Farmhouse Shelf Makeover Take Two

Take two on this bookshelf makeover. I can't seem to find a photo of this shelf in the beginning and I am not even sure I remember what it looked like, but this is what it looked like after its first upcycle.

I got it from a friend's garage and if I remember right, I took the original top off to add to the back and used a barnwood top and stained the whole thing dark.  At any rate, it has been sitting in my booth for more than a year. I am not sure why it didn't sell, I thought it would be perfect for an entry with baskets on it or in a kitchen for cookbooks, towels, bowls.

Sunday Verses

Happy Sunday! If you read my Sunday Verses regularly you have heard me "preaching" practicing gratitude more than once. That is because I know that being thankful can be life changing. Science shows that people who routinely take the time to be grateful are more positive, have stronger immune systems, sleep better, and are kinder. Nothing turns my day around more than stopping my stinkin' thinkin' by mentally or verbally listing as many things as I can to be thankful for. There are countless verses in the Bible telling us to give thanks. I don't always remember to stop my negative thoughts with gratitude, but when I do there is a noticeable difference in my attitude. Today, this week, put a stop to pessimism by giving thanks and notice how it changes your frame of mind.

Thrifty Thursday Rusty Crusty Farmhouse Tins

Oh, the fun I have been having throwing things in the fire.

To be more specific, throwing thrift store tins and such into the fire.

I never know how they will come out, and to be fair, I should tell you some do get ruined in the fire, but the patina I get is worth the risk. I rarely pay more than one dollar for any tin or canister.

These two tins I painted with aqua paint after they came out of the fire.

Wood Crate

There is just something about crates that make me smile. They are an easy build, they are super useful, and they are darn cute.

Someone recently asked if I still use pallet wood. YES, I do!!

(affiliate links)

Sunday Verses

Happy Sunday! I recently saw a poster that said: Relax your Shoulders, Unclench your Fists, and Breathe. It stuck with me and made me wonder, how often do we go through life with clenched fists? We clench our fists (and jaws) when we are angry or stressed, when we disagree, when we hold tightly to the things we cherish--our marriages, our families, our finances, in grasping to our ideals and beliefs, in holding on to our grudges and grievances. This year I am working on opening up my clenched fists--opening them to God, unfolding them in prayer, surrendering those things I have held on too tightly to for too long, spreading my fingers to reach out to and help others. Want to join me? I am starting with prayer--open hands turned up toward God, resting, breathing, listening for what Jesus wants to put in my hands.

Repurposed Candlestick

Raise your hand if you appreciate minimal decor and color post Christmas decorating. While I love color and decorate with plenty of it, there is just something about the calmness of white and black and grey and wood that I love in the winter. Perhaps it is because it matches the outdoors. 

This simple, repurposed candlestick fits my winter decor mood perfectly.

This is also project eleven for my 12 Days of Christmas posts.

(affiliate links)

Thrift Store Tray Makeover

One of my new year's goals is to finish or get rid of projects that have been sitting around. One of those was this thrift store tray.

I do not have a before picture, I am sure I did take one--it might be on my phone that is at the bottom of a Montana lake. But it was wood and silver, which I loved, BUT the wood was that mahogany color and it had an image on it that I couldn't get sanded off.

The reason I quit making over this tray is because even though I clear coated the wood before painting it, the red stain in the wood kept bleeding through. There was a mahogany colored wood stain used in the 30's and 40's that never dried completely (or something like that) so it bleeds through all paint. Finally, after a few good coats of clear spray (ok, and a couple years of sitting) the red did not come through the white paint.

I stenciled a lacy "doily" in the middle of the tray. I love the tarnished silver around the edges with the white paint.

It is a great example of a thrift store item that is saved and updated with a little paint and is perfect on ottoman.

PS--I don't remember where I got the stencil from, but you can get a similar one (affiliate link) HERE.

Magic Reindeer Food

Still finishing up those 12 Days of Christmas projects (this is day 10--two to go!). I stenciled up a bunch of these to tuck in my Christmas boxes for next year's Christmas shows as these are great sellers.

I started with some muslin bags I sewed.

(affiliate link)

You can get similar bags super inexpensively HERE.

Sunday Verses

Happy Sunday! Yesterday we watched as a fast moving squall swept in. We knew it was predicted, but it was 46 degrees and sunny so we didn't quite believe it and decided it was a great day to do errands sans coats. With the wind howling and the snow blowing, we quickly changed our plans and headed home for hot tea, Netflix, and cozy blankets. Friends, storms are going to come. Sometimes we can see them approaching and other times they come in quickly, catching us off guard. With Jesus, with faith and trust and hope we can weather life's troubles and even come through them victoriously. Pray, read God's Word, surround yourself with good, caring people, practice gratitude, and trust that you will survive and even thrive through your life storms. Lean into Jesus and let him protect you and see you through. Oh, and a good cup of tea and a warm blanket help too.

Layered Architectural Salvage Mirror

Do you ever have a project on your mind and finally just have to get it out of your head? That is what happened with this layered mirror I created.

And, I couldn't wait to share it with you so I am taking a break from finishing up my 12 Days of Christmas posts to show you this beauty.