Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Some of My Favorites

I love shopping antique/consignment shops, and usually come home with small items that I work into my decor.  I know I should get rid of something when I bring new items in, but I don't.  :)  Today I am sharing some of my favorites around the house. 

Found curbside: mosquito/insect trap, cost zero!

Hand me down: vintage sifter

Hand me down: basket, vinegar bottle
Yard sale: goose

Consignment: runner, plant, pink roses
Made by me: pedestal
gift: white rose
good will: cheese dome

Consignment: cloche
Antique: flowered vase

Antique:  Sewing drawer

Antique: Table

Antique: Platter

Antique: Crocheted table cloth

Consignment: Vintage Victorian Tray

Consignment: quilt

Consignment: Another Sewing Drawer

Consignment, Good Will: Blue canning jars

Consignment: Picture

Hand me down: Gordon's Snack Jar

Hand me down: Candleabra 

Michael's: painted, and added transfer

Consignment: Large planter/tool box, painted & added graphic

Consignment: tray; Red McCoy bowl (hand me down)

Antique: table, picture, (gift)

Just a few of my very favorites!  I just noticed, I have lots of white and aqua spread throughout my home(s).  I tend to gravitate toward these calming colors.  What colors do you use?

Hope you will join in these great parties:





















Monday, June 17, 2013

Hurray for the Red, White, and Blue

Hard to believe, but July 4th is quickly approaching.  So far, I've only added patriotic colors to the screened porch.  


This basket was a gift from my step-son to his dad for Father's Day.  It was filled with all kinds of goodies from Wine Country.  I knew immediately that I would use it for this.

All I did to decorate the screened porch was to simply add the patriotic colors to the plants already there.


I spray painted this hat a couple years ago, and added the bow.  I love using hats when possible.


Red geraniums carry out the color scheme.






Have you started decorating for Independence Day?

I will share at these parties:

Cowgirl Up Link Party @ The Farmhouse Porch 
Show Me What You Got @ Our Delightful Home
Knick of Time Tuesday @ Knick of Time
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm
Tweak It Tuesday @ Cozy Little House
Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life 
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style





Sunday, June 16, 2013

Sunday Morning in A Southern Garden

We visited my husband's Aunt this week, sadly due to the death of her son.  She is the epitome of the Southern Lady with Southern Style.  I love visiting her, who at 90 is as spry as she can be!  She has a lovely home, filled with gorgeous antiques, but one of my favorite spots there is the back garden.  It just calls you to sit down with a cool drink, and enjoy the shade.  I only had my Iphone for a camera, but couldn't resist snapping a few pictures to share with you.  Hope you enjoy!  

Look at this perfectly weathered and chippy blue gate!  I would love to find one of these.



She has a wonderful lattice arbor, covered in vine.


Sweet bird houses dot the landscape.

There is a lovely fountain/birdbath.

I love the little garden cottage.  It's a great place to go for some quiet time, either inside, or on its front porch.



A closer view of the cottage.

Lucky birds....beautiful homes.


Several statues peek through the ferns.



Doesn't this just make you want to take your iced tea or lemonade outside for a leisurely stroll?  

Take some time today to look at the beauty surrounding you, and give thanks to God for all your blessings.

Bouquet of Talent @ Life on Lakeshore Drive
Share It One More Time @ One More Time Events
Sunny Simple Monday @ Sunny Simple Life
Make it Pretty Monday @ The Dedicated House
Masterpiece Monday @ Boogieboard Cottage


Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Adding Farm House Elements (and An Unusual Find)

First, I will share an unusual find we came across while working in our basement over the weekend.  We have combined the household I had with my late husband, my hubby's household, some of his mother's things, and some things that belonged to my family.  So we don't know where this may have come from, but I think, maybe my family may have had it. At any rate, it was neat to run across it and I wanted to share it with you.  At first it looks like a dipper of some sort, or a ladle, except it is very heavy, and made of steel it looks like.



It is marked on the back RICHMOND 6 1/2.  I did some research, and found that it is an Antique Cast Steel Smelting Pour Spout used by Blacksmiths.  I remember that my parents had an old anvil, and this may have been part of a set.  

That is one unusual item we uncovered, and I have another that I will share soon.  I have plans for it, so that will be coming up later.

******
I've been so busy today.  I cleaned house for 5 1/2 hours, then did a couple of  quick DIY projects.

I added graphics from the Graphics Fairy to a couple of wooden tool carriers that I have and chose graphics with a farm house look.  

First, I painted this small trug that I got from Michael's a couple of years ago.  It was painted a very pastel pink. (shown here).  It had the word 'Spring' and a butterfly painted on it which I had covered with a bible verse below.


Recently I have been using it on the breakfast table to hold the S/P, and paper napkins.  So, today I painted it white (Valspar sample), and added a pig graphic to each side.



Graphic via (Graphics Fairy)

You may remember the large trug I bought at a consignment shop a couple months ago.  
(original)

I painted it white, and added ASCP dark wax, and painted the inside blue.

Today, I added Rooster graphics (Graphics Fairy) to each side of it.


I replaced some of the items with very old milk bottles.


 It sits on the dining room table.


Since I had not run out of steam, I decided to do something with the landscape burlap I bought recently at Lowe's. (approx. $10.)  I made curtains for the laundry and mud rooms.  I roughly measured for the length I wanted them to hang, and cut two for the mud room, then had just enough left to hang a curtain on the door going out of the laundry room.

This burlap is loosely woven, & has a fringed edge.
I used tension rods, and old curtain ring/clips I found in the basement to hang them.  I simply turned down a small fold at the top, put the clips on and slid on the rod.  Very quick no sew project. Total of 3 cuts, and done!!


See the fringe?
'


 Looking out toward the stoop.

Old clips I used.

Curtain for the door. (still lets in plenty of light)


So, that's what I've done today!  Now it's time to cook dinner!

Menu:
(Fresh from the Farmer's Market)

Corn (off the cob)
Green Beans with whole potatoes
Cantaloupe
Tomatoes & Cukes
Squash (stewed with onions)
Corn Bread
Sweet Tea

(No Dessert)
"cause I'm tired"!!!!!

Joining:

Frugal FridayShabby Nest

Home Sweet HomeThe Charm of Home
Thrifty Things Friday @ The Thrifty Groove