designs by cleo

In the Pink

2012-02-25T11:26:00.000-05:00

Spring has made an arrival in some parts of blogland!!! I am enjoying the pics of blooming flowers and trees, and all your lovely spring touches!!! However, here in the northeast, winter is making a come back!!! Very windy here with light snow this morning.....every now and then some rain and then some snow blows past my windows......RAW and BLEAK!!!

But that's okay, spring is a bloomin in my heart!!! I finally finished my cherry hutch in the living room and just knew you wanted to see....and had to put in just a few touches of Easter....

This last pic is in the foyer, the next portion to get spring-ified....just starting!!!

Joining.....Pink Saturday, Seasonal Sundays and Tabletop Tuesday......

Vintage Kitchen Things

2012-02-18T01:46:00.000-05:00

I don't have vintage cookbooks.....but wait, the ones from the 1960's are considered vintage now right??? No matter, I'm not taking pics of those........

Here are some of my utensils gathered in an antique apple bowl.....

Spice box, containers and canisters in my kitchen.....

Thinking Pink

2012-02-18T01:14:00.000-05:00

Pink has been on my brain for awhile now, must be thinking ahead to Spring.......I'm not complaining now, we've had hardly any winter at all this year!!! My cherry hutch needed some updateing and fresh pink was the answer...not done yet, so just a few pics for you......

I collect rabbits, and this one just came to me from Hobby Lobby, jumped right into my basket she did!!! I added a pink bow, fancy smansty.....

Some lusterware pieces......

Joining Beverly at Pink Saturday
Seasonal Sundays
Tabletop Tuesday

I'm Back!!!

2012-02-17T13:21:00.001-05:00

It's been such a long time since my last post....missed you guys!!! I had a cold/flu that tried to be part of my life forever......finally got rid of that nonsense!!! Then spiraled into a funk that I hope am coming out of now, but still want to hibernate, ever get like that??? I mean, where is winter??? I look forward to being snowed in for awhile, nesting, drinking hot chocolate, curled up with a good book, making homemade soup, midnight walks in the snow, cleaning closets.......come on.....I need this!!!

Anywho, I have started puttering around with getting displays ready and some vignettes, hunting and gathering.......

Got this new lantern at Pier I in pale aqua and am gathering some elements for the buffet.....

Love these colors together....and have visited all the blogs, glad to see everyone has been sooooo busy.....ttyl...

Happy 100th !!!

2012-01-25T00:22:00.000-05:00

Here's to a kind and gracious Marty who first invited me to join Tablescape Tuesdays!!! I have enjoyed the many hours spent on her site, all the wonderful inspirations, and all the new friends!!! Thank you for hostessing such a fun party!!! I enjoyed an afternoon tea for you with some yummie treats and colorful finds...

Here's my little friend with a heart for you!!!

There are many arrows in his quiver.....

That's yummy panatonne smeared with butter and some apricot,mango jam on the side.....gotta have something sweet with tea!!!

The scarf is a silk/wool beauty from Liz C.

OOOOOPS....almost forgot the candle for the celebration.......holder is a Dedhamware rabbit.....

And look what I found today while cleaning......a Christmas escapee.......

Thinking of Spring.....

More Spongeware

2012-01-22T01:16:00.000-05:00

These next pieces are from England and are teacups and saucers from a child's tea set.....I've included the backstamp.

The next pieces are also English, a small pitcher and a plate that would have been used under a sauce or gravy boat.

This last piece is also English and has a handpainted floral design as well as a stamped design.

Thanks for stopping by.....am joining Seasonal Sundays.

Spongeware Blues

2012-01-14T23:58:00.000-05:00

The experts agree that Scotland is where the first pieces of spongeware were found, when excavating for new potteries on old ground. I love these pieces entitled "Wildflowers"...you can see that no expert did the sponge painting, they are very simple and sweet.

Platter or Ashet...the designs were cut on sponges, actually the hard cork part that attaches the sponge to a rock, and hand stamped into a design.....

Serving bowl...

gravy or sauce boat and underplate....

Backstamp...

The next platter is also from Scotland and is entitled "Scotch Ivory" and the painting you can see is quite different.....

I am joining Seasonal Sundays, and Tablescape Tuesdays....

I tried, I really did!!!

2012-01-10T12:29:00.000-05:00

I admire all the wonderful "winter white" scapes my fellow bloggers have posted, and wanted to do one myself......I really, really, really, tried......not gonna happen, just not in me!!! It started off okay with the white runner and large platter, then I lost it!!! I am a blue, red, purple, pink, brown scaper!!! Gotta have the color.....

Someone had a party for collections, now can't find it so thought I would showcase some of my collections for you to see.......featured here is part of my spatter, spongeware collection. This is the Virginia pattern made by numerous factories in the 1800's to 1900's. I have not collected dinner sets, too difficult to find matching pieces, but have collected interesting pieces from a variety of sets.

I like this type of ceramic because it is hand painted and sponged with a stamp in certain places to form the design. Usually done by women and children working in factories while the men were at war or working in mines or agriculture. Not very sophisticated, but naive, honest and done by untrained "artists" who were pretty much self taught, and I love the simplicity.....

Couldn't get really good pics, no sun or light available today!!!

This little set is from France, I think it is a covered creamer and sugar bowl, love the lid....marked Opaque De Sarreguemines.

Love this little bird made of felt!!!

This plate is German, Villeroy & Boch..

Cup and sucer from Holland.....Maastricht.

