I know I've been posting a lot of projects "to do" instead of projects "all done," (the outdoor table linens, the breakfast tray) but such is the nature of all us magpies out there. "Ooooh.... shiny! Must bring home!" It's the siren call of junque. We can't help it.

But we will, all of us, get to all these projects. Someday. Really.

Long pause... Crickets chirping...

Ahem.

Meanwhile, let's take a look at one of my "projects to be" that I got over the summer. I found it at the local Goodwill. It was $35 and is in mint condition, and came with the ottoman too.

Okay, so it's mauve velvet. Nothing a slipcover can't cure, right?

Except for one little problem. It's starting to grow on me. I don't know if it's the subtly changing weather or the way it complements my favorite pillow, but it's definitely starting to grow on me. Along with my dratted solid oak panel bed, they're worming their way into my heart.

Let's just revisit that, shall we? I. Am. Falling. For. Mauve. Velvet.

And. Oak.

OAK!

Oh for Pete's sake. I'm going to end up with an 80's reproduction Victorian boudoir if I'm not careful! What does that say?

Anyway.

It may end up slipcovered, it may not. Or maybe it'll be a seasonal thing. I don't know yet. Also a magpie issue. We're a bit, um, flighty. Har har.

Meanwhile, I'm so lucky to have found such a perfect condition wing chair with matching ottoman for my room and for that I am grateful. That and this adorable little project made by my son just for me. What 80's reproduction Victorian boudoir would be complete without it?

What about you? Do you have something in your home that you started out planning to change but succumbed to it's charm?

P.S. If you joined in with Saturday Morning Scores on Twitter (watch for #saturdayscore) and the Cottage Magpie Facebook page this morning, thank you so much for joining in! Next week I'll be back on both sharing my finds "live" and I hope you join in!

One of my absolute favorite things is dining outside with friends. You know--on a nice patio, at a nice table, overlooking a garden with fairy lights strung about. Absolutely my favorite.

I am lucky enough to have a covered patio and the fairy lights are in the works. And I have my garden to overlook:

But I didn't have a table.

Until now!

My in-laws are moving to town, and we've been scouting the thrift stores for furniture for them. We found this table along with matching chairs, and they bought it for the chairs but gave us the table. So not only do I have a table, I have a free table. The very best kind.

Of course I want to fluff it. And when I looked at it, sitting there with the metal chairs (which I already had), I immediately thought of this French-style fabric.

These are the cafe curtains I had at my old house. I've been carrying it around with me all this time and I think it's time to use it. But I can't decide for what--table runner? Placemats? Napkins?

And then what to go with it?

Help me, tablescaping experts... what would you do?

Hah hah! She says. Eureka! I know what to do with the breakfast tray. Can you say, "tole," people?

There's really only one itty bitty problem. I don't know how to tole paint. I did have a book at one time that supposedly taught you everything you needed to know in three easy lessons. Or something like that. But last year during the nesting phase I looked at it, looked at my burgeoning middle and said, "I'm never going to have time to learn how to do this!" and out it went.

Ooops.

Well, I am sure I can figure it out. And with all this inspiration, I should be good to go, yes?

I know I want an antique-y creamy background and a delicate touch with the flowers. Beyond that I'm totally making it up.

But hey, they wouldn't call it "DIY" if we had any lack of sense... i mean, courage. Right?

What about you? Do you tole?

1. Tole Close-up, 2. Bandeja de madeira com desenho floral, 3. Tole tray, 4. gathered, 5. Italian Tole Cans, 6. Pink Tray, 7. DSC_0028, 8. * bouquet *, 9. Yellow Toleware trays, 10. Aqua Tole Tray, 11. Closeup of Tole Flowers, 12. Vintage Tole Tray

Say what you will about The Magic Shed (my husband certainly does). But look at the treasures it gives me!

I found this cute wicker breakfast tray in the shed during the lawn-mower extravaganza, and I had to bring it in and try it on my bed.

By itself the dishes were a bit wobbly, so I added a painted wooden tray (also from The Magic Shed), and that just about made it perfect.

Both pieces need a bit of love, and I am thinking of painting the tray. Possibly a distressed vintage green, or maybe just cream. I haven't decided whether or not to paint the wicker tray. Sometimes a little natural material is a nice foil to all the white bed linens.

Food for thought.

And look! I have this convenient breakfast tray so I can ponder over a biscuit and tea! Which is a really good thing, since with me (as you know) a painting decision could potentially take years. Literally.

What about you? What's your newest treasure?

My husband has finally commandeered the last corner of the garage. So I had to get the mower in the shed.

Cue bad horror music: dah, dah dahhhhhhhh....

Because, I mean, I haven't exactly been in the shed in awhile. "Awhile" meaning "ever since we moved in." I mean, sure, I've had my husband put stuff in there. Under protest. You know:

Me: Oh, I just have to have that darling vintage dresser. Just look at the cute casters!

Him: We don't have room.

Me: Sure we do! Besides, it's a one-of-a-kind, amazing deal and it's half-off today only!

Him: Where?

Me: Where what?

Him: Where do we have room?

Me: Hmmmm....

Him: See?

Me: I know! We'll put it in the shed!

Him: Grumble, grumble, shed, grumble, grumble...

I think I may have single-handedly packed an entire thrift store in it's 8' x 12' frame.

But I never actually look in there! How could I? It's just a door that opens to a wall. A wall of stuff.

Fast forward to today. I had to get the mower in there or leave it out to thrill the neighbors with my new "lawn art." So in I went.

DAH, DAH, DAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

But then... Oh, there's a rocking chair! Oh, I forgot about this cute dresser. And oh, that's where all my random architectural salvage went. Who knew we had this great vintage sled?

Instead of "dah, dah, daaahhhhhhh" it's all beatific choruses:

Aaaaahhhhhhhhhhh...

I'm sure it wasn't the nearly 100-degree heat or my having waited too long to eat lunch, I swear.

Oh, and if you're wondering, yes, I did manage to get the mower in there. Eventually.

What about you? Do you have the equivalent of a Magic Shed?