Let Love Grow Tutorial!

In my possession was this rusty old scrub/wash board.

In my possession (sort of, go with me here) is a grown daughter setting up her new white kitchen with turquoise/blue accents.

In my possession is my creative brain and my daughter's recent words to me, "Mom, I really like the saying, 'Let Love Grow'."
Plus her love of succulents...




So I put the two together and came up with this live wall art.

How To Make Asian Beetles Run Away!

Do you have a problem with these stinky, biting Asian Beetles in your house? I do and I heard that you can use Lemon Oil on the areas they like to infest.  Instead of Lemon Oil for furniture polishing...

Magazine Feature

I have exciting news that I have wanted to share for over a year now!

I have a nine (9) page spread in the May 2016 Country Sampler magazine out now in stores!

Don't walk, RUN out to see what pages 48 - 56 have about my home.

Initially when they contacted me after seeing my blog, I was taken aback. I didn't think my home was suited for this magazine. Yes, I do have many country pieces, however over the years I have been refining my home to be more traditional with lots of vintage and whimsy.

They assured me that their magazine was trying to move from mostly Americana style to more of a country vibe.

New Pillows: Love At First Sight

I am ready for Spring even though its been a mild winter...

           Winter is my least favorite season and I am always happy to see it go bye-bye.





I fell in love with this fabric at first sight at Hobby Lobby and bought a yard.

Easter Decor + Architectural Salvage

I love collecting Architectural Salvage!


The key is to learn how to display my decor with and round it...

            allowing both to coordinate, share the spotlight and standout from the norm.

Without even realizing it, as I was taking pictures for my blog to share Easter decor, I realized that Easter decor was not the only common denominator in the pictures...architectural salvage was too!


These two corbels behind the bunny in the window make the bunny even more inviting to look at.

Logic Won Out!

First, I must say that one of the benefits that go with blogging is being able to categorize my pictures of projects and know when I did them.

Time flies and I just don't realize how much has been done until I see all the pictures and how long ago I did each one.

Now on to the reason that logic won out. 

I have a favorite Purdy paint brush that I use to cut in the walls before rolling on the paint. Mine was worn out and I needed a new replacement. As I was buying one at Sherwin Williams, I found a beautiful gallon of blue/gray miss tint paint for $5.

I bought it too.

Vintage Typewriter Collection

What can I say, we are collectors!

We collect so many things and you know you need three or more for it to be called a collection.

That is what happened when my hubby got the desire to collect old typewriters.

Most are kept in the media room...let's face it, it is really his domain since the rest of the house is mine!

Seems like an even trade to me!

Why I Call My Guest Bedroom The MC Room!

 I love MacKenzie-Childs style and if you never heard of them or haven't visited their store or website, you are really missing out in my book.

The style is so fun and whimsical. I am especially attracted to their Courtly Check.

But I am not willing to pay their high prices! I find that it takes the joy out of owning something if it's just way over priced for me.

So I take my talents in sewing and painting and make my own versions of what inspires me about MacKenzie-Childs.

Here is a sampling of what I have done...

Guest Bedroom Reveal ~ MacKenzie-Childs Style

It's finally done and I can now show you the complete guest bedroom reveal!

Pre-Reveal of My Other Guest Bedroom

I am so excited to have so many things happening at once. Between my wonderful new laptop, that I have to transfer all info/pictures from old computer to this one...



To the finalization of the Newly Redone Other Guest Bedroom...I will now call is my MacKenzie Childs Guest Bedroom since I have two guest bedrooms. I call the other one my Blue Guest Bedroom.


So lets get on with the Pre-Reveal...

Winter Cold Brings Redecorating!

What else but redecorating during a long cold winter.

More Winter Decor

I absolutely HATE computer problems. My laptop is good (so they tell me) but it is five years old and it has been in the 'shop' for a tune-up but it is just so slow...so I am researching laptops to buy a new one...frustrating!

But on to talking about this post! I have been decorating a Chiropractor's office for well over 10 years. It's an easy job and I go in about every 6 weeks and change the decor.

Winter Decor Favorites ~ Part I

Year after year, I do away with some seasonal decor, mainly because I keep making new stuff, but some are just my style and I still get a feeling of joy when I open the plastic storage totes and reveal what I have almost forgotten, as it was stored for almost 10 months. Notice the rock that was found above. It looks to be in the shape of Illinois which is where I live so it became a keepsake.

Best of 2015

While this year has been a slow blogging year for me because of time spent with my new granddaughter, Isla Rose...

I still have some outstanding projects that I completed this year...Here is to the Best Of 2015...

Christmas Tour 2015

I have taken time off of my blog to enjoy Thanksgiving time with my family. Here are a couple of cute pictures...

Making a Fireplace MoRe Impressive!

At times, some things are worth repeating! As it goes with my fireplace. Originally it looked like this...

Easy Paint Stripping Lesson 101

I have several favorite shows, and one of them is Rehab Addict with Nicole Curtis...

You CAN Make a Pendant Light Out of Anything!

Here is my popular master bathroom!

It's a well thought out space that hubby and I enjoy using since we gutted it about six years ago.

I love the look of a chandelier over a claw foot tub and installed one over mine.



What I didn't bargain for was having to clean that chandelier every other week. Yes, I am a bit of a neat freak and I just hate the dust on this piece.

And I didn't find any volunteers to take on this task of cleaning, so out goes this little lovely! It's time to be practical.

Painted Patio Rug!

Now that it's done

I can say,


"It's really pretty but,

Oh my aching back!"

I painted this 'rug' directly on the concrete!

Fall Decor in Close-up ~ Part 2

Previous Fall Decor was Part 1, click HERE if you missed it...
                                    Now enjoy seeing the rest...