tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36877469576836535792024-03-18T02:48:22.211-07:00Upcycling My (ordinary) Life!Deborah Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211999112146380759noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687746957683653579.post-68968915492817371302012-06-22T11:28:00.000-07:002012-09-17T00:10:16.228-07:00Ecuadorable Ecuador!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">It's been SO LONG since I posted...I've been a bad blogger...I've been told I might even go to blogger hell...oh well...onward. Today I rec</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">eived an e-mail from an old f</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">riend...LOVED it... </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than the things you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Mark Twain</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">So, in the early stages of my dotage, I'm exploring, dreaming and discovering! The main news is that I've emigrated. As part of my journey of "Upcycling my Ordinary Life," I left my home of several decades...in the beautiful eastern Canadian province of Nova Scotia, and am now living in the beautiful old colonial city of Cuenca, high up in the Cajas Mountains...part of the Andes range...in the tiny country of Ecuador. You can see it here...the little blue country, between Peru and Colombia. (If your eyes are as decrepit as mine, just click on any photo for a larger image)</span></div>
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I've been here seventeen weeks altogether, and am as smitten as the day I first arrived on my exploratory trip...one of the best honeymoon periods I've ever had! <g> I sold or gave away everything in Nova Scotia except seventy boxes of assorted treasures...primarily family things and hobby supplies, which will be shipped from Montreal as soon as my residency is finalized. I've planted my little garden, have settled into my new house in a predominantly Spanish community (see previous posts...will update with new photos soon), have met some wonderful people (Cuencanas and ex-pats alike), am taking Spanish lessons (OOOOHHH me nerves!), ha<span style="background-color: white;">ve travelled to the Pacific Coast, and my social life is busier than it was in my twenties! There's a very active ex-pat community here, with organized gatherings going on every day of the week...LOVIN' this retirement thing, and SO looking forward to exploring more, and to getting involved in my old hobbies again.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">I have SO MANY photos and stories to share, but today's post is ALL ABOUT THE BEACH! In Cuenca, where I live, at 8300 feet above sea level, the temperatures are moderate...up to the low seventies in the afternoons (wonderful climate for gardening) and drop quickly at night, making for SUCH comfortable sleep. I chose this area precisely for that reason. The older I get, the more heat-intolerant I have become.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">BUT...you can't live in South America and NOT go to the beaches...s</span><span style="background-color: white;">ooo...off to the coast we go! </span><span style="background-color: white;">We travelled to a surfers' paradise town called Montanita, which is about six hours drive from Cuenca, and a couple of hours from the port city of Guayaquil. We stayed in a beach house, where the only noise was the sound of the pounding surf...well...and one other...keep reading...</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">This was the view from my bedroom window, on the second floor of the house...</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">You just never know what you'll see out that window...it's a "working beach..."</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Fish...caught in the mornings, served at lunch...</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Here's some of the scenery on the quiet part of "our beach," where I'll go again in September and December and January with visiting Canadian family and friends. This is the house we stayed in for this trip, but I've found another, further down the beach...with AIR CONDITIONING!! Be still my heart! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">The first floor patio</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">The view outside the gate, where we'd sit and sip our coffee in the morning:</span></div>
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The house...</div>
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Young love...</div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Aaaahhh bliss...</span></div>
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I enjoyed swimming here EVERY SINGLE DAY...just a little warmer than the Atlantic <g></div>
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Other typical beach houses...</div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">We partied and ate and shopped in a small eclectic enclave in the town...drank Margaritas on the beach...watched lovely young people surfing and enjoying their lives...here are three young Canadian backpackers touring South America...</span></div>
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The beach in town is busy from dawn to dusk! It was great to be part of the hustle and bustle, but it was even better to go "home" at night to the sole sound of the surf.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVaXZNTBwkGbqqTlG2g0L-9FdrcBgT5_1-qxRbduz-GXVD3aFn6uKHkYY8Y3HelIEdqf8fky_jlr8y6d_kQlLbxc2jeAdX-gKISjSLWeSyZ5RVIRlTU5PIHEaWSOLQQCPa2V6Fy_Ub4Sg/s1600/Montanita+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVaXZNTBwkGbqqTlG2g0L-9FdrcBgT5_1-qxRbduz-GXVD3aFn6uKHkYY8Y3HelIEdqf8fky_jlr8y6d_kQlLbxc2jeAdX-gKISjSLWeSyZ5RVIRlTU5PIHEaWSOLQQCPa2V6Fy_Ub4Sg/s320/Montanita+16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">David (an ex-pat from the US) and Donna (an ex-pat from Maine, now living in and visiting from Mexico)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfq5PWrayhZet04yUumJdH1_jcQVdi_R80RIrb0J8gpDdFCa_mNH-aEZWxRzbgGLeNk7eo7nUKtKbFfUug8PhEtffIW3RhbT-tR7BZtH5Ffx2dX7c2CL6y54a2B50BEDzaly3alxDa1w/s1600/Montanita+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfq5PWrayhZet04yUumJdH1_jcQVdi_R80RIrb0J8gpDdFCa_mNH-aEZWxRzbgGLeNk7eo7nUKtKbFfUug8PhEtffIW3RhbT-tR7BZtH5Ffx2dX7c2CL6y54a2B50BEDzaly3alxDa1w/s320/Montanita+8.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>
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Sumana (my South african ex-pat amiga, with one of her Argentinian friends...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnYnR9ta4jNek1ILhB6Cc1DEcxQUFPo7OgJChxVNcK7s70sESx2b7sbp9nhYccmrNOUIJ140IEcr3y14PTSEIuA5O9D1RiL4_42tTMapyjNMpwYgmKOIrbJLbJndHflpBHGBoJESj43g/s1600/Montanita+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnYnR9ta4jNek1ILhB6Cc1DEcxQUFPo7OgJChxVNcK7s70sESx2b7sbp9nhYccmrNOUIJ140IEcr3y14PTSEIuA5O9D1RiL4_42tTMapyjNMpwYgmKOIrbJLbJndHflpBHGBoJESj43g/s320/Montanita+11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Another one...just for her...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHgBgqomWuOJM3eqSu7TOtJLjvH-Oq2TKA0STHjm9IrsAeMp28iNIe4kMmKThVPXiEobyptns_XXyhN6mNiR5ablPcG5AOReiDJewX-Z9zVL9wCPdt3Yf0wyfrV09wBzSn4KUKZNIKrkQ/s1600/Montanita+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHgBgqomWuOJM3eqSu7TOtJLjvH-Oq2TKA0STHjm9IrsAeMp28iNIe4kMmKThVPXiEobyptns_XXyhN6mNiR5ablPcG5AOReiDJewX-Z9zVL9wCPdt3Yf0wyfrV09wBzSn4KUKZNIKrkQ/s320/Montanita+9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">More friends...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3ewRrSxd1LBh91INQI68paoCvO3IiKWVedrz5scSnwQDxkbotL40AsJHJR1jFXMKZO-UuJpxEa5aR2uIIHUut3yr69bt23838LJ5CVqnVqXxXq-f2IOlYKk-3ad1BsjWwDK59VhHmAk/s1600/Montanita+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3ewRrSxd1LBh91INQI68paoCvO3IiKWVedrz5scSnwQDxkbotL40AsJHJR1jFXMKZO-UuJpxEa5aR2uIIHUut3yr69bt23838LJ5CVqnVqXxXq-f2IOlYKk-3ad1BsjWwDK59VhHmAk/s320/Montanita+15.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Parents and families are together most of every day...they bring their children to work...day and night...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidRDJS2VULH_Qu8IBmcWzE7YO_gI2Xl1JGbXL2ARZCC0BT8ypmOOp1u99E_tIFZVZwtwQ5EDGUsikreZVQb-XeGRPiIeHmhCPnWV_q-dTGYqqtkrCrIQVwRfGt_NQoiUSzzhowtkrystQ/s1600/Montanita+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidRDJS2VULH_Qu8IBmcWzE7YO_gI2Xl1JGbXL2ARZCC0BT8ypmOOp1u99E_tIFZVZwtwQ5EDGUsikreZVQb-XeGRPiIeHmhCPnWV_q-dTGYqqtkrCrIQVwRfGt_NQoiUSzzhowtkrystQ/s320/Montanita+12.jpg" width="295" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHoq0XgNzVZNpfUiQ1oLGPqTU-kTwWPeAeFL7TH0AJ6hqUf0MKDJjcxhfILD0M1Gs9J7YzF3OxwqOalmrr9f8IX54kIdEEbZAC8lA_yFcB5Y78II_lizPX9k4L-5KJ7EokT6fW_ALUfig/s1600/Montanita+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHoq0XgNzVZNpfUiQ1oLGPqTU-kTwWPeAeFL7TH0AJ6hqUf0MKDJjcxhfILD0M1Gs9J7YzF3OxwqOalmrr9f8IX54kIdEEbZAC8lA_yFcB5Y78II_lizPX9k4L-5KJ7EokT6fW_ALUfig/s320/Montanita+14.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYoNC0AQxLwI7G01M3ZtiHJtfB0lcSoiSUxKmX-rt_ZAHOcTDzen8xF8YnM6j6STYOW4c5_kcI6FVjMcEUjsxesOyYrnvevF9aECEptF_u_pCb3E8_IbDFurvwlLnwVpxhEnB1lzBxSfQ/s1600/Montanita+18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYoNC0AQxLwI7G01M3ZtiHJtfB0lcSoiSUxKmX-rt_ZAHOcTDzen8xF8YnM6j6STYOW4c5_kcI6FVjMcEUjsxesOyYrnvevF9aECEptF_u_pCb3E8_IbDFurvwlLnwVpxhEnB1lzBxSfQ/s320/Montanita+18.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3bH9QJVixhOqaaEiUhhC6bjKfUnrlQpWL0ET54BF9YjdqQrFiJHDeQaE0pnztnXICIJwTa0iaSrdYXoRUYRbQC3YXdpWJxdPWtzlYb47PTotL6imj9BBLasavqsRyL7JeSwxffgOy5zg/s1600/Montanita+Melissa+Victoria.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3bH9QJVixhOqaaEiUhhC6bjKfUnrlQpWL0ET54BF9YjdqQrFiJHDeQaE0pnztnXICIJwTa0iaSrdYXoRUYRbQC3YXdpWJxdPWtzlYb47PTotL6imj9BBLasavqsRyL7JeSwxffgOy5zg/s320/Montanita+Melissa+Victoria.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
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and when they're tired, they rest...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAFhREbTbgw_FiOQkbidgDZeBfiSdHyzR9iklObLBQ_IqnXOPxocBfRakQDrMvan7xgCztOthCPMLJ3LHZ4cIttdiMFBc28TVHB1s3c6TLeMzsaWy6YhMvAxcqJ8m9n4-cItteAjhmKlY/s1600/Montanita+siesta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAFhREbTbgw_FiOQkbidgDZeBfiSdHyzR9iklObLBQ_IqnXOPxocBfRakQDrMvan7xgCztOthCPMLJ3LHZ4cIttdiMFBc28TVHB1s3c6TLeMzsaWy6YhMvAxcqJ8m9n4-cItteAjhmKlY/s320/Montanita+siesta.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZUw9FvZutH3sdZuQepDkCQV2AFFFC3QEUKlcTa8l8xuEbZHTPY-WJAaMTxWt9Hwji6-nrxN0oeWlEVE_7_HmnuplV3WtQ8jk6Ss9TAxU-40OSMuofmlS822E2g3jyxKfPTchmd9WVSRk/s1600/Montanita+siesta+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZUw9FvZutH3sdZuQepDkCQV2AFFFC3QEUKlcTa8l8xuEbZHTPY-WJAaMTxWt9Hwji6-nrxN0oeWlEVE_7_HmnuplV3WtQ8jk6Ss9TAxU-40OSMuofmlS822E2g3jyxKfPTchmd9WVSRk/s320/Montanita+siesta+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Here are typical "family vehicles..." interesting 'eh?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsvx-sqWk5LXF4Ieva9PNY3n7RfwsEgH_iZSmZlJ-S5xpeiFNI9fLucrzqeKWR99mZisSMojdJoBGEhUSzs2KgebzwirZd-FgiZyjAwwyWQ6JuRCj_Q2tWk7C7Ko2B17Ds2sVTfglxn94/s1600/Montanita+transport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsvx-sqWk5LXF4Ieva9PNY3n7RfwsEgH_iZSmZlJ-S5xpeiFNI9fLucrzqeKWR99mZisSMojdJoBGEhUSzs2KgebzwirZd-FgiZyjAwwyWQ6JuRCj_Q2tWk7C7Ko2B17Ds2sVTfglxn94/s320/Montanita+transport.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4knyA3nflB_ETH8hXUTuWE4M164_6sKJEgGHuy_tWLV9Ty6pDybHJ544AQ8cc0T0Mh371IlCMllyyhp1nG2NtJVE2kJkhk-U2mR1Zf03mGpVyrGaA3cOaxKpVn2n6zXDQHS2stq4KvPU/s1600/family+vehicle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4knyA3nflB_ETH8hXUTuWE4M164_6sKJEgGHuy_tWLV9Ty6pDybHJ544AQ8cc0T0Mh371IlCMllyyhp1nG2NtJVE2kJkhk-U2mR1Zf03mGpVyrGaA3cOaxKpVn2n6zXDQHS2stq4KvPU/s320/family+vehicle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We had a fabulous time in Montanita, and I'm looking forward to going back with Canadian amigoes...but <a href="http://www.vrbo.com/388367#rates">THIS is where we'll stay for our next visits</a>. Look at the link, scroll up to see the photos, and make sure you look at the prices folks. <span style="background-color: white;">Life is GOOD in Ecuador!</span></div>
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Next post I'll show you more of my adopted city of Cuenca, so be sure to come back to visit. And speaking of visiting...I have LOTS of room for friends who need some siesta time...Casa de Marza is open!</div>
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My Cajas Mountains...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXc7Vl84ug32V2HDQIKivto5OJUAM-j6KcIyeUYd86r-WGWtVKYRfqcgXHvFW5m_ZbKmI_yN6zE0eOHRmWPKuJ7KIH5FiibfpUMAoHQIr2nrcwr1Y961FxSiGWeSKCILZrVU7W64kdBFE/s1600/mountains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXc7Vl84ug32V2HDQIKivto5OJUAM-j6KcIyeUYd86r-WGWtVKYRfqcgXHvFW5m_ZbKmI_yN6zE0eOHRmWPKuJ7KIH5FiibfpUMAoHQIr2nrcwr1Y961FxSiGWeSKCILZrVU7W64kdBFE/s320/mountains.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A street in the historical section of Cuenca...with the Catholic Cathedral in the background...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinjHSUZew-sRWeF3vyU_5TTJbhtflzUd0FWZ19_DH07kfZNRn_rNPDJi-WbQegwBVk7WnsVZ7XWWTLVuAjv4e34B6V04Epnw1qW9iRlbUNGaw4xF0_bQxZsqeIS1ctXLjjuwqNuqn-3gw/s1600/Cuenca+street+scene.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinjHSUZew-sRWeF3vyU_5TTJbhtflzUd0FWZ19_DH07kfZNRn_rNPDJi-WbQegwBVk7WnsVZ7XWWTLVuAjv4e34B6V04Epnw1qW9iRlbUNGaw4xF0_bQxZsqeIS1ctXLjjuwqNuqn-3gw/s320/Cuenca+street+scene.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">The first hibiscus blossoms in my little garden...more to come!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTYTjVE-nOgBJeqAv2H79P6wzGoXWToi9tIgdvW5cYP3goGiSzOZgwEtdaC5uXNOGmtqA5aPeuYL9WJcB6RF798Xj2oIKRgJYLBgGeMvuS1_UkGPD-KZzorrDaDzHzCVPRrvxEmHBLhXU/s1600/Hibiscus+first+blossoms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTYTjVE-nOgBJeqAv2H79P6wzGoXWToi9tIgdvW5cYP3goGiSzOZgwEtdaC5uXNOGmtqA5aPeuYL9WJcB6RF798Xj2oIKRgJYLBgGeMvuS1_UkGPD-KZzorrDaDzHzCVPRrvxEmHBLhXU/s320/Hibiscus+first+blossoms.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Friends enjoying dinner at our regular Saturday night venue...the Secret Garden in Cuenca...Penny, Deb, and Vickie...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ihjeFPwuc2KTfhSbPb-VZRbfAJWP3oU5fl7bLH4mnaPRfiPBUmhm0_O6mi3wqFNuzkq6EFvlGRpc6vtelGQORgvqWZaP3LZ1I7YRC5M2D8u_tLh1WxuZDoCluyFBj9Lz2d5JDgqjKeQ/s1600/Friends+at+Joes+May+19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ihjeFPwuc2KTfhSbPb-VZRbfAJWP3oU5fl7bLH4mnaPRfiPBUmhm0_O6mi3wqFNuzkq6EFvlGRpc6vtelGQORgvqWZaP3LZ1I7YRC5M2D8u_tLh1WxuZDoCluyFBj9Lz2d5JDgqjKeQ/s320/Friends+at+Joes+May+19.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Beauty...</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Thanks for visiting...hope you'll let me know you were here...</span></div>
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Deborah Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211999112146380759noreply@blogger.com120tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687746957683653579.post-28991621671863986532012-02-16T17:33:00.042-08:002015-05-08T17:10:30.576-07:00It's been a while!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA1LYpldrGZPQX8MLnt1umqjhl4oNDM2OQXhDRcadUS9Yt2xJ9xVxhvan8v7xCI42TA2V3lS6tDolYsdGJjcO6XuPGDGpxu0wY-wPJE5yw8SyI-3tUop3ZzJek1cvrVjp94a8tM6gpoJA/s1600/Cappucino+Jan+25+Coffee+Tree.jpg" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710857555021713298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA1LYpldrGZPQX8MLnt1umqjhl4oNDM2OQXhDRcadUS9Yt2xJ9xVxhvan8v7xCI42TA2V3lS6tDolYsdGJjcO6XuPGDGpxu0wY-wPJE5yw8SyI-3tUop3ZzJek1cvrVjp94a8tM6gpoJA/s400/Cappucino+Jan+25+Coffee+Tree.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 360px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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Life in South America...amazing, complicated, busy, friendly, exhilarating...the list goes on. It takes a few hours each time I edit pictures and update my blog, and I've been so busy that updating has been low on my list, but here goes. Speaking of editing and updating, I'm not sure what's happening with my blog text formatting these days, so you'll likely see several different fonts in this post till I get it figured out...a technical whiz I am NOT!</div>
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THIS is how I start most days...at the Coffee Tree in El Centro...a LARGE cappucino for $1.90. I just LOVE new routines. (You can get a beer for $1.50...lol) This is a WiFi cafe, so I can spend a couple of hours on the computer, or the IPOD, catching up with things back home, and enjoying as many of these cappucinos as my nerves can stand.Then I toddle off to the Kookaburra Cafe to meet with friends for...MORE coffee! The Kookaburra is currently owned by Chris and Jenny, friendly Aussie ex-pats and artists. They've recently sold the cafe to CANADIANS, and will be moving on to Paute, Ecuador, to spend more time with their art. Carol and her husband Rick will take over, officially, in May, and have promised to keep that most wonderful nutty grainy natural BREAD on their menu. Check <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g294309-d1636517-Reviews-Kookaburra_Cafe-Cuenca.html">Trip Advisor's compliments...just click the link right here.</a></div>
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Okay, so here's a veritable feast for the eyes...some of the beautiful architecture I've enjoyed here...again and again......the cathedrals will take your breath away, and you don't even have to be Catholic to be amazed. I'll post some pics of the stunning interiors next week. THIS is the "new" Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. It's located on one side of the main inner city park, Parque Calderon, which is a wonderfully BUSY place, with new sights and sounds every single day! Sometimes, I take my e-reader downtown with me and spend a couple of hours in the park, reading and watching the (ALWAYS interesting) people traffic. History lesson: construction of the cathedral started in 1880, and was completed ninety four years later...REALLY! My land-lady's grandfather made bricks for this church. The HUGE pillars are covered with pink Italian Carerra marble. The cathedral includes three different architectural styles, Roman, Gothic and Baroque, and the roof was constructed in the Renaissance style, with a series of six blue and white cuppolas of different heights. It's an architectural landmark in El Centro (the old city), and acts as a perfect landmark for the geographically impaired (myself included!).</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXnBkHuWo6uZYelpUBWRpMJccNQwXwBDqWCkMADTmXApxCJBVQVf6c9cLQrudPmVoqon2PE7sIrw3z0dsMUyktfUl4Q44K5xJ53O2qPud9cDZOWPEIsG-U0WZNssYN-L51MQ9cka0Cps/s1600/cathedral+old+and+new+1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709927572115322370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXnBkHuWo6uZYelpUBWRpMJccNQwXwBDqWCkMADTmXApxCJBVQVf6c9cLQrudPmVoqon2PE7sIrw3z0dsMUyktfUl4Q44K5xJ53O2qPud9cDZOWPEIsG-U0WZNssYN-L51MQ9cka0Cps/s400/cathedral+old+and+new+1.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">This cathedral takes up two full city blocks...must be SEEN to be believed.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7zulo_6Axk7dcL1UCEcXun9iCDhknCEOp-7w3MHuw7XzRlhxl2Gn423LNOSTQFYGADn2AhOKUZRmgrlufiOF017jRUti27jxWX4tkt8T3oSYD14_WqqFiNTsM0FAKm-91MjmyD6x4ELQ/s1600/cathedral+new+side.jpg" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709927345084126130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7zulo_6Axk7dcL1UCEcXun9iCDhknCEOp-7w3MHuw7XzRlhxl2Gn423LNOSTQFYGADn2AhOKUZRmgrlufiOF017jRUti27jxWX4tkt8T3oSYD14_WqqFiNTsM0FAKm-91MjmyD6x4ELQ/s400/cathedral+new+side.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">I'm TICKLED PINK with this pic, taken from the rooftop of a friend's apartment building during a very VERY happy ex-pat party last weekend. The cathedral towers are lit up in different colours for different occasions...SO beautiful!<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyiontJdCA3ahciAKfHPMz7l46s-nDASptg84d55CrpW3fk1DIoydLOSNtLoEx3HyJZArJvjtMPpQcDp2RbqRhpHpGfNrx-oOVFbMBpbLoR-tmp4xxvOxQQDy6JkiOSArOXY5nWVCQq5Y/s1600/cathedral+new+4+dark.jpg" style="font-size: 100%; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709919190070726418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyiontJdCA3ahciAKfHPMz7l46s-nDASptg84d55CrpW3fk1DIoydLOSNtLoEx3HyJZArJvjtMPpQcDp2RbqRhpHpGfNrx-oOVFbMBpbLoR-tmp4xxvOxQQDy6JkiOSArOXY5nWVCQq5Y/s400/cathedral+new+4+dark.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Now here's a smaller church, in Chordeleg Ecuador, about an hour from Cuenca...I've been here several times now...such a PRETTY village.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWVLXY8i92PjlKs9R232QQSgP4uiGZTuXgGqiTdHVy1B32iEnf4tC-ADR7cIjMExf6ha0c9wn0nMhci7P3poNWDnnMzc1cnhKVLYlHC9SsTgFlyRRuE_5iiq0zLnZ3FLzd_YpRzcTkuFg/s1600/Chordeleg+1.jpg" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709929932752711122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWVLXY8i92PjlKs9R232QQSgP4uiGZTuXgGqiTdHVy1B32iEnf4tC-ADR7cIjMExf6ha0c9wn0nMhci7P3poNWDnnMzc1cnhKVLYlHC9SsTgFlyRRuE_5iiq0zLnZ3FLzd_YpRzcTkuFg/s400/Chordeleg+1.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Last time I was there, I was so lucky to watch a dance competition. Young and old indigenous women and men...swirling and twirling...showing us their happiness in the old traditions...</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6eOqTNNVmQNAVs5xszrRXUgi5kMr6n3u1aojKe2r45K8gWVK2C6IYF3oP9IavHD0SVuxEDXhronEkov9V6-EGguh8bzk9FtL3560OtEVBXIVd89aw33HtcWJal6hUWooH2aHmonPJRsM/s1600/Chordeleg+dancers+2e.jpg" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709931463763978642" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6eOqTNNVmQNAVs5xszrRXUgi5kMr6n3u1aojKe2r45K8gWVK2C6IYF3oP9IavHD0SVuxEDXhronEkov9V6-EGguh8bzk9FtL3560OtEVBXIVd89aw33HtcWJal6hUWooH2aHmonPJRsM/s400/Chordeleg+dancers+2e.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 369px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcSMWLU-M06zFBftyC0fjgB5kj4_mQ52mNyamMQqcYO7ozM4HcamKRRXJXkjW4iMDJVK9q_IS70dM2KPTd33xz8I5xCMGUbBrcBZphPwgIadpELYaFRq6dvFuwNWNvzrauEZ42TWq_WU/s1600/Chordeleg+dancers+2b.jpg" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709931271789545986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcSMWLU-M06zFBftyC0fjgB5kj4_mQ52mNyamMQqcYO7ozM4HcamKRRXJXkjW4iMDJVK9q_IS70dM2KPTd33xz8I5xCMGUbBrcBZphPwgIadpELYaFRq6dvFuwNWNvzrauEZ42TWq_WU/s400/Chordeleg+dancers+2b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 317px;" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8sWQgb73v8oWqCUQajlF45h84UurlKM5U3A4G2t2cYyJMAR1gf2f3xLQaFdY7Ek90o6NO2dTp6HNQThUNyT8vyMZgw3wyD_HpIqUgM_dOzt0L6KaQS5uSM9imkMBstBEiVQhd4Q77-RM/s1600/Chordeleg+9b.jpg" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709931079584477186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8sWQgb73v8oWqCUQajlF45h84UurlKM5U3A4G2t2cYyJMAR1gf2f3xLQaFdY7Ek90o6NO2dTp6HNQThUNyT8vyMZgw3wyD_HpIqUgM_dOzt0L6KaQS5uSM9imkMBstBEiVQhd4Q77-RM/s400/Chordeleg+9b.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 311px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-H-TUejxExxjNozeAYjaCzPEZ9BQkc32uZIUpTBCS0WzdS-gF_yQyDrsv6AcyWdjafT7giLU940SFieN044V3iKEkE1fLx8GqZFIPxhVJfudVtqTnt9NWx8ii4Go8lJo7dg0R2CVyE7c/s1600/Chordeleg+dancers+17.jpg" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709931654567694114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-H-TUejxExxjNozeAYjaCzPEZ9BQkc32uZIUpTBCS0WzdS-gF_yQyDrsv6AcyWdjafT7giLU940SFieN044V3iKEkE1fLx8GqZFIPxhVJfudVtqTnt9NWx8ii4Go8lJo7dg0R2CVyE7c/s400/Chordeleg+dancers+17.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 288px;" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc4W7B0vx-6GLU91y3FZWJCcrrpIXuYwsSwqDqd98evLpTHKV3VrfiBJ5xoxUrOpRpnV-PaBO4UBPhp0a8BW9F24HsJ3tfAph4Y711zHYeD3yIiSg9zvUBDYd662lk5i83KdyYdaqbzlc/s1600/Chordeleg+dancers+2h.jpg" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709933413077518562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc4W7B0vx-6GLU91y3FZWJCcrrpIXuYwsSwqDqd98evLpTHKV3VrfiBJ5xoxUrOpRpnV-PaBO4UBPhp0a8BW9F24HsJ3tfAph4Y711zHYeD3yIiSg9zvUBDYd662lk5i83KdyYdaqbzlc/s400/Chordeleg+dancers+2h.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 251px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Aren't these GORGEOUS...more handmade/hand-painted ceramics:</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">To close this post, here are pics of my new house! I've signed a lease for a year...happy happy joy joy! Who KNOWS what will happen after that...but meanwhile, mi casa es su casa...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ElzNN4jxRvmNefJZAxi1vwgV-vf0-DJ3pY-hlJl_uqnc4ZPLwaBSPSgRfA3at8rkOuY3kyqV6x-TC4nntPf7Q85tADDQTn2VyFW42QNrf-_3aPOYF2L5Hv448r8vrB2MpK-oxuF5jXg/s1600/Home+1a.jpg" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710273247942013378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ElzNN4jxRvmNefJZAxi1vwgV-vf0-DJ3pY-hlJl_uqnc4ZPLwaBSPSgRfA3at8rkOuY3kyqV6x-TC4nntPf7Q85tADDQTn2VyFW42QNrf-_3aPOYF2L5Hv448r8vrB2MpK-oxuF5jXg/s400/Home+1a.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 234px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Now you KNOW that this wee garden will be FILLED with flowers by the time you visit!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAJx1sHvNoy3zYywrSXEcGGlnrv16GlfyNK9ljP_jEn__jY7ceUhvjkM4Foez19IfW58b2uxS73GSuVz27JiDK5U3RuYAascxUt44kdLj9JmSPaMw1JpkKVvKdHdhEOTS39Aob0eDSIs/s1600/Home+1.jpg" style="font-size: 100%; text-align: left;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710272824882538994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAJx1sHvNoy3zYywrSXEcGGlnrv16GlfyNK9ljP_jEn__jY7ceUhvjkM4Foez19IfW58b2uxS73GSuVz27JiDK5U3RuYAascxUt44kdLj9JmSPaMw1JpkKVvKdHdhEOTS39Aob0eDSIs/s400/Home+1.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">My new neighbour will have just a little competition. We only have a tiny green space, but look what they've done with it! My townhouse is the end unit, so I have another green space on the side as well, about twice this size...enough room for a little light gardening, not enough to be overwhelming.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQy5Q48uxTJ9DMnas3ZY9MVDQPATb5H4XKWUo04OTWjfuLx9zf7Vovjluk9S87zRJM6VFSAGiz3i5gV-D3wcZhUJSva3nSTPbpsUqjVBcvl1njYCjqZoyeF4XfIxq7cZBSIf52hGgdIAw/s1600/garden+neighbour.jpg" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710522506942876594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQy5Q48uxTJ9DMnas3ZY9MVDQPATb5H4XKWUo04OTWjfuLx9zf7Vovjluk9S87zRJM6VFSAGiz3i5gV-D3wcZhUJSva3nSTPbpsUqjVBcvl1njYCjqZoyeF4XfIxq7cZBSIf52hGgdIAw/s400/garden+neighbour.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaMU3TqfMd5hJGXcbnxqOlzIEXGHVZywweaKnfhJRy7g2iQeFqmp18TFTfI1IvgPa1k88oKTfX8T1N9iMp3wjq05dM4_a_EQG_2bCqwFlfti0PCdrGL2v09k9ahLY-lg2p79jqGyYb2cA/s1600/Home+guest+bedroom.jpg" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710273792334330290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaMU3TqfMd5hJGXcbnxqOlzIEXGHVZywweaKnfhJRy7g2iQeFqmp18TFTfI1IvgPa1k88oKTfX8T1N9iMp3wjq05dM4_a_EQG_2bCqwFlfti0PCdrGL2v09k9ahLY-lg2p79jqGyYb2cA/s400/Home+guest+bedroom.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Finally, a little "Iguana art..." courtesy of my San Francisco friend Lois...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_q-1GgHlxsOIP2_srUa5mPJ2fKf_EURKiKAvJ3VRs23ETdUB3s0FFxXCmYGtcUyTuzyvRYg3HDryQschVCiVqagzPtzfNyz0qkbZJZn3RI8EuWBlKlLdaEOGtSNiV-eSf3ypcQRuVacc/s1600/Iguanas.jpg" style="font-size: 100%; text-align: left;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710274283960367186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_q-1GgHlxsOIP2_srUa5mPJ2fKf_EURKiKAvJ3VRs23ETdUB3s0FFxXCmYGtcUyTuzyvRYg3HDryQschVCiVqagzPtzfNyz0qkbZJZn3RI8EuWBlKlLdaEOGtSNiV-eSf3ypcQRuVacc/s400/Iguanas.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 271px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">...and just a couple more of beautiful Latina children. This little girl comes with her mother every day, as Mum works in an open air stall selling handmade jewelry. I purchased a woven bracelet for a special grandson there.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwk9ej49-GVKdFeFZqRIfcUFm4dt7L9d11zYHHVYWTD8w1e_WHak82kJBiG-MqYR7u8pRx7426uMWwqed92GRw5pH9FZK5kSEF3bUQGqI44GIfcyr3wbREweGu_XlSEc9S6NieM8bjxiE/s1600/baby.jpg" style="font-size: 100%;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710520914794162978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwk9ej49-GVKdFeFZqRIfcUFm4dt7L9d11zYHHVYWTD8w1e_WHak82kJBiG-MqYR7u8pRx7426uMWwqed92GRw5pH9FZK5kSEF3bUQGqI44GIfcyr3wbREweGu_XlSEc9S6NieM8bjxiE/s400/baby.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 370px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; width: 400px;" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">This is often how indigenous women carry their small children...as they work all day in open air markets, or simply on the streets, selling fruit, vegetables and handmade treasures.</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Q1j-olts7AzMvhHH4hjD9YBMnjMD5qeMVP4OQJGrTr29z9v9zDxYvZMQMsLMQsgplj0QddiqsvAg0uUyU4wfVl4oE0FoH7Vena-aP2viWBUte-Za2BKMdJICnw9YQNIbCrksLwAb9fc/s1600/crossing+the+street.jpg" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710530531237162834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Q1j-olts7AzMvhHH4hjD9YBMnjMD5qeMVP4OQJGrTr29z9v9zDxYvZMQMsLMQsgplj0QddiqsvAg0uUyU4wfVl4oE0FoH7Vena-aP2viWBUte-Za2BKMdJICnw9YQNIbCrksLwAb9fc/s400/crossing+the+street.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 290px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">Have a wonderful weekend, wherever you are...wishing you time with the people you love, doing the things that you love to do.</span></div>
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Deborah Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211999112146380759noreply@blogger.com53tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687746957683653579.post-34394612005215052272012-02-04T20:13:00.001-08:002012-02-10T17:33:06.293-08:00My heart is full...<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><g><div style="text-align: center;">MORE Ecuadorian flora and fauna! Now before you GROAN, just remember...THIS is what I left in Nova Scotia (the province I LOVE) the day before my departure:</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2QUPY2Zwl8JiTjqqmlzN5NbMTsO5lhkYKLq1aBupVb6WPtEZBuppDEU8tBH2xVng-NpKl7_mhmqrF25SgCzeK5kwfGOeyYWSkJJ59dLHLdyTV84eBlE_nPpoAzbmrfdI5MRZMQ_DEu08/s1600/NS2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2QUPY2Zwl8JiTjqqmlzN5NbMTsO5lhkYKLq1aBupVb6WPtEZBuppDEU8tBH2xVng-NpKl7_mhmqrF25SgCzeK5kwfGOeyYWSkJJ59dLHLdyTV84eBlE_nPpoAzbmrfdI5MRZMQ_DEu08/s400/NS2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705501276472266882" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The colours...the delicate beauty of these treasures below...balm for the soul...</div></div></g><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPW-1Ve14uImflEM9w_242IGH_uyVD9rjtlXlpNAOi5JxfDB07WlDY8KsaFdK3OSAlH3hmcYLXHDrmEA0Q58AzndvqKD-mQ8vo_i1obEdODs0X552YIscdLVKybipF5FmFINOpVgm_uAg/s1600/Flora+fauna+20+hibiscus+Chordeleg.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 323px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPW-1Ve14uImflEM9w_242IGH_uyVD9rjtlXlpNAOi5JxfDB07WlDY8KsaFdK3OSAlH3hmcYLXHDrmEA0Q58AzndvqKD-mQ8vo_i1obEdODs0X552YIscdLVKybipF5FmFINOpVgm_uAg/s400/Flora+fauna+20+hibiscus+Chordeleg.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705502869630170274" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Hibiscus...try as I did, the closest I ever came to growing these stunning flowers (in my Nova Scotia gardening) was a "Rose of Sharon," which took SIX YEARS to give me a single blossom. I think I have two thousand pictures of that one lonely lavender beauty <g>.</g></div><div style="text-align: center;"><g><br /></g></div><g><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIsqcDM8wi5KnMYNgaJSl2KNnZTAJnHJxkJCXdbBbR_zxySt78MoYVdzX97d-lfrMRPvBLzqJWsj3XoPHiF75tO375EdhhyphenhyphenvCn1RMDGGQgT_FoFfY95m__IByU53eveU3IHT8gG5tHhJI/s1600/Flora+fauna+18+hibiscus+Chordeleg.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 399px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIsqcDM8wi5KnMYNgaJSl2KNnZTAJnHJxkJCXdbBbR_zxySt78MoYVdzX97d-lfrMRPvBLzqJWsj3XoPHiF75tO375EdhhyphenhyphenvCn1RMDGGQgT_FoFfY95m__IByU53eveU3IHT8gG5tHhJI/s400/Flora+fauna+18+hibiscus+Chordeleg.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705502653542999442" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">These three pictures of the peach coloured hibiscus were taken in a traffic island in Chordeleg, a beautiful community about an hour from here (more about that coming...)</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMyRVm_e58Ol7tBOTNXrLnxk-VpYcFj0KhI82fjhOBk78g6Qk5aFGL1ePwqYu8437i5qMNG7Kgoj7wGgtRnZMN5pnFxmsr0ThpqNGgd7K5x04D_mkUcCrRMCB4oozeQCpNL7THUpXFWn4/s1600/Flora+fauna+21+hibiscus+Chordeleg.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 367px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMyRVm_e58Ol7tBOTNXrLnxk-VpYcFj0KhI82fjhOBk78g6Qk5aFGL1ePwqYu8437i5qMNG7Kgoj7wGgtRnZMN5pnFxmsr0ThpqNGgd7K5x04D_mkUcCrRMCB4oozeQCpNL7THUpXFWn4/s400/Flora+fauna+21+hibiscus+Chordeleg.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705502432061291186" /></a></div></g><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I shall HAVE these in my South American gardens!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lovely 'eh? OH! You want MORE? Okay, I'm here to oblige...from my landlady's garden...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZL2e9Q_sTU-hiwyIowavzBWhxkme5HiEqzsGx7didzWBDloFPkIwKmtxwcTeljU22yreMLEDLTSsxt3GnTw5YxfiudVIUf2UqcocTHfFX8Mygj8MAJSr8xTSzrno4wLMX9KHvGyvd2HE/s1600/Flora+fauna+19+hibiscus+R+and+M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 394px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZL2e9Q_sTU-hiwyIowavzBWhxkme5HiEqzsGx7didzWBDloFPkIwKmtxwcTeljU22yreMLEDLTSsxt3GnTw5YxfiudVIUf2UqcocTHfFX8Mygj8MAJSr8xTSzrno4wLMX9KHvGyvd2HE/s400/Flora+fauna+19+hibiscus+R+and+M.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705504632774884066" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhge8jqEbtCv-TUISAESEsUPhTFbtLe9VKU5-Nq8QTCvTAYTFCPs8q0DVBYybCv9EonTNVE89EaKPi5FEbDp23-lqnZ3Lw8mGgGhElzqX9rLIl9x4nqOP3NL01Q8_a9Km-wIikZD_Qmw/s1600/Flora+fauna+22+hibiscus+Chordoleg.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 382px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhge8jqEbtCv-TUISAESEsUPhTFbtLe9VKU5-Nq8QTCvTAYTFCPs8q0DVBYybCv9EonTNVE89EaKPi5FEbDp23-lqnZ3Lw8mGgGhElzqX9rLIl9x4nqOP3NL01Q8_a9Km-wIikZD_Qmw/s400/Flora+fauna+22+hibiscus+Chordoleg.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705505240858112322" /></a><br />Now THESE little beauties grow in well tended gardens at the only "western style" shopping centre (the Mall del Rio) near where I'm staying in Santa Ana de los Cuatro Rios de Cuenca.