Sunday, December 1, 2013

Christmas Candles

 I went on a crafting spree today and I love what my crazy mind came up with.  Candles are always a festive addition to any holiday and I think the ones that I came up with today are perfect for Christmas!  My fleur de lis bucket is the perfect vessel for holding my candles and mini match boxes.
 The little round candles in the glass I have had for awhile now and the pillars I just got today.  Both of them are from the Dollar Tree.  I almost went back to get more but I will wait until tomorrow.  I have wrapped them in vintage sheet music that I tore for a rustic look then took some twine and wound it around a few times before tying it in a knot.  The little round one has a snowflake, the pillars have a star and the matchboxes have sheet music, a twine bow and a little rhinestone.  They are so adorable!
 I only had one candle left but will be getting more so I can make more of these.  This pillar is wrapped in sheet music and twine and has a vintage button.  I then put some moss in the bottom of one of my vintage tart tins and placed the candle in it.  Isn't it cute?
 Next, I took some jars that I have saved and placed some sheet music inside.  The top of the jars are wrapped in twine and then I hot glued a frosty white rose to the front.  These would look so sweet with an electric candle flickering on the inside.
 I made over some more of my electric candle sticks as well.  These are wrapped in sheet music and have twine accents.  The silver glitter star is a perfect finishing touch.  I didn't paint these white, I left them their old, yellow color to better match the sheet music.
 And these ones are very Christmasy.  Again, they are wrapped in sheet music (I told you I love using sheet music in my crafts!)  Red velvet ribbon goes around the top with a sweet green button, red pearls go around the bottom and a little greenery makes them perfect for Christmas.  (Don't mind the orange light bulb, I need to get some more clear ones.)  By the way, Dollar Tree sells night light bulbs in packs of 3 and they work perfect for these candle sticks.
 I plan on selling all of these things at the craft sale on Thursday.  I hope people like what I have created and want to buy some of my things!  

Did you have a wonderful Thanksgiving?  I did!  Cody and I really took advantage of our 4 days off of work and were pretty lazy for the most part, which we totally deserve to be!  I can't believe that Thanksgiving has come and gone already but I am ready for Christmas.  We put up our decorations and have been enjoying our festive home.  Here is the view from where I sit and relax in the living room.  It doesn't get much better than this!  Have a great week!
Linking up with:
Sunday View: Inspired Sunday 
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Sunday, November 24, 2013

Makeovers part 1

 I finally got around to making over some of my recent Vintage Christmas Finds.  With the temperatures here starting to be in the freezing zone, I have to have a lot more patience when waiting for the paint to dry!  But it was worth the wait when I finally got to add some bling to these candlesticks!
 
Some white paint, pearls and a few vintage pieces of jewelry make this candlesticks so pretty!  I only made these three for now but I am excited to finish the rest of the ones I have and maybe even find some more!
 I painted the orange bulbs white but will have to find some clear ones since the orange light shines right through.  I didn't make them too Christmasy in hopes of keeping them out year round on my mantle.  I even added some white glitter to the "drips" to really make it shine!
 I still have so many tart tins left over after making these trees and ornaments.  I guess that is a good thing since I have so many more ideas in mind for them.
 I love using vintage sheet music in my crafting and part of the fun is finding different ways to incorporate it into my project.  You can see here how I used it in a couple different ways.
 Clearly I am in to white and silver this year!  Maybe I should add some Christmas colors as well, just to spice things up a little bit.
 I still need to figure out what I am going to use to put on these ornaments for hanging them.  Should I use ribbon, twine or something else that I haven't thought of?  Each little tree is decorated a little differently and they are all tiny and sweet!
I have been having so much fun creating all of these things and I am not done yet!  On December 5th, there is an arts and crafts show at the college I work for that I will be participating in.  It doesn't cost anything to sell your stuff, but 10% of your proceeds go toward a scholarship.  I can get behind that!  So I better stay busy and get as much ready to sell as I can.

