Thriftin' is a Hoot!

Sunday, September 30, 2012

With Owls being the "in" thing this year,
I've been in search of one while on my thriftin' excursions.

Way back when, I had a history teacher who collected owls,...
WHOOOO knew they'd ever be popular again!?!



What a hoot...
I found one at a local thrift shop, $1.99.



Great price, cute piece,
but personally, I thought he needed a little makeover to "update" him,
...give a new Autumn look!



I mixed together orange craft paint and just a smidge of Annie Sloan Old White.

I figured the AS would help the paint adhere to the owl,
but what I didn't figure, was that he would come out peachy pink.

Bless his heart, that just wouldn't do...



So, I added a coat of straight orange...



And he turned out to be quite a handsome fellow,
perfect for the season.

After I take down my Fall decorations, I plan to give him a coat of AS Old White,
...he'll be ready for Spring!

And that, my friends, is why I find that Thriftin' is a Hoot!
Besides the thrill of the hunt, 
 you can experiment and makeover things that didn't cost a lot.
If they don't turn out well, not much is lost!
But if they do, it's like Christmas, ...pretty exciting! :)






My other finds for the week,
came from the yard sales Saturday...












I'm tempted to keep the Vintage Cosco Stool, 
but I think all of these finds will probably be going to my booths!



Hope you all had a productive thriftin' weekend! :)

___________________________

Linking Post To:

Thrifty Treasures   {The Farewell of the Year Edition} @ Southern Hospitality
Mop It Up Monday @ I should be mopping the Floor
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm
Gettin' Krafty With It @ Krafty Kat
Share Your Creations @ Kristen's Creations
Vintage Inspiration @ Common Ground


____________________________

Verse of Encouragement:

 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NIV



When Less is Not Enough ~ Fall Mantel 2012

Friday, September 28, 2012



 Beauty of style and harmony and grace and good rhythm depend on simplicity.
- Plato 

Last Fall, I was all about keeping things simple...
uncluttered...
the less is more adage...

I think it was a stage of life I was in,
my daughter had moved off to college for her first year,
and I felt a little empty ...a little lost....
and so I decorated as such...

Does anyone else go through these stages and decorate accordingly?

{Below, my Fall Decorated Mantel 2011}



I enjoyed the simplicity of last year's mantel,
it served it's purpose...

But the "good rhythm," as Plato quoted,
just had to be jazzed up a notch this year. 

Yes, I'm fickle that way,
...guess I'm in another stage in my life! ha!




So, I brought out the arrangement below...
an oldieeeeeeeeeeeeee!

If recollection serves me right,
I think it came over on the Mayflower! ha!




Added an Autumn dried wreath, 
{another that's been around awhile}
over the mirror.

Also regrouped the candles, and added burlap ribbon for texture.



It's still not too busy,
just a little more interesting!






Many wonder why I go through the trouble to decorate with each passing season,
not you other bloggers of course, you know..., you get it...

For one I enjoy it,
but secondly,
it's makes my family feel special.

My daughter relayed to me just after she started school again this year,
that the one weekend she felt the most welcomed and glad to be home,
was last fall when she walked into the house
 decorated in warm, cozy colors and decorations of autumn,
and pumpkin spice scented candles were burning!

As a mom, that's all the incentive I need! :)




Welcome ...October  ~~  Enjoy Your Weekend! 

"There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on,
 and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings, as now in October." 

-  Nathaniel Hawthorne

________________________________________

Linking Post To:

Masterpiece Monday @ Boogieboard Cottage
Met Monday @ Between Naps On the Porch
Make it Pretty Monday @ The Dedicated House
Mop It Up Monday @ I should be mopping the Floor
Favorites On the First @ The Polohouse
Cowgirl Up Party @ Cedarhill Ranch
Gettin' Krafty With It @ Krafty Kat
Wow Us Wednesday @ Southern Savvy Style
Centerpiece Wednesday @ The Style Sisters
Share Your Creations @ Kristen's Creations
Open House Party @ No Minimalist Here
October'fest of Fun - Fall and Halloween Mantel Party @ Foxhollow Cottage


My Entry to Make It Pretty Monday's Link Party
and Open House Linky Party is sponsored by


Jack 'em Up Pumpkin - The 2012 Model

Monday, September 24, 2012

Jack 'em Up Pumpkins 2011...

