FIRST GIVEAWAY OF 2012

Well, I finally got around to getting my ceiling medallion installed. My installation assistant has been sick for the past 2 weeks and this was not a one-person job!

As a matter of fact, the job was much more painstakingly difficult than I had imagined. But really, that's always the case. I want things done, Zip Zip, at the snap of my finger. My plans are always GRANDE but the reality of it is, I usually run out of time and/or energy before I actually accomplish all that I want to. Working long hours at my job leaves me only Saturdays and Sundays to get to that "To Do" list.

At least I've been able to cross off another project as Done and I'm happy with how it turned out.

Now onto the GIVEAWAY part of this post.

Some of you may remember, at some point last year (don't quite recall at which point) I had my Blog overhauled! The look of it drastically changed (for the better) thanks to Professional Intervention in the form of Sharon from Plumrose Lane.

And now, I will share some of the love with one of my followers who will win

a

Custom Blog Theme Basic Package from Plumrose Lane.This package will include 1 Background

1 Banner

and a set of 6 Sidebar Buttons.

Sharon is a freelance graphic artist currently studying for her Bachelors of Fine Arts degree.

She is a generous Blogger who provides a bunch of tutorials & freebies on her blog so please go visit and have a poke around ... there is so much to see!

I thoroughly enjoyed the process of starting with a vision for my Blog and then having the expertise of Sharon to put it all together and make it come to life.

If you want to be entered in this Giveaway and you're a Follower, simply leave a comment on this post and you'll be entered to win. I'll select the winner on Valentine's Day - February 14th!

Good Luck!

CEILING MEDALLION

I have patiently been waiting for the call. 

I knew it was going to be sometime after the holidays as I placed my order

way too close to Christmas Day.

Today was that day!

One side of the family pick names for our gift exchange and as I've been told, no one wants to choose me (they think I'm difficult to buy for).  Are they for real???

In order to make it easier for the poor sucker who had the misfortune of drawing "Lisa", I decided to ease their burden and picked my own gift.  I knew it wouldn't be ready in time for under the tree, but that was okay because I was getting something

I really wanted.

I was disappointed today when I saw the size of the package.  I expected to see some strong men struggling with a GINORMOUS box instead of the one man who approached me with my parcel tucked under his arm.  I am terrible with numbers when they relate in any way to some kind of measurement so that set of numbers (width, depth, length) beside the item description, meant nothing until today. 

I like my details BIG and FLASHY and BOLD and although this ceiling medallion is smaller than I envisioned, it still is very pretty and I'm sure will look beautiful,

paired with my chandelier.

I'll share more once it has been installed.

After being away for so long, I'm having to relearn Blogger all over again and I haven't 

quite mastered it yet.  I've missed linking to some blog parties and I'm still working on my post that will announce my Giveaway!  I'm excited and I will have it figured out hopefully by the end of  the week.

Cheers - Lisa

I'M DREAMING OF A SPRING GARDEN

Undoubtedly this is the time of year I find myself longing for
my Spring Garden.

The desire to be surrounded by the unequivitable beauty of nature and its flowers is so great, I take pleasure in whatever form I can find it in.

The soft textured petals of a silk rose;

A pretty chintz floral plate;

The delicate hand-painted bouquet on a vintage tole tray;

An African Violet in the purest of white, neatly tucked away in
a cherub planter;

Some dried hydrangeas right out of my own garden.

I'll even cherish the ceramic variety of flower!

So whether it be

Cloth ...

Cardboard...

China ...

Porcelain...

Dried...

Silk

or Glass

I will delight in an alternative type of bloom until I can get back outdoors and into my Spring Garden!

Hope you're all enjoying a FABULOUS week!

Stayed tuned ... I have a Giveaway Announcement coming soon!

Cheers - Lisa

TWENTY-TWELVE NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION

I promise ...

...to be a better Blogger and not only NOT neglect my Suburban Retreat but also NOT neglect my email account associated with my Suburban Retreat.  I do hope to keep these Resolutions better than my prior intentions to “Lose Weight” ... 

"Quit Smoking", "Exercise Regularly, "Eat Healthier" and so on!

Our Blogland is full of many Wonderful, Caring and Thoughtful individuals.  Hugs and more Hugs to all those who thought of me during my hiatus.  Sometimes bad things happen to good people but my life is back on track and I start 2012 with renewed Enthusiasm and Optimism.

I purchased this two-piece pine hutch off of Kijiji for $70.00.




The plate slats were removed to give it a more 'updated' look.  The entire piece was primed with Kilz.

I need some colour in my life so after much contemplation I selected this shade of Green

Further contemplation had me resand the top and then apply a walnut stain.  The drawers were painted in a cream colour.

Never one for doing things in a proper sequence, I then searched for a co-ordinating fabric to tie the entire piece together.  Spray adhesive glued the fabric to my back wood panel.


 

Nothing like a little colour to brighten one's world during winter's bleakness!

Some new hardware for added 'bling'!
 

I rushed this project to complete it just in time to be dressed for the holidays.

 Happy New Year to all of you and may 2012 bring you Peace, Joy and Good Health.  I look forward to visiting with you soon.

Cheers - Lisa

Addendum - May I add "Aquire More Patience" to my Resolution List?  After a long Blogger absence, this post has taken me 3 hours to complete!