Belt Buckle Display

I found this cup/saucer shelving at a garage sale... it was a dark brown finish & very plain.  $5.  I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with it, but I wanted it & knew I could put it to use somehow.

& there ya go... A belt buckle display case.  

First I spray painted the entire thing red.  {It came without the backing.}  Then, using a pretty rough sand paper, I sanded it down to this distressed look.  I had Ryan cut a piece of old tin to fit the back of the shelving, then attach it.  

I am very happy with the results!

This project was so simple.  & I love how the rugged look of this really makes those buckles shine.  

 

 

 

 

   

 

They are just so pretty.  Why not display them?   

A Peek into Our Living Room

 

The front door.  Welcome to our home :)

The "Kunz Family" sign was a bridal shower gift from my aunt & cousins... {they gave me a set of amazing napkins & a beautiful apron also... but that's another post.}  Anyway, depending on the wall space, I usually never let a sign or plaque hang alone.  Here I added an old weather vane from my parents' barn, a thrift store shelf {spray painted}, and the three votive holders.

I never stop at the sign.  

 

Here's another example... this big "rodeo" plaque was a birthday gift from my mother-in-law.  I just added the small garage sale shelf {spray painted & sanded} and the vintage insulators.  {I use these & blue mason jars throughout the house to tie everything together with that pretty accent color.}

Pheasant feathers- you'll find these throughout our home. 

 

Our computer desk was an old white desk, now painted black.  Accented with ivory lanterns, old books, a cow, roosters, and ornate gold frames.

 

Another mason jar- I keep ticket stubs & other small memorabilia in here.

 My "Cowboy Coaster Corral" -a stirrup.

 I keep my dad's childhood saddle on display.  I love all of the character in this little saddle.  The chicken-wire box was the card box Ryan built for our wedding.  {Now filled with birch logs.}

As I looked around our home the other day, I realized that most of what we have is actually old, made new, or just plain old -that's always good too.  It really doesn't take much to decorate a room if you can just walk into a garage sale/thrift store/basement or attic with an open, creative mind.

& maybe a little spray paint.

Our Kitchen Makeover

 Before {When we bought the house last fall}

&

After

 We used corrugated tin from an old farm building for our backsplash.

 We painted & scuffed cabinet doors & drawer fronts.

 

I have a lot of work to do here on the rack...but check out the missing spindles on top of the cabinets!

 

 My cast iron skillet {a kitchen necessity}.  On the new range. 

 New light fixtures. {& soon-to-be new window trim [ivory].}

 

 

& along with a little lovin' -every kitchen needs a cookie jar.

Lace Dream Catcher

Here's a little something I threw together for June's room.  I have yet to really focus on one theme for her always-changing bedroom decor... but it goes something like this: shabby cowgirl gypsy chic. 

I used:
a wooden embroidery hoop -painted with craft paint
feathers -ends dipped in craft paint
lace fabric
embroidery thread

The simple steps:

• Wrap & tie the ends of the feathers with embroidery thread.  
• Attach the opposite end of that thread to the smaller {inside} loop by wrapping & tying.
• Place your lace fabric over that same smaller loop.
• Then place the larger, adjustable loop over the fabric & on the smaller loop & tighten. {Making sure to keep the lace fabric tight.}
• Trim the fabric off of the back of the loop.  

Hang & admire. 

{I have a few more finished with additional details, I'll get those pictures up as soon as I can!} 

Faux Ironstone

 

'Tis the season for yard & garage sales.  Keep an eye open for those uniquely shaped, yet ugly-colored glass & ceramic vases, pitchers, etc.  Spray paint can turn the ugliest little pitcher into a pretty ironstone-esque decor piece for your home.

I am in love with old Ironstone pitchers.  I don't have the funds or time to come up with a large Ironstone collection like my mom's.  So until the day she decides to pass those down... ;) ... I'll just continue to re-create the look with paint.   

When spray painting glass & ceramic, make sure it is done in light coats, allowing it to dry to the touch between coats.  {It's really only minutes between coats.}  I use an ivory/cream spray paint to achieve the look of Ironstone.  All of my mom's Ironstone pitchers have a high-sheen finish, so a gloss spray paint would probably work best.  However, I used a satin finish paint here & love how it turned out.   

& what would one of my posts be without a mason jar?  It's getting ridiculous... I know.

 

This little pitcher was littered with an outdated floral pattern until I salvaged the poor thing. 

Happy Thrifting!

Summer Porch Lights

 

DIY Garden Lights..

 

  

 Grater Lanterns {vintage graters placed over tea-lights.}

 

  

Vintage insulators placed over battery-operated tea-lights.

 

 

My firefly lights {featured on LaurenConrad.com} & my simple how-to!

These are just a few pretty ways to bring a little light to your outdoor living.

Simple Garden Lights

These garden lights are a variation of my glass garden ornaments.  The difference is that I use cups, deep bowls, or shallow vases instead of the candlestick holders as the top piece.  Then I just add a candle.

This particular garden light is made with vintage milk glass.  I love the way the candle light shines through so softly!  Use these instructions to start creating your own!  Good luck!