Time for a Change

I've been on a mission to scan some of our photos from the pre-digital era (I hope to finish before they come up with new technology!).  In the process, I've come across some that show how our home looked in the past. This one of the mantel (and why is it spelled that way instead of 'mantle'?) from eleven years ago struck me because, frankly, it could have been taken very recently.

mantel 2001

The 2012 version is missing a few items; I put the silver baby cups away a few months ago and I think that blue and white plate on the right ended up in pieces.  Seriously, I can't believe how little difference eleven years has made.  I don't know if it makes it better or worse that all of this comes off each year to make room for Christmas garland and stockings only to go right back on after the holidays.  I think worse!

mantel 2012

The day after I noticed my lack of changing-it-up, I read this post by Donna.  I knew I had plenty of junk and had just cleaned up the antique scale, so it was a sign!  I raised the tapestry a bit and started playing.

mantel 2012 junked, for now

Although unfinished, I'm liking what's up there so far.  Also?  I promise to change it before another eleven years go by and it's 2023 (is that right?  eleven years from now will be 2023?  yikes!).

Or is this better?  The scale went back to the front hall along with a few other tweaks.  See, I'm already making good on that promise to change it up before 2023!

the next day

Or this?  I added my foiled box and bronzed ballet shoes (they are vintage now!).

and the day after that

 And now for a somewhat unrelated close-up.

my well-worn ballet shoes, which my mama had bronzed

couldn't resist pointing how just how much I loved
these as a child; see that hole?

Really.  I'm leaving the mantel alone for now and moving on to another project...

Foiled

If you spend any time on Pinterest, you know there is so much inspiration. One idea really intrigued me; first I saw this.  Then I saw this.

I didn't have a piece of furniture to cover, plus I didn't want to get too involved in case it was a disaster. I had this box and thought it would be perfect for a trial run.

I also had heavy duty foil, Modge Podge, and glaze, so why not?  Love when a project does not require a supply run!

Ended up with this and it will be fun to find just the right spot for it.

I liked the effect so much (although it is SO hard to photograph) that I did another version.  You can't really tell from the picture but the 'before' consisted of a framed photograph hanging in the center of an empty frame. The two frames didn't match and it was a temporary fix.

This one involved (besides the foil, Modge Podge, and glaze) the two frames, wallpaper border, foam board, and some other creative repurposing (because I was doing this without spending a dime).  I'm not saying I'm completely through, but at least it's on the wall and not the kitchen island (my go-to workspace)!

after                                       before

much better!

Edwin and Emma

This side-by-side of my paternal grandfather and granddaughter Emma just makes me happy. Granddaddy was born just days before the end of the 19th century, more than 111 years before Emma arrived last May. 

Edwin Fairbanks Cavaleri, Sr.                      Emma Wright Bowers

Flashback Friday: Shaw Family

This somber group is the family headed up by Stephen Franklin Shaw and his wife, Elizabeth (Lizzie) Riley. The young girl in the white dress on the far right is my mama's mother, Susan Inez Shaw.  I love this picture; it is one of just two that I have of her (the other and more about her can be found here).  

Shaw Family c. 1898

Exploring

Ooh, the steps!

What do you mean, I'm too little?

Completely innocent.

Flashback Friday

Yeah, pretty sure we'd get hurt if we tried that now!

when you have no dining room furniture,
you have room for this
August 1975

Co-Pilot

When we were nearly home from her well-kitty checkup, I let Miss Scarlett out of her carrier.  Who needs a hula dancer when you have a co-pilot as cute as this?

Oh, and for those of you who have noticed how chunky she's become, she has more than doubled her weight since last March's homecoming!

"My tiny brain will not let me understand."

Wordless Wednesday: The Race

This Side of the Border

The border is gone and the last of paint applied (and I have to say that until now, I've never fully appreciated how impossible it is for wall paint to translate to a computer monitor)!  

Wasabi by Valspar

Susan Inez Shaw and Olin Watson Minick
are back in place.

ah, much better

On to the next project...