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaKjNV5nbQW5Lw7KhwZ-Wo3sKEWPE9tb3x1VGrZPhyphenhyphenaov_Om28u_GtxFe_ZRAyMsumMWsplhUOGju61jmL8_jOByX_CIaTucMN_d6UhXOo21_OtusdxXx2gkM1XQq1AzOKUBQ70pvCXZE/s1600/flora+and+fauna+mall+4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 392px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaKjNV5nbQW5Lw7KhwZ-Wo3sKEWPE9tb3x1VGrZPhyphenhyphenaov_Om28u_GtxFe_ZRAyMsumMWsplhUOGju61jmL8_jOByX_CIaTucMN_d6UhXOo21_OtusdxXx2gkM1XQq1AzOKUBQ70pvCXZE/s400/flora+and+fauna+mall+4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705506353697708306" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZdgST3MIUQFd1m7KLA1ybPxMNd-j6IhPPkram29diUeCOxgYf4zdodpOEP-VFcyTsRfmOelSQ15zmWsI3KPXpamB6zk5_X8vYRynC2k2HZJ9LV7_-XCVO6eVz6tHiqxWIA18fWbb616I/s1600/flora+and+fauna+mall+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 366px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZdgST3MIUQFd1m7KLA1ybPxMNd-j6IhPPkram29diUeCOxgYf4zdodpOEP-VFcyTsRfmOelSQ15zmWsI3KPXpamB6zk5_X8vYRynC2k2HZJ9LV7_-XCVO6eVz6tHiqxWIA18fWbb616I/s400/flora+and+fauna+mall+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705506524820500818" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO0vcxq75yJUuMngKXKEynvpnYkYlzoSlrpDE8cysGl7JnH-PG-MmdB3Z_r9EcLVZtgYHh7aGpTS5yoZrCdp9GmF3bttKnA9Emtc6Lfh5I5yQqcrtQKkESw2FTYI0jrVnfA5wWlGFFG48/s1600/flora+and+fauna+mall+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 354px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO0vcxq75yJUuMngKXKEynvpnYkYlzoSlrpDE8cysGl7JnH-PG-MmdB3Z_r9EcLVZtgYHh7aGpTS5yoZrCdp9GmF3bttKnA9Emtc6Lfh5I5yQqcrtQKkESw2FTYI0jrVnfA5wWlGFFG48/s400/flora+and+fauna+mall+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705507365733736114" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">You LIKE these? Well, hold on to your gardener's HAT...here come the ORCHIDS!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYdFAC_MeEnjdF4zU1K5g3uSTXcs8CCCKad7htHNNK47aR1QvxsOW8IRTvZB8L6fcpjgCEFZre5ytHStzRojvj0Q-Fsqz6bNlxi2O28_o9R6rAfEdMMYIY6UCvVG34uiEjW5xJo3oLIX0/s1600/orchid+7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 396px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYdFAC_MeEnjdF4zU1K5g3uSTXcs8CCCKad7htHNNK47aR1QvxsOW8IRTvZB8L6fcpjgCEFZre5ytHStzRojvj0Q-Fsqz6bNlxi2O28_o9R6rAfEdMMYIY6UCvVG34uiEjW5xJo3oLIX0/s400/orchid+7.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705509525383405746" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwB73y4wFc4EapifKeqJ7VA8GjcqSH_QFA0sKd-Le-nRwuvYV6XNei7HrwYIPa8GwzUOT8h2fr5gFSqtctgjWkeq4AIU9uVJqxCn6V_2N51BfEMajmwjjHnRLKwPMrhTZ_69Q6AzM3B6o/s1600/orchid+6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwB73y4wFc4EapifKeqJ7VA8GjcqSH_QFA0sKd-Le-nRwuvYV6XNei7HrwYIPa8GwzUOT8h2fr5gFSqtctgjWkeq4AIU9uVJqxCn6V_2N51BfEMajmwjjHnRLKwPMrhTZ_69Q6AzM3B6o/s400/orchid+6.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705509092780937682" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYfmvEFT-D4Ulxk15jzbXEXYIY3YNkiVfPEd_obAhEgf_pw1HAQds7EGyjQtr7UJOL0G0j0VWuPzAmGAduakdFks8E0Kky1skZSSgP_yjaJp61-iNfuAuJgmZyy4HLoGzkpgybWyn688/s1600/orchid+9.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 399px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYfmvEFT-D4Ulxk15jzbXEXYIY3YNkiVfPEd_obAhEgf_pw1HAQds7EGyjQtr7UJOL0G0j0VWuPzAmGAduakdFks8E0Kky1skZSSgP_yjaJp61-iNfuAuJgmZyy4HLoGzkpgybWyn688/s400/orchid+9.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705508848451414962" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGyq7ZQjOEf50vMcWHPnZCLocZS3NfrmeOj7bkuW2CUfUa8erFBj4MaEdbBuosOvM4o61CuNIz9QEwKQj5DWuQVcwwH-T37oHsJmgjfQ5HGNLIKAOm-rSCyJwArj43loeM8xgg4tkkpLA/s1600/orchid+4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 324px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGyq7ZQjOEf50vMcWHPnZCLocZS3NfrmeOj7bkuW2CUfUa8erFBj4MaEdbBuosOvM4o61CuNIz9QEwKQj5DWuQVcwwH-T37oHsJmgjfQ5HGNLIKAOm-rSCyJwArj43loeM8xgg4tkkpLA/s400/orchid+4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705508625662240834" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjyyvlEa-EE4KP2t6zkG7bbSj1QL3fIWA3NOEQHrn8j2iTLvIf512jUSTMzQW72ma_o7uDD4NgVZfGvQ7M4hiOMA9knpgPXIt7CSc5Hsv9zwxfawOl4FUMjIUn1g85qDQOjUzLWx43XU/s1600/orchid+5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 354px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjyyvlEa-EE4KP2t6zkG7bbSj1QL3fIWA3NOEQHrn8j2iTLvIf512jUSTMzQW72ma_o7uDD4NgVZfGvQ7M4hiOMA9knpgPXIt7CSc5Hsv9zwxfawOl4FUMjIUn1g85qDQOjUzLWx43XU/s400/orchid+5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705508469389530338" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNN4VdTuxkK1tGddy2R6OtI8htDLrm77QAsFsJAn0rmyuAwruRM1mSQYfje_0MjsMLN7BDoLWOjY0oymOu168R9JlVqBdIxikZ-jhugZsCVOPU7Y21wz2dOJ4B4P8QixXOBto9x7oG6R8/s1600/orchid+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 312px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNN4VdTuxkK1tGddy2R6OtI8htDLrm77QAsFsJAn0rmyuAwruRM1mSQYfje_0MjsMLN7BDoLWOjY0oymOu168R9JlVqBdIxikZ-jhugZsCVOPU7Y21wz2dOJ4B4P8QixXOBto9x7oG6R8/s400/orchid+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705508254908215090" /></a>Now, if you're interested in seeing more orchids, with MUCH better photography than mine, <a href="http://www.ecuagenera.com/epages/whitelabel4.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/ecuagenera/Categories/%22FLORES%20CORTADAS%20DE%20ORQU%C3%8DDEAS%22">just click on this link</a>, which will take you to an orchid farm just outside the city, where I've decided to be a frequent visitor. For the obsessed (and relatively wealthy) orchid lovers out there, you can also do a <a href="http://www.ecuagenera.com/epages/whitelabel4.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/ecuagenera/Categories/%22Orchid%20tours%22">ten day tour around Ecuador</a>, including the Andes mountains and the Amazon. Step right up!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Okay okay...enough of the flowers...I HEAR you. (But if you need any more, just e-mail me, I can send you thousands...) On to more experiences then.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">First of all, please <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150460669991752.356018.563081751&type=3&l=5faacada08">click right here</a> to see photos of an organic farm for sale here in Ecuador. The story: I met Jennifer at a restaurant near Parque Calderon, in the centre of old Cuenca. She translated some Spanish for me when I had no idea what I was eating! Jennifer is an Aussie ex-pat with a master's degree in agriculture; she and her Ecuadorian husband own/farm this beautiful property in Vilcabamba together. Can you IMAGINE walking to "work" along the rivers in these pics! My daughter (the "earth mother") and her four little boys would be in HEAVEN. Bliss.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">One of my favourite places to go here is "Joe's Secret Garden." I go every Saturday night, to meet and chat with ex-pats, to eat the fabulous food prepared by father and son Joe and Yosef, to enjoy their spectacular gardens, and just to socialize. Now, why is it called a "secret" garden...aaahhh well, that's because you have to receive a private invitation! Now this is something I've never experienced before. It's a cross between a restaurant and a private dinner party. Joe and Yosef put on a FABULOUS spread every week; we enjoy appetizers in their gardens, and dinner at several tables throughout their home, all set with fine linens and china. Most meals cost about twelve whole dollars, plus the cost of whatever you choose to imbibe.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Joe-the-Dad at the outside cooker, with a little hunk of beef from the BBQ...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCNnaKnLC7YoKv2ZStM52-lVLyBdRPgqagIxhGodkWy8VEwspmiH72fmLiCPNwoThuhDxeVA98ajAVPwIjsXx36KDFxEScdoJxRrzZEIkvcFi5xOT5Mj6P2aGsVJZl7TmAa_ECzbDmIw/s1600/JSG+Joe.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCNnaKnLC7YoKv2ZStM52-lVLyBdRPgqagIxhGodkWy8VEwspmiH72fmLiCPNwoThuhDxeVA98ajAVPwIjsXx36KDFxEScdoJxRrzZEIkvcFi5xOT5Mj6P2aGsVJZl7TmAa_ECzbDmIw/s400/JSG+Joe.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705512046142857266" /></a>Yosef-the-son also at the outside cooker...OH...and if you need it, young Joseph is also a trained hairdresser and a trained computer tech! One stop shopping!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGzfoqpRo-7y7mVVGb8-qGra98rDw61OBhB-wvuxK_brhDDqyGkS1GDlJCsQzuNugENQ8FPJzhVB8Tl4vO5Xlzgt_zVb_UCkoo1bqPTEyJZeZfGHVgMFPFAPMFANHmMtV3pyaw1bTG9UM/s1600/JSG+Joseph.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 361px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGzfoqpRo-7y7mVVGb8-qGra98rDw61OBhB-wvuxK_brhDDqyGkS1GDlJCsQzuNugENQ8FPJzhVB8Tl4vO5Xlzgt_zVb_UCkoo1bqPTEyJZeZfGHVgMFPFAPMFANHmMtV3pyaw1bTG9UM/s400/JSG+Joseph.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705511865847659954" /></a><br />They are the most gracious hosts, and their soirees are usually booked SOLID within a day or two of their e-mail invitations, so we have to hit "reply" as soon as the e-mail comes in!<br /><br />Now a story...the first dinner I attended there, Joe-the-Dad came to chat with me, heard I was from Halifax, and said<br /><br />"HALIFAX!? I just KNEW it!! Do you REMEMBER me?"<br /><br />Okay...deer-caught-in-the-headlights-time...I was scrolling back through my faulty memory, thinking (with more than a little consternation)<br /><br />"Ooohhh, was this guy a SAILOR? Was he a CLIENT!?"<br /><br />(I was an Air Force social worker in a previous life, and NO, I do NOT remember every single client...)<br /><br />So Joe waits as I grow ever-more-uncomfortable, then says...with this sad (accusing!) face...<br /><br />"You really DON'T remember me, do you?"<br /><br />Had to 'fess up.<br /><br />"No I really don't, I'm sorry...please remind me how we met..."<br /><br />to which he responded<br /><br />"We never did. I've never been in Halifax in my life...but I sure am glad you're here!"<br /><br />Well, that was my FIRST experience at his Secret Garden, and I was hooked right away! If you're interested in getting on his mailing list for your next trip to Ecuador, <g> <g><a href="http://jardinsecreto.webs.com/"> just click here</a>, and tell him the Nova Scotian sent you. Within a week or so, one of the local food writers, Sumana (an ex-pat from South Africa, with the most beautifully musical accent) will be posting a review of Joe's Secret Garden at<a href="http://www.cuencahighlife.com/"> Cuenca High Life</a>. Watch for it...you just never KNOW when you'll want to come here!<br /><br />This was their watermelon punch today...laced liberally with Vodka. YUM!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWjrb2vGc7SIpFDsvP4LGWkrCaNrPAVBk8CXJrXGRsfyH2QN_aH1KFVVmUROrMGMbI-LHP_wNkzk6jMnaXO6cuMP11IZpUT_kNUXpUzD9Fk76w-r4ygRh1AsfUFbpIu5_U6LPrxPOiPc/s1600/JSC+Watermelon+Punch.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 351px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWjrb2vGc7SIpFDsvP4LGWkrCaNrPAVBk8CXJrXGRsfyH2QN_aH1KFVVmUROrMGMbI-LHP_wNkzk6jMnaXO6cuMP11IZpUT_kNUXpUzD9Fk76w-r4ygRh1AsfUFbpIu5_U6LPrxPOiPc/s400/JSC+Watermelon+Punch.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705567990730686562" /></a></g></g></div><div style="text-align: center;">So, besides flowers and food, there were other delightful experiences this past week.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here are a few pictures of the second trip to Chordeleg...OOOHHH the beautiful handmade silver filigree jewelry! The bus ride takes about an hour, and costs a whole eighty-five cents.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghMD4ibHS_hMKt5-VkPJADsP4_78l1XWsCZ7ckrXjJt90pxcaRnafJmEcXxk7bK1dnQUFr7uVnhb0qQEdTH9k6qaV1-xPJsi3ue8NV-YB-SqOy08rroGR1KImS1THpImFwQ62tCtcimeQ/s1600/filigree+artisan.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghMD4ibHS_hMKt5-VkPJADsP4_78l1XWsCZ7ckrXjJt90pxcaRnafJmEcXxk7bK1dnQUFr7uVnhb0qQEdTH9k6qaV1-xPJsi3ue8NV-YB-SqOy08rroGR1KImS1THpImFwQ62tCtcimeQ/s400/filigree+artisan.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705520666364436482" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh062TvtgbymK7XJWNWGE_vqu9USe4BOcHpRV6QiVCu-IEpSIt5BsqHmNN-cPwW45ieQsV6zGmm1IWoJwjmURlIulFmdhDnXjtumAot5BAmQbHxtS8F86q7U2rvxg7uUXiEWPG5wKmt4jQ/s1600/filigree+brooches.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 315px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh062TvtgbymK7XJWNWGE_vqu9USe4BOcHpRV6QiVCu-IEpSIt5BsqHmNN-cPwW45ieQsV6zGmm1IWoJwjmURlIulFmdhDnXjtumAot5BAmQbHxtS8F86q7U2rvxg7uUXiEWPG5wKmt4jQ/s400/filigree+brooches.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705520509674748866" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I have some LOVELY things to bring home to Nova Scotia for some LOVELY women in my life...you know who you are...</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My landlady brought me to a multi-generational family ceramics business in El Centro. They've been creating their wares the SAME WAY for the past several hundred years!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">They live where they work. This is the first thing you see when you go into their work/sales area.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJSoHA8Es12Fl7ImKgPmnWmAYSQZhC1DxjyFLRpCnys1BuOrEfeC3G_Ug_cKHXI-E008Wj-ca2_vipqDzaJ1z4_QIfv2ehqeJFFL-biN3b0VN3yWq1lTQOhX1dfjvAgql89XfUKiOXL14/s1600/ceramic+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 371px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJSoHA8Es12Fl7ImKgPmnWmAYSQZhC1DxjyFLRpCnys1BuOrEfeC3G_Ug_cKHXI-E008Wj-ca2_vipqDzaJ1z4_QIfv2ehqeJFFL-biN3b0VN3yWq1lTQOhX1dfjvAgql89XfUKiOXL14/s400/ceramic+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705522689740474546" /></a>THIS is the room where they start their craft...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzr4CnOQFnPapcAW4Qmdvv2Mz5mg0t8qFbDPe5oazVV8T0QOjVw-1GcjR8Kf0cuVhIbFtbtBtbVoN5nS2CON_a21ADNysxn-_-fGpsWnFHmSJ3spiAH5jAL2sFpTT1rC9-1aPuJLnSV0/s1600/ceramic+1a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzr4CnOQFnPapcAW4Qmdvv2Mz5mg0t8qFbDPe5oazVV8T0QOjVw-1GcjR8Kf0cuVhIbFtbtBtbVoN5nS2CON_a21ADNysxn-_-fGpsWnFHmSJ3spiAH5jAL2sFpTT1rC9-1aPuJLnSV0/s400/ceramic+1a.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705522497475386466" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Ghh53FvjgqEsz1MAiQDyiCUTGQ_1gk00R7yC6zVgG7Uzx90eWditjWFcUzZ6eW771htdcygJx50bUpWWF7YAbGYu3r2tVTRQRl3LkFGTzJ6pHIGPUQHxW_oQ_Ts_nZtjykS80MMRC6c/s1600/ceramic+1b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Ghh53FvjgqEsz1MAiQDyiCUTGQ_1gk00R7yC6zVgG7Uzx90eWditjWFcUzZ6eW771htdcygJx50bUpWWF7YAbGYu3r2tVTRQRl3LkFGTzJ6pHIGPUQHxW_oQ_Ts_nZtjykS80MMRC6c/s400/ceramic+1b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705522167337032578" /></a>This potter uses human energy...his foot...to power the wheel...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYoRzU0L7Wd1ndA7UnjSTgfVkKTnhHoXV0YyvPh6HsPpk3hui-1R15Q16Ly26wGfzAk7JcNs_3AEpfKvJUxavVEVb4SRXmBdcFYgUB2s2VeF5IhIH6Fr-bs2lnIgCXu81k448wv0zWe-Q/s1600/ceramic+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 341px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYoRzU0L7Wd1ndA7UnjSTgfVkKTnhHoXV0YyvPh6HsPpk3hui-1R15Q16Ly26wGfzAk7JcNs_3AEpfKvJUxavVEVb4SRXmBdcFYgUB2s2VeF5IhIH6Fr-bs2lnIgCXu81k448wv0zWe-Q/s400/ceramic+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705521976100520498" /></a>This is Rucci, my landlady, who has heightened my experience in this beautiful country by leaps and bounds!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQwVaXuz0xp2_jn-DaBOAz1BnH9Dy_KjJVgs6kzIC09e8JmF-WL8BGP-UG4StFyAr64i7rovpEd3DisRopYzm4iKrrfb36Yx6TZ6OlPiw01iW33C2XI1j0SOCSLjGtF3AGJU8BUAmUOjY/s1600/ceramic+4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQwVaXuz0xp2_jn-DaBOAz1BnH9Dy_KjJVgs6kzIC09e8JmF-WL8BGP-UG4StFyAr64i7rovpEd3DisRopYzm4iKrrfb36Yx6TZ6OlPiw01iW33C2XI1j0SOCSLjGtF3AGJU8BUAmUOjY/s400/ceramic+4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705521548426073618" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Double decker tourist bus where I enjoyed a GREAT tour of the old and new parts of the city, and a drive up to "Turi Hill..." where there's a beautiful old cathedral and some of the best views of Cuenca. There were hair-raising parts to the tour for those on the upper deck, as we had to DUCK several times to avoid decapitation from low hanging wires throughout the city. The tour guides always gave us plenty of notice though. Here's the bus making its way up the cobbled streets of El Centro, the old town.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSP2iS4D2VwN3rW3KbUMI2pjSJ5dpo8Tyil3Ug3PsXCghYee53iMDMB1BS8rV9SowWsjDq6k2L1T239a9OqAqSboP1NfhdZ72EPh8-a9MdZRZ-DbizSr1RGpI4VMtsG8uKqsIrv_I5XPI/s1600/double+decker+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 285px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSP2iS4D2VwN3rW3KbUMI2pjSJ5dpo8Tyil3Ug3PsXCghYee53iMDMB1BS8rV9SowWsjDq6k2L1T239a9OqAqSboP1NfhdZ72EPh8-a9MdZRZ-DbizSr1RGpI4VMtsG8uKqsIrv_I5XPI/s400/double+decker+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705559893430464242" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtx_YsvYCqdhVqxuL_Va-i97aCeywqng8PK78cUN-M0O6gMG4KCsODgdfvqX2EJ_eNcgxzvBHQM5wqk-TfICvveGmo44ZK0couWA7rlVXyPDomuaCwxfjbToJDSG1yNEJiHumLA_RRYD4/s1600/double+decker+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 291px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtx_YsvYCqdhVqxuL_Va-i97aCeywqng8PK78cUN-M0O6gMG4KCsODgdfvqX2EJ_eNcgxzvBHQM5wqk-TfICvveGmo44ZK0couWA7rlVXyPDomuaCwxfjbToJDSG1yNEJiHumLA_RRYD4/s400/double+decker+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705559753496910642" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Below are images of "Mirador Turi," which means "brother" in the indigenous Kichwa language. This beautiful church is nestled atop a very steep hill, showing some of the most beautiful vistas of the mountains and the city below.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The church as we're climbing the hill.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8n-z75DCBSagUGUYtuys7ULcN7n1aqq3kDCvBS4UbXXV6Or91SVn8FUmQzceOWEC6HYbDa91WZvNT8okon0pv6jjn_7AYRneiXjwv5Kx1iOZYb1S-n4P3gODGXKpPGoOCt1iou7tRi7w/s1600/Turi+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 317px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8n-z75DCBSagUGUYtuys7ULcN7n1aqq3kDCvBS4UbXXV6Or91SVn8FUmQzceOWEC6HYbDa91WZvNT8okon0pv6jjn_7AYRneiXjwv5Kx1iOZYb1S-n4P3gODGXKpPGoOCt1iou7tRi7w/s400/Turi+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705565494387450498" /></a>Another view as we're there.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqhrcjDgDUhdK82jPNso57du9TqMRoU3_qn4DAWvW9ExyZKg-OU1Q-PuOzDWwztPH9AR19AsC2VVqye4edBsBQizChPLUW1qhEhzZk8aPaNDMmYpipTON17QY9C5_ez4PO6E1Jsc78Wo/s1600/Turi+1+b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqhrcjDgDUhdK82jPNso57du9TqMRoU3_qn4DAWvW9ExyZKg-OU1Q-PuOzDWwztPH9AR19AsC2VVqye4edBsBQizChPLUW1qhEhzZk8aPaNDMmYpipTON17QY9C5_ez4PO6E1Jsc78Wo/s400/Turi+1+b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705565289764524066" /></a>The vista during the day, of the city in the valley below.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzCUGOvfMIDg-HlxVYMmTfFm2b00jhMNu-OrCDiDLPKtC531XsYJZukIO-qLemYwj6MQiXa9vPU0k66wS5gOfQsz527wivQQdYEO49QjIwMForkpZMTOYQZO2Pn9kP6-UN8NVEJIJ2zQ8/s1600/turi+view+of+basin.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzCUGOvfMIDg-HlxVYMmTfFm2b00jhMNu-OrCDiDLPKtC531XsYJZukIO-qLemYwj6MQiXa9vPU0k66wS5gOfQsz527wivQQdYEO49QjIwMForkpZMTOYQZO2Pn9kP6-UN8NVEJIJ2zQ8/s400/turi+view+of+basin.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705564835951745266" /></a>...and at dusk...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwnjQ6iJwoEjfEb6yyNFkVktT4tZSEOUKMVfzfSDvT4qtjPQd9DHbcAB4zXTcir0prwq-QQrSUsGdC47zUJUymZ9MUpPziRes581lypN5SJ_PylKoS56SwPnviPT1hgrD6HcPuiwWbCGE/s1600/Turi+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwnjQ6iJwoEjfEb6yyNFkVktT4tZSEOUKMVfzfSDvT4qtjPQd9DHbcAB4zXTcir0prwq-QQrSUsGdC47zUJUymZ9MUpPziRes581lypN5SJ_PylKoS56SwPnviPT1hgrD6HcPuiwWbCGE/s400/Turi+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705565028417766610" /></a><div><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">I have met so many WONDERFUL, kind, helpful people here...Ecuadorians and ex-pats alike. The taxi drivers and and I practice our fractured English and Spanish together, and eventually get me where I need to go...often with great laughter.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; "><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">My Spanish classes are...well...let's just leave it at "I'm still going" (lol). I have a great instructor, so I'm hopeful SOME of it will sink in to my oatmeal brain...eventually. My housing search goes on. I have a couple of appointments this week to see places, feeling very hopeful. Please send along good karma! I am already taking reservations for "Hosteria deMarza ," (ha ha) which will be officially available for visitors in June of this year. My friends Lesley (from Victoria BC) and Johnette (from Halifax) and my brother David and his wife Susan will be my first visitors, all planning their inaugural South American sojourns during the next few months.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; "><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">Who's next? </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">It will be SUCH a treat to show you some of this beautiful place, and to keep living that "attitude of gratitude..." so come along y'all.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; "><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">Thanks so much for visiting. I hope you'll leave a "hello;" once again, I hope your days are filled with the people you love and the things that you need.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; "><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">Hasta pronto!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p></div></div>Deborah Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211999112146380759noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687746957683653579.post-62313863922383351682012-01-30T15:33:00.000-08:002012-02-04T22:57:17.829-08:00The journey continues...<div style="text-align: center;">Aaaahhh, the sunny days in South America are filled with pleasures and adventures.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's been ten days since I posted to the blog, again because of computer problems. I have my computer back from the repair shop...for the third (hopefully the final) time. My system crashed horribly from the receipt of an "Olympic Torch" virus. This was the WORST. It infected and destroyed things to the point where I had to have a new hard drive installed. Be careful folks! It came to me as a facebook friend request. Don't open ANYTHING you're not sure of! It's cost me several hundred dollars so far, not to mention the data and picture loss and weeks of worry. However, I am cautiously optimistic that perhaps things are fixed now.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">When I picked up my computer today, this was the sign in the sky <g> that keeps me cautiously optimistic...</g></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz4nJjw4Ow9_r8nnyxpxkt1uqMKHjm214MbLGkr8vqF6DCihk3W_etBiIamn2iHTYZTKv-cRpVk32PmunSt23-h4eNzFSXbo8s_jllIjhv4vy4grBcuYhzBBjZoBjb7dYQ1JOcrrdSpIM/s1600/Clouds.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz4nJjw4Ow9_r8nnyxpxkt1uqMKHjm214MbLGkr8vqF6DCihk3W_etBiIamn2iHTYZTKv-cRpVk32PmunSt23-h4eNzFSXbo8s_jllIjhv4vy4grBcuYhzBBjZoBjb7dYQ1JOcrrdSpIM/s400/Clouds.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703802048602689474" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pictures!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'd hoped this post would be about the amazingly beautiful churches and cathedrals hereabouts...but the virus ate all those pictures. I'll collect more over the next couple of weeks.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Meanwhile, let's begin with some flora and fauna. Apart from the vibrant hibiscus, I have no idea what these beauties are, but they ALL grow wild around the streets of Cuenca, leaving me with smiles after every morning's walk. I can garden all year 'round here...hmmm...</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">These are flowers from hedges all across the city. Now these are not your ordinary hedges folks...these are between ten and fourteen feet tall, and FILLED with these beautiful blossoms.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2ByYI7e3OnoxHnG2RboepR9B35WoT_lw1hQx0JBr5cCjgUD90203usRn3v8fdFfeaJLH94BuUCHahCuZuiwudwp39YqPH4-VqxPr964eQFkt4jgfjHHr_sysaNvV9bHb9Aq84jZkrqE/s1600/Flora+fauna+9+Jan+12.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2ByYI7e3OnoxHnG2RboepR9B35WoT_lw1hQx0JBr5cCjgUD90203usRn3v8fdFfeaJLH94BuUCHahCuZuiwudwp39YqPH4-VqxPr964eQFkt4jgfjHHr_sysaNvV9bHb9Aq84jZkrqE/s400/Flora+fauna+9+Jan+12.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703576060997168418" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This is a tree outside my computer repair shop...where I've spent a LOT of time lately...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzZZqeN8MDYTr3-EBbvX5YnBlqlMU2UjeNdOlpoDOZwcBoXVwr4tcWMDZblVLPGxYeoVGtgLVeP3Y-6Ruyx1MtA6Fwai0RX1PhYMZ0kd1kx4VEpZHriLOJvh6tmPCXLSuHyxIlftF6Ag/s1600/Flora+fauna+5+Jan+12.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzZZqeN8MDYTr3-EBbvX5YnBlqlMU2UjeNdOlpoDOZwcBoXVwr4tcWMDZblVLPGxYeoVGtgLVeP3Y-6Ruyx1MtA6Fwai0RX1PhYMZ0kd1kx4VEpZHriLOJvh6tmPCXLSuHyxIlftF6Ag/s400/Flora+fauna+5+Jan+12.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703575848288325890" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Hibiscus...how beautiful...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv1cqdOfacAPc5uZ159fXlf6bjBiytAOyiiGYGvwBilZqmG-TsyZttAH-wn-_BhUu0XtC5n4Qshi3HC1YDANDhrviQtqXVKMYqHHV2GhpSPmvLY5HXXmqom0X5wAMBfKDr2teAEV1v31o/s1600/Flora+fauna+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv1cqdOfacAPc5uZ159fXlf6bjBiytAOyiiGYGvwBilZqmG-TsyZttAH-wn-_BhUu0XtC5n4Qshi3HC1YDANDhrviQtqXVKMYqHHV2GhpSPmvLY5HXXmqom0X5wAMBfKDr2teAEV1v31o/s400/Flora+fauna+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703575629788835410" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">These little things grow in the cracks of sidewalks!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNgrVrB-gn4JKEj_rMQo_Ww9GgMEtvnHjkib3zBB9uxJQsgZ8cYGoAIGV4Nz2CtY2uH4bjzyKjwL8f-Y3AJoVcUzbazRozxd_Md0C2Ij7Df8AZYZoat2CinaLLR8sphOnUMabXg4uuY9w/s1600/Flora+fauna+10+Jan+12.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 397px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNgrVrB-gn4JKEj_rMQo_Ww9GgMEtvnHjkib3zBB9uxJQsgZ8cYGoAIGV4Nz2CtY2uH4bjzyKjwL8f-Y3AJoVcUzbazRozxd_Md0C2Ij7Df8AZYZoat2CinaLLR8sphOnUMabXg4uuY9w/s400/Flora+fauna+10+Jan+12.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703575515130962274" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This is in a park...not sure what it is...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0EEQ4sAidmiF3Ih_hs5KseahrDyLybzDx4qq1TBxceCR-v5tCvuKJSroFpz3uAwqEGzJLN_crGzHfQLW5BRS110ss2GSoln3S3KJ_Pcl6T8EupDv7NMS6MZmsIVSxujJVdGPf_NlI_dQ/s1600/Flora+fauna+8+Jan+12.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0EEQ4sAidmiF3Ih_hs5KseahrDyLybzDx4qq1TBxceCR-v5tCvuKJSroFpz3uAwqEGzJLN_crGzHfQLW5BRS110ss2GSoln3S3KJ_Pcl6T8EupDv7NMS6MZmsIVSxujJVdGPf_NlI_dQ/s400/Flora+fauna+8+Jan+12.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703814622748756258" /></a><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9YqAk0C0NUlXCeZruCl5f4K80CHEQ9VEwnOSl8FxZWC85vKcxSmpS__jqXjdVJSqTSyblL0iKyFHDHYJhEFihGwNOQYl4Zs07VdQjA-ln4_ooUvx4Cc1rHl2Ky9d3HPJZ4W9LMuGujc/s1600/Flora+fauna+6+Jan+12.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9YqAk0C0NUlXCeZruCl5f4K80CHEQ9VEwnOSl8FxZWC85vKcxSmpS__jqXjdVJSqTSyblL0iKyFHDHYJhEFihGwNOQYl4Zs07VdQjA-ln4_ooUvx4Cc1rHl2Ky9d3HPJZ4W9LMuGujc/s400/Flora+fauna+6+Jan+12.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703575330631790066" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Aren't these just so CHEERFUL!?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_6nf1RfKWh5Em2oQyl8KZW-2soE6SmaAJ1emH2uQLS_dbpPvWyCwMR-QuVJmVC3t-O5XpWwufA_6YiTavS8y3saR2I_4F5S-BlldspDp5DPUuOWCjSmiNZ4et7SHxbgKOswBQWqqBHyM/s1600/Flora+fauna+4+Jan+12.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_6nf1RfKWh5Em2oQyl8KZW-2soE6SmaAJ1emH2uQLS_dbpPvWyCwMR-QuVJmVC3t-O5XpWwufA_6YiTavS8y3saR2I_4F5S-BlldspDp5DPUuOWCjSmiNZ4et7SHxbgKOswBQWqqBHyM/s400/Flora+fauna+4+Jan+12.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703575172253107314" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">A double hibiscus in the garden where I'm staying.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lQoCp-5FLnMj2KBpYB79w_7GSqvfVLwcvVRrclT2n4WVWdxqkVCwzVLKK5v8QzPksm5xJe8U1I65DnK4gNXLow5gNYA3USlnuDW89AJiceBjp1sLYgsdONO2yz-A2Q2vrM_-irnurxo/s1600/Flora+fauna+7+Jan+12.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 397px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lQoCp-5FLnMj2KBpYB79w_7GSqvfVLwcvVRrclT2n4WVWdxqkVCwzVLKK5v8QzPksm5xJe8U1I65DnK4gNXLow5gNYA3USlnuDW89AJiceBjp1sLYgsdONO2yz-A2Q2vrM_-irnurxo/s400/Flora+fauna+7+Jan+12.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703576251642502770" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Last Friday, I wandered through Parque Caledron, in the old city, near the cathedrals (more about those next post...) when these young people spontaneously started playing the most WONDERFUL Spanish music! I wish I'd have figured out my camera's movie clip recording so you could actually HEAR them....maybe next time...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_j039YuY4XQ_eGEmeZQJUTn4Ynkj0-FFbZ61LWjqidYyOyK9he3VEiW83q8jnvld-fCpsVu8AY4dduB9aOdbpPomPk_jS7RulLtBJuedSspMuChn3du7ms62t7COcfbH1wmRZAijyZdA/s1600/Buskers+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 398px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_j039YuY4XQ_eGEmeZQJUTn4Ynkj0-FFbZ61LWjqidYyOyK9he3VEiW83q8jnvld-fCpsVu8AY4dduB9aOdbpPomPk_jS7RulLtBJuedSspMuChn3du7ms62t7COcfbH1wmRZAijyZdA/s400/Buskers+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703578067145071186" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03X4pq8Uiss1Z8FB96dbbScymy07xxDadP7QDWngYBf-f8rkLH08iOc1XmpYgGo90WIMbdy-LixPUwmls5NQIJ0ev1k8fRCnGtagFD7IhTkF35ZCRSK9ok_f55zBjOmdqHL3kAgne4VM/s1600/Buskers+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 321px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03X4pq8Uiss1Z8FB96dbbScymy07xxDadP7QDWngYBf-f8rkLH08iOc1XmpYgGo90WIMbdy-LixPUwmls5NQIJ0ev1k8fRCnGtagFD7IhTkF35ZCRSK9ok_f55zBjOmdqHL3kAgne4VM/s400/Buskers+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703577922235342658" /></a><br />These pictures are from events leading up to "Carnival..." a celebration lasting till lent...these Spanish Catholics KNOW how to PARTY! Actually, the parades and festivities are all to honour Jesus. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The children are...spectacular...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7chRVjwB97zhbKpcAoft3z9hxGFxoZuL188CUbo-4FVgQl-Vgg_k5NxF8-iPcTZahmvokFeH9gMETo-qWtfP5Quofi-u3U3cKOQPM7XY98Ti3x8lpO4igUe-wIDHuKzTCvWJkBsca_tg/s1600/Carnival+7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 397px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7chRVjwB97zhbKpcAoft3z9hxGFxoZuL188CUbo-4FVgQl-Vgg_k5NxF8-iPcTZahmvokFeH9gMETo-qWtfP5Quofi-u3U3cKOQPM7XY98Ti3x8lpO4igUe-wIDHuKzTCvWJkBsca_tg/s400/Carnival+7.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703580742372723170" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4RoQfE2fkz9L2GDLUwvhWhLY4uik-yNTWAIWe4K_8Knpd4wiOv1ZjvCojN6LmTtYGYCH_e2MRRkYmi7PJNpwcgpONUBxRkEZdLBQbiNbNd0Hm2oDaxT_K6AJ-EiCNXwokzY1HqhPy58/s1600/Carnival+5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 227px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4RoQfE2fkz9L2GDLUwvhWhLY4uik-yNTWAIWe4K_8Knpd4wiOv1ZjvCojN6LmTtYGYCH_e2MRRkYmi7PJNpwcgpONUBxRkEZdLBQbiNbNd0Hm2oDaxT_K6AJ-EiCNXwokzY1HqhPy58/s400/Carnival+5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703580575767441986" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJM-XX_dIm4KMgG7C2tLDBWyF9dAFRFp0PBOWsej75tO6d0lomsYef7w_m1F8sZgrgN6m-V9XRQ2sjStWU04ZoAIKRTLd7XfG8mL0CcL-6UJS7jGX0nHcr1lYLdm8eRm88Lv6Lss0TiQ/s1600/Carnival+6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 333px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJM-XX_dIm4KMgG7C2tLDBWyF9dAFRFp0PBOWsej75tO6d0lomsYef7w_m1F8sZgrgN6m-V9XRQ2sjStWU04ZoAIKRTLd7XfG8mL0CcL-6UJS7jGX0nHcr1lYLdm8eRm88Lv6Lss0TiQ/s400/Carnival+6.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703580395854248162" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4nbo4-a6EjGLcNYMVXhfR1k4Vw96MFuKmMQvtOQNeKlcbCHpoVj_GigX3osWndeqiOTK2k7z_INgtrqJQMFSEwljWIka_xd9zqWGSKKZ01LM6gyXoXkZnOIPLINWmsimNJ7xGfMezcA0/s1600/Carnival+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 379px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4nbo4-a6EjGLcNYMVXhfR1k4Vw96MFuKmMQvtOQNeKlcbCHpoVj_GigX3osWndeqiOTK2k7z_INgtrqJQMFSEwljWIka_xd9zqWGSKKZ01LM6gyXoXkZnOIPLINWmsimNJ7xGfMezcA0/s400/Carnival+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703580227923570082" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3g0rhRLiVqBglcd0z65lWiqFLJsRaJup9eaDa7vAbcZu22HOTrRwwvHTECs99NjbhQkKbJD5_Qs0wLyiDV9WO-7UMcOCIt1KOliBUw08vySU5ObqQwkNDIXaZWBJyTORCcHbhYFBR-ck/s1600/Carnival+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3g0rhRLiVqBglcd0z65lWiqFLJsRaJup9eaDa7vAbcZu22HOTrRwwvHTECs99NjbhQkKbJD5_Qs0wLyiDV9WO-7UMcOCIt1KOliBUw08vySU5ObqQwkNDIXaZWBJyTORCcHbhYFBR-ck/s400/Carnival+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703579969955904418" /></a>These children were sitting in the back of a (decorated) pick up truck...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3LVMoNNPh06QEwajuiXPpUGnrUDJ8JLNJ5ItqfJIOku511TrovpgRYoNXIbHp5tMDsrWsxmP2h9LSw-sQbCrxBvcrjrO9c7CZwDGLV3F2Z-Cv1hmMFCvI_ka-TjjZxbP_H2O_Q_gGIY/s1600/Carnival+4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3LVMoNNPh06QEwajuiXPpUGnrUDJ8JLNJ5ItqfJIOku511TrovpgRYoNXIbHp5tMDsrWsxmP2h9LSw-sQbCrxBvcrjrO9c7CZwDGLV3F2Z-Cv1hmMFCvI_ka-TjjZxbP_H2O_Q_gGIY/s400/Carnival+4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703579809562772226" /></a>This was at the top of one of the vehicles...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhczaJXoya5egiUPnKVXatL-cR_dmxrXWZ03J39GXxG92vGQ1zojyWlkFLxt5HR6-64QxKYcOZcgX_fJeQom1Vdhr_8bw4UOLccnCosUc2hPgUTZbjTl_UvbcsJ1kRl6A-H6WPmKQcqk7g/s1600/Carnival+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 395px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhczaJXoya5egiUPnKVXatL-cR_dmxrXWZ03J39GXxG92vGQ1zojyWlkFLxt5HR6-64QxKYcOZcgX_fJeQom1Vdhr_8bw4UOLccnCosUc2hPgUTZbjTl_UvbcsJ1kRl6A-H6WPmKQcqk7g/s400/Carnival+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703579583655889202" /></a>Horses...lots and LOTS of horses!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5o0BT716Y0EeK6VO5H63tE-bQ0ZICWSQlGNAM1gcjhDfipjKgpa4H0wrno7DjUT5HHOHhI-iACCidnqdtpcUfmhE5IdlMIgJFnKhyphenhyphenLgq-fw4UNpHV1gcQq3HygKOsdClYPHOic6Jjcs8/s1600/Carnival+8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 398px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5o0BT716Y0EeK6VO5H63tE-bQ0ZICWSQlGNAM1gcjhDfipjKgpa4H0wrno7DjUT5HHOHhI-iACCidnqdtpcUfmhE5IdlMIgJFnKhyphenhyphenLgq-fw4UNpHV1gcQq3HygKOsdClYPHOic6Jjcs8/s400/Carnival+8.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703579409499788402" /></a>The pageantry is mind boggling!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Ecuadorian soldiers add music to the festivities...here they are on a well deserved break!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVxNrVVAtgWq9pU2780XbdzhiJsH5NIgSKVAeVRn4jmXjjGylJ3pAVjuth-qsIi2a1d7m9G0NBvSRjpyaP3sX7185hngl-YBY4aK8C3Xqgx2kGYjEp2mhj0fZ5Z9IdK2ErIPz3he-9T7s/s1600/Carnival+9.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 285px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVxNrVVAtgWq9pU2780XbdzhiJsH5NIgSKVAeVRn4jmXjjGylJ3pAVjuth-qsIi2a1d7m9G0NBvSRjpyaP3sX7185hngl-YBY4aK8C3Xqgx2kGYjEp2mhj0fZ5Z9IdK2ErIPz3he-9T7s/s400/Carnival+9.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703584108791109794" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Friends and I travelled to Chordeleg, about an hour outside Cuenca, to visit silver jewelery markets. Jewelery shops here are called "Joyerias..." GREAT name 'eh!? And yes, we DID contribute to the local economy, like good tourists. Here I am with Jan (from California) and Linda (from Missouri)...a couple of the dozens of older single women (like me!) who travel and socialize together. Life is...GOOD!