Transformation Thursday and DIY Day-a Serving Tray

Again, I am joining two of my favorite parties. Please check them out. They are Transformation Thursday by Gina, and DIY day by Kimba-who is also doing a giveaway so be sure to check her out. For more great ideas, see both blogs!


This week, I am sharing one of my favs!
I found this serving tray for $1.00 at His House and love it should have bought all 6!
I, again, didn't take any 'during' pics, but here is what I did. I taped off the inside because I wanted some natural rattan to show through. (in true form for me, some trials and errors here).

To begin with, I only taped the edges of the inside. Mistake, but it turned out ok. Once I pulled the tape off, I realize some of the black spray paint misted the exposed inside rattan. Ok, lesson learned.

But, I went with it...and took the remaining tape off and misted the other, making it match, but not as solid as the black 'frame'. Make sense?

I then stenciled a palm tree (in black) in the center.

Ahhhhhhhhhh that's better!

I will say that I've already had a request for one of these (or a close replica, depending on my Thrifty Finds) from someone!

Sorry the pics aren't great.

I'm still trying to perfect my picture taking with backgrounds, settings, and such. Thanks for being my guinea pigs!

And don't forget to check out more ideas at Gina's and Kimba's!

Letters and Numbers Party

I am joining the party at Vintage Junky today. Go check that linky party out, here.

I am SO into letters and numbers that I hope my house doesn't become too over the top with them. :)

See the collection of frames I got from His House?

I love these 'old' frames and for $ .50 - $1.00 each you really can't beat them!

I got all these for $2.00.

For this party I am showing you the biggest one on the right, the one that was empty (and they actually only charge me $.50 because it had no picture in it...haha. Little do they know!).

Sorry I don't have a 'during' photo.

I recently happened upon alot of old canvas bank bags (again, sorry no 'before' pic) and couldn't think what to do with them. I have a few ideas, but this one popped in my head first.

In short, I cut the bag so that I had a pretty clean (they were dirty from old coins) area to work with. I starched and ironed the area I wanted to paint on. Then, I stapled the canvas to the frame (some trial and errors here, more to come on that).

Then, I stenciled the numbers on the canvas and viola!

I have big plans for several of these frames, that include pictures and more numbers. Stay tuned and/or come back!!! (please!)

PS---I am LOVING numbers and letters these days so you're likely to see more soon!

PSS-if you want to know the significance of the numbers, be sure to leave me a comment and if I get at least 20 comments (I know, sad huh), I will do a giveaway for your own personalized framed number(s)! And that will be my first giveaway so be sure not to miss it!

And lastly, I promise!, don't forget to check out the other ideas at the Numbers and Letters party here!

I am sure I will join again in the future! LOVE numbers, letters, and symbols!

Self Revelations-Honest Scrap Award

I can't say this is a link party, but when I ran across it, I had to do it. You see, I love these things and while I have been on a posting hiatus, I simply have to get back into the game. So, here we go!
I saw this post/idea while over at Lotta's and thought it would be neat to do to kick the week off. I am supposed to post blog 10 things about myself (that I think you may or may not know), then tag 10 bloggers, let them know about it and they link back to me when they post or accept.

1. I am currently addicted to thrifting. It's an obsession really. I can't pass a thrift store (usually His House or Good Will) without stopping in AND without buying at least something. It's driving my husband crazy, and he recently said I need to start selling some of these things. *gasp*.

2. I secretly am sometimes glad to be back at work on Mondays. Don't get me wrong...I love my weekends and love having the kids with me all day but come Sunday night...whew.

3. I rarely have to cook. My hubby loves to cook and does all the cooking in our house. And I love it.

4. I am a 'planner'. Big time. Most of the time, that works out well for us, but it's the times when something changes my 'plan' (even in the slightest) that makes me crazy. Granted, I have let alot of that go after kids, but sometimes it comes back full force. (another reason I like #2 above)

5. I love my job. No, really I do. I've always enjoyed working and was raised with high work ethics. (yet, another reason I sometimes look forward to #2).

6. I am one of those that has a hard time painting wood. I don't have a problem painting small things (such as frames, boxes, etc) but hesitates painting wood furniture. I currently have a pair of twin beds that I just can't bring myself to paint. They are old and pretty and kind of wanted them Heirloom White in my daughters room, but for the life of me, can't do it. I also bought an old dresser off Craigslist that I 'can't' paint. (and that's why I bought it off Craigslist for $30...so I COULD paint it!)

7. I love my husband. He's truly my soul mate. I can't imagine being without him or being in my kids' lives. That said, he does do stuff that gets on my nerves! I guess that is common, but just had to get it out. :)

8. I loathe exercise. Period. But, will admit that I like how I feel afterwards.

9. Although not sure I have the talent for it, I would love to be a photographer.

10. I love the Fall. I love the crisp breezy air, all the mums, pumpkins, being able to get outside with the kids more (it's so humid here during the Summer), the State Fair that comes to town this time of year. I just love the Fall!

(and what post wouldn't be complete without pics---don't you enjoy pictures with your blog post reads? I do! These are a couple from last Fall. I know it seems odd that in the first one they are in 'summer' clothes and the second one is all bundled up. Believe it or not this was around 2 weeks apart.)

