victoria's Secret so of course we went because my girl is eternally frugal,

and the word FREE was too alluring.

While wandering through the mall, we got a little "misty" about her leaving and she kept saying the word "panties" in such a goofy way just to make me laugh, until sure enough, I was snorting coffee out of my nose.