I died and went to fabric heaven......

 This weekend my 14 year old had a design job! She upholstered her Pappy's headboard as his Christmas present.  She's crafty like that! Hours of  HGTV  watching will do that to you. Sadly, no photos of the finished product, but I hear the client was very, very happy!

Bright and early Saturday morning, we met Nanny at a fabric store that has been around for over 40 years. I remember going here as I kid but haven't stepped foot in this store in decades. WOW! 

I was blown away by the choices and the prices......fantastic! Oh how I wish I could sew! It is on my list of things to do, pillows and aprons that's what I want to make.

 

Roll after roll of beautiful patterns.

 

And buttons! I've never seen so many in my life.

 

 

So friends, how many of you sew? Any suggestions for a very basic, beginner sewing machine? Also looking for any books with great photos (I'm a visual learner) on teaching the basics of sewing. 

And if you are available to come to my house and teach........that would be even better!

my bags are packed ...part two

 

Yesterday I showed you the first floor of this spectacular home, you can read that post here .

With weak knees I climbed the beautiful staircase and was face to face with this interesting wallpaper. At first I didn't really read the sentences, I just saw big, bold words and thought "cool" but after closer inspection it looks like an advertisement for the home builder. Obviously that would have to come down.  But let's move along. 

As I said yesterday, I loved all the furnishings in this home. Fell in love with this chair and pillow in a cute little nursery they had staged. Wall color was perfect too!

 

Down the hall from the bedrooms was a fabulous room they called a "game room". I let out a little squeal as soon as I saw the red sofa and the turquoise lamp! LOVE!! This room was surrounded on three sides by windows, absolutely amazing natural light in this home. You might never have to turn a light on during the day but you'll probably go broke paying for all these window treatments!

 

 

So many possibilities in this room. It was massive. I'm thinking craft room/playroom when I move in! (remember I'm still dreaming)

 

My first glimpse of the master bedroom. Can't say enough about those windows!

 

Master bathroom.......lovely!

 

The angels are singing again, take a look at this shower! Oh my goodness......

I can barely shave my legs in my shower. Now this is a shower! And of course the subway tiles, my favorite!

 

I would prefer a little more counter space in the master bathroom but I would be honored to brush my teeth at this sink!

I could soak in this tub and admire more beautiful subway tiles.

 

What a gorgeous bed! I'll even keep the linens. I'm a big fan of toile!

 

I just may have to drag the family back to this model home next weekend. I think I need more pictures!

my bags are packed

 And I am moving into this model home!! This is a Charter Homes neighborhood called Veranda, doesn't it sound lovely! From the minute I set foot in the foyer, I fell in love! You should have heard the sounds I was making, the husband was slightly embarrassed, the son was mortified! Did you ever just walk in a house and feel at home? That's what this house did for me. I would have just packed my clothes and brought the family and we could have moved right in. Take a look around....

 

Of course the model home has all the upgrades to suck you right in and then totally make you depressed that you can never afford this home the way they have it staged. But I can dream....

 

 I have a thing for foyers, probably because I don't have one.

 

 The living room and sun room to the left of the foyer.

 

Looking back to the front door and foyer. To the right of the front door was a home office, where the real estate agent was helping a "real" customer. Unlike me who was wishing I was a real customer!

 

My first glimpse of the kitchen.

 

And the the angels began to sing as I got a real look at my dream kitchen! Honed, black granite counter tops and off-white cabinetry.........love, love, love!!!!

 

My favorite flooring, hand-scrapped, dark wood! This has my name written all over it!

 

A lovely laundry room, where it would be my pleasure to wash clothes every day!

 

Cute, little bench and storage in the back hallway.

 

 Massive island, perfect for entertaining and baking!

 

Wonderful wall of windows in the family room. The furnishings were just perfect in every room. Since I took way too many pictures, I'll save the upstairs for tomorrow. It will not disappoint. I think my heart skipped a beat when I got to the master bedroom!

