Patricia Ann's

Moving Things Around

2012-02-02T21:54:00.000-06:00

My dining room has been sitting untouched since I put away my

Christmas decorations. And even though it has been easier

to dust like this, I decided it was time to decorate.

First I changed out the mirror with the one from the living area. Then

I brought out some Limoges plates I bought years ago on clearance at a Horchow's Outet.
Next, I changed out some wall hangings, and brought in one of my Santo's dolls to keep an eye on everything.

So then, I decided my curio cabinet was moving out, and my white hutch was moving in.

Sorry about the awful picture of the curio cabinet, I didn't think to take a descent picture before I got started.

I really didn't have to do very much, but it feels better.

However, there is a small table in my dining room

that I'm wanting to paint : ) But I'll save that for another post!

Have a safe and restful weekend!

Going on the Wall......

2012-02-01T10:50:00.015-06:00

My mom gave my this thingy....well, I'm not really sure what it is or was may be more appropriate.
But who cares?? Look at the detail!
It's that hard resin molding stuff, so it's not heavy, and it definitely was attached to something at one time.

Anyways, she got it at a garage sale for 50 cents!
And then she gave it to me : )

It was originally orange terracotta.

It sat in my garage for a few months, because I wasn't sure what to do with it.

I did pull it out and spray paint it white. Looking for inspiration. 

So yesterday I pulled out some ASCP

and decided it was time to give the thing a make over.

After giving it a coat of Old White, I went over it with clear wax.

Then I went back over it with dark wax.

I went real heavy in some areas with the dark wax.

Thanks for stopping by!

WHATEVER GOES WEDNESDAY @ Someday Crafts

RESTORE INTERIORS

LOOK WHAT I MADE! At Creations by Kara

MISS MUSTARD SEED'S FURNITURE FRIDAY @ Miss Mustard Seed

TREASURE HUNT THURSDAY @ From My Front Porch To Yours

Dried Wreaths

2012-01-24T19:50:00.015-06:00

I have these 2 wreaths that I bought couple of years ago.

They are made with a varity of natural dried components.

I hadn't noticed how really dried they had become.

They looked awful!

My husband had given me the most beautiful floral arrangement

for my birthday last December and I had kept

the flowers and dried them. I wasn't really sure what I was going to use them in but they were so pretty, I had to keep them.

So, I use my dried birthday flowers to save my wreaths.

They look so much better!

More like what they did when I bought them originally.

Now I love them again.

RESTORE INTERIORS WEDNESDAY

WOW US WEDNESDAYS @ Savvy Southern Style

Type A Anything Goes

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Not Just A Housewife Show Me What Ya Got
TREASURE HUNT THURSDAY @ From My Front Porch To Yours
No Minimalist Here Open House Party
Laurie Ann's Vintage Home
Stuff and Nonsense:Fridays Unfolded
At The Picket Fence Inspiration Friday

Good Monday!

2012-01-23T07:02:00.006-06:00

I was trolling the web looking for some magazine information and found these 3 websites I really loved and wanted to share.

The first one is Meadow Street, Vintage Romantic Style

Then The French Elements. You can spend a while here!

And lastly French Garden House, where you can browse and shop.

I found them all full of inspirational ideas!

Passing the Word along...

2012-01-10T16:58:00.011-06:00

I have a lot of family and friends in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area who love Annie Sloan chalk paint,

so I want to make sure that they know about the following....

I just read on Lady Butterbug that

Annie Sloan's American Tour is coming to the Dallas area this Spring!

She will be there on March, 16. So mark your calendars!

You can visit Lady Butterbug to find more information and pertinent links.

ASCP

2012-01-07T21:24:00.033-06:00

Don't we all love

Annie Sloane Chalk Paint!

My sister, Rachelle, finally decided to bite the bullet

and bravely go where the rest of us would be to chicken to ever go....

she painted my mamaw's armoire.

The piece was passed down to her several years ago.

It was in my mamaw's house always.

But, it has aged and there were areas on the armoire that were worn and dried out.

She just wasn't happy with the the way it looked any more.

So, with her sister's cheering her on, and her husband saying please no....

she bought some Annie Sloan chalk paint and wax.

Now, she LOVES it! We all LOVE it!

