Time Worn Style

A stone fireplace...

Our front room has a very large and imposing stone fireplace in it..

I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with it

Initially I felt it overwhelmed the room in all its "stonyness"

and I even considered painting it white at one stage..

 

Now I'm glad I didnt

Cause I kinda like it how it is in its original state

with the spider webs at the top that I can't reach

and the wooden "ghost catcher" butting up against it.

Its raw on the other side too...

This rather imposing this old fireplace.

It makes a mean fire

and we like sitting around it in the winter

It's warm and snuggly

and I do love that sight of a little smoke coming out of a chimney from a home in the forest.

I did mention in a previous post about the lovely award from

Megan at White Cat Vintage Blog

Now I am supposed to say 7 things about myself here on this old blog which I have to admit will be hard as I am told I don't "blog from the heart" enough which seems to be the thing to do (so I am told)

Does anyone else feel a bit held back about letting out a bit too much on their blog or is it just me ~ I think its because you dont know always who is reading it?

So big step but here I go...(hope I dont bore you silly, if so please hit the back button)

1. I have three daughters 10, 13 and 18

They fill me with love and drive me insane at the same time ~ bless em

2. My husband I met whilst he was in the Australian Navy and he looked bloody good in a uniform. We have been married for 20 years this year. Still love him just as much now as I did then although more again if he could fit back into his uniform ;0)

3. We have lived here in the village for over a decade, first on one side now on the other. We love being right in the village and just wander down when we feel like a coffee and cake. This could explain point number 6.

4. I had a "house crush" on this old Hills cottage for a very long time, then one day it went on the market. Stopped our renovation plans on the old house and grabbed this one, it was all in the timing!

5. I have a degree in Fine Art and am also a High School teacher in computing and art.  Well worth spending all those years at Uni as currently I dont really work in either of those areas although I guess the skills have come together in a way!

6. I run every morning but am still overweight ~ what the hell???

7. My aim is to open my own Antique/interior design shop, we may well open one here at Greystanes as we are not far from the village. Aaaah all these plans spinning around in my head!

Ok, still here?

I'm sure theres more but I dont really like talking about myself that much, would rather go on about the house ha!

So and to pass on the award, I know some bloggers dont partake of awards for their own reasons but I do think they are a sincere form of flattery so I'm throwing this onwards anyway! 

In no particular order its just cause I think they are great...

1. Andrea at The Pink Poodle

I was very lucky to have a stall next to Andrea at the Shabby Vintage Junk Extravaganza and she is one of the loveliest people you could hope to meet. If you are not sure what decorating book to get, go to Andreas blog she can always point you in the right direction!

2. Samantha  at Shoestring Splendour

I've known Sam since the early days of Shabby Chic on ebay and we have been through thick and thin over the years. She has the best treasures you could hope to find!

3. Katherine at the Old Boathouse

If we lived in the same state I think Katherine and I would be doing some serious treasure hunting together. Just one of those bloggers that you really "get" I love her style and do some serious drooling over her finds, particularly the furniture!! (now i know you already have this award but heres another he he)

4. Kate at k8tography

ok we are related but is this not the most talented photographer that you have ever seen?? Kate did a photo shoot of our three girls are they are just amazing, I really love her style, go check it out!

5. Tamarah at Shabby Vintage Junk

This lady has the best talent for finding something on the side of the road and turning it into an absolute gem. I was amazed at her energy and vision to get a fantastic vintage show off the ground. Do check out her blog and see what treasures she finds every week. This woman is a dynamo and look out America she's coming over for a visit!

6. Shannon at A Southern belle with Northern Roots

This lady is always popping over to visit my blog and its so lovely to have her over! She loves to treasure hunt too and finds some gorgeous stuff. One of those blogs where you would like to reach in and grab some of those treasures ~ do pop over and see.

7.  Gail at Gail McCormack Blogspot

I've known Gail for quite a few years now and the talent of this lady is boundless. Do check out her blog for the most beautiful art works, I love the latest direction she is going in with the French chairs!

