Sunday, October 21, 2012

Sunset at the B Farm
"By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me—a prayer to the God of my life." Ps 42:8

I hope your Sunday has been peaceful and as night falls, you find rest. 

Blessings,
Cecilia  

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Halloween tablescape

I don't decorate for Halloween the way I used to when my kids were young and still at home. But I like the fun aspect of the holiday. And I have some cute decorations that I like to get out every year. This year, I decided to do one table top and a spookier version of what I normally do.

On Pinterest last year, I saw a pumpkin with holes carved in it and rubber rats placed in the holes.
Mouse Motel

I loved the creepiness of it, so wanted to do my own version of it. Cheap is good - off to Dollar Tree and Wal-Mart I went! I found a package of 3 mice, a carve-able pumpkin and some creepy cloth.

I used an apple corer to punch holes in the pumpkin, draped the creepy cloth over the table, set the pumpkin on a stand and arranged the mice in the holes.
Eek!


Next, I took my Bones, Sticks, and Stones and ghost candle holders from PartyLite and placed them around the pumpkin. Cute!
Bones, Sticks the dog, and ghost candle holders

Stones the cat and another Ghost 


I had a clock that never really kept time - it was always slow - so I placed it on the table (after setting the time for Midnight) and draped it with some fake spiderweb.
Stuck at Midnight


I think it's a cute, scary Halloween-scape. The candles give it just the right touch of eerie glow.


I paid a total of about $5 for the mice, pumpkin, and creepy cloth. I had the rest already. Sweet and cheap!
What have you decorated for Halloween?
Smiles,

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Small toolbox into coffee station

Remember the cute little toolbox I found at GW?


I decided to use it to put my coffee, sugar packets, etc. in. Of course, it needed a paint job so I painted it with a base coat of white then pulled out one of my nifty little cans of sample paint ( yay, I'm getting to use them up!), made up a batch of homemade chalk paint, and painted all over.

Next, I found a coffee label online and transferred it onto the side and using a sharpie, went over and outlined the design. Of course, I had to sand it to give it a distressed look. Here's how it turned out:




I think it's cute how the steam swirls make a heart!

I then placed it on the counter with a red tray in front:

Played around with the arrangement of items and came up with this:


 Yes, we have 2 coffee makers - a regular drip maker and a Keurig...I like coffee, in case you couldn't tell. :) The plate hides all the cords.

I found these cute, galvanized miniature buckets at Wal-Mart so I bought 2 for the sugar and sweetener packets. One happens to be down in the toolbox so there's only one on the tray.


Cute, huh? A little shiny though...not sure if I like it or not.
miniature galvanized bucket
I really like having all the coffee stuff corralled and I think it's a good use for my cute little toolbox!
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On a different note, I finally took pictures of the coffee cup lamp in the dining/breakfast room.( Ok, so we only have one dining area, so technically it's just the dining room!) Since it's right next to the kitchen and now coffee counter, I think it ties in nicely.




I really need to do something with that cord! ( Funny how pictures show things you don't notice otherwise!) This still makes me smile. Just perfect for this corner.

So if you're ever nearby, stop in and I'll brew up some fresh coffee. We'll sit and visit over a cup or two.
Smiles,
Cecilia

Linking with these great parties!
StoneGable tutorials-tips-and-tidbits-week-17

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Thanksgiving sign

I can't stand it...I was going to post this next week but I'm dying to show it off! I know, I know, now I will have to come up with a new post for next week. That's ok. I'm having fun with this and so enjoy it. You make it so much more so! So thanks for reading and leaving comments. I am thankful for you! Anyway, here's my farm mantel post:

My mantel needed help. Everything I placed there got lost against the brick. Painting it isn't an option - that was voted down very emphatically! However, I painted the trim around the fireplace to match the surrounding walls and ah, that looks better - blends instead of sticking out like a sore thumb.



 Also, it doesn't quite line up with the fireplace. Or the fireplace isn't centered on the wall. Who designed this anyway?! I can't tell you how many quirky things we've found in this house. I think it's  called character! ha.

To help it look better, I decided it needed a wooden sign. I picked a favorite scripture - this one is on being thankful - and got busy! I like the idea of remembering to be thankful and what better time to do so than the Fall when there's a whole season dedicated to it?

To make it I used 5 old fence pickets - I cut them to the correct length, wired them together, sanded, then painted them white. Next, I printed out my phrase in the font I wanted, then took it and had it enlarged to fit the size of the sign. Then I traced the letters onto the wood, painted them black, and added the leaves in shades of whites, tans, browns, and silver. Lightly distressed it and added wood supports on the back. Are you ready for it?
Yes?



Ok then, take a peek!




I found some urns at Home Depot to place on the mantle (which of course make me rearrange everything). I went outside and gathered some weeds  dried seedheads to place in the urns, and then put a couple of the burlap pumpkins next to them.  Mr. Crow got to stay along with the wooden block with the letter "B". oh yes, and that votive holder...hm.



the finished mantle and fireplace
The white shows up nicely against the brick too. The bottom stayed mostly the same, except I added the stool and the white lantern and moved one of the burlap pumpkins down.




I think it looks way better. One of these days, maybe we can replace the mantle with one that actually lines up with the fireplace and all. But at least this makes it look better and for that I am thankful! :o)

Monday, October 1, 2012

Stool Makeover

I found a surprise at the farm this weekend - clumps and clumps of these beauties!


I can't tell you how happy they made me! They remind me of my mom - she had them in her yard- ( I'd lost all of mine here at my city home ) and I had no idea these were at the farm. So I did a Happy Dance...good thing only Lucy was there to see me and being a dog, she thought I was playing with her. :o)

Of course, I had several of my projects I took to place/finish up. There's the small toolbox and the fireplace sign - both done and in place. (But that's another post or two).

Then there's the two little stools I got for $3. Yep, you saw it right. $3. I was only going to get one but the man at the thrift store said I could have both for the price of one. Sweet! I only had an idea for one of them but figured I'd come up with something for the second one eventually. You know how that goes! :o)





So of course, they both came home with me! The first one immediately got the old vinyl cover removed and replaced with a remanent of a burlap coffee sack. Then its legs were painted barn red.


Now it sits next to the tub holding a small tin bucket filled with washcloths. And I must say, I love it! Just the perfect, extra touch for the bathroom.





But the 2nd one has languished, uncovered and unpainted, waiting to be used. hmm, what to do with it? Poor little stool. Feeling unloved, unwanted, and oh so ugly! Then it dawned on me - why not use it  to elevate things? Of course! (Smacks forehead)
Yucky particle board top
For that though, it needed a new top. Old fence pickets to the rescue! (so many uses for those!) They're rustic enough to fit my vision; so 3 lined up, the old top traced onto them, cut out, and I have a cool looking stool! Mr. B shook his head and wanted to know what I was doing....just wait, you'll see, Dearest. :)




I made up some homemade chalkpaint, painted the legs white, glued the new top on, then added the burlap skirt. Sanded. Brushed paint onto the top. Added ball fringe. Distressed. And voila! Cute stool.


Now it sits in a place of honor. Loved, wanted, and cute. Makes me one step closer to getting the fireplace all spiffed up and looking less....bricky. :)



Holding a lantern on the fireplace.
I also placed my wood sign above the mantel. It turned out great - can't wait to show it off, so be sure to come back next week to see it.

Enjoying the Fall weather,
Cecilia

Joining these parties: Debbiedoos Newbie party
DIY Show Off diy-project-parade-52

Springtime Projects 3: Have A Seat!

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