She did a fantastic job!

The color of paint she used is country grey.

Then she used the clear wax, and then the dark wax on top of it.

I love the dark wax in all the nitches and grooves!

BTW, Rachelle was in Canton (Canton Trade Days) last month and she visited with Karla from Lady Butterbug, at their new location, A Feathered Nest.

It looks wonderful Rachelle!

Miss Mustard Seed Furniture Feature Friday

Some of My Favs

2012-01-05T22:05:00.012-06:00

This week I was given the

award from The Vintage Chateau.

Thank you!

This award gives me an opportunity to introduce 5 newish bloggers

that I enjoy following.

1. Salvaged Whimsy - So many inspirational pictures of repurposed, junkin stuff! I love to go and see what she's up to!

Salvaged Whimsy

2. Potato Boutique - This blog is for you burlap, potato sack lovers out there. I admit, I had never seen a potato sack dress before I visited this blog!

Potato Boutique

3. Junkaholics Unanimous - Amber's blog is full of beautiful old things. I love to look at her postings. I love her style and decorating.

Junkaholics Unanimous

4. Curb Alert - This lady really does pick up things off the curb and take them home! I love it! I have a sister who does that too! I enjoy reading Tami's postings, she has such a fun sense of humor in her writing.

Curb Alert

5. Joy 2 Journey - Joy is just getting started blogging and wow, did she make quite the impression with her recent playhouse posting. She transformed an area under her stairway into play house! You have to check it out.

Joy 2 Journey

These are just some of my new friends.
That's the wonderful thing about b
logging, making new friends all the time! Please visit their blogs, and tell them I sent you!
And thanks for visiting mine!

Before and Afters for 2010

2012-01-03T07:11:00.005-06:00

What did I accomplish last year around the house???

Well, besides moving into a house that had to be completely repainted, I worked on several projects that involved repurposing furniture last year.

I'll start in the sun room......

On to the kitchen.......

my "new" buffet

updated the kitchen table & chairs. Hubby made me new benches!

Gave a couple of thrift chairs a new look and a new home in my dining room...

Worked on reinventing the entry way.....

so before...

and after

and my attempt at an aged mirror headboard.

Okay, that's a few of the projects I worked on this past year.

I've already got my list for this year!

Thanks for stopping by!

Patricia Ann

Most Viewed 2010 Post

2012-01-03T06:37:00.009-06:00

My top viewed post for 2010 was also one of my first to every link to a party.

It was my thrift store purchase of 2 parson chairs

that I recovered with painter drop clothes.

I think it was having them monogrammed that really gave them the perfect finished look.

Click here to go to original post: FridayJune 24 Dining Room Updates...

Second runner up was my kitchen table and chairs makeover.

Click here to go to original post: Tuesday July 26 Kitchen Table & Chairs Update Complete

I stripped and repainted and stained my table. Painted a couple of chairs white and "covered" them with burlap.

Then my husband made me some rustic benches that I stained and then used milk paint on.

The third most viewed posting was my sweater pumpkins I made this past fall.

Click here to go to original post: Sunday September 11 My Sweater Pumkins

Thanks for stopping by!

Patricia Ann

First Post of the Year!

2012-01-02T15:37:00.002-06:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!

I was able to go "home" and spend some much needed time with 2 of my daughters and the rest of my family members.

I loved it! I needed it!

I wanted to share a couple of the gifts I received.

Some of you know that last summer my husband & I bought a small travel trailer.

I had mentioned to my youngest daughter that a lot of people have personalized signs that they hang either outside their trailer or inside a window. Anyway, she found someone on etsy that makes these wonderful wooden plaques and had one made for me.

I think they did a really nice job, and I just love it! So if you know of anyone interested in one, I thought I would pass the information along. 

Look at this gorgeous lady!

One of my sisters gave me her for my birthday! Isn't she great?

Rachelle (sister) bought her at Laurie Anna's in Canton, TX.

Here she is sitting, naked.

And I guess you could put her on a shelf as is.

But the sisters...Rachelle & Colleen...told me to hang some jewelry on her. Dress her up!

I think she needs some more pearls.

Happy New Year Everyone!!