Eeeek is that all, I have to tell you I have a large blog roll on my Google Reader that you wouldnt believe so could have listed a lot more. Wish I had more time to visit everyone!

Isnt blogging great?

Alicia

I know its only zero degrees but...

Spring is coming

I'm sure of it

Even though my cars thermometer told me it was minus zero degrees yesterday morning

and it has been hailing with a few swirls of snow

but

these miniature daffodils are starting to bloom...

so although these may be needed a little longer...

ok its not really THAT cold but arent these old skates just gorgeous??

Even these black skates have  a winters charm about them

It really feels like spring is coming, those bulbs are a bit of a giveaway..

oh by the way, those gorgeous old 1940's skates will be available in my ebay store real soon...

Playing house..

Hi one and all..I'm finally back in the land of the living after a very busy month with the SVJ extravaganza and then having my head shoved in paper work trying to sort out the filing cabinet and all it involved..

Was a nice feeling to get all my "ducks in a row" finally and finish everything off with a big tick!

So now today I had a little time to play house at Greystanes..

I bought this little picture from Samantha at the Extravaganza so it was great to find a place for it.

Probably will end up on the wall eventually but its on the bedroom mantle for the moment..

I like the little punch of black frame amongst all the whites..

Of course once you are on a roll you cant stop there...

I have a bit of thing for ladders at the moment..

They are great for displaying items so I brought this gorgeous old mint green painters ladder upstairs to fill a spot in the hallway that leads to the main bathroom..

Because I wanted to display these little beauties that had been hiding away on top of a cupboard for quite some time..

and these too..

 I thought it might be nice to walk past a little display..

That can also be seen from the bathroom...

Looks pretty nice against the baltic pine doors..

You'll have to excuse all that rolled up Axminster carpet behind the door, our elderly dog is having trouble getting outside quickly enough to avoid little "accidents".  Currently our wooden floor boards are fully on show, not a rug to be seen, not ideal in the winter!

Also had a lovely surprise from Megan over at White Cat Vintage blog ~ an award for moi! ~ see there over at the side...

Will be spreading the love shortly and passing it on so keep a look out!

A few people have mentioned to me that they are having trouble leaving comments on this blog. I'm not sure why that is as I have left it pretty well open to everyone with no codes to fill in etc and they assure me at typepad that everything is working, so.... do keep trying as I have come to realise lately that a few people do actually read all the carrying ons of this here blog so would really love to receive your comments!

Personally I really just thought I was yapping on to myself so there you go!

oh and a little tip on finding these old quilts at the op shops here in Australia.

Have a look in the "dog blanket" box

I have found some of my best quilts hiding in there ;)

Alicia

Shabby Scrolly Bliss...

What do you do on a Winters Saturday where there is Rain and then Sun

and then some more rain again?

Why you rearrange the verandah of course...

Ok it may well be just short of snowing but I did a swapsies with the gorgeous

Shelley

one of the other fantabulous stall holders

at the Extravaganza

So I wanted to see how it would look in its new spot

I wanted something for this particular spot where I could put my cut flowers

These Camellia Japonicas needed somewhere to sit whilst waiting for their vase

And this new scrolly number is perfect for it..

Being just around the corner from one of the side doors..

It fits the spot perfectly...

And somewhere to put the watering cans too

Not that we need to water currently

I think the big Aussie Drought might be over...

yep, I'm pretty pleased that Shelley and I did a swapsies..

and once the weather improves

this little scrolly number is going be meeting a new coat of white paint

or should I paint it black?

what do you think??

Sharing the Shabby Vintage Junk Extravaganza

I have a little giveaway coming up so do check back,

this is a gorgeous vintage inspired Australian item

I know you will love it!!

Just had to share a little video of the Shabby Vintage Junk Extravaganza...

