Cottage Coastal Room

Okay, so here it is sooo far.  Yay!! I've made huge progress and am so happy at the way it's turning out. Remember I am designing on a dime here.  Oh, and   remember the ugly door?  It still has the ugly door knob, but I am hopeful that I will find the perfect replacement at a flea market this Spring, or somewhere... I used chalkboard paint on a canvas and wrote the places that are full of memories for my hubby and I.  The pictures are quotes and all of the frames were from $1.00 to $3.00.  The big "C" was cheap at $4.00.  The picture of the little cottage is actually made by my illustrator and is a little sea cottage from my picture book that will be coming out.  I'm not done with my collage, but it's coming along!

 So, it's almost complete!  I would love to here what you think.  ;)Alyssa

It's Coming!

A new door is on the way for all to see!  Fingers crossed for Sunday, but it might be earlier for all of you that are curious???? It's amazing what you can do with 4 simple items to a door that is way outdated!  Until the reveal here's an ice cream smooch from Will! 

Meet Ugly Door

Meet Ugly Door!  Any guesses as to what I'm going to do with this eye sore?! It's going to be good!  Maybe even inspire you to try it if you have an Ugly Door!  Can't wait for you to see it.And that's no..

             Well, this is an ox, but same thing
 

Little Maine Room -Tidbits!

Here are some of the Little Maine Cottage Room design patterns for you to see!  I still have more painting to do, steaming, etc.., but wanted to give you a sneak peak of what my fabric /color pallete is.  It has been SOOO good to my pocketbook ;)

I'm encapturing the coast, the cottage, the beautiful roses and flowers, the gray salty sea... Hope you enjoyed it! Alyssa ;)

My Shell Box

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Presenting my shell box!  I found this shadow box for $12.99 at Marshall's in the Home Goods section.  I scooped it up quickly!  The shells I have collected from Maine, but the Sea Biscuit, Starfish, and pink guy I bought at a shoppe in Maine.  So, I guess that counts right?  Note:  You are seeing this picture from an angle. 

The quote I wrote on parchment paper and tacked it up with pearl pins.  The quote is from one of my favorite books, "Gifts from the Sea", by Anne Morrow Lindbergh

It reads, " ' One should lie empty, choiceless, open as a beach... Waiting for a gift from the sea." 


My Maine room is coming together!  
;)Alyssa

Midnight Farm-Carly Simon

This morning I was pouring my steaming cup of coffee and sat down to watch the sunrise through my kitchen window.  I looked at my cup and read 'Midnight Farm' Oh, does that day bring back memories. Let me share...

So, I am on the Vineyard and in the middle of the harbor on a boat, right near the beach where Jaws was filmed where all of the people are screaming, "SHARK!" and run out of the water.  Okay I digress, I am with my new husband (we were on our honeymoon).  I was talking with some people on the boat and they asked if I've ever been to Midnight Farm, Carly Simon's shop.  I said no and a college kid pipes up and says, "You'd like it! It's you."  I didn't know if that was a compliment or not, but of course I nudged my husband and said, "We have to go!"  

Well, we pulled into the parking lot and I was beside myself saying, "This is so cool!"  My husband said, "She's not going to be in there working."  "I don't care. I want to go in!" I quickly snapped back.  
 We walked in and who was sitting on the couch in the middle of the shop?  You guessed it,  Carly Simon!  I acted casual like, oh I am just shopping and don't really see you as my husband says loudly, "Hey is that her?! Do you see her?! That's Carly Simon!"  

I wanted to run and hide behind her -lol!  She was picking out fabric with a designer and had her cocoa colored poodle Mollie with her.  I loved everything in that shop and thinking what can I take back on the ferry with me?  I bought the mug you see above.  But, this story gets better because as I was paying for the mug, Mollie runs up to Dave (my husband) and starts licking him and jumping on his leg.  Dave thinks this is great because he loves the song, "You're so Vain"  Carly ever so sweetly smiles at us and calls Mollie over and it sounded like she was singing.  I finished paying.  We walked out of the store holding it together and then started laughing when we are out of site.  "Ha! Who was in her store?" I said smugly to Dave.   I think I sang something like, "You're so burnt." to the tune of You're so Vain.  We still laugh about that day and love to share that story. The end. ;)
Visit Midnight Farm online, but please buy your soy candles from me ;)

Will's Garden with help from Sharon Lovejoy!

So, my son Will wants to have a garden this year.  Our yard is full of perennial gardens from my very talented gardener of a husband.  Yes, I'm so lucky to have a beautiful yard to walk around in and enjoy the ever blooming plants.  But, I am sort of taking on the challenge of planning my 4 year old's garden and learning along with him as we sow and tend and weed.   But, I asked myself, "What do I plant?"  Well, I turned to Sharon Lovejoy's book entitled, Sunflower Houses~Books for Children and their Grown-Ups.  Does my predicament and answers to my predicament get any better than this?!  I have a few months to read up and figure this out!  Woohoo!  I can't wait to receive my book!  Thanks Sharon Lovejoy!