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Thursday, June 11, 2015
Your Dad - Dragon slayer.
Sunday, June 7, 2015
Coping with Mosquitoes in the Garden, at Home,and at Camp
How many of you wait all Winter long, longing for green grass and the chance to Garden, then you get all that rain and muggy heat, and the bugs come out of hibernation. They are very annoying as after all, they are hungry, and you make a good meal. Click on this link for advice:
And then you get that first Mosquito or Blackfly bite, or worse yet, a Tick. Since our Golden died last Fall and we are dogless, we have noticed way less ticks making their way into the house. Benji had really long belly fur, and the ticks just loved hitching a ride. Guinea Fowl will eat up all the ticks in your yard, I tried to rent my friend's guinea fowl, bit we'll save that story for some other time.
Of course, all of us are anxious to get our gardens planted, and bugs love hanging around churned up dirt and manure.
Photo taken at DeBruins' Greenhouses, Highway 61.
We march outside, spurred on by visions of fabulous Gardens on HGTV, determined to get everything planted ( instead of what we normally do - buy plants like crazy, leave plants to wither away in their tiny packs). I know you don't do this, but in my household, well, that's another story.
A few steps outside, and the dratted things start buzzing around in our hair, and we rush back into the house, in defeat.
A great all-natural Bug spray by Beekman 1802 will help. No nasty chemicals here, no DEET. This Bug spray is loaded with essential oils that bugs hate. This is the same blend of Beekman 1802 Bug repellent oils that has been featured in Vogue & Apartment Therapy.
And in Northern Ontario, it's not like in the movies, where the girl prances around in very short shorts, and sleeveless tops. Cover up, wear long-sleeved cotton shirts, and long cotton pants. When I lived in South America, during rainy season, there is an annoying bug that bites like crazy, so when ever we went on field trips into the bush, it was full Safari gear, no skin left uncovered, hats, socks, boots, all in 95 degrees F and high humidity. Can you imagine how hot we were?
And if you do get bitten, use Breakout Buster which we sell at our store, the Camellia. This product is from the Rocky Mountain Soap Company, Put it on right away as soon as you get a bite, it stops the itching and swelling is a lot less. $9.50.
If you have a camp or Cottage, an essential item is a Mosquito Net. These have been used in the Caribbean and in most tropical countries, because they work .
Hang a Mosquito Net over the bed. Net tucks in between mattress and frame of bed. Leave an opening in case you have to get up to go to the bathroom ( most of you who are not used to sleeping with a net will forget about it and pull the whole thing down on themselves, of course being asleep does not help!) Ours fit up to a queen sized bed, priced at $39.95, they come complete with a hoop which is folded up in the package and like magic, springs up into full size upon opening, so yes, we can ship Mosquito nets within Canada.
How do you cope with Bug season?
Visit The Camellia, 30, Hacquoil Rd. Slate River, Ontario
p-(807)475-3551
Open Wed. 11-5, Thurs. 12-6, Fri. and Sat. 11-5, Sun. 12-5
South on Hwy. 61, left on Hacquoil Rd. We are on the LHS, #30/32
Friday, May 29, 2015
Spring Blossoms at the Camellia, Slate River
Spring blossoms are intoxicating - so pretty and pink, our crabapple trees are in full bloom at the moment. Paris in the Spring....
Truly a miracle, with all the temperatures we have been having lately....one low was minus 5, and we thought that our blossoms may have frozen.
Just making some Boho-chic rag garlands, these are great for Wedding photoprops, and for curtains at Camp.
Just painted this cute little dresser in Flamingo Cottage with flat wax as a topcoat. Reds are the hardest colour to get good coverage with, especially with such an old piece like this one. Yes, it totally depends on what finish is on the piece before you start painting. Before you paint, read this http://cottagepaint.com/welcome-to-cottage-paint/2015/04/24/trying-to-determine-what-finish-could-be-on-the-furniture-before-you-paint-it-you-need-to-read-this/
Really old pieces like these had lots of silicas in the finish, so even though we did primer on it, our paint still cracked. When you put the primer on, leave it at least overnight to dry ( if not longer), This is to allow any reaction to occur, and then to let the Cottage Paint primer seal it all in. Did we let our primer dry overnight? of course not, we were in too much of a hurry.
Used a Sharpie paint marker to do the word Peony, this worked really well, beats painting it with a liner brush.
Come visit us at the Camellia, our crabapple trees are in full bloom.
Getting married? Book a free consultation with Camille today, p-475-3551, or toll-free at
1-877-523-7444.
The Camellia, 30, Hacquoil Rd. Slate River, On
Friday, May 15, 2015
When something Old becomes New again....
I am sure you have noticed the recent change in the What-is-HOT-and -what-is-not-colour-palette, a shift from beiges and browns to greys..and grey..and more grey. You might think this is a new colour trend, however, it's something old that's new again. When we were building our house 27 or so years ago, it was all about grey, and black, and blues, and all those shades that went with grey. Remember all those peach and seafoam Living rooms? This season's hot colours are turquoise and aqua and every shade of blue and green and in-between. Well, we ripped out all that grey and black tile, repainted the blue walls, replaced it with browns and Tuscan colours....only to find out that sigh, yes, it's all ABOUT THE GREY NOW!! Paint rollers, where are you?
Here is some of that grey tile leftover from some project 30 years ago..now being repurposed into a store display.
