FYI

My NEW blog address is
bj-sweetnothings.blogspot.com

and I have a link to where you can receive
SWEET NOTHINGS posts in your EMAIL ACCOUNT.

Please go to the NEW BLOG.
thanks, bj

Friday, August 10, 2012

TOO BE or NOT TO BE...

THAT is the question.
HAHHHAAAAAA, I have had so much fun with this silly MANTEL decision....



LAYLA'S MANTEL,
on the top.


I tried to copy it as closely as possible and came up with the one on the bottom .



I was VERY happy with my copy. I didn't have to spend one dime on anything but a CHALK MARKER....

and THEN.....




I had to go and throw A CLOCK into the mix.



Just who do I think I am....?

Here I got a fairly good COPY from one of the greatest decorators in Blogland and I am trying to add MY TWO CENTS WORTH...???

...but...but....but, I love this little thrifted clock mostly because my sweetie GrandLuv, DEEDS, found it for me.

When I tried to put it in with all the other things on the mantel THAT LAYLA ACTUALLY DESIGNED.,
I had to start asking questions....

I can't do it on my own...I need HELP...SUPPORT...BLOGGY LOVE.
No one should ever have to make this important a decision without the opinion of THOSE TALENTED ONES.
"My name is bj and I am decorating challenged."
Is there a 12 Step program ??


Several bloggers suggested I might try hanging the clock where one of the plates are on the wall...
You can bet I will try that, too.
Quite a few sweet bloggers said to move things around a bit and...so I did.
 Everything DOES look better now that it is a little more 'balanced'....
but.....
still not quite right.
WHAT DOES IT NEED ?
 THEN...my sweet but ZANY friend, VEE, went to all the trouble to
"do up" a photo, showing the said clock, hanging by COMMANDO  Command hooks
directly to the CHALK BOARD...
Now, you, my dear friend, VEE, have DECORATOR IMAGINATION and I just wish I had it, too.
You should know that I WILL be trying this look a little later and you, my blogging friends,
will be the first to see it.
:))
Things still not JUST right on this silly mantel...
KITTY suggested CHANGING PLACES with the clock and the plate....
LOVE IT, KITTY.
How'd you know to try that ?
Just a simple switch-a-roo and it looks amazing.
So many ways to go with this mantel.
 I moved that clock to the right....then to the left....
♫♪♪"...ya put your left foot in, ya take your left foot out, ya put your left foot in
and ya shake it all about....."♫♪♫
It suddenly dawned on me..(DUH)...
the whole design of the ORIGINAL mantel seems to 
showcase the PLATE with the NUMBER.
The clock TAKES away from the design...
gives it all an entirely different feel....
Pretty LAYLA would probably NEVER add another round, large piece to HER mantel.
BUT, she just might.....someday....when she is overcome with
GRANDMOTHER LUV.
:)
...just better lookin' to my untrained eye.
I think we are ALL learning a little bit about arranging things...
I've never really known a thing about scale, size, balance....
I just work it 'til it looks GOOD TO ME...
sometimes, I get it....
most times, I don't quite get there....:)

I even went off on another
ENTIRELY DIFFERENT
look....




I mean.... to me,
one can NEVAH
go wrong with
MACKENZIE CHILDS

...but THAT LOOK
is for another day....

 THEN, Mr. Sweet, getting ready to eat his breakfast, said,
"HEY....try THIS on your mantel....."
 "WHAT ?"
 "THIS..."
 "Are you CRAZY, man....?
I can't decorate a mantel with a breakfast......"
"Awww, you can for just long enuf to take a few pictures....."

 Well, I hafta say, Mr. Sweet.....
that breakfast DOES indeed look pretty danged AWESOME,
sittin' up these,
all delicious looking....
I think those pancakes are SMILING at us.......
He loves the breakfast....
I still love my little DEED'S CLOCK....
 So, altho I know the original design of this Mantel by Layla is the most beautiful to the eye...
THIS one, with the clock Deed's found for me is the most beautiful to MY HEART.
♥ ♥ ♥
I think MANTEL,
God bless it's little heart,
will stay THIS way for awhile.....
all in the NAME OF LOVE. 
My thanks to all of you bloggers for your opinions and advice...
Ya'll are, without a doubt, the finest group of ladies I've ever had the
pleasure to be included with.

I've had a LOT of fun with it all.
XOXOXO,
LOVE, bj 
 
OOO....and take a look at THIS beauty.....
I've got ALL THE STUFF to do one like this....
come AUTUMN...
WOO HOO...
these cute YOUNG bloggers are wearing me to a frazzle, just trying to STAY UP.
(gosh....and I wonder how she got that beautiful paint job on her TOO CUTE shutters..?)
THANK YOU, COURT, for letting me use your photo....
I can't wait to try copy catting you, my new friend.
***
I hope you will swing by several of these parties to check out all the
so stinkin' cute projects, crafts, recipes.....just PURE TALENT.
Thanks much for coming by to see me....come back as soon as you can.
xoxo

32 comments:

Courtenay@Creek Line House said...

Aww! Lovely post, BJ! I can't wait to see your take on the fall mantel! I have to tell the truth about those shutters: I didn't paint them at all! Chris bought that little piece for me (That's actually a mirror behind the doors) at Canadian Tire (a big box hardware store) for $10! I did paint my other set of picket fence/shutter things in the same way though. It's all about the dollar store craft paints for me!

