Out with the red in with the blue...

I love having a neutral background in my family room. It makes it super easy to change colors out for the seasons. When I bring back the red for the summer it all seems new again. And I supposed you have noticed, I Love Color. Spring to me is green and blue and bluebonnets.Here's my inspiration. I wanted to be able to show my jadite and I had this vintage Vera dishtowel on the left from my Mom. I bought a few fabrics from Hobby Lobby and found the cute vintage tablecloth on the right. You'll see more of these fabrics in the breakfast nook post to come. 

 The other piece of inspiration was the Bluebonnet oil painting found at the thrift store. I just love the colors of both and wanted to tie them in together because the family room opens right into the breakfast nook and kitchen.

Here are the pillows I made for the couch. I hung the painting right over my old window frame. Then I started shopping my house.

 I found this nest on a walk. Added a few spring color eggs.

 Here's the view to the fire place. Brought out my little aqua chair.The bowl on the left holds Bowies toys.What you can't see are 2 leather chairs facing the TV. This room is super hard to photograph.

 Here's the thrift store chair I slip covered. I added the boxwood wreath on my old shutter. Another pillow to tie the colors in. Changed out my red curtain panels to plain white.

 Bowie photo bombing.

I did buy this New York pillow from Hobby Lobby at half off. I couldn't resist, because the colors went perfectly and NY holds a special place in my heart. That was the view from Central Park where my son got married.

 See how the fabrics tie into the colors in the painting.

 My old vintage fan on the mantle. I use alot of old books to add color and height.

 Here you can see the leather chairs, well at least one of them.

 I found the cotton stems after I took the first few pic's.

 Just stuck them in an old enamelware jug.

I have decided to break up this post into 2 parts. Breakfast nook and dining room to come next time.
Thank you for all the sweet comments on my thrifted finds.
I'm joining Thoughts of Home Thursday so you might want to check it out,
Spring has sprung around here, we've had beautiful weather. Hope your spring weather is just around the corner. Hope you all have a great week!
Leslie

My FavoriteThrifty Finds

You've heard me say it before, but I love to go to the thrift stores. Today I thought I'd show you some of my favorite finds and how I use them.

This oil painting of Texas bluebonnets was found for 5$. It was in the original frame. I did a post about the artist here. I am using this for my inspiration for my spring family room decor, which I'll share next time. Love those colors. Did you know in Texas, people drive out in the hill country for miles to see the bluebonnets bloom in the spring? Bluebonnets are the state flower of Texas. 

 This was probably one of my best finds. It is hand quilted and pieced. I have it hanging in my bedroom, which is light green with a touch of pink. I found it in the throwaway cart. Nabbed it for 97 cents. It blends so well with some of my other antique quilts.

 The top painting was found for a dollar years ago. I also have it in my bedroom. I found the other painting at an antique store and paid alot more then the dollar I paid for the top one.

 I just found the little tray, it was brass and I spray painted it blue. That's another thing I love about thrifting-you can paint over, strip, redo, reupholster, decoupage or whatever you want. You didn't pay much for it so even if it's a flop, no worries. You can get really creative on thrifted junk.Just noticed the milk glass dish on the tray was also thrifted.

 I had my eyes peeled for over a year looking for an antique sewing machine from this era. I have bought a few really old sewing machines, but I wanted this one to actually use. It came in the little table, and was missing the foot pedal. I ordered a new one, and had it serviced at a sewing center. This little workhorse sewed a denim slip cover for my thrifted white chair and ottoman  that you've seen in the family room.

These are just a few of my favorites. I could go on and on. I'll have to do another post on thrifted dishes and furniture. I think I have stuff from thrift stores in every room in my house. When someone asks me what my style is, I usually reply "Early Garage Sale" or "Late Thrift Store".
Be careful though, it's a very addictive habit. I do feel it gives my house many one of a kind decor items and furniture pieces for a fraction of the price of antique stores or new. It also helps if you are looking for a few particular things. I always look for vintage dishes, linens, frames, and things in my colors.Sometimes you leave empty handed and sometimes you hit the jackpot. Just remember to wash everything when you get home. What's your favorite thrifted item?
Joining Stacy for Thoughts of Home so go check out some great ideas HERE.
Also joining Cecelia at My Thrift Store Addiction HERE.
I've been changing over the family room and breakfast nook for spring.  Can't wait to show you.The weather here has been so warm and springlike.
Have a great week!
Leslie

Sweets and Treats

I had a really fun day last week meeting some other Texas bloggers. Laura of Decor To Adore put together a lunch for us to meet. We each brought a valentine or little treat.

Here are the goodies I brought home. I felt like a little kid in school bring home my treasures from these creative ladies.

Here's the Valentines I was working on last week to give to each gal.

We had lunch at a wonderful place in McKinney, Texas. Such a cute historic square with lots of shops, restaurants. and a historic courthouse.

Here are the great gals I got to hang with. Most of us had never met before, but we all left as friends with plans in the works for another get together in the spring.

Here's the links to each persons blogs. You should definitely check them out. The list starts at the left and goes around the table.

