flowers – Page 15 – Karla's Cottage

Its beginning to look a little bit like Christmas

fairies, family, flowers, Silver Bella, Sugarwings, yorkies

By Karla Nathan / November 22, 2010

Over the weekend, I spent a little time lightening up the living room. (I was going to say de-flowering, but that just sounds wrong)

For the summer, I'd hung rose pattern curtains, scattered rosey pillows around the room, and set out some floral plates and trays as accents. Since the basics of the room are neutral, its really easy to switch out looks by changing accessories.

I hung my Target Shabby Chic white velvet drapes, duct taped an old velvet duvet cover over the sofa cushion, and took out anything pink or rosey.

No, not all rosey things! Agnes Rosebud stayed, of course.

After covering the couch cushion, I stuffed a crocheted table cloth under it, to peek out a bit, and got out my neutral pillows.

But the best part of the change over is the banner! My side swap from Silver Bella got hung up too. I used bits of lace tied together to hang it from.

And for the Holidays, I think I'll add some glittered letters to spell JOY.

And Suzanne Duda.

Great swap, huh???

And at the Silver Bella Vendor Faire, I was also lucky enough to get one of Lesa Daily's beautiful birds. She sells out FAST at any show she is in. That lady has some skills!

I'm kinda decorating for the holidays, but not quite. Just a hint of whats to come. Its fun to do it gradually.

For now, I've just set out some of my Silver Bella projects and the Romantic White Christmas things that I made for the online EZine (which reminds me- if you are showing any of your work from the class on your blog, please let me know!)

My plan during classes in Omaha was to make all the projects coordinate. I packed lots of white, silver, gold, and neutral and made everyone of my classes into something Christmassy to use in my home.

Usually, I have a vending booth and my free class period is spent in a craze of setting up, and this year I didn't vend. So I spent some of my free period in the hotel room puttering around on finishing stuff up, but I got lonely. So I took a walk downstairs and popped into other classes to visit and see what everyone was making. In Kari Lynn's class, I saw a bunch of friends, so they invited me to pull up a chair and visit. Someone gave me some wire, so I made this little door (with bird) for the cage I had already made in one of Kari Lynn's previous classes.

I was in two of her classes, then crashed this third one. Then, on Sat. she sat next to me in another class and as we were working away and chatting, I turned and introduced myself and said I didn't think we'd met. She said "YOU WERE JUST IN TWO OF MY CLASSES! " Ooops. I told her that her classes were so good that I was concentraiting on the project, not her face!

After that, she started calling me Dory. "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming" (from Nemo) At least its not as bad as the year I asked Mary Englebrait to take my picture with someone, not knowing who she was…

Thing is, Kari Lynn's classes were wonderful and I just adored them and her. She is teaching at Kim's next wonderland, and that is one of the reasons I am going. Well, her and Colleen, who I got to know too. I really enjoyed them both.

I'll show the other projects when I finish my Christmas decor. I ran out of time, we had family over to meet the new baby on Saturday night.

Sugarwings and Pixie Pie had some dress up fun.

I can't believe how grownup this girl is getting. But all of a sudden, all my babies look HUGE, since we have added the tiny, newest fairy to the flock.

On Sunday, I got some more trees done and a few are in the Etsy shop now, more to come! Thanks for all the tree love.

These are a little something different, I tried some sepia ones. I like them, they fit well with my neutral living room. I hope people don't think they look like trees left up way too long.

I'll leave you with some new Etsy goods:

Redos and repairs

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), fairies, flowers, holiday decor, parties, Silver Bella, vintage paper/collage art, Workshops, yorkies

By Karla Nathan / November 5, 2010

Wow, thanks SO much for the response to our Romantic White Christmas e-zine! I've been working away on it, and actually wrote 11 posts in 2 days. Whew! Plus making more stuff for it. I have a habit of not being able to stop once I get started….

I've got a couple of "bonus" projects made and a couple of other extras too. Just some simple little pretties for the holidays.

Today, I started cleaning up mystudio to get ready for a dinner party and was able to use some of the Romantic White Christmas things in my decor. These aren't over whelmingly screaming CHRISTMAS, they are just sparkly, vintage and festive.

