Spain Hill Farm is now a part of the a.forte family! We're now all about decorating, real estate, and curating beautiful antique pieces to share with you!
Showing posts with label country life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label country life. Show all posts
Friday, June 12, 2015
This Blog Journey We're On Together
I guess you've noticed the new header and the new NAME! I'm so excited to finally make the change. I've debated and hem-hawed about it for a long time. Well. No time like the present, right?
Sunday, February 22, 2015
2-in-1 Easy DIY Farm Animal Cutting Boards
At our house, we are forever asking, "Where's the cutting board?" I guess it's because we home school, which means we eat all three meals at home most days, which means we are always preparing food, which means the cutting board is constantly being used. Know what I mean??
We definitely needed more cutting boards. Not just more, but smaller ones for those small jobs like cutting lemons for tea or slicing veggies for a sandwich. That's when I decided to just make some.
Here's what you'll need if you want to make your own:
a piece of 1" pine shelving
pencil for drawing or transferring your design on the wood
120 grit sandpaper
coconut oil (or food-grade mineral oil)
scroll saw or jig saw
drill and drill bit (if making interior cuts)
safety glasses
1. Choose your design and draw or transfer it onto the board. I knew I wanted to make a farm animal design and the traditional chicken on the back of a pig on the back of a cow seemed perfect. I cut a puzzle shape between the cow and pig so that the board could be used as a whole or as two separate boards.
2. Wearing your safety glasses, begin cutting your design out of the board. Be slow and careful as you cut any curved shapes. A scroll saw is great for making these cuts...just take your time and don't rush the cutting process.
3. When I made the interior cuts between the pig and cow, I first drilled a hole. This gives you room to turn the blade (if using the scroll saw) or it gives you a place to begin (if using a jig saw).
4. After all the cuts have been made, sand the edges and any remaining pencil marks with the sandpaper.
5. Now you're ready to seal your board. I used coconut oil because it's natural and will not turn rancid like vegetable oil. You do not want to use a protein or vegetable based oil! Begin by rubbing in the coconut oil with a clean cloth. Cover the entire board in an even coat. Let it sit for 12-24 hours in a warm place. Apply more to any areas that may need more and allow to sit again. Repeating until no more oil is absorbed. Wipe any remaining oil with a dry cloth and buff until it shines! You can repeat after a few months to keep your board conditioned.
They're ready to use!!
Pretty easy! ;)
Thanks for stopping by and God bless!!
Angie
I'M LINKING HERE:
RAIN ON A TIN ROOF THE STYLE SISTERS
JENNIFER RIZZO
HOME STORIES A TO Z
FROM MY FRONT PORCH TO YOURS
HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON
COASTAL CHARM'S NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY
STONEGABLE
UNDER THE TABLE AND DREAMING
Monday, January 12, 2015
An Organized Workroom Part 1
Well, I finally got my workroom organized! Nothing like posting those ugly before photos (see the post here) to make me get my tail in gear. I should try this tactic more often.
After I got everything cleaned up, organized, and photographed, I realized I had about a bazillion pics to share. So, instead of being that person that pulls out the slide projector and subjects you to a ton of vacation pictures, I'm breaking this up into two posts.
Before we jump into my newly organized workroom, I thought I'd share a little about it. When we moved to the country almost 10 years ago, I decided the shed that was on the property would be a great place for my art studio.
I painted the walls inside, bought a little woodburning stove to heat it during the winter, bought a really l-o-n-g vintage cast iron sink to use for washing paint brushes (and the occasional dirty dog). I bought cute curtains and dreamed of planting an herb garden outside the front door. It was coming right along until...
Yeah, in my own little world, this was somewhat devastating but compared in real life to those that lost much, much more from that flood. It's was just an inconvenience. We ended up burning practically everything that was in the shed. And, quickly decided the shed was not a safe place for my art studio.
So now, I have a little 10 x 10 room that my husband built me in our basement garage. It's actually cozy and now it's organized! Come on in!
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| fabric scraps, vintage shopping cart (for the Country Living Fair and other shows), fall floral decor |
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| my version of the old woodburing stove (electric heater), old door turned mantel, vintage bistro chairs |
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| vintage china cabinet turned storage cabinet and my many, many jars of junk :) |
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| an old board covered with batting and cloth is used to hold inspiration pieces and projects |
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| my work table made from an old dismantled desk and a hodge pode of other containers for art supplies |
Thanks for stopping by and God bless!
Angie
I'm linking here:
THE STYLE SISTERS
JENNIFER RIZZO
HOME STORIES A TO Z
FROM MY FRONT PORCH TO YOURS
HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON
COASTAL CHARM'S NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY
STONEGABLE
UNDER THE TABLE AND DREAMING
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Vintage Bike Thrift Store Find
A couple of weeks ago I made a stop by my favorite thrift store...just my normal visit to see if they've put anything new out. Lo and behold, as I walked to the front door, I noticed a sign stating "Moving Sale!" What? How did I not know about this and what kinda sale are we talking about here?
Um, an awesome sale, that's what kinda sale!!
I had been eyeing a vintage bike that the store had for a while. It started at $79.99! Even on half-off day, that was too much. Then, a little later, they lowered it to $59.99. Nope, even on half-off day again, it wasn't going to happen. Well, this day...Moving Sale day, the final markdown price was 75% off.