Are you in the same boat as I am..you want to update but you don't want to blindly follow a trend that may be outdated in a few years... after all, who has the time and money to redo their decor every few years? It makes sense to try to do some research...check out www.houzz.com.
Pinterest is of course, a great source of Inspiration.
Watch HGTV - Sweet Home Alabama with Shaunna. Another great show is Fixer-Upper with Joanna & Chip.
http://www.hgtv.com/shows/fixer-upper/signs-you-re-an-hgtv-fixer-upper-fanatic-pictures
Speaking of something old becoming New again..take a look at our not-too-Shabby-Chic Table that was just redone with Cottage Paint - Dove Grey. This was a table that was thrown out, in really bad shape, and sat in our garage for 2 years ( at least). First step, glue and repair with wood filler.
Then some reconfiguring and TLC as the centre insert was missing, and wood detail on some of the legs was missing. A coat of Cottage Paint primer as this table is so old, there's no telling what is on it. If you are redoing a piece with Cottage Paint, be sure to read this first http://cottagepaint.com/welcome-to-cottage-paint/2015/04/24/trying-to-determine-what-finish-could-be-on-the-furniture-before-you-paint-it-you-need-to-read-this/
Before - gluing and cleaning underway.
Filling the areas with Wood filler, sanding, then coating with clear Primer, 2 coats, allowing 2 hours between coats.
Leave overnight, then paint.
But look at that table now...
Chairs have been refinished with Cottage Paint - base colour is Evening Sky, followed by multiple layers of various colours. We have a set of 4 of these chairs for sale, solid wood, with grey linen seats.
We have Beginners classes in Cottage Paint...on today, Friday, May 15th. at 6.30. Keep checking our website www.thecamellia.com for the next class, or email us.
Have a great MAY long weekend ... stay safe on the roads and stop by and see us at The Camellia, 30 Hacquoil Rd. Slate River, On .
Open Wed. 11-5, Thurs. 12-6, Fri. Sat. 11-5. Sun. 12-5p.
p 807)475-3551
Speaking of something old becoming New again..take a look at our not-too-Shabby-Chic Table that was just redone with Cottage Paint - Dove Grey. This was a table that was thrown out, in really bad shape, and sat in our garage for 2 years ( at least). First step, glue and repair with wood filler.
Then some reconfiguring and TLC as the centre insert was missing, and wood detail on some of the legs was missing. A coat of Cottage Paint primer as this table is so old, there's no telling what is on it. If you are redoing a piece with Cottage Paint, be sure to read this first http://cottagepaint.com/welcome-to-cottage-paint/2015/04/24/trying-to-determine-what-finish-could-be-on-the-furniture-before-you-paint-it-you-need-to-read-this/
Before - gluing and cleaning underway.
Filling the areas with Wood filler, sanding, then coating with clear Primer, 2 coats, allowing 2 hours between coats.
Leave overnight, then paint.
But look at that table now...
Chairs have been refinished with Cottage Paint - base colour is Evening Sky, followed by multiple layers of various colours. We have a set of 4 of these chairs for sale, solid wood, with grey linen seats.
We have Beginners classes in Cottage Paint...on today, Friday, May 15th. at 6.30. Keep checking our website www.thecamellia.com for the next class, or email us.
Have a great MAY long weekend ... stay safe on the roads and stop by and see us at The Camellia, 30 Hacquoil Rd. Slate River, On .
Open Wed. 11-5, Thurs. 12-6, Fri. Sat. 11-5. Sun. 12-5p.
p 807)475-3551
Thursday, May 7, 2015
P.s. I Love You, Mom
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Friday, May 1, 2015
Hello May!!
Happy May Day!!.
Goodbye to putting on heavy Winter coats, and boots, and hats , and layers. Hello sandals..and Birks..and flip-flops. I was woken up this morning by chirpy Robins, and sung to sleep by frogs. There are some geese in the back 40 and a pair of ducks.
Come visit #TheCamellia, try Rocky Mountain Soap wash - in yummy vanilla & coconut.
The Camellia,
30, Hacquoil Rd. (off Hwy. 61)
p-(807)475-3551 for Mother's Day Gift delivery. Hanging baskets and Spa baskets available.
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Lake Superior inspired decor.
It's almost May...and the start of fishing season. Here in Thunder Bay we are blessed to live on the shores of Lake Superior. Why not decorate your Camp in Lake Superior style?
At The Camellia, we sell all kinds of Lake related decor - signs, starfish, seashells, etc. LAKE is an easy decor theme to do - think canoe shelves, rocks, birch poles, and colours that echo the water, sky, rocks and trees. We have 1 Canoe shelf for sale.
How about this birch log fabric, good for making a quick cover up on a tension rod to hide shleving. That's Turquoise Cottage Paint used on the Birdhouse.
Stop by The Camellia and get one of our fabulously easy Tablecloths - water just beads up and rolls off, enabling you to wipe up a spill before it sets in. No more plastic on your table. Can you throw these babies in the wash? Yes, they are polyester.
Sizes : rectangles that are 78" long, 94" long, 126" long.
70" square for pub style tables
70 " rounds
We stock most sizes, and can order in the 126" rectangle.
Here is a 70" round.
Need furniture for your Cottage? You can special order custom-made wooden furniture here.
For Lake Inspiration and lots more, Visit the Camellia,
30 Hacquoil Rd.
Slate River, On
p.807-475-3551 www.thecamellia.com
Open Wed. 11-5, Thurs. 12-5, Friday 12-5, Sat. 11-5, Sun. 12-5
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