January 23, 2011

My $2200.00 Cat

I am interrupting my regularly scheduled DIY programming to introduce you to Billie and Martin.
Billie did not cost $2200.00 that is what it cost to keep her alive, I will get to that in a minute.


Billie is a Ragdoll cat, if you are not familiar with the breed, they are called Ragdolls because of their easy going nature.   When you pick them up they go limp like ragdolls.  They are often called puppy cats, as they act more like puppies, following you around, greeting people at the door, and having no fear of anything.


As cute as she is, she is a chewer and that is what got her in trouble 5 years ago when she was just a little over a year old.  She was not eating and vomiting, 3 trips to the vet, lab tests, IV's, antibiotics,


Now we are into the 4th of July weekend and had to go to the emergency vet $$$$$$ only to discover she had something blocking her intestines.
She had surgery and the vet came out after and said "I usually have no idea what they have eaten, but by looking at the red nose this is a plastic mouse"


Yes, this is the plastic body and head of a toy mouse that came out of her intestines....Now. how in the world did she swallow that !!!  So, I did not start out to spend that kind of money, but my rule of thumb is, if my pets can be fixed and live full, happy lives, then I gotta do, what I gotta do to make them well.

My other love is Martin

Martin was rescued from the pound when he was 2, he is much smarter then Billie, but kind of a scardy cat around everyone but me.


Even though they are both fixed Martin loves Billie, sometimes a little to much, if you know what I mean! LOL


            

  Wishing you a PUUURRFECT Day!     

                       Carol
Next blog post, back to our regularly scheduled   DIY, Shabby, Rose, programming.

January 20, 2011

A Shabby Rose Stool

I had all intentions of covering this stool and selling it in my booth, but when I finished, I thought nope, it is staying right here!


Oh, look I got artsy, I tipped the camera and blurred the edges

It was just your standard $5.00 thrift store stool.

The first thing I did was went to my newly organized linen closet


If you had any thoughts of organizing your linen closet, don't put it off, do it now!  It is so fun to see all of the fabrics you have to choose from.


I decided to slip cover this one instead of upholster it because I was to lazy to paint the legs.  Just lay your fabric right side down over the stool and then pin it up the side and put a pin right at the top where you want the seam to end. 


I pin it loosely and then sew the seam on the inside of the pins closest to the stool, this will get you a nice tight fit.  Then just sew the trim and skirt on.


I used a Mary Rose fabric for the top, vintage trim, and a vintage damask table cloth on the bottom.  It is hard to see, but the damask was a really light pink.


When I finished, I brought it in and sat it next to my covered white chair and thought....This baby is not going anywhere!



 I love that it is a slip cover, I can take it off and throw it in the wash.....Cat hair!


Now, I have a deal with myself, if I bring something in I have to take something out. So, I am going to sell the stool that was originally in that spot.

So, which category do you fall into?

OCD - obsessively and compulsively need order and Hate clutter
or
 Hoarder - You hate to get rid of anything you make

Carol

I am linking up with Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home






January 18, 2011

The Little Brown Table That Won't Sell

Anyone that has an online, brick and mortar store, or booth, knows what I am talking about.  You have a perfect item for sale and it just won't sell!

I have had this table in my booth for 8 months.  

Now, lets face it if we all knew what would sell we would all be millionaires, sometimes it just drives you crazy trying to figure it out. 

This is A picture of my booth in August
 See it there in the back, the brown table, now granted it does not go with the whole pink and white vibe, but everyone said, you can't paint it, this is a "Mersman"
A Mersman is a really good piece of vintage furniture and I guess it is a CRIME to paint it.........Well, Arrest me!
You are all going to have to visit me in jail!

I gave it the full shabby treatment

Vintage paper in the drawer and tassels

I left the feet with the original "Claws" and a little distressing and glaze to bring out the detail

I put it back in my booth today at Orange Tree
I had it originally priced at $125 because that is what the last "Mersman" table in the mall sold for.  Then I started the reductions $85 $65 $42....I called UNCLE!  
I took it home, painted it, polyurethaned it, lined the drawer, added a tassel and repriced it for $65.00

Will it sell???  How long do you think it will take......I suppose it is illegal to put money on this little bet?
I'll let you know!

Happy Selling 
Carol





January 15, 2011

Calling all new bloggers! And a winner!

If you are a new blogger here is a wonderful opportunity to get exposure!  Debbiedoos is having A Newbie linky party.  Head over and check it out! 

Now, The winner of the mosaic shoe is........


By random number generator.........Altered Paper 
A new blogger, it would be great if you all dropped over and showed her some blogging love. I don't do any paper crafting which makes me in total awe of people that do, she does beautiful work!    


Thank you to all who entered!!!
Carol

January 12, 2011

Inside The Polka Dot Linen Closet

I am embarrassed to show you the inside of the Polka Dot Linen Closet.  This is before I cleaned it up, I just had to do something!

You all know what it is like, you pull out one piece of fabric and a whole pile falls.

Are you ready???


Oh, I am feeling creative!
I cannot take credit for this idea, I saw it on a blog and I would love to give credit, just claim your idea and I will put your link.

I used comic book backing boards like this, take note of the size and weight.  I ordered them on the internet and I do not remember what site it was, but there are many.

There was 100 boards to a package and I think they were around $12.00.  When I first received them I did not think they were much sturdier than card stock, but they are.  It works perfect for 45" fabric you just fold it once.

Here is my vintage Fabrics, love them!


Roses

This is my lace, I love lace, but I had no idea I had this much!



And whats a Polka Dot Closet without polka dots?

I just love polka dots!

The surprising thing about this project is it did not free up a lot of room in my closet.  It did give me the opportunity to edit my fabric and take a big bag to the Goodwill.  This took a lot of time, I worked on it over 3 days off and on, I bet it took 6-8 hours.

It feels so great to have it done, It sure will be fun the next time I do a sewing project!

In full disclosure I have to tell you I am a neat freak, my house is usually spotless, just don't look in my closets or drawers!

Is anyone else like this where everything is neat, but your closets and drawers are a mess?

Ok, I feel better now that my dirty little secret is out of the closet!
Carol

I am linking up with
In My Own Style Tips & Tricks
Metamorphis Monday At  BNOTP
Songbird "Gitter Done".  Because it was about time I got my closet done!