A Wintery Welcome...

So the Christmas trees are packed away...and most of the decorations have disappeared until next year.  But I can't resist leaving some greens and snow out for a little bit longer...

This ice chest is the first thing people see when they come in my front door, so it always gets a little special "sprucing".

I added insulators to the bottom of this vintage tray for a little extra height.

A "chippingly charming" old drawer with jars and candles.

A cloche I made using a glass fixture shade, a wooden canister lid and an old drawer pull.

And here's my favorite part...did you see this lamp base?

I got this cool old light fixture base from a friend for my birthday.  (I love it...thanks Traci!)  My lamp needed a little more height...and it just happened to have a hole in the bottom that fit perfectly over the fixture.  Meant to be???  I think so.

So this is how it looked yesterday...I liked it but that big black lamp shade was bugging me. 

So I stopped in to a thrift store today and look what I found.  Lucky me :)

Much better...what do you think? 

Don't you love it when things just fall together.  It makes me so happy :)

I'll be linking up to...

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

And...

again at Whisperwood Cottage

It's so very Cheri...

http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/2011/01/48th-table-top-tuesday.html

Maybe I'll see you there...

Have a great week!

Shedding Some Light...

It's so fun to see all the great projects starting out the new year.  We've been busy here...our first re-do for 2011 is our bedroom.  And I'll tell you, it's about time.  I'm sure you'll agree when I show you the before and after pics...when it's ready.  But since it's not quite ready for the "reveal" I thought I'd show you what I'm doing with a piece that lost it's spot in the redo.

This was a shelf that my husband built for me years ago...it's been up in our room covered with books and dust...you know how books "breed" dust right?  I decided to go for a cleaner look this round so out it came.  But I wasn't quite ready to part with it yet...and we're pretty much out of wall space... 

Then I remembered one of many inspiring posts by "Funky Junk Donna".  I loved how she plopped those storage racks right in front of her windows in her Blogging Office...I bet you've seen it, but if not take a peek HERE.

So that's where it landed...in my Great Room.  Where we spend most of our time...playing, relaxing, dancing and creating.

And now I've been busy filling up the shelves with glassware full of junk goodies. Since most of my projects are done at my Dining Room table I figured if would be a great place to store my junky bobbles...

I guess it only makes sense, since I have little junk goodies stashed everywhere else...

Do you remember the "Sentimental Treasures" I keep in my "Honeymoon Hutch"?

Or how about my big ol' "Bowl O' Junk"?

I'm still wondering if it's too crowded...but I think I live with it here for a while and see how it feels :)

A little update...

A few months later...I ended up going a little bit "cleaner"...I love how the empty aqua glass fills the shelves while the sun has plenty of room to shine on through.

And since this little idea was literally inspired by Donna and her "authentic" style, I'm linking up with Amy over at Whisperwood Cottage for her Authentic Style Series featuring Donna and here very inspiring style.  Head on over and take a peek...

Linking up over at Whisperwood Cottage...

Out with the "New", In with the "Old"...wine crate shelves...

 


I've been slowly changing out anything "new" and replacing it with "old" junky character...this is a spot I've looking to re-do for a while now. Finally took out that "newer" store bought cupboard and replaced it with these repurposed wine boxes.

Because the wall sticks out there behind the "stool", I needed something shallow. I tried MANY boxes and drawers before finally finding these wine boxes and they were the perfect fit.

The wine "theme" works well because this is our guest bathroom which is off of the familyroom and small bar area.

Already filled 'em up...

Do you see an angel???

Every room needs a "cloche" of some sort, right?

Those are my kiddos...I like to remember when they were that little.

I made these little tealight holders by gluing mini jello molds to insulators.

And these pedestal bowls by gluing bigger Jello molds to light fixture bases. All stacked up...

Bathroom fixture handles make unique and kind of silly bowl fillers.

Ahhh...that's better, now what's next???

Linking up at...

Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

At $7 a piece these shelves are definitely "thrifty"

All Things Inspired...Wed. Blog Party

I am inspired by all things old and discarded.

And...

Beyond the Picket Fence...Under $100 Linky Party

Frugal Friday at the Shabby Nest

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Saturday Nite Special...Funky Junk Interiors

Make It For Monday at Cottage Instincts

 

Funky Junk Interiors...Crazy For Crates!!!

 

 

Enjoy your day!

"Warm" Wishes...

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!  We had a quiet one...my extended family celebrates over New Year's so it was just the 4 of us for Christmas.  Full of family time, special treats and LOTS of snow! As you can see, all of my outdoor decorations have gone "missing" under all that white "fluffy stuff".

Here's something not completely covered...

And of course the porch got some fresh greens and winter finds...

My "Little Charmers" enjoyed their gifts and goodies.  "Their mom" even baked a few treats...which is a stretch for me...I am NOT a "baker".  They loved it :)

We started a new tradition this year.  We talked about the wisemen and their gifts for baby Jesus.  I asked them what gifts they would bring to Jesus...my youngest answered right away..."Puppies, kitties, Barbie's and princesses".  My oldest thought for a bit and then said "I would give him my heart".  Sniff, sniff...now that made MY Christmas!

ANYTHING Star Wars was at the top of my 7 year olds list!

And my 3 year old asked for a "real" baby sister...needless to say, Santa didn't deliver on that request.  But she seemed pleased with the Barbie Princess she got instead :)

Hope you had a very Merry Christmas and wishing you lots of happiness and many blessings in 2011!  2010 was amazing for me...I was blessed both in my personal and junk business life.  One thing I'm praying for is a little more "balance" this coming year.  God first, Family and friends second and "junk" third.  Think I can do it?  We'll see :)

Hope you have a safe and happy New Year's celebration...CHEERS!

Linking this post to Funky Junk SNS

AND P.S...my Clothes Pin Wreath has been "featured" over at Beyond the Picket Fence.  Stop over and check out the "Under $100" Linky Party.  So many great ideas!  Thanks Becky :)

A Blessed Christmas...

Wishing you a Blessed Christmas...as we celebrate the gift of Jesus...

For God so loved the world that he gave is one and only son.  That whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

John 3:16-18

A FREE and life changing gift for ALL who will receive it...how cool is that?!?  I for one will never be the same...

God bless you this Christmas and all year long!

Linking up at Common Ground for the "The Reason for the Season"



In A Pinch...

I was "in a pinch"...I had taken something off my wall in the kitchen and I needed something "semi-festive" fast. 



Enter one round metal craft "thingy"...

(Sorry, I know I should know what this is, but I don't.  I never intended to use it for what it was really for anyway ;))

...a whole bunch of perfectly weathered clothes pins...

Round and round they go...

And there ya go...a wreath in a pinch (or for a pinch). 

Empty space dilema solved.  And all the parts and pieces can easily be removed after Christmas or should an "emergency laundry situation arise".

I'm linking up to

Beyond the Picket Fence...Under $100 Linky Party

I made it with $98 to spare :)

And here...

Funky Junk's Saturday Nite Special

Maybe I'll see ya there...

Hope everyone is enjoying the final preparations for Christmas.  I'm almost ready...and it feels good to just sit back and enjoy.

Blessings!!!