Dis-Mantel

I really like the house we live in. Nice location, great rooms, well built. It was built in the early 70's however and there are a few more things I'd like to see disappear from that era. Our mantel is one.


The entire family room area has this rustic barn/beam wood theme. I can't say I liked it. It's on the ceiling, lining the back wall into the kitchen, and the mantel has the same faux wood. Or maybe it is really wood but not really an old barn beam. Whatever it is, I don't like it. You can see the beam near the ceiling in the kitchen. It's like molding but not the way I'd like to see crown molding.


We painted over (it was a risk I was willing to take!) the dark brown beams on the ceiling. The lighter color toned it down enough for a quick move in.


But painting the mantel the same creamy white color just didn't seem to work in my opinion. And now it is 2 1/2 years later and we haven't done anything to it. Each year at Christmas I try to cover it up as much as possible.



Every time I look at it though I think "this thing has to GO." I guess it's not THAT bad but I would like something else that looks like real wood.


While we were out antiquing, I saw these neat old mantels. I thought that might be a neat idea. Paint the brick the creamy ivory and add a vintage mantle painted to match. Maybe that's mixing up too many different looks? The family room area blends right into our "LuRay" kitchen so it needs to stay similar.



We may have to just remove the 70's mantel and replace it with something more traditional for now. Either way, it's got to be dis-mantled. Any ideas would be welcome.



We probably won't be doing anything about it now, we're still really busy with Dear Bebe.

But I am going to start thinking about it. If I get some "me" time I may try to sift through some magazines for ideas. I have a 3 ring binder where I've saved decorating ideas and pictures over the years. I'll have to look in there and see what I can find.

And there is always the internet!

Google probably won't bring up what I'd like to search for. "Ripping out ugly old 70's fake crappy wood mantle." But hey, you never know. We're probably not the first to do it.


Oh. And I forgot to mention Dear Hubs has no idea I'm ready to dis-mantle. He probably thinks it's fine the way it is.


Have a great weekend!

A Lovely Break ~ Lovely Vintage Finds

Well, I've taken a little break from Jillian's Pages. Can't say I completely stayed away because when you receive email messages it is too tempting to reply back. Sigh. I'd have to turn my computer OFF in order to really be out of the techno loop.

This past weekend I went treasure hunting...and found quite a few I couldn't pass up. I'm always looking for items with roses on them. What better inventory than this for the Bella Rosa website? When I came across these needlepoint chair covers I was excited to share them with you.

A set of 6, YES SIX, vintage needlepoint chair covers. Two in black, (as of March 27th the black pair are now sold) two in purple, and two in a lovely red. I can just see an entire dining room set covered in these. Or maybe even footstools, vanity benches or pillows! Someone told me she heard a crafter was using them to cover scrapbooks and journals. Now that's a new one! I love to hear the ideas people come up with.

Each one is uniquely hand done. It is hard to find them these days... a lost art I'm afraid. Although I know a couple bloggers who still needlepoint, which I admire greatly!

I also came across this neat little box with the vintage rose .... and inside were pieces of old tatting! (another lost art) So sweet. Then I noticed inside on the lid, someone had written a sweet note with a date of 1898.

One of my favorite finds ...these ADORABLE vintage handmade pin ornaments. The colors are so soft and sweet. Would look great in a vignette display under a bell jar or maybe even in apothecary containers.

I absolutely loved this. A sweet little mirror with the words "Our Friends" etched onto it. May have come from a vintage album...but even by itself I find it irresistible!

I've also added a new "For Crafters" category... I have many vintage items that can be used in crafts. Like these old clock faces. The possibilities are endless to use in displays or mixed media arts. Someone creative could have lots of fun with these. I'm also debating on whether to list vintage seam bindings still in their orig package...but I love to tie up the packages I send out with vintage ribbons....so I may keep them for myself! Isnt' that terrible? I'm supposed to sell, not keep. Sometimes it is hard to let things go.

