Thrifty Christmas Finds in July

 

 

Here are some thrifty Christmas finds that I recently found!

 

 

A vintage Christmas hand towel without a stain or tear on it!  I gave it a good wash but it still needs ironing!

 

 

Another nice hand towel was found at Goodwill.  It’s not a vintage piece but looks new!

 

 

Look at the cute little Santa mugs!  They are made of plastic and are from the 70’s.  I have a matching cookie jar that I found several years ago at a yard sale!

 

 

This hand painted canvas is too cute!  I love going though the art at GW!  A lot of times it’s just ugly, outdated décor but sometimes you can find hand painted pieces by just regular everyday artist.  By the way, I don’t fall in that category!  I can’t hardly draw a straight line!

Sharing with:

Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll thru Life

Open House @ No Minimalist Here

Tuesdays Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

The Scoop Link Party @ The Farmhouse Porch

Project Inspired @ Artsy Chicks Rule

Be Inspired Friday @ Common Ground

Fabulously Creative Party @ Jennifer Rizzo

Tweak it Tuesday @ Cozy Little House

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

Treasure Hunt Thursday @ From My Front Porch to Yours
Share Your Creativity @ It's Overflowing

Seasonal Sunday @ The Tablescaper

Sea Shells & Homemade Ice Cream

 

 

I wish I was by the sea shore!  For now, I’ll have to be satisfied with our backyard paradise!  For the last two weeks, I’ve been fighting a UTI and started different antibiotics yesterday so I haven’t been feeling too great.  Thankfully, my 10 year old niece, Livy, is more than ready to help me!  I had started laying out this tablescape last week and she finished it up for me yesterday!  I figured this would also be a good time to teach her a little lesson on setting tables!

 

 

Last week, Livy helped me wrap the vase in some sea grass raffia type stuff.  It was originally a placemat, just like the one I used when I made the Ballard inspired sea grass lampshade.  We pulled in some DIY mercury glass votive cups and the big GW starfish from the Pelican vignette on the piano.

 

 

The napkins and tablecloth are thrifty finds from Dirt Cheap.  I love the color of the cloth with the images of shells!  I think the orange really pops on this table!

 

 

The wicker type chargers were a yard sale find and the orange dinner plates are from the Dollar Tree.

 

 

The sea shell napkins are from the Trash to Treasures.  Napkin rings are also very easy to make, you can see the sea shell and cowboy napkin rings that I had by clicking here and here.

 

 

The wine glass is made by Waterford and the water glass is Forsythia in the Moonbeam pattern

 

 

To get some relief from this hot weather, I wanted to share our family recipe for Banana Ice Cream!

 

 

It is so easy, but oh so good!  Here’s the recipe:

 

HOMEMADE BANANA ICE CREAM

 

6 bananas, mashed

1 1/2 cups sugar

4 cans evaporated milk

milk

 

Mix the first three ingredients and put in cylinder of the ice cream freezer.  Add milk to bring it up to the fill line.  Freeze according to your ice cream maker’s instructions.  See how easy that is!  You can adjust the recipe to suit your taste as well!  In the past I have used more evaporated milk but I have never used less than 4.

 

 

It is so good!  Do you make your own ice cream?  If not, you should give it a try!

Sharing with:

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

Thrifty Things Friday @ The Thrifty Groove

Centerpiece Wednesday @ The Style Sisters

Treasure Hunt Thursday @ From My Front Porch to Yours

Let’s Dish @ Cuisine Kathleen

Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Seasonal Sundays @ The Tablescaper

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll thru Life

Full Plate Thursday @ Miz Helen's Country Cottage

Foody Friday @ Designs by Gollum
Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors

On the Menu Monday @ StoneGable  

See Ya in the Gumbo @ Ms. enPlace

Back for Seconds Social Part @ Back for Seconds

Summer Vignette

 

Every since I took out the copper boiling pot from over the television, I’ve struggled with what to put up there.  I think I’ve got it now…at least for the summer months!

 

 

I love baskets because of the texture that they bring to a room.  The tall one is a recent auction purchase for $5!  The larger basket is from Dirt Cheap.  I usually just buy linens there but at times I do find some other deals.  To read that post, click here.

