Slipcovers in Progress

Thanks, Sally, for the kick in the pants I needed! I'm making serious progress!!

The couch has saddle stitching down the back, so I'm doing that on the slipcover too. It adds a little detail to the back instead of just a big expanse of flat fabric. It's a small thing, but it makes a big difference.

You can see where the cats have scratched the hell out of the couch, and where 10 years of dirt and grime have taken over. I can't wait until it's all hidden!!

This is what the linen looked like after I washed it in warm water and dried it in a hot dryer. I'm serging all the inside edges of the slipcover so that I'll be able to wash it. Linen just gets better with washings!

Stay tuned for "after" pics--coming soon! (I hope)

NY Botanical Garden Part 2

Rhoda at Southern Hospitality is having a garden party today, so I thought I'd join in! And since I posted pictures of my OWN garden just a couple of days ago, I figured I'd show off my Botanical Garden shots instead.
Fritillaria:

Gorgeous daffodils:

I LOVE foxglove:

and pink dogwood:

delphiniums:

stock:

I loved these daffs with the tulips intermingled:

These white tulips with the green were very pretty:

NY Botanical Garden Antique Garden Furniture Show

That orchid pic above is a teaser for all the garden pics I'll have for you in the next few days. In the mean time, check out all of the booths we saw at the show! There was some really amazing stuff. Some of the dealers really had an eye for design, and their booths were exceptional. Others were just so-so, in that they just sort of jammed all their stuff in their spot without much creativity. Overall, though, great eye candy!

This hand-wrought gate had my last initial on it! If I had $8500 I might have considered picking it up! Ha!

This potted "flower" with the lights was crazy but cute.

Don't forget to click to enlarge. There was a LOT to see.

How 'bout this chair made of old mattress springs and wire? Wild, eh?

I adored this bird cage:

This antique sprinkler reminded me of one we had as kids...used to trip over the darn thing as it spun, too! Hey, it kept us cool!!

Barbed wire balls, anyone?:

I loved this mini-bench, and the copper watering can sitting upon it:

The oval wrought iron planter on this table was right up my alley. I think it was $750!:

These salvaged windows created a great forefront for this booth. I'm going to do this somewhere on my property--make a "room" with vintage windows. (Of course, don't be holding your breath or anything...this may be years down the road...lol):

There you go! I'll be back in a few days with actual pictures of the gardens, which we slogged through in the rain. My sneakers and socks were like sponges, and my pants had wicked water up almost to the knee--but it was all worth it! I love the Botanical Gardens!!