Drop Cloth Curtains!

After seeing so many posts out there about using drop cloths for curtains,

I decided to jump in and try making some myself!

Now, my kids already think I must be crazy.... so when they saw the drop cloths, they asked me what I was going to paint. I just said, I'm not going to paint anything.... I'm  making curtains! I decided to make the curtains while my husband was out of town for a few days. It seems whenever he is going to be gone for awhile, I always start a project to keep me busy (like I'm not busy enough)! Although, it only took me a couple of hours to complete them. When he got home and said how much he liked the new curtains, I told him they were actually drop cloths! Then he asked what I was going to do with the old curtains and I said, I'll probably be using them for drop cloths!

I bought two 6' x 9' packages at Lowe's for about $10.00 each. But, when I got home and opened them, they had a seam across the middle. I knew that would really bother me, so I returned them and went to Home Depot and purchased theirs for the same price. 

They were so easy to make! Basically, I just turned the top over for a ruffle and sewed a casing at the top. They are already finished around the edges. I washed them several times first, using hot water. I also added fabric softener and dryer sheets to soften them up. I bleached them a little, as well. They did need a lot of ironing, though! I do like how they turned out and especially like the fact that they are so washable and are a heavier fabric. I don't think they look like drop cloths at all!

Don't forget, my giveaway ends in 3 days! You can still enter it here!

Blessings,

A Corner China Cabinet ....Becomes A TV Cabinet!

 I was thrilled when our neighbors gave us their old, worn out, corner china cabinet. Actually, they were going to throw it away, but I said I would take it! I wish I had a before picture of it, because it was in pretty bad shape. My husband thought I was crazy! I had been wanting something to hide the TV and DVD player, etc. in our master bedroom.

Of course, I painted it white and distressed it a little. The old, ugly, outdated knobs were replaced with pink glass knobs and I added the pink floral curtains to hide everything! My husband moved the inside center shelf to the top part of the cabinet to set the DVD player on and then drilled a few holes in the back for the plugs to go through. The drawer even holds all the remotes! I am really happy how it turned out and how all of the equipment fits nicely inside and is hidden away! My husband now admits it looks great in our bedroom!!!

I would love for you to enter my "Watering Can Lamp" giveaway here!

Contest ends March 31.

I'm linking to White Wednesday at Faded Charm 

Swing into Spring at DIY by Design 

TransformationThursday  at The Shabby Chic Cottage

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Flaunt it Friday at Chic on a Shoestring Decorating

Show & Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Masterpiece Monday at BoogieboardCottage!

Blessings,

A Watering Can Lamp Giveaway!

I am so happy to have a giveaway celebrating 100 followers!  I am even happier that I discovered blogland and all of the amazing and inspiring blogs out there! I've "met" so many wonderful people from all over the world that share my same interests in creating beautiful homes for their families, sharing delicious recipes, creative projects, funny stories and helpful advice!  Thank you.... I am inspired by all of you!

I decided as my first giveaway to offer a "Watering Can Lamp" that I created! It stands 14 inches tall and has a burlap shade with a lace ruffle and muslin bow. There's even a birds nest tucked in with three little eggs and some spring flowers! I wanted to make a watering can lamp for my first giveaway because of the post I did here.

Contest starts now and will end March 31. 

1. For one entry, become a follower and leave me a comment. If you are already a follower, then just leave me a comment letting me know.

2. For a second chance, post my giveaway on your sidebar or blog about it. Leave me another comment letting me know you did that.

Thank you and good luck! The winner will be announced April 1.

Blessings,

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

My daughter Jaime found made this Shamrock or Four-leaf Clover when she was in Ireland last fall. She added the extra leaf and actually fooled a few Irish lads! Finding a real four-leaf clover is very rare and a symbol of good luck! The Shamrock with a fourth leaf also represents God's Grace. The four clover leaves symbolize...

One leaf is for FAITH...
The second for HOPE...
The third for LOVE..
And the fourth for LUCK!

In Irish tradition, the three-leaf clover represents the Trinity.

photo from flickr

The most common tradition on St. Patrick's Day is the wearing of the green! If not, you may get pinched!

May your blessings outnumber

The shamrocks that grow,

And may trouble avoid you

Wherever you go.

On St. Patrick's Day we always have the same dinner menu. Since my husband is part Irish, it's always been a tradition that for dinner we have...

Corned Beef
Cabbage
(although, I usually fix Oriental Cole Slaw because no one really likes cooked cabbage in our home)!

Red Potatoes 

Carrots

Irish Soda Bread

Lime Chiffon Pie

MY GIVEAWAY STARTS THIS FRIDAY!

Blessings,

Praying for Japan

I am sure all of you are heart broken like me after watching on TV the absolute devastation that has happened in Japan. I can't imagine the grief and sorrow that the people of Japan are facing right now .... not only with the earthquake and tsunami, but now the nuclear threat. All I can do is offer my prayers for the people of Japan who all are affected by this disaster.

My daughter, Jaime and her friend Fukiko from Japan.

We were so glad to find out that sweet Fukiko and her family are all safe. 

It makes me realize even more how much we all need to be thankful for each day and to also be prepared for any kind of disaster. Living in California, we are always reminded to be prepared for earthquakes by having enough food and water stored up to last for several weeks or even months. I usually buy a few extra cans of food each week just for this reason. That way it's not a huge expense, but is something we all can do and should do! 

Blessings,

Welcome to Our Library!

This is our library/office. 

I've been wanting to share this room for quite awhile, now.  This is where my husband works when he's at home. It is also his creative space (as he's a writer and performer) and it's decorated more in his style. The walls are painted red and there are several vintage airplane prints on the walls. Now, I really do love all of these antiques, but my taste is more cottage style and white painted furniture! 

A lot of our antiques have come from my sister and brother-in-law's antiques stores!

My husband had this roll top desk before we were married. Usually his lap top is sitting there and I admit this room is not always so neat and tidy.... but, it is a working office!

These bookcases are filled with books from wall to wall! 

When my husband Jim and I were first married, his eccentric boss bought a used bookstore just to have the books to fill bookcases in their offices! He soon got tired of them and was going to throw them all away! My husband loaded up our Mustang with hundreds of books! Our car looked like a low rider when he got home! But, we were thrilled to have so many vintage books! We have added to them over the years and even have a children's section!

I was given this antique school desk from my sister and brother-in-law when I was a first grade teacher. They own two antiques stores in Tucson, Arizona! 

This picture story book belonged to my dad when he was a child.

My great grandfather (on the left) and his Bible. 

That was his pocket watch he used when he was a conductor for the railroad.

A pocket watch collection!

I have had so much fun creating little vignettes for this room! It really is a wonderful room and my husband and I enjoy spending a lot of time here.

 I am so delighted to have almost 100 followers! So....  I will be having a giveaway very soon! Stay tuned!

I'm joining Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

and Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

and Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home!

Blessings,

White Paper Roses

This past weekend my Mom came for a visit. She was admiring the paper flower bouquet in my bedroom and asked where I got them. I told her that she had given them to me awhile back. 

However, when she gave them to me they were all in disarray and didn't look very pretty. She had found them at a yard sale and had forgotten all about them. Then she said maybe she should have kept them for  herself!

Sorry Mom, I think I am going to keep them! 

They just look too pretty and vintagey now!

I think that's what I love about yard sales and thrifting so much.... finding things that don't always look so nice at first, but then fixing them up and having something that adds an extra special touch to your home!

I'm joining White Wednesday at Faded Charm!

Blessings,