Saturday, April 30, 2011

The "So now I think I might be just losing it" Spring Wreath


So, I mentioned in my last Junky Spring Wreath post...that anything round is most likely going to become a wreath at my house.  But now I think I may have fell over the edge of "wreath madness".



My "Sweet Little Wreath" found a new home on a narrow wall in my kitchen and it looked lonely so I put my thinking cap on...


I started by wrapping my bundt pan with twine...

(Side note...check out those monster push pins...kinda fun for hanging stuff huh?


...and then just for fun I started folding little pieces of sheet music and tucking them in here and there.  I think they look like butterflies :)


Like I said...I think I might be losing it, but I kind of like it in a "I've never seen it before" kind of way.  We'll see how long it stays there...but for now we'll call it a day :)

Thanks for humoring me...have a great rest of your weekend :)

Linking up...

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Another Simple, Junky Spring Wreath...

Chipping with Charm: Junky Spring Wreath...http://chippingwithcharm.blogspot.com/

Is it just me, or is everything round starting to look like a wreath these days? 
Here's another simple idea for a junky little Spring wreath...

Outdated Fridge Fun...Oh yes I did :)



Old fridge...chalkboard paint?  Why not?



This outdated fridge has been a "thorn in my side" for years now...it was here 12 years ago when my hubby bought this house..."B.L", before Laurel...


Then after we got married and updated a bit in the kitchen he was kind enough to replace the old "wood look" handles with these welded metal ones...better...but still not great.  We really NEED a new fridge but just haven't "gone there" yet...because frankly it still works :)...no wait, :(


So anyway, I decided to go ahead and "play" with this one since I know it's not permanent...and I measured in 2 inches...


And taped...


And painted...1, 2, 3 coats of Krylon chalkboard paint.


 I had a feeling the paint would bleed a little bit which it did...a lot.  But I don't mind...it has that "torn paper" effect that I like anyway.


Then I got out my stencils...and added my words.  Next I had to wait for the paint to dry 24 hours before I could break in the surface...I'm not good at waiting...tick, tock, tick, tock...
While we're waiting...


Did you see that Frigidaire label in the "before" pictures?  We took it off because it was in the way.  But I just happened to have a rectangular magnet (from a magnetic note pad) that fit perfectly on the back.  Now I can put it wherever I want to...or not, we'll see.  I guess it's kind of fun in a "vintage-y" sort of way.
Still waiting...


24 hours later...I sanded the letters lightly with a fine sand paper and used the side of my chalk to "break in" the surface as recommended on the paint instructions and "Wha-laa"...here she is all fixed up and ready to enjoy.


And remember that Frigidaire magnet I made?  I put it to work holding my recipe...pretty slick.
So what do ya think?  A little bit more fun on the outside...but still pretty outdated on the inside, but for now it works.

Think I'll join in the fun over at Whisperwood Cottage...ofr the Chalk Talk Linky Party...better late than never right?

Also, joining in the fun at...



Saturday, April 23, 2011

Happy Easter...


I didn't do much for decorating this Easter...no bunnies or little chicks, not even a single egg.  We've been painting our whole main level so we've been living in a bit of an unorganized mess...
But somehow these three simple crosses found their way up high in a window sill...a focal point in our home.  And what an amazing reminder I had each day of the extra special and sacrifical gift we are celebrating...

Happy Easter my friends, may you be blessed this Easter knowing that He did it for YOU...yes, He loves you THAT much!

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, not anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39, NIV

Enjoy!

Monday, April 18, 2011

Lucky Me :)


Hello friends...hope you don't mind if I "brag" a little bit about a couple of little goodies I received recently...
I was lucky enough to win this cute little Flora Doora bag over at Coastal Charm.


I think I found the perfect spot for it hanging from the shutters beside our bed.  Isn't this hanger cute too?  "Nassau Beach Hotel", I like to pretend I'm resting in the Bahamas...


Isn't it cute???  So very exciting because I never win anything...seriously, do you feel sorry for me?  We'll don't anymore...because I LOVE my little prize...it was worth the wait :)
Want one of your own???  Head over to Jane's Etsy Shop to get one for yourself...so many beautiful styles to choose from.  Wish I would have planned ahead for Easter gifts!  Oh well, maybe Mother's Day :) 
Thanks again Linda and Jane!


While you are here take a peek at the pillows I just from my sweet and talented friend Joan.  I had been admiring the ones I had seen in the BD catalog but was to cheap to "pop" for them.  So I called my "sewing friend" Joan and she whipped them up for me...I wanted to buy them from her but she insisted we were going to "trade" for some decorating advice.  Good deal huh?  (Shhh...please, nobody tell her I still have NO CLUE what I'm doing ;))  Thanks again Joan!!!