Thanksgiving week is finally here and I am so excited!  Not only do I get a 4 day weekend, but I get to spend it with people that I love.  Wishing you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Linking up with:
The Tablescaper: Seasonal Sundays
VMG206: DIY Sunday Showcase
Dwellings: Amaze Me Monday
Boogieboard Cottage: Masterpiece Monday
The Dedicated House: Make it Pretty Monday
Home Coming: The DIY'ers
Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
A Stroll Thru Life: Inspire Me Tuesday
 Knick of Time
Savvy Southern Style: Wow Us Wednesday
The Style Sisters: Centerpiece Wednesday
Ivy & Elephants: What's It Wednesday
Lavender Garden Cottage: Cottage Style Party
Rooted in Thyme: Simple & Sweet Friday
French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday
Common Ground: Be Inspired
The Charm of Home: Home Sweet Home

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Sunday, November 10, 2013

Vintage Christmas Finds

 Having a friend who runs estate sales could be a very bad thing for me.  Or it could be a good thing, I guess it just depends on who you ask.  This weekend they had a Christmas sale.  They buy all of the leftover stuff from the sales and decided to put all of the Christmas stuff together and do a Christmas sale.  I got lucky and found some great stuff!  I have been looking for these things and have big ideas for them.

 I love these electric candle holders.  Most of these are vintage and are in wonderful shape.  I have always loved how The Polka Dot Closet transformed hers and I want to do it too.  Now that I have a mantle, these will be perfect for it.  The possibilities are endless and I can't wait to get started transforming mine!
They had 5 bags of these bottle brush trees and as much as I would have liked to buy them all, I only bought one.  My friend said she would save any leftovers for me though.  I can't believe how hard it is to find these, at least around here, so I was happy to find these.  I already started bleaching them and am looking for lot's of ideas to use them in decorating and crafting.
 I have also been saving jars and this is the perfect idea.  The glitter, the white...it is all so beautiful and I am so excited to start creating some of my own.
These tart tins were a great find.  All shapes have 6 tins, so I have 36 altogether.  I can really get creative with these.  Ornaments, magnets, fun little baskets.  I see so many ideas and want to make them all!
 This little snowman sitting in this tart tin is too cute.  Definitely going to try and make this!
I got some great sheet music books so these trees will have to be made.  And see what they are sitting on-a tart tin!  Another great idea!
Vintage Christmas ornaments are one of my favorite things to find.  I don't really have any plans for them, I love them in in a glass bowl or in an apothecary jar.  I don't think that I will ever have enough!
 And my last find was this sweet vintage angel tree topper.  This is just like the angel that would sit on top of our Christmas tree when I was growing up.  Putting the angel on the top of the tree was always the best job.  I love that angel and want it for my own one day.  But for now, I found one of my own!  This is in the original package and was never used.  I paid $4 for it and the original price tag on it said $5.99.  I can't wait to put it on my tree this year!  I paid less than $20 for all of this stuff!

I won't be putting any of my Christmas decorations up until AFTER Thanksgiving.  I hate when people skip past Thanksgiving to Christmas, probably because I love Thanksgiving so much.  But once it is over, I am all about Christmas!

Linking up with:
Sunday View: Inspired Sunday
Boogieboard Cottage: Masterpiece Monday
Dwellings: Amaze Me Monday
The Dedicated House: Make it Pretty Monday
Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
A Stroll Thru Life: Inspire Me Tuesday
Knick of Time
Have a Daily Cup of Mrs Olson: Share Your Cup Thursday
ColoradoLady: Vintage Thingie Thursday
Common Ground: Be Inspired
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Sunday, November 3, 2013

Finally...I have a mantle!

 It's funny how you can take a break from something without meaning to.  That is kind of how October was for me.  I didn't mean to neglect my blog, it just sort of happened.  I found myself being asked by several different people if I would take their family pictures so every weekend in October consisted of taking the photos then editing the photos.  That left very little time for me to do much of anything else with my slow little computer.  But it was definitely worth it because I got to spend time with family and friends capturing this time in their lives! 
 One thing that I have never had in all the houses that I have lived in is a mantle.  Having one has been on my wish list for a very long time.  We thought about building a faux one but we really needed a fireplace to help heat our house this winter.  With oil heating, anything is better than paying $500 for half a tank of oil that only lasts a month or two.  We finally decided to bite the bullet and buy an electric fireplace.  I am so happy that we did!

