Mother/Daughter Outing at Arrington Vineyards

My youngest daughter belongs to a scout group with 5 of her friends.  This past Friday, the moms and daughters had a long awaited outing at Arrington Vineyards.  If you haven't heard of Arrington Vineyards, it's a charming vineyard and winery founded by Kix Brooks of Brooks & Dunn.  It sits high atop a hill in Arrington, Tennessee, just off of I-840.  It's a wonderful place to take the family and friends as they have numerous picnic tables nestled on the hillside.  There is no entrance fee or cover charge AND they have live acoustical music!  


We all packed picnic dinners and the moms shared a delicious bottle of wine.  I didn't get many pictures so be sure to check out their website if you're interested in visiting.  

I did happen to get one picture before the sun had totally disappeared over the horizon.  Enjoy!

I'm back!

Wow, has it really been over a year since I posted!?  I apologize for taking such a long break.  My life has gotten very busy.  I don't know if I've shared about myself in the past.  I figure this would be a great way to begin blogging again.  


I'm Angie, wife to a wonderful, dedicated man that God so graciously put in my life 24 years ago.  I'm also a mom to three beautiful daughters, ages 21, 15, and 12.  I've been a homeschool mom for the past 15 years and will be for another 5 when my youngest will graduate.  Woohoo!  (Did I say that out loud?!)  Being a wife, mom, and homeschool teacher has been one of the most challenging but most rewarding things ever.  In my spare (hahaha) time, I enjoy thrifting, crafting, drawing, painting, decorating, cooking, gardening, and getting out in nature.  We live on 8 acres  in a beautiful little city outside of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 


My blog began a few years back when I discovered altered art albums.  I was instantly hooked!  Altered art incorporated two of my favorite things...found objects and creating.  I can't decide if I enjoy more the thrill of the hunt for the found objects or manipulating them into new creations.  The albums were just the start.  From there I discovered snowmen made from vintage bottles and found objects...could it get any better?!  You can see that post here.  


Since the blog bug bit, I have noticed The Altered Past evolving into more than just my altered art.  Decorating is another passion of mine.  I began the University of Tennessee majoring in interior design but left with an "Mrs." degree instead, lol.  So, at this point, I'm learning through researching other successful decorators and designers.  Thank God for the internet, Pinterest, and many wonderful bloggers that are willing to share their knowledge.  


So, a little more about me and hopefully a new start (re-start?) to this blog.  I'll leave you with a beautiful picture that I get to wake up to every morning.  It's one of the reasons I don't mind driving 20 minutes to get to town.  Enjoy!

One last post for the year

I know everyone's days are crazy right now.  Before the season is over, I snapped a few photos of our home.  I apologize for the grainy photos, I was fiddling with the camera's settings and now I don't know how to get it back!  I really need to win Pioneer Woman's camera giveaway : )  And, once again, ignore the date...added new batteries and of course it always resets the date.  Anyway, I hope you enjoy!

 Snowmen collection on top of the pie safe.  The snow drape is from the Dollar Tree.  I just cut it to look like icicles.  Most of these have been found at thrift stores during the year.  It's funny how cheap they mark Christmas items during the summer! 

 Notice the little gingerbread house under the short cloche...it's an actual gingerbread house about 2" big and it was only $1 at the Dollar Tree!!

 A mix of vintage and new glass ornaments in the tall cloche/stand that I nabbed at a thrift store about a month ago for $4.99...love it!

 These little guys (there's three but one is hiding on the other side of the wreath) were a great surprise in a bag of vintage ornaments that I picked up at the thrift store for $2.  Vintage Elf on the Shelf figures!

 A scrapbook embellishment found last year at Big Lots.  The typewriter key charms spell out "TWINKLE".

 This is my large lantern sitting in the foyer.  The red bird spray is from the Dollar Tree.  The bottom is sprinkled with epsom salt to look like snow.

 The nutcracker army standing guard in the foyer.  I'm hoping there are a few left at Old Time Pottery after the holidays.  I'd like to add some of the nutcrackers from different countries that they had earlier this month.

 I wrapped this book and small wreath with twine.  It's in the plate holder hanging above the nutcrackers.

 Corner of the kitchen.  My youngest marked the small chalkboard with "IT'S HERE!"  I think she's excited.

 Another shot of the kitchen.  The wooden carrier was picked up at...you guessed it...the thrift store for .49 cents.  I repainted it an heirloom white and then distressed it.  It's holding a glass snowman platter and small mitten plate.

 I've had these guys for about 15 years.  I think I've always had a thing for snowmen : )

 The other corner.  I found the Holly Hobby plate at the thrift store.  I really like the look of Holly Hobby...I think it should make a comeback.  The paperbag snowman was made by my now 19 year old when she was in kindergarten.  I carefully store him away every year.

 On the kitchen island is our baking snowmen and my daughter's gingerbread house.  I think you can see a few of the house's decorations are missing...hmmm.

 The mercury glass display that didn't happen.  I began making this arrangement to use in the dining room.  Well, as time went on, so did the decorating and the gift making.  Sadly my dining room never changed from being the craft room.  Oh well, maybe next year OR maybe something for the new year : )

 Last is my window box.  I think you remember it having the pumpkins, sunflowers, hydrangeas for fall.  Well, I removed most of the decorations and replaced them with evergreen branches, magnolias, pine cones, a few deer antlers and my solar lantern.  If we have a sunny day, it charges and gives a soft glow in the evening.  This picture was a challenge to get.  I was literally sticking my arm out of the window and...

wrestling with Sammy our cat to get this.  He likes to hang out on the window ledge so when I opened the window, he thought it was an invitation to come in.  Sorry Sammy.

Thanks for sticking around and I hope you all are greatly blessed.  Enjoy your holidays and we'll see you next year!

Adorable Snowmen from Vintage Bottles

Some of you may have seen the post about my new Etsy shop.  Well, I wanted to share with you these adorable snowmen that are so easy to make. 

I love found objects...game pieces, vintage jewelry, anything rusty, well-loved, and unique.  These snowmen begin with a uniquely shaped bottle.  Joey is made from a vintage milk bottle. 

His head is made from a basic styrofoam ball that I covered with tissue paper and Mod-Podge.  I didn't want the texture of the styrofoam exposed.  His eyes, nose, and mouth are vintage buttons and small brads.   I applied a red, vinyl number 3 to the front of the jar and filled it with beads, tiny vintage ornaments, and buttons.  Around his neck is an old ribbon embellished with a vintage milk cap from the antique store.  His hat is an aluminum measuring spoon.  Once he's assembled, I sprinkled him with white glitter so he would sparkle like snow. 

I hope you enjoy.  These would be great gifts for someone or even a project for kids.  Basic jars can be found at the Dollar Tree as well as tiny objects like doll house furniture.

I'm linking to Metamorphosis Monday over at Between Naps on the Porch.  Beautiful blog with great ideas...check it out if you haven't discovered it already : )

I'm linking here:

COASTAL CHARM'S NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY

Have to share this great giveaway!!

Vicki at Rusty Rooster Vintage is offering a beautiful giveaway this week.  As her blog name states, she has a knack with rusty, vintage things...transforming them into beautiful objects for the home.  I'm linking to the GIVEAWAY so you can jump on over and check out her blog and the giveaway!