Southern Home Sweet Home

More Rabbits

2013-03-09T10:53:00.001-05:00

As I promised I am posting the rest of my Rabbits. Really feeling like spring here today in NC. It's a perfect time to enjoy little bunnies.

This old boy sits on top of books under a lamp.

This guy I found at a GW type of shop for a couple of bucks.

Another guy sitting on some old books.

I love this little guy on a large oval egg shaped cardboard but don't really know where to hang him? He is pretty large, any ideas?

A plate.. it's a salad size .. my intent was to add to the collection to use at the table but they are crazy expensive!

Food for them all.

Hope you enjoyed my little bunny tour.. have a great weekend!

Beverly

Multiplying like Rabbits

2013-02-25T21:03:00.001-05:00

In spite of the predicted cold week, I am getting excited about the arrival of spring. Plants are peeking their heads about ground. Robins chirping and hopping all over my yard.. all signs spring is coming. A big part of my spring is to drag out all my bunnies, and of course IF needed ,buy some new ones.

How cute is she? Don't ask me how I know it is a she..

My only purchase so far this year

but the season is young!

Well believe it or not I still have more rabbits! Unfortunately I took these pics at night, a no no so a lot of them did not turn out..but what can you do when you work all day? I hope you enjoyed the ones I have posted. Thanks for stopping by!

Beverly

The Delineator

2013-02-17T23:40:00.004-05:00

A while back I found a magazine The Delineator for the 1930's that I thought would be perfect for my sewing room. The magazine was published by Butterick in the early 1900's. Since it was in pretty rough condition I wanted to use the cover to spruce things up. Do you ever buy one item that seems to snowball a project?

Beautiful isn't she? I want to give you a tour of how it turned out. I tried to use as many thrift items to redo the room as I could.

I have a few before pictures for you from an older post.

Before:

After:

I like the way the fabric is arranged.. (don't look at the mess on the bottom right) sorry about that.. I folded the fabric on magazine boards.. that took several days but it was worth it.

Here is a close up of the folded fabrics in a box I bought for two dollars.

I sorted all my buttons in cheap jars.

Most of the threads and the childs sewing machine was my husband's Aunts. I love them in the cloche's and a plus is they are protected from dust.

These hide my serger thread and elastic. Who would think chicken wire would ever be so sought after?

Before

After

The little chandelier is a $2.00 item from thrifting.

Before

before: serger area

Hubs cut cork board and painted to a frame I had painted and stained.

Hubs made a cabinet for my threads.. he has been so sweet in helping me get the room perfect.

An old spice rack works well for some trim.

The Paris plaque was a $5 find.

I used paper mache' to put old pattern pieces on canvas.

Second area for sewing is on a cabinet for $25

All the shelves and containers were thrifting items

paint, paint and more paint.

So that is a little tour of a place that makes me very, very happy. I just wish I had more time to spend in my room.

And..lastly my prize position, a $25 chandelier.

Hope you enjoyed my tour of my sewing room.

Beverly

sharing with

Repost of furniture redo

2013-02-15T19:47:00.001-05:00

I was looking thru some of my older post when, I discovered that I never put up a decent picture of the finished product from a redo. Where was I at that day? Anyway, this was a whooping $10 table I purchased from GW. Probably to date has ended up being one of my best finds. This was also was my first adventure with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.

kind of boring huh?

wasn't sure this would end well but to my surprise it is beautiful now

TA DA!

I just love her now! Can't bet the price.. sooo totally worth the work of all those grooves.

Hey, makes me want to go on the hunt this weekend, how about you?

Beverly

Joining

Old to New

2013-02-10T22:32:00.000-05:00

Don't you just love a good find?. I sure do.. I found this beauty on a local site similar to Craig's List. After a coat of Anna Sloan chalkpaint and some wax I knew I had a great score.. Did I tell you I paid only $30 for this huge mirror? I thought it was a great price.. I know there are some masters out there that have finds for a lot less but, considering the same size at Home Goods runs close to $200 it was a deal to me.

I think the detail is lovely.. one crack on one of the edges but you really can't find it unless you look really hard.

Did I say I love the detail on this?

As most of you know chalk paint is known for the convenience of not having to use a primer. Got to love that.. I know I do.. saves a LOT of time and work.

Chalk paint dries to a chalky finish so it needs to have a layer of wax applied over the paint when it dries. This is the stage I always think I made a mistake.

Annie Sloan has stained and clear waxes. After I waxed clear I applied a light coat of the stained wax and wiped it off the surface.. it stays in the grooves. I used some sandpaper on some wear areas.

Amazing how the texture changes with the waxing.