Well, this one kind of does. At least it screams "NOEL"!

When Beth and I shot photos for the classes, we had all the things we made on display, and I liked the look of this up in the window so much, that I'm leaving it. I already missed the Romantic Gothic Ghosts banner, the window felt naked without it.

I might just be a banner adict now. I'll need one for every season.

We took everything off the top of this buffet and redid it in whites and silver as a back drop for the projects and I liked it so much, its staying this way. It had been a pink explosion before, now there is just a hint of blush here and there.

Sadly, when I started putting the tables together and pulled out my favorite table cloth, this is what it looked like. Its really old, and the fabric is just falling apart. I am too lazy to was afraid to try to sew it, and thought it was a goner. Then, I remembered Kay Ellen's Sealah Tape. The stuff is amazing!

Its a two sided tape that her mom invented and is so easy to use.

A few holes here and there don't bother me, but that was big enough to lose a dinner plate in. So I covered up the bad place with a few bits of lace and some tattered silk.

While I was at it, I covered up a few more rips with lace. (These girls don't realize I am taking a photo of the table cloth. Please don't tell them. They think cameras are only meant to focus on them)

Today I made time to finish up my hat for Silver Bella too. Here is a little bit of it. Its a bit different as far as head wear goes….

A fine, feathered friend and a few goblins that need a friend too

celebrations, family, flowers, Food and Drink, holiday decor, parties, Silver Bella

By Karla Nathan / October 28, 2010

I am just glowing with happiness! You know why? Dawn of the Feathered Nest has agreed to join Lisa of Tarnished and Tattered and Carol of Raised in Cotton to come and teach at my May Day art gathering at the Cottage!!

Sorry, no details yet, besides a Save the Date, and a theme. Springtime, May Day, and Birdsongs all wrapped up into a back to nature crafting weekend in my studio for about 20 guests. Expect more info after Silver Bella.

Right now, I'm trying to get ready for this big event and a houseful of guests coming to visit and play before the Omaha wonderland begins. Teresa is selling these tees ahead of time, which is a good idea. Mine has already arrived and I've got it all glittered up and ready to wear.

And I'm also in the middle of pulling together another online class with Beth. She and I are working on A Romantic White Christmas, and I've been scanning and editing images to fit the bill.

My stash of vintage goodness is filled with holiday ephemera. But, not all is appropriate. LIke this page, really cute, but "cute" isn't the theme. I'm picking out the gorgeousness that is lurking in my old book pages and cards and photos.

You can click on the calander to enlarge, then save it to your own computer to print. Its a good one, just not the style I'm going for.

Romantic, soft colors, lots of neutrals is what I'm scanning for the classes. I've edited 50 so far and still have a stack to go through. Beth will also be adding images, so you'll receive quite a selection of backgrounds, photos, flowers, and text. More than you'll need for the projects, there will be plenty left to play with and make into more than just what we have lessons planned for.

We'll have the class ready in plenty of time for you to make things for the holidays!

I hope you'll join us, our last class was a lot of fun. I've enjoyed my Romantic Gothic Ghost banner, and it was a part of my decor for the Kid's Halloween Bash and Pumpkin Gala last night in the studio.

But so much for my goal of an orange-free Halloween, huh? Well, inside the house, its all Romantic and Gothic, but for the kid's party, I oranged it up. My mother-in-law sent us this floral display and I decided to take advantage of its cheery colors and decorate the table top to match it for the party.

The little guy sitting in the flowers, is made from paper clay, painted and glittered, then glued to a bit of old trim.

For all the kids, I made up craft packs for them to work on that night. For all the moms, I made up these goblin face pumpkins.

The kids each got plain pumpkins to paint, since I knew they'd like to paint their own faces on them. These are made of paper clay too.

There are a few extras, when I make things, I get carried away and make a LOT. The guy on the left is for sale, $10 if you are interested. His name is Boris.

The fellow on the left in this one is Edgar. He's also needing a home – $10

"Peek" is the little cutey on the left in this photo. He's $8.

