Saturday Spotlight: Life Behind The Blogger

Susan from Must Love Junk, and myself (Kris) Junk Chic Cottage wanted to do a regular feature on our blogs, something unique that hasn't been done before.   So we came up with an idea to 'spotlight the real life behind the blogger' in a more personal way.

There is so much talent and inspiration in blogland, and we thought it would be fun to bring you a closer look at the person behind the blog.

Every week on Saturday we will spotlight a blogger and have them tell us a little bit about themselves and their blogs.  You will be able to see and read about each of the bloggers on both Susan's and my blog. 

Saturday January 4th

Michelle from "Petite Michelle Louise"

It is my great pleasure to start the New Spotlight for 2014 with the lovely Michelle from Petite Michelle Louise blog spot.  Sit back and enjoy learning more about Michelle.  I have gotten to know Michelle this past year with our shared loved of vintage, white and all things french.  You will love getting to know her on a more personal level.  Enjoy.

Bonjour....my name is Michelle, better known as “Petite Michelle Louise”. I am so very honored that Kris invited me to be her first “Saturday Spotlight” of 2014! I started my blog & opened my ETSY shop, both called “Petite Michelle Louise”, just about 4 years ago after our only child left for college. It was at that same time that I lost one of my most lucrative contracts as an Educational Audiology Consultant and, with a husband who traveled frequently, I was facing a completely “empty nest.” It was my mother who said to me: “You need to go back to doing what you love...you need to pursue your artistic passion once again.” And so....with no direction or vision to follow but with the unwavering support and encouragement of my loving husband...I listened for that whisper in my heart to guide me on the path that would lead me back to my heart’s true passion...my “art.” 

Never could I have imagined that in doing so..... my life would change in so many ways. 

“Moi” with my husband, Mark & our son, Tim

Summer 2013

I found  ETSY while perusing a creative magazine. I went to their website and was amazed at the “caliber” of artists who owned shops on the site. I would describe it as a community of artists, creators, collectors, thinkers and doers. It’s a wonderfully-supportive community that allows artists to own a small (and sometimes larger) creative business and helps them to introduce their products to a world-wide audience. 

Opening my ETSY shop led me to the world of blogging and now, I can't imagine it not being a part of my life. I must admit, I was hesitant at first. I wasn’t sure if I would have anything  of “value” to share or that there would be anyone out there interested in reading about it. Slowly but surely, I started to share my creative passions and then, without intending to.....a very big part of my heart & soul as well. In doing so, I have had the great blessing of meeting incredibly wonderful women whom I know will be lifelong friends.  Each and every one of them has added their unique beauty to my life and I consider myself blessed beyond measure because of them.

I hope you will consider stopping in at “Petite Michelle Louise”. I look forward to getting to know the unique beauty that lies within “YOU.”

“The desire to create is one of

the deepest yearnings of

the human soul. No matter our

talents, education,

backgrounds, or abilities, we

each have an inherent

wish to create something that

did not exist before.

Everyone can create. You don’t

need money, position,

or influence in order to create

something of substance. Creation brings

satisfaction and fulfillment.

We develop ourselves and

others when we take organized

matter into our hands and mold it into something of

beauty.”

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

“Merci” Kris for sharing your beauty and inspiration with us all and allowing me this opportunity to share a little bit of “me” with all of your lovely readers.

Thank you Michelle for sharing your lovely family and life with us.  Now after getting to know Michelle better head over to Susan's blog and learn more about another sweet blogger Kathy from Creative Home Expressions.

Have a wonderful start to the new year.

Kris

:)

Can you Say Let It Snow!

Happy New Year Everyone.  Ours is starting out with a bang here in the Chicagoland suburbs.  Mother Nature is packing a punch for all of us.

The snow fall started on New Year's Eve and has not stopped.  We are suppose to get around 11 to 15 inches before it is done tomorrow.

Look at the size of these icicles hanging from the house!  Baby it's cold and snowy outside so I am staying inside.
Hope you are staying warm and cozy where you are.
Might have to go outside later and make a snowman or stay inside with hot cocoa and pinterest! Yep, Hot Cocoa and Pinterest wins!!!!!
Stay warm and cozy.
Kris

New Year New Changes

As we approach the new year.  I decided I need change ups but this year my new challenge will be to do the transformations and not spend any money.  To rediscover and use what I already have to get a new and fresh look.

After taking down the Christmas decor I decided to start the  change up a few things that were easy peasy.

I flip flopped my bedroom drapes with the living room drapes.  These are not as fufu for the living room space.

The Shabby Chic Rachel Ashwell curtains with the ruffles are better in the bedroom.  I love that I have a big picture window in my bedroom.  It lets a lot of light in and I can see out into the garden area so I really do not want a heavy cover up on this window.  So these curtains from the living room let in a lot of light.

Easy Change up just switching out curtains and getting a whole new look in each room.

I have had this old grandfather clock for years.  I got it a Montgomery Wards years ago.  It is not the real deal and it has been several colors through the years.   I have always loved this clock.  It stopped working a while back so I just did not want to part with it so this is what I came up with.

I married the clock I had hanging on the wall with the grandfather clock.  The hubby attached the wall clock  to this grandfather clock.  Easy fix and I still have both the clocks I love but now this one is working.

It was just a matter of taking the door off and attaching the new clock to the top of the grandfather clock.  Then I painted the non working pendulum and weights to shabby it up some.  Now I have a "new" old grandfather clock.

I am excited to start to transform my kitchen.  Just some fresh paint and a little cabinet up do and restyling.  I hope to start that after the first of the year.  No money spent transformations are about to begin!

Have a wonderful New Year.  Thank you everyone for visiting my blog and leaving your sweet comments.  It  means a lot to me to get the feed back on my decor change ups.  I appreciate all the wonderful friendships I have made in this past year.
Kris
:)