Thanks for stopping in and please feel free to do your own Honest Scrap Award post.
PS--I know I didn't tag anyone--just wanted to post these. Enjoy~!

Collage (from Picasa) of Edisto Beach

Just tried this straight from Picasa to see if it worked...and well, because I have been so slack blogging lately. I have, however, been reading them just no inspiration for posting. Maybe this weekend.
Enjoy until then!

Outdoor Wednesday -Lake Murray

I am joining Susan's Outdoor Wednesday party today. I am excited to be a part of this party for the first time.
This week, I am sharing some photos from a recent trip on Lake Murray, S.C. This lake is only minutes from our house so we enjoy many Saturdays during the warm months viewing things such as these. (It's still very warm here so to me, it doesn't feel like Fall yet. But, I can't wait!)

Thanks for stopping in and if you didn't see this post, please go check it out for a giveaway and a chance to win your own personalized numbered canvas.

Also, go check out more Outdoor Wednesday posts here.

Wordless Wednesday

Blog Hop Party-Baby Pictures

I just had to join in this party hosted by Brent at Riggs Family Blog. Lately, I have been participating in alot of thrifty makeover/decorating parties and honestly, I am a little worn out from those can not seem to finish what I start with projects lately .
So, here I am joining this party...an 'easy one' to me, as I love pictures of my kids and even more, love their baby pictures. Of course, they are STILL babies, but nevertheless, here you go.

This is a picture of my daughter, taken at around 3 weeks.

And this is a picture of my son, taken when he was around 3 months the reason for the delay is he was in the NICU for the first month, then had to have some growing time as he was a preemie, which is why he still looks small here.

See any resemblance?

:)

and just a few more of my favorites from the photo session above. (And you will notice my banner picture came from this shoot too).

Thanks for stopping in!

Reid

DIY day-Picture turned to look like an old timey picture

I am joining Kimba, from A Soft Place to Land, in her DIY day.

I am glad she's not particular as to what makes a DIY project since I am including this one. This is something I want to do with several photos haven't completed my true DIY projects and hang them on the walls.
This is a picture of the intake towers for the Saluda Dam at Lake Murray, S.C.
I took this picture a few months ago.
June '09.


And this is after I made it looked aged. Doesn't it look just like an old photo from 'back in the day'? Print it and tear the edges some and Viola!
In fact, you can see some real old photos of them building the lake and dam here.
Don't forget to go over to Kimba's party to see more great ideas!

Thrifty Thursday

I am joining Leigh's Thrifty Thursday party for the first time....Go see her and other great ideas here.
Recently, I popped in His House I actually think I'm addicted, hubby agrees and found these. Total for the shopping trip was $25!

I am in a REAL platter addiction...someone call Intervention, please!?

the top one is a cheap-o one but the others feel solid. Does that make sense? I can't make out any markings on the backs. The cheap-o one will get painted and not sure about the others. More to come on those projects as they unfold. each tray was around $1 each!



This little gem was .50 and will get a makeover for a friend of mine that collects pineapples.

Don't you just love old books. $1 each and I've already found a home for them--pics to come later.

This piece had some old ugly dried flowers in the top and sorry no picture of the true 'before' but those flowers headed for the trash pile before I entered the house!

Got plans for this one too.....

.50 cents

You can't see the detail well, but these are two old handkerchiefs with lace detail on the corner and small lace around the edges. He didn't know what they were, so threw them in for FREE!

I have semi- plans for these, if it works the way I think/want.

OR do any of you have suggestions?

A serving tray (see, the addiction continues) and a soon to be cloche! I got the idea from Jennifer, at chester and donkey. See her project here. Go ck our her ideas...and, she's planning on starting her own shop on Etsy, I hear!

$1 each

This beauty was $1 and has already been painting for the first part of this project. Yes, I have a gazillion projects going on at the same time. Hubby says I need to start selling some of these! Ha!

I squealed when I ran across this!

Not sure why, but I did!

Anyone ever seen one before? It is a cast iron alphabet corn bread maker. $10 for it!

And I've found some online (not terribly old, but looks it) for $35-$49!

Now, anyone know how to clean rust off of it?

I just love it, even if i just display it!

That is it for now....thanks for stopping in and I'd love to hear your comments!

Purple Martin Birds-Evening Cruise

I told you about our weekend plans to go out and see the birds here and included a link to find out more about these little birds and how the inhabit our island this time of year.

This was our view over Bomb Island (as it's called) at Lake Murray as we rode up to our spot.

And guess what we saw next!? Yes, that says Ice Cream on the side of the boat!

I've seen it all now! Great idea though. I highly recommend the ice cream sandwiches!

Back to the views and birds.

Amazing view huh?

And ....here they come. Can you see all those tiny specks in the sky? Those are the Purple Martins flying in to Bomb Island.

Straight above our heads.

More flocking to the island.

After most of them get to the island, you can't see them anymore but you can hear them all 'talking' and it's really quite loud, and amazing!

I wonder where they go from here...??

Thanks for stopping in!