Country Charisma

Happy Easter! He is risen! He is risen indeed!

2012-04-07T11:12:00.000-05:00

Two New Necklaces

2012-03-27T22:14:00.000-05:00

I made two new necklaces for sale on my My Etsy Shop. The first necklace is a large Crysanthemum jasper pendant stone. I handwrought the copper findings and connected with copper wire findings. Seed pods and natural jasper stones make up the strand.

The second one is green turquoise stones with sterling silver findings. The pendant is spiral wrapped with sterling silver wire, to a handwrought (by me) and hammered copper connector. The clasp is also handwrought with my custom design hook and eye mounted on the side.

The Gathering Antique and Garden Show

2012-03-25T21:30:00.000-05:00

My friend, Patty, and I spent last Thursday and Friday in Nashville selling our wares at The Gathering Show. Patty is shown with her herbal potpourri and wreaths. We combined our booths putting primitives, cottage and garden together.

Our booth display front was created with old porch posts and railing which worked well with the items we had. Little did we know, on opening day a customer wanted to buy our entire display setup.

Patty's husband builds these awesome birdhouses which he mounts on these create old chippy porch posts. They were a hit.

I sold several primitives including the early pine meal bin on the right.

To our surprise, we arrived Friday morning to find we had won best of show for our display!

Love, love, love the dried herbal and lavendar wreaths.

The potpourri had the entire area smelling so fresh and aromatic.

Another great bench built by Patty's husband.

I built four old beadboard display racks that worked nicely to hang things on. My lavendar designed quilt looked nice with the lavendar arrangements.

Several of these items were gone by the end of the first day.

I love this primitive jelly cupboard. I have used it in my studio for years to store art supplies, but it is time to let it go. Really like the cut-out detail at the bottom skirt and the wide one-board doors. Great early piece.

I brought home my child's mission painted desk and bench. This is such a unique piece with drop front desk and cubbys with a tiny drawer. On each side of the desk is a built on sconce which is wire for tiny electric bulbs. Great old green paint too!!

This vintage quilt worked well with my jewelry display.

One of my first oil paintings in several years, these little lambs sold on Friday.

Sold several pieces of white ironstone, always a hit.

Jackie on the left, is the show manager and a very nice lady. Enjoyed getting to know her a little, and also Elise, a fellow Country Living Show participant from Smiths Grove, KY. She had a wonderful display with antiques and plants. Their business has a full fledge nursery, and a spectacular barn, shop, and classes. She is a very pleasant and interesting lady, and a pleasure to be with.

Elise's business, The Garden Patch, is a booth you want to take the entire thing home.

This old rocker would look great on my log cabin porch.

Really enjoyed this screen door displaywith garden items and a door wreath.

Some more great herbs and plants mixed with antiques and concrete items.

This nice lady's husband prepared a home cooked dinner for all of the exhibitors. He does this every year! What a wonderful gesture of kindness appreciated by all! They have very nice primitive furniture and glassware.

It was such a pleasure to meet this lovely lady, Holli Givens with Rain Dove Primitives and Folk Art. Holli is such a delightful person, and her displays with primitives and yummy candles was so pleasant. I went home with one of her candles, and it has my sunroom smelling yummy too.

Holli's decor around her great sign post, using live blooming bushes and flower was so apprealing, and drew your eye into her booth.

She also made very nice vintage style jewelry,

handmade folk art dolls,

and this robins blue painted chair and milk can.

This dress form with jewelry was from my booth. I added these photos out of order, and I don't know how to insert photos once they are out of order. (Maybe some of you can tell me how that is done!)

These last three photos of vintage style necklaces I made from old prisms, stones, sterling, coins and pins.

I was happy to return home Saturday to my wisteria in full bloom on the arbor. Love this stuff! It was a great weekend. The Gathering is held twice a year, the next show being their Christmas Show in November.

All New Living Room

2012-01-11T21:50:00.001-06:00

Old sofa with slipcover in new living room

2011 brought new changes to our 1847 Carpenter Gothic southern home. Often the layout of old houses entitles the modern owners to use the rooms in ways they were never intended. I believe the only room in our home that is used as it originated is the master bedroom.
Some of those changes took place before we aquired the house twelve years ago, but our greatest internal change was swapping the livingroom and diningroom in 2011. During that swap we added hardwood floors to a portion of the house that had carpet, and put new hardwood in the kitchen after ripping up the original to reinforce the old bouncey joists. The orignial floors were wormey chestnut, and i just loved them, but there was no subfloor. Besides the bounce, winter drafts could be felt up to your knees. Something had to be done, and the splintering boards were not usable for finished flooring after the joist project. It is just part of old-house delimmas.

In an older post, I presented an album of the new diningroom, which also viewed the hallways to the bedrooms and the kitchen, all of which got the new hardwood. By putting the diningroom in it's new location, it allowed for the arrangement of furniture so that we could pass through that room to our bedroom hall. When we had the livingroom there, you would have to walk through the LR furniture and often in front of someone watching television. No more. Even though my husband and I do most of our TV watching on our sunporch, the visiting grands and family liked to use the LR for video games and DVDs. I will try to show you how we found the remedy for this.

New ceiling light replaced dining room light which I refurbished and moved into the new dining room.

Veiw of the wall oposite the sofa where I was finally able to display my Red Wing Pottery. I've stacked a few more inside each other since this photo.

