Stone Creek Market

Pink, Red, White Valentine Mantel

2012-01-23T09:42:00.000-08:00

Write it on your heart that the ones

you love are life's most precious gift...

Red, Pinks and Whites for this years Valentine Mantel display.

I made the heart mini wall quilt to take center stage for Valentine's Day.

Fill a bird cage with flower petals and a mini mailbox or other lovey finds. Use mini clothes pins to attach love notes...

Kindred Spirits

Make a Valentine Card board using old cards from dear friends and family...

or display on a message board

Bring out your white milk glass to hold flowers, candles or candy...

Stack items on old books to add height in displays.

Recently picked up the wooden red hearts (top right) on a trip to Utah...

I found them at the Quilted Bear in the Ogden Mall.

My mantel has a new home above the sofa...

Love to rearrange wall displays and furniture for a fresh look.

Have you added some cute Valentine displays to your home?

What is new on your mantel?

A White Christmas Tree

2011-12-05T21:46:00.000-08:00

I have loved white Christmas trees for years. Yes, the artificial kind with white lights.

In November I saw a small one at Wal Mart for only $39.00 and I had to go buy it. It is a little shorter than my green tree so I felt like I needed to place it on something for height.

An old steamer trunk was perfect for the tree...

But there was about an 18 inch space between the trunk and the lowest branches of the tree.

Grandmas are just antique little girls so what should go under my tree?

Why dolls of course!

"Old raggedy dolls-

torn and tattered

you were my friends

when it really mattered"

What a perfect spot for Raggedy Ann...

and Raggedy Andy.

My little white tree covered with many vintage ornaments is bringing me lots of JOY this season!

What is your favorite kind of Christmas tree?

How do you decorate yours?

""/>

A Christmas Mantel

2011-12-04T19:02:00.000-08:00

I can't believe another Christmas is here!

I chose to use some more of my milk glass pieces in this mantel display and of course the mercury glass always creeps in. The snowflakes taped to the mirror were from my garland I made last year.

My milk glass pieces are Good Will finds and gifts from family and friends.

I am constantly amazed at the variety of inexpensive milk glass that you can still find.

The greenery picks are from the Dollar Store and the pine cones from my DIL yard...I just dabbed the edges with white paint for a frosty look.

The silver cardboard house was found at Marshall's and I have had the vintage aqua glass ball ornaments for years.

A very simple Christmas mantel this year.

How have you decorated your mantel or table tops this year?

Met Monday

Fall Mantel

2011-11-10T11:11:00.000-08:00

Happy November

Happy Thanksgiving

This is my new fall mantel. Full of all the colors and things I love about late autumn.

I started this mantel display by adding the oval mirror for background and reflection.

An orange berry swag was tucked along the top of the mirror.

I hung the fall wreath in the middle of the mirror and began adding more autumn accents.

I picked up these matching artichoke pieces at Target a couple of years ago...they look extra special with a gold silk ribbon tied around the base. I stacked them on old books to add height and balance the ends of the display.

An old LDS hymn book published in 1887 that belonged to a family relative.

There were only words in the book...no music (notes).

Words to the song, "We Thank Thee Oh God For A Prophet".

The cloche is filled with small pumpkins and acorns.

I left the shredded brown paper from the Halloween mantel because it is a good filler and added a canning jar, candle and pinecones. My Autumn Banner was hung to highlight the season.

The finished mantel and I am ready to celebrate Thanksgiving.

How I made the wreath and banner used in my display.

Tutorial for Fall Wreath

Tutorial for Autumn Banner

""/>

Haunted Cookie Village

2011-10-22T17:07:00.000-07:00

This is a Halloween haunted village made from a kit. I purchased the kit at the grocery store...had all the candies, cookie houses and frostings in the kit. I added the pretzel fence with candy corns and the plastic pumpkins, ghosts and grave stone. Hint: glue the houses together with a hot glue gun...not the frosting. It saves time and does not fall apart later. And decorate your houses before gluing them in place on a permanent board.

Have you made a haunted village before?

Halloween House

2011-10-17T12:24:00.000-07:00

My daughter and I took an 1 hour ride north to Prescott Arizona. They have a street of old homes that have been restored and they are a little Halloween Proud. Most of the home owners on this street go all out to decorate for Halloween...this was my favorite house.

Large ghosts dangled from a large tree in the yard.

Giant spiders were crawling all over the house and trees.

Ginormous bats protected the front door.

I bet this home is spectacular when it is night time and the eyes of the bats and spiders are glowing.

Would you be brave enough to Trick or Treat down this street on Halloween?

EASY Fall Wreath

2011-10-11T19:25:00.000-07:00

I saw a wreath similar to mine in a crafting magazine. It was so simple in design and so simple to make.

Just start with a straw wreath from Michael's and some wide fall ribbon. (I used two rolls)

Wrap the wreath with the ribbon and use glue gun to secure ends.

I wanted to have some kind of felt flowers so I just 'Googled' handmade felt flowers and found site with ideas and a pattern that I enlarged to make my different flower sizes. I'm sure if you scrapbook you could use about any paper flower pattern to make a felt flower. After making the flowers out of pieces of felt that complimented the wreath, I used the glue gun to secure them to the wreath in a pleasing pattern.

They looked a little plain so I found some old buttons and glued them inside the flowers for flower centers.

I cut out a some green leaves and glued them around some of the flowers.

I used a plain gold ribbon to hang the wreath.

So Simple...So Pretty

Have you made a cute Halloween or Fall wreath for your front door yet?

Old Tool Box

2011-10-04T11:17:00.000-07:00

This old painted tool box is so much fun to decorate for holidays.

Right now it sits on the coffee table full of fall goodness.

I made the yo-yo table topper a couple of years ago.

I filled the box with shredded brown paper...love that stuff.

Added some vintage transferware in browns.

Fill in with leaves and berries.

