A Flag in the Window

I'm enjoying my latest flag project and thought I'd complete just one more before the big holiday. Kari and Kijsa's flag flying parade gave me a deadline and this project gave me the inspiration.
I bought an inexpensive flag. I pulled an old window out of the the pile in the garage, (I really should just call that area my "project supply unit" because it houses my creative junk and my cars have to sit outside). I made a template approximately the size of each window pane.
Then I used the template to cut the flag into pieces that would fit inside each pane. I felt a little strange about cutting the flag, but I'm still honoring the flag with the finished project. My son asked if I was committing treason. My husband said he hoped I wouldn't have bad luck for cutting a flag. I think he mixed up cutting the flag with breaking a mirror.

I sprayed adhesive on each pane and adhered each flag piece.

I love the finished project! It shows my patriotism.
I hope I don't get arrested for treason,
or have a streak of bad luck now.

This and That

While visiting my daughter and son-in-law I managed to keep myself busy in their cute little apartment. I joked with my daughter that having me for a mom is like having a dad and a mom come to visit because I do small home repair projects along with decorating and organizing. However she does lose out on having the sort of mom that deep cleans or bakes delightful goodies. That's just not me. Fortunately my daughter has many friends who volunteered to bring in delicious meals and desserts after baby was born so they enjoyed the best of everyone's talents.
On my last visit we curbside shopped this little piece that is used for kitchen storage. I decided to spruce it up using a few dollar store placemats and upholstery tacks.Do you see that gorgeous glass lamp? We found it at a thrift store for just a few dollars (along with that pretty green pedestal bowl). It originally had a light green tint that had been scratched off in a few places. About two hours later, with the use of a razor blade and an old credit card, I was able to take off all of the green leaving it clear and lovely.
And of course I had to do a few spray paint projects while visiting.
This stunning mirror was one.We picked it up at Lucketts. It was reasonably priced but it was a scary, ugly, yellow gold. Even after years of spray painting I am still amazed at how spray paint can transform almost anything.Next week I'll share more of our trip to the famous Lucketts store. I took about a hundred pictures (literally!) while I was there. It may have to be a two or three part post. So fun!!!

A Marriage and A Parade

A few posts ago I showed you a couple of fun finds
that we purchased at the Habitat Re-Store.Well thanks to some spray paint and a handy hubby,
those lonely odds and ends have been married into this
magnificent light fixture above my kitchen table. Don't you just love a good marriage of an odd couple?
(Just to make things clear. . .I'm talking about the light)

If you haven't already had a chance, don't forget to attend the
Poppies at Play 2011 Parade of Homes.
(click on either the above sentence or the box below to start the tour)
It started Monday and continues through the week.
You're invited to drop by my home on Thursday. I hope to see you then!

Turtle Speed

I am a turtle when it comes to home improvement. While some can slam out a painted room in a day, I take it slow and steady.Perhaps it's because I'm a bit of a perfectionist and I take my time cutting in my paint lines just right, without taping, just using a good angled brush and a steady hand.
Maybe it's because my family needs time to adjust to change. The most common question asked when I'm doing any improvement is, "Why are you changing that???" (When I reply that it's just because I want to, they usually walk away confused.)
Then there is my simple love of savoring change---somewhat like eating a delectable dessert as slowly as possible so it can be enjoyed to it's fullest. I savor those giddy feelings as I watch my project go from an idea in my head to a reality in my home.
Such is the case with my dining room wall. I am delighted with it's transformation from antiqued green to "Blacktop"---the most deep and luscious gray/brown/green.My shelf has been stripped and primed. The antique tin has been released from years of paint, rust, and grime; a look I once loved but am ready for something new. I am so excited to add the final layers of glaze to both projects but it will be done at turtle speed so that both my family and I can appreciate the flavor of change.
Are you a rabbit or a turtle when it comes to home improvement projects?

Adding a Few Coats

The weatherman has predicted warmer weather (finally!).

And while many will be shedding their coats,

this area of my home is calling for me

to put on a few coats today.I'm so happy to finally be able to do some painting!
Do you have happy plans for today?