Presto! Well not really.. it took a few hours. But, for $30 I feel she is a beaut!

The mantel needs a little work but, plenty of time.

I think it was a pretty sucessful weekend!

Beverly

Linking to

http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/

http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/

http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/

http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/2013/02/transformation-thursday-no-191.html#more

http://www.romantichome.blogspot.com/

http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Dreams of Warm Weather

2013-02-09T21:40:00.002-05:00

While part of the East Coast has been buried in snow.. here in North Carolina we enjoyed some sunny days in the 60's. Every year as soon as the sun peaks thru I start dreaming of how to improve our outdoor space, the porch. Here are some lovely porch ideas I wanted to share with you.

can you even believe this?

This is awsome!

This is from the lovely blog: http://www.savvycityfarmer.com/2012/03/summer-kitchen.html

I stand amazed!

Now for my little porch.. sigh I have a long way to go.

Not bad.. but boy did I get some great ideas browsing. Whew a lot of second hand shopping to do..

Beverly

Hutch Transformation

2013-02-06T18:56:00.000-05:00

Isn't this a beautiful hutch? It all started when my mother decided she wanted a new hutch. She had bought a new dining room table but still had her 70's French Provencial dining room hutch.....Mom announced, "I am buying a new hutch". Of course, my big mouth says, "no way, yours is perfect, it just needs a coat of paint".. duhhh... did I really think my Mom at 78 years old would paint a hutch? She has asthma on top of that.. no way could she do that.. Nope, but what she could do a great job of was to nag me to do it... So, what do I do? Nag poor hubs to do it.. which he gladly did.. "We" decided we could take the easy way out and not paint the shelves so "we" wouldn't have to take the back of the cabinet off.. well that went over like a lead baloon.. the back was something that looked like gold wallpaper out of the Brady Bunch's home. Then there was the GOLD diamonds all over the glass front. Of course I give hubs the, "what if "we" speech. Bless his heart, he is good as gold.. he took the back off the back and painted the shelves. With a razor blade he chipped off all that french gold paint off the glass. At 8:00 pm I made a made a mad dash to JoAnns to find the perfect black and white fabric to staple over the hidious gold back.. Perfect! When will I ever learn to take before pictures? Arggghhh I missed the perfect opportunity to capture a dramatic change of an old piece of furniture. I just about forgot.. Mom cried when she saw her old piece (which I filled w/ all finds from the thrift store) Just goes to show, nothing is trash, there is beauty in all that old stuff our parents and grandparents own. As the old saying goes, what's old is new again.

Beverly

I am linking to these lovely blogs:

http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/

Thursday

The Shabby Creek Cottage
http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/2013/02/transformation-thursday-no-190.html#comment-form

WOW!

2013-01-26T11:21:00.000-05:00

Whew!!!! Wow.. unblievable but I have been locked out of my blog for over a year! Yes it has taken the help of hubs for all of last night and early this morning to help me get back into my own blog.... Boy did I miss hearing from everyone.. Lots to catch up with.. I will spend most of the day visiting your blogs to see what has been happening.. We have a new addition to our family who is Everly ... one month old. Added a sweet pic of her and her sister (big girl Phereby) . Hope to catch up w/ you guys soon.

Beverly

Halloween Family Get together

2011-10-30T23:11:00.003-04:00

Not much blogging for me recently and I have certainly missed visiting everyone. I have been wondering if I will ever get back to things on a regular basis again. I hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween. For me, this was the official way to kick off the fall/winter holidays. Today we had a little family get-together. Just a few pics of my little set up for the kiddies (they loved it.) I love dressing up everything in the house for the kids.. I wish you could have seen their faces, it was wonderful. I got a lot of good deals from the Dollar Store and from a half off sale at Pier One.

The crows flew in and landed. (Did you notice I did paint the hutch?) Not finished but I am really loving it.

A few witch hats, My Mom iced the hats on the cookies for me.

Chili and cider on the stove. Yummm.

Steaming witches Brew.

Dog treats and Marinara.. (bread sticks)

Cookies made by my daughter.

Yikes what's in the apples?

Paper banner, so inexpensive and cute!

Call the exterminator!

Why do I love these ugly vintage looking cats so much?

Two dollars, glue and dollar store. Love it.

Sorry a little sideways. How easy to glue three mini pumpkins together?

Hope everyone stays warm. Now for the hunt for decorations for Thanksgiving! Do you love to decorate for the holidays?

Happy Halloween!

Beverly

http://www.dittledattle.blogspot.com/

Do you like Turquoise?

