Sometimes ya just gotta mess with peoples heads....

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Poor Frog has been sick so I had to enlist the help of a friend for picking up the chicken coop. The Captain {very willingly since he works odd hours}, stayed home with our sick wee one. Upon arrival we discovered the truck bed was not wide enough due to the wheel hubs. We made due & strapped her down good.
We were not a mile into the ride home before seeing the many odd stares & pointing. As with all those I call Friend, Chris & I began joking around. Taunts of it being a new home to live in.  Which eventually had us chuckling like a group of school kids choking on giggles and jabbing at each other.

As if this site going down the road was not enough to cause the stares:

Our next move was a cherry on top. We pulled over to check the straps & added my idea for a spoof on the economy. The next hour ride home had brought much laughter to many passersby and plenty of double takes:

"It reads "Home Sweet Home. Thanks Obama"
Call it a political statement, call it being funny. But sometimes ya just have to let the little kid out and laugh. Being serious all the time will just encourage early grey hairs.
Sweet Dreams,
~Tammie

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Creating an eclectic interior: don't forget your bathroom!

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Adding wonderful touches of colour and personality to your home doesn't have to stop with the main living spaces. How about creating an inspirational bathroom too? Most people go for white, cream of other 'neutral' colours when decorating their bathroom, but why not add a bit more 'you' to it? You could keep it safe and just pick accessories to brighten up the space or go all the way and pick colourful wallpaper, tiles or a unique freestanding bath. I'd love a freestanding bath... but my bathroom isn't big enough. (top image and one below from Homeklondike.com)

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I really like this 'Swedish spa' style bathroom. Great combination of clean lines and natural materials.

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You could add unusual mirrors instead of the usual square ones and use a small colourful rug as your bath mat. Great use of a ladder too. (from House to Home)

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Don't know about you, but I get easily bored in a bathroom. Soaking in a bath for hours is not something I do very often. Adding a map of the world could be the solution to this however... dreaming about all those places I still want to visit... or brushing up my geographical knowledge while brushing my teeth at the same time. (images House to Home)

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Another great way of adding something different to your bathroom is by painting a wall in a bold colour. I love this deep blue. (Image House to Home)

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What about adding some red? Not a usual colour to pick for a bathroom, but I think it works! (image from Houzz)

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Or how about adding some colourful artwork to your walls? (image LivingEtc)

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And last but not least: text! Add a bit of humour to your tiles. And don't forget to wash behind your ears ;-)

(image Top of Designs)


I hope this have given you some great ideas!

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Coop almost done update & 1920s dining set {many pics}

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Jim, the owner of Triple Braid Farms, maker of those very nice & affordable chicken coops, has sent me a few shots of my coop in construction. I thought I would share a peek with you before I begin the project of La Poulet Maison.

This is the first picture I opened and instantly "ohhh, I love that window" escaped my lips, despite no one around to hear it.

The nesting box area where I plan to hang my Fresh Eggs sign project, made last week.

We are having some issues with the truck which I am hoping will be fixed in time. I have an hour or so to drive down for picking the coop. Is that not the way it seems to always go? But Larry the mechanic {an old school chum of my husband & brother in law} knows of my ...ummm urgent need, to get the coop. He is trying to get things done so I can be on way my in time.
I must share one of the weekends antique freebie finds.
We outgrew our family hand me down many years ago. Originally The Captain wanted a marble top table where I cared for old charm. One made of real wood and detailed craftsmanship. Things that have become expensive & rare these days. I came into this very nice 1920s dining set for the taking and could not be happier. Well that's not true. I would be happier if I did not have a few chair joints to tighten, match some stain for covering up the wear on edges and the need to refinish its main table top that has scratches & a few water shadow stains. And of course reupholster the chair cushions.

If you lift the main top, 2 end leaves pull out to expand the table for seating 10.
And the chairs? 5 of the original set, plus 2 that must have come later.
Wide with lovely detail .
So the projects are lining up. Not a problem since they are projects I willingly take on with passion.
Sweet dreams,
~Tammie

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Work-in-progress: my £12 chair goes Marimekko

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I originally wanted to wait until I completely finished redoing this chair so I could show you the before and after-shots, but I just can't help myself... I'm too impatient! Here's the in-between-shot instead after I finished reupholstering the seat yesterday with gorgeous Marimekko fabric.

