Life on Walnut Street is moving to...

How to Paint Old Garage Doors!

2013-06-07T12:32:00.002-04:00

Well, it's Friday and I have been saying all week that I am going to get a post up about how to paint garage doors! (Better late, than never, right?) Last week I finally decided to tackle a project that I have been mulling over for the better part of a year! Seriously, it was one of those hail-mary projects that I figured couldn't be worse than the "before" - BUT I can't tell you how much BETTER they turned out than even I expected! CLICK HERE to keep reading!

Rule Breaker? Running FB Contests!

2013-06-04T11:32:00.001-04:00

We've all seen 'em...most of us have entered 'em but have you ever hosted one? "Leave a comment on the photo below telling us what you would make with these fresh strawberries and you could win a...blah, blah, blah" Or how about..."Come like our page and be entered into a drawing...blah, blah, blah!"

Seems innocent, right? Well...not on facebook! Whether you realize it or not FB has some pretty exhaustive rules on what you can and can't do on their site where contests and giveaways are concerned! Today I want to teach you the easy way to host online contests that won't get your FB page shut down in the process...

Continue Reading CLICK HERE

GRAND OPENING...The Linley House Market is now open!

2013-06-03T11:46:00.001-04:00

So, last week on facebook I promised some BIG news for The Linley House to be announced on Monday...and here we are! I'm super excited to be able to share with you all the launch of The Linley House Market! I have spent a good deal of time getting ready for this launch and it was quite hard to keep my little trap shut about it until now! In fact...if you were online LATE last night you may have already got a sneak-peak...

Located in Walnut Creek - the heart of Ohio's Amish Country, The Linley House Market is an online shop selling antique and vintage home-goods.

For any of you who know me or have been reading my blog for any length of time it's no secret that I love design...all design! I also happen to live in an area of the country that is SATURATED with amazing vintage and antique goodies...plus I am a total junker and I LOVE wandering through flea markets and garage sales! My goal with The Linley House Market is to be able to bring some of the amazing items that I find, thrift, or re-purpose to you so that you can enjoy them, too! (at reasonable costs, of course!)

Speaking of reasonable costs...to CELEBRATE the launch of the Market for this week I am offering 10% off ANY ITEM! No hoops to jump through...you don't have to DO anything special for me...just use the coupon code GRAND10 at checkout an instantly save 10%

With the 4th of July only a month away here are some of my favorite items in the shop right now!


Celebrate the "Land of the Free and Home of the Brave" this July 4th with this vintage classic tin sign! This patriotic piece measures 12 inches wide by 9 inches tall (with a total height of 12 inches, if you include the metal hanger) This is a perfect little piece to pull out for Memorial Day, Presidents Day, Veterans Day or the 4th of July to add just a little holiday-sparkle to your front porch!

Show your stars and stripes patriotism PLUS your great style this July 4th with these cute, bottle-cap pins! These unique pieces are 1.25 inches round. I have two options to choose from "Red White Blue" or "Grand Ole Flag" - which ever you choose I can guarantee that everyone will want to know where you got them! These pins are coated with resin and are "rain resistant" but should not be submerged in water.
*This item ships for FREE*

This darling, personal, tin oil lamp measures 7.5 inches tall and 3 inches at the base! With it's red and blue finish it will be the perfect addition to your summer patriotic picnic table-scape but could also be used in your primitive or country Christmas decor!
*This antique piece should be used for decor only*

This beautiful glass cookie jar is cherry red with a clear top (that seals). It measures approximately 9 inches high (including lid) and 5 inches wide (at the base). Unique design will compliment any style home from vintage to modern. This color is a perfect accent for your patriotic picnic table but also could be used in your holiday and seasonal decor. If you are a lover of RED or are looking for that "pop" of color for your neutral kitchen you will adore this piece!

I hope that you will be able to take a few minutes today and go check out the rest of the items that I have listed! (and don't forget the coupon code GRAND10 to save 10% off orders this week!

Thanks for visiting!

The Beauty of Being Pressed!

2013-05-29T00:02:00.002-04:00

Devotional:

It's not until the seams are pressed open that you can turn the piece over and see just how it is going to look! This thought is what started my mind down the path to realizing the similarity with our walk with the Lord.

To keep reading CLICK HERE...

Just for DAD giveaway from Amish Country Essentials!

2013-05-22T10:45:00.000-04:00

I know that it seems crazy but did you realize that Father's Day is only like 3 weeks away?

That's right people...Father's Day is June 16th!

But not to worry, we have got you covered! One of my all-time favorite shops here in Ohio's Amish Country, Amish Country Essentials is giving away an amazing gift that you can win for your dad for this Father's Day!

Now thru May 29th you can enter to win a hand-made shave mug, brush, and an all-natural shave soap of your choice! It kind of goes without saying but this is going to make an AMAZING Father's Day gift!

