Natural Messy Foraged Fall Arrangement

I have been busy "putting things up" from my garden. What does that mean? I have been canning, and cooking, and freezing. I love having a producing and successful garden, but it sure is work. I took a little time out yesterday from the dicing and slicing to finish up my early fall porch decor. 

I bought this hanging basket at a garage sale this past spring. It had a fake spider plant in it. I left the faux plant in there for my summer decor, but never planned on keeping it as a fake plant. So, I pulled that out and added rose hops, curly willow and other leaves from my yard.

I walked around my yard with the clippers looking for things that were starting to turn for autumn. The rosehips are a voluntary plant growing in my hedge. Most people would get rid of them, but I like them. 

If you don't have items to forage in your yard, head to a nature trail near you or find a neighbor who might let you gather a few clippings. 

The curly willow adds a wild, natural look that I love.

I placed a Styrofoam, floral block in a small plastic container so that the branches would have a little bit of water to last a bit longer.

I bent and curved the rosehip branches a bit so they would droop and hang over the basket. They have some serious thorns so I wore gloves. I placed these branches first, then the willow, and then the yellow mystery leaves.

On my wagon that stays on the porch, I added a mum in sunflower yellow, enamelware bucket I found at the thrift store for $3. I put leftover foraged stems in the toolbelt pocket I made last winter.

Next to my green, vintage, metal chair I added a yellow mum to the metal planter I painted green for the summer porch.

I love that I was able to use natural, foraged materials in my fall porch decor. It is a cozy spot, perfect for morning coffee. 

And the afternoon sunlight cast beautiful light on the fall colored porch.

Thrifty Thursday Tablecloth Porch Pillows

Happy September! As I shared on Monday, I am working on fall decor for my front porch. Check out the Make it Monday post below to see the new front door, fall "wreathes" I made.  Here is what my porch looked like for summer. You can read all about it HERE.

I am not ready for pumpkins so I am decorating with an early fall theme, yellows and browns and oranges with sunflowers. I went on the the thrift store hut for either yellow/ gold pillows, pillow covers, or fabric to replace these fun red pillows. I found a goldish yellow tablecloth at the senior citizen center thrift store (they have the best prices and linens!) for $1.50.

After I washed it and saw that it had no stains, I reconsidered cutting it up. It is long and work perfectly for a long table that I use for outdoor parties. But, after a week of scouring the thrift shops, I couldn't find anything I liked better and since I only entertain large groups once or twice a summer, I decided to use it to make pillow covers.

Keep reading to see how I made these pillows and to see more of my porch decor.

Make It Monday Foraged Fall Front Door Decor

Who is ready for fall? It is my favorite season and it is in the air. Never mind that it is still going to be close to 100 degrees this week, it was 45 degrees this morning. The air has a crispness that I love and I am ready to start some fall decorating. I am starting with my front porch and I am calling this early fall decor. No pumpkins until October for me, but fall colors are a yes! 

I will be sharing fall projects for my front porch throughout the week. Today, I am showing you how to make some easy, fall front door hangings or "wreaths". I went on a walk up the road to find some wild, natural items that are the perfect colors.

Foraged material, some curly branches from my curly willow, and some jute and I had two new front door decorative hangings perfect for early fall. I like using natural materials. Not only is the price right, but they can be moved to the compost pile at the end of the season. Nothing to store and dust off next year.

Keep reading to see how you can make something similar.

Thrifty Thursday Bar Cart Makeover

Today's thrift store makeover is a simple one that starts with a wicker and bamboo bar cart.

The black paint was chipping and the rattan wrapped on the legs was coming off in a few places, but the bones were good and sturdy and the price was right so she came home with me. A little hot glue fix, a good cleaning, and some paint and the bar cart is beautiful again and ready for a new home.

I used warm, soapy water to clean the cart and then hot glued the rattan wrap. You will often find this wrap is loose on thrift store pieces like this. It is typically and easy fix. 

At first I was going to repaint the cart black, but decided she wanted a fresh color, green! This is Wise Owl's One Hour Enamel and you can get it from my friend, Tina, HERE. I painted two coats to get it in all of the nooks and crannies. I thought the green would be really nice with the upcoming holidays and the cart will be adorable seasonal touches--orange pumpkins, red ornaments, pink tulips, and yellow sunflowers. 

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I then decided to take it to the next level by giving it the Midas touch with some gold Rub-n-Buff. I love this stuff because it gives a fantastic, aged, worn look and a little goes a long way. You can get it in all kinds of metallic colors HERE. I applied it with a small, straight edge brush.

I have this cart displayed next to my bar. It would be fun with some specialty drink fixings on it for a get together and could be wheeled around to guests. 

This cart would also work as a tea, coffee, or cocoa cart. It could be used as a craft cart, a plant or garden cart, or as extra space in the kitchen holding a microwave and cookbooks. The thrift store tip for today is to remember paint is transformational. It can update pieces that have good bones and freshen furniture pieces to create a current and modern look.