I'm almost done listing but to the website, Bella Rosa Antiques. I'm trying to get them done inbetween Dear Bebe's naps and playtimes. She is doing so well. Yesterday she did some roll overs all by herself! I'm going to miss these early months when they're gone...and you are all speaking the truth when you say...the time goes by so fast!

Let's Face It

I'm becoming attached to using Facebook. This weird thing called FACEBOOK. I mean, what the heck is it, anyway? It is a "social networking" website where you keep in touch with friends, new and old, relatives, etc. It can become addicting because you can see what you entire friends list is up to each day...if they log on and add messages, photos, etc.

But it is completely up to the user. Yesterday however, the website and it's owner were in the new headlines. It appears they changed their terms of service. The new changes meant that they could keep all of your info, photos, messages, etc even if you deleted your account. They owned it and they could do what they want with it.

Well, I suppose if we are silly enough to put on any and all info that we DON'T want on there, then it is our fault. But I think sometimes we trust too much and don't realize how public we are making ourselves.

Even on these blogs.

It is fun, I admit. And I love how my family and friends can check out the blog for our latest adventures. Writing has always been a passion of mine so this helps keep my creative brain going.

But I must confess I've been feeling overwhelmed lately by it all. The blogs, Facebook, technology...instant news ...everything.

I think I'll take a little break to recharge my batteries. Not sure when I'll be back. Probably not for long, knowing me!

Bebe Dedication

This past weekend we did something very special with Dear Bebe. We had her child dedication at church. In the past I've gone to churches where they call it a "christening" or maybe a "baptism" and water is used to annoint the baby. Our church does "dedications." Well, basically it is a matter of semantics because it all has a similar purpose. We as parents, are promising to raise Dear Bebe in a Christian household and to teach her about God and how to live her life through him.

I had been stressed and concerned leading up to the morning of her dedication. What should she wear, should she wear the fancy long white dress my Dear Sister lent to us...or since our church is a little more casual, should she wear a shorter dress?

What if she starts crying again and has another meltdown during the dedication????

Sigh.

I almost postponed it 'til another time ...maybe when she's a little bit older. But, one of our pastor's is leaving, and he had been with us during our time of prayer when we weren't sure if we were ever going to get pregnant. We really thought it would be nice if he was able to be the one there with us that day. So, I went ahead with it.

It all came about so suddenly we really didn't have time to invite other family members or plan a day to celebrate when we arrived home. We did get Gramma Daisy to come over on the train so this was special for Dear Bebe.

Turned out Dear Bebe was great, it was me who cried.

Couldn't help it. As soon as we all gathered in the front pew of the church and we started singing, the tears started coming down my face. In my heart I know how grateful I am to God for giving us this wonderful gift in Dear Bebe. I thank Him for her everyday. We were also thankful to the congregation for standing up with us, promising to help support us in our journey with her as a church family. A very special moment indeed.

Happy Pink Valentine's Day & 200th Post Winner

What a post I have today. So much going on!



First, Happy Valentine's Day! Next, Happy Pink Saturday! And lastly...Congratulations to my giveaway winner!


The name selected at random is:

AMY of Four Sisters in a Cottage!

You've won the Valentine heart box with things inside like an "XOXO" sparkly word garland, stickers, vintage pc's and more! Other items that wouldn't fit will be included in your package like the pink 50's car, heeled shoe ornament, and more! I'll need your address so we'll have to contact each other soon. Thank you to all of the giveaway participants, I wish I could have selected all of you. And thank you for following along with my blog, as well.


And what a day for PINK Saturday bloggers. It is Valentine's Day, too! Hope whatever you decide to do today is relaxing and fun! Mostly, I just like to stay warm and eat good food! Chocolates are always good, too.


Dear Hubs had flowers sent to the house....roses! Thank you, honey! Happy Valentine's Day!

