Giveaway Reminder!

Today is your last chance to enter to win a Demi Style or Café Style apron of your choice from The Hip Hostess.

Winner will be announced Saturday. Good luck!

To enter click HERE.

IN CASE YOU'RE WONDERING...

where I am...

I'm sick... since Sunday... strep throat...

Chills... fever that spikes every night... raw throat...

You get the idea...

Went to the doc today and got some antibiotics...

Should be good as new soon... spending very little time on the computer...

Until a better day... missin' you...

A lovely weekend!

No lie-in for me this Saturday! I arrived at the local car boot venue at a stupidly early 6.15 to join the other booters busily setting up their stalls. I had my mum for help and we duly set up the obligatory trestle tables and covered them with nice white sheets to set off my clutter to best effect. Though I had doubts about the early start, it was ultimately worthwhile, and of course,I couldn't resist a little rummage around the other stalls. I found just what I had been looking for - a manual typewriter. I don't intend dumping the computer but I do have something particular in mind for my new purchase.....more on that another time! I am also very chuffed with my tin of Nutscene lilac twine. It's just lovely and my tomato plants are now well and truly tied to their stakes with lovely little lilac bows!!!

Some time ago my mum gave me two hardwood deckchairs that needed new slings. As the weather was set fair I decided it was time to get to grips with these! This is the before picture...

As usual, my westie cannot ever be left out of proceedings! Believe it or not there was no staging involved in the picture below. Having sanded and waxed the frame I literally placed it onto the floor to measure my lovely new canvas, and there he was!


Below is the finished article! Finished with lovely flower upholstery pins from Halfpenny Home.

Continuing my productive weekend, I got on with a couple of painting projects I have to do - the stool is for a customer and the tray is destined for Halfpenny Home. They have yet to have their decorative finishes applied so I will try and post again when they are done.

I am so chuffed with the results of my salad sowings! It felt so good cutting my own salad for my tea! My husband made home made beef burgers to accompany the salad and we had peach bellinis too! Very decadent!

As you can see from my very full wine boxes, I think I have a little to learn about sowing! I need to be a little less heavy handed! I did try to thin them but it wasn't successful as I just couldn't bear to throw any away.

Feeling like I have acheived quite a bit this weekend and feeling full and content after a lovely time in the Suffolk sunshine! Hope you've had a good weekend too!

Jacqui x

Perfect Day

What a great day! It started with me picking, digging and collecting my lunch, thank you lady chickens for the lovely eggs. These are the first dig of the new potatoes and yet another bowl of strawberries - yum! You can't get better than that, or so I thought until I happened to mention to Pixieannie that I may saunter over to a lovely little place we know which has goodies galore and she agreed to accompany me on her lovely new bike. We were not disappointed as we found this gorgeous 4 ply yarn which is perfect for making the vintage inspired socks on www.purlbee.com - what a great colour!
After all the excitement last Saturday when Jacqui got this rather marvellous tea trolley I didn't think we could be so lucky and find more treasures but I was wrong...
This cupboard was just begging to 'come home'...
and these beautiful cups will be put through their paces...
but best of all, I had one of these pyrex type dishes from phoenix glass for years and broke it the other day whilst washing up. I was devastated at the time but found three of them today - hurrah!
What a great day and we got to ride our bikes down the big hill as well as stopping for icecream on the way home, Nic x

Follower Feature

One of my favorite aspects of writing this blog is hearing from all the wonderful people who read and follow Red Door Home. It always makes me happy when someone shows an interest in an idea or tutorial by leaving an encouraging comment and/or asking additional questions. I get especially excited when I receive pictures of a completed project. Here is one such example.

You may remember the ceiling tutorial I created a while back. This easy ceiling treatment was part of my daughter’s bedroom makeover.

A few weeks ago I received a lovely email and pictures from a long time follower (who requested to remain anonymous) who used this project as inspiration for her dining room.

I think she did a wonderful job and am so glad she took the time to share her project. Thank you!

If you have been inspired by a project you have seen on Red Door Home, I would love to feature you! Send me an email and pictures of your completed project and you could be my next featured follower.

It's here! The Knit Collage yarn is finally here...

What a lovely day we've had at Halfpenny Home today. This morning we had a bagmaking class with some Halfpenny regulars, Charlotte, Maria, Maria's mum and Isabella the best behaved baby in the whole world - blogpost coming soon ladies! Just before we were due to start there was a knock at the door - it was a parcel from Amy at Knit Collage with these beautiful jacquard ribbons.
Along with these gorgeous yarns. The blue one has crocheted flowers in it, brilliant!
The yarn pictured is - left - Kinari Bazaar- centre bottom - Stardust Garland - centre top - Mermaid Cafe - right - Cherry Blossom. I can't wait to show everyone it, I love it, we all love it and we all want to knit with it! Nic x

Why Wait to Celebrate and a Fantastic Giveaway!

I have to admit, I am a planner. I like to know exactly what is going to happen and when. Watching my more spontaneous friends I have come to realize, however, that many times I have missed out on what is really important – sharing my home, my time and making memories with the ones who mean the most to me.

Inviting friends and family into my home should not be intimidating. It does not require fancy dishes or a five course meal. I have always believed simple is best but some how my desire to have friends over seems to get bogged down with the need for details.

To that end, I was so excited when Debbie from The Hip Hostess contacted me. After reading her company’s philosophy and seeing the amazing selection of stylish aprons and other fun pretties, I realized it is time to move out of my comfort zone. I don’t have to have every detail planned or even have a special occasion to celebrate.

So for all you spontaneous gatherers and to help get us “planners” moving, The Hip Hostess is giving one Red Door Home reader their choice of any Demi Style or Café Style apron. So exciting!

These pretty aprons combine simple, contemporary style with fabulous fabrics to create a “couture in the kitchen” look that today’s modern woman will want and actually wear.

Whether you make it, bake it or fake it, these fabulous aprons will positively change your domestic attitude.

BONUS
The Hip Hostess of offering 20% off all purchases for Red Door Home readers through July 31, 2010. Simply enter the promo code “REDDOOR” to claim your discount.

To enter:
1. You must be a follower.
2. Visit The Hip Hostess and leave a comment telling me if you are a planner or a spontaneous gatherer and which apron you would select.
3. For a second entry, post about this giveaway on twitter, your blog, or facebook page and leave a comment with a link.

Open to US and Canadian residents only. Entries must be received by July 8, 2010. Winner will be selected by Random.org and will be announced on July 10, 2010.