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A Perfect Present

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Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the wonderful birthday greetings! Between the warm greetings on this blog and on Facebook, my cup of good cheer runneth over.

My birthday was lovely and quiet. Well, not quite so quiet when Don put on some music in the evening and we all danced (and I mean the dogs, as well!) Don and I went to our favorite local tearoom in the afternoon and had some hot chocolate with big old homemade marshmallows. Ummm good! In fact, here was my menu for the afternoon and evening: cheese and crackers, hot chocolate, pancakes and eggs for dinner with apple pie for dessert. A day of comfort food favorites.

Now for my present from Don. I saw this in Heidi’s shop when I was helping her out during her Holiday Open House. In fact, I went by it a few times before the light bulb clicked on in my decorating brain. I was tired of the rolling desk chair I had in the studio. It was from IKEA, wasn’t very sturdy and I was getting tired of the cover which was lovely, but was now seeming a bit too flowery. And since my sewing table is at the top of the stairs, rolling of any kind could result in a quick trip down the stairs, if you know what I mean. I told Heidi I loved the chair, she told Don and now it’s mine!

Isn’t it beautiful? Heidi got it at an auction. It’s as if it was made for this space. The puff is artfully covering up a bit of nail polish spilled by a previous owner. It doesn’t matter to me because the chair will be tucked in most of the time. Some details:

I’m in love. 

There it is in its new home. Dare I say this? I think the studio is finished. I do. In the past 2 months, I’ve added the cabinet, the vintage feedsack shoe bag, my vintage dress form, Letitia, the newly trimmed chalkboard, the rediscovered and newly painted shelf (which you can see in the photo) and now….the chair. And all of it was very inexpensive and in some cases, free. This space was definitely done on a minuscule budget.

It really is a room in itself now. It’s pretty. It inspires me. Don loves it. I love it. C’est fini!

Oh, here’s my pie from the local bakery:

They decorated the pie! That’s a first – what a smile that brought to my face. I always have a birthday pie. It was yummy.

Elyse sent me a little something for my birthday which I will share with you in the next post.

Hope your Monday is a terrific one.

Forgot to add that Margaret B. of The French Bear is the winner of a copy of Outside the Ordinary World. Congratulations, Margaret!

Comments

  1. I like pie as a substitute for birthday cake too. And your new chair is just lovely!! What a perfect present! (Yay for girlfriends who share info like that with our husbands.) What a happy day!

  4. Hello Claudia, My belated Happy Birthday wishes. I’m so sorry I missed it. This afternoon is the first I’ve been on the computer for any length of time (which really hasn’t been very long). However, I was sorry I missed your b-day. Mine is coming up in December… and sometimes I actually have to stop and really think about how old I am. I don’t ever keep it in mind, because as I look at it, it’s only a number.

    I very much enjoyed what you wrote at the end of your birthday blog. I copied it and pasted it into my word pad noting it was from your birthday blog. Inspiring words to ponder and live by. Thank you for being “just you”.

    Oh, and kudos to Don for the chair. Adorable, and a perfect fit for your sewing table! It sounds as though you had the perfect day to celebrate you.

    Hugs,
    Penny Sue

  5. What a beautiful chair, Claudia, and it looks right at home!!

    I missed your birthday :( but I see it was a wonderful one!!

    I love how you say you and the family danced, when Richard and I hug, Sophie jumps right up and it’s always a family ((HUG))

    xxoo
    Marsha

  6. well – looks like somebody special had a whole lot of fun! Happy Birthday Girl and gad you liked my post – I sang it too! Jennifer jennsthreegraces

  7. Your chair’s The BEST ! ! ! !
    Your studio is inspiring.
    AND the beginning of a new year for you. May it be the best ever ! !
    Hugs,
    Gerry

  8. The chair IS perfect. What a wonderful birthday you had – and thank you for letting us enjoy it too. I love the tradition of birthday pie ~ it’s uniquely you xo

  9. Oh, happy belated birthday, Claudia! Wow, Don and Heidi make quite the pair when picking out your birthday gifts… Didn’t the parakeet lamp also come from her shop? I HAVE to some day make it to her shop.. it sounds like vintage heaven!