Just wanted to mention a side note about how special it was for me last year on this day. We found out we were pregnant with Dear Bebe. It was very cool and a year later I look back and can't believe it all. She is here now and we love her more and more each day. Definitely the best Valentine's Day gift I've ever received.

For more Pink Saturday fun...check out the huge list of participants over at Beverly's blog, How Sweet the Sound.

Thoughts on Valentine's Day

With Valentine's Day fast approaching...do you find it difficult to buy your sweetie a gift? Well, we all know what they REALLY want...lol but let's just think about the material things for a minute.

I really struggle with finding something for Dear Hubby. He is a tricky one. He likes probably almost anything I buy...but sometimes I discover he didn't really use it or like it in the first place. I suppose the WORST gift I ever bought for him and yes, I am admitting this....was a George Foreman grill.

Looking back now, I can see this was a bad choice. ( I even broke my own rule, no appliances!) We were dating at the time and I thought this was a great gift. I thought he loves to grill and during the winter months, he can use this George Forman grill inside the house.

What I didn't realize is that men love the challenge of going out there in sub degree weather and firing up the grill to cook a steak. They change the "Brrrrr!" into a "Grrrrrrr!" and head on out there waving their spatula's like it's a sword and the plate the shield. This whole scene, to me, is outrageous and silly. Not to a guy.

I think his favorite gift (besides the other kind of gifts we haven't mentioned here...ahem!) would be a DVD I created, set to music that meant something special, using photos of us from when we were dating, etc. He really appreciated it and still likes to view it together every now and then which is neat because we always feel gushy and mushy and say "awwwwwwww" look at us back then. Most of the computers now come with these programs already loaded onto them and they are very easy to drop and drag your photos into. But if you can't make a DVD, how about a scrapbook or photo album?

There's always a special dinner you can make...or you can go out. But if you're like me, and you live in cold temperatures, I don't like going out in the snow and freezing weather. We usually go out to a fancy restaurant but this year we are going to see a movie at our church called "Fireproof."

What was the best Valentine's Day present you gave your man? The worst? I'd love to hear about it.

Special Award & And I Won, I Won!

This weekend we had some really nice spring-like weather. A sign that things will get warmer soon. Usually just a teaser though...but I look forward to them in February as this is usually when we get one or two of these type of days.

We took Dear Bebe out for a stroll around the neighborhood. I really needed the exercise and fresh air. Made me look forward to having a daily walk with Dear Bebe when the weather finally breaks and we have spring full time.

When I returned home from our stroll and a quick run to the grocery store, I found this is my email inbox:

Michelle from I'm a Little Teapot had sent me a sweet award. It was just what I needed yesterday, too. Despite the warm temperatures I was well, I don't know, just not having a good day. So sometimes as you're sending these awards out from your blog and you wonder if they really are doing any good...I can say they are! It was so nice to hear from Michelle and to read what this award is all about. Special blogger pals. Here's a description of this special friends award:

These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbon's of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these kind writers. When you pass the award along please include these guidelines. I am to choose eight friends to share this with.

So I would like to say THANK YOU! How sweet of you to think of me.

And now I would like to pay it forward by sending the award onto:

Sassafras & LuLu

MJ's Sputterings

The Daisy Chain

OliverRain

Creative Chaos

Jillian, Inc.

The Stone Rabbit

The Pink Boutique

You have all remained special bloggers to me during my time posting on here. If you've already received the award and posted it recently, no worries! And if you haven't received it yet, go ahead and grab it! I would have listed my entire blog list...but the "rules" say to name eight. But I really felt you all were deserving of the honor.

And now I'd also like to mention in this post that I won a giveaway! Yes, yes I did! There was a fun giveaway going on over at OliverRain and I was one of two recipients of a handmade market bag. She is so talented so I can't wait 'til it arrives so I can show you. A big THANK YOU for such a lovely prize.


With all that goes on in our busy lives, the technology that crowds out the solitude in life, it's nice to know it can bring a little sunshine, too. Let's face it, blogging is FUN!

