Hanging Heart Frame

Written by : Cathy Carroll

Since Valentine's is just around the corner

I thought I would share a very cute, simple and quick project. 

Giant Pinwheel Flowers

Today I have a cute little project that you can use for your Valentine decor.  It's quick, easy and quite budget friendly. 

Throwback Thursday - Winter Mantel

It's definitely winter here.  We have had a week of rain, rain, rain and temps dropping down to the 30's with wind chills of 20's. Not really my favorite weather for sure.  I am beginning to think we will never see the sun again.  I am not a fan of winter and it actually puts me into hibernation mode when it gets cold.  So I have done nothing since Christmas.   Today I am bringing you a Throwback Thursday post from a couple years. 

Throwback Thursday - Pumpkins, Pumpkins and more Pumpkins

Written by Cathy Carroll

Hi everyone,
It's raining here and has been for several days now but that isn't going to stop me from crafting away for fall.  I love to decorate with pumpkins in the fall and this year is no different - however I do not have them done yet.  So I thought I would do a little round-up of all the different pumpkins I have made in the last couple of years.

Guest Post - Vintage Bulletin Board

Today I am over at For What It's Worth doing a post for Jeannie so she can get on with her packing.  She will be moving soon and has a lot to pack up so, I am helping her out a little.  Since I live such a long distance for her and can't help her pack - I am doing a post for her.  I decided to do a simple little bulletin board that I put in my newly created craft area.

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.  

Tweak It Tuesday - Book Page Columns

Written by: Cathy Carroll

Today I am going to start a new weekly series - Tweak It Tuesday.

This is a series that will spotlight posts and/or projects I have done in the past and for whatever reason have decided to tweak them by taking better pictures, updating the content and or showing new ways to use them.I am going to start the series with my Decorative Book Page Columns I made in February of 2012.  Even though they are two years old I still use them all the time in my decor.  Because they have appeared so much  I have several requests as to how these were made and thought I would give you a little updated tutorial on them...

Book Page Note Holder

Written by: Cathy Carroll

I am totally in love with book page projects 

and

constantly on the look out for uses for old books.

When I was putting my new Communication Center together

I needed something to put all those 

appointment cards, business cards, stray phone numbers and coupons in.

I decided to use an old book re purposed for such a task.

Kitchen Communication Center

Written by: Cathy Carroll  

We are a family of five with many interests and many directions

we move in each day.

That has caused us some very chaotic and confusing times lately;

so,

I decided it was time to do something about organizing our schedules.

Thus,

The Communication Center 

was born.

I really don't know what took me so long to put this together.

It has been in the planning stages for quite some time.

And, we definitely could have used it way before now.

Too many times we have had scheduling conflicts 

that 

could have been avoided with just a simple bit of communication.

Valentine Mantel

Written by: Cathy Carroll

I 

I finally got the Christmas tree and all the decorations down and put away.  This is really late for me as I usually take them down January 1. But, this year we were traveling until the 5th.  Then when we finally made it home I really did not feel like tackling such a big job - so, it sat for a few more days - more like a week.

But, it's down and now the dilemma of what to do with the mantel.  I wanted to do a winter mantel and just fore go the Valentine thing this year but, I was silly enough to ask for Papa's input.  He, of course, wanted a Valentine mantel.  Since I had asked for his input I had to honor it so...   in honor of Papa we have a Valentine mantel.....

13 Top Posts of 2013

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

Good day folks,

hope you are all enjoying your holidays.

We are traveling  - visiting family

and

have a great time.

I have a down day today and so thought I would put together a post

about the

13 top viewed posts this last year.

I didn't really start blogging till about July

when I decided to get serious about this little blog

and

see just what I could do.

So, without further ado let's get on to the countdown.

#13



This little cloche I made from thrift store finds was very popular

and

actually one of my favorite projects also.

I liked it so well I actually

found some more of these parts and made another one.

You just can't have too many little cloches can you.

You can read about it here

DIY Vintage Book Page Snowflake Decoration

There are affiliate links in this post.  This means I may get a few cents to help pay for this blog if you order but it won't cost you a thing.

