Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Thought I'd share this for Throwback Thursday AND St. Patrick's Day!  These photos are some of my favorites.  I think it's because I love spring when everything begins to wake up from it's winter slumber :)  Enjoy and Happy St. Patty's Day!!

I don't know if it's because I'm so o-v-e-r winter or what but I'm just loving these colors right now.  I began my spring decorating with some of my blue and white dishes as you remember from this post.  Yesterday, we went for a walk to the old farm next door and collected these beautiful, bright yellow daffodils.  Add those to the blue and white and it's gorgeous.  Now, with St. Patrick's Day approaching, I picked up a pot of shamrocks at Kroger.  The vibrant green just makes the whole thing over the top WOW!  

The Latin name for shamrock is oxalis acetosella.  

This plant family also includes sorrel.  If you're a Seven Brides for Seven Brothers fan, you'll know that sorrel makes "real nourishing soup."  :)

Look at that yellow and green!  

I always thought a shamrock had 4 leaves...you know, a four leaf clover, luck o' the Irish kinda thing. Nope.  Shamrocks have 3 leaves.  Clover can have 4 or more.  Yeah, I googled that.

Vibrant yellow daffodils against the shamrock green.  

Did you know you can dry daffodils?  You can!  Just like hydrangeas, they will slowly over time become paper like but will retain some of their yellow color.  And like hydrangeas, they will be somewhat fragile.  Once mine are dried, I remove their stems and just used the blooms as a bowl filler or even carefully added to potpourri.  (Does anyone still use potpourri?)

Since it's St. Patrick's Day, I pulled out my old Atlas "Good Luck" jar for the daffodils.  

It's a little hard to see but this jar has a four leaf clover and the words good luck on it.  I can't remember where I found this jar but it was more than likely a thrift store or yard sale years ago.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless!
Angie

6 Things to Look for NOW to Use LATER for Christmas

I know, I mentioned the "C" word...Christmas.  Please don't throw anything at me.  I promise there's a good reason for my mentioning it now, during the heat of July!

We are in the height of yard sale season and NOW is the time to be looking for some items you will want to have on hand this fall.  For, you know, when you get ready to think about that time of year.  When it's chilly outside.  Everything is dressed up with red and green.  The "C" word.

First, and this is not just for later this year but something that can be used anytime...MASON JARS.  Honestly, can you have too many of these?  If you're in my household, you're not allowed to answer that.

Mason jars in all shapes and sizes are great for making snow globes, water-filled or waterless.  They also make great candleholders and baking mix gift containers.

Second, you're gonna need something to put in those snow globes.  Yard sales and thrift stores are the perfect places to pick up miniatures and toys that will fit nicely in mason jars.  Look for animals, small cars or tractors, bicycles, tiny houses, or anything that speaks to you.  It's your snow globe and it can tell whatever story you want it to.

Third, gumball machine.  Seriously?  Yes!  I found one at a thrift store last year and turned it into my all-time-favorite snow globe yet!  Don't pass over a gumball machine with writing on it.  I think mine had "Jelly Belly" on the glass.  I simply removed that before using it for my snow globe.  If it's hard to remove, you can hide or disguise it.

Fourth, ICE SKATES!  How many of you have seen cute decorations in magazines or on Pinterest using ice skates?  How many of you have kicked yourself in November for not picking up that pair you saw during the summer at a yard sale?!  (Me!)

Fifth, old books.  You can probably find some old, non-collectible, non-interesting (think old tax law or something), books at thrift stores or your library's book sale.  Disassembled, the pages are great for all sorts of crafts like this book page wreath.

And, lastly, the sixth item...greenery.  Yes, that's sort of obvious but think outside of the box here.  I picked up a thrown away artificial tree because it was broken.  However, the branches were beautiful.  I use the individual branches to fill my window boxes and to build a foundation in arrangements around the house.  Think about how many broken artificial trees you've seen at thrift stores and yard sales.  Yep, lots of cheap greenery right there!

Ok, that's my last mention of the "C" word.  Until at least next month.  You may return to your summer break now ;)

Thanks for stopping by and God bless!

Angie

5 Simple Updates to the Family Room

With the laidback, lazy days of summer here, now is your opportunity to freshen up the family room.  Who am I kidding?  Our summer schedules can sometimes be just as busy as the rest of the year.  However, that doesn't mean you can't tackle a little decorating too.  With these 5 simple updates, you can quickly and inexpensively add new life to your family room.

Tool Box Becomes a Flower Box

Are you getting your hands in the dirt and planting flowers this spring?  I picked up a few annuals this week at the nursery and have begun adding them around the yard.

I've had this old metal tool box for many years.  I picked it up at a yard sale for $1.  I'm sure the man wondered what in the world I wanted with that old metal box.  Ha!  Silly man, I thought it would make the perfect planter for some beautiful flowers.  And, it does!

This year I planted two asparagus ferns and a bright pink geranium.  I forgot to mention that the tool box already had two holes in the bottom...perfect for drainage.  Geraniums hate "wet feet."  