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8YExtNgDWVbODcUgzpBbna04ZFFLRQ1j1yX6e9bt_cRYzOjN6-12TlmUL5y0DXoY1M5d9mLK8LvJcmpFx1SQIpLz39qBxENizJ-SVp7BhaHrQ90r4dhqylOIihNmURxU8ftFLguUUpM/s1600/Chordeleg+7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 341px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8YExtNgDWVbODcUgzpBbna04ZFFLRQ1j1yX6e9bt_cRYzOjN6-12TlmUL5y0DXoY1M5d9mLK8LvJcmpFx1SQIpLz39qBxENizJ-SVp7BhaHrQ90r4dhqylOIihNmURxU8ftFLguUUpM/s400/Chordeleg+7.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703586315685957954" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbUqbkK4n8R5QpQlHl0IMl3smVDVyDTmIlF7gLaX0N7LaINvCtpxHEiobjq18FaBjjIGvblsBbBINJ8_70UImn-A7tmp1t6NwFQCeVdvW9E5w5HfmhDMlveLaC4zAnTAfBwhzCGSUCK0/s1600/Chordeleg+4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbUqbkK4n8R5QpQlHl0IMl3smVDVyDTmIlF7gLaX0N7LaINvCtpxHEiobjq18FaBjjIGvblsBbBINJ8_70UImn-A7tmp1t6NwFQCeVdvW9E5w5HfmhDMlveLaC4zAnTAfBwhzCGSUCK0/s400/Chordeleg+4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703586087285911202" /></a>That's all for this time. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdrkGK0KzA0UJjgpuhZTa6QR5u5j3nB4DYD3L4MEzbcihGJZU_KEKDwP23WV9OXqy2MaOzs8YyaQjywEhyphenhyphenPx8D3nVGdEdevRs-BbFfCD7wswB-MOs_4d_YMy62_zbcEfuqCasa6P6-9Nc/s1600/Statue+Ave+Solano.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdrkGK0KzA0UJjgpuhZTa6QR5u5j3nB4DYD3L4MEzbcihGJZU_KEKDwP23WV9OXqy2MaOzs8YyaQjywEhyphenhyphenPx8D3nVGdEdevRs-BbFfCD7wswB-MOs_4d_YMy62_zbcEfuqCasa6P6-9Nc/s400/Statue+Ave+Solano.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703593769618349778" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Future posts will include photos of my week in <a href="http://www.hosteriamandala.info/">Puerto Lopez</a>...just click on the coloured link to see where I'm going. It's an eight hour drive away from Cuenca, along the Pacific Coast, in the midst of Machalilla National Park.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tomorrow my landlady Rucchi is taking me to a very old ceramics workshop. (I am SO lucky to have found this apartment. Rucchi is part of a very old Cuencana family; she's given me wonderful history lessons, and has become such an integral part of this adventure, taking me places and suggesting sites I would never have considered...and helps me continue to cultivate the daily attitude of gratitude.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks for stopping by. Hope your days are filled with people you love and the things that you need.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6UY5KQzP6UOZi_IVouZxSqGYQMDsSFYRpb7OfHPiOEkGoQ1qgCLIXXBZFRrD48zIzvGydVuWUQOLeq2pdPXvl9NvL3s3pHIM2SE9rVZhm4xMLNCdMbjZ71diZttsNcfq3p698jIA534/s1600/Cuenca+sign+a+whole+world.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6UY5KQzP6UOZi_IVouZxSqGYQMDsSFYRpb7OfHPiOEkGoQ1qgCLIXXBZFRrD48zIzvGydVuWUQOLeq2pdPXvl9NvL3s3pHIM2SE9rVZhm4xMLNCdMbjZ71diZttsNcfq3p698jIA534/s400/Cuenca+sign+a+whole+world.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703800944997773042" /></a><br />Hasta luega!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><u><br /></u></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><br /></u></div></div>Deborah Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211999112146380759noreply@blogger.com345tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687746957683653579.post-17360245758737904992012-01-20T18:09:00.000-08:002012-01-20T19:07:33.476-08:00Oh Happy Day!<div style="text-align: center;">My computer is back from the repair shop, running like a charm! HURRAY!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's been another delightful week in Cuenca, Ecuador. I started Spanish classes, perhaps to the amusement of the instructor. My brain has had a workout it hasn't seen in years!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here are some pics from the past few days...miscellaneous architecture that caught my eye.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">One word...AMAZING!</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3TOzLkEkB3S5AX3JDnXqJqsqdHsi0faDHwpcUBJ0cU3DioE7VBYyG7BmdbMtR3FOKMckTbRrv4qghn7TETTiah88vJCzDp9M5QdL1vcrqsjykGm5H17CVRRkUvCNwUUdEW1GT1-1Gbk/s1600/Architexture+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3TOzLkEkB3S5AX3JDnXqJqsqdHsi0faDHwpcUBJ0cU3DioE7VBYyG7BmdbMtR3FOKMckTbRrv4qghn7TETTiah88vJCzDp9M5QdL1vcrqsjykGm5H17CVRRkUvCNwUUdEW1GT1-1Gbk/s400/Architexture+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699903138440575378" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This little balcony is typical of those in the heart of El Centro, old town Cuenca.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQOmHp8YQavKBe3oZ8tpFXatVod8eyIcaIrYepDpghwA6aqEkin-zKsNyGRrBfyNrbx9G0QkzRPveP_mA0W_eZEL4kInS3W1SKYwoj2oN07bCWtOfbxarr7d1yoH9RnbfdTl1Za0985Hk/s1600/Apt+Calle+Hermano+Miguel.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 341px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQOmHp8YQavKBe3oZ8tpFXatVod8eyIcaIrYepDpghwA6aqEkin-zKsNyGRrBfyNrbx9G0QkzRPveP_mA0W_eZEL4kInS3W1SKYwoj2oN07bCWtOfbxarr7d1yoH9RnbfdTl1Za0985Hk/s400/Apt+Calle+Hermano+Miguel.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699903566180343090" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I liked this building, but I'm posting this particular pic for my son Michael...see the old Beetle? There are DOZENS of them around here, in close to pristine condition...so snow...so salt...no rust...growing old gracefully...we should all be so lucky!</div><g><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxVspEbBM421C9s4TCr3DcXxS1Nvc8Bxib9kqUO4k2kKogQolrcevlxs_vBf6N9jXrrhSwH3YLR5KoV85VVsS0UTb5x7PTAw1JMeopxc6-tNlGrJq2EK-mi83vMQhe0EMtJSEv4LQVYU/s1600/Apt+2+Calle+Hermano+Miguel.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxVspEbBM421C9s4TCr3DcXxS1Nvc8Bxib9kqUO4k2kKogQolrcevlxs_vBf6N9jXrrhSwH3YLR5KoV85VVsS0UTb5x7PTAw1JMeopxc6-tNlGrJq2EK-mi83vMQhe0EMtJSEv4LQVYU/s400/Apt+2+Calle+Hermano+Miguel.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699903815141682834" /></a><span style="line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><div style="text-align: center;">The Colegio Benigno Malo, below, is one of the greatest neoclassical buildings in the city of Cuenca. Founded in 1864 by a Cuencana doctor and philanthropist, it was once a training school for Jesuit priests; it's now a public high school. If you believe everything you're told, I hear that the students are known for their rebellious character and leftist ideology. My grandson Logan would be tickled pink to know this. I say...bring it on kids!</div></span></g></div><div><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoPKcQBAMdyQLqSEml0wgfEZkR1DzXIIHLrd1iNFJPB3WtPJT9qjJIgIrAz0J97iuPmfJkz6w5V53WWsdI3C-grFbtjSsXHYCB6dZXFIAY01T-lV6BaBDVbcBVeD5aZOq2UcIQ6WM08Fw/s1600/High+School.jpg" style="line-height: 19px; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoPKcQBAMdyQLqSEml0wgfEZkR1DzXIIHLrd1iNFJPB3WtPJT9qjJIgIrAz0J97iuPmfJkz6w5V53WWsdI3C-grFbtjSsXHYCB6dZXFIAY01T-lV6BaBDVbcBVeD5aZOq2UcIQ6WM08Fw/s400/High+School.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699904202931959570" /></a><div style="line-height: 19px; text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="line-height: 19px; text-align: center; ">THIS...is the "Panama Hat Museum" located in El Centro...old Cuenca. So why is the PANAMA Hat Museum located in CUENCA ECUADOR? Aaaahhh, I just KNEW you'd want to know! If your curiousity is piqued, <a href="http://www.brentblack.com/pages/history.html">click here for the whole story.</a> The indigenous lady in front of the museum is typical of the many who sell their wares on the streets of the city.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt4sWofQmwovMDBFxAQ4B3o7pZMutTlDQ_TjqI4nT3-SE7Ql9cTYwxMAeFv8kEUgvkC9tYhcW5LInNe-SZQqyX9puG1Xc3nqimMEfHE7CBBZzg5ikNgsmvqDfzSYjFAYWFdK13CQ_JH7g/s1600/Cuenca+Panama+Hat+Museum.jpg" style="line-height: 19px; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 227px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt4sWofQmwovMDBFxAQ4B3o7pZMutTlDQ_TjqI4nT3-SE7Ql9cTYwxMAeFv8kEUgvkC9tYhcW5LInNe-SZQqyX9puG1Xc3nqimMEfHE7CBBZzg5ikNgsmvqDfzSYjFAYWFdK13CQ_JH7g/s400/Cuenca+Panama+Hat+Museum.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699908730378286290" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">THIS pic is for all my friends from the great Republic of Newfoundland! It's a nightclub in Cuenca...who KNEW!? Our impact is felt EVERYWHERE byes!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-LlXZXtgqKJISNyPZl2vNYZ4ajOmL_ToXtgtZhbZZ91meGN7M0zrj7dNjPYyCtRYcjBZ1w9j41EVDFzE3GskV6hAEcWP53cK7E_DSBB9aGe42ori6eJDtv4GEKe3zEGAYGro6f0T0jLg/s1600/Fogo.jpg" style="line-height: 19px; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 361px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-LlXZXtgqKJISNyPZl2vNYZ4ajOmL_ToXtgtZhbZZ91meGN7M0zrj7dNjPYyCtRYcjBZ1w9j41EVDFzE3GskV6hAEcWP53cK7E_DSBB9aGe42ori6eJDtv4GEKe3zEGAYGro6f0T0jLg/s400/Fogo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699912222975073090" /></a></span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I'll leave you with a few pics of people enjoying their time in Caledron Park, in the heart of old Cuenca...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2tQq-1lKsugjicMtymVBDp_m9hjCEXUPpka-lO2JA-3ilD-vmv_tEjzjoQ3Pb0x6OMTlIxZ0yF8L-RTD1knbX38QLg5Lvor69XIi8g8PSYtti2zMHBMiX87cln-DhhoGlMAY-VfPoAk/s1600/Children+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2tQq-1lKsugjicMtymVBDp_m9hjCEXUPpka-lO2JA-3ilD-vmv_tEjzjoQ3Pb0x6OMTlIxZ0yF8L-RTD1knbX38QLg5Lvor69XIi8g8PSYtti2zMHBMiX87cln-DhhoGlMAY-VfPoAk/s400/Children+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699914067756424226" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO00g5fqT14SI2JEiSdAeJkKR_97bzlJSeqAnHULow4Cxx9RtqTnbB2c-gSrFx3pKOIioTq4q9Q8TXySShn4ylp8Y87WHe0_Zq0TB_Vlm9q5qF26OkbIhToW7azNgOhkZWn62QDMiNSFQ/s1600/Children+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 368px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO00g5fqT14SI2JEiSdAeJkKR_97bzlJSeqAnHULow4Cxx9RtqTnbB2c-gSrFx3pKOIioTq4q9Q8TXySShn4ylp8Y87WHe0_Zq0TB_Vlm9q5qF26OkbIhToW7azNgOhkZWn62QDMiNSFQ/s400/Children+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699913732031383298" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVySxfjzioqtolyuj9W6L2KG-H8Uq-KFRtraclQYDWEvSUJuVxPIhFz9hf5TMOvlCLvztYeTPJoqk9RGOte5GtoSs3JIMaY7U96i-5mLv78LDEi9MblvL9QKZCJkiNYtvXkLTeHgArtqM/s1600/Sun+morn+parade+10.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 188px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVySxfjzioqtolyuj9W6L2KG-H8Uq-KFRtraclQYDWEvSUJuVxPIhFz9hf5TMOvlCLvztYeTPJoqk9RGOte5GtoSs3JIMaY7U96i-5mLv78LDEi9MblvL9QKZCJkiNYtvXkLTeHgArtqM/s400/Sun+morn+parade+10.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699915395424315378" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8NHMUBolpJ4JleZ1ZXvdZJQyWhqTCfjxe9723Su31wqDdvCD36N1z_TBcYlgUMtfFQ4P0sSRYERruU-26B_dTQzHV5lHhsFB0y31EOdIwjfU_Of3R6VWIOOx1YljWQUQcoJVBipnkBw/s1600/nuns.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 221px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8NHMUBolpJ4JleZ1ZXvdZJQyWhqTCfjxe9723Su31wqDdvCD36N1z_TBcYlgUMtfFQ4P0sSRYERruU-26B_dTQzHV5lHhsFB0y31EOdIwjfU_Of3R6VWIOOx1YljWQUQcoJVBipnkBw/s400/nuns.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699915179313023010" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7sGmGFHvQ8VvRiAzvGgy_KgqiAlcM0tM0M9_hhQXQJFasfeNXYgHf6UBj5Pc1tdsQLdrU89tEMqtuY_o4GVGd771AZmWZufQd-S5bD_eHDXvzG8QyBIZTrh96-HieCsRxbTluyjM8I9w/s1600/Girl+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7sGmGFHvQ8VvRiAzvGgy_KgqiAlcM0tM0M9_hhQXQJFasfeNXYgHf6UBj5Pc1tdsQLdrU89tEMqtuY_o4GVGd771AZmWZufQd-S5bD_eHDXvzG8QyBIZTrh96-HieCsRxbTluyjM8I9w/s400/Girl+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699915007383341714" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Next time...lots of photos and history for the Catholics among us...or the curious...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">THANKS for stopping by!</div>Deborah Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211999112146380759noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687746957683653579.post-64198845145515312282012-01-14T11:58:00.000-08:002012-01-20T18:09:27.090-08:00Saturday Jan 14thQuick post for today...sitting at an internet cafe, can't use my computer anymore...blasted viruses!<br /><br />Here's a hint for those of you considering coming to South America (and I just KNOW many of you WILL once you have a place to stay! <g>) Make sure you get your vaccinations and make sure you carry medication to treat a condition called "altitude sickness." My own physician in Halifax is a well travelled woman, and made sure I brought what she calls a "Z-Pack" with me...thank GOD!! This thing hit me a couple of days ago, and OOOHHH MY, just imagine the worst flu you've ever had, coupled with constant headache and coughing, and shortness of breath just walking from your bedroom to the bathroom. I knew what it was as soon as it hit, as she'd prepared me well to recognize the symptoms, so I started the meds right away, and within about 48 hours or so, I was feeling better. This affliction occurs most commonly in folks who live at low altitudes...and since Halifax is right AT sea level, I suppose I was a prime candidate...lucky 'eh? Oh well, it's all part of the experience!<br /><br />This afternoon I'm making my way downtown, hopefully to catch a glimpse of el presidente, but with the number of police about today, I doubt I'll get anywhere near. Oh well, have to try at least.<br /><br />I've moved into my new apartment from the hostel, and just LOVE it. It's actually not the one I'd originally booked, which was a 2 br condo in a huge building. Lots of ex-pats I've met suggested I might feel a bit isolated, travelling and living alone. So I took their advice, and found a beautiful huge 1 bedroom apartment in a private home in an upscale neighbourhood... completely private... nicely furnished, all modern conveniences...right across the street from the Tarqui River. The family consists of a Cuencana Mom, an American Dad, and two delightful perfectly bilingual children, who help me immeasurably trying to figure things out...like, f'rinstance, shopping for groceries and not having a CLUE what I'm buying! If they hadn't been with me, who KNOWS what I'd be eating! The children derive great amusement from my pathetic attempts to speak Spanish, but have promised to help me when my lessons start next week.<br /><br />More adventures to come as I head out next week for a three-community tour...one to visit an orchid farm, one to visit a crafts cooperative in another town, and one to visit a village that's apparently the centre of silver jewelry making in the area. Visiting the orchid farm brings me back to a memory when a friend and I were travelling in France, and I HAD to visit Monet's gardens. He was, shall we say, LESS than impressed.."Yep, this is just what I want to do, look at flowers in the rain when we're in Paris!" Fun memory though <g>.<br /><br />HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my favourite son-in-law, Michael, who'll celebrate tomorrow! I am SO looking forward to spending a couple of weeks with him, my daughter, and my four busy grand-boys in March!<br /><br />Hope all's well in your little corner of the world. Please leave me a HELLO if you stop by...English words from friends...such a treat!<br /></g></g>Deborah Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211999112146380759noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687746957683653579.post-83887860668367165202012-01-12T05:29:00.000-08:002012-01-13T00:08:14.467-08:00Seizing the Day!<div style="text-align: center;">I thought I'd create a brand new travel blog for my adventures, but I've decided to hijack one I've already established instead. I'll be travelling for three months...eight weeks in South America, two weeks in Ottawa, Ontario and two weeks in Victoria, British Columbia.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I suspect that folks who've read my blog as furniture restoration may well drop out...and I hope you'll stay, because I'll be doing so much more of that, but y'now, there are so MANY different phases of our journey through life 'eh?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Oooohhhh, South America! I've been here only three days, and am positively smitten. I'm based in a city of nearly half a million people in Cuenca, which is a colonial city in the interior of Ecuador, in the sierra of the southern Andes. The altitude here is roughly 2500 meters (8200 feet) above sea level. Cuenca is a UNESCO World Heritage Trust Site...as is our own Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. The history, the architecture, the beauty...amazing. "Cuenca" means a confluence of rivers; the four rivers here are the Tomebamba, Yanuncay, Tarqui and Machangara. I'm staying just above the Rio Tomebamba, in the "El Centro" historic colonial part of the city. The "newer" part of the city is across the river, within just a few minutes walking. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So why am I here, and why did I choose THIS place...questions that many of my friends and family asked when I booked my solitary travel plans (as they were thinking, but most not brave enough to say "Is she NUTS!?") . The "why" is easy...get out of the Nova Scotia snow for a few weeks, have an adventure, do something out of the ordinary. This fits! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If not now, then when?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As to why I chose Ecuador, it was primarily the climate and the eco-diversity. The weather here is temperate...spring-like...all year 'round, ranging from late-night lows in the range of 4 to 6 C (that'd be 39 to 46 F for those my age, ha ha) to 20-28 C (68-82F) . Because it's such a high altitude, humidity is very low...a MUST for me. From here, I can travel to white sand Pacific Ocean beaches...Salinas, Manta, Bahia...all within a couple of hours by public transport, and stay in a beachfront cabana for a couple of weeks for under $200...and YES, I'll include THAT adventure while I'm here! I can also travel to the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest in eastern Ecuador, where the humidity is 100% and the temperatures range from 23-35C (75-95F)...ummm...100% humidity...will likely NOT venture there this trip.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A five day eco-cruise through the Galapagos Islands will happen next month. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Did you KNOW...Ecuador is probably the most bio-diverse country in terms of plant and animal species in the WORLD?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Did you KNOW...Charles Darwin conducted the majority of his research right here in Ecuador?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">THIS adventure is Phase One of my decision to divest myself of the majority of my "stuff..." YOU know what I mean...all those THINGS we thought we NEEDED and collected over the years...and then to experience life living abroad...who knows where...maybe South America...maybe Bali...the "where" is not as critical as the "why..." just to experience a different culture, looking at life through a different lens.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's what I left January 9th, just across the street from my place in Halifax.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9Kn1onZ2_SgPUEzgVpMy1hYmKonGZdEO6PNqlS9hdjy2KZPgPonRfpAu62-FEm-pVrQnjAWcf4bql7wLcLlhPHDJMCy3wjsW6p0JTPMPur5AQukjtG4f6V0jfVYOteox2sQWo4lmjAQ/s1600/NS+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 373px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9Kn1onZ2_SgPUEzgVpMy1hYmKonGZdEO6PNqlS9hdjy2KZPgPonRfpAu62-FEm-pVrQnjAWcf4bql7wLcLlhPHDJMCy3wjsW6p0JTPMPur5AQukjtG4f6V0jfVYOteox2sQWo4lmjAQ/s400/NS+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696748615864423378" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5lfoF_aabdk5hxFaObvIFYbvuquAU6jg2Rq_XM-ASzrm8mg8q9OeC5AupTdqB8PBZ8zyCqXgrMkOjg97x0IYS_GNmfJXKv56mBVfKVKfH6ncj15sKJvS98N85kgmakcS71kKIWic3-A0/s1600/NS2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5lfoF_aabdk5hxFaObvIFYbvuquAU6jg2Rq_XM-ASzrm8mg8q9OeC5AupTdqB8PBZ8zyCqXgrMkOjg97x0IYS_GNmfJXKv56mBVfKVKfH6ncj15sKJvS98N85kgmakcS71kKIWic3-A0/s400/NS2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696748726279601698" /></a><span style="text-align: center; "><br /></span><div><div style="text-align: center;">Here are some first photos of Cuenca. A little glimpse of Rio Tomebamba</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUwKRMtUYbJgp5ZyOY6yyZfrTk8FBXFuboafZnr4hhsALfzpV6jHvjk3ZlT6BUrF3Jv_2w6ePklEkki70lZH-QGR6HbEVxDKplu6dtMlo0HKl1vGrXmsUH9W1R_ctP5IZgIXPt59uMd0/s1600/Cuenca+2+Rio+Tomebomba.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUwKRMtUYbJgp5ZyOY6yyZfrTk8FBXFuboafZnr4hhsALfzpV6jHvjk3ZlT6BUrF3Jv_2w6ePklEkki70lZH-QGR6HbEVxDKplu6dtMlo0HKl1vGrXmsUH9W1R_ctP5IZgIXPt59uMd0/s400/Cuenca+2+Rio+Tomebomba.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696749690658890434" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">To get there is easy...just walk down these ninety-one steps...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg73YlULZlxi362rV84fC73jkmOv2Nlm2zcu8NnslhbDvs7HFUtKaB5mpFZS1L4RY33F7Vq3qq3mfaN8QJej_8j7pqdAORSHwwafbOVlN0lqRE_P6OSLY99dWhQLwZTZdd3pm3BjkTonhE/s1600/Cuenca+5+steps+to+Old+El+Centro.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg73YlULZlxi362rV84fC73jkmOv2Nlm2zcu8NnslhbDvs7HFUtKaB5mpFZS1L4RY33F7Vq3qq3mfaN8QJej_8j7pqdAORSHwwafbOVlN0lqRE_P6OSLY99dWhQLwZTZdd3pm3BjkTonhE/s400/Cuenca+5+steps+to+Old+El+Centro.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696750036241905362" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">...and then , huff your way right back UP those ninety-one steps! </div><g><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Here's the exterior of the city library, located just to the left of those steps...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSaR3m7JwOqvTDckBExvEx0yHAFDrtfggsk7WHSXNNfi1CgGmUgRytEd3Lit8aKEDp6r04BhsXOdu2TxBJT7Eql7haaKswgAWCcLIvltBQxX022t-LGEunHeb9i5k4GlOwP6MVEJBNgw/s1600/Cuenca+4+library.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSaR3m7JwOqvTDckBExvEx0yHAFDrtfggsk7WHSXNNfi1CgGmUgRytEd3Lit8aKEDp6r04BhsXOdu2TxBJT7Eql7haaKswgAWCcLIvltBQxX022t-LGEunHeb9i5k4GlOwP6MVEJBNgw/s400/Cuenca+4+library.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696750303286538882" /></a></g><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The mix of old and new condos to the right of the steps...</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_Fgj-VFT5g7HfT6N0p34THZvrTIYl13hz_Dis6OjLWWBW47xUtsdd3dXV1mMYDVu5YnhxUyAT4hpu54sJs46BGLVaqsIx2-Astb5Ce0TOXOAXkLoqg7KperbqVArGHBfw39cRCTHWJo/s1600/Cuenca+condo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_Fgj-VFT5g7HfT6N0p34THZvrTIYl13hz_Dis6OjLWWBW47xUtsdd3dXV1mMYDVu5YnhxUyAT4hpu54sJs46BGLVaqsIx2-Astb5Ce0TOXOAXkLoqg7KperbqVArGHBfw39cRCTHWJo/s400/Cuenca+condo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696750677591698946" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I walk almost everywhere within a three or four mile radius, and the walking has become part of the adventure. There's just SO MUCH to see, and I'm enjoying every precious minute! I've met a gaggle of friendly Canadian and American ex-pats here, and have social outings lined up for the next three weeks already. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'll leave you with some pics of the HUGE Fiera Libre outdoor market I toured yesterday. The sights, the sounds, the smells...altogether a bit of an overwhelming experience actually...but I'll be going again! <g> </g></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dress is important here, and the traditions of women's skirts are full of history and place...more about that in another post.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_jzweybhHaNPBxi1x9GjPWcNOY98hlwX3DiH1SdwdvyosoTpD8D5dY8DYnkcn0yeTMqK-CyLmamvy5lqoDzwDwKk6EYYe90mvl-70EkdiJw-ktlp_BLadZyX_ZTRZ-fxaRP06OE0Gy4/s1600/Cuenca+market+8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_jzweybhHaNPBxi1x9GjPWcNOY98hlwX3DiH1SdwdvyosoTpD8D5dY8DYnkcn0yeTMqK-CyLmamvy5lqoDzwDwKk6EYYe90mvl-70EkdiJw-ktlp_BLadZyX_ZTRZ-fxaRP06OE0Gy4/s400/Cuenca+market+8.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696752833987584562" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6o6IxlhrxKHhkyPC3_h09I9xtsUyEvYTtwxzxbTuz6T6mjzv2K2IidTNs1R3u9k9EGxwzdNuwRebYQwpqIlwj6gH6LOvZMelBrGZuvheGUTzNOIyALQoc3gAOWzWPf4AEIqo8aRk_L1c/s1600/Cuenca+market+9.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6o6IxlhrxKHhkyPC3_h09I9xtsUyEvYTtwxzxbTuz6T6mjzv2K2IidTNs1R3u9k9EGxwzdNuwRebYQwpqIlwj6gH6LOvZMelBrGZuvheGUTzNOIyALQoc3gAOWzWPf4AEIqo8aRk_L1c/s400/Cuenca+market+9.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696754041436276482" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_joH4bAtN4I6sV0kdyBih3Di5SNzwtUkEdMyY-wia53HNFwsLG04-B8VMq49WyRgk4eHT7Ttxz_B-Nya1RA8Eo2V7_fC_fDXpLSRpKSHBDCBCOhIjbIFN_Nea6V0XCB3N8x17J7nl18/s1600/Cuenca+market+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 343px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_joH4bAtN4I6sV0kdyBih3Di5SNzwtUkEdMyY-wia53HNFwsLG04-B8VMq49WyRgk4eHT7Ttxz_B-Nya1RA8Eo2V7_fC_fDXpLSRpKSHBDCBCOhIjbIFN_Nea6V0XCB3N8x17J7nl18/s400/Cuenca+market+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696753040552961026" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhteTIomgUn9SKvRE__HgWeuIzjndmbsEp0Khs9i3oHaDxyQan76KJcUcNYNB6ez5byS6b3N6C2Gag9Af_VXFZBsKx5lpSYFq3GhkG5ftkVCCQzXw_YCtQQIvQNinY-bHH4QIOvtN8QsQU/s1600/Cuenca+market+4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhteTIomgUn9SKvRE__HgWeuIzjndmbsEp0Khs9i3oHaDxyQan76KJcUcNYNB6ez5byS6b3N6C2Gag9Af_VXFZBsKx5lpSYFq3GhkG5ftkVCCQzXw_YCtQQIvQNinY-bHH4QIOvtN8QsQU/s400/Cuenca+market+4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696753252160166242" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7a3IWNNslpyDiMCVZkzNjiuGoOL0A5JHk7VNoChmURAf3unpk4WjZ3aWUkotjjhQGnkOzyzZWi7GBwC0kCzbJoSBIpUSnXNgOnYs6i5Xq9P2jHRAScHIx0gFcCGWKdJ_oXJk_mswBVzk/s1600/Cuenca+market+13.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 237px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7a3IWNNslpyDiMCVZkzNjiuGoOL0A5JHk7VNoChmURAf3unpk4WjZ3aWUkotjjhQGnkOzyzZWi7GBwC0kCzbJoSBIpUSnXNgOnYs6i5Xq9P2jHRAScHIx0gFcCGWKdJ_oXJk_mswBVzk/s400/Cuenca+market+13.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696753471544488562" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">You can buy just about anything at this market...want a puppy?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7u3V8VwKusuNPBjoWFqGhmXNxZojwIIWGRWJaKz16dC8QVqCTaVbBrNcBqdxZeuPQIIaCHq35dJaX9kZBIxmnDnKfjiLgzzuTmnwCfMBs9d5UTQmCOiEzaC9FG6FnXtnRznYco_AsMdg/s1600/Cuenca+market+6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 295px; height: 293px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7u3V8VwKusuNPBjoWFqGhmXNxZojwIIWGRWJaKz16dC8QVqCTaVbBrNcBqdxZeuPQIIaCHq35dJaX9kZBIxmnDnKfjiLgzzuTmnwCfMBs9d5UTQmCOiEzaC9FG6FnXtnRznYco_AsMdg/s400/Cuenca+market+6.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696753640651738210" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Umm...how about the beginning of a local delicacy called "Cuy..." I'll leave YOU to google it...and NO, I haven't tried it...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqWqbvuFZlSw5aBoAwijWiQMSOLcLKnnf-EPl4uxBEwuVqYYXhxGUtIbZGM_xfXZX8ZMdzStexrOiPn2XUlfPS9HZou3gQ1m9f0EhzgjVFrKsG7p_lTG8HMfE9oUuES5mV20eRjUSwrP0/s1600/Cuenca+market+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqWqbvuFZlSw5aBoAwijWiQMSOLcLKnnf-EPl4uxBEwuVqYYXhxGUtIbZGM_xfXZX8ZMdzStexrOiPn2XUlfPS9HZou3gQ1m9f0EhzgjVFrKsG7p_lTG8HMfE9oUuES5mV20eRjUSwrP0/s400/Cuenca+market+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696753835946979602" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLx1jZVn3G8LbyXvYZxrl8K40LR_-RLDAxnnu8dP2J7IJ6lZNU3yvkBnBr6_xHuG7O1_dbNMssNZZxUvNHn-A2S-5iBqqi-MEy_GM9Ux5Vmq5vRFMOXecWDsZoOqwqMS7DYpaWudp_67Q/s1600/Cuenca+market+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 379px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLx1jZVn3G8LbyXvYZxrl8K40LR_-RLDAxnnu8dP2J7IJ6lZNU3yvkBnBr6_xHuG7O1_dbNMssNZZxUvNHn-A2S-5iBqqi-MEy_GM9Ux5Vmq5vRFMOXecWDsZoOqwqMS7DYpaWudp_67Q/s400/Cuenca+market+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696754532102263842" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Hunk of roast pig anyone? What dinner party conversation back home THIS would make!</div></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyW89xSEUMSDJXPBmmM1WctDjQdzq29XdUqZUYV64EgE5uH_39bfI0D264jKF-unINTQhngACmz4P1OinjN_UsokdYxEq0rfTq3ThPrshhujl-ZTuizFxMhClyu7jOPjHsselEPJKNIfs/s1600/Cuenca+market+18.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 365px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyW89xSEUMSDJXPBmmM1WctDjQdzq29XdUqZUYV64EgE5uH_39bfI0D264jKF-unINTQhngACmz4P1OinjN_UsokdYxEq0rfTq3ThPrshhujl-ZTuizFxMhClyu7jOPjHsselEPJKNIfs/s400/Cuenca+market+18.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696754395770035634" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">No puppies? No roast pig? Okay...how about a goat?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnUnd_ZbtgC46rNJ2omqu-e9I9S7d6VDp89jOWV7jbKC7ixEPHGAT2sJIMuWUfNUDp0-M8mnJNpSdyYMcrdJONAo512kbfglQlSh79-Rj7MwASgYAIfOt3fVbE_ZibUtOgDVlOisSIk2U/s1600/Cuenca+market+17.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnUnd_ZbtgC46rNJ2omqu-e9I9S7d6VDp89jOWV7jbKC7ixEPHGAT2sJIMuWUfNUDp0-M8mnJNpSdyYMcrdJONAo512kbfglQlSh79-Rj7MwASgYAIfOt3fVbE_ZibUtOgDVlOisSIk2U/s400/Cuenca+market+17.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696754269503663778" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">PHEW! That's all for now. I'm leaving soon to begin twice weekly "Spanish-for-the-linguistically-challenged" lessons. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'll visit several churches in old El Centro this afternoon, and who KNOWS what other adventures await! I hear that the President of Ecuador will be visiting Cuenca this Saturday, so I'll trot off to the stadium...won't understand a WORD he says, but I'll BE there! (ha ha) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Life is...so very very...GOOD...I hope YOURS is too. Thanks for stopping by, hope you'll visit again soon.</div>Deborah Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211999112146380759noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687746957683653579.post-62689230482267465952011-10-31T09:44:00.000-07:002011-11-09T20:38:20.168-08:00A burst of colour...<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Okay, so I've been carrying around this old maple secretary desk intermittently for thirty years or so. It was my daughter's as she was growing up. (She's now a married Mum to four boys...when did THAT happen!?) So, as with other pieces of furniture in my past, this one has been recycled through children and friends over the years, and it came back to me (in it's "still-functional-but-"dated"-condition") when my adult son relocated to Ontario.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I don't have a before pic, but it looked almost identical to this one. Nice little piece, but it wasn't fitting in with my brighter, cleaner, upcycling-in-progress life, right? (ha ha)</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFlb_2J_YgiLCtWlIz3i1xv6cYBSYeXAhoSII3Tt3R3w7x0b_n110DbUVdxNcaTCbSnjHnAS1tQSZFCE34_WFdK_pfffcQQEhNDcZgwy85ghnMNoz5orP0xG8XnegjVpSOO-d-tcdmgqI/s1600/desk+maple.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 218px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFlb_2J_YgiLCtWlIz3i1xv6cYBSYeXAhoSII3Tt3R3w7x0b_n110DbUVdxNcaTCbSnjHnAS1tQSZFCE34_WFdK_pfffcQQEhNDcZgwy85ghnMNoz5orP0xG8XnegjVpSOO-d-tcdmgqI/s400/desk+maple.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669699437422683778" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">After a lovely coat of primer (Zinnser Bin Cover Stain...my FAVOURITE) I used my go-to colour...Martha Stewart Heavy Cream, morphed into knock-off chalk paint with calcium carbonate, and painted the inside with ASCP Arles...such a lovely soft gold. Painting the fronts of those cubbies with white was a major PAIN, but I liked the extra bit of definition that gave the inside.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKcNiJmRn25a7C3rGublki44ikKKAMU84Xfkupq4q6-B-Ddcmrp_mNkr0UiNi0gJy82r28PzXQ40XyGHJWfYzG1kQWSmIuluRns2KLZSliiqBqUmG0udJkvvigJPElKHSpfErh1WelvI/s1600/Desk+peacock+finished+inside.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKcNiJmRn25a7C3rGublki44ikKKAMU84Xfkupq4q6-B-Ddcmrp_mNkr0UiNi0gJy82r28PzXQ40XyGHJWfYzG1kQWSmIuluRns2KLZSliiqBqUmG0udJkvvigJPElKHSpfErh1WelvI/s400/Desk+peacock+finished+inside.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669702903033413426" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Okay, done, but SOOOO boring, especially when it was closed. </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">So I switched out the hardware for cup drawer pulls, painted them with Rustoleum Rubbed Bronze...looking better...more up-to-date..."and THEN!! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">AHA!! GOT IT!! I went back into my bookmarks and found <a href="http://tracys-trinkets-treasures.blogspot.com/2011/09/peacock-table-tutorial.html">this post</a> over at Tracy's place...PERFECT little bit of OOMPH for this piece, I thought.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tracy very kindly sent me a copy if the image she used for her lovely piece (THANKS Tracy!), but after another AHA moment, I decided to scan in one of my (many) peacock feathers, and used that as the image transfer base on the drop down front piece, then on one of the drawers...painted over the transfer for more definition, chipped, sanded, applied three coats of Polycrylic, and this is the result. Acetone image transfer in progress...spritzed warm water over, gently rubbed off the paper...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGp1gTTEaXfID3Yvu-nvIPBVDomP3fsWQYjHK-K9B1NA41GtXrk9z-jHeU8bBDhAJwksVaZ-HtHeqjGg7jEaYhaA_j6WPxgHi_LqS2e6OvP9aa2mOWmDlyW4lZgM4RHTzhC2-LFQJP_lM/s1600/Desk+peacock+image+transfer.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 328px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGp1gTTEaXfID3Yvu-nvIPBVDomP3fsWQYjHK-K9B1NA41GtXrk9z-jHeU8bBDhAJwksVaZ-HtHeqjGg7jEaYhaA_j6WPxgHi_LqS2e6OvP9aa2mOWmDlyW4lZgM4RHTzhC2-LFQJP_lM/s400/Desk+peacock+image+transfer.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669708238929203746" /></a>...painted over the image with several colours of acrylic paint...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnLB9LzIRb0gyY2ObqDFR_iSM9qEoHeMXl6t8bgJrCbKllQbCrDHjm6RDiw4D2UZ7NbIukdsU5pChSUZnTHdlR_uT_9LfkqWQxO8bB6QvA0hgNfrY4LjYNDDOdF3mTkGvH4lMqMDzKplY/s1600/Desk+peacock+finished+1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 285px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnLB9LzIRb0gyY2ObqDFR_iSM9qEoHeMXl6t8bgJrCbKllQbCrDHjm6RDiw4D2UZ7NbIukdsU5pChSUZnTHdlR_uT_9LfkqWQxO8bB6QvA0hgNfrY4LjYNDDOdF3mTkGvH4lMqMDzKplY/s400/Desk+peacock+finished+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669708047663562002" /></a>...close-up...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4Wb-vMx6GC-p9DQ7kU7Z81NPZiEOlD0Npq-s-MhkJEcETqN8VW70h48Jfh-hCgNVlUjPsTmXR40EPsi3mBq74pQeHsZ3LXGdrfXvHawDhf2ar8z4mGrDtEJ5VF_IbQCc34vszGoqc8g/s1600/desk+peacock+finished+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4Wb-vMx6GC-p9DQ7kU7Z81NPZiEOlD0Npq-s-MhkJEcETqN8VW70h48Jfh-hCgNVlUjPsTmXR40EPsi3mBq74pQeHsZ3LXGdrfXvHawDhf2ar8z4mGrDtEJ5VF_IbQCc34vszGoqc8g/s400/desk+peacock+finished+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669707513105308450" /></a><br />...and here she sits, in my livingroom, with my yummy lichen green wall as a backdrop...