Making Christmas ornaments is a big part of my preparations for the season each year.  I love crafting and the fun of adding to my tree  with ornaments that cannot be found in the big box stores.  Today, I am going to share my latest ornament with you - a vintage book page snowflake decoration.  I am using it as a Christmas ornament on my tree this year but these could be used in many ways - hanging in your windows, from a light fixture, added to a length of twine for a banner - so many different ways it can be used.  

I love book page crafts so it's no surprise that this one is a favorite of mine.  It's very simple to do and you can make several while watching a favorite movie or having afternoon coffee with a friend.  And, the fact that it's so versatile makes it one anyone can use in any decor.  It can also be used in your winter decor right through January, February, and March. 

Book Page Wreath Tutorial

This post may contain affiliate links

Last year I made a rather large book page wreath to hang over our mantel.  Today I am going to share the tutorial of how to make this simple wreath from an old book.

.

Fall Paper Crafting

Today I want to show you a few of my gall paper crafts.

I love working with paper.

Any kind of paper from

book pages to the elaborate scrapbook papers

just speak to me.

And, I absolutely am in love with words on any

form of medium.

I think there is nothing that can take it's place.

So, I would, of course, have to have paper crafting

included

in my Fall decor.

This little vignette is full of paper crafting.

It starts with a stack of books - no covers.

And on top is a dollar store pumpkin that I decoupaged with

book pages.

Then inked it to make it look rustic.

Then I glued some faux flowers and leaves on top.

The pumpkin on the left is a book page pumpkin made from

an old paper back book that I added a stick stem

and a piece of burlap to.

The subway art is a piece of plywood

I painted with black chalkboard paint

and

then applied a rub on sticker to that I had from years ago.

All three of these items I made last year.

The owl came from Michael's this year

and I love it sitting here looking so cute.

This wreath I made several years ago.

The flowers are all cut with the Cricut from scrapbook papers.

The centers of the flowers

are large brads, buttons, ribbons, whatever I had on hand.

Faux leaves were added to the cardboard base

before the flowers were glued on.

This is a very simple project

and I love the bright colors in it.

This simple paper vignette sits on top of our bookcase.

How appropriate book page crafts

above books -

quite thought provoking don't you think....

What is your favorite go to medium for crafting with?

Do you use old paper books in any way?

Until next time

have fun creating something you love...

Click here to see the parties I am linking to this week.

Please visit them and see all the great projects and inspiration found there.... 

Textures of Fall

Good morning friends.

How is your morning going?

We're having an absolutely awesome fall day

here at the beach.

It's 73, sunshiny, breezy

and

beautiful.

A perfect day to go for a walk

or

work on one of those many projects I have on hand.

I thought I would show you a couple of my

fall vignettes today.

I like to use lots of texture in my vignettes.

This one has many a varied texture in place -

the dried hydrangeas, basket, ceramic bird, metallic painted pumpkins,

beaded pumpkins, mod podge paper pumpkins

and

some potpourri.

 I left the hydrangeas on the bushes to dry most of the way.

To do that you basically just leave them on until they are turning brown

and

almost crunchy to the touch.

I then brought them in and placed them in the ironstone pitcher

with the stems covered about 2 inches with water.

I let the water evaporate over time

and

this dried the hydrangeas beautifully.

Now, mine are blue and brown

but,

that is exactly what I wanted as our décor is basically

neutrals with blues and browns.

They fit in beautifully

and

I love them this way....

The basket is filled with pumpkins, pumpkins and some

more pumpkins

and then a little potpourri with mini pumpkins.

The large pumpkin is a dollar tree pumpkin that is

mod podged with paper pages and then faux flowers and leaves

glued to the top.

You can read more about that here.

There are two small pumpkins that I painted with metallic paints

and

a beaded pumpkin that I have had for years.

The blue bird is one of my favorite things

and

shows up all over the house

but,

mostly in places where I can see her all day.

She just simply brings a smile  when I look at her.

This is another little vignette that is full of texture.

The flowers are faux with weeds/grasses and leaves.

I simply wrapped some burlap around the vase and tied it with twine.

Then I just stuck a little leaf in under the twine.

