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All Things Home

1886

In 1886, Grover Cleveland, the 22nd President of the United States, was in office.  R. L. Stevenson wrote “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”.   The Statue of Liberty was dedicated in New York Harbor on October 28th.  John S. Pemberton first introduced Coca-Cola in Atlanta, Georgia.  And this table cloth was made.  Aunt Nancy is my husband’s great, great aunt and this table cloth was discovered in her attic.  His family knows I love and appreciate antiques, especially family pieces, so they gave it to me. Can you imagine how long this lace work took to make?  I’m impatient when I’m waiting for my pictures to load, so I can write a post.  I would’ve had a tough time finishing a project like this.  “Things of quality have no fear of time” This table cloth is evidence of that. Don’t miss your chance to win a crochet camera bag.  Click here

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More on Drop Cloths

First of all, can you believe how cheap the contestants made drop cloths look on HGTV Design Star!  I kid of course.  Well, sort of.  Drop cloths are cheap, but they don’t have to look like it.  If you slap a drop cloth from the package directly to the window (especially with some pieces of a taxi cab bag tied to it, a la Design Star), it’s going to look cheap.  If you reuse them in creative ways, they can look fantastic! This French chair was upholstered in a bleached drop cloth. Slipcovers were made out of drop cloths for all of my dining room chairs… …the pair of wing chairs in my family room and the sofa in my living room (yet to be revealed.) I used a little leftover fabric to make a slipcover for an ottoman in my guest roomas well.I wrote a post about working with

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Saturday Finds & Other Things

First of all, make sure you check out my guest post over at Shabby Chic Cottage.  I contributed a project for the 12 Days of Handmade Christmas in July.  Hobby Lobby already had some Christmas decor out, so why can’t we on the blogs?   I do not let having guests stop me from hitting yard sales.  So, Saturday morning, I dragged my in-laws and two toddlers out with me “hunting for treasures.”  It was a hot day, so there weren’t many sales, but I did find some good things.  I bought an antique riding toy… …a pair of baby wooden shoe forms… …and silver plated creamer… …and two antique garden tools.  All for $17.00. Not a bad haul for a hot day.  It’s been a little quiet on my blog, because I had time to work on my living room sofa slipcover.  My MIL and I made one last push

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Measure Twice, Hang Once

First of all, I decided that I am not going to host FFF this week (again.)  I am a guest judge on The CSI Project for furniture makeover week, so if you have something to share, link it up over there and I will be picking ten of my favorites and one winner.  Will it be you?  I love decorating with plates.  They are cheap, pretty, and versatile.  I buy a good transferware or iron stone plate whenever I see them at yard sales, antique or thrift stores for a reasonable price.  I am putting the finishing touches on my dining room and that involved hanging some plates to flank the archway into the living room.  Here are some tips for hanging your plates in a nice, straight line.  I’m hanging a collection of three on a small piece of wall, so I measured the width of the wall and then divided it by

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Mom’s Afternoon Out

My husband has had a lot going on lately and that means I was in desperate need of a break.  Yesterday, my husband stayed home with the kids and gave me the afternoon out.  Woo-hoo! While I was looking through the piles of junk at my favorite antique haunt, I had a thought that I needed to buy something for you!  My readers.  Well, for one lucky reader.  I’m creeping close to 2000 followers and that calls for a celebration and giveaway.  I decided I would put together “Miss Mustard Seed in a Box” for the winner.  Don’t get worried.  I’m not going to pop out of a large crate that’s delivered to your door step.  I’m going to put together a box of goodies that is very “me.”  Here’s a sneak peek of one of the items…  If you want a hint of what else might be included, you can

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Cupcakes & Craig’s List

First of all, I am a guest contributor over at The Design Confidential today, so be sure to check it out! I know it’s cruel, but I couldn’t help sharing this picture. I have taken a lot of flack from the teenagers who hang out at our home ( my hubby is a youth pastor) for having a “Fresh Cupcake” sign hanging in my dining room with no fresh cupcakes to back it up.  So, I finally came through. In addition to baking treats that I had to get out of the house immediately, I’ve been trying to unload some furniture (for a change) on Craig’s List.  My furniture stash is out of control and overwhelming, so it’s time to thin the herd. I put this Ethan Allen cherry wood dresser up for sale and yesterday I received an e-mail from someone who wanted to take a look at it.  I recognized

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Workshop Series – All About Fabric with Jami from Freckled Laundry

There are times when a new blogger comes along and you just know their blog is going to be awesome and a daily read.  Jami from Freckled Laundry is one of those special bloggers.  She has a beautiful style, great pictures, and informative content.  Jami has a passion for textiles that rivals my love of furniture.  She also knows her stuff and was willing to share that overflow of knowledge with us today.  Thanks, Jami, for taking the time to teach us more about something you’re passionate about.  “Hello. I’m Jami, stopping by from freckled laundry and completely flattered to be guest posting on Miss Mustard Seed’s Creative (and very inspirational) blog. Thank you so much, Marian! When I’m not completely absorbed in my blissful role as mom of infant twins and a second grader, I’m transforming my home into a vintage chic cottage on the cheap and creating handmade wares for my shop.

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Do you really think I’m mean?

I had so many people send me e-mails and comments asking for a tutorial and fabric source for my dining room curtains.  Come on, ladies!  You’re my girls.  Do you really think I would leave you all hanging like that?  All you have to do is pay $50 for the e-tutorial and I’ll tell you everything! Just kidding. Here’s the dish…for free. ‘Cause you’re my girls.  Don’t be scared if you’re new to sewing.  If you can cut, measure, and sew a (semi) straight line, you can make these.  They are very forgiving. First of all, these curtains are “dummy panels”, which means they are non-functioning drapes. My fabric is 58″ wide and that was ample for my windows.  If you need the curtains for privacy, you’ll want to measure to make sure they will close and provide you full coverage. Cut your fabric to the desired length.  I wanted to hang

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I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

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