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Last weekend I started stripping the wooden frame out in the garden, but it's been pretty wet and snowy the past few days and I'd rather not do this messy job indoors...! I was pleasantly surprised how beautiful the wood turned out once I took off the glossy mahogany coloured varnish. Seems it's a light maple frame with darker teak wooden arm rests. It's gonna be a stunner when I'm done :-)

 

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Restyled, re-worked, updated and saved from the trash: vintage sideboards

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I love sideboards from the 1950s and 60s. Sleek, timeless and very stylish. They are often great as they are, given some TLC and a dash of Danish oil, but are sometimes even better with some creative adjustments. Caroline Key owns Trash Furnishing in Edinburgh and creates a unique collection of bespoke up-cycled furniture. She restores and re-works furniture and brings the pieces up-to-date with stencils or some paint. I love the way she turns a simple cupboard into something totally unique.

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Another company who does this sort of work is a little bit further away from where I live, but anyone reading this living in Australia is lucky. These sleek and funky sideboards are restyled and sold by Retromodern in Adelaide. Totally customisable to your taste and very cool looking.

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Have you ever saved a sideboard or other piece of furniture from the trash and restyled it?

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Room divider

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Unique wardrobe works well as a room divider in large loft style bedroom.

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Indigo-Blue

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Indigo is a cooling and soothing colour and it works well all around the house. 



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Mix and Match blue and indigo cushions on white daybed.

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Indigo is a great choice for the bedroom- it can be soothing and purifying colour for the stressful mind

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Indigo on the floors, together with white walls, create a fresh look.

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Indigo mixed with grey for kitchen cupboards. Use chalkboard paint for shelving and write your own signs/tags.

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Interiors: World Traveler

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Maybe it's because spring is nearly here, but I'm finding myself very drawn to the bright and sometimes clashing colors and prints that are associated with world market style. A basic room can be given a whole new identity when a handful of screenprinted or tie-dyed throw pillows are introduced and a beautiful textile is hung on a wall. The look can be achieved on any budget so that it works both in college dorms and in grander surroundings. The focus is on cheerful colors, an overabundance of pattern and an appreciation for handmade goods. The result is casual elegance and if a glass of wine or tea ends up on the linens, who's going to notice?










Images: Lonny magazine, Oct/Nov 2010 issue, Jan/Feb 2011 issue, April/May 2010, Dec 2009/Jan 2010 issue. British Homes & Gardens magazine, November 2010 issue. Living etc magazine, October 2010 issue. Casual Living: No-Fuss Style for a Comfortable Home by Judith Wilson, photography by Polly Wreford; published by Ryland, Peters & Small, 2010.

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Rustic kitchen

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Many shapes and shades of wood create cozy and rustic ambience. Desk light works on the wall too.


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Stainless steel equipments give a great contrast to the recycled timber table. Paint a board with the chalkboard paint- write the menu of the day!

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Signs of Spring & bike of sunshine

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I scrapped my post of the day for a brighter subject. I had a weak point which I realized goes against my  "brush past the negative & embrace the positive". I am back in my little happy place after a nice walk outside in the bright sun & fresh air.
You know Spring is close when every week is constant change of weather. Cold & snow to warm & sunny then snow all over again. This is around the time of year we become excited with the awakening of Mother Nature. Green sprouts. Bird songs change. The sun shines brighter & air begins to take on the scent of what's to come.
Just last week, the view from our windows looked like this:
sun rising view from upstairs

Suddenly today the sun is shining, melting away the snow and revealing these surprise bulbs I discovered scattered in the front garden beds. I wonder what they will be....:
On the subject of Spring signs, the 3 Canadice seedless grapes I picked up earlier this week have lots of beautiful green leaves. These will go out by the garden for the Grape arbor/pagoda we plan for later this Spring:
And see the little sproutings in the background? Medicinal herbs & many heirloom vegetables. I am very excited that my Banana melon seeds have all sprouted! It's a melon that is shaped like a banana, smells like a banana & even tastes similar to a fresh banana!  Seed was purchased through Baker Creek Heirlooms.
We are looking forward to that first fruit off it's vine. Something new & different!
And guess what I have sitting in my living room? Something I picked up a few weeks ago and have not advanced past taking it all apart to clean then putting it back together again. A bright { in need of a paint job & a tune up}yellow " Schwinn Spitfire " bike from mid to late 50's!
Hopefully the sun remains for tomorrow & we can hit the road together....Maybe just a block or two since the front end forks & handle bars are a tad crooked {I could not get the two to come apart. Looks like I may have to call in The Captain's strength for this one}.
Sweet dreams,
~Tammie

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Mexican Stuffed Peppers

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So I came across a recipe the other day and loved it! I changed a few things and this is what I came up with! Enjoy!






