Feeling patriotic

It can't seriously have been almost an entire year since my last blog post!  Wow!  No particular reason for the hiatus, just living life.

Since the 4th of July is practically knocking on our door, I have been feeling especially patriotic this year.  Normally, I don't decorate for the 4th of July.  This year I decided to have fun with my patriotism.  Just thought I would share my 4h of July decor.  Are you ready for a lot of pictures?  Here we go.

This is my ever changing entryway.

Up next is the living room.

Two of my most recent finds can be found on my mantel.  One is this enormous ironstone crock.  Love at first sight for me.  

Second find was the vintage trophy.  Definitely felt like a winner when I got it!

Next up is the kitchen area.

Lastly, is the upstairs bonus room.

Made these flag pillows based off a tutorial from Celebrate Creativity found here.

Hope you enjoyed!

Sharing over at Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

Irish Linen Press

Hello all!

While heading to my mother's home one day, I saw a garage sale sign.  It is a good thing my mother wasn't with me because I took the car on two wheels to make the turn!  She is always concerned with my driving when on the hunt for garage sales.  I see her hit her invisible brakes many times.  I am sure I am not alone when I say I brake for garage sales!

Anyways, I stumbled upon the most beautiful linen press of all time.  The previous owner got it overseas when her husband was stationed in Germany.  It is truly one of the most authentic antique pieces I have found to date.  I had to snatch it up at the price she was asking.  I mean this piece stands the test of time.  You know worm holes, small fixes not just cast aside.  Can you believe it sat in my mother's garage for almost an entire year!  Unfortunately, it just doesn't fit anywhere in my house currently.  I just had a hard time parting with this.  With much sadness, I had to place it in the shop to sell.

 
I think it is a steal at the price I have it at.  So far, no bites.  Maybe subconsciously I have it priced higher and perhaps I will have to find a spot for it in my house.  Hubby would just love that!!!

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Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage blog

   

Busy Bee

Busy bee!  That is exactly what I feel like these days.  Since school has ended, I have been running the kids to day camps or entertaining them from dying from boredom.  We actually got to visit with some family in Missouri this past weekend.  It was great!

Anyways, I have been excited to tell you what I have been fiddling with.  I use Photoshop Elements to edit my photos.  For those of you who play in Elements, I am sure you have heard of Florabella.  I have admired Florabella Photoshop Actions just about forever now.  Well, I decided to jump in and buy a bundle.  It took me a while to pull the trigger because I usually never would spend that amount on actions.  I felt like I could justify it as an invest and savings by getting frame worthy photos I took instead of a professional photographer (at least that is what I am telling myself).

I thought I would share some of my pictures.  Before pictures are straight out of camera on Auto Mode.

I wish I could tell you exactly which actions I used within this bundle package but the combinations are limitless.  I spent hours fiddling with just these photos.  I literally could get lost for hours creating edits.  What is great about these actions is you can make adjustments on each layer.  I purchased Florabella TRINITY + Retouch/Workflow Brushes bundle.  I really do love these actions.  If you want to check out actions without making such a financial commitment, there are plenty of free actions for you to play with.  Check out The Pioneer Woman or The CoffeeShop Blog.

I would really love to know what you think of my editing.  Please comment.  I need input to make sure I am not over editing them.  Share at:

 

Under the Sea!

I have been going postal going coastal!  I have decided my upstairs addition would be a coastal theme.  I don't really know why.  I am not crazy about going to the beach.  I only like to swim in water that I can see in.  I have watched one to many River Monster shows with my son!  To get inspiration, I started searching on Pinterest.  I came across some mermaid decor.  Like any good DIYer, I found my inspiration and got to work.

I started out with a piece of wood. Sketch out my mermaid and started jigsawing!  I think my husband was waiting to call an ambulance.  I would say I felt I was safe.  I mean, I knew where all my fingers were in relationship to the blade at all times.  Anyways, here is my shape cut out (and I didn't even cut off a single finger).

Now for the part I felt was agonizing.  What should I do?  Stain?  Paint?  After much deliberation, I decided to go for painting it.  What color should I go with?  So many options!  Since my walls are a light blue, I decided to go with an orange and navy for the color pop.  Here is pictures from beginning to end.

 

After all of that work, I don't know how I feel about it right there.  

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