 We ordered it online through Lowes and got free shipping, 10% off and interest free financing for 6 months.  Even better!  The picture on their site just doesn't do it justice, it is so much prettier in person!  It arrived on Halloween so Cody spent the evening putting it together.  He has been playing with the thermostat all weekend and I think he finally has it figured out.  This fireplace is going to be so nice to have this winter!
 Of course I am most excited about decorating it.  I have put together a few things on it for Thanksgiving but I don't have much.  I have big ideas for it and can't wait to decorate it for every season.
 So far it is really keeping our house nice and toasty.  It also makes our house feel extra cozy and homy.  I am so glad we finally got a fireplace.
 Here are a few pictures of my corner all decorated for fall.  This really is my favorite time of year for so many reasons!
 Do you think one can decorate with too many banners?  I hope not because I love making them!
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Sunday, September 22, 2013

Burlap, Felt & Twine Creations

 Do you ever make something with the intention to sell it and just really want to keep it for yourself when it is all done?  That happened to me this weekend when I made this sweet little banner and wreath.  Plus they both go so perfectly on my old shabby door, like they were meant to hang there!  What do you think?
 This coming week at the college I work for is Homecoming.  One of the festivities is called Taste of the Harvest where wineries have samples of their wines, people bring goods to sell and there are a lot of other activities.  My mother-in-law is going to have a booth and I am going to sell a few of my things there.  This banner and wreath is going to be for sale...unless I end up just keeping it for myself!
 Of course I hope it sells so I can make some money, but if it doesn't, I know exactly where they will hang in my house!  I also made a few more banners of different kinds and if I have time, I might make a few more wreaths.
 I am loving the colors I used for these.  The chipboard shapes are a nice ivory color so I made felt roses using sandstone, white and antique white felt.  The pearls really make it perfect!
 I covered a wreath form in burlap and it is rustic and imperfect, but I love it!  These colors together make my heart happy.  They are simple but so crisp and beautiful.
 Maybe it will sell, maybe it won't.  Either way, I had fun making them and I would be happy either way!
My birthday was on Friday and it was a pretty good day.  Although I had to work, I had a fun day anyway.  My co-workers brought me coffee, muffins, chocolates, wine and took me to lunch.  Cody took me out to dinner and bought me this amazing bed set.  He knows me so well!  I absolutely love all things Paris and this bed set is so perfect for me.  Once I get my bedroom totally done, I will be sure to share it with you!

Have a great week!

The Tablescaper: Seasonal Sunday
Sunday View: Inspired Sunday
DWELLINGS: Amaze Me Monday
Boogieboard Cottage: Masterpiece Monday
Le Chateau des Fleurs: Monday Link Party
The Dedicate House: Make it Pretty Monday
Cozy Little House: Tweak it Tuesday
Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
A Stroll Thru Life: Inspire Me Tuesday 
VMG206: Brag About It
Savvy Southern Style: Wow Us Wednesday
The Style Sisters: Centerpiece Wednesday
Ivy & Elephants: What's It Wednesday
Timewashed: Blissful Whites Wednesday
Faith, Grace & Crafts: Pearls & Lace Thursday
Lavender Garden Cottage: Cottage Style Party
Have a Daily Cup of Mrs Olson: Share Your Cup Thursday
Rooted  in Thyme: Simple & Sweet Friday
Common Ground: Be Inspired
Jennifer Rizzo: Fabulously Creative Friday
French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday
  The Charm of Home: Home Sweet Home
Obsessive & Creative: Craft Frenzy Friday
The Jenny Evolution: Friday Flash
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Sunday, September 15, 2013

Old Fashioned Sunday Dinner

Maybe it is because I am turning another year older this week.  Maybe it is because I recently saw the house that I grew up in and it made me really sad (more about that later).  Maybe it is the fact that Fall is on its way here and I always crave comfort foods this time of year.  Maybe I am just an old fashioned girl who likes tradition and carrying on things that those before me did.  I am not sure what it is, but I have been making sure that we have an old fashioned Sunday dinner for the past few weeks, just like we did when I was growing up!
 Tonight I made Moist Baked Buttermilk Chicken.  Tenders for me, thighs for Cody.  Of course Cody would prefer that I fry it, but I don't really like frying in the house and I am doing Weight Watchers and fried foods are too many points!  So far I have made meatloaf and a pork roast.  There are so many options as to what I can make...can't wait to explore them all!  Along with the chicken, I made mashed potatoes and gravy, brown sugar carrots and a nice rustic ciabatta bread.  I always make mashed potatoes and gravy, the flavor of the gravy just changes depending on the kind of protein I am making. 
 My grandma is a great cook and I picked up some tips from her that I would like to share with you.  I am sure some of you already do these things, but if you don't, you definitely should!  
  1. I save my bacon grease in a mug and use it when I need some fat and extra flavor.  I had 4 of these amazing vintage Snoopy mugs but somehow Cody lost all but this one.  I didn't want to lose this one so it is my bacon grease holder.  It stays in the fridge and comes in handy quite a lot.  Frying your pork chops in bacon grease is beyond amazing!
  2. When you drain your potatoes for mashed potatoes, save some of the water and use it in your gravy.  It really helps the flavor out a lot.
  3. Whether you wear an apron or not, throw a dish towel over your shoulder.  It is always right there when you need to wipe your hands, the counter or use it as a hot pad.  I always have a dish towel over my shoulder when I am in the kitchen!
  4. And last but not least, every Sunday dinner needs a dessert!

