Suzie's Not Too Shabby Cottage: 2009

Monday, October 26, 2009

My Decorative Bread Box

I bought this bread box a few months ago at my favorite thrift store for only $9.50. When I bought it, my plan was to paint it white, but now that I make my own appliques I have tons of them at home, so I could use to put on the bread box as well.

On my furniture I always ended up using the appliques that are broken in two pieces or the ones that are imperfect that I was going to throw away...

... but when I glue them on to the furniture and paint over the appliques, you can't tell the difference..

I didn't like the flower on the cabinet glass door and besides that, the glass has many scratch marks that I need to cover.

When I went to Micheal's today, I came across these pretty designer decorative papers that is almost like fabric. I got two different designer paper to cover the glass. I put the polka dot see through paper over the black toil paper for a softer shabby look.

I liked the way it turned out!!

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Appliques and My Kitchen Cabinets

Hi Everyone!!!!!
I apologize to my blog and to my fellow bloggers. It's been over a month since I've posted and "NO" I did not abandon my blog!! I've just been so incredibly busy lately with a few projects and with my daughter. There were days that I tried to post, but by the end of the day, I got so sleepy and tired that I couldn't even sit straight!!

But here's a glimpse of what I've been up to lately.
I've been putting a lot of time into my newest project. I've been working on making the appliques to get ready for French flea market on 10-17. As I previously stated on my blog, I've been making my own appliques and the molding as well for the past few month and I have decided to sell my appliques on the flea market. It's not easy to do this project when I have a full time job, but whenever I find time, I make appliques!! I try to avoid the computer as best I can, because once I start the computer, I would forget the lapse of time and my spare time would be over fast!! This is the biggest reason why I have not been posting on my blog besides getting tired at night.

On top of that I've been re-painting my kitchen cabinet. As you see in photo, it's about 20% complete and I had to put this project on hold until the flea market event. My goal is to finish this project before Halloween!!!

Thank you very much for those of you who stopped by my blog and left me nice and concerned messages..You are the reason why I want to continue my blog!!!

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Rooster Party

I'm participating in a rooster party hosted by Barb to show off my new kitchen theme .Thank you, Barb for letting me join your party!! Please be sure to check out her blog for a list of all the participants.

I am redoing my kitchen in a Rooster theme.

It all started when I found this black and white rooster fabric at the Garment District in Down Town LA back in May. I absolutely fell in love with the rooster fabric the minute I laid my eyes on it and I knew I had to have it in my kitchen!!!

And....here...I made a rooster valance for my kitchen window~~~

Recovered my kitchen chair cushion with rooster fabric~~~

and a rooster tea cozy made by Melanie B for my tea pot ~~~

My mannequin, Sarah!! is proudly showing off her rooster apron made by Melanie B..

My kitchen re-do with rooster has just begun.....

Thank you for visiting my blog!!! :D

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Mannequin, Apron and Tea Cozy

After seeing a mannequin from Melanie's blog, http://www.theoldwhitecottageblog.com/2009/06/my-mannequin.html
I wanted to have a mannequin in my kitchen.

I searched the Internet and found a great website with a variety of mannequins with each one having it's own unique design and price. I bought my brand new mannequin http://stores.shop.ebay.com/displayfashion for only $29.99. For such a cheap price it's very well made. I decided to name her Sarah and she is size 4 - 6

Okay...so;
The main reason I wanted to get a mannequin in my kitchen was to display an apron to give more accent to my kitchen theme and to display the aprons for a special occasions or the holidays..

My current kitchen theme is a rooster. I fell in love with Daisy's cupcake apron which was made by Melanie B for Daisy's birthday gift. I asked Melanie B to make me an apron for Sarah

and here..
Isn't it just so~~lovely?

She also made me a tea cozy as an extra to surprise me..

I didn't have a tea cozy before, but now I do . I especially like this tea cozy because I don't have to take it off to pour tea and it’s reversible!

Melanie is so creative, talented, crafty and she's just my type. I can tell how much love and time she put into my apron and tea cozy. I am so proud that she is my online friend!!!

Please check out Melanie B's blog!! http://sew-sassy.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

I Make My Own Appliques

I've been meaning to paint my kitchen chairs and table for ages ...

Here...I finally painted my kitchen chairs with antique white and recovered the cushions with the same rooster printed fabric as my kitchen window valence that I made.

As many of you know I've been transforming our home to a shabby chic and I've been painting endlessly for furniture reformations and accessorize the furniture using appliques. Also I mentioned in my previous posting that I make my own molds and cast appliques.

I realized that it cost me more money on appliques than the bargained furniture I purchase so... I decided to learn how to make appliques. Here we go!!! I now proudly make my own appliques for my furniture reformations!!

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Mirror Transformation

Here is the transformation of the mirror I bought a few weeks ago for $4.99. I really didn't have to do much except cleaning the dust thoroughly , spraying the primer and 2 coats of paint.

Before

I've had this table for a long time and when we had a neighborhood garage sale in June, I was almost able to get rid of it. But now I'm glad it wasn't sold.

I decorated the table with my own appliques that I made and painted it. I saved a lot of money by making my own appliques. Those appliques would have costed me a fortune if I didn't make them myself.

These photos came out blurry, but it looks absolutely gorgeous if you see it!! ^^

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Fun Fun Fun!!

Daisy and I rented a booth at the Little French Flea Market for the 3rd time.

I always wanted to be a vendor and it took me years to get the

courage to go out there and sell my things!!

The first time I ever set up a booth was at the Little French Flea Market! What a great experience and everyone is so nice and helpful. Each time we were out there to sell, we enjoyed ourselves and had so much fun that we decided to continue selling stuff at the flea market.

Aren't those cameo necklaces just gorgeous? They were made by my friend Daisy! Jennifer from The Old Painted Cottage fell in love with Daisy's cameo necklace and bought a few for her self and for her friend!! It was SO great to meet down to earth and so sweet Jennifer!!

My great friends Daisy and Aimee

Please visit Aimee's blog to check out her beautiful French pillows and her garden boutique!

Below are some of the bargained items I found at the French Flea market. I actually spent more than what I earned that day! hehehehe! But after all, we just wanted to have fun & enjoy ourselves!!!