Time to Garden

Dish Towel Curtains

Where Do You Find Joy?

Vintage Rustic Retreat

Sure hope you will stop by!

The top section used to look like this filled with various tchotchkes

while the drawers were filled with random miscellaneous stuff.

So I emptied everything out

and replaced the fabric backing with a colorful paper background. I added back the things I like to look at or inspire me.

Like a reminder to “DREAM” big

and “SHOOT FOR THE MOON”.

A couple of angel ornaments that are never put away

and very important reminders of my triumphs too.

What’s left of a childhood tea set

and various stamps throughout.

I’m so happy most everything I need is now in one place,

a place for everything and everything in it’s place.

I’m ready to create!

This piece has come a long way since it’s painted  beginnings:). Sometimes I get the urge to paint it again and then I remember all the hours I spent stripping it and wimp ou every time. Who knows, never say never.

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With that said, these felt poinsettia flowers

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can be used to embellish a heart shape wreath for Valentines Day.

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Lose the pine needle and this holiday trim morphs into window jewelry.

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The message of Joy shouldn’t be restricted to the holiday season. Blending so beautifully with the surrounding Transferware plates, it’s worthy of an extended stay.

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Now if this magnificent goodness was in my home, it would always be on display for two reasons; one, it is beyond gorgeous and two, I wouldn’t have a space big enough to store it. LOL The ornamental texture is breathtaking.

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And these vintage ornaments are more about fun and whimsy, like those found at Patience Brewster, so deserving of extra time and enjoyment. In fact, it would be pretty darn cute and partner well with an Easter egg assortment in a similar color pallet directly underneath.

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So why not reconsider tucking away the holiday decor for another year and think of creative ways to enjoy their presence each and everyday. Upcoming holidays, like Valentines Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter etc.or sprinkling a few items into your everyday decor  might be the perfect reminder to rock that holiday spirit all year long.

What do you think? Do you have holiday items that you use in other ways?

So, for now, I will be doing the blogging shuffle between The DIY Spot and Meaningful Remnants and post accordingly. It is my hope that this blogging divide will work itself out and I will find my way. Until then, I will continue to blog and wherever post falls, I sure hope you will be there too.

XOXXO
Joselyn

I’m so happy I was able to repair my vintage ornament wreath that had fallen apart. Made a banner using mailing tags

and created a swag of small pine cones using jute string.

Hung some ornaments here

and there.

Dyed a drop cloth remnant blue and added some felt trees.

And when my holiday basket dried out way too soon

I came up with this super quick alternative instead.

I  also made some Christmas stockings using drop cloth fabric but can’t seem to find those pics.

Anyway, “use what you have” decorating is my favorite thing to do and was a great distraction from my healing foot. I actually enjoyed pulling back and not getting lost in the usual hustle and bustle.

Thankfully, no holiday blur this year. A detour from the usual holiday routine and traditions can be a good thing. Do you agree?

Quickly, I went into “use what I have” mode and came up with this beauty!

It evolved effortlessly from what I had in my craft stash.

I attached some Christmas lights along three lampshade rims that I slipped on a metal rod and secured in place with rubber washers.

The rod is threaded on one end so I screwed it into a scrap piece of wood and topped it with a picture frame for the base.

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Then I began draping the burlap tirm and securing the tucks and folds with clothespins, my new favorite thing.

Used pine cones for a tree topper,  securing them around the rod with a fabric remnant.

I so adore all the little pockets and folds that I stuffed with tree branches and paper packaging materials.

Every angle is unique and interesting.

Here is an upshot from underneath. The paper adds volume and additional texture.

Added a little trim and a few ornments. Done!

And there you have it, a burlap holiday tree. I love, love, love it, especially because, with the exception of the tree branches, I made it from what I already had along with some remnant items I had laying around. I went to a Christmas tree lot and picked up a large bunch of clippings.

Although I’m in love with my holiday tree, I realize it’s not for everyone, but it’s definitely for me!

Happy Holidays!

