Someone’s Trash {is My Treasure}

 
When I shared my Spring Mantel with you, I received a few comments about this cute little pot thingy.  I found it at thrift store for $2!  Even through the built up grime, dirt and unattractiveness {my daughter was seriously gagging}, I saw it’s potential for sweetness.

Here is her before shot.  Mind you this is after I scrubbed, disinfected and sanitized it. Twice.   Ok, thrice. ;)
I decided to paint it out in Heirloom White.  My first thought was black, but it’s Spring so I’m feeling like I want to  lighten things up.
Once I got a couple coats on, I decided the lid needed to be Oil Rubbed Bronze.  So I sprayed the lid to give it more of a metal look.  And I liked!
Once the base was dry, I sanded & then got out my antiquing glaze to bring out the detail in the wood plastic. A simple step but a huge impact.

I glazed it once and felt like I still didn’t love the look.  So I mixed my glaze with a little green and slapped in on again.  Much betta!  I glazed my little birdies too.
 
 I changed out the original metal knob for a little glass knob I had, and she was complete.  I’m quite pleased with her new look.  As the saying goes… One person’s trash is another’s treasure. :)
Oh, and Kammy @ Small Home in the Country picked up my pot’s big sister! (along with some other great finds!)  I can’t wait to see what she does with hers. :)
Sharing today…

 

Mother Daughter Craft :) – Simple Fabric Topiary

 

  

My cute girls are always wanting to make a craft.  They come by it honestly, right?  I feel bad because I always feel like I am saying, “yeah, maybe later”.  I think it is important for me to take the time to do fun projects with them.  Especially now while they are so interested!  One day they may think it isn’t cool or fun…I hope that doesn’t happen!!

So yesterday, I was making a wreath and the question came…"Mom, can we make a craft?”  Instead of my usual answer, I dropped everything and we did just that. :)  This is probably not the first time this project has been done, but it was a first for us and they turned out so cute! 

I have a bunch of Styrofoam balls in my craft room and my little one was already playing with them and she said, “lets make something with these!”  I gathered up some ribbon and scraps of fabric and cut them into about 3-4 inch strips.  Then we simply pressed them into the balls, varying patterns and colors, but nothing to technical.  Once they were full we went around and trimmed some of the edges a bit.  We left the fabric with the raw edge and made sure there was variation in the lengths for dimension and interest.

 

Next we stuck in a stick for the stem, put it in a little pot I had and filled it with moss. (of course)  I then tied a little flower tag on it with jute.  I just used what I had, but it would be fun to have it say something, like “bloom”.  This is the one I made, I gave it to my oldest for her room.  She loves it.  ***I apologize for some of the pictures.  I was in the moment and just took them with my iphone because it was in my pocket. ;)***

This cute thing is the one my daughter made.  She decided to give it to her Dad for  some spring decor in his office.  So sweet! :)  We stuck hers in a little cardboard bag and stuck a little tag on the front.The possibilities are endless and we are excited to try some other variations.

This was so fun, easy and very fulfilling.  They were quick to make, but spending time doing things like this with my girls is so important.  I need to do it more.  I’m linking up at A Lovely Place to Land for DI4Y. 

   

Spring Mantel

The Nester is hosting a mantel party and I am actually feeling a bit like a party animal today.  Especially when this certain party involves one of my favorite things…Mantels.  Mmmmm. Love.

I recently changed up my mantel area in my living room.  Notice I say “mantel area” because like I have whined said before, I have 3 fireplaces in my house and none of them have a “traditional” mantel.  For a girl who loves mantels this is a little hard, but I am so grateful I have 3 fireplaces {i heart them} and I have fun challenging myself to decorate around them.  (Don’t you worry, I have a plan to transform this one and add some mantelish-ness to it…one day.)

This alcove is actually so beautiful. With the plastered wall and the curve on the top, it is so unique and different.  Because of this I always seem to have a problem decorating it.  I way over analyze it because I feel like I never get it to reach it’s full potential.  But, I keep trying.  I have had it a million different ways.  How boring would life be if we didn’t have any decorating challenges, right?

Thanks for checking out my Spring Mantel.  Hop on over to the party and check out all the amazing mantels…so fun!  Oh and by the way, the sun has been out at my house for the last couple days.  YAY!

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My Drug of Choice…Bargain Shopping.

We May Need an Intervention.

 

Mr. Husband just returned from a Points North Heli Skiing Adventure in Alaska.  We are talking Warren Miller style here, dude.  I think he is crazy and quite frankly couldn’t rest the whole 9 days he was away.  He, on the other hand, had the time of his life.  He is an excellent skier and has been skiing most his life.  So for someone like him this is the ultimate experience.  I am so happy he was able to go and get away.  He works sooo hard and rarely does crazy fun things for himself or has guy time.  This was much needed and hopefully he will realize he needs to do more stuff like this to balance out work and play.  He said it was the most amazing experience of his life…next to getting married and having kids, of course.  Of course. ;)  A total natural high.

 

Well, to me that sounds like some sort of torture and I probably would have died on the peak of the mountain from fear alone.  My natural high? Hunting for bargains.  Even the hunt is great but the real excitement is when you actually find something totally amazing for a totally amazing price!  The other cool thing about this is I don’t really have a let down from my high because every time I walk by one of my sweet treasures, the feeling returns.  I know I am crazy, but chances are you are right there with me!

