Friday, September 30, 2016

Thrift Store Finds: Candlesticks

Thrift stores--I think I have a love/hate relationship going on with them.  

They are not what the used to be--junky little out of the way places where you can pick up all sorts of things for a few coins from your pocket.

Thrift stores are now a major business and they know it, and sadly the prices reflect it, with many thinking they are actually an antique store.

But, I do still like to wander these establishments, looking for the unexpected bargain, the half price day find.  One of the things I always keep an eye out for are cool candlesticks that can be painted.

These recent ones where black and one was broken at the neck (nothing that a little super glue wouldn't cure).
candlesticks, paint, upcycle, makeover, centerpiece, fusion mineral paint, https://goo.gl/uUYJOw
I painted these a lovely aqua, distressed them, and added a clear finish.  Such an easy update!!

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Versatile Stepladder

Stepladders are on of those items at thrift stores and garage sales that I never pass up as long as the price is right because they are so versatile.  
stepladder, thrift store find, shelf, shabby, chippy paint, farmhouse, https://goo.gl/dztLg9
This one was pretty much brand new when I found it on half price day at Salvation Army. I painted it white and distressed it.

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Talk of the Town Link Party

Welcome back to Talk of the Town!
Talk of the Town link party button

First, let's take a look at what you may have missed from your party hosts!

Monday, September 26, 2016

Reclaimed Wood Crate

Sometimes a girl just needs to do something simple...

like make this long crate/candlebox--a quick (20 minutes!) and easy project.
crate, reclaimed boards, candle box, centerpiece, fall decor, https://goo.gl/cdoqCj

Sunday, September 25, 2016

Sunday Verses

bible verse, inspiring verse, faith, Jesus loves you, god's word, redwoods, broken, http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2016/09/sunday-verses_25.html
Happy Sunday! On our trip to the redwoods this summer, my husband wanted to know why I was taking pictures of the fallen trees. I told him I thought that the splintered, broken wood was interesting and pretty. Later, we saw awesome objects and carvings made from the fallen trees. God looks at us, at our brokenness, the same way. He finds beauty in our broken spirits--not because he is happy to see us hurting, but because he knows he can work with our shattered lives and shape them into something new and different and beautiful. God does not require or even want us to come to him perfect and whole, He simply wants our fragmented beings because it is in our raggedness that He works--He restores, and changes, and creates something new. This week, come to God, mess that you are, and let Him heal and work!

Friday, September 23, 2016

Farmhouse Desk

I have been on the farmhouse kick.  Blame it on JoAnna! I love the rustic simplicity of the farmhouse look--the white, chippy paint with wood.

I knew some of this beautiful, reclaimed barnwood would be perfect for a small table or desk.
farmhouse desk, barnwood, reclaimed wood, salvaged, farmhouse table, rustic decor, fixer upper, https://goo.gl/40jXdX

Thursday, September 22, 2016

Fall Fun List

Happy official first day of fall!  Folks, I am sure I don't need to tell you, life is busy. And if we don't make a conscious effort to savor and enjoy the small things--that are really the big things--they pass us by and we put them off for another day that never comes. So, I am making a list for the season.  Not a huge list, but a doable list--things that I hope will help my little family enjoy the season and appreciate what we have.  And, I encourage you to make your own list for the season.  What do you want to do this autumn?
fall to do list, fall fun, fall guide, https://goo.gl/XcjgLZ

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Talk of the Town Link Party

Welcome back to Talk of the Town!
Talk of the Town link party button

First, let's take a look at what you may have missed from your party hosts!

Monday, September 19, 2016

Bless Our Home Coat Hook

I love repurposing things--taking something that has lost its function or use and is on the way to the dump and creating something new with it.

That was the case with this Bless Our Home coat hook.
coat hook, bless our home sign, upcycled, table top, paint, repurposed, https://goo.gl/N4M3jb

Sunday, September 18, 2016

Sunday Verses

God's Word, Bible verse, seasons, change, trust, faith, https://goo.gl/ucn6x4
Happy Sunday! I love the change of seasons and here in Montana, we are given plenty of opportunities to experience the changes in spectacular ways. Other changes in life are often not so welcomed or appreciated. Whether it is a change in your family or living situation, job or relationships--change can be a challenge! It is comforting to know, God KNOWS what season we are in our lives. He KNOWS the changes we are experiencing and He has a purpose for each season and can make each change good and beautiful if we trust Him to. This week, lean into God and the perfect timing and rhythm that He has planned for your life.

