project(s) update: fence wood *LOVE* sign

I'll be sharing some projects with you for next couple of weeks - I'm in full gear attempting to crank out projects right and left.

Hope you see something you like!!

materials used: reclaimed fence wood, annie sloan chalk paint in old white, cream muslin and hot glue for rosettes 

Love sign tutorial HERE.

autumn ready: faux leaf fall banner

boy howdy honey, fall better get here! it's been 100 degrees and i have about had it. the bugs and humidity and heat all need to melt away into gorgeous, breezy days full of autumn color.

i've been readying myself for fall. a friend (thanks Val!) gave me some apples like last year - an almost overflowing copy paper boxful! - and I've been peeling, slicing, mashing and inhaling heavenly scents these days.

there were only two in the whole box that were supermarket-worthy and I loved that! they were oddly-shaped, but organic, healthy and free! besides, why does fruit need to be uniform? i think the variations are gorgeous. but, I digress.

I've also put out - all four of - my fall decorations to let the world and weather know that I. Am. Ready. (I'd also love a good, spicy fall candle. Any recommendations?) I came across some faux fall leaves from last year and decided to autumn-ify my living room shelf - it's kind of like my mantle, you know, changing with the seasons.

And this was an excellent project for {Ladybug} to be involved in! She did great and took it so seriously. Can you tell?

supplies needed: faux leaves, twine, tapestry (blunt) needle, hole punch, scissors and thumb tacks. 

Just punch, thread and hang! I punched several leaves at a time because they were so thin - it worked much better that way.

(Someone was excited!) I hung the twine on the back of my barnwood frame between thumb tacks. Fluff leaves until you're happy.

And voila! Fall. What do you think?

A perfect toddler activity! (As long as she is careful with the needle, of course.)

"EAT" sign - DIY distressed kitchen sign

I had a hankering for a new little sign in the kitchen - and it came to me one day. So I used a piece of scrap wood (leftover from THIS project) - then stained it, painted it with Annie Sloan chalk paint and distressed using sand paper and the vaseline distressing trick (see it HERE). I used graphite paper to trace a really simple font and painted it with black acrylic.

it is now perched over my kitchen sick (where there is little else to look at) flanked by two happy green/red/yellow vintage potholders.

40th anniversary *established sign*

I know, I know, another one.

Ha! I can't help myself. This one was already in the works (in my head) when it was requested. How could I refuse?!

(See my other ones here and here.)

Supplies used: Dark Walnut stain, white and dark blue acrylic artist paint, clear furniture wax, 2 D-rings.

* a CHEERIOS birthday party *

My sister and brother-in-law threw a fantastic party for their new one-year-old last weekend. (My baby nephew is one!?!) It was way too fun not to share.

They hunted all around for just the right touches - yellow ribbon with white polka dots, napkins, etc. Above: a cheerio box banner, cheerio hearts (strung on pipe cleaners) and also strung cheerios for a table swag.

Above: Asa's SMASH CAKE! (see recipe below). 

Cake (and cupcake) recipe found HERE! (She subbed half the veggie oil for applesauce.)
Topped with a yummy buttercream frosting:
1/2 c crisco
1/2 c butter
5 c powdered sugar
2 Tbsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla 

Punch (found on Pinterest):
1 c. lemonade mix (like country time)
2 c. water
46 oz pineapple juice
24 oz Sprite

She said, "We froze ice cubes of the lemonade and pineapple juice to keep it cool and cut lemons for decoration. It got so many compliments!"

Above: the birthday boy cheesin' it! And with Mimi and Papa, there to celebrate.

My brother-in-law (a.k.a. the amazing spray painter, painter and artist) spent some time making this photo prop - hand-drawn and painted on yellow foam board.

And they used the heart cut-out as the "guest book". Talk about using what you have!

They also put together a banner of pictures from months 1-11 with "cheerio" like labels for the month numbers. So cute!

We love you Asa!! Happy birthday!

Theme colors: red, yellow
Food shown: cupcakes, chocolate covered cheerio bars, cheerio/white chocolate covered pretzel/M&M mix, lemonade/pineapple punch
Decor: red, yellow and white polka dot balloons, cheerio box pennant banner, cheerio hearts from pipe cleaners, and a cheerio table swag.

a vintage-themed baby shower {gender neutral}

A sweet friend and I threw a baby shower for her sister over the weekend. It was so much fun to put together because the mama-to-be is as crazy about vintage as I am! My main inspiration came from THIS photography post.

And I designed the invitation, too. Isn't it sweet?

Did I mention how much fun it was? I pulled things from Pinterest, my shop and my own stash and we added lots of vintage and antique family items like toys, clothing and photos.

The "baby" pennant banner idea came from HERE and don't you just love the coffee filter poms?! Gorgeous, easy and fun to make! Invest a little time and have something great. (Find the tutorial HERE.)

There was a bassinet (which my amazing friend, Sarah, found on the side of the road in amazing condition!), a diaper cake, salt water taffy and plenty of food.

Here are the sweet sisters - due about 3 months apart! I had so much fun celebrating with them. And both aren't finding out the gender until baby is born! How crazy, fun and exciting. (And vintage? ha!)

(A quick obligatory photo of my with the sweet mama - and a peek at my party dress compliments of my grandma again! Isn't the neckline delicious?!)

trash to treasure items: {shutters and wooden chair}

I have a couple more "trash to treasure" makeovers to show you! Remember THIS ONE?  (And more coming too... I need to work on them instead of blog. Ha!)

This was a chair I found beside a curb, and wanted to use it around our DINING TABLE. Unfortunately, it was a little bit too unstable. I had a couple of wreaths resting on it downstairs and decided that I loved this look - as porch decor, that is.

Would you put that on your porch?

And another little pair of shutters, found on the same run, got a couple of coats of mint green and an icy white wreath. I think it'd be perfect on someone's mantle. Not mine, of course, but hopefully someone's! (I don't have a mantle, in case you were confused.)

THE DESK is awaiting the final touches as are a few other pieces.

And ... it's party week this week! I'll be featuring a birthday party, baby shower and a pretty party dress.