Casserole with lid and Pitcher are German from V & B. Love the detail on the handles of the base, don't know if you can see that.....the tiny circular flowers are done with a "stamp" made from a sponge that is very hard like a cork.....made by various factories in Europe......hence the name "spongeware".

A Gift

2011-12-31T11:26:00.000-05:00

This is the sweetest, most precious gift from my sister!!! She hand stitched this adorable Hummel girl for me and had it framed too!!! My camera did not pick up the brightness of the red umbrella and the blue dress, it looks faded in the pics, but it is quite vibrant in person......she said the hardest part were her socks!!! I just love it and am carrying it room to room to find the perfect spot!!!

The New Year

2011-12-31T02:17:00.000-05:00

So many of you have packed up Christmas already!!! Where did all that energy come from??? I am pooped and glad the festivities are over for now, and am laying back with my feet up until well after the new year!!! The decorations will stay up here until the end of January. Up here, the winters are pretty bleak and last until into April.....I like to have the colors of Christmas around for awhile.....in March will start to put out some Spring things and the Easter decor.

I'd like to wish each one of you happiness, health and hope in the coming New Year.....make the most of each day.......

Holiday Dinner

2011-12-30T11:31:00.000-05:00

The family came over for a holiday dinner and I used my new tablecloth from Scotland.....love the plaid......

little Julia had a tea party for some stuffed animal friends......

my sister enjoying herself!!!!!!

We had such a good time and yummy food too!!!

Holiday Flowers

2011-12-30T11:24:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to share this beautiful bouquet of roses, stock and baby's breath I bought at the grocery store.....can't beat those prices and the quality is superb!!!

SALE !!!!!!!

2011-12-29T12:59:00.000-05:00

All Christmas items are 30% off...........http://www.designsbycleo.net/

Top Projects of 2011

2011-12-27T12:11:00.000-05:00

Most of what I make is for my shop on etsy or my website....so I won't bore you with that stuff!!! But, in looking back over the year, I did do some stuff for myself or others as gifts.......

Resurrected my childhood stove from the basement.....

made some little journals for grand niece and friends....

sewed some rabbits.....

gift pillow for my dear friend....

shadow box for my sister's birthday......

my first tassel.....

Baked Easter bread......

made bookends.......

had a little tea party......

sewed new valences from dishtoweling....

revamped my studio, painted cubby drawer white, and painted sign.....

sewed pumpkins.....

made pickles.......twice!!!

decorated for the seasons......

tablescapes.....

Welcomed Christmas, and a joyous hello to winter!!!

Thanks for stopping by......see you in the new year!!!

2011-12-25T00:41:00.001-05:00

Wishing all my dear friends a very Merry CHRISTmas......filled with wonder, love, peace and eternal hope.....blessings to all!!!

Kitchen Christmas

2011-12-20T11:06:00.000-05:00

Some shots of my kitchen.....but am not showing the messy baking part!!!

The reason for the season.......

Wishing you all a blessed CHRISTmas........hugs from Cleo

New pillows...

2011-12-18T00:17:00.000-05:00

We had our first snow last night and today, and its sticking.......!!! Love it!!!!

I finally finished the Christmas pillows I was making for the living room......they really turned out nice. PB catalog was my inspiration this year.....they had some awsome pillows with holly on them, out of my price range of course.....so I made my own creations using fabric in the printer and an iron on from the printer. I wanted the stripes to show through the design and they did....how about that!!! Tell me what you think....

I used a heavy weight red ticking stripe fabric, printed the image on cream twill fabric.....encased the print with crunched up silk seam binding in pale pink ivory and sewed tiny seed beads into the binding and tied the ends in a bow. The ruffle is a red tiny dot on white, love this cotton fabric, found it in the baby section of my quilt shop!!! I also used permenant ink and acrylic paints to outline and enhance the design.......

The second pillow is smaller and I did the iron on thing....not real happy with the design that looks like plastic......but I love the entire pillow, so cute!!!

I added a double row of lace to this one and poufed out the ruffle.....so festive and feminine.....

No tree for me this year, just not physically up to all of it any more......hauling it all up from the basement and they taking it down again......out of breath just thinking about it!!! But I more than made up for it with all the decorations I put out!!! At least these are light weight!!!

All through the house......

2011-12-17T23:27:00.000-05:00

Finally finished the foyer decorating.....wait, no, maybe something else.....

Moved my sweet gate leg table into the hallway.....I paid $20 for this table in 1968 or 67 when I was a single working gal!!!

My very fav antique cupboard.....love dressing this up!!!

Little hallway leading to the back door and powder room.....

The powder room.....keep my makeup in that little basket so I don't have to run upstairs when going out!!!

Joining Seasonal Sundays........

Back to the foyer

2011-12-12T17:47:00.000-05:00

You already saw my new table in the foyer.....now you get to see my childhood dish set......I have featured it in an antique watch maker's cabinet. The back of the cabinet had holes and screw hooks in there for holding pocket watches......I removed those and covered the back with heavy paper and put in little shelves to hold the china......the only piece missing is the sugar bowl, which I broke during one of my tea parties as a child!!! Santa brought the set.....purchased from the Jewel Tea Co., which my mom was a devoted customer.......

These are tiny stockings hand stitched by friends......

Merry Christmas my friends..........xoxoxo

Some favorite things

2011-12-10T11:30:00.000-05:00

I placed some of my favorite Christmas things on my mom's mahogany table with a cute dishtowel for a doily!!!

I love this little woodcut Santa, and its signed........

The chalkware lamb was a gift from my niece Kristin.....baaaaa......