This lemon meringue pie isn't homemade, but it is amazing and it's the perfect dessert to finish off my old fashioned Sunday dinner.  Thank you Marie Callender for your amazing pies.  The crust tastes just like homemade.  I am going to learn to make homemade pie crust like the pros very soon and will be sure to share it with you!
This sweet little picture of handprints is of me and my brother's hands back in 1986.  Josh was 2 and I was 4 when my dad put sidewalks in around our house.  He let us put our handprints in this section in the front of the house so that we could see how much we grew over the years.  They sold that house about 7 years ago and it broke my heart.  That was the only house I lived in for the first 24 years of my life.  I always dreamed of my kids going to visit their grandparent's there someday and putting their hands in our ours to see how they measured up.  Miranda Lambert's song "The House That Built Me" is the perfect song when it comes to the house I grew up in.  The first time I heard it I bawled my eyes out...I could have written that song myself, down to the handprints on the front step! I went to a yard sale next door to it yesterday and I went into the yard to snap this picture.  Sadly, the people that bought it from us lost it and it is in horrible shape.  I started crying because the weeds are as tall as the house, the grass is dead and it isn't the house that I grew up in and loved.  I wish I could buy it.  I also wish I could take this piece of cement out of the sidewalk and keep it forever!

Linking up with:
Sunday View: Inspired Sunday
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Sunday, September 8, 2013

Fall Milk Can

 Oh how I wish I had a big, beautiful porch to decorate for each season.  Since I don't, I do my best to make my little front step look festive and welcoming.  My old milk can is the perfect vessel for some lovely fall foliage.
 Cody and I went to his work shop yesterday and the canal was loaded with cattails that were in perfect condition.  I grabbed some scissors and cut a bunch to take home.  I knew I could figure out a way to use them for fall decorating.
 I had also stopped by Michael's on Friday and picked up these pretty glittery silk flowers.  They were 99 cents each and I love the colors.  These came in handy too!
 The wired ribbon with pumpkins I had from last year and I didn't realize it until I put it all together, but the colors match perfectly.  This little milk can makeover was turning into quite a little happy accident of a project!
 This project only cost me about $3 and it makes such a bold statement.  My little front step is looking like it is ready for fall now!  I just need to find a cute pumpkin to set on my terracotta candle holder and it will be perfect.
Can I just tell you how happy I am that it is September?  Not only do I have a birthday in September, but I am loving the cooler weather and I can't wait for everything that fall brings!

Linking up with:
The Tablescaper: Seasonal Sundays
Sunday View: Inspired Sunday
Boogieboard Cottage: Masterpiece Monday
Dwellings: Amaze Me Monday 
Le Chateau des Fleurs: Monday Link Party
The Dedicated House: Make it Pretty Monday
Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Cozy Little House: Tweak It Tuesday
Home Coming: The DIY'ers
Knick of Time Tuesday
A Stroll Thru Life: Inspire Me Tuesday
Tips & Tricks: Fall Crafting Edition
Savvy Southern Style: Wow Us Wednesday
Lavender Garden Cottage: Cottage Style 
The Style Sisters: Centerpiece Wednesday
Ivy & Elephants: What's It Wednesday
Have a Daily Cup of Mrs Olson: Share Your Cup Thursday
Rooted in Thyme: Simple & Sweet Friday
Common Ground: Be Inspired
The Charm of Home: Home Sweet Home
French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday
Jennifer Rizzo: Fabulously Creative Friday
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