The amount of work (and lack of sleep) Tamarah and Matt went through to get these two days off the ground was incredible

In my opinion it paid off beautifully in the end, the feedback has been amazing!

oh by the way, some of those tissue balls came home with me (thanks Matt and Tamarah!)

will share some pics next of how fab they look in my girls room!

You can follow the journey of the Shabby Vintage Junk Extravaganza

over at Tamarahs blog ~ Shabby Vintage Junk

and keep a look out for details of the next one too!

Sunday in theory...

is a day of rest

and after the last few days that is what we are doing (after unpacking the car, washing the kids school clothes, feeding the animals, making the beds, hanging up tissue pom poms..)

 

and now I am getting organised for my big furniture sale..

Yes thats right, I was enjoying the serenity of a rather more empty house..

so I'll be clearing out a large amount of furniture

to my ebay store

this week

But in the meantime I'm enjoying a moment of serenity

before we get stuck back into it

a new week and a new stash of treasures here at Greystanes.

oh and I have to show you a few treasures of my own that I snaffled

at the Shabby Vintage Junk Extravaganza

but not today

cause I'm having a rest ...

Alicia

Day ONE at the Extravaganza...

well here I am home again after a busy day at the Ashburton Scout Hall

so many people visited it was a fabulous day..

And not only that but I also got to meet a few familiar faces from the blog world too

an absolute bonus to a great day!

Have to restock my stall for Day TWO of the extravaganza

all of my Roses items went pretty fast!

so if you are in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia tomorrow (Saturday)

do drop in

you wont be disappointed, I can guarantee there is a treasure there waiting just for you!

Shabby Vintage Junk Extravaganza

14 August 2010

Ashburton Scout Hall

High Street

Ashburton

8am to 5pm

Early night for me and my tired feet

Alicia

Its on tomorrow..

and you will not believe the standard and amount of divine treasures at this show...

I spent a lot of my setting up time today drooling over the other stall holders treasures.

oh my goodness

how will I ever go home with an empty car I wonder??

and I have promised myself not to bring much home...

but oh the temptation...

Come and see for yourself

bright and early if you want to see it all set up at its fullest and best

SHABBY VINTAGE JUNK EXTRAVAGANZA

13th & 14th August 2010

8am to 5pm

Ashburton  Scout Hall

High Street

Ashburton

(40% of the $5 entry fee will go to the scout group)

Batten down the hatches..

I was cleaning and restoring this today for the extravaganza..

Whilst thinking about this

there's a weather warning for our mountain tonight

Gale force winds over 110k an hour

Thats not good

And I keep looking at that huge Mountain Ash (gum tree ~ the worlds tallest flowering tree)

sitting innocently next to our house.

The one next to it came down in similar weather conditions a few years back

Heres a pic .....

Don't be deceived, that Mountain Ash standing next to it is up to no good I am sure.

But the thing is

If you choose to live on a Mountain which is home to the Largest Flowering Trees in the world

Then that is part of life.

Remind me that I said that when the car/house is squished in the morning.

 

so more thinking about this instead...

Ah yes thats much better..

Setting up the extravaganza tomorrow, car packed ready to go!

see you there

Alicia

When you clean out your cupboards...

You find the nicest things

Items you have stored away to sell at a later date

or perhaps to use somewhere in the house once you find the right spot..

Today I found this sweet little mirror..

and thought it sat nicely with that old tiara

Amazing what you find at the back of your cupboards..

But I have been adding to this Extravaganza pile too

and that is just a small selection..

Well I know I should have an after ready

But I just love this little sideboard so much I had to share

I found it for a song at the local op shop

Can't you just see it oooozing with potential??

Those feet are just so amazing..

I think it might be oak so I am always a bit hesitant to paint a beautifully grained wood..

But leave it with me, I may well do it..

After the extravaganza..

When I have time, as they say here in Australia, to scratch myself..

see you at the Extravaganza!

and please excuse the running shoes in the picture, this morning during our early hours run we were accompanied by an owl of all things!