Patricia Ann

DebbieDoosNewbieParty

Christmas Mantel

2011-12-06T21:16:00.017-06:00

This year my favorite Santos takes center stage on my Christmas mantel.

I bought her several years ago from Laurie Anna's in Canton, Texas.

She came with removable wings that I put on every Christmas. Two years ago I made her a crown out of scrapbooking paper. Isn't she lovely?

The Christmas trees on either side of her are made out of paper, and really aren't as lopsided as they look in this picture!

I made them using scrapbooking Xmas theme sheets of paper with music on them.

I just cut out wavy circles and taped them together and then slid them onto a wooden dowel I had already glued onto a wooden base. The stars on top were some unfinished wooded ornaments I had left over from another project.

I have a rather large collection of old bibles, so I tied a few red ones together to use on the mantel for my trees to sit on.

Mason jars are always handy for decorating. I have an assortment of sizes and colors that I keep around the house.

They are perfect for holding small candles.

So that's my mantel this year.....simple and easy!

Patricia Ann

From My Front Porch To Yours Holiday Mantel Party

Fingerprints on the Fridge

HO HO HO!!

2011-12-04T18:52:00.006-06:00

I made this burlap Christmas banner for my daughter in-law, Adrienne. I'm sure you all have seen lots of variations of them.

I wanted to use the traditional red, white and green but make it a little on the whimsical side.

Adrienne hung hers on the fire place screen, under her new stockings that she made herself.

I love the red and white paisley fabric she used with the linen!

Aren't they pretty?

Patricia Ann

Fingerprints on the Fridge Feature Yourself Friday

Banner

2011-11-29T15:53:00.001-06:00

I made a Christmas banner for my blog today using several different graphics I found over at

The Graphics Fairy. I use Adobe photoshop to make and edit projects and Karen's graphics are a good resolution that work great for printing or publishing to the web. She also has a huge selection!

The Graphics Fairy

Greetings!

2011-11-28T18:49:00.001-06:00

I hope everyone was able to relax and

enjoy Thanksgiving Day with their family and friends.

Not all of our children were able to be here with us this year, but we were lucky enough to have a few of them come home for a visit.

This is our beautiful granddaughter!

Isn't she just precious? Being a Tennessee girl, we don't get to see her as much as we'd like to, so we cherish each visit.

See how happy she is, sitting here with us?

And see how happy she is here with Aunt Alyssa?

All smiles.

Well, that's about to change........

We took her to see

SANTA!!!!!

Ainsley NOT AT ALL happy, sitting on Santa's lap.

I'm sure she has long forgotten the whole ordeal, but I don't think her mother will get over it anytime soon.
I don't know who I felt worse for, my daughter in-law for feeling guilty or my granddaughter for being handed off to that weird looking stranger!

Oh well,

Here Comes Santa Claus!

Almost Turkey Time!

2011-11-22T09:39:00.001-06:00

With Thanksgiving just 2 days away I am just now putting my table together!

This is our first Thanksgiving in our new home. And it occurred to me just a couple of weeks ago I don't have Thanksgiving dishes. Normally there are so many of us when we get together, I would use my everyday dishes and insert seasonal serving dishes.

But this year, we will be a small group and I really wanted to find some Thanksgiving dishes. But I couldn't. So my dear friend Terri loaned me her Friendly Village set to use since she was going out of town.

She also loaned me her Pottery Barn leaf salad plates, beautiful fall stem ware, place mats, and napkins! I love them all! Thank you again Terri!

To all my family and friends,

Happy Thanksgiving!

A Stroll Thru Life Table Top Tuesday

It's a Cloche Party!

2011-11-01T09:30:00.007-05:00

Today Marty from A Stroll Thru Life is hosting a fall cloche party!

I love cloches, they are so versatile and fun to decorate with.

This x-large glass one normally sits on top of an armoire.

Humm, not sure if it's the shape of the wreath or if my "centerpiece" is really that far off center!

Happy first day of November everyone!!

Patricia Ann

A Stroll Thru Life
Someday Crafts:Whatever Goes Wednesday
WOW US WEDNESDAYS @ Savvy Southern Style
FEATURE YOURSELF FRIDAY @ Fingerprints On The Fridge
Between U & Me: Crazy Cute Thursdays
The DIY Show Off Fall Festival
INSPIRATION FRIDAY At The Picket Fence

Hello BlogLand Friends!