Well, one container down...several to go!  What are you planting this spring?

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    COMMON GROUND    HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON
COASTAL CHARM'S NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY    FRIDAYS UNFOLDED   FEATHERED NEST FRIDAY

ONE MORE TIME EVENTS    TWIRL AND TAKE A BOW    SAVVY SOUTHERN STYLE    STONEGABLE

UNDER THE TABLE AND DREAMING    A DELIGHTSOME LIFE      DIY SHOWOFF      ART IS BEAUTY
CLEVER CHICKS BLOG HOP   IT'S OVERFLOWING   THREE MANGO SEEDS    ELIZABETH JOAN DESIGNS

WEEKEND CRAFTS    PRETTY PINTASTIC PARTY    THOUGHTS FROM ALICE   HYMNS AND VERSES

MISS MUSTARD SEED   CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT

Thrift Store Finds

It's been a while since I've shared some of my thrift store finds.  Actually, I haven't shared them in a while because I haven't really had the chance to shop in a while.  

However, I did manage to stop by a Goodwill yesterday while I was waiting for my youngest to take her ACT.  I found a couple of goodies.

I found this beautiful red and cream herringbone weave throw.  I actually have a blue and cream one exactly like it.  It's super soft and just the right size for curling up with a good book or watching tv.  The price was just right too...$1.99!

The other goody I found yesterday was this peacock print.  It's signed but it's in Chinese, I'm assuming, and I don't know how to research it.  I don't exactly know how to make the Chinese characters on my keyboard, lol!  

I love the colors...teal, green, and gold...and I loved the $4.99 price.  Now to find a home for it.

Well, school is coming to an end soon and I'm hoping to do more thrift store and yard sale shopping.  Not that I really need anything else but has that truly ever stopped a bargain shopper!?

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    COMMON GROUND    HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON
COASTAL CHARM'S NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY    FRIDAYS UNFOLDED   FEATHERED NEST FRIDAY

ONE MORE TIME EVENTS    TWIRL AND TAKE A BOW    SAVVY SOUTHERN STYLE    STONEGABLE

UNDER THE TABLE AND DREAMING    A DELIGHTSOME LIFE      DIY SHOWOFF      ART IS BEAUTY
CLEVER CHICKS BLOG HOP   IT'S OVERFLOWING   THREE MANGO SEEDS    ELIZABETH JOAN DESIGNS

WEEKEND CRAFTS    PRETTY PINTASTIC PARTY    THOUGHTS FROM ALICE   HYMNS AND VERSES

MISS MUSTARD SEED   CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT

Beautiful Portuguese Pottery by Bordallo Pinheiro

With all the green of St. Patrick's Day, I thought I'd pull out my Bordallo Pinheiro plates for a tablescape.  I've been collecting these for quite a while.  Most of them are from thrift stores and yard sales but you can find them at TJ Maxx as well as eBay for vintage pieces.  My collection is made up of various patterns and hues of green.  Love mixing them together.

Strawberry luncheon plate

  Pear salad plate

Strawberry salad plate

This is not a Pinheiro piece, that I know of.  It's unmarked but when I found four of them at the thrift store for less than $1 each, I had to have them.  

Here's the tablescape using the dishes and some fresh (and faux) herbs.  Perfect for spring and, the Lord knows, after this winter, we're all ready for spring :)

I just included this last one because I think fresh lavender blooms are beautiful!

Do you collect a certain pattern of dishes?  As a fellow dish hoarder collector, I'd like to know!

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

COMMON GROUND

HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON

COASTAL CHARM'S NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY

FRIDAYS UNFOLDED

FEATHERED NEST FRIDAY

ONE MORE TIME EVENTS

TWIRL AND TAKE A BOW 
SAVVY SOUTHERN STYLE

STONEGABLE

UNDER THE TABLE AND DREAMING

A DELIGHTSOME LIFE
ART IS BEAUTY

CLEVER CHICKS BLOG HOP DIY SHOWOFF IT'S OVERFLOWING

THREE MANGO SEEDS

ELIZABETH JOAN DESIGNS

WEEKEND CRAFTS

PRETTY PINTASTIC PARTY
THOUGHTS FROM ALICE
HYMNS AND VERSES
MISS MUSTARD SEED
CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT

Easy Way to Paint a Table and Chairs

Are you constantly upgrading your stuff like I do?  I mean, I had a perfectly decent table in my office.

I bought this table at the thrift store a few years ago.  It's worked fine as a craft table and desk but it took up more room than I liked.  I also knew at some point I would paint it.  It has a beaded edge and beautiful legs.

Fast forward to just a few weeks ago when I saw an ad for a table with 6 chairs.  I didn't need the chairs but the table was exactly what I'd been looking for and the price was right.  Hubby and I made a trip across town and the set was mine.

Time to bring my current table downstairs to finally paint it along with the 6 chairs that came with the new table.

