Sunday, August 7, 2016

Stencils are a Girl's Best Friend

I got these old brass stencils from a yard sale at work earlier this year.  The library brought them to the yard sale and before they could even put them out, I snatched them up.  There are 3 sizes--2 inch, 3 inch and 4 inch.  This weekend I finally did a few projects with them.
These galvanized buckets were the first thing I made over.  After removing the burlap and twine, I taped the stencils onto the buckets and used a sharpie to trace the numbers.  Then I hand painted them using black acrylic paint.
I put our address on the buckets and dressed them up even further.  I used the burlap that I removed, cut it in half and tied a piece to each little handle.  Gravel was used to weigh them down and hold the silk red carnations in the bucket. 
Now which way should these go on my front steps?  Do you read from bottom to top? 
Or top to bottom?  Which way should I display them?
This next piece I have had forever.  It used to have terra cotta pots cut in half on it in different sizes with flowers.  They fell off long ago and it was time for something new. 
Stencils to the rescue!  The 3 inch stencils were used again to spell out "Welcome" and I hand painted the letters in a custom paint color I made to match our house color. I sanded the letters just a bit to give them a nice worn look. It now hangs proudly outside of our front door. 
I changed up the front porch display just a little bit, took the flags out of the buckets, added some twine and a new red mum to the inside of the crate.  I am going to love changing this whole set-up for each season and holiday! 
Here is a shot of our front porch today.  I love how welcoming it is! 

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Sunday, July 24, 2016

Vintage Container Gardens & a New Little Love of My Life

I don't know what has changed in me this year, but I am loving having a little garden to take care of.  In the past, I would plant flowers in the spring but once the heat of summer came, I was done.  This year it's different.  Maybe it's because I know that this is my forever home and I will get to see these flowers come back year after year.  Whatever it is, I sure do love it!
Container gardens are so much fun.  I love planting different things in each one.  My galvenized bucket is bursting with a pretty green Hosta and bright pink dianthus.
My old coal bucket is perfect for these sunshine yellow marigolds.   
My vintage red Radio Flyer wagon is really doing well in this corner of the yard.  I can't remember what the names of these flowers are but they sure are pretty. 
This old wheel barrow was left here when we bought the house.  It has holes rusted in the bottom of it so it was all ready to become a planter. 
I found these old farm buckets on Craigslist for $5 EACH.  I got 4 of them and now I wish I would have gotten more! 
I saved some large tin cans, painted them up, had Cody drill holes in them and added some twine to hang them with.  They are hanging off of a shepherd's hook and have pretty petunias growing in them. 
The lady I got the buckets from gave me this one for free since it was 2 stuck together that they couldn't get apart.  I love how containers add height, interest and texture to my garden.  I am on the look out for more fun vintage things to use as planters...any ideas for me? 
I would like to introduce you to my new nephew, Riggins Reece.  He was born on Friday and I am so in love with this little man.  His big brother Fischer is so excited for him to finally be out of mommy's tummy.  I can't wait for them to come home so I can go snuggle him more.  I spent all day yesterday cooking up casseroles to take to their house so they have some good food to eat when they get home.  Welcome to the world Riggins, this auntie can't wait to love on you and cover you in kisses soon!

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Share It One More Time
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Sunday, July 17, 2016

Let's Go Camping Mantlescape

This is the first summer in a couple of years that we haven't been camping.  Like at all.  It's amazing how much I miss it!  We decided since we just bought a house and have a lot of work to do on it, we would not go camping this summer so that every weekend would be dedicated to our house.  
When I got this Scentsy Camper warmer, it made me wish we were up camping even more.  But it also inspired me to create this fun Camping Mantle.  It's not quite the same as being up in the mountains, but it definitely brings a smile to my face.   
This cute little directional chalkboard sign was perfect for this vignette.  This birch log with 3 spots for candles is a fun play on a "campfire" and a mason jar with colorful pinwheels adds to the whimsy. 
I found these super cute lanterns at a yard sale and even though they are actually hummingbird feeders, they work for my camping mantle.  There were 3 of them and I think I could use them for other fun things. 
I made a fun rag ball garland and put buttons between each ball.  It's colorful and a nice little touch. 
When I was out in the garage earlier, I spotted this old camper license plate and added it to my mantle.  I love the mountains on it! 
The middle book in my book stack has the word "Summer" in it so that was a happy coincidence! 
I am sure there are more fun things to put on my camping mantle and hopefully I find more stuff soon. 
I love how colorful this is.  Maybe next year we will get to go camping at least once! 
So we rescued this sweet yellow lab today.  She belonged to someone we know and she has been beaten down and unloved her whole life.  When we heard that she was living in a kennel, never getting out, hardly being fed among other things, we decided to rescue her and give her a better life.  We don't need or want another dog but we couldn't live with ourselves knowing that she was suffering,  So we will get her spayed and show her love.  If we find a loving home for her, we will let her go but if we don't, we will keep her as our own.  I just don't understand how anyone can get a dog and then treat it badly.  They are so full of love and personality and don't deserve to be treated poorly. Don't worry Ellie, you have a new home now and will be loved and taken care of!
     