I'll have to show you around the rest of the room sometime...we recently repainted and "re-did" a little but we're not quite ready to "reveal" it yet...just a few more finishing touches to go...and then I'll share.

And since FREE is pretty "thrifty" I think I'll share this over at Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday.

Hope everybody has a great week...

I have been so blessed by your sweet comments this week.  And a few new visitors from Junk Market too!  There are a couple of you that I wish I could reply to but with a "no-reply" blogger account and no blog to post on I was unable to connect.  But thank you for your sweet comments...and please stop by again and maybe leave an email so I can say hello to you too :)  Thanks!!!

Friday, April 15, 2011

What's Your "Thing"?


Do you have a "thing"?  You know...something that you do that brings you joy and peace.  Something that really gets the creative juices flowing and gives you that rush of adrenaline that you can't wait to start and don't wan to stop?
 
I've been thinking about that question a lot lately...I've been selling at a couple of shops and shows for over a year now.  I think I've tried a little bit of everything...painting furniture, searching high and low for cool "as is" junky treasures...I've even played a little with some junk jewelry pieces.  But what really makes my "heart sing" are the simple little (sometimes odd) re-purposed junk combinations.

Here are a few of my favorites...


A hinge for a photo...why not?


Egg yolk separators for flowers...OK :)


Loved these handrail hardware wreath hooks I discovered at Christmas time.


This REALLY simple and almost silly clothes pin wreath



I've see angels in some unsuspected places.


And I love coming up with unique but simple window treatments for my home.

So I guess that's my "thing"...and in addition to my love of all things rusty, chippy and imperfectly charming...that's what I post about on this little blog o' mine.  And it's so fun to have a place to "show and tell" when I think of something and want to share it with somebody who actually gives a hoot.  (My little kiddos can only handle so much "junk talk" before their eyes start rolling back and the subject turns to Star Wars or Strawberry Shortcake :))  My husband is my biggest "fan" but he doesn't always totally "get it"...
So thank you my blogging friends for visiting and commenting.  You really make my day :)

So now tell me...what's your "thing"?

Joining in on the fun at...


Have a great weekend! 
 


 

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Talkin' Junk


Well, I did it...my first "Speaking Engagement"...haha :)
The sweet ladies from the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers)group at my church invited my friend Joan and I to come to speak about our "junk"...what we do and why we do it.


So I packed up my junk and Joan loaded up her signs and pillows...and we spent the morning talking about what we love.  It was a good day!


And of course I had to take a few pictures to share with my blogging friends...


Clocks, ladders and a couple of hinges...


Joan's fun signs and pillows...those Mr. and Mrs. pillows came home with me...thanks Joan :)


And of course a few grates and some chippy paint.


Anyone who knows me knows that speaking to a group is NOT my "thing"...in fact I have struggled with anxiety over it for years.  I felt a little bit like this guy in the picture "stepping out" of my comfort zone.  But I think it went well and I didn't even use the notes that I had stressed over  "carefully thought through"...over the last couple of weeks.  And the coordinator even had to mention the time because I would have just kept on talking well beyond what was planned.  Who knew I had so much to say???  I guess the words just flow when you are talking about things you love...God and junk...and yes in this case those 2 things do go together :)  I am so blessed to be able to stay home everyday with my kiddos AND have a little business creating and playing with my junk goodies.

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.
Ephesians 3:20

To my MOPS friends reading this...thanks again for the warm welcome and sweet comments!  Happy Junking :)

Enjoy your day everyone...thanks for stopping by!  Hope everyone has a great weekend...I'm heading to my first Flea Market of the season on Saturday with my mom and sisters.  Wish me luck!

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Beautiful Day for a Garden Party...


Well, I think Spring has finally sprung here in Minnesota...and what a beautiful weekend for the Tattered Elegance Garden Party at Ramshackled Treasures.

I am honored to be a vendor at this adorable shop in downtown Zimmerman, MN.  I stopped by to help out this morning for just a couple of hours and managed to take "a few" (understatement) pictures to share with you...so grab an iced tea or a lemonade and take a peek around with me...











OK, so that was just a peek at a few of the treasures outside.  Take a break...get a refill, stretch...maybe a potty break?  Then come back and I'll take you inside :)

In we go...

























So what do you think?  Did I get you in the shopping mood? 
Hope so :)

Here are the details so you can head over and join the party...
Ramshackled Treasures
12686 Fremont Avenue
Zimmerman, MN 55398
763-856-8700
Thursday-Saturday 10am-6pm
Sunday 12-4pm