OK here's a seldom used adjective: SPECTABULOUS!!: ) It still doesn't describe the feeling I get from seeing your pics Sue lol. I remember when the patio stone,etc. was being laid and how stark it probably felt to you. I marvel at how quickly you filled that place up! I like your skillful choices for creating all that texture-you really have exciting colors-not with just the bloom colors but even more so the foliage. It makes such a statement when you go back and consider what if all that foliage was simply consistant green-it wouldn't have even half the impact! You're just so great with making an interesting garden. As for that gentian scabra-love it! I couldn't get it to grow from seed either Eden. I did manage to acquire Gentiana Septemfida and by golly it lives over three or more years later. I had it in dry clay soil but I don't think it had enough sun so it got lanky. I moved it to part sun in more fertile soil that gets fairly moist and it had much better blooms on but it's just the first season in its new spot-my guess is that it likes good soil(& acid?) and more sun(?)than deep shade-not sure if G. scabra acts similarly but it's been on my wish list... Good to see you David-say hi to Jim! ~Babs

writersblock and polly so glad you also feel the above bedding but with plain white curtains would be best. That's what I've been thinking also. The white tulle sounds lovely or maybe eyelet, or maybe dotted swiss. kms we considered the Target bedding . . . it would sure save me a few bucks. But DD just doesn't like it. She really knows what she likes! It's really interesting . . . I never had such opinions at her age. She really is an "old soul" and actually does her fair share of mothering me at times. polly we just adore beds with curved footboards!! We never even knew about them until we found the website I mentioned before (foreverpinkcottagechic.com) We actually wanted a twin bed but couldn't find one with that look . . . so we decided to get the full bed. Today we also decided we're going to get a crystal chandy to complete the look! It should be stunning since it is a south facing room and the rainbows will be incredible. We never had a ceiling fixture in that room so we'll have to run wires. I'm just not sure where to hang it. If we do it centered in the room close to the ceiling then the sun may not hit it. If we hang it too low it may bonk heads? I wonder if we should plan on hanging it over the vanity area on the window side of the room? Or if that really limits furniture placement then?

I've had the same problem in choosing whites - there are thousands! On this site they use and recommend Wal-Mart brand semi-gloss Country White and Antique White paints. Either can be used as the main color with the other color dry-brushed over. See the instructions near the bottom of the page here: http://www.greenoakantiques.com/workshopcupboards.htm I like the Antique White and have it on several old pieces but find the Country White quite yellow even tho I had more white added. I haven't tried dry-brushing with the yellow because of that.

Well, you l'il heifer! There, I said it again. Hope I don't get bumped off this forum by some of the newbies who don't know that's NOT a negative term - it's southern for "I'm impressed" or something comparable, but I want you to know I started nipping apart plates w/little roses on them last evening, and just about every hr. through the night, I was trying to figure out how I'm going to lay them on this bowl/pitcher. It was your set that threw me over the line to try a SC.