Our Guest Room

We have two bedrooms on our main floor and two bedrooms upstairs.  One of the bedrooms on our main floor we use for my husband's office and one is our guest room.  It will probably be changing in the near future as our daughter, Laura, (who also posts on this blog) and her family are moving here.  The bedroom set in our guest room was hers as a little girl and we will be giving it to her for her daughter, Rhynn.

My mom, who will soon be 92 years old, made the afghan on the bed.  She is still doing well and staying active although she doesn't crochet much anymore.  The bedspread is a mattelasse that I got at HomeGoods and the floral is from JCPenny's many years ago.

The wreath on the wall was one of two that hung on the church door for Laura and Ryan's wedding.

In the corner are two wedding pictures - one of my husband and me and one of Laura and Ryan.  We both had the same deep pink in our weddings.  I got the chair at my favorite second-hand store, which has now closed.

The pillow on the bed was a gift from a friend.

This room is on the front of our house, which faces south, and the sunshine is always pleasant in here.

I had planned on taking pictures of the other side of the room but before I could get it done we moved the furniture out of here and took it to Laura and Ryan's new house!  So, things will changing in here and I'll post when I figure out what to do.

Love and blessings!

" Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels." Hebrews 13:2

P.S. - I've linked up with Treasure Hunt Thursday #137 at From My Front Porch to Your  

Covering a seat cushion

I recovered this window seat cushion several months ago.  It was originally yellow and not as thick but when I recovered it I decided to make it a little more comfy.

I originally  bought 2 pieces of 1" foam at Walmart so I just bought two more pieces. It's now really comfortable.  My grandbabies like to sit here and watch what's going on outside.  This window faces South and the sun is great on a cold snowy day like today.

I cut two pieces of fabric the size of the seat with 1/4" seam allowance on each edge.  In other words, I made each  piece 1/2" larger than the foam.  I then measured the circumference of the cushion and cut a strip of fabric wide enough for the sides.

If you don't have a continuous piece of fabric for the sides make sure to place your seam so it won't show.  I cut two pieces so that my seams fall on the sides of the cushion up against the wall.

Then using your circumference measurement again, you need to cover a length of piping.  The rule for this is to cut the fabric on the bias but I never do. I used a solid blue for the piping and just laid my piping along the length of the fabric to cover it. Then I trim it off.

I used to cover long lengths of piping before I started but then I had seams falling in the wrong places.  So now I cut a piece of piping for each job and cover it.  It looks a lot more professional.

You then lay your piece of piping a long the edge of your fabric - right side up - and using a piping foot or a zipper foot sewing closely along the piping.  Sew your piping around the entire edge of your top and bottom piece of fabric.

When you're sewing around the corner, you'll want to cut the piping so it will turn more easily.

Then sew the side piece of fabric to either the top or the bottom.

You'll want to use the piping foot when you attach the sides to the top, sewing as close as you can to the piping.

After you have your sides sewn on, add your bottom piece, leaving the entire back of your cushion cover open.

I would usually leave just an end open and slide my foam in but foam doesn't slide - at all  You can use spray adhesive to make your pieces of foam stay together and put the foam cushion into your seat cover.  You'll need to sew the back edge together by hand.

When I made my curtains I made the length about 4" shorter so that they would fall to the top of the cushion.  Then add your pillows.

I'm sorry these pictures aren't great.  It's really hard to take a good picture into a window.

Have a wonderful week!  It's a blizzard outside today here in Michigan with a high of 12 degrees.  A good day to stay in, sit in a window seat and read a good book.  And that's what I'm going to do!

Love and blessings!

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever."  Psalms 111:10

Thank you!

Thank you to Dana, at This Silly Girl's Life for featuring our Christmas living room on her blog!  Her blog is beautiful and I know you'll enjoy it!  Go check it out!

Christmas Entry

Well, my table arrangement didn't last 24 hours and I had to decorate it for Christmas!  Not surprising!
So here is the new table - all decked out for Christmas...

I added a touch of blue with a pair of vases filled with Christmas ornaments and a stack of gifts.  I wrapped the base of a small artificial tree with burlap that's printed with Christmas greetings.

