The Inspired Nest

Silver, Silver & More Silver!!

2012-02-07T18:35:00.001-05:00

I have the china cabinet all decked out in silver! I don't know why I adore silver in the winter time,

but I do. I really love the contrast of my silver pieces against the ironstone.

Gorham Silver Plate Teapot salt & pepper shakers flank my brothers silver baby cup

Lots of layers

A simple sugar bowl rest atop of my ironstone butter pats.

More layers of bowls and saucers lie underneath.

My Grandmothers Silver Souvenir Spoons are displayed in a crystal cups.

Each piece means a little something to me. I really love playing with them.

I have more pieces found in the living room and my bedroom and bath.

Hopefully I will get those up soon!

What do you think about the new look to my blog??

I am linking up with:
Southern Savvy Style for Wow Us Wednesdays!

Silver in the Kitchen

2012-02-05T15:09:00.003-05:00

Ok so I have been slacking on my blogging lately. All I can say is life has been busy. I have alot of exciting things going on and lots of changes happening. I have been decorating with all my silver pieces and wanted to share with you all the silver used in my kitchen.

I like the dressed up feeling the silver offers in my very comfortable french country galley kitchen.

Most of the pieces were handed down to me from my grandmother. A few pieces have been found at Goodwill. All the ironstone have been found at thrift stores and Goodwill (except for the pitcher).

The cow painting above the stove was found at a local antique store.

Visit these parties:
Sunday Showcase at Under the Table Dreaming
Met. Mondays at Between Naps on the Porch
Tabletop Tuesdays at A Stroll Thru Life
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Tuesday Treasures
Grits and Glamour for Wild about Nature
Savvy Southern Style for Wow us Wednesdays

Manatees

2012-01-22T21:57:00.000-05:00

We went to Crystal River this weekend to do a little fishing and see the manatees. Every November the manatees swim south for the winter and call the warm waters of the Florida coast home. Swarms of people flocked to the water to catch a glimpse of these gentle giants. The manatee did not disappoint.

It was so warm and the kids wanted to swim so badly.

Brady (my nephew) got brave and stripped down

to his underwear to jump in. It didn't last long for him!

National Geographic was here taking pics for a special!

Everyone was excited to see the Manatees! Even this cute dog!

The manatee is docile, curious and friendly.

This one came up to our boat Saturday and stayed with us all the way up the canal.

He loved our trolling motor!

Click here to read about Three Sisters Spring.

Citrus County and the city of Crystal River have saved this amazing habit for the manatees.

Ringling Bros. Presents DRAGONS

2012-01-06T11:00:00.001-05:00

I wanted to share with you a project that is very dear to me...

My step-dad Rick Papineau (Pappy) is the Vice President of Scenic Elements for

FELD Entertainment. He is the heart and soul behind all of the sets and props for Ringling Brothers & Barnum & Bailey Circus, Disney on Ice, Disney Live, Nuclear Cowboyz and Monster Jam.. just to name a few. He has a cool job and my kids get to enjoy the fruits of his labor each time there is a new show! Ringling is hatching something BIG this time in the idea of a Dragon. Not just any dragon, but one that is animated, 25ft long and almost that tall, breathes fire, flies and moves around the show!

You can click on this video from You Tube to get a glimpse of what the FELD team has been up too!

In the mean time enjoy a few pictures he has taken during the year.

(Did I mention he is an awesome photographer as well!)

What Pappy does is magical and I love that kids and adults alike are enjoying something he has worked so hard on. I hope each and everyone of you gets the opportunity to visit one of the shows

FELD Entertainment offers. I guarantee you won't be disappointed!

Thank you Pappy for all of the cool inspirations! "The Crusty Nest" really appreciates you as well as the rest of the crusty family!

You are a special man for not only creating some really cool things, but for putting up with Lolo all the time!

I promise we will take good care of you later on and not put you up in a crusty home!

Silver in the past, present and future! Part 1

2012-01-05T14:03:00.001-05:00

I am going through a very Silver phase right now. I cant' get enough of this shiny, yet full of patina glorious decor that silver offers. I have trays galore in my kitchen, a new (very ornate) napkin holder, and lots of bowls, and serving pieces. It works in harmony with my ironstone and just makes me happy.
Here is what I have been pinning lately..

There are so many more, but I don't want to bore you!

I found a few interesting sites that you might enjoy while doing some research on a few pieces I have.

The Silver Lining

Beverly Bremer, The Silver Shop

I loved this quote too!

Though we may lament that much old silver has been lost to the whims of fashion or the loss of fortune, we must also remember that the nineteenth century saw a taste for collecting antique silver: Pieces once melted and refashioned began to be collected for their aesthetic appeal. The same period saw a burgeoning spirit of inquiry and research, and as the 19th century gave way to the 20th, scholarly publications and exhibitions brought new information, and exciting pieces of silver, to light. Silver has a past, a present and a future, and, in many ways, it lives in all three.

Joseph P. Brady
Silver Historian, 2007

Tomorrow I will show you how i have used my silver..

2011 Year in Review

2011-12-30T08:00:00.002-05:00

The year started off strong with my Pottery Barn Inspired Finials

Visit here to see the Tutorial

My Chippy Old Tooolbox became old and chippy and a little french this year.

This was a fun project that really got me obsessed with making things old and distressed.

Molly's Pink and Black Bedroom made it reveal this year.

This room is still fun to me and really reflects Molly's fun personality.

My Milk Can got a makeover!

I gave an ugly basket a Mossy Makeover

My very old Dresser got a new face!

This was my favorite to date. It may not look amazing to everyone but it looks brand new to me!

Sugar took over the show with a little glass etching!

Signs have taken up the most of my time. I have been doing a whole bunch of painting!

The Gallery Wall Increased in Size

A Rustic Christmas Tree finished up the year for me.

I can't wait to see what 2012 brings!

I wish each one of my followers a very Happy New Year!

A very late Merry Christmas & updates!

2011-12-29T18:58:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone had a great Holiday. It has been non-stop and I just did not get all the decorating done as I had wanted to. The poor kids didn't even get their trees up this time! But we did have a great Christmas and that is all that matters.

My sweet Molly turned 10 in December! Wow, she is becoming a pre-teen and quick. How I wish I could slow it down! We had a slumber party to celebrate and invited 12 friends to stay over. What was I thinking?? We had lots of pizza, snacks, smores, hot chocolate and cake. Did I mention the karaoke? They slept in the living room on the floor, chair and couches. It was a very loud and active night!

The girl loves pickles! (And her friends know it!)

Homemade ice-cream sandwich cake! YUM

We have been running around like crazy and I am ready for 2012!

I hope each one of you had a great Holiday.

I will post my favorite from 2011 tomorrow.

Updated Gallery Wall

2011-11-29T19:21:00.004-05:00

I have been slowly adding to my gallery wall. This is the way it originally started.

You can see the full post here.

Ornate frames found at thrift stores and some ironstone plates have been added.

I put up some antlers that I have been working on today.

I will post how I transformed the ugly mount soon.

Obviously my child was super engrossed in his computer game to move!

Did you notice the new green lamps I got for my birthday in August?

I am in the middle of decorating for Christmas and the house is a mess.

I hope your decorating is coming along smoother than mine!

I need some serious inspiration!

I am linking up with:

Savvy Southern Style for WOW us Wednesdays
No Minimalist Here for Open House Party
Between Naps on the Porch for Met. Mondays

The Rustic Porch Tree

2011-11-27T18:58:00.004-05:00

My back porch is a work in progress.

I have always imagined it would be somewhat country rustic,

like a mountain retreat. It has taken a long time to even get what I have now.

It has not been a priority. This year I decided I would put the porch tree up

first to make sure it didn't get pushed aside.

I used burlap ribbon found at Michael's. The pine cones and limbs came from my yard.

I robbed my hubby's stash of real deer antler sheds and racks.

My boys are in love with this tree!

The centerpiece is an old Coke crate with a lantern, Leland cypress & Magnolia cuttings, and a few more sheds. I added a few red balls for a pop of color.

All of these items were shopped from the house.

The Pleasure chest I have had for a while.

The Purina feed sack pillows were found on Etsy.

I am still working on my main tree, living room and kitchen decor..

How's your Christmas decor coming??

While your here stick around and check out some other post!

I am linking up with:

Between Naps on the Porch for Met. Mondays

Dittle Dattle for Amaze Me MOndays
Savvy Southern Style for WOW Wednesdays
Ivy and Elephants for What is it Wednesdays
No Minimalist Here for Open House Party

2010 Christmas House Tour

2011-11-26T22:26:00.001-05:00

As I started decorating this year, I went back to look at my decor last year and get some ideas of what I wanted to do different and what I wanted to stay the same.

I am feeling very minimal this year. I really want most things to stay simple.

Here is what it looked like last year..

Are you changing up your style this year?

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

I will see you tomorrow for my back porch tree reveal!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-23T22:03:00.000-05:00

I hope that each one of you have a special Thanksgiving!

That about sums it up!

Try not to each to much!

Scribbles and Swirls!

2011-11-20T20:28:00.000-05:00

Tami at Scribble and Swirls has featured my Pottery Barn Finial Knock Offs!

Please go by and show her some love.

Scribbles and Swirls blog is beautifully put together with

lots of resources to find some amazing projects!

Thanks again Tami! I am honored!

Signs, Signs, Everywhere!

2011-11-13T21:10:00.000-05:00

Here is what I have been up to!
Lots and lots of signs..

All of these were made from old pallets or found wood.

My daughters Safety Patrol group had a craft show at the school this weekend.

I love making these!

I am linking up with

Between Naps on the Porch for Met. Mondays

A little taste of Fall

2011-10-25T19:36:00.000-04:00

Here is a little taste of fall from my house to yours..

Happy Fall Y'all!

go visit these parties..

Savvy Southern Style for WOW us Wednesdays

Sights Of The Weekend

2011-10-16T20:35:00.000-04:00

No other words are necessary...

I hope yours was a full as mine!

It's time to party!

2011-10-11T09:00:00.001-04:00

"It's not a hangover, It's the Wine Flu!"

That's what a bunch of ladies will be saying after enjoying these wine glasses!

I made these glasses for a upcoming bachelorette party! If your going to party you should do it with personalized cheetah & hot pink wine glasses. You will definitely make a statement!

Each glass has lots of polka dots and the initial is double layered vinyl.

The glasses are finished off with a fun mix of cheetah print and hot pink ribbon.

These were so easy to make. If you haven't played with printed vinyl yet, you should!

The designs are endless. Check out Springfed Printing for a great variety!

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays

Jesus & Germs

2011-10-09T20:46:00.003-04:00

I have been making signs for a while now.

I haven't even posted about most of them. I have three in the works right now! For some reason painting has become a calming time for me and I need all the calm I can get.

So what does Jesus & Germs have to do with signs? Stick with me..

I found this wall decor at Hobby Lobby in the clearance isle for $5. The board is made out of MDF.

I knew that this would be perfect for a particular sign I had in mind.

SOLD!!!

I simply slapped two coats of paint on the top.

I did not tape off the edges, I wanted the raw splattered look. Next I cut stencils out using my Cricut.

I used scrap vinyl I had. The vinyl was laid on the board and the letters were traced with a pencil.

Easy, Easy, Easy!

"Wash your hands & say your prayers, cause Jesus & Germs are everywhere"

This should be every mom's motto!

I hope you all had a great weekend! I am ready for the busy week ahead!

Between Naps on the Porch for Met. Mondays

Dittle Dattle for Amaze Me Mondays

The Girl Creative for Something I just Whipped Up!

Boogieboard Cottage for Masterpiece Mondays!

Savvy Southern Style for WOW

Happy Birthday from Varsity China!

2011-10-05T21:40:00.001-04:00

How stinkin' cute is this?? I am so in love with this plate.

Varsity China now has these cute Birthday Plates.

What a great way to help make that birthday even more special.

Each member of my family will get to eat off the Birthday Plate on their big day!

The plates also come in pink and baby blue. SWOON!

Check out these details..

Every detail of this plate is adorable. The quality is amazing.

I was shocked by the weight and thickness of the plate.

Even the back is adorable!

I originally blogged about Varsity China here..

The College and State plates are just amazing to me and I love the thought of giving them as a gift.

I can just imagine a State & College plate flanking a gorgeous framed degree.

Get one, you won't be disappointed!!

I am linking up with:

Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursdays!
No Minimalist Here for Open House

HELP!! Why can't I leave comments?????

2011-10-04T17:10:00.000-04:00

I have been trying to leave comments on posts and

Blogger is not either seeing me or it tells me that there are cookies in the way.

I don't know what to do or where to begin fixing this! HELP!!!

Old Florida Nautical Map

2011-10-02T21:01:00.001-04:00

A few years ago I bought this map of Cedar Key, Florida. It was mass produced and made to look old. I had originally planned to frame it but that never happened. I have been dreaming of what the map would look like if I distressed it and made it really worn.

So I crumpled it up, torn and burnt the edges. Burnt a few holes in spots and added some distressing ink around the edges. The wrinkled areas also were rubbed with distressing ink.

I lazily slapped Mod Podge and placed it on a rectangular canvas.

I went back over the edges with wood stain for an even more burnt look.

All of the shells were found in the Gulf of Mexico while scalloping.

The large ones are Horse Conch. I was thrilled to find these.

The sand dollars were also found while diving this year.

This was a nice way to add a bit of my Florida in the house!

What's every one been up too??

I got a new laptop today and have lost alot of my blogging notes.

I would love to know of more parties that are going on.

I am linking up with:

Dittle Dattle for Amaze Me Monday

Between Naps on the Porch for Met Mondays!

Southern Savvy Style for WOW us Wednesdays

I heart SUGAR!

2011-09-28T20:53:00.006-04:00

Sugar is important part of any Southern family. How else could we get that syrupy sweet tea? I buy sugar by the 10 pound bags at Sam's to ensure that we never go with out. Chaos and rioting would erupt with out a gallon of that beautiful mahogany drink!

I have some glass canisters that I have had in my cabinet. I get bored and change them out with my cream ones every now and then. My sweet sugar needed a special spot on the counter! So I whipped up a vinyl stencil (thank you Cricut!), slapped on a thick layer of etching cream, waited a few minutes and had a special piece.

A sterling baby cup acts as the scoop.

I love that this plain glass canister became something special now to me!

Glass etching is so easy to use and makes everything a little more personal.

No glass is now safe in my home!

Check out these parties for some serious inspiration;

No Minimalist Here for Open House Thursdays

Decor to Adore for Fall In Love Party!

DIY by Design for Fall into Fall

Dittle Dattle for Amaze Me Mondays!

Between Naps on the Porch for Met. Mondays!

You Are Talking Too Much Linky Party!

Savvy Southern Style for WOW us Wednesdays

Show & Tell Fridays at My Romantic Home

Printed Vinyl from Springfed Printing.

2011-09-25T21:46:00.003-04:00

Ok, so I have been neglecting my blog. Please forgive me! I had a nice message from a follower this weekend that reminded me that I might need to get busy blogging again!

Jane said; "girl i love the dresser but am now over it !! blog for godsake !!"

Thank you Jane. You made me laugh and get busy.

I have good reasons for neglecting all of you though! They are called my three kids! Between volleyball and baseball practices, tournaments, Girl Scouts, FFA, FCA, Guitar & Piano Lessons, a part time job and house-keeping, there hasn't been a lot of time in between. Some bloggers are SUPER MOMS!! I am not. I do enjoy sleeping!

Where is the husband you ask??

He has one of those jobs that keeps him on the road alot. So he doesn't have much time to help.

I promise I will share my recent and not so recent projects this week and try to keep them coming. One thing that I have been recently obsessed with is my Cricut. How did I ever live with out this baby?? I love her so and with that has come my new love for VINYL!! I can't get enough! I have vinyled up anything that it will stick too! My monogram is on everything.

This is my new license plate for my car!

Monograms & Gators! Who could ask for anything more??

If you love vinyl, I have a great source for patterned Vinyl!

Springfed Printing

You can get any color zebra, hounds tooth and more from this vendor.

While you are there check out all the amazing decals they offer.

The price is great and the color quality on

the vinyl is so much better than the other two sources I have purchased from online.

They are currently adding on more patterns too so keep checking in with them!

Here are just a sampling of what they have:

The possibilities are endless! Tell them you found them through me!

Happy crafting! I will see ya'll tomorrow! I promise!

I am linking up with :

Between Naps on the Porch for Met Mondays!

Dittle Dattle for Amaze me Mondays!
No Minimalist Here for Open House Thursday!

Decor to Adore for Fall In Love Party!
Savvy Southern Style for WOW us Wednesdays

Making the Old, New Again!

2011-08-02T20:47:00.002-04:00

It has been a while since I have blogged. Summer has been fun, busy and long. The kids have monopolized all of my time and I have loved every minute of it.

But I have done a few projects along the way.

My bedroom suite is old. It was old when I originally got it as a teen. But I love it and feel like it is a classic and traditional design. But it has taken a beating over the years. It has been moved to 8 different homes. I was tired of looking at the scuffs, scratches and white paint marks. So I made an attempt to restain and shine it up. This was completely off the cuff with no real idea if this would turn out or not.

I was amazed at how well I did!

Here you can see what I have been living with.

The brass on the hardware was discolored and gross too!

Each drawer was scratched and dinged up.

Here is the after of the same drawer.

I wiped stain over the cleaned drawer to fill in the marks.

Each drawer was restained and left to dry for over 5 days. They were extremely sticky during this time. Once the tackiness stopped I went over each drawer with wax. The excess stain came off during this step. After I let the wax dry, I buffed and polished the dresser. It looked brand new.

I also repainted the hardware gold and then sprayed one light layer of Oil Rubbed Bronze over the top to help take off the shine.

The change is really remarkable!

I hope you all are having a great summer!

I am linking up with:

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays!
DIY by Design for Sizzle up Summer
No Minimalist Here for Open House Thursdays

Moss Basket Tutorial

2011-05-30T19:20:00.000-04:00

I have had some requests on how I actually did the Mossy Basket on my porch.

This turned out to be so easy. I wish I would have attempted it sooner!

I started out with a cheap basket. I wanted one with a large handle simply because I knew the volume of the moss would make the basket look smaller.

I painted the basket black so that any bare spots would not be as noticeable.

I used moss that comes in a bag. The moss is folded into a ball.

You have to unroll the moss and tear into the size pieces you need.

I used Elmer's Craft Bond spray adhesive to attach the moss.

I sprayed small sections of the basket with the adhesive (it is very sticky) and then placed the pieces of moss on to the basket. What you see above is 2 sections. I did use 2 bags of moss for this basket. Notice I didn't paint the bottom of the basket. You will not see this.

Here you can see the embroidery floss that I have weaved all over the basket. I did this to help hold in the moss. The adhesive does a good job of keeping the moss on the basket but the moss has a mind of it's own and puffs up after while. I did spray more adhesive over the entire basket at the end to help control fly aways (just like you would with you own hair with hairspray). I did a sloppy job of wrapping the floss around because it was not the easiest to get done.

The moss is on the inside as well.

I couldn't find a happy stopping place that I thought looked good.

I was very happy with the way it came out.

The ribbon is a stripe of fabric I had left over from another project.

I found the apples at Tuesdays Mornings. Place mats are from Ikea.

Enjoy!