Finally Done!

I always seem to have projects in process. However, I have been wanting to get this chalkboard done for my kitchen for awhile now. I got the idea because I had an old shutter with all the louvers missing

Then I had Mr T. cut me some masonite to fit inside.

I then painted the frame and added the appliques. I mixed my own chalkboard paint since I wanted a specific color. Now I need to find some chalk. You'd think that would be easy, but I'm having some trouble. I'll have to try the the teacher store.

You might remember this candle holder I bought the other day. I bought it with the intention of painting it.

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And here is the final result. I'm quite happy with how it turned out!

Display

The other day I posted about the beautiful tea set my sister bought for me. Well, I couldn't leave it in it's box (even though it looked pretty). It must be displayed properly. I rearranged my hutch so as to give the set it's due. I still have some tweaking to do, as I'm not completely satisfied with the top shelf. I find when I rearrange things, it's a process. I do it one way and then let it sit while I look at it to feel if it's right or if something feels out of place. Eventually it evolves into the perfect display to please my eyes. Mr T. doesn't really care, so I leave him out of the process :)

I think it's spring!

Ok...the weather is 72 degrees here today...but tomorrow it's supposed to dip and they are advising not to plant anything yet. One of these days it will be spring and stay spring. However, I have one little tree in my front yard that is in full bloom right now. Our neighborhood is only a few years old so there is no landscaping or flower beds....I am starting from scratch. I do hope to plant at least a few things this year. I have a grand scheme, but it's going to have to be done in stages. So here are a few pics of my lonely tree!

I cut a couple of sprigs to bring into the house. I think they look divine!

A Little Shopping

I have to say that I've only been to the Marshall's in town a few times and have never really found anything great there. Well, I've been reading on many different blogs about how everyone seems to score at Marshall's, so I thought I would give them another shot. They did have some really cool stuff this time and this is what I came home with.

I really like this magazine holder...it's got such a cottagey look to it. It looks like it was pickled white, but I think I'm going to paint it a solid white.

I thought this candle holder was so cool. I love the mirrors on it and I'm definitely painting this one white. I'll make sure and post pics after I'm done too.

This shadow box was on clearance because it needs a little tlc. Its the realy nice kind with the fabric backing...it even came with some pins, and a glass front. I'm happy to nurture this piece a little...especially when I get a great deal!

So my faith in Marshall's has been renewed. Actually, I'd like to go back this weekend, since I saw some other stuff I'd love as well. I used to live close to a HomeGoods and I miss that sooo much!!!

Thoughtful Sister

My sister is my best friend, even though we live in different countries (I'm in the US, she's in Canada). Thank goodness for unlimited long distance!

I was having a very bad day and my sister put a couple of orders in for me. Guess what showed up at my door??

Everything is so beautiful. The packaging on the tea cup set was so cool. You almost don't want to take it out of the box. Now I need to rearrange my hutch so I can show them off. Oh, and I've already tried the citron green tea and it is luscious!! How am I ever going to go back to Lipton after this???

I think sprinkles in a jar is just divine. I really need to get making some cupcakes!

Love ya sis!!

Trash 2 Treasure!

I have recently discovered the message boards at HGTV and let me tell you they are a fountain of great information. I have to tell you a little bit about the wonderfully talented ladies on the Trash2Treasure section. These are people dedicated to reusing materials and items that would have gone into the landfill.

Below is an item a lady called bjanddee found and wasn't sure what to do with. Honestly, I did not even know what it was. My best thought for it was to make it into a planter.

Well here is what she came up with. I was completely blown away!!!! The seat opens up for storage as well.

So if you are anywhere near Florence, MS...look her up and maybe you can buy this from her shop.

Organizing Tips!

I thought I would share some tips that might come in handy!

• Do you have any of those wire cd holders?? They make a great rack for plastic lids in your cupboards...then I can stack all the gladware and tupperware.

• Do you keep those zippered plastic pouches that come with blankets and sheets? Pack one up with a blanket, candles, matches, protein bar and anything else you might need to keep in your vehicle in case of emergency. They also work great for packing on a trip to make sure wet stuff (toiletries, or bathing suits) don't ruin your clothes.
• Over the door shoe racks (the kind with the pouches) are great in every room to organize small toys, those stray socks from the dryer until you find the mate, jewelry, even cleaning products.
• My new favorite tool is microfiber sponges (I even have them in pink). They are so great for cleaning counters and spill and they wash up beautifully. Just throw them in the washer with your dish towels.
• I have very small cupboards (and not many), so my spice cupboard was a mess. That was, until I found these.....

