Magnolia Tree Fall Wreath
September 2, 2010
Fall is one of those seasons that just happens for everyone at a certain moment. For me, last year, it was just something in the air. This year, it happened to be the turning of the calendar to my favorite month of September.
I was playing in the park with my girl a few weeks ago, and noticed the beauty of the fallen leaves from a nearby magnolia tree. It was instant inspiration! Up close, I loved the shape and caramel color of the leaves so I thought they would make a perfect wreath for our front door.
This year, my requirements for a fall wreath were this: cheap and easy ! Here’s this year’s front door wreath, and the best part is that it cost me less than $5 dollars.
Some of the magnolia leaves have a bit of shimmer . . . I couldn’t resist enhancing many of them with a little metallic craft paint.
I simply painted some of the leaves with various craft paints from my stash.
Then I wiped off half the paint with a paper towel to highlight the leaf’s natural beauty.
A little hot glue on an 18 inch craft ring from Michaels . . .
90 minutes later: a shimmery caramel colored front door wreath, tied up with braided jute twine and secured to the door with a 3M adhesive hook.
Easy, inexpensive, and oh-so-autumn!
Magnolia leaves hold their shape for several months, so this year’s version should (fingers crossed) last through the season.
Are you finally ready for autumn too ? What are your plans to bring fall into your home this year? Do share !
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Tags: autumn, wreaths
Posted in: Crafty, Decorating, Holiday Decor
46 Comments »
Fan-tastic: Kitchen Makeover
September 1, 2010
Hi all, how’s your week ? Excited for the long weekend ? I certainly am. Have you had a chance to link up your space to the ‘Where Do You Blog? party yet ? Over 200 blogging corners to browse, and all so fascinating! There’s still time before the end of the day to add your unique space where you blog too.
Second, the winners of the Gussy Giveaway from last week are lucky #73 Jen from Coastal Lust and #340 Aimee from Life As An Oakes. Congratulations Jen and Aimee!
Finally, today as part of the Fantastic Feature series, I bring you an incredible DIY kitchen makeover from Modern Jane. Jane enlisted the help of her brother and her dad to transform her dated kitchen with plywood, pine, and plenty of Zinsser primer. She even pieced together her new countertop with pine stair treads !
Before:
After:
Incredible !
How gorgeous is all that white cabinetry that her brother built? Love that chandy too! You can check out the part one of Jane’s remodel here, and the end of her story in this reveal post.
Bravo Jane, what a beautiful result ! Hop on over to Jane’s blog to tell her what an amazing job she did with a little vision and a lot of elbow grease !
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Tags: fantastic feature
Posted in: Fantastic Feature
33 Comments »
Nephews
August 31, 2010
I don’t think I’ve ever been this tired in my life. My brother and sister-in-law deposited their three children on my doorstep last Friday. Grinning ear to ear, they promptly departed, and didn’t return to pick up their darlings until this past Tuesday afternoon.
I’m totally wiped. I’m completely beat. And I bow to any Mom with more than two children in their custody, especially if they are rambunctious adolescent boys.
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Tags: nephews
Posted in: Favorite Things, Musings
24 Comments »
Where Do You Blog? Party
August 29, 2010
Hi all, how was your weekend ? Ours was go go go, but we accomplished a lot. We had a successful yard sale (I made $480 ~ yes!) plus I cleaned out my garage in anticipation of a huge project I’m planning, plus kept five children (including my own, and my nephews and niece) fed, clean, and entertained. Whew ! Busy busy.
So . . . . last week I had a spontaneous idea to have a ‘Where Do You Blog? Party ~ I hope there are some of you who are ready to link up your spaces !
As for me, I spend most of my morning and weekend blogging hours in my home office, but when the kids are home from school, many afternoons I plug in at the island in our kitchen in order to check emails and keep an eye on all the activity in our home, plus prep dinner and check on homework progress. Yes, I move back and forth, but it works for me !
What about you? Where do you put in most of your blogging hours? At the kitchen table? In a home office ? Have you claimed a desk, closet, or room and styled it with your favorite things? If you work outside the home, how is your office space organized?
What corner of your world have you dedicated to spending time online?
Link party will be up through the end of Wednesday Sept 1st.
Go ahead and link up your space for all to see !
Tags: blog party, where do you blog
Posted in: blog party
92 Comments »
Gussy GIVEAWAY
August 28, 2010
Happy happy joy joy, guess what I’m having today? A YARD SALE! Sheeeesh, I’ve been trying to have one all summer long, and waited till the last weekend in August. Can’t wait to get rid of all that stuff! Aaaaaaaand to add to the madness, my two young nephews and niece are in my custody for three days while their parents fly to Savannah, Georgia for my brother’s job interview. It’s gonna get crazy I tell ya.
Meanwhile, for your enjoyment, I bring you the one and only Gussy ! You know, Gussy!
Have you read her startup story? Quite compelling, definitely inspiring!
Why is her name ‘Gussy’ ? Glad you asked, the answer is here.
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Tags: Giveaways, gussy
Posted in: Giveaways
432 Comments »