 

I have been a total blog and Etsy shop slacker!  Between spending Easter Weekend at the family farm, Mr. Husband being away and kids being home on spring break, the days have gotten away from me.  I have been working on a few things to share, I just need to get back in the swing of things.  Yesterday, I did a little shopping.  I was on the hunt at the thrift store for an old suitcase for the Carry Hope Suitcase Ministry I am participating in.  (If you haven’t heard about this, check it out.)  The mission was successful and I even found a bonus prize.  This great lamp for $9 and it is big and sturdy…and works!  I love it! (I love… lamp.)  I need to find a fantabulous shade for it, but isn’t she pretty?

Then I went to the fabric store.  I have been itching to change out all the window treatments mistreatments in my house.  I have grown bored of them.  I found some  gorgeous, lush, amazing fabric for $5 a yard.  I know, right?!  Natural high baby. ;)  I also found a couple other remnants ($2-$3/yard)  and trim that are beaut-ee-ful for a couple other little projects I will be sharing soon.  Oh, and wood curtain rods, with rings {75% off = $5 each} AND a big round tray 90% off = $2.25!  All in all, happy day! :)

For now I think I have my addiction in control.  Not to say that one day you won’t see me on some TLC show.  Mr.Husband hasn’t called them yet. ;)  All kidding aside, I feel so grateful that I get to play and enjoy the things I love to do.  In all seriousness, my favorite natural high is being with my little family.  Spending time with my sweet girls and wonderful husband is the best.  Hearing my kids laugh and watching them grow is my ultimate experience! :)  I am blessed.

Stay tuned for more regular posts and some fun projects, tutorials, etc.

Linking up…

Frugalicous Friday @ Finding Fabulous

Spreading a Bit of Spring

Have you guys heard about A Lovely Place to Land’s  DI4Y Month?  Every Thursday of this month she will be having a linky party showing something we’ve created for someone else.   I am very excited to participate and what a great reminder to serve and love others with our talents.  Check it out! :)


I am also participating in a service project she has organized to donate fun suitcases or bags to the girls at Hope Hills Children’s Home.  You can check it out here… http://thedi4yproject.webs.com/getinvolved.htm





This week I made this sweet little planter for my aunt.  She has always been a big part of my life and consider her an aunt, sister and friend all rolled into one!  She is an amazing person who is always willing to help and give, never expecting anything in return.  She is very accepting of everyone and doesn’t gossip or talk poorly of others.  I am always impressed with her positive attitude.  She has always been an example to me and one of my biggest fans.  My kids LOVE to be around her because she is always fun and happy and does fun things with them.  I love to laugh with her and be silly, but I know she’d always be there for me in a time of need.  I am so grateful for her in my life and I probably don’t tell her enough. 


Thanks, Amanda for reminder us all to share our talents with others.  Although it’s not much, hopefully sharing this bit of Spring with my Aunt will brighten her day and remind her how loved and appreciated she is.





A little planter like this is so fun and easy to make.  It is actually in a little mug, so it doesn’t take much to fill it.  I started with my just a bit off center, so they can fall down one side.  Then I simply added in some mini roses and filled in with different greens and moss until I got my desired look and fullness.  Next I stuck in my tiny little nest.  For the finishing touch, I tied a sweet bow on the handle.  This adds some softness as well as balance.  I hope this inspires you to create and spread some spring and love!  Warmest wishes to you and yours.




Linking...

My Nod to Spring

It’s a little weird that I am sharing my spring vignette with you and it looks like this outside.  But that is Spring for ya, especially here.  Just yesterday I was excited to see the bits of green peeking through my yard and today it’s a full blown winter storm.





This is just off my garage entry.  We call it the “shoe cabinet” and I usually like to do a little bit of seasonal decor on top of it.  For spring I like a simple, sort of garden-y, cottage-y feel.  A blend of *AsCloseToPastelsAsIget* colors but nothing to matchy-matchy or themed. 


*A couple quick tips for arranging accessories… Vary your heights and colors in such a way that your eye easily follows the flow.  Also, leave some space for the eye to rest.  I like to have a variety of textures and elements that compliment each other. Group like items and try to add interest and your own style.  Play around with your layout and make it feel good to you, that is most important.





I have my eggs and dollar store moss pieces {LOVE} piled in a sweet patina planter with a wire trellis.  I used to have sweet ivy growing in this but I killed it with my brown thumb it somehow died. :(  I may try again.  Then I got this cute stone urn that had the sweet little bird on top.  It was only $4 and very cute, but as I was putting it into my car I broke the little birdy off.  I was just going to glue him back on but then tried this boxwood bush in the hole and liked it!  So the little bird friend is just hanging out below. 
 



I have a rustic ‘Home Sweet Home’ sign stuck in the back with a mirror and my little colored glass bottles on a sweet doily to the other side.  I have had these little bottles for 11 yrs!  I heart them.





For a bit of the unexpected, I hung my dollar store hanging planter with my version of the jute twine eggs, on my lamp with some ribbon.  The planter was black and I painted it and aged it a bit.  On my eggs I wrapped some moss bits and extra vines I had around them.  They turned out really cute, but I am not gonna lie…I added the vines because I did a impatient job of wrapping my eggs and there were some spaces.  I like the final result.  (sorry about the darkish picture)





I hope you enjoyed my  “Nod to Spring” Vignette.  I hope it is not snowing where you are, and I hope you have a Merry Christmas  Happy Easter!  

I’m linking up with…