Wishing everyone a very happy holiday season!!!!

#@%&*(+!@

2011-12-07T01:15:00.000-05:00

I am sooooooo far behind this year....rats....!!! Last year I was a ball of energy, where did it all go??? Am posting some pics from last year, hope to have new ones soon......

Plaid......it's still my favorite color!!!!

Plum Pretty

2011-12-05T17:17:00.000-05:00

I am crazy over the color of plum this year, and dressed up the dining buffet, this is it so far.....have to find some candles and do some more tweeking!!!

Joining Marty at Tablescape Tuesday.....

Adding some Whimsey

2011-12-01T17:57:00.001-05:00

December 1st already!!! I've been laid up with pulled muscles in my back for almost 2 weeks now, and am finally feeling better, so today I started some decking of the halls!!! Not too much, don't want to hurt myself all over again!!! And......I bought myself an early birthday gift.....wait till you see this cute side board.....

Kinda Frenchy, kinda country.....I love to mix!!! My home is small, not much room for new furniture, but this piece caught my eye........wanted it to go next to the staircase and it fit well there, but didn't like the way it looked!!! So, naturally, everything got moved around, took 2 days.....

I think it is playful, colorful, and adds a touch of whimsey which I like......my home has mostly antiques, but think this piece fits right in!!!

And here is the little angel I got at TJM, I added missing stars to her bunch.....

Books are some of my favorite things, this is one of my daughter's childhood books........its one of my favorite Christmas story.........as a child, this was one of two movies that were on at the holidays. The other one was A Christmas Carol, and that old one in black and white always scared the heck out of me!!!

Have to rest now.....that was a lot of work!!! I am joining whatever parties I can.....have to figure out how to put buttons and links on here.......

Now, here is the neat part, this darling table was bought on line at Home Decorators....got it on sale.....comes in a choice of colors......it has to be assembled......I did it myself, easy peasy, very well made for something out of China, and it is solid wood not fiber board stuff.......I think it is a very good buy and I was surprized at how nice it is......no, I'm not getting paid for that......just thought y'all would like to know!!!

Joining Beverly at Pink Saturday and Seasonal Sundays

2011-11-26T10:47:00.000-05:00

Buy handmade.......

2011-11-26T10:42:00.000-05:00

Buy American......

Support small business......

Shopping

2011-11-16T18:52:00.000-05:00

With great anticipation, I journeyed out to TJM to find a snowman .....Karen Valentine style.......alas, no such luck..........however, these two cuties jumped out to me and leapt into my basket.....so, I gladly brought them home with me!!! Don't know if I will dress them up or not, they are so cute the way they are.......

She is missing a few stars so got some moolah knocked off.......and I will replace them with what I have on hand. And, ya know, I have a snowman from last year from TJM, wonder where he is??? Ah.....life in the fast lane.......

Ornaments

2011-11-16T12:32:00.000-05:00

Sweet shell ornies with pink roses..........http://www.designsbycleo.net/

Thanksgiving Table

2011-11-13T10:46:00.000-05:00

Real life got in the way of my blog time!!! I have been immersed in the raking and bagging of leaves, preparing the home and car for winter and crafting for my website......what was I thinking??? So, this is a re-post of my table last year, its still pretty!!!

I am joining the Tablescaper for Seasonal Sunday and Marty for Tablescape Tuesday.......sorry, can't figure out how to put a button or link in here........

New ornaments for Christmas

2011-11-11T11:27:00.000-05:00

Just listed on my website.....

Set of golden feathers.....

Set of golden snowflakes....

Set of glitter white doves......and many more, come take a peek....www.designsbycleo.net....

Country French Stocking in Red

2011-11-07T00:18:00.000-05:00

A new addition to my website....for Christmas!!!

Country French pillow for Christmas

2011-11-02T17:53:00.000-04:00

Here is a sweet pillow I just finished and for sale in my Etsy shop......

New pillow

2011-10-28T23:51:00.000-04:00

Just listed this sweet pillow on my website.....just in time for Christmas!!!

The many shades of aqua.....

2011-10-28T17:27:00.000-04:00

I am joining the Cottage Colors Party at ECS, and this month the color is aqua.......

Aqua is one of my favorite old-timey color.....in the 50's my mom had an aqua kitchen with beige and melon accents. There are many shades of aqua, and I love it paired with purple, pink or brown....here are a few of my pieces....

Various bottles and jars used for storage along with a milk glass sugar shaker and salt shaker in the quilted phlox pattern.

This is a transferware bowl, pitcher and razor box in teal, pattern name "Petunia"......the small pitcher in teal is the pattern "Jessica", love the little handle on this one.....

A one gallon storage jar, two apocathary jars, one with a repaired stopper, very clever, and a milk glass vase......thanks for stopping by......

More Fall....

2011-10-25T00:32:00.000-04:00

I love Fall and hope it lasts forever!!! The colors take my breath away and tonight we saw the Northern Lights over Lake Ontario!!! What a treat!!!

These are pics of Fall decor in the living room and hallway.....small house, but I decorate every corner, nook and cranny!!!

I had to use the flash for these pics as it has been cloudy and rainy for awhile....don't know when we'll see the sun again!!! This is the tea table all dressed for Fall.....

I just bought that little glass cloche with the wire and bird on top at Hobby Lobby, love that store, and got to use a coupon too!!! The strawberry corn was just the right fit....

This is the foyer, will get better shots next time.........happy falling to all!!!