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Last year, I hung it up unfinished with spaces left to fill. Although the spaces are obvious in this close up, they are almost unnoticeable from a distance. Needless to say, it never got finished but I enjoyed it just the same.

I bubble wrapped and stored it in a wreath bag. Imagine my horror when I opened up the bag and and found my wreath had fallen apart.

I was mortified

Not only had the ornaments fallen off the styrofoam base,

some of the ornaments had shattered as well.

My heart sunk. I’m not too sure why the hot glue held up in some areas and not in others. I’m guessing the seasonal temperature shift in the basement closet might be to blame. Unfortunately, I don’t have room anywhere else to store it. I tried a couple of other glues and had no luck so I went back to the glue gun.

After removing the broken pieces, I reattached most of the ornaments. However, I’m on the hunt for some more ornaments since I didn’t have enough to replace all of them. Boo Hoo:( Wish me luck!

Note: I think shatter proof ornaments are the way to go for this design.

Happy Thanksgiving!  I decided to get a jump start on the table setting by doing it the night before. I wanted it to be a forethought instead of an afterthought. which usually happens when I get caught up in the meal preparation frenzy.

I used a blanket for  a table cloth. I’ve seen others do it and fell in love with the look. I like when part of the table is exposed.

Then I grabbed whatever I had and worked from there. When I ran out of these little mini wreaths

I continued the look with these mini pine cones.

I didn’t have a complete set of wine glasses so I pulled  these monogrammed glasses out of hiding.

I think they will take our beverage of choice, sparkling cider, up a notch.

A small flower arrangement, and that’s it!

Nothing fancy. I like to think of it as basic casual elegance. That’s me.

Ready for a Thanksgiving dinner lunch since No. 1 son has to be at  work  for 4:(  If everything goes as planned  though, we will be sitting down at 2 pm.  But early is a good thing because you have the rest of the day to recuperate relax.

Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving. Enjoy!

Instead of heading out to the store, I knew I was long overdue for another candle remake as I did here using all  the candle remnants I acquired over the last few months.

When I did my last candle remake, I realized I used the wrong wick resulting in a tunnel burn down the center.

The type of wick matters and although a tunnel burn is good for certain types of candles, it’s not the desired outcome for a jar candle. Fortunately,  I  had purchased  this wood variety  on my last visit to Michaels; they are  especially made for jar candles.

The “how to ” instructions on how to reuse your candle remnants can be found here.

Now I have many more candle burning present moments ahead of  me to enjoy. It’s a reminder to appreciate the simpler side of everyday life.

Do you share my candle love? Have a favorite candle aroma?

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How I lifted and maneuvered  this massive piece in the van all by myself is beyond me, but I did.  I guess the adrenaline started flowing and I turned into the incredible hulk and hoisted it into my van. You think the STRONG MUSTY smell would have stopped me but it didn’t.  I thought for sure I could bleach it away. NOT.  Even if I had been successful, though, the memory of that smell would forever linger in my mind. So back to the curb it went on bulk pick up day.

I also picked up these three vintage suitcases.

It was dark and couldn’t see that they were in pretty bad shape. The handle on this one is so brittle, it broke the second I picked it up.

And the trim is flaking off on this one as well.

I will probably rip out and replace the lining of all of them because they are soiled and  stinky as well.

I know I could use newspaper, used coffee grinds, Fabreeze, etc. to remove the smell but they are too soiled for my liking. Even thought these babies might not be salvageable, I want to try and save them anyway. Not too sure how just yet.

I went back a second time to retrieve this desk. It was missing 2 drawers.

Couldn’t find them anywhere amongst the rubble. However, immediately, I thought I would even out the drawers on each side use baskets as replacements.  What I didn’t realize is that the drawers are angled.

They are not interchangeable on either side. So I will have to work my creative brain just a little harder. Not a problem, I love doing that anyway. I liken myself to a super hero and refer to it as my creative abilities as my super power:)

Have any suggestions for revamping my new found desk and suitcases?