2011-10-28T19:06:00.000-05:00

My husband & I just returned from a week long camping trip.

We had beautiful weather the entire time! It was so relaxing!

Our first stop was Fredericksburg, Texas.

It's a wonderful old historical town, rich in German heritage.

They were having their Fall Food & Wine Festival while we were there.

There are so many wineries in the area!

Of course you can't go to Fredericksburg and not eat some German food.

We looked online and this restaurant, Auslanders was highly recommended.

We did not leave disappointed!

Lots of places to shop!

This isn't a very good picture, but one of my favorite shops was called

Remember Me, too.

It was there that I found a new addition for my wall of clocks.

I have this wall of clocks going up the wall of my stair case. I'm always on the lookout for a new clock.

While we were there we stayed at the city park, (we have a very small very cozy travel trailer).

I can't say enough about how impressed I was with this park. It was very clean, quiet, and had shade trees. It also has baseball fields and a golf course. Each site also had cable hook ups, so we took the TV outside in the evenings and were able to watch the baseball games.......

Go Rangers!!

Hope everyone has a relaxing weekend!

Patricia Ann

It's Falling on My Chandeliers

2011-10-12T22:01:00.007-05:00

I don't know about you, but when I decorate
for the holidays I like to dress up my light fixtures for the occasions as well.

And last month while I was at Canton Trade Days, I found some new fall garland to use on my dining room light. I also intertwined some wide orange burlap ribbon that got from Laurie Annas shop while I was there.

I love the orange!

I just wish I could get a good picture of my chandelier!

I like the lights on, but the glare is so bad. Maybe a dimmer switch is needed?? I unscrewed some of the lights to help with the glare. Oh well.

Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Creek Cottage

TREASURE HUNT THURSDAY @ From My Front Porch To Yours

Open House Party @ No Minimalist Here FRIDAYS UNFOLDED @ Stuff and Nonsense Show Off Your Cottage Monday @ House of Roses

I Wish I Could Write Freehanded

2011-10-07T19:28:00.014-05:00

CHALKBOARD PAINT!

I have been wanting to make a chalkboard for months!

Since I've been decorating and rearranging for Fall, I found I was left with an empty spot in my entry way and decided a chalkboard was my answer.

I had a not so favorite print in a really pretty frame that hadn't been used in several years.

I spray painted the frame a grey blue color first, then glazed it with dark umber. I used Krylon Chalkboard spray paint to make my board. I just followed the instructions on the can.

Then I glued a handle (left over from a furniture project) to the front of the board to hold my chalk sticks.

To finish up the area I brought out some heavy ceramic pumpkins I've had for the table top.....

...painted this little tin a fall color, lined it in burlap, added some hydrangeas...

and was done.

I'm probably going to erase my chalk writing and try again.

Or maybe I'll wait until someone comes over with better penmanship than me!

Have a safe weekend everyone!

Patricia Ann

WHATEVER GOES WEDNESDAY @ Someday Crafts

FEATURE YOURSELF FRIDAY @ Fingerprints On The Fridge

Playing Outdoors!

2011-10-06T11:55:00.005-05:00

Today Sarah at Thrifty Decor Chick is hosting a

Fall Outdoor Spaces Party!

I really wanted to link up to her party so even though I'm not finished, here is what I have done to my porch so far.....

please excuse the flower bed right infront of the porch.

I kept trying to grow those ground covering roses. But the deer wouldn't leave them alone. Next year I will plant something else.

This is my first porch to get to decorate and I have a lot of space.

I need to find my balance of not too much, but enough so it looks good.

And I still have flowers blooming from the summer, as you can see in the picture, because it's so warm here!

I've been warned about the deer eating mums and cabbage plants.

But I have to have some! So I only bought a few and "hid" them.

Made this wreath to go in this large open space.......

I loved the colors in the flowers.

That's it for now. If you're looking for outdoor ideas, you should check out Sarah's party. There are some really good post on it!

Hope everyone is have a wonderful week!

Patricia Ann

Finally!

2011-10-03T12:57:00.015-05:00

I feel like I'm the last one out the gate! I finally put my fall mantle together. I missed the mantle linky parties, but I'm posting mine anyway.

