From Drab To Fab

I couldn't stand to look at my comforter another minute!  It was an inexpensive bed in a bag set, that has long since served it's purpose, and Ducey's favorite thing to do is jump into the middle of the bed then roll around until it is a mess!!!  Keeping our rambunctious Wheatie in mind while shopping for a new comforter, I have yet to find what I am wanting.  Also, do I want to change colors?  Paint the room?  So until I decide.  I decided.to lighten it up and give it a new look for the warmer weather, I put my white matelasse spread on, and folded a spring quilt over the foot of the bed.  I bought this quilt several years ago.  I loved the colors and detail on it.  Greg was never crazy about it....too feminine.  I thought I had matching shams, but couldn't find them, so I put a set of pretty slips on the extra pillows, and layered a couple of pillows in similar colors on the bed.  I put the soft bear I recently bought on the bed, knowing full well that when Greg saw it he would make a terrible face and I would move her back to my sewing room.  I need a new dust ruffle, and now the curtains look bad with the spring colors in there.   I am still on a hunt for a new comforter set, so this is temporary.  But it sure freshened it up in there.  Here is the before.
Drab..................

And thirty minutes later....Fab
Okay..maybe not fab..but better than drab.

The hope chest I recover every time I change the colors in there.  But for this quick change, I layed an antique quilt on top in similar colors.   That gold dust ruffle looks awful.  I made this one from the valance that came in the bed in a bag set. My curtains I love, so I hate to have to change them.  They are just panels, but the two on the outside are more sheer and I drape them up over the rod during the day to let the sun in.

I gathered up my pile of magazines by my bed and put them in a new basket, along with the other essentials I reach for every night.  Lotion, chap stick, my glasses!!  

These two quilts above were made by my great grandmother. Clara Eliza Wright.  My grandmother, Nana's mother.  And remarkably, I remember her well.  She died in her late 90's when I was about 12.  I don't recall her sewing in my lifetime, but Nana says she quilted as most women of her generation did.  However, Nana never learned.  These two quilts are quite damaged in spots, but still look great when folded and displayed.  I have a third one, that is in perfect condition.  My mom had that one hanging on the wall of the bedroom of our family cabin in Big Bear.  I have it now, and will share that one later.  Having become an avid quilter myself, more than 10 years ago, I cherish these pieces of history. Of  MY history.  Knowing that they were made with my greatgrandmothers hands, makes them even more special to me.
Sitting here in my bed right now, I am thinking already that I will change the pillow slips from the ones I put on today, to another set I just remembered having that may go even better.  And who knows, it might all be changed again next week to something altogether different. 
Aftter I changed the bedding, I did something else.

Bissell Pro Heat 2X....I LOVE YOU!!!   I needed to have my carpets cleaned.  For the price it would have cost, we bought this instead.  I have now cleaned the entire house.  WHAT a difference!  This machine works fantastic.  The best price I found for this machine was at Sam's Club.  I feel it was well worth it!
Leaving you with  a couple more pictures. Once is of a flag I bought  in Temecula on Saturday. 

My friend Jae and I went out to see a couple quilt shops, and we had a most perfect day!  We went to the quilt shops first, and found all sorts of wonderful things.  And then we poked our heads into another dozen or more shops.  Had a delicious lunch at a burger place that was listed in Diners, Drive Ins and Dives.  And ended at a great little thrift shop where we found even more treasures.  It was a great day.  Our husbands were camping with their mens softball team so we were footloose and fancy free. 
This afternoon Mr. Sweet Life pulled in from his camping trip with the boys.

It is sure good to have him home!!!  Tomorrow I will show you the goodies I got on our shopping trip to Temecula.