Words of Appreciation

A week ago I stood in the store holding two pieces of wood and thinking about what I could blog. Is that strange?!? I probably should have been thinking of what to make for dinner, but thinking about blogging is so much more fun. I thought about making a quick, inexpensive, and easy project that anyone could do. I thought it would be exciting to see what others would do with my idea. I could have never, ever, predicted the outcome of such a small project!
It has been thrilling to see you take my small idea and personalize it and improve upon it. And it has been so incredibly wonderful to be able to meet new friends.You have been so sweet and kind and.....think of any positive adjective and that would describe all of you. I stand in awe of your talent and your warmth and kindness. I am humbled. You have motivated me, encouraged me, and inspired me. The person I am today, is a much better person than the person standing in the store last week holding two pieces of wood. And for that, I cannot thank you enough!
I want you to know just how much I appreciate ALL of you!!!! Those of you who leave comments and those of you who don't---you have all blessed my life more than you will ever know! Thank you!

Now, if you want to see more incredible versions of my little idea, so visit Antoinette and Christy and be sure to leave them with some sweet words.
Then for a whole new twist on the idea (that I am so going to copy!!!) go visit Rae.

See ya, Love ya, Bye!

A's and AAHHH'S

I am so proud of you! Many of you were able to answer the questions about what the objects were in their former life. I give you all A's! For those of you that weren't correct, you still get an A for trying. And Msfears, you get an A for making me laugh at this answer:The crown was definitely a torture device in the dark ages.
Jackie from Empty Nest Full Life was correct! Her answer was: I think the crown might have been a candle holder that held a pillar candle in glass and the glass was missing, and you added the middle piece, I also go for a chandelier globe or one of those home interior candle sconces with a wooden bead painted and glued onto the top.
Silly me, I forgot to take "before" pictures. But can you see the crown, turned right side up, is meant to hold a glass insert that you could place a candle in. The glass likely broke, so the owners donated the metal part. I used a two part welding epoxy to attach a metal finial on what is now the top and then I spray painted the entire piece.











Most of you guessed this one. See how a candle fits perfectly inside the glass and then the neck of the glass could fit perfectly inside a metal base. I drilled a hole into a big wooden ball---okay, I started to drill the hole, but holding a small hard wood object while trying to drill a huge hole isn't as easy as it sounds. So, my husband drilled most of the hole in the ball (he will be so happy that I gave him the credit). Then I painted it and used a heavy duty glue to attach it. The cute ribbon covers the rest of the neck of the glass.

I hope that you all have learned the important lesson to look at things as they could be.

I know that many of you are still working on your five minute projects. Remember to let me know when you're ready to show them. *edited to add: We'll be showing three tomorrow. Come join in!

Now, I thought it might be a fun change of pace to show you some "snippets" of my house---the things that make me say "Aahhh".

POP QUIZ

Isn't this a wonderful display? It's nicely balanced, and the repetition of the colors black, cream and apple green is pleasing to the eye.
EVERYTHING in this display (except the fresh flowers) came from the thrift store.
Very few things look like they did when they were purchased.Of course, you've already guessed that a can of spray paint was involved in the transformation. The candle holders used to be a pastel blue and green.

Now take note of the crown. Crowns seem to be quite the trend in decorating right now.QUESTION #1- What was this crown in it's former life?

Look as this sweet little cloche. A cloche is a great little item to have in a display. You can take something rather ordinary and make it extraordinary by placing it under a cloche.QUESTION #2- What was this cloche in it's former life?

You have plenty of time to complete this quiz. We will discuss the answers on tomorrow's post. Good Luck!

MORE HIGH FIVES

I have some more great five minute projects for you to check out. Please visit Nichole and Bella and let them know you came by.

**Remember that we'll be playing Show and Tell all week long. So tell me about your post so we can show it off.**

Some Days It's Just That Good

Oh, there's something wonderful about spending time at a few thrift stores and finding things that you didn't even know that you had to have. I had way too much fun on Saturday! I don't remember the last time I found this many treasures in one day.

Take a look!

My dining room table almost looks like
a display in an upscale boutique.Corbels, and candles, and glassware. Oh my!A cute little chair begging to be painted black.
Ironstone from England too!White dishes, cream frame, silver candlesticks
and a metal pedestal.
Aahhh! Who needs new when used looks this good!


