Antique Wicker Sitting Area

I finally refurbished my antique wicker.
 Here it is in the after of my
bedroom sitting area.

I played around in Photobucket
using special effects.

1. 

2.

3.

 4.

Here is the area before.
(More in my next post)
I sold the old sectional on craigslist.

I love it. It looks so much better.

I've also added a few rattan pieces. 

I'm still using the antique maple trunk.

I brought in a Chinese blue and white garden

 seat to use for a small end table. 

It's just the right size

 to hold a cup of tea and a book.

Everything was gathered from around 

the house. 

The rattan pieces were part of my

in-laws set.

 I covered the seat cushions on the couch 

 with a quilted throw and the pillows are 

covered with standard size shams.

The wicker bedside table. 

Wait until you see the before 

in my next post. I'll show you

all the pieces in their before state.

The view from the bed. I'm so glad I found

 a place for everything I had. 

It makes me happy every time I look at it.

Cheers!

click HERE to see the wicker makeover

Links: The Girl Creative,

Southern Hospitality, Common Ground,

It's So Very Cheri, Thrifty Decor Chic

Naps On The Porch, Coastal Charm,

Under The Table and Dreaming,

A Stroll Thru Life, Miss Mustard Seed,

My Repurposed Life, At The Picket Fence,

The Old Lady On The Stoop

Our dog Princess has decided that it would be fun during her afternoon walks to just sit a spell and watch the world go by. See what's happening in the neighborhood. Watch the cars drive by, the kids on bikes or skateboards headed to the playground, or to see who else is out walking, some on a leash. She won't budge! She just wants to sit on the grass next to the sidewalk.

So, today we decided to sit with her, on the grass, by the sidewalk. You could tell she loved the afternoon sun on her face as she turned her head to feel the warm breeze.
Our other doggies, Lucky and Lucy also sat with us, but it was Princess that was taking it all in, like an old lady sitting on a city stoop. That's what we called her.
Our little old Princess has found a new pastime, stoop sitting.

When it was time to go, 

Daddy picked her up and carried her home.

Cheers!

Button and Shell Magnets

This is such an easy project.
Pick a few buttons from your button jar
and glue them to magnets. 

You can get a roll of magnets at any
Home Depot, Walmart, or Michael's.  

 I chose neutral and white buttons.

 I just used white glue. 

 I have saved lots of vintage buttons.

I keep them color-sorted in jam jars in the
laundry room cabinet.

 Make sure your buttons are at least
as large as your magnets. 

I also had a few shells that I've collected at the beach.

Earrings 'singles' make great magnets too. 

You can glue almost anything to a magnet 

and make them custom for your kitchen.

Even change them with the seasons.....

that's what I'll be doing.

Cheers!

Links: Stone Gable,
The Shabby Creek Cottage,
Between Naps On The Porch,
My Romantic Home, Fine Crafts Guild

How To Clean Zinc Lids from Ball Jars

Here are some of my flea-market finds
 from First Monday Market Days in
Canton, TX. Vintage aqua blue Ball jars.
They were only $1 or $2.
Such a bargain that I bought a box full.
(as many as I could carry!)

Some had the clamp-on glass lids and
some had the old screw-on zinc lids.
There were a few very large one too. 

These jars are from the 20'3, 30's and 40's

The lid on the left is before. 

The lid on the right is after I cleaned them.

 To clean them I first rinsed all the jars and
lids, then ran them thru the dishwasher.

I then soaked the lids in white vinegar.
 You can heat the vinegar for quicker results. 

I buy cheap store-brand vinegar by the gallon
 for cleaning almost anything.

 I then wiped them down with a little mineral oil on a cloth. 

 I use these old jars to store pantry items and

 bathroom items like: bath salts,

soap, cotton balls, epson salt, etc.

I use them for everything from organizing,
storage, vases and serving.

(filled with tealights on the patio)

 (filled with my oatmeal sugar mixture)

(filled with daisies)

(filled with homemade dishwasher detergent)

(filled with homemade granola)
I love the look of these old Ball jars.



Have A Good Day!

Links: Between Naps On The Porch,
Common Ground, Coastal Charm,
A Stroll Thru Life, Savvy Southern Style,

Texas Trip and Treasures

We decided to take a road trip to Texas,

(because it wasn't hot enough in 

South Florida) to visit family before our

Granddaughter headed back to college.

Packed up the van and added a 

coffee filter wreath.

Brought the doggies too because they 

love road trips.

One of the treats on any Texas visit is being
there for 

Canton First Monday Market Days.  

It is supposed to be the largest flea market
in the country. The crowd is a bit lighter in the
 hot summer months. 

(mad dogs and Englishmen)

We braved the heat in the triple digits looking

 for treasures and inspiration.

I'll show my treasures in a later post.

Here are a few inspirations to try

 or file away for future projects.

J-O-Y bunting made from old book pages.

Here's an obvious container for my 

large collection of wine corks. 

I so wish I had a spot for this large

 wall-hung chicken feeder. Love it!

This one is filled with white tureens. 

Simple construction gives you custom-sized
 islands. Old thick wood tops on painted
bases. They have wheels too,
if you need to push them around. 

This one in  black. Locker baskets on
the bottom are great storage containers.

Love the red and the trim.

Basic base in yellow.

*********

Here's where I show you the door.

Chippy vintage doors made into a

"can't find this at Pottery Barn" bookcase.

A great cabinet from old salvaged 

doors. I've always wanted to make one.

When I get home I'm going to paint my
old wood ladder something wild.

I'll have lots to keep me busy!

Welcome to Texas in August!

Cheers!.......and stay cool.

Links: Between Naps On The Porch,
Common Ground

The Tablescaper