For whimsy, added the candy corn and witchy-boo.

Add a dollar store black crow and the old tool box looks fabulous.

Do you like to decorate with old wood boxes too?

What ideas do you have to share?

""/>

Crate Love

2011-09-24T16:58:00.000-07:00

I LOVE finding new ways to use my old soda pop crates with each new season.

I have a fall dessert set and needed a way to display them in the hutch.

Plop mugs in the crate individual square openings and add some sunflowers.

Set the dessert plates to the side with the silverware.

Another way to use a crate:

Stand up an old crate on its end and create instant shelves for displays.

Fits nicely on the old singer sewing machine cabinet.

Happy Fall Y'all!

Halloween Mantel 2011

2011-09-18T18:27:00.000-07:00

It has been a long, hot summer in Arizona and I am soooo ready for cooler weather.

We don't really have a fall in the desert...no changing of leaves (you can ride to northern AZ to see the leaves) and the day time temperatures are still around 95-100 degrees. So I have to rely on my inside decorations and porch decor to make it feel like fall around here.

I spent Saturday setting up fall and Halloween decor...

I LOVE ORANGE AND BLACK.

A pic of my 2010 Halloween Mantel

My mantel last year had a lot of mercury glass and carnival glass.

I began decorating my BOO mantel for 2011 around the old mirror in the center and I used bolder colors. I picked up the mirror last year at GW and it has been hanging in my bedroom but with the Halloween colors it looks like it was from a haunted house.

BOO

I am in love with Candy Corns, especially the candy variety!

Another Candy Corn from wood this time.

I like the brown shredded paper and spiders along the mantel too.

I made the Halloween banner last year.

My favorite pic of the mantel...

Have you started decorating for Fall or Halloween too?

Fall Nesting Party

MET Monday

""/>

$1 Bin Pre-School Calendar

2011-09-11T16:27:00.000-07:00

Like most of you I poured myself into my children when they were all living at home. I did preschool activites with my children when they were little...seems like a long time ago...the last of my four children started college this fall. I believe in getting as much education as you can and never stop learning or educating yourself.

My seven grandchildren have replaced my little ones and their mom's do little learning activities with them on a regular basis. I saw these plain calendars in the dollar bin at Target...they were actually $2.50...still cheap. I knew my DIL's would appreciate these calendars to help the kids learn about days of the week and the months of the year.

As you can see they are plain...so I had to doll them up a little.

Painted the sides of the wood with a basic black craft paint.

Cut a piece of scrapbook paper to fit the front and Mod Podge the paper to the board....so easy and fast.

From plain to fun! My grandkids love changing out the days of the week.

That is my thrifty contribution to the family this week!

Before and After GW Shelf Makeover

2011-08-29T13:39:00.000-07:00

BEFORE:

Went shopping a while ago to GW and found this four foot long shelf for .99 cents. Whoo Hoo!

I didn't want the cutout hearts to show so I found the wood pieces at Home Depot for $1.47 each.

Glued the wood pieces over the heart cutouts.

Easy! Then took the piece outside and spray painted the whole thing with Heirloom White.

AFTER

I hung my new thrifty shelf above the master bed and decorated it with some other thrifty pieces I have picked up over time.

I also spray painted the wedding photo frame from a dark wood to Heirloom White.

Love how white paint makes the wood designs POP!

The books on each end are really paper mache boxes that can open up for storage...found on clearance at Michael's for $3.00 each.

The clocks are GW finds for .99 cents each...I am always looking to add more clocks to my collection.

The aqua dessert plates are from my DIL, Amanda. Thank you!

Mini cloche with tag and another fun brooch from my collection.

Milk glass candlesticks purchased for $2.99 at GW.

Keys are spray painted black...they are from a set of seven keys purchased through Pottery Barn.

Love to use the keys all over my house in my vignettes.

I have an adorable banner to make and hang from the little shelf pegs.

Another project...another day.

What do you think of my thrifty before and after shelf?

""/>

Texas Sheet Cake using Homemade Buttermilk

2011-08-23T20:23:00.000-07:00

I am using the buttermilk I had left over from my previous post on How To Make Homemade Butter.

We had the family get together for a birthday and back to school party.
I made a Texas Sheet Cake for the party cake.

My homemade buttermilk was sweet and needed to be soured. This can be done with regular milk as well and used in this recipe.

To make a sour buttermilk or sour milk, just add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to milk and let it sit for 15 minutes. It will begin to curdle or thicken just a little. It will taste sour at this point.

Mix up the cake batter.

The baked a frosted cake. Yummy!

Texas Sheet Cake
by Sandra Heyrend Buck
Serves: 20 slices

This has been a favorite cake of mine for years and is good for a family gathering served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

2 cups flour
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup butter or margarine
6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
1 cup water
1 cup buttermilk or sour milk
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

Icing:
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
7 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 pound box powdered sugar or 4 cups
Chopped walnuts (optional)

Stir together flour and sugar in a mixing bowl. In saucepan mix together butter, cocoa and water. Bring to a boil and remove from heat. Pour this over flour mixture and beat well. Add remaining ingredients and beat well again. Grease and flour a 10x15 jelly roll pan and pour in batter. Bake at 400-degrees for 13- 15 minutes. Remove from oven and ice hot cake with frosting.

Icing: Begin making the icing 5 minutes before the cake is done. In saucepan mix butter, cocoa, and milk; bring to a boil and remove from heat. Beat in vanilla and powdered sugar until smooth. Frost warm cake. Sprinkle icing with chopped walnuts if desired.

Making Homemade Butter

2011-08-08T21:45:00.000-07:00

When I was little, my mom bought raw milk from a neighbor who had cows he milked everyday.
There was always a 2-3 inch layer of heavy cream on the top of each gallon of milk.

My mom used an old butter churn like this one to whip the heavy cream into butter. She usually tried to get her six children to help by having each of us take a couple of turns churning the cream. It took forever!

