Decorating in the Dining Room...

I was so thrilled to find these herb boxes on etsy, because I had the perfect spot in mind for them in the dining room. I LOVE how they look! BUT...

I think my family is sick of hearing me sing "are you going to scarborough fair...parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme...." Ya know, that song can be incredibly annoying. Especially since I'm no Ed Ames.

One of my favorite places to go "junking" is our church basement :) I mean, how could I resist these adorable old Sunday School chairs?!

It makes a great "time-out" chair, and the pillow states just how I feel on most days...

Can I get an Amen?

I found these old shutters at the Thrift Store for 1.99, and I knew just where I wanted to put those, too. I never could get this wall to look right before, but I'm loving the shutters.

The hubs brought me this old sewing machine table (the neighbors were tossing it). I love it because it gives me some more buffet space. We do a good bit of entertaining, and I always run out of room for food on the buffet. This little table top folds out to make even more space - YAY! Now the question is, to paint, or not to paint. Hmmm.

I think the 4th herb box looks pretty sweet hanging on the shutters :) The big old wire basket also came from the Thrift store, it was less than a dollar, but I can't remember how much...maybe 59 cents? I'm not sure what it's original purpose was - it's pretty tall.

I guess that pretty much takes care of the Dining room redo...

except for refinishing the table, and finishing the chair covers.

Maybe I'll get started on that soon.

Maybe.

Finished Object Friday - It's in the Bag.

*Edited to add*....I now have several of these totes for sale in my etsy shop, The Parsonage Queen for those of you who may not like to sew ;) So click on over and browse, you're always welcome in my shop!

Ok, now back to the original post ;) 

I first saw this glorified tote bag idea on Susie Harris' blog, and it was one of those I've-got-to-make-these-TODAY things. So I made one for my Mother-in-law for Mother's Day...

and I was hooked.

I enlisted the help of my Mom, and we cranked out enough of them to give as Mother's Day gifts to our church ladies. Of course, I forgot to take any pictures before I gave them all away. But they looked similar to this one, with just one ruffle.

There are a zillion ways to make fabric rosettes, and we learned by trial and error what worked the best.

Then I made this one for myself, just because I had some extra bags left over. And I couldn't resist.

Well, and because I really wanted to try making some rosettes using the twist and glue method.

I liked it! At least I liked all but the hot glue burn on my finger...owie.

Since I used fabric scraps I had laying around already, the only expense was the totes themselves. You can get them at Wal-Mart for 2 bucks each. How awesome is that?! And the possibilities are endless! You can let your imagination run wild.

I'm linking up with Chari's Finished Object Friday.

Happy Weekend!!

Special Touches...

I have a major weakness for old stuff.

I guess you could call me a junk junkie.

I like to have things around me that could tell a story.

And this vintage train case and suitcase set was just too big a temptation.

It was love at first sight.

And the hydrangeas, well, they just make it that much sweeter. Besides, what a perfect way to fill that blank spot in the fireplace!

I've made a few other little changes in the bedroom...

We put away the down comforter and brought out the summer comforter. (After we near roasted to death with the warmer weather...) Not only is it cooler, but the ruffles are just too cute, and it is SO soft. Makes it really hard to get up in the morning.

And I just thought I'd throw in this shot of the sitting area. What is it about old wicker chairs? They get me every time!

Dining Room Goes Neutral - Phase 1

First of all, thanks to you all for sending in your votes!

It was a very close race between "A" and "B"...

so I chose...

"C".

Yep. After all that, I decided to just mix the two.

Several mentioned the flowers, and then others liked the chalkboard, so I used both of those and a little metal container I picked up at Hobby Lobby. And you know what? Y'all rock, because I like it this way better than both the others :) What would I do without you all to make up my mind for me?!

So now,

on to other parts of the dining room.

I'm getting really tired of the toile panels. I know, I know, I just put them up 6 months ago...

But I've used that fabric for the past 6 years. Really. I'm ready for a more neutral palette. (Don't I sound all fancy using words like palette?! Shoot...folks round here would be like "Say what?") Besides, I just realized that I have panels is every. room. of. my. house. barring the kitchen and bath. Can you say RUT? It's time to shake things up a bit, no?

So here's the dining room before...

And then here are a few inspiration photos I gathered off the internet.

LOVE this one...

(Yeah, I know it's not a dining room, but still I love the white)

Did you notice a trend? Check out the window treatments. They're perfect. And simple. That's what got me to thinkin'.

