i’m about to set up a fourth of july/patriotic/americana display in the gift shoppe. i was thinking about what i could use to really make the space sing. i’ve been inspired by all the lovely bunting floating around blog land so i decided i’d give it a try. i picked up some bandanas at wal-mart (two in a pack for two dollars) and got to work.
i have a pretty big piece of painter’s drop cloth that i’m using for everything lately. remember my pillows? i love the stuff. so i tore two inch stripes and folded them in have lengthwise to create a little pocket.
for the bandanas (sorry no pictures of this part), i cut them in half diagonally to create two triangle. then folded the half in halfs to create quarters. make sense? then i just sewed up one side and turn them inside out. the longer of the sides can remain open as that will be the top of the bunting and will be sandwiched in between the drop cloth. have i completely lost you?
then i pinned my quarter bandanas into the little pocket of my cut painter’s drop cloth.
and then sewed it all together with one simple stitch.
one really, really long stitch.
it cost me six dollars for the handkerchiefs and maybe one hour of my time. super cute right?! i think it’d make a great decoration for a fourth of july party … or even a kids (or adults – haha) cowboy party.
it will be moving into the gift shoppe sometime this weekend when i begin to work on the display. i’ll show you that early next week when it’s all finished. have a super happy weekend!
i’m about to set up a fourth of july/patriotic/americana display in the gift shoppe. i was thinking about what i could use to really make the space sing. i’ve been inspired by all the lovely bunting floating around blog land so i decided i’d give it a try. i picked up some bandanas at wal-mart […]
no sure what to make for breakfast tomorrow? try these…
i used ham, cheddar, tomato and spinach. easy and delicious. trust me.
just let me know when. i’ll be there … with blueberry muffins.
*update – sorry i forgot to include a link to the recipe. click here.
no sure what to make for breakfast tomorrow? try these… i used ham, cheddar, tomato and spinach. easy and delicious. trust me. just let me know when. i’ll be there … with blueberry muffins. *update – sorry i forgot to include a link to the recipe. click here.
busy, busy, busy. i sure do wish i could stop time. i feel like summer is already flying by. don’t you? i’m trying to soak in and do as much as i can but there doesn’t seem to be quite enough time. do you know what i mean?
i’ve been grilling.
vegetable kabobs. yum.
progress continues on quilt #2. half of the top is together …
just waiting for a rainy day (and an excuse to stay inside) to finish adding the final strips.
and just the other day i took a mini two-day vacation to one of my favorite places on earth. cedar point in sandusky ohio.
in two days i took 25 rides on 12 different roller coaters. i went 120 miles per hour and was 400 feet in the air. i’d go back tomorrow if i could. i also ate a funnel cake and a carmel apple. now that’s what summer tastes like!
so, with one of the busiest summers forested here at old charm, i’m squeezing in all the fun and enjoyment i can. as they say … work hard. play hard.
busy, busy, busy. i sure do wish i could stop time. i feel like summer is already flying by. don’t you? i’m trying to soak in and do as much as i can but there doesn’t seem to be quite enough time. do you know what i mean? i’ve been grilling. vegetable kabobs. yum. progress […]
maybe it’s just me, but i’ve been seeing s’mores every where in blog and pinterest land. it’s crazy! now don’t get me wrong, i’m not complaining. i love a good s’more as much as the next guy. i just find it amusing how things come and go. how one idea creates a snowball affect of amazingness. right?
so in honor of the s’more, i gathered images and links of some of my favorites. maybe one of these creations will find it’s way to your summer festivities.
no get off the internet and go try a recipe… or two!
maybe it’s just me, but i’ve been seeing s’mores every where in blog and pinterest land. it’s crazy! now don’t get me wrong, i’m not complaining. i love a good s’more as much as the next guy. i just find it amusing how things come and go. how one idea creates a snowball affect of […]
A couple weeks ago, this post from the always inspiring Design*Sponge, popped up on my blog roll and I was instantly in love with idea. Turning a vintage food mill into a planter … put it on a table … instant (and beautiful) summer centerpiece.