Window ledge

2011-10-22T23:46:00.000-04:00

Window ledge in the kitchen.....my little friend is back!!!

and I am still enthralled with these chestnuts, I've scattered them all over the house!!!

joining seasonal sundays

Some Fall Views

2011-10-22T00:16:00.000-04:00

Cherry hutch in the living room.....Fall arrived!!!

This is my newest lamby-pie.......isn't he tooooo cute???

French Kitchen Basket

2011-10-17T14:16:00.000-04:00

Just listed this sweet basket of goodies on my website.....great gift idea!!!

Fall

2011-10-16T13:39:00.000-04:00

This is my favorite season and its like the changing of the guard.......my dining table has a few of the season's best colors......I used my silk/wool shawl in rich paisley to dress the table......

The tea set is George Jones, the bowl, Wood & Sons, wire cage from HL....have to find more pears!!!

antique mall find

2011-10-16T00:15:00.001-04:00

Come see what I snagged at the antique mall yesterday.....an old milk bottle carrier with bottles!!!

The carrier is old, not sure about the bottles, they are in real good shape......but the cardboard lids are originals from local dairies. I put an old beer tray upside down on the large crock and put the carrier on top.....since taking these pics I put a cloth over the tray!!! This is a corner of my kitchen with the fridge on the right......

Autumn Bounty

2011-10-06T12:17:00.000-04:00

Autumn has arrived.....praise God!!!! The dining room buffet is all ready to celebrate....

Sweet little pitcher is a Clarice Cliff piece.....

I am joining Tablescape Thursday.....come take a look!!!

ECS Cottage Colors Party

2011-10-01T09:55:00.000-04:00

This month's color is brown.....one of my favs.....rich, warm and inviting.....love it paired with pink, lavender, apricot and aqua......

Aren't these chestnuts darling??? Just picked them up at Joann's....with a coupon of course!!! I've mixed them with some tiny pine cones in a green bird bath/feeder ceramic from Pier I......on the ledge above the kitchen sink.....

Pieces of transferware on dining room buffet, cheese keeper is a new addition......

Shaker spice box with containers imprinted with name of spice.....

Three more spice containers....

Sweet shoe form in size zero !!!!!!

These last shots are from my pantry shelves in the power room.........

OOOOOOLALA

2011-09-22T23:52:00.000-04:00

New stocking featuring a French script decorator's fabric.......

Sweet Victorian Stocking

2011-09-18T17:49:00.000-04:00

New stocking I just sewed for Christmas on my website, such a sweet face on this little girl!!!

Pillow and Stocking

2011-09-06T18:52:00.001-04:00

Here are two new items just listed on my website.....made from French Sack Cloth.....

NEW stocking.....

2011-08-29T16:30:00.000-04:00

This is the first stocking of the coming holiday season that I have completed and will list soon!!!!

Golden Pumpkins

2011-08-20T12:28:00.001-04:00

Now available on my website, golden pumpkins for Fall!!! Pretty cotton fabrics in soft gold tones form these soft sculptures....come take a peek.....

2011-08-14T21:19:00.000-04:00

Made 2 large jars and one small.....

And look......I found my scale in the basement, cleaned her up, no rust, no dents, no damage!!! I bought this at JCPenny around 1970 ish, just when the "country" craze was starting, and I collected crocks, and old baskets.......remember "avacado green"??? Think she cost me 9 or 10 dollars........

Refrigerator Pickles

2011-08-14T21:13:00.000-04:00

Oh yes, I am sooooooo ready for Fall, cool, crisp, clean....my favorite season!!! Then we move into my second favorite season....WINTER!!!! Many of you have already said you are not looking forward to any of that and want summer to last longer!!! No more hot, sticky, can't breathe, bug infested, drought, dead flowers and lawn, not to mention SWEATY, summer!!! No thanks......

So to celebrate I made pickles today and they are yummy......this recipe uses yellow summer squash!!!

In large pottery or glass bowl, combine 2/3 cups salt and 3 quarts of water, add 8 cups sliced yellow squash (I used 4 medium to small), cover with dinner plate and weigh down to keep squash under the brine.....let stand 3 hours. Drain well in colander and give a gentle squeeze.....

In large kettle combine 2 1/2 cups sugar, 2 cups vinegar ( I used cider, but you can use white), 2 tsps. mustard seeds, 1/2 T. whole cloves, 1 small cinnamon stick broken up, 1/2 tsp. turmeric, 1//2 tsp. celery seed, 1 clove garlic sliced. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar.

One green pepper, halved, seeded, and thinly sliced.

One red pepper, halved, seeded and thinly sliced.

Two medium - sized onions, thinly sliced....(I used one large Vahalia)

When mixture comes to a boil, add drained squash, and veggies, return just to boiling. and turn off heat, let cool.....transfer to containers with tight fitting lids. Refrigerate, will keep several weeks, even more than a month!!!

Sliced squash in brine......

Mixture coming to first boil......

Okay, the rest of the pics won't load!!!!!! Will have to wait to see finished product!!! Drat blogger.......

A change of seasons....

2011-08-14T01:21:00.000-04:00

We have a change in the slant of the sun.....longer shadows and shorter days........the air smells a bit different and we have dampness at night.....can it be??? Oh yes, joyous yes, Fall is on the way!!! Here are a few pumpkins I have been working on to be listed on my website......

Too Hot to Cook???

