Don't bug me!

Sometimes I stumble upon strange designs which reveal some relations to wildlife...

Looking at that chair I was uncomfortably reminded of a bug or perhaps a chair of medieval torture quality...

I hope you are all sitting comfortably!
Happy weekend!




XX
Victoria




Images as indicated and last one via google image.

More From Trelawney Farm

Here are some more shots of Trelawney Farm for those who can't buy Country Style Magazine.

Some of my favourite ideas are:

The bright pillar box red front door

Vintage bits and pieces like the old milk bottles and HRH portrait

Funky fifties garden setting

Metal hospital cabinet used as a bedside table

A happy marriage

Wishing them both the greatest of happiness from this day on forward! 

Here is to HRH Prince William and Princess Catherine!

May there be many blessings!

XX

Victoria

I watched it with my girlfriends and we had tea, scones and tiaras...

Snow Much Fun DT Card

It's time for another challenge over at Winter Wonderland.  The challenge for this week was set by Marianne she has chosen Snow Much Fun as her challenge, so we want to see a Christmas card or project with someone or something having fun in the snow.

 Our sponsor for this week is Stamping With The Dragon.

They are offering one lucky winner 3 digis of their own choice.  Wow what a prize!

Here is my card.

Card Recipe

Card Blank - 14.5cm x 14.5cm.

Pink Gem Designs Stamp - Max and Snowman.

Papermania Design Paper - Festive Frolics.

Spellbinders Nestabilities Die - Labels Seventeen.

Woodware Punch - Snowflakes.

Embellishments from stash.

Hints and Tips

I faux embossed the green die cut by punching snowflakes out of the same colour as the die cut and sticking them on.

This card was entered into the following challenges:

Moving Along With the Times: Challenge 96 Anything Goes.

Love

Linda xx

Another before and after: Home office makeover

A thin layer of fine stone dust has settled all over in the house. We have gotten a new walkway and it is almost done. It sounds like it has been going on forever, but the weather has delayed so much including today, where we were hoping to be finished!

Alas, we still wait for the outdoor lights to be installed and on Monday we will be getting the new soil and grass seeded for our lawn, which has suffered to the point of no repair from cement mixing and stone cutting.

First glimpse!

But there has been done so much, we are not complaining!


                                                *

And since there was a lot of dirt in the house I decided to surprise my husband by refreshing his office, which is housed in the actual sun room. It has a fire place and lots of windows, wood paneling and is a typical small afterthought build in the 50's!

By that I mean it has virtually no insulation, which makes it super hot in the summer and cold in the winter...Yes, there is heat, but barely! But my husband has an indestructible constitution and holds up day in day out!

I started with a clean out and prepping. Covered all his papers, which I am not allowed to touch and began merrily with the ceiling. To my utter surprise one coat of ceiling white covered the dirtiest corners at once.

The fireplace surround has been the typical brick used in so many of the houses of that era. It had to go. Two layers of Behr's semi gloss primer and paint in one did the job perfectly!

I painted it white, like all the trim and wooden shelves and it looked suddenly wonderful...
Then on to the walls, they've gotten a neutral Sandy Beach by Behr and then I managed the trim and shelves. 24 hours later I was done, exhausted, but happy with the results.

I couldn't resist a little girly touch...

Now all that's left to do is fill in the shelves with all that stuff....

When hubby returned yesterday from his business trip he was all in awe and did not wanted to leave his office, because he loves it so!
That is something, right?




XX
Victoria



All images by V.Zlotkowski

In Print: Country Style Mag

Kathy used a Porters stain on the new pine floorboards to get that dark chocolate look.

This bath is fully plumbed with hot and cold water and is a favourite place for the family to bathe!

This story about a country house belonging to Kathy and John Collins was an inspiring one to to write.

The Collins are a gung-ho couple with two young children who had a dream and went for it.

They are a couple of city types with a property renovation business who wanted to create an idyllic retreat in the country for themselves.

Kathy spent hours trawling online auction sites to collect the vast array of industrial and country antiques and vintage treasures and her passion shows in the interiors. Here I have included some of the shots that were not used in the article.

See the new issue of Country Style for the whole story.

Catnap

Card Recipe

Card Blank - 14.5cm x 14.5cm.

Penny Black Stamp - Catnap.

Magnolia Stamp - Banner of Flags.

Doodlebug Designs Inc Design Paper - Freedom Stripe.

Martha Stewart Border Punch - Scallop Dots.

Embellishments from own stash.

Coloured with Copic markers.

Hints and Tips

I have used a cottonwool bud to apply the blue shimmer chalk for the sky it gives it a lovely cloudy effect.

This card was entered into the following challenges:

The Ribbon Girls: Colour Challenge #7 Red, White and Blue.

Penny Black Saturday Challenge: Week 148 Happily Ever After.

Penny Circle Challenge: Bright and Bold.

Love

Linda xx

Sunday afternoon in the Garden

The Botanical Garden holds magical powers over us! When the first sun comes out we are thinking of visiting this lovely place! Armed with my camera I delight in the artistry of the designs, the colors, scents and the atmosphere!

Orchid Show 2011
BGNY

We caught the last day of the Orchid exhibition, something we pretty much never miss and have observed for many years!

These pictures were taken by my son.

But although these Orchids are magnificent, this year I actually enjoyed the fresh beds and fierce budding flowers - tulips and narcissus - and the flowering trees much more.
There is something youthful and strong, yet innocent to these first emerging buds. 

An abundance I enjoy watching.
The colors are so beautiful and every time I leave from there I am so inspired for my own little outdoor space.

The air was richly perfumed with  spring scents, moist soil and the fresh green grass made people playful and we enjoyed the magical blossoms.

I took so many pictures, as always, it is hard to select the ones I like best to show you.
So there are a few more! 
Enjoy!

Have a great week ahead!
We are back to finally finishing our major outdoor project at home. It's looking good so far! Soon more about it!


xx
Victoria


PS: I want to encourage you to check out my other blog part: House and Living! There you'll find inspiration for books, movies and more.




All pictures by V. and T. Zlotkowski and subject to copyright. Please ask permission before use.