Please leave a comment if you want to purchase one of these guys, and tell me which one by his name.

They were so fun to make, I think I'll be whipping up some snow ladies soon. NO WAIT! I need to focus. I have a long list of priorities that I need to stick to.

Don't you wish you could just sit and make things and not worry about the rest of your obligations?

Sometimes I just drive myself batty trying to do too much. I want to do it ALL!

Usually I fit a lot into my life, so I shouldn't complain. This afternoon, I'll be going to the gym, picking the last of the garden veggies before the frost forecasted for tonight, and tackling the mess left behind from the party!

None of it is very fun or productive, just stuff I need to get done. But afterwards? I'm heading to the Curious Sofa for Debbie's Holiday Open House. Now, that is quite a big carrot to dangle in front of me to stay focused while getting all my tasks finished this afternoon!

And tomorrow? Maybe a bit more Sugarwings time, if I'm lucky. See why my online class isn't ready to go and I don't have details for the spring fling up yet??

The pink side of the baby shower and news for next spring

celebrations, fairies, family, flowers, Food and Drink, parties, We're having a party, Workshops

By Karla Nathan / October 27, 2010

No baby yet, but I have more pics of the shower last week. Earlier, I showed you the bright colored dining tables set up in the studio. In the house, I used the dining room to set up a dessert buffet and decorated in there with pink and white.

Not all the treats are set out yet in these photos, I had a pumpkin cheesecake to join the brownies and strawberry shortcake. I'd made home made whipped cream for the first time in my life, and sadly, I fell madly in love with the stuff. I want to make it all the time, and my previous fave, low fat CoolWhip will never be good enough again.

For the centerpiece, I scanned old photos of babies and turned them into shower fairies by giving them wings and parasols.

The are hung from spray painted and glittered branches potted in my pink gum ball machine. I just took the top off of the machine, wrapped a chunk of oasis floral foam in pink shredded paper and slid it in. Then, stuck the branch into the foam and started hanging fairies.

A pink toy trunk from my studio was used to set the fairy tree on. And Sugarwing's doll bed was lined with old doilies and used to hold napkins, plates, and silverware.

Her room got raided again for a doll bed to use for dispay too.

I turned the dining table sideways and pushed it up to the window, then sat the chairs around the room in seating groups. This vintage bedspread was used as a table cloth, but it was too short and both ends of the table were open and naked. So, I draped two lace curtains across the ends of the table.

All of the flowers were from my garden, or a friend's yard, and all of the decor was stuff I found around the house or made in the studio. So it cost me nothing (but the price of the food) to make the room pretty for the party.

And yes, the friend said I could pick her flowers.

The poor tree branch that I used for the fairies is from my dearly departed Weeping Pussy Willow that died this summer. I snapped the top off of the tree to keep, since it was such a pretty shape, and it was ideal for spray painting and filling with fairies. (if you count the $60 tree, I guess my display was not cheap after all!)

Here is a little tip from me:

If you decide to make a banner to hang behind your table for a party, you should probably do it BEFORE you have everything set up.

I was all done with my table and felt like I was missing something, so ran out to the studio to make this banner and had to squeeze behind the table and tippy toe stretch to hang it.

The banner is 4 squares of chipboard covered in old wallpaper, with a crepe paper ruffle across the bottom. I then used a decorative punch to cut out ledger paper shapes, glued those down, and wrote the letters B A B Y in glitter on the centers of the shapes. It still looked bare, so I popped a millinery bloom in the center of the crepe paper. Very fast and simple. Holes got punched in the tops and I hung it from a length of pink tulle.

It was a lot quicker to make than to hang on the window! Of course, if I'd hung it before setting up the table, it would have been a heck of a lot easier.

The tree confused my poor husband who only asked me a couple of times who all the babies were. He seems to think that anytime I use a cabinet card for making something, it must be a relative. Because why on earth would you have pictures of strangers in the house?

Of course, he is the same guy who was showing photos of our house in a magazine to his mom. When I looked over his shoulder, I saw it wasn't even my article, or our house. If it was pink and white, he figured it must be ours.