My spices are so organized now and my cupboard looks so neat!

Redesigned

I just love to redesign items with a paint job or new fabric. Here is my latest project that will be going into my etsy shop tonight.

This is the before, I only took a picture of the one and not the other. I got too excited and just started painting. Anyways, both boxes looked similar in style with the shiny brass and ugly gold fabric inside.

And here's what they look like now!

It was a fun project to do....almost makes me want to keep them :)

Going Green!

Tea, that is. A friend of mine has had so much energy lately, and while she usually gets sick every single winter, this winter she did not. She said the only thing she was doing differently was having a cup of green tea in the morning. I was so impressed with her success, that I decided I'm going to try it. So this is what I'm drinking these days. I'm on day 4 and I have noticed that I just feel better and I'm not draggin.

Don't you think everything just tastes better when it's in something pretty??

Isn't this set gorgeous??? I want it so badly!! I may just have to treat myself....hmmm, would that be the responsible thing to do??

I found this set at a wonderful online tea store called Harney and Son Fine Teas. They have some fabulous teas and gifts. I may have to put an order in and check out their green tea.

Functional but Pretty!

Nothing excites me more than when you can take something useful and make it so pretty. I recently acquired a small crystal decanter thanks to craigslist. I decided what a great way to display my dish soap. In the lot of crystal was also a large decanter that I will be putting my pink bubble bath in as well. Here's a picture of the dish soap.

I also recently bought a little bag at Fireflyhilldesigns.com. The bag is so pretty and she enclosed a matching heart with it. I love it when packages have something extra in it. In fact, I think I will always send something extra special when I ship out a package from my Etsy shop.

Speaking of Etsy, Martha Stewart had a guest on today who is the number 1 seller on Etsy. She makes rag dolls and has been selling for about 3 years...I think they said she's sold over 12000 dolls. WOW!!!

I love calendars! I love finding the perfect calendar that makes my heart flipflop each time I turn to the next month. This is the March picture on my calendar...isn't it pretty??

Inspiration

So today I decided that I must have some Apothecary jars. I've seen some of the fabulous things you can put in them and decided it's a must. Now, I love vintage items, but I believe in some cases new serves just as well. So I finally found some reasonably priced ones here, but they wanted more than the price of the jar for shipping. I had $41 in my shopping cart and the cost to ship the midwest was $45....yikes!!!

I finally found a couple at BB&B that are pretty good and their shipping is more than reasonable. I will probably empty the jar out and replace the items. Here are some of the pictures that inspired me.

I want to make sure and give credit where credit is due. These pictures of inspiration were found on HGTV's message boards in the Trash2Treasure section. Check them out, there are some amazingly talented women on there.

Time & Changes

Ok, I really hate losing an hour of sleep...but I have to say that it is nice for the sun not to be blaring into my bedroom at 6am....and that it will be a little lighter in the evenings. Makes me feel like spring is right around the corner.

Well, I got a few things done today. Namely, adding some items to my etsy shop. Here are a couple of pictures that went up. I'm working on my picture taking so items will look attractive and people will look.

Projects Galore!

Ok, I am a project girl. I always have projects going and don't seem to finish too many of them. Here's a quick run down of what just comes to mind.

redesign flea market finds for etsy shop
sew slipcover for couch
paint dry sink
paint dresser in master bedroom
redesign mantle in seashell decor
create outdoor living area
make chalkboard out of shutter
build raised flower beds
make large chalkboard for dolly

All this with my year and a half dolly to chase after. Whew!!

I will be posting some before and after pictures of some items that I am refinishing. For now, here are some more spring pictures I took a few years ago.

Is it Spring yet?

I have been inspired to start this blog after seeing the wonderful decorating blogs out there. My intention for this place is to inspire someone else in the same manner. I love to redesign flea market finds and add sparkle to my home anywhere I can.

This blog will be dedicated to home decorating, flowers, food and all things comforting. I will need to get much better at taking photos. However, here are a couple of pictures of my mantle last summer. This summer I plan on going with a beachy theme.