2011-07-30T01:06:00.000-04:00

Remember those long, hot summers as a child??? I do!!! As most Italian families in our neighborhood.....we had a kitchen in the basement, with those slanted cellar doors to the outside.......we had our old wood burning/gas stove down there along with old kitchen tables and chairs, nothing fancy, but clean and cool.....my mom cooked every meal no matter the temperature!!! We never went out to eat!!! All the messy cooking got done there and all the canning and preserving too.......we dined on fresh garden produce and enjoyed the breezes coming in from the open doors......and we had pizza on Friday nights.....So tonight, to celebrate summer, I made homemade pizza from scratch just like my mom did....no, not in the basement, turned up the AC in order to have the oven on!!!

I made the dough using 3 cups of flour, 1 cup warm water with one envelope yeast dissolved in it and 1 teaspoon sugar too. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil with flour....mix and knead till smooth and elastic, put in oiled bowl to rise and oil the top of the dough then cover.

Meanwhile I peeled about 6 large ripe tomatoes, cut in half and put cut side down in colander to drain, I even squeeze more water out of them and some seeds too. Chop tomatoes and place in bowl, add chopped parsley, basil, garlic, salt and pepper.

By now the dough has risen.....spread it out in a jelly roll pan and in a 9 x 9 pan,cover and let rise again. Heat oven to 500 degrees, when heated put in pans and cook for 10 minutes in upper third of oven. Remove from oven and with slotted spoon, spread tomatoe mixture over dough, drizzle with olive oil, add a bit of oregano, sprinkle with grated cheese......put back in oven for another 15 minutes....oh, yum!!!

Of course I had to have a fresh salad and a hamburger too.....washed down with a cold beer.......perfect for hot summer meal!!!

Before and After

2011-07-27T13:04:00.000-04:00

Found this old printer's drawer in the basement, used to hang in my son's room as a child.......forgot all about it and was delighted to see it again, it has the coolest metal drawer knob on it.......also found this unfinished wood lamp I bought probably 30 years ago!!!! Time to paint them white........

Painting on the washer in the basement.......

My studio is their new home.......

Cottage Colors at ECS

2011-07-27T12:45:00.000-04:00

This month's theme is red, white, and blue.......

Yummy fresh tomatoes from the Farmer's Market.......have been stuffing my face with tomatoe and mayo sandwiches......will make fresh pizza for supper tonite......yum.

Vignet on tea table in living room....rabbits and tray from HL, bunch of radishes candle from TJM, is that too cute???

And here is my sweet Ginny doll with her hot chocolate set waiting for company!!! She is my favorite pal from childhood!!!

Going green tip

2011-07-17T11:46:00.000-04:00

Blue canning jars are making a come back, so I dug around in the basement to find a box of them packed away since the 70's!!! They were once lined up on my kitchen counters with all kinds of goodies in them. These two are holding plastic and metal bottle caps and jar lids. Why you ask??? Since they are disposable anyway, I use them to hold paint for projects instead of using palette paper~~ sometimes you just need a dab of something and these fit the bill, then just toss them out!!!

This paint project, which is still not completed~~~~~was done on my sewing table, which I never use for painting, but was easier to use this time.

I also use the caps when I need a small amount of glue, or varnish or fixative~~~~and feels good to re-use something!!!

Where Bloggers Create 2011 Part 4

2011-07-16T20:45:00.000-04:00

My hastily hung sign over the windows.....will do it better later.......

These shots are of the other side of the room......and no, I will not open the closet doors!!!

You know who.....Sam.....naps on the green check mat!!! Boxes hold crimps, ribbon rolls and scrapbooking supplies.

Bottles waiting to be decorated.........aqua wire tool caddy, I carry station to station.....

This side is for sewing and jewelry design.....the drawers hold trims, lace, rickrack, doilies, yarns........the tool chest drawers hold beads and findings......

Silk ribbons and stamens for ribbonwork....

Stuff......

The business corner...

Where Bloggers Create 2011 Part 3

2011-07-16T12:52:00.000-04:00

Yes, this is my favorite room after the kitchen!!! These pics are taken from the doorway as you enter....it was once the master bedroom.....I have moved into a smaller back bedroom now that the kids are gone.....

The windows face south....lotsa light, lotsa heat in the summer!!! My cutting table is in the center so I can work on all sides......it is up on bed risers so it is waist high for me and very comfortable to work at. Underneath on this side is all the packing supplies for wrapping and mailing, I could cover it all with curtains on a rod, but would just get in my way when working.......this is after all, a working studio!!!

This is the other side of the table.....with all utility fabrics, batting, facings, etc., you can see my computer station on the back wall and my little TV, which is my company!!! On top of the table I have placed an old cardboard drawer unit without the drawers placed on its side, and it houses all my painting supplies. When painting here I use a large plastic tablecloth to cover the table.

My friend Pris came up with this storage idea for me......very clever I think!!! Out of the way, yet handy....

Most of these items are gifts from friends and sentimental pieces.....the key is to my mother's steamer trunk when she immigrated from Italy....I just bought the thimble hook from JoAnns, is that too cute??? It holds my first ever tassel I made....Picture of my two kids......theorem painting, tons of fabric, many rabbits which I collect.....

I keep all elements of upcoming projects together in a basket or box, so I don't forget my original intent!!! More to come......

Where Bloggers Create 2011 Part 2

2011-07-15T13:14:00.000-04:00

Finally I hired a handyman to put up new blinds, new shelves and do some repair work......here it is in progress....

Curtains are pressed and waiting to be hung.....haven't decided on valences yet....

I'll be back with part 3 soon.....

Where Bloggers Create 2011

2011-07-15T12:04:00.000-04:00

Here are some before pics of my studio/sewing/craft/sanctuary room.....broken blinds, creative disorder.......

