Summer Bears

The bears in the basket needed a
summer look.

They've been hanging out in a basket 

in the living room for months, so
they've had a few 'wardrobe' changes .

 I just took them out of their 4th of
 July duds. Very patriotic and so cute,
but...no picture. 

So for the summer, I just tied on blue & white
neck bandanas. Most of them are leftover
 fabric triangles from my sweet doggies, 

Lucky and Princess. Miss them still. Nice to

 see their little scarves being used. 

Here they are for Valentine's Day,

and Christmas. I think they will be fun to play
 with for the holidays coming up.
I guess you're never too old to play!
Cheers!

Links: Between Naps On The Porch

Mixing Blue Dishes

 I have lots of blue and white dishes,

my favorite. Some are complete sets and 

some are just a few pieces of a pattern. 

Some are my "good" dishes, some are vintage,

 some are cheapies. 

Most I've had for years, over 30 at least.

Finding them at garage sales or thrift stores

is the most fun. I would also find a few in 

TJ's or Marshall's. They would be marked

 down when there were only a few pieces left.

Publix had a store promotion a few years

 ago on the Churchill Blue Willow. At the end 

of that promo the store marked them down

75% and I picked up several pieces from

all the stores in my area. 

 I called the stores ahead to see if they still 

had any on sale. The store manager was
nice enough to hold them for me...
all of them.

 Then he did the unthinkable! 

He offered to sell me the remaining 

Pink Willow (red transferware) for 

even less. So I got an entire set for about 

$1.50 per place setting. The tea pot, tray, 

butter dish, sugar, creamer, all about 80% off.

By now I was in a dish-coma. 

They all get used, rotated in and enjoyed.

This week I'm really mixing them up.

It doesn't bother me in the least that a few

pieces are missing, a few dishes have broken 

(saved those) or a few have chips.

I've also been given a few random pieces
from family/friends. I take in orphaned
dishes and give them a deserving home.

The creamer in this photo was given to 

me by one of my tennis girlfriends. 

The fruit designed tea cup/saucer sets
are from my daughter, Kim.

tea tower

The German sugar bowl was my Mother's.

Now serving afternoon pie and coffee.

The best accessory to a blue and white plate 

is a warm slice of Cherry Pie and ice cream.
Check out my easy way to pit cherries on
 on Rita's Recipes . Bada Bing!

Cheers!

links: Between Naps On The Porch

Touring Through Blogland

I've been invited to a tour through blogland
 by a favorite blogger, Cathy at
 My 1929 Charmer. 

Here's a Waterlogue I did of her Charmer on 

my IPhone. Cathy's blog is all about her
charming yellow vintage cottage in Chicago.
It's a fantasy story-book house that should
be in a movie. Cathy has added so many
wonderful vintage details that inspired me
 on a daily basis. If you like creative vintage
repurposing you'll need to pay her a visit.

I'm to answer 4 questions.

1) What am I working on?
Right now I'm tackling my list of
100 Things To Do. Odds and ends that have
 been pushed aside because a project that
 was more fun was discovered...usually on
 a favorite blog or Pinterest. I'm an
impulsive creator. If I see something
inspiring, I can't wait to do it.

If not right away, it gets Pinned or put on
the aforementioned list. I have lots of lists!
I guess the newest project will be
redecorating our van/rv. I want to give
 it a cottage look. We've already put down
 faux wood vinyl floor tiles. Now I want to
paint the cabinets white and sew some
 curtains. Add a few small details to make
it a mini-home for our road trips.

2) How Does my work differ from others 
of it's genre?
I write about how I spend my day (May Days),
what I do and how we live. My tablesettings
 are the ones we use every day. My projects
 are not perfect. I use all my things. I cook
dinner every night. My dinners are not
complicated. I like to cook, bake, putter,

organize and I love to repurpose.
BTW I have another blog called
Rita's Recipes. If anyone out there

knows how I can merge my 2 blogs I
will be forever grateful. I'd rather go
 thrifting than the mall. I'd rather
make something out of scraps and
 cast-offs than find something new.
I'd rather buy dishes than shoes.
I look at my blog as a form of journaling.

3) How do I write/create what I do?
I'll write a rough post on a topic and leave
it in draft until I'm inspired to finish it. Often
 I'll just take pictures of what I'm doing and
 then write a brief description later. I do
want to improve my blog with category
drop down menu and print a feature for
 recipes. I'm still learning.

