Merry Christmas ( a whole season worth in ONE post)

I hope everyone is having a great time with Friends and Family.  I know we are!

Even though we are not able to have Christmas at our house this year, I am so blessed to have GREAT in- Laws who have been  putting up with us so kind to allow us to live with them. 

We are still praying our house in TN will sell soon. 

Here are a few lots of pictures from the decorating that my Mother-in-Law and I did for Christmas this year.









Last but not least!!  SQUIRREL!!!!!!

Merry CHRISTmas!

My FIRST Antiquing project

It has been a few days since I have had time to work on projects.  That's what happens when you start a new job.

I am happy my prayers were answered and I got a job with almost perfect hours.

No matter how perfect they are, it is still time away from home which takes away from MY fun project time. 

The people I have come to admire the most, are the ladies I know who work full time jobs and still create BEAUTIFUL homes, raise WONDERFUL children that are fun to be around and have a sense of who they are as happy Christian women.

BUT, that's a whole other post.  ONTO MY FUN PROJECT.

Here is how I found it. Such a great color of gold, don't you think?

When I was cleaning it, I discovered all that gray was some kind of chalky powder. 

 I have no idea what it was.  Kinda weird.  Anyway, I taped and covered the mirror then set up my "spraying booth"

I used Kilz spray primer and I am not sure how I liked it. 

 It left that rough texture.  On something else I could have sanded it, but not really on this piece.

Any suggestions from other bloggers on what would have been better to use would be great.

Once white, all the cracks in the wood really stood out. 

At this point I wasn't too excited.  I wasn't sure if I had made the right decision in going white.

But, I went ahead and sprayed the top coat.  I used White Semi-Gloss.  It really didn't change it much at all.

Then I glazed/antiqued it with raw umber craft paint mixed with water.

Went a little heavy in the first spot but was easily fixed.

  

I do like the finished product.  How about you?

Camera Bag for the Chic with Style!!

I enjoyed making this bag so much...I just love it!

I hope it's Chic Stylish Lady (who took these) enjoys it as well!

How I put it all together. Autumn Dining Room

Like I said in the first post, it is a very simple design. 

Not elaborate, which makes it that much easier to achieve. 

First, I used a few yards of burlap.  I didn't trim the edges, I just folded it in half to get my desired width.  As you may know, if you trim it, it will create a big mess and shed all season long. 

Then I just placed the chargers around the table.

 

Next, I started to put the centerpiece together.  Any Professional Florists, just go ahead and click another link NOW.  I am sure the way I put this together is going to drive you insane.

BUT it works for me!!

First, I found a box that fit in the container and punched holes in the bottom of it.

I used duck tape to keep it together.

Then, I added some flowers as a "base".  This cracks me up just actually writing about it.

Then I stuffed a garland of leaves around the box.

From there I added the "main attraction" flowers, aka the expensive ones, and some more accent stems of berries and twigs.

I really like the long twigs.  I placed them mostly on the sides to help extend the arrangement down the lenght of the table.  Also, so they wouldn't poke someone in the eye.  Ha!  I think it turned out great!

Then for the napkin rings, I just used twine. 

I folded about 18" of twine in half and brought the loop underneath the napkin to one side.

Then tucked the loose ends into the loop and also pulled them up and over through the loop again.

When you pull the loose ends tight, in makes the loop twist.  Kinda like this.

Thank you for stopping by!

Have a wonderful day!