Watch for the transformation pics later today.......am frantically trying to finish up........!!!

Birthday gift

2011-07-05T02:15:00.002-04:00

This holiday weekend, my sister and I traveled back home to celebrate our cousin's 75th birthday!!! She said, "no gifts", but I had to make her just a little something special and funny!!! We are so Italian, and honor our ancestry every chance we get.....all of our parents emigrated from Italy, and we shared so many wonderful stories at a fab restaurant where we enjoyed "real" Italian cusine....all homemade food!!! We had thick crust pizza with fresh tomatoes, just like our moms used to make......oh, yum!!!

This is a little pillow filled with lavender from my garden, just a cute something to sit on a shelf and enjoy...

I incorporated out family name and home town on the postage mark, and I stamped the muslin ribbon with "Te Amo".......and stamped the brown wrapping paper with Italian poetry, postage and sayings. We had a great time!!!

New Bottle

2011-06-26T00:30:00.001-04:00

Please visit my etsy shop to see this brand new bottle!!! It has a ceramic bluebird for the stopper.....this is sooooooo sweet!!!

I put a sweet verse from William Carlos Williams........"It is at the edge of a petal that love awaits".

Valences from Towels

2011-06-17T18:26:00.001-04:00

The following pics are of the valences I made for the dining room window and the kitchen window......made from toweling sold by the yard!!! I used vintage checks in Cherry on a natural background....they look very pink in the pics, could not get the lighting just right.....

I used a simple seeded voile panel underneath for the summer.....had to close them because of the glare.....think you can tell how cute these are....just like grandma's...

This is the kitchen window, its the best I can do sorry for the glare!!!

The toweling is cotton and made by Moda, which is a very popular fabric house, and hemmed on the long sides, so all you have to do is hem the 2 ends.......now about the rod pocket......because I did not want to lose the stripes at the top by folding over to make a pocket......I bought 3" seam binding, its cut on the bias and works very well for a rod pocket, and sewed it to the back.........easy peasy!!! I also have a set in blue and white which is more than 20 years old , and still looks great......been using these towels for years now!!! They need to be pressed while still damp and use starch to keep them crisp looking.....just like grandma's farmhouse style!!!

You can go to http://www.quilterstudio.com.........or/ go directly to Moda's website.......

Am joining Pink Saturday......

Cold cream jar

2011-06-16T23:51:00.001-04:00

Pretty aqua jar with French labels just listed on my website......

Perfect for bath or boudoir....

Brown bottle with seashells

2011-06-16T23:48:00.000-04:00

This is a new listing on my website......very rich chocolate brown glass bottle, decorated with lush satin ribbon in ecru with seashells around the neck......come see.....

I'm back in business!!!

2011-06-05T00:15:00.000-04:00

Thanks to all who left helpful comments on the blogger issue!!! Deb from Marionberry Cottage put me on the right track by telling me to download Mozilla firefox and go to the blog from there.....and my goodness....it works!!! I can now visit and leave comments and feel like I have a new life now.....who would have thought I'd miss something so much??? Hope to join parties again this week.....thanks again for all the responses....hugs.....cleo

blogger

2011-06-01T00:50:00.000-04:00

I continue to be very frustrated with Blogger!!!! For two weeks now, I cannot leave any comments on the blogs that I visit!!! That makes me very angry because I have visited some of the most amazing blogs with the most wonderful features and I can't let anyone know how much they are enjoyed!!!! What is the answer here???? Any one else having this problem??? Help me......

Happy Birthday Pink Saturday!!!

2011-05-27T14:55:00.000-04:00

These two dolls of mine are having a little tea party to celebrate Pink Saturday's birthday!!! The first doll is from France, given to me by my brother who was stationed there while in the Navy.....the second is a collection doll given to me by my sister.....I was born on a Saturday and this doll is the "Saturday's girl must work for a living" doll.......they are both very special to me!!!

The little china tea set for two is a vintage find quite a few years ago.....so cute!!!

Bookends

2011-05-25T00:36:00.000-04:00

I forgot that I took pics of the bookends I made last week!!! These are so cute.....used linen fabric for the fronts that I stamped with Italian poetry, sayings and Pisa stamp.....backs are a plaid homespun....but you could use whatever fabric matches your decor. They measure 4" by 6" with a 1/2" seam inside and filled with tiny fish tank gravel......you could use other fillers, but I wanted to make sure they were heavy enough to hold the books.....tell me what you think....

Yellow for May

2011-05-24T19:08:00.000-04:00

ECS colors party this month is in yellow, and I have just a few little things to share with you....

These little pitchers are part of my larger collection, all are pottery and I've had them since I was a young girl...

I love this little majolica pitcher with the basket weave design and its lavendar/pink glazed insides.....small custard cup is yellowware and very rare....

The pear shaped little tea pot or creamer was a gift from a friend who thought it went well with my yellowware collection, and she was right...it is so sweet!!! The shakers are Mt. Washington milk glass, with a berry and leaf decoration, and feature 4 cute little feet!!! The original tops are unusual and very pretty.

Thanks for stopping by, hope your day is sunny!!!

My Whites

2011-05-23T20:35:00.000-04:00

White seems to be so popular nowadays.....I like it in the farmhouse style, it speaks of simplicity, honesty, and just plain wholesomeness.....if that's even a word!!! However, it is not for me, I prefer color....but I do have a few pieces and they called to me to make a cool and serene tablescape for early summer......