Hints of Past, Present, and Future

Once again I seem to have disappeared from the blogging world. After several years of blogging there is one thing that I have come to know: Time spent with family and friends is more important than any blog post that I could create. Time is such
a precious commodity and I am striving to spend my time as wisely as possible.Last week I attended the funeral of a wonderful man. I listened as the speakers praised his life. Each acknowledged his devotion to his family, church, community, and country. They told of his attributes of kindness, charity, service, gratitude, and love. I reflected upon my own life. How do I want to be known? As a loving wife, a devoted mother, an adoring nonny, a kindhearted friend, someone who could make you laugh, a generous soul, a woman who knows God and whose words and actions reflect her religious beliefs, an inspiration, faithful, considerate, talented, appreciative, creative, giving, gracious. . . and the list continues. Did I even think to add "great blogger" to the list? The answer is, "No." Please don't misunderstand. I really do love blogging. It motivates me to learn and create and get out of my comfort zone. But, as with anything in life, when it becomes my only focus I become unbalanced and unhappy. And so as I enter into my fourth year of blogging I am determined to keep things in perspective. What does that mean? Well, just to name a few. . .It means that I will be a better steward of my time, talents, and energy. I will use my blog to document the things I make and do in my home instead of using my home to make a blog. I will cease doing "fluff" projects just for the sake of posting. I will try to refrain from comparing my home and blog to others. I will stop buying thrifted items merely because they will make for a great "before and after post."
Blogging can be a great blessing, but it can also be a bit of a curse. I am learning that the trick is to not allow blogging to become a bigger part of life than the life I am living and blogging about.
If you have endured my ramblings thus far I want you to know that I am ever appreciative of the time you spend here. You have supported me as I have weathered a few storms over the past year and I am thankful to you. I am humbled by you and am grateful for your influence. You inspire me and I am honored to be a small part of your life. Truly!
This photo will give you a hint as to why I took a break from blogging last week.My only daughter, who lives too far away, was in town. She and her hubby are pregnant with their first child; a girl. We spent the week planning, reminiscing, laughing, crying, loving, and attending baby showers. It was delightful!!! She left for home today and so to ease the pains of separation I will be cleaning up these exciting finds from the Habitat store, as well as picking and buying paint for a few projects.I am trying to prepare my home for an exciting event. I hope that you will join me in viewing the homes of several talented bloggers. My goal is to be able to tour each of these beautiful homes looking for inspiration and appreciating the gifts and talents that others have been given. The Parade of Homes will be a great source to gladden, excite, motivate and invigorate---as long as we resist to compare and compete. Mark your calendar and be prepared to be inspired!

Sweet and Simple

It's an idea that's been around for years. Take a candle holder (glass, porcelain, or metal---it doesn't really matter). Use a strong, clear glue (I use E6000)

to adhere it to a pretty plate.Let it dry for a few hours
and you have a sweet and simple gift.

The only way to improve it is to top it with a cloche. . . and perhaps something delightfully delicious to eat!

Budding Plans

It's a gorgeous day today!

The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and I have plans to make my little corner of the world a bit more beautiful.

I'm going to plant these (once centerpieces) little pretties.Then I'm going to take some trimmings from my forsythia bushes and do this to their little ends, plop them in water, and bring them into my warm home so that

in a few days I can have a lovely display like this! It would make me so happy if your plans would include
clicking here to vote for Joys of Home.
Thank You, so very, very much!!!

Did You Hear That?

Did you hear that? That was a huge sigh of relief coming from me! The church dinner is over. I finished making nearly seventy favors and eight centerpieces and everything went well. It was a really nice evening. Aaaaaahhhhhh!

I chose to decorate for the event with a spa/spring theme---representing a time to renew & rejuvenate. The centerpieces were hurricanes made from dollar store vases glued a top dollar store candlesticks (I saw the idea on several blogs). Inside was a pansy, still in it's plastic nursery container, wrapped with moss. A mirror and dollar store rocks gave it the finishing touch. Yes, the dollar store is my go-to place for budget decorating!I wanted to send a little something home with each lady based on the theme of the evening. A little reminder that it's important for us, especially as women, to take time just for us. I know that when I do something just for me---be it reading a book or magazine, thrift shopping, lunch with a friend, whatever it is that makes me feel renewed---I am more able to meet the demands of life and give of myself to family and others.
Based on that thought, I put together these little favors made from mouding pieces mod podged with fabric and paper and embellished with rick rack and a metallic scrapbook dot.

