Thursday, May 26, 2011

Decorating Cents

So since I am a SAHM, I have to find ways to cut corners with my home decor.  Let's face it, I am frilly, girly, and what have you, because I am the only princess who inhabits this castle so decorating is kind of my m.o.  I also change my decor quite often so I have to keep costs down as much as possible.  I thought I'd share with you one of my most recent endeavors.  This is a sideboard in my dining room that I got from my husbands grandfather's house.

I bought two of these little birds at The Dollar Tree

 I then painted them with some white apple barrel craft paint I had on hand.  It took two coats to completely cover them.

 I really liked the flower designs on the sides of the birds so I decided to paint that design black.  I didn't have a small enough brush to get into the tiny cracks so I just colored over the dried white paint with a sharpie.  I got the dome at TJ Max for $12.  I had been looking for one for a light project.  I thought this one would work but was too small so I decided to put it on the sideboard in the dining room and then began the search for something to go underneath and that's when I found the birds.  I flipped a plate upside down for the base. I had some moss on hand so added that for an extra touch.  I am not really loving the plate as a base but will leave it for now until I find something that may work better.

 I already had the votives on the top and the blue glass vase.  Other than that, the sideboard was empty.  I also bought three candle sticks as well as three vases from the dollar tree.  I hot glued the candle sticks to the vases and made the hurricanes for $6 I got three of them which to me is a great bargain.  I also picked up the light blue stones at the dollar tree as well.  The candles in the back were a gift.
 I can't take full credit for these flower center pieces.  They were an idea from my best friend Alicia.  She had made some red ones for a teacher appreciation luncheon at her sons' school.  I also picked up the materials at the dollar tree.  The sticks are two candlesticks, $1 each, flipped and glued to one another.  I then took a half styrofoam floral circle and placed the roses around it and glued it to the top of the stick.  I used about 5  bunches of flowers a piece on the topiary.  So for $12 I have two centerpieces.  I have priced similar items and couldn't find them for less than $10 each.


Here is also a sneak peek at my current project.  I found this beauty at a garage sale for $5.00!!!!  I fell in love immediately.  Can't wait to show you the finished product once I give her a re-do.



Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Ruralness (Wordful Wednesday)

I live in a rural small southern town.  Around here most meals contain some sort of fried chicken, the tea is always cold and sweet and the crickets sing lullabies on warm summer nights.  When I was younger I used to dream about leaving here and never looking back.  I said to myself and maybe out loud to a few friends, that I was going as far away from here as possible.  I wasn't exactly sure where I wanted to go but that didn't matter much at the time.  I had all these plans and as you know when you start making plans for yourself....life happens. And as those life happenings came to be.....I fell in love in high school and married that wonderful man!!!  I know it sounds cliche to grow up in a small town and marry your high school sweetheart but that was my life and despite all my planning.....God's plan ultimately wins in the end.  I am now where my heart has lead me and couldn't be happier.  I am able to stay home with my three boys and welcome home every night this wonderful man that I am privileged to call my husband.  He truly is a Godsend because I don't know many people who could share a home with me and survive!!  Now I wouldn't trade this small town for any big city.  My family is close by and my children know their grandparents well.  


So, as I close, remember that when you start making all these plans.....life will come along right smack dab in the middle and we never know where it may lead us....now, someone pass me that chicken.
 
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