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibho5C4pnlMaDq9MMFf54ffLHgS7LsoJnwAZFT29fI5g_y3zhvf-vFsJBUDseg_pLAULgQAbIFwst_jBhIDkYWoeF8sBDORyUetGrJgwkYJcMJvbEsjJKN0BWmoCdl5oJKkI2bdvc20QY/s1600/Desk+peacock+finished+3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 247px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibho5C4pnlMaDq9MMFf54ffLHgS7LsoJnwAZFT29fI5g_y3zhvf-vFsJBUDseg_pLAULgQAbIFwst_jBhIDkYWoeF8sBDORyUetGrJgwkYJcMJvbEsjJKN0BWmoCdl5oJKkI2bdvc20QY/s400/Desk+peacock+finished+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669707278256130338" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Ooohhh my, my daughter Erin will either love it or hate it (she thinks my "taste"has moved towards the "trashy"as I move toward my dotage (ha ha). If she LOVES it, I'll let her have it back! <span class="Apple-style-span">Hey hey HEY...edited to say...she liked it...she REALLY LIKED it! (ha ha) </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Please oh brilliant ones, tell me what YOU think. Just be gentle 'eh?<br /><br />Partying <a href="http://www.blogger.com/<a%20href=%22http://todayscreativeblog.net%22%20title=%22Todays%20Creative%20Blog%22><img%20src=%22http://todayscreativeblog.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/button.jpg%22%20alt=%22Todays%20Creative%20Blog%22%20title=%22Todays%20Creative%20Blog%22%20style=%22border:none;%22%20/></a>">here</a> and <a href="http://upcyclingmylife.blogspot.com/p/fabulous-places-to-party.html">with these fine bloggers</a>, and thanking them for all their dedicated linky party work.<br /><br />Here are the scanned peacock feathers I used, if you'd like to play!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTE3A9J9Qkg0u-8jqPOHmsNA9HRdbDTQFEm8Irln74AVHM4X1TWSqE2dd5LnSH1WlRY8KdQypFbWNhtXnySG4EPMvl9d3Y4Oh7bANoWtVaRv26EwUa_2MW4diUOEgtPZblRNnSTSddQI/s1600/peacock+1+lg+for+post.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTE3A9J9Qkg0u-8jqPOHmsNA9HRdbDTQFEm8Irln74AVHM4X1TWSqE2dd5LnSH1WlRY8KdQypFbWNhtXnySG4EPMvl9d3Y4Oh7bANoWtVaRv26EwUa_2MW4diUOEgtPZblRNnSTSddQI/s400/peacock+1+lg+for+post.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671957795091358386" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxbtSki4TUUZZo0SLklSR30R6NzvKBhSUVOhz1I4J1KT6XdA4XNb2Vgs01-5nnClsG-SRhSkGgRWrGAU9M7Yo5WrIMecYIB-ZcexVg8LLJt4I7Dfo8L9geP83yPnb-jiVnrkURQcs359Y/s1600/peacock+2+for+post.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxbtSki4TUUZZo0SLklSR30R6NzvKBhSUVOhz1I4J1KT6XdA4XNb2Vgs01-5nnClsG-SRhSkGgRWrGAU9M7Yo5WrIMecYIB-ZcexVg8LLJt4I7Dfo8L9geP83yPnb-jiVnrkURQcs359Y/s400/peacock+2+for+post.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671957560751275490" /></a><br /><br />THANK YOU so much for visiting today...I'll visit YOU too if you leave a link.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />"May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light.<br /><br />May good luck pursue you each morning and night."<br /><br />An Irish Blessing</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">THANK YOU to Amy and Emily and Courtney and Kelli and Dr Jaime for so generously featuring my desk at their linky parties...DO pop over to visit these blogs for some fabulous inspiration!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a border="0" href="http://www.sistersofthewildwest.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k32/vacationamy/150x150button.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><center><a href="http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/c2afwife/featuredbutton.gif" border="0" /></a></center><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.restoreinteriors.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j356/restoreinteriors/restoreditwednesdaybutton.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><center><a href="http://jaimelyn11.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j449/jaimelyn11/featurebutton-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></center>Deborah Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211999112146380759noreply@blogger.com74tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687746957683653579.post-9464926552628361712011-10-23T07:30:00.001-07:002011-11-01T07:27:51.643-07:00Buffet...<div style="text-align: center;">I found TWO of these lovely buffets on Kijiji here in Nova Scotia...for a whopping fifty dollars each...how LUCKY am I!? These came from a retired lady's twenty-eight room house...("how the other half lives...?") to my little six room condo.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's a "before..." I snapped this one after I'd removed the doors...glass on top and wooden on bottom...and the little drawer in the middle.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSMK6W_DBRSXuWLUo5Col_kyUuAxK6yZffMFlXxc1jIFp0LX50oNm4FMAXibzEWvlFP3lkSO0MAWg5JwxJj6g-MWJDKW89nYOFyGGhTWMcP5viY6DhMs7edbjDHJ5azxDg8JJcqvQbNdc/s1600/Buffet+before.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 229px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSMK6W_DBRSXuWLUo5Col_kyUuAxK6yZffMFlXxc1jIFp0LX50oNm4FMAXibzEWvlFP3lkSO0MAWg5JwxJj6g-MWJDKW89nYOFyGGhTWMcP5viY6DhMs7edbjDHJ5azxDg8JJcqvQbNdc/s400/Buffet+before.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666695667863721378" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I scrubbed it well with TSP, then scrubbed it again with a mild dish soap solution, let it dry, then primed with Zinsser Bin Cover-a-Stain (the absolute BEST, imho). I used knock-off chalk paint...Martha Stewart Heavy Cream mixed in a blender with Calcium Carbonate...worked like a DREAM! It distresses beautifully, and although I LOVE Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, I need less expensive alternates...as a retired old gal. Have a look<a href="http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/2011/09/make-your-own-chalk-paint-for-400.html"> right here at Sherry's No Minimalist Here </a>for recipes 'n' such.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Louis Blue as accents, and to paint the inside of the buffet,then distressed it in various places, and protected it with ASCP Clear Wax and a wee smidgeon of ASCP Dark Wax.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here are some "after" pics:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkdBZioncg7L7m9IkJ6CnJZ536bLDWph4I7_Izk-rC4KASwtjgEPQfZnyM7IZXgvx8dCq4dpv1od0ZCn38ikXuVeolMY-VT2JSZGWOaRq7-_gukNuqd0RQJrDdrHbhmmzDPFxjqHaySf4/s1600/Buffet+before+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 278px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkdBZioncg7L7m9IkJ6CnJZ536bLDWph4I7_Izk-rC4KASwtjgEPQfZnyM7IZXgvx8dCq4dpv1od0ZCn38ikXuVeolMY-VT2JSZGWOaRq7-_gukNuqd0RQJrDdrHbhmmzDPFxjqHaySf4/s400/Buffet+before+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666701547349186194" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The white china on the bottom shelf...Wedgewood Oceanside...a gift from my Mum...long since departed this life...the tiny blue and white dessert plates at the top...bought in Paris many years ago...the pottery wine glasses in the middle...handmade here in Nova Scotia...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpIoQ5Q_RKZyDi91Vl5X6qqbMzkL5N7LFej7HwwLjob6C7_q8veBLeykaBe2sKXTpWf0O3CGQklY-cL8v4OYcVkOt5kIB09cqjUk89jKvRQvc4imrY0MVFD_cb2_D-DFuZ9XqlSAig4MM/s1600/Buffet+after+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 210px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpIoQ5Q_RKZyDi91Vl5X6qqbMzkL5N7LFej7HwwLjob6C7_q8veBLeykaBe2sKXTpWf0O3CGQklY-cL8v4OYcVkOt5kIB09cqjUk89jKvRQvc4imrY0MVFD_cb2_D-DFuZ9XqlSAig4MM/s400/Buffet+after+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666700801015122466" /></a>Isn't this lovely? I dry brushed a little ASCP Louis Blue over the white too...<div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih9y-Yaiw8TFbLgQJNtjS5AfEC3pDjZPkx4B3LSVcvuUD6rWLpI9gwrGQHqI_bAvOBrOT8jmBAHfeyswdqqznXWKd6D5P2SRrK4ZsapiQabW3CBuCzt5cU8zrcmvruQ6FkJZ1XTs4Zo8E/s1600/Buffet+detail+3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 371px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih9y-Yaiw8TFbLgQJNtjS5AfEC3pDjZPkx4B3LSVcvuUD6rWLpI9gwrGQHqI_bAvOBrOT8jmBAHfeyswdqqznXWKd6D5P2SRrK4ZsapiQabW3CBuCzt5cU8zrcmvruQ6FkJZ1XTs4Zo8E/s400/Buffet+detail+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666702644027303650" /></a>I added these wooden accent pieces...good old Gorilla Glue to the rescue!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1JJdTDVixaK2rOyhOnb4YuOOOuXRsJuXNJIeivZZDiEcH3nVWsq5jdNDqCb1tFa910YUyrkLDr-zL-OSf3ebxPil7HaFb9M7o6mDtY-eb9Z_uF0tqdkzmdJPKv4yKgovRvVNyFIg7IpU/s1600/Buffet+detail.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 348px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1JJdTDVixaK2rOyhOnb4YuOOOuXRsJuXNJIeivZZDiEcH3nVWsq5jdNDqCb1tFa910YUyrkLDr-zL-OSf3ebxPil7HaFb9M7o6mDtY-eb9Z_uF0tqdkzmdJPKv4yKgovRvVNyFIg7IpU/s400/Buffet+detail.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666702429228265906" /></a>I updated the shiny brass existing hardware with Rustoleum Oil Rubbed Bronze paint...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7dQ7jwU1_5_CCJd_uffOTmP1DbKUnciZUNHtm8U-bskemy6L1NVZ98sz_fnG63DGl_O021z0Dbeifq4i5FWFKGtP4yb4nal5k6o68cAbg2vbIsbogh3RYjzQsMB1BcQKzqGVuTrh0wS4/s1600/Buffet+detail+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 108px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7dQ7jwU1_5_CCJd_uffOTmP1DbKUnciZUNHtm8U-bskemy6L1NVZ98sz_fnG63DGl_O021z0Dbeifq4i5FWFKGtP4yb4nal5k6o68cAbg2vbIsbogh3RYjzQsMB1BcQKzqGVuTrh0wS4/s400/Buffet+detail+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666702256241551490" /></a>End result...I LOVE it!! Once more...before...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhon6ybhw4NW4Eg66B67m0ObC-eJntelriEVnkP5LPbyWv4PiwagyXKYwMtidPwtCQKt_CAJXgzWnQHeu8dAtDSGRuwJBD2nEmXnz-8Si_jFhZqhZgvuxTnxvph9dhYbEc_e4GwJv73AFg/s1600/Buffet+before.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 229px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhon6ybhw4NW4Eg66B67m0ObC-eJntelriEVnkP5LPbyWv4PiwagyXKYwMtidPwtCQKt_CAJXgzWnQHeu8dAtDSGRuwJBD2nEmXnz-8Si_jFhZqhZgvuxTnxvph9dhYbEc_e4GwJv73AFg/s400/Buffet+before.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666703803160374930" /></a>After...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjJOfBy-G1KQAXuPVtgr6GrgG897qY1Ia1dw-u_Va5X-Y5MKxqkBmkQTkEf8MJOitLRGlsQqp7dlb5wEHtDBMYdgdoSnG2Mr7_avzwzfX7FGcmpIKJxfRwdGFbuIHFHp2DY-qjVlRwmY/s1600/Buffet+after+1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 205px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjJOfBy-G1KQAXuPVtgr6GrgG897qY1Ia1dw-u_Va5X-Y5MKxqkBmkQTkEf8MJOitLRGlsQqp7dlb5wEHtDBMYdgdoSnG2Mr7_avzwzfX7FGcmpIKJxfRwdGFbuIHFHp2DY-qjVlRwmY/s400/Buffet+after+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666704022707866514" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;line-height:normal">Okay upcyclers, now I need your opinion!</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;line-height:normal">What if you gave a party and nobody came???</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;line-height:normal">Even though I've been doing upcycled furniture blogging for only a few months, I'm thoroughly enjoying it...and so I'm thinking of creating a linky upcycled furniture AND papercrafting party...what do you think? Paper crafting is another love of mine, and I have a <a href="http://cardsandthings.blogspot.com/">blog right here about that</a>. I know there are SO MANY linky parties in blogland already...do you think there might be room for another? Would you come? </p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;line-height:normal">I Would be TICKLED PINK to hear your opinions.</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;line-height:normal">The new party would launch with a giveaway for paper crafters AND upcyclers. Soooo...what do you think?</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;line-height:normal">You know, I'm always SO THRILLED when you leave a comment...it's like a little present whenever I read something from you... and...my goodness...you HAVE been leaving comments...and I am so very grateful for each and every one...truly.<br />Ending with an Irish Blessing...for all of us...</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;line-height:normal">"May you have the hindsight to know where you've been, the foresight to know where you're going, and the insight to know when you're going too far."</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;line-height:normal">Closing with a pic of fall in Nova Scotia, just down the road from where I live. Aaahhhh, life is so very good!</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;line-height:normal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtieKFmZHvh7u-q96-fkxkrUu7pVtNOIVA75WCJ4ve8TAAek2xieZ1L0gcj4EhON6w-r4i3HtVdhZVRbXKUzHAMSMDmuwsXeQCZkKqr11rOSn4YltONoPw8HG5TXQjVGEerStL0f4SKko/s1600/Fall+Oct.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtieKFmZHvh7u-q96-fkxkrUu7pVtNOIVA75WCJ4ve8TAAek2xieZ1L0gcj4EhON6w-r4i3HtVdhZVRbXKUzHAMSMDmuwsXeQCZkKqr11rOSn4YltONoPw8HG5TXQjVGEerStL0f4SKko/s400/Fall+Oct.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666873790556473554" /></a><br />Wishing you a WONDERFUL week, doing the THINGS you love to do, with the PEOPLE you love as well.</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;line-height:normal">Thanks so much to young Kelli and Kristi over at Lolly Jane for featuring my buffet as one of their most clicked links on their crafty party last week.</p></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a border="0" href="http://lollyjane.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><a border="0" href="http://lollyjane.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc35/lollyjaneboutique/linkybutton.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">...and to Ms Cheri...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://itssoverycheri.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><a href="http://itssoverycheri.com/" target="_blank"><img border="5" src="http://itssoverycheri.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/isvcbeachfeatured.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">...and to Ms Tammy...</div><br /><center><a href="http://typeadecorating.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo310/shabbycreations2/1-8.jpg" border="0" /></a><center></center></center>Deborah Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211999112146380759noreply@blogger.com55tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687746957683653579.post-48355792482906647762011-10-19T14:18:00.000-07:002011-10-21T20:26:27.584-07:00Happy Birthday to a dear friend...<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span">...she and I served together in the Canadian military, she as a nurse in the Navy, while I was first a medic, then a social worker in the Air Force. She retired twelve years ago; I retired six years ago. We have been friends for many, many years. We watched one another's children grow up, celebrated their triumphs...and ours, grieved their failures...and ours. </span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span">My friend LOVES tea. </span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span">I refinished this little demi-lune table as a birthday gift for her, and <a href="http://cardsandthings.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenges.html">here's a link</a> to her birthday card. Here's a "b</span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span">efore:"</span></i></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUpWjYACDwVANOZDNkK4c48pupFyd6peGEe8jlYd8rYXCs-UnuYHIBtZ7jGqYA0EawDByvEDKT4ZV3aX6Yqd6HUOVMz32qDEi38o2ncc7_3QQBZ52x5V-Rc0F8RtHAq8Vjn_V2z4JHyNY/s1600/Demi+lune+RR+before+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 342px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUpWjYACDwVANOZDNkK4c48pupFyd6peGEe8jlYd8rYXCs-UnuYHIBtZ7jGqYA0EawDByvEDKT4ZV3aX6Yqd6HUOVMz32qDEi38o2ncc7_3QQBZ52x5V-Rc0F8RtHAq8Vjn_V2z4JHyNY/s400/Demi+lune+RR+before+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665317620492850690" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span">I stripped and sanded it. There was a little damage on the front edge, but I rebuilt it with plastic wood. </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijt18TayA8AcJAqJYDPpB59EIYiPnRWcbimspwvqE3M3inpzoL22dtHFg9uRUKy3qMQoYRfs9tQpv77ASkavA5WtGU8NSrd9TRz_TL0iLESGY6ntZGk2z58UpY5VmZB9AtriAUEWD57E8/s1600/Demi+lune+RR+before.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 295px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijt18TayA8AcJAqJYDPpB59EIYiPnRWcbimspwvqE3M3inpzoL22dtHFg9uRUKy3qMQoYRfs9tQpv77ASkavA5WtGU8NSrd9TRz_TL0iLESGY6ntZGk2z58UpY5VmZB9AtriAUEWD57E8/s400/Demi+lune+RR+before.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665317287051829954" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; ">Then I painted it with knock-off chalk paint (Martha Stewart Heavy Cream mixed (successfully!) with calcium carbonate...lots of different recipes available all over the internet...). Then I added an image from Graphics Fairy...did the image transfer with acetone. I know there are oodles and oodles of tutorials on the 'web about this technique. Here's how I do it. <span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; ">I've encountered some challenges doing them on painted surfaces. After much experimenting, I've discovered two things: knock-off chalk paint gives a little more "bite" to the surface. I just mix a tablespoon of powdered calcium carbonate to about 2 cups of latex paint, and mix it well in a cheap blender I use just for this. You can certainly use it without blender-ing it, but it seems a little "lumpy." I find that it actually rolls on smoothly though, so the blender is optional. After painting, I like to leave it for 24 hours so it's bone dry, then I lightly sand the receiving area with very fine sandpaper. After placing the toner based image face down, I soak cotton balls with the acetone and dab all areas of the image. I dab with some pressure, not just a light touch.I've found that "rubbing" messes up the image though. Once it's done, I filled in some areas with a dark grey fine point sharpie.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_XmYTlu5r9IrKachhNTaQmApGz6EAtco-y2TxQdbOThI4GY0_leUNl1CfNJeCEw3u3qmJElC2T-ZHiTJjYD-xG4fGmZGORI7dlqWiXCjEvhTe_stlM7ADBmFwYUZDAtBjBdU1POSRQKk/s1600/Demi+lune+RR+AFTER+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 387px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_XmYTlu5r9IrKachhNTaQmApGz6EAtco-y2TxQdbOThI4GY0_leUNl1CfNJeCEw3u3qmJElC2T-ZHiTJjYD-xG4fGmZGORI7dlqWiXCjEvhTe_stlM7ADBmFwYUZDAtBjBdU1POSRQKk/s400/Demi+lune+RR+AFTER+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665319099914077458" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Then I chipped and sanded and waxed with Briwax Light Brown, and applied a layer of Minwax Polycrylic on the top and bottom shelves.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYIlpNvVUAICgCZk5f_d0i_jcMtBE9vVgN1oxqz4LdTgeR1VKv4v7ofZxekXl4Oo-HW5gEKhx5l9S7WZaSX-nQhk34pFY3zcgBzvTN2enj5O7PHYdOAQy0gGQ1nmvgL5OB9keYfEfNvLQ/s1600/Demi+lune+RR+AFTER+1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYIlpNvVUAICgCZk5f_d0i_jcMtBE9vVgN1oxqz4LdTgeR1VKv4v7ofZxekXl4Oo-HW5gEKhx5l9S7WZaSX-nQhk34pFY3zcgBzvTN2enj5O7PHYdOAQy0gGQ1nmvgL5OB9keYfEfNvLQ/s400/Demi+lune+RR+AFTER+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665318825403361234" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>I gave it to her today...she liked it. I'm so happy.</i></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><i><br /></i></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>Thanks so MUCH for stopping by again. Your comments on my little odds 'n' ends just MAKE my DAY...you KNOW that, right!? I'll be visiting YOU too, through your comments. Partying <a href="http://www.thethriftyhome.com/">here</a> and <a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/">here</a> and <a href="http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/2011/10/potpourri-party-7.html">here</a> and with<a href="http://upcyclingmylife.blogspot.com/p/fabulous-places-to-party.html"> these fine bloggers</a> this week.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>Wishing you a week filled with the joy of doing what you love with the people you love...and...</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">May you always have walls for the winds,<br />a roof for the rain, tea beside the fire,<br />laughter to cheer you, those you love near you,<br />and all your heart might desire.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; "><span class="Apple-style-span">(an Irish Blessing)</span></span></div></div>Deborah Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211999112146380759noreply@blogger.com55tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687746957683653579.post-50326577111334516172011-10-11T06:57:00.000-07:002011-10-21T12:30:58.520-07:00Nesting...<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I found this set of little nesting tables on Kijiji (thanks Sophia!). She sold them to me for a hefty twenty dollars! (thanks AGAIN Sophia!) Here's a "before."</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiByrUecOx6DxIINjBFm8AtSYq6GCPAHKvrGJpUHiUbUAEpKZtZCD9v95hpaxQB12P2GiUbG6UtwxY2itMu8ct6IXPcZCmTpsX7CUekanHt05mxyI1wrIgDpNhh_easxOl8saVntE_TFZ0/s1600/Nesting+before.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiByrUecOx6DxIINjBFm8AtSYq6GCPAHKvrGJpUHiUbUAEpKZtZCD9v95hpaxQB12P2GiUbG6UtwxY2itMu8ct6IXPcZCmTpsX7CUekanHt05mxyI1wrIgDpNhh_easxOl8saVntE_TFZ0/s400/Nesting+before.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662233832196485954" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">It's funny, I'd been looking for nesting tables, and when I want something specific, I rarely find it. These little tables were perfect for my needs...which include a "hen party" tonight and a buffet for a dozen of my favourite women. So they had to be READY...and they are! I re-glued and stabilized and did all the things we "trash to treasure junkies DO..." stripping, sanding, redoing...you know the drill! I thought initially that I'd paint the whole table, including the top...</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggoAs91i4W9B2Khq76Ay30eBfgsjcldr54D5lu06t2n9o6pxIeGk-gnj_b6EveHXydPTKw4BXq2327u_y5bf6iLILJV-7XkbsTTkux66ZSYDKCUZIeDH3fISx7_flymmgNLIJaO9_pPgs/s1600/Nesting+during+1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 273px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggoAs91i4W9B2Khq76Ay30eBfgsjcldr54D5lu06t2n9o6pxIeGk-gnj_b6EveHXydPTKw4BXq2327u_y5bf6iLILJV-7XkbsTTkux66ZSYDKCUZIeDH3fISx7_flymmgNLIJaO9_pPgs/s400/Nesting+during+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662234773815358434" /></a>So I scrubbed them with TSP, then primed them with Rustoleum Spray Primer (lazy 'eh? lol) THEN I decided to strip and sand the top of ONE of the tables, just to see whether the woodgrain was "pretty enough."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMwA8RO6lEO_fnWzOo25SaFP05Ekizo5YOjm43i_zlLAD0-u-xhb-DEy9YAW7Du7YhxmMTBBV1B1qtA4tj298bO4KzCqPjE3DhPcc4gHgFHGp2weELH2srSn4Jpb4RVdoIFoySfSVQBk/s1600/Nesting+during+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 307px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMwA8RO6lEO_fnWzOo25SaFP05Ekizo5YOjm43i_zlLAD0-u-xhb-DEy9YAW7Du7YhxmMTBBV1B1qtA4tj298bO4KzCqPjE3DhPcc4gHgFHGp2weELH2srSn4Jpb4RVdoIFoySfSVQBk/s400/Nesting+during+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662235400083529106" /></a><br />Oh my GOODNESS...it sure WAS!! Do you ever DO that? Go into a project with a particular finish in mind, then change midway through?<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So here's that beautiful grain all prettied up...I used Minwax Wood Conditioner before I stained...makes a FABULOUS even stain; then I used Minwax Jacobean stain to bring out that gorgeous grain:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWAFeH4i31G6ZhGDySx4IPCHwOl_QYvJPp_9q24zS4oZd_XHD7LMMF_skj5kxLS74oig7RLgM4L7-G2RyKu1TL-GE5zhZ9AwPSVnwCXItPvYnwkEVH9XMmsd5advSdFKZIU8yKG97jzg/s1600/Nesting+after+1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWAFeH4i31G6ZhGDySx4IPCHwOl_QYvJPp_9q24zS4oZd_XHD7LMMF_skj5kxLS74oig7RLgM4L7-G2RyKu1TL-GE5zhZ9AwPSVnwCXItPvYnwkEVH9XMmsd5advSdFKZIU8yKG97jzg/s400/Nesting+after+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662235996134407906" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Some other views...tables "nested..."painted with Martha Stewart Heavy Cream...made into knock-off chalk paint with Calcium Carbonate...GREAT for chipping and sanding...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbp0mRTk6IgMHD7Olp9KoiSu4qKA2KxPBX5jkmMsjUaPuNw8Knitc_rl8imaSq1WopWe18T6GhO0LitGB_6Q16JToOH1nZUef9ofyPa2gJ98KFfTnqcotIu7GyEoJLLeIkW34623tVszk/s1600/Nesting+after+4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 367px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbp0mRTk6IgMHD7Olp9KoiSu4qKA2KxPBX5jkmMsjUaPuNw8Knitc_rl8imaSq1WopWe18T6GhO0LitGB_6Q16JToOH1nZUef9ofyPa2gJ98KFfTnqcotIu7GyEoJLLeIkW34623tVszk/s400/Nesting+after+4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662240504230975682" /></a>Just a peek...accents of ASCP Arles, Duck Egg Blue and Louis Blue (all won in a wonderful "paint-a-chair" contest with Anne <a href="http://houseofanne-anne.blogspot.com/">right here</a>...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqi_IOUe4tiBbJ6C1Fkcxi5jyUbjLGVKJ08hFedzP9dlBeZn3HjsJfqIXxhR_-uPEJQfdYfQVzlefq_ZxqfWKf-SsJtYPuIqbtbBxPdv5_NiV8KV9tBfv0p-rd97PUFrcxqU1ODfGwnc/s1600/Nesting+after+3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 382px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqi_IOUe4tiBbJ6C1Fkcxi5jyUbjLGVKJ08hFedzP9dlBeZn3HjsJfqIXxhR_-uPEJQfdYfQVzlefq_ZxqfWKf-SsJtYPuIqbtbBxPdv5_NiV8KV9tBfv0p-rd97PUFrcxqU1ODfGwnc/s400/Nesting+after+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662240792734144482" /></a>...separated, chipped...stained tops have three coats of Minwax Polycrylic ( can you tell I LOVE Minwax!?) for sturdiness, and everything else was waxed with light brown BriWax and buffed...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqIWTptOH6kHbYNBBlHmgm1Gr0xc8xCqkytp7dMhtDtJYMkd5BphDhHY9St-NSZ7NVgJA9cw5n-7uoSGRywGQG326D7s6AKpKIGRFLCXG5kovHL462QXlK4Htqkw1XCQokY8r4ldMQO3E/s1600/Nesting+after+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 338px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqIWTptOH6kHbYNBBlHmgm1Gr0xc8xCqkytp7dMhtDtJYMkd5BphDhHY9St-NSZ7NVgJA9cw5n-7uoSGRywGQG326D7s6AKpKIGRFLCXG5kovHL462QXlK4Htqkw1XCQokY8r4ldMQO3E/s400/Nesting+after+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662241399450563122" /></a>One more before...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1qIglDmKsQ6pjOuRBVwE_1BV_cHE6fr4HFt13t8Gp5lHk_QDmyLrP68mLqa3ZF9w9AgxwC5xXRw6GmiM70_NB33lWS5HWRVFx4ExiwEiXarmNO0bV29bMbRU1X7jFneWXLZrWifUp76w/s1600/Nesting+before.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1qIglDmKsQ6pjOuRBVwE_1BV_cHE6fr4HFt13t8Gp5lHk_QDmyLrP68mLqa3ZF9w9AgxwC5xXRw6GmiM70_NB33lWS5HWRVFx4ExiwEiXarmNO0bV29bMbRU1X7jFneWXLZrWifUp76w/s400/Nesting+before.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662242435546521698" /></a>...aren't they just the PRETTIEST wee things!? They'll have their inaugural presentation this evening, as I host a "hen party," replete with great food (every single recipe having come from blog parties!!), good wine and WONDERFUL women! Aaahhh, life is so very VERY...good! Once I have time after clean-up, I'll post links to the blog recipes I used, and will let y'all know their success. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-vEk-qDI_zdFODrjnv1lgiQBslkSZ9heST66CJeAGgkCaaiLsQGa4luljEx33DxvSO2Up3yLmsr2EMdbxANUc9LGljSLNpnCcNgWD-O-dSyCiUIyDALQDqcykAoCckp-VJBWTefLQ_Y/s1600/Nesting+after+review.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-vEk-qDI_zdFODrjnv1lgiQBslkSZ9heST66CJeAGgkCaaiLsQGa4luljEx33DxvSO2Up3yLmsr2EMdbxANUc9LGljSLNpnCcNgWD-O-dSyCiUIyDALQDqcykAoCckp-VJBWTefLQ_Y/s400/Nesting+after+review.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662242221983660866" /></a>Thanks so MUCH for stopping by again. I'll be visiting YOU too, through your comments. Partying <a href="http://www.thethriftyhome.com/">here</a> and <a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/">here</a> and <a href="http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/2011/10/potpourri-party-7.html">here</a> and with<a href="http://upcyclingmylife.blogspot.com/p/fabulous-places-to-party.html"> these fine bloggers</a> this week.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wishing you a week filled with the joy of doing what you love with the people you love...</div><div style="text-align: center;">"Do what you love, love what you do."</div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Edited to add a hearty <span class="Apple-style-span"><b>THANK YOU</b></span> to Tammy over at Type A and to Mary at Very Merry Vintage Style and to Beverly at Flamingo Toes for featuring my little tables!</div><br /><center><a href="http://typeadecorating.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo310/shabbycreations2/1-8.jpg" border="0" /></a><center></center></center><br /><br /><center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/Hastings.Mary/September272011?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-MVa0H_8uHTM/ToKR-HxYQfE/AAAAAAAABqw/FmLk0kkYuRQ/s160-c/September272011.jpg" width="160" height="160" style="margin:1px 0 0 4px;" /></a><br /><br /><center> <a href="http://www.flamingotoes.com/" target="_blank"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-5108" src="http://www.flamingotoes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Featured-Crush-Button-0711.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a> </center><br /></center>Deborah Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211999112146380759noreply@blogger.com72tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687746957683653579.post-63499905490328626762011-10-04T17:03:00.000-07:002011-10-17T20:28:48.906-07:00Blood, sweat and tears...long post...<div style="text-align: center;">Oh-my-oh-my-oh-MY!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's DONE, despite the blood, sweat and tears (literally!)...ummmm...and MUCH colourful language. Now that it's completed, I have to say that I am utterly DELIGHTED with the end result. It's the most ambitious thing I've done so far, and despite much frustration, I learned so MUCH. I'm a happy old gal today, enjoying frequent "appreciation moments" in my livingroom. (does anyone else do that?)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is a three piece "wall unit/bookshelf" set. It was the very FIRST "nice" furniture I'd ever bought...about thirty-six years ago! Hmmm, well, I THOUGHT it was nice at the time. I also THOUGHT it was solid wood. Nope to both. ACK! Back then, it was that dark knotty pine we all loved. (lol) Since then, it's been through several different families, and when it came back to me, it was just SO VERY SAD.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I wasn't sure I could rehabilitate it, but my boy-kid issued a challenge...the gauntlet was thrown...and I accepted it (ha ha Michael!). I have spent...easily...fifty hours and REAL BLOOD on this thing.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Let's see, what have I learned? I used a brad nailer for the first time...my little brother David lent me his brad nailer...LOVE...I bought myself a new electric drill (lime green! ha ha!) and a new electric screw driver. I used a spade bit and a carbon steel hole saw bit...for the first time. Hey...sounds like I'm getting SERIOUS about this new hobby (addiction) of mine. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I also have to say that I've learned MUCH from my blogging friends, who so readily and generously share their skills and inspiration. The most important lessons come from <a href="http://momandherdrill.blogspot.com/">Ms Katy over at "A Single Mom and her Drill,"</a> whose determination SO inspires me, <a href="http://www.myrepurposedlife.net/">Ms. Gail over at My Repurposed life</a>, whose MANY projects are on my bucket list and have a special place in a hard-copy binder built just for her (lol...but seriously!), and the newly minted young <a href="http://jaimelyn11.blogspot.com/">Dental-Doctor JaimeLyn over at Crafty Happy Scrappy</a>, who (despite the fact that she's younger than my daughter!) teaches me about the importance of the personal connection to our projects. If you haven't visited these blogs...DO IT!! The inspiration you'll find is utterly AMAZING.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Okay then, so these poor things were a MESS. The re-do was NOT worth it...at least not in the "monetarily valued" sense...but the family history sense of it is simply incomparable. I have photos of my son (when he was four years old) in front of this thing, belting out "You've Lost that Loving Feeling" from his all time favourite movie "Top Gun," using an old coke bottle as a microphone (he's now 25) and my daughter's first day of school (SHE'S now 35 and Mum to four wonderful boy-children!) My son was BORN with an affliction to airplanes (lol), and now is an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer...big surprise.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But...oh my...it was so VERY ugly when it came back to me, having spent a few years in a single fella's apartment...ummm...whatever you can THINK about this there...would be accurate. It was scratched. It was gouged. It was water damaged. It had "critter-bugs" making a home in it. It was a MESS, pure and simple. So, here are some pics...</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitmMQYnVB6BJ3k0O1VopY1YhLUWKgSk4VQ_R-cx3urKxfPkAF0TNZOBnS3lf1X6tffgWAZ-w4cZVKx5o1MFw8x40TcATkzI6Rp1hs6IMFdy4SPjP3keyJCCEc4yKJENtLu20X_jDvNPbU/s1600/WU+before+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 199px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitmMQYnVB6BJ3k0O1VopY1YhLUWKgSk4VQ_R-cx3urKxfPkAF0TNZOBnS3lf1X6tffgWAZ-w4cZVKx5o1MFw8x40TcATkzI6Rp1hs6IMFdy4SPjP3keyJCCEc4yKJENtLu20X_jDvNPbU/s400/WU+before+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659799710041825074" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">There are two of these, with two cupboards at the bottom of each one.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmXeGZ65c_SRg2PsidFuXbqQ4SjpRzQ2-kJMppGfxjHYI6Al0W97t5dmXyW1bPEZWaCIxqqvLzyFIGMV_LZsprYQAZrJA4fx0nZS6JXCACgEvzVjcmIGvOoOQ50yqJ6iZDYF9d6iAXAqE/s1600/WU+before+1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 197px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmXeGZ65c_SRg2PsidFuXbqQ4SjpRzQ2-kJMppGfxjHYI6Al0W97t5dmXyW1bPEZWaCIxqqvLzyFIGMV_LZsprYQAZrJA4fx0nZS6JXCACgEvzVjcmIGvOoOQ50yqJ6iZDYF9d6iAXAqE/s400/WU+before+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659799436697280242" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Okay, so in my long ago "believe-anything" youth, I bought these shelves. This was the very FIRST "nice furniture" I'd ever owned, and I was SO proud of my purchase! They were in my various homes for the best part of thirty years, then in various other people's homes...including my son's. When I bought them, I was TOLD these were solid dark pine. Ummm...NOPE! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Not sure how this happened, but there was water damage on the base of every unit (ummm..Michael???). The veneer peeled and cracked. That horrible fake wood stuff underneath the veneer was ROTTED. ACK!! Here's the evidence, from the base of all three of the pieces:</div></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_a2TE0GCrDSDE3yOys0Aw-dOCZ22RbNzL1vQcDRRojvQItZcI3NVehP8l1bKO7r6UP7RqES6WS5E4chquvxdH5tfMkkgQS_P1ExhY8yUwO__c2CYdRyKcftUEvhAlU1ScN0rPm7S-n5I/s1600/WU+base+before+a.