Vintage Bakery Sign..on the cheap

Another store I really love is World Market. I like to go and walk around enjoying all the beautiful things I see here. If you go in the back where the food isle's are you can have a coffee too..for free:) I saw this bakery sign recently and was tempted to buy it until I decided that I can make it at home for no money at all. I had an old picture frame that I was going to get rid of. Instead I took the glass out and used some large vinyl letters that I had used for some other project. I used a round plate to get the curve for fresh and pies. For baked I had a smaller letter stencil that I traced with (yes) a black sharpie. I added some white highlights with a white paint market for added depth. That's it! It took maybe 20 mins from start to finish. Really easy project that was basically free, using stuff  I already had. Pretty cute:)

My Inspiration Room

Plumage by Martha Stewart

This is my guest room, I am giving it a makeover and decided to take a big color risk and go dark. This color is Plumage by Martha Stewart. Very dark but with a very warm feeling and looks beautiful when the light hits the wall. Ambient is what I think when I look at it. I have lots of light come in this room, it has a big window with white shutters which helps if your going to paint your room a dark color. Not a cave at all but very..very cozy. I am going to make an upholstered headboard in here with the help of my talented husband. I will post an inspiration picture to show how I want the finished room to look like. Missing some pieces like side tables and lamps, oval gold mirror. Guess it's time to go to GW:)

A New baby and an Old dresser

This is for our new baby Grand daughter coming soon, my husband and I found this cute dresser at our church rummage sale. It was marked for $60 but we got it for $45.. It needed some structural help which was my husbands job and then it got painted by me.  This is Annie Sloan Old white with some distressing and clear wax. Just added some pretty glass knobs to girly it up some. I found this frame at GW and decoupaged it with some pretty flowery paper.  We filled the drawers with stuff for the baby and this was our gift to our children. Can you tell we are a little excited:)

Lamp Love

If there is one thing to know about me, it's this. I love pretty things, I could look at pretty pictures on Pinterest all day long. Another thing about me is that I don't pay (won't) pay a big prices for anything. I am a deal girl. Always on the lookout for something special for a great price. Sometimes I have to wait awhile for these special things that I need (mostly want) to show up. These lamps are my special find. I found one lamp a few years ago and wished that it had a partner but alas it did not:( so I waited and guess what!!! A few months ago while perusing through GW I found it's soul mate. Wow!  That is so amazing, I guess this is my reward for being patient. Always remember good things come to those who wait. About the lamps, these are Baluster lamps because they have the shape of a curvy Baluster like furniture, ie legs of tables and such. If I bought these lamps at Pottery Barn or Restoration Hardware they would be very expensive. I also found the 2 matching lampshades at GW, so total price of these lamps is about $10 each, give or take. Paint is Annie Sloan Paris Grey, dark and clear wax finish = Happy Girl:) ...

My Porch

I love the Country life, sitting on the porch, watching the cows out in the pasture, bird watching, all the Country noises, from the distant dog barking,the beautiful sound of a Meadowlark to the occasional rooster or even a donkey. I love to see my husband coming down the road from the barn to come and eat breakfast with me on the porch. I've heard this called Gods country before and I believe it, I feel him here all the time. This porch has many treasures that have been mostly found from GW, such as the big blue vase filled with fake limes and orange branches, wicker chairs that are chipping and probably need to be spray painted again and old cushions that are in need of some TLC. The metal table was in the shed when we bought the house. I like the idea of keeping something that belonged to the people here before us. Plus it's really cool! The large silver tray is from a local Antique shop. It has been used for many different things and rooms. The weathered lantern was a recent buy from a favorite antique store of mine. I was thinking of trying to spruce it up a bit but since putting it on the porch, it seems just perfect the way it is. Old and worn have a place out here in the Country. I think I will sit a spell out here and drink some coffee. Feeling Blessed!

Thoughts of Spring & Martha Stewart..It's a Good Thing!

I am a huge fan of Martha Stewart! If I see anything with Martha on it, it instantly catches my attention and usually inspires me. One of her famous sayings is"It's a Good Thing".. I found this book at our church rummage sale recently and it is full of great ideas and good things. Neat, quick, simple & sensible are mostly her criteria for good things. I love this mentality! Spring is in the air, the birds are chirping, the flowers are starting to show new life after a long cold winter. There is something so refreshing to our spirits in the spring, I know it is Gods promise to us that he makes all things new. Maybe that is why Spring is my favorite season. Here are some random "Good Things" I am sharing with you, I hope it inspires you to find some really easy ways to decorate that cost almost nothing. Now that my friends is a Good Thing! Happy Spring:)

This is just a roll of twine, I stuffed some greenery in it. I was just playing around but decided it was pretty cute!

Here is a perfect example of form vs function. Yes, we need the thermostat, No we don't want to see it. Why because it's ugly..lol  see pic below

I added a hook, hung a basket with some pretty lavender and added a antique key at the top. The basket is a perfect cover for the not so pretty but very needed thermostat:) Now I don't hate my wall.

See, not pretty!

I added some dried lavender to this candle with some twine. Instant spring makeover!

I bought this garden tote to use for my garden tools, I kinda like it here on my counter with some Rosemary peeking out of it. This tote is made out of recycled tires and burlap. Now that's re-purposing!

This is a tray I got from Pottery Barn and I always keep it on my kitchen island. It is ever changing with the seasons and it so fun to decorate! Lemons, moss and artichokes. Fresh and simple decor for spring.

I love my flying pig! He's a cutie!

Have you ever heard of a Bakery called Nothing Bundt Cake? There cakes are absolutely delish but wayyyy to expensive! $39 for a large bundt cake is more than I am willing to spend. I made this copy cat cake for my sweet daughter in law for her Bday. She really thought it was from the bakery. I was kinda proud:) here is the recipe: enjoy!
http://www.favfamilyrecipes.com/2008/09/nothing-bundt-chocolate-cake.html

Found these pretty utensils at an antique store.