Suitcase Vacation

I apologize for vacating my blog for a few days. The flu found me and I found my bed. The funny thing is that even in my semi-conscience moments all I could think of was what I wanted to do to make-over my bedroom.
Because I haven't paid much attention to blogging this week I am going to change the deadline for the 31 gifts giveaway from this Saturday to next Tuesday, February 22nd at midnight. That will give you plenty of time to check out the catalog and enter the giveaway.
Speaking of vacations, do you see that big empty corner in my living room? That's where my suitcase stack usually resides. It's also the spot where we put the Christmas tree, so when Christmas came the suitcases took a vacation to the basement. After taking down the tree it seemed so nice to have an empty spot that I didn't rush to bring up the suitcases again---that and I was feeling too exhausted to make the trip down and up the stairs five times carrying suitcases. Did you know that vintage suitcases are heavy even when they're empty? It makes one appreciate the lighter, though characterless, version we have today.
After a couple of weeks of suitcase stack freedom I began to question whether they should return. True, the stack has become my signature piece, both in blogging and in my living room. But just because it's a big statement item doesn't mean that I have to live with it forever. How many things do we keep in our home just because they have always been there? I think that it's nice at times to live without an item to see if you still love it. Living without an item makes it easier to decide if maybe it's time to change things up a bit, either by moving the item to another room or by getting rid of it all together.

After living without my vintage suitcases for two months
I decided that I still love them and that I still want them to be
an important part of my living room's decor. So little by little they reappeared in the room where they belong. My signature piece is back and I am happy.

I'm curious, do you have a signature item in your home?

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Candles and Pantries

When decorating with candles and their holders
do you get frustrated?Does your candle sit a little skiwampus in your hurricane?

Does it look too lonely and bland in it's container?Well the solution is as close as your pantry!
Simply pull out sacks of rice, beans or peas.Dump the dry food goods into the candle holders
and watch your frustration melt away.
I like to use rice,green or yellow split peas,
black, white or kidney beans.I've used epsom salt too.
If you're a coffee drinker you can use coffee beans.
There are several frugal food choices for fillers
right in your own kitchen.
Which ones have you used?

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Magic Before and After

A few months ago I purchased a couple of candlesticks at the thrift store. They were a beautiful shape and size but the finish was a bit confusing. Were they tarnished brass that resembled silver or were they silver plate rubbed down to the brass. Either way I liked them so they came home with me.
Then I stumbled upon an article proclaiming the wonders of an inexpensive product that could easily be found in the automotive aisle. This stuff really is magic-----that is if you can get beyond the horrendous odor of ammonia. I wore my paint mask while scrubbing away with an old towel that quickly turned black as I rubbed and rubbed.But all of the odor and rubbing and elbow grease was worth it when the results are as dramatic as this little before and after. The new finish is a silver-ish with a gold undertone---a really beautiful combination.Now my thrifted treasures are a real treasure find!

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Four For The Fourth

Here's four simple ideas to decorate for the Fourth of July.

DISPLAY IT!

Nothing shows your patriotism more than displaying the American flag.
So hang it in a window.Drill one hole, or more, in a finial and stick in a flag.Place a bunch of flags in a vase or urn.

FRAME IT!

A simple idea---put a flag in a frame.Frame a flag in an old window.

GROUP IT!

Display your patriotic collections in a group for more visual punch.
Like these Uncle Samsor these barn stars.

DECLARE IT!

Find yourself a piece of wood, some paint and a brush (or scrapbook paper and vinyl) and paint a flagor a word.

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Susan's Surprise

I recently worked with Susan rearranging and styling her home. On my second visit I asked her to bring out all of her decorations and accessories that she had stored away but that she wanted to find a place for in her home.

I love this part of my job!

To me it feels like Christmas morning with new toys for
play and imagination.

One of the items that appeared from her box was this
decorative iron piece. I immediately saw it's possibilities!
I told Susan the items she needed to purchase,
then she gave me the opportunity of pulling it all together.

First I cut a piece of cardboard to size then
I adhered floral foam using hot glue. Next I dressed the foam with plenty of moss
and slipped the entire thing into the metal piece. Then came the real fun!

I started with the fillers,
a beautiful backstage of greenery.

Next I placed the florals,
pretty poppies in red and yellow.

I attached a metal wire to the back for easy hanging.

Now Susan has a beautiful arrangement
to hang on her door or in her home,
made from an item that she had stored away.

Do you have something hidden away
that with a little transformation would become
a beautiful accessory?

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Light Delight

My love affair with lighting
can be found throughout my home.

There is my newest in the bookcase.One candle-type light in a little vignette
atop a suitcase stack (another love).Lights are
tucked inside the crown moulding
above the front doorand living room windows.A small strand of Christmas lights is
nestled behind the frames
on the mantle creating a pretty glow.The firebox is lit with Christmas twinkle lights
snuggled amongst faux candlelight.The main bathroom is always illuminated
with a small silicone candle bulb.The kitchen windowsill now hosts a small lamp,
perfect for radiating just enough light for small tasks.
Are you
delighted by lights too?

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Eggstra Special Centerpiece

This little egg basket
almost didn't make the cut this year in my Easter decorating. I was about to toss it back in the bin when I had an idea.
I decided to think inside the box.
I crammed it inside a vintage suitcase,
clipped off the painted criss-cross branches
and surrounded it with moss. I thought it would be fun to place a couple of chicks,
appearing to be newly hatched from their nest. Add in a tulip, another sure sign of spring.Of course it needed a little sparkle to prevent the whole mix
from looking like it was transported from an antique store.
Silver candlesticks and a tray would do the trick,
completed with cream colored candles.And within seconds I had
an egg-stra special centerpiece
anchored by an item that I almost chose not to use.Do you want to copy this idea
but you don't have the same ingredients?

Modify it!

*Try crumbling up newspaper or plastic bags as a filler in the bottom of the suitcase. Then add moss and plastic eggs.
*If you don't have a vintage suitcase, try a basket, lunchbox, bowl, urn, pail, or even a cake stand. Any container will do.
*Substitute a bunny. Or simply scatter a few more eggs around the base.
*You don't have silver candlesticks? Any candlestick will work.
*If you don't like using candles in your decor, try topping the candlesticks with small nests or an egg with a little moss tucked underneath.

If you can dream it,
you can create it!

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