So, I pulled down the pink toile panels,

got back on the old beastly sewing machine,

and created some faux Roman shades of my own.

They could stand to be a touch wider, but I'm still pretty happy with them. It's a nice change. I also added some linen panels to the buffet in an effort to hide some clutter. It worked :)

Now, on to Phase 2...

It may take awhile. I need to refinish my table.

Anybody wanna help?

FOF - Ruffled Burlap Runner

After much fighting,

frustration,

a little praying...

I've come to the bitter conclusion that,

My sewing machine hates me. It really does.

I'll spare you the gory details of the struggle, and just say that I did come out victorious.

My project turned out better than I had hoped in spite of it all, and I'm willing to make peace with the little beast. At least till the next time.

I think my burlap runner turned out looking pretty sweet, if I do say so myself :)

But I have another problem. (This is where you come in.)

I can't decide which accessories look best.

Here is vignette A:

And then here is Vignette B:

Let me bring it in a little closer for ya...

What's your pick? Or do they both look dorky? Perhaps you have other suggestions?

I'm trying to get more of a summer feel with the sand and seashells, and neutral colors. The burlap was just the touch I was looking for, I love the texture of it.

I'm linking up with Chari's Finished Object Friday Party. Don't miss it.

Happy weekend!!

I know SUMMER TIME'S a comin' when...

1. I find myself spending more time OUTside than INside.

2. I can wear those white summer skirts again.

Love 'em, Love 'em.

3. Two sweet little boys bring me 17 weed bouquets per day.

Love those, too.

4. The azaleas totally come alive.

5. I can find cute shoes at the kiddie shoe store.

(Is it just me, or are summer shoes just WAY cuter than winter shoes?!)

6. Kindergarten is OVER!

And a very happy little guy has mailed off his LAST package of school work.

Did I say VERY HAPPY little guy...

7. The Ice cream truck starts making himself a regular visitor.

8. I have to put up with blue mouths. (Thanks to the afore mentioned ice cream truck...)

9. Crocs and sandals have completely taken over our entry way. (Yes, mine and Jackson's are the same size. Yes, I know he is only 6 years old. And yes, it makes me wanna cry. But NO, we do not share. He has stinky feet.)

And finally, my favorite...

10. Spike's back.

Hello, Sweet Summer Time! I've missed you so...

Bamboo Blinds ~ On a Budget.

I've had my heart totally set on bamboo shades for the den. The budget, on the other hand, has been totally against it. Have you priced those things?! Sorry, Home Depot, but I am SO not paying 100 buckaroos for 3 shades. Not happening.

So just imagine my delight when I found these at Big Lots. For $7 each!

Looks WAY better than those ordinary old white mini blinds. I love the extra texture they add to the room - definitely a beachy feel!

I got all 3 for less than 25 bucks!

(Ooohh...notice my impressive math skills...)

Just to prove how cheap I am, I'll let you in on a dirty little secret...

I get Coastal Living magazines from the THRIFT STORE, people! Ye-ahh...I am THAT cheap. Hey, they may not be the most up to date edition, but they're only 3o cents apiece! I could find that much in the dryer...

Introducing...The QUEEN of patina

Come on, meet my newest treasure.

(At this point, she kinda looks like Fred from the Cars movie... me thinks she could use a little "rust-eeze")

I've been wanting one of these old metal gliders FOR. EVAH. My great Aunt Effie was about to send this one off to the scrap metal place, and I was only TOO happy to take her off their hands!

I sanded, and sanded, and sanded some more....till I was sore all over. I'm pretty sure I burned several thousand calories.

(I figure I earned that big fat gooey brownie.)

After sanding like a mad woman, I primed it with Rustoleum primer, then gave her a good coat of "Celery" by Krylon. Then, naturally, I sanded some of it back off in spots to show some of that rusty goodness. Can't have it looking too new and shiny - that would ruin it's character.

Then we proudly set her right smack dab on the front porch.

Ain't she purty?

A twin size ruffled sheet over a piece of foam made a dandy cushion...without me having to sew a single stitch.

I totally LOVE this thing! And it makes the most delicious creaky sound when it rocks :)

(By the way, dontcha just LOVE the house across the street?)

Aunt Effie was also sending a neat old wringer washing machine to the dump.

Well, what's a girl to do?

I told her I'd take it!!

(this is the part where my sweet hubby was banging his head against the wall...)

Now, I need some ideas...what should I do with it?

Oh, and if you need me....I'll be out on the porch.

I'm linking up with Chari's Finished Object Friday!