I have decided that one of these 4'x6' woven striped rugs has got to go , I thought instead of returning it and since it is such a nice rug that I would offer it here first, if there were any takers.... I am asking $35.00 , the rug is NOT used .
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Striped rug
I have decided that one of these 4'x6' woven striped rugs has got to go , I thought instead of returning it and since it is such a nice rug that I would offer it here first, if there were any takers.... I am asking $35.00 , the rug is NOT used .
Bring it on
It is no wonder I am tired and not in the mood to do any projects around the house I think they are all finished , well mostly , here are a few of the projects I completed or tackled in preparation for the Holiday House Tour this past Saturday , nice to have everything completed well in time for Christmas .
Made a few coffee filter pom poms , easy and fun ....http://jonesdesigncompany.com/create/coffee-filter-foof-tutorial/ check here for how to , I skipped the first step , I didn't cover the Styrofoam ball with flat filters I just glued them right on .
Made shell ornaments for the Christmas tree , shells are from the dollar store
Re-designed the stockings with old velvet drapes .
Painted Mason's room and re-did all her trim
Built a half wall at the entry , this is my favorite thing
A major makeover on this media cabinet , cleaned up the lines added v-groove and painted it black then waxed it all to a lovely sheen
We went through an operation and recovery with Sophie , tonsils and adenoids removed , good news she is breathing beautifully at night ... we are glad to have this behind us.
Made drapes and a new light fixture using this new lamp shade and adding embellishments to it to create a one of a kind fixture
Painting all the doors black ...still need to do touch ups ...
Adding details to Mason's cupboard ...
Made so so many pillows ...
My little chandelier makeover , painting and beading and crystals did the trick
I wrapped twig place mats around different sized vases
Last but not least I created a little Christmas decor , I dug out this Ikea shadow box frame , I screwed into the interior a little hook and suspended a snow flake ornament from it , cheap and easy project , this would be lovely with a grouping of all different sized frames done in the same way , the blue background is a sheet of glacine paper .Although I am happy to have a break I am looking forward to getting to work , making things for clients and making differences in their homes , bring it on .
Monday, November 29, 2010
A look outside
Someone asked to see what the house looked like outside at this time of year , well what a great idea , the sun is shining and the air is crisp and cold . So glad we finished the path before the weather turned too cold ...more to do next spring of course.
I will admit I added the snow , it just looked a little more fitting , thanks picnik....
Are you getting your Christmas shopping done ? , I just finished picking out and ordering some beautiful treasures for some girls in my life , isn't it fun shopping for gifts , especially from the comfort of your home ...
Sunday, November 28, 2010
The Pacific Islands Beauty
spotted across a section of the earth's surface, The Pacific Islands are separated in to sub-regions of Melanesia (West), Polynesia (South-East) and Micronesia (North). The separation is based on the their cultural, linguistic and educational differences.
The people speak nearly a part of the total languages in the world. the majority of the islands in this collection were once lined by several imposing powers. Therefore there is great assortment of background, atmosphere and demographic setting. The top members of Pacific Islands are Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand.
Most of the travel around operators often focal point on Australia and New Zealand for arranging holiday for their consumers. But the reality is that these counties are very unusual from the tropical Pacific Islands.
community all over the world think about Pacific Islands as a far-off area; there is no denotation in this because you can accomplish the Pacific Island by wandering just 2 hours from Los Angeles by air to Tahiti. Fiji is located to the west of Tahiti, in the middle between Hawaii and New Zealand. Most of the people think South Pacific Islands as a most excellent place for impractical getaway, weddings and honeymooners
The people speak nearly a part of the total languages in the world. the majority of the islands in this collection were once lined by several imposing powers. Therefore there is great assortment of background, atmosphere and demographic setting. The top members of Pacific Islands are Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand.