I also added a wreath with a burlap bow with silver trim to our new mirror.

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I've always read that your entry should set the mood for your whole house and now I feel it does.  In years past I've kept small wrapped gifts near our entry to give to unexpected guests.  Simple things like a pretty candle or a pretty jar of treats can share the 'Christmas Spirit' without spending a lot of money.  

Don't pause as you enter the rest of the house or you'll be 'caught' under the mistletoe!

And I gave the wreath on our front door a makeover as well to match the new decor!

 The little cross on our door says, "As for me and my house, we shall serve the Lord."  Joshua 24:15  It was a wedding present and has been on our front everywhere we've lived - Colorado, Alabama, Indiana, Virginia and Michigan!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Love and blessings!

"As for me and my house, we shall serve the Lord."  Joshua 24:15

Front Hall Table Reveal

If you like to decorate your home you probably understand when I say that the word 'done' just never applies.  During this past year as I redid our entire main floor, my husband would occasionally ask, "So, are you done in here?"  Which honestly is really surprising since he's been living with me for the last few decades.

So you'll understand when I say that I'm showing you my front hall table but what's on it will probably change several times in the next few weeks!  I never feel like I'm very good at creating table vignettes.  When I look at pictures that I like, I love a lot of 'stuff' on a table, but when I do it, it just looks cluttered to me.

I didn't want the traditional arrangement of a mirror, two lamps and a flower arrangement but I'm not really sure what I want.

Here's the table finished but not stained yet.  If you'd like to see how we built  it click here.

 After Mark had 'finished' the table he told me he had two boards left over.  I reminded him he hadn't added the 'x's' and he laughed and said, "That's what those two boards are for!"   We're a team!  :)

Mark and I put plastic sheeting under the table and also raised it up on blocks of wood so that I could get to the very bottoms of the legs.

I used a sander to sand the table well, rounding off all the corners to make it appear older.  (That weird little green thing in this picture is the hull from some paper whites I had sitting on here - not a bug.)

I first followed the instructions on the Minwax Pre-stain applying a coat all over and waiting 15 minutes before applying my stain.  I used Minwax Gel Stain in Aged Oak.  I applied it with a brush rubbing it in well and following the grain of the wood.  I wore plastic gloves. It took me a good hour to apply all the stain.

You should do this in a well ventilated area as the stain really stinks and will give you a headache if left to accumulate in your house.

I finished it about 3:30pm and let it dry about 24 hrs.  I then lightly sanded the top again with an extra fine grade sand paper.  And it was finished.  The Minwax is a stain and sealer so it's really all you need.

I laughed when I looked at these pictures because if you look closely you'll see accessories change from picture to picture.

It'll probably be different tomorrow.

I got this great mirror at Joss and Main.  I love their website and have ordered several things from them.

The table looks a little small to me after having the bench here for so many years.  But it's really not.  The fun thing about making furniture is you can custom it to fit your space.  The table is 36" high and over 5 ft long.  It's just a big wall.  

I may experiment tomorrow and decorate it more for Christmas.  I just wanted to try things that I already had on it to figure out what I like. 

Also, see the updated version here.

Have a great rest of the week!

Love and blessings!

"Teach me to do Your will for You are My God.  Your Spirit is good.  Lead me in the land of the uprightness."  Psalm 143:10 

I'm linking up with these parties:

Miss Mustard Seed

Christmas Tour

It's Christmas time in Michigan!  Outside, it's a winter wonderland and inside we are enjoying the warmth of family, fireplaces and food!

If you've been following our blog you know that we have been redecorating.  Our Christmas decorations were also changed to match the new decor.  Come on it and take the tour!

The Entry Hall

The Livingroom

The Dining Room

The Family Room

Merry Christmas from the Brandlys!  We hope you are surrounded with family and friends this Christmas season as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Love and blessings!

" And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.  (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)  And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.  And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)  To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.  And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.  And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.  And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.  And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.  And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.  But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.  And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them." Luke 2:1-20

PS - I've linked up with Frommyfrontporchtoyours  She is having a great link party of Christmas mantels.  Check it out!