I do not have a cow or an old butter churn but I can still make homemade butter faster than my mom did.

I made 1 pound of butter and 2 cups of buttermilk in about 15 minutes.

Was it easy? YES!

What I used:
food processor
cheese cloth
32 oz. heavy cream $3.48 @Walmart
salt

I added 2 cups of heavy cream and 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the processor.

Turned it on and let it run for about 4 minutes and it was like whipped cream you would use for a dessert topping.

At about 6 minutes, it separated the butter from the buttermilk.

Lined a bowl with cheesecloth and dumped in the butter and buttermilk.

Gather up the edges of the cheesecloth and let it drip...I gently squeezed the butter to release the rest of the buttermilk.

Easily shapes into a ball.

I put my butter in a dish with lid and poured the buttermilk into a jar for future recipe.

What should I make with the buttermilk?

Texas Sheet Cake or Indian Fry Bread?

Note: I repeated the process twice to use up all the 32 oz. container of heavy cream.

Christmas In July Gift Ideas

2011-07-22T23:24:00.000-07:00

If you like to make personalized gifts for your close friends and family, then you will like this wonderful link to Better Homes and Gardens for some adorable ideas.

Click here: Cute Christmas Gifts

Just a sneak peek:

Who wouldn't love this cute rick-rack apron!

Easy pin cushions made from a can but a tea cup or silver sugar bowl would be so fun too!

How about a cozy throw using scraps of fabric?

Art work using pins and brooches...this is a favorite of mine.

Happy Holiday Crafting in July

Polynesian Chicken Salad

2011-07-14T12:12:00.000-07:00

Looking for a new salad to try this summer?

This one is easy to assemble and only needs a couple of hours to chill before eating.

Polynesian Chicken Salad
by Sandra Buck

1 8 oz. package of shell shaped pasta (cooked, rinsed and drained)
2 cups cooked/shredded chicken or you can use drained chicken from the can
1 8 oz. can drained pineapple (save the juice for dressing)
1 10 oz. can drained mandarin oranges
3/4 cup chopped celery
2 tablespoons chopped green onion
1/2 cup of your choice of chopped nut (walnut, pecan, cashew)

Cook, rinse, drain and cool pasta. In a large bowl combine all above salad ingredients.

Mix dressing in a separate bowl:
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
2-3 tablespoons reserved pineapple juice (to thin dressing)
1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste

Add dressing to pasta salad, fold in to blend. Cover salad and chill for at least 2 hours.

Serve with a hot dinner roll or croissant.

Raisin Bran Cereal Cookies

2011-07-08T20:48:00.000-07:00

I was taking an inventory of my pantry today and found a box of Raisin Bran Cereal that needed to be used up.

I have a recipe for raisin bran muffins, but my family is not fond of those so I started looking for a cookie recipe. I didn't really find anything that appealed to my taste on the internet so I decided to combine the ingredients from two of my favorite cookie recipes to come up with this one. My family is not fond of raisins so I added the chocolate chips and nobody noticed the raisins in the cereal!

Raisin Bran Cereal Cookies
Makes 3 dozen

1 cup softened butter or shortening
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 cups white flour or (1 cup white flour and 1 cup whole wheat flour)
3 cups raisin bran cereal
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped nut, walnuts or pecans (optional)

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugars. Add eggs, vanilla and honey, mix well. Add flour, salt, baking powder and soda, mix well. Add raisin bran cereal, chocolate chips and nuts, stir.

Drop by teaspoon on to baking sheets.

Bake at 350-degrees for 10-12 minutes.

Remove cookie sheet from oven and allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5-10 minutes before transferring to cooling rack.

Eat and Enjoy!

Mirror Mirror

2011-05-21T17:16:00.000-07:00

I purchased this oval mirror a while back at the Habitat for Humanity Restore. I have had it on my mantel ever since and I have loved using it in my seasonal mantel vignettes.

Christmas 2010

But with a new spring season, I wanted to use a sign above the mantel instead so down came the mirror. I wasn't sure what to do with it so I left it on top of the drop leaf table just below the mantel.

Guess what? It looks good there.

I started to add items for a table top vignette and I love how everything reflects in the mirror.

The mantel shelf with mirror on drop leaf table below it...

What are your favorite ways to decorate with a mirror?

"/>

Table Top Vignettes

2011-05-16T10:26:00.000-07:00

Joining Marty's Table Top Tuesday and Linda's Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays.

I am using a lot of blue and white right now in my living room decor. I have a collection of Spode blue and white plates (thank you Susan they are great gifts) and used one in an end table vignette. Of course, I have to use a piece of milk glass filled with tulips. A candle under a GW cloche finishes the look.

I love the simple too elaborate details on pieces of milk glass.

My GW tool box, spray painted white, is filled with hydrangea, another Spode plate and picture of the Logan LDS Temple where I was married 30 years ago this coming July.

I am getting old. ;o

A 99 cent GW alarm clock in a fun yellow!

Target clearance artichoke on a cake stand I made myself.

Click here to see how: Cloches and Cake Stand

The completed vignette on top of the entertainment center.

Thank you for stopping by...what is your favorite thrifty find or vignette this week?

Spring Mantel

2011-05-12T10:00:00.000-07:00

Joining the The CSI Project and showing off my Spring Mantel!

and

And

I am adding touches of blue in my spring decor. It makes it easy to add reds when I decorate in patriotic colors next month.

One of the best GW finds for $2.99...an old sewing machine drawer.

Add some small canning jars and filled with hydrangeas.

Button "Love" sampler from Marshall's Home Goods...love that store!

Clearanced black wood frame from Target.

Count Your Blessings sign moved from the dining room to above the mantel.

Blessing are a gift from our Heavenly Father.

A simple Spring Mantel Vignette.

What does your mantel or table top look like for spring?