Most of the travel around operators often focal point on Australia and New Zealand for arranging holiday for their consumers. But the reality is that these counties are very unusual from the tropical Pacific Islands.
community all over the world think about Pacific Islands as a far-off area; there is no denotation in this because you can accomplish the Pacific Island by wandering just 2 hours from Los Angeles by air to Tahiti. Fiji is located to the west of Tahiti, in the middle between Hawaii and New Zealand. Most of the people think South Pacific Islands as a most excellent place for impractical getaway, weddings and honeymooners
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Happy House Tour
Well the Holiday House Tour is behind me and it was a real blast , I loved meeting everyone ,I stuck around for the first two hours, people were so kind and complimentary , I was happy to answer questions , like about this floor , people love this Tarkett floor , it is Cherry artisan finished engineered if you are wondering as well , I could have stayed all day talking but I didn't want to miss the other houses , this was my first tour , there was a group of ladies that rented a limo , now that is a great idea ....next year
I love how clean the master bath is , it looks so polished and pristine , wish it could look this way forever , no ugly shampoo bottles or soap anywhere , everything ugly is stashed away , did you see my new striped rug there , so nice huh
People enjoyed my subtle Christmas theme , there are so many details for people to take in after all , I printed up a sheet of interesting things that I did in each room
I stayed up very late making these coffee filter pomeanders , aren't they cute ?
When you are pressed to get things right don't you hate it when they go wrong, there is no time for things to go wrong two days before a big home tour through your house , well when I was removing the cushion cover the other day to wash it it ripped at the zipper and just kept ripping a catastrophic rip, I worried this would happen someday , see the zipper that was put in by the seamstress I used was not the right size , it did not wrap around the corners , so in a panic I called Lisa a wonderful cushion cover genius , she sensed my panic and she saved the day and replaced the zipper and back panel in nick of time , she really saved me , did you know zippers comes in a roll ? and should wrap around the corner of your cushion to allow for easy stress free foam or stuffing removal ...if it doesn't have this done properly
Many many people loved the old door turned chalkboard
Also the magnetic crystals on the chandelier were a BIG hit , I heard many people say that they were going away with many ideas , how wonderful Home Depot , only in Canada maybe I should sell these , any orders ?
We can finally use all the new pillows I made that I have been stashing away to keep clean until today , there is nothing like new fresh pillows
The other day I brought out the paint to touch up the girls bathroom , I mistakenly used the "wrong" colour , which left me re-painting the bath in the "wrong" colour which happily turned into the right colour after all , happy accident and since two of the walls are tile it wasn't so much painting
I was able to get all of Mason's bedroom project completed , like painting her dresser drawers black and painting and completing all of her trim
I am glad that I participated and I really enjoyed looking through the other homes I only missed one, I wish I could have shown you photos there were some amazing spaces, no photos allowed , darn eh ! my neighbours are troopers dealing with a steady stream of cars all day , thanks to them for that
I am going to have a long deserved rest
Many many people loved the old door turned chalkboard
Also the magnetic crystals on the chandelier were a BIG hit , I heard many people say that they were going away with many ideas , how wonderful Home Depot , only in Canada maybe I should sell these , any orders ?
We can finally use all the new pillows I made that I have been stashing away to keep clean until today , there is nothing like new fresh pillows
The other day I brought out the paint to touch up the girls bathroom , I mistakenly used the "wrong" colour , which left me re-painting the bath in the "wrong" colour which happily turned into the right colour after all , happy accident and since two of the walls are tile it wasn't so much painting
I was able to get all of Mason's bedroom project completed , like painting her dresser drawers black and painting and completing all of her trim
I am glad that I participated and I really enjoyed looking through the other homes I only missed one, I wish I could have shown you photos there were some amazing spaces, no photos allowed , darn eh ! my neighbours are troopers dealing with a steady stream of cars all day , thanks to them for thatI am going to have a long deserved rest
Are you wondering how a house fairs after hundreds of people make their way through ? well I am happy to say everything looks just how I left it , there was one sharpie accident but nothing I can't handle its just a paint touch up , like my husband said I basically repainted the whole house leading up to this tour so a little touch up is no big deal , I hope the person doesn't feel to badly about it ...no worries
Good night all
Good night all
Chris is going for a nice long rest
Friday, November 26, 2010
North Sikkim - A paradise on earth
Following are the various destinations in North Sikkim which are worth visiting - Chungthang, Lachen,Thangu, Gurudongmar, Chopta Valley, Lachung, Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary, Yumthang Valley, Yumesumdong, Katao etc.