So i searched and searched at a couple antique shops with no luck finding what i needed. I headed to the ever trusty Ebay, and there they were, vintage food mills (some also labeled as colanders and/or strainers) lots of them … calling my name!
I answered! I actually answer several times buying two for me and one for my mom. These things happen when a good great idea strikes.
I planted mine with a scarlet colored plant (known to me as ‘a million bells’) and this fun indoor plant/vine that I originally saw here. Sorry, I’m not sure what it’s called. Apparently, she doesn’t either. I’m hoping to bring the whole thing inside when the weather changes. We’ll see.
I’m super happy with the way it looks: simple, pretty, unique. What’s not to love?
A couple weeks ago, this post from the always inspiring Design*Sponge, popped up on my blog roll and I was instantly in love with idea. Turning a vintage food mill into a planter … put it on a table … instant (and beautiful) summer centerpiece. So i searched and searched at a couple antique shops with […]
i’ve been making some new breakfast reciepes recently and several of them are becoming quick favorites. the other day i discoved this blog … two peas & their pod … and i’ve already pulled a couple recipes i wanted to try including this one.
the title alone, cinnamon streusel pancakes, had me drooling. i’m please to say the recipe did not dissappoint.
the base recipe for the actual pancake batter was quite similar to my go-to pancake batter recipe. the only change i made, since i prefer a fluffy pancake, was to add a teaspoon of baking powder when mixing up the dry ingredients.
the end result was truly delicious and really quite unique. healthy? probably not, but simple perfect for those special occasion breakfasts.
give it a try. you won’t be disappointed!
if you need more trusted and delicious recipes click this link here to take a look around my blog!
have a great one!
i’ve been making some new breakfast reciepes recently and several of them are becoming quick favorites. the other day i discoved this blog … two peas & their pod … and i’ve already pulled a couple recipes i wanted to try including this one. the title alone, cinnamon streusel pancakes, had me drooling. i’m please […]
washed some vintage sheets i found at the local goodwill for future quilt projects.
i marveled at the whiteness of my geraniums.
i waited for guests that never arrived.
i thought about advice from oprah … “you also have to know what sparks the light in you so that you, in your own way, can illuminate the world.”
i smiled when i saw my iris, that i planted three years ago from a piece of root a guest gave me, bloomed for the first time.
i waited for strong storms. they didn’t arrive either.
i started piecing together my quilt. it was as wonderfully enjoyable, just as i thought it would be.
it was a good day.
today i … washed some vintage sheets i found at the local goodwill for future quilt projects. i marveled at the whiteness of my geraniums. i waited for guests that never arrived. i thought about advice from oprah … “you also have to know what sparks the light in you so that you, in your […]
with what seems to be one of the busiest summers on the horizon, i’m trying to take things one day at a time instead of tackling the whole picture. easier said than done.
i am extremely grateful for people and notes like this one…
old charm b&b
dear michael:
what a good day, may 4 of this year. a good nights stay in rooms with wonderful,
well thought out details. follow this with a
delightful breakfast that included, among other things, home made muffins and the
most delicious bacon.
we just finished our own home made breakfast
which included a lightly toasted roll with your
champagne ginger peach jam.
thanks to your decorator and food prep skills, i will have to place ‘old charm’ number one, even
ahead of the brewery, for st. mary’s attractions.
we have stayed in a few up-scale b&bs, of
which yours is certainly one, none however
were as reasonable as yours.
i hope reading this letter doesn’t take too much time away from your busy housekeeping, cooking, backing, jam making, gift shop chores. decorating, etc. etc. etc.
sincerely.
thank you. thank you. thank you. one day almost done. on to the next.
with what seems to be one of the busiest summers on the horizon, i’m trying to take things one day at a time instead of tackling the whole picture. easier said than done. i am extremely grateful for people and notes like this one… old charm b&b dear michael: what a good day, may 4 […]
i was reorganizing my fabric stash today and noticed that i missed a few pieces of fabric sent to me for my quilt in my final fabric post. uh oh. so sorry about that.
