Patriotic Pieces

I had a couple of pieces hanging around the house that could be used for 4th of July.  The first was this wooden flag I picked up last year for a couple of dollars at a Thrift Store.  I thought it would look nice hanging outside our front door.

I had some red acrylic paint, but picked up some white and blue along with some clear spray paint at Hobby Lobby.

 

After a couple of coats of acrylic paint and a couple coats of spray paint, it was all done.

The other thing I had around the house was this styrofoam star...don't know where it came from.

I was pretty much stumped as to what to do with it.  I stumbled across these pom-pom balls and thought they might work. I bought some red, white, and blue ones.

 

Now, I must admit the finished product is a bit cheesy...with all the puff balls.  Kind of reminds me of something a Grandma would have in her house.  However, when placed on the mantel with all of the other decorations  it doesn't look so bad.  

Summer Mantel

Last summer my husband helped me create an outside mantel.  You can read about that project here.  Since last year, the mantel has looked like this.

I was thinking it might be fun to switch things up a bit for summertime.  I gathered some things I already had and purchased some others.

Found these pinwheels at Hobby Lobby for 99 cents each.

The fish is also from Hobby Lobby and was 40% off the price shown.

 

You guessed it...sand from Hobby Lobby.

I had this "Vacation" sign from last year.

Jute...it always adds a cool touch.  I used some on a few mason jars.

 

 I found this printable online somewhere last year (can't remember where.)  I needed a new frame for it so I picked one up from Goodwill for 99 cents and spray painted it red.

Once everything was put together, here is what I came up with.

Next to the sign are a couple of my holders from my homemade candy buffet.  I filled one with shells and another with a lei.

The three mason jars have jute wrapped up on top and filled with the sand that I bought.

 

 I made this banner last year and used it indoors.  It's made of pre-cut letters and scrapbook paper.  I hole-punched the tops and used jute (again) to hang it.

Thursday Thoughts

Ten Thoughts This Thursday

1.  I wish...I had more time to develop pictures and put them in a scrapbook.

2.  I want...new carpet.

3. I think...So You Think You Can Dance is my favorite summer show.

4.  I laugh...at our new kitten (so playful.)

5.  I appreciate...the lovely smell of our blooming jasmine.

6.  I enjoy...redecorating our mantel.

7.  I struggle...with keeping our dinner menu low-carb and creative.

8.  I feel...relieved that it's summer vacation for the kids and me.

9.  I recommend...http://djreidiculous.com/reidiculous/ for some great remixes.

Cute Inexpensive Banner Idea

I turned 40 the end of May and we had a fantastic party at the house with a DJ and everything.  The entire event was just perfect.  The decorations were kept to a minimum to keep the feel of the party simple, yet elegant.

I made some banners and some centerpieces for the tables.

For the banner I started with a small (5 inch) doily...since I have a couple thousand of them.  I ended up with a box of them when a business closed a few years ago. 

I purchased a set of stencils at Hobby Lobby.

Using a make-up sponge I had and a black ink pad, I stamped each doily to spell out what I wanted.

Once the doilies were stamped I used a low temp glue gun and glued some satin ribbon behind the doilies in order to hang them.

It's kind of far away, but here is one that said "Happy Birthday."

And just to tag onto this post, the other thing I made were tin can vases.  I rummaged through our cabinets and found some old canned food that could be tossed.  Using scrapbook paper I measured, cut, and wrapped it around the can.  I glued it in place to initially hold the paper, and then glued it again at the seam.  Then I glued some ribbon at the top and bottom.  For a couple of the "vases" I added some orange felt rosettes.