Last year, these pumpkins were...
as wedding consultant extraordinaire Monte Durham would say
 on Say Yes to the Dress - Atlanta,
..."jacked up" with whimsical stickers and cute ribbons!

{For more on that post, click HERE.}



But, life is ever-evolving,
so.........
 based on the colors, flowers, and pillows being used for my front porch this year,
I decided the new updated version of my Jacked Up Pumpkins 
would be ...not quite so whimsical...




Added a cursive monogram sticker in black,
found at Hobby Lobby...




Topped it off with a bow made of scraps from my craft closet...




Added a few "fabric leaves"...

{Have seen these on several blogs, and "borrowed" the idea! :)  Loved them!}




Opted to forego the dots, keeping it simple...




And the Jack'em Up Pumpkin
2012 Model
 is ready for the front porch.

Have the fabric, now I just have to finish the pillows! :)

pictures soon...



__________________________________________

Linking Post To:
Masterpiece Monday @ Boogieboard Cottage
Cowgirl Up @ Cedarhill Ranch
Wow Us Wednesday @ Southern Savvy Style
Centerpiece Wednesday @ Style Sisters
Tip Toe Thru Tuesday @ Tiaras and Bowties
Wednesdays Goody Bag @ Confetti Diaries
Share Your Creations @ Kristen's Creations

__________________________________________

Verse of Encouragement For Today:

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
Psalm 34:18 NIV

Glimpses of Fall ...& The Barn

Saturday, September 15, 2012



With the onset of cooler temps, as in the 80's
 {a cold wave compared to what we've endured this summer in the Carolinas, ha}
 finally it feels like Fall is approaching!

"Hallelujah!!!'

And with those cooler temps and a nip in the air,
I've been feeling a little frisky...
Frisky for some "fall cleaning and decorating!"

With much to do,
and little finished to post about,
I'll be taking a few days off from blogging.

I'll also be on the road tomorrow,
heading to Raleigh with my Mom, to see Ashley,
 hit the Farmer's Market, and a new junk store!




Soooooo, 
in the meantime, I leave you with glimpses of 
The Tobacco Barn Antiques

If you're heading towards the mountains soon to see the leaves change,
and traveling through Asheville, I highly recommend a stop at this
 77,000 sq. feet of amazing antiques and unique collectibles.
And the prices are reasonable!



Kevin and I visited when on our Anniversary Trip last December!

I spent hours browsing, ...bet you could too! :)



The cutie, below, came home with me ...large vintage bowl...









































Pretty tempting, huh?

The Tobacco Barn Antiques
75 Swannanoa River Road
Asheville, NC
828.252.7291



....couldn't have said it better myself!
Wishing the same for ya'll!

Be back soon! :)

________________________________


Linking Post To:
Thrifty Treasures @ Southern Hospitality
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm

A Garden Bench

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Mary, Mary,
quite contrary,
how does your garden grow?

Well, I don't know how Mary's garden grows,
but I sure do know where she can rest her sweet little tush,

...on the little transformed garden bench below!




The garden bench was found at a yard sale for $6.00.
An elderly couple were selling it, having been handcrafted by the husband, himself.




I dry-brushed a thin coat of Annie Sloan Napoleonic Blue over the wood,
and covered the cushion with a whimsical garden print fabric.

The fabric was from my stash, found at a local upholstery fabric shop going of business.
{$4.00 a yard - took 1/2 yard}




This project was a little trickier than my usuals,
the underside showing required a more "finished" job.




Reattached top to the bench...




And the Garden Bench is now complete and ready for a new home!








I do hope that "Mary's Garden" looks much better than mine! ha!
The summer heat has been quite unkind to my pretties!

Ready to break out the mums and pumpkins!
Come on, Fall! :)



_______________________________

Linking Post To:

Wednesday's Goodies @ Confetti Diaries
This is Natalie's first blog party!
Wishing her much success!
Go over, visit her, and maybe share some inspiration, too!

Also linking up to:
Pretty Things Thursday @ Scissors and Spatulas
Potpourri Party @ 2805
Fridays Unfolded @ Stuff and Nonsense
Inspiration Friday @ At the Picket Fence

DESIGNED BY ECLAIR DESIGNS