TBT - July 4th Mantel

Since I decided to not to do a Patriotic vignette on my mantel this year and July 4th is just around the corner; I thought I would bring a couple of pictures from last year's mantel back to share with you.  The pictures are dark because it had been raining for days and our living room is quite dark - almost like a cave, it seems.  

Beach Inspired Porch

Written by: Cathy Carroll for Vintage, Paint and more...

I am a bit slow about putting up this post on our summer porch - but, it has been raining and was really quite difficult to get any kind of pictures taken.  We had a couple of bad storms that actually caused a small water leak in our roof that is having to be repaired today - hopefully, before the predicted storms take place.  But, enough with that - let's get on to the subject at hand.  Our summer porch....

Organizing With Jars

Good morning everyone...

I would imagine all of you are in the midst of your summer activities by now...

We are definitely on a summer schedule here - 

sleeping in late, no real meal schedules, lots of pool and beach time.....

and

lots of activities.

This week little Miss A went off to her first ever week of camp.

As you can see, she was all smiles and quite excited...

we were the ones having the qualms and sniffles.

Thank goodness it's only a week 

I remember my days at camp as a child 

and

  I am sure she will have all kinds of stories to tell us when she does get back.

Can't wait to hear them.

So, on to today's project....

Shell Art

Today I am going to share the art that  is 

hanging on the wall above my mantel.

This is a knockoff of a piece of art I saw at Ace Hardware 

a couple weeks ago.

It was made with painted bead board 

and

they had done some other wood and beach decor items on it.

I loved it so much I wanted to make one like it.

But, I didn't want to buy bead board and I needed to use

what I had on hand.

Guest Posting at Diana Rambles

Today you will find me over at 

Diana Rambles

doing a tutorial on my 

Anthropology Inspired Girl's Bedspread

so she can go on vacation.

Hope you're have a great time Diana.....

This is a really cute bedspread I made my granddaughter when 

we were updating her room.

She is such a girly girl and what better to show that than ruffles.

So hop on over to Diane's and 

check out that very simple tutorial to make your own....

I'll be back tomorrow with something great to share....

Until then, have fun creating something you love.....

Beach Inspired Mantel

Summer is in full swing now....

and with that brings us thoughts of beaches and the ocean.

Living here at the beach really influences the way I do my decorating.        

This year I wavered between doing a 

full out patriotic decor or just skipping it 

and

going straight to my beach decor I love.

Throwback Thursday - Painted Flower Table

Today I am pulling out an oldie that I love.

Every once in a while I go way outside the box 

and 

do something completely different for me.

We had this little run of the mill - everyone has had one - table

that needed something done to it.

I was in the middle of remaking Miss A's very pink bedroom

so,

I decided to paint it to look like a flower.....

My New Creative Space

I am a person who loves to create

and

as most people who create - I need a special space to do this in.

I had a very lovely space for just this until 

we had to move things around for our ever changing family needs.

So, I had to come up with an alternative solution 

to fit my needs.

As every corner of this house is pretty much taken, I chiseled out some space

in our master bedroom.