Anthropologie "knock offs" & Chair Skirts

Recent Decorating Projects~

Lucky Green~

Decorating for Spring

 

$4.00 Valentine & Spring Pillowcases

A Fresh Start & Tips

Dollar Store Gift

*update*  Here is the link to the image!

Pretty little things

Do you have one favorite area of your house that you just love?  I do.  One is a little corner in my piano room, and lately, the other is my kitchen window.  I feel like I have photographed this area so much recently, but I keep finding new little treasures to upcycle for "display". 

I was at the dollar spot at Target recently, and found a chalkboard marker.  I put it in my cart, and then put it back on the shelf.  Then I put it back in my cart again.  Over and over I did this.  I know it was only a dollar, but I didn't want it to be an impulse buy!  I finally kept it because I was so curious to see if it worked.  Now, I'm guessing that most everyone has been using one of these to make all of their beautiful chalkboard art these days.  But, like I have said before, I am very slow to jump on the band wagon, and somewhat old fashioned.  I always have been.  I think we were the last to get an answering machine, high speed internet, and *gasp* I don't even have a smart phone!  In fact, I picked up a GPS at a yard sale, and we have used it, but I find that I don't even like relying on that very much.

 I bought the chalkboard marker and couldn't wait to try it out.  I used a little chalkboard from a yard sale to print the words "Give Thanks" inside a laurel wreath.  I can't tell you how fun it was to use!  The packaging claims you can even erase it like real chalk, but I haven't tried that yet.  It was so smooth....like writing with a paint pen.

The next thing I displayed in my window might look familiar to some of you.  Long ago, I found a way to make beautiful "faux" stained glass windows.  It remains one of my most pinned posts.  You can see it here.  Well, I could never find the perfect place for it, and over time, it got a little bumped and bruised because i wasn't very careful with it.  I couldn't part with it, so I cut the plexi glass down, and stuck it in a "new" (yard sale) frame.  Then I just set it in the windowsill.  I love the light that streams through it,

And, I love it when my brain finds ways to re use old things!  Creativity is a wonderful thing!

Trash to Treasure Decorating

Home Decorating with Scrapbook Paper~

With a little can of black spray paint...

I gave my turntable a face lift.  Years ago, a dear, sweet lady gave me this reproduction of an old radio when she moved.  You have probably seen similar ones in retail stores.  It gets radio signal and houses a cd player and a turntable.  I was thrilled because I have a lot of old records.  I never really liked the wood finish though (too reddish for my liking), but I wasn't sure I wanted to tackle painting it.  

Then, when I re decorated my sun room, I decided I wanted to put it on my antique buffet table.  The wood finishes clashed, so I knew it was time to take the plunge.  It took a bit of work, but I taped off all the dials and speakers with masking tape.  Then I hauled it out to the garage and gave it two light coats of inexpensive flat black paint.  

And I lOVE it!  It is so much more my style.

It reminds me to never underestimate what a little can of black spray paint can do!

Before and After

DIY wood pediment

Last summer I happened upon a yard sale that had a huge box of stained wood for free.  The owner told me that they had just remodeled their kitchen, and he was getting rid of the remnants.  I wasn't sure what I would do with them, but thought maybe I would make some signs or something.

Then, while cleaning out my craft room, I found an unfinished wood decal that I had had for years and could never seem to get rid of it.  I kept thinking I would do something with it, but I didn't know what or when.  That got me thinking..."I could make an architectural piece....a decorative pediment."

My upcycled owl t shirt from a dishtowel!

$8.00 Fall hoodie upcycle

Ballard Designs Inspired Art

picture frame Terrarium

It is 70 degrees here in PA, and there is sunshine to boot!   I decided not to plant a garden this year since we will be out of town for an extended period of time this summer.  But that hasn't stopped me from taking advantage of this gorgeous weather and spending some time working out in the yard.

  I think it's time to share a little project with you!  When I did the Christmas home tour this year, I got so many compliments on my terrarium.  When I mentioned that it was made out of picture frames, everyone was so surprised!  I can't take credit for the idea.  I found it online.  It was a relatively inexpensive project for me, because I already had most of the frames.  I know that my 11x14 inch frames came from Walmart (those cheap $3 or so ones on the end caps), and the others either came from there also, or from the dollar store.  Some may have even come from yard sales!

I didn't take pictures during the process of making mine, and I can't remember where I got the idea, but I looked on the Internet and you can find all sorts of tutorials on how to make them~ like this one here.  The great thing is that you can switch out your display for the different seasons!  I really like mine, and leave it up year round.

Have a great day!

Robyn

you are my sunshine linen sign

Quick Decorating Tip

cast iron door stop makeover