I added it to the buffet-scape from Spring, and changed things up a bit!!! Love the aqua/blue pieces with it and then I added yellow and some purple....

The shakers are blue milkglass, even though they are an aqua color, they still call it blue!!! The large one is a muffineer for sugar, in the quilted phlox pattern. The large white platter was my grandmother's and used for homemade macaroni......vintage bottles in the mix.....and shells from JoAnn's, I am no where close to a beach!!!

Another muffineer with bird, sand and insects, also milk glass......

Marble eggs on ironstone compote....

This beautiful hand made pottery pitcher was a gift from my daughter....the colors are just perfect with this setting!!!

Don't know if I am satisfied with this scape yet....I put in some twisted sheer ribbon to add some softness, and will probably continue to mess with it all week until I am crazy!!!! Joining Marty......stop by.....

Windows 7 Help

2011-05-17T00:43:00.000-04:00

Hello my blogger friends....does anyone have Windows 7 out there??? I am trying to figure out a program that comes with it called 'Paint'........I use it to work on my photos.....now I'd like to use it for clip art to combine two pictures into one......can anyone help me??? Thanks....

Yellowware

2011-05-10T01:48:00.000-04:00

I have been Spring cleaning, its finally been warm enough to have the windows open and freshen things up a bit.......these pieces are on the top of my kitchen cabinets and part of my very favorite collection of yellowware and some spongeware. It gets a bit dingy up there from all the cooking and baking going on around here, so I only keep washable pieces up there, and now they are shiney bright again!!!

You can see a part of the new valence I made using dish toweling you buy by the yard, it is a cherry red plaid on natural. Also made the matching one for the dining room.

My kitchen is very small, but I do love it, and it is still my very favorite room.......can't show you the whole room because there is just sooooooo much stuff in there!!!!

Rabbit PIllow and Spool

2011-05-09T18:13:00.000-04:00

I got this darling graphic from The Graphic Fairy and made this sweet pillow and matching spool for my BFF for Easter, thought I'd share!!!

There is a similar one for sale on my etsy shop or my website......www.designsbycleo.net

Happy Mother's Day Pink Saturday...

2011-05-06T18:17:00.000-04:00

Some shakers in pink from my milk glass collection.....

I painted this Theorem quite a while ago, did one exactly like this in a gold frame for my mom one year.

Wreath I made, which hangs over my bed......

Happy Mother's Day to all you lovely ladies.....we are all moms.....!!!

Spring flowers at last!!!

2011-05-06T11:31:00.000-04:00

Finally, there are some flowers in my garden and my pear tree is in full bloom, hooray!!!!

Only one tulip left after the deer have ripped them all out!!! That's okay, poor things, it was a hard winter......the white violets and grape hyacinths are by far my most favorite flowers.......I pick tons of these and make little bouquets all over the house!!!! Those violets have been transplanted from house to house with me.........

Praise God!!!

2011-05-02T11:52:00.000-04:00

Land of the free, home of the brave!!!! Thank you to all our forces who have given their all these past 10 years.......you are the best!!! God bless America!!!

Pink Saturday with Milk Glass

2011-04-30T00:14:00.000-04:00

I love pink milk glass, it has such a creamy feel to it and is so soft and just darn ....pretty!!!

Have a great weekend and hope the sun is shining by you!!!

Pink Lusterware

2011-04-25T17:15:00.000-04:00

These are some of the pieces in my lusterware collection made in England.

This sauce boat is my favorite, it is the only one with a figure of a person on it!!!

Pink Saturday

2011-04-23T00:59:00.000-04:00

I have some sweet Easter/Spring things to share with you today....nothing in pink!!!

Oh wait, there is some pink in the candies!!! Are these toooooo cute?? I couldn't resist them, there is a bee and a lady bug too....and look at those chocolate carrots!!!!

These little lambies are very vintage from West Germany, the smaller white one has tiny green glass eyes, such a treasure!!! The egg was made by an old dear friend from Russia who sat at my kitchen table with a ball point pen and decorated a blown out egg!!!! No pattern, just off the top of her head!!! The iron rabbit is a place card holder....could only afford the one!!!

Birdcage is a recent buy from HL with a coupon of course, tucked in a birds nest in dark brown with aqua eggs on shredded pages from an old dictionary.

I love this little velvet chick, am always on the lookout for the velvet figures....

One of my mom's linen towels graces her antique walnut end table......thanks for stopping by.....

Easter bread

2011-04-22T11:17:00.000-04:00

Spent the day baking yesterday and the house smells soooooo good!!

This is the dough before rising, used 8 eggs for this batch......

The dough is then shaped and covered for the second rising, here it is brushed with egg and ready to go in the oven......

Here they are cooling before wrapping....will set a table later for Easter breakfast!!!

Pi Nu girls!!!

2011-04-22T00:40:00.000-04:00

Just recently, after tooooo many years, I hooked up with my sorority sisters from college, many living in this area.......went to dinner last night and had so much fun and a lot of laughs. Here we are, I am the third from the left...

We are planning a weekend get away in September.....if you are a Pi Nu Epsilon girl from Alfred Tech, back in 1966, please contact me.......

Rabbit Pillow

2011-04-20T13:40:00.000-04:00

Sweet pillow and cute things just listed......

Pretty in Pink

2011-04-20T00:05:00.000-04:00

Jusst added this little boutique style, bath set to my website.....designsbycleo.net

Sweet pink linen tea towel.....

Floral soap dish with soaps and tag.....

Fancy shmanzy vintage style perfume bottle.......sweet Mother's Day gift......