I can't stop thinking about this house, call me crazy!

how things have changed

 

These days studying for a test involves "Face Timing" your best friend on your iPad so not only can you hear her voice but you can see her face and everyone in her family as they go about their business in the privacy of their own home. It really is an ingenious way to quiz each other for the test in social studies. But one must be very careful what they wear in the privacy of your own home when your child is "Face Timing" someone.

I'm just sayin' !!!

 

 

What will these crazy kids think of next?

I miss the days of kids using the house phone to call a friend. At least I only had to hear one side of a conversation then. Because not only can I hear both sides of the conversation these two girls are having, I can also hear all the background noise at the girlfriend's house. 

Come to think of it, I'm not even sure this girl could find and use the house phone. If it doesn't have a touch screen or voice command it doesn't get used .  Oh the good old days, makes me sound old doesn't it!

I must find a quieter spot to hide in this house! I think the craft room is calling me!

and the winner is...........

With the help of my trusty companion Tucker, we have picked not one BUT two lucky winners of the Torani syrup!

            WINNER # 1

             Kimberly said...Cinnamon Vanilla sounds good. Good Luck with your first giveaway.

November 4, 2011 2:32 PM  

WINNER #  2

Jemsmom said...

Ooooooo!!! The creme de menthe sounds good to me! I think it would be yummy in hot chocolate!

November 4, 2011 3:48 PM

Congratulations ladies! Thanks for participating in my first ever give-away!
Please email me your address so I can mail your prize!
Have a fantastic weekend everyone!

 

something new for me & a give-away!!

My friend 

Wendy  

 has used these Torani syrups before, but I've never tried them. Until they showed up on my doorstep this week! Thanks to She Speaks

I sampled the Hazelnut syrup and now one of my lucky friends will also get the opportunity to try a bottle.

 I won't be mailing you the actual bottle, just a coupon to go out and pick your own from one of 122 flavors! Yes, 122 flavors. Just a few that caught my eye

 Bacon, Cheesecake, Salted Caramel, Shortbread, English Toffee & Watermelon Habanero!

Yes, Bacon!! I have no idea what you would use bacon syrup for, but bring on the salted caramel, shortbread and english toffee!!

Check out the  Torani website and tell me what flavor intrigues you the most. Leave a comment below and I'll pick a winner next week.

All I did was make my favorite cup of coffee, a splash of  the Torani Hazelnut syrup and my favorite creamer!

Way cheaper to make this drink at home then buying it at Starbucks!

These syrups can also be added to cocktails! Anyone up for a Bacon Bourbon Sour? Candied Lemon Drop or Ruby Red Mojito would be my choice. Recipes can be found on the Torani website too.

Don't forget to leave a comment to win! (my first give-away!!!) Have a great weekend!!

costumes in the cul-de-sac

We actually had trick-or-treating on Halloween night, the first time in a very long time! Not sure that a Monday night is the best time to induce a sugar coma on these kids since they have a full week of school but we survived and a good time was had by all in the cul-de-sac!

 

My two .....and old hobo and  Bellatrix Lestrange ( I've got a crazed Harry Potter fan on my hands)

She did make a very cool wand from a twig and of course I don't have a good picture of it!

The angry bird was the coolest! He actually had the music from that darn game coming out of his costume somehow!

 

Loved this wig!

 

My neighbor boy, who I didn't even recognize! Love the "stache"!

 

This cute family gets my vote for best family costume! Little red is such a cutie and her little baby brother, the wolf slept the whole time! Too darn cute!

 

We always start our night with a pot-luck dinner in the neighbor's driveway. The kids really look forward to this tradition and honestly I think the adults really do too! It might have something to do with the hot toddy that we all walk around with! This was by far the coldest trick-or-treat night that I ever remember! And I've never seen snow on the ground for Halloween either. This will surely go down as a Halloween to remember!

Now what to do with all this candy........