A Little Blue and Bling

2011-05-11T17:12:00.000-07:00

I was feeling a little blue before a recent trip to GW and I found all kinds of vintage jewelry for 99 cents to $2.99. Earrings, brooches and necklaces in sparkly rhinestones of blues and clear...so glamorous.

I had to use them in my decor somehow so this is what I came up with.

Touches of Blue and Bling

A milk glass cup full of jewels and covered with a make-shift cloche.

Trio of cloches make a beautiful coffee table vignette.

Vintage linens line a birdcage and make a whimsical nest for a blue bird teapot.

A GW rhinestone chocker wrapped around a candle...beautiful with the mercury glass.

White pearls surround a white birdy on a turquoise accented stand.

Soft blues from a demi teacup nestled under a cheese cloche.

A simple tag is fabulous with a blue rhinestone brooch.

A finch bird nest holds eggs and a surprise... a painted pin.

A crystal cakestand holds a royal crown sheltering the bird nest.

Blues, bling and white whisper of more summery decor to come.

Do you like to use vintage jewels in your decor and crafts?

What was your favorite part of this post?

Come back soon for more blue decor!

Spring Mantel

2011-04-11T19:47:00.000-07:00

It rained all weekend and even snowed on the mountain peaks around Phoenix...so my plans to do yard work quickly changed to spring and Easter decorating indoors.

My first spring project was a mantel update for Spring. I used some old and new items for my spring look.

A clearance copper colored crown was quickly changed to Heirloom White with a little spray paint. My 99 cent GW birds change it to a mock bird cage.

I never tire of all the ways I have use these Faith, Hope and Prayer blocks.

A finch nest and large paper craft egg carry on the bird theme.

A touch of green ivy makes the white stand out even more.

Love the mercury candlesticks and the reflections in the mirror.

The large clock face reminds me to savor the moment and drink in the warmth of Spring.

Are touches of Spring showing up inside your home too?

Love Love Love Marty's Table Top Tuesdays

And a thrifty time at

Changes, Changes, Changes

2011-03-22T20:33:00.000-07:00

If you follow my blog you know I haven't posted for two months. Some changes in the family have taken priority...son # 3 has returned home from a two year church mission in Nicaragua, his bedroom WAS my craft room so all my stuff is in a closet again and my part-time job has been full-time the past two months....so lets just say life has been crazy busy!

Anywho...

I have been itching to get a start on my spring and Easter decor. My front porch flower pots and desert landscape plants are in shambles after the freezes Arizona has experienced this winter and the front of my home is need of a landscape makeover.

I had an unexpected day off so I was making my long neglected rounds to Good Will and Dollar Tree. At DT I found a fun little hanging basket, flowers and the cutest green with white polka dot ribbon so I had to put together a new spring basket for my front door.

Here are all the pieces I purchased...I wanted a simple white and green with splash of yellow color for the spring basket.

This took me about 15 minutes to throw together...I didn't even use my glue gun. I pushed the Styrofoam form snugly in bottom of the basket and stuck each flower bunch directly into the Styrofoam. Then I arranged the flowers until they looked good to me...tied the ribbon around the top of the basket...made a big green bow and wired it to the basket front. That's it!

I can't wait to get my home ready for spring and enjoy time sitting on the front porch taking in the warm sunshine, blue skies and spring desert blooms.

Has spring made it to your neck of the woods?

Joining the following party:

Rearranging Again

2011-01-17T08:56:00.000-08:00

I love the different textures used in the following vignettes: wood, metal, glass, paper, fabric and silver.

The large covered silver dish was a recent yard sale find for $5.00. It has pretty designs and details on it that will show up when I someday polish the piece...I now store my buttons inside of it.

My husband received a couple of items that belonged to his father when the childhood home was emptied. The Ricoh Flex camera with case and aqua mechanical savings bank were manufactured around 1960 and my husband remembers the bank sitting on his dads desk for years.

Getting a man on the moon was used a lot in advertising during that time period and so was the push for Americans to save money. The rocket shoots a coin into a slot on the side of the moon.

I have several demi-cups that I have collected over the years. These two pretty white flower sets are delicate fine china. They are displayed on a cake stand with a page torn from an old dictionary and a vintage book of children's plays.

The cups are protected by a cloche.

Changing up the buffet surface of my hutch.

I love the crate to store white milk glass water goblets.

Silver and milk glass pieces to hold my silverware set.

Another demi-cup under the little cloche.

The top of the old Singer sewing machine cabinet.

I'm using the old jars to hold game pieces...Domino's and Scrabble letters so far. I would like to fill the third jar with old dice.

Families Are Forever

Photo of Logan LDS Temple where I was married to my sweetheart in 1981...wow that seems like ages ago! We are now blessed with 6 1/2 grandchildren.

Are you rearranging your table tops as well?

What fun items are you decorating with this month?

Brooch Tags

2011-01-13T12:53:00.000-08:00

I like to check out the jewelry at yard sales and thrift stores. I have been able to pick up some nice marked pieces and especially some pretty brooches and pins.

I like to wear them on jackets, sweaters and coats but I have so many they are not really enjoyed so I attached several nice brooches to handmade tags and tied onto gifts for family and friends this past Christmas. Sorry, I cannot find my tag photo's to show you how they looked...grrr.

But after Christmas I made a quick tag and attached a fleur de lis pin to it...so simple!

This tag became part of my decor when it was hung from a metal garden finial.

The brooch tag is a nice addition to the pinecones under cloche and the crystal candlestick.

Do you collect brooches, do you wear them and how do you decorate with yours.

Vintage Inspiration Fridays

Tator Tots and Jello Weekend Party

Gather Hope

2011-01-12T17:04:00.000-08:00

Gather Hope:

To cherish a desire with anticipation.

When I started blogging a little over a year ago, I really had no idea what to blog about.

Over time, I hoped I would be able to post useful ideas that people in blogland would find interesting and helpful.

