It was soooooo Chickadelic

Finally I got my Miss Mustardseed paint on Saturday.  I know I've mentioned a few times (probably too many) that I wanted to get Miss Mustardseed paint.  I've been following Marian's blog forever and have been wanting to try milk paint on some of my furniture finds but wanted to use Miss Mustardseed paint.  So I waited until her line was available and then I started to research stores that would be close to me.  Well, I found a wonderful, about to born store called Chickadelic.

So I joined Kerry's Facebook and website and found heaven.  As I read about her work to turn her dream into a store, I knew I was going to buy my paint from her.  If I was lucky enough (or brave enough) to own a store, I knew it would be just like Chickadelic.  So my friends, Linda and Cindi and I planned a road trip for the grand opening April 6th.

It is located in the quaint little town of Stirling just over an hour from Peterborough.  I was so excited about going.  Then we got the opportunity to go to a "soft opening" yesterday and we all made arrangements lickety split to take that road trip a week early.  Well, the store was everything I expected it to be!  So it has become my new favourite thing and I'm joining Claudia's party over at Mockingbird Hill Cottage.

Here's a little collage of the front window - so bright and funky and vintagey and well, just so Chickadelic!

We walked in and introduced ourselves to the lovely Kerry.  Look at the gorgeous little shopping baskets just inside the door.  There are sweet thoughtful little touches like this all over the store.  But if the store gets as popular as I predict it will, Kerry might just have to get shopping carts instead of baskets...

Two views - the first from the front door and the second from the "back door".  In the first picture, those lovely ladies are my friends, Linda and Cindi. In the second picture, that's Kerry at the sales desk and did you see the tutus.  Darling little girl tutus...

A collage of store views.  I have fallen in love with those purple chairs.  They would be perfect for the living room redecoration I'm planning (I know, I know - I haven't finished my bedroom yet but I can't stop planning.  It's a disease). I bought a spool of that red and white baker's twine.  I think I'm going to use some to hang up Claudia's crocheted flower garland.It would be perfect.  And those gorgeous glass solar lights (hanging just over the mannequin right shoulder).  I need one of those...

Don't you love the bunting??  I now feel the need to hang bunting in my bedroom.  See the wire bust?  I have one of those.  Maybe I should hang it in my bedroom with a frame around it.  So many ideas, so little wall space....

Look at that old tin ceiling.  Wouldn't you love to have that in your house?  Do you have that in your house?  There was so much to see and I wanted to buy everything. I showed excellent restraint and only came home with one shopping bag of goodies ;)   but I know I'll be there again soon.

And for me, here was the most exciting part of the trip - Miss Mustardseed paint!

So many lovely colours!  I already knew that I wanted Mustardseed for the buffet in my sunroom but I couldn't stop at just one and picked up Luckett's Green too.

Can't wait to roll up my sleeves!  I'll have to watch the tutorials on-line before I start (and I guess I better finish my bedroom too).

Now dear reader, let me take you into the back room (wink, wink).  That's where the action is!

Sooo cool!  This is where Kerry is going to hold workshops and demonstrations.  She calls them "hen parties".  Don't you love it!

Old, new, recycled, upcycled, restored, renewed...Kerry has it all.  If you are ever in southern Ontario, make plans to stop at Chickadelic...you won't be sorry you did.  It just might become your new favourite thing too.

Julie

Oh BTW I had to buy this magnet for my fridge, this is my new mantra....

The Closet is Complete!

To keep you updated on the progress in my bedroom...all the walls and trim are painted except for the door.  I decided to wait and do that after I bring all the stuff back in.  There's a little touch up but I'm pretty happy with the results so far.

My closet floor is pretty rough.  I had already laid carpet when I decided to have the wall pushed out a foot so I could build a closet.  This basement bedroom was originally a TV room so I needed to make some adjustments.

You can see a portion of cement floor which actually hasn't bothered me but after painting the room, I felt I should do something.  I bought $6.25 of peel and stick tile from the buck store and covered the cement.  Lucy thinks it looks better.  She likes to assist any project.

Here's some pictures of the finished closet...

And now you need to use some imagination.   Pretend these drapes are pressed and hemmed to the correct length.

Julie

Pay It Forward

Wow I can't believe I have neglected you for two weeks.  I was taking a little break from life but time flew.  I'll take a minute before I get ready for my knitting circle tonight to catch you up on a few things. I received an Etsy order from Claudia.  You know who Claudia is...she's famous.  (Just in case you've been asleep at the wheel, I included a link.  Claudia has one of the best blogs around.  I don't know what I'd do if she disappeared for 2 weeks without a peep.  Search and Rescue, the Coast Guard...something, I can tell you.  I count on Claudia's post every day.  It's like food and water.  Trust me.  Add her to your list if she isn't already there!)

Here's what she made for me.  Sorry for the bad picture but I'll be taking another when it's in place.  I have big plans for this little garland.

What's this you ask?  I did too when it arrived on the doorstep yesterday.  My Mom said "Have you ordered something else?  You know you're supposed to  be on a budget!"  I had to say "I'm not sure" as I guiltily (is that even a word, Julie?) search my faulty memory.  I opened it up and I saw all the lovely things and think I didn't order it but whoever did has excellent taste.  The sweetest smelling soap, a gorgeous Royal Crown Derby cup and saucer, the cutest little flower box and a beautiful embroidered tea towel. Hmmmm.  Then I get to the card and all becomes clear...this package is from my lovely Facebook friend, Sharon.  She posted this on her Facebook page early in the year...