Rednesday

2011-04-19T18:21:00.000-04:00

I treated myself to grocery store roses last week.....the color was so yummy, and the smell divine and the price was right at $7.99 a dozen!!!

Easter/Spring

2011-04-18T18:53:00.000-04:00

We had snow yesterday and today......my daffodils were crying.......but inside Spring has sprung and Easter decor abounds!!!

This little dresser is in my dining room, and I have brought out my little suitcase for an Easter vignette.....my older brother was in the Navy when I was very little and he brought this darling suitcase to me from Italy where he was stationed. It always held doll clothes, and someday I will show those to you, but today it holds a nest, sweet plate and little book from ME.......

The white rabbit is a gift from a dear friend.......later, will show you what I made for her.....

These are alabaster, marble and agate eggs I have collected since......oh, so long ago!!!

These little cuties are on my counter.....just to keep me company!!!

This is an antique apple bowl holding many kitchen implements and treasures....and some carrots for you know who!!!

These little chickies are circling a bowl of dried split peas on top of a pine cupboard also in the kitchen.....

This antique corner cupboard graces my front foyer and is probably my very favorite piece of furniture......from an old farmhouse in Penn., it was built right into the corner of the dining room.....

Wishing you a Blessed Easter and hope that Spring will soon be everywhere!!! hugs....Cleo

Pink Saturday

2011-04-16T13:31:00.000-04:00

I am joining Pink Saturday today with pics of my window ledge in the kitchen.......a ceramic watering can filled with hot pink and pale pink crocus, my favorite duckling and a ceramic basket with decorated egg.

SALE !!!!!!!

2011-04-14T11:40:00.000-04:00

Many items at 15% off until April 22nd......come visit.....http://www.designsbycleo.net/

Cottage colors party at ECS

2011-03-31T11:21:00.000-04:00

The color this month is green, and it is not a major player in my home.....but have just a few things here in my kitchen. The glass items are Jeanette depression glass. The small tea bowl and saucer are stick spongeware. Small mug is a new yellowware piece with green grass........small saucer also stick spatterware......and my only green dishtowel!!!

New shadowbox frame

2011-03-28T21:57:00.000-04:00

just listed on my website.....http://www.designsbycleo.net/......new pillow too!!!

Spring

2011-03-21T17:35:00.000-04:00

Somewhere.........I know its Spring!!!

In the meantime, I've brought some Spring to the Dining Buffet...

I'm loving this faded blue/aqua color for Spring......watering can from TJM.....candlestick from Pier I....garden trug from Home Decorators......

Similar rabbits available on my website..........http://www.designsbycleo.net/

My shamrock plant is still very happy!!! Happy Spring!!!!

French Kitchen Accessories

2011-03-13T21:24:00.000-04:00

Just added these sweet towels and pot holders to my website.....in the French gallery....tags are included and are great for a gift!!!

Pink Rabbits

2011-03-11T11:48:00.000-05:00

Going to join Pink Saturday with my newest rabbits!!! They are tooooo sweet and waiting to leap into your home for Spring.....made of cotton fabrics and hand scrunched silk ribbons and seam bindings.....

Available on my website.....designsbycleo.net....in THE WARREN.....

The Warren

2011-03-09T00:36:00.000-05:00

Leaping rabbits are making their way into my website shop.........stop by and take a look at these cuties, each one is unique and soooo sweet!!!

Each has a curly wire hanger, perfect for a door knob, drawer pull, cabinet knob, or even a bed post!!! Many more will be arriving....

Spring Tabletop

2011-02-28T19:06:00.000-05:00

I cleared off the buffet and am gathering items for a Spring display....haven't decided yet.....am still gathering....all aquas and pinks.....here's some shots of the possibilites...

Those books are Nancy Drew from my childhood.....the perfect color, don't you think???

Purple February

2011-02-28T13:33:00.000-05:00

This month's color is purple......at ECS.....

Latte Pillow II

2011-02-23T19:24:00.000-05:00

New pillow for the Latte collection!!!

New Handmade Goodies!!!

2011-02-23T19:22:00.000-05:00

These are new nut cups I made and listed on ebay........flora-blue-quilt......is my seller name.....

Nut cups for Easter!!!

2011-02-20T10:34:00.000-05:00

French Latte collection coming this weekend on my website.....www.designsbycleo.net.....stop by!!

2011-02-18T17:23:00.000-05:00

Think Spring!!!!

2011-02-10T17:03:00.000-05:00

Some of us are soooooo ready for some Spring sunshine and warmth......these sweet items are new on my website and hope they make you smile!!!

Blue Monday at ECS

2011-01-24T11:32:00.000-05:00

Etsy Cottage Style is hosting a Blue Monday.....and these are my additions.....and we are really blue here in up state New York with the cold!!!!

I Found It !!!!!

2011-01-19T00:50:00.000-05:00

Yes, its here, my little electric stove and many of the cooking implements.....dug it out of the basement, dusted her off and set her in my kitchen...I am so excited!!!

I spent many happy hours, cooking and baking.......had tea a hundred times a day......cooked oatmeal, baked cakes.......my mom would give me a portion of what she was cooking on the big stove such as a spoonful of peas or corn, and I even fried potatoes in the frying pan......yes, that's a set of Revere Ware on the stove!!! The singing tea kettle lost its lid.....

And I did the same with my own daughter, gave her portions from the big stove and we cooked together....what fun that was, she loved baking the best, and of course, making tea!!! and those wonderful tea parties we had....

even found my little electric iron....in RED....of course....