I have gathered so many new ideas or new ways of looking at home decor and DIY projects from the many talented and creative bloggers I have been able to meet.

Little did I know that a whole bunch of family discarded items and thrift store 'stuff' could be so fun to decorate my home with!

A few years ago I would have never accepted an old dirty, cobweb filled typewriter for FREE nor would I have been excited about it.

I would have never looked at catalog photos for decorating knock off ideas (candles wrapped with sheet music) or thought to buy a can of spray paint to change the color of something I had purchased (candlestick and wood box) or mix new (lettered blocks) with the old.

Now, I hope my vignettes will inspire others to group previously unrelated items together in a FUN way.

The old tool box holds items related to a road trip...old World Atlas book of maps, my father-in-laws binoculars, time piece, 1940's photo of women on the road together, and playing cards for an impromptu rest stop game.

I hoped two thrift store and one yard sale item would look good when grouped together.

Until I started blogging I would have never thought to make tags to hang on things.

Who knew that decorative keys would become so popular?

I hoped for a simple winter mantel...the mantel shelf holds a bottle brush forest that reflects in an old mirror.

We all gather hope from each other and share that hope as we strive to help, inspire and improve our homes, ourselves and our relationships with each other.

Hope is that thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops... at all. ~Emily Dickinson

Knock It Off PB

2011-01-10T17:28:00.000-08:00

I love vintage books and purchase them for a dollar or two at yard sales and thrift stores. I was surprised to see the $Price$ on the PB book bundles...four books for $39.00. Really?

Above Picture Source: Pottery Barn

Begin thrifty like many of you out there in blogland I had to do my own version for under $5.

I have had the crystal cake stand for years and was perfect for storing three of my delicate vintage books.

Two of the books in this stack are by Rudyard Kipling...famous for writing the Jungle Book. The first book I have is the Tales From Kipling and inscription inside was dated 1913.

The second book is a book of Departmental Ditties Barrack-Room Ballads and Other Verses written by Kipling. The cover on this book is some kind of skin...alligator maybe?

The third book is from 1894 and is a collection of The Poetical Works of Jean Ingelow. She was an English poet and novelist.

Thank you PB for the ideas but take some of your outrageous prices somewhere else!

Clock To Tray

2011-01-08T03:47:00.000-08:00

I was putting away Christmas stuff and had accessories piled on my coffee table waiting to be used in my winter white decor for January. I couldn't decide where to put the large clock face when I realized it looked good right where it was!

So the clock face became a coffee table tray...

I spelled out Happy New Year with some Scrabble tiles...

Added some GW birds I painted white a while back...

I sat the new tray on a old hand crocheted runner I picked up for $2.

I love how the clock face turned into an instant tray...what do you think?

Weekend Wrap Up Party at Tator Tots and Jello

White Decor

2011-01-06T17:17:00.000-08:00

After all the lights, color and glitter of Christmas (which I love) I was ready for something a little more peaceful and restful in my home decor. Well, the new February Country Living magazine came just in time and is full of simple ideas on how to decorate with whites in the home. What is more perfect than winter whites...even in Arizona. (We actually had a cold front and snow flurries in Phoenix a week ago!)

The magazine articles stressed the need of using lots of textures when using shades of white together.
I decided to give it a shot and will post my vignettes over the next few days and my tips on how I tried to make this work.

My dining room shelf is black, long, deep and holds a lot of stuff. I have a milk glass collection that spills over into all my rooms in fact some pieces are hidden in storage boxes. Well, milk glass is the perfect white shade in my book so the shelf was first arranged with all white milk glass. It is pretty by itself but it need something extra (additional textures) to help it stand out...so I add the silver candlesticks, clock, crocheted doily and candle.

The silver and white both stand out now.

Bits of black in the clock and candle dictionary paper wrap tie in the black of the shelf.

I especially love little baskets with handles...

The large hobnail fan dish was a Christmas gift from a dear friend. (: I don't smoke but I couldn't pass up a milk glass lighter at a garage sale ... you don't see those everyday.

I also love the white canister set and who doesn't like a few chickens around.

I really like how my shelf vignette turned out and the articles are right...white needs lots of texture with it to make it work.

What do you think of the shelf arrangement? Do you decorate with white walls, furniture, and accent pieces too? How do you make white work in your home?

Common Ground - Vintage Inspired Fridays

Christmas Vignette Home Tour 2010

2010-12-16T15:30:00.000-08:00

Christmas is such a wonderful time of year and I am so happy I can share some snapshots of my home and my favorite Christmas vignettes.

The first thing you see when you walk into my home is my big yellow buffet filled with some of my milk glass collection and vintage finds.

Snowmen collect on my dining room shelf...

Santa Count Down...

Victorian Christmas village scenes...

Santa's top the Shaker cabinet....

Snow globe on coffee table...

Crates to hold Christmas book collection...

and twelve Santa's depicting the way they dressed from

1885 to 1960's.

Vintage ornaments in cloche and vintage children's books...

Sounds of Christmas on late 1800's steamer trunk...

A frosty white mantel...

The Reason For The Season

Happy holidays from my home to yours!

Joining the following parties:

click here: The Nester

click here: No Minimalist Here

click here: Hooked On Houses

Click here: Common Ground

Adorable Dollar Store Gifts

2010-12-13T21:54:00.000-08:00

There have been lots of tutorials in blogland on different trees made out of a styrofoam cone base.

Here are my glittery star versions.

I bought my glass candle sticks, stars and styrofoam cones at the Dollar Store. I spray painted the clear glass candlesticks with white paint.

The first cone (sorry I didn't take pictures of this part) but I cut out a ton of 3-inch circles from white tissue paper...use a circle punch if you have one. I just scrunched up the paper circle in the middle, making a point, added a dab of hot glue and glued it to the cone. I started at the base and worked my way up covering the cone base.