I brought two wingback chairs out of the bedrooms with intentions of slipcovering both, but still have not done it.

The former diningroom was painted peach with peach woodtrim including the fireplace, from the former owner. All the years we have been here I have longed to repaint this room. White trim and white walls set off the hardwood floors and hardwood ceiling, and gave the room the vintage country look I was seeking.

1800's handwrought copper pots make a simple statement on the mantel.

A primitive walnut table got a new home in the LR too. This table was painted brown years ago, so I decided to strip it and found original old blue milk paint underneath. I did my best to preserve what was left of the blue.

The walnut cupchair actually has a 3 foot walkway for access. This cupboard was a TN estate find, with wavey glass door and plain crown molding. I put collection of blue swirl graniteware in the top.board behind the chair actually has a 3 foot walkway for access. This cupboard was a TN estate find, with wavey glass door and plain crown molding. I put collection of blue swirl graniteware in the top.

A 12-tin pie safe that was formerly in the entry hall, now houses the stereo and cds and dvds. On top is a vignette of old hunting items including antlers, old shot gun shells and box, Hopes gun cleaner and a taxidermy hawk.

My hubby's elk mount also found a new home here above a collection of antique black powder rifles.

An oil painting I did of my husband hunting with his Brittiany birddogs hangs below a 15pt buck. I love the way the white crown molding looks against the natural beadboard ceiling.

The sofa also has a 3ft walkway behind it. An old captains chair, a primitive sugar chest and a buggy seat line the wall and give plenty of room for the walkway from the kitchen to the front entry hall. A stool that I had covered to match the wing chair from the masterbedroom, now makes a table in front of the sofa.

Love old ironstone and transfer. This little ensemble makes a wall grouping.

Another favorite cupboard is this very old TN pine cornercupboard with wavey glass doors.

Tabletop includes an antique brass candlestick from my mother and hand needlepoint redbird coasters from my grandmother.

My mother's sleeping kitten figure rests under the table.

I've added more redwing sizes to this grouping, but still love having a place to display them now.

One of my last oil paintings. Need to get back into it, but making jewelry is some much easier to start and stop in our busy schedules.

The large platter is one of my favorites.

The top of the cornercupboard has a collection of blue transferware and ironstone.

The buggy seat has a vintage wool punch rug folded on the seat, which I have now put on the floor in front.

Love the one door top on the cornercupboard.

A few transfer pitchers line the shelf with the graniteware

I was glad the ceilings
had never been seen paint in here. All of the interior doors have transomes. A hint of the hall chandolier is seen behind the transome.

View from the kitchen door.

TV sits on an old wood shipping trunk.

Little kitchen entry hall between kitchen and livingroom.

Old beveled leaded glass kitchen door.

Come back for a tour of the new entry hall and kitchen coming soon!! Thanks for visiting!!

Christmas Stockings and Hats!

2011-12-02T21:22:00.001-06:00

Well, I haven't been blogging all summer, but what can I say? Traveling every weekend and some weekdays to horse shows, working on Jewelry, and working to get ready for the Country Living Fair just kept me hopping.

I decided to pull out the stockings I started on last winter and finish them up. Now that they are completed, I cannot figure out how to make the pictures upright. I turn them in my picture folder, and they still come out sideways. There must be a way!

I made my stocking using slightly waffled natural felt with a little flecking in it. Two of them have crows feet edge stitching with vintage silk thread and multitoned cord.

This stocking had vintage lace trim and old embroidery appliqued to the top, toe,and heel.

I used parts of a vintage sweater on two stockings. This one has a patch of angora covered with shiney barrel beads and seed pearls. I added the pearl buttons from the sweater as another accent, Vintage fringe tops the sock.

The sweater hem became a button top for this stocking.

Although I enjoyed making each one, this piece turned out to be my favorite with large brass buttons at the top, vintage lace and doiley, and multicord edging.

And thats not all; I've been crocheting hats too. This youth hat will fit a young girl to preteen. It's very soft and colors great for accessorizing. You can find this hat and my stockings on my Etsy Shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/countrycharisma . Now I have a season of catching up to do! Can't wait to see what wonderful crafting and decor you have all been up to. This weekend I decorate the house, so will update you with that. And if anyone know how to turn your pictures upright, please tell me. I am using a canon rebel XT.

Country Living Fair Followup

2011-10-27T16:43:00.000-05:00

We had such a great time at the Country Living Fair - South at Stone Mountain Georgia. My lovely daughter Carrie, worked like a Trojan the entire time, setting up, arranging, and rearranging all weekend. We arrived on Wednesday with our 24' gooseneck horse trailer, and quickly found out how difficult it was going to be to get that trailer to our space around the twisting narrow paved pathway and forrest of huge pines. The setting was wonderful, the access was horrendous. A good Georgian friend, Victor, met us at the showgrounds and saved the day. He got the trailer to our boothsite, helped us unload and set up tents, and got the trailer back out. We had just enough time to cover everything up before the setup time was over. Thursday morning Carrie and I set to work, finishing the furniture arrangement by noon, and working all afternoon on smalls and decor. We were dog tired by Thursday night, but were relieved to have help from my husband who came to join us.

