Monday, July 11, 2011

Guest Post - Ricki Jill from Art @ Home

Today Ricki Jill from Art @ Home has volunteered to help me out by writing a guest post while I am away for the summer.  She lives in Alabama and writes a lovely blog that features art, books, decorating, and her wonderful family.  You should pop on over for a visit - after you read her post here that is.  Thanks Ricki Jill!

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My name is Ricki Jill, and my blog is called Art @ Home.  I like to blog about art, books, my family, and fun activities.  When Grace asked me to guest post while she helps others in Bangladesh, I was more than happy to help; it is an honor!  Sense and Simplicity is one of my favorite blogs.  Grace was one of my very first "bloggy friends,"   and she has helped me out on more than one occasion as a Newbie Blogger.


Grace has asked that I answer these three questions in my post:


1.   What is the oldest thing in your home?


2.   What is your favorite thing you have either made or remade?


3.   What is your favorite room in your house and why?


The oldest thing in our home is the antique English walnut armoire we now have in our dining room.  The armoire was brought over from England by Mr. Art@Home's great grandfather, Charles Peter Treleaven.  Charles was a ship's captain for the White Star Line, and he was originally from Cornwall, England.  He moved his family to New Orleans in 1895, and then he sent his three sons to Mississippi State.  He wanted his sons to be landlocked and not away from their families for months at a time.  The armoire probably originated from his wife's family, Ethol Elizabeth Miller.  My sister-in-law, Lundy, provided me with most of this information, and she thinks the armoire might have been made in the 1870's.  Trip's family always used the armoire for clothing, but I am using it for silver, linens, and craft supplies.


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The favorite thing I have made is certainly not my best, but it is special to me.  My friends had been encouraging me to take art classes for a very long time, so they bought me a birthday outing to Sips 'n Strokes.  We had the most fun, and I painted this Burning Rose that night.  One reason it was fun is because we used palette knives!  Their encouragement eventually led me to Red Dot and my art classes.  This painting is so obnoxious (there is even puff paint on it) that I had to buy the gaudiest frame I could find and hang it in my dining room!


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You might think that our dining room is my favorite room based on the answers to questions 1 and 2, but my favorite room {lately} is our family room.  It is not our prettiest room, but it is comfortable.  Plus, it has the best ceiling fan in the house!


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Thanks so much for visiting Sense and Simplicity while Grace is away.  I enjoyed writing this post for y'all!

Blessings!
Ricki Jill

9 comments:

  1. Love that painting! You have talent.

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  2. I love that painting also. It looks great in your dining room! Everything looks beautiful! Enjoyed your guest blog from Canada!

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  3. The armoire is an amazing piece and what great history behind it. I think your painting is just lovely. You did a great job. Puff paint and all!

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  4. what a wonderful post,, your home is lovely,, thats a beautiful family piece,

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  5. how funny! I love the painting story, that is great! I can't imagine, puff paint! I am just cracking up. However, the painting looks great!

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  6. I know, right!?!? I should be very embarrassed about the puff paint.

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  7. Wait...What? Puff paint isn't chic? ;)

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  8. Okay, well I did not even know what puff paint is and yes I too love the painting and I love the frame. I actually love it all! Your place is so tasteful and so inviting all at the same time!

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  9. ricki jill my old college friend where are you...? check my fb darlene key smith....

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