Imported French Fabric from Provence

Hi All!

I'm clearing out my studio to make more working space.

I've listed some great fabric on eBay.

There is a steel blue and an olive green field print fabric.

Also, companion border print fabrics for each color.

The fabric is sturdy cotton, excellent for

pillows, cushions, upholstery, bags, etc.

It is a very high quality fabric, originally $35 per yard.

I'm letting it go for $5 per half yard.

Here's the link:   Provence Fabric on eBay

Springtime!

These beautiful white lilacs grow from a very old shrub in our back garden.

This photo is from 2010, but it won't be long now before 

the fragrance of this year's blossoms scent the air.

I live near Rochester, NY which is known as

the Flower/Flour City.

Each May, a Lilac Festival (the largest of its kind in the country)

is held in Highland Park. 

It's a 10 day festival of music, art, theater, food & flowers. 

The park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted,

the designer of Central Park in NYC.

There are 1200 lilac shrubs (500 varieties) covering 22 acres

of the 155 acres in the park. Spectacular!

Martha Stewart visited here in 2008 to see the lilac

that is named after her &

did a story about the festival on her show.

Check out the festival link, http://www.lilacfestival.com/

It's a glorious way to welcome Spring.

Here Comes the Sun

We live in what is meteorologically known as "the gray zone".

Sounds ominous, doesn't it?

Actually, what it means is that we live near

the Great Lakes.

These large bodies of water release vast amounts

of moisture into the air creating clouds.

Lots & lots of clouds which often times

hide the sun.

So when the sun shines, we are ecstatic!

This was early in the morning as the sun was rising.

I love to see the long blue shadows across the snow.

The sparkle in the icicles didn't show up

as much in the pictures, but it was beautiful.

These icicles really glistened.

I guess it wasn't light enough yet,

for the camera to capture in full.

And by the way, the icicles do touch the ground.

These eaves are off the family room we are remodeling.

Can you spell H-E-A-T-L-O-S-S? 

The Bonnet House & more

A few years ago, while visiting family in Florida,

Mr. Handyman & I  took an afternoon & visited

the Bonnet House in Ft. Lauderdale.

http://www.bonnethouse.org/

If you have a few minutes, take a look.

The history of the house & family

is so interesting & the photos are wonderful.

Great inspiration!

By the way, the first picture above is the aviary

in one of the courtyards.  And...there are

real monkeys & they live on the grounds

in the trees! Can you imagine?

How's that for a piece of coral?

The painting behind it was by one of the homeowners,

the artist Frederic Clay Bartlett.

If you go to the website, you will see his studio.

There were carousel animals all around.  There are

murals & paintings everywhere & seashells

are embedded in the walls.

This mammoth banyan tree was actually only a

portion of its former self after a couple of

hurricanes took part of it down.

This property is right on Fort Lauderdale Beach,

but you would never know it.

Take a look at the aerial photos &

you'll see what I mean.

This building is the Stranahan House. It was

built in 1901 as a trading post on

the New River in Fort Lauderdale.

As you can see in the picture,

downtown Fort Lauderdale is built up

all around it. I'm so glad it wasn't demolished

to make way for more high-rises.

Both the Bonnet House & the Stranahan House

are museums of sorts now & give tours.

It's not usual to use the words history & Fort Lauderdale

in the same sentence, but there were & are amazing

people in this world.

What Have I Done?!

I bought 2 yards of this fabric today.

I fell in love with it.

The bright green leaves against the aqua background

are a beautiful compliment.

It looks similar to an old barkcloth curtain.

It has an almost tropical look.

And...it was on sale!

I just don't know what to do with it.

Pillows? Maybe a bag?

I'll keep you posted on what I decide.

I guess I'm just getting tired of winter &

the fabric made me think of old Florida.

The other problem is...

it doesn't really go with anything I have.

However, I have heard it said that if you

combine what you truly love,

it will all blend together.

What do you think?

I'm Tired of Being Cold

Calgon, Take me away!

Imagine...

Well, I was able to organize the magazines today.

I even went through my catalogs and

tossed (recycled) the old ones.

But enough of reality, let's imagine...

...that we live in this old country cottage

in the English countryside.

Look, it even has sheep!

I love this magnificent entry with the

dramatic curved staircase.

...and I could write and read and blog at

this wonderful secretary while looking at my

collection of silly little heads.

Aren't the draperies the most soothing color?

Do you like the chest of drawers?

We could do that you know.

I really like the contrast of textures between the

brick wall and the smooth lacy linens.

There must be one giant feather bed on top

of the mattress...looks like you could

just sink right in.

And last but not least, the screened porch...

unlike the screened porches that I'm

familiar with, but that's the point.

Fireplace, comfy furniture, no bugs, and

a glorious view...I might never go inside.

Did you know that Albert Einstein said that

"imagination is more important than knowledge" ?

Yup, he did...and I tend to agree with him.

Have a happy tomorrow!