Make It Monday Simple Elegant Wreath

I didn't intend to take a week+ off, but I hosted an 85th birthday party for my mom which meant a lot of prep, cleaning, yardwork, etc. has been happening. It was a lovely, busy, fun weekend. My mom is an inspiration to me--she gets her 10,000 steps in a day, floated the river on an innertube with us, is writing a home finance program and app, and has the energy of a much younger woman. It was a pleasure and joy to celebrate her.

I am back today with another Christmas project. If you missed my post a few weeks ago, I explained that as a crafter and a seller, it is time to start Christmas making. Today I am sharing an easy, simple, elegant wreath made from round frames from the thrift store. 

I always look for frames at the thrift stores. I like wood ones that are $2 or less. Some of these wood round ones are decorate plate frames. 

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I used oval frames too. Other supplies needed include good, high quality, pine boughs. I prefer the ones that feel rubbery and typically buy some post Christmas. I purchased two sets (20 bells) of bells to use on these wreaths. You can get the bells HERE. You will need gold paint or gold Rub-N-Buff (buy HERE). Jute or ribbon and floral wire are also needed.

I used Gold Leaf Rub-n-Buff on the frames.  I like the distressed look you get with Rub-n-Buff. if you want a Solid Gold (who watched that show?) look, use a gold spray paint.

Next, I pulled individual stems off of the bough and wired them to the frame. I tend to add one more branch on the lower part from the middle to give it a little more weight. I do not want the two sections from the middle to be exactly the same.

I used a slip knot to join to of the bells. They come tied with the jute which was a nice bonus.

I then tied three or four jute strands together, looping them through the bell slipknot. 

Finally, I tied and/or wired the bells and jute ties to the frame in the middle section of the greenery.

I like that these simple, rustic, elegant wreaths can be hung with the greenery in different locations.

I made five in a bout an hour and for less than $5 each. 

I plan on making at least five more and might change them up with different types of greenery or by hanging small ornaments or different bells. I like how the natural, boho feel that they have.

Thrifty Thursday Vintage Vignette

Today I am sharing a simple, vintage vignette put together with some recent, fabulous thrift store finds. The main items that are featured in this vignette are a McCoy Water Lily Vase,

and a vintage, Asian painting of irises (?).

A few other thrifted items and I pulled together a sweet vignette with a fall feel.

Keep reading to see how I styed this and for tips on creating vignettes in your home.

Make It Monday Simple Christmas Ornaments

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...oh wait, no it's not, it is 100 degrees out! BUT, in maker world, Christmas creating has begun. If you are someone who sells your creations, you know that Christmas is your biggest season. You also probably have spent some late night, last minute time working on Christmas decorations to sell. I have decided to start NOW and will craft for Christmas one day a week until November--that is 13 weeks, 13 days of creating. 

Today's first project is a simple ornament that started with curtain rings from the thrift store and little trees that I bought after Christmas last year. (This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something from the link provided I may earn a small commission.) Craft stores like Michaels are getting their Christmas stuff out so you can find some there or order them HERE. If you want to buy new, wood curtain rings, you can get them HERE.

Keep reading to get all of the details on this easy DIY.

Day Five of Five Furniture Flips in a Week

Today's Furniture Flip may be favorite out of the FIVE that I have shared in the past week. It started out as fairly humble, homemade piece that I picked up for $5 at the thrift store. It is plywood, old, and has a few issues.

But, I saw the potential as a great storage bench in an entryway or as a console/TV stand. It would also work at the end of bed or under a window as a seat. Some paint and new hardware and she is flipped and freshened up, ready for a new home.

This post contains affiliate links which means that if you buy something from the link I share, I may receive a small compensation at NO cost to YOU.

Keep reading to see how I flipped this furniture piece.

Day Four of Five Furniture Flips in a Week

Anyone notice I have changed my title to five furniture flips in a week rather than in five days? Dang, I knew I should have given myself a few down days, especially with the weekend. Oh well, I am plugging away. Today's Furniture Flip is a simple, small one that started with a round, pine end table. 

This is a homemade piece, although I did have a friend ask me if it was a Stickley piece. It definitely has a rustic, craftsman style. I little sanding, paint, and salve is all this table needed to save this sweet, little, rustic table.

Like I said, this is a simple makeover and nothing earth shattering. But, flipping furniture is all about saving it from a possible landfill death and giving it new life and love.

I thoroughly sanded the top and the X brace on the legs because I wanted to leave them a natural pine wood color. I taped off the X after sanding and painted the legs and table apron a navy blue color. i think this table may be a keeper so I wanted to paint it something that woud match my home decor.

After sanding and painting, I used Wise Owl Furniture Salve to protect and shine up the wood. (Get it HERE!)

I knew the pine would turn a wee bit yellow and/or orange, but I as okay with that on this table because of the craftsman style and because I decorate with yellow and orange accents.

I like to have some small side table next to every seat that a guest might sit in--a place for a drink, a book, etc. This updated end table works perfectly next to the rocking bamboo chair I shared a few weeks ago. The fresh wood top matches the bamboo nicely and it is a great height for the chair. 

Paint and a little time and you can flip a furniture find to fit your home and space.