Monday, April 8, 2013

Shabby Striped Stools

These two shabby stools have been mine for awhile. I used to have the perfect spot for them , a long, long time ago in another house. I had an island between my kitchen and dining room and these were great there.
But when I moved into my current house, they ended up sitting in my garage. 
One day, one of them wound up back in the house, for my scrapbooking area. The legs got trimmed about 2" to fit the table height I would be sitting at. 
I was all set to scrapbook.
And then I had my second child...
I got a tad bit busy.
And ended up not doing much scrapbooking after that! :)
So last week, I dug one of them out of the garage and grabbed the other lonely, unused stool from my bedroom. Once again, I forgot to take a before picture. I get so excited about starting things that I dive right in without thinking! :) But I can at least describe them for you. They originally had white legs and a light, natural stain on the top. Pretty plain and relatively boring. But functional stools, nonetheless. 
I painted some Virginia Chestnut on the legs where I knew I would be distressing them. Once it was dry, I painted Old White over that.  I added Old White on the bottom of the seats as well. Then I painted the top of the stools in Chestnut and added Santa Fe Turquoise around the edges. Then I did the reverse.
I just love aqua and chocolate brown together, don't you?
I shabbied them up a bit, bot the legs and the seats, and I waxed them with both clear and dark wax.
I thought they were finished. But they just weren't...
A few days later, after staring at them, trying to figure out what else I wanted to do to them, I finally figured it out! I got out some masking tape and taped off lines of various thicknesses and spaced unevenly apart. And then I got out the Destin Gulf Green and painted some stripes, distressing those after they were dry and adding wax to those areas.  
Now I think they really are done!
And I couldn't be happier with them. 
What do you think of them?


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Everyone loves a good party!
Check my project out along with other great inspiration, at these great blogs...

One Project at a Time at A Bowl Full of LemonsTransformation Tuesday at The Ironstone NestMonday Funday at Creatively LivingNifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal CharmThe Scoop at Cedar Hill RanchProject Inspired{d}at Cupcakes and CrinolineYou're Gonna Love It at Kathe with an ETransformed Tuesdays at PJH DesignsTweak It Tuesday at Cozy Little HouseTake a Look Tuesday at Sugar Bee CraftsPrimp Your Stuff Wednesday at Primp JunktionBe Inspired at Elizabeth and CoPretty Things Link Party at twelveOeightTime to Shine at A Diamond in the StuffToo Cute Tuesday at Funky Polkadot GiraffeThe Power of Paint Party at Domestically SpeakingCreatively Tuesday at The Rustic PigShow Me What You Got at Not Just a HousewifeShare It Link Party at The Winthrop ChroniclesTasteful Tuesday at Naptime CreationsTutorial Tuesday at Hope StudiosTrash 2 Treasure at Kammy's KornerFluster's Creative Muster Party at Fluster BusterThe Creative Spark at Clean and ScentsibleTuesdays at Our Home at Our Home Away from HomeHomemade by You at Made to be a Momma

Wildly Original Link Party at I Gotta CreateWow Us Wednesday at Family Home and LifeWhatever Goes Wednesday at Someday CraftsWhimsy Wednesday at Smart School HouseWhat's It Wednesday at Ivy and ElephantsWednesday Whatsits at White Lights on WednesdayWhat We Accomplished Wednesday at Green Willow PondUnder $100 Linky Party at Beyond the Picket FenceShow and Share at Southern LovelyWow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern StyleWow Me Wednesday at Gingersnap CraftsFrom Dream to Reality at The DIY DreamerIts' a Party! at A Creative PrincessShow Off Your Stuff Party at Fireflies and JellybeansLook What I Made Wednesday at Creations by KaraCreate and Share at The Trendy TreehouseA Little Bird Told Me Link Party at The Life of Jennifer DawnOh What a Happy Day Link Party at Not Done Growing

Simply Creations Link Party at My Simple HomelifeFurniture Feature Friday at Miss Mustard SeedInspire Me Please Link Party at Liz Marie BlogFrugal Friday at The Shabby NestFeathered Nest Friday at French Country CottageWhat Have You Redone at Redoux InteriorsHome Sweet Home at The Charm of HomeThrifty Things Friday at The Thrifty GrooveSimple and Sweet Fridays at Rooted inThymeBe Inspired at Common GroundFaunt It Friday at Chic on a Shoestring DecoratingFrugalicious Friday at Finding FabulousFabulously Creative Friday at Jennifer RizzoShow and Tell Friday at Romantic HomeJunkin' Joe Vintage and Thrifty Finds at The Cottage MarketWeekend Wrap-Up Party at Tatertots and JelloShabbilicious Friday Link Party at Shabby Art BoutiqueTickled Pink at 504 MainAnything Blue Friday at The Dedicated HouseRustic Restorations Link Party at Homespun HappeningsGreat Idea Thursdays at A Handful of Everything

Friday, April 5, 2013

Fantastic Projects from {Wow Me] Wednesday

I said it yesterday, but I'm gonna say it again...
I'm really thrilled to be able to feature other bloggers' awesome projects on my blog today!
I could totally get addicted to this party hosting stuff :)

Yesterday I featured some great recipes. You can check them out here.
Today I'm featuring some fantastic craft and makeover projects that were linked to the party.
You all are just so, SO creative! :)

Here are my favorites...

You have to take a peek at Knick of Time Interiors'
The timeworn look of these pages is simply stunning!

I love a good repurpose! And Lake Girl Paints'
from an old water ski sure delivers!

Over at Fyne's Designs,
Virginia shows you how to make a DIY Ribbon Lampshade.
It's so ruffly and girly. And hers is in my favorite color... aqua!

See how Morning by Morning Productions made the cutest
Sewing Desk from a couple of ladders.
Love how she added the scrap boards for more storage under the desk too!

Sincerely Kate's Big Red Painted Dresser
really delivers the va-va-voom!
She definitely goes bold on this one and it totally pays off!

at Shaken Together Life is so sweet and simple to make.
And the little scalloped-edge banner is too cute!

Katalina Jewelry takes some thrift store clothes
and makes the cutest Aprons.
Check out her tutorial.
If I could sew (at all!) I would be making one of these cuties for sure!

A Cultivated Nest shares her Little Painted Chair Makeover.
I am loving the red gingham fabric with the Provence paint!

Over at Shabby Love,
you'll see why it's easy to love a great Tool Caddy.
Check out the great old hardware on these beauties!

I love me some turquoise and over at The Vintage Barn,
Julie shows off a really great Turquoise Buffet
she painted for her friend. Isn't it lovely?

I Should be Mopping the Floor shares a wonderful
It's so bright and fun!

Chic by Tab shows off this gorgeous End Table.
The colors on it are so warm and inviting!

And you have to go over to Blue Star Antiques
and see this fantastic Radio Revamp.
The chippy milk paint finish is to die for! 

Aren't these projects so incredibly inspiring?
Please visit these great blogs today
(and pin any projects directly from their blog).
You can tell them I sent you if you want :)

Have a great weekend!

Thursday, April 4, 2013

A Few Food Favorites from {Wow Me} Wednesday!

I'm pretty excited about today's post.
I'm picking my very own favorites from the {Wow Me} Wednesday Party. :)

It feels so wonderful to be featured on another blog.
I'm crazy-thrilled that I get to pass some love around today!

Today's features are recipes that look and sound oh-so good.
Be sure to check them out, and tell them I sent you :)
And pin any recipes directly from their blogs. Please.
Be sure to come back tomorrow for some furniture and craft features. 

Yum-tastic Recipe Features...

I had to check out Storybook Reality's Creamy Potato Soup.
I think the addition of the hard boiled eggs into the recipe sounds delish!

I love avocado. And Sweet Pea Pod's Avocado Egg Salad looks YUM!
What a great way to cut some fat out of your lunch!

I got all hungry when I stopped by Joyful Homemaking and took a look at her Meatball Subs!
And they're so easy to make, too. 

3 Peppers Recipes shows us how to make these delicious sounding and cute looking Lemon Blueberry Sandwich Cookies.
Perfect for a summer day!

I can't wait to try this Bacon, Artichoke, Ranch Lasagna from I Heart Eating.
Everything about it sounds wonderful. I mean, c'mon, you had me at bacon (and ranch!).

Cafe Vita gives us the recipe for a great summertime favorite with her
Chilled Avocado Feta Cheese Salsa. I just love feta cheese!

I'm planning on trying at least one of these recipes out this weekend.
How about you?

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

{Wow Me} Wednesday Linky Party with GingerSnap Crafts

I am super excited to be co-hosting the
{wow me} wednesday linky party
with GingerSnap Crafts!

As part of her 2 YEAR BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION, Ginger has about 40 co-hosts this week for one one great-big linky party.
And little ol' me is one of them! 

Happy 2nd Birthday GingerSnap Crafts!

This is the very first time I have co-hosted a party and I feel over the moon about it!
As soon as I read Ginger's post last week about looking for co-hosts, I emailed her about this great opportunity.  My main reason for wanting to co-host is simple... Since I started joining linky parties, my blog views have grown exponentially!
And my inspiration and motivation for creating new things has too! 

Take a look at a few of the things we've been inspired to create within the last week...


1 Shutter, 2 Ways
So, if you've never joined a linky party, now is the time!
They are so fun and inspiring, and you meet the greatest people!
The "rules' are simple.
Please consider sharing this party on
facebook, twitter, google+ or pinterest.
Link up to your post, not your main blog.

Must be something made by you!
{No etsy shops, giveaway or business links, please.}
Visit other links, make new friends & most of all have fun!

I'm so excited to see all of the wonderful things you are doing!
Now it's time to party! 


Monday, April 1, 2013

A Charming Picket Fence

Last week I posted a little tutorial on how to make your own
wire flowers.
Today I'd like to show you a quick piece of decor I made with those. 
I snagged a couple pieces of garden picket fencing from a sale last summer. I previously used one to make a little sign. But the 2nd one has just been sitting around. Waiting. 

Once I started making these cute and easy little wire flowers, I got inspired! 
So I took out some burlap, roughly marked off where it would show between the pickets, and alternately painted it with Barcelona Orange and Johnston Daffodil.

I painted a light coat of Santa Fe Turquoise over the fencing and attached my burlap to the back, trimming it off after I had stapled it on. 
My wire flowers were all set to go. I had used buttons that would coordinate with my paint colors for this piece. And I painted a little Johnston Daffodil on the flowers I was going to place over the orange, just to make them pop a little more. 
I simply attached them by sewing them onto the burlap and this cute little piece was finished. 
This charming little picket fence is the perfect match for our shutter shelf and crafty spring bouquets!

I'm loving how this turned out. Hope you do too!

If you haven't liked our facebook page yet, you can do that here.
And you can follow me on Pinterest with this link.
To get my new posts at bloglovin', just click this.

Have a great day!
And make sure to stop back by tomorrow at 7pm central time, when I will be co-hosting the {wow me} wednesday linky party with GingerSnap Crafts! {so excited!}

Everyone loves a great party! Check out these parties for some great inspiration!

One Project at a Time at A Bowl Full of LemonsTransformation Tuesday at The Ironstone NestMonday Funday at Creatively LivingNifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal CharmThe Scoop at Cedar Hill RanchProject Inspired{d}at Cupcakes and CrinolineYou're Gonna Love It at Kathe with an ETransformed Tuesdays at PJH DesignsTweak It Tuesday at Cozy Little HouseTake a Look Tuesday at Sugar Bee CraftsPrimp Your Stuff Wednesday at Primp JunktionBe Inspired at Elizabeth and CoPretty Things Link Party at twelveOeightTime to Shine at A Diamond in the StuffToo Cute Tuesday at Funky Polkadot GiraffeThe Power of Paint Party at Domestically SpeakingCreatively Tuesday at The Rustic PigShow Me What You Got at Not Just a HousewifeShare It Link Party at The Winthrop ChroniclesTasteful Tuesday at Naptime CreationsTutorial Tuesday at Hope StudiosTrash 2 Treasure at Kammy's KornerFluster's Creative Muster Party at Fluster BusterThe Creative Spark at Clean and ScentsibleHomemade by You at Made To Be a Momma

Wildly Original Link Party at I Gotta CreateWow Us Wednesday at Family Home and LifeWhatever Goes Wednesday at Someday CraftsWhimsy Wednesday at Smart School HouseWhat's It Wednesday at Ivy and ElephantsWednesday Whatsits at White Lights on WednesdayWhat We Accomplished Wednesday at Green Willow PondUnder $100 Linky Party at Beyond the Picket FenceShow and Share at Southern LovelyWow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern StyleWow Me Wednesday at Gingersnap CraftsFrom Dream to Reality at The DIY DreamerIts' a Party! at A Creative PrincessShow Off Your Stuff Party at Fireflies and JellybeansLook What I Made Wednesday at Creations by KaraCreate and Share at The Trendy TreehouseA Little Bird Told Me Link Party at The Life of Jennifer DawnOh What a Happy Day Linky Party at Not Done Growing

Simply Creations Link Party at My Simple HomelifeFurniture Feature Friday at Miss Mustard SeedInspire Me Please Link Party at Liz Marie BlogFrugal Friday at The Shabby NestFeathered Nest Friday at French Country CottageWhat Have You Redone at Redoux InteriorsHome Sweet Home at The Charm of HomeThrifty Things Friday at The Thrifty GrooveSimple and Sweet Fridays at Rooted inThymeBe Inspired at Common GroundFaunt It Friday at Chic on a Shoestring DecoratingFrugalicious Friday at Finding FabulousFabulously Creative Friday at Jennifer RizzoShow and Tell Friday at Romantic HomeJunkin' Joe Vintage and Thrifty Finds at The Cottage MarketWeekend Wrap-Up Party at Tatertots and JelloShabbilicious Friday Link Party at Shabby Art BoutiqueTickled Pink at 504 MainAnything Blue Friday at The Dedicated HouseRustic Restorations Weekend Link Party at Homespun Happenings

Friday, March 29, 2013

Make Your Own Wire Flowers

The other day, I showed off the mail holder that we made from a shutter. 
I had placed some wire flowers in the shutter for decoration and now I'd like to tell you more about how I made those. 

Start with a roll of lower gauge wire. I'm not sure what thickness this is because  I've had it sitting around my house for awhile and don't remember (I apologize).
But it's easily shaped, yet strong enough to hold its form. 
Start by making a petal shape and looping the end around where it meets the wire again to secure it.  
 
Next you can make your second loop. It really doesn't matter which direction you make the loop, because you can fill the petals in around any side of the flower very easily.  
Simply bend the wire around the middle each time you make a petal to form your flower. Again, it's pretty tough to make a mistake because you can bend and fold the wire any way  you need to in order to fill in your flower petals. 
You will end up having something that looks like this.  
In order to finish the flower and hide the imperfections of the middle where all of the wires are folded around each other, I did one of two things. For the flower on the left, I used an embroidery needle and thread, made a very large knot in the end, and sewed the thread up and through various loops in the wire and called it good. For the flower on the right, I did the same thing, but then used a sewing needle (because the embroidery needle was too large for the button holes) to add the button on.
The really nice part about making flowers in this fashion, is that you really can't mess them up! 
And I just love them! And I like that I can coordinate them with any project or decor just by switching up the color in the middle!

Hope you enjoyed seeing more about these wire flowers.
And if you like these, you might also enjoy learning more about our felt and burlap flowers.
Check out that post here.

Click here to see the cute project we made with these flowers!

If you haven't liked our facebook page yet, you can do that here.
And you can follow me on Pinterest with this link.
To get my new posts at bloglovin', just click this.

Most of all, have a great day!
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