Party-On!

!Be There or be Square!

Just in time for summer! 

It All Started With Paint

Thistlewood Farm

The Cottage Market

The Space Between

Eclectically Vintage

Five of my favorite blogs are hosting their 

Mission Possible 

The Great Outdoors 

Link party!

Next Tuesday

 May 29, 2012

MISSION POSSIBLE

The Categories are:

1) Porches & Decks 

2) Gardens & Yards 

3) Recipes & Grilling

4) Crafts & Everything Else Outdoor Decor

Visit the FABULOUS blogs above
now to see what's going on at some of the nicest blogs on the block 
and link your outdoor project to their party
on May 29th.

I can't wait to see all the great outdoor projects. 



Hope to see you at my favorite 
blogs!  

Friday Finds

It's a gorgeous spring morning here in Idaho, and I'll be outside in the sunshine planting flowers for the rest of the day. But first, Friday Finds! 

I never tire of looking at the work spaces where artists and crafters create. This week, I came upon Jane's studio over at Mamie Jane's, and it pretty much made me swoon and make those little oooh-ing and aaah-ing noises you make when you really love something. You just gotta see it. 

Mamie Jane's

Sometimes wood furniture has a grain and patina that makes it perfect just the way it is. Or perhaps it's a historically significant piece. There's no way to get back a hundred year-old patina once it's been painted over. The piece can be stripped or sanded back to natural wood, but the patina from age will be gone forever. Sometimes wood furniture just screams to be improved with painting, though, and I think this roll top desk that Todd and Jodi painted is a perfect example. Check out the before and after of this sweet little desk over at Cottage Charm Creations to see if you agree.  

Cottage Charm Creations

Maria Elena at Our Home Away From Home decided to change her front porch summer decor from her traditional red, white, and blue to trendy tangerine and teal this year. It's so pretty. Her daughter used some leftover porch pillow fabric to make the flowers for this lovely wreath.

Our Home Away From Home

This charming garden fireplace mantel was made by Lynn's husband over at Shabby Story. Don't you just love the ruffled chair, mirror and candelabra? 

Shabby Story

 Kari Anne at Thistlewood Farm used real honest to goodness barn wood to make this beautiful letter Z. Talk about patina! I'm wondering if I could make something similar from new wood aged with one of the aging techniques from Pinterest. I've added it to my to-attempt list (which is now about 15 miles long.)

Thistlewood Farm

Green is my favorite color, and it was love at first sight for this bright and pretty bedroom at Coastal Living. Sigh...

Coastal Living

 And another big sigh for this Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bar made by self-professed foodaholic Christy over at The Girl Who Ate Everything. Oh my!

The Girl Who Ate Everything

This diy watering can made from a milk jug went pin-crazy on my Pinterest. It's the brainchild of Astra from A Journey to a Dream, and she has posted a super-easy tutorial for making your own. 

A Journey to a Dream

Well, I'm heading out to plant those flowers now. Thanks for checking out my Friday Finds today! I hope you have a great weekend and  a

Happy Friday!

    

French Label Tray

I have a thing for little wooden trays.  For me, they are a perfect blank canvas waiting to be transformed into something special. I find them at yard sales, thrift shops, and craft stores in all sizes and usually for less than $5. They're either stained, painted, or unfinished and vary in the quality of craftsmanship and the kind of wood used.

This little white tray is propped on a shelf in the corner of my loft craft room.  

I bought it at a thrift store already painted yellow and repainted it with 2 coats of white homemade chalk paint (1 cup of flat latex paint mixed well with 1 tablespoon of un-sanded grout.) 

 When the paint was dry, I used matte Mod Podge to decoupage on a French label from The Graphics Fairy. 

When dry again, I used a rag to wipe on a tiny bit of Minwax Dark Finishing Wax and sealed everything with light wax. After  letting it dry once more overnight, I buffed the tray to  a light sheen.  

Wooden trays, an inexpensive canvas for all kinds of creative fun. 


Thanks for visiting today, and I hope you have a great week!

You may also like

French Label Pillow

Craft Room Color

  

I'm linking up to parties at some great blogs this week. 

Please join me!

The Graphics Fairy
Between Naps on the Porch 
Nifty Thrifty Things 
DIY Showoff  
Coastal Charm
Elizabeth & Co.  
Savvy Southern Style
From My Front Porch to Yours  
The Shabby Creek Cottage 
aka Design
French Country Cottage
At the Picket Fence
Common Ground  
Rooted in Thyme
My Repurposed Life
The Shabby Nest
My Romantic Home 

Patriotic Link Party

 !Be There Or Be Square!

Patriotic Link Party

 

The Checkered Apple is hosting a Patriotic Link Party from now until July 4.

Diane says she's hosting her link party to "help get everyone inspired to create, honor and celebrate Memorial Day, Flag Day and the grand finale, The Fourth of July!" 

Now, I love all link parties, but I'm really fired up about this one!

Independence Day is a BIG DEAL around here in The North End of Boise, and my street has a huge block party with a potluck barbeque and fireworks that explode late into the night with a grand finale set to our traditional favorite rendition of Jimi Hendrix' The Star Spangled Banner blasting from stereo speakers. FUN TIMES!

In spite of all the fun, I've never decorated my house for The Fourth of July before, but The Checkered Apple's Patriotic Link Party has done exactly what Diane is hoping and has inspired me to get out the red, white, and blue. 

How about you?!?!

Join The Patriotic Link Party

HERE