Its amazing that he can be so good natured about me working in the studio so much, since he really doesn't get what I do at all. In his mind, I must be out here just playing demented paper doll games and painting everything I can get a hold of white.

Luckily, I have my Sugarwings, who thinks that everything I have is the COOLEST. And soon, I'll have Mayara, and I'll start teaching her to have fun in the studio with me. Its nice to have some one who GETS ME. Like my fairy baby and my blog friends do.

Hey, if you'd like to come and play in my studio world,too- I'm planning a workshop out there on May Day weekend of 2011. I've got a couple of great instructors lined up and am still working out the details.

My friend, Lisa and I were chatting back and forth this weekend, and one of those, "wouldn't it be fun if" conversations turned into "Lets do it on May Day and have a Spring party!". I emailed Carol and she is in too. (if you get a chance, go by and tell Carol Happy Birthday, she is celebrating this weekend)

This class will be small, less than 20 people. (if I'm lucky enough to get 20, that is!!) Simple, casual, fun, and laid back. Just the way I like things.

I'd love to see you here in the studio next spring…. I meet the nicest people in blogland. Rachael sent us a doll she made of Sugarwings, inspired by my paintings in the Grumpy Fairy book! Isn't it adorable?

Gypsy Wagon Baby Bed

family, flowers, Hand Painted Furniture, hand painted signs, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / October 18, 2010

On Sunday, I did my part to get ready for the new baby. I painted a bassinette for her.

Its a Fairy Gypsy Wagon basket with lots of colors, flowers, butterflies, with a sun on one end and moon on the other.

While cleaning out the shed, I came across this old bassinette, that I had used for display at shows. My husband was horrified, not only because it wasn't leaving with the rest of the goodies in the shed, but because I said I was keeping it for the baby. He called it a death trap. Mostly, he just doesn't care for old stuff, and doesn't see possibilities in them.

The paint was chipped and peeling and it was full of spiders and dirt. Well, I'm not fond of spiders and those had to go, but I love chippy and peeling. Too bad that's not a safe thing for babies. It all had to be sanded to remove any loose paint, and the base of it needed to be repaired. Some of the brackets were missing and the wood was split out on one leg.

And I couldn't find a mattress for it anywhere in town. Wouldn't you think that Sears, Pennys or Walmart would carry a bassinette mattress? Nope. So, I went to the fabric store ( Hancocks), and got waterproof fabric meant for cribs, and some foam.

The foam was then wrapped up in the fabric and held in place with double stick tape that I get from Kay Ellen. The stuff is magnificent if you are a non-sewer! It sticks to just about anything and is really secure. She says its used for embellishing swim suits, so it must hold up well if it can do that.

I cut the foam to fit nice and snug, so it would be safe for a newborn. I used a firm piece of foam too. You don't want anything loose that a baby can smother in. Or a gap between the mattress and side of the bed where a baby can get trapped.

While these aren't my typical colors, I had a great time using them. Its fun to stretch and try something different. And to do something to make another person happy, and I think I did, the expectant momma is a rainbow gypsy and this was just right for her.

I used metallic and glitter paints here and there as accents, then sprayed it with clear poly and a bit of silver glitter spray too.

The only problem with it now, is that the sheets I found to fit it are white. Which just doesn't go with this colorful creation. So, I'll need to dye them, to complete the look. And I have a special mobile for it too…..

But I can't show that. Its a surprise for the baby shower tomorrow night.

While I had my brushes and paint out, I made a sign for my son's yard. Last week, we were sitting on their porch, watching the kids play on the side walk, and over and over, had to remind the kids that the alley was a ROAD and not safe to run into!

We thought a two sided sign, with this message facing the road might help.

This side faces the sidewalk. Sugarwings and Finn can't read, but Clover can, so I wrote "stop" for her. For the little ones, I made a cartoon that I hoped would catch their eye and be a reminder that a car could come by at any time.

Its not exactly a high quality production, but it was quick, and is colorful and I have my fingers crossed that they'll learn something from it. I spent about an hour on it, but I think its enough to get my point across.

