Easter Burlap Flag

I made this Easter flag last year and and am so happy to put it up again this year.  It's super easy to do and looks so cute on the front porch.  The craft stores are filled with burlap already seamed and in a roll so you don't have to wash the burlap and seam it yourself (which I did last year and takes some time).  You do have to create a fold at the top for your rod.  Simply fold over the top and use a double sided heat n bond tape that seals with an iron.

Trace a bunny and paint.

Simple.

Have a great day.

Paula

Friday Obsessions...

Lovely green....

pretty eggs...

polka dots and pink.....

carrot cupcakes....

baby bully.....

Have a great weekend....


Paula

Inspiration....

"You don't always need a plan.   Sometimes you just need to breathe, trust, let go and see what happens."

                                                                                                            ~Mandy Hale

Painted Mackenzie-Child's Like Wall Planter

I keep saying that the options for painting fun and creative things are.....unlimited.   A friend of mine brought me this wall planter that she wants to put on her porch. It came in an ugly tan color and she asked me to check it up.  Painting on metal can be tricky because not all paints will stick.  So typically, I will coat a piece with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint before I apply acrylics.  It really is a great paint and pretty much sticks to anything - even metal.  Here is the planter covered with chalk paint.

I painted the base black and the buckets white (I forgot to take pictures but you can imagine this right?).  Then, I gave it some checks and stripes.

If you take a wet rag and dab it into some colored paint, you can drag it across your paint once it has dried.  This is a great way to bring your own colors into a space.

Since this is going to be outside on a porch, I gave is a spray of polyurethane.  I use a spray whenever I have an outside piece.  It's so much easier than trying to brush it on.  This takes all of 15 seconds so grab a can next time you are at the paint store :)

I can't wait to see this on my friend's porch.  It is going to look so cute!

Have a great week.

Paula

Birdhouses Make Me Happy

I've been working on my birdhouses and loving them.  A friend brought me this house to....update. :)

Cute as is....but it can definitely be made to look fabulous.  Using a metal birdhouse is actually easier to paint than some of the wood ones I've been doing and will certainly stand up to the wet weather a bit better.

Some bird is going to be very very happy.  And if not the bird, this little house sitting on a porch is going to make a lot of people smile.  How can it not?

Have a great week!

Paula

Friday Obsessions.....

 Beautiful stained glass and tub.....

Black and White Dining Room.....

Dinner.....

Different and beautiful....

Comfy.....

Have a wonderful weekend.....

Paula

Tulip Time

Loving all the beautiful tulips starting to come out......

I'm heading out to work on my spring pots.  How about you?

Paula

Porch Creativity - Painting Flowers That Last

Add a little fun to your porch by painting metal flowers that will last....forever.  This is a great idea that will add whimsy to your porch or your flower beds.

Take a metal flower from the craft store and change the colors to work with your porch and/or planters.  These were  already painted but it's more fun to paint them to suit your own special place.

I added some colors for a client and then gave them a quick coat of poly.  

These look absolutely adorable on her side porch.  And now, she wants a few more. :)

Your painting options are endless.....

Have fun.

Paula


 

Spring Bird Houses

I recently put up a bird feeder in my backyard.  I've been having more fun watching all the different birds come by.  It gives meaning to finding pleasure in the small things :)  My feeder out back is an old glass jar turned upside down with a plate at the bottom.  Nothing fancy.

 So I decided to paint and create my own feeders.  Look how fun they can be!  You can find bird feeders at any craft store.  Pull out your paints and paint away!

 Here is a very tiny house that isn't quite done...but it's so sweet!

So happy spring is here!  If you want to add some charm to your porch paint a bird house.  You will be so happy you did.  I smile every time I walk by these.


Paula

Friday Obsessions....

Tumeric......(look up all the great benefits of this spice)

 Great end table found on Horchow.....that you can do!

So ready for spring......white shirt and jeans...

Texas Gold.....from Paula Deen..... (not healthy but yummy :)

Love watching moms do what we do...

Enjoy....be kind....

Paula

Fruits Of The Spirit - Self Control

I've been covering the "fruits of the spirit" over the last couple of months as I work on my never ending quest of self improvement. The last fruit is that of Self Control.

Are you able to control your emotions, behaviors and desires in the face of circumstances affecting your life? Are you able to avoid impulses and emotions that lead to negativity?

As I've gotten older, I realize that being calm and taking a few minutes to breathe before I react, allows a much better response and a much better feeling inside.

As Faith Hill sings.....just breathe.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

(Galatians 5:22-23 ESV

Paula

Chalk Paint Favorite Colors

I'm often asked what my favorite chalk paint colors are....  I have learned over the years that neutral colors work best for me.  I like pieces that I can move from room to room.  If I have a bold color it is harder to move.  So for me, I like Old White, Paris Grey, Country Grey and Duck Egg Blue for a bit of pop.  They are versatile colors that can pretty much go in any room.

The above piece was found on Pinterest and is done in Country Grey with clear and dark wax.  Isn't it just beautiful?  This is a great color and one of my favorites.

Have a great day.

Paula

Closing Doors...

Life is funny.....and let's be honest here...life can be downright stressful at times.  But if you trust in a higher power and have faith, then you have to know that when life throws you a curve, it's God steering you in a new direction.  He knows what is best for you.  So trust that He has a plan for your life.

You can stay where you are and be unhappy, or you can take steps to make positive changes and better things will come.  Sure, it's scary to step out and try new things but why stay where you are unhappy or unwanted?   Just like these salt shakers. They don't have to stay the way they are with their ugly checks and fruits.  With a little paint and effort they can become something new.

They never knew how much they could look like the real Mackenzie Child's ones below!  

So look, when that darn door closes...and sometimes slams shut....Don't worry...Be Happy!  You are on your way to a better place.  It's God's way of getting you where you need to be.

"Trust in the Lord with all thy heart and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will direct they paths.     ~ Proverbs 3:5-6

Paula

Checkered Stool - DIY Mackenzie-Child's

I've had so many emails about painting checks this week that I thought it might be easier to show you another post on how to do this.    

This started out as a put together out of the box stool.  But you can paint an old bench that has already been painted too.

Paint the legs black and the top white.  If you have a large flat surface, you can use a pencil and ruler to mark out an even grid. This will help if the checks are already outlined.  Don't worry about being perfect.  It's the imperfection that makes it cute!  And you can go back with white paint and a small brush to clean it up.

You can minimize brush strokes by using a brush close to the same width of the checks.  Practice a bit before starting.

Lightly brush colors through your checks.

You can add little checks too!

It's not as hard as it looks.  Hope this helps.  Give it a try! Let me know if you have questions.

Paula