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 231px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_a2TE0GCrDSDE3yOys0Aw-dOCZ22RbNzL1vQcDRRojvQItZcI3NVehP8l1bKO7r6UP7RqES6WS5E4chquvxdH5tfMkkgQS_P1ExhY8yUwO__c2CYdRyKcftUEvhAlU1ScN0rPm7S-n5I/s400/WU+base+before+a.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659800885674353378" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFfny-b4DeFssFxSvKZBCJGLtPtSkZDmoYyExgl3sHzjKs8ptBvfV2iILFr-Nc6l8js8dpO-onvYraVldft-qpNYueBcWCFltId_D9sIscVxv_oqJ_kuHs0USeAGViM3N8NM04UAjkTI/s1600/WU+base+before+b.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFfny-b4DeFssFxSvKZBCJGLtPtSkZDmoYyExgl3sHzjKs8ptBvfV2iILFr-Nc6l8js8dpO-onvYraVldft-qpNYueBcWCFltId_D9sIscVxv_oqJ_kuHs0USeAGViM3N8NM04UAjkTI/s400/WU+base+before+b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659800637719402050" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Okay, at THIS point I was ready to quit. Didn't have a CLUE how to even START. What a mess 'eh?</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfC5enMVBf2AsNiYN4d9b-h3Tkgr-hJD71LQ18R1fLDXNcryVo3uBd_vzjdJ9heChwVmwyhR1cAIWoJGYnovGj5BvdbEPD2QK1Dm3bCxplJgteDUZQGHZYI7m33p7s_yU0Oc65BoYNAo/s1600/WU+base+before+c.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 287px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfC5enMVBf2AsNiYN4d9b-h3Tkgr-hJD71LQ18R1fLDXNcryVo3uBd_vzjdJ9heChwVmwyhR1cAIWoJGYnovGj5BvdbEPD2QK1Dm3bCxplJgteDUZQGHZYI7m33p7s_yU0Oc65BoYNAo/s400/WU+base+before+c.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659800449694978290" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyTlq7OZmY5g9LggyhtDI89msdjgF_dFB93j8GHs0Xe1TY6TL3KgKZSW-NsjnY9J-EBFRBXR68jRd0Dxl8FND1txEjHP6PhBm-ZixWukriDwGYs3oLMqCyuvImcVJl_E4IHoStQihqYFo/s1600/WU+base+before+1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 253px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyTlq7OZmY5g9LggyhtDI89msdjgF_dFB93j8GHs0Xe1TY6TL3KgKZSW-NsjnY9J-EBFRBXR68jRd0Dxl8FND1txEjHP6PhBm-ZixWukriDwGYs3oLMqCyuvImcVJl_E4IHoStQihqYFo/s400/WU+base+before+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659803426043880130" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Here's how I started. I had to dry these out, then try to stop the water based rot from seeping up any further. I used this wonderful product called "PC Petrifier Wood Hardener." I turned the book cases upside down, poured this stuff into this clamped area...and waited. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">See those bits of wood? They're paint stirring sticks! (lol) They were heavily used in this project...stuck in many places with Gorilla Glue and clamps and nails...they're FREE!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb3F4kXydx02FTFUhktgltAXV31GRJOhyoBVFesTbDV4-eU5QwRlMNhSbGmLPzWu3hipBfv4vdqKqAtr6cp2rv2v7Lh8-tsR_pwcF5vy5n_yPvWGkdwTEUN8WBm1VuwuAFBgX4Xb2R_04/s1600/WU+base+before+1+b.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb3F4kXydx02FTFUhktgltAXV31GRJOhyoBVFesTbDV4-eU5QwRlMNhSbGmLPzWu3hipBfv4vdqKqAtr6cp2rv2v7Lh8-tsR_pwcF5vy5n_yPvWGkdwTEUN8WBm1VuwuAFBgX4Xb2R_04/s400/WU+base+before+1+b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659803196314646162" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8WLv2K_FGGZ82BmitV0OrF5DvYyLOkIz0_GbBgfH5d8tXi8raoSQegAhy7jlTXcYwyugvdcqSDvqWv0XP8JoWurPsZCOaX1YBPfUVXZoZG_SXi651jvUnJHMyN9rN7_l8FrNlqdFnI0Y/s1600/WU+base+before+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8WLv2K_FGGZ82BmitV0OrF5DvYyLOkIz0_GbBgfH5d8tXi8raoSQegAhy7jlTXcYwyugvdcqSDvqWv0XP8JoWurPsZCOaX1YBPfUVXZoZG_SXi651jvUnJHMyN9rN7_l8FrNlqdFnI0Y/s400/WU+base+before+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659802902929414130" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Another view of my amateur attempts to fix the damage. Upside down again. In the "paint stick channels," I built up plastic wood in several layers, letting each layer dry before adding the next. </div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ471I72amD7btQ3veTo-sodLZtuXQdLena9tDI2vQGjG_886YCbRmBtdvZClE6LlGeEzpH1PZ4RlaCzNZMLZmF4JWIc28jewM1B7qH4pD8jRVy64FkLaYgmze8DJipf1yB-QAzNZUt4w/s1600/WU+base+before+2b.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 224px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ471I72amD7btQ3veTo-sodLZtuXQdLena9tDI2vQGjG_886YCbRmBtdvZClE6LlGeEzpH1PZ4RlaCzNZMLZmF4JWIc28jewM1B7qH4pD8jRVy64FkLaYgmze8DJipf1yB-QAzNZUt4w/s400/WU+base+before+2b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659806567952106930" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Here's an interim shot, where I'd filled the channels with plastic wood. Once this dried, I sanded it off with a "rasp" (yet another tool I'd never used before), then with coarse sandpaper. This would be the base of the units, so it had to be level. This goop dries WONDERFULLY HARD.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzX76frQHJ9StptSqbl5UrrpntGgdQoCh5uQQK4NY6idtwY_gbGKx-N-pmylEG0CA_n5cKCv4RHh_t2gD-C1SX9a8dy0uo94c2wu0sv_LAJL0wATFRjm9ibLxkxv3f1LCfisT6QnaARl0/s1600/WU+base+before+3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 355px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzX76frQHJ9StptSqbl5UrrpntGgdQoCh5uQQK4NY6idtwY_gbGKx-N-pmylEG0CA_n5cKCv4RHh_t2gD-C1SX9a8dy0uo94c2wu0sv_LAJL0wATFRjm9ibLxkxv3f1LCfisT6QnaARl0/s400/WU+base+before+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659806335823538034" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Now on to the cupboard doors. So dated. So ugly (lol) First step, take the dark wooden knobs off.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXyjc6UeAh_B5E8Nb8wBre5d8ddbJnkV_JiRRS0bDteX2l5H47-bVrL3QsU9CushawefMJVjNrQ9E5Lhq0kz7xRv4dSjrAk0gsAuk4EISysZUyZteh6CvYn004VRy8NqsMSVlmlB5lXBY/s1600/WU+door+1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 291px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXyjc6UeAh_B5E8Nb8wBre5d8ddbJnkV_JiRRS0bDteX2l5H47-bVrL3QsU9CushawefMJVjNrQ9E5Lhq0kz7xRv4dSjrAk0gsAuk4EISysZUyZteh6CvYn004VRy8NqsMSVlmlB5lXBY/s400/WU+door+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659808248680351586" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Second step, fill those "decorative" ovals with plastic wood...start priming...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjou5XZMCRJb0Ll697QSb2UwK6Dq4dRLFHhgRFszevhkgb5i2IJYqhTEleI1-FTGtaV7HAH4xhR5fTYdAYWD1dkmhKbjyglWLONVnCFabgtf_I-6MR2odn08SS9hslOtzPWr9i-NU0fK1A/s1600/WU+doors+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 287px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjou5XZMCRJb0Ll697QSb2UwK6Dq4dRLFHhgRFszevhkgb5i2IJYqhTEleI1-FTGtaV7HAH4xhR5fTYdAYWD1dkmhKbjyglWLONVnCFabgtf_I-6MR2odn08SS9hslOtzPWr9i-NU0fK1A/s400/WU+doors+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659808492469524802" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Finish priming...overfill with "Spackle..."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKEyWsdXJ961LziuzEy118A-c19PX5dLTiv4gaZ78eF0bHy86k9eAFQUmCX9cBDV_HMW7JeTaumw1gETjsyjdBE347cTsBWY0PskkNdjX96Wipa08TAIyGqj-D1Pbnao_-6S9Xc3-KxZE/s1600/WU+doors+.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 279px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKEyWsdXJ961LziuzEy118A-c19PX5dLTiv4gaZ78eF0bHy86k9eAFQUmCX9cBDV_HMW7JeTaumw1gETjsyjdBE347cTsBWY0PskkNdjX96Wipa08TAIyGqj-D1Pbnao_-6S9Xc3-KxZE/s400/WU+doors+.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659807829523515442" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">My hands looked like this...a LOT...and one of these fingers received three stitches as a memento of my hard work (lol)...as if I could EVER forget!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWH7iKusk05c3QlIY1HnS8fLUPGhx53MJ4Vc-cRk0aAWVpW6arEn_8hWqYONUqtkSqwzWO84bZx9_zSeinAH4d2ZAq5xHV6QS53WHLC5cDqGiAFcksXIIyIZVj4-DYYvxS6vvKI_OZew/s1600/WU+base+before+2b+hand.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 285px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWH7iKusk05c3QlIY1HnS8fLUPGhx53MJ4Vc-cRk0aAWVpW6arEn_8hWqYONUqtkSqwzWO84bZx9_zSeinAH4d2ZAq5xHV6QS53WHLC5cDqGiAFcksXIIyIZVj4-DYYvxS6vvKI_OZew/s400/WU+base+before+2b+hand.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659968641891473010" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I tried getting those strips of wood off the doors too, but they wouldn't budge, so it looked like I was stuck with them. Start to prime the backs of the cupboard doors...VOILA!! GREAT idea! Turn the FRONTS of the doors to the INSIDE, use the nice clean finish insides for the FRONTS!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Started priming...used Zinsser Cover-a-Stain throughout...LOVE the stuff, filled the holes left from the knobs.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU3zw2FWQwyVGl6kuhXcLuZr5GwNR_BEguCqEUzLgqlRYfWcbLAd75XyGOsUwwmwtAL1d36ffgUsogL_MObh8VUszDhQtbPS7AmkhW0oQCJDzzoPq6YtT8mf_3GgSSMpPG2Imp47Wm3Wc/s1600/WU+doors+3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 331px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU3zw2FWQwyVGl6kuhXcLuZr5GwNR_BEguCqEUzLgqlRYfWcbLAd75XyGOsUwwmwtAL1d36ffgUsogL_MObh8VUszDhQtbPS7AmkhW0oQCJDzzoPq6YtT8mf_3GgSSMpPG2Imp47Wm3Wc/s400/WU+doors+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659807540885063202" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Here, you can see a hint of the blue I used on the interiors. It's Martha Stewart French Court blue. On one of the units, there was damage on the wooden strip that has to hold the hinges. </div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Qg0Urum5CVQDkgAGm0HPQe6VtgXFGZNnHuQPvqvptUP1WKvDw4DA12dOqhukOwplR3hkXbUFoCmwOWEuAGk16uP5qLyGZZhzpstTeqErqyFftesc0ewhuaWM5z1IvUPhgXbAyFife6Y/s1600/WU+base+before+5+broken.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 244px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Qg0Urum5CVQDkgAGm0HPQe6VtgXFGZNnHuQPvqvptUP1WKvDw4DA12dOqhukOwplR3hkXbUFoCmwOWEuAGk16uP5qLyGZZhzpstTeqErqyFftesc0ewhuaWM5z1IvUPhgXbAyFife6Y/s400/WU+base+before+5+broken.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659957891633013890" /></a>I chiselled the wood strip off, then filled it with spackle...<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5GyLIFGshtok7sGLarjifCr22C2NNGlKamYapUN7Wh7WtdvbSC2Uxcmp4uF9fX3OZXY_JRac5wYmi3rFGxD5NlwHkoOZBUls9HDxpUYddWDZicF0xvtoYJJIK1I-OOgvftbVrAI36VRY/s1600/WU+base+before+5c+broken.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 195px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5GyLIFGshtok7sGLarjifCr22C2NNGlKamYapUN7Wh7WtdvbSC2Uxcmp4uF9fX3OZXY_JRac5wYmi3rFGxD5NlwHkoOZBUls9HDxpUYddWDZicF0xvtoYJJIK1I-OOgvftbVrAI36VRY/s400/WU+base+before+5c+broken.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659811825620582690" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">...then replaced the wooden strip with (yep, you guessed it!) paint stir sticks!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjqSzMOfsNlAqYRZas6-fT8jA1ZriR1ddEbXUvh2zz4JcK2nFysneGLHxT3v0eIOlsYKFaqemAUUXt54yHYcPMAd8OawJMQSovN5yunTTOZLXO7Tnpcaw51ot88xkI6rCob8cqH2SYezU/s1600/WU+base+before+5d+broken.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 174px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjqSzMOfsNlAqYRZas6-fT8jA1ZriR1ddEbXUvh2zz4JcK2nFysneGLHxT3v0eIOlsYKFaqemAUUXt54yHYcPMAd8OawJMQSovN5yunTTOZLXO7Tnpcaw51ot88xkI6rCob8cqH2SYezU/s400/WU+base+before+5d+broken.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659811151576468146" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">So...priming done, three coats of paint on (I used Martha Stewart Heavy Cream with the blue)...starting to look like I just MIGHT be able to live with it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvXoabaaa9AHYx75Iob94aKX3Kfmyyc1YoBwTAZCKaj5pgtlbh4X7Q1HHtivJK4CxKgFbGiYQqpeXqFb6y0kAZqOs4rXF3OSdDVxU2JyNnGhHGJdlTe0nkA6_d-T9hVXoH_XexoBVlU8/s1600/WU+LR+1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvXoabaaa9AHYx75Iob94aKX3Kfmyyc1YoBwTAZCKaj5pgtlbh4X7Q1HHtivJK4CxKgFbGiYQqpeXqFb6y0kAZqOs4rXF3OSdDVxU2JyNnGhHGJdlTe0nkA6_d-T9hVXoH_XexoBVlU8/s400/WU+LR+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659959825466526946" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Decided to cover up the wavy top and update the piece a little with crown molding. My SIL Susan suggested this...otherwise, never wouldathunkit (so THANKS Sus!).To make that work, I had to even out the top edge so the molding would sit flat. See all my paint sticks again? Also, I cut and nailed bead board onto each end.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0yjWSDa4btQmfcKtlR5I3B5PGThlOXEoj5CXE3a5mq9gicAW8Dv3YhfOtDGll-kyUzrpDrIimu6FaHOn7Ym5IlYPVE1acv2s5hOeO4dciElKkfbpwbDcyL0BMQPZGESacejkUGoi9V8/s1600/WU+blue+crown+1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 253px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0yjWSDa4btQmfcKtlR5I3B5PGThlOXEoj5CXE3a5mq9gicAW8Dv3YhfOtDGll-kyUzrpDrIimu6FaHOn7Ym5IlYPVE1acv2s5hOeO4dciElKkfbpwbDcyL0BMQPZGESacejkUGoi9V8/s400/WU+blue+crown+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659960849384331314" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I will never NEVER again do crown molding! It was sheer torture! Those who know me are aware of my spatial perceptual disability, and trying to figure all this out was an absolute horror! However, with a you tube video for help, and my trusty little Stanley mitre box, I managed...sort of...</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNf4qaNVTNTCmPPbUSvqg1f6J3xs64-KCmyd3mf0W4fp8DE2Aa_WfOPXTWXjhhpGop63Z7QYlf-uh8tBnp0G5jJLZ_hBker4gh8JCN5xzC-ywkIFT-SMuX2jpTFMM-IyZI3NK4BWgd0Ao/s1600/WU+crown+interim+1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNf4qaNVTNTCmPPbUSvqg1f6J3xs64-KCmyd3mf0W4fp8DE2Aa_WfOPXTWXjhhpGop63Z7QYlf-uh8tBnp0G5jJLZ_hBker4gh8JCN5xzC-ywkIFT-SMuX2jpTFMM-IyZI3NK4BWgd0Ao/s400/WU+crown+interim+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659962671678324770" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Siigh...once the crown was on, across all three units, I realized the units were actually NOT the same height...just by half an inch or so. This resulted in my "girlie fix..." remove the molding, then use some narrow molding underneath the crown to hide the problem. See the plastic wood at my mitred corner? Oh my...the good, the bad, and the ugly. I liked the narrow strips, and added another one beneath the first.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg75RouuTi7voLoppV74PPpseRj0AMcJ3dly0rrr0-ZFmYnpcyHWsD0Nl0AiEnHV0F4B6wkNSjBbpTfV2SCXVx6GWbl2FVSURNO7du8wRHpNQ9F_aXmSrLIuuGGqA3fuhw3hxcqsGjkNMo/s1600/WU+crown+interim+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg75RouuTi7voLoppV74PPpseRj0AMcJ3dly0rrr0-ZFmYnpcyHWsD0Nl0AiEnHV0F4B6wkNSjBbpTfV2SCXVx6GWbl2FVSURNO7du8wRHpNQ9F_aXmSrLIuuGGqA3fuhw3hxcqsGjkNMo/s400/WU+crown+interim+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659962388464589522" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's a close-up of the cupboard doors, replete with new bead board and updated handles.</div><div style="text-align: center;">All that discolouration was from my grubby hands...everything is now all clean and pretty! I sanded very lightly, didn't want dark stain or wax...was looking for a more "cottage-y" look. </div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjNal7mQ4zwZwOmsppM7tFewC1X7FrVqZQ4144FrlqgozqTs9zL0-UcXacfeUHY85RmgyyusT291ohAZCSZ1zhCowD3OP2vtnTeiJjIOYzjsByK9MVGqdcmH2WxYc6qtA00PbE00uTpg/s1600/WU+done+doors.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 324px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjNal7mQ4zwZwOmsppM7tFewC1X7FrVqZQ4144FrlqgozqTs9zL0-UcXacfeUHY85RmgyyusT291ohAZCSZ1zhCowD3OP2vtnTeiJjIOYzjsByK9MVGqdcmH2WxYc6qtA00PbE00uTpg/s400/WU+done+doors.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659964042773177746" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">So, here's my finished product, with three coats of Minwax Polycrylic applied to all the shelves, and one coat everywhere else. You KNOW...this thing might well last ANOTHER forty years...by which time I'll be a memory too...so my dear children can cope with moving it/trashing it (lol).</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6-BwrtzztWNhqQPc6TvX_r1-ro3IDtuZ83PUhBpFWsSkD4HaGN74gEBOkgFu0YZOollqGXvux_1m7QjG-JWTkLmDNBQlGzuQTEgT6Ly2c2-G-sNUHfXMiguqYflALs7xhNx8mQ8sANE/s1600/WU+done+a3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 328px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6-BwrtzztWNhqQPc6TvX_r1-ro3IDtuZ83PUhBpFWsSkD4HaGN74gEBOkgFu0YZOollqGXvux_1m7QjG-JWTkLmDNBQlGzuQTEgT6Ly2c2-G-sNUHfXMiguqYflALs7xhNx8mQ8sANE/s400/WU+done+a3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659965437278119890" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">See that small painting on the right bottom unit? That was gifted to me twenty years ago by a wonderful friend, long since departed this life. She was once-upon-a-time-long-long-ago my "boss," and we later became dear friends. It depicts "Lawrencetown Beach" here in Nova Scotia, where she and I would go for picnics. What a beautiful memory...thank you "Missus Mac."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNhBScON53giBF1EmPgMi1dZAPT6sML9hXzZFCQcDXQlAmjfHnrK2Ksi81jDt1XPzPhpDT6t3K2dghv_QXKnwsRCjQYXiS1_TbtfnqppIecb_8-ogTetYB9jTAWsyMTl7S39AAioJgmmw/s1600/WU+done+a.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNhBScON53giBF1EmPgMi1dZAPT6sML9hXzZFCQcDXQlAmjfHnrK2Ksi81jDt1XPzPhpDT6t3K2dghv_QXKnwsRCjQYXiS1_TbtfnqppIecb_8-ogTetYB9jTAWsyMTl7S39AAioJgmmw/s400/WU+done+a.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659965131652289762" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmCKrwohk1pf0LaQu6IGYMnf6XYhQFR-v-Olf3cbR38EJUiryViJ78BY2TYxOcledGGJCaSe8vX_owpJpALOqjB2AUUL8uvWO26RhEVwCHhBeOW-91gX2mcEdOytI9bw-R266W5AMhq3c/s1600/WU+done+1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 262px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmCKrwohk1pf0LaQu6IGYMnf6XYhQFR-v-Olf3cbR38EJUiryViJ78BY2TYxOcledGGJCaSe8vX_owpJpALOqjB2AUUL8uvWO26RhEVwCHhBeOW-91gX2mcEdOytI9bw-R266W5AMhq3c/s400/WU+done+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659964796141052882" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">One last look at the "befores..."</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAtJl8Avy3r9g7g2qlNocdJtcTWv90-0bKUlYu5HDRFDx6MiQqI-VxlQAfijucHtcuqPdKAz8VpwBBjIn_Q59c0u6YlNiPy1CSrcF5r_GIzvQ5q00cIjIwsCjOSZTQkgL5XQhg65AVWpA/s1600/WU+before+trio.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 244px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAtJl8Avy3r9g7g2qlNocdJtcTWv90-0bKUlYu5HDRFDx6MiQqI-VxlQAfijucHtcuqPdKAz8VpwBBjIn_Q59c0u6YlNiPy1CSrcF5r_GIzvQ5q00cIjIwsCjOSZTQkgL5XQhg65AVWpA/s400/WU+before+trio.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659967253829296306" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">...and one last look at the "afters..."</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPGwvem-OEetSnxyefefnLjfjwpFl5YHE7wVynK8TxK1nyTAbZQGscjk_J7NiFReA9NB1BEXbWhkztCux2a5WXaoWR6WlEm5e1SAFzxsVuxfafxGquX7a50nqKqGDxy8raz5lgepoFkI/s1600/WU+done+a4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 312px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPGwvem-OEetSnxyefefnLjfjwpFl5YHE7wVynK8TxK1nyTAbZQGscjk_J7NiFReA9NB1BEXbWhkztCux2a5WXaoWR6WlEm5e1SAFzxsVuxfafxGquX7a50nqKqGDxy8raz5lgepoFkI/s400/WU+done+a4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659966191285360418" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you SO much for visiting today, and for taking the time to read my jumbled ramblings. I'll come to your space too, as long as there's a link for me. I wish you a week filled with the passion of your own hobbies, and time well spent with people you love. Partying with<a href="http://www.serenitynowblog.com/"> these</a> <a href="http://upcyclingmylife.blogspot.com/p/fabulous-places-to-party.html">fine bloggers</a> this week!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Edited to add...generously featured</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">(THANK YOU Ms Gail!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://myrepurposedlife.net/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i940.photobucket.com/albums/ad249/MyRepurposedLife/i-was-caught-SLOW.gif" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><br />(THANK YOU Ms Jackie!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a border="0" href="http://www.mysimplehomelife.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/jacquelineb84/DSCN2681-6.jpg" /></a><br /><br />(THANK YOU Good Time Charlie!)<br /><br /><a href="http://redoux.blogspot.com/"><img alt="Redoux" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIPKRQhCC-H1HOr4itGcDkKVZFjvPZse54wBxpd90W8qNMcA5WwEUviVke-9QAFtCC92ILLycYhyphenhyphenFxRDv4jALcTT-ckeMcOrpwNnn4PaJIjKJ561XhTKWLcFyLPgb_1UEq-jXyxHX5BU/s1600/redouxbutton.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />(THANK YOU Amy and Emily!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><img src="http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k32/vacationamy/MacKidAd.gif" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /><br /><br />(And THANKS Kammy, for letting me know that this project had the most hits at your linky party!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://s1235.photobucket.com/albums/ff438/kammyskorner/?action=view&current=TtoTKammyKorner.jpg%20target="><img src="http://i1235.photobucket.com/albums/ff438/kammyskorner/TtoTKammyKorner.jpg" alt="Trash to Treasure Tuesdays at Kammys Korner" style="border:none;" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">PLEASE do click and visit these blogs above for LOADS of inspiration!<br /><br /></div>Deborah Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211999112146380759noreply@blogger.com85tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687746957683653579.post-81238334959954671262011-09-27T16:06:00.000-07:002011-09-29T09:07:34.998-07:00A love story...truly!<div style="text-align: center;">Choosing happiness...and feeling very chatty today!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Elmer was a fisherman. He was born, and lived most of his life (apart from four years) on the South Shore of beautiful Nova Scotia</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Elmer came back from WW 2 in 1944, having spent several months in hospital recovering from a war injury in France. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center; ">Very shortly after he came home, he married his high school sweetheart, Faithie, on December 20th., 1944. This was his wedding gift to his love, who was sixteen years old when Elmer went off to war. Of course, it was much prettier then. </div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXItYrxGM9Uk_XCyKabGYzPFSyxj1sxtex81RABwvaqA8BD8lFz-qmIHb-bIpNpFl-5LfyVQaUPF3sA9p1qjzsrhEzbC7mX9ZyxI4O-WvLGU9qYb-bu9UhUuZXHVp0V3MzU2CQVzRMEbg/s1600/Elmer+Faithie+before.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXItYrxGM9Uk_XCyKabGYzPFSyxj1sxtex81RABwvaqA8BD8lFz-qmIHb-bIpNpFl-5LfyVQaUPF3sA9p1qjzsrhEzbC7mX9ZyxI4O-WvLGU9qYb-bu9UhUuZXHVp0V3MzU2CQVzRMEbg/s400/Elmer+Faithie+before.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657182986792072722" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">Elmer settled back into his life here in Nova Scotia, and spent fifty years on the sea, fishing its bounty. </div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">They were never blessed with children, but were devoted to one another, and lived in the same small house from the day they married to the day they both died... within six months of one another. They left their house, and all their worldly possessions, to an old friend. She was unable to keep everything. I spent some lovely time with her when I purchased this sideboard.</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">Sixty seven years after Elmer gave it to Faithie, I spent many wonderful hours honouring them and making it mine.</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /><br />As I scrubbed it down, just LOOK at the treasure I found stuck behind a drawer! Please click on it so you can see what it says...I'm not telling you...(lol). Hint: look closely at the dates, the napkin is all wrinkly...ummm...much like my face...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlikEMvrEHDij1lf03ZsAJUS6jiRHyuNOMGkUskATpnY72RstmOt2D32A3zhu_yGImKVWqzqdycuomvSTUH73fvjLmTNXKaA2nlAO__ENO-fzi0BPDWgucYYYD750tDSYlieEFq6LyjtQ/s1600/EF+napkin.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 367px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlikEMvrEHDij1lf03ZsAJUS6jiRHyuNOMGkUskATpnY72RstmOt2D32A3zhu_yGImKVWqzqdycuomvSTUH73fvjLmTNXKaA2nlAO__ENO-fzi0BPDWgucYYYD750tDSYlieEFq6LyjtQ/s400/EF+napkin.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657402888761648994" /></a><br />Aaaahhhh, so... stripped it with Heirloom gel stripper, scraped it, sanded it, with very fine sand paper and a feather-light touch.</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">The top was stained with two coats of Minwax Ebony Wood Stain, then protected with three coats of Minwax Polycrylic. The top is dreadfully bowed, and the long drawer didn't fit at all...just wouldn't close. Being relatively new to all this, I had no idea how to fix the top, so I decided to sand the top edge of the drawer...and sand...and sand...and SAND...so it'd fit. Well, although the top is still bowed, at least I can close the drawer! The rest of the piece was painted, as you can see, using Martha Stewart "Heavy Cream" and "Silhouette" (black) paints. The inside of all drawers and the little cupboards are black. Very little chipping and sanding were done after it was finished...just "touches" here and there. A wooden embellishment was added to the bottom drawer, which was sanded and chipped a little. <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Graphique">Fleur de Lis images from a great little Etsy shop, Graphique</a> were transferred onto six wooden drawer pulls, using the acetone transfer method. The other hardware was cleaned and painted with Rustoleum Hammered Black spray paint. </div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">Here's the first view:</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcyiWyG-jJprB6ji484TGmPnpd4hST4yK40rwNKTSy0f2CvUD_p_TjpB1ceG6dG_ToxxzK4JbEyX5f7r58u1NqavCtTEss54oyVAKPZHDPFHLYHb3p_fGBVA2h3CWcbBoWPWWWselO_Xc/s1600/EF+1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcyiWyG-jJprB6ji484TGmPnpd4hST4yK40rwNKTSy0f2CvUD_p_TjpB1ceG6dG_ToxxzK4JbEyX5f7r58u1NqavCtTEss54oyVAKPZHDPFHLYHb3p_fGBVA2h3CWcbBoWPWWWselO_Xc/s400/EF+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657189837164489778" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Can you see the image transfers on the wooden pulls? Here's a closer image, with the disclaimer that I don't even PRETEND to be an adequate photographer.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKtTeX5BOPm-ZBu3EmxHh3NeaEcqlPHRuVbasboB3x6t2vPq_0a2S5LY8lLcIRmYtxSpPceUTdOQYG6HvTOv7WZmv2PGh1kBfklM2T1BJG7ZlK16iVyHTLPyDf-kQg5ukq9MNSw52J-f8/s1600/EF+centre+detail+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 163px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKtTeX5BOPm-ZBu3EmxHh3NeaEcqlPHRuVbasboB3x6t2vPq_0a2S5LY8lLcIRmYtxSpPceUTdOQYG6HvTOv7WZmv2PGh1kBfklM2T1BJG7ZlK16iVyHTLPyDf-kQg5ukq9MNSw52J-f8/s400/EF+centre+detail+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657193922651941554" /></a><br />I live in a garden level condo in Nova Scotia, and often work on my patio. As I was adding the finishing touches to this piece today , some visitors came to munch on my gardens...within a dozen feet of my patio!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDPUxLZC8KGA__rUsPrNX4_JixDpYdEGBOPHZ1-GF87FVcv-sYfROxkm_88Pdrph6YGgtAn_14hCWd976q51dieiEm24fsHldaCNYHjn152qCDgM3sipdp07TBPlXuldKDwcroCEnPnk/s1600/Deer+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 363px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDPUxLZC8KGA__rUsPrNX4_JixDpYdEGBOPHZ1-GF87FVcv-sYfROxkm_88Pdrph6YGgtAn_14hCWd976q51dieiEm24fsHldaCNYHjn152qCDgM3sipdp07TBPlXuldKDwcroCEnPnk/s400/Deer+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657199581026228402" /></a><br />What graceful creatures. I'll share my gardens with them any time. Their appearance makes me wonder whether they were little "messengers..."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTgyk2JAx2B2Nr54rfr0rKbB9XbEADKki_o8h5a1n5RMnzV8EHcl5RIMPvmLVGg_kJDYVBxF-c2d6LVXObiqG_GyZF9GeDh5FfDLDOjkwqX9L6c45JTqF2agIBpcOcrtUBK2WnbSqk7gI/s1600/Deer+1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 328px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTgyk2JAx2B2Nr54rfr0rKbB9XbEADKki_o8h5a1n5RMnzV8EHcl5RIMPvmLVGg_kJDYVBxF-c2d6LVXObiqG_GyZF9GeDh5FfDLDOjkwqX9L6c45JTqF2agIBpcOcrtUBK2WnbSqk7gI/s400/Deer+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657198663637846018" /></a>...they were two of them, you know...see the top picture...can you guess what I named them?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqvdjeznvxtAjlsBiXoG7X4t8iS0C_kCFxW-n_j2CBMh9rItwiq1SiATNT3MZ4gokvkqf2sfy_3nr9QYimmq0pPHFHaB_bX5Vedzo0H-cXF2SIRIBQwu423TtE_xKxe7lRoNehVIduD4/s1600/Deer+4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 372px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqvdjeznvxtAjlsBiXoG7X4t8iS0C_kCFxW-n_j2CBMh9rItwiq1SiATNT3MZ4gokvkqf2sfy_3nr9QYimmq0pPHFHaB_bX5Vedzo0H-cXF2SIRIBQwu423TtE_xKxe7lRoNehVIduD4/s400/Deer+4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657198276477859746" /></a><br />Aaaahhhh...what a WONDERFUL distraction...life is so very GOOD and I am so very blessed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Okay, back to the present...back to my muses, Elmer and Faithie.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I decided to add a shelf to the bottom of their sideboard, for a little more storage capability...mmmm...seriously LOVE that Ebony stain...and these are the last hydrangeas from my garden this year...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXbPQNxey8VUj7h8Wjj8wnfz_PsJX8AXFMm0Peed0ays10d_NpkozqZ_usZoePdMhsl2RU5Lw621MASAZ8OWBGsV0mSpOPlC0kqRsMdonAC6J-CCfi3qOEnAtgpnkWd4hwyRK36MHsJM/s1600/EF+3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 355px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXbPQNxey8VUj7h8Wjj8wnfz_PsJX8AXFMm0Peed0ays10d_NpkozqZ_usZoePdMhsl2RU5Lw621MASAZ8OWBGsV0mSpOPlC0kqRsMdonAC6J-CCfi3qOEnAtgpnkWd4hwyRK36MHsJM/s400/EF+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657190449771200482" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My livingroom wall colour is "Lichen Green," a Benjamin Moore colour, so I spray painted little woven baskets to match, and they (conveniently) hide my stereo speakers behind them without distorting the sound...just a little bonus.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">One last look, before...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje2L0gbWQFa4KTYSysUk1jsDcHYBhFrOl1EWZIlCkZh5G-VfOuHdKwbO_5IhBlhEcL3Kyovk8dOMR9KnHKrmxPjBPBlzznU75dUoi_uv-7oWtuduZcJWCABPeohj0G0Vx7NwXgwI7dCDc/s1600/Elmer+Faithie+before.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje2L0gbWQFa4KTYSysUk1jsDcHYBhFrOl1EWZIlCkZh5G-VfOuHdKwbO_5IhBlhEcL3Kyovk8dOMR9KnHKrmxPjBPBlzznU75dUoi_uv-7oWtuduZcJWCABPeohj0G0Vx7NwXgwI7dCDc/s400/Elmer+Faithie+before.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657196321285023106" /></a><br />...and after. See that plant? It's called a Hoya, and I brought two leaves from its mother back from BC ten years ago...it has served me well. I have three of them now, and have gifted my friends with many, MANY of its children. I really LOVE me a plant that doesn't need a lot of attention!! (lol) Let me know if you want a cutting...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTbrIYoD2KThcn5ENVN1gXsvxaeWHIGuG-pDogOSJV0v8fFFMTRltQqS-7mPaE2KQ2dAdDLg2nbe8CKoLDWHilkVa8-Km3nSSjUZmBR38ZmpdNGGmj1s_qkxBJTbJ0G0ci4Nx2PCtCXs/s1600/EF+3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 355px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTbrIYoD2KThcn5ENVN1gXsvxaeWHIGuG-pDogOSJV0v8fFFMTRltQqS-7mPaE2KQ2dAdDLg2nbe8CKoLDWHilkVa8-Km3nSSjUZmBR38ZmpdNGGmj1s_qkxBJTbJ0G0ci4Nx2PCtCXs/s400/EF+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657196870249890642" /></a><br />I will enjoy this piece for many years, then perhaps one of my children, or my grandchildren might want it...they all know at least the Part One of the story...I'll enjoy it for Part Two...and wouldn't that be just so wonderful if THEY enjoy Part Three?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm not so sure they'll enjoy THIS though (lol), and I'm really not so sure I can salvage this poor thing, but I love me a good challenge! More about this next week...maybe...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73Wa0KmiNYagNNlcaoP-TLVQw4dNe9aWeMHQo5frSjQZYgbzBnWFwg0JUds95HWnV49YEwVVMI405nFz6RGGMYGodGkTJaiau4aoGFW9KZgmWxhrZLvJ8ESER3XzBasAn_Y6LcZMaaS8/s1600/WU+base+before+1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 253px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73Wa0KmiNYagNNlcaoP-TLVQw4dNe9aWeMHQo5frSjQZYgbzBnWFwg0JUds95HWnV49YEwVVMI405nFz6RGGMYGodGkTJaiau4aoGFW9KZgmWxhrZLvJ8ESER3XzBasAn_Y6LcZMaaS8/s400/WU+base+before+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657400334425607122" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's a learning experience...hmmm...wood hardener for rot...Plastic Wood is my friend...but how to make it stay where I want it to be?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbiOZy5uou3I0iBbGPBq89FKavQ8Ea2kBCzL9VYPRpvryIg9SGIsRa6kJYn4FA6hxtH1FIF0l_RpzeLc8V4SuW9AttC90C6qcnTB1asIqEHW-zRgiNeRJ8PlxmXHYftXRz0KGzr-q6hSw/s1600/WU+base+before+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbiOZy5uou3I0iBbGPBq89FKavQ8Ea2kBCzL9VYPRpvryIg9SGIsRa6kJYn4FA6hxtH1FIF0l_RpzeLc8V4SuW9AttC90C6qcnTB1asIqEHW-zRgiNeRJ8PlxmXHYftXRz0KGzr-q6hSw/s400/WU+base+before+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657400170239311410" /></a><br />OOOOHHH ME NERVES!! I'm beginning to think I might need a mental health consult.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1jxBPOlnpejKVMv_R5j2L2Q7V4ZJGXSX2WscZJFl18TEIMLg9_vhTMwJb8ZRDzp6S5vuN8lZm3wJuzAMqkA4ZdfRI_JaSjs_mphuv8SoA3dyY-YnmQH0O7LuL02VbQ7SFI1SDOISs6pE/s1600/WU+base+before+3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 355px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1jxBPOlnpejKVMv_R5j2L2Q7V4ZJGXSX2WscZJFl18TEIMLg9_vhTMwJb8ZRDzp6S5vuN8lZm3wJuzAMqkA4ZdfRI_JaSjs_mphuv8SoA3dyY-YnmQH0O7LuL02VbQ7SFI1SDOISs6pE/s400/WU+base+before+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657399981385269874" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks so much for coming to visit, and for reading my ramblings today. It's another spectacular fall day in Nova Scotia, and I'll be out on my patio trying to restore that poor orphan above.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'll share this post <a href="<a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Savvy Southern Style" src="http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz45/renezieg/100_2921-1-1-1.jpg" /></a>">here</a> and with <a href="http://upcyclingmylife.blogspot.com/p/fabulous-places-to-party.html">these fine bloggers</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Choosing happiness today, and wishing you a day filled with the people you love, doing the things that you love. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Deborah Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211999112146380759noreply@blogger.com54tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687746957683653579.post-87837911869304100082011-09-15T06:56:00.000-07:002011-09-20T16:46:08.905-07:00The first piece...<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is the re-do of the first piece for my new-to-me dining room furniture. I have two of these chairs (purchased several months ago), and am looking now for four more different complementary chairs to go with my new-to-me table.