Thursday, January 26, 2017

Turning a Footboard into a Porch Swing

I have a beautiful handmade four-poster bed.
Unfortunately, the bedroom in this House with Potential
is pretty small and the big bed dwarfed it!


So, I took off the footboard and mounted the headboard to the wall.
The footboard I stored in the shed, figuring I would be able to use it
again in another house.

Over the last few years, I have decided I liked not
having a footboard, so I began to think about what
I could do with the one taking up space in my shed.

I decided on a porch swing.

Now, usually when I come up with an idea like this,
I assume it will be pretty easy; my husband, however,
assumes the opposite.
And he is usually right.

This time, I was right!
It really was pretty simple.

The first thing we did was take off the posts and
straighten out the sides.
We then added arms, made simply out of wood left
over from another project.
The seat was made from slats with 2x4s on the bottom
for added strength.

I thought it might be tricky to hang it, but it too was simple.
Just measure from the top to the arms and add about 10"
to compensate for the slight slant in the chain.

 It's now a favorite spot for the kids!









Thursday, January 19, 2017

Wedding Quilt

My last child got married a few months ago.
My daughter, my middle child, my independent, strong-willed child.

Finally!

And just like her, the wedding was
elegant, fun, beautiful and intimate.


When my boys got married, I made a quilt for each bride,
featuring their wedding colors and incorporating blocks
that are personal or representative in some way.

 For instance, the wreath surrounding the house
is not only traditional for wedding quilts,
it is also reminiscent of the olive branches that covered the tables
at their reception.

 The blocks that surround the house and wreath represent
the building blocks for their life together,
such as love and faith and joy...

They chose to have all the children in their life,
the groom's son as well as their nieces and nephews,
participate in the ceremony, and pinwheel blocks always
make me think of children.

I also like to add a note on the back that explains
the symbolic nature of the quilt and gives the dates,
so the quilt will become a keepsake for generations.

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Market...A Farmhouse Mantel

I bought this great cow picture over Christmas,
intending to resell it.


But a funny thing happened on the way to market.

 I was inspired to just try it out on the mantel.

 I added an antique milk pitcher,

and a milk crate for emphasis.

 An old window and farmhouse sign completed it.

A little antique milking stool is also a great addition.



I don't think this little cow is going anywhere
any time soon!