Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Pink Coming in Hot

If you haven't noticed, PINK is coming in hot this spring, in both home decor and clothing. I have seen so much of it--a lovely blush pink. 

I decided I needed a few blush pink items in my booth for spring. This sweet little 1930's end table was the first thing I painted

pink color trend for spring 2018

Sunday, February 25, 2018

Sunday Verses

Devotional on Not Worrying
Happy Sunday! Tick-tock, tick-tock, raise your hand if you know anything about watching the clock in the middle of the night while ruminating on the world's problems. There is certainly plenty to worry about. I have heard a lot of fearful talk lately--moms who want to take their kids out of school, people who want to move to other countries, folks who are buying weapons in bulk. Please hear me when I say, I GET it. Life is hard and scary and sometimes the unimaginable does happen. I say this knowing a bit about when bad things happen, having had my baby son die in my arms. I understand fear and worry. But, I also know God did not create us to worry. He does not want us to fret over things that we have no control over. He wants us to trust him. We cannot hide from the horrible things, but we do not need to be anxious about them either. Give it to God, over and over if necessary, and rest in HIS gift of peace. 

Thursday, February 22, 2018

Upcycled Thrift Store Finds

Upcycled Thrift Store Finds

Today's thrift store upcycle is one that is unique to a great thrift store find that I had. BUT, the idea of using thrift store clothing can be used for YOUR thrift store finds.

I found this rattan, wicker footstool a few months ago. I grabbed it because it was solid and I could tell it was old (more on that in a minute). I found the wool tunic/vest this past week (okay, yesterday) and loved the colors and design, could see that it was high quality and feels like wool, and knew it could be upcycled into a pillow or upholstery. 
Thrift Store Upcycle BEFORE
I can see some poor little one itching themselves to death in this tunic. I also picture the Partridge Family in white turtlenecks wearing these and singing I Think I Love You.
Thrift Store Upcycle BEFORE

Together they became this rustic, boho, cabin-feeling footstool that I adore. 

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Easy Chalkboard Wall and How to Hand-Letter Chalkboard Signs

I love my temporary chalkboard wall. It is easy to change up every two or three months when I want something different.

Easy Chalkboard Wall and How to Hand-Letter Chalkboard Signs

Sunday, February 18, 2018

Sunday Verses

Inspiring devotional on running your own race
Happy Sunday! My daughter participates in both indoor and outdoor track. There is just something about track athletes that I love. They are so incredibly supportive of each other. They compete with themselves, but cheer each other on wholeheartedly. God has created each of us uniquely and individually. He has a race for each of us to "run", our own individual paths.  He made us to do our own best thing, to use our distinctive gifts to help others--no competition necessary. He wants us to develop our specific talents, to follow our own arrows and to keep moving forward on the track HE sets before us.

Thursday, February 15, 2018

Update Thrift Store Wooden Bowls

great ideas to upcycle and repurpose commonly found thrift store items
I am on the road for my daughter's indoor track meet and a thrift store makeover did not happen before I left. I am sharing a favorite past thrift store project--painting wood bowls.
paint thrift store bowls with colorful paint to update them

I always look for good wood bowls at the thrift store, they are plentiful. 

Thrift Store Wood Bowls BEFORE

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Upcycled Nesting Tables

Upcycle Metal Nesting Tables
I spied these nesting tables on our local Facebook garage sale page and was shocked when I actually GOT them because typically I am the tenth next when I see something I like. I actually got two matching sets for $15 total.
upcycle modern nesting tables with reclaimed barn wood

Sunday, February 11, 2018

Sunday Verses

short devotional on prayer
Happy Sunday! My sweet girl just turned sixteen. Looking through old photos reminded me of what a strong-willed and persistent child she was. For example, there was the time she wanted to ride the boats at an amusement park, even though no one else was small enough to ride with her. I thought she would be too scared, but after much pleading, I finally said yes. She loved them--even if she did go round and round, starring wide-eyed, gripping the steering wheel, and refusing to ring the bell. God wants us to be like the tenacious toddler. He wants us to relentlessly ask him for what we need and want. He longs to know that we are seeking him for the big, the small, and the in-between. Unlike us, he doesn't roll his eyes or shout, "Stop! Enough! Quit asking." God knows what we need, and although his answers may be different from what we think want, I KNOW he hears us, he answers us, and he wants us to bring EVERYTHING to him. The answer is always no when we DON'T ask, so let's not give up in the asking.

Thursday, February 8, 2018

Colorful DIY Frame from Thrift Store Checker Board

Thrifty Thursdays at Beyond the Picket Fence

Today's Thrifty Thursday project is a bit funky, a bit boho, colorful and I am kind of in love with the results. I wanted something that had layers of colors, but also wanted the checkerboard to peek out. 

Colorful DIY Frame from Thrift Store Checker Board

Sunday, February 4, 2018

Sunday Verses

devotional on what God's grace is and isn't
Happy Sunday! Water cutting through rock, changing it gradually is a natural occurrence that is beautiful and really quite amazing. I mean, it is ROCK--solid, tough, hard, and something we think of as unchanging. Grace, God's unmerited favor, changes us. Grace is God saying, "You are my favorite. I love you and I want to be closer to you, to strengthen you, to help you." Grace is NOT about making us feel horrible and guilty, it doesn't point a finger. God doesn't give us grace so he can use us. Grace allows us to have a relationship with Jesus, to walk and "hang out" with him. I am grateful that as I get closer to God and spend more time with him, his grace strengthens and changes me bit by bit .

Thursday, February 1, 2018

Thrifty Thursday Wood Plate Upcycle

Thrifty Thursday at Beyond the Picket Fence
It has not been my plan to make all of my Thrifty Thursday projects from something round, but, well, er...next week I will think square! This week's project starts with round, wood plates. These look like they were used for actual plates, but I I often see wood chargers at thrift stores.
upcycle and repurpose thrift store plates

I though of a lot of different projects to upcycle these wood plates, but decided on a colorful, fun coat hook.

Make a Colorful Coat Rack from Thrift Store Plates