by Lee McKenzie
A miracle happened this month, and I am thrilled to introduce her to you. This precious little bundle made me a grandmother, and she is the new love of my life.
In my (completely unbiased, of course) opinion, she is the most beautiful baby to have ever graced the planet. Yes, I know every grandmother says that, but seriously...how gorgeous is she?
She was going to need a place to sleep so before she was born, her grandfather and I embarked on...you guessed it...a DIY project. We had kept the cradle our children slept in as infants, but the color was dated and dreary and it definitely needed an update.
I knew we had to use Annie Sloan chalk paint because it's virtually VOC-free and satisfied our desire for this new little person to have a non-toxic place to sleep. The mom-and-dad-to-be chose the color ~ a beautiful shade called Duck Egg Blue.
The project was completed and delivered just in time!
I have several other DIY projects on the go but I'll share those another time. And lately my thrift-store forays have yielded some interesting finds. I scored these six silver pieces -- a sugar scoop made in Germany, a small spreader (not sure where it's from) and four Loxley pastry forks that were made in England. I didn't think to put anything in the picture for scale, but the pastry forks are five inches long. All six pieces were jumbled in a bag for $4.
At another shop I found this charming little pierced silver berry spoon in a random bin of cutlery. It polished up very nicely! Again, no scale, but it's also five inches long. And after researching the markings on the back, I discovered it was made in England sometime between 1872 and 1894. I think it's adorable!
I love the look and feel of silver, and I frequently use it for family dinners and other occasions. And I recently discovered there's a baby spoon and fork that goes with my silver flatware, so I'm now on the hunt for that! Wish me luck!
Happy reading!
Until next time,
Lee
...writing fifty shades of pink
To Catch a Wife, Harlequin Heartwarming, May 2016
His Best Friend's Wife, Harlequin Heartwarming, January 2017
www.LeeMcKenzie.com
A miracle happened this month, and I am thrilled to introduce her to you. This precious little bundle made me a grandmother, and she is the new love of my life.
In my (completely unbiased, of course) opinion, she is the most beautiful baby to have ever graced the planet. Yes, I know every grandmother says that, but seriously...how gorgeous is she?
She was going to need a place to sleep so before she was born, her grandfather and I embarked on...you guessed it...a DIY project. We had kept the cradle our children slept in as infants, but the color was dated and dreary and it definitely needed an update.
 |
| Years ago, the cradle had been taken apart for storage. |
 |
| Painting in progress and various components laid out on the patio to dry. |
I have several other DIY projects on the go but I'll share those another time. And lately my thrift-store forays have yielded some interesting finds. I scored these six silver pieces -- a sugar scoop made in Germany, a small spreader (not sure where it's from) and four Loxley pastry forks that were made in England. I didn't think to put anything in the picture for scale, but the pastry forks are five inches long. All six pieces were jumbled in a bag for $4.
 |
| Thrift store silverware ~ before and after polishing. |
 |
| Victorian-era silver berry spoon, before and after. |
Until next time,
Lee
...writing fifty shades of pink
To Catch a Wife, Harlequin Heartwarming, May 2016
His Best Friend's Wife, Harlequin Heartwarming, January 2017
www.LeeMcKenzie.com
What a beautiful baby! The cradle's lovely, too, but my goodness, the baby... Congratulations, Lee.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Liz! We are completely smitten!
DeleteCongratulations for becoming a grandmother. Yes, (and I am unbiased)she is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteYou did a beautiful job on the crib. :-)
Grandmotherhood is wonderful! Everything everyone told me it would be, and more!
DeleteI'm envious of your diy successes! Congrats on a beautiful, healthy grandchild!
ReplyDeleteMelinda, it's wonderful to see this beautiful little person sleeping in her refurbished cradle.
DeleteSooo envious of that adorable granddaughter! Congratulations and enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Janice! She already has all of wrapped around her perfect little finger :)
DeleteLove the cradle and your adorable granddaughter! I can smell that special, bury-your-nose-in-them and loaded with baby pheromones baby scent just by looking at her pic! Soooo cute. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteAnd awesome with the silver finds! I'd love to know what polish you use! I've done several things but haven't found a favorite with silver polish.
Swooning over baby scents, Rula!
DeleteThe silver polish I have on hand right now is called Tarni-Shield. My husband bought it and we're happy with the results. I use my flatware often enough that it seldom needs to be polished, but my grandmother's silver tea service needs a good shine every now and then.
Congratulations! That is one gorgeous baby. She really does look perfect. The crib looks great, too. I love the duck egg blue color.
ReplyDeleteCarol, I was really pleased with their color choice. It's not aqua, it's not green, but somewhere in between. And yes, we definitely think she is one gorgeous little girl.
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ReplyDeleteAw...what a sweetheart. Congratulations, Lee! The cradle looks fabulous, very impressive. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jill! We're madly in love with her!
DeleteCongratulations on your granddaughter! How special that she can sleep in the same cradle her mom (or dad?) did! And you're right--she's VERY cute.
ReplyDeleteHer father and her aunt both slept in that cradle, Patricia! It's hard to believe how those years have flown by.
DeleteLee, truly gorgeous baby who will sleep well in her new cradle. I love the new color. We have one that's passing down in our family waiting for great-grands now. Enjoy every minute, they grow up so fast.
ReplyDeleteRoz, I say the only thing more special than a grandmother is a great grandmother!
DeleteLove your DIY project. Some very happy finds at the thrift store and your granddaughter is adorable. It's not just grandmother's pride.
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you, Marion!
DeleteCongratulations on your beautiful granddaughter, and your wonderful expertise in restoring the cradle. How nice that she can sleep where her parent began his or her journey. What's her name? Congrats also on your wonderful finds - you do have a gift for knowing where to look. Prayers going up for your granddaughter to welcome her to the world.
ReplyDeleteMuriel, your kind words are like a warm hug. Thank you!
DeleteYour grand is beautiful and so is her cradle. The grandparents club is the best club to be in.
ReplyDeleteSo I'm discovering, Melanie! Loving every minute of it!
DeleteYour grand is beautiful and so is her cradle. The grandparents club is the best club to be in.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Lee! Your granddaughter is gorgeous. And I love your up-cycled cradle :)
ReplyDeleteWe think it's a vast improvement over that dated brown-stained wood, Amy.
DeleteBeautiful baby girl and a wonderful DIY project. I love thrift stores. Always find something useful.
ReplyDeleteYou're a woman after my own heart, Patricia!
DeleteCongratulations Grandma! And yes, she's gorgeous!!! Aren't grandbabies the best? My granddaughter will be 1 year old next month and she is so precious. And what a beautiful cradle!!! Can you come decorate my house?
ReplyDeleteLeAnne, we are so looking forward to the first words and the first steps, but we also want time to slow down so we can enjoy every minute of her babyhood. And yes, I will happily decorate your house. I take it I will have an unlimited budget? ;)
DeleteWhat an absolutely beautiful baby! And I love your DIY project. I have a friend who teaches Annie Sloan classes, but I haven't had time to try it out.
ReplyDeleteI've been muddling along on my own, but I would love to take an Annie Sloan class. The woman who owns the shop where I buy the paint offers classes and they're on my someday wishlist.
DeleteThe baby, the cradle, the silver...all perfect and beautiful. Congrats, Lee!
ReplyDeleteShe could model for china dolls. Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteBeth, that is so sweet. Thank you!
DeleteShe could model for china dolls. Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteShe's beautiful! Congratulations!
ReplyDelete