Well, I'd better go and get ready for the baby shower. I've made a pumpkin cheesecake and brownies. Left on the menu is strawberry shortcake, mac and cheese, baked beans, sweet potatoes (that I dug out of my garden today!) olive salad, tossed salad, and crusty bread. We also have bean burgers (for the vegatarians) and my husband has a couple of big turkey breasts in the smoker right now, so I'll be slicing those up and covering them with BBQ sauce.

Its not a Kansas party unless you BBQ something!

Ahhhh, October!

Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), flowers, I've been tagged, swaps, vintage paper/collage art, yorkies

By Karla Nathan / October 3, 2010

How is my weekend going? Oz-ish. I'm up to my elbows in all things Dorothy.

Doesn't this shot make you wish you'd joined the swap??? Wow, such talent out there. I'm taking way too long to open the packages and sort all the tags, because I have to stop and admire each one.

And because there are about a million of them. These two photos are just a smidgen of the piles.

I waited for the deadline to start opening all the packages, but I'm afraid not all are here yet. I think that I wasn't all that clear, some people thought the 30th was the mail by date, not the date I needed them. I have to apologize for not being more clear.

But- it takes days to sort, and assemble the tags into books, so I'll be adding the stragglers to the last books as I make them, as long as they are here before I finish.

There have been some lovely hostess gifts included too, I'll have photos of those as soon as I am caught up on the books themselves. Sugarwings and I have plans for a Dorothy party together where we will get to open and play with the goodies.

Aggie Rose is already planning her wardrobe for the party. I think I'll be the Wicked Witch. I have a feeling that Sugarwings will be Dorothy, since she kind of thinks that is who she is anyway. That kid lives in an imaginary world where she has multliple personalities. Often she is a mermaid, sometimes Dorothy, and then there are the lesser personalites, of a Baby Monkey, Fairy, Bride, Princess, Frog, Monster, Puppy, Alice, or Goldilocks.

Of course, she includes me, and I usually get to be the evil protagnist of any story that is going on in her head. I spend a lot of time as a Big Bad Wolf, Wicked Witch, or Flying Monkey.

Just once, I'd like to get to be a princess too. If I'm lucky, I get to be a Fairy Grandmother. But I know to never, ever, ever try to be Dorothy. That is HER.

Its a beautiful day here at the Cottage. I woke up after about TWELVE hours of sleep, to a crisp, clear autumn day. I know I need to be making Dorothy books, but I just had to walk around outside and luxouriate in this weather. Soon, leaves will be dropping and my yard will be something I dread going into because I'll be trying to avoid the rake.

But for now, its that perfect time in between summer's heat and winter's cold. The weeds have slowed down, and the leaves haven't fallen yet. I can go outside and not be reminded of how much work the yard needs. I can just enjoy it as it is.

Of course, while I'm outside enjoying the day, I'm also avoiding those tag books….

But not for long, I'm already gearing up for the big tag book marathon. But I think I'll leave the studio door open so dogs can wander in and out, and I can breathe in the sweet October air while I work. And I think it will be a jammie day. That makes it even better.

The Hat Whisperer takes on Texas

antiques/junking, flowers, Travel

By Karla Nathan / September 29, 2010

Roundtop was even better than I had expected, the trip was just the best. Of course, with Jodie hauling us around, it had to be good. That girl knows everyone. And everyone just loves her. I can sure see why.

It was a fun group to be a part of. Beth and I had been wanting to meet Lisa for the longest time, and just knew that she'd be wonderful, and an instant buddy. And yep, she was!

This is Jodie, the Cajun Queen Bee, Lisa, Beth and I. Beth is doing everyone a favor and holding my eyes open because we all get tired of taking photo after photo with my eyes shut.

For some reason, I tend to ruin a LOT of pictures by closing my eyes as the shutter snaps-Beth, Anne, and Jodie both have photos posted of me with my eyes closed!!

We saw some great displays and over the top booths, and we didn't even get to stay for the Marburger show, which is legendary for its originality and showmanship.

One booth that I just fell in love with was Seed Box.

Their style seems so effortless.

