~Friday Thrifting~

I don't get to do a lot of yardsale-ing because I work a lot of weekends, but I did manage to hit the thrift stores on Friday after work.  I think I hit the jackpot this time.

I found some great pieces to add to my kitchen shelves.

These cute glass dishes.

A few pieces of red and white dinnerware.

And this colorful planter.

I added them to my shelves right away.  I displayed two of the plates on the top shelf.

The pictures don't show it well, but the color of the glass is a perfect match to the plates.

And I added the planter underneath to hold extra towels.

And these sweet birds are new from Pier 1.  Only $3.00.

A freshened up look with some thrifty finds.


Parties I'll be joining...

Todays Thrifty Treasures
Show Off Your Cottage Monday
Metamorphosis Monday
Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays


Janet

~Love At First Sight~

You see something from a distance. A little gasp - oh!  You move in a little closer.  Your heart goes pitter-pat. Yep, you're in love - with a hat.

I never know when true love will strike, or why.

Is it the perfect shade of natural "tea-staining"?

Is it the beautifully tattered roses?

Or is it simply the remembrance of times past?

Whatever the reason, the hat came home with me.

I will be joining 2nd Time Around Tuesday and Vintage Thingies Thursday. I hope you do, too.

Janet

~Thrifty Finds Find A Home~

Well, I have been very busy trying to catch up on cleaning and yard work, so I have no big project to share.  Of course, while I was cleaning, I had to re-arrange and do a little fluffing. Some of my thrifty finds from the last few weeks were just sitting around looking messy, so they had to find homes.

I found this cheerful tablecloth for five dollars.

See the sweet birds?

I topped it with a white pitcher filled with branches from the flowering trees in my yard.

Sweet, sweet Spring!

The tea cart in my dining room got a new look, too.

Of course I had to have this tea cart with what else? Roses.

Anyway, the chippy drawer was also found for five dollars.  I used it for more plate storage.

On the bottom of the cart I placed a floral tray that belonged to my Grandmother and a bowl of cups.

The silver also belonged to my Grandmother.

And finally, I found these aprons for just a couple of dollars each.  I was hooked- apron collection now in progress.

To display them, I decided to use a simple peg rack for three (or four?) dollars from Hobby Lobby and painted it green.

So there you have it.  A little bit of this, and a little bit of that, that turned out to be a whole lotta of fun.

Janet

Oh! I can't forget the parties this week-

Metamorphosis Monday

Make It For Monday

Show Off Your Cottage Monday

Todays Thrifty Treasures

Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays

Table Top Tuesday

~Color Me Happy~

I really do love color.  It just makes me happy.

This was my foyer before.  I liked it, but it did not feel fresh or Spring-y.

I've had a love/hate thing with this table for a while.  I love its curves and the price was right, but the paint treatment was just not doing it for me.  I had it next to my bed and the shape was just too awkward for the space.

And then an idea come to me.  It was as clear as if I had seen it on the cover of a magazine!  The table needed color.

So I painted it Emerald green by Valspar.

Lots of sanding for age.

And Ralph Lauren Tobacco glaze to show off all the details.

And I finally brought some Spring into the house with this simple arrangement. A cute springtime bunny (I'm not calling it an Easter bunny because I just put it out and I want to leave it for a while).

A bird's nest ...

And a cloche with a little creamer.

Now the hate part of the relationship is gone.

Janet

I will be sharing this at:

Make it 4 Monday

Metamorphosis Monday

Make your Monday

Table Top Tuesday

~Table Vignette~

How long ago was Christmas?  Well I just put this table back in the bare corner where the Christmas tree stood.

I made the cover for the table, but it just needed something.  One day I found this red and white square at the antique mall and knew it would be perfect.  I just love the initials.  I often wonder about the history of the old pieces I buy.  If only they could talk.

 

I added some old books and a print.  The frame was from a thrifting trip and the print was between the pages of a "How to Paint Roses" book I bought.

The cloche holds a picture of my Grandmother.

This birdcage was the  reason I put up the table.  I love it, but it was too big and didn't really fit anywhere, so I made a spot for it.   And of course it needed a bird.

A pair of old shutters make a nice backdrop.

I'm going to be sharing this for Table Top Tuesday and 2nd Time Around.

Janet

~Faux French Linen~

I wish I could afford real French linen, but since I can't, I decided to make my own imitation.  I saw the idea for painting a tablecloth in Country Living Magazine and Flea Market Style.  I believe one used a drop cloth and one used burlap.  I really wanted the look and feel of linen, so I chose osnaburg fabric that I got at JoAnn's Fabrics. 

I cut a piece of fabric the width of the table and about 12 inches longer.

I sewed a hem around the edges...

Measured and taped where I wanted the stripes...

And then painted with a mixture of acrylic paint and textile medium.  The textile medium makes the paint washable.

I tested two different paint methods.  First I just painted a solid stripe with a paintbrush.  Then I used a stencil brush and pouncing method.  I chose the stenciling - more of the fabric showed through and it had more of an aged look.

Then lots more measuring and taping to get three stripes on each side.

The result...

A faux French linen table runner for just a few dollars.

I'm thinking pillows, basket liners,...

Janet

I'll be joining a few parties.

Saturday Nite Special at Funky Junk Interiors

Make It for Monday at Cottage Instincts

Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

Show off Your Cottage Monday at The House in the Roses

Get Your Craft On at Todays Creative Blog