HIGH FIVES FOR UNDER FIVE MINUTES!

Oh ladies! I'm so proud of you! Some of you took five minutes to make the project I posted on Friday. I love to see how you take my ideas and personalize them.
Go visit Maranda and Mrs. H, and leave them a sweet comment.
If you want to show off your project, just leave me a note and I'll add your link too.

*EDITED TO ADD*
I'll keep linking your five minute projects at the end of every post this week. So, if you don't have it finished today, you still have time (and more ideas).

Under Five Bucks & Under Five Minutes!

I went to "Wallyworld" the other day. It's not a store that I frequent, but it was close and it sells spray paint. I found myself inspired while walking down the craft aisle. I thought you might enjoy a craft that's quick and easy. And since everyone has access to the "mart", it's something you can buy and make this weekend.

I purchased a small wood plaque for .97 cents
and a wood letter for $1.88.I spray painted both items black,

but you could paint them any color of your choice.

When the paint was dry I applied some scrapbook paper to the plaque. I did this by cutting the paper a little larger than the plaque, spraying it with adhesive and then placing it on the wood. Then I took course sand paper and rubbed it around the edges of the plaque. The sand paper cuts the scrapbook paper and gives it a nice clean edge.

I chose to brush a little brown paint on the edges of the scrapbook paper and to sand the edges of the letter and plaque to give them a more aged look. All that was left was to use hot glue to adhere the letter to the plaque.

I love my newest craft project!

I'm thinking of doing some more using bright paints and papers for a whole new look. If you decide to make one of these, I'd love to see it.

Happy crafting!

All Boxed Up

Isn't it interesting how you can find yourself drawn to certain objects, but you're not exactly sure why. I am naturally drawn to all sorts of containers---things that contain other things. I like suitcases, picnic baskets, bowls, vases, regular baskets, trays, trunks, and old wooden boxes. My husband usually just rolls his eyes when he sees me migrating toward these things. But he's a patient man, and usually puts up with my quirkiness. He doesn't, however, understand why I buy old, beat up, wooden boxes. His argument is, "We can build one better than that." My reply is, "Yes, we can. But we usually don't." Plus, I think, because someone has built an item with their own two hands, it should be appreciated not just for it's looks, but for the energy that it took to create it. So occasionally, my husband loses the argument and the old, beat up wooden box comes home with me.
Well, you know what happens when you're drawn to certain items? Before you know it, you've got yourself a collection! This is my collection of old, beat up wooden boxes. Right about now you're thinking to yourself, "I think I'm on her husband's side of the argument", aren't you? But remember, my philosophy:

Anything Can Be Transformed With a Coat of Paint
and a Little Creativity!

And here's the proof---I'm going to display my old, beat up wooden boxes on my husband's side of the bed. They'll be great for containing some of his things. I think he'll be happy that he lost the "Why buy an old, beat up wooden box?" argument.

It Was "Mint" To Be

Some time ago I was asked to bring after-dinner mints to a small family gathering. It was a rather unusual request, but I'm not one to say, "Oh please, please, let me bring more!" I am, however, one to do the unexpected. I mean, most people would just buy some nice mints and pour them in a pretty little crystal bowl and call it good. Not me! I like to use the opportunity to give myself another project. And of course, another project means another reason to do my favorite things---break out the black spray paint and go to the thrift store, and, in this case, the dollar store, too. At the dollar store, I found square little dishes made out of a heavy glass. I purchased three, because an odd number is a good design (yeah, I know, it's really scary that my mind thinks of those things even at the dollar store).At the thrift store I found a cute little wooden box that was just the right size---just like it was meant to hold those dishes. I purchased the box along with an old silver serving spoon.
I spray painted the box black and sanded the edges. I bent the serving spoon into an arch. My husband walked in, and before I could tell him my plans, he picked up the spoon and said, "What happened to this?" as he bent it back into it's original shape!
After I explained my idea, he bent the spoon again and helped me attach it to the front of the box.
This is the final result.Of course, those are not mints inside. At my house, sweets disappear quickly! The only reason that there's anything in there now is that this picture was taken before my sons got out of bed.