‘a quilt {inspired by charm}‘ is still a work in progress. i was really hoping to have it finished for this summer, but i’ve been much busier than expected so i don’t foresee that happening. don’t worry though, i am still working on it. besides, i think a quilt project should be a relaxing process, not a rushed one. so it’s coming, slowly but surely.
now onto the fabric that i missed. the first lovely batch is from nick in indiana. love all the colors and patterns … especially the one with the little umbrellas/parasols. love it!
the next three are from the always lovely tiffin from over at linewood avenue. for some reason i’m obsessed with yellow these days, so i’m obviously loving these. super summery!
these next two sets of fabric are from a wonderful guest of mine, marsha. she has stayed at old charm with her beautiful family on several occasions and it’s always a treat.
the fabric is ‘leftover’ from quilts she made for her mother and mother-in-laws birthdays. she is quite the quilter, so there is no doubt they made beautiful gifts.
and last, but not least, is this beautiful large and color chevron print from ali over at my third true love. i can’t tell you how much i adore this fabric. the colors and pattern are genius.
so, now i think i can finally say that’s the last of the fabric. i’m off to cut the final blocks and will continue to piece everything together.
thanks again to nick, tiffin, marsha and ali! i love the material. sorry again i missed you in the shuffle.
*if you still wanted to have a piece of material in this quilt, but haven’t had a chance to send it yet, i can still squeeze a few more pieces in. but i do need you to put it in the mail this week or it may not make the cut. for details follow this link.
i was reorganizing my fabric stash today and noticed that i missed a few pieces of fabric sent to me for my quilt in my final fabric post. uh oh. so sorry about that. ‘a quilt {inspired by charm}‘ is still a work in progress. i was really hoping to have it finished for this […]
for some reason i’ve been super obsessed with quilts lately. i currently have three that i’m ‘working on’ or starting. i have a feeling this may be a common occurrence with quilters.
why the obsession? i blame the blog ‘in color order’. this woman is seriously beyond talented and every quilt (and vintage sheet wreath) she makes i feel the need to make as well.
one of her most recent creations (and hands down my favorite [which for those of you who follow me on pinterest already know this as i think i pinned the same pictures a dozen times]) is her ‘dream on quilt’.
beautiful. right? and, hopefully, seems simple enough. i’ve ordered the charm packs and corn yellow fabric to copy this master piece. i can’t wait to get started.
‘they’ are calling for a wet summer, so hopefully this quilt project will make the wettness a little more tolerable. i hope. and if the rain is even worse than anticipated i’ll be making this quilt next.
for some reason i’ve been super obsessed with quilts lately. i currently have three that i’m ‘working on’ or starting. i have a feeling this may be a common occurrence with quilters. why the obsession? i blame the blog ‘in color order’. this woman is seriously beyond talented and every quilt (and vintage sheet wreath) she makes […]
click here to check out more inspired ladder projects!
at first glace i saw a wooden painter’s ladder attached to the wall. then i realized that taken together, ladder, shelf, and various objects it became a very artistic sculpture-like piece of art. written in the garden suite journal by a guest on 5.5.2011 this post is part of the SNS party via funky junk interiors! click […]
using my basic pancake recipe, but substituting half of the all purpose flour for whole wheat flour, and throwing in some blueberries and lemon zest, these pancakes literally taste like summer.
and look sensational too! don’t you think?
three mini pancakes garnished with fresh mint, a blackberry, a wedge of orange and a wooden skewer …
borning pancakes no more!
using my basic pancake recipe, but substituting half of the all purpose flour for whole wheat flour, and throwing in some blueberries and lemon zest, these pancakes literally taste like summer. and look sensational too! don’t you think? three mini pancakes garnished with fresh mint, a blackberry, a wedge of orange and a wooden skewer … borning pancakes no more!
