Monogram Wreath Makeover {Summer Edition}

A few years ago, I made a monogram wreath. I LOVE monograms and have them in several places in our house. They are timeless and I think they'll always be in style in some form or fashion.

You can view the tutorial for the monogram wreath here. As the seasons have passed and my tastes have changed, I have madeover the same monogram wreath just by changing out the floral stems, picks, and ribbon, etc. I love this wreath and haven't found one I like better for my front door so I keep using it over and over and over.

Here's what it looked like a couple days ago...

And now it looks like this...

This is one of my favorite versions I used last year...

With a better looking door, I was motivated to get out and scrub the porch clean and put new plants in my large porch planter, get new cushions for the chairs and add some hanging plants. I'm loving it! Now, all I need is a glass of iced tea and a good book.

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Succulent Garden

I've mentioned a few times here lately that I love succulents. I think it's safe to say I've become slightly obsessed with them. Several weeks ago, I posted about these. Then, I bought a couple more in a different variety about 2 weeks ago to use in another area.

 But when I found these at Walmart for $6.96 just the other day, I could not resist. I knew I had to make a succulent garden for my front porch. It came with so many that I made this:

...and still had enough for this...

...and this...

...and this.

Have you fallen for the succulent trend, too?? I'd love to see what you've done with yours. Leave a comment with a link to yours!

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Have a wonderful day!

Painted Clay Pots {Tutorial}

There's something about a clay pot. I'm not sure why I love them so much, but I do. They are simple, beautiful and they get more lovely with age. They also remind me of the biblical reference to clay and how God is the Master Potter and we are but clay in His hands. He molds us to be exactly what He wants us to be and we become not only useful to Him, but a masterpiece.

I wanted to embellish some clay pots for some succulents I bought to display and after seeing this {gilded clay pots} on Pinterest, I knew I had to try it. Because I liked the look, but didn't want to try to find the gold leaf and waste all that time, I used the Antique Gold craft paint {less than $1} and a foam brush to paint it on. Literally took just minutes start to finish including planting. Try it! You'll love it.

Here's a song my music pastor wrote that I love about the Master Potter.

Molding a Masterpiece by Ron Hamilton

Master Potter, why do You labor all day,
Giving such effort to rough, worthless pieces of clay?
Why such feeling in Your hands? Why such care in every touch?
Why all the struggle? Your creation is nothing but dust.

I'm molding a masterpiece, a work of great beauty.
I'm molding a masterpiece; My labor's not done.
A trophy, a treasure of worth beyond measure
I'm molding a masterpiece, a masterpiece of love.

Loving Jesus, why are the children all here,
Gathered around You and eagerly clinging so near?
Urgent matters clamor loudly, and the children interfere
Why do You hold them, and so tenderly dry every tear?I'm molding a masterpiece, a work of great beauty.
I'm molding a masterpiece; My labor's not done.
A trophy, a treasure of worth beyond measure
I'm molding a masterpiece, a masterpiece of love.

Heavenly Father, sometimes I question Your way:
Why do You ask me to mold simple pieces of clay?
Give me eyes to see the future, though it's hidden from my view;
Give me compassion as I'm molding a treasure for You.I'm molding a masterpiece, a work of great beauty.
I'm molding a masterpiece; My labor's not done.
A trophy, a treasure of worth beyond measure
I'm molding a masterpiece, a masterpiece of love.

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Happy Birthday, Ebates! Celebrate with 14% cash back!!

If you need to do any shopping today, you need to first go check out ebates.com and see if your favorite store is offering 14% cash back! There are dozens of stores online, including Old Navy, Tommy Hilfiger, GAP, Under Armour, AVON, Godiva, Macy's, Banana Republic and Puritan's Pride, that are offering 14% CASH BACK TODAY in order to celebrate the 14th birthday of Ebates!! You cannot lose in this situation. Pair this cash back with the ongoing sales at your favorite stores (i.e. Old Navy has shorts starting at $8, sandals starting at $12.49) and you've got yourself some big savings!

If you are new to ebates, sign up here! If you already have an account, go quick and get some savings!

Framed Birdcage {Tutorial}

I've been on the lookout for a cute, metal birdcage to hang on the wall in my daughter's room. I had seen some at Hobby Lobby, but wasn't sure yet about purchasing one until the other day. The metal art was all 50% off again and I knew it was time to buy. I'm working on updating my oldest daughter's room, but unsure of the whole plan yet. So, I'm just working on it as I find things I like. This is one project I've been thinking about for awhile. I don't know if it's because I saw my sister do a project similar a couple years ago or if I just liked it some much I wanted to do one somewhere in my house, but here it is....

{This room is a work in progress, as you can see, but I decided to swallow my pride and keep it real for the picture. Hopefully, in a couple of months, I can show you an 'After' pic!!}

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Thanks for stopping by!

Pinspiration Hoop Art {Tutorial}

I'm finally back to blogging after a short break. I was helping my sister celebrate her upcoming birthday in Disney World last week! You can read all about it here, if you're so inclined. She has some good tips for planning a girlfriends' trip to Disney there. I highly recommend it!!
If you're like me, and you're on Pinterest, chances are you have hundreds of great ideas stored up in some of those boards you've created or possibly even hundreds of 'likes' that you plan to create....someday. Well, I've decided to try and do some of the things I have pinned and liked on Pinterest. One of them I tried yesterday and love the results!

I pinned this pin that originated here a long time ago. And when my two youngest girls decided to share a bedroom, I knew I wanted to incorporate this into their new room to fit their personal styles. These are two of the ones I made...

{don't forget to tighten the fabric again before you hang!}

To make: Just pick your background fabric and felt for your project. Then, cut your felt into shapes of things you want on there. If you need a guide, print a graphic image from google and use it as a pattern. Use needle and thread to embroider the details on. You could do all black felt for a silhouette look! I may do that for my oldest daughter's room!

 

Now, I just need to repaint their room, move some things around and then I can hang them! Hopefully, the painting will happen soon. Stay tuned!

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Thrifty Finds + a Couple Tips for Thrifting

I love going to my local thrift stores! We have several around here that price their stuff fairly cheap. I don't find something everytime I go but sometimes you just have to walk out empty handed. These are a couple of my tips for thrifting...

 

1) Go in with a plan or a list. (Or at least an idea of the type of things you are looking for.)

If you go in just to look around you're likely going to come out with stuff you don't really need or have any idea what to do with it. Don't get me wrong, I love to go and 'just look', but more often than not, I'll end up buying stuff I don't have a place for.

2) Just because it's cheap doesn't mean you should buy it. There are a LOT of great deals out there especially at yard sales, but seriously, remember that this treasure you're looking at is someone else's junk. Some of my friends yard sale and find great things to resell on ebay and they make money doing that. If you're going to do that, make sure you have a plan and a place for it all so that you don't become a hoarder. Get it, list it and get rid of it. Using the ebay app for iPhone is great here. You can look up whatever item you're hoping to sell (before you buy it) and find out what it's going for on ebay. This will give you a great idea of whether it's worth it to buy it or not.

3) It's okay to walk away. When you're at yard sales, it's sometimes awkward to walk away empty handed. Get over it. (I still feel awkward.) Just because the person is standing there staring at you browsing at their junk doesn't mean you have to buy it. I'm not a yard sale pro by any means, but I hope to do more of it this year. My friends are great yard salers!

 

These are a few of my recent finds by thrifting!

What rules to do you go by for thrifting? Are you an impromptu buyer?

Happy Yard Saleing this weekend!
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