 

 

 

The beautiful blue bottle came from there as well.  I think is was like $3.50. I did add a little jute string tied with a small piece of driftwood. 

 

 

I love the fleur de lis basket but it’s another hard item to find a home for!  I leaned it in the middle of the baskets and decided it needed a little something extra so I placed a large seashell in the middle.

 

So what do you think?  Too many baskets? Does the blue bottle keeping it from being too textured?  Does that make sense?  I’m confusing myself here!

 

Sharing with:

Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll thru Life

Open House @ No Minimalist Here

Tuesdays Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

The Scoop Link Party @ The Farmhouse Porch
Tuesdays at Our Home @ Our Home Away From Home
Show Me What Ya Got @ Not JUST A Housewife

Project Inspired @ Artsy Chicks Rule

Be Inspired Friday @ Common Ground

Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors

Fabulously Creative Party @ Jennifer Rizzo

Tweak it Tuesday @ Cozy Little House

Tips, Tutorials, & Tidbits @ StoneGable

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

Treasure Hunt Thursday @ From My Front Porch to Yours
Share Your Creativity @ It's Overflowing

Seasonal Sunday @ The Tablescaper

Thrifty Fashion From Goodwill

 

 

A couple of weeks ago, Savvy and I went into Goodwill to browse around.  Look at what I found!  A Coach bag!  It’s different shades of purple patches made of leather and suede, a perfect accessory for winter fashion!

 

 

Here’s the back side.  I love the chain strap woven with the black leather.

 

 

A little Coach bling!

 

 

Complete with serial number!!  After I showed Savvy my find, she decided to do a little digging of her own and found this Vera Bradley bag!

 

 

It’s in nearly perfect condition!

 

 

Total price for the Coach and Vera Bradley bag….$5.98!  You can’t beat that!  Have you found any recent fashion deals?

 

Sharing with:

Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll thru Life

Open House @ No Minimalist Here

Tuesdays Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

The Scoop Link Party @ The Farmhouse Porch
Tuesdays at Our Home @ Our Home Away From Home
Show Me What Ya Got @ Not JUST A Housewife

Project Inspired @ Artsy Chicks Rule

Be Inspired Friday @ Common Ground

Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors

Fabulously Creative Party @ Jennifer Rizzo

Tweak it Tuesday @ Cozy Little House

Tips, Tutorials, & Tidbits @ StoneGable

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

Treasure Hunt Thursday @ From My Front Porch to Yours
Share Your Creativity @ It's Overflowing

Seasonal Sunday @ The Tablescaper

The Sunday Showcase Party @ By Stephanie Lynn

Celebrating the 4th!

 

I hope everyone had a safe and Happy 4th of July!  Our barbeque went well!  The rain left us alone this year.  Since I got sick a few days earlier, everything was done last minute.  Some things were just left undone because I didn’t feel up to doing everything!  I even sent the kids to the store for supplies and we didn’t actually purchase the fireworks until the 4th but everything worked out in the end!

 

 

After sharing some beverage stations last week, I wanted to show you what I came up!  I pulled out all the vintage tablecloths I could find that were red, white and blue and used them for a more vintage look!

 

 

I purchased the drink dispenser awhile back at Goodwill.  I knew as soon as I saw it that I would be using for the 4th!  The little stool was a recent find from the barn cleaning!  Based on family memories, its about 60 years old!  It was the perfect height and color!

 

 

Another stool from the barn!   There were quite a few stools!  I guess since it was a diary farm they came in handy!  The tub will hold the 2 liter drinks on ice! 

 

 

The coke crates were in my fil’s barn!  We dug ‘em out and washed ‘em up!

 

 

This is where the desserts will go!  Another stool was used to add height and additional serving area.

 

 

I used the new tablecloth from Dirt Cheap on this eight foot long table!  Price for this long, long tablecloth…..$1!   I love a good deal!   The centerpiece I made is surrounded by some garland from the Dollar Tree.

 

 

For seating, I used this old church pew that I purchased at an auction a couple of weeks ago.  It will eventually be headed to our booth.

 

 

See my baker’s rack?  I got it at the auction, too!  I switched out the sewing machine table that was previously here.  I love that it gives me more serving surface and that it doesn’t block the view!

