"Shutterly" Fabulous

**Forgive the crazy layout of this post... Blogger is not cooperating with where I tell the text to go!!**
This past spring Tiffany & I took a trip to an area antique/flea market. I had a list of a few things I was on the lookout for and hadn't really found the right thing for the right price. That was until I spotted these beauties...

Okay so there's only one and it isn't beautiful!! I actually bought a pair of these shutters for $10 cobwebs & dobber nests included.

You see I had this long blank wall in my dining room that desperately needed filling.

I used my handsome helper to help me measure, level and hang them after spraying them with a quick coat of black spray paint.

And we used a very technical method of keeping even spacing.

Complete! Okay so I see the glare on the sides of the shutters where I should touch up the spray paint....but what is it The Nester says? It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful, right?

So I plan to change this up seasonally and it currently looks like this...

So next time you see a pair of rusty, dirty, dusty shutters think about some way you can use them! Remember Tiffany showed us a cute idea to use a pair of shutters here.

Sneak Peek...

I think one of the most exciting things to happen in the last year just happened to me this past week! Okay well maybe not the most exciting...but it has been one of the most anticipated events I've had in the last year related to my house. I can't wait to show you the final results!!! Check back next week to see the before & after of the transformation.

outdoor living

I've been inspired by this picture & The Nester to redo my back porch.

Doesn't this look so inviting?!

This is what my back porch looked like...my unfortunate starting point!

Hopeless, confused & cluttered with toys!

And this is what my back porch looks like now!!

I'm in LOVE!

Aren't you in love??

And this is how I did it. Very simple really.

I went back to the basics.

I de-cluttered & cleared out everything.

First, I added a rug & rearranged the chairs to seem more inviting.

I grabbed 2 wicker chairs from my front porch to complete a sitting area.

I then added drapes to make the space seem more like a living room.

I used broadcloth from Hobby Lobby for $1.99/yd + a 40% coupon!

What a deal!

But the best part...NO sewing!!

I picked up a few plants from Lowes & added those.

Then I "shopped the house" for 2 end tables and other knick knacks.

And Voila!!

A cozy outdoor space that prompts relaxation!! Despite the Texas heat!!

Do you have a back porch that's in need of some lovin'?? Tell us about it!!

Have 8" to spare?

Most of you have probably heard of Locks of Love...but how many of you have heard of Beautiful Lengths? It takes at least 6 ponytails to make one Beautiful Lengths wig. A friend of mine challenged us to think about donating 8" of our hair early this year. I volunteered right away thinking that I was planning on growing my hair out anyway, so why not for a purpose? When she was one person short of her goal I knew that my daughter was the perfect addition. Although she just turned 4 I knew I could get her to agree to this. We talked about how beautiful her hair is and how some little girls don't have hair because they are really sick. I asked her if she would like to give some of her hair away so that other little girls could have beautiful hair too. She was really giddy about it and agreed right away - even told people about it when they commented on how long her hair was. These wigs are dear to my heart because about 9 years ago my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, went through chemo and lost all her hair. Although she was bald and beautiful, she like most women chose to wear a wig. I wanted to do something to help out (my hair is STILL growing!!). This past week it was time. Time to fulfill the commitment we'd made. Here's my precious girl giving a precious gift.

"Whatever you do...do it all for the glory of God." 1 Cor 10:31

I challenge you to give sacrificially: whether it be hair, money, time, services... we are here to reflect the love of Christ. Let your light therefore shine....

I've linked here:

What's Your Sign?

So I have wanted a family sign for just about forever!!! I have seen several at craft shows & online but have never bitten the bullet and bought one for myself. There are so many variations to this sign... some etched, vinyl, overlayed, with all the names, & some with art. I wanted just my last name and just the year we were married... no additional frills. I figured rather than keep searching until I found one (that I would talk myself out of due to cost) I would make my own!!

I started with a piece of wood like this...

Added my letters like this...

Painted like this...
Excuse the arm blocking part of the shot... my personal photographer was doing his best (blame it on my awkward painting position).

Beat it and sanded it with things like this...

And ended up with something like this!! For my very first hand painted sign I'm fairly happy with it.


What have you made for yourself because you just couldn't find (or afford) exactly what you were looking for?

no watering necessary!

I've been on the hunt this month for all things GREEN!

Topiaries, boxwoods...anything fake really. Here's some of my faves.

This boxwood wreath was too small for the original place that I had in mind for it, so I adorned this candlestick instead.

Being the thrifty gal that I am, I actually made these moss balls. It's as easy as hot-gluing moss to styrofoam balls. Super cheap & super easy!

Up close, you can see a few bald spots where my daughter has had her way with them. It's a game we play daily.

These 2 guys are enjoyed from both my kitchen and living room.

On a side note, if you haven't come across these cloche bell jars,

they're becoming very popular.

For other ideas on how to use them, click here, here, and here

I've even added some color to my front porch.

No watering needed!!

Do you have a love for fake greens

OR have you used a cloche jar before??

Tell us about it!!