The pumpkin here is made from a paper back book.

These are simple to make.

I made this one last year - they are quite simple to do.

I did not write the directions on how to do this but,

if you want them just let me know and I can write up a quick

tutorial on them.

I glued a stick in the center as a stem

and

tied a bit of burlap around it.

Isn't that owl the cutest thing ever....

I got him at Michael's last week.

 He is made of all kinds of twigs, twine and naturals.

Just couldn't pass this cute little guy up

and

he really adds to this little vignette.

To me, fall is all about texture  -

and color.

It is the most vibrant season we have

and

mixing the cozy snugly textures with all the naturals

that can be found

is always a winner in my book.

Do you use lots of texture and mix up the colors of fall

with your normal décor.

Or do you use more neutral colors and less texture?

Either is right...

there are no rules....

It's simply what speaks to you and what you love....

Until next time have a great day

and

go out there and create something you love....

I love comments, it simply makes my day when

I hear from you.

If you would like to see more of what I am up to in the future

and don't want to miss a post

follow me by clicking on one of the buttons in the sidebar.

Click here to see the parties I am linking to this week.

Please visit them and see all the great projects and inspiration found there.... 

Little Cloche

Good morning friends...

So, glad you stopped by today.

I am going to show you

some more of the thrift store glassware that I picked up

the other day....

You remember the cheese plate with cover?

When I saw this I knew I had to have it.

I have been dying to find one.

I know in some areas of the country they are practically a dime a dozen

but,

I have been having trouble getting one...

Or, maybe I've just been too late.

Either way I finally got one for $2.00.

Gotta' love the  price...

I knew what I wanted to do with it immediately.

I went to the back of the thrift store

and

they had candle sticks for $.50.

So I picked up one of those also.

You know where I'm going with this - right....

I used some Glass Bond that I picked up at

Hobby Lobby

and

glued the candlestick to the plate.

It actually dried in less than 30 minutes

but,

I let it set overnight to be sure it was completely bonded.

I was so excited with the turnout...

I know, I know it doesn't take much to excite me

but,

remember I've been searching for these pieces just to make

this for quite some time now....

 And, here she is...

I am absolutely loving her...

I can see her in all sorts of settings

but for today

we  are using her to celebrate

the last days of summer

with a nice little vintage beachy vignette....

I love summer and to know that it is nearly over

is slightly depressing

but,

I love fall even more...

So for the next few days I am going to enjoy
the rest of what is left of summer
with this cute little vignette

How are you spending your last few days before fall

is officially here?

At the beach?

However you do it -

enjoy it....

Until next time -

get out there and create something you enjoy....

I would love it if you followed me in some way by

clicking on one of the buttons in the sidebar...

Click here to see the parties I am linking to this week.

Please visit them and see all the great projects and inspiration found there.... 

Summer Mantle

Good morning friends...

I know it's a little late in the season

but,

today I am sharing my summer mantle...

Since we live at the beach I decided to do

a beach themed mantle

this summer...

I love shells and beachy items

and

I really like the way this mantle turned out...

Starting on the left

I have a small white porcelain dish we had that I put

a

Styrofoam ball wrapped in moss in..

Then there is the perpetual stack of old book

tied with raffia...

On top of that I placed my column

made from an old book

( tutorial can be found here )

and

atop that is a little blue bird

I purchased at Cracker Barrel a few months back...

Next to that

I placed my Mother's large abalone shell

that I have filled with more shells...

I love this old abalone shell-

it has been around ever since I can remember

and

I have always incorporated into my decor

in one way or another....

In the center I placed a candle sitting on a stack of porcelain dishes

with a star fish

and

some small pieces of driftwood...

I scattered pieces of sea glass all along the mantle

between each vignette...

On the right is another vignette...

There is another porcelain dish with a moss ball

and then a shell leaning against it...

Another stack of old books sans covers

and

atop that is a cloche filled with shells...

The cloche I got at a thrift store last month

for $2.00.

I was ecstatic over the find...

It held an old Christmas scene that was beyond salvaging

so I removed it

and

this is what I was left with...

I am loving this little thing...

Above it all is the resident book page wreath.