now i’m making pillows and bedskirts without a pattern or tutorial.
i suppose the saying is true, ‘you can do anything if you put your mind to it.’
a few short months ago i could barely sew a camera strap cover. now i’m making pillows and bedskirts without a pattern or tutorial. i suppose the saying is true, ‘you can do anything if you put your mind to it.’
even though it rained most of the day, that was a really good easter.
and i think i’ve finally over come my fear of yeast. i did it. and it was delicious! click here for the recipe
even though it rained most of the day, that was a really good easter. and i think i’ve finally over come my fear of yeast. i did it. and it was delicious! click here for the recipe
sorry i haven’t been around much these days. i’m looking at life through a new set of eyes … happier, less frustrated eyes … change is good. be back soon.
via sorry i haven’t been around much these days. i’m looking at life through a new set of eyes … happier, less frustrated eyes … change is good. be back soon. in the meantime you are always welcome to stop by and say hi … here too.
thank you all for allowing me t take some ‘time off’ and just be. it was much appreciated and i took full advantage of it.
so where have i been? well, let me be the first to say i love the internet, but lately i feel it’s been sucking the life out of me. i spend so much time looking at and talking about all the things i want to do instead of actually doing them. my career as an innkeeper keeps me more than busy. my freetime is i so want to unplug and just live life. sadly the rest of the world isn’t quite ready for that.
so i’m going to be doing things a bit differently around here. i almost decided to give up blogging all together but i really enjoy it and still would like to cronicle or record some of the things i’m doing.
so, instead of ‘quiting’ i’m just going to be limiting … keeping things simple. a couple pictures… a couple sentences.. and that’s it.
i know so of you may not like that or may be disappointed, and i do apologize for that, but i just need to diconnect from the internet a little bit and start living life a bit more. doing more of the things i want to do. and hopefully find buckets of happiness along the way.
so i hope you’ll stay with me on my journey. i promise it will be amazing.
thank you all for allowing me t take some ‘time off’ and just be. it was much appreciated and i took full advantage of it. so where have i been? well, let me be the first to say i love the internet, but lately i feel it’s been sucking the life out of me. i spend so […]
I think I’ve teased you enough by giving you glimpses of my curtains over the past week. I knew this post was going to be quite long (bear with me), so I wanted to give myself enough time to put everything together. Without further ado, here they are….
I am beyond thrilled with how they turned out! Plus, they were super easy to make (in comparison to my last attempt at curtains).
I actually got all of the fabric at Walmart, yep… Walmart! Recently the Walmart in my town decided to close its fabric section. so all of the material went on sale for 50% off. Talk about being at the right place at the right time. Because of the sale, I was able to make each panel for only $10 (not including hardware). Amazing!
I’m going to attempt to share the whole process with you, but I need to first tell you that I’m not a master carpenter or sewer / curtain maker. This means, that as I explain my process, my terminology may be incorrect and my methods may be downright silly. I am aware of this. I just did what I thought would look and work best. That being said, I am beyond happy with the finished product; I wouldn’t change a thing and I highly recommend my method. So here goes.
My windows have wide molding so I just added two 2 x 4s (one in front of the other) to the top ledge of my window. Both boards were screwed into the wall. I was careful not to put any screws in the middle because that’s where I would later be putting the forged nails.
All of the joints were sealed with wood filler, sanded, and painted.
Next, I installed the forged nails. I showed them to you a while back. They are reproductions. (I got them on eBay for a steal, but can’t seem to find them now. Maybe they are sold out?) I measured 1 1/2 inches down the 2×4 and ran a piece of masking tape across the length of the board to ensure that the nails lined up.
Then I made small marks at three-inch intervals. (I chose all of these measurements randomly, not for any specific reason. It seemed to work out perfectly. – Can you tell that I’m not a huge planner? I would just rather do a project and hope for the best. It isn’t the best advice, but it keeps life interesting!)