Thursday, September 15, 2016

Wood Upholstered Chair

When a friend was giving away this chair,
before, old chair, reclaimed wood, salvaged, https://goo.gl/FtTkry
I knew exactly what to do with it--"upholster" it with wood.  
reclaimed wood, DIY, old chair, farmhouse chic, salvaged, upholstery, barnwood, https://goo.gl/FtTkry
I have done this before, but for some reason, not for a few years.

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Talk of the Town Link Party

Welcome back to Talk of the Town!
Talk of the Town link party button
First, let's take a look at what you may have missed from your party hosts!

Monday, September 12, 2016

Industrial Farmhouse Shelf

When I found these wire bread rack trays at the thrift store last year, I knew right away what I wanted to make with them,
farmhouse shelf, industrial, rustic, wire baskets, kitchen shelf, pantry, DIY, shabby chic, http://goo.gl/CQsXQJ
an industrial farmhouse style shelf--it just took me a year to finally get to it!
industrial shelf, farmhouse shelf, rustic, pantry shelf, rustic, shabby, http://goo.gl/CQsXQJ
This build was one of those hands on, learn as I go, building events.  And I know, some of you are saying, "That is nice Becky, but I will never find wire basket trays like these!"  Check out the end of this post for some other options!

Sunday, September 11, 2016

Sunday Verses

God's Word, inspiring verse, truth, Bible verse, impacting lives, http://goo.gl/3jFhFe
Happy Sunday! If you have ever skipped rocks (and if you haven't, by gosh, put it on your to do list this week!), I am sure you have noticed the ripples the rock leaves as it glides over the surface of the water. Each ripple increases in size until it is touching and overlapping and changing the other ripples. Our lives and actions are like the ripples on the water--touching and changing others. What we do and how we interact with people matters. We can sharpen each other and make each other better, or sadly the opposite. God created us to need each other, to help each other, to make each other better. Today, as we remember 9-11 and all of the lives forever changed that day, let's work to positively change lives with our day to day contact and interactions.

Saturday, September 10, 2016

Thursday, September 8, 2016

Sawhorse Table

When we moved into our old schoolhouse we "inherited" STUFF.  Much of it fabulous, some not so much. Left in quantity (a total of seven) were sawhorses.
farmhouse, sawhorse, coffee table, rustic, repurposed, sidetable, upcycled, http://goo.gl/2Ur94T
This lonely sawhorse has been hiding in the workshop, gettin' its pile on-- i.e. I piled junk on it.  I pulled it out of the corner and made it into a rustic table. 

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Talk of the Town Link Party

Welcome back to Talk of the Town!
Talk of the Town link party button

First, let's take a look at what you may have missed from your party hosts!

Sunday, September 4, 2016

Sunday Verses

Happy Sunday! Since Gene Wilder's death, I find myself randomly singing songs from Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. The line that keeps going through my head the past few days is, "If you want to view paradise, simply look around and view it." So, today's photo is a weed in my yard--isn't it beautiful? Being content, seeing beauty and finding joy where we are is all part of God's plan for our life. We are to seek and strive for contentment. We are called to be satisfied with what we have, to not always be wanting more. Does that mean God wants us to be "stuck in a rut" and complacent? No. But, it does mean He wants us to be happy where we are at in life, to be grateful for what we do have. He knows that having Jesus in our life should make us content, peaceful and joyful no matter our present circumstances. This week, find paradise where you are and rest in contentment.

Friday, September 2, 2016

Fall Farmhouse Display

Fall--it is here!! Well, it is September anyway and I am calling it fall, my very favorite season!

And, this month, I have once again taken over the front display at The Antique Barn in Gallatin Gateway, MT where I sell at (see my JUNE DISPLAY HERE).  I totally planned on creating a back to school theme with old desks and things.  But, I was having a tough time finding such things at garage sales so I switched to a farmhouse in the fall theme.
farmhouse, fall display, vintage, reclaimed wood, barnwood, antiques, http://goo.gl/CJQLRN

Thursday, September 1, 2016

How to Build a Farmhouse Hutch

Sometimes I surprise myself. Okay, maybe a lot of the time, but not necessarily always good surprises, haha!

But, when I made a quick sketch of a hutch I wanted to build I was pleased when it actually worked out.

You see, I am much more of a fly by the seat of my pants girl, a trial and error, error, error kind of a person.
Farmhouse, hutch, barnwood, reclaimed wood, how to build, country, chic, shabby, stain, http://goo.gl/EQu844
So, when this hutch came together SMOOTHLY, with no mistakes, well, let's just say I should have gone out and bought a lottery ticket.