Because of our schedule and busy day on Friday, I was not able to leave the booth for pictures until Sunday! My camera got left in the truck so I used my husband's cell phone (mine was set up for credit card sales) and managed to get my first walk around the show. I got several nice pictures and enjoyed a quick browse through, but lost all of my photos when my husband changed phones on Monday! At least I still had my booth pictures on my camera which I had brought in for setup! Sorry I could not share with you what all I saw, it was such a wonderful show, filled with such talented people who did miraculous things with jewelry, antiques, vintage, artwork, metal, pottery, glass, and you name it! It was not your ordinary country fair by any means.

Our booth space allowed us plenty of room to spread, and since we had a tree in our front yard which prohibited setting the tent up by the road, we opted to set the tents up by depth instead of width, and used the tree to set up a mancave display with the antique mantle, oars and paddles, lobster traps, log tables, old weathervane, lots of old barn and fishing items, and my husband's creation coffee table made from an antique drag(old mule-drawn cultivating equipment). The glass-top table got lots of great comments, as well has his hand-hewn log tables.

Our antique mission child's desk was a favorite with many lookers. It has old green paint and built-in electric sconces.

It was nice to have the room to create an island of furniture. The island dwindled over the 3 days, and had to be rearranged every day,

Among other smalls, my handpainted Paris signs were a hit, and none came home with me. Most of what is seen in this display went home with others!

There was not much remaining of this grouping either.

Sold a bunch of my crocheted hats.

Inside the tents I had my big cupboards

My husband hung this lamp and put all the crystals back on the rim of the shade.

I still love my old Brimfield step-back cupboard.

After selling several wood bowls, I sold the display out from under.

I painted and antquied the white hamper and then added the fluer de lis, which sold on Saturday.

My daughter caught a picture of me still in my coat from the morning chill on Friday.

My husband shot this of us two girls, my daughter and me.

Our early plantation desk was not only a conversation piece, but went to a new home on Sunday.

My potpourri was a hit and made a great earlybird special.

My daughter even sold my crocheted spread that made the backdrop for my vintage linens. We had to redo this area for Sunday.

This mustard yellow cupboard is one of four early stepback cupboards I displayed at the show.

Sold my little refinished hanging lamp on Saturday.

The cherry rope beds also found a new home. They were unique in that there where two identical matching twin beds all intact.

This is what was left of what was in the picture below after Fridays sale and after we rearranged for Saturday.

I love my husband's log tables and still got to bring them home. They have another purpose, maybe in our log cabin.

I happily sold many pieces of my handmade jewelry, which made me happy since this is the first showing of it.

The old wavy glass door made a good backdrop to hang necklaces. My jewelry is available on Etsy.com

All in all, it was a very good show, and I hope all those that patronized our booth will come back to see us next year. Thanks to each and every one of you for making our first Country Living Fair such a success!

Bella Rustica Antique Show Franklin, TN

2011-09-25T22:05:00.000-05:00

Last weekend I had the blessing of visiting the Bella Rustica Antique Show in Franklin, TN. This was the first year for the show, which was held at beautiful Tap Root Farm. Upon entering and driving up their long tree-lined driveway facing their gorgeous 2-story historic farm house, one entered the first tent of booths set up on the east side of the front lawn. At first I thought that the booths in the tent were the entire show, but soon found out there were booths in both barns and tents behind.

My first stop was to meet Nancy of Sassy Trash where I bought my first item, one of her lovely metal and pearl crosses that I now have hanging in my office window. For some reason my picture of Nancy's booth did not turn out, but be sure to visit her blog and get the whole rundown. Her interesting and creative metal work is a study in itself. Nancy is not only talented, but just a friendly and personable as she is in her blog. I was so glad to finally meet her. We will both be exhibiting at Country Living Fair in Atlanta, Oct. 21-23. Her booth was great; my favorite of the show.

Entering the first tent was a delight. Nancy's booth was right across from Magnolia Pearl, with her enjoyable array of vintage boots, linen pantaloons, doiley vests, and asseccories. I visited her booth twice.

Donna Grainger of Bessie Mae's had wonderful antiques and gorgeous linen covered chairs she had apholstered. She is a very talented lady and so very nice to visit with.

I adored the vintage truck and trailer. He was just setting up, so I didn't see what he had.

The barn has a big feed bin filled with hay and flowers and decor, and a menu for the barbecue cooking behind the barn.

An artist worked on one of her paintings as we entered the barn.

Carter's Creek Station Antiques & Grainery had some really great antiques and smalls. I found a wonderful ivory crocheted spread and some ivory linen I needed to cover a stool. These ladies had a combined booth, but their shop is in Franklin area. I can't wait to visit it.

I really enjoyed the numerous landscape designs set up around the show.

The girls at Carter's Creek were so friendly and accommodating.

My friend Martha from Sonora, Ky met me at the show. She found a really nice vintage mail bag with great lettering (no pun inteneded) from Carter's Creek

Martha has a great eye for the unique, and found several nice items.

Martha's friend, Sandy came with her; I was pleased to meet her and get to know her a bit at the show.

An old

sugar cane sack had Cuba stamped in the back. Most of the younger generation could never relate to all of our sugar coming from Cuba years ago.

This lovely lady is Colleen Meffe, who does beautiful calligraphy. She will do custom sayings and commission orders. Colleen is also from the Franklin area.

Peggy @vessels.us had a very nice booth with great vintage items. Every stall of the barn was filled, and Peggy's was no exception. We were kindred spirits and had a great conversation before I had to leave to catch up with my friends.

