Welcome to the MP Blog for interior decorating tips & advice, MP Store Updates, community notices, news from the MP Website, and much more! Along with great design information, I hope to offer inspiration and provide suggestions to help you transform your space into your own fresh vision! Please see the About Us section for more about the Melon Patch Home & Garden! Enjoy!
Posted By Elizabeth on February 22, 2012
Corbels come in many shapes and forms , you can buy new ones or find old ones at antique stores . In our area a great source is Legacy Hardware www.legacyvintage.com.
I found this desk that was done by Sara Richardson , who if you have seen her T.V shows shops at Legacy Hardware.
Great little project for Chalk Paint , in this photo the colours that would work well from Annie Sloan Colours. Pure White and Primer Red.
Until Next Time
Elizabeth
Posted By Elizabeth on February 21, 2012
Duck egg Blue is a greenish soft blue.
It is wonderful with Old White , used over Chateau Grey and Aubusson Blue.( Two colour distressing)
In it’s pure form it works well with the following colours
Primer Red
Aubusson Blue
Until Next Time
Elizabeth
Posted By Elizabeth on February 21, 2012
Visit www.shadesofamber.com and see how they transformed their concrete floor with Annie Sloan Paint and Floor Lacquer.
Until Next time
Elizabeth
Posted By Elizabeth on February 18, 2012
Sewing and Junking have enriched my life , taught me many skills , made my home unique and interesting and helped my children foster their creative side.My daughter is an Industrial Designer and my Son a talented home builder renovator.
.
My Family came to this country as immigrants and we did not have a lot, at a young age my mother and father got me a sewing machine ( a treadle which makes me sound ancient ) the only one they could afford , it was really for my mother( she never did have time to learn but at 73 I thought her to make a string quilt which I will share with you down the road) but she had to work all the time to help with getting established in this Canada.
I spent a lot of time alone, but we had a neighbour who had I think 6 or 7 kids and she sewed, I spent a lot of time there because I was an only child and asked he to help me sew something. I was hooked from then on and played with the machine it was my toy. my first project and I still have not forgotten was a red gingham blouse with ruffles, maybe that’s why I am so fond of red .
Then along came my husband who loved woodworking and we hunted for antiques which he re purposed and our first home together was all homemade. We were an oddity way back then, people did not do those things , and I remember a relative commenting that you must be really poor to be buying all this junk. Little did she know that we were trend setters before our time. It gave us many hours of pleasure and I still have many of the items from the early days.
You don’t need a fancy sewing machine or a lot of tools. We can all do it , everyone has a creative side the important thing is to tap into something that gives you pleasure .
Enjoy the simple things in life it will make you a richer person.
Until next time
Elizabeth
Posted By Elizabeth on February 17, 2012
Posted By Elizabeth on February 16, 2012
Visit www.blueeggbrownnes.com
This is a photo from their site. Wonderful inspiration.
Until Next time
Elizabeth
Posted By Elizabeth on February 5, 2012
Landscapes by KATHERINE WORTEL
“ COUNTY ROAD PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY ” Acrylic on Canvas 16 x16
“ LEUTY LIFEGURAD STATION ” TORONTO Acrylic on Canvas 16 x16
“ INGALS HEAD GRAND MANAN ISLAND” Acrylic on Canvas ” 16 x16
Posted By Elizabeth on February 4, 2012
I live in the country and along my road they are starting to purne the apple trees, and few years ago I collected some of the branches and forced them to bloom inside. I was very happy with the results .
It is nice to go for a walk on Sunny Spring feeling day to pick the branches.
Forcing Instructions
Select branches that are at least 12 inches long and have lots of buds
Cut branches from the tree or bush with pruning shears or scissors and trim the ends, removing any smaller twigs and buds toward the botton 6 inches of the branches ( any part that will be under water once in a vase a will rot )
Using sharp scissors or kitchen shears, carefully slit the branches at the end in several directions. The slits should be about a quarter to half inch long.
Mash the slit ends into hard surface so the ends splay out slightly to encourage the branch to absorb water .
Completely submerge the branches into a container of cool to lukewarm water so that no parts are sticking out ( a bathtub or laundry sink are good palces ) and leave to soak over night.
Place the branches upright in a bucket or their vases and move to a room or area that doesn’t get a lot of natural light , ( a closet or basement) and leave fro a week or two until the buds begin to show little sing of colour. You will need to add water as needed.
Move to their permanent location , and enjoy the blooms! The flower will take 1 to 3 weeks to reach full bloom and may last and additional few weeks . My dogwood branches last for about a month.
I also add fresh tulips to the vase a nice feeling of spring .
Until next time
Elizabeth
Posted By Elizabeth on February 3, 2012
I love painted floors and since the upstairs classroom at The Melon Patch is being
revitalized, I may just paint the floors ……..
Here are some inspirations;
A note about the Lacquer: the Lacquer will slightly darken the paint , it is a matt varnish, and there is a very slight sheen to give it strength.
Easy to use two coats for areas of high traffic and only one for bedrooms.
Enjoy!
Barcelona Orange/ Paris Grey
Paris Grey/ Pure White
Antibes/Pure White
Annie Sloan Chalk Paint cover 140 to 150 square feet and Annie Sloan Lacquer cover 10 square meters approx 107 square feet.
These products are not toxic and there is very little odour and it is soap and water clean up.
All photos are from Belle Maison Blog
Until Next time
Elizabeth
