My life is to make everything around me beautiful.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Randomness

Something new!
My friend and fellow blogger Lorena is having "Share your collections party" and would like some others to join in. So go check her blog to get the particulars.
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Several people have asked me to get a photo of the gazebo at night so we went out the other night when it got dark and COOL. It's been so hot here in the desert and since we're pretty far north it stays light until about 9:45 - 10 pm in the summer. This was just before 10 pm and the sky was still a bit twilight.

This is our patio with the lights I strung and a little canning jar candle I hung out there. It's a steel patio that looks like wood but we figured it would last far longer out there with our temperature extremes. The only negative thing is that hubs has to put in cup holders for me to put things up so that limits me. The lights are simply wrapped around a metal pole he put up for me to put the sheers on and then he put the cup hook on the 3rd side for the lantern and to hold the lights up on that side.

Here it is before I plugged in the lights..........

And here it is with the lights on.

Just a different view from another side. It really is lovely in person.
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I asked Love Bunny to make me a fireplace screen for in front of the mantel for the fireplace that doesn't exist. He asked why. I said "ambiance." He then got the picture, and we went to Home Depot to purchase wood. Now, this was to be a simple fireplace screen but you would have thought I had asked him to build me a Louis XIV desk or something as elegant. *Sigh*.......

We settled on a sheet of plywood that I could paint. I'm not kidding you when I tell you that he agonized over that every time I brought it up about the dimensions. It was NOT a real fireplace that it was going to be in front of so I didn't care too much about the dimensions, only that the screen didn't cover up the entire space. I wanted some pink to show through and to just be a bit of "fluff" for that space.

We finally settled on dimension of 36" high and 36" wide, but he came in just before he cut it and asked if I was sure. I said yes. He cut the main piece and then the sides, which he was putting together with piano hinges. We decided on 12" and then I changed my mind to 9" and he cut them. When he put them on I thought an "angle" would look appropriate and pretty on those side pieces since I wasn't going to get "scalloped" or pretty edges. He just about fainted. (He can be a tad overdramatic at times, but that is NOT very often so I'll forgive him.) He was just about to put the piano hinges on so he stopped, measured again, cut the angles and finished it so I could work MY magic on it. Why do men make it seem like a major project when it is soooooo simple for us women???

The back is not going to be painted because no one will ever see it.

I painted it white and will start froufrou-ing it up as soon as I decide on the decals I want to use.

A blogger, and I can't remember who, suggested I put some faux greenery in there while I'm making the fireplace screen. I did and this is how it looks. I appreciated that suggestion and it looks really nice not being so bare for the time being.

14 comments:

  1. I am amazed at all your projects.....They are so much fun to read about.

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  2. You could hold weddings in that gazebo!!

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  3. What a fabulous idea for your fireplace! I love the cottage white beauty! Great job!

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  4. Connie, love all the things I have missed seeing. I hope we sell our inherited house soon, so I can re-do my rooms and add a larger craft room. Thanks for stopping by. Love and hugs, Pat

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  5. Hi Connie!!
    Your gazebo is so nice!!
    Reading about your over-eager hubby reminds me of mine.
    I needed new shelves in my pantry. This is a room that is mine only & contains my laundry room, freezer & all our food storage. Anyway, I needed 4 small shelves. The instructions to him were... Pine boards with metal brackets... nothing more, nothing less.
    After firing a zillion questions to me about sizes etc he presented to me shelves with a lip/ridge on them. I said nothing... I curse them everytime I put something on them.
    I know he was just trying to help... MEN!!
    Love,
    Marilyn

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  6. As soon as I saw your blog I had to add it! You remind me so much of my family, specifically my mother! We are both fans of shabby chic and humor! My question is how did your hubby allow you to spread your choice of decor around the house? I'm gradually incorporating it in my house but my mother hardly has a chance with my father! Love your work and love your personality!

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  7. Hi Connie,
    I can't wait to see your fireplace screen finished. It already looks great, now for the magic touch!.
    Your gazebo is so romantic and very pretty!.
    Take care and enjoy your day,
    Elizabeth

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  8. Oh COnnie, Honey I love the gazebo with the lights. It is just devine. Are you going to put a little bench in there? Would be nice for sitting. It is an ambiance thing you know. I love the firplace screen and I can't wait to see how you decorate it. Roses? You are a woman of many talents. You have been trying to fool me. It is going to look beautiful. Thanks for sharing. Country hugs and love, Sherry

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  9. Haven't popped in here for awhile and wanted to check in on you!

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  10. Your fire place looks wonderful. What a great idea.

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  11. Looks like a seat for The Queen O Shabby Chic. All us devoted admirers could hold court before you in there.
    Amazing.
    QMM

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  12. OH~~~~ I wish I had time to have at least on project. Your home is so pretty, you have done such a wonderful job.
    Ginger

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  13. The fireplace screen is going to be fabulous. I can't wait to see what decals you chose for it. I have a few projects here....is love bunny available!? LOL

    karen

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  14. Love the pink star, wait until you see the pink table I bought today. They would be a perfect match!

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Comments are so nice and I thank all of you that leave one for me.