Pink Saturday & 200th Post Giveaway!

Welcome to my Pink Saturday post. It is also my 200th post today! Whooie! That's a lot of stuff I had to share and to say!

First let's see what I am showing for you today in pink. It is very easy to find pink things when you have a baby girl in the house. Here are some sweet things she has received recently in pink:

This sweater set is ADORABLE! It is a gift from a sweet friend of my Mother's. My Mother is known in blogland as Ms. Daisy of The Daisy Chain. I was touched her friend thought of sending a gift to Dear Bebe. And from looking at the tag on the sweater, I think it is vintage so I love it even more.

I love the little rosebuds!And look at the ties on the feet...with a rosebud on each foot! Too cute!

And this little pink velour outfit is from one of Dear Hubby's co-workers. The little blue foot and hair accessories are from Grandma M.
A pretty green and pink bib and towel set (with her name custom done on the front of each) from one of my bestest gal pals, Mrs. W. She and I worked at a TV station together and were roommates. We even toured Europe together. Now we both have families and try to keep in touch whenever we can.

And now, for the giveaway celebration. I'd like to offer this pretty Valentine Heart Candy box full of neat items, plus other pretty things from my collections. I've even dug into the inventory from my Bella Rosa Antiques.com website.

You'll receive some pretty ephemera to use in scrapbooking, crafts or display. A sparkly word garland for Valentine's day, ribbons, vintage keys, a coral pink ornament shoe, the pink 50's car and more!

To enter all you have to do is leave a comment here on this post and add me to your blog follow list. Winner will be announced next Pink Saturday, February 14th, on Valentine's Day!

For more pretty pink things, check out Beverly's page at How Sweet the Sound.





Unfortunately due to the upgraded postal rates, I am only able to offer the giveaway to residents in the continental US at this time.

A MeMe for You

Well it is always fun to write when the topic is about yourself. I've been tagged by Ms. Daisy over at the Daisy Chain. I apologize for my lack of linking to other people's blogs today...short on time while watching Dear Bebe. Maybe I can do it later on tonight.

For now, here is what I did to fulfill the MeMe tag:

Answer the following questions.
Tag 5 other bloggers.
Let them know they have been tagged.

1. Name 5 things in your purse:
- Sunglasses
- Cell Phone
- Business cards for my website
- Change jangling around at the bottom
- Keys when I can find them

2. Name 5 things in your work room:
- Antiques to sell on my website
- A proudly framed college degree (Bachelor of Arts)
- 3 Ring binders full of ideas, Inventory lists, Geneology Records
- Stacks of paper I can never seem to throw out or organized
- Dear Hubby and his half of the office (always a mess!)

3. Name 5 things you are into:
- Antiques
- Cooking (really!)
- Dancing
- Learning more about my baby daughter
- Doing things with Dear Hubs

4. Name 5 things you always wanted to do:

- Have a family of my own (check)
- Go to Europe (check)
- Have a career (check)
- Open an antique shop on a trendy/artsy street
- Travel again to Europe but this time with Dear Hubby and Bebe. Show them my
favorite spots in Italy...then go over to Ireland, Scotland.

Pick 5 bloggers

MJ of MJ's Sputterings
Country Charm By Betty
Mary at Crash n Smash
Jen at Sanctuary Arts
Jennifer at Dust Bunny Hostage

I will let you gals know asap...if you happen to read my blog today....wonderful! And if you've already been tagged for this...my apologies for not checking first!

Be back soon for my 200th giveaway post tomorrow!

Raggedy Ann & Andy

Dear Bebe receives gifts from all over ...to my amazement. Dear Hubby's co-workers, relatives, friends of Ms. Daisy's, and even some sweet blogger pals! I am always touched when someone sends a gift to her. Somehow with all of the baby commotion early on, I forgot to show you a very special gift from Bebe's Aunt Kathy:

And I do apologize to Aunt Kathy for taking so long in posting about this sweet gift. Aunt Kathy collects R. Ann's and R. Andy's so this is really neat that she is passing some along to Dear Bebe. She is going to love them and they will remind us of Auntie K when we play with them. If we play with them. I played with my Raggedy Ann but she ended up losing her little pantaloons and apron because of it.

