Sunday 28 April 2013

It's All In The Detail......

 

 
Well my Lovelies, I've found my Zoom!
 
 
No, I don't mean I've suddenly found some energy! I've found my Zoom...
 
 
On my camera.....
 
 
I got very excited when I discovered how easy threading a needle was with reading glasses.....imagine my excitement when I found my Zoom!
 
 
I was beside myself, what joy, what glee! I've told you before, I don't need diamonds to make me happy, what I didn't realise was....all I needed was a Zoom! A whole new world has opened up to me!
 
I've always marvelled at the beautiful photography I see in Blogland, there are some very talented Ladies out there. They turn the Ordinary into the Beautiful. I on the other hand, can turn the beautiful into the ordinary....just with the click of the shutter!
 
Oh well, at least I now have my Zoom! (I would just like to add at this point, I HAVE been using this camera for over a year now, and no I never read the instructions!)
 
You may find lots of photos of The Details popping up in my blog over the next few weeks....I apologise now, I've yet to learn about focus, perspective, lighting.....
 
Thank you to all those who have just started to comment on here, this next week I will hopefully find you in Blogland, I'm hoping to go on a little expedition soon....there's all sort of treasure out there when you go looking! And thank you to all of you Sweet People who regularly pop in to say Hi :) x
 
Bedroom update: unfortunately, I've had a little accident, not with the old paint pot, no, with my knee! I bumped it on Thursday, I can remember the pain, and the mutterings under my breath, but I can't for the life of me remember what I banged myself on. Am I getting old?!
 
Anyway, I now have a red, very sore swollen knee...not a good look, (hope it settles down before I need to get out the old shorts, not any time soon for us in the UK!). So poor, poor Mr Bea is doing the decorating all by himself! It's a good job because we almost kill each other when left in the same room with paintbrushes! Progress is a bit slow, although I hasten to add he's doing a sterling job!
 
Eldest Bea, to add insult to (actual) injury, in a very accusing tone said
"Well aren't you going to help Dad!" She does love her Dad, bless her. When I pointed out to her that in fact I had spent, ALL WEEK, painting wardrobes, and it was actually very painful to stand, she replied "Oh..OK then!" Kids!
 
Bye for now,
 
Ada Bea.....Who's found her Zoom! :) xxx
 
Etsy: I will be adding some wallpaper packs in this week....
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oh yes, and I've yet to learn how to photograph Etsy goods so they look at least half decent!!! xxx
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Friday 26 April 2013

There's A Little Bit Of Magic.....

 

 
Something very special happened to me yesterday, something I'd like to share....
 
Do you believe that there's such a thing as A Little Bit Of Magic? Some people call it Karma, others God's work, others a little bit of magic.
The universe smiled down on me yesterday, a little piece of the jigsaw fell into place....or rather a parcel landed on my doorstep!
 
 
The lovely Mezz sent me the most beautiful present. It solved my 'problem', answered my prayer!
 
I've painted the wardrobes, chosen the colour for the walls but couldn't quite decide on the curtains....I'd thought perhaps this...
 
 
Which is beautiful, and the turquoise is a perfect match to the wardrobes but not quite enough of it. But then my parcel arrived with this!
 
 
PERFECT....and just enough, I will have to be very careful and not make any mistakes, but it perfect! Karma, God....I'm not sure, but THANK YOU! And THANK YOU Mezz, you are fantastic, and you didn't know my dilemma, you didn't know my quandary! You've just made a lady over the other end of the world very, very happy!
 
And I have the PERFECT wallpaper too!
 
 
Not enough to do a wall, I'll have to think out the box with this one. But I'm always thinking out of the box.....so nothing new there!
 
 
(Even my letter matched my parcel.....just look at the latest White Stuff Catalogue, perfect!)
 
Mezz, who's a fantastic musician, also sent my daughter her latest CD, it's great....had a great dance around the kitchen yesterday! Eldest Bea says "Thanks.....It's Cool" :)
 
This came at just the right time, not only because this is the weekend we start painting the bedroom, but because this weeks been a difficult one. I can't share here because its not mine to share. It's been a week where I wish children weren't so cruel to each other.
 
Yesterday I also picked these......
 