Now we're talking! The final markdown price was $19.99, and 75% off made it $5!
Oh yeah! (Doing the Vector happy dance from Despicable Me!)
Ever found such a great find that you immediately booked it to the checkout, hauled it to the car, and then IG'ed, pinned, tweeted, and hooted so that you could share it with e.v.e.r.y.b.o.d.y?!
(Ok, hooting isn't an online thing but I'm sure I really hooted.)
So, what did I do with my vintage bike?
That's easy...put a basket and a banner on it and stuck it in my herb garden near the shed.
What incredible find have you found at the thrift store?
Thanks for stopping by and God bless!
Angie
I'm linking here:
THE STYLE SISTERS
JENNIFER RIZZO
HOME STORIES A TO Z
FROM MY FRONT PORCH TO YOURS
HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON
COASTAL CHARM'S NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY
STONEGABLE
UNDER THE TABLE AND DREAMING
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Randomness
The weather was so nice this past weekend that I grabbed the camera one afternoon and just took some random shots. I love living in the country...even though I complain sometimes about the drive in and out of town. The complaint is short-lived once I'm home and remember why it is we live here.
I'm linking here:
THE STYLE SISTERS
JENNIFER RIZZO
HOME STORIES A TO Z
FROM MY FRONT PORCH TO YOURS
HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON
COASTAL CHARM'S NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY
STONEGABLE
UNDER THE TABLE AND DREAMING
Our fire pit area with makeshift benches of pallets and 2x4s and the old one my daughter made from logs and a pine board
The wood pile and old tub with our roasting sticks.
The old tree stump that once grew on the other side of the pond, died, fell, and floated to this side. I love the way it's weathered.
Getting close to sunset.
An old, orange cylinder...love the color and graphics.
My frog statue, just hanging out behind the shed until he can sit by the pond again next spring.
Shutters with star cut-outs, jelly jar porch lights, and a corrugated metal flag on the shed.
And, last but not least, with the last of the sunlight, milkweed blooms, ready to fly.
I hope you enjoyed the randomness of this post. I appreciate your stopping by and God bless!
Angie
THE STYLE SISTERS
JENNIFER RIZZO
HOME STORIES A TO Z
FROM MY FRONT PORCH TO YOURS
HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON
COASTAL CHARM'S NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY
STONEGABLE
UNDER THE TABLE AND DREAMING
Monday, October 6, 2014
Pumpkins and a Vintage Tonka Truck
This past weekend, my husband and I visited some antique stores in a small, nearby town. I picked up a few things including this vintage Tonka truck. My hubby had one like it when he was little. I would love to have one that was all metal but those are out of my price range.
I thought the yellow would look cute with the pumpkins out front. So I loaded up the back with a pile of pumpkins.
This sits on the front sidewalk near my old bushel basket of geraniums.
The temperatures dropped this weekend and there was a threat of frost...whaaaat? I'm not ready for that. I'm hoping my geraniums have a little bit longer to bloom. They're one of my favorites.
My figs aren't ripe yet either, so please let there be a few more weeks of warm temperatures. Blue skies and 70s...yep, that'd be perfect :)
After decorating a little more out front, I got in the mood to tweak the living room as well.
Aren't those the best fake leaves? I wish I could remember where I got them. It was probably the thrift store, which means I can't go back and get more :( Oh well, at least these were a bargain.
Thanks for stopping by and God bless!!
Angie
I'm linking here:
THE STYLE SISTERS
JENNIFER RIZZO
HOME STORIES A TO Z
FROM MY FRONT PORCH TO YOURS
HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON
COASTAL CHARM'S NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY
STONEGABLE
UNDER THE TABLE AND DREAMING
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
A Collection of Tartan Throws - Perfect for Fall Outdoors
Do you say plaid or tartan? I use both but I tend to say tartan more because it makes me feel closer to my Scottish roots, if ya ken whit ah mean?
"Plaid" actually comes from the Gaelic word for blanket. That's why the feileadh-mhor (Gaelic for "large wrap") is sometimes also called the belted plaid because it is a blanket that has been gathered and belted around your waist. Tartan is a woolen cloth woven in one of several patterns, especially of a design associated with a particular Scottish clan.
So, there's a little history for you. If you're talking
about blankets or throws, it would be called a plaid. If you're talking
about the pattern, it's tartan. Nowadays, I don't think it really
matters. All I know is I love tartan patterns and colors. I tend to
hone in on tartan throws at thrift stores, antique stores, and yard sales and
I've got quite a collection now.
Since I'll be hosting Thanksgiving this year, I thought I
would pull out my tartan throws for a good freshening up. We do several
outdoor activities at Thanksgiving and these will be great to have on hand if
the weather is chilly.
Don't you love hanging laundry on the line?
This is my clothes pin bag. It's an old bank bag that I found at a thrift store.
I loved the graphics and the muslin fabric.
Do you have a favorite collection?
Thanks for stopping by and God bless!
Angie
THE STYLE SISTERS
JENNIFER RIZZO
HOME STORIES A TO Z
FROM MY FRONT PORCH TO YOURS
HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON
COASTAL CHARM'S NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY
STONEGABLE
UNDER THE TABLE AND DREAMING
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