North Sikkim is a 2 days-3 nights package from Gangtok with 1 night halt at Lachen and 1 night halt at Lachung.
Starting from Gangtok, you will reach Chungthang which is 95 kms from Gangtok at an elevation of 1,700 meters (5,600 ft). Chungthang is predominantly the starting point of Teesta river which is formed by the confluence of 2 hill rivers Lachen Chu and Lachung Chu. It is also the junction for the 2 passes - Lachen and Lachung. Lachung falling at a distance of 23 kms while it is 29 kms from Lachen.
It was our first night halt at Lachen in the chilling cold (-4 or -5 degrees centigrade) of December 25th. I still remember and laugh by myself when I recollect a funny incident which happenned when we first stepped into our lodge. One of our friend in order to get relief from the chilling cold wind and overjoyed after seeing a geiser opened the tap which the socks and shoes on and we had a hard time to get that dried with a gas stove.
Early in the morning after having breakfast we set out for Gurudongmar Lake (17100 ft). Here to mention, the tourist agency which arranges for the North Sikkim trip carries the breakfast for the entire trip (breads, egg, bananas etc) and leaves the remaining for the inmates of the lodge.
Below are few pictures on the way to Gurudomgmar.
Thangu is at an altitude of 14,000 ft. and 30 kms drive from Lachen. A small village where the visitors usually acclimatize before they proceed to Gurudongmar Lake. The months of May and June see this valley carpeted with alpine flowers, which are replaced by snow from October through March.
Road diverges from near Thangu to 2 beautiful spots Gurudongmar and Chopta Valley. We set out for Gurudongmar Lake first which is considered as one of the sacred lake of this state both by the Buddhists and Hindus. The lake remains milky in color through out. The Gurudongmar Lake is only allowed to Local and Domestic Tourist. Foreign tourist are not allowed due to border reasons. The temperature rises upto -27 degrees Centigrade and we were warned by the military personnel's that there might be breathing problems.
The time being December end, the road was full of solid ice and we could not go beyond a point where in a military vehicle helped us through the first time but it happened again some 2-3 kms before the lake and unfortunately we could not proceed further. We reached till a point where a Rock had the caption 'GODS OF WAR AHEAD'.
We tried our best to cut the rock solid ice with the help of the tools we had in our car but alas, the chilling cold wind did not allow us to do that for long. Truly disappointed, we returned back to Thangu to our way to the Chopta Valley.
Having our lunch back in Lachen we set out for our journey to Lachung - for the other half of the tour. Lachung at an elevation of about 9,600 ft or 3,000 meters is the night halt location on the way to Yumthang.
Yumthang is popularly known as Switzerland of Sikkim or Valley of flower. Yumthang at an elevation of 11,800 ft. and 140 kms from Gangtok is a paradise for natural lovers. It is popularly known as Switzerland of India and Valley of Flowers. In winter it is all covered with snow and in spring and summer, it is covered with different types of flower. Don't be disappointed if you plan to visit it in winter since there is a different attraction during this time its the snow laden mountain peaks which fills our heart.
The valley is also the home of Shingbha Rhododendron Sanctuary, with 24 species of Rhododendrons. There are total 35 species of Rhododendron in the world and 24 species of Rhododendron are found in Sikkim, together in one place “Yumthang”. One can also visit the Hot Water Spring in Yumthang. It is called ‘Tsa-Chu’.
An hours drive beyond Yumthang (26 kms), Yumesamdong is the land of perennial snow. Yumesamdong or the Zero Point Sikkim is situated at 15500 feet. This the last point where one can travel by car. Yumesamdong is very close to the Chinese border. Normal travel packages does not always include Yumesamdong. In such case you have to request the driver to include either this or Katao or both on basis of some extra charges.
Katao is another place on a different direction from Yumthang. It is also about an altitude of 15,000 ft. Unfortunately we did not get enough time to visit Katao.