 
I love the idea of The Little Green Shed's Nature in the Home, so thought I would give it ago...looks lovely, yes?
Stinks though! Mr Bea walked in the house and wanted to know where the cat had gone for a wee, so we no longer have Nature in the Home! I'll choose something with a nicer fragrance next time!!!!
 
This morning I made these....
 
 
From an idea from Patchwork Harmony Blog, bit of washi tape, old jar and 5 minutes!
 
Thanks for reading this, thanks for visiting, thanks to those of you who leave me your thoughts, it really does mean a lot!
 
Back next week, with hopefully the bedroom revamp...although Mr Bea is doing most of the painting so it could be in a few weeks! Off to pop some cotton wool in my ears, he doesn't half moan when he's got a paint brush in his hand!
 
Ada Bea- very happy receiver of parcels! Especially those that answer prayers! :) xxx
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Thursday 25 April 2013

This moment......

 
This moment....in my home.
 
This moment....I am grateful.
 
This post has got me thinking.....thinking how grateful I am, with what I've got. Thank you Claire. Thought provoking words.
 
I love my home, it's cosy...(not upstairs at the moment, that's just messy until our bedrooms finished, but I'll just gloss over that!), its homely. When friends visit they say how relaxed they feel, how comfortable they feel.
 
It's brought and paid for, we've worked hard over many years to pay off our mortgage, gone without, made sacrifices. And I'm so glad we did, we would have lost our home. I didn't know my life would change.
 
I reached a crucial point in my life a few years ago, I had two choices. I could either feel sorry for myself, ask why me, and risk getting sucked in to a downward spiral. Or I could just 'get on with life' think positively. Just take things one day at a time. Be grateful for what I have.
 
I chose the latter. Not because I'm better than anyone else but simply because it seemed the easier option, the simpler one. Why waste your energy on negativity? Thinking why Me, why Us? Any energy I do have might as well be put to good use, don't you think?
 
So this moment I'm grateful, for my lovely colourful home. That I can go into my daughters' rooms and sit on their beds, and know how lucky I am to have them. I can go into our bedroom and look at my newly painted happy wardrobes, I will be soon be sleeping in vintage heaven! Stand in front of my lovely little cupboard and grin like a Cheshire Cat! (Thank you all for your great response!)
 
I am Oh So grateful, for my colourful vintage sheets and wallpapers, (I'm really enjoying chopping them up to make more wallpaper packs!...coming soon!)
 
Yes, this moment. It's a good one.
 
Hope your moments are good too! And if they aren't too good at the moment, I really hope you'll find some strength within you, to find a more positive place too be.
 
Ada :) xxx
 
 
 
 
 

Monday 22 April 2013

Little Cupboard Love....

 

 
I wish I could just shrink myself down to just 3 inches high...
 
 
I could then live in my little cupboard......
 
 
I LOVE my little cupboard....it's colourful, happy, full of vintage loveliness.
 
 
But unfortunately, I can't shrink.....so I'll just have to keep my FQ's in here!
 
 

Well, you've got to keep them somewhere, haven't you!

 
So my lovely little cupboard....will sit on top of my big cupboard, obviously NOT on a slope, that's just daft!
 
 
 
And keep my wonderfully delicious FQ's safe and sound!
 
I was in two minds whether to paint this little cupboard or leave it alone. I actually liked it how it was, I love the fact that someone years ago, cobbled it together using up bits and bobs from around their home, but now I'm glad I did.
 
As I was painting and sticking the wallpapers in, I thought about who had originally made it, who was it made for, what did they use it for! I won't ever know....and they won't know how I've changed it, how I've updated it, to fit into my colourful home. To become useful again.
 
 
I'm might not a brilliant at sewing, crochet is always going to be a challenge for me. I can't bake for the life of me, but I think I've found my love.....turning an old treasure into a new one! (I will just have to keep practicing with the sewing and crocheting!)
 
 
 
Bedroom renovations are coming on at a very slow pace, one wardrobe done and I'm starting the second later. It's booooooring, I want to crack on but I've chosen oil based eggshell paint, its taking about 16 hours to dry before I can put the next coat on!
 
But it will get done, then I can do my favourite bit, putting the finishing touches to the room! Love that bit, don't you?!
 
Has anyone seen 91 Magazine? It's a great online magazine from the author of Patchwork Harmony Blog. If you get chance take a look, it's has the lovely Candy Pop featured in it. She has a gorgeous home!
 