Next, I used a hammer to put a nail in at each mark. All of the nails went in fairly easily unless I hit a knot in the wood which required a little extra hammering.
Coming along nicely.
Finished! It was actually a very easy process.
I decided to use this method to hang my curtains because I didn’t need / want them to move. I think they call such curtains “dummy panels.” Also, there are radiators in front of two of the windows – another reason I didn’t want the panels to move. The last thing I need is a fire!
All right, now that the hardware was installed, it was time to make the curtains …
First, I measured the curtains to length. I knew I wanted my curtains to rest slightly on the floor. Once I knew how long they needed to be, I added 6 inches for the bottom and an additional 2 inches for the top. (I’ll explain why in a minute.)
I kept the width the same as it came off the bolt. I think it was 54 inches. I then cut off the salvage edge becasue I was told this could cause the curtain panels to pucker.
Then I was ready to sew. For the sides of the panels, I folded the edge over onto the back 2 inches, pinned and sewed a seam.
Once that was sewn, I folded it over again, pinned, and sewed another seam. This step isn’t essential, but it gives a nice, crisp tailored look should someone look at the backs of the curtains. Also, these panels are not lined. I chose not to add a lining since they wouldn’t beused in front of the actual window and wouldn’t be affected by the sun.
This photo illustrates pure laziness. My pin cushion was on the opposite side of the table which I didn’t realize until I started sewing. Instead of getting up and grabbing it, I used my hoodie sleeve instead.
Once both sides of the panel were finished, I did the bottom and top in the same way. For the bottom, I folded up three inches, pinned, sewed. folded up three inches again, pinned, and sewed.
Is this all making sense?
For the top, I only folded over one inch, pinned, and sewed; then folded over one more inch, pinned, and sewed.
Sound good? I did that for all six panels and then I was finished …. well, almost.
I needed a way for the curtains to hang on the nails so i used a piece of chain link (the stuff you use to hang up baskets outside or the chain that is used to hanga light fixture). I separated the individual links and sewed them on to the top of each curtain. I used 6 or 7 links (rings) for each panel.
I went around several times to make sure each ring was secured. The rings were sewn (equallyspaced) directly onto the back of each panel.
If you ask Sebastian, he will tell you that this sewing was pretty boring …
but I loved every minute of it. And don’t tell anyone, but I think my sewing skills are improving! I’m faster and my lines are straighter! Yippy!
Once the curtain panels were complete, it was time to hang them.
So what do you think?
With the rings and nails, the curtains hang so nicely. They have the most beautiful, even-looking folds / pleats (or whatever you want to call them).
The window in the separate bedroom area got the same treatment with the reverse of the fabric.
Dramatic, right!? I just love it! There won’t be as many red accessories in this space so I think the color will balance things out quite nicely.
That’s it, folks! I hope it was worth the wait. and please believe me, if I can make curtains. so can you!
If you have questions or are completely lost, leave a comment below and I’ll try to answer everything in a separate post.
I think I’ve teased you enough by giving you glimpses of my curtains over the past week. I knew this post was going to be quite long (bear with me), so I wanted to give myself enough time to put everything together. Without further ado, here they are…. I am beyond thrilled with how they […]
well, i painted another ‘thing’ with chalkboard paint. i don’t know about you, but i love this stuff.
i have a little built-in cabinet in my hall where i store extra sheets, towels, etc that needed a little pick-me-up.
a quick coat of black chalkboard paint and it was already looking fierce.
inspired by a quote that’s been floating around the blog world these days, i grabbed my chalk and got to work.
a perfect and very true message for all that enter.
dont’ you agree?
well, i painted another ‘thing’ with chalkboard paint. i don’t know about you, but i love this stuff. i have a little built-in cabinet in my hall where i store extra sheets, towels, etc that needed a little pick-me-up. a quick coat of black chalkboard paint and it was already looking fierce. inspired by a […]
well my room if finally taking shape, and i’m so excited to share everything with you. i have been taking lots of pictures and i couldn’t be more thrilled with how everything is coming together. it’s even better than i expected!
