My Shabby Streamside Studio

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

The Needle Felted Foster Family In The Christmas House Village

I've always wanted a snow village. But, once I was old enough to have my own place, I never had the money and/or I wanted to wait until we were done renovating.

Believe me, this is all the decorating I had time for in prior years.

It's a good thing I waited, because a picture of a Cody Foster house in the December 2008 Victoria gobsmacked me.

I googled Cody Foster, but only came to something suggesting they were sold only 'to the trade'. So, I checked Ebay but learned they cost upwards of $40 each used.

This is what a shabby snow village should be - all pink, white, aqua, Dresden trim, and GLITTER!

The Needle-Felted Fosters: Ruffy, Mullet, Me, My King, Little Miss ZuZu, and Belle

'Till next time, stay shabby!

My Snowy Christmas Tree

Previously, I mentioned I ran out of spray snow. Then, my clever husband suggested I put some of the batting I use on the mantle for my snow village on instead.

It worked! I sprinkled some 'fake flakes' on afterward, and the effect is charming. The greatest thing is it's 100% renewable/recyclable year to year, and saves money on aerosol spray snow. The effect is very thick and dense, like outdoor displays encased after a blizzard.

Did you know that spray snow can be bought after the holidays for 70% - 90% off (80 - 30 cents per can) and stored till next Christmas? Mind you, it still works if you keep in the barn and it freezes, but it tends to come out in chunks and half the can fails to discharge.

Till next time, stay shabby!

Thursday, January 7, 2010

A Tour of My Studio

Decorating without money forces you to be creative, anyway!

Above, is my 'living room', with lace from a bolt bought at Walmart for $2/yard, and pink polyester discounted little s' costume fabric from Jo-Ann after Halloween that cost 5 bucks.

I built and painted the cabinet myself from materials salvaged mostly from the initial renovation of my old farmhouse.

I have incredible views across our clove. I can always hear the stream below. I am a very lucky !
Especially since I found an old copy of L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables at a yard sale in Andes, the book that made a growing up on Long Island in a 1970s tract home long for an old house in the country.

Lavender scents the air from a creation by Whispers from the Past. Designer Roberta Comeau only sells locally, but I hope to change that and spread the word worldwide for this very talented artist.

The c. 1830 pantry door is salvaged from my first house, the door knob I bought at a rust & dust shop on Long Island when I was still in debt from college with only a pipe dream of owning a home someday.

I loved the pink and green chippy paint on these sashes my neighbor up the road said I could have for free after I noticed them in the weeds behind his shed.

FREE IS GOOD!

The pearl 'Z' is from the dollar bin at Michael's, with a ceramic rose and ribbon from Etsy sellers (more later, I post in the library so I don't spend money on home internet connection).

'Z' is for my 4 year old daughter ZuZu.

Aunt Nicole photoshopped the mud off her face. She's a scalawag. I love her to bits.

Behind my studio rests the detrius of my unfinished renovation.

Construction photos are interesting only to those involved in the construction.

I'll do my best to not be boring on this matter.

Here's a shot of my library, with books incurred as an English Lit/Art History student at Wheaton College (when it was all women) nearly 20 years ago. There's a good amount of gardening tomes, sci-fi/fantasy, doggie stuff, and the work of the illustrious Neil Peart, drummer of Rush and author extraordinaire.

'A home without books is like a body without a soul.' - Cicero

The ladder leads to a little loft...

...as is. More later!

Welcome to the 'Love Shack'!

A view of 'mon petit atelier shabby' from my woods.

A few years ago, I decided I didn't want to live in my huge Ulster County farmhouse any longer. My dear husband had the same idea. Our four dogs loved it, too. On the web we found 14 acres of woods in the Catskills (Frank Lumia Real Estate) with a stream and tiny hunting cabin. I of course didn't have the $45,000 cash, so I refinanced my farmhouse and bought this.

The market started crashing, I had trouble selling, and ended up working two jobs to keep afloat. (Big deal, I worked two full-time jobs for 7 years to buy the house.)

But, just before I turned 40 the farmhouse sold, and without a mortgage I have the freedom to work 75% time. The transaction didn't leave me with much money, but I'm used to being a pauper by now.

Stay Shabby in 2010!

May all your dreams come true this year!
Hugs,
Sandy

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

The Tree's Progress

PC290304, originally uploaded by Sandy Foster.

A work in progress. It takes 3 - 5 days to put my tree up. This is my new $25 6' tree from Target. I start by spraying with 2 cans of aerosol snow (bought last year for half off), and this year I knocked most of it off after wrapping the branches with the lights.

Not a can was left in my corner of the Catskills. So, I sprayed the tips with white spray paint and dusted them with glitter.

It didn't get the effect I crave, like this to-die-for, desparate to emulate picture from Rose Petals and Blooms last year.
http://www.rosepetalsandblooms.com/catalog.php?category=46

O Christmas Tree

PC290311, originally uploaded by Sandy Foster.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/46037045@N02/4229445430/

As I started on the tree, I wondered which side of my Rachel Ashwell Simply Shabby Chic tree skirt I bought at Target for half off ( I almost ALWAYS buy my holiday things AFTER the holidays to save money ) a few years ago would look better.

The satin side?