The Painted Cottage

January 26, 2011

chair makeover {and a sale!}

I don't know what the weather is where y'all are but here in NC ... it's RAINY & YUCKY!

via

But it's the perfect day for chair makeovers and sewing! :)

Remember all the new fabric I showed y'all a couple weeks ago? I'm getting started with some pillows out of some of those ... Now the hard part is going to be choosing which to use first!

I also found this CUTE little side chair the other day and have BIG things in store for it ...

Can't wait for y'all to see!

So I'm sure y'all are wondering what SALE I'm talking about ... Artisans is having their annual WINTER SALE this Saturday & Sunday! EVERYTHING in the store will be 10% off ... Including everything in The PC ... And those AWESOME farmhouse and Obrien & Shridde frames will be an additional 10% off! These are the perfect Valentine's Day present to get your love (or self!) started with these awesome collections!

So if you've been thinking that a road-trip is in store ... This MIGHT just be the perfect weekend to head to Greenville! :) (hey, worth a shot!)

Happy Wednesday y'all! xo!

January 25, 2011

{folkart} hand-painted tin signs

So I did a BRIEF post on these yesterday ... mixed in with the Valentine's Day decor!

But I just didn't think that it showed these incredible signs justice!

Each of these tin signs is hand-painted with the cutest sayings ... And even cooler than that? All of the tin comes from buildings that were destroyed during hurricanes in Florida. What a great way to use materials that most would consider 'waste'! The family that started this company plans to 'keep it small' in fact in their words:

There's only a few of us behind the scenes here at Blackwater - we don't have aspirations at being a mega-business, only to make our mark as a "made in the USA", homegrown kind of company like the kind of small business that used to thrive in our country!

What cool people?!

There are so many different sayings that it's hard to decide which ones to order!

how cute?

fishies

folkart mixed with farmhouse frames

So what do you think? Do you love them as much as we do? :)

January 24, 2011

Valentine's Day decor

We <3 Hearts Day!

And I've been searching all over blogland for some great inspiration! And y'all have had some GREAT ideas!

Here are some of my favs ...

Loving this mantle at

And this one from

The simplicity of this mantel is amazing!

How stinkin' cute are these from

That's my Letter

Did anyone make gum wrapper chains as a kid? How cute is this wreath from

Fudge Ripple?!

Everyone's loving burlap right now! And we're LOVING this burlap wreath from

My House of L!

What a great 'fantle' from

Twigs & Twirls!

And finally a TPC feature ...

We're loving these tin folkart signs ...

And at around $20 they're the perfect Vday decor!

So what about you ... Have you seen any Valentine's decor you're L-O-V-I-N-G!?!

January 23, 2011

Wilson {a photo shoot}

The other day when I was in Wilson fluffing my booth at Gracie's I thought it would be a great idea to show y'all how cute downtown Wilson was ...

So I strapped my camera on and started walking (thankfully it was a relatively warm day!)

After a few strange looks and several "what ARE you taking pictures of?" ... I think I captured at least SOME of what Wilson has to offer!

Isn't the courthouse gorgeous?

LOVE this remake of a Radio Flyer

downtown Wilson shops

Old churches are so gorgeous to me ... These are on opposite corners downtown.

Sugar Plum Shoppe ... a bakery downtown ... how cute?

Wilson cultural center downtown ... in an old theater building

Feel in love with this old building

Driving in, you're bound to see old barns ... And I happen to LOVE them!

So there you are ... Now you have a taste of Wilson, NC!

I think it's such a cool town ... So if you're ever driving on 264 or 95 ... Be sure to make a stop and check it out! :)

January 21, 2011

{slightly} sappy

Ok y'all I need to preface this post ... I'm about to be REAL sappy.

Yes, you caught me ... I'm the MOST mushy-gushy person you'll EVER meet.

And today, I've spent so much time (ALONE) organizing my home office and THINKING about how I'm the luckiest gal in the world.

I have just been given the GREATEST opportunity ever by one of my favorite people in this entire world ... my mama.

Now let me just give y'all a little background on US ... I'm the oldest of 3 girls ... And we have ALL always been exceptionally close AND exceptionally close to our mama. We were so lucky growing up ... our parents were always supportive of us in whatever we chose to do. So when I went to grad school and then decided NOT to use my Masters degree in counseling (the little kids absolutely broke my heart) ALL of my parents (I have 2 FAB step-parents as well) were very supportive and told me to do what would make happy ...

And now ... at age 27, I am WORKING alongside my mother, whom I have always looked up too ... a lady I have always tried to make proud in everything that I do.

So today, I've been thinking about being lucky ... and thankful. And I just wanted to share with all of you ... my bloggie friends!