A Picture Paints 1000 Words!!

Well ... actually ... it really only needs to paint ONE word ...

Yes ... our cosy Federation style cottage that has been home for the last 11 years will soon be someone else's home, as we took another giant step towards achieving our 'dream house' move. And boy oh boy ... was it a NERVE-WRACKING experience!! There we were, tucked up inside where we could hear the auction proceedings in our side yard but not be seen. When the auctioneer couldn't get an opening bid, we nearly passed out in the lounge room!! Then when bidding stalled at a much-too-low price, we nearly had conniptions again ... not to mention that the mother-in-law who was with us nearly had to have an oxygen mask applied. :0) However ... at the end of the day, that one-word red sticker went onto the signs and its over to the mortgage broker and financial adviser to work the final magic to make our move a reality. PHEW!!

So ... as you can imagine, there hasn't been much stitching happening over the weekend here at the Meares' Madhouse. I DID make some good progress on a new stitchery project on Friday when the Fabulous Fiona came to sit and stitch with me in front of the heater, but no stitching Saturday or Sunday. However ... I thought you might enjoy it if I shared some of the pics of our cottage as you've never seen it before ... NEAT and TIDY! Tee! Hee! Hee! Ready for the ten cent tour??

You always start at the front gate, right? So come on in ...

First stop ... the guest room featuring our restored brass bed, an ex-hospital basket cradle and just on the right hand edge you can see my Thumbelina spinning wheel. Yes ... I DO know how to spin wool ... unfortunately I could never perfect the spinning straw into gold trick, or we'd have had NO worries in buying our 'dream house'! Tee! Hee! Hee!

Next stop ... my creative cave AKA the sewing room. I love this cornflower blue ... it is such a restful colour and my sewing room has been my haven. You can see I have gathered many of my treasures in here ... a rescued cupboard that was given a shabby-chic makeover, a painting (near the window) and blackboard both created by my clever clogs blogging buddy Kerryanne English of Shabby Art Boutique, the pretty white cast iron table and chairs my Beloved Geek boy gave me one birthday and a quirky appliqué bunny quilt made by another of my clever clogs blogging buddies (I seem to collect them! Tee! Hee! Hee!) the quirky and talented Toni Alexander of The Red Boot Quilt Co. Never fear ... there is a room earmarked to become my creative cave in the new house. :0) Moving down the hall way we come to ...

... the office. I have a confession to make ... this room didn't usually look like this during our time here ... let's just say that if something didn't have a home, it went into the office. We were all quite amazed at the size of it once we shovelled out the flotsam and jetsam. :0) Do you have a room like that??? And it finally gave me a chance to set up the single cast iron bed I was given quite a few years ago. I have plans to turn it into a day bed in the new house, but it was fun to dress it up with a blue and white blanket, red and white pillows and my "Holiday In Paris" quilt ... instructions still pending ... I know Fiona ... I HAVE to get writing! :0) Moving right along before I get into more trouble for procrastinating about pattern instruction writing ...

... the main bedroom. I think this room ties with the sewing room for being my favourite. The teal wall colour is probably a bit deeper in 'real life' and teamed with the white bed, linens, cupboard, net and valance, it really becomes a peaceful haven to dream in ... I just never seem to get to spend as much time as I would prefer all snuggled up under the doona. :0)

Then you find yourself in the lounge room. The photo is a bit glarey, but you get the idea. Cheerful green with red accents make this a relaxing room to chill out in, whether we're watching a bit of tele, chatting over a cuppa with friends or sitting and stitching. 

Next in line is the recently refurbished dining room. I love how the black and white vinyl pops against the apple green of the walls and the French-influenced white and timber furniture. And this room opens into ...

... the kitchen. You can see my hutch to the left there showing off some of my pretty china collection as well as my green Depression Glass. 

So there you have it ... a quick tour of our soon-to-be-ex-home. I hope you've enjoyed it ... I know I've enjoyed having some of you drop in in 'real life' for a cuppa and some stitching, too. The new house is VERY conducive to entertaining, so I hope to be hostess to more sewing days in the future. :0)

Thank you to all of you who have sent well-wishes, crossed fingers and toes and remembered us in your prayers as we've gone through the stressful process of jumping through bank hoops, rush-renovating and putting our home on the market. Your thoughts, prayers and well-wishes have been VERY much appreciated ... and I'm sure have helped! :0) Just a few more boxes to tick and ducks to line up before our big move becomes a reality, but I'll keep you updated as we know more. It just goes to prove that with perseverance, prayers and a lot of hard work, dreams really CAN come true! :0)

I hope you have all had a relaxing weekend, whatever you've been up to and that there has been some time for you to sit back and put your feet up to relax with a cuppa and/or some stitching. Have a fantastic week, won't you. I'm off to play Polly (I know that will surprise you ... NOT!!) and then will camp in front of the heater to watch a bit of tele with my Beloved GB. Til next time ...

BEAR HUGS!

CHEERS!
KRIS