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here are a couple of "befores." The paint was tired and stained, but I didn't want to change the colour, it just needed some TLC...enter Rustoleum Heirloom White for the legs and ASCP Old White for the rest of it.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5UNieR0xejDdH9CrH3B5YHhb8nhzBC8pFoLe7zLZzFZWilYCNOGVfSF0W9rMYam_p9t1c0Gtc4-oQU8dm_WHO40z0nW1BY5hm3T3ueZvvt1ZRvegQe0PXfL2W8tRxqGmH3mh9tb5qtM/s1600/chair+before.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5UNieR0xejDdH9CrH3B5YHhb8nhzBC8pFoLe7zLZzFZWilYCNOGVfSF0W9rMYam_p9t1c0Gtc4-oQU8dm_WHO40z0nW1BY5hm3T3ueZvvt1ZRvegQe0PXfL2W8tRxqGmH3mh9tb5qtM/s400/chair+before.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652586015252348930" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">These chairs are ROCK SOLID, with nuts and bolts everywhere (lol)...took me an hour to get one of them apart! Don'tchajust LOVE a challenge?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPsH3L9NrKVERgF-UZYnrGglZP1o5KwHhgFFufBGe0qFBVghw6G3GhzoMH7RlnfCdwuXIZmK5FoOjpIbmJdF0AbtznT0Hcopxjh5UpJnFaPW0I63OAHYkMrKz48u7RGkeJNbDftGO90w/s1600/chair+bones.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPsH3L9NrKVERgF-UZYnrGglZP1o5KwHhgFFufBGe0qFBVghw6G3GhzoMH7RlnfCdwuXIZmK5FoOjpIbmJdF0AbtznT0Hcopxjh5UpJnFaPW0I63OAHYkMrKz48u7RGkeJNbDftGO90w/s400/chair+bones.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652585791987907394" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I used this beautiful <a href="http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/productdetail.jsp;jsessionid=3D8F090CECB989535EE8E5BDAB83C880.a6p2?CATID=cat2699&PRODID=zprd_02319275a">Tucker Resist Chambray fabric</a>, ordered online from JoAnn's. Now this was a LONG process. I live in Nova Scotia Canada, and JoAnn's won't ship to Canada (siiiigh...) so an online friend ordered it for me, then shipped it to me here...it was worth the eight week wait! THANKS Ms Nancy!)</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfSN3IGJ2pJyIrxxithG3T7hOEGL_bxnBDYTnivYLn9KlQKBN4EpdKgWM6-paucP9okDQQBh1UrNQ94BGdxKT8PBkBeMjzYGQsZH_d786OILQT2g2s5HccruP385EJnEt86bognldoYcQ/s1600/chair+after.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 262px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfSN3IGJ2pJyIrxxithG3T7hOEGL_bxnBDYTnivYLn9KlQKBN4EpdKgWM6-paucP9okDQQBh1UrNQ94BGdxKT8PBkBeMjzYGQsZH_d786OILQT2g2s5HccruP385EJnEt86bognldoYcQ/s400/chair+after.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652586831558245954" /></a><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;">I didn't want that "dark waxy"look for this chair, just wanted it to look fresh and crisp and clean. After painting it, I sanded very lightly in a few places, for this look:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtuyqiOsw1hAmquhP83SQDD39Ht7RKbHovVGchf4O2cWQ5R7lQ7Bu_e8xLhVeKxwEn4wvxuocayzayVRqdf3aYlONpoqkpelySDvHkuuBLgQPv4bQRjAHiJ4ljJ0gFSaTtZHaRFF4DjX0/s1600/chair+arm.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 234px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtuyqiOsw1hAmquhP83SQDD39Ht7RKbHovVGchf4O2cWQ5R7lQ7Bu_e8xLhVeKxwEn4wvxuocayzayVRqdf3aYlONpoqkpelySDvHkuuBLgQPv4bQRjAHiJ4ljJ0gFSaTtZHaRFF4DjX0/s400/chair+arm.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652589973183210370" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">To be honest, I'm not much attracted to the current phase of dark wax over a piece...have done it several times, but my pieces just look "dirty" to me. Ack! MUCH prefer a lighter look!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7gXXXO53h7jgpglWb9a0lKrUoVw-ab6ADuVLdwqQKYF3zfB5OQtBfEUPHurED65K8ALClZcalJl6ODHcIZWAEtyxq90iw6wNetk7i0QTsl0DWcZpjB9LEmi3hrn4HefJ03mytE_N6RHc/s1600/chair+leg.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 158px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7gXXXO53h7jgpglWb9a0lKrUoVw-ab6ADuVLdwqQKYF3zfB5OQtBfEUPHurED65K8ALClZcalJl6ODHcIZWAEtyxq90iw6wNetk7i0QTsl0DWcZpjB9LEmi3hrn4HefJ03mytE_N6RHc/s400/chair+leg.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652586614691238706" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now, I have to share my latest acquisition. I've been searching for a dining room table for several months. Initially, I thought I'd like a French Provincial look...but this week, I found THIS, and immediately fell head over heels in LOVE (ummm...it is possible to truly LOVE an inanimate object??) This beauty is 42" wide by 62" long (closed) and 42" by 80" open. The leaf is actually stored inside the skirted table top, and comes up with a cranking mechanism. I'm told it's over a hundred years old, and it has the original finish, which is in amazingly excellent condition, with just a few minor "love bites" to be repaired.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy8QRmVcMCS7o-iEXDWPrgJbY7vELaAVvWorh7CcZp6fgsdW0A-Jc3EwLzb1qudWk5_ID_ZGmAZWlC-vVYYvr4sPjcU8OxLb4CW6_OvhylqMP1Vhsxil9MuoZcPbyhjV_hqbe9EClGp24/s1600/table+ant.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 235px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy8QRmVcMCS7o-iEXDWPrgJbY7vELaAVvWorh7CcZp6fgsdW0A-Jc3EwLzb1qudWk5_ID_ZGmAZWlC-vVYYvr4sPjcU8OxLb4CW6_OvhylqMP1Vhsxil9MuoZcPbyhjV_hqbe9EClGp24/s400/table+ant.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652591855986548546" /></a>Isn't it GORGEOUS!? </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now please...most of you furniture upcyclers are far more experienced than I...would LOVE to know what you'd consider doing with this table! The top, I've already decided, will remain staine<span class="Apple-style-span">d, but I think I might use Minwax Dark Walnut stain on it after stripping (same stain I used for <a href="http://upcyclingmylife.blogspot.com/2011/09/be-still-my-heart.html">this little desk</a>). I live in a 1200 sq ft condo; the dining area is combined with the "livingroom," so the little desk will be visible from the table and chairs. I've always thought that, once I found "the" table, I'd paint the skirt and legs some creamy colour, and have a stained top. But I am SO loving this piece just as it is, and apart from gently repairing some "love bites, I'm really torn with whether or not to do anything else to it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Ideas? PLEEEEASE!! And YES, I'm scouring Pinterest too! ;)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span">I'm partying again with<a href="http://upcyclingmylife.blogspot.com/p/fabulous-places-to-party.html" style="text-decoration: none; "> these fine bloggers </a>this week. Would love to stop by your space in the blogosphere too. I read every single comment you leave, and always visit you back. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span">I wish you a week filled with the pleasures of creating THINGS you love and being with the PEOPLE you love...THANKS so VERY much for stopping by...and for whatever advice you have for me...OH...and one more thing...stop by <a href="http://somethingniceandprettu.blogspot.com/2011/09/ramsign-giveaway-here-at-my-blog.html">Rondell's blog right here</a>, she's hosting a Ramsign giveaway...be still my heart...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span">Thanks SO MUCH to Ms Christina for featuring my chair over here</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://christinasadventures.com/"><img src="http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff371/christinahibbs/20below.jpg" /></a></div>Deborah Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211999112146380759noreply@blogger.com66tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687746957683653579.post-91871214214206480002011-09-12T10:36:00.000-07:002011-09-25T04:53:40.388-07:00Be still my heart...<div style="text-align: center;">It's FINISHED! And I love love LOVE this!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's the only "before" pic of this lovely diminutive desk...beautiful wee piece, needing just a little updated love...</div><div><br /></div><div a="" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaSN71CJ06GCCFrY9DC0g3vr5hCm7Ioh_hRKD5SnjqChkHDZlgYicIq_7-2fhzEnrnfTfLR6YL80edVODN9eYxRnyfTpwlDBv7StsKaxrgOP_87ZyjRYBsmU0UisnWptgjAyFcnHZzsIU/s1600/Desk+before.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 325px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaSN71CJ06GCCFrY9DC0g3vr5hCm7Ioh_hRKD5SnjqChkHDZlgYicIq_7-2fhzEnrnfTfLR6YL80edVODN9eYxRnyfTpwlDBv7StsKaxrgOP_87ZyjRYBsmU0UisnWptgjAyFcnHZzsIU/s400/Desk+before.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651528713050277106" /><div style="text-align: center;">I stripped it completely, sanded the top, applied Minwax Dark Walnut stain and five coats of Minwax Polycrylic. I can't get a "good enough" photo of the top, but the grain of this walnut is so VERY beautiful! She has wooden wheels!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Some cracks and scratches, but just look at that tongue and groove...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUn6ZsvrGXsUnpw9w0NPk08tLizI-_2lLmhpMA_Pz2dvX0zvsKNoECUiCuFcMUPOR_K3oM6bfQ7wInVBlX2WTsrvaIAIwiwlaEYmZmvBZ9ASEq5HW4GdCQFUONEQQY_noBks9il-rFVY/s1600/desk+drawer.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 164px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUn6ZsvrGXsUnpw9w0NPk08tLizI-_2lLmhpMA_Pz2dvX0zvsKNoECUiCuFcMUPOR_K3oM6bfQ7wInVBlX2WTsrvaIAIwiwlaEYmZmvBZ9ASEq5HW4GdCQFUONEQQY_noBks9il-rFVY/s400/desk+drawer.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651581368163287058" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center; ">...little bit of wood filler, little bit of sanding...Annie Sloan Chalk Paint ("Old White") for the majority of the desk, with Behr Black Suede for the stencilled drawer and the accents. I used one of Ms Martha's new stencils (available at Michael's Arts and Crafts) on the front of the center drawer. First, I painted the drawer front black, then stencilled with three coats of ASCP Old White...hard to cover that black...but SO worth the effort!</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Nu6wLTAgmWov0lqQfuVAIcD3uCvOAtMeQC2IujF4amPg5Th3VH_CF0vqzS7ZIU_N7TRsbJ0WY_KgyrvnwKMjyFIRjyYaOgj-ybbjj9OL8Tb6Mxof60dFccnpbwI8G9NsPxSasfxtCPs/s1600/desk+stencil+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 217px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Nu6wLTAgmWov0lqQfuVAIcD3uCvOAtMeQC2IujF4amPg5Th3VH_CF0vqzS7ZIU_N7TRsbJ0WY_KgyrvnwKMjyFIRjyYaOgj-ybbjj9OL8Tb6Mxof60dFccnpbwI8G9NsPxSasfxtCPs/s400/desk+stencil+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652583876158592946" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDOhUM21Fn97evhPsohnIsjK6gJJVx6cEh4WyiDnwPRtluN4K6_y23XSFOfkbfsXXKeb6dRtaJXh6UQQulPhUOMY1K4HRL3Y1rIny5DpSW6RaMY6c0Ia5RdTdFxBg5SK002nwsvo5_zg/s1600/desk+stencil+3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 185px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDOhUM21Fn97evhPsohnIsjK6gJJVx6cEh4WyiDnwPRtluN4K6_y23XSFOfkbfsXXKeb6dRtaJXh6UQQulPhUOMY1K4HRL3Y1rIny5DpSW6RaMY6c0Ia5RdTdFxBg5SK002nwsvo5_zg/s400/desk+stencil+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652583708086798898" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "> Then I switched out the hardware with old pieces, freshly painted with Tremclad Hammered Black.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8RqPk5qJ5Tor-8pT0r3vaqFSWtiilVtiafDIJqKgjjnat0LubHNGgYXnG5bIeZQzHRjjU3ftdKaNbg-o7dqtcA8ZASR14M2VrdRy1SrBTvkBd0J-1mTxF51T-W81cY84vlbNClR3EQAk/s1600/desk+1+full+no+stool.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8RqPk5qJ5Tor-8pT0r3vaqFSWtiilVtiafDIJqKgjjnat0LubHNGgYXnG5bIeZQzHRjjU3ftdKaNbg-o7dqtcA8ZASR14M2VrdRy1SrBTvkBd0J-1mTxF51T-W81cY84vlbNClR3EQAk/s400/desk+1+full+no+stool.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651529579200483666" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Here's a close up of the drawer, and a peek at the stool cushion...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib752pm0W1MiYsvUmmrs2fiDxS5_RKhly6JGJuvsvCTWIXvwQqwoHT5TJGwbQzB7cxAZzzNjtXYGtmzLaX-6zPKtJMVUa94d8Kz4KePjmDsOdkFJDbEJ3FfNWzm7nrIO2cMAYXiWQCCq4/s1600/desk+1+close.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 142px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib752pm0W1MiYsvUmmrs2fiDxS5_RKhly6JGJuvsvCTWIXvwQqwoHT5TJGwbQzB7cxAZzzNjtXYGtmzLaX-6zPKtJMVUa94d8Kz4KePjmDsOdkFJDbEJ3FfNWzm7nrIO2cMAYXiWQCCq4/s400/desk+1+close.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651531948069816434" /></a><br />I neglected to take a "before" pic of the stool, but here's the "after," recovered and painted a high gloss black. I wanted a nice contrast of fabric and colour for these pieces.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2xf7gewD8Yyhvl2jy6sudKotUaANf18U2HVE0DPVbm7DX6XqP3h3OH-zNJcyaWNh78MSygH1bfDH9vG1YFccd_0sl4SRV7zT7Ll-J7YcRKfcv7bZbniTh1dA4WeZHJ9Wh_8NNLF3KYb8/s1600/desk+1+stool+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 391px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2xf7gewD8Yyhvl2jy6sudKotUaANf18U2HVE0DPVbm7DX6XqP3h3OH-zNJcyaWNh78MSygH1bfDH9vG1YFccd_0sl4SRV7zT7Ll-J7YcRKfcv7bZbniTh1dA4WeZHJ9Wh_8NNLF3KYb8/s400/desk+1+stool+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651533009745813986" /></a><div>Now here's a before and after of a lamp I did to match this pretty wee desk...painted the lamp itself with Rustoleum Heirloom White...</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtCk6sV9VeEbTykCcq3ODGisshwkeaZ0eD57pTV6TZzjImIDvF7jchTtzClIH6k8BEDHXfV_1HMRv1xEL1cei5QWp6frhxHlx2SuQSZv_vTO4YcEiI_RPJPtiJO7XzQFC8flON8K3A08/s1600/desk+1+lamp+finished.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtCk6sV9VeEbTykCcq3ODGisshwkeaZ0eD57pTV6TZzjImIDvF7jchTtzClIH6k8BEDHXfV_1HMRv1xEL1cei5QWp6frhxHlx2SuQSZv_vTO4YcEiI_RPJPtiJO7XzQFC8flON8K3A08/s400/desk+1+lamp+finished.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651560850227379538" /></a><br /></div><div>...then coated each area of the shade with Mod Podge Matte, and carefully pressed on each section of fabric (cut with a cardboard pattern I made from one segment of the shade) with wet fingers (so I wouldn't stick to the Mod Podge). I used Aleene's Fast Grab Tacky Glue to secure the fringe to the inside of the shade, then the same glue to secure the black trim at top and bottom.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now here she is, sittin' pretty in front of my livingroom window. I painted the insides of the drawers lime green (lol)...to match one of my livingroom walls and my curtains...I sit here now, with my trusty little computer, looking out over my gardens...and life is...OH so VERY good!!</div><div><br />One last little look...before and after...</div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJKUcNHHEcElmEBUbuvfE2K0TKS7DhhTjMTbu-IcD8zQ_-B2JeLaBhH6fNgRfHOU6Q8_gGNEVaBoi2Eg5lvjJMpxwbbV03h69jHo0lANkkAcKJkNZN2r2GE77PSck9jlxch9S8RVt_io/s1600/desk+b+and+a.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 161px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJKUcNHHEcElmEBUbuvfE2K0TKS7DhhTjMTbu-IcD8zQ_-B2JeLaBhH6fNgRfHOU6Q8_gGNEVaBoi2Eg5lvjJMpxwbbV03h69jHo0lANkkAcKJkNZN2r2GE77PSck9jlxch9S8RVt_io/s400/desk+b+and+a.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652558919945340514" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Partying with<a href="http://upcyclingmylife.blogspot.com/p/fabulous-places-to-party.html"> these fine bloggers </a>this week. Would love to stop by your space in the blogosphere too. Wishing you a week filled with the pleasures of creating things you love and being with people you love...THANKS so much for stopping by! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">OH! And DO visit<a href="http://decorharmony4290.blogspot.com/2011/09/150-followers-giveaway.html"> Ms Vicky right here</a>...she's doing a little giveaway for reaching 150 followers! WTG Vicky!</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">THANK YOU to the newly minted "Doctor Jaime" for this:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://jaimelyn11.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j449/jaimelyn11/featurebutton-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></div>Deborah Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211999112146380759noreply@blogger.com56tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687746957683653579.post-81786393871889776692011-09-11T05:15:00.001-07:002011-09-15T04:43:00.140-07:00Accent table phase two...<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Do you ever "finish" a piece, then go back and add/delete/re-do little things? Here's the first rendition of<a href="http://upcyclingmylife.blogspot.com/2011/06/accent-table.html"> this little accent table</a> I did a few months ago. I LOVE accent tables with unique features! They're so versatile...easy to move from room to room, and they have a multitude of uses. I particularly like the "V" shape of the middle section of this one, and, of course, those legs...YUM! This little beauty was $12 at a local thrift store.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I primed with Rustoleum Zinsser Bin, and painted with Rustoleum Heirloom White, then distressed and glazed with brown acrylic paint mixed with water, then applied several costs of Minwax Polycrylic on the top.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifWkK2HEqFijQJlknfCBLrtTXXjqekuZu7kHN0jvBWYccwmWxQXb-eb2j4kqLa-KlF_OEa3SmCF47-YaopLJcyUu4Zk-IPwfaLwPv0rcgxU1wrARVVNB_mH3QzrL2DNxTS586cJR3ZuT0/s1600/little+table+1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 349px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifWkK2HEqFijQJlknfCBLrtTXXjqekuZu7kHN0jvBWYccwmWxQXb-eb2j4kqLa-KlF_OEa3SmCF47-YaopLJcyUu4Zk-IPwfaLwPv0rcgxU1wrARVVNB_mH3QzrL2DNxTS586cJR3ZuT0/s400/little+table+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651075245071540354" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">I used<a href="http://www.dreamweaverstencils.com/lm_stencils/pages/page_92.html"> this stencil from Dreamweaver (Dangling Heart</a>) with <a href="http://www.stencilwithstyle.com/access2a.htm">white embossing paste </a>on both ends, and applied the same brown acrylic wash over that for a little artificial aging. I LOVE the texture that brought to the piece!</span></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBz90dY3YDICTuQSLpA0FPTj8jV-pxP1af6caKDm2WCMCp4j93HLp6-TZai-O3jtEqtkEpsQooDqhZYhZBrNL1SvYE7IIahyphenhyphenBBWDKZguK6_aqaTRl02Zp5XW_7kUU7mrkKJHb-zzX07p4/s1600/little+table+3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 247px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBz90dY3YDICTuQSLpA0FPTj8jV-pxP1af6caKDm2WCMCp4j93HLp6-TZai-O3jtEqtkEpsQooDqhZYhZBrNL1SvYE7IIahyphenhyphenBBWDKZguK6_aqaTRl02Zp5XW_7kUU7mrkKJHb-zzX07p4/s400/little+table+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651075531227375378" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XaRdiz1drboYXzw0zMEGvo-05VHSpTehBbuWkgXxcCLW-SuvVZeeOTtM5RfXhK4GsNdBGus06YB86s9NN_dZhE9tcMaVUdC2_00D_XtdKjReDzhpZudrcLhf4uwBjfQx9H8F5IpfJvU/s1600/little+table+4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XaRdiz1drboYXzw0zMEGvo-05VHSpTehBbuWkgXxcCLW-SuvVZeeOTtM5RfXhK4GsNdBGus06YB86s9NN_dZhE9tcMaVUdC2_00D_XtdKjReDzhpZudrcLhf4uwBjfQx9H8F5IpfJvU/s400/little+table+4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651077026855668450" /></a><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">I love love LOVE Fleur de Lis images, and have a growing collection of them. Yesterday, I added two large and four small Fleur de Lis to each end of the top. I did these with my favourite image transfer technique...acetone! Stinky, but works SO WELL! And it's EASY...another plus! (lol) </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQpKa09ZDKxO4ydX_RO290hk9CSQ0M9LOAh1JL_42Tn4hV6VsaiC5hNKMVLvfjP3P-tPRVp7TiQh0Y0fWJXaMP_kawufXFqtMat2-f65yBvTg3ml6CcAq_4AkcAui0NJveSwXpqUJd_Kc/s1600/table+fleur+top.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQpKa09ZDKxO4ydX_RO290hk9CSQ0M9LOAh1JL_42Tn4hV6VsaiC5hNKMVLvfjP3P-tPRVp7TiQh0Y0fWJXaMP_kawufXFqtMat2-f65yBvTg3ml6CcAq_4AkcAui0NJveSwXpqUJd_Kc/s400/table+fleur+top.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651078616129199666" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Isn't this just the prettiest image? I found it over at the lovely <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Graphique">Etsy shop, Graphique</a>.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Og-cTaxss51N9AjpjlKcGncGzUX9CFl8JshX3qugCZxlLh6LUXTGe1ogqbQ_0LA99g4w3BYDJVxqSesL3asx78SPs8NhuQ_U63fxb_WFSQGIZV0j_zHFa6On9ijIsf0utlsRik7q9PE/s1600/table+fleur+close.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 231px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Og-cTaxss51N9AjpjlKcGncGzUX9CFl8JshX3qugCZxlLh6LUXTGe1ogqbQ_0LA99g4w3BYDJVxqSesL3asx78SPs8NhuQ_U63fxb_WFSQGIZV0j_zHFa6On9ijIsf0utlsRik7q9PE/s400/table+fleur+close.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651078840985873474" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The acetone transfer process: use a toner based copy (inkjet/laser printed images will not work with this process; I print mine on a laser printer for a nice crisp image, then take send them online to Staples for a toner copy), cut around the image, lay it face down on the receiving surface, tape with removable tape, soak a cotton ball with acetone, dab it on, just enough till you can see the image through the back of the paper, check every few seconds to be sure it's transferring the way you want it to, et voila! If you CAN, do this outside...it's REALLY smelly! I did this one in front of some open windows, and used a little fan between my face and the table to divert the fumes...works like a charm.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So that's it, I think she's finally finished...and I'm a happy old gal.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you so VERY much for stopping by today. I'll stop by your place too. I wish you a happy and creative week. Stop <a href="http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/">here </a>and by <a href="http://upcyclingmylife.blogspot.com/p/fabulous-places-to-party.html">these delightful parties</a> for lots and LOTS of inspiration!</div>Deborah Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211999112146380759noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687746957683653579.post-23526827773128047092011-09-07T07:03:00.000-07:002011-09-20T17:15:54.816-07:00Barley twist and stencilling<div style="text-align: center;">Those who know me are aware of my fondness for stencilling with furniture up-cycling; there are several posts on my blog about that. I stencil with many things...<a href="http://www.stencilwithstyle.com/">Dreamweaver Stencils</a> being some of my very favourite tools. In fact, the most visited and commented-on post on my blog is my <a href="http://upcyclingmylife.blogspot.com/2011/08/mmmmmi-love-stencils.html">upcycled stencilled bed</a>. However, I use many other things as well...handmade templates, other commercial stencils, lace, screen, basically whatever has holes in it to give me an interesting design.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I've had these two old barley twist tables for twenty years or so, and given my current obsession to paint everything I own that doesn't MOVE, I decided they need an update. Here's the before of one of them...just imagine the other one looked the same, just a different shape.</div><div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hBw78wBvt-g5eYwhfqNAoQDR8AVnjlGEcMx8iyAMUd_PVIf3RnIdt_iTl1zqj0klTA09fkDs3w6D8y-yYnhExZMiwG1br0pjFn6cUptvS86qIevoWOK2mCocGM_fItoYIjVyc6ynZf8/s1600/Demi+Lune+Barley+Twist+before.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 308px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hBw78wBvt-g5eYwhfqNAoQDR8AVnjlGEcMx8iyAMUd_PVIf3RnIdt_iTl1zqj0klTA09fkDs3w6D8y-yYnhExZMiwG1br0pjFn6cUptvS86qIevoWOK2mCocGM_fItoYIjVyc6ynZf8/s400/Demi+Lune+Barley+Twist+before.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649620327635558162" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's GREAT that I could take these tables all apart! I was able to do the legs completely separately from the table tops and bottoms. For this one, I stripped, sanded, then used Rustoleum Primer and Rustoleum Heirloom White on the legs, then used ASCP Old White on the tables. I chipped and sanded just a little, them waxed the legs with Annie Sloan Soft Wax (Clear) and finished the tables with four coats of Minwax Polycrylic, which I LOVE...low VOC, extremely durable finish, and doesn't turn yellow as sometimes polyurethane does. I didn't use stain or glaze or dark wax on these pieces because I wanted a brighter look.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ot_LanpbBgU9tsYpxirV3YPOhXyH_spBI9CTmdFos7qTEfSdgYHZrJ4BR8q87H5r_jXtCFAAMBghrSiHRLUHsiWhYcFzJHwvxPVPN-cuA5rCS4iaD9KBXYmdFpldz2OVq5KJdpyVmFI/s1600/barley+twist+demi+lune.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 331px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ot_LanpbBgU9tsYpxirV3YPOhXyH_spBI9CTmdFos7qTEfSdgYHZrJ4BR8q87H5r_jXtCFAAMBghrSiHRLUHsiWhYcFzJHwvxPVPN-cuA5rCS4iaD9KBXYmdFpldz2OVq5KJdpyVmFI/s400/barley+twist+demi+lune.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649622817007095314" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mmmm...I really liked how some of the old, dark finish came through when I sanded... I LOVE "chippy!"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwlUrF-Xr0n8C28xbN9aRzacVDxowbpAtPfCBYwylGicYmWEe8gNccjXPZxZKfPo2ezFUuXFk32rj6EhSHSToSes33l9N99tXzKOCar_1InhwfnZTkFvXAKU54f3cJFaS1jnEz0YIoNg8/s1600/barley+twist+demi+lune+close.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 125px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwlUrF-Xr0n8C28xbN9aRzacVDxowbpAtPfCBYwylGicYmWEe8gNccjXPZxZKfPo2ezFUuXFk32rj6EhSHSToSes33l9N99tXzKOCar_1InhwfnZTkFvXAKU54f3cJFaS1jnEz0YIoNg8/s400/barley+twist+demi+lune+close.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649622657574218594" /></a>For the corner table, I did the same process, and used lace as the stencil for the top. Once I'd taped the lace in place, I sprayed over it with Rustoleum "Fossil" paint...which was chosen by my ten year old grandson Morgan! Interesting, I'd NEVER have chosen that colour, but I'm just TICKLED PINK with how it turned out...so here's a SHOUT OUT to my little Shadow for his good taste! (smiles)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0yoE-hoL4nARAS70GPn0srmfWIu97Qpc91fVs1eEdm3UiHhhKE6pBxONjYZ7k-Hbm1lSqEauXe-sqcCmP7RcJjlGr2L0bd676dIiOAP0E2FaVQFSmchCZ4Xfe3QEwKphhmkb9PZ0yMQc/s1600/barley+twist+corner+lace.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0yoE-hoL4nARAS70GPn0srmfWIu97Qpc91fVs1eEdm3UiHhhKE6pBxONjYZ7k-Hbm1lSqEauXe-sqcCmP7RcJjlGr2L0bd676dIiOAP0E2FaVQFSmchCZ4Xfe3QEwKphhmkb9PZ0yMQc/s400/barley+twist+corner+lace.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649624644003743410" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mmmm, just LOVE this! It's in a corner of my "being-restyled-bedroom," which is looking more and more feminine these days.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28RCPCIdmX8J3f_7JogPbgwQvzhzp-hsQqq3JtOH-M_HkjnG7WmBwDy0p5uzceXlkOoxxZ6SbZP3XgaQR7CVrPSl1VXAYIj01HA7xflA2StDMqi39_TAR0N1uH23ppjlKXETe0PG7jW0/s1600/barley+twist+corner+full.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28RCPCIdmX8J3f_7JogPbgwQvzhzp-hsQqq3JtOH-M_HkjnG7WmBwDy0p5uzceXlkOoxxZ6SbZP3XgaQR7CVrPSl1VXAYIj01HA7xflA2StDMqi39_TAR0N1uH23ppjlKXETe0PG7jW0/s400/barley+twist+corner+full.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649624496946389282" /></a>Close up of my amateur sanding (lol); LOVE the effects though!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ZG1pL8L00iAw_BMOc5_tF9XuImhV1DnUiXVy6zsmcBQbxusPJ-iVrXC8ts5KAaQWJN-YVf0d1f00yRwj1OHUpA4nNbBdaugURTKNZVXfgUzKEr0f40kOBA1Bmh8uHJpJSyX1Tcnm4JU/s1600/barley+twist+close.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ZG1pL8L00iAw_BMOc5_tF9XuImhV1DnUiXVy6zsmcBQbxusPJ-iVrXC8ts5KAaQWJN-YVf0d1f00yRwj1OHUpA4nNbBdaugURTKNZVXfgUzKEr0f40kOBA1Bmh8uHJpJSyX1Tcnm4JU/s400/barley+twist+close.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649624324824619378" /></a><br />So now these handy little tables have a whole new look, and make me smile whenever I see them. Now if you're interested in seeing more of this technique, you MUST visit <a href="http://villabarnes.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2011-08-29T16%3A39%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=5">Rosemary at Villabarnes!</a> Pure inspiration!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you SO MUCH for taking the time to stop by. I'll stop by your place too is I can link up. Wishing you a day of doing what you LOVE to do with people you LOVE to be around.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm partying with <a href="http://upcyclingmylife.blogspot.com/p/fabulous-places-to-party.html">these fine bloggers</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks SO MUCH to Ms Missy from the wilds of Maine for featuring my barley 'n' lace table over at her fun party right here</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><center><a href="http://marvelouslymessy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="A Marvelous Mess" src="http://i941.photobucket.com/albums/ad256/MarvelouslyMs/buttonbackground1-2.jpg" /></a></center><br /></div>Deborah Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211999112146380759noreply@blogger.com43tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687746957683653579.post-77655508279073971002011-09-05T12:51:00.000-07:002011-09-12T23:06:00.039-07:00Bar stools Phase Three!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sooo...here's one of the three bar stools I started while my three grandchildren were with me for the summer...</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPL-0FofpYhTSoh0qOGYE9lqRgzOZHaN4cba7gDHNw4NOSlYXOBYKb74jDQMUlGmeUGqTwtXJa0h1dHS41ylEsGHGf7e9aIbkzPWa7aeh2QkzVo-XQ3D4Vdj9T6jlVWA3nX3R9uklplxo/s1600/stool+1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 354px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPL-0FofpYhTSoh0qOGYE9lqRgzOZHaN4cba7gDHNw4NOSlYXOBYKb74jDQMUlGmeUGqTwtXJa0h1dHS41ylEsGHGf7e9aIbkzPWa7aeh2QkzVo-XQ3D4Vdj9T6jlVWA3nX3R9uklplxo/s400/stool+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648966276873245186" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Littlest grand-boy Connor helping Grammie...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRjvDNDgXni0tVzEuzA-3dmUNSkMOnjjzf65yTx2oMWeB_sLqCPsafY2anVwKBXK0PMfHrbejxw4Fhp-s91HMzEOCVQ2P8RaNIgUdLe20Lf4KJK5un3vdQLCI6K85qA7BAPJzl_k6AV8/s1600/Stools+C.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 274px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRjvDNDgXni0tVzEuzA-3dmUNSkMOnjjzf65yTx2oMWeB_sLqCPsafY2anVwKBXK0PMfHrbejxw4Fhp-s91HMzEOCVQ2P8RaNIgUdLe20Lf4KJK5un3vdQLCI6K85qA7BAPJzl_k6AV8/s400/Stools+C.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648968015007871698" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Stripped and sanded...</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAsD8j0zrffEORXRjVOzA2-0u0_ISYMjLZHvwXIHa28aaxnFC82Nzp7CJQ_ejKgE1HN0sG8PVHfM8o7wlNsn8a8QiQ09MtpiLWTWoqleDZ4OGyt2ZBkKInHs2-cn1sZqcn2kORC9UVsM/s1600/stool+3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 386px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAsD8j0zrffEORXRjVOzA2-0u0_ISYMjLZHvwXIHa28aaxnFC82Nzp7CJQ_ejKgE1HN0sG8PVHfM8o7wlNsn8a8QiQ09MtpiLWTWoqleDZ4OGyt2ZBkKInHs2-cn1sZqcn2kORC9UVsM/s400/stool+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648966926137008146" /></a>All three finished...one stool for each little boy, personalized with my "Grammie names" for them. They liked them!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhacwOSoM-P1Gd0nOB3NI13w-XTbHqseeN458QUu5M7p-kcSxqAwja57EqZdM4z6IJHAFImAP3zaLbJKQZvzjiaXPxkqsf8NeLFVdkEKkGiUTpLgTbJqpv-A3WVmVQMYl0CZO7RXjywixs/s1600/stool+all.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 349px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhacwOSoM-P1Gd0nOB3NI13w-XTbHqseeN458QUu5M7p-kcSxqAwja57EqZdM4z6IJHAFImAP3zaLbJKQZvzjiaXPxkqsf8NeLFVdkEKkGiUTpLgTbJqpv-A3WVmVQMYl0CZO7RXjywixs/s400/stool+all.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648968724792805170" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Much to my amazement, these little stools won a<a href="http://www.blogger.com/<a%20href=%22https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhacwOSoM-P1Gd0nOB3NI13w-XTbHqseeN458QUu5M7p-kcSxqAwja57EqZdM4z6IJHAFImAP3zaLbJKQZvzjiaXPxkqsf8NeLFVdkEKkGiUTpLgTbJqpv-A3WVmVQMYl0CZO7RXjywixs/s1600/stool+all.jpg%22%20onblur=%22try%20%7Bparent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();%7D%20catch(e)%20%7B%7D%22><img%20style=%22display:block;%20margin:0px%20auto%2010px;%20text-align:center;cursor:pointer;%20cursor:hand;width:%20400px;%20height:%20349px;%22%20src=%22https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhacwOSoM-P1Gd0nOB3NI13w-XTbHqseeN458QUu5M7p-kcSxqAwja57EqZdM4z6IJHAFImAP3zaLbJKQZvzjiaXPxkqsf8NeLFVdkEKkGiUTpLgTbJqpv-A3WVmVQMYl0CZO7RXjywixs/s400/stool+all.jpg%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20id=%22BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648968724792805170%22%20/></a>"> FABULOUS ASCP contest</a>...thanks again to Anne of "House of Anne" for the prizes!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">However, summer's over, grandchildren have gone back home to Momma till next year, so it's time for a stool update! When these HANDSOME kidlets come back next summer to visit, we'll refinish other personalized things together. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I used part of <a href="http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/2007/09/clock-face-with-roman-numerals.html">this Graphics Fairy image</a>...and some clock hands clip art I had...and recreated two of the three into lunch and dinner stools, with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (Old White of course), glazed with Benjamin Moore Aqua Glaze mixed with some black acrylic paint. I did the image transfers the easiest...and cheapest...way I know how...scribble a charcoal pencil on the reverse of your image, tape it to your receiving surface (scribbled side down) and trace over the image, transferring it to your surface!) I think I LIKE them!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVd8rXJgUA9yZ1_cJBtjjSoSCaze7jc00bNVAKDELJ-YelofakbaSDfvvhhQI8rNxBUBBkcQdgd67L3dcnE_dw3SG5-pQ_gzcceamYEmkZdbMoCI71UD5uXz_n-b1ojA8D2yuJN5ybSS4/s1600/Stools+complete.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVd8rXJgUA9yZ1_cJBtjjSoSCaze7jc00bNVAKDELJ-YelofakbaSDfvvhhQI8rNxBUBBkcQdgd67L3dcnE_dw3SG5-pQ_gzcceamYEmkZdbMoCI71UD5uXz_n-b1ojA8D2yuJN5ybSS4/s400/Stools+complete.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648970877738951858" /></a>Partying with<a href="http://upcyclingmylife.blogspot.com/p/fabulous-places-to-party.html"> these fine bloggers</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">THIS is what I'm working on next..."Elmer and Faithie..."a love story...circa 1944...will post my re-do by the end of the week.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqQP6OlEBZd0OY4N1mqpYSMBJHHiK_IyERknrvc1W2eo7bqCipN7hxn9kHFwOzVE0YzfO1FnXDmkVHf3ttp4Jr1W9YsX-NT_MMfzqOUajqXfKR5LfFQxjYaVGDTmcymfaLTkaV3lHYQQ/s1600/Elmer+Faithie+before.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqQP6OlEBZd0OY4N1mqpYSMBJHHiK_IyERknrvc1W2eo7bqCipN7hxn9kHFwOzVE0YzfO1FnXDmkVHf3ttp4Jr1W9YsX-NT_MMfzqOUajqXfKR5LfFQxjYaVGDTmcymfaLTkaV3lHYQQ/s400/Elmer+Faithie+before.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648995398681502882" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">THANK YOU so MUCH for taking the time to visit today! Every time I see a new comment, it's like opening a little present...so thanks for THOSE too! I'm AMAZED that my puny little blog reached two hundred followers today...four months after I began...thank you SO MUCH, and thank you thank you THANK YOU to Ms Adrianne for featuring these over at</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><center><a href="http://www.happyhourprojects.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc372/AdrianneSurian/HHCM3-3.jpg" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>And THANK YOU Ms Ashlee for featuring them too, over at your place...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://imtopsyturvy.com/"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2684/5719505111_59b73e946e_o.jpg" alt="featured I'm topsy turvy tuesdays" width="125" /></a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">GOSH! Home decor bloggers sure are KIND!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wishing you a week filled with the things you love to do, and times with the people you love!</div>Deborah Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211999112146380759noreply@blogger.com50tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687746957683653579.post-2615403230827990812011-09-03T00:45:00.000-07:002015-05-08T18:02:48.313-07:00Loving stencils...again...edited at bottom...<div style="text-align: center;">