2011-09-16T22:20:00.002-04:00

Still working long hours and trying to make my way to home base. I have gotten approval and waiting on equipment and then to home sweet home! I have started getting my office ready have a desk but nothing else is done. I am sure it will take some time but it will get there.
I really haven't had time to take any new pics for a blog and not much time for shopping. There is still time for some computer surfing. I ran across one pic and then you know the rest of the story, one thing leads to another. I love this use of turquoise in decorating and wanted to share it with you guys. Unfortunately, I don't think I can ease this color into my decorating scheme, but, it sure is pretty.

http://www.bellasoleil.com/servlet/the-1673/Sugarmold-Sugar-Mold-Candleholder/Detail

http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/2010/02/change-of-color.html

http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/

http://verdigrisvie.blogspot.com/

http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/4952/list/Adding-Touches-of-Vintage-Flair

http://www.laylagrayce.com/

Isn't this the most gorgeous table?

http://europaintfinishes.blogspot.com/2010/05/rustic-turquoise-dining-table.html

http://www.houseofturquoise.com/

Well.. hopefully soon I will be back to blogging on a more regular basis.. thanks so much for sticking with me my blogging friends. Sure do miss communicating with you guys every week. Thanks for stopping by!

http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Thanks Annie Sloan and Santa

2011-08-21T13:17:00.012-04:00

Finally, I finished my little table project. Honestly, this working full time is for the birds! I am soo glad I can finally show you the results. I hope you like it. I was not sure if I wanted to finish the top or not since it was in such bad shape. Hubs sanded it down as much as he could without ruining it. There are still some spots and it is not perfect but I think it is beautiful.

I painted it Annie Sloan's Old White, waxed with clear, buffed. I then mixed some dark wax with mineral spirits and painted in the grooves w/ a small bush. I must admit I think I did things backward.

I think I figured out the art to this staining with dark wax, ceramics! Yest ceramics like painted in the 70's and 80's. Seems that is the closest thing to compare this process to. Now if your not old enough to remember, the rage in doing projects back then was ceramics (Santas, vases, plates you name it). In the early days we painted over raw material and it would be fired, but later you would buy a piece and paint and stain it. I did this Santa in the late 70's. The comparison

would be, you have to learn to control the stain on the painted project.

Anybody else done ceramics?

BTW, I have no idea what ended up being stamped on my pic from my old blog. My Santa, my pic, my blog, my house. Anybody have any ideas what is embedded on the pic?

Top before:

Top after:

Big, big change. I think he did an awesome job. I don't know what the white bits are.. there wasn't anything on the top.

Before:

After:

I think she is a beauty.

Thanks Annie, glad to have a familiar project back.

I do love hearing from you guys when you take the time to stop by! Thank you so much... I know mine is no big fancy blog, but I love the friendships I have made, so I am keeping at it.

http://www.dittledattle.blogspot.com/

http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/

http://typeadecorating.blogspot.com/2011/08/anything-goes-31.html

http://mollysusanstrong.blogspot.com/

http://missmustardseed.blogspot.com/

Don't want an "Old Lady House".

2011-08-07T15:12:00.006-04:00

Hey blog friends! I am still trying to hang on with this blogging and my new full time job. Whew! Half way there to getting to work from home... whooo hooo! There are 101 reasons to be a blogger but I think following you guys is the #1 reason. I learn soooo much. Such wonderful decorators out there.
I really do study on what you guys are doing. Why? One reason is your homes are so beautiful. Two, now that I am quickly approaching my late 50's.. yep past the half way mark... I really don't want the house to turn into an "old persons home" as my kids used to say when they were young.. I don't know exactly what that emcompasses, I just know I don't want mine to be one.. Lol. So slowly, I am changing out some things and adding some new things.
I found this beauty while on vacation in Hendersonville, NC. Funny out of everything I could have bought in the lovely mountains of N.C., I chose a cow! Looking around in Blogville, I am not alone in move love of the bovine. I paid a whooping $7.00 for her.

When I excitedly showed her to my Mom, her comment was, "it's a cow". I guess you are a cow lover or you are not, huh?

I think she a beauty. Of course, hubs was on board because it was a cheap puchase.

Somewhere along the way she lost her mate. Looks like she was part of bookends.

Moving on.. I have admired the wall clocks at Ballard Design for a while now but the prices were steep for me for a trendy item. But low and behold yesterday at .... yep you guessed it, Home Goods, one clock made to order for 30 whole bucks! Sure beats that price tag of $119.00 - $229.00.

Before

After.