Narrating you my experience I feel I have reached the place and would love to visit it another time...
North Sikkim is a 2 days-3 nights package from Gangtok with 1 night halt at Lachen and 1 night halt at Lachung.
Starting from Gangtok, you will reach Chungthang which is 95 kms from Gangtok at an elevation of 1,700 meters (5,600 ft). Chungthang is predominantly the starting point of Teesta river which is formed by the confluence of 2 hill rivers Lachen Chu and Lachung Chu. It is also the junction for the 2 passes - Lachen and Lachung. Lachung falling at a distance of 23 kms while it is 29 kms from Lachen.
It was our first night halt at Lachen in the chilling cold (-4 or -5 degrees centigrade) of December 25th. I still remember and laugh by myself when I recollect a funny incident which happenned when we first stepped into our lodge. One of our friend in order to get relief from the chilling cold wind and overjoyed after seeing a geiser opened the tap which the socks and shoes on and we had a hard time to get that dried with a gas stove.
Early in the morning after having breakfast we set out for Gurudongmar Lake (17100 ft). Here to mention, the tourist agency which arranges for the North Sikkim trip carries the breakfast for the entire trip (breads, egg, bananas etc) and leaves the remaining for the inmates of the lodge.
Below are few pictures on the way to Gurudomgmar.
Thangu is at an altitude of 14,000 ft. and 30 kms drive from Lachen. A small village where the visitors usually acclimatize before they proceed to Gurudongmar Lake. The months of May and June see this valley carpeted with alpine flowers, which are replaced by snow from October through March.
Road diverges from near Thangu to 2 beautiful spots Gurudongmar and Chopta Valley. We set out for Gurudongmar Lake first which is considered as one of the sacred lake of this state both by the Buddhists and Hindus. The lake remains milky in color through out. The Gurudongmar Lake is only allowed to Local and Domestic Tourist. Foreign tourist are not allowed due to border reasons. The temperature rises upto -27 degrees Centigrade and we were warned by the military personnel's that there might be breathing problems.
The time being December end, the road was full of solid ice and we could not go beyond a point where in a military vehicle helped us through the first time but it happened again some 2-3 kms before the lake and unfortunately we could not proceed further. We reached till a point where a Rock had the caption 'GODS OF WAR AHEAD'.
We tried our best to cut the rock solid ice with the help of the tools we had in our car but alas, the chilling cold wind did not allow us to do that for long. Truly disappointed, we returned back to Thangu to our way to the Chopta Valley.
Having our lunch back in Lachen we set out for our journey to Lachung - for the other half of the tour. Lachung at an elevation of about 9,600 ft or 3,000 meters is the night halt location on the way to Yumthang.
Yumthang is popularly known as Switzerland of Sikkim or Valley of flower. Yumthang at an elevation of 11,800 ft. and 140 kms from Gangtok is a paradise for natural lovers. It is popularly known as Switzerland of India and Valley of Flowers. In winter it is all covered with snow and in spring and summer, it is covered with different types of flower. Don't be disappointed if you plan to visit it in winter since there is a different attraction during this time its the snow laden mountain peaks which fills our heart.
The valley is also the home of Shingbha Rhododendron Sanctuary, with 24 species of Rhododendrons. There are total 35 species of Rhododendron in the world and 24 species of Rhododendron are found in Sikkim, together in one place “Yumthang”. One can also visit the Hot Water Spring in Yumthang. It is called ‘Tsa-Chu’.
An hours drive beyond Yumthang (26 kms), Yumesamdong is the land of perennial snow. Yumesamdong or the Zero Point Sikkim is situated at 15500 feet. This the last point where one can travel by car. Yumesamdong is very close to the Chinese border. Normal travel packages does not always include Yumesamdong. In such case you have to request the driver to include either this or Katao or both on basis of some extra charges.
Katao is another place on a different direction from Yumthang. It is also about an altitude of 15,000 ft. Unfortunately we did not get enough time to visit Katao.
Narrating you my experience I feel I have reached the place and would love to visit it another time...