The all-girls band that was playing while I was there, was just fantastic. Like Nancy said in her blog, they so added to at atmosphere of the festival. They were great musicians and had wonderful music.

Orchard pond had such an eye-catching fall display to draw you into their both.

It was so nice to see original artwork at the show. As an artist myself, it is always a pleasure to me, to have the opportunity to view other work.

I do hope Bella Rustica returns next year. I would love to exhibit there, and can only give good kudos to the organizers of the show.

Country Living Fair South

2011-08-15T23:01:00.000-05:00

Visit me at the CL Fair...Country Charisma. I am delighted to be exhibiting, and working hard to prepare.

Country Living Fair

2011-07-17T20:15:00.000-05:00

IT'S OFFICIAL! I WILL BE EXHIBITING AT THE COUNTRY LIVING FAIR IN ATLANTA OCT. 21-23 STONE MOUNTAIN, GA. HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE! http://festivals.stonemountainpark.com/mini-section/default.aspx?season=fall&id=126

Later, I will post my booth space and directions on where to find me at the fair. I will be bringing primitive and cottage antiques, vintage fabric pillows, handmade jewelry, and many nice accessories. Be sure to stop by and introduce yourself! See you at the fair!

Garden Walkthrough

2011-06-26T12:38:00.001-05:00

At the far end of our pool a bed of perennials blooms in three colors. Knockout roses and crepe myrtles are on the bank in front of the fence with other perennials not yet in bloom. The fence is the boundary from the pool landscape to the horse pasture. We enjoy watching the horses from the pool and patio. Next to the fence I have a long narrow raised bed vegetable garden. It has proven to be a good location for tending and watering, but this year I am having trouble with something eating the tops off of everything. I put up a hot fence around the bed, and it is better, but not a sure fix.

Still, much has survived and I am sure to get my zucchinis, tomatoes, and green beans.

Back down to pool level is a view of the patio at the far end. Nothing staged here; several things out and need to be put away, umbrella closed because of a storm, vacume is out on pools edge, but you get the picture.

A poolside waterfeature with lilies, waterplants and gold fish keeps the sound of water always in the background, and another place for special plants always available.

This is Depo, our little JackRat. He passed away at 10 years old this week. He was a sweetie and our mimi athlete, and a constant companion. We will always miss him.

A distant view of the water pond from the patio with Rascal looking on.

My pots are finaly filling out. I got a late start on gardening while we were finishing our remodel. But my motto, "better late than never" is paying off.

This vintage table really needed a new coat of paint. It's former owner painted it school bus yellow, and I had had enough. This year it is vintage green and I am satisfied.

More pots line the steps from 2 levels. A white pergola is in the plans for the lower level....some day.

Toby waits at the pool gate, an antique find we configued into our fence plan years ago.

Last year I planted some heirloom seeds. This is the cleome family, but all the seeds last year produced white blooms as seen in the following pictures. This year I got these pretty mixed colors, of which I will have to save seeds for hopefully future crops.

A waterlogged lily after the hard rains (much needed to break the drought) we received this week.

Cleome in the original white commonly known as "Spider Plant." It grows to about 3' tall, but seems to still do well when cut back a little. It graces my kitchen garden, but I have now transplanted seedlings to 4 other locations to test how well it will do in different light.

Cleomes, iris, knockout roses, lilies, oregano, purlple salvia, and rosemary are some members of my kitchen garden.

The kitchen garden is also graced by my grandmother's feverfew.

I lost my Japanese Maple this year that shaded our coy pond in the side yard. When we bought our house in 2000, the pond and tree were here, but no landscape. We added all the white fences on the property, as well as the hostas along the fence rows, and plants around the pond.

I was trying to get the reflection of the flowers in the water, but they did not show up well in the photo. I love sedum. This is some in the foreground that came from my mother. I use it alot, in many rocky places and pots. It is a jewel to grow.

Our last remaining coy surfaced to feed. I got several as fingerlings about 7 years ago. Yellow is the only one left after "attacks" from the gray heron and even our jack russells. Yellow is about 10" now, and has big gold fish as companions. If a fish can be friendly, he is.

Our eco filter creates a little water feature with the coy pond and keeps the airation for the fish.

I never had any knockout roses until last year. They are a great constant in several beds because of their nearly continuous blooming. I am glad to have them, but they don't replace my hybrid roses which still outshine them in their gorgeous large sizes and colors.

The birdbath is another add, and love planting around it.

We did a huge trimback job on our Nandina bushes. It engulfs the porch so rapidly. I am tired of having to butcher it back to keep it at bay. I am ready to yank it out and replace it with something more managable. I have some Nandinas in other foundation plantings, but this group must be another variety. We inheirited it with the house, so who knows. When we bought our place it was so overgrown you couldn't get on the porches!

Feverfew along the driveway (which needs weeding).

Lavendar I started from seed. Love it. Need to start some more.

I started this echinacea from seed a couple of years ago, and it really likes this spot. I did not know it came in white! The seeds I purchased were for pink, but as you can see, I have this spot of white every year.

Last year I tore out the non-landscaped front of our house (2 bushes and some phlox), and set out to replace it with a cottage garden entry. I will take some pictures soon (as soon as I mulch) and show you what the second years looks like. It is beginning to fill in, so pictures will come soon. Have a great week!