So I had this table...she was in such a sorry state when she came to me...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibF4EZ5IJ2T7bF3H9_V1fiR6omII2jq4hDk5iZnpYbG0_U6tYDAM8-cCwEr9AahKoUV-73Z6msh3NncEjlwH-pqJHqkF19m0Y6sPH5y9KLZjUFrocMHiOsm_1wlCu8eWlFY8sQcCaLzws/s1600/Table+oval+1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648037630023000930" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibF4EZ5IJ2T7bF3H9_V1fiR6omII2jq4hDk5iZnpYbG0_U6tYDAM8-cCwEr9AahKoUV-73Z6msh3NncEjlwH-pqJHqkF19m0Y6sPH5y9KLZjUFrocMHiOsm_1wlCu8eWlFY8sQcCaLzws/s400/Table+oval+1.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 208px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
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Get to work! Gorilla glue and clamps to the rescue!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhozWlL-XX4t-nGyYUYfyX_MqpJ3Y5V1lasZZdj8ANkgWFMZP-Cc4DVjtuaN-UyI9hMe0q9qGcVmPu1TXwHcJ13ISx0BGa7tmYzbJEVrzI1N__EyZwcFKmAAZYx7gGrv90n5XBFtMnISx8/s1600/TABLE+OVAL+TOP+GLUED+CLAMPED.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648038376337743490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhozWlL-XX4t-nGyYUYfyX_MqpJ3Y5V1lasZZdj8ANkgWFMZP-Cc4DVjtuaN-UyI9hMe0q9qGcVmPu1TXwHcJ13ISx0BGa7tmYzbJEVrzI1N__EyZwcFKmAAZYx7gGrv90n5XBFtMnISx8/s400/TABLE+OVAL+TOP+GLUED+CLAMPED.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 360px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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Now some wood filler...well...a LOT of wood filler...to even out the edges...then careful sanding, with coarse, medium and fine sand paper...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMuG9SazGvMAV1ZyJgtAxRS5AdNiVmD-jjAK-vP2Gs0HBjNqnLkL0MmFg4-kCUJy-ybBBXUNMSmsQUMCI-U-LAtaf0BDY1pzYEQhQ2TiAhqbA9FQoHf5dEggxmfbo3iqdl79yyfn_81U/s1600/table+wood+filler.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648038680879384114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMuG9SazGvMAV1ZyJgtAxRS5AdNiVmD-jjAK-vP2Gs0HBjNqnLkL0MmFg4-kCUJy-ybBBXUNMSmsQUMCI-U-LAtaf0BDY1pzYEQhQ2TiAhqbA9FQoHf5dEggxmfbo3iqdl79yyfn_81U/s400/table+wood+filler.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 108px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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A bit of paint...Annie Sloan Old White of course...a current favourite!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieoSg-lCs9SgzU6dFCOtbPCY6UgkhbiZ6_LFi9TiH4_90C3D4tSRajVqqIuc-40IRoBk80w4yaR4jz3qSnElkBkWmPJhKIxy1uVoH5qgnto9OQDkztXIUAeUDXbp5VANT6HVfWH9hIXtw/s1600/Table+oval+10.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648039198822045970" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieoSg-lCs9SgzU6dFCOtbPCY6UgkhbiZ6_LFi9TiH4_90C3D4tSRajVqqIuc-40IRoBk80w4yaR4jz3qSnElkBkWmPJhKIxy1uVoH5qgnto9OQDkztXIUAeUDXbp5VANT6HVfWH9hIXtw/s400/Table+oval+10.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 340px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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Aaahhh, she's looking better already!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13FOR2xJHBFq3gjLmC7oQf-aXtOyL4PTuqMhovTtAbLWU2qx8B72N6QHrAIx_duAvOuHl7xuMUV4RHvMO2XoEJWVs0k4pXsP3ajfdp61w5odbPQxAYzTEWGSqCzfJYuwVipglkrRbDE0/s1600/Table+full.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648041547389866658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13FOR2xJHBFq3gjLmC7oQf-aXtOyL4PTuqMhovTtAbLWU2qx8B72N6QHrAIx_duAvOuHl7xuMUV4RHvMO2XoEJWVs0k4pXsP3ajfdp61w5odbPQxAYzTEWGSqCzfJYuwVipglkrRbDE0/s400/Table+full.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 271px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
Now...had a vision for this old girl...but the stencil design I wanted to use was just not big enough. (sad face here please). It's 3 3/4" by 2 3/4." What to do? LIGHT BULB moment! I scanned the actual stencil, which is one of the very first Dreamweaver stencils I acquired...several years ago...and still very much a favourite...it's the <a href="http://www.stencilwithstyle.com/LLpages/LL318.htm">Leaf Heart (LL 318)</a>. I used this stencil as part of a fund-raiser several years ago...if you're interested, you can <a href="http://cardsandthings.blogspot.com/2007/08/i-have-friend.html">see that right here</a>.</div>
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Whenever I use this stencil, I think of a dear friend, <a href="http://cardsandthings.blogspot.com/2007/10/march-25th-1965-to-october-11th-2007.html">"Dr. Debbie</a>." Do you remember particular reasons and particular people when you use your craft supplies? That's a frequent occurrence for me...connecting art supplies to particular people...I digress...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS9fQRyjnIMp1r2cWp2Kk6LkJx8AL8TUdw5kWDUGR9qtaxjL_a8h1SMJpjXuBvOjJ_sO8B0U5AVVdlRjxoEKYYnm_lWsE5DZiJlNMp9KEl6sWYIew-esuHkLxpJF2Kgndho9gBXawhETE/s1600/Leaf+heart+LL+318.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648043614488200818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS9fQRyjnIMp1r2cWp2Kk6LkJx8AL8TUdw5kWDUGR9qtaxjL_a8h1SMJpjXuBvOjJ_sO8B0U5AVVdlRjxoEKYYnm_lWsE5DZiJlNMp9KEl6sWYIew-esuHkLxpJF2Kgndho9gBXawhETE/s400/Leaf+heart+LL+318.gif" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 217px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 217px;" /></a><br />
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Okay, so I enlarged the scan to the size I needed, printed several copies...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3x1fwTCH1zUU5o9wXCI1lKR_WkZWKf1cRAkeYBDn3L3w7jCGBDF-Xh0YXA8VU4_V8au-HF8H-vzRSGzpWah6kkgBwYcH4iAaiW7XuRqQQc_7LN1mbkNI-rnnj7ncRKlfgxnJJBmwvpsA/s1600/Leaf+heart+stencil+scanned.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648045510823584050" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3x1fwTCH1zUU5o9wXCI1lKR_WkZWKf1cRAkeYBDn3L3w7jCGBDF-Xh0YXA8VU4_V8au-HF8H-vzRSGzpWah6kkgBwYcH4iAaiW7XuRqQQc_7LN1mbkNI-rnnj7ncRKlfgxnJJBmwvpsA/s400/Leaf+heart+stencil+scanned.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 327px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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...printed them...did my image transfer with the pencil method...SO easy...just scribble pencil in several different directions on the reverse of your image, then tape the image to your working surface (pencil scribble size down) and trace over it...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihUN40niqkCvtwv0BLTpVhRMFr5p3AnC3IFLJeY9d8EHd3cRrwmcRrWwXada9-BnRu3GC_FtG6ZC1pqFb7vcNbnt2JJFdPQiJiiE0twzqsd877p54y04_JWfPqYEsEY36bBAtVRfaus_w/s1600/Leaf+heart+image+transfer.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648046557021643794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihUN40niqkCvtwv0BLTpVhRMFr5p3AnC3IFLJeY9d8EHd3cRrwmcRrWwXada9-BnRu3GC_FtG6ZC1pqFb7vcNbnt2JJFdPQiJiiE0twzqsd877p54y04_JWfPqYEsEY36bBAtVRfaus_w/s400/Leaf+heart+image+transfer.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 228px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
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...then I painted with a light grey paint. I also further enlarged a PART of the stencil (the top swirls), as you will see here. I was looking for subtlety for this old gal...here she is, all painted...with soft grey...and sanded to further dilute the image...then gave her three coats of Minwax Polycrylic for protection...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTbaazURchhqwM2mD5n5txEt9bKIYLXaiXbJbWsfitQC9UVvHOJToEe2yenZaS1YM2F3W-HV4AXOgUHETHY-FMvlkqLg6UOS6Qnsgw9aaKXvzHLsJnPSF8KaRlS5aHTC1VoSWGfncL0M/s1600/Table+top.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648044684901758898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTbaazURchhqwM2mD5n5txEt9bKIYLXaiXbJbWsfitQC9UVvHOJToEe2yenZaS1YM2F3W-HV4AXOgUHETHY-FMvlkqLg6UOS6Qnsgw9aaKXvzHLsJnPSF8KaRlS5aHTC1VoSWGfncL0M/s400/Table+top.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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LOVE her! She'll have a little lamp in the centre...what do you think?</div>
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Now, as an added incentive, this re-do is part of a blog hop, happening between Dreamweaver and Woodware designers...check <a href="http://dreamweaverstencils.blogspot.com/2011/08/hop-across-pond-and-back-tally-hop.html">all the details right here</a>...you could win a stencil!</div>
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<span style="color: red; line-height: 115%;">Updated: Today is Sept. 4th., and we've drawn winners for our stencils!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; line-height: 115%;">To visit everyone's blogs to see if YOU'RE a winner, just check<a href="http://dreamweaverstencils.blogspot.com/2011/08/hop-across-pond-and-back-tally-hop.html"> this master list over at the Dream it Up Blog.</a> For this draw, Random.org selected comment # 12 of the 17 comments left here to date. That comment was entered by Lauren, who posted:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"></span><br />
<dt class="comment-author " id="c4047399015116349162" style="background-position: 0px 1.5em; border-top-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; font-weight: bold; margin-left: -45px; padding-left: 45px; padding-top: 1.5em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/17728384738339919639" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration: none;">Lauren @ My Wonderfully Made</a> said...</span></dt>
<dd class="comment-body" id="Blog1_cmt-4047399015116349162" style="font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 25px; margin-top: 0.5em;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">Okay so two things I learned here: I need to get clamps like yours and THAT is a great way to transfer a design!! I have a LARGE round table I'm getting ready to paint and it will require a large graphic -- this method is going to work for me I think! Thanks very much!</span></div>
</dd><dd class="comment-footer" style="font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 25px; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span class="comment-timestamp"><a href="http://upcyclingmylife.blogspot.com/2011/09/loving-stencilsagain.html?showComment=1315088950051#c4047399015116349162" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration: none;" title="comment permalink">September 3, 2011 3:29 PM </a><span class="item-control blog-admin pid-158319129" style="display: inline;"><a class="comment-delete" href="http://www.blogger.com/delete-comment.g?blogID=3687746957683653579&postID=4047399015116349162" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration: none;" title="Delete Comment"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/icon_delete13.gif" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; position: relative;" /></a></span></span></span></dd><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1UeXiXwEotcnwpL8cUqL5tomD-g8vYtmTdN3dZXDv2S9XK7hkgU5UrgC3U72Fpga8cqEWAEP4Sq1ZLofTP9d3Wwv1fDFtIjk6WUDdDbpWC-YCUmVfgKE3BHNvALOTASDy5GZaDERHoNU/s1600/Random+Hop+1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648534882063605698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1UeXiXwEotcnwpL8cUqL5tomD-g8vYtmTdN3dZXDv2S9XK7hkgU5UrgC3U72Fpga8cqEWAEP4Sq1ZLofTP9d3Wwv1fDFtIjk6WUDdDbpWC-YCUmVfgKE3BHNvALOTASDy5GZaDERHoNU/s400/Random+Hop+1.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 360px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 369px;" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: red; line-height: 115%;">CONGRATS Lauren...a small token of appreciation for participating in our blog hop will be coming your way, so please send along your postal address.</span> </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: red; line-height: 115%;">I've posted another project for the same little giveaway, so make sure you <a href="http://upcyclingmylife.blogspot.com/2011/08/mmmmmi-love-stencils.html">check here too</a>!</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span">I'm still partying with <a href="http://upcyclingmylife.blogspot.com/p/fabulous-places-to-party.html">these fine bloggers</a>. Thanks so MUCH for visiting</span> me today. I wish you a day filled with the things you love to do...and people you love as well...</div>
Deborah Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211999112146380759noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687746957683653579.post-12434871462248385782011-08-29T18:37:00.000-07:002015-05-08T18:03:11.601-07:00Mmmmm...I LOVE stencils...edited at bottom...<div style="text-align: center;">
his project is part of my current phase of upcycling my life. I've replaced my king sized bed with this one...a twin with a "built in dresser!" (lol) I live in a 1200 sq ft condo, and decided to completely re-do my bedroom to reflect a new phase of my life and to open up more crafty space. So here are the "befores," of a previously loved bed in need of some TLC. It's a solid pine, heavy piece, and I know it will be with me for many years.</div>
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Here, you can see some of the deep scratches on the one of the posts.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCx_NOTFtc6H1mTcJ1SnIyhuZxlOf7fvhWcEt8ZNJEW3TBP7oQwYpKSLWjI0ftP6aSg84i2Ndn5z2JKnLepZT6-u8I88vsYZC0LxV6DD5ijtZ4pqXk705oGkIsWs6wENv51ojVwpJZz0/s1600/bed+before+3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646460336739391442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCx_NOTFtc6H1mTcJ1SnIyhuZxlOf7fvhWcEt8ZNJEW3TBP7oQwYpKSLWjI0ftP6aSg84i2Ndn5z2JKnLepZT6-u8I88vsYZC0LxV6DD5ijtZ4pqXk705oGkIsWs6wENv51ojVwpJZz0/s400/bed+before+3.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><br />
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I LOVE wood filler! (lol)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirMCVz_DcX5EKsx0da5cnn_MoaOirrkRhZI1lE_O1ssaDbFfHFhs0qK9CA0m0JBU268lkO8FyNeD_zDUiT-b_lEFLcWA58ZQIigyLdrquN_4ehDf4GotyE2fpDRYm3UvONg2nVE9G7Ibk/s1600/bed+4+before.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646458212892387634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirMCVz_DcX5EKsx0da5cnn_MoaOirrkRhZI1lE_O1ssaDbFfHFhs0qK9CA0m0JBU268lkO8FyNeD_zDUiT-b_lEFLcWA58ZQIigyLdrquN_4ehDf4GotyE2fpDRYm3UvONg2nVE9G7Ibk/s400/bed+4+before.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
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I took the drawers outside for sanding and filling more scratches.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjupWLFBGlzkOIY_zeTUQT7EV_2UmaZdjtTbxVfSysk_L83MnxgRmFzqA17nYqAKRGtqsL3skBqAYpHUkF6bEGP2QomSfX9zEEGyk0cfzHVPbyLuYCETIW3Fz8upzXm00Pyg32GUDSyK8k/s1600/bed+2+drawers+before.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646458090386364434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjupWLFBGlzkOIY_zeTUQT7EV_2UmaZdjtTbxVfSysk_L83MnxgRmFzqA17nYqAKRGtqsL3skBqAYpHUkF6bEGP2QomSfX9zEEGyk0cfzHVPbyLuYCETIW3Fz8upzXm00Pyg32GUDSyK8k/s400/bed+2+drawers+before.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 302px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVCZrwpuYhGNMjZgg0ewT_KhXDEWfpk6-DwafDsWhbRGyeBx_of05At8WJvldpn9JtVhTBdFczkR-xSM7Op9CmutkJlpiELbrQZ53YVMz5AbSdLgHkK8FDg1og1wrNaXj5sUvg8-C4H9U/s1600/bed+3+drawers+before.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646457941829767010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVCZrwpuYhGNMjZgg0ewT_KhXDEWfpk6-DwafDsWhbRGyeBx_of05At8WJvldpn9JtVhTBdFczkR-xSM7Op9CmutkJlpiELbrQZ53YVMz5AbSdLgHkK8FDg1og1wrNaXj5sUvg8-C4H9U/s400/bed+3+drawers+before.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>I did actually prime this piece before I painted because I was concerned that the knots might bleed through the paint. I used Zinsser Cover Stain, then painted with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (Old White). Once it dried, I chipped randomly with a mouse sander, then applied Annie Sloan Clear Soft Wax.</div>
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I'm tickled pink with how it turned out! The box spring with the mattress makes the bed too high, so I'll have a posture board cut this week to replace the box spring. I felt a bit like I was sleeping inside the kid's fairy tale "The Princess and the Pea" last night!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjrkagtEtwW2db9oTjr3bvVUHc6njKcPC_fTMkKfN33ItIhRz8MweyP8yt0p0NNEHWC9j3L7Df3q4QiayY0nUDOgJamxZCA73El-w2td99OpjKCM12I_DwjSs3bcT16HbcyEaw5dYrVk0/s1600/bed+after+1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646465394779696146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjrkagtEtwW2db9oTjr3bvVUHc6njKcPC_fTMkKfN33ItIhRz8MweyP8yt0p0NNEHWC9j3L7Df3q4QiayY0nUDOgJamxZCA73El-w2td99OpjKCM12I_DwjSs3bcT16HbcyEaw5dYrVk0/s400/bed+after+1.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 357px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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The drawer handles were formerly saucy shiny chrome; I painted those with Tremclad Hammered Black paint.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMx4s5WZUCzIDiTo09TvW7cXEW-_c6fZ2X8oxmVFU95X9wPulOf2bOP9KPk_TQ5ipkh46HD3RMbEGuCS8raWwZbxN9EDcvd9_qNX_5dMUT_Yli9k9LmeEdNFosNnIyqzcXdS6cUwPCzg/s1600/bed+after+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646465227715957442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMx4s5WZUCzIDiTo09TvW7cXEW-_c6fZ2X8oxmVFU95X9wPulOf2bOP9KPk_TQ5ipkh46HD3RMbEGuCS8raWwZbxN9EDcvd9_qNX_5dMUT_Yli9k9LmeEdNFosNnIyqzcXdS6cUwPCzg/s400/bed+after+2.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 301px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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Here's the<a href="http://www.stencilwithstyle.com/LGpages/LG699.htm"> Dreamweaver Stencil I used</a> for the little feminine touches on the drawers (LG 699, Copperplate Corners). I wanted a touch of black, so this stencil done with <a href="http://www.stencilwithstyle.com/access2a.htm">Dreamweaver Black Matte Embossing Paste</a> was JUST the thing! I really like that there are two different corners to use on this stencil. I use it a lot. I'm so lucky to be part of the Dreamweaver Design Team, and this week we're partying in a blog hop with the Woodware designers from the UK. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQ8rGpE9pxTGwlWA1g4eFHweq8DzD8PaEiaEL4XgxOoJssdmkIYVhADqsC2eeVSjcxevpIu8bOjPaABHxgNdxnlI1Eo8f2ZqL3YgR3SsqFw4usNivrzXuGZRdNgxEVBnkQaLk-P3C5oQ/s1600/LG+699+Copperplate.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646468759166120706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQ8rGpE9pxTGwlWA1g4eFHweq8DzD8PaEiaEL4XgxOoJssdmkIYVhADqsC2eeVSjcxevpIu8bOjPaABHxgNdxnlI1Eo8f2ZqL3YgR3SsqFw4usNivrzXuGZRdNgxEVBnkQaLk-P3C5oQ/s400/LG+699+Copperplate.gif" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 257px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 257px;" /></a><br />
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There are so many <a href="http://www.stencilwithstyle.com/access2a.htm">beautiful paste colours</a> available now...here's a small sampling...the metallic colours (gold, silver, copper) and the Pearlescent pastes are especially popular!</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPD60wc-9anpbveNeaR9qydHzUnl-Z-UO8d5VzDRGJuEMUReli2C56YUjbTTIY_6aDe7zVJd8FIKArSMVNwTqZfmIJAos23YnSJ3Zy5rfUGewhSySbUV6Vw3TJeFulst55QWAA6P5QZE/s1600/Pastes.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646468215631920978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPD60wc-9anpbveNeaR9qydHzUnl-Z-UO8d5VzDRGJuEMUReli2C56YUjbTTIY_6aDe7zVJd8FIKArSMVNwTqZfmIJAos23YnSJ3Zy5rfUGewhSySbUV6Vw3TJeFulst55QWAA6P5QZE/s400/Pastes.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 328px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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Here are close-ups of some of the stencilled areas on the chipped drawers:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy8eizBxUsijosv4b90oFniBDwlesoO_XBYTxSen-tiOZjy4KCeQlNpH43YiJmbFjgen4K4Rmb6nUyBmbRS8xlQIa3lEaPLG_KzAZzIhZYjnjdw6lb_Y7ah08K78aVtp4Mh85GYdb9a-M/s1600/Bed+stencil+3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646478818799270770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy8eizBxUsijosv4b90oFniBDwlesoO_XBYTxSen-tiOZjy4KCeQlNpH43YiJmbFjgen4K4Rmb6nUyBmbRS8xlQIa3lEaPLG_KzAZzIhZYjnjdw6lb_Y7ah08K78aVtp4Mh85GYdb9a-M/s400/Bed+stencil+3.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 185px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWjKTqAx81bj0P2rZ1bQbCcW2oSLXemtxLOT2y_EWz-1CtdV-s_Bk9uOnuztGlKJ0RZWZyF-a7fl5xvbubrEDAl9DtnFe6-Y-MUHPVZAjrSMgzTnxtMlD6pIK4dbe-CroQhNo8q49T2VM/s1600/Bed+stencil+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646478694830773074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWjKTqAx81bj0P2rZ1bQbCcW2oSLXemtxLOT2y_EWz-1CtdV-s_Bk9uOnuztGlKJ0RZWZyF-a7fl5xvbubrEDAl9DtnFe6-Y-MUHPVZAjrSMgzTnxtMlD6pIK4dbe-CroQhNo8q49T2VM/s400/Bed+stencil+2.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 203px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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Love it love it LOVE it! Just a perfect little feminine accent, and look at that splendiferous texture with Annie's Chalk Paint!! LOVE me my ASCP!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr7hyphenhyphenBhEBBkwIITkPnjHpwxzPj6olsd4qBIJG91penWO8-RMw8ul-31UZU6nNzPoePXSijZHwqGK0cMnLrVe6qdkpVtEUFUSzQVlX3ChkKeTkXD7I_-P0zwUQrq3dw3smC3azj5FYD29Q/s1600/bed+stencil.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646478554166731202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr7hyphenhyphenBhEBBkwIITkPnjHpwxzPj6olsd4qBIJG91penWO8-RMw8ul-31UZU6nNzPoePXSijZHwqGK0cMnLrVe6qdkpVtEUFUSzQVlX3ChkKeTkXD7I_-P0zwUQrq3dw3smC3azj5FYD29Q/s400/bed+stencil.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 390px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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Because the bed's so high, I decided to re-do a little step stool to match.</div>
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Before:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZamC_v0mNChlnhleZzbjXFqjkgqfBLDLZB-rrgzQssv7guat9ynEeWe9qYiJbgwDWyigT9cB9yThQ2hFgCcCnsq6H1-CrGjYZEGxPkgdotWuaMdpCG6B1YFbKCAi4viva0ccWxQU-MY/s1600/bed+step+before+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646479674951193778" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZamC_v0mNChlnhleZzbjXFqjkgqfBLDLZB-rrgzQssv7guat9ynEeWe9qYiJbgwDWyigT9cB9yThQ2hFgCcCnsq6H1-CrGjYZEGxPkgdotWuaMdpCG6B1YFbKCAi4viva0ccWxQU-MY/s400/bed+step+before+2.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 386px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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Don't you love those brassy handles!? (Ummm, I didn't...)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSdQ6CUGQl0k5qgT2B40TcLbpRkpjLqVMFrb8-8EPdSpQDCZ1iTZJ8hj57BYWSLGORmlSUI7UG70iQk7O7h6iFTGUPE2472YlUYU-tlBwdt8is2TAmf9iOdUPte04vFdv1jTqrcYCFjk/s1600/bed+step+before+1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646479514092607746" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSdQ6CUGQl0k5qgT2B40TcLbpRkpjLqVMFrb8-8EPdSpQDCZ1iTZJ8hj57BYWSLGORmlSUI7UG70iQk7O7h6iFTGUPE2472YlUYU-tlBwdt8is2TAmf9iOdUPte04vFdv1jTqrcYCFjk/s400/bed+step+before+1.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 355px;" /></a><br />
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I used the same paint techniques as I did on the bed, and I painted three coats of Minwax Polycrylic on the steps for durability. I also painted the handles the same colour as the drawer pulls.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbSNJjiZ3JNiONlA7Asnvp8iF9c3_8UK8K5sne5bpLdNjNZntLYGsN5EzG9_L8BOHOOOOaS7yBL-ckJzLJGmj0E8wvDaICDVyJSHCa9A6di1770TbWDxHSpE2ju6HxcdRBsjgzUzN38ME/s1600/bed+step+after+3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646481335803702770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbSNJjiZ3JNiONlA7Asnvp8iF9c3_8UK8K5sne5bpLdNjNZntLYGsN5EzG9_L8BOHOOOOaS7yBL-ckJzLJGmj0E8wvDaICDVyJSHCa9A6di1770TbWDxHSpE2ju6HxcdRBsjgzUzN38ME/s400/bed+step+after+3.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 375px;" /></a><br />
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Here's a closer pic of the chippy finish and stencilled corners, done to match the bed.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNq0xyKrz1nH8MEIN-s_j50jKV2lzMQReaM9lJA2ZG5qOrbCO3Lf_oBm9KNX940ulDbKDx6fmFXwplsHRGHp-E7tIhFd743Yes-Vvo1nKKEiz4tnM986QvjTloi9CXhJIZkOEPuqHTM4/s1600/bed+step+after+1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646480265894096834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNq0xyKrz1nH8MEIN-s_j50jKV2lzMQReaM9lJA2ZG5qOrbCO3Lf_oBm9KNX940ulDbKDx6fmFXwplsHRGHp-E7tIhFd743Yes-Vvo1nKKEiz4tnM986QvjTloi9CXhJIZkOEPuqHTM4/s400/bed+step+after+1.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 325px;" /></a></div>
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One last picture of the first steps to my "new" room...just try to imagine the mattress being half that depth! (lol)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0v3pEtC6LsrATtHZ4Rfitl2-3RGfu46i3iyzsvLL8Cix_nw8v8QHFLjL_5z41PR2mVYx9vLXPIFYEEM3AjPZDUW8ivFkg1SLtSzALsov_DCsU8wPwqQm9MD-4KWUQaXzjkhi5oUdCtGg/s1600/bed+after+5.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646482294300764722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0v3pEtC6LsrATtHZ4Rfitl2-3RGfu46i3iyzsvLL8Cix_nw8v8QHFLjL_5z41PR2mVYx9vLXPIFYEEM3AjPZDUW8ivFkg1SLtSzALsov_DCsU8wPwqQm9MD-4KWUQaXzjkhi5oUdCtGg/s400/bed+after+5.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 332px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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Stencilling is SO back in style in home decor...not the cutesy wall borders of the seventies and eighties, but as sophisticated, beautiful design accessories. I use <a href="http://www.stencilwithstyle.com/">Dreamweaver stencils</a> often for creating greeting cards (they're on <a href="http://cardsandthings.blogspot.com/">another blog, right here</a>), and I'm enjoying them all over again as home decor accents!</div>
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I hope you'll take some time to visit the other stops along the Dreamweaver/Woodware blog hop. Every designer will be sending a stencil to a randomly chosen participant! The next stop along the hop is<a href="http://www.kristiscreativecafe.blogspot.com/"> Kristi's place, right here</a>. The complete schedule for the hop <a href="http://dreamweaverstencils.blogspot.com/2011/08/hop-across-pond-and-back-tally-hop.html?showComment=1314668392656#c3687555426686938311">can be found right here.</a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 27px;">Updated: Today is Sept. 4th., and we've drawn winners for our stencils! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 27px;">To visit everyone's blogs to see if YOU'RE a winner, just <a href="http://dreamweaverstencils.blogspot.com/2011/08/hop-across-pond-and-back-tally-hop.html">check this master list over at the Dream it Up Blog</a>. For this draw, Random.org selected comment # 58 of the 62 comments left here to date.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red; line-height: 27px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">That comment was entered by Ann who posted:</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<dt class="comment-author " id="c344747221048103069" style="background-position: 0px 1.5em; border-top-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; font-weight: bold; margin-left: -45px; padding-left: 45px; padding-top: 1.5em;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/11666228517388939913" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration: none;">Ann from On Sutton Place</a> said...</dt>
<dd class="comment-body" id="Blog1_cmt-344747221048103069" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 25px; margin-top: 0.5em;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
What a job but totally worth it. The stool is perfect. Thank you so much for sharing at the Open House party!</div>
</dd><dd class="comment-footer" style="margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 25px; margin-top: 0.5em;"><span class="comment-timestamp"><a href="http://upcyclingmylife.blogspot.com/2011/08/mmmmmi-love-stencils.html?showComment=1315094007472#c344747221048103069" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration: none;" title="comment permalink">September 3, 2011 4:53 PM </a><span class="item-control blog-admin pid-582427394" style="display: inline;"><a class="comment-delete" href="http://www.blogger.com/delete-comment.g?blogID=3687746957683653579&postID=344747221048103069" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration: none;" title="Delete Comment"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/icon_delete13.gif" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; position: relative;" /></a></span></span></dd></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 27px;">CONGRATS Ann...a small token of appreciation for participating in our blog hop will be coming your way, so please send along your postal address.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 27px;">I've posted another project for the same little giveaway, so make sure you <a href="http://upcyclingmylife.blogspot.com/2011/09/loving-stencilsagain.html"><span class="Apple-style-span">check here too</span>!</a></span></div>
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I'm also partying<a href="http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/"> here </a>and with <a href="http://upcyclingmylife.blogspot.com/p/fabulous-places-to-party.html">these fine home decor bloggers</a> this week too.</div>
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Thank you SO MUCH for taking the time to stop by today! The comments you leave are like little gifts, and they just make my day!</div>
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I wish you a day of simple pleasures, doing WHAT you love WITH people you love!</div>
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OH! And <span class="Apple-style-span"><b>THANK YOU</b></span> to these fine bloggers for featuring my bed!</div>
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<a href="http://www.verymerryvintagestyle.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Very Merry Vintage Style Blog Button" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1254/5102617850_a9ae8c7121_m.jpg" height="170" width="180" /></a></div>
Deborah Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211999112146380759noreply@blogger.com75tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687746957683653579.post-24751146904883028592011-08-17T03:40:00.001-07:002011-09-12T23:20:23.897-07:00Lazy Susan re-do<div style="text-align: center;">We use this Lazy Susan for our Scrabble games...I like it so much better now!</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNjW8-o7JkzjPGA7bJoQb3brvm4HjIp13GkapR2oBDo9fWqO42FNxqhAbDZwWqmSLPApQvhoJMDALRHEmxBKpvwG-yQemp1DhDM4niREGLCRI2ZyEl6i3AwX3_dkMI39PBE4aH3bJFpjc/s1600/Lazy+Susan+1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 277px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNjW8-o7JkzjPGA7bJoQb3brvm4HjIp13GkapR2oBDo9fWqO42FNxqhAbDZwWqmSLPApQvhoJMDALRHEmxBKpvwG-yQemp1DhDM4niREGLCRI2ZyEl6i3AwX3_dkMI39PBE4aH3bJFpjc/s400/Lazy+Susan+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641773376932280594" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">First step: painted with ASCP Old White</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Second step: Used part of this image from the ever-so-generous Karen over at the <a href="http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/">Graphics Fairy</a>:</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0xu7d2hg4oISip67NROcRUbNLd_yJ144KSmLcli3YwupSO-KNEiraqfJCnOk8RNvpR9FDL_bvfLHRxZVHIDxf5lmSqqjT4UjGZ9A41yikALOEmC-YEp_ib4v5HsASFZshrBCx4KcyFpA/s1600/marche+de+nuit.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 331px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0xu7d2hg4oISip67NROcRUbNLd_yJ144KSmLcli3YwupSO-KNEiraqfJCnOk8RNvpR9FDL_bvfLHRxZVHIDxf5lmSqqjT4UjGZ9A41yikALOEmC-YEp_ib4v5HsASFZshrBCx4KcyFpA/s400/marche+de+nuit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641774214585023938" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Even though the talent to create music passed me by (lol), I like the image anyway. Two of my sisters are musicians, and my last name is "March,"so this image just seemed to "fit" for me. The image transferred easily by covering the back of the image with scribbled pencil, positioning it on the wood, and tracing the letters with pencil, then painting with black acrylic paint:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here it is, ready for the next step. I used one of my very favourite <a href="http://www.stencilwithstyle.com/LJpages/LJ896.htm">Dreamweaver Stencils (LJ896)</a>, and simply pounced some brown acrylic paint through the stencil:</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivzfrdV_UAZAM-v2PcrWc7a_A6JzHEWJQq7H8__aFvQzAMjRsreXyzUujv9Y1yOrTmqYoL9HK56LgteGr2Aos-dkhU-XMF00md5pvU4LdYegnh68O7AGISCNi_j7UllcEWu373-_dRhtA/s1600/Lazy+Susan+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 354px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivzfrdV_UAZAM-v2PcrWc7a_A6JzHEWJQq7H8__aFvQzAMjRsreXyzUujv9Y1yOrTmqYoL9HK56LgteGr2Aos-dkhU-XMF00md5pvU4LdYegnh68O7AGISCNi_j7UllcEWu373-_dRhtA/s400/Lazy+Susan+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641773763270397490" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Here's the end result, with a layer of Benjamin Moore Aqua Glaze mixed with a few drops of the same brown acrylic paint, and nicely scratched up.</div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg35xPi6x4Coap1F5wjBsYoZn63qgQP2VJGyhH8JbFYbccDt7MKS5Dvt9yFV5DWQgHOpORS0FQjN0wWCO3JColZQPCpoydUfmAYhh3P8pgbOrMwALGFAjFCO8uXep-waL4qM0KFwoGywGM/s1600/Lazy+Susan+5.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 372px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg35xPi6x4Coap1F5wjBsYoZn63qgQP2VJGyhH8JbFYbccDt7MKS5Dvt9yFV5DWQgHOpORS0FQjN0wWCO3JColZQPCpoydUfmAYhh3P8pgbOrMwALGFAjFCO8uXep-waL4qM0KFwoGywGM/s400/Lazy+Susan+5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641777023961330818" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">THANK YOU so VERY much for stopping by!! I'll come by your place too. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Partying with <a href="http://upcyclingmylife.blogspot.com/p/fabulous-places-to-party.html">these fine bloggers</a> this week, and THANKING THEM for all their work in hosting these parties!</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">HEY...one more thing...a great big hearty eastern Canadian THANK YOU to Ms Ashlee for featuring this over at</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://imtopsyturvy.com/"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2684/5719505111_59b73e946e_o.jpg" alt="featured I'm topsy turvy tuesdays" width="125" /></a></div>Deborah Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211999112146380759noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687746957683653579.post-51103831865829794032011-08-06T08:26:00.000-07:002015-05-08T18:12:36.595-07:00Omigosh...we won!!!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Okay, today is August 6th., and I've just received news that I WON the <a href="http://houseofanne-anne.blogspot.com/2011/08/and-winnnnnnner-isfor-chair-affair.html">Chair Affair</a> sponsored by <a href="http://houseofanne.net/default.aspx">Anne Skougard of California</a>!!!</b></span> </div>