    The studio looks fantastic! I need to do something with mine. Maybe that would get me inspired as well! haha

    Have a wonderful week!… Donna

  11. I think you have a “keeper” in your man Don. What a sweet and thoughtful gift for your birthday. I love the sounds of your day! Sweet, simple, quiet, happy and lots of love.

  12. Nice chair! I used to use a straight back chair at my desk too, then I got one on wheels and sometimes I consider going back to a straight one too.

    Love the fabric and pink paint hi-lites on yours!

    Di

  13. it looks like a perfectly lovely birthday, claudia. happiest of birthday wishes to you. your husband sounds like a sweetheart, the chair is darling.

    love the vintage charm bracelet from your previous post, too.

    happy days!
    xo
    ~molly

  14. Claudia, you had some very yummy meals, dear– and that birthday present from your husbond is so very beautifull, –such a pretty chair, I love it ,too.And it makes your new room just wonderfull, -fits perfect into your other things,there.
    Hugs,Dorthe

  15. Hi Claudia!
    I’m glad that you had a wonderful birthday. Your menu sounded wonderful. I also love pie and would love it for my birthday or anytime.

    Your sweet little chair is just perfect for your studio area. Is that sweet Lambchop I see on the shelf?

    hugs
    Sissie

  16. Loving that chair! It is perfect for your studio.
    Your birthday menu sounds really yummy to me — especially the hot chocolate with marshmallows and pancakes!

  18. I adore your chair, sweetpea! Oooh, if only I had found it first. It’s just what I’m looking for and I want 2 of them.
    xoxo,
    Connie

  19. Happy birthday Claudia! I actually ment to stop by yesterday and comment but… you know how it can be lol Anyway, love the chair and it sounds like you had a great day.

  22. Happy Belated Birthday Claudia Sweetie…
    What a gorgeous share. I love the birthday pie. Some of us just prefer a pie over a cake, and I love this idea. I love coconut creme, that is my fav.

    Your chair is so darn cute. I had a boo boo on one of my chairs, and I found a beautiful little doily that I keep draped over it. Everyone thinks the doily is so pretty there, and they don’t even know that it is undercover, shall we say? I love it. Looks perfect for your little corner, and much safer.

    Hope you have a beautiful Thanksgiving sweetie. Many hugs and so much love, Sherry

  23. Your new chair is darling~ the perfect addition to your sweet studio! So happy to hear you had a wonderful birthday~
    Hugs,
    Jill

  24. Sweet, sweet birthday wishes. I’m cheating being online when I should be working on my cooking today… icks, but I just had to visit few. I love the chair. Oh, and that charm braclet is too cute.

  25. happy belated birthday claudia!!!! your chair is gorgeous and that little doily cover on your machine makes me smile!!!!!
    glad you had a birthday pie! that is so funny.
    are you a scorpio? 21st? that is still scorpio territory i believe. if so…scorpios rule…guided by the moon…and that is what i blame for my periodic late night shopping sprees!! lol.
    take care claudia!!!!!
    sue

  28. Oooooh! That is the perfect gift!! I love the beautiful pink floral details and the pretty striped seat cushion. What a beautiful addition to your studio!

  30. Dear Claudia…. I’m so happy to hear you had such a splendid birthday…. You most certainly deserved it… And, that PIE… How darn cute is that? Loved your darling chair from Don. What a perfectly perfect gift. What a sweet fella you have.

    Huggies!
    Spencer

  31. Celebrating everything
    Claudia, today: Your
    birthday {Happy happy!},
    your studio, your new
    chair {love it!}, your
    birthday mission statement
    {I want to do this on my
    b-day, too}, your love of
    dogs {I share it} and
    your wonderful and optimistic
    attitude! YOU will not
    grow old, but simply
    continue to GROW with your
    amazing outlook.
    xx Suzanne
    PS: Happy Thanksgiving!