I could look at it two different ways. She'll get lots of enjoyment from playing with them...but they may get "ruined" in the process. What do you think? To use or to keep stored on a shelf?

Bebe Milestones

I know. I'm one of those "Look at the baby!" kind of Mom's. Well, I can't help it...she's growing so fast!


We play in her "Fairyland Gym" everyday...trying to build up those little muscles.
Look how well I'm holding up my head and shoulders!

She is going to have us wrapped around her little fingers. If not already! Sigh.

By the way, I'm having my 200th post giveaway this Saturday for "Pink Saturday." So in order to have it work out, I have to have a double post either today or tomorrow. Stay tuned!

Vintage Rose Postcards, Valentine Candy Boxes n More!

Whew! I just finished listing some "new" items to my website, BellaRosaAntiques.
And I say "whew!" because I am doing this inbetween Dear Bebe's naps, etc. I also want to apologize to the gals on my email list. I accidently sent it out twice! I will make sure next time that doesn't happen. The saying "haste makes waste" couldn't be more true.



But anyway, here is what I have to offer this week plus more not seen here. With Valentine's Day around the corner, this is always so much fun.



This is a "double layer" sized candy box. Marked Martens' Chocolates from Summit, NJ. I'll have to do more research on this little beauty. I love the vintage decor on top.
Another Valentine Candy Heart Box. This one is covered in a hot pink satin with a pretty rose and netting decoration. Also marked Martens' Chocolates.

A very unique rose pocket vintage apron. It is so sweet!

I love these. My maternal Grandmother had one in her dressing area. I always thought it made her seem so exotic and fashionable. I love the "French Ormolu" detail.

Always adorable, kittens! This aqua and gingham apron is a unique longer length. Possibly came from a Mennonite home to cover a longer dress or skirt? Just a thought on that one.

And classic vintage shakers for your collection or as some of the gals have requested for glitter and crafting.

Don't forget we have the glitter word garlands...they're not just for Christmas. Choose from LOVE, XOXO, KISS and more!

Also just listed: A Christmas apron, another vintage jewelry box, vintage ROSE postcards...two are signed C Klein. Some are printed in Germany. They have the most gorgeous graphics!

Hope you're having a great day. I'm trying to keep warm and stay one step ahead of my little Bebe. Hoping to post a new picture of her soon.

Groundhog Day ~ Haven't We Done this Before?

Photo courtesy of Associated Press

Groundhog day. I wish I could find more joy in it. The only joy being of course, that this not so attractive critter would predict a spring that is RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER! But he predicted six more weeks of winter. What? Surprise surprise. Yawn. I'm not enthused. It is a good thing I am not there when they set the little guy down for his shadow demonstration. There I would be asking...are you sure? ARE YOU SURE? I think I saw something that looked like I shadow. Take another look! Can we try that again?

I did read in the news this morning about Punxsutawney Phil:

Since 1886, Phil has seen his shadow 97 times, hasn't seen it 15 times, and there are no records for nine years, according to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. The last time Phil didn't see his shadow was in 1999.

The only thing I have to say about that is...1999 was a good year. And what happened during those other nine years?

Here at Jillian's Pages we actually have our own groundhog. I've named him Gordy. Gordy the Groundhog. Dear Hubs threatens to shoot him every year but because I have named him (Ha!) he's not allowed to touch him. I haven't seen Gordy come out of his hole in a long time. I wouldn't come out either if I were him.

So, another boring Groundhog Day. To lift your spirits, rent Groundhog Day, the movie. It will be sure to bring a smile to your face if you're like me and find today's news on the depressing side. We can do it...what's six more weeks?