A little reminder to do what it takes to
RENEW your spirit every day.

In Deep

Right now I'm up to my eyelids
making favors for a church dinner.I'll be back tomorrow with photos
of the whole table setting.(I hope they turn out as well in real life as I see them in my head!)

Silver Where?

As I ran my errands on Saturday I tucked in and pulled out my silver
olive-fork-handle key fob in and out of my pocket.
Each time it made me smile to think of it's uniqueness. It also made me think of all of the silverware projects I've done. I hope you don't mind that I took a little time to compile them all into one post just to satisfy my own curiosity.

Using the same technique as the key fob, a spoon with
the initial J was turned into a necklace pendant. I took a small collection, given to me as a gift,
and with an inexpensive tray, scrapbook paper and hot glue,
it became a pretty little display. It looks even better tucked inside an apothecary jar
sitting along with the collection of silverware from my in-laws.I used a spoon to embellish a treat tray.My hubby helped me bend forks to use as small easels. Years ago, I framed a small fork to hang over
our bent fork coat hanger
that was made by our niece and her husband. I've even hung spoons from our dining room chandelier using copper wire. It may be a little odd, and be the start of a few conversations
("Why do you have spoons hanging from your light?"), but
why not accent with the things you love!So there it is---
a collection of projects
made from a collection of silverware!

In Progress

It often seems that, because of the wonders of blogland, everyone gets projects done in a timely way and those projects magically look fantastic. I can sometimes feel a little low, wondering why that same magic doesn't happen at my house. Why can't I completely redecorate a room in a day, or a week, or even a month?
Take my guest room for example (a.k.a. daughter's abandoned room that she and her hubby come to stay in when they're in town). I started that project last December, added to it in February, and completely ignored it until this week. Why did I start working on it again? The changing of the weather of course! I've wanted to paint the headboard and footboard. I had to spray paint it before the weather gets any colder. I gave you a sneak peek of it earlier. It was only a peek because it wasn't the overall look that I had in mind.
The bed was originally our master bed. It came from the PB outlet. I loved the style, more than the color. But (***pay attention to this next line***) changing the color intimidated me. Yes, you read that correctly! I liked the finish but not the color. I was afraid if I changed the color that I couldn't achieve the same aged look. But I finally I got brave enough, reminded myself that "it's just paint" and took the plunge!I sprayed it a beautiful Aqua. It will look so pretty against the grayish walls and topped with the chocolate brown comforter. Yes, aqua was a bold, but beautiful color choice.Now on to the part that I feared. Aging and distressing has proved to be challenging. I started the usual way, a little sanding and a little scraping. But the primer white was coming through. No problem. A little staining will fix that, right? As well as add to the age.The stain went on a little blotchy and didn't cover the primer white spots.
What was the solution? Well, I remembered from my days of refinishing furniture that a rub of very fine steel wool helps to even out almost any stained finish. And, fortunately it worked marvelously!As to the primer white age spots, I took a clue from the original PB finish. I took out my brown acrylic craft paint and my teeny tipped paint brush and painted on those little worn marks! Yep! If it's good enough for the PB people, it's good enough for me!As for the final reveal of it's new make-over, you'll have to wait patiently along with me for it to dry completely. I wouldn't want to have to start this process all over again. It might take another ten months!

The Finial Act

As you know by now, I look at the world through spray painted glasses. Almost everything I see, I wonder if it might look better painted a different color. I am constantly amazed at how color can really change the character of an item. One example is this finial, a recent thrift store purchase:You may like it as is, but I like it so much better with a coat of cream paint topped with a bit of stain.I realize that I've only showed quick little spray paint projects all week. That's what gives me a daily thrill! I'm out every day spray painting a little something. Every week my son has to move my "spray paint station" (a stool topped with scrap wood) before he mows the lawn. It's not the prettiest lawn ornament but it works for me!