Red skies at morning

and John is still snoring

John yells out - What are you doing thumping up and down the stairs?
Suzan says - I DON'T thump - I gently ran downstairs to take a picture of the sky - you have to see this - it's just magnificent
John says - What time is it?
Suzan says - It's 4.56
John says - WHAT???????????????????
John says - you ran out in your nightgown at 5 in the morning to take photos?
Suzan says - Yes - because within minutes it vanishes
Suzan says - You see, now you've missed it................

John says - I'll take your word for it......................
John says - And the next time I see you snoring away with your gob wide open I'm going to run around the house moving furniture and running in and out with the back door slamming - and
Suzan interrupts - You really should start a blog you know.

I do not snore -
I do not have a gob - I have a mouth - and it remains closed when I sleep
I'm pretty sure about that.

The lilacs are starting to bloom

love the color of this one !

especially as it tucks into the old ladder

Does anyone know what type of tree this is?  They look like miniature pom poms !

I received a package in the mail last week from Kris at Junk Chic Cottage - I'm sure you all know who I'm talking about - the Queen of Shabby?  If you don't know her - please do yourself a favor and drop in for a visit - be prepared to be there awhile because her blog is as bad as pinterest ( you all know I mean that as the ultimate compliment, right? ) Shabby chic perfection !!!

Here's what she sent me !!!

This is the prettiest whimsical tote - and it's MINE !!!
Kris said it made her think of Soda & I - Soda's holding my paintbrush for me - how adorable !!!

There's writing on the inside - it reads..................

and that's not all - OMG - that's not all - look what she put in that package !!!

Oh Kris - I can't tell you how thrilled and touched I was by this over the top generous gift

John says - Why do people keep sending you presents?
John says - AND WHY DO YOU CRY EVERY SINGLE TIME THEY DO?
Suzan says - clutching a paintbrush like a microphone - BECAUSE, JOHN " They like me - They really really like me !!! "

( I don't have to explain that line, do I lol ? )

Blogging has been a blessing that was bestowed upon me - plain and simple - the friendships made - the laughter shared - the inspiration gained - I can think of no other word than what it is - a blessing.

Red skies,
Lilacs
And precious gifts from afar........................

Some days you could almost burst with happiness - and you think to yourself
What a wonderful world.

Much love,
L'artiste et sa muse
( AKA Suzan )

Sharing with ♥

Adorned from Above                                The Charm of Home                        The Shabby Art Boutique
French Country Cottage                            My Turn for Us

Painting regular furniture to use outdoors

Good morning everyone !

We picked up a table and 4 chairs this weekend ( for a song ) to use outside - I also had a pair of cane chairs that I wanted to use outdoors.  I started this project in January ( well the painting the fabric on one chair part ) and then tucked them into the mud room because there were so many other things that needed to be done - and it was winter

But it's summer now - and we needed some nice comfy chairs to plunk down in after trying to organize this backyard

I hadn't painted fabric since I helped Caroline from Piorra Maison paint this gorgeous piece ( HERE )

I was having a S.T.U.P:I.D day and forgot to take a before shot but here's the after

SHOCK ALERT - I did NOT use chalk paint on the body of the chair - I had a couple of tins of this pretty aqua spray paint - and because the sides are cane, it just seemed like the easy thing to do

I DID, however, paint the cushions with chalk paint - pure white ( this is after 1 coat - I have to do another
I think )

In case anyone wants to try painting fabric with chalk paint - it's best if you dampen the fabric prior and apply the paint on to the dampened fabric right away.

AND NEVER, BUT NEVER apply wax on anything that you're going to keep outside - the wax will melt
( unless you want to wax your thighs every time you sit in them in the sun :)

Next up !!!

 Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend - the swamp pool gets started today

 The ducks made themselves scarce yesterday - nary a one and the ground hog must have been sleeping in
 Heavenly peace because we didn't see it either :)
 Oh Happy Day (s) are here again

 Have a great Monday
 Much love,

It's Party Time !!!
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