so if you’ll remember from the before pictures i have one pretty large wall in the sitting room area. so, i wanted to come up with something unique, sunny and different to dress up this wall. so… here’s what i did.
this is the before:
and this is the after in progress:
lovely, right? i still want to add some more special touches (sounds like i need to hit up some of my favorite antique shops!) but you get the idea.
oh, i bet you also noticed curtains in the background. yep, all six panels are sewn and hung! but that’s for another day.
back to my peg rail …. here’s how it all came together.
i purchased a long piece of molding from lowes – 12 ft – yeah … you should have saw me trying to fit it in my car!
it was white to start. it’s that fake mdf style molding. i did want wood but they didn’t have this particular style/length in wood. once i got it home, i cut it to size and spray painted the whole thing with kyrlon’s sun yellow.
all the shaker pegs (also from lowes) got several coats of white spray paint.
i then when over the fresh painted sun yellow molding with lots of acrylic paints i had. i brushed on a lighter yellow. then a darker yellow. then white mixed with yellow.
after all that, i diluted some burnt umber with water and wiped it on with a rage to add some ‘age’ and give it more of a ‘wood look’.
i sanded it.
then i whitewashed the whole thing to get the white would settle into the cracks. then i quickly wiped off the excess.
it sounds like a process … and it was … but i got exactly the look i wanted.
i then screwed the molding to the wall, measured for my peg placement and then drilled!
fun, but messy. so far so good.
then i added some good wood glue to each hole.
then inserted all my freshly painted white shaker pegs.
and that’s it! a beautiful new rail for display lots of garden/farm inspired goodies! loads of character on one tiny, brightly color strip.
i wrestled up a straw hat.
and my mom bought me the most perfect antique aprons. i just love them. aren’t they beautiful?
i had the little stars, so they went up too.
i want to add a couple gardening tools and maybe a big sign above the rail … but that’s to be determined.
either way, i’m in love.
and i can’t wait to hear what you think!
well my room if finally taking shape, and i’m so excited to share everything with you. i have been taking lots of pictures and i couldn’t be more thrilled with how everything is coming together. it’s even better than i expected! so if you’ll remember from the before pictures i have one pretty large wall […]
i’m coming to all you wonderful people for some much needed help.
there are several areas of my home/little inn that could benefit from an area rug. i love hardwood floors, but sometimes you just want a little softness under your feet. while i do have area rugs but i’d like to start replacing them to suit my style.
for the past couple years i’ve received catalogs from flor, i even order samples once.
the options seem endless. the styles are beautiful. and some are very reasonably priced … even more so then an area rug. i also really like that fact that i could change out sections of the rug if needed. especially in my case as i experience a lot of traffic in and out.
so i’m looking for some honest opinions. what do you think of them?
do you own any of these squares? any particular style you recommend? best bang for your buck?
i would overly appreciate any advice. just leave any information in the comments below that way everyone can use the feedback. and, should i decided to try flor, i’ll defiantly keep you all posted with my opinion.
thanks a million!
*and i’m obviously in no way being compensated by flor to ask this … although, to be honest, if they would like to buy me a carpet to try i wouldn’t resist. flor, are you reading this?
i’m coming to all you wonderful people for some much needed help. there are several areas of my home/little inn that could benefit from an area rug. i love hardwood floors, but sometimes you just want a little softness under your feet. while i do have area rugs but i’d like to start replacing them to […]
i finished painting today. a few touch ups here and there, but i’m calling it done!
so after my wood floors scrubed and ‘refreshed’ then the fun can begin. curtains to be made … beds to be dressed … art to be created … ceiling fixutres to be hung. this is the part i just love … when a vision becomes a reality.
i finished painting today. a few touch ups here and there, but i’m calling it done! so after my wood floors scrubed and ‘refreshed’ then the fun can begin. curtains to be made … beds to be dressed … art to be created … ceiling fixutres to be hung. this is the part i just love … when […]