Chandelier Makeover

2011-06-19T00:45:00.000-05:00

When we bought our home 10 years ago, there were many light fixtures that had been replaced by the former owners that were just not in keeping with the old 1847 home. We replaced many of them over the years, but this Williamsburg brass chandelier in the dining room was one we never got around to doing anything with. It did throw alot of light in an otherwise dark room, so it managed to "hang in there" until now. When I started looking for another dining room light for my "new" dining room, my budget was getting thin, and my desire for a multi-armed antique kept me searching high and low. I finally decided to do what I had threatened to for the past couple of years; take the existing one down and paint it black.

I didn't realize it had so many pieces until I started taking it apart. Each candle style bulb had 4 pieces to it.

After dissassembling the candle arms, I cleaned all the metal well so the new paint would stick.

Many places the brass had just worn off, and others were shiney. My husband finally agreed with me that it needed a face lift and was NOT the fixture he had thought it was. I had tried to tell him they are a dime a dozen.

I took a piece of wire and hung it on a branch of a tree after I had used painting tape to mask off the candle sockets and stems.

Before painting it black, I gave it one coat of metal primer. I didn't take a picture of the primer, but it was gray. Sort of liked it gray, but had already decided on the black.

Using the best quality black satin spray paint, I gave it about 4 even coats, and more in some places. The worst part of this job was fighting the cacadis that had hatched out, and kept latching onto my shirt and hair. The next day after it was completely dry, I reassembled it, and my husband put it up in the new dining room.

It may not be the best, but it will serve it's purpose for now, it's black, looks new to me, it's recycled, and still throws alot of light to another one of my dark rooms. (old houses often don't have many windows, and with high ceilings you need more light). Chandelier makeover complete.

Wayside Treasures Giveaway X 2

2011-06-18T16:49:00.002-05:00

Wayside treasures is having a giveaway of some really neat French items. Visit Sandi's blog for the details!Wayside Treasures Giveaway X2

A Few New Jewels

2011-06-17T10:50:00.001-05:00

Now that our remodeling is complete in our home, I am finally getting back to work and the enjoyment of my antiques and jewelry. However, last week I wrenched my knee (bummer), and was really off my feet for a good part of the week. This was difficult for me; I am used to jumping and running at the spur of the moment. The good side: I had time to sit down and work on some jewelry again. I've posted a few pieces for your viewing, but you can see more at My Esty shop.

Long necklaces are in, and this one fills the bill. With a large mother of pearl pendant, some sea-worn shells I found in Maui while visiting my son, and small double-stranded MOP squares, semi-precious stones, and sterling findings, this piece will hang midriff.

One of my favorite stones is turquoise, and I can hardly resist making a piece when I get to sit down to it. This piece has turquoise button beads with a jasper pendant that matches. The pendant is joined with sterling silver wire, and the accent beads are garnets, pink rhodochrosite, black pearls, and more Maui shells. Clasp is beaded and buttons on a shell. Perfect piece for summer t-tops/tanks.

I really enjoyed making this pendant cluster necklace. This stones are all semi-precious faceted drop-beads all wrapped in sterling, and a piece of Maui sea glass. While in Maui, my son took me on some sea glass hunts, and we hit it hard for a couple of days. I found some nice pieces, but soon found that drilling it for jewelry is another bird. It takes patience, water on the drill bit, and the right bit, and that is still no guarantee the piece won't break. I broke several of my best pieces. FYI...sea glass is antique bottles and ship wreck treasures broken by the sea, and rolled by the sand and waves. Some pieces are well over 100 years old, and can be identified today with the colors of antique bottles and glassware. I found pieces of vaseline glass, cobalt, aqua (a favorite), amber, clear, and shades of greens. Fun to find antiques in the sea!

Another sea glass treasure. Here I used two pieces of clear glass sandwiched with blue brazillian agate. Wrapped in sterling wire and dangled from sterling hoops and wires, these little gems are a light and airy summer dainty.

This stone pendant is petrified snail jasper druzy. I wrapped it in sterling wire and mounted it on a strand using semiprescious stones and amber glass drop beads. Pink and black freshwater pearls with natural agates are fastened with a sterling silver clasp. strand is 18" and 2" added length with pendant.

These earring match the prior necklace, but are nuetral enough to go with many others. Amber glass drop beads are sterling wrapped and dangle from pink freshwater pearls and sterling wires.

Another long necklace, this natural tones agate is banded in silver plate and hangs from a 32" strand of brazillian agate, kyanite (silvery blue rectangular stones), two pieces of amber sea glass, kiwi jasper (white with natural specks and hints of blue rectangular stones), and mahogany obsidian round stones. Hangs below midriff.

I have these pieces and more listed at my etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/countrycharisma

The Remodel Complete Part 1

2011-06-09T22:50:00.001-05:00

This is our new dining room. This room used to be our living room, but when we did the renovation, we decided to switch rooms. In old houses, often the rooms can be multi-purpose, so we took advantage of the opportunity to make the swap. Doing so, placed our living room on the front of the house by the front door and next to the foyer, and allowed our dining room to be immediately off the hall by our kitchen. It now backs up to our sun porch where we spend most of our time. We also have to walk through the dining room to get to the hall that goes to the bedrooms. We like this arrangement, and find it is working quite well, even though I had to convince my husband that he would like it better. He does.