As always, thank you so much for spending the time to leave comments, I love reading them.
 
Bye for now, back later in the week!
 
Ada Bea.....old cupboard lover! :) xxx
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

Saturday 20 April 2013

Hello.....

 

 
Hello Lovely People!
 
Just to let you know I might not be around much over the next couple of days....busy painting wardrobes!!!
 
The bedroom transformation has begun....only one room-but the whole house looks like a tip!
 
Busy....busy......
 
 
Just learnt how to stick photos together in a group....getting there, way behind everyone else....(but I'm huffing and puffing at the back somewhere- give us a wave!)
 
Thank you all for your kind comments on my last post I've replied to everyone under their comment, I was very touched, thank you!
 
I'd just like to let all those who read my blog over in America, that I am thinking of you all....it's been a very difficult week for you, such a lot of heartache :( xxx
 
Ada xxx
 
I'll pop back here and give updates...aqua and pink....yum (Mr Bea just rolled his eyes when I announced the colours....good job he loves me.....)
OK...now where did I put that paintbrush.........
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Thursday 18 April 2013

The Kindness of Strangers.....

 

 
Most of us don't know each other, we wouldn't know each other if we passed in the street, we are in effect.....strangers. Yet I don't feel like we are. We feel like kindred spirits. You understand the joy of creating, the joy of sharing your achievements, with me! (oh and everyone else reading of course!)
 
Yes, you might not be popping over to mine for a cuppa and a chat, but it feels a bit like you do.
 
So what compels us to spend our time, lovingly making something....then give it away, to a stranger? The joy of making, the joy of sharing?
 
 
I've been pondering on this today......
 
 
as I opened my lovely, lovely, giveaway from Heather....thank you so much Sweetheart, it is BEAUTIFUL!
 
We share such a lot in our blogs, we try and keep things upbeat, but also share when things aren't so great. There's a lot of support out there, doesn't matter if its practical support you need, or a virtual hug.....it's there, never very far away.
 
 
I'm a very open, honest person in 'real' life, but I'm also very private. You will find me closing my curtains as soon as the lights need to be switched on. I don't like people peeking into my home as they walk by, ironic isn't it....after all I share my home on this blog!
 
 
I don't really understand it myself. What I do understand is how much this little space means to me...how much the 'chats' I have with you inspire me, make me smile.
 

 
This little garland is making me smile too, that someone would put their time, effort and their love of what they do into it....then give it to me. Who they don't know! It's amazing really isn't it, don't you think?
 
 
I've also been smiling at the sun shining on my fabric today...the colours have been wonderful.....I'm soaking those colours in, I really do think colours have a profound effect on me. My little garland is helping in my quest to create a colourful, calm and happy home. Thanks again Heather :) x
 
Talking of peeking...I've finished this today, will share soon...
 
 
Just a little peek.....
 
Thanks for visiting, and thanks for the 'chat'! You are all really, really good listeners!
 
Ada :) x
 
 
 
 

Wednesday 17 April 2013

What Do You Do With The Seams?

 

 
And, no I'm not talking about The Sewing Bee, although I am enjoying the programme. It is however putting me off having a go at making my own clothes, gosh the stress! (Those of you outside the UK, it's a dressmaking competition!).
 
 
Sometimes I wrap them around an old fashioned peg and give them away to friends as presents....don't they look sweet....oh, and I usually wrap something else up too, they don't just get a peg!
 
 
I thought I'd do something else instead, so out came Mr GG (glue gun of course!) and one of the many lampshades I seem to be acquiring, another addiction me thinks....
 
 
A very worthwhile hour....well I think so....
 
 
The girls wanted to know what it will look like when it's finished.......oh dear! It actually looks much nicer in the 'flesh', the colours are so ice-creamy and soft.
 
Thank you for your comments on Minnie's bed, she's taken to it like a duck to water!
 
Welcome to those new to VSA, hope you are enjoying your visits. As you can see from my previous posts, I'm mainly painting and playing with wallpaper at the moment....that's because Clarice, my sewing machine, still needs some attention so I really need to get my act together and get her serviced/fixed!
 
 
My hexie quilt waits patiently, I REALLY should do some more!
 
My little cabinet has a coat of paint, a few more to do I think then I can share it with you!
 
Bye for now....
 
Oh and my Etsy shop is now open again!
 
Ada :) x