I'm still alive! Have been busy recovering from two knee replacement surgeries this year.
I'll try to write more.

Anyway, I had an old seventies arborite and particleboard sewing machine armoire that is great for my sewing machine but hideously ugly. I've been thinking for years that I should tackle it with some Annie Sloan chalk paint and distressing wax. Well, I finally did it and am quite happy with the outcome. I used AS Old White and Louis Blue. I used a bee stencil for the sides of the armoire. I hope you like it. As usual, your comments and feedback are appreciated. Below is the before pic. See what I mean? Butt ugly...

 

 

Here are the finished pics. I personally think it looks a lot better.

 

I have more projects on the go! LOL! I hope to get them up here soon. 

Merry Christmas from Holly Cottage

My apologies, but I haven't written on my blog lately - I've been busy sewing slipcovers, painting furniture and making more curtains! Hope to post some pics when everything is completed.

Check out Buy the Yard Interiors in Ancaster, Ontario for some interesting and affordable décor items, furniture, fabric, window treatments and much more. Tell Annie that Carolyn (Staging by Staged to Sell) sent you.

Here's a photo of this year's Christmas tree - decorating is still in progress.

 

This is part of the mantle decor:

Stair garland with ribbon popping off - fixing it tonight but it means taking the whole thing apart again (ugh):

 

 

The bottom two photos are of my latest foray into furniture painting. I bought this desk for $40 and painted it with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and light and dark waxes. I added a French stencil to the front and inside. I posted it on Kijiji and had an offer of $350. Keeping it though. I really like the way it looks in the front hall.

 

 

Wishing you all the best for a happy and healthy Christmas and New Year!

 

 

 

 

French Country Flower Shop

I saw this photo on another blogger's site and just love it.
Does anyone know if it's a real shop somewhere in France?

Inexpensive French Country Spring Flower Arrangement

You can put together inexpensive Spring arrangement of French Country silk flowers just like I did.  I think it looks great - let me know what you think.

I found some lavender sprigs at the Dollar Store; the yellow Peonies are from HomeSense, and the French lace scarf is from Winner's. I found the blue French shopping basket (woven vinyl) at The Christmas Tree Shops and I picked up some nice silk branches at Hobby Lobby (on one of my shopping runs to Amherst).

Right now the arrangement is sitting at the bottom of my stairs. It looks equally good in my upstairs hallway, in my bedroom and on the dining room table - I think it will get moved around a lot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

French Country at Holly Cottage: French Country draperies are finished!

French Country at Holly Cottage: French Country draperies are finished!: It took two weeks but I've finally finished my living room and dining room drapes. Excuse my photographs - I'm not the best photogr...

French Country draperies are finished!

It took two weeks but I've finally finished my living room and dining room drapes.
Excuse my photographs - I'm not the best photographer and I took these with my phone.
I do love them. Let me know what you think.

I couldn't believe how easy it was to make them. I thought that making the pleats by hand would be difficult, but it was easy.

I will be posting a tutorial on how to make your own drapes soon.

In the meantime, your comments and feedback are appreciated.

Living room - right side

Living room - left side
 



Dining room

 



Dining room - pleats

French Country at Holly Cottage: French Country fabric and trim for living room and...

French Country at Holly Cottage: French Country fabric and trim for living room and...: I have been searching for many years for the perfect fabric for our living and dining room draperies. I finally found it at French Country ...