I hate painting.  Having I ever mentioned that?  I really do.  Probably because I stink at it.  Ask me to paint you a landscape or a still life and I'm your gal.  Ask me to paint a wall or a piece of furniture and I'll make a mess of it.  I know, it's like opposite world because I'm just weird like that.

This was the beginning of the torture painting.  I used a linen white chalk paint because I love the coverage you get with chalk paint.  What I don't like is having to get into all those little grooves.  That's when I decided to reach out to the people of HomeRight and give their Finish Max Pro paint sprayer a try.

They happily agreed and this beauty arrived!

My knight in shining blue plastic :)

If you've never used a paint sprayer before, here's some quick tips:  make sure you have lots of space in a well-ventilated area, put tarps or plastic down to catch over spray, face mask, if you're inside, and latex gloves, if you have manicured nails (unlike me).

First coat of paint done with a brush (and possibly a few choice words)

Nice, smooth coat of paint MINUTES later using HomeRight Finish Max Pro paint sprayer.  

I will confess here.  I tried out the sprayer in the garage on this chair.  Along with the over spray, you need to expect a lot of dust, I guess you could call it, from the dried paint particles flying in the air.  I did have to sweep up the dust from the garage floor so I moved my operation outside on the next day when it was sunny.  

Even with the time it takes to set up my spraying area and the clean up of the paint sprayer (which is pretty darn easy), using this method to paint the 6 chairs took probably less than half of the time it would have taken me with a brush.  And, the finish is nice and smooth, free from brush marks.

Not sure why the top looks like it has grayish areas but it's totally white.

Seriously guys, a paint sprayer is the bomb!  I was able to finish two large painting projects in just a couple of days.  Just make sure you take it outside if you don't have ample space and ventilation inside.  You don't want to save all that time only to have to clean up the garage ;)

Many thanks to the people of HomeRight for sending me the Finish Max Pro.  The projects and opinions about their product are 100% mine.

Oh, and here's a little sneak peek at the new table in my office!

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

COMMON GROUND

HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON
COASTAL CHARM'S NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY

FRIDAYS UNFOLDED

FEATHERED NEST FRIDAY

ONE MORE TIME EVENTS

TWIRL AND TAKE A BOW 
SAVVY SOUTHERN STYLE

STONEGABLE
UNDER THE TABLE AND DREAMING

A DELIGHTSOME LIFE
ART IS BEAUTY

CLEVER CHICKS BLOG HOP DIY SHOWOFF IT'S OVERFLOWING

THREE MANGO SEEDS

ELIZABETH JOAN DESIGNS

WEEKEND CRAFTS

PRETTY PINTASTIC PARTY
THOUGHTS FROM ALICE
HYMNS AND VERSES
MISS MUSTARD SEED
CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT

Make a Snow Globe Picture

I love snow globes and making your own is really easy.  I made several years ago using old mason jars and found objects.  You can see that post HERE.

.

They are kind of addicting to make.  So after having made several with jars, I decided to try something new this year.  I came across a plastic shadow box frame at the thrift store and thought it would be cool to make into a snow globe picture!  It worked!  

Here's the things you'll need to make your own:  a shadow box frame with glass, a few small found objects for your snow globe scene, scrapbook paper for the background, glue, loose plastic snow (found mine at Hobby Lobby), and some tape to seal the back.

My found objects are 2 triangle pieces from an old building blocks set, a small plastic moose from the dime store, and vintage punch out letters that spell S-N-O-W.  You could use anything from small Christmas village trees and people, children's toys, gumball machine toys, whatever :)

Arrange your objects in the box and glue them in place once you're happy with it.

After you have everything glued in place and the glue has dried, attach the back of the frame leaving one side slightly open.  Pour a small amount of the loose plastic snow into the opening, checking often to see when you have added enough.

Finish securing the frame back and then seal with washi (or other light tack) tape.  This is just in case some of the smaller particles of snow slip out of the back.

That's it!  You're finished!  Easy peesy and would make a cute gift for teachers, co-workers, etc.  Think about what you could put in them...the possibilities are endless!

This would be an easy and inexpensive craft to do with your kids or grandkids!  I'm going to be hunting down more shadow box frames.  How about you?

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

COMMON GROUND

HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON
COASTAL CHARM'S NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY

FRIDAYS UNFOLDED

FEATHERED NEST FRIDAY

ONE MORE TIME EVENTS

TWIRL AND TAKE A BOW 
SAVVY SOUTHERN STYLE

STONEGABLE
UNDER THE TABLE AND DREAMING

A DELIGHTSOME LIFE
ART IS BEAUTY

CLEVER CHICKS BLOG HOP DIY SHOWOFF IT'S OVERFLOWING

THREE MANGO SEEDS

ELIZABETH JOAN DESIGNS

WEEKEND CRAFTS

PRETTY PINTASTIC PARTY
THOUGHTS FROM ALICE
HYMNS AND VERSES
MISS MUSTARD SEED
CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT