Red, White and Blue Decorating

My console table is all decorated for the 4th of July. It's not anything fancy or expensive but I love how it turned out. Most of the items I already had and the rest came from the dollar store and JoAnn's (on sale!).

There is one of my new IKEA lampshades! Isn't she cute?!


A little ribbon and fun accessories can make a big impact.

The faux flowers are from the dollar store. I just put them in a glass jar and added some ribbon. Doesn't get any easier than that! Plus, they're fake so I can use them again . . . they'll be perfect for some fun Valentine's Day decor!

My little vignette wouldn't be complete without some subway art. I painted an old frame white and used some red scrapbook paper behind the art. The little stars are just hot-glued right onto the paper. 


Here are the details:


Ribbon - JoAnn's (50% off)
2 Metal Stars - JoAnn's (2 for $1)
Faux Flowers - Dollar Store $1
Subway Art - Free!! 


I already had everything else from other decorating projects. 


If you want to see some of my past console table ideas click here, here and here.


Have an awesome day!!


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I'm Back!

Did you miss me? I sure did miss all of you! It was nice to take a little break and spend time with my mom. Now I'm ready to get back to decorating, crafting and creating!


I went to IKEA and came home with a bunch of goodies. That store is just awesome! Here's a little peek at what I found.

Lots of fun stuff!! Aren't those dog-tail hooks the cutest! Those were the only colors they had so I might have to break out the spray paint. 


More decorating and ideas coming soon!

Blog Break

Howdy my friends! I won't be posting much for the next few days because my mom is coming to visit. I haven't seen her for an entire year! It's hard living so far apart. She lives in Colorado and I live in Ohio so it's a loooong way to visit. 


We are planning a trip to IKEA while she is here and I can't wait to go! The nearest store is about 2 hours away so I don't get to go too often. 


Have an awesome week! I'll be back soon with some fun 4th of July decorating ideas.

I'm A Copy Cat . . . Again!

Yes, you read that correctly. I've gone and copied another idea - actually 2 ideas. Remember the stool/plant stand idea I copied from Maillardville Manor ? Well, this time I found some photo's online and decided to copy them.


First up is this stack of old papers and book pages. 

Here is my version:

Pretty cool huh? It was super duper easy too! Here's what I did. I took some old books and ripped off the covers. Then I ripped out small chunks of pages and soaked them in tea.

Umm, yummy!

After they soaked for a few minutes I was going to set them outside to dry but a thunderstorm rolled in and it was pouring down rain. Not a problem. I just went to Plan B.


Yep, that's my cookie cooling rack. Handyman Hubby and my kiddos thought I was crazy but hey, it worked!

So after the pages were dry (well, mostly dry, I'm kinda impatient) I added some old receipts from my garage sale finds. Then I tied everything up with some twine and added a tag.

I know, I know. I'm pretty awesome at being a copycat. He he!!


Okay, onto Project Copycat #2. This one is really easy to do. Seriously, I think it took less than 5 minutes.


I started with this picture:

A glass jar with Scrabble tiles inside. Doesn't get any easier than that.


Here's my version:

I put some old Dominos instead of Scrabble tiles into this glass jar. Add some twine, tag, an old key and you're done!


This was so much fun! I love rummaging around my house looking for stuff to make copy! 


Now go and copy someone so I'm not the only one!!


Have a great day!


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Summer Tablescape

There are so many talented bloggers out there that are creating gorgeous tablescapes. I decided to try and create a fun summer tablescape of my own. 

Aren't those dishes the cutest?! I found them at Hobby Lobby several years ago and purchased 4 dinner plates, 4 salad plates and some mugs. When I went back a few weeks later they were all gone! There are no markings on any of the pieces so I can't even look for them somewhere else. If anyone out there knows the name of this pattern or where I can purchase more pieces please email me! I would be forever grateful!

I just love the little bumble bee and ladybug on the plates! 

The ladybug salt & pepper shakers were a gift from a friend and they look great with these dishes.


I didn't purchase anything new - just used items that I already had.


What do you think? Not bad for my first attempt?




Plates - Hobby Lobby (years ago!)
Yellow Bowls - Target Dollar Spot (about 5 years ago)
Green Placemats - Walmart
Glassware - Garage sale
Cloche - Goodwill
Faux Pear's - Target
Faux Red Flowers - $1 Store
Ladybug Salt & Pepper Shakers - Gift from a friend

Candlestick - had forever, painted white
Glass Jar - Garage sale


If you love my blog (and I just know you do - he he) please vote for me on The Picket Fence. Just click the button on my sidebar. You can vote once every day. Thanks a bunch!

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Summer 2011 Series - Project 5

Hello hello!! Thank you all so much for your wonderful comments about my patio! You chicks really are the best! I so appreciate the time you take to read my little-ole blog.


Okay, onto the good stuff. Are you ready for another summer project?  I don't have a mantel to decorate so I change this table up for different holidays and seasons. 

I used stuff from around my house so this project was fah-ree baby!!

I've had these candlesticks forever and change out the ribbon on the candles for a new look. The hydrangea came from my garden and I used an old mason jar as a vase.

I love all the free printable subway art out there! I can't remember where I printed this one from - sorry! (If it was you, please email me and I'll add a link to your blog) The little birdie is from my spring decorated table. Isn't he just so cute! 


Update! I found the summer subway art from Samantha at Simple Crafter. Go check out her blog and all the free printable art! Thanks Samantha!!

This little tin was a Goodwill find a long time ago. I think it was 50¢. I just added some dirt and hens & chicks from my garden. 


I'm already planning some fun and cheap thrifty decorating ideas for the 4th of July so stop again back soon!! I was at 2 dollar stores today and they have some great 4th of July items!


Have a great day!!


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Summer 2011 Series - Project 4

I hope you all had a nice weekend! We've been working our buns off trying to finish up our back patio and flower beds! The weather is going to be perfect for the next couple of days so I want to relax and enjoy the outdoors. I don't know about you but I can't relax when there are projects to finish. There are still a few small things to do but for the most part we are done!


Here is the patio off the back of our house:

We chose a patio (instead of a wood deck) because of the low maintenance. All we have to do is hose it off when it's dirty. The steps were built by Handyman Hubby and painted the color of our house trim. 

We didn't go with concrete steps because of the cost. What we wanted was going to cost A LOT so we went with wood instead. I wanted wide, deep steps coming off of the house so Handyman Hubby built this. I love having a place for all my potted plants and flowers. It also serves as extra seating when we have company over.

This area has gone thru a huge transformation! I wanted a seating area that was comfy and inviting. The chairs and table are from Target (last summer) and the outdoor rug is from Lowes. I added some pillows and potted flowers. I've had the little stools for several years and used them at the kitchen and bathroom sinks for my kiddos when they couldn't reach the faucet. They were in my garage sale pile until I realized what great foot stools they would make. 

My umbrella is old and faded but still works! The patio faces the south so we have full sun all day and it gets really hot! Some day I would love to have a pergola over this part of the patio but for now I make due with the faded umbrella.

The other side of the patio is where the table is located. Our table is wood with 4 wood benches and painted the same color as the steps.

This area stays shaded for most of the day thanks to our Honey-Locust Tree. I love the way the low branches make this area feel secluded and cozy!

There is a tin bird house hanging on a low branch along with 2 metal lanterns from Goodwill. My daughter painted the wooden birdhouse and the hanging turquoise jar is a garage sale find.


Under the tree is a birdbath that gets very busy on hot summer days! The birds line up and wait their turn to splash around in the cool water! We can see the birdbath from our bay window and love watching all the different birds that visit.

There are flower beds around the entire patio with  perennials, stepping stones and a few garden accessories.

The fountain was a birthday gift several years ago. I've always wanted a fountain and was so happy to find this on clearance at a great price! It was placed next to the bay window so we could hear the water inside the house. 

Just a few steps off the patio is our fire pit and swing.

There is plenty of room to put chairs all around and the swing is close enough to also enjoy the fire. We tend to use the fire pit more in the fall on cool evenings to roast marshmallows and make smores.


Whew! I'm exhausted from all the yard work! Time to sit outside with a good book and enjoy my patio!


Have a great day!!


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