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I am absolutely positively FLABBERGASTED!!! This means that I receive one quart of my very favourite and utterly FABULOUS <a href="http://www.anniesloan.com/acatalog/paints.html">Annie Sloan Chalk Paint</a> every month for a year!! Now, this might not seem like a big deal to some folks...but it sure IS to ME!! I have to order my paint online, and between shipping and customs, it ends up costing me well over fifty dollars a quart (ummm...and really worth every penny, in case you're wondering...don't forget...no primer or sanding required...WOOT!). </div>
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AAAAND...several NEW COLOURS have just been released.<span class="Apple-style-span"><b> </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Oh my oh my oh my...BE STILL MY HEART!!! Can you tell I'm EXCITED!? </b></span></div>
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If you haven't tried this paint yet, and if you enjoy upcycling furniture...you just HAVE to try it. I order mine directly <a href="http://houseofanne.net/default.aspx">through Anne...right here...</a>fast shipping for the impatience in me (lol)</div>
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Okay...my little grandson is saying "Breathe Grammie, just breathe!"(lol)</div>
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Here's a link to<a href="http://upcyclingmylife.blogspot.com/2011/07/my-very-own-place.html"> the original post for the stools I upcycled for the boys</a>. In case you hadn't read that, must tell you a little about them...bear with me...there's a reason for telling you!</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">My grandchildren, like all kids, have unique little personalities, and I have "Grammie names" for each of them. Connor (middle boy in the pic) i</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">s our "nitro boy," into EVERYTHING and always going a mile a minute! So HIS Grammie name is "My little Hurricane."</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">The third boy in the pic is Avery, quieter, contemplative, and loves being with Grammie (THANK YOU God!), doing anything at all. When he was tiny, he'd call me "Bubbie," so that eventually became my Grammie name for HIM..."My little Bubbie." </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">The oldest is Morgan...first boy in the pic...a "glass-half-empty" kind of boy (lol) who has to know where EVERYBODY is, EVERY minute of the day. When he was a wee toddler, he liked to actually be physically connected to one of his parents every waking moment, so he was quickly dubbed "My little Shadow."</span></span></div>
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Here are the boys and their finished stools:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjPrc8Z996VJml9bmmC5XG_DrZjm0k9Y6Z9wrBZZunM67TccjVZV70TxIaMyLzSS4TihptZJ_0hihmWJQfcvXgBbUOv7r7UyVb9Xcz9sqxNJG5e4MkLBLzJfc1ABxCIv0S5jYyUZbJ2Jw/s1600/stool+all.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637771444590572578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjPrc8Z996VJml9bmmC5XG_DrZjm0k9Y6Z9wrBZZunM67TccjVZV70TxIaMyLzSS4TihptZJ_0hihmWJQfcvXgBbUOv7r7UyVb9Xcz9sqxNJG5e4MkLBLzJfc1ABxCIv0S5jYyUZbJ2Jw/s400/stool+all.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 330px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
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Now why did I need to repeat the post about their personalities? Because twenty minutes after I wrote this post, we were all on our way to Sick Kids' Emergency, where we spent three hours waiting for Connor (the Hurricane...remember!?) to brave his way through several stitches in his chin after a nasty "wipe-out"on his bike. </div>
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As I told him how brave he was, he said "Gwammie, I'm not afwaid of ANYsing!"</div>
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Yep...my little nitro boy does it again!</div>
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As soon as we were done at emerg, he said "Can we please have LUNCH now!?"</div>
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THANKS for visiting today! I'll be away from my blog for a couple of weeks, as I'm taking the boys to an oceanfront cottage on Prince Edward Island, leaving tomorrow morning. </div>
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THANK YOU so much for visiting us today! It's been an eventful one!</div>
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Deborah Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211999112146380759noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687746957683653579.post-40630476312502756312011-08-01T06:43:00.000-07:002011-08-17T08:13:29.238-07:00Another step...and another!<div style="text-align: center;">Okay, so you KNOW your "hobby" has morphed into a full-fledged PROBLEM when the teensy little livingroom of your teensy little condo starts looking like the back room of a Habitat for Humanity RE-STORE! In my many years as a mental health professional, I've heard it said that ADMITTING your addiction is the first step to overcoming it.</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hmmm...</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But do I even WANT to overcome it? Do YOU??? ;)</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's a coffee table I purchased from Kijiji for $30.00.</div>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhoJ8syfrwDXSUdXqANhx6ci659GwMWK7Lc02D23r-jPJOBEA3f3xyXxhFgi53Sw2zbn5mk9NAq3pmdgfzhOZyxnctwGZvCYAihCzX-FFE3Bhl7GYLHr5MO7FMHrT-d3t5oMtwOjtJoSE/s1600/Coffee+table+before.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 205px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhoJ8syfrwDXSUdXqANhx6ci659GwMWK7Lc02D23r-jPJOBEA3f3xyXxhFgi53Sw2zbn5mk9NAq3pmdgfzhOZyxnctwGZvCYAihCzX-FFE3Bhl7GYLHr5MO7FMHrT-d3t5oMtwOjtJoSE/s400/Coffee+table+before.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635883320572419330" /></a>
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;">This was the first re-do, posted earlier on my blog, with Paris Grey and Old White ASCP.</div>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPcyp8wAaCzvpgc0Umm6RpIIX1JSEd9VQiCAc_A8bMA4knDD26pzxPM4UvLpJWXWVn7mnu8p6zdo9xYpt0WMytMR9t8k27lfIJ5c58bXX3y41Qg0-8G2Otsx4tAkLGVpmIxiEDlheN8VQ/s1600/Coffee+table+after+no.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPcyp8wAaCzvpgc0Umm6RpIIX1JSEd9VQiCAc_A8bMA4knDD26pzxPM4UvLpJWXWVn7mnu8p6zdo9xYpt0WMytMR9t8k27lfIJ5c58bXX3y41Qg0-8G2Otsx4tAkLGVpmIxiEDlheN8VQ/s400/Coffee+table+after+no.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635883562216178242" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Nope. Hated it.</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This was the next stage...redone with just Old White, waxed and chipped. I LOVED it!</div><div style="text-align: center;">
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKsCxpop4qug4_fNuZp-O3Q1fEwQIZgVt2Xq6tYZfufwIyFYOYa2WMpxwhuACwPEOCj_l7N2n-vFHVUte0SNswAwJgF7dipzDZdnzknnYeYCU6mY36kXRdxU5igFSgR2jv8_9geR4GdQ/s1600/Coffee+table+after+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 171px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKsCxpop4qug4_fNuZp-O3Q1fEwQIZgVt2Xq6tYZfufwIyFYOYa2WMpxwhuACwPEOCj_l7N2n-vFHVUte0SNswAwJgF7dipzDZdnzknnYeYCU6mY36kXRdxU5igFSgR2jv8_9geR4GdQ/s400/Coffee+table+after+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635884061040508210" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Interesting, I've NEVER liked the colour GREEN for home decor, and suddenly I DO! (lol)</div><div>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZedwe8yP2n4ObYOFur2mZQ_l7Hlz78qCyaDF-fHVX5FoJOnA1Ukg1P7Q3yrJkMc-0nosR4JfX2aWqF3E_gj2hRQUIPQ4O7vwIAzz-2sE6SeJzl_JcW2VWjuWuOmL9N7s6MXaJXQpesc/s1600/Coffee+table+after+1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 201px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZedwe8yP2n4ObYOFur2mZQ_l7Hlz78qCyaDF-fHVX5FoJOnA1Ukg1P7Q3yrJkMc-0nosR4JfX2aWqF3E_gj2hRQUIPQ4O7vwIAzz-2sE6SeJzl_JcW2VWjuWuOmL9N7s6MXaJXQpesc/s400/Coffee+table+after+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635884344888608258" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Such pretty, chunky legs, and Annie Sloan Dark Wax really accentuates their detail...</div>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQetmiCIO8MdtwYqGi9mff3B_5voQ2dhpUYiNBvc4YyU0d-uB1G0Oq2_uIP426KXuQjEUVj-la1Vy2RMBx1mTO0B5vWq2OCHmbyCGap9IfR4fTGjltK8yP7EnF7XAB3Ea6vYE0yXAcCc/s1600/Coffee+table+leg+after.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 272px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQetmiCIO8MdtwYqGi9mff3B_5voQ2dhpUYiNBvc4YyU0d-uB1G0Oq2_uIP426KXuQjEUVj-la1Vy2RMBx1mTO0B5vWq2OCHmbyCGap9IfR4fTGjltK8yP7EnF7XAB3Ea6vYE0yXAcCc/s400/Coffee+table+leg+after.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635884703252418162" /></a></div>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;">So...here's Stage Three! After seeing some of the GREAT things Korrie's been doing over at <a href="http://redhenhome.blogspot.com/2011/06/like-tea-tray.html">Red Hen Home</a> with harlequins, I decided to try one. THANKS for your inspiration Korrie!</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I cut several sections of a harlequin pattern with my Silhouette and used some leftover paint from my "Lichen Green" livingroom wall...</div>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ZpvQpnwDYd9J_4QCuKdz7id6bTPZqRI1ACOyiUq0rbXIs_rrehI01geg9YfXZaqV9IsKCD64q4zMdBfiue1ZYrSy8HwNuH12Y0tWaCQFpMyF9-ZLLxQcQpwvQ0ha2-5NwHDFX9LdKHM/s1600/CT+Harlequin+stencil.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 284px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ZpvQpnwDYd9J_4QCuKdz7id6bTPZqRI1ACOyiUq0rbXIs_rrehI01geg9YfXZaqV9IsKCD64q4zMdBfiue1ZYrSy8HwNuH12Y0tWaCQFpMyF9-ZLLxQcQpwvQ0ha2-5NwHDFX9LdKHM/s400/CT+Harlequin+stencil.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635886012134593426" /></a>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTYg5QtDYf1_P_cr7H3bK3Ly9l-60QLk1_o1JVJsyEBYd2YcQWHzXM6pV5o_wLR1mqNqdOIlnvkCuinZ7IRvLl7vaWOUy-14rLMs1bOyqRizNhlgPCoEJgag0thV_iES9DR6O9JFjrvc/s1600/CT+Harlequin+during+1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTYg5QtDYf1_P_cr7H3bK3Ly9l-60QLk1_o1JVJsyEBYd2YcQWHzXM6pV5o_wLR1mqNqdOIlnvkCuinZ7IRvLl7vaWOUy-14rLMs1bOyqRizNhlgPCoEJgag0thV_iES9DR6O9JFjrvc/s400/CT+Harlequin+during+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635885624937519426" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">It was painstakingly slow, but I did it while my sleep-over grandsons and I watched "ET" together...</div>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJCJx4Qmd1OQxIGu2SJgp0936WETFPnQxBUwWq3wPOIO0ASDZT-0MpK9LBp0TPqc9Pm8bVqj14l4kjRU6uxE-oIlCAaPuO_IFBrD9wXwMrUEF1VWs-33yCr707ZC4CxSQbRc5qaquiOCo/s1600/CT+Harlequin+during+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 175px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJCJx4Qmd1OQxIGu2SJgp0936WETFPnQxBUwWq3wPOIO0ASDZT-0MpK9LBp0TPqc9Pm8bVqj14l4kjRU6uxE-oIlCAaPuO_IFBrD9wXwMrUEF1VWs-33yCr707ZC4CxSQbRc5qaquiOCo/s400/CT+Harlequin+during+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635886320773877090" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;">Et Voila!! Here she is, sanded a little and coated again with Annie Sloan Clear Wax and Dark Wax...which even subdues the green!! So what do you think? Did I totally ruin it? </div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I think I'm kind of happy with it for now. Who knows what it'll look like NEXT week? (lol) </div>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsyTdKC200ZZ_oxD0WKmInJv1q0Mnd5JDiDw7XjzhGGRY-V9WVDwbYOFGArIK6FTBeJPs1sND4PCSLrY7wvk6ajr6EBZnnouhTg1k3_K6mPMvZNjU6Jc-o4e9WBUmfk3ZUJ1rbtEFgcgk/s1600/CT+Harlequin+after.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsyTdKC200ZZ_oxD0WKmInJv1q0Mnd5JDiDw7XjzhGGRY-V9WVDwbYOFGArIK6FTBeJPs1sND4PCSLrY7wvk6ajr6EBZnnouhTg1k3_K6mPMvZNjU6Jc-o4e9WBUmfk3ZUJ1rbtEFgcgk/s400/CT+Harlequin+after.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635887102766023634" /></a>
<br /><div><div style="text-align: center;">Stage Four! My new Dreamweaver stencils arrived yesterday. When I saw <a href="http://www.dreamweaverstencils.com/ls_stencils/pages/page_37.html">this beautiful little Fleur de Lis</a>, I knew exactly where it had to do its work! Having been so very lucky to have visited Paris and the South of France a couple of times, I enjoy adding some Frenchie accents to my home.</div><div style="text-align: center;">
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlpUxXUyayAoAtYbHhI_-Im98f0Va_nvwXz1qgT7RZciLAI_bo6_VFlxw8EOA2_lw0iiNruuYyHc5XXbO4xJW7reV8vQffijD0Hf3WWONN6cEBqE53ytygD8k-g3jfZaSkgUuQL1PbAUY/s1600/Coffee+table+after+harlequin+and+fleur+1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 357px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlpUxXUyayAoAtYbHhI_-Im98f0Va_nvwXz1qgT7RZciLAI_bo6_VFlxw8EOA2_lw0iiNruuYyHc5XXbO4xJW7reV8vQffijD0Hf3WWONN6cEBqE53ytygD8k-g3jfZaSkgUuQL1PbAUY/s400/Coffee+table+after+harlequin+and+fleur+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636944940605471314" /></a>
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's my grandson helping me dry the stencilled ink...HINT (from my mistake...) ...use StazOn permanent ink or dry-brushed/dry-pounced acrylic paint!</div><div style="text-align: center;">
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZhFhGJnaljAy1L-usay1Q62Ku0kPiI2s2r9F24O4qCkPjTQK1RHOa2wgln8I8obCQVUb6DIpax8sC6KuZo6yfh6LrRTBiMea_fH_VVVLy1vBWOkaA7XSyi4hcPp3-kpIGUAOcwl4EAaQ/s1600/Coffee+table+after+harlequin+and+fleur+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 294px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZhFhGJnaljAy1L-usay1Q62Ku0kPiI2s2r9F24O4qCkPjTQK1RHOa2wgln8I8obCQVUb6DIpax8sC6KuZo6yfh6LrRTBiMea_fH_VVVLy1vBWOkaA7XSyi4hcPp3-kpIGUAOcwl4EAaQ/s400/Coffee+table+after+harlequin+and+fleur+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636945185143574146" /></a>Here's a finished segment. I applied two coats of Polycrylic for protection from little boys' toy cars and messy hands.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3K1jrDi2DO-sP3YLOeL8n_oZDFWPz-B3vpbOuI6ZgJYufcMutBYtL1ChcTacpec6ZhvxjnBj2Y4On66EtN2cToZGfzh9dqoOZcAgms7hoIqZeOHIDXkq6PuXgGLKcsHCMq2Y0jZVv7yo/s1600/Coffee+table+after+harlequin+and+fleur+4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 352px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3K1jrDi2DO-sP3YLOeL8n_oZDFWPz-B3vpbOuI6ZgJYufcMutBYtL1ChcTacpec6ZhvxjnBj2Y4On66EtN2cToZGfzh9dqoOZcAgms7hoIqZeOHIDXkq6PuXgGLKcsHCMq2Y0jZVv7yo/s400/Coffee+table+after+harlequin+and+fleur+4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636945618098190978" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;">I love it all over again! (lol)</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">THANKS Denise, for featuring this over at</div><div style="text-align: center;">
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<br /><a href="http://www.pinkpostcard.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1120.photobucket.com/albums/l490/simplegirl72/TransformationsTreasures.jpg" /></a>
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is what I'm upcycling next...love it love it LOVE it!! I know some folks would be so dismayed about painting a 100 year old wee piece like this...but I'm not (lol). Going away to a cottage on the ocean in Prince Edward Island for two weeks with my grandkidlets on Sunday, and this will be my homecoming project. I paid a little more for it than I would have if I was planning to re-sell, but I sure am NOT. This little beauty (and the matching stool) will have a permanent place in my home, in the livingroom, looking out over my perennial gardens. Aaahhh...life is...GOOD!!</div><div style="text-align: center;">
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8oRbnEUsYgl5gSMIMvmhNLWRLrHIE360mlRLcdO03df5W7P8hz0EY9UedDkdEEGK_PHWBYcvBiYvBvx_rd61j8Qr3WBu0S16n_a9bX9zEUe60MGm1_W61yQrKxMtpOisq12dm1wnI40k/s1600/Desk+before.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 325px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8oRbnEUsYgl5gSMIMvmhNLWRLrHIE360mlRLcdO03df5W7P8hz0EY9UedDkdEEGK_PHWBYcvBiYvBvx_rd61j8Qr3WBu0S16n_a9bX9zEUe60MGm1_W61yQrKxMtpOisq12dm1wnI40k/s400/Desk+before.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637518574018465458" /></a>
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">THANK YOU for taking the time to visit me! I'll come visit you too, and will be partying <a href="http://todayscreativeblog.net/"> here</a> and with <a href="http://upcyclingmylife.blogspot.com/p/fabulous-places-to-party.html">these fine bloggers</a> this week...</div></div></div>Deborah Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211999112146380759noreply@blogger.com62tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687746957683653579.post-26002141875339454762011-07-29T15:06:00.000-07:002015-05-08T18:25:12.899-07:00Little tiny Nova Scotia rocking chair...<div style="text-align: center;">
So I found this TINY rocking chair on Kijiji here in Halifax...LOVE at first sight...and the price was RIGHT (twenty five whole dollars)!!</div>
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Here's the "before..."</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hCtZzqWRMV8P8WOc7xBhdXCxPfXZlgDBUGWRIm1i8HZ9ZlKL99CD3CR8OMAH8hxrw9KdG4-6f0IzKgz0TKV__9GSP3F1NyRhS7k7zmEehPh2PKU7aIP9ZcbQ6w-8cAPVebngf4j4FR0/s1600/RC+sentiment+before.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634911129169335202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hCtZzqWRMV8P8WOc7xBhdXCxPfXZlgDBUGWRIm1i8HZ9ZlKL99CD3CR8OMAH8hxrw9KdG4-6f0IzKgz0TKV__9GSP3F1NyRhS7k7zmEehPh2PKU7aIP9ZcbQ6w-8cAPVebngf4j4FR0/s400/RC+sentiment+before.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 202px;" /></a><br />
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Look at this lovely detail...YUM...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibAHk1cMSE2cbVOftC6OQZUVzYj-mlgzK3hKAJyEXcv9NFLbSPq2e0SSwP_mAtfBjrnt1v0QInfvyp6PcB4ZUo4E1TT2K4gPo5WJ51vcuuYyDe2v6bh-XBWHBY3Fivf0DnvzinqhsVVso/s1600/RC+before+back.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634913228281065346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibAHk1cMSE2cbVOftC6OQZUVzYj-mlgzK3hKAJyEXcv9NFLbSPq2e0SSwP_mAtfBjrnt1v0QInfvyp6PcB4ZUo4E1TT2K4gPo5WJ51vcuuYyDe2v6bh-XBWHBY3Fivf0DnvzinqhsVVso/s400/RC+before+back.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 283px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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And here are the "afters..." having used Annie Sloan Chalk Paints (Louis Blue as a base, then Old White). You know, I just HAVE to say...I am NOT normally a "trend" kind of gal...and chalk paint is most DEFINITELY a "trend" in home decor blogland...but I GET it!! I love love LOVE this paint!!! You can use it withOUT a primer...NO prep necessary...I am absolutely positively in LOVE with this paint!!</div>
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Here are my "after" pics. This one is with ONE coat of Annie Sloan Old White over a wash of Louis Blue...beautiful coverage...no priming...hard to capture the lovely finish, but read on...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJS72qveTgRdwyICmbyPfYYdabVCFYvCYwYt7cQzyQgZV7H6zSkoUz5oRoTw3GPFWn0pImA6ymJcLQi325vbYRpMIqaqYIqlYoKrSmlrCvznFF-hqUEwZEtkYN6N1JMi2FgId_7d2Rgq8/s1600/RC+full+painted.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634912654489428914" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJS72qveTgRdwyICmbyPfYYdabVCFYvCYwYt7cQzyQgZV7H6zSkoUz5oRoTw3GPFWn0pImA6ymJcLQi325vbYRpMIqaqYIqlYoKrSmlrCvznFF-hqUEwZEtkYN6N1JMi2FgId_7d2Rgq8/s400/RC+full+painted.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 214px;" /></a><br />
OmiGOSH, see this detail!?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvlbDcR28A8VhjI0D3owAdloPlVnRKqOOMPdb4JGIEfTjubVRqm62ER4Z824Nd7jFNl1XlS7gTYcaPkoh1B0PmaQrnyoCfibeUQq8qrBWSl6jmGoAWCwNaqFq2n_MQLV6skKGKdbaPisc/s1600/RC+back+detail.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634913758281192850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvlbDcR28A8VhjI0D3owAdloPlVnRKqOOMPdb4JGIEfTjubVRqm62ER4Z824Nd7jFNl1XlS7gTYcaPkoh1B0PmaQrnyoCfibeUQq8qrBWSl6jmGoAWCwNaqFq2n_MQLV6skKGKdbaPisc/s400/RC+back+detail.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 340px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
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This is JUST chalk paint and a little bit of sanding, then a coat of Annie Sloan Clear Wax with TEENSY bit of Annie Sloan Dark Wax in the crevices...within ten minutes of painting...LOVE!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9B541QHNL9MnV-3XrOWzRfCnv8X4_78uT8oK9T3jGgXTRE0PcsAuSOnZMWMi6uA4AAm7x4SA-r83MK6iYDAK_caf7KFro9m3bb-JtBBXJeOzJMPz-dM0gHs_7pUHLTBAQg0h3nDgTj6I/s1600/RC+back+spindles.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634914662826832226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9B541QHNL9MnV-3XrOWzRfCnv8X4_78uT8oK9T3jGgXTRE0PcsAuSOnZMWMi6uA4AAm7x4SA-r83MK6iYDAK_caf7KFro9m3bb-JtBBXJeOzJMPz-dM0gHs_7pUHLTBAQg0h3nDgTj6I/s400/RC+back+spindles.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 246px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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Hmmm...what else can I do?</div>
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Inkjet transfer with a dictionary definition!! To do this is SO simple...print your image in reverse (if it has words), then "transfer" it to your base by rubbing it with the back of a spoon...SO easy!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKXSnwhk2iWnda8NJ_bUUyOw7t161uKzDlOjn2XhxpJuT5OUivx74d9-rCwkQ3kXCEZbuIB28T7lwHrMCio7WgQ2qSPvTTeLmTigCGROQU9vCHIpihsQzqTr-55r-M8Rsp6fYdMYN1FDQ/s1600/RC+transfer+1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634918987225002562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKXSnwhk2iWnda8NJ_bUUyOw7t161uKzDlOjn2XhxpJuT5OUivx74d9-rCwkQ3kXCEZbuIB28T7lwHrMCio7WgQ2qSPvTTeLmTigCGROQU9vCHIpihsQzqTr-55r-M8Rsp6fYdMYN1FDQ/s400/RC+transfer+1.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 365px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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After the transfer, I painted with ordinary brown acrylic paint...here's the "in process" pic...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFHSpcGezii9YarmU_BxcMreEy_IjDZn4zxYc8wEkZaEnWmUDwDD9Lpvw05nNHY6c761bdSqb7p96OmCz80dTGENzZDCQOVbY67lcsuUq0Et61L9n6hbK1NK7ISyqnOnp590sOR0grCoY/s1600/RC+sentiment+during.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634919948989403538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFHSpcGezii9YarmU_BxcMreEy_IjDZn4zxYc8wEkZaEnWmUDwDD9Lpvw05nNHY6c761bdSqb7p96OmCz80dTGENzZDCQOVbY67lcsuUq0Et61L9n6hbK1NK7ISyqnOnp590sOR0grCoY/s400/RC+sentiment+during.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 310px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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Here's the finished dictionary definition, with a little Benjamin Moore Lichen Green paint mixed with Old White, dry brushed on the chair seat. I did this because one wall of my livingroom is green, and this chair will sit against that wall...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi3vtQZmNkljwi-7R-RGJBy67_lemO_i5-PjqHMjHDm2NZfdQaVKTJVnvpvC570Oai0YD1F5ycQCUo0VIIZ4xkNqrDiI4NIEhmRkW-uxtE-07hQSJXSi3RgRqnwXmJtceWoWM_GirqKNI/s1600/RC+seat+after.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634921264331677874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi3vtQZmNkljwi-7R-RGJBy67_lemO_i5-PjqHMjHDm2NZfdQaVKTJVnvpvC570Oai0YD1F5ycQCUo0VIIZ4xkNqrDiI4NIEhmRkW-uxtE-07hQSJXSi3RgRqnwXmJtceWoWM_GirqKNI/s400/RC+seat+after.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 279px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguUxbXktZyHniB6VicfqpyHg-erpS_I16SOR5-mhPHlhXUuf3E2Sd2ZcdANmh21ddbFlCtj-K_Y1sNOrlk7MMio6A3MHsXjOfoRdofrkVEX3ExZxd5Ooof9TdlyjK7_VDPwDdxF10xH7A/s1600/RC+full+after.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634924402642659282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguUxbXktZyHniB6VicfqpyHg-erpS_I16SOR5-mhPHlhXUuf3E2Sd2ZcdANmh21ddbFlCtj-K_Y1sNOrlk7MMio6A3MHsXjOfoRdofrkVEX3ExZxd5Ooof9TdlyjK7_VDPwDdxF10xH7A/s400/RC+full+after.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 205px;" /></a><br />
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I wanted just a little "something else..." (lol)...aren't we ALL like that?? So I used a favourite <a href="http://www.dreamweaverstencils.com/ll_stencils/pages/page_10.html">Dreamweaver stencil </a> (Leaf Heart, LL 318) with <a href="http://www.stencilwithstyle.com/access2a.htm">Dreamweaver Black Matte Paste </a>on the chair back...LOVE it!! It's just that little "extra" I wanted...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwcSqarYIAY_H6niDNvx8BJMDC64PWrKIAC2dFANCInvS5zahE5I5KGF6VMwlMzR4XJTHxm3Xs-TAvQF2MUvRqgcPCqX6rOZQ9tKQTLx_AeXvvLrahgw48JgCHMTKK01Mw-oN_fNwVtNg/s1600/RC+back+stencil+after.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634922004487840994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwcSqarYIAY_H6niDNvx8BJMDC64PWrKIAC2dFANCInvS5zahE5I5KGF6VMwlMzR4XJTHxm3Xs-TAvQF2MUvRqgcPCqX6rOZQ9tKQTLx_AeXvvLrahgw48JgCHMTKK01Mw-oN_fNwVtNg/s400/RC+back+stencil+after.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 212px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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Et voila! Finished! Total cost $28.00</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlUf6adorKu7_UfKvsZjSi9BRaKnFTYv9Ldki3Ob6C1qFrLy4UbOjsMRakEsGlqTTYYPcpC5pePQ_hF3VTUGspY3YeUwdkmA_-aFltHaLef1Ytu2c-ntBnTWAWXZyM8682NDv49mJI5k/s1600/RC+after.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634925836835913714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlUf6adorKu7_UfKvsZjSi9BRaKnFTYv9Ldki3Ob6C1qFrLy4UbOjsMRakEsGlqTTYYPcpC5pePQ_hF3VTUGspY3YeUwdkmA_-aFltHaLef1Ytu2c-ntBnTWAWXZyM8682NDv49mJI5k/s400/RC+after.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 271px;" /></a><br />
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Thank you SO MUCH for stopping by and listening to/reading the ramblings of an old gal. I'm entering this project in the fabulous Annie Sloan <a href="http://houseofanne-anne.blogspot.com/2011/06/its-chair-affair-and-awesome-give-away.html">House of Anne Chair Affair</a> contest hosted by Anne Skougard...check it out...you have two more days to enter for a chance to win TWELVE quarts of chalk paint!! Be STILL my HEART!!</div>
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Here's my printable dictionary definition for you if you're interested...would love to see what you do with it if you use it! Look <a href="http://catknapp26.blogspot.com/2011/09/nostalgia.html">what Catherine did</a> with this graphic over at Catnap!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj40p-eWzgJxChyfybU42QGU0T-idbpFgm21b0OjXHoN7_xvQ-dVANtPF_CN8kDZeIqiFiC9QNJPbJoji4QpjcXfvH9_6ISVG1srmUmx8IfAK7-vBPjyezVSOvdwyZOegHi-dvZi5dGc7k/s1600/Word+art+nostalgia+lg.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634939055036234850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj40p-eWzgJxChyfybU42QGU0T-idbpFgm21b0OjXHoN7_xvQ-dVANtPF_CN8kDZeIqiFiC9QNJPbJoji4QpjcXfvH9_6ISVG1srmUmx8IfAK7-vBPjyezVSOvdwyZOegHi-dvZi5dGc7k/s400/Word+art+nostalgia+lg.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 233px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
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I'm partying with <a href="http://upcyclingmylife.blogspot.com/p/fabulous-places-to-party.html">these fine bloggers</a>, who do SO MUCH to share the artsy talents all around blogland.</div>
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Wishing you time spent with those you love, doing the things you love...THANK YOU for visiting!</div>
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Deborah Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211999112146380759noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3687746957683653579.post-58760233637009024522011-07-24T04:25:00.000-07:002011-08-05T14:53:08.596-07:00Companion piece...and a printable...<div style="text-align: center;">This is the re-do of the second chair of a set I bought for an embarrassingly low price. I redid the <a href="http://upcyclingmylife.blogspot.com/">first chair</a> here. Here's a "before..."<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcIXHB2qeotf3bXmP6OSOhqNnASI7uFnUtMykLCoxCL7isF5p4MOgJANG0anUxISdxcrtYQiK7epgv-o0teUZQVtqxqDC8KWd7j8PnDbP6XwL5hn8509FakC-G9DFQSjfFHjvI4TOSyPQ/s1600/BRC+before.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 164px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcIXHB2qeotf3bXmP6OSOhqNnASI7uFnUtMykLCoxCL7isF5p4MOgJANG0anUxISdxcrtYQiK7epgv-o0teUZQVtqxqDC8KWd7j8PnDbP6XwL5hn8509FakC-G9DFQSjfFHjvI4TOSyPQ/s400/BRC+before.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632880376724925858" /></a><br /><br />I used my trusty Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (Old White), paired that with a printable shared by a kind blogger (I'm SO sorry I didn't record who'd done it...if it was YOU, please let me know so I can give credit where it's due!). I did the inkjet transfer technique to get a faint image, then painted with black acrylic craft paint.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Then I chipped and distressed a little, waxed all over with Annie Sloan Clear Wax, used a tiny amount of Annie Sloan Dark Wax for a little vintage look, and applied three coats of Minwax Polycrylic to the seat and rungs where it'll get the most wear.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Love love LOVE this little bar chair!!</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIC67qi9GzoByypMJVqcPTpDPOx4ObVWJ2TMiK7eVK_X0GzGU_YLMedXAf-2AzphG_jrE_UmUGuJ8fmXPAexJQjs4qSa031jGHICzJlrc-rKhofOmHqnMhn440evI2n7FI-UBsLj3Ohyc/s1600/BRC+3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 166px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIC67qi9GzoByypMJVqcPTpDPOx4ObVWJ2TMiK7eVK_X0GzGU_YLMedXAf-2AzphG_jrE_UmUGuJ8fmXPAexJQjs4qSa031jGHICzJlrc-rKhofOmHqnMhn440evI2n7FI-UBsLj3Ohyc/s400/BRC+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632881307821516642" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">...a close-up...</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4a2KJLor-nLJeFc2PkBjf8bB_bmjFOqSAiDIOviliExus-lFmYf92sEPei_Ch1rs_2ab83jRGpDX0PtXjmTkKzBGi18JONtRV2xa7iYGX9ShjCehfERMkmpQZMW9g_oASWZ8MqKe4U4/s1600/BRC+2+1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 395px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4a2KJLor-nLJeFc2PkBjf8bB_bmjFOqSAiDIOviliExus-lFmYf92sEPei_Ch1rs_2ab83jRGpDX0PtXjmTkKzBGi18JONtRV2xa7iYGX9ShjCehfERMkmpQZMW9g_oASWZ8MqKe4U4/s400/BRC+2+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632881581082541746" /></a><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; "><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span">I'm partying<a href="http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/2011/07/welcome-o-30th-masterpiece-monday.html"> right here</a> and with <a href="http://upcyclingmylife.blogspot.com/p/fabulous-places-to-party.html" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(34, 136, 187); ">these fine bloggers</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "></div></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; ">I've also entered this project for the <a href="http://houseofanne-anne.blogspot.com/2011/06/its-chair-affair-and-awesome-give-away.html">"House of Anne Chair Affair..."</a> check out her generous giveaway! It's on till July 31st! Check her out and add her to your list on Facebook...under...of course...House of Anne! I buy all my chalk paint from Anne now...FAST shipping! WOOT! Great for those of us too impatient to wait. ;)</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; "><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Finally, THANK YOU from the bottom of my Nova Scotian heart, for the compliment of visiting my blog. Wishing you a day filled with the closeness of people you love and the things you love to do!</span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span">PS THANK YOU so MUCH to young Jerri for featuring this piece over at </span></div></span></div><br /><center><a href="http://www.simplysweethome.com/" target="blank"><img src="http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo163/JHRivers/SimplySweetHomeButton-1-2-1-1-2.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></center><center><br /></center><center>...and for the feature by Laurie and Rob at</center><center><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.handymancraftywoman.com/"><img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v127/lars72/733blog%20design%20images/featured_button.png" /></a></center><br /><br />...and to Maria for her feature, over at </center><center><br /><br /><center><a href="http://joyfulstamper.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqaGqvjJEK__CWTStKG-9h_mCkQ0Mgf8Wv3rsoulD62ZG7SzuTI4BJWRR6xUfCXDSjwyYvrWUtgHmrZP0S6sZl1U89cQhScQOPoYqD61wocguDrLTxZjvSwz69QuqcUXIc22xJfcGLTE/s226/featured+M.Matter.jpg" /></a></center><br /><br /></center><center>...and for the feature at</center><center><br /></center><center><br /><a href="http://redoux.blogspot.com/"><img alt="Redoux" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIPKRQhCC-H1HOr4itGcDkKVZFjvPZse54wBxpd90W8qNMcA5WwEUviVke-9QAFtCC92ILLycYhyphenhyphenFxRDv4jALcTT-ckeMcOrpwNnn4PaJIjKJ561XhTKWLcFyLPgb_1UEq-jXyxHX5BU/s1600/redouxbutton.jpg" /></a><br /></center><center><br /></center><center><br /></center><center>...aaand for the feature by Ms Denise over at </center><center><br /><br /><a href="http://www.pinkpostcard.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1120.photobucket.com/albums/l490/simplegirl72/TransformationsTreasures.jpg" /></a><br /><br /></center><center>...aaaand for the feature by Ms Vanilla Bean too!</center><center><br /><br /><center><a href="http://vanillabeangirls.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h462/VanillaBeanCrafts/BlogButton-1.jpg" /></a></center><br /></center><center>Oh my...life is just so very...GOOD!!</center><center><br /></center><center>PS Have had many bloggers ask me where I found the definition, and I still have no idea, so I recreated it as a 300 dpi jpg, as closely as possible. It's easy to resize. Please help yourselves! If you use it, I'd love to see what you did!</center><center><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPdMwemTG1rA0vayyQsA37CaPx1Q2Cg-cOkCANnqmktr74cARIofq2NRRFzHJ9wQzXqz23nlZ2PdzLEX0MvXRt3bo2UvFVe61Ks4AXbx6TWO-RaLiMfDfYA7g0azkgm1yABuRdqeEcSO4/s1600/Word+art+nest.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPdMwemTG1rA0vayyQsA37CaPx1Q2Cg-cOkCANnqmktr74cARIofq2NRRFzHJ9wQzXqz23nlZ2PdzLEX0MvXRt3bo2UvFVe61Ks4AXbx6TWO-RaLiMfDfYA7g0azkgm1yABuRdqeEcSO4/s400/Word+art+nest.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637492974841805554" /></a><br /><br /></center>Deborah Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211999112146380759noreply@blogger.com39