4) How Does your writing/creative process work?

I just go with whatever pops in my head, or 

what I've done recently. Often it's the 

smallest things that I write about. I jot down

 ideas as they come to me, so I don't forget. 

Sometimes when I'm on a walk, in the car, or 

in the tub, my mind will relax and I'll mentally

 write a post on something that interested me

 that day. It can be something as simple as 

loving my new sheets or finally straightening

 out my Tupperware storage closet. Blogging 

has made me more mindful of the ordinary

 arts we practice every day.

I'd like to to introduce you to 3 blogs
I've been loving since I discovered blogs.

Cherry Hill Cottage
Tina had a Texas cottage that is just
oozing with vintage charm. Everything she
does is a delight and she can post one
picture and one sentence and you are
completely captivated. Look through
it all. Lots of goodies.

My Romantic Home
Cindy proves that you don't
need a big house to live beautifully.
She had transformed her former
townhouse and now her apartment
into a uniquely personalized space.
Romantic style with lots of found
treasures and painted furniture and
always beautiful California roses.

Savvy Southern Style
Kim has a decorating style that has
everything I love. Her colors are
my favorites and her sun room
is fabulous. She often changes
colors and a few pieces and I
can't decide which version I
 love more. You need to check out
every room several times.

Cheers!

DIY Outside Window Wash

This is the easiest way to clean your
outside windows.

Wash on ~ Rinse off! 
Streak free, spot free, squeaky clean
windows in no time with no squeegeeing!

Here's my DIY Window Wash.
It's so cheap and so easy to mix up a batch!

You already have everything you need in the

house, so it's ready anytime you need it.

The vinegar acts as a sheeting agent.

It works like JetDry, but you don't

 need to buy the expensive stuff.

 I made another batch in a jar while
 I was mixing so I'd have it ready.

 The nice thing about washing windows in
Florida is that I can jump in the pool
anytime to cool off, and also admire
the shiny clean windows I've done so far.

 

You will need a bucket, a bar (Cuban) mop, 

or whatever long handled thingy you have

and old hand towels. 

First hose down the windows.

Then  generously mop on the solution. I also

wiped it on the frame and hurricane shutters. 

I use my bar mop and old towels

(10 "House Things" I Can't Live Without)

You can find bar mops at most dollar stores.

Rinse off with a hose before the solution dries

Let it air dry...no squeegee required.

I also used my DIY Dishwasher Detergent,

but you can use any brand.

 Here's my easy formula: 1/4 C of everything.

Keeping it simple!

Window Wash

1/4 C dishwasher powder

1/4 C ammonia

1/4 C alcohol

1/4 C white vinegar

Add to a bucket and fill with
1 gallon of hot water. Mix.

Spray the windows with a hose.

Mop on the cleaning solution.

Rinse off with the hose. 

Air dry.

Cheers!

Links: Facebook, Between Naps on The Porch

Blue & White Fabric Scrap Wreath

I've made several fabric scrap wreaths. 

They are so easy that I made this one last

night while watching TV. 

 I wanted a blue and white one for summer.

 I just bend a wire hanger into a circle and tie

on the strips of fabric. Push together tightly.

 This one is on a clear wreath hanger
hooked over the kitchen cabinet door.

It's a great way to repurpose old clothing, 

especially if it has sentimental  value.

 Cut a few long pieces about 8" wide and cut

 a small snip spacing about 1-1/2" wide to 

make is easy to rip the fabric. Don't bother 

to measure. This is a scrap wreath. 

 Now rip into strips.

 Do a bunch to get a good start on your 

wreath. You'll need to do more anyway.

Here's the salvaged fabric I used.
This blue and white striped sheet belonged
to my Mother. Lots of fabric here for projects.

 I also used a few sets of men's pajamas.
These belonged to Larry's Dad. I saved them
 years ago. I  knew the blue colors would be 

just right for a future project. 

Notice how they spelled pyjama.

Pajamas and pyjamas both refer to loose-fitting clothes worn for sleep. Pajamas is the preferred spelling in American English, while pyjamas is preferred in the main varieties of English from outside the US. 

What do you use?

Pajamas, Pyjamas or PJs

Cheers!

Links: Facebook, Between Naps On The Porch