A note from Amish Country Essentials - "Shaving soaps and shaving mugs are a thing of nostalgia. Now they are a practical and better alternative to the chemically produced cremes that you buy at the store. Longer lasting and smoother on the skin to create the best shave you have ever had. The shaving soap will replace over 6 cans of your shaving creme. Making it a money saving purchase as well. Once you try it you will never go back. Use your current razor with it as well, no need to use the old school straight razor. Our shave soaps come in a variety of fragrant choices, Lavender, Oh Naturale, Sensation (a peppermint, eucalyptus essential oil blend), Gladiator (Bay Rum), Italian Ice and LemonGrass and when you win this giveaway you get your choice of shaving soap! GOOD LUCK!"

a Rafflecopter giveaway

LOW CALORIE Cheesy Smash Potatoes!

2013-05-16T11:22:00.002-04:00

An amazing dish that also happens to be super-easy and will be perfect for all of your summer get togethers and b-b-q's! I may or may not have a sneaky-little secret with this recipe! (Hopefully you will forgive me once you see how yummy and healthy they are!) And in the end you can decide if you want to keep the little secret or share it with your party guests!

Best of all it will satisfy that "comfort food" craving without all the guilt!

Come get the full recipe over at The Linley House!

Office Re-design Reveal!

2013-05-11T17:12:00.001-04:00

Come on over to The Linley House

to see all the photos of my NEW office!

75 Calorie Chocolate Muffins!

2013-05-01T11:10:00.001-04:00

Come over to The Linley House and get the recipe for these sweet-treats.

Bonus, they are also Guilt-Free!

Click HERE for the recipe!

Nice Day for a Giveaway!

2013-04-17T09:23:00.002-04:00

It's Wednesday...are you in the mood for a giveaway?

I am super-stoked to be a part of an amazing giveaway to help celebrate one of my sweetest friends, Aleks, as she opens her handmade shop! I'm so excited for her (and actually I designed her NEW logo...) so I jumped at the chance to be involved in this giveaway celebration! There a some great prizes up for grabs that you are not going to want to miss!

You DO NOT want to miss this giveaway! Not only am I donating a $40 design credit to the winner BUT there are 5 other prizes up for grabs from some fabulous ladies! Want to know what they are...

Okay, here we go!

and then of course there is me...you guys know me!

Make sure to enter...and make sure to hop on over to Aleks' shop...(and tell her how much you love her logo! Ha!) Just kidding...but really go check out her stuff it is SUPER cute!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

"Skinny" Grilled Cheese

2013-04-12T08:44:00.001-04:00

Did you know that today is National Grilled Cheese Day?

Come on over to The Peanuts Gang blog where I am sharing this recipe!

Enjoy all the gooey-goodness of grilled cheese minus the guilt!

Guest Post and a FREE Giveaway!

2013-04-11T20:56:00.001-04:00

Today I am guest-posting over at Amanda Lynne Designs!

(and I am giving away a custom designed Spring Invitation Pac for FREE)

Come on over and check it out!

Healthy Enchiladas!

2013-04-10T20:38:00.002-04:00

Another great HEALTHY recipe today over at The LINLEY HOUSE

I can't tell you what a HUGE hit these were! (Honestly, they turned out even better then I thought they would!) and the portions are HUGE...for the 660 calorie investment you could eat 2 1/2 of these! (I could only eat 1 1/2 at dinner tonight! (Hubbs ate two and was full!)

Click HERE to get the recipe!

Spring Slim-Down - Healthy Potato Salad!

2013-04-09T22:41:00.000-04:00

NEW series over at The LINLEY HOUSE blog!

Sarah's Spring Slim-Down Recipe collection!

Today I showcased...

CLICK HERE for the recipe!

DIY: Cutting Board into a Custom Tablet Stand!

2013-04-08T17:15:00.002-04:00

Come on over to The Linley House today and see how

I turned an old cutting board into a custom Tablet Stand!

CLICK HERE

Holy Week and Foot-washing?

2013-03-27T13:04:00.003-04:00

Today I am talking about foot-washing over at The LINLEY HOUSE!

Have no idea what this means...come on over and check it out!

http://www.linleyhouse.com/2013/03/holy-week-and-footwashing.html

Your Questions Answered - New Post at LINLEY HOUSE

2013-03-19T10:45:00.000-04:00

I am answering fan questions over the Linley House blog today about painting old brass lights!

Come check it out...

Tips for RE-PURPOSING furniture!

2013-03-15T16:00:00.001-04:00

Hello and Happy Friday!

There is a NEW post today over at The LINLEY HOUSE blog where I am sharing all of my tips and tricks for basic furniture re-purposing!

CLICK HERE to come over and check it out !

(And, just a reminder that today is the last day that you can enter to WIN

some of my favorite goodies from Amish Country! CLICK HERE to enter!

