Decorative Shabby Jar Set

Save your jars, distress the tops, fill with potpourri, add a vintage ribbon. If you're feeling real creative make a set like I did with a wooden crate. I made the crate from wooden paint stirring sticks.

Fun easy, decorative and they also make beautiful gifts. 

For more shabby ideas and inspiration, follow Old Shabby Style on Facebook
and on Youtube

White Autumn Pumpkin Decor

It took me a lot of years to work up my nerve to do the white autumn pumpkins. This year, as usual, I made the traditional harvest-colored flower arrangement; after all, I am an autumn girl, a November baby. My colors have always been those beautiful fall colors, yet this year, I just was not satisfied. 

After having put together the sunflowers, cattails, burlap ribbon and orange pumpkins, I made the decision and returned to the store for white autumn decorations. This is a big step mind you for a traditionalist in autumn decor. Years ago if you had told me I would have white pumpkins, I would have screamed sacrilege. But immediately after designing the white centerpiece, I was in love and the other looked almost childish in comparison where the white seemed so simply elegant. 

So if you have been tempted yet fearful of doing a white autumn, it may be time to take the plunge, I did and I loved it. And if you have already done your traditional autumn colors, it is still not too late because this will make a perfectly elegant display for the Thanksgiving table. Some simple white flowers, lacy ribbon and white pumpkins rimmed in gold were all I needed to get started. I got a late start this season but next year I plan to go all out for a white harvest, shabby though it may be.

Thanks for joining me! Love, Shultz

Cheryl Bruedigam
Designer, Writer, Stylist

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Country Herbal Bath Bags

Making country bath bags is fun and easy.

I love to make and use French country herbal bath bags. Make your own with your favorite soap shavings, oatmeal and herbs or order in my shop.


Thanks for joining me! Love, Shultz

Cheryl Bruedigam
Designer, Writer, Stylist

Shop my Etsy boutique 

New Life to an Old Quilt

After a week of the most challenging and yet THE most satisfying work. I finished restoring an antique quilt that I found that was basically almost trash. The back was ripped to shreds as was the batting and many patches on the front. I had found it about a year ago, put it away and I remembered it last week and thought I could cut up what was left for other projects. But when I got to looking at it, I could not bear to cut it, I thought no, I have to fix this, I have to restore this. I am told the original design is called a bow-tie.

I have quilted before but only lap/crib size, never anything full. I didn't even know if I could do it so I didn't think to take a "before" photo. I have no floor space and no frame. But there is more than one way to quilt a quilt if you are determined, and I was. I got two fabric boards and taped them together and laid them on top of the bed. It was rough, I screwed up the the first baking and had to go get another. It was back-killing work but a step at a time, I got it done.

As I was working I noticed something amazing, this quilt held a special message for me, a confirmation of my life even. Many of the blocks are similar but there was one block of guitars (Bill, musician) There was next to it, one block of pens and pencils (Cheryl, writer). There were also horses (my heritage) and a pumpkin coach (which only those who really know me will know what a pumpkin head I am and that I also have a children's story, The Pumpkin King). (see photos) It was very magical. I could not help but think how this woman all these years ago did this and I wound up with it! And I am no expert but based on the fabric, I would guess the 50s. though I don't know her, it conveys her story, and now I have added my own story to it.

I started out to do it on the machine but the (new) machine (which is supposed to quilt) kept messing up, but I knew it was because it needed done by hand. And though there is some machine-stitching on it, the back is done by hand. I could imagine the great-grandmothers screaming "Noooooooo . . . stop her!" Hahaha. I added new patches over the ripped ones, new ties, new batting and a new back.

Anyway, it is amazing and so soft and comfy; feels old but new and I just love it. My blood sweat and tears are in it. Last night trying to finish, I wiped sweat off my brow, within thirty seconds pricked my finger which left a pin-head size blood spot on the white, and I started crying I was so frustrated. But it's done and I feel so honored to have been able to save it, to give new life to something that someone worked so hard on and to add my own chapter which will hopefully carry it on down the road a few more generations. Then, when it is back out for the trash, a descendant or some other woman will come along and once again revive it with her own pieces of life.

Cheryl Bruedigam
Designer, Writer, Stylist

Shop my Etsy boutique 

There are few memories to compare with those created on a country late summer morning. Fresh harvest fruits, warm coffee and knowing that fall is just around the corner. Memories that last a lifetime.

Cheryl Bruedigam
Designer, Writer, Stylist

Shop my Etsy boutique 

Grouping Pinks for Soft Valentine Romance in the Home

There are so many ways to add a natural splash of pink into the home to bring in a little romance for Valentine's Day or any day.

Today I am using some items that I have already made to add a romantic yet natural feel to the home.

Hand-milled pink rose soaps snuggled up with a jar of my rose-chamomile bath bags wrapped in pink and white cotton cloths and tied with pink yarn, along with a small Victorian button-heart An old-fashioned crocheted doily displays the items. 

Grouping various items can feature color, textures or other aspects. My grouping was for a soft romantic pink. 

Think about the pink items you may have (or any other color that you prefer!) and ways that you can experiment on grouping them together. I know you will come up with something amazing to group together to add a bit of pink romance to your home.

Invoke the Sea

Almost every January like clockwork, my thoughts turn to the beach, to warm weather and to the sea.
Today as the snow came down, I decided to invoke a little of the sea.

Taking an empty basket, I added seashells arranged just so, paper flowers, a few strands of faux pearls and a bit of lace. Such a transformation! It turned out to be a beautiful arrangement.



You can easily invoke the sea with a basket of your own filled with treasures from vacations past, sea souvenirs, heirlooms or any other crafty pieces. We are still in winter here so I kept my color scheme white with a hint of the dried, the memory-tinged and a look of days by-gone with a touch of peach and pale rusty yellow.'



The sea basket is now gracing the bathroom so that it can be nearest the water.