I then topped the fluffy white tree with a glittered silver star!

I took the second tree, covered it with a thin layer of Mod Podge, and covered it with glitter.

I evenly marked the back of the tree for the glitter bands.

The bands are made of silver pipe cleaner and hot glued on the backside to hold in place. The tree is topped with another silver glittery star. I just used my hot glue gun to glue the white candlesticks to the cone base.

I think they are cute and great gifts for that special someone on my Christmas list.

What tree do you like best?

My second dollar tree inspired gift started with a white tin door pocket that I already had.

I bought all the greenery picks, ribbon and sytrofoam flower form from the DS.

They really do have some pretty items to choose from and I loved the bright green and red together.

I hot glued the styrofoam base into the tin pocket and began sticking the picks into the base.

I tied a pretty bow and add to the arrangement.

Another terrific gift is done in no time!

Thanks for stopping by to see my fast, easy and adorable Dollar Store gifts!

Merry Christmas Ho Ho Ho

2010-12-11T09:48:00.000-08:00

It's the count down to Santa!

Have you been naughty or nice?

Click here to see how I made my Santa Count Down board Tutorial

You better not pout,

You better not cry.

You better not shout, I'm telling you why,

Santa Claus is coming to town!

I picked up the three cardboard village pieces at an after Christmas clearance sale for a couple of dollars each.

The 1960's reindeer pulling Santa in his sleigh was a $1.00 yard sale find.

I hope Santa thinks I have been nice this year.

Merry Christmas!

A shot of my small Santa collection on the tv cabinet.

I love this Santa with the wire rim glasses...

Store bought, handmade and vintage Santa's...

The framed Santa picture came from an old Country Living magazine cover...

A favorite ME Christmas plate from an old friend...

Merry Christmas to you...

and to all a good night!

Coffee Wreath Tutorial

2010-12-08T10:14:00.000-08:00

I have had several readers request a tutorial on how I made my fluffy white coffee filter wreath.
I purchased a large 16" wreath and package of white coffee filters from the Dollar Store costing me $2.00. You can also use the brown coffee filters instead of the white.

Tip: One thing I would do next time is spray paint the wreath white or wrap with white ribbon before gluing on the coffee filters. A tan shadow of the wreath kind of shows through the papers and I think it would look better if the wreath base was white.

I folded one paper coffee filter over to find the center and then just kind of scrunched it together in the center of the filter so it makes a little gathered tip at the filter center. I don't think there is a right or wrong way to do this so experiment with the filters until you get a look you like. I used the whole coffee filter package so this makes a lot of paper puffs!

I used my hot glue gun to glue each paper puff on the wreath. Lay the wreath on a flat surface and begin gluing the paper puffs on the inside of the wreath making a single layer around the inside. Use a chopstick or pencil to hold the paper in place as the glue sets up and attaches to the wreath. You don't want to burn your fingers with the hot glue. Ouch!

After you have glued a ring of paper filters on the inside of the wreath then begin gluing the filters around the outside edge of the wreath.

When the outside paper ring is complete then begin filling in the center of the wreath with paper puffs. Continue to add paper puffs until it is filled in as much as you like.

It makes a lovely puffy wreath to hang on your wall, door or mirror.

I hope this little tutorial gives you a good idea on how to make your own lovely wreath!

Merry Musical Vignette

2010-12-06T14:29:00.000-08:00

The 1890's steamer trunk is given a new look for Christmas. I used all my thrifty finds to make this music inspired vignette.

The $2.99 look-like radio is actually a little brown cupboard that got a coat of Heirloom White spray paint and the metal pieces where painted black. I think it is super cute now!

I start listening to Christmas music the day after Thanksgiving!

The $2.00 bell was a after Christmas clearance find last year that I found again when unpacking Christmas boxes...I love those kind of I-forgot-about-this surprise! I Hear The Bells On Christmas Day...don't you?

The tool box is another thrifty find that was spray painted Heirloom White and filled with a small collection of Christmas sheet music.

White Christmas...The Night Before Chrismas...and small caroling booklets.

The wreath was in a giveaway I won a while back...I think it is adorable tied on the tool box handle.

PB inspired white candles are covered with sheet music...

Tuck in some holly and bells for fun...

Cut out Santa from a thrifty package of odds and ends I bought long ago.

Listening and singing to Christmas music gets me in the holiday spirit right away...do you love Christmas music too?

I hope you enjoy my merry musical vignette. What is your favorite Christmas song?

$1.00 Snowflake Garland

2010-12-05T20:37:00.000-08:00

This is how I made my cheap and easy snowflake garland.

I was at the Dollar Store and saw this package of six plastic ornaments in the package...and yes they looked like cheap plastic...but I bought them anyway for $1.00.

They look much better out of the package and they are also glittered.

I thought they needed dolled up so I folded about a 6-inch long piece of crepe paper streamer in half and gathered one side of the paper with a needle and thread. Do a running stitch through one side of the paper and by gently pulling the thread, it will gather the paper and make a circle.
Adjust the paper circle to the size you want. Glue the paper circle to the plastic snowflake and glue on a button.

I wanted the garland to look like the snowflakes were suspended so I cut a 3-4 foot length of fishing line off of a fishing reel that belongs to my husband. I just wove the fishing line through the top of each snowflake and hung it up.

A pretty simple snowflake garland for just a buck!

Silvery White Mantel

2010-12-02T11:05:00.000-08:00

This mantel was so fun to design this year and I utilized my Dollar Store and GW finds for decorating, so it cost me next to nothing. I wanted lots of silver, white and glitter for a dazzling look and I think it worked!

I finally made a large coffee filter wreath for $2...which my teenage daughter wants it for her room after Christmas!

The pretty silvery snowflake in the middle of the wreath $1.00.

Adorable silver reindeer...you guessed it...$1.00.

Thrifty white goodness abounds...

Tinsel Star $2.99

Old Santa...chips and all...$2.99.