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Saturday, July 9, 2016

Picnic Under the Oak Tree

What is it about picnics that seem so old fashioned and so romantic?  I always tell Cody that one of these days, we are going on a picnic!  When I went thrifting earlier in the week, I found the cutest picnic tote and snatched it up as fast as I could.
I paid $6 for this adorable Picnic Time picnic tote in the Cottage Rose pattern.  Of course I loved it even more when I found out what it was called.  And it came complete and looks like it was never, ever used! 
It came with plates, napkins, glasses and silverware for two, plus a little cutting board, cheese knife and wine bottle opener.  There is a spot for 2 bottles of wine and the cooler compartment has a detachable bag so you can empty it out easily.  Guess what?  We had a picnic! 
I set up my red and white gingham tablecloth outside under our big oak tree.  I set out a plate of crackers, salami and grapes and had a hunk of cheese on the little wood cutting board.  A chilled bottle of white zinfandel was opened and we were set to have the perfect little picnic. 
The plates have a cottage rose on them that match the roses on the tote.  I love blue and red together and I love this picnic set! 
Cody loves cheese, crackers and salami so he didn't mind having to sit in the grass for a little yummy treat.  He is always indulging me in my wild and crazy ideas.  I love him! 
I would love to have a vintage wicker picnic basket but I also love this modern, pretty tote as well.  It has lots of pockets and places for other fun treats that you might want to bring along on your picnic. 
It's been pretty warm and more humid than normal around here lately so today's overcast weather was perfect for a picnic under our old oak tree. 
I think everyone should go on a picnic at least once a year, even if it is just in your own front yard! 
Linking up with:
Share It One More Time
Dishing It & Digging It
Amaze Me Monday
Cooking & Crafting with J & J
Art of Homemaking Monday
No Place Like Home
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Wow Us Wednesday
Sizzle Into Summer
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Simple & Sweet Friday
Share Your Style
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Saturday, July 2, 2016

Yellow Flowers, Stars & Stripes Vignettes

I am a little late in sharing my 4th of July decor but I love it so much, I had to squeeze it in for everyone to see!
My coffee table vignette turned out so cute.  Don't the yellow flowers look perfect with the red, white and blue? 
I found the cutest little handled galvenized metal buckets at a thrift store and loved finding a way to use one in this vignette.   
I thought about white washing the basket, but the light color of it is perfect just the way it is. 
I carried the yellow flowers and stars and stripes outside as well. 
I have vintage blue Mason Jars hanging off my porch all the time.  To dress them up for the 4th, I added the yellow flowers, a little flag and a strip of fabric tied to the wire that hangs them. 
Right now I only have 4 hanging out there but I am always on the look out for more! 
I love how blue Mason Jars can pretty much be worked into any season and decor! 
Of course I had to decorate this little corner of the porch too.  No jars here, but there are those yellow flowers and some more stars and stripes!
I love how welcoming a cutely decorated porch can be.  I think my porch is definitely welcoming all who come visit! 
 Do you have big plans for the 4th of July?  We will probably stay in where it is cool and then head to a friend's house a little later in the evening.
Have a very Happy Independence Day!


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Sunday, June 26, 2016

Outdoor Candle Chandelier

Hello!  Is anybody there?  I totally took a little blog break without really meaning to.  I guess I just hadn't done anything blog worthy or something like that.  Last weekend I decided that our outdoor oasis needed a chandelier of some sort hanging over our spool table.  Here is what I came up with:
I had 2 vintage egg baskets that I pried apart.  The handled one stores my root vegetables in my pantry for now.  This one is now being used for my outdoor candle chandelier.  With just a few supplies, I created exactly what I had in mind! 
I placed some plastic in the bottom so that the moss wouldn't fall out.  Two different kinds of moss that I got from the Dollar Tree fill the bottom of the basket and then I placed some candles and made sure they were in there nice and sturdy.   
I used twine that I tied in 4 places to hang the basket.  Cody hung it from a rope in the tree low enough so I can light the candles very easily.  
It's not quite dark but the candles are already looking wonderful outside.  A late night dinner is definitely in order!
This chandelier is so perfect for this space.  I love it when things in my head come to fruition in real life.


I need some help identifying some fruit trees in our yard.  This one is an apricot tree and I am so excited about it.  I love apricot jam and will definitely be making apricot jam as soon as these are fully ripe. 
This one is one that I need help identifying.  Any ideas? 
And here is another.  Any help identifying these is so appreciated!  As soon as I know what these are I can start researching and figuring out how to use them.
Summer is definitely in full swing here.  This week we are in the triple digits again and will be for who knows how long.  Stay cool my friends!

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Five Star Frou Frou
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Wow Us Wednesday
Sizzle Into Summer 
Dishing It & Digging It
Talk of the Town
Share Your Cup
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Share Your Style
Thoughts of Home
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