mantle home made





all the wood came from my stash in 175 year old celler. the table legs became my pillars and the shelf one I bought at thrift store and painted it white.



It's a start the hard part was the measuring and cutting with old jig saw. the shelf had pegs and holes where it screwed to the wall so I covered the screws with small  wood pieces,filagree from an old sewing machine drawer.



looking better but lacks a finishing look. the hearth is a piece of marble from an old dresser.



still pondering on how to finish it.



with a lot of blood sweat and tears this is the finished product.  I love being able to decorate for holidays etc.See the little posts holding up the shelf.  I cut them from a chair spindle.  now wasn't that clever?  I am not into shabby chic although I love to see it on your posts.  I quess I was brought up  with shabby when it wasn't chic.  I like white ,white. My pictures don't show wall as cream color. thinking about a little darker color to show more contrast. I like neutral colors.Maybe color of my background post. Sorry about flashback but have bay window so too much light. Open to suggestions.

I saw three ships a sailing

one of our many lighthouses

place setting light house place mats acrylic tableware

would you like tea or coffee ? lunch will be sea food ,salad , crescent rolls , fruited jello and cookies

blown glass sugar and creamer

Kinda like the may flower

more modern boat.

love these light house plates

started with my blue plate light house place setting and acrylic tableware

people who saw an earlier blog wondered what i was going to do with my dried grape stems.  They made a different foliage.

I guess he can't read haha my writing

side table with little fisherman with his catch of the day.  He seems surprised to catch such a colorful fish heehee salt shaker

Since I live near the great St. Lawrence river nautical always comes to mind.  I live 10 miles from the bridge to Canada and it is a sight to see.  The river is ever changing and we have the most beautiful sunrises and sets.  Ships from all over the world pass through. Many of the rich own islands with beautiful mansions.  It is called millionaire row.  Tour boats take you to Bolt castle all renovated.  Dark Island has a castle which is now open for tours. My town is very cultural with big names coming to our community to our play house.We hold large fairs. craft, art,etc every week end .  We have the largest boat museum in the east and fabric and art museum. I love my town and have lived here all my life.  Why would I want to be anywhere else?

long view of table

Notice the fishing sign

found shade at thrift store

neat boat

we also have excellent fishing with guides to take you to the best fishing holes and serve a shore dinner.  Bass, Pike, muskie. At night you can hear the loons and ocean liners churning down the river.  You can sit in our parks at night and see the heavens sparkle.   We have several light houses on our river so the star is my center piece.  The ships  of course are ancient but our history of the battle between the British and the U.S was on our river..Not far from here is another village where there is a battleground which they reenact the battle each year. It is now a state park. I found in my yard a Indian grinding stone as this was once an indian settlement.Our area is full of history which I will tell in future posts.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

dainty in blue

cute blue bird I love it

love the butterflys my sweet sister gave me

my little cut work birdie .  Most everything are thrift store finds

Blue and white salt and pepper shakers

thrift store find 1 dollar

Love the pale blue my favorite color

Even baby bear has blue

Love the cut work on the dinner plate.  4 for 50 cents each whoo whoo

Thrift store find

Love this little pitcher.  Those are tiny shoes hanging down.

Tea any one.  I'll pour for you

Can you guess what the stand really is ? I will reveal in next post.

place card R for my son

So you like blue. I did this just for you. I shopped the house to see what I had in a dainty blue.  It was fun putting it together.  I even found a birdie or two. I just got a new rug for the dining area  with a border of blue. I love the cut work dinner plate .  Was thinking about putting blue ribbon through the holes but thought it would be too much.

Dainty pink and white

The day is getting darker so lighting is poor.  Need to learn how to take better photos

full view of table Pink table cloth sets the theme.  pink pink pink

The dinner plate has a rippled edge with gold.The plates are marked Japan creation fine china.

The salad plate is another pattern Marked Bavaria Germany Treasure Chest.

small porcelain basket on plate holds the place card and a daisy. the silverware is stainless steel.Goblet is pattern glass.

The napkins are  two the top one is a lacy square

This is a battery candle dressed up with wall paper border and ribbon. the ball on top in pink and green fake flowers. It flickers and is so pretty lit up.

The dishes I just got at thrift store.they are so dainty each cup is a little different as there were no cups.

Front view Candles are battery with pink and green flowered ball sitting on a milkglass dish inverted.  They flicker and look great at night.  I couldn't get a good picture. Cut glass dish on back of table. Sugar bowl with roses.  No creamer.

Just a cutie birdie with pink rose

napkin ring porcelain a good match

The salt and pepper shakers on a picture frame with delicate roses

A little whimsy.  I love adding birds to my tablescapes.  It sits in a milk glass dish.

My favorite teapot setting on milk glass pedestal plate.  the trivet is the base of an old lamp painted

Love this teapot sitting on a milk glass  heart shaped dish with pink transfer roses

view of table Little basket in back is filled with rosebuds.This would make a nice table for a special  occasion like birthday or special friends.