An Amish Country Give-Away!

2013-03-12T11:46:00.001-04:00

To celebrate the launch of the NEW blog The LINLEY HOUSE we are running a give-away!

Today, I am excited to be able to give-away a few of my favorite products from the area!

The winner of this giveaway will receive:

A full size lotion bar (your choice of scent) from Sunnybrook Acres
(never heard of a lotion bar...I hadn't either, but trust me you are going to LOVE it!)

A "Dirty Boy" Bar from Amish Country Essentials
Ever heard of a guy named Mr. Mike Rowe...from the TV show "Dirty Jobs"?
YEP! This is what he uses!

A hand-poured candle from Lamp & Light Candle (Your choice of color and scent)
Local Amish Candle shop...and my personal favorite!
I have not bought a candle anywhere else in six years!

A set of 3 greeting cards from Abby Art
Beautiful cards with a beautiful mission! For every card sold she donates money to Haiti missions!

Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Exciting NEWS and a NEW site!

2013-03-07T20:01:00.000-05:00

Hello all my lovely friends and followers!

Well, we have decided here on Walnut Street to bite-the-bullet and make the move to a new name and NEW webpage!

It's still going to be the same-old-me over at LINLEY HOUSE so I hope that you will all make the jump with with me! (and help me spread the word!)

If you are already a fan on facebook you should soon notice the change happen there, too!

Catch ya on the flip side!

CLICK HERE to visit the NEW site!

We are MOVING!

2013-03-06T14:01:00.004-05:00

Okay friends! If you are also a fan of Life on Walnut Street on facebook then you night have noticed some BIG changes that happened this morning on the FB page!

That's right...here on Walnut Street we are making a move and headed over to the LINLEY HOUSE!

(for those of you who are wondering...this is a digital/cyber "move" only...hubbs and I do still live on Walnut Street!)

I am super excited for this change and I hope that you are too!

Here is a little background! {{if you care}}

I started blogging almost 2 years ago as a way to keep connected with friends and family and I NEVER thought that I would have more than a dozen people who were interested in reading what I posted! Beacause this blog was started as a hobby I didn't put a huge amount of thought into the name/brand. I live on Walnut Street and I was posting about my life so it seemed a fitting title for a blog, right!? It was. (for awhile)

I have been thinking about a name change for some time now. As I move into the future and look to take on other projects (including growing my graphic design business) the idea of re-branding has shifted from just a simple thought to an actual necessity!

Here is what I have learned so far...there is never a "good time" to do something like this! I am well aware that I run the risk of some of you not making the move with me! (and that bums me out...but waiting any longer will, in the end, make things ever harder!)

So, Today's The Day!

And I do hope that you will all be able to join me over at The LINLEY HOUSE!

The new blog is NOW LIVE and you can come visit by

CLICKING HERE

And, as I mentioned above we have NEW FB page as well! Skip on over and "like" there, too!

Hope to see you there!

Missing in Action

2013-02-20T16:14:00.000-05:00

Wow...it feel like I have been gone from here forever...truth is that there are just some times in your life when the day-to-day catches you off guard and something's gotta give! That's what I have been experiencing her on Walnut Street for the past couple of months.

Some of you may know...but most do not that I gave my notice at my nine-to-five job in December. I agreed to sat on with the company where I am currently employed until mid-February. Well...mid-February has now turned into the end of February and officially my last day will be next Thursday the 28th.

(This week and next I am training the gal who will replace me so it's been pretty hectic!) I have been with the company for 6 years (ever since I made the move from FL to Ohio) and it's just A LOT to cover in the limited time that we have...so (I would totally appreciate your prayers!)

Other then that...things are fairly quiet here on Walnut Street! I am hopelessly waiting for spring to make its arrival here in Ohio! (My Florida bones can't take much more winter!) Seriously, all you people who live further North then I do...I have no idea how you stand it!

I'm also SUPER excited to head to Denver next week to meet up with some AMAZING girlfriends for a min-ladies retreat in the mountains! (which also might have a little something to do with how hard it seems it has been to get through this last week (and next week) at work because I am little bit like a kid right before summer vacation begins!

I'd love to hear about what is going on with all of you! I am SO behind on reading most of the blogs that I follow...but am hoping we can all catch up soon!

Blessings!

Speaking Engagement! (Skyview Ranch) March 16th

2013-02-12T09:00:00.000-05:00

Hello Friends! I have been invited to speak at a local ladies event this March!

It is a spring brunch that is to be held out at Skyview Ranch just outside Millersburg!

(a very special place for me because it happens to be where Hubbs and I got married!)

The theme for the morning will be "Branded in Christ"

I'm very much looking forward to being able to share and would love it if you would remember me in your prayers as I a plan and prepare for this opportunity!