Kitty ~ http://www.kittyskozykitchen.com/ 

Stacey ~ http://www.poofingthepillows.com/

Eilis ~  http://my-heart-lives-here.blogspot.com/

Carol ~ http://blueskykitchen.net/

Laura's cute daughter

Laura ~ http://www.decortoadore.net/

                                               Lisa ~ http://hospitablepursuits.blogspot.com/

                                                Sharon ~ http://www.prettypracticalhome.com/
                                                                         Yours Truly
                                              Celeste ~ http://www.celestinamariedesign.com/
Lots of creative ideas, recipes, and eye candy! Thank you for such a fun day.

We took out youngest son to a pie place in Dallas, called Emporium Pies. They make all their pies from scratch. Here are a few in the case. The shop is in an old historic house-so cute.

It was so crowded that day, we had our pie 'to go' which was just fine, because it was in the 70's that day. We took our pie outside and ate at a picnic table. Look how cute they package their to go slices. It was delicious!

Lastly, Hubs and I shared some chocolate covered strawberries on Valentines Day.

All in all it was a very sweet week. I hope you had one too!
Leslie

Valentine Pretties and Gallery Wall

This is a photo from a few years ago and you old followers will recognize these pillows. I thought they were appropriate for this Valentines week. I made these pillows awhile back and used vintage valentines for the pictures. Here's how I did them. If I made one today I would use Frixion Gel pens (mentioned in the previous post) for the fabric transfer.

 The Dollhouse Sweet Shoppe is always busy during Valentines week. They are packing lots of chocolates in pink boxes and wrapping with bakers twine.

 If you want to see more of the Dollhouse Sweet Shoppe there's a button above.

 I don't think I've shown my mini gallery wall. It's a dead end hallway. To the right is our bedroom. The left door is a closet. I had all the frames and they were mismatched. I spray painted all of them to match.

 Some are matted, some are old black and whites, some are colored. It doesn't matter. What ties them together are the matched frames and that they are hung close together.

A little vintage mirror on the right. It kind of helps reflect the light, since it is a dark and tiny hallway.

 I found this little quote on Pinterest and just typed it out in Word. I may decide to use that frame for a picture later on. I also might add a few more, although there's not much room left.

 Pretty flowers from Hubby this week.

I am replying to comments through email. I hope you all are getting your replies. If you don't have an email link, I will continue to reply in the comment section.

Are you doing anything special for Valentines Day this week? Happy Valentines Day to you! I hope you have a great week!
Leslie

Fabric Transfer Pens and Random Things

I just checked out this new to me gel pen. You write directly on your fabric. I would use this with a light box to trace an embroidery pattern.

When you are done, you use a hot iron and voila! Here it is half done.

Here is the same view. It is completely gone! Like magic. This was just a test. I will try it on my next embroidery project. I love the sharp fine line it makes. I usually use the blue markers that you spray with water for the ink to disappear, but there's alot of dripping and rewetting. I think this might do the trick. 

 I found these at Target in the school/office supply section. A three pack for about $3.50. Much cheaper than the blue markers from the sewing store. Let me know if you've used this method before and how you liked it-as usual I'm late to the party.

 Having fun making some vintage Valentines.

 Our town just opened it's own Dog Park this weekend. The weather has been in the 70's. Amazing for January and perfect for a trip with Bowie.The best thing is, it's 5 minutes from our house.

 He made some new friends and had a great time. That's Cookie on the right.

I've been busy doing alot of random stuff especially outside since it's been so nice. We are supposed to get cold this week.  Need to get focused on a project! Hope your weather is calmed down and you have a great week.
Leslie

Small Projects

A friend of my son's is having her first baby, so I thought I'd make a little something. I know her colors are gray in the nursery. I went to JoAnns and found some cute fabrics. I did the back with white terrycloth.

 To personalize each bib, I did a simple patch. This one is embroidered with gray floss.

 This mini crochet was found in the dollar bins at Michaels.

 Just cut this out of felt and sewed it on.

 I got the pattern off the internet and there are so many free patterns out there. Very fun little project. I also included a Target gift card, so the new parents can buy some diapers or whatever.

Still working away on recipes and trying to organize my little pantry. Will share the progress soon.

By the way, the little bellhop above was made by E at Creative Breathing. I know some of you will recognize her work. She no longer blogs, but I still love many of her creative projects.

We escaped any bad weather and it will be in the 60's this week. Very nice for walking with Bowie. I hope anyone that got the blizzard is digging out and staying warm. Have a great week!
Leslie

A Little Heart

I changed up the kitchen hutch for Valentines Day. I removed all the green from Christmas and added a tiny bit of pink. I made these felt conversation hearts a few years ago and always seem to bring them out.

 Here's the whole thing. I'm having a blast changing this hutch out for different seasons.

 Brought over my gumball machine from my craftroom.

 Love these little faces on the salt and pepper shakers.

 The red syrup pourer has M and M's from Christmas. Don't tell anyone.

 On the entry cabinet, I just switched out the letter to Santa with a couple vintage valentines.

 I also added a few vintage chocolate covered cherry boxes, because I love the graphics on them.

 Found this little felt garland at Target in the dollar bins last year and hung it from the mantle for just a touch of Valentines.

I have been busy, doing the year end, or year beginning ? paperwork. I also got an online recipe organizer, called Living Cookbook. I've been typing like a madwoman trying to get years of recipes from all over the house to one place. I'll let you know how that goes.
Thanks so much for all the craftroom love and comments!
I hope any crazy weather is on it's way out for some of you. It has been pretty nice here. Have a super week!
Leslie