Oh, and Miss Sweet T….. so much good stuff to dig through!

Anne of Fiona and Twig joined us for the afternoon, with her charmer of a husband.

Her darling Mr Twig, not only snapped photos of us all together, he watched our shopping carts as we puttered around. Plus entertained us with his sparkling conversation. That guy is a keeper.

Are you wondering why I chose to wear such an unflattering dress ?

(It would be pretty on someone young, tall, and thin, but on me- it looks like a cross between something that Bette Davis wore in Whatever Happened to Baby Jane and an old dress an escapee from a polygamist colony would wear)

I wore it because its made of a gauzy material that was so comfy and cool that I was able to survive the unbearable Texas heat.

The dress is 20 years old and I know I am too old to pull it off, and usually it is only worn during fairy dress up parties with Sugarwings.

But, it is so comfortable, I couldn't help myself.

Beth and I were warned we'd have sticker shock in Texas, just like we were before we went to California. But what I've learned in travelling and shopping around is that prices are unpredictable. They vary so much in booth to booth or mall to mall that it doesn't matter what state you are in, you can find sky high prices and bargains too.

Its all in the digging.

And in asking politely for the best price. These flowers and multi flowered corsages were all marked $5-8 each, which were some of the cheapest ones I'd seen in Texas. When I asked for a "volume price" she sold me the whole bunch for….oh, I'm embarrassed to say…. its such a good deal!

Okay, you drug it out of me.

FIFTY DOLLARS!!!!!!

That is a bargain in any state. I had been happy to find a couple floral hats under ten bucks to start with, but this? The mother lode!

Do I look as gleeful as I feel??????

(and yes, I see that my eyes are closed)

If you can guess how many flowers were in the basket, I'll give you one of the corsages.

Leave your guess on THIS post. I'll announce the winner on Friday, the person closest to the correct amount will win.

You can also win one of my Romantic Gothic Ghost creations by leaving a comment on any post, I'll draw that name on Friday too.

And don't forget that I have a sale in the Boutique. If you use the coupon code " Roundtop " you will get a 20% discount on all of your purchases. The sale ends Thursday.

Here is a clarification: I will count EACH FLOWER. Corsages will be multiple flowers, not count as one.

edit- contest OVER

Cuff bracelets with velvets and lace

flowers

By Karla Nathan / September 18, 2010

Have you ever made cuff bracelets? They are my new favorite pastime right now! I whipped up a dozen of them the other day and immediately ordered another dozen blanks to make more.

The basis is an aluminum cuff (found on Ebay) that I covered in velvet, inside and out. After that part was done, I got down to the fun stuff, and embellished each a little different.

I've got some special plans coming up this week, and these bracelets are just what I needed for the event.

Hopefully, my guests will agree with me, and like them too.

Art ADHD

antiques/junking, fairies, flowers, paintings

By Karla Nathan / September 12, 2010

Today, I finished a fairy painting that was more than a bit overdue…. Sorry, Janice! But its finally ready now!!

I was given a stack of pictures of these two sisters, and some info about things they liked. The older girl enjoys pulling her baby sister in a wagon, so I put the littlest fairy in a flower petal cart.

As proper Lawrence, Kansas girls, they both like the Jayhawks. So I added a pet Jayhawk for them.

And the older girl enjoys reading to her sister. How sweet is that? So, I included a bag of fairy tale books.

After I have my paints out, I wonder why I don't do watercolor more often. I think that I should at least leave some paints and brushes on my desk to remind me that I am a painter…. and maybe to incorporate some painting into my collage work too.

My interests are spread out quite a bit. I adore working with millinery, ephemera, and well, most things old and pretty. But painting was my first love and I should try to get back to it more often.

What I really love to paint are flowers. Especially if I make the picture look vintage. But I do love cutting and gluing, and using cherished old lace, old postcards, WALLPAPER (yummy yummy wallpaper), and rhinestones in my art too. So, I can't picture going back to painting full time like I used to. Its just too fun to find cool old things and imagine what they can be made into.