I kept mine simple using some of my sweater pumpkins I made.

This is a big ole bird nest kind of basket I've had for years. I tucked a few sweater pumpkins in it.

I have a lot of "Falling" to do around here this week.

I've never had a front porch to decorate before and I really want to it decorated in time to link up to the Outdoor Ideas Party on October 6th at Centsational Girl.

I bought a hay bale yesterday : ) I just need to figure out what I'm going to do with it!

Patricia Ann

SAVVY HOMEMADE MONDAY HOME SAVVY A TO Z

SHOW OFF YOUR COTTAGE MONDAY @ House of Roses

TABLE TOP TUESDAY @ A Stroll Thru Life

I PARTY AT TYPE A @ Type A

WOW US WEDNESDAYS @ Savvy Southern Style

Mushki Loves My Stuff

FRIDAYS UNFOLDED @ Stuff and Nonsense

FEATURE YOURSELF FRIDAY @ Fingerprints On The Fridge

TREASURE HUNT THURSDAY @ From My Front Porch To Yours

Rounding up my Trip

2011-10-02T13:59:00.004-05:00

Wow! What a week!

I was in Plano, Texas all last week visiting family and friends. It was wonderful! I enjoyed some quality time with a daughter and was able to catch up with so many friends and former co-workers.

As the week was ending, Thursday night, the sisters & I took my mother out to dinner and then to see Motherhood the Musical

for her 77th birthday.

We has such a good time! We laughed, cried, and laughed a whole lot more. If you get a chance to see it, you need to go!

Then Friday, we got up early and we all four headed to Canton!

The weather was crisp and cool, and the parking lots (cow pastures) were already packed. I guess everyone wanted to get out and take advantage of the cooler weather that finally came our way.

The first stop on our list once we get to Canton is always,

LaurieAnna's

She has a beautiful shop that is even bigger and better than her previous space. All her Christmas decor was out in full force. Everything looked great!

She told me I could take some pictures for my blog to share, but they really don't do her shop justice because I was trying to take them so quickly. There were so many people walking around, and I was uncomfortable with them staring at me for taking pictures! I had already had to explain to someone once that Laurie had given me permission.

I don't think my flash worked on this one.

Another favorite shop of ours at Canton is

The Gypsy PEARL.

This is one of their shops at Canton.

They opened another one in another area on the grounds that is larger with more inventory.

They have great prices, especially on jewelry!

You can find tons of really cute clothes in Canton.....

yes, we both bought this same thing....but at a different store where we found it at a better price!

Love you Mama,

Patricia Ann

Me & Mom Out & About

2011-09-26T20:28:00.002-05:00

McKinney, Texas

Today my mom and I headed to McKinney.

It's located north of Dallas, north of Plano.

It's a wonderful town that has really grown over the last 10 years.

And thanks to all the growth, the old downtown area is revitalized and going strong!

It has a traditional old downtown square with stores and restaurants surrounding it on all sides. Stores and businesses spill over into the adjoining streets and neighborhoods.

Whether you are going to shop or look for ideas, there are lots of places to enjoy!

Loved this store!

One of original eatery's of downtown and still a favorite.

Mama taking a break!

SMITTEN!

See Lady Butterbug's blog for more information about this must visit store!

Patricia Ann

On the Road

2011-09-25T22:24:00.004-05:00

Grapevine, Texas

Right now I am in my home town of Plano, Texas visiting my mother. But along the way here, not really, I made some detours.

One of my favorite places to visit is Grapevine, Texas.

I always wanted to buy an old house around here near downtown, within walking distance of main street.

Grapevine has art, antiques, a farmer's market, several wineries, an Oprey house, festivals, and some really great restaurants.

This place has the best tex mex and margaritas!

Canton Trade Days

is on the agenda for later this week with the sisters and mom!

Planning a visit to LauriaAnna's while we are there.

Love her shop! Been going there for years!

I can't wait!

I will post pictures!

Hope everyone has a wonderful, cooler week!

Patricia Ann

BHG Fall Ideas

2011-09-16T13:13:00.000-05:00

Looking through some of Better Homes and Gardens Fall ideas and thought I'd share a few of my favorites.....

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Patricia Ann