Snow and glitter galore...

Target red star $2.50 that I spray painted white and added glitter.

Sleeping snow baby .99 cents...yes!

Base of displays wrapped with icicle garland...$1.00.

An easy snow flake garland I made for $1.00. A tutorial will follow in a day or two.

I love how the garland looks for such a simple project...

My gorgeous silvery white mantle!

I redecorate my mantel for all the holidays and this is by far one of my favorite looks...what do you like about it?

I am so happy to be joining up with the following holiday parties:

Click Here

Santa Booty

2010-11-23T10:41:00.000-08:00

I found this cute little red Santa boot at GW for 99 cents. I felt like it needed a little makeover and a new use.

I repainted the boot in black, white, silver, red and green, using regular craft paint and a small paint brush.

It need a little sparkle so I used a small paint brush to coat some of the areas with a dab of glitter glue.

It is just the right size to hold an old-time-favorite Christmas candy...

Red and White Candy Canes

My grandkids will love this! Don't you?

The Fleeting Days of Fall

2010-11-20T16:08:00.000-08:00

The harvest is over and the fields are bare...

The frost is on the pumpkin and the full moon shines bright...

The barns are filled with hay for the long winter months ahead...

The bleached antlers hang on the barn...that's where they belong in my world.

The leaves have changed and the last are falling...

The ducks and geese have headed south for warmer days...

The road through one season ends and a new one begins...

Enjoy the last days of this fall season with gratitude for the beauty of nature.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!

Autumn Garland

2010-11-19T15:03:00.000-08:00

I bought these rusty tin pumpkins several years ago and I can't even remember what I was going to do with them. I purposely left them on my craft desk the past two months, determined to use them this year, and I finally decided on a autumn garland.

I made some little paper circle thingy's...I don't know what you call them.

Added some black letters spelling out AUTUMN.

Bought a package of acorn bells at Hobby Lobby...

Cut some thin strips of burlap and tied them to the bells.

Strung the rusty tin pumpkins on a twine string and tied on the acorns.

Hung it above my dining room table on the pegs beneath my long black shelf. Some day I will have a better camera that is more forgiving of my shakiness.

I love how the garland turned out...what do you think?

I am completely ready for Thanksgiving and a big turkey dinner with family!

All Thingz Related Party

EAT Thursday

2010-11-17T16:17:00.000-08:00

This snack cake is super easy to make and it is similar to a Sara Lee Coffee Cake.

SARA LEE CAKE

You could serve it for brunch, lunch or anytime!

Sara Lee Cake

Serves: 18 slices

1 18-ounce box yellow cake mix
3/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup water
2 eggs
1 3 1/2-ounce box instant vanilla pudding
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon butter extract

Filling:
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon

Frosting:
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon butter extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon milk or more to make a thin consistency

In mixing bowl combine cake mix, oil, water, eggs, pudding, and extracts, beat to combine. Pour 1/2 batter into a greased and floured 9x13-inch baking pan. Sprinkle batter with sugar and cinnamon mixture. Pour remaining batter over cinnamon mixture. Bake at 350-degrees for 25-30 minutes. Remove from oven and cool for 10 minutes before frosting.

Blessed Thanksgiving

2010-11-16T10:41:00.000-08:00

This is the last of my Thanksgiving table top displays...

The blessing of six grandchildren...

There were times when I wanted to wring my two oldests son's necks for things they did in their youth!

I'm glad I didn't...or I wouldn't have all these cute grandkids!

"A mother becomes a true grandmother the day she stops noticing the terrible things her children do because she is so enchanted with the wonderful things her grandchildren do."

Lois Wyse

A terra cotta turkey from my collection...

Top of the television cabinet...

A Time to reflect on one's Faith...

Mr. and Mrs. Pilgrim Turkey

If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice. ~Meister Eckhart

What are your Thanksgiving blessings?

One Lonely Thanksgiving Craft

2010-11-14T16:54:00.000-08:00

Wow, I have only completed one little craft for the Thanksgiving season. It is an altered jar craft.

I found this jar on clearance after Halloween, it actually had a sad little scene on the jar that was peeling off so I bought it for a $2.

I finished peeling off the old scene...printed out a Thanksgiving card...cut it out...mod-modged it to the jar and outlined it with gold glitter glue.

Tied a tag on the top and it is done.

Hanging out with the other Turkeys!

What do your think of this easy fun craft? It could be made with just about any unique jar for any holiday.

Did you make any fun crafts for Thanksgiving this year?

Fabulous Fall Centerpiece

2010-11-12T09:41:00.000-08:00

This is a thrifty fast fall centerpiece I came up with using items I already had a home, except for the acorns, I picked up a bag at Tai Pan Trading while in Utah.

Begin with a large tray or platter...

Place candle inside tin pail or other container...

Fill container with beans, corn kernels or other dry product...

Finish filling with acorns or other nut...

Place in center of tray...

Arrange a leaf garland, small pinecones, gourds, etc. around the pails...

I covered my coffee table with a yo-yo table topper I made a couple of years ago and placed the simple centerpiece in the middle. This will also look great as the centerpiece for my Thanksgiving table.

Light the candles and enjoy!

Thank you Jen at Tator Tots and Jello for spotlighting this easy Thanksgiving centerpiece. Click the links below to visit some great parties and get some great decor and craft ideas.

Fall Formal

2010-11-10T14:42:00.000-08:00

My only daughter attend a church Fall Formal with friends this past weekend. In the olden days the dresses would have been long and flowing and the dancing would have been ballroom. Since those days seem to be long gone for the teenagers of today...it was really a Fall Semi-Formal.

Of course we had to go looking for a dress and she wanted something she could wear again to church or for other occasions. We went to the local Dress Barn and found this great classic black dress. It is sleeveless and she wanted to make it a little more modest so we found this fun little sweater jacket.