  32. Hello Claudia and Happy Belated Birthday!! Everything looks wonderful in your studio – what a lovely space, very cozy and pretty, and a space that you must love being in. The pie with your birthday wishes is a hoot – so funny! I love pies too, fruit pies, but I’ll take a piece of coconut custard any day (coconut’s a fruit, right) and always prefer a piece of pie to a piece of cake, with a delicious cuppu tea. The chair does look perfect, I love the details and the fabric on the seat. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving – oooh, I love that you and Don were dancing with the dogs – very romantic! Ciao, bella!

  33. My mom has a chair just like that, except it has gold accents where yours has pink. It’s beautiful, isn’t it!… Hers used to sit at her writing desk.

  34. …………..Don did well and brought you the perfect chair for your studio space, yippee! It’s really gorgeous and ‘you’ for sure.

    Happy Thanksgiving Claudia…………
    Hugs, Mary

  35. Happy Belated Birthday, Claudia! (Somehow I just knew you were a Nov girl like me!) Love your new chair and the room looks fantastic! Dancing with the dogs…my kind of woman! Love that (do that too)!
    Have a perfectly fabulous year!
    Coralie

  36. Hi Girlfriend,

    I’m so happy you had a great birthday! What a sweet chair Don gave you, such beautiful detailing. No wonder you fell for it.

    Have the best Thanksgiving ever,

    Love ya,
    Meri

  37. Hi Claudia,
    Now that sounds like the perfect birthday in every way! Your new chair is perfect in your studio, you’re right, it was meant to be there.

    I love that you, Don and the dogs danced for your birthday, just lovely! Breakfast for dinner and then that beautiful apple pie with decorating for you on top is just the best. Good for you, dear friend, this post makes my heart very happy for you!

    Wishing you and yours a very happy Thanksgiving too ~ enjoy! We’re making that Jamie Oliver dish again, always a fav here.
    I’m always thankful for your friendship, Claudia ;)
    xoxo~Tracie

  38. HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY, I THINK YOUR PIE IS THE CUTEST THING, AND DELICIOUS, GREAT IDEA.
    LOVE YOUR ROOM, THE CHAIR IS ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS…LOVE IT.
    HAVE A NICE DAY. RIZZI

  41. hi claudia,

    your birthday sounds like it was as sweet and cozy as can be! i love the pie and that you indulged in the bestest comfort foods all day long! and dancing, too!

    the chair is adorable and is the perfect piece to your studio. love that space!

    xo
    elyse

  44. Hi Claudia!! Sorry I missed your birthday so happy belated birthday my friend!! It looks as though you had a wonderful one!! What a husband you have.~~. Love, love, love the pie…what a wonderful idea. The chair is gorgeous. You really have been busy giving your sewing area at the top of the stairs a new look….it’s so inviting Claudia….great job. I also just read about your charm bracelet from high school…I love it…and what wonderful memories for you. I love the way you write Claudia. I feel like I am having tea with an old girlfriend when I read this blog…very neat. Happy Thanksgiving to you and Don and the dogs!!

  45. That is an absolutely perfect present for a very special you. It is gorgeous. And, you know I love the color – pink.♥

    Just stopping by to wish you and your family a happy and blessed Thanksgiving holiday.

  47. Claudia, I love the chair!!! How delightful! I have one of those puffs, mine was made by My Faerie Window bloggerette…I love it!!! Your birthday pie looks delicious, what a wonderful idea!!!
    Thank you again for the book, I know I will enjoy it immensely!
    Your gifts from Elyse are beautiful and I love the little elf box you made her, I think that is a great idea….let me know when you want to sell them…I would love to purchase two for my granddaughters. We are all about little fairies and secret places over here!!!!
    So glad you had a romantic and fun birthday!!!
    Hugs,
    Margaret B

  49. hi sweeeeeet friend!

    i am trying to get in some blogging action and am so far behind on visits here! first of all, HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY! LOOOOVE the chair!!!

    claudia, the gift that you made for sweet elyse is adorable. i think you have a hidden talent there and should make up more! totally adorable!!

    elyse is so thoughtful! i have a birdhouse she made for me in my kitchen and think of her each time i look at it.

    have a super rest of the weekend!

    xoxo
    becky

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