Any locals interested in attending can contact the church office at Berlin Mennonite at 330-893-2320 or visit their facebook page!

The Big 30 Love Challenge!

2013-02-01T09:57:00.000-05:00

Think about what the next 30 days could do for your relationships if you were committed and intentional about telling the people in your life you love THAT you love them...and why!

Today is the first day of February and I'm visiting my friends today over at Amanda Lynne Designs where I am teaming up with Amanda herself to launch a really fun project to celebrate Valentine's Day and the month of February!

Happy Friday!
So...here is the deal!

Using the printables that you will find over at Amanda Lynne Designs, beginning today, the challenge is to write a "love note" every day for the next 30 days! If you and your spouse both commit to do this then you will need to print out 6 copies of the "love note" printable!

By the end of the challenge you will each have 30 mini "loves notes" from your sweetie!

For more information...to get the FREE printable and button make sure to hop over to Amanda's Blog! Come see what we are up too, commit to joining us in the challenge, and share it with YOUR friends and followers!!

Think about what the next 30 days could do for your relationships if you were committed and intentional about telling the people in your life you love THAT you love them...and why!

See you there!

Spring Fever!

2013-01-28T11:30:00.004-05:00

It's safe to say that I officially have a case of spring fever here on Walnut Street. (I know it's early...but I could just not help myself) Yes, I got out my spring decor this weekend! Blame it on the grey-grey Ohio skies that seem to stretch on forever but this Florida girl can only take so much before I need some cheery color to lift my spirits! Come take a look at what I came up with! (Plus a few easy tips you can do at home, too!)

Some of you may notice that I am using the birds nest specimen art that I created this time last year above the fire-place again...(but with a slight modification!) This year I did paint the frame a nice spring-blue! I love this piece...and I love it even more now with the fresh coat of paint on the frame!

Next up, the coffee table. It's pretty simple, just some greens that I had left in my stash from last summer and of course my trusty little birch cylinders that I made awhile back. I'm a huge fan of using "natural" elements in your home and this is a great example of how the right pieces can be used over and over in your home throughout the seasons with only slight modifications!

Check out all of the places/projects where I have used these birch cylinders since I made them over a year and a half ago!

Here is another mix of thrifted and recycled objects that I re-assembled to create a totally new look!

I picked up the bucket last fall because I wanted to use it on my winter porch and pile it full of my "Magic Snowballs" - Now that I am onto spring it is a perfect twist on an Easter basket!

The numbered eggs are just paper-mache, a little paint and some burlap! (And again some recycled greenery from last year.)

These little white birds (I have three total) are another great example of objects that I use season after season...obviously they are great for spring and summer but since they are white (and glittery) I always set them out through-out the winter, too!)

This might be my favorite NEW part of the living room this spring! (and it is so EASY) - I found this little ladder at our local antique store for only 12 bucks! Using it as a magazine stand adds an extra pop of color in the room and keeps my magazines out in the open (where I might actually remember to grab one and flip through it!)

The tulip display on the mantle is nothing more then tulip stems (that I have had for YEARS) and an old drawer that I picked up (again at the local antique store)

BUT - this Spring Topiary is where I want to spend the most time with you today!

Most of you who are long-time readers know that there is little that I love more when it come to a craft projects then when it's a FREE craft project! (And that is just what this was...)

All of the elements that I needed to create these cute little topiaries I already had in my craft supplies (leftover from other projects) or reclaimed from last year's decor.

I don't know about you but I get a little tired of having the same decor up year after year (even if I do change it out for the seasons) but who has the moo-lah to up and change everything each year? Not me, I know that! That's why I love to "shop" in my own pile of supplies and try to think of ways to re-make things with out having to buy new!

Here is a rundown of all that I used

and where I "stole" it from!

2 styrofoam balls - left over from the above mentioned "Magic Snowball" project this past winter

5 lime-green hydrangea stems - Used last year in a centerpiece for my summer dining table

A handful of succulent stems and pieces that were left from a Summer Floral project last year

A wooden dowel, cut in half (found in the garage...not sure what this was left from)

Brown craft paint - I already had on hand

6 pieces of long greenery (to wrap around the dowel - stolen from the recently assembled "Easter Basket on the hearth)

Bits and pieces of floral foam (I always save my scraps)

Burlap scraps

My thrift store white chalices that I use for EVERYTHING (Seriously, other than the birch cylinders these get just about the most re-used of anything I own!)

You will also need

Hot-glue gun

Floral Stem Snips

Craft Knife

Scissors

I hope that you enjoyed this little sneak-peak of spring here at my house!

I also have a super-cute Valentines Day project that I will share on Wednesday so I hope to see you back here in few days!

AND...before you go!

CLICK HERE

Hey, yo! Irish Girls!

2013-01-23T22:00:00.002-05:00

Just a little humor to get you through this Wednesday!

(Hehehe)