She is a tall girl so she went shopping with her friends to find some cute pink colorful flats. Plus she didn't want to tower above her escort!

She wanted some pink bling in her accessories so I took a plastic headband, wrapped it with black ribbon and pinned on a vintage pink rhinestone brooch. Doesn't it look great in her curling iron ringlet hair? I love how fashion reinvents itself over and over...I use to wear the pink spongy curlers to bed on Saturday nights, when I was a little girl, so I could have ringlets for church. I do not miss those curlers and the poor night of sleep!

The couple heading out on the group date to dine and dance.

They all had a terrific evening!

Vintage Thanksgiving Vignette

2010-11-08T11:20:00.000-08:00

How I created my vintage look Thanksgiving vignette...

I always start with some kind of linen or old fabric for a base on the surface I want to use. I then shop the house for vintage or new items that can be used in the display.

This is my favorite big Tom turkey from my collection...he is not old but he looks like it. The

candlesticks are old and from my silver and mercury collection.

The old sewing cabinet drawer and jars are vintage...just picked all them up for a $1.00 each!

Add a doily and tie on a large key with a strip of burlap to complete the look. Top off a large clear container with leaves, pinecone or berries for color and space filler.

I have had the old RC Cola crate for years and love to use it flat to fill with items or turn on its side for a cubby or on its end for a shelf. Fill with some old school childrens books and new turkey plate. I think berries, flowers or greenery always finish a vignette.

A stack of old books with old wire bi-focal glasses.

A shot of the whole tablescape.

I hope you enjoy my vintage vignette ideas.

Tool Box To Thanksgiving Vignette

2010-11-04T12:03:00.000-07:00

I found this fun tool box at GW for $2.99...

and gave it a fresh coat of Heirloom White paint.

I still want to stencil the side but I have not decided on lettering yet.

I will use it for a great Thanksgiving vignette by adding

some fall foliage and shredded paper for filler.

Add an open songbook...Thanksgiving reminds me of songs of home.

Make time for the family and the turkey season before rushing into Christmas!

Families Last Forever!

Small $1.00 wood box is stamped Borden Cheese.

Perfect for holding some corn cob candles and vintage photo.

Add a mini number tag to a mini homemade cloche...

see how to make a mini cloche

From plain wood tool box to a terrific Thanksgiving tabletop vignette...

I am thankful for simple things!

Color Outside The Lines

Click here: Common Ground Vintage Inspiration Friday

Belly Laugh Wednesday

2010-11-03T10:58:00.000-07:00

What photographer would purposely pose a family like this?

Every time I look at that face in the middle I just crack up!

More family photos at Awkwardfamilyphotos.com

Enjoy!

What's New?

2010-11-02T10:20:00.000-07:00

We have a new little grandson in our family.

This little guy is named after a great and great-great grandfather.

Rulon Everett

8 lbs. 3 ozs.

Grandma and little Rett.

I now have two grandson's and four granddaughter's...with another grandbaby coming in April!

We are happy to welcome each heavenly bundle into our family!

What else is new?

It is November! The Halloween fun has been put away and the Thanksgiving season is rushing in...

Thanksgiving Mantel Snap Shot

My favorite bargain buy of the month?

The wonderful large oval mirror I picked up for only $7 at a thrift store!

I have been looking for a mirror the past two months and couldn't pass this one up...

it is the perfect size and shape for my mantel.

A glorious season to express gratitude for our blessed family!

Birthday Cake and Giveaway Winner

2010-10-13T00:01:00.000-07:00

Many of you know I celebrated my 50th birthday last week...

This is the beautiful cake my 17 year old daughter
Carly made for me
with help from her friend Michelle and
Michelle's mother who is a gifted cake decorator.

Carly went over to Michelle's house several nights in a row...claiming they were working on homework together.

But she was really working on a birthday cake for her mom.

She is a very thoughtful and sweet daughter...love you Carly!

It was as delicious as it looks...
Fondant covering hid my favorite carrot cake with a cream cheese frosting and apricot filling.

Thank you to all the sweet gals in blogland for your comments about my 50th birthday and reaching 300 followers.

To celebrate this once in a lifetime event I am happy to announce the winner of my Giveaway!

Erika said...

Happy Birthday!!!! Love the banner it's so cute! You're so creative.

Congratulations Erika. All of these fun gifts will be sent off in the next US Post!

Wicked Halloween Mantel

2010-10-12T18:23:00.000-07:00

Something wicked this way comes...

I added a little Halloween fun to my fall mantelscape.

Some great mercury glass acorns add to the shine of the lusterware plate.

The pumpkin man pulls a funny face...

I never tire of mercury glass candlesticks!

Love, Love, Love the black and white Halloween Banner I made this year...

Wicked Mantel meets the Mad Science table

PB knockoff is used in my mantel display...

The music covered candles sell for $4 - $19 in the catalog.

They are displayed on mercury glass candlesticks...

I already had the music sheets and the candles in my display...

Come on PB all one has to do is wrap the candle with a sheet of music and tape.

Cost: NOTHING!

Thanks to Beth at The Stories of A to Z for hosting another great mantel party!

Witches Corner

2010-10-11T20:26:00.000-07:00

Come here my little pretty---

I painted this green witch almost 30 years ago. When my oldest son was a toddler...he thought she was very scary and turned her face to the wall so he wouldn't have to look at her!

Ghosts and goblins dance around the haunted tree...

A witches hat waits to be worn on Halloween night...

There's a little Hocus Pocus going on in this corner...

Good and bad witches prepare to take flight on All Hallows Eve...

The witches of MacBeth recite their lines...

Keep your distance...I have flying monkeys!

A spooky village will welcome trick or treaters...

If the boot fits...wear it!

Do you like the hat I made?

On Halloween night I had such fun,

I wore a witches gown.

I rode on my broomstick up to the moon,

And then came sailing down.

-From an old children songbook-