 

 

The table on the back porch was livened up a little too!

 

 

Even the plants have some patriotic touches!   Thanks for stopping by!

 

Sharing with:

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

Thrifty Things Friday @ The Thrifty Groove

Centerpiece Wednesday @ The Style Sisters

Open House @ No Minimalist Here

Let’s Dish @ Cuisine Kathleen

Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Seasonal Sundays @ The Tablescaper

Grace at Home @ Imparting Grace

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll thru Life

 

My First Sign

 

 

Hello, everyone!  Today I wanted to share with you my very first sign!  I love all the great signs that are being made around blog land and wanted to try it!  I recently saw a rustic sign at Destrehan Plantation that said “la cuisine” which in French, means the kitchen.

 

 

I am Very, very slowly working on this cabinet that was rescued from the dump!  While it’s being setting in the foyer waiting for me to finish it, I’ve been trying to find something to put on top of it.  It’s kind of short for the 10 feet ceilings and as you come down the stairs you can see the top clearly.  It was driving me crazy because I knew if I found something to go on top, it would lengthen the height, making it appear taller!  Finally, I said I’m ripping out the top trim!  So I did and I like it better!  I’ll show you the final results whenever I finish it!  Now, I’m left with a pretty piece that would make a fantastic sign!

 

 

I removed the little flat piece to give me more working room.  I filled in the grooves with wood putty and after it dried, I sanded it down good and gave it two coats of white paint.  After determining the size letters that I needed, I printed them out, using regular copy paper.  I purchased carbon paper from Office Depot to trace the letters onto the board.  It was only about $5 a pack and it will last forever! 

Using a couple of small paint brushes, I painted in the letters.  After it was completely dry, I lightly sanded across the letters giving them a worn look.  To tone down the brightness, I used a little dark wax.

 

 

And here it is, over the doorway in the kitchen!  I LOVE how it turned out!  The most difficult part was determining the size letters I needed.  After that, it was easy!

 

Have you made any signs?  If so, what method do you use?

 

Sharing with:

Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll thru Life

Open House @ No Minimalist Here

Tuesdays Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

The Scoop Link Party @ The Farmhouse Porch
Tuesdays at Our Home @ Our Home Away From Home
Show Me What Ya Got @ Not JUST A Housewife

Project Inspired @ Artsy Chicks Rule

Be Inspired Friday @ Common Ground

Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors

Fabulously Creative Party @ Jennifer Rizzo

Tweak it Tuesday @ Cozy Little House

Tips, Tutorials, & Tidbits @ StoneGable

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

Treasure Hunt Thursday @ From My Front Porch to Yours
Share Your Creativity @ It's Overflowing

Seasonal Sunday @ The Tablescaper

The Sunday Showcase Party @ By Stephanie Lynn

Beverage Stations

 

 

Hello, everyone!  Remember last week I showed you some dessert table inspiration?  Now, I’m going to share some beverage stations!  The metal cart that Hunter refinished for me last year is still holding up find but it’s a little small for the crowd that we’re expecting on the 4th.  To see more about the cart, click here.  Check out these inspiring tables!

 

Source

 

I love all the galvanized tubs with the red bandannas!

 

Source

 

Even the sugar is displayed in a pretty hobnail dish!

 

Source

I really like the signs on this one!  I have used jars as drink dispensers before.   I have an old pickle jar that I’ve used before with a ladle.  To see that post, click here.  Even though I do like the signs, I do have the chalkboard tags that I made.  Click here to see that post.

 

 

I love the idea of using a larger piece like this little hutch.  There’s extra room to add in a few patriotic decorations!

 

Source

 

Now this is an awesome wagon!  You can serve plenty of drinks from this!

 

Source

 

If all else fails, I’ll just back one of Hunter’s old trucks to the back yard and serve them from here!

 

Source

Just kidding!  Thanks for stopping by!  I hope everyone has a safe 4th of July!

 

Sharing with:

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

Thrifty Things Friday @ The Thrifty Groove

Centerpiece Wednesday @ The Style Sisters

Open House @ No Minimalist Here

Let’s Dish @ Cuisine Kathleen

Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Seasonal Sundays @ The Tablescaper

Grace at Home @ Imparting Grace

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll thru Life