1 1/2 cups of cinnamon graham crackers
1 can (16 ounces) tomato puree
4-6 medium bell peppers
1/2-1 lb ground turkey (or beef)
1 medium onion chopped (1/2 cup)
1 can (8 ounces) chili beans, drained
1 can (4.5 ounces) chopped green chillies
1 package of taco seasoning
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Crush graham crackers. Mix with tomato puree and let stand for 5 minutes.

Cut bell peppers lengthwise in half. Remove seeds.
Place peppers, cut sides up in baking dish.
Cook ground turkey and onion in skillet over medium heat, until meat is brown; drain. Add taco seasoning to the meat.
Stir in graham cracker mixture along with remaining ingredients (except cheese).
Divide mixture into peppers.
Cover and bake approx. 50-60 minutes or until peppers are tender.
Sprinkle cheese on top of each pepper and let stand for 5 minutes.

* Serve with a side of mexican rice, sour cream and sprinkle crushed fritos or tortilla strips on top for a extra kick of flavor:)

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Dreaming about Summer... cool blues and lazy hammocks

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It's been such a mild, sunny week here in Aberdeenshire, I am totally in the mood for Summer! Can't wait to get out into the garden, plant new flowers, tidy everything up and get that barbecue on the go. I got hold of the Spring/Summer catalogue of Broste Copenhagen (I just can't get enough of that city, can you tell?!), full of beautiful products and I thought I share some of the photos with you today for a bit of inspiration. I love the cool blues in the collection and raw, natural look of the ceramics. I'd love to get that hammock too, although not sure whether it will get much use in North East Scotland with its average Summer temperatures of 15-18 degrees...! Oh well, I guess I could always find a place for it in a sunny place indoors. After all, you got to be creative living in a chilly climate ;-)
Bring on the Summer...
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My "egg" before the chicken {coop}

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Is it bad I have already begun making the decor for inside our new coop? Making my "eggs" before the chicken? The Captain has been smirking  that style of his when he is trying to stifle a laugh from bursting forth, with each completed project I have shared with him. I still have 2 weeks before pick up and have 2 signs made plus a "birdcage" style chandelier, that will cover the single light bulb inside the coop. Being it is only 6ft at the peak, I thought it best not to have a normal hanging chandelier. A cage style would work best for the humans and to prevent aerial chickens from busting the bulb with a wing. Nothing too fancy, but not something seen everyday either.
 I plan to add more wires between the spaces but I'll at least share a sneak peak of my progress:

I ran out of room on the wood signs for all the letters. Apparently in my excitement, I did not add room for the space between words while calculating in my head the proper size. So I put a crooked "s" on the end with a silly, quirky style. La Poulets roughly translates to "The Chickens". I could not find a sign long enough for my "Le poulet maison" {The chicken house}.
I went with the black crackle finish for the egg sign since the inside will be whitewashed with a lime & water paint. The Ol' fashioned method of painting which also deters bugs. The Black sign will be a nice contrast to the white walls. The brown dash will painted black. Not liking the way it looks in brown.
The Nest boxes will be painted a pastel Robins egg blue. The coop exterior will be painted with an exterior Kilz deep hide due to the OSB {particle style} board. This will hide the texture before I apply the final color of creamy yellow with white trimming.
The chicks have grown so fast. We put some sticks in for roosting, to which very few actually use. They were not impressed with my 4 in the morning picture taking:
I did find a few small decorative pieces while out buying the blank wood for signs. I knew exactly where they would go and now am focusing back to sewing a few pieces for my summer wardrobe. {lOvInG some of these romantic country tops at Aerie. Now to find a pattern {and get over my issue of button hole sewing}.
Sweet Dreams,
~Tammie

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