On Crooked Creek said...

BJ,
Dear, "SWEET" friend...I love them all...even "Mr. Sweet's" idea!!! Have a wonderful weekend, dear friend!
Fondly,
Pat

LV said...

Going back and forth with you has worn me out. You have a head full of good ideas. Just go with your first instinct and it will work. You had the right idea all along.

TexWisGirl said...

i like your sweet clock! glad you are keeping it there.

Maki said...

Dear BJ, your mantel looks great with the clock! You just can't go wrong with a little love!!!!
Hugs, Maki

ps... that breakfast is looking mighty yummy, girl!!!

Anonymous said...

HI BJness! Oh, your mantle looks wonderful and I love your clock from Deeds! Blogland is wonderful for getting ideas and all. Now Mr. Sweet is a pretty smart dude, that breakfast looks mighty tasty up there! :)
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Beth said...

It is fun watching you trying to decide what to put where. I thought it looked just fine in the beginning. I did get hungry for strawberries for some reason. ;-)

Korrie@RedHenHome said...

I think taking inspiration for your own "spin" on your mantel is FAR better than simply "imitating." Yours is beautiful!

Vee said...

Oh the checks look so much like you...what a hoot to see all the changes...well, it just goes to prove that there's more than one way to decorate a mantel and so you will continue to play and have fun. Nothing around my house ever remains static and I know that goes triple at yours.

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

Oh my, I'm lovin' the Mackenzie-Childs thrown in there, too!! I just love that checkered look on your mantle. Ohh, I can't wait to see what you do with that Fall mantle. Isn't this fun to get all this inspiration? I love how Mr. Sweet even get into it...gotta love those hubs!!

Tami Michel said...

You are so silly. Love your mantel just the way it is with the clock...and after seeing the sweets idea somehow find myself hungry!
Would love for you to link this up at Curb Alert's Block Party. The link is up all weekend!
Cannot wait to see your fall mantel as well :)
Tami

middle child said...

I wasn't feeling the best to begin with and then I got dizzy from all the changing pictures!!! My thought was to put the clock on the chalkboard also. And with the words...time for prayer or something similar. But,...then I would have gotten rid of the number plate. Anyway, you are right that the plate has to be on the left (when viewing it) and the number plate on the right. So....you are amazing. Keep at it!

middle child said...

Opps. I mean the clock on the left. My bad.

Sarah said...

You certainly are having fun! Like the look, but really loving those CC version. ~ Sarah

kathryn cain said...

some time when doing your Mantle. Take some old books and use them so you have balance both from the right and left...with your tallest centered...but books can be used to give height...and so you can give something that is important...height and makes a stand out..I was in retail for way to long...and visual was my biggest talent...

Susy said...

Thats almost too much work before breakfast (:

Follow your heart BJ ~ your house is darling! xo

Love Of Quilts said...

It all works well together. I gota go for the clock and the black and white. Yummy breakfast.

Sonny G said...

when we keep our Heart in our creative endeavors it makes our soul sing and it doesnt get more beautiful than that...

love that clock~!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Such a funny and cute post. I love the clock too and I think it is perfect. Hugs, Marty

Patty Patterson said...

I like an occasional spot of color, so the little black and white sugar bowl (or whatever it is) makes a nice addition for me. However, the three tiered cake plate is a bit too much. But - it's beautiful however you decide to do it. I wouldn't bother putting the pancakes on the mantel, though. I'd just eat them! They look YUMMY!

NanaDiana said...

I absolutely LOVE it, bj! It is just perfect WITH the clock there. I mean, how could you NOT put that sweet clock there? You do a good job-you just need to believe you do a good job! xo Diana

Linda said...

Love this post and your Mantel. Looks great to me clock pancakes and all.

Theresa said...

Creative teamwork... gotta love blogging! I like Mr. Sweet's idea:) Have a blessed day dear BJ, HUGS!

Irene said...

BJ you are so funny, you make me smile. Your mantel looks great.

The French Hutch said...

Great mantle and I love you added your own touch of decorating with that gorgeous clock. Cute post bj.
Enjoy your Saturday…….

~Emily
The French Hutch

Audrey said...

Well bj ... you are just having too much fun with that mantel and entertaining all us bloggers at the same time. Bet you are worn out. Keep up the good work.
Like all the versions.
Hugs,
Audrey Z. @ Timeless Treasures

Tito Eric said...

A charming home you got. I love that clock and most especially, the strawberry pancakes!

Cheers on this Sunday morning!

Tito Eric said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
The Boston Lady said...

I actually think it looks best with the clock because it brings a little more contrast to the mantel - and well, anything family-special always looks good. Ann

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Bj, too cute! You make me laugh my friend. Anyway you do it I love it! I have a clock hanging on my chalkboard right now. With a saying having to do with time. I gotta tell you, hubby was right. Love the pop of red. lol!
Hugs,
Jann

Nancy said...

Oh, you do have the decorating bug, girl! Love the interaction with your readers on this post. Fun!

Thanks so much for sharing at Your Sunday Best this week, BJ. xo

Anonymous said...

At a weekend show I saw lots of lovely stoneware that would be great additions to your collection.