Another change, kind of a trickle effect. Move of the bunnies meant moving another picture. Yea, hubs was sure I couldn't make room for the new clock. I bought this painting from a lady in the early 80's that painted reproductions for $50 a piece .. I have loved it every since.

Before

After

Better, huh?

And, you know what? I said my walls weren't really this yellow in person but, they are sort a buttercream and we are sooo tired of this color. I would love some suggestions for a good neutral light wall color.. I am going to tone things down in here.. I love my green cutains but I have had them for over 11 years now. Got to go.

Last thing,

Now I know I am no decorator, but wasn't this change a little obvious? I don't think I would have ever thought about it if sweet Marti over at A Stroll Thru Life had not done a blog on changing out spec house fixtures. Where in the world was I at? After having custom cabinets and granite put in I didn't think of the lighting? It has been like this for a little over a year. For Pete's sake.

I was headed quick to an "old lady house".

What the world?

Don't you love that scripture?

After

HOLD UP. Is that a gold doorknob?! Geeze.

Linking up to

Finally using my Chalk Paint!

2011-07-31T22:41:00.003-04:00

Finally, I got a little time to try out Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint! I went over to my daughter's after work and waxed her table and chairs her husband had painted with Chalk Paint and it turned out so pretty I decided to do something for me. So, I tackled probably the most difficult thing in the house. I found this little plant stand at GW for $10 I think.

I think it is a beautiful piece but wanted to lighten up my living room a little.

When I got started I couldn't stop! I wanted to splash some paint on everything.. good thing I didn't have more time.

I called hubby in to look at the top to decide if I should paint the top or leave it. Being the the sweet guy he is, he took the whole thing apart to fix the gaps. He thinks the top is not original because it was never nailed down properly. Boy, am I glad someone put this one on it. I love it.

I think I am going to keep it and stain it again. Yep, I see the stains and chips.. doesn't bother me. I just can't paint over that inlay, love the look of the wood and paint together.

It is drying from glue so I didn't get to finish it. I think I may order the Annie Sloan clear wax before I finish. I love the consistency of her dark wax so much more than the clear wax I bought at the big box store.

I did get this little stool finished. A patient I did private duty for in the early 80's, made this. He gave it to me before he passed, so it has a special meaning to me.

Petty dinged up but I love it that way. Love the way this paint sands off! I use this stool beside my bed to give me a boost up.

I am really slow to post these days as I am putting in a lot of hours with my new job. I noticed I lost one of my followers.. hate that.. so if you don't hear from me as usual please hang with me. I am over half way thru my time to be able to work from home. I can't wait!

Hope to get my finished projects up soon .. still going to tackle that hutch!

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great week and if you are in N.C. stay inside, another hot one.

Joining the parties at:

What the hay??

2011-07-15T23:58:00.000-04:00

So last weekend hubs came in from doing his yard work talking about some "lizard thing" that he and our neighbor had found in the road in front of our house. Hubs, " didn't look real but it had stuff running out of his eyes, so I know it must be real!" Me, yep. Hubs, "But it must be real, it has stuff running out of it's eyes, it was huge, but I wonder if it was fake!" "It's a pretty big size." Me, uh huh. Well the neighbor just sent me a pic of it! Whew weee.. maybe I better start listening to him a little more.

What the hay???

Have you ever in your life? Now I am creeped out to garden! Now mind you, we live in N.C. not in some tropical area.

I know it pitiful that this got run over, but really,

it is scary to think this was roaming the neighborhood.

So I am thinking that someone let their pet out.. but here's a thought.. I hope it didn't have babies! Have great weekend. I don't plan on being in the garden this weekend now. YUCK!

Bed Room Finished, Maybe

2011-07-09T23:33:00.007-04:00

Remember the pic I found at the Thrift Store?

I thought it would be perfect in the master bedroom. You know how things snowball when you start with one thing and it leads to another?

Well then I found these cuties for $2 each at GW.

I know they were meant for the kitchen but I thought the colors were great in the bedroom.

Then I needed some brown with texture.. so I made this pillow out of burlap.. so cheap but boy is it a mess to sew! But, the pillow is great.

Then I needed some contrast to tie it in.. so I used painters cloth and stenciled this design that brought in the coffee pics.

Then I needed a Pinkie and Blue Boy I found on ebay.. the frames were that 50's old gold so I gave them a little coat of off white to go w/ everything else. (I love Pinky and Blue Boy) as you will see.

I adore them. ...

Then came the drapes I made to match the bedspread.

My camera has not been well.. but the color in the spread coordinates w/ the turquoise drapes and they are trimmed in brown. BTW my walls do not have a pink hue, just a beige.

The lamps have a bluish background and are brown w/ brown burlap. Just sat my new frames up and haven't had a chance to put in pics. Of course I pulled out a vintage church fan I have had for years.

Then came the cream of the crop for me.. I am so excited!!!

Blue Boy!!! I found this one at my thrift store for $12.99, and it is wonderful. I think it is from the 50's or 60's. It is beautiful. My Mom had Pinky and Blue Boy hanging in our home when I was a little girl. I am still looking for Pinky. I sure can't get it on ebay.. wayyy too expensive for me.

Isn't he great?

It is textured on hardboard.. I love him.

Finally, I wanted to show you a pic I found at HG last week when I got the sheep and hog.. for only $12.99 for real! The pic is on burlap like fabric and is huge.. I couldn't believe it. It has a little blue in it which my camera didn't catch.. so, I thought I would put it on an empty wall in the BR. And you know what that will start.. yep here I go w/ doing the bathroom over (which it so needs.)

As promised I would pick a winner for my giveaway tonight.. and the winner is...

Kirsten @ Mushki Loves..

Kirsten please send me an email and I will get your

cookbook out to you.

Thanks to everyone that has joined my blog.. how great it has been to have the privileged to meet such great people.. there is a lot of talent out there.. I mean a lot!

Hope you have a great weekend.

yep, got to look into the camera thing..

Sharing at

Kim's great party at

http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/

Are These French Country or Country?

2011-07-05T22:45:00.004-04:00

Hope had a great 4th. Somehow every holiday lately I end up a little tired, since we usually have the family functions at our house. Still, I love having the family.

Since it was a long weekend, when I got off work Friday, I thought I would stop at Home Goods. Just in case they had something I needed. Well of course they did..

A hog and a sheep! Don't you just love them? My question is this, are these Country or French Country. I prefer to think of them as Country French.. or is it French Country? I thought my girls would hate them but to my surpise the loved them! (That would lead me to believe they are not country) I really thought I would get that look and then a, "mommm" but nope.. they actually loved them. You have to love Home Goods for $20 a piece for a hog and a sheep.

I had a little trouble figuring out where to put them but think I found a good spot. For now, they are setttled in beside the hutch.. yep the hutch.. I am still waiting for Chalk Paint to arrive for.

So what do you think? French Country, Country French or just plain Country? Do you ever stop in HG to find something you need?

Don't forget to enter the giveaway ending July 9th here
http://southernhomesweethome.blogspot.com/2011/07/celebration-giveaway.html

Joining the Party at

http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/2011/07/wow-us-wednesdays-21.html

Celebration Giveaway!

2011-07-02T20:36:00.007-04:00

Happy Fourth and a Giveaway!

I am a little late, but I wanted to show my appreciation to all of you for being so supportive to my blog. Soooo ... lets have a giveaway! Finally, I made it past 100 followers! whew..

What better way to celebrate a giveaway on independence week than an American Eagle?

I hope you like old cookbooks!

There are three ways to enter.

1- Leave me a comment and let me know you are a follower.

2- Share the contest on your blog and leave a link back to my blog.

3- Become a follower and leave me a message you did.

If you enter 3 times please leave 3 comments to increase your chances of winning.

Good Luck and Happy Fourth!

I will use random generator to pick a winner.

I will close the contest on July 9th.

Sharing this party w/ my friends who have wonderful blogs.. you want to give them a visit if you haven't, great stuff!

A Bad Idea Turned Good

2011-06-26T22:32:00.005-04:00

Today out of the blue I said to hubby, " you want to got to the flea market with me?" Hubs, "No." But not using good judgement, I talked him into the trip. What was I thinking? It was hot as blue blazes today and would be even hotter at the flea market because it is set up on black asphalt. The purpose of the trip was to find something pretty to hang on Hubby's shed. Of course, I didn't tell him that. I am not crazy yet. (Although I did drag him to the thrift store again this weekend and that wasn't good judgement.) When we got there I headed straight for the guy with all the old iron pieces for the yard. He has been out there peddling his goods for years. Every weekend he has something a little different. This time he had trailer bed full of small iron items, like plaques of pigs, roosters and devil heads..yes I said devil heads. I thought at first they were like those greek sun faces, but nope, these guys had horns. I think they are old.. Hubby, "that junk ain't old." Me, "yep I guess they are, I saw one of the Planter's Peanut man. Remember him?" A peanut wearing a top hat. Anyway, nothing I coudn't live without, not worth arguing with hubby about. I did see a iron work scroll panel that would be perfect for the side of his shed. The guy wouldn't come down a penny under $40 but that wasn't a bad price but Hubs wasn't convinced. Finally I did talk hubs into getting it. Do you know how hard it is to talk your husband into buying something to pretty up his shed is? He wasn't the happiest in the world but off he went to the car to bring up to load the panel. While he was gone, I saw it.. WOW.. I thought, this thing must be at least $500. She was a beauty, so chic. Reluctantly I asked the guy, "How much for this", while rubbing it like it was a pet or something. The guys granddaugther says to him, "you have to load it up to take home." The guy, "you can take it home for $175 right now." WHAT?? Of course I met hubs at his car door when he pulled up to tell him about the deal. He stared at me for a minute and said, "give the man a check." Are you kidding me? I was having trouble getting him to buy a scroll. Maybe it was a ploy to keep me from hanging something pretty on the shed. But I think it was him just being kind to me. He really is ..

I have wanted an arbor for years. I knew just where I would put it if I ever got one. I recently spied one in the garden center near my home with a hefty price tag on it.. sigh... But today, there she was, in all her glory of chippy paint (probably lead) and a nice patina to boot. I love it more than the one at the garden center.

I think she is a real beauty, rust, missing finials and all.

The guy selling it to me was like "you can paint it and make it real purty". Are you kidding, I love the paint on it.

I would really love to know where it came from. I think the next time I get out to the flea market, I will ask him.

She is not sitting where she will end up and I think one panel is on backwards, but we wanted to see how she would look like in the yard. I have to admit, it is so much prettier in my yard than it was at the flea market. What a great hubby to have!

Joining the big party

Calling All Chalk Painters

2011-06-24T23:23:00.001-04:00

I have decided to paint our hutch but have no idea what color to go for. I am leaning toward a cream or green color but already have so much cream with the cabinets and my living room is on the verge of having too much green. I want to use the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and so many of you have already used it with beautiful results. So I wanted to ask you seasoned chalk painters what you think. This a pic of the hutch. They are older pics so no I don't still have fall decorations up.

Can you see something else black.. I think it might be too much.

Wanted to show you a pic of the curtain colors. Red? What color under the red?

Here is a pic of the cabinets and the granite. What do you think? There is a color called Duck egg blue that I love but it won't match. Would Primer Red be too dark? I need a color that the pewter would look good with. I don't use the blue canisters anymore. The walls have a greenish cast.

I am looking forward to your suggestions on color. I know there is some awesome talent out there and you guys are sooo helpful when I have a delemma. Thanks for stopping by and helping me out!

Linking to

Decorating on the Cheap

2011-06-19T17:26:00.006-04:00

Hope you all have had a wonderful Father's Day. I had the sniffles today so hubby had to go eat with the kids without me. (boo) Lucky a cold doesn't affect my blogging ability. This weekend before my little cold set in, I made my weekly dash to my local thrift store. A weekly trip is sure not as fun as three to four times a week, but beggars can't be choosy. I also took Hubby with me on this trip. I can't count how many times he said "where are going to put that?" or "what do you need that for?" Not to be discouraged, I pressed on. When I saw this church birdhouse sitting in a corner my heart skipped a beat.

I threw this baby in my cart so fast hubby didn't even see me do it.

It's pretty tall so I had no idea where I would put it. I found a nice spot on the corner table on the screened in porch.

Next I found a cool wicker and wooden tray. It needs a little nail in the side to secure it but hubs said he could do it, after he ask "what are you going to do with it?"

I thought it would be nice for lemonade on the porch. Last find of the day was a cute little pitcher for the tray in the kitchen. I also found this basket it is sitting in at the thrift store a while back.

There are my new little chippy chickens I found last week.

I think I had some good finds this week. Lately, I have been thinking about how much of my decor has come from the thrift store. I really love the hunt and the great finds. It just goes to prove you really can decorate on a budget and find some great stuff at the thrift stores.

Well I'm back to the grind tomorrow. It is really hard finding the time to blog when you work, but I am determined to hang in there. Thank so much for stopping by. Hope you have a happy week!

Linking to the parties at

Chicken Dance

2011-06-12T21:29:00.000-04:00

Would you like to do the Chicken Dance? Yea, I know I am being corney tonight.