Plus, the hunt is half the fun. As much as I love to paint, going to a retail store and buying a tube of paint is no comparison to hitting a flea market to find supplies!

Even silly things like this.

And even sillier ones like this! Life is too short to limit myself to just one style and one type of art. So, I'll dabble in paint like always, and still flit from idea to idea, playing with ephemera, and making stuff no one wanted into something pretty.

Even though, some days I wonder… if I had stuck with one thing and really worked with it for a life time, would I actually be successful?

Or just bored?

If you are like me and love to use vintage supplies, I'm adding these items to the Boutique, with more coming in the next few days.

A Rosy Redo

antiques/junking, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), flowers, paintings, redos

By Karla Nathan / July 11, 2010

Now that we are in the midst of summertime, I felt like the living room needed to look summery too. I took my background of creamy whites and added a blooming garden of roses to the room with just a few touches in about 15 minutes.

The first step was taking down the Shabby Chic cream velvet curtains (from Target) and putting up these vintage curtains from a garage sale. They had pleats at the top, that I had un-stitched with a seam ripper last year, so that step was already done ahead of time.

These curtains are different lengths, but who will know it with the sofa sitting in front of them?

In the past, I had done this room with browns and had made this sofa cushion seat cover. I've got a few extra covers lurking in the back of the closet for when the mood strikes me. I don't cover the whole couch, just the seat and pillows. Making them is as easy as making a pillow case, and I am NOT much of a seamstress. I keep them simple, by not using zippers or buttons, I just sew ribbons to the back to tie the cover shut.

(I've also just wrapped the cushion in a pretty quilt before too- that works if you don't have teenagers around. Teens just kind of DO things to destroy a couch. They sit HARD)

I also keep a stash of pillows in the linen closet for trading out too. A floral pillow goes a long way towards brightening a room.

I added a dinner napkin (with roses) to the little table, and a retro kitchen table cloth to the side table, along with a plate, and a small botanical print.

When my son walked into the room, he told me that I had a "lot going on" there. Yea, I know. That is what I like about it! Its an explosion of lots of roses ranging from pale pink to cherry red.

The fastest way to add some color to my white room was to set out some fresh cut flowers from my garden.

And I already had a white millinery bloom tied to the lamp shade. I just slipped a pink rose in on top of it.

Over the years, I've had many colors on my walls, but I think they'll be like this for a while. I've washed them with layers of glazes in colors ranging from ivory to deep tan, with hints of gold and bronze. I feel like its a good background color to anything I add to the room.

Keeping the basics of the room neutral means that I can add splashes of color here and there and have a whole new look in a matter of moments.

On the TV cabinet, I draped another rose curtain and added two rose plates and a tray to what was already up there.

On the other side of the room, all I needed was a couple of throw pillows on the white chairs and 2 vases snitched from the guest room. Oh, and a table runner that matches the dinner napkin that I used on the little round table. I'm not a fan of matchiness, but this is what I had handy.

There are always hints of roses in every room of my house, like on the floor mat that I painted to set the dog dishes on, and the table and small hutch that the dog bed is under.

But even with some roses here and there, the room was predominately white and cream, and these pinks just became background until I added all the rose patterned textiles. Now, this stuff seems to stand out too.

The dog's bed is a lid to a Rubbermaid container that I put a pillow on. By sitting the pillow (in a washable sham) on the lid, it keeps it up off the ground in case the puppy pees on the floor, or Twinkle steps in the water bowl and spills it, or some other of the millions of ways that the dogs mess up the floor and would get their pillow wet. I look for shams on sale at TJMax, sometimes I can find them for under $3.

And by slipping the bedding under the table, the dogs feel like they have a cozy den to hide in, and I have a bit more space.

As much as I love my creamy whites, I just need an infusion of color now and then. Plus, I just enjoy a change of scenery. I have some old, powder blue toile curtains that are nicely aged and slightly yellowed that I want to try next. Especially if I find some pretty bark cloth rose material at garage sales this summer for making pillows.

Geez, I just redid the room today and am already thinking about the next one?

Yep, that is what makes it fun! The planning and creating and the thrill of the hunt for new bargains.