"2013 creative pay it forward. The first five people to comment on my status will receive, from me, sometime in the next calendar year a gift- not sure what it will be- but it will be a surprise!

There will likely be no warning and it will happen whenever the mood strikes me!
The catch? Those five people must make the same offer on their FB status.
We need more good in this world. Pass it on...."

Well of course I joined in immediately and it was a very lovely surprise at a time when I really needed a little pick me up.  Now I need to get moving on mine.  I have one started already....;)

words of wisdom

betcha wanted to know what was in the box

Finally I promised I'd keep you up to date on my bedroom decorating....well step one is finished.  The walls and ceiling have been painted 3 times (Behr  paint and primer in one didn't perform quite up to expectations but it's finally covered Martha Stewart's sage green).  Tomorrow I start the trim...

My partner in crime reviewing the results of our work.  She never leaves my side when I am painting.  No matter how loud the music is or how much off key I sing!  At least, she is very dainty and nary a toe is dipped in wet paint.  Finn on the other hand skedaddles away as soon as the paint tins come out.  Good boy!  Have a nice day,

Julie

Bedroom Before

Not a pretty sight at all...these pictures were all taken standing in the doorway.

to the left - my TV cabinet and closet

my closet is the full length of the room and will be curtained

as you can see, basement bedroom with little window

bed and existing side table

to the right of the door 

I have prepped and sanded the walls and begun painting with Behr Snow Fall which is a nice crisp white.  Looks like I'll probably need 3 coats to cover the green.  Please don't expect that I'm showing you the before today and by the weekend, you'll see a beautifully finished room.  I'm afraid I'm not that kind of a blogger although I'd like to be.  Due to health issues, a little painting each day is all I can do.   I don't mind though.  I find it kind of meditative.  Gently rolling on the colour, listening to some music and just thinking.  I find myself fondly remembering the decorating of each room and I tend to listen to one CD per room which becomes the soundtrack of those memories.  For my office, it was Adele.  I remember an apartment kitchen done in white and yellow and I listened to the Trisha Yearbook CD with the sunflowers on the front.   This bedroom is Taylor Swift's RED album.  Nice contrast when I'm painting everything white.  I'll keep you up to date when I hit some milestones along the way.  Have a nice day,

Julie

St Anthony

Saint Anthony is the patron saint of lost things.  As a child, whenever I would lose something, my Mother would tell me to say a little prayer to Saint Anthony and he would help me find it.  Somehow, it always seems to work.  My Grandma had a framed statue of Saint Anthony hanging in the parlour of her little old house and now, I have it.

This one of my favourite pieces of "memorabilia" from my Grandma but I've been afraid to hang it as it seems so fragile.

This is the back of the piece

One day I will need to find the right place for Saint Anthony but in the meantime, I will share him with you at Claudia's A Favourite Thing party.

Julie

International Womens' Day

Celebrate!!!

 Julie

(note - first image from So Chickadelic and the rest are from Pinterest)

RIP Stompin' Tom Connors

An icon of the Canadian music industry, Stompin' Tom Connors passed away yesterday at the age of 77.  The tributes are pouring in.  He was always a favourite of our family's and will be greatly missed.  There will never be another like him.  He recorded an amazing 61 albums.  Ten of which have yet to be released.

He was born Thomas Charles Connors in Saint John, New Brunswick on February 9, 1936.  He was separated from his Mom at a young age and was raised by foster parents in Skinners Pond until he was 13 years old. His life began in poverty, living in an orphanage and then hitchhiking around the country and playing his music in bars.  He became Stompin' Tom when Boyd MacDonald (a friend of my parents) introduced him to the audience at the old King George Hotel here in Peterborough.  He would keep time to the music by stompin' on an old piece of plywood with his boot.  I can remember my brother, washing dishes after dinner and stompin' his foot while singing "Bud the Spud" or "Sudbury Saturday Night" at the top of his lungs.  Tom's legend grew into one of hit songs that struck a chord with their true Canadian vibe and he performed to sold out crowds at national concert tours.  He was beloved.

There was an announcement of his passing at the Leafs and Sens game last night during the third period when they played "The Hockey Song", probably his most popular song.

Tom knew the end was near and left us a letter on his website,

"Hello friends, I want all my fans, past, present, or future, to know that without you, there would have not been any Stompin' Tom."

"It was a long hard bumpy road, but this great country kept me inspired with it's beauty, character, and spirit, driving me to keep marching on and devoted to sing about its people and places that make Canada the greatest country in the world."

"I must now pass the torch, to all of you, to help keep the Maple Leaf flying high, and be the Patriot Canada needs now and in the future."

"I humbly thank you all, one last time, for allowing me in your homes, I hope I continue to bring a little bit of cheer into your lives from the work I have done."

Sincerely,

Your Friend always,

Stompin' Tom Connors

My favourite Stompin" Tom song was always The Ketchup Song.

There will be a memorial service for Tom held at the Peterborough Memorial Centre (our local hockey arena) on Wednesday March 13th.  I'm hoping the line-ups aren't too long and that Mom and I can get in.  The family has asked for donations to the food bank or homeless shelters in lieu of flowers.  A great Canadian, may he rest in peace.

Julie