As some of you know, I am having a rough transition going back to work full time after over 9 years. The drive is over an hour drive each way, not fun. Rates right up there with getting up at 6 am every morning. I know I am a whiner. It is not that I am not thankful.. it is just a transition. I was enjoying my coffee on the screened in porch in the morning. I was loving seeing my grandchildren whenever I wanted to during the day. I don't know about you but I don't like having a "boss" that is the age of my oldest. Oh well enough whining. Oh yea there was a point to getting on this train, I am having a bit of problem trying to fit in time to do my treasure hunting. Finally Sunday I found time at 4:00 to make a dash to the thrift store. What a quick hunt! They actually had out a mega phone to announce how many minutes before the bathroom and the fitting room was locked. Speaking of, do you try on clothes from thrift stores? I don't. Maybe it is just around here, but there is definitely an aroma of a wet diapers or depends in our thrift stores.. so NO SIR not me. I did find a great pair of jeans from Cold Water Creek one time, but I just took my chances and took them home for a good sanitized wash before trying them on. Maybe I am just a germ a fob. Whew rambling tonight...

What I found today was a great pair of salt and pepper shakers. Chicken dance anyone.

Yep, I know they have plenty of flaws but I think they are THE cutest things.

He is so adorable.

Somebody loved these guys enough to patch them up several times before giving them up.

Did you see her pink cheeks? A darling.

Am I crazy to buy such a chipped item? I think they are so cute, I couldn't resist. Do you think I have just turned into a junk collector?

Here is another pair I found. I would guess they are both from the 50-60's what do you think?

Another silver try I found today also. It is by far the heaviest I have found. Remembrance by Rogers. Not perfect but it will hold towels in the bathroom. Oh, by the way be careful with that. I have one in our master bathroom that has formica counter tops in white and the bottom of the silver got wet and turned the counter tops green! It won't come off.

I want to tell you how much I enjoy having you guys stop by and visit. I look forward to seeing your creative blogs.. I have stopped buying my collection of magazines. Honestly that are not as good as looking at your blogs, and they are free!

linking to my friends at

Cry Baby

2011-06-06T18:55:00.009-04:00

OK, I have had it!

For over a week I have had trouble with my blog, AND I can't post on every one's blog! I go to post a comment and it leaves the post and goes to sign in my account which by the way.. no matter how many times I sign in or change my password, I CAN'T sign in! I have lost track of some blogs I have followed forever. I thought this would pass but, not so at this point. I also tried to post by using my ID, nope. I know some of you talked about the same problems a few weeks ago.

Now for my second issue. Remember these?

Obviously something went wrong with my drying process.

OK, I know you are laughing.

If you have any advice, I'll try it. I am going now to find my paci.

Oh yea, Happy Monday.

Linking this lovely before and after to

A Little Find and Flowers

2011-05-31T21:42:00.002-04:00

I have been missing in action for a couple of weeks because I went back to work full time. (against my better judgement, I was loving staying at home) I really was hoping to win the lottery before I had to go back, but I guess that does require acutally playing the lottery. Anyway that didn't work out so back to work I went, whining the whole way.

Working full time has been a huge challenge. I have had not worked full time for over 9 years! I had a three day weekend so I found the time to sneak in a little trip to the thrift store. I found a wondeful white vase that I wanted to share with you mainly, because of what I put in it. These hydrangeas came from a couple of bushes that are in their second year and boy do they have gorgeous flowers. One has the most beautiful blue and the other is purplish blue. (is that a word?) I have another that has pink blooms but, I didn't pick any of those before the heat got to them. We have already reached the high 90's! A fourth bush doesn't have blooms yet, just buds. I am hoping for a pretty color on that one. Since I can't remember what I planted it will be a nice surprise.

I went against the golden rule I took these pics at dusk.

I paid $7.00 for the vase which, is a little high but it still had a sticker for $29 so not too shabby.

So Vivian at http://viv-spot.blogspot.com/2011/05/drying-hydrangeas-its-so-easy.html says you can dry these babies by putting them in water and leaving them until the water evaporates. (Giving credit) Thanks Vivian, I sure hope this method works because I think these are beautiful.

Want to share two more pics totally unrelated to the vase. These are a new Rudbeckia or aka Lazy Susan. This is the first year for these guys so the next two years they will most likely be fabulous!

These guys are pretty big. I have loads of another type (not yet blooming) but they are no this pretty or large.

Hope you enjoyed this little bit of eye candy. Have a great week! So glad you stopped by, I am missing you guys!

Joining

Laundry Room Makeover

2011-05-10T00:10:00.003-04:00

I never thought of a laundry room as a place to decorate before I started blogging. Whew that looks bad.. bet a prison laundry room is more interesting.