I love this wreath - it has such presence

and

so does my family

so,

I am thinking this is probably going to remain here

for a long time to come...

So, how is your summer going so far?

Carefree and like this little birds,

I hope....

Until next time

get out there and create something wonderful

I would love it if you would follow me

by clicking on a button on the side bar

for

Bloglovin, Pinterest or Facebook

or

join this site....

and

I love comments ...

Click here to see the parties I am linking to this week.

Please visit them and see all the great projects and inspiration found there.... 

Winter Mantle

Good day blogger friends,

Hope this is finding you all in good health and enjoying this lovely chilly weather -  wherever you are...

I thought I would show you our winter mantel.

I know it's a little late in the season

but, I have been a bit under the weather

and unable to bring it to you before now.

As you can see  blue and white prevailed for my wintry decor.  Of course it doesn't hurt that blue is my favorite color either.  Every thing is either thrifted, handmade or I already had it.  Nothing was purchased for this little bit of prettiness.

The trees I made for our Christmas center piece for the dining room table.  ( You can find that post here )  They are all sitting on thrifted candlesticks.  The stack of books are thrifted books I tore the covers off of and tied with raffia.  The little blue bird - a favorite piece of my Mother's.  The candle came from Dollar Tree.  And the snow ball is a Styrofoam ball ( 3 for a dollar at Dollar Tree) that has been wrapped with white yarn.

I love this little blue bird - he makes me smile every time I look at him.  And that would be several times a day.

On the other side is another stack of thrifted books and two more snowballs.

The blue vase is a Dollar Tree find that I painted with glue and food coloring - I  wrote a post about that project here. I tied raffia around it and filled it with sticks from the yard.  Then I hung a snowflake ornament on it. 

The snowman is made from a thrifted paperback book.  I love making these book page art crafts.  But then I love anything with script on it.  These are so simple to make just like the pillars and pumpkins that are all over blog land and I have a tutorial here you just have to draw a half snowman shape and place it in the crack of the book, trace the shape and cut out.  Then proceed as the tutorial explains.  Then I added a blue fleece scarf - just a 1" x 12" length and cut small fringe at each end. I made the top hat out of black card stock - two circles - one larger than the other and a strip that is taped to make a cylinder.  Add the circles on either end of the cylinder and you have a hat.

Very simple and

Oh So Cute....

The picture I painted.  It's a flat canvas from Michael's that I painted with leftover paints and craft paints I already had.

The base color is a sample pot of Valspar's Nordic Blue that my neighbor gave me.  I then used blues, white, and grey dry brushed over it to mimic a winter sky.  Took all of maybe 10 minutes.  When it was dry I wrote the word winter on with a Sharpie white paint pen.  I first wrote the word on a piece of scrap paper the way I wanted it to appear.  Then I covered the back of the paper completely with chalkboard chalk. ( I read this tip on Pinterest - didn't pin it )  Then I traced the word onto the canvas.  It leaves a faint line that can be written over with the paint pens.  When the paint dried I went over that with a glitter glue.  The two snowflakes are a couple of ornaments that I never used.  I just outlined them with glitter glue.  I glued two lengths of sheer blue ribbon on the canvas with hot glue and then glued the snow flakes on.  I then added a few little freehand snowflakes here and there.

And I have my winter art.

The book page wreath has been hanging there since I made it.  We all love it and it may be in it's permanent spot at this time.   I don't foresee a move for it in the future.  I have written a tutorial for it here

I really love this mantel it reminds of snow and the winters we used to have.  Living here at the beach we rarely get snow and the temps are usually fairly temperate.  I'm not complaining - that's why we moved here - to get away from that stuff.  But as long as I don't have to mess with it I'm okay.  I just love to look at it.   This mantel will probably remain for a few more days and then if I get real motivated  I may do a Valentine mantel.  I am working on other things right now and Valentine's is on the back burner.  We just don't do too much for Valentine's Day.

So, how is your winter going?  Did you do a winter mantel or

did  you just move right on to Valentine's?

Thanks for stopping by - have a great rest of the week.....

Click here to see the parties I am linking to this week.

Please visit them and see all the great projects and inspiration found there....