It's Been A Year!

Photo courtesy of A Farm Girl's Dabbles

I cannot believe it has been one year since With A Twist's debut here on Blogger!  I'm running out the door to Nest this morning, but I wanted to acknowledge the anniversary of what has become my favorite part of my week...connecting with all of you!  I'm not an avid blogger, but like to post once a week to let you know what's new and sometimes, you might just hear me talk about family and non-related-WAT stuff!  So, it is with much appreciation that I thank you for joining me each week!  Your support means so much to me!

I look forward to another year of adventures with you!

Hugs,

Cheree

Craving Color

I'm finding that when I select furniture and paint, I go through stages.  It coincides with the seasons, which I guess makes sense.  For instance, we're in the last (hopefully) weeks of Winter and all season I have been painting large hutches, the majority of which have been painted gray!  Big, heavy hutches are a lot of work and like the cold, wet Winter weather...requires a girl to take a break!  I am craving something a bit lighter and brighter!  I am craving color!

Last week I picked up more than a few side tables, dressers and other 'smalls' and as I was loading them into the truck, I kept picturing them in light blues, turquoises and teals.  All I could think of was, 'Wouldn't this look great in a little boy's room"!  Let me remind you that my 'baby' boy will be turning 13-years-old in a couple of months, so its weird that I was so focused on furnishing a baby boy's nursery!  Maybe its because I knew I was going to spend the weekend visiting my darling nephew...I mean, can you just eat him up or what?

This little bug greeted us bright an early each morning.  There was no sleepin in over mid-Winter break!  Thank goodness he is so cute!

I went with my gut and brought a new color to my pallet.  I was in such a hurry, there are no before pics, sorry!

 Tah-dah!  I am lovin this blue!

Faded Elegance  is lookin good these days!  You will want to stop in often because inventory is constantly changing.  There are some amazing vendors there and the owner, Kimberly has new merchandise coming in as well.  






You will L-O-V-E it!

It's a wee bit cozy, don't ya think?

My craving for color has subsided for now, but I'm a girl that will obsess about it until I have one of each in every color!  That being said, I'd better get back to work!

Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy life to stop in and read up on With A Twist's goings-on.

Have a terrific week!

Hugs,

Cheree

New This Week

Good afternoon everyone!  I hope you all are having a good week!  We are gearing up for mid-Winter break and, of course, its pouring rain!  Makes for a cozy afternoon as I sit and type up this week's post though :)

I worked on just a few new pieces this week, so here is a glimpse of them...

Typical side table needing a little love.

So, a little love is just what I gave it!

This brown/green combo was a roadside find.  No wonder why someone through it out...YUCK!

So hard to tell with my less-than pro photography skills, but the ASCP Paris Grey makes it look quaint and chic!

Lots of dressers, side tables, reclaimed frames and word boxes this week :)

Wouldn't this dresser make a sweet addition to a little baby boy's nursery?

This and more awaits you at Faded Elegance.

Enjoy your weekend!

Hugs,

Cheree

Making A Difference

Happy Thursday to everyone!  I love Thursdays!  I always feel brighter and a bit happier knowing the weekend is almost here.  I was a painting fool last weekend and I plan on a much more balanced weekend coming up!  Here's just a bit of went into Faded this week...

This nine drawer dresser could be used as a buffet as well.  It's in good shape and in my space at Faded Elegance.  I don't usually name my projects, but because of its pattern of distressing, this one I named, "Mama Cow".  Did I just get put into the "weird" category?  Lol :)

This two-toned dresser is pretty basic, but I love the ASCP Country Grey and my ASCP mix of Paris Gray, Old White and Provence.  If I had more time, I would have changed out the hardware, but I was lazy decided to keep with the traditional/original look!

This little nightstand with cubby is a name brand piece (if I remember right it was Drexel on the inside drawer).  Solid little cutie in Cocoa (cubby) and Old White.

This baby was a mess when I got it,  but after a couple of coats of ASCP French Linen, it's as good as new.  If space is an issue for you, this would make a nice coffee table; otherwise it's a nice side table.

This old Pennsylvania Dutch style table was in horrible shape and since I have mostly been painting in pastels and neutrals lately, I decided on ASCP Old Olive.  My husband lovingly calls this table the 'green tamale'.  Maybe I get my weirdness from him (he named this before I named "Mama Cow")!

This weekend is the city-wide antique sale, hence my space is overflowing with new picks.  The store is looking so great and every one of the talented vendors are geared up to make you drool!  We're talkin bring a TRUCK because you won't go home with your arms empty!

You can barely see it, but don't you just LOVE the Valentine's Day cups from Starbucks?  It's the little things that make me smile :)

My mom and I took a trip down to Edmonds today to pick up some Valentine's treats at Namas Candy Store.  It's a darling little shop and we love any excuse to head down to see what's new.  After picking out some goodies, we stumbled upon an awesome boutique that supports a great cause.  Here's a bit about it...

We're a registered 501(c)3 charitable foundation and Fair Trade Retail Store. Edmonds Washington resident, Carol Schillios, created the foundation in 2002. In response to the poverty she encountered working in Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe with credit cooperatives. Carol and her Malian colleague Kaaba Soumare, established the Hèrè jè Training Center to help young women go from begging to self sufficient in 18 months.

I love this African dress!  It would be perfect with a pair of sandals and black leggings.

These instruments were super cool too!

I have an obsession with jewelry, and because I'm on a water budget  chose to use self discipline on this shopping trip (really, I did), I will just have to save up for one of these amazing rings!  They were so cool!

I did, however, choose to come home with this adorable handmade jute bag.  It was made by artisans in West Bengal, India. This group works with over 500 artisans living under the poverty line, most of whom are women.

I love my new bag and it feels good to do what I can to make a difference.  Every little bit helps and I hope you can go down and visit The Fair Trade Boutique, as well as Nama's Candy Store in Edmonds.  Oh!  And don't forget the city-wide antique sale in Downtown Historic Snohomish this weekend!  Faded Elegance will become your new favorite destination!

Hugs,

Cheree

New Projects and A Day in Seattle

Reclaimed wood frames have arrived thanks to some help from  my dad!  He did an amazing job!  These are now available at Faded Elegance.

Another new favorite in this week are my reclaimed wood word boxes.  Again, thankful my dad is handy with the saw! AND, he is totally on board with my love of upcycling!  Would you believe me if I told you some of the raw materials in these boxes once were a part of a car dealership in Lake City?  

Items are being added to this wall gallery weekly.

An "I love you" reclaimed word box in French to give to your Valentine.

The table set went to a good home on Monday, but there will be another in its place by next week.

The Tiffany blue armoire just left too this week, but there is a piece drying downstairs just as fast as it can!

I brought in a new color of ASAP this week...Old Violet (see the coffee table).  In different light it can look gray, blue or  like a periwinkle.  It's funky, but I like that about it :)

Last weekend we had a friend visiting from Florida and we thought it would be fun to head downtown to Seattle and hit some of our favorite spots.  Here's a peek at our day...

First stop, Pike Place!

I think my son is going through a stage because he is so serious in all the pics we take...believe me when I say, he was having fun and he does smile!!

So many yummy fresh fruits and veggies at the market, I could spend all day here.

There are some NOT so yummy things at the market too, like the Gum Wall!
Are you grossed out yet?

Stu and Chanelle shoppin.

After some Greek, Asian, Italian food (everyone had different cravings) for lunch (and donuts for dessert!), we headed to Starbucks headquarters to see where my husband Keith works.  It is a fairly new job for him and we had yet to see where he spends the majority of his days.

The walls are lined with amazing photos detailing the history of the building that now is home to Starbucks.

 Originally,it was the Sears building.  And, after talking with my mom, I was reminded that my grandmother use to work there in that same building back in the day!  

The first Starbucks opened in 1971, the year Worlds Fair was held in Seattle.  This is also the year I was born, so it pretty much is mandatory that I celebrate this fact and enjoy a beverage from them everyday (my husband is my barista at home, and I stop at my local SB about twice a week).  Did I mention I love coffee much? 

Keiton checking out the work space. You never know, it could be in his future too!

The interior of the building is super modern and a little jazzed out with the bright colors and industrial accents.

Past life of the building.

Presently sporting the Starbucks logo on top.  I can see why my husband enjoys work these days, its a pretty cool place.

I hope you have a fantastic week!

 Hugs,

Cheree

Worker Bee

I've been a busy worker bee this week and will be taking the weekend off to play with my family and friends.  I have a couple new and exciting products in the works and can't wait to share them with you! 
Have a wonderful weekend!

Hugs,
Cheree

First Snow 2012

Here in our little corner of the country, we rarely get large accumulations of snow.  Forgive us if we get a little crazy and close our schools when we have but an inch covering the ground.  It happens, yes, I will admit.  However, this first snow of 2012 brought 9 inches to our neighborhood!  We are on our second snow day and there will be a repeat tomorrow I have no doubt.  Bring on the sledding, snowman making, cooking baking and lazy-day movie watching because we are going to enjoy it!

This is the view off the back of the house.  Surrounded by "the forest" as my youngest used to call it, the pond is home to an abundance of critters...especially in the Spring when hundreds of frogs take up residence.  For now, the neighborhood kids (my son included) use the heavily treed area for air-soft wars and flashlight tag.

This is the backyard where our two Pomeranians usually run around.  However, considering the snow is deeper than they are tall, they are inside enjoying their entire family being home.

This is the view out my family room windows.  The snow just makes everything so beautiful!  

I have managed to use these days at home to get some projects done that I have been working on.  First up, a five drawer dresser, solid wood, no scratches or dents.

I chose Annie Sloan French Linen.  I snapped this pic before I began to sand.

 I love the way this piece sanded down.  It was a fun project for a snowy day.

The close up pic prior to this one is a more accurate show of color, my flash washed this pic out.  However, this is how it looks from head to toe :)

And on the second snowy day...

This larger six drawer with a nook is my favorite piece to date (I know I have said it before, but I just might shed a tear when it sells)!  I want it for me!  Is that so wrong?

A mix of Paris Grey, Old White and Provence created a Tiffany Blue that I fell in love with.

This piece would be perfect in a nursery or a master bathroom/bedroom.

I think I'll sit down in my favorite chair, look out at the scene above, have one more cup of cocoa and watch one more episode of American Pickers before tackling the dishes in the sink!  It's a snow day for crying out loud!

Thanks so much for stopping by and stay warm and safe this week!

Hugs,

Cheree