Blogging has given me the opportunity to enjoy some wonderful makeovers posted by so many of you. I have been inspired to update something in every room of my house. I recently got an itch to redo the laundry room. Hubby helped me out, OK, OK, he did everything but hang the pics. But I was the brains! Now my laundry room is tiny, so don't get all excited. This will be a quick down and dirty before and after. It is the size of a small closet. We added on to the back of the house a few years ago and I had the choice of having more room in the laundry area or having a very large pantry.. I choose the pantry. (I wish I had known back then we would redo the kitchen) I had no cabinets to speak of before the kitchen redo. You can see the kitchen project here http://southernhomesweethome.blogspot.com/2011/02/kitchen-redo.html
We had this cabinet, it is one of those cheap-o's you can get at a home improvement stores. Stark white and no detail. Hey it holds supplies great.

So I asked hubby to add on some molding and help me re-do the room. His response, "it's a laundry room". Don't ask why I let a response like that surprise me after 30 some years of marriage? So sweet guy did it for me. (Probably because he didn't want to hear me go on and on about how that room was important to me) I really do have a wonderful husband who will do most anything he can to make me happy.

He also gave the cabinet a coat of off white paint. You can't really see the difference in the colors but it is a better color. I bought pulls but not sure if they will work since the trim goes all the way to the edge. What do you think?

This is a cabinet from the same store.. we actually used it for extra storage for years in the kitchen. It got a new coat of paint and some new pulls.. So much better!

How cute are these pics? I picked them up at the thrift store last week for under $10 for both. Didn't even have to paint the frames!

I think they look so cute in there. I love me some roosters and chickens.

I found the picture over the cloth baskets at the thrift store a while back for $8, they came from Walmart.. hubby put a shelf up for me to put them on..they made a great place to store socks, some receipts and odds and ends. Also found the large wicke laundry basket at GW. I think it was $5. A great place for all my hangers. Hubby put a counter top on top of the washer dryer .. nice.

A close up of the pic and my mess in the baskets.

The washboard , yep thrift store.. $10. I love the wear on it.

This room is so small I had to stand outside of the door to get these pics. Last look

Before

After

I know it is not Better Homes and Gardens (they have a larger budget than mine) but, better don't you think? I now make an effort to keep my laundry caught up and keep the room clean.

Thanks for the inspiration!

So glad you stopped by.

Linking to these paties.

A New House!

2011-05-04T16:16:00.006-04:00

This little guy is one of the many birds that frequent my yard these days. I love birds, don't you? The mixture of flowers and the water in my yard have attracted so many birds this spring. The birds love my fountain.. Hubby bought it for me for my last birthday. I totally love it. You should see the baths that take place in

it... It is the birdie spa of the neighborhood.

If you follow my blog you know I have had my hopes on a new bird house. Well, Hubby was sweet this year and bought me one for Mother's Day. No he is not one of those guys that just goes out and buys things I mention... I tell him what I want and ask him to take a ride with me to pick it up.. I think he thinks it is easier than figuring things out on his own. However, he did go pick out the birdbath and buy it on his own.. I think he did a great job. I am so excited to have this new bird house. I have wanted one with a cooper roof for years.

Isn't it a beauty?

He put it up in my new garden I just planted this spring. It looks a little sparse in this garden for now. I have learned that if I plant it to look full when I establish it, I will soon need to thin it out. I have spent hours moving plants this year. So I took it easy on this garden. The first year perennials don't do much at all, the second year they do a little, but the third year they go crazy! You need to be patient with perennials but it is so worth it not to have to plant everything new every year.

I'll bet the new housing unit is what the big fight with the blue jays was all about yesterday.. just kidding.

Of course I had to add a bunny at the bottom, you know I have a thing for bunnies.. I now have 4 in my yard.

This little flag is on the side of the entrance to the back yard. I think the birds think it is a welcome sign for them!

This birdcage is placed to the right of the bench.

So now all the birds feel more than welcome.. although I think they steer clear of the birdcage..

kind of like a birdie jail.

This little bird house has been in the front yard for years.. Hubby rebuilt it last year because the wood was rotting. Notice the top? Yeah.. I will get to that.

This bunny, the pinks and clematis are below the birdhouse. It is a new clematis.. I killed a gorgeous established one 2 years ago with weed killer.. by accident. Yuck!

Speaking of clematis.. this one has flowers the size of a plate! It is growing on the side of my screened in

porch. it was so heavy it feel off. Hubs got me a new trellis and we placed in back. Isn't it pretty?

Anyway I do love birds.. Every morning I get to hear them sing to me. There is a downside to birds...

See that spot on the chair arm? Yep it is not a spot on the lens..

take a look at this light fixture.. remember the birdhouse roof?

and they love my car.. honestly everyday it has been a mess. But all in all it is worth it.

As long as they keep singing and looking pretty, I will deal with the mess.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you will leave a comment to let me know you visit.

I do enjoy meeting so many wonderful people.

Linking to