The books shelves from the former living room now display a collection of ironstone and yellowware. Even though I had some of this on the shelves previously, I now use the shelves entirely for this collection. In order to keep it from being "too" busy, I tried to put just one or two pieces per shelf. With my cupboards having display as well, I knew it could all quickly become overwhelming and lose effect and impact. This little sideboard is one of my favorite pieces we brought with us from Kentucky. It is a period walnut piece, and works so well to serve or display from.

This view is the doorway to the hall leading from the sunroom to the kitchen. This room was painted a new deeper gold tone, one of the new Nashville series paints by Sherwin Williams. All of the rooms got new hardwood, "Saddle" 3/4" oak by Shaw Flooring. My husband and I put down every last piece . Some days I worked by myself while he was at work, just to keep making headway toward completion.

This little vignette sits on top a cherry dresser which houses my table linens. An antique spice box with individual metal boxes each marked with names of spices, was an estate find when we first moved here in 2000. A miniature lamp sits in front, but it is really a vaporizer. A little pan would sit above the chimney, where medicine, like Vics, was incerted and heated up by the oil lamp. A little miniature oil painting was done by me many years ago depicting a primitive scene of my family playing together in the front yard of my childhood home in Wisconsin.

I really love my cherry stepback cupboard. It too, is a period piece with nice chamford doors, and has excellent storage for glasswear and dishes. It now houses my grandmother's red and white Crown Ducal. I remember my aunt serving Christmas breakfast on it when I was a little girl. Her home was also decorated with primitives, which I always admired, and believe that is where I developed my love for them.

I often use my oval ironstone platters on the bottom shelf. I have several very large ones, but they all have great uses from grilling out to plates of cookies for sandwiches. The red and white transferware makes a nice contrast with the gold walls, while the white ironstone stays crisp and clean looking. I have collected ironstone for many years before the popularity of recent years.

The little dented up silver cup was mine when I was a baby. According to my mother, I used to beat it on my high chair tray. I must have beat it alot, because it is dented big time!

My husband built my dining room table when we first moved into the house. It is 8 1/2' long and made with 2 very wide plank poplar boards with biscuit board ends. It easily sits eight people, but we can pull up more chairs and pack them in!

This was the light fixture that was in the house when we bought it. We took it down to move it into the new dining room, and while it was down I painted it satin black. I had wanted to do that for a long time, but finally got the go-ahead from my hubby. We both like it so much better.

We bought this pewter cupboard in northern Indiana while visiting my son and daughter-in-law. I don't have much pewter, but it still has nice rimmed shelving and bottom.

The two dining room windows look out onto the back sunporch.

One windsor high chair holds a rack of milk bottles. This still works great for the grandchildren too.
More pictures are on their way of the new livingroom, master bedroom, kitchen and master bath. Thanks for cominb by!

Spring flowers from my garden.

2011-06-05T11:41:00.000-05:00

I couldn't resist cutting some color to bring inside even though they may drive my husband outside! I'll try them for a day anyway. I started everything from seed over the years except the lilies and oakleaf hydryangea. This is the first bloom for the shasta daisies, but I've had echanaecia and feverfew for years. The feverfew came from my grandmother's garden, to my mother's, and to mine. I have carried it with me for 40 years, and will dig some to take with me if we ever move again. I am certain there is feverfew in heaven too.
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What's left of my Dogwood

2011-04-20T07:49:00.001-05:00

This is what is left of our dogwood tree which was in the path of the maple tree. It WAS full of blooming branches. It now has a trunk with a top and one branch. Maybe it will pull through.
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After the storm

2011-04-20T07:45:00.001-05:00

Our current storms are reaping havoc on our old maple trees. This is the last of three that stood in our front yard. Hate to see them go, but even more, the damage and loss of lives across the Midwest and Eastern states. My prayers go out to those families.
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Easy Grilled Potatoes

2011-03-13T22:05:00.000-05:00

Since tonight was our first grilling of the spring-like season we experienced this weekend, I thought I would take a few pictures of my husband's favorite potatoes. This is my own version of grilled potatoes that my mother used to make.

I started with 6 medium spuds (I always make extra so Mr. C has some left-overs for the next night). I wash them, then microwave on my vegetable setting just until done. Next I spray a large sheet of heavy duty foil with Pam. After slicing the hot potatoes on a cutting board (no more than 1/4" thick, the thinner the better), I place them on the foil and season with my favorites. I ususally use sea salt, onion salt, fresh ground pepper, and drizzle with olive oil. When the garden spring onions come in, I often slice a handfull on the pototoes before grilling...delicious.

Opptional use of butter or margarine dotted on top creates added flavor.

After seasoning, bring the two longest sides of the foil up and fold it over twice to make a sealed pack. Then fold or roll up the two ends.

Now your packet is grill ready. Often I put the pack on the grill when I light it, and let it warm up with the grill. I will leave it on one side for 10 to 20 mins. depending on how hot I have the grill. Then when I put the meat on, I flip the package with my grilling spatula, being careful not to tear the foil.

I bring the potatoes in at the same time I bring the meat, and simply open and serve. A dallop of sour cream is also good with these, but it doesn't take any special side sauces to make Mr. C happy.

For those who like to use a George Foreman grill, I make these same potatoes making all slices 1/4" thick, and place a single layer on the grill. I prepare them before the meat, and keep them in foil until the meat is done. Try them and let me know how you like them!

Barn Storming

2011-03-09T22:31:00.003-06:00

Traveling home last weekend, in the storms and pouring down rain, I took these photos out the passenger window, while my husband did the driving. I decided to pick out old barns. I missed numerous, as I watched for the next opportunity to catch a click. All of these barns can be seen on I65 S from Louisville to Lewisburg, TN. See if you recognize any.

I said it was pouring rain! View out the windshield!

"See Ruby Falls" almost did not make it into my pix. I love the barn advertising in the south.

Lastly, a glimpse of our barn as we pull into the driveway. The rain had stopped, the sun was trying to peek, and our barn gave me warm greetings of home. Our barn is over a 100 years old, and has housed cattle, mules, and currently horses. We have raised many colts, baby ducks, chicks, kittens, and puppies here, and with a loft the size of a basketball court, we have raised and stored hundreds of bales of hay. Nothing like a good ol' country barn.

Nashville Flea Market

2011-03-03T22:22:00.000-06:00

Sunday, on our way home from our nephew's wedding in Louisville, we decided to stop at the Nashville Flea Market. We had been looking for some ornate hinges to match the antique hinges on our interior doors. We are still in our renovation, so we are paying attention to details we have earlier let slide. Mr. Charisma hit the jackpot and found several really great pairs that matched. We also found some other neat things while browsing. The white adirondacks stole my heart immediately, but only to my dissappointment, they were sold. We came away with some new ideas, and had a great time.

I loved this old door! It was a pale yellow, and the shape of the top was splendid.

Really liked this stand on the table top.

One booth was full of architectual pieces. I wonder what Sassy Trash would make with these. (sorry the picture is sideways)

The man who had the hinges, also had this great collection of glass doorknobs.

I love the way in which he displayed the glass knobs, hung from a rail all tied together so the light could hit them. What size do you need? I think I just want them hanging up in the sunlight!

Twice I went back to see the antiqued red island bar. It is just the size I was looking for my kitchen, however, the craftsmanship did not match the price. We decided we could make our own, or have the Amish make us one we can paint our own custom color. Great idea though.

I also loved this red leather wingback loveseat sofa. I was thinking it would work in my new living room setting, but not for sure. Thought I would wait to see how things work out. All of our furniture is piled up in two rooms, so I have to do inventory when we begin to refill our rooms.

These post lamps were unusual, and could be a real conversation piece in the right room. I can see nice burlap shades on them.

This double vanity was not at the flea market, but was handmade by a local Amish man for my new bathroom. I picked it up this week, but we are not ready to install it yet. Later I will show it installed with the granite top and mirrors he is making to go with it. I took him a few pictures of what I wanted, and he came up with this. Love the little shaker leg.

Tennessee Sunset

2011-02-17T21:41:00.000-06:00

While winter has been upon us for what seems like forever, this wonderful sunset Tuesday evening was and encouragement to me. After near 70's temps and lots of sunshine, the day ended in these glorious colors. I know others from Tennessee enjoyed this too. How about you?

The sunset could be seen between the logs on our unfinished log cabin we reconstructed behind our pool.

Making Jewelry

2011-02-11T21:48:00.001-06:00

My creative juices have had me putting together jewely pieces this year. My house is torn apart with a remodel that we are doing ourselves, when my husband is off. That, of course, means whenever we get a chance. Meanwhile, when I am not gophering here and there, planning the next step in the renovation, or ordering bathroom lighting and such, I have been putting together some new pieces.

There is something satisfying about being creative, even if it is only for one's own joy. It is nice when you only have to please yourself, but I thought I would share a few regardless.

Lapis Lazuli wrapped in sterling silver and sterling hooks make up these dangle earrings.

The matching Lapis pendant can be slipped on a sterling chain or leather cord for a necklace.

This vintage style metal necklace has 18 red jade "berries" making up a cluster pendant, a rhinestone heart pendant, and a handmade rosette from a crocheted doiley attached to the side of additional swags of chain.

This little necklace wears well with vintage style tops and trendy T's.

This blue heart is Bloodstone Jasper. I put a nice sterling bail on it, with a black cord. I put it on my facebook today to show friends, and it sold tonight.

Large disk shaped smokey quart and obsidian beads make up this choker style necklace.

Lapis Lazuli is one of my favorite stones. I used several shapes with brushed silver rings to make up this versatile necklace. The findings and wrappings are all sterling. this necklace can be worn in any position, with the clasp in the back, on the side, or in front.

Agate is another favorite. I used to find agate chunks on the shores of Lake Superior. This all-agate necklace is mounted with a filligree sterling bail, sterling chain and sterling findings.

I love the way these little pink faceted drop beads turned out, wrapped in sterling on curvey chain with hooks and crystal beads.

As in the first photo, these are the same blue faceted drop beads with sterling wrappings and a simple sterling hooks.

Pillows Pillows Pillows

2011-02-06T22:55:00.003-06:00

Last spring I made some vintage pillows using all vintage fabrics, trim and decor. I have had them stored, and decided I would put them in my etsy.com shop, http://www.etsy.com/shop/countrycharisma (I'm listing them today) but first show what I had made.

This little pillow was made from a vintage handkerchief sewn on to a dresser scarf. I folded the scarf in half to create the pillow slip, and slip stitched it together after inserting the pillow form.

This pillow is made from sewing two pieces of embroidery onto a background of vintage fabrics. I got a whole box of vintage fabrics that were new, from an estate sale. Most were pieces were small, so they worked well for piecing the pillows.

This bow print fabric was used for the backing, and the encloser is a bow tie with the same fabric.

I had a dresser scarf which had two nice embroidered ends, but the center had an unremovable stain. The ends worked perfectly for the pillow tops, and the vintage print for the front edges.

Envelope backs worked well for these pillows.

This is the pair together.

I had another old pillow case that was worn out, but had the cute applique tulips on the ends. I used the ends on both sides of the pillow top and added a small embroidery doiley in the center.

Masterbedroom Update

2011-01-23T17:10:00.003-06:00

BEFORE: Master bedroom with federal blue woodwork and crown moldings, white walls, green rug, and faded cranston blue check drapes.

I know I kept saying I was going to paint my bedroom. Now that we have our entire house torn apart so we can put down hardwood in the rooms that were carpeted, I finally had our bedroom painted. Notice I said "had it painted", rather than painting it myself. The last guest room I painted myself took me three weeks of dragging a 12' heavy step ladder round and round the room painting 14' ceiling and crown. Not this time.

The kitchen was painted at the same time, after we added new wide crown molding to the 12' ceilings. While installing the crown, my ladder began slipping, then suddenly I took a wild ride to the floor. I ripped the crown molding off the top of the cabinets trying to stop the sliding, and ripped my nails off at the same time. I just couldn't stop it, and hit my head on the granite countertop as I came crashing down. Ending up with a huge knot on my brow and bruises to my arm and legs, I was grateful not to have broken anything. Seriously grateful! My husband finished the crown himself, while I was on the couch with icepacks. DYI is not always as easy at it appears! I have the black eye to prove it!

In order to add new hardwood to the kitchen as well, we had to remove everything including refridgerator (now in the LR, we will do hardwood in kitchen first then move ref. back) and all furniture and low level pantry goods (mind you all decor is off the walls and shelves for the painting project). We also had to move everything out of living room, 2 hallways, and another bedroom. All of that is now stored in our other guestroom, dining room and front entry hall. We are also remodeling our master bath with tile shower, clawfoot tub, new vanity, floors, and waincotting...an entirely new room.

We just got back in our bed after sleeping on a airmattress on our sunroom floor (the only room left unscathed by the updates, but full of tools, tile samples, paint cans and whatnot). I have always told my husband that we love our sunroom so much, we don't need any other rooms than a bathroom. I should eat my words. I have a entirely new appreciation for our bedroom. I have included a few pictures of the before and after of the bedroom, with the "after" still undecorated and some of the furniture not in place. We are just barely in it, but rejoicing just the same!

AFTER: Newly painting crown molding and wainscotting and windows in white. Walls are a very light grayed-green. It apprears darker in this picture because of lighting, but I will get some better pictures when the decor is done.

BEFORE: Fireplace and woodwork in old blue.

AFTER: Newly painted white woodwork.

BEFORE: Blue cranston curtains and white walls.

AFTER: Nice bright woodwork, suttle walls, perfect canvas to decorate. Hopefully in a few weeks, the remaining remodeling will be complete, and I will have a newly decorated room to post. Keep watching.

Goodby airmattress bed in sunroom! At least we could watch TV (on the wall not seen in photo) in bed.

Before the New Year

2010-12-30T22:15:00.001-06:00

While many have removed all of their decorations, and tucked them away for another year, we are still enjoying ours as we entertain family for the holidays. Our normal routine is to put all the decor away the day after NewYears. In keeping with that tradition, I thought I would post a few photos before the grand finale.

The baby ice skates hung off the kitchen fireplace mantel. When I was five years old, and living in Wisconsin, I wore these skates for my first pair of single blades. Our entire family of eight skated on creeks and ponds, and a frozen parking lot in town that was reserved every year for the town rink.

My old mantel clock works well in a cupboard-top display with candles and antlers and greens.

And visions of sugar plums danced in their heads (more like beef roast trimmings).

A vintage wicker sleigh keeps company with a little egg basket collection atop my pie safe in the entry hall.

The guest room which is now occupied with my son and daughterinlaw from Indiana, is decorated with pointsettias.

My greatgrandfather's 9' secretary desk adorns the front wall of the guest room. Inside the drop-down desk, brass desk pieces, a rounded inkblotter, letter opener, stamp dampener, and some of his old horticulture books keep hidden from little hands.

Toby loves to lay by the kitchen fire.

Kitchen mantel with greens, chocolate and candy molds, and berry topiary and wreath hold together with my grandmother's wood candlesticks.

Well, my photos got a little out of order, so this is the guest room bed, made with a down comforter with a white cotton button-on duvet cover.

This spring is curtain season, even though I have had my rods stored in the closet for a year! I painted this room myself last year, and it was quite a trick with 14 foot ceilings.

Our sunporch table toted a vintage Christmas cloth with a basket of string balls I bought at a sale last summer.

Simplicity was my moto this Christmas. Using both live and artificial greens, I slipped together several mantel and tabletop arrangements including this simple dining room table piece with white honeycomb candles and pinecones and greens.

A gold candle and berries accent some yellowware on